《My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult》 Chapter 1 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios In the 13th year of Xingping, in Yuzhou City. Unknowingly, ten years had passed since the flood in the third year of Xingping. Dazzling sunlight shone on the green tiles and red walls. Standing on the Yuzhou bridge, one could see the overhanging eaves, the shop sign flag fluttering in the air, the travelling carriages and horses, and the endless stream of pedestrians. On both sides of the streets were teahouses, taverns, pawn shops, and so on. There were also many hawkers with large umbrellas on the empty space beside them. The bustling streets extended along the Yuzhou River to the east and west, all the way to the quiet suburbs outside the city. However, there were still many pedestrians on the streets: some carrying loads, some riding ox carts and donkeys to deliver goods, some stopping to admire the scenery of Yuzhou River. With the tall city tower as the center, rows upon rows of houses formed a unique alley. On the west side of the street, there was a rather worn plaque with the words ¡®Ji Shi Hall¡¯ engraved on it. ¡°Pa! Pa! Pa!¡± A series of abacus sounds came from the pharmacy. The person who was tapping the abacus was a young man with delicate and handsome features. The most special thing about him was his eyes. They were long and thin, but the corners of his eyes were deep. When his eyelashes blinked, it was as if the clouds covered the moon. The young man¡¯s name was An Jing. At this moment, he was standing in front of the medicine shop counter, tapping his abacus while recording the accounts. ¡°1.5kg of Cecelia is 300 dollars.¡± ¡°0.5kg of _ is 150 coins.¡± ¡°There¡¯s still coriander in stock. I won¡¯t buy it this time. Maybe I can save some money.¡± ¡°Pa! Pa! Pa!¡± ¡­¡­ ¡°Doctor An, do you want a wife?¡± At that moment, a hurried voice came from outside the wooden curtain. An Jing looked up and saw a skinny middle-aged man rushing in. ¡°As long as you give the word, I¡¯ll send her to you immediately.¡± An Jing looked up and smiled. ¡°If you want to give some wives to me, then give me a few more.¡± The person in front of him was Old Niu Fu, who lived in Yuzhou City. He was also a famous dentist. Some time ago, Niu Fu had a severe flu and a few doctors in Yuzhou City were unable to cure him. In the end, An Jing took action and managed to save his life. ¡°Didn¡¯t Uncle Niu arrange several blind dates for you, but they all ended up failing? This time, Uncle Niu found a good family.¡± Niu Fu said excitedly, ¡°The lady and her entire family moved here not long ago and she is still single. She looks extremely beautiful, it is my first time seeing someone like her¡­¡± An Jing asked suspiciously, ¡°Uncle Niu, are you serious?¡± Some time ago, An Jing also went on blind dates four or five times, but in the end, they all ended futile. There were two reasons why men treated women. If she could arouse his body¡¯s instincts and if he could control her with one hand. Uncle Niu spluttered and said, ¡°This lady is called Zhao Qingmei. She comes from a scholarly family and is proficient in everything, including sewing, chess, calligraphy and painting. She¡¯s a true lady from a wealthy family.¡± ¡°Doctor An, if you can marry her, you¡¯ll be blessed for eight lifetimes.¡± An Jing asked curiously, ¡°Are you lying to me?¡± A lady from a respectable family, sweet and gentle, and talented is simply the ideal woman for a man. ¡°Why would I lie to you? You are my savior.¡± Uncle Niu patted his chest and said confidently, ¡°If I lie, I will be struck by lightning.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll give her a meet.¡± An Jing nodded. After all, An Jing knew very well that he had to meet her in real life to testify the claims. ¡°Doctor An, since you¡¯ve agreed, I¡¯ll arrange for the two of you to meet tomorrow. It will be in the Datong Teahouse. Don¡¯t forget this appointment.¡± When Uncle Niu heard An Jing¡¯s words, his face was full of smiles. ¡°I¡¯ll go back and inform them now. She is still waiting for my reply.¡± ¡°Uncle Niu, wait!¡± ¡°Get ready for tomorrow, I¡¯ll bring her over.¡± Uncle Niu ran away in a hurry, not giving An Jing any chance to speak. ¡°Sigh, Uncle Niu.¡± An Jing looked at the hurried back and sighed. ¡°He was in such a hurry. I haven¡¯t asked him.¡± An Jing was his name in this life. The original owner of this body had died in the flood long ago, and he had taken over this body after transmigrating. As soon as he came to this world, he experienced the biggest plague in the Jiangnan Province in decades. His parents died in the plague and he was lucky to survive. He even opened a medical center in Yuzhou City and lived a peaceful life. In An Jing¡¯s mind, there was a unique Earth Book. As his thoughts fell, he flipped the black Earth Book in his mind to the first page. Cultivation: Rank One Fate: Lucky Star Ability: Genius Martial Skills: Sword Drawing Technique, Hidden Sword Technique, Sword Control Technique, Nine Character Sword Technique, Nine Heavens Movement Technique, Zenith Heaven Cultivation Technique, Qi Restraining Technique Prompt 1: The host¡¯s fate has yet to take root (after one year). When performing martial arts, no one is allowed to know the host¡¯s identity. Otherwise, you will receive a black opportunity. Prompt 2: A marriage is coming soon. If it succeeds, the host will be able to obtain the azure opportunity. ¡­.. Black opportunities were bad luck. There would be a fatal disaster, an undeserved catastrophe. An Jing followed the instructions from the book and cultivated step by step. He had been practicing medicine in Yuzhou City and had never revealed his cultivation and strength. In the eyes of ordinary people, he was just an ordinary doctor. No one knew that Doctor An was actually a Rank One expert. Last night, the second hint appeared in the Earth Book, so he did not reject this marriage. The azure opportunity was the greatest opportunity he had encountered so far. It might even allow his cultivation to advance further. ¡°I don¡¯t know what this azure opportunity is, but marrying such a beautiful wife will never be a loss.¡± An Jing tidied up the account book and looked at the sky. ¡°It seems like it¡¯s going to rain soon. I need to pack up.¡± ¡­¡­.. Yuzhou River, Misty Rain. The Yuzhou River was also known as Yuzhou Creek, which was about 70 square kilometers. The Yuzhou River ran through the entire city and one could see the beautiful scenery on both sides of the river. If one rode a black boat_ from the south to the north, the scenery would be extremely stunning. Drip! Drip! The raindrops fell on the black canopy quickly and rhythmically. It was not dull and instead gave off a comfortable feeling. A young woman stood at the bow of the ship, her eyes looking at Yuzhou City in the misty rain. She was elegant and poised, possessing a refreshing aura. She was like a new moon glowing faintly, like a flowering tree stacking snow, a beauty who was impossible to find. ¡°Tan Yun, do you know? In all these years, the most unforgettable thing is the rain in Jiangnan.¡± The woman extended her jade-like hand and let the raindrops fall onto her palm. She murmured in her heart, ¡°And that unforgettable person¡­¡± The servant looked at the endless haze and felt a little lost. Sometimes, people could not share their feelings. It was just like how she did not know why her sect master liked the rain and did not understand why he would go through so much trouble to marry an ordinary physician. Could it be that the sect master wanted to experience the lives of ordinary people? However, he was just an ordinary doctor, an ordinary person. The two of them seemed to have a huge gap between their statuses. She had many questions in her heart, but she knew that this was not something she could ask. ¡°Sect Master, this rain will probably last for a few more days,¡± Tan Yun said softly. Tan Yun was an expert ranked 84th in the Jianghu1 of Great Yan. She was quite famous in Jianghu by relying on the Buddha Sword. However, she was trembling in fear in front of the lady and did not dare to slight her. ¡°Then let it rain for a while longer.¡± The woman said indifferently, ¡°After the rain passes, the sky will clear.¡± ¡°When the rain passes, the sky becomes clear.¡± Tan Yun could not help but mutter to herself. ¡®Does the Sect Master mean that the rain of our Demon Sect has passed? Should I welcome the clear sky of my Demon Sect?¡¯ A few decades ago, the Demon Sect was expelled from the Jianghu of Great Yan. Three years ago, the Demon Sect Master mysteriously disappeared and there was no news of him anymore. For a period of time, the Demon Sect that was renowned throughout the world fell to the bottom. It was only when the new Sect Master in front of them took over the position that the Demon Sect gradually recovered some of its vitality. A gentle breeze blew past, stirring up a few strands of hair, causing the water to gently ripple. ¡°Tan Yun,¡± the woman suddenly said. ¡°Yes,¡± Tan Yun hastily replied. ¡°Did you hear that?¡±¡± What?¡± Tan Yun was stunned for a moment and quickly looked around. With her Rank Two cultivation, there were not many people in the world who could hide within three meters of her. The woman raised her head and took a deep breath, greedily enjoying the moment. ¡°It¡¯s really addictive to hear this wind through your bones.¡± ¡°Yuzhou City is such a good place.¡± ¡­.. Chapter 2 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios After putting away the herbs, An Jing could not help but stretch. ¡°Now that there¡¯s no one around, it¡¯s a good time to go next door and have some tea and listen to some storytelling.¡± An Jing kept the account book and the abacus. Then, he picked up the small wooden stool beside him and walked out of Ji Shi Hall. Opposite the Ji Shi Hall was Yuzhou River. As soon as he stepped out, he could see the exquisitely carved railings and the sparkling Yuzhou River. Both sides of the Yuzhou River were filled with shops, and there was a teahouse beside the Ji Shi Hall. ¡°Aiyo, isn¡¯t this Doctor An?¡± ¡°Doctor An, come in quickly.¡± ¡­¡­. Seeing An Jing arrive, everyone in the teahouse smiled and greeted him. After exchanging greetings with everyone, An Jing carried a small wooden stool and sat at the back. The teahouse worker first heated the fire until it was red, then placed the copper pot filled with well water on the iron plate that had holes dug in the surface of the furnace. Then, he placed the wooden table, bamboo chairs, and placed some ordinary flower tea into the white porcelain tea bowl. A faint fragrance drifted out, refreshing the mind. ¡°Doctor An, please have some tea.¡± The waiter placed a bowl of flower tea on the table. ¡°Thank you.¡± An Jing took out ten copper coins and handed them over. The clerk put away the copper coins, thanked him and left. Everyone in the Datong Teahouse knew that Doctor An liked to come to the teahouse to drink tea and listen to storytelling. At this moment, the tea drinkers, be they farmers, merchants, or people from all walks of life, were drinking tea and discussing daily trifles, discussing international affairs, and reporting business information. Whether they came or left, they were free to do whatever they wanted. They smoked and drank tea. An Jing sat on the small wooden stool he was holding, tidied his clothes, then took a sip of the flower tea. ¡°I really enjoy the happy ordinary life.¡± On the high platform of the teahouse, there was only a table, a folding fan, a wooden block, and a cup of tea. A middle-aged Confucian scholar stood on the platform. He was the storyteller of the Datong Teahouse, Mr. Zhou. Mr. Zhou took a big gulp of tea and rinsed his mouth before he picked up the wooden block on the table. Pa! Everyone fell silent at the sound of the block. ¡°I heard that the top ten on the ranking list are all top-notch experts. Their strength is comparable to a Rank One and they are rare. Today, let¡¯s talk about the five gangs and seven sects in Great Yan.¡± Mr. Zhou¡¯s voice was powerful and resonant, and his expression was even more captivating, making people immersed in it. When everyone present heard this, they all sat upright and listened attentively. Mr. Zhou continued, ¡°The Five Gang and Seven Sects are the 12 most powerful forces in Great Yan. We will start from the Three Lake Gang today.¡± ¡°The Three Lakes Gang has its own name. Hundreds of years ago, it was established by a group of good men from the green forest with the backing of White Lake, Tianxing Lake, and Jinshan Lake. After hundreds of years of development, they now have tens of thousands of disciples. There are countless experts in the gang. They enjoy an illustrious reputation in Jianghu. As long as they stand on the Three Lakes River and shout ¡®Three Lakes Gang¡¯, basically everything can be resolved.¡± ¡°There are many experts in the Three Lakes Gang. There is the Incense Master, the Branch Master, and the Head Master. The system and class are very strict.¡± Someone asked loudly, ¡°Mr. Zhou, didn¡¯t you say that Rank One experts are extremely rare? Are there any Rank One experts in the Three Lake Gang?¡± Mr. Zhou said in a low voice, ¡°Rank One experts are extremely rare. They are all top-notch experts in Jianghu. The leader of the Three Lakes Gang should be at the peak of Rank Two. He has not reached Rank One yet.¡± When the people below heard this, they started discussing. ¡°The Three Lakes Gang doesn¡¯t have a Rank One expert. Can it be considered one of the Five Gang¡¯s Seven Sects? Tian Liu from the Cao Gang is a Rank One expert. Why doesn¡¯t Jiangnan give Cao Gang some face?¡± ¡°I thought that the Three Lakes Gang was very impressive. I guess they should be the lowest of the five gangs.¡± ¡­¡­.. The folding fan in Mr. Zhou¡¯s hand opened and closed as he said with a soft laugh. ¡°Those who dare to look down on the Three Lakes Gang will not have a good ending. You only know that the Three Lakes Gang has many people and think that their gang is weak. Do you know who is backing the Three Lake Gang?¡± ¡°There¡¯s someone behind the Three Lake Gang?¡± Everyone gasped. One had to know that the Three Lake Gang was already one of the Five Gangs and Seven Sects. If they still had someone supporting them, just how terrifying would they be? An Jing took a light puff of his tobacco pipe as curiosity surfaced in his eyes. ¡°Beyond the Heavens.¡± When Mr. Zhou said this, he slammed the table. A thunderous voice resounded throughout the teahouse and the entire place fell silent. ¡°What kind of power is that?¡± someone asked in confusion. ¡°You don¡¯t know about Beyond the Heavens, but if I change the name, you¡¯ll probably know.¡± Mister Zhou smiled and slowly said, ¡°Demon Sect.¡± Whoosh! The teahouse was silent. Everyone was stunned. Just hearing these two words was enough to make people shudder in fear. It was enough to make Great Yan¡¯s Jianghu tremble. ¡°Demon Sect?¡± This was an inauspicious name. The people from the Demon Sect were being hunted down by the entire martial world and even the family members of the Demon Sect were implicated. An Jing took a sip of tea and sighed in his heart. It was hard to imagine that the families of these Demon Sect members could not even live like ordinary people. He wondered how miserable their lives were. ¡°Doctor An, Wang Zhiping from the Red Mansion is here to pay his respects.¡± At that moment, a rough voice came from outside the door. ¡°Wang Zhiping?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed. The Red Mansion was a brothel in Yuzhou City, and it was a place of livelihood in Cao Gang. Moreover, the person in charge of this livelihood was precisely the recently popular Altar Master Wang He of the Cao Gang. Cao Gang was also one of the Five Gangs and Seven Sects. In a short thirty years, it had become one of the largest gangs in the world. After annexing the Furious Whale Gang last year, its power and influence were even more monstrous. Its development was so fast that everyone was dumbfounded. As for Wang He, he was one of the most outstanding members of the Cao Gang, they were the most prominent members of the gang. Because of his outstanding abilities and vicious means, he was quickly promoted to be the owner of the altar and managed the brothel. Before Wang He became the Altar Master, the main business he was in charge of was Cao Gang¡¯s medicinal garden. The medicinal herbs in Ji Shi Hall were mainly purchased from Cao Gang¡¯s medicinal garden, so the two of them were quite familiar with each other. However, ever since Wang He became the Altar Master, the connection between the two of them had become weaker and weaker. Everyone looked at Wang Zhiping. They all knew that this person was the nephew of Wang He. ¡°Why are you looking for me?¡± An Jing stood up slowly. Wang Zhiping took out a piece of white paper and smiled. ¡°Doctor An, this is the prescription for the last month. Take a look at it first. If there¡¯s nothing wrong with it, I¡¯ll get someone to send the herbs over later.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± An Jing took the prescription but did not rush to check it. Instead, he looked at Wang Zhiping, who did not move an inch. ¡°Is there anything else?¡± ¡°This time, I have something to ask Doctor An.¡± Wang Zhiping smiled and said, ¡°I wonder if Doctor An is willing to sell this title deed? My uncle said that if you are willing to sell it, he will help Doctor An find another piece of land to build a bigger medical center.¡± ¡°Oh!?¡± An Jing¡¯s expression was calm. ¡°Go back and tell your uncle that I haven¡¯t thought about it yet. I¡¯ll tell him when I make up my mind.¡± Wang He liked to play dirty tricks. Normally, he liked to take advantage of the medicinal herbs and play dirty tricks. He said that he wanted to build a bigger clinic because he wanted to gain something without risking anything of his own. Wang Zhiping lowered his voice and said, ¡°Doctor An, Uncle is willing to pay Doctor An another three hundred yuan.¡± An Jing was 100% sure when he heard this. The title deed was not big but its location was excellent. It was located by the riverside of Yuzhou. If Wang He wanted to build another brothel here, he would definitely earn a lot of money. ¡°I don¡¯t care how much it costs.¡± An Jing shook his head and refused. ¡°Alright, sorry to bother you, Doctor An.¡± Wang Zhiping took a deep breath and forced a smile. He cupped his fists at An Jing and left. Although he did bit say anything, everyone could tell that Wang Zhiping would not let this matter rest. ¡°Doctor An, Cao Gang is not to be trifled with¡­¡± Someone whispered. More people shook their heads and sighed, not saying a word. ¡°What a bummer.¡± After Wang Zhiping¡¯s words, An Jing was no longer in the mood to listen to books. He carried the wooden stool and left. A moment later, Cao Gang sent a few herbs to the Ji Shi Hall. ¡°Doctor An.¡± The steward weighed the silver in his hand and smiled bitterly. ¡°It says that the money for the medicine has increased by 33%. I¡¯m afraid the money you¡¯ve given is not enough..¡± Chapter 3 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios In the backyard of the Red Mansion¡­ ¡°Uncle, An Jing gave us the money obediently.¡± Wang Zhiping sat down smugly. Wang He frowned and slowly put down his teacup. ¡°What¡¯s there to be happy about? He gave us money, but he still refused to sell the title deed. Isn¡¯t everything we¡¯ve done useless? We only want the title deed.¡± The reason why Wang He raised the price of the herbs was to force An Jing to yield and obtain the title deed in his hands. Wang Zhiping¡¯s smile faded. ¡°Uncle, what should we do now? An doesn¡¯t have any family members¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe that his bones can be that hard!¡± Wang He took a deep breath and said, ¡°You go and think of a way for me. No matter what it is, you must obtain the title deed in his hands within half a month. Only by obtaining the title deed in his hands can my subordinates¡¯ livelihood be stabilized. When the time comes, I will ask the Branch Master for the Kaiyuan Pill. Only then will we have a chance to take another step forward and reach Rank Five cultivation.¡± ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± Wang Zhiping narrowed his eyes and said slowly, ¡°Uncle, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make that An Jing hand over the title deed within half a month.¡± Wang Zhiping knew in his heart that everything he had was thanks to this uncle of his. If his uncle¡¯s position was stable, he would naturally be able to rise along with the tide. Therefore, he had to take this title deed. ¡­¡­.. The next day, the breeze was warm and the sky was clear. At the entrance of the Ji Shi Hall, a carriage slowly drove over. ¡°Miss Zhao, we have arrived at the teahouse.¡± Uncle Niu glanced at the teahouse and said to the woman in the carriage. As the curtain was lifted, Tan Yun slowly helped a woman down from the boat. She was none other than Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei raised her head slightly and stared at the signboard in front of her. The place where the two of them met this time was none other than the teahouse beside the Ji Shi Hall. ¡°Doctor Xiao An is the most famous doctor in Yuzhou City. He¡¯s the youngest and most promising doctor. His medical center is right by the side. Go in and wait for a while. I¡¯ll go call him over right now.¡± Uncle Niu smiled. Others might not know, but Niu Fu knew that this young lady in front of him seemed to have come from a prestigious family in the Jade Capital. It seemed like her family had met with some trouble before she escaped to Yuzhou City. Not only was she gorgeous, but her family was also wealthy. Now that she had grown up, she wanted to find a reliable person to marry. The only thing that was strange was that she was not interested in Young Masters of higher classes, but she had a special interest in the Physician of the Ji Shi Hall. ¡®Doctor An, don¡¯t be silly and miss out on the most important peach blossom in your life.¡¯ Niu Fu prayed in his heart. ¡°Look, a beauty is here.¡± ¡°Really? Let me see.¡± ¡°What a beautiful person. She¡¯s even more beautiful than the courtesan of Red Mansion!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that Niu Fu? He doesn¡¯t look like he¡¯s here to see a doctor.¡± ¡°Eh, he walked into the teahouse?¡± ¡­¡­ Upon sight of Zhao Qingmei, everyone in the teahouse began to discuss amongst themselves. Tan Yun¡¯s expression sank and he unconsciously rubbed his left index and middle fingers together. So cold! Everyone felt as if they had gone from a hot summer to a cold winter. They subconsciously tightened their sleeves and retreated to the sides. Zhao Qingmei walked into the teahouse calmly. Tan Yun was startled and quickly withdrew her aura. She stood at the side with her head lowered like a little maid who had never experienced the world. Under everyone¡¯s gaze, the two of them slowly walked to the private room on the second floor. ¡°Uncle Niu, this lady is so handsome. Which family is she from? Is she already tied to a marriage?¡± Someone asked impatiently. ¡°Get lost. This is the wife I found for Doctor An,¡± Niu Fu said in an unpleasant tone. ¡°Doctor An!?¡± When everyone heard that, they looked at each other and revealed looks of envy. Doctor An was a very famous doctor in Yuzhou City. His reputation was especially good and he was very respected in Yuzhou City. Niu Fu ignored everyone and ran towards the medical center. ¡°Doctor An! Doctor An!¡± Niu Fu shouted at the backyard. ¡°Coming.¡± Not long after, An Jing walked out from the back hall. Niu Fu urged, ¡°The missy from the Zhao family is here. Quick, she¡¯s in a private room at the teahouse.¡± ¡°Oh? I¡¯ll go now.¡± When An Jing heard this, he was too embarrassed to let a woman wait for too long. He simply packed up and walked towards the teahouse. ¡­.. In the private room on the second floor of the Datong Teahouse¡­ Many people had gathered outside the private room to watch the fun. They all stuck their heads out, wanting to see the woman¡¯s face. ¡°Doctor An is here. Make way, make way.¡± Uncle Niu squeezed through the crowd with An Jing. He saw the girl in green sitting by the table. She looked natural and unrestrained, her eyes like were glistening like autumn waters and her cheeks flushed. Her skin was smooth and fair, and she looked gentle and elegant, like a lady from a wealthy family. For some reason, An Jing felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu when he looked at the woman before him. Could it be because this woman was too beautiful? Uncle Niu hurriedly introduced, ¡°Doctor An, this is Zhao Qingmei, Miss Zhao.¡± ¡°Greetings, Physician An.¡± Zhao Qingmei stood up and bowed slightly with her hands on her waist, her face flushed red. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s voice was light and melodious. It was worlds apart from the coldness of yesterday. ¡°You¡¯re welcome. Miss Zhao, please sit.¡± An Jing smiled. Uncle Niu chuckled and gave Tan Yun a look before the two of them left. ¡°Wait!¡± The two of them walked out of the private room and Tan Yun pulled Uncle Niu who was about to leave. ¡°Miss Tan Yun, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Uncle Niu asked in confusion. ¡°We will stand guard at the entrance to prevent others from disturbing them.¡± Tan Yun said indifferently. Although Tan Yun¡¯s voice was calm, it carried an unquestionable tone. ¡°Okay¡­ okay.¡± Uncle Niu laughed dryly and could only agree. ¡­¡­ In the private room of the teahouse¡­ ¡°The Datong Teahouse is the most famous teahouse in Yuzhou City. Drinking tea is very good for the body. It is currently hot summer, and tea has the ability to reduce heat in the body.¡± An Jing picked up the kettle and poured a cup of tea for Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei picked up the teacup and took a sip. Her eyes lit up and she said, ¡°It¡¯s fragrant and has a lingering aftertaste. Great tea.¡± Her words came from her heart. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to like tea too, Miss Zhao.¡± An Jing chuckled. ¡°Doctor An, you must be joking. I simply drank tea with my father for a few years and learned a little.¡± She behaved appropriately and naturally. The way she sipped her tea was very particular. She must be from a noble family. An Jing was increasingly satisfied. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Miss Zhao has moved here with your entire family. May I know where you¡¯ve come from?¡± Zhao Qingmei slowly put down her teacup with a sorrowful expression. ¡°My parents passed away one after another, and I had no one to rely on, so I sold my house and returned to my ancestral land¡­¡± Based on her words, she was originally from a scholarly family. Her grandfather and father were both officials in Jade Capital. Later on, her family declined and her mother passed away due to illness. Following her mother¡¯s last words, she returned to Jiangnan Road. In this difficult world, without the help of her brothers and sisters, she sold all her family assets and even brought a maid to Jiangnan Road. This was an extremely difficult task for an adult man, let alone a weak woman. The two of them chatted for another 10 minutes and briefly understood each other. An Jing then asked Zhao Qingmei about her birthday, and found out that she was two years younger than him. He was extremely pleased with Zhao Qingmei. This was his ideal wife, virtuous and gentle. An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei and asked, ¡°Ms. Zhao, what do you want to know?¡± ¡°I have nothing to ask.¡± Zhao Qingmei hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. However, she sighed in her heart and thought to herself, ¡°It¡¯s always hard to say certain things.¡± ¡°Looks like Uncle Niu has already told Miss Zhao.¡± An Jing was slightly disappointed when he heard this. It seemed like he would not be able to obtain this azure opportunity. Since Zhao Qingmei did not want to ask about it, her intentions were clear. She might not be interested in him.. Chapter 4 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios What happened next was relatively simple. They just needed to convey the intentions of both parties through the matchmaker. There was no need for them to make a decision in person. Zhao Qingmei then walked out of the teahouse and whispered a few words into Uncle Niu¡¯s ear before getting onto the carriage with the help of Tan Yun. ¡°Sect¡­ Miss. What happened to you?¡± On the carriage, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face was flushed red like a ripe peach. This Sect Master of her clan was usually ruthless, decisive, and full of evil. When she mentioned the Demon Sect Master, she was an existence that could make countless experts in Jianghushudder in fear. But now, such a scene had actually appeared. ¡°Repeat what you just said.¡± ¡°If Doctor An agrees, the wedding will be held this month.¡± Tan Yun thought for a moment and repeated what she had just said. Zhao Qingmei expressed assent, after which her face turned as red as a tomato. She leaned against the table feebly, appearing as if she had lost all her strength. However, there was a contented smile on her face. It seemed that Brother Jing did not recognize her at all, but that was good too. ¡°Aye.¡± Tan Yun could only sigh helplessly. ¡­¡­ Niu Fu followed An Jing back to the private room. ¡°Doctor An, how is it?¡± Niu Fu could not wait to say, ¡°Miss Zhao¡¯s looks and figure are all top-notch. Furthermore, she comes from a noble family and is a descendant of a prestigious family. If I were to spread the news, who knows how many young masters in Yuzhou City would flock over like ducks?¡± An Jing picked up the medicine pestle and shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s good, but I¡¯m afraid that¡­¡± She was beautiful and had a gentle personality. She looked like a well-bred young lady from a wealthy family and was the perfect match for a man. Judging from the way Zhao Qingmei left, she seemed to have something to hide. ¡°Doctor An, can you just tell me in a straightforward manner, if you want her as your wife?¡± Niu Fu interrupted An Jing. ¡°Me?!¡± An Jing raised his teacup and took a sip of tea as he asked, ¡°Miss Zhao doesn¡¯t seem very satisfied with me.¡± ¡°She said that she¡¯s very satisfied with Doctor An. It¡¯s best if the wedding date is this month.¡± Niu Fu anxiously came in front of An Jing and snatched the teacup from his hand. ¡°Give me a word, Doctor An.¡± ¡®It was Ms Zhao who asked to come over, how would she not be satisfied with you?!¡¯ ¡®How could you let go of an opportunity that is in front of you?¡¯ At this moment, Niu Fu was like an ant on a hot pan, running around in circles. This great marriage opportunity only needed one word from An Jing. Furthermore, as long as he succeeded, Miss Zhao would give him a hundred thousand coins. An Jing blinked and said in surprise, ¡°Miss Zhao really said that?¡± He had not expected Zhao Qingmei to have such thoughts. ¡°Yes.¡± Niu Fu said with a serious expression, ¡°When have I ever lied?¡± ¡°Miss Zhao was more than satisfied. As long as you agreed, you could get married on the spot.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s set the wedding date for this month.¡± An Jing smiled. Niu Fu heaved a sigh of relief when he heard An Jing¡¯s words. He was ecstatic. 100,000 coins! That was 100,000 coins! Dear God, thank you. ¡°Doctor An, please pack up. We will be organizing the wedding in a few days. I will go and arrange the wedding for you now.¡± Niu Fu rushed out of the door excitedly after he finished speaking. An Jing looked at Uncle Niu¡¯s dashing back and could not help muttering, ¡°This Uncle Niu is really kind-hearted.¡± ¡­¡­.. It was the seventh day of the seventh month in the Year of the Rat. It was suitable to pray for blessings, offer sacrifices, get married, deal and trade. Meanwhile, taking medicine, seeking medical treatment, and moving should be avoided. The Ji Shi Hall was hung with bright red lanterns and cloth, full of festive mood. ¡°The bride is here! The bride is here!¡± ¡°Doctor An is getting married!¡± ¡°I heard that the bride is very beautiful.¡± At first, there was a series of crackling firecrackers. Then, a few children ran out happily. There was an endless stream of people, one after another, stretching their heads out to watch the wedding. The trumpets sounded along with the firecrackers. ¡°Congratulations, Brother Jing!¡± ¡°Congratulations! Congratulations!¡± ¡°Hope you give birth to a big fat kid next year.¡± ¡°Okay, okay, okay. You have to come when the fat boy is one month old.¡± ¡°An Jing, you¡¯re really lucky to be able to marry such a beautiful lady. You must have accumulated 18 lifetimes of good fortune.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. How enviable.¡± ¡­¡­.. At this moment, An Jing was receiving congratulations from the guests. He was quite famous in Yuzhou City¡¯s Ji Shi Hall, especially in the eyes of the poor citizens. An Jing was the kindest doctor in Yuzhou City. ¡°Everyone, feel free to eat well and drink well.¡± An Jing almost could not hide the smile on his face, and he drank glass after glass. There were a total of 17 to 18 tables in the banquet, and dishes were served one after another before being carried down with empty plates. An Jing walked from the stage to the stage, and he was constantly escorting the guests that arrived. ¡°Constable Han has arrived!¡± A young constable dressed in black strode in. ¡°Congratulations, Brother An,¡± Han Wenxin said to An Jinghe. Han Wenxin was one of the two greatest constables in Yuzhou City. His father, Han Ju, was a constable who passed away. He had a wide network of connections in Yuzhou City. In addition, Han Wenxin was indeed capable, making him a constable in Yuzhou City at a young age. Due to an accident, several horses in Yuzhou City contracted the disease. At that time, Han Wenxin was in charge of this matter. He had invited eighty percent of the doctors in Yuzhou City, but none of them could do anything about the disease. In the end, An Jing took action and treated the horses to prevent the disease from spreading again. Since then, Han Wenxin was grateful to An Jing and regarded him as a close friend. ¡°Brother Han, quickly sit.¡± An Jing smiled. ¡°There¡¯s no need to be so polite between us.¡± Han Wenxin smiled and casually found a seat to sit down. ¡°Brother Han, when the time comes, the two of us must have a good drink.¡± An Jing patted Han Wenxin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°From then on, it became much more difficult for us to go out for drinks. Our reckless lifestyle from before has disappeared.¡± Han Wenxin winked. In the past, when they were free, Han Wenxin and An Jing often went out to listen to music and drink together. They had a good relationship. ¡°Drink? Have we drank together before? Brother Han, don¡¯t speak nonsense,¡± An Jing glanced at Han Wenxin and said lightly. Han Wenxin was confused. An Jing changed his attitude even faster than a woman in a hook-up? An Jing patted Han Wenxin on the shoulder and said, ¡°Brother Han, you¡¯re ageing too. It¡¯s time for you to consider starting a family.¡± ¡°Me? I¡¯m not in a hurry yet.¡± Han Wenxin shook his head. Then, he thought of something and said, ¡°Oh right, I heard that you married a lady from a prestigious family. Is that true?¡± ¡°Of course it¡¯s true.¡± An Jing could not help but feel delighted when he said this. Han Wenxin could not help but mutter, ¡°That lady¡¯s dowry is not ordinary!¡± He had never seen how the woman looked like, so he was not sure for now. However, when a young lady from a noble family of the Yan family got married, the dowry was not cheap either. This meant that his Brother An was going to be rich. ¡°Dowry?¡± An Jing looked at Han Wenxin unhappily. ¡°Brother Han, you¡¯re really a commoner.¡± What was a dowry? Money was just a worldly possession, how could it be more precious than the first drop of blood? Han Wenxin raised an eyebrow and chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re wrong, Brother An. I¡¯m just a boor..¡± Chapter 5 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios Inside the bridal chamber, Zhao Qingmei was dressed in a red wedding outfit with a covering veil over her head. Squeak! Tan Yun pushed open the door and walked in. Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°Tan Yun, have you investigated everything?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve investigated. Most of the people who came are neighbors who are on good terms with the young master,¡± Tan Yun replied. ¡°Got it.¡± Zhao Qingmei had a covering veil on her head, so her expression could not be seen clearly. However, her tone was extremely calm. ¡°Missy, I also found out that one of Cao Gang¡¯s Altar Masters wanted the title deed in Young Master¡¯s hands. A few days ago, he even threatened the Young Master.¡± Tan Yun said in a deep voice, ¡°Today, when the Young Master came to get married, he was delayed for an hour. It was all because of the Cao Gang. Fortunately, a constable came out to settle it.¡± How dare they cause trouble on the Sect Master¡¯s joyous day!? Today was a special day, a day of great joy that only happened once in a lifetime. The Wang Family actually came to make trouble, the meaning of this was self-evident. If it wasn¡¯t for the constable¡­ Also, what did he mean by selling the title deed? He was just trying to gain something without risking anything of his own! ¡°Today is a joyous occasion,¡± Zhao Qingmei said calmly. ¡°Besides, tomorrow is a sunny day.¡± Zhao Qingmei loved sunny days because they were ideal for one to kill and for blood to dry. ¡°I got it.¡± Tan Yun quickly nodded. Zhao Qingmei seemed to have thought of something and said, ¡°From now on, I hope you know your limits.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Tan Yun understood. Zhao Qingmei cultivated the Heavenly Demon Technique and even top-notch experts were unable to detect her aura. Tan Yun was an expert from one of the Demon Sect¡¯s three sects, Mortal Sect. She was best at concealment and tracking. If she concealed her aura, it would be difficult for others to see through her. ¡­ The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. Most of the guests gradually dispersed. ¡°I¡¯m coming in.¡± An Jing arrived at the entrance of the bridal chamber. Creak! As the door slowly opened, An Jing walked in. Zhao Qingmei placed her hands in front of her legs and clenched them tightly. One could hear her panting. ¡°I¡¯m going to unveil you.¡± An Jing smiled and picked up the balance scale. As the veil fell, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s beautiful face appeared even more alluring under the candlelight, especially her red lips, which seemed as if they were going to melt her completely. At this moment, a blush appeared on her fair and jade-like face, and her pair of limpid eyes were looking at An Jing affectionately. ¡°Qingmei.¡± An Jing held Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand and felt a warm sensation. An Jing did not expect that he could marry such a beauty. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart pounded rapidly, and she felt like a deer that had lost all her strength. She collapsed into An Jing¡¯s arms. ¡°Qingmei, you might have to suffer with me in the future¡­¡± ¡°Darling, it¡¯s like that cup of tea. We might suffer for a while, but definitely not for a lifetime.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing. ¡°Yes, we won¡¯t suffer for the rest of our lives.¡± An Jing looked at the person in front of him and swore in his heart that he would treat such an understanding wife well. ¡°Ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°It¡¯s time to consummate¡­¡± Following that, the candle flame was extinguished. ¡­ The next day, An Jing slowly opened his eyes. A faint ray of sunlight shone through the window. The red cloth curtain was still filled with warmth. ¡°Darling, you¡¯re awake.¡± Just then, the door opened. Zhao Qingmei had removed her red wedding dress and was dressed in green, which gave her a different vibe. At this moment, she had a dress around her waist and some sweat on her forehead. ¡°I made some medicinal porridge according to the records on your table. Try it.¡± An Jing was both amused and touched when he heard that. ¡°This porridge is used to nourish my body. My body is very healthy and I don¡¯t need it at all.¡± With that, An Jing got off the bed and looked at the fragrant medicinal porridge on the table, exclaiming in his heart. With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for? After An Jing drank the medicinal porridge, he felt that the heat in his body did not dissipate for a long time. He was secretly shocked. Could it be that the Man Flower in his body had already condensed? In order to advance from Rank One to Grandmaster, one had to condense three flowers, namely Man Flower, Earth Flower, and Heavenly Flower. An Jing¡¯s cultivation had stagnated for more than half a year, but he had yet to condense the Man Flower. It seemed that this shackle was easily broken. Now, as long as he condensed the Earth Flower and Heaven Flower, he would be able to gather the three flowers into one and reach the Grandmaster level. He did not expect that he would be able to condense one of the Three Flowers in one night. ¡°How does it taste?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked nervously. ¡°Of course it¡¯s good.¡± An Jing smiled. ¡°Darling, I like everything you make.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great. If you like it, I¡¯ll cook it for you every day.¡± Zhao Qingmei heaved a sigh of relief, her eyes filled with joy. ¡°Darling, take a look at the pharmacy first. There are still a few herbs missing a few days ago. I¡¯ll go and ask now.¡± ¡°Okay, go ahead.¡± When Tan Yun saw An Jing leave, she could not help but ask, ¡°Miss, why don¡¯t you hire a few servants? Who can stand waking up every morning to cook porridge?¡± Her Sect Master¡¯s hands were usually stained with blood. When did she use them to make porridge for others? ¡°Just do your part.¡± Zhao Qingmei seemed to have thought of something as a smile formed on her face. ¡°Come with me to the streets later to buy some meat and vegetables. I¡¯ll have to prepare lunch and dinner.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Tan Yun sighed helplessly. ¡­ In the Red Mansion of Yuzhou City¡­ ¡°Master Wang, come, have another drink.¡± ¡°Lord Wang, tell me the story of the Jade Forest Peak again. Did a Rank Three expert really appear that day?¡± ¡°Could it be that those demons have really been imprisoned in Yuzhou City¡¯s prison?¡± In an elegant private room, Wang Zhiping¡¯s face was flushed red and he was surrounded by a flock of women. ¡°Let me tell you, I am now a Rank Seven cultivator. With my aptitude and my uncle¡¯s nurturing, I will have a chance to enter the Rank Five or even Rank Four in the future.¡± Wang Zhiping laughed proudly. ¡°Rank Four!?¡± Shocked cries rang out in the surroundings. In the martial world, a Rank Four was already considered an expert. In the Cao Gang, he could even sit in the position of the deputy Branch Master. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s impossible.¡± At that moment, a sharp and cold voice was heard. ¡°Who¡¯s that!?¡± When Wang Zhiping heard the voice, he immediately sobered up. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who I am. What matters is who you are.¡± Outside the door, a fat and bloated old monk pressed his palms together with a smile on his lips. The old monk¡¯s face was extremely ugly, like a malicious ghost. Everyone in the martial world knew that there were four types of people in the martial world whom one had to be careful of. These are women, children, monks and Daoists. ¡°Who are you? There¡¯s no grudge between us!¡± Wang Zhiping took a deep breath and moved his palm to the lower part of his body. ¡°Pfft!¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Before Wang Zhiping could finish his sentence, the girls beside him stabbed their sabers into his body. ¡°You¡­ you guys¡­¡± Wang Zhiping¡¯s eyes widened in shock. He stared at the woman who had just been flirting with him in disbelief. Then, he collapsed to the ground. ¡°Guardian, he is just an insignificant Rank Seven character. Do you have to come personally?¡± A woman wiped the blood off her face and said respectfully to the old monk. Wang Zhiping did not know the identity of this old monk, but she knew very well. This person was one of the four great guardians of the Demon Sect and Mortal Sect. Back then, he was the abbot of the Lotus Sect¡¯s White Horse Monastery. After that, he betrayed White Horse Monastery and joined the Demon Sect. He had a notorious reputation in the martial world. Thirty years ago, the Hidden Sword Villa saw a massacre of 327 people. Not even the infants were spared. Thirteen years ago, he attacked the Wu Lan Tribe at night in the Northern Desert Plains and killed countless Rank Three and Rank Four experts. In the end, he even killed a Rank Two expert, a ferocious-looking Ghost-Faced Buddha. His battle achievements were countless. Within the Demon Sect, there were very few incidents as such. If one counted carefully, there were only two or three occurrences in the past few decades. Most of them were people from the martial world who killed each other and framed the Demon Sect. So, what kind of mistake did the Wang family make to actually have the Ghost-Faced Buddha personally kill a clan? ¡°According to the rules of the sect, don¡¯t ask what you shouldn¡¯t ask.¡± The Ghost-Faced Buddha calmly spoke. ¡°Members of the Wang Clan, exterminate a clan.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± The woman felt a chill in her heart and quickly bent down. There were very few people who offended the Demon Sect and resulted in the extermination of the clan. They must have made an unforgivable mistake. The old monk looked at the corpse on the ground and slowly walked downstairs. The entire Red Mansion was still bustling with noise and excitement. No one knew that Wang Zhiping had died inside. As the Ghost-Faced Buddha walked through the red hall, the surrounding people were still chatting and laughing. It was as if no one had seen him at all. This was the Formless Realm of Buddhism! At this moment, a cold gaze swept over. ¡°This is¡­¡± The Ghost-Faced Buddha felt a chill rise from his back, rushing from his feet to the top of his head. It was as if he was stepping on the tip of a sword. It was only when he was facing the Sect Master and the few old bald donkeys from the Buddhist Sect that he would feel this way. When he followed his gaze, he saw a black figure disappearing from the entrance of the red hall. An expert! A peerless expert! The Ghost-Faced Buddha frowned as his heart trembled. At the Phaseless Realm, it was simply impossible to see his movements with the naked eye. However, that person was able to easily see him just now. If he was not born with those eyes, then that person was a top-notch expert. ¡°To think that there would be such an expert in Yuzhou City. Looks like I have to report this to the Sect Master..¡± Chapter 6 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°It would appear that Wang Zhiping has too many enemies. This saves me the trouble of attacking him.¡± An Jing walked out of the Red Mansion and changed back into a cloth shirt in the alley. The person who had just met Ghost-Faced Buddha was none other than An Jing. Initially, he had wanted to get rid of Wang Zhiping and protect his wife. However, he did not expect that someone would be able to get rid of Wang Zhiping before him. However, the person that Wang Zhiping had offended had some strength. The ugly monk was obviously from Buddhism, but he had a sinister aura around him. The two types of inner Qi were mixed together and he was definitely not an ordinary expert in the martial world. Moreover, the Qi in those women¡¯s bodies was much more powerful than those from the Cao Gang. They were well-trained and had a good ability to hide their Qi. They did not seem like an ordinary faction. Where did these people come from? He had been in Yuzhou City for so many years. Why had he never noticed the existence of these people? An Jing thought for a moment but did not have any idea, so he stopped thinking. These people had nothing to do with him anyway, so why should he care about these useless things? As long as they did not disturb his peace and he could live a happy life. ¡°Selling candied fruit, sour and sweet candied fruit.¡± ¡°Selling pears, fragrant and crispy pears. Ten copper coins per 500 grams.¡± ¡°The rouge from Flying Swallow Memory, on sale today.¡± ¡­ The streets were bustling with people. ¡°Boss, how much is this candied fruit?¡± An Jing waved at the hawker carrying the candied fruits. ¡°Sir, do you want candied haws? Three copper coins for a stick. If it¡¯s not sweet or sour, it¡¯s free.¡± The hawker hurriedly ran over. ¡°Give me two sticks.¡± An Jing took out six copper coins and smiled. Thinking of his gentle and beautiful wife, An Jing could not help but feel warm. ¡­ In the Western Market of the Yuzhou City, Zhao Qingmei raised her basket and glanced at the stalls on both sides. ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t that Doctor An?¡± At this moment, a woman¡¯s eyes lit up when she saw Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Are you here to buy vegetables? I have some cabbage that I dug out from the ground this morning. It¡¯s very fresh.¡± The woman then picked up a cabbage and stuffed it into Zhao Qingmei¡¯s basket. ¡°Auntie, how much is this? I¡¯ll pay you,¡± Zhao Qingmei said with a smile. ¡°No, there¡¯s no need for that. Doctor Xiao An didn¡¯t even charge me for my grandson¡¯s medical fees last time. Why would I charge for this cabbage?¡± The woman grabbed Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand and said, ¡°Doctor An is really kind. Our family is very grateful to him, but we¡¯ve never had the chance to thank him.¡± The woman¡¯s hands were very rough and her palms were covered with calluses. Her clothes were also sewn and patched. Zhao Qingmei chuckled and maintained her composure. ¡°I have an old hen with me. I¡¯ll bring it back for Doctor An to make soup.¡± ¡°Doctor An takes very good care of us. You¡¯re welcome, Madam An.¡± ¡°Doctor An is so lucky. His wife is so beautiful and looks like a fairy.¡± ¡°Of course. The two of them are a match made in heaven.¡± ¡­ Everyone began handing their dishes to Zhao Qingmei¡¯s basket and turned her down when she wanted to pay. In the end, when Zhao Qingmei finally left the market with Tan Yun, the baskets were already full. The two of them arrived at a small alley. ¡°Missy, there are too many people here. Tomorrow, we¡¯ll have someone deliver the food directly to your door.¡± Tan Yun felt disgusted when she thought about walking through a group of dirty people. Zhao Qingmei stared at the vegetables in the basket and thought about how she should cook them. ¡°Sect Master!¡± A voice sounded. It was none other than the Ghost-Faced Buddha. ¡°Have you dealt with it?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked calmly. The Ghost-Faced Buddha leaned over and said, ¡°Everything is settled, but¡­¡± ¡°But what?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked with a sullen expression. Whoosh! Although Zhao Qingmei had only raised her voice, the entire alley seemed to have gone from hot to cold. The immense pressure made even Ghost-Faced Buddha shudder. ¡°I met an expert in the Red Mansion.¡± ¡°What background?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not too sure. This person is hiding his head and revealing his tail, but he can see through my Phaseless Realm. If he wasn¡¯t born with those eyes, he should be around Rank Two.¡± Rank Two experts were already top-notch experts in the martial world. A true top-notch expert did not appear in the martial world all the time. In the vast martial world, there were many small fish and shrimps. A Rank Five expert could kill many people, and a Rank Two expert was enough to enter the top 50 of the ranking. They was powerful enough to stir up a storm in the martial world. Such a person was definitely not a nobody in the martial world. Tan Yun frowned and said, ¡°Yuzhou City belongs to the Jiangnan Dao City, so it¡¯s normal for experts to appear. However, the Cao Gang is the head of Yuzhou City, and their cultivation levels are only at the Rank Three. Furthermore, this person did not reveal his whereabouts. It¡¯s obvious that he has some concerns, or perhaps he has other motives.¡± ¡°This person is very suspicious. We must investigate him.¡± The Ghost-Faced Buddha said nothing, clearly agreeing with Tan Yun. Zhao Qingmei squinted and said calmly, ¡°I want to know everything about this expert in Yuzhou City.¡± ¡°I understand!¡± The Ghost-Faced Buddha¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he placed his hands in front of his chest. ¡°I will mobilize all the people from the Mortal Sect in Yuzhou City and even Jiangnan Dao to investigate this person¡¯s background.¡± The Demon Sect was divided into the Heaven, Earth, and Man Sects. The Mortal Sect was responsible for stealing, hiding, escaping, and information networks. They would often hide in the dark to spy on information and act as spies. The world was huge, and disciples of the Mortal Sect would appear at any place. It was rumored that the Demon Sect¡¯s Mortal Sect was comparable to the current Emperor Swallow¡¯s Inescapable Net. Furthermore, the Inescapable Net was a secret organization that the Emperor Swallow specialized in obtaining information. The Demon Sect¡¯s Mortal Sect was comparable to the Emperor Swallow¡¯s Inescapable Net. It could be seen from this. Meanwhile, the Ghost-Faced Buddha was one of the Mortal Sect¡¯s experts. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, go back.¡± Zhao Qingmei waved her hand. The Ghost-Faced Buddha paused for a moment before saying, ¡°Sect Master, yesterday, the Guardian sent me a message asking if I should gather some experts. If others find out that Sect Master has appeared on the Jiangnan Dao, I¡¯m afraid the entire Great Yan World will be affected.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for that,¡± Zhao Qingmei said calmly. ¡°The gathering of experts from my sect will only attract more attention.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± The Ghost-Faced Buddha pressed his palms together and his body gradually disappeared. ¡°Tan Yun, go back.¡± All of a sudden, Zhao Qingmei took a glance at the basket and said calmly. ¡°This bunch of bumpkins are really too despicable. I¡¯ll chop off their hands right now.¡± Tan Yun thought that Zhao Qingmei was angry because of what happened just now. Her eyes turned cold and she turned around to leave. ¡°Come back,¡± Zhao Qingmei commanded. ¡°Miss, is there anything else?¡± Tan Yun turned around and asked. ¡°Go and give them the money. We¡¯ll pay as much as we need,¡± said Zhao Qingmei as she threw a piece of silver from her purse. ¡°¡­ I understand.¡± Tan Yun said embarrassedly.. Chapter 7 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios A light and pleasant voice rang out from the Ji Shi Hall. ¡°The miserable state of the person next door has nothing to eat.¡± Tan Yun was holding a feather duster and humming a tune as she happily cleaned the dust on the counter. ¡°This is all because of laziness and playfulness.¡± ¡°Tan Yun, oh Tan Yun, you are getting more and more diligent.¡± Tan Yun put down the feather duster, looked at the couplets on the wall and said faintly, ¡°These words are so-so. It¡¯s quite pleasing.¡± ¡°You can understand it?¡± At that moment, a voice sounded behind her. Tan Yun was shocked. She turned around and saw that it was An Jing. She immediately patted her chest and said, ¡°Young master, you scared me!¡± ¡°This is my masterpiece,¡± An Jing looked at the wall and said slowly. ¡®Hopefully, there would be no hardships in this world; Would rather be buried in medicine.¡¯ This couplet was written in cursive and was rarely understood. Even the old man who came last month did not recognize the words. Tan Yun had joined the Demon Sect since she was young and was taught martial arts by the Demon Sect¡¯s seniors personally. It was very easy for her to kill people. As for the words, she only knew the words ¡®Demon Sect¡¯. How would she recognize the complicated calligraphy in front of her? As for becoming the Sect Master¡¯s servant, she was sent here by the Sect Master at the last minute. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s personal servant was the Vermilion Bird¡­ No, this won¡¯t do. If this little doctor knows that I¡¯m illiterate, he might mock me for my ignorance. Tan Yun laughed dryly and said with a serious expression, ¡°Young master, missy is from a prestigious family. She has been practicing calligraphy and writing since she was young. I have followed her for so many years, so it is not a big deal to know these few words.¡± ¡°Impressive!¡± An Jing gave him a thumbs up and exclaimed in his heart, ¡°As expected of someone from a prestigious family. Even a servant girl is so talented.¡± He said, ¡°You¡¯re so talented¡­¡± ¡°Young master, Miss has already prepared the food. Let¡¯s eat.¡± Before An Jing could finish, he was interrupted by Tan Yun, who was dancing with joy. ¡°Miss has been busy since the morning. Don¡¯t let her down.¡± ¡°Is that so? I¡¯ll go take a look now. I¡¯ll leave this stick of candied fruits to you.¡± An Jing was also filled with anticipation as he quickly walked toward the back hall. Tan Yun heaved a sigh of relief as she watched An Jing leave. ¡°My reputation was almost ruined.¡± ¡­ An Jing and Tan Yun sat at the table eagerly. Shortly after, Zhao Qingmei served the dishes. The dishes were stir-fried chives, braised pork with spring bamboo shoots, sweet and sour carp, and braised tofu. ¡°Darling, that¡¯s enough. Let¡¯s sit down and eat.¡± An Jing looked at the dishes on the table and his throat surged. ¡°And a pork rib winter melon soup.¡± In the end, Zhao Qingmei scooped a pot of pork rib soup, which was filled with fragrant shallots. ¡°Young master, let me pour you some wine.¡± Tan Yun quickly picked up the wine pot beside her and obediently poured a small cup for An Jing. An Jing drank the clear wine in his cup in one gulp, feeling a sense of satisfaction. A month ago, he was still alone. He did not expect that a month later, he would have such a virtuous, gentle, and beautiful wife. ¡°Darling, try it.¡± Zhao Qingmei picked up a piece of red braised pork and placed it in An Jing¡¯s bowl. ¡°It¡¯s been stewing for more than two hours. It should be seasoned.¡± ¡°Delicious. It melts in my mouth, fat but not greasy.¡± An Jing took a bite of the braised pork. He did not expect Zhao Qingmei¡¯s dishes to be so delicious. Zhao Qingmei was filled with bliss upon seeing An Jing¡¯s satisfied expression. ¡°Darling, I have something to discuss with you.¡± ¡°What is it? Tell me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the only doctor in the medical center, so you¡¯ll definitely be busy. Besides, it¡¯ll be a little troublesome if you encounter some female patients. Why don¡¯t you let Tan Yun learn some medical skills from you in the future so that she can share your burden?¡± Zhao Qingmei said slowly. Tan Yun raised her head and stared at Zhao Qingmei in bewilderment. ¡®Sect Master, why didn¡¯t you discuss with me before?¡¯ An Jing chuckled. ¡°Since you said so, there¡¯s nothing wrong with it. Tan Yun is smart and smart. She¡¯s also very talented. She must be a good candidate to study medicine. It¡¯s good as long as she¡¯s willing.¡± ¡°She definitely would.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled and looked at Tan Yun. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m willing.¡± Tan Yun revealed a smile that was uglier than crying, then she said, ¡°Young master, you¡¯ve just gotten married, and you¡¯re rather busy. Why don¡¯t you wait for half a month first?¡± ¡°Might as well,¡± An Jing thought for a moment and replied. Zhao Qingmei nodded in satisfaction. With Tan Yun around, An Jing would be able to stay away from the other women and she would have another pair of eyes to keep a lookout. After eating and drinking to his heart¡¯s content, the task of cleaning the dishes naturally landed on Tan Yun. The waning moon hung high in the sky and the stars were sparse. ¡°Darling!¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s voice was pleasant and lingering. Then, she pulled An Jing into the room. An Jing felt a warm sensation on his body and started to burn. Looking at the beautiful face in his arms, how could he not understand? ¡­ The night was silent. In the Spring Breeze Alley¡­ ¡°That¡¯s not all. I can still drink. Come, have a few more drinks.¡± Zhou Xianming carried a wine jar and walked home drunk. This Zhou Xianming was none other than the storyteller in the teahouse. Since ancient times, scholars had been quite dissolute. He had nothing to do normally. Other than earning some money from reading books in the teahouse, he went to the various brothels to have fun. Clang! Zhou Xianming kicked open his door and stepped into his house. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Suddenly, a shiny blade was placed in front of his neck. As long as he took a step forward, the blade would behead him. Zhou Xianming instantly sobered up and broke out in cold sweat. ¡°Lord¡­ Lord, have mercy!¡± ¡°Come in first.¡± Zhou Xianming swallowed his saliva and did not dare to shout. He could only walk in. Inside the room was a figure dressed in black, holding a shining blade in his hand, standing upright beside the table. Although Zhou Xianming was a storyteller in the martial world, he was a weak scholar who did not have the strength to truss a chicken. When he saw this scene, his body was already limp on the ground as he cried out, ¡°Great hero, please spare me! Great hero, I¡¯m just a poor scholar!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, scholar.¡± The person in black¡¯s voice was hoarse, dry and unpleasant to hear. ¡°Scholar?¡± Zhou Xianming was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding what was going on. Were they even picking people to rob now? ¡°Do you know this book?¡± The person in black took out a book. Zhou Xianming picked up the book on the ground and said honestly, ¡°I know. This is the book that young children of the Yan Country read.¡± ¡°Teach me,¡± the person in black said. ¡°Ah!?¡± Zhou Xianming thought he had heard wrongly. This person actually wanted him to teach this student¡¯s elementary books. Could this be another kind of test? ¡°I said, start teaching me the simplest words on it,¡± said the person in black coldly. ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Zhou Xianming hurriedly said, ¡°As long as Great Hero doesn¡¯t kill me, my body will be at your disposal.¡± Zhou Xianming then lit a candle and opened the book. Under the weak candlelight, Zhou Xianming began to teach the person in black. ¡°Let¡¯s start with the simplest list. This word is ¡®one¡¯.¡± ¡°I got it.¡± ¡°This word is ¡®two.''¡± ¡°Continue.¡± ¡°The word is ¡®three.''¡± ¡°Looks like it¡¯s not difficult to read. I already know how ¡®Four¡¯ is written.¡± The person in black laughed lightly, his tone carrying a hint of pride.. Chapter 8 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios The next morning, the sky began to brighten, and the sun rose. ¡°This weather is wonderful.¡± As usual, An Jing opened the door of the pharmacy and stretched himself in satisfaction. ¡°Darling, the medicinal porridge is ready.¡± Zhao Qingmei walked out of the inner hall with a smile. ¡°Brother An!¡± Just as An Jing was about to turn around, Han Wenxin rushed over from afar. ¡°So this is sis-in-law.¡± Han Wenxin looked at Zhao Qingmei, who was standing beside An Jing, and was instantly shocked. It turned out that An Jing had married such a beautiful lady from the Zhao Family. That should not be the case. Logically speaking, An Jing should be Yuzhou City¡¯s physician, while he was Yuzhou City¡¯s young constable. ¡°That¡¯s my wife,¡± said An Jing with a smile. Han Wenxin said sourly, ¡°Brother An, you¡¯re so lucky. It seems like you really did save Uncle Niu¡¯s life. No, you definitely saved sis-in-law¡¯s life.¡± ¡°Brother Han must be joking.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled sweetly. When An Jing saw Han Wenxin¡¯s expression, he felt extremely happy and said, ¡°Brother Han, why did you come to find me so early in the morning?¡± Only then did Han Wenxin remember why he had come here. ¡°Wang He and Wang Zhiping are both dead,¡± he said hurriedly. ¡°And their deaths were so cruel and horrible that even the coroner who worked in the county office for decades shook his head repeatedly.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing looked surprised. ¡°Is that true?¡± He already knew that Wang Zhiping had been killed, so he was just putting on an act. ¡°Absolutely.¡± Han Wenxin took a deep breath. Then, he looked around and said in a serious tone, ¡°Let me tell you an even more frightening piece of news. Not only Wang He, but Wang Zhiping is also dead. His entire clan has been killed. If you think about it carefully, a total of 327 people died yesterday.¡± ¡°Do you know what that means? The extermination of a clan must mean that they have offended someone they shouldn¡¯t have.¡± ¡°Is it really that terrifying?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked fearfully as she leaned against An Jing. It was clearly summer, but Han Wenxin felt a strong gust of wind rushing into his sleeves. There was a shattering sound. ¡°Madam, don¡¯t panic.¡± An Jing patted Zhao Qingmei¡¯s shoulder gently and said, ¡°In that case, they must have provoked a terrifying figure.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Han Wenxin nodded. Then, he laughed coldly and said, ¡°This uncle and nephew of the Wang Family have committed all sorts of crimes. They¡¯re arrogant and despotic. They think that they can rest easy just because they have the Cao Gang backing them up. A small Altar Master is also a small character in the Cao Gang. To be able to kill more than 200 people in a single day without making a single sound or showing any signs, this is enough to show how terrifying the background is. Did the Cao Gang offend the faction behind Wang He and Wang Zhiping?¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow. ¡°Brother Han, do you know who¡¯s behind this?¡± ¡°Brother An, you must be joking. How would I know who¡¯s behind this?¡± Han Wenxin shook his head and said confidently, ¡°Early this morning, the Gold-tier constables of the Black Clothes Guard came to investigate the person behind this. I think since the Gold-tier constables have been mobilized, the outcome should be out very soon.¡± Black Clothes Guard were divided into gold, silver, and bronze constables. These constables were the most outstanding constables in the entire Great Yan Selection. The lowest cultivation of a bronze constable was Rank Five, while a silver constable was Rank Three, while a gold constable was Rank Two. These were all top-notch strengths on the surface, and it was said that there were even Jade constables and Black-clothed Guard commanders. He was not sure about the exact details, but according to his estimation, the Jade Constable should be a Rank Two or even higher. After all, it was a force of the Imperial Court. Moreover, the experts of the Black Guard were forbidden from entering the Martial World rankings. As for their actual strength, ordinary people did not know their background. Han Wenxin rubbed his hands and said, ¡°This time, the gold constable is here. I have to establish a good relationship with him. I might have a chance to enter the Black Clothes Guard and become a copper constable in a few years.¡± ¡°Then I wish Brother Han all the best,¡± An Jing said with a smile. ¡°Don¡¯t just talk about it. Brother An, you have to give us some practical help.¡± ¡°How can I help?¡± ¡°Brother An, if you encounter a demon from the Demon Sect, you must report to me. As long as you capture a demon from the Demon Sect, it will be a great merit.¡± Han Wenxin licked his lips and said excitedly. Beside the Ji Shi Hall was a teahouse. It was well-informed and crowded. Han Wenxin had built a good relationship with An Jing partly because he wanted to develop An Jing into his informant. After making a great contribution, he wanted to marry a beautiful woman to cook, wash his clothes, warm his bed, and fold his blanket. Zhao Qingmei smiled at the excited Han Wenxin and remained silent. An Jing laughed and patted Han Wenxin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If I know where that Demon Sect demon is, I will be the first to report to Brother Han. When Brother Han becomes a jade constable, you must take care of me.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Han Wenxin also laughed. Suddenly, he felt a chill down his spine. ¡°Brother An, why do I feel a little cold?¡± ¡°Now that you say it, it does feel a little cold.¡± ¡°Am I sick in this hot summer?¡± ¡­ The following days were very peaceful. Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Zhao Qingmei cooked different dishes every day and An Jing enjoyed different delicacies every day. His ordinary self, his ordinary wife. Life was peaceful and happy, other than Tan Yun, who would occasionally become listless and sleep on the medicine cabinet. That afternoon, An Jing rummaged through his closet for herbs. ¡°Darling, what are you looking for? You¡¯ve been busy all morning,¡± Zhao Qingmei walked out of the back hall and asked curiously. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m looking for some herbs,¡± An Jing said casually. ¡°You don¡¯t even remember where the herbs are. How silly.¡± Zhao Qingmei pointed at An Jing¡¯s forehead and asked coquettishly, ¡°Do you want me to help you find them?¡± ¡°No¡­ nothing. Just some herbs I haven¡¯t used in a long time. I¡¯ll just find them myself.¡± An Jing laughed dryly. ¡°Alright, go ahead.¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at An Jing suspiciously, finding it rather strange. Not long after, An Jing carried a large wine jar and placed it on the counter. Then, he poured the herbs he found into the wine jar one by one. ¡°This is a treasure.¡± After doing all this, An Jing revealed a gratified smile. Then, he carefully carried the wine jar and placed it on the table in the back hall. ¡°Are you brewing medicinal wine?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked as she walked out with a basket of vegetables. ¡°Hahaha, it was just a casual brew,¡± An Jing said guiltily. ¡°Doctor An, is Doctor An here?¡± At that moment, a sound came from outside the door. ¡°Someone¡¯s here for consultation. I¡¯ll go take a look.¡± An Jing quickly walked towards the front hall. The person who came to see the doctor was none other than the storyteller, Zhou Xianming. However, at this moment, his face was pale, and he was weak and powerless. Even when he walked, he seemed to be floating. ¡°Mr. Zhou, what happened to you?¡± An Jing asked curiously. ¡°I¡¯ve been feeling weak under my feet recently. My body is weak and my brain is buzzing,¡± Zhou Xianming sighed. ¡°Mr. Zhou, did you go to too many brothels and get drunk?¡± An Jing asked with a sigh. ¡°Who is it?¡± At this moment, Tan Yun rubbed his sleepy eyes and walked out. ¡°No, I haven¡¯t been to the brothel recently.¡± Zhou Xianming sighed. ¡°You don¡¯t know, Doctor An. I have to teach people how to read every night. It¡¯s too tiring.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t be tired from learning calligraphy, right?¡± An Jing touched his chin and asked in surprise. ¡°Yeah, that person is as stupid as a swine. I¡¯m¡ªI¡¯m¡ª¡± Zhou Xianming could no longer hold back. ¡°Aye.¡± An Jing sighed. In his previous life, there were some parents who cried because they did not manage to teach their children well. He did not expect to meet someone like that. Neither of them noticed that Tan Yun, who was standing in front of the medicine cabinet, had a dark expression on her face. Her fists were tightly clenched and there seemed to be flames surging in her eyes. ¡°Then I¡¯ll prescribe you some calming medicine first.¡± ¡°Thank you, Doctor An.¡± An Jing was grabbing the herbs when Zhou Xianming came over. His face was slightly flushed as he asked, ¡°Little¡­ Doctor An, why is your maid looking at me?¡± Could it be that Doctor An¡¯s beautiful young maid had taken a liking to him? Zhou Xianming¡¯s heart skipped a beat. As a poor scholar, he was already in his thirties and had yet to find a wife. Although Tan Tan Yun was a maid in Doctor An¡¯s house, she was gentle and charming when she looked at her. I pity her when I see her. An Jing glanced at Tan Yun, who was studying hard, and shook his head. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not sure.¡± In the end, An Jing grabbed the herbs for Zhou Xianming. Zhou Xianming could not help but glance at Tan Yun a few times before reluctantly leaving. ¡­ When night fell, it was completely silent. The Ji Shi Hall looked the same. An Jing touched his waist before he tiptoed towards the back hall. ¡°Brother!¡± Zhao Qingmei immediately noticed An Jing and hurriedly put down the book in her hand, her face flushed red. ¡°Qingmei, you¡¯re still awake. Why is your face so red?¡± An Jing asked in surprise, ¡°Are you sick?¡± Zhao Qingmei gently stepped on An Jing¡¯s feet, exposing her fair and slender legs. ¡°No, I learned some new tricks.¡± ¡°What trick?¡± ¡°To find a dragon to swallow gold, to overturn Kun! Brother, do you want to give it a try?¡± Chapter 9 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios In the afternoon, a piercing cicada chirped. The golden rays of the sun shone on the Yuzhou River. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m so haggard from the wine and lust¡­¡± An Jing looked at his pale face in the bronze mirror and said, ¡°From today onwards, no, from this moment onwards, abstinence!¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± At this moment, Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing, who was mumbling to herself in the mirror while holding a bowl of mung bean soup. ¡°I say, the weather is really hot and yet you are working so hard.¡± ¡°This is green bean soup that I just cooked, it¡¯s still hot.¡± ¡°Madam, you¡¯ve worked so hard.¡± An Jing happily took over the green bean soup and forgot about what he just said. ¡°I added some of your Chinese medicine in it,¡± Zhao Qingmei said with a sly look in her eyes. ¡°Chinese medicine?¡± An Jing was stunned. Could it be the Chinese medicine used to brew medicinal wine? Zhao Qingmei pursed her lips and said, ¡°I cooked this for you alone. There¡¯s a huge pot at the back that¡¯s placed at the entrance of the pharmacy. It can relieve the heat for the passersby.¡± An Jing sighed in his heart. ¡°Not only is my wife gentle and virtuous, but she¡¯s also kind-hearted. Grandma Wang is right. To be able to marry such a woman, I must have been blessed for eight lifetimes.¡± ¡°Madam, the most famous opera troupe in Pear Garden is on stage today.¡± Tan Yun sleepily carried a pot of green bean porridge and walked out. ¡°Opera Troupe?¡± An Jing was puzzled. He had never heard Zhao Qingmei mention that she liked to listen to opera songs. Tan Yun immediately perked up. She looked at An Jing with her big eyes and said, ¡°Young master, have you never heard of opera music?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard it before. I used to listen to it all the time. I even know how to sing a few lines, listen to me¡­¡± An Jing was also interested and cleared his throat. Zhao Qingmei looked over with curiosity in her eyes. ¡°Young master, don¡¯t force yourself.¡± Tan Yun clicked her tongue. An Jing lifted his sleeves and walked forward unhurriedly. ¡°Yu Ji, do you have any regrets?¡± His voice was sweet and pleasing to the ear, lingering in the air. An Jing turned his feet, his clothes swaying with the breeze as his eyes lit up. ¡°Your concubine will follow Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Life and death.¡± ¡°No regrets.¡± ¡­ The room fell silent. Zhao Qingmei fell into a trance. Especially when she said the last few words, she seemed to have seen that sorrowful woman looking at her king with unwavering determination. Then, with a slash of her sword, blood spurted out from her neck. On the other hand, Tan Yun had goosebumps all over and was extremely shocked in her heart. ¡°How is it? Not bad, right?¡± An Jing chuckled. ¡°In the past, my hometown¡¯s relatives all liked this style. I also learned a few words.¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ not bad, is it?¡± Tan Yun came back to her senses and said with an uncertain gaze, ¡°After all, he¡¯s slightly inferior to the lead actor in the Pear Garden Drama.¡± At this moment, Tan Yun felt very strange. Why did this young master sing even better than that entertainer?! This shouldn¡¯t be, shouldn¡¯t be! ¡°Darling, when I return, sing me this whole song,¡± Zhao Qingmei said affectionately. ¡°Alright, you guys go first.¡± An Jing smiled. After cleaning up, Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun headed to the Pear Garden on the west side of the city, leaving An Jing alone in the medicine hall. ¡°Since I have nothing to do now, I might as well go next door to listen to some storytelling.¡± An Jing picked up the tobacco pipe hanging on the wall, picked up the stool and went to the teahouse next door. ¡°Doctor An, we can only drink tea today. There are no more books to listen to,¡± said the tea shop assistant when he saw An Jing. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± An Jing asked in confusion. ¡°When I went to Mr. Zhou¡¯s house this morning, I realized that Mr. Zhou was bedridden. He seemed to have caught a cold.¡± The shop assistant replied. ¡°That¡¯s a shame.¡± An Jing sighed and returned to the pharmacy. ¡°There seemed to be some changes in the Earth Book last night. I didn¡¯t have time to check it out¡­¡± An Jing thought of something. The Earth Book entered his mind. Cultivation: Rank One Fate: Lucky Star Ability: Genius Martial Skills: Sword Drawing Technique, Hidden Sword Technique, Sword Control Technique, Nine Character Sword Technique, Nine Heavens Movement Technique, Zenith Heaven Cultivation Technique, Qi Restraining Technique Prompt 1: The host¡¯s fate has yet to take root (after one year). When performing martial arts, no one is allowed to know the host¡¯s identity. Otherwise, you will receive a black opportunity. Prompt 2: There are people who can deduce the heavenly secrets in Yuzhou dungeons. You can obtain the yellow opportunity (the whereabouts of the Bodhi Bead) from them. > ¡­ ¡°Dungeon? Where is the Bodhi Bead?¡± An Jing frowned as he thought to himself. According to the description in the Earth Book, the opportunities from low to high were red, orange, yellow, azure, blue, indigo, and purple. A yellow opportunity was already considered a very good opportunity. The azure opportunity he had obtained the last time allowed An Jing to directly condense a Man Flower, saving him decades of bitter cultivation. Although he felt that the azure opportunity wasn¡¯t that simple¡­ The yellow opportunity was a Bodhi Bead. According to past experience, the treasures given by the yellow opportunity were all top-notch. Martial arts were divided into three grades and the advanced level of martial arts. They were respectively the Earth, Black Tortoise, True Martial, and Heaven levels. The Sword Drawing Technique, the Hidden Sword Technique, and the Sword Control Technique combined to form the True Martial Level Sword Technique. The Zenith Heaven Cultivation Technique was also a True Martial Level Sword Technique. A True Martial level was already considered an extremely high-level martial art. As long as it appeared in the martial world, there would be bloodshed. As for the Sword Technique that An Jing had learned, the Zenith Heaven Heart Technique was obtained from the yellow opportunity. This meant that the Bodhi Bead was at least a True Martial treasure. Perhaps it could help him increase his cultivation. An Jing picked up the feather duster on the table and cleaned the dust on the counter. Coincidentally, a cockroach crawled out from the corner. An Jing put down the feather duster, feeling unhappy. ¡°With my strength, sneaking into the dungeon shouldn¡¯t be too risky. However, Han Wenxin said that gold constables from the Black Clothes Guard appeared in Yuzhou City, which is quite a threat to me.¡± ¡°The gold constable¡¯s cultivation is at Rank Two. If I accidentally kill him, it will definitely cause chaos and attract even more experts from the Black Clothes Guards. Therefore, I must not expose my identity when I go to the dungeon this time.¡± ¡°After all, I only have one year to completely take root here. At this critical juncture, I absolutely cannot make any mistakes.¡± ¡°To be able to marry such a beautiful and gentle wife and live such an ordinary and beautiful life, that¡¯s a blessing accumulated from several lifetimes.¡± ¡°No matter what, I have to protect her well. So, I absolutely cannot expose my cultivation before my Fate takes root. However, the increase in strength is also crucial.¡± ¡°There are always some secrets that can only be found out by oneself and can¡¯t be told to others. I feel much better after telling them today.¡± Ever since the instructions from the Earth Book, he had never revealed his strength to anyone nor revealed his thoughts to anyone. It was hard to keep a secret in one¡¯s heart. An Jing heaved a long sigh and felt much more relaxed. Then, he stomped the cockroach on the ground to death. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Cockroach. You know too much.¡± ¡­ Chapter 10 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios The Pear Garden was one of Yuzhou City¡¯s three most famous opera houses. It sat on the east and faced the west. On the north and south sides of the garden were tour corridors that surrounded the garden. The tour corridors were two stories high and the audience could sit inside and watch the show. On the west side was an elegant and simple archway. They walked into the opera house. The gray tiles and red columns were magnificent. At this moment, a loud voice suddenly rang out from the Pear Garden. Following this, the sounds of drums and gongs could be heard. They only heard the lyrics of the song, mournful and mournful. The audience below the stage cheered and clamored. Zhao Qingmei sat on the second floor, clad in a set of plain white clothes. She had a cold expression on her face as she watched the show below the stage. ¡°Sect Master!¡± Before long, the Ghost-Faced Buddha appeared behind her. ¡°How¡¯s the investigation going?¡± Zhao Qingmei took a sip of tea. ¡°Your subordinate is incompetent. I was unable to find this person.¡± The Ghost-Faced Buddha quickly bowed and said. Tan Yun frowned and said, ¡°I feel that this person might just be passing by Yuzhou City and might have already left. Otherwise, how could the Mortal Sect¡¯s experts not be able to investigate?¡± The Demon Sect¡¯s Mortal Sect was an organization that was comparable to the Human Emperor¡¯s Heavenly Network. It was not difficult to investigate a Rank Two expert unless he was an expert from the royal family or other top-tier forces. An expert that even the Mortal Sect could not find, just what kind of existence was he? Zhao Qingmei said calmly, ¡°Since there are no results, don¡¯t waste your manpower and resources. Have you heard anything about the other matter I asked you to investigate?¡± The Ghost-Faced Buddha said, ¡°I investigated but I found other information.¡± Zhao Qingmei knocked her fingers gently on the table and remained silent. ¡°The Divine Foresight¡¯s Jiang Sanjia is in Yuzhou City and he is imprisoned in the Yuzhou dungeon.¡± ¡°A Yuzhou City¡¯s magistrate shouldn¡¯t be so capable.¡± ¡°Sect Master is wise. Jiang Sanjia is jointly detained by Cao Gang¡¯s head of Yuzhou, Liu Haoping, and Yuzhou City¡¯s magistrate. Behind them may be the Cao Gang¡­¡± ¡°Cao Gang?¡± Zhao Qingmei remained calm and composed. Ghost-Faced Buddha said in a deep voice, ¡°Ever since Cao Gang swallowed the Furious Whale Gang, their sphere of influence has already spanned Jiangnan Dao, Jinling Dao, Jiangdong Dao, Yi Dao, and their gang members have expanded by hundreds of thousands. During this period, the three monsters of the West Mountain, Cangshan Eagle, and other Rank Two experts have also joined in, causing Cao Gang¡¯s momentum to soar in a short period of time. Their strength is one of the best among the five gangs. Coupled with the help of the four great merchant associations behind them, their prestige is like the sun in the midday sky, and they faintly have the might of the number one gang in the world.¡± ¡°It seems like the Great Yan Dynasty has changed after the Demon Sect hasn¡¯t visited the Great Yan Dynasty for decades.¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled. From the beginning to the end, his expression was calm and indifferent, not changing in the slightest. ¡°They¡¯re just a bunch of dogs and chickens.¡± Tan Yun raised his head and snorted. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate these four trading unions.¡± The Ghost-Faced Buddha shook his head and said, ¡°These four trading unions are made up of merchants from Jin Union, Jiangnan Union, Jiangdong Union, and Nan Union. Behind them is a huge economic lifeline. Not only are there cloth, banks, porcelain, silk, and even the trade of the desert plains, they basically occupy about 20% of the livelihood of the Great Yan. Just a stomp of their foot would shake the entire Jiangnan Dao.¡± ¡°And this Yuzhou City¡¯s magistrate, Cao Anmin, is just one of the figures in Jiangnan¡¯s business. He can¡¯t even be considered a core figure.¡± For a prefectural magistrate from an important city like Yuzhou City to be unable to enter the core of Cao Gang, one could see how impressive the upper echelons of Cao Gang were. Zhao Qingmei glanced at the actress below and asked, ¡°Why are they imprisoning this Divine Foresight?¡± The Ghost-Faced Buddha took a deep breath and said, ¡°This is Cao Gang¡¯s core secret. Only Yuzhou City¡¯s prefectural magistrate, Cao Anmin, and Yuzhou City¡¯s head, Liu Haoping, know about it. The information I received is that Cao Gang seems to be a very ancient item, and it might even be traced back to the Great Zhou Dynasty.¡± ¡°Interesting.¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled. ¡°Sect Master, what should we do now? Should we snatch food from the tiger¡¯s mouth?¡± The Ghost-Faced Buddha paused for a moment before saying, ¡°The Divine Foresight from Phantom Valley is the descendant of the Phantom Valley and the divination must consume Qi and blood in his body. He had relied on his divination to roam the martial world for decades. His life has long been exhausted. In addition to being in the dungeon, he might not have the strength to push out the murderer who killed the old Sect Master.¡± Phantom Valley Sect was an extremely mysterious faction in the martial world, and Divine Foresight Jiang Sanjia was one of their successors. ¡°With his life.¡± Zhao Qingmei answered faintly, ¡°I can do it again, but it¡¯s not a big deal this time. I¡¯ll do it if I can.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Ghost-Faced Buddha¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°I have already investigated the situation in the Yuzhou dungeon. Many experts and Cao Gang are gathered in the dungeon. These people are elites selected by Cao Gang.¡± ¡°We kill the elites.¡± ¡­ In the dark, silent cell, there was a damp and rotten smell. On both sides of the long and narrow passage were prisons. The prisons were extremely simple and crude, all of them built from stone. The bed in the corner only had a single straw mat. The Yuzhou dungeon was divided into two levels. The ones locked up in the upper level were all ordinary prisoners. Most of them were hooligans who stole from others. They might be released after a few days. Meanwhile, the people imprisoned in the second level of the underground world were felons. Most of these criminals were extremely vicious and evil. As long as the time came, they would be executed. As they advanced deeper into the second floor, the number of prisoners in the cells on both sides decreased. Many of the cells were even covered with bloodstains and strange symbols. This was especially true in the depths of the second level. The air was heavy with a rotten stench, giving off an extremely sinister feeling. Clang! Clang! At this moment, the sound of an iron weapon vibrating could be heard coming from the deepest cell. ¡°Brother Jiang, stop struggling. The more you struggle, the more it will deplete your life.¡± A voice sounded. The air in the prison cell was filled with dense chains. These black chains had a strange luster. Clearly, they were not made of ordinary iron. These chains formed locks that connected to the person in the center of the cell. That person¡¯s hair was disheveled, his clothes were tattered, and his face could not be seen clearly. Beside him stood a middle-aged Confucian scholar dressed in official robes. This person was Yuzhou City¡¯s prefectural magistrate, Cao Anmin. Yuzhou City was one of the few core cities of Jiangnan Dao. To be able to become a Yuzhou magistrate, not only did one need some talent, but one also needed strength and a strong background. Cao Anmin had a strong and powerful background. He was from the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, and the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce was one of the four biggest chambers of commerce that controlled Cao Gang. Therefore, Cao Anmin had been a magistrate of Yuzhou for thirteen years. No matter what happened, he would not budge. ¡°You seem to be more afraid than I am when my life force is gradually depleted?¡± His hair was disheveled and his eyes were bloodshot. That pair of eyes was suffused with blood color. In the dark and silent prison, it was like a streak of blood-red light in the abyss. It made one¡¯s back turn cold and their heart turn cold. ¡°Afraid?¡± Cao Anmin laughed. ¡°I¡¯m indeed afraid. I¡¯m afraid that if Brother Jiang dies like this, I won¡¯t be able to report to the higher-ups, but this won¡¯t threaten me.¡± ¡°All this time, I still have some admiration for you, Jiang Sanjia, for not using any methods¡­¡± If Jiang Sanjia died, it would be very difficult for him to report to his superiors. However, if they threatened him because of this, they would be underestimating Cao Anmin. Jiang Sanjia sneered. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m afraid of your methods?¡± ¡°A person who isn¡¯t afraid of death is indeed afraid of many things.¡± Cao Anmin took a deep breath. There was a cold glint in his eyes. ¡°However, people who are not afraid of death might be afraid of other things.¡± ¡°For example?¡± ¡°Kunning Palace¡¯s steward eunuch is very greedy. It¡¯s very easy to send you in. What do you think?¡± As soon as Cao Anmin finished speaking, Jiang Sanjia¡¯s pupils constricted. There was someone in Kunning Palace that he did not want to see in his life. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Cao Anmin raised his head and laughed out loud. This laughter was extremely mocking in Jiang Sanjia¡¯s ears. ¡°Brother Jiang, this dungeon is heavily guarded. Not only are there dungeon guards, there are also Cao Gang¡¯s elites guarding it. Ordinary people are utterly unable to enter. I advise you not to take any chances.¡± ¡°After all, you do not wish to die either. Else, you would¡¯ve already died from anger. I¡¯ll give you a final period of time to think about it. After all, I can continue to wait, whereas others cannot.¡± After Cao Anmin finished speaking, he left the cell with his hands behind his back. Crack! Crack! Crack! The moment Cao Anmin walked out, the guard behind him closed the cell door again and locked it with three metal locks.. Chapter 11 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios An Jing changed into a loose-fitting forest green night cloak and entered Yuzhou City¡¯s dungeon. Most people might not be familiar with Yuzhou City¡¯s prison, but An Jing knew a little about it. If the prisoners in the prison fell ill, they would need timely treatment. The person in charge of this was Head Constable Qin from the Ministry of Justice. Because An Jing had once helped the Sima prison, and his medical skills were rather famous in Yuzhou City, Head Constable Qin would always go to the Ji Shi Hall to ask An Jing to treat these prisoners. After a while, An Jing was familiar with Yuzhou City¡¯s prison. Someone who could deduce the secrets of heaven was definitely extraordinary. There was a 90% chance that he was imprisoned on the second floor of the dungeon, which was also where the Heaven-class prisoners were imprisoned. Yuzhou City¡¯s number one prisoner was equivalent to a prisoner in the Jade Capital¡¯s Heavenly Prison. It was said that there were eighteen levels of prison in Jade Capital. There were criminals from the Imperial Court, devils from the martial world, and huge businessmen locked up in the prison. Being able to be imprisoned in the prison was enough to prove that their identities were extraordinary. They were all criminals who were personally imprisoned by the Emperor Swallow. As for the number one prisoner in Yuzhou City, one could imagine his identity. However, An Jing even suspected that there might be Heaven-class prisoners on the second floor. Could there be such a figure in Yuzhou City? If the instructions on the Earth Book were true, then it was definitely from the second floor. ¡°There should be quite a number of experts on this second floor.¡± An Jing slipped into the second floor and became cautious. He took out half a stick of Bewitching Fragrance from his waist. This Bewitching Fragrance was specially made by him. In the original Bewitching Fragrance, he had added the Mandara Flower, Rhododendron molle, and other materials to refine it. As long as one inhaled this special Bewitching Fragrance, experts below the Rank Five would instantly faint. ¡°Sigh.¡± An Jing gently blew the incense, and the elegant fragrance spread throughout the entire second floor of the dungeon. Not long after, the sound of someone falling to the ground could be heard. ¡°Next is the hidden sentry of the dungeon.¡± An Jing crushed the burning incense into powder before striding into the depths of the dungeon¡¯s second level. There were hidden sentries in the dungeon. With An Jing¡¯s strength, it was not difficult for him to avoid these hidden sentries. This special fragrance was very strong, and some of the felons on the second floor of the dungeon were also knocked unconscious. Only a few people whose cultivation had reached Rank Five and above still had a trace of consciousness. ¡°Could it be that an expert has come to break into the prison!?¡± Some people saw a black shadow flash past and were greatly shocked, thinking that they were seeing things. ¡°The Earth Book¡¯s reaction is getting stronger. It seems like that person is inside.¡± The next moment, An Jing arrived at the door of a cell. The Earth Book kept flashing in his mind. As long as he got close to the opportunity, the Earth Book would constantly give him hints. Looking through the crack, he saw that the iron chains in the cell were coiled like dragons, and in the center stood a person with disheveled hair. Could it be this person? ¡°Cao Anmin, you¡¯ve used these tricks a few times. Do you still want to use them?¡± Jiang Sanjia looked up with a cold smile. An Jing raised his brows and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t know that you and Magistrate Cao were like flies and dogs, but from the looks of it, you¡¯re the person I¡¯m looking for.¡± He knew Cao Anmin, the Yuzhou magistrate. However, An Jing did not have a good impression of the magistrate of Yuzhou City. Everyone knew that Cao Anmin was a huge businessman, but he seemed to have someone backing him up. ¡°Who are you? I don¡¯t even know you.¡± Jiang Sanjia raised his head and said coldly. ¡°Now we know each other.¡± As he spoke, An Jing placed his palm on the prison door. ¡®Could this person be here to break into the prison?!¡¯ ¡®He¡¯s here to save me!?¡¯ Jiang Sanjia was greatly shaken. Even though he had all sorts of doubts in his heart, in front of him was his only chance of survival. ¡°This is Yuzhou City¡¯s prison!¡± Even though Jiang Sanjia was extremely excited, he still spoke in a low voice. ¡°You should be from the Phantom Valley Sect, right?¡± An Jing asked with a faint smile. ¡°I am Jiang Sanjia of the Phantom Valley Sect.¡± Jiang Sanjia felt a bit strange. This person in front of him did not know his identity? So it was that Divine Foresight from the martial world. It seemed that his opportunity lay with him. An Jing was shocked. The name Divine Foresight was quite famous in the martial world. He was from the Phantom Valley Sect, and he was proficient in the art of foresight, divination, and other knowledge of the Phantom Valley. He was able to see through all things and peer into the secrets of heaven. It was rumored that he was previously appointed as the Great Yanqin Heaven Supervisor, but for some unknown reason, he resigned from his post and entered the martial world. As soon as this person entered the martial world, he relied on the inheritor of the Phantom Valley and his fortune-telling skills to make a name for himself. Two years ago, for some reason, he disappeared. It turned out that he was imprisoned in Yuzhou City¡¯s dungeon. An Jing was not interested in why the Divine Foresight was imprisoned in the dungeon. ¡°Hand over the Bodhi Bead and I can save you.¡± Jiang Sanjia came to a realization. So this person was here for the Bodhi Bead. The Bodhi Bead was a supreme treasure of Buddhism and the Bodhi Bead was originally a consecrated treasure of Western Region¡¯s Leiyin Monastery. It was placed in the main hall and worshiped by all the people, enjoying thousands of years of incense offerings. However, a few years ago, the Bishop of Leiyin Monastery was instigated by the Demon Sect¡¯s Ghost-Faced Buddhas. He brought the Bodhi Bead and wanted to betray Leiyin Monastery. In the end, he was surrounded by several experts of the Western Region and was killed in the Western Region¡¯s Heaven Stone Cave. As for the Bodhi Bead, its whereabouts were unknown. Not only did the Bodhi Bead contain the power of Buddhism¡¯s incense, it also contained thousands of years of Buddhism aura. It was a rare treasure. Jiang Sanjia said in a deep voice, ¡°I don¡¯t know about the Bodhi Bead you¡¯re talking about. Please change your condition.¡± ¡°Then there¡¯s nothing to say.¡± An Jing waved his hand unhappily. He had come here for the yellow opportunity Bodhi Bead. If he could not obtain it, he would not have the time to waste. An Jing¡¯s steps were steady, and he did not stop in the slightest. He was not prepared to bargain at all. ¡°Wait¡­ wait a minute.¡± Jiang Sanjia saw that An Jing was acting out of the ordinary and hurriedly shouted. An Jing stopped in his tracks. Jiang Sanjia took a deep breath and said, ¡°Although I don¡¯t have the Bodhi Bead, I know its whereabouts and it¡¯s easy to find.¡± ¡°Tell me,¡± said An Jing. ¡°May I know your name?¡± Jiang Sanjia asked after a moment of silence. ¡°Zhou Xianming,¡± said An Jing. Jiang Sanjia raised his eyebrows slightly but did not speak. ¡°Why? You don¡¯t believe me?¡± An Jing asked lazily. ¡°I believe so.¡± Jiang Sanjia sighed and said, ¡°I have to believe whatever you say.¡± ¡°Alright, tell me where the Bodhi Bead is. I¡¯m in a hurry.¡± ¡°No, you have to get me out first.¡± ¡°Impossible. What would I do if I got you out and you lied to me?¡± ¡°If I tell you and you leave, wouldn¡¯t I be wasting my efforts?¡± ¡°I can swear.¡± An Jing stretched out three fingers and said confidently. ¡°Oaths don¡¯t work on people like you,¡± Jiang Sanjia said faintly. An Jing¡¯s expression darkened, but that was what he had in mind. As long as this old man told him the whereabouts of the Bodhi Bead, he felt that it was absolutely true that he would leave immediately. Saving this person might very well cause a lot of trouble. He was most afraid of getting into trouble. Moreover, he simply did not believe this Jiang Sanjia in front of him, even if he was the successor of the Phantom Valley. Jiang Sanjia naturally had his own plans as well. The Bodhi Bead was originally a treasure for him to recover his vitality. If he told this person, he would be heavily injured when he went out and might be captured again. Originally, he had left behind a secret technique. As long as the chains on his body loosened and the prison door opened, he would immediately slip away. He would then use the Bodhi Bead to recover from his injuries. Yet now, it seemed that the person opposite him would not fall into his trap. Both of them had their own ulterior motives and schemed against each other. For a moment, neither of them spoke. ¡°Then how would I get you to trust me?¡± Jiang Sanjia was the first to break the silence. Now, he could only make this person believe him. After all, he was his only chance of survival. An Jing pondered for a moment before saying, ¡°If you say that the people of Yan Country don¡¯t lie to their own people, I¡¯ll believe you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m the successor of the Phantom Valley, Jiang Sanjia. How could I lie to you?¡± Jiang Sanjia frowned as he spoke. ¡°Then tell me that the people of Yan Country don¡¯t lie to their own people.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re worried, you can go to the martial arts world and ask about my character.¡± ¡°Then tell me.¡± An Jing sneered. ¡°The people of Yan Country don¡¯t lie to their own people.¡± Jiang Sanjia was speechless.. Chapter 12 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°If we¡¯re so suspicious of each other, I¡¯m afraid no one will get what they want.¡± Jiang Sanjia pondered for a moment before saying, ¡°How about this, I¡¯ll impart the Phantom Valley Sect¡¯s Hundred Steps Flying Sword to you as a down payment?¡± An Jing shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in the Hundred Steps Flying Sword.¡± He already had the True Martial level Sword Technique on him. If he could obtain the Hundred Steps Flying Sword, it would indeed be icing on the cake. However, if he was deceived by this old man, it would not be worth it. Jiang Sanjia said, ¡°My Phantom Valley Sect¡¯s Hundred Steps Flying Sword is a Heaven realm sword technique. Are you really not tempted?¡± Heaven level martial arts? An Jing¡¯s heart was moved. Up until now, he had not been able to obtain a Heaven level martial technique after obtaining the Earth Book. Now that the Heaven realm sword technique was in front of him, it truly moved his heart. Jiang Sanjia sneered in his heart. As one of the oldest sects, Phantom Valley¡¯s deep heritage was rarely seen in the entire martial world. This Hundred Steps Flying Sword was indeed a Heaven realm sword technique, but it was the hardest to cultivate. In the entire history of Phantom Valley Sect, there were very few who could cultivate this Hundred Steps Flying Sword. One had to know that the Phantom Valley Sect only recruited geniuses. In the vast river of time, these geniuses were like carps crossing the river, but most of them were unable to cultivate the Hundred Steps Flying Sword. From this, one could see the difficulty of the Hundred Steps Flying Sword. In this generation, no one had learned this sword technique yet. Since ordinary people could not learn it, why not give it to the person in front of him? He would not be able to learn it anyway. ¡°Very well. Speak your mind. If it is true, I will save you,¡± An Jing said lightly. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll recite this sword technique now. Listen carefully, there¡¯s only one time.¡± Jiang Sanjia nodded and began to narrate the general principles of the Hundred Steps Flying Sword. ¡°The people of the world are afflicted by the poison, the world is set on fire, and among the thousands of sword sects, I am the only one who can move unhindered. The sky hangs with the stars and moon, the earth enters the Phantom Valley, a horizontal line can be crossed, and a hundred years can be difficult to comprehend.¡± When An Jing heard this, he felt more and more that it was incomparably marvelous. Among them, the sword arts and moves were even more extraordinary, making his eyes light up. Attacking with a horizontal sword to gain an advantage was a tactic; attacking with a vertical sword to for reality was to seek closure. These are the means for heaven and earth. To open and to seek closure, the Phantom Valley Sect combines yin and yang. The person would be able to master both the tactics of horizontal and vertical strikes. Not only was every sword strike and every stance exceptionally exquisite, they also contained the core concepts of the Phantom Valley. The vast concepts contained within were also extraordinary. An Jing could not help but feel curious about the Phantom Valley Sect. ¡°This is the Hundred Steps Flying Sword.¡± In the end, Jiang Sanjia exhaled deeply. Jiang Sanjia sneered in his heart as he looked at the frowning person in black. So what if I tell you the outline of the Hundred Steps Flying Sword? Without the Phantom Valley Cultivation Technique, it would be difficult to cultivate it even if you were a genius. The Phantom Valley Sect had countless geniuses throughout history. Even with the help of the Phantom Valley mental cultivation technique, there were not many who successfully cultivated it. ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± An Jing nodded. His swordsmanship was brilliant to begin with, so he could naturally tell whether this swordsmanship was real or fake. Jiang Sanjia was certain that this swordsmanship was not fake. Besides, the Book of the Earth had also changed. Cultivation: Rank One Fate: Lucky Star Ability: Genius Martial Skills: Sword Drawing Technique, Hidden Sword Technique, Imperial Sword Technique, Nine Symbolic Sword Technique, Heaven Shifting Movement Technique, Zenith Heaven Cultivation Technique, Qi Restraining Technique, Hundred Steps Flying Sword (Third Level) Prompt 1: The host¡¯s fate has yet to take root (after one year). When performing martial arts, no one is allowed to know the host¡¯s identity. Otherwise, you will receive a black opportunity. Prompt 2: There are people who can deduce the heavenly secrets in Yuzhou dungeons. You can obtain the yellow opportunity (the whereabouts of the Bodhi Bead) from them. ¡­ With the existence of this Earth Book, no matter how difficult a martial art was, An Jing could easily learn it. In addition to his bones and fate, his cultivation level naturally increased very quickly. Other than the mental cultivation, most martial arts were divided into ten levels. To be able to learn the basics after cultivating the Hundred Steps Flying Sword meant that An Jing had deep attainments in swordsmanship. ¡°Then it¡¯s time for you to fulfill your promise,¡± said Jiang Sanjia. ¡°Definitely.¡± An Jing smiled and unsheathed his sword. Since Jiang Sanjia was related to his Bodhi Bead, he would definitely save him. Chi! Internal energy flowed into the sword and a red light glowed. ¡°What profound inner force!¡± Seeing An Jing attack, Jiang Sanjia knew that An Jing¡¯s strength was extraordinary. The streak of light heavily struck the iron chain. Clang! Clang! Clang! With a flash of sword light, the three iron chains instantly broke as though they were made of mud. An Jing kicked open the cell door and raised his arm. It was as if countless sword lights were dancing in the air. In an instant, the chains that wrapped around Jiang Sanjia¡¯s body were all broken. In the end, he coolly sheathed his sword. The chains on Jiang Sanjia¡¯s body broke as he staggered and almost fell to the ground. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Jiang Sanjia suppressed the ecstasy in his heart and hurriedly said. He knew that now was not the time to be happy. ¡°Hey, there¡¯s trouble.¡± An Jing sighed. ¡°What happened?¡± Jiang Sanjia also looked into the distance. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! At this moment, countless figures appeared in the dungeon. ¡°What audacity! You even dare to kidnap the Heaven-class prisoner in the dungeon?¡± A cold shout could be heard. Cao Anmin slowly walked over from the dark tunnel. ¡°There¡¯s a path to heaven, but you don¡¯t want to take it. Hell has no door, but you throw yourself in,¡± Cao Anmin shouted coldly. The dozens of dungeon guards behind him instantly surrounded the entire dungeon. Oh no! Jiang Sanjia frowned and exhaled heavily. ¡°This dungeon¡¯s iron chain is connected to the mechanism above. As long as the iron chain is broken, it will trigger the mechanism above. Jiang Sanjia, do you really think we only want to rely on a few iron chains and the prison to trap you?¡± Cao Anmin looked at Jiang Sanjia with a playful smile. His gaze never landed on An Jing. Under the Qi restraining technique, he felt that the An Jing in front of him was too ordinary. This was the entrance of the Heaven-class prison. If they were on the streets, he would not even look at this person. ¡°Although I¡¯m currently heavily injured, you might not be able to stop me.¡± Jiang Sanjia said indifferently. ¡°Really?¡± Right at this moment, a cold voice sounded from afar. As he walked over, he was a tall and burly middle-aged man. He was bare-chested and his muscles were like dragon whiskers. His body was covered with densely packed wounds and his entire body emitted a vicious aura. His eyes were as cold as blades and carried a hint of bloodlust. At first glance, one would feel fear. Was this not a wild beast? ¡°Liu Haoping?¡± Jiang Sanjia¡¯s heart turned cold. If it was just Cao Anmin alone, he would still have a chance to take advantage of the situation. However, there was Cao Gang¡¯s Branch Master, Liu Haoping, beside him. He would not have a last chance.. Chapter 13 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios Liu Haoping, Yuzhou City¡¯s Cao Gang¡¯s Branch Master. Cao Gang had a total of 36 branch masters since its founding. There seemed to be a lot of them, but the truth was that not all of them were powerful experts in the martial world. In the eyes of ordinary people, they were high and mighty existences. However, not many of these 36 leaders could be heard throughout the entire martial world. Liu Haoping was one of them. He was originally a beggar from Linjiang City, and he had lived on the streets since he was young and begged along the streets. Later on, he was fortunate enough to join Cao Gang and become a member of Cao Gang. Because his natural talent was extremely high, he was ruthless and decisive in his actions, and he quickly made a name for himself in Cao Gang. After that, he was taken seriously by Cao Gang¡¯s leader, Liu Qingshan, and he was taken in as a foster son. Liu Qing Shan treated him like his own son and nurtured him wholeheartedly. With Liu Haoping¡¯s ability, he quickly became one of the 36 leaders. In the martial world, he was famous. He was even more infamous especially in the underworld, making people fearful. Cao Gang and the Furious Whale Gang had been at war for three years. In the end, they had annexed the Furious Whale Gang and taken over all of their territories. Liu Haoping had contributed greatly, but he was extremely vicious. It was said that the wife of the leader of the Furious Whale Gang, Madam Chen, had been played to death by him. Cruel, vicious, decisive, and outstanding. Such a person was the cornerstone of Cao Gang, and also the future of Cao Gang. Since Liu Haoping was Liu Qingshan¡¯s foster son, he would definitely know Qingshan¡¯s Qingshan Palm Technique. That was a True Martial technique, in addition to his peak Rank Three cultivation. If Jiang Sanjia had been at his peak, he would not have been afraid of Liu Haoping. However, his vitality was gradually drying up, and his Qi and blood had been declining recently. He was not Liu Haoping¡¯s match at all. Many thoughts flashed past in a flash. ¡°Am I going to die here?¡± Jiang Sanjia took a deep breath and intended to circulate the last strand of vital energy within his body to fight desperately. Right at that moment, his gaze landed on the person who had saved him. His black robe covered his face, making it impossible to see his exact appearance, but his eyes were still as calm as water. It was too peaceful, just like the quiet mountain village at dusk. No matter how calm he was, it was useless. In front of absolute strength, everything was just fabricated. Jiang Sanjia shook his head secretly and sighed inwardly. ¡°So what if you know about the Hundred Steps Flying Sword? So what if you know about the Bodhi Bead? In the end, it¡¯s all for naught.¡± At this moment, he suddenly discovered that An Jing¡¯s palm was caressing his scabbard. What now? Was he prepared to fight to the death? Or was he scared silly? ¡°Move aside!¡± roared Liu Haoping. His tall and sturdy body was like a small mountain. The moment he stepped out, it was as if the entire dungeon was shaking. Of course, this was just an illusion. The dungeon was so sturdy that it was impossible for it to tremble just because of the impact of a few hundred pounds. This was an aura! Liu Haoping looked at Jiang Sanjia. The coldness in his eyes could freeze someone to death. This old thing in front of him was what his foster father had asked him to watch over. He definitely could not let anything go wrong. As he spoke, he stretched out his palm and intended to grab Jiang Sanjia. However, his gaze suddenly landed on the man in a navy blue robe beside him. His eyes were as calm as water and as calm as an abyss. ¡°You dare come to break into the prison? You really are courting death!¡± Liu Haoping sneered and turned his palm. If Jiang Sanjia really escaped, then he would be a sinner. This person before him had almost made him commit a mistake, so he had to kill him! Boom! A huge palm appeared in the air and slammed down like a mountain. An Jing finally moved the moment the giant palm descended. ¡°This time around, we must finish this quickly. Otherwise, there will be another unforeseen event.¡± Chi! The sword light was unsheathed, and in an instant, the entire quiet dungeon became translucent. The sword cut through the dark night like the morning sun, its dazzling edge illuminating An Jing¡¯s face. ¡°This is¡­¡± Liu Haoping could not see the trajectory of the sword, but at that moment, his heart tightened. His life had already disappeared with the darkness into the dawn. ¡­ In the Pear Garden of Yuzhou City, night fell and moonlight poured down like water. ¡°The charming color of such luxuriant flowers is unappreciated and paid to the broken well.¡± ¡°How can we spend the precious time in such a beautiful spring? What kind of families would be doing things that make them happy?¡­¡± ¡­ Under the stage, the performer was singing an opera tune. Thunderous applause sounded from below the stage as everyone cheered. ¡°Missy, according to the plan, Jiang Sanjia should be standing before you the day after tomorrow.¡± Tan Yun said confidently. ¡°It¡¯s best if nothing goes wrong.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression remained calm and composed. ¡°Yes.¡± Tan Yun smiled. ¡°Cao Gang¡¯s reputation has been flourishing recently. Let¡¯s dampen their spirits.¡± Tan Yun was very dissatisfied with Cao Gang. The Demon Sect had left Great Yan and now they were the number one faction. ¡°Well, it¡¯s about time. We should get back.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked up at the moon and smiled. Suddenly, a cool breeze blew over. The cup on the table started to shake. This slight change made Zhao Qingmei frown. ¡°Miss, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Tan Yun asked in confusion. Zhao Qingmei remained silent and looked into the distance. At the next moment, a strong gust of wind blew over. Then, from the depths of heaven and earth, a streak of light rushed out from the bottom, directly rushing into the nine heavens above. Whoosh! The light resounded through the sky with an imposing aura. ¡°This¡­ What a powerful sword force!?¡± Tan Yun opened his mouth wide, a trace of surprise appearing in her eyes. The moment the light shone on her, she felt her body sway. The hairs on her skin stood up. Although it could not be said that such sword energy and sword light did not exist, they were definitely rare existences. ¡­ On the Yuzhou River, on the Red Mansion pleasure boat. ¡°Li Yue, come and receive the guests. It¡¯s Young Master Ming.¡± A female brothel keeper with heavy makeup smiled as she lifted the curtain. ¡°I understand. Tell Young Master Ming to wait a moment.¡± Inside the curtain was an extremely enchanting and charming woman. The woman had a pair of peach blossom eyes, and her slightly red lips were breathtaking. Her curvaceous lips alone were enough to steal one¡¯s soul away. The woman was a courtesan of the Red Mansion. She was also one of the most famous courtesans of Jiangnan Dao, Li Yue. ¡°That is the Young Master of the Ming family, the Young Master of the largest aristocratic family in Yuzhou City,¡± the old procuress said anxiously. ¡°So what if he¡¯s the Young Master of the Ming Clan?¡± Li Yue gently inserted the hairpin. A courtesan of a brothel was not an existence without status, especially a courtesan like Li Yue. Her talent was not inferior to the daughters of rich families. She had to be proficient in poetry, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Most importantly, she understood men very well. ¡°Then I¡¯ll go and reply first,¡± sighed the procuress before she quickly walked out. Li Yue gently smiled and touched the hairpin. Then, she tidied it up and prepared to leave the ship. At this moment, a violent gust of wind stirred up somewhere. All of the pleasure boats on the Yuzhou River began to sway. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Why is this ship shaking?¡± ¡­ The people on the pleasure boat were all very curious. They all stuck their heads out to look at the lake. The young master of the Ming family, Ming Fei, also walked to the deck. He was bewildered. What happened? ¡°Look, in the sky!¡± Someone suddenly shouted. Everyone followed the finger and looked over. Ming Fei was no exception. At the same time, Li Yue also lifted the curtain, and the moment she did so, that beam of light formed the most magnificent stance. It pierced through the sky and created a hole in the night sky. The sky turned bright! Chapter 14 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios In the dilapidated dungeon of Yuzhou City, when Han Wenxin and Head Constable Qin arrived, they saw a huge gully. The Yuzhou City prison had been split into two. The long and narrow crack was stained with blood and tattered clothes. The trees at the side were also split into two. The place was filled with desolation and had already turned into ruins. Terrifying! The surroundings were so dilapidated that it was as if they had gone through a huge battle! The bodies of Yuzhou City¡¯s Branch Master and Yuzhou City¡¯s magistrate, Cao Anmin, might have disappeared or been buried in the ruins. Han Wenxin and Head Constable Qin were drinking today. Furthermore, they were not in charge of guarding the dungeon. This allowed them to escape this calamity. They never expected that the dungeon would be hacked. Even the Yuzhou City magistrate, Cao Anmin, and the Yuzhou City Lord, Liu Haoping, died without an intact corpse. Head Constable Qin¡¯s eyes were flickering and his face was pale. He did not know what to say and his body was trembling. Han Xinwen¡¯s eyes were filled with fear. He covered his mouth and took a deep breath. ¡°The soaring sword energy hasn¡¯t dissipated yet. It¡¯s too terrifying.¡± At this moment, the sword aura in the cracks of the dungeon had yet to completely disperse. It was still frightening and made people shudder. ¡°What do we do now?¡± The two of them looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Tap, tap¡­ Right at this moment, a tall man in a cloak and a green mask walked over from afar, and a white falcon was standing on his arm. ¡°Sir!¡± When they saw who it was, the two of them quickly bowed and paid their respects. They immediately felt slightly at ease. This person was none other than Hong Yuanwu, the head constable of the Black Guard. In the Great Yan Dynasty, the Black Guard was like a stabilizing force. ¡°The two of you, capture the fugitive first,¡± Hong Yuanwu said in a deep voice. ¡°Yes.¡± The two of them felt as though they had been granted amnesty as they quickly left the place. ¡°What a formidable expert!¡± Hong Yuanwu looked at the crack, his heart wavering. ¡°There¡¯s actually such an expert in Yuzhou City? Who is he?¡± He understood better than Han Wenxin and Head Constable Qin how impressive the swordsman was. Even he had to retreat when faced with that astonishing sword aura. ¡°This person took action and saved Jiang Sanjia, could it be that he is also the successor of the Phantom Valley, or is there someone with ulterior motives?¡± Hong Yuanwu took out a piece of white paper, threw it gently, and pointed. Golden light flashed and a few golden characters appeared on the white paper before disappearing. Hong Yuanwu stuffed the note into the messenger falcon¡¯s ankle. Flap! Flap! The falcon flapped its wings and flew into the sky. ¡­ In the dense forest outside Yuzhou City. At this moment, Jiang Sanjia revealed a look of astonishment. That sword that struck earlier was truly breathtaking. Even he could not help but praise the swordsmanship of the person before him. One strike! With a single slash, he split open the dungeon and escaped with him. ¡°What kind of sword technique was that?¡± Jiang Sanjia could not help but ask. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s just a draw.¡± That strike just now was the Sword Drawing Technique. The so-called Sword Drawing Technique was not about unsheathing a sword. It was called the Sword Drawing Technique. Sword Drawing Technique! A sword that shook the heavens, a sword that struck out, and a person died. The true technique of drawing a sword was to combine the essence, energy, and spirit in one¡¯s body. Some people had raised a sword for several years, and the sword¡¯s momentum had already reached its peak just for the moment it was pulled out. And at that moment, all the essence, energy, and divine of the past few years had been gathered on this sword. How could the power not be terrifying? That was exactly what An Jing had done. The Sword Regression Technique only had three simple moves. It looked basic, but it was the essence of the Sword Dao. When Jiang Sanjia heard this, he could not help but feel a little strange. Was there such a sword technique in the martial world? He actually did not know that this masked black-clothed man before him was actually so powerful. Why had he not heard of his name before? ¡°Can you tell me where the Bodhi Bead is?¡± An Jing touched the long sword on his waist. Jiang Sanjia¡¯s heart sank. If he told that person about the Bodhi Bead, it would be very difficult for him to recover from his injuries within a short period of time. Instantly, he felt troubled¡­ ¡°You still have a long way to go in life. Don¡¯t take shortcuts,¡± An Jing said softly. ¡°Brother Zhou, you must be joking.¡± Jiang Sanjia felt a chill in his heart and immediately regained his wits. ¡°It¡¯s just one Bodhi Bead. If I can befriend someone like Brother Zhou who has been through thick and thin, it would be worth it even if I had ten, let alone one.¡± The person in front of him was extremely evil and only cared about profit. Furthermore, his character was hard to understand. If he did not give it to him, it was very likely that he would be killed by his sword. ¡°This Bodhi Bead was originally obtained by Monk Hui Hai, the bishop of the Great Sun Academy. He failed to bring this Bodhi Bead with him and was ambushed by the experts of the Western Regions. This Bodhi Bead also completely disappeared. In fact, this Bodhi Bead had long been handed over to Wanderer Wudi by Monk Hui Hai. Wanderer Wudi secretly brought this Bodhi Bead to Great Yan, but he didn¡¯t expect to encounter a killer from Fengyu Pavilion in Yuzhou City. In the end, he was killed by several Heaven-ranked killers from Fengyu Pavilion.¡± ¡°Fengyu Pavilion!?¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow. Fengyu Pavilion was also one of the most famous forces in the Great Yan martial world and was one of the five gangs. However, Fengyu Pavilion was slightly different from the other five gangs. Fengyu Pavilion was a killer gang with a long history. It was also the only gang that had been established since the previous dynasty. The killers in the gang were extremely powerful and had a strict system. They were spread all over the Great Yan Kingdom and some of them were even hidden in the city wells. Some of the feuds and disputes in the martial world, as well as the occasional assassinations of officials from the Imperial Court, were all done by Fengyu Pavilion. The fact that they dared to kill an official of the Imperial Court was enough to prove the courage and boldness of Fengyu Pavilion. Most importantly, the success rate of Fengyu Pavilion¡¯s assassination was extremely high. It was rare for them to fail. When the people of the martial world heard about the people of Fengyu Pavilion, all of their expressions changed. They were afraid that one day, they would be on the dark side of Fengyu Pavilion. Moreover, no one knew where the headquarters of Fengyu Pavilion was, not even the killers of Fengyu Pavilion themselves. Some people said that the main altar of Fengyu Pavilion was in the vicinity of Swordmen Pass of Western Shu, while others said that the main altar of Fengyu Pavilion was not in the borders of the Country of Yan. Some people even said that the main altar of Fengyu Pavilion was in the Great Inner Imperial Palace. In short, there were all sorts of rumors in the martial world, but no one knew where the headquarters of Fengyu Pavilion was. All in all, the reputation of Fengyu Pavilion might not be as great as the other four gangs, but among the five biggest gangs in the Country of Yan, the most feared was this Fengyu Pavilion. ¡°Yes, Fengyu Pavilion.¡± Jiang Sanjia nodded and continued, ¡°When Wanderer Wudi died, his corpse sank into the Yuzhou River, so this Bodhi Bead also fell into the Yuzhou River.¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows and said in an unfriendly tone, ¡°You mean the Bodhi Bead is in Yuzhou River?¡± One had to know that the Yuzhou River was extremely wide and long. The entire Yuzhou City was split into two banks by the Yuzhou River. If the Bodhi Bead was under the Yuzhou River, who could find it? If they made a big fuss, it would inevitably attract the attention of others. ¡°Brother Zhou, don¡¯t be anxious.¡± Jiang Sanjia smiled faintly. ¡°I¡¯ve already deduced the location of this Bodhi Bead back then. It¡¯s under the huge rock at Qing River Crossing. As long as you dive 300 feet down, you¡¯ll see the corpse beside the huge rock. The Bodhi Bead is on Wanderer Wudi¡¯s body.¡± ¡°Qing River Crossing?¡± An Jing muttered. Qing River Crossing was a pier formed by a branch of the Yuzhou River. It was not far from the south of the city and was quite a distance from the Ji Shi Hall. ¡°Good. I hope you¡¯re a smart guy, Sanjia.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes. Jiang Sanjia was an old schemer. The whereabouts of the Bodhi Bead might be true, but there might be other schemes hidden within. He had to be careful. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m telling the truth,¡± Jiang Sanjia said seriously. Jiang Sanjia had divined the whereabouts of the Bodhi Bead back then, and what he said was not false. However, there were some things he did not say out loud. There was a trace of baneful aura beside the Bodhi Bead. Just the backlash from the baneful aura was enough to reduce his lifespan by more than a year. It was obvious how powerful this baneful aura was. However, he did not say it out loud. This was not within the scope of what he should say. ¡°Alright, see you again.¡± An Jing patted his bottom and leaped away. ¡°Brother Zhou, I hope you¡¯ll be safe.¡± Jiang Sanjia looked in the direction where An Jing left and muttered in his heart. Then, he also disappeared into the forest.. Chapter 15 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios The moon was shining brightly. The Ji Shi Hall lit up. In the past, when An Jing returned from his consultation at night, the lights here would always be switched off. But now, it was different. An Jing changed his clothes and walked in with the candied haws he had just bought. At this moment, a black fur ball rolled to his feet. ¡°Where did it come from?¡± An Jing looked at the puppy by his feet and could not help but ask. ¡°Young master, you¡¯re back from your consultation.¡± Tan Yun walked over with a pestle and said excitedly, ¡°Missy and I picked it up on our way back. I thought it was pitiful so I brought it back.¡± An Jing nodded and gently stroked the puppy¡¯s fur. He said with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s not a bad idea to take care of a dog.¡± ¡°By the way, does it have a name?¡± The little black dog licked An Jing¡¯s finger and kept rolling on the ground. ¡°Let me think about it.¡± Tan Yun waved the pestle and said, ¡°Why don¡¯t we call it Blackie? It¡¯s simple and suits it very well.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not elegant enough.¡± An Jing shook his head. ¡®Nowadays, all dogs are called Blackie, Whitie, can we choose a different one?¡¯ Tan Yun pouted. ¡°Lil Black? Isn¡¯t that elegant enough?¡± Elegant enough? An Jing paused. ¡°I think it¡¯s elegant, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s loud enough.¡± ¡°Young master, you¡¯re really picky!¡± Tan Yun¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up. ¡°How about this? How about ¡®Lil Blackie¡¯? It¡¯s elegant and loud.¡± Anjing was speechless. Finally, the name of Lil Blackie was confirmed. An Jing watched as Lil Blackie was ¡®played¡¯ by Tan Yun and quietly walked towards the back hall. Lights flickered in the inner hall. The room was neat and tidy, with two sunflowers on the desk. The sunflower was currently in its blooming season. Besides, Zhao Qingmei liked sunflowers, so she placed two of them in the room. At this moment, Zhao Qingmei was sitting by the desk with a book in front of her. ¡°Darling, you¡¯re back.¡± Upon hearing the sound of the door being pushed open, Zhao Qingmei regained her senses and said with a smile, ¡°Have you had dinner? I¡¯ll cook you a bowl of noodles.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need. I ate before I came back.¡± An Jing chuckled and took out the candied haws from his back. ¡°What do you think this is?¡± Zhao Qingmei seemed to like eating candied haws, which were sour and sweet. ¡°Darling, you are the best.¡± Zhao Qingmei grabbed the candied haws happily. ¡°Madam, are you learning a new trick?¡± An Jing walked to the side of the table and picked up the book to take a look, but his heart could not help but jump. He had fallen in love with tricks ever since Zhao Qingmei did it for him. ¡°Bad person!¡± Zhao Qingmei blushed and said, ¡°This is ¡®Youyang Miscellaneous Articles¡¯. There are some strange things recorded in it. I¡¯ve been reading it a lot lately, especially a certain unique breed of bird recorded in it.¡± ¡°What bird?¡± ¡°Footless Bird.¡± ¡°Footless Bird?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. That kind of bird doesn¡¯t have feet. It only has wings. It flies all its life. And it only lands once in its life. That¡¯s when it dies. I don¡¯t think it actually goes anywhere. It died from the beginning.¡± Zhao Qingmei placed her finger on the book and smirked. It could only touch the ground once in a lifetime, and it was when it died! An Jing looked at the woman in front of him who seemed to be a little sentimental and gentle like water. His heart rippled. At this moment, Zhao Qingmei walked towards the window and gently propped it up. The moonlight poured down like water. An Jing looked at the silver moon hanging high in the sky outside the window and the sky full of stars. He could not help but say, ¡°Qingmei, shall we admire the moon together?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Due to the humid climate on the Jiangnan Dao, it rained all year round. The eaves of the houses were very steep. An Jing took out a ladder from the courtyard. ¡°I¡¯ll hold on to it. You climb up first.¡± Zhao Qingmei carefully held onto the ladder and climbed onto the roof before An Jing slowly climbed up. A crescent moon hung high in the dark blue sky, its clear radiance illuminating the land. The evening breeze blew gently. Under the moonlight, Tan Yun was also sitting on the steps, her palm constantly rubbing the dog¡¯s body. The little black dog sprawled on the ground, as if it had already accepted its fate and allowed Tan Yun to do anything to it. ¡°Lil Blackie, let¡¯s enjoy the moon together.¡± Tan Yun said sourly before looking up at the full moon. ¡°Woof!¡± When Lil Blackie heard this, he protested. ¡°In another five or six months, it will be winter and you will be about your age. Miss said that she wants to nourish Young Master¡¯s body.¡± Tan Yun placed Little Blackie on her lap and chuckled. She muttered to herself, ¡°You¡¯re so cute now. You¡¯ll definitely be delicious when the time comes.¡± ¡°Woof! Woof!¡± When Lil Blackie heard this, his hair stood on end and he jumped up nervously. He barked at Tan Yun with a fierce look. ¡­ ¡°The moon is really beautiful tonight.¡± Zhao Qingmei sat on the roof and allowed the breeze to blow against her exquisite face while her soft hair swayed in the wind. ¡°Yeah, the wind is gentle too.¡± An Jing chuckled and stretched. The moon was beautiful and the wind was gentle. Some people seemed to be naturally compatible with each other. If you said that the moon was beautiful, he would also reply that the wind was gentle. The stars filled the sky and decorated the vast dark sky and surrounded the late-summer crescent moon. It was indeed beautiful and gentle. ¡°Be careful.¡± Zhao Qingmei stared at An Jing and thought to herself, He¡¯s just an ordinary physician who¡¯s weak and feeble. No matter how dangerous the martial world is, I have to protect him no matter what happens in the future. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. With my skills, not to mention this ten-foot-tall roof, I can even walk on the city wall as if it¡¯s flat ground,¡± An Jing said with a chuckle. ¡°Shut up! If that city wall falls, you¡¯ll be dead. Who do you think you are?¡± Zhao Qingmei pinched An Jing¡¯s arm gently and lamented, ¡°We haven¡¯t admired the moon like this for many years.¡± ¡°What?¡± An Jing felt strange. Have they ever appreciated the moon like this? ¡°I mean, I¡¯ve been wanting to enjoy the moon with you like this for a long time.¡± Zhao Qingmei blushed and took out the candied hawthorn stick. ¡°If you don¡¯t eat this, the candied hawthorn stick will melt.¡± Zhao Qingmei then licked the candy wrapper on the candied fruit. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face turned red and her heart started beating faster. An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei¡¯s exquisite face, which was shy and adorable. He could not help but grab her soft hand and pinch it. He swore in his heart that he would protect his wife and make her stay away from all the conflicts in the world. ¡°Qingmei.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I want to eat candied fruits too.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll feed you.¡± ¡°How do you feed it? Well¡­ oh¡­ it¡¯s so sour. You ate all the sugar-coated stuff.¡± ¡°Hehehe.¡± ¡­ Under the moonlight, a series of giggles could be heard.. Chapter 16 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°The Yuzhou City is under martial law now. There are three to five shifts of constables at the city gate every day. They are searching for the strong. I heard that there are also people from the Black Guard.¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on? Is the Demon Sect here again? Or are we going to war with the State of Zhao again?¡± ¡°F*ck, you don¡¯t even know how big it is? Yesterday, Yuzhou City¡¯s dungeon was split into two by a sword. It¡¯s said that the sword split the dungeon into two.¡± ¡°I heard about it too. It¡¯s said that the prefectural magistrate, Cao Anmin, died in the ruins. Who is this person? He¡¯s so bold and powerful.¡± ¡°The Cao Gang will definitely take revenge. That¡¯s the foster son of Cao Gang¡¯s leader, Liu Qingshan.¡± ¡°I heard that Cao Gang has an expert coming to Yuzhou City. He might be one of the Seven Great Vajras.¡± ¡°Early in the morning, I saw many young swordsmen going to observe and comprehend that sword aura. In my opinion, this swordsman will definitely be able to enter the top ten of the martial world¡¯s rank.¡± ¡­ In the morning, the teahouse was no longer as peaceful as it used to be. Discussions surged like a tide. Everyone was discussing what happened last night. The mysterious swordsman attacked and the dungeon was split open by a sword! Cao Anmin and Liu Haoping died tragically! These were all matters that had shaken the entire Yuzhou City. The noticeboard was already filled with notices. The Black Clothes Guards had been mobilized, and it was said that Cao Gang was also doing their best to search for this person. Who was this person!? Everyone was guessing. ¡°A new day, a new beginning.¡± An Jing opened the door with a smile. Lil Blackie wagged its tail and followed behind him. Since it was only about a month old, it was very cute when it walked. At that moment, Han Wenxin walked over with several constables. ¡°Brother Han, why are you so early today?¡± An Jing asked curiously. ¡°I haven¡¯t slept for the entire night.¡± Han Wenxin said with his panda eyes, ¡°We¡¯ve been arresting fugitives since last night, and now we want to arrest that swordsman.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± An Jing pretended to be surprised and asked. ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Han Wenxin sighed and said, ¡°Last night, a swordsman robbed the dungeon, causing the magistrate Cao Anmin to be killed. Furthermore, countless fugitives escaped.¡± ¡°So serious!¡± An Jing was stunned for a moment. ¡°This is a big matter. Who is so bold?¡± Han Wenxin shook his head helplessly and said, ¡°By the way, go to the county office in the afternoon. There are many criminals who have been seriously injured by the ruins. I need you to take a look.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard, Brother Han.¡± An Jing sighed. He was very tired last night. ¡°This son of a b*tch.¡± Han Wenxin gritted his teeth and said, ¡°I clearly made an appointment with Miss Chun Hui last night. Don¡¯t let me catch him. If I catch him, I¡¯ll skin him alive.¡± An Jing was speechless. Old Han, this is your fault. How can you scold people? Han Wenxin glanced around furtively, then revealed a mischievous smile. ¡°Brother An, prescribe ¡®calming medicine¡¯ for me. This time, add some more medicine, it¡¯ll be of great use again.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll get it for you now.¡± An Jing patted his chest. Others did not know what Han Wenxin was talking about, but An Jing could understand. The calming medicine was his medicine. Was this divine medicine? It was naturally a man¡¯s divine medicine. An Jing entered the house to see that Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun were placing some herbs on a basket. ¡°It¡¯s a nice day,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s a perfect day to sun the herbs.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled and said, ¡°By the way, I heard you talking to someone at the door. Who is it?¡± An Jing said casually, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Head Constable Han. You¡¯ve seen him before.¡± ¡°It¡¯s Han Wenxin!¡± Zhao Qingmei thought of Han Wenxin and clicked her tongue. ¡°Isn¡¯t he bent on capturing members of the Democ Sect and becoming a copper constable? Why would he have the time to come to our pharmacy?¡± ¡°Who, who said they wanted to capture the Demon Sect¡¯s people?¡± When Tan Yun heard this, his brows immediately raised. ¡°It¡¯s Head Constable Han. He likes to brag. Ignore him. He¡¯s very timid.¡± An Jing shook his head and looked at Zhao Qingmei. ¡°By the way, Madam, where did I put the Chinese medicine? I want to prescribe some medicine for Constable Han.¡± ¡°Here. I¡¯ve put it in that cabinet.¡± Zhao Qingmei took out a few jars from the cabinet. An Jing took out some medicinal powder from the jar, then added some soybean powder and prepared to pack it up with craft paper. Brother Han, who asked you to scold me. This time, I¡¯ll teach you a small lesson. ¡°Young master, isn¡¯t this the soybean powder?¡± Tan Yun walked over and asked curiously. ¡°Um¡­ yeah.¡± An Jing¡¯s hand froze, but he was secretly anxious in his heart. ¡®Tan Yun learns very quickly. She even knows about the soybean powder. I secretly added soybean powder into Han Wenxin¡¯s medicine. If she finds out, will my image be ruined?¡¯ ¡°Young master, you¡¯re too petty.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s expression sank. ¡°Although I am a maidservant, I still have to speak properly. One cannot be so petty.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± An Jing was stunned for a moment. ¡°We have to be more magnanimous.¡± Tan Yun added the soybean powder into the herb. ¡°This is¡­¡± When An Jing saw this, cold sweat kept trickling down his forehead. The effects of so much soybean powder were very strong. What if it suddenly acted up during sex? ¡°Young master, I¡¯ll send it to him.¡± After wrapping up the medicinal herbs, Tan Yun walked out of the door with satisfaction. Looking at Tan Yun¡¯s back view, An Jing could not help but swallow his saliva. He hoped that Han Wenxin did not drink Chinese medicine before he had sex. ¡°Head Constable Han, this is the medicine that Young Master prepared for you.¡± Tan Yun walked out and placed her hands on her waist as she bowed. A sweet smile appeared on her face. ¡°Alright, thank you Miss Tan Yun.¡± Han Wenxin¡¯s face flushed red as he looked at the gentle and beautiful Tan Yun. Brother An, Brother An, you are really happy. Not only do you have such a beautiful wife, but you also have such a cute servant. Why are you taking all the benefits? ¡°Head Constable Han, remember to drink the Chinese medicine. I prepared it myself.¡± Tan Yun winked at Han Wenxin. ¡°Good¡­ good, I will definitely drink it. Since Miss Tan Yun personally caught it for me, I will definitely drink it all.¡± Head Constable Han said seriously with a flushed face. ¡°The porridge Madam prepared for Young Master is almost ready. I will go back and serve Young Master first.¡± Tan Yun smiled and returned to the medicine hall. Looking at Tan Yun¡¯s graceful back, Han Wenxin suddenly felt even more jealous. ¡­ After noon, An Jing carried the small medicine box and went to the yamen for treatment. In the back hall, Zhao Qingmei stood in front of the stairs with her hands behind her back and a frown on her face. Tan Yun asked in a low voice. ¡°Missy, Jiang Sanjia has been rescued. What should we do now?¡± ¡°Who is this peerless swordsman?¡± asked Zhao Qingmei. ¡°To dare oppose our Demon Sect, this person is truly daring.¡± A sneer appeared on Tan Yun¡¯s face. ¡°Woo¡­ woof¡­¡± Little Blackie shouted from the side, seemingly supporting Tan Yun. ¡°This person saved Jiang Sanjia and messed up my plan. However, he might not be going against our Demon Sect.¡± Zhao Qingmei said calmly, ¡°Cao Gang and the Imperial Court are searching for him now. It¡¯s a good thing for us, but it¡¯s a bad thing too. Yuzhou City has been under martial law recently, so we have to be careful. Don¡¯t let the news leak out. The Demon Cult has returned to the Great Yan City, so we shouldn¡¯t expose ourselves for the time being.¡± ¡°We have to investigate this peerless swordsman as well. I will not allow anyone or anything beyond my expectations to appear and disrupt my plans.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Tan Yun cupped his fists respectfully. ¡°Oh right, the Ghost-Faced Buddha also told me something.¡± ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°Master is coming.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Zhao Qingmei raised her voice. It was obvious that she was slightly surprised by the arrival of her master. ¡°Master said that he wants to see who the man is.¡± Tan Yun quietly said. ¡°Tell him not to come,¡± Zhao Qingmei said expressionlessly. ¡°Sect Master, you know it too.¡± When Tan Yun heard this, he said with a bitter face, ¡°And Master seems to have already arrived at the Great Yan territory..¡± Chapter 17 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios An Jing went to the county office. After applying medicine to the prisoners, he put on his navy blue cloak and hurried out of Yuzhou City. Jiang Sanjia was a sly old fox. An Jing was not sure if he would take the risk of being captured and continue to stay near Yuzhou City so he could take the Bodhi Bead first. After leaving Yuzhou City, they would have to travel 80 kilometers south to reach Qing River Crossing. At this moment, the sun was blazing above his head and the earth was as hot as a furnace. There were trees in the forest that blocked out the sun, making it a little cooler. The Great Yan territory was vast, and the five regions could be divided into the Great Yan¡¯s factions. The Jiangnan Dao where the wealthy families gathered was one of them. Since ancient times, Jiangnan Dao had been blessed by the heavens. The rain was plentiful and the water was plentiful, making it very convenient for trade. This also resulted in the gathering of wealthy families in Jiangnan. As one of the core cities of Jiangnan Dao, Yuzhou City, which was blessed by the heavens, naturally developed very smoothly. Therefore, the size of Yuzhou City and its scope of jurisdiction were not something that ordinary cities could compare to. Even outside the city, there were some cargo docks that could transport merchants. An Jing ran swiftly through the forest. His body was like a nimble swallow as he shuttled through the greenery. After about five minutes, An Jing realized that there seemed to be people ahead. Taking a closer look, it turned out to be a tea shed. ¡°Big bowl of tea! Big bowl of tea that costs three copper coins!¡± A waiter holding a cloth napkin was shouting when he saw An Jing walking over. ¡°Dear guest, the weather is hot. Why don¡¯t you get a big bowl of tea to quench your thirst?¡± ¡°Give me three bowls.¡± An Jing had not had any water since he came out of the county office. At this moment, he also felt thirsty and sat down immediately. ¡°Alright, please take a seat.¡± The waiter shouted into the room, ¡°Three bowls of tea!¡± An Jing sat down slowly and looked around. In front of him was a woman in her thirties. She had a curvy figure. Coupled with her beautiful face that was slightly powdered, she perfectly portrayed the appearance of a mature woman. Every move she made gave off a feeling that made men¡¯s minds go wild. Other than the woman, there were also a few burly men with carriages and goods parked beside them. From their words, they seemed to be people from an escort company. As the few dart masters spoke, their eyes constantly drifted towards the beautiful and mature woman, and a trace of greed flashed past their eyes. An Jing did not mind. After all, it was not his fault. ¡°Sir, here¡¯s the three bowls of tea.¡± Shortly after, the waiter came over with three bowls of tea. An Jing stopped the waiter and asked, ¡°Waiter, is the Qing River Dock not far away?¡± The waiter pointed at the official road and enthusiastically said, ¡°That¡¯s right, do you want to go to the Qing River Dock? You¡¯ll be able to reach there after walking along the road for twenty miles. Do you want to take a boat? Then you will need to hurry later. There¡¯s only one passenger boat every afternoon and it will stop taking people once it¡¯s full.¡± ¡°Okay, thanks.¡± An Jing nodded. ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± The waiter shook his cloth napkin and continued shouting. Just as An Jing was about to drink a large bowl of tea and prepare to leave, the well-rounded and mature woman in front of him walked over. She smiled and said, ¡°You are heading to the Qing River Dock?¡± ¡°Yes, what¡¯s wrong?¡± An Jing felt as if there was a surging tide in front of him. The mature woman smiled and said, ¡°I also intend to go to Qing River Crossing. How about we go together?¡± Her charming laughter was soul-stirring, as if it wanted to draw out the deepest desires of men. If it was summarized, it would be ¡®slutty¡¯. Even the waiter and shopkeeper in the distance would glance over from time to time, secretly swallowing their saliva. When the few escorts heard the woman¡¯s words, they looked at An Jing with hostility. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s inconvenient.¡± An Jing was not an inexperienced boy. He had come out this time to search for the Bodhi Bead and did not want to be involved in any trouble. It was only a few dozen miles and they had to travel together? ¡°Little brother, are you really not considering it?¡± The mature woman pursed her lips as a gentle wave seemed to surge through her eyes. There was something wrong with this woman. ¡°No thanks.¡± An Jing shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m used to being alone.¡± ¡°Alright, then I¡¯ll take my leave first.¡± The woman looked disappointed. Then, she picked up her bag and left. Upon seeing the lady leave, the few dartsmen hurriedly put down their money and followed her. ¡°Second Uncle, look at the Three Lakes dartsmen!¡± When the waiter saw this scene, how could he not know what was going on? Those burly dartsmen did not even take away their goods. They followed behind the beautiful and mature woman. Their intentions were clear. If he followed, it would definitely be a huge battle. The shopkeeper frowned and looked into the distance without saying anything. ¡°Second uncle, should we report this?¡± Slap! Before he could finish his sentence, the shopkeeper slapped him hard. ¡°You¡¯re out of your mind,¡± the shopkeeper snapped, ¡°the Three Lakes dartsmen are backed by the Three Lakes Gang. If you let them know you¡¯re reporting to the authorities, they¡¯ll skin you tomorrow and turn you into a lantern to hang on a tree.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t interfere in the affairs of the martial world.¡± The waiter looked at the departing figure, his heart thumping wildly. It was as if some scenes had already been painted into his mind. He could not help but sigh, ¡°Second uncle, it¡¯s so good to be in the martial world!¡± ¡°Good my ass!¡± The shopkeeper laughed coldly. ¡°If you dare to enter the martial world, you don¡¯t need anyone to do anything. I¡¯ll skin you alive right now so that you don¡¯t die in the hands of others. Then I will not need to collect your corpse in the future.¡± An Jing shook his head and felt that the shopkeeper was right. He drank three bowls of tea in one go, put down ten copper coins, and set off along the official road. On the official road, the road was flat. Moreover, the journey of twenty miles was less than half an hour for An Jing. The forest was dense, and they did not encounter anyone else along the way. Suddenly, An Jing smelled blood and stopped in his tracks. After walking a few steps along the forest, he found three crooked corpses lying on the ground. They were the three dartsmen. ¡°It seems that woman is not an ordinary person.¡± An Jing looked at the wounds on the dartsmen¡¯s corpse. All of them had been killed in one hit. There was a hint of shock and disbelief in his eyes. This meant that he had died very quickly in the blink of an eye. The dartsmen were all rather powerful in the martial arts world. They were much stronger than the average person and new disciples of the sect. Most of them were at least Rank Six, Rank Five, or even Rank Four. However, the three of them were killed in one move. This was enough to show that the person who killed them was powerful enough. At the very least, that person was an expert above Rank Three. In the martial world, it was hard to tell if one was an expert or a commoner if one did not use their inner Qi. One could only tell if they were an expert or a commoner if they released their inner Qi slightly. However, some experts in the martial world had cultivated the Qi retraction technique which increased the difficulty. However, most martial artists in the martial world would reveal some of their inner Qi. Firstly, many people would not be able to control their inner Qi and secondly, they would be able to avoid unnecessary trouble. Therefore, the waters in the martial world were very deep. ¡°It¡¯s best not to interfere in the affairs of the martial world.¡± An Jing shook his head and continued running along the road towards Qing River Crossing.. Chapter 18 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios At the Qing River Crossing¡­ The Qing River Crossing was the ancient crossing of Yuzhou City. It was left behind by the Zhou Dynasty last year. From the east side of the canal to the Yuzhou City, one had to cross the Yuzhou River. Therefore, the Yuzhou River gave rise to countless crossings. Most of the salt boats that came from the East Ocean were on the docks of Yuzhou City. There were also passenger boats that came from afar by the river. Relying on the prosperity of the ferry, a small town gradually grew out of this place. This was because this crossing was previously called Head Ferry. Later on, it was changed to Qing River Crossing, and this small town was called Ferry Town. At this time, people were coming and going on Qing River Crossing. It was bustling with activity. An Jing stood at a corner of the ferry and looked at the merchant ships coming and going. At this moment, the sun was shining brightly on the water. ¡°This should be it.¡± An Jing used his internal energy to cover his body. Holding his sword in his arms, he jumped into the river like a fish. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The river water was cold and refreshing. An Jing¡¯s body swayed as he charged down the river. The river water was clear, fish swam around him. An Jing did not use his internal energy and could only see about ten feet. The further down he went, the less sunlight there was and the darker it became. At this moment, a huge wave of water pressure came. The most direct observation was his ears. An Jing felt that his hearing ability was gradually decreasing. Then, there was the situation around him. The huge darkness corroded him, causing him to see less and less things. In the end, he could only see things that were about one meter around him. Other than that, there was also the pressure of the water that continuously squeezed through his internal organs. If it was someone with shallow internal energy, they might not be able to endure it after diving for over a hundred feet because they still needed to breathe. Most importantly, there was an unknown fear. Suddenly, he realized that there seemed to be a bottomless ravine ahead. The crossing was usually very shallow and could not be very deep. As for this ravine, others clearly did not know about it. Was he supposed to have gone down from there? An Jing was moved and swam towards the ravine. At first, An Jing knew how many feet he had dived. After about 200 feet, he lost the ability to judge. He could only feel that he was still diving downwards, and his speed was becoming slower and slower. However, he was not sure how far he had dived. The Zenith Heaven Cultivation Technique circulated in his body at all times to resist the surging water pressure. Suddenly, An Jing felt as if his feet had touched something. He looked down. There was an abandoned ship under his feet with seaweed growing beside it. An Jing was standing at the bow of the ship. ¡°Finally!¡± An Jing looked at the broken boat and knew that he had reached the bottom of the Qing River Dock. Next, he had to find the boulder that Jiang Sanjia mentioned. An Jing stepped on the bottom of the river and swam forward. At the bottom of the river that was 300 feet deep, it was much more difficult to move than on the ground. However, this was all targeted at ordinary people. Ffft! Ffft! The inner force in An Jing¡¯s body surged, trying to disperse the surrounding water and form a vacuum. Some of the creatures in the surrounding seabed seemed to have sensed the abnormality, and as if they were alarmed, they fled frantically towards the surroundings. One had to know that this place was 300 feet deep. The water pressure was extremely high and it was extremely difficult for An Jing to use his inner force to create a light shield. ¡°Huff!¡± An Jing heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°The internal energy in my body won¡¯t last long either. I have to find the Bodhi Bead as soon as possible.¡± At the bottom of such a river, the water pressure was terrifyingly high. Every breath was extremely draining. With this thought in mind, An Jing walked around in search of boulders. At the bottom of the river, other than some sunken ships, some creatures that never saw light all day long, there were also some rotten bones and a lot of random things. Although An Jing¡¯s internal energy forced out a light shield, his speed was not fast. ¡°Mm!?¡± Suddenly, a huge black stone appeared in front of them. An Jing¡¯s heart stirred as he slowly walked over. This black stone was extremely large like a mountain, causing others to exclaim in admiration. ¡°Could this be the boulder that Jiang Sanjia mentioned? But why does it feel a little strange?¡± An Jing surrounded the black stone, but his heart was beating wildly. He felt the impulse! A true expert would always have a warning for danger. Some people called it a sudden impulse, some called it a sixth sense, but they were all predicting danger ahead of time. An Jing started to circle around the black stone. The more he looked at it, the more he felt that this black stone was very strange. ¡°These are scales?¡± The black stone was densely packed with patterns. It looked hard and shiny, and An Jing could sense a fierce aura from it. Baleful aura! The last time he had felt this aura was five years ago, when An Jing had been in the ancient battlefield. It was murderous aura! A towering murderous aura! It was the biggest battle between Yan and Zhou Dynasty. It was said that that war helped to establish the complete Great Yan Kingdom. In that war, more than 700,000 soldiers died on both sides, resulting in rivers of blood and mountains of corpses at the battlefield. The smell of blood soared to fifteen kilometers away. In the next ten years, one could still almost hear the horn of the battlefield every full moon. Hundreds of years had passed since that battle, but An Jing could still feel the murderous aura from the city walls. Because there were 700,000 souls buried underground. Thus, every year, the grandest festival was the Qingming Festival. Countless people would burn paper on the streets to pray for the peace of the people on the ground. The vital energy he sensed this time was different from the last time. The vital energy of the ancient battlefield had dispersed, or it could be said that it had been buried underground. However, the aura he felt was real. The powerful impact felt different standing on an ancient battlefield. The more An Jing thought about it, the more he felt that something was wrong. He subconsciously touched the black stone with his palm, and a cold feeling entered his body. At the same time, a baleful aura rushed into his body. ¡°This is bad!¡± An Jing wanted to circulate his internal energy to resist the murderous aura, but it was already too late. The cold murderous aura rushed into his dantian. Although there was only a trace of ice-cold killing intent, it was extremely violent. The Zenith Heaven Cultivation Technique belonged to the True Martial level, not the Extreme Yang Cultivation Technique. It was extremely difficult to eliminate this baleful aura. After regulating his breathing for several dozen times, An Jing barely managed to temporarily suppress this baleful Qi. If he wanted to completely obliterate it, he would need another hour. The baneful aura would devour his body and strengthen itself. The longer the baneful aura remained in the body, the greater the damage to the body. But in this place, he did not have that much time to erase this baleful aura. ¡°I¡¯d better find the Bodhi Bead soon¡­¡± An Jing raised his brows slightly and took a few steps forward, searching for Wanderer Wudi¡¯s corpse. A True Martial level treasure was enough to cause a bloody storm in the martial world. ¡°Why haven¡¯t I noticed? Could it be that I¡¯ve really been played by Jiang Sanjia?¡± An Jing frowned. However, at the next moment, the scene before him completely stunned him.. Chapter 19 Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios In front of him was the head of a huge python. The head of the python was 30 feet wide, and its triangular eyes were closed. On both sides of its cheeks was a tumor that looked like small wings. This huge monster seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep, but it still gave off an extremely powerful pressure. Hiss! An Jing could not help but gasp. How was this a black stone? It was obviously a mutated beast. The black stone that he had been surrounding was nothing more than its massive head. There was actually such a terrifying monster hidden beneath Qing River Crossing! An Jing¡¯s heart was beating wildly. Even though this mutated beast was sleeping, it could still give him such a terrifying pressure. What kind of terrifying existence would it be if it woke up? One had to know that he was a Rank One cultivator. However, the strange beast in the deep sleep was still unable to breathe. ¡°It is rumored that snakes devour essence energy and can become pythons. If a python cultivates for a thousand years, it can become an anaconda. If anaconda cultivates for a thousand years, it can become a wyrm. Is this a real anaconda?¡± An Jing recalled the records he had read in the ancient text and said in disbelief, ¡°If there really is an anaconda, then it¡¯s possible that there are also wyrms.¡± All along, An Jing had thought that legends about such beasts were just fabricated. He did not expect it to really appear one day and it was right in front of him. ¡°Does it have a Golden Core in its body? Will the Golden Core that consumes it condense into Earth Flowers, Heaven Flowers, and then combine to reach the Grandmaster level?¡± ¡°There¡¯s also the blood and bones of mutant beasts. They¡¯re all treasures.¡± An Jing was like an ant as he stood in front of the huge anaconda and swallowed his saliva. Right at this moment, the Earth Book began to emit a golden light. ¡°Prompt 2: The host is close to the beast, the 1,000-year Black Anaconda. The 1,000-year Black Anaconda is still sleeping. If it is awakened, the host will obtain an unprecedented black opportunity.¡± ¡°Prompt 3: The 1,000-year-old Black Azure opportunity is a Beast of Heaven and Earth. If you kill it or subdue it, you can obtain the azure opportunity.¡± ¡°Prompt 4: Host has an ownerless treasure (Bodhi Bead) nearby.¡± ¡­ An Jing looked at the series of notifications from the Earth Book and licked his lips. An unprecedented black opportunity? Could it be another transmigration? Then forget it. My wife is still waiting for me to come home for dinner. An Jing took a deep breath and carefully looked at the thousand-year black anaconda in front of him, afraid to wake it up. Then, he began to carefully move around the 1,000-year-old Black Anaconda, searching for the Bodhi Bead. ¡°Why did Wanderer Wudi¡¯s corpse disappear? Could it be that it was swallowed by this thousand-year-old Black Anaconda?¡± An Jing thought of something and a drop of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. If he was really swallowed by the 1000-year Black Anaconda, then all his efforts until now would have been for nothing. An Jing gritted his teeth and continued to search for Wanderer Wudi¡¯s corpse according to the map. After walking around for a while, he seemed to have arrived at the tailbone of the 1,000-year Black Anaconda. An Jing discovered that there was half a skeleton underneath the tail of the 1,000-year Black Anaconda. ¡°Could it be this?¡± An Jing walked over carefully. The bones had long rotted, turning into white bones. There was a red light at the ribs and arm bones. ¡°Bodhi Bead!?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes lit up and he walked over quickly. The fiery red bead lay quietly on the corpse, emitting a faint glow, like a ball of fire burning in the night. The supreme Buddhist charm was still flowing, even though it had been buried under the river for several years. ¡°What a treasure!¡± An Jing stretched his hand out and carefully put away the Bodhi Bead. Instantly, a warm feeling spread from his palm into his body. A wave of scorching flames surged out from his dantian and the trace of baleful aura that was in his body earlier was completely incinerated. ¡°Leave this place quickly.¡± An Jing played with the Bodhi Bead and carefully left the 1000-year Black Anaconda. If he accidentally woke up this monster, he would be in big trouble. This beast had lived for at least a thousand years. It was a terrifying existence. It was very uncomfortable to dive down, but it was much easier to float up. Plop! The moment An Jing rushed out of the water, water splashed everywhere. His body leaped and landed on the tree trunk like a fallen leaf. As he circulated his internal energy, the water droplets on his body evaporated. ¡°The Bodhi Bead is in my hands.¡± An Jing took out the Bodhi Bead and looked at it. It was a stone the size of an egg with a golden Buddhist aura flowing around it. It felt extremely hot in his hand. Extreme Yang Pureness! Sensing the extreme yang energy coming from the Bodhi Bead, An Jing started to ponder. If he had the Bodhi Bead to assist his cultivation, his cultivation speed would increase by more than two times. As expected of a Buddhist treasure! Now that he had just condensed the Man Flower, his cultivation was still not stable enough. He would probably need some time to consolidate his realm, and when the time came, he would condense the Earth Flower and Heaven Flower. At his current age, let alone in the current martial world, he was a unique existence in the entire history. ¡°Let¡¯s go home and eat.¡± An Jing put away the Bodhi Bead and dashed towards the city. ¡­ At the dining table, there were stir-fried mountain herbs, wood ears, stewed beef, stir-fried autumn sunflowers, steamed eggs, and fragrant black rice on the table. Just looking at it made one¡¯s appetite surge. ¡°Darling, the dishes today are really delicious,¡± An Jing said while holding a piece of chinese yam. After a busy day, his gentle and virtuous wife prepared a meal and waited for him to return home. Wasn¡¯t this the ideal life for a man? ¡°Of course. I made these specially for you.¡± Zhao Qingmei picked up a piece of autumn sunflower and placed it in An Jing¡¯s bowl. ¡°Special¡­?¡± An Jing looked at the dishes on the table. ¡°That¡¯s right, these are all great supplements.¡± Zhao Qingmei pouted coquettishly and said, ¡°Husband, every medicine has its own toxicity. You should take less medicine in the future.¡± An Jing laughed dryly. ¡°Oh right, where¡¯s Tan Yun? She¡¯s the most enthusiastic when it comes to eating.¡± ¡°Young Master, Young Master, I¡¯m here.¡± Just then, Tan Yun came over carrying a plate of crabs. ¡°Look at the crabs I made for you. These are the specialties from Weishan Lake in Linjiang City.¡± Yuzhou had many rivers. Crabs were not expensive. ¡°Did you make crabs?¡± When An Jing saw the crabs, his appetite was instantly aroused. ¡°I love eating crabs from Weishan Lake. They are delicious and juicy, with tender meat and crab roe.¡± Zhao Qingmei was gentle, understanding and virtuous. Her servant was quick-witted and lively. It was said that she grew up together with Zhao Qingmei and they were like sisters. Even after Zhao Qingmei¡¯s family had fallen, she still refused to leave them. Ever since Zhao Qingmei married him, she had always been the one cooking. She had never heard of Tan Yun cooking before, so she decided to have a taste of it today. ¡°Wait a moment, young master.¡± Just as An Jing was about to start eating, Tan Yun stopped him. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± An Jing asked curiously. Tan Yun pinched the corner of her clothes and said shyly, ¡°Young master, Xiaoyun has a presumptuous request that I don¡¯t know if I should tell you.¡± When An Jing saw this, for the first time, he understood the phrase ¡°acting coy¡±. Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Darling, it¡¯s not a big deal. It¡¯s just that Tan Yun¡¯s Third Master is coming to Yuzhou City to seek refuge with us. He used to manage the accounts room in my family for a period of time. We are not that close. Besides, I think there are already enough people in this small pharmacy.¡± Zhao Qingmei then winked at An Jing. When An Jing saw the look in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes, he instantly understood what she meant. He smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s good that he¡¯s here. It¡¯ll be more lively with more people around. At most, we¡¯ll just get someone to help him find a job.¡± Zhao Qingmei put down her chopsticks angrily and thought to herself, ¡®This dumb*ss¡­¡¯ ¡°Young master, you¡¯re the best.¡± Tan Yun was pleasantly surprised. Zhao Qingmei frowned and thought to herself, My husband really agreed to it. To think that I even hinted to him. ¡°Can we eat this crab now?¡± ¡°Eat, eat. Young master, you can eat as much as you want. There¡¯s more in the pot.¡± ¡°It¡¯s better to eat crabs with vinegar.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go get it for you now. If you want to eat it in the future, I¡¯ll cook it every day.¡± Watching Tan Yun run into the kitchen, An Jing shook his head and laughed. ¡°I can finally eat crabs.¡± As he spoke, he extended his chopsticks toward the crab. When his chopsticks reached a crab, the crab extended its pincers and clamped his chopsticks firmly. An Jing was confused. The crab raised its eyes as if to say, ¡°Are you familiar with this? Stop touching.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 20 - Unknown Opportunity, Zhou Xianming Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°What¡¯s going on? Is it because of the baneful aura at the bottom of the river?¡± After the meal, An Jing felt a little tired and fell asleep on the bed. ¡°Darling, why did you agree to it?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked An Jing who was lying on the bed. ¡°Didn¡¯t you ask me to agree?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to agree!¡± ¡°Forget it, I¡¯ve already agreed. One more person simply means one more pair of chopsticks.¡± Zhao Qingmei really wanted to say that it was not that simple. ¡°Sleep early. You¡¯ve been busy all afternoon.¡± An Jing yawned and took off his coat. ¡°You¡¯re sleeping so early?¡± Zhao Qingmei licked her lips and kept glancing at An Jing. ¡°I¡¯m a little tired.¡± After An Jing returned from Qing River Crossing, he felt a little tired. Perhaps it was because of the baneful energy entering his body. Although it had been expelled by the Bodhi Bead, it still made him feel very tired. ¡°Brother!¡± Zhao Qingmei crawled over and wrapped her long legs around An Jing¡¯s thigh while her hand slipped into his underwear. ¡°Darling, let¡¯s do it tomorrow. I¡¯m really tired today.¡± An Jing felt like he was about to fall asleep. ¡°Brother, I learned a new trick.¡± Zhao Qingmei bit An Jing¡¯s ear and blew on it. ¡°Sure, show it to me tomorrow,¡± An Jing said weakly. ¡°I want to show you today.¡± Zhao Qingmei refused to give up and continued to move her hand downwards. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± An Jing felt very comfortable, but he still lay like a dead person. ¡°You ate the food for nothing,¡± complained Zhao Qingmei as she patted An Jing¡¯s cheek. But An Jing was already asleep, and there was only the soft sound of breathing. ¡°An Jing, get up!¡± ¡­ Yuzhou City, in a quiet courtyard, several men in linen clothes stood on both sides of the courtyard. They each held an orange-red lantern in their hands, lighting up the entire courtyard as if it was daytime. Cao Gang wore linen clothes. This was something that everyone knew. In the middle of the courtyard, a limping old man was brandishing a knife in his hand. The corners of his robes fluttered with the wind, and he held a pair of scimitars in his hands. The wind from the scimitar was strange. It made people shudder as if a malicious spirit was crying. ¡°Brother Tie!¡± A hearty laugh was heard, and Hong Yuanwu walked into the courtyard wearing a cloak. ¡°Lord Hong!¡± The limping old man who was practicing with his scimitar kept his scimitar and apologized to Hong Yuanwu. ¡°I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d be able to get you here,¡± said Hong Yuanwu. The old man in front of him was none other than one of Cao Gang¡¯s Seven Great Vajras, Tie Yunshan. Cao Gang¡¯s 36 Branch Masters were in charge of various territories, while the Seven Great Vajras were in charge of the headquarters. They were even more infamous and were all top-notch experts. Some people once said that the 36 Branch Masters were not very famous in the martial world. In that case, any one of the Seven Great Vajra Masters was a renowned expert in the martial world. Any one of them was enough to establish a sect in the martial world. In his early years, Tie Yunshan had roamed the martial world for dozens of years. He relied on a pair of scimitars to travel through the martial world. Countless experts had died in his hands. Later on, he offended the head of the Su Clan in Taihu Ming City and was hunted down. In the end, he fought back and killed dozens of Su Clan¡¯s experts, including the head of the Su Clan at that time. He caused the Su Clan¡¯s Old Ancestor to personally take action. In the end, in order to survive, he severed one of his legs and threw himself into Cao Gang to protect himself. Cao Gang was powerful, Liu Qingshan was even more unyielding, the Su Clan could only suffer this huge loss. Among Cao Gang¡¯s many experts, mobilizing the Seven Great Vajras was extremely rare. Speaking of which, their friendship was pretty strong. Initially, Hong Yuanwu was not a member of the Black Clothes Guard. He was also a martial artist. His personality was also arrogant and overbearing. At that time, both of them were in the Jiangnan Dao area. He and Tie Yunshan could be said to have become friends through fighting. Later on, Hong Yuanwu joined the Black Clothes Guard. From then on, he wore official robes and lived off the Imperial Court. When Tie Yunshan was being hunted down by the Su Clan, Hong Yuanwu mediated and exerted quite a bit of effort. Although he was unable to resolve the grudge in the end, this caused the relationship between the two to become even deeper. Tie Yunshan took a deep breath and said, ¡°This is no small matter. Haoping has a close relationship with me, and you know my character. It¡¯s impossible for me not to come.¡± Hong Yuanwu nodded slightly. He naturally knew that Tie Yunshan valued loyalty. Liu Haoping had an extremely good relationship with him. Now that he had been killed in Yuzhou City, he naturally would not remain indifferent. Hong Yuanwu said solemnly, ¡°That mysterious swordsman is at the peak of second-grade. I think he¡¯s at least at the peak of second-grade.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve observed that sword strike. It¡¯s capable.¡± Tie Yunshan sneered, ¡°But I am not a nobody, especially with Brother Hong here.¡± ¡®Flying Arrow Tie Yunshan Under the Moon¡¯ was his alias in the martial world. ¡°The two of us will have a great chance if we attack.¡± Hong Yuanwu nodded slightly. Not only was Cao Gang on the wanted list for the mysterious swordsman, but the Imperial Court was also present. Tie Yunshan nodded slightly and said, ¡°I have three reasons for coming to Yuzhou City. Please lend me a hand.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to say anything about our friendship. I will naturally lend you a hand.¡± Hong Yuanwu asked, ¡°What is your motive?¡± ¡°Capture two alive.¡± ¡°Which two?¡± ¡°Jiang Sanjia, Mu Xiaoyun.¡± ¡°Mu Xiaoyun?¡± Hong Yuanwu frowned and said in disbelief, ¡°Her? Is there a mistake?¡± Cao Gang wanted to capture Mu Xiaoyun!? ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Tie Yunshan was silent for a long time before replying. ¡­ The next day, An Jing woke up early. ¡°Darling, didn¡¯t you put any medicine in the porridge today?¡± An Jing stared at Zhao Qingmei, who was busy sorting out the herbs. In the past, Zhao Qingmei would usually put Chinese medicinal walnuts, lotus seeds, and other herbs in the porridge she cooked in the morning. However, there was none today. It was just plain porridge. ¡°It¡¯s useless even if you eat it. I¡¯ll not cook it anymore,¡± Zhao Qingmei raised her head and said calmly. ¡°Indeed. The taste of the mixture of those medicines is a little strange. The taste of the porridge with some pickled vegetables is the best.¡± An Jing nodded and continued unknowingly. ¡°Then I won¡¯t cook porridge anymore.¡± ¡°Sure, change to something else.¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at An Jing before walking toward the backyard out of spite. Before An Jing knew what had happened, Lil Blackie ran to his feet. ¡°Little thing, it¡¯s only been two days and you¡¯ve already become rounder.¡± An Jing reached out and stroked Lil Blackie¡¯s body. ¡°Woof!¡± Upon hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Lil Blackie quickly ran away. ¡°This little thing! I fed you for nothing.¡± The afternoon was very comfortable. Under the shade of the dense green trees, the slightly mottled and gray white walls of the ancient house in Jiangnan faced the unchanging little bridge and flowing water. The golden silk and soft willow trees and shadows rippled, and the sound of the yellow orioles passing by could be heard. The shadows of boats could be seen drifting past the Yuzhou River and the surface of the water sparkled with golden light. An Jing picked up a tobacco pouch and a small stool on the wall, intending to go to the tea house next door to listen to stories and drink tea. Before he reached the door, he was informed by the teahouse worker that Zhou Xianming was not there. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Mr. Zhou?¡± An Jing found it strange. ¡°It¡¯s rare for him to not come to the teahouse for three consecutive days. Logically speaking, he should have recovered from his cold. Did something happen?¡± Whoosh! The Earth Book emitted a golden light and a new notification appeared. An Jing¡¯s thoughts entered the book. ¡°Prompt: Zhou Xianming might have an unknown opportunity..¡± Chapter 21 - Sound of Zither on a Yuzhou Night Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios At the Spring Breeze Alley, An Jing arrived at Zhou Xianming¡¯s house. Knock Knock! ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°Mr. Zhou, it¡¯s me, An Jing,¡± An Jing shouted softly. Creak! As the door opened, Zhou Xianming, whose face was still slightly bruised, poked his head out. He then looked around and urged, ¡°Doctor An, come in quickly.¡± An Jing walked into the house and could not help but ask, ¡°What happened to you?¡± Zhou Xianming definitely did not look like he had caught a cold. He was clearly beaten up! ¡°Sigh!¡± Zhou Xianming sighed heavily and said, ¡°Make yourself comfortable and take a seat.¡± ¡°This¡­ where to sit?¡± Anjing looked around the room. Zhou Xianming¡¯s house was not big. The house he lived in was rented from a dentist. It was only about twenty square meters. The facilities in the house were very simple. There was a table, a few chairs, and a big bed. There was a stove in the corner. The house was very messy. There were brushes, inkstones, bowls and basins everywhere. Moreover, there seemed to be some porridge in the pot. The only thing placed neatly was a bookshelf on the west side. It was filled with books. ¡°What happened?¡± An Jing asked curiously. Could it be that someone had come back to take revenge on Zhou Xianming? ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ve done.¡± Zhou Xianming sat on the chair and sighed. ¡°Doctor An, there are some things you shouldn¡¯t ask.¡± The skills of the person in black who came late at night were extraordinary. It was not something that a weak doctor or scholar could handle. ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten yet, have you?¡± An Jing glanced at the messy kitchen and asked. ¡°Forget it, I¡¯m not hungry.¡± Zhou Xianming waved his hand. Then, he thought of something and said, ¡°Doctor An, I know you¡¯re a benevolent doctor. Can you treat me?¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°You only suffered from some superficial wounds. You can come with me to my house later to apply some ointment.¡± ¡°No, no, no.¡± Zhou Xianming hurriedly waved his hand. ¡°Doctor An, I¡¯m not talking about this superficial wound.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a superficial wound?¡± An Jing frowned. Could it be that Zhou Xianming had internal injuries? He actually could not tell. ¡°I am suffering from lovesickness.¡± Zhou Xianming lowered his head and coughed. ¡°Lovesickness?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Ever since I saw Miss Li Yue on the pleasure boat last time, I¡¯ve been unable to control myself, unable to sleep at night, unable to eat or sleep. I¡¯ve been tossing and turning, my mind filled with her shadow.¡± ¡°Then how can I treat you?¡± ¡°Doctor An, I¡¯d like to listen to some music at the brothel.¡± An Jing was stunned. He did not expect Zhou Xianming to be so thick-skinned that he would let him bring him to have fun. In his impression, Zhou Xianming was a very timid scholar. However, the moment he mentioned the music, it was as if he had changed into a different person. There was even a glint in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re a scholar.¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with scholars?¡± Zhou Xianming stood up and said righteously, ¡°Isn¡¯t it only right and proper for us scholars to curry favor and listen to music? It¡¯s precisely because of our studies that we have to go to curry favor and listen to music. If we don¡¯t save these girls who have gone down the wrong track, how can we save our country and the world in the future?¡± It was precisely because he was a scholar that he had to go to the brothel to listen to music. Seeing Zhou Xianming so impassioned, even An Jing was shocked. Was there such a thing? ¡°Doctor An, are you going?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡­ On the Yuzhou River, the lanterns were lit and the lights on both sides of the river shone brightly. Countless pleasure boats floated on the Yuzhou River, and the beautiful courtesans on the pleasure boats raised their wine goblets and sang endlessly. ¡°Doctor An, have you been to this Red Mansion¡¯s pleasure boat before?¡± Zhou Xianming stood at the bow of the boat. He wore white clothes and held a folding fan in his hand, looking like an indecent man. Beside him, the boatman rowed toward the pleasure boat in the middle of the river. ¡°No, I¡¯ve never come to such a place.¡± An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve come to such a place.¡± ¡°Doctor An¡¯s wife is as beautiful as a dazzling celestial fairy. It¡¯s normal that he doesn¡¯t like the low-class women here.¡± Zhou Xianming nodded to express his understanding. Then, he said with a yearning expression, ¡°But Miss Li Yue is different. She is a lotus flower that is untainted by mud.¡± What was the difference? It was just a matter of the price. An Jing rolled his eyes. Before long, the boat¡¯s bow had reached the Red Mansion pleasure boat. They saw that the pleasure boat was decorated beautifully and exquisitely. Above the rippling water, from time to time, the sound of orioles and swallows could be heard from the pleasure boat. It was like a continuous stream, and a procuress with heavy makeup was warmly welcoming guests. ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t this Doctor An?¡± The madam¡¯s eyes lit up when she saw An Jing. ¡°You haven¡¯t been here for a long time. The ladies miss you.¡± Zhou Xianming was confused. ¡®Didn¡¯t you say that you¡¯ve never come here before?¡¯ ¡®Isn¡¯t this your first time here?¡¯ An Jingyi said righteously, ¡°Mother Zhao, you can¡¯t say that. I¡¯ve never been to such a place.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes. Doctor An has never been here before.¡± The old procuress smiled as she beckoned for An Jing and Zhou Xianming to enter the boat. An Jing took out a tael of silver from his chest pocket. Entering the cruise liner required one to pay the entrance fee, and each person was asked for five hundred copper coins. The two of them just happened to have a tael of silver. This was his hard-earned money. In the past, when he needed money, he would borrow some from Yuzhou¡¯s wealthy merchants. However, he rarely did that recently, so this one tael of silver was the consultation fee that Han Wenxin had given him a few days ago. In the center of the pleasure boat, there was a woman playing an ancient zither. The woman was beautiful and wore a veil. Her curvaceous figure made people¡¯s hearts beat faster. Below her, there were dozens of seats. At this moment, most of the seats were already filled with people. Most of the people on this pleasure boat were courtesans. They only played the zither and sang and was not not in charge of receiving guests. However, if the guests were willing to pay a large sum of money to win the hearts of these women, they would be more than happy to receive guests. All of this depended on one¡¯s ability. An Jing and Zhou Xianming found a seat and sat down. ¡°That¡¯s Lady Li Yue.¡± A hint of intoxication appeared in Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes as he looked at the woman on the stage. The sound of the zither was crisp and pleasant. ¡°The sound of the zither is really good.¡± An Jing nodded. At this moment, a beautiful maid walked over with two pots of wine. ¡°Please enjoy.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± An Jing took out another tael of silver. In this pleasure boat, they had to pay for the drinks and the girls, and they were very expensive. One tael of silver was equivalent to one thousand copper coins, while three copper coins were equivalent to one stick of candied fruits. One tael of silver could buy three hundred candied fruits. When the servant took over An Jing¡¯s silver, she gently swiped her finger across An Jing¡¯s palm. ¡°I am Man Yue. Young Master, remember this well.¡± As she said that, her pair of charming eyes were filled with radiance. There were not many customers who were so good-looking and generous. ¡°Okay.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, calm and composed. Seeing that An Jing did not say anything, Man Yue was slightly disappointed but she still left obediently. Meanwhile, Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes were fixed on Li Yue above him. His face was flushed red as if he was mesmerized.. Chapter 22 - Scorpio Beauty Mu Xiaoyun Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios Soon, the song ended. Li Yue glanced below the stage, stood up, and said, ¡°Li Yue thanks everyone for showing me support tonight.¡± Her voice was clear and pleasant, with a hint of charm. ¡°Miss Li Yue is too polite.¡± ¡°Yeah, too polite.¡± ¡­ Everyone politely raised their cups in response. Even though his heart was already itching, he still maintained his good behavior. ¡°Good! Great good! To be able to hear Miss Li Yue¡¯s ¡®Guan Shan Yue¡¯ is truly our honor. It¡¯s a fortunate thing in this life!¡± At that moment, a loud shout resounded in the cruise liner. The person who spoke was none other than Zhou Xianming. Zhou Xianming¡¯s face was red with excitement. But he did not have to have such a huge reaction¡­ An Jing was so frightened by the sudden shout that his cup almost trembled. If one did not know that he was shouting at another singer, one would think that he had gotten the placing of a top scholar in school. Li Yue covered his mouth and said with a light smile, ¡°Young Master Zhou, you are flattering me. Thank you Young Master Zhou for coming to support me again. If I have the time, I would like to invite Young Master Zhou for a drink to express my gratitude.¡± Every frown and smile disturbed his mind. Zhou Xianming¡¯s heart was beating wildly and uncontrollably. ¡°Brother Zhou, she¡¯s gone.¡± After a while, An Jing patted Zhou Xianming¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Doctor An.¡± Zhou Xianming came back to his senses and said excitedly, ¡°Did you hear that?¡± ¡°Hear what?¡± ¡°There were so many people, but Lady Li Yue only said one sentence to me. Didn¡¯t you hear her?¡± ¡°I heard it.¡± An Jing glanced at Zhou Xianming. Old licker¡­ It seemed that he should not believe in this unknown lucky chance. However, he had already spent two taels of silver. If he did not continue to wait, he would not be satisfied. ¡°She definitely meant what she said. Absolutely.¡± Zhou Xianming clenched his fists. ¡°Don¡¯t think too much.¡± An Jing sighed. ¡°This won¡¯t end well.¡± ¡°Think about it. Why didn¡¯t she tell anyone else? Why did she only tell me?¡± Zhou Xianming asked seriously. ¡°Well¡­¡± An Jing was speechless. At that time, you were the loudest and the words you shouted were the weirdest. What did she see in you? A pauper in his thirties or an ugly man? Of course, he could not say these words out loud. ¡°She¡¯s hinting at me.¡± Zhou Xianming slammed the table. ¡°What did she hint at?¡± ¡°Undying love is always extremely difficult. It¡¯s not tolerated by the secular world. She must be extremely distressed and cannot reveal her feelings to me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re thinking too much, Mr. Zhou.¡± ¡°How much does it cost to redeem a courtesan?¡± Zhou Xianming did not listen to An Jing¡¯s words at all. His mind was filled with what Li Yue had told him just now. He felt that Li Yue¡¯s words were directed at him. ¡°You want to use public funds for private reasons?¡± An Jing asked in surprise. Indeed, the old saying was right. Love could easily get into one¡¯s head, but Zhou Xianming¡¯s rush was too fierce. It looked like his blood vessels had ruptured. Even if she was a courtesan, her background was very poor. Zhou Xianming was a scholar afterall and had great achievements with a relatively high status in the Great Yan Dynasty. In history books or miscellaneous records, there were mostly stories of scholars falling in love with courtesans, but the truth was somewhat melodramatic and unacceptable. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Zhou Xianming glared at him when he heard that. He looked like he would flip the table if he said another word. ¡°Redemption is very expensive. Li Yue is a courtesan. The entire cruise liner is supported by her. It costs at least a few hundred coins.¡± An Jing shook his head. ¡®You poor thing, forget it. Even if you redeem yourself, you don¡¯t have the money to maintain it.¡¯ ¡°Brother An, these are just small amounts.¡± Zhou Xianming shook his head. ¡°True love is priceless.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± An Jing did not want to argue with Zhou Xianming about these meaningless things. ¡°Continue another round. I¡¯ll pay you back when I have money.¡± Zhou Xianming poured himself a glass of wine. Someone who had never been able to fork out money actually felt that a few hundred coins were nothing¡­ An Jing took out a tael of silver and threw it to the servant beside him. He then walked out to get some fresh air. As night fell, moonlight casted over the river. The surrounding pleasure boats weaved about and the atmosphere was extremely lively. ¡°Prompt 3: Unknown opportunity has been unlocked. There is an azure opportunity in the pleasure boat. Obtaining this opportunity can increase one¡¯s ability.¡± ¡°Mm? Increase ability!?¡± Hearing this, An Jing was shocked. One had to know that the reason why he could reach Rank One in such a short period of time was mostly because his ability was a heaven-gifted genius. If his ability was not bad, he should end up becoming the leader of a top sect in the future. Such an ability was already rare in the present world. It was a first-rate existence. Now, there was actually an opportunity to improve his ability. This was simply an enormous fortuitous encounter! An Jing¡¯s heart sank as he looked around. The Earth Book sensed a seemingly ordinary pleasure boat. An Jing returned to the pleasure boat and found Man Yue. ¡°This is five taels of silver. Arrange a room for me.¡± ¡°Yes, Young Master. I¡¯ll go now.¡± Man Yue was overjoyed as she quickly replied. ¡­ The waves of the ship rippled and flowed with the wind. In the pleasure boat, there was only a table, a pot of tea, four cups, and a few praying mats. It was extremely simple. Beside the table sat a middle-aged Daoist priest dressed in black. The Daoist priest¡¯s expression was slightly gloomy. If An Jing were here, he would definitely be able to recognize the person in front of him. It was the Divine Foresight, Jiang Sanjia. Opposite him was a beautiful and mature woman whom An Jing had seen before. The beautiful and mature woman chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s been a few decades since we last met. The last time we met was in Jade Capital¡¯s peach blossom garden. At that time, your sideburns weren¡¯t so white.¡± ¡°It¡¯s better if we don¡¯t meet.¡± Compared to the beautiful and mature woman¡¯s enthusiasm, Jiang Sanjia was extremely cold. ¡°Your words make me very sad.¡± The beautiful mature woman put on a pitiful look. ¡°You weren¡¯t like this back then. For my sister, you were very passionate towards me. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve forgotten.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Jiang Sanjia frowned and snapped, ¡°Mu Xiaoyun, what do you want?¡± Mu Xiaoyun, these three words resounded like thunder in the martial world. Mu Xiaoyun was a member of the Mu Family of Jiangnan Province. Back when she was in the martial arts world, she was already a famous beauty. Countless young heroes chased after her and fell head over heels for her. Later on, she even formed a relationship with the leader of Cao Gang, Liu Qingshan, to help him manage Cao Gang. Due to her vicious and ruthless methods, she was known as a poisonous beauty. Mu Xiaoyun was very famous but her younger sister was even more famous. She was the current Noble Consort of Great Yan. The Mu Family was the head of the Jiang Nan Chamber of Commerce, and with their status as a relative of the royal family, their influence in the Jiangnan Dao was unmatched. Jiang Sanjia had a relationship with Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s younger sister in the past. At that time, the two of them were also a story. One of them was the successor of the Phantom Valley, a new noble from the Imperial Court, and the other was a stunning beauty from a family with hairpin. No matter how one looked at it, the two of them were a perfect match. However, in the end, Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s younger sister became the imperial concubine of the current dynasty. Jiang Sanjia resigned from his post and retired from the martial world.. Chapter 23 - Shocking Secret on the Pleasure Boat Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°You sure have suffered. I never expected those people to imprison you in Yuzhou City.¡± Mu Xiaoyun sighed softly. ¡°As the lover of Liu Qingshan, how could you not know?¡± Jiang San Jia sneered. Everyone in the martial world knew that Mu Xiaoyun and Liu Qingshan were a married couple, while the Mu Family and Cao Gang were in an alliance. They would share both glory and loss. Cao Gang imprisoned him in the Yuzhou City, so how could Cao Gang¡¯s Gang Leader¡¯s wife not know? ¡°I really didn¡¯t know.¡± Mu Xiaoyun lowered her head and said, ¡°You seem to have a lot of misunderstandings towards me. Actually, I stopped interfering with Cao Gang¡¯s matters a few years ago. I don¡¯t know anything about Cao Gang¡¯s affairs in the past decade or so, and it has nothing to do with me.¡± Jiang Sanjia did not believe the words of this poisonous beauty in front of him at all. He said, ¡°You ¡®invited¡¯ me here to explain this matter clearly to me. If that¡¯s the case, then I understand.¡± ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll leave first.¡± Jiang Sanjia stood up and prepared to leave. ¡°Sanjia, why are you in such a hurry to leave?¡± Mu Xiaoyun raised her eyebrows. ¡°I haven¡¯t finished speaking. Don¡¯t tell me that I, Mu Xiaoyun, am going overboard by asking you over for tea?¡± Jiang Sanjia paused. Due to their relationship back then, he eventually sat down. Mu Xiaoyun smiled and said, ¡°Sanjia, you are indeed a loyal person, but my younger sister¡­¡± Jiang Sanjia frowned. ¡°Why are you looking for me this time? Just say it. Don¡¯t beat around the bush.¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s lips curved into a smile. ¡°I want you to help me find someone with the Phantom Valley Heavenly Secret.¡± ¡°Who? ¡°Liu Qingshan.¡± ¡­ The pleasure boat fell into silence. Jiang Sanjia¡¯s eyes flashed with suspicion, but he did not say anything. Who was Liu Qingshan? That was the current leader of Cao Gang! Mu Xiaoyun was his wife, why would he need to look for her himself? ¡°It¡¯s Liu Qingshan.¡± Mu Xiaoyun narrowed her eyes and said word by word, ¡°Actually, Cao Gang¡¯s current leader is not Liu Qingshan.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jiang Sanjia¡¯s expression turned grim. If the leader of Cao Gang was not Liu Qingshan, then who was he? Mu Xiaoyun said faintly, ¡°I don¡¯t know who he is, but I¡¯m sure that the current Liu Qingshan is not the original Liu Qingshan. I have slept with a man for decades. How can I not know if he is real or fake?¡± ¡°A few years ago, I vaguely sensed something strange. His every move, his manner of speaking, and his style of doing things, although very similar, were not.¡± A woman¡¯s familiarity with her man was like her left hand and right hand. Jiang Sanjia asked seriously, ¡°You mean Liu Qingshan has already been replaced by another person?¡± ¡°That¡¯s probably what happened.¡± Mu Xiaoyun nodded. ¡°How is that possible?¡± Jiang Sanjia shook his head in disbelief. One had to know that Cao Gang¡¯s prestige had been vast for more than a decade, and it faintly showed signs of being the number one gang in the world. Yet, their gang leader had actually been replaced by someone else. How many tricks did this require? And what kind of person and power was behind this? It was simply unimaginable! ¡°I think you¡¯re crazy, really crazy.¡± Jiang Sanjia stood up and said. ¡°I have proof.¡± Mu Xiaoyun took out an ancient-looking token from her waist. ¡°Others might not know about this token, but you, Jiang Sanjia, should know about it.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Jiang Sanjia glanced at the title plate, but his heart was moved. ¡°You should know who Liu Qing Shan is, but when he touched this token, there was no reaction.¡± ¡°You tested it yourself?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Jiang Sanjia was shocked after hearing this. If Mu Xiaoyun was telling the truth, then she was too terrifying! Cao Gang¡¯s gang leader was actually a fake?! Yet now, this Liu Qingshan who could do anything was actually a fake!? Jiang Sanjia hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°Even if what you said is true, Liu Qingshan might have already been poisoned by someone else.¡± Mu Xiaoyun said firmly, ¡°No. If they didn¡¯t find that item, Liu Qingshan wouldn¡¯t have died.¡± ¡°You have that thing?¡± ¡°No, but I know where it is.¡± Jiang Sanjia knew very well what the item Mu Xiaoyun was talking about was. He seemed to have let his guard down a little. ¡°I have yet to recover from my severe injuries and my vitality is thin. If I calculate this, I will definitely die.¡± Mu Xiaoyun heaved a sigh of relief when she heard that. ¡°I can wait for you to recover from your injuries. I can even take care of you for the time being. After all, it¡¯s not safe for you to be alone now.¡± Jiang Sanjia did not say anything else. At this moment, he had yet to recover from his heavy injuries, so it would be a good thing if he could obtain Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s protection. Moreover, Cao Gang could be considered to have a blood feud with him. If it was really as Mu Xiaoyun said, finding the real Liu Qingshan was the same as helping himself. ¡°Brother Sanjia, I think this is a good opportunity.¡± At this moment, a chuckle came from outside the deck. Jiang Sanjia shouted in a low voice, ¡°Who! Show yourself!¡± ¡°There¡¯s someone!?¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, but her palm reached under her skirt. Who was it?! He was actually able to get on the ship without anyone noticing. ¡°Sanjia, long time no see. How have you been?¡± After changing his clothes, An Jing slowly walked out. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± When the two of them caught sight of who it was, their hearts skipped a beat as they exchanged glances with one another. ¡°Both of you know each other?¡± Mu Xiaoyun asked curiously. ¡°It was Brother Zhou who saved me from the dungeon,¡± said Jiang Sanjia as he took a deep breath. ¡°What!?¡± Mu Xiaoyun looked at the person in front of her, her heart trembling. The news of him killing Cao Anmin and Liu Haoping while destroying the dungeon had spread throughout the entire martial world. Everyone was guessing that he was a peerless swordsman. She did not expect him to be here. An Jing looked at the two of them. According to the instructions on the Earth Book, the azure opportunity was actually with this woman. This woman was Liu Qingshan¡¯s wife. Was there really an opportunity on her? An Jing was puzzled. ¡°When did you arrive?¡± Jiang Sanjia asked seriously. ¡°From that Liu Qingshan couple.¡± An Jing smiled faintly. ¡°In that case, Brother Zhou should have heard of it.¡± Mu Xiaoyun said with a smile. The foe of an enemy was a friend. The strength of this swordsman was extraordinary. If he could rope him in, he would definitely be a great help. ¡°I¡¯ve heard everything that I shouldn¡¯t have,¡± An Jing admitted honestly. ¡°Then you should know that Liu Qingshan is a fake now?¡± ¡°If what you say is true.¡± ¡°If I can find my husband, the true leader of Cao Gang, I wonder if Brother Zhou is willing to lend a hand. This will be a great favor to us.¡± Mu Xiaoyun looked at An Jing. ¡°Brother Zhou, you¡¯ve already offended the current leader of Cao Gang, and we have a common enemy.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me. Cao Gang¡¯s main target isn¡¯t me, right?¡± An Jing interrupted Mu Xiaoyun. ¡°Knowing that Liu Qingshan is a fake, you are their main target. Their goal is whatever is in Liu Qingshan¡¯s hands.¡± He had heard everything. If what Mu Xiaoyun said was true, then Liu Qingshan was a fake. Right now, the gang leader wanted the mysterious item in Liu Qingshan¡¯s hands, so he did not kill him. As for Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s goal, it was very simple. She wanted to rescue Liu Qingshan and even expose the fake Liu Qingshan to regain control of Cao Gang. Mu Xiaoyun paused for a moment before saying, ¡°What you said isn¡¯t wrong, but do you know that Liu Haoping is the adopted son of that person? He is an existence that Liu Qingshan treats as his own. If you kill him, he will definitely take revenge.¡± Although Liu Haoping was only the head of Cao Gang, his status was extraordinary. An Jing sneered. ¡°Who knows my identity? If I want to hide, can Cao Gang find me?¡± ¡°Could it be that Brother Zhou wishes to hide for the rest of your life?¡± Mu Xiaoyun said, hitting the nail on the head. The two of them were testing each other and their words were sharp. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about me anymore. Just tell me what benefits you can give me. I don¡¯t mind helping you.¡± An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°The premise is that my services are very expensive. You should know that.¡± In any case, he had a grudge with Cao Gang. ¡°How expensive?¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s body slowly leaned over, gently exhaling warm air. He felt it! It was a cold sensation. He looked down and saw that it was a sword. An Jing said expressionlessly, ¡°Give me something that satisfies me.¡± Stupid man! Mu Xiaoyun secretly suffered a loss, but on the surface, she chuckled. ¡°Alright, when I find my husband, I will definitely give you something that will satisfy you.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait for your news.¡± ¡°If there are red lanterns hanging on this pleasure boat, Brother Zhou can come and have a chat.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be here when I see the red lanterns.¡± An Jing nodded, then looked at Jiang Sanjia. ¡°Right, I almost forgot the purpose of this trip. Sanjia, you¡¯re really dishonest. The murderous aura under the river is very strong. I almost didn¡¯t even make it.¡± With that, An Jing walked out of the deck. Jiang Sanjia was shocked when he heard An Jing¡¯s words. Did he come here specially to look for him? That meant that he knew where he was at all times and from his tone, he knew that he had taken the Bodhi Bead. ¡°Sanjia, is that person trustworthy?¡± After An Jing left, Mu Xiaoyun asked in a low voice. ¡°This person is cunning and insatiable. His strength is profound and unfathomable,¡± said Jiang Sanjia faintly. ¡°Unpredictable.¡± Mu Xiaoyun frowned slightly.. Chapter 24 - The Crisis in the Small Boat Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios As the night deepened, the Yuzhou River became more and more lively. The constables of Yuzhou¡¯s county changed their clothes and came to the redlight district in groups. ¡°This is f*cking martial law. I¡¯m so tired.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. It¡¯s tiring to post notices every day.¡± ¡°That mysterious swordsman probably left the Jiangnan Dao long ago. Why should we waste our efforts?¡± ¡°That¡¯s for the best.¡± ¡­ Han Wenxin turned around and looked at the people who were nagging. ¡°Alright, alright. Let¡¯s go out and have fun. Let¡¯s not talk about those annoying things.¡± ¡°Chief Han is right. Have fun today.¡± Head Constable Qin nodded in agreement. The group of people skillfully entered the pleasure boat, and soon after, sounds of moving cups and laughter could be heard. Not long after, Han Wenxin walked out with a beautiful woman in his arms. ¡°Xiao Huan, I¡¯ll show you my power today,¡± Han Wenxin said with a flushed face. With Brother An¡¯s medicine, Han Wenxin felt that he could fight ten people today. ¡°How could I not know how powerful you are?¡± Xiao Huan extended a finger and tapped Han Wenxin¡¯s forehead with a smile. ¡°You can¡¯t fix any ceramics without the diamond drill. Everyone says I¡¯m a diamond drill in Yuzhou.¡± Han Wenxin laughed proudly, then entered the private room behind the pleasure boat with the woman. Just before entering, Han Wenxin secretly took out a pill that had been brewed long ago, the calming medicine. ¡°Slow down¡­ Don¡¯t be in such a hurry¡­ boo-hoo.¡± Soon, delicate laughter came from the private room. However, a few minutes later, Han Wenxin felt extremely uncomfortable. ¡°Pfft!¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± There was a strange smell in the air and Han Wenxin paused. ¡°What happened to constable Han?¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± Han Wenxin resisted the urge in his stomach and broke out in cold sweat. Xiao Huan also found Han Wenxin a little strange and thought that he was at the climax. However, Han Wenxin found it increasingly unbearable. ¡°This is bad!¡± Han Wenxin hurriedly leaped forward and ran out of the ship like a madman. ¡°Constable Han!¡± Xiao Huan lay on the bed and looked at Han Wenxin¡¯s back in shock. ¡°Make way! Make way!¡± Han Wenxin, who had rushed out of the private room, shouted at the crowd with bloodshot eyes. Meanwhile, the people who were indulging in wine and drinking were also stunned. They stared blankly at Han Wenxin who suddenly rushed out. Wasn¡¯t Constable Han having fun? What was going on? Why was he covering his butt? ¡°Water! Water! Make way!¡± Han Wenxin staggered and pushed Head Constable Qin who was in front of him away. He held his butt and jumped into the river like a pig being slaughtered. Plop! Water splashed everywhere, creating countless splashes, shaking the pleasure boat. ¡­ An Jing changed his clothes and returned to the cruise ship. At this moment, Zhou Xianming was already slightly tipsy. There were several wine cups placed in front of him. He spoke eloquently, ¡°Peppered beyond belief, beg for forgiveness. Hidden Dragon Snake, save yourself¡­¡± ¡°Mr. Zhou, it¡¯s getting late. We should go back,¡± An Jing said as he walked to Zhou Xianming¡¯s side. ¡°Late?¡± Zhou Xianming laughed foolishly. ¡°It¡¯s not late yet. I still want to drink.¡± ¡°Still drinking?¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°Mr. Zhou, didn¡¯t you say that you were going to enlighten the student tonight? It¡¯s not good to delay the proper business.¡± He had already obtained the clues to the opportunity. It would be a waste of time for him to stay here with Zhou Xianming. When Zhou Xianming heard that, he seemed to have thought of something and his face darkened. ¡°We¡¯re going back. It¡¯s indeed time to go back.¡± An Jing nodded slightly. The two of them then walked out of the pleasure boat and summoned a boatman beside them. At this moment, a tragic cry came from afar, followed by the sound of a huge object falling into the river, scaring Zhou Xianming. ¡°Who?! This is so degrading!¡± Zhou Xianming raised his eyebrows and shouted. An Jing said in a low voice, ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go. If you¡¯re from the martial arts world, you might be thinking about us. When the time comes, you¡¯ll reward the two of us with those metal blades. That won¡¯t be worth it.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s get on the ship and leave.¡± When Zhou Xianming heard the words ¡°martial world¡±, his body trembled and he shut his mouth, not saying another word. Although Zhou Xianming often talked about the martial world in the teahouse, he was actually just a weak scholar who was very timid and afraid of trouble. An Jing still remembered that there was once a time when a few gangsters from the martial world came to drink tea and listen to stories. When Zhou Xianming talked about the exciting parts, he was prepared to end work and wait for the next day to continue. However, those gangsters did not let Zhou Xianming leave. At first, Zhou Xianming was unwilling to talk about it, but when they held a knife to his neck, he was so scared that his legs went weak and he almost knelt down. He could only continue honestly. In his own words, a gentleman would not stand under a dangerous wall. ¡°Brother An is right. If you speak too much, you will lose. If you speak too much, it will hurt others. A gentleman keeps his mouth shut. Let¡¯s hurry up and leave.¡± Zhou Xianming shuddered and urged An Jing to board the ship. ¡­ The lights in the Ji Shi Hall were dim. Zhao Qingmei took out An Jing¡¯s autumn coat and began sewing. ¡°Miss, Young Master and Zhou Xianming went to the Red Mansion pleasure boat,¡± Tan Yun whispered. Zhao Qingmei lowered her head and remained silent. ¡°Also, he entered the room with a singer called Man Yue.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s voice trailed off as she scrutinized Zhao Qingmei carefully. Zhao Qingmei paused for a moment before continuing to mend her autumn clothes. Tan Yun knew Zhao Qingmei too well. The calmer she was, the angrier she felt. ¡°Miss¡­¡± ¡°Go and rest first.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Tan Yun sighed softly and walked out of the room. Even after Tan Yun had left, Zhao Qingmei was still sewing her autumn clothes, as if she had not been affected by her words at all. Outside the hall, Tan Yun took a deep breath and looked at Lil Blackie who was lying on the ground. She said fiercely, ¡°Indeed! Not a single man is good!¡± ¡°What happened to you?¡± At this moment, An Jing walked in. When he heard Tan Yun¡¯s words, he had a strange look on his face. Could it be that this little girl Tan Yun had been deceived? ¡°Nothing? I say, this bastard is really heartless!¡± Tan Yun ignored An Jing. She pointed at Lil Blackie and said, ¡°You have food at home but you insist on eating shit outside. You¡¯re asking for a beating.¡± With that, Tan Yun kicked Lil Blackie. ¡°Ao¡­ Oof!¡± Lil Blackie was dozing off when he was kicked awake. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Why are you venting your anger on the dog?¡± An Jing was confused. He poured a cup of tea and took a sip. ¡°Did you get angry or were you deceived?¡± Tan Yun glared fiercely at Lil Blackie and said, ¡°No, I just wanted to teach this dog a lesson. It doesn¡¯t know how to appreciate favors. We gave it food, drinks, and even gave it a stable home, but it actually goes out every day.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s despicable?¡± ¡°Woof woof!¡± Lil Blackie shouted pitifully. ¡°Indeed¡­¡± An Jing nodded. He felt that Tan Yun was acting weird today, so he put down the teacup and walked into the inner hall.. Chapter 25 - Zhou Xianming with a Battered Face Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°I¡¯m back.¡± ¡°You¡¯re back? The hot water is ready.¡± An Jing found it a little strange. In the past, Zhao Qingmei would always welcome him warmly every time he returned from a consultation. However, she would only reply casually today. ¡°Darling, I¡¯m back.¡± An Jing walked towards Zhao Qingmei with a smile and said, ¡°It¡¯s already so late and you¡¯re still sewing the clothes. You¡¯ve worked hard.¡± ¡°This shirt is torn. It¡¯s better to change into a new one.¡± ¡°Then why are you still sewing?¡± ¡°The weather is getting cold. Many people in the south of Beggar Street don¡¯t have clothes to wear.¡± ¡°I see.¡± An Jing nodded, feeling that something was amiss. ¡°Darling, what¡¯s wrong? Are you unhappy?¡± Zhao Qingmei put down her clothes and looked up with a smile. ¡°No, you¡¯d better take a shower. You smell like rouge.¡± Although she was still smiling, it made his heart ache. An Jing laughed guiltily and thought to himself that he had forgotten about it. ¡°Darling¡­¡± ¡°Go on.¡± Zhao Qingmei lowered her head and continued sewing her clothes. By the time An Jing was done showering and washing up, Zhao Qingmei had already fallen asleep. An Jing carefully lay down beside her, afraid to wake her up. Soon, even breathing sounds could be heard. Zhao Qingmei opened her eyes gently and stared at the man lying in front of her. ¡­ No matter how dull An Jing was, he could feel that his wife was angry. Although she was still cooking porridge and sunning herbs, she still spoke to An Jing gently. This vexed An Jing. His visit to the pleasure boat probably got found out. How could he explain? Should he say that he did not cheat on her? Would she believe it? An Jing leaned against the door, his palm caressing Lil Blackie. ¡°Tan Yun, where did Madam go?¡± ¡°She went to the south of the city early in the morning to donate clothes.¡± ¡°Tan Yun, where did I put the China root herbs?¡± ¡°Young master, why are you looking for that?¡± ¡°Nothing. Just asking.¡± ¡°Tan Yun¡­¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± ¡°How does Missy behave when she is angry? ¡° ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± Tan Yun seemed to have thought of something as her body trembled. As time passed, people came to get the medicine from time to time and An Jing got busy. In the blink of an eye, it was noon. ¡°When you go back, remember not to eat spicy food anymore. Your diet must be light. Brew this medicine for two hours once every morning and once every night. After ten days, come back again and I¡¯ll take a look again.¡± An Jing packed the herbs in the cowhide paper and instructed. ¡°Thank you, Doctor An.¡± The woman took the herb and thanked him repeatedly before leaving slowly. ¡°It¡¯s raining. Why isn¡¯t Darling back yet?¡± An Jing walked to the door and frowned. At this moment, the drizzle was like silk that dripped onto the ground. The Yuzhou River was hazy. Zhao Qingmei left the house early in the morning and had been gone for almost four hours. She had never been out alone for such a long time. ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Tan Yun also stuck her head out and looked outside. ¡°You keep an eye on the pharmacy. I¡¯m going to look around.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart sank. He picked up the oil paper umbrella from the shelf and walked out. ¡°Where are you going?¡± At this moment, Zhao Qingmei walked in with a basket of vegetables. An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei and said, ¡°I was thinking you¡¯ve not returned after more than four hours¡­¡± ¡°Darling, don¡¯t worry.¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled and said, ¡°Are you still afraid that something will happen to me? I¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°Of course I¡¯m scared.¡± ¡°Miss, you¡¯re back.¡± Tan Yun quickly stepped forward and grabbed the basket. She then looked at the paper in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand and asked, ¡°What¡¯s that in your hand?¡± ¡°It was distributed in the notice board. It seems like Cao Gang¡¯s expert wants to challenge that mysterious swordsman.¡± Zhao Qingmei handed the piece of paper to Tan Yun and said with a smile, ¡°I found it interesting, so I brought one back.¡± ¡°Show me, miss.¡± Tan Yun received the white paper and then laughed loudly. ¡°Cao Gang¡¯s people actually used this method to challenge that peerless swordsman.¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s very interesting.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone will call this swordsman a peerless swordsman in the future. He should be called the Pighead Swordsman.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± ¡­ ¡°What is it? Let me take a look too.¡± An Jing looked at the two of them talking and laughing. He also turned his head and asked. ¡°Tan Yun, come with me to cook.¡± When Zhao Qingmei saw An Jing walking over, she handed the paper slip to him and walked towards the kitchen. ¡°Yes.¡± Tan Yun stuck out her tongue at An Jing and followed him. An Jing picked up the paper on the table and took a look. It turned out that the Cao Gang wanted to challenge him and they were searching for him everywhere. They sounded harsh and their words carried a bit of provocation. These paper slips must have spread throughout the entire Yuzhou City. Their goal was to force him to appear. ¡°This is too low-level.¡± An Jing looked at the piece of paper in his hand and shook his head. This kind of provocation could only be used against a few inexperienced kids. As he spoke, he crushed the paper slip in his hand and threw it into the paper basket. ¡°Doctor Xiao An¡­¡± At that moment, a person who was wrapped tightly walked in sneakily. An Jing looked at the person and asked doubtfully, ¡°You are¡­?¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m Zhou Xianming.¡± That person took off the bamboo hat that was wrapped around his body and spoke with a sobbing tone. Looking at Zhou Xianming, An Jing was stunned. His face was bruised and swollen, and his face looked like a pig¡¯s head, as if he had changed into another person. Even though An Jing recognized Zhou Xianming, he still could not recognize him from his facial features. This showed how serious his injuries were. ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± An Jing gulped. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know either. When I came out early in the morning, I was weapped in a sack. Then, the fists began to strike me like a storm and flew towards my head and knocked me unconscious. When I woke up, I found myself like this.¡± Zhou Xianming said with tears in his eyes, ¡°Doctor An, they hit me so hard, sob sob¡­¡± An Jing could tell from Zhou Xianming¡¯s expression that his injuries must have hurt. Who was so heartless!? From the looks of it, his grudge with Zhou Xianming was not small. ¡°Doctor An, who do you think I¡¯ve offended recently? Why is God so unfair to me?¡± The more Zhou Xianming spoke, the more his heart ached. When he thought about his recent unhappy life, his cries became even louder. ¡°Stop crying.¡± An Jing patted Zhou Xianming¡¯s shoulder and sighed helplessly. Logically speaking, who would go against a poor scholar like him? This old man must have provoked someone. Could it be related to the martial arts practitioner from last night? ¡°Who is it!?¡± Upon hearing her cries, Zhao Qingmei walked out of the backyard.. Chapter 26 - A Great Gathering Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°Madam An.¡± Zhou Xianming hurriedly stopped crying when he saw Zhao Qingmei. He cupped his hands and said, ¡°I¡¯m Zhou Xianming, sorry for being rude.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the man who looked like a pig¡¯s head and asked in astonishment, ¡°You¡¯re Mr. Zhou. Why are you like this? What feud do you have the person who attacked you? Why would he be so vicious?¡± ¡°Sigh!¡± Zhou Xianming sighed, feeling even more sour in his heart. ¡°It must be because of my carelessness in doing things that attracted the jealousy of others.¡± ¡°How pitiful.¡± Zhao Qingmei said sympathetically, ¡°Just looking at him makes me feel unbearable pain. He must have hit me hard.¡± After Zhou Xianming heard that, he felt that his wound had been sprinkled with salt and it hurt even more. ¡°Yo, isn¡¯t this Mr. Zhou?¡± Tan Yun also walked out from behind and said with concern, ¡°Who is so cruel to beat you up like this? Quickly apply some medicine.¡± As she spoke, she reached out to touch Zhou Xianming¡¯s pig head. ¡°Ouch¡­!¡± Zhou Xianming could not help but let out a shrill scream. Zhao Qingmei instructed, ¡°Tan Yun, it¡¯s inconvenient for Mr. Zhou to move around. Help him apply some ointment.¡± ¡°I understand, Miss. I will definitely put my heart into applying medicine for Mr. Zhou.¡± ¡°Oh right, Mr. Zhou, you haven¡¯t eaten yet, right? I made some food. Let¡¯s eat together later.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Miss¡¯s cooking is really delicious.¡± ¡°Y-you guys are really good people.¡± Zhou Xianming had never felt such warmth before, and his eyes were filled with tears. The human world was filled with warmth! Even if this world was dark, there would always be a ray of light shining on your lifeless life. ¡°How pitiful.¡± An Jing sighed. For some reason, she just felt that Zhou Xianming was very pitiful. ¡°An Jing! Come out!¡± Just as Tan Yun was applying medicine for Zhou Xianming, a loud shout came from outside the door. Han Wenxin covered his butt with both hands and walked in awkwardly, anger visible in his eyes. ¡°Brother Han, why are you so angry?¡± An Jing had a bad feeling when he saw Han Wenxin like this. Slap! Han Wenxin took a step forward and slammed the long saber in his hand onto the table. ¡°Brother An, I¡¯ve treated you like a close friend, but you framed me like this.¡± When he thought about what happened last night, Han Wenxin felt so ashamed that he wanted to dig a hole and bury himself. It was a great humiliation! Han Wenxin¡¯s brilliant life had been ruined here! ¡°Brother Han, let¡¯s talk nicely.¡± When An Jing saw this, he had an epiphany. The soybean powder that Tan Yun had placed had definitely taken effect. This was indeed not right! ¡°What do you mean by talk nicely!?¡± Han Wenxin sat down on the chair. ¡°If you don¡¯t give me an explanation today, I¡¯m not leaving.¡± ¡°Young master, what did you do to make Constable Han so angry?¡± Tan Yun looked very curious, like a pure and innocent white rabbit. An Jing looked at Tan Yun¡¯s innocent eyes and thought helplessly, ¡®Isn¡¯t it all because of you?¡¯ Tan Yun¡¯s words were like a fuse that made Han Wenxin even angrier. If looks could kill, An Jing might not be Han Wenxin¡¯s match at this moment. ¡°It¡¯s almost time to eat. Brother Han, do you want to eat first? You will only have the strength to solve the problem after you eat,¡± chuckled Zhao Qingmei. Upon hearing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words, Han Wenxin immediately said in a gentler tone, ¡°Sis-in-law, since you¡¯ve already said so, I¡¯ll accept it.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go prepare the food now. Tan Yun, let¡¯s go.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled and dragged Tan Yun toward the kitchen. Han Wenxin pulled a long face the moment Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun left. ¡°Brother Han¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me Brother Han!¡± ¡°Head Constable Han, what happened?¡± Zhou Xianming could not help but ask when he saw the furious Han Wenxin. Han Wenxin was furious and turned to look at the person who spoke. When he saw that face, it was as if he had seen a malicious spirit. His body shot up. ¡°F*ck! Are you a man or a ghost?!¡± ¡°Brother Han, don¡¯t be rash!¡± ¡°Han¡­ Head Constable Han¡­ don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t¡­¡± ¡­ At the dining table, An Jing, Han Wenxin, Zhou Xianming, and the others each sat on one side. The table was filled with steaming hot dishes. Steamed sea bass, green bean and corn, crystal pig skin, loach with pickled bean and tofu spinach soup. The fragrance wafted through the air, stirring up one¡¯s appetite. ¡°Sis-in-law is really good at cooking,¡± Han Wenxin looked at the dishes on the table and said while drooling. ¡°Brother Han is flattering me,¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled. The two of them looked at An Jing enviously. An Jing must have been blessed to have such a good wife. Dang dang dang! At this moment, Tan Yun came up with a large plate of crabs. ¡°I specially made these crabs.¡± ¡°There are even crabs?¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°This is good. It can nourish the Yin and strengthen the Yang. It¡¯s a great supplement.¡± Han Wenxin was also shocked. Then, he looked fiercely at An Jing and said, ¡°Brother An doesn¡¯t like this. You can just put this crab in front of us.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes. Leave it in front of you two.¡± An Jing nodded repeatedly. Ever since he had eaten the crab prepared by Tan Yun, his bad habit of eating crabs was cured. ¡°Mr. Zhou, what¡¯s wrong with you? You really scared me just now.¡± Han Wenxin picked up a loach and ate it. ¡°Sigh, I don¡¯t know who hit me either.¡± Zhou Xianming said with a bitter expression, ¡°There have been more and more unlucky things recently.¡± ¡°Truly too vicious. There aren¡¯t many people who are this vicious.¡± Han Wenxin took a small sip of wine and said, ¡°If that person is not from a normal gang, then he must be from the martial world. You might have offended someone.¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s hand trembled and his chopsticks almost dropped. He said in a trembling voice, ¡°Constable Han, what should we do?¡± ¡°Stop scaring Brother Zhou.¡± An Jing poured himself a cup of wine. Zhou Xianming was timid. What if he had a heart attack? Han Wenxin grabbed An Jing¡¯s cup and said, ¡°Bullsh*t, I¡¯m not trying to scare him. The world is not safe these days. Have you forgotten about Uncle Wang Zhiping and his nephew? Also, the mysterious swordsman has appeared recently. This is all a warning.¡± ¡°All of you are weak commoners who have no strength to truss a chicken. You don¡¯t understand the dangers lurking in the martial world and the unfathomable temple hall. Do you know that a slight move will affect the entire situation?¡± Han Wenxin finished the wine in his glass. ¡°Head Constable Han is really capable.¡± Tan Yun obediently poured a cup of wine for Han Wenxin. ¡°Thank you, Lady Tan Yun.¡± Han Wenxin chuckled and felt much lighter. He continued, ¡°Didn¡¯t you see Cao Gang¡¯s experts searching for the whereabouts of that exceptional swordsman? If that exceptional swordsman isn¡¯t afraid, how could he not show himself? He must be afraid.¡± ¡°What does this mean? That peerless swordsman is afraid of Cao Gang, which means that the faction behind him is afraid of Cao Gang.¡± Warning!? Warning my ass! An Jing complained in his heart, ¡®You are just an ignorant constable..¡¯ Chapter 27 - There Are Bad People In The Crowd Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°Of course I know that, but what does it have to do with me?¡± Zhou Xianming hesitated for a long time before asking carefully. He was just a weak scholar. What did the chaos in the martial world have to do with him? ¡°You.¡± Head Constable Han shook his head. ¡°I have been very close to Head Constable Hong recently. He is a member of the Black Guard and knows a lot of information. It is said that the Demon Sect has been recuperating for decades and there is a possibility that they will make a comeback. I suspect that the recent incidents might be related to the Demon Cult.¡± ¡°You think about it. If the Demon Sect wants to enter the Great Yan again, it must know some information, and you like to talk about the martial world everyday, don¡¯t you have some understanding about the matters of the martial world?¡± Demon Sect!? Zhou Xianming was stunned for a moment, then said, ¡°I heard it all from hearsay and then fabricated it. It can¡¯t be real.¡± ¡°F*ck!¡± When An Jing heard this, he thought to himself, To think that I used to treat everything you said as a guide to the martial arts world, an encyclopedia. ¡°You¡¯re lying, but some people took it seriously.¡± Han Wenxin shook his head and said. Han Wenxin¡¯s words made Zhou Xianming even more uneasy. ¡°But these are all my guesses. You don¡¯t have to take them to heart,¡± Han Wenxin consoled Zhou Xianming. An Jing also said, ¡°That¡¯s right. Think about it, the Demon Sect is such a huge entity, why would they target a commoner like you?¡± Zhou Xianming nodded and a trace of fear appeared in his eyes. ¡°The people from the Demon Sect are vicious and ruthless. Furthermore, they kill people like flies. I don¡¯t think they will target me.¡± Han Wenxin put down his wine glass and said indignantly, ¡°They¡¯re not only vicious, they kill people like flies. They¡¯re simply insane and commit all kinds of crimes.¡± ¡°When I master the Universe Sword in my hand, I¡¯ll definitely let those fiend sects¡¯ scoundrels have a taste of my prowess.¡± An Jing looked at the two of them chattering non-stop. He felt that it was like a story between a lucky person and two unlucky people. He could not interject at all and was isolated by them. Zhou Xianming still retained a trace of rationality. ¡°That won¡¯t do. Those Demon Sect members are all extremely ferocious experts.¡± Han Wenxin patted the long saber on his waist and said with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, before my Qiankun Saber reaches the successful stage, I won¡¯t look for these scoundrels for the time being.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a few dishes, and you¡¯re already so drunk?¡± Zhao Qingmei thought to herself with a smirk. ¡°You two little brats, if our Demon Sect really wants to make a comeback, we will first use you two little bastards as sacrifices to the heavens.¡± Tan Yun snorted and took out his beloved little black book to record their names. ¡°Why does it feel a little chilly?¡± Zhou Xianming touched his arm. ¡°Me too. Is this wine fake?¡± Han Wenxin glared at An Jing. ¡°This is a good wine, a premium wine from the Dancing Sun Winehouse,¡± An Jing said unhappily. ¡°Miss Tan, what are you doing?¡± Han Wenxin turned to look at Tan Yun, who seemed to be writing something. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I¡¯m just taking down the accounts. You guys drink your stuff, don¡¯t worry about me.¡± Tan Yun said casually. Zhao Qingmei smiled and said, ¡°Mr. Zhou, Brother Han, don¡¯t just drink. Come and have some food. Do the dishes not suit your taste?¡± ¡°No, no, why would I?¡± ¡°Yeah, this dish is even better than the chefs of Tianyun Pavilion.¡± ¡°Sis-in-law, you¡¯re too enthusiastic.¡± ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s good at cooking and kind-hearted.¡± The two of them laughed. ¡°Yes, yes, yes, let¡¯s have a drink. This wine is good wine!¡± An Jing raised his cup and finally spoke. There was a short silence at the dinner table. ¡°Mr. Zhou, where were you talking about?¡± ¡°Tan Yun, quickly go pour wine for Brother Han and Mr. Zhou.¡± ¡­ After the meal, Han Wenxin and Zhou Xianming left. ¡°Tan Yun, where¡¯s Madam?¡± After An Jing sent the two back, he looked at Tan Yun, who was clearing the dishes. ¡°I don¡¯t know either,¡± Tan Yun replied without turning around. An Jing thought about it and took out a ladder from the courtyard. Then, he climbed up the ladder. As expected, Zhao Qingmei was sitting on the roof. In the twilight, a new moon was slowly rising. Under the faint moonlight, she looked like a fairy that had walked out of a painting. ¡®How could you not cherish such a gentle and virtuous wife?¡¯ An Jing cursed himself before walking towards Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Are you still angry?¡± ¡°No.¡± Zhao Qingmei stared at the moonlight above her. ¡°Darling, I was wrong.¡± An Jing lowered his head. ¡°What did you do wrong?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked with a smirk. ¡°I¡­¡± An Jing didn¡¯t know what to say for a moment. ¡°Zhou Xianming,¡± Zhao Qingmei reminded him. There were bad people in the crowd! An Jing was stunned. How did Zhao Qingmei know that Zhou Xianming and he were going to the pleasure boat? Could it be that Zhou Xianming was the one who betrayed him? He was not being honest! ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have accompanied Zhou Xianming to the pleasure boat. I was completely bewitched by him, but I¡¯ve always kept my chastity for my wife and didn¡¯t do anything. I can swear to God.¡± An Jing extended three fingers and said, ¡°If I, An Jing¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t, don¡¯t swear.¡± Zhao Qingmei turned around and grabbed An Jing¡¯s hand. ¡°Darling!¡± An Jing was touched. ¡°What if it really works?¡± Zhao Qingmei pouted. ¡°Darling, I really didn¡¯t do anything. If you can¡¯t, you can try.¡± An Jing hurriedly said, ¡°My children and grandchildren are still here.¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Zhao Qingmei burst into laughter and glowered at An Jing. ¡°You¡¯re a bad person!¡± ¡°Hehehe.¡± An Jing grabbed Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand gently, knowing that he had finally overcome his obstacle. ¡°Darling, I¡¯ll take you somewhere.¡± Zhao Qingmei asked curiously, ¡°Where are we going?¡± ¡°Young Master, Miss, where are you going?¡± Tan Yun asked when she saw An Jing and Zhao Qingmei rushing out of the room. ¡°They don¡¯t even bother bringing me along to have fun,¡± Tan Yun complained as she wiped the water off her hands. An Jing pulled Zhao Qingmei to a pier by the river in Yuzhou. They boarded a boat and said to the boatman, ¡°Old Li, I¡¯ll use this ship.¡± The boat swayed along with the river, slowly flowing towards the center of Yuzhou River. ¡°In the past, what I liked the most was to push the bamboo pole along Yuzhou River at night.¡± An Jing moved the bamboo pole, the scenery on both sides continuously moving backwards. ¡°I know.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the person she loved dearly. An Jing smiled and said, ¡°At that time, I was thinking of bringing her to Yuzhou River to walk around. I will personally row the bamboo pole while she stands behind me, with the boat floating in the night.¡± ¡°Now, this wish has been granted.¡± Zhao Qingmei remained silent, yet her heart was filled with sweetness. She felt as if her heart was about to jump out of her chest. At this moment, the sky that had been washed by the rain was clean. The stars in the sky were dazzling and bright. ¡°Husband, do you still remember the story of the footless bird I told you about?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked while looking up at the sky. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I feel like a footless bird. Do you know what that means?¡± ¡°I do. You¡¯ll never leave me for the rest of your life.¡± An Jing giggled. With such a wife, what more could he ask for? ¡°Yes. The two of us will not be separated.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing and said, ¡°Zhao Qingmei has never been divorced. She has only lost her spouse.¡± An Jing¡¯s smile gradually froze. Swish! Swish! Swish! At this moment, a flame shot into the sky. The originally quiet night sky instantly became bright, like a colorful flower garden filled with colorful fireworks. In a corner not far from the Yuzhou River¡­ ¡°Tell me, why are we helping that evil thief?¡± Han Wenxin took out boxes of fireworks indignantly. ¡°I don¡¯t know about you, but he gave me one tael of silver.¡± Zhou Xianming lit the fireworks happily. ¡°It¡¯s really too much.¡± ¡°Where did he get the money?¡± ¡°How can a doctor be poor?¡± ¡°The treatment fee for the Ji Shi Hall is very cheap, and the medical fees are not expensive either.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a small profit but through a lot of sales. Brother Han, don¡¯t mind these things. Shall we go to the brothel to listen to music later?¡± ¡°No! I¡¯m never going there again.¡± ¡­ On the Yuzhou River, the flames were resplendent, shining in the night sky. ¡°This fireworks look good, right?¡± An Jing smiled. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± Zhao Qingmei murmured while staring at the fireworks in the sky. ¡°I think so too,¡± An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei¡¯s exquisite and fair face and said softly. The mountains and rivers are vast and it felt that she was omnipresent. ¡°You idiot, I¡¯m not angry at all¡­ Husband!¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°You said you only loved me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the only one I love.¡± ¡°Forever.¡± ¡°Forever, of course!¡± ¡­ The boat flowed along the river and the night sky was filled with fireworks.. Chapter 28 - Hardworking Zhou Xianming Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios The wind and rain had just cleared, and the peaceful days were like flowing water. With the help of the Bodhi Bead, An Jing¡¯s body was filled with large amounts of pure Yang energy. Coupled with his heaven-bestowed talent, his cultivation improved by leaps and bounds. In the martial world, cultivation was divided into nine ranks. Rank Six to Rank Nine were categorized as the lower-third tier. At this realm, those with cultivation were the small creatures in the martial world. This included the gang members of Cao Gang, ordinary constables, some escorts of the Escort Agency and young people. These people had a certain amount of internal energy and were indeed somewhat stronger than ordinary people. However, in the vast world of martial arts, they were not worth mentioning. Wang He and Wang Zhiping were among them. Such people were the most common. They were also the most pitiful in the martial world. Rank Three to Rank Six were known as middle-third tier Martial Artists. Most of the experts who reached this realm had decades of internal energy and had mastered some famous martial arts. They were the cornerstones of the entire martial world. They were also the main targets of recruitment from some gangs and various large factions. Some of them had quite a bit of fame in the martial world and were respectfully addressed as experts by the younger generation. Cao Anmin and Liu Haoping were the cream of the crop among them. In the eyes of ordinary people, this kind of person was already a renowned expert. Ordinary people would not be able to see him easily, but in the eyes of true experts, they were just chess pieces that could be discarded at any time. Finally, it was the upper-third tier. Such a person was a true expert in the eyes of those who had been in the martial world for many years. If someone jokingly called a middle-third tier martial artist an expert, then an upper-third tier martial artist would be an expert amongst experts. In order to become an upper-third tier expert, all three conditions had to be met. Firstly, one had to have at least a Black Tortoise cultivation method. From low to high, there were nine ranks. Above Rank One were the Earth, Black Tortoise, True Martial, and Heaven levels. The Martial Arts Heart Technique was the foundation of a person. It was also the quality of a bowl of water. No matter how deep this ancient well was, no matter how good the opening of the cup was, without a mouthful of clear spring water and sweet wine, it was still a pity. Yet, this was only one of the conditions. The second condition was that only one in a thousand possessed this ability. There were not many people who possessed this ability, but if one looked carefully, they would still be able to find it. The last was to persevere, persevere day after day. Even if he had the best ability and the best martial arts in the world, it would be useless if he did not persist in cultivating. Therefore, his temperament was also extremely important. An Jing possessed the Earth Book and was extremely talented. He had bitterly trained for ten years before reaching Rank One. There was a huge gap between Rank One and Grandmaster. Not to mention the difficulty of condensing the three flowers at the top, even the accumulation of Man Flower, Earth Flower, and Heavenly Flower would require a lot of effort. It had not been long since An Jing condensed the Man Flower. It would still take some time for him to condense the Earth Flower. In the leisurely afternoon, the faint sunlight shone through the leaves and onto the ground, forming a mottled shade. Zhao Qingmei brought two small wooden stools with her and followed An Jing to the teahouse. The couple ordered a cup of tea together. The two of them did not speak and found a corner to sit down. The harmonious couple was like a ray of sunlight that warmed the afternoon in the teahouse. ¡°It¡¯s been half a month and that swordsman still hasn¡¯t appeared. I think he¡¯s afraid that Tie Yunshan will run away.¡± ¡°Who is Tie Yunshan? He is an expert ranked 73rd on the martial world rankings.¡± ¡°That swordsman¡¯s strength isn¡¯t bad either. I see that sword aura condensing without dispersing. He¡¯s also an expert.¡± ¡°What do you know? Who is behind Tie Yunshan? That¡¯s the Cao Gang that is like the sun in the midday sky. Who isn¡¯t afraid?¡± ¡­ In the teahouse, there was a flurry of discussion, recklessly discussing matters of the martial world. ¡°Why isn¡¯t Zhou Xianming here today?¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced outside the door and chuckled. ¡°We were talking about the Mortal Sect yesterday. I wanted to hear more about it.¡± Zhao Qingmei had nothing to do for the past few days, so she followed An Jing to the teahouse to listen to some stories. She was rather curious about how Zhou Xianming was going to share about the Demon Sect. An Jing said angrily, ¡°He was just bragging. If the Demon Sect demon stood in front of him, he would be so scared that his third leg would tremble.¡± ¡°Nonsense!¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at An Jing coquettishly. ¡°Sorry for the wait, everyone.¡± At this moment, Zhou Xianming walked out from the back hall with a red face. He cupped his hands at everyone and said, ¡°Thank you for your support during this period of time. Recently, some unforeseen events have occurred, and I plan to stop my storytelling. Please forgive me.¡± ¡°Mr. Zhou, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t had my fill yet.¡± ¡°Exactly, why are you stopping?¡± ¡­ Although the storyteller¡¯s job was not fixed, and there were often other storytellers who came, most people in the teahouse felt that Zhou Xianming¡¯s stories were the most exciting and pleasant to listen to. However, Zhou Xianming refused to talk about it. Moreover, his attitude seemed very firm, as if he had already made a decision. Everyone looked disappointed. Then, they continued to drink their tea, talk about family matters and gossip. At this moment, Zhou Xianming walked over. An Jing asked curiously, ¡°Old Zhou, what happened?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to do storytelling anymore. I plan to work hard and retake the Imperial Examination!¡± Zhou Xianming said seriously. ¡°Imperial Examination?¡± ¡°This year¡¯s autumnal exam is about to begin. I want to participate in it and strive to win first place.¡± There was a hint of hope in Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes. ¡°There¡¯s something wrong with you!¡± An Jing looked at Zhou Xianming who was working hard and analyzed calmly. A person who was able to say that a scholar should listen to music should work hard and study hard. Would you believe it? Anyway, An Jing did not believe it. When Zhou Xianming heard this, he immediately jumped up and down in anxiety. ¡°Doctor An, why do you say that? Why do you think that I, Zhou Xianming, am someone who doesn¡¯t know how to improve, doesn¡¯t know how to learn, doesn¡¯t have skills, and doesn¡¯t want to improve?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± An Jing nodded seriously. Zhou Xianming¡¯s face darkened. Zhao Qingmei nudged An Jing with her elbow and said, ¡°Darling, how can you be so sarcastic? I think it¡¯s a good thing that Mr. Zhou wants to take the imperial examination.¡± An Jing said angrily, ¡°Madam, this old man isn¡¯t a good person. Don¡¯t be fooled by his appearance¡­¡± ¡°Madam An, you¡¯re absolutely right.¡± Zhou Xianming hurriedly interrupted An Jing before revealing a troubled expression. ¡°Madam An, actually, I have a request that I would like to ask¡­¡± ¡°I knew it.¡± An Jing interrupted Zhou Xianming with a sneer and said, ¡°I knew that Brother Zhou was waiting here. Tell me, are you going to borrow money to visit the Red Mansion?¡± ¡°Nonsense, nonsense!¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s thoughts seemed to have been pointed out, and his face flushed red. ¡°Old Zhou, just admit it.¡± Zhou Xianming said angrily, ¡°You¡¯re slandering me and hurting me with your malicious words. I¡¯m clearly borrowing money for the examinations. I¡¯ve already promised Miss Li Yue that as long as I pass the exam, I¡¯ll definitely come back to redeem her..¡± Chapter 29 - A Challenge At The Datong Teahouse Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios An Jing sneered and asked, ¡°You are planning to go to the imperial examinations to redeem a singer?¡± Other people go to the imperial examinations for the sake of promotion and wealth, for the sake of a bright future, for the sake of fame, Zhou Xianming actually went to the examination for a female singer? ¡°Why not?¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes carried a hint of hope. ¡°You don¡¯t understand Miss Li Yue¡¯s naivety at all. The day before, when I went to the pleasure boat, she told me not to go again. It must be because I have gone every day to support her, making her feel uneasy and ashamed¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re a poor man.¡± An Jing said bluntly, ¡°She can¡¯t get any money from you and you¡¯re annoying her every day like a fly.¡± ¡°Darling, how can you say that?¡± Zhao Qingmei stopped An Jing. ¡°You¡¯re just a commoner.¡± Zhou Xianmin shot An Jing a disdainful glance before turning to look at Zhao Qingmei. He smiled apologetically and said, ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind to take the exam this time and I will definitely obtain the first place. May I borrow some money from you, Madam An? When the time comes, I¡¯ll definitely repay you tenfold or even a hundredfold.¡± An Jing was a crafty, evil schemer. Zhou Xianmin decided to approach the gentle, virtuous and kind Mrs An instead. ¡°Since you have your heart set on studying, I¡¯d definitely support you.¡± Zhao Qingmei took out her purse and handed it to Zhou Xianming. ¡°Here are ten taels of silver. If it¡¯s not enough, you can ask me for more.¡± Ten taels of silver! Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes lit up when he saw the silver, and he could not help but cry out inwardly. ¡°Darling, that¡¯s ten taels of silver.¡± An Jing licked his lips. He had almost forgotten that his wife used to be a scholar. She seemed to have more money than him. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll take it as doing a great deed.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled. ¡°Many thanks, Madam An,¡± said Zhou Xianming, excitedly accepting the money. ¡°I will never forget your kindness. In the future, I will definitely repay you with gold and silver.¡± ¡°Old Zhou, Madam and I are inseparable. It¡¯s the same if you repay me.¡± An Jing patted Zhou Xianming¡¯s shoulder and smiled. Zhou Xianming took a look at An Jing and quietly removed his hand. Then, he flicked the dust on his shoulder with disdain. Whoosh! Whoosh! Just then, footsteps came from outside the door. ¡°Who is that! I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Someone looked in the direction of the voice and immediately kept quiet when he saw who it was. Dozens of men in linen clothes walked in. All of them were burly and looked fierce. The leader was an old man in green. Only the members of Cao Gang would wear linen clothes, and among Cao Gang¡¯s experts, those who did not wear linen clothes had even more terrifying statuses. The old man¡¯s expression was calm, his skin was rosy and his eyes were bright and lively. This old man was none other than Tie Yunshan. An expert! When An Jing saw who it was, his expression did not change, but he thought to himself. This person¡¯s aura was extremely powerful. If one were to carefully sense it, they would feel as though a mountain was crashing down on them. It was obvious that his inner force had reached the upper-third tier. Zhao Qingmei frowned and grabbed An Jing¡¯s arm without batting an eyelid. She would immediately protect him if there was any danger. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, I¡¯m here.¡± An Jing thought that Zhao Qingmei was afraid, so he patted her hand and comforted her. ¡°My lord¡­¡± The shopkeeper quickly ran down and bowed his head to Tie Yunshan. ¡°You are the shopkeeper?¡± A Cao Gang expert beside Tie Yunshan shouted. This person¡¯s name was Zhu Hou, and he was the new head of Yuzhou City. ¡°I am.¡± The shopkeeper smiled apologetically. ¡°What about storytellers? It¡¯s impossible for a teahouse to not have storytellers, right?¡± ¡°Right there, but Zhou Xianming is not doing storytelling today.¡± ¡°Not doing storytelling?¡± A cold smile appeared on Zhu Hou¡¯s lips as he scanned his surroundings, as though he was looking for the storyteller called Zhou Xianming. ¡°I¡¯ll speak, I¡¯ll speak.¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s legs turned to jelly. Tie Yunshan nodded slightly and scanned his surroundings before walking slowly towards An Jing and Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Ignorant fool! Are you not going to move!?¡± Zhu Hou¡¯s brows furrowed as he barked coldly. ¡°Darling, let¡¯s go.¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at Zhu Hou before grabbing An Jing¡¯s hand and walking away. An Jing did not say anything as he memorized Zhu Hou¡¯s face. Tie Yunshan sat down and looked at Zhao Qingmei¡¯s back as he muttered to himself, ¡°This little girl looks pretty good.¡± ¡°Elder, then¡­?¡± Zhu Hou¡¯s lips curled up as his eyes narrowed slightly. Cao Gang was a gang that belonged to the martial world. On the surface, they had business, but behind their backs, they were loan sharks. It was common for them to engage in human trafficking and it was naturally not difficult for them to snatch women from commoners. Tie Yunshan leaned on his walking stick with one hand and said indifferently, ¡°I want to listen to books. Let¡¯s talk about the history of the Nine Kingdoms.¡± ¡°Did you hear that? History of the Nine Kingdoms,¡± Zhu Hou shouted to Zhou Xianming. ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Zhou Xianming swallowed his saliva and walked towards the stage. After organizing his thoughts, he began to speak. ¡°After the Zhou Dynasty fell apart, the Nine Kingdoms became chaotic¡­¡± The so-called history of the Nine Kingdoms was the era before the State of Yan. After the Great Zhou fell apart, the entire world was occupied by nine powerful vassal states. The State of Yan was one of them. At that time, there was an extremely serious internal turmoil in the State of Zhao and it was unable to send troops to unify the country. The world was in chaos, outstanding heroes rising up one after another. All sides fought endlessly, mountains of corpses and seas of blood everywhere, the people living in poverty. This was a chaotic and terrifying history. The founding ancestor of the Great Yan Country had slaughtered his way out of the nine kingdoms and established the unified Yan Dynasty, which had been passed down until now. Many people in the martial world liked the history of the Nine Kingdoms. Back then, the martial world was even more chaotic and dangerous than the current martial world. It was even easier to become famous. Leaping horse, swinging spear, dominating the world. Tie Yunshan closed his eyes as if he had fallen asleep. It was as if his thoughts had already entered the chaotic Nine Kingdom. Zhou Xianming¡¯s voice was trembling. No one dared to leave without Tie Yunshan¡¯s order. An Jing, on the other hand, felt that the history of the Nine Kingdom was rather interesting. Unknowingly, he also listened to it. Zhao Qingmei glanced at An Jing, who remained still, and her heart grew colder and colder. The Cao Gang was such a show-off! They had scared her husband silly. After an unknown period of time, Tie Yunshan slowly opened his eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s stop here for today.¡± Hearing Tie Yunshan¡¯s words, the shopkeeper and Zhou Xianming both let out heavy sighs of relief. Tie Yunshan took a step forward with his walking stick. ¡°I heard that this Datong Teahouse is the place where news spreads the fastest in the entire Yuzhou City. Help me pass a message. Tell them that I, Tie Yunshan, am holding down the fort at the Yuzhou City¡¯s headquarters. I welcome the swordsmen who rescued Jiang Sanjia to come and visit.¡± ¡°I want to see if his sword is faster or my saber is faster.¡± As he spoke, Tie Yunshan slowly walked out of the tea house. Whoosh! A stone would cause a thousand ripples! Everyone looked at each other. So Tie Yunshan had come to the teahouse to issue a challenge to that peerless swordsman. Soon, Tie Yunshan¡¯s challenge to the peerless swordsman spread throughout the entire Yuzhou City and even to the entire Jiangnan Dao. Everyone was discussing whether this peerless swordsman would attend the appointment or not. Who would win this battle of swords and sabers? ¡°Tie Yunshan¡¯s provocation is too childish.¡± ¡°That swordsman might not be Tie Yunshan¡¯s match. After all, Tie Yunshan¡¯s battle achievements are splendid and he has countless victories. That swordsman could only hack open the dungeon.¡± ¡°The key is the Yuzhou City headquarters. Who dares to go?¡± ¡°With thousands of gang members gathered, even a superior Rank Three expert would find it difficult to escape unscathed.¡± ¡­ Chapter 30 - Hidden Murderous Intent in Yuzhou City Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios In the evening¡­ ¡°Madam, I have to go to the south of the city for a consultation, so I¡¯ll be leaving first,¡± said An Jing before he left with the small medicine box. ¡°Okay.¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled and said, ¡°Remember to come back early.¡± As she watched An Jing leave, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face turned as cold as ice. ¡°Tan Yun.¡± ¡°Miss!¡± Tan Yun immediately ran over. ¡°I don¡¯t want Tie Yunshan to see the sun tomorrow.¡± ¡°¡­ I understand. Even if Liu Qingshan comes, he won¡¯t be saved.¡± Tan Yun licked her lips when she saw Zhao Qingmei¡¯s gaze and walked towards the back of the house. She had not seen blood for a long time. ¡­ On the Yuzhou River, small boats floated past in twos and threes. An exquisite pleasure boat drifted about. ¡°Are you receiving guests?¡± Someone shouted towards the pleasure boat. ¡°Scram, scram, we¡¯re not receiving guests.¡± The disguised Jiang Sanjia was leaning against the cabin, drowsy. Naturally, he did not have a good tone when he heard this. No one would have expected that the wanted criminal Jiang Sanjia of Cao Gang and the Imperial Court was right under their noses. When the guest on the small boat heard Jiang Sanjia¡¯s words, he did not become angry. He commanded the boatman to row towards the pleasure boat even further away. ¡°Time to eat.¡± At that moment, Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s voice sounded. ¡°Coming.¡± Jiang Sanjia lazily stood up and walked to the side of the small table. He put down the chopsticks that he had just picked up and said unhappily, ¡°Why are there pickled vegetables and steamed buns again?¡± He had a better life in the dungeon. Jiang Sanjia needed meat. As long as there was no meat, he would not eat the dish. Liu Haoping was afraid that he might be killed by Jiang Sanjia, so he could only serve him fish and meat every day. Although he had no freedom in the dungeon, he ate quite well. Now that he was out of the dungeon, his food had become worse. Mu Xiaoyun picked up a steamed bun and started chewing on it. She said, ¡°You should be blessed that there¡¯s food.¡± ¡°Is this the attitude of someone seeking help?¡± Jiang Sanjia snorted. ¡°You dog! If you don¡¯t eat it, do you believe that I¡¯ll let you eat the food from the dungeon again?¡± Mu Xiaoyun sneered. When Jiang Sanjia heard Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s words, he instantly wilted. Others might not know, but Mu Xiaoyun, this crazy woman, could do anything. She meant her words. Jiang Sanjia laughed awkwardly and picked up a steamed bun. ¡°Oh right, when you came back, did you say that Tie Yunshan issued a challenge to brother Zhou?¡± ¡°The entire city is in a storm. Tie Yunshan intentionally spread the news to provoke Zhou Xianming. As long as we find Zhou Xianming, won¡¯t we be able to find you?¡± Mu Xiaoyun shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s still possible for him to use this provocative method on the young ones, but forget about Zhou Xianming.¡± Jiang Sanjia sneered. He understood that the old fox, Zhou Xianming, was terrifyingly shrewd. It was absolutely impossible for him to take action just because he was provoked. ¡°Tie Yunshan had no choice. Since he couldn¡¯t find you, he naturally wanted to find that swordsman.¡± Mu Xiaoyun smiled charmingly and muttered to herself, ¡°I really want to see him fight.¡± ¡°Now that I think about it, those prison days were pretty good. Now that I am out, I have to suffer through this¡­ hmm? The smell of roasted chicken?¡± Jiang Sanjia suddenly smelled the scent of roasted chicken and swallowed his saliva continuously. ¡°Sanjia, your nose is so sensitive. You can smell it even before the roast chicken arrives?¡± The curtain was lifted and An Jing walked in, dressed in a black robe and holding two roasted chickens wrapped in brown paper. ¡°Brother Zhou, why are you here?¡± As Jiang Sanjia spoke, he reached out to the roasted chicken. ¡°Sanjia, look at how anxious you are.¡± An Jing directly threw the roasted chicken in his hand to Jiang Sanjia. ¡°For the past half a month, I haven¡¯t been able to see the red lanterns hanging high up, so I came uninvited, afraid that you¡¯d already fallen into Cao Gang¡¯s hands.¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s fortuitous encounter could improve his ability, so how could he not be anxious? Mu Xiaoyun let out a soft sigh and said, ¡°Sanjia¡¯s injuries have yet to heal. We can only wait until his injuries are more or less healed before we can investigate my husband¡¯s whereabouts. That¡¯s why Brother Zhou is afraid that you will have to wait a while longer.¡± Jiang Sanjia seemed to have not seen oil for some time. He hugged the roasted chicken and started to eat it in big mouthfuls. An Jing nodded. If he did not know Liu Qing Shan¡¯s true whereabouts, it would indeed be difficult. However, all of this would depend on Jiang Sanjia. After his injuries were mostly healed, he would use the Phantom Valley Heavenly Secret to find Liu Qingshan¡¯s whereabouts. ¡°That¡¯s easy to say.¡± At this point, An Jing paused and looked at Mu Xiaoyun. ¡°May I know what you want to pay me?¡± He had to plan carefully and not be fooled by her. ¡°I will definitely satisfy Brother Zhou.¡± Mu Xiaoyun narrowed her eyes. ¡°But before that, I want to know if Brother Zhou¡¯s wrist is really hard. After all, Brother Zhou is our core.¡± Jiang Sanjia, who was eating heartily, was slightly stunned. Then, he thought of something. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I heard that Cao Gang¡¯s Tie Yunshan wants to learn from you. Actually, I also want to know if Tie Yunshan¡¯s blade is faster or your sword is faster.¡± ¡°You mean you want his head?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± An Jing¡¯s reply was very simple and straightforward. Tie Yunshan had already been on his must-kill list. ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait for your good news.¡± ¡°Soon.¡± An Jing walked out of the pleasure boat slowly after he spoke. ¡­ Jiang Sanjia chewed on the roasted chicken as he said, ¡°If you want him to kill Tie Yunshan, I¡¯m afraid it will be a little difficult. That old man must be staying at the headquarters. Furthermore, he said that Tie Yunshan is alone. Who knows if Cao Gang will make a false move.¡± In his opinion, it would be unwise for An Jing to go to the Yuzhou headquarters. This was obviously Tie Yunshan¡¯s trap. Mu Xiaoyun smiled faintly. ¡°It¡¯s because it¡¯s difficult that I let him do it.¡± Jiang Sanjia clicked his tongue and said, ¡°This move of yours kills three birds with a stone. Firstly, it can test Zhou Xianming¡¯s strength. Secondly, it can attract Cao Gang¡¯s attention. Thirdly, if you kill Tie Yunshan, it can also be considered as showing your stance.¡± ¡°From your words, it seems like you think he can do it?¡± Mu Xiaoyun picked up the steamed bun and said faintly. ¡°If we refuse according to common sense, I feel that it will be very difficult.¡± Jiang Sanjia pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Tie Yunshan and Hong Yuanwu have a good personal relationship, and there are many experts in the headquarters. Although Zhou Xianming agreed readily, if he was ambushed or attacked by Tie Yunshan and Hong Yuanwu, there is a possibility of failure.¡± ¡°So,¡± Mu Xiaoyun lowered her head and smiled, ¡°let¡¯s finish eating quickly and prepare to leave at any time.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s necessary.¡± Jiang Sanjia leaned lazily on the deck, his mouth full of grease. ¡°I¡¯m talking about an ordinary person, but this Brother Zhou of mine is not an ordinary person.¡± ¡°He is very cunning. He will not commit himself until success is certain. He agreed to kill Tie Yunshan so straightforwardly, I¡¯m afraid that Tie Yunshan is someone he was determined to kill..¡± Chapter 31 - Promiscuous in the Martial World Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios The Hall of Loyalty in the Southern River Courtyard of Yuzhou City was a place that everyone knew about, be it from the martial world or the ordinary people. This was the Cao Gang¡¯s headquarters in Yuzhou City. There was an endless stream of carriages at the entrance. From time to time, men in linen garments would enter and exit the Southern River Courtyard. Two Cao Gang members stood at the door, yawning. ¡°Sigh! I¡¯m exhausted during the day, and I have to be on duty at night.¡± ¡°Have you heard? Altar Master Liu has broken through to Rank Five.¡± ¡°Why haven¡¯t I heard of it? Elder Tie has already summoned him. On the third day of next month, it¡¯s said that Altar Master Liu is hosting a banquet.¡± ¡°I wonder when I can reach Rank Six.¡± ¡­ The two on duty chatted casually to pass the time. What kind of place was the martial world? The rivers flowed and there are massive dragons soaring through the dragon gate in the martial world, there are also countless ordinary small fry. However, not every small fry will become a peerless hero in the end. ¡°Old Liu, I haven¡¯t been home for decades.¡± Suddenly, a guard looked at the night sky and sighed. He remembered that one winter, a bully from the village had barged into his house to humiliate his wife. Finally, he could not take it anymore and stabbed two bullies to death. In order to escape arrest, he disguised his identity and joined Cao Gang. ¡°I don¡¯t have a home. My parents died long ago.¡± The gang members beside him looked calm and indifferent, as if they were saying something unrelated to him. ¡°I wonder if my wife ran away.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it. She must have run away.¡± ¡°F*ck, can¡¯t you give me some hope?¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t like this when you played with Zhang Mazi¡¯s wife yesterday.¡± ¡°Zhang Mazi, that little brat, wanted to use a knife against me. How can I let him off so easily?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go together tomorrow.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great! Zhang Mazi¡¯s wife is amazing.¡± The more they talked, the more energetic they became until a figure walked to the door. That person was dressed in a navy blue robe and his face could not be seen clearly. He held an ordinary iron sword in his hand and walked towards the door at a steady pace. It was An Jing. ¡°Stop! Who are you!¡± The two of them felt a chill in their hearts when they saw An Jing hiding himself. An Jing said nothing and continued walking towards the Yuzhou¡¯s headquarters. Chi! A faintly discernible sword light flashed past! The first person who spoke felt his heart stop for a moment. Then, he found it hard to breathe. He stretched out his hand but eventually had his hand hang down weakly. He merely took a step forward! That person had already fallen to the ground! ¡°Get here! Someone is entering the headquarters! Get here!¡± When the others saw this, their hearts started beating wildly as they hurriedly shouted towards the Hall of Loyalty. This sound was like an arrow breaking through the dawn, completely igniting the night in the Hall of Loyalty. ¡°Who dares to barge into our Yuzhou¡¯s headquarters!¡± ¡°How dare you!¡± ¡­ Countless Cao Gang members swarmed out from all directions. An Jing did not speak and continued to walk forward at a steady pace. ¡°Die!¡± One of the Rank Six gang members had a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes. He strode forward and executed the Rank Three martial arts, Dragon-capturing Hands, aiming for An Jing¡¯s shoulder blade. This person was also a rising star amongst the Cao Gang members. He was quite young. Just as that person was about to approach An Jing, a sword beam shot out. Plop! The Cao Gang members¡¯ eyes lost their divine light as their bodies fell heavily to the ground. When the surrounding Cao Gang experts saw this, they were alarmed. That person only took a step forward and they died? What sort of strength was this?! How terrifying was this?! ¡°Attack together!¡± Right at this moment, several experts from Cao Gang walked out. These people all had a cultivation of Rank Four, and they were the hall masters of the various halls in Yuzhou City. The person in the lead was Zhu Hou. Upon hearing Zhu Hou¡¯s words, Cao Gang and company gathered their courage. An Jing did not say anything, but the gang members who were ten feet away from him fell one after another. There was no sword and no techniques used. As he strolled around, countless people were killed by the sword light! With a single step, lives would be killed! He was pacing himself and did not say a single word. It was as if he was walking through the streets and alleys as usual, as calm as ever. How terrifying! Looking at this swordsman who was as calm as water, only two words remained in everyone¡¯s minds. ¡°You¡­ who exactly are you?¡± One of the Rank Four experts in the Cao Gang asked with a trembling voice. Who was this peerless expert? ¡°Could it be that peerless swordsman that split open the dungeon?¡± Zhu Hou cried out involuntarily as he recalled. He was a man of few words and held an ordinary long sword in his hand. The aura he emitted from his body was like a sharp sword, making people not dare to look at him directly. Killing people without leaving a trace! An Jing remained silent and walked forward. However, with every step he took, countless people died. Every step would lead to mountains of corpses and seas of blood. He was using the Hundred Steps Flying Sword! In less than a moment, the ground was already dyed red with blood. The road on the ground had already become a bloody road with only corpses left on the ground. When An Jing walked into the Hall of Loyalty, other than him, there were no other living people within a few meters. Zhu Hou was scared silly by this scene and his body was trembling. ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡± Meanwhile, An Jing continued to walk in. From beginning to end, he did not say a single word and his footsteps were not the slightest bit messy. Plop! The moment his toes touched the ground, Zhu Hou felt a chill on his neck before he fell heavily onto the ground. ¡­ At an antique banquet, Tie Yunshan sat on the main seat. Below him was a young man. He was dressed in a crescent white embroidered robe that was tailored to fit him perfectly. His figure was tall and slender, like an orchid and jade tree, bright and clear like the moon, indescribably noble and elegant, like a poem or painting. If Tie Yunshan and Hong Yuanwu were both powerful people, then the young man in front of him, or rather, the Mu Clan behind him, was a real local tyrant. Mu Jie of the Mu Family was ranked seventh on the ranking of the martial world. He was known as the son of a noble family with a jade fan and was the dream lover of many wealthy ladies. His cultivation level reached Rank Four last year and he was extremely famous in the martial world. Among the four great clans of Jiangnan Dao, Mu Jie was one of the most talented youths of the younger generation. Such a person would be the future overlord of the Jiangnan Dao. He would control the winds and clouds of the Jiangnan Dao and would even have a place in the Yan Country. Tie Yunshan raised his cup and smiled. ¡°In recent years, the Mu Clan has been doing better and better. I heard that the Mu Clan¡¯s caravan is heading towards the Southbright Kingdom. This is truly worthy of celebration.¡± ¡°This is all thanks to Cao Gang¡¯s help in recent years,¡± Mu Jie quickly replied respectfully. Tie Yunshan, who was in front of him, was an extremely terrifying character. Back then, he had killed the Su Clan¡¯s Patriarch. Although he was a genius and the future leader of the Mu Clan, he did not dare to put on airs in front of Tie Yunshan. ¡°No, we¡¯re just cooperating sincerely.¡± Tie Yunshan shook his head. ¡°Good, what a sincere cooperation. Let¡¯s raise our glasses to Senior Tie¡¯s words,¡± shouted Mu Jie. The two raised their glasses again and drank. What was the martial world? The martial world was a battle for fame and fortune. Only in this chaotic martial world would one become famous and gain the fastest. This was the dream of many people. Some people wandered about the martial world. Some people indulged themselves in the martial world. There were also some people who were promiscuous.. Chapter 32 - The Battle of Sabers and Swords Under the Moonlight Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios After drinking, Tie Yunshan reminded him, ¡°Nephew, don¡¯t forget what I told you earlier.¡± ¡°Senior, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll remember it.¡± Mu Jie sighed softly. ¡°My aunt is too willful and reckless. When I find my aunt, I¡¯ll definitely tell her about it.¡± Mu Jie¡¯s father, Mu Delun, was the current head of the Mu Family, and Mu Delun¡¯s sister was Mu Xiaoyun, who was also the aunt that Mu Jie spoke of. ¡°Just let me know if you find any traces.¡± Tie Yunshan smiled and said, ¡°I can also report to the gang leader.¡± With the help of the Mu Clan, it would be easier to find Jiang Sanjia, the mysterious swordsman, Mu Xiaoyun, and the others. ¡°Okay.¡± Mu Jie cupped his hands and said in a low voice, ¡°As for that swordsman, my Mu Clan will also do our best to help Senior. However, I have also comprehended a bit of the sword moves of this swordsman. He is indeed extraordinary.¡± ¡°Floating Blood Sword Xue Chen is Rank Two. All Directions Sword Gao Zixing is also Rank Two. Both of them are famous swordsmanship experts in Jiangnan Dao. One of them is ranked 97th on the rankings, while the other is ranked 63rd on the rankings. This person¡¯s swordsmanship is completely different from the two of them. Furthermore, I have never seen such swordsmanship in Jiangnan Dao. This means that this person might not be from Jiangnan Dao.¡± Mu Jie was also a swordsman. He had once gone to the old Yuzhou prison to observe and comprehend the power of the sword and was deeply moved. He only knew that this person¡¯s swordsmanship was exceptional, but he did not know which sect or clan this person was from. ¡°It¡¯s really too strange. It¡¯s extremely difficult to track this person down. That¡¯s why I used such a despicable method to provoke him.¡± Tie Yunshan nodded. This swordsman seemed to have appeared out of thin air. Jiang Sanjia had never had any relations with such a person in his life. Not to mention his strength, even his identity was extremely mysterious. If it was not for Jiang Sanjia, he would not even want to investigate this swordsman. Mu Jie smiled and said, ¡°That swordsman must have been afraid and didn¡¯t dare to appear again. He must have secretly left Jiangnan Dao by now. Senior, don¡¯t take it too seriously.¡± ¡°No, he definitely didn¡¯t leave.¡± Tie Yunshan shook his head. His intuition told him that person had not left. ¡°Oh? Why are you so sure, Senior?¡± Mu Jie asked curiously. ¡°No¡­ Oh no¡­¡± At that moment, Cao Gang stumbled in. ¡°Ghost¡­ came after us.¡± ¡°What the hell?¡± Mu Jie asked curiously, ¡°What exactly happened?¡± ¡°Oh no!¡± Tie Yunshan stared off into the distance. When the cold light rushed over, the limestone slab on the ground began to crack inch by inch before spreading to the table. The panicked gang member was directly pierced by the cold light, turning into a bloody mist that filled the sky. Then, that sword light continued to rush forward. Its target was Tie Yunshan. Crack! Tie Yunshan was shocked. He raised both his hands and two arcs of light flew up to block the cold light. ¡°He¡¯s here!¡± Under the moonlight, a figure slowly approached. His figure was indistinct, as if he had merged with the moonlight in the sky and the stone slabs on the ground into one. The sword in his hand had yet to be unsheathed, but it made people feel as though there was a dagger on his back. ¡°That swordsman!¡± Mu Jie looked at the figure in front of him and gasped. Just standing there gave him an imposing aura. A peerless swordsman! This was a true peerless swordsman! Mu Jie had seen many experts, including Rank One experts. However, he did not feel much from this swordsman. That confidence and sharpness was peerless. Drip! Drip! The web between Tie Yunshan¡¯s thumb and index finger which was holding onto the two sabers had blood dripping. This was the result of him forcefully receiving the sword light. ¡°You¡¯ve finally come.¡± Tie Yunshan¡¯s heart turned cold. Before he saw that sword light, he had felt that the swordsman was not his match. Now that he saw this person, he felt that he was a little rash. ¡°As you wish!¡± An Jing¡¯s voice was calm and indifferent. Moonlight slowly shone over. Mu Jie, who was standing at the side, panted heavily. He felt like he was about to suffocate in front of the two of them. Who was Tie Yunshan? Cao Gang was one of the Seven Great Vajras. He was a well-known vicious man in the martial world. His pair of scimitars were so fast that it was unknown how many famous experts he had killed. Such a person might have a chance to enter the realm of Rank One in the future. Without a Grandmaster, he would be the top expert in the martial world. However, that peerless swordsman made his heart surge even more, and it was difficult for him to calm down. On the other hand, he, Mu Jie, was usually revered as a proud son of heaven, yet he was still oppressed to the point of being unable to breathe. Was this a battle between experts? Mu Jie took a deep breath and retreated subconsciously, afraid of being affected. If Mu Jie had only endured less than ten percent of the pressure, then Tie Yunshan had endured ten or even a hundred times more. From his imposing manner, he knew that the swordsman in front of him was an unprecedented enemy. It was as if no matter how fast his saber was, there was no way to defeat him. ¡°Your status should be reported, right?¡± Tie Yunshan asked in a low voice. He was gathering his aura. An Jing smiled faintly. ¡°I didn¡¯t come here to answer your irrelevant question.¡± ¡°It seems that I am still very important to you.¡± Tie Yunshan laughed. ¡°To me, it¡¯s more important without you.¡± An Jing shook his head expressionlessly. The atmosphere froze, as if the air had frozen. Tie Yunshan gripped his dual sabers tightly. An Jing did not say anything. In his opinion, Tie Yunshan was already a dead man. He did not have much to say to the dead man. At the next moment, the two of them moved. The long sword in An Jing¡¯s hand moved like a snake and a dragon, heading straight for Tie Yunshan¡¯s throat. Tie Yunshan¡¯s scimitar was not an undeserved reputation, especially after years of bitter training. It had long been integrated into his bones, blood, and memories. Scimitars were the hardest saber to cultivate amongst all the different types of sabers, while the double-handed scimitar was even more difficult. There were not many who could use scimitars in the martial world, and amongst those who could, most of them were experts. Under the saber flashes and sword shadows, the two of them continuously threw out dozens of moves. Tie Yunshan used all his strength to barely block the incoming sword light. The figures of the two of them flashed swiftly, and their speed was so swift that even Mu Jie was shocked. Even with his Rank Four cultivation, he was actually unable to keep up with their exchange. What did this mean? This meant that if the two of them wanted to kill him, they would only need one move. A single move was enough to pierce through his throat and kill him! Not long after, Tie Yunshan¡¯s forehead was covered in sweat. He felt like he was completely suppressed. He had to use his full strength. With this thought in mind, he turned his hands around, and the two sabers in his hands were like a full moon. Chi! Chi! Chi! Two saber beams slashed out, illuminating the full moon in the sky. Full Moon Scimitar! Unparalleled Full Moon! The blade light was not fast, but by the time one reacted, it was already pouring down on one like moonlight.. Chapter 33 - A Sword Asking the Martial World Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios An Jing turned the long sword in his hand and did a series of motions. Nine Character Sword Technique! Patterned word! Clang clang clang clang! Sparks flew in all directions as the swords clashed. A series of sonic booms formed a shockwave. Not far away, Mu Jie felt his heart surging. His body felt like it was about to be separated from his soul. It was a feeling of being in a trance. Was the saber faster or the sword faster?! Mu Jie tried his best to look ahead. Under the moonlight, the sword light was airtight, protecting An Jing¡¯s entire body. The saber light that poured out like moonlight was actually completely blocked, not missing a single thing. Tie Yunshan missed his first attack. His inner force was like a surging river, pouring into his arm. Buzz! Buzz! The powerful inner force fluctuations caused the surrounding air to emit a sound. Even the wine jugs on the tables started to crack. As his internal energy was injected into the pair of cold blades, a frightening cold light appeared. The corner of Tie Yunshan¡¯s clothes fluttered without any wind. The curved blade in his hand was placed horizontally in front of his chest, while the other was placed behind his neck. Then, both of his hands swung out. In an instant, it was as if moonlight poured out, and within the moonlight, there was a blade glow. Tie Yunshan was very rough. Naturally, his saber was also very rough. The experts who had died under his saber made him even more arrogant and rough. Full Moon Scimitar! Full moon shone on the west building! The wind gusted with unparalleled sharpness. Only a streak of light descended from the sky, about to split the earth into two and turn it into pieces. ¡°This¡­ This is an upper-third tier expert?¡± Mu Jie was stunned. A life and death battle between upper-third tier experts! It was rare in the martial world. There were many rumors in the martial world, but very few had actually seen those rumors, and Mu Jie was one of them. It was a pity that he was the only one who had witnessed the battle between swords and sabers. An Jing¡¯s expression was calm like an ancient well, but he drew his sword. The sword was as clear as the wings of a cicada, emitting a soft hum. The sound was like a lone boat in the vast expanse of smoke. Chi! Then, sword glows bloomed. Under the night sky, it was like a new sun rising. Nine Symbolic Sword Art! Battle word! With a point of his sword, the originally silent moon gradually dispersed. On the ground, a long, narrow slash appeared, followed by three sword strokes. Bang! With a loud explosion, everything in the surroundings turned into dust. Mu Jie¡¯s face was pale as he retreated frantically. Amidst the smoke, the two figures continued to fight. Saber and sword light flashed. It was difficult to find them, but they had already reached the climax. ¡°You¡¯ve already used your move, so take my attack,¡± An Jing said calmly. Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Tie Yunshan¡¯s heart was in his throat. No one understood the prowess of the swordsman before him better than him. The long sword in An Jing¡¯s hand slipped and it was hard to find it. His swordsmanship was bizarre and rare. Swoosh! Swoosh! Tie Yunshan was shocked. He quickly raised his two blades to block his chest. He was powerful! Too powerful! At this moment, Mu Yun was indescribably shocked. This seemingly casual strike was actually so profound. Clang! The sound of metal colliding resounded as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer. Tie Yunshan was dizzy from the impact, but he felt as if he had just survived a calamity. He blocked it! ¡°Pfft!¡± But in the next moment, a sword light flew out of nowhere and pierced through his throat. His eyes were filled with disbelief. He had clearly seen that sword glow and had firmly blocked it. Why did he still die? Hidden Sword Technique! The Hidden Sword Technique seemed to be one of the introductory sword techniques, but 99% of the swordsmen had yet to learn it. The Hidden Sword Technique did not hide the sword, but the sharpness of the sword and the killing intent. When others let their guard down, at the most critical moment, the sword art that they had been hiding all this time would appear and deliver the most fatal blow to their enemy. This was the true essence of the sword art. ¡°Argh¡­!¡± ¡°Rank¡­ one¡­¡± Tie Yunshan¡¯s eyes gradually lost their glow as blood flowed out from his throat before he fell to the ground. Mu Jie was stunned by this scene. Fast! It was too fast! In the blink of an eye, Tie Yunshan fell to the ground. Was the saber faster or the sword faster? Mu Jie was the witness. He felt that there was no comparison between the two. He wanted to shout, but he suddenly realized that something was stuck in his throat. An Jing did not retract his scabbard, but instead looked at the distant roof. ¡°Your sword is so fast!¡± A clear voice rang out and a figure appeared on the distant roof. He was holding a red long sword in his hand and there seemed to be blood flowing on the long sword. Buddha Sword! This was the renowned Rakshasa¡¯s sword, the Buddha Sword. That person was dressed in black and was hidden in the dark. His figure could not be seen clearly and neither could his face. This person was Tan Yun. She was incomparably shocked. This person had actually killed Tie Yunshan. Furthermore, when he had fought with Tie Yunshan, he had been able to discover her existence. This person was definitely not an ordinary expert. ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are or why you¡¯re here, but I don¡¯t want to see you again.¡± An Jing looked coldly at the figure in front of him. ¡°Get lost!¡± As he spoke, An Jing swung his sword. As the sword beam surged, terrifying waves formed in the surroundings. It was like a tidal wave that descended from the sky and rolled over. Clang! Tan Yun caught the sword, and the violent internal energy in her body churned violently. Rank one! This person was a Rank One expert! Tan Yun was extremely shocked and did not dare to stay any longer. He turned into a streak of black smoke and flew into the distance. ¡°He sure runs fast!¡± An Jing silently retracted his sword. If that person was a step slower, he would not mind killing that person. Meanwhile, Mu Jie, who was watching from the side, was not so lucky. His originally fair and handsome face was now stained with blood. ¡°Sen¡­ Senior, I¡­ I am¡­¡± Mu Jie¡¯s heart almost jumped out of his chest. ¡°This scar is now the glory of your life.¡± An Jing did not even look at Mu Jie as he walked into the distance. He strolled leisurely, just like when he came. ¡°This scar is now the glory of your life¡­¡± This voice kept echoing in Mu Jie¡¯s ears, as though it was crushing his heart. An Jing¡¯s footsteps were unhurried and he disappeared from the Yuzhou¡¯s headquarters. It was not until several minutes after An Jing had left that Mu Jie finally reacted. His body fell limply to the ground as if he had lost his support. After a long while, he finally gasped for breath and shouted, ¡°Quick! Someone come quickly! Senior Tie¡­ Senior Tie has been killed!¡± The surroundings were silent. No one responded, as if it was a barren land. ¡°Is¡ªis¡ªis¡ª¡± Mu Jie¡¯s body froze as if he had thought of something. His face was filled with fear. The headquarters of Yuzhou was massacred¡­ Chapter 34 - The Great Zhou Extraordinary Persons Refinement of Elixirs Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios On a pleasure boat on the Yuzhou River, Jiang Sanjia muttered to himself as he chewed on the chicken bone, ¡°This roasted chicken is really delicious. If another pot of wine were to be served, it would truly be an immortal-like day.¡± ¡°What a good-for-nothing.¡± Mu Xiaoyun harrumphed and said, ¡°When the matter is settled, I¡¯ll give you eight to ten roasted chickens.¡± Jiang Sanjia enjoyed the delicious food and did not seem to want to talk to Mu Xiaoyun at all. ¡°Hey, Sanjia, do you still have Wan¡¯er in your heart?¡± Mu Xiaoyun asked. ¡°Wan Er¡­¡± Upon hearing those two words, Jiang Sanjia clearly paused. Then, he continued eating. Mu Xiaoyun played with the jade pendant in her hand, muttering to herself, ¡°Wan¡¯er, does she have a good life? She became a royal concubine of the imperial court, enjoying endless glory and wealth, serving the most powerful man in the world. Not only that, she also has a devoted man like you. You can say that she doesn¡¯t have a good life since she¡¯s trapped in the palace, serving the man she doesn¡¯t love every day¡­¡± ¡°What about you?¡± Jiang Sanjia sneered. Bad luck only found those who suffered. Sometimes, Jiang Sanjia felt that he was very pitiful, but sometimes, he felt that it did not matter how much he had suffered because there were people in this world who had suffered more than him. This woman in front of him was one of them. ¡°Me?¡± Mu Xiaoyun chuckled with a hint of mockery. ¡°I died long ago.¡± Jiang Sanjia spat out the chicken bone in his mouth into the river. ¡°But you¡¯re still alive, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°To me, life and death are no different.¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s lips curled into a charming smile. Her pair of foxy eyes seemed to contain countless emotions and desires, but upon closer inspection, there was nothing. ¡°Sanjia, there¡¯s something wrong with your morals. Everyone is responsible for protecting water resources.¡± At this moment, a faint voice sounded. ¡°Brother Zhou, you haven¡¯t gone yet?¡± Jiang Sanjia looked up at the figure that appeared on the deck in front of him. It was An Jing. Mu Xiaoyun was also puzzled. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Madam Liu, I have fulfilled my promise. Tie Yunshan¡¯s death was too ugly, so I did not cut off his head.¡± ¡°This is the token on him. Take a look and see if it belongs to Cao Gang.¡± Then, An Jing threw a token onto the deck. ¡°Oh!?¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s pupils constricted slightly as she looked at the token on the ground. Indeed, it was Cao Gang¡¯s Elder Token. Furthermore, there was the word ¡®Tie¡¯ engraved on it. An Jing had really killed Tie Yunshan. Who was Tie Yunshan? He was one of the Seven Great Vajras of the Cao Gang and Liu Qingshan¡¯s confidant. He was an expert on the rankings in the martial world. Any one of his titles was well-known. With just a stomp of his feet, he could shake the entire Yuzhou City. He could easily control most of his emotions, including life and death. However, for such a character, his life and death were no longer in his hands. Wasn¡¯t this a kind of tragedy? Jiang Sanjia paused. He had just finished his roast chicken and An Jing had already returned from killing people. How fast was this? Who was this peerless swordsman? Who exactly was he? What exactly did he represent? This question instantly filled her mind. It was not just her, even Jiang Sanjia was puzzled in his heart. Who exactly was this Brother Zhou before him? Why had he never heard of this person¡¯s name in the martial world? This would not do. When his injuries recovered a little, the first target would be this person. ¡®I must figure out Brother Zhou¡¯s identity¡¯, Jiang Sanjia thought to himself. ¡°I think Jiangnan Dao is going to change soon.¡± An Jing muttered to himself, ¡°But Cao Gang is too powerful. You should be more careful.¡± With Tie Yunshan dead, Cao Gang would definitely make a big move. A storm was brewing! Cao Gang¡¯s leader had his own plans, and Mu Xiaoyun, this deep woman, also had hers. ¡°Brother Zhou has indeed attracted Liu Qingshan¡¯s attention.¡± Jiang Sanjia smiled and said: ¡°It might disrupt Liu Qingshan¡¯s pace and rhythm.¡± ¡°No, his rationality is terrifying.¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s eyes lit up. No one understood how terrifying Cao Gang¡¯s current leader was better than her. An Jing seemed to have thought of something. ¡°Right, I haven¡¯t asked why Brother Sanjia was imprisoned in the dungeon by Cao Gang. Since we¡¯re all allies now, I hope you can tell me about this?¡± When Jiang Sanjia was trapped in the dungeon, Cao Anmin and Liu Haoping seemed to want to get something from him. ¡°Upgrade: Jiang Sanjia has a yellow opportunity (the whereabouts of the golden pellet).¡± Suddenly, a beam of light appeared from the Earth Book. ¡°Actually, even if Brother Zhou didn¡¯t ask, I would have said it.¡± Jiang Sanjia pondered for a moment before he said, ¡°The Phantom Valley Cultivation Technique is said to be able to calculate the workings of the heavens and know everything. Actually, this is too exaggerated. The Phantom Valley Cultivation Technique can only deduce some vital energy. For example, searching for people and searching for things, it¡¯s impossible for the secrets of the heavens to know.¡± ¡°Liu Qingshan imprisoned me in the dungeon because he wanted me to find the golden pellet for him.¡± ¡°Golden pellet!?¡± This was the first time An Jing had heard of this name, and a trace of doubt appeared in his eyes. ¡°Not many people know about the golden pellet. Brother Zhou is not a gangster, so it¡¯s normal that he doesn¡¯t know.¡± By the side, Mu Xiaoyun explained, ¡°It¡¯s said that several hundred years ago, there was an extraordinary person in Great Zhou who gathered dozens of Heavenly Treasures and spent 49 days to refine a cauldron of elixirs. There are a total of nine elixirs in this cauldron, and each elixir is extremely powerful. Therefore, those who do not have strong internal energy are not allowed to consume it. Ordinary martial artists can obtain a hundred years of internal energy by swallowing it and directly reach Rank One. As for those with Rank One cultivation and already condensed three flowers, after consuming this elixir, they can combine the three flowers into one and reach the Grandmaster level.¡± ¡°And these pills are called golden pellets. At the time, three of these golden pellets were collected by an extraordinary person, and three were consumed by experts who were assisting in refining them. The final three were obtained by the Imperial Court. Two of the Great Zhou Imperial Court¡¯s pills were consumed by the princes of the Great Zhou Dynasty, while the last one was destroyed by the Great Zhou Imperial Court and scattered across the world. No one knows.¡± An Jing was secretly astonished. ¡°It¡¯s so magical.¡± A single golden pellet could allow one to directly receive a hundred years of inner force, and even allow one to combine three flowers into one. An Jing did not know how difficult it was to combine three flowers into one, but condensing three flowers alone made him feel that it was very difficult. In the past, when he was cultivating, the advancement from Rank Nine to Rank One took a short time. However, he was stuck at the advancement from Rank Two to Rank One for two years. However, from Rank One to condensing the Man Flower, he felt that it was difficult to advance even an inch. In a year, he did not feel anything at all. In the end, he had to break through the boy¡¯s body to condense the Man Flower. Condensing Man Flower was already so difficult. Earth Flowers and Heavenly Flowers were even more difficult. According to the ancient martial arts records, combining three flowers into one was the most difficult. Countless people had been stuck at this combination since ancient times. The combination of three flowers was a Grandmaster stage. The might of a grandmaster! What sort of existence was that!? An Jing¡¯s heart was surging. He also yearned for this golden pellet. Jiang Sanjia said solemnly: ¡°Of course, this golden pellet is a treasure, Liu Qingshan covets this treasure and wants me to deduce its whereabouts.¡± So Liu Qingshan wanted to rely on Jiang Sanjia to find this golden pellet! An Jing raised his eyebrows and asked, ¡°Does that mean Liu Qingshan is an expert at condensing the Heavenly Flower?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure about the Heavenly Flower, but the Earth Flower must have condensed.¡± Mu Xiaoyun said slowly, ¡°As far as I know, he is planning a huge event and urgently needs to increase his strength.¡± Planning a huge event?! Liu Qingshan was the Cao Gang¡¯s leader. What he was planning was definitely a big event that would shake the martial world. ¡°Liu Qingshan is quite ambitious.¡± Jiang Sanjia clicked his tongue. An Jing was silent for a while after hearing this. Even if Liu Qingshan was a condensed earth flower, he was still an expert one realm higher than him, he was also in danger. ¡°Does Brother Sanjia know the whereabouts of this golden pellet?¡± Jiang Sanjia shook his head and stared at An Jing warily. ¡°How would I know? I have to use the Phantom Valley Cultivation Technique to deduce it. It consumes too much life force. All these years, my body has been riddled with holes from using the Phantom Valley Cultivation Technique. Moreover, even if I deduce it, I might not be able to.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tell me this old man wants me to deduce the whereabouts of golden pellet by myself?¡± Thinking of this, Jiang Sanjia subconsciously shifted his butt. An Jing sighed. ¡°That¡¯s a pity. I wonder how that extraordinary person refined it.¡± ¡°There are very few records of that extraordinary individual, just like how mysterious Brother Zhou is.¡± Jiang Sanjia sighed, ¡°It¡¯s said that when he was refining the golden pellet, he used the fire of the earth. The lightning in the sky was like a snake and thunder rumbled, creating an astonishing phenomenon.¡± Mu Xiaoyun also nodded slightly. ¡°That extraordinary person is related to the Great Zhou royal clan, but the royal clan does not know much. It seems that this person¡¯s identity is top secret.¡± Jiang Sanjia was a descendant of the Phantom Valley Sect. Phantom Valley Sect had an ancient heritage and was considered a veteran in the martial world. Mu Xiaoyun was a member of the Mu Family and was also Liu Qingshan¡¯s wife. She had come into contact with many secrets and even the two of them did not know who that extraordinary person was. It seemed that this extraordinary person was really extraordinary. Jiang Sanjia sighed emotionally, ¡°Brother Zhou, don¡¯t even think about that extraordinary person. After so many years, the Great Zhou Dynasty has fallen apart. After experiencing the Nine Nations¡¯ upheaval and the changes of a thousand years, that extraordinary person simply cannot live.¡± An Jing nodded and turned to Mu Xiaoyun. ¡°Madam, let¡¯s get back to the topic. I don¡¯t know if you agree to my reward.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Brother Zhou. You¡¯ll definitely be satisfied with my remuneration.¡± Mu Xiaoyun looked at An Jing charmingly and took out a leather scroll from her ample waist. ¡°This is it.¡± Jiang Sanjia also curiously stuck his head over and said in surprise, ¡°You¡¯re actually willing to take this out?¡± Chapter 35 - The Clouds of Jiangnan Dao Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios In the Ji Shi Hall, Zhao Qingmei sat on the chair with her brows furrowed. ¡°You mean that when you and Ghost-Faced Buddha rushed over, Cao Gang¡¯s headquarters had already been massacred?¡± Tan Yun¡¯s face was pale, and he clutched his chest as he said, ¡°That¡¯s right, all of these people died with a single strike of the sword, and the wounds on their blades were all very neat. That peerless swordsman¡¯s swordsmanship is even higher than mine.¡± ¡°When I continued to head deeper into Cao Gang¡¯s headquarters, I discovered that the swordsman was competing with Tie Yunshan. Tie Yunshan was killed by an extremely strange sword technique and his head was severed.¡± ¡°That swordsman discovered my whereabouts and swung his sword at me. I was no match for him and suffered some light injuries.¡± Zhao Qingmei frowned slightly. She understood Tan Yun¡¯s swordsmanship very well. Since she said that her swordsmanship was superb, it definitely could not be faked. ¡°Rank one cultivation? I didn¡¯t expect such an expert to exist in this small Yuzhou City. However, who is this swordsman? Why does he have to attack before the Demon Sect?¡± ¡°Young Lady, could this person know that our Demon Sect has appeared in Great Yan? He has the intention to go against our Demon Sect.¡± ¡°It¡¯s possible. Even though our entry into the Great Yan Dynasty is hidden, there are no secrets in this world that cannot be leaked. Furthermore, it was the Mortal Sect who killed Wang Zhiping previously. If someone were to investigate further, they might not be able to find out. However, there is another explanation as to whether they are against our Demon Sect.¡± ¡°What should we do now?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see. How long until Third Master arrives?¡± ¡°According to my estimation, Master will arrive in two days.¡± ¡°Alright, when the Third Master arrives, I¡¯ll let him find a chance to exchange a few moves with this swordsman and find out who he is.¡± ¡­ It was pouring in Jiangnan Dao, Yuzhou City. In the Su Clan¡¯s study¡­ The Su Clan, one of the four great aristocratic families of Jiangnan, was known as the head of Jiangnan during its heyday. At that time, the head of the Su Clan was the master of the Jiangnan Dao. It could be said that he ruled the world with one hand. His younger brother was the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites in the Imperial Court. He also had the backing of the Crown Prince¡¯s faction, which was at the height of its power at that time. The Su Clan¡¯s power was illustrious, and their glory was unmatched. Just the Su Clan¡¯s distinguished guests alone numbered three thousand, and the number of people who came to seek refuge was still endless. Everyone believed that the crown prince would inherit the throne at that time, and the Su Clan had the merit of following the dragon. At that time, the Su Clan could even get rid of the Jiangnan Dao family and become one of the aristocratic families of Yan Country. Although it was only a step, it was a complete change for the aristocratic families. However, what happened next was unexpected. Forty years ago, there was a coup that shocked the world. In the end, the political situation of the Yan Country changed drastically, and the country was completely purged. Before the emperor passed away, the crown prince died violently, and the third prince inherited the reign of the Yan Country, named Taiping Yuan. The word ¡®peace¡¯ was enough to show the long-cherished wish of the current Emperor of Great Yan. He hoped that Great Yan would be able to obtain some peace during this coup. Following that, the Human Emperor issued a pardon, amnesty to the world, tax reduction, and other measures that benefited the country and its people. It was indeed worthy of the word ¡®peace¡¯. However, the Su Clan was not peaceful. There was no other reason. It was because the Su Clan was part of the former crown prince¡¯s faction. Now that the Third Prince had ascended the throne, it was a very natural thing to cleanse the old faction, and the Su Clan was naturally implicated. The Su Clan¡¯s influence plummeted. With the stagnation of the recent decades, the Su Clan was gradually overtaken by the Mu Family and the Cao Family. Although they were said to be on par with the other three aristocratic families, they were merely basking in the glory of the past. Everyone knew that the Cao Gang was behind the Mu Family and the Cao Family. Tens of years ago, Tie Yunshan killed the head of the Su Clan and dozens of Su Clan¡¯s experts. In the end, he joined Cao Gang. Even if the Su Clan wanted to take revenge, they could only give up when faced with Liu Qingshan, who had a strong aura. At this moment, Su Ze was sitting at the table with a book in her hands, ¡°Commerce Theory¡±. ¡°Father! Father¡­¡± A voice sounded outside the door. ¡°Come in,¡± said Su Ze calmly as he put down the scroll in his hand. A refined young man walked in quickly and said happily, ¡°Father, there¡¯s a piece of good news.¡± ¡°What good news?¡± Su Ze asked calmly. ¡°Tie Yunshan was killed!¡± ¡°Tie Yunshan¡­ what? Who did you say was killed?¡± Su Ze stood up instantly and stared at her son, Su Rui. Who was Tie Yunshan? He knew all too well. ¡°Indeed, Father.¡± Su Rui said excitedly, ¡°Not only Tie Yunshan, but also Cao Gang¡¯s 37 experts have all died. These are all Cao Gang¡¯s true elites.¡± ¡°Good, good, good. They¡¯ve killed so well, hahaha!¡± Su Ze cried tears of joy upon hearing this. He had been looking forward to killing Tie Yunshan for so many years. He had always wanted to take revenge for his elder brother. However, Tie Yunshan had Cao Gang backing him up and his prestige was increasing by the day. It was extremely difficult to deal with Tie Yunshan. Su Rui was thrilled to see his father like this. ¡°Who is it that managed to massacre the Yuzhou¡¯s headquarters and killed Tie Yunshan?¡± After a long while, Su Ze asked. How powerful was Tie Yunshan? He was already a Rank Two several years ago. In recent years, his strength had definitely increased. Being able to defeat him meant that he was not an ordinary person. To be able to kill him and even massacre the Cao Gang¡¯s headquarters, he was an extremely terrifying existence. Su Rui hurriedly said, ¡°The dead Cao Gang members only had a sword wound on their bodies and there was a black shirt on the ground of Cao Gang¡¯s headquarters. In my opinion, it¡¯s most likely that peerless swordsman. His cultivation should be at the peak of Rank Two or even Rank One.¡± ¡°What a formidable swordsman!¡± When Su Ze heard this, he took a deep breath and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect our Jiangnan Dao to have such an expert. What a pity. If we knew where this person was, our Su Clan should also thank him.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid that the swordsman has already gone into hiding.¡± Su Rui smiled wryly and said, ¡°This matter has spread throughout the entire Yuzhou City. When I first came back, there were countless falcons in the sky. I believe this news will quickly spread throughout the entire martial world.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Su Ze chuckled. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this. Tonight, the two of us will drink to our hearts¡¯ content and celebrate.¡± ¡­ In Cao Gang¡¯s main hall in Linjiang City, the atmosphere in the hall was extremely oppressive and it was almost suffocating. Seated at the head of the table was a middle-aged Confucian scholar. He held a folding fan in his hand, and his expression was so dark that it seemed like water was about to drip from it. ¡°Mister Guo, what should we do now?¡± A burly, bearded man asked with cupped fists. The burly man was more than nine feet tall and had a sturdy body. The muscles on his arms bulged, making him look like a horned dragon. This person was one of Cao Gang¡¯s Seven Great Vajras, Nan Ming. This person was originally a monk from a Buddhist monastery. By chance, he had learned the Buddhist Xuanwu level martial technique, the Vajra Arts. He cultivated bitterly for twenty years and his cultivation level became increasingly high. However, he eventually could not stand the rules of Buddhism and renounce asceticism. That scholar was Liu Qingshan¡¯s trusted aide, Poison Scholar Guo Yuchun. Cao Gang¡¯s rapid development was definitely related to this person. Some people in Cao Gang were not afraid of Liu Qingshan, because there were very few opportunities to meet him. However, there was no one who was not afraid of Guo Yuchun. Once Guo Yuchun went to drink tea with him, there was a high chance that he would be in trouble. Thus, even though the members of Cao Gang usually avoided him. ¡°Tie Yunshan¡¯s sharp blades are not just for show. This person was able to kill Tie Yunshan and even massacred our Yuzhou¡¯s headquarters. This shows that his strength is far above Tie Yunshan¡¯s. He is very likely a Rank One expert.¡± Guo Yuchun calmly analyzed, ¡°Recently, have there been any signs of Rank One experts in Great Yan? Not at the moment. Only the Demon Sect is stirring. In addition, the Yu Family¡¯s Wang Zhiping and his family are dead¡­¡± ¡°Demon Sect?!¡± A woman beside him frowned and said softly. This woman was also one of Cao Gang¡¯s Seven Great Vajras, Ouyang Yu. At the mention of these two words, the entire hall became depressed and the atmosphere became strange. Cao Gang became more and more powerful with each passing day. It felt as though they had the might of the number one gang in the world. However, they only had a vague presence. Even if they were the number one gang in the world, they were still afraid when facing the Demon Sect that had dominated the Great Yan martial world. The Demon Sect¡¯s prestige back then was too terrifying! The Five Gangs and Seven Sects were jointly besieged by the Black Clothes Guard of the Imperial Court. Even in such an environment, they still persisted for half a year before leaving Great Yan. If they made a comeback, the entire Great Yan martial world would tremble. ¡°The Demon Sect can¡¯t possibly act so insolently, right?¡± Nan Ming said after thinking for a moment. The Demon Sect did not plan to return to the Great Yan but they were already acting so insolently. Weren¡¯t they afraid of attracting the attention of others? ¡°This swordsman is definitely from the Demon Sect!¡± Guo Yuchun said firmly. Nan Ming and Ouyang Yu looked at each other, as if they understood something. Guo Yuchun sneered. ¡°Spread the news that the swordsman is from the Demon Sect. Our Cao Gang has gathered all the aristocratic families in Jiangnan Dao to kill the thieves together. This is exactly what we want.¡± ¡­ Chapter 36 - Meticulous Li Fuzhou Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios News of Cao Gang¡¯s headquarters being massacred quickly spread throughout Yuzhou City. It could be said that a single stone stirred up a thousand waves, stirring up heavenly shocking waves. Squadrons of constables wore bamboo hats and raincoats as they moved through the streets and alleys in the heavy rain, searching for the whereabouts of peerless swordsmen. It had to be known that these peerless swordsmen were not only wanted criminals of Cao Gang, but also wanted criminals of the Imperial Court. ¡°To think that Tie Yunshan would die just like that!¡± ¡°Looks like his saber isn¡¯t fast!¡± ¡°He managed to massacre the Yuzhou¡¯s headquarters overnight. This swordsman is too terrifying.¡± ¡°Tie Yunshan has truly provoked someone he shouldn¡¯t have.¡± ¡°I never thought that someone like Tie Yunshan would die so easily.¡± ¡°Who is this swordsman?¡± ¡°Is his an expert from the Alioth Sword Sect?¡± ¡°My guess is that he might be the successor of Sword Magician.¡± ¡°Someone like him is simply too amazing.¡± ¡­ In the teahouse and restaurant, everyone was discussing softly. Most people were amazed by the bloodbath at Yuzhou¡¯s headquarters. They were curious about the strength of the peerless swordsman. ¡°You guys didn¡¯t know? I heard that the swordsman is a Demon Sect expert,¡± whispered someone. ¡°What?!¡± When the surrounding people heard that, they revealed shocked expressions. Demon Sect! An existence that could make one¡¯s expression change! ¡°Is this true?¡± ¡°Of course it¡¯s true. My second uncle is the coroner of the government. He told me himself that this swordsman is the new expert of the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°So this person is an expert from the Demon Sect. I was wondering why he was so bold to even dare to rob the dungeon.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve also heard some rumors. It¡¯s said that Cao Gang has already sent out invitations, and they want to discuss how to kill this person during the Yulanpen Festival of Fa Xi Monastery.¡± ¡°Now that the Demon Sect has returned, I¡¯m afraid there will be another bloodbath.¡± ¡­ The rumors became more and more shocking. Meanwhile, An Jing, who was thought to be the swordsman because of a black shirt, had a new identity as a Demon Sect expert after that. At the same time, on the ranking of the Great Yan World, the black-shirted man had killed Tie Yunshan and was placed 37th. Another Demon Sect expert had entered the ranking too. It was like a spark that silently ignited the entire Great Yan martial world and the royal court. In an instant, the entire Great Yan martial world was in turmoil. ¡­ In Ji Shi Hall¡­ ¡°Doctor Little An, my body!¡± A middle-aged man looked at An Jing with a pale face. ¡°As the saying goes, nourishment is better than medicine. Although the effects of these medicines are faster, you should pay more attention to your daily diet.¡± With that, An Jing walked to the medicine cabinet and started to grab the herbs. ¡°Thank you, Doctor An,¡± the middle-aged man said gratefully. Recently, the summer turned into autumn, and the seasons change caused the number of patients to increase. An Jing had been sitting in the clinic for four hours without taking a break. At this moment, Tan Yun said that she was going to the harbor to pick up her Third Master, while Zhao Qingmei was concocting medicine in the back hall. Hence, An Jing was the only one who was in charge of the consultation today. He had to see the patients and dispense medicine. ¡°Next!¡± An Jing took a sip of tea. The woman was delighted to hear this. She had been queuing for almost an hour and it was finally her turn. ¡°Make way, make way.¡± Just as the woman was about to step forward, a young man stepped in front of her. ¡°How can you¡­¡± The woman was just about to express her displeasure when she saw the burly man¡¯s figure and immediately swallowed her words. She recognized this person. His name was Song Lin. He was a famous local ruffian who was good at scamming and cheating. He was the kind who did everything except good. Song Lin sat down. ¡°Doctor An, I¡¯m here to help my friend.¡± ¡°One of my friends said that his palms were always sweaty and he felt tired, especially when he was involved in sex.¡± When An Jing saw this, he understood that the friend he had mentioned was non-existent. ¡°Hold out your hand,¡± An Jing said lightly. Song Lin stretched out his palm, which was already covered in sweat. An Jing took his pulse. Sure enough, it was a Kidney problem. ¡°Doctor Little An, how is it?¡± The young man asked nervously. ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. Your friend might be a little weak. It¡¯ll be fine after some rest.¡± An Jing then walked to the medicine cabinet, grabbed some herbs, and wrapped them in a piece of paper. ¡°This is half a month¡¯s worth of medicine. Together with the medical fee, it¡¯s 500 coins!¡± ¡°500 coins!?¡± Song Lin¡¯s expression changed drastically when she heard this. ¡°Doctor Little An, in the past, it was only 30 copper coins. How come it¡¯s 500 now?¡± An Jing said angrily, ¡°That¡¯s my price. It¡¯s up to you.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Song Lin sneered and snatched the paper from An Jing¡¯s hand. ¡°Are you trying to play dirty with me?¡± ¡°What, are you planning to walk away without paying?¡± An Jing sized up Song Lin and said lazily, ¡°Kid, it¡¯s not that I¡¯m bragging, but the people who played with me have all been defeated.¡± Seeing this scene, Song Lin could not help but laugh. ¡°Aiyo, I¡¯m so scared. What should I do?¡± A little doctor was actually playing such tricks in front of him? He was a professional at bluffing. ¡°What happened?¡± Seemingly having heard the commotion, Zhao Qingmei lifted the curtain and walked out. The moment Zhao Qingmei appeared, Song Lin¡¯s eyes lit up and she chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ve long heard that Doctor An¡¯s wife is as beautiful as a fairy. I never expected it to be true.¡± Zhao Qingmei frowned and said, ¡°You either pay or leave the herbs behind. Don¡¯t hinder others.¡± ¡°I want this herb, and I don¡¯t want to give you money. What should I do?¡± Song Lin waved the herb in his hand as if he was determined to eat it. Slap! ¡°Ouch!¡± At that moment, a huge palm swept over and landed heavily on Song Lin¡¯s head. Immediately, Song Lin felt as if he had been hit by an iron ball. It hurt so much that he cried out loudly. His body swayed and he almost lost his balance. ¡°Who!?¡± Song Lin rubbed the back of his head and turned around to see an old man. The old man¡¯s face was full of wrinkles. Gray spots covered his face, but his eyes had a hint of divine light. Although his clothes were tattered and had been washed until they were white, his clothes were meticulous, as if he was born with a sense of righteousness. ¡°At such a young age, it¡¯s the time to study hard and work hard, yet you don¡¯t learn well! How sad! How sad!¡± ¡°Who are you!?¡± Song Lin cried out in pain. The old man clasped his hands together and cupped his fists at Song Lin. ¡°My name is Li Fuzhou!¡± Song Lin swallowed his saliva. He seemed to be intimidated by Li Fuzhou. ¡°You¡­ Why did you hit me?¡± Li Fuzhou snorted and said, ¡°I hit you because you didn¡¯t follow the rules. I hit you because you don¡¯t know your manners! The Sage once said: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, move no evil. Have you already forgotten?¡± Speaking up to this point, Li Fuzhou actually turned to look at the others and started lecturing them. ¡°I hope everyone doesn¡¯t learn from him and become a person who doesn¡¯t know his limits and has no manners. In the future, use this person as a warning to wake yourself up.¡± Li Fuzhou was like an old-fashioned teacher. He was serious, strict and meticulous. Everyone looked at each other and nodded subconsciously. Song Lin¡¯s face turned red and green from the old man¡¯s words. ¡°I¡¯ll give you 500 yuan.¡± In the end, Song Lin threw down half a tael of silver. He did not dare to go too far. Others might not know, but he knew very well that Han Wenxin had already privately told him not to cause trouble in the Ji Shi Hall. ¡°Third Master, you¡¯re here.¡± At this moment, Zhao Qingmei chuckled and nodded. Li Fuzhou¡¯s expression turned serious. He straightened his clothes, cupped his fists, and bent over meticulously. ¡°Miss!¡± ¡°Li Fuzhou pays his respects!¡± Chapter 37 - Change in Mood Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°Don¡¯t be so serious.¡± Zhao Qingmei waved her hand and said, ¡°Although it¡¯s a few days later than the time stated in your letter, you are finally here.¡± An Jing, on the other hand, sized up the pedantic and old-fashioned old man in front of him. This was completely incompatible with the arrogant and dark Tan Yun. In comparison, he preferred Tan Yun¡¯s personality. This old-fashioned old man looked very serious. ¡°I went to visit some good friends, but I was a little late.¡± Li Fuzhou cupped his fists, then looked at An Jing beside him and asked, ¡°Is this Mr. An Jing?¡± An Jing also cupped his fists and smiled. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded but he frowned in his heart. He did not have any internal energy. If the Sect Master really took a liking to this person, it would be a great misfortune for the Demon Sect. Just now, an ordinary local ruffian caused him to be in a dilemma. If he were to face the monsters in the martial world in the future, he would be scared out of his wits. The two of them exchanged glances before looking away. Zhao Qingmei smiled and said, ¡°The dishes have already been prepared. Why don¡¯t we have a meal first before continuing?¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes. Third Master must be tired from the long journey.¡± An Jing nodded. ¡°I am used to working hard. This journey is nothing.¡± Li Fuzhou noticed the look in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes and said calmly, ¡°But it¡¯s good to eat.¡± ¡­ At the dining table, Tan Yun was like a quail, completely devoid of her usual vigor. Lil Blackie was lying on the side of the basin, eating fresh soup and rice. His little tail kept wagging left and right, looking extremely happy. Li Fuzhou sat upright on the chair. His expression was serious and he did not say a word. The atmosphere was extremely different from the typical lively one. ¡°Where did you run off to just now?¡± An Jing asked, feeling bored. ¡°I went the wrong way,¡± said Tan Yun carefully looked at Li Fuzhou. ¡°How can you go the wrong way? Is this your first day in Yuzhou City?¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows and smiled. In the past, if he said this, Tan Yun would definitely put down her chopsticks and argue back, but today, Tan Yun did not say anything. ¡°Woof woof! Woof woof!¡± Lil Blackie seemed to have eaten his fill. He ran to Tan Yun¡¯s feet and called out to her, as if he wanted Tan Yun to give him more food. ¡°Shut up!¡± Li Fuzhou frowned and shouted at Lil Blackie, ¡°Eat without speaking, sleep without speaking. This is the rule. Since we are in the same room, we have to follow the rules!¡± ¡°Woof!¡± The little black man took a few steps back and lay on the ground, aggrieved. Li Fuzhou actually taught a dog a lesson!¡­ An Jing blinked at the side and thought to himself: Is this old man being indirect? After eating and drinking to their hearts¡¯ content, Zhao Qingmei brought Li Fuzhou to the backyard. An Jing looked at Tan Yun, who was studying medicine diligently. He looked outside curiously and asked, ¡°Did the sun rise from the west?¡± In the past, Tan Yun would bring Lil Blackie out to play after washing the dishes. Today, she was actually reading. How could this not be strange? ¡°I¡¯m usually like this.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s face sank.¡± Don¡¯t slander me.¡± An Jing walked to Tan Yun¡¯s side and asked with a smile, ¡°Looks like you¡¯re very afraid of your Third Master? What¡¯s his background?¡± Anyway, An Jing did not like this Third Master. It was obvious at a glance that he was old-fashioned, pedantic, a stone in a latrine, and he even hurt him with his words. ¡°Who said I¡¯m afraid?¡± Tan Yun frowned and whispered, ¡°Who am I, Tan Yun, afraid of?¡± A sinister smile appeared on An Jing¡¯s face as he watched Tan Yun speak in the softest tone possible. ¡°Oh? Really? You¡¯re not afraid of anyone.¡± Hearing this, An Jing deliberately raised his voice. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Tan Yun glared at An Jing and said, ¡°Young master, you went to drink with Han Wenxin two days ago¡­¡± An Jing would usually drink with Han Wenxin, but Zhao Qingmei would not let him drink with Han Wenxin, for fear that he would go to places like brothels. ¡°How did you know?¡± An Jing looked at Tan Yun in surprise. Tan Yun said proudly, ¡°When you left, you definitely brought the little pill for Han Wenxin. Also, every time you guys secretly talked to each other, I knew that although he always bragged about how fierce his needles were, I knew that he was bragging.¡± ¡°Cough, cough, cough.¡± An Jing coughed dryly and said, ¡°You can¡¯t say that out loud. If word gets out, Han Wenxin won¡¯t be able to get a wife in the future.¡± Tan Yun was such a weird girl. He had to avoid her in the future. Every time he thought of her giving Han Wenxin soybean powder, his heart would turn cold. ¡°By the way, what did your Third Master do in the past? Tell me quickly.¡± An Jing thought of something and asked. ¡°He was a scholar. Later on, he said that studying and reasoning with others was useless, so he stopped studying.¡± Tan Yun casually said this as she cursed in her heart: ¡°Changing topics when you cannot continue your conversation.¡± ¡°No wonder. Do all scholars have to abide by so many rules?¡± ¡°He has many rules. I don¡¯t know about the others.¡± ¡°An old antique.¡± ¡°Young master, you can¡¯t say that.¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of? This is my house. I can¡¯t speak. Don¡¯t be afraid. Young master will protect you.¡± ¡°Seriously?¡± After Tan Yun finished speaking, he looked towards the direction of the backyard and then took in a large amount of peace and quiet. Who was Li Fuzhou? He was the Sect Leader of the Demon Sect and was the trusted aide of the previous Sect Master. Even the current Sect Master had to give him some face. If a small physician like him wanted to fight with him, he would probably suffer from broken bones¡­ ¡°You still don¡¯t believe me?¡± An Jing patted his chest and said, ¡°I;m a reliable person. My words are more real than pearls.¡± Tan Yun rolled her eyes. ¡°Young master, the pearls in the house are fake.¡± Anjing was speechless. Tan Yun could not help but burst into laughter upon seeing An Jing¡¯s hesitant expression. Although young master was not capable, he could make people happy. ¡°Young master, your small body is still protecting me. Forget it.¡± Tan Yun sized up An Jing¡¯s body. ¡°Are you looking down on me?¡± An Jing sneered. ¡°Even your Miss doesn¡¯t dare to look down on me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not looking down on you, sir. I just feel¡­ how should I say it¡­¡± Tan Yun touched her braid, not knowing how to say it. ¡®I, the Demon Sect¡¯s Rakshasa, don¡¯t need a small physician like you.¡¯ ¡°Third Master is a scholar, you won¡¯t be able to beat him.¡± In the end, Tan Yun spoke from his heart. In this world, scholars were the most detestable. They spoke of righteousness and morality, but used their sword to deal with you. ¡°Alright, then Zhou Xianming is also a scholar. Maybe the two of them can get along.¡± An Jing paused and nodded. After a long while, he stood up and walked outside. ¡°Young master, where are you going again?¡± Tan Yun asked when she saw An Jing¡¯s back. ¡°Me? I¡¯m going out to buy a few pounds of benevolence.¡± ¡­ Chapter 38 - Scholars Feel Like Old Friends at First Sight Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios In the backyard¡­ ¡°Leader, is that young doctor your lover?¡± Li Fuzhou asked with a strange expression. ¡°Yes,¡± Zhao Qingmei answered simply. Li Fuzhou slowly said, ¡°If Sect Master isn¡¯t married, then this Li will definitely condemn you to death. But since this matter has already been decided in the coffin, then it¡¯s meaningless for me to say anything else.¡± ¡°However, there are some things that I must say to warn you.¡± Zhao Qingmei said calmly, ¡°Go ahead.¡± She was already prepared for Li Fuzhou¡¯s lecture. Li Fuzhou said slowly, ¡°Sect Master, the physician is just an ordinary person while you are the master of Heaven¡¯s beyond, the leader of the Heaven, Earth, and Mortal Sects. Let¡¯s not talk about external enemies, will the internal three sects agree to this marriage? You should know the intentions of the Earth Sect¡¯s master. If the Heaven, Earth, and Mortal sects are divided and cannot be united, it will undoubtedly be a huge crisis for the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°There are still external enemies lying in wait. The current situation of Great Yan seems to be as calm as water, but it has been peaceful for dozens of years. There will be a storm at any time, and this is a rare opportunity. Will he become your obstruction and become the Demon Sect¡¯s obstruction?¡± ¡°I am aware of everything you said.¡± Zhao Qingmei placed her hands behind her back and said calmly, ¡°Sect Master Li, don¡¯t forget that I¡¯m the master of Heaven¡¯s Beyond. The Earth Sect is merely a branch of Heaven¡¯s Beyond. It¡¯s not his place to criticize me. If he insists on criticizing me, what¡¯s the point of the Heaven Sect to me?¡± Zhao Qingmei spoke calmly, but there was no doubt about it. Li Fuzhou remained silent, seemingly unsurprised by her words. ¡°The sword in your hand is the sword in your hand. Li Fuzhou, do you understand?¡± Zhao Qingmei turned to look at Li Fuzhou. ¡°The behavior of a gentleman is like a long trip. One must be humble when one is at a high position. I understand.¡± Li Fuzhou looked at the pair of eyes and lowered his body. ¡°However, that little doctor doesn¡¯t even have the strength to tie up a chicken. If someone wants¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s why you came at the right time.¡± Zhao Qingmei smirked. ¡°Sect Master, do you want me to¡­?¡± Li Fuzhou frowned slightly. Who was he? He was the Sect Leader of the Mortal Sect, a Heaven¡¯s Beyond. Someone like Human Emperor Yan, one of the three great eunuchs, Zhangxi Eunuch, actually wanted to protect an insignificant physician? ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded and said, ¡°Thank you, Third Master.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Upon hearing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words, Li Fuzhou had no choice but to agree. He then seemed to have thought of something and said, ¡°When I came to Yuzhou, I heard that there was a peerless swordsman in Yuzhou City. I heard that he was an expert from the Demon Sect?¡± Cao Gang was a top-notch gang in Great Yan. One of the seven Great Vajra Realm martial experts, Tie Yunshan, was killed and the entire headquarters was massacred. This was a huge matter and he had heard quite a bit of news along the way. Moreover, he was the sect leader of the Mortal Sect, he was the first to hear news about the world. He actually did not know that such an expert had appeared in the sect. Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°This person isn¡¯t a member of our Demon Sect. He should be using Cao Gang to mislead us and make use of others to deal with this swordsman.¡± ¡°Cao Gang is really bold. If the swordsman is really a member of our Demon Sect, he is completely provoking our Demon Sect. It seems like our Demon Sect is no longer as powerful as before.¡± Li Fuzhou chuckled. ¡°When I came here, I heard that the Leiyin Monastery is making a move too. They seem to be coming to Fa Xi Monastery. Jiangnan Dao is really quite lively.¡± ¡°Buddhists? They¡¯ve finally made their move?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Li Fuzhou sighed. ¡°Pure Land Sect has long wanted to return to the Yan Country. This isn¡¯t a secret. The first thing they have to do is to pass through the Yan Country¡¯s cult. We don¡¯t have to worry. After all, the more chaotic the situation is, the better it is for the Demon Sect. What I¡¯m curious about is the identity of this swordsman.¡± The Pure Land Sect of the Western Regions was known as the Three Thousand Buddhist Kingdom. Among them, there were countless experts from Buddhist sects. The First True Sect was the Yan Country¡¯s sect after the Peace Emperor ascended the throne. Its prestige was like the midday sun and it was the number one sect in the world. Although the two sides did not have a deep blood feud and were like fire and water, there were many grudges between them and their conflicts were not shallow. Zhao Qingmei gently knocked on the table and said, ¡°According to my guess, this person is very likely from the Phantom Valley Sect.¡± ¡°That old fogey from the Phantom Valley Sect?¡± Li Fuzhou narrowed his eyes. ¡°Didn¡¯t he live in seclusion to seek the Great Dao and never ask about the facts of the martial world?¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded and said, ¡°This person executed the Hundred Steps Flying Sword when he was massacring Caoyao Gang. He also rescued Jiang Sanjia and made my plan fail.¡± ¡°This old monster from the Phantom Valley Sect has not done anything for decades. As the saying goes, it¡¯s a joy to have friends from afar.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes were filled with anticipation. ¡­ Yuzhou River was scenic and beautiful. There were endless streams of people on the ancient bridge. On both sides of the street were rows and rows of shops. After lunch, Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun went out to buy some cloth. An Jing was in charge of consultation while Li Fuzhou was in charge of getting the herbs according to An Jing¡¯s prescription. He was meticulous and serious in his work, and made no mistakes when weighing the herbs. ¡°The handwriting is too messy. You have to correct your attitude. You can¡¯t be careless about this,¡± said Li Fuzhou strictly as he looked at the words. ¡®Old man, what do you know?¡¯ ¡°Got it.¡± An Jing agreed readily, but still wrote in a very careless manner. When Li Fuzhou saw this, he immediately felt that this little physician was becoming more and more annoying. An Jing actually looked down on him. Li Fuzhou gave An Jing the impression that he was serious, old-fashioned, and scheming. For the entire morning, apart from this sentence, the two of them did not say anything else. ¡°Ouch, my waist is about to break.¡± An Jing stretched his back lazily. ¡°Third Master, some herbs in the back room can be sunbaked. I¡¯ll leave it to you.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Li Fuzhou put down the book in his hand and walked towards the backyard. An Jing nodded in satisfaction, then touched the Lil Blackie. ¡°Little thing, you seem to be quite well-behaved this morning.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s face darkened when he heard this. Bastard! These words were definitely insinuating. ¡°Hey, Doctor An, are you alone?¡± At this moment, Zhou Xianming walked in and glanced at the back hall as if he was looking for something. ¡°Who are you looking for?¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows and asked, ¡°Are you here to work again?¡± ¡°No, I just came to take a look.¡± Zhou Xianming laughed dryly. ¡°Recently, I¡¯ve been studying hard at home, so I came out to walk¡­ Ahchoo!¡± As he spoke, Zhou Xianming sneezed, and his mucus rolled out. ¡°Did you really catch a cold?¡± An Jing took a closer look and said, ¡°The season has changed recently, you have to keep warm.¡± With his medical skills, he could naturally tell that Zhou Xianming had caught a cold. ¡°It¡¯s windy on the boat. I accidentally caught a cold last night. It¡¯s fine.¡± Zhou Xianming wiped his snot with his sleeve and smiled. ¡°The wind on the ship is strong?¡± An Jing was puzzled. Zhou Xianming also seemed to know that he had let his tongue slip. He hurriedly said, ¡°For the past few days, I had been studying seriously at home. I didn¡¯t go to support Miss Li Yue. I was afraid that she would be worried, so I went to the Red Mansion last night. Back then, Young Master Ming Fei booked the entire Red Mansion¡¯s pleasure boat. I could only wait outside.¡± ¡°How long did you wait?¡± ¡°Not long. Less than four hours.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t long? You just waited like that?¡± An Jing could imagine the scene of the young master named Ming Fei and Li Yue lingering on the pleasure boat while Zhou Xianming stood outside the boat and listened to the sentry. Tears were shed by those who heard it! Zhou Xianming sighed and said, ¡°You don¡¯t understand. Young Master Ming Fei often goes there and is very generous. For the sake of money, the procuress definitely doesn¡¯t want to offend this big customer. She forced Miss Li Yue to accompany her for so long, but she had no choice. She only hates me for not having money to redeem her.¡± ¡°In truth, Miss Li Yue is so aloof and proud. How could she be willing to accompany that ignorant and incompetent man like him?¡± ¡°She must have suffered last night.¡± When An Jing saw this, he was stunned for a moment before saying in astonishment, ¡°Brother Zhou, you were obviously frozen like a grandson.¡± At this moment, Zhou Xianming had shown An Jing what a war wolf was. ¡°Although my body is cold, my heart is warm. Forget it, you¡¯re just an ordinary person. I won¡¯t waste any more time with you.¡± Zhou Xianming felt that An Jing was not on good terms with him. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly found a book on the table. ¡°Eh? You read this book ¡®Strategy¡¯ too?¡± ¡°No, I use it to clean my ass.¡± An Jing took a look. This was obviously the book Li Fuzhou had put down. ¡°How disgraceful!¡± Zhou Xianming glared at him. ¡°That¡¯s my book, how dare you!¡± At this moment, Li Fuzhou walked out. He picked up the discussion on the table and looked coldly at An Jing. ¡°So it¡¯s the old man¡¯s book, so sorry for being rude.¡± Zhou Xianming saw Li Fuzhou¡¯s attire and hurriedly bowed. ¡°I was wondering why Doctor An has the book ¡®Strategy¡¯ at home when he doesn¡¯t like to read.¡± Li Fuzhou raised his head and said indifferently, ¡°Such a profound book isn¡¯t something an ordinary person can understand. Forget about him. You¡¯re quite perceptive.¡± ¡°I usually like to study ¡®Strategy¡¯. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re an elegant person.¡± ¡°Oh? Boy, you do have some foresight. This old man also likes it very much. Every time I read those words, my heart would be enlightened and unable to control myself.¡± ¡°Especially that line¡­¡± ¡­ The two of them chatted happily. Zhou Xianming¡¯s admiration for Li Fuzhou increased. He felt like he regretted not meeting him earlier. Li Fuzhou looked at Zhou Xianming with greater satisfaction. An Jing looked at the two coldly. He did not expect him to build their relationship. Weren¡¯t the two just flattering each other and flattering each other? It was really disgusting. Unknowingly, the two of them had become old friends. It was like meeting a bosom friend. Zhou Xianming smiled warmly and said, ¡°Mr. Li, we hit it off right from the start. Why don¡¯t we go to the brothel and listen to music tonight?¡± Zhou Xianming must be out of his mind to invite this old-fashioned and pedantic old man to listen to music? An Jing thought to himself. But what happened next made An Jing¡¯s jaw drop. ¡°Go to the brothel and listen to music?!¡± Li Fuzhou clapped and smiled. ¡°Alright! I haven¡¯t been there for a long time.¡± ¡°When was the last time Old Master Li went?¡± ¡°Two days ago.¡± ¡°Two days? That¡¯s a long time indeed. I don¡¯t have much money on me. I wanted to borrow some from Madam An this time and return it when I have money in the future.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I still have some on me.¡± ¡­ The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked out of the Ji Shi Hall, leaving An Jing with a stunned expression.. Chapter 39 - The Arrival of the Monk from the Western Regions Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios Following the death of Tie Yunshan, the news of a swordsman suspected to be a Demon Sect expert entering and exiting the Swallow Capital spread like wildfire. The entire Jiangnan Dao was in a state of panic. The word Demon Sect was an existence in the Great Yan martial world. There were even rumors in the martial world that Cao Gang was preparing to ally with the four great clans of Jiangnan to deal with the swordsmen and demonic cult demons. A storm was brewing, casting a shadow over Yuzhou City. It was September, and it became gradually colder. In the Ji Shi Hall, An Jing kept the sunbathing herbs back into the medicine pot. In just a few months, he could clearly feel his qi and blood strengthening, even though it was still a while before he could condense the Earth Flower. Most of this was thanks to the Bodhi Bead. The Bodhi Bead was indeed worthy of being a Buddhist treasure. Its body contained surging pure Yang energy which was very beneficial for cultivation. Li Fuzhou sat on the chair beside him and read a book. He did not look sideways. Meanwhile, Tan Yun was like a little quail, holding the book and flipping through it. Lil Blackie was leaning against the door, lazily basking in the afternoon sun. The scene was very harmonious. ¡°Tan Yun, the weather is pretty good today. Shall we go fishing later?¡± An Jing looked outside the door and realized that the weather was pretty good. Tan Yun looked up at old antique beside her and said in a low voice, ¡°Young master, I have to prepare fabric to sew autumn clothing with the missy later.¡± An Jing said regretfully, ¡°That¡¯s a pity. I was planning to use Old Li¡¯s ship to reach the west of the city. You should know that the crystal bun at the west of the city is excellent.¡± Crystal bun!? Tan Yun gulped and glared at An Jing. The young master was obviously saying this on purpose for her to hear. In the past, the young master would buy candied fruits, crystal buns, and sweet cheese whenever he passed by. Thinking of this, she almost drooled. Li Fuzhou flipped through the book and said calmly, ¡°Be diligent in your studies, success and glory will follow.¡± ¡°Third Master is right.¡± Tan Yun nodded her head and looked at the book in her hands seriously. An Jing felt a buzzing in his head. It was as if his mind was affected by something, as if he approved of Li Fuzhou¡¯s words. ¡°Mm!?¡± An Jing frowned. He felt that Li Fuzhou¡¯s words affected him. That subtle feeling, according to this kind of situation, was very similar to the Bewitching Technique in the martial world, or the Confucian Nature Energy¡¯s method of guiding one¡¯s nature. Could it be an illusion!? An Jing could not help but glance at Li Fuzhou. There was something wrong with this old man. ¡°This child really cannot be taught!¡± Li Fuzhou muttered to himself when he saw An Jing¡¯s indifference. This was a secret technique that he had fused with the Heavenly Demon Secret Manual and the Confucian Dao. It was called the Heavenly Demon Righteous Energy, and it could silently guide others. Typically, there were only two types of people who were unaffected. One type was an expert with an exceptional temperament, while the other type was a fool without a brain. In Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes, An Jing was an incurable person. Right at this moment, a figure appeared at the entrance of the Ji Shi Hall. ¡°Yo! Isn¡¯t this Mr. Zhou?¡± An Jing could not help but shout when he saw the person. It was Zhou Xianming. Li Fuzhou coughed lightly without saying anything. Zhou Xianming acted as if he did not see An Jing and shouted at Li Fuzhou who was reading, ¡°Senior Li, Senior Li!¡± ¡°Coming.¡± Li Fuzhou put down the book in his hand and said to Tan Yun, ¡°I¡¯m going out for a while. I¡¯ll leave this to you.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Tan Yun suppressed the ecstasy in his heart and nodded. After Li Fuzhou finished speaking, he quickly walked out. The two of them chatted and laughed. Tan Yun looked at Zhou Xianming¡¯s back and was deep in thought. It seemed like she had to have a good talk with Zhou Xianming tonight. The more songs one listened to, the better. ¡°Tsk tsk.¡± An Jing looked at the backs of the two of them who had their arms around each other¡¯s shoulders and sneered, ¡°Be diligent in your studies, success and glory will follow. It seems that there are no such things in books, they should be only found in the brothels.¡± ¡°Young master, aren¡¯t you going to the west of the city? Let¡¯s go!¡± Tan Yun put down the book in her hand and said excitedly. ¡°I was joking. Did you take it seriously?¡± ¡°Annoying! You only know how to lie to me!¡± When Tan Yun heard this, her face swelled up like a round bun. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Zhao Qingmei slowly walked out of the back hall with a white plate in her hand. There were soft pastries on it. One could also smell the faint fragrance. ¡°Darling, this is apricot cake. Try it.¡± Zhao Qingmei picked up a piece of apricot cake and handed it to An Jing. ¡°Delicious!¡± An Jing immediately gave him a thumbs up. ¡°Eat more if it¡¯s delicious.¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled. ¡°Miss, I want to eat too,¡± said Tan Yun hurriedly. Zhao Qingmei handed the plate to Tan Yun. An Jing chuckled and said, ¡°Look, although I didn¡¯t get to eat the crystal bun, the apricot cake made by Madam is even better than the crystal bun.¡± Tan Yun snorted and turned around to back face An Jing. Whoosh! At this moment, the curtain was lifted. An old monk wearing a kasaya walked in. ¡°Amitabha!¡± The old monk bowed to An Jing and the rest. ¡°I am Huizhi. Greetings, benefactors.¡± ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Master Huizhi.¡± An Jing took out his pouch and prepared to give the old monk some money. In Great Yan, Buddhism did not have a high status. In fact, it was on the lower end. There were very few incense offerings in the temple, so there were often monks going down the mountain to beg for alms. When it came to Buddhism, the Great Zhou Dynasty had to be mentioned. The Great Zhou Dynasty respected Buddhism, and Buddhism flourished. Buddhism temples and monasteries were everywhere in the Great Zhou Dynasty. At that time, the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s emperors had offered sacrifices to Buddhism. As the emperors paid their respects to Buddhism, ordinary people naturally followed suit, causing Buddhism to flourish in the Great Zhou Dynasty. At that time in the Zhou Dynasty, temples and Buddha statues could be seen everywhere. People also had abnormal respect for monks. Following the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s decline, Buddhism also plummeted and was even denounced by various people. In the end, they even planned to exterminate Buddhism. During the Nine Nations¡¯ chaos, there were three grand battles to exterminate Buddhism. At that time, the First True Sect that represented the Dao Sect was also one of the current representatives of the Yan Country. Even though the battle to exterminate Buddha did not succeed, it still caused Buddhism to suffer heavy losses in the world. The legacies of Leiyin Monastery, White Horse Monastery, and other monasteries even retreated to the pure land. The monasteries left in some places were also sparsely populated, gradually becoming desolate lands. Only a few places still had some monasteries, but there were very little incense offerings. When the monks in these temples had no incense offerings, they could only come out to solicit donations. Within the Yuzhou City, there was an ancient temple called the Fa Xi Monastery which had been left behind by the Great Zhou Dynasty. ¡°Huizhi? Master, are you from the Pure Land?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked smilingly. ¡°That¡¯s right. This poor monk came from the Pure Land three months ago,¡± Huizhi said as he placed his hands on his chest. ¡°Madam, do you know that this monk came from the Pure Land?¡± An Jing asked softly. It had been hundreds of years since the founding of Great Yan. Therefore, there was a slight difference between the Buddhism of Great Yan and the Buddhism of Pure Land. However, others could not tell. Zhao Qingmei explained, ¡°The robes of the monks of Great Yan have gradually been assimilated. They are mostly plain and elegant, while the monks in the Pure Land are still following the ancient teachings. Their robes haven¡¯t changed much.¡± Monk Huizhi chuckled. ¡°This female benefactor is right. I am from the Pure Land¡¯s Leiyin Monastery. When I passed by this place just now, I felt some buddhist ripples. I sensed it carefully and came in to take a look. If I have disturbed you, please forgive me.¡± Buddhism ripples?! Could it be the Bodhi Bead!? An Jing¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Zhao Qingmei frowned and thought to herself, ¡°Leiyin Monastery, this monk is actually from Leiyin Monastery. Could it be him, Monk Huizhi?¡± Tan Yun casually said, ¡°Monk, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re mistaken. This is a small medicine hall, so there¡¯s no such thing as Buddhism or Daoism.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not mistaken.¡± Monk Huizhi looked at An Jing and said with a smile, ¡°This benefactor is filled with Yang qi, but it condensed and didn¡¯t dissipate. It seems like he was born in the Seamless Realm. Such a person is naturally fated with Buddha.¡± Yang Qi was abundant and condensed without dispersing. This was talking about the Bodhi Bead. After all, he had covered the Bodhi Bead with his inner core. Ordinary people would not be able to sense it. Even Mu Xiaoyun and Jiang Sanjia were unaware of it, but the monk in front of them knew. Before An Jing could even speak, Zhao Qingmei chuckled and said, ¡°Master, my husband can¡¯t become a monk.¡± If that monk dares to shave my husband¡¯s head, I will kill him. If that temple dares to take in my husband, I will destroy that temple. ¡°Amitabha!¡± Monk Huizhi put his palms together and said sadly, ¡°That¡¯s really a pity. I didn¡¯t expect this benefactor to be married. Don¡¯t worry, benefactor, I¡¯m a monk so I won¡¯t force you.¡± An Jing took a glance at Old Monk Huizhi. From the looks of it, this monk was not an ordinary monk. He could actually sense the Bodhi Bead in his body. ¡°I won¡¯t allow you to harbor such thoughts.¡± Zhao Qingmei shielded An Jing behind her like an old hen protecting a chick. ¡°Definitely.¡± Monk Huizhi smiled. ¡°I¡¯m from the Western Regions and have succeeded the new abbot of Fa Xi Monastery. It will be the Yulanpen Festival in a few days. I welcome the three benefactors to come to Fa Xi Monastery to offer incense at any time. I¡¯ll take my leave first.¡± With that said, Monk Huizhi turned and left. ¡°This monk is actually the new abbot of Fa Xi Monastery.¡± An Jing looked at the monk¡¯s back and secretly clicked his tongue. Zhao Qingmei stared at the back of Monk Huizhi, overwhelmed with emotions. The Western Region Pure Land appeared in Great Yan. It was just as Li Fuzhou had said.. Chapter 40 - Knocking on the Door Late at Night Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios As the night deepened, the entire Yuzhou City fell silent. The hazy moonlight shone through the window. Zhao Qingmei said sternly, ¡°Brother, you can¡¯t believe what that old monk said.¡± Buddhism was not as good as many people imagined, but it was not as evil as the people who said bad things about Buddhism. Once the forest was big, there would be all kinds of birds. No one knew if the old monk would bewitch An Jing and convert to Buddhism. After all, An Jing was just an ordinary doctor. What if he was bewitched by the old monk¡¯s scheming words? ¡°What are you thinking?¡± An Jing said angrily, ¡°Why would I be a monk? Would I let you be a widow alone?¡± ¡°Brother, I knew you wouldn¡¯t leave me behind.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled and wrapped her arms around An Jing¡¯s neck. Her exquisite face and limpid eyes, especially those red lips, made one want to kiss her. Knock Knock! ¡°Is Doctor An here?¡± ¡­ At this moment, someone knocked on the door. Zhao Qingmei glanced outside the door and said, ¡°Someone is knocking at the door in the middle of the night. It must be something important. Husband, hurry and take a look.¡± An Jing frowned and quickly walked to the front hall and opened the door. ¡°Doctor An, please go and take a look. My mistress has contracted a strange disease. It¡¯s very serious.¡± The person who came was the Cao Family¡¯s butler. He had also come to the Ji Shi Hall once or twice to grab the medicine. The Cao Family was extraordinary. They were one of the four great families of Jiangnan Dao. Cao Anmin was a member of the Cao Family. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll prepare the first-aid kit.¡± An Jing nodded, then turned and walked into the house. ¡°Darling, I have to go out for consultation. You should rest first.¡± ¡°Hold on, let Third Master go with you.¡± ¡°Forget it, I can go myself.¡± An Jing looked in the direction of Li Fuzhou¡¯s residence. The lights were still on. This old fellow was probably going to stay up all night to study the erotic art. ¡°No. Let him go with you,¡± Zhao Qingmei insisted. Creak! Li Fuzhou walked out and looked at An Jing calmly. ¡°I¡¯ll go with Young Master.¡± ¡°Third Master, sorry to trouble you.¡± ¡°No trouble.¡± When An Jing saw this, he did not say anything in the end. He simply packed up and left with the Cao Family¡¯s housekeeper. Zhao Qingmei put on a coat and watched them leave. Tan Yun asked, ¡°Miss, did you ask Master to follow him because you¡¯re afraid¡­?¡± ¡°Do you know who Monk Huizhi is?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked. Tan Yun thought for a while and said, ¡°The abbot of Fa Xi Monastery probably knows some Buddhist martial arts, but there isn¡¯t any internal energy leaking from his body. He should be an expert. I think he should at least be an expert like the devil¡¯s face.¡± It was rare to see an ancient temple like the Fa Xi Monastery in Great Yan. Moreover, a host had suddenly come from the Western Regions. This was somewhat strange. Zhao Qingmei said slowly, ¡°That old monk said his name is Huizhi and he¡¯s from Leiyin Monastery. Leiyin Monastery is a Buddhist Zen sect, so there are many differences between the Dharma names of Great Yan and Great Yan. However, Great Yan¡¯s Dharma name should be called Fazhi.¡± ¡°Fazhi? It¡¯s him?¡± When Tan Yun heard these two words, her heart trembled. ¡°The head of Leiyin Monastery, Monk Fazhi. He is a true expert of Zen Sect, but he actually came to Fa Xi Monastery to be the abbot?¡± The Head Prefect of the Leiyin Monastery, Monk Fa Zhi, was a well-known figure. The arrival of an expert from the Zen Sect to preside over the declining swallows of Buddhism was even more unbelievable. What was his purpose for this trip? How could this not make one¡¯s imagination run wild? ¡°Xiaoyun, do you feel it?¡± Zhao Qingmei suddenly asked. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I feel that the bottleneck that has been stagnant recently is starting to loosen.¡± ¡°Me¡­ me too. But what does it matter?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes turned gloomy and she remained silent. ¡­ Inside the Cao Family residence, although the night was getting darker, the hall was brightly lit. ¡°Madam, Doctor An is here.¡± ¡°Quick, let him take a look,¡± urged the old lady who had been waiting for a long time. An Jing was brought directly to Miss Cao¡¯s bedroom. At this moment, the room of the Cao Family¡¯s young lady was filled with several doctors. They were all famous doctors in Yuzhou City. At this moment, they were all frowning as if they were discussing something in low voices. When the few doctors saw An Jing enter, they took a glance at him and continued discussing. ¡°Madam, this¡­¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow. In Yan Country, Confucianism was prevalent. It was said that men and women should not touch each other, especially the women in the bedroom. If news of this were to spread, it would not be good. ¡°Saving her is more important.¡± The Old Madam could not care less about anything else at the moment and immediately said. ¡°Okay.¡± An Jing nodded and went to Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s bed. At that moment, Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s face was pale and her forehead was covered with a layer of cold sweat. It was as if she was in great pain. Old Lady Cao said, ¡°Ever since Ling¡¯er returned from the Fa Xi Monastery, she has been feeling cold all over. The internal energy in her body has also been frozen. Even if I transfer all my internal energy into her body, it won¡¯t help.¡± Li Fuzhou stood beside Cao Ling¡¯er and swept his gaze across her. He immediately felt strange. The Yin and Yang Qi on her body had deviated. Women were born with heavy Yin Qi, but this woman¡¯s Yin Qi was abnormally dense and had reached a critical point. In his impression, only people who cultivated Yin Qi cultivation techniques would have such heavy Yin Qi in their bodies. Other than that, the flying corpses of the corpse controllers in the southwestern Southern Barbaric Mountain Range would have such dense Yin Qi. ¡°It¡¯s fine for this doctor to take a look at the cold. How can he solve such a complicated illness?¡± Li Fuzhou frowned as he thought to himself. It was not that he looked down on An Jing, but this kind of condition was no longer a normal illness. If An Jing was a famous doctor in the martial world, he might have a chance to try. Unfortunately, he was only a slightly famous doctor in Yuzhou City. He did not mix in the martial world, and with his medical skills, it was difficult for him to do anything in the martial world. Among the famous doctors in the Great Yan martial world, there were four famous doctors. Among the four famous physicians in the world, one of them was intimidated by the Human Emperor and became a member of the imperial physicians. Other than that, one of the four famous physicians was known as the Poisonous Medicine King. This person was from the Demon Sect but he was not currently in the Great Yan Kingdom. Because of that, the two of them became extremely famous and respected. An Jing stretched out two fingers and gently placed them on Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s pulse. Instantly, a chill surged out from her pulse. It felt as if he had touched ice. So cold! There seemed to be a wave of ice in this woman¡¯s body that froze her blood and bones. Even the Yang qi in her body was frozen. If not for the fact that Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s cultivation base was at Rank Five and that Old Madam Cao and the other experts had injected their internal energy into her, she would have long been turned into a corpse. This was the sign of Yin Qi entering Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s body. The Yin Qi entering Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s body was slightly more than the baneful aura that invaded An Jing¡¯s body that day. But why was she tainted by Yin Qi? Could it be Fa Xi Monastery? Fa Xi Monastery was a Buddhist temple, how could it have evil energy? Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: Chapter 41: A Peerless Rare Fruit in Sight Chapter 41: Chapter 41: A Peerless Rare Fruit in Sight An Jing retracted his fingers and slowly said, ¡°This is a case of imbalance between Yin Yang Qi.¡± ¡°Doctor, do you have a way to treat this?¡± Cao Madam¡¯s eyes lit up involuntarily when she saw this. You should know that the doctors who had just come by had looked her over for quite some time and still had no clue about the condition, but this young doctor named An Jing was able to diagnose the problem in just a moment, which suggested he indeed had some real ability. Li Fuzhou also looked at An Jing with great interest. ¡°Allow me to first use silver needles to probe,¡± An Jing said. An Jing took out silver needles from his medicine box and gently inserted them into Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s acupoints. ¡°Shh!¡± The traces of Yin Energy began to flow out along the meridians but were instantly consumed by the Yang Energy released from the Bodhi Bead. As Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s body released the Yin Energy, her expression gradually became calmer, and her pain began to fade away. Seeing this, Cao Madam heaved a sigh of relief; this young Doctor An truly had some skills. Cao Madam was a Fifth Grade Cultivation, and she might not have clearly seen what had just happened, but Li Fuzhou saw it distinctly¡ª he noticed that strand of Yin Energy being drawn out and then immediately extinguished. ¡°This An Jing, he seems to have some tricks up his sleeve,¡± Li Fuzhou thought to himself with quiet astonishment. Let alone the skillfulness of guiding out Yin Energy, the feat of neutralizing it was not something ordinary people could achieve. Yin Energy itself was an extremely complex Qi Mechanism, somewhat softer compared to malicious Qi, but equally tenacious, and once attached it was incredibly difficult to expel. Furthermore, Yin Energy was more common than malicious Qi; although it was less harmful, it was far more troublesome. If An Jing was a person of profound Inner Strength, Li Fuzhou would have found it quite ordinary, but An Jing was a doctor with no Inner Strength at all, without the strength to even truss up a chicken. ¡°This is just a temporary relief for the pain inside her body,¡± An Jing said as he withdrew the silver needles and spoke slowly, ¡°Yin and Yang are the ways of Heaven and Earth, the path of transformation and creation. All beings are governed by Yin and embrace Yang, harnessing Qi to achieve harmony. If this balance of Yin Yang Qi is broken, it naturally causes significant harm to the human body, so it is necessary to replenish Yang.¡± For traditional Chinese medicine, it is all about the harmony of Yin and Yang; based on this foundation, one explores the source. What one sees and achieves then becomes much more effective. An Jing¡¯s ability to set up a dispensary in a prime location of Yu State City and provide consultations was certainly not without merit; he still possessed many genuine abilities. In layman¡¯s terms, Yin represents blood, body fluids, water, skin, bones, flesh, internal organs, etc., while Yang represents Qi, heat energy, and other forms of energy. Both are interrelated and coexist symbiotically. All of his medical skills came from the compilation of ancient traditional Chinese medicine, and he naturally had an easy time treating these types of Qi. Upon hearing this, the other doctors felt a jolt in their hearts, and the way they looked at An Jing began to change; they all abandoned their earlier disdain and pricked up their ears to listen attentively. ¡°All beings are governed by Yin and embrace Yang, harnessing Qi to achieve harmony,¡± Li Fuzhou muttered to himself. These words seemed common, but they contained the vastness of the world¡¯s phenomena, causing those with deeper understanding of the Dao to be irresistibly drawn in, unable to extricate themselves. The ultimate principle of Yin and Yang encompasses the way of the world, and medical skill is just one aspect of it. ¡°Doctor An, how do you propose to replenish Yang?¡± Cao Madam asked hastily, her thoughts naturally focused on her beloved granddaughter. An Jing did not keep them in suspense but answered directly, ¡°It requires extremely valuable medicinal herbs refined with Essence, then brewed into a strong decoction, combined with Inner Strength circulating through six major Yang acupoints, and afterward neutralizing the Yin Energy within her body.¡± If it were just him alone, he could use the Bodhi Bead and his own Inner Strength to purge the Yin Energy, but both were assets he could not reveal. As Cao Ling¡¯er had no ties to him, there was no need to risk exposure. ¡°Hurry, go to the treasury and bring all the valuable medicinal herbs,¡± Cao Madam ordered the housekeeper. ¡°Yes, I will go now.¡± The housekeeper responded and quickly made his way towards the door. ¡°Cao Madam, we will also need two skilled experts, ideally with a Cultivation above Fourth Grade,¡± An Jing added from the side. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go and ask someone right away.¡± Before long, the Cao family steward arrived with several servants, carrying boxes into the room. These were the herbal medicines collected by the Cao family, which were in a strict sense already considered Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. ¡°Doctor An, take a look and see which ones can be used,¡± instructed the steward, as everyone opened the boxes in front of An Jing. ¡°This Polygonum multiflorum, it couldn¡¯t be a hundred years old, could it!?¡± ¡°Blood Ginseng, it¡¯s actually Blood Ginseng!¡± ¡°Could this be the hundred-year-old Red Rhodiola!¡± ¡­¡­ When the herbs were presented, several doctors in the room were all astonished. It was known that these extremely precious herbs could only be seen in medical books, but now they were vividly appearing in front of them. An Jing was also secretly amazed in his heart, the aggregation of these precious herbs was truly worthy of being part of the foundation of one of the four great families of Jiangnan Dao. Any single herb here was worth tens of thousands of silver pieces. ¡°Hint: An orange opportunity is near the host.¡± The Earth Book suddenly emanated an orange glow, which caught An Jing¡¯s attention, and he quickly turned to look at the medicine boxes. Suddenly, his gaze fell on one particular box. Inside the box was a red fruit that seemed ordinary and didn¡¯t appear to have anything special about it. Bodhi Bead! This was a Bodhi Bead! ¡°The people of the Cao family actually gathered this Bodhi Bead inside the box!¡± Seeing this, An Jing¡¯s thoughts began to stir, ¡°Clearly, they have not recognized the Bodhi Bead.¡± The Bodhi Bead was a rare fruit born in deep mountains and great marshes, smooth and round with a lustrous red color. Its medicinal power was exceptionally strong. Eating it could strengthen one¡¯s body; for those practicing martial arts, it could immediately increase one¡¯s cultivation by twelve years. Although saying it increased cultivation by twelve years was a bit of an exaggeration, it was indeed an exceedingly rare treasure. The Bodhi Bead was extremely scarce, and it looked no different from ordinary fruits. Although the people of the Cao family knew that this red fruit was extraordinary, they never guessed its true nature, which is why it was placed in this box. If they knew what it was, it would have long been swallowed by the head of the Cao family. ¡°I will take this Bodhi Bead as my consultation fee,¡± thought An Jing with great excitement. Li Fuzhou also saw the Bodhi Bead and inwardly lamented how the Cao family squandered such a treasure by simply storing it in a box. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°With this Bodhi Bead, my injuries should be able to recover quite substantially,¡± he thought. He maintained a calm and serene expression without any hint of change, yet in his heart, he had already marked the Bodhi Bead as his, treating it as if it were already in his possession. Both men had glanced at the box containing the Bodhi Bead, and in their hearts, they had already considered the Bodhi Bead theirs. Just then, the old Mistress Cao returned with two of the Cao family¡¯s experts and asked, ¡°Doctor An, do you have need of these herbs?¡± The two experts of the Cao family were Guest Elders, Jinghong Saber Guo Qing, and Scholar of Ten Directions Bai Qiushui. Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: Chapter 42: The Extraordinary Expert is Really Ordinary Chapter 42: Chapter 42: The Extraordinary Expert is Really Ordinary Both of their cultivation were not low, both at the Fourth Grade Realm, and they enjoyed a modest reputation as martial arts experts in Jiangnan Dao. The Cao Family was one of the four great families in Jiangnan Dao, and within it were numerous experts¡ªnot to mention guest elders, even the Cao family itself boasted countless masters, and the family head, Cao Hongkou, was one of the Second Grade experts. So for the Cao Family, dealing with two Fourth Grade Realm experts was indeed not too difficult. An Jing nodded and said, ¡°I need these two herbs, Polygonum multiflorum and Red Rhodiola. I will mix them with some other herbs, boil them on high heat first, and then simmer for two hours. After that, Miss Cao can take the concoction. Next, the three of you stand in three directions and channel your inner strength, starting with the Three Yang Scripture of the hand as the starting point and the Three Yang Scripture of the foot as the endpoint, circulating back and forth three times.¡± Guo Qing and Bai Qiushui both nodded their heads, not daring to be the slightest bit careless, as everyone knew that Miss Cao was a tender spot in the old madam¡¯s heart. After receiving the prescription from An Jing, the Cao family immediately procured the herbs and then brewed the medicinal soup. The weakened Cao Ling¡¯er slowly opened her eyes and looked at the broad back in front of her. For some reason, she felt that the back was extraordinarily tall, giving her an inexplicable sense of security. ¡°Rest well, you will be better very soon.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, ready to leave with his medicine chest. ¡°Okay¡­ okay¡­¡± Cao Ling¡¯er weakly responded. When the old madam saw An Jing getting ready to leave, she instructed the maid beside her, ¡°Yulan, quickly give the consultation fee to Doctor An.¡± The maid named Yulan hurriedly took out a silver ingot and placed it in An Jing¡¯s palm, smiling and said, ¡°Here is the consultation fee, Doctor An, please accept it.¡± An Jing graciously accepted the silver, smiling and said, ¡°Then I thank the old madam. After drinking the medicine, see if the miss¡¯s condition improves. If there are any problems, feel free to come to Jishi Hall to find me.¡± The old madam nodded and was about to speak when at that moment the Cao house steward hurried over and whispered, ¡°Old madam, old madam, the master says he has urgent matters to discuss with you.¡± ¡°What matters? Ling¡¯er is ill now and needs care!¡± the old madam exclaimed with a frown. The Cao house steward glanced at An Jing and Li Fuzhou, then whispered, ¡°The master says that during the Ullambana Festival, the Cao Gang aims to join forces with the four great families to eliminate that swordsman¡­¡± Although the steward¡¯s voice was very low, An Jing and Li Fuzhou, being who they were, heard every word clearly. ¡°I understand,¡± the old madam said, her expression changing slightly, then she turned to An Jing, ¡°Yulan, please see our guest out.¡± ¡°Yes, old madam,¡± Yulan responded with a slight bow. ¡°Then I shall take my leave.¡± An Jing held his fist in salute to the old madam and stood up to leave. ¡­¡­ The dusk grew heavy, but Jishi Hall was still flickering with lights. ¡°You¡¯re back. Was there no trouble?¡± Zhao Qingmei, wearing a coat, took the medicine chest from An Jing¡¯s hand and asked. ¡°No trouble at all,¡± An Jing took a sip of the prepared tea and said, ¡°Doctor An¡¯s miraculous healing, do you still not believe me?¡± ¡°The son-in-law is indeed skilled in medicine,¡± Li Fuzhou nodded slightly. Zhao Qingmei knew well that Li Fuzhou was not one to offer empty flattery, and in the entire Demon Sect, there were few who could elicit such behavior from him. ¡°You and your glib tongue, you must be hungry, I¡¯ll go cook you a bowl of noodles.¡± Zhao Qingmei glared at An Jing in mock annoyance, then carrying a lamp, she walked towards the kitchen. Every time An Jing made a night visit, no matter how late, Zhao Qingmei would wait with a lamp for him to return safely, and then when he came back, she would make him a bowl of noodles. Such days repeated, serene and comforting. An Jing took a seat at the table, his eyebrows raised slightly. It seemed that after he had killed Liu Haoping and those on Tieyun Mountain, he had indeed provoked this behemoth; they were now discussing how to deal with him. He absolutely couldn¡¯t let his identity be revealed; being alone wasn¡¯t a problem, but if Qingmei and Tan Yun were to be put in danger, there would be trouble. ¡°Son-in-law, what are you thinking about?¡± Li Fuzhou, seeing An Jing silent, couldn¡¯t help but ask. An Jing casually replied, ¡°I was thinking that the Cao Family, as one of the four great families of Jiangnan Dao, can easily summon two Fourth Grade Cultivation experts. It is truly impressive.¡± Fifth Grade Cultivation, in the eyes of ordinary people, was already that of a master, so it was not unreasonable for An Jing to speak this way. ¡°In this world, there are many who bow down for the sake of profit, and even the martial experts of Jianghu are no exception.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, but I am an exception.¡± ¡°Son-in-law, what if you became such a master as well?¡± Suddenly, Li Fuzhou asked. ¡°A master? A Fifth Grade Cultivation?¡± An Jing asked, puzzled. ¡°No, even higher.¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head. ¡°Third Grade?¡± ¡°Even higher.¡± ¡°Then it must be Second Grade, or even First Grade.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°That would be a master capable of entering the Jianghu Dragon and Tiger List.¡± ¡°Exactly, if you, son-in-law, were such a great master, what would you do then?¡± Li Fuzhou said with interest. After thinking for a moment, An Jing said, ¡°If I were such a master, I would pretend to be an ordinary person, a common doctor, as long as I could live well with Qingmei.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyebrows went up, and he spoke in a complex tone, ¡°Son-in-law is truly a remarkable man, who in this world would do such a thing, to have left Jianghu before even entering it?¡± He did not agree with An Jing¡¯s notion. A man, born into this world with such great strength, yet still thinking of a comfortable life? Moreover, Li Fuzhou did not believe such a person existed. The small-town doctor must have never harbored the idea of becoming a master. An Jing took a gentle sip of his tea, and thought to himself: But that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯ve done. Before long, Zhao Qingmei came out with two bowls of noodles. ¡°Thank you.¡± Li Fuzhou quickly rose to his feet and accepted the noodles. ¡°Old Li, you¡¯re lucky.¡± An Jing said nonchalantly, ¡°Wife, where¡¯s my garlic?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already peeled it for you.¡± Zhao Qingmei took out a few peeled cloves of garlic and put them on the table. Seeing this, Li Fuzhou couldn¡¯t help but glance at Zhao Qingmei¡¯s delicate hands, never thinking that one day these hands, rather than taking lives, would be peeling garlic for someone¡ªthe lad really has a good fate, he really knows how to enjoy life. ¡°Wife, you go ahead and sleep first; I need to step out for a bit.¡± An Jing said while eating his noodles. ¡°So late, and you¡¯re still going out?¡± Zhao Qingmei sat down and said with a smiling face, ¡°Where are you headed?¡± Seeing this, An Jing quickly said, ¡°Wife, don¡¯t misunderstand, didn¡¯t I tell you about the pharmacy garden? Today¡¯s medicinal herbs just arrived in the west of the city. I¡¯m worried those people might not take good care of the herbs. I want to check, so they don¡¯t get ruined.¡± ¡°Let Third Master accompany you.¡± Zhao Qingmei said. ¡°I¡¯ll go by myself, it¡¯s so late, let Old Li rest.¡± An Jing motioned with his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in about half an hour.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He was not going for the west city¡¯s herbs, but for Cao Family¡¯s Zhu fruits. Bringing Li Fuzhou along would be too much trouble. Seeing An Jing insist, Zhao Qingmei bit her red lips and softly said, ¡°Alright, then make your trip quick and return soon.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Watching Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes brimming with affection, An Jing¡¯s heart felt as if it was gently scratched by cat claws. ¡­¡­. Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Two People Fight Under the Moonlight Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Two People Fight Under the Moonlight ¡°` The night was thick, and all was silent. The entire Yu State City had fallen into tranquility. Yet, the Cao Family residence in the southern part of the city was ablaze with lights, and the vast courtyard and corridors were adorned with lanterns, as bright as day. Walking side by side along the corridor were Guo Qing and Bai Qiushui. ¡°Who would have thought that young doctor actually had some skills?¡± Guo Qing wiped the sweat from his forehead, ¡°He really did manage to expel the yin energy from the young lady¡¯s body.¡± Bai Qiushui nodded slightly, his complexion calm as water, ¡°Guo brother, the old madam was summoned away by the butler just now. Do you know why?¡± ¡°Why?¡± Guo Qing¡¯s eyebrows rose. Although he didn¡¯t know what had happened, the look on Bai Qiushui¡¯s face indicated it was no trivial matter. ¡°It¡¯s about that Ghost Swordsman from the Demon Sect.¡± Bai Qiushui spoke gravely, ¡°I¡¯ve received a secret message. Cao Gang¡¯s Guo Yuchun sent our family head an invitation, calling together the four major families of Jiangnan Dao during the Ullambana Festival to discuss dealing with the Demon Sect¡¯s Ghost Swordsman.¡± ¡°When the time comes, we may have our hands full.¡± Guo Qing¡¯s frown deepened, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is extremely skilled. The sword strike that split the dungeon¡ªI saw it. And the sword injuries on the bodies of those who were slaughtered at the Cao Gang¡¯s Yu State headquarters are profound, his strength is unfathomable, absolutely beyond the thirty-seventh on the Tiger List.¡± ¡°If we have to confront him, that would be a big problem.¡± The Jianghu Dragon and Tiger List is divided into the Dragon List and the Tiger List. The standard for entering the Dragon List is possessing First Grade strength; those who reach First Grade Cultivation are all renowned figures in the Jianghu, each dominating a territory. Thus, they rarely take action, new masters seldom emerge, and the list does not change often. The Tiger List, on the other hand, includes those below First Grade Cultivation. Ninety-nine percent of them are of Second Grade Cultivation. Compared to the Dragon List, the Tiger List is much more likely to change, and it captures people¡¯s attention the most. The Jianghu Dragon and Tiger List that common folks talk about refers to the Tiger List. In the Tiger List, the top ten ranks are all at the peak of Second Grade, but their true strength is no weaker than that of First Grade. To ordinary people, both are skilled fighters, but within the Tiger List, they are no more than small fry. It¡¯s like that saying, ¡°In the eyes of the powerful, the big shots in your eyes are also small fry.¡± Bai Qiushui sincerely agreed, ¡°I think so too. This Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength is unfathomable. Now that the four major families have joined forces with the Cao Gang to deal with him, we must be extremely cautious¡­¡± Guo Qing nodded and remained silent. They were mere Guest Elders of the Cao Family. There was no need for them to die for the Cao family, especially over a matter that did not threaten the Cao Family¡¯s safety. As the two discussed, a shadow flitted past like a ghost of the night. An Jing, dressed in a dark cyan cloak, stood atop the eaves, moving lightly without a sound. Ordinary people could not detect his presence, let alone Fourth Grade experts like Guo Qing and Bai Qiushui. Moments after An Jing left, another figure landed in the corridor. It was Li Fuzhou. Shortly after An Jing left, he returned again for the Cao Family¡¯s coveted fruit. ¡­.. The moon cast a hazy light over the desolate scene. An Jing arrived in front of a chamber in the inner courtyard. ¡°This must be the Cao Family¡¯s treasure vault.¡± An Jing felt the Earth Book pulsating with light, confirming that he was indeed at the Cao Family¡¯s treasure vault. At the entrance to the vault¡¯s main hall, a green-clothed elder was sitting cross-legged in meditation, his force Qi robust, causing his clothes to flutter without wind. An Jing glanced at him once. The elder released his Inner Strength openly, also possessing Fifth Grade Cultivation. Since this place was the Cao Family¡¯s treasure vault and nothing had happened for a long time, this Fifth Grade expert was fully focused on cultivation, with no alertness whatsoever. An Jing¡¯s figure flashed, and in an instant, he slipped into the vault. The high-level expert continued to cultivate, completely unaware that someone had sneaked into the vault. Inside the vault, rows upon rows of shelves held various treasures collected by the Cao Family, including famous paintings, renowned swords, and several Martial Arts manuals. ¡°Prompt: The host has discovered a Red Opportunity!¡± ¡°Prompt: The host has discovered a Red Opportunity!¡± ¡­¡­ The Earth Book prompted three times in a row, but they were all Red Opportunities. Red Opportunities are no more than Xuanwu or Earth Martial level Martial Arts, or treasures of this grade. With First Grade Cultivation, An Jing had no interest in Red Opportunities and was intent on finding the Orange Opportunity of the coveted fruit. ¡°Found it!¡± Quickly, An Jing located the box and a gleam of light flashed across his eyes. Silently opening the box, the coveted fruit lay peacefully within. Without hesitation, An Jing pocketed the fruit and was about to dash off towards the distance when a cold gleam suddenly streaked towards him. ¡°` Not good! An innate sense of danger penetrated deep into An Jing¡¯s soul, and he activated his Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique. Immediately, his body transformed into a wisp of agile white smoke, dodging that streak of cold light. Who¡¯s there!? An Jing followed the source of the cold light, only to see a dark figure standing under the moonlight. ¡°Hand over the vermilion fruit in your possession.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s voice converged into a thin line, pouring into An Jing¡¯s ears. Transmission Skill! Typically, only a master could perform the Transmission Skill. This required control of Inner Strength to an extremely subtle realm, so anyone who reached this realm undoubtedly possessed considerable strength. An Jing completely ignored Li Fuzhou, spun his body around, and dashed towards the outside of the house. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± His figure moved as fast as a gust of wind, reaching the eaves of the side room in an instant. Li Fuzhou¡¯s steps were also incredibly fast, his toes touching the roof tiles as lightly as a dragonfly skimming water, his True Qi beginning to converge within him. Under the moonlight, the two of them chased each other atop the eaves. An Jing felt the troublesome nature of the person behind him, the most formidable master he had encountered so far, sending a shock through his heart. Neither Jiang Sanjia nor Mu Xiaoyun had ever exerted such immense pressure on him. This person¡¯s Cultivation was absolutely not inferior to the Human Flower, perhaps even higher. ¡°Shiiing!¡± An Jing drew his longsword from his waist, the Sword Light in his hand emitting a burst of chilly gleam, shooting straight towards Li Fuzhou behind him. Such a fast sword! A glint sparkled in Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes. Could this person be the profoundly mysterious Ghost Swordsman? With this thought, his True Qi wrapped around, the vast ocean-like True Qi surged towards the Sword Light like an endless sea. The Sword Light and the vast sea-like True Qi stirred together under the moonlight, locked in a stalemate as if splitting the moonlight in two, standing off against each other. Yet, the tiles beneath their feet did not break at all, and around them, there was not the slightest sound. Both were restraining themselves, neither wanting to cause a major commotion. ¡°Go away!¡± An Jing¡¯s brows lifted, and as his Inner Strength surged madly in an instant, a red flower emerged behind him. It was indeed the Human Flower! Activating the Human Flower meant bringing one¡¯s Inner Strength to a certain extreme. Nine-character Sword Technique! Bing Character Secret! The uncanny Sword Light with its surging Sword Skill plummeted straight down, as heavy as a mountain, with an unstoppable and formidable force. Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes remained undisturbed, serene like an ancient well; his hands came together. Behind him, an ancient shadow emerged, exuding a mix of five parts domineering Demonic Qi and five parts Vast Righteous Qi. Heavenly Demon Qi! Li Fuzhou could no longer concern himself with keeping hidden, unleashing the Heavenly Demon Qi. As he brought his hands together, the shadow behind him did the same. ¡°Thud!¡± The mountain-like Sword Light was firmly caught between his palms, as if it couldn¡¯t advance another inch. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± The tiles underfoot finally could no longer withstand the weight and started to break apart. ¡°Who¡¯s there!?¡± A Fourth Grade Cao Family master who was meditating suddenly awoke with a start, leaping out of the building. All he saw was the moonlight casting shadows below, quiet and still, with no person in sight. ¡°Bang!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Two broken pieces of tile fell from the eaves, making a crisp sound as they hit the ground. ¡°Meow!¡± ¡°Meow!¡± Just then, several stray cats scurried out. ¡°So it was just stray cats.¡± Seeing this, the Cao Family master breathed a sigh of relief. Chapter 44 - Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Bodhi Bead Transforms into Golden Bone Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Bodhi Bead Transforms into Golden Bone West of the city, a ten-mile-long street. ¡°The aura of that person is somewhat peculiar, could it be the martial arts of Outer Heaven? It is rumored that Outer Heaven plans to return to Great Yan, could that person be an expert from Outer Heaven?¡± An Jing adjusted the Inner Strength within his body, his mind still recalling the great battle that had just occurred, filled with questions. He knew little of the affairs of Jianghu, but he was aware that there was a highly noticeable force within Jianghu, that being Outer Heaven, also known as the Demon Sect. Many years ago, the Demon Sect¡¯s demonic fire had burned across the lands, and countless sects in Jianghu had trembled beneath their feet, with numerous experts dying at their hands. In the mouths of those in Jianghu, the Demon Sect was a truly terrifying existence. ¡°It seems that the rumors of Cao Gang thinking I am a Demon Sect expert are not without basis, no wonder the Cao Gang has gone to such lengths¡­.¡± An Jing thought silently to himself. Nowadays, everyone in the Great Yan Martial World knows that Jianghu is divided into five gangs and seven sects. The five major gangs, rising from insignificance, are Jiangnan Dao¡¯s Cao Gang, the Golden Corner Alliance in the northwest, Wind and Rain Tower, Sanhu Gang, and finally, the most chaotic of all, Liyang City in the southwest. Among them, Sanhu Gang is the weakest, but it is the most rumored about, some say its backer is Outer Heaven, others say it¡¯s backed by one of the seven sects, the Blue River Sect. In Jianghu, opinions are mixed, and no one truly knows which power backs them, but though Sanhu Gang has no First Grade experts openly, its position as one of the top five gangs shows that there are indeed capable people behind it. Apart from Sanhu Gang, Wind and Rain Tower is the most mysterious gang. A small building listening to the wind and rain overnight, where in Jianghu could the flowers not fly, no one in Jianghu isn¡¯t afraid of having their name appear on Wind and Rain Tower¡¯s hidden list. It¡¯s not that Wind and Rain Tower never fails, but the likelihood of its failure is exceedingly low, low to the extent that one might as well expect to find gold while walking. The most powerful force is undoubtedly Cao Gang. As An Jing sees it, Cao Gang being subtly referred to as the number one gang in the world is entirely a result of deliberate efforts by those with vested interests, Cao Gang¡¯s massive power isn¡¯t false, but it also contains some inflated elements. Between Cao Gang and Demon Sect, there truly might be a chance for a martial world conflict to unfold. And that person who had exchanged blows with him just now, is ninety percent likely to be an expert from above the Dragon List, or even higher is not impossible¡­. Those capable of entering the Dragon List, the weakest among them are First Grade Human Flowers, demonstrating the strength of Dragon List experts, and those above the Dragon List are undoubtedly true Grandmasters. Most people consider First Grade to be the peak of Jianghu, but that is with one enormous assumption, that Grandmasters do not come forth. If a Grandmaster emerges, what then is a First Grade expert? ¡°Forget it, these Jianghu grievances have nothing to do with me, for now, it is better to find an opportunity to refine and absorb this vermilion fruit, my Cultivation is about to reach the peak of Human Flower, waiting for an opportunity to condense the Earth Flower.¡± After pondering for a moment, An Jing walked towards the outskirts of the city. It was deep in the night at this time, silent and deserted around, An Jing found a secluded spot in a dense forest. The vermilion fruit, round and bright red, was very rare, with ancient texts stating it flowers every hundred years, and fruits every hundred years, meaning it takes two hundred years to bear a vermilion fruit, growing in extremely harsh environments. If not harvested, the vermilion fruit on the tree can continue to absorb the essence of the heavens and the earth, becoming a hundred-year vermilion fruit, and even a thousand-year vermilion fruit. However, given the rarity of the vermilion fruit, hardly anyone can obtain a hundred-year one, let alone a thousand-year one. An Jing sat cross-legged, placing the vermilion fruit in his throat and swallowing it down. Instantly, a warm surge of force spread out from his body. As the Daluo Heart Method circulated, the surrounding Qi, as if guided by something, rushed over in a mighty torrent toward An Jing¡¯s body. Inner Strength continuously converged toward his meridians, and at the same time, the vermilion fruit inside his body slowly permeated his flesh, turning into streams of red Essence, circulating within An Jing¡¯s body. The red Essence was extraordinarily domineering, like dragons of fire, making even An Jing¡¯s resilient meridians burn as they were rushed through by the flame-like red Inner Strength. The red Essence moved extremely fast, and in less than an instant, An Jing¡¯s body turned as red as a cooked shrimp, his skin covered in tiny, flowing red streaks, which looked very bizarre. The violent Inner Strength, like explosions in An Jing¡¯s meridians, exerted a powerful force, nearly bursting his body open. ¡°The Bodhi Bead?¡± Just then, the Bodhi Bead within him seemed to be attracted as if it completely fused into An Jing¡¯s body. An Jing furrowed his brows, unable to suppress a muffled sound, his lips slightly parted, and immediately, a large amount of red blood qi flowed out from his mouth, nose, and ears. In this hazy state, the Bodhi Bead transformed into a golden Essence and completely merged with the red Essence, entering An Jing¡¯s body, the powerful impact even causing him injuries. Indeterminate time had passed, and those violent golden-red Essences swam through An Jing¡¯s meridians, healing the injuries within his body. After a period of about one stick of incense, the injuries within An Jing¡¯s body had been mostly healed by that mighty Inner Strength washing over them. Subsequently, the Essence and the Essence differentiated from the Bodhi Bead moved together, rushing towards the Qi Sea within An Jing like surging waves. At this substantial influx of Essence into An Jing¡¯s Dantian, it suddenly behaved like magma that hadn¡¯t erupted for thousands of years, nearly boiling over in a frenzy. The originally pale bones were suddenly covered with a layer of golden light. Golden Bone! This was Golden Bone! In ancient texts, it was recorded that only experts who had reached Master Cultivation and practiced Heavenly Martial Level Body Refining Martial Arts could forge Golden Bone. Never had anyone, below the level of a Grandmaster, managed to cultivate Golden Bone. In the midst of the night, An Jing sat cross-legged, his body shimmering with gleaming golden light, resembling a gilded Buddha in a Buddhist Temple. ¡°Although I am still one step away from condensing the Earth Flower, I have managed to cultivate up to Half-step Golden Bone¡­..¡± About another period of one stick of incense later, An Jing finally opened his eyes and exhaled a breath. Fusing with the Bodhi Bead not only allowed him to cultivate Golden Bone but also imprinted Buddha Nature in his body, which would yield twice the result with half the effort in practicing Buddhist Martial Arts, and this benefit goes without saying. ¡­¡­. Jishi Hall. Li Fuzhou frowned and cupped his fists, ¡°Sect Hierarch, that Ghost Swordsman indeed has First Grade Cultivation without a doubt. His swordsmanship is tricky, having reached even the four realms of Sword Skill.¡± Although there were injuries on his body, preventing him from exerting his full strength, it also appeared that the swordsman might not have used his full strength either, keeping his Qi Mechanism completely concealed. If not for his actions, he would seem like an ordinary person, which was precisely what he found most terrifying. Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°Third Master, have you figured out his background?¡± She hadn¡¯t expected Li Fuzhou to give such an evaluation of that peerless swordsman; it seemed this person truly was an extraordinary expert. Others might not be aware of Li Fuzhou¡¯s strength, but she indeed knew it well. Half-step Grandmaster! Even though his failed attempt at reaching Grandmaster status had left his body with injuries that were hard to heal in a short time, he was still not someone who just any First Grade Expert could handle. Li Fuzhou shook his head, ¡°No, that person¡¯s swordsmanship is somewhat inferior to old man from Ghost Valley, and his Inner Strength is lacking too. I always feel he¡¯s hiding something.¡± ¡°He has not brought out all his strength.¡± Zhao Qingmei scowled, ¡°Who exactly is this person? Could it be that person¡­..?¡± The person Zhao Qingmei was referring to was indeed that influential figure currently dominating the court. Li Fuzhou nodded, ¡°It¡¯s possible. That person is ambitious and as deep as the sea; having a pawn isn¡¯t unexpected, but it could also be someone from Zhenyi Mountain. Recently, there have been rumors in the marketplace that the court¡¯s figure is no longer tolerant of Jianghu¡¯s figure, clearly showing the depth of their rift.¡± Zhenyi Mountain, also known as Great Yan Country Mountain. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only None other, for the National Religion Zhenyi Sect was established atop Zhenyi Mountain. If the Demon Sect evokes terror and fear, then Zhenyi Sect represents just the opposite¡ªthe Righteous Path and hope. The number one great sect, the National Religion of Great Yan, countless prestigious titles resound within it, rendering Zhenyi Sect a critically significant presence in Jianghu, the marketplace, and the courtrooms. Of course, there is also one most important person living on Zhenyi Mountain. The number one person in the Great Yan Martial World. Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Ghost Valley Heavenly Mechanism Predicts the Prison Ground Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Ghost Valley Heavenly Mechanism Predicts the Prison Ground The next evening. Zhou Xianming had changed into a brand-new outfit and appeared at the entrance of the apothecary. ¡°Mr. Li, would you like to go listen to the music at the brothel?¡± ¡°Give me a moment, I¡¯ll be right there.¡± After a short while, Li Fuzhou came out, all smiles. ¡­. The following day, at the same time. ¡°Mr. Li, are you going today?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go right now.¡± Li Fuzhou said briefly and then hurried out the door. ¡­. The third day. Zhou Xianming was standing at the door but had not yet spoken. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Li Fuzhou immediately grabbed Zhou Xianming¡¯s arm and walked toward the distance. An Jing watched the two fading figures and wondered, ¡°Old Zhou clocks in right on time every day, even more punctual and diligent than during his storytelling.¡± ¡°Where is he getting the silver from? It¡¯s really strange!¡± Visiting the brothel to listen to music was not cheap, especially since Zhou Xianming was visiting the kind where an Oiran hosted, which was very expensive. I used to go often myself, but I could ¡®borrow¡¯ to do so. Could Zhou Xianming possibly borrow as well? The more An Jing thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Tan Yun watched the fading figures with a smile and said, ¡°Son-in-law, stop thinking about it. Maybe one of Mr. Zhou¡¯s relatives died and left him a fortune.¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow, ¡°With such good fortune, why hasn¡¯t he treated us to a meal?¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun replied somewhat irritably, ¡°Son-in-law, if someone in his family died, should he really be inviting us to a meal?¡± ¡°That¡¯s also true.¡± An Jing watched as the two disappeared and picked up the ancient texts on the table to continue his studies. After the Bodhi Bead had dissolved, An Jing¡¯s bones had fully formed a golden layer, although only a Half-step Golden Bone, it significantly surpassed the refining of an ordinary First Grade expert¡¯s body. Moreover, the essence left behind by the vermilion fruit and the Bodhi Bead had not allowed him to condense the Earth Flower, but he had reached the peak of the Human Flower stage, only one step away from condensing the Earth Flower. The Human Flower is related to essence; cultivating essence nurtures the Human Flower, while the Earth Flower relates to qi. When qi is abundant and overflows, the Earth Flower can be condensed. Thus, condensing the Earth Flower requires years of accumulation or the infusion of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. An Jing, having absorbed a vast amount of essence, had already reached the critical point, which was also the most intricate step. Through the ages, although some superior Martial Arts remained confidential, the methods and techniques of breakthrough were public knowledge. It was recorded in books on Martial Arts, but also in the same ancient texts, it all depended on research and sudden comprehension. After a while, An Jing put down the ancient text, stretched his limbs, and then walked with his hands clasped behind his back to the Yu State River. Little Black, seeing An Jing walking out, also followed with enthusiastic barks. At that moment, he noticed that there was a pleasure boat in the distant river with a red lantern hanging on it. This was Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s agreement with him; as long as the red lantern was hung on the pleasure boat, it indicated that they could proceed with their plans. ¡°Old Jiang is finally willing to get things moving.¡± An Jing muttered to himself. ¡­.. On the Yu State River, a painted boat adorned with red lanterns drifted with the waves. Jiang Sanjia had changed into a black and white Daoist robe, sitting cross-legged on a cushion, his face devoid of any expression. In front of him were dozens of stacked turtle shells. Additionally, beside him was a small furnace emitting black and purple flames. This was the Turtle Shell Divination of the Ghost Valley Sect, the unique skill that had made Jiang Sanjia famous. An Jing and Mu Xiaoyun were seated on either side. Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s eyebrows were tightly furrowed, deep in thought, while An Jing appeared curious, observing Jiang Sanjia. ¡°Why do I feel this has a bit of a Mystical Sect flavor?¡± Both Jiang Sanjia¡¯s attire and the patterns on the turtle shells before him bore many similarities to the Daoist practices of Great Yan. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Jiang Sanjia nodded, saying, ¡°Actually, thousands of years ago, the Ghost Valley Sect and the Zhenyi Sect were one and the same.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± This was the first time An Jing had heard this secret. The Ghost Valley Sect was exceptionally mysterious in the martial world, its numbers extremely few. Though few in number, no one underestimated the Ghost Valley Sect. The Zhenyi Sect, however, was even more formidable. The national religion of the Great Yan, the number one sect under the heavens. The Zhenyi Sect had originally been very powerful, and after it had assisted the current Human Emperor in a coup, its influence had grown even mightier, directly established as the state religion of the current dynasty. The Zhenyi Sect had its own temples throughout Great Yan, truly spreading across the entire empire, with a temple in Lijiang City in Jiangnan Dao. Its disciples, numerous and diverse, now numbered well over hundreds of thousands in Great Yan, intertwining with many noble families. Some said that the Zhenyi Sect was the imperial court of the Great Yan Martial World. Others claimed that there were two rulers under heaven: one was the Human Emperor in the lofty hall, and the other was Xiao Qianqiu, whose might shuddered the world and who presided over Zhenyi Mountain as the Sect Leader. Although these were just rumors from the marketplace, they reflected the deep influence of the Zhenyi Sect. An Jing hadn¡¯t expected that the Ghost Valley Sect actually had some connection with the Zhenyi Sect. Jiang Sanjia looked at An Jing with a smile that was not quite a smile, saying, ¡°However, the Zhenyi Sect and our Ghost Valley Sect have long been as water is to fire, with a history of deep grievances. Zhou, since you¡¯ve learned my Hundred-step Flying Sword, you are counted as a named disciple of our Ghost Valley Sect. You should be cautious in the future.¡± ¡°What do you mean by that!?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows rose. By learning the Hundred-step Flying Sword, had he somehow provoked the Zhenyi Sect? The Zhenyi Sect was a true behemoth, with top masters as common as carp across the river, and it even housed Grandmasters within its ranks. Its Sect Leader was publicly recognized as the top figure in the Great Yan, the State Preceptor to the Human Emperor. If, because of this Hundred-step Flying Sword, he had attracted the attention of such a behemoth, An Jing felt that it was a losing deal no matter how he thought of it. Jiang Sanjia fell silent for a long while, not speaking. His gaze turned toward the turtle shells on the table. ¡°Thud!¡± As Inner Strength circulated, the furnace beside him landed on the table. Then, flicking his fingers, the turtle shells on the table also began to levitate. The turtle shells kept spinning and eventually formed a semicircle around the furnace. Feeling the proximity of the turtle shells, the black and purple flames on the furnace grew more vigorous, as if they were about to melt the turtle shells altogether. The temperature inside the painted boat suddenly rose. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only About several dozen breaths later, the turtle shells, unable to withstand the fierce flames, developed numerous cracks, which emitted golden glows densely packed together. With a casual flick of his finger, Jiang Sanjia caused one of the turtle shells to fall onto the table, while the rest lined up in a row, eventually all settling down on the table. Was this the Ghost Valley Heavenly Mechanism? An Jing looked at the turtle shells on the table, the patterns very clear yet quite similar, something that ordinary people couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of. With a flick of his finger, Jiang Sanjia¡¯s complexion gradually turned pale. Between his index and middle finger, red blood seeped out, slowly dripping onto the turtle shell. Chapter 46 - Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Deep Schemes of the Five Gangs Alliance Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Deep Schemes of the Five Gangs Alliance This is essence blood, which forms inside the human body, but the formation of essence blood is extremely slow, requiring a vast amount of expensive herbs and essence, and excessive consumption of essence blood can also affect one¡¯s lifespan. The next moment, a surprising scene unfolded. As the blood seeped in, the patterns on the Turtle Shell began to change, gradually forming a red character. Forest! After the pattern changed, it finally became clear. But soon, the red blood was evaporated, and the patterns on the Turtle Shell returned to normal, falling onto the table. ¡°Huff!¡± Jiang Sanjia exhaled a turbid breath. ¡°This character ¡®Forest¡¯ is ¡­?¡± Mu Xiaoyun asked eagerly. Jiang Sanjia adjusted his breathing and said, ¡°This ¡®Forest¡¯ character can be separated and recombined. If I am not mistaken, it should represent a place called Shuangmu Land.¡± ¡°Shuangmu?¡± A glint appeared in Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s beautiful eyes, ¡°Could it be Shuangmu Forest?¡± In her mind, the only place that contained both ¡®Shuangmu¡¯ and ¡®Forest¡¯ was Shuangmu Forest, which was also not far from Lijiang City, and it was highly suspicious. Moreover, Tian Liu¡¯s other residence was located within this Shuangmu Forest. Soul Losing Hand Tian Liu (Chapter Two), a First Grade Expert of the Cao Gang, a figure above even the Dragon List, with a cultivation of First Grade Human Flower. The Gang Leader of Nu Jing Gang was killed by his hand. Soul Losing Hand Tian Liu had joined the Cao Gang ten years ago, originally a master from Jiushan area, world-famous for the Soul Losing Hand, one of the ultimate techniques of the Soul Destruction Elder. The Soul Destruction Elder was a paramount master amidst the chaos of the Nine Kingdoms, possessing three ultimate techniques that were famed worldwide: Soul Losing Hand, Soul Chasing Sword, and Soul Destruction Heart Technique. All three martial arts were of the True Martial Level and when combined, they reached the effect of the Heavenly Martial Level martial arts. When the Soul Destruction Elder died, his relics caused chaos in the Jianghu, leading to a bloodbath as many coveted his three ultimate techniques. After the final battle, it was unknown who obtained the three ultimate techniques, but afterwards, many masters learned these martial arts. Some were killed just as they entered the Jianghu, and others stood on the edge of the Jianghu for a short while in glory, but none left behind a significant legacy. The most famous of them was Tian Liu, with a cultivation of First Grade and the True Martial Level Soul Losing Hand, he commanded great respect in the Martial World. The Demon Sect and many other factions had extended an olive branch to him, but he had declined them all and for some unknown reason, he joined the Cao Gang, becoming a Guest Elder of the gang. Jiang Sanjia nodded slightly, ¡°That should be the place.¡± ¡°No wonder Tian Liu built his other residence there,¡± Mu Xiaoyun thought suddenly. Tian Liu was recruited by the Cao Gang in these last ten years, naturally being close to the one impersonating Liu Qingshan, having little loyalty towards the true Liu Qingshan. Furthermore, with his First Grade cultivation, he was an excellent candidate for guarding. ¡°Tian Liu?¡± Jiang Sanjia furrowed his brows slightly. He was very aware of how formidable this person was. ¡°Isn¡¯t Zhou brother here?¡± Mu Xiaoyun glanced at An Jing beside her, with a beautiful glance, and said, ¡°Let¡¯s not be hasty with this matter. Let me gather some concrete information first, then we¡¯ll make a decision.¡± An Jing spoke indifferently, ¡°I also hope Mrs. Liu checks thoroughly first, otherwise if we accidentally fall into a trap later¡­¡± He had promised Mu Xiaoyun to take action, but he was not going to sell his life for her. Mu Xiaoyun smiled knowingly, understanding the meaning behind An Jing¡¯s words, and said no more. Jiang Sanjia looked towards An Jing and said, ¡°I heard that the Cao Gang plans to gather the four major families of Jiangnan Dao against you, Zhou brother. You should be cautious recently.¡± Jiang Sanjia obviously had more to his words, wanting to know if An Jing was truly a high-level practitioner from the Demon Sect as rumored. Ever since they met, An Jing had always been a mysterious figure to him, and similarly powerful figures were scarce in Jianghu. Now that rumors claimed him to be a person from the Demon Sect, if it were true, then their conspiring held a different significance. Before An Jing could speak, Mu Xiaoyun interjected, ¡°Guo Yuchun uniting with the four major families against him is only one part, but there are other motives involved.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes slightly lifted. If the Cao Gang uniting with the four major families against him was only one of their goals, what then was the real purpose of the Cao Gang? Mu Xiaoyun spoke softly, ¡°The four major families are entrenched in Jiangnan Dao, among them, Mu Family and Cao Family have aligned with the Cao Gang, but the Ming Family and the Su Family refuse to bow. This union with the four major families is not only to deal with Zhou brother but to fully integrate the four major families. Only by having complete control over Jiangnan Dao can they facilitate the imposter¡¯s grand plan.¡± ¡°What grand plan?¡± An Jing continued to inquire. He had heard from Mu Xiaoyun before that the Cao Gang had a grand plan, but she had previously been reluctant to reveal the specifics. Now, it seemed she was more willing to discuss it. Jiang Sanjia also looked at Mu Xiaoyun, although the two were usually on this painted barge living together yet sleeping separately, they seldom shared their hearts. He had known about the grand plan of the Cao Gang for quite some time, but he was also unclear about the specifics. ¡°Five Gangs Alliance!¡± Mu Xiaoyun took a deep breath, with a glint in her somber eyes. ¡°Five Gangs Alliance!?¡± Jiang Sanjia gasped in cold air. In the Jianghu, the Five Gangs and Seven Factions held sway over most of the realm. Although the Five Gangs were not as ancient or deeply rooted as the Seven Great Factions, they were still a formidable force in the Great Yan Martial World. If the five major gangs were united, the resulting power would be formidable worldwide, immediately forming a colossal entity to rival Zhenyi, Demon Sect, and Xuanyi Guard who could stir great turmoil. The entire landscape of Great Yan would undergo tremendous changes instantaneously. ¡°Ambitious, indeed,¡± An Jing squinted his eyes and spoke slowly. He was well aware of the impact the formation of the Five Gangs Alliance could have. ¡°It¡¯s difficult! No! Almost impossible,¡± Mu Xiaoyun said somberly, ¡°This is just his conception and blueprint. Not to mention the intrinsic difficulty for the five major gangs to ally themselves, the gangs themselves are filled with experts. It isn¡¯t something he can control easily. Besides, many people do not want to see such a colossal entity emerge.¡± An Jing and Jiang Sanjia nodded silently. Other powers in the Jianghu would never allow the existence of the Five Gangs Alliance unless someone wanted to stir up an even bigger wave. ¡°Actually, this is a great opportunity¡ªright during the Ullambana Festival when they gather; that¡¯s when we should make our move.¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°That would be ideal,¡± An Jing nodded. He estimated the time; the Ullambana Festival would be convened in two days. He had never intended to participate in this grand event of the Ullambana Festival, and it seemed there was something strange about Fa Xi Temple, with its sinister and malevolent energy. ¡°I agree. The Fa Xi Temple is quite ominous. It would be better for us to keep our distance from it,¡± Jiang Sanjia agreed. An Jing glanced at Jiang Sanjia, sensing from his words that he might know some secrets about Fa Xi Temple. ¡°Now that the time is set, I shall take my leave,¡± An Jing stood up to bid farewell. ¡°Good, see you in two days,¡± Mu Xiaoyun nodded. An Jing walked out of the painted boat, his body leapt up, and he vanished in an instant. Watching An Jing¡¯s departure, Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°Come out,¡± ¡°He has discovered me,¡± A figure emerged from the rear of the cabin, frowning as he spoke. The man was dressed in green, his eyes sharp and gleaming, reminiscent of an eagle¡¯s gaze, holding a longsword of three-foot with a thick scent of blood lingering on it. If there were people from the Jianghu present, they would surely recognize him¡ªthe famous Floating Blood Sword, Xue Chen, well-known in the Jianghu. He had been hiding in the painted boat all along. Jiang Sanjia spoke slowly, ¡°Brother Zhou¡¯s strength should be at the First Grade, but the specifics are not very clear.¡± That An Jing could discover Xue Chen was not surprising to him at all. ¡°He¡¯s indeed a fascinating presence,¡± Mu Xiaoyun licked her lips. In light of the significant event of rescuing Liu Qingshan, Mu Xiaoyun was somewhat uneasy about An Jing. She had once asked Jiang Sanjia to calculate this person¡¯s identity and background using the Ghost Valley Heavenly Mechanism, but it was blocked by an unknown Qi Mechanism. This made her even more curious about who he really was, knowing that Jiang Sanjia¡¯s Ghost Valley Heavenly Mechanism rarely failed to get any information. ¡°His strength is not weaker than mine, and his swordsmanship might be even stronger,¡± Xue Chen pondered for a moment and then said. Merely a glance from him had sent shivers down his spine, confirming he was undoubtedly a Sword Dao master. ¡°Who is he really?¡± Jiang Sanjia couldn¡¯t help but wonder to himself. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Xue Chen, a renowned expert in Jiangnan Dao, Second Grade Cultivation, ranked ninety-seventh on the Tiger List. Many had forgotten that Xue Chen was famed for his talent when he first emerged; he had entered the Tiger List at the age of twenty-three. Over the decades, he had few notable accomplishments, mainly killing other Second Grade experts, so his ranking on the Tiger List neither advanced nor declined. In fact, Xue Chen had been diligently cultivating all these years, advancing rapidly in strength and had reached the First Grade three years ago, also attaining the Third Level of Sword Skill. As recorded in ¡°Sword Dao Tao General Outline,¡± Sword Skill is divided into seven levels. Those who developed their Sword Skill were decade-proven Sword Dao masters, and anyone reaching the Third Level was invariably renowned in the Jianghu. The Fourth Level marked one of the peak rare Sword Dao masters of the age. Reaching the Fifth Level could be called the foremost master of the Sword Dao of the current age; the Sword Demon who stunned an era a century ago was at the peak of the Fifth Level. Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Jealousy Arises in the Presence of a Beauty Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Jealousy Arises in the Presence of a Beauty Jishi Hall, the night deepened. Zhao Qingmei sat in front of the desk, looking at the letters sent from various places in Great Yan. Among them were the schemes of the Demon Sect and also messages from important spies; all of which she needed to review and heed, and then she would have to provide further instructions. Sometimes she did read books, but other times she needed to ¡®approve these letters¡¯. ¡°Tan Yun, it¡¯s getting late, let¡¯s close up shop,¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at the sky and commanded. ¡°Understood.¡± Tan Yun, who was playing with the little black pet, nodded and went to the door of Jishi Hall to close and lock it. Just as Tan Yun was about to lock up, an embroidered shoe appeared at the doorstep. ¡°Woof¡­ Woof.¡± The little black pet barked twice at the intruder, then hid behind Tan Yun¡¯s legs. Tan Yun lifted her head to look; it was a young woman of delicate beauty and grace, with a hint of light sorrow between her brows. Her pallor evoked an instinctive tenderness in others. This woman was none other than Miss Cao Ling¡¯er of the Cao Family. Tan Yun asked, ¡°Miss, are you here for medicines or consultation? Our medical hall is about to close.¡± Cao Ling¡¯er pursed her lips and said, ¡°I¡¯m not here for a consultation, nor to get medicines.¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun¡¯s face was filled with confusion. This was a medical hall; if she wasn¡¯t here for consultation or medicines, then what was her purpose? ¡°My miss wishes to find Doctor An Jing.¡± Cao Ling¡¯er didn¡¯t speak, but a maid behind her did. ¡°Looking for my husband?¡± Tan Yun paused for a moment, assessing Cao Ling¡¯er and asked, ¡°My husband isn¡¯t in. What do you need him for?¡± Not for medicines, not for consultation, but indeed here to find my husband? Tan Yun¡¯s heart pounded erratically; could it be¡­? A trace of disappointment flickered in Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s eyes, then she said, ¡°My family name is Cao, and I am called Cao Ling¡¯er. Doctor An Jing saved my life the other day, and now that my health has somewhat improved, I wanted to come and express my gratitude to Doctor An Jing.¡± ¡°Since Doctor An Jing isn¡¯t here, then let¡¯s forget it. I¡¯ll come back when he is available,¡± said Cao Ling¡¯er and prepared to leave with her maid. ¡°Miss Cao, please wait. Since you¡¯re here, come in and have a cup of tea,¡± a voice came from behind Tan Yun, as Zhao Qingmei slowly stepped out. ¡°Who might this be?¡± When Cao Ling¡¯er saw the person who came out, her heart skipped, and even she couldn¡¯t help but exclaim silently: such a stunningly beautiful woman. ¡°I am Doctor An¡¯s wife,¡± Zhao Qingmei said with a light laugh. Though Zhao Qingmei was smiling, Tan Yun, who knew her well, felt an unusual chill. ¡°So you are Doctor An Jing¡¯s wife,¡± Cao Ling¡¯er forced a smile. Originally, there were rumors that An Jing had married a great beauty, and she had been skeptical, but seeing Zhao Qingmei today, she thought this was no mere beauty but an exquisitely lovely creature. The maid behind Cao Ling¡¯er was also stunned, unable to believe that the young doctor could have married such a beautiful, gentle, and intelligent lady, even more beautiful than her own miss. ¡°Please come in first, sister. My husband is out on a consultation and should return shortly,¡± the poise in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s every frown and smile denoted the demeanor of a grand household. ¡°Tan Yun, go prepare some tea.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Tan Yun responded and briskly made her way to the inner hall. ¡°No, it¡¯s alright. If Doctor An Jing isn¡¯t here, I won¡¯t impose any further,¡± said Cao Ling¡¯er, feeling increasingly uneasy in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s presence. She gave a bow and made her escape towards the distance. Zhao Qingmei watched Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s retreating figure, her smile gradually fading from her lips. ¡°Eh, where did Miss Cao go?¡± Before long, Tan Yun came out with a tray of tea and realized she hadn¡¯t seen Cao Ling¡¯er at all. ¡°She has left,¡± said Zhao Qingmei indifferently. ¡°It seems Miss Cao is quite sensible.¡± Tan Yun muttered to herself, then cautiously glanced at Zhao Qingmei. Having grown up in the Demon Sect Main Hall since childhood and followed Zhao Qingmei closely, she might not have been her personal maid, but she knew Zhao Qingmei very well. Especially that incident. She remembered when they were eight or nine years old, there was a secret chamber next to the sect¡¯s library for cultivation and rest. Zhao Qingmei, being a disciple of the Sect Hierarch, directly chose the largest chamber, and she wouldn¡¯t let others enter even when she was away. One follower ¡®accidentally¡¯ broke this rule. After going out on a mission, he never returned. Tan Yun remembered clearly how she followed behind Zhao Qingmei and saw with her own eyes Zhao Qingmei piercing through the follower¡¯s heart with a sword. When Zhao Qingmei killed that follower, her expression was calm and indifferent, nothing like an eight- or nine-year-old girl. Murdering people like hemp, treating lives as nothing, this was vividly displayed in a young girl. Since that time, no one else dared to enter Zhao Qingmei¡¯s ¡®private chamber.¡¯ Not even to approach it. Every time Tan Yun saw Zhao Qingmei, she couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit of fear in her heart. Unlike the fear of Li Fuzhou, a strict teacher, this fear of Zhao Qingmei was etched into her very soul. Zhao Qingmei was not the gentle, beautiful, and graceful woman that ignorant people like An Jing, Han Wenxin, and Zhou Xianming thought she was. Only Tan Yun knew clearly that she was a Sect Hierarch with an extremely strong possessive desire, heavy jealousy, and extremely brutal and ruthless methods. ¡°Son-in-law, oh son-in-law, you must not make any mistakes,¡± Tan Yun silently prayed for An Jing, ¡°You must keep control of ¡®yourself.¡¯ ¡°The Cao Family¡­¡­.¡± Zhao Qingmei picked up Tan Yun¡¯s teacup and gently sipped her tea. ¡°This servant knows what to do.¡± Tan Yun obsequiously said. Zhao Qingmei glanced at Tan Yun, ¡°What do you know? Now is a critical moment, and it¡¯s not good to make a big move.¡± Chilled by that gaze, Tan Yun immediately felt a shiver down her spine and cautiously lowered her head. The Cao Family had unwittingly escaped disaster. ¡°Madam, what are you doing here?¡± Just then, An Jing came back carrying a small medicine chest and noticed Tan Yun standing aside like she had done something wrong. ¡°Husband, you must be tired,¡± said Zhao Qingmei, blooming with a smile as she saw An Jing and gently took the medicine chest, ¡°I¡¯ll go and draw you a bath now.¡± With that, Zhao Qingmei headed towards the back courtyard. The wife is gentle as water. As An Jing watched Zhao Qingmei¡¯s graceful figure, he couldn¡¯t help but be moved and looked at Tan Yun still standing there, ¡°What are you dawdling for? Close up shop.¡± ¡°I know, son-in-law.¡± Tan Yun stuck out her tongue and hurried to pick up the wooden sign. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Also, there¡¯s no need to keep the door open.¡± ¡°What about the third master?¡± ¡°If he hasn¡¯t come back by this late hour, he probably won¡¯t be coming back. He can stay overnight at the pleasure boat after the hour of Hai.¡± ¡°Son-in-law, how do you know one can stay overnight after the hour of Hai?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Crisis Lurks All Around on the Painted Boat Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Crisis Lurks All Around on the Painted Boat The lantern light on the boat moved across the river, casting a soft red glow that illuminated the dark Yu State River like a galaxy, with the small boat moving slowly amidst the bustling scene. In the Red House houseboat, the sound of laughter continued nonstop but was now drawing to a close. At this moment, Li Fuzhou¡¯s face slightly reddened, sitting beside him were two delightful women, occasionally letting out bell-like giggles. Zhou Xianming saw that Li Yue was preparing to leave after finishing her song, hurried forward, and said, ¡°Miss Li Yue, the song you just played was truly delightful, if I¡¯m not mistaken, it must be ¡®Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake¡¯.¡± Li Yue laughed softly and said, ¡°Mr. Zhou is truly knowledgeable, it was indeed ¡®Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake.¡¯ I fear I¡¯ve embarrassed myself.¡± ¡°You must not say that.¡± Zhou Xianming hurriedly said, ¡°How can this be embarrassing? The song Miss Li Yue played sounds like the most beautiful music in the world to my ears, even the heavenly music of the Heavenly Palace could hardly compare.¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s words were passionate and filled with righteous indignation, resonating deeply. ¡°Mr. Zhou, you flatter me too much.¡± Li Yue bowed slightly, ¡°Young Mister Ming Fei is still waiting for me, I must take my leave first.¡± Zhou Xianming, upon hearing this, laughed and said, ¡°It¡¯s all right, it¡¯s all right, I can wait here without any problems.¡± Wait here!? Hearing Zhou Xianming¡¯s words, Li Yue¡¯s smile stiffened, then she sighed and said, ¡°You have really troubled yourself during this time, Mr. Zhou. You should know my situation; it¡¯s best not to waste your time on me anymore.¡± Originally, Li Yue was from a government-official family in Yujing City. Due to a case involving tax evasion in Yujing City, her family was raided, and she should have been sent to the Office of Music, but thanks to some connections, she ended up in a brothel instead of the Office, becoming a courtesan. She came from a family of government officials and was a lady of eminent standing with a striking appearance, so the price for redeeming her was extremely high and required approval from higher-ups. Over the years, many have attempted to redeem her, but ultimately, no one fulfilled the promise. This was something that everyone knew. Miss Li Yue must be worried that I cannot bear the pressure of the imperial examination and is advising me to give up. But I, Zhou Xianming, will definitely not give up. Zhou Xianming¡¯s heart warmed, ¡°Miss Li Yue, rest assured, I will not let you down. Please go to Young Mister Ming Fei first, I will wait here for a while.¡± ¡°Alright¡­ alright then, Mr. Zhou, perhaps have a few drinks first, I will be back soon.¡± Li Yue offered an apologetic smile, then bowed and left as if escaping. Li Fuzhou glanced at the departing figure of Li Yue, continuing to chat up the women beside him without a change in expression. Wind and Rain Tower, to think that a top assassin was hiding among the houseboats, how intriguing. Others did not recognize Li Yue¡¯s identity, but Li Fuzhou, the leader of the Demon Sect, saw through the Oiran¡¯s identity. Wind and Rain Tower top assassin. Top assassins from Wind and Rain Tower are exceedingly rare, and they are figures who strike terror in Jianghu, yet now one covertly resides in Yu State City as an Oiran, hinting at an underlying scheme. But in this vast Jianghu, who doesn¡¯t have their own schemes? However, Li Fuzhou was here to seek pleasure, not to investigate the top assassin from Wind and Rain Tower. Zhou Xianming absent-mindedly watched Li Yue¡¯s receding figure. ¡°Xianming, come have a drink,¡± Li Fuzhou called out. ¡°Okay.¡± Zhou Xianming sat down and muttered, ¡°After I finish this pot of wine, Miss Li Yue should be coming out.¡± Li Fuzhou said irritably, ¡°Why worry about one flower when the world is full of them?¡± Zhou Xianming poured and drank on his own, ¡°Mr. Li, to me, it¡¯s like the endless waters of the weak river, yet I choose to drink from only this ladle.¡± Li Fuzhou, upon hearing this, was suddenly at a loss for words. Usually, when he taught someone a lesson, most people didn¡¯t dare to respond, some didn¡¯t know how to refute, but only the useless An Jing and the current Zhou Xianming left him speechless. Half an hour later. Li Fuzhou looked at the listless Zhou Xianming and shook his head, ¡°Your wine is finished, yet she has not come out.¡± In that half an hour, Zhou Xianming drank pot after pot, enough to amaze even a seasoned wanderer like Li Fuzhou. ¡°I¡­ I must not have drunk enough,¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s face was flushed, and several empty wine pots were already on the table. Li Fuzhou: ¡°¡­..¡± The surrounding courtesans: ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?!¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s brows furrowed as he sensed a slight fluctuation in the water. He gently tapped the table with his fingers, ¡°It seems there are experts fiercely battling.¡± ¡­¡­ The night was waning, but the Yu State River remained bustling. Jiang Sanjia sat cross-legged on the cushion, his hands positioned in front of his navel, circulating the Ghost Valley Heart Method repeatedly through numerous cycles. Suddenly, he felt a tremor in his heart, as if a crisis was looming over him. Then, he slowly opened his eyes and looked outside the painting boat. Songs and dances flourished, red lanterns reflected on the glistening waves of the Yu State River, exuding tranquility. ¡°Mu Xiaoyun, Mu Xiaoyun¡­.¡± Jiang Sanjia turned and called out. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± asked Mu Xiaoyun, pulling apart the door curtain with a frown. ¡°I feel something is wrong,¡± Jiang Sanjia said, taking a deep breath. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Mu Xiaoyun inquired. ¡°Look around you, it¡¯s too peaceful.¡± Jiang Sanjia pointed around. Hearing this, Mu Xiaoyun looked around, then suddenly noticed ripples forming on the surface of the water. In the silent night, because the painting boat was some distance away from the lively area, the water was pitch black, obscuring any view and making it feel like they were in a world of darkness. ¡°Not good!¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s pupils shrank sharply. Just then, dozens of arrows swiftly flew toward them from a distance. ¡°Clack, clack, clack, clack!¡± Some arrows plunged into the water, while several others shot directly into the cabin, piercing through it fiercely. Jiang Sanjia waved his sleeve, and the inner strength covered sleeve swept up a gale to shock all the flying arrows back. Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s face suddenly changed and he shouted in a low voice, ¡°People from Cao Gang.¡± Following that, arrows came at them like a storm, and the painting boat resembled a small ship in the wind and rain, with countless arrows sweeping over it, turning it into a porcupine. The entire surface of the river was covered with ripples and waves. Mu Xiaoyun and Jiang Sanjia, both Second Grade Cultivators, naturally were not harmed by the arrows and managed to block them instantly. After a while, the rain of arrows stopped, and all was silent again. ¡°Madam, the gang leader has sent an invitation.¡± Just then, a chilling voice sounded. Standing on the water surface appeared an eerily pale Scholar, resembling the drowned water monkey from folk rumors, with eyes full of gloom and dreariness. The newcomer was none other than the Poison Master, Guo Yuchun. Seeing him, Jiang Sanjia¡¯s heart immediately sank and he looked to the side. If Guo Yuchun was there, it was unlikely he was the only one present. ¡°Is this how you treat this lady?¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s brows tightened as she coldly snapped. Guo Yuchun, with a bow and a cold smile, said, ¡°This intrusion is regrettable, madam, I beg your indulgence, and I hope you will not make it difficult for us.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Although his words suggested an apology, his eyes carried an intense threat. ¡°Good, good, making it difficult for a subordinate,¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, ¡°If I refuse to go back, would you shoot more arrows, commit more offenses?¡± ¡°What do you think, madam?¡± Guo Yuchun¡¯s gloomy face curled into a smirk, his piercing gaze filled with brutality, and the murderous intent in his dark pupils seemed to be capable of consigning one to death. Chapter 49 - Chapter 49: Chapter 49: The Floating Blood Swords Soul Breaks in Yu State Chapter 49: Chapter 49: The Floating Blood Sword¡¯s Soul Breaks in Yu State ¡°Then take my corpse back.¡± Mu Xiaoyun coldly shouted, her body leaping forward. ¡°Capture her!¡± Guo Yuchun indifferently waved his hand. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± Several figures emerged from behind Guo Yuchun, rushing towards Mu Xiaoyun and Jiang Sanjia. These individuals were the Cao Gang¡¯s top experts, the seven Vajra ferocious blades Nan Ming, Red Begonia Ouyang Yu, and Iron Chain across the River Bian Fang. All three were of Second Grade Cultivation, especially Red Begonia Ouyang Yu, who had reached the peak of Second Grade and was faintly touching the threshold of First Grade, ranking among the top experts within the seven Vajra. Bian Fang, with a whip in his hand, lashed out like a mad snake aiming directly for Jiang Sanjia¡¯s throat. Jiang Sanjia felt a chill in his heart and hastily dodged, not knowing from where he pulled out a horsetail whisk and flung it at Bian Fang. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± The silver threads on the whisk were like thousands of flying needles, indestructible. Soon, the whip and whisk tangled with each other, lacking the firm clash of hard weapons, but beneath the calm surface, undercurrents surged, where any slight misstep could lead to death and obliteration. Meanwhile, Ouyang Yu and Bian Fang teamed up to encircle Mu Xiaoyun, their dense moves like a violent storm, trapping her around the painted barge, rendering her unable to move. Jiang Sanjia¡¯s old injuries had not fully healed yet, and although Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s skills were remarkable, equally at the peak of Second Grade, she was no match for Ouyang Yu and Bian Fang working together. On the Yu State River, figures crowded, tumultuous as overturning seas, and the painted barge started to rock violently under the fierce energies. ¡°It won¡¯t do, a prolonged battle will undoubtedly lead to death.¡± Mu Xiaoyun clenched her teeth in determination. Encircled by three Second Grade experts, she and Jiang Sanjia were simply no match, especially since one of them was the peak Second Grade Ouyang Yu. ¡°Miss, do not panic!¡± Just then, a blood-red sword light appeared in the night sky, cleaving towards Guo Yuchun. ¡°What formidable sword light!¡± Ouyang Yu glimpsed the surging sword light, a hint of astonishment flashing in his eyes. The comer was none other than Floating Blood Sword Xue Chen. Mingling in Jianghu as a scholar does not necessarily mean one is merely a scholar, and Guo Yuchun, able to become Liu Qingshan¡¯s close confidant, certainly did not rely solely on his eloquence. ¡°Crack!¡± Guo Yuchun saw the approaching sword light, stretched out a finger, and actually clamped the red sword light directly, then twisted his fingers and the sword light directly shattered into two halves. ¡°First Grade?!¡± Xue Chen saw his sword light damaged and immediately felt a chill in his heart. Unexpectedly, this Guo Yuchun, unassuming and inconspicuous, turned out to be a First Grade Expert. Although he had not yet condensed a Human Flower, he was indeed a bona fide First Grade Expert, with First Grade Cultivation sufficient to stand prominent on the Tiger List in Jianghu. But this Tiger List did not bear Guo Yuchun¡¯s name, obviously, like himself, he had also always concealed his own cultivation. ¡°First Grade Cultivation, so you are the swordsman, Floating Blood Sword!¡± Guo Yuchun seeing the newcomer, a cold smile appeared on his lips. He had never imagined that the peerless swordsman, who killed Haoping and people of Tieyun Mountain, would turn out to be Floating Blood Sword Xue Chen, which was somewhat different from what he had anticipated. ¡°What!? A peerless swordsman?¡± Ouyang Yu and the others also looked over, greatly shaken. They had not expected that the currently famous, killer of the Cao Gang Yu State Headquarters leader Haoping, Tieyun Mountain¡¯s peerless swordsman, would be Xue Chen. ¡°Indeed, it is I, Xue!¡± Xue Chen sneered, his longsword swirling in his hand. He practiced the Xuanwu Level mental method, the Blood Coagulation Technique, augmented by his own creation, the Floating Blood Sword Technique, making his sword light resemble a blood light. ¡°I¡¯ll just spar a few moves with you then.¡± Guo Yuchun¡¯s voice was somewhat hoarse, hands stretched out, his back emitting a violent aura, instantly causing the tumultuous river water to form several screens of water. Bright Moon Over the Great River! The water screens seemed to be pulled by the moonlight, becoming even more radiant. Floating Blood Sword Xue Chen continuously maneuvered his longsword, strenuously cleaving through the layers of water screens, his sword tip directly aimed at Guo Yuchun in the center of the water screens. ¡°Shii! Shii!¡± Within the water screens, sword light flickered, blood light scattered, the resonating sounds echoing by the ears. ¡°Tss!¡± A drop of water drifted out, attacking Jiang Sanjia. The water drop appeared golden and also seemed like blood. It contained both Xue Chen¡¯s inner strength and Guo Yuchun¡¯s inner strength. ¡°Boom!¡± The water drop directly pierced through Jiang Sanjia¡¯s calf, instantly causing intense pain, his forehead swiftly covered in a layer of sweat. ¡°Get out of the way quickly!¡± A battle of First Grade experts! The few people around, seeing the battle of First Grade experts, swiftly moved away, not daring to get too close. Even though neither of them had condensed a Human Flower, the fluctuation of their aura was something Second Grade warriors couldn¡¯t come close to. In the midst of the water curtain, the intense battle continued unabated, turning blood-red without anyone noticing. The moonlight shone straight down, making it starkly visible. ¡°Triple Sword Skill, such a formidable Floating Blood Sword, you being at the bottom of the Tiger List is truly an underestimation of your talents.¡± Guo Yuchun¡¯s expression turned extremely grave, a streak of blood appearing on his pale cheeks, clearly inflicted by the Floating Blood Sword. At this moment, he also realized that Xue Chen had definitely concealed his own cultivation level. ¡°You overpraise me.¡± Xue Chen¡¯s expression remained unchanged, and with a twist of his longsword, the surrounding droplets of water began to be drawn into forming a spiraling vortex. Blood Coagulation Form! The next instant, Guo Yuchun felt the wound on his face begin to bleed profusely as if it was being drawn by the vortex. If left unchecked, it seemed like the force could completely drain all the blood from his body. ¡°Not good!¡± Guo Yuchun¡¯s expression hardened as he resisted that sucking force. ¡°You guys go first!¡± Xue Chen shouted loudly, swinging his longsword so that the surging red vortex rushed toward Guo Yuchun, and he himself was caught in the whirl, charging toward Guo Yuchun. ¡°Help me!¡± Guo Yuchun also shouted loudly, his inner strength quaking, causing the surrounding river waters to surge tumultuously. All rivers are turbulent! The rushing river water built up high, almost like a city wall emerging on the surface of the river. Seeing this, other experts of the Cao Gang immediately exerted their full power, rushing toward Guo Yuchun. The already wide river water wall became even more indestructible, like a real wall of copper and iron. ¡°Quick, leave!¡± Mu Xiaoyun quickly grabbed Jiang Sanjia, who was injured, and took the opportunity to flee into the distance. The others could only watch helplessly as the two escaped. ¡°Focus all efforts on combating this unparalleled swordsman!¡± Guo Yuchun¡¯s hoarse voice carried a hint of murderous intent. Xue Chen¡¯s eyes shone with a concentrated light, without the slightest hesitation. ¡°Bang!¡± The moment the blood light and the golden light collided, it was as if heaven and earth stood still, followed by a surging and tumultuous force transmitting from the sword itself. ¡°Wow!¡± Xue Chen spewed a jet of blood, as if his internal organs had been shattered by the force. ¡°Don¡¯t let him get away.¡± Guo Yuchun immediately shouted. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he won¡¯t get away.¡± Ouyang Yu¡¯s eyes gleamed with a chill as he chased like a swift wind. The sword light was swift and as cold as ice, seemingly freezing the surrounding air in place. ¡°Zi!¡± That sword pierced Xue Chen¡¯s heart, producing a slight sound. Xue Chen¡¯s face stiffened, and then he tightly grasped the sword blade. Ouyang Yu twisted the sword handle and continued to push forward, the two of them advancing and retreating until they hit the deck of the painting boat, the sword blade piercing through Xue Chen and into the deck itself before stopping. ¡°Gurgle¨C!¡± Xue Chen spat out blood, the light in his eyes gradually dimming. That year, the peach blossoms were in full bloom; who knows what they are like this year? In a daze, his vision blurred, as if returning to the past. ¡°Miss¡­ hurry¡­ go¡­¡± Before he could finish speaking, his head tilted, and his breath ceased completely. Under the joint efforts of Guo Yuchun, Ouyang Yu, and Nan Ming, Xue Chen was eventually overpowered and met his demise. ¡°So this is the unparalleled swordsman? Nothing special after all.¡± Ouyang Yu scoffed coldly, then harshly withdrew his treasure sword. Xue Chen¡¯s corpse, now unsupported by the sword, rolled directly onto the ground. ¡°Xue Chen was indeed strong. If it weren¡¯t for Vice Gang Leader Guo being here today, we would have been in danger,¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Nan Ming came over and said solemnly, ¡°Now that Xue Chen is dead, it can be considered revenge for my iron brothers.¡± At that, all the present Cao Gang experts showed a trace of sorrow. The unparalleled swordsman is dead, but Tieyun Mountain will never come back. ¡°Release the news, say that the unparalleled swordsman has been slain, and at the Ullambana Festival, we will behead the corpse in public. As for those two¡­¡± Guo Yuchun looked in the direction where Mu Xiaoyun and Jiang Sanjia had fled and slowly said, ¡°Search the entire city, I want those two captured.¡± Chapter 50 - Chapter 50: Chapter 50 News of the Unmatched Swordsman Chapter 50: Chapter 50 News of the Unmatched Swordsman In Yu State City, streets crisscrossed, and eaves faced each other. The cool autumn, with its sparse morning rain, freshened the air where dust particles, once congealed by the chill, now floated down with the fine drizzle. Yet, the long, ancient streets had already come to life. Yan Er went for his usual morning tea, but when he arrived at the tea house, the normally quiet place was bustling, with every table fully occupied. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Yan Er glanced around and noticed that besides the wandering figures of Jianghu, there were also spies from various powerful factions discussing animatedly. Something big had happened! This was a jolt to Yan Er¡¯s heart; something significant must have transpired in Yu State City to bring these people together. ¡°Brother He, what happened last night?¡± Thinking this, Yan Er approached a young man and asked softly. ¡°Yan Er, did you sleep through last night?¡± The young man looked up at Yan Er, ¡°You don¡¯t know about such a big event?¡± ¡°What big event?¡± Yan Er¡¯s brows furrowed at once. The young man let out a cold laugh, ¡°Last night, the Cao Gang made their move. Three of the seven Vajras acted, and the Poison Master himself took charge, killing that mysterious swordsman.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Yan Er was shocked, disbelief flashing in his eyes, ¡°Is this true? The mysterious swordsman is dead?¡± ¡°Is there any doubt?¡± The young man sneered, ¡°The news from the Cao Gang is absolutely reliable. Do you know who that mysterious swordsman really was?¡± ¡°Who was it?¡± ¡°Floating Blood Sword, Xue Chen!¡± ¡°It was him.¡± ¡­.. The tea house was abuzz with conversation, everyone discussing the big event of the previous night. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the Floating Blood Sword to be that mysterious swordsman. It¡¯s truly surprising.¡± ¡°He debuted with great talent twenty years ago, and there has been little news of him in the past decade. I found it strange; his strength should rank higher than the bottom of the Tiger List.¡± ¡°Such a pity, the mysterious swordsman ultimately met his demise at the hands of the Cao Gang.¡± ¡°The Cao Gang is indeed formidable, eliminating the mysterious swordsman in an instant with the swiftness of lightning.¡± ¡°The Cao Gang¡¯s methods are too fierce. I initially thought that peerless swordsman would be a tough opponent.¡± ¡°Tough? I don¡¯t think he was all that.¡± ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve heard that during the Ullambana Festival, the Cao Gang plans to display Xue Chen¡¯s decapitated head publicly.¡± ¡°It seems the Cao Gang is set on using the name of this peerless swordsman to establish their authority!¡± ¡­¡­. The once-quiet morning was now full of clamor, all due to the news spread by the Cao Gang, making the entire Yu State City exceptionally noisy. Nobody expected that the mysterious swordsman who had been the talk of the town just days ago was none other than the Floating Blood Sword, Xue Chen¡ªand he had been killed by the Cao Gang. For a moment, everyone was in awe of the strength and tactics of the Cao Gang; it hadn¡¯t been long since the swordsman who killed the men of Tieyun Mountain laid dead. The reputation of the Cao Gang had invisibly climbed another step in the hearts of many. An Jing stood at the entrance of Jishi Hall, frowning. I¡¯m dead? How come I didn¡¯t know about it? ¡°Last night¡¯s battle seems to have allowed the Cao Gang to trace down the hideouts of the two through some clues; indeed, there¡¯s a reason why the Cao Gang has grown so powerful,¡± An Jing thought to himself. Although rumors of the Cao Gang¡¯s influence pervade Jianghu, one cannot fathom the extent of this vast syndicate¡¯s power without experiencing it firsthand. It was like a mighty hand, casting its shadow over the region of Jiangnan Dao, not to be underestimated. Thinking this, a chill went through An Jing¡¯s heart. If the Cao Gang could find Jiang Sanjia and Mu Xiaoyun, one day they might also uncover my identity. No one can guarantee their secrets will remain hidden. Once exposed¡­ Wait, I¡¯m supposed to be already dead, right? Why worry about these things now? ¡°Son-in-law, what are you thinking about?¡± Tan Yun, holding a little black pup, asked An Jing, who was frowning deeply. The young doctor has worries too? ¡°Ao wu¡­ Ao wu¡­¡± The little black pup struggled incessantly, trying to escape from Tan Yun¡¯s grasp. An Jing stroked his chin, smiling and said, ¡°I¡¯m thinking about what delicious food the lady will make tonight.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s eyes lit up, eagerly saying, ¡°Son-in-law, it¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve cooked for you, how about I show off my skills again tonight?¡± ¡°No need, I won¡¯t be hungry tonight.¡± Thinking of that crab, An Jing quickly added. ¡°Son-in-law~!¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun¡¯s mouth puckered up like a teapot about to tip over, ¡°You don¡¯t trust me?¡± An Jing with a serious face said, ¡°I trust you, but I really won¡¯t be hungry tonight.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll cook at noon.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t be hungry at noon either.¡± ¡°Son-in-law, I really want to cook for you. You have to believe me. I¡¯ve learned quite a few new dishes lately, like ¡®Emerald Willow and Crying Red¡¯, ¡®Jade Trees Hanging with Coins¡¯, ¡®Phoenix Welcoming Spring¡¯¡­¡± Tan Yun counted off on her fingers as she spoke. I really want to cook for you, those words sounded very sweet. But to An Jing¡¯s ears, it was as if she was saying: Son-in-law, will you eat? I¡¯ll personally poison you¡­ Just then, a cough came from the doorway. ¡°Tea¡­ It¡¯s Third Master, ah.¡± Seeing the newcomer, Tan Yun¡¯s smile froze on her face. Was somebody here to try the poison? An Jing, grinning, said, ¡°Third Master is indeed the Third Master, not returning all night ¨C the definition of growing old but ever vigorous, old yet increasingly crafty¡­¡± Li Fuzhou let out a cold laugh, ¡°Last night on the painted boat, that old Madame Zhao asked¡­¡± ¡°Third Master, you must be tired, right? Please, have a seat!¡± Feeling a chill in his heart upon hearing this, An Jing quickly aided Li Fuzhou by the arm, saying, ¡°Tan Yun, didn¡¯t you see Third Master come in? Quickly go and pour a cup of tea to moisten Third Master¡¯s throat.¡± ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯ll go right now.¡± Tan Yun, looking puzzled, hurried off to pour the tea. Li Fuzhou watched An Jing with a half-smile, ¡°You do have the poise of a scholar.¡± He admitted that he had been rash in the past, having misjudged this ¡®little doctor¡¯. Especially after recalling how last night, old Madame Zhao couldn¡¯t stop praising An Jing, practically sparkling with admiration; without the silver in place, such a reaction would hardly be possible. This man is not an ordinary character! An Jing chuckled dryly, ¡°Third Master, you flatter me. I¡¯m just a little doctor, how can I compare to the noble character of a scholar like you?¡± Li Fuzhou waved his hand dismissively, ¡°No, I¡¯m just an old thing, that¡¯s all.¡± That old rascal! An Jing cursed inwardly, Tan Yun was right; scholars indeed are the most troublesome. He hadn¡¯t expected the old thing to have caught him in a weak spot. Pulling out the consulting fee he received from the Cao Family, An Jing said, ¡°Third Master, I have some silver here. If you want to visit the brothels to listen to music tonight, please accept it.¡± ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem quite proper, does it?¡± Li Fuzhou blinked, his gnarled hand reaching for the silver in An Jing¡¯s hand, then he weighed it mischievously, pretending to be surprised, ¡°Isn¡¯t this the consulting fee from the Cao Family? It must be ten taels, right?¡± ¡°Not more, not less, exactly ten taels.¡± An Jing turned his head away, the money was his hard-earned cash, and now he could only use it to buy Li Fuzhou¡¯s moral righteousness. ¡°Not bad, not bad at all.¡± Li Fuzhou happily pocketed the silver, smiling, ¡°Shall we go together to the brothel to listen to music tonight?¡± ¡°No, I won¡¯t go.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing hurriedly shook his head; who knew whether this old man was trying to trick him? ¡°Then that¡¯s truly a pity.¡± Li Fuzhou gently sipped his tea, patted An Jing on the shoulder, and said with a smile, ¡°Prepare the silver for me to go brothel-visiting the day after tomorrow, too. I know you¡¯ll have it.¡± ¡°This secret, I¡¯ll eat off of for a lifetime.¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: Chapter 51 Buddhist Opportunity Sealing Movement Chapter 51: Chapter 51 Buddhist Opportunity Sealing Movement Fa Xi Temple. Fa Xi Temple was originally named Tianzhu Temple, but after the fall of the Zhou Dynasty, Jiangnan Dao was within the territory of Wu Country at the time. Many in Wu Country harbored animosity towards Buddhism, sparking the infamous campaign to annihilate Buddhism. It was then that Tianzhu Temple was renamed to Fa Xi Temple. In addition, it was the prevention by the Zhenyi Sect Leader that allowed this ancient temple to be preserved. Fa Xi Temple was surrounded on three sides by mountains, offering a picturesque landscape. Its interior was dotted with splendid buildings and valuable collections of scriptures and elixirs. The built structures include the Heavenly King Hall, Yuantong Treasure Hall, Grand Hall, Scripture Pavilion, Vilu Hall, among others, arranged in a solemn and orderly manner, along with the heritage of the Scripture Translating Platform, Seven-leaf Hall, and the Three-Life Stone. Inside the Vilu Hall, it was categorically calm and silent. Fa Zhi was kneeling in front of a Buddha statue, his eyes tightly shut, tapping a wooden fish in his hands. Time passed unbeknownst, and Fa Zhi¡¯s movements halted. He then slowly opened his eyes and glanced at the wooden fish hammer in his hand. On the wooden fish hammer, a crack had startlingly appeared. ¡°When demons see blessings, their evil is not ripe; when their evil ripens, they must endure severe punishment.¡± Fa Zhi sighed deeply. A crack appearing on the wooden fish hammer was evidently an ominous sign. ¡°Senior brother.¡± Just then, a youthful voice called out from outside the door. A small monk, about seven or eight years old, stood at the doorway, holding a string of Buddha beads. The little monk had rosy lips and white teeth, clear eyes and handsome features, yet his expression carried a bit of naivety and innocence. ¡°Come in.¡± Fa Zhi slowly said, ¡°Have you recited today¡¯s scriptures?¡± ¡°Senior brother, Fa Wu has recited.¡± the young monk replied with his hands clasped respectfully. Fa Zhi nodded without saying more. Fa Wu, puzzled, asked, ¡°Senior brother, why do you constantly recite scriptures in this Vilu Hall?¡± His senior brother, Fa Zhi, had been reciting scriptures here for several days; he did not understand why not in the Grand Hall. ¡°I am resolving karma.¡± ¡°Has senior brother managed to resolve it?¡± ¡°The cycle of cause and effect, consequences arise from causes, naturally they also cease due to causes.¡± ¡°What is the cause? Is it the Buddha?¡± ¡°No, it is the beings of this world.¡± Fa Wu said, ¡°Since it¡¯s the cause of the beings of this world, naturally it must be resolved by the beings of this world.¡± Fa Zhi chuckled softly, ¡°But aren¡¯t you and I also part of these myriad beings?¡± Fa Wu nodded, seemingly understanding yet not quite; I am indeed part of the myriad beings of this world. If the cause is sown by the people of this world, naturally I must also bear such consequences. Behind that Buddha statue in front, specks of black energy began to emerge, like dark vines entwined around the Buddha statue, while a layer of golden radiance pulsed from within the statue. The black energy and the golden light reflected off each other, intertwining. If An Jing were here, he would definitely recognize that the black energy in front of him was Yin Energy. A place of Buddhist purity had manifest such dense Yin Energy, even seemingly overshadowing the Buddha statue¡¯s golden radiance. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± The next moment, as if unable to withstand it, the Buddha statue¡¯s body suddenly displayed several cracks, and soon these cracks spread across the entire statue. ¡°Hiss!¡± ¡°Hiss!¡± The already weak golden light instantly shattered, and the black Yin Energy became even more rampant and wild. Fa Wu cried out, ¡°Senior brother, this¡­¡± ¡°Evil has ripened.¡± Fa Zhi sighed softly, ¡°Quickly call all the monks in the temple here.¡± ¡°Yes, Fa Wu will go right now.¡± Fa Wu, upon hearing this, dared not slacken in the slightest. ¡­¡­. Inside Jishi Hall. Zhao Qingmei sat beside a table, her expression calm and indifferent. ¡°Miss, Master, your son-in-law has already gone out with his medicine box,¡± Tan Yun said quietly, then obediently stood aside. Zhao Qingmei softly said, ¡°Mr. Third, you are aware of last night¡¯s events, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I am aware. The two individuals pursued by Cao Gang were Mu Xiaoyun and Jiang Sanjia,¡± Li Fuzhou slowly said, ¡°The person who was killed was indeed Xue Chen of the Floating Blood Sword. His cultivation had reached the First Grade, that is certain.¡± The Human Sect was specifically responsible for auditing and intelligence. Needless to say, Li Fuzhou had been on the Yu State River last night and naturally knew this matter like the back of his hand. ¡°Mu Xiaoyun?¡± Zhao Qingmei couldn¡¯t help but laugh upon hearing these three words. Mu Xiaoyun was the wife of the Gang Leader of Cao Gang, yet now she was being pursued by Cao Gang. Li Fuzhou said, ¡°According to the intelligence gathered by the spies, it seems Mu Xiaoyun knew something detrimental to Liu Qingshan, which led to her house arrest. Eventually, she secretly escaped, and Xue Chen, owing her a favor from many years ago, did not hesitate to die for her because of that past kindness.¡± Tan Yun quietly said beside, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect such a peerless swordsman to be defeated so easily. I had thought his skills were profound.¡± ¡°Facing one First Grade Expert and three Second Grade Experts in a joint attack, holding on for several exchanges is already commendable,¡± Li Fuzhou glanced at Tan Yun and said, ¡°Your cultivation seems to have stagnated for quite a while. It seems you¡¯ve become lax since leaving the headquarters. Too many comfortable days have made you quite plump.¡± Tan Yun shrank her neck, too frightened to speak again. Only when Li Fuzhou withdrew his gaze did she subconsciously touch her round cheeks and soft belly, thinking to herself: It¡¯s all because of that stinking son-in-law. Every time he returns, he brings back pastries. Even though I¡¯ve told him not to, he insists on bringing them¡­ and I can¡¯t let them go to waste¡­ ¡°Finding Mu Xiaoyun, I am very curious about this secret,¡± Zhao Qingmei said with a smile, ¡°and also about that Jiang Sanjia.¡± ¡°Sect Hierarch, do you intend to use Jiang Sanjia¡¯s Ghost Valley Heavenly Mechanism to find the killer of the old Sect Hierarch?¡± Li Fuzhou asked gravely. ¡°Exactly,¡± Zhao Qingmei said indifferently. Li Fuzhou thought for a moment, then said, ¡°I doubt Jiang Sanjia will be able to calculate it. Those capable of killing the old Sect Hierarch are undoubtedly among the top few experts in the world today. The divination practices of the Ghost Valley Sect adhere to the principle that not all heavenly secrets should be revealed.¡± Old Sect Hierarch Jiang Shang of Demon Sect, a peerless expert whose name made all heroes tremble, a tyrant who controlled the Demon Sect. Anyone capable of killing such a figure could be counted on one hand in the entire world. Zhao Qingmei said with an expressionless face, ¡°Let¡¯s find this person first. I don¡¯t want to see the people from Cao Gang getting to them before us.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded slightly, then as if he remembered something, said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, I have received an important piece of news.¡± ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°The thing that was sealed in Fa Xi Temple seems to have loosened.¡± ¡°Oh? That is not a good omen.¡± Zhao Qingmei raised her eyebrow and fell into deep thought, ¡°If the object recorded in the ancient scriptures in our sect is true¡­¡± The antiquity of the Demon Sect outlasted many sects of Great Yan, and today, only Zhenyi and Buddhism are comparable. The remaining sects are merely newcomers. Furthermore, given the continuous prosperity of the Demon Sect, the secrets recorded in its ancient scriptures are considered supreme in the world. ¡°This object, if obtained by those with ulterior motives, might lead to another period of great turmoil,¡± Li Fuzhou said slowly. ¡°It seems this Ullambana Festival, we ought to join the excitement,¡± Zhao Qingmei said somberly. Li Fuzhou nodded and said, ¡°Just leave it to me.¡± ¡°Mr. Third, how is your injury?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked, glancing at Li Fuzhou. ¡°Although I have swallowed the elixir formulated by the Poison King within our sect, it still requires some time.¡± Li Fuzhou regretted, ¡°Had it not been for Xue Chen stealing my Zhu fruit, by now my injury might almost be fully healed¡­¡± As he spoke, Li Fuzhou suddenly felt something odd. Zhao Qingmei had always been aware of his injury, why was she suddenly asking these questions? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Sect Hierarch¡­¡± ¡°I heard this morning that you are taking my husband to the brothel to listen to music.¡± ¡°It was just an offhand remark made to test that young doctor.¡± Li Fuzhou chuckled nervously, heartachingly took out the silver he had not yet warmed up, and offered it with both hands: ¡°Sect Hierarch, this is the silver given to me by your husband, exactly ten taels, no more, no less.¡± Zhao Qingmei accepted the silver contentedly, thinking, The hard-earned consultation fee of my husband can only be used by me. Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Chapter 52: This Half-Life of Love, Resentment, Anger, and Foolishness Chapter 52: Chapter 52: This Half-Life of Love, Resentment, Anger, and Foolishness Outside Yu State City, at dusk. The setting sun was like blood, and on the broken remnants of branches, a few crows were cawing. An Jing had changed into a dark cyan hooded cloak, flitting through the woods, feeling the faint glow from the Earth Book. ¡°Never thought that one day this Earth Book would not only help me find opportunities but also help me locate people.¡± At this moment, he was using the Earth Book¡¯s sensations to search for Mu Xiaoyun and Jiang Sanjia. According to the Earth Book¡¯s guidance, the two had fled from within Yu State City and come to its outskirts. At this moment, both inside and outside Yu State City were filled with the Cao Gang¡¯s men, as well as the Court¡¯s constables. The two must have hidden themselves. ¡°They should be in the temple ruins ahead.¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows slightly and walked slowly into the temple ruins ahead. The temple was in a state of disrepair, with broken porcelain fragments and ashes on the ground, and piles of grass accumulated in the corners. As soon as he stepped inside, the Earth Book in his mind emitted intense bursts of light. ¡°Come out.¡± An Jing said faintly. There was silence all around, only the empty echo of his voice. ¡°Brother Sanjia, I said before, finding you would be a matter of anytime,¡± An Jing continued. ¡°It seems it¡¯s indeed you, Brother Zhou.¡± Jiang Sanjia then emerged from behind the dilapidated Buddha statue, his face as pale as paper, walking with a limp. Following Jiang Sanjia, Mu Xiaoyun also walked out slowly. Compared to Jiang Sanjia, her complexion was even more pallid, without a trace of color. ¡°Where¡¯s Xue Chen?¡± That was the first thing she asked An Jing, her voice somewhat hoarse and dry. ¡°Dead,¡± An Jing replied. The news of Xue Chen¡¯s death had already spread throughout the entirety of Yu State City and was likely radiating toward Jiangnan Dao. ¡°Dead?¡± Mu Xiaoyun was stunned. Although she had guessed this outcome, the news felt like a heavy hammer striking fiercely on her chest when she heard it, making it hard for her to breathe and stifling her breath. Jiang Sanjia sighed softly, without a word. He had had a premonition about Xue Chen¡¯s death; fighting Guo Yuchun and Ouyang Yu alone while covering their retreat, he was sure to be no match for them. Had he managed to escape by some fluke, he certainly would have come to find them. An Jing nodded, ¡°The Cao Gang plans to behead and display the body during the Ullambana Festival to serve as an example to others.¡± ¡°It seems the Cao Gang truly believed that they had killed you, Brother Zhou,¡± Jiang Sanjia said with a strange expression. Clearly, by killing Xue Chen, the Cao Gang intended to establish authority. Wasn¡¯t that mysterious swordsman a big deal a while ago? Wasn¡¯t he causing a storm in Yu State City? Challenging the might of the Cao Gang? Well, now we¡¯ve killed that mysterious swordsman, and you¡¯ll know the cost of defying the Cao Gang. ¡°That¡¯s fine with me.¡± An Jing shrugged his shoulders and then took out a packet of Hemostatic Powder and handed it to Jiang Sanjia, ¡°This is Hemostatic Powder, stop the bleeding first.¡± He didn¡¯t care about these false reputations anyway; now that the Cao Gang believed he was dead, it actually worked out better for him. ¡°Thank you.¡± Jiang Sanjia took the Hemostatic Powder and then sat on the steps, carefully sprinkling the powder onto his shin, ¡°Brother Zhou, you should have brought some food and drink. My stomach has been singing the Empty Fort Strategy since midnight.¡± An Jing raised his eyebrow, ¡°The Cao Gang is hunting you all over the city, and you¡¯re still thinking about eating?¡± Jiang Sanjia grinned, ¡°I¡¯d rather be caught by the Cao Gang than die of hunger¡­ Hiss¨C!¡± As the Hemostatic Powder scattered on the wound, Jiang Sanjia couldn¡¯t help but inhale sharply from the pain, as if the wound was being torn open again. Mu Xiaoyun stood there stunned, seemingly lost in a daze, as if she hadn¡¯t snapped back to reality from what An Jing said. In a trance, she was transported back twenty years. Within the backyard of the Mu Family, the young Xue Chen was being surrounded by several boys his own age. ¡°The son of the gatekeeper? That¡¯s also a servant.¡± ¡°What is this place, and who allowed you to come in?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve really got guts, even daring to enter the backyard.¡± ¡­¡­.. Several people started coldly sneering at Xue Chen. ¡°Young Master, I didn¡¯t know where this was and mistakenly trespassed, please don¡¯t blame me,¡± Xue Chen said through clenched teeth. Within the Mu Family, there was an extremely harsh class system; not all servants could enter the inner courtyard, and once discovered, they would face severe punishment. ¡°Didn¡¯t know? It¡¯s already too late to know now.¡± One of the youths pushed Xue Chen to the ground and sneered, ¡°Teach him a harsh lesson for me, let him understand the rules of my Mu Family.¡± Hearing this, several youths stepped forward and started punching and kicking Xue Chen, their fists and feet striking mercilessly. As Xue Chen lay on the ground, he bit down on his teeth hard, and even as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, he didn¡¯t utter a single plea for mercy. Several maids in the distance saw this and hid behind wooden pillars. ¡°This will kill someone¡­ ¡± ¡°Hurry, go call someone.¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t dare.¡± The maids looked at each other helplessly as they watched Xue Chen lying on the ground, beaten until he was bloodied and battered, appearing as if he could be beaten to death right there and then. ¡°Good lad, this kid¡¯s bones are indeed tough,¡± the lead youth said with a hint of anger in his eyes, ¡°Beat him hard. I refuse to believe it today.¡± ¡°Stop, what are you doing?¡± Just then, a commanding voice rang out. Upon hearing this voice, the youths halted their actions. ¡°Sister, why have you come?¡± The young man immediately laughed awkwardly upon seeing the arrival. The newcomer was none other than Mu Xiaoyun, the little overlord of Yu State City from the Mu Family, feared by all children among the local gentry in Yu State City. Even her own father had to treat her carefully, coaxing her lest she decided to complain to the old ancestors one day. ¡°Mu Jinglun, is bullying servants all you¡¯re capable of?¡± Mu Xiaoyun said coldly, ¡°Just a few days ago when the chief disciple of the Five Poison Sect, Dai Danshu, was traveling through Yu State, you were beaten and scattered like a rat. I don¡¯t recall seeing you this arrogant.¡± ¡°Sister, I¡­¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to scram?¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes, I¡¯ll scram right now, this instance.¡± Mu Jinglun, along with several youths, scurried away as if granted amnesty, afraid of even being half a step slow and displeasing Mu Xiaoyun. ¡°Kid, are you alright?¡± Mu Xiaoyun asked, looking at Xue Chen, who laid on the ground. ¡°Thank you, Miss. I shall repay this kindness in the future.¡± Xue Chen struggled to get up and gave a bow to Mu Xiaoyun. ¡°You seem to have quite a backbone. However, there¡¯s no need to think about repaying me. I simply didn¡¯t want to see an innocent person die innocently,¡± Mu Xiaoyun said after sizing up Xue Chen. She had clearly seen that even though Mu Jinglun and the others had been beating Xue Chen ruthlessly, he had not cried out even once, something not many young men could endure. But she, Mu Xiaoyun, a young miss of the Mu Family, needed a servant to repay her? The youth Xue Chen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and earnestly said, ¡°My father told me since I was young to remember kindness as deeply as blood.¡± ¡°No need for that. This is the inner courtyard, you should be more careful in the future.¡± Mu Xiaoyun waved her hand and then instructed, ¡°Xiao Huan, tell Uncle Liu to let him rest for a few days.¡± ¡°Yes, Miss,¡± the maid beside her nodded. Having said that, Mu Xiaoyun prepared to leave with her maid. ¡°Miss.¡± Xue Chen suddenly called out. ¡°What is it?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°I will never forget the kindness you showed me today!¡± ¡°Your intention is appreciated.¡± Under the sunlight, the young man wore a serious expression, his eyes filled with resolve, while the radiant young miss had a light smile on her lips. The lamp glowed like a bean, yet it illuminated a lifetime of love, anger, obsession, and foolishness. ¡­¡­. Chapter 53 - Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Ancient Jade Body Refining Changes Root Bone Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Ancient Jade Body Refining Changes Root Bone Jiang Sanjia¡¯s painful groan abruptly brought Mu Xiaoyun back to her senses. ¡°Madam Liu, what do you plan to do next?¡± An Jing turned his head to look at Mu Xiaoyun. Xue Chen had died, indicating that Cao Gang had been prepared for her plans all along. Now, with another assistant dead, their situation had undoubtedly gone from bad to worse. If they still intended to go to Shuangmu Forest to rescue Liu Qingshan, it could only be described as fraught with extreme difficulties. ¡°Haven¡¯t you always wanted the Ancient Jade? I can give it to you now.¡± Mu Xiaoyun lifted her head, her beautiful eyes staring intently at An Jing. The Ancient Jade was the treasure Mu Xiaoyun had once promised to An Jing, and it was also listed in the Earth Book as an item that could change An Jing¡¯s Root Bone. An Jing was slightly stunned, then said, ¡°It seems the Ancient Jade is on your person.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Mu Xiaoyun nodded slightly, then took out a red cord from around her waist, with an Ancient Jade hanging on it, glowing with a gentle luster. The moment he saw the Ancient Jade, a gleam flashed in An Jing¡¯s eyes. Mu Xiaoyun looked at the Ancient Jade in her hand and calmly said, ¡°This piece of Ancient Jade is a relic from the Great Zhou Dynasty, given to me as a betrothal gift by my husband Liu Qingshan. I have always carried it on me.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Are you not afraid I might kill you to seize it?¡± Not to mention that both were injured, even without injuries she wouldn¡¯t be his match. Previously, Mu Xiaoyun had been wary of him, which was why she had given him only a painting scroll of Ancient Jade to appease him. Mu Xiaoyun said, ¡°I am afraid, but I trust Mr. Zhou¡¯s character.¡± ¡°Character? Are we that familiar?¡± An Jing touched the sword at his waist, his voice devoid of any emotion. Mu Xiaoyun wouldn¡¯t easily hand over the Ancient Jade; her taking it out now must mean she wanted An Jing to do something for her, but that something was surely more difficult than killing her. Jiang Sanjia was stunned for a moment but looked over as well. ¡°I believe in Brother Zhou¡¯s character,¡± Mu Xiaoyun repeated. ¡°Now tell me, what do you want?¡± An Jing asked indifferently. ¡°I want Xue Chen¡¯s intact corpse,¡± Mu Xiaoyun said softly. Xue Chen¡¯s corpse had already been taken away by the experts of Cao Gang and hidden somewhere. If they were to look for it, it would take time. They would have to wait until the Ullambana Festival to attempt to snatch it during the public execution. On the Ullambana Festival, with countless experts from Cao Gang and the four great families of Jiangnan Dao present, who would dare to snatch the body in such a public space? ¡°I have already died and now you want me to come back to life?¡± An Jing laughed involuntarily. Now, everyone in the world believed that mysterious swordsman was dead, which undoubtedly was a great thing for him. Someone else had taken the fall for his previous actions, and he no longer had any entanglement with Cao Gang. Mu Xiaoyun gently twirled a strand of her hair, her beautiful eyes serious as she said, ¡°If Brother Zhou is willing to make a move, Mu Xiaoyun will owe you a favor, and if there is an opportunity in the future, I will surely repay it with my life.¡± An Jing was silent for a long while, then said, ¡°This piece of Ancient Jade is only good for one use from me.¡± Originally, he could have killed Mu Xiaoyun and easily taken the Ancient Jade from her hand. ¡°Just this once.¡± Mu Xiaoyun smiled. She knew An Jing had agreed. ¡°Brother Zhou, here.¡± The Ancient Jade traced an arc through the air, then was caught by An Jing, and instantly a warm sensation spread from the palm of his hand throughout his limbs. ¡°Change locations, place the mark behind the broken temple¡¯s Buddha statue. After the deed is done, I will find you.¡± An Jing, holding the Ancient Jade, said. Mu Xiaoyun nodded heavily, aware that many forces were currently searching for them, and not just Cao Gang. This place was indeed too dangerous. ¡°Brother Zhou, next time bring some roast chicken and wine, the best being from the Wuyang Winery, and preferably roast chicken from Yutian Pavilion,¡± Jiang Sanjia reminded him. An Jing smiled faintly, ¡°Sanjia, if you are still alive, I can treat you to it.¡± Jiang Sanjia¡¯s face darkened, ¡°I¡¯ve calculated¡ªunless there¡¯s an accident, I still have thirty years of life to live.¡± ¡°Unfortunately, life is full of accidents.¡± An Jing waved his hand and walked towards the outside of the broken temple. ¡°Wait!¡± At that moment, Mu Xiaoyun called out to him. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Be careful!¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but smile and slowly walked out of the broken temple. ¡­¡­ Outside Yu State City, a dense forest. Deep in the lush, densely layered forest, far removed from the official roads and bustling markets. An Jing sat on a massive rock, then took out the Ancient Jade. The crystal-clear jade seemed to have something flowing inside it. ¡°Is this the treasure that can change one¡¯s Root Bone?¡± An Jing toyed with the jade in his hand, talking to himself. As the foundation of the physical body, the Root Bone could manifest in four types: clear, strange, ancient, and odd; most martial arts prodigies typically had the clear type, with the strange type being exceedingly rare. And An Jing¡¯s Root Bone was precisely this second type, a heaven-sent rarity. If the Root Bone is high, the cultivation of Qi becomes smoother and reaches closer to perfection. The reason he managed to reach First Grade Cultivation within ten years was not only due to the help of the Earth Book but also his heaven-sent rare Root Bone. ¡°Hiss!¡± Just then, a faint, shadowy line appeared in the jade; An Jing¡¯s Qi seemed to be stirred, spontaneously beginning to circulate the Daluo Heart Method. ¡°Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!¡± Following this, the red line began to move, like a clever snake trying to break free from its cage. ¡°This is¡­..¡± An Jing blinked, and the red line burst out from the Ancient Jade and surged into his body. The moment the red line rushed in, it felt as though thousands of steel needles were stabbing his body, instantaneously spreading a stabbing pain throughout every meridian in his body. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± An Jing clenched his teeth tightly, and in an instant, cold sweat densely covered his forehead. He did not know how much time had passed when the stabbing sensation finally began to fade, replaced by a warm touch that started to travel along his meridians. ¡°This feels somewhat strange¡­¡± An Jing opened his eyes, looked at his palm, and then his thoughts turned to the Earth Book. Cultivation: First Grade Life Fate: Favorable Star Shining Root Bone: Once in a Hundred Years Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Daluo Heart Method, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword (Fifth Layer). Prompt One: The host¡¯s Life Fate has not yet taken root (ten months remaining); when displaying martial arts, one must not reveal the host¡¯s identity, otherwise a dark fortune will be incurred. Prompt Two: In Fa Xi Temple¡¯s Vilu Hall lies a blue fortune under the Buddha statue, sealing an unknown ancient item. Prompt Three: Fa Xi Temple harbors a dark fortune, acquiring it will bring misfortune and pursuit. ¡­. Once in a Hundred Years, a glint of light flashed in An Jing¡¯s eyes on seeing this. His Root Bone had progressed from a heaven-sent rarity to Once in a Hundred Years, an immense enhancement that had unexpectedly also elevated his Hundred-step Flying Sword. And this was just what could be seen; there were many more invisible enhancements. For instance, his sudden insights into swordsmanship seemed to have reached a new level of enhancement, a sensation immensely profound. According to the swordsmanship levels in Jianghu, An Jing was now at the peak of the Fourth Level Sword Skill, just one step away from reaching the Fifth Level. In today¡¯s world, only a handful of people had reached this level. Moreover, his swordsmanship, mental methods, and movement techniques all felt noticeably easier than before, and with each additional practice session, he gained new insights. This enhancement of the Root Bone might not seem significant in the short term, but it is a long-term strategy. ¡°In the entire Jianghu, there are definitely no more than five individuals with a Root Bone like mine.¡± An Jing slowly exhaled. Just how formidable a Root Bone of Once in a Hundred Years is, he might well be the top disciple among the Seven Factions, his talent second to none under heaven. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He wondered if after Once in a Hundred Years his Root Bone could still enhance, perhaps Once in a Thousand Years? And then there were new prompts from the Earth Book, all centered around Fa Xi Temple, among which was also a dark fortune, warranting caution to avoid inadvertently attracting this dark fortune. ¡°It¡¯s getting dark, time to head home.¡± An Jing felt the pain nearly gone, then with a leap, he sprinted towards Yu State City. ¡­¡­ Chapter 54 - Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Three People Toasting Under the Moonlight Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Three People Toasting Under the Moonlight Yu State City, Mazizi Street. Teams of constables poured out of the government office, dashing in all directions. Jiang Sanjia was a prisoner of the highest degree in the dungeon, prompting all the constables in Yu State City to spring into action to capture him. Han Wenxin commanded, ¡°Quick, Ma Liu, Shi Liang, you two take this street, and the rest of you head to that street.¡± Upon hearing his words, everyone began patrolling and searching along the streets. Seeing this, Han Wenxin exhaled, swung his blade over his shoulder, and turned to walk towards Chunfeng Alley. ¡°If those who are stronger than me are also more hardworking, what use is my effort? Why not enjoy a drink under the splendid moonlight instead of catching a bird?¡± Han Wenxin muttered to himself, then headed into the alley, directly towards Wuyang Tavern. ¡°Huh!?¡± Just then, he spotted a figure sneaking around ahead, which upon closer inspection, was also eerily familiar. ¡°Mr. Zhou, what are you doing here?¡± Han Wenxin stepped forward and patted the man¡¯s shoulder. Zhou Xianming, startled by the sudden touch, jumped and turned to see it was Han Wenxin, instantly relieving him, ¡°I thought it was someone else. It¡¯s just Officer Han.¡± Han Wenxin raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°What are you doing? Sneaking around?¡± ¡°How rude.¡± Zhou Xianming straightened his robe, solemnly saying, ¡°I just walked out from my own home, why would I sneak around?¡± Han Wenxin glanced around and indeed, it was Zhou Xianming¡¯s house. Zhou Xianming shot back, ¡°What about you, Officer Han? You must be slacking off again, planning to go for a drink, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not slacking off,¡± Han Wenxin immediately retorted, ¡°Brother An once said that those who rush in first always end up covered in blood. My family lineage has been single-descendant for three generations; what if it gets cut off?¡± ¡°Twisted logic!¡± Zhou Xianming snorted lightly, not buying Han Wenxin¡¯s reasoning at all, but he thought the words of little Doctor An carried some profound meaning¡­ ¡°What do you know?¡± Han Wenxin scoffed, ¡°Do you know who we are trying to capture? Jiang Sanjia, the Calculating Master, a Second Grade Expert from Jianghu and a descendant of the Ghost Valley Sect. He has connections all over Jianghu and knows countless experts. A flick of their little finger could crush us constables to bits.¡± Zhou Xianming naturally knew who the Calculating Master Jiang Sanjia was, being a storyteller himself. Considering it, Zhou Xianming wouldn¡¯t be keen to capture him either, recognizing this task as one for the Xuanyi Guard. ¡°By the way, I heard that the unparalleled swordsman was really captured?¡± Zhou Xianming looked around and asked in a low voice. Han Wenxin replied irritatedly, ¡°Of course, Floating Blood Sword Xue Chen, a First Grade Expert. Do you even realize what First Grade means?¡± ¡°Really¡­ Is that true?¡± Zhou Xianming swallowed hard, feeling inexplicably fearful. The man in black had rarely come to see him lately, almost as if vanished. Could that man be Floating Blood Sword Xue Chen? If it really was, could he possibly get implicated in this big case? The more Zhou Xianming thought about it, the more frightened he became, his complexion turning increasingly unsightly, even causing his body to tremble slightly. ¡°Mr. Zhou, what are you so happy about?¡± Just then, a voice suddenly resonated from behind. ¡°When was I happy?¡± Zhou Xianming reflexively contradicted. ¡°Brother An?¡± Han Wenxin saw the newcomer and couldn¡¯t help but be slightly startled. The arrival was none other than An Jing, who was hurrying home. An Jing glanced at the pale-faced Zhou Xianming, curiously asking, ¡°I see you two talking, and Mr. Zhou is trembling with excitement. What exactly are you discussing?¡± ¡°Nothing, just talking about Xue Chen¡¯s matter.¡± Han Wenxin waved his hand and, with a grin, walked over to An Jing, draping an arm over his shoulder, ¡°No pressing matters today, how about we go have a drink?¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go drink.¡± Zhou Xianming nodded continuously after hearing this. Although Han Wenxin was just a minor constable, he nonetheless provided some sense of security. ¡°You go ahead, I need to head home.¡± An Jing declined. The sky was growing dark, and there were fewer and fewer pedestrians on the streets; he had only come out to make a house call and had no intention of going out for drinks. ¡°An Jing, you¡¯ve changed.¡± Han Wenxin sighed. ¡°Yes, you¡¯ve changed.¡± Zhou Xianming also nodded again and again. ¡°Changed how?¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow. ¡°Previously, when I mentioned drinking, you never hesitated.¡± Han Wenxin shook his head, lamenting, ¡°Times have changed, now you even say no.¡± Zhou Xianming too added fuel to the fire, ¡°Yes, back when we would hang out in brothels listening to music, how stylish and carefree it was, how much ¡­¡± ¡°Stop right there, where do you say you¡¯re going?¡± An Jing quickly cut him off. Zhou Xianming, this scholar, was not straightforward; his words had hidden meanings, and it seemed he might even be threatening him. ¡°Let¡¯s go! To Wuyang Tavern!¡± ¡°No return until we¡¯re drunk!¡± ¡­¡­ In Wuyang Tavern. The moonlight was like water, spilling thousands of miles, and the night wind howled past, carrying a hint of chill. The three of them sat at the wine table, pushing cups and exchanging toasts. An Jing, looking at the tipsy Zhou Xianming, remembered something and asked, ¡°Mr. Zhou, the autumn examinations are coming up soon, aren¡¯t you about to take the examination?¡± Zhou Xianming waved his hand, brimming with confidence, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s just the autumn exams; I¡¯ll definitely return triumphantly this time, especially since Miss Li Yue is waiting for me.¡± Listening to this, Han Wenxin paused with the chopsticks in his hand, ¡°Mr. Zhou, the Li Yue you¡¯re talking about, is she that Oiran?¡± Li Yue was quite famous in Yu State City, and being a veteran, Han Wenxin was very well aware. Zhou Xianming raised his cup and drank it down, laughing foolishly, ¡°Yes, she¡¯s waiting for me to pass the Advanced Scholar exam and buy her freedom.¡± ¡°Forget it, buying an Oiran¡¯s freedom is extremely difficult.¡± Han Wenxin waved his hand, ¡°Besides, she¡¯s just a courtesan. After you become an Advanced Scholar, wouldn¡¯t it be better to marry a clean girl?¡± An Jing repeatedly nodded beside them, agreeing with Han Wenxin¡¯s words, and remarked, ¡°A pair of jade arms embraced by a thousand people, a bit of vermilion lips tasted by ten thousand; Mr. Zhou, you should really think this through properly.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t allow you to slander Miss Li Yue!¡± Zhou Xianming, hearing this, suddenly became furious. ¡°I¡¯m not slandering her?¡± Han Wenxin was dumbfounded and then urgently persuaded, ¡°I¡¯m telling nothing but the truth. Don¡¯t let her play with your emotions; she meets countless men every day, and her command over people¡¯s hearts is not something you, a mere young scholar, can compare with. I advise you not to get too involved lest you end up getting hurt.¡± As he spoke, Han Wenxin picked up a piece of meat and began chewing it vigorously. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing, pouring wine for the two, said, ¡°Right, I think Han brother speaks wisely; Mr. Zhou, you should not be blind to the truth. Moreover, I believe Li Yue does not regard you as you might think.¡± He noticed that lately, Zhou Xianming seemed to be evolving from a lovesick pup into a War Wolf. Zhou Xianming¡¯s face darkened, clearly not taking in a word the two said. ¡°Mr. Zhou, listen to me, she¡¯s deep waters, and you can¡¯t handle an Oiran like her.¡± Han Wenxin put down his chopsticks, proudly said, ¡°You should let me handle her; I might still have a chance.¡± Chapter 55 - Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Divine Ingenuity, Calculations as Accurate as a Gods Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Divine Ingenuity, Calculations as Accurate as a God¡¯s ¡°Smack!¡± Zhou Xianming, upon hearing this, could no longer bear it and stared fiercely at Han Wenxin, ¡°You¡¯re talking nonsense! Would Li Yue, a lady with a blind eye, fancy a rough martial artist like you?¡± An Jing was also startled by Zhou Xianming¡¯s momentum, pausing with his chopsticks in hand. But Han Wenxin just frowned, rolled up his sleeves, revealing his thick arms, and retorted, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with a martial artist? I am the sole heir of a three-generation lineage of arrest officers in my family. Are you looking down on martial artists?¡± Han Wenxin was half a head taller than Zhou Xianming, and with his burly stature and intense gaze, he might not have the upper hand against Jianghu experts, but facing a mere scholar like Zhou Xianming was naturally not a problem. ¡°No¡­.no problem.¡± Zhou Xianming wilted and quickly raised his wine cup towards An Jing, ¡°Doctor An, let¡¯s drink.¡± An Jing clinked his cup and said, ¡°Mr. Zhou, actually, Brother Han is somewhat right. It¡¯s possible that Li Yue is just toying with your feelings.¡± ¡°Doctor An, that¡¯s not right of you to say.¡± Zhou Xianming glanced at Han Wenxin and argued with reason, ¡°Why would she toy with your feelings or Arrest Officer Han¡¯s feelings and only toy with mine? She must have some fondness for me to act in such a way.¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­..¡± Han Wenxin mockingly said, ¡°Brother An, stop advising him. When the truth comes out and he has nothing left, he will understand how cruel reality is.¡± Mr. Zhou also swept away with his sleeve, ¡°When the day of my wedding with Miss Li Yue comes, don¡¯t forget, Arrest Officer Han, to bring a generous gift.¡± Han Wenxin scoffed, ¡°If anyone¡¯s getting married first, it¡¯ll be me.¡± ¡°You?¡± An Jing asked in surprise, ¡°Could it be that Brother Han already has someone in mind?¡± Arrest Officer Han was slightly older than An Jing. His father had been arranging marriage prospects for him, but they always ended inconclusively. Could it be that Han Wenxin had finally seen the light? Han Wenxin rubbed his hands and chortled, ¡°Actually, Brother An, I have a somewhat presumptuous request, and I am not sure if I should speak of it.¡± Zhou Xianming paused with his wine cup mid-air, staring in astonishment at the scene unfolding before him. Could it be that Han Wenxin enjoys pederastic love, taking a liking to men over women, men atop men¡­. ¡°Don¡¯t, don¡¯t say any more.¡± An Jing was also startled and hastily said, ¡°My wife wouldn¡¯t agree.¡± ¡°What are you thinking about.¡± Han Wenxin said irritably, ¡°What I¡¯m talking about is Tan Yun.¡± ¡°Tan Yun!?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows shot up. Han Wenxin nodded, looking at him eagerly, ¡°You are my half-brother from another father and mother. You have to help me out here.¡± Although Tan Yun couldn¡¯t compare to the stunning beauty of Zhao Qingmei, she was also a rare beauty, with graceful curves, a plump figure, and a lively and adorable personality. If he could marry her, it would be quite good. ¡°Pah, despicable arrest officer!¡± Zhou Xianming snuck a glance at Han Wenxin and cursed inwardly. No, I can¡¯t let this guy Han Wenxin have his way. Thinking this, Zhou Xianming subtly began to plot. An Jing paused and said, ¡°It¡¯s not that she¡¯s out of the question; the key is I don¡¯t have the final say¡ªfirst, she has to be willing¡­..¡± If Tan Yun herself was willing, it wouldn¡¯t be impossible to discuss it with Zhao Qingmei. Han Wenxin quickly said, ¡°She will definitely be willing! Every time I visit, she always greets me first. Have you forgotten the last time I went to pick up medicine from your pharmacy? She insisted on handing it to me personally, and at your place for dinner, she poured wine for me, and there was also¡­.¡± Towards the end, Han Wenxin believed that Tan Yun¡¯s kindness towards him indicated a hidden affection. Watching Han Wenxin ramble on, An Jing was stunned momentarily. He really wanted to say that about the poison¡ªshe personally administered it. ¡°Arrest Officer Han, you¡¯re drinking too much; eat some more food.¡± ¡°Nonsense, I can hold a thousand cups without getting drunk. The Black Whirlwind of Yu State; for me, this is merely like rinsing my mouth.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you used to claim to be the Vajra of Yu State?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it all the same? In any case, it¡¯s all me.¡± ¡°When I return from the imperial examinations this autumn, by then, I will treat you all to a grand feast at Yutian Pavilion.¡± ¡°Mr. Zhou, just remember you once said you¡¯d be willing to wait on me hand and foot.¡± ¡­.. Night deepened, and the whole of Yu State City seemed to sink into silence. An Jing, seeing the dim lights in Jishi Hall, felt a sudden jolt in his heart. Could it be that his wife hadn¡¯t slept yet? But he wasn¡¯t perturbed because he had already arranged his story with Han Wenxin, explaining that a medical emergency in the Yu State City prison had detained him for some time. An Jing sniffed his nose and, finding no scent of alcohol on himself, he felt relieved. ¡°Creak!¡± The side door was gently pushed open. ¡°Husband, why have you come back so late?¡± A voice rang out like a silver bell. Zhao Qingmei was sitting in front of the hall, cup of tea in hand, taking a gentle sip before smiling sweetly at An Jing. An Jing shivered, then touched the sweat on his forehead, ¡°Han Wenxin, that kid, stopped me halfway, said there were a few people who had come down with a sudden illness. Faced with such a life-and-death matter, I naturally couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch.¡± ¡°By the way, madam, why haven¡¯t you gone to bed so late?¡± As he spoke, An Jing subconsciously rubbed his hands together. Zhao Qingmei put down her teacup, her voice soft, ¡°How could I possibly sleep without you being back?¡± Hidden in the backyard, Tan Yun heard this, her nose wrinkled slightly, ¡°Stinky son-in-law, you went out drinking and still claim you went to treat patients, and you didn¡¯t even bring back any pastries¡­ I really want to expose your shameless face.¡± The Human Sect spy lost track of An Jing, but in the end, he found An Jing and his two companions¡¯ whereabouts at the Wuyang Tavern and naturally reported the information back intact. An Jing felt a bit guilty, ¡°Madam, you¡¯ve really worked hard.¡± He went out for drinks, not expecting Qingmei to still care so much about him. If she knew that his cultivation was involved with people in Jianghu, she would surely be constantly worried. He absolutely couldn¡¯t let Qingmei find out about this. Zhao Qingmei picked up a small cup from the table, ¡°Husband, come drink your medicine.¡± Medicine!? An Jing paused for a moment, ¡°Madam, is there a mistake here¡­¡± Inside the cup was pitch black, and a faint medicinal fragrance wafted through the air. Zhao Qingmei had actually brewed him some medicine, did his robust body really need it? Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly, ¡°No mistake, I¡¯ve brewed sobering medicine.¡± ¡°Sobering¡­ medicine, I see.¡± An Jing was startled for a moment, then let out a dry laugh, gulping down the sobering medicine. In his heart, though, he was secretly muttering, how did Zhao Qingmei know he had gone out drinking? Could there be a mole? That shouldn¡¯t be, Zhou Xianming and Han Wenxin were both crawling back. By all accounts, they shouldn¡¯t have been able to send a message. Moreover, he didn¡¯t smell of alcohol at all, which brought a sliver of doubt to An Jing¡¯s heart. ¡°Tastes good, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Zhao Qingmei took back the empty cup and smiled. ¡°Anything made by madam is delicious.¡± Feeling guilty, An Jing changed the topic, ¡°By the way, madam, what do you think of Han Wenxin?¡± ¡°What about Han Wenxin, that kid?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked, clearly puzzled. ¡°How do you think he and Tan Yun would be together?¡± An Jing said, grinning. Han Wenxin, that kid!? Tan Yun, who was just about to go back to rest, perked up her pink ears when she heard this. Zhao Qingmei raised an eyebrow, her smile teasing, ¡°Are you suggesting that Han Wenxin, that kid, has taken a liking to Tan Yun?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°He said that Tan Yun seems to fancy him¡­¡± That comment essentially summed up everything Han Wenxin meant, An Jing was just providing a recap. ¡°If Tan Yun is willing, I have no objections,¡± said Zhao Qingmei, her peach blossom eyes blinking as if her lips were smiling too. Taken a liking to him! In the backyard, Tan Yun¡¯s face darkened upon hearing this, her fists tightly clenched making a creaking sound. That Han Wenxin actually dared to slander her! It seemed she couldn¡¯t just study calligraphy in the coming days; she also had to learn some sword techniques. Sensing that An Jing and Zhao Qingmei were walking toward the backyard, Tan Yun silently made a note in her little book then returned to her room. The evening breeze gently drifted, and the starry sky was boundlessly vast. It was as if many thoughts, many melancholies, were melting into the dense night. An Jing looked up, feeling moved, ¡°Tomorrow is going to be a good day.¡± ¡°My favorite thing is good weather,¡± Zhao Qingmei also looked up, murmuring, ¡°With good weather, one¡¯s mood gets better as well.¡± Gazing at that beautiful face and those tender eyes, An Jing swore in his heart that he mustn¡¯t let her be involved in the turmoil of Jianghu like himself; he would protect her at all costs. ¡°Husband, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled lightly, taking hold of An Jing¡¯s hand. ¡°Qingmei, you¡¯re so beautiful, I just want to look at you more,¡± An Jing said earnestly, gripping her hand tightly. ¡°Silly, I¡¯m yours to look at however long you wish,¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart raced, and a flush spread across her cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s getting late.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing felt the smoothness and softness in his hand. With a hint of allure in her eyes, Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Brother, it certainly is getting late.¡± When I miss her, a day apart feels like three autumns. When she smiles at you, those three autumns feel like just a day. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 56 - Chapter 56: Chapter 56 The Human Emperors Plot to Bring Buddhism to the East Chapter 56: Chapter 56 The Human Emperor¡¯s Plot to Bring Buddhism to the East September 27th, the Ullambana Festival (fabricated for the novel, please do not apply to reality). Auspicious: Starting a business, initiating construction, opening shop, cooking. Taboo: Moving house, settling into a new home, digging, traveling. With the change of seasons, the air had turned somewhat chilly. But the area outside Yu State City and around the Three Temple Mountain was bustling, with travelers visible all along the mountain roads. The Ullambana Festival, originally a festival from the Western Regions, is a day when everyone pays homage to their parents and commemorates their ancestors; it¡¯s one of Buddhism¡¯s sacrificial festivals. Because Buddhism thrived during the Great Zhou Dynasty and was valued and appreciated by successive Zhou emperors, the Ullambana Festival became widely celebrated during the Zhou Dynasty, with many eager to emulate the tradition. However, as the Zhou Dynasty fragmented and disintegrated, Buddhism¡¯s status in Great Yan gradually declined, even facing resistance from many sects, leading to the gradual decay of Buddhism. Most Buddhist sects retreated to the Western Regions, resulting in their sacrificial practices and festivals dwindling as well. But today seemed different, with throngs of pedestrians converging along the way, moving slowly like ants towards Fa Xi Temple atop Three Temple Mountain, making it much livelier than previous Ullambana Festivals. For today was not only the Buddhist Ullambana Festival but also the grand meeting called by Cao Gang to denounce the Demon Sect. Although the Ghost Swordsman of the Demon Sect had died, the campaign against the Demon Sect still had to be waged. Inside the Scripture Storage Hall, Fa Zhi sat on a meditation cushion, his eyes slightly closed as he recited the scriptures. The young monk Fa Wu, with his rosy lips and white teeth, was also deeply focused. ¡°Master Fa Zhi, long time no see.¡± Just then, a deep voice came from outside the hall. Outside the hall, the man appeared to be in his forties, with his eyes as tranquil as the abyss and a face devoid of any expression, as cold as the ice on a snowy mountain. His wide red cloak further accentuated his solitary chill. Hanging around his waist was a token made of yellow jade, engraved with the character ¡®Xuan¡¯. Upon seeing the man, Fa Wu felt an extreme chill engulf his entire body, as if he had abruptly gone from the coolness of autumn to the harsh cold of winter. Behind the icy man followed three Gold Constables clad in black cloaks, with Hong Yuanwu among them. ¡°Our first meeting was in the seventh year of Xingping; now it¡¯s the thirteenth year of Xingping. Six years have passed in the blink of an eye.¡± Feeling quite nostalgic, Fa Zhi stood up and said, ¡°Governor Gan, you are as consistent as ever. Aside from progress in martial arts, your appearance hasn¡¯t changed much.¡± In Great Yan, those involved in Jianghu must first understand the sharpest blade and weapon of the current Human Emperor, the Xuanyi Guard. Indeed, it was because of the Xuanyi Guard that the Human Emperor could sleep without worry, for it can be said that the Xuanyi Guard is like a sharp blade dangled by the Human Emperor over Jianghu. The Xuanyi Guard is divided into four tiers of experts: Jade, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Among them, the Gold tier comprises seventy-two experts, known as the Heavenly Gang Seventy Two Evil. Each one possesses Second Grade peak cultivation, and almost all have the strength to enter the Tiger List, but since they hold official positions, they are not listed on the Jianghu Dragon and Tiger List. Next are the Jade tier experts. There are thirty-six of them, collectively referred to as the Great Heavenly Gang. The Jade tier experts are even more formidable. The lowest among them possess First Grade cultivation, and many have reached the Human Flower or Earth Flower realm. Each year, the Court attracts Jianghu masters to join the Xuanyi Guard. If a member of the Heavenly Gang or Earthly Evils is killed in battle, someone immediately fills the vacancy, ensuring an abundant reserve of personnel for the Xuanyi Guard, astonishing all Jianghu forces. The reputation of the Xuanyi Guard in Jianghu is thunderous and awe-inspiring. As the Human Emperor¡¯s tool to deal with Jianghu, its significance goes without saying¡ªit eliminates those in Great Yan who are restless. Any power in Jianghu would dread a visit from the Xuanyi Guard, even the top forces of the Seven Great Sects. This cold man before them was one of the Thirty Six Great Heavenly Gang, the star of the Heavenly Prison, Gan Yue. Fa Wu looked at Gan Yue with puzzlement, wondering how his senior fellow disciple could have an old acquaintance with this chilly person. It was Xingping six back then, and he would have been only two years old. ¡°Master Fa Zhi flatters me.¡± Gan Yue said indifferently, ¡°A face is nothing more than a layer of skin.¡± Fa Zhi brought his palms together and whispered, ¡°Lord Gan has profound spiritual insights, which is extremely rare. His achievements in the future are boundless.¡± ¡°To advance even further is something I dare not think about.¡± Gan Yue waved his hand, ¡°I am here on orders to assist the master in suppressing the evil here. What is the current situation?¡± At that time, he was one of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang, a top expert of the Xuanyi Guard. Placed in Jianghu, he also possessed First Grade cultivation, where advancing even a step further would be extremely difficult. Fa Zhi¡¯s brows furrowed, and then he sighed, ¡°In recent days, the Yin energy has dissipated, and with the collapse of the Buddha statue yesterday, I fear that this evil being will come into the world. In my opinion, this is merely a sign, or rather, a warning.¡± Gan Yue, seeing Fa Zhi¡¯s face so solemn, couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What exactly is this evil being??¡± The monk before him was the head of the Great Sun Temple at Leiyin Temple, one of the Eighteen Arhats of the Western Regions. To be called an Arhat in the Western Regions, one must at least have reached the realm of the First Grade Human Flower, with unfathomable power. Even he might not be able to fully comprehend it, yet the person before him wore such a grave expression, which was enough to indicate the terror of the being sealed. ¡°I am not quite clear myself, as many ancient texts have been lost, and many things are not clearly recorded in them.¡± Fa Zhi shook his head, ¡°However, this seal is a relic of the Zhou Dynasty. Besides Fa Xi Temple, there are other places that also contain this evil being. Once the evil being emerges from the seal, it will bring about a disaster of epic proportions.¡± ¡°A disaster of epic proportions?!¡± Upon hearing this, Gan Yue couldn¡¯t help but recall an event from a few years ago. Back then, in the Imperial Study Room, one of the Emperor¡¯s three eunuchs in charge of swordsmen, Eunuch Guang De, inquired about how to contain the current Zhenyi Sect, and Gan Yue, as a listening attendant, had the fortune to stand on the scene. He clearly remembered what the Human Emperor said: If there are five monkeys and you have five peaches, if you give each monkey a peach, they are bound to be dissatisfied with their master. However, if you only offer four peaches, they will engage in internal strife instead, and they will treat their master with utmost respect. If An Jing were here, he would understand the deeper implications, the Human Emperor of Great Yan was merely transforming class contradictions into internal conflicts. Nowadays, the seven major sects of the world occupy the vast majority of Jianghu. Within this majority, the Zhenyi Sect, honored as the National Religion, is tremendously influential, holding sway over half of Jianghu. As the Emperor, how could he possibly be willing to see the Zhenyi Sect dominate Jianghu? While the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect contributed significantly and the number one person in the world residing in Zhenyi Mountain held a close relationship with him. But in the world of men, an Emperor remains an Emperor. Buddhism from the Western Regions withdrew from the lands of Great Yan during the chaos of the Nine Kingdoms. Now that the country is thriving and stable, if Buddhism is reintroduced, it would be like throwing a huge stone into the chaotic waters of Jianghu, stirring up a storm. The reintroduction of Buddhism carries too many advantages in various aspects. According to historical records, during the Taiping Era, Buddhism should flourish to stabilize the nation. Moreover, the return of Buddhism could curb the expansion of the Zhenyi Sect, even humble its arrogance, and resist the possible resurgence of the Demon Sect. It is said that the Western Regions boast of Three Thousand Buddha Countries, and although this might be an exaggeration, there are indeed numerous Buddhist sects there, divided into Zen and Esoteric sects, with numerous experts, not inferior even compared to the Zhenyi Sect. In addition, this could suppress the unknown seals left by the Zhou Dynasty. Even though Buddhism knows this is a deliberate strategy, for the sake of spreading Buddhist teachings in their ancestral lands, they have to jump in regardless. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only And the Human Emperor had already started planning such a sophisticated game years ago, which is truly admirable. Fa Zhi pondered for a long moment, then said, ¡°I suspect that the loosening of this seal may also be the work of someone with ulterior motives. I ask for Lord Gan to be more vigilant.¡± In his heart, Fa Zhi guessed it to be the work of the Demon Sect, but he did not say it aloud. ¡°A human cause?!¡± Gan Yue¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits as he chuckled coldly, ¡°Does someone want to disturb the peace of the world?¡± Chapter 20 Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°What¡¯s going on? Could it be because of the evil energy at the river bottom?¡± After eating, An Jing felt somewhat fatigued and, lying on the bed, he felt drowsy. ¡°Husband, why did you agree to it today?¡± Zhao Qingmei walked in and saw An Jing lying on the bed and asked. ¡°Wasn¡¯t it you who told me to agree?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean for you to agree!¡± ¡°Forget it. I already agreed. One more person, one more pair of chopsticks.¡± Zhao Qingmei wanted to say it wasn¡¯t as simple as just an extra pair of chopsticks¡­ ¡°Go to sleep early. We¡¯ve been busy all afternoon.¡± An Jing yawned and then took off his outer clothes. ¡°Going to bed this early?¡± Zhao Qingmei licked her lips, her eyes constantly glancing at An Jing. ¡°A bit tired.¡± After returning from Qinghe Dock, An Jing felt somewhat worn out. It was probably due to the evil energy entering his body, though it was expelled by the Bodhi Bead, it still made him feel very fatigued. ¡°Brother~!¡± Zhao Qingmei crawled over, her long legs clamping around An Jing¡¯s thigh, her small hand skillfully reaching into An Jing¡¯s inner clothes. ¡°My lady, tomorrow, really, I¡¯m a bit tired today.¡± An Jing felt like he was about to fall asleep. ¡°Brother, I learned a new trick you know.¡± Zhao Qingmei bit An Jing¡¯s ear and breathed hot air into it. ¡°Alright, show me tomorrow,¡± An Jing said weakly. ¡°I want to show you today.¡± Zhao Qingmei was relentless, her small hand continuing to explore downward. ¡°Mmm¡­¡± An Jing felt very comfortable but still lay there like a dead person. ¡°You ate dinner for nothing,¡± Zhao Qingmei complained as she patted An Jing¡¯s cheek. But An Jing had already fallen asleep, with only a faint sound of breathing. ¡°An Lazybones, wake up!¡± ¡­¡­ In a quiet courtyard in Yu State City. On both sides stood several men in rough clothing, each holding an orange-red lantern, lighting up the entire courtyard as if it were daytime. The Cao Gang wore rough clothing, which was well known across the land. In the center of the courtyard, an old man with a limp was waving the knife in his hand, his clothes fluttering in the fierce wind. He held a pair of curved knives, and the sound of the knives was eerie, like the wailing of ghosts, sending chills down one¡¯s spine. ¡°Tie Brother!¡± A hearty laugh sounded, and Hong Yuanwu in a heavy cloak walked into the courtyard. ¡°Master Hong!¡± The old man with the limp who was practicing his knife paused and clasped his hands to Hong Yuanwu. Hong Yuanwu sighed, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect this to alarm Brother Yunshan¡­¡± This old man was none other than one of the seven Vajras of the Cao Gang, Tieyun Mountain. The Cao Gang¡¯s thirty-six helmsmen were in charge of various regions, while the seven Vajras always stayed at the main headquarters and were even more fearsome, being top-notch experts. Some said that among the thirty-six helmsmen, some might not be very famous in the Jianghu, but any one of the seven Vajras was a master renowned in their own right in the Jianghu. Any one of them could establish a sect and dominate an area. Tieyun Mountain had roamed the Jianghu for decades with a pair of curved knives on horseback, and countless experts had died by his hand. Later, he offended the head of the Su family in Taixu Ming City and was chased down. In the end, he killed dozens of the Su family¡¯s experts, including the head, causing the Su family¡¯s elder to act personally. To save his life, he cut off one of his legs and joined the Cao Gang for protection. The Cao Gang was powerful, and Liu Qingshan was extremely tough, so the Su family had to swallow this loss. It was very rare for the Cao Gang to mobilize the seven Vajras. Speaking of their friendship, it was quite deep. Initially, Hong Yuanwu wasn¡¯t with Xuanyi Guard but was a man of the Jianghu, arrogant and swaggering. The two of them roamed the Jiangnan Dao area, and he and Tieyun Mountain became friends through fighting. Later, Hong Yuanwu joined the Divine Eagle and became a Xuanyi Guard, wearing an official uniform and living on the court¡¯s salary. When Tieyun Mountain was being hunted by the Su family, Hong Yuanwu mediated and tried to help, although in the end, he couldn¡¯t resolve the enmity, it deepened their friendship. Tieyun Mountain took a deep breath and said, ¡°This matter is no small thing. Haoping and I were close. You know my character; I couldn¡¯t not come.¡± Hong Yuanwu nodded slightly. Tieyun Mountain was very loyal, and he knew this well. Liu Haoping was his close friend and was killed in Yu State City, so he couldn¡¯t remain indifferent. Hong Yuanwu said solemnly, ¡°That mysterious swordsman is not ordinary. In my opinion, he¡¯s at least at the peak of the Second Grade¡­¡± ¡°I observed the sword skill; it¡¯s impressive,¡± Tieyun Mountain sneered, ¡°But my Moonlight Flying Arrow is no nobody, especially with Brother Hong here.¡± Moonlight Flying Arrow Tieyun Mountain, that was his name in the Jianghu. ¡°The two of us working together has a good chance,¡± Hong Yuanwu nodded slightly. Not only the Cao Gang but the court was also hunting for that mysterious swordsman. Tieyun Mountain nodded slightly, then said, ¡°I have three purposes in coming to Yu State this time, and I hope Brother Hong will aid me.¡± ¡°With our friendship, there¡¯s no need to say more. Naturally, I¡¯ll help you.¡± Hong Yuanwu asked, ¡°What are the purposes?¡± ¡°To capture two people alive.¡± ¡°Which two?¡± ¡°Jiang Sanjia and Mu Xiaoyun.¡± ¡°Mu Xiaoyun?¡± Hong Yuanwu frowned, incredulous, ¡°Her? Is there a mistake?¡± The Cao Gang wanted to capture Mu Xiaoyun!? ¡°No mistake.¡± Tieyun Mountain remained silent for a long time before speaking. ¡­¡­. The next day, An Jing got up early. ¡°My lady, didn¡¯t you put any medicine in this porridge today?¡± An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei, who was busy sorting herbs, and asked in confusion. Usually, Zhao Qingmei would put some Chinese medicine like walnuts, lotus seeds, and ba ji tian in the morning porridge, but today there was none, just plain white porridge. ¡°It has no effect on you, so I didn¡¯t make it.¡± Zhao Qingmei raised her head and said lightly. ¡°Indeed, the taste when those medicines are mixed is somewhat strange. Plain white porridge with some pickles tastes the best,¡± An Jing nodded and continued to act recklessly. ¡°Then I won¡¯t make porridge anymore.¡± ¡°Alright, change it to something else.¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at An Jing and stormed off to the backyard. An Jing didn¡¯t know what had happened, and just then, a little black puppy ran to his feet. ¡°Little thing, it seems you¡¯ve become rounder in just two days,¡± An Jing reached out to stroke the puppy. ¡°Woof¡­woof!¡± The puppy, hearing An Jing¡¯s words, swiftly ran away. ¡°This little thing! I¡¯ve fed you well, making you black and chubby.¡± The afternoon was very pleasant. Under the dense green shade of the trees, the old houses with black tiles in Jiangnan, their slightly mottled gray walls, facing the unchanging small bridges and flowing water, with countless golden willows gently swaying and shadows rippling, orioles singing and wooden boats gliding by. On Yu State River, boat shadows drifted, and the water sparkled with golden light. An Jing picked up a pipe and a small stool from the wall, planning to go to the teahouse next door to listen to storytelling and drink tea. Before he reached the door, he was told by the teahouse servant that Zhou Xianming wasn¡¯t there. ¡°What¡¯s going on with Mr. Zhou?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing thought it was strange, ¡°He rarely goes three days without coming to the teahouse. His cold should have improved by now. Could something have happened?¡± ¡°Shua!¡± The Earth Book emitted a golden light and a new prompt appeared. An Jing¡¯s heart stirred and his thoughts entered the Earth Book. ¡°Prompt: Zhou Xianming may have an unknown opportunity.¡± Chapter 21 Editor: Atlas Studios Spring Breeze Alley. An Jing arrived at Zhou Xianming¡¯s doorstep. ¡°Knock knock!¡± ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± ¡°Mr. Zhou, it¡¯s me, An Jing,¡± An Jing called out softly. ¡°Creak!¡± As the door opened, Zhou Xianming peeked out with a slightly bruised face, looked around, and urged, ¡°Dr. An, quickly come in.¡± An Jing stepped into the house and couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Zhou Xianming didn¡¯t look like he was suffering from a cold; he looked clearly beaten up! ¡°Sigh!¡± Zhou Xianming let out a heavy sigh and said, ¡°Just find a place to sit.¡± ¡°Is there even a place to sit?¡± An Jing looked around. Zhou Xianming¡¯s home wasn¡¯t large; it was rented from a middleman, only about twenty square meters. The furnishings were very simple, just a table, a few chairs, a big bed, and a stove in the corner. The room was extremely messy, with brushes and inkstones scattered on the table, and bowls and utensils piled around the stove in the corner. There seemed to be some leftover porridge in the pot. The only neatly arranged spot was a bookshelf on the west side, filled with books. ¡°What on earth happened?¡± An Jing asked curiously, wondering if Zhou Xianming was being hunted down by debt collectors from his past. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I don¡¯t even know what crime I¡¯ve committed.¡± Zhou Xianming sat in a chair, sighing heavily, ¡°Dr. An, please don¡¯t ask too many questions.¡± Those black-clad figures that came every night were no ordinary people, certainly not something that a doctor or a scholar with no strength to truss a chicken could deal with. ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten yet, have you?¡± An Jing glanced at the messy kitchen and asked. ¡°Forget it, I¡¯m not hungry,¡± Zhou Xianming waved his hand and then seemed to think of something. ¡°Dr. An, I know you¡¯re kind-hearted. Can you treat me?¡± An Jing laughed and said, ¡°You just have some surface wounds. Come with me to my place later, and I¡¯ll apply some medication for you.¡± ¡°No, no, no!¡± Zhou Xianming quickly waved his hand, ¡°Dr. An, I¡¯m not talking about these surface wounds.¡± ¡°Not surface wounds?¡± An Jing frowned, wondering if Zhou Xianming had internal injuries that he hadn¡¯t noticed. ¡°I¡¯m lovesick.¡± Zhou Xianming lowered his head, coughed dryly twice, and said. ¡°Lovesick?¡± ¡°Yes, ever since I saw Miss Li Yue on the music boat, I couldn¡¯t control myself. I can¡¯t sleep at night or eat; her image keeps replaying in my mind.¡± ¡°Then how can I treat you?¡± ¡°Dr. An, I want to go to the brothel and listen to music.¡± An Jing was stunned. He didn¡¯t expect Zhou Xianming to be so shameless as to ask him to take him to indulge in pleasures. In his impression, Zhou Xianming was a timid scholar. Yet, at the mention of going to the brothel for music, he seemed like a different person, with a gleam of excitement in his eyes. ¡°But you are a scholar!¡± ¡°So what if I¡¯m a scholar?¡± Zhou Xianming stood up righteously and said, ¡°As scholars, isn¡¯t it our duty to visit brothels and listen to music? It¡¯s precisely because we study that we need to go to brothels. If we don¡¯t save these fallen women, how can we save our country in the future?¡± Just because we are scholars, we need to go to brothels and listen to music. Seeing Zhou Xianming speak so passionately, An Jing was stunned. Does this logic even exist? ¡°Dr. An, are you going or not?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡­¡­. On the Yu State River. The lanterns were starting to light up on both banks, and countless music boats were drifting on the Yu State River. On these boats, beautiful singing girls were toasting wine, and the sound of strings and melodies filled the atmosphere. ¡°Dr. An, have you been on the Red House¡¯s music boat before?¡± Zhou Xianming stood at the bow of the boat, dressed in a white robe and holding a folding fan, looking quite pleased with himself. Beside him, the boatman was rowing towards a music boat in the middle of the river. ¡°No, I¡¯ve never been to a place like this,¡± An Jing shook his head. ¡°This is my first time in such a lively place.¡± ¡°Dr. An¡¯s wife is as beautiful as a celestial being, so it¡¯s normal not to like the common makeup here.¡± Zhou Xianming nodded in understanding, then wistfully said, ¡°But Miss Li Yue is different. She is a lotus flower unstained by the mud.¡± What¡¯s different is just the price tier, An Jing rolled his eyes. Soon, the boat reached the music boat of the Red House. The music boat was luxuriously and exquisitely decorated, floating on the water, with melodious songs and laughter coming from inside. A madam with heavy makeup was warmly welcoming the guests. ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t this Dr. An?¡± When the madam saw An Jing, her eyes lit up, ¡°You haven¡¯t been here in a while; the girls have missed you.¡± Zhou Xianming: ¡°¡­.???¡± Didn¡¯t you say you haven¡¯t been here before? Didn¡¯t you say this was your first time? An Jing righteously said, ¡°Madam Zhao, don¡¯t say such wrong things, I¡¯ve never been to a place like this.¡± ¡°Right, right, Dr. An has never been here before.¡± The madam smiled and ushered An Jing and Zhou Xianming onto the music boat. An Jing took out one tael of silver from his pocket. Entering the music boat required a seating fee; five hundred copper coins per person, exactly one tael for the two of them. This was his hard-earned money. In the past, when he was short of money, he would borrow some from the rich merchants in Yu State, but he hadn¡¯t done so recently. So, this tael of silver was his payment from Han Wenxin for a consultation a few days ago. In the middle of the boat, a woman was playing a guqin. She was beautiful, dressed in gauze, her curves graceful, and her figure faintly visible, making hearts flutter. Below were dozens of seats, most of which were already occupied. Most of the girls on the boat were pure performers, only singing and playing instruments and not accompanying guests. However, if the guests were willing to spend generously and win over these girls, they might also accompany guests. It all depended on one¡¯s abilities. An Jing and Zhou Xianming found a seat and sat down. ¡°That is Miss Li Yue.¡± Looking at the woman on stage, Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes showed a trace of infatuation. The sound of the guqin was melodious and pleasant to the ear. ¡°This music is indeed not bad,¡± An Jing nodded. At this moment, a lovely maid came over with two pots of wine, ¡°Gentlemen, please enjoy.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± An Jing took out another tael of silver from his pocket. On this music boat, both wine and women cost money, and they were very expensive. One tael of silver was equivalent to a thousand copper coins, and with three copper coins buying a string of candied fruits, this thousand copper coins could buy three hundred strings of candied fruits¡­. When the maid took the silver from An Jing, she gently stroked his palm with her fingertip, ¡°My name is Man Yue; please remember it, my lord.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only With that, she cast a flirtatious look and smiled. Such handsome and generous customers were rare. ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, unfazed and unperturbed. Man Yue saw An Jing didn¡¯t say much, felt a bit disappointed, but still obediently retreated. Meanwhile, Zhou Xianming stared intently at Li Yue above, his face flushed red, seemingly entranced. Chapter 22 Editor: Atlas Studios Very soon, the performance concluded. Li Yue glanced at the audience below, stood up, and bowed, saying, ¡°Li Yue thanks everyone for your grace tonight.¡± Her voice was clear and pleasant, with a hint of charm. ¡°Miss Li Yue, you¡¯re too kind.¡± ¡°Yes, truly too kind.¡± ¡­¡­ Everyone courteously raised their glasses in response. Even though their hearts were itching immensely, they still maintained the fa?ade of gentlemen. ¡°Wonderful! Splendid! To hear Miss Li Yue¡¯s ¡®Guan Mountain Moon¡¯ is an honor for us, a blessing for our lives!¡± At this moment, a loud voice resounded in the painted boat. The speaker was none other than Zhou Xianming. Zhou Xianming¡¯s face was flushed, his expression passionate and enthusiastic. Was that reaction really necessary¡­.. An Jing was almost startled into spilling his glass by the sudden shout. To those who knew, it was clear he was cheering for a singer, but to those who didn¡¯t, it might seem like he¡¯d just become a top scholar. Li Yue covered her mouth and laughed softly, saying, ¡°Young Master Zhou, you overpraise me. I am unworthy of such praise, feeling deeply ashamed. Thank you, Young Master Zhou, for coming again. If you have time, please have a small drink with me sometime to show my gratitude.¡± Every frown and smile stirred one¡¯s heart. It made Zhou Xianming¡¯s heart race uncontrollably. ¡°Brother Zhou, she¡¯s left.¡± After a while, An Jing patted Zhou Xianming¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Doctor Xiao An.¡± Zhou Xianming came to his senses, excitedly saying, ¡°Did you hear that?¡± ¡°Hear what?¡± ¡°Among all these people, Miss Li Yue only spoke to me. Didn¡¯t you hear that?¡± ¡°I heard it.¡± An Jing gave Zhou Xianming a look. Old fool in love¡­.. He seemed unwarranted in believing in this unknown opportunity, but having spent two taels of silver, he was unwilling to leave without seeing it through. ¡°Her words definitely have a deeper meaning, definitely.¡± Zhou Xianming clenched his fists. ¡°Don¡¯t think too much,¡± An Jing sighed. ¡°This won¡¯t end well.¡± ¡°Think about it, why didn¡¯t she say it to others, why only me?¡± Zhou Xianming said solemnly. ¡°This¡­..¡± An Jing felt speechless. At that time, it was your loudest shout, the most bizarre words. What could she possibly see in you, a poor old man in his thirties? Of course, he couldn¡¯t say these things out loud. ¡°She was hinting at me.¡± Zhou Xianming suddenly slapped the table and realized something. ¡°Hinting at what?¡± ¡°Undying love, always difficult and not accepted by the world. She must be troubled; unable to openly express her feelings to me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re really overthinking it, Mr. Zhou.¡± ¡°How much silver does it take to redeem a courtesan?¡± Zhou Xianming didn¡¯t listen to An Jing¡¯s words. His mind was filled with what Li Yue had just said to him. He felt Li Yue¡¯s words were directed solely at him. ¡°You want to use public funds for personal gain?¡± An Jing exclaimed. Indeed, the old saying holds true: love can cloud one¡¯s mind. But Zhou Xianming seemed overly clouded; it looked like his blood vessels were about to burst. Even though a courtesan¡¯s background was not good, Zhou Xianming seemed to be a scholar, if not a full-fledged examination candidate, with a title that held significant status in the Yan Dynasty. Historical records or anecdotes often spoke of scholars falling in love with courtesans, but the reality was often too scandalous to bear. ¡°What public funds for personal gain?¡± Zhou Xianming glared angrily, looking ready to overturn the table. ¡°Redeeming oneself is quite expensive. Li Yue is an Oiran, and this entire boat is supported by her. The base price would be at least several hundred strings of cash.¡± An Jing shook his head. You, a poor man, forget about it. Even if you redeem her, you won¡¯t have money to support her. ¡°Brother An, talking about money is too vulgar. Besides, that¡¯s small change.¡± Zhou Xianming shook his head, ¡°True love is priceless.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing didn¡¯t want to argue with Zhou Xianming about these futile things. ¡°Get another round, I¡¯ll repay you when I have money.¡± Zhou Xianming poured himself a drink. A man who couldn¡¯t come up with one string of cash, confidently thinking hundreds are small change¡­ An Jing took out a tael of silver and tossed it to the maid beside him, then walked out to get some fresh air. Night fell, the moonlight spread out, spilling over the river. Surrounding painted boats were bustling with lively activity. ¡°Hint three: the unknown opportunity has been unlocked. There is a green opportunity in the painted boat, acquiring it can enhance your root bone.¡± ¡°Hmm? Enhance my root bone!?¡± An Jing was greatly shocked upon hearing this. One must know, achieving first-grade cultivation in such a short time was mostly due to his extraordinary root bone, a rare gift. Such a root bone promised a future as the leader of a top sect. This root bone was one of a kind in the world, exceptional. Now, there was an opportunity to further enhance it. This was indeed a massive opportunity! An Jing¡¯s heart sank, scanning his surroundings. The Earth Book detected an ordinary-looking painted boat. An Jing returned to the boat and sought out Man Yue. ¡°Here are five taels of silver, arrange a room for me.¡± ¡°Certainly, young master, I¡¯ll do it right away.¡± Man Yue responded happily. ¡­¡­.. The boat rocked gently, flowing with the current. Inside the painted boat, there was only a table, a pot of tea, four cups, and a few cushions, quite simple. Seated at the table was a middle-aged Taoist in black. His face looked stern; if An Jing were here, he would surely recognize the person as the fortune-teller Jiang Sanjia. Opposite him was a beautiful mature woman, whom An Jing had also met. The beautiful mature woman smiled softly, ¡°It¡¯s been decades since we last met. The last time was at the Peach Garden in Yujing City; your hair wasn¡¯t so gray back then.¡± ¡°Better not to meet than to meet.¡± In contrast to the beautiful mature woman¡¯s enthusiasm, Jiang Sanjia was very aloof. ¡°Your words hurt me.¡± The beautiful mature woman pouted, ¡°You weren¡¯t like this before. You were very warm towards me for the sake of my sister, have you forgotten¡­.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Jiang Sanjia frowned and shouted coldly, ¡°Mu Xiaoyun, just tell me what you want.¡± Mu Xiaoyun, this name was renowned in Jianghu. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Mu Xiaoyun was from the Mu Family in Jiangnan Dao. She was a famous beauty when she roamed Jianghu. Countless young heroes and vagabonds had pursued her, falling under her spell. She later married Cao Gang¡¯s gang leader Liu Qingshan, helping him manage the gang. Due to her ruthless and sinister methods, she was known as the Viper Beauty. Mu Xiaoyun was famous, but her sister was even more so, being an Imperial Concubine of the Great Yan. The Mu Family itself dominated Jiangnan¡¯s commerce. Coupled with royal connections, their influence in Jiangnan Dao was unmatched. Jiang Sanjia and Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s sister once shared a romantic relationship. It was a celebrated tale of the time; a prodigy from Ghost Valley, a rising court favorite, and a peerless beauty from a distinguished family seemed perfectly matched. But it ended with Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s sister becoming an Imperial Concubine, and Jiang Sanjia resigning and retreating into Jianghu. Chapter 23 Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°You really suffered. I didn¡¯t expect those people to actually imprison you in the Yu State Dungeon,¡± Mu Xiaoyun sighed softly. ¡°You, as Liu Qingshan¡¯s pillow companion, would be unaware?¡± Jiang Sanjia sneered coldly. Everyone in the Jianghu knew that Mu Xiaoyun was Liu Qingshan¡¯s spouse, and the Mu Family and the Cao Gang were deeply allied, sharing both glory and loss. The Cao Gang had imprisoned him in the Yu State Dungeon; would the Gang Leader¡¯s wife be unaware? ¡°I truly had no idea.¡± Mu Xiaoyun bowed her head and said, ¡°You seem to have many misunderstandings about me. In fact, I stopped getting involved in the Cao Gang¡¯s affairs years ago. I really know nothing about the Cao Gang¡¯s matters in the past decade, and it has nothing to do with me.¡± Jiang Sanjia didn¡¯t believe a word from this venomous beauty before him, saying, ¡°You ¡®invited¡¯ me here just to clarify this matter. If that¡¯s the case, then I know now.¡± ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I have matters to attend to, so I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± After saying that, Jiang Sanjia stood up to leave. ¡°Sanjia, why are you in such a hurry to leave?¡± Mu Xiaoyun raised her eyebrows, ¡°I haven¡¯t finished speaking yet. Are my three words, Mu Xiaoyun, too much for you to even drink tea with me?¡± Jiang Sanjia paused, and out of respect for the past, he finally sat back down. Mu Xiaoyun smiled and said, ¡°Sanjia, you truly are a person of deep emotions, but my sister¡­¡± Jiang Sanjia frowned, ¡°Why did you seek me out this time? Just say it directly, don¡¯t beat around the bush.¡± A slight smile curved Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s lips, ¡°I want you to use the Ghost Valley Heavenly Mechanism to help me find someone.¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Liu Qingshan.¡± ¡­¡­. The houseboat fell into silence. Jiang Sanjia¡¯s eyes flashed with suspicion, but he said nothing. Who was Liu Qingshan? He was the current Gang Leader of the Cao Gang! Mu Xiaoyun was his wife and still needed him to be found? ¡°Yes, Liu Qingshan.¡± Mu Xiaoyun squinted her eyes and said word by word, ¡°In fact, the current Cao Gang Gang Leader is not Liu Qingshan.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jiang Sanjia¡¯s expression turned serious. If the current Cao Gang Gang Leader wasn¡¯t Liu Qingshan, then who was he? Mu Xiaoyun sighed, ¡°I don¡¯t know who he is, but I am certain that the current Liu Qingshan is not the original Liu Qingshan. I shared a bed with a man for decades; would I not know if he is real or fake?¡± ¡°Several years ago, I already noticed something strange. His every move, his demeanor when speaking, and his manner of doing things were very alike but not the same.¡± A woman¡¯s familiarity with her own man is like the left hand to the right hand. Jiang Sanjia asked solemnly, ¡°You mean that Liu Qingshan has been replaced by someone else?¡± ¡°That¡¯s roughly what you said,¡± Mu Xiaoyun nodded. ¡°How could that be?¡± Jiang Sanjia shook his head, his eyes filled with disbelief. It was known that the Cao Gang had been extremely powerful over the past decade, almost becoming the largest gang in the world. Yet their Gang Leader had been replaced? What kind of means would that require? And who were the people and forces behind this? It was almost unimaginable! ¡°I feel like you¡¯ve gone mad, completely mad,¡± Jiang Sanjia stood up and said. ¡°I have evidence.¡± Mu Xiaoyun drew an ancient token from her waist, ¡°No one else knows about this token, but you, Jiang Sanjia, should know very well.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Jiang Sanjia glanced at the token and felt a stir in his heart. ¡°You know what kind of person Liu Qingshan is, but when he touched this token, he had no reaction.¡± ¡°Did you personally verify this?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Jiang Sanjia was greatly shocked. If what Mu Xiaoyun said was true, it was terrifying¡­. The Cao Gang¡¯s Gang Leader was actually a fake!? And the current Liu Qingshan, who could flip clouds and cover rain, was an imposter!? Jiang Sanjia hesitated for a moment and said, ¡°Even if what you said is true, Liu Qingshan may have already met a tragic fate¡­¡± Mu Xiaoyun affirmed, ¡°No, they haven¡¯t found that thing; Liu Qingshan won¡¯t die.¡± ¡°Do you have that thing?¡± ¡°No, but I know where it is.¡± Jiang Sanjia knew very well what Mu Xiaoyun was talking about. He seemed a bit moved: ¡°I¡¯m seriously injured right now, and my vitality is thin. Calculating such heavenly mechanisms would be certain death.¡± Upon hearing this, Mu Xiaoyun let out a breath, ¡°I can wait for your injuries to recover. During this time, I can even take care of you. After all, you are alone and insecure now.¡± Jiang Sanjia didn¡¯t say another word. At this moment, he was seriously injured, and receiving Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s protection would be a good thing. Besides, the Cao Gang and he had a blood sea of deep hatred. If what Mu Xiaoyun said was true, finding the real Liu Qingshan would also be helping himself. ¡°Brother Sanjia, I think this is a good opportunity.¡± A soft laugh came from the deck outside. Jiang Sanjia shouted, ¡°Who! Come out!?¡± ¡°Someone!?¡± Mu Xiaoyun squinted, her hand reaching under her skirt. Who was it,? that could sneak onto the boat without them noticing? ¡°Sanjia, long time no see. I hope you are well.¡± In fresh clothes, An Jing walked out slowly. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Both of them were shocked upon seeing the newcomer, then glanced at each other. ¡°You know each other?¡± Mu Xiaoyun asked curiously. ¡°It was this Brother Zhou who rescued me from the dungeon,¡± Jiang Sanjia said, taking a deep breath. ¡°What!?¡± Mu Xiaoyun looked at the person before her, her heart shaking. The incident of a single sword demolishing the dungeon and killing Cao Anmin and Liu Haoping had spread throughout the Jianghu. People speculated which unparalleled swordsman could have done it. Who knew that this unparalleled swordsman was right in front of her? An Jing looked at the two of them, following the instructions of the Earth Book. That azure opportunity was actually on this woman¡¯s body. This woman was Liu Qingshan¡¯s wife. Did she really have the opportunity on her? An Jing was puzzled. ¡°When did you get here?¡± Jiang Sanjia asked seriously. ¡°Right when that loving couple scene of Liu Qingshan began,¡± An Jing smiled faintly. ¡°So, Brother Zhou, you must have heard everything,¡± Mu Xiaoyun smiled sweetly. As they say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. This swordsman had extraordinary skills, and if they could win him over, it would be a great help. ¡°I heard everything worth hearing,¡± An Jing admitted bluntly. ¡°Then you should know that the current Liu Qingshan is an imposter?¡± ¡°If what you say is true.¡± ¡°If I can find my husband, the true Gang Leader of the Cao Gang, would you be willing to lend a hand? It would be a tremendous favor for us.¡± Mu Xiaoyun looked at An Jing, ¡°Brother Zhou, you have already offended the current Cao Gang Leader. We have a common enemy¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t fool me. The Cao Gang¡¯s main focus right now isn¡¯t dealing with me,¡± An Jing interrupted Mu Xiaoyun, ¡°Knowing Liu Qingshan is an imposter, you are their main target. Their goal is the object held by the real Liu Qingshan.¡± He had heard everything just now. If what Mu Xiaoyun said was true, the current Liu Qingshan had been swapped, and the object that the current Gang Leader coveted was in the true Liu Qingshan¡¯s hands, which was why he wasn¡¯t killed. Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s purpose was simple: to rescue Liu Qingshan and expose the current fake Liu Qingshan, reclaiming the Cao Gang. Mu Xiaoyun pondered for a moment, ¡°You¡¯re not wrong, but do you know that Liu Haoping is that person¡¯s adopted son? Liu Qingshan, who regards him as his own, can¡¯t not avenge him.¡± Liu Haoping had a transcendent status in the Cao Gang, even though he was just the Headquarters Leader. An Jing sneered, ¡°Who knows my identity? If I want to hide, would the Cao Gang find me?¡± ¡°Do you plan to hide forever?¡± Mu Xiaoyun asked sharply. They were both testing each other, their words carrying sharpness. ¡°No need to beat around the bush. Just tell me what benefits I get; I don¡¯t mind helping,¡± An Jing waved his hand, ¡°But mind you, my help is very expensive, Brother Sanjia should know this.¡± He had an unresolved conflict with the current Cao Gang anyway. ¡°How expensive?¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s body slowly drew closer, softly exhaling her warm breath. Touched! It was a cold sensation. Looking down, it turned out to be a sword. An Jing¡¯s expression remained unchanged, ¡°Give me something that satisfies me.¡± Stinking man! Mu Xiaoyun secretly took a loss, but smiled lightly, ¡°Fine, when I find my husband, I will offer you a satisfying reward.¡± ¡°Good, I await your news.¡± ¡°If this houseboat hangs a red lantern, Brother Zhou, you can come to meet.¡± ¡°When I see the red lantern raised, I will come.¡± An Jing nodded, then looked at Jiang Sanjia, ¡°Oh, I almost forgot the purpose of my visit. Sanjia, you¡¯re not being honest. The murderous aura under the river was so intense; even I nearly didn¡¯t make it back.¡± After saying that, An Jing walked out towards the deck. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Jiang Sanjia was startled by An Jing¡¯s words. He had come specifically to find him? This meant that his whereabouts were being monitored. From his tone, he had already taken the Bodhi Bead. ¡°Sanjia, is this person trustworthy?¡± After An Jing left, Mu Xiaoyun asked in a low voice. ¡°This man is cunning, greedy, and his skills are profound, unfathomable,¡± Jiang Sanjia said quietly. ¡°Unfathomable.¡± Mu Xiaoyun frowned slightly. Chapter 24 Editor: Atlas Studios The night deepened, but the Yu State River became even more bustling. A group of constables from the Yu State County Government, having changed their clothes, gathered in groups and flocked to the entertainment district. ¡°This damn curfew is killing me.¡± ¡°Who doesn¡¯t agree? Posting notices every day is exhausting.¡± ¡°That mysterious swordsman probably fled Jiangnan Dao long ago. What¡¯s the point of our efforts?¡± ¡°That would be for the best.¡± ¡­. Han Wenxin turned to the few who were still grumbling. ¡°Enough, enough! We¡¯re out here to have fun. Let¡¯s not bring up those bothersome things.¡± ¡°Han is right. Let¡¯s enjoy ourselves tonight.¡± Constable Qin nodded in agreement. The group skillfully entered the pleasure boat, and soon inside, the sounds of clinking glasses and flirtatious laughter could be heard. Before long, Han Wenxin emerged, holding a beautiful woman. ¡°Xiaohuan, tonight I¡¯ll show you what I¡¯m capable of,¡± Han Wenxin said, his face flushed with excitement. With An¡¯s medicine, Han Wenxin felt he could take on ten men tonight. ¡°Oh, you rogue, as if I don¡¯t already know your prowess?¡± Xiaohuan laughed and poked Han Wenxin¡¯s forehead with her finger. ¡°No craftsmanship, no ceramics. Everyone calls me the Yu State Vajra.¡± Han Wenxin laughed proudly and then retreated into a private room at the back of the pleasure boat with the woman. Just before entering, he secretly took out a pre-prepared pill¡ªsleeping pills. ¡°Slow down¡­ don¡¯t be in such a hurry¡­ uh-uh.¡± Soon, sounds of laughter came from the private room. But half an hour later, Han Wenxin felt extremely uncomfortable. ¡°Oof!¡± ¡°Oof!¡± A foul smell wafted through the air, and Han Wenxin froze. ¡°Han¡­ Constable, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know either.¡± Han Wenxin suppressed his abdominal urge, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. Xiaohuan noticed something was amiss with Han Wenxin, thinking it was just getting to the crucial moment. But Han Wenxin found it increasingly unbearable. ¡°Not good!¡± Han Wenxin¡¯s body tensed, and he ran madly toward the boat¡¯s exit. ¡°Constable Han!¡± From the bed, Xiaohuan watched in shock as Han Wenxin clutched his behind while running away. ¡°Move! Move, all of you!¡± Bursting out of the private room, Han Wenxin, his eyes bloodshot, shouted at everyone ahead. Everyone, in the middle of their revelry, stared dumbfounded as Han Wenxin suddenly charged out. Wasn¡¯t Constable Han enjoying himself? What¡¯s going on? Why is he clutching his behind? ¡°Water! River water! Move aside!¡± Han Wenxin stumbled, pushing aside Constable Qin, clutching his behind, and leaped into the river like a pig being slaughtered. ¡°Splash!¡± Splashing water everywhere, causing waves that rocked the entire pleasure boat. ¡­¡­. An Jing changed his clothes and returned to the pleasure boat. By this time, Zhou Xianming was already tipsy, several wine cups in front of him, muttering to himself, ¡°The inchworm¡¯s retreat is to seek faith. The dragon and snake¡¯s hibernation is to conserve life¡­¡± ¡°Mr. Zhou, it¡¯s late. We should head back,¡± An Jing said, approaching Zhou Xianming. ¡°Late?¡± Zhou Xianming chuckled foolishly. ¡°It¡¯s not late yet, I still want to drink.¡± ¡°More drinking?¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you would provide enlightenment to the school children tonight? Delaying important matters isn¡¯t good.¡± Having obtained the clue, staying here with Zhou Xianming would be a waste of time. Zhou Xianming¡¯s face darkened immediately. ¡°Yes, we should go back.¡± An Jing nodded slightly. The two then stepped out of the pleasure boat and called over a nearby boatman. At that moment, a scream resonated in the distance, followed by a loud splash into the river, startling Zhou Xianming. ¡°Who is that!? How uncivilized!¡± Zhou Xianming furrowed his brows and scolded. An Jing whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go. If it¡¯s Jianghu people, they might notice us. If we end up getting slashed by their blades, it wouldn¡¯t be worth it.¡± ¡°We should just hurry onto the boat and leave.¡± Hearing the word ¡°Jianghu,¡± Zhou Xianming shuddered, closed his mouth, and kept silent. Though he often talked about Jianghu stories in teahouses, he was, in reality, just a scholarly coward. An Jing remembered an incident where some Jianghu ruffians came to drink and listen. Zhou Xianming had gotten to a thrilling part of the story and announced a pause, intending to resume the next day. But those ruffians wouldn¡¯t let him leave. Zhou Xianming initially refused to continue, but when they placed a knife to his throat, he went weak at the knees, almost kneeling, and had to continue the story obediently. As Zhou put it himself, ¡°A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall.¡± ¡°An is right. The more you talk, the more you lose. The more you speak, the more you harm others. A gentleman seals his mouth thrice. Let¡¯s leave quickly.¡± Zhou Xianming shivered and urged An Jing to hurry onto the boat. ¡­¡­. Jishi Hall, the lights were dim. Zhao Qingmei took out An Jing¡¯s old autumn clothes and was mending them. ¡°Miss, Master An and Zhou Xianming went to the Red House pleasure boat.¡± Tan Yun said quietly. Zhao Qingmei kept her head down and said nothing. ¡°And he went into a room with a songstress named Man Yue¡­.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s voice grew softer, carefully watching Zhao Qingmei¡¯s reaction. Zhao Qingmei paused, then continued mending the autumn clothes. Seeing this, Tan Yun, who knew Zhao Qingmei well, understood that the quieter she was, the angrier she was inside. ¡°Miss¡­.¡± ¡°You should rest now.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Tan Yun sighed softly and left the room. Even as she left, Zhao Qingmei continued to mend the autumn clothes, seemingly unaffected by Tan Yun¡¯s words. Outside the hall, Tan Yun sighed deeply and looked at the black puppy lying on the ground, saying fiercely, ¡°Indeed! Not a single man is any good!¡± ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you?¡± At that moment, An Jing entered, catching Tan Yun¡¯s words and feeling puzzled. Had Tan Yun been deceived by someone? ¡°Nothing. I¡¯m saying this stupid dog has no sense of loyalty!¡± Tan Yun ignored An Jing and pointed at the black puppy. ¡°We feed it, give it a home, yet it keeps going out to eat filth. This dog really needs a beating.¡± With that, Tan Yun kicked the black puppy. ¡°Awooo!¡± The black puppy, napping, was startled awake by the kick. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Why are you taking it out on the dog?¡± An Jing, puzzled, poured himself a cup of tea. ¡°Were you mistreated or deceived?¡± Tan Yun, her eyes fierce, glared at the puppy. ¡°No, I just want to teach this dog a lesson. It doesn¡¯t appreciate anything. We feed it, give it water, and a safe home, yet it keeps running outside.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s infuriating?¡± ¡°Woof, woof!¡± The black puppy barked in grievance. ¡°Indeed, it is infuriating¡­.¡± An Jing nodded, thinking Tan Yun was acting strangely today. He then put down the teacup and headed inside. Chapter 25 Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°I¡¯m back.¡± ¡°Back? The hot water is already prepared.¡± An Jing found it a bit strange. Usually, when he returned from a house call, Zhao Qingmei always greeted him warmly, but today she replied rather casually. ¡°Madam, I¡¯m home.¡± An Jing smiled as he walked to Zhao Qingmei¡¯s side, ¡°It¡¯s so late, and you¡¯re still mending clothes. It¡¯s really hard on you.¡± ¡°This garment is torn, it¡¯s better to replace it with a new one.¡± ¡°Then why is Madam still mending it?¡± ¡°The weather is getting colder. Many people on Beggar Street in the south of the city can¡¯t afford clothes.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± An Jing nodded, realizing something seemed off with Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Madam, what¡¯s wrong? Is something bothering you?¡± Zhao Qingmei put down the garment, looked up, and smiled, ¡°Nothing. Husband, go take a bath quickly. You smell too much like rouge, it¡¯s overwhelming.¡± Although she was still smiling, it made him feel a bit heartbroken to see. An Jing chuckled guiltily twice, silently calling himself foolish for forgetting about this. ¡°Madam¡­¡± ¡°Go on.¡± Zhao Qingmei kept her head down, continuing to mend the clothes by the light. By the time An Jing finished bathing and freshening up, Zhao Qingmei was already lying on the bed, her eyes lightly closed as if she had fallen asleep. An Jing lay down next to her carefully, afraid of waking her up. Soon, the sound of steady breathing gradually filled the room. Zhao Qingmei gently opened her eyes and looked at the man lying in front of her. ¡­¡­. Even if An Jing was dense, he could feel that his wife was angry. Although she was still cooking medicinal porridge and sun-drying herbs as usual, and still talking to An Jing with a touch of gentleness in her words. This only made An Jing feel more troubled. Going to the pleasure boat was probably discovered by Madam. How should he explain it? Could he say that he didn¡¯t misbehave? Would she believe it? An Jing leaned against the door, continuously stroking the little black cat. ¡°Tan Yun, where did Madam go?¡± ¡°She went to the south of the city early in the morning to donate clothes.¡± ¡°Tan Yun, where did I put the Fu Ling?¡± ¡°Sir, why are you looking for Fu Ling?¡± ¡°Nothing, just asking.¡± ¡°Tan Yun¡­¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± ¡°What does your mistress look like when she¡¯s angry?¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± Thinking of something, Tan Yun shuddered a bit. Time passed, people occasionally came to get medicine, and An Jing became busy again. In the blink of an eye, it was noon. ¡°After you go back, remember not to eat spicy food anymore; stick to a bland diet. Boil this medicine for an hour, take it twice a day, morning and evening. After ten days, come back, and I¡¯ll check on you again,¡± An Jing said, wrapping the herbs in kraft paper and advising: ¡°Thank you, Doctor An,¡± the woman said, taking the herbs and repeatedly expressing her gratitude before slowly leaving. ¡°It¡¯s raining. Why hasn¡¯t Madam returned yet?¡± An Jing walked to the door, frowning. At this time, the drizzle fell like threads, landing on the earth, shrouding the Yu State River in a mist. Zhao Qingmei had been out since early morning. It had been nearly two hours, and she had never been out alone for such a long time without returning. ¡°I have no idea either.¡± Tan Yun also poked her little head out, glancing outside a few times. ¡°Watch the pharmacy. I¡¯ll go look for her.¡± An Jing felt a sinking feeling in his heart, picked up the oil-paper umbrella from the rack, and walked out. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Just then, Zhao Qingmei, carrying a basket of groceries, walked in from afar. Seeing Zhao Qingmei, An Jing said, ¡°I saw that you had been out for over two hours and hadn¡¯t come back¡­¡± ¡°Husband, don¡¯t worry,¡± Zhao Qingmei covered her mouth with her hand and laughed softly, ¡°Are you afraid something might have happened to me? I¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°Of course I was worried.¡± ¡°Miss, you¡¯re back.¡± Tan Yun quickly stepped forward to take the basket, then noticed the white paper in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand and asked, ¡°What are you holding in your hand?¡± ¡°It was being handed out at the bulletin board. It seems the masters of Cao Gang want to challenge that mysterious swordsman.¡± Zhao Qingmei handed the white paper to Tan Yun, smiling, ¡°I thought the drawing was interesting, so I took one.¡± ¡°Miss, let me see.¡± Tan Yun took the white paper and then burst out laughing, ¡°The people of Cao Gang actually use this method to challenge that peerless swordsman.¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s very amusing.¡± ¡°I think after this, people won¡¯t call that swordsman a peerless swordsman anymore; they should call him the pig-headed swordsman.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± ¡­¡­ ¡°What is that? Let me see,¡± An Jing said, looking at the two laughing and discussing. ¡°Tan Yun, come help me with cooking,¡± Zhao Qingmei said as she saw An Jing approaching. She handed the paper to him and walked towards the kitchen. ¡°Yes,¡± Tan Yun said, sticking her tongue out at An Jing before following her. An Jing picked up the white paper on the table. It turned out that the people of Cao Gang wanted to challenge him, searching everywhere for his whereabouts with harsh and provocative words. It seemed these papers had spread all over Yu State City. Their goal was to force him to show himself. ¡°So amateurish,¡± An Jing said, shaking his head as he looked at the white paper. This kind of goading trick only worked on some greenhorns. With that, he crumpled the paper and threw it into the wastebasket. ¡°An Jing¡­¡± Just then, someone wrapped tightly in a cloak walked in, looking very suspicious. Seeing the man, An Jing asked curiously, ¡°And you are¡­?¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m Zhou Xianming,¡± the man said, revealing his face from under the cloak, his voice tinged with a sob. Seeing the face of Zhou Xianming, An Jing was stunned. His face was bruised and swollen, looking almost unrecognizable, like a pig¡¯s head. Even though An Jing knew him, he could barely recognize him due to the severity of his injuries. ¡°What¡¯s¡­ what happened to you?¡± An Jing swallowed and asked. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know. Early in the morning, I was stuffed into a sack, then fists rained down on my head like a storm until I passed out. When I woke up, I was like this,¡± Zhou Xianming said, tears welling in his eyes. ¡°Doctor An, it hurts so much¡­ woo woo woo¡­¡± Without needing Zhou Xianming to explain, An Jing could tell just by looking at him that it must have hurt terribly. Who could be so ruthless? There seemed to be a significant grudge involved. ¡°Doctor An, who have I offended recently¡­ why is heaven so unfair to me?¡± The more Zhou Xianming spoke, the more bitter he felt, thinking of his recent unhappy life and crying even harder. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Stop crying,¡± An Jing said, patting Zhou Xianming¡¯s shoulder and sighing helplessly. Logically, who would have a grudge against a poor scholar like him? It must be that this old fellow had offended someone. Could it be related to those Jianghu people from last night? ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Hearing the crying, Zhao Qingmei walked out from the backyard. Chapter 26 Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°Madam An.¡± Zhou Xianming saw Zhao Qingmei and immediately stopped crying. He cupped his hands towards her and said, ¡°I am Zhou Xianming. My apologies for any offense.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the person in front of her, who had a face like a pig¡¯s head, and exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Are you Mr. Zhou? How did you end up like this? What grudge, what hatred, drove someone to use such ruthless tactics?¡± ¡°Sigh!¡± Zhou Xianming sighed and felt even more sorrowful in his heart. ¡°It must be my carelessness in daily matters that invoked the jealousy of some petty person.¡± ¡°Truly pitiable.¡± Zhao Qingmei said with sympathy, ¡°Just looking at you makes one feel unbearable pain. The blows must have been very ¡®forceful,¡¯ weren¡¯t they?¡± Zhou Xianming felt as if salt had been rubbed into his wounds, making them hurt even more. ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t this Mr. Zhou?¡± Tan Yun also emerged from behind, looking concerned. ¡°Who was so cruel to beat you like this? Quick, apply some ointment.¡± As she spoke, she even reached out to touch Zhou Xianming¡¯s pig-like head. ¡°Ouch¡­!¡± Zhou Xianming couldn¡¯t help but let out a piercing scream. Zhao Qingmei ordered, ¡°Tan Yun, Mr. Zhou is having trouble moving. You help him apply some bruise ointment.¡± ¡°I know, Miss. I will be very careful in applying the ointment to Mr. Zhou.¡± ¡°Oh, Mr. Zhou, you haven¡¯t eaten yet, have you? I made some food. Let¡¯s eat together later.¡± ¡°Indeed, the dishes our Miss cooks are delicious.¡± ¡°You¡­ you are truly good people.¡± Zhou Xianming had never felt such warmth before, and tears welled up in his eyes. There is warmth in the Human World! Even in a dark world, a ray of light always finds its way into your bleak life. ¡°So pitiful.¡± An Jing sighed. For some reason, Zhou Xianming seemed very pitiable to him. ¡°An Jing! Come out here!¡± While Tan Yun was applying ointment to Zhou Xianming, a loud shout came from outside the door. Han Wenxin walked in, clutching his buttocks tightly, his gait awkward, and his eyes brimmed with visible rage. ¡°Brother Han, why are you so furious?¡± An Jing looked at Han Wenxin and had a bad premonition. ¡°Bang!¡± Han Wenxin stepped forward and slammed his longsword onto the table. ¡°Brother An, I treated you like a confidant, but you have greatly wronged me.¡± Thinking about what had happened the previous night, Han Wenxin felt utterly humiliated and wished he could dig a hole, crawl into it, and bury himself. An enormous disgrace! How could he mingle among government officials and painted boat courtesans anymore? His lifetime of glory was ruined! ¡°Brother Han, let¡¯s talk this out calmly.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart suddenly understood; it must have been Tan Yun¡¯s prank with the ground bean powder that caused this. Admittedly, that was quite unscrupulous! ¡°What do you mean, talk calmly!?¡± Han Wenxin sat heavily onto a chair. ¡°Unless you give me an explanation today, I¡¯m not leaving!¡± ¡°Dear, what did you do that made arrest officer Han so furious?¡± Tan Yun looked curious, like a pure and innocent white rabbit. An Jing glanced at Tan Yun¡¯s innocent eyes and inwardly thought, wasn¡¯t it because of you? Tan Yun¡¯s words seemed like a fuse, causing Han Wenxin to become even angrier. If looks could kill, An Jing might not have held his ground against Han Wenxin at that moment. ¡°It¡¯s almost mealtime. Brother Han, why don¡¯t we eat first? You need strength to settle matters after all.¡± Zhao Qingmei said with a smile. Han Wenxin, hearing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words, immediately softened his tone. ¡°Since Sister-in-law says so, I¡¯ll accept your hospitality.¡± ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll go prepare the food now. Tan Yun, let¡¯s go.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled and led the somewhat reluctant Tan Yun towards the kitchen. As Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun left, Han Wenxin¡¯s face darkened again. ¡°Brother Han.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me Brother Han!¡± ¡°Arrest officer Han, what exactly happened?¡± Zhou Xianming couldn¡¯t help but ask upon seeing Han Wenxin so angry. Han Wenxin, already fuming, turned to see who was speaking. When he saw that face, it was as if he had seen a ghost; he jumped up instantly. ¡°Holy crap! Are you¡­ are you a person or a ghost!?¡± ¡°Brother Han, stay calm!¡± ¡°Arrest¡­ arrest officer Han¡­ don¡¯t¡­ don¡¯t¡­.¡± ¡­¡­ At the dining table. An Jing, Han Wenxin, Zhou Xianming, and others each sat in a corner. The table was filled with steaming dishes. Steamed bass, corn with green beans, crystal pork skin jelly, loach stir-fried with pickled beans, tofu spinach soup¡­ the fragrant aroma made one¡¯s appetite soar. ¡°Sister-in-law is truly an excellent cook.¡± Han Wenxin said, drooling at the food on the table. ¡°Brother Han, you flatter me.¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled lightly. The two of them looked enviously at An Jing on the side, envying his good fortune of having such a virtuous wife. ¡°Ding, ding, ding!¡± At that moment, Tan Yun came up carrying a large plate of crabs. ¡°I specially made these crabs.¡± ¡°Crabs too?¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°These are excellent, nourishing and strengthening, highly beneficial.¡± Han Wenxin¡¯s spirits lifted as he glared at An Jing. ¡°Brother An doesn¡¯t like these. Just place them in front of us.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, just place them in front of you two.¡± An Jing nodded repeatedly. Ever since he had eaten crabs cooked by Tan Yun, he had been cured of his preference for crabs. ¡°Mr. Zhou, what happened to you earlier? You gave me quite a fright.¡± Han Wenxin took a piece of loach and ate it. ¡°Sigh, I don¡¯t know who hit me.¡± Zhou Xianming said with a bitter face. ¡°It seems that unfortunate events keep increasing lately.¡± ¡°So vicious, such cruelty is rare.¡± Han Wenxin said, sipping his wine lightly. ¡°If it¡¯s not a gang, then it must be someone from the Jianghu. You might have offended someone.¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s hand shook, nearly dropping his chopsticks. ¡°Arrest officer Han, what should I do?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t scare Mr. Zhou.¡± An Jing poured himself a cup of wine. Zhou Xianming had a timid heart. Scaring him might give him heart problems. Han Wenxin snatched An Jing¡¯s cup. ¡°Nonsense, I¡¯m not scaring him. The world is unsafe lately. Have you forgotten about Wang Zhiping and his nephew? And the mysterious swordsman recently appearing? These are all warnings.¡± ¡°You are all commonfolk with no power to defend yourselves. You don¡¯t understand the treacherous dangers of the Jianghu and the inscrutable court. It¡¯s like a single hair can affect the whole body, understand?¡± As he spoke, Han Wenxin downed the cup in one gulp. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Indeed, arrest officer Han is very capable.¡± Tan Yun obediently poured Han Wenxin another cup of wine. ¡°Thank you, Tan Yun.¡± Han Wenxin chuckled, feeling significantly lighter, and continued boasting. ¡°Haven¡¯t you seen how recently Cao Gang experts are searching everywhere for that peerless swordsman? If that peerless swordsman wasn¡¯t afraid, how come he doesn¡¯t show up? Clearly, he¡¯s scared.¡± ¡°This shows something: the peerless swordsman is wary of Cao Gang. That means the power behind the peerless swordsman also fears Cao Gang.¡± Warnings? Nonsense! An Jing inwardly retorted. You¡¯re just a small, nobody arrest officer. Chapter 27 Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°I certainly know that, but what does it have to do with me?¡± Zhou Xianming hesitated for a long time and cautiously asked. He was only a frail scholar, what did the chaos of the Jianghu have to do with him? ¡°You, ah.¡± Han Wenxin shook his head, ¡°Lately, I¡¯ve been getting close to Chief Inspector Hong. He¡¯s a member of the Xuanyi Guard and knows a lot of information. It¡¯s said that the Demon Sect, after recuperating for decades, might make a comeback soon. I suspect the recent disturbances could be related to the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°Think about it. If the Demon Sect wants to reestablish control over Great Yan, they need to gather some intelligence. And you, Zhou Xianming, often discuss Jianghu affairs. Aren¡¯t you quite knowledgeable and skilled in these matters?¡± The Demon Sect!? Zhou Xianming was taken aback and said, ¡°I mostly hear things secondhand and then fabricate them. They can¡¯t be taken seriously.¡± ¡°Damn!¡± An Jing, hearing this, felt he had foolishly treated Zhou¡¯s words as a guidebook for navigating Jianghu and an encyclopedia. ¡°You may say it¡¯s false, but some people believe it,¡± Han Wenxin said, shaking his head. Han Wenxin¡¯s words made Zhou Xianming even more uneasy. ¡°But these are just my suspicions. You don¡¯t have to take them to heart.¡± Seeing Zhou Xianming like this, Han Wenxin tried to console him. An Jing also chimed in, ¡°That¡¯s right. Think about it. The Demon Sect is such a massive force. How could they possibly target a small, ordinary person like you?¡± Zhou Xianming nodded, a hint of fear appearing in his eyes. He said, ¡°Demon Sect members are ruthless and bloodthirsty. They kill indiscriminately. They shouldn¡¯t be focusing on me¡­¡± Han Wenxin put down his wine cup and said indignantly, ¡°They are not just ruthless and bloodthirsty. They are utterly insane and commit all kinds of evil deeds.¡± ¡°When I master the Qiankun Blade in my hand, I¡¯ll make those small fries from the Demon Sect taste my wrath.¡± An Jing watched the two men chattering incessantly. It felt like a story of one lucky guy and two unlucky ones, making him feel isolated by them. Zhou Xianming retained some sanity, ¡°You can¡¯t. The Demon Sect members are all extremely vicious experts.¡± Han Wenxin patted the long sword at his waist and laughed, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t seek out these vermin until my Qiankun Blade matures.¡± ¡°Just a few dishes, and you¡¯ve drunk this much?¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled, thinking to herself. ¡°You two little rascals, if our Demon Sect really makes a comeback, I¡¯ll use you two little bastards as a sacrifice to the heavens first,¡± Tan Yun snorted softly, silently taking out her beloved little black book and jotting down their names. ¡°Why does it feel a bit chilly?¡± Zhou Xianming touched his arm. ¡°Me too. Could it be that this wine is fake?¡± Han Wenxin glared at An Jing. ¡°This is fine wine, the top-quality brew from Wuyang Tavern,¡± An Jing said irritably. ¡°Miss Tan, what are you doing?¡± Han Wenxin turned to see Tan Yun writing something. ¡°Nothing, just keeping track of accounts. You guys continue drinking, don¡¯t mind me,¡± Tan Yun said casually. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes carried a hint of a smile as she said, ¡°Mr. Zhou, Brother Han, don¡¯t just drink. Have some food. Does the food not suit your taste?¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± ¡°Yes, these dishes are even better than those of the chefs at Tianyun Pavilion.¡± ¡°You¡¯re too kind, little sister-in-law.¡± ¡°Yes, not only are your culinary skills great, but you have a kind heart too.¡± The two men said with a smile. ¡°Exactly, let¡¯s have a drink. This is good wine¡­¡± An Jing raised his cup and finally joined the conversation. There was a brief silence at the dinner table. ¡°Mr. Zhou, where were you just now?¡± ¡°Tan Yun, go pour some wine for Brother Han and Mr. Zhou.¡± ¡­¡­. After the meal, it was already late. Han Wenxin and Zhou Xianming left. ¡°Tan Yun, where¡¯s madam?¡± After seeing them off, An Jing returned to see Tan Yun cleaning up the dishes. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Tan Yun replied without looking back. An Jing thought for a moment, then took a ladder from the yard and climbed up. Sure enough, Zhao Qingmei was sitting on the roof. In the twilight, a crescent moon was rising. The faint moonlight bathed her as if she had emerged from a painting, like a fairy of the Dao. Such a gentle and virtuous wife, and you don¡¯t cherish her. An Jing cursed himself silently, then walked over to Zhao Qingmei: ¡°Are you still mad?¡± ¡°No.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the moonlight overhead. ¡°Dear, I was wrong.¡± An Jing lowered his head. ¡°What did you do wrong?¡± Zhao Qingmei, with her back turned, had a slight smile on her lips. ¡°I¡­¡± An Jing didn¡¯t know what to say for a moment. ¡°Zhou Xianming,¡± Zhao Qingmei reminded him. There¡¯s a bad person among the crowd! An Jing was stunned. How did Zhao Qingmei know about the pleasure boat visit with Zhou Xianming? Could it be that Zhou Xianming complained first? He¡¯s so underhanded! ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have gone to the pleasure boat with Zhou Xianming. I was completely bewitched, but I remained faithful to you and did nothing. I swear to the heavens.¡± An Jing raised three fingers: ¡°If I, An Jing¡­¡± ¡°No, don¡¯t swear.¡± Zhao Qingmei turned around and grabbed An Jing¡¯s hand. ¡°My dear!¡± An Jing was deeply moved. ¡°What if it comes true?¡± Zhao Qingmei said coquettishly. ¡°Dear, I really did nothing. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can test it. My descendants are still around.¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Zhao Qingmei couldn¡¯t help but laugh and then glared at An Jing, ¡°You¡¯re such a bad person!¡± ¡°Hehehe.¡± An Jing gently squeezed Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand, knowing he had passed this hurdle, feeling as if a weight had finally been lifted, ¡°Dear, let me take you somewhere.¡± Zhao Qingmei asked curiously, ¡°Where?¡± ¡°Husband, madam, where are you going?¡± Tan Yun came out after washing the dishes and saw An Jing and Zhao Qingmei heading toward the door. ¡°Going out to have fun without me.¡± Tan Yun wiped her wet hands, complaining. An Jing led Zhao Qingmei to a dock by the Yu State River, boarded a small black boat, and said to the boatman: ¡°Old Li, I need to use this boat.¡± The small black boat swayed with the river, slowly drifting toward the center of the Yu State River. ¡°Back then, I loved to wander along the Yu State River at night, holding a bamboo pole.¡± An Jing maneuvered the bamboo pole, the scenery on both sides rapidly retreating. ¡°I know¡­,¡± Zhao Qingmei said softly, gazing at the man she loved deeply. An Jing smiled, ¡°At that time, I thought about bringing her to walk along the Yu State River, rowing the boat myself while she stood at the back, drifting in the night.¡± ¡°Now, that wish is fulfilled.¡± Zhao Qingmei said nothing, but her heart was sweet like honey, feeling like her heart was going to jump out. The sky was clean after the rain, with stars sparkling brilliantly above. ¡°Husband, do you remember the story of the footless bird I told you?¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the sky and asked. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I feel like I¡¯m that footless bird. Do you know what that means?¡± ¡°I know. It means you will never leave me in this life.¡± An Jing laughed foolishly. What more could a husband ask for? ¡°Yes, we will never part,¡± Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°In Zhao Qingmei¡¯s life, there¡¯s no separation, only bereavement.¡± An Jing¡¯s smile gradually froze. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± At that moment, fireworks shot into the sky. The once-quiet night sky instantly lit up like a garden of splendid flowers, colorful fireworks filling the dark night. Near the Yu State River corner. ¡°Why are we helping that scoundrel?¡± Han Wenxin said angrily, taking out box after box of fireworks. ¡°I don¡¯t know about you, but he gave me two taels of silver,¡± Zhou Xianming lit the fireworks cheerfully, ¡°It¡¯s quite a lot.¡± ¡°Where did he get the silver?¡± ¡°He¡¯s a doctor. How could he not have money?¡± ¡°Jishi Hall¡¯s consultation fees are cheap, and the medicine isn¡¯t expensive either.¡± ¡°Small profits but quick returns, Brother Han. Don¡¯t mind these things. How about we go listen to some music in the pleasure house?¡± ¡°No! I¡¯ll never go there again.¡± ¡­¡­ On the Yu State River, fireworks illuminated the entire night sky. ¡°These fireworks are beautiful, aren¡¯t they?¡± An Jing smiled. ¡°Beautiful.¡± Zhao Qingmei murmured, gazing at the fireworks above. ¡°I think they¡¯re beautiful too,¡± An Jing said softly, looking at Zhao Qingmei¡¯s delicate, fair face. Vast mountains and rivers, the human world¡¯s fireworks, all are you, and none are not you. ¡°You idiot, I wasn¡¯t even angry in the first place.¡±¡±Husband!¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Promise to love only me.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°I promise to love only you.¡± ¡°For a lifetime.¡± ¡°Of course, for a lifetime!¡± ¡­. The small black boat floated along the river, and the sky above was filled with splendid fireworks. Chapter 28 Editor: Atlas Studios The rain had just cleared, and the peaceful days flowed like water. With the help of the Bodhi Bead, An Jing¡¯s body was filled with a large amount of Pure Yang Power. Coupled with his exceptionally gifted Root Bone, his cultivation progressed rapidly. In the Jianghu, cultivation was divided into nine grades. The Ninth to Sixth Grades were called the Lower Three Grades. Those at this level of cultivation were considered the small fry or henchmen of Jianghu, like the members of the Cao Gang, ordinary constables, escorts from escort agencies, and younger disciples. These people had some Inner Strength, which gave them a bit more prowess than ordinary folk, but in the vast expanse of the Jianghu, they were insignificant. Wang Zhiping and Wang He were among them. These types of people were the most numerous and also the most pitiable in the Jianghu. Between the Sixth and Third Grades was referred to as the Middle Third Grades. Experts at this level often had decades of Inner Strength and mastered some well-known martial arts. They were the backbone of the Jianghu. They were the primary targets for recruitment by various factions and sects. Some of them had considerable fame in the Jianghu and were respected and revered by the younger generation as experts. Cao Anmin and Liu Haoping were outstanding among them. In the eyes of ordinary people, such figures were already renowned experts, not easily seen, but in the eyes of true experts, they were nothing more than pawns, dispensable at any time. Finally, there were the Upper Three Grades. These people were regarded as true experts by those who had spent many years in the Jianghu. If someone jokingly referred to those in the Middle Third Grades as experts, then the Upper Three Grades were the experts among experts. To become an expert in the Upper Three Grades, three conditions almost had to be met. First, at least possess a Martial Arts Heart Method above the Xuanwu level. The levels of Martial Arts Heart Methods ranged from the Ninth to the First Grade. Above the First Grade were Earth Martial, Xuanwu, True Martial, and Heavenly Martial. Martial Arts Heart Method was the foundation of a person, like the quality of water in a bowl. No matter how deep the well, no matter how good the cup, without a sip of clear spring water or sweet wine, it was a pity, and this was just one condition. The second condition was to have a Root Bone that was one in a thousand. There were not many people with this Root Bone, but if searched carefully, they could still be found. The last condition was to have unwavering perseverance, the persistence to train day after day. No matter how excellent the Root Bone and Martial Arts were, without constant cultivation, it was useless. So, mental fortitude was extremely important as well. An Jing had the Earth Book, and coupled with his outstanding talent, he had painstakingly cultivated alone for ten years, finally reaching a First-Grade cultivation level. But the gap between First Grade and Grandmaster was an insurmountable chasm. Not to mention the difficulty of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top. Just the effort and cost required to condense the Human Flower, Earth Flower, and Heavenly Flower would take a significant toll. An Jing had only recently condensed the Human Flower, and it would still take some time to condense the Earth Flower. In a leisurely afternoon, the soft sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Zhao Qingmei brought two small wooden stools and followed An Jing into the teahouse. The couple ordered a single cup of tea. Both remained silent and found a corner to sit in. This harmonious couple was like a ray of sunshine, warming the teahouse in the afternoon. ¡°It¡¯s been half a month, and that swordsman still hasn¡¯t appeared. In my opinion, he must be afraid of Tieyun Mountain and ran away.¡± ¡°Who is Tieyun Mountain? He is the Moonlight Flying Arrow, ranked seventy-third on the Jianghu Dragon and Tiger List.¡± ¡°That swordsman isn¡¯t weak either. I saw that his Sword Skill was concentrated and unwavering, truly a master.¡± ¡°What do you know? Who backs Tieyun Mountain? That¡¯s the flourishing Cao Gang. Who wouldn¡¯t be afraid?¡± ¡­¡­ Inside the teahouse, discussions were rife, with everyone freely talking about affairs in the Jianghu. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Zhou Xianming arrived today?¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced outside the door with a charming smile, ¡°He was talking about the Outer Heaven Human Sect yesterday, and I wanted to hear more.¡± These past few days, Zhao Qingmei had been idle and followed An Jing to the teahouse to listen to stories. Coincidentally, Zhou Xianming was talking about the Outer Heaven Demon Sect, which piqued her curiosity about how Zhou Xianming would describe her Demon Sect. An Jing said grumpily, ¡°He¡¯s just bragging. If a Demon Sect demon were to stand in front of him, he¡¯d be so scared his third leg would tremble.¡± ¡°You¡¯re talking nonsense!¡± Zhao Qingmei glared at An Jing playfully. ¡°Thank you all for waiting.¡± At that moment, Zhou Xianming walked out from the back hall with a face full of joy, cupping his hands to everyone and said, ¡°Thank you all for your support these days. Some changes have occurred recently, and I plan to stop storytelling. I hope you all understand.¡± ¡°Mr. Zhou, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°We haven¡¯t had enough yet.¡± ¡°Exactly, why stop telling stories?¡± ¡­¡­ The job of a storyteller was not stable, and it was common for other storytellers to come in and replace them. However, most people in the teahouse felt that Zhou Xianming¡¯s stories were the most exciting and engaging. But Zhou Xianming said he would stop telling stories, and judging by his determined attitude, it seemed he had made up his mind long ago. Everyone looked disappointed and continued drinking tea and discussing family matters and local rumors. At this moment, Zhou Xianming walked over, and An Jing curiously asked, ¡°Old Zhou, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not telling stories anymore. I plan to make great strides and retake the imperial exams!¡± Zhou Xianming said earnestly. ¡°The imperial exams?¡± ¡°This year¡¯s provincial autumn exam is about to start. I want to participate and strive to take the top spot,¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes revealed a glimmer of hope. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong with you!¡± An Jing looked at the suddenly ambitious Zhou Xianming and calmly analyzed, A person who could say that scholars should frequent brothels and listen to music suddenly wanted to make great strides and work hard to take the imperial exams. Do you believe it? An Jing certainly didn¡¯t. Hearing this, Zhou Xianming was so anxious that he almost jumped, ¡°Dr. An, why would you say that? Why, in your eyes, am I, Zhou, someone who is unambitious, unlearned, and unmotivated?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± An Jing nodded earnestly. Hearing this, Zhou Xianming¡¯s face turned dark. Zhao Qingmei nudged An Jing with her elbow and said, ¡°Husband, how can you discourage him like this? I think it¡¯s a good thing that Mr. Zhou wants to take the imperial exams.¡± An Jing said grumpily, ¡°Wife, this old chap is not trustworthy. Don¡¯t be fooled by his appearance¡­¡± ¡°Madam An, you are absolutely right,¡± Zhou Xianming hurriedly interrupted An Jing and then showed a troubled expression, ¡°Madam An, I actually have an ungracious request. I wonder if¡­¡± ¡°I knew it,¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing interrupted Zhou Xianming with a sneer, ¡°I knew you were waiting here. Come on, do you want to borrow money to go to the brothel again?¡± ¡°Nonsense! Absolute nonsense!¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s face turned red, seemingly hit the nail on the head. ¡°Old Zhou, just admit it,¡± Zhou Xianming angrily said, ¡°You¡¯re slandering me! I¡¯m borrowing money for the imperial exams. I¡¯ve already promised Miss Li Yue that if I achieve top honors this time, I¡¯ll return and redeem her.¡± Chapter 29 Editor: Atlas Studios An Jing sneered coldly and asked, ¡°You went to take the imperial examinations just to ransom a songstress?¡± While others sought to climb the social ladder, gain wealth, and secure a bright future, Zhou Xianming actually went to take the exams for a songstress? ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that?¡± A glimmer of hope shone in Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t understand Li Yue¡¯s pure heart at all. The other day when I went to the pleasure boat, she told me not to come next time. Surely, my constant presence has made her feel uneasy and guilty¡­¡± ¡°She thinks you¡¯re a poor wretch.¡± An Jing didn¡¯t mince words, ¡°She can¡¯t get any profit from you, and you pester her like a fly every day¡­¡± ¡°Husband, how can you say that.¡± Zhao Qingmei pulled An Jing back. ¡°You¡¯re just a vulgar person¡± Zhou Xianmin gave An Jing a disdainful look, then turned to Zhao Qingmei and smiled apologetically, ¡°Madam An, I¡¯ve decided to take the exams with all my heart. I swear to win the top prize this autumn. Could you lend me some silver? I¡¯ll repay it tenfold, a hundredfold in the future.¡± An Jing is a cunning and despicable trickster, but the gentle, virtuous, and kind Madam An is much easier to deal with. ¡°Since Mr. Zhou is determined to pursue the imperial examinations, I fully support it.¡± Zhao Qingmei took out a purse and handed it to Zhou Xianming, ¡°Here are ten taels of silver. If it¡¯s not enough, you can ask me for more.¡± Ten taels of silver! Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes sparkled at the sight of the silver, unable to contain his excitement. ¡°Madam, that¡¯s ten taels of silver.¡± An Jing licked his lips, almost forgetting that his wife came from a scholarly family, seemingly wealthier than himself. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, consider it a charitable deed.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled. ¡°Thank you, Madam An. I will never forget this great act of kindness. I will surely repay Madam An¡¯s favor in the future,¡± Zhou Xianming gratefully accepted the silver. ¡°Old Zhou, my wife and I are one. If you repay her, it¡¯s the same as repaying me.¡± An Jing patted Zhou Xianming¡¯s shoulder with a smile. Zhou Xianming glanced at An Jing, silently removed his hand, and brushed off the dust on his shoulder with an air of disdain. ¡°Clang! Clang!¡± ¡°Clang! Clang!¡± At that moment, footsteps rang outside the door. ¡°Who¡¯s there?! Don¡¯t you know¡­¡± Someone turned toward the sound and immediately fell silent upon seeing the newcomers. A dozen rough-looking men in hemp clothing entered, each with a burly frame and fierce demeanor. Leading them was an old man in a blue robe. Only members of the Cao Gang wore hemp clothing, and among their experts, those who didn¡¯t wore hemp were even more fearsome in status and power. The old man had a calm and serene expression, his skin ruddy and his eyes sharp. This wasn¡¯t just any old man; he was Tieyun Mountain. A master! Seeing the newcomer, An Jing wore a calm face but felt alarmed inside. This man¡¯s imposing aura felt as if a mountain was looming, indicating his inner strength had reached the Upper Three Grades. Zhao Qingmei also frowned slightly, subtly gripping An Jing¡¯s arm, ready to shield him at any sign of danger. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here.¡± An Jing, thinking Zhao Qingmei was frightened, patted her small hand to reassure her. ¡°Master¡­.¡± The shopkeeper hurried down and bowed to Tieyun Mountain. ¡°Are you the shopkeeper?¡± One of the Cao Gang experts next to Tieyun Mountain stepped forward and asked sternly. This man was called Zhu Hou, the newly appointed Sect Leader of Yu State City. ¡°Yes, I am.¡± The shopkeeper smiled apologetically. ¡°Where¡¯s the storyteller? A tea house can¡¯t be without a storyteller, right?¡± ¡°Over there, but Zhou Xianming isn¡¯t telling stories today.¡± ¡°Not telling stories?¡± Zhu Hou¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile as he scanned the surroundings, seemingly searching for the storyteller named ¡®Zhou Xianming.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll tell the story.¡± Seeing this, Zhou Xianming¡¯s legs wobbled, and he quickly spoke up. Tieyun Mountain nodded slightly and scanned the surroundings before walking slowly toward An Jing and Zhao Qingmei. ¡°You blind fools! Move aside!¡± Zhu Hou frowned and scolded harshly. ¡°Husband, let¡¯s go.¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at Zhu Hou, then pulled An Jing¡¯s hand, leading him aside. An Jing didn¡¯t speak but memorized Zhu Hou¡¯s face. ¡°The young girl¡¯s quite pretty,¡± Tieyun Mountain murmured, watching Zhao Qingmei¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°Elder, that¡­¡± Zhu Hou¡¯s mouth twisted into a grin, his eyes slightly narrowed. The Cao Gang, being a Jianghu faction, conducted legitimate business on the surface but engaged in usury and human trafficking in secret. Kidnapping women was routine for them. Using a cane, Tieyun Mountain said indifferently, ¡°I want to hear a story. Tell us about the history of the Nine Kingdoms.¡± ¡°You heard him, the history of the Nine Kingdoms.¡± Zhu Hou called out to Zhou Xianming, who stood nearby. ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Zhou Xianming swallowed hard and headed to the high platform, gathering his thoughts before beginning to speak. ¡°After the Zhou Dynasty fell apart, the Nine Kingdoms plunged into chaos¡­.¡± The so-called history of the Nine Kingdoms refers to the era before the Yan Dynasty. After the Zhou Dynasty¡¯s collapse, nine powerful feudal states divided the land, with Yan being one of them. During that time, Zhao Country experienced severe turmoil and couldn¡¯t muster the strength to unify the realm. The world was in chaos, with warlords rising and battling incessantly. Mountains of corpses and seas of blood marked the land, and the people suffered greatly. It was a terrifyingly chaotic period. The Grand Ancestor of Great Yan fought his way out of the Nine Kingdoms and eventually established a unified Yan Dynasty, which continues to this day. Many in the Jianghu cherish the history of the Nine Kingdoms. The Jianghu of that time was even more tumultuous and dangerous than it is now, making it easier to achieve fame. Riding horses and waving spears, they roamed the world. With his eyes half-closed, Tieyun Mountain seemed to fall into a slumber, his mind wandering into the chaotic era of the Nine Kingdoms. Zhou Xianming¡¯s voice trembled, full of fear. In the presence of Tieyun Mountain, no one dared to leave. Even An Jing found the history of the Nine Kingdoms quite interesting and gradually got engrossed in it. Zhao Qingmei glanced at the motionless An Jing, her heart growing colder. What a mighty Cao Gang, scaring my husband stiff. After who knew how long, Tieyun Mountain slowly opened his eyes, ¡°That¡¯s enough for today.¡± Upon hearing Tieyun Mountain¡¯s words, the shopkeeper and Zhou Xianming both heaved a sigh of relief. As he walked out, Tieyun Mountain paused, using his cane. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that this Datong Teahouse is the fastest place for news in Yu State City. Can you spread the word for me? Tell them Tieyun Mountain is guarding the headquarters in Yu State, inviting the swordsman who rescued Jiang Sanjia to come find me.¡± ¡°I want to see whether his sword is faster, or my knife is faster.¡± With that, Tieyun Mountain slowly walked out of the teahouse. Wow! A stone thrown into a quiet lake caused ripples of excitement! Everyone exchanged glances, realizing that Tieyun Mountain had come to the teahouse to challenge that legendary swordsman. Soon, the news of Tieyun Mountain¡¯s challenge spread throughout Yu State City and even further into Jiangnan Dao. Everyone was talking about whether the legendary swordsman would accept the challenge and who would win this duel of sword and knife. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Tieyun Mountain¡¯s provocation is too childish.¡± ¡°That swordsman might not be a match for Tieyun Mountain. After all, Tieyun Mountain has countless battle victories, whereas the swordsman only broke open a dungeon.¡± ¡°The key lies in the Yu State Headquarters. Who dares to go there?¡± ¡°With thousands of gang members gathered, even an Upper Three Grades expert would find it hard to leave unscathed.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 30 Editor: Atlas Studios Evening approached. ¡°Madam, I need to make a house call in the south of the city. I¡¯m leaving now.¡± An Jing gave a call and then left with a small medicine chest on his back. ¡°Alright.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled lightly and said, ¡°Remember to come back early.¡± Watching An Jing¡¯s departing figure, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s gentle face suddenly turned icy cold: ¡°Tan Yun.¡± ¡°Miss!¡± Tan Yun immediately jogged over. ¡°I don¡¯t want Tieyun Mountain to see the sun tomorrow.¡± ¡°¡­ I understand. Even if Liu Qingshan comes, he won¡¯t be able to save him.¡± Seeing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression, Tan Yun licked her lips and walked towards the back of the house. She hadn¡¯t seen blood for quite some time. ¡­¡­.. On the Yu State River, small boats drifted by occasionally, while a finely decorated riverboat floated. ¡°Do you take guests?¡± Someone called to the riverboat. ¡°Get lost, get lost, no guests.¡± Disguised, Jiang Sanjia lay in the cabin, drowsy. Hearing these words, he naturally didn¡¯t respond kindly. No one would have thought that Jiang Sanjia, a major fugitive wanted by both the Cao Gang and the Court, was right under their noses. The customer on the small boat didn¡¯t get angry upon hearing Jiang Sanjia¡¯s response and directed the boatman to row towards another riverboat farther away. ¡°Dinner¡¯s ready.¡± At this moment, Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s voice sounded. ¡°Coming.¡± Lazily, Jiang Sanjia got up, approached the small table, and put down the chopsticks he had just picked up, complaining, ¡°Why is it salted vegetables and steamed buns again?¡± Even in the dungeon, he had better meals. All his life, Jiang Sanjia enjoyed meat; whenever there wasn¡¯t any, he wouldn¡¯t eat. Liu Haoping, afraid he¡¯d die, had no choice but to give him plenty of fish and meat daily. Though the dungeon was dark, and he had no freedom, the food wasn¡¯t bad. Now that he was out of the dungeon, the food had gotten worse. Mu Xiaoyun, not concerned, picked up a steamed bun and started gnawing it, saying, ¡°It¡¯s good enough to have food.¡± ¡°Is this the attitude of asking for help?¡± Jiang Sanjia snorted lightly. ¡°You lousy dog, don¡¯t eat, and see if I won¡¯t put you back in jail?¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s mouth curled into a cold smile. Hearing Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s words, Jiang Sanjia immediately wilted. Others might not know, but Mu Xiaoyun was a crazy woman who could do anything. What she said, she might actually do. Jiang Sanjia forced a smile and picked up a steamed bun, ¡°By the way, when you returned, you said Tieyun Mountain had issued a challenge to Brother Zhou?¡± ¡°The whole city is abuzz; Tieyun Mountain deliberately spread the news to provoke Zhou Xianming. If you find Zhou Xianming, wouldn¡¯t you find you?¡± Mu Xiaoyun shrugged. ¡°This provocation might work on youngsters, but Zhou Xianming, no way.¡± Jiang Sanjia sneered. He understood that ¡®Zhou Xianming,¡¯ that old fox, was frightfully shrewd. Such a petty provocation wouldn¡¯t make him come out. ¡°Tieyun Mountain is desperate. Since he can¡¯t find you, he naturally wants to find that swordsman.¡± Mu Xiaoyun said with a seductive smile, ¡°I¡¯m quite eager to see him respond to the challenge.¡± ¡°Thinking back, life in prison wasn¡¯t bad. Out here, it¡¯s such hardship¡­ Huh? Is that the smell of roasted chicken?¡± Jiang Sanjia suddenly sniffed a whiff of roasted chicken and began to swallow his saliva continuously. ¡°San Jia, your nose is sharp. The roasted chicken hasn¡¯t even arrived, and you already smell it?¡± As the curtain lifted, An Jing, in a dark cyan robe, walked in, holding two roasted chickens wrapped in parchment paper. ¡°Brother Zhou, why are you here?¡± Jiang Sanjia said as he reached out to touch the roasted chicken. ¡°San Jia, look at you, so impatient.¡± An Jing tossed the roasted chickens to Jiang Sanjia, ¡°For the past half-month, I haven¡¯t seen the red lanterns hanging high, so I came uninvited, fearing you had fallen into the hands of the Cao Gang.¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s opportunities could enhance Root Bone, how could he not be anxious? Mu Xiaoyun sighed lightly, ¡°San Jia¡¯s injuries haven¡¯t healed yet. Only when he¡¯s almost fully recovered can he investigate my husband¡¯s whereabouts, so Brother Zhou, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to wait a while longer¡­¡± Jiang Sanjia seemed to have not seen a hearty meal for a long time, greedily devouring the roasted chicken. An Jing nodded; if Liu Qingshan¡¯s true whereabouts weren¡¯t known, it would indeed be tricky. But everything depended on Jiang Sanjia; when his injuries were nearly healed, he could use the Ghost Valley Heavenly Mechanism to find Liu Qingshan. ¡°That¡¯s manageable.¡± An Jing paused and then looked at Mu Xiaoyun, ¡°I wonder, what reward did Madam promise me?¡± He needed to calculate carefully, so as not to be fooled. ¡°It will definitely satisfy Brother Zhou.¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, ¡°But before that, I want to know if Brother Zhou¡¯s skills are as impressive as stated. After all, Brother Zhou will be our backbone¡­.¡± Jiang Sanjia, still feasting on the roasted chicken, paused, sensing something. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I heard Tieyun Mountain wants to challenge you. Actually, I¡¯m quite curious whether Tieyun Mountain¡¯s sword is quicker, or yours¡­¡± ¡°Are you asking for his head?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing answered simply. Tieyun Mountain was already on his must-kill list. ¡°I¡¯ll await your good news.¡± ¡°Soon.¡± With those words, An Jing walked out of the riverboat. ¡­¡­ Jiang Sanjia, munching the roasted chicken, said, ¡°You want him to kill Tieyun Mountain; that might be difficult. That old man is surely at the headquarters, and though it¡¯s said to be just Tieyun Mountain, who knows if the Cao Gang will feign an attack.¡± In his view, it wasn¡¯t wise for An Jing to go to the Yu State headquarters. This was clearly a trap set by Tieyun Mountain. Mu Xiaoyun smiled slightly, ¡°It¡¯s precisely because it¡¯s difficult that I want him to do it.¡± Jiang Sanjia clicked his tongue, ¡°Your strategy of killing three birds with one stone is indeed clever¡ªtesting Zhou Xianming¡¯s strength, drawing the Cao Gang¡¯s attention, and if Tieyun Mountain is killed, it sets a clear stance.¡± ¡°From your words, it seems you believe he can do it?¡± Mu Xiaoyun said softly, picking up a steamed bun. ¡°Ordinarily, I¡¯d say it¡¯s tough.¡± Jiang Sanjia pondered a bit, ¡°Tieyun Mountain has a close bond with Hong Yuanwu, and there are many experts in the headquarters. Although Zhou Xianming agreed readily, if ambushed or facing Tieyun Mountain and Hong Yuanwu together, he might fail.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Exactly.¡± Mu Xiaoyun lowered her head and smiled, ¡°Let¡¯s finish up and be ready to flee at any moment.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s necessary.¡± Jiang Sanjia lazily leaned on the deck, his mouth greasy, ¡°I said that about an ordinary person, but my Brother Zhou is not ordinary.¡± ¡°He is incredibly cunning and only acts with certainty. He agreed to kill Tieyun Mountain so readily because Tieyun Mountain was already on his must-kill list.¡± Chapter 31 Editor: Atlas Studios ¡°`html Yu State City, South River Branch, Zhongyi Hall. Whether it was people from the Jianghu or ordinary folks, they all knew this place. This place was the headquarters of the Cao Gang in Yu State. At the entrance, there was a constant flow of carriages. From time to time, men in coarse clothes would go in and out of the South River Branch. Two night guards of the Cao Gang stood at the entrance, yawning. ¡°Hey! Exhausted from the day, and still having to stand guard at night.¡± ¡°Have you heard? Pavilion Master Liu has broken through to Fifth Grade.¡± ¡°How could I not? Elder Tie has already summoned him. It¡¯s said that Pavilion Master Liu will throw a grand banquet on the third of next month.¡± ¡°I wonder when I¡¯ll reach Sixth Grade.¡± ¡­.. The two guards chatted idly, passing the time. What is the Jianghu? Many rivers flow into it. In the Jianghu, there are great dragons soaring through the gates, as well as countless small, ordinary fish and shrimp. But not every little shrimp ultimately becomes a legendary hero. ¡°Old Liu, I haven¡¯t been home in decades.¡± Suddenly, one of the guards looked at the night sky and sighed. He remembered it was a winter day when a village bully broke into his home to assault his wife. He could bear it no longer and drew his knife to kill two bullies. To escape capture, he changed his name and joined the Cao Gang in Jiangnan Dao. ¡°I have no home. My parents have long been dead.¡± The other gang member¡¯s expression was calm and indifferent, as if discussing something unrelated to him. ¡°I wonder if my wife ran away.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t think about it. She definitely ran away.¡± ¡°Damn it! Can¡¯t you wish me well for once?¡± ¡°You weren¡¯t saying that yesterday when you were toying with Zhang Mazi¡¯s wife.¡± ¡°That little punk Zhang Mazi thought he could wave a knife at me. How could I let him off that easily?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go together tomorrow.¡± ¡°Alright, Zhang Mazi¡¯s wife is pretty thrilling.¡± The more they talked, the more spirited they became, until a figure approached the entrance. The person was wearing a dark blue robe, his face obscured, holding only an ordinary iron sword. He walked towards the gate at an unhurried pace. It was An Jing. ¡°Stop! Who are you?¡± The two, seeing An Jing¡¯s concealed appearance, felt a chill in their hearts. An Jing did not speak and continued walking towards the headquarters of Yu State. ¡°Swoosh!¡± A faint sword light flashed! The first man to speak felt his heart stop for a moment. He couldn¡¯t catch his breath and his outstretched hand finally fell limp. With a step forward! The man was already dead on the ground! ¡°Help! Someone¡¯s intruding the headquarters! Help!¡± The other man, seeing this, felt his heart pounding wildly and hurriedly called out towards Zhongyi Hall. This call, like an arrow breaking dawn, completely ignited the night of Zhongyi Hall. ¡°Who dares to intrude on our headquarters in Yu State?¡± ¡°Such audacity!¡± ¡­. Countless members of the Cao Gang swarmed out from all directions. An Jing did not speak and continued walking forward unhurriedly. ¡°Seeking death!¡± One of the Sixth Grade members, eyes flashing with malice, took a big step, using Third Grade martial arts, Dragon Capturing Hand, aiming right at An Jing¡¯s shoulder blade. This person was also a rising star within the Cao Gang, quite young. Just as the man was about to reach An Jing, it seemed as if a sword light pierced through. ¡°Thud!¡± That member¡¯s eyes lost their light and his body fell heavily to the ground. The surrounding Cao Gang experts were all shocked. The man had only taken a step, and he was dead? What level of strength is this? How terrifying is this? ¡°Everyone, attack together!¡± At this moment, several experts from within the Cao Gang came out. These were all Fourth Grade experts, the hall masters of various halls in Yu State City, led by Zhu Hou. Hearing Zhu Hou¡¯s words, the present members of the Cao Gang also mustered their courage. An Jing did not speak, but those within a few meters of him kept falling. No sword drawing, no sword retracting, no moves. As he strolled leisurely, countless people were slain by the sword light! With each step he took, lives spilled there! He remained unhurried, without saying a word, as if simply walking in a common market or alley, just as usual, just as composed, just as calm. Terrifying! Looking at this swordman as calm as still water, the only words in everyone¡¯s mind were ¡°terrifying.¡± ¡°You¡­ who are you?¡± A Fourth Grade expert of the Cao Gang asked, trembling. Such a peerless expert, who could he be? ¡°Could it be that legendary swordsman who split open the dungeon?¡± Zhu Hou exclaimed as the thought struck him. Sparing few words, holding an ordinary longsword and exuding an aura as sharp as a blade, making people afraid to look directly at him. Killing with invisible methods! An Jing remained silent and walked forward. But with each step he took, countless people perished. This step forward created a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. He was demonstrating the Hundred-step Flying Sword! In no time, the ground was stained with blood, and the path became a bloody road, littered with one body after another. When An Jing entered Zhongyi Hall, there were no living souls within several meters around him besides himself. Zhu Hou was stunned by this scene, his body trembling. ¡°You¡­. you¡­.¡± An Jing continued walking inside, never uttering a word, his steps ever steady. ¡°Thud!¡± At the moment his tiptoe touched the ground, Zhu Hou felt a chill on his neck and fell heavily to the ground. ¡­. At an antiquated banquet. Tieyun Mountain sat high on the main seat. Below him was a young man, his body clad in a moon-white brocade robe, tailored to fit, tall and slender with elegant poise, like a noble tree or poem, radiating an indescribable grace and elegance. If Tieyun Mountain and Hong Yuanwu were dragons that crossed the river, then this young man, or rather the Mu Family behind him, were true locals with deep roots. Mu Jie of the Mu Family, ranked seventh on the Jianghu prodigy list, known as the ¡°Jade Fan Glass Prince.¡± He was the dream lover of numerous aristocratic ladies, having reached Fourth Grade last year, renowned throughout the Jianghu. Among the four major families in Jiangnan Dao, Mu Jie was the most outstanding young talent of his generation. Such a person was destined to be a towering figure in Jiangnan Dao in the future, dominating the region¡¯s trends, with a significant presence even in the Great Yan. Tieyun Mountain raised his glass with a smile, ¡°In recent years, the Mu Family¡¯s business has been flourishing. I heard your caravans have extended to Nanming Country. That is truly worthy of congratulations.¡± ¡°This is all thanks to the assistance of the Cao Gang in recent years.¡± Mu Jie replied respectfully. The Tieyun Mountain before him was a terrifying figure, a ruthless man who once killed the head of the Su Family. Although he was a prodigy on the list and the future head of the Mu Family, Mu Jie did not dare to put on airs before Tieyun Mountain. ¡°No, it¡¯s a matter of sincere cooperation.¡± Tieyun Mountain shook his head. ¡°Alright, sincere cooperation it is. For these words from Elder Tie, let us drink another cup.¡± Mu Jie said loudly. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The two raised their glasses and drank it all in one go. What is the Jianghu? The Jianghu is a battleground for fame and fortune, a place where many¡¯s dreams lie in their fastest rise to fame and quickest path to profit. This is the Jianghu dream for many people. Some drift tirelessly in the Jianghu, some indulge in revelry, and some wallow in dissipation. ¡°` Chapter 32 Editor: Atlas Studios After three rounds of drinks, Tieyun Mountain reminded, ¡°Nephew, don¡¯t forget the important matter I mentioned to you earlier.¡± ¡°Rest assured, elder, I¡¯ve already remembered it in my heart.¡± Mu Jie sighed lightly, ¡°My aunt is really too headstrong, too reckless. When I find her, I will surely discuss it with her properly.¡± Mu Jie¡¯s father was the current head of the Mu Family, Mu Delun, and Mu Delun¡¯s sister was Mu Xiaoyun, the aunt mentioned by Mu Jie. ¡°As long as you find any trace, just inform me,¡± Tieyun Mountain smiled, ¡°So I can report back to the gang leader.¡± With the assistance of the Mu Family, finding Jiang Sanjia, the mysterious swordsman, or Mu Xiaoyun would be much easier. ¡°Alright.¡± Mu Jie cupped his hands and said seriously, ¡°As for that swordsman, the Mu Family will also do our best to assist you, elder. But I have also studied that swordsman¡¯s sword skill a bit, and it is indeed extraordinary.¡± ¡°Xue Chen of the Floating Blood Sword has Second Grade Cultivation, and Gao Zixing of the Five Directions Sword is also Second Grade. Both are renowned swordsmen in Jiangnan Dao, ranking ninety-seventh and sixty-third on the Dragon and Tiger List, respectively. This swordsman¡¯s swordsmanship is completely different from these two, and I have never seen such a sword skill in Jiangnan Dao. This suggests that the person might not be from Jiangnan Dao.¡± Mu Jie was also a swordsman and had once gone to the old Yuzhou prison to observe that sword skill, feeling deeply impressed. He only knew that this person¡¯s swordsmanship was extremely superb, but the exact sect or school he belonged to was unknown to him. ¡°It is indeed too strange. Tracking this person is extremely difficult, which is why I used such a third-rate provocation method to lure him out.¡± Tieyun Mountain nodded. This swordsman seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, and Jiang Sanjia had seemingly no acquaintances with such a person. Not to mention his strength, just his identity was already extremely mysterious. If it were not for Jiang Sanjia, he would not even want to investigate this swordsman further. Mu Jie laughed, ¡°That swordsman must be afraid at heart, not daring to appear again. I¡¯d bet he¡¯s sneaking away from Jiangnan Dao now. Elder, you needn¡¯t worry too much.¡± ¡°No, he certainly hasn¡¯t left.¡± Tieyun Mountain shook his head; his intuition told him that the man hadn¡¯t gone. ¡°Oh? Why are you so certain, elder?¡± Mu Jie asked curiously. ¡°No¡­ no good¡­¡± At this moment, a member of the Cao Gang stumbled in. ¡°The ghost¡­ the ghost¡­ has come to kill.¡± ¡°What ghost?¡± Mu Jie asked in confusion, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Not good!¡± Tieyun Mountain¡¯s eyes condensed as he looked into the distance. When that cold light rushed in, the bluestone slabs on the ground began to crack inch by inch, then spread to the table. The panicked gang member was pierced by the cold light and turned into a cloud of blood mist. Then that sword light continued to shoot forward, its target being Tieyun Mountain. ¡°Crack!¡± Tieyun Mountain¡¯s expression changed dramatically as he drew two arcs to block the cold light. ¡°He¡¯s here!¡± Under the moonlight, a figure slowly approached, its form blending into the moonlight and stone slabs as one, sword still sheathed but making people feel alarmed. ¡°That swordsman!¡± Mu Jie looked at the figure ahead and took a deep breath. Just standing there, he exuded an overwhelming aura. A peerless swordsman! This was a true peerless swordsman! Mu Jie prided himself on having seen many experts, including those in the First Grade, but few gave him the feeling this swordsman did. That confidence and sharp presence were unparalleled. ¡°Drip!¡± ¡°Drip!¡± Tieyun Mountain¡¯s grips on his twin blades were bleeding; this was caused by forcibly blocking the sword light just now. ¡°You¡¯ve finally come.¡± Tieyun Mountain¡¯s heart turned cold. Before seeing that sword light, he had thought that the swordsman was not his match. Now, seeing the person, he felt that he had been too reckless. ¡°As you wished!¡± An Jing¡¯s voice was calm and indifferent. The moonlight slowly shone down, and Mu Jie next to him started to breathe heavily. In the face of their confrontation, he felt as though he was suffocating. Who was Tieyun Mountain? One of the seven Vajra of the Cao Gang, a notorious figure in Jianghu. His twin curved blades had killed many long-established experts. Someone like him might have the potential to reach the First Grade in the future. In the absence of grandmasters, he could aspire to the summit of Jianghu experts. Yet, the peerless swordsman in front of him stirred his emotions even more, making his thoughts turbulent. Although Mu Jie was usually respected and revered as a prodigy, he still felt overwhelmed. Was this the duel between masters? Taking a deep breath, Mu Jie instinctively retreated backward, fearing he might get involved. If Mu Jie was only bearing one-tenth of the pressure, Tieyun Mountain was bearing ten or even a hundred times more. The mere clash of their auras made him realize that this swordsman was an unprecedented enemy, one whom his swift blades had no strategy to counter. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you at least announce your identity?¡± Tieyun Mountain asked in a low voice. He was gathering his momentum. An Jing smiled faintly, ¡°I came specially, not to answer your irrelevant questions.¡± ¡°It seems I¡¯m important to you,¡± Tieyun Mountain laughed heartily. ¡°You are only important because your absence is paramount,¡± An Jing said, shaking his head expressionlessly. The atmosphere suddenly froze, as if the air had turned to ice. Tieyun Mountain gripped his twin blades tightly. An Jing didn¡¯t speak further, as in his eyes, Tieyun Mountain was already a dead man, and he had little to say to the dead. In the next moment! Both of them moved. An Jing¡¯s longsword danced like a dragon, striking straight at Tieyun Mountain¡¯s throat. But Tieyun Mountain¡¯s curved blades were not famed for nothing. Having trained relentlessly for years, they were a part of his very bones and memory. The curved blade is among the hardest to master, and wielding two is even more difficult. Few in Jianghu could dual-wield curved blades, and those who did were all masters. Blades clashed with sword light, and the two exchanged dozens of moves rapidly. Tieyun Mountain put forth all his effort, barely withstanding the incoming sword light. Their figures flickered, moving so quickly that even Mu Jie, standing nearby, was amazed. Despite his Fourth Grade cultivation, he couldn¡¯t keep up with their duel. What did this signify? It indicated that either could kill him with a single move. Only one move was needed to pierce his throat and end his life! Before long, beads of sweat dotted Tieyun Mountain¡¯s forehead. He felt completely suppressed and had to use his full strength. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Thinking of this, he turned his twin blades, shaping them like a full moon. ¡°Swish! Swish!¡± Two arcs of blade light shone, mirroring the full moon in the sky. Full Moon Curved Blades! Unmatched Full Moon! The blade light wasn¡¯t fast, but by the time you reacted, it would be cascading down on you like moonlight. Chapter 33 Editor: Atlas Studios An Jing¡¯s longsword twirled in his hand, creating a series of sword flowers. The Nine-character Sword Technique! The Lin Character Secret! ¡°Clang clang clang clang!¡± As the blade and sword clashed, sparks flew, and a series of explosive sounds created waves of Qi force. Not far away, Mu Jie felt his heart surge, his body seemed to separate from his soul, an out-of-body experience. Was the knife or the sword faster!? Mu Jie strained to look ahead. Under the moonlight, the sword light was so dense it shielded An Jing completely. The incoming knife light, like moonlight, was wholly blocked without a trace missing. Tieyun Mountain¡¯s initial move missed, and his inner strength surged like a mighty river, all channeling into his arms. ¡°Buzz buzz!¡± ¡°Buzz buzz!¡± The powerful fluctuations of inner strength caused the surrounding Qi to emit sounds, and even the wine pots on the table began to crack. His chilling twin blades, infused with inner strength, exuded a terrifying cold light. Tieyun Mountain¡¯s clothes fluttered without wind, one knife held horizontally in front of his chest, the other behind his neck, then his hands swung out in unison. In an instant, it was as if moonlight poured out, with a blade light flashing within it. Tieyun Mountain was wild, and naturally, his knives were wild too. The experts who had perished under his blades had forged his arrogance. The Full Moon Scimitar! Moon Over the Western Tower! The wind stirred, sharpness unparalleled, in the sky and earth, a single glint of light falling from the heavens, as if to cleave the earth in two and reduce it to fragments. ¡°This¡­ this is an Upper Three Grades expert?¡± Mu Jie¡¯s face showed a moment of stupefaction. A life-and-death duel between Upper Three Grades experts! It was not often seen in Jianghu. There were many rumors in Jianghu, but few had truly witnessed them, and Mu Jie was fortunate to be one of them. Unfortunately, this knife-and-sword clash, this solitary grandeur, only he saw it. An Jing¡¯s expression was composed, like a calm well, but his sword drew out silently. The longsword¡¯s clear, crisp blade emitted a light hum, like a solitary boat drifting on vast waves. ¡°Whizz!¡± Sword light spread out like a rising sun under the night sky. The Nine-character Sword Technique! The Dou Character Secret! The longsword pointed, and the still moonlight gradually dispersed. On the ground, a long, narrow sword mark appeared, then a second, a third¡­ ¡°Bang!¡± A booming sound echoed, everything around turned to dust. Mu Jie¡¯s face became deathly pale, and he frantically retreated backward. In the midst of the smoky waves, the two figures continued their battle, blade and sword light intertwining and becoming indistinguishable, reaching a fever pitch. ¡°You have used your move, now receive my sword.¡± An Jing said calmly. Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Tieyun Mountain¡¯s heart leapt to his throat. No one understood better than him the terrifying prowess of the swordsman before him. An Jing¡¯s longsword slid like a goat¡¯s horns, elusive and deadly. His swordsmanship was peculiar, almost unmatched in the world. ¡°Whoosh whoosh!¡± Tieyun Mountain was terrified, quickly crossing his twin blades to shield his chest. Strong! Too strong! Mu Yun in the distance was profoundly shaken. A seemingly casual strike was remarkably mysterious. ¡°Clang clang!¡± The violent clash of metal echoed, like being struck by a heavy hammer. Tieyun Mountain¡¯s head spun, yet he felt a sense of near-death relief. Blocked it! ¡°Pfft!¡± But in the next moment, a sword light, from who knows where, pierced his throat. His eyes held disbelief. He had seen the sword light and firmly blocked it. Why did he still die? The Hidden Sword Skill! The Hidden Sword Skill, though seemingly an entry-level technique, was not mastered by ninety-nine percent of swordsmen. The Hidden Sword Skill hid not the sword but its sharpness and the killing intent in the heart. When others let their guard down, at the crucial moment, the concealed swordsmanship would surge out, delivering the fatal strike. This was the true essence of the Hidden Sword Skill. ¡°Gurgle¡ª!¡± ¡°Fi¡­ Fi¡­ First Grade¡­¡± Tieyun Mountain¡¯s eyes gradually lost their light, as blood flowed from his throat and he collapsed with a thud. Mu Jie, witnessing this scene, was petrified. Fast! Too fast! Moments ago, in the blink of an eye, Tieyun Mountain had fallen. Knife fast or sword fast? Mu Jie, as the witness, felt there was no comparison. He wanted to shout, but found his throat caught as if something was stuck. An Jing did not sheath his sword but looked toward a distant rooftop. ¡°You have a swift sword, sir!¡± A soft voice echoed, revealing a figure on the distant rooftop, holding a red longsword, with a faint blood glow on it. The Futu Sword! This was the famous sword of Rash in Jianghu, the Futu Sword. The figure, clad in black, hidden in the night, their shape and features obscure. This was Tan Yun. Her heart was shocked. This person had killed Tieyun Mountain and, in fighting him, still noticed her presence. This person was no ordinary expert. ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are or why you¡¯re here, but I don¡¯t want to see you again,¡± An Jing said coldly, looking at the figure. ¡°Get lost!¡± He waved his longsword. The resulting sword light created terrifying waves, like a sweeping tide falling from the heavens. ¡°Clang clang!¡± Tan Yun caught the sword strike, inner strength raging within her. First Grade! This person was a First Grade expert! Tan Yun was deeply shaken, not daring to stay, and fled as a black shadow into the distance. ¡°She runs quite fast indeed!¡± An Jing silently sheathed his longsword. If she had been a moment slower, he wouldn¡¯t have hesitated to kill her. But Mu Jie, who had been watching, wasn¡¯t so lucky. His once fair and handsome face now bore a bloody scar. ¡°Sen¡­ Senior, I¡­ I am¡­¡± Mu Jie¡¯s heart seemed ready to leap out of his chest. ¡°This scar is my gift to you, a mark of honor for your life,¡± An Jing did not even glance at Mu Jie and walked away leisurely, just as he had come. This scar, my gift, is your honor for life¡­ these words echoed constantly in Mu Jie¡¯s ears, seemingly tearing his heart apart. An Jing walked unhurriedly, disappearing from the Yu State headquarters. It wasn¡¯t until several moments after An Jing left that Mu Jie finally reacted, collapsing to the ground like a puppet without strings. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After a long while, he gasped and shouted, ¡°Quick! Someone come! Master Tie¡­ Tie was killed!¡± An eerie silence surrounded him, no one responded, the place felt like a desolate land. ¡°Could it be¡­¡± Mu Jie froze, a horrified expression dawning on his face. The Yu State headquarters had been bloodily purged¡­ Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Calculating Qian and Kun in the Poison Masters Hall Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Calculating Qian and Kun in the Poison Master¡¯s Hall Early morning, Jishi Hall. ¡°Once a young man reaches a certain age, he must come to understand, without health, everything is nothing.¡± An Jing, content after eating the ¡®loving heart¡¯ porridge made by Zhao Qingmei, then touched his firm waistline and planned to find an excuse to go out. He had not forgotten that today was not only the Ullambana Festival but also the Cao Gang¡¯s demon-expelling convention, where he would personally display the severed head of the peerless swordsman, ¡®Xue Chen¡¯. As Tan Yun was tidying up the medicine cabinet, she said, ¡°Son-in-law, today is the Ullambana Festival, I heard there¡¯s a water and land service. Shall we go and have some fun?¡± An Jing paused, and said irritably, ¡°What¡¯s there to enjoy about the Ullambana Festival? The water and land service is just a few bald monks reciting Buddhist scriptures, you can¡¯t understand it at all.¡± The Cao Gang had summoned the four great families of Jiangnan Dao and many experts to discuss dealing with the Demon Sect. Fa Xi Temple would now certainly be swarming with people, filled with numerous experts, so it could be very dangerous if there was any chaos. If the naive girl Tan Yun were accidentally targeted by someone from the Jianghu, An Jing would have to take extra care to protect her. ¡°But son-in-law, I want to go and see,¡± Tan Yun said, looking aggrieved. ¡°Then will you listen to your son-in-law?¡± An Jing glanced at the heaving front of Tan Yun¡¯s chest. ¡°Of course, I will listen to you, son-in-law,¡± Tan Yun quickly replied with a smile, ¡°I¡¯ll listen to everything you say.¡± ¡°Alright then, listen to me, don¡¯t go,¡± An Jing said righteously. Tan Yun¡¯s smile froze, and her face looked somewhat stunned. ¡°Husband, I want to go too.¡± Zhao Qingmei also came out and looked at An Jing with hopeful eyes, tenderly saying, ¡°We haven¡¯t gone out to have fun for a long time.¡± ¡°If the lady also wants to go, then naturally that is fine.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing immediately smiled apologetically, ¡°Besides the water and land service, the Ullambana Festival also features lantern releasing, which can be quite interesting¡­.¡± Tan Yun: ¡°???¡± Didn¡¯t you say it was incomprehensible? How come it¡¯s suddenly interesting now? At that moment, seeing An Jing suddenly change his tune, Tan Yun pouted her lips and cursed internally, ¡°Disgusting son-in-law, rotten son-in-law, when I said we should go, you said it wasn¡¯t fun, but when the Sect Hierarch said to go, you immediately changed your face.¡± I¡¯m going to remember this, and when I catch you in a big scandal later¡­ Thinking this, Tan Yun pulled out a small notebook from her sleeve. ¡°The old man actually finds this water and land service quite interesting.¡± Li Fuzhou then walked out slowly, dressed impeccably and adjusting his sleeves, he said lightly, ¡°In the water and land service, monks and nuns set up altars to chant scriptures, worship, and confess, providing food and drinks to transfer the souls of all beings from water and land, benefiting spirits from all six paths and four states of existence, that¡¯s why it¡¯s called so. Generally, the ones who set up altars to chant the scriptures are high-ranking Buddhist monks. The abbot of this Fa Xi Temple is a high monk from the Western Regions. This water and land service is indeed worth seeing.¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled, ¡°I have never seen the Buddhist water and land service before, let¡¯s go and have a look today.¡± ¡­¡­ Fa Xi Temple, behind the Great Hall. Guo Yuchun sat within the rear hall, holding a secret scroll in hand, his eyebrows alternating between furrowed and relaxed. ¡°Deputy Gang Leader Guo, everything is ready,¡± Ouyang Yu walked in slowly. ¡°Good, I know,¡± Guo Yuchun nodded slightly, ¡°Add another group of people for guards, the more the better. We cannot afford any mistakes.¡± ¡°Another group?¡± Ouyang Yu asked. The entire Fa Xi Temple, inside and out, was already filled with the Cao Gang¡¯s secret sentinels, and visibly there were many experts, truly vigilant. ¡°According to the information I received, the Demon Sect has indeed entered Great Yan,¡± Guo Yuchun stated. Guo Yuchun narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°Do you think the people of the Demon Sect will let us rise on their reputation?¡± Ouyang Yu shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Now, rumors are everywhere saying that Xue Chen has joined the Demon Sect, while the Cao Gang members killed a Demon Sect expert and are planning to show their might at the anti-Demon assembly. This is clearly a provocation to the Demon Sect. If the masters of the Demon Sect found out, how could they possibly not come to disrupt this assembly? A big game requires not only enough pieces but also corresponding opponents. The anti-Demon assembly of Guo Yuchun could kill two birds with one stone. If people from the Demon Sect don¡¯t show up, then the Cao Gang having killed the Demon Sect expert and still holding the anti-Demon assembly is undoubtedly stepping on the Demon Sect to rise, which enhances the prestige of the Cao Gang in Jianghu and lays the foundation for the future Five Gangs Alliance. If the people from the Demon Sect do appear, then he would have laid a Heaven and Earth Net. Along with the help of the Xuanyi Guard and Buddhist experts, he could deal a heavy blow to the people of the Demon Sect. And with the Demon Sect being bested under his scheme, the prestige of the Cao Gang would also soar. Ouyang Yu could naturally see through Guo Yuchun¡¯s calculations, but she still did not understand why Guo Yuchun wanted to establish his reputation against the Demon Sect. Although that swordsman really did kill people from the Cao Gang and could possibly belong to the Demon Sect, the Demon Sect was not so easy to provoke. The Demon Sect was like a fierce tiger in slumber; once awakened, it would devour people. ¡°I know your doubts.¡± Guo Yuchun gave a faint smile, ¡°The Demon Sect making a comeback, do you think it¡¯s just by themselves?¡± A chill went through Ouyang Yu¡¯s heart as she said coldly, ¡°Vice Gang Leader Guo means, someone is collaborating with the Demon Sect?¡± Ouyang Yu vaguely knew there were supporters behind the Cao Gang; its rapid development over the decades had secretly shocked those in Jianghu, but few knew that the Cao Gang had backers. To support a power like the Cao Gang, there are but a few such capable hands in Great Yan. But who might be supporting the Demon Sect? At this moment, Ouyang Yun realized the Jianghu was not as simple as she had imagined. Keep in mind that she was one of the seven Vajras of the Cao Gang, a first-rate expert in Jianghu, yet she still felt that the waters were too deep and unfathomable. ¡°Not so much collusion, but rather mutual benefit,¡± Guo Yuchun said, his smile slightly fading. ¡°You might not need to know the rest, but just know one thing: the Demon Sect is our severe internal threat, and if the Demon Sect intends to make a comeback, the first they will target is our Cao Gang, and likewise, it¡¯s the same for us. To face this giant, we can only form the Five Gangs Alliance.¡± Upon hearing this, Ouyang Yu was shocked. She had always thought the Five Gangs Alliance was merely a fantasy, an impossible ambition or even wild ambition. After all, among Jianghu, each of the five major gangs was a top-tier force, occupying various corners of Great Yan. Even the weakest Sanhu Gang had tens of thousands of gang members, and the other four gangs¡¯ power was immensely larger. Such an alliance among these five gangs could instantly become a colossal power. Even among the seven major sects, only the Zhenyi Sect, Xuanyi Guard, Buddhist Western Regions, and Demon Sect, the true giants, could compete. Such daunting power, would anyone wish to see its existence? The ones with such ambitions, no need to think much, surely was someone in Yujing City, or that individual from Zhenyi Mountain, or maybe those few princely heirs. ¡°Jianghu is far from the court, yet the court is above Jianghu.¡± Guo Yuchun sighed deeply and said, ¡°To deal with the Demon Sect, relying just on our Cao Gang is far from enough; we also need the banner of great righteousness. We need to learn to ¡®ride the tiger¡¯s back.¡¯¡± Ouyang Yu also took a deep breath, ¡°Then if the Demon Sect experts really come¡­¡± She was still somewhat worried, for the name ¡®Demon Sect¡¯ had deeply etched into her heart. Guo Yuchun frowned and said, ¡°Xuanyi Guard Gan Yue, being a court official, has the main duty of eradicating the Demon Sect. He has no choice but to act. And Monk Fa Zhi, representing Leiyin Temple from the Western Regions, what does Buddhism desire the most? Besides a nod from that one in Yujing City, it is recognition, the recognition of Great Yan Martial World, and dealing with the Demon Sect is a quick way to achieve it, a method the Great Yan Martial World can¡¯t refuse.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Guo Yuchun, able to become the chief strategist of the Cao Gang, not only saw through the matters of Jianghu, but also the affairs of the court as clearly as if they were on fire, thoroughly understanding them as if they were at his fingertips. Where is the world? The world was in his heart. ¡°I understand.¡± Ouyang Yu nodded heavily and said, ¡°I will go now to call for more reinforcements.¡± Chapter 58 - Chapter 58: Chapter 58: The Turmoil of the Demon-Exorcising Convention Chapter 58: Chapter 58: The Turmoil of the Demon-Exorcising Convention ¡°` Fa Xi Temple, in front of the mountain gate. After climbing a thousand stone steps and winding through a hundred curves and turns, the faint tranquillity under the shade of trees was mingled with the elegant fragrance of flowers, ceaselessly adding a touch of magic to the ancient temple. In this secluded atmosphere, one could sense a hint of melancholy and a whisper of the vicissitudes of time. An Jing panted as he reached the summit, hands bracing his knees as he took deep breaths, ¡°Tan Yun, quickly hand me the water skin.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Tan Yun grumpily tossed the water skin to An Jing. The girl was still angry. Next time, I¡¯d better buy her more pastries to make up for it. An Jing unscrewed the water skin and gulped down a big mouthful of water, then turned to look back, only to see that Zhao Qingmei was following at an unhurried pace. ¡°Husband, are you tired? Let me wipe your sweat.¡± Zhao Qingmei took out her personal handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from An Jing¡¯s forehead. So fragrant. Instantly, a refreshing fragrance filled his nostrils, causing An Jing¡¯s spirit to ripple. ¡°Third Master, who would have thought you¡¯re actually in such good shape?¡± An Jing said with a laugh as he glanced at Li Fuzhou. While Three Temple Mountain was small, it took the four of them nearly half an hour to finally reach the mountain gate of Fa Xi Temple. Logically speaking, it was normal for Zhao Qingmei, a young lady from a family of officials, to have learned some basic martial arts and to be strong and vigorous without breaking a sweat. But for an old scholar like Li Fuzhou, who indulged in the nightlife of courtesans, to maintain such composure was quite abnormal. ¡°I¡¯m well-versed in the ways of nurturing my health, so naturally, my physique is not bad,¡± Li Fuzhou said indifferently. Tan Yun thought to herself: What does this little doctor know? My master can travel eight hundred li by day and a thousand li by night; what¡¯s a little mountain path to him? ¡°Indeed, enjoying the company of courtesans every night, that must be Third Master¡¯s way of nurturing your health,¡± An Jing said with a chuckle. ¡°You don¡¯t understand the affairs of scholars,¡± Li Fuzhou said, giving An Jing a look that said ¡®what do you know¡¯, ¡°There¡¯s an art to enjoying the company of courtesans, a profound knowledge in every minute detail, skill hidden within the superficial.¡± The affairs of scholars, can you call it engaging in prostitution? No, that¡¯s enjoying courtesans and music. An Jing gave Li Fuzhou a glance, thinking to himself: I used to be a scholar too, but I sure didn¡¯t say so. The group followed the mountain path toward the interior of Fa Xi Temple. ¡°This incense is for worship,¡± said a handsome young monk, offering a bundle of incense sticks to An Jing as they approached. ¡°Thank you.¡± An Jing took thirty coins from his purse and put them into the Merit Box, then swept a glance and couldn¡¯t help but be amazed, ¡°There are so many constables from the government offices; it looks like a large portion of Yu State City¡¯s constable divisions have come.¡± After entering the mountain gate was the Heavenly King Hall, and apart from the numerous tourists and pilgrims offering incense, there were scattered constables. Among these tourists were also some individuals from the Jianghu, whose purpose was not merely to visit Fa Xi Temple, but likely to attend Cao Gang¡¯s demon-exorcising meeting. ¡°It¡¯s quite lively,¡± said Tan Yun, whose nature was to enjoy such bustling scenes, and she couldn¡¯t help but feel happy at the sight of so many people. ¡°Lady, why don¡¯t you roam around? I¡¯m terribly exhausted,¡± An Jing said instinctively, supporting his waist and sighing. He still had important matters to attend to and naturally couldn¡¯t follow Zhao Qingmei and the others. ¡°Alright, Tan Yun and I will go offer some incense. Later, we¡¯ll visit the Reincarnation Hall to see the water and land ceremony,¡± Zhao Qingmei said, and then glanced at Li Fuzhou, instructing, ¡°Third Master, you just stick with our son-in-law.¡± ¡°No need, I¡¯ll rest for a while, then go find Han Wenxin. Third Master, you wanted to see the water and land ceremony as well, didn¡¯t you? Don¡¯t interrupt his enjoyment,¡± An Jing waved his hand dismissively. Having this old man Li tagging along would only cause trouble when it came time to slip away. Zhao Qingmei insisted, ¡°After you find Han Wenxin, let Third Master go to offer incense. It¡¯s inconvenient not to have someone by your side.¡± There were countless martial arts experts within Fa Xi Temple, and if they were to harm her husband, that would be unfortunate. Zhao Qingmei headed off with Tan Yun towards the Grand Hall in the distance to offer incense. An Jing gave Li Fuzhou a sidelong glance and sighed deeply. For some reason, Zhao Qingmei always insisted on having old man Li follow him; then a thought crossed An Jing¡¯s mind¡ªcould it be that Qingmei was purposely having him watched? Little doctor, do you think I want to follow you? Li Fuzhou, seeing An Jing¡¯s look, scoffed in his heart. If the Sect Hierarch hadn¡¯t been worried about you being stewed by someone, why would I go through such trouble? Just then, An Jing spotted a familiar figure in the distance and couldn¡¯t help but call out, ¡°Arrest Officer Qin, where¡¯s that youngster Han Wenxin?¡± That man was indeed one of the only two arrest officers of Yu State City, Qin. At that moment, he was clutching his stomach, seemingly laughing so hard that he was bent over. ¡°Oh, him? He¡¯s squatting in the side hall corridor,¡± Qin said, trying to suppress his laughter, ¡°You better go have a look.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± An Jing, upon seeing Qin¡¯s difficulty in containing his amusement, asked curiously. He was planning on having Han Wenxin look after Zhao Qingmei and the others. With him there, the riffraff of Jianghu should not dare to be too presumptuous. ¡°You¡¯ll see when you go there. I can¡¯t quite explain it,¡± Qin replied. Curious, An Jing quickly made his way to the corridor ahead. ¡°Brother Han, Brother Han!¡± At the end of the corridor, a burly man dressed in a constable uniform was squatting with his face to the wall. By his build, it would undoubtedly be Han Wenxin. Upon hearing An Jing¡¯s voice, Han Wenxin turned his body around and removed the fighting hat from his head. The moment he turned around, An Jing was startled and exclaimed, ¡°You¡­ who are you? Why are you wearing Brother Han¡¯s clothes?¡± This person¡¯s face was nothing like a human¡¯s, swollen and bruised beyond recognition, not a single part of it unmarred, looking like a pig¡¯s head¡ªan image even more exaggerated than Zhou Xianming had been. ¡°` ¡°Oh¡­ oh my goodness, Han Wenxin!¡± The person¡¯s voice carried a hint of a sob, and from the tone, one could detect a familiar note. ¡°Is that you, Han Wenxin?¡± An Jing gulped and asked somewhat uncertainly. What on earth had happened to Han Wenxin? How had things come to this? Li Fuzhou also followed and, looking astonished, exclaimed, ¡°Had you not spoken, I would have truly thought that a pig had stood up.¡± ¡°I¡­ I really am Han Wenxin,¡± Han Wenxin said with a mournful expression. ¡°Prove it,¡± An Jing frowned and said with a hint of uncertainty, ¡°How do you prove that you are Han Wenxin?¡± Han Wenxin held up three fingers, asserting solemnly, ¡°I, Han Wenxin, would rather die than touch gambling or drugs.¡± ¡°It really is you, kid.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing felt sure in his heart. This person was undoubtedly Han Wenxin¡ªthe very arrest officer who never spoke of the yellow character. ¡°What in the world happened to you?¡± Wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes, Han Wenxin said, ¡°I¡­ I might have been infected by Zhou Xianming. Last night, while I was lying in bed at home, a man in black suddenly burst in and asked, ¡®So you¡¯re the kid Han Wenxin?¡¯ We three had drinks last night, drank too much, and I was a bit confused, so I told the man yes, and what of it? Little did I know that the man in black would start beating me without another word ¡­¡± An Jing said, puzzled, ¡°This really is bizarre.¡± Zhou Xianming was a scholar without the strength to truss a chicken, whereas Han Wenxin was the chief constable of Yu State City. What sort of grudge or grievance could the man in black have with them that he would beat them so violently? Moreover, it seemed the grudge between him and Han Wenxin was deeper than with Zhou Xianming. A mysterious figure in black appeared in Yu State City, specializing in bullying the weak and beating others? Even the chief constable had suffered¡ªthis man in black must be no ordinary individual. There¡¯s an old saying that aptly fits the situation: ¡°A Daoist would rather let his comrade die than be poor himself.¡± ¡°I truly don¡¯t know what I did to offend him,¡± Han Wenxin lamented. ¡°Sigh.¡± An Jing patted Han Wenxin on the shoulder and said, ¡°Given your way of speaking, it¡¯s normal for you to unknowingly offend people.¡± Han Wenxin was about to retort when he was distracted by a beautiful sight. Han Wenxin nudged An Jing, excitedly saying, ¡°Look, that¡¯s Miss Cao of the Cao family, a famous beauty of Yu State who is said to be unmarried. Hey, she¡¯s walking towards us.¡± An Jing followed the sound and saw Cao Ling¡¯er dressed in light purple clothes that gave her an ethereal air, stepping forward in embroidered shoes with a lotus gait. He was of course familiar with Cao Ling¡¯er, whose Yin Energy he had once cured. Han Wenxin quickly donned his hat in a fluster, not wanting to be presumptuous before the young lady. ¡°Doctor An, Miss Ling¡¯er greets you,¡± Cao Ling¡¯er approached An Jing and bowed slightly before saying in a delicate voice. An Jing smiled and asked, ¡°Miss Cao, no need for formalities. I wonder if your health has improved recently?¡± Cao Ling¡¯er replied gratefully, ¡°I¡¯ve improved a lot. Without Doctor An¡¯s miraculous healing, Ling¡¯er might still be unconscious.¡± Miraculous healing? The envious fire blazed up in Han Wenxin, standing by¡ªthey shouted inside his head: Miss Cao, if Doctor An can perform miraculous healings, so can I. An Jing, curious, asked, ¡°That¡¯s great to hear. I was told by Madam Cao that you were infected with Yin Energy at Fa Xi Temple. How is it that today ¡­¡± Cao Ling¡¯er hesitated for a moment and then replied, ¡°Doctor An might not know since you aren¡¯t a member of Jianghu. Today is the gathering organized by Cao Gang to invite the four major families and powers from throughout Jiangnan Dao. It¡¯s said they¡¯re going to present the beheading of the captured legendary swordsman.¡± An Jing knew what day it was but didn¡¯t expect the Cao family to take it so seriously, even having Cao Ling¡¯er, who had recently recovered from a serious illness, attend. ¡°Doctor An, please be careful,¡± Cao Ling¡¯er said quietly, biting her tender lip. ¡°Thank you for your concern, Miss Cao. With Constable Han here, I should be fine,¡± An Jing said with a smile, even though he felt something strange deep down. Seeing the expression on Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s face, it seemed today¡¯s demon exorcising conference wasn¡¯t going to be simple. ¡°All right, Ling¡¯er must be going now. I¡¯ll thank Doctor An for saving my life another time.¡± Cao Ling¡¯er nodded and then quickly walked towards the depths of Fa Xi Temple. ¡°Brother An, there¡¯s something off about that Cao Ling¡¯er,¡± Han Wenxin said with a weird expression after she had left. ¡°Son-in-law, remember always: emotions should be restrained by etiquette. Do not commit a misstep,¡± Li Fuzhou nodded, seeming to agree with Han Wenxin¡¯s words. ¡°What¡¯s off? Isn¡¯t she perfectly fine and normal? You all are just prone to thinking too much,¡± An Jing said, eyeing Li Fuzhou guiltily, ¡°Third Master, didn¡¯t you say you wanted to go think over the Three-Life Stone? I just saw it to the left side of Heavenly King Hall.¡± ¡°Fine, in that case, you enjoy yourself,¡± Li Fuzhou said, feeling reassured seeing Han Wenxin with An Jing. An Jing was just an ordinary doctor; it was unlikely he¡¯d provoke an upper-class martial artist from Jianghu. If only some minor figures from Jianghu caused trouble, having Han Wenxin nearby should suffice to handle it. Fate had seemingly bound Han Wenxin and the minor figures of Jianghu together. With that, Li Fuzhou walked off into the distance. ¡°Where is the demon exorcising conference hosted by Cao Gang being held?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help asking as he watched Li Fuzhou leave. Han Wenxin replied, ¡°It¡¯s in the Reincarnation Hall, said to be before the water and land ritual.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°I see,¡± An Jing nodded, the glint in his eyes turning deep, yet he began to worry. It seemed Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun were heading to Reincarnation Hall. ¡°What¡¯s that old man following you for?¡± Han Wenxin eyed Li Fuzhou¡¯s retreating figure and then, seeing An Jing¡¯s reaction, suddenly realized, ¡°Is he the mole?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about that now. Help me out, will you?¡± An Jing wrapped his arm around Han Wenxin with a smile. ¡°What¡¯s up? If it¡¯s looking after Miss Cao or Tan Yun, I¡¯d be happy to¡ªthough I¡¯d need to think about which one to care for first.¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 59 - Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Disputes Arise in the Reincarnation Hall Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Disputes Arise in the Reincarnation Hall Reincarnation Hall. Within the hall, golden splendor shone brilliantly, and rows of Buddha statues stood. In the center was a giant Buddha statue, six meters tall, holding Buddha beads, with eyes calm and peacefully gazing straight ahead. In the Buddhism of the Western Regions, ranks above the Arhats were Vajras and Bodhisattvas. The so-called ¡°Vajra¡¯s Furious Eyes, Bodhisattva¡¯s lowered gaze.¡± The statue revered in the Reincarnation Hall was that of a Bodhisattva from the Great Zhou Dynasty. Flanking it were dozens of other Buddhas, shining resplendently. At the same time, a waft of sandalwood drifted out, refreshing the soul. At this moment, the area around the main hall was filled with people. The upper seats were occupied by the Cao Gang, while the seats on each side were for the heads of the four major families and other masters from Jiangnan Dao. Fa Wu and the monks from Fa Xi Temple stood in a corner. Many were secretly curious, why did these monks from Fa Xi Temple seem to be led by that seven or eight-year-old little monk? What exactly was the identity of this little monk? Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun had already arrived early and stood in a corner. ¡°They actually dare to attend this Demon-Extermination Conference. I¡¯m going to remember all of them,¡± Tan Yun made a mental note of everyone¡¯s faces and names present, ready to record them in her notebook once she returned. The people marked for death in Tan Yun¡¯s notebook were mostly killed, and her thirst for revenge was strong, much like Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes were deep, and she communicated telepathically, ¡°Has everyone arrived?¡± ¡°In Yu State City, all the masters of the Human Sect above Third Grade have come,¡± replied Tan Yun. ¡°Also, these Buddhist people¡­.¡± Surrounding this calm look of the four directions, countless Demon Sect masters lay hidden, merely awaiting an order. With but a word, this Reincarnation Hall would turn into a Blood Sea. The Cao Gang branded that unparalleled swordsman with the Demon Sect¡¯s name, then executed him. Now, they even convened a Demon-Extermination Conference, clearly showing no regard for the Demon Sect. Since the Cao Gang wished to demonstrate their authority over the Demon Sect, Zhao Qingmei, as the Demon Sect Hierarch, would naturally not stand idly by. ¡°Handle the Buddhists as well; since they allowed the Cao Gang to hold the Demon-Extermination Conference here, they intend to be adversaries of the Demon Sect.¡± A sliver of sharp murderous intent flashed in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes. Today, she would see whether the Demon Sect or the Cao Gang would establish their dominance. ¡°The head of the Su Family, Su Ze, has arrived.¡± Accompanied by a clear call, Su Ze, the head of one of the four great families of Jiangnan Dao, arrived. ¡°Brother Su, you used to be so hot-tempered. I didn¡¯t expect that for such a grand gathering, you would actually be the last to arrive.¡± Before Su Ze could take his seat, someone began to tease him. The speaker was none other than the head of the Cao Family, Cao Hongkou. Between the Cao Family and the Su Family ran deep grudges and disputes. Moreover, both families engaged in similar enterprises and had been engaging in both overt and covert battles for many years. The Cao Family had hitched its fortunes to the Cao Gang¡¯s ship in recent years, subtly surpassing the Su Family, deepening the animosity to the point of outright hostility. Ordinarily, one could see either the Su Family or the Cao Family at a place, but rarely both, let alone the two family heads in person. ¡°With age comes a need to temper one¡¯s impulsiveness,¡± Su Ze neither became angry nor reacted harshly but simply waved his hand. ¡°You¡¯re not late, Head of the Su Family. Please, take your seat quickly,¡± said Ming Jinghua of the Ming Family, standing up to play the peacemaker. Ming Jinghua, present in the gathering, was the oldest in terms of seniority. As a patriarch of an old family from Jiangnan Dao, even Cao Hongkou and Su Ze had to show him some respect. Su Ze, accompanied by a host of Su family experts, also slowly took their seats. This grand assembly was something the Su family was compelled to attend due to the prevailing situation. Cao Gang spread rumors that this unparalleled swordsman was a master of the Demon Sect, and in Great Yan, the Demon Sect was regarded as something everyone had the right to eradicate. As one of the four great families of Jiangnan Dao, the Su family had no choice but to come. Among the four great families of Jiangnan Dao, the Cao and Mu families were clearly aligned with Cao Gang. The Ming family was ambiguous and had not explicitly sided with Cao Gang but also had not refused their offer to cooperate. Compared to the Ming family, the Su family¡¯s stance was much clearer. Due to the incident at Tieyun Mountain, the relationship between Cao Gang and the Su family was extremely hostile. If it weren¡¯t for some remaining influence in the imperial court, the Su family might have ceased to exist. Mu Jinglun observed all this with a hint of a cold smile at the corner of his mouth. As the leaders of the four great families of Jiangnan Dao, everyone was shrewd, each with their own calculations. The fiercer the struggle between the Su and Cao families, the more the other two families stood to gain. But some people were different; they wanted to be treated as virtuous while securing the benefits¡ªthey wanted to be known as good people while also receiving the praise of others. Once everyone was seated, Ming Jinghua said with a chuckle, ¡°Family Head Cao, I heard that a batch of your family¡¯s merchandise, while being transported from East River to Yu State River, was robbed by river bandits?¡± A few days before, a fleet of Cao family¡¯s merchant ships had come from East River, intending to enter the docks of Lijiang City. However, unexpectedly, they were hijacked by a group of river bandits en route, and their goods were still missing. The waterways of Jiangnan Dao were extensive, crisscrossing in all directions, essentially under the control of the Cao Gang and the Sanhu Gang. Given the deep connections between the Cao family and Cao Gang, who would dare to rob the Cao family¡¯s merchandise? Cao Hongkou¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly, ¡°Those bandits really had some guts. A few days ago, my granddaughter fell ill, and I couldn¡¯t spare the time.¡± ¡°It happens that I caught a river bandit who might be of some help to Family Head Cao.¡± Ming Jinghua gestured to his grandson, Ming Fei. Mu Jinglun¡¯s eyebrows raised in surprise. Soon, a river bandit tied up from head to toe was ¡®escorted¡¯ in. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Upon seeing the man, Su Ze inwardly cursed, sensing trouble. This person was Liu Shize, a guest elder who had defected from the Su family two months ago. ¡°Father¡­¡± Su Rui was just about to speak when he was abruptly silenced by a pair of desiccated palms pulling him back. He looked up to see Su Ze shaking his head at him. ¡°Mercy, my lord!¡± As soon as the bandit was brought into the Reincarnation Hall, he fell to his knees, crying and pleading. Ming Jinghua exclaimed sternly, ¡°Just recite what you told us yesterday, otherwise I¡¯ll send you to the netherworld right now.¡± Hearing this, the bandit immediately wailed, ¡°I¡¯ll tell, I¡¯ll tell everything! I am a guest elder of the Su family. A few days ago, I was ordered to go to East River dock to rob passing merchant ships. All of this was commanded by Young Master Su Rui, I was just following orders and¡­¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Bullshit!¡± Before the bandit could finish speaking, Su Rui, standing behind Su Ze, immediately denounced, ¡°Liu Shize is spouting nonsense!¡± ¡°How dare you!¡± Cao Hongkou¡¯s brow furrowed with a cold shout, ¡°This is no place for a junior like you to speak! Continue.¡± The bandit lay on the ground, trembling as he continued, ¡°It was Young Master Su Rui who said that there weren¡¯t many guards watching over the Cao family¡¯s merchant ship and that if we robbed this shipment, each person would receive fifty taels of silver. Moreover, it was he who personally beheaded Cao Wang.¡± Chapter 60 - Chapter 60: Chapter 60: The Unparalleled Swordsman Finally Appears Chapter 60: Chapter 60: The Unparalleled Swordsman Finally Appears Whish! As the words fell, the entire Great Hall erupted into an uproar! No one had expected that the Cao Family¡¯s merchant ship had been plundered by the Su Family. All eyes instantly turned to Cao Hongkou. Cao Hongkou¡¯s face was somber as his eyes fixed on Su Ze, ¡°Patriarch Su, do you not owe Cao an explanation?¡± The chill in Cao Hongkou¡¯s words was palpable to everyone present. ¡°Explanation?¡± Su Ze smiled faintly, calmly saying, ¡°Patriarch Cao, don¡¯t be used by someone with an agenda. Liu Shize had ceased being a guest elder of my Su Family two months ago, and as for the claim of plundering your merchant ship, it is entirely fabricated.¡± Cao Hongkou¡¯s face was like frost, ¡°You say he¡¯s no longer your Su Family¡¯s guest elder, and that¡¯s that? The witness is right here, yet you outright deny it. It seems to me that the one fabricating stories is you.¡± With these words, Cao Hongkou slowly stood up. ¡°Whoosh!¡± ¡°Whoosh!¡± Su Ze did not move, but Su Rui and other experts behind him all stood up in an instant. In no time at all, the atmosphere in the Great Hall became delicate. Everyone else was slightly startled, not expecting to see such a tense scene before the people from the Cao Gang even arrived. The Su Family and the Cao Family, two of Jiangnan Dao¡¯s four great families, were facing off against each other. At this moment, An Jing, wearing a dark cyan cape, walked slowly into the room, and then blended into the crowd. He sighed in relief when he saw Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun standing in the corner. Seeing this, Fa Wu stepped forward and said, ¡°Venerable guests, today is our Sect¡¯s Ullambana Festival. I implore everyone to refrain from reckless violence.¡± Those present paid no attention to the young monk. ¡°The ¡®witness¡¯ you speak of is nothing more than a guest elder who betrayed and fled my Su Family two months ago. Does that count as a witness?¡± Su Ze¡¯s figure moved, and in the blink of an eye, he was in front of Liu Shize, saying, ¡°Speak, who is the mastermind behind you? Otherwise, I will kill you on the spot.¡± ¡°How dare you, Su Ze!¡± An enraged Cao Hongkou shouted. ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Liu Shize¡¯s throat was clutched, his voice trembling. Cao Hongkou¡¯s figure flashed, his momentum like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, his claw reaching out towards Liu Shize. Su Ze narrowed his eyes and flung Liu Shize towards him. ¡°Bang!¡± With a single palm strike from Cao Hongkou, Liu Shize¡¯s entire body turned into a mist of blood. The whole Great Hall fell silent instantly. ¡°Well, well, what a way to destroy the corpse and erase all traces.¡± Cao Hongkou laughed angrily. The people from the Cao Family behind him also stood up one after another, glaring angrily at the Su Family experts across the room. ¡°Patriarch Cao, don¡¯t be deceived by those with an ulterior motive,¡± Su Ze said indifferently. ¡°Patriarch Su, are you referring to me as someone with an ulterior motive?¡± Ming Jinghua narrowed his eyes and stood up displeasedly. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Just then, a cold voice came from the back of the hall. ¡°Vice Gang Leader Guo!¡± ¡°Vice Gang Leader Guo!¡± ¡­ Seeing the newcomer, even Mu Jinglun, who had been seated, rose to his feet. ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡± Guo Yuchun first glanced at the bloodstains on the ground and then asked. Cao Hongkou was first to speak, ¡°My Cao Family¡¯s merchant ship was plundered by the Su Family, and just now, Patriarch Su killed the witness.¡± Su Ze said mildly, ¡°Patriarch Cao is mistaken. First, that man was not a witness; he was just a guest elder who betrayed my Su Family and tried to frame us. Second, he was not killed by me; it was you who killed him. Everyone present saw it clearly.¡± ¡°Enough, we¡¯ll discuss this matter later.¡± Guo Yuchun interrupted Cao Hongkou, who wanted to continue speaking, and instead turned to the crowd, saying, ¡°Our Cao Gang didn¡¯t summon everyone here to handle such trifles. Today, we¡¯re here to discuss countermeasures against the Demon Sect.¡± Upon hearing this, Cao Hongkou huffed loudly and then sat down. ¡°Lately, those demon fiends from the Demon Sect have been continuously challenging the authority of our Cao Gang, killing our brothers. After extensive investigation, we have tracked down and killed one of these demon fiends. Come, bring out the corpse.¡± After Guo Yuchun finished speaking, two Cao Gang members carried out a body. ¡°It really is the Floating Blood Sword, Xue Chen!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Xue Chen to be that peerless swordsman.¡± ¡°The Cao Gang truly lives up to its reputation, even killing a First Grade expert.¡± ¡°This was a high-ranking expert of the Demon Sect, they¡¯re really coming.¡± ¡°The Cao Gang indeed has the bearing of a leader among the gangs in the world, even slaying a Demon Sect expert.¡± ¡­.. The moment they saw the corpse, a wave of murmuring rose among those present, like a mountain erupting into a tsunami. Even the experts from the four major families showed expressions of shock, their eyes fixed on the dead body. That top expert, who split the dungeon with a single sword strike and made Hong Yuanwu change color, that peerless swordsman who killed the ones on Tieyun Mountain, he was actually dead. Su Ze¡¯s eyes were filled with doubt and surprise as he said, ¡°Is it really the Floating Blood Sword!?¡± Initially, he hadn¡¯t fully believed the words released by the Cao Gang, since they could have been a ruse, but now that he saw it with his own eyes, he had to believe it. ¡°Sigh.¡± Su Rui¡¯s face showed no emotion, but he sighed heavily in his heart. No matter what, this peerless swordsman who had killed those on Tieyun Mountain was a benefactor to his Su Family, but now he had been killed by someone from the Cao Gang, and they planned to behead him, yet he was powerless to do anything. ¡°So, this peerless swordsman was actually Xue Chen,¡± Ming Jinghua said, her expression somewhat complex. When the peerless swordsman first gained fame, she too had sent people to investigate the swordsman¡¯s whereabouts and identity, intending to secretly recruit him to the Ming Family, but there had been no news. She didn¡¯t expect the man to be Xue Chen. ¡°No matter how powerful this peerless swordsman is, he couldn¡¯t escape Deputy Gang Leader Guo¡¯s ¡®Heaven and Earth Net,¡¯¡± said Cao Hongkou with a low, soft chuckle. Cao Ling¡¯er, standing behind the Cao Family, also couldn¡¯t help but take several more glances. After all, this peerless swordsman had been one of the most talked-about figures in Jiangnan Dao recently, and even she couldn¡¯t help but feel more curious about him. From a distant corner, Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but sneer, ¡°These fools. When did Xue Chen join our Demon Sect? Even we ourselves don¡¯t know, yet they seem so sure.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mind was filled with thoughts, wondering whether this was a ruse by the Cao Gang or if they really had mistaken Xue Chen for a member of the Demon Sect. ¡°Father, I feel something¡¯s off,¡± Mu Jie said, standing behind Mu Jinglun. ¡°What¡¯s off?¡± Mu Jinglun asked indifferently, ¡°Is it because the swordsman is Xue Chen? Or is it because of your unconventional aunt?¡± Mu Jinglun¡¯s tone was very calm, certain that the corpse was indeed that of the peerless swordsman. Mu Jie hesitated for a moment but ultimately said nothing. The people present had varied expressions and reactions, but deep down, they all felt a greater fear towards the Cao Gang. If a peerless swordsman capable of killing those on Tieyun Mountain, a First Grade expert rumored to be, could fall in an instant under the might of the enormous Cao Gang, how could they not be surprised, or afraid? Fa Wu slightly bowed his head, his hands together in prayer. ¡°Behead him! Hang his head on the walls of Yu State City for three days and nights,¡± Guo Yuchun commanded, quite pleased with the scene. ¡°Yes.¡± Bian Fang nodded, then drew a long knife and approached the body of Xue Chen. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Many shook their heads and sighed at this sight; such a swordsman was, after all, unable to stand against the grand hand of the Cao Gang. ¡°Xue Chen, oh Xue Chen, blame yourself for offending our Cao Gang.¡± Bian Fang scoffed, and his long knife swung downward. Tan Yun took a deep breath, preparing to chant a command. And in the next moment, a cold light shot out from afar, and then spread throughout the entire Great Hall. Chapter 61 - Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The Broken Buddha Statue and the Released Seal Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The Broken Buddha Statue and the Released Seal Vilu Hall. Compared to the bustling Reincarnation Hall, the Vilu Hall was extremely quiet at this moment, with only Monk Fa Zhi and Gan Yue present. Above the great hall, the Buddha statue was covered in dense, interwoven cracks, as if it could collapse at any moment. Meanwhile, black streams of Yin Energy were seeping from the base of the Buddha statue, resembling a spring that could burst forth at any time. If it weren¡¯t for the faint golden light holding it back, it might have overflowed long ago. Yet even so, one could see the faint golden light slowly dimming. The temperature in the entire great hall was extremely low, as if it were a harsh winter¡¯s day, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine. ¡°Such dense Yin Energy.¡± Gan Yue looked at the Yin Energy before him, his brows knitted into a frown. Such intense Yin Energy, not even seen outside Yujing City¡¯s chaotic graveyards, and not even the Buddhist golden light could suppress it, indicating its terrifying nature. Monk Fa Zhi murmured with lowered eyes, ¡°Once the Buddha statue breaks, the evil being sealed within will be released, so we must repress the sealed entity before today ends.¡± The Ullambana Festival was when the Buddhist essence was the richest and the Yin Energy the weakest. ¡°May I ask how Master Fa Zhi plans to suppress this Yin Energy?¡± Gan Yue asked in a grave voice. With an outstretched palm, Fa Zhi produced a purple-gold lantern, saying, ¡°The original treasure from the Western Regions, the Bodhi Bead, was full of Yang Energy and profound in Buddhist doctrine, the best object for suppressing such Yin Energy. However, it has been lost for decades. Nevertheless, I have brought the Purple Gold Glass Lamp, which is nearly as effective, but I still require the assistance of Officer Gan.¡± With the appearance of the Purple Gold Glass Lamp, the chilly great hall began to warm. ¡°Very well.¡± Gan Yue nodded. Monk Fa Zhi then sat cross-legged, placing the Purple Gold Glass Lamp in front of him. His body¡¯s surging Inner Strength madly flowed toward the wick of the Purple Gold Glass Lamp, with its wick receiving the vast Inner Strength infusion, immediately releasing a dense purple-golden flame, forming beams of golden light. Woosh! Woosh! Woosh! The golden radiance shined, illuminating the entire great hall. The originally dense Yin Energy, under the glow of this golden light, suddenly became listless. Seeing this, Gan Yue did not hesitate and directed a furious surge of Inner Strength from his hands towards the lamp wick. The Inner Strength of two First Grade Experts, combined with the Purple Gold Glass Lamp¡¯s transformation into Buddhist golden light, made the Yin Energy retract as if encountering a natural enemy, quickly shrinking. The original coldness of the great hall was also gradually replaced by rising warmth. Monk Fa Zhi exhaled softly, feeling reassured with the aid of the Purple Gold Glass Lamp; it appeared the seal could hold for several more months. ¡°Tap tap tap¡­¡± Right at that moment, footsteps were heard outside the great hall. However, as Fa Zhi and Gan Yue had their backs to the entrance, they couldn¡¯t see who was coming. ¡°Gentlemen, there¡¯s no need to go to such lengths. Leave this spirit to me to handle.¡± The person chuckled lightly and then pointed a finger forward. ¡°Not good!¡± Upon seeing this scene, Fa Zhi¡¯s brows immediately knit together. To approach Vilu Hall silently was definitely the work of an expert. A casual flicker was like a violent storm erupting, directly striking upon the golden light. ¡°Bang!¡± Upon meeting the domineering blast, the golden light instantly shattered, and without the suppression of the golden light, the Yin Energy once again became active, spreading wildly. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± The Buddha statue, already full of cracks, seemed unable to bear the strain any longer and completely shattered with a loud crash. In almost the blink of an eye, a mountainous and tsunami-like wave of Yin Energy surged up from the base of the Buddha statue. Gan Yue¡¯s face grew as cold as frost as he slowly turned his head, only to see an elegant middle-aged scholar outside the great hall. This person was none other than Li Fuzhou. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°My last name is Li, and my given name Fuzhou.¡± Li Fuzhou cupped his fists in a salute, meticulously polite. ¡°Li Fuzhou!? You are the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, Li Fuzhou!?¡± A trace of astonishment flickered across Gan Yue¡¯s eyes. Beside him, the monk Fa Zhi also raised his eyebrows, a hint of shock appearing in his eyes. ¡­¡­.. Inside the Reincarnation Hall. ¡°Clang!¡± A streak of cold light traveled from afar, directly severing the long knife in Bian Fang¡¯s hand, and a piece of the blade fell to the ground. ¡°Who!?¡± A drop of cold sweat emerged on Bian Fang¡¯s forehead as he looked toward the direction from which the cold light had come. Not just him, all eyes turned in that direction. Who had such audacity!? How dare someone make a move during the Cao Gang¡¯s Demon Extermination Assembly!? A figure in a dark cyan robe stood on the hall¡¯s rafters, tall and slender, his features indiscernible, with a longsword carried on his back, indicating at first glance that this individual was undoubtedly a first-rate expert. ¡°This¡­ this is.¡± Mu Jie saw the figure, and a deep-seated fear seemed to be stimulated within him, his throat dry and icy as he struggled to squeeze out a few words, ¡°Supreme swordsman!¡± The words spoken by Mu Jie were like a boulder dropped into water. ¡°What!?¡± The many experts all had a drastic change of expression, as if they had been struck by lightning. The supreme swordsman Xue Chen was supposed to be dead, wasn¡¯t he? ¡°Sect Hierarch, he¡­ he is the swordsman from that night,¡± Tan Yun said, caught off guard at the sight of An Jing. Zhao Qingmei also raised her eyebrows and transmitted her voice, ¡°Remain calm and don¡¯t be rash.¡± For some reason, she always felt this figure was very familiar. It seemed that the Xue Chen the Cao Gang had killed had indeed posed a big problem. Since the real person had made a move, then she was not in a hurry for the moment. ¡°Mu Jie, what nonsense are you talking?¡± Mu Jinglun¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as he reprimanded sharply. Mu Jie, looking at An Jing on the rafters, said, trembling, ¡°Father, he is the supreme swordsman who fought against Tieyun Mountain that night, without a doubt, it is him, it is!¡± Mu Jie was the only one who had seen the supreme swordsman clash with Tieyun Mountain; he could not mistake the swordsman¡¯s silhouette. Everyone was dumbfounded as they looked at the man in the dark cyan robe, their minds in disarray. Guo Yuchun realized something, and his complexion turned extremely ugly. ¡°He¡­ he is the supreme swordsman!?¡± A voice broke the silence, and then the entire Great Hall was filled with discussion. ¡°So he is the supreme swordsman; with that said, Xue Chen is merely an impostor.¡± ¡°I thought as much; Xue Chen ranks at the bottom of the Tiger List, how could he possibly have killed the man from Tieyun Mountain.¡± ¡°The man before us is the supreme swordsman; compared to him, Xue Chen¡¯s demeanor seems several degrees inferior.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡­. Everyone suddenly realized that the body lying on the ground was not the supreme swordsman; the man before them was the one who had killed the man from Tieyun Mountain, and the Cao Gang had merely killed an impostor. For a moment, the expressions on the people¡¯s faces were extremely telling. ¡°So Xue Chen was a fake,¡± Ouyang Yu also frowned slightly. Who would have thought that the Floating Blood Sword, known for its First Grade Cultivation, would be a fake? And that the real supreme swordsman was someone else? Chapter 62 - Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Reincarnation Hall Slaughters on All Sides Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Reincarnation Hall Slaughters on All Sides ¡°Never mind whether it¡¯s real or fake, let¡¯s just kill them all,¡± Nan Ming said, his gaze icy cold, a hint of ruthlessness flickering in his eyes. ¡°Sir, your courage is truly formidable,¡± Guo Yuchun adjusted his emotions and said grimly. He hadn¡¯t expected that rather than drawing out a Demon Sect master, he had instead drawn out a truly peerless swordsman. At this moment, the Fa Xi Temple was teeming with numerous experts. To others, it was undoubtedly a dragon¡¯s den and a tiger¡¯s lair, yet this individual dared to delve deep, indicating extreme confidence within his heart. An Jing smiled faintly, ¡°Just hand over Xue Chen¡¯s body to me, and I shall turn hostility into friendship with the Cao Gang, pursuing no further grievances or grudges from then on. How about it?¡± Everyone present was stunned upon hearing this. ¡°Ridiculous!¡± Nan Ming scoffed coldly, ¡°You killed my Yun Shan brothers; this enmity is irreconcilable. And you still harbor thoughts of not pursuing the Cao Gang?¡± The members of the Cao Gang all had a cold gleam in their eyes, glaring fiercely at An Jing, wishing they could tear him into pieces to vent the rage in their hearts. ¡°Then there is nothing more to say.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, his gaze turning icy cold. ¡°Today, you won¡¯t be able to take Xue Chen¡¯s body with you, and your own body will remain here as well,¡± Guo Yuchun licked his lips, his dry voice somewhat piercing and unpleasant. An Jing had no desire to waste words with Guo Yuchun, and with a leap, he flew toward Xue Chen¡¯s body. ¡°Courting death!¡± Bian Fang bellowed, his left hand reaching for the iron whip at his waist. ¡°Hiss, hiss!¡± A whip that seemed to burst from the waist like a dart transformed into a venomous snake, snapping ferociously toward An Jing¡¯s neck. Bian Fang¡¯s attack was a killing move. An Jing extended his palm, and the longsword on his back fell into his hand, then turned into a cold arc of light. Nine-character Sword Technique! Lin Character Secret! ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± As the longsword swirled, a weird sword light formed a whirlpool, ensnaring the long snake directly. The whip cracked and fell to the ground inch by inch, while Bian Fang¡¯s face turned incredibly pale, retreating continuously. ¡°All members of the Cao Gang, attack him. We absolutely cannot let him escape today,¡± Guo Yuchun said in a low voice. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! As Guo Yuchun¡¯s voice fell, many hidden Cao Gang experts rushed out, quickly surrounding An Jing. ¡°Kill!¡± The crowd surged forward, charging at An Jing. The already crowded Great Hall became instantly impenetrable. ¡°An ambush?!¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow, realizing that this must have been arranged by the Cao Gang in advance. Did they know he would come, or was the ambush meant for someone else? In a split second, An Jing had no time to think, his sword swirling in his hand. ¡°Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!¡± The moment the sword light danced, numerous dazzling sprays of blood shot out, and soon several bodies lay on the ground. ¡°Hiss¨C!¡± The experts present gasped in shock, marveling at the deadly and swift swordsmanship of the peerless swordsman. ¡°Does this Guo Yuchun still want to ambush me?¡± Zhao Qingmei seemed to realize something, her eyes narrowing slightly. It must be said, Guo Yuchun is incredibly audacious to think about ambushing the Demon Sect. ¡°All together now!¡± Ouyang Yu and Nan Ming also flew from left and right, the three forming a triad of positions, seemingly intending to encircle An Jing. ¡°This swordsman¡¯s courage is indeed vast,¡± Ming Jinghua frowned. Daring to venture alone into a place teeming with Cao Gang experts, this wasn¡¯t something just anyone with courage could accomplish. Because, in the eyes of the discerning, this was not a matter of pride or will, but a seeking of death. Cao Hongkou¡¯s gaze was profound, ¡°Let¡¯s see if he can survive first.¡± Others didn¡¯t know, but he was well aware that Guo Yuchun was also a First Grade Expert, plus the combination of Second Grade¡¯s Ouyang Yu, Bian Fang, and Nan Ming, the swordsman before them would only stand a chance if he was a master ranked higher than Human Flower or Earth Flower. Bian Fang stomped his foot. ¡°Boom!¡± The tough bluestone slab instantly cracked, displaying visible fractures, and then his body charged at An Jing like an arrow released from its bow. Bian Fang¡¯s famed fist skill was the Giant Whale Fist. Originally, he had been a tributor of Nu Jing Gang but had excellent relations with Tieyun Mountain. Later, when Nu Jing Gang began warring with Cao Gang, he sided with Cao Gang. At that time, because of his ties with Tieyun Mountain, he sided with Cao Gang, and now he was still with Cao Gang, but Tieyun Mountain had perished, which infuriated him. With a punch, the air surged like a raging whale. At that moment, An Jing appeared like a tiny boat in a violent storm, utterly insignificant. ¡°What an impressive fist skill,¡± Cao Ling¡¯er muttered, her eyes widening as she watched the fist skill that seemed like a vast ocean wave sweeping over everything. Not just Cao Ling¡¯er, everyone present felt Bian Fang¡¯s boundless momentum and were profoundly shaken. Nine-character Sword Technique! Dou Character Secret! Sword light swirled, like a streak of light slashing through heaven and earth. ¡°Ch!¡± The moment they felt the sword skill, everyone present shuddered, sensing an overwhelming force descending from the sky. As that sword fell, the terrifying waves instantly split in two. Giant waves rolled, Qi Force filled the air, a heaven-shocking sword split the immense waves. The sword light did not stop; it continued to spread, charging towards the figure standing at the center of the waves, Bian Fang. ¡°Pff!¡± A roar of a beast echoed through the heavens, and it seemed as if everyone saw a giant blue whale burst apart, splitting in two. Simultaneously, Bian Fang¡¯s body halted, and then he began to convulse. ¡°Bang!¡± Bian Fang, standing in mid-air, burst open, transforming into a cloud of blood mist, with fresh blood splashing down in the Great Hall, dyeing the floor completely red. Silence! The entire Great Hall instantly became extremely quiet, as if the sound of a needle dropping could be heard clearly. One move! Just one move! One of the Cao Gang¡¯s seven Vajras, Bian Fang, had been killed. Bian Fang was a Second Grade Expert, a well-known master in Jiangnan Dao, a formidable expert that made people fear him, yet today, he had been slain by the swordsman with a single sword stroke, which chilled everyone¡¯s spine. In the eyes of a real master, the so-called experts in ordinary people¡¯s eyes are merely ordinary people. ¡°Such¡­such a terrifying swordsmanship.¡± ¡°This is indeed a peerless swordsman; no wonder he dared to come here to kill.¡± ¡°Who exactly is he?¡± ¡­¡­ In an instant, the Great Hall was filled with voices of discussion. Mu Jie seemed as if he had seen a ghost, his teeth chattering. Mu Jinglun, Ming Jinghua, and others also had extremely solemn expressions, realizing that the sword stroke they had just witnessed would have killed them too, indicating that this swordsman needed only one move to kill them. ¡°Is this the elegance of a peerless swordsman?¡± Su Ze couldn¡¯t help but exclaim as he watched An Jing. Fa Wu watched An Jing¡¯s figure, also secretly sighing in his heart, surprised that such a powerful swordsman existed in the land of Great Yan. An Jing slapped his sword, his body like a soaring dragon. Ouyang Yu and Nan Ming felt a chill in their hearts upon seeing this, but they still came forward to meet him. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing¡¯s arm trembled, and his longsword emitted an extremely cold glint. ¡°Chich!¡± The sword light danced, like an insurmountable gorge splitting the sky. ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± Ouyang Yu and Nan Ming were shaken by the Qi Force, both of them turning pale, blood trickling from the corners of their mouths, as their bodies were forced to retreat repeatedly. Chapter 63 - Chapter 63: Chapter 63 Qingyang Wuji Liu Qingshan Chapter 63: Chapter 63 Qingyang Wuji Liu Qingshan ¡°I want to see just how sharp your sword is.¡± Guo Yuchun snorted coldly, his palm lifting as a surge of inner strength welled up within him, followed by a palm strike towards An Jing. Buzz! Buzz! As his palm descended, the air itself seemed to tremble with that sound. River Entering Dream! The rolling handprint descended from the sky like a mountain bearing down fiercely, with the ground cracking inch by inch beneath it. ¡°A First Grade Expert!?¡± Su Ze was shocked at this revelation. He had never heard that Guo Yuchun possessed cultivation, let alone at the First Grade level. Not just Su Ze, most other people present were also taken aback, having never expected the seemingly weak Guo Yuchun to actually be a genuine First Grade cultivator. In the Jianghu, a First Grade Expert was already an uncommonly seen master. It¡¯s known that among the four great families of Jiangnan Dao, three of the family heads were only at the Second Grade level, with only Mu Jinglun having stepped into the First Grade four years ago. An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, no wonder Xue Chen had died, it turned out that Guo Yuchun was actually of First Grade cultivation. But he was not Xue Chen. ¡°Shh!¡± Ghost Valley Sword Technique! Chi Heng Indiscriminate Style! An Jing¡¯s arm lifted, and within that sword light, two streams of black and white qi seemed to emerge, then intertwining and coiling together. ¡°Hundred-step Flying Sword!?¡± Seeing this swordsmanship, Guo Yuchun¡¯s eyebrows furrowed into a ¡®´¨¡¯ shape. Others beside him did not recognize this sword technique, but he was very clear that this was the distinctive sword technique of the Ghost Valley Sect. A Heavenly Martial level martial arts, among the top martial arts in the world. The mysterious sword light, black and white, shone brilliantly as it met Guo Yuchun¡¯s sky-filling palm print. ¡°Bang!¡± On closer inspection, the sword light was like an antelope hanging by its horns, striking directly at the weakest point of Guo Yuchun¡¯s defense. ¡°Tap tap tap¡­¡± Guo Yuchun¡¯s face turned pale as he continually stepped backwards. Even his heart overflowed with a chilling sensation, realizing only during the brief exchange how vastly different the swordsman before him was from Xue Chen, not only in cultivation level but also in swordsmanship¡ªthere was no comparison. Such a terrifying swordsman! ¡°Boom!¡± Guo Yuchun changed his breath, pushing hard with his foot, and cracks appeared around his foot as the center. Then, his body shot forward like an arrow released from its bow. River and Moon Palm! During the turmoil of the Nine Kingdoms, there existed an organization called the Sun and Moon Hall, which wielded influence among various countries, stirring up chaos and seeking profit, enjoying a moment of fame, and River and Moon Palm was one of its martial arts. But this hand technique was far inferior when encountering the Heavenly Martial level Hundred-step Flying Sword. Their figures intersected, An Jing moved as if he were walking leisurely in his courtyard, his longsword weaving black and white qi streams, profoundly mysterious and dazzlingly confusing. Ghost Valley Horizontal Sword Technique! Star Rain Form! He lashed out with three continuous strikes, akin to a swift and fierce dragon, or meteors falling under the starry sky, heading straight for Guo Yuchun¡¯s throat, heart, and brow. The three swords moved with such speed, they seemed as if they were a single strike. ¡°What a formidable sword technique. This person¡¯s Qi Mechanism is long-winding, full of potential. Perhaps in the future, he might have a chance to step into the Fifth Level Sword Skill,¡± Zhao Qingmei noted with a gleam of appreciation in her eyes. A swordsman at the Fifth Level Sword Skill could be considered one of the very best swordsmen in the world. If she could recruit him under her command, the Demon Sect wouldn¡¯t just gain a powerful expert, but she would gain a close confidant and have enough strength to keep the Earth Sect Sect Master in check. Thinking this, she silently pondered about how to subdue this exceptional swordsman later. The rest were also amazed by An Jing¡¯s swordsmanship, but his skills were far beyond the comprehension of those present. Most could only see flashes of sword light and couldn¡¯t grasp his Sword Skill. ¡°Shshsh!¡± So fast! Guo Yuchun, engulfed in Star Light, felt his hair stand on end and a cold dread surged from within, as if he were enveloped by a massive net. His steps breezed to the side, evading in an instant. Guo Yuchun hadn¡¯t expected An Jing to be so swift. In just a moment, he felt his skin prickle with the extreme danger, avoiding the strike purely on instinct. ¡°Hissla-!¡± But just then, that snake-like blade twisted, cutting a bloody swath across Guo Yuchun¡¯s waist as the two separated. In just a few dozen breaths, Guo Yuchun, a First Grade cultivator, had already been defeated. ¡°Vice Leader Guo!¡± Ouyang Yu and Nan Ming rushed forward to assist, pressing towards An Jing. ¡°Someone¡¯s coming¡­¡± An Jing¡¯s longsword blocked their assault, but his eyebrows knit together slightly, thinking to himself, It seems I need to finish this quickly. ¡°Whoosh whoosh whoosh!¡± The longsword in his hand spun, deploying the Hundred-step Flying Sword. Fast! Too fast! Nearly no one present could clearly see the trajectory of An Jing¡¯s sword strikes; it was like wind whistling past their ears, only vaguely sensing the direction of the attacks. ¡°Shh!¡± Ouyang Yu was pierced by a sword in the chest, his body retreating repeatedly. ¡°Die!¡± As An Jing struck Ouyang Yu, a ruthless killing intent flared in Nan Ming¡¯s eyes. He aimed a palm strike at An Jing¡¯s Heavenly Spirit. An Jing¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he employed the Soaring Nine Heavens movement technique, his figure transforming into a phantom image, with a flash of cold light sweeping past. ¡°Pfft!¡± Blood gushed like a fountain, jetting three feet high, as a fine head soared into the sky. ¡°Thump!¡± Nan Ming¡¯s eyes lost their luster, and then he collapsed in a pool of blood. Everyone present was terrified, feeling a coldness that shot from the soles of their feet to the tops of their heads. How could this peerless swordsman kill two of Cao Gang¡¯s Vajras in an instant? What kind of terrifying strength was that? An Jing leaped forward, arriving in front of Xue Chen¡¯s corpse. He scooped up the body and bolted towards the entrance of the hall. Seeing An Jing¡¯s figure darting for the exit, everyone felt a chill in their hearts. No one had expected that today, this peerless swordsman would slay two of Cao Gang¡¯s Vajras and still calmly get away with Xue Chen¡¯s corpse. Just as An Jing was about to disappear from the great hall. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± A formidable handprint appeared above the great hall, carrying the force of a mountain. All present felt the whole hall shake, as if an earthquake had struck. ¡°What¡­what in the world is happening?¡± Dust filled the air, and everyone¡¯s faces paled. Their minds were unsettled, and the scene instantly became chaotic. ¡°Qingshan Palm Seal! Liu Qingshan has arrived!¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly at the sight. She was all too familiar with this hand technique: it was the famed Qingshan Palm Seal of Cao Gang¡¯s Gang Leader. Caught by the terrifying handprint, An Jing had no choice but to hastily retreat backwards. Thud! The massive handprint struck down, causing the ground to tremble. The enormous imprint of the palm was deeply engraved into the solid ground. Upon seeing this, the great hall fell silent, as if time had frozen. Everyone looked at the imprint on the ground and then swallowed hard in secret. It wasn¡¯t until a series of coughing sounds were heard that the crowd snapped back to reality. ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­¡± A middle-aged man with a pale face slowly walked in, ¡°Since you have come, why the hurry to leave?¡± He appeared to be around forty-five or forty-six, with some graying at his temples. His eyebrows were thick and neat, and his eyes shone with vitality. He watched people with great intent. Following the middle-aged man was a cold-looking young man, who seemed like a shadow of the older man. ¡°Gang Leader Liu has arrived.¡± Mu Jinglun came back to his senses from the shock and murmured softly to himself. All the experts present were stunned, their gazes instantly fixated on the coughing middle-aged man. The newcomer was none other than Liu Qingshan, the awe-inspiring Gang Leader of Cao Gang who dominated Jiangnan Dao, a top-tier expert on the Dragon List. Controlling one of the five great gangs of the world, with hundreds of thousands of Cao Gang members and experts as common as rain, he was the definitive overlord of Jiangnan Dao. ¡°Liu Qingshan!?¡± Seeing the man, An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and a chill rose within him. That man standing there exerted immense pressure on him. Expert! The person before him was without a doubt a first-rate expert! And the young man standing behind him also possessed great strength, likely to be Tian Liu, known as Soul Losing Hand, the legendary Guest Elder of Cao Gang. ¡°This peerless swordsman is probably¡­¡± ¡°Who would have thought, Gang Leader Liu has actually come to Yu State City.¡± ¡°That palm just now, it was truly terrifying.¡± ¡­¡­. Overwhelmed by Liu Qingshan¡¯s presence, everyone finally came to their senses. ¡°Gang Leader!¡± Guo Yuchun, seeing the newcomer, revealed a glimmer of joy in his eyes. All of a sudden, every Cao Gang expert seemed to have found their backbone, their eyes filled with a resolute killing intent. ¡°Alas,¡± Su Ze sighed softly, feeling a sense of powerlessness. Guo Yuchun was only a First Grade Expert with not even one flower condensed, but Liu Qingshan was a top-tier expert who had condensed both the Human Flower and Earth Flower. It seemed unlikely that the current swordsman would be able to make a move now. ¡°Sect Hierarch, should we make a move?¡± Tan Yun asked anxiously, seeming to fear for the peerless swordsman¡¯s safety. ¡°We¡¯ll take action when the swordsman can no longer hold up,¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes sparkled with a sharp gleam. This swordsman was not weak; since rumors said he was an expert of the Demon Sect, why not make those rumors true and recruit him into their ranks? Now was just missing a chance to offer timely help. Moreover, she also wanted to ¡®exchange pointers¡¯ with Cao Gang¡¯s Gang Leader Liu Qingshan and probe the depths of the current Great Yan Martial World. ¡°Since you have come today, I think it¡¯s best you don¡¯t leave.¡± Liu Qingshan watched An Jing with a smile, his aura slowly pressing down on him. Boom! Having said that, Liu Qingshan was still smiling, but those present felt a chill, as if they had suddenly entered an icehouse. ¡°Peak of Earth Flower!?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. He remained composed on the surface but was inwardly tense. In the past, his strength was far superior to Liu Haoping and others from Tieyun Mountain. Now, Liu Qingshan¡¯s strength surpassed his. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s see the strength of Qingyang Wuji.¡± Qingyang Wuji was the title Liu Qingshan had been known by in the Jianghu, though it had not been mentioned by anyone for many years. Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Liu Qingshan smiled, ¡°Cough, cough¡­ Today I will let you understand the ways of the Jianghu.¡± Chapter 64 - Chapter 64: Chapter 64 Sword Control Opens and Closes, Heaven and Earth Darken Chapter 64: Chapter 64 Sword Control Opens and Closes, Heaven and Earth Darken Liu Qingshan finished speaking and slapped his palm forward. ¡°Boom!¡± In the air, a cold handprint appeared and instantly shot out dozens of feet, rushing towards An Jing with an extremely fierce screeching sound. Before this palm print reached An Jing, a surge of turquoise Qi Force enveloped his body, with countless streams of turquoise Qi Force crazily rushing in from all directions. Seeing the densely packed turquoise Qi Force around him, An Jing dared not be careless and slashed forward with his longsword. Clang clang clang clang! In just the span of a breath, An Jing swung hundreds of swords, blocking all the incoming turquoise Qi Force. Suddenly, An Jing felt a chill run down his spine, as if some danger was approaching. ¡°Break for me!¡± An Jing thrust his longsword violently towards an area three feet to his left, only to hit Liu Qingshan¡¯s afterimage, and then drove it toward the ground, causing a thunderous explosion. Surrounding stone slabs and wooden furniture were blown away, shaking the entire great hall. As the two exchanged blows, it was as though two volcanoes furiously collided, shaking the earth and astounding everyone. ¡°This is a battle between top masters.¡± All onlookers stared at the two figures, amazed in their hearts. ¡°Fourth Level Sword Skill?¡± Liu Qingshan took several steps back, a hint of surprise in his eyes. This move, he had not tested An Jing but aimed to kill with a single strike, yet it was seen through by An Jing. Liu Qingshan¡¯s pupils contracted slightly; he knew that to handle this swordsman today, he had to bring out his true power. In the blink of an eye, the two collided once more. The crisscrossing figures moved so quickly that except for Tian Liu and Zhao Qingmei, hardly anyone could discern their movements; even Mu Jinglun could barely make them out. Liu Qingshan shouted lowly and waved his palm forward fiercely, the surging Qi Force instantly bursting forth as if a massive mountain ferociously fell. Boom! Boom! The terrifying sound reverberated, making many spectators¡¯ faces turn pale and forcing them to retreat repeatedly. Qingshan Palm Seal! Earth Splitting! An Jing felt a massive force lock onto him, followed by fierce winds rushing in, howling intensely. Nine-character Sword Technique! Zhen Character Secret! His longsword danced wildly, instantly forming trails of sword light that seemed connected, assembling into various sword arrays. ¡°Crack crack crack!¡± The huge handprint pressed down fiercely while the sword light formed by the arrays instantly began to fracture. Liu Qingshan¡¯s eyes gleamed with murderous intent, Inner Strength furiously surging towards his arm. ¡°Boom!¡± The sword array could no longer withstand the terrifying pressure, instantly shattering, and the remaining Qi Force rushed towards An Jing below. ¡°It¡¯s over¡­.¡± Su Ze¡¯s brow furrowed, feeling a bad premonition. Is the peerless swordsman very powerful? Indeed very powerful, but who is Liu Qingshan? That is the Gang Leader of Cao Gang, the undisputed overlord of Jiangnan Dao, an authority whose presence has deeply rooted in everyone¡¯s heart. The last time he acted was seven years ago, and he hadn¡¯t even made a move when attacking the headquarters of Nu Jing Gang. Tan Yun¡¯s expression was also extremely tense, as if his heart had leaped to his throat. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Qi Sea was surging, already preparing to make a move. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± Just then, from within An Jing¡¯s dark blue cloak, intense golden light burst forth, instantly blocking that extremely domineering Palm Seal. But even so, An Jing still stepped back several steps, a sharp pain in his chest, followed by a sweet taste gushing from his mouth. ¡°No way, I can¡¯t keep entangling with Liu Qingshan anymore¡­.¡± An Jing¡¯s throat moved, forcibly swallowing the blood down. Once he fell into a disadvantaged position, the masters from Jiangnan Dao¡¯s four major families would likely swarm him, and it would then be troublesome to escape. Moreover, his purpose was not to compete with Liu Qingshan to decide life and death. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s actions froze, this kind of oppressive force was all too familiar to her, but how could such force possibly emanate from this swordsman? Liu Qingshan was also shaken upon seeing that golden light, and soon his expression turned grave. Tian Liu just stood there woodenly, without an order from Liu Qingshan, as if he would never make a move on his own. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± An Jing waved his longsword, and the sound of the sword¡¯s hymn echoed through heaven and earth, as if it transformed into tangible sound waves. Then he pointed his sword towards Liu Qingshan. ¡°Shhh!¡± A chilling breath enveloped the world, it was the Ghost Valley Sword Technique, the One Sword Life-taking Form. One Sword Life-taking! Liu Qingshan felt as if the world had slowed down, with only that sword tip approaching, making it impossible to evade, forcing him to meet it head-on. ¡°Ghost Valley?¡± Liu Qingshan took a deep breath, clenched his five fingers, then threw a punch forward. ¡°Bang!¡± At the moment his fist met the tip of the sword, his eyebrows furrowed. An Jing was pushed back by the force, his footsteps nearly floating off the ground as he quickly retreated backward, and with one sweep of his right arm, he hoisted Xue Chen¡¯s corpse onto his shoulder. ¡°Thinking of leaving?¡± Liu Qingshan¡¯s gaze turned icy, his fingers stretched out, his inner strength unknowingly enveloped his fingertips, firm as indestructible rock. Qingshan Palm Seal! Beng Mountain! ¡°Shhh!¡± An Jing raised his longsword, massive inner strength surged into it, and then the sword seemed to come alive, breaking free from his hand. That previous strike was not a killing move, this one was. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Control Technique! The ordinary longsword, at this moment, resembled a vast immortal sword, piercing the air. ¡°Whoosh!¡± A surge of sword light shone brightly, causing everyone¡¯s hearts to skip a beat, as if reaching their throats. This sword light no longer appeared earthly, but rather seemed like that of a legendary immortal¡¯s sword. The entire Buddhist Temple was filled with sword light, and the sky seemed to dim at that moment. ¡°Quick! Run!¡± ¡°Leave here quickly!¡± ¡­¡­ The heads of the four major families of Jiangnan Dao and other experts on site quickly backed away. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyebrows twitched. ¡°Not good!¡± Upon seeing this, Fa Wu trembled inside, his inner strength circulating like a vast river. ¡°Swoosh!¡± As it got darker, the sword returned to formlessness, the ancient twilight silently closed, and the world became utterly silent. That sword¡¯s light directly pierced through the void, through the earth of the Buddhist Temple, as if it would never stop. The remaining sword light¡¯s blast swept to the sides, leaving some people¡¯s faces so pale they lacked any hint of color, just when a golden light rose, blocking all the remaining Qi Force. Everyone looked, and that rising golden light was actually a young monk with clear and handsome features, shaken by the remaining Qi Force, his complexion also looked very unwell. ¡°Thud!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Liu Qingshan¡¯s eyes carried a hint of astonishment, and after a long moment, a smile curled up at the corner of his mouth. The sword light split past, and his robe now had a trace of blood. ¡®Drip¡¯ ¡®Drip¡¯ The great hall was very quiet, the only sound was that of blood flowing. ¡­. Chapter 65 - Chapter 65: Chapter 65 The Deterrence of the Grandmasters Presence Chapter 65: Chapter 65 The Deterrence of the Grandmaster¡¯s Presence Liu Qingshan was wounded by a stab from that unparalleled swordsman. In the Buddhist Temple, silence lingered for a long time. No one had imagined that after the unparalleled swordsman killed Nan Ming and Bian Fang, he fiercely battled Guo Yuchun and Liu Qingshan, and not only did he escape from Liu Qingshan¡¯s grasp, but he also left him injured. ¡°Gang leader, are you okay?¡± Guo Yuchun, with a cool head, was the first to react. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I let him go,¡± Liu Qingshan said, waving his hand and speaking in a very calm tone. Ouyang Yu¡¯s face was stupefied, and disbelief filled his eyes as if he still hadn¡¯t snapped back to reality. Only the shocked expressions on everyone¡¯s faces could be seen, along with the sounds of them swallowing hard. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s terrifying!¡± ¡°The unparalleled swordsman is truly deserving of his reputation. My goodness, even Liu Qingshan couldn¡¯t capture him.¡± ¡°Who exactly is that swordsman? With such skills, he could definitely enter the Dragon List. Who is he?¡± ¡°Is he really a master from the Demon Sect? Too frightening, does the Demon Sect have such a figure?¡± ¡­¡­.. Everyone exchanged glances as if in a dream. What kind of person is Liu Qingshan? A renowned expert above the Dragon List, one of the dominating lords of the Jianghu. Such a preeminent figure, who in the Jianghu could cause a storm, actually failed to retain that swordsman. ¡°Such an impressive swordsman, after consecutive fierce battles, he was still able to wound Liu Qingshan.¡± Su Rui muttered with a flushed face. He was amazed at the swordsman¡¯s strength, but what shook him even more was his swordsmanship. That final move, the deftness of its technique had reached the pinnacle of sword skill. It was as if Su Rui had glimpsed another world; there exists such exquisite sword forms under the sky¡­ And yet, after a series of intense battles, even with Liu Qingshan lying in ambush, the latter was still wounded, showing how extraordinary that swordsman was. ¡°A swordsman rarely seen in this world,¡± Ming Jinghua also couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°Liu Qingshan didn¡¯t manage to kill him; from now on, he¡¯s likely to become famous throughout the world.¡± Cao Hongkou¡¯s face was solemn, and he remained silent. Such terrifying strength was certainly that of a master on the Dragon List, and those who could enter the Dragon List were existences striving for supremacy over the Jianghu. Even the four great families of Jiangnan Dao would have to tread carefully and not dare to provoke such beings. Jiangnan Dao has produced such a character, yet they were completely unaware; it felt like a harsh slap in his face, bringing a lot of clarity. ¡°Looks like a big change is coming.¡± Mu Jinglun snickered, then looked at the little monk with a complex expression. If it hadn¡¯t been for the little monk just now, a large part of the Reincarnation Hall might have been destroyed. It seemed he had seen him before¡­ Seeing the unparalleled swordsman finally escape, Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but breathe a sigh of relief, then recalled those familiar eyes. ¡°The pressure of a Grandmaster?¡± Zhao Qingmei pondered in her heart. This person was highly skilled, and his swordsmanship was outstanding, but she wondered about his identity and whether he could be recruited under the Demon Sect¡¯s banner. From that last sword strike, she even sensed a trace of a Grandmaster¡¯s pressure. Although it was just a hint, it was extremely terrifying. The likelihood of the swordsman stepping into the realm of a Grandmaster was not great, but reaching the level of a Half-step Master was certainly possible. ¡°Tap tap tap tap¡­¡± Just then, Hong Yuanwu and several other Xuanyi Guard Gold Constables rushed in hastily from outside the door. ¡°Where is the Demon Sect¡¯s swordsman?¡± Hong Yuanwu, stunned, looked at the devastation before him and couldn¡¯t help but say. He had received news that the unparalleled swordsman had not died but had appeared in the Reincarnation Hall. He hurried over as soon as he heard. The place was quiet, everyone was silent, and no one answered him. ¡°It seems this Buddhist ritual really isn¡¯t that interesting, let¡¯s go,¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled softly and then walked towards the exit of the hall. ¡°Yes.¡± Tan Yun, upon hearing this, reluctantly cast a glance in the direction where the peerless swordsman had departed and hurriedly followed Zhao Qingmei. ¡­¡­. Within the Vilu Hall, the Buddha statue shattered, black Yin Energy spewing forth. In an instant, the entire Great Hall felt like an icehouse, bone-chillingly cold. ¡°Amitabha!¡± Fa Zhi brought his hands together in prayer and let out a gentle sigh. Gan Yue¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits as he gazed at the serene-faced old scholar in front of him. Li Fuzhou, the leader of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect, was a name everyone in Jianghu knew. Twenty years ago, the Deputy General of the Northwest Dao armed forces had led thirty thousand men in a campaign to eradicate Li Fuzhou and his Human Sect experts. This event had once shaken the Martial World to its core, with the sandy plains of the Northwest turning into rivers of blood. More than half of the thirty thousand troops perished without even catching a glimpse of Li Fuzhou¡¯s shadow. In the end, the Deputy General of the Northwest armed forces was beheaded and hung above the gates of the fortress in the Northwest, purportedly frightening the Daoist Master of the Northwest Dao into personally making an apology. This was a severe blow to the face of the Great Yan Court, and eventually, the Daoist Master of the Northwest Dao was thoroughly investigated and reassigned to an unknown fate, a conclusion marred by extreme tragedy. In the Great Yan Martial World, the only force bold enough to challenge the Court was the Demon Sect, and within the Demon Sect, the most brazenly notorious was Li Fuzhou of the Human Sect. The Xuanyi Guard also once engaged Li Fuzhou. Two years ago in West Shu territory, four members of the Great Heavenly Gang joined forces to confront Li Fuzhou. The outcome was two dead and two fleeing, an event that alarmed both the temples and Jianghu. The Human Emperor himself was enraged by it, and subsequently, Xi Yuanjun, Deputy Marshal of the Xuanyi Guard, personally took action. The two fought from West Shu all the way to the grassland border before ceasing. One of the three great eunuchs under the current Human Emperor, Zhao Tianyi, who also held the position of Grandmaster and wielded immense power in both court and countryside, was a scholar before entering the palace. His elder academic brother was none other than Li Fuzhou, leading many to speculate that this Li Fuzhou was indeed the leader of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect. To Jianghu, a character like Li Fuzhou was tantamount to a living legend. Even a prominent figure like Gan Yue, one of the Great Heavenly Gang, was profoundly wary in the face of such a personage; after all, fellow Heavenly Gang members had died at his hand, a stark warning that could not be ignored. Li Fuzhou glanced at Gan Yue and said indifferently, ¡°Several of the Great Heavenly Gang have already died by my hand, and it seems today one more will be added to that number.¡± ¡°Li Fuzhou, your injuries have not yet healed, a fact known by all,¡± Gan Yue said, scoffing coldly as a member of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang, ¡°Today, it remains to be seen whose deer will be taken down.¡± The grand battle between Li Fuzhou and Xi Yuanjun had shaken the entire Great Yan, exposing his injuries to the world. Add to that, Gan Yue had an Arhat from the Western Regions by his side, someone beyond the Human Flower Realm. He knew he might not be able to overcome Li Fuzhou, but escaping should not be difficult. Fa Zhi joined his palms and said, ¡°Donor Li, if you really intend to commit such a grievous affront against the world, then I, a humble monk, will have no choice but to intervene.¡± The warning signs of this seal being broken were the harbingers of a great disaster for the world. Suddenly, Li Fuzhou¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Hiss!¡± At that moment, a Sword Light resonated from a distance. That Sword Light carried a faint golden radiance, with a kind of oppressive force emanating from within the gold, rushing towards them. Even the previously domineering Yin Energy seemed to falter briefly upon sensing that Sword Light. ¡°This is from Reincarnation Hall,¡± Fa Zhi exclaimed, looking towards the distance, ¡°Such a mighty Sword Skill, it actually bears the authority of a Grandmaster!¡± Authority of a Grandmaster? Li Fuzhou also raised an eyebrow, troubled ¨C it seemed there might be danger at the Sect Hierarch¡¯s place. ¡°Impossible!¡± Gan Yue cried out in disbelief, ¡°How could a Grandmaster appear in Reincarnation Hall?¡± A Grandmaster¡ªthat represented the pinnacle of Martial Arts. The ultimate experts of the world, their very presence commanding reverence throughout Jianghu. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Li Fuzhou collected himself and said lightly, ¡°With the Buddha statue that suppressed the seal shattered and the Yin Energy gushing out, the item behind this seal will emerge. At that time, I will return to take it.¡± With that, he leaped up and hurried towards the hall¡¯s exit. Only after watching Li Fuzhou leave did Gan Yue take a deep breath of relief. Then he glanced at his palm, noticing a sheen of sweat, and couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly. Merely standing there had exerted tremendous pressure on him, a testament to the Demon Sect¡¯s top expert¡¯s prowess. Fa Zhi, watching Li Fuzhou¡¯s figure, sighed deeply and said, ¡°It seems there is a Demon Sect expert in Reincarnation Hall, and besides destroying the Buddha statue, the Master of the Human Sect has deliberately hindered the two of us.¡± Chapter 66 - Chapter 66: Chapter 66: The Earth Book Reveals the Divine Dragon Chapter 66: Chapter 66: The Earth Book Reveals the Divine Dragon Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun slowly walked out of the Reincarnation Hall and came face to face with Han Wenxin, wearing a conical hat, along with a large group of Yu State City constables. ¡°Mrs. An, weren¡¯t you going to see the water and land practice ground?¡± When Han Wenxin saw Tan Yun beside Zhao Qingmei, his eyes couldn¡¯t help but brighten. This damn An Jing, he had actually done one good thing. Yet, Tan Yun still seemed to be recalling that figure from before and totally did not notice the somewhat lewd look in Han Wenxin¡¯s eyes. Zhao Qingmei gave Han Wenxin a somewhat strange look, then asked, ¡°No, I found the water and land practice ground a bit lacking. Where is my husband?¡± Didn¡¯t An Jing say he was going to find Han Wenxin? How come he¡¯s not seen him? Han Wenxin honestly replied, ¡°He just went back, apparently he remembered that today a hunter from South Mountain was coming to deliver some herbs¡­¡± ¡°I see, Officer Han, we¡¯ll take our leave first.¡± Zhao Qingmei slightly raised her brows, then turned and walked towards the mountain gate. She remembered that An Jing had indeed mentioned this in the morning, but she still felt somewhat uneasy. ¡°You few, head to the Reincarnation Hall to coordinate with the Xuanyi Guard for inspection. If the Xuanyi Guard officers inquire, tell them I went to lock down the Three Temple Mountain¡¯s gate.¡± Han Wenxin gave an order, then scurried after them, ¡°Mrs. An, Miss Tan, let me see you off.¡± ¡­¡­ In Yu State City, Western Suburb. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± An Jing, carrying the corpse of Xue Chen, dexterously tiptoed on tree branches the size of a thumb, much like a monkey in the forest. The strong wind arose, and the forest leaves rustled loudly. Soon, he arrived at the wilderness of Red Leaf Forest in the western suburb. ¡°Master Zhou, you really didn¡¯t disappoint anyone.¡± Jiang Sanjia emerged from the woods upon hearing that voice, his eyes full of complexity. As a descendant of the Ghost Valley Sect, he was naturally very familiar with the struggles within the martial world. This time, retrieving the corpse of Xue Chen was bound to be fraught with immense crisis and difficulties. An Jing had actually managed to bring back the corpse of Xue Chen, surely he had gone through an unimaginably bloody battle. Mu Xiaoyun also followed Jiang Sanjia out. An Jing quietly smiled, set the corpse he was carrying on the ground, and then extended his thumb to gently wipe away the bloodstain at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Madam Liu, we¡¯re even now.¡± Liu Qingshan¡¯s strength was indeed a notch above his, and even though he was nearly a Half-step Golden Bone, he had still been at a disadvantage. If not for relying on Sword Control Technique, it would have been incredibly difficult to leave Fa Xi Temple. Mu Xiaoyun looked at the corpse on the ground, slightly stunned, even though she had known the outcome in advance. Sometimes, it feels like this world is too vast, so vast that just turning around can cause a person to disappear into the vast sea of humanity, never to meet again. ¡°Ah¡­..¡± It¡¯s unknown how much time had passed before Mu Xiaoyun finally heaved a deep sigh. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± Jiang Sanjia furrowed his brows and asked. ¡°Just a minor injury.¡± An Jing casually remarked, ¡°I wonder what plans you two have going forward?¡± This wasn¡¯t false; because Golden Bones had already formed in his body, his injuries were indeed not severe. ¡°We¡¯ve already startled the snake, rescuing him will be extraordinarily difficult.¡± Mu Xiaoyun pondered for a moment and said, ¡°I plan to leave Jiangnan Dao first, and head to the Dongluo Desert.¡± The Dongluo Desert, vast and filled with yellow sand, is a desolate and ruined land, although named Dongluo, it is actually part of the border between the great grasslands, the Western Regions, Great Yan, and Zhao Country. Due to its special geographic location, situated at the intersection of four major forces, it sees large caravans passing through all year round, which has also brought moments of prosperity to this place, particularly at the Dongluo Pass, the meeting point of the four domains. Within Dongluo Pass, there is a convergence of numerous international caravans. The turnout each year is beyond measure, and these caravans all belong to major trading associations with vast structures and numerous experts. Over time, Dongluo Pass has developed inns, taverns, brothels¡­ Among them, the brothels have attracted beauties from various places due to their unique location, providing exotic experiences that are endlessly delightful and have become a popular topic of discussion among the people. Moreover, Dongluo Pass is filled with numerous stories of overnight riches, with countless people dreaming big dreams each year, enduring hardships to travel to Dongluo Pass in search of opportunities to strike it rich. The large flow of people, coupled with the huge business opportunities brought about by trade, has also made Dongluo Pass exceptionally prosperous. There¡¯s even a saying among the people of Great Yan: ¡°Beyond Yujing, head to Dongluo for beauty.¡± And the true master behind Dongluo Pass was none other than Outer Heaven. On one hand, due to the terrifying strength of the Demon Sect, if one were to act against it, not to mention the great difficulty involved, even a forceful success would certainly cause severe damage to one¡¯s primordial energy, inevitably allowing others to reap the benefits. On the other hand, Dongluo Pass indeed served as a buffer, and thus, the major powers seemed to tacitly agree to its existence. ¡°Could it be, you wish to collude with the Demon Sect?¡± Jiang Sanjia frowned. In the Great Yan Martial World, the Demon Sect was a notorious existence. ¡°What about the Demon Sect?¡± Mu Xiaoyun said solemnly, ¡°What is evil, and what is righteous? What is good, and what is bad?¡± Hearing this, Jiang Sanjia fell silent. Having roamed Jianghu for decades, how could one easily discern good from evil in this world? Mu Xiaoyun turned to An Jing and asked, ¡°Brother Zhou, do you have a referral letter?¡± Rumors in the streets claimed An Jing to be a man of the Demon Sect. If it was true, that would save some trouble. ¡°I have no ties whatsoever with the Demon Sect.¡± An Jing shook his head; he knew that Mu Xiaoyun seemed to intend to connect with the Demon Sect, but indeed, he was unfamiliar with them. ¡°That¡¯s truly unfortunate,¡± Mu Xiaoyun expressed her regret. She was also unclear whether Zhou Xianming did not want to expose his identity or if he truly was not a man of the Demon Sect. After all, their relationship had not reached such a thorough level of understanding. ¡°Sanjia, what about you?¡± An Jing glanced at Jiang Sanjia. ¡°First, heal your injuries. Leave Jiangnan Dao before the year¡¯s end,¡± Jiang Sanjia thought and then said. Not only was Cao Gang hunting him, but he was also a major criminal wanted by the Court. Now, with his injuries not fully healed, venturing out alone would be extremely dangerous. The contacts he had left behind in the past might no longer be reliable, so naturally, healing his injuries first was the safest course. An Jing glanced in the direction of Fa Xi Temple. While he was fighting with Liu Qingshan, he distinctly felt something in Fa Xi Temple tremble. The Earth Book hinted that the green opportunity must be about that sealing. But why did it make him feel somewhat uneasy? Usually, masters do not act on whims. If they feel a whim, there must be a reason. The next moment, An Jing¡¯s thoughts settled on the Earth Book. Whoosh! Suddenly, a streak of green light from within the Earth Book engulfed An Jing¡¯s mind. The dark underground palace was endless, with its only source of light seeping from a vast crack above. Within the light leaking from above, one could vaguely see the layout of the palace, resembling an ancient emperor¡¯s sacrificial array. Externally, eighty-one ancient bronze pillars stood firm, encircling the perimeter, intersecting methodically. Culminating deep into an obscure darkness. Internally, it was woven from cross threads, intermittently presenting four Sun God patterns, corresponding to the Qian, Dui, Li, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Gen, Kun positions. Above each of the ancient bronze pillars, burly chains were bound, making ¡®clang¡¯ and ¡®clang¡¯ sounds, all converging towards the center. An Jing focused his gaze and felt a shock in his heart. There was indeed a dragon lying on the ground, its eyes bright, its Dragon Ball gleaming, horns erect, Dragon Armor prominent, and its claws strong. It seemed to sense the presence of people, turning its head to look back, an intimidating sight. ¡°Roar!¡± The four seas submitting, the wastelands worshipping, the giant dragon bellowed in the night, shaking heaven and earth. The Divine Dragon saw An Jing floating mid-air, its eyes showing a hint of light. Its body frantically rushed towards him, but the surrounding chains tightly bound it, rendering it immobile. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As the dragon roared, the whole world seemed to shake. Watching the dragon madly rushing towards him, and the chains making loud noises, An Jing¡¯s brows tightly furrowed. It seemed the chains were not only binding the dragon but him as well. What on earth was happening? ¡­¡­ Chapter 67 - Chapter 67: Chapter 67: The Hidden Secrets of the Nine Princely States Chapter 67: Chapter 67: The Hidden Secrets of the Nine Princely States The light from the Earth Book gradually faded, and An Jing¡¯s thoughts finally returned. Cultivation: First Grade Life Fate: Favorable Star Shining (Rising) Root Bone: Once in a hundred years Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Daluo Heart Method, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword (Sixth Layer). Prompt One: The host¡¯s Life Fate has yet to take root (remaining ten months); displaying martial arts must not reveal the host¡¯s identity, otherwise black fortune will be encountered. Prompt Two: Within the Vilu Hall of the Fa Xi Temple, there is a blue fortune, and under the seal of the Buddha statue lies an unknown ancient object (a fragment of the Soul Suppressing Device). Prompt Three: Under the seals of the Fa Xi Temple, there lies a blue fortune (a strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy). ¡­. An Jing clearly saw the four words following Favorable Star Shining, ¡®continuously rising.¡¯ Previously, these words were not there. Also, the five words following the ancient object, ¡®a fragment of the Soul Suppressing Device,¡¯ along with the newly mentioned blue fortune nature¡¯s spiritual energy. ¡°The Soul Suppressing Device must be something suppressing this nature¡¯s spiritual energy, but why would it suppress this nature¡¯s spiritual energy?¡± An Jing frowned slightly, starting to feel puzzled. Nature¡¯s spiritual energy, he was naturally familiar with these words, as they were recorded in some ancient texts that when cultivation reached the Grandmaster level, one could absorb nature¡¯s spiritual energy for cultivation. However, like the essence of the sun and the moon, nature¡¯s spiritual energy was an extremely rare treasure, and only masters of the Grandmaster level could refine a little bit. Still, for a master of the Grandmaster level to refine a strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy was extremely difficult and mentally draining. What exactly is this sealed object? And what was the dragon that was just seen? An Jing felt very strange in his heart, as if a sudden mist had appeared before his eyes. ¡°Brother Zhou! Brother Zhou!¡± Mu Xiaoyun woke An Jing, who was still deep in thought. ¡°What is it?¡± An Jing came back to his senses and asked. With a charming glance at An Jing, Mu Xiaoyun said softly, ¡°The ancient jade I gave to Brother Zhou, you must keep it safe.¡± That jade was given to her by Liu Qingshan. Although there was no profound love between them, it held a special meaning in Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s heart. ¡°Madam Liu, since this ancient jade is so precious to you, I might as well return it,¡± An Jing said. Taking out the ancient jade, he then threw it back to Mu Xiaoyun. After all, since the ancient jade had refined his Root Bone, it was no longer of much use to him. ¡°Brother Zhou, you are¡­¡± Jiang Sanjia looked at An Jing in surprise, wondering why Zhou Xianming, who had gone through so much trouble to obtain the ancient jade, would return it to Mu Xiaoyun. Was Zhou Xianming here to perform great deeds? Perhaps he could return the Bodhi Bead to me as well? Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Zhou Xianming was too cunning and self-serving, never acting without a guarantee of profit; how could he possibly return what he had obtained? The more Jiang Sanjia thought, the more he felt that something was off with the ¡®Brother Zhou¡¯ before him. Confused, Mu Xiaoyun took the ancient jade and, after a glance, exclaimed, ¡°Brother Zhou, have you refined the essence blood from the jade?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± An Jing did not deny it. ¡°The essence blood inside this Ancient Jade is¡­?¡± Jiang Sanjia seemed to think of something. ¡°Brother Zhou, are you aware that this essence blood is from the Royal Family of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which cannot be refined by anyone who is not of the royal bloodline?¡± Mu Xiaoyun said solemnly, placing great emphasis on the words ¡®Brother Zhou¡¯. Great Zhou Royal Family essence blood! Only those of the royal bloodline could refine the essence blood? Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s eyebrows immediately furrowed. If he was able to refine the essence blood within the Ancient Jade, could it be that his ancestors were from the Great Zhou Royal Family? But wasn¡¯t the Royal Family of the Great Zhou surnamed Wu? ¡°I see.¡± Jiang Sanjia suddenly realized, ¡°No wonder Zhou Xianming cared so much about that Ancient Jade, it turns out to be from a former royalty.¡± ¡°He is not surnamed Wu,¡± Mu Xiaoyun reminded from the side. Everyone knows that the Great Zhou Dynasty was surnamed Wu. ¡°No, you are wrong.¡± Jiang Sanjia shook his head, ¡°When the Great Zhou Dynasty fell apart, it faced extermination by the princes from all over. To prevent the rise of the Great Zhou Royal Family again, all those surnamed Wu were mercilessly killed. At that time, the descendants of the Great Zhou Royal Family, in order to escape the killings, frequently changed their appearances and naturally their surnames as well.¡± ¡°Moreover, after more than six hundred years of rule, the bloodline of the Great Zhou Royal Family had already spread throughout the land of the Great Zhou. It was normal for a few of these orphaned descendants to escape. Now, nearly four hundred years have passed, and there is no longer a Great Zhou; even if there is a legitimate descendant of the Great Zhou in the world, what of it?¡± Listening to Jiang Sanjia¡¯s words, An Jing was inwardly astounded. He had not expected his ancestors to be nobility of the Great Zhou Royal Family, who later might have changed their identities to avoid execution. However, this royal nobility was not that remarkable. At that time, the Great Zhou practiced a feudal system, and after six hundred years of rule, many of the Wu surnames were associated with the Great Zhou Royal Family. Nowadays, there might even be one or two people with the bloodline of the Great Zhou Royal Family walking on the street, just with a varying degree of dilution. However, no matter what, the blood of the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s Royal Family flows in his veins, so was his ancestry also of significant origin? It is very likely that he is a relative of the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s Royalty. For a moment, a strange expression appeared on An Jing¡¯s face. ¡°Why have I never heard of these pieces of information?¡± Mu Xiaoyun asked with furrowed brows. ¡°These belong to the secrets, naturally you wouldn¡¯t know, and the Mu Family is merely a martial arts family of two hundred years, with not much information preserved within the clan.¡± Jiang Sanjia said solemnly: ¡°Do you know how powerful the Great Zhou was at that time? Even today¡¯s Zhao Country was a vassal state of Great Zhou. It was said that during that period, masters were as common as clouds in the Great Zhou, and even the Royal Family had Grandmasters of the Five Qi stage.¡± ¡°A Grandmaster!?¡± In Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s eyes flashed a hint of shock, he muttered, ¡°How could such a powerful dynasty fall?¡± Three Flowers Gathering at the Top is considered a master, and only reaching the stage of Five Qi Toward the Yuan qualifies one as a Grandmaster. A Grandmaster, throughout the whole Great Yan and Zhao Country, there hasn¡¯t been a Grandmaster-range expert for three hundred years. Nowadays, the leading figure in the Great Yan Martial World, Xiao Qianqiu from the Zhenyi Sect of five hundred years, is also merely the most hopeful candidate to achieve the Grandmaster status. But even such a hopeful for the Grandmaster status, stationed at Zhenyi Mountain, dominates the entire Jianghu. If he becomes a true Grandmaster, how frightening that would be. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Moreover, it is rumored that a Grandmaster can extend their life to three hundred years, fly through the sky, transcend the limits of human body, and even face thousands of troops as if walking on flat ground, the world is theirs to traverse. ¡°In this world, what dynasty ever lasts forever?¡± Jiang Sanjia sighed, ¡°Even the Great Zhou Dynasty, as powerful as it was, was not it also destroyed?¡± An Jing nodded, deeply agreeing with this statement, and then said, ¡°Brother Sanjia, since you are a descendant of Ghost Valley and surely know many secrets, there has always been a question in my mind, I wonder if you could clear my doubts.¡± Jiang Sanjia nodded slightly: ¡°Speak, and see if I know the answer.¡± An Jing revealed the doubt he harbored in his heart: ¡°How was the Great Zhou Dynasty destroyed?¡± Chapter 68 - Chapter 68: Chapter 68 The Great Zhou Turbulence Leads to Speculation Chapter 68: Chapter 68 The Great Zhou Turbulence Leads to Speculation Historical records state that before Great Yan had unified the land, there were nine major feudal states in this world. These nine states waged wars against each other, killing each other. At that time, both the court and Jianghu were in extreme chaos, giving rise to countless experts and figures of great significance. The Old Man of Lost Souls was just one of them. Aside from him, many other masters emerged, and to this day, among the seven major factions of Great Yan, the Yu Heng Sword Sect and the Blue River Sect were founded then and have continued to this day. Moving further back in time, before the chaos of the Nine Kingdoms, there reigned the immensely powerful Great Zhou Dynasty. However, the historical records only document the prosperity and glory of the Great Zhou Dynasty. As for why such a dominant dynasty fell into decay, suddenly crumbling and disintegrating, there is no record, as if out of the blue, the powerful Great Zhou Dynasty had declined. As a result, the nine major kings of the land divided it among themselves, establishing the nine great feudal states, and initiating an era of sprawling wars and warriors galloping through battlefields. What puzzled An Jing was that neither the historical records nor popular folklore detailed anything about the sudden decline of the Great Zhou Dynasty, as if this were a blank chapter in history. Although the Nine Kingdoms waged war against each other, there seemed to be an unspoken natural agreement among them to burn and bury this chapter of history. As for why the Nine Kingdoms did this, not many people knew, and perhaps those who did were no longer in this world. ¡°I¡¯m not exactly sure myself.¡± Jiang Sanjia shook his head. ¡°In this world, there¡¯s something even your Ghost Valley Sect doesn¡¯t know?¡± Mu Xiaoyun raised an eyebrow. ¡°Besides, isn¡¯t your Ghost Valley Sect a lineage that has continued from the Great Zhou Dynasty?¡± As the oldest sect in today¡¯s Jianghu, and especially skilled at calculating the heavenly secrets and knowing many of the world¡¯s mysteries, Jiang Sanjia had previously served in the Qintian Bureau of Great Yan and had access to some of the royal secret scrolls. Logically, there should be very few things in the world that he wouldn¡¯t know. ¡°Heavenly secrets must not be fully calculated; that is the rule of our sect.¡± Jiang Sanjia pondered for a long while before speaking, ¡°All I know is a little. The decline of the Great Zhou Dynasty is definitely related to the thing sealed underground. This is stated in the Ghost Valley scrolls. There are six seals under the world to this day, and these seals have existed for a long time, back in the Great Zhou Dynasty, they were suppressed by Buddhism, and now the Human Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty has constructed the Dragon Locking Well in Yujing City, which seems to have established a new seal. So, in total, there are seven underground seals.¡± ¡°Right, Fa Xi Temple has one of the seals, and the thing sealed is nearly breaking. It¡¯s just not clear what will happen if this seal breaks.¡± Mu Xiaoyun shook her head, ¡°I¡¯ve heard of these things, but they seem to be related to the nation¡¯s fate.¡± Hearing this, An Jing became even more puzzled about the seals. The downfall of the Great Zhou Dynasty was actually related to that seal, but what exactly lay beneath that seal? And why did the feudal kings of the Nine Kingdoms erase this chapter in history? Why, as the seal in Fa Xi Temple neared rupture, was his Life Fate continually rising? And what exactly was he and that dragon, or what did they symbolize? Why did seeing himself drive the dragon mad? Could it be that his Life Fate was sealed, and hence with the breaking of the seal, his Life Fate was rising? All of these things filled An Jing¡¯s heart with doubts. After a few more brief exchanges, the three fell into a brief silence. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I plan to leave after burying Xue Chen¡¯s body.¡± Mu Xiaoyun picked up Xue Chen¡¯s corpse and rose to bid farewell to the two. An Jing watched Mu Xiaoyun leave, sighing silently in his heart. An invaluable Ancient Jade Essence Blood was exchanged for a corpse that was already dead, it was hard to imagine that was a choice made by Mu Xiaoyun, known in Jianghu as the Viper Beauty. ¡°Go ahead, leaving Great Yan might be for the best,¡± Jiang Sanjia said with a sigh. ¡°Sanjia, do not create your own prison, trapping yourself within,¡± Mu Xiaoyun looked at Jiang Sanjia seriously, then said, ¡°The mountains are high and the waters long, until we meet again in Jianghu.¡± ¡°I hope the next time, we meet not in Jianghu,¡± An Jing said with a light smile. ¡°Good, ¡®Meeting not in Jianghu¡¯.¡± Mu Xiaoyun paused, a knowing smile on her face, and then with a leap, she headed off into the distance. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Yonghe Palace. The courtyard was vast, extending as far as the eye could see, with white stone slabs covering the ground. Grass and flowers were arranged among the trees, and pine trees stood tall and elegant. In the middle of the courtyard, a pair of Huabiao, each over ten meters tall, stood on Sumeru bases. They were made of white marble, with Flood Dragons entwined around them, and featured clouds emerging from the wind, topped with a cloud board, water-catching basin, and crouching beasts, all imposing and solemn. On a stone bench in the courtyard, a young man sat dressed in a red robe, wearing a Yishan Crown and a Jade Glass Belt around his waist. His features were not particularly handsome but had a certain appeal, with thin lips that were memorable. He held a jade birdcage in his hands, amusing himself with the spirit bird inside. ¡°Second Prince.¡± At that moment, a middle-aged man entered at a slow pace, led by a guard. The man¡¯s face was full of wrinkles, bearing the marks of years past, yet his eyes were bright. He was none other than the current Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Yue Tingchen. And the young man before him was Zhao Mengtai, the second son of the reigning Human Emperor. ¡°The tremors from the Dragon Locking Well just now, have they been investigated?¡± Second Prince Zhao Mengtai asked nonchalantly while looking at a birdcage. ¡°There¡¯s no major issue,¡± Yue Tingchen said blandly. ¡°In recent years, the tremors at the Dragon Locking Well have become more frequent. The State Preceptor once said that it¡¯s due to the loosening of other seals throughout Great Yan, but as long as the last seal of the Dragon Locking Well remains secure, we can rest easy.¡± ¡°The State Preceptor did say that,¡± Second Prince confirmed. Zhao Mengtai put down the birdcage, then clapped his hands and said, ¡°However, my father the Emperor has a different opinion. He says that not a single seal throughout the land should be missing, and no error can be afforded. This matter requires further investigation.¡± Yue Tingchen nodded and responded, ¡°You are quite right, Second Prince.¡± Zhao Mengtai nodded slightly with a smile, ¡°I have heard that there has been unrest in Jiangnan Dao recently. Have you heard about this, Mister Yue?¡± ¡°I have, it seems a master from the Demon Sect has been spotted,¡± Yue Tingchen replied, his brow furrowing. The Demon Sect had once instigated a rebellion in Great Yan, so in the courts of Great Yan, the Demon Sect was feared like a tiger. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about the Demon Sect.¡± The Second Prince narrowed his eyes, ¡°I¡¯m referring to Jiang Sanjia.¡± ¡°Jiang Sanjia?¡± Yue Tingchen appeared puzzled. He was naturally very familiar with Jiang Sanjia, who had previously served in the Qintian Bureau. What kind of place was the Qintian Bureau, after all? Jiang Sanjia was a key figure who specialized in divination for the Emperor, a role not just anyone could fill. However, Jiang Sanjia was known to be quite peculiar. Various powers within the court had tried to court him, but he was uninterested. Furthermore, after a series of incidents, he lost the trust of the Human Emperor. When the Qintian Bureau was favored, it basked in utmost prestige, but once it fell from grace, the situation turned quite tragic¡ªafter all, the bureau knew many secrets, not only making the Emperor suspicious but also worrying many others in the court. Eventually, two years after Jiang Sanjia resigned, he was imprisoned on charges of corruption and bribery. Later, he seemed to have been secretly transported to Jiangnan Dao. The Daoist Master of Jiangnan, Chu Nanying, was one of the Crown Prince¡¯s men. Without a doubt, the Crown Prince must have employed certain methods to have Jiang Sanjia transferred to the Heavenly Prison in Yu State City. According to intelligence gathered through investigation, Chu Nanying, the Daoist Master of Jiangnan, also had an exceptionally close relationship with the Gang Leader of the Cao Gang, Liu Qingshan. As an old fox who had navigated the court for decades, Yue Tingchen naturally smelled something different in the air. ¡°What do you mean, Second Prince?¡± Yue Tingchen asked with a grave voice. Zhao Mengtai slowly said, ¡°The offenses Jiang Sanjia committed back then were mere trifles. Besides, wasn¡¯t it Assistant Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang who impeached him? Now, most of the Qintian Bureau are nothing but inept bureaucrats, whereas Jiang Sanjia is a descendant of the Ghost Valley Sect. Why shouldn¡¯t we make good use of him?¡± ¡°Moreover, this brother of mine, the Crown Prince, has ambitions that are not small¡ªhe actually wants to stir up this vast expanse of Jianghu.¡± The Assistant Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang also belonged to the Crown Prince¡¯s faction. Exonerating Jiang Sanjia would not only draw him to our side but also help eliminate and weaken the influence of the Crown Prince¡¯s faction. Most importantly, it could hinder the Crown Prince¡¯s next moves. The Five Gangs Alliance¡ªif it were to be realized, then the Crown Prince would wield a formidable force within Jianghu¡­ Upon hearing this, Yue Tingchen¡¯s heart skipped a beat. With only a hint of information revealed by Zhao Mengtai, he had guessed some of the details. He hadn¡¯t expected the Crown Prince to have such deep schemes, his hands reaching stealthily into Jianghu. By nature, Zhao Mengtai was not someone who would fail to respond. If the Crown Prince wanted to facilitate the forming of the Five Gangs Alliance and seek a sliver of support within Jianghu, then the Second Prince could not possibly remain indifferent¡­ Yue Tingchen seemed to have realized something, suddenly feeling a chill in his heart. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Zhao Mengtai, noticing Yue Tingchen¡¯s expression, couldn¡¯t help but ask with a smile. Zhao Mengtai¡¯s mouth curved in a smile, but his eyes were sharp as swords, making others dare not look directly at him. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, Yue Tingchen, after all an old fox in the court, maintained his composure and smiled, ¡°Your plan is very clever, Second Prince. Jiang Sanjia is indeed capable. If we can win him over, it would indeed be a significant aid.¡± Zhao Mengtai nodded and said, ¡°Good, then let¡¯s proceed accordingly. How should we go about arranging this, in your opinion?¡± After pondering for a while, Yue Tingchen said, ¡°Use the Dragon Locking Well as a pretext. The Emperor cannot refuse.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a good pretext.¡± ¡­¡­.. Chapter 69 - Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Earth Sect Sect Master Jiang Renyi Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Earth Sect Sect Master Jiang Renyi ¡°` The news of the demon expelling convention at Fa Xi Temple spread through Jiangnan Dao like wildfire, and it continued to spread like sparks setting the prairie ablaze. The Cao Gang¡¯s Seven Vajras had formidable reputations in Jianghu, each able to stand against the elites of an entire faction, and were quite renowned. Yet, such masters perished at the hand of that mysterious swordsman, with three of them dead. And in the final moments of the convention, Liu Qingshan suddenly made an appearance to intercept the peerless swordsman. Who would have thought that not only did he fail to capture the peerless swordsman, but he himself was wounded in the altercation. Liu Qingshan of Qingyang Wuji, what kind of man was he? Among the five gangs, Cao Gang currently dominated, well-known in Jianghu, and even a great master listed on the Dragon List. With decades of being active, he had slain countless experts, and three First Grade experts had died at his hands over the years. As the Cao Gang¡¯s power grew day by day, opportunities to act became scarcer, but there was no one in the world who dared to underestimate Liu Qingshan, in fact, they feared him even more. Yet such a person was unable to detain the peerless swordsman. For a time, all of Jianghu was astir, everyone speculating in secret about the identity of the peerless swordsman. Some said that the Demon Sect was preparing for a resurgence in Great Yan, and that swordsman was one of the Four Seats of the Demon Sect, the leader of White Tiger Seat, because Yi Daoyun of the White Tiger Seat was a swordsman expert of the current times. The Four Seats of the Demon Sect were entities that shook Jianghu, with the leaders of the seats among the very top experts of the world. The involvement of the Demon Sect in the Great Yan Martial World was, without a doubt, momentous news. Currently, Xiao Qianqiu of the Zhenyi Sect sat atop Zhenyi Mountain, overseeing the heroes below and dominating with arrogance. Relying on the temple¡¯s support and their own foundation, they held the world¡¯s power. Common sects and factions would not dare to provoke them, and even among the Seven Sects, six and the five dominant gangs would not dare to touch them, showcasing the position of the Zhenyi Sect in Jianghu. Now, with the Demon Sect entering Great Yan, the structure of Jianghu was certain to undergo immense change. Amidst the chaos, those with ulterior motives, as well as powers holding grudges against Zhenyi Sect, were all watching for opportunities. But soon there were rumors that Yi Daoyun was in seclusion and that the peerless swordsman was not an expert from the Demon Sect. Moreover, the peerless swordsman had used the Hundred-step Flying Sword and saved Jiang Sanjia, clearly indicating that the swordsman was a disciple of the Sect Leader from Ghost Valley. The Hundred-step Flying Sword, a Heavenly Martial Level martial art. Once one reaches the True Martial Level, martial arts can no longer be mastered through mere effort. Even for a natural genius engaging in diligent study, progress would be strenuous and slow. The martial arts of the Ghost Valley Sect were known for their intricacy and mysteriousness, and the disciples they took in were all geniuses. The Sect Leader of Ghost Valley was a rare talent in a hundred years and was now one of the few in Jianghu who mastered the Fifth Level Sword Skill, among the top swordsmen. Some had said he had the opportunity to reach the Sixth Level Sword Skill, to hold the hegemony of the Sword Dao of the world in his hands. Soon, this rumor was also questioned. The current Ghost Valley Sect Leader roamed the world, his whereabouts mysterious, and there had been no news of him taking on disciples. The swordsmanship displayed by that swordsman was only similar in appearance and not the true Hundred-step Flying Sword. Ghost Valley Sect had deep connections with Zhenyi Sect and it was unlikely for them to collude with the Demon Sect. In short, the identity of the peerless swordsman was a matter of various speculations and discussions in Jianghu, yet no one knew their true identity or origin. But the more it was so, the more curious everyone in Jianghu became about this peerless swordsman. Before long, it was noticed by some observant individuals that Fa Xi Temple had started to open its gates widely, accepting worshippers and recruiting disciples extensively. ¡­¡­ Bathed in the beauty of the moon and the dim lantern lights, Tan Yun sat on the stone steps in the backyard of Jishi Hall, her small hand continuously stroking the little black pup as if lost in thought. ¡°Awoo¡­ Woof.¡± The little black pup felt its fur falling out as it struggled to escape, but no matter how hard it tried, it could not break free from those hands. ¡°Who is he, really?¡± Tan Yun reminisced about that figure, her heart still pounding wildly as if she could no longer control her breathing. In those eyes, there was both spring and autumn, surpassing all the mountains and rivers she had ever seen. ¡°Tan Yun.¡± ¡°` Just then, a faint voice rang out. ¡°Master¡­¡± Upon hearing this voice, Tan Yun quickly stood up. Li Fuzhou looked at Tan Yun with confusion, ¡°You¡¯ve been sitting here for almost half an hour, what are you thinking about?¡± Tan Yun bit her lip, ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking about anything¡­¡± ¡°Tell the truth.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s brows furrowed. Tan Yun was his disciple, and he knew her as well as the palm of his hand. She was lively and active by nature, disliking stillness, which led to rapid progress in her martial arts in a short time. However, it also restricted her from becoming a top-notch expert. Sitting motionlessly like this for half an hour was almost unheard of for her. Lowering her head, Tan Yun said softly, ¡°Disciple was thinking about who that peerless swordsman could be. There is such a formidable expert in the Great Yan Martial World, and even with so many experts from the Human Sect searching, we still haven¡¯t found any trace of him. It¡¯s really strange.¡± Li Fuzhou spoke indifferently, ¡°His swordsmanship is indeed not bad and counts as top-tier, but he is still a bit short of the very top swordsmen in the world. The man must be over forty, his specific details are still unknown. If he is under seventy, he might still have a chance to catch up.¡± An Jing¡¯s voice was hoarse, with a touch of indifference that did not seem typical of the recklessness often found in young people. Moreover, most of the experts in today¡¯s Great Yan Martial World had started making a name for themselves from a young age. Thus, Li Fuzhou believed that this person should be over forty, very likely an old man who could not conveniently reveal his identity, hence the disguises. Tan Yun pursed her lips and said, ¡°Master, I feel that the swordsman should still be young, probably around thirty.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s mouth curved with a hint of mockery, ¡°Thirty? If someone could reach the Fourth Level Sword Skill by thirty, that person would have to be a terrifyingly extraordinary genius, even more fearsome than Yi Daoyun, those of Yujing City, and Yu Heng Sword Sect.¡± ¡°Do you think such a person would have been unknown until now?¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun opened her mouth but suddenly closed it again, swayed by Li Fuzhou¡¯s remark. She too felt it was somewhat implausible. If someone were that powerful, how could they not be famous? Typically, top-tier swordsmen would start to become famous when they are young. They would cultivate their essence, energy, spirit, and their Sword Dao, enduring decades of tempering and adversity before their Sword Dao could truly flourish. ¡°Stop worrying about that peerless swordsman. The Human Sect¡¯s experts are already investigating; whether they can find any clues will be seen in the coming days.¡± Li Fuzhou waved his hand and squinted his eyes, ¡°I¡¯m actually more worried about that son-in-law.¡± Tan Yun asked, ¡°Master, are you worried that the Sect Leader of the Earth Sect knows about this?¡± The Demon Sect is divided into Heavenly, Earth, and Human Sects. The Human Sect is responsible for theft, hiding, evasion, and gathering intelligence. They often lurk in the shadows, probing for information and acting as undercover agents. Everywhere in the world, disciples of the Human Sect can be found. The Heavenly Sect has the most experts yet the fewest members, and it receives the most resources. Each person practices the Heavenly Martial Level Martial Arts Earth Demon Technique, which is also the most mysterious force within the Demon Sect. Almost every Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect is chosen from the experts of the Heavenly Sect. A large reason for the Demon Sect¡¯s ability to stand against the Great Yan Martial World and then retreat to the East Luo land was the intervention of experts from the Heavenly Sect. Apart from the Heavenly and Human Sects, there is the Earth Sect. In the Demon Sect, the Earth Sect has the most members, nearly comprising about ninety percent of the sect, and represents the backbone of the Demon Sect with tens of thousands of people. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It may seem that these numbers are not as many as those of the Sanhu Gang, but the Sanhu Gang counts boatmen, coachmen, Eighth Grade, and Ninth Grade commoners of Jianghu in their ranks, which is why they appear so formidable. However, the Earth Sect of the Demon Sect is different; its members have been a part of the sect for many years, practicing the sect¡¯s top-tier Martial Arts Heart Method Blood Demon Technique and adhering to strict discipline, being well-versed in killing, and having experienced the trials of blood and fire. It can be said that the Earth Sect is one of the central pillars of the Demon Sect. The current leader of the Demon Sect¡¯s Earth Sect is also Zhao Qingmei¡¯s senior brother, the son of the previous Sect Hierarch Jiang Shang, Jiang Renyi. Two years after Jiang Shang perished at the hands of Great Yan, during the Demon Sect¡¯s selection for a new Hierarch, both he and Zhao Qingmei were qualified for the position. Even many elders of the Demon Sect preferred Jiang Renyi as he was the sole heir to Jiang Shang. However, during the contest between Jiang Renyi and Zhao Qingmei for the position of Sect Hierarch, he chose to step down. Chapter 70 - Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Countless Stars Adorning the Spring Sky Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Countless Stars Adorning the Spring Sky ¡°He already knows.¡± Li Fuzhou said, expressionless. ¡°And then?¡± Tan Yun swallowed hard. Jiang Renyi¡¯s strengths had reached the First Grade Human Flower Realm ten years ago, a testament to his profound powers. Moreover, three years ago, Jiang Renyi and a prime Li Fuzhou had a sparring match in the desert. With no one else present to witness the fight, the outcome was unknown to all. However, Li Fuzhou was a Half-step Master Realm expert, and Jiang Renyi was only thirty-two three years ago. The fact that he could contend with Li Fuzhou was proof of his exceptional talent. And years had passed, Jiang Renyi¡¯s cultivation must have made progress. ¡°What do you think, if Sect Master Jiang killed this young doctor, what would the Sect Hierarch do?¡± Li Fuzhou seemed to be asking Tan Yun, yet it also appeared to be a question to himself. Killed the son-in-law?!? Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but think of An Jing¡¯s usual demeanor and then imagine An Jing lying in a pool of blood, barely clinging to life, and inadvertently swallowed hard again. ¡°Perhaps¡­ perhaps the Sect Hierarch would go mad with killing¡­ definitely would take action against the Earth Sect.¡± The Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect wanting to eradicate the Earth Sect? It was unimaginable! If that happened, the Demon Sect would undoubtedly be thrust into instant disarray and collapse, spelling disaster for everyone within the sect. ¡°Indeed.¡± Li Fuzhou sighed deeply, ¡°Why would the Sect Hierarch fall for an ordinary young doctor?¡± Some things didn¡¯t need to be spelled out; everyone could see them clearly. Jiang Renyi¡¯s feelings for Zhao Qingmei were certainly more than just fraternal. Tan Yun thought about Jiang Renyi, then about An Jing. In terms of cultivation, the two were incomparable; one was the master of the Earth Sect who had ¡®ceded his position¡¯ to Zhao Qingmei, while the other was just a young doctor from Yu State City, with no martial prowess to speak of. In terms of appearance, the son-in-law was good-looking, pleasant to look at, amusing, and would even bring his treats, but Jiang Renyi was extremely attractive too, and his demeanor was extraordinary. In dealing with people, he was always measured and was valued highly by the older generation of the Demon Sect. ¡°Right, where is the miss and the young doctor?¡± Li Fuzhou suddenly asked. An Jing, on several house call occasions, had given the Human Sect¡¯s experts the slip, and the time he spent with patients sometimes didn¡¯t match up with the Human Sect¡¯s investigations. Furthermore, after the incident at Fa Xi Temple, Zhao Qingmei had instructed Li Fuzhou to always ensure his safety. However, Li Fuzhou felt that this young doctor couldn¡¯t possibly provoke Jianghu experts and would sometimes take it easy, leaving other Human Sect experts to follow him. ¡°The miss hasn¡¯t had a craving for something sour in a long time and wanted some sour date cakes, the son-in-law went off somewhere.¡± Tan Yun replied earnestly. ¡°Did I hear you mention sour date cakes?¡± Just then, a crisp voice rang out from behind them. They saw Zhao Qingmei in a white garment, her phoenix eyes brimming with vitality, her long eyebrows extending into her temples. Li Fuzhou stroked his beard, ¡°Miss, we were talking about the son-in-law, not knowing where he has gone off to.¡± ¡°He hasn¡¯t gone out for house calls these past days since returning from Fa Xi Temple; perhaps he just went out to wander around, having nothing better to do,¡± Zhao Qingmei said, her mouth curving into a smile. Seeing this, Li Fuzhou couldn¡¯t help but shake his head: Now, only when talking about that young doctor would the Sect Hierarch smile. Hearing this, Tan Yun pouted, ¡°The son-in-law always liked to find that Han Wenxin kid. Miss, you must be on guard.¡± That Han Wenxin brat, having not learned his lesson even after a beating, dared to come back and pester. ¡°He won¡¯t go.¡± After finishing her words, Zhao Qingmei prepared to turn and head inside. ¡°Miss, aren¡¯t you the least bit worried?¡± Tan Yun asked with surprise, for she knew Zhao Qingmei very well. If Zhao Qingmei knew about An Jing¡­ ¡°I trust him, he wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips curled slightly. Li Fuzhou also stroked his chin, thinking to himself: With the Sect Hierarch¡¯s temperament, that young doctor must have eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard. It was at this moment that a hurried voice came from outside the courtyard. ¡°I¡¯m back¡­..¡± The three of them looked towards the source of the voice. Just then, An Jing, catching his breath, held a grass target in his hand upon which several candied hawthorns dipped in syrup glistened under the moonlight. ¡°So many candied hawthorns!¡± Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but swallow at the sight of the shiny syrup. ¡°Did you go out late at night just to buy these?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you haven¡¯t had anything sour for a long time? These are much tastier than those sour date cakes.¡± An Jing wiped the sweat off his forehead and chuckled, ¡°Old Zhang and his wife were about to go to sleep. He was cursing when I knocked, but his eyes lit up when I showed the silver¡­¡± ¡°Silly.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing, who was soaked in sweat, her nose tingling slightly, ¡°You bought so many, I can¡¯t finish them all. Don¡¯t tell me we¡¯ll have to go sell candied hawthorns on the streets tomorrow?¡± An Jing responded cheerfully, ¡°No worries, you can take your time. If we can¡¯t finish, we can give some to Little Blackie.¡± Tan Yun seemed to understand something and couldn¡¯t help but look at Zhao Qingmei with a touch of envy. When Zhao Qingmei became a disciple of the Sect Hierarch, Tan Yun did not envy her¡ªnor when Zhao Qingmei became the Hierarch herself, but today, seeing that young man under the moonlight, she had to admit, she was envious, just like the feeling of eating these candied hawthorns. Li Fuzhou let out a soft sigh, then shook his head with a bitter smile, as if reminded of a painful memory. Mixed feelings surged in his heart as he slowly walked towards his own room. ¡°Miss¡­ I can do that job.¡± Tan Yun eyed the shiny syrup and whispered quietly. ¡°You just think about eating,¡± Zhao Qingmei said with a light laugh. Seeing Zhao Qingmei in such good spirits, Tan Yun grew bolder. An Jing snorted from the side, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it. You were supposed to work today but ended up dozing off halfway through pounding the herbs, you lazy thing.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s cheeks flushed, and she retorted, ¡°Who says I was being lazy? I was just going to¡­just checking if Little Blackie was dead¡­¡± Little Blackie poked its head out nearby, thinking Tan Yun was calling it: ¡°??¡± ¡°You were slacking off.¡± ¡°Son-in-law, it won¡¯t happen next time, or rather, there won¡¯t be a next time. Just give me one, just one, please,¡± she begged. ¡°Call me something nice, and I might consider it.¡± ¡­. In the end, Tan Yun left contentedly with two strings of candied hawthorns, heading to her room at a brisk pace. ¡°My lady, Tan Yun took two strings; there are still a dozen or twenty left. I have bought out all of Old Zhang¡¯s stock,¡± An Jing said, smiling as he picked up the grass target and approached Zhao Qingmei. ¡°It¡¯s quite late, it¡¯s not nice to disturb others like that. Aren¡¯t you tired from running so far?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not far, and Old Zhang¡¯s eyes turned green when he saw the silver. He was snickering to himself. Besides, if my lady wants to eat them, I¡¯d fetch the stars from the sky and string them up for you.¡± Zhao Qingmei picked up a stringed haw, her voice tinged with playful reprimand, ¡°Earlier, I was just saying words without thinking.¡± As she spoke, she took out her handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from An Jing¡¯s forehead, then brought the candied haw to his mouth. Because she was so close, An Jing could clearly see her expression change. ¡°I take everything you say to heart,¡± An Jing bit into a candied haw and then gazed greedily at the view before him, ¡°Even if my lady wants the stars in the sky, I can pluck them down and string them up for you.¡± ¡°Bad man, where are you looking?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes were filled with charm as she said, ¡°Your tongue gets more and more flippant. How would you even string the stars from the sky?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°As long as my lady says she wants them, they will be there.¡± ¡°This is what you have said. I want that one, and that one¡­ You have to string them up for me right now, or you¡¯re not allowed to sleep tonight.¡± ¡°Heh heh, guess we¡¯re not sleeping tonight then.¡± ¡°You bad man~!¡± ¡­. Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Today, you must be fully drunk as we bid farewell Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Today, you must be fully drunk as we bid farewell It was early autumn, the scorching summer had departed, and the cool autumn wind blew from north to south. On cue, an autumn rain arrived, fine and persistent, like thousands of flying needles entering the water, causing ripples to spread in circles. At the southern dock of Yu State City, people were coming and going; it was still bustling. The Great Yan¡¯s scholarly examination was imminent, and the scholarly examination of Jiangnan Dao was being held in Lijiang City, so Zhou Xianming had to take a boat to Lijiang City to participate. An Jing, Han Wenxin, and Li Fuzhou, the three of them arrived at the dock to see Zhou Xianming off. Zhou Xianming looked at them, brimming with confidence, ¡°This time at the examination, I will certainly return as the top scorer.¡± ¡°Where does this old man get his confidence from? Could it be from the Oiran?¡± Dressed in a constable uniform, Han Wenxin, gripping a saber in one hand and digging his nose with the other, was full of doubt. All these days, Zhou Xianming had been nothing but frequenting music halls; he hadn¡¯t seen him seriously studying, and yet he dared to participate in the scholarly examination? Could it be that Zhou Xianming secretly studied while lying on the bellies of women? ¡°How rude! I¡¯m only thirty-two this year, exactly the age for a man to stand firm.¡± Zhou Xianming huffed coldly, flicking his sleeves, yet he secretly cursed in his heart: Vulgar martial artists, simple limbs, simple minds, always resorting to physical actions. There¡¯s a saying: ¡®A gentleman uses his mouth and not his fists.¡¯ I will not stoop to your level for now.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not young anymore, and you still need my sister-in-law to support you financially, and you have the nerve to talk about standing firm at thirty?¡± Han Wenxin burst into laughter upon hearing that, ¡°Some people stand firm at thirty, but there are also those who fall at thirty, the former refers to me, and the latter must be referring to you, old Zhou, right?¡± Thirty and falling!? Upon hearing Han Wenxin¡¯s words, Zhou Xianming nearly passed out from anger. Bad luck! Such bad luck! He shouldn¡¯t have let this martial artist come today, such bad luck! ¡°Alright, Brother Han.¡± An Jing, seeing Zhou Xianming too angry to speak, couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°After all, Mr. Zhou is about to take his examination, we should say some auspicious words.¡± He knew well that Zhou Xianming had some tricks up his sleeve; perhaps he could really rank high in the examination. However, above the scholarly examination, there were still the imperial and palace examinations, which were key for a career. Zhou Xianming, hearing this, nodded greatly, ¡°Little An the doctor speaks nicely, unlike those crude martial artists, which is so infuriating.¡± An Jing took out a sheet of paper, seriously saying, ¡°By the way, Mr. Zhou, about the silver you borrowed yesterday, including the previous two times, it totals twenty-one taels. If you pass, remember to pay it back in full. If you don¡¯t pass, as you¡¯ve said yourself, you¡¯ll have to labor as a horse or an ox to repay. My wife and I calculated last night that it would take a year and two months to repay it all.¡± Zhou Xianming: ¡°¡­..¡± ¡°The passenger ship heading for Lijiang City is about to depart. Those heading to Lijiang City better get on the ship now. If you miss it, you will have to wait until tomorrow.¡± Just then, a clear voice came from the ferry crossing. Shadows moved on both sides, all carrying bundles and bags, hurrying toward the passenger ship. ¡°Little An the doctor, I must be going now. We can talk about this matter when I return.¡± Zhou Xianming quickly coughed lightly, then turned to Li Fuzhou, saying, ¡°Mr. Li, I take my leave.¡± Li Fuzhou spoke somewhat sadly, ¡°With this farewell, who knows when we can listen to music in the music halls again.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Zhou Xianming sighed upon hearing this, ¡°Wait for me to return, San Ye. The largest pleasure boat in Yu State City will be at your disposal. The madam there is very generous, she¡¯ll definitely make you satisfied.¡± ¡°Good, if she¡¯s generous, that¡¯s great.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes lit up. The two¡¯s eyes lingered with reluctance to part, showing a deep and meaningful friendship. It¡¯s no wonder they enjoyed the music halls together; their bond was indeed strong. An Jing spoke from the side, not too kindly, ¡°The scholarly examination takes six days, the travel four days, plus some leisure time and the announcement of results, it¡¯s only about twenty days in total, there¡¯s no need for such sentiments.¡± Zhou Xianming, carrying his pack, boarded the passenger ship, looking down at the three sending him off on the dock, feeling a surge of emotions. ¡°Everyone, it¡¯s getting cold, head back now.¡± This time at the scholarly examination, with so many people ¡®concerned¡¯ about him coming to see him off, he had to rank high to impress Miss Li Yue. Li Fuzhou¡¯s passenger boat floated, and he couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°After the rain clears and the north wind chills, the path by the Yu River and Wushan is difficult. Today, as we send you off, let¡¯s drink to our heart¡¯s content, for tomorrow, remembering this journey will be long and winding.¡± ¡°What a splendid poem, Mr. Li is immensely talented!¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes sparkled, and his heart felt warm. ¡°Excellent!¡± Unable to resist, Han Wenxin clapped his hands in approval at the side. ¡°You understand this poem?¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow. Han Wenxin¡¯s literacy was just enough to scrape by; he had barely passed the standard of being literate. How could he possibly critique poetry now? Noticing An Jing¡¯s look, Han Wenxin immediately chuckled and said, ¡°Any poem that I don¡¯t understand, I regard as good.¡± From a young age, whenever he read ancient poetry, he had discerned a principle, that if he found the verses convoluted and obscure, others would undoubtedly praise them highly, and this recognition was etched deep into his bones. ¡°Such a boy is unteachable,¡± Li Fuzhou glanced at Han Wenxin and sighed helplessly, feeling as if his poetry was pearls cast before swine. An Jing, also feeling a touch of sadness, said, ¡°Let me compose a poem to bid Mr. Zhou farewell.¡± Upon hearing this, everyone perked up their ears, with Zhou Xianming feeling so moved that tears brimmed in his eyes. Taking a deep breath, An Jing hesitated for a long while then said, ¡°The wind howls, the Yu River chills, a valiant man leaves and shall not return¡­.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianming staggered, nearly losing his footing and falling off the boat. ¡°Quick! Start the boat!¡± Li Fuzhou: ¡°¡­.¡± Han Wenxin: ¡°¡­.¡± This statement was clear and understandable, and he got it. The three of them stood and watched as the passenger boat sailed away, with Zhou Xianming on board continually waving to them. ¡°That old man¡¯s arms must be about to fall off from all that waving,¡± Han Wenxin muttered as he watched the increasingly smaller speck in the distance. ¡°He¡¯s gone now; it¡¯s time for me to go make some visits,¡± An Jing stretched his limbs. Today, besides seeing Zhou Xianming off, he also needed to make some visits in Mazi Lane to the west of the city. ¡°Sir, are you sure you don¡¯t need this old man to assist you?¡± Li Fuzhou asked from the side. It had been agreed beforehand that Li Fuzhou was just there to see Zhou Xianming off. ¡°No need, I used to do it alone.¡± An Jing waved his hand. He always felt Li Fuzhou was a spy planted by Zhao Qingmei, though he hadn¡¯t done anything, it was still somewhat uncomfortable to have to always guard against him. After all, this old man had once said he wanted to eat off him for a lifetime. ¡°Very well, Sir, I¡¯ll head back first then,¡± Li Fuzhou bowed, ready to head back to Jishi Hall. ¡°Brother An, is Tan Yun at home?¡± Han Wenxin¡¯s eyes lit up slightly, his hands twitched. ¡°She is,¡± An Jing nodded. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Got it, you go on with your business, Brother,¡± Hearing this, Han Wenxin hurriedly caught up to Li Fuzhou, ¡°Wait for me, Elder, the city isn¡¯t very safe recently, I¡¯ll escort you back.¡± ¡°This kid,¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but chuckle softly at the sight, then he headed towards Mazi Lane in the west of the city. ¡­¡­ Chapter 72 - Chapter 72: Chapter 72: The Little Black Dog Runs Away from Home Chapter 72: Chapter 72: The Little Black Dog Runs Away from Home By the Yu State River, inside Jishi Hall. ¡°Lady An Jing actually knows how to prepare medicine, that¡¯s quite impressive.¡± ¡°Aunt Liu, you¡¯re really joking, my husband prepared everything for me. This medicine needs to be taken once in the morning and once at night, for a total of three days.¡± ¡°Thank you, Lady An Jing, no need to see me out.¡± ¡­. Zhao Qingmei watched the middle-aged woman leave and slowly returned inside the hall. ¡°Miss, I¡¯m back.¡± Soon after, the voice of Li Fuzhou came from outside the door. ¡°Arrest Officer Han?¡± Zhao Qingmei followed the voice and saw Li Fuzhou standing next to Han Wenxin, who was holding some pastries in his hand. ¡°Sister-in-law, you¡¯ve become even more beautiful after a few days.¡± Han Wenxin said with a beaming smile, and then glanced behind Zhao Qingmei a few times, as if looking for something. ¡°Are you looking for something?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked, noticing Han Wenxin¡¯s wandering gaze. ¡°This is the Ruyi Cake from my shop, just freshly baked. I bought two portions. I heard Miss Tan likes them very much; where is she?¡± Han Wenxin said, putting down a portion of the cakes. ¡°Oh, she went to wash clothes by the river,¡± Zhao Qingmei said with a knowing, half-smiling expression. ¡°Alright, I understand. You go ahead with your work, sister-in-law.¡± Upon hearing this, Han Wenxin was delighted, seeing it as a good opportunity to be alone with her. After saying this, he quickly headed toward the riverbank. Watching Han Wenxin¡¯s retreating figure, Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Third Master, you don¡¯t seem to be worried?¡± Li Fuzhou said with certainty, ¡°Tan Yun won¡¯t take a fancy to that little rascal Han Wenxin.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded, seemingly struck by a thought, ¡°The Ghost-faced Buddha is following, right?¡± An Jing did not seem very willing to let Li Fuzhou follow him, so Zhao Qingmei could only resort to having an expert from the sect secretly protect him. By all logic, a Second Grade expert in Yu State City should be among the elite, and unless they encountered the Cao Gang or that peerless swordsman, there would be absolutely no danger. Even if they did encounter danger, the Ghost-faced Buddha only needed to hold out for a moment, and she and Li Fuzhou could easily arrive in no time. ¡°Miss, rest assured, the Ghost-faced Buddha will surely protect your husband completely.¡± Li Fuzhou furrowed his brow and said, ¡°The experts of the Human Sect have been dispatched to search for that swordsman. Several days have passed, and there is still no word¡­.¡± Since the demon exorcism event at Fa Xi Temple, Zhao Qingmei had been planning to recruit that peerless swordsman. The experts of the Demon Sect had spread out to gather information about the peerless swordsman, but they had come up empty. This person seemed to appear out of nowhere and then vanish just as suddenly. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s gaze was cold, and she spoke with an even tone, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter; the Human Sect¡¯s network is still being deployed gradually. We shouldn¡¯t rush this matter. Moreover, that swordsman is not ordinary, and he might not be willing to join our Demon Sect.¡± As the Demon Sect began its resurgence, the first thing was for the Human Sect experts to enter Great Yan and start spreading their undercover network. Although there were some connections previously, most of them had been severed and needed to be re-established. This was one of the reasons Li Fuzhou had personally come to Great Yan. Once the network was established and a formidable intelligence network was in place, that would only be the first step in the Demon Sect¡¯s comeback. And for Zhao Qingmei to find out the cause of Jiang Shang¡¯s death, she also needed the strong intelligence network of the Human Sect. Li Fuzhou spoke in a serious tone, ¡°Also, that person in Yujing City seems rather displeased with our disrupting Fa Xi Temple¡¯s seal this time, after all, that seal was protecting his Zhao family¡¯s rule.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s tone remained very calm, showing neither happiness nor sorrow, ¡°If he has complaints, let him tell me directly. If he wants to cooperate with our Demon Sect, he has to be prepared.¡± Li Fuzhou sighed softly, ¡°Sect Hierarch, after all, it was Sect Master Jiang who personally negotiated this cooperation. Although you have some reluctance in your heart, since the matter has already been decided, we might as well take advantage of his influence to establish our foothold first, and plan further thereafter.¡± The Sect Master Jiang he mentioned was naturally Zhao Qingmei¡¯s senior brother, Earth Sect Sect Master Jiang Renyi. The cooperation between the Demon Sect and that person in Yujing City had been agreed upon four years ago, when Zhao Qingmei was not yet the Sect Hierarch. As far as Li Fuzhou was concerned, cooperation between the two sides was like negotiating with a tiger for its skin, it was just a matter of seeing which tiger was more ferocious. If that was the case, they might as well use that person¡¯s influence to plot their own course. Zhao Qingmei did not say anything. She knew in her heart that what Li Fuzhou said made sense. The Demon Sect¡¯s resurgence was not as easy as one might imagine. Without knowing how to take advantage of the situation and leverage other forces, no matter how deep the Demon Sect¡¯s foundations were, it was just wishful thinking. After pondering for a moment, Li Fuzhou said, ¡°By the way, Sect Master Jiang is already aware of everything you¡¯ve done after arriving in Great Yan¡­.¡± ¡°Jiang Renyi knows?¡± Zhao Qingmei frowned, ¡°Did you tell him?¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head, ¡°The Sect Hierarch instructed me to keep it a secret, so naturally, I wouldn¡¯t tell anyone.¡± ¡°Then it must have been the Vermilion Bird Seat¡­.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes narrowed, her voice remaining very calm. The four Seat Masters of the Demon Sect were all top-notch experts, directly under the Demon Sect Sect Hierarch, and the Vermilion Bird Seat Master was even a personal attendant to Zhao Qingmei, just four years her senior. They had grown up together, practicing martial arts and growing up together, with a bond like sisters. Seeing this, Li Fuzhou said in a grave voice, ¡°As the personal attendant to the Sect Hierarch, the Vermilion Bird Seat Master was concerned for your safety, so it¡¯s normal that she reported the situation to Sect Master Jiang.¡± Zhao Qingmei in front of An Jing was as gentle as water, the very picture of a refined lady. However, Li Fuzhou knew that Zhao Qingmei was ruthless and resolute, and even he was secretly in awe of her. Going against her orders this time, even the sister-like Vermilion Bird Seat Master, if not killed, might be forced to resign for her mistake. Now, after years of recuperation, the Demon Sect had just begun to regain strength and was planning a resurgent comeback, a crucial time to have reliable people around. ¡°I will handle her in my own way.¡± Zhao Qingmei said calmly, ¡°If Jiang Renyi knows, then he knows. It¡¯s a matter that he¡¯d find out sooner or later, and I didn¡¯t plan to hide it from anyone.¡± With a frown, Li Fuzhou remained silent in the end. Zhao Qingmei rubbed her temples and said softly, ¡°By the way, if Jiang Renyi comes to Great Yan, you must tell me first.¡± ¡°I know, but he likely won¡¯t come in the short term,¡± Li Fuzhou was naturally aware of what she was worried about. ¡­¡­. By the Yu State River. Underneath the dense green canopy lay rows of slightly mottled greyish-white walls; tender shadows of willows danced on the water¡¯s surface, intertwined with the sounds of orioles as wooden covered boats glided by. Laughter full of teasing and banter rose from the riverside. In the simple and quiet ancient city, a tree adorned with phoenix-red flowers swayed in the wind, their petals falling into the river. ¡°Smack!¡± ¡°Smack!¡± Tan Yun squatted at the riverbank, beating clothes with a wooden bat while mumbling to herself. ¡°How can a living person just disappear?¡± Ever since her return from Fa Xi Temple, she often thought of the demon-slaying event that day, especially the peerlessly graceful figure, and those familiar-looking eyes. For some reason, she always found herself secretly comparing that unparalleled swordsman to her intended groom. ¡°My fianc¨¦ is too awful,¡± Tan Yun hurriedly shook her head, pouted, and said, ¡°He just knows how to bully me, bossing me around every day. He¡¯s nothing like that swordsman; at least the swordsman never bullies me.¡± As she said this, her cheeks turned red; she unconsciously looked around. Upon seeing no one nearby, she relaxed slightly. ¡°Bad fianc¨¦, stinky fianc¨¦!¡± Tan Yun muttered under her breath as she continued to pound the clothes, as if they were An Jing himself. ¡°Miss Tan! Miss Tan!¡± It was at that moment a voice called out from a distance. ¡°Hmm?!¡± Tan Yun followed the sound only to see Han Wenxin running towards her, excitedly holding a box of cakes. What¡¯s Han Wenxin doing here? Tan Yun frowned slightly but quickly pretended to be nonchalant. ¡°I finally found you,¡± Han Wenxin arrived, panting. ¡°Officer Han, what brings you here? Is there something you need me for?¡± Tan Yun stood up, holding her wet hands in front of her chest. So big! Han Wenxin, beholding the surging waves in front of her chest, felt his heart skip a beat uncontrollably. He believed that Tan Yun was truly blessed by nature. Even as an unmarried maiden, she was of such ample size that, in Han¡¯s experience, if she were to marry later and then¡­. Han Wenxin covertly swallowed, saying, ¡°I was on patrol just now, and as I found myself at leisure, I came by Jishi Hall. Here, I brought you these cakes on my way. From Zhu¡¯s store, freshly made Ruyi Cakes.¡± ¡°Ruyi Cakes from Zhu¡¯s?¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun¡¯s eyes lit up. An Jing was right after all. Inwardly pleased with himself, Han Wenxin thought if one wanted to capture a girl¡¯s heart, the way to it was through her stomach. ¡°That Ruyi Cake from Zhu¡¯s store, my fianc¨¦ just bought some for me the day before yesterday,¡± Tan Yun said as she remembered something, then waved her hands to refuse. Eat during the day, gain weight at night. That¡¯s what the fianc¨¦ said. Eating too much and getting fat wasn¡¯t good, especially since the flesh on her chest lately seemed to be growing more abundant. What if her fianc¨¦ came to disdain her for it? With this in mind, Tan Yun felt even more resolute. Right, she absolutely couldn¡¯t eat this Ruyi Cake from Zhu¡¯s. ¡°Ah?¡± Hearing Tan Yun¡¯s response, Han Wenxin was taken aback. ¡°If you¡¯ve already had Ruyi Cake from Zhu¡¯s, how about candied fruit from the east town?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t have it, I just ate that the day before yesterday.¡± ¡°Sugar-cooked cheesecake, now this is really delicious,¡± Han Wenxin persistently said, unwilling to give up. ¡°It¡¯s too sweet; I don¡¯t want it,¡± Tan Yun, unable to bear with Han Wenxin¡¯s incessant nagging, said somewhat impatiently. Why was Han Wenxin acting like a plaster sticking to her, especially at her worst times? ¡°Alright then,¡± Seeing her reaction, Han Wenxin cautiously said, ¡°Is there anything you want to do, any place you want to go, or perhaps some small wish you have?¡± ¡°A wish? Are you going to fulfill it for me?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Tan Yun glanced at Han Wenxin, raising her eyebrows slightly. ¡°Of course, as long as it¡¯s within my power, I wouldn¡¯t hesitate to climb a mountain of swords or plunge into a sea of flames,¡± Han Wenxin responded, thinking he had a chance, his voice filled with excitement. Han Wenxin looked over at Tan Yun, who gave him a once-over and thought for a moment before saying, ¡°The dog I was raising ran away from home this morning after I beat it. Can you act as my dog for a few days?¡± Han Wenxin: ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 73 - Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Body Yin Cold and Qi Blood Hot Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Body Yin Cold and Qi Blood Hot The wind in the alley blew leisurely, its high walls and carved eaves worn by the years and the elements. An Jing carried his small medicine box on his back, walking slowly through the streets. Suddenly, he halted, subconsciously touching his medicine box. ¡°Hmm?¡± A figure standing in the distance frowned slightly, ¡°Could it be that this young doctor has noticed me?¡± Upon further thought, it seemed impossible; how could this unremarkable young doctor be aware of his presence? Yet An Jing became increasingly certain, ever since his return from Fa Xi Temple, he had felt someone was following him. ¡°Why is someone tracking me? Could it be that my identity has been exposed?¡± An Jing pondered. To ascertain his identity, the power behind it must be extraordinary. Fearful of making a move and alarming the enemy, he quickly realized that the person tracking him was merely watching from a distance, seemingly monitoring him. ¡°Impossible, I couldn¡¯t possibly have been discovered¡­.¡± An Jing murmured to himself, then casually continued walking through the alley. ¡°Indeed he hasn¡¯t noticed.¡± Observing this, the expert from Human Sect couldn¡¯t help but mock himself, ¡°It seems I¡¯ve been too suspicious.¡± Mazi Lane was well-known as a slum in Yu State City, with its entrance flanked by clay houses built of yellow mud, the air carrying a musty smell. At the end of the alley stood two dilapidated shacks with broken tiles. An Jing arrived at the door and knocked on the wooden gate. ¡°Thump, thump!¡± A voice came from inside. ¡°Coming.¡± The wooden door creaked open to reveal a gaunt, hunched middle-aged man. His hair was unkempt, his clothes very tattered. This man was He Ping, a dock worker who had visited the pharmacy that morning. Dock workers, who loaded and unloaded goods at the wharf, had it better if they were hired by the Cao Gang or Sanhu Gang, earning thirty percent more wages and enjoying more stable work, although they had to pay some gang dues. If they were not protected by a gang, they would make only eighty copper coins a day and were sometimes subjected to the overseer¡¯s insults and whipping. Upon seeing An Jing, a glint of hope appeared in He Ping¡¯s otherwise dim eyes: ¡°Young Doctor An, you¡¯ve finally arrived. My wife coughed up blood again just a moment ago.¡± Coughing up blood? An Jing hurried inside upon hearing this. ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­..¡± As soon as he entered the room, a series of coughs assaulted his ears, and he saw a little girl with tearful eyes lying by the bedside. In the bed lay a pale-faced woman, with a piece of white cloth in her hand stained with fresh blood. An Jing approached the bed and frowned, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say it was just a bit of chill this morning?¡± Upon hearing this, He Ping stammered, ¡°It¡­ it was a chill, but somehow she started coughing up blood.¡± ¡°How long has she been coughing?¡± An Jing continued to inquire. ¡°Five days,¡± He Ping replied softly. ¡°Five days?¡± An Jing furrowed his brows and couldn¡¯t help but sigh softly. After years of treating illnesses, he had come to realize that there was indeed a kind of disease called poverty. To save copper coins, they do not dare to fall ill, and even if they do, they are afraid to seek medical advice, believing these to be minor issues or simply lacking the money for a doctor. They can only lie in bed and wait for death. This not only wears down those about to die but also tortures those still alive. He did not harbor any grand desire to save the world, but felt that since he had witnessed it, he ought to save anyone he could, just so he could sleep at night with a clear conscience. As An Jing frowned, He Ping could not help but bow his head in guilt. ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­ it¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s that I didn¡¯t think it was a big problem, don¡¯t blame me¡­ cough, cough, cough,¡± the woman in bed coughed out. An Jing took a deep breath and shook his head slightly, then placed his fingers on the woman¡¯s pulse. As soon as he touched her pulse, a cold sensation was transmitted. ¡°So cold, but the blood is still warm¡­..¡± An Jing raised his eyebrow. ¡°` San Niang¡¯s whole body was frigid, and she kept coughing, but fortunately, her vitality was warm, retaining a trace of Yang Energy. Such a condition indicates that her body was filled with a significant amount of cold energy, resembling the situation of Miss Cao Ling¡¯er from the Cao Family. Cao Ling¡¯er was invaded by Yin Evil Qi, while San Niang¡¯s condition wasn¡¯t as bad as hers, it seemed she was only tainted by Yin Evil Qi. However, San Niang¡¯s vitality wasn¡¯t as strong as Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s, making her symptoms appear even more severe. After a while, An Jing slowly retracted his fingers. ¡°Doctor An, what¡¯s the situation?¡± He Ping asked anxiously. ¡°Doctor, please save my mother,¡± the young girl cried out. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s nothing serious.¡± An Jing touched the girl¡¯s head and smiled, ¡°Later, go to Jishi Hall and get some herbal medicine. However, her body is weak, she needs to recuperate for about a month¡­¡± The imbalance of Yin Yang Qi, by expelling the excess Yin Energy and then supplementing some Yang Energy, should suffice. San Niang¡¯s condition was much milder compared to Cao Ling¡¯er, so taking ordinary herbal medicine could achieve this effect. ¡°Thank you, Doctor An.¡± On hearing this, a heavy stone in He Ping¡¯s heart finally fell, and he patted the girl¡¯s back, urging, ¡°Little one, quickly thank Doctor An.¡± The girl, her heart buoyed by An Jing¡¯s words and encouraged by her father, knelt down in gratitude, ¡°Thank you, Doctor An, thank you.¡± ¡°Get up, there¡¯s no need for such formality.¡± An Jing quickly helped the girl to her feet, then asked, ¡°Has San Niang recently visited Fa Xi Temple as well?¡± He Ping was slightly stunned, then after some thought, shook his head, ¡°No, San Niang has always been working at the Bright Moon Tavern and hasn¡¯t left Yu State City much recently.¡± An Jing nodded, feeling increasingly puzzled in his heart. At that moment, He Ping instructed, ¡°Jiang Grandpa will be coming over later, you¡¯ll open the door for him then.¡± ¡°Dad, I know,¡± the girl nodded obediently. ¡°Doctor An, please wait for me for a moment. I¡¯ll ask Uncle Jiang next door to watch over things,¡± He Ping turned and said apologetically. ¡°No problem, as long as it¡¯s not too long,¡± An Jing waved his hand nonchalantly. On hearing this, He Ping dashed out the door, as if afraid of delaying Doctor An for even a second. ¡°Doctor An, please have some water.¡± Just then, the girl came over carefully with a bowl of water, her large eyes filled with childish innocence. ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing took the bowl, and spotting the chipped edge of the porcelain, he was momentarily taken aback as he looked at the girl, still so childlike. His mind couldn¡¯t help but recall an event from the third year of Xingping, when a little girl about the same age had come to him. In a flash, ten years had gone by. How time flies. ¡°Such a good girl, don¡¯t worry, your mother will be well soon,¡± An Jing said with a smile after taking a sip of water. ¡°Doctor An, I am back,¡± He Ping¡¯s voice came from outside the door, with an old man by his side. The elder¡¯s face was wrinkled, his eyes cloudy, a smile spread across his face, and his clothes were very neat. At his side, He Ping said, ¡°This is Grandpa Jiang, who lives next door to me. He usually feeds horses at the racetrack, but he¡¯s resting today. And this is Doctor An from Jishi Hall, a renowned doctor in Yu State.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve met Doctor An,¡± Grandpa Jiang said with a smile, saluting An Jing with a bow. ¡°You are too kind, Grandpa Jiang.¡± An Jing returned the gesture, feeling like he had seen the old man somewhere before. Just then, the Earth Book in his mind flashed a black light. ¡°Notice: There is a black opportunity near the host.¡± On seeing the notice from the Earth Book, An Jing¡¯s expression shifted slightly. ¡°Doctor An, what is the matter?¡± Grandpa Jiang noticed the change and couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I just feel a sense of familiarity with Grandpa Jiang,¡± An Jing adjusted his emotions before responding. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Grandpa Jiang laughed heartily, stroking his beard, ¡°Doctor An really is a man of high status who forgets things easily. Last year, when the Sima barracks were struck with an epidemic, it was me who guided you there upon He Ping¡¯s request.¡± ¡°So it was,¡± An Jing remembered, then turned to He Ping, ¡°It¡¯s getting late, and I have other patients to see this afternoon.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, I¡¯ll go get the medicine right now,¡± He Ping said hurriedly, ¡°Grandpa Jiang, I¡¯ll trouble you to look after things here for a bit.¡± Grandpa Jiang pinched the girl¡¯s cheek, his face brimming with contentment, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, with me here looking after things and little Ya to keep me company, I¡¯m more than happy.¡± ¡°` Chapter 74 - Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Jiang Sanjia Meets the Paper Man Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Jiang Sanjia Meets the Paper Man After seeing a patient in Mazi Lane, An Jing prepared to return to Jishi Hall when he felt a slight tremor in his sleeve. Inside his sleeve was a palm-sized paper figure with a streak of bright red on its chest. At that moment, its hands seemed to be drawn by some force, clapping open and shut as if applauding. ¡°Jiang Sanjia!?¡± With a lift of his eyebrow An Jing muttered to himself. This was the paper figure Jiang Sanjia had given him, said to contain a drop of his essence blood¡ªextremely precious. An Jing initially didn¡¯t want to accept the paper figure because he was unsure whether this essence blood was separated¡­ ¡°That old fellow has gone into hiding now, so he probably wouldn¡¯t be seeking me out unless it was for something important.¡± With this thought, An Jing casually glanced behind him and walked discreetly further into the alley. Not far away, a Human Sect expert leaped gracefully like a skilful swallow, landing on the roof and closely following An Jing into the alley. ¡°Hmm!?¡± The next time he landed, the alley was dead silent, empty. An Jing, who had just turned into the alley, seemed to have vanished into thin air. ¡°Where is he!?¡± The puzzled Human Sect expert prided himself on tracking and surveillance. It wasn¡¯t just any ordinary person, but even experts of the same realm couldn¡¯t escape his pursuit. After looking around for a moment, he was certain that An Jing had somehow disappeared all of a sudden. For some reason, he felt dizzy; his mind went blank for an instant as if he had forgotten the way he came and how to return. ¡°What¡¯s going on¡­?¡± The Human Sect expert touched his douli hat, a drop of cold sweat forming on his forehead. Li Fuzhou had warned him: if An Jing was missing so much as a hair, he¡¯d have to face him head in hand, underscoring the importance of the Jishi Hall doctor. But now, he had lost track of the man. ¡­¡­. In Yu State City, Fuyang Village. Fuyang Village was not far from Qinghe Pier, with the majority of its young and strong residents earning a living on the river, leaving the village sparsely populated on regular days. Withered yellow leaves drifted in the wind, fields gleamed golden, and the farmers were busy working. Clad in a dark blue cloak, An Jing carried two jugs of wine and a roast chicken, and leisurely made his way to the end of the village, where two dilapidated thatched cottages sat by the river. At that moment, Jiang Sanjia was leaning against a rock, holding a fishing rod in his hand. ¡°Sanjia, your fish basket is empty¡­¡± An Jing walked over and shook his head at the sight of the empty fish basket. Lazily basking in the sun, Jiang Sanjia spoke indifferently, ¡°A bamboo rod, a line equal in length, a dot of crimson amidst the clear waters. All my life angling, when shall I rest? One spring departs, another returns. Fishing is a state of mind, it is also a pursuit¡­¡± Just then, the goose feather float on the water¡¯s surface stirred, and Jiang Sanjia began reeling in his line, sensing something amiss as he slightly frowned. ¡°Swoosh!¡± When he lifted the fishhook, he discovered the bait that had been on it was long gone. ¡°Whether you catch fish or not is irrelevant, you just want to feel the process of nurturing the fish every day.¡± An Jing sat down with a relaxed smile, admiring the scenic river before him, then placed the wine and roast chicken to the side. Picking up the roast chicken, Jiang Sanjia gave it a look and said, ¡°Brother Zhou, if you come again, remember to bring something different.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure whether this was a welcome banquet or a last meal¡ªit was always a jug of old wine and a chicken. ¡°Are you complaining?¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow. This had cost him the hundred or so coins he would have spent on his midday meal outside. ¡°Never mind, better not to change it.¡± Jiang Sanjia sat up and said slowly, ¡°Someone from the Court is preparing to vindicate me. I might have to return to Yujing City after the New Year.¡± ¡°` ¡°Exonerate?¡± An Jing frowned. ¡°Exoneration for a prisoner from the Heavenly Prison, after a jailbreak? Is that even possible?¡± ¡°Why not? As long as I am still useful, it can be done.¡± Jiang Sanjia picked up the wine jug, took a big gulp, and asked, ¡°Zhou brother, when did you manage to master the Hundred-step Flying Sword?¡± The more sophisticated the martial arts, the harder they are to cultivate, especially those of the True Martial and Heavenly Martial levels. Even if placed in front of some people, they might struggle to master them in their entire lifetime. And the Hundred-step Flying Sword is known for its complexity and mystery. Jiang Sanjia prided himself on being a genius, yet after three years of practicing this sword technique, he had made no progress at all, which spoke volumes of its difficulty. But Zhou Xianming managed to do it in just one or two months¡ªto think that even his senior brother, the legendary Ghost Valley Divine Sword practitioner, took a year to get started. ¡°Cultivation?¡± An Jing paused, then said, ¡°Isn¡¯t this swordsmanship something one can perform as long as they have hands?¡± Jiang Sanjia: ¡°¡­.¡± An Jing spoke the truth; he had barely practiced the Hundred-step Flying Sword at all. ¡°You really are a unique individual.¡± Jiang Sanjia sighed lightly. ¡°No, I am just an ordinary man.¡± An Jing tore off a chicken leg and then took a seat. Jiang Sanjia gave An Jing a baffling look, and then with a mysterious smile said, ¡°Zhou brother, I already know your identity.¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows. Jiang Sanjia knew his identity? Could it be that he had calculated it using Ghost Valley Heavenly Mechanism? But that shouldn¡¯t be right. An Jing¡¯s cultivation was above his, and according to the information he had revealed before, it should be difficult for Jiang to calculate, the cost too great. ¡°Your cultivation of the Daluo Heart Method is correct, isn¡¯t it?¡± Jiang Sanjia asked. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± An Jing nodded, without denial. This Daluo Heart Method belonged to the True Martial level of mental methods. Back when An Jing¡¯s skills were still very basic, he would regularly go up the mountain to gather herbs. Because of the Earth Book, he was able to collect many precious herbs. One day, following the guidance of the Earth Book and what at that time was his first blue-colored opportunity, he found an elderly man who was gravely injured. An Jing had treated him, but the elder¡¯s injuries were too severe. In the end, he passed away. However, in his final moments, the old man gave An Jing a mental method but never disclosed his own name nor the specific name of the method. His only advice was for An Jing to avoid rashly revealing the Daluo Heart Method to others. An Jing had always found it strange, when he found the Unity Sword Technique¡¯s abridged version in the wilderness, the hint was only a yellow opportunity, so why was the Daluo Heart Method of the same True Martial level a blue opportunity? At the time, he didn¡¯t ponder it deeply, but now it seemed there might be more mysteries involved. ¡°Indeed.¡± Jiang Sanjia smiled. ¡°So, you are indeed a successor of the Daluo Sect. Years ago, when Yan Shaoshan was slain by the Zhenyi Sect, I thought the Daluo Sect would dissipate into nothingness. I had no idea there was still such an expert in the world.¡± ¡°Daluo Sect¡­.¡± An Jing managed to keep a neutral expression while his mind was filled with confusion. In his memory, he had no impression of the Daluo Sect whatsoever. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Jiang Sanjia¡¯s eyes twinkled as he said, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, there¡¯s no need for us to conceal our identities any longer.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand what Brother Sanjia is talking about,¡± An Jing looked at him. He had nothing to do with the Daluo Sect, so why should he reveal his own identity? Jiang Sanjia¡¯s smile faded. ¡°Brother Zhou, let¡¯s be honest with each other.¡± ¡°` Chapter 75 - Chapter 75: Chapter 75 The Three Religions originally came from the same source Chapter 75: Chapter 75 The Three Religions originally came from the same source An Jing glanced at Jiang Sanjia and said, ¡°Not interested.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know!? Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t recognize Yan Shaoshan?¡± Seeing An Jing¡¯s indifferent reaction, Jiang Sanjia¡¯s eyebrows twisted, seemingly becoming somewhat restless. ¡°Don¡¯t recognize.¡± An Jing shook his head. Jiang Sanjia was stunned for a moment; his original intention for coming today was to have a showdown with An Jing, yet he hadn¡¯t expected that An Jing wouldn¡¯t even know who Yan Shaoshan was. Then a thought struck him¡ªcould it be that Zhou Xianming had come upon the Daluo Heart Method of Yan Shaoshan by chance? After pondering for quite some time, Jiang Sanjia said, ¡°Brother Zhou, since that¡¯s the case, let me speak frankly. I used the Ghost Valley Heavenly Mechanism to divine your origins back when we were on the painted boats in Yu State City, but I was thwarted by a divine intervention. Just after the Ullambana Festival, I divined once more, and this time I found out that you carry the Daluo Heart Method.¡± An Jing looked him in the eyes and asked, ¡°So, you came here to ask me about this?¡± ¡°It seems Brother Zhou truly knows nothing at all.¡± Jiang Sanjia paused then asked, ¡°You must know about the Zhenyi Sect, right?¡± ¡°Who in the world does not know about it?¡± The Zhenyi Sect was not only the national religion of Great Yan but was also highly esteemed in Jianghu. No one in Yan Country would be unaware of the Zhenyi Sect. ¡°The Daluo Heart Method you practice is the core mental method of the Daluo Sect.¡± Jiang Sanjia cast his fishing line into the river and said, ¡°Before the Great Zhou Dynasty, nearly a thousand years ago, the Zhenyi Sect, Daluo Sect, and Ghost Valley Sect were one school, known as the Mystical Sect.¡± ¡°Mystical Sect!?¡± An Jing heard this and was slightly moved; this was the first time he¡¯d heard of the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s past and present. Jiang Sanjia slowly continued, ¡°Lotus leaves, white lotus roots, red lotus flowers; the Three Religions were originally one family. This refers to the Mystical Sect. Even though Buddhism flourished in the Great Zhou Dynasty, the status of the Mystical Sect was also not inferior, and the only power that could contend with Buddhism in the world was the Mystical Sect.¡± ¡°The ancestral court of the Mystical Sect is on Tianqing Mountain, on Yun Hua Dao, and the leader of the Mystical Sect is known as the Daoist Master. A thousand years ago, a great calamity befell the Mystical Sect when the Daoist Master of the time died suddenly under mysterious circumstances, leaving the Mystical Sect headless. They had to elect a new Daoist Master, but at that moment, severe discord arose within the Sect. Nobody wanted to back down, and under the instigation of some with ulterior motives, they even took up arms against each other, leading to the complete division of the Sect¡¯s three great masters. Two of the masters took numerous Mystical Sect masters with them, resulting in the establishment of what are now known as the Daluo Sect, Ghost Valley Sect, and Zhenyi Sect. Each of these two masters also took part of the Sect¡¯s supreme mental method, the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, which later evolved into the Ghost Valley Heart Method of the Ghost Valley Sect, the Daluo Heart Method of the Daluo Sect, and the Beidou Seven Stars Technique of the Zhenyi Sect.¡± ¡°The Jade Emperor Scripture!?¡± Hearing this, An Jing inwardly marveled, no wonder rumors abounded in Jianghu about the discord between the Ghost Valley Sect and the Zhenyi Sect, and even of Zhenyi Sect¡¯s masters attempting to move against the Ghost Valley Sect. It appears the two Sects truly have deep historical ties. If the Ghost Valley Sect and the Zhenyi Sect are such famously renowned forces in Jianghu, why then does the Daluo Sect seem so obscure? ¡°The Jade Emperor Scripture is the supreme mental method of the Mystical Sect, and all three powers desire the complete ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ to become the Daoist Master of the Mystical Sect.¡± Jiang Sanjia sighed and continued, ¡°For nearly a thousand years, the masters of these three Sects have engaged in overt strife and covert battles, even causing several blood-stained tempests in Jianghu, all for this ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, to become the rightful Daoist Master of the Mystical Sect. Yet until now, no master has achieved their wish.¡± An Jing, puzzled, said, ¡°Could this Heavenly Martial level mental method be so formidable? Or is there some other mystery to it?¡± He held in his hands one of the incomplete sections of the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, and if the Daluo Heart Method was of the True Martial level, then the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, if he guessed right, should belong to the top-tier Heavenly Martial level martial arts. While Heavenly Martial level martial arts were valuable, they hardly seemed worth causing a millennium-long conflict. ¡°Heavenly Martial?¡± Jiang Sanjia scoffed, ¡°Brother Zhou, this ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ is one of the three great secret scriptures of our time, not just Heavenly Martial, but above Heavenly Martial.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows shot up, his heart deeply shocked. Above Heavenly Martial? He had never heard that there was something above Heavenly Martial¡­ Could the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ really be so incredible? Jiang Sanjia glanced at An Jing, ¡°Brother Zhou, the Daluo Heart Method that you are cultivating should be at the True Martial level of martial arts. Actually, what you have is just an incomplete version of the Daluo Heart Method. Over two hundred years ago, the Daluo Sect began to decline. At that time, the Zhenyi Sect in Great Yan was already thriving. Afraid that the experts of Zhenyi Sect would snatch it away, the Sect Leader of Daluo Sect hid part of the Daluo Heart Method. Even to this day, people of Zhenyi Sect are still searching for that incomplete piece of the Daluo Heart Method, pursuing and killing members of the Daluo Sect.¡± A realization dawned on An Jing. So the Daluo Heart Method was incomplete. ¡°So you¡¯re saying, in order to get this Daluo Heart Method, Zhenyi Sect will go to any lengths to deal with me?¡± Jiang Sanjia nodded and said, ¡°Correct. The one presiding over Zhenyi Mountain today is Xiao Qianqiu, who has dominated Jianghu for decades. This person is a rare genius of Zhenyi Sect in hundreds of years. Among all the Grandmasters of the world today, he is the most likely to make a breakthrough to become a Great Grandmaster. Whether it¡¯s becoming the Mystical Sect Daoist Master or aiming for the Great Grandmaster realm, he is determined to obtain the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯. It is something he must acquire.¡± ¡°In the past, the experts of Ghost Valley Sect roamed Jianghu freely. Even if they couldn¡¯t suppress the Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect, they could still hold their own. But in this generation, there emerged a person like Xiao Qianqiu.¡± An Jing did not speak, his thoughts unknown. The three words Xiao Qianqiu weighed like a mountain on all the experts of Jianghu. ¡°Do you know how fearsome Xiao Qianqiu is?¡± Jiang Sanjia smiled, ¡°My senior brother, the Ghost Valley Divine Sword, broke through his limits ten years ago. His swordsmanship reached a unity with heaven and earth, and his cultivation attained the Grandmaster Realm. Yet he doesn¡¯t even have the courage to climb up Zhenyi Mountain.¡± ¡°He¡¯s actually a Grandmaster, do you know that? The Ghost Valley Divine Sword, a swordsman whose fame echoes loudly across Jianghu, ranked among the top three swordsmen in the world. Isn¡¯t it laughable¡­ Hahaha.¡± As he spoke, Jiang Sanjia burst into laughter, a trace of mockery lacing his voice. A twinge of bitterness filled his heart. Faced with the aggressive Zhenyi Sect, his senior brother chose to hide instead, or else he wouldn¡¯t have fallen to his current plight. An Jing felt a chill in his heart. Jiang Sanjia¡¯s laughter subsided, his gaze fixed on An Jing as he said, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu wants to become the Daoist Master, and he aims to become a Great Grandmaster. If Zhenyi Sect learns that you possess the Daluo Heart Method, they will surely make a move to snatch it from you. Brother Zhou, would you willingly hand it over?¡± To become the Daoist Master, to obtain the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture,¡¯ ¡ª this was the goal that every Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect wished to achieve. ¡°What? He can become the Daoist Master, and I can¡¯t?¡± An Jing said with a smile. Giving up his own Daluo Heart Method was somewhat reluctant in his heart. Besides, if Xiao Qianqiu wished to cultivate the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture,¡¯ why couldn¡¯t he, An Jing, also cultivate it? Upon hearing this, Jiang Sanjia¡¯s expression stiffened slightly before he sighed and said, ¡°Brother Zhou, I fear that my journey to Yujing City bodes more ill than good¡­¡± ¡°Then why go at all?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°I have reasons I cannot ignore.¡± An Jing nodded and asked no further. After a prolonged moment of contemplation, Jiang Sanjia finally took out a book from his chest and tossed it to An Jing, ¡°Brother Zhou, keep this. If I don¡¯t make it back, help me find someone to pass it on.¡± ¡°The ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method¡¯!?¡± An Jing, looking at the book in his hands, was greatly shaken. Chapter 76 - Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Yu State City Turned Upside Down Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Yu State City Turned Upside Down The afternoon sun was gentle and comfortable inside Jishi Hall. In the hall, there hung a wooden sign stating, ¡°Doctor outside, closed for today.¡± A medical book rested on the medicine cabinet, with Tan Yun¡¯s plump cheeks pressed against it, currently sound asleep, with saliva continuously dripping from the corner of his mouth. ¡°Ao¡­ Woo.¡± Little Blackie by his side also yawned, shook its body, and then found a comfortable position to continue sleeping. ¡°I need to give brother a surprise when I get back today.¡± In the back hall¡¯s kitchen, Zhao Qingmei held a fresh turtle ready to be slaughtered, then glanced at the other fresh ingredients on the table, her lips slightly curving upwards. After all, her brother¡¯s four favorite things were his meals each day. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Li Fuzhou entered hurriedly, his eyebrows tightly furrowed. His greatest fear had still come to pass. ¡°What happened?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked, her smile vanishing. She knew Li Fuzhou well; he wouldn¡¯t rush in like this without a urgent matter. ¡°The son-in-law has disappeared.¡± Li Fuzhou stated gravely. ¡°Disappeared?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows furrowed, and in an instant, the room went from the heat of summer to the severe cold of winter. Li Fuzhou took a deep breath and said, ¡°Huo Zhongyun has been secretly protecting the son-in-law. The son-in-law was at Mazi Lane for consultation when he suddenly vanished without a trace, and Huo Zhongyun searched the surroundings for a long time without discovering any trace of him.¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°What!?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face changed, and the turtle in her hand fell to the ground. Huo Zhongyun, with his Second Grade Cultivation, would naturally not encounter an accident when secretly following a doctor with no ability to resist. There was only one possibility: An Jing was captured by a master to threaten the Demon Sect. Li Fuzhou took a deep breath and sighed, ¡°Sect Hierarch, what should we do now?¡± ¡°Search.¡± Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly, ¡°Spare no expense.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s lips parted, and finally, he nodded, ¡°I understand.¡± The Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect had just set up its network, and some of these new lines had not yet fully taken root. If they acted rashly now, there would certainly be a risk of exposure, and a large-scale search could also potentially alert the enemy. These were all Li Fuzhou¡¯s concerns, but he knew that voicing these concerns was useless. ¡°Let Tan Yun wait at home. I¡¯ll go with you.¡± ¡­¡­ Tianxiang Street was bustling with noise and heavy traffic. ¡°Officer Qin, we will go ahead and wait for you.¡± ¡°You must come tonight, we won¡¯t stop until we¡¯re drunk.¡± ¡­. After the constables finished their roll call, they planned to go for a drink together. ¡°Hurry up, Old Qin,¡± Han Wenxin said impatiently, ¡°Chun Hua said she wants me to perform ¡®Golden Dragon Explores the Valley¡¯ tonight, don¡¯t miss my auspicious time.¡± ¡°Damn, you¡¯re just like a loach in East Lake. I¡¯m just going back to change my clothes, what¡¯s the rush?¡± Officer Qin cursed and then headed towards his home. After passing through two streets, he finally arrived home. ¡°Hmm!?¡± As he pushed the door open and walked in, he immediately noticed something with the flower vase in the courtyard, his eyebrows suddenly knitting together. The flower vase had been moved. He quickly walked to the vase, reached inside, and pulled out a white note with only eight vivid red characters. ¡°Find Doctor An Jing of Yu State City.¡± ¡°First Grade!?¡± The arrest officer, Qin, slightly raised his eyebrows, then stepped out of his house without even changing his clothes. ¡­¡­.. Lulin Square, at one of the stalls. ¡°A-Yin, get me a steamed cake,¡± Song Lin (Chapter 36) approached with a smile. ¡°Alright! Just a moment, I just sold out, need to make a new one.¡± The man named A-Yin chuckled as he started kneading the dough: ¡°Brother Song, it¡¯s been a while.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve indeed been quite busy. Didn¡¯t East Origin Road suffer a locust plague? There was a severe shortage of grain, and my uncle owns a rice shop, so I went to help out.¡± Song Lin spoke with a hint of schadenfreude in his tone and then took out four copper coins and tossed them into the nearby cash basket: ¡°Here¡¯s five copper coins, I¡¯ve thrown them in there for you.¡± East Origin Road suffered the locust plague, but he didn¡¯t; in fact, he made a fortune because of it. ¡°Ah, natural and human disasters are unstoppable,¡± A-Yin glanced at the cash basket, seemingly not noticing at all. ¡°A-Yin, I quite like you, lad. Here¡¯s what, why don¡¯t you work with me in the future and stop selling these steamed cakes, they are not lucky,¡± the shopkeeper Chen leaned on a chair next to him, picking his ear: ¡°I won¡¯t promise riches, but at least you¡¯ll have food and drink covered and won¡¯t have to run around for a few coins.¡± ¡°Brother Song, you really are saying¡­¡± Just then, A-Yin saw red lanterns rising from a two-story tavern far away and was instantly shocked. ¡°Brother Song, let¡¯s forget about the steamed cake today, I¡¯ll make it up with two more next time.¡± Song Lin¡¯s eyes revealed a trace of confusion. What does he mean by making it up with two more next time!? What is this supposed to mean!? Before he could react, he saw A-Yin packing up his stall and hurriedly pushing his stove cart, rushing towards the distance. ¡°Damn it! Where¡¯s my steamed cake!? Are you trying to con me!?¡± Song Lin was stunned for a moment before he finally came to his senses and bellowed angrily, giving chase to A-Yin for all he was worth. ¡­¡­ Yu State City, Li Mansion. The Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce was formed by several businessmen, among whom the Cao Family held the greatest power, and naturally Cao Hongkou, the head of the Cao Family, became the president of this Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce. But within the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, there were also other merchants. Although their influence was far less than that of the prestigious Cao Family, they too were wealthy. Li Xiaocun was one of them. At that moment, Li Xiaocun stood at the front of the courtyard, facing dozens of death soldiers he had fostered himself, thoroughly loyal. ¡°There is a matter I need you to handle now. Do you know Doctor An Jing of Jishi Hall? Those who do not recognize him, take a portrait,¡± Li Xiaocun surveyed the crowd and said, ¡°I won¡¯t talk nonsense; head out immediately, but remember, don¡¯t let the news leak out. Whoever finds this person first will be rewarded with one hundred taels of gold, an estate, and ten beautiful maids.¡± Wow! Upon hearing Li Xiaocun¡¯s words, an uproar ensued in the courtyard. All the death soldiers were stunned by the reward. Just finding this doctor could make their fortunes, ensuring they never had to worry about their livelihoods again, live like wealthy gentlemen, and most importantly, they¡¯d own ten beautiful maids. ¡°Did you all hear me clearly?¡± Li Xiaocun said in a deep voice. ¡°We heard you,¡± everyone shouted in unison. ¡°Then go now.¡± ¡°Hustle, hustle!¡± ¡°Hustle, hustle!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only There was no need for Li Xiaocun to say more, the death soldiers ran out like they were mad. Li Xiaocun watched their backs, furrowing his brows. ¡°What does the Sect Master want with this doctor? Could it be that his injuries are truly beyond containment?¡± ¡­¡­. The Demon Sect was lurking in Yu State, and all its hidden agents in the surrounding towns were mobilized, reaching out like an invisible, massive hand in the unseen dark corners, poised to engulf the entire Yu State City before turning it inside out. Chapter 77 - Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Calamity Brought by Natures Spiritual Energy Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Calamity Brought by Nature¡¯s Spiritual Energy Yu State City, South River Branch, Zhongyi Hall. Since the last time the headquarters were blood-washed by an unparalleled swordsman, not only had the Cao Gang summoned many experts, but they had also given the Yu State headquarters a fresh makeover. Dressed in a white robe, Liu Qingshan sat upright, cradling a cup of tea in his palm, while Tian Liu, expressionless, stood behind Liu Qingshan like a shadow. Below, with his left hand behind his back and a folding fan in his right, Guo Yuchun¡¯s brows were perpetually furrowed. Before long, Ouyang Yu hurried in, clasped his fists, and bowed, ¡°Gang Leader, Vice-Gang Leader, I¡¯ve found out, this power seems to be searching for someone, and it¡¯s a doctor!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Upon hearing this, Guo Yuchun¡¯s brow creased slightly, ¡°Looking for a doctor? Which doctor?¡± Yu State City, now shrouded in chaos beneath the surface, was all for a doctor!? Ouyang Yu shook his head and sighed, ¡°These undercover agents are well-trained and very hard to find. Even after capturing two, it has been difficult to pry their mouths open.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± After pondering for a while, Guo Yuchun said, ¡°Seeking a doctor usually means seeking treatment. Could it be¡­?¡± At this point, Guo Yuchun looked towards Liu Qingshan, and Liu Qingshan glanced back, both sharing a knowing look without saying a word. Within Yu State City, aside from the local Cao Gang, the only other force with such a fearsome presence that had appeared was the Demon Sect expert Li Fuzhou. They wanted to use the Demon Sect to establish fame and power, but there was no need to completely offend the Demon Sect to death. ¡°Let this matter be for now.¡± Liu Qingshan slowly said, ¡°Have you gotten any news about that swordsman I asked you to investigate?¡± Currently, finding that Demon Sect swordsman was the Cao Gang¡¯s top priority. ¡°That peerless swordsman has vanished, as if into thin air. In the past few days, my Cao Gang has turned Yu State City upside down, but still, there¡¯s been no trace of him.¡± For the past several days, the Cao Gang had been searching for any sign of that peerless swordsman, but the person was like never having existed at all. ¡°The peerless swordsman first made a move in the Yu State Dungeon, where he killed Haoping and Cao Anmin, and rescued Jiang Sanjia. His second action was at the Cao Gang headquarters, mainly because Tieyun Mountain had issued a challenge to him.¡± Stepping down, Guo Yuchun analyzed, ¡°The third time was during this Demon-Extermination Conference, aiming primarily to steal away the body of Xue Chen, who had been involved in the deaths of Jiang Sanjia and his wife. In the three times he has acted, two were directly or indirectly related to Jiang Sanjia¡­¡± Ouyang Yu realized, ¡°Vice-Gang Leader Guo is suggesting that this swordsman knows Jiang Sanjia. If we find Jiang Sanjia, we can find this person?¡± It was only after great difficulty that Jiang Sanjia¡¯s whereabouts had been found, and despite deploying so many experts, he had still slipped away. Finding him again would likely be extremely difficult. After all, he was an old fox. ¡°This is only one possibility.¡± Guo Yuchun took a deep breath and said with furrowed brows, ¡°Have you considered the possibility that this swordsman might have someone else backing him? That he could just be a pawn?¡± ¡°What!? Someone else?¡± Guo Yuchun¡¯s words made Ouyang Yu shiver, as if a chill had run down his spine. If the unparalleled swordsman was already a first-rate expert and merely a pawn, how terrifying would the person behind the scenes orchestrating the game be? Guo Yuchun said in a detailed analysis, ¡°The first time he acted, he rescued Jiang Sanjia. There are two possibilities: one is that this person has a past connection with Jiang Sanjia, possibly a friend of Jiang Sanjia. However, given the difficulty in locating this person, his exceptional skills, and not to mention whether Jiang Sanjia has ever made such a powerful ally during his life, with his strength and stealth, there was no need to wait so long to rescue Jiang Sanjia, so there is only one possibility.¡± ¡°This person must have been sent by someone else, intentionally sabotaging our plan.¡± Speaking of this, Guo Yuchun looked toward Liu Qingshan. ¡°Cough cough cough¡­¡± Liu Qingshan lightly coughed twice, then nodded his head and turned to Ouyang Yu, saying, ¡°Deputy Gang Leader Guo¡¯s words aren¡¯t without reason, proceed with the investigation as suggested.¡± ¡°As you command.¡± Ouyang Yu clasped his fists and then turned to leave. Seeing Ouyang Yu leave, Guo Yuchun pondered for a long while, saying, ¡°This person is capable of executing the Hundred-step Flying Sword, he doesn¡¯t seem like an expert from the Demon Sect.¡± The Ghost Valley Sect and the Zhenyi Sect originated from the same source, and although a rift has developed between them, and the Ghost Valley Sect might even be viewed with animosity by the Zhenyi Sect, perhaps to the extent of being hunted down, both schools are sworn enemies of the Demon Sect. He was not in Yu State City at the time and was unaware of An Jing¡¯s massacre at the Yu State Headquarters using the Hundred-step Flying Sword. Liu Qingshan said in a deep voice, ¡°This matter must also be set aside for now, since the peerless swordsman has not been found, our progress must¡­cough cough cough¡­not slow down.¡± A cold gleam flashed in Guo Yuchun¡¯s eyes, ¡°Yes, I will handle the affairs of the four great families of Jiangnan Dao.¡± Among the four great families of Jiangnan Dao, the Cao and Mu families lean towards the Cao Gang, but their allegiance is not sincere; they only wish to utilize the power of the Cao Gang for their advantage. The Ming Family stands by with cold indifference, not cooperating nor showing goodwill, seemingly content to sit by the riverbank and watch the waters flow. The Su family, even more so, harbors hatred towards the Cao Gang. As a core strategic location for the Cao Gang, Jiangnan Dao cannot afford to have such unstable elements within. ¡°I am still confident in your abilities.¡± Liu Qingshan took a breath and said, ¡°Keep a close watch on Fa Xi Temple as well. Given Li Fuzhou¡¯s appearance, if nothing unexpected occurs, apart from setting his network in Great Yan, it is also for the strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy beneath Fa Xi Temple¡­¡± Guo Yuchun frowned and said, ¡°It seems Li Fuzhou¡¯s injuries are indeed real.¡± It is known in the Jianghu that Li Fuzhou had an earth-shaking battle with Xi Yuanjun, after which Li Fuzhou was seriously injured. In the end, it was only with the aid of an escort from one of the four seats of the Demon Sect, the Azure Dragon Sect, that he safely returned to the Demon Sect in the Dongluo Desert. However, there are rumors that Li Fuzhou¡¯s injuries have mostly healed. Apart from the top experts of the Demon Sect, no one knows the secrets of his condition to date. ¡°According to the report just now.¡± Liu Qingshan slowly said, ¡°His injuries must be very serious. Xi Yuanjun has failed to break through to Grandmaster twice, yet he is only one step away from reaching the true Grandmaster level. After clashing with Li Fuzhou, it¡¯s impossible that he wasn¡¯t seriously wounded. Li Fuzhou¡¯s visit to Yu State this time is most likely in hopes of using the spiritual energy of the land to heal his internal injuries, but we must still be cautious. The Demon Sect is teeming with experts, and surely there are other capable individuals beside Li Fuzhou.¡± Li Fuzhou is the Sect Master of the Human Sect, and his name is indeed renowned in the Jianghu, but Xi Yuanjun is also a feared figure, the deputy commander of the Xuanyi Guard with the rank of First Grade. Bloodthirsty since his youth, he has claimed the lives of dozens of First Grade experts to date. A single swing of his Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings sends shivers down the spine of anyone who hears of them, drenched in the blood of countless victims. Ten years ago, during a diplomatic mission to the steppes, it was he who personally accompanied the envoy. Zhao Country had sent seven First Grade experts, including a top expert who had reached the Heavenly Flower Realm. This person was well-known in both Great Yan and Zhao Country, and the people of Zhao Country thought they could, at the very least, trouble Xi Yuanjun even if they couldn¡¯t kill him. Yet, in a single night, just one night, all these experts perished under the blades of the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings, dying on the vast steppe, becoming homeless ghosts without a family. This news spread quickly, and the name Xi Yuanjun once again shook the entire world. Guo Yuchun took a deep breath and said, ¡°The Demon Sect¡¯s Li Fuzhou is in the open, so what concerns me the most is not him, but the possibility of other experts lurking and waiting for an opportunity.¡± Others may not be aware, but Guo Yuchun knows that such a treasure, if word were to get out, would attract countless experts from the Jianghu. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°If the Golden Pill can¡¯t be found, then I must¡­cough cough cough¡­¡± Liu Qingshan¡¯s speech was interrupted by relentless coughing. ¡°Gang Leader¡­¡± Guo Yuchun hurriedly said upon seeing this. ¡°I¡¯m all right,¡± Liu Qingshan gestured with his hand and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°If not for so many concerns that day, that swordsman might not have been able to injure me.¡± ¡°Alas,¡± sighed Guo Yuchun, no longer speaking. ¡­. Chapter 78 - Chapter 78: Chapter 78: The Soul Fades Before Sunset Chapter 78: Chapter 78: The Soul Fades Before Sunset At dusk. A touch of crimson lingered after rain, wisps of tender green merged with the mist, fading souls perished before the sunset. An Jing changed his clothes at the alley entrance, then tucked his cloak into his small medicine box, and leisurely returned to Jishi Hall, thinking gleefully, ¡°I wonder what delicious dishes madam has prepared today.¡± As usual, Zhao Qingmei was cooking in the back hall at this moment, while Tan Yun went to gather the herbs dried in the afternoon sun. ¡°I wonder if that old rascal, Li Fuzhou, went to the brothels to listen to music again.¡± An Jing sighed at the peaceful and warm days and couldn¡¯t help humming a tune. ¡°Hmm?!¡± As he approached Jishi Hall, he noticed the sign placed at the doorstep, and Tan Yun, who was sound asleep on the table. ¡°Wake up, it¡¯s time to eat.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t resist walking over, picking up a book, and tapping her little head. ¡°Is it time to eat?¡± Tan Yun instantly sat up, her eyes shining brightly. ¡°I asked you to mind the shop, and this is how you¡¯ve done it,¡± An Jing said irritably while holding the wooden sign, ¡°All you ever do is eat and sleep, then sleep and eat.¡± ¡°Husband, I¡­.¡± Tan Yun saw the sign and wanted to explain. ¡°Forget it, your excuses are plenty, just gather the dried herbs from this morning, and I¡¯ll let it slide,¡± An Jing waved his hand. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go now.¡± Tan Yun looked at An Jing with puppy dog eyes and then headed towards the backyard. ¡°There might be some connection between these two¡­.¡± An Jing took out a box of pastries from the medicine box and threw it on the table, his mind filled with thoughts of the chill on He Ping¡¯s wife. Vaguely, he felt that there was a good chance it related to Cao Ling¡¯er, perhaps precisely to the sealing at Fa Xi Temple. What exactly is this sealing anyway? ¡°Beneath the sealing is a strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy; if I could obtain this strand, perhaps it would help me break through to the Earth Flower Realm.¡± Since the fight with Liu Qingshan, An Jing realized the profound strength of those on the Dragon List; encountering one, he absolutely couldn¡¯t afford to be careless or underestimate them. That day at Reincarnation Hall, Tian Liu had not taken action, and the Xuanyi Guard experts also arrived belatedly; otherwise, even if he could have escaped that day, he would likely have suffered severe injuries. Also, that last time at the Cao Family, he had encountered a black-clothed expert whose strength seemed not inferior to Liu Qingshan¡¯s, but this expert seemed wary, hence didn¡¯t go all out, and they only briefly exchanged blows once. An Jing narrowed his eyes to slits and considered, ¡°When this sealing breaks, it seems I will have to visit Fa Xi Temple again. If others are unaware, it would be best to covertly take that strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy¡­.¡± ¡°Husband.¡± Just then, Tan Yun carried over a sieve and placed it on the medicine cabinet, ¡°It¡¯s all dried.¡± ¡°Good, leave it there; I¡¯ll deal with it later,¡± An Jing nodded and then said, ¡°There are pastries on the table; go ahead and eat.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not eating.¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun shook her head like a rattle-drum. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you eating?¡± An Jing suddenly became puzzled. Usually, when Tan Yun saw pastries, her eyes would light up, and she would get incredibly excited. ¡°Husband, haven¡¯t you noticed any changes in me lately?¡± Tan Yun sighed. ¡°Changes.¡± An Jing glanced at Tan Yun, ¡°No, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s any change.¡± ¡°Look closely,¡± Tan Yun pouted, touching her slightly protruded belly, ¡°I feel like I¡¯ve gained quite a bit of weight lately.¡± Stupid husband, it seems like you don¡¯t pay any attention to me at all. Since arriving in Yu State City, she had begun gaining weight at a visibly rapid pace. An Jing began to look Tan Yun over upon hearing the news. Her delicate face had indeed become plumper, but it also appeared more voluptuous, which gave her an added charm¡ªno wonder Han Wenxin that boy had lascivious thoughts. Yet, his eyes couldn¡¯t help but drift towards her full and perky figure, and he was greatly surprised inwardly, muttering, ¡°I think, it¡¯s becoming increasingly difficult to handle.¡± ¡°Son-in-law, what are you talking about?¡± Tan Yun was confused. The son-in-law¡¯s words were odd, always containing some she couldn¡¯t comprehend, mystifying her. An Jing laughed dryly twice, ¡°Nothing¡­ nothing. The mille-feuille on the table will taste bad once it cools down, you better eat it now.¡± ¡°Mille-feuille!?¡± Tan Yun¡¯s eyes brightened, her defenses instantly crumbled, and biting her lip firmly, she said, ¡°Son-in-law, my stomach is this big, but you are half responsible for it, no, more than half!¡± Saying so, Tan Yun picked up the mille-feuille and stuffed three consecutively into her mouth. ¡°No no no, I dare not take credit for this.¡± An Jing broke into a sweat on his forehead, and hastily waved his hand, while still occasionally glancing around the hall, cautiously asking, ¡°Eh, where is the lady?¡± Tan Yun feigned ignorance, ¡°I don¡¯t know, I woke up and both Miss and Third Master were gone; they probably went to listen to the opera.¡± When the two left, she had fallen asleep; Tan Yun figured that they must have been discussing matters about the sect. ¡°They must be about to return soon.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°It¡¯s time to close up. When you eat, save some, don¡¯t eat them all.¡± Saying so, he took the wooden board and walked out the front of the hall. Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but pout and said, ¡°Son-in-law, do you really think I can eat them all?¡± ¡°That¡¯s always possible.¡± An Jing smiled and prepared to latch the wooden board. It was then, a tender figure stood not far from the door. At that moment, a few strands of her hair fringed around her temples, and her eyes were slightly red, appearing quite haggard as she stared blankly at An Jing in front of her. ¡°Lady, are you back? Did you go with the Third Master to listen to the opera? Was it a tragic opera? I¡¯ve told you before, those are all fake, it¡¯s better to just study the opera techniques at home. This person was exactly Zhao Qingmei. Li Fuzhou stood not far away, looking towards the Yu State River, as if he saw no one else. ¡°It should be said that you are the one who has come back,¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing and said. Upon hearing this, An Jing sensed something was amiss and stepped forward to ask, ¡°What happened, did something happen?¡± ¡°Where did you go?¡± A teardrop emerged in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes, followed by a laugh. An Jing laughed, ¡°I went for a diagnosis and then met a former patient. He said I had saved his life, like a rebirth parent, and insisted on recognizing me as¡­ He hadn¡¯t finished his words when Zhao Qingmei embraced him. The hug was somewhat uncomfortable for him, but also strangely comforting. ¡°Lady, what¡¯s wrong? Did you think of me while watching the opera?¡± An Jing, feeling the warmth in his embrace, smiled and said, ¡°Hearing those tragic operas, did you fear that I would fail you?¡± ¡°Rest assured, although I am a simple man, but¡­¡± He felt as if something had happened, yet as if nothing had happened. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°A simple man?¡± Li Fuzhou glanced at An Jing with a hint of threat in his eyes, while An Jing acted as if he heard nothing. ¡°I was thinking of you.¡± ¡®Pfft¡¯ Zhao Qingmei laughed softly, saying, ¡°I was thinking that you¡¯ve been out all day and hadn¡¯t returned yet, I was worried you were dead somewhere out there¡­¡± Tan Yun, listening, struggled to suppress her laughter, while Li Fuzhou had no reservations and burst out laughing. While An Jing¡¯s smile gradually stiffened. Chapter 79 - Chapter 79: Chapter 79: The Giant Beast of the Riverbed Turns Again Chapter 79: Chapter 79: The Giant Beast of the Riverbed Turns Again ¡°` Jishi Hall. ¡°Did you find out?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked in a solemn voice. ¡°It¡¯s a bit strange that a Second Grade master would lose track of an ordinary person.¡± Li Fuzhou said in a deep voice, ¡°The layout of Mazi Lane is complex, Huo Zhongyun was somewhat careless, and after entering Mazi Lane, he lost his direction¡­¡± ¡°Lost his direction!?¡± Zhao Qingmei burst into laughter upon hearing this, ¡°A master of the Human Sect actually lost his way one day.¡± The masters of the Human Sect were skilled in investigation and tracking, but to lose their way was simply too ludicrous. Could it be that there¡¯s a labyrinth beneath Mazi Lane? Li Fuzhou frowned and said, ¡°I also find this matter suspicious. Although Huo Zhongyun may not be as cautious as Shui Zhongyue, he is definitely not such a careless person.¡± There was something eerie about this. ¡°Deal with it according to the rules of the sect,¡± Zhao Qingmei waved her hand. ¡°Yes, I understand,¡± he responded. Li Fuzhou nodded, a knot forming in his heart. Mazi Lane¡­ ¡­ ¡­ Three days later, outside Yu State City, at Qinghe Ferry. The chilly water flowed slowly, and several boats docked beside the ferry. ¡°Hurry, the young master said that these goods must be delivered to the designated shops by tonight,¡± a burly man shouted loudly. At the ferry outside the city, there were many merchant ships, most of which carried contraband of Great Yan. Yu State¡¯s waterways were extensive and interconnected, resulting in strict inspections at water checkpoints. Due to the Cao Gang¡¯s influence, the Su family had poor relations with the transport officials of Yu State, which meant that most contraband had to be transported by land. Even so, it wasn¡¯t unusual for the Su family¡¯s boats to be lost or plundered occasionally. Don¡¯t think that the four great families of Jiangnan Dao can rest easy. In these crisscrossing waterways, even they fear the sudden appearance of evil spirits and expert thieves who loot and then vanish. Especially recently, as the positions of the Sanhu Gang and the Cao Gang began to intersect, friction emerged between the two powers. Even though both sides were being very restrained, there was still a smell of gunpowder over the water. Once the situation becomes complicated, it¡¯s inevitable that some will be tempted to fish in troubled waters, stir up trouble, and seek benefits¡ªan age-old truth. Early autumn was already somewhat cold. The boatmen, carrying goods and lined up neatly like ants, also exuded a pungent sweat odor. ¡°If anyone is not quick enough, watch your skin,¡± warned a Su family Guest Elder, wielding a long whip. Upon hearing this, the boatmen all felt a chill down their spine, and silently continued their work without daring to let out a big breath. Just last month, a boatman damaged a special vase from Green Garden and was beaten to death by an infuriated Guest Elder of the Su family, something they had witnessed with their own eyes. These boatmen worked exhaustingly for seven hours a day to earn only eighty to a hundred Copper Coins. At the current market prices, a pound of pork cost twenty-six Copper Coins, a jar of vinegar five Copper Coins, a bolt of brocade a hundred and fifty Copper Coins¡­ After a day¡¯s hard work, boatmen could barely make ends meet for a family of three. ¡°He Ping, how is your wife?¡± While He Ping was carrying goods, a boatman asked next to him. These past few days, he had stayed home to care for his wife. He originally wanted to take care of her for a few more days, but with little silver left at home, he had to go out and work. Wiping the sweat with the cloth around his neck, He Ping replied, ¡°I had Doctor An Jing check on her and prescribed some medicine. She should be alright now.¡± ¡°Doctor An Jing? The one from Jishi Hall by Yu State River? You made the right choice going to him. His herbs are cheaper than other drugstores.¡± ¡°Yes, not only is Doctor An Jing an excellent physician, but he¡¯s also kind-hearted. He didn¡¯t even charge me for the medicine.¡± He Ping then sighed and said, ¡°He was right. If you¡¯re sick, you should seek treatment right away. If you skimp on this, it could cost you dearly in the future.¡± ¡°What are you few over there talking about? Move it, move it!¡± Just then, the Guest Elder from the Su family shouted from a distance. Upon hearing this, He Ping and the others did not dare to speak further and diligently went back to work. The river water was ice cold, flowing gently from north to south. At the deep crevices of the riverbed, more than thirty fathoms deep, there was an abyss so deep, silent, and dark. A Thousand-year-old Black Python was slumbering, its body massive¡ªover thirty feet in length. With two big flabby lumps on its giant snake head resembling the wings of a great bird. Just lying there, it exuded a suffocating terror. What horror would it bring upon awakening? ¡°Gulp!¡± ¡°Gulp!¡± Suddenly, odd noises came from the mouth of the Thousand-year-old Black Python, and the surrounding water crazily surged into its maw. At that moment, the large lumps on both sides of its head flapped. ¡°Whush!¡± ¡°Whush!¡± The water on both sides was stirred by the massive flabs, roaring as it was pushed away to the sides, creating ripples upon ripples. After the flaps thrummed, the python twisted its body, as if awakening from its slumber. The entire riverbed churned; its massive body hitting the riverbed caused a loud noise, but it was all muffled by the unfathomable depths of the water. Then the Thousand-year-old Black Python turned over and lay back on the riverbed, continuing its deep sleep. ¡­ ¡­ At the ferry, there was a constant flow of people. Besides the Su family¡¯s cargo ships, some passenger boats also moored at the bank. The autumn sun was warm and pleasant, shining on the glittering river surface. ¡°Over here, put the goods over here.¡± ¡°He Ge, where are you headed?¡± ¡°To Fa Xi Temple to offer incense. I¡¯ve always wanted to visit this thousand-year-old temple.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a nice place, it is said to be from the Western Regions¡­¡± ¡°What happened!?¡± ¡°` ¡°The river¡­ the river water¡­ ah!¡± ¡­¡­ Just then, the once calm surface of the river began to tremble wildly, as if to unleash huge waves. Suddenly, the ships moored at the bank started to rock with the waves, and some people standing on them lost their footing and fell into the river. ¡°Splash! Splash!¡± At the same time, the turbulent waters rushed towards the shore, and those standing by the river were also hit by the unexpected disaster, as they were struck by the waves. ¡°Quick! Protect the goods!¡± The guest elder of the Su family quickly shouted, his body leaping forward as he channeled his inner strength furiously to meet the onslaught of the waves. The waves surged, and the Cao Gang workers watched in astonishment as the towering waves crashed down. Upon hearing the guest elder¡¯s words, they reacted quickly, using their bodies to shield the goods. ¡°Splash! Splash!¡± The giant wave came quickly and left just as fast. Before long, the river¡¯s surface gradually calmed down again, but the port at Qing River was a complete mess, as if a water disaster had just passed. ¡°Quickly, check if any goods are missing?¡± the guest elder of the Su family ordered hastily. ¡°Yes!¡± The steward and the Cao Gang workers hurriedly checked the goods, not daring to slack off in the slightest. ¡°What¡­ what exactly happened?¡± The guest elder of the Su family said, his heart still racing as he looked at the river¡¯s surface, which was gradually returning to calm. ¡­¡­ A single leaf falls and the whole world feels the autumn; a cold wind blows, and all the trees wither away. Autumn¡¯s chill had arrived, and the air grew colder. The howling north wind came rustling, sweeping a carpet of dead leaves to the ground. An Jing held a broom in his hand, sweeping the fallen leaves in front of Jishi Hall. His cultivation had now reached the peak of Human Flower, and to make any further progress, he had to condense the Earth Flower. Although it was only one step, it seemed it couldn¡¯t be accomplished in a short time. The Earth Book hinted that the opportunity lay in that wisp of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Since it was a green opportunity, it was certainly a treasure beyond the Bodhi Bead, more than sufficient for reaching the Earth Flower stage. ¡°This nature¡¯s spiritual energy, I, Zhou, am determined to obtain it.¡± An Jing glanced at the direction of Three Temple Mountain and muttered to himself before resuming his humming tune. ¡°Son-in-law.¡± Tan Yun came running out, with little Xiao Hei trailing behind her, grunting. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± An Jing asked while continuing to sweep. Tan Yun said cheerily, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you would accompany Miss Zhao to the night market to buy rouge today? My own rouge is also finished.¡± ¡°If yours is finished, then buy some,¡± replied An Jing, pausing momentarily in his sweeping. Lately, that old rascal Li Fuzhou spent two silver coins to enjoy the entertainment district. Since marrying Zhao Qingmei, An Jing had stopped borrowing money and had no spare silver. ¡°Son-in-law.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s eyes showed a hint of dissatisfaction, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to buy it for me?¡± ¡°Tan Yun, how can I, your son-in-law, buy you rouge and powder,¡± An Jing sneaked a peak at the grandeur in front of Tan Yun¡¯s chest, pondering, ¡°You¡¯ve grown up, you can buy it yourself now.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have money.¡± ¡°Then why do you think I would have any?¡± ¡°Son-in-law, I don¡¯t care, I¡¯ve been helping you with chores at the pharmacy for several months now, and you haven¡¯t given me a single silver coin.¡± Tan Yun huffed, ¡°You are exploiting me, squeezing me dry.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s eyes were large and round; now, with her eyebrows slightly furrowed, she looked inexplicably cute. An Jing raised an eyebrow, arguing, ¡°Who says? Haven¡¯t you eaten all of those? Last night, you devoured three plum cakes in one go, and there are only seven in a box. You eat my food, drink my tea, sleep in my house. I am bound to be eaten out of house and home by you. Clearly, it is you who are exploiting and squeezing me dry¡­¡± If old man Li comes asking for money, I can¡¯t settle it, how could I not handle you, a little girl? No matter what, today¡¯s word is ¡®broke¡¯. ¡°I don¡¯t care; you have to give me money,¡± Tan Yun insisted. ¡°Don¡¯t have it.¡± At this, Tan Yun¡¯s face fell with disappointment, ¡°Son-in-law, that¡¯s not fair. Did I work for you for nothing all this time?¡± Worked for me for nothing¡­? An Jing was taken aback, quickly retorted, ¡°What do you mean ¡®worked for nothing¡¯? I didn¡¯t, you¡¯re making things up, talking nonsense, utter nonsense¡­¡­¡± ¡°And all the eating and drinking of mine, doesn¡¯t that cost money?¡± ¡°Give me silver coins, I don¡¯t care, I want the silver. If I don¡¯t get it, it¡¯s as if I worked for you for free,¡± Tan Yun held out her hand. ¡°Fine fine fine, I¡¯ll give it I¡¯ll give it, isn¡¯t that okay?¡± An Jing, fearing that Tan Yun would utter any more scandalous words, quickly took out two silver coins from his pouch. ¡°Here you go.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Just two silver coins!?¡± Tan Yun expressed her dissatisfaction, ¡°I have been working for you for almost three months¡­¡± ¡°Look, that¡¯s all I have; it¡¯s all my worldly possessions,¡± said An Jing, helplessly shaking his pouch. ¡°Forget it, I¡¯ll wait until you have more money,¡± Tan Yun conceded reluctantly and took the two silver coins before she walked towards the back courtyard with a spring in her step. An Jing let out a deep sigh; Li Fuzhou was squeezing him dry, and now Tan Yun had caught him off guard¡­ it seemed like a wealthy day was far off for him. Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: Chapter 80 The Beautiful Woman Plays Pitch-Pot under the Night Sky Chapter 80: Chapter 80 The Beautiful Woman Plays Pitch-Pot under the Night Sky ¡°Husband, what are you sighing about?¡± Zhao Qingmei, having finished tidying up, walked over to An Jing with a face full of curiosity. Wearing a scattered-flower misty green pleated skirt, with her cherry lips naturally red without any embellishment, and alluringly delicate, two strands of hair beside her cheeks fluttered with the breeze, adding an enticing charm. ¡°Nothing, I was just thinking the weather is really nice.¡± An Jing looked up at the dimming sky. ¡°It¡¯s nearly dark now; don¡¯t lie to me.¡± Zhao Qingmei placed her palm on An Jing¡¯s arm, staring at him with unwavering eyes, and said, ¡°Tell me, are you hiding something from me? I always feel like you¡¯re keeping me in the dark.¡± Feeling the warm body temperature and the faint scent that wafted into his nose, An Jing couldn¡¯t help his mind wandering, and he chuckled, ¡°My lady, everything I¡¯ve said is true.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Zhao Qingmei cast a doubtful glance at An Jing. ¡°How could I possibly hide anything from you?¡± An Jing said solemnly, ¡°You know my length, and I know your depth; we are the closest of people,¡± ¡°Impudent! Mind your behavior! This is a main street; aren¡¯t you afraid of others overhearing?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart suddenly fluttered like a startled deer, a flush of red spreading to her neck, and she couldn¡¯t help but lower her voice, ¡°Let¡¯s go eat, we are going to the night market later, and it wouldn¡¯t be good to be late.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll go close up shop now,¡± An Jing said, putting away the broom upon hearing this. ¡°No need; Third Master isn¡¯t going either. Let him stay and watch the house, he can also dispense medicines.¡± ¡°He isn¡¯t going?¡± ¡°Yes, he wants to stay home and read,¡± Zhao Qingmei replied. Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s heart stirred; that old guy is truly keeping an eye on me. ¡­¡­.. Yu State City, the night market to the south of the city. The place was bright with lights, intoxicating with the spring breeze, where thousands of lights reflected the blue clouds by the bridge, ships clustered closely together, loaded with exquisite silk goods. Inside and outside the tall buildings, heavily made-up women could be seen everywhere, and pleasure-seekers kept arriving in an unending stream. The crowds were dense, and the noise of voices was bustling ¨C a scene of prosperity and excitement. ¡°It¡¯s really crowded.¡± Tan Yun glanced around and couldn¡¯t help clicking her tongue. An Jing cast a glance at the high-rise buildings in the distance, saying, ¡°Of course, it¡¯s crowded. This is the liveliest place in Yu State City at night¡­¡± ¡°With some luck, we might even see Han Wenxin.¡± He clearly remembered that at the beginning of this summer, Han Wenxin used to come to this night market every evening on time. Then punch in, and start his shift. Zhao Qingmei chuckled beside him, ¡°We haven¡¯t seen Han Wenxin for several days now, don¡¯t know what¡¯s up. After the last time he brought two boxes of Ruyi Cakes, he has never come again.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart also found it strange. Before, Han Wenxin would come to drink with him every now and then, but during this period indeed, he had not been seen. ¡°Han Wenxin, that guy? He wouldn¡¯t even want to be a dog for a few days.¡± Tan Yun muttered, then seemed to see something, ¡°Miss, young master, over there they¡¯re pitching pots.¡± Not far away there was a stall with several coarse cloth cushions placed in front, and behind them three porcelain pots were lined up at increasing distances from near to far. At that moment, a crowd had gathered around the pot-pitching stall, watching a young woman in the center pitch pots. Seeing the face of the woman who was pitching pots, An Jing instantly understood why she had attracted so many onlookers. The woman had skin as white as snow, a slightly upturned delicate nose, and red lips against white teeth. She was quite beautiful but gave off an air of pride and coldness. The woman, kneeling on the cushion, held feathered arrows in her hand, continuously throwing them towards the pots. ¡°Ah, what a pity.¡± ¡°Just missed it by a little.¡± ¡­¡­ The crowd around watched intently; they had never watched someone playing pitch-pot as seriously as they did today, even feeling sorry for the player. Dozens of feathered arrows, without a single exception, all misfired, and the stall owner was beaming with joy early on but still kept consoling. ¡°Miss, there¡¯s a knack to pitch-pot, you might succeed if you try a few more times.¡± The woman seemed not to hear the stall owner or the pitying comments around her, just focusing on the target in front of her and continuously shooting, and when she ran out of arrows, she reached into her purse and decisively bought ten more. ¡°This woman is an expert,¡± An Jing thought to himself as he watched her shoot. From the moment the woman started to play pitch-pot, the agility with which her wrist moved could not be achieved so naturally by someone who was not a martial arts expert. However, why did such an expert miss every single shot? ¡°Miss Dai, I play pitch-pot quite often; maybe I could teach you.¡± Just then, a familiar voice sounded. There stood Han Wenxin, with a naive smile, rubbing his hands on his chest. ¡°That really is Han Wenxin, the lad,¡± Tan Yun said with surprise. Witnessing this scene, An Jing felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu and couldn¡¯t help but startle. How had Han Wenxin become more and more like Zhou Dynasty? Or could it be that everyone in this world is¡­.. ¡°Husband, do you think she¡¯s prettier, or am I?¡± Zhao Qingmei said with a sweet smile and a gentle voice. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s my wife who is prettier,¡± An Jing quickly responded with a chill in his heart. ¡°Then why are you so engrossed?¡± Zhao Qingmei continued with her smile. An Jing laughed awkwardly, ¡°No, I was looking at Brother Han¡­¡± Tan Yun looked at An Jing strangely, ¡°What¡¯s there to look at about Han Wenxin?¡± An Jing smiled meaningfully, ¡°No, I¡¯m waiting for Brother Han¡¯s performance.¡± Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun were both somewhat puzzled, not understanding the meaning behind An Jing¡¯s words. At the stall, Han Wenxin patted his chest and declared, ¡°Not to brag, but when it comes to pitch-pot in Yu State City, I might rank second, but no one dares to claim the first.¡± An Jing became instantly interested upon hearing this; he felt he understood Han Wenxin well. ¡°No need, thank you,¡± the woman spoke her first sentence, somewhat coldly. After speaking, she shot her last feathered arrow, and sure enough, she missed again. ¡°How about that, pitch-pot is quite interesting, isn¡¯t it?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just then, a sharp voice came from afar, sounding as if hair was stuck in the throat, which was extremely uncomfortable to hear. Looking toward the source of the voice, there was a man in black clothes with a conical hat. The man¡¯s features and age were unclear, but the sleeves of his robe were wide, and upon closer inspection, no hands were sticking out; obviously, they were disabled. A glazed jade pendant hung around his waist, such attire was common among the martial world¡¯s Jianghu inhabitants. When Tan Yun saw that man, his eyes narrowed, and he transmitted a message telepathically, ¡°Sect Hierarch, this man might be Tian Cansou of the Five Poison Sect, born with disabled hands but famous in Jianghu for his Wu Hook Crescent Leg Technique. According to our Human Sect¡¯s intelligence, he indeed came to Jiangnan Dao.¡± ¡°If I¡¯m not wrong about the woman beside him, she should be Dai Ling, the daughter of Dai Danshu. I didn¡¯t expect to encounter them here.¡± Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Chapter 81 Dark Clouds Obscure the Moon Chapter 81: Chapter 81 Dark Clouds Obscure the Moon Five Poison Sect, one of the seven sects of the Great Yan. The Five Poison Sect is a mysterious and sinister sect in Jianghu, renowned for their expertise in poisoning, yet that is not what they are most famous for. The reason they are famous is due to the multitude of experts and extremely ruthless methods within the sect, possessing five martial arts training methods modeled after the centipede, venomous snake, toad, gecko, and scorpion, known collectively as the Five Poison Technique. Each training method is a True Martial Level martial arts, and together, they achieve the existence of the Heavenly Martial Level. Nowadays, Sect Leader Dai Danshu, known as the Five Poison Young Master, is revered in Jianghu for his ruthless and venomous strategies, and is also a well-known expert listed on the Dragon List. The man before them, Tian Cansou, was the leader of the Heavenly Centipede Technique and the Great Elder of the Five Poison Sect. ¡°I understand now,¡± Zhao Qingmei narrowed her eyes slightly, pondering the purpose of the Five Poison Sect¡¯s visit to Yu State City. Among the seven sects of the Great Yan, the Five Poison Sect and the Demon Sect had inextricably linked relationships. When the Demon Sect was besieged by many forces years ago, it was the Five Poison Sect that first raised the banner of crusade. And tracing back to the history of the Five Poison Sect, two hundred years ago, it was not known as the Five Poison Sect but as the Five Poison Banner. The Five Poison Banner was a branch of the Demon Sect. However, later the Five Poison Banner united as one and, dissatisfied with the status quo and with the emergence of an exceptional expert within their ranks, they broke away from the Demon Sect to establish their own sect. Under the ¡°careful attention¡± of the Great Yan Dynasty, their power surged rapidly and soon became a significant force in Jianghu that could not be ignored. This scene was naturally welcomed and appreciated by the forces within Jianghu. Latterly, although the Demon Sect tried several times to crusade against the Five Poison Sect, these attempts were neutralized by other forces such as the Zhenyi Sect and the Xuanyi Guard. The grudges between the Five Poison Sect and the Demon Sect grew even deeper. Dai Ling said indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s not bad, I¡¯ve grown tired of it as well, let¡¯s go.¡± The stall owner sighed regretfully as he saw his big spender preparing to leave. Han Wenxin nearby incessantly said, ¡°Miss Dai, is there anything else you want to play? Over there they are playing a game of tossing coins, which is also very interesting¡­ ¡± Suddenly, he caught sight of a few familiar figures and couldn¡¯t help but pause, ¡°An¡­ Brother An, what brings you here?¡± ¡°My wife has run out of rouge, so we came out for a stroll,¡± An Jing replied with a gentle smile. ¡°Are you patrolling the city alone, Brother Han?¡± Upon hearing this voice, Dai Ling glanced over and when she saw Zhao Qingmei, she couldn¡¯t help but take a few extra glances, noting that such a striking appearance was indeed rare. ¡°Yes, all alone,¡± Han Wenxin replied with a wry smile and a dry chuckle toward Tan Yun. ¡°Who might these two be?¡± An Jing looked toward Tian Cansou and Dai Ling standing behind Han Wenxin. Han Wenxin hastily responded, ¡°This is Miss Dai and Mr. Zhang, who have come from the southwest. They were asking me directions to Fa Xi Temple, and I happened to be free, so I planned to guide them there.¡± Fa Xi Temple? Could it be for the purpose of suppressing and sealing the strand of spiritual energy beneath it? An Jing¡¯s expression remained unchanged, but he inwardly frowned, nearly convinced that this nature¡¯s spiritual energy was his own, but now suddenly two experts had appeared, raising his suspicions. Han Wenxin added, ¡°This is An Jing, the youngest and most promising doctor in Yu State City, and this is his wife.¡± Dai Ling remained silent, her eyes flashing with a touch of arrogance. Tian Cansou barely gave An Jing a glance. He was utterly disinterested in meeting the doctor of Yu State City. If it were not for the need to remain low-profile on this trip, he wouldn¡¯t even deem the doctor worthy of meeting him. This aloof demeanor was not contemptuous but rather a natural disposition. His eyes, however, lingered on Zhao Qingmei for a moment before moving away, internally commenting on the little doctor¡¯s good fortune. An Jing maintained a calm exterior but began to feel slightly displeased inside, finding the two to be rather disrespectful. Zhao Qingmei appeared nonchalant, but she privately transmitted a message to Tan Yun, ¡°Inform the Third Elder tonight that I do not want Tian Cansou to leave Yu State City alive.¡± ¡°Yes, Sect Hierarch, rest assured,¡± Tan Yun replied. Tan Yun could also sense the disdain from the two opposite them and couldn¡¯t help but snort coldly internally: The elder of the Five Poison Sect looks down on whom? ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Dai Ling said coldly. ¡°Hold on!¡± Tian Cansou slightly raised an eyebrow and looked ahead. As the lanterns were just being lit, figures bustled about. One tall and one short monk walked among the crowd. These were none other than Fa Zhi and Fa Wu. ¡°Benefactor, meeting again amidst this sea of people, it seems we are truly fated.¡± Fa Zhi stepped in front of An Jing and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°I pay my respects, Master,¡± An Jing also returned the gesture. Unexpectedly, in this night market, not only had he encountered two masters, but also the abbot of Fa Xi Temple; it was indeed a surprise. This old man was the abbot of Fa Xi Temple, and moreover, he had come from the Western Regions; his abilities were certainly extraordinary. With this thought, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but glance at the young monk beside Huizhi. That day in the Reincarnation Hall, he clearly remembered that most of his Qi Force from the Sword Control Technique was blocked by Liu Qingshan, and the remaining small fraction was stopped by this young monk. Although it was only a small part, it was not something a Second Grade expert could withstand. This young monk with rosy lips and white teeth could possibly be a First Grade Expert. It is known that countless experts struggle with the barrier of the First Grade level, unable to break through in their lifetime; yet this seven or eight-year-old monk had already reached the First Grade, which was astonishing indeed. However, An Jing was certain that the inner strength within this young monk was not self-cultivated but must have been due to some Buddhist secret technique involving transplanted inner strength. Despite Fa Wu¡¯s young age, his demeanor was calm and serene, almost giving the impression of an elder monk deep in meditation if one did not look at his face. Fa Zhi made a pun, ¡°Benefactor is connected with Buddha, and the gates of Fa Xi Temple are always open for you.¡± The individual before him possessed Buddha Nature and a Great Wisdom Root; if he were to become a monk and worship Buddha, his future achievements would be limitless, harboring a sliver of hope in Fa Zhi¡¯s heart. Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingmei, with a smile, said, ¡°Master, I wonder if Fa Xi Temple might also open its convenient gates wide for me?¡± Fa Wu glanced at Zhao Qingmei, who radiated peerless beauty, then quickly lowered his head. ¡°The benefactor jests.¡± Fa Zhi placed his palms together in front of his chest and then spoke no further. ¡°You must be Masters Fa Zhi and Fa Wu? Zhang Zhixing greets you.¡± Just then, Tian Cansou stepped forward slowly. ¡°Zhang benefactor greets you,¡± Fa Zhi replied, palms together in front of his chest. Zhang Zhixing, known as the Great Elder of the Five Poison Sect, might not elicit any reaction from some younger members of Jianghu, but mentioning Tian Cansou would certainly cause a stir. ¡°Fa Zhi!?¡± An Jing slightly raised his eyebrows; this old monk had previously told me it was Huizhi. He wasn¡¯t very familiar with the Buddha Country of the Western Regions, so naturally, he was unclear about Fa Zhi¡¯s Buddhist name. Tian Cansou said with a chuckle, ¡°This humble one was just about to visit Fa Xi Temple to worship Buddha, and unexpectedly, I¡¯ve encountered Master Fa Zhi; it seems I too am fated with Buddha.¡± ¡°Fate, wonderfully indescribable,¡± Fa Zhi remarked. Upon hearing this, Fa Wu instantly realized that these two might also be here for the sealing of Vilu Hall, wanting to seize some opportunities from that seal which was about to break. However, he did not understand why, if the seal were to break, a catastrophe might descend from the heavens, yet some people sought to gain opportunities from this endless calamity. Could this catastrophic event actually signify a blessing for certain individuals? With a smile still on his face, Tian Cansou said, ¡°Arriving at Yu State City for the first time, I haven¡¯t yet found Fa Xi Temple, but since I¡¯ve met the Master, I would trouble you to lead this humble one there.¡± He spoke of wanting to worship Buddha, but his true intentions were clearly unsaid. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Fa Zhi sighed softly, ¡°Since the benefactor wishes to worship Buddha, Fa Xi Temple naturally welcomes you.¡± This was indeed an opportunity! Next to him, Han Wenxin¡¯s eyes darted about, ¡°Just so happens, I¡¯ve been thinking about worshipping Buddha as well¡­..¡± Before Han Wenxin could finish speaking, An Jing frowned slightly. Just then, it was as if a black cloud floated by, covering the moonlight above, and the world seemed to dim. Chapter 82 - Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Sword Intent Arises, Storming the City Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Sword Intent Arises, Storming the City ¡°What is happening?!¡± ¡°My sword!¡± ¡­. Buzz! Buzz! Suddenly, a series of sword chants rang out, followed by cries of alarm. Only to see in the night market all the swords soaring towards the sky, densely packed, forming a torrent of sword rain. That sound, crisp and lingering, seemed as if it reached directly into the heart. The entire night market became a scene of chaos, with everyone staring in astonishment at this shocking sight. Then, the sword chanting sound grew louder and louder, and it seemed as if all the swords in Yu State City had flown out of their scabbards towards the heavens, majestic and vast, forming a sea of swords. The sword light crisscrossed, filling the night sky, as if etched into the vast starry space, creating a scene of boundless grandeur. ¡°This¡­ what is happening?¡± Han Wenxin saw it, and he was completely stunned. The other people present did not speak, all furrowing their brows tightly. An Jing silently moved Zhao Qingmei behind him, and then pulled Han Wenxin next to him. ¡°Senior brother!¡± Fa Wu suddenly said in a low voice. ¡°Evil is about to break through the soil.¡± Fa Zhi¡¯s brows furrowed deeply, his tone extremely grave. ¡°Swoosh!¡± At the next moment, a radiant brilliance emerged from the distant horizon. That brilliance shone between heaven and earth, transforming into threads and strands of sword intent. ¡°Hmm?!¡± An Jing felt that sword intent, and his heart suddenly shook, as if it had resonated in some way. Only to see the sea of swords in the sky, seemingly guided, the horizon filled with a roaring as the swords broke through the air, and then that sword intent seemed to point out something specifically. Within the vastness of the sword intent, a golden-red streak of light could be vaguely seen. And the direction that the sword intent pointed was exactly towards An Jing. The golden-red light flashed across like a shooting star, fleeting, yet everyone present felt an intense pressure and a suffocating sensation, which disappeared instantly as the light vanished. ¡°Clang! Clang! Clang!¡± Almost in an instant, the myriad swords fell to the ground. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°What exactly is going on?¡± ¡­.. Everyone looked bewildered, unclear about what had just occurred. ¡°Just now, there seemed to be sword intent guiding¡­.¡± Tian Cansou said in surprise, ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, it should be searching for something.¡± The swords of the entire Yu State City had flown into the sky, that vast ocean-like sword light was a rare sight. Fa Zhi said solemnly, ¡°The sword intent was vast and powerful, it was probably the suppression and sealing of Ye Tai¡¯e, it must have sensed a Qi mechanism opportunity, thus causing the resonance.¡± ¡°Resonance!?¡± Zhao Qingmei heard this, her heart secretly creased. Others might not know the origin of that suppressing and sealing sword, but she was very clear, the direction pointed by that sword intent just now¡­. An Jing looked at Han Wenxin with a bewildered face, exclaiming, ¡°Brother Han, could it be that you are a Sword Dao master!?¡± At this moment, the eyes of several people present turned towards Han Wenxin. The direction indicated by that sword intent earlier seemed to be exactly where Han Wenxin was. ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Han Wenxin¡¯s face flushed, and his tone also became somewhat stammering, ¡°Regarding the Sword Dao, since youth Han has also practiced, and naturally, is very proficient in swordsmanship¡­¡± Han Wenxin liked to boast, but he knew in his heart that boasting had to be done in moderation; if it was too exaggerated, others would sense the falsehood¡­ this boast was too big, he couldn¡¯t back it up. ¡°Could this arrest officer be hiding his skills?!¡± Tian Cansou frowned deeply upon seeing this. Just now, he distinctly remembered that the Sword Intent was directed exactly towards where Han Wenxin was. Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun looked at Han Wenxin, a hint of suspicion flashing in their eyes. ¡°Just now it was merely the monk¡¯s speculation, this gentleman need not worry about just now, the temple has many matters, the monk will take his leave first. If the two donors are sincere in their worship, the monk is willing to show the way.¡± Fa Zhi took a deep breath, clasped his hands together towards everyone, and hurriedly left. Tian Cansou and Dai Ling saw this and followed Fa Zhi. ¡°Brother Han, what are you going to do?¡± An Jing noticed that Han Wenxin seemed to want to follow too, and grabbed him. Clearly, Zhang Zhixing was a Jianghu expert, and Han Wenxin was just a regular arrest officer; if the two were to interact, Han Wenxin would definitely suffer. ¡°I¡­¡± Han Wenxin glanced at Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun, chuckled dryly, then pulled An Jing to the side and said discontentedly, ¡°Of course, I¡¯m going to escort Miss Dai to Fa Xi Temple, do you even need to ask?¡± An Jing frowned and said, ¡°I think that Miss Dai seems like someone from the Jianghu and doesn¡¯t need your escort. You¡¯re completely making an unnecessary move, plus she might not appreciate your intentions.¡± ¡°Brother An, didn¡¯t you see how beautiful Miss Dai is?¡± Han Wenxin seemed quite aggrieved, ¡°But ever since Brother An picked this beautiful flower as a sister-in-law, I also wanted to try getting a beautiful flower myself¡­¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­.¡± Han Wenxin chuckled and said, ¡°Brother An, you know me, I won¡¯t be as foolish as Zhou Xianming, even if Miss Dai isn¡¯t interested, there are still Miss Li, Miss Wang, just like you once said about the fishpond, I want to fill this pond with fish¡­¡± Wanting to be the sea king yet becoming the lick dog, Zhou Xianming licks one, you want to lick ten, a hundred¡­. An Jing thought for a while and said, ¡°What about Tan Yun? Didn¡¯t you say¡­¡± ¡°As for Miss Tan¡­¡± Han Wenxin stealthily glanced at Tan Yun, who was far away, and said seriously, ¡°I think I and Miss Tan aren¡¯t quite compatible.¡± An Jing looked at Han Wenxin, somewhat perplexed by the pronounced change in his attitude in just a few days. ¡°Alright, no more talking, I¡¯m leaving.¡± Han Wenxin finished speaking and hurriedly chased after the others. ¡­¡­ ¡°Where is that rascal Han Wenxin off to?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked as she watched the back of Han Wenxin. Tan Yun also looked puzzled, as if she was still pondering the earlier incident of Sword Intent ¡®pointing¡¯ towards Han Wenxin. ¡°He¡¯s off looking for a beautiful flower, let him be,¡± An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go buy some rouge.¡± Han Wenxin was just trying to make a small thing turn into something big, simply put, he was hormone-driven. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled lightly. The night market was bustling like brocade, with many people congregating and numerous small stalls on both sides of the road. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Rouge, Flying Swallow brand¡¯s rouge, would this lady like to take a look?¡± The vendor saw Zhao Qingmei coming over and quickly came forward to shout. The Flying Swallow brand was very famous in Great Yan, backed by the Yujing City Chamber of Commerce, and not many people knew exactly who was behind that Yujing City Chamber of Commerce, but it was definitely someone from within Yujing City. The big shots and grand families of Yujing City, they were not something Jiangnan Dao could compare with. Flying Swallow brand¡¯s rouge was highly praised for its quality, and the high-end rouge could cost several dozen silver for a box; mostly used by ladies from grand families and noble ladies. And rouges like these at a stall were relatively cheaper, costing just a few coins, but the quality was also quite good, loved by many women. Chapter 83 - Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Your Smile is Springtime Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Your Smile is Springtime ¡°Which rouge should I pick, darling?¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at the rouge on the stall, a hint of a smile on her lips. Tan Yun looked left and right, and upon hearing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s question, he too turned his gaze. Could the son-in-law even know about rouge? ¡°I think¡­¡± An Jing looked carefully for a moment, then mused, ¡°Shopkeeper, which of these rouges smells nice?¡± Tan Yun became puzzled: ¡°???¡± Had the son-in-law lost his mind? Could rouge even be eaten as a side dish? Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face flushed at this, and she glared fiercely at An Jing. She didn¡¯t behave as recklessly as An Jing did in public, speaking without restraint. ¡°Sir, if it¡¯s about the scent, the Golden Flower Rouge is the best. It not only smells floral but also has a sweet note.¡± The vendor smiled knowingly, then turned to Zhao Qingmei and said, ¡°Madam, all our rouges are of the finest quality, made from the best squeezed rouge juice, purified and steamed with floral essence. Just a tiny probe with a hairpin is enough to dab on the lips, and when diluted with water, it¡¯s enough for the whole face.¡± ¡°That being said, the quality must be very good,¡± Zhao Qingmei said, picking up a box of rouge and examining it closely. ¡°The quality is definitely excellent, and if it lightens upon contact with water, we won¡¯t charge for it,¡± the vendor quickly added. An Jing then said, ¡°Then give me a lighter color.¡± The vendor¡¯s hands paused, and his smile froze. ¡°Pfft!¡± Tan Yun couldn¡¯t hold back upon hearing her son-in-law¡¯s words and teased, ¡°I¡¯ll take a lighter color too, as you said, it¡¯s free if the color fades. The son-in-law is so bad! It¡¯s all what the son-in-law said. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to their nonsense, just take these two boxes of rouge,¡± Zhao Qingmei said, rolling her eyes at An Jing and pointing to two wooden rouge boxes on the stall. ¡°Alright.¡± The vendor heaved a sigh of relief and quickly wrapped the two boxes of rouge, ¡°One box of Golden Flower Rouge and one box of Brocade Rouge together are three hundred copper coins.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyebrows rose, ¡°Three hundred copper coins? Isn¡¯t that a bit expensive?¡± ¡°Madam, this is the finest Golden Flower and Brocade Rouge. Truly, it¡¯s not expensive. How about for two hundred ninety copper coins?¡± The vendor asked with a hopeful smile, as he thought the beautiful lady in front of him would be the easiest to deal with. ¡°It¡¯s still too expensive, can it be cheaper?¡± Zhao Qingmei said regretfully shaking her head. ¡°Two hundred eighty-five copper coins, I really can¡¯t go lower,¡± the vendor said, biting his lip and feigning a pained expression. Zhao Qingmei sighed, ¡°Forget it, my husband doesn¡¯t earn much silver in a year; this rouge would be too much of a burden for him.¡± As she spoke, Zhao Qingmei led a hesitant An Jing away. ¡°Madam, don¡¯t go, two hundred eighty copper coins, I¡¯ll give it to you for two hundred eighty copper coins,¡± the vendor called out urgently. Zhao Qingmei, pulling An Jing along as if she hadn¡¯t heard, continued walking ahead. ¡°Madam, don¡¯t go, what¡¯s your price?¡± the vendor became desperate. ¡°Two hundred fifty copper coins,¡± Zhao Qingmei said after a thought. ¡°Two hundred fifty copper coins is unlucky in our hometown, how about two hundred forty copper coins?¡± An Jing chimed in with a laugh. ¡°Then, two hundred forty copper coins it is, I¡¯ll listen to my husband,¡± Zhao Qingmei said, looking at the vendor. ¡°Two hundred forty coins is impossible,¡± the vendor exclaimed, his eyes widening, shaking his head repeatedly, ¡°The lowest I can go is two hundred fifty copper coins, absolutely no lower.¡± Tan Yun was moved by what she heard, just as she was about to speak, Zhao Qingmei said. ¡°Then forget it, let¡¯s go check over there.¡± Zhao Qingmei started pulling An Jing towards the southwest night market. One step. Two steps. Three steps. ¡­. ¡°Madam, hold on, two hundred forty copper coins then!¡± The vendor sighed and called out. Having endured the cold wind for the duration of two cups of tea and having called out for half a day, this was still the only customer of the day. Upon hearing this, the corners of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mouth revealed a smug smile. Seeing this, Tan Yun¡¯s eyes widened, and she then gave Zhao Qingmei a thumbs-up. An Jing had not expected that Zhao Qingmei possessed such a skill. The vendor sighed and said, ¡°Madam, you are as beautiful as a goddess, and I had no idea you were also a master at haggling. It has been a long time since I have encountered an opponent as formidable as you. Today, I will sell to you at a loss just to seek good fortune from your unparalleled beauty.¡± ¡°Then please pack it up for me,¡± Zhao Qingmei said with a light chuckle. ¡°Alright, Madam, please take care.¡± The vendor swiftly packed the two boxes of rouge. ¡°Here is the money, count it.¡± Zhao Qingmei placed the Copper Coins on the stall and looked at An Jing, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing promptly picked up the rouge. The vendor crouched down and counted the Copper Coins on the stall, then looked up, slightly startled. ¡°Oh¡­ This is three hundred Copper Coins? Madam! You¡¯ve given too much!¡± ¡­.. Under the dim lights and the gentle breeze, ¡°Miss, you were really amazing just now,¡± Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but remark in admiration, ¡°That vendor was even ready to sell at a loss to you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s merely a psychological game,¡± Zhao Qingmei said with a light smile, ¡°He claimed he was selling at a loss, just to deceive you. If he were really losing money, why would he sell? This rouge won¡¯t go bad anytime soon.¡± An Jing nodded in agreement, finding Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words utterly convincing. Everyone in the world acts for profit; nobody conducts a losing business. Only Tan Yun believed the vendor¡¯s words. ¡°Husband, do you think I look good now?¡± Zhao Qingmei took out a box of rouge, then gently dabbed some on her lips. Her eyes shimmered like dewy flowers, tempting one to steal a kiss and uncover the mysteries. ¡°Beautiful, my wife is always beautiful,¡± An Jing replied without a second thought, expertly. ¡°So I am always beautiful, but when do you like me the best?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes twinkled mischievously. This was a tricky question. An Jing¡¯s heart stirred, looking at those red lips, he said, ¡°My favorite is when you hesitate.¡± Hearing this, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face flushed red to the base of her neck. Like a curious kitten, Tan Yun leaned in, then with a puzzled face, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to eat? See if it¡¯s tasty now.¡± Zhao Qingmei, feeling both embarrassed and angry, flicked her finger, then dabbed a blob of rouge onto An Jing¡¯s lips. An Jing subconsciously pursed his lips, instantly turning them as bright as blood. Tan Yun clapped her hands in amusement, ¡°The son-in-law looks beautiful indeed; no wonder Han Wenxin likes to drink with son-in-law. If I were Han Wenxin, I¡¯d also like to drink with son-in-law.¡± ¡°You must not talk nonsense like that.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing urgently said, Just thinking about Han Wenxin¡¯s vulgar and obscene demeanor was almost unbearable to witness. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei also burst into laughter, bending over. Her bright eyes sparkled teasingly through the hazy veil, and her lips curled sweetly, revealing her dimples, while her laugh was crisp and delightful. Tan Yun, too, was biting her lip, trying to suppress her laughter. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°If you want to laugh, then laugh,¡± An Jing said irritably. ¡°Geese, geese, geese, geese, geese¡­¡± Tan Yun laughed unrestrainedly, her laughter like honking geese. Seeing them laughing so heartily, An Jing¡¯s lips curled slightly upward, and he, too, began to laugh. Having searched for springtime all my life, it appeared completely when you laughed. ¡­.. Chapter 84 - Chapter 84: Chapter 84: The Famous Sword of the Former Dynasty, Ye Taie Chapter 84: Chapter 84: The Famous Sword of the Former Dynasty, Ye Tai¡¯e Outside Yu State City, at the foot of Three Temple Mountain. Han Wenxin pointed to the mountain, smiled, and said, ¡°The scenery of Three Temple Mountain is quite remarkable, especially the Bright Moon Pavilion on the north peak. At night, one can see the entire night scene of Yu State City. I wonder if Miss Dai would be interested?¡± Throughout the journey, Han Wenxin had been talking nonstop, introducing everything along the way. Fa Wu watched this scene, somewhat puzzled as to why Han Wenxin was so persistent. Could it be that the arrest officer was trying to scheme for the young lady¡¯s silver? If Han Wenxin knew what Fa Wu was thinking, he would feel wronged. Was he scheming for silver? What kind of person did they take him, Han Wenxin, for? Dai Ling shook her head, her expression cold and indifferent. Tian Cansou could no longer hold back and said, ¡°Arrest Officer Han, we might need to stay at Fa Xi Temple for a few days, so you don¡¯t need to see us off.¡± Fa Zhi stood by with his hands clasped together, not saying a word. Han Wenxin waved his hand, smiled, and said, ¡°No worries. I¡¯m responsible for the night patrol and curfew tonight. Since we¡¯ve met by fate, let me accompany you a bit longer.¡± Tian Cansou frowned slightly, feeling somewhat displeased. ¡°Arrest officer Han, come here, I have something to tell you.¡± Dai Ling called to Han Wenxin, then walked towards a distant tree. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m coming.¡± Seeing this, Han Wenxin quickly followed. Under the hazy moonlight, shadows of trees swayed eerily. Dai Ling stood in the moonlight, graceful and enchanting, like a fairy. The thought of being able to embrace such a beauty made Han Wenxin¡¯s heart skip wildly. Zhou Xianming, oh Zhou Xianming, when you return and see me embracing such a beauty, I wonder what you old fellow would think. With that thought, a smile involuntarily formed on his lips. Dai Ling said indifferently, ¡°Arrest Officer Han, do you have improper thoughts about me?¡± Upon hearing this, Han Wenxin¡¯s heart leapt with joy. He hadn¡¯t expected Dai Ling to be so forthright and get straight to the point. He immediately replied, ¡°Miss Dai, my feelings for you are sincere. My father is the retired arrest officer, we have two ancestral homes on Tianxiang Street and two shops in Chunxi Square, and thirty acres of land¡­¡± Before An Jing was married, matchmaker Wang would go to his house every day to propose matches, almost wearing out his doorstep. In his view, if he just showed a bit of skill, this beauty would be easily within his grasp. This was how he always succeeded in the brothels. After all, Han Wenxin believed that he was no worse than his half-brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, An Jing did not know Han Wenxin¡¯s true intentions; otherwise, he would certainly have scoffed in disdain. One was soliciting, the other was soliciting without spending a penny¡ªtwo fundamentally different realms. ¡°No need to say more; we¡¯re not suitable.¡± Dai Ling cut off what Han Wenxin was saying. ¡°Not¡­ suitable?¡± Han Wenxin, as if he had heard wrong, stammered, ¡°Miss¡­. Miss Dai¡­¡± ¡°You are good, but you deserve better, not someone like me who is the best.¡± With those words, Dai Ling left, leaving Han Wenxin with a stunned expression. ¡­¡­. Fa Xi Temple, side room. The candlelight was faint but shimmering. ¡°Uncle, the sword intent today must have been caused by the legendary Evil Suppressing Sword, right?¡± Dai Ling whispered as she poured two cups of tea. Tian Cansou took a deep breath and slowly said, ¡°Yes, the only thing in Yu State City that could cause such a spectacle today is Ye Tai¡¯e.¡± ¡°Ye Tai¡¯e?¡± Dai Ling raised her eyebrows slightly. She knew of the Evil Suppressing Sword, but she was not familiar with Ye Tai¡¯e. ¡°The Evil Suppressing Sword is Ye Tai¡¯e.¡± Tian Cansou nodded and sighed, ¡°This sword was forged by the seventh generation Human Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, named Ye Tai¡¯e. It is rumored to be made from Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Iron, weighing three thousand pounds, folded and reforged a hundred times, and then mixed with copper mother ore. Finally, all essence was depleted, and it was quenched in the flames of the Volcano with the Endless Flame. At that time, Great Zhou gathered all skilled craftsmen and took fifty years to finish. The sword is bloodthirsty and consumes the essence blood of the Sword Masters each time it was forged, resulting in the deaths of over three hundred swordsmiths.¡± ¡°Such a massive expenditure of manpower, resources, and emotional energy, yet the sword was still not successfully forged. Ultimately, the seventh generation Human Emperor had to give up its crafting, and Ye Tai¡¯e lay dormant under the Volcano for hundreds of years, until the ninth generation Emperor of Great Zhou explored the volcano to discover that Ye Tai¡¯e had started to reveal its edge, floating in midair above the volcano.¡± ¡°It is said that when the ninth generation Human Emperor grasped Ye Tai¡¯e, the sword began to consume his essence blood and was thus brought into the world. On the day Ye Tai¡¯e appeared, dark clouds filled the sky, thunder and lightning fell, and anomalous phenomena occurred everywhere. Within thousands of miles, all swords quivered and trembled, shaking people¡¯s hearts. However, the essence blood of that ninth generation Emperor was drained, and he died as a result. Afterward, the experts from the Royal Family of Great Zhou tried to subdue the sword but were all drained of their essence blood, unable to conquer the sword. Finally, they split the sword into six pieces to use as a sealing artifact for the Earth Veins.¡± ¡°Thus, the sword is named Ye Tai¡¯e, also known as the Evil Suppressing Sword. To this day, no one has been able to subdue it.¡± Dai Ling furrowed her brows, ¡°I see, the sword intent I felt today seemed to have some specific target.¡± ¡°It is indeed strange, the seal is damaged, and the sword may also emerge into the world.¡± Tian Cansou¡¯s face grew stern, his eyes carrying a hint of fear, ¡°But remember, this is a demonic object, and should not be touched.¡± The Five Poison Sect is a branch of the Demon Sect with profound heritage. They have some understanding of these ancient records and are naturally aware of the terror of Ye Tai¡¯e. Even if the Emperors of Great Zhou were not the absolute top masters of their times, they still ranked within the top five, and the ninth generation Emperor even possessed the peak strength of a Grandmaster, just one step away from becoming a Great Grandmaster. Yet, even so, the ninth Emperor still died by having his essence blood consumed by Ye Tai¡¯e, which speaks volumes about the ferocity of the sword. ¡°I understand.¡± Dai Ling nodded her head and took a deep breath, ¡°Our only goal is to obtain the suppressed nature¡¯s spiritual energy.¡± Their purpose in coming here was not for the sword, but for the spiritual energy sealed beneath the earth. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Tian Cansou nodded, ¡°Exactly, just by obtaining that strand of spiritual energy, your cultivation could directly reach First Grade, and you might even reach the stage of forming the Human Flower. With your innate talent and age, your chances of reaching the realm of Grandmaster will also be greatly increased.¡± Dai Ling nodded emphatically, her voice laced with concern, ¡°My worry now is how we would handle the multitude of masters drawn here by tonight¡¯s surge of sword intent.¡± Tonight, the surge of Ye Tai¡¯e¡¯s sword intent has caused such a tremor, undoubtedly attracting attention from various quarters. Originally intending to quietly take away the spiritual energy, it now seemed much more difficult. Tian Cansou smiled, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the Buddha statue was broken by Li Fuzhou, and the seal is already mostly broken. In three days, the seal will break entirely, and the spiritual energy will disperse overnight. Anyone thinking they can reach Yu State City in that time is merely dreaming.¡± Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: Chapter 85: No More Lin Mianhong in the World Chapter 85: Chapter 85: No More Lin Mianhong in the World Above the Yu State River, the exquisite pleasure boat drifted slowly across the water in the evening breeze. In the Red House pleasure boat, Li Yue sat in a chair, her delicate beauty and eyes like autumn water captivating the soul, her slender jade hands holding a teacup. ¡°Tap, tap, tap¡­¡± At that moment, footsteps sounded from outside the curtain. The curtain was then lifted, and a plain-looking old woman appeared before Li Yue. ¡°The seal in the Earth Veins will shatter the day after tomorrow,¡± the old woman said in a deep voice. Li Yue nodded, then asked, ¡°Was that Sword Intent just now from the Evil Suppressing Sword?¡± Sword Intent and Sword Skill are different; Skill gives one a sense of oppression. Although it¡¯s intangible, it can still make people feel a tangible pressure, but Intent is different. Intent is like a delicate painting, with endless mysteries hidden inside. The true meaning is the enigma for one to comprehend and suddenly understand the essence of its Skill. The old woman nodded, ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, it should be that sword. The Evil Suppressing Sword was consecrated by the Human Emperor of Great Zhou, then used to suppress the sealing. This sword is a peerless famous sword, ranked third on the Famous Sword List by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.¡± ¡°This sword is also known as the Great Zhou Cloud Dragon, Ye Tai¡¯e, Demon Sword, but most people only know it as the Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± Li Yue chuckled lightly and said, ¡°It seems this sword has quite the history.¡± ¡°You say quite? It¡¯s shockingly so,¡± the old woman replied, shaking her head with a heavy tone. ¡°Rumor has it that this sword incurred the jealousy of the heavens. Anyone who tries to subdue it faces heavenly retribution. Three Human Emperors perished because of this sword, and to date, it has yet to acknowledge a master.¡± ¡°Seeing that it released that Sword Intent, the breaking of the seal is imminent.¡± Li Yue fell silent for a while, then said, ¡°Liu Qingshan, Li Fuzhou, and that group of experts?¡± ¡°So far, only these two are known. It¡¯s uncertain if the monks Fa Zhi and Fa Wu from the Buddhist Sect will intervene, but I suspect other experts will take the opportunity to act,¡± said the old woman, frowning. ¡°Originally, we thought we could directly obtain this strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy when the seal broke. It seems all were vain hopes. No wonder the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion sold such important information so cheaply. It turns out that Liu Qingshan from the Demon Sect and the Cao Gang had already noticed the nature¡¯s spiritual energy beneath this seal¡­¡± The Wind and Rain Tower learned about the spiritual energy beneath this seal through information bought at a great cost from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. It was one of the reasons why Li Yue was lying low in Yu State City, and another was to search for the lost Bodhi Bead. However, it now seemed that the information bought from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion wasn¡¯t highly confidential. Li Yue said indifferently, ¡°As long as the information is true, I will obtain this spiritual energy no matter who comes for it.¡± The old woman heard this and her eyebrows slightly raised, ¡°You must understand, practicing the Blood Spirit Technique means you are burning your Essence Blood. Now that your cultivation has reached the Earth Flower Realm, it shows you don¡¯t have long to live. If you continue using the Blood Spirit Technique in the struggle, you won¡¯t last two years¡­¡± In the vast world of Jianghu, there are countless Martial Arts Heart Methods, among which there are some strange and mysterious ones, and the Blood Spirit Technique is one of them. What truly made the Blood Spirit Technique notorious was several hundred years ago in the Nine Kingdoms. At that time, wars between kingdoms were rife, and naturally, Jianghu was also in chaos. Top experts from Jianghu colluded with the kingdoms, killing each other in an unrest not seen in a millennium, and numerous Sects emerged like bamboo shoots after a rain, including a Sect called the Blood Spirit Sect which appeared in the Jianghu of You Country. At first, this Sect was so insignificant that it didn¡¯t stand out in the vastness of Jianghu. Even You Country itself knew little about it, but in the following three years, the Blood Spirit Sect rose at an astonishing speed, shocking all in the land. At the time, the Sect Leader of Blood Spirit Sect, known as the Blood Spirit Son, used his formidable strength to continuously expand his territory and consolidate his base. He swept through the Jianghu of You Country, defeating all the top experts there. In just two years, it became the premier Sect of You Country, with a momentum so swift that it even began to spread to other countries, astonishing everyone with its rate of expansion. Apart from the strong power of Blood Spirit Son, the Sect Elders and disciples were also formidable. Even the ordinary disciples had mostly reached the Middle Third Grades of cultivation, with hardly any below the Lower Third Grades. Suddenly, countless individuals flocked to join the Blood Spirit Sect, and even prodigies from other countries traveled to You Country to enter the Blood Spirit Sect and learn its Heart Method. The Blood Spirit Sect, for a time, became the most eye-catching entity in the world. It caught the attention of many great sects and prominent martial factions, including the overlord of the Jianghu in the Nine Kingdoms, Outer Heaven, and Zhenyi Sect, among others. Generally, a sect would need to develop over hundreds of years to secure a foothold in the vast Jianghu, yet the Blood Spirit Sect had done so in just three years, how could this not draw the attention and the gaze of others? If they continued to grow at such a speed, wouldn¡¯t the Jianghu of the Nine Kingdoms be unified by the Blood Spirit Sect? At that time, the Zhenyi Sect and other forces such as the Unborn Sect united, and even Outer Heaven and the Zhenyi Sect temporarily put aside their grudges, all to uncover the secrets of the Blood Spirit Sect. Many experts directly stormed the Blood Spirit Sect, demanding the secret of the Blood Spirit Technique from Blood Spirit Zi, and some even asked him to hand over the Blood Spirit Technique, which naturally Blood Spirit Zi would not divulge such critical secrets. On that very night, countless experts poured into You Country, where the Blood Spirit Sect¡¯s headquarters turned into a battlefield of slaughter, and rivers of blood were shed. The Blood Spirit Sect¡¯s Sect Master, Blood Spirit Zi, met his demise, his path to the Dao extinguished, and many of the sect¡¯s experts perished. It wasn¡¯t until the Blood Spirit Sect was utterly annihilated, with only a few core disciples of the Blood Spirit Sect barely clinging to life, that one core disciple, in a desperate bid for survival, revealed to everyone the reason behind the Blood Spirit Sect¡¯s rapid development. This was not far from what everyone had speculated; the Blood Spirit Sect was able to train so many experts in such a short time because of the Blood Spirit Technique. The Blood Spirit Technique was a Xuanwu-level heart method, but its cultivation speed was faster than any martial arts heart method known, because the Blood Spirit Technique could foster a Blood Spirit in one¡¯s Dantian. This Blood Spirit could absorb the human body¡¯s essence blood and then nourish the user in return, allowing for cultivation to grow exponentially in a short time. Essence blood originates from the Innate Essence and is produced in the Acquired Water Valley; the formation of essence also depends on the body¡¯s internal energy, thus the saying ¡°essence blood shares the same origin.¡± With essence blood being vastly consumed, the body needs a long time and large amounts of herbs, food, and supplements, and it also greatly diminishes one¡¯s lifespan. The more essence blood the Blood Spirit absorbs, the more it can return to the user, resulting in even faster cultivation. The experts of the Blood Spirit Sect would rapidly cultivate by continually burning their own essence blood to nourish the Blood Spirit within them. This method not only required vast resources but also cost a great deal of lifespan. Even if many experts had not attacked the Blood Spirit Sect, Blood Spirit Zi wouldn¡¯t have lived for many more years. After the fall of the Blood Spirit Sect, the Blood Spirit Technique was burned by the Sect Leader of the Unborn Sect, to prevent another detrimental sect from arising in the Jianghu. Thus, the notorious Blood Spirit Technique completely vanished from the Jianghu. However, at a moment unnoticed by all, the Sect Leader of the Unborn Sect did not actually burn the Blood Spirit Technique, but used a sleight-of-hand, carefully hiding it away, allowing the legendary Blood Spirit Technique to be passed on to future generations. The Sect Leader of the Unborn Sect was a top expert with an exceedingly high reputation in Jianghu, an elder of the martial community, so none of the many experts present suspected him. And it was this Blood Spirit Technique that Li Yue had been practicing. ¡°To live is but a grain in the ocean, to die is merely to turn to dust,¡± Li Yue said indifferently, her eyes carrying a touch of casualness, elegance, and unruliness, ¡°Do you think a person like me cares about life or death?¡± ¡°Mianhong, it seems now your heart is filled only with hatred,¡± the old woman sighed. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It¡¯s a curious thing sometimes; when there¡¯s nothing left in this world for you, the very thing that can keep you going might be your enemy. ¡°Mianhong is already dead, Granny, please don¡¯t mention her again.¡± Li Yue stood up, her jade hand gracefully pulling aside the wooden curtain, and chuckled, ¡°I wonder which handsome young master has come. Finding someone to relieve boredom wouldn¡¯t be too bad.¡± Saying so, she carefully adjusted her attire and walked out with graceful steps. ¡­¡­. Chapter 86 - Chapter 86: Eighty-sixth Chapter: Whispering Under the Starry Moonlit Night Chapter 86: Eighty-sixth Chapter: Whispering Under the Starry Moonlit Night Two days later, Jishi Hall. By late autumn, the howling north wind traveled south, and the weather gradually became colder. The leaves on the old locust tree had nearly all fallen, leaving the bare trunk appearing somewhat desolate and bleak. An Jing sat in front of the medicine cabinet, and the light from the Earth Book was becoming increasingly intense. The likelihood of the sealing breaking tonight was high, and when that happened, nature¡¯s spiritual energy would gush forth. Nature¡¯s spiritual energy, as recorded in ancient texts, was refined by Grandmasters. Without the guidance of a Grandmaster¡¯s True Qi, it would quickly dissipate into the environment. So if today was the day the seal broke, he must seize this opportunity. As long as he obtained this strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, he could accelerate his progress on condensing the Earth Flower. ¡°That old codger, Li Fuzhou, has been following me around these past few days. I need to think of a plan tonight.¡± An Jing looked down in thought, then glanced at the little black pup lying at his feet, ¡°Little Blackie, come, help me think of¡­¡± ¡°Woof~~Woof!¡± Little Blackie instantly bristled and quickly walked toward the back hall, as if afraid of hearing something he shouldn¡¯t. Just then, Li Fuzhou came out holding a large jar, and Little Blackie bumped into Li Fuzhou¡¯s legs, tumbling over in the process. ¡°What¡¯s the rush?¡± Li Fuzhou raised an eyebrow and scolded Little Blackie, ¡°You often listen to me reading books; you¡¯ve picked up some knowledge. I have cautioned you time and again, in situations like this, one must not be too impetuous or panicky. What state are you in now!?¡± ¡°Woof~wuu!¡± Little Blackie whimpered and then sat down on the ground, tilting his head to look at Li Fuzhou. An Jing, seeing Li Fuzhou¡¯s serious demeanor, suddenly found it amusing. This old man was actually taking such trouble with a dog. ¡°What¡¯s in this jar?¡± Li Fuzhou gave a faint smile and said, ¡°It¡¯s medicinal wine brewed by the young lady for your son-in-law; she said it can be used by year-end.¡± ¡°That sounds good; it has everything it should have in it, right?¡± An Jing peeked into the jar. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know.¡± Li Fuzhou placed the jar on the ground, smiling amiably, ¡°Young Master, I heard you don¡¯t like drinking medicinal wine?¡± ¡°Who¡¯s been spouting nonsense? Was it Tan Yun again?¡± An Jing gazed at the medicinal wine Zhao Qingmei had brewed for him and said, ¡°This is a fine thing; how could I not love it? Besides, my wife brewed this for me; I¡¯ll make sure to finish it all.¡± This isn¡¯t just medicinal wine; it¡¯s my wife¡¯s love for me. ¡°Cough cough cough cough¡­¡± Li Fuzhou coughed a few times, ¡°This medicinal wine is too potent; you won¡¯t be able to finish it alone. I can help share some of that burden, young master.¡± Damn! An Jing finally understood. This old fellow wanted his medicinal wine. Sure enough, no man would ever refuse something that benefits vitality and vigor. Seeing An Jing¡¯s reluctance, Li Fuzhou sighed and said, ¡°Madam Zhao has been asking me¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re right; I definitely can¡¯t finish this wine alone.¡± An Jing quickly interrupted Li Fuzhou. ¡°That¡¯s right, Young Master.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded in satisfaction, ¡°I have to attend to something tonight, so I won¡¯t be keeping accounts for young master. Also, Zhou Xianming is coming back soon; remember to give me some ¡®wages¡¯ when the time comes.¡± Having said that, Li Fuzhou walked away chuckling. An Jing watched Li Fuzhou¡¯s retreating figure, knowing his so-called business was nothing more than frequenting brothels. With Li Fuzhou not following him, it was a good opportunity for An Jing to slip out. Thinking this, An Jing quickly began closing up the shop. ¡°Husband, isn¡¯t it too early to be closing up?¡± Zhao Qingmei came out and saw An Jing boarding up, she couldn¡¯t help but ask curiously. ¡°Han Wenxin told me there¡¯s a prisoner suffering from a chill in jail; he asked me to take a look.¡± An Jing had already thought of an excuse. ¡°That youngster, Han Wenxin?¡± Zhao Qingmei raised an eyebrow and then gave An Jing a suspicious look, ¡°Is that for real?¡± ¡°For real, of course, it is. I need to hurry and check it out.¡± An Jing said with a straight face. ¡°Alright then, it¡¯s cold tonight so wear more clothes,¡± Zhao Qingmei, seeing An Jing¡¯s serious face, finally nodded her head. After all, with a Demon Sect master by his side, he should be safe. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my wife. Just wait for my return.¡± An Jing smiled, secured the wooden planks, picked up the small medical kit, and walked out of Jishi Hall. ¡­¡­. At the wine tavern in Wuyang, in a private room on the second floor. Han Wenxin looked at An Jing with a sense of lament, ¡°Brother An, it has been a long time since we¡¯ve enjoyed wine and cheerful conversation like today.¡± Since An Jing got married, he had rarely come out to drink with him, and Han Wenxin wondered why today he had asked him out for drinks. ¡°Indeed.¡± An Jing sighed and said, ¡°There¡¯s no more surplus grain at home.¡± ¡°Brother An, let¡¯s not talk about that now. Let¡¯s drink.¡± Han Wenxin raised his glass, ¡°I hope this cup can dispel the recent sorrows and troubles.¡± ¡°Sorrows and troubles?¡± An Jing looked at Han Wenxin and asked, ¡°Is it because of Miss Dai?¡± ¡°Let the past be carried away by the wind, let¡¯s not bring it up again.¡± Han Wenxin said with a profound look. ¡°What happened? Were you rejected?¡± ¡°How could I be!?¡± Han Wenxin said seriously, ¡°That day, after I took her to the Three Temples Mountain Faxi Temple, I planned to return home. But Miss Dai insisted on keeping me there, inviting me to watch the stars. In the end, it was I who resolutely refused.¡± An Jing, full of questions, said, ¡°Watch the stars? She invited you? And you refused?¡± An Jing felt like he was listening to a fairy tale, everything was fake except for the names. ¡°I swear every word I said is true, if not, may Zhou Xianming that old fellow get the top mark in this autumn¡¯s examination.¡± Seeing An Jing¡¯s expression, Han Wenxin quickly said, ¡°I¡¯m telling you, just yesterday she asked me to join her for a trip along the Yu State River. Unable to decline such earnestness, I reluctantly went. The journey was utterly dull, and when I came back, I had old Master from Mazi Lane calculate our compatibility.¡± ¡°I found out that our horoscopes are incompatible.¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow, ¡°Horoscopes do not match?¡± ¡°Yes, our horoscopes do not match.¡± Han Wenxin sighed and said, ¡°My father said it would create conflicts. Moreover, she came to see me again today, and I straightforwardly rejected her feelings. I told her that I am a man like the wind, not meant to stay for her. You don¡¯t understand, seeing her utterly heartbroken nearly made me relent. But then I remembered your words, Brother An, and that firmly decided my resolve.¡± After finishing, Han Wenxin still appeared contemplative and relieved. An Jing, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, ¡°Brother Han, what did I say?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve forgotten? It was you who once told me,¡± Han Wenxin threw an arm around An Jing¡¯s shoulders, declaiming spiritedly, ¡°We should use the time it takes to chase a horse to cultivate a prairie, instead of giving up a whole forest for one tree.¡± An Jing wondered, ¡°Did I say that?¡± He used to enjoy chatting about various trivial things with Han Wenxin, but he had mostly forgotten them. However, that was all in the past. Now he was a respectable man¡­. ¡°You did.¡± Han Wenxin, excitedly pointing at a distant high rise, said, ¡°Brother An, you are like a bright lamp on my life¡¯s path, guiding me forward, straight to the brothel.¡± Damn! I don¡¯t want to be that kind of lamp. An Jing¡¯s face darkened upon hearing this. ¡°Come, Brother An, let¡¯s heartily drink this cup!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s drink!¡± ¡­. After three rounds of drinks and five courses of dishes. ¡°Come¡­ let¡¯s drink.¡± Han Wenxin was so drunk he was unconscious, mumbling as he lay on the table, still holding a wine jug in his hand. An Jing stretched a bit and nonchalantly took out a dark blue cloak from a small medicine box. ¡°Brother Han, you keep drinking here for a while.¡± He had important matters to attend to, and inviting Han Wenxin for a drink was just a cover. By then, Han Wenxin had lost his senses, his hand subconsciously bringing the jug to his mouth, but as he took a sip, he furrowed his brows and couldn¡¯t help but curse, ¡°This doesn¡¯t taste right¡­.¡± An Jing, having changed his clothes, asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with it?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This tavern¡¯s wine was the most famous in Yu State City, noted not only for its reasonable price but also for its exceptional taste. ¡°Not¡­ not salty enough.¡± Han Wenxin murmured softly, then leaned on the table and licked his lips. Upon hearing this, An Jing paused for a while, then said with a faint voice, ¡°So, Brother Han likes the taste of pickled vegetables.¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 87 - Chapter 87: Chapter 87: No Return from the Boundless Sea of Suffering Chapter 87: Chapter 87: No Return from the Boundless Sea of Suffering Outside the tavern, the moonlight spills like water, flowing for thousands of miles. Shui Zhongyue stood atop a distant roof, his eyes fixed intently on the private room¡¯s entrance of the Wuyang Tavern. Having lost track of the young doctor last time, Huo Zhongyun had been punished according to the Demon Sect¡¯s rules, and to this day, he¡¯s still bedridden. Shui Zhongyue knew he absolutely must not follow in his footsteps and needed to keep a close watch on that young doctor. ¡°I really don¡¯t know why we have to keep an eye on, protect this young doctor,¡± Shui Zhongyue muttered to himself. Yet, as Shui Zhongyue watched the private room, a shadow silently flew out of the window without him noticing at all. That person was none other than An Jing, who had concealed his Qi. ¡­¡­. Three Temple Mountain, the northern peak at Bright Moon Pavilion. The peak was shrouded in mist and cloud, with winding mountain paths, and the moon seemed to hang just before one¡¯s eyes. At this moment, the mountain path was filled with experts, each with a blade at their waist and a waist badge¡ªupon closer inspection, all were Xuanyi Guard badges, and even the lowest rank among them was Silver. Moreover, standing beside the pavilion were five Gold Constables, each in a posture of obedient readiness. With Gold Constables standing guard outside the pavilion, naturally, the one inside had to be the Jade Constable of the Xuanyi Guard, also known as the Great Heavenly Gang. Three Great Heavenly Gang members stood within the pavilion, one of whom was Gan Yue. The person standing in the chief position had graying temples and bright eyes, his left hand resting on the hilt of the blade at his waist. His face was as still as calm waters, and the other Great Heavenly Gang member was a woman. The woman appeared to be in her forties, with fairly unremarkable looks, and with the passage of time, she began to show some signs of aging. These two were the Heavenly Kill Star Xi Jikui and the Heavenly Skill Star Zhang Shuang of the Xuanyi Guard. ¡°Master Xi, Master Zhang, all the hands have been deployed,¡± Gan Yue declared with a clasped fist. Xi Jikui nodded slightly, ¡°Thank you for your efforts, Master Gan.¡± Gan Yue replied indifferently, ¡°Master Xi jests, we are all but sharing His Majesty¡¯s worries.¡± ¡°Those from the Demon Sect, truly hateful!¡± Xi Jikui¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, a trace of cold light emerging, ¡°Li Fuzhou broke the seal this time for merely a wisp of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, but he completely disregards the safety of the world.¡± ¡°This time, I will ensure Li Fuzhou does not return.¡± Xi Jikui¡¯s tone was very mild, yet it concealed a thick intent to kill. Gan Yue and Zhang Shuang felt a tremor in their hearts upon hearing this. Who was Li Fuzhou? He was the Sect Master of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect, an unmatched expert who in his prime stood against four Great Heavenly Gang members alone. Even Xi Yuanjun couldn¡¯t slay him when he was at his peak. Today, however, they had to ambush this man. Zhang Shuang chuckled beside them, ¡°If Master Xi manages to kill Li Fuzhou by hand, you¡¯re sure to become celebrated across Jianghu, and His Majesty will be greatly pleased.¡± Li Fuzhou was the Sect Master of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect. If they were lucky enough to kill him this time, although they would gain a great reputation, they would also be marked for vengeance and retaliation by the Demon Sect. This was not a title just anyone could bear. Xi Jikui naturally understood Zhang Shuang¡¯s intentions, but of course, he was not afraid of offending the Demon Sect. After all, his father was Xi Yuanjun, the Deputy Governor of the Xuanyi Guard. If someone like him feared the Demon Sect¡¯s retaliation, then who in the world would dare to kill the experts of the Demon Sect? Gan Yue pondered for a moment, then said, ¡°Apart from the Demon Sect, I¡¯m certain other experts will want to vie for nature¡¯s spiritual energy. We must be cautious. According to information from the Heaven and Earth Net, people from the Five Poison Sect seem to have also arrived¡­¡± ¡°If they can be killed, kill them all!¡± Xi Jikui declared icily, ¡°This nature¡¯s spiritual energy is an asset of the Dynasty; anyone who dares to covet it deserves to die.¡± Even Gan Yue frowned upon hearing this remark. After all, many formidable opponents may have come this time, and if it really came to a fight, the Xuanyi Guard might not necessarily hold an advantage. Furthermore, what he referred to as an asset of the Dynasty, that statement seemed somewhat off; evidently, he wanted the spiritual energy for himself. Xi Jikui stated expressionlessly, ¡°These people are all parasites of our Great Yan, only thinking of fishing in troubled waters for their own gain. What use is there in keeping them around?¡± Gan Yue nodded upon hearing this and no longer spoke. ¡­¡­.. Dusk descended, and the entire Three Temple Mountain was shrouded in darkness. In the Vilu Hall, the sound of a wooden fish being struck could be heard. At this moment, the statue of Buddha in Vilu Hall had been shattered, and the ground was covered with broken fragments, which, despite being broken, still emanated a faint golden glow. It was precisely because these fragments still carried Buddha¡¯s light that the seal did not break immediately. ¡°Sizzle!¡± ¡°Sizzle!¡± Dark currents of air spread out around the great hall, seemingly trying to burst forth from the hall, but they appeared to be restrained by some sort of shackles. ¡°Senior Brother, the moon is almost full.¡± Fa Wu looked up at the moon outside the hall. The rounder the moon, the heavier the Yin Energy, which was a bad omen. ¡°What must come will always come,¡± Fa Zhi sighed, ¡°Suffering is inherent in the human world, not just for common folk.¡± ¡°Senior Brother?¡± Fa Wu asked, ¡°I don¡¯t quite understand.¡± ¡°What don¡¯t you understand?¡± ¡°Why do we protect the seal? Yet some people want to destroy it? Who is right and who is wrong?¡± ¡°Each person has their own destiny; right and wrong lie within a single thought of yours. If you believe it¡¯s right, then it is right. If you think it¡¯s wrong, then it¡¯s wrong.¡± ¡°Each person has their own destiny? Do I have one too?¡± ¡°Yes, your destiny and mine are the same as all beings. All beings suffer, and you must seek liberation from this suffering sea.¡± Fa Wu became even more baffled, as his Senior Brother always spoke of the suffering of all beings, yet he couldn¡¯t feel it, ¡°Why do all beings suffer, the world is not at peace, yet they do not turn towards our Buddha?¡± Hearing this, Fa Zhi said, ¡°Do you think that if more people turn towards our Buddha, all the people in the world will be able to escape the sea of suffering and the world will be at peace?¡± Fa Wu asked in confusion, ¡°Senior Brother, is it not so? Isn¡¯t our journey here to fulfill the Bodhisattva¡¯s decree to preach the scriptures?¡± ¡°Fa Wu, you are mistaken,¡± Fa Zhi shook his head. ¡°Mistaken?¡± ¡°We did not leave our homes merely to preach the scriptures.¡± ¡°If not to preach, then what for?¡± ¡°We left home so that there would be no more monks in the world.¡± Upon hearing these words from Fa Zhi, Fa Wu was completely stunned, ¡°We left home just so that there would be no more monks in the world¡­¡± At that moment, it was as if he had been enlightened, realizing the profound truth. Fa Zhi nodded and slowly said, ¡°Leaving home is but a way to help sentient beings escape the sea of suffering. Should the sentient beings truly escape it, what use would we have then?¡± Indeed, if all beings are universally saved and people escape the sea of suffering, then what purpose do we serve? Fa Zhi looked towards the wall where the evil Yin energy was nearly bursting forth, ¡°Is the evening drum prepared?¡± ¡°It¡¯s ready,¡± Fa Wu nodded. ¡°Good,¡± Fa Zhi sighed softly, ¡°Fa Wu, remember always that you are a monk, but you are also one of the countless sentient beings. When they escape the sea of suffering, so will you.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Senior Brother, Fa Wu will bear this in his heart, never to forget,¡± said Fa Wu. Fa Wu felt that today his Senior Brother was unusually talkative. In the past, he too asked many things, but his Senior Brother often told him to listen and to perceive. Today, however, Fa Zhi seemed willing to explain everything, word by word. Fa Zhi, in a rare gesture, patted Fa Wu on the head and said wistfully, ¡°In fact, for some people, leaving their homes to become monks is the greatest sea of suffering.¡± Chapter 88 - Chapter 88: Chapter 88 Peerless Swordsman Strikes the Scorpion Chapter 88: Chapter 88 Peerless Swordsman Strikes the Scorpion ¡°Master, since the seal is about to break, why don¡¯t we lend it a helping hand? After all, once the seal is broken, Master will also be freed from many troubles.¡± Just then, a laugh came from behind. Under the moonlight outside the hall, a figure stood at the doorway, his wide sleeves fluttering in the wind, his skin as wrinkled as tree bark, his sinister eyes looking at Fa Zhi. ¡°Benefactor Zhang,¡± Fa Zhi saw the person and sighed, ¡°Once the seal is broken, there will be calamities across the world. Are you aware of this?¡± ¡°Nonsense.¡± Zhang Zhixing took a deep breath and said, ¡°Beneath this seal lies the spiritual energy of nature. What calamities could there be? Besides, if I acquire this spiritual energy, why should I care about others?¡± ¡°Amitabha.¡± Fa Wu glanced at Zhang Zhixing and then pressed his hands together in prayer. Fa Zhi put down the wooden fish he was holding and slowly said, ¡°Benefactor Zhang, have you forgotten that you too are among the people of this world?¡± Zhang Zhixing sneered, ¡°Master Fa Zhi, I¡¯m not ignorant of the grand principles, but today I¡¯m not here to debate with you. I must obtain this strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy.¡± Having said that, Zhang Zhixing stepped forward. ¡°Boom!¡± What seemed like a casual step contained extremely violent inner strength; the moment his toe touched the ground, ripples emanated from the center, causing the entire hall to shake violently. ¡°Such powerful inner strength!¡± Fa Wu felt a chill in his heart and his heart began to pound uncontrollably. Keep in mind he was a First Grade cultivator, yet facing Zhang Zhixing¡¯s probing step, he felt utterly powerless ¡ª a testament to Zhang Zhixing¡¯s terrifying strength. ¡°Benefactor, why do you cling to your delusions?¡± Fa Zhi pressed his hands together and then placed them in front of his chest. ¡°Buzz, buzz!¡± As Fa Zhi pressed his hands together, beams of golden light suddenly pierced forth behind him, as dazzling and blinding as the sun in the night, unbearable to the eyes. ¡°Bang, bang, bang, bang!¡± The two Qi Forces collided fiercely, sending violent shockwaves spreading crazily in all directions. ¡­¡­. An Jing, dressed in a cyan robe, dashed through the foliage with great speed. Although it was only his second visit, he was already quite familiar with Fa Xi Temple. Soon, he arrived at the mountain gate of Fa Xi Temple. The last visit was during Buddhism¡¯s Ullambana Festival, and it was daytime, bustling with people; now, however, the temple was utterly silent, with only the breeze and the low chirping of nocturnal insects. An Jing leaped, easily scaling the over ten-meter-high courtyard wall, and landed on the ground as swiftly as a swallow. ¡°Hm!?¡± Suddenly, the ground shook violently. ¡°A master?!¡± An Jing slightly raised his brows and quickly moved towards the source of the vibration. Merely from the sound of the vibrating inner strength, he knew the two fighters were definitely not low-level cultivators. An Jing stepped on the eaves and soon arrived in front of the grand doors of Vilu Hall. ¡°Hm!?¡± Just as he was about to step in, a dark shadow swiftly struck towards his lower leg. Clang¡ª! An Jing¡¯s palm reflexively reached for the hilt of his sword, and with a swing, cold light flashed, imprinting a trail of frost on the ground. ¡°Pfft!¡± The shadow split in two, blood spraying everywhere; upon closer inspection, it was a thumb-sized poisonous snake. After being sliced in half by the sword Qi, the snake¡¯s body still twitched continuously. ¡°These snakes¡­¡± An Jing felt odd. Fa Xi Temple was located in the deep mountains; it was normal for poisonous snakes to appear. An Jing had also gone herb gathering in the mountains. As long as one did not invade the snakes¡¯ territory, they usually wouldn¡¯t attack. Before he could collect his thoughts, several more poisonous snakes appeared around him, rushing towards him. ¡°Seems like there is a snake-handling expert here.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes, and his sword swept through the air. The cold sword light spit out from his blade. ¡°Shick!¡± The several snakes were instantly split in half. ¡°Impressive swordsmanship!¡± A chilly voice came from a distance. An Jing followed the voice and saw, under the moonlight, a graceful woman whose beauty was celestial, yet her eyes carried a hint of cold light. This person was none other than Miss Dai, whom An Jing had encountered at the night market. An Jing, seeing Dai Ling, muttered to himself, ¡°As expected, these two indeed came for nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Perhaps, Zhang Zhixing is currently within Vilu Hall.¡± ¡°You flatter me,¡± An Jing said indifferently. ¡°Sir, the Five Poison Sect will claim this strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy,¡± Dai Ling stated, her voice somewhat cold. Five Poison Sect!? An Jing then recalled, it seemed Zhou Xianming had once mentioned that the Five Poison Sect had a member named Zhang Zhixing, who possessed extremely great strength. Additionally, the Sect Leader of the Five Poison Sect was Dai Danshu, a highly skilled and ruthlessly cunning individual. Knowing that this Miss Dai hailed from the Five Poison Sect, it was clear she had close ties with Dai Danshu. The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had ranked the entire Great Yan Martial World into seven gangs and five sects, also establishing the Jianghu Dragon and Tiger List. Although somewhat biased, they were generally somewhat credible, otherwise they wouldn¡¯t have been so popular among the people of Jianghu. The most controversial were the rankings on the Dragon and Tiger List. Every year, masters rose to fame in Jianghu, and these individuals were not recorded on the list, appearing as if out of thin air, mingling among the old Jianghu folks who knew that some highly skilled masters were extremely strong but not listed in the Dragon and Tiger List¡ªthese were the hidden masters of the current age. Comparatively, there was much less controversy about the seven gangs and five sects, although Zhenyi Sect was an exception. In the eyes of the world, it should be termed as six sects instead of five because Zhenyi Sect¡¯s strength was so formidable that it was not on the same level as the other six sects. Besides Zhenyi Sect and the highly esteemed Xuanyi Guard, the six major sects were the top forces in the Great Yan Martial World, an indisputable fact. The strength of these six sects was in some respects even greater than the five gangs, as each sect had centuries of history, profound heritage, and reclusive experts that ordinary Jianghu people dared not provoke. ¡°So what if it¡¯s the Five Poison Sect?¡± An Jing¡¯s tone was dismissive. He had come to retrieve his own blue opportunity, so how could he possibly leave just because of a few words from Dai Ling. ¡°Then don¡¯t blame me for being rude!¡± Dai Ling¡¯s gaze chilled as she thrust her palm forward. The two were several meters apart when Dai Ling¡¯s palm strike surged forward, filling the air with its whistling sound. An Jing stood his ground. He felt as if the palm strike was not just coming from directly in front of him but from all directions, as if he were caught in a vast spider web, becoming prey trapped in this web. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± He shifted his body, easily dodging the palm strike, then like an arrow, he shot toward Dai Ling, his longsword aimed straight at her throat. The moment An Jing sprung up, Dai Ling¡¯s hair stood on end, and her heart raced to her throat. Such a sensation only occurred when facing a swordsman with an extremely high realm in Sword Dao. She dared not be careless, and her inner strength started circulating at full force. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± The temperature around them plummeted suddenly. Then, strands of ice appeared, shimmering under the moonlight, and solidified into chunks of ice, gradually forming an indestructible wall of ice. Ice Scorpion City! Dai Ling practiced the Scorpion Martial Arts and the Heavenly Scorpion Technique. With the help of her father, Dai Danshu, she had consumed a millennium-old piece of Frost Jade from a young age, making her inner strength contain Ice Breath. When executing the Heavenly Hand, her inner strength could condense into strands of Ice Breath, greatly enhancing its power. An Jing¡¯s expression remained indifferent, his longsword continuing to pierce forward. Just as the sword tip collided with the ice wall, at the very center where the sword tip was, dense cracks formed, spreading out like a spider web. ¡°Bang!¡± The seemingly indestructible ice wall failed to stop An Jing even for a moment. His sword tip continued to thrust forward, straight toward Dai Ling¡¯s throat. Dai Ling was greatly alarmed and repeatedly stepped to the side in a panic. As Dai Ling hastily moved aside, An Jing¡¯s swordsmanship had already reached an advanced level. Although he missed her throat, his sword tip flicked directly toward Dai Ling¡¯s heart. ¡°Shh!¡± The sword stroke was as nimble as an antelope hanging its horns, incredibly clever and precise as it struck right at Dai Ling¡¯s chest. Then, the sword tip seemed to encounter something extremely hard and could not advance any further. ¡°Hm! Inner Armor?¡± An Jing paused, thinking to himself. Typically, Inner Armor was worn inside one¡¯s clothing, mostly woven from precious metals and millennium-old vines, not only impervious to blades and spears but also able to withstand some of the impact of Qi Force, making it a life-saving treasure rarely seen in Jianghu. ¡°Tap, tap, tap¡­.¡± Although he hadn¡¯t pierced through Dai Ling¡¯s body, the force still shook her, causing her to stagger back repeatedly. Once she steadied herself, her face turned deathly pale, then flushed red, her eyes fiercely fixed on the swordsman in the dark blue cloak before her. ¡°Such hardness? But I prefer them soft,¡± An Jing coldly sneered. ¡°Are you that peerless swordsman!?¡± Dai Ling, both angry and annoyed, suddenly recalled the recently famous Sword Dao master from Jiangnan Dao. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Initially, she had scoffed at this swordsman, wondering how an unknown could turn Jiangnan Dao upside down and even leave the Cao Gang and the Xuanyi Guard helpless against him. Now, witnessing the swordsman¡¯s strength herself, she realized that the rumors within Jianghu were not all exaggerated. With her Second Grade cultivation, if she hadn¡¯t had her Inner Armor, she might have been pierced through by the swordsman¡¯s blade just now. ¡­¡­ Chapter 89 - Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Wu Hook Double Moon Tian Cansou Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Wu Hook Double Moon Tian Cansou In Vilu Hall, there was chaos. Tian Cansou was pushed back by a golden light, speaking coldly, ¡°Fate progresses as it must; why must you be so obstinate, Great Master?¡± What is fate? Fate is like a torrential flood surging forth. ¡°In this world, only two things make one clench their fists in frustration¡ªone is the wrong dedication, the other is giving up too easily.¡± Speaking in a deep voice, Fa Zhi said, ¡°As the abbot of Fa Xi Temple, I naturally will not let the sealing be easily broken, subjecting all creatures to suffering, even if it means persisting in error, I must do it today.¡± ¡°Foolish!¡± Tian Cansou¡¯s face turned completely grim as the Inner Strength within him surged like a rushing river, flowing through his meridians; soon after, two stunningly glamorous flowers appeared behind him. The Human Flower and Earth Flower! Tian Cansou had pushed his Cultivation to the limit, intending to repel Fa Zhi in the shortest time possible, fully aided by the full moon tonight, to destroy the sealing beneath the Buddha statue and then seize the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. With a shudder, Tian Cansou pressed towards Fa Zhi like Mount Tai bearing down. Fa Zhi clasped his hands in front of his chest, with a golden light surfacing on his body. ¡°Boom!¡± Upon clashing, it was like mountains colliding, shaking the entire Great Hall; then, the blue stone slabs under Fa Zhi¡¯s feet began to crack, eventually shattering entirely. Tian Cansou¡¯s father had been a swordsman, living a life of licking blood off knife-edges in Jianghu, accustomed to life and death, which made him volatile and extremely irritable. When Zhang Zhixing was born without hands, just feet, everyone who saw his congenital disability was terribly frightened. His father thought it was a family curse and despised him immensely, even wanting to strangle him to death. Fortunately, his mother intervened, allowing him to survive. Although he was not strangled by his father, Zhang Zhixing grew up isolated and humiliated. With his mother¡¯s comfort and help, Zhang Zhixing did not succumb to despair. He diligently practiced leg techniques day after day, regardless of harsh cold or scorching heat. With his extraordinary willpower, he successfully entered one of the top seven sects, Five Poison Sect, learned the Heavenly Centipede Technique, and mastered its leg techniques to perfection, establishing a formidable reputation in Jianghu, and was even known as the Double Moon Hooks. Hence, his two legs were referred to as paired moon hooks¡ªhis moves were unpredictable and varied, leaving his foes entirely unable to guard against him. Inside the hall, the figures of the two men flickered, exchanging dozens of moves in just moments. The Double Moon Hooks-like legs of Tian Cansou, whose attacks were swift and relentless like a tide, were all met by Fa Zhi. ¡°Indeed, a Pure Land Arhat!¡± Seeing this, Tian Cansou frowned heavily. The Pure Land, claiming to contain Three Thousand Buddha Countries, had numerous experts, but only eighteen could be called Arhats, meeting two major conditions: one must have profound Cultivation and the other, profound Buddhist Law. It seemed unlikely he would be able to repel him in a short time. ¡°This is bad!¡± Just then, sounds of fighting came from outside the hall. Tian Cansou felt a stir in his heart, fearing for Dai Ling¡¯s safety. After repelling Fa Zhi with one kick, he rushed towards the hall entrance. ¡­¡­. Outside Vilu Hall. Dai Ling stared tensely ahead, her heart pounding. At this moment, she was extremely nervous. An Jing, without responding to her, twirled his longsword, creating a sword blossom. The fierce, ice-cold blade shone with a chilling murderous aura. ¡°Shush!¡± The sword blade spat out a streak of cold light that abruptly lunged towards Dai Ling¡¯s graceful waist. Fast! Too fast! The streak of Sword Light was like a whistling gale. Dai Ling clearly saw it coming but was completely unable to react, standing there dumbstruck, her mind going blank. Just at this critical moment, a Qi Force surged from afar and blocked the Sword Light. Having missed his strike, An Jing¡¯s body hurriedly moved backward. ¡°Sir, your sword is very fast.¡± Tian Cansou landed in front of Dai Ling and spoke slowly. ¡°Old man, you¡¯re not slow yourself.¡± An Jing¡¯s voice was hoarse, evident from his internal strength vibrating within his abdominal cavity. A pity, had the old man not arrived, that miss would have perished just now. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Tian Cansou asked in a low voice. ¡°Fortunately, the Great Elder was in time,¡± Dai Ling finally recovered her senses, thinking of the surging Sword Qi, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a lingering fear. She knew that if Tian Cansou had not appeared just now to block that sword light, she might have been cut in half at the waist by it. This peerless swordsman, seemingly calm, harbored an extremely intense murderous aura. In the Great Yan Martial World, many swordsmen are like this¡ªthey strike to kill, and their swords become sharper only when drenched in blood, advancing their swordsmanship relentlessly. If put in plain words, killing becomes a habit, and the sword becomes sharp. Thus, when An Jing killed, his actions were never slow, nor did he hesitate. Where his sword pointed, there was either life or death. ¡°It seems you have come today for that strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy as well,¡± Tian Cansou said narrowing his eyes slightly. ¡°And you have not?¡± An Jing pondered silently. Tian Cansou¡¯s strength was unfathomable, and he might not be able to win, especially not knowing if others were watching. ¡°Then, I must kill you first before retrieving the spiritual energy.¡± Tian Cansou¡¯s sinister eyes flickered with a hint of killing intent. What is Jianghu? Jianghu is both the affairs of human emotion and the clashes of combat. If human emotions do not work, then combat prevails, and if combat is useless, then it resorts back to human affairs. ¡°Liu Qingshan couldn¡¯t kill me, do you think you can?¡± An Jing burst into laughter upon hearing Tian Cansou¡¯s words. ¡°What Liu Qingshan can¡¯t kill, I, Zhang Zhixing, can.¡± Tian Cansou bellowed and swept his leg across, the shadow flickering at a bizarre angle. An Jing shifted his body to the side to dodge the leg, only to realize that the kick was a probing move; Tian Cansou pressed down with another strike as if carrying thousands of pounds of force, the sound of tearing air buzzing loudly. ¡°Bang!¡± An Jing could only cross his arms to block the leg. ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom!¡± Immediately, centered around the two of them, the Qi Force exploded like bursts, emitting a series of roars. And An Jing, right at the center, felt his organs tremble, a shock going through his heart¡ªTian Cansou¡¯s strength was on par with Liu Qingshan, both being in the Earth Flower Realm. Sword light danced, unmatched leg shadows. The two exchanged dozens of moves continuously; Tian Cansou¡¯s offensive was like tide, relentless, leaving no breathing space for An Jing. ¡°Senior Brother, what should we do now?¡± Fa Wu asked. ¡°Let¡¯s just watch for now,¡± Fa Zhi fell silent for a long while, then looked towards the flying eaves atop the Grand Hall. At this moment, several figures had already gathered on the flying eaves of the Grand Hall, their faces obscured by the moonlight. ¡°Unexpectedly, this swordsman has appeared again,¡± Liu Qingshan looked at the two fiercely fighting below and chuckled lightly. Beneath the seal lies nature¡¯s spiritual energy, not a widely known secret, only a few people and powers are aware, and this swordsman¡¯s knowledge of it shows he¡¯s not merely a lone wanderer. Guo Yuchun¡¯s murderous intent was almost impossible to hide, ¡°When these two have fought enough, it won¡¯t be too late for us to make a move.¡± ¡°This swordsman should not be easily killed; we need to properly entertain him,¡± Guo Yuchun, known as a Poison Master, had ruthless methods. Even the Cao Gang masters greatly feared him. This was a rare occasion where he encountered a setback; if he caught this swordsman, how could he easily let go? Liu Qingshan did not speak, seemingly watching the battle between the two, but also observing the seal on Vilu Hall. Guo Yuchun then glanced at Dai Ling, who was watching the fight nearby, and sneered, ¡°When the time comes, capturing this Dai Ling and making the rice into a done dish will give the Five Poison Young Master a grandchild next year, won¡¯t it?¡± Dai Danshu, also a prominent figure in Jianghu, had been a rare young talent of the Great Yan Martial World in his youth. Rumor had it that even the Human Emperor had tried to recruit him, even offering the position of Deputy Governor of the Xuanyi Guard, but he rejected it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Moreover, Dai Ling was extremely beautiful and, combined with his cold demeanor, ignited a desire to conquer in many. Tian Liu remained silent all along, much like a shadow standing beside Liu Qingshan. ¡°What do you think about these two¡­ cough cough¡­ who could win?¡± Liu Qingshan felt a pain in his chest, constantly coughing. ¡°Both will be injured,¡± Guo Yuchun replied after a long silence. Chapter 90 - Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Dusk Drums Reverberate, Suppressing the Evil Shadows Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Dusk Drums Reverberate, Suppressing the Evil Shadows Fa Xi Temple, a faint green light weak. The seemingly calm temple buildings were, in fact, teeming with undercurrents, and killing intent lurked everywhere. Atop the pagoda to the southwest of the Vilu Hall, the night wind was slightly cold, and two people stood suspended in the air. ¡°There really are people!¡± Li Yue looked at the distant sword light that emerged and spoke faintly. ¡°The sword light¡¯s momentum is like an abyss, the blade¡¯s light carries cold, it must be the work of a great swordsman, possibly the notorious Ghost Swordsman recently making waves in Jiangnan Dao.¡± The old woman slowly said. The Ghost Swordsman was what the people of Jianghu called that unrivaled swordsman. Moving without a shadow, killing without form, his whereabouts and words unknown, he was like a ghost. ¡°And the person battling him has even greater Inner Strength, truly frightening.¡± In ordinary times in Jiangnan Dao, First Grade Experts were rare sights, most of them lay dormant, secretly cultivating, but in these past months, Jiangnan Dao was experiencing rapid changes, tumultuous waves, and several First Grade Experts had emerged. Xue Chen, Guo Yuchun, the extremely mysterious unparalleled swordsman, Sect Master Li Fuzhou of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect, Liu Qingshan, Tian Liu, and several other First Grade Experts gathered, and now there was another expert whose Cultivation was even above that of the unparalleled swordsman, how could one not be moved? ¡°Earth Flower¡­ Five Poison Sect.¡± The old woman, sensing the fluctuations of Qi Force, said, ¡°This person should be Zhang Zhixing from the Five Poison Sect, according to the information from within the tower, he indeed descended the mountain.¡± ¡°Let them fight, we will head straight to the Vilu Hall.¡± A cold light flashed in Li Yue¡¯s eyes. In her view, with many experts engaged in fierce battle, the Vilu Hall was unguarded, presenting the best opportunity to seize that strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. The old woman nodded slightly, ¡°Be careful of that monk Fa Zhi, he is at the peak of the Earth Flower Realm, and the Buddha Arhat Body from the Western Regions has been cultivated to the Eighth Layer, with protective Buddha light that is impregnable, not to be underestimated.¡± ¡­¡­ In front of the Vilu Hall. An Jing was exchanging moves with Tian Cansou, their figures intertwining, dizzyingly fast. Dai Ling¡¯s eyebrows, however, were deeply furrowed. Although Tian Cansou held the advantage, the swordsman¡¯s swordsmanship was sharp, and he was not at a complete disadvantage. To thoroughly defeat him, Tian Cansou would surely have to expend a great deal of Inner Strength. Not to mention whether other experts would take action, dealing with the monk Fa Zhi would be extremely difficult. ¡°This swordsman¡¯s swordsmanship is formidable, and his movement technique is also exceedingly troublesome; I need to finish the battle quickly.¡± Tian Cansou thought to himself, no longer holding back. With a stamp of his foot, another leg chopped down fiercely as if countless leg shadows were attacking. Thousand Legs Ascending to Heaven! An Jing narrowed his eyes, also aware of the sophistication of Tian Cansou¡¯s move, not daring to be distracted, his longsword traced an arc. Countless sword shadows flew about, like a tempestuous downpour. Nine-character Sword Technique! Bing Character Secret! In midair, nothing else could be seen except for the sky filled with swords and leg shadows. It was impossible to distinguish the real from the fake within these shadows. If either of the two were struck by one hit, they would sustain serious injury, possibly even be slain by the opponent. An Jing¡¯s heart also rose to his throat, then suddenly his eyes brightened, and he thrust his longsword towards one of the leg shadows. ¡°Nicely done!¡± Tian Cansou¡¯s eyes flashed with a sharp glint, not retreating but advancing instead, and his leg swept fiercely toward the opponent. ¡°Boom!¡± Their Qi Forces collided, immediately erupting with a sound like a mountain roar and a tsunami, and the violent wave of Qi was relentless like an ongoing tide. An Jing felt numbness in his arm and nearly dropped his longsword. ¡°Hiss!¡± As he raised his arm again, an inconspicuous sword light howled towards its target. Hidden Sword Skill! The Unity Sword Technique had only three moves, but each of these moves was the quintessence of the sword technique, among which the Sword Control Technique was the most exquisite, almost the art at the peak of swordsmanship skills. In contrast, the Sword Drawing Skill required a swordsman¡¯s essence, Qi, and spirit to converge, necessitating a long time to nurture and harmonize. The Hidden Sword Skill, however, was the ace in the hole hidden within the swordsmanship. Just three moves encapsulated nearly ninety percent of the essence of swordsmanship. Tian Cansou felt a chill in his heart and his scalp tingled, a sense of extreme danger welling up within him as he hastily retreated backwards. ¡°Puchi!¡± In the darkness of the night, that faint glint of cold light arrived with the wind, directly slashing across Tian Cansou¡¯s chest, with blood instantly soaking through his clothes. Tian Cansou¡¯s brows were tightly knitted, with a layer of cold sweat appearing on his forehead. If he hadn¡¯t instinctively retreated, he might have had his heart pierced by that sword light by now. All was quiet between heaven and earth, except for the sound of their breathing. ¡°What an impressive swordsman! What impressive swordsmanship!¡± Fa Zhi couldn¡¯t help but take another look at An Jing. ¡°Huff¡­!¡± An Jing gasped for air, his right arm holding the sword trembling slightly. Truly, a master of the Earth Flower Realm had been able to dodge his Hidden Sword Skill. It seems his sword wasn¡¯t fast enough; had it been, Tian Cansou might have already become a ghost beneath his blade. ¡°Great Elder, there are other experts around, my Three-tailed Scorpion has been killed¡­¡± Just then, the voice of Dai Ling reached the ears of Zhang Zhixing. Zhang Zhixing¡¯s brows tensed. At that moment, the entire Vilu Hall shook violently, as if a severe earthquake had occurred. An Jing also felt his body shaking. After stabilizing himself, he immediately turned his eyes towards Vilu Hall. ¡°What¡¯s going on!?¡± ¡°Something terrible has happened; it seems there¡¯s been a disturbance at Vilu Hall.¡± ¡­¡­.. Meanwhile, the monks in the dormitory began to walk out. A surge of black Qi mechanism soared up to the sky, as if trying to break free from Vilu Hall, the prison that contained it. ¡°Such dense, sinister evil energy!?¡± An Jing¡¯s brow abruptly furrowed. The black and evil energy was extremely dense. He watched as the light golden glow on the broken Buddha statues inside Vilu Hall began to fade bit by bit, as if devoured by the evil energy. For the average person, this evil energy was a disaster. Even as an expert from a prominent family, Cao Ling¡¯er was powerless against the invasion of this evil energy, and a regular person could fall seriously ill with just a brief contact. ¡°Could it be that beneath the seal lies a mass of evil energy?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart shook as he muttered to himself, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then this seal indeed cannot be broken¡­¡± ¡°Boom!¡± Just as the evil energy was about to break through its barriers, a tremendous drumming sound erupted. The sound of the drum seemed to transform into tangible soundwaves, spreading outwards in all directions. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Fa Zhi, holding a drum mallet in his hands, faced a massive drum. As he brought the mallet down forcefully, the evil energy trembled with each strike, retracting slightly downwards. However, every time the evil energy was pushed down, it immediately surged back up with even greater ferocity, becoming more fierce, more dreadful, and more unstoppable. An Jing knew Fa Zhi was using the evening drum to combat the surging evil energy. Although the evening drum was a Buddhist treasure, its effect against the evil energy did not seem to be significant. ¡°The seal is about to break!¡± Zhang Zhixing said coldly, ¡°The monk is merely engaging in a futile exercise.¡± Dai Ling didn¡¯t speak; instead, she watched as the black Qi mechanism continued to roil upwards. Chapter 91 - Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Bodhisattva Bows His Head to Help Sentient Beings Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Bodhisattva Bows His Head to Help Sentient Beings Fa Wu pressed his palms together and whispered lowly, ¡°Senior brother¡­¡± As Fa Zhi¡¯s Inner Strength surged into his arms like a tide, his drum mallet heavily struck the drumskin. Seeing the increasingly forceful evil spirit, he infused more and more Inner Strength. ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom!¡± The frequency of Fa Zhi beating the evening drum gradually increased. As the drum mallet fell like raindrops, a deafening sound arose, followed by faint golden ripples trembling outward, seemingly pressing down the forcefully surging evil spirits. Under the impact of the faint golden ripples, the evil spirits appeared somewhat deflated, seemingly beginning to retreat downward. An Jing and Tian Cansou also stopped fighting, standing at a distance watching this scene. Tian Cansou was waiting for the evil spirits to surge out, the sealing forbiddance to break, and then to take the Spiritual Energy from beneath the ground. However, his eyes were constantly sweeping towards An Jing beside him, seemingly ready to strike at any moment. Meanwhile, An Jing stared at the scene in front of him, seemingly deep in thought. ¡°Hm?!¡± An Jing suddenly raised his eyebrows, looking towards the distant flying eaves of the Grand Hall. ¡°Since you¡¯ve come, don¡¯t skulk around revealing only your tail and not your head.¡± He and Tian Cansou were fiercely battling, fully focused, and along with others deliberately concealing themselves, he indeed hadn¡¯t noticed the figure in the distance. ¡°The one skulking around should be your Excellency, I suppose?¡± Liu Qingshan chuckled lightly, and his figure slowly descended from the distant flying eaves. Tian Liu, like a shadow, inseparably followed behind him, with Guo Yuchun being the last to descend. Guo Yuchun¡¯s eyes fixated dead on An Jing, brimming with killing intent. The Cao Gang disciples who died by An Jing¡¯s hand were not few, and both Guo Yuchun and Liu Qingshan had been injured by An Jing¡ªit could be said that when enemies meet, their eyes burn red. ¡°So it¡¯s Brother Liu,¡± Tian Cansou said with a feigned smile. ¡°We don¡¯t have much friendship to speak of.¡± Liu Qingshan waved his hand, then coughed, ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­ This time you silently came to Jiangnan Dao, just for the Spiritual Energy beneath the seal, and I likewise. Since that is so, there¡¯s no need to pretend to be friends.¡± Tian Cansou still wanted to save face, but Liu Qingshan, disregarding that, directly tore it apart. ¡°As you wish.¡± Tian Cansou coldly said, his heart secretly starting to consider whether to pull the Swordsman together to face off against Liu Qingshan and other high-ranking Cao Gang experts. After all, the Cao Gang brought many superior fighters this time, amounting to three with First Grade Cultivation. Dai Ling frowned tightly, realizing that his chance to acquire that Spiritual Energy today was getting slimmer. With the three from Cao Gang and that Swordsman, who were no easy opponents, there would inevitably be a contest. It was a pity that his own Cultivation was only Second Grade. Thinking of this, Dai Ling couldn¡¯t help but remember how that Swordsman had stabbed his chest earlier. He immediately felt both shame and anger, noting this grudge to be avenged later. ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom!¡± The drum sound roared on, still suppressing the overflowing evil spirits. Fa Zhi, drenched in sweat, swung the drum mallet with all his might each time. Such enormous exhaustion, even for a high-ranking expert of the Earth Flower Realm, was difficult to sustain. Before long, Fa Zhi¡¯s kasaya was also thoroughly soaked, and his movements slowed down a bit. Without the drum¡¯s vibrations, the evil spirits grew even more unrestrained, faintly showing signs of a strong comeback. Seeing this, Fa Zhi lifted his spirits, his parched hands tightly gripping the drum mallet as he fiercely struck down. ¡°Boom!¡± That thunderous sound once again pushed back the evil spirits, but Fa Zhi¡¯s face flushed red, and his movements paused. ¡°Pfft!¡± Fa Zhi suddenly sprayed out a stream of blood, his body swaying, nearly collapsing to the ground. ¡°Abbot!¡± The monks of Fa Xi Temple were all shocked. ¡°Senior brother, are you alright?¡± Fa Wu supported Fa Zhi, hurriedly asking, ¡°This evening drum consumes too much Inner Strength, senior brother, you¡­.¡± This evening drum, a relic of the thousand-year-old Fa Xi Temple, was no ordinary drum. Although it could suppress the evil spirits, beating this drum consumed a tremendous amount of Inner Strength. If one forcibly continued without sufficient power, it could damage the foundation. ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­..¡± Fa Zhi pushed away Fa Wu and then picked up the drum mallet. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± Fa Zhi struck the evening drum again, and the robust sound vibrated forth. ¡°Pfft!¡± But not even two strikes later, he sprayed another mouthful of fresh blood, which directly splashed onto the drumskin. ¡°Senior brother!¡± Fa Wu couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Let me do it.¡± ¡°No need¡­..¡± Fa Zhi paused only momentarily; his actions continued uninterrupted. Each moment the drum mallet dropped, golden ripples trembled outwards, suppressing the evil spirits down. Fa Wu, seeing that bright red startling blood, felt his own breath catch. In front of Vilu Hall, everyone watched as Fa Zhi continuously struck the evening drum. They all waited, waiting for Monk Fa Zhi to fall, for the evil spirits to surge forth completely. Initially, the evil spirits could still be suppressed, but soon the overflowing evil spirits grew more intense, the black streams evolving from mere trickles into a vast swamp, atmosphere spreading, as if to even overshadow the Full Moon. Originally, the golden ripples could subdue the evil spirits, then they reached a standstill, equally sharing the territory, each occupying half the battlefield, but now it was the evil spirits gaining the upper hand. An Jing raised his head to look at the evil spirits, his eyebrows twisted into a character for ¡®river¡¯. ¡°Pfft!¡± Fa Zhi¡¯s hand on the drum mallet paused again, another stream of blood spraying forth. His originally parched face grew even more aged, his eyes seemingly losing their light. Blood drenched the drum mallet, slippery yet grasped, loudly calling to suppress the evil! ¡°Senior brother¡­..¡±Fa Wu gazed at the gradually bending figure ahead. ¡°The Buddha said, ¡®Compassion is to provide joy. Mercy is to remove suffering.¡¯ To eradicate the pain of sentient beings and provide them with happiness is compassion,¡± It seemed as if Fa Zhi was speaking to Fa Wu, to everyone present, and to himself. ¡°Dong¡­.¡± As he spoke, he struck the drum skin with the drum mallet in his hand, but with little force, the sound significantly quieter. Fa Wu paused, then took a seat cross-legged. ¡°Namo Hearta Dharaniya Youraya, Namo Arya Avalokiteshvara,¡± He uttered these snippets of Buddhist scripture under his breath. ¡°Amitabha Buddha!¡± Following this, other monks from Fa Xi Temple in front of Vilu Hall also sat down cross-legged, chanting Buddhist scriptures following Fa Wu. The golden light was dim, like flowing waves. Apart from the sound of the drum, only the chant¡¯s echo pervaded the ears of all present. An Jing saw it clearly; he knew Fa Zhi wouldn¡¯t last much longer. Fa Zhi¡¯s eyes had lost their luster, and the drum mallet in his hand became increasingly feeble. ¡°Dong¡­.¡± Fa Zhi could not lift the drum mallet any longer; blood dripped from the corner of his mouth to the ground. The malevolent energy surged powerfully, transforming into a vast expanse of lake and marsh. ¡°The seal is about to break.¡± Tian Cansou¡¯s gaze sharpened, a thought crossing his mind. Liu Qingshan looked at the figure of Fa Zhi, sighing deeply, ¡°Master Fa Zhi, do you realize this is merely futile attachment?¡± The living are but passersby; the dead are the returning. ¡°Boom!¡± Three Temple Mountain seemed to tremble as the towering malevolent energy could no longer be contained, rushing forth tumultuously as though it would devour the entire mountain. This astonishing surge of Qi Mechanism made An Jing recall the sinister energy formed by countless buried soldier spirits below Lengping, which still hadn¡¯t dissipated after a long time. Where sinister energy ascends, there must be bloodshed. The malevolent energy was no different. It might not lead to complete devastation, but a calamity was certain within tens of miles around Three Temple Mountain. Only the pieces of Buddhist statues that still retained traces of spirituality in front of Vilu Hall disintegrated into gravel in an instant, and soon after, the golden light emanating from the drum was devoured as well. The malevolent energy, after swallowing the golden light, swept toward Fa Zhi and the evening drum like a roaring flood. Fa Zhi lifted his head, watching the malevolent energy fill the sky, his expression neither joyful nor sorrowful, ¡°Conditioned arising ceases, conditions once arisen are empty, loss and gain follow conditions, the mind neither increases nor decreases¡­.¡± He stood beneath the evening drum, left his final verse, and his body gradually dissolved into the malevolent energy like a small boat in a storm. ¡°Brother!¡± Fa Wu opened his eyes in dismay and cried out. Fa Zhi was completely engulfed by the malevolent energy, merging into the darkness. ¡°Brother, what does nirvana mean?¡± ¡°Nirvana is the return path.¡± ¡°The return path?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the beginning of life.¡± ¡­.. Fa Wu¡¯s heart trembled; Fa Zhi¡¯s words still echoing in his mind. All the monks from Fa Xi Temple present bowed their heads, their expressions full of grief. ¡°That monk was too attached,¡± sighed Tian Cansou. ¡°Knowing the outcome yet still persisting, how many in this world could do so?¡± Dai Ling also sighed, ¡°This Fa Zhi truly was a great monk among the Eighteen Arhats.¡± Master Fa Zhi of Fa Xi Temple, one of the Eighteen Arhats proficient in the Earth Flower skills, revered by countless admirers, died just like that. The people present all felt somewhat wistful. ¡°Wait!¡± Liu Qingshan¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing also felt a stir in his heart as he watched the black Qi Mechanism. The next moment, bright golden light burst forth within the black Qi Mechanism, stark as the blinding sun in the night, causing everyone to instinctively channel their Inner Strength to shield themselves. ¡°Is this¡­..¡± Seeing this, surprise flashed in Fa Wu¡¯s eyes, ¡°Could it be that my brother not only did not die but also gained sudden enlightenment?¡± In the Buddhist Law of the Zen Sect, practicing Martial Arts and Buddhist Law are interconnected, and studying corresponding Martial Arts naturally requires a profound understanding of Buddhist Law. Arhat is a spiritual level in the Western Pure Land, and only those who have advanced sufficiently in Buddhist Law and strength can be called Arhats. Above the Arhat level are the Vajra and Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva bows gently, showing compassion towards all beings. The Vajra, with fierce eyes, subdues demons. To reach a higher spiritual level requires even more profound Buddhist Law. Even amongst the many experts and great monks of the Pure Land, only every few decades does a Bodhisattva or a Vajra appear. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Feeling the emerging golden light, the next moment, the malevolent energy rapidly receded into the ground. As the tide of malevolent energy withdrew, clarity returned to heaven and earth, leaving only a moment¡¯s golden relic shining brightly in mid-air. Today, The Bodhisattva bows gently, widely delivering all sentient beings! ¡­.. Chapter 92 - Chapter 92: Chapter 92: The Love Letters Sent to the Mountain Ghost Chapter 92: Chapter 92: The Love Letters Sent to the Mountain Ghost All those present raised their heads to look at the Relic. In Buddhism, only a Bodhisattva could condense a Relic, and the high monks who managed to condense Relics, as long as they diligently cultivated Buddhist Martial Arts, their Cultivation mostly reached the Grandmaster Realm. That is to say, to suppress this malevolent energy, a future Buddhist Grandmaster had completely perished from the world. A Grandmaster, this is the true pinnacle of Jianghu. Compared to Second Grade experts who were active, First Grade experts rarely showed themselves in Jianghu, only appearing during major events or contesting for legacy treasures; otherwise, it was quite rare to see a First Grade Cultivation expert. And Grandmasters were even more elusive like Divine Dragons, with legend of their prowess scattered throughout Jianghu, yet actual sightings of them were exceedingly rare. Grandmasters, for the most part, devoted themselves to profound cultivation, seeking to take one more step to reach the undaunted realm of a Great Grandmaster. The realm of Great Grandmaster extended one¡¯s Life Span by three hundred years, an undeniably fatal temptation for those in the Grandmaster Realm, which was why it was almost impossible to see Grandmasters. ¡°Senior brother¡­.¡± Fa Wu reached out to receive the Relic, his voice trembling. The one who was both a teacher and a father, his senior brother Fa Zhi, had entered Nirvana, leaving behind this as his final existence in the world. ¡°A single thought transcends life, saving others and oneself.¡± As if enlightened, Fa Wu looked at the Relic in his hand and said, ¡°Senior brother, your junior has understood.¡± ¡°Fa Zhi could also be considered a true high monk.¡± An Jing thought to himself as he looked at the luminescent Relic. Such an immense surge of malevolent energy, if not speaking of Yu State City, then the villages around Three Temple Mountain would certainly be affected, and whether there would be further harm was still unknown. ¡°Buddhism lost a Bodhisattva.¡± Liu Qingshan spoke somberly as he gazed at Vilu Hall. ¡°A Bodhisattva¡­.¡± Guo Yuchun seemed slightly moved, for Buddhism¡¯s Zen Sect advocated the dual cultivation of Buddhism and Martial Arts, with Buddhist Law being more difficult than Martial Arts. During the turmoil of the Nine Kingdoms, the Jianghu of that time was extremely hostile towards Buddhism, even more so than towards the Demon Sect nowadays. Back then, in Yue Country, there were still supporters of Buddhism, and most Buddhist temples were left standing. It wasn¡¯t until the iron cavalry of Yan Country crossed into the territory of Yue Country and broke into its capital, with the Buddhist ancient temple Lianhua Temple located beside the capital of Yue Country. The head of Lianhua Temple was a Zen Sect master who spent his life exploring Buddhist Law, seeking to enlighten the masses, with only a superficial understanding of Martial Arts, and so it was for the other monks in the temple. When the iron cavalry of Yan Country entered, all monks of Lianhua Temple still recited sutras inside the temple and did not go out. Unknown to all, the Human Emperor of Yue Country had hidden his only daughter in the temple, and she was the sole surviving royal bloodline of Yue Country. The head of Lianhua Temple remained silent, merely striking the wooden fish. After the iron cavalry of Yan Country turned the capital city upside down without finding the girl, they began to search the temples. The events of that year were etched into the history books of Great Yan. Statues of Bodhisattvas in Lianhua Temple were destroyed and toppled; the head of the temple and all monks silently shed tears. It wasn¡¯t until a member of Yan¡¯s iron cavalry struck a Novice Monk with his sword. The head of Lianhua Temple hurled himself forward, his Kasaya drenched in blood. That day, all monks of the temple violated their oath against killing, reducing the three thousand iron cavalry of Great Yan to dust. This was Vajra¡¯s Furious Eyes! Dai Ling¡¯s cold eyes gazed at the faint golden light, remaining silent. ¡°Ling¡¯er, you should withdraw first, there will surely be a ferocious battle soon,¡± Tian Cansou transmitted his voice. The seal had already been broken, and it seemed the malevolent energy was also suppressed by the body of Fa Zhi, now was the time to collect that trace of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. ¡°Great Elder¡­.¡± Dai Ling stopped short, wanting to say more. ¡°This place is filled with top-notch experts, you are not their match,¡± Tian Cansou breathed deeply and said. ¡°I understand,¡± Dai Ling nodded and retreated several steps toward the back. In the vast expanse of Jianghu, with her cultivation, she was a well-known figure. But now, in front of Vilu Hall, she was not an opponent that anyone here would need more than one move to defeat¡ªexcept, of course, for that Guo Yuchun. The monks present continued to sit cross-legged on the ground, reciting the Buddhist scriptures, seemingly conducting rites for the late Fa Zhi. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± Just then, two dark shadows leapt from afar, rushing towards Vilu Hall. These two people were none other than Li Yue and that old crone. ¡°Huh!? There are intruders!¡± All the people present frowned simultaneously. ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­¡± Liu Qingshan was the first to make a move, concentrating his inner strength into his palm, and struck out towards the front. ¡°Boom!¡± A gigantic handprint pushed forth horizontally, and the air emitted a thunderous roar. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± The old crone paused in her steps, twisted her wrist, and from her fingertips emerged several Flying Needles. The force of the needles was soft and persistent, specifically designed to counteract the fierce and overbearing handprint. The Flying Needles pierced through, and Liu Qingshan¡¯s handprint dissipated into nothing in an instant. The needles themselves also stuck into the stone slabs, faintly glimmering in the moonlight. Li Yue and the old crone then stood atop Vilu Hall, looking down at the crowd below. ¡°When the One-Leaf Flying Needle passes, peace remains in the world.¡± Tian Cansou looked up at the old crone with knitted brows, ¡°Pavilion Master of the Moon Pavilion from Wind and Rain Tower?¡± Of the five factions, Wind and Rain Tower was undoubtedly the most mysterious. To this day, no one knew exactly where the main base of Wind and Rain Tower was, only that they communicated with their assassins through extremely secretive means. These assassins were either recruits along the way or trained by Wind and Rain Tower itself. Wind and Rain Tower had the Sun and Moon Pavilion, all under their command were assassins of the highest order. Pavilion Master Ling Yuhua of the Moon Pavilion was known in Jianghu as ¡®Meng Po of The Mortal World¡¯. Rumor had it that she was incredibly beautiful when she was young, with countless young and promising men in Jianghu falling at her feet. However, she was treacherously scheming, and it was unknown in Jianghu why she remained unmarried all her life with such beauty. Later, she joined the infamous Wind and Rain Tower, becoming a top assassin. Her Flying Needles took a life with each strike, terrifying to the point of chilling one¡¯s heart, and among First Grade Experts who fell to her assassination attempts, she succeeded more often than not. An Jing had never seen Ling Yuhua before, but he had heard of her notorious name. The reputation of ¡®Meng Po of The Mortal World¡¯ was no trivial matter¡ªher strength was definitely not inferior to Tian Cansou¡¯s. What surprised him, though, was the woman with a black veil next to Ling Yihua; she looked somewhat familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to come and join the excitement,¡± said Liu Qingshan impassively. The appearance of Wind and Rain Tower was somewhat unexpected to him. Ling Yuhua stood on the eaves, with the moon haloing behind her, lending her an aura of vague mystique, ¡°Brother Liu, you want this nature¡¯s spiritual energy, but coincidentally, so do I.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s see if you have the ability,¡± Liu Qingshan said indifferently. ¡°I have many abilities, especially when it comes to killing¡ªas for that, I am unmatched under heaven,¡± replied Ling Yuhua. If someone else had said these words, they would certainly be scoffed at, but the woman before them was the Pavilion Master of the Moon Pavilion of Wind and Rain Tower¡ªwho in the world would dare to laugh at her words? Tian Cansou¡¯s eyebrows were tightly knit. More and more high-level experts were showing up, which meant that the struggle for the strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy was becoming increasingly fierce. Just how many more experts would come? ¡°In the past, love letters were sent to mountain ghosts; the heart¡¯s affairs, to the western winds.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just at that moment, a languid voice came from the front of Vilu Hall. ¡°Huh!?¡± Upon hearing this voice, An Jing felt as if he was in a dream¡ªit was too familiar! So familiar that it was a bit unbelievable. ¡°What a shame the mountain ghost couldn¡¯t read, and the western winds blow eastward.¡± One saw an old scholar, smiling and amiable, ascending the steps, and said, ¡°Yuhua, it has been a while.¡± Chapter 93 - Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Masters Gather, Winds and Clouds Arise Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Masters Gather, Winds and Clouds Arise An Jing was stunned when he saw the person, as if struck by thunder on a sunny day. The middle-aged Confucian scholar in front of him was none other than the Third Master, Li Fuzhou. Li Fuzhou!? How could he be here!? An Jing thought he must have seen wrong and couldn¡¯t help but take a few more glances, but indeed it was Li Fuzhou¡¯s¡­ord face. The one who was always serious and humorless, rigid and old-fashioned. The one who would be a thorn in his side for a lifetime, Li Fuzhou. What¡¯s going on!? An Jing felt as though he was dreaming. Standing behind Li Fuzhou was a man of about forty, with sharp eyes and a huge blade without an edge slung over his shoulder, seemingly as heavy as a thousand catties. With a glance, An Jing could sense that the swordsman¡¯s strength was extremely high, definitely not below his own. ¡°Li Fuzhou! You old undead.¡± The moment Ling Yuhua saw Li Fuzhou, a profound killing intent surfaced in his eyes. Those present felt a chill in their spirits when they saw Li Fuzhou appear. ¡°Good timing.¡± Tian Cansou saw this, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes. The more masters gathered at this moment, the easier it would be to fish in troubled waters. Dai Ling, who was standing at a distance, also looked over and couldn¡¯t help but take a second glance. In the Great Yan Martial World, there were many legendary stories about the Sect Master of the Demon Sect, Li Fuzhou, a man who was on the cusp of breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm. Li Fuzhou!? Li Fuzhou!? An Jing mulled over the name, and his heart began to shake wildly! Could it be the Sect Master of the Demon Sect, Li Fuzhou!? F*ck! With this realization, An Jing¡¯s heart was overwhelmed by a tidal wave of shock. Could it be that Li Fuzhou¡¯s Zhou was this Zhou, An Jing had naturally heard of the Sect Master of the Human Sect, but he had never linked the Third Master with this before. All along, An Jing had thought that the two were just namesakes. After all, one was the Sect Master of one of the Three Sects of the Demon Sect, rumored to kill without blinking and possessing unfathomably high strength, having reached the Grandmaster Realm, while the Third Master at home was just a stubborn, old-fashioned scholar who liked to buy abalone when he had nothing else to do. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed impossible for them to be the same person. If it hadn¡¯t been seen with his own eyes, An Jing would have never believed the Third Master at home was actually the Sect Master of the Demon Sect, Li Fuzhou. So that¡¯s why this old guy¡¯s waist is so sturdy!? All of a sudden, An Jing understood why the old guy was the Sect Master of the Demon Sect; perhaps he had cultivated some Demon Sect secret technique, a martial art of Yin Yang replenishment¡­ This could be valuable. ¡°This Li Fuzhou, the Sect Master of the Demon Sect, has been hiding in my home. Could there be some unspeakable secret?¡± An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed tightly as he suddenly came to alert. He never dreamed that his family had been harboring a demon sect giant; it was utterly terrifying. If Li Fuzhou was Tan Yun¡¯s Third Master, could it be that Tan Yun had some issue as well!? But then thinking of Tan Yun, An Jing felt that it was unlikely. However, it was definite that Li Fuzhou was a member of the Demon Sect, and both he and Zhao Qingmei had been kept in the dark, what if one day his homicidal urge surged, and he decided to silence them¡­ wouldn¡¯t Zhao Qingmei be in danger? Or if he were to be exposed, wouldn¡¯t his family become capital offenders of the court for colluding with the Demon Sect? No wonder he had felt someone following him lately. Should he¡­ just eliminate this hidden danger right here, today? In an instant, tumultuous changes were going on in An Jing¡¯s heart, his complexion also became somewhat unsettled, and his hand unconsciously gripped his sword tighter. ¡°Yuhua, after so many years, it seems that you still can¡¯t stop thinking about me.¡± Li Fuzhou took two steps forward, saying in all seriousness, ¡°As the saying goes, ¡®where there¡¯s a persistent thought, there¡¯s a response.¡¯ Now, haven¡¯t you seen me?¡± At that moment, he completely failed to notice the swordsman at his side, whose inner world was a riot of colors. Ling Yuhua took a deep breath and adjusted his breathing, ¡°Li Fuzhou, I have to say, you really have some nerve to come to Great Yan with your injuries not yet healed.¡± Among the many experts of the Demon Sect, Li Fuzhou was known to be the most flamboyant, and also the most arrogant, which is why the Xuanyi Guard was so keen on dealing with him swiftly¡ªin fact, that¡¯s why the four Great Heavenly Gang members had joined forces to besiege him, followed by Xi Yuanjun making a move to kill him. His appearance in Great Yan meant that the Xuanyi Guard would by no means let it go easily. Li Fuzhou said with a smile, ¡°Yuhua, are you worried about this old man?¡± Ling Yuhua didn¡¯t respond to Li Fuzhou¡¯s words. He had been slick with words when he was young, able to speak eloquently and effortlessly, and now that he was old, he was still not respectable or serious¡ªindeed confirming the old saying that while the world may change, one¡¯s nature does not. ¡°Old man, you¡¯re having quite the fun, aren¡¯t you?¡± Standing aside, An Jing snickered coldly and remained silent. Li Fuzhou¡¯s smile faded, ¡°Since you¡¯re not in the mood for reminiscing, I won¡¯t be polite to you all.¡± After speaking, Li Fuzhou¡¯s Qi mechanism within his body shook violently. ¡°Boom!¡± His robe flapped wildly with the gusting wind, and a stream of black and white energies roared out from behind him like a raging river. With a slap of his palm forward, the black and white energies surged overwhelmingly toward their target. A colossal handprint descended from the sky, like a mountain crashing down onto Vilu Hall, making even the bystanders feel a suffocating pressure. ¡°Quick, get out of here!¡± Seeing this, Ling Yuhua felt a chill in his heart and shouted in a low voice. Subsequently, Ling Yuhua and Li Yue both leaped up high, swiftly avoiding the path of the handprint. ¡°Thump!¡± The handprint struck Vilu Hall viciously, and the great hall disintegrated in an instant. Countless wooden pillars turned to dust, kicking up thick clouds of dust. ¡°Such terrifying strength!¡± An Jing watched as Li Fuzhou, with a mere gesture, reduced Vilu Hall to ruins, his heart filled with shock. This old guy is too good at playing it cool¡­ But why did he still have to extort my private savings? The Li Fuzhou seen now was completely different from the usual stern, rigid old man¡ªit was a striking contrast that had the strongest impact on An Jing¡¯s senses. His eyes were bright and piercing. With one hand behind his back, he looked down at all the masters present with a domineering gaze and casually surveyed them. How could this be someone suffering from severe injuries? Within the collapsed ruins, a black cavern emerged before everyone¡¯s eyes¡ªit was precisely the site where the Vilu Hall statue had been constructed, the very Sealing Land itself. ¡°Whoosh!¡± A beam of light, as eerie as the netherworld and bright blue-green, shot out from the cave, illuminating the boundless night. ¡°Hint three: A blue-green opportunity (nature¡¯s spiritual energy) is near the host.¡± ¡°Hint four: A blue-green opportunity (nature¡¯s spiritual energy) is near the host.¡± ¡°Hint five: A blue opportunity (Remnant Evil Suppression Device) is near the host.¡± ¡°Hint six: A black opportunity is near the host.¡± ¡°Hint seven: A black opportunity is near the host.¡± ¡­.. The Earth Book within An Jing¡¯s mind began flashing incessantly, but at this moment there was no time for him to focus on the book. ¡°Nature¡¯s spiritual energy!?¡± Seeing that bright blue-green light, everyone present revealed a gleam of eagerness in their eyes. ¡°This nature¡¯s spiritual energy, I, Li Fuzhou, claim it for myself.¡± After speaking, Li Fuzhou stomped his foot and charged towards the black cavern. But at the very next instant, a figure rushed towards the cavern even faster than Li Fuzhou. ¡°Liu Qingshan!?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes flashed, and he swung his hand, slapping out with his palm. Heavenly Demon Qi! Li Fuzhou was a supreme genius back in the day, combining the Demon Sect¡¯s martial arts with the Confucian Vast Righteous Qi, creating his unique Heavenly Demon Qi. His mental method could compare to the Heavenly Martial Heart Method, resulting in an inner strength that was both fierce and tyrannical, without a hint of the eccentricities typically found in Demon Sect techniques. ¡°Good, come at me! I¡¯ve long wanted to experience the prowess of a Demon Sect expert,¡± smiled Liu Qingshan. His inner strength surged within him, with three radiant beams shooting into the sky from behind him. The Human Flower, Earth Flower, and Heavenly Flower all appeared at the same time. Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Undercurrents and Hidden Killing Intent Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Undercurrents and Hidden Killing Intent ¡°Hmm!?¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted. Qingshan Palm Seal! Liu Qingshan met the attack with a palm strike of his own. The moment the two palms collided, the entire Three Temple Mountain seemed to momentarily freeze. ¡°Bang bang bang bang!¡± The alarming sound reverberated, and the heavens and the earth seemed to plunge into emptiness, as astonishing waves of energy spread out like a tide in every direction. ¡°Heavenly Flower Realm!?¡± Tian Cansou looked at Liu Qingshan in shock. ¡°Has Liu Qingshan actually reached the Heavenly Flower Realm?¡± Ling Yuhua also frowned deeply. ¡°He¡¯s been hiding his skill all this time, the old fox,¡± Li Yue said with interest as she watched Liu Qingshan. According to all intelligence reports, Liu Qingshan had always been at the peak of the Earth Flower Realm, having remained at this layer for several years. The intelligence from the Wind and Rain Tower was not incorrect. It turned out that all of this was a facade. Liu Qingshan¡¯s cultivation had long reached the Heavenly Flower Realm, but it had been kept a secret. ¡°His injuries¡­¡± Seeing this, An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed even more¡ªthis was definitely not as simple as Liu Qingshan feigning incompetence. Liu Qingshan was injured, and severely so. His strength must be related to this injury; otherwise, that day at the Reincarnation Hall, he wouldn¡¯t have let me go. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± Li Fuzhou smiled, ¡°Your Excellency is valued for good reason.¡± ¡°Sect Master Li is over¡­ cough cough cough¡­¡± Liu Qingshan hadn¡¯t finished his words when he suddenly began coughing violently, ¡°Today, this nature¡¯s spiritual energy, Liu will claim it.¡± After speaking, inner strength surged within Liu Qingshan¡¯s body as he directly faced Li Fuzhou. As two top experts engaged in battle, the rest naturally could not stand idle; they all rushed towards the spiritual energy. Ling Yuhua and Li Yue were the quickest to dash forward. But just as they were about to approach, a sword light swift as flying silk instantly blocked their path. Where the sword light passed, mountains and rivers shook. It was the swordsman beside Li Fuzhou, ¡°This way is blocked!¡± Ling Yuhua whispered, ¡°Gu Renwo, a top expert of the Demon Sect Human Sect, other than Li Fuzhou, is the second-highest expert of the Human Sect, with an exceptional sword technique. Be careful.¡± ¡°Who cares who he is, just kill and it¡¯s done,¡± Li Yue said, frowning as a sword light met the assault. ¡°Clang!¡± Sword and blade collided, force qi bursting in all directions, causing nearby trees and side halls to shatter apart. ¡°Fourth Realm!?¡± After clashing with one move, both felt a shock in their hearts. To Gu Renwo¡¯s greater disbelief, he could clearly sense that his opponent was considerably young. Not only was her swordsmanship exceptional, but her strength was profound as well. Li Yue¡¯s surprise was fleeting. After all, as the second-highest expert of the Human Sect reaching the Fourth Realm was normal. Her longsword turned, emitting a bone-chilling coldness from the blade, as though a trail of blood light surged forth. ¡°So it¡¯s the Blood Spirit Sword!¡± Upon seeing this, Gu Renwo realized. If one were to talk about the most prominent assassin in the Wind and Rain Tower over the past five years, it was undoubtedly the wielder of the Blood Spirit Sword. Rumors said this person practiced the lost Blood Spirit Technique, with profound and inscrutable cultivation, having reached the First Grade before the age of thirty. Reaching the First Grade by thirty, if it were not for practicing the Blood Spirit Technique, challenging the Grandmaster Realm wouldn¡¯t have been impossible in the future. But unfortunately, it was precisely because of practicing the Blood Spirit Technique. Everyone in the Martial World knows the Blood Spirit Technique¡¯s aftereffects, the higher the cultivation, the quicker the death. As the two engaged in a fierce duel, their blades sang a perilous tune, chilling to the onlookers, with the slightest mistake leading to death and the end of one¡¯s Dao. An Jing wanted to take advantage of the chaos, but just as he was about to take a step, a figure rushed toward him and aimed a palm strike at his Heavenly Spirit. Soul Losing Hand, Tian Liu! Last time at the Reincarnation Hall, he had stood behind Liu Qingshan and hadn¡¯t engaged An Jing in combat. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows knitted together, as he thrust his sword forward. ¡°Swoosh!¡± The Sword Qi turned cold, causing the surrounding Force Qi to scatter in avoidance. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Soul Losing Hand Tian Liu¡¯s expression became slightly cold, his footsteps retreating continuously toward the back. Seeing his retreat, An Jing naturally would not give him a chance to catch his breath. His longsword twisted in his hand, dancing wildly like a dragon or serpent. Nine-character Sword Technique! The ¡°Jie¡± character secret! The Soul Losing Hand was the ultimate hand technique of the renowned Ghost of Loss from the Nine Kingdoms of years past, and after inheriting it, Tian Liu devoted himself entirely to its mastery, having cultivated it to the Eighth Layer. Soul Losing Hand! Indeterminate Form! His feet stamped on the ground, halting his retreat, then a palm covered the skies as it came down. ¡°Bang!¡± The vicinity erupted into fierce winds, as if the wails of ghosts resounded. Compared to the Qingshan Palm Seal, the Soul Losing Hand was not outright overpowering or domineering but sinister and chilling, even capable of disturbing one¡¯s mind. An Jing felt a biting cold envelop him, his ears filled with those strange sounds, instantly sinking his mind as his sword continued to thrust forward. His sword pierced through the palm imprint, but it did not strike Tian Liu, who, after launching his palm, had already leapt to a distance, landing atop some shattered rocks. ¡°Hum! Hum!¡± An Jing¡¯s sword rang with a clear tone as he deployed the Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, dashing rapidly towards Tian Liu. ¡°What an impressive swordsman!¡± Tian Liu¡¯s brows furrowed, a chill in his heart as the Human Flower rose behind him. Both hands struck out, Inner Strength surging like a tide. Soul Losing Hand! Evil Spirit Emergence! Whoosh! The Qi Mechanism in the air began to violently change, gradually condensing and taking the form of ghostly faces. Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! The ghostly faces were menacingly grotesque, terrifying and cruel, emitting a series of sharp and ear-piercing noises. A thought crossed An Jing¡¯s mind as he stamped his foot, dodging the palm imprint. ¡°Thud!¡± The massive ghostly face crashed heavily onto the ground, causing it to tremble, and upon closer inspection, a ghostly face imprint appeared on the surface. At that moment, An Jing realized that among the experts who had reached the First Grade Realm, there were none with unfounded reputations. This Tian Liu, before him, not only had cultivation on par with his own, but he also practiced the Soul Losing Hand to a highly proficient level. He had gained a slight advantage, yet he found it difficult to kill Tian Liu in a short period of time. In front of the Vilu Hall, a chaotic battle was unfolding. Numerous high-level masters were restraining each other, none willing to let an opponent gain the advantage of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. The Qi Mechanism vibrated, making Three Temple Mountain look bizarre and fantastical, the ground itself trembling. In the distance, atop the Bright Moon Pavilion. ¡°This is truly intense,¡± Xi Jikui said, massaging his fingers with a light smile, ¡°Li Fuzhou, Zhang Zhixing, Liu Qingshan, supreme swordsmen, Ling Yuhua with the Blood Spirit Sword, Gu Renwo, Tian Liu, Guo Yuchun¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s rare to see so many high-level masters gathered,¡± Zhang Shuang remarked. It had been many years since so many First Grade Experts had converged within the Great Yan Martial World. ¡°This Liu Qingshan¡­¡± Gan Yue¡¯s brows gave a slight twitch. As a member of the Great Heavenly Gang, Gan Yue naturally heard rumors from the court. It seemed Liu Qingshan could be a key piece for some important figure. Xi Jikui spoke indifferently, ¡°The orders from above are clear. Kill all those who foolishly seek to profit here to serve as a warning to others.¡± Upon hearing this, Gan Yue fell silent. The so-called ¡°orders from above¡± were quite evident, but if there were truly matters to be dealt with, it would fall to Xi Jikui to shoulder the responsibility, not him. A cold glint appeared in Xi Jikui¡¯s eyes, ¡°When they¡¯re both weakened after their fight, that¡¯s when we¡¯ll make our move. The first ones I want taken down are Li Fuzhou and Gu Renwo.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Securing Li Fuzhou and Gu Renwo would mean dismantling a significant part of the Human Sect¡¯s strength, effectively blinding the Demon Sect. Killing Li Fuzhou in particular would deal a severe blow to the Demon Sect¡¯s vitality. It appeared the Demon Sect hadn¡¯t suffered such a heavy blow for many years. At this thought, Xi Jikui¡¯s heart surged with heat. ¡­¡­. Chapter 95 - Chapter 95: Chapter 95 Everyone is Shocked by the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence Chapter 95: Chapter 95 Everyone is Shocked by the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence Guo Yuchun saw the fierce battle and hastened towards the cave. At this moment, the masters were locked in intense combat, and no one paid him any attention. ¡°Vice Gang Leader Guo, you¡¯re overthinking it.¡± Just then, Tian Cansou¡¯s leg swept in an attack. ¡°Not good!¡± Guo Yuchun inwardly cursed, his inner strength surged around him as he braced to withstand the kick. ¡°Bang!¡± The shadow of the kick came fiercely, like a hammer weighing thousands of pounds. Although Guo Yuchun was at the First Grade Realm, he hadn¡¯t condensed any of the ¡°Three Flowers,¡± so naturally he couldn¡¯t withstand Tian Cansou¡¯s kick. ¡°Ugh!¡± A jet of blood sprayed out as Guo Yuchun¡¯s body flew like an arrow released from a bow, crashing toward the cave. ¡°Not good, it¡¯s a trap!¡± Seeing this, Tian Cansou cursed under his breath. Guo Yuchun really had the guts to use his own body as bait, exploiting the force of his kick to enter the cave. The next moment, just as Guo Yuchun was about to rush into the cave, a bad premonition arose in his heart; his footsteps suddenly came to a halt. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± The ground below began to crack inch by inch, and the whole of Three Temple Mountain shook as if struck by an earthquake. ¡°What¡¯s going on!?¡± The ground fissures immediately drew the attention of everyone present, and they all stopped fighting to watch the ground in front of them continue to split open. ¡°Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!¡± As the ground continued to crack, a green brilliance emerged above the world and in the darkness of the night, it looked incredibly magnificent and heart-pounding. ¡°What is that!?¡± Tian Cansou looked towards the crack, his spirit shaking. Underground, there was a dry corpse, decayed and darkened beyond recognition of face or gender, its human form barely discernible. A simple ancient sword was plunged in the corpse, still bearing dark bloodstains. At the moment, a vast amount of sinister energy was converging on the corpse, incredibly dense as if all the sinister energy that had just been repelled had gathered in its body. And the flickering green light was right next to it. On closer inspection, what was that but a strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy? The fist-sized green light flickered, radiating a captivating light. This was clearly several strands of nature¡¯s spiritual energy forming the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. The shimmering light glowed dazzlingly, confusing the mind. ¡°It¡¯s actually Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence¡­..¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s pupils slightly constricted upon seeing it. Nature¡¯s spiritual energy is something that Grandmaster experts refine, so Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence is the essence formed from the gathering of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. If the people of Jianghu knew there was Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence inside Fa Xi Temple, perhaps even some half-step Grandmasters would be tempted. ¡°Only the residual essence formed after a Grandmaster passes away in meditation can create this Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. Could it be that the corpse was a Grandmaster?¡± Li Yue murmured to himself as he glanced at the sword-pierced body. A Grandmaster has reached the Three Flowers Fusing, where essence, qi, and spirit are all gathered at one point, capable not only of refining nature¡¯s spiritual energy but also of transforming it into True Qi. When a Grandmaster dies and their Dao dissolves, the remaining nature¡¯s spiritual energy within their body disperses, leaving behind a blessing for the mortal world. The deeper the cultivation of a Grandmaster, the richer the blessing left behind. Apart from nature¡¯s spiritual energy, there might even be Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. ¡°What a treasure!¡± Liu Qingshan¡¯s heart was also moved. ¡°Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence¡­¡± Tian Cansou began to breathe more rapidly. With his talent and age, reaching the Earth Flower was already his limit, but if he acquired this Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, condensing the Heavenly Flower was not just a dream; he could even near the realm of a half-step Grandmaster. The masters present all gazed at the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, their eyes burning with fervor. This was a rarity in Jianghu. An Jing¡¯s heart also began to beat violently, but not because of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, it was because of the sword thrust into the dry corpse. He knew that it was the ¡°Sword Intent¡± that the sword had emitted that night in the night market. It was as if there was a rhythm on the blade itself, pulling at his heart, forming a peculiar resonance. ¡°Gang Leader, that sword is the Evil Suppressing Sword!¡± Guo Yuchun, being the closest to the Evil Suppressing Sword, didn¡¯t know why his face turned pale suddenly, and he kept stepping back. Only then did everyone notice the corpse and the sword. The corpse was indistinguishable as human or ghost, let alone its gender, but the rich evil energy around it was alarming even to the experts present. It turned out that the evil energy Fa Zhi had suppressed earlier had all gathered on this corpse, and now it was so dense that it gave one the feeling of thorns on one¡¯s back. Liu Qingshan frowned and said, ¡°All this evil energy has gathered on that corpse¡­¡± ¡°Could it possibly mutate?¡± Tian Cansou let out a cold laugh. No one in the crowd took up the conversation. ¡°That old man Li is so cunning¡­¡± An Jing¡¯s brows suddenly shot up. ¡°Be careful, Li Fuzhou!¡± Just then, Li Yue of the Mortal World couldn¡¯t help but shout loudly. Everyone then realized what was happening, only to see Li Fuzhou¡¯s body leap forward, already in front of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. Li Fuzhou took the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in his palm, ¡°Everyone, this Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence is Li¡¯s today.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it!¡± Ling Yuhua shouted coldly, both hands striking out, and suddenly dozens of flying needles surged from her fingertips. ¡°Swish, swish, swish!¡± The icy flying needles vibrated in the air, emitting a faint glow. Li Fuzhou didn¡¯t try to catch these flying needles; now that the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was in hand, of course, he needed to make a run for it. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± With a step of his foot and a turn of his body, he rushed into mid-air. ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± The flying needles contained extremely formidable inner strength, exploding the ground and breaking it apart, making a deafening noise. And just then, Liu Qingshan also made his move, flipping his hand and suddenly, a mountainous handprint appeared in the sky. The Qingshan Palm Seal! Among those present, Li Fuzhou¡¯s cultivation was the highest, but he was heavily injured and could only exert strength between Earth Flower and Heavenly Flower realms. Meanwhile, Liu Qingshan was at the Heavenly Flower Realm and seemed to be able to use his full power. This palm strike showed the terrifying strength of the Heavenly Flower Realm to its limit. The wild wind was like blades, making the faces of novice monks in the distance sting. The handprint descended from the sky, completely sealing off Li Fuzhou¡¯s retreat. At this moment, he had no way out but to meet it with a palm strike of his own. Withered Bone Demon Palm! The Withered Bone Demon Palm was one of the Demon Sect¡¯s supreme hand techniques that required a corresponding Magic Technique to unleash its strength. Li Fuzhou was exceptionally gifted, and with the Heavenly Demon Qi driving the Withered Bone Demon Palm, its force was not weaker but even stronger. ¡°Boom!¡± The moment the two palms collided, it was as if two volcanoes had violently crashed together, the earth itself shaking. Liu Qingshan used the rebound force to propel his body away. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only But Li Fuzhou¡¯s complexion changed, and he fell rapidly toward the ground. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± However, the next moment, a terrifying shadow of a leg came sweeping over like a gust of wind through falling leaves. Tian Cansou! He naturally wouldn¡¯t let Li Fuzhou take the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence and leave so easily. Kicking a man when he¡¯s down, beating the drowning dog, was something he enjoyed the most. Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Chaos Ensues as Everyone Fights on All Sides Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Chaos Ensues as Everyone Fights on All Sides Li Fuzhou cursed under his breath and fiercely slapped the ground, hastily dodging Tian Cansou¡¯s strike. At that moment, not far away, Li Yue raised her arm, about to make her move, but Gu Renwo blocked it with a slash of his blade. ¡°Whoosh whoosh whoosh!¡± However, this did not allow Li Fuzhou any respite, as Ling Yuhua¡¯s flying needles shot out from her hand, each one aimed precisely at Li Fuzhou¡¯s throat, chest, and forehead. At the same time, a massive ghostly hand also attacked. Soul Losing Hand! Doom to the underworld! Tian Liu and Guo Yuchun also joined the battle. Li Fuzhou roared furiously, displaying the Heavenly Demon Qi to its utmost, and slapped down fiercely with his palm. In an instant, Li Fuzhou was besieged by five top masters simultaneously. One must know that any one of these masters, if placed in Jianghu, could provoke a major storm. Even in his prime, he would not dare to underestimate them, let alone now when he was yet to recover from serious injuries. If his injuries were of no concern, he might have had the strength to fight, but at this moment, his wounds were far from healed. Forced to retreat continuously, he encountered one peril after another. This was still under the circumstance where An Jing did not make a move. ¡°Bang!¡± In a rush, and exchanging another palm strike with Liu Qingshan, Li Fuzhou kept retreating, his every internal organ shook, his complexion turning deathly pale. ¡°Hand over the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence!¡± Ling Yuhua demanded in a low voice. ¡°Yuhua, must you oppose me? Is it because you blame me for betraying you in those days? You can¡¯t blame me; who made you unwilling to share a husband back then¡­..¡± Li Fuzhou adjusted his breath and shouted. ¡°Courting death! You still dare to spout nonsense at this point!¡± Ling Yuhua¡¯s eyes flashed sharply, and the flying needles in her hand shot out again. The needle pierced the air, silent, as if floating in the darkness. ¡°Bang!¡± The flying needle came hurriedly and stopped half a zhang in front of Li Fuzhou, as if it had hit something. At the tip of the needle, a spiral Qi Force emerged, which was Li Fuzhou¡¯s Heavenly Demon Qi. ¡°My Heavenly Demon Qi is not so easily broken.¡± ¡°Is it? Break for me!¡± Ling Yuhua shot out another needle, which struck the tail of the previous needle. The force of two needles combined! It was not as simple as one plus one. Li Fuzhou frowned, the Qi Mechanism within his body erupted again, his hair dancing with the wild wind, and the Heavenly Demon Qi in front of him became even more turbulent. ¡°Bang!¡± The needle in front, boosted by this force, pierced directly through Li Fuzhou¡¯s Heavenly Demon Qi, but it lost its momentum after that, dropping straight to the ground. The technique was soft yet combined force; it specialized in overcoming the forceful and overpowering Martial Arts, and the Heavenly Demon Qi, even being top among the overpowering Martial Arts, was naturally restrained by it. ¡°Zzz! Zzz!¡± The needles hit the ground, still emitting white smoke, slowly rising into mid-air. Ling Yuhua sneered and said, ¡°Li Fuzhou¡¯s Heavenly Demon Qi is broken, and now he is nothing but a plucked pig¡­.¡± A bead of cold sweat appeared on Li Fuzhou¡¯s forehead, ¡°The heart of a woman is most venomous, especially that of an old woman.¡± With his Heavenly Demon Qi broken, his strength had fallen by more than thirty percent. Moreover, with the other top masters around eyeing him covetously, thinking of escaping was nothing short of a fool¡¯s dream. ¡°Li Fuzhou, you should have died long ago.¡± Ling Yuhua, upon hearing this, was not agitated but instead said coldly, ¡°Dying today atop this ancient temple is letting you off easy.¡± The surrounding top masters also closed in, swiftly sealing off all of Li Fuzhou¡¯s routes of retreat. ¡°Li Fuzhou, you can¡¯t handle the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence¡­.¡± An Jing spoke indifferently, ¡°Just give it to me.¡± An Jing naturally wouldn¡¯t help Li Fuzhou; what he cared about was just the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. Upon hearing this, Li Fuzhou was struck with an idea and shouted loudly, ¡°If you can help me block Liu Qingshan, once I am out of this trap, I will share the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence with you.¡± Ha! You really are cunning. Upon hearing this, An Jing sneered and fell silent. Not to mention Liu Qingshan¡¯s formidable strength, whether one could stop him or not, just Li Fuzhou¡¯s words alone were enough to make one distrust him. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± Just then, Tian Cansou attacked Li Fuzhou once again. Moonlight Inversion! A kick descended, and due to its high speed, the afterimage resembled moonlight spilling over, spreading boundless Qi Force. ¡°Bang!¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s Heavenly Demon Qi was broken, and he could only parry with one hand. The fierce Qi Force forced him to continuously retreat, and the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in his hand also flew into mid-air. ¡°Perfect opportunity!¡± Ling Yuhua and Liu Qingshan¡¯s eyes lit up, and they both rushed toward the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. Liu Qingshan was the fastest. His body flashed towards the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, then he captured it in his arms. With another palm strike, he fiercely pushed back Ling Yuhua. Seeing this, a trace of joy appeared in Guo Yuchun¡¯s eyes. ¡°We can¡¯t let him escape!¡± Tian Cansou saw this and immediately bellowed. Li Yue and Gu Renwo, who were still in fierce battle, also ceased fighting and surrounded him. Now, the predicament Li Fuzhou had faced had shifted to Liu Qingshan. All the experts once again closed in on him. ¡°Gang Leader, you go first, Tian Liu and I can cover the rear.¡± Guo Yuchun furrowed his brows and shouted. ¡°You go first¡­..cough, cough, cough¡­go.¡± Liu Qingshan coughed, then lowered his head to see the fresh blood on his palm, his pupils slightly dilating. Guo Yuchun and Tian Liu staying behind was undoubtedly a death sentence. ¡°Then none of us will leave.¡± Li Yue said indifferently, thrusting a sword forward first. As the sword surged, it seemed to carry a bloodthirsty sharpness, wielding an unstoppable and menacing force. ¡°Blood Spirit Technique!?¡± Liu Qingshan¡¯s eyes narrowed, recognizing the Cultivation Technique. The other experts also rushed forward, all vying for the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. The Qi Mechanism shook violently, figures interweaving, the three Cao Gang experts battled other experts but were clearly at a disadvantage, especially Guo Yuchun, whose Cultivation was merely First Grade. Among Jianghu, he is considered top-notch, but in the eyes of true experts, he seemed somewhat inadequate. ¡°Huff¡­.¡± An Jing exhaled lightly, his eyes fixed on the sword embedded in the decaying corpse, then he slowly walked over. He always felt as if the sword was beckoning him over. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± And as he approached the sword, a series of clear sword chants resounded, carrying a hint of lightness and joy. ¡­.. Atop the Grand Hall, Dai Ling watched the distant battle. After seeing Li Fuzhou enter the scene and Liu Qingshan display his real strength, her heart was filled with many uncertainties. These two were undoubtedly among the strongest present, but if neither of them could secure the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, did Zhang Zhixing have a chance? Suddenly, her eyebrows slightly lifted. ¡°Is there someone else?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Dai Ling seemed to sense something and looked towards the source of the disturbance. Beneath the thick tree shadows, it appeared that figures were flickering, and hidden within the gaps of the branches and leaves was a sharp coldness. Dai Ling moved stealthily towards it and was greatly alarmed upon seeing the figure. ¡°Xuanyi Guard!?¡± ¡­¡­.. Chapter 97 - Chapter 97: Chapter 97: The Evil Suppressing Emergence Shocks the Eight Directions Chapter 97: Chapter 97: The Evil Suppressing Emergence Shocks the Eight Directions Li Fuzhou was meditating when he looked up and saw the peerless swordsman walking toward the Evil Suppressing Sword, his eyebrows slightly raised. This Evil Suppressing Sword, known as a Demon Sword, after being forged by the Great Zhou Dynasty, caused the death of three emperors of the Great Zhou atop its blade. Countless experts from the royal family tried to subdue the sword but ultimately died drained of their blood, making the sword a taboo in the world ever since. The Great Zhou eventually split it into six pieces to suppress the Earth Veins and seal it away. Nonetheless, the sword¡¯s reputation continued to circulate among the common folk and throughout history. Ranked third on the Famous Sword List, swordsmen love and pursue renowned swords. Since ancient times, whenever a famous sword emerged, it would inevitably bring about a storm of carnage. However, all swordsmen are as terrified of the Evil Suppressing Sword as if facing a tiger, with none willing to die for this one blade. ¡°Could this person not be aware of the strangeness of the Evil Suppressing Sword, or does he not believe in the curse?¡± Li Fuzhou thought to himself. In his view, that swordsman¡¯s attempt to subdue the Evil Suppressing Sword was nothing but a fool¡¯s dream. Some evils must be believed, even if you do not believe in them. Above the sky, Liu Qingshan, Tian Liu, Guo Yuchun, and others were battling four other top experts. Qi Force burst forth, creating a dazzling display that was even more intense than Li Fuzhou¡¯s previous battle by a third. But even the inner strength of First Grade Experts would deplete after a prolonged battle, especially for Tian Cansou who had been continuously fighting. He had already dueled with An Jing earlier and then was involved in the melee until now. His Inner Strength was nearly exhausted, so he had to retreat and begin meditating. Tian Cansou naturally noticed An Jing¡¯s movements as well, his brows furrowing as a result. Even the emperors of the Great Zhou, who were all Grandmasters, died by this Evil Suppressing Sword, which shows just how sinister and terrifying the sword was. An Jing walked next to the dried corpse and suddenly felt a bone-chilling cold enveloping him. His breath turned into white mist, and a massive amount of sinister and evil energy gathered around the corpse. The piercing cold was something even a First Grade Expert would find hard to withstand. ¡°This dried corpse¡­¡± A question arose in An Jing¡¯s mind. Who was this dried corpse!? And why was the Evil Suppressing Sword thrust into this corpse!? ¡°Hum! Hum!¡± The broken Evil Suppressing Sword seemed to sense An Jing¡¯s approach, emitting a pleasant, clear humming sound. An Jing instinctively grabbed the sword hilt of the Evil Suppressing Sword. The next moment, he felt a blur before his eyes, and everything became murky and dark. In the darkness, a series of blood appeared, seemingly filling up the void, and the glaring redness was reflected in An Jing¡¯s pupils. Afterward, the blood gradually disappeared, revealing a desolate and barren landscape. ¡°Roar!¡± A terrifying roar echoed in his mind, and upon hearing it, he instinctively felt a wave of fear. This fear stemmed from instinct, as if he was naturally afraid of the roaring sound and terrified of its formidable might. An Jing stood between heaven and earth, the unnatural fear nearly consuming his entire body as if it were going to devour him whole. His heart began to tremble uncontrollably, and he found himself breathless as if unable to draw breath into his chest, subsequently causing his mind to go blank. An Jing fiercely bit the tip of his tongue, feeling a flash of pain that abruptly brought him back to a semblance of consciousness, and at this moment, his body was drenched in sweat, much like he had just gone through a fierce battle. The roaring sound gradually dissipated. An Jing gasped for air, and then, his eyes sharply narrowed as he looked ahead. On that barren land, something that hadn¡¯t appeared before now came into view. He saw it. Swords broken, people dead¡­ ¡°That is¡­¡± Before he could grasp what was happening, An Jing¡¯s vision darkened again, and he found himself staring at the hilt of the Evil Suppressing Sword. A Qi Mechanism surged from the sword hilt, as if the roar of a dragon resonated between heaven and earth. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± The entire Three Temple Mountain began to shake violently as if an earthquake had struck. ¡°What¡¯s going on!?¡± All the esteemed swordsmen present showed a look of horrified disbelief, their hearts trembling violently. Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes widened in incredulity as he stared at the swordsman¡¯s figure, ¡°Evil Suppressing Sword!?¡± ¡°It¡¯s that swordsman!¡± Ling Yuhua looked over, then cried out in shock. ¡°Is he drawing the Evil Suppressing Sword?¡± Guo Yuchun was also full of surprise. In the previous dynasty, the Evil Suppressing Sword was a forbidden weapon, and even in the Great Zhou Dynasty, it had become an existence that changed the color of conversations, symbolizing dark omens and misfortune. ¡°Can there really be someone in this world who could be recognized as the master of the Evil Suppressing Sword?¡± Liu Qingshan murmured to himself. Three generations of the Human Emperor of the Great Zhou and many royal family experts had not been recognized by this legendary sword, but now, this swordsman had made the Evil Suppressing Sword acknowledge him. Could there be some mysterious reason behind it? ¡°Evil Suppressing Sword¡­.¡± Compared to the others, Li Yue was even more shocked and couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°Who exactly is this swordsman? Why can he draw out the Evil Suppressing Sword!?¡± ¡°Shick!¡± An Jing clasped the hilt with one hand and yanked fiercely. ¡°Shick!¡± A sword qi, soaring to the sky, erupted, rushing towards the profound darkness as if viciously tearing open a gap. The sword light, like the morning sun piercing through the pitch-black night, illuminated everyone¡¯s faces. Ye Tai¡¯e had come into the world! At the same time, the silhouette of Earth Flower behind An Jing began to appear more and more substantial, as if gradually condensing. What would it feel like when night suddenly turns into day? That piercing sensation was as if the earth¡¯s light itself had shattered. The turbulent sword qi swept across, carrying endless sharpness, surging forward. ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± All the experts present used their full strength to block, with Tian Cansou and Li Yue being the closest to the action. Both of their bodies were injured by the piercing cold qi, repeatedly retreating. The waves of air churned, and dust rose in all directions. The legendary sword, silent for a thousand years, had met its sword master. ¡°Is this the broken Evil Suppressing Sword?¡± Li Yue wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, astonishment in his eyes. ¡°Worthy of being a legendary sword, even though the blade is split into six parts, it still possesses such astonishing Sword Intent.¡± Tian Cansou also stared fixedly at the Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand, exclaiming in amazement. All the experts present were shaken to their core. No one had expected that there would be a day when the Evil Suppressing Sword would recognize a master. Who in the world was this swordsman?! Why did the Evil Suppressing Sword acknowledge him as its master? ¡°Tat tat tat¡­.¡± Just then, a series of noises came from the woods beside the Great Hall. ¡°Someone¡¯s here!?¡± All present were first-grade experts and could see through the surroundings as if they were the clearest of flames, as though sensing something, they looked towards the shadows of distant trees. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The next instant, a rain of arrows came from the moonlit sky. The rain of arrows was dense, with each arrowhead carrying specks of green light. ¡°Quick, retreat! All monks of Fa Xi Temple, evacuate this place.¡± Fa Wu urgently called out. The monks of Fa Xi Temple dared not take any chances and quickly retreated to a distance. Fortunately, the target of this rain of arrows was not them but the group of Jianghu experts at the center. Chapter 98 - Chapter 98: Chapter 98: The Siege of Black Robes Leads to Chaos Chapter 98: Chapter 98: The Siege of Black Robes Leads to Chaos ¡°Xuanyi Guard!?¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s sleeve swept through the air, gathering all the arrows flying within three zhang around him, and then his brow furrowed. The Xuanyi Guard was a knife that the Great Yan Emperor hung over the Great Yan Martial World, their fame so immense, it could not be disregarded or unheard of. These were the characteristic Breaking Strength Flying Crossbows of the Xuanyi Guard, the arrowheads not only had deadly poison but also child-mother mysterious sun iron, specially designed to counteract the Qi Force of those within Jianghu. The sight of those arrows shooting through the air and forcefully nailing halfway into the ground where they missed showed just how powerful their momentum was. The arrows fell like rain, dense and without leaving the slightest gap. ¡°Whiz whiz whiz!¡± ¡°Whiz whiz whiz!¡± The arrow rain pouring down from the sky trembled the air itself; the experts present either dodged or used their Martial Arts, not a single one was injured in the slightest. These arrows were naturally more than enough for ordinary martial artists, but for these First Grade Cultivation experts, they were slightly less effective. Xi Jikui wasn¡¯t trying to kill these experts with the arrow rain but rather wanted to deplete the limited Inner Strength within their bodies. ¡°Since when did the Xuanyi Guard only resort to these petty tricks?¡± Li Fuzhou crushed the approaching arrow rain and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. ¡°To deal with a bunch of rats that hide their heads and show their tails, indeed, extraordinary measures must be used.¡± As a voice rang out, the arrow rain suddenly ceased. Xi Jikui slowly walked forward from the distance, followed closely by Zhang Shuang and Gan Yue, with dozens of Xuanyi Guard experts behind them, each holding a strong crossbow. ¡°Heavenly Kill Star! Xi Jikui!?¡± Tian Cansou¡¯s brows tightened. In Jianghu, Xi Jikui was infamous, not because of his father Xi Yuanjun, but his own ruthless methods and formidable strength. He destroyed not less than three or five Sects. This person¡¯s temperament was gloomy and his methods vicious; among the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang, he was particularly troublesome. Not only that, but behind Xi Jikui were two other Great Heavenly Gang members, the lowest Cultivation of the Great Heavenly Gang being First Grade, a well-known fact in Jianghu. However, as Great Yan¡¯s national strength continued to rise steadily, the power of the Great Heavenly Gang was also quietly improving. The Great Heavenly Gang seen now was not only at the First Grade Cultivation level; most had condensed the Human Flower, a few had the Earth Flower, and the top members of the Great Heavenly Gang had even reached the Heavenly Flower Realm. Moreover, should any of the Great Heavenly Gang members fall, the Xuanyi Guard would immediately have new members of the Great Heavenly Gang to replace them. What did this imply? It signified the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s terrifyingly strong reserves and unfathomable foundations. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s Xi Jikui to come as well.¡± Ling Yuhua spoke softly, ¡°This adds another variable.¡± Li Yue took a deep breath and nodded without speaking. Theoretically, it was normal for the Xuanyi Guard experts to appear, but as the seal had already broken and was irreparable, the Xuanyi Guard still dispatched a top First Grade expert like Xi Jikui, which clearly indicated deeper plotting. With more and more great masters appearing today, no one was assured of who could take the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. An Jing watched the three people who appeared. Although he did not recognize them, he knew from the aura they radiated that all three were First Grade experts, likely the Great Heavenly Gang of the Xuanyi Guard. ¡°So it¡¯s you.¡± Li Fuzhou glanced at Xi Jikui, ¡°It would only be you who plays these despicable tricks. This is different from your father. He is quite the iron man.¡± ¡°Speaking of my father, it reminded me,¡± Xi Jikui, looking to be in his forties, was called a youngster by Li Fuzhou but didn¡¯t get angry. Instead, he smiled and said, ¡°My father¡¯s birthday is coming up, and I have yet to prepare a birthday gift. I would like to ask Sect Master Li to do me a great favor.¡± Li Fuzhou sneered, ¡°You want me to do you a great favor?¡± The Xuanyi Guard and the Demon Sect had considerable enmity, especially Demon Sect Sect Master Li Fuzhou, who had deep-seated hatred towards the Xuanyi Guard. Xi Jikui nodded, then with a serious expression said, ¡°That¡¯s right, I would like to use Sect Master Li¡¯s head as a gift.¡± Xi Jikui¡¯s words were very calm, but they sent chills down one¡¯s spine, a coldness that seemed to rush from the soles of the feet straight to the heavens. An Jing felt coldness overflowing all around him, his eyebrows unconsciously furrowing. ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Li Fuzhou, upon hearing this, laughed as if it were the funniest joke in the world. Xi Jikui turned his head to look at Liu Qingshan, who was holding the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, and said, ¡°Before that, I would like to ask for Gang Leader Liu¡¯s help with a matter.¡± ¡°Liu might not be able to help with that, Master Xi.¡± Liu Qingshan coughed lightly twice and smiled, ¡°Helping others might earn me a meal, but helping Master Xi could cost me my head.¡± ¡°Seems like Gang Leader Liu is not willing to hand over the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence?¡± asked Xi Jikui. Liu Qingshan smiled without answering, remaining silent. It was well-known in Jianghu that Xi Jikui was at the Heavenly Flower Realm, and if nothing unexpected happened, it would be difficult for him to surpass his father, Xi Yuanjun, in this lifetime. The Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in front of him was a chance. It is extremely rare for the student to surpass the master. Most of the time, if the previous generation is powerful, the next generation would do well just to maintain that strength, let alone surpass it. Such is the cruel reality. Xi Jikui nodded slightly, ¡°Then there¡¯s nothing more to say.¡± Having said that, Xi Jikui stretched out both hands. Under the moonlight, a cold light appeared in each hand. Upon closer inspection, they were two rings ¨C in the night, they resembled moons hanging on his hands. The Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings, Xi Yuanjun¡¯s famed weapon. ¡°Whoosh, whoosh!¡± Xi Jikui¡¯s body leaped forward like a brisk wind sweeping across the land, and in an instant, he was right in front of Liu Qingshan. So fast! Liu Qingshan¡¯s eyebrows rose abruptly, and he quickly moved to dodge to the side. The Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings were bizarre and domineering; they were a highly unusual type of weapon. In Jianghu, there were not many experts who practiced with ring weapons, which were not as common as knives, spears, swords, and clubs. But if one encountered a person who practiced with rings, they must be extremely cautious, for such a person was likely a master. Xi Jikui¡¯s momentum was soaring, and his attacks were like tidal waves. Liu Qingshan, having already been in a tough fight and with much of his Inner Strength depleted, did not dare to clash head-on and naturally, could not match Xi Jikui. Xikui¡¯s hands danced continuously with the Double Rings, as if untamed beasts were howling, with an astonishing momentum. The Double Rings danced! It seemed like a single move, yet it contained eighteen variations, each more deadly than the last. Qingshan Palm Seal! Beng Mountain! Liu Qingshan concentrated his Inner Strength in his left palm and struck out fiercely. The Double Rings cut through the air like knives, effortlessly tearing through the handprint, and then relentlessly continued forward, slashing a bloody mark across Liu Qingshan¡¯s waist. Then the Phoenix Ring turned, aiming for Liu Qingshan¡¯s right hand that held the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. ¡°Since you want it so much, I might as well give it to you,¡± Liu Qingshan said. ¡°Swoosh!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only No sooner had he spoken than done, Liu Qingshan tossed the object from his palm and quickly retreated backwards. He knew very well that with so many masters around, holding the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was like holding a hot potato. To be a man, the most important thing is rationality. ¡°A good opportunity!¡± An Jing, who had been waiting for the right moment, had a glint of light in his eyes. Chapter 99 - Chapter 99: Chapter 99 Alone Against Many Enemies Chapter 99: Chapter 99 Alone Against Many Enemies The Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, which was flickering with faint green light, rushed to midair, dazzlingly bright. A hint of keenness flashed in Xi Jikui¡¯s eyes, and then he stomped his foot and charged directly toward the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± At that moment, several shadows pierced through, with two people seemingly prepared beforehand, even faster than Xi Jikui by a margin. These two were none other than Tian Cansou and An Jing, who had been lying in wait for an opportunity. Tian Cansou, who cultivated in leg techniques and whose cultivation was at the Earth Flower level, was fast indeed. Perhaps no one present, except for Li Fuzhou in his prime, could match him in speed, and An Jing had been biding his time. An Jing let out a cold snort, and his hand turned the Evil Suppressing Sword forward. ¡°Hiss! Hiss!¡± Sword Qi suddenly spat out from the blade, peerless in sharpness and ominously threatening. Such a sharp Sword Qi! Tian Cansou felt a stabbing pain in his heart and quickly turned his body, not daring to compete with An Jing for fear of being injured by the Sword Qi. An Jing caught the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence and then landed lightly on the ground. ¡°Hand over the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence!¡± Xi Jikui had missed his target and, upon landing, stared straight at the swordsman in front of him, holding the Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡°Sir Xi, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t be of much help to you,¡± An Jing said indifferently. Xi Jikui, with a greedy and opportunistic look, clearly intended to seize the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence at all costs, even putting his ambition of eliminating Li Fuzhou in second place because concrete benefits were, undoubtedly, more attractive than vacant honors. ¡°I¡¯ll say it again, hand over the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence.¡± A hint of coldness flitted across Xi Jikui¡¯s eyes. At the same time, other martial arts experts also looked over, much like beasts sighting bloodied prey. ¡°I have important matters to attend to; I won¡¯t be staying to enjoy the moon with you all.¡± An Jing, alone, had now obtained the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence and naturally wasn¡¯t going to linger. He leaped, darting rapidly into the distance. ¡°Don¡¯t let him get away.¡± ¡°He¡¯s trying to run off with the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence!¡± ¡­. The many experts present changed expression at this sight. This swordsman! He plays no fair! Those who had been waiting to watch the battle unfold became anxious. After all, if An Jing ran off with the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, their long efforts would be for naught. Numerous experts rushed toward An Jing, sealing off all his paths of retreat. ¡°Slice!¡± An Jing waved the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand and launched an attack on Liu Qingshan, who was charging at him. The Sword Qi struck, rolling with icy radiance. It felt like a thorn in the back! Even though it was just the remnants of the blade, the Evil Suppressing Sword still lived up to its reputation as the third greatest sword of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. ¡°Not good!¡± Liu Qingshan, facing the edge of the sword, immediately sensed danger, and with his Inner Strength depleted and An Jing¡¯s cultivation having risen, he hastily dodged the blade. ¡°Be careful of his Evil Suppressing Sword!¡± Guo Yuchun warned solemnly. ¡°Laughable.¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand trembled, and he swept it toward Guo Yuchun. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Sword Qi flickered, extending three yards in length, as if even the ground was being lifted by the Sword Qi, layer by layer billowing in the air. Rivers flow like dreams! Guo Yuchun clenched his teeth, extended his hands, and his Qi Mechanism surged like a broad river, his body standing atop a wave several yards high, his robe flapping in the fierce wind. Guo Yuchun was not his match to begin with, and now with the Evil Suppressing Sword, An Jing was even more formidable. The Sword Light tore right through the surging Qi waves, and the remaining Sword Light skimmed past Guo Yuchun¡¯s neck, missing his throat by just an inch. ¡°Stamp! Stamp! Stare¡­..¡± Landing on the ground, Guo Yuchun¡¯s face turned deathly pale, still in great shock. He felt he had just walked through the Gates of Hell with that strike ¨C had it been off by an inch, he might have already breathed his last. What a terrifying Evil Suppressing Sword! With a wave of his hand, An Jing, relying on his exquisite swordsmanship and the power of the Evil Suppressing Sword, repelled two masters, instantly sending a chill down the spines of all the experts present. ¡°You all didn¡¯t hold back when you were obstructing this old man earlier, but now facing that swordsman, you¡¯re like eggplants hit by frost?¡± Li Fuzhou had just been through a group attack and was recuperating, but seeing An Jing about to run off with the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, he couldn¡¯t help but add fuel to the fire. Now these people besieging that peerless swordsman was exactly what he wished for. It was a perfect chance to sit on the sidelines and watch the tigers fight; all he had to do was to make his move at the last moment and snatch away the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. ¡°What a sly old fox!¡± An Jing glanced at Li Fuzhou and etched this grudge in his heart. He always felt that Li Fuzhou hadn¡¯t fully demonstrated his strength, seemingly holding back his skills, or rather, waiting for the last moment. This inevitably gave An Jing a headache, facing so many masters, he was already at his wit¡¯s end, and there was also the covetous Li Fuzhou beside him. ¡°Let¡¯s attack together!¡± Tian Cansou shouted loudly, sweeping his leg towards An Jing. ¡°Good!¡± Li Yue, Ling Yuehua, Gu Renwo, Li Fuzhou, Tian Liu, and the others also rose to the occasion, fearing that if they continued to scheme against each other, they would really let the swordsman escape. The first to rush forward were Li Yue and Gu Renwo. Each of them wielded a saber in one hand and a sword in the other, their levels of sword and saber mastery both at the Fourth Level. Especially Gu Renwo, with his saber technique being thick and steady, obviously having delved into the art for decades. Saber Qi and Sword Qi crisscrossed, whirling above and below. The Sword Qi of Ye Tai¡¯e was extremely sharp, and it even seemed to carry a trace of sword hum, disturbing one¡¯s mind. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± The Sword Qi surged like a torrential river. ¡°Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!¡± At the moment of collision between the swords, the sound of metal striking resonated, echoing in all directions, deafening and resounding. Li Yue felt her arm go numb and saw her superior Treasure Sword had developed a nick, clearly unable to withstand the sharpness of Ye Tai¡¯e¡¯s Sword Qi. As Gu Renwo crossed paths with An Jing, he too was forced to take several steps back, his expression seemingly indifferent but his heart exceedingly grave. That bone-chilling coldness went straight to the heart, and combined with the swordsman¡¯s exquisite techniques, it was truly formidable. An Jing¡¯s footsteps stuck close to the ground as he swiftly drifted backward, leaving a long mark on the ground. ¡°Sir, let Li take care of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence for you.¡± Li Fuzhou was quick and reached An Jing in an instant, his fingers stretching out toward the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. ¡°Old thing, don¡¯t even think about it!¡± An Jing sneered, twirling the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand at a remarkably clever angle, aiming straight for Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡¯re quite hot-tempered, brother¡­¡± Watching the Evil Suppressing Sword emit a terrifying Sword Light, Li Fuzhou frowned and quickly floated back. It seemed this swordsman harbored great hostility towards him. An Jing leapt forward, continuing to dash into the distance. ¡°Trying to leave?¡± Tian Cansou immediately leaped up, swinging his leg viciously. Wind Curling Scorched Leaves! Whoosh! Whoosh! Suddenly, a fierce wind arose, and tornadoes started to merge from all directions. An Jing saw the tornadoes coming and reflected a gleam of sharp light in his black pupils. Centering on him, waves of sharp and boundless Sword Qi emanated. Nine-character Sword Technique! Zi-word Seal! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only With a slash of his sword, it seemed as if the night sky itself had been cleaved open, revealing a strange, eerie seam. Then suddenly, countless Sword Lights burst from within that seam, so sharp that they seemed to pierce everyone¡¯s eyes, making the onlookers shut their eyes, unable to look directly. Numerous Sword Lights fell from the sky, with the force of an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. This was the true power of the Evil Suppressing Sword, now in full strength in An Jing¡¯s grasp, as he wielded his sword techniques to their utmost. Both parties unleashed their moves without any reservations, displaying the full might of true masters. Countless Sword Lights swept across, finally colliding head-on with the incoming whirlwind, and at that moment, the earth itself shuddered. Chapter 100 - Chapter 100: Chapter 100 The Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence Beckons the Demon Sword Chapter 100: Chapter 100 The Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence Beckons the Demon Sword Whoosh! Just as the dragon tornado shattered abruptly, it transformed into a massive yellow rain that poured down, and at that moment, countless golden lights scattered, piercing through everything like unparalleledly sharp blades. The pouring yellow rain fell fiercely to the ground, and the earth was instantly corroded by the yellow liquid, forming deep pits. Poison Skill! As the Great Elder of the Five Poison Sect, Tian Cansou¡¯s poison techniques were naturally top-notch. The sword light, just as sharp and dreadful, flickered with a chill that would freeze one¡¯s heart, and continued to sweep towards Tian Cansou. Just as An Jing was about to continue his onslaught, a sharp cry suddenly emerged from the side, prompting him to look over reflexively. Thud! Thud! Thud! Liu Qingshan stepped into mid-air, and instantly compressed the air with a powerful force, emitting a terrifying sound of an air explosion. Boom! Liu Qingshan stretched his arm out, with boundless inner strength continuously poured into it. Qingshan Palm Seal! Shatter the River! With a sweep of Liu Qingshan¡¯s arm forward, a palm print descended from the murky night sky with an overwhelmingly domineering aura. In an instant, the space ahead filled with resonating sounds. An Jing¡¯s eyes flashed with a cold gleam as he took a deep breath, and the black and white sword light surged. Hundred-step Flying Sword! Boom! The sword light that soared into the sky fell like a meteor, unmercifully meeting the palm print head-on, with an earth-shattering noise reverberating around Vilu Hall, almost as if it could rupture one¡¯s eardrums. The colossal palm print was torn asunder and then dispersed into force qi to both sides. The crowd watched An Jing wield his sword, clashing with each move; the sheer magnitude of the attack left them utterly astounded. ¡°After obtaining the incomplete Evil Suppressing Sword, this swordsman has greatly increased in strength!¡± Tian Cansou had just caught his breath, heaving with great gasps. An Jing also retreated continuously, his arm slightly trembling as a trickle of fresh blood flowed down the arm of his left hand. ¡°Everyone, we can¡¯t afford to give this swordsman any chance to catch his breath. If he truly gets away, I believe none of you would like to see that happen,¡± said Ling Yuhua, her eyebrows deeply furrowed as she extended a finger, summoning several silver-white flying needles. ¡°Sss! Sss!¡± Under the moonlight, several flying needles swiftly approached. An Jing felt a surge of coldness rise spontaneously and instinctively raised the Evil Suppressing Sword to block. ¡°Ting! Ting! Ting!¡± The flying needles struck the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword, emitting a series of crisp sounds before falling to the ground. Gu Renwo let out a cold shout, the inner strength in his body converging on the blade, turning into numerous streams of black dark energy. These streams, like enormous black pythons, exuded a terrifying sense of absorption, as if even the moonlight scattered on their bodies would be devoured and absorbed. Black Python Breaking Sun! The numerous black streams, resembling black pythons, burst from the blade and crazily charged towards An Jing, their speed ghostly fast. An Jing watched the several black pythons surge towards him, his eyes gradually showing a tide of coldness. In his hand, the Evil Suppressing Sword turned, meeting them with an incredibly precise angle. ¡°If you think you can defeat me with this move, your Hundred-step Flying Sword needs to be at least at the Ninth Layer,¡± Gu Renwo sneered coldly as the Sword Qi surged in all directions, unleashing a full force strike. ¡°Is that so?¡± In the next moment, An Jing channeled the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence into his chest, and then with his left hand he drew the ordinary longsword from his waist. A circular arc undulated from the blade, forming a reverse flow of Sword Light that surged forth energetically. Gu Renwo¡¯s brow furrowed sharply, and his heart trembled uncontrollably. Not only had this person cultivated the Hundred-step Flying Sword to the Eighth Layer, but could he also be ambidextrous, casting it simultaneously with both hands!? In the night sky above, the Sword Light fell rapidly, charging towards the large black python ahead. The moment the two collided, a whirlwind of force swept out wildly around them. ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes reflected the tumultuous Qi Force as they quickly retreated backwards to avoid being affected and to conserve some Inner Strength. Gu Renwo felt as if his body had been struck by a heavy hammer, his complexion paler than paper, as he floated away. Compared to Gu Renwo, An Jing didn¡¯t feel much better; he could clearly sense a burning pain in his chest. If it weren¡¯t for the Evil Suppressing Sword, this strong attack would have been too much for him to suppress against the expert from the Demon Sect. Just then, another wave of violent Qi surged in, sweeping over like autumn winds through fallen leaves, attacking from the flank. An Jing pressed down the shock in his heart, gathering his Inner Strength again. The Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand abruptly shot out a cold gleam like a flying piece of satin. Bang! In the night sky, a silhouette of a leg collided with the Sword Radiance, emitting a muffled sound. ¡°Thump!¡± An Jing stomped his foot down, transferring all the aftershocks into the ground, which instantly cracked. ¡°Just who the hell are you!?¡± Tian Cansou stepped back a bit, his face bearing an intent to kill as he looked at An Jing in front of him. Many masters were fighting against An Jing, but he was still holding on for so long; who among the onlookers wouldn¡¯t be moved? Even though he was relying on the power of the Evil Suppressing Sword, who was he, and how had he managed to tame it? Not only Tian Cansou, but all the masters present furrowed their brows tightly, staring intently at An Jing. ¡°Who I am is not important,¡± An Jing scoffed coldly, adjusting his breath slightly before his body flashed. ¡°Don¡¯t let this swordsman get away.¡± Xi Jikui also barked coldly. After speaking, the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings in his hands vibrated, with two Qi Forces shooting out, aiming directly at An Jing¡¯s neck and waist. ¡°Clang!¡± ¡°Clang!¡± With a move of An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword, he instantly felt a violent surge of Qi Force, causing his body to shake violently. This Xi Jikui was indeed a master of the Heavenly Flower Realm, with profound Inner Strength. Zhang Shuang and Gan Yue, seeing the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, naturally yearned for it in their hearts and would not easily let An Jing leave. In an instant, many masters made their moves, cutting through An Jing¡¯s Sword Qi, each seeking to put him to death. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Even as An Jing relied on the advantage of the Evil Suppressing Sword, after seven or eight rounds, he felt an immense pressure. A single mistake could result in death at any moment. ¡°There are too many masters here.¡± An Jing inwardly cursed his luck, realizing that even with the sharpness of the Evil Suppressing Sword, it was becoming exceedingly difficult to seize the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence with so many masters around. If the masters were determined to stop him, his chances of breaking through were extremely low. At that moment, An Jing suddenly felt the Evil Suppressing Sword stirring as if it was absorbing the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in his arms. At the same time, the Evil Suppressing Sword seemed to be emitting a strange whistling sound. Chapter 101 - Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Everyone Surprised by Sword Control Flying Immortal Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Everyone Surprised by Sword Control Flying Immortal ¡°Hmm?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart jolted at this realization. The Evil Suppressing Sword could actually absorb the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence? ¡°Today, this Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence will be left behind, and so will your life.¡± Xi Jikui let out a clear shout and rushed toward An Jing, moving swiftly like a gust of wind, the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings in his hand dancing and casting cold glints under the moonlight, aiming straight for An Jing¡¯s Heavenly Spirit cover. ¡°Then we shall see if you have the skills,¡± An Jing retorted, his eyes growing colder as he countered with the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand. ¡°Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!¡± A series of collisions sparked flares in the night. Xi Jikui was one of the highest-level cultivators present and still full of vigor. As he made his move, An Jing immediately felt the pressure on him double. At that moment, Liu Qingshan also leaped into action, with a palm strike aiming for An Jing¡¯s back heart. ¡°Boom!¡± The roaring palm wind was fierce and domineering, carrying the potential to shatter gold and break stones. It had to be said that the experts present were highly skilled. Liu Qingshan¡¯s palm strike came at the precise moment when An Jing and Xi Jikui clashed, during the transition of their Qi Mechanisms. In a hurry, An Jing drew his longsword, sending a chilling Sword Light trembling away. ¡°Bang Bang!¡± The Sword Light was directly shattered by the handprint, and the remaining force surged like a tidal wave, engulfing An Jing¡¯s body. An Jing felt a shock to his chest and stumbled several steps backwards. Had it not been for the Bodhi Bead refining his Half-step Golden Bone, that palm might have inflicted severe damage on him. The numerous experts present were plotting against each other. Although they did not use their trump cards against An Jing, their relentless assaults gave him no chance to catch his breath. Xi Jikui narrowed his eyes, and with a flourish of the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings in his hands, he exuded a terrifying cold light. Eerie! Phenomenally eerie! This was the power of the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings! ¡°Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh¡­¡± A faint whistling sound drifted by as the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings, carrying the falling moonlight, rushed towards An Jing. An Jing felt a chill in his heart, and his hairs stood on end as he tightly gripped the Evil Suppressing Sword in his right hand. Throughout the heavens and earth, fierce winds rose and howled, dispersing the Qi Mechanism around An Jing to the sides. The Evil Suppressing Sword seemed to have absorbed a tremendous amount of Qi Mechanism, flickering with an extremely dazzling brilliance as if it was about to split the night sky above Three Temple Mountain. An Jing¡¯s Human Flower appeared vividly behind him, and the Earth Flower was faintly visible, indicating he was pushing his cultivation to its limits. ¡°What¡¯s going on!?¡± Li Fuzhou was about to make a move when suddenly he stopped in his tracks. Everyone felt a chilling coldness surge forth as an earth-shattering Sword Intent burst from the damaged body of the Evil Suppressing Sword, as if to cleave the night apart. All they saw was An Jing¡¯s thrust with the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand. In that moment, the Qi Mechanism was mighty and torrential, the earth and sky shook, as if everything were converging on the sword and accompanying it in its journey. ¡°Such formidable Sword Intent¡­¡± Li Yue¡¯s eyebrows were deeply furrowed as she involuntarily took several steps back. The several experts present dared not advance any further, their eyes filled with apprehension. An unspeakably sharp coldness pained the hearts and minds of all present. Sword Control Flying Immortal! The Unity Sword Technique, named ¡°Unity,¡± the combination of three forms is the last move of the Unity Sword Technique. It was also the first time An Jing had executed this move. The fact that the Unity Sword Technique is only of True Martial Level can largely be attributed to the restrictions of the Sword Control Flying Immortal. Even An Jing, with First Grade cultivation, had difficulty unleashing it. If Sword Control Flying Immortal were considered a normal move, then the Unity Sword Technique might not be inferior to the Hundred-step Flying Sword. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± The air vibrated, rippling in waves, and then the Evil Suppressing Sword seemed to transform into a colossal sword, soaring through the air, charging directly at Xi Jikui. ¡°What kind of swordsmanship is this!?¡± Xi Jikui¡¯s eyebrows knit together, with no time for further thought, he raised the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings in his hands. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± The moment the colossal sword collided with the Double Rings, the surrounding area of Vilu Hall began to shake violently, the ground centered around Xi Jikui started to crack endlessly, spreading far into the distance. A streak of heaven and earth light suddenly appeared at the peak of the mountain. As if to split the entire mountain in two. ¡°This¡­?¡± Guo Yuchun was utterly shocked. If the swordsmanship that day at Reincarnation Hall was already considered exquisitely superb, then this move seemed to qualify as an Immortal Sword Technique. ¡°Descendant of the Sword Demon?¡± Li Fuzhou was also astonished, ¡°No, impossible. The Sword Dao of the Sword Demon is not so elegant. Could it be the old head of Yu Heng Sword Sect¡¯s successor? But that shouldn¡¯t be¡­¡± The colossal sword swept across the sky, its downward sweep startling all the experts present into a drastic change of expression. ¡°Quick, help me!¡± Xi Jikui¡¯s chest heaved, blood oozing from the corners of his mouth, as he urgently shouted, ¡°If he escapes, none of you will reap any benefits.¡± Under the night sky, Qi Force vibrated, Xi Jikui was forced to retreat repeatedly by the colossal sword, seemingly about to be engulfed by it. Hearing this, the others also quickly leaped into action, all attacking the colossal sword together. Li Fuzhou, Liu Qingshan, Ling Yuhua, and many other experts charged up together, their inner strength as surging as a tide, targeting the mighty colossal sword. The colossal sword met the onslaught of the ten experts. Its momentum slowed slightly, but the sword light swirling around it remained dazzling. For a moment, heaven and earth seemed to split in two, each side holding its own, neither victorious nor defeated. In the night sky, the many experts and An Jing faced off, with sword Qi colliding and transforming into extreme colors, a bizarre and dazzling display. Time seemed to have come to a standstill! Such a confrontation was exceedingly rare throughout Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu. ¡°Is there really such a formidable swordsman in the world? Could it be Tian Jian, one of the five great Sword Immortals?¡± From afar, Dai Ling witnessed this scene and was intensely shocked in his heart. Ten First Grade experts joined forces, and yet they could only fight to a draw with him. The swordsman¡¯s strength was terrifying. Whether it was the Xuanyi Guard experts or the monks curled up in the distance, everyone was dumbstruck, their hearts trembling incessantly. Ling Yuhua¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as she spoke in a low voice, ¡°How is this possible? This swordsman is merely at the pinnacle of Human Flower and about to reach Earth Flower cultivation. Even with the assistance of the Evil Suppressing Sword, how could he possibly withstand our combined inner strength?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Li Fuzhou, Liu Qingshan, Tian Liu, Guo Yuchun, Ling Yuhua, Li Yue, Tian Cansou, Xi Jikui, Zhang Shuang, and Gan Yue, a total of ten First Grade experts, even a Half-step Master wouldn¡¯t possess such formidable inner strength, yet that swordsman showed no sign of decline. The other few also frowned deeply. Although the swordsman was about to condense Earth Flower, relying on the sharpness of the supreme famous sword in his hand, it was after all incomplete. Even a whole Evil Suppressing Sword couldn¡¯t possibly help a swordsman at the pinnacle of Human Flower withstand so many experts. Clearly, there was something strange at play! ¡°It¡¯s the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence! That swordsman is burning Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence!¡± Li Fuzhou suddenly noticed the light emitting continuously from An Jing¡¯s chest, recognizing it as the burning of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, and couldn¡¯t help but cry out in alarm. Chapter 102 - Chapter 102: Chapter 102 The Grandmaster Expert Makes Their First Appearance Chapter 102: Chapter 102 The Grandmaster Expert Makes Their First Appearance It turned out that after An Jing executed the Sword Control Flying Immortal technique, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was unceasingly pouring its nature¡¯s spiritual energy into the Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡°What a cunning swordsman!¡± Ling Yuhua couldn¡¯t help but curse. Xi Jikui¡¯s face turned extremely grim, especially as he saw that the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was gradually dissipating, shrinking by a layer in just a moment. Above the sky, the giant sword spanned across the heavens, with its sword intent soaring to the skies. Meanwhile, the combined Inner Strength of the other ten First Grade Experts stirred up enormous waves, shaking the entirety of Three Temple Mountain, nearly submerging it into the furious oceanic tides. ¡°Too powerful!¡± Looking up at the battle above, Fa Wu and the distant Dai Ling both went blank in their minds, feeling as if the swordsman before them was not of the same breed, but rather a Sword Immortal who could turn the world upside down and stir the wind and clouds. ¡°Any one of these ten First Grade Experts is a famous master in the Jianghu, and even a master in the Half-step Master Realm would be crushed by their boundless Inner Strength.¡± ¡°Who exactly is this swordsman!? What is his background!?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve only heard of the five great Sword Immortals in the Jianghu, but from today onwards, there might appear a sixth Sword Immortal in Jianghu.¡± ¡­.. Everyone present was tremendously shaken, speculating the identity of the swordsman. ¡°Why can this swordsman burn Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence!?¡± Li Yue frowned tightly, thinking to herself. Only a master in the Grandmaster Realm could harness nature¡¯s spiritual energy, and Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence is the quintessence of that spiritual energy, such that even ordinary Grandmasters would find it difficult to burn and utilize directly. ¡°This swordsman¡¯s identity is too mysterious, and his strength is extremely formidable; he will certainly become a Half-step Master in the future. If he could join the Demon Sect, it would undoubtedly enhance our sect¡¯s prestige,¡± Li Fuzhou thought to himself as he watched the awe-inspiring swordsman before him. ¡°We can¡¯t continue fighting like this. If we keep going, it will only lead to mutual destruction, and the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence will be depleted by that swordsman.¡± Liu Qingshan said with furrowed brows. Even if they were to win in the end, there wouldn¡¯t be much of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence left. The rest of the masters also nodded in agreement, clearly concurring with Liu Qingshan¡¯s words. ¡°Clang!¡± Upon hearing this, Xi Jikui turned the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings in his hands, and the previously deadlocked situation suddenly changed. A tremendous sound of metal clashing echoed forth, and immediately after the giant sword came to an abrupt halt, the other masters swiftly retreated. The giant sword transformed into a streak of light across the heaven and earth and then flew towards the night sky before finally dispersing. An Jing quickly retracted his Qi Mechanism, but a domineering rebound of force came through, causing his body to plummet like a kite with a broken string, eventually smashing into the walls of the hall, where he was finally able to arrest his momentum. After that, he felt a sweet taste in his mouth, followed by blood still trickling down the corner of his lips. ¡°No good, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence is about to scatter.¡± Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence gathered from nature¡¯s spiritual energy and was originally refined by Grandmaster level masters. After being left for a long time, it would dissipate into nothingness. Nature¡¯s spiritual energy could still be harnessed into the Dantian, but the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was so pure that if absorbed into the Dantian, it would require a tremendous amount of Inner Strength to suppress the essence, limiting one¡¯s strength to only fifty percent. This was undoubtedly akin to becoming a lamb to the slaughter. Naturally, An Jing would not do such a foolish thing. The ten great masters, too, were shaken by the aftershock of the giant sword and retreated backward, each with a particularly ugly expression on their faces. Good opportunity! When they saw An Jing spitting out blood, a glint appeared in everyone¡¯s eyes. ¡°Since you all want this Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, I¡¯ll give it to you.¡± An Jing tossed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in his hand. ¡°Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence!¡± Seeing the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, everyone¡¯s eyes lit up, and they rushed towards it. ¡°Slash!¡± In the next moment, a ruthless sword light slashed down, targeting the Spirit Essence. This sword light shot through heaven and earth! The one who drew the sword was An Jing himself. The sword light was incredibly fast, falling in an instant, and before anyone could react, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence directly shattered, turning into several faint, tiny sparks. The swordsman actually destroyed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence! Such a malicious swordsman! What an unscrupulous swordsman! The collective masters were shocked and angry! ¡°Thief¡­.¡± Just as Tian Cansou was about to curse in anger, his expression suddenly changed drastically. He saw that as the sword struck, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence instantly split, turning into six fine streaks of blue light. Nature¡¯s spiritual energy! The Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was split by a single sword strike, not dissipating directly, but transforming into six streams of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. The spiritual energy began to spread out, drifting toward the night sky, seemingly ready to vanish into the cosmos. The numerous masters present, like madmen, rushed towards the spiritual energy. Liu Qingshan, Li Fuzhou, Xi Jikui, Tian Liu, and Guo Yuchun were among those who caught up with three of the streams, while Ling Yuhua, Li Yue, and Gu Renwo chased after one of them. An Jing was taken aback by this as well. He had wanted to obliterate the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, but to his surprise, it had split apart. With a swift movement, he rushed towards the nearest piece of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Another person was after the same target, and that was Zhang Shuang. Relying on the sharpness of the Evil Suppressing Sword, An Jing brandished his longsword, forcing Zhang Shuang to hastily retreat. He grasped the strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy in his hand and then directly channeled it into his Dantian. ¡°You!¡± Seeing this, Zhang Shuang¡¯s face immediately changed dramatically. ¡°If we join forces now, he is heavily injured and relying on the damaged Evil Suppressing Sword, he might not be a match for the two of us.¡± Just then, Gan Yue spoke from the side. Since An Jing had been able to fight against a number of higher-ups just before, it was clear that he relied on the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. Now that the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was gone, and he had taken a heavy hit, it was an excellent opportunity. ¡°Good!¡± After speaking, the two of them charged towards An Jing. ¡°It¡¯s nature¡¯s will for rain to fall and for a woman to marry, since you seek death, don¡¯t blame me for what comes next.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes were like torches, and his longsword slashed out in his hand. The Nine-character Sword Technique! The Lin Character Secret! With the Evil Suppressing Sword in hand, its sword light was unmatched in sharpness. Gan Yue¡¯s fist force was split in two, and his body was forced to retreat again and again. Zhang Shuang swung her long whip in her hands, the sound of the wind howling forth, a cold gleam thrusting straight at An Jing¡¯s eyebrow. Just at that critical moment, An Jing leapt, avoiding the whip shadow. ¡°Bang!¡± The tip of the whip struck the ground fiercely, and the ground exploded open. Gan Yue advanced with large steps once again, this time his moves were not as fierce and overbearing, but instead contained a bit of cunning, clearly aiming to evade the sword light of An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword. Both of these Great Heavenly Gang members were at the Human Flower Realm, with cultivation just a notch below An Jing¡¯s, but their combined forces made it difficult for the injured An Jing wielding the Evil Suppressing Sword to overcome them. ¡°Gentlemen, stay calm and don¡¯t be rash. Zhang is here to lend you a hand.¡± Just as the fight among the three became indistinguishable, a figure dashed forward. This person was none other than Tian Cansou. An Jing had seen it clearly before; the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence had turned into six strands of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, and Tian Cansou, with his swift movement skills, had already claimed one of those strands first. Among such a fierce combat of many high-level experts, it was already extremely difficult to seize one strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Yet, having obtained a strand and not leaving evidently showed that he still coveted the strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy that An Jing held. Although Tian Cansou spoke in such a way, he clearly had no intention of making a move, obviously waiting for An Jing and the other two to injure each other seriously before he would strike. Facing the two of them, An Jing advanced instead of retreating, the cold light from the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand flaring in all directions. ¡°Go away!¡± Seeing this, Zhang Shuang¡¯s long whip swept out, like the vast Yellow River, its momentum fierce and overwhelming. ¡°Sss!¡± The sword light shifted, the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword was incredibly sharp, wielded by An Jing to extremes. Zhang Shuang¡¯s whip was instantly cut into several pieces. At this moment, behind An Jing, the Human Flower and Earth Flower emerged, swaying in the night sky. ¡°Not good!¡± Zhang Shuang¡¯s face showed panic, and she quickly retreated towards the distance. ¡°The Earth Flower Realm, did he break through just now?¡± Gan Yue was also taken aback. No one had expected that, although the swordsman was indeed injured, with the help of the traveling Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence within his body, his cultivation had broken through to the Earth Flower Realm. The peak of the Human Flower and Earth Flower, though seemingly just a step apart, represent an immeasurable increase in cultivation. Add to that the swordsman¡¯s exquisite swordsmanship and the exceptional Evil Suppressing Sword in hand. ¡°It¡¯s too late to retreat now!¡± An Jing sneered coldly, the Evil Suppressing Sword pointing forward. ¡°Shiick!¡± The sword light was extremely fast, its edge so sharp it seemed it could pierce the air itself. ¡°Gurgle¨C!¡± Zhang Shuang¡¯s body faltered, the Evil Suppressing Sword piercing her chest, then with a ¡°thud!¡± she fell to the ground. ¡°Run quickly!¡± Seeing this, Gan Yue felt a chill rush to the top of his head. ¡°You can¡¯t escape!¡± An Jing¡¯s Qi Force turned in his hand, and the Evil Suppressing Sword flew out straight away. The sword light surged, tearing a rift in the night sky, light and darkness intertwining, creating a sense of confusion. The Sword Control Technique! The sword light charged forward, the world fell silent, as if only the longsword reverberated in the air. ¡°Pfft!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword penetrated Gan Yue¡¯s body. In an instant, two Great Heavenly Gang members lay deceased. ¡°Two Great Heavenly Gang members are dead!¡± The Gold Constables who were still intending to rush forward all halted, each gasping in cold air. Great Heavenly Gang! Those were the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s Jade Constables, almost the very top warriors of the Xuanyi Guard. Usually, losing one Great Heavenly Gang member required a death notice to be sent out to the whole world, but now two had been lost within a few breaths. ¡°Run fast!¡± The high-level experts of the Xuanyi Guard, fearing that the swordsman¡¯s point would turn on them next, each fled toward the distant forest, like startled birds. ¡°This swordsman has been promoted to the Earth Flower Realm, his strength is comparable to mine, and with the Evil Suppressing Sword in hand, he is certainly not my match.¡± Tian Cansou felt as if his heart were about to leap out upon seeing this scene. He had originally thought of taking advantage of the chaos to gain another strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, but now it seemed completely like a fool¡¯s dream. With that thought, Tian Cansou retreated towards the back. ¡°Zhang Zhixing, I need your head for a moment!¡± Tian Cansou just thought of escaping, but Li Fuzhou had already rushed over, blocking his path. ¡°` The Sect Hierarch has decreed that Tian Cansou cannot leave Yu State City alive. An Jing also stood, sword in hand, behind him, his gaze icy cold, not speaking but emitting an aura of murderous intent. ¡°Both of you have already obtained nature¡¯s spiritual energy, why make things difficult for me?¡± Tian Cansou laughed softly. ¡°Then why not obtain a bit more if we can?¡± An Jing said indifferently. Just now, when Zhang Shuang and Gan Yue were attacking him together, if he had shown any weakness, Tian Cansou would surely have dealt him a fatal blow. ¡°You must die,¡± Li Fuzhou said calmly. ¡°Good, very good!¡± Tian Cansou laughed in furious mockery, ¡°Since you both insist on pushing me to a dead end, then Zhang will dispense with the pleasantries.¡± With that, Tian Cansou stomped his foot and a leg lashed out fiercely towards An Jing. An Jing raised his Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, and the sword light became chaotic. Unexpectedly, Tian Cansou¡¯s attack was a feint, and as he withdrew his attack, he turned and fled into the distance. ¡°You think you can escape!?¡± An Jing was slightly startled, then quickly sprang after him in pursuit. Tian Cansou relied on his leg technique, hence his movement technique was also excellent, extremely fast; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to take away that wisp of nature¡¯s spiritual energy amidst the earlier chaos. Li Fuzhou also hurried in pursuit, as the Sect Hierarch had said that this man must not be allowed to leave Yu State City. ¡°Great Elder!¡± Just then, a figure appeared ahead. It was Dai Ling. ¡°Quick, run!¡± Seeing Dai Ling suddenly appear, Tian Cansou quickly shouted. Upon hearing this, Dai Ling tensed up and, without any carelessness, followed Tian Cansou and leaped towards the distance. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going!?¡± Li Fuzhou sneered, and a palm struck towards Dai Ling. Compared to Tian Cansou, Dai Ling¡¯s speed was without a doubt much slower. Seeing this, Tian Cansou had no choice but to turn back and meet Li Fuzhou¡¯s palm head-on. ¡°Thud!¡± The collision unleashed violent forces all around. Tian Cansou staggered backward, then suddenly kicked Dai Ling away, ¡°This is the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, you must go.¡± He forced out the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from within his dantian and infused it into Dai Ling¡¯s body. ¡°What about you, Great Elder?¡± Dai Ling frowned and asked. ¡°Go! Don¡¯t worry about me!¡± Tian Cansou shouted lowly. ¡°He can¡¯t escape!¡± ¡°Whoosh!¡± Just then, An Jing¡¯s sword light arrived with the wind. Tian Cansou could only meet An Jing again, his legs moving in a blur like a whirlwind. ¡°Great Elder¡­¡± ¡°Run!¡± Tian Cansou bellowed. ¡°She can¡¯t escape¡­¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s gaze carried an intent to kill. Killing the daughter of Dai Danshu, Dai Danshu would probably go mad, right? He wanted to see what it would look like when Dai Danshu lost his mind. With that thought, he dashed forward with large strides, his palm mercilessly striking towards Dai Ling. Tian Cansou was still unsteady but managed to step forward, blocking the way in front of Dai Ling. ¡°Bang!¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s palm hit Tian Cansou squarely on the body. ¡°Great Elder!¡± Dai Ling¡¯s heart trembled. ¡°Go¡­quickly¡­¡± Blood streamed from Tian Cansou¡¯s mouth as he spoke. With tears in her eyes, Dai Ling clenched her teeth and dashed off into the distance. An Jing wanted to follow and eliminate the roots, but Tian Cansou fought with desperate strength, launching a leg attack at him. ¡°Seeking death!¡± Both An Jing and Li Fuzhou were entangled by him; even a few sword marks on their bodies didn¡¯t make them retreat. ¡°Then I¡¯ll grant you your death wish,¡± An Jing declared, his eyes filled with murderous intent, as his Evil Suppressing Sword swept forward. Tian Cansou had just engaged Li Fuzhou and had no opportunity to block this swift strike. ¡°Pffft!¡± Tian Cansou¡¯s body was split in two, severed at the waist, blood soaking through the skewed floorboards. ¡°` ¡°` ¡°Gurgle¡­ gurgle¡­¡± ¡°Go¡­ go¡­¡± ¡°` Tian Cansou lay on the ground, his pupils wide open, staring fixedly at Dai Ling¡¯s disappearing figure, with half of his body struggling incessantly as if trying to rise again. In the end, he couldn¡¯t muster the strength to breathe, and his life extinguished completely. ¡°Chi!¡± Li Fuzhou extended a finger, and a streak of black-and-white light shot out. The finger light pierced through heaven and earth, aiming straight for Dai Ling¡¯s back. ¡°Wow!¡± Dai Ling¡¯s body stumbled, rolling forward before struggling to her feet and desperately running away into the distance. In the blink of an eye, she had already covered several dozen feet. Li Fuzhou¡¯s brows deeply furrowed; he pondered for a moment but did not pursue her. ¡°Inner Armor is indeed a good thing, saving her life twice.¡± An Jing did not chase after Dai Ling. His Inner Strength was nearly depleted, and his repeated intense battles had left him seriously injured. Most likely, he wouldn¡¯t catch up; with this in mind, he turned his attention to Li Fuzhou. The person before him was certainly a hidden threat! ¡°Now, it¡¯s your turn.¡± Li Fuzhou raised an eyebrow, ¡°My good sir, we bear no grudges against each other, yes? Besides, I helped you block that Zhang¡­¡± ¡°There was none before, but there is now.¡± An Jing shouted coldly, his longsword swiping towards Li Fuzhou. Even with little Inner Strength left, the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s edge was unmatched, terrifyingly formidable. Li Fuzhou could only retreat repeatedly. Since when had he made an enemy of this swordsman? Was it during the struggle for the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence just now? ¡°My good sir, think carefully. You¡¯ve killed a Xuanyi Guard¡¯s expert and now seek to make an enemy of my Demon Sect. This is an extremely unwise choice.¡± The two men, one after the other, with Li Fuzhou having absorbed nature¡¯s spiritual energy, did not wish to entangle with the swordsman at the moment and simply dodged the strikes of the Evil Suppressing Sword. An Jing paid no heed to anything else, his only desire at the moment was to eliminate this hidden threat within his house. ¡°Bang bang bang bang!¡± Under the night sky, there were only the sounds of the two figures crossing and their Inner Strength clashing. Li Fuzhou, intimidated by An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword, felt his Inner Strength bottoming out after repeated intense battles and became somewhat timid. Unwittingly, the two had fought their way to the front of Vilu Hall. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± Just then, a dark shadow flashed by rapidly. Fast! Too fast! The shadow stopped over the dried cadaver, leaving behind a string of afterimages. ¡°That person!?¡± Both An Jing and Li Fuzhou were shaken; neither could see the shadow clearly. To elude the vision of both men, this shadow must belong to a grandmaster. Both paused their fight, but in the blink of an eye, the shadow had already reached the dried corpse, lifted the sinister body filled with evil energy, and soared away into the distance. It all happened in a flash! Nearly in the blink of an eye, neither man had recovered from the shock. ¡°Grandmaster¡­?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart skipped a beat. The fleeting figure had moved so quickly that even he failed to capture its shadow, it must have been a grandmaster of the Jianghu, the only one capable of such power. Had there been a grandmaster lurking around this whole time? What was the intention of this grandmaster? An Jing¡¯s mind swirled with chaos and confusion. Li Fuzhou, too, felt a chill in his heart. To think such a formidable figure was hiding nearby was terrifying. But why did this person not take the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence but instead took the cadaver filled with evil energy? Questions flooded their minds. Their hearts surged, unable to calm down. ¡°My good sir, we shall meet again.¡± Li Fuzhou, having realized something, no longer tangled with An Jing. He leaped away, swiftly vanishing above Vilu Hall. ¡°It¡¯s best to leave this place quickly.¡± An Jing glanced at the direction where the dark shadow disappeared, then looked at the way Li Fuzhou left. Carrying the Evil Suppressing Sword, he hurriedly departed. ¡­ The night deepened over the path outside Yu State City. An Jing, in his dark green robe, sailed through the trees, and in the blink of an eye, he arrived at the Chaotic Tomb Mound to the north of the city. ¡°Clang!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword, under the moonlight, revealed a stream of silvery light, with a torrent of sword intent flowing gently. This was no ordinary sword. An Jing could not possibly hide it inside the medicine box compartment, and after realizing Li Fuzhou¡¯s identity, he was even less likely to keep the Evil Suppressing Sword at home. Therefore, he decided to find a place to bury the Evil Suppressing Sword. Chaotic Tomb Mound was undoubtedly the best place, as hardly anyone came here. After an intense struggle for possession, An Jing realized the true worth of the Evil Suppressing Sword. To think that the piece he held was only one of six incomplete blades but allowed his power to visibly increase so markedly. What terror would the complete Evil Suppressing Sword wield? ¡°There¡¯s still fresh blood on the sword¡­¡± ¡°` At this moment, An Jing noticed there was still fresh blood on the body of the Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡°Could it be left from earlier?¡± Thinking of this, his Inner Strength vibrated, converging like a tide onto the blade, attempting to shake off the blood on it. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± When the Inner Strength was infused into the sword, the Evil Suppressing Sword emitted a crisp sound of sword singing. However, the blood on it did not show the slightest ripple. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing looked at the blood on the blade. At this glance, he immediately frowned deeply. The blood on the blade was blackish-red, and at this moment, not only did it not scatter, but it instead clung to the blade, flowing incessantly. It was as if parasitic on the blade. ¡°This blood is odd¡­¡± An Jing stared at the blackish-red blood on the blade, his fingers involuntarily touching it. The moment his finger touched the blood, it was as if there was a sound in his brain, and An Jing felt violence, cruelty, terror, malevolence, fear¡­ These evil, negative emotions surged like tumultuous waves, violently crashing in, as if trying to fill his mind. The next moment, the Daluo Heart Method operated, and a cool breath reached his mind. It took a good while before he came to his senses, afterward staring solemnly at the blackish-red blood on the sword. ¡°What exactly is this blood on the Evil Suppressing Sword? Why can¡¯t it be expelled, and why does it bring such severe negative emotions¡­¡± Under the moonlight, the blackish-red blood appeared eerie and seductively charming. Although the Evil Suppressing Sword possessed supreme sharpness, it seemed to also harbor an unknown terror. When he pulled out the Evil Suppressing Sword, what was that roaring sound that could evoke an instinctive fear in him? And who was that dried corpse? And who was the master expert that appeared at the end? What was the purpose of the master expert taking away the dried corpse? Considering a master expert¡¯s involvement, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence would have nothing to do with those present on the scene. Could it be that the dried corpse was more precious than the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence? ¡°Forget it, don¡¯t think about it now.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment, finding that he hardly had any clues. He suppressed the doubts in his heart and came to a locust tree in the Chaotic Burial Ground, quickly dug a small hole, and buried the Evil Suppressing Sword. Three feet in front of the tree, the famous sword is hidden here. If it proves useful one day, it will be unearthed then. ¡°I don¡¯t know if this Evil Suppressing Sword is a blessing or a curse; I hope there won¡¯t be a chance to use it in the future.¡± An Jing sighed softly, ¡°However, that spiritual energy of heaven and earth is indeed a good thing. Once I completely absorb this spiritual energy, the Earth Flower Realm should be able to stabilize completely.¡± As the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence circulated into the Evil Suppressing Sword, it had also traveled through his body once, and the residual presence helped him condense his Earth Flower. Although the Earth Flower was already condensed, it was not yet stable. After all, it usually took others years or even decades of cultivation to reach the Earth Flower Realm, to polish and then stabilize it. But a wisp of spiritual energy from heaven and earth could save many years of effort, indeed a rare treasure. ¡­¡­ Outside Wuyang Tavern. Shui Zhongyue leaned on the eaves in the distance, holding a jug of fine wine bought from the tavern, looking indescribably carefree and relaxed. ¡°This young doctor and the arrest officer can really hold their liquor. They are not so drunk as to be insensible, are they?¡± Shui Zhongyue sipped the wine while murmuring to herself. As an expert of the Human Sect, specifically responsible for inspection, tracking, and thievery, they naturally have techniques for concealing their presence. In addition to this, they possess extremely strong minds and willpower. Therefore, there are not many experts in the Human Sect, but every one of them is an elite of the elite. Especially Shui Zhongyue and Huo Zhongyun, they are the elite of the elite within the Human Sect¡ªraised by the Demon Sect since childhood, growing up in the Demon Sect Main Hall, not only are their strengths profound, but their loyalty to the Demon Sect is also absolute. ¡°Forget it, why should I care about such trivial matters? Just keep an eye on this young doctor.¡± Shui Zhongyue muttered to herself, then raised her head for another swig of wine. The moment she tilted her head back, a figure silently slipped into the private room. The room was a mess. Han Wenxin lay sprawled across the table, mumbling incoherently, unclear as to what he was saying. An Jing picked up the medicine box, planning to place the medical cape into it. ¡°Brother An!?¡± At that moment, Han Wenxin abruptly sat upright, looking at An Jing with bleary, confused eyes. An Jing blinked, somewhat astonished as he looked at the now wide-eyed Han Wenxin. Could it be that the boy had awoken at this time? Did he realize something? ¡°Give me change¡­ change¡­ This young master is not short of money¡­ thunk.¡± Han Wenxin¡¯s words trailed off as his head once again heavily fell onto the table. An Jing breathed a sigh of relief, then took off his robe, and patted Han Wenxin¡¯s cheek, ¡°Brother Han? Brother Han, wake up.¡± Han Wenxin lay there like a dead pig, without the slightest response. ¡°It seems I¡¯m overly concerned.¡± An Jing shook his head, then jokingly said, ¡°Brother Han, I treated you to a meal? It shouldn¡¯t be a problem for you to pay, right?¡± As he spoke, his hand reached out to take Han Wenxin¡¯s money bag. Though the prices at Wuyang Tavern were relatively fair, the two had drunk at least five jin of liquor today, plus the delicious meals on the table. When An Jing offered to treat, Han Wenxin did not hesitate in the least; he ordered all of Wuyang Tavern¡¯s signature dishes, especially the saut¨¦ed kidney slices for which he called for three plates¡­ Calculating all these together, that would surely require quite a bit of silver. The moment An Jing picked up his purse, he immediately felt something was amiss. Then, he stretched out his hand and turned the purse upside down. ¡°Clatter! Clatter!¡± A few dozen copper coins fell into his palm, not even amounting to one tael of silver. ¡°Fuck! This is me not lacking money?!¡± Angrily, An Jing flung the purse at Han Wenxin¡¯s head. ¡­.. Yu State City, Mazi Lane. The entire Yu State City had fallen into slumber, immersed in silence. ¡°The second watch of the Hai hour, close your doors and windows to prevent theft.¡± At this moment, the sound of the night watchman¡¯s gong echoed through the lane. ¡°Yo, isn¡¯t this young Doctor An?¡± The night watchman spotted An Jing carrying Han Wenxin on his back and hurriedly greeted him. The manpower of Yu State Prefecture was generally divided into three shifts, a crude categorization. Station shift attendants: Maintain vigilance and order, stand at both sides of the hall during trials to uphold discipline, escort criminals, and execute torture and flogging punishments. Arrest shift constables: Briefly known as constables, they mainly rush about on the orders of the county officials, conducting secret investigations, patrolling at night, and carrying out summons and arrests during incidents, with the constable shift often filled by people who are alert and quick on their feet. Han Wenxin was a constable and even among them an arresting officer, a position in the middle hierarchy. Labor shift workers: Responsible for guarding city gates, government offices, warehouses, prisons, and other critical locations. Forensic doctors who inspect bodies and injuries, night watchmen who patrol, winnowers who guard the warehouses, timekeeping drummers, coachmen who care for horses, cooks who prepare meals, and other various servants of the government office are all referred to as government officials. ¡°Has Lord Han gotten drunk again?¡± The night watchman glanced at Han Wenxin on An Jing¡¯s back, seeming to have long become accustomed to such events. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m taking him home now.¡± An Jing nodded, then asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t it the Hai hour yet?¡± An Jing had been delayed on Three Temple Mountain for at least an hour or two. By rights, it should have been past the Hai hour by now. ¡°The Hai hour is almost over.¡± The night watchman chuckled heh-heh, guiltily adding, ¡°Old Jiang from the Sima Supervision was just chatting and shooting the breeze with me, which caused the delay.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, but inwardly he cursed: Damn, the Hai hour is almost over. Thinking this, he called out and then hurriedly made his way toward Han Wenxin¡¯s home. After crossing Mazi Lane and reaching Tianxiang Street, An Jing came to Han Wenxin¡¯s home and knocked on the door. ¡°Thump thump!¡± ¡°You little bastard, you still know to come back?¡± The door slowly opened, revealing a man around fifty years old, clad in an overcoat, stepping out. The man was tall and burly, with two tufts of white at his temples, and his facial features bore a seventy percent resemblance to Han Wenxin¡¯s. This was Han Wenxin¡¯s father, Han Ju. Han Ju was a retired arresting officer from Yu State City, and it was said that at the time of his retirement he was at the peak of the Fifth Grade. Han Wenxin was able to become an arresting officer of Yu State City at such a young age partly because of his own competence and partly because of his father. Wang He¡¯s cultivation was also Fifth Grade, but he was younger than Han Ju and had a glimmer of a chance to advance to the Fourth Grade. Moreover, since Han Ju had retired and lost his power, Wang Zhiping was not afraid of Han Wenxin. ¡°Uncle Han.¡± Upon seeing Han Ju step out, An Jing set Han Wenxin down from his back, ¡°Today, Brother Han drank a bit too much¡­¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s young Doctor An, I¡¯m sorry to trouble you.¡± Han Ju¡¯s brows relaxed slightly, then he looked reproachfully at Han Wenxin, scolding him, ¡°This damnable brat thinks of nothing but frolicking every day, never diligent in his cultivation. I might as well have splattered him against the wall back then¡­¡± As he spoke, Han Ju picked up Han Wenxin as easily as one would a chick. An Jing chuckled dryly on the side. Ever since An Jing helped Han Wenxin treat the horse of the Sima Supervision, he not only became friendly with Han Wenxin, but the Han Family also took good care of him. In both the marketplace and the jianghu, as well as in the corridors of power, a doctor with superior medical skills is always in demand. Of course, that is provided one doesn¡¯t flip the table. Once the table is flipped, it all comes down to fists. Connections are often intangible; when useful, connections can reach the heavens, but when useless, they are truly of no use at all. An Jing was familiar with Han Ju and was not surprised that he could say such things. ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all, the hour is late, Uncle Han, I should head back now.¡± An Jing bowed and prepared to leave. After all, the Hai hour was almost over, and it was very late. ¡°Wait a moment.¡± Han Ju hesitated for a while and eventually couldn¡¯t help but call out. ¡°Uncle Han, is there something else?¡± An Jing turned back to look at Han Ju, who seemed hesitant to speak. Han Ju chuckled lightly, ¡°Young Doctor An, I¡¯ve heard from that rascal that you have a certain medicine that¡¯s quite good. I have a friend¡­¡± A friend!? An Jing immediately understood, ¡°Uncle Han, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll prepare it for you by tomorrow. Then you can send someone to my pharmacy to pick it up.¡± ¡°Good, good, then I¡¯ll trouble you with that.¡± Han Ju¡¯s face glowed with delight upon hearing this. ¡­¡­. Jishi Hall, the candlelight flickered, casting a faint glow. By the light of the candles, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s delicate hands worked with needle and thread, sewing winter clothing. Tan Yun walked in, ¡°Miss, the master has obtained the nature¡¯s spiritual energy and is now looking for a place to retreat and recover from his injuries.¡± The news of the Human Sect spread very quickly, especially around Jiangnan Dao. By now, Li Fuzhou¡¯s network had been gradually set up. Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, then continued sewing the clothes. ¡°The qi mechanism on Three Temple Mountain is violently fluctuating; it seems there are many experts on the mountain tonight. We¡¯ll talk about it when Third Master returns tomorrow morning.¡± She wasn¡¯t surprised that Li Fuzhou had obtained that heaven and earth spiritual energy. Tan Yun hesitated, then bit her lip and said, ¡°Miss, the young master has run off to drink again. You might as well rest early today.¡± The young master dared to deceive the miss and run off to drink; his courage is getting bigger and fatter¡­ ¡°Him?¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled softly and whispered, ¡°Let him go out to drink if he wants to. He might have something on his mind. I¡¯ll ask him when he comes back.¡± In her heart, Tan Yun scorned, What worries could that stinking young master have? I see he¡¯s happy every day. Anyway, I don¡¯t know what he thinks about all day long. After an unknown period, Zhao Qingmei finally raised her head. ¡°Alright, you go back and rest.¡± ¡°Yes, Miss.¡± Tan Yun stuck out her tongue playfully, then picked up the little black pup from the ground and headed to the back courtyard. Time passed, and footsteps were heard from outside the door. ¡°Tap tap tap¡­¡± A glint of light flashed in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes, and she put down the winter clothes in her hands. ¡°Madam, I¡¯m back.¡± An Jing walked in through the side door carrying a medicine chest, exhaling deeply, ¡°The weather is getting colder and colder.¡± He knew that, even so late, Zhao Qingmei was still not resting and waiting for him. ¡°Why are you so late today? Are you hungry?¡± Zhao Qingmei took An Jing¡¯s medicine chest and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go cook a bowl of noodles for you.¡± An Jing nodded and smiled, ¡°Sure, put more lard in it.¡± ¡°Mhm, got it.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled, then headed to the kitchen. Watching Zhao Qingmei¡¯s retreating figure, a tinge of guilt rose in An Jing¡¯s heart, ¡°I really shouldn¡¯t have come back so late and made Qingmei worry¡­¡± ¡­¡­ Jishi Hall, bedroom. An Jing sat at the desk, engrossed in a book he was holding. ¡°Husband, the noodles are ready.¡± Soon after, a crisp voice sounded, and Zhao Qingmei walked in with a bowl of noodles. The noodles steamed hotly, mixed with lard shining on top, and two poached eggs on the side. ¡°Smells delicious.¡± An Jing smiled, took the chopsticks, and couldn¡¯t help but feel his mouth water. ¡°Go ahead and eat.¡± Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei felt a surge of satisfaction. ¡°Slurp¡­ Madam, have you noticed, Third Master is quite strange?¡± After taking a bite of the noodles, An Jing casually remarked. ¡°What¡¯s strange about Third Master?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart stirred slightly, but she kept a calm face as she spoke. Could it be that the husband has discovered something? But that shouldn¡¯t be possible. Li Fuzhou, the Sect Master of the Human Sect, would absolutely not make such a small mistake to let the husband see through him. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± An Jing paused, ¡°He always goes out at night. Do you think an old man can handle that?¡± Recently, Li Fuzhou was going out more and more frequently, even more than Zhou Xianming did when he was around. Hearing this, Zhao Qingmei gave An Jing a glare, ¡°Why do you care about him so much.¡± ¡°I¡¯m concerned about him. Look, he¡¯s no longer young, but he keeps carousing¡ªit¡¯s not good.¡± An Jing laughed and then continued to probe, ¡°By the way, you said Third Master used to be the accountant in your family. How long had he been there?¡± Zhao Qingmei once mentioned that Li Fuzhou had been an accountant in her family, and she told him they weren¡¯t very familiar with each other. For the Sect Master of the Demon Sect to hide in a common household, could there be some purpose behind it? Zhao Qingmei¡¯s beautiful eyes blinked and she said, ¡°As I¡¯ve told you before, I¡¯m not too familiar with him, it wasn¡¯t for long, just a bit over a year.¡± Indeed, she hadn¡¯t been the Sect Hierarch for long, and Li Fuzhou had been working for her for about the same amount of time. An Jing nodded nonchalantly, but his brows furrowed in thought. It seems the Demon Sect experts following me these days are acting on Li Fuzhou¡¯s orders. Judging by tonight, Li Fuzhou definitely doesn¡¯t know my true identity. So, what could be the reason he¡¯s tracking me? To monitor me? The Sect Master of the Demon Sect, doing menial jobs right in my own house¡ªif this were to be told, nobody would believe it. It¡¯s just too absurd! For An Jing, this is definitely a huge hidden danger. He just wants to live an ordinary life, at least until his Life Fate fully takes root. He doesn¡¯t want to stir up too much trouble, and Li Fuzhou is a big problem even if he does nothing at all. And that Tan Yun, does she know anything? ¡°Husband, what are you thinking about?¡± Seeing An Jing lost in thought with his noodle eating paused, Zhao Qingmei couldn¡¯t help but ask. An Jing laughed heartily, ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just think it¡¯s so late now, Third Master definitely won¡¯t be coming back tonight.¡± ¡°You know as well as I do that Third Master is just like that,¡± Zhao Qingmei peeled garlic as she spoke, ¡°I heard he was quite the charmer when he was young.¡± An Jing nodded but his eyebrows involuntarily furrowed. That old man Li Fuzhou was too good at pretending. From his words tonight, it seemed he also had a dubious relationship with Ling Yuhua. This old man was not only ugly, but also a player! It seemed that Zhao Qingmei was completely in the dark now, hoodwinked, although Li Fuzhou hadn¡¯t made any dangerous moves yet. Likely, Li Fuzhou was just using this identity to hide in the market streets of Great Yan, facilitating his actions in the shadows. Perhaps his trip to Yu State City also involved some other unspeakable secrets. But if his cover was blown, then An Jing and Zhao Qingmei might end up being labeled as remnants of the Demon Sect¡­ Demon Sect remnants¡­ They would have to spend their lives hiding and running all over Great Yan. The more An Jing thought about it, the more frightened he felt, thinking to himself, ¡°Tan Yun won¡¯t leave until after the new year. I should find him in the next few days to ask about the situation since he is well-informed. Then, I¡¯ll probe into that old man Li Fuzhou.¡± ¡°My husband.¡± Just then, Zhao Qingmei pulled out a jar of wine from under the bed. ¡°My lady, this is¡­?¡± An Jing looked at the jar of wine before him, a trace of confusion appearing in his eyes. Zhao Qingmei opened up the seal on the jar, her fair face flushing red as she said, ¡°Since we had the wedding wine, it¡¯s been a long time since we¡¯ve had a drink together.¡± With that, she placed a jar of wine across from An Jing. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± An Jing subconsciously nodded. Aside from medicinal wine, he seldom drank. Zhao Qingmei broke open the seal and then sat opposite An Jing, her eyes full of tender affection: ¡°Husband, today I shall join you for a good drink and to talk about some recent troubles.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing took the wine jar from Zhao Qingmei and filled the cups to the brim. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s red lips touched the cup¡¯s edge, and she tilted her pale neck back, letting the wine flow smoothly down her throat in a way that held a certain heroic air, afterwards, her cheeks turned slightly red. An Jing gave a thumbs up, ¡°You truly are magnanimous, heroine.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a heroine; I only want to be your wife,¡± Zhao Qingmei said petulantly, ¡°It¡¯s your turn to drink.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing raised his cup to Zhao Qingmei, gave a toast, and then drank it all in one gulp. In the dim glow of the candles, the couple sipped and exchanged cups, chatting quietly now and then, with Zhao Qingmei bursting into laughter at An Jing¡¯s jokes. It was as if even the night had taken on a more wonderful hue. ¡°Husband, are you worried about something?¡± Zhao Qingmei casually asked as she poured another two cups. An Jing paused mid-gesture, but quickly smoothed his expression and said beamingly, ¡°What could I possibly be worried about? Being able to marry such a flower-like wife is the fortune of eight lifetimes for me.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes were watery as she looked at An Jing, ¡°Is that so? I feel like you¡¯re always hiding something from me.¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± An Jing, feeling guilty, immediately emptied his cup in one gulp. ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Truly, I haven¡¯t lied to you.¡± ¡°If you ever have any troubles, remember to tell me.¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled lightly, unconcerned about An Jing having gone out with Han Wenxin for drinks. After all, they hadn¡¯t been drinking flower wine. ¡°I really don¡¯t have any troubles.¡± An Jing poured two more small cups and then stood up, looking out the window with a sense of longing, ¡°When spring comes next year, I¡¯m going to plant the whole yard with chrysanthemums, which should bloom by summer time.¡± Zhao Qingmei came over to An Jing¡¯s side, filled with aspiration, ¡°A yard full of chrysanthemums would be so beautiful.¡± ¡°If we plant red roses around them, it would be even prettier.¡± ¡°Why plant red roses, they have so many thorns.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand, red roses have other meanings.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand, but you can tell me.¡± ¡­¡­.. The moonlight was hazy, and the two of them kept pouring drinks for each other, one after another. ¡°My lady, you truly are a good drinker¡­¡± An Jing also felt slightly tipsy, leaning against the chair, a little lightheaded. The wine Zhao Qingmei had brought out felt incredibly potent, even stronger than the Fire Blade wine from the Wuyang Restaurant by three degrees¡ªand that was after already having several drinks with Han Wenxin. ¡°Brother, why aren¡¯t you drinking?¡± Zhao Qingmei poured another two cups and then came over to An Jing, smiling as she said. ¡°I can¡¯t drink anymore¡­¡± An Jing shook his head, as drinking any more would mean using his inner strength to expel the alcohol. ¡°Brother, if you ever want to drink to relieve your worries, Qingmei is available anytime, anywhere,¡± said Zhao Qingmei, her cheeks flushed red like the clouds at sunset, sitting on An Jing¡¯s thigh, her seductive eyes shimmering, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be your red rose, I just want to be your wild grass, that which cannot be burned away and sprouts anew upon the wind¡­¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As she spoke, her red lips gently moved to An Jing¡¯s ear, a warm breeze wafting with them. ¡°Is that so? My wild grass?¡± An Jing felt a flame ignite in his heart, and then he wrapped his arms around that slender waist. Zhao Qingmei let out a soft moan, and soon closed her watery eyes. Indeed, the warmth of the wine deepened as spring thoughts stirred, and the loving couple turned the red quilt into rolling waves. ¡­.. Chapter 103 - Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Who is the Champion Swordsman Under the Heavens chapter 103: chapter 103: who is the champion swordsman under the heavens late at night, the moonlight was hazy. the surroundings of three temple mountain had fallen into a deep slumber, deathly quiet. the night was chilling, and the sound of the wind was bleak with a touch of coolness. on the rugged mountain path, a figure staggered forward. this person was none other than dai ling, who had luckily escaped from vilu hall. at this moment, her expression was extremely panicked, her hair disheveled and in a mess, not knowing how far she had run. perhaps it was because of her injuries, or perhaps she was too tired. eventually, dai ling leaned against a branch, gasping for air, still cautiously looking back, fearing someone had followed her. although li fuzhou¡¯s last strike didn¡¯t kill her, with some of the force blocked by the inner armor, li fuzhou¡¯s strength was that of a half-step master. even with severe injuries, only able to exert less than twenty percent of his strength, he was still too much for her, a second grade, to withstand. dai ling had three broken ribs, especially one that had broken and pierced into her organs. had it been an ordinary person, they might have died long ago. suddenly, dense sweat covered dai ling¡¯s forehead. ¡°gurgle¡­¡± blood constantly spilled from the corner of her mouth. ¡°uncle zhang¡­¡± thinking of zhang zhixing, who had covered her retreat, dai ling¡¯s nose tingled with sourness. under the joint hands of that peerless swordsman and li fuzhou, it was absolutely impossible for zhang zhixing to survive. tian cansou had never married in his life, was reclusive by nature, and had always been grateful for the five poison sect¡¯s past hospitality. he had a deep relationship with dai danshu and treated dai ling, the daughter of the five poison young master, as his own. ¡°i would rather not have this nature¡¯s spiritual energy,¡± dai ling felt the spiritual energy within her, her eyes reddening, and finally, she couldn¡¯t hold back as tears trembled in her eyes. zhang zhixing¡¯s life had been exchanged for a strand of heaven and earth spirit essence, for the possibility of dai ling¡¯s future. but he had died. death meant being forever parted by the yin and yang, never to appear again, never to speak again¡­ thinking of this, dai ling¡¯s heart filled with even more regret. she hated herself, angry at her own strength for being just second grade. if she were of the first grade realm, she might have been able to help some. ¡°li fuzhou! and that swordsman!¡± dai ling¡¯s fingers fiercely embedded into the branches, as if she couldn¡¯t feel any pain at all. because physical pain couldn¡¯t compare to the pain inside her heart. ¡°i must leave this place quickly¡­¡± dai ling took a deep breath, gritted her teeth. she wasn¡¯t sure if li fuzhou and that swordsman would pursue her again, nor was she clear if there were any demon sect experts around. ¡°uncle zhang, i will definitely kill the both of them,¡± she walked a few steps, paused, then turned and looked back at three temple mountain once more. finally, enduring the pain, she knelt down, knocked her head three times towards the direction of three temple mountain, and then hurriedly walked away into the distance. ¡­¡­ at the south river branch, in the hall, liu qingshan sat on a chair, holding a teacup, and said lightly, ¡°tian liu was struck by a palm from li fuzhou. he will need to recover for at least a month.¡± the moment an jing split open the heaven and earth spirit essence, it split into six strands, several experts fought for it, and tian liu was hit by a palm strike from li fuzhou. li fuzhou practiced the heavenly demon qi he created, which was formidable, overpowering and extremely tyrannical. the residual heavenly demon qi within the body was very difficult to cleanse. if it hadn¡¯t been for liu qingshan¡¯s timely arrival, tian liu might have died at the hands of li fuzhou. guo yuchun said with lingering fear, ¡°i didn¡¯t expect this night at three temple mountain to be so perilous. fortunately, it was all worth it in the end, as our leader also obtained a strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy.¡± the night¡¯s events had taken him by surprise. even if he had anticipated li fuzhou, and the xuanyi guard, he had not accounted for that peerless swordsman. ¡°with this strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, my cultivation can be completely stabilized at the heavenly flower realm, and i might even have the chance to break through to the¡­ cough cough¡­ half-step master realm,¡± liu qingshan coughed violently, then said somberly, ¡°ling yuhua and the blood spirit sword also took a strand, li fuzhou took one, the swordsman and tian cansou, gan yue, and zhang shuang fought over two more, and the last one should have been taken by xi jikui.¡± after pondering for a moment, guo yuchun said, ¡°now that the blood spirit sword has obtained this strand of spiritual energy, her strength will likely soar. this is also a good thing for us. she has a heavy say in the wind and rain tower, and she supports the five gangs alliance¡­¡± ¡°sanhu gang¡¯s he yunkai is just a weathervane, only adept at playing it smart; the five gangs alliance is good for him, so he definitely won¡¯t refuse. the golden corner alliance had also agreed in advance. now only the people from wangjing sea are difficult to deal with.¡± liu qingshan pondered for a long while and said, ¡°no need to worry about wangjing sea for now; once i¡¯ve assimilated the spiritual energy and completely cleared obstacles from my path, we¡¯ll talk.¡± haste makes waste, especially with a big issue like the five gangs alliance aiming for control over the world, which was bound to attract attention from various parties. with his current strength, it was not yet time for rash actions. furthermore, among the five major gangs, there were individuals of profound strength, and he might not be able to suppress them all. one needs to be strong themselves to forge ahead; this is the unchanging truth throughout the ages. guo yuchun nodded, then frowned and said, ¡°based on reliable information, it seems someone is working on rehabilitating jiang sanjia, and the xuanyi guard¡¯s efforts to capture him are becoming weaker¡­¡± ¡°seek redress!?¡± liu qingshan heard this and scoffed, ¡°rehabilitating him is just a pretense. i bet they want to make use of him.¡± jiang sanjia was stubborn, proud, and arrogant. in the towering temple halls, he was absolutely an uncompromising purist. such a person is the least welcome presence in the temple halls. guo yuchun nodded slightly. ¡°the gang leader is right. jiang sanjia does have some capabilities. moreover, his senior brother is one of the five great sword immortals of our time, so there is naturally some sentimental regard¡­¡± when mentioning ¡®senior brother,¡¯ guo yuchun¡¯s expression undeniably turned grave. the ghost valley divine sword is one of the five great sword immortals of this era. ¡°as for his senior brother, let¡¯s forget about him¡­ cough cough¡­ it¡¯s probably the case that even if jiang sanjia dies, he won¡¯t intervene. after all, that person from the zhenyi sect is always watching him.¡± liu qingshan waved his hand dismissively, ¡°i¡¯m actually curious about that swordsman¡­¡± upon hearing this, guo yuchun grew solemn as well. one must know that the unparalleled swordsman had intervened to assist jiang sanjia on more than one occasion¡ªhis relationship with jiang sanjia was absolutely out of the ordinary. if jiang sanjia were vindicated and returned to the temple halls, then the identity of the unparalleled swordsman might also be exposed. ¡°gang leader.¡± guo yuchun suddenly spoke seriously. ¡°that swordsman was able to make the evil suppressing sword recognize him as its owner. there must be profound mysteries involved. moreover, his strength is extraordinary. for the greater good, perhaps we should put aside our grudges against him for now and withdraw the order to hunt him down within the gang¡­¡± liu qingshan¡¯s eyebrows tightened, and he slowly stood up, silent for a long while before letting out a sigh, and then said, ¡°now that xi jikui has appeared in yu state city, we¡¯ll have to watch the clash between xi jikui and the demon sect.¡± ¡°xi jikui is no match for li fuzhou.¡± guo yuchun nodded in agreement. ¡°xi jikui has both good abilities and strength. but if he faces li fuzhou, his chances of winning are slim. if he persists stubbornly, he might even die in yu state city.¡± guo yuchun was somewhat familiar with the terror of li fuzhou. ¡°if xi jikui dies, wouldn¡¯t that be a good thing?¡± liu qingshan¡¯s mouth turned up slightly at the corners. ¡­. in the early morning, by the side of yu state river. shops stood in close ranks on both sides as the morning sun cast its radiance on red bricks and green tiles, as well as on the brilliant eaves of lofty pavilions, adding a vibrant vitality to the bustling yu state city. ¡°another fine day.¡± as usual, an jing started his day by putting away wooden boards and opening his clinic. ¡°good morning, doctor an.¡± the attendant from the neighboring teahouse called out, ¡°you seem to lack spirit today. didn¡¯t someone knock on your door for a consultation again last night?¡± the teahouse attendants all knew that there were frequently night-time patients knocking on the door, so doctor an was not only very busy during the day but also tirelessly overworked come night. ¡°yes.¡± an jing nodded and sighed. ¡°i only returned home at the hour of hai last night.¡± time does not necessarily lead to affection, but it is sure to be tiring. ¡°you really work hard, doctor an.¡± upon hearing this, the attendant looked at an jing with solemn respect. ¡°truly a physician with a compassionate heart.¡± after an jing secured the wooden boards, he took goji berries, black tea, and lindera aggregate from the medicine scale on the wall cabinet, added them to a teapot according to the prepared ratio. although he was a rough man, he paid great attention to these details. after all, he was a doctor, and the precision of the medicinal herbs always had to be well maintained. ¡°son-in-law, i¡¯m back.¡± just then, a voice came from outside the door. the person was none other than li fuzhou. an jing looked up, greeted him as usual. ¡°third master, you¡¯re back.¡± this old guy, really good at pretending! if you¡¯re going to act, then i¡¯ll act too. ¡°i¡¯m back.¡± li fuzhou made himself comfortable in a chair, took the freshly brewed teapot poured by an jing, and took a greedy sniff of the ethereal aroma. ¡°orchid-like on the tongue, refreshing to the heart, fragrant and pleasingly astringent, nice.¡± with a double meaning, an jing said, ¡°you had a tough night, third master?¡± ¡°now i just feel clear and refreshed.¡± li fuzhou gently blew on the tea before taking a small sip. his words were actually sincere. with a trace of nature¡¯s spiritual energy absorbed into his body, he was a half-step master in cultivation. although he had not reached the grandmaster realm and couldn¡¯t refine nature¡¯s spiritual energy, his speed in assimilating it was still much faster than that of a first grade expert. even though the trace of spiritual energy had not been fully assimilated yet, his injuries were gradually healing. once he had completely assimilated it, regaining his full strength was naturally not an issue. as his injuries fully healed, li fuzhou naturally felt much better. an jing sneered inwardly and began to ponder secretly. what exactly were li fuzhou¡¯s intentions? he wondered if that foolish girl tan yun was aware of them. at the moment, it seemed that tan yun¡¯s intelligence, no, her cunning, was far inferior to li fuzhou¡¯s. she might be a source of clues. ¡°son-in-law, isn¡¯t it time to hand out the wages?¡± li fuzhou said with a smiling face. ¡°here you go.¡± an jing, with a flourish, took out more than a tael of silver from his pocket and thought to himself, ¡°old timer, are you extorting me? you¡¯re clearly toying with me. one day i¡¯ll make you spew it all out tenfold, a hundredfold.¡± would the sect hierarch of the demon sect lack the silver for visiting brothels and listening to music? an jing didn¡¯t believe the demon sect could be so destitute. this was clearly treating me, an jing, like a monkey being played with. ¡°hm?!¡± li fuzhou started to have his doubts, and while it had been extremely difficult to get silver from an jing in the past, today he was surprisingly willing. ¡°i¡¯ve nearly finished negotiating with the hunters. today i also need to go buy some herbs. i¡¯ll leave the pharmacy in your care for now.¡± an jing called out, picked up his medicine box, and then headed for the door. ¡°understood, son-in-law.¡± li fuzhou watched an jing leave and then glanced at the tea on the table: ¡°this tea is authentic! very meticulous! the young doctor does indeed have some decent skills.¡± soon after, zhao qingmei walked out from the back hall. ¡°sect hierarch!¡± li fuzhou quickly stood up and gave zhao qingmei a fist salute. ¡°did my husband go out?¡± zhao qingmei asked indifferently, nodding her head. ¡°son-in-law has left. here¡¯s the silver.¡± li fuzhou took out all of the silver he had just received from an jing. zhao qingmei¡¯s brows rose slightly, ¡°he gave you all of it? didn¡¯t i say to leave some for him?¡± ¡°son-in-law gave it himself. he was very straightforward today.¡± after explaining, li fuzhou thought to himself: young doctor, oh young doctor, you can¡¯t put these bad debts on my head. when i go to brothels and listen to music, i use my own silver. i haven¡¯t dared to touch yours¡­ ¡°let it be.¡± zhao qingmei waved her hand and said, ¡°tan yun told me everything went relatively smoothly last night?¡± ¡°this matter is a long story. please sit down, sect hierarch.¡± li fuzhou took a deep breath, then frowned, his expression growing somber. zhao qingmei, observing li fuzhou¡¯s demeanor, became even more curious. li fuzhou inhaled deeply and said, ¡°last night was a gathering of masters. first was the great abbot of leiyin temple¡¯s great sun temple, fa zhi, who had a profound realization and saw his true nature, raising his fruit position once again. but in the end, he sacrificed himself for the dharma, ultimately suppressing the pervasive yin evil and turned into a relic.¡± zhao qingmei¡¯s brows raised slightly, ¡°monk fa zhi?¡± the bodhisattva fruit position, she knew very well what it signified. if nothing unexpected happened, fa zhi could become a grandmaster within ten years. in the pure land¡¯s three thousand buddha countries, only two or three bodhisattvas had appeared in the last hundred years. with the world¡¯s top forces vying for power, a grandmaster could have a significant impact. this event might even shake the entire world. ¡°it¡¯s a pity that he has already entered parinirvana.¡± li fuzhou continued, ¡°extraordinary swordsmen like ling yuhua, liu qingshan, and tian cansou also appeared to compete for the heaven and earth spirit essence. these individuals were all strong, and in the ensuing chaos, xuanyi guard xi jikui led two great heavenly gang experts. with all masters vying for power, they all showed their skills.¡± ¡°at the crucial moment, that extraordinary swordsman drew the evil suppressing sword.¡± just then, li fuzhou looked towards the back hall, only to see tan yun holding a little black puppy. seemingly hearing something important, she hurriedly asked, ¡°master, did you say that extraordinary swordsman drew the evil suppressing sword?¡± ¡°extraordinary swordsman?¡± zhao qingmei¡¯s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly; she was very aware of the rumors surrounding the evil suppressing sword. if before, the title of an extraordinary swordsman was merely a compliment from the ordinary martial world, then the one who drew the evil suppressing sword truly deserved it. ¡°yes, that swordsman is truly cunning, despicable.¡± li fuzhou¡¯s brow furrowed, ¡°after he seized the heaven and earth spirit essence, he used the incomplete evil suppressing sword and the essence to battle many experts. certainly, he was formidable, but taking on ten top masters was too much for him. in a fury, he shattered the heaven and earth spirit essence, turning it into six wisps of heaven and earth spiritual energy. i managed to snatch one wisp, while the others took one each.¡± ¡°in the end, the swordsman killed both great heavenly gang warriors of the xuanyi guard. i joined forces with him to kill the five poison sect¡¯s tian cansou.¡± tan yun¡¯s heart skipped a beat hearing this, and her large eyes filled with curiosity as she imagined the scene of the swordsman clashing with many top masters. what a magnificent scene that must have been, battling ten top experts! killing two great heavenly gang warriors was a remarkable achievement. if word got out in the martial world, it would undoubtedly cause a huge uproar. after all, no one in the great yan martial world, no force, had ever dared to openly kill a xuanyi guard. this was a blatant challenge to the xuanyi guard, a provocation to the great yan emperor. having offended the great yan court, there was a good chance this swordsman could be recruited to their demon sect. thinking of this, tan yun bit her lip, her face turning as red as if it would bleed. zhao qingmei, with lips slightly parted, let out a breath, ¡°why was he able to draw the evil suppressing sword, and what exactly is his identity?¡± the strength of that peerless swordsman was surprising, but what she was more concerned about was why the swordsman could pull out the evil suppressing sword. ¡°i¡¯m not clear on that either, but that swordsman is cunning and strong,¡± li fuzhou paused, then said, ¡°it seems that swordsman has some grievances with our demon sect. when i crossed swords with him yesterday, i could feel the surging murderous aura from his sword.¡± thinking about the swordsman¡¯s attitude towards him, and the ruthlessness of his swordplay, li fuzhou felt that the swordsman must have had significant grievances with the demon sect, otherwise he wouldn¡¯t have been like that. ¡°he has grievances with our demon sect?¡± zhao qingmei said indifferently, ¡°that¡¯s not surprising. there are too many people in the great yan martial world who have grievances with our demon sect.¡± initially, the demon sect in great yan could command the wind and summon the rain, and countless sects were annihilated by the demon sect, causing the entire great yan martial world to be full of resentment and anger. even the top-notch xuanyi guards didn¡¯t take them seriously, otherwise they wouldn¡¯t have been attacked by a coalition of many forces. tan yun, who was beside them, didn¡¯t know what she was thinking, and she had already stopped listening to li fuzhou¡¯s words that followed. ¡°actually, after my exchange with that swordsman, there¡¯s another major matter. that¡¯s what i really wanted to discuss with the sect hierarch.¡± li fuzhou said with a serious face. ¡°speak.¡± ¡°there appeared a master who is suspected to be a grandmaster. he snatched away the dried corpse that was gathering yin energy,¡± ¡°a grandmaster!? are you sure?¡± zhao qingmei¡¯s expression tightened upon hearing this. a grandmaster-level expert represents the true pinnacle of jianghu, the top-tier among all masters. in a world where great grandmasters have withered, a grandmaster is an unstoppable force. such experts often live secluded in some place, searching for the secrets to break through to the realm of great grandmaster, and it¡¯s not that there are no grandmaster-level experts in the demon sect. the previous leader of the demon sect and the present sect leader of the heavenly sect were both in the grandmaster realm. underneath the sealing demon platform in the dongluo desert, there were also several reclusive old monsters from the demon sect, their cultivation unknown, but at the very least they were all at the heavenly flower realm, and the grandmaster realm was not necessarily beyond reach. these individuals had essentially departed from the ordinary martial world; to them, the current fighting and conflicts over interests simply didn¡¯t matter. they had little care or regard for such things. they valued the grandmaster realm, they valued the lifespan of three hundred years, they valued what they saw as the dao. during the struggles between the demon sect and various forces, the experts from the demon sect¡¯s sealing demon platform did not show up, and neither did old monsters from the zhenyi sect, the royal family, or other major sects. the worldly benefits were like fleeting clouds in their eyes, and they would not make a move unless the very foundation of their sect was threatened. tan yun was also greatly shocked, clearly not expecting that a grandmaster-level expert would be nearby yu state city. ¡°almost certainly.¡± li fuzhou took a deep breath and said. ¡°he took that dried corpse; what exactly is that body?¡± zhao qingmei also had doubts. convergence of yin energy, a dried corpse, a grandmaster-level expert¡­ what could be the connection between these? ¡­¡­ outside yu state city. the autumn was crisp, and the gentle sunlight was spilling down. shui zhongyue, just like yesterday, was closely following that young doctor, as he had a lesson from the past in front of him. soon, shui zhongyue followed an jing into a secluded mountain forest. ¡°following this little doctor every day is truly boring. could this little doctor be that descendant from the sealing demon platform?¡± shui zhongyue thought to himself as he watched an jing¡¯s figure from behind. ever since huo zhongyun lay in bed, the task of protecting this little doctor had fallen to him. ¡°whoosh! whoosh!¡± suddenly, his vision blurred, and a figure appeared in front of him; then, a black and white flow of energy emerged in a peculiar posture. shui zhongyue felt his head grow heavy with dizziness, and he lost all sense of direction. this man was an jing, and at this moment, what he was displaying was the ghost valley heart method. the ghost valley sect, among the three mystical sects, calculated the secrets of heaven, divined the dao, and their heart method was deeply profound. it not only had the effect of slightly shielding against the secrets of heaven but also could be used to enchant and disrupt the mind. ¡°what is your name? what is your status?¡± an jing asked indifferently. shui zhongyue¡¯s expression struggled, and then he slowly opened his mouth, ¡°i¡­ am one of the four protectors of the demon sect¡¯s human sect, shui zhongyue.¡± indeed, a demon sect expert! an jing¡¯s eyes narrowed as he spoke solemnly, ¡°why are you following me? what is your purpose?¡± ¡°i¡­ i¡­¡± shui zhongyue¡¯s mouth opened and closed, and his expression became extremely pained, as if he was caught in a struggle. an jing frowned, it seemed this demon sect expert had an extraordinary mind. perhaps it was also because his own mastery of the ghost valley heart method had not yet reached a certain level. if jiang sanjia were here, perhaps he could have completely enchanted the man. continuing the inquiry would only result in two outcomes: either shui zhongyue would wake up from the enchanted state, or he would become completely foolish. either outcome would alarm the grass and startle the snake, letting li fuzhou notice something was amiss. an jing twisted his eyebrows and then stretched out his hands. the black and white flow of energy surged out from his fingertips and then imprinted into shui zhongyue¡¯s eyes. in a daze, shui zhongyue awoke. ¡°hm!?¡± shui zhongyue hastily scanned his surroundings, looking for the young doctor. where was she? he saw a figure in the distance that seemed to be crouching under a tree, apparently searching for something. as he focused his gaze, he realized it was indeed the young doctor. ¡°could it be that the young doctor has come to the mountains to search for herbs?¡± shui zhongyue muttered to himself but didn¡¯t pay it much mind, as his task was to protect the young doctor. however, to the eyes of a normal person, shui zhongyue at this moment was standing on a distant branch, observing none other than a toad. having fallen under an jing¡¯s enchanting technique, he mistook the toad squatting on the ground for an jing. the real an jing was standing atop a large rock not too far away. ¡°this expert from the demon sect has fallen into an enchanted state. he will probably wake up soon. i need to quickly refine this nature¡¯s spiritual energy,¡± an jing mused to himself as he sat cross-legged, ready to refine the spiritual energy within him. although he had condensed the earth flower, it wasn¡¯t completely stabilized due to the hasty efforts of the previous night. his foundation was shaky, and falling realms was not unheard of. the three flowers of heaven, earth, and man represent the essence, energy, and spirit. with energy diminished, breaching the body¡¯s baseline could risk the earth flower shattering¡ªan extremely dangerous state. an jing took a deep breath before activating both the ghost valley heart method and daluo heart method simultaneously. these two mental methods shared the same origin with many similarities. using them together proved much more effective than using either alone, the only caveat being it required immensely high aptitude and comprehension. but for him, this naturally wasn¡¯t a problem. the spiritual energy of the world entered an jing, and a faint green glow surged into his body. an jing¡¯s mind sank, and he began to immerse himself completely in cultivation. the spiritual energy, now a faint green stream, poured into an jing, relentlessly infiltrating every part of his body, whether it was his bones, meridians, or even his pores. an jing quickly steadied his mind, aware that the most difficult step of refining was upon him. as expected, a qi mechanism ten times more fierce than before suddenly spread throughout his body from his meridians and bones. in that instant, an jing felt as if thrown into a blazing inferno, the intense flames seemingly determined to reduce his body to ashes without any mercy, releasing an increasingly fiery heat. a moment later, wisps of white mist seeped from the top of his head, carrying a peculiar fragrance. an jing clenched his teeth tightly. the spiritual energy, born of the world itself, could directly enhance a person¡¯s cultivation. as the saying goes, with every gain comes a loss. to fully enjoy the benefits, one must pay a price. ¡°whoosh whoosh!¡± just then, the phantom of the earth flower emerged behind an jing. he could clearly feel, as the burning pain spread throughout his body, a powerful flow of qi causing the earth flower behind him to become more and more solidified. once the earth flower solidified completely, he would reach the peak of the earth flower realm. the spiritual energy dissipated bit by bit, integrating into his body, and the faint green light gradually merged into his pale golden bones. the originally subtle golden glow, bolstered by the spiritual energy, deepened slightly, almost imperceptible unless looked at closely. the three flowers gathering at the top and golden bone are the marks of a grandmaster. in the world, it is rare to see someone who can refine golden bones before reaching the grandmaster realm, unless they possess exceptional heavenly materials and earthly treasures or practice the most exquisite body refining martial arts of the heavenly martial level. such martial arts are extremely precious, with those of the heavenly martial level more the stuff of legends than reality. shui zhongyue was still diligently keeping an eye on that toad. the rich, surging qi winded crazily through an jing¡¯s body like the force of a river spilling over. whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! as the air gathered around him, it seemed to transform into streams of fire. an jing appeared oblivious to the changes around him. for two hours, his body was still as stone, his breathing so faint that, had there not been a trace of vitality still wrapping around him, anyone might have mistaken him for a lifeless corpse. as he sat in stillness resembling a monk¡¯s final serenity, thin green streams of qi began to seep from his pores, winding around his body like creeping vines. this was the return to tranquility as described in the ghost valley heart method. accompanying this tranquil state, it seemed as though the entire world merged with his breathing. each breath he took caused the surrounding air to churn, and as his breathing steadied, the air would quiet down, and the woodlands would once again fall silent. under this cycle of breathing, time slipped away like sand through one¡¯s fingers. in the woodlands, silence prevailed as usual. occasionally, the sound of air sweeping through broke the hush, but these sounds were so eerie they made the place feel even more desolate. after an indefinite amount of time, everything calmed down. only then did an jing slowly open his eyes and let out a heavy breath. ¡°the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has been completely refined, and the earth flower has solidified quite a bit.¡± after speaking to himself, he looked over to shui zhongyue and couldn¡¯t help but be impressed, ¡°this demon sect is truly worthy of being an opponent of the zhenyi sect. the caliber of their experts is not something ordinary forces can match. very useful indeed.¡± at this moment, shui zhongyue was still staring at that toad as if he were a statue, fearful of any slip-up. ¡­¡­. in fuyang village, within the two thatched cottages, the houses were nothing more than thatched roofs and simplicity with straw beds and tile stoves, yet a faint fragrance wafted through the air. on the table, a dish of stir-fried green vegetables, steamed grass carp, and two sets of chopsticks and bowls. jiang sanjia glanced at the dishes on the table and took a seat without any fuss, opposite him was another empty set of chopsticks and bowls. all of sudden, he broke into laughter at the sight of the empty utensils, then lowered his head, as his smile gradually turned bitter. thirty years ago, he was a spirited young man, vibrant and full of life, dreaming of riding the tides of the times to become a playmaker of the world. he never imagined he would end up in his current state thirty years ago. every day, from the moment he opened his eyes to the time he closed them, he was alone. he always felt an emptiness in his heart. in the past several days, he had drifted off to his homeland countless times, only to wake up startled from his dreams. maybe he took a wrong step, but he also felt it wasn¡¯t a mistake. what exactly was the mistake? that left him in the end, without even a single person to talk to. ¡°no one questions my right or wrong, no one questions my truth or error, no one whispers in my ear, no one hears my couple of words¡­.¡± jiang sanjia picked up his chopsticks and couldn¡¯t help beating them against the broken bowl, making a clinking and clanking sound. ¡°could it be that sanjia knew i would visit today?¡± just then, a voice came from outside the door. at the door stood an jing, clad in a dark cyan robe. upon hearing this, a hint of a smile appeared on jiang sanjia¡¯s weathered face, ¡°brother zhou, why didn¡¯t you bring wine today?¡± ¡°i was in such a hurry that i forgot,¡± an jing explained, seating himself across from jiang sanjia and said with a laugh, ¡°sanjia, it seems like you anticipated my visit today?¡± in jiang sanjia¡¯s eyes, an jing could sense a fleeting trace of desolation. an jing wasn¡¯t very familiar with jiang sanjia. it was mostly rumors from jianghu and a bit of recent interaction; perhaps everyone who wanders jianghu has a story of their own. after a long pause, jiang sanjia finally spoke, ¡°brother zhou, you must have a reason for visiting me today?¡± if there was nothing important, zhou xianming would certainly not come looking for him. ¡°sort of, but let¡¯s not talk about it for now.¡± an jing smiled noncommittally, then inquired, ¡°sanjia, do you have family or relatives in yujing city?¡± jiang sanjia was silent for a long while, took a bite of rice, then said, ¡°they¡¯re all dead.¡± those three short words carried a shiver of desolation. he did not elaborate, seemingly reluctant to delve into his past. everyone has their own secrets, and an jing was no exception. ¡°not true, i have an elder martial brother, he¡¯s not dead yet.¡± suddenly, jiang sanjia let out a self-deprecating laugh. of the ghost valley sect¡¯s current two great successors, one is the diviner jiang sanjia, while the other is the ghost valley divine sword, lou xiangzhen. an jing undoubtedly knew of lou xiangzhen. not only was he the sect leader of the ghost valley sect, but he was also an old swordsman. fifty years earlier, amongst all swordsmen in the world, two unparalleled, supernatural swordsmen, sword demon and sword god, vied for supremacy, with every other swordsman lagging behind, in awe. it is rare to find even one exceptional swordsman every few hundred years, yet that era saw the rise of two top-tier swordsmen simultaneously. both were at the peak of the fifth realm and in the prime of their lives, with the potential to break through to the sixth realm. their starkly different swordsmanship styles were both at the pinnacle of the world, thus earning them the titles sword demon and sword god. sword demon¡¯s origins were little known, shrouded in mixed tales on jianghu, making it hard to distinguish truth from rumor. however, his exploits were well-noted; his blood tears sword, when used to kill and drink blood, would emit a weeping sound, ranking it ninth among the famous swords in the sword manual. however, sword demon disappeared from jianghu decades ago. some say he died, others say he attained the sixth realm and sought the higher, seventh realm. since then, there was no sign of him, leaving only his legend reverberating throughout jianghu to this day. as sword demon has yet to reveal himself recently, most have come to believe he might have passed away in some unknown place. after all, those who don¡¯t reach the grandmaster realm typically don¡¯t live beyond one hundred twenty to one hundred thirty years. judging by age, sword demon might have reached his life¡¯s limit. as for the sword god, he was the sect leader of the yu heng sword sect, who later secluded himself within the sect. thirty years ago, the rumor spread that sword god had failed to break through his shackles and died as a result. yet, some believed that was just a clever ruse by the yu heng sword sect, suspecting that sword god was still alive, secluded at the top of yu heng peak. whether he is still alive remains an unsolved mystery to this day. and what people found regrettable was that the two of them had never crossed swords in their lifetimes. no one knew whose swordsmanship was stronger or weaker, which couldn¡¯t help but be a matter of regret. at that time, there were only two types of swordsmen in the world: the first type was that of the sword demon and sword god, the second type was all other swordsmen. back then, lou xiangzhen, in his thirties, although he had not reached the pinnacle of cultivation, had a sword dao that was quite renowned. especially at the age of thirty-eight, when he reached the fifth realm, he was considered a peerless figure, a leading figure among the younger generation. after lou xiangzhen reached the fifth realm, he went to the yu heng sword sect to challenge the sword god of the age, an event that caused a sensation. after all, there were many swordsmen who wanted to challenge the sword god, but one had to defeat the sword guard of the yu heng sword sect to get the chance to challenge the sword god. most swordsmen, let alone challenging the sword god, could not even defeat the sword guard. lou xiangzhen was the only swordsman who defeated the sword guard of the yu heng sword sect at the age of forty. on the day of the great battle, the yu heng sword sect and many other sword dao masters gathered to watch, all eager to see the style of the sword god, given that the sword god had not made a move for decades. the title of sword god was an exception in jianghu. however, the battle at that time took everyone by surprise. lou xiangzhen, a genius swordsman and the sect leader of the ghost valley sect, was defeated by the sword god in just three moves. this event caused a stir in jianghu. after all, lou xiangzhen was also a top-notch swordsman, a master of the heavenly flower realm. how could such a master be defeated by the sword god in merely three moves without causing surprise? as time flew by, the era of the two great masters, the sword demon and sword god, had passed. and new swordsmen emerged in jianghu. in a jianghu without the two unmatched sword immortals, lou xiangzhen became the top swordsman in the world, but he never received the title of the world¡¯s number one swordsman. perhaps it had been unknown how many years since anyone had claimed that title. in this world, four exceptionally talented and beautiful swordsmen emerged, and rumors even had it that their aptitude was no less than that of the sword demon and sword god. these four swordsmen, together with lou xiangzhen, were known as the top five swordsmen in the world. at his peak, lou xiangzhen encountered the sword god and sword demon, but when the two retired and vanished, a younger generation rose to challenge him. it was a source of sighs that he never became the number one swordsman in the world throughout his life. regardless, he was still a top swordsman who spanned two great eras, a grandmaster renowned across the world. over the years, there have been many rumors about the other swordsmen, but those concerning lou xiangzhen have diminished significantly. word in jianghu had it that lou xiangzhen was pursuing the true sword dao, hence traveling all around and being hard to trace, but in reality, he was afraid of zhenyi sect leader xiao qianqiu coming down from the mountain and chose to live in seclusion. as for the specific reasons, perhaps only lou xiangzhen himself knows. an jing only knew of lou xiangzhen by hearsay and had never met the man. however, from jiang sanjia¡¯s words, one could sense that he seemed to harbor some resentment, some indignation. if all of jiang sanjia¡¯s relatives had died, wouldn¡¯t lou xiangzhen, as his senior brother, be the closest person to him? ¡°lou xiangzhen is an extremely selfish and self-serving person. whether he is alive or dead makes no difference. that is his sword dao, and also the reason why he cannot become the world¡¯s number one swordsman,¡± jiang sanjia gave a cold snort before turning to look at an jing, ¡°although brother zhou¡¯s swordsmanship is grand and profound, he still falls short of the current top five swordsmen in the world. if he could take it a step further, perhaps he could become the sixth great swordsman.¡± an jing waved his hand dismissively, ¡°these are just empty titles.¡± he had no interest in being the world¡¯s sixth swordsman. an jing aimed to be the world¡¯s number one swordsman. jiang sanjia put down his bowl and chopsticks and said, ¡°brother zhou, if you have something to ask me, just say it directly.¡± ¡°then i won¡¯t beat around the bush.¡± an jing nodded and got straight to the point, ¡°in fact, my main reason for coming here is to ask about outer heaven, especially the leader of the human sect, li fuzhou.¡± he had largely learned about the demon sect and li fuzhou through zhou xianming¡¯s storytelling, but compared to zhou xianming, jiang sanjia should have a deeper understanding. jiang sanjia¡¯s eyebrows lifted slightly, ¡°li fuzhou, you say? speaking of this li fuzhou, he indeed is a character. you¡¯ve probably heard of some of his deeds. what you want to find out is the stuff that can¡¯t be heard in the jianghu, right?¡± an jing nodded, he wanted to understand what kind of person li fuzhou truly was. ¡°li fuzhou, his life has been quite complicated, and i don¡¯t know too much, but since brother zhou wants to know, i will tell you everything i do know,¡± jiang sanjia said. jiang sanjia poured two cups of tea and continued, ¡°he was an advanced scholar in the third year of hongwu and, although he didn¡¯t become the top scholar in the final imperial examinations, he did place third. afterwards, he was taken on as a student by the grand secretary lv guoyong, an elder who only took in two students in his lifetime; one was li fuzhou, and the other is now zhao tianyi, the scribe eunuch for the human emperor. both men were once exceptional talents of the confucian path, yet it¡¯s a pity¡ªone joined the demon sect while the other became a eunuch.¡± if the zhenyi sect is considered the stabilizer of the great yan martial world, then confucianism is one of the pillars of the great yan dynasty. lv guoyong¡¯s standing in confucianism is like that of xiao qianqiu, or even deeper than xiao qianqiu¡¯s. lv guoyong, a veteran of three dynasties, also served as the grand secretary for over sixty years, holding regency power and wielding immense influence. the previous human emperor li ping was one he had helped rise to power. in that era, he was an unchallenged figure. having been in such a position for many years, it could be said that every piece of land in great yan had some connection to his students or had ties to him in countless ways. he was the current role model of confucianism in the world. even the current human emperor, known to be the strongest in great yan history, had to show him a degree of respect, which illustrated his high status. an jing was taken aback upon hearing this, not expecting that the old man had once been a student of lv guoyong. jiang sanjia went on, ¡°originally of confucian heritage, li fuzhou nurtured a vast righteous qi within his inner palace. if one day he had a moment of enlightenment, this vast righteous qi could be absorbed back into his body, greatly assisting his martial arts cultivation. li fuzhou, a genius of his time, managed to embody this righteous qi of confucianism, advancing his cultivation by leaps and bounds with astonishing speed. he caught the eye of the demon sect hierarch jiang shang. after integrating the demon sect¡¯s earth demon technique, he created a unique combination of heavenly demon righteous qi that gained him great fame. following the death of the previous human sect leader at the hands of xiao qianqiu, and with the demon sect in need of leadership, li fuzhou became the human sect leader.¡± ¡°after becoming the human sect leader within the demon sect, he indeed made substantial contributions to the sect¡¯s cause. you can find out about these deeds by inquiring within the martial community,¡± added jiang sanjia. ¡°oh, and there¡¯s some seldom-heard news about the demon sect. rumor has it that the sect hierarch jiang shang disappeared without a trace three years ago. some say he died somewhere within great yan, leaving the demon sect headless and forced to choose a new leader. the new hierarch is jiang shang¡¯s last disciple, whose origins are unclear but appears to be young and quite capable. this ambitious new leader of the demon sect seems eager to regain their former power. from what i¡¯ve seen recently, with the movements of demon sect experts, it is likely they are preparing for this very reason.¡± an jing cast a glance at jiang sanjia and remarked, ¡°brother sanjia, to be aware of the affairs of the jianghu even from a dungeon, that is quite remarkable.¡± after all, jiang sanjia had been imprisoned in a dungeon for two years and yet was aware of events from these past years. jiang sanjia let out a light laugh, seemingly without further comment. an jing nodded, his mind stirring as he said, ¡°so, does this mean that li fuzhou appeared in great yan to pave the way for the sect hierarch of the demon sect?¡± jiang sanjia slightly nodded in agreement, ¡°this should be the case. when the demon sect was expelled from great yan, although the experts of the demon sect¡¯s human sect lay dormant, they suffered heavy losses. despite some recovery over the years, compared to the heaven and earth net, which was once on par with the human emperor, they are likely lacking. thus, it¡¯s only natural that they would set up these covert networks.¡± spies and covert networks are the eyes and ears; they are, of course, extremely important. ¡°thank you, brother sanjia, for clearing up my confusion.¡± an jing bowed with his hands clasped, his gratitude genuinely from the heart. if jiang sanjia had not spoken, he truly would have no idea where to get this kind of information about the jianghu. picking up his bowl and chopsticks, jiang sanjia said, ¡°no need to be polite. after all, brother zhou also has a life-saving grace towards me. if zhou brother really wants to thank me, just join me for a simple meal.¡± actually, the fact that jiang sanjia willingly informed an jing of this information was not only because of the dungeon rescue in the past. after all, he had also told an jing about the bodhi bead. the reason he was helping an jing was precisely because of what an jing had said before. ¡°then zhou must not refuse such kindness,¡± an jing said with a light chuckle, picking up his chopsticks. ¡°hahaha, it has been many years since anyone has tasted my cooking,¡± jiang sanjia said. ¡°fortune favors the timely as much as the well-prepared.¡± ¡°brother zhou always has witty remarks, surely a clever man.¡± ¡°no, i am but a simple man,¡± an jing demurred. ¡°a simple man, brother zhou jests. i fear if you come here again next time, you may not be able to find me.¡± ¡°why is that?¡± an jing asked. ¡°as soon as the year passes, in five days, i plan to set off for yujing city,¡± jiang sanjia revealed. ¡­.. in a quiet courtyard within yu state city, xi jikui, clad in black, stood before a stone table, his brow tightly furrowed. on the table was a war map. ¡°both minister zhang and minister gan are dead, and their bodies have been brought back. the murderer is that ghost swordsman,¡± said hong yuanwu as he bowed with clasped hands. at this moment, he couldn¡¯t help feeling somewhat relieved. when the ghost swordsman had broken into the dungeon, it was he who had been investigating the incident. initially, hong yuanwu had thought the swordsman was at most at the first grade realm, yet to consolidate the human flower. although he was wary, he didn¡¯t feel any fear. now, thinking about it carefully, had he encountered the swordsman at that time, he probably couldn¡¯t have escaped a death by the sword. xi jikui¡¯s expression was as calm as still water, and though he didn¡¯t speak, the several gold constables in the room felt a heavy oppressive atmosphere. zhang shuang and gan yue, how expert were they? they were both from the great heavenly gang of the xuanyi guard, elite experts of the court. even if the xuanyi guard could replenish its great heavenly gang, they could not endlessly supplement experts of the first grade realm. now, both these experts had been killed by that swordsman. if someone must bear the responsibility for this, it would undoubtedly fall on xi jikui, who was in charge of the operation to encircle and suppress li fuzhou. ¡°can¡¯t the identity of that swordsman be found out?¡± xi jikui asked, frowning. ¡°we can¡¯t find out, not even the operatives of the heaven and earth net have been able to detect any clues,¡± hong yuanwu thought for a moment and said, ¡°the only person closely associated with this man is jiang sanjia, but so far, none of us have been able to locate him.¡± ¡°jiang sanjia?!¡± xi jikui¡¯s heart stirred, and his eyes narrowed into slits. lately, the second prince¡¯s faction has been preparing to exonerate jiang sanjia, seemingly intending to reinstate him. if the swordsman¡¯s identity cannot be found out, it might be possible to gain insights from jiang sanjia¡¯s situation. however, this would have to wait until jiang sanjia was exonerated. ¡°let¡¯s set aside the matter of the unparalleled swordsman for the moment,¡± xi jikui decided, saying, ¡°we failed to capture li fuzhou this time, allowing him to obtain a strand of heaven and earth¡¯s spiritual essence, which will inevitably aid in the recovery of his cultivation. still, taking advantage of this time, we have some chance to bring him down¡­¡± killing li fuzhou would be even more important than the death of the ghost swordsman. should he truly succeed in killing li fuzhou, not only would he not bear responsibility, but he might even be credited with a great achievement. hong yuanwu said gravely, ¡°the experts of the demon sect¡¯s human sect are all skilled at hiding and escaping; it would be extremely difficult to find their whereabouts, especially li fuzhou, whose heavenly demon qi is inherently deceptive¡­¡± when they were pursuing li fuzhou previously, the four great heavenly gang members clearly brushed past li fuzhou without even realizing it, indicating the prowess of this heavenly demon qi. ¡°it¡¯s difficult to find li fuzhou¡¯s whereabouts,¡± xi jikui commented, ¡°but why don¡¯t we change our approach? for instance, we could wait for him to deliver himself to us.¡± ¡°wait for him to deliver himself to us?¡± hong yuanwu sounded somewhat puzzled. read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only would a man like li fuzhou allow himself to be easily apprehended? xi jikui narrowed his eyes, saying ominously, ¡°we need to lay bait. if the bait is alluring enough, even a cunning fish like li fuzhou will bite.¡± ¡°bait?!¡± the several gold constables, including hong yuanwu, looked at each other in bewilderment, unsure of xi jikui¡¯s plans. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 104 - Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Watertight Li Fuzhou chapter 104: chapter 104: watertight li fuzhou outside yu state city, at the foot of a deep mountain. shui zhongyue felt an intense headache, as if his head was about to explode. ¡°what on earth is going on? why has this young doctor been pushing the grinding stone next to the millstone all afternoon, making such strange noises?¡± he rubbed his head with both hands, frowning slightly as he looked at an jing in the distance conversing with a hunter, ¡°i always feel there¡¯s something odd about this young doctor.¡± he felt that something was not quite right, but he couldn¡¯t pinpoint what it was. his entire brain felt foggy and heavy. ¡°could it be the signs of deviating into madness due to the consecutive failures in breaking through the first grade shackles recently?¡± shui zhongyue murmured to himself with a sinking heart. further away, beside the houses. a donkey was pulling a grinding stone, occasionally making cheerful noises. no need to say, shui zhongyue had been observing this donkey all afternoon until an jing returned from jiang sanjia¡¯s house, which brought shui zhongyue back to his senses. ¡°these medicinal herbs total eight hundred and seventy-two copper coins, take care of it.¡± an jing handed over the copper coins to the hunter with a big smile. ¡°thank you, doctor an, thank you so much.¡± the hunter extended his calloused hands to receive the copper coins and then began to thank him repeatedly. you should know that when other medicine shops came to purchase herbs in the past, they would press down the prices extremely low, but doctor an from jishi hall never haggled over prices, nor did he ever defer or default on payments. ¡°ghost valley enchantment¡­¡± an jing picked up the hemp sack from the ground, then glanced at shui zhongyue in the distance out of the corner of his eye, his lips curling into a faint smile. ¡­¡­. in yu state city, at jishi hall. the autumn wind was gentle, and the sunlight was pleasant, warming this old city. under the red walls and grey tiles, the streets were bustling with people, and the painted boats on the yu state river floated on the sparkling lake surface with the breeze. an jing, carrying a medical kit on his back and a snakeskin bag filled with herbs, made his way home. he had now firmly stabilized his cultivation at the first grade earth flower realm. to reach the pinnacle of the first grade earth flower, he still needed a large amount of precious essence. an jing did not intend to make a move shortly but instead focused on consolidating his current cultivation. after all, the upcoming battle on three temple mountain would surely stir up a new storm, and acting rashly might expose him to hidden dangers, resulting in more loss than gain. ¡°the first issue to resolve is still li fuzhou.¡± as an jing walked in the direction of jishi hall, he passed by a river wharf and immediately noticed tan yun hammering clothes with a mallet. little black obediently squatted by her side, wagging his tail continuously. ¡°what identity does that swordsman hold, and why can he draw the evil suppressing sword? is there a chance for him to join our demon sect in the future?¡± tan yun stared at the sparkling water in front of her but was still thinking about what li fuzhou had said that morning. the more she thought about it, the more curious she became about that swordsman. just then, little black ran to tan yun¡¯s side, extending its pink tongue to lick her embroidered shoes. tan yun pointed the mallet in her hand fiercely at little black and said, ¡°scram, if you dare to lick my shoes again, i¡¯ll make you into sweet and sour meat.¡± ¡°howl¡­ woof.¡± little black cocked its head, looking at tan yun with big watery eyes. ¡°the saying goes, if a dog meats roils a few times in the pot, even immortals won¡¯t sit still.¡± just at that moment, a voice came from behind. ¡°madam, have you come back?¡± upon hearing this, tan yun turned her head and saw an jing standing not far away with a hearty smile. ¡°woof, woof!¡± ¡°howl¡­ woof!¡± little black seemed to understand and barked at an jing excitedly. ¡°i¡¯m back. i saw you washing clothes, so i came over to check how you were doing and if you were seriously working or just lazing about again,¡± said an jing with a smile. ¡°i¡¯m working for free for you, and you don¡¯t even pay me,¡± tan yun retorted with a slight pout and turned back to continue pounding her laundry. while she was in the demon sect, she seldom lacked silver, but after coming to yu state city, zhao qingmei had cut off all her monetary expenditures. besides not worrying about food and drink, she truly had no silver to her name. an jing raised an eyebrow subtly, ¡°do you really want silver?¡± ¡°of course,¡± tan yun replied without turning back. ¡°what do you need silver for?¡± ¡°a new yulan square just opened in the east of the city. their pastries are said to be very tasty.¡± ¡°aren¡¯t you trying to lose weight?¡± an jing glanced at tan yun¡¯s enviable curves. ever since he heard the term ¡®surging waves,¡¯ he could no longer associate it with the sea. ¡°tell me, do only ugly and fat people need to lose weight?¡± tan yun said to an jing. ¡°that¡¯s the principle.¡± ¡°so, husband, are you saying i¡¯m ugly?¡± ¡°actually, not ugly.¡± an jing shook his head. although tan yun might not be considered a stunning beauty, she was lively and cute, with quite an attractive appearance. ¡°right, that¡¯s why i don¡¯t need to lose any weight,¡± tan yun said with a chuckle, ¡°i¡¯ve thought it through. maybe i¡¯ll consider it again next spring.¡± women! an jing took a closer look at tan yun and casually asked, ¡°tan yun, you always call li fuzhou ¡®third uncle.¡¯ what exactly is he to you?¡± tan yun replied irritably, ¡°he¡¯s my third uncle, of course. do you even need to ask?¡± an jing raised an eyebrow. ¡°no, i mean, are you related to him? i see you¡¯re always so scared of him.¡± an jing had always assumed that tan yun¡¯s grandfather and li fuzhou were brothers, with li fuzhou being the third oldest, which was why he was called third uncle. but now it seemed the matter was not that simple. ¡°who am i afraid of?¡± upon hearing this, tan yun turned her head to look at the young doctor behind her and, waving the mallet in her hand, said, ¡°tan yun fears neither the heavens nor the earth.¡± do you think i am blind? normally, when tan yun saw li fuzhou, she acted like a mouse who had seen a cat¡ªall this, he had seen with his own eyes. an jing did not want to haggle over this matter with her. nodding repeatedly, he said, ¡°right, right, right, you¡¯re not afraid. but are you related to third uncle or not?¡± ¡°you don¡¯t believe me?¡± after hearing this, tan yun looked around and then raised her eyebrows. this young doctor seems to look down on her? although she acted as docile as a rabbit in front of li fuzhou and zhao qingmei, in the demon sect she was somebody important. as li fuzhou¡¯s only disciple, who would dare not show her a little respect? ¡°i do believe you,¡± an jing opened and closed his mouth, helplessly saying, ¡°every word you say is true ¨C how could i not believe it? i just wanted to¡­¡± ¡°you just don¡¯t believe it.¡± tan yun interrupted an jing¡¯s words and said haughtily, ¡°my demeanor is all out of respect for third uncle, you get that?¡± he felt that tan yun was a total tsundere; even faced with death, she would maintain her haughty attitude right to the end. an jing took a deep breath and asked undisturbed, ¡°you said before that you¡¯ve been in the manor since you were young. if you¡¯re not related by blood or marriage, why do you respect him so much?¡± zhao qingmei had mentioned that li fuzhou had only been in charge of the accounts for about a year. tan yun¡¯s interaction time with li fuzhou logically shouldn¡¯t have been long, yet from her words, she seemed very familiar with li fuzhou. ¡°why¡­¡± when tan yun heard an jing¡¯s question, her movements paused, and she couldn¡¯t help but fall into reminiscence. ¡­¡­ ten years ago, in lingnan dao. thousands of miles covered with flying snow, the cold wind sharp as a knife, the earth a desolate expanse. in the silent and bitterly cold forest, the sound of footsteps crushing the snow could be heard, light as a whisper. following the sound, one could see a six- or seven-year-old girl. she was dressed in very thin clothes, patched all over. her little face was red with cold as she kept blowing on her little hands for warmth. when she stretched out her small hands, the shocking sight were the cracks from the cold. on the ground was a small bundle of twigs. little tan yun had already been on the mountain for nearly two hours, but today she had only managed to gather such a small amount of twigs. ¡°this batch of twigs can only be exchanged for one bun¡­¡± she bit her lip, carefully bundling up the twigs, then hugged them tightly to her chest as she started to walk down the mountain. the mountain path was rough and difficult to traverse, especially in the depths of winter. although it was just a small mountain, her tiny body was almost submerged in the snowstorm. ¡°mother is waiting for me to go back, i must let her eat a bun today.¡± the howling wind seemed to numb her ears completely. not knowing how long she had walked, little tan yun felt her hands and feet go numb. at last, she saw the tooth trader at the foot of the mountain. ¡°uncle zhu¡­¡± little tan yun¡¯s eyes brightened, and she called out loudly, but her voice was drowned out by the wind and snow. she gritted her teeth and, taking small steps, finally ran up to the tooth trader, and asked cautiously, ¡°uncle zhu, this is the firewood i chopped today, do you think it¡¯s okay?¡± his companion frowned and said coldly, ¡°little girl, is this what you call firewood? clearly, you¡¯ve just picked up some damp twigs.¡± upon hearing this, little tan yun¡¯s heart dropped into an abyss, and she felt a chill within. ¡°i¡­ i¡­ i only picked these¡­¡± ¡°at such a young age, and you¡¯ve already learned to swindle?¡± the companion snorted, ¡°off with you, go away. these damp twigs aren¡¯t worth a penny, and we don¡¯t have time to waste on a little girl like you.¡± ¡°i¡­ i¡­¡± hearing this, little tan yun¡¯s eyes reddened, and she was so anxious that she could not utter a single word. the tooth trader named uncle zhu waved his hand and took out ten copper coins from his pocket, saying, ¡°i¡¯ll take the firewood you chopped, here¡¯s ten copper coins.¡± ¡°hey, zhu houyou, you are giving ten copper coins for these twigs? have you lost your mind?¡± ¡°really, have you taken a fancy to this little girl¡¯s bedridden mother?¡± ¡°don¡¯t mention it, although her mother is sickly, she indeed looks quite good.¡± ¡­¡­.. seeing this, several people around laughed. ¡°shut your mouths!¡± zhu houyou frowned and said, ¡°this little girl is about to freeze to death, all for a few copper coins. she¡¯s only six years old. do none of you have any conscience? can you really stand by and watch her die right before your eyes without feeling anything?¡± tan yun stood still, not daring to breathe. the crowd was silenced by zhu houyou¡¯s words. after a while, one of them laughed self-deprecatingly, ¡°conscience? our conscience was eaten by dogs a long time ago.¡± ¡°yes, she doesn¡¯t have it easy. in these times, do we have it any easier?¡± ¡°this damn cursed world!¡± someone muttered sadly. in times of chaos, human life is as cheap as grass. it seems like just a sentence, but one who hasn¡¯t experienced it can hardly imagine its cruelty. to compare human life with worthless grass. ¡°take it.¡± zhu houyou placed ten copper coins in tan yun¡¯s hands, then glanced at her chapped hands and couldn¡¯t help feeling a pang, ¡°does it hurt?¡± she was still just a six-year-old child. ¡°it doesn¡¯t hurt.¡± clutching the hot copper coins tightly, tan yun shook her head and trembled, ¡°uncle zhu, i will repay you, i will definitely return these ten copper coins to you.¡± zhu houyou smiled, he didn¡¯t need the gratitude of this six-year-old girl, ¡°go on, your mother is waiting for you.¡± clutching the ten copper coins, tan yun bowed to zhu houyou and then ran towards the distance. ¡°old zhu, you¡­¡± ¡°it¡¯s just one less meal tonight, that¡¯s all.¡± seeing this, his companions sighed and said no more. tan yun ran all the way, her heart filled with ecstasy. ten copper coins! that could buy five buns! today, she and her mother could have a full meal. about half an hour later, tan yun finally arrived at the bun shop in the town, panting heavily. ¡°buns, delicious and big buns!¡± ¡°how fragrant!¡± tan yun smelled the fragrance and felt her stomach growling instantly, almost wishing she could bite off her tongue. ¡°i need to hurry back, mother is waiting for me.¡± with that thought, tan yun stretched tiptoe and carefully placed the ten copper coins next to the steamer, ¡°boss, give me five buns.¡± ¡°little girl, five buns cost fifteen copper coins,¡± the bun shop owner frowned upon seeing the coins on the counter. ¡°isn¡¯t it two copper coins each?¡± tan yun asked anxiously, ¡°the day before yesterday it was two copper coins each, i bought some¡­¡± ¡°currently, we are at war with zhao country and the southern barbarians, and with the flood and epidemic in yun hua dao and jiangnan dao this year, there just isn¡¯t enough grain. two copper coins each was yesterday¡¯s price. now it¡¯s three copper coins each,¡± the bun shop owner sighed. ¡°then¡­ then give me three, please,¡± tan yun bit her lip and said. ¡°all right, that will be nine copper coins, and you have one left,¡± the bun shop owner said as he handed the paper containing the buns to tan yun. ¡°thank you.¡± tan yun picked up the paper and hurried home. ¡°oh, be careful, don¡¯t drop them,¡± the bun shop owner called out as he watched the slender figure, then shook his head, ¡°that poor little girl.¡± the icy wind howled through the frozen land. tan yun trudged on, panting hard and desperately running home. after passing the sparsely populated market, she finally arrived at a row of small, dilapidated houses. ¡°mother, i¡¯m back¡­ ah!¡± tan yun called out, but because she was running too fast, she tripped over a piece of broken stone on the ground. she fell to the ground, clutching the paper tightly, but the buns inside rolled out onto the ground. ¡°my buns, my buns¡­¡± tan yun, ignoring the pain, quickly got up to pick up the buns that had fallen to the ground. however, the buns had rolled through snow and mud and were stained with dirt. seeing this, tan yun¡¯s nose twitched, but she bit her lip hard, holding back the tears swirling in her eyes. ¡°it¡¯s okay, i¡¯ll just tear a bit off, the rest is still clean,¡± she reasoned. tan yun, with her frostbitten hands, carefully peeled the muddy parts off the buns. it took about enough time to burn half an incense stick for her to remove all the mud from the buns, ensuring they were clean. the wind cut like a knife. not only did tan yun feel bone-chilling cold, but a fire seemed to rise in her stomach, bending her over and spreading throughout her body. choking on a surge in her throat and looking at the mud-stained bun skins, she struggled to hold it down. in the end, she swallowed hard and stuffed all the bun skins and mud stains into her mouth. with each chew, there was the soft fragrance of the bun skins, mixed with the astringent taste of the mud, but she ate with great satisfaction. after eating, she felt even hungrier. she couldn¡¯t help looking at the buns wrapped in the oil paper, then swallowed again and quickly picked up the oil paper to run towards the two thatched cottages not far away. ¡°mother, i¡¯m back, i brought back three buns today.¡± little tan yun exclaimed with excitement. but there was no response from inside the house; every other time she came back, her mother would always respond with, ¡°it¡¯s good that you¡¯re back.¡± little tan yun, holding the oil paper, approached the inside of the room. she saw the room, empty on all four sides, with only a bed inside. on the bed lay a woman with a pale face, her eyes closed as if in meditation, holding in one hand an ¡°east wing record.¡± the ¡°east wing record¡± was very worn, as if it had been flipped through countless times. ¡°mother, stop sleeping, i brought three big buns.¡± little tan yun walked up to the woman and whispered. the room was quiet, and the woman did not respond to her. ¡°bun. this is a bun. uncle zhu gave me ten copper coins; i bought them. i didn¡¯t steal them¡­¡± ¡°mother, please wake up.¡± little tan yun quickly stretched out her hand that was rough from being on the ground, ¡°mother, yun¡¯er¡¯s hand hurts, blow on it¡­¡± every time she got a skin wound in the past, the woman would gently blow on it for her. the woman on the bed was motionless and didn¡¯t respond at all. a tremor ran through little tan yun¡¯s heart, and she could no longer hold back, bursting into tears. in the empty and shabby house, there was only her heart-wrenching crying. little tan yun cried until she was out of strength, stunned in place for a long time, before she finally took out the buns from the oil paper. ¡°mother, eat the bun quickly, after eating this bun you won¡¯t be hungry, and you won¡¯t be sleepy anymore.¡± ¡°mother, eat the bun, please wake up.¡± ¡°wuuu¡­ mother, yun¡¯er won¡¯t let you teach me writing anymore, i won¡¯t make you angry again, please wake up, wake up¡­¡± little tan yun cried bitterly over the body, then devoid of energy, she continued sobbing and lay on the corpse motionless. at that moment, a poignant sigh came from outside the door. ¡°she has already left.¡± little tan yun turned around to look and saw a middle-aged scholar standing at the door, handsome in appearance, with sharp brows and piercing eyes, though his expression was somewhat desolate. ¡°sir, save my mother, i have buns¡­¡± ¡°i cannot save the dead. all i can do is to ensure she rests in peace.¡± ¡­¡­ on the river dock. an jing looked at tan yun who had been silent, and said, ¡°tan yun, how did you enter the residence?¡± tan yun came back to her senses and said, ¡°when i was six years old, my mother was unwell and didn¡¯t survive that winter. i was seen by a passing steward and brought into the residence¡­¡± as tan yun spoke, her expression couldn¡¯t help but lower. six years old? upon hearing this, an jing¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised, asking, ¡°what about your father?¡± tan yun calmly said, ¡°my mother told me he died before i was born.¡± as she said this, tan yun¡¯s face still showed no emotion, even as she kept pounding the clothes with her mallet. ¡°do you still feel sad now?¡± an jing paused before speaking. ¡°sad? what¡¯s there to be sad about?¡± tan yun paused in her movements, then looked at the glaring sunlight and said, ¡°my mother definitely wouldn¡¯t want me to be sad and crying all day, so i¡¯m not going to be sad.¡± the mild sunlight spilled down, casting a gentle glow on her delicate face, adding a bit of softness. as if struck by a thought, tan yun looked at an jing curiously, ¡°master, why are you asking me so many questions today?¡± in the past although the master was strange, always saying odd things, he never asked so many questions. ¡°nothing, i¡¯m just taking an interest in you,¡± an jing said with an awkward smile. ¡°taking an interest in me? you never cared about me before.¡± tan yun thought of something, her eyes moving quickly, ¡°master, you¡¯re not here because of that young lad han wenxin, are you?¡± ¡°how could that be? how would you have grown up if i didn¡¯t care about you?¡± an jing gave tan yun an exasperated look at her full bust, saying, ¡°enough, you¡¯re almost done washing the clothes, let¡¯s go back.¡± it appears tan yun and li fuzhou didn¡¯t have a special relationship, but that¡¯s understandable. li fuzhou, that old fox, probably wouldn¡¯t fancy a ¡®beauty without brains¡¯ like tan yun. ¡°understood, master.¡± tan yun nodded her head, then picked up the wooden basin and followed behind an jing. ¡°it seems i need to have a good talk with han wenxin, that kid. ever since zhou xianming left, i haven¡¯t really practiced any boxing or martial skills,¡± tan yun murmured to himself as he watched an jing¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°hurry up, have you turned into a statue?¡± an jing couldn¡¯t help calling out when he saw tan yun standing motionless. ¡°i¡¯m coming, i¡¯m coming.¡± tan yun quickly followed, laughing, ¡°son-in-law, actually, when i think about it, you¡¯ve been pretty nice to me. you¡¯re also fun to talk to.¡± the young doctor wasn¡¯t particularly capable on ordinary days, only knowing how to treat and heal people, but he not only bought himself some pastries, he could also cheer one up¡­ ¡°of course.¡± an jing didn¡¯t even turn his head back as he replied, ¡°i have a few good points about me, being a ladies¡¯ man might be one of them.¡± ¡°son-in-law, i want to repay you,¡± tan yun said earnestly. ¡°repay? how do you plan to repay?¡± ¡°now it¡¯s autumn, the crabs are really fatty. i heard from a teahouse worker that a new batch of crabs has arrived, and they¡¯re not too expensive¡­¡± ¡°are you trying to repay me, or take revenge on me?¡± ¡­¡­ lijiang city. recently, with the autumn examinations happening in lijiang city, throngs of scholars from jiangnan dao gather here, making the city even livelier and noisier. especially at night on the lakes of lijiang city, heavily made-up women stand at the prows of boats, beckoning scholars with their handkerchiefs. the middle of the lake is filled with people toasting and changing seats, the sounds of cheerful singing and dancing all around. among them, a delicate painted pleasure boat slowly drifted over, with crisp and pleasing voices wafting into the ears. at this moment, a middle-aged scholar tried to board the pleasure boat, only to be blocked by the old madam at the boat¡¯s head. the two of them tugged back and forth, the old madam with a scowl on her face, while the middle-aged scholar continued to smile apologetically. this was not just anyone; it was zhou xianming. finally, seemingly impatient, the old madam pushed zhou xianming¡¯s hand away and barked angrily, ¡°you¡¯re dreaming in broad daylight!¡± ¡°dreaming¡­ in broad daylight!?¡± as soon as these words came out, countless people around turned to look, their eyes filled with surprise. even zhou xianming¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment, and he awkwardly retreated from the boat. watching zhou xianming¡¯s retreating figure, the old madam sneered, ¡°you can¡¯t see these wealthy young masters boarding the boat with their fortunes, dressed in brocades, used to fine dining. with your gaunt face and mean appearance, you don¡¯t even have the decency to take a look at yourself in a puddle of urine. you¡¯re neither here nor there, dreaming of eating swan meat. better snap out of it early¡­¡± zhou xianming dared not look back, afraid that the old madam would summon a few brutes to beat him up, but he kept muttering to himself. ¡°¡­insisting on five hundred copper coins, wouldn¡¯t three hundred copper coins for half an hour be fine? no sense of doing business at all, this old madam won¡¯t eat four dishes in her entire life.¡± zhou xianming had been in lijiang city for quite some days, and the few taels of silver he had borrowed from zhao qingmei and han wenxin, despite his ¡®frugality,¡¯ had mostly been spent. now he only had five hundred copper coins left, which he needed to save for the boat fare back to yu state city after tomorrow¡¯s announcement of examination results. ¡°sigh.¡± shaking his head and swaying along the lake¡¯s edge, zhou xianming looked at the nearby pleasure boat, which he couldn¡¯t board, and couldn¡¯t help but sigh deeply, ¡°the greatest distance in the world is this two hundred copper coins¡¯ distance.¡± after wandering for half an hour, the cold evening wind was biting to the bone, causing him to sniffle and shiver, and only then did he reluctantly return to his lodgings. to save some silver, zhou xianming didn¡¯t stay in an inn but instead at the house of a poor family in the slums of lijiang city. in that household, there was only an old man called bian plait by the neighborhood. bian plait had two sons conscripted to the border at jishi pass, and now only a fourteen or fifteen-year-old granddaughter remained at home. ¡°mr. zhou, are you back?¡± seeing zhou xianming sneaking back in during the middle of the night, bian plait couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°back. i was just attending a poetry gathering with a few friends, so i¡¯m late,¡± zhou xianming chuckled awkwardly. ¡°mr. zhou, you are quite the busy man. surely you will perform excellently at this autumn examination. i¡¯ve boiled a few eggs ¨C xiao huan, the little girl, had two, and i had one. no one¡¯s eaten the remaining two, so give me a moment¡­¡± bian plait said, unable to contain himself. ¡°no need¡­¡± just as zhou xianming was about to refuse, he saw bian plait go into the house, take out two boiled eggs, and then return to hand them to him. ¡°mr. zhou, go ahead and eat them. they¡¯ve been kept in the pot, still warm,¡± bian plait said with a simple smile. ¡°then thank you very much,¡± zhou xianming said gratefully, looking at the boiled eggs in his hands. bian plait¡¯s family lived in the slums, always struggling to make ends meet, dependent solely on the meager earnings bian plait made from selling fried silverfish at the market. ¡°i won¡¯t disturb mr. zhou any longer,¡± bian plait said then. after speaking, bian plait returned to the house. ¡°bian plait, in the latter part of your life, you will surely enjoy eight dishes,¡± zhou xianming said to himself, moved by bian plait¡¯s back, before also returning to his own room. the room was dilapidated, with only a bed, a table, and windows that were patched up with rags, offering no resistance to the wind that would sometimes howl through them. after eating the two eggs, zhou xianming drank a large glass of water, then sat at the table and lit a candle, pulling out a map from his chest. the map showed mountains, rivers, and roads with extreme clarity, and some places were even specially annotated. centered around the territories of great yan and the thirteen prefectures of zhao country, there were numerous passes, trade routes, and the surroundings radiated out to the dongluo desert, the great mountains of the southern barbarians, the three thousand buddha countries of pure land, the vast endless steppe, and the countless islands of the east sea. the detail of the map was unparalleled. ¡°a myriad of snakes devouring the dragon, the winds and clouds are stirring, this great yan¡­¡± zhou xianming took a deep breath and furrowed his brows. he had studied ancient texts and discovered a pattern: what rises must fall. when a dynasty reaches its peak, it inevitably starts to decline, an inescapable trend no one can withstand. now, after decades of peaceful development between great yan and zhao country, various forces have also been seeking to grow and strengthen. there¡¯s quietness amidst the strife; such is the state of the world¡¯s affairs. yan country lays claim to the dragon¡¯s ascendant land, the ancient capital of the great zhou dynasty, with millions of armored soldiers, yet its borders are stretched thin; while it appears to have a profound heritage, it faces enemies on all sides. to the northeast lay the overwhelmingly powerful zhao country, to the south sat the southern barbarians with their hundred thousand great mountains, to the west was the western pure land, and to the northwest even more so loomed the houjin dynasty that had unified the grasslands. from ancient times to the present, the grasslands have been difficult to unify, not even the great zhou dynasty had completely conquered the great grasslands, and now, with the grasslands partitioned between yan country and zhao country, they had achieved unification and had been recuperating for twenty years. this tiger, itching to move and sharpening its claws and teeth for so long, was poised to hunt the moment it emerged, it just remained to be seen who the tiger had prepared to devour. zhao country and yan country have waged war against each other for decades, developing a profound enmity, almost as if they were fire and water. with the nation in such a state, even the halls of great yan were filled with open and secret struggles; scholars, eunuchs, and the military factions were all vying for power and wealth, while the human emperor sat high upon his royal platform. below the temple hall, the jianghu was unfathomable¡ªdemon sect had risen from the dust, buddhism sought to spread eastward, and zhenyi sect was not just a local snake but a dragon, and how could he turn a blind eye. at this critical junction, the world¡¯s landscape, the fate of the nation, the temple halls, and jianghu, all hung by a single thread that could move the whole body. ¡°there will hardly come a day of unification under heaven¡­.¡± under the flickering candlelight, zhou xianming gazed at the map in his hands and, after a long while, he shook his head and muttered to himself. after flipping through the map for a while, zhou xianming felt a touch of sleepiness, and then he laid down on the wooden bed and fell asleep. the night was like water, and after an uncertain amount of time had passed, he heard a quarrel by his ear. ¡°no, i won¡¯t go with you!¡± ¡°butcher liu, i¡¯ve paid off all the debts i owe you, so please spare my granddaughter.¡± ¡­.. zhou xianming opened his eyes, then got up, donned an overcoat, and walked out. he saw that the rickety yard door was wide open, a corpulent man with a face full of horizontal flesh incessantly pulling at a girl about fourteen or fifteen years old. the girl¡¯s hands clenched the wooden door desperately, but how could her strength compare to that of the corpulent man? old man bai paced anxiously by the side, like an ant on a hot pan; he neither dared to stop the man physically nor to scold him angrily. ¡°old man bai, you¡¯ve only paid back the principal. what about the interest? with an exchange of nine for thirteen, that¡¯s the rule,¡± butcher liu snorted coldly, ¡°if you don¡¯t pay the interest today, i¡¯m going to take this girl, bai huan, away.¡± ¡°grandpa, save me, save me¡­¡± bai huan became frantic upon hearing this. butcher liu was no good man; he was rumored to be in cahoots with the tooth collectors of the sanhu gang, specifically dealing in women and children. ¡°thud!¡± old man bai¡¯s knees buckled, and he knelt straight down, ¡°butcher liu, please give me a few days to gather the interest¡­¡± ¡°it¡¯s no use giving you more time.¡± butcher liu kicked over and sent old man bai flying a good distance, ¡°when will you old codger make up for the blasted silverfish debt?¡± old man bai rolled on the ground, hitting his nose on the earth, and immediately blood began flowing freely. ¡°grandpa!¡± bai huan called out desperately upon seeing this. ¡°stop shouting, or i¡¯ll beat old man bai to death.¡± butcher liu grabbed bai huan¡¯s arm and started dragging her towards the street. the surrounding neighbors also heard this commotion and poked their heads out, but upon seeing butcher liu¡¯s face, each one instinctively retracted their head. butcher liu was a famously nefarious tyrant far and wide, often loan-sharking to the poor nearby. the interest was first agreed upon with black ink on white paper, but in the end, he would demand triple the amount. some had reported him to the officials, but in the end, not only were they beaten severely, they also had to pay up without fail. he claimed his uncle was a government official and an underling of chu huai¡¯s heart. and who was chu huai? he was none other than the son of chu nanying, the daoist master of jiangnan dao, who held great military and political power, commanding tens of thousands of troops. even the heroes of jianghu, the experts of sects, and the great clans did not dare to act too recklessly in face of chu nanying. chu huai, a prodigal son dressed in exquisite finery, was notorious for his lack of talents throughout jiangnan dao, especially in lijiang city where he was mockingly called ¡®the young master.¡¯ if he took a fancy to chaste local women on the streets, he would inquire about their backgrounds and then forcibly take them to his linhu lake villa to indulge in his pleasures. if their husbands came looking, he would even molest them in front of their husbands for his own gratification. in the end, he would kill both the husband and wife and then bury them in the villa grounds. who knows how many lonely souls and vengeful spirits lay buried beneath the linhu lake villa. one particularly sensational case was when he captured a pair of beautiful mother and daughter, unbeknownst to him that they were the wife and daughter of feng shuimu, the fortress master of the jiangnan dao¡¯s feiying fort. feiying fort held some sway in jiangnan dao, and its fortress master, feng shuimu, himself boasted third grade cultivation. when feng shuimu received the news, how could he endure it? he immediately led several feiying fort experts to storm the linhu lake villa, intending to administer justice to chu huai on the spot. who would have thought that chu huai had two third grade experts defending him, and the fort was filled with elite military warriors? the experts from feiying fort not only died without a trace but even feng shuimu himself was killed on the spot. subsequently, feiying fort was completely eradicated from jianghu in jiangnan dao, as if it had never existed at all. this incident caused a huge stir at the time and was a major sensation both in jianghu and among the common folk. latterly, although chu huai was rumored to be under house arrest in linhu lake villa, people in jianghu still noticed that numerous young women were secretly brought into the villa, and the shady dealings were a secret to no one. now, the mention of chu huai¡¯s name still terrifies many women. ¡°wait!¡± just at that moment, a cold shout came from a distance. butcher liu¡¯s hand paused subconsciously, his brows furrowing as he looked over and couldn¡¯t help but yell, ¡°who¡¯s this old pedant coming from?¡± ¡°impertinent! zhou has only just reached the prime of life!¡± zhou xianming responded, ¡°you may call zhou a pedant, but if you call him old, zhou cannot tolerate it.¡± ¡°get lost.¡± butcher liu extended his left fist, then clenched it hard, making a crackling sound. ¡°creak! creak!¡± zhou xianming shrank his neck instinctively and retreated several steps back when he heard the noise. ¡°you call that courage? you want to be a hero?¡± the butcher liu sneered and then picked up bai huan, intending to leave. ¡°no, i don¡¯t want this¡­¡± bai huan cried out. ¡°butcher liu, i beg you, please show mercy.¡± old man bai was also kowtowing non-stop on the ground. but butcher liu simply didn¡¯t care about anything and walked out with bai huan. ¡°don¡¯t you dare leave!¡± zhou xianming gathered his courage and grabbed butcher liu¡¯s thigh. ¡°you damned cur!¡± butcher liu¡¯s leg was seized, and he instantly became angry, trying to kick zhou xianming away, but zhou stuck to him like a plaster, impossible to shake off. ¡°seeking death!¡± seeing this, butcher liu released his grip and aimed a punch at zhou xianming¡¯s body. the punch was powerful, and zhou xianming immediately began to cry out, but his hands clung desperately to butcher liu¡¯s thigh. butcher liu was unsympathetic, his fists as big as bowls raining down like a storm and landing fiercely on zhou xianming¡¯s body. soon, zhou xianming released his hold. ¡°old fool, is this all you¡¯ve got, pretending to be a hero?¡± butcher liu cursed, and even though zhou xianming had let go, he didn¡¯t stop hitting. punch after punch landed on zhou xianming¡¯s body. zhou xianming screamed while protecting the vital parts of his body with his hands. he held his groin area tightly and curled up, resembling a cooked shrimp. ¡°ah! it hurts to death¡­..¡± with each punch, only ear-piercing cries could be heard. before long, zhou xianming lay still on the ground, barely making any noise. ¡°stop hitting him, you could kill someone!¡± old man bai shouted urgently. ¡°master zhou is a scholar participating in the imperial examination, a favorite candidate. if you damage him, and the chief examiner investigates, you won¡¯t be able to escape the consequences.¡± bai huan also said anxiously from the side. ¡°a scholar participating in the imperial examination?¡± butcher liu cooled down, looking at the motionless zhou xianming on the ground, and started to feel afraid. he bragged about his uncle, but if a man really died, he wouldn¡¯t be able to escape responsibility, especially not a scholar attending the exam. chu nanying was also a disciple of the confucian sect, and confucian disciples, in general, were held in high esteem; killing one wouldn¡¯t be silenced by a mere few silver coins, especially with so many witnesses around. noticing that butcher liu had stopped, bai huan rushed forward to check on zhou xianming and found him lying motionless on the ground, no breath when they checked his nose. ¡°dead¡­.. he¡¯s dead¡­.¡± ¡°he¡¯s dead?¡± butcher liu was also taken aback, ¡°i didn¡¯t even use much force, and this old scholar died?¡± ¡°a dead man?¡± ¡°and he was a scholar attending the exam.¡± ¡­.. the neighboring spectators began murmuring to each other when they heard this. ¡°i¡¯ll let go of the interest.¡± cold sweat formed on butcher liu¡¯s forehead, ¡°it was this old¡­ scholar who insisted on clinging to my leg. he hit my fist with his face, this has nothing to do with me, you all saw it¡­¡± there was silence among the crowd; no one spoke, but their eyes seemed to say that it was he who had killed the scholar. ¡°it¡¯s not my fault, not at all.¡± butcher liu declared and rushed out the door. after butcher liu left, the neighbors slowly stepped out. ¡°this scholar isn¡¯t really dead, is he?¡± ¡°butcher liu learned some martial arts; he¡¯s very strong. he might have indeed hammered the scholar to death.¡± ¡°that¡¯s truly pitiable.¡± ¡­¡­ old man bai and bai huan were also slightly startled, feeling a bit saddened in their hearts. ¡°so¡­ butcher liu left?¡± just then, a weak voice sounded. zhou xianming slowly opened his eyes and with great effort propped himself up. ¡°look, the scholar isn¡¯t dead yet.¡± everyone was astonished. mr. zhou, are you all right?¡± bai huan asked with a hint of joy in his eyes upon seeing this. ¡°nothing serious, but the injuries aren¡¯t light either.¡± zhou xianming, his face bruised and swollen, couldn¡¯t care less as he sighed, ¡°the beatings i took during this time weren¡¯t for nothing.¡± ¡°mr. zhou, you should go inside and rest,¡± old sun hurriedly suggested. ¡°no need, old master sun, girl xiao huan, i must be going.¡± something occurred to zhou xianming, and with lingering fear, he said, ¡°if that butcher liu regains his senses, who knows if he will come back or not.¡± ¡°tomorrow is the day the examination results are announced, are you planning to return home today?¡± ¡°forget it, i, zhou, will surely rank high. whether i check or not makes no difference.¡± upon hearing zhou xianming¡¯s words, everyone present looked at each other with puzzled expressions. supported by old bai and bai huan, zhou xianming went to his room to pack his belongings, preparing to flee; his bruised and swollen face still carried a hint of regret: ¡°it¡¯s a pity that the customs and culture of lijiang city are too costly.¡± ¡­¡­ yu state city, yulan square in the eastern part of the city. the streets were flanked by shops, and small vendors arranged their stalls in an orderly manner on both sides. up ahead, yulan square was bustling with noisy crowds and converging guests. ¡°don¡¯t push, don¡¯t push, the freshly made chestnut cakes are ten copper coins each today,¡± a clerk from yulan square called out loudly. ¡°how many portions?¡± someone couldn¡¯t help asking. ¡°exactly! yesterday i waited for the time of three tea sessions, only to be told they were sold out in the end,¡± another chimed in. ¡°there are over three hundred portions today, that¡¯s more than enough,¡± replied the clerk with a smile. upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. an jing, clad in a teal outfit, stood behind the crowd with a small medicine box strapped over his shoulder. li fuzhou, on the other hand, stood nearby, engrossed in a book, seemingly unable to extricate himself from its content. for today¡¯s medical visits, an jing had specifically invited li fuzhou to join him. ¡°this place is indeed lively.¡± li fuzhou looked around for a moment before closing his book. ¡°this is a new pastry shop that has opened. the cakes are delicious and quite unique,¡± an jing said, glancing ahead. ¡°it must be that gourmand tan yun who prompted little miss to bring you here, right?¡± li fuzhou said, shaking his head with a smile. ¡°she only mentioned it in passing; i was also quite curious, and we had nothing else to do.¡± an jing exhaled, casually asking, ¡°third master, you¡¯re not like mr. zhou, who needs to study for the examination, so why do you read books every day?¡± old li, just keep pretending. are you really reading a book, or are you viewing some secret correspondence from the demon sect? ¡°it¡¯s just a hobby,¡± li fuzhou glanced at an jing. ¡°besides reading, does third master have any other hobbies?¡± an jing asked with a grin. ¡°listening to music in the pleasure quarters,¡± li fuzhou carefully tucked the book into his sleeve as he spoke. an jing: ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°as for why i read books, have you ever heard?¡± li fuzhou patted an jing¡¯s shoulder, ¡°shallow understanding from books, one must truly experience it to know.¡± the two men looked at each other, and it seemed like they both understood. ¡°ahem ahem¡­¡± an jing cleared his throat and said, ¡°third master, actually, i¡¯ve been meaning to ask you something.¡± li fuzhou stood hands behind his back, indifferently said, ¡°ask away, about the arts of the pleasure quarters, i have no secrets, i can tell you everything. for other matters, i may not be able to teach you.¡± do i need you to teach me the secrets of the pleasure quarters? an jing inwardly sneered, but outwardly, he asked cheerfully, ¡°suppose, third master, that you were a supreme martial artist of the jianghu, what would you do?¡± ¡°oh?¡± li fuzhou glanced at an jing, ¡°it seems like i have asked you this before?¡± ¡°i¡¯m also curious about third master¡¯s thoughts and whether i might gain some insight from them.¡± ¡°how supreme? how does it compare to that young han wenxin?¡± do you really dare to compare yourself to han wenxin? an jing laughed and said, ¡°that kid han wenxin is but a small fry in the jianghu. third master, you must be much higher than him. could he even compare with you?¡± read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only li fuzhou¡¯s brows furrowed, he pondered and said, ¡°if i were a supreme martial artist of the jianghu, i would surely travel through mountains and foreign lands, read countless books, traverse thousands of miles, and visit a myriad of pleasure quarters¡­.¡± visiting a myriad of pleasure quarters¡­ an jing raised his eyebrows and gave a thumbs-up, ¡°third master truly lives up to being a scholar; your words are impeccable.¡± this old rascal li fuzhou is indeed worthy of being the leader of the demon sect. if an jing hadn¡¯t witnessed his true nature, he probably would never have guessed that this unassuming old man was actually the leader of the demon sect. Chapter 111 - Chapter 111: Chapter 112: Demon Sect Hierarchs Intent to Kill chapter 111: chapter 112: demon sect hierarch¡¯s intent to kill dusk¡¯s smoke rose, and the darkening sky stretched vast and boundless. a bright moon hung in the air, its chilling radiance piercing, reflecting off the brows and hair of those it touched. outside lijiang city. by this moment, huo zhongyun, whose injuries had completely healed, stood beneath the city wall, gazing at the distant towering pagoda, and slowly said, ¡°i truly did not expect the heavenly demon order to appear in chu huai¡¯s hands.¡± by his side, ghost-faced buddha joined his hands and said solemnly, ¡°this matter seems somewhat peculiar.¡± ¡°what do you mean by that?¡± huo zhongyun¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised. ghost-faced buddha¡¯s expression was grave as he said, ¡°the heavenly demon order is a legacy item of our demon sect, apart from the treasure sunk beneath the sealing demon well for a thousand years, this item is a token of faith for the sect hierarch, absolutely critical.¡± ¡°but after sect master jiang disappeared, the heavenly demon order likewise vanished without a trace. over the years, our human sect has spent considerable effort and energy searching for this heavenly demon order, always with no news. how could it suddenly appear in chu huai¡¯s hands?¡± ghost-faced buddha always felt something was amiss about this. huo zhongyun slightly nodded, ¡°what you said is right; however, the sect master ordered us to investigate this matter, and i feel we should rather believe it mistakenly than miss out on it.¡± the importance of the heavenly demon order to the demon sect went without saying. a sect hierarch of the demon sect without the heavenly demon order invariably lacks some legitimacy, just as the current human emperor lacks the great yan jade seal. ghost-faced buddha nodded; he too understood the importance of the heavenly demon order, and this matter must be thoroughly investigated. whether what chu huai holds is indeed the heavenly demon order is crucial, and even if it is fake, how he managed to replicate this heavenly demon order, all are related to information about jiang shang. huo zhongyun smiled and said, ¡°first, let¡¯s investigate the situation, then act accordingly. surely this small linhu lake villa doesn¡¯t have a first grade expert, does it?¡± chu nanying, chu huai¡¯s father and the daoist master of jiangnan dao, likely doesn¡¯t even have a first grade expert for personal protection, let alone chu huai. both ghost-faced buddha and huo zhongyun are second grade peak cultivators, especially ghost-faced buddha, who ranks thirty-seventh on the tiger list. after talking, the two leapt toward the interior of lijiang city. ¡­.. linhu lake villa. outside the villa, the pink walls encircled, willows drooped all around, with six flower hanging gatehouses and covered verandas on all four sides. paths in the courtyard interconnected, extending in all directions, dotted with rugged rocks, and on the embracing structure hung the plaque ¡°restrain desires and impatience.¡± the entire compound was rich and splendid, regally luxurious, the garden lush and exquisite, the back courtyard filled with verdant willows, alongside a slender stream flowing into a pool. above lay a path of white stone slabs, displaying elegance and luxury. deep within the villa¡¯s bedroom. a young man in lavish attire, pale-faced, licking his lips, a hint of keenness flashed in his eyes as he watched the woman darting and dodging before him. ¡°my dear, this place is all mine; where can you run to?¡± ¡°young master chu, this lowly one is already married, and with a frail body, how could i possibly serve you¡­¡± the woman¡¯s body curled up, eyes filled with fright. the man before her was none other than chu nanying¡¯s son, chu huai, well-known in lijiang city as a playboy. chu nanying had a great relationship with his wife. unfortunately, she passed away after giving birth to chu huai. although chu nanying later took concubines, none could bear him another child. hence, he doted extremely on his only son, chu huai, leading him to live an indulgent and luxuriant life, sunk in hedonism. his profligacy and lustfulness were known to every household in jiangnan dao. chu huai had a penchant for women and frequently abducted beautiful married women to amuse himself. chu nanying had cleaned up after him numerous times. thus, there hadn¡¯t been any significant troubles. until the incident at feiying fort blew up, causing a storm across the city. the uproar was too great, and chu nanying had no choice but to confine him to linhu lake villa. but chu huai didn¡¯t mend his ways and continued to behave capriciously, sending his cronies to abduct married women. chu huai chuckled, ¡°what i like is precisely your kind of beauty, plump and graceful. if you yield to me, you will be happy, and i will be happier. if you don¡¯t yield to me, i will be even happier, and you will inevitably suffer¡­¡± the woman, upon hearing chu huai¡¯s words, turned deathly pale, ¡°my family¡­ if my husband finds out¡­¡± ¡°so what if he finds out?¡± chu huai sneered, ¡°if he comes looking for you, then it¡¯s even better; i¡¯ll let him see with his own eyes, so what?¡± as he spoke, chu huai, seemingly unable to contain his desire, advanced to grab the woman. ¡°no, don¡¯t!¡± seeing this, the woman screamed and ran towards a distant place. ¡°where are you running to?!¡± chu huai laughed loudly and quickly chased after her. noises of stumbling rose within the room, mixed with unbridled laughter and pleas for mercy. ¡°i hadn¡¯t expected chu huai to have such a predilection,¡± huo zhongyun remarked, standing on the roof ridge, a cold smirk playing at his lips. through the hazy window, they clearly saw what was happening inside the bedroom. ghost-faced buddha said, ¡°chu nanying can¡¯t escape this blight.¡± chu huai could be so brazen; the fault wasn¡¯t on anyone else but chu nanying. in jiangnan dao, chu nanying might still be able to shelter him once or twice, but had it been in yujing city, the center of great yan¡¯s administration, not only might chu nanying be unable to protect his son, but he himself might also be implicated. ¡°hm!?¡± just then, as chu huai chased the woman, a token appeared on his waist in front of them both. ¡°the heavenly demon order!?¡± seeing this, both were shocked. as two experts of the demon sect, although they had never had the chance to approach jiang shang closely, they had seen him from a distance and naturally had seen the heavenly demon order at his waist. the token before them was identical in shape and size to the heavenly demon order, even the style was nearly the same. those who had never seen the heavenly demon order surely could not have replicated it to such an extent. even if chu huai¡¯s token was a replica, it meant he had truly seen the heavenly demon order before, and he might even know the current whereabouts of jiang shang. ghost-faced buddha and huo zhongyun exchanged glances. ¡°swoosh! swoosh!¡± huo zhongyun, impulsive by nature, burst with force qi in his hands. with a lift of his palm, he suddenly raised it high. ¡°rustle! rustle!¡± the roof of the bedroom above suddenly lifted off and flipped backward, raising a cloud of dust. ¡°who!? who dares such audacity!?¡± chu huai paused in his actions, his eyes wide with astonishment at the scene unfolding before him. while he was engaged in that sordid affair, the roof had been flipped from above him? in the next moment, ghost-faced buddha leaped up, a palm thrusting towards him. ghost-faced buddha was a second grade summit expert and also on the dragon and tiger list, the closest to a first grade expert. his speed was so fast that chu huai could not catch a clear glimpse. ¡°stop!¡± just then, a thunderous shout came from the distance. immediately afterwards, a palm met ghost-faced buddha¡¯s. ¡°bang!¡± ¡°crack! crack!¡± the sound of bones breaking in the arm was clear, the newcomer¡¯s face paled, sweat dotted his forehead, and he steadily retreated backward. the person was none other than one of the third grade experts chu nanying had tasked with protecting chu huai, white palm cui yong. being a third grade expert made him a formidable figure in the martial world, but against ghost-faced buddha, a second grade summit expert, he was no match. at the same time, two other third grade experts appeared, hurriedly taking positions in front of a shaken chu huai. ¡°quick, kill them, quickly!¡± chu huai¡¯s feet scrambled backwards on the ground, his expression filled with sheer panic. ¡°anyone who obstructs me dies!¡± huo zhongyun twisted his wrist, and a long spear appeared in his hand, transforming into a streak of cold gleam as it shot out. the spear was as swift as a dragon, its force unstoppable. huo zhongyun! the newcomer was huo zhongyun, an expert of the demon sect! the two third grade experts exerted their full strength but were still forced to retreat repeatedly, deeply shocked; was this the strength of a demon sect guardian? the demon sect, just one of the branches of the larger sectarian force, had guardians so formidable. then how much more profound might the other experts of the sect be? no wonder they could stir a storm of blood and violence in the great yan martial world years ago. although they had been prepared, they were still forced into retreat by huo zhongyun¡¯s relentless attacks. from afar, atop a pavilion watchtower. ¡°brother xi, the demon sect experts have shown themselves, isn¡¯t it time to wrap this up?¡± chu nanying asked anxiously. after all, chu huai was now in the midst of the chaos, and it was unclear if he might be mistakenly killed by the qi force. ¡°don¡¯t worry, li fuzhou has not yet made his move,¡± said xi jikui in a deep voice. he did not care about chu huai¡¯s life or death. in his view, chu huai, a useless fool, better off dead than alive, might commit more disgraceful acts if he lived. xi jikui was more concerned about whether other experts from the demon sect would appear today. chu nanying said gravely, ¡°my men are clearly no match for those two from the demon sect. if we don¡¯t press them now, how will the others show themselves?¡± xi jikui slightly nodded, finding chu nanying¡¯s point reasonable. he then looked towards the five golden dragons arrest officers including hong yuanwu behind him. hong yuanwu¡¯s eyes hardened, understanding the cue, and he quickly charged towards huo zhongyun and ghost-faced buddha. huo zhongyun¡¯s spear was swift and fierce like thunder, overpowering the two third grade experts effortlessly. spear under heaven! the spear tip swirled, turning into countless chilling currents surging forward, stabbing out with the speed of lightning and directly piercing through the throat of the man in front.¡± ¡°gurgle~!¡± the third grade expert¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, then his life faded. ¡°thump!¡± as huo zhongyun pulled back his spear, blood spurted across the ground, and the body likewise fell. seeing this, chu huai¡¯s eyes widened. he was very aware of the strength of the experts chu nanying had sent to protect him. the spear-wielding mighty man had impaled one completely; this spear-welder must be an even more formidable expert, which terrified him to his core. ¡°you¡­ don¡¯t kill me, my father is chu nanying, the daoist master of jiangnan,¡± he pleaded. ¡°even if i were your father, you would still die today.¡± huo zhongyun sneered coldly and strode forward. just then, a sense of foreboding arose in his heart, the hairs on his arms standing on end as he quickly raised his spear to block. ¡°hiss! hiss!¡± the multiple blade lights met his spear, and huo zhongyun felt numbness in his arm, almost losing grip of his spear. an expert is here! huo zhongyun¡¯s heart startled, and he hurriedly looked over and exclaimed, ¡°xuanyi guards!?¡± the ghost-faced buddha also furrowed his eyebrows and thought to himself, this is bad. ahead, five gold constables of the xuanyi guard clearly came prepared, suggesting they had fallen into an ambush. although not all the gold constables of the xuanyi guard were at the second grade peak, their strength was mostly in the upper tiers of the second grade. together with the five of them, huo zhongyun and the ghost-faced buddha might not be able to handle them. moreover, there were definitely silver constables and bronze constables nearby, whose arrow rains were extremely troublesome. ¡°let¡¯s go first!¡± the ghost-faced buddha immediately shouted. ¡°where do you think you¡¯re going!?¡± hong yuanwu sneered coldly, and swung his sword down at them. the sword light was as fast as a gust of wind, its force enormous and heavy. the other four gold constables also leaped forward, blocking the paths of huo zhongyun and the ghost-faced buddha. as the saying goes, even a strong tiger can¡¯t fight off a pack of wolves. although huo zhongyun and the ghost-faced buddha held a slight advantage in cultivation, they were now severely pressured facing the five gold constables. within moments, huo zhongyun was injured by the sword qi, his sleeve soaked with blood. ¡°old ghost, you go first, i¡¯ll cover our retreat!¡± huo zhongyun once again blocked the fierce attacks and shouted, ¡°we must inform the sect master of this news.¡± the ghost-faced buddha hadn¡¯t responded yet when he was immediately pushed back by hong yuanwu and two other gold constables. ¡°today, none of you will escape.¡± a cruel smile appeared on hong yuanwu¡¯s lips, his murderous intent intensified. killing experts of the demon sect would shake the martial world and they could also receive rewards from the chief governor; they couldn¡¯t possibly let this opportunity slip by. as time dragged on, huo zhongyun and the ghost-faced buddha were like a small boat in a storm, teetering on the edge of collapse. ¡°shh!¡± at that moment, the moonlight tipped over. a cold and fierce sword qi surged forth, as if it would swallow the entire courtyard. ¡°bang!¡± ¡°bang!¡± ¡°bang!¡± ¡°bang!¡± the exploding sword qi swept through, forcing all five gold constables back, their faces showing unmistakable horror. who is it? to actually force back five gold constables with one strike. as the fierce wind gradually ceased, a man holding a huge sword slowly advanced, each step seemingly landing on everyone¡¯s hearts, thumping loudly. the giant sword still had white vapor swirling around it. the man¡¯s face showed no expression. ¡°gu renwo!?¡± hong yuanwu exclaimed. gu renwo of the demon sect, the second most formidable expert next to li fuzhou. in his hand was a giant sword that had killed countless renowned experts. ¡°you guys go! i¡¯ll cover our retreat!¡± gu renwo¡¯s voice was deep and resonant, then he looked towards the distance, ¡°xi jikui, do you really only have these lowly tricks?¡± xi jikui!? hearing this name, both huo zhongyun and the ghost-faced buddha¡¯s expressions slightly changed; so the person who ambushed them was xi jikui. xi jikui¡¯s body flashed and he instantly appeared at the front of the courtyard, ¡°li fuzhou didn¡¯t come, truly disappointing. however, your head is also an acceptable trophy.¡± as he spoke, the dragon and phoenix double rings in his hand stretched out, under the moonlight, casting mesmerizing glows. ¡°if you want my head, you¡¯ll have to see if you¡¯re skilled enough.¡± gu renwo, expressionless, slashed with his giant sword. ¡°whoosh!¡± under the night sky, the giant sword descended abruptly, the sword qi overflowing while the air on either side parted like the tide. xi jikui swayed his dragon and phoenix double rings, turning them into moonlight. ¡°bang! bang! bang! bang!¡± the qi force vibrated, the violent aftermath surging to the sides. the next moment, both men come close together, clashing with distinct flashes from the sword light and the double rings. fast! too fast! one was at the peak of the earth flower realm, and the other at the heavenly flower realm, the speed of their moves was so fast that no one could clearly see their techniques. amidst the flashing sword lights, it seemed as if dragons and phoenixes were singing in harmony. ¡°such terrifying power!¡± chu nanying, watching from a distance, was greatly shocked by this scene. was this the power of a first grade expert in jianghu? it was indeed terrifying. even though great yan had established the zhenyi sect, and the human emperor had formed the xuanyi guard, there seemed to be good reasons for these actions. if someone truly unified jianghu, it was not impossible for them to overthrow the entire great yan dynasty. court and jianghu, inseparable. ¡°whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!¡± meanwhile, several breaking strength flying arrows shot from the sky, forcing huo zhongyun and ghost-faced buddha to desperately defend themselves. these breaking strength flying crossbows were extremely powerful, and with silver and bronze constables shooting them, if it were their heyday, they would not fear, but now with five gold constables watching them fiercely, how could they not be anxious? after a round of arrow rain, hong yuanwu and others charged again toward huo zhongyun and ghost-faced buddha. the scene was chaotic. then, the ground began to tremble. ¡°not good, more people are coming this way.¡± the ghost-faced buddha¡¯s heart sank. huo zhongyun¡¯s face also turned extremely ugly. ¡°today, none of you will escape.¡± xi jikui¡¯s hands, wielding the dragon and phoenix double rings, moved eerily fast and his steps were ingenious. with his advantage in realm, even gu renwo was forced to keep retreating. ¡°break!¡± suddenly, a sound of dragon¡¯s roar exploded, and the double rings in xi jikui¡¯s hands seemingly transformed into a golden dragon, furiously lunging at gu renwo. ¡°boom!¡± gu renwo infused his inner strength into his great sword, holding it horizontally in front of his chest, and immediately a violent force struck him. ¡°wow!¡± he spat out a mouthful of blood, his step showing some instability. ¡°kill!¡± hong yuanwu¡¯s eyes beamed with murderous intent, and he slashed horizontally with his sword. huo zhongyun, too weak to defend, could only watch helplessly as the sword light approached. the next moment, ghost-faced buddha stepped in front of him, repelling hong yuanwu. ¡°pshhh!¡± before they could catch their breath, another blade light came slashing through, and ghost-faced buddha¡¯s head flew off, rolling on the ground several times. seeing the blood spurting from the neck, and then the headless body ¡®thump¡¯ falling to the ground, ¡°old ghost!¡± huo zhongyun, seeing this, immediately felt a surge of anger and drove his long spear ferociously towards the people in front of him. ¡°but it¡¯s just the last flicker of an oil lamp, a fleeting resurgence.¡± hong yuanwu snorted with disdain. a trace of chill appeared in the eyes of the others. the five gold constables launched a combined attack, and after huo zhongyun barely blocked two moves, he was stabbed directly in the heart by a sword, after which he unwillingly collapsed. in an instant, two guardians of the demon sect perished. gu renwo, catching this from the corner of his eye, saw a crimson flash across his vision. ¡°they are dead. now it¡¯s your turn to go.¡± xi jikui laughed, his hands wielding the dragon and phoenix double rings, which shook like two auroras descending from the sky. sword turning mountains and rivers! gu renwo, knowing he was not a match for xi jikui, raised his long sword, and his sword qi rolled up waves like the river. bang! bang! the auroras stabbed towards the river-like sword qi, and then transformed into a luminous attack. ¡°shick!¡± the blade¡¯s light, too fast to track, pierced through the enormous arm held by gu renwo. xi jikui¡¯s expression changed, and he repeatedly stepped back. ¡°stomp!¡± after retreating about three steps, he violently shook his right foot, dispersing the remaining force through the ground, finally stopping his retreat. ¡°swoosh, swoosh!¡± gu renwo, however, transformed into a blurred shadow, darting away into the distance in an instant. ¡°escape technique!?¡± xi jikui narrowed his eyes, somewhat surprised. he hadn¡¯t expected gu renwo, a swordsman, to possess such a lost martial art. ¡°sir xi!¡± hong yuanwu and others hurriedly approached, ¡°should we pursue gu renwo¡­¡± ¡°forget it, we can¡¯t catch him now, but gu renwo¡¯s right arm is broken, his strength is hardly twenty or thirty percent of what it was; he will hardly amount to anything in the future.¡± xi jikui waved his hand, his eyes flashing coldly, ¡°it¡¯s a pity that li fuzhou didn¡¯t come. if he had been here today, i would have made sure he too perished here.¡± after assimilating the nature¡¯s spiritual energy, his cultivation had reached the peak of the heavenly flower realm. together with five gold constables, a group of silver constables, and two second grade military experts close to chu nanying, as well as a group of local soldiers, even an unhealed li fuzhou would probably be slain if he came here today. this was the best opportunity to kill li fuzhou; once his injuries fully healed, it would become difficult. thinking this, xi jikui couldn¡¯t help but sigh. ¡°pah! this is a demon sect expert!?¡± just then, a voice of mockery and scorn came. all one could see was chu huai stepping on the head of the ghost-faced buddha, his eyes filled with a trace of pride and arrogance. ¡°people from the demon sect dare to trouble this young master? don¡¯t they weigh their own strength?¡± hong yuanwu frowned slightly but ultimately said nothing. chu nanying approached, laughing, ¡°brother xi, today we¡¯ve killed two great experts of the demon sect, and severely injured gu renwo, effectively severing one of li fuzhou¡¯s arms, a truly joyous and congratulatory event indeed.¡± xi jikui shook his head, ¡°li fuzhou isn¡¯t dead, there¡¯s nothing to celebrate.¡± his arrangements were specifically for killing li fuzhou. unfortunately, gan yue and zhang shuang perished on three temple mountain; otherwise, with them here today, even gu renwo¡¯s escape technique wouldn¡¯t have saved him. chu nanying took a deep breath, ¡°brother xi, don¡¯t joke about it. with two of the four guardians dead, along with gu renwo¡¯s crippling, the demon sect hasn¡¯t suffered such losses in many years.¡± the last severe damage to the demon sect masters happened ten years ago. the news of today¡¯s battle when spread will definitely shake the entire great yan martial world. xi jikui was silent for a long while, then said, ¡°it¡¯s almost dawn. hong yuanwu, ride a fast horse now and send these two men¡¯s heads and this huge sword to yujing city for me.¡± ¡°yes.¡± hong yuanwu bowed and complied. ¡­¡­. jishi hall. the morning sun shone down, and it was slowly becoming winter, the chill gradually rising. an jing sat in front of the medicine cabinet, examining the list of newly delivered herbs. besides buying some herbs from medicinal farmers and hunters, these were still far from enough to meet jishi hall¡¯s consumption, so he had to buy herbs from the pharmacy gardens around yu state city as well. the best plantation near yu state city was called green garden, which was one of cao gang¡¯s businesses. initially, wang he had forced an jing to raise the price of the herbs by thirty percent. following his mysterious death, the new pavilion master had returned the prices to their original levels. at this moment, the list in an jing¡¯s hand was from the new batch of herbs delivered by cao gang. ¡°we still need some earth flower, mention it to them next time.¡± an jing carefully scanned the list, then took out a stamp from beside and sealed it. after sealing the stamp, he couldn¡¯t help but notice a palm-sized, black square stamp beside it. picking it up, he carefully toyed with it, unable to resist saying, ¡°this must be an antique.¡± this black square stamp was very ancient-looking, engraved with patterns an jing couldn¡¯t recognize, resembling both flora and fauna and mountains and sun. the carving was exquisitely done, and the imprint of the red ink was bright as blood, very clear, yet it bore no words. this was part of zhao qingmei¡¯s dowry, which she said was used by her grandfather. ¡°from a prestigious family, it must have been a private seal of some high official. a hundred years later, as an antique, it may indeed be worth some money.¡± an jing toyed with it for a while, then threw it to the side. ¡°son-in-law, son-in-law.¡± just then, tan yun hurried in from outside. ¡°what happened?¡± seeing this, an jing couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°i¡¯ve heard some news.¡± tan yun quickly walked in, ¡°it¡¯s related to ren yi pavilion in the west of the city and hundred herbs hall in the south.¡± ¡°what about them?¡± an jing raised an eyebrow. could it be they were planning to make trouble again? lately, because jishi hall¡¯s medicinal price was fair and had a heart for healing, it had unknowingly become the most famous medical hall in yu state city. as the saying goes, professionals are jealous of one another. seeing how successful jishi hall was, how could other medical halls not be envious? tan yun slightly raised her eyebrows and said, ¡°i heard that if you go to these two medical halls to buy medicine, they are now giving away vegetable oil or eggs. many people heard about it and went early in the morning.¡± ¡°son-in-law, do you think they are competing with us for business?¡± vegetable oil? eggs? upon hearing this, an jing couldn¡¯t help but laugh. wasn¡¯t this just a promotion from his previous life? tan yun blinked her big eyes and said, ¡°son-in-law, why aren¡¯t you saying anything? should we also¡­¡± ¡°let them give it if they want to, it¡¯s good for the common folks anyway.¡± an jing waved his hand, ¡°our medical hall is for treating patients, not for making profits.¡± as long as they don¡¯t cause any trouble, everything is negotiable. tan yun, upon hearing this, suddenly nodded her head, then raised her thumb and said, ¡°brother-in-law, you¡¯re absolutely right.¡± the enlightenment of brother-in-law is really profound. ¡°it¡¯s good to have some downtime during this period as well.¡± an jing stretched lazily. this period had been incredibly busy, toiling day and night, and now, having the opportunity to rest was truly welcome. ¡°husband, didn¡¯t you promise to take me out for a stroll in the spring countryside?¡± at this moment, zhao qingmei also walked out from the back hall, a slight smile gracing her lips. today, she was wearing a light pink dress that trailed along the floor, and a silver coral hairpin nestled in her hair made her complexion as fair as a lotus, with her phoenix eyes naturally charming and her beautiful eyes glinting like stars. an jing couldn¡¯t help but brighten up, saying, ¡°sure, i think today¡­¡± ¡°doctor an, doctor an!¡± just then, an urgent voice came from outside the door. a maid, around fourteen or fifteen, in the throes of youth, rushed in. ¡°my young miss is ill again, please come to see her now.¡± zhao qingmei remembered clearly, the maid in front was cao ling¡¯er¡¯s personal attendant. an jing stood up and soothingly said, ¡°don¡¯t worry, take it slowly, what exactly happened?¡± the young maid glanced at an jing and quickly said, ¡°when my young miss woke up this morning, somehow, she felt weak all over, her limbs limp¡­¡± tan yun, with a skeptical face, said, ¡°is this true or false? isn¡¯t your miss trained in martial arts? i¡¯ve heard those martial experts are all very robust.¡± families like jiangnan dao¡¯s four great families were all half martial arts families, whose clan members also practiced martial arts and were extremely skilled. could such minor ailments even be considered sickness? ¡°it¡¯s definitely true; how could i make up something about my young miss?¡± upon hearing this, the maid¡¯s face flushed with red. no matter what the maid said, tan yun remained unconvinced. ¡°let¡¯s do this, i¡¯ll go and see for myself.¡± an jing contemplated aloud. after all, treating and saving people is the most important. ¡°i¡¯ve got nothing else to do, i might as well accompany brother-in-law there.¡± just then, li fuzhou¡¯s lazy voice came from the rear hall. ¡°that sounds good.¡± an jing glanced at li fuzhou. suddenly, he remembered that time at the cao family, when they competed for the vermilion fruit and encountered a suspected expert from the demon sect, it seemed to have been old man li. was this old man li planning to fleece the cao family again? but if there¡¯s good fleece to be had, he would definitely get to it before him. ¡°wife, wait for me to return.¡± then an jing picked up the medical box and went off with li fuzhou and the young maid toward the cao family. seeing an jing completely gone, tan yun turned to look at zhao qingmei, ¡°miss¡­¡± the sect hierarch is good in all respects but possesses a heavy jealousy and killing intent. if that cao ling¡¯er was truly sick, it was okay to say, but if it was a ruse, that would be troublesome. ¡°let¡¯s talk about it when brother-in-law returns.¡± zhao qingmei said lightly. ¡­¡­ the cao family, backyard. the maid hurried ahead, with an jing and li fuzhou closely following behind. shortly after, they arrived at cao ling¡¯er¡¯s courtyard. the maid said, ¡°the young miss is inside, doctor an, please go in.¡± ¡°thank you.¡± an jing bowed his fists, then slowly walked inside. ¡°hm?!¡± just as li fuzhou was about to follow, the maid stopped him. the maid whispered, ¡°sir, it¡¯s better if you wait outside.¡± ¡°that¡¯s fine, could you brew me a pot of tea?¡± li fuzhou said with a light smile. ¡°sir, please wait a moment.¡± with that, the maid hurried off toward the main hall. li fuzhou found a stone chair nearby and sat down by himself. an jing approached the inside of the house, and immediately, a gentle fragrance assailed his nose. ¡°doctor an, you¡¯re here?¡± a crisp voice sounded, and cao ling¡¯er emerged at a leisurely pace. today, she seemed to have dressed up, wearing a cyan robe, her complexion radiant, her skin luminous as snow. at this moment, she looked radiant, hardly resembling someone who had been ill. seeing this, an jing slightly raised his eyebrows, ¡°miss cao, what is this?¡± ¡°it¡¯s truly not easy to have a chance to meet doctor an.¡± cao ling¡¯er smiled and gestured invitingly, ¡°doctor an, please have a seat and drink some tea.¡± ¡°miss cao, i am here to see patients, not to drink tea.¡± an jing bowed to cao ling¡¯er. in this world, not all teas are drinkable. cao ling¡¯er chuckled, saying, ¡°doctor an, the people from the mu family have already arrived, and the engagement has taken place.¡± the engagement, an jing was naturally familiar with, being one step in the betrothal process. an jing thought for a moment and said, ¡°so, this means, for miss cao and the mu family¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°mu jie,¡± said cao ling¡¯er. it was him! upon hearing this, an jing remembered clearly, he had been present when the attack on tieyun mountain occurred. however, at that time, in order not to cause too much trouble, an jing had not taken action against him, although he had accidentally injured him. mu jie was also quite famous as a young talent in jiangnan dao; an jing had often heard people mention him in the teahouse. his impression of the man was neither particularly good nor particularly bad. ¡°a young talent unsurpassed in natural ability, he and miss cao are truly a perfect match.¡± ¡°is that so?¡± cao ling¡¯er smiled, ¡°now, can doctor an please sit down and join me for a tea, just considering i have had many troubles lately and no one to talk to about them.¡± an jing could feel cao ling¡¯er¡¯s anguish. some matters must be buried deep within the heart, unspoken to anyone, even to one¡¯s closest confidant. an jing sighed deeply and said, ¡°since miss cao has repeatedly invited me, i shall not refuse, but i cannot stay too long¡­ ¡± ¡°doctor an, i¡¯ve been wanting to ask you a question for a long time.¡± cao ling¡¯er slightly fluttered her eyelashes and then poured a cup of tea. ¡°please, miss cao,¡± an jing accepted the tea and said. after a long pause, cao ling¡¯er parted her red lips slightly and asked, ¡°i heard that you and mrs. an have not been married for long?¡± ¡°that is true.¡± upon hearing cao ling¡¯er ask this question, an jing subconsciously let a slight smile curl up at the corner of his mouth. ¡°it seems that doctor an is quite satisfied,¡± cao ling¡¯er clearly saw the smile on an jing¡¯s face. ¡°with such a beautiful wife, what could i be unsatisfied with?¡± ¡°indeed, mrs. an is truly beautiful,¡± cao ling¡¯er seemed a bit sorrowful as she said this. this is the thought that occurs to anyone who sees zhao qingmei, whether man or woman, even a woman as beautiful as cao ling¡¯er herself. ¡°about her¡­¡± an jing gently lifted his cup of tea, his smile deepening. he couldn¡¯t help but recall the first time he saw zhao qingmei¡¯s portrait and the first time he saw her in the teahouse. back then, he was indeed astounded by her beauty and attracted by her gentle and intelligent nature. but after spending so much time together¡­ he enjoyed sitting with zhao qingmei under the eaves, admiring the moon or gazing at the stars, liked taking leisurely walks along the yu state river, and enjoyed watching her quietly reading at the table. leaving the house, he would often think about the home-cooked meals zhao qingmei prepared, remember her playful complaints, and also recall her beautiful eyelashes as she slept. it seemed as though he had become accustomed to all this. only zhao qingmei, regardless of how late he returned, would always prepare a bowl of noodles and always helped peel the garlic for him, knowing even when he was drinking tea, just to quietly watch him. life passes slowly, and only then can it be happy. ¡°doctor an, doctor an.¡± at that moment, cao ling¡¯er interrupted an jing¡¯s reverie. ¡°hmm.¡± an jing abruptly came back to his senses. cao ling¡¯er bit her lip and asked, ¡°what kind of person do you think one must find to be happy?¡± ¡°what kind of person would one be happy with?¡± an jing pondered for a long while before slowly saying, ¡°someone who smiles when they see you and someone who smiles when they see you.¡± ¡°someone who smiles when they see you and someone who smiles when you see them¡­¡± cao ling¡¯er murmured in a low voice, yet her heart was somewhat lost. ¡°perhaps, that¡¯s the reasoning,¡± she mused. an jing picked up the small medicine kit and said, ¡°miss cao, it¡¯s getting late and i have other matters to attend to, so i¡¯ll take my leave now.¡± with that, he strode toward the door. ¡°what if, i say what if, i had appeared before miss zhao?¡± cao ling¡¯er stood up, and then, gathering her courage, she asked. an jing¡¯s steps faltered slightly. if zhao qingmei hadn¡¯t appeared, what choice would he have made? perhaps he would continue to keep jishi hall, waiting until cao ling¡¯er appeared and become the zhao family¡¯s son-in-law? it seemed like another story altogether. ¡°life has no ¡®what ifs.¡¯¡± an jing said softly, and after finishing, he walked out of the house. ¡°life has no ¡®what ifs.¡¯¡± watching an jing¡¯s departing figure, cao ling¡¯er murmured to herself, then sat down dejectedly. when an jing stepped out, li fuzhou was serenely sitting on a stone chair, drinking tea, unfazed by the cold wind. ¡°old man li, it seems the third grade has reached perfection, and he is currently waiting for his injuries to heal.¡± somehow, looking at li fuzhou at the moment, an jing felt a sense of natural integration he had felt before, though at that time he was unaware of li fuzhou¡¯s true identity¡­ this feeling, if not observed carefully, would not be noticeable; but if one immerses oneself wholeheartedly, one can perceive its true essence. ¡°son-in-law, have you come out?¡± li fuzhou set down his teacup and smiled. an jing nodded, ¡°let¡¯s go back, miss cao¡¯s illness should recover by tomorrow.¡± ¡­¡­ the cold wind stirred, raising thousands of ripples across the yu state river. in front of jishi hall. zhao qingmei chuckled, ¡°these are five days¡¯ worth of medicine. if it¡¯s not enough, come back for more.¡± ¡°alright, then thank you, madam an,¡± said an old man with a tottering gait, happily carrying a package wrapped in cowhide paper. ¡°terrible news! terrible news!¡± before zhao qingmei could react, she heard tan yun¡¯s alarmed cry from behind. ¡°what¡¯s all this fuss about?¡± zhao qingmei said calmly. despite zhao qingmei¡¯s tranquil tone, tan yun felt a chill in her heart and quickly bowed her head, ¡°miss, this servant understands.¡± she knew zhao qingmei disliked subordinates who overreacted. once, she had said that even if the sky were falling, she would hold it up herself. zhao qingmei walked to the counter with her lotus steps, sat down, started to log books, and said, ¡°speak.¡± ¡°elder huo and the ghost-faced elder are dead, and gu renwo has been severely injured¡­¡± tan yun quickly relayed the news she had just received. even though zhao qingmei was stoic and unflappable, upon hearing this news, her brow furrowed, and her hand holding the pen paused. the whole pharmacy seemed to fall silent, except for tan yun¡¯s panting. after a long while, zhao qingmei said, ¡°explain everything in detail.¡± tan yun clenched her teeth and said, ¡°elder huo and the ghost-faced elder went to lijiang city to investigate the heavenly demon order. unexpectedly, they fell into an ambush set by xi jikui and chu nanying. the two were unable to withstand it, and gu renwo rushed over hoping to rescue them, but after xi jikui obtained the nature¡¯s spiritual energy, his strength grew further. combined with other high-level experts like the xuanyi guard, elder huo and the ghost-faced elder were killed, and gu renwo¡¯s arm was severed¡­¡± the ghost-faced buddha had joined the demon sect halfway, contributing significantly enough to be entrusted with important tasks. huo zhongyun, much like tan yun, was a top expert nurtured by the main hall of the demon sect, known for his passionate and righteous character, which made him hugely popular within the sect. both were second grade experts on the brink of reaching first grade, and both were among the four main guardians of the human sect of the demon sect. however, now they were dead. this was undeniably a severe blow to the human sect of the demon sect, even potentially tarnishing the sect¡¯s reputation. in the world of jianghu, what is most important? of course, it¡¯s the reputation. the notoriety of the demon sect could deter many, partly due to their fearsome reputation. ¡°xi jikui?¡± zhao qingmei¡¯s expression remained blank as she said, ¡°it seems he has indeed seen the heavenly demon order.¡± tan yun¡¯s eyes showed a hint of sorrow, ¡°he must have seen it, to create a convincing fake. otherwise, the ghost-faced elder, who is usually so cautious, would not have been ambushed.¡± ¡°miss, we must avenge this,¡± she said. zhao qingmei nodded slightly, ¡°elder li¡¯s strength hasn¡¯t fully recovered yet, and even when it does, he plans to break through a barrier. it¡¯s not advisable to act now, dealing with xi jikui might be difficult.¡± ¡°moreover, xi jikui is in yu state city, and yu state city seems to have another grandmaster¡­¡± read latest chapters at wuxiaworld.site only li fuzhou was mostly recovered from his injuries. fighting xi jikui wasn¡¯t impossible, but there was no complete assurance of killing xi jikui. besides, during the battle at three temple mountain, li fuzhou had mentioned a grandmaster who had appeared but had not yet shown himself. tan yun bit her lip and asked, ¡°what should we do then? miss, should we summon more experts? what if xi jikui returns to the capital?¡± ¡°so¡­¡± zhao qingmei waved her hand, toying with the black seal in her hand, and said lightly. ¡°xi jikui, i¡¯ll kill him myself.¡± Chapter 131 - Chapter 131: Chapter 131 Jishi Hall Conceals a Murderous Trap Chapter 131: Chapter 131 Jishi Hall Conceals a Murderous Trap The experts in the Great Hall had all dispersed, leaving only Duanmu Xinghua, Yu Qiurong, and the Xuanwu Sect¡¯s leader, who had been standing silently in the corner. The leader of the Xuanwu Sect was clad in black. He appeared young, and even somewhat ugly, especially with the black moles that covered his face. His Cultivation was unremarkable among the many experts of the Demon Sect, merely at the Third Grade Realm. He was also one of the only two people whom Zhao Qingmei promoted after she became the Sect Hierarch. Zhao Qingmei, sitting on the high platform, said, ¡°Sect Leader Duanmu, tell us about the Golden Eagle Banner issue.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Duanmu Xinghua clasped his hands together and then slowly began, ¡°A few months ago, Chief Yu discovered spies of the Golden Eagle Banner near Dongluo Pass. Moreover, in recent years, Houjin has been aggressively purchasing food, iron mines, and even fire oil. In my opinion, the spies from Houjin have appeared beyond the Pass, and there¡¯s something wrong with that¡­¡± Houjin¡¯s clandestine acquisitions are all essentials for war, which has been going on for some time. Any insightful person could see that it was preparation for war on one hand and a deception strategy on the other, imposing an invisible pressure on all parties. If the string of a bow is kept taut all the time, it will eventually snap one day. Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly and looked towards the Xuanwu Sect leader. The Xuanwu Sect leader clasped his fist and replied, ¡°Reporting to the Sect Hierarch, indeed I found spies from the Golden Eagle Banner, but in my humble opinion, this is normal. Houjin has been recuperating for over twenty years, their claws have become sharp, and naturally, they would send out spies to gather intelligence about the surrounding areas. This is not the first encounter.¡± ¡°Rumors say that the Great Yan Emperor is gravely ill, and the internal strife in the court is severe. Marquis, wielding the power of 300,000 troops, is noble and aloof, having already attracted the enmity of many in the court. If Houjin truly intends to act, then Great Yan is their primary target.¡± Wars have never been just about battles on the field; politics is the core of war. The battlefield is just a manifestation of politics. A truly great general excels not only in arranging formations on the field and brandishing weapons but is also keenly sensitive to politics. The Marquis, although commanding an army of 300,000 on the border, does not get along with the court officials. Coupled with the current chaos within Great Yan and the factions within the court, the people are in a state of unease ¡ª it¡¯s a great opportunity indeed. But whether the Great Yan Emperor truly failed to break his shackles and is hiding a conspiracy remains a doubt in people¡¯s minds, which is why the world remains at peace for the moment. ¡°However, we must not let our guard down.¡± Duanmu Xinghua said slowly from the side. The Xuanwu Sect leader nodded and said no more. ¡°Let the Xuanwu Sect leader take care of this matter,¡± Zhao Qingmei decided after some thought. ¡°The Human Sect experts hidden in Houjin will cooperate with you. Pay close attention to the movements of the Thirteen Banner of Houjin, and if there are any anomalies, you are allowed to take command on the spot.¡± She continued, ¡°Also, spread the word to Great Yan, especially to the Marquis.¡± Rumors were that the Marquis was divine in warfare, having fought for a long time and being the only Yan general to have penetrated Zhao Country¡¯s borders. However, his character has been widely criticized. With the life of the Emperor uncertain and the loss of intelligence from the Heaven and Earth Net, it is unknown whether he will be able to react in time. If the Marquis¡¯s army of 300,000 were to be defeated by Houjin, Zhao Country would certainly not miss such an opportunity from heaven. At that point, Great Yan would be in a situation of being attacked on all fronts¡­ The tide of the world is vast and unstoppable. Those who go with it thrive, and those who go against it perish. Once the situation in the world is stabilized, stirring Heaven and Earth would be exceedingly difficult. ¡°I understand,¡± responded the Xuanwu Sect leader, standing tall, then clasped his fists and turned to leave. Zhao Qingmei inquired, ¡°Sect Leader Duanmu, your message surely isn¡¯t just about this matter, is it?¡± ¡°Correct.¡± After pondering for a moment, Duanmu Xinghua clasped his fists and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, several Elders of the Sealing Demon Platform wish to summon you.¡± The Sealing Demon Platform! The most mysterious place in the Demon Sect, a place that outsiders would not easily know of. Many people knew of the formidable strength of the Demon Sect Heavenly Sect experts, but few were aware that these experts ultimately belong to the Sealing Demon Platform, which is the Demon Sect¡¯s greatest foundation and the key to controlling Dongluo Pass. After all, not many in this world know of the Sealing Demon Platform, let alone the masters that lie beneath it within the Demon Sect. Even Zhao Qingmei, much less outsiders, did not know the true details of the Sealing Demon Platform. All she knew was that when she entered the Sealing Demon Well, she saw a Grandmaster of the Demon Sect and another at the Half-step Master Realm. Mysterious and powerful ¡ª that was the impression the Sealing Demon Platform left on her. The Sealing Demon Platform? Zhao Qingmei sneered in her heart; she couldn¡¯t stand the feeling of being unable to control it, like a sword hanging over her head. Sooner or later, she would have to take control of the Sealing Demon Platform. ¡°Alright,¡± Zhao Qingmei said with an easy grace, ¡°When?¡± ¡°It might take around a month,¡± Duanmu Xinghua replied. ¡°That¡¯s too long, the day after tomorrow will do,¡± Zhao Qingmei waved her hand. ¡°The Sect Hierarch has countless affairs to manage; I don¡¯t have so much time.¡± She could not wait that long; she needed to return to Yu State City and reunite with her husband. Duanmu Xinghua said gravely, ¡°Sect Hierarch, many Elders will be present this time, including the Great Elder, who will only leave seclusion in a month.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°It has to be the day after tomorrow!¡± ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Upon hearing this, Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly, ¡°It¡¯s only a month; it passes in the blink of an eye. Why cause displeasure with the Elders over this? After all, we must still prioritize the bigger picture.¡± ¡°Since the founding of our Demon Sect, there has rarely been any conflict with the Sealing Demon Platform.¡± Yu Qiurong was also anxious as she said, ¡°Yes, Sect Hierarch.¡± She seemed to have faintly guessed why Zhao Qingmei was in such a hurry to leave. However, the Sealing Demon Platform was no trivial matter, not to be neglected. Ancient Demon Sect records mention that a dispute arose between the thirteenth Demon Sect Hierarch and the Great Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform, resulting in the thirteenth Hierarch¡¯s death. In the eyes of the top experts of the Demon Sect, the Sealing Demon Platform is sacred ground; their commands must be obeyed without question. Fortunately, the Sealing Demon Platform hardly interferes in worldly affairs, only acting when the very survival of the Demon Sect is at stake. Thus, all past Hierarchs of the Demon Sect held the Sealing Demon Platform in high esteem. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s thoughts raced. ¡°Fine, I will wait for this Great Elder for one month.¡± She couldn¡¯t deal with the Sealing Demon Platform with her current strength, but it was something that needed to be under her control in the future. This was an opportunity to probe the depths of the Sealing Demon Platform. Duanmu Xinghua breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this and then gave a respectful bow. ¡°Then I shall take my leave,¡± he said. After saying this, he slowly stepped out of the Great Hall. Now in the spacious Great Hall, only Yu Qiurong and Zhao Qingmei were left. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s gaze was calm as still water, as she turned her eyes towards Yu Qiurong. ¡°Sect Hierarch¡­..¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s heart tightened, biting her lip, ¡°I¡­ I was also considering the Sect Hierarch¡¯s well-being.¡± ¡­.. In Lingnan Dao, Bo City. The courtyard of the Liao family. If the four major families of Jiangnan Dao were said to hold sway without a clear leader, then in Lingnan Dao, the Liao family stood unchallenged, with no other family able to stand shoulder to shoulder with them. The Liao family managed two tenths of Great Yan¡¯s textile, tobacco, and porcelain business, much of which was traded with Houjin and the Pure Land, bringing in unimaginable revenue for Great Yan. Furthermore, Liao Fangqi of the Liao family was a famous Great Scholar and currently served as the Crown Prince¡¯s tutor. A fair-faced young man in white quietly sat at a table, reading a secret letter in his hand. As he read the secret letter, his expression remained unchanged from beginning to end. ¡°Interesting,¡± he said after a long while, setting aside the letter and idly playing with a piece of jade hanging from his waist. ¡°Chongyin, what¡¯s in the content of this secret letter?¡± a plain-looking woman in her forties asked out of curiosity. In Great Yan, no one would not know of Zhao Chongyin, the Crown Prince¡¯s given name. Zhao Chongyin spoke slowly, ¡°Liu Qingshan was attacked by experts from the Demon Sect and the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Nurse, what do you think will happen?¡± The woman¡¯s face changed slightly when she heard this, ¡°With Liu Qingshan¡¯s cultivation at the Heavenly Flower Realm, it would be difficult to withstand the attack.¡± Although Liu Qingshan was quite powerful, he was one step away from the true apex. If the Demon Sect and Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion were to join forces, the consequences would be unimaginable. And the Five Gangs Alliance was an extremely important chess piece; its loss would be like losing an arm for the Crown Prince. ¡°Yes,¡± Zhao Chongyin concurred, eyes gleaming with amusement, ¡°but just then, the Ghost Swordsman and the forces behind him appeared, repelling the experts from the Demon Sect and Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion with a single move.¡± The woman¡¯s brows raised, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman?¡± Since the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s battle with the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, many great masters had taken notice of this swordsman from Jiangnan Dao. Although he defeated the severely injured Bodhisattva, this swordsman¡¯s strength was definitely above the Heavenly Flower Realm, possibly reaching the Half-step Master or even Grandmaster Realm. No one from the various factions around the world knew his true strength; most were merely speculating. Many were searching for any news of him, but to no avail; it was as if the man had appeared out of thin air. After a moment of contemplation, the woman said in a serious tone, ¡°What is his intention¡­? The Ghost Swordsman wouldn¡¯t make a move for no reason. Zhao Chongyin replied, ¡°He wants my help to clear his ¡®red name¡¯ from the records of the Xuanyi Guard.¡± ¡°What does the Crown Prince intend?¡± she asked. ¡°This Ghost Swordsman certainly is no ordinary character.¡± A hint of curiosity shone in Zhao Chongyin¡¯s refined eyes, ¡°I¡¯m actually curious about the identity of the Grandmaster backing him.¡± Grandmasters held a pivotal status in Jianghu, wherever they went. Aunt Bai nodded, ¡°If there really is a Grandmaster, it would be worth making a connection, even attracting him to our side.¡± ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is different from others,¡± Zhao Chongyin declared with a gleam of sharpness in his eyes, ¡°He has an old grudge with the Zhenyi Sect, which makes him suitable for forming an alliance with; there¡¯s no need to attract him.¡± Despite being the Crown Prince, attracting a master with Grandmaster strength wasn¡¯t easy, and Zhao Chongyin wasn¡¯t keen on expending so much effort. ¡°` ¡°Old grudges?¡± Aunt Bai felt a jolt in her heart, ¡°Has the Crown Prince already discovered this person¡¯s identity?¡± The Ghost Swordsman and the Zhenyi Sect have old grudges? There doesn¡¯t seem to be such a rumor in Jianghu, does there!? ¡°This person¡¯s identity is mysterious and unfathomable; it¡¯s not easy to discover his identity,¡± Zhao Chongyin shook his head and asked, ¡°The Heaven and Earth Net, where has it locked on to?¡± Aunt Bai slowly said, ¡°The Heaven and Earth Net has already locked onto Linhe Street in Yu State City. According to the information we have, it¡¯s difficult to pinpoint more precisely. We can only wait for the Ghost Swordsman to make another move and reveal more information.¡± Zhao Chongyin thought for a moment and said, ¡°You should return to Yujing City now and inform Elder Tang that the red name warrant for the Ghost Swordsman has been canceled. There¡¯s also no need to investigate his identity any longer.¡± ¡°Why is that?¡± ¡°Since this person does not wish to expose his identity, we should not investigate it and instead cause displeasure. By taking no action, we are making goodwill gestures. Since this person harbors old grudges against the Zhenyi Sect, let them investigate instead. Let Mengtai look into it; he has been rather idle lately.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s smile was gentle and warm as jade as he said, ¡°By the way, Mengtai still doesn¡¯t know that there¡¯s a Grandmaster backing the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Since they had conflicts of interest, it was better to let them fight it out. ¡°I understand,¡± Aunt Bai said. Her heart was somewhat tempted, not understanding what this matter had to do with Zhao Mengtai, but she had immense faith in the man before her, who had never let her down. ¡­.. As night gradually fell, Jishi Hall. ¡°Huh!¡± ¡°Judging by the time, the lady might be returning in a little over a month,¡± An Jing said as he saw off the last customer who had come to buy medicine. He then walked into the hall and took out a paper figure from his sleeve, a smile involuntarily appearing on his lips. The north wind blows south, the southern geese fly north. ¡°The chrysanthemum seeds have already been sown; now it¡¯s just waiting for the moment they bloom.¡± Humming a tune, An Jing headed towards the backyard. When the chrysanthemums filled the courtyard, the lady would surely be overjoyed upon seeing them. ¡°Son-in-law,¡± just then, Tan Yun walked over quickly, ¡°Miss has sent a message.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing perked up upon hearing this, ¡°Bring it here for me to see.¡± Tan Yun took out a letter and handed it over. An Jing eagerly opened the letter, then his eyes fixed tightly on the page, and the joy in his heart suddenly lessened a great deal. ¡°Son-in-law¡­?¡± Tan Yun noticed An Jing¡¯s frown deepening and couldn¡¯t help but ask. This was a letter urgently sent through the Human Sect¡¯s intelligence network by Zhao Qingmei, and she herself was unaware of its contents. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± An Jing put away the letter and sighed, ¡°The lady says she¡¯s been held up by trifles at home, and there are some relatives she needs to visit, so she might come back later than expected. She told me not to worry about her.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Tan Yun was not surprised; after all, Zhao Qingmei was the Sect Hierarch and was very busy, naturally dealing with innumerable matters. Offhandedly, An Jing asked, ¡°Tan Yun, does the lady have many relatives?¡± Zhao Qingmei had said she would return as soon as possible, but the reply now mentioned a delay of a month. Could it be ordinary trifles? Or had she run into some trouble? With that thought, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit worried. Upon hearing this, Tan Yun hastily gave a noncommittal response, ¡°Not too many, but not a few either.¡± An Jing nodded. ¡°Son-in-law, it¡¯s time for me to close up shop,¡± Tan Yun, fearing further questions from An Jing, immediately started heading towards the front hall. ¡°Could it be that the lady¡¯s family estates have fallen, and someone is demanding repayment?¡± An Jing muttered to himself, ¡°No, that¡¯s not right. The lady sold off the family assets and though not wealthy, she does have some property. If she owed debts, others wouldn¡¯t have let her leave.¡± ¡°Could it be because of a dispute over family assets?¡± With a wealthy family, it was inevitable to encounter financial disputes. If Zhao Qingmei had relatives come to demand money¡­ An Jing knew Zhao Qingmei¡¯s character quite well. She was kind-hearted, gentle, and virtuous, but she also had a streak of toughness and a bit of tyranny. With Zhao Qingmei around, the little black dog behaved like a ¡®grandson¡¯, never daring to go on a rampage. But since she had been gone, it had been howling viciously, as wild as an unleashed stray. And then there was the time Song Lin came to cause trouble in the medical hall, and Zhao Qingmei lifted the curtain and walked out from the backyard, seemingly fearless, her eyes always calm. The most memorable thing for An Jing was when he and Zhou Xianming went to the painting boat to listen to music and were accidentally discovered by Zhao Qingmei. Although it ended without incident, the words Zhao Qingmei said at the time left a deep impression on him. ¡°` The heart holds a fierce tiger, yet delicately sniffs the rose. If not born into a family of scholars, then Zhao Qingmei would undoubtedly be the most famous, most assertive woman in all the nearby villages. Forcing her to hand over her family fortune would be nearly impossible. Thinking of this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help feeling somewhat worried. The lady might have really encountered some trouble, or perhaps those relatives pressured her so much she couldn¡¯t return. After dinner, he lay in his bed but couldn¡¯t sleep; his mind was filled with worries, and he started to have all sorts of wild thoughts. Now the night had deepened, and the earth was engulfed in silence. After much tossing and turning, An Jing really couldn¡¯t sleep, and decided to get up for a glass of water. ¡°There¡¯s no water.¡± An Jing walked over to the table and discovered the teapot on it was empty. ¡°With the lady gone, there¡¯s not even water to drink.¡± With this lament, An Jing donned a coat and slowly walked out. Just then, he noticed a candle flickering in the front hall. This piqued his interest. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Tan Yun to still be awake so late, to be so diligent in her studies.¡± With this in mind, An Jing headed towards the front hall. He saw Tan Yun in a light purple dress, sitting in the spot where Li Fuzhou often read, engrossed in a book. An Jing tiptoed over, getting close to Tan Yun¡¯s back, afraid to disturb her studies. Tan Yun hadn¡¯t noticed his approach, so focused was she on her reading. ¡°Hm?!¡± But when An Jing caught a glimpse of the depraved content of the book, his expression changed drastically. Tan Yun finally heard a sound from behind and quickly closed the book she was holding. An Jing was holding a kettle, and Tan Yun had a figurine in her hands; both were slightly taken aback. The whole room seemed to freeze in that moment. Just then, little Heizi came trotting over, curiously looking at the odd pair. ¡°Son-in-law¡­ Umm, it¡¯s just two little figures fighting, there really isn¡¯t¡­¡± Tan Yun¡¯s face heated up to the base of her neck, as if water was about to drip from her red face; she wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground. Because of her nervousness, her voice shook. How could she have expected An Jing to get up in the middle of the night, just as she was getting to the interesting part of the book, and catch her red-handed? It was her own fault for sealing her meridians and dulling her six senses, not even hearing his footsteps. What would the son-in-law think of me after discovering I was reading this? Would he think this is the kind of person I am? At this thought, Tan Yun felt so ashamed she wished she could just die. ¡°Tan Yun¡­ you!¡± An Jing looked at her angrily, ¡°How can you read such books? And you still want to lie to me?¡± He had thought that Tan Yun was relentlessly poring over her studies, deepening her culinary knowledge, but she was actually immersed in such filth!? And upon being caught, she even tried to deceive him, but who did An Jing think he was!? ¡°It¡¯s my¡­my fault, I was wrong.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s head was lowered to her chest, her fair neck flushed; she looked like a child who had been caught doing something wrong. Seeing the Tan Yun in front of him, An Jing sighed internally. It seems, indeed, she has grown up. Tan Yun hastily said, ¡°Son-in-law, I just happened to take a look, no, no, I mean today is my first time. ¡°The first time!?¡± An Jing raised his eyebrow, his eyes conveying disbelief. ¡°Son-in-law, it truly is my first time today, really, you have to believe me, I¡¯m not that kind of person,¡± Tan Yun said biting her lip, ¡°I swear, if I¡¯m lying, then let little Heizi be struck by lightning and meet a terrible end.¡± Little Heizi wagged its tail at her side: ¡°??¡± ¡°Alright, I believe you,¡± An Jing nodded. Tan Yun, even the act of lying eludes you. ¡°Son-in-law, I really am here for the first time, you must believe me, I¡¯m not that sort of person,¡± Tan Yun, seeing the look in An Jing¡¯s eyes, hurriedly said. An Jing quickly reassured her, ¡°I believe, I believe you. When have I ever not believed you?¡± ¡°Son-in-law, if you believe me that¡¯s enough.¡± Tan Yun lowered her head, pleading, ¡°This matter must absolutely not be mentioned to Third Master or the young lady.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t tell anyone,¡± he replied. An Jing, his face serious, followed up, ¡°But you should look at this less, you understand?¡± As he spoke, An Jing snatched away the comic book from Tan Yun¡¯s hands. Was this something Tan Yun should be looking at? Seeing her beloved comic book taken away, Tan Yun said in a low voice, ¡°Son-in-law, don¡¯t you also read them?¡± ¡°Me? I am not the same as you,¡± An Jing shook his head. ¡°What, what¡¯s different?¡± Tan Yun seemed to have grown bolder and argued, ¡°You won¡¯t let me read, yet you sneak peeks yourself, what is this¡­. Do not do to others what you¡­. do not desire.¡± ¡°You¡¯re talking back? Alright, have it your way with the smart mouth, huh?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not being smart-mouthed, my mouth is soft,¡± she replied. Tan Yun even touched her own lips. ¡°Enough nonsense.¡± An Jing huffed lightly and said, ¡°I¡¯m confiscating this; you¡¯re not allowed to read it anymore. It¡¯s late; go to bed now.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Tan Yun glanced at the comic book in An Jing¡¯s hand, feeling a bit regretful. After all, it was a new release she hadn¡¯t finished reading yet. Watching Tan Yun¡¯s retreating figure, An Jing couldn¡¯t help shaking his head, ¡°Really not learning anything good. Can¡¯t manage to read books and learn characters, and now this?¡± You think too little of people, stinking son-in-law! Naturally, Tan Yun heard An Jing¡¯s murmur and her face turned even redder. An Jing examined the book in his hand, wondering to himself, ¡°This is a collector¡¯s edition; I didn¡¯t even manage to buy one back then. How did Tan Yun get her hands on it?¡± With that, he filled a pot with water and quickly stepped into his own room. Soon, a candle was lit in the room. Providing a semblance of solace in the long night. The little black puppy lay in the yard, looked up at the sky, and after letting out a breath, continued sleeping. ¡­ In Yu State City, Wuliang Temple. In a quiet chamber, Ling Yuanjing sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. ¡°Peak Master Ling, Grandmaster Yu Huai is in the Heavenly Sun Hall and says there is an important matter to discuss with you,¡± Just then, a crisp voice rang from outside the door. Ling Yuanjing opened his eyes and said, ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡± Having spoken, Ling Yuanjing slowly rose and headed out of the chamber towards the Heavenly Sun Hall. In no time, he arrived at the main hall of Wuliang Daoist Temple. At this moment, Grandmaster Yu Huai was sitting cross-legged in the center of the Great Hall. Upon seeing Ling Yuanjing enter, he hurried to his feet, ¡°Brother Ling.¡± ¡°Greetings to Uncle-Master Ling.¡± ¡°Greetings to Elder Ancestor Ling.¡± The temple master of Wuliang Daoist Temple and its disciples promptly gave their respectful greetings. Ling Yuanjing gestured with his hand and asked, ¡°What has happened?¡± ¡°It¡¯s about the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Grandmaster Yu Huai slowly replied. ¡°Oh?¡± Upon hearing this, Ling Yuanjing raised his hand to stop Grandmaster Yu Huai, who wished to keep speaking, and looked around, ¡°The rest of you may leave now.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Following Ling Yuanjing¡¯s words, everyone from Wuliang Daoist Temple stood and withdrew. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman matters greatly to our sect¡¯s century-long plan!¡± Ling Yuanjing said solemnly. The Ghost Swordsman was related to the ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture¡±; the matter was an urgent priority for the Zhenyi Sect. Naturally, it required extreme caution, as no one knew if there were spies from other factions within Wuliang Daoist Temple. ¡°Junior brother understands,¡± Grandmaster Yu Huai replied, nodding gravely upon hearing this. ¡°Good, tell me, what has happened?¡± Ling Yuanjing motioned with his hand. Grandmaster Yu Huai spoke in a solemn tone, ¡°I¡¯ve received intelligence from Qing Feng Hall. The Red Notice on the Ghost Swordsman issued by the Xuanyi Guard has disappeared, and the Heaven and Earth Net that¡¯s been pursuing him has also begun to withdraw.¡± Ling Yujing, upon hearing this, couldn¡¯t help but feel somewhat astonished, ¡°Oh?!¡± Once listed in the handbook of the Xuanyi Guard and annotated with a red name, it was basically extremely difficult to eliminate, especially the first-class red name, because the only people who could remove a red name were the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s Deputy Governor or the Great Commander, if not the current Human Emperor himself. Those who could persuade these people must hold extraordinary status in Jianghu. ¡°It seems that this Ghost Swordsman is no ordinary individual, and there might be a capable person behind him,¡± Ling Yuanjing said with a grave expression. The Real Person Yu Huai sighed, ¡°Without the Heaven and Earth Net, it will be even harder for us to find his whereabouts.¡± Initially, they had hoped to rely on the Heaven and Earth Net to locate the Ghost Swordsman, but now it seemed that this method was unfeasible. Although the Zhenyi Sect also had its own intelligence organization, it was completely insufficient compared to the Heaven and Earth Net. After all, the Zhenyi Sect had never thought to plot a rebellion, so naturally, they didn¡¯t brazenly develop their intelligence organization. Moreover, the Zhenyi Sect had already grown too prominent, leading to the dissatisfaction of the imperial court, so they had to be even more cautious in expanding the Qing Feng Hall. ¡°This really is troublesome.¡± Ling Yuanjing took a deep breath, ¡°I¡¯ve already sent out an invitation, but the Ghost Swordsman has yet to show up. It seems this person is also quite cunning.¡± The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s refusal to come to the meeting clearly meant he was unwilling to hand over his ¡°Daluo Heart Method¡± so easily, and given his previous raid on Liumu Villa with the intent to capture Qi Yun, he was obviously eager to obtain the ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture.¡± ¡°Hmph, he dares to covet the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯?¡± A cold smirk appeared at the corner of Real Person Yu Huai¡¯s mouth. The ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture¡± is one of the three great secret scriptures of this era; without strength, even if one obtains it, it¡¯s but a death sentence. ¡°In any case, we must strive to find him.¡± Ling Yuanjing pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Tomorrow, you shall personally make a trip to the Sky Scraping Cave at Tianku Mountain and invite the Reverend Mocloud to come out of seclusion.¡± ¡°Him?¡± Real Person Yu Huai asked with some doubt, ¡°But isn¡¯t it that the spirit-seeking rat needs to absorb the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Qi Mechanism to trace his whereabouts?¡± In this Jianghu, replete with hidden dragons and crouching tigers, talents emerge in great numbers, unfathomable in depth. At Sky Scraping Cave on Tianku Mountain, there resided a supreme master known as Reverend Mocloud. Not only was his cultivation profound, but he also raised an Exotic Beast¡ªa spirit-seeking rat that could follow the traces of Qi Mechanism residue to find its possessor. Ling Yuanjing smiled, ¡°Exactly, the next time the Ghost Swordsman makes a move, he will leave behind his Qi Mechanism. Then we can let the spirit-seeking rat absorb it to trace the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s whereabouts. Reverend Mocloud frequently does this to great effect.¡± Real Person Yu Huai said, ¡°But the price for inviting him out of seclusion is substantial.¡± ¡°There is no other way,¡± Ling Yuanjing replied slowly, ¡°As long as we can obtain the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture,¡¯ it¡¯s only a matter of time before our Sect Leader breaks through to the Great Grandmaster level, then the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s hundred-year plan can come to fruition.¡± Real Person Yu Huai nodded heavily, ¡°We must not underestimate the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength; although it is far from being as exaggerated as the rumors suggest, his cultivation is also at the peak of the Heavenly Flower Realm.¡± Ling Yuanjing said indifferently, ¡°If it¡¯s only the Heavenly Flower Realm, capturing him shouldn¡¯t be difficult. When the time comes, I will speak to my martial uncle and ask the other three senior brothers to take action together, to ensure there is no room for error.¡± Ling Yuanjing was known for acting with composure and sagacity, and despite being one of the four Peak Masters of the Zhenyi Sect with high status and great power, he remained neither arrogant nor impetuous. This earned him the high regard of Xiao Qianqiu, otherwise, he would not have been entrusted with the full authority to handle the Sect¡¯s major affairs while Xiao Qianqiu was in seclusion. Upon hearing this, Real Person Yu Huai felt a jolt in his spirit, ¡°The collaboration of several real people descending from their peaks is a treatment that the Demon Sect could have once enjoyed.¡± The Zhenyi Sect was making such a major movement; for hundreds of years, it was only during the campaign against the Demon Sect that such a grand occasion had occurred, with three of the four Peak Masters and all six Real People descending from the mountains, causing a sensation throughout the world. ¡°The lion uses all its strength even when catching a rabbit.¡± Ling Yuanjing said mysteriously, ¡°Moreover, in my view, the Ghost Swordsman is not a docile rabbit but a volatile and terrifying one.¡± Real Person Yu Huai nodded, feeling a surge of excitement, ¡°Tomorrow, I will set out for Tianku Mountain.¡± Ling Yuanjing smiled, ¡°No need to hurry, brother. Tomorrow, I will personally write a letter. Reverend Mocloud and I have met before, and with my letter in hand, it will add a touch of personal affection to the request.¡± ¡°Very well. Real Person Yu Huai nodded in agreement. ¡­.. Mazi Lane. In a dark room, there was an eerie silence. The mummified corpse was suspended in the middle of the room, below it a vast ocean of surging True Qi. At the center of the mummy was a crimson patch that seemed about to boil over under the billowing True Qi. True Qi! Since ancient times, only Grandmasters could transform the Qi Mechanism inside their bodies into the profound True Qi, and only True Qi could refine nature¡¯s spiritual energy. And naturally, True Qi was the hallmark of a Grandmaster. ¡°It¡¯s almost time¡­¡± The person felt the boiling of their blood and was ecstatic. Their True Qi then surged wildly, like the rolling waters of a river, rushing towards the mummified body. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°` I do not know how much time had passed, but the crimson blood quivered more fiercely, as if it was about to surge out from the corpse. ¡°Swish swish!¡± The next moment, the blood began to converge. What was once a mass of crimson blood turned into several drops in the blink of an eye, and then those drops merged back into a single drop. That one drop of blood was not only vivid as blood, but also carried an extremely brutal and fierce aura, as if it was not a drop of blood but a wildly ferocious beast. ¡°Undying Blood!¡± The person seeing that scarlet blood, had a glint of frenzy in his eyes. The single drop of blood was drawn out by the pull of True Qi, stripping away from the corpse before finally suspending in mid-air. ¡°Undying Blood, I can finally glimpse the secret of immortality.¡± Seeing this, the man waved his sleeve, his True Qi holding up that drop of fresh blood. ¡°Roar!¡± At that moment, an astounding roar emanated from the blood, a deafening sound. Even with the person¡¯s cultivation at the Grandmaster Realm, his heart turned cold at that moment. Following that explosive roar, the blood began to dissipate. In just the blink of an eye, it vanished into the darkness of the room. The Undying Blood disappeared!? ¡°This!?¡± Seeing this scene, the person was completely dumbfounded, his features twisted in extreme distortion. The Undying Blood was so close at hand, yet in the end, it evaporated, turning into a mere illusion? ¡°How can this be? How is this possible!?¡± The person clenched his fists, his eyes filled with astonishment, and then he grabbed the dry corpse laying on the ground. At this moment, there was nothing but emptiness within the dry corpse, as if the Undying Blood had completely evaporated as well. ¡°Creak!¡± ¡°Creak!¡± Bones made crisp sounds as his palms grasped too tightly. ¡°My Undying Blood!¡± Seeing this, his eyes filled with a trace of blood. He had struggled for years, just to obtain that drop of Undying Blood, but just as the Undying Blood was within reach, it collapsed and disappeared. If everything had been merely an illusion, he might have accepted it, but the Undying Blood was right before his eyes, almost within his grasp. How could he possibly bear this!? He felt his heart trembling. Not knowing how much time had passed, the person finally exhaled slowly, calming down, ¡°Indeed, obtaining this Undying Blood is not easy.¡± ¡°The Undying Blood was right before my eyes this time, truly unbearable to think about. Next time, next time I must obtain the Undying Blood and find the mystery of longevity.¡± With that thought, he adjusted his emotions and walked slowly out of the house. It was dawn with a ray of sunlight shining on the land. It shone upon his withered, old face. This person was none other than Elder Jiang. ¡°Grandpa Jiang, Grandpa Jiang.¡± Just then, a youthful voice came from afar. A little girl in coarse clothing, with a joyful smile in her eyes and on her lips, ran toward him. ¡°What is it, Xiao Ya?¡± Elder Jiang¡¯s mouth carried a slight smile as he lifted the girl who ran into his arms. Xiao Ya voiced her concern, ¡°Grandpa Jiang, I heard some noise from your place just now, so I ran over to check on you.¡± He Ping and his wife were both busy with work, often leaving Xiao Ya alone at home. Although she was young, she was very well-behaved, not only keeping her own home clean but sometimes she would also help the destitute Elder Jiang with his cleaning. ¡°Hahaha.¡± Elder Jiang laughed upon hearing this. ¡°Grandpa Jiang, you seem to be in a bad mood?¡± Xiao Ya asked curiously. ¡°Can you tell?¡± Elder Jiang responded in surprise. ¡°` ¡°Yes, I can feel it,¡± the young girl said seriously. ¡°It¡¯s like standing in the cold wind.¡± ¡°Yes, my mood is very bad.¡± Jiang Ye stroked the young girl¡¯s face and sighed deeply. ¡°Grandpa Jiang, if there¡¯s anything upsetting you, you can talk to me about it,¡± the young girl said with concern. ¡°My Undying Blood is gone,¡± Jiang Ye said despondently. ¡°What¡¯s Undying Blood?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a treasure that can grant people longevity. ¡°Grandpa Jiang, can people really achieve immortality?¡± ¡°Why not?¡± The young girl was puzzled, quite skeptical about the longevity Jiang Ye spoke of. ¡°If only I could stay as young as you.¡± Jiang Ye pinched the young girl¡¯s cheek and smiled. ¡°Pity that time doesn¡¯t turn back.¡± The young girl always felt that there was something odd about Jiang Ye today, especially when he smiled, which gave her a chilling feeling. ¡°Grandpa Jiang, I should get going now.¡± ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± At this, Jiang Ye smiled and said, ¡°Young girl, would you like to stay with Grandpa Jiang forever?¡± The young girl pressed her lips together and said softly, ¡°Although I¡¯d like to, my parents still need me.¡± ¡°It seems you don¡¯t agree then?¡± Jiang Ye¡¯s smile deepened, but the young girl felt even colder. ¡°I want to go home now.¡± The young girl quickly tried to break free from Jiang Ye¡¯s embrace, but no matter how hard she struggled, it was in vain. ¡°Wuwuwu¡­ Grandpa Jiang, I want to go home,¡± the young girl cried out. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, young girl.¡± Seeing her cry, Jiang Ye promptly wiped away the tears from her eyes and said, ¡°If you promise to stay with Grandpa Jiang, I will let you go back.¡± The young girl, hearing this, sobbed, ¡°Okay, I will stay with Grandpa Jiang whenever I have time in the future.¡± ¡°Very good, very good.¡± Jiang Ye, delighted at her words, said, ¡°Young girl, do you know? Grandpa Jiang likes you the most, and I¡¯m especially happy when you¡¯re with me.¡± The young girl, looking at Grandpa Jiang in front of her, felt both shocked and scared. ¡°Grandpa Jiang, can you let me go back now?¡± ¡°Since you¡¯ve said you would stay with Grandpa Jiang, why talk about going back home?¡± Hearing this, Jiang Ye suddenly showed discontent. ¡°I¡­¡± Before the young girl could finish her words, she felt a blur before her eyes and an immense pain surging within her, as if she was being consumed by flames. The intense pain did not last long, just a moment, and then she closed her eyes. Looking affectionately at the young girl in his arms, Jiang Ye said softly, ¡°Young girl, you said you¡¯d stay with Grandpa Jiang, so go ahead and wait for me.¡± The girl in his arms appeared to be fast asleep, giving no response whatsoever. Jiang Ye then carefully laid down the girl, as if fearful of hurting her, and then walked out of the house with measured steps. As spring arrived, the weather gradually warmed. At this time, Yu State City was bustling with pedestrians and traffic, a scene of prosperity. Jiang Ye walked in the streets, stepping into the gentle sunshine. ¡°Jiang Ye, long time no see,¡± said a patrolling constable upon catching sight of Jiang Ye. ¡°Why do you look so pale?¡± Jiang Ye chuckled lightly, ¡°Indeed, it has been a while. I¡¯m feeling unwell, and I¡¯m about to go check in at Jishi Hall.¡± ¡°Then you better hurry, Doctor An is still quite skillful,¡± the constable said promptly. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Along the way, people would occasionally greet Jiang Ye, and he courteously responded to everyone. Having been in the area for two or three years and being approachable and easygoing, he had made a very positive impression on everyone. After walking through two or three streets, Jiang Ye finally reached the street market by the Yu State River and then arrived at the entrance of Jishi Hall. Suddenly, he paused, his eyes fixated on the brand-new plaque above the door with a trace of distraction. ¡°Yu State City is really a good place; I wonder why I¡¯m finding it hard to leave.¡± Chapter 132 - Chapter 132: Chapter 132 The Moment of Death in Yu State City Chapter 132: Chapter 132 The Moment of Death in Yu State City ¡°` Jishi Hall interior. Tan Yun, holding a feather duster, was dusting the table and humming a tune as she cleaned. Looking at the counters and tables she had wiped spotlessly clean, she suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of achievement. ¡°Tan Yun, oh Tan Yun, you are getting more and more diligent. Whoever marries you will indeed be lucky for eight generations.¡± As she said this, she paused, ¡°No, make that sixteen generations.¡± Little Black lay on the ground asleep when suddenly it lifted its head, looking towards the entrance of Jishi Hall. Tan Yun also heard footsteps and looked over. At that moment, the curtain was slightly lifted, and a figure walked in slowly. This person was none other than Mr. Jiang. ¡°Are you here for a consultation or to buy medicine?¡± Tan Yun put down the feather duster and asked, ¡°The doctor is out, you will have to wait if you¡¯re here for a consultation.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not here for a consultation, not here to buy medicine,¡± Mr. Jiang shook his head. Not here for a consultation, not here to buy medicine!? At this, Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but feel puzzled, ¡°Then what brings you here?¡± ¡°I came to kill someone,¡± Mr. Jiang said indifferently. His tone was very calm, as if killing someone was nothing more than a trivial matter for him. And indeed it was. Many who indulged in killing sought pleasure from it, but he no longer found any pleasure in killing. It had made him somewhat numb. Instead of being scared, Tan Yun burst into laughter upon hearing this, ¡°Then, dear guest, it seems you¡¯ve come to the wrong place. This is a medical hall, a place for healing and saving lives, not for killing.¡± Although Tan Yun had not been in the Jianghu for long, she wasn¡¯t someone unfamiliar with bloodshed. Otherwise, she would not have earned the nickname ¡°Frost Rash¡± in the Jianghu with only her Futu Sword. However, in the Jianghu, only a handful knew that one of the four guardians of the Demon Sect was known as Frost Rash, but as for her real name and appearance, very few were aware. Mr. Jiang shook his head, ¡°There¡¯s no mistake. The person I want to kill is right here.¡± ¡°Who!?¡± Seeing that the man did not seem to be joking, Tan Yun discreetly unlocked the sealing within her body. ¡°The doctor here,¡± Mr. Jiang smiled. ¡°Tan Yun, whether you unlock the Life Gate Seal or not makes no difference. Today, whoever comes here must die.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Tan Yun¡¯s expression changed slightly upon hearing this. The Life Gate Seal was a Concealing Method of the Demon Sect that hid one¡¯s Qi Mechanism. In the Jianghu, there were numerous methods for concealing one¡¯s Qi Mechanism, most of which were quite elementary. Any expert with profound cultivation and sensitive Qi Mechanism could sense them. There were also relatively advanced Concealing Methods, including the Demon Sect¡¯s Heavenly Demon Secret of Heavenly Demon Myriad Forms, Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Unity of One, and the Buddhist¡¯s Formless and Selfless. These were extremely difficult to detect. The Human Sect was mainly responsible for investigation and intelligence. They were the top spies of the Demon Sect. While their Cultivation and strength might not be the peak, their methods of concealment were among the best in the Jianghu. The Life Gate Seal, in particular, cut off one¡¯s own Qi Mechanism and meridians, making the person appear like an ordinary person with absolutely no Qi Mechanism day to day. The only drawback was that one needed to unlock this seal before its use. How could this person see through her Life Gate Seal!? How was this possible? She knew that with her Second Grade Cultivation, even a Half-step Master couldn¡¯t sense the Life Gate Seal within her. And most importantly, the person before her knew her name. She did not recall ever meeting him. ¡°Who exactly are you!?¡± Tan Yun took a slight step back. ¡°Who am I?!¡± Mr. Jiang muttered to himself, then black mists surged from within him, one after another. ¡°Heavenly Demon Myriad Forms!?¡± ¡°` ¡°` Upon seeing this, Tan Yun¡¯s heart trembled, her eyes filled with disbelief. The ¡°Heavenly Demon Secret¡± and its ¡°Heavenly Demon Myriad Forms¡± were all too familiar to her, a technique within the Demon Sect that could only be cultivated by the Sect Hierarch. There was little doubt about the identity of the person before her eyes. The black fog gradually dissipated, revealing an old man with a kind face and youthful appearance, even bearing a semblance of an immortal or a Daoist master in front of her. She had seen this face before. ¡°O¡­Old Sect Hierarch!¡± Tan Yun cried out in shock. The person before her was none other than Jiang Shang, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect who had disappeared for many years. Who was Jiang Shang? This name carried an intimidating presence in the Great Yan martial world, no less terrifying than Xiao Qianqiu, and even more profound and unforgettable. Back when the Demon Sect dominated the Great Yan martial world, Xiao Qianqiu did not possess the formidable strength he has today. At that time, the Sect Hierarch of the Zhenyi Sect was still Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s master, Great Heavenly Yang Ye Ding, and the Human Emperor of Taiping had only just ascended to the throne. Jiang Shang proclaimed himself the number one person in the Great Yan martial world, and the Demon Sect¡¯s arrogance and despotism were extreme, wielding power over the elements at will in the Great Yan martial world. The Pavilion Master of the Youyun Pavilion was decapitated and his pavilion destroyed by Jiang Shang for arriving late to a banquet held by the Demon Sect. Brutal and oppressive, ruthless and murderous, with an overwhelming aura¡­ This was the impression of the Demon Sect amongst the martial world, where almost everyone respected and feared the Demon Sect, yet dared not to speak out against them. Meanwhile, numerous talented youths joined the Demon Sect, which had its own methods of nurturing talent. With the infusion of fresh blood, the Demon Sect did not decline but grew even more powerful, casting a shadow over the entire Great Yan martial world. The rampant rise of the Demon Sect was largely thanks to Jiang Shang. This man was ferocious and volatile, causing chills in the hearts of those both outside and within the Demon Sect. In order to eradicate this scourge, the Sect Hierarch of the Zhenyi Sect, Ye Ding, challenged Jiang Shang to a duel. The agreed-upon location was the ancestral court of the Mystical Sect, atop Mount Xuanqing. This event, naturally, became a sensation, with countless experts flocking to witness the clash between two of the era¡¯s top masters. Aside from the Demon Sect, everyone hoped that Ye Ding would settle the matter in one decisive battle, eliminating Jiang Shang and restoring clarity to the Great Yan martial world. But the result was unexpected. Ye Ding fought Jiang Shang for an entire day, and as their inner strengths nearly ran out, neither emerged victorious. Subsequently, they could only agree to fight again once they had recovered from their injuries. After this battle, the Human Emperor of Taiping could no longer tolerate the rampant Demon Sect and decided to eradicate the Demon Sect forces in Great Yan. He dispatched the Xuanyi Guard and the Zhenyi Sect, together with several major powers in the Jianghu including the Five Poison Sect and the Blue River Sect, initiating a large-scale campaign against the Demon Sect. Far from being subdued, Jiang Shang let the leader of the Xuanwu Sect lead a force from Dongluo Pass to strike at Great Yan and even organized a rebellion within Great Yan to resist the Great Yan Dynasty. This shocked the world, as nobody expected Jiang Shang to be so daring. Although the Demon Sect¡¯s army was quickly annihilated by the Great Yan Dynasty, and the Demon Sect was forced to retreat, it revealed the extent of Jiang Shang¡¯s crazed nature. Afterward, as the Demon Sect fell back to Dongluo Pass, Xiao Qianqiu, Ye Ding¡¯s disciple, rose rapidly. His strength increased dramatically, and even Ye Ding admitted he was no match for him. Within just over thirty years, Xiao Qianqiu grew to become the number one person in the Great Yan martial world, looking down upon all in Great Yan. ¡°Who would have thought, who would have thought,¡± Jiang Shang chuckled softly, then took a seat on his own accord. Tan Yun¡¯s fear peaked, ¡°The¡­ The young lady, she has returned.¡± Even within the sect, Jiang Shang was someone who made everyone inwardly shudder. Those in power often rule with a combination of kindness and severity, balancing strictness with leniency, but Jiang Shang governed by wielding immense strength and employing ruthless measures to instill fear among his followers, causing great oppression within the hearts of the Demon Sect disciples. One moment his lips might bear a smile, praising you, and the next, you could be beheaded and destroyed. Capricious and unpredictable ¨C this was Jiang Shang, the thirty-first Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. ¡°I know.¡± ¡°` Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes were calm as the abyss, ¡°I know Qingmei has returned. It was I who had Duanmu Xinghua send her a letter to ask her to go back.¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun¡¯s heart grew even colder, ¡°Jiang Sect¡­ Sect Hierarch.¡± So the Sect Hierarch had returned just for¡­ The old Sect Hierarch came here today with a resolve to kill the groom! ¡°Qingmei is a very talented and ambitious person, her future is boundless.¡± Jiang Shang sat in the chair, saying, ¡°Moreover, she is the present day Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. Such a person should not have weaknesses, should not be hindered, not for her own sake, nor for the Demon Sect. It is a misfortune.¡± Tan Yun took a deep breath and mustered the courage to say, ¡°But¡­ But if Jiang Sect Hierarch were to kill the groom¡­¡± ¡°She will hate me, but one day she will come to understand. Either be mediocre, or be lonely.¡± Jiang Shang smiled faintly, ¡°When she stands on the peak of that mountain one day, she will understand, she might even thank me. Loneliness and solitude are the first steps to reaching the pinnacle of this world, it has always been so throughout history.¡± His coming today was for this purpose. Tan Yun stood to one side, as cold sweat quickly beaded on her forehead. ¡­.. In Yu State City, on Fulu Street. An Jing carried his medicine box, his brows tightly furrowed. For some reason, since he went out this morning, he had felt restless, even more so than when he faced the Thousand-year-old Black Python beneath Qinghe Pier. His heart was beating incessantly, as if it was about to jump out of his throat. ¡°Could it be because of Qingmei?¡± An Jing muttered to himself, ¡°Or is it that black opportunity¡­¡± Just then, a burst of firecrackers erupted ahead, and the beating of drums and gongs filled the air with festivity. ¡°Hurry, go have a look, today is Mu Jie¡¯s big day at the Mu Family, they laid out eighty-eight tables for the feast.¡± ¡°Really? Eighty-eight tables!?¡± ¡°Could this be false? Of course, it¡¯s true.¡± ¡°The Mu Family truly lives up to being one of the great four families, so very generous.¡± ¡°The bride Mu Jie is marrying is no ordinary woman either; she¡¯s Cao Ling¡¯er from the Cao Family, famously beautiful.¡± ¡°Here they come, let¡¯s go and share in the joy.¡± ¡­.. The people on the street were all discussing animatedly. The wedding procession slowly made its way forward, brimming with jubilation. In the lead rode a handsome man on a tall horse, his lips curved in a smile, receiving congratulations from the people around him. The only fault, if it could be called that, was a light scar on that beautiful face. This man was Mu Jie. Two maids carrying bamboo baskets followed by his side, continually throwing wedding coins into the streets. ¡°It¡¯s him.¡± An Jing, watching the man atop the horse, could not help remembering. When he had gone to the Cao Gang¡¯s Yu State City branch to kill the men from Tieyun Mountain, he had crossed paths with this young man, but since he didn¡¯t want to attract unnecessary trouble, he did not kill him to silence him. Unexpectedly, this young man was Mu Jie of the Mu Family. At this moment, Mu Jie rode atop a tall horse, a faint smile hanging on his lips. He was very pleased with the alliance between the Mu and Cao families. Cao Ling¡¯er was not only attractive but also gentle in nature. He believed she would undoubtedly be a wise and good wife in the future. After all, a man of his status usually marries a principal wife mostly for a marriage of convenience. Being able to marry a woman like Cao Ling¡¯er was indeed fortunate. Just then, his eyes spotted a young man in the crowd. For some reason, looking at that youth, Mu Jie felt a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. The tall horse moved quickly, and the clamour of cheers soon pulled his mind back to reality. ¡°How strange.¡± Mu Jie thought nothing more of it and rode the horse into the distance. The bearers followed with the palanquin, and the sounds of celebration echoed in all directions. Sitting inside the palanquin, Cao Ling¡¯er¡¯s face bore a hint of sorrow. She wasn¡¯t unsatisfied with Mu Jie ¨C the proud talent of Jiangnan Dao, he was astute, highly intelligent, and treated her with great courtesy and respect. But looking at Mu Jie, she couldn¡¯t understand why she didn¡¯t feel that true joy and pleasure from her heart. ¡°Alas!¡± Cao Ling¡¯er let out a sigh, then peered outside through the red wedding veil covering the palanquin window. Suddenly, the figure of a man who had appeared in her dreams countless times suddenly appeared before her eyes. ¡°An Jing!¡± Even though his face and majority of his body were obscured by the crowd, she recognized him instantly amid the sea of people. Somehow, seeing him at that moment, Cao Ling¡¯er felt as if her heart was being twisted by a knife. It hurt! It was a wrenching pain. Cao Ling¡¯er clutched her chest tightly, and by the time she regained her composure, that silhouette had already disappeared with the tide of people. She hurriedly lifted the curtain, looking all around amidst the throng, but he was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Has he left? Did he come today to wish me well?¡± Lowering the curtain, Cao Ling¡¯er couldn¡¯t help but recall the first time she saw An Jing in her boudoir. The image of his strong, reliable back and the smile curling at the corner of his mouth as he turned to face her seemed so vivid as if it were right before her eyes. Thinking of this, Cao Ling¡¯er chuckled softly to herself, her eyes brimming with bittersweet tears. Your arrival was like a storm I couldn¡¯t avoid; your departure threw my seasons into disarray, leaving me with a lingering illness beyond cure. ¡­¡­ ¡°I should go see the patients first.¡± An Jing stood among the crowd, watching the wedding procession depart. He sighed, then started walking towards the distance. Soon, he arrived at Sesame Oil Street. ¡°Thump thump!¡± An Jing stepped up and knocked on the door. ¡°Coming.¡± ¡°Squeak.¡± Shortly after, a voice came from behind the door. As the door opened, there appeared an ordinary-looking middle-aged woman with an honest and simple demeanor. ¡°Aunt Liu!¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but let out a light chuckle upon seeing her. The person who had opened the door was none other than the wife of his benefactor, Niu Fu. It was Niu Fu who had played matchmaker, introducing him to Zhao Qingmei, so An Jing had always felt grateful to Niu Fu. Aunt Liu hastily said, ¡°Come in quickly.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Has Uncle Niu¡¯s chronic condition flared up again?¡± Aunt Liu, with a worried expression, replied, ¡°Yes. I told him not to go fishing, but he insisted on going. In such cold weather, he still thinks he¡¯s in his twenties.¡± The two walked through the main hall and arrived at the bedroom. There they saw a middle-aged man lying prone on the bed, his face showing signs of pain and his forehead covered in beads of sweat. This man was Niu Fu. ¡°Doctor An, you¡¯re finally here,¡± said Niu Fu with a hint of joy in his eyes as he saw An Jing enter. ¡°Uncle Niu, don¡¯t worry, let me take a look at you first,¡± An Jing said as he placed his medicine box on the table and took out several silver needles. Niu Fu was suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. When the weather suddenly turned cold or during rainy days, his joints would be in extreme pain, to the point where they could become numb or even cramp up. To cure such symptoms completely would require a significant amount of time resting and could not be done overnight. Niu Fu¡¯s condition had flared up again after he had gone into the water to catch fish. An Jing picked up the silver needles and pricked them into Niu Fu¡¯s body several times, then infused a faint trace of inner strength to draw out the cold and damp energy within him. As the cold and damp energy dissipated, Niu Fu¡¯s expression became more relaxed. After about the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the chill and dampness in his body were entirely absorbed. To prevent the exposure of his cultivation, An Jing could only use a small amount of inner strength. Otherwise, the cold and damp energy within Niu Fu could have been easily absorbed in just a few breaths. ¡°All done,¡± An Jing said, exhaling. ¡°Doctor An, your medical skills are truly miraculous,¡± Niu Fu exclaimed, feeling the absence of discomfort in his body. Aunt Liu also seemed relieved and then scolded lightly, ¡°You old fool, it would serve you right if the pain killed you. Hurry up and thank Doctor An.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes!¡± Niu Fu smiled and said, ¡°It was a bother for you to come here personally, Doctor An.¡± An Jing quickly waved his hand and replied, ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all, this is what I should do. If anyone should be thankful, it¡¯s me who should be thanking Uncle Niu¡ªif it weren¡¯t for him, I wouldn¡¯t have married such a virtuous wife.¡± An Jing felt genuine gratitude toward Niu Fu. Hearing this, Niu Fu chuckled awkwardly. Aunt Liu also seemed hesitant to speak. ¡°Ahem!¡± Seeing this, Niu Fu quickly coughed and said, ¡°Hurry and give Doctor An the consultation fee.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Aunt Liu quickly took out her purse and retrieved a tael of silver. ¡°A consultation doesn¡¯t cost a tael of silver. Let¡¯s forget about it this time,¡± An Jing said as he put away the silver needles and prepared to stand up and walk towards the door. ¡°Wait a moment, Doctor An!¡± Aunt Liu became anxious, grabbing An Jing¡¯s clothes and saying, ¡°We can¡¯t just forget about the consultation fee. You must take it. If you don¡¯t, we won¡¯t feel right.¡± With that, she placed the tael of silver into An Jing¡¯s hand. ¡°This¡­¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow slightly. ¡°Aunt Liu, the consultation fee you¡¯re offering is too much.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not too much, just take it,¡± Aunt Liu said, waving her hand. Seeing this, Niu Fu immediately felt a pang of distress and exclaimed, ¡°The consultation and treatment only cost one hundred copper coins, why are you giving so much?¡± That was an entire tael of silver! Aunt Liu glared fiercely at Niu Fu and said, ¡°It¡¯s just a tael of silver, not even worth one-tenth of what you take!¡± Upon hearing this, Niu Fu¡¯s neck shrank, and he suddenly looked like a crestfallen quail. Looking at the silver in his hand, An Jing asked curiously, ¡°What one-tenth?¡± He felt something was off with Aunt Liu and Niu Fu today. Niu Fu quickly said, ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s nothing. Just take the tael of silver and go.¡± An Jing insisted, ¡°No, this tael of silver is really too much.¡± Such an amount would make others think he was taking advantage, when he prided himself on honesty. Moreover, Niu Fu was not from a wealthy family. He made a living as a small-time merchant, known to be stingy but also very credible. The tael of silver must have been saved from the narrowest margins, and An Jing wouldn¡¯t feel right accepting it. Aunt Liu said, ¡°Doctor An, just take it. If you don¡¯t, we won¡¯t feel at ease.¡± ¡°What is this?¡± An Jing was puzzled; why would they feel uneasy if he didn¡¯t take the money? ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense!¡± Niu Fu, hearing this, quickly shouted, ¡°Doctor An, the silver is a gift from us, to express our gratitude for curing my ailment.¡± An Jing became even more bewildered, ¡°A gift for me?¡± Niu Fu was famously as tight-fisted as a scalded chicken, never parting with a single feather. He was known in Yu State City as a notorious miser, and now he was giving silver to someone else? ¡°You should leave now,¡± said Niu Fu, his heart aching at the sight of the silver. ¡°No, I can¡¯t take this silver,¡± An Jing insisted, turning to Aunt Liu, ¡°What¡¯s the real story behind this silver?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Aunt Liu suddenly looked troubled. Niu Fu was like an ant on a hot pan, ¡°We can¡¯t say, I¡¯ve sworn not to let it slip.¡± That was the equivalent of a hundred strings of copper coins! Seeing this, An Jing felt even more certain that Niu Fu was hiding something from him. An Jing turned to Aunt Liu and said, ¡°Aunt Liu, you are an honest person, and deep down, you¡¯re kind-hearted. I trust what you say.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a hundred guan of money!¡± Niu Fu became frantic. ¡°Silence!¡± Aunt Liu sharply reprimanded, then turned to An Jing, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll just tell you, Dr. An. In fact, Miss Zhao spent a hundred guan for Niu Fu to make this match¡­¡± A hundred guan of money!? Upon hearing this, An Jing was shocked; his wife actually had so much money. A hundred guan was equal to a hundred taels of silver, and when converted to copper coins, it amounted to a hundred thousand pieces, while a string of candied haws cost only three copper coins¡­¡­ ¡°The hundred guan is gone!¡± Seeing this, Niu Fu sat down on the chair, muttering to himself in a daze. Aunt Liu continued, ¡°At first, Niu Fu and I thought the hundred guan was for that young master, but Miss Zhao insisted she would have no one but the doctor from Jishi Hall.¡± ¡°No one but me!?¡± An Jing felt like he had been struck by lightning. He had thought that he just caught Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eye or that it was some kind of miraculous fate, that he simply appeared during her most difficult time, giving her a sense of dependency. But he never expected that Zhao Qingmei had been determined to choose him from the start. ¡°Yes, she gave far too much,¡± Aunt Liu sighed, ¡°Moreover, her family fell on hard times, sold all their property, and she, a delicate woman, traveled over mountains and waters from Ping County. I had been against accepting the hundred guan from the start, and you, Dr. An, are such a kind-hearted person. I think you two are truly well-matched.¡± ¡°Wuu wuu! Wuu wuu!¡± Niu Fu burst into tears upon hearing this, ¡°My hundred guan is gone.¡± ¡°You cur!¡± Aunt Liu kicked hard at Niu Fu¡¯s leg, ¡°Stop embarrassing yourself in front of Dr. An. It¡¯s just a hundred guan, can¡¯t you show a little backbone?¡± Niu Fu sighed, wiped away the tears at the corner of his eyes, ¡°Dr. An, just wait a moment, the remaining ninety-eight guan is under the bed, I¡¯ll get it for you now; I didn¡¯t dare to spend any of it.¡± An Jing stopped Niu Fu, ¡°No need.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Aunt Liu interjected. An Jing smiled, ¡°Since it was given by my wife to you, naturally there¡¯s no reason to take it back.¡± Niu Fu was also surprised, ¡°Dr. An, do you truly think this way? Actually, thirty guan of it was a bribe; I can give it to you.¡± Saying this, Niu Fu¡¯s face showed great distress. ¡°I don¡¯t want it.¡± An Jing placed a handful of silver coins on the table, then strode towards the exit. Niu Fu and Aunt Liu looked at each other. ¡°Old Niu, what should we do with this silver?¡± Aunt Liu glanced under the bed. ¡°Let¡¯s use this money to buy some clothes and food for the beggar children in the south of the city,¡± Niu Fu thought for a moment and sighed, ¡°This winter has passed, I don¡¯t even know how many are left. I had never dared to spend this money before, but now that Dr. An has said his piece, I won¡¯t be polite any longer.¡± Aunt Liu smiled and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go now.¡± ¡­¡­. An Jing left the Sesame Oil Street and glanced at the sky, unable to help but think of Zhao Qingmei, his lips curling up slightly. For some reason, after hearing the news from Aunt Liu, he urgently wanted to see Zhao Qingmei. Looking up at the clear blue sky, every white cloud seemed to take on the shape of Zhao Qingmei. Thinking of this, he couldn¡¯t help but take out the paper figurine from his sleeve and gave it a slight twist. The next moment, the paper figurine responded. It seemed that at any time, Zhao Qingmei could respond to him the fastest, as if she was always guarding that paper figurine. ¡°Time is passing too slowly.¡± After a while, An Jing reluctantly put away the paper figurine and quickly headed towards Jishi Hall. From Sesame Oil Street to Jishi Hall was neither far nor close. After passing through two or three streets and a stone bridge, with his feet on the cobblestones, An Jing saw the signboard of Jishi Hall, but for some reason, his heart gave a sudden throb. Impulse! Such a strong impulse was something he had never experienced before. Footsteps entered Jishi Hall. Jiang Shang, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them. ¡°Not good!¡± Tan Yun¡¯s breath hitched. She knew that if Jiang Shang made a move, An Jing would have no chance of survival. ¡°Son-in-law, run!¡± Just as An Jing was about to lift the curtain and step in, he suddenly heard Tan Yun¡¯s loud shout. Upon hearing her voice, An Jing felt a surge of cold air rush towards him. Almost instinctively, he retreated backward. ¡°Tan Yun!¡± Jiang Shang glanced at Tan Yun. ¡°Bang!¡± Tan Yun felt an immense pressure assault her, and her body immediately knelt on the ground, her knees hitting the hard floor with a loud noise, creating a spider-web-like crack. Blood seeped from the corner of Tan Yun¡¯s mouth. ¡°You should thank Li Fuzhou for your survival today,¡± Jiang Shang said indifferently, before walking towards the exit. An Jing also heard the noise inside and instinctively felt a great danger, and he began to sprint away into the distance. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Planning to run?¡± Jiang Shang watched An Jing bolt away with a mild smile at the corner of his mouth. He enjoyed watching the spectacle of others frantically fleeing, the exhilarating sensation of tension and the pleasure of holding life and death in his hands, which intoxicated him. ¡°Run¡­ run fast! Get away from here!¡± Tan Yun, seeing Jiang Shang chasing after An Jing, suddenly felt her heart sink to the bottom, her voice carrying a sob. Chapter 135 - Chapter 135: Chapter 135 The First Swordsman Lou Xiangzhen Chapter 135: Chapter 135 The First Swordsman Lou Xiangzhen Lijiang City, there¡¯s a tavern. ¡°Have you heard? Zhenyi Sect has started issuing bounties for the Ghost Swordsman.¡± ¡°That has already spread throughout Jianghu. Who isn¡¯t aware of it? Just report the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s whereabouts to the people of Qing Feng Hall. If accurate, you could receive fifty thousand silver.¡± ¡°Fifty thousand silver! Really?¡± ¡°Zhenyi Sect¡¯s pill workshop is not short of money; for them, fifty thousand silver is but a drop in the bucket.¡± ¡°But placing a bounty of fifty thousand silver shows that Zhenyi Sect is indeed taking this matter very seriously.¡± ¡°What grudge does Zhenyi Sect have with the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡°It¡¯s said that the death of Qi Yun was due to that Ghost Swordsman.¡± ¡°There¡¯s even bigger news. Do you know about Dongluo Pass? A Grandmaster level expert recently emerged there, but it¡¯s still not clear who it is.¡± ¡°Then, the Demon Sect¡¯s power has grown by another notch.¡± ¡­¡­. Amid the tavern, discussions buzzed as some people from Jianghu talked about significant events happening within Jianghu. In a corner, a man dressed in a black robe sat, his expression as indifferent as water. This man was An Jing, who had hurried from Yu State City to Lijiang City. ¡°Zhenyi Sect¡­¡± An Jing took a deep breath, his brow slightly furrowed. Zhenyi Sect had begun their search for him due to the Daluo Heart Method. It looked like he had to be more wary of Zhenyi Sect now. Being the national religion of Great Yan, Zhenyi Sect had numerous experts under their command, including the Four Peaks and the Seven True Masters. Xiao Qianqiu, who had been seated in Jianghu for decades, was probably stronger than that Lord Jiang. ¡°Hm!?¡± Just then, a dusty figure entered through the doorway. It was an elderly man, dressed in grey clothes that had been washed to a white hue, holding a longsword in his hand, his face showing a bitter expression, his eyes seeming cloudy yet hiding a gleam of sharpness. The old man walked in, looking for something as his gaze swept around before finally finding an empty seat. He sat down and called out loudly, ¡°Waiter, bring some good dishes and a pot of fine wine.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± The waiter responded with a clear shout. The old man looked ordinary, but An Jing felt a familiar aura emanating from him. Jiang Sanjia!? An Jing¡¯s brow twisted, sensing the same qi from this old man as he felt from Jiang Sanjia. It seemed the old man was releasing it on purpose. This was none other than the old man from the border, Xiang. The two men sat at separate tables, eating their own food and drink, occasionally locking eyes, but neither one spoke first. Suddenly, a loud commotion came from outside the tavern. ¡°Help¡­ Help¡­ ¡± A beautiful woman stumbled into the tavern, rolling and crawling. Several figures followed her, leading them was a man with a pointed face and the demeanor of a scholar. With his lips licked, the man sneered, ¡°Little beauty, your husband has already sold you to my young master. You¡¯re helpless even if you run to the ends of the earth.¡± ¡°Save me¡­ Please save me,¡± the woman cried as she ran. ¡°Move along, move along. That¡¯s Master Wang from Linhu Lake Villa, Chu Huai¡¯s man.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s him. Let¡¯s leave this place quickly; we shouldn¡¯t draw unnecessary trouble.¡± ¡­.. Upon seeing this, everyone¡¯s faces changed, and they all started to move away. Just as a young swordsman was about to stand up, his companion pressed a palm down on him. In a low voice, the companion said, ¡°Have you forgotten about the Feiying Fortress¡­¡± The young swordsman¡¯s face suddenly changed, and after a heavy sigh, he remained silent. Everyone in Jiangnan knew Feng Shuimu of Feiying Fortress, who was a skilled fighter at the Third Grade Realm. However, Feng Shuimu¡¯s wife and daughter caught the eye of Chu Huai, who then sent men to abduct them directly from his home to amuse himself. When Feng Shuimu learned of this, he led the Feiying Fortress¡¯s skilled fighters to surround Linhu Lake Villa. Ultimately, he failed to kill Chu Huai and instead died himself at Linhu Lake Villa, leading to the destruction of Feiying Fortress. The incident caused a huge uproar in Jiangnan¡¯s Jianghu, with countless people supporting Feng Shuimu. Eventually, Chu Huai was confined to house arrest, forbidden to leave Linhu Lake Villa. However, Chu Huai did not mend his ways but instead continued to send his underlings to gather beauties from around Lijiang City for his amusement. And Master Wang, present now, was one of Chu Huai¡¯s most trusted underlings. ¡°Little beauty, keep running,¡± he taunted. Wang Sire watched the woman with a smirking smile. ¡°Save me¡­ please, I beg you.¡± The woman felt a chill in her heart when she saw Wang Sire¡¯s gaze, continuously kneeling and begging the people around, tears glimmering in her eyes. Everyone knew that those who entered Linhu Lake Villa would definitely be ravaged to death by Chu Huai, not even leaving a body behind. Was the infamous rogue of Lijiang City undeservedly notorious? The expressions on many surrounding faces were extremely ugly, but no one dared to intervene. The pitiful cries continuously strung everyone¡¯s heartstrings. Wang Sire stepped forward, grabbed the woman¡¯s wrist, and sneered, ¡°Just enjoy the young master¡¯s flogging.¡± ¡°Stop!¡± A harsh shout resounded. Wang Sire looked in the direction of the voice, seeing a young man with a flushed face, carrying a long sword on his back. The young man shouted loudly, ¡°Under the broad daylight, you dare abduct a civilian girl!? Is there no law anymore?¡± ¡°Yo!¡± Hearing this, Wang Sire couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter, ¡°Where did this greenhorn come from, lecturing me about the law?¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± The experts from Linhu Lake Villa behind him also laughed, their laughter laced with mockery. ¡°Damn it!¡± Seeing this, the young man was even more infuriated, drew the long sword from behind, ¡°Since you dare commit such heinous acts, don¡¯t blame me for being impolite.¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± The sword light turned cold, piercing towards Wang Sire¡¯s throat. ¡°A thread of red, this is the Yijian Thirteen Form from the Yijian Sect!¡± ¡°This young man¡¯s swordsmanship has already reached the realm of momentum, it seems he must be a distinguished disciple of the Yijian Sect.¡± ¡­.. The crowd around saw this and their eyes gleamed with a sharp light. An Jing was drinking by himself, his complexion utterly serene. In the Great Yan Martial World, the most formidable were these five gangs and seven sects, but beneath these, there were various other sects scattered across every region of Great Yan. These sects had received the Great Yan Mountain Opening Order, considered official and orthodox sects, possessing the right to recruit disciples and continue their lineages. And the Yijian Sect was among these numerous sects. A hundred years ago, the Yijian Sect had produced a swordsman of the Fifth Realm, who had shaken the martial world of Great Yan, but since then, no prominent swordsmen had emerged from the Yijian Sect, and its fame had gradually dwindled. ¡°To think he dares to play the hero, saving the beauty with just the cultivation of the sixth-grade peak?¡± Wang Sire sneered, and with a stretch of his hand, he grabbed the young man¡¯s long sword directly, followed by a slap on the young man¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Bang!¡± The young man let go of his long sword, his body heavily crashing onto an old man¡¯s table. With just one move, the young man was defeated by Wang Sire. The old man supported the young man with his palm, saying, ¡°Is there nothing that can¡¯t be resolved peacefully, must you resort to such violence?¡± ¡°Old man, I advise you to mind your own business.¡± Wang Sire sneered again, then looked at the young man, ¡°Kid, it seems you haven¡¯t figured out how things work in Jianghu, yet you dare to wander it and speak to me, Wang De, about the law?¡± ¡°You!¡± The young man, covering his arm, unsuccessful in his attempt and instead receiving a lesson, his face turned the color of liver. ¡°First, teach this kid a lesson.¡± Wang Sire waved his hand. ¡°Yes!¡± Several people quickly surrounded the Yijian Sect disciple and launched an attack, not holding back at all, striking as if aiming to kill. After all, they had Chu Huai backing them, he would take care of any consequences. The sound of things breaking, tables and chairs being smashed, echoed around. The manager stood by with a mournful face, continuously shaking his head and sighing, not daring to speak loudly. The surrounding people also stood up, fearing they would be affected. Yet in the entire tavern, only An Jing and the old man continued to eat and drink on their own, always completely calm. ¡°Snap!¡± The youth was slapped hard across the face and then staggered to fall onto An Jing¡¯s table, a jet of blood spraying forth. ¡°Brother, this was good wine,¡± he said. An Jing, seeing this, was immediately displeased. The youth looked at the robed man in front of him and felt a surge of grievance inside. I¡¯m almost beaten to death by these bullies, and you actually care about your wine? Master Wang took a quick step forward, ready to grab the youth by the collar. ¡°Wait a moment!¡± An Jing quickly stopped Master Wang. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Master Wang looked at the robed figure in front of him, his brow furrowing. An Jing said displeased, ¡°He¡¯s spoiled my drink. Let him compensate before anything else.¡± ¡°Are you asking for death?¡± Master Wang was not a fool. Immediate asked sternly. An Jing pointed to the wine pot stained with blood, looked at the attendant and the manager, ¡°This was good wine, right? It costs five silver per pot, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yes¡­yes¡­¡± The attendant and the manager could only awkwardly agree, then thought to themselves: You¡¯re worried about the five silver worth of wine, beware you don¡¯t lose your life over it. The bystanders all secretly sweated cold sweat for An Jing. Old Xu beside them pitifully said, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s a pity this wine was spoiled. He should compensate.¡± ¡°Are you also looking for trouble?¡± Master Wang, enraged to the point of laughter, murderous intent appeared in his eyes. ¡°Good, very good, kill them all.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± A few men behind Master Wang sneered and charged towards Old Xu. An Jing shook his head, saying nothing. ¡°Always resorting to violence and killing,¡± Old Xu sighed, pointing forward. ¡°Shick!¡± ¡°Shick!¡± ¡°Shick!¡± What seemed like a casual flicker split into countless rays of sword light. ¡°Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!¡± The men who rushed forward were instantly struck by the sword light, the life fading from their eyes as they all fell to the ground. Old Xu¡¯s expression remained supremely calm. Killing these men seemed as natural to him as eating or drinking. Silence! The entire tavern suddenly became extremely quiet. Everyone was dumbstruck, not expecting the seemingly ordinary old man to be a master. The young man from the Yijian Sect was even more shocked, his heart seemingly shouting crazily: This is swordsmanship, this is a true Sword Dao master! Hundred-step Flying Sword!? Seeing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but chuckle lightly, now certain of the old man¡¯s identity. This move was clearly meant for him to witness. ¡°You¡­you¡­¡± Master Wang looked at the old man in astonishment, his voice trembling. ¡°Shall we change the location?¡± An Jing said blandly. ¡°Okay.¡± Old Xu nodded his head. An Jing nodded slightly, then with a sweep of his robe, ¡°Shick!¡± A flash of sword light, too quick to catch, burst forth, piercing straight into Master Wang¡¯s brow. ¡°Thud!¡± The light faded from Master Wang¡¯s eyes, and he then heavily fell to the ground. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± An Jing and the old man leaped, and the next moment they disappeared within the restaurant. The restaurant fell deathly silent. No one knew how much time had passed before voices of discussion erupted like a sudden flood. ¡°Master Wang has really kicked an iron plate this time,¡± someone said. ¡°Those two must also be experts from Jianghu, truly fearsome,¡± another remarked. ¡°Such fierce swordsmanship, definitely top-notch swordsmen,¡± commented another. ¡­¡­ The young disciple of Yijian Sect watched their departing figures, lost in thought for a long time. ¡°In the future, no, I must become a swordsman like them,¡± the youth whispered to himself, clenching his fist. ¡°Thank you, young hero, for your life-saving grace.¡± At that moment, the woman walked up to the youth and bowed deeply. The youth shook his head, saying, ¡°No need, it wasn¡¯t I who saved you, but those two seniors just now. You¡¯d better leave quickly.¡± ¡°Where can I go?¡± The woman¡¯s eyes held a trace of misery, ¡°My husband has already been driven to his death by him, and I am now homeless. Besides, that tyrant in Lijiang City has an extensive reach; I cannot escape. You should leave quickly¡­¡± Hearing this, the youth sighed deeply, remaining silent for a long time before touching his longsword and recalling his master¡¯s admonition to always be extremely careful in Jianghu, and not to act rashly on impulse, lest he invite great trouble. ¡­¡­ Outside Lijiang City. Two figures passed through the woods and then landed in a dense forest. The old man stood on a branch and said lightly, ¡°You must be the Ghost Swordsman from the Daluo Sect, right?¡± ¡°Suppose so,¡± An Jing nodded. Yan Shaoshan had passed the Daluo Heart Method to him, and Jiang Sanjia had told him that Yan Shaoshan was the only successor of the Daluo Sect. Since he had already practiced the Daluo Heart Method, he could not sever ties with the Daluo Sect no matter what. The old man had observed all along the way and thought to himself, ¡°This Ghost Swordsman¡¯s sword technique is not bad, but his cultivation is somewhat lacking.¡± The cultivation of the Earth Flower Realm was already considered extremely high in the Jianghu, yet it was still insignificant in the face of the colossal Zhenyi Sect. ¡°Hiss¡ª!¡± At this moment, a strange noise sounded behind the old man. The old man frowned deeply and swiftly turned around. A huge, fierce snake head appeared in front of him, its massive triangular eyes coldly staring at him as if they wanted to tear him apart. The gigantic body exuded an imposing pressure like a mountain, making a normal person appear very small in its presence. ¡°A Thousand-year-old Black Python!?¡± Seeing this, the old man was greatly shaken. He recognized the origin of this exotic beast at a glance¡ªa Black Python about to transform into a Jiao dragon, which, once transformed, would likely be an opponent beyond even his own abilities. The Thousand-year-old Black Python flicked its tongue and then quickly slithered in front of An Jing, who leaped onto the snake¡¯s head in one bound. Seeing this, the old man was even more astonished. Knowing well that the Thousand-year-old Black Python was an extremely ferocious creature, with a heart filled only with a desire for slaughter, how could it possibly submit to a human? An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Senior must be from the Ghost Valley Sect, right?¡± ¡°The World¡¯s First Swordsman, Lou Xiangzhen,¡± the old man responded with a slight lift of his chin. The title ¡®The World¡¯s First Swordsman¡¯ sounded very ordinary coming from his mouth. Before the Sword God and Sword Demon, no swordsman had ever earned the title of the world¡¯s number one swordsman. The ones with the best chance were the Sword God and Sword Demon, but they lived during the same era. Since these two top swordsmen had never crossed swords in their lifetimes, no one knew who truly was the number one swordsman in the world. With five generations of sword immortals standing powerfully, all with impressive combat records and all reaching the Fifth Realm in sword dao, Lou Xiangzhen, although a prominent and highly skilled figure, was up against Lin Yiyang and Zhong Binru who could rival the Sword God and Sword Demon, placing limitless prospects before them, and thus the title of the world¡¯s number one swordsman remained unclaimed. An Jing nodded slightly: ¡°Indeed, Senior Lou.¡± Jiang Sanjia had mentioned in letters that should he die, his senior brother would not stay silent and would definitely take action. Lou Xiangzhen was a top expert in the Great Yan Martial World with cultivation that had long reached the Grandmaster Realm. If he was willing to protect An Jing on this journey, then it would likely be much safer, whether facing Jiang Ye or the Zhenyi Sect. With deep eyes, Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing, ¡°This time, I came to see for myself what kind of elegance the swordsman praised by my junior brother possesses.¡± An Jing, standing atop the Thousand-year-old Black Python, appeared calm and collected: ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°So-so.¡± Lou Xiangzhen unmercifully said, ¡°With your strength, to challenge Xiao Qianqiu, you will need at least decades of hard cultivation.¡± An Jing nodded, acknowledging that with his current strength, he indeed was no match for Xiao Qianqiu; this statement was not false. If Xiao Qianqiu were in front of him, he would definitely hand over the Daluo Heart Method without any hesitation. However, he disagreed with the idea of decades of arduous cultivation. ¡°Junior Brother said you are a person of great destiny, with a chance to revive the glory of the Mystical Sect in the future.¡± Lou Xiangzhen solemnly said, ¡°He asked me to protect your Dao for three years.¡± ¡°Jiang Sanjia is considerate.¡± An Jing sighed lightly, Jiang Sanjia had placed all his hopes on him, hoping he could defeat Xiao Qianqiu and bring down the Zhenyi Sect. ¡°I was originally unwilling, but since he is dead, this was his last instruction to himself, and I will fulfill it no matter what.¡± As Lou Xiangzhen said this, he paused and his tone turned a bit colder, saying, ¡°I also want to take the opportunity to see the strength of the Zhenyi Sect, and whether it can really cover the sky with one hand in the Great Yan Martial World.¡± Others might not know, but how could Lou Xiangzhen not know the cause of Jiang Sanjia¡¯s death? It was undeniably related to the Zhenyi Sect. Previously, Lou Xiangzhen believed that the Zhenyi Sect represented the prevailing trend, especially with someone as formidable as Xiao Qianqiu emerging from it. Even if he emerged from seclusion, it was unlikely that he could shake the foundation of the Zhenyi Sect or compete with Xiao Qianqiu for the role of Daoist Master. Therefore, Lou Xiangzhen wanted to stay away from conflicts and preserve the heritage of the Ghost Valley Sect. He did so, and he advised Jiang Sanjia to do the same. Even when Jiang Sanjia was trapped in the dungeon of Yu State City, he still did not intervene, which was his compromise to the Zhenyi Sect, his compromise to Xiao Qianqiu. But the Zhenyi Sect thought Lou Xiangzhen was compromising because he was afraid, so they became increasingly reckless in their actions. Liu Qingshan perhaps only wanted to ask Jiang Sanjia to help him calculate, but the Zhenyi Sect wanted Jiang Sanjia¡¯s life. And now they had even forced him to his death. An Jing could feel a noticeable disturbance in Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words. Certainly, he was not as Jiang Sanjia described¡ªcruel and heartless, timid and scared. Thinking about it now, Jiang Sanjia understood his senior brother well; his words after drinking were clearly spoken in anger. ¡°Thank you, senior.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and bowed with his fists. ¡°Don¡¯t rush to thank me, I will not protect your Dao for three years, I will only intervene once on your behalf.¡± Lou Xiangzhen waved his hand and said, ¡°If someone from the Zhenyi Sect attacks you, I can intervene once on your behalf, including Xiao Qianqiu.¡± At the end, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s voice carried a hint of determination. Even facing the man known as the world¡¯s greatest today, his eyes held no fear or retreat. Hearing this, An Jing felt greatly reassured. Knowing that Xiao Qianqiu was still in seclusion and the time of his emergence was not set, unless a hidden grandmaster of the Zhenyi Sect came after him, he had nothing to fear from the Zhenyi Sect with Lou Xiangzhen and the Thousand-year-old Black Boa by his side. ¡°Great kindness goes unspoken in words.¡± An Jing said solemnly, his mind inevitably recalling Jiang Sanjia. Having a grandmaster willing to protect his Dao was not a common thing; even Qi Yun of the Zhenyi Sect did not have a grandmaster expert by his side. ¡°I wonder what your plans are now?¡± Lou Xiangzhen thought for a moment and asked. ¡°Senior Lou, have you heard this saying?¡± ¡°What saying?¡± ¡°If you do not remove the roots when cutting weeds, the spring breeze will bring them back to life!¡± Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, a slight smile appeared on Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s lips. ¡­.. Lijiang City, Linhu Lake Villa. The villa was surrounded by pink walls, the green willows still hanging around, the six-roomed gate tower had been renewed, and the surrounding galleries hid watchmen. Paths in the courtyard connected in every direction, interspersed with robust rocks. The placard reading ¡®Curb Desire and Impatience¡¯ still hung. The courtyard remained beautiful, with few changes. At that moment, sounds of crashing and animalistic growls could be heard from a bedroom in the back courtyard. ¡°Who in Lijiang City does not know the great name of Chu Huai, and yet dares to spoil my good deeds!?¡± Chu Huai¡¯s eyes were bloodshot as he coldly looked at the man kneeling on the ground below. The man was Cui Yong, a Third Grade expert who had fortuitously survived the hands of the Ghost-faced Buddha. Cui Yong hastily said, ¡°I have already sent guards to check, but those two swordsmen disappeared after leaving the tavern.¡± ¡°Trash! You are just trash!¡± The flames inside Chu Huai seemed to have moved to his brain as he hysterically roared at Cui Yong. Cui Yong hung his head low, a trace of darkness in his expression, yet his eyes were gleaming coldly. Trash!? If it weren¡¯t for your dear father, you would have died eight hundred times over. Chu Huai coldly said, ¡°You go and check personally. I refuse to believe that the two of them could have just flown away.¡± Cui Yong suddenly became embarrassed, ¡°But, Sir Chu, you ordered me to never leave the young master¡¯s side.¡± ¡°What are you afraid of?¡± Chu Huai sneered, ¡°Weren¡¯t you there last time? Even Shui Zhongyue, the Guardian of the Demon Sect, came to my Linhu Lake Villa and still ended up dead, right?¡± Thinking of last time, Chu Huai still felt a residual thrill, his expression also carried a hint of pride. How about it, a feared master of the Demon Sect in the Jianghu? Wasn¡¯t his head ruthlessly crushed under my foot? Cui Yong¡¯s eyebrows furrowed tightly, still hesitating. Seeing this, Chu Huai harshly glared at Cui Yong, ¡°Go and investigate, and bring that young lady back while you¡¯re at it. If you don¡¯t bring her back, I¡¯ll flay your skin!¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go now.¡± Left with no choice, Cui Yong had to stand up and walk out of the house. The night was waning, yet the entire villa was brightly lit. ¡°Damn it.¡± As Cui Yong stepped out of the house, he glanced back and spat fiercely, ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a lucky bastard. What¡¯s there to be arrogant about?¡± His heart hoped for Chu Huai¡¯s speedy death, yet he also feared the repercussions of Chu Huai¡¯s death on himself. His heart was incredibly complex and conflicted. After adjusting his mood, Cui Yong slowly walked out of the yard. At that moment, above the flying eaves of the Linhu Lake Villa, two figures descended. It was An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen. An Jing looked at the placid lake below and said, ¡°There are rumors that countless bodies are buried under Tianxin Lake. I wonder if it¡¯s true.¡± It was said that Chu Huai was very fond of Linhu City on East Lin Road. Later, he dug a small lake here and built a villa, naming it Linhu Lake Villa. Later, rumors had it that every time Chu Huai kidnapped a woman to play with, after her death, he would throw her into Tianxin Lake. If the woman¡¯s husband came looking, Chu Huai would first torture him, then kill and throw him in as well. Thus, Tianxin Lake also became known locally as Black Heart Lake. ¡°Oh?¡± Lou Xiangzhen raised an eyebrow, ¡°Let¡¯s take a closer look.¡± ¡°How shall we look?¡± An Jing asked in a firm tone. Lou Xiangzhen didn¡¯t speak. His true qi surged like tidal waves, and then he pointed with his arm. ¡°Hiss!¡± ¡°Splash! Splash!¡± A qi force rushed out, like a sword light descending from the sky, slicing the lake water in two. An Jing was thoroughly shocked by this sight. Even knowing that grandmasters possess unimaginable strength beyond ordinary people, seeing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s maneuver still seemed incredible. Is this what a grandmaster is capable of? Using a finger as a sword, he split the lake with one stroke! The tumultuous lake water gradually parted, and the scenery at the bottom became increasingly visible. Aside from water grass and huge rocks, countless bones were scattered all over, almost covering the lakebed. At that moment, about fifty fish were bouncing over those whitish skeletons. A horrifying sight! Each set of bones represented a body, each a dark chapter of the past. ¡°What¡¯s going on!?¡± At this moment, the guards of the villa seeing this scene, were utterly horrified. ¡°Splash! Splash!¡± The next moment, the lake water crashed down again, causing a huge splash, soaking the lakeside pavilions with water stains. ¡°This man must be killed!¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, ¡°To kill him would dirty my sword. You shall take him down.¡± An Jing: ¡°?? ¡± ¡°He dirtied your sword, did he not dirty mine as well?¡± Of course, these words naturally remained unspoken by An Jing. The next moment, An Jing¡¯s body leaped, and he instantly descended into Chu Huai¡¯s bedroom. ¡°Trash, nothing but trash!¡± Chu Huai was still in a rage, venting his boundless fury. ¡°Who?¡± Suddenly, he heard a sound of footsteps, and quickly turned his head. He saw a figure in a black robe appearing not far away, walking towards him. ¡°You¡­ who are you?¡± Seeing the approaching figure, Chu Huai also felt a hint of foreboding, his heart beginning to palpitate violently. It was a sensation he had never experienced before; he had a bad feeling and repeatedly stepped backwards. An Jing said nothing, merely watching the Chu Huai in front of him. Chu Huai growled, ¡°My father is Chu Nanying, I¡¯m telling you, if you dare touch me¡­¡± ¡°Stop talking, I¡¯m sending you on your way.¡± An Jing brought his fingers together, then swiped forward. ¡°Puchi!¡± A sword light emitted from his fingertips, then floated to Chu Huai¡¯s neck. ¡°Gurgle¨C¡± Chu Huai was about to cry out in alarm, but then felt his entire body weaken; instinctively, he touched his neck and found it covered in blood. ¡°Blood¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t have imagined that, while he had survived an attack by a master of the Demon Sect in this villa before, today, unsuspecting, a man in a black robe would enter and kill him. ¡°Thump!¡± Chu Huai¡¯s body stiffened, then heavily collapsed to the floor. An Jing ended his sin-filled life and glanced around the room, sighing. ¡°Swoosh!¡± The next instant, his figure appeared above the flying eaves. ¡°Your swordsmanship must have just entered the Fifth Realm, right?¡± Lou Xiangzhen narrowed his eyes slightly and pondered. During the day, he had discerned that the Ghost Swordsman in front of him was in the Fifth Realm, but that move of using a finger as a sword made him realize the true depth of An Jing¡¯s swordsmanship, which must have just entered the Fifth Realm. ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± An Jing nodded, acknowledging. Lou Xiangzhen, puzzled, said, ¡°It¡¯s really strange, your cultivation is only at the Earth Flower Realm, yet your swordsmanship is so high¡­¡± He had to admit that the Ghost Swordsman his junior brother admired indeed had some skill, first the Thousand-year-old Black Python guarding him, and then the swordsmanship of the Fifth Realm, but these, in his view, were not enough to contend against Xiao Qianqiu. Especially since the Thousand-year-old Black Python was an external influence. As for what Jiang Sanjia mentioned about Qi destiny, Lou Xiangzhen felt these things were intangible, and he did not believe in them much. An Jing did not speak, just stood on the flying eaves looking down at the still calm villa below, seemingly lost in his thoughts. Chu Huai was dead, but so far, no one had noticed. Lou Xiangzhen asked in a low voice, ¡°You¡¯ve practiced the Hundred-step Flying Sword, which layer have you reached now?¡± An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°The eighth layer.¡± Lou Xiangzhen raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Really, the eighth layer?¡± Jiang Sanjia had described in his letter how he had met the Ghost Swordsman; the two had only known each other for six months, and the Ghost Swordsman had not had the Hundred-step Flying Sword for long, yet had reached the eighth layer? In the entire world, no one knew better than he how formidable the sword technique of the Hundred-step Flying Sword was. Reaching the eighth layer in just six months was nearly impossible. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve had no time to practice,¡± An Jing responded somewhat regretfully. The Hundred-step Flying Sword was a Heavenly Martial Level martial arts technique, much more difficult to master than a True Martial Level technique. Plus, since getting married, he indeed hadn¡¯t had much time at night to delve into martial arts, causing the progress of the Hundred-step Flying Sword to be very slow, especially now that it had stalled at the eighth layer. Lou Xiangzhen: ¡°??¡± In his opinion, what the Ghost Swordsman said could not possibly be true; it had taken him three years to reach the eighth layer, and yet this Ghost Swordsman was claiming to have nearly not practiced and reached the eighth layer in half a year. How could that be possible? An Jing subconsciously asked, ¡°Senior, how long did it take you to reach the eighth layer?¡± Lou Xiangzhen sighed lightly, ¡°It¡¯s been a few days, because my master only gave me the first eight layers of the sword manual, he didn¡¯t give me the rest.¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­..¡± Both of them remained silent, falling into a brief moment of silence. Lou Xiangzhen asked, ¡°Should we also kill Chu Nanying from Jiangnan Dao?¡± An Jing looked up, his hands clasped behind his back, ¡°This person took over as the Daoist Master of Jiangnan Dao during the year of the great disaster, and he has contributed significantly here, besides that unfilial son, he is otherwise not bad¡­¡± In the third year of Xingping, Jiangnan Dao experienced a great disaster, a plague. At that time, Jiangnan Dao was a mess, like hell on earth, leaving a deep impression on An Jing. After Chu Nanying came to this place, he made considerable achievements, and the development of Jiangnan Dao over the decades was indeed due to his hard work. People are sometimes complex. Chu Nanying was indeed a character, but he made an unforgivable mistake regarding the matter of Chu Huai. However, killing Chu Huai and killing Chu Nanying are two different matters in terms of impact. Chu Nanying is the Daoist Master of Jiangnan Dao, and his status is extraordinary. A sharp gleam appeared in Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes, ¡°I have also heard. Among the Nine Daos of Great Yan, Chu Nanying is indeed regarded as a clear stream, but this has also made it difficult for him to advance in his career.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go then,¡± An Jing prepared to leave the Linhu Lake Villa. After all, Chu Huai¡¯s death would soon be discovered, and he did not want to make things worse. ¡°Wait a moment.¡± Lou Xiangzhen pondered for a while. An Jing curiously said, ¡°Senior Lou, please feel free to speak.¡± Lou Xiangzhen asked, ¡°Your cultivation is still at the Earth Flower Realm, how long until you reach the Heavenly Flower Realm?¡± An Jing responded, ¡°It¡¯s still a distance away.¡± He had not been at the Earth Flower Realm for long. Although cultivating the Ghost Valley Heart Method to the Second Profound had enhanced his cultivation somewhat, he was still lacking some accumulation. On this journey to find Zhao Qingmei, he planned to use the Earth Book to find some heavenly materials and earthly treasures or other opportunities to rapidly increase his strength. Lou Xiangzhen narrowed his eyes, feigning profundity, ¡°I know a method that could instantly elevate you to the Heavenly Flower Realm.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes lit up upon hearing this, ¡°Senior, please tell.¡± He was currently at the Earth Flower Realm, but when facing a master of the Heavenly Flower Realm, he was very competitive. However, if he faced a Half-step Grandmaster, he was at his wit¡¯s end. If he could reach the Heavenly Flower Realm, he would have the strength to fight even a Half-step Grandmaster. Moreover, for anyone, advancing from Earth Flower to Heavenly Flower was a significant enhancement. Lou Xiangzhen spoke slowly, ¡°Have you heard of the Golden Pill?¡± ¡°Golden Pill!?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but laugh. If it was some obscure secret, he might not have heard of it, but Jiang Sanjia had once mentioned this Golden Pill to him. It was concocted by an extraordinary person from the Great Zhou, comprising nine pieces in total, which upon consumption could instantly cause Three Flowers Unification, elevating one from Half-step Grandmaster to Grandmaster Realm. ¡°It seems my junior brother has told you,¡± Hearing this tone, Lou Xiangzhen knew that Jiang Sanjia must have discussed it with the Ghost Swordsman, and continued, ¡°This Golden Pill was concocted by that extraordinary person using a unique method. Initially, it used many heavenly materials and earthly treasures, including some rare hundred-year-old items, and failed three times. It was only on the fourth attempt that he successfully concocted a batch.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Failed before?¡± Jiang Sanjia had not mentioned to him that the extraordinary person from the Great Zhou Dynasty had ever failed in concocting this elixir. ¡°Indeed, he failed,¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded and said, ¡°I think this extraordinary person is very likely related to the Zhenyi Sect.¡± ¡°Why is that?¡± ¡°Mystical Sect is divided into three, Ghost Valley inherited the Divination Swordsmanship, Daluo inherited the medical and life Dao, and Zhenyi Sect received the Alchemy Dao. When that extraordinary person of the Great Zhou Dynasty concocted the elixirs, if he wasn¡¯t a person of Zhenyi Sect, then he was a reclusive person of Mystical Sect, definitely not ordinary.¡± An Jing nodded upon hearing this. Lou Xiangzhen continued, ¡°That extraordinary person from the Great Zhou Dynasty has long passed, so we need not mention him any further. However, a few of those Golden Pills are still remaining in this world, surviving the changes of time. Their effect might not be as initial, but to solidify your Heavenly Flower, I think it shouldn¡¯t be difficult.¡± Elixirs are made from the essence of flora, and even if properly stored, some of the essence will leak over time. An Jing said, ¡°Senior Lou means to suggest that I find this Golden Pill and consume it, and in an instant, it will solidify my Heavenly Flower?¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded slightly, ¡°Exactly.¡± An Jing laughed bitterly, ¡°But I have no idea where this Golden Pill is, and countless people in the martial world are searching for it. How could I possibly find it?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The Golden Pill was indeed valuable; otherwise, Liu Qingshan wouldn¡¯t have imprisoned Jiang Sanjia in the dungeon to extort the location of the Golden Pill. Liu Qingshan commanded tens of thousands of members in the Cao Gang and yet couldn¡¯t find the Golden Pill. How could he possibly succeed? Lou Xiangzhen chuckled and said, ¡°Since I¡¯ve told you about it, naturally I know the whereabouts of this Golden Pill. It depends on whether you have the courage to obtain it.¡± ¡°Courage?¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows, ¡°Senior, please continue.¡± Chapter 136 - Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Heartbeat Murderous Sword Intent Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Heartbeat Murderous Sword Intent Lou Xiangzhen thought for a moment and said, ¡°You should know about Nanhua Palace, right?¡± Nanhua Palace!? Upon hearing this, An Jing began to think rapidly; he naturally knew of it. In the Great Yan, Nanping Dao neighbored the territory of the Southern Barbarians, thereby boasting numerous majestic, towering mountain ranges with countless famous mountains, among which the most famous one was called Nanhua Mountain. Rumors had it that this mountain soared into the clouds, ranking as the tallest under the heavens. Standing atop it, one could overlook all the realms of mankind. During the time of the Great Zhou Dynasty, there was a sect on Nanhua Mountain known as the Nanhua Sect. This sect was considered first-rate in the world at the time, boasting a legacy nearly a thousand years old, with strength on par with the likes of the Zhenyi Sect of that era. Later, there was great chaos under the heavens; the Nine Kingdoms vied for supremacy, the local rulers co-opted Jianghu forces to strengthen themselves, leading to the division and continuous confrontations and killings within Jianghu. At that time, the Nanhua Sect supported one of the most significant princely states, South Shu, but the ruler of South Shu did not harbor great ambition and only wished to secure a peaceful corner defended by hard-to-surpass passes, content to rule as the King of Shu. However, the Sect Master of the Nanhua Sect was indeed of the radical faction, wholeheartedly seeking to vie for supremacy with South Shu and thus strengthen the Nanhua Sect to dominate the entire Jianghu. At this time, Great Yan was robust, having swallowed three nations and seemingly poised to sweep across the world. The countries formed alliances against the mighty cavalry of Great Yan. The Sect Master of the Nanhua Sect even went personally to the allied camps, standing guard close to the Marshal of Yue Country. This was not just a struggle among nations but also a fight within Jianghu, involving top Jianghu forces including the Zhenyi Sect, the Demon Sect, the Nanhua Sect, and the Lifeless Sect. In one major battle, the Sect Master of the Nanhua Sect slew several high-rank experts from the Zhenyi Sect but was ultimately surrounded and severely wounded by the experts of the Zhenyi Sect and the Yu Heng Sword Sect. Furthermore, at that time, Youfeng Valley and the Blue River Sect turned coats during the battle, and Great Yan¡¯s unmatched iron cavalry broke into the city, crushing the military camp of the five-nation alliance. The Five-Nation Alliance collapsed in moments, severely weakened, and their national strength gradually declined; this battle definitively showcased the momentum of Great Yan, causing other nations to tremble in fear and anxiety. In the following decade or so, Great Yan began to recover its vitality, gradually annexing the other five nations. The first target of the Great Yan iron cavalry heading south was South Shu. Historical records describe the King of South Shu being so frightened by the news of the approaching Great Yan iron cavalry that he fled barefoot in the night, loudly calling for protection, even having the Forbidden Army guard by his dragon couch while he slept. The Great Yan iron cavalry swept through like a storm and quickly besieged the capital of South Shu. The ruler of South Shu had already given up and wanted to surrender, while the Nanhua Sect was in favor of war, waiting for aid from the other four countries. Amidst this disunity, South Shu was ultimately annihilated. The Nanhua Sect too was completely eradicated, turned to ashes. The books and martial arts on Nanhua Mountain were thoroughly plundered by the Great Yan Royal Family, but the architectural complex of the Nanhua Sect was still preserved on the mountain. After the establishment of Great Yan, various sects wanted to establish gateways on Nanhua Mountain, which was full of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and widely recruit disciples. However, Great Yan had not issued a Mountain Opening Order. It was not until over a hundred years ago that the increasingly powerful Seven Evils Sect wanted to relocate their sect gate, and the Sect Master of the Seven Evils Sect proposed this request to the Human Emperor at the time. At the same time, the Unrivaled Palace also coveted the gateway of Nanhua Mountain. The Human Emperor devised a plan and issued a Mountain Gate Order. This Mountain Gate Order had only a twenty-year usage right. Representatives from the Seven Evils Sect and the Unrivaled Palace were to compete, and whoever won would gain the right to use Nanhua Mountain for twenty years. Since then, the centuries-old struggle between the two major sects began. However, the Unrivaled Palace won only the first time; over the past century, they had not won a single competition, so the Seven Evils Sect had occupied Nanhua Mountain for hundreds of years already. With slight hesitation, An Jing said, ¡°I naturally know this. What does the golden pill have to do with Nanhua Palace?¡± Lou Xiangzhen slowly said, ¡°Within a stone statue in the library of Nanhua Palace, there lies a golden pill.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows, shocked. That a golden pill was hidden within a stone statue of Nanhua Palace¡ªwho could have expected that? Lou Xiangzhen continued, ¡°This golden pill was concealed by a master of Nanhua Palace, originally prepared for his progeny. However, the Great Yan iron cavalry arrived too quickly, and he never managed to retrieve the golden pill¡­¡± An Jing suddenly realized, ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± ¡°My junior brother instructed me to retrieve this golden pill for you.¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing, his eyes bearing a trace of depth, ¡°But I want to see your strength and tactics.¡± Now, Nanhua Palace was managed by the Seven Evils Sect. What kind of force is the Seven Evils Sect!? In the Great Yan Martial World, the Seven Evils Sect is a sect whose strength surpasses its fame. Additionally, because the experts of this sect are exceptionally low-key, few in Jianghu mention this sect. But among the true masters of Jianghu, this Seven Evils Sect is a sect no weaker than the seven major sects. In their sect, they cultivate the Seven Evils and breed various toxic gu, incredibly sinister and ruthless, not in the least inferior to the Five Poison Sect. It is rumored that the Seven Evils Sect originated from the Southern Barbarians and even today maintains myriad connections with the large clans of the Southern Barbarians. This is also the reason the Human Emperor is on guard against the Seven Evils Sect. Initially, he wanted the Unrivaled Palace to act as a check against the Seven Evils Sect, but the Unrivaled Palace was not a match for the Seven Evils Sect and had always been suppressed by them. To date, the Unrivaled Palace had only managed the usufruct of Nanhua Mountain for twenty years, and if not for the support of the Court, the Unrivaled Palace might have been eliminated from Jianghu long ago. Latterly, the Seven Evils Sect has been behaving properly, exceptionally restrained. Generations of Human Emperors have gradually lost their wariness, yet the Seven Evils Sect has quietly grown vastly in strength, already not inferior to the other major sects overtly. Others might not know these secretive messages, but both Lou Xiangzhen and Jiang Sanjia were well aware of them. In a letter that Jiang Sanjia sent to Lou Xiangzhen, he mentioned retrieving the golden pill for An Jing to help his cultivation reach the Heavenly Flower Realm. However, Lou Xiangzhen was not willing to make his move so easily; he wanted to gauge the strength of the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Is the Seven Evils Sect very dangerous?¡± An Jing inquired. Lou Xiangzhen indifferently responded, ¡°For me, it¡¯s merely like reaching into a bag to retrieve something.¡± An Jing nodded slightly without uttering a word. Lou Xiangzhen was at the Grandmaster Realm, and with extremely high swordsmanship and profound strength, there were very few in the world who could match him. Nanping Dao was next to Jiangnan Dao, and going there might delay some time, which was why An Jing was hesitant. But enhancing his strength was also of paramount importance at the moment. With a hint of amusement in his eyes, Lou Xiangzhen thought that although the Seven Evils Sect was quite powerful, it naturally couldn¡¯t compare to the Zhenyi Sect. If the Ghost Swordsman was afraid of this challenge, how would he face the overwhelming power of the Zhenyi Sect? ¡°Since it¡¯s something in the bag, let¡¯s make a trip then,¡± An Jing softly said. Hearing this, Lou Xiangzhen couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Good.¡± ¡­.. The next day, at the Daoist Mansion in Lijiang City. The corpse of Chu Huai was laid out in the main hall, covered with a brand-new white cloth. ¡°Huai¡¯er!¡± Chu Nanying hurried in and upon seeing the body under the sheet of white cloth, felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his body trembling violently. Following behind him was a middle-aged man clad in armor, none other than Qiu Dekun, the commanding officer of the Jiangnan Dao army. By the side of the corpse, Cui Yong¡¯s complexion was as white as ghost; he couldn¡¯t believe that in just a brief moment he had been away, Chu Huai had been murdered so silently, with no traces of Qi mechanism to be found. Chu Nanying, trembling, lifted the white cloth, and Chu Huai¡¯s face came into view. Streams of old tears flowed down his cheeks. ¡°Cui Yong¡­¡± ¡°Your subordinate is here,¡± Cui Yong hastily replied. Chu Nanying in a low voice asked, ¡°What exactly happened here?¡± Hearing this, Cui Yong quickly recounted the events of the previous night, naturally omitting the real purpose Chu Huai had sent him out for, and mentioned just buying some pastries and items instead. Chu Nanying¡¯s voice sounded slightly hoarse, ¡°Cui Yong, tell me the truth.¡± Although he rarely interfered with Chu Huai, he knew his son¡¯s character well¡ªwhy would he suddenly crave pastries in the middle of the night? ¡°This¡­¡± Cui Yong immediately hesitated. ¡°Speak.¡± Chu Nanying¡¯s words were not forceful but carried a hint of weariness. ¡°Sigh.¡± Cui Yong sighed, then eventually revealed the recent actions of Chu Huai. ¡°It¡¯s my fault, I knew his nature was unchangeable.¡± Chu Nanying, upon hearing this, heaved a heavy sigh, ¡°Dekun, do you think I¡¯ve been too indulgent with him?¡± Qiu Dekun spoke softly, ¡°Young Master Huai lost his mother at a young age, and the time spent with the Daoist Master was also sparse, making some eccentric behaviors somewhat normal, yet not deserving of death¡­¡± ¡°Not deserving of death?¡± Chu Nanying muttered to himself sarcastically, then looked at the sword wound on Chu Huai¡¯s neck. The sword mark was only as thin as a line; the blood on it had been completely wiped clean, and without extremely keen eyesight, one would not have noticed it at all. The next moment, Chu Nanying felt his heart begin to pound rapidly, and then his complexion turned flush red. ¡°Thump!¡± ¡°Thump!¡± His heartbeats grew even more intense, and his blood crazily surged throughout his body. Chu Nanying stepped backward repeatedly, then clutched his chest tightly with both hands. ¡°Thump, thump, thump, thump!¡± The heartbeats became increasingly fierce, like the beating of a drum, and Chu Nanying¡¯s complexion also turned the color of liver. ¡°Be careful!¡± Qiu Dekun, seeing this, shouted out. Hearing the shout, Chu Nanying slowly came to his senses, then began to gasp for air heavily. At that moment, he felt as if he had walked out from the Ghost Gate itself, harboring a sense of surviving a calamity. ¡°Sir, are you alright?¡± Qiu Dekun hurriedly asked. ¡°What¡­ what is this?¡± Chu Nanying pointed at the wound on the neck. ¡°Don¡¯t look, this might be residual Sword Intent!¡± Qiu Dekun hurriedly said. ¡°Sword Intent!?¡± The surrounding crowd¡¯s expressions dramatically changed, and they dared not look further at the fine lines on Chu Huai¡¯s neck. Sword Intent, only the top swordsmen can leave behind traces of residual Sword Intent when they strike. Chu Nanying knew about Sword Intent and had seen many swordsmen¡¯s Sword Intent, including Lin Yiyang¡¯s, but he had never seen such a bizarre Sword Intent before. It could even control his heartbeat, causing his blood to boil. If it weren¡¯t for Qiu Dekun¡¯s loud shout just now, he might have become a corpse by now. Chu Nanying muttered to himself, ¡°Dekun, is there a Sword Intent in this world that can control others¡¯ heartbeats?¡± ¡°Control the heartbeat?¡± Qiu Dekun heard this and shook his head, ¡°Such a bizarre Sword Intent, I have never heard of it.¡± Cui Yong and the other experts also shook their heads repeatedly. Sword Intent is not Sword Skill; it¡¯s just the true essence of Sword Dao left behind by a swordsman, and it has no lethal force. Even the Sword Intent left by Lin Yiyang, one of the five great Sword Immortals, only carries a magnificent momentum and cannot harm a person. Chu Nanying did not speak; he knew that whoever had silently killed Chu Huai must be a master. Just then, the sound of gongs and drums and the cracking of firecrackers came from outside, generating a lot of noise. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Chu Nanying asked. ¡°I¡¯ll go out and check.¡± Cui Yong hurriedly went outside. Qiu Dekun asked, ¡°Sir, should we start searching Lijiang City now? I feel the murderer hasn¡¯t gone far¡­..¡± Chu Nanying silently stared at the body in front of him, and after a long while, he said, ¡°Dekun, do you think I should search for the murderer?¡± Qiu Dekun¡¯s eyebrows were tightly furrowed as he said, ¡°Murder to repay a life, debts to be paid; these are only natural.¡± ¡°Murder to repay a life?¡± Chu Nanying gave a bitter laugh, ¡°Then how many people did Huai¡¯er kill? How can I repay so many people¡¯s lives?¡± ¡°This¡­.¡± Chu Nanying continued, ¡°The one who actually killed Huai¡¯er is not someone else; it¡¯s me. If not for my poor parenting, how could he have ended up this way?¡± ¡°Sir¡­..¡± Before long, Cui Yong hurriedly ran back in. Chu Nanying, staring at the body, numbly asked, ¡°What happened?¡± Cui Yong swallowed and said, ¡°It¡¯s the people of Lijiang City; every household is celebrating¡­¡± ¡°Celebrating?¡± Chu Nanying was stunned and asked, ¡°Celebrating what?¡± Cui Yong cautiously said, ¡°Celebrating the young master¡¯s death¡­¡± Upon hearing this, Chu Nanying suddenly froze, then burst out laughing after a long pause. ¡°Hahaha!¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± The laughter stopped abruptly as a jet of blood spurted out; Chu Nanying¡¯s body heavily fell to the ground. ¡°Daoist Master!¡± ¡°Master!¡± ¡­¡­ East Lin Road, Sky Cave Mountain, Sky Scraping Cave. Sky Cave Mountain, one of the five famous mountains of Great Yan, is known for its rugged, steep trails as sharp as swords, a place rarely visited for leisure. However, it is very famous in Jianghu. It is because this place conceals a peerless master, the Sky Scraping Hermit. This individual has extremely high cultivation, ranking fifth on the Dragon List in Jianghu, and he keeps a unique exotic beast, the Spirit Seeking Mouse. The Spirit Seeking Mouse can locate a person¡¯s tracks through their Qi mechanism. Yu Huai, the Great True Master, led his two disciples and arrived in front of the Sky Scraping Cave at Heavenly Cave Mountain. ¡°Master, does this Sky Scraping master really live deep in these mountains?¡± asked Song Nian, who was standing by his side. Song Nian was originally a disciple of the Infinite Daoist Temple but had later been taken in by the Great True Master Yu Huai. ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Yu Huai, the Great True Master, shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m not very familiar with this Sky Scraping master either.¡± Song Nian muttered quietly, ¡°Such deep forests with no village ahead and no shop behind, how could someone without great perseverance cultivate in seclusion here? It seems this Sky Scraping master is indeed a distinguished individual.¡± ¡°Who goes there!?¡± Just then, a cold shout rang out. Shortly after, a graceful and seductive woman appeared before the three of them. Yu Huai, the Great True Master, clasped his hands together and said, ¡°I am Yu Huai from the Zhenyi Sect, here to visit Master Sky Scraping.¡± ¡°The Great True Master Yu Huai of the Zhenyi Sect?¡± The beautiful woman¡¯s brows relaxed slightly, and then she said, ¡°Please come inside.¡± As she spoke, the beautiful woman twisted her slender waist and walked toward the cave with lotus steps, every movement radiating charm that irresistibly ignited desire. Yu Huai, the Great True Master, kept his eyes straightforward, whereas the two disciples beside him blushed and began to experience rapid heartbeats. Walking into the cave, they discovered it was brightly lit; the three of them realized the cave was luxuriously decorated with tables, chairs, paintings, bookshelves, flower vases, among other items. Moreover, several beautiful women stood to the side, each with a spring-like look in their eyes and smiles on their lips. ¡°Please come inside,¡± the beautiful woman gestured as she moved forward. The cave meandered and was divided into several rooms, each arranged and decorated meticulously and tastefully. This was hardly a cave; it was clearly a mansion inside the mountain. After a short while, the group arrived at the entrance of a quiet room. ¡°Master, Yu Huai, the Great True Master from the Zhenyi Sect has arrived,¡± the beautiful woman said respectfully to the quiet room. ¡°I know,¡± came a dry and unpleasant voice from inside. ¡°Click!¡± ¡°Click!¡± Shortly after, the stone door rose, and a figure appeared before the three of them. Not tall, about the size of a seven- or eight-year-old child, with an ugly face, the person wore a white robe that seemed completely out of place. It was a dwarf! Song Nian was greatly surprised in his heart, never expecting the Sky Scraping master to be such an ugly dwarf. Yu Huai, however, remained composed and clasped his fists, ¡°Yu Huai pays respects to Master Sky Scraping.¡± Master Sky Scraping said with a forced smile, ¡°No need for formalities, I received Brother Ling¡¯s letter. Before I consider leaving the mountains, I have a few questions.¡± Yu Huai, the Great True Master, nodded, ¡°Please ask, Master Sky Scraping.¡± Before coming, he had already learned about Master Sky Scraping¡¯s temperament from Ling Yuanjing. Master Sky Scraping asked, ¡°Has the Ghost Swordsman reached the Grandmaster Realm?¡± Yu Huai, the Great True Master, clasped his fists, ¡°His strength is inconsistent, but at most, he is at the Half-step Master Realm, certainly not a Grandmaster.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Master Sky Scraping nodded slightly, then continued, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, how are your preparations going?¡± Due to the Spirit-Seeking Rat, many people in the Martial World had sought his intervention, but his first condition was never to confront anyone from the Grandmaster Realm, and the second was that he must receive benefits beforehand. Without these two conditions met, he would not make an effort. ¡°Here are three Hundred Yuan Pills.¡± Yu Huai, the Great True Master, took out a porcelain bottle and then threw it to Master Sky Scraping. ¡°Good.¡± Master Sky Scraping took the porcelain bottle, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light. Hundred Yuan Pills were renowned for being potent healing holy medicines that could regenerate flesh and mend bones, rumored even to revive the dying. This elixir, crafted by the Zhenyi Sect, required a massive amount of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, with only two batches produced every thirty years, making a single pill exceedingly difficult to obtain. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Master Sky Scraping chuckled, ¡°In that case, I will accompany the Great True Master Yu Huai to Jiangnan Dao.¡± Seeing this, the beautiful woman beside him squat down, her eyes showing a hint of reluctance, ¡°My lord, how long will your journey be before you return?¡± Gently stroking the beautiful woman¡¯s jade leg, Master Sky Scraping, his ugly face contorted into a grimace more pained than a cry, said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, as soon as I find the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s whereabouts, I will return immediately.¡± ¡°Then I will wait in the cave mansion for my lord to return triumphantly.¡± Her eyes filled with allure, the beautiful woman teased with a playful smile. Chapter 137 - Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Trouble Arises at the Foot of Nanhua Mountain Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Trouble Arises at the Foot of Nanhua Mountain Nanping Dao, outside Nanhua City. Nanhua City is only thirty li from Nanhua Mountain. Although the city is not large, it thrives as it sits under Nanhua Mountain. An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen rode the Thousand-year-old Black Python all night and arrived in Nanping Dao¡¯s territory after three days of travel, and it took them another two days to reach the base of Nanhua Mountain. Upon entering Nanping Dao, they could feel the temperature gradually rising. The attire of the people on the streets also changed, with more colors compared to the monochromatic styles of Jiangnan Dao, and there were fewer refugees and beggars along the way. It¡¯s important to note that Nanping Dao is considered very poor among the nine daos of Great Yan, and its geographical location at the edge next to the Southern Barbarians makes it a mixed and tumultuous area, with the Great Yan Court having relatively weaker control here. Along the way, they even saw a few Southern Barbarians merchants wearing strange attire with various bizarre weapons at their waist and a lean stature, slightly different in appearance from the citizens of Great Yan. Next to a small hill, the Thousand-year-old Black Python coiled itself on the ground. An Jing leaned against the back of the Black Python, playing with a paperman in his hand, shouting loudly, ¡°Are you done yet?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the rush?¡± Soon, Lou Xiangzhen shook his hands, walked out of the bushes, and said with a dark face, ¡°This is supposed to be a pleasurable affair, but your rushing made it less enjoyable for me.¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°I was just worried that you might have had an accident since Nanping Dao is filled with many mountains, including some miasmatic and venomous insects.¡± Lou Xiangzhen waved his hand and then looked puzzled at the paperman in An Jing¡¯s hands, ¡°Who are you in contact with?¡± He was well aware of the Ghost Valley Paperman and could also make them himself, but ever since he retired from Jianghu, he had destroyed all his papermen, leaving only Jiang Sanjia¡¯s contact paperman. However, they hardly ever contacted each other. All the way from Jiangnan Dao, Lou Xiangzhen often saw An Jing playing with the paperman. ¡°I¡¯m communicating with my wife.¡± An Jing put away the paperman and sighed deeply. He did not know when he would see his wife again; this trip to Nanping Dao was going to delay them further, and he hoped he could find her before she returned to Jiangnan Dao. An Jing still didn¡¯t understand why that Mister Jiang wanted to kill him. But one thing he was sure of was that Mister Jiang definitely did not know he was the Ghost Swordsman. Had he unintentionally offended this master? ¡°Oh?¡± Upon hearing this, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes lit up; he hadn¡¯t thought that the paperman could also be used for communication between the two. An Jing glanced at Lou Xiangzhen and asked, ¡°Elder Lou, what do you think of this method?¡± ¡°Indeed not bad.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded slightly and said, ¡°If I were to use it, I¡¯d have to mark the paperman to tell them apart; otherwise, it would be too confusing since there are so many¡­.¡± An Jing smiled outwardly, but inside, he didn¡¯t believe Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words at all. Old Man Li, when young, was also a handsome and imposing man; however, Lou Xiangzhen always seemed like a sleazy old man no matter how one looked at him. Moreover, their time spent together had taught An Jing that although Lou Xiangzhen was a Grandmaster, he was an extremely unreliable talker who always had to compete over everything. If An Jing ate one roast chicken, he insisted on eating two; if An Jing drank one pot of wine, he insisted on drinking two¡­. It seemed as if he never wanted to lose in anything, and he wasn¡¯t targeting others, just him. An Jing urged the Thousand-year-old Black Python to open its mouth. ¡°Whoosh!¡± A streak of cold light emerged, and then the Evil Suppressing Sword turned into a beam of cold light and landed in his palm. Blood was still flowing on the blade. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Just then, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyebrows furrowed tightly, ¡°This must be the Evil Suppressing Sword, right?¡± ¡°Yes, this is the Evil Suppressing Sword,¡± An Jing nodded. His acquisition of the Evil Suppressing Sword was no secret in Jianghu, and there was no need to hide it from Lou Xiangzhen. Lou Xiangzhen somersaulted onto the head of the Thousand-year-old Black Python and said gravely, ¡°Lend me this sword for a look.¡± ¡°Here.¡± An Jing directly handed the Evil Suppressing Sword to Lou Xiangzhen, knowing that since the sword was spiritually bonded to him, it would only be an ordinary treasure sword when used by anyone else. Lou Xiangzhen extended his fingers, as if he was caressing the blade, then touched the blood on it, soon exclaimed, ¡°What strange blood this is, it doesn¡¯t look like human blood at all.¡± An Jing asked doubtfully, ¡°Could it be that even our senior doesn¡¯t know what kind of blood this is?¡± Originally when he acquired the Evil Suppressing Sword, he had tried to remove the fresh blood on the blade but was completely unable to find a way to clean it off, no matter what he did. Unexpectedly, even Lou Xiangzhen from the Ghost Valley Sect didn¡¯t know the origin of this blood. ¡°Not really sure,¡± Lou Xiangzhen hesitated for a moment, then shook his head, ¡°But this blood is definitely not ordinary. I¡¯ll try now to see if I can draw this fresh blood out of the sword.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Alright.¡± Lou Xiangzhen clapped his hands together, and a surge of True Qi flowed out from his palms. ¡°Sizzle! Sizzle!¡± The next moment, the fresh blood on the sword emitted a strange sound, beginning to divide into countless strands of blood that wrapped around the Evil Suppressing Sword, as if resisting the True Qi from Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°It won¡¯t work.¡± Lou Xiangzhen only tried once before shaking his head and speaking. An Jing felt even more curious in his heart. Why was this blood on the sword unknown to someone like Lou Xiangzhen who was a Grandmaster, and he could not remove it either? What exactly was this blood? Lou Xiangzhen pondered and then said, ¡°This might be the blood of an Exotic Beast, possibly even more ferocious and violent than the Thousand-year-old Black Boa beneath you, but it could also be¡­¡± Speaking to this point, his tone suddenly paused. An Jing also furrowed his brows, his mind involuntarily recalling Grandpa Jiang. Originally, he too had appeared atop Three Temple Mountain and had taken away that mummified corpse. The Evil Suppressing Sword was embedded in that corpse, and he had also mentioned his need to find Undying Blood. Could it be that this blood on the sword was Undying Blood!? At that thought, An Jing was inwardly shaken. According to what Grandpa Jiang had said, this Undying Blood was connected to longevity, something that even top Grandmasters coveted. ¡°Never mind, for now, it¡¯s more important to enhance my own strength.¡± After that, An Jing took over the Evil Suppressing Sword, his mind fully immersing in it as he delved into his Sword Dao. Every top Swordsman¡¯s Sword Intent is unique, each having their own Dao, and An Jing was no exception. Chu Nanying feeling the heartbeat within the Sword Intent was actually the essence of An Jing¡¯s Sword Intent, also marking An Jing¡¯s first attempt at condensing his Sword Intent. However, recently, he felt he had hit a bottleneck. Glancing at Lou Xiangzhen beside him, an idea struck An Jing. Although Lou Xiangzhen was also in the Fifth Realm, his foundation was undoubtedly much deeper than his own. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to seek some advice from him; if he could reach the Sixth Realm sooner, his strength would also increase a lot. ¡°Senior Lou, my Sword Intent seems to have hit some bottlenecks. I wonder if you could give me some guidance.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Lou Xiangzhen saw An Jing lowering his stance, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly, ¡°Although I dare not speak of other skills, I can give you some pointers on swordsmanship. Show me your Sword Intent first.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing nodded, then extended his arm. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± A Sword Light surged towards Lou Xiangzhen. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s expression remained unimpressed; to him, An Jing¡¯s Sword Skill seemed rather bland, the oppressive force of the Fifth Realm¡¯s Sword Intent having no effect. But the next moment, he felt his heart starting to beat rapidly, though very faint and only for an instant, it still disrupted his rhythm. ¡°Crack!¡± Lou Xiangzhen waved his arm, dispersing the Sword Light, then his expression changed, ¡°Was that your Sword Intent controlling my heartbeat just now?¡± ¡°Sort of,¡± An Jing admitted. ¡°But I¡¯m still just trying it out, controlling the heartbeat to slay opponents¡­¡± When Lou Xiangzhen heard An Jing¡¯s calm tone, a surge of emotion rose within him. Heartbeat Killing! This Sword Intent was extremely bizarre, almost describable as magical. Especially since a moment ago, he even felt a slight panic. This was truly terrifying. If Ghost Swordsman¡¯s cultivation reached the Grandmaster Realm, and his Sword Skill deepened a bit, Lou Xiangzhen might actually not be his match. In that moment, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s respect for this Ghost Swordsman increased significantly. ¡°Not bad.¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s heart trembled, but his face remained utterly calm as he said, ¡°Your Sword Intent and my Peach Blossom Sword Intent are not much different, we could indeed exchange some insights.¡± Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on An Jing¡¯s lips, ¡°That would indeed be excellent.¡± He then began to share his own thoughts on Sword Intent and his understanding of the Sword Dao. Even Lou Xiangzhen felt enlightened by some of these insights and couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°May I know who your master is?¡± He naturally recognized Yan Shaoshan, whose strength was in the Heavenly Flower Realm, and who wasn¡¯t a master of cultivating the Sword Dao, so he couldn¡¯t possibly be teaching a Ghost Swordsman of such caliber. ¡°I don¡¯t have a master, I enjoy reading this normally.¡± An Jing took out two books from his bosom and then pulled one out. It was indeed the ¡°Sword Dao Tao General Outline.¡± However, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes were unbearably focused on the other comic book An Jing had. The next moment, An Jing subtly put it away. ¡°The ¡®Sword Dao Tao General Outline¡¯!?¡± Lou Xiangzhen coughed once and said. He was naturally familiar with the ¡°Sword Dao Tao General Outline,¡± as it could be found in any book stall, and was considered a beginner¡¯s book for practicing swordsmanship. An Jing nodded and said, ¡°As the saying goes, governing a great country is like cooking small fish, great joy must come simply, so I believe the deeper Sword Dao is within these basic foundations. I have read this ¡®Sword Dao Tao General Outline¡¯ no less than ten thousand times.¡± His statement was no exaggeration; he had indeed read the booklet that many times, or else An Jing¡¯s Sword Skill would not have reached the Fifth Realm. Lou Xiangzhen, realizing this, responded, ¡°You¡¯re right, the profound Sword Dao is indeed within these basic swordsmanship practices. I have some feelings about your Sword Intent as well, listen and see if they are helpful.¡± Seeing An Jing sharing his understanding of the Sword Dao without any reservation, Lou Xiangzhen did not keep any secrets either. He shared all his insights and understanding of An Jing¡¯s deadly Sword Intent. Upon hearing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s insights, An Jing experienced a moment of sudden clarity and gained a new layer of perception. An hour later, both of them had reaped significant benefits. Lou Xiangzhen took out a booklet and said, ¡°This is my collection of sword drawings, which contains the insights of my lifetime in Sword Dao; you can take a look.¡± ¡°Thank you very much, Elder Lou.¡± An Jing gratefully said. The sword diagrams, created from the lifetime insights of a swordsman like Lou Xiangzhen, were extraordinarily unique, something truly not accessible to anyone but his direct disciples. Yet, Lou Xiangzhen was willing to let him take a look, which was unquestionably a great token of trust. Lou Xiangzhen waved his hand nonchalantly, ¡°No matter, just remember to return it to me when you¡¯re done, as I need to keep it to find a successor for my Ghost Valley Sect.¡± An Jing¡¯s Sword Intent had also benefited him greatly, and Lou Xiangzhen did not want to take advantage of An Jing. The two chatted leisurely for a while and then made plans to find a place to stay. After five continuous days of rushing, they were quite fatigued. Soon, they spotted what seemed to be an inn up ahead, its large flag whistling in the fierce wind. ¡°Within dozens of miles, this seems to be the only tavern,¡± Lou Xiangzhen stated, relying on his experience. ¡°Let¡¯s spend the night here, and I¡¯ll head into Nanhua Mountain later tonight to check out the situation,¡± An Jing suggested before making the Thousand-year-old Black Python conceal itself and following Lou Xiangzhen into the inn. Upon entering, the inn felt peculiar. Night had fallen, and the inn was dimly lit, eerily quiet, resembling the mystic ambiance of the Underworld, which sent shivers down one¡¯s spine. Candles burned around the room, casting faint light, the air was damp and cold, carrying a hint of a rotting smell. Observing the surroundings, it felt like countless insects were crawling on one¡¯s skin, creating an unbearable and uncomfortable feeling. ¡°Are you guests here to stop for a meal or to stay overnight?¡± Just then, a woman in her thirties approached. Her dress was peculiar, wearing a hat typical of the Southern Barbarians, and her accent was also slightly different from that of Jiangnan Dao. Her features were charming and vulgar, her body voluptuous, seductively enchanting. ¡°This might be an inn run by people from the Southern Barbarians,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said with a faint smile, ¡°Let¡¯s eat something first, then stay overnight.¡± ¡°Good eye, sir,¡± The flamboyant woman grinned and said, ¡°My husband and I are from the Southern Barbarians. It has been seven years now. Yesterday, we received a new batch of our Southern Barbarians¡¯ specialty, king snake. I wonder if you gentlemen would be interested?¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows slightly, ¡°Snake meat?¡± In his impression, snake meat was not particularly delicious; he did not like it much. Lou Xiangzhen waved his hand, ¡°Then let¡¯s have two. I haven¡¯t tasted the Southern Barbarians¡¯ King Python in many years either. Bring up two jars of good wine as well.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± The woman revealed a sinister smile and quickly walked toward the counter, ¡°Boss, get some snake meat.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Next to the counter was a one-eyed man whose voice was somewhat unusual. Having said that, he headed toward the kitchen. Lou Xiangzhen sat down and said indifferently, ¡°The King Python is a Southern Barbarian specialty. It is said that adult King Pythons are seven meters long. Their meat is tender and considered a delicacy.¡± An Jing sat down and habitually touched the table top, which was spotlessly clean, impeccably so. Lou Xiangzhen poured himself a cup of tea and said, ¡°The Southern Barbarians were civilized later, and most tribes live deep in the mountains. Some tribes still live primitively to this day. If you have time, you should visit the Southern Barbarians.¡± Through their interactions over the past few days, Lou Xiangzhen had clearly perceived that An Jing lacked experience traveling in Jianghu. A true swordsman is forged through countless bloodshed. A comfortable, tranquil life simply cannot hone a true swordsmanship master. This was Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s understanding. ¡°Come help me sharpen my knife.¡± Soon, a man¡¯s voice came from the kitchen. The enchanting woman nodded at An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen and then headed toward the kitchen. An Jing also got up and took a few steps, peering into the kitchen through a crack. The inn¡¯s floor was very clean, but the kitchen behind was frighteningly dirty. Grease and stains were everywhere; the floor was littered with trash, bits of meat, and bone scraps, the air filled with a strong scent of blood. At that moment, the enchanting woman seemed to sense something and instinctively looked out of the kitchen. The hall outside was empty, An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen were sitting at the table having tea and chatting, which made her sigh in relief. The serving was quick, and soon a plate of equally fragrant meat arrived, exuding an irresistible smell. After serving the King Python meat, the enchanting woman left. An Jing glanced at the snake meat, then transmitted his voice, ¡°It¡¯s not poisoned.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded, then picked up his chopsticks and put some snake meat in his mouth. However, he did not chew more than a few bites before frowning deeply and spitting it out. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± An Jing asked. ¡°This meat tastes strange¡­ It doesn¡¯t seem like King Python meat, but it¡¯s even more delicious than King Python meat,¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s expression became exceedingly odd. The two exchanged glances, neither speaking further, not even touching the wine on the table. An Jing casually stirred the meat with bamboo chopsticks and called out loudly, ¡°We are done eating. Is there a place to rest?¡± Upon hearing this, the enchanting woman emerged from the kitchen and asked incredulously, ¡°That fast?¡± An Jing smiled and replied, ¡°Yes, we always eat quickly.¡± The enchanting woman shrugged, wiped her hands on a cloth, and approached them. She bent down to look at the meat on the table and asked in a grave tone, ¡°Sir, does the taste not suit you?¡± Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently at the side, ¡°I have a poor appetite.¡± The enchanting woman stared at them for a moment, then laughed out loud, ¡°Well then, I¡¯ll take you to your room to rest.¡± The enchanting woman then led An Jing to the back house, which had a row of guest rooms. ¡°All the rooms here have been cleaned. Please,¡± The room felt stuffy and smelled musty, but it was still fairly clean. ¡°That didn¡¯t seem like snake meat.¡± An Jing sat in a chair inside the room, surveying his surroundings as he spoke quietly. ¡°Definitely not.¡± Lou Xiangzhen cautioned, ¡°Let¡¯s rest first. These two have some skill, but they can¡¯t cause any serious trouble. Aren¡¯t you still planning to explore Nanhua Mountain tonight? There are skilled masters in the mountains.¡± An Jing nodded. When the time came, he would take the Thousand-year-old Black Python with him up the mountain. As long as he didn¡¯t encounter a master of the Grandmaster Realm, there would be no danger to his life. The Seven Evils Sect couldn¡¯t even be counted as one of Great Yan¡¯s seven sects, so it was unlikely they had a Grandmaster Realm master. Soon afterward, Lou Xiangzhen returned to his own room. An Jing then took out the sword chart of Lou Xiangzhen and began to study it. At this moment, he was eagerly wanting to enhance his own strength. ¡°Heartbeat Murder¡­.¡± ¡­¡­ Yu State City, Datong Tea House. The night was growing deeper, and Datong Tea House was about to close. The manager of Datong Tea House said to the waiter, ¡°Lai Fu, go pour some leftover food for that little black pup. It truly is a loyal dog.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Hearing this, Lai Fu poured all the leftover food from the kitchen and quickly headed to the door of Jishi Hall. There lay the little black pup at the entrance, drowsy, and seeming to hear the footsteps, it slowly lifted its head to look. ¡°Eat up, poor little fella.¡± Lai Fu looked at the little black pup and shook his head, sighing, ¡°It¡¯s only been about ten days, and it has already lost so much weight.¡± He clearly remembered, when Doctor An¡¯s family was around, this black dog used to jump around so happily and was fattened up nicely, its belly almost touching the ground. Now, in just ten days, the black dog had noticeably lost weight. ¡°Awoo!¡± The little black pup barked at Lai Fu, then slowly approached the food bowl and licked it a few times. Lai Fu, feeling emotional, said, ¡°Life is so unpredictable. Jishi Hall used to be so bustling, and Doctor An and his wife were so kind-hearted, alas!¡± ¡°Even though they are gone, you must take care of yourself.¡± The little black pup licked a bit and then slowly laid down far away, seemingly unwilling to eat more. ¡°Not eating more?¡± Lai Fu couldn¡¯t help but say when he saw this. The little black pup lay listlessly on the ground, paying no attention to Lai Fu. ¡°I¡¯ll just leave this here, eat some more if you want.¡± Lai Fu sighed and then walked away. The little black pup still lay there, its glistening eyes looking into the distance, as if waiting for something. Before long, two sneaky figures appeared not far away. One of them was the bully Song Lin. Song Lin stood in the distance, staring at the little black pup, ¡°That¡¯s the black dog, it¡¯s lost a lot of weight now, somewhat a pity.¡± ¡°Brother Lin, should we really be doing this?¡± A hesitant young man at his side said, ¡°I heard that this dog was left behind by Doctor An. It lies in front of Jishi Hall every day and is a good dog.¡± Since An Jing¡¯s death, the little black pup had been lying at Jishi Hall; passersby were deeply moved, and some even threw food to the little black pup, making it quite renowned. Song Lin slapped the young man on the head, ¡°Others keep a dog and know it¡¯s loyal, I keep you, and when it comes to doing something simple, you can¡¯t even manage that.¡± Am I worse than a dog!? the young man thought to himself, but he dared not speak out loud. ¡°The dog is thin now; the taste might even be better. If it loses more weight, there¡¯ll be no meat left.¡± Song Lin stared at the little black pup, chuckling, ¡°We¡¯ll catch it later and take it to Chef Wang at the Wuyang Tavern. His dog meat is peerless.¡± As he spoke, Song Lin took out a cloth bag from his waist and handed it to the young man. ¡°Okay¡­ okay then.¡± The young man sighed and cautiously approached the little black pup. The little black pup seemed to smell something, its ears twitching as it looked into the distance, seeing a young man with a cloth bag carefully approaching it. ¡°Woof woof woof!¡± The little black pup suddenly stood alert and began to bark furiously at the young man. ¡°Hurry up, don¡¯t waste time,¡± Song Lin shouted urgently when he saw this, ¡°It would be troublesome if other people come.¡± ¡°I know.¡± The young man, hearing this, opened the cloth bag and charged forward, only to dive into nothing but air, accidentally spilling the leftovers. How clever was the little black one? Seeing the bag open for an instant, it bolted straight for the distance. The young man fell flat, but in the process, he accidentally knocked over the leftover food. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re running!?¡± At this point, Song Lin also rushed over, trying to block the little black one¡¯s path. The little black one sped up, trying to dash between Song Lin¡¯s legs. But Song Lin was quick and nimble, stretching out his hand to grab the little black one¡¯s tail, then smirked triumphantly. ¡°Hahaha, you think you can outsmart me, Song Lin?¡± ¡°Bro Lin is Bro Lin.¡± Seeing this, the nearby youth burst into laughter. ¡°Ouch!¡± Just then, the little black one flipped over and bit Song Lin right on the arm. Song Lin felt a sharp pain and instinctively let go. The little black one rolled on the ground a couple of times before quickly running away into the distance. ¡°Bro Lin, are you okay?¡± the youth hurried over to ask. ¡°Damn it!¡± Song Lin glanced at his wrist; because spring was coming, he had just switched to a thinner shirt, and the little black one had bitten him hard enough to draw blood. ¡°Bro¡­ Bro Lin, you¡¯re not going to get rabies, are you?¡± The youth turned pale upon seeing this. Commoners all knew that being bitten by a dog could either mean nothing or, with bad luck, lead to rabies, which, if untreated, could even result in death. Heard the youth¡¯s words, a chill went down Song Lin¡¯s spine. ¡°Woof woof woof!¡± Just then, the little black one stood by the Yu State River bank and, seeing that the two hadn¡¯t followed, began to bark furiously at them. ¡°Motherfucker! This dog is taunting us!¡± Song Lin saw this and seemed ready to breathe fire. A mere dog, daring to challenge him. ¡°Bro Lin, what do we do now?¡± the youth stammered. Song Lin roared, ¡°Are you dumb? Help me get to a doctor. If I can¡¯t be cured, I¡¯ll bite you before I go.¡± Upon hearing this, the youth¡¯s face fell. It was the dog that bit you. If you¡¯re thinking of revenge, shouldn¡¯t you bite the dog? Why bite me? Besides, the dog bit your hand, not your leg; you need help to walk? ¡°Hurry up, hurry up,¡± Song Lin urged. ¡°Yes, yes, yes.¡± The youth quickly supported Song Lin, and they quickly disappeared into the night. After the two men completely vanished, the little black one, appearing tired, made his way to the doorstep of Jishi Hall and licked the cold leftovers on the ground. ¡­¡­ Nanping Dao, inn. As time slowly passed, it soon reached deep into the night. An Jing was sitting cross-legged on the bed, single-mindedly cultivating, when he suddenly felt something move below him. ¡°The floorboard!?¡± In the darkness, An Jing¡¯s expression remained stoic. With a creaking sound, it seemed like a secret door was opened beneath the bed. Then, faint panting sounds were heard. Before long, the shadow under the bed began to move, and slowly a person in black clothes emerged. An Jing saw it clearly but remained motionless. The man in black carefully straightened up, standing silently by the bed like a ghost, his hand clutching a pitch-black iron hammer. An Jing squinted his eyes, sizing up the other person secretly. Since the man in black was standing with his back to the window, backlit by the light, An could not clearly see his face. However, from his feeling, he had never seen this person before. Though he couldn¡¯t see the person¡¯s face clearly, An Jing clearly knew the person was smiling ¨C from his wide-open mouth, he could see the ghastly white teeth. The man in black reached out his hand, seemingly wanting to touch An Jing¡¯s face. His hand was black and rough, even his fingernails were black, and carried a strong scent of blood. An Jing could see clearly, and he smelled it clearly too; the odor caused his stomach to churn, nearly making him vomit out the gastric acid. But just as his hand was about to reach An Jing¡¯s face, his right hand wielding the iron hammer suddenly lifted, his mouth curling into a cruel smile as he swung it towards An Jing¡¯s head. That hammer carried a terrifying force. At that moment, An Jing¡¯s eyes suddenly snapped open, and his body moved as fast as lightning, grabbing the man¡¯s wrist. ¡°You!¡± The man in black showed an expression of great shock. This man was the innkeeper, and his cultivation had reached the Third Grade, barely considered among the Upper Three Grades. An Jing sneered coldly, his inner strength gathering entirely in his palm. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± ¡°Aah¨C!¡± The innkeeper only felt an intense, piercing pain, followed immediately by his whole arm being dislocated. He couldn¡¯t help but let out a wail. However, the sound seemed as if it were cut off from the outside; absolutely no noise could be heard outside the room. ¡°Who exactly are you?¡± An Jing asked coldly. The innkeeper¡¯s forehead was slick with cold sweat, ¡°I am a member of the Seven Evils Sect. Today I misjudged; I hope you might grant me a path of life and perhaps form a good connection.¡± He could never have expected that this unremarkable man in a black robe had such high cultivation. With his Third Grade skill, he had almost never failed, yet today he was subdued with just one move. No, it was not even one move. ¡°Too late.¡± At that moment, the door opened, and a figure slowly walked in. It was Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°You¡­¡± The innkeeper felt a chill in his heart upon seeing him, ¡°You killed Elder Zhang?¡± Elder Zhang was of Second Grade, but he had been silently killed by this old man. He had kicked an iron mountain¡­ no, a mountain of iron! ¡°Are you talking about that despicable woman?¡± Lou Xiangzhen spoke indifferently, ¡°If so, she¡¯s already gone below.¡± Despicable woman!? Upon hearing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit puzzled. Lou Xiangzhen turned towards An Jing, saying, ¡°They must be people of the Seven Evils Sect, this inn must have harmed many people, just kill them all.¡± An Jing nodded, then placed a palm on the innkeeper¡¯s heavenly spirit cover. ¡°Bang!¡± A loud, violent sound was heard, and the innkeeper instantly stopped breathing. An Jing asked, ¡°Senior Lou, did you kill that woman?¡± ¡°I did.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded slightly. An Jing, puzzled, said, ¡°She wasn¡¯t planning to do something to you, was she?¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s expression shifted slightly, then he snorted coldly, ¡°Such a filthy woman, wanting to engage with me?¡± An Jing blinked his eyes and then touched his own cheek. Has the world changed? An Jing thought back to the daytime when he had pulled out the ¡°Sword Dao Tao General Outline¡± and a comic book, and recalled Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s peculiar expression. ¡°Elder Lou, you wouldn¡¯t still be a virgin, would you? That¡¯s a real pity for that woman¡¯s graceful figure¡­.¡± An Jing examined Lou Xiangzhen closely. ¡°Nonsense! Utter rubbish! Making things up out of thin air!¡± As if struck by pain, Lou Xiangzhen pointed at An Jing, angrily saying, ¡°If you mention this matter again, I will go to Qing Feng Hall right now and claim tens of thousands of silver.¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s face rapidly changed, quite a sight to behold. An Jing felt a jolt in his heart, realizing that he had inadvertently spoken a truth. The two of them stared at each other, neither speaking. Time seemed to stand still. After a long while, An Jing finally soothed, ¡°Elder Lou is highly ethical and pure, untainted by worldly hatred, wholly devoted to the arduous practice of swordsmanship¡ªa true model for our generation.¡± He still needed Lou Xiangzhen to safeguard and guide him; he absolutely couldn¡¯t afford to offend this person at this moment. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s expression fluctuated, only calming down somewhat after hearing An Jing¡¯s words. An Jing changed the subject, ¡°From what I see, the people from the Seven Evils Sect running this dark inn must have other motives; it seems there¡¯s a tunnel beneath this bed.¡± He vividly remembered that the innkeeper had just run out from this tunnel. ¡°Let¡¯s go down to see, a shady inn in Nanhua City is certainly not ordinary.¡± Lou Xiangzhen took a deep breath, saying, ¡°Aren¡¯t you looking to probe the bottom line of the Seven Evils Sect? This is a good opportunity.¡± An Jing nodded, aware in his heart: this old virgin didn¡¯t want to follow him. Afterward, An Jing quickly prepared himself and opened the secret compartment beneath the bed. Thud! With a crisp sound, An Jing landed on the ground; he looked downward only to find a tunnel half a zhang high. The tunnel was narrow, allowing only one person to pass through; An Jing bent over and walked towards the deeper end of the tunnel. The air inside the tunnel was moist, a mix of stench and mildew, nauseating. An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed, feeling that this place extended very long. The tunnel had many branches, clearly leading to different rooms; An Jing ignored them, focusing on moving deeper. The further he went, the stronger the smell of blood in the air; after slowly advancing for about the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, the way ahead was blocked, and there was no path forward. An Jing hurried forward and saw that it was an iron door blocking the way; he placed his hand on it, and instantly, a chill spread from the iron door to his palm. It was a coldness that chilled to the bone. He gently pushed, but the iron door did not budge. An Jing took a deep breath, his inner strength circulating due to his injury, and pushed hard again. With a quiet sound, the iron door opened. An Jing didn¡¯t immediately leap forward but quickly retreated a few steps backward, and after seeing no danger, he quietly looked outward. The iron door led to an ice cellar. The ice cellar was not large, narrow and long, and very dim, and in this not-so-large ice cellar, hung more than a dozen garments, hanging like pork on iron hooks; but what was inside the garments was not pork¡ªit was people. Ghastly naked corpses, both male and female, many of which were so mutilated that their flesh had turned eerily pale. This was the first time An Jing had seen such a scene, and he felt a chill surge to his heart, shivering involuntarily. Stupefied, he slowly walked out of the tunnel, staring at the hanging corpses, his heart feeling hairy with dread. The scene was terrifyingly appalling. Suddenly, a black shadow crawled out from among the corpses. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It was a palm-sized insect, snow-white and translucent, seemingly connected by blood vessels inside. A gu insect!? An Jing saw this and his brow furrowed tightly. ¡°Who¡¯s there!?¡± The next moment, a cold shout, sharp like a sword, came from a distance. Chapter 138 - Chapter 138: Chapter 138: The Taboo Sect, Seven Evils Sect Chapter 138: Chapter 138: The Taboo Sect, Seven Evils Sect Hearing this voice, An Jing¡¯s eyebrows shot up, and he looked over. From the dark passage ahead, a tall and burly figure approached, with bushy eyebrows and large eyes, holding a longsword that flickered with a cold light. Around him gathered a strong force qi, majestic like a tide. ¡°How bold of you to dare trespass into the Forbidden Land of the Seven Evils Sect!¡± The tall figure watched An Jing with a cold gaze. ¡°Forbidden Land!?¡± An Jing scoffed coldly, ¡°Using human flesh and blood to feed Gu Insects, this is a major taboo of the Great Yan Court¡­.¡± Clearly, this was a place for raising Gu Insects, and uniquely, the feed was human flesh and blood. The Great Yan Court had strict laws, especially concerning sects that practiced forbidden martial arts. Even the notorious Demon Sect would not dare to use humans to practice martial arts and enhance their cultivation. Cold lights flashed in the large figure¡¯s eyes as he clearly recognized An Jing¡¯s extraordinary strength and said in a low, cold voice, ¡°Who exactly are you?¡± As he spoke, his inner strength surged through his meridians, gathering onto the blade. ¡°And who are you?¡± An Jing seemed to ignore him and said faintly. The tall figure¡¯s tone began to slow down, saying, ¡°Second Elder of the Seven Evils Sect, Gou Feng; have you ever heard of him?¡± Gou Feng!? In Jianghu, new masters from the younger generation emerged like carp crossing the river, compounded by some masters who practiced in seclusion and did not gain fame in Jianghu. Therefore, new masters popped up every year in Jianghu. An Jing was unfamiliar with these grand masters of such a vast Jianghu, let alone with an elder from a humble sect like the Seven Evils Sect. However, he could sense that Gou Feng¡¯s cultivation was at the Second Grade Realm. At the peak of Second Grade, he would already be considered a guardian in the Demon Sect, a testament to the extraordinary strength of the Seven Evils Sect. ¡°No.¡± An Jing said indifferently. ¡°No!?¡± A cruel smile appeared on Gou Feng¡¯s lips, ¡°Then that really is a pity.¡± As he spoke, his longsword lifted. ¡°Shi!¡± A cold blade light surged out, too fast to detect. An Jing, from beginning to end, seemed to have not seen the blade light and did not move. Frozen in fear!? Gou Feng smiled even deeper at this. But at the next moment, An Jing¡¯s arm suddenly shot up. Fast! Too fast! Gou Feng completely missed how An Jing moved, as if he was just a gust of wind brushing past the face. ¡°Gu gu!¡± A red line appeared on Gou Feng¡¯s neck, and blood continuously flowed out. Because it was too fast, the smile remained on Gou Feng¡¯s face, creating a bizarre and eerie appearance. ¡°Thud!¡± Soon afterward, the large body heavily fell to the ground, stirring up a wave. The moment Gou Feng¡¯s body fell, the white Gu Insect swiftly crawled over and began to eat the flesh and blood from Gou Feng¡¯s body. As the flesh and blood entered its mouth, the blood lines on the Gu Insect¡¯s body appeared even rounder and more vivid. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing pointed his finger. A cold light heavily struck the Gu insect. ¡°Bang!¡± Blood burst forth, and the Gu insect perished instantly. An Jing stepped forward and rummaged through Gou Feng¡¯s corpse, finding some broken silver and a few manuals on Gu refining, but nothing else. He couldn¡¯t help but look in the direction from which Gou Feng had come. The dark passage ahead, with a hint of icy chill and Yin evil Qi, involuntarily made one¡¯s spine shiver. An Jing¡¯s expression remained calm as he walked forward. The passage was dark and narrow. After walking for about the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, he finally saw a glimmer of light ahead. It was an open area with a chair in the center, made entirely of iron, utterly black and looking ancient, already rusty and spotted. Beside the pitch-black chair, there was also a bed and a square platform. On the platform, several jars were placed, looking just like the jars ordinary people use for pickling. However, inside these jars were not vegetables but human internal organs, hearts, lungs, livers, etc., with jars¡¯ mouths coated in fresh and dried blood. Other jars contained chunks of human flesh. At this moment, dense masses of white Gu insects were beside the jars, feeding on the blood nearby. ¡°This Seven Evils Sect¡­¡± An Jing felt a chill surge through his heart upon seeing this. The Seven Evils Sect had secretly killed countless people from the Jianghu to feed these Gu insects. If this matter were to leak out into the Jianghu, it would certainly cause a huge uproar. This kind of evil sect is a forbidden sect within the Great Yan Court, and if discovered, the entire Seven Evils Sect would be wanted by the Xuanyi Guard. Previously, there was a sect called Joyful Union Sect in the Great Yan, which delved into the method of dual cultivation. Originally, the sect recruited both male and female disciples equally, and members within the sect chose partners for dual cultivation. However, after a scheming sect leader came to power, in order to increase his strength, he massively exploited the female disciples of his sect, and after nearly depleting his own disciples, he then turned his attention to other people in the Jianghu. With many experts in Joyful Union Sect setting a bad example, dual cultivation and exploitation became chaotic; not only did members exploit each other but it also spread throughout the Jianghu. The people of the Jianghu suffered as well; once they were exploited by the Joyful Union Sect, their Essence would drain massively, especially since the sect¡¯s female disciples were alluring and skilled, some First Grade Cultivation experts couldn¡¯t withstand the exploitation and their cultivation even regressed. At that time, the Jianghu was in utter chaos, and the overall strength of the Great Yan Martial World declined because of the mess caused by the Joyful Union Sect. What a terrifying matter this was! Since ancient times, the Jianghu and the Court have been intricately linked; if there is trouble in the Jianghu, the Court will surely be affected as well. Seeing this, the Great Yan Emperor could no longer sit idly by. An Imperial Decree was issued, and the Joyful Union Sect instantly became a forbidden sect, with those practicing the Joyful Union Sect methods in the Jianghu becoming prime targets of the Xuanyi Guard. Simultaneously, the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect also declared an order to eradicate the Joyful Union Sect. In no time, both the Great Yan Martial World and the Great Yan Court issued a kill order against the Joyful Union Sect. In just half a month¡¯s time, the Xuanyi Guard breached the Joyful Union Sect¡¯s mountain gate, and its Sect Leader was slain by a great real person of the Zhenyi Sect, with all other skilled fighters within the sect dead, and the younger disciples were eradicated, erasing the sect from the history of the Great Yan. A glimpse into a small part reveals the bigger picture. If the secrets of this Forbidden Land were to be exposed, even if the Seven Evils Sect has formidable strength, it might not withstand the combined siege of the Xuanyi Guard and the Zhenyi Sect. ¡°Maybe not necessarily.¡± An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as currently, the Houjin Dynasty¡¯s momentum was surging, eyeing hungrily, and both the Demon Sect and the Buddhist sect had entered the Great Yan. If the Seven Evils Sect¡¯s strength was significant, other variables might indeed emerge. After all, the current situation was complex and entangled, and no one knew how the mastermind behind the scenes would make their move. Furthermore, it seemed that the Seven Evils Sect had some connections with the Southern Barbarians, which was somewhat puzzling. ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s stop thinking about these things. Taking the Golden Pill and leaving this place quickly is what matters most right now.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and then quickly walked towards the distance. His main purpose for this trip was for that Golden Pill; this was of paramount importance. In the passage, darkness and lack of light prevailed, filled with the stench of blood. He continued walking forward for about the time taken to burn half a stick of incense. Based on his steps, he should have covered a distance of three to four li, and along the path, aside from bloodstains, there were also many bodies and shells of Gu insects. Suddenly, An Jing¡¯s eyebrows twitched sharply as a ladder appeared in front of him. Looking up along the ladder, it stretched upwards continuously, without an end in sight. ¡°Could this secret passage lead to the summit of Nanhua Mountain?¡± An Jing looked up. Above the ground, the Thousand-year-old Black Python coiled at the base of the mountain. The Living Puppet Technique had its limitations; if the distance was too great, it would no longer be under control. Ever since the incident with Elder Jiang, An Jing always maintained a certain distance from the Thousand-year-old Black Python. In the event of a crisis, he could immediately command the Thousand-year-old Black Python to protect himself. ¡°Tap, tap, tap¡­.¡± An Jing stomped his foot and stepped onto the ladder, rushing upwards. At the same time, the enormous body of the Thousand-year-old Black Python also wound around the mountain of Nanhua as it surged upwards. The huge body twisted around the rocks, moving rapidly without making a sound. ¡°Is this the top of the mountain?¡± Not knowing how much time had passed, An Jing felt that he had arrived at the end of the ladder, his palm touching the exit of the secret compartment. ¡°Thud!¡± An Jing slightly lifted his arm and opened the wooden door of the secret compartment. Moonlight poured down like water, illuminating An Jing¡¯s handsome face while a fresh scent of blood emerged. ¡°Huh?!¡± An Jing was greatly shocked and quickly looked around. He saw that he was in a pitch-black, enclosed room, surrounded not only by Gu Insect shells but also several disheveled corpses. ¡°Has someone gotten here before me!?¡± A chill ran through An Jing¡¯s heart. The corpses in front of him were all killed with a single sword strike, showing that the person was a highly skilled swordsman. In the moment An Jing turned around, a silent blade of light attacked, aiming straight for his throat. Sleeve Sword!? An Jing saw the sword light and his heart chilled instantly. In the Martial World, there were rumors of a top Sword Dao master whose sword attacks were silent and could mask their murderous intent. The swordsmanship was not much different from the Hidden Sword Skill. This sword light was extraordinary. An Jing knew that the person who made the move was formidable and did not dare to be careless at all. He brought his fingers together and faced the oncoming sword light. Bang! The moment the two sword lights collided. Waves of Qi spread out to the surroundings, instantly turning tables, chairs, stools, and corpses into dust. ¡°Who!?¡± An Jing snorted coldly and looked in the direction from which the sword light had surged. In the dark night, a graceful and moving figure stood at the doorway, her hand holding a cold sword that flickered with glimmering frost. ¡°All members of the Seven Evils Sect must die.¡± The woman¡¯s voice was crisp, carrying a hint of cold murderous intent. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­¡± Before An Jing could finish his words, the woman¡¯s furious sword light had already attacked. ¡°Hiss, hiss, hiss!¡± The sword light danced, drastically dropping the temperature within the entire room, and a compelling chill surged out. An Jing leaped forward, his five fingers reaching out, with light surging behind him in the darkness, shining brightly as he pressed forward towards the oncoming sword light. Brahma Heart Sees Me! This was exactly the Body Refining Martial Arts that An Jing practiced. Although it was only at the Third Layer, it was still of the Heavenly Martial Level Instantly, the air around his palm swirled like ripples, emitting a piercing sound as it broke through the air. The moment the enormous palm surged forward, the sword light wielded by the woman directly shattered and then dissolved into a tide of qi mechanism that disappeared around the room. The woman in black raised her eyebrows and took several steps back towards the earth sphere behind her to steady herself, just as An Jing¡¯s onslaught came sweeping in like raging waves, blocking all paths of retreat. Seeing this, the woman in black was greatly shocked and couldn¡¯t help thinking to herself, ¡°Could there be a Buddhist expert among the tributors of the Seven Evils Sect?¡± Knowing An Jing was extraordinarily strong, she dared not hold back anymore. The sword light that burst forth from the longsword seemed to surge with a chilling cold light. In an instant, the room was filled with nothing but the exploding qi mechanism and the elusive, faintly discernible sword radiance. Nine Yang Divine Finger! Pointing Qiankun! Golden light surged behind An Jing, and then he pointed his finger forward. The Nine Yang Divine Finger, combined with Brahma Heart Sees Me, immediately unleashed a mountainous pressure, and a column of dazzling golden light descended. Whoosh whoosh whoosh! Countless streaks of sword light met the golden column. Bang bang bang bang bang! The sword light struck relentlessly and within moments, a crack startlingly appeared on the golden column. Seeing this, the woman in black snorted coldly, and the Human Flower, Earth Flower, and Heavenly Flower appeared behind her, as her inner strength crazily surged into the sword. A Heavenly Flower Realm expert!? An Jing¡¯s heart stirred when he saw this. He hadn¡¯t expected the expert who suddenly appeared to possess the cultivation of the Heavenly Flower Realm. It was well known in the Jianghu that most experts at the Heavenly Flower Realm were not unknown figures. Because once one reached this realm, hiding was no longer an option. Moreover, the woman was dressed in a nightwalker¡¯s outfit, clearly not wanting to reveal her identity. Boom! The sword light, infused with inner strength, generated numerous strong gusts of wind. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised as his inner strength surged like the tide, and instantly, the golden glow behind him grew even more intense, as dazzling as the harsh sunlight. ¡°Hiss hiss hiss!¡± The sword light struck like a violent storm, fiercely chopping at the golden light and emitting a series of dull sounds. The woman in black looked towards the golden light, then her heart leapt suddenly. In that golden glow, the person in the black robe gradually dispersed his golden light, yet his body remained unflinchingly still, with no sign of any abnormality. ¡°How is this possible?¡± The woman in the black cloak was shocked, understanding her own swordsmanship well enough to know that not even an expert at the Heavenly Flower Realm would dare to stand still and take on her blade. ¡°Whoosh!¡± A chilling light surged forward. ¡°Not good!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The woman in black hurriedly moved away to the distance. The Evil Suppressing Sword came rushing forward, slicing directly across her back, and her clothing tore open, revealing a slash mark on her snowy back. An Jing gripped the Evil Suppressing Sword tightly and said indifferently, ¡°I am not a person from the Seven Evils Sect, it seems you have targeted the wrong person.¡± ¡°The Evil Suppressing Sword!?¡± The woman in black recognized the Evil Suppressing Sword at a glance, a serious look appearing in her eyes, ¡°Could it be that you are the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Chapter 139 - Chapter 139: Chapter 139 Thousand-Year-Old Black Python Swallows the Wizard Chapter 139: Chapter 139 Thousand-Year-Old Black Python Swallows the Wizard An Jing looked at the woman in surprise; he had not expected her to recognize the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand at first glance. The Evil Suppressing Sword was forged by the Emperor Yan of the Great Zhou, seen only by the masters of the Great Zhou Royal Family. Although copies of its blueprint had circulated in later times, the ability to recognize the Evil Suppressing Sword at a glance was extraordinary. An Jing, touching the hilt of the sword in his hand, said indifferently, ¡°I do not know you, so why did you attack me fatally upon meeting?¡± ¡°It seems that this must have been a misunderstanding,¡± said the woman in black, her eyebrows lifting slightly. ¡°Misunderstanding?¡± An Jing sneered, ¡°Your ¡®misunderstanding¡¯ almost cost me my life.¡± The woman in black laughed lightly: ¡°You jest, sir. It was your Evil Suppressing Sword flying towards me from afar that nearly ended my life. Since we both have other purposes for coming to Nanhua Mountain, why waste time on such trivial matters?¡± An Jing heard this but showed no change on his face, though he was pondering deeply in his heart. His main purpose for coming to Nanhua Mountain today was for the Golden Pill, and there was no need to waste time with the woman before him. Seeing that An Jing did not speak, the woman in black continued, ¡°If there is a chance in the future, I will definitely visit to apologize to you. Although I do not know why you have come to Nanhua Mountain, I can tell you one piece of news¡ªthere are masters behind the Seven Evils Sect whose cultivation is even higher than mine; it¡¯s just not clear whether they are here on Nanhua Mountain.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows rose. To know that the woman in black was of the Heavenly Flower Realm, and yet there were those on Nanhua Mountain beyond the Heavenly Flower Realm¡ªthat could only be the masters of the Half-step Master Realm or the Grandmaster Realm. Not to mention the elusive Grandmaster Realm experts, those in the Half-step Master Realm were also renowned and feared in the Jianghu¡ªlike Li Fuzhou who was a Half-step Master Realm expert, and the four peak masters of the Zhenyi Sect were also Half-step Master experts. For the Seven Evils Sect, which didn¡¯t even rank among the top seven sects in the Great Yan Martial World, to have Half-step Master Realm experts was astonishing indeed. However, An Jing was not here to challenge the hidden masters of the Seven Evils Sect, so he was not afraid in his heart. After pondering for a long while, An Jing asked, ¡°Do you know where the Seven Evils Sect¡¯s Book Storage Tower is located?¡± ¡°Go out of this door and turn left,¡± said the woman in black. ¡°I have important matters to attend to, so I must take my leave,¡± she said, and with that, her body sprang up and she headed into the distance. ¡°Out the door, turn left¡­¡± An Jing did not hesitate either and quickly walked out the door. The peaks of Nanhua Mountain were stacked on top of each other, bathed in moonlight that shone like water, and the jade towers loomed, creating a landscape akin to a celestial realm. Most of it were remnants of South Shu architecture, which had been maintained in their original state through hundreds of years of repairs. An Jing walked out of the house and looked around to find himself as if in a heavenly realm on Earth. Both had greatly restrained their moves and suppressed their Qi Mechanisms just now, apparently unnoticed by the experts of the Seven Evils Sect. An Jing left the small house with its secret compartments and then headed to the left. On the way, he saw only a few disciples of the Seven Evils Sect, each with considerable cultivation, some of whom had even reached the Fourth Grade Realm. He then came across several separate courtyards. Passing through these courtyards, he saw a tall tower with three large characters inscribed on it¡ª¡±Book Storage Tower.¡± Next to it was a small wooden hut, where a Seven Evils Sect expert of the Third Grade Realm sat inside. Lou Xiangzhen had told him that the Golden Pill was inside a white jade statue in the Book Storage Tower of Nanhua Mountain. ¡°Better get the Golden Pill quickly,¡± An Jing took a deep breath, his body flitted, and he slipped into the Book Storage Tower, while the expert in the wooden hut did not notice that someone had sneaked into the Book Storage Tower at all. The Book Storage Tower of Nanhua Palace was built with elegance and grandeur, stunningly beautiful. It was once said to contain hundreds of thousands of books, but after Nanhua Palace was destroyed, most of the books were taken by the Great Yan Royal Family. Later, when the Seven Evils Sect moved in, they refurbished the Book Storage Tower and added the sect¡¯s martial arts, as well as their books, to its collection. In any sect, the place where martial arts were stored was of the utmost importance, let alone in a major sect like the Seven Evils Sect. Shelves upon shelves were filled with books including tales of strange occurrences, historical volumes, martial arts, encyclopedias, and crafting manuals. An Jing walked to the inner area, seeking the white jade statue that Lou Xiangzhen had mentioned, but he quickly realized that there were only rows of books here and no statue to be found. ¡°It can¡¯t be, Lou Xiangzhen shouldn¡¯t have deceived me,¡± An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed tightly, and after searching once more without finding the statue, he wondered, ¡°Could the Seven Evils Sect have discovered the secret of the Golden Pill in the statue?¡± Just then, a piercing scream spread throughout Nanhua Mountain. ¡°This is bad!¡± ¡°The Life Gu of Elder Gou Feng and Elder Meng Dong has shattered.¡± ¡°Someone has intruded into the Forbidden Land.¡± ¡°Quick, to the Seven Evils Hall, someone is attempting to assassinate the Sect Leader.¡± ¡­. A cacophony of noises arose, and the entirety of Nanhua Mountain descended into chaos. An Jing hurried to the top floor of the Book Storage Tower, and upon seeing the disarray below within Nanhua Mountain, he was startled. He knew he had killed Gou Feng, and he was clear about that. But he hadn¡¯t tried to assassinate the Sect Leader of the Seven Evils Sect. Could it have been the woman in black from before? Hadn¡¯t she said there were experts within the Seven Evils Sect with cultivation surpassing her own? How dare she make a move? And why did she want to kill the Sect Leader of the Seven Evils Sect? An Jing took a deep breath and continued to search for the statue. Suddenly, atop a square platform on the top floor of the Book Storage Tower, there appeared two statues as clear and lustrous as white jade, depicting a boy and a girl. ¡°Reminder: There is a green opportunity nearby (left statue).¡± ¡°Reminder: There is a blue opportunity nearby (right statue).¡± At the same time, the long-missed reminders from the Earth Book sounded. ¡°Found it.¡± Seeing this, An Jing¡¯s eyes lit up with a flicker of brightness. He stomped his foot on the ground, leapt up, and grabbed the two white jade statues with his hands. ¡°One green opportunity, one blue opportunity, what¡¯s going on here?¡± An Jing picked up one of the white jade statues for a closer look, then suddenly realized that the one on the right was exceptionally heavy. Though it did not appear large, it seemed to weigh tens of pounds. ¡°Hm!?¡± Looking through the white jade statue, it seemed like something was pulsating inside. Upon closer inspection, it was clearly a cocoon, and something inside appeared to be throbbing. And just as the white jade statue was lifted from the platform, a thread suddenly snapped. ¡°Sssss! Sssss!¡± The next moment, a strange noise sounded. An Jing scanned his surroundings. He saw multiple black Gu insects swarming from all directions, rushing towards him, or more precisely, towards the white jade statue in his hands. ¡°There are so many Gu insects here?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows knitted together tightly the moment he saw the insects. The black Gu insects were dense and numerous, forming a swathe of blackness on the ground. Clang! An Jing pointed a finger toward the swarm of Gu insects. Explosive Qi Mechanism surged and crashed upon the insects, instantly creating a cacophony of loud noises. Despite their tough exteriors, the black Gu insects were shattered by the powerful force. These Gu insects were stronger than those encountered underground; not only were they significantly larger, but their carapaces were also sturdier. ¡­. At Nanhua Mountain, in the rear hall of Nanhua Palace. In a quiet chamber. A white-haired man was sitting cross-legged on a meditation mat, surrounded by dozens of red Gu insects. Each insect was the size of a fist, with sharp mouthparts that looked incredibly bloodthirsty. Their mere appearance was unnerving and chilling to the bone. This man was the Sect Hierarch of the Seven Evils Sect, Feng Xiu. Feng Xiu looked at the Gu insects in front of him with a hint of infatuation in his eyes and whispered, ¡°I wonder if these twelve red Bloodthirsty Gu can evolve into a purple Bone-eating Gu by next year.¡± He had put countless effort and energy into these twelve Bloodthirsty Gu, longing for the day when he could cultivate a purple Bone-eating Gu. Then he could use the Bone-eating Gu in combination with the special Body Refining martial arts techniques of the Southern Barbarians. Just then, a cold voice suddenly rang out, ¡°I¡¯m afraid this Bone-eating Gu would require the blood of many people, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Who!?¡± Feng Xiu felt a sudden tremor in his heart and looked toward the source of the sound, only to see a woman in black standing not far away, holding a cold longsword in her hand. To enter his meditation room without a trace, her cultivation was truly terrifying. Seeing this, Feng Xiu spoke with a grave tone, ¡°You are¡­ ¡± The woman in black coldly asked, ¡°Feng Xiu, three years ago you killed my disciple Bai Yu¡¯er. Do you remember?¡± ¡°Bai Yu¡¯er!?¡± Feng Xiu was suddenly startled, ¡°You are Wang Ningshui?¡± Bai Yu¡¯er, this name he would naturally not forget. Three years ago, it was during the struggle for control of Nanhua Mountain twenty years ago between the Unrivaled Palace and the Seven Evils Sect that he led a group to assassinate the then Palace Master of the Unrivaled Palace, Bai Yu¡¯er, in secret. Because Feng Xiu¡¯s cultivation was only at the Human Flower Realm, and Bai Yu¡¯er was also at the Human Flower Realm, he did not have the confidence to kill Bai Yu¡¯er, so he had to resort to such a despicable strategy. And Bai Yu¡¯er¡¯s master was none other than the renowned Unrivaled Sword King Wang Ningshui from the Great Yan martial world of that time. ¡°It seems you still remember.¡± The woman in black nodded after hearing this. Feng Xiu felt a chill in his heart and said in a low voice, ¡°Senior, haven¡¯t you retired from Jianghu?¡± Wang Ningshui sighed lightly, ¡°I originally thought I could see through worldly affairs and leave Jianghu behind, but reality has shown me that Jianghu is not something I can just leave whenever I wish.¡± Only those who have truly stepped into Jianghu know that it¡¯s not a place one can simply walk away from. Feng Xiu seemed to sense Wang Ningshui¡¯s murderous intent and began to manipulate the Gu insects around him. ¡°Hiss!¡± Wang Ningshui¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly as she drew her longsword. ¡°Bang bang bang bang!¡± As the sword was lifted, a chilling light cast an icy coldness in the room, and the dozens of Gu insects instantly turned into a mist of blood. Feng Xiu¡¯s face was also splattered with blood, a look of fear appearing in his eyes. ¡°Do not move.¡± Wang Ningshui said indifferently, ¡°Tell me all about how the Seven Evils Sect has been colluding with the Southern Barbarians over the years, and perhaps I can offer you a swift death.¡± Feng Xiu wiped the blood from his face, his heart seized up, ¡°I don¡¯t know what Senior Wang is talking about.¡± Wang Ningshui¡¯s eyes narrowed to a slit, ¡°Still not willing to talk? For example, you trafficking women to the Southern Barbarians, and feeding human flesh to Southern Barbarian Gu insects, practicing taboo martial arts.¡± ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡± Upon hearing this, Feng Xiu could no longer sit still, a look of shock appeared in his eyes. He had carried out these acts in absolute secrecy, even some of the Seven Evils Sect¡¯s elders were unaware that he was behind them, so how did Wang Ningshui come to know? Seeing Feng Xiu¡¯s expression, Wang Ningshui became even more certain, then couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°The Southern Barbarians are uncivilized tribes, some of which still live on raw meat and blood to this day. Yet, you dare to sell off the common people of Great Yan to the Southern Barbarians, and even use the flesh and blood of our Great Yan people to feed Southern Barbarian Gu insects¡­ don¡¯t you have any conscience at all?¡± The conflict between the Seven Evils Sect and the Unrivaled Palace was over interests, which Feng Xiu could understand. But she couldn¡¯t understand how Feng Xiu, a person of Great Yan, could do something so universally abhorrent and utterly devoid of conscience. Do some people really have no bottom line at all? ¡°Conscience?¡± Feng Xiu¡¯s inner terror gradually subsided, and he said coldly, ¡°Is conscience useful? How much money can buy a pound of it?¡± Wang Ningshui didn¡¯t speak, just quietly watched the white-haired man in front of her. ¡°Without strength, you¡¯re fucking nothing, who would even give a damn about you?¡± Feng Xiu¡¯s audacity grew as he spoke, his voice ferocious, ¡°When I had a conscience, everyone despised me, insulted me, everyone wished they could defecate and urinate on the head of our Seven Evils Sect. Tell me, which of the current seven major factions isn¡¯t sanctimonious, sordid behind closed doors? The Zhenyi Sect¡¯s deacons and temple masters raising serving girls to entertain guests. And the nobility, which one of them does not have blood on their hands, with piles of bones beneath their feet? In their eyes, the common folks of this world are nothing but livestock they rear. Why don¡¯t you ask them where their conscience is? Who really has a conscience?¡± Wang Ningshui¡¯s gaze turned icy, ¡°You have fallen into devilry.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve fallen into devilry?¡± Feng Xiu laughed mockingly, ¡°Senior Wang, you must have grown senile from withdrawing from Jianghu. In this world, unwavering since ancient times, only strong power is fundamental. Everything else, like conscience and the like, they¡¯re all worthless crap.¡± ¡°Only those who live well and enjoy themselves have a conscience. Someone like me doesn¡¯t deserve one.¡± Wang Ningshui looked at Feng Xiu, not interrupting him. ¡°Liang Mo, Senior¡­¡± Just then, Feng Xiu saw someone behind Wang Ningshui, a look of joyful surprise on his face. Liang Mo!? Wang Ningshui naturally was familiar with that name¡ªit was the wizard from the Southern Barbarians. In the Southern Barbarians, those who are called wizards are figures with unfathomable strength and high status. In any tribe, they hold great authority and are often the spiritual leaders. In the Southern Barbarians, the title of wizard is a symbol of power and authority, supreme and unassailable. With the development of the Southern Barbarians over the past few centuries, the tribes had grown stronger and the number of martial experts had gradually increased. However, the number of witch doctors had not increased much at all. If a Southern Barbarian witch doctor were present today, not to mention killing An Jing, whether I could even walk away alive would be questionable. Wang Ningshui furrowed her brows and looked behind her, her hand going to her back which was empty, void of any human shadow. ¡°What an opportunity!¡± Seeing this, a cold light flashed in An Jing¡¯s eyes, and he immediately struck his palm towards Wang Ningshui¡¯s back. He used all his strength for this palm strike, not holding back in the slightest. But just as his hand was about to reach Wang Ningshui, his arm suddenly halted, unable to advance even an inch further, as if it was bound by some kind of shackle. ¡°The Heavenly Flower Realm!?¡± An Jing felt the Qi mechanism and a look of astonishment appeared in his eyes. Wang Ningshui spoke coldly, ¡°Since you¡¯ve chosen to be a dog for the Southern Barbarians, I can only send you on your way.¡± ¡°Puchi!¡± Wang Ningshui didn¡¯t hold back either, thrusting her sword fiercely forward, piercing directly through An Jing¡¯s throat. ¡°Gurgling¡ª!¡± Blood flowed down from his neck. An Jing felt his life force rapidly fading, his strength draining away from his hands, and then with a thud, he collapsed to the ground, his body even beginning to convulse: ¡°I¡­ I¡­ I have the Southern Barbarians¡¯ Gu insect inside me, if I die, you will be exposed too, that Liang Mo is truly inside the sect, I advise you to leave quickly before he notices.¡± ¡°The Southern Barbarians¡¯ Gu insect?¡± Wang Ningshui¡¯s heart shook when she heard this, and she quickly asked in a low voice, ¡°Do you mean you¡¯re being controlled by the Southern Barbarians?¡± An Jing, lying on the ground, cracked a feeble smile, ¡°I, An Jing, acted of my own free will, who could control me? I wanted to make Seven Evils Sect the national religion of Great Yan, the religion of the whole world, and I, An Jing, would be remembered for thousands of years¡­¡± An Jing hadn¡¯t finished speaking when his breath stopped. ¡°What controls you is your own desire.¡± Looking at An Jing lying in a pool of blood, Wang Ningshui sighed deeply. She knew that An Jing had intentionally told her this. ¡°Leave quickly.¡± Wang Ningshui took a deep breath and walked towards the outside of the chamber. But just as she stepped out of the chamber, a figure appeared in front of her. The person stood under the moonlight, seemingly merging with the moon¡¯s glow, tranquil and natural, dressed in the Southern Barbarians¡¯ ancient attire, wearing a strange hat. Because he was against the moonlight, his face was unclear. But Wang Ningshui¡¯s brows tightened. ¡°Unrivaled Sword, Wang Ningshui?¡± The figure inquired. The voice was somewhat hoarse and dry, showing great age. Wang Ningshui clenched her longsword tightly and asked, ¡°Witch Doctor Liang Mo?¡± Liang Mo nodded, saying with emotion, ¡°I have long heard of the great name of Unrivaled Sword; seeing you today, I can confirm you are indeed extraordinary. You managed to silently infiltrate Seven Evils Sect and even slay its Sect Leader.¡± Wang Ningshui responded calmly, ¡°Compared to Witch Doctor Liang Mo, I am but an amateur in the presence of a master. Witch Doctor Liang Mo himself has slipped into Great Yan, slaughtering many in the Martial World of Great Yan, nurturing Southern Barbarian Gu insects, all unbeknownst to us.¡± Liang Mo chuckled, which, despite the laughter, felt chilling, ¡°One should be careful with what they eat, but even more so with what they say. I am a tributor of the Seven Evils Sect, how could it be sneaking in? Besides, since my arrival in Great Yan years ago, I have never killed a single person from Great Yan.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Wang Ningshui gripped her longsword tightly and spoke, ¡°I wonder since when the Southern Barbarians have adopted Buddhism?¡± ¡°Whether the Southern Barbarians have Buddhism, I am not sure, but today, for you, I am willing to break my vow of non-killing.¡± After Liang Mo finished speaking, he reached forward with his palm. An overwhelming surge of Qi Force came rushing forth like a tidal wave toward Wang Ningshui, carrying with it the sounds of wind thunder. Half-step Master! With just one move, Liang Mo had revealed his formidable strength. Aside from practicing Gu Technique, the Southern Barbarians¡¯ Body Refining Martial Arts were also extremely powerful, second only to the contemporary Great Snow Mountain and Buddhism, ranking third in the world. ¡°Indeed, the witch doctors of the Southern Barbarians are extraordinary.¡± Wang Ningshui narrowed his eyes slightly, and his longsword swung out. Hiss! A streak of cold light surged forward, and in an instant, the two figures crossed paths. Under the moonlight, silhouettes became chaotic, indistinguishable from one another. Even though Wang Ningshui was at the Heavenly Flower Realm, Liang Mo was a Half-step Master, his fist force surging and turbulent, with an imposing momentum that was shocking. In just a few dozen exchanges, Wang Ningshui had already fallen into a disadvantage, and that was even without Liang Mo using his full strength. ¡°Thump!¡± With a casual punch from Liang Mo, the air seemed to shatter, emitting a deafening sound. Wang Ningshui¡¯s complexion turned pale, and he quickly crossed his longsword in front of his chest. Countless streams of airflow surged forward, forming a spiraling vortex. Thousand-Change Sword Technique! Soul Leaving Cone! Wang Ningshui was extremely talented in the sword dao, but he wasn¡¯t considered top-tier in the current era. Although he had not reached the Fifth Realm, he was now at the peak of the Fourth Realm. After the collision, Wang Ningshui staggered as if severely stricken, continuously retreating towards the back. And their battle, of course, alarmed the disciples of the Seven Evils Sect on Nanhua Mountain. The death of Sect Leader Feng Xiu was discovered, and immediately dozens of Seven Evils Sect experts rushed over. Liang Mo looked toward Wang Ningshui and said indifferently, ¡°The person before you is the murderer who killed Sect Leader Feng. You all back me up while I capture this person.¡± Instantly, all the members of the Seven Evils Sect glared fiercely at Wang Ningshui. The expression of the Great Elder of the Seven Evils Sect also fluctuated uncertainly. On ordinary days, it seemed like the Sect Hierarch gave the orders, but those who truly understood the situation knew that it was actually the wizard Liang Mo from the Southern Barbarians who had the real say. If he could curry favor with Wizard Liang Mo today, he might even gain the position of Sect Hierarch. ¡°Quick, run!¡± Wang Ningshui, knowing that he was no match for Liang Mo and seeing the threatening aura of the other disciples from the Seven Evils Sect, couldn¡¯t help but feel a chill in his heart. Waving his longsword, he leaped toward the distance. ¡°Wizard Liang Mo, don¡¯t let the criminal escape,¡± the Great Elder of the Seven Evils Sect immediately shouted. He had just received news that someone had broken into the ¡®Forbidden Land¡¯, and it was likely the expert before them. If it became known that the Seven Evils Sect was colluding with the Southern Barbarians, the Sect might very well be exterminated. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, she won¡¯t get away,¡± Liang Mo said as his body soared, following in pursuit. ¡­¡­.. Book Storage Tower. An Jing, after slaying dozens of Gu Insects, realized he might have been exposed. He stowed away the White Jade Statue and began to fly down the mountain. Just then, a familiar figure appeared ahead. ¡°Hurry!¡± Wang Ningshui saw the Ghost Swordsman ahead and immediately called out sharply. An Jing, upon seeing Wang Ningshui, was momentarily stunned. Before he could react, Liang Mo¡¯s figure appeared behind him. ¡°Holy Essence Gu!?¡± Seeing An Jing holding two White Jade Statues, Liang Mo¡¯s expression changed dramatically, and then he spoke gravely, ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are, but I advise you, don¡¯t take what you shouldn¡¯t.¡± Compared with the Holy Essence Gu before him, the matter of killing Feng Xiu and entering the Forbidden Land involving Wang Ningshui was not worth mentioning. The Holy Essence Gu was the work of half his lifetime. From the Qi Mechanism released by Liang Mo, An Jing sensed that this person¡¯s cultivation was roughly around the Half-step Master Realm. Having obtained the statues, he had no desire to entangle with him and headed toward the foothills below. ¡°Think you can leave!?¡± Liang Mo¡¯s foot stomped fiercely, and the bluestone slabs beneath his feet cracked, while his figure turned into a black light and instantly disappeared from where he was. ¡°Is he chasing after me? Could it be for the White Jade Statue?¡± As Liang Mo¡¯s figure vanished, An Jing felt a chill at his back and hurriedly executed the Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique. Boom! A fist shadow struck, hitting precisely where An Jing had just been standing, and immediately a massive noise echoed, shaking the surroundings. A punch missed its target, and Liang Mo¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he launched another two punches that thundered like drums. An Jing¡¯s figure retreated once more, as if avoiding the sharp edge. ¡°Who is this person, to be no weaker than Wang Ningshui?¡± Seeing An Jing continuously dodging his punches, Liang Mo couldn¡¯t help but be shaken. It is known that the grandmasters of the Great Yan Martial World haven¡¯t come out of seclusion, and Half-step Masters are also rarely seen in Jianghu. Therefore, experts of the Heavenly Flower Realm are already considered the peak. The arrival of someone like Wang Ningshui from Nanhua Mountain had already been astonishing enough, but now there was someone not weaker than Wang Ningshui. How could Liang Mo not be surprised? An Jing, who was darting back rapidly, suddenly stopped. In the depths of his black eyes, there was a trace of solemnity. Golden light surged behind him. Brahma Heart Sees Me! Before him, dark light emerged, and Liang Mo¡¯s figure appeared once again. His punches, like mountains, enveloped him as if wanting to crush him in one blow. Yet facing Liang Mo¡¯s punch, An Jing no longer retreated. An Jing¡¯s expression was as undisturbed as an ancient well, then he pointed forward. The two ferocious and domineering Qi Forces heavily collided with each other. Boom! The wild light swept over heaven and earth like a sun rising from the point of their fists¡¯ collision. The terrible current of Qi Mechanism blast waves wreaked havoc, and under the impact, the ground itself began to collapse layer by layer. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t Liang Mo a Half-step Master in terms of cultivation?¡± ¡°Can someone actually fight on par with Master Liang Mo and not be at a disadvantage?¡± ¡­¡­ The several Seven Evils Sect experts following Liang Mo hurried over. They were all trembling inwardly at the sight. They stared intently at the center of the rampaging Qi Mechanism. Bang! Qi Mechanism swept over, and the two figures clashed with each other again. An Jing¡¯s feet repeatedly stomped on the ground, and each step left a dent in the ground below, indicating the strength of Liang Mo¡¯s force. After retreating dozens of steps like this, he finally managed to stabilize his body. A golden Buddhist light surged and radiated from behind him. ¡°What on earth?¡± Wang Ningshui also noticed that Liang Mo stopped chasing her and instead went after that Ghost Swordsman, which caused her eyebrows to furrow. Meanwhile, Liang Mo took three steps back, his eyes filled with disbelief. The might of a Grandmaster! After that one confrontation, he actually felt a trace of a Grandmaster¡¯s might. ¡°Golden Bone?¡± Liang Mo looked at An Jing and said indifferently, ¡°If you are willing to relinquish the white jade in your possession, I can pretend this never happened.¡± Naturally, he did not intend to let the two of them go¡ªafter all, both could be accomplices and might have entered the Forbidden Land. But now, with the man in the black robe holding the Holy Essence Gu, he felt somewhat constrained. Wang Ningshui interjected, ¡°This person is Liang Mo from the Southern Barbarians. You can¡¯t trust his words.¡± Liang Mo¡¯s eyes narrowed as he looked toward the distant Wang Ningshui, and his urge to kill grew. An Jing played with the white jade statue in his hand, ¡°This was never an item belonging to your Southern Barbarians to begin with, so why should I give it to you?¡± He naturally did not believe Liang Mo¡¯s words, and besides, the two statues contained one green and one blue opportunity, so there was no way he would hand them over. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then there¡¯s nothing more to say.¡± As Liang Mo¡¯s voice fell, the Inner Strength within his body surged forth like the vast waters of a river or lake. A powerful Qi Mechanism pressure spread out from within. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try taking another punch from me?!¡± Liang Mo launched another punch, but this time when the Fist Force howled out, it was not only the terrible strength of the body and the formidable force but also the overwhelming Qi Mechanism that billowed out like a torrential mountain flood. It seemed like a flood that pierced through heaven and earth, and anything blocking its path would be utterly destroyed. Liang Mo¡¯s punch could inflict serious injuries on any regular Heavenly Flower Realm expert if it landed directly. The Qi Mechanism piercing through heaven and earth was reflected in An Jing¡¯s pupils. His expression at this moment was also quite solemn. However, within his solemnity, there was no sense of fear. An Jing¡¯s palm extended, and he slashed the Evil Suppressing Sword toward the front. ¡°` Boom! Boom! Two shadows crisscrossed, their Qi mechanisms fiercely colliding, each impact akin to an earthquake shaking the very earth and sky. Below, the experts of the Seven Evils Sect watched with grave expressions as the harsh clashes in the sky sent shockwaves that dispersed the surrounding houses and trees. In just a few dozen breaths¡¯ time, the two figures in the sky had already exchanged dozens of rounds. ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is indeed formidable; his sword technique is beyond what I can match,¡± one observed. And Wang Ningshui could see that An Jing¡¯s sword skill was likely at the Fifth Realm, which prompted a sigh of sentiment within her. Watching the two combatants, the experts of the Seven Evils Sect had looks of utter shock, causing an uproar. ¡°Who is this person?¡± ¡°A half-step Master Realm expert does not wander the Jianghu without renown.¡± ¡­¡­. After exchanging several dozen moves, An Jing was gasping for air, his sword-wielding arm numb and tingling, blood flowing from his palm. Although this Southern Barbarian wizard wasn¡¯t as strong as the Half-step Master he had encountered at Liumu Villa, he was still of the Half-step Master Realm and exerted tremendous pressure on An Jing. If not for his Golden Bone being refined to Perfection, he might have already been defeated. Liang Mo¡¯s eyes flickered with a cold light, seemingly at the limit of his patience. The Inner Strength within his body converged into his meridians, while a massive phantom formed behind him, slowly emanating a chilling dominance that instilled fear. ¡°Since my arrival in Great Yan, I haven¡¯t displayed my Southern Barbarian Martial Arts,¡± Liang Mo said, his gaze filled with bloodlust as he slowly spoke, staring at An Jing. An Jing, with an equally solemn look in his eyes, stared at the phantom behind Liang Mo. That oppressive feeling was not something any ordinary person could sense. The next instant, his hand moved the Evil Suppressing Sword. Nine-character Sword Technique! Lin Character Secret! The sword moved forth like the vast water of a river, cascading down from the heavens, continuous and eternal. Liang Mo let out a cold snort, and punched forward with overwhelming Fist Force that seemed to pierce the very air. The punch sent a shiver through everyone present. Even Wang Ningshui, standing some distance away, unconsciously retreated several steps. As the Sword Light and Fist Force collided, everything around them trembled, the tide of Qi mechanism rampaging outwards. An Jing stepped back three paces, feeling an odd sense in his heart. His gaze pierced through the vast tide of Qi mechanism, looking towards Liang Mo, who seemed to have a cold smile on his lips. Liang Mo¡¯s fist was launched once more. Soaring Snake Technique! The world dimmed for a moment as a gigantic yellow python burst from his hands, a strange noise echoing across the horizon. With a punch, a terrifying dominance swept across the world. The surging python opened its gaping maw as if to swallow An Jing whole. As the punch was struck, An Jing felt a violent tremor in his heart, his skin prickling with pain. Bang! The protective Qi mechanism around An Jing shattered in an instant, clearly overpowered by the surging python. Liang Mo watched An Jing with indifferent eyes, his gaze reminiscent of looking at a man about to die. The violent Qi mechanism crushed all Sword Light, proving that An Jing, despite his skill, still fell short against a Half-step Master. The remaining force assailed him viciously, like a small boat in the tempest. Then, a brilliant golden light refracted, deflecting all the Fist Force. ¡°What a formidable swordsman!¡± Wang Ningshui exclaimed in surprise, knowing if she had been in the place of the Ghost Swordsman, that punch would have either killed or gravely injured her. ¡°Perfection in Golden Bone? Body Refining Martial Arts at the Heavenly Martial Level!?¡± Liang Mo was shaken by this realization, followed by a sudden, inexplicable sense of panic. ¡°Thump!¡± ¡°Thump!¡± His heart began to beat wildly, an uncontrollable pounding, as his blood started to circulate rapidly. ¡°What is going on?¡± Liang Mo bit the tip of his tongue, forcing himself to calm down. ¡°` Below, the members of the Seven Evils Sect were terrified beyond belief, as if they had witnessed the most horrifying thing in the world. Behind Liang Mo, a gigantic and fearsome snake¡¯s head emerged, its triangular eyes emitting a cold gleam. The massive head of the snake was like a small mountain, and beneath its huge body, Liang Mo seemed so insignificant. ¡°Hiss¡ª!¡± Liang Mo seemed to sense something too and turned around to look, completely taken aback. All he saw was a snake¡¯s head, its mouth agape, rushing towards him, and then all sight was swallowed by boundless darkness, leaving him unable to move at all. Liang Mo didn¡¯t have any time to react before he was directly swallowed by the gigantic snake. All was quiet between heaven and earth, except for the swallowing sounds of the thousand-year-old Black Python. All members of the Seven Evils Sect had stupefied expressions, having been scared senseless. The Half-step Master, Liang Mo, was swallowed whole by the Black Python. That was a Half-step Master. There were not many experts like that in the Southern Barbarians, and yet, he perished in the jaws of the Black Python, becoming its food. An Jing let out a slight breath, leapt onto the back of the thousand-year-old Black Python, and transformed into a streak of light heading down the mountain. Only a long while after the Black Python had departed did the people of the Seven Evils Sect come back to their senses. ¡°That was¡­ too terrifying.¡± ¡°Who exactly is that person?¡± ¡°Was that an exotic, mysterious beast just now?¡± ¡°A Half-step Master dies just like that?¡± ¡­¡­ The experts of the Seven Evils Sect gulped, still immersed in the scene of the exotic beast devouring the Half-step Master. It was truly too terrifying, too shocking. Had they not seen it with their own eyes, who would believe that a Half-step Master could just perish like that? The powerful visual impact of that moment would be something they¡¯d never forget for the rest of their lives. ¡°My God, who on earth is that sacred figure?¡± The Great Elder of the Seven Evils Sect had a pale complexion, looking at the far-off figure in a daze. Wang Ningshui was also deeply shaken. Then, thinking of something, she quickly followed. ¡­¡­ In the early morning, at Dongluo Pass, Dongluo Tower. Zhao Qingmei sat in front of the dressing table, holding the Golden Flower Rouge in her hands, seemingly reminiscing about her days in Yu State City, and couldn¡¯t help but let out a light chuckle. ¡°I wonder if the husband has gotten up yet.¡± With a light laugh, Zhao Qingmei used a hairpin to delicately lift some rouge and, after mixing it properly on her hand, applied it to her lips. The sandalwood exuded a faint, cool fragrance, and the copper mirror inlaid with mutton-fat jade reflected carved hollow flowers, showcasing her unparalleled beauty, enthralling and bewitching. As she raised her eyes and smiled, it was as if all the beauty in the world paled in comparison. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Just then, the voice of Yu Qiurong came from outside the door. ¡°Come in,¡± Zhao Qingmei said indifferently. ¡°Creak!¡± The room door opened, and Yu Qiurong walked in carefully. It was not easy to enter Zhao Qingmei¡¯s boudoir, even she rarely had the chance, so it seemed that the Sect Hierarch was in a good mood today. After thinking for a moment, Yu Qiurong said, ¡°A secret letter has arrived from Yu State City.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingmei instinctively asked, ¡°Who sent it from Yu State City?¡± ¡°Protector Tan.¡± Yu Qiurong took out the secret letter and presented it with both hands. ¡°Oh?¡± Zhao Qingmei took the secret letter immediately and couldn¡¯t wait to open it. Chapter 141 - Chapter 141: Chapter 141 Holy Essence Gu Stirs Ghost Valleys Heart Chapter 141: Chapter 141 Holy Essence Gu Stirs Ghost Valley¡¯s Heart Duanmu Xinghua finished speaking, her boundless True Qi emerging from within her, enveloping and surrounding her entirely. Magnificent and endless, it transformed into a vast sea of True Qi. Above the sky, the two adversaries each occupied half the domain in a face-off. On one side was a black golden lotus, and on the other was the tidal sea of True Qi. Following that, Duanmu Xinghua walked on air, as if she were strolling amidst clouds. When the black golden lotus collided with the majestic True Qi, everyone felt their vision starting to blur. Even Geng Tianchou and Lin Tianhai could only see fleeting afterimages, unable to discern the specifics of the battle. All onlookers held their breath, not daring to make a sound. This was a duel between two Grandmasters! Even if they could only catch glimpses of it, the battle was nonetheless thrilling for everyone present. ¡°Who will win between Sect Master Duanmu and the Sect Hierarch?¡± Lin Tianhai¡¯s brows were tightly furrowed. No matter who wins or loses, it would be extremely detrimental for the overall strength of the Demon Sect. If Zhao Qingmei wins, Duanmu Xinghua is unlikely to remain the master of the Heavenly Sect. If Duanmu Xinghua wins, it would be a tremendous blow to Zhao Qingmei¡¯s prestige. How would she then lead the Demon Sect? At this moment, the Qi mechanisms in the sky interweaved, creating a dazzling spectacle. The battle had reached an intense climax. After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the Qi mechanisms began to retract, with the black golden lotus rushing towards the sea of True Qi. The next moment, the sea of True Qi rapidly shrank as well. All masters of the Demon Sect felt their hearts rise to their throats. ¡°The outcome has been decided.¡± Geng Tianchou couldn¡¯t help but sigh when he saw this. As his words fell, everyone looked up at the sky, not daring to blink. The Qi gradually dissipated, and the swirling black mist started to fade away, revealing the figure of Zhao Qingmei, her expression as calm as ever. Seeing this scene, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and then looked towards the other side. Duanmu Xinghua, on the other hand, had a somewhat pale complexion. It was a long while before she slowly spoke, ¡°I¡¯ve lost.¡± Her voice was not loud, but it echoed in all directions. The crowd fell into silence, each harboring an indescribable shock. It was known that Zhao Qingmei had become a Grandmaster only a few days ago, whereas Duanmu Xinghua had been a Grandmaster for decades, yet today she was defeated by Zhao Qingmei. Even the masters of the Heavenly Sect were deeply shocked. ¡°Did the Sect Hierarch really win?¡± Lin Tianhai approached, seemingly still in disbelief. Yu Qiurong, looking up at the silent Zhao Qingmei in the sky, was breathing erratically. Zhao Qingmei asked in a firm voice, ¡°Duanmu Xinghua, what else did Jiang Shang tell you in his secret letter?¡± Duanmu Xinghua closed her eyes slightly and responded, ¡°The old Sect Hierarch said he would return to the sect. At that time, he plans to enter the Sealing Demon Platform for secluded cultivation, and will no longer concern himself with the matters of the Demon Sect. All issues within the Demon Sect will be handled by the Sect Hierarch.¡± She had anticipated that Zhao Qingmei¡¯s strength would exceed her own, but she never expected it to happen so swiftly. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows furrowed, and she unconsciously clenched her fists, ¡°Is he coming back?¡± She was crazed with the desire to go to Jiangnan Dao¡¯s Yu State City, but she knew she must not act rashly. As long as she was absent, and if Jiang Shang were to return, the Demon Sect might be completely turned upside down by then. Moreover, because the paper man had responded, the situation might not be as bad as she imagined. She wanted to see Jiang Shang immediately, to inquire about the true outcome in Yu State City. How exactly was An Jing!? ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll wait for him to return,¡± Zhao Qingmei said coldly, taking a deep breath. Duanmu Xinghua sighed deeply and said, ¡°Please, Sect Hierarch, punish me. I have no complaints.¡± ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Lin Tianhai, Geng Tianchou, and several other masters hurriedly knelt down. Duanmu Xinghua was a Grandmaster, a rare force in Jianghu. Now that the Demon Sect was really about to infiltrate Great Yan, dispensing with Duanmu Xinghua was tantamount to crippling oneself. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows were tightly knitted as she thought for a moment and said, ¡°You will continue to stay in the Heavenly Sect, and the position of Heavenly Sect Master will be temporarily assumed by Yu Qiurong.¡± Duanmu Xinghua, being a master with Grandmaster-level cultivation, was essential for subduing the masses in the Heavenly Sect. Currently, Zhao Qingmei had no more masters by her side, so she had to entrust Yu Qiurong with the temporary role. ¡°Yes!¡± On hearing this, Yu Qiurong quickly bowed and accepted. Hearing this, Duanmu Xinghua fell silent, knowing that this was probably the best outcome for her. ¡°What about the Vermilion Bird Seat then?¡± asked Lin Tianhai. The four seats of the Demon Sect each had different responsibilities, and the Vermilion Bird Seat, responsible for the sect¡¯s livelihood, was extremely important. Now that Yu Qiurong had become the master of the Heavenly Sect, wouldn¡¯t the Vermilion Bird Seat be left unmanaged? Zhao Qingmei had already made plans, ¡°Mu Xiaoyun has been handling affairs under Yu Qiurong for a while now, and she is quite familiar with the operations under the Vermilion Bird Seat. Moreover, her abilities are outstanding, so let her take charge of the Vermilion Bird Seat.¡± ¡°Does anyone object?¡± Zhao Qingmei looked around after she spoke. The masters of the Demon Sect exchanged glances, and no one spoke up. ¡°` Geng Tianchou and the other Demon Sect Heavenly Sect experts knew that this might already be the best outcome. Duanmu Xinghua was still in the Heavenly Sect, and although she was no longer the Sect Master, she could still exercise the rights of one, while Zhao Qingmei¡¯s prestige in the Demon Sect had risen several notches again. Zhao Qingmei brushed off her sleeves and walked towards the distance. Yu Qiurong hurriedly followed. ¡°Sigh.¡± Lin Tianhai let out a long sigh, ¡°The old Sect Hierarch is coming back, and that¡¯s when the real test for the Demon Sect will begin.¡± Although Jiang Shang¡¯s letter to Duanmu Xinghua said that he was ceding power, Zhao Qingmei seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Jiang Shang from her expression. ¡°Sect¡­ Master¡­¡± Geng Tianchou looked at Duanmu Xinghua, who had been silent all along, and said, ¡°Xinghua, you should go and rest.¡± Duanmu Xinghua, staring at Zhao Qingmei¡¯s retreating figure, felt a vague sense of loss, and after a long while, she deeply sighed and said, ¡°Our Jianghu has aged.¡± ¡­¡­ Outside the ravaged and chaotic great hall. Yu Qiurong cautiously asked, ¡°Sect Leader, are you really appointing me as the master of the Heavenly Sect?¡± What Duanmu Xinghua said was indeed true; Yu Qiurong, whether in seniority, prestige, or power, was far from being able to suppress the group of demons in the Heavenly Sect. Moreover, the experts of the Heavenly Sect were all old-timers from the Demon Sect, who usually held themselves in high esteem. Some of them had even watched Yu Qiurong and Zhao Qingmei grow up. They might follow Zhao Qingmei¡¯s orders to some extent, but it would be nearly impossible for Yu Qiurong to command them. Zhao Qingmei spoke with a heavy voice, ¡°Jiang Renyi of the Earth Sect has already been sent to the Dongluo Desert; the Heavenly Sect cannot be disturbed for now. Although Duanmu Xinghua no longer holds the position of Sect Master, her strength and prestige remain unshaken, and the Demon Sect truly needs its people now.¡± The last disturbance in the Earth Sect not only resulted in the dismissal of the Earth Sect Master Jiang Renyi but also the death and dismemberment of many Earth Sect experts. To this day, the Demon Sect has not yet recovered its primordial energy. Her primary purpose this time was to test Duanmu Xinghua, to see if she was aware of the deeds of her teacher. Seeing Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s expression today, she must have been unaware, and this was also the reason why Zhao Qingmei gave Duanmu Xinghua a chance. ¡°I understand, Sect Leader.¡± Hearing this, Yu Qiurong immediately grasped the implication behind Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words. ¡°There¡¯s another matter that you need to attend to personally. I can¡¯t trust anyone else with this; I only trust you,¡± Zhao Qingmei said, taking a deep breath. ¡°Please give your commands, Sect Leader,¡± Yu Qiurong said as she clasped her fists, ¡°Your subordinate will not disappoint your expectations.¡± ¡°You go to Great Yan, now,¡± said Zhao Qingmei, with a glint of cold light in her eyes. Jiang Shang was about to return to the Demon Sect, and she was waiting for him. What she feared the most now was that An Jing was in Jiang Shang¡¯s hands. At the same time, she wanted Yu Qiurong to look for the missing Tan Yun and investigate the situation at that time. ¡­¡­.. In Nanping Dao, at the foot of Nanhua Mountain, the morning light bathed the lush mountains. The massive body of the Thousand-year-old Black Python spiraled down, hissing loudly. An Jing, holding two White Jade Stone statues, stood on the head of the Thousand-year-old Black Python. It did not take long before he landed on the mountainside. At this moment, Lou Xiangzhen was sitting cross-legged on a tall pine tree, his eyes shut tightly. ¡°Senior Lou, I¡¯ve obtained the items,¡± said An Jing, holding out the White Jade Stone statues. Lou Xiangzhen gave a slight nod and said, ¡°He¡¯s dead, isn¡¯t he?¡± It seemed that An Jing¡¯s acquisition of the White Jade Stone statues was within his expectations. ¡°Are you referring to Liang Mo?¡± asked An Jing, his eyebrows slightly raised, ¡°He doesn¡¯t seem like a master from my Great Yan.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Lou Xiangzhen said with a smile, ¡°He¡¯s a Southern Barbarian Wizard. You¡¯re probably unfamiliar with the Southern Barbarians. There are ten major tribes, and they occupy all the mountain ranges of the Southern Territory. Because the mountains are filled with miasma and rampant with tigers, leopards, and wolves, and as they¡¯re far from our ancestral lands, the Human Emperors of previous eras never tried to conquer the Southern Territory. In the past few hundred years, the Southern Barbarians have learned some things, and their actions have become increasingly bold. In the last few decades, they¡¯ve even sent many masters to infiltrate Great Yan.¡± ¡°The Seven Evils Sect is one of the biggest forces among them and is directly controlled by the Southern Barbarian Royal Family. With Great Yan now in turmoil and constant disturbances, the Court can¡¯t spare the effort to deal with them. The Jianghu people and commoners in the Nanping Dao have suffered at the hands of the Seven Evils Sect for nearly a decade now.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Did Senior Lou also want me to kill that Liang Mo?¡± ¡°Would I let mere Southern Barbarians invade and harm our ancestral land and people?¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked towards Nanhua Mountain and said, ¡°If you hadn¡¯t taken action, I would have done it myself; I would definitely not have let that Southern Barbarian Wizard leave Great Yan alive.¡± An Jing remained silent; the Gu insects reared by the Southern Barbarians were indeed cruel. He had seen them in the underground passages, those insects consuming human flesh, hearts, stomachs¡­ Such people indeed deserved to die. An Jing may not have grand ambitions like saving the world, but he did not wish to engage in actions harmful to others for his own benefit. Lou Xiangzhen continued, ¡°Although Liang Mo¡¯s death won¡¯t completely root out the problem, it can serve as a warning to the Southern Barbarians.¡± At that moment, both of them stopped talking and looked into the distance. ¡°Someone is following us?¡± An Jing frowned, thinking of the woman he met in the mountains. Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently, ¡°Someone from the Unrivaled Palace.¡± Before long, Wang Ningshui caught up. She had rushed over with all her might. If the Thousand-year-old Black Python hadn¡¯t stopped, she would never have been able to catch up with her pace. An Jing looked at Wang Ningshui and said coldly, ¡°Do you still wish to lead me to my death?¡± ¡°My lord jests, that was all a misunderstanding earlier,¡± she replied. ¡°` Wang Ningshui clasped her fists and said with a bitter smile, ¡°Your strength is profound and inscrutable, and you have such an exotic beast by your side, how could I possibly be your opponent?¡± Then, she glanced at the old man behind the Ghost Swordsman and noticed no fluctuations of qi mechanism, but she knew that anyone capable of following the Ghost Swordsman could not be an ordinary person. Somehow, looking at the old man, she felt a sense of familiarity. An Jing frowned and said, ¡°Then why did you follow us? I have no acquaintance with you.¡± Behind him, the Thousand-year-old Black Python had opened its giant mouth, its massive tongue dripping with mucus, carrying an intense threat. Even though Wang Ningshui was an experienced practitioner of the Heavenly Flower Realm, looking at the Thousand-year-old Black Python, her heart couldn¡¯t help but tremble. ¡°I am Wang Ningshui from Unrivaled Palace, I have seen you two brothers.¡± Wang Ningshui became cautious, ¡°Observing that your strength is profound and inscrutable, and you carry justice in your heart, I would like to invite you to join the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall.¡± Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall!? An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed as he transmitted his voice to Lou Xiangzhen beside him, ¡°Senior, do you know what this Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall is?¡± Lou Xiangzhen did not conceal anything and replied, ¡°I¡¯ve heard of it and seen some of it. It¡¯s an organization spontaneously formed by experts of Great Yan to combat the forces of Houjin, Zhao Country, and the Southern Barbarians. They have intervened in the battles between Zhao Country and Great Yan, once thwarting the generals of Zhao Country. The specifics are not very clear to me.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Hearing this, An Jing nodded. Great Yan had been established for several hundred years; its powerful influence had taken deep root, whether in the marketplaces or in Jianghu. Therefore, within this vast Jianghu, there were no lack of patriotic individuals with generous hearts, and the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall was their organization, aimed specifically at combating foreign enemies. Whether it was truly a spontaneous formation, only those behind the scenes knew. An Jing laughed softly and said, ¡°Now Zhenyi Sect is searching for me, can the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall protect me?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Wang Ningshui suddenly showed a hint of hesitation, ¡°That¡¯s not possible, the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall does not interfere in Jianghu grudges, only taking action in times of national peril to combat external threats.¡± The original intention of the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall was just to protect the country and guard the homeland. Among them, experts from various sects were present, and apart from a small number of individuals, the priorities of the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall were not high. For instance, she, Wang Ningshui, as the Palace Master of Unrivaled Palace, would certainly prioritize her own sect before considering the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall. Of course, within the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall, there were some real experts who placed the interests of family and country above all else. Besides, Zhenyi Sect was the National Religion of Great Yan, and within the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall, there were experts from Zhenyi Sect; how could they possibly turn against Zhenyi Sect for the Ghost Swordsman? An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°Then there is nothing more to discuss. I currently have no plans to join the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall.¡± What he was currently thinking about was strengthening his own power, protecting himself, and protecting his wife. As for these issues of family and country, it wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t care; he simply thought that with his current level of power, he would at most be a pawn for others. It was better not to get involved. Though he had already killed Liang Mo, perhaps he had already offended the Southern Barbarians. Hearing this, Wang Ningshui did not show surprise. Over the years, she had recruited many experts. Very few were genuinely willing to join the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall, and some who were willing to join even harbored ulterior motives. ¡°In that case, I will not force you,¡± she said. Wang Ningshui clasped her fists once more and then turned towards Lou Xiangzhen, ¡°I do find this gentleman somewhat familiar. I don¡¯t know if¡­ If it is inconvenient to disclose, you need not reveal it.¡± From the first glance at Lou Xiangzhen, she felt familiar with him, and the longer she looked, the more she felt as though she had seen him somewhere before. ¡°During the second year of the Taiping era, that time at the Yu Heng Sword Sect, you were about this tall.¡± Lou Xiangzhen held his hand at his waist to illustrate and seemed to fall into memory, ¡°I remember that time, your master was still a great beauty, but now she has turned into a handful of yellow sand.¡± Upon hearing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words, a look of shock flashed in Wang Ningshui¡¯s eyes. ¡°Senior¡­ who are you?¡± She had not visited Yu Heng Sword Sect many times in her life, from when she was seven or eight years old till her teens, only to watch the competition between the Sword God and the Ghost Valley Sword Immortal, Lou Xiangzhen. That event had taken place over fifty years ago. The Sword God has since passed away, and her own master has died as well. At that time, those present were all top swordsman experts, some of whom are still alive, either secluded in retreat or shut away in closed-door cultivation. That this person in front of her could remember so clearly, who was he? Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently, ¡°Lou Xiangzhen.¡± Wang Ningshui¡¯s heart jolted, and she promptly bowed, saying, ¡°Junior pays respects to Senior Lou! I never thought I would have the fortune to witness the grandeur of Senior once again.¡± Wang Ningshui¡¯s expression was filled with utmost respect, and even a tremor of awe. The young individuals of Jianghu, upon seeing this, would be immensely shocked. Who was Wang Ningshui, to be able to be considered an ancestor of the Unrivaled Palace, yet she faced this old man in such a manner. However, the younger generation of today could hardly imagine the awe and prestige of Lou Xiangzhen in the past! ¡°You need not be so formal; do I still have any grandeur now?¡± Lou Xiangzhen waved his hand and laughed, ¡°Nowadays in Jianghu, I, Lou Xiangzhen, am ridiculed as a coward, the second-best swordsman in the world. You must remember not to speak such words again, lest you become the subject of mockery.¡± Since Lou Xiangzhen chose to live away from the world, most Jianghu experts thought he was afraid of Zhenyi Sect. After all, the animosity between Ghost Valley Sect and Zhenyi Sect was not a secret among true Jianghu experts. Moreover, with Jiang Sanjia being persecuted and stripped of his official rank, forced to wander Jianghu, and Lou Xiangzhen remaining indifferent, anyone could guess that Jiang Sanjia¡¯s persecution was surely the doing of Zhenyi Sect. Seeing her own junior brother treated in such a way, and Lou Xiangzhen, the senior brother, staying out of sight, could that be anything but fear? Wang Ningshui earnestly said, ¡°In my heart, I will always remember the match between Senior and the Sword God, an unparalleled grandeur I dare not forget to this day.¡± Lou Xiangzhen replied self-deprecatingly, ¡°What¡¯s there to remember about a defeat, a shame that spurred on effort?¡± Wang Ningshui hesitated to speak; indeed, Lou Xiangzhen had lost at that time, and in the following years, many young swordsmen rose above him. The once famous Ghost Valley Sword Immortal had become the second-best swordsman for life. ¡°Senior Lou¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Lou Xiangzhen interrupted Wang Ningshui¡¯s words, looking towards An Jing at his side, ¡°Aren¡¯t you in a hurry?¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡± An Jing gave Wang Ningshui a fist and palm salute, ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± ¡°Elder Lou, I bid you farewell.¡± Wang Ningshui nodded, then bowed with hands clasped towards Lou Xiangzhen. Afterward, the two mounted the back of the Thousand-Year-Old Black Python. With the massive creature stirring, they swiftly made for the distance. Watching the receding figure of Lou Xiangzhen, Wang Ningshui let out a sigh. He hadn¡¯t expected to encounter the Ghost Valley Sword Immortal, Lou Xiangzhen, in this place. ¡­¡­.. As evening approached, in the dense forests of Nanping Dao. After a night of relentless travel, the two had put several hundred li between themselves and Nanhua Mountain. An Jing sat cross-legged on a huge rock, holding in his hands two white jade statues. ¡°Senior, in which of these white jade statues is the Golden Pill?¡± Standing atop a tree, Lou Xiangzhen suddenly noticed the white jade statues in An Jing¡¯s hands, ¡°Throw the one in your right hand to me for a look.¡± The right-hand white jade statue contained the cocoon that pulsed incessantly, as if something would leap out at any moment. An Jing didn¡¯t hesitate and threw it directly to Lou Xiangzhen. Lou Xiangzhen took the white jade statue and inspected it closely, ¡°This seems to be a Gu Insect from the Southern Barbarians.¡± ¡°Gu Insect?¡± An Jing asked, puzzled. He remembered that when he obtained the white jade statue, Liang Mo had forsaken chasing Wang Ningshui and had instead aimed directly at him, urgently wanting him to hand over the white jade statue. Now, An Jing finally understood that Liang Mo possibly wasn¡¯t after the Golden Pill, but rather the Gu Insect in his hand. If he had truly known that there was a Golden Pill inside the other statue, he would have surely taken it out already. ¡°This Gu is like a cocoon, throbbing like a heartbeat, fond of white jade, with its insides like blood threads.¡± Lou Xiangzhen muttered to himself as if thinking of something, ¡°Could this be the Holy Essence Gu? You lad, you might have struck it big.¡± ¡°What is the Holy Essence Gu?¡± An Jing inquired. This was surely a blue-chip opportunity, not bad at all. Lou Xiangzhen continued to examine the white jade statue in his hand, ¡°You should know, after reaching the Grandmaster Realm, the Inner Strength inside one¡¯s body can be transformed into True Qi, and Grandmasters can also refine nature¡¯s spiritual energy for their cultivation.¡± ¡°In this world, it¡¯s not only Grandmasters who can refine nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Some exotic species can do it too, such as the Fire Bird beneath Beili Volcano and other exotic beasts, as well as this Holy Essence Gu right here.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart stirred, ¡°Do you mean this Holy Essence Gu can refine nature¡¯s spiritual energy?¡± Having absorbed nature¡¯s spiritual energy before, An Jing was well aware of its benefits. If he could endlessly obtain nature¡¯s spiritual energy, his cultivation would surely grow at a remarkable pace. Lou Xiangzhen nodded, ¡°Precisely. Ancient texts record that the Holy Essence Gu can refine nature¡¯s spiritual energy, and once mature, it can match a Great Grandmaster, even directly extracting Heaven and Earth Spiritual Essence.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart skipped as he heard this. What was Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence? It was the essence of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Lou Xiangzhen sat down cross-legged, touching the White Jade Statue as he said, ¡°This Holy Essence Gu is extremely rare, and it might be scarce even among the Southern Barbarians. Don¡¯t get too excited; this Gu Insect is very fragile. Not to mention whether it can survive to adulthood, just the incubation and raising process is extremely difficult. In the Southern Barbarians, the mortality rate during cultivation reaches eight out of ten, and it¡¯s even rarer for them to reach maturity¨Cone in ten, or even lower.¡± An Jing actually agreed with Lou Xiangzhen; he himself didn¡¯t know how to raise Gu, and this Holy Essence Gu was extremely rare, and there was a good chance he¡¯d just end up killing it. Lou Xiangzhen chuckled and said, ¡°How about this: you give me the Holy Essence Gu, and I¡¯ll lend you the ancient scriptures left by the previous Sect Leaders of my Ghost Valley Sect.¡± ¡°Think about it¨Cif you kill it, you¡¯ll only be left holding its corpse and bawling your eyes out. But if you trade it for the ancient scriptures of my Ghost Valley Sect, you can learn many secrets you never knew.¡± As for the Holy Essence Gu, he was quite tempted, although Lou Xiangzhen didn¡¯t know how to raise Gu either. An Jing shook his head, ¡°How can that be done? Senior, you don¡¯t seem to know how to raise Gu either. If it dies in your care, that would be a huge loss. I can¡¯t let Senior suffer that loss.¡± What a sly one! Lou Xiangzhen inwardly exclaimed, then tossed the White Jade Statue back to An Jing, ¡°You think I really care about your corpse? I just wanted to test you. What hasn¡¯t my Ghost Valley Sect seen? Leave alone this Holy Essence Gu, I¡¯ve even seen Exotic Beasts on par with a Great Grandmaster.¡± An Jing perked up at this, ¡°An Exotic Beast with the strength of a Great Grandmaster!?¡± Lou Xiangzhen smiled and said, ¡°But those things are all recorded in the ancient scriptures of my Ghost Valley Sect. If you want to know¡­¡± Old sly one! An Jing shook his head like a rattle-drum, ¡°Forget it, knowing these things won¡¯t be of any use to me.¡± ¡°That may not be the case.¡± Lou Xiangzhen glanced at the Thousand-year-old Black Boa lying on the ground in the distance; without An Jing¡¯s control, it was like a dead snake, ¡°If you don¡¯t use some methods on this Black Boa, I¡¯m afraid even after another hundred years, it will still just be a Black Boa.¡± An Jing also glanced at the Thousand-year-old Black Boa. Having controlled it, he was naturally aware of the physical strength of the Thousand-year-old Black Boa. Initially, when he had first used the Living Puppet Technique on the Thousand-year-old Black Boa, its physical strength was still increasing, albeit very slightly, but he could indeed feel it. However, in recent days, he found that the physique of the Thousand-year-old Black Boa had basically stopped changing. An Jing had thought it was close to undergoing the Jiao Transformation and hadn¡¯t paid it much mind, but now Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words made him have second thoughts. ¡°Are you saying the reason my Thousand-year-old Black Boa hasn¡¯t transformed into a Flood Dragon is that it lacks something?¡± An Jing asked. Lou Xiangzhen nodded and explained, ¡°The Black Python is a creature destined for the Jiao Transformation into a dragon, savage and unpredictable. The body of the Black Flood Dragon is even more powerful. As the old saying goes: ¡®Waves churn as the Black Jiao leaps, and the sunrise shimmers in the yellow mist.¡¯ The strength of such a Flood Dragon would be comparable to a Master of the Three Qi, even to Masters at the Four Qi Level. They are some of the fiercest creatures in the world. If this Thousand-year-old Black Python truly transforms into a Black Flood Dragon, you could go anywhere in the vast world.¡± ¡°And your Black Flood Dragon can be passed down to your descendants for generations to come. With several thousand years of cultivation, perhaps it really could transform into a true Black Dragon.¡± As he said this, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes sparked with a fervent light. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Throughout history, in the annals of time, a True Dragon has appeared only once, and when it did, it brought calamity upon the land, devouring countless people. Eventually, the Qin Dynasty summoned numerous experts from across the realm to kill it together. It is said that the Qin Dynasty dispatched a million-strong army, dozens of Masters, and even three Grandmasters, and even then, they only barely managed to slay the True Dragon. They sacrificed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and several Masters in the process, and two of the Grandmasters fell as well. Such was the severity of the battle that it nearly drained all the strength of the Great Qin Dynasty. But the Royal Family of Qin did not come out at a loss, as they acquired the True Dragon Essence Blood. For generations, they consumed the True Dragon Essence Blood, ensuring that each Human Emperor was a top-tier expert who commanded respect across the world¨Cthis is how the Qin Dynasty lasted for a thousand years. Chapter 143 - Chapter 143: Chapter 143 Zhenyi, the Expert, Approaches Chapter 143: Chapter 143 Zhenyi, the Expert, Approaches The land rejuvenated, and all things revived. That gentle wind swept across the world, softening a fraction of the sorrow. On Yun Hua Daoist Officer¡¯s Way, there was a small tavern. Five or six tables, sporadically occupied by diverse figures from the martial world, merchants, and armed escorts, were murmur amongst themselves in hushed tones. A man in a black robe straddled a long wooden bench, noisily cracking open the melon seeds in his hand. Opposite him sat a white-haired elder, whose face was as withered as tree bark and eyes as cloudy as murky waters. A treasure sword rested by the table, and a wine gourd was fastened at his waist. These two were none other than An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°Guest, your wine is here.¡± At this moment, a limping cripple approached unsteadily, carrying a jar of wine in his hand. Fine wine! Even before the wine was served, An Jing detected a refreshing fragrance that delighted the heart and the senses. ¡°Gulp!¡± Lou Xiangzhen took the wine jar, impatiently took a sip, ¡°Delightful, this Song Lao Wine truly deserves its reputation.¡± ¡°This is Song Lao Wine?¡± A flicker of curiosity flashed in An Jing¡¯s eyes upon hearing this. Full goblets of golden liquid, amidst courtyards of white jade dust. Although An Jing had never tasted Song Lao Wine, he was familiar with its celebrated name. The wine was one of Great Yan¡¯s famous brews. Later, the winery vanished for unknown reasons, and the technique for making Song Lao Wine gradually became lost. Since then, Song Lao Wine never reappeared in the rivers and lakes. If it did, it was mostly counterfeit. Lou Xiangzhen, gazing at the wine jar in his hands, lamented, ¡°Its color is tenderer than cool syrup, its aroma as perpetual as sweet dew.¡± The limping cripple brightened up at this, ¡°It seems the gentleman knows his wine.¡± Although the small tavern had seen its share of patrons, few truly understood the essence of wine. This elder was one such discerning connoisseur, having described the characteristics of Song Lao Wine perfectly. Lou Xiangzhen took out his wine gourd, ¡°Bring two more jars, and fill up this gourd of mine.¡± ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll prepare it right now.¡± The limping cripple nodded and then slowly made his way toward the back hall. Lou Xiangzhen, watching the man walk away, said, ¡°That limping cripple is the former junior manager of the Song Lao Winery.¡± On hearing this, An Jing looked toward the hobbling cripple, surprised, not expecting this disheveled, middle-aged man to have such a background. Perhaps everyone has their own story, their own choices in life. ¡°Here.¡± Lou Xiangzhen handed his wine jar to An Jing, ¡°It would be a pity not to taste such fine wine.¡± ¡°Gulp!¡± An Jing didn¡¯t speak, instead taking a big sip of the wine, ¡°Elder Lou, how far are you from reaching the Sixth Realm in your swordsmanship?¡± In their travels together, the two of them would discuss swordsmanship and share experiences daily, both benefitting from these exchanges. Lou Xiangzhen set down the wine jar, ¡°It¡¯s within arm¡¯s reach yet as distant as the ends of heaven.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing chuckled, ¡°Oh? Lin Yiyang claims he will reach the Sixth Realm within three years.¡± ¡°Lin Yiyang? The one who looks down on people through his nostrils?¡± Lou Xiangzhen glanced at An Jing, ¡°I admit he does possess some talent, but reaching the Sixth Realm is not so easily achieved. I genuinely believe his claim of reaching it within three years, for he wouldn¡¯t likely boast to the entire world if it weren¡¯t true. However, it¡¯s utterly impossible for him to reach the Sixth Realm solely by his own efforts.¡± As one advances in sword skill, each realm seems like a chasm as vast as the sky, especially between the Fifth and Sixth Realms. Through the ages, swordsmen who have reached these realms are all renowned masters in the martial world. And in today¡¯s world, not a single swordsman is known to be of the Sixth Realm, at least not publicly. ¡°` One can see how difficult it is to improve this sword skill. Hearing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but nod, ¡°He is the Sect Leader of the Yu Heng Sword Sect, and the Yu Heng Sword Sect is one of the top Sword Dao Holy Lands in the world. They must have some special methods.¡± In today¡¯s world, among the seven major sects, the Ghost Valley Sect is definitely a very unusual existence, with basically one or two disciples, but all are famous experts in the Jianghu. The other major sects all have large families and businesses and hold enormous influence in the Jianghu. As for the Yu Heng Sword Sect, it goes without saying that within the seven major sects, their strength is second only to the Zhenyi Sect. With the support of such vast resources and power, plus Lin Yiyang¡¯s talent, reaching the Sixth Realm is indeed possible for him. Lou Xiangzhen said with a smile, ¡°Rest assured, I will reach the Sixth Realm before him, do you believe me?¡± In today¡¯s world, the first one to reach the Sixth Realm would be the top swordsman, a well-known fact to all. An Jing raised his wine jug and declared boldly, ¡°Predecessor might get there before him, but I might even get there before you.¡± Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Lou Xiangzhen paused slightly and then burst out laughing, ¡°Hahaha, if that¡¯s the case, then let¡¯s make a bet, shall we?¡± An Jing asked, ¡°What bet?¡± Lou Xiangzhen replied, ¡°Let¡¯s see which one of us two reaches the Sixth Realm first.¡± An Jing, looking at the wine on the table, had a thought, ¡°Good, let¡¯s bet ten jars of fine wine, each of the ten jars must be top-notch and of different varieties.¡± In truth, he knew that with his current realm, it would be extremely difficult to reach the Sixth Realm before Lou Xiangzhen. Especially after their recent exchanges, An Jing knew that Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Fifth Realm was nearing Perfection, just one step away from achieving ¡®no sword in the hand, no sword in the heart¡¯. Lou Xiangzhen had a passion for wine, and preparing ten jars of fine wine for him would also serve as thanks for his protection. Beyond that, An Jing didn¡¯t know how else to express his gratitude for this favor. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Then you better prepare yourself, the wine I drink can¡¯t be worse than Song Lao Wine.¡± ¡°Who will win and who will lose is still uncertain.¡± An Jing, unwilling to admit defeat, said, ¡°Come on, drink!¡± Come drink! Lou Xiangzhen, hearing these words, felt an eerie sense of familiarity, as if he had heard them just yesterday, and was slightly dazed for a moment. ¡­¡­. Seventy years ago, in the Peach Blossom Forest of the Blue River Sect. A teenager clad in plain clothes held a longsword in his hand. The peach blossoms fell, resplendent in their beauty, and the sword light danced through them like the petals drifting in the wind, now gentle, now explosive. ¡°Senior brother, senior brother,¡± a young voice called out. A snotty, four or five-year-old child with excitement on his face came running out. ¡°Master bought me sugar figurines, look!¡± the child extended his hand, showing off the sugar figurine in his grasp. This child was none other than Jiang Sanjia, while the teenager was Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°Go play by yourself,¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s brows raised as he eyed the little runny-nosed kid, ¡°I need to practice my swordsmanship.¡± Jiang Sanjia blinked and said, ¡°Senior brother, you¡¯ve been practicing all day. Master says that you have to balance work and rest with anything you do.¡± ¡°Senior brother, play with me for a while, and I¡¯ll give you my sugar figurine.¡± As he spoke, Jiang Sanjia offered his sugar figurine to Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°I don¡¯t want it,¡± Lou Xiangzhen scoffed lightly, ¡°Don¡¯t disturb my sword practice.¡± At that moment, his heart was filled with one thought alone: to make a name for himself in the Jianghu, to carve out his own domain, and to become the greatest swordsman under the heavens. ¡°Senior brother¡­¡± ¡°Out of the way!¡± Lou Xiangzhen pushed him aside. ¡°` Jiang Sanjia stumbled and fell straight to the ground, his sugar figurine dropping into the mud. ¡°My sugar figurine, my sugar figurine¡­¡± Seeing this, Jiang Sanjia¡¯s eyes filled with tears, and he began to choke up. Lou Xiangzhen barked, ¡°Cry, cry, cry, is that all you know? Shut your mouth.¡± Hearing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words, Jiang Sanjia quickly halted his tears and said, ¡°Brother, I understand, I won¡¯t cry anymore.¡± Lou Xiangzhen coldly said, ¡°Hurry up and leave, don¡¯t bother me anymore.¡± Jiang Sanjia glanced at the sugar figurine on the ground, then walked away holding back his tears. As Jiang Sanjia¡¯s retreating figure grew distant, Lou Xiangzhen slowly picked up the sugar figurine from the ground. At this moment, the sugar figurine was covered with mud and also the fragrant peach blossoms. ¡°Always crying. So useless.¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked at the figurine, then carefully pocketed the sugar figurine, and resumed his sword practice. Although Lou Xiangzhen was young, he had been practicing the sword for many years, his longsword whooshing through the air, his sword skill as mighty and grand as a master who had delved into the art for decades. ¡°Ssh-ssh!¡± ¡°Ssh-ssh!¡± Peach blossoms drifted down, his sword moving fast then slow, stringing together the blossoms in midair, as if the sword and the peach blossoms were one. In this moment, Lou Xiangzhen seemed lost in thought. Time passed, he did not know how long it had been. Lou Xiangzhen only felt his arms were sore and numb, and his stomach was empty. All around was pitch black, and above his head, the moon hung high in the sky. ¡°Hmm? Where¡¯s that sniveling brat?¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked around him. He knew that by the time he usually finished practicing his sword, that sniveling brat would have already called him for dinner. Why hadn¡¯t he come today? Thinking this, Lou Xiangzhen was filled with confusion and headed towards the sniveling brat¡¯s room. ¡°Bang!¡± Lou Xiangzhen kicked the door open without any courtesy. ¡°Who is it!?¡± A childish cry of surprise came from inside the room. ¡°It¡¯s me!¡± Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently. A ray of moonlight spilled in as the door opened. By the wooden bed, a small child with somewhat red and swollen eyes was warily watching Lou Xiangzhen at the doorway. ¡°Brother¡­¡± The sniveling brat sighed in relief upon seeing the visitor. Lou Xiangzhen lazily said, ¡°Sniveling brat, what¡¯s going on with you? Why didn¡¯t you call me for dinner today?¡± ¡°I¡­ I forgot.¡± The sniveling brat said, lowering his head. ¡°Forgot?¡± Lou Xiangzhen took a step forward, looked at Jiang Sanjia¡¯s cheek, and said with furrowed brows, ¡°It looks to me like you were hit by someone, weren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°No¡­ not at all,¡± Jiang Sanjia hurriedly responded. Lou Xiangzhen hummed softly, ¡°Tell me, who did it? If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll start by beating you.¡± Seeing this, Jiang Sanjia could do nothing but honestly confess, ¡°It was Wang Yue; he wanted to compete with me in martial arts. I was caught off guard and fell for that kid¡¯s move.¡± Everyone in the Blue River Sect knew who Wang Yue was¨Cthe grandson of the Sect Master, spoiled from childhood, a notorious Demon Lord of Mayhem that even the sect¡¯s Elders found troublesome and would go out of their way to avoid. ¡°I understand,¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded and strode towards the door. ¡°Brother, where are you going?¡± Upon seeing this, Jiang Sanjia quickly followed with his short legs. Lou Xiangzhen walked ahead, with Jiang Sanjia chasing behind him. In a short while, the two arrived at a backyard. There, a five or six-year-old child dressed in brocade was boasting proudly, ¡°That little runt isn¡¯t even as tall as a sword; obviously, he doesn¡¯t know the Ghost Valley Swordsmanship. It just took me three punches and two kicks to knock him down.¡± A group of teenage disciples, about seventeen or eighteen years old, surrounded the child and started flattering him. ¡°Brother Wang is a genius of our Blue River Sect; that little runt stands no chance against you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, even Lou Xiangzhen, who¡¯s praised by the Sect Leader as a prodigy, isn¡¯t Brother Wang¡¯s match.¡± ¡°Given time, Brother Wang will surely become one of Great Yan Martial World¡¯s top masters.¡± ¡°Absolutely, absolutely.¡± ¡­¡­ Upon hearing the surrounding flattery, the child¡¯s heart bloomed with joy. ¡°To become a martial world master is just a matter of time.¡± At that moment, Lou Xiangzhen entered and said coolly, ¡°An inexperienced small fry like you also wants to become a top martial artist of Jianghu?¡± Instantly, everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice. Seeing Lou Xiangzhen, the child immediately shouted, ¡°Lou Xiangzhen, this is a residential area for the disciples of the Blue River Sect, outsiders are not allowed to enter. You¡¯ve got some nerve.¡± Lou Xiangzhen, looking at the child, hands behind his back, said, ¡°Wang Yue, cut the crap. You wanted to experience the Ghost Valley Sect¡¯s Ghost Valley Swordsmanship, didn¡¯t you? I won¡¯t take advantage of you; I¡¯ll only use one hand and let you attack my feet. If you can make me take a step back, then I¡¯ll admit defeat.¡± Seeing this, a Blue River Sect disciple quickly warned, ¡°Brother Wang, this Lou Xiangzhen is too crafty. He¡¯s several years older than you; don¡¯t fall for it.¡± Although Wang Yue was a martial arts prodigy, with years of medicinal baths since childhood, he was still very young. ¡°Step aside; I want to see how impressive he is.¡± Wang Yue, however, scoffed, ¡°Lou Xiangzhen, if you take one step back, you lose. You said so yourself.¡± Someone next to Jiang Sanjia spoke up as well, feeling bolder, ¡°Wang Yue, even if my brother lets you use both hands and feet, you¡¯re still no match for him.¡± ¡°Bring it on then,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said with a cold laugh. The surrounding Blue River Sect disciples looked at each other, thinking it was just a child¡¯s fight, irrelevant whether they won or lost, and decided to let the two mess around as they pleased. ¡°Let¡¯s see what¡¯s so special about your Ghost Valley Sect,¡± Wang Yue shouted and threw a punch towards Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°Slap!¡± The punch was easily wrapped up by Lou Xiangzhen, leaving Wang Yue feeling as if his arm was clamped in a vice. ¡°Is this the extent of your strength?¡± Lou Xiangzhen burst out laughing. ¡°You!¡± Being just a five or six-year-old child, Wang Yue suddenly felt flustered. ¡°Go away.¡± With a flick of his hand, Lou Xiangzhen sent Wang Yue sprawling back, who then tripped and fell heavily onto the ground. ¡°Brother Wang!¡± ¡°Brother, are you alright?¡± The disciples of the Blue River Sect, seeing this, quickly surrounded them. Lou Xiangzhen glanced around and said, ¡°Don¡¯t say that I¡¯m bullying you. Any one of the Blue River Sect disciples here, step forward at will.¡± ¡°How arrogant!¡± Upon seeing this, Wang Yue immediately became furious and shouted, ¡°Bai Qun, you go up.¡± ¡°This¡­.¡± The disciple named Bai Qun, hearing this, showed a troubled expression, ¡°Brother Wang, I¡¯m seventeen or eighteen years old, and I¡¯ve been practicing martial arts in the Blue River Sect for almost ten years¡­.¡± Lou Xiangzhen was just a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old youth, while Bai Qun was one of the leading figures among the younger generation of the Blue River Sect. Wasn¡¯t this clearly picking on someone? Wang Yue and Jiang Sanjia were almost alike, and it was normal for the two to fight and mess around. If Bai Qun made a move, it would clearly be making a mountain out of a molehill. ¡°Make your move, you might not win,¡± said Lou Xiangzhen indifferently as he drew his longsword. ¡°Go up!¡± Seeing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s demeanor, Wang Yue roared at Bai Qun, ¡°Anything that happens is on my head.¡± Bai Qun¡¯s mouth twitched for a moment; he knew that if he did not take action today, Wang Yue would definitely hold a grudge against him. Moreover, Lou Xiangzhen was indeed too arrogant. It seemed like a good idea to teach the kid a lesson. To let him know the depth of the Jianghu. ¡°Please forgive my offense!¡± With that thought, Bai Qun leaped forward, throwing a punch at Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°Fifth Grade Cultivation?¡± Lou Xiangzhen sneered at this sight, ¡°Off with you.¡± Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! One could only see a flash of sword light in Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s hand. Bai Qun felt a blur before his eyes and was startled. By the time he reacted, his body was already lying on the ground. ¡°What a fast sword!¡± The surrounding disciples of the Blue River Sect were all shocked when they saw this. Bai Qun was also one of the notable young generation of the Blue River Sect, yet he was defeated in one move. The youth called Lou Xiangzhen was indeed formidable, no wonder the Sect Leader held him in high regard. ¡°Is this the strength of the Blue River Sect?¡± Lou Xiangzhen held his sword with one hand, his eyes filled with a trace of arrogance and dominance, ¡°I don¡¯t want to waste time, all of you come at me together.¡± Standing behind him, Jiang Sanjia watched his figure, his eyes also shining. Wang Yue growled, ¡°Go up, make sure to knock this brat down!¡± ¡°All together!¡± Seeing Lou Xiangzhen speak so arrogantly, the Blue River Sect disciples charged towards him. They only saw Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s longsword dancing in his hand like falling peach blossoms. After dozens of exchanges, the Blue River Sect disciples were defeated one after another and lay on the ground, while Lou Xiangzhen also looked worse for wear, his face pale and breathing heavily. Growing more valiant with battle, Lou Xiangzhen said, ¡°What¡¯s this? Is this the extent of the Blue River Sect¡¯s power? If the young aren¡¯t up to it, the older ones can come. Let your uncles and masters show themselves.¡± The disciples of the Blue River Sect were all in a sorry state, supporting each other with very ugly expressions. This Lou Xiangzhen was really too powerful. One must know that they were from the Blue River Sect, considered to be among the best of the younger generation in Jianghu, yet today they were all defeated by a boy of thirteen or fourteen. Wang Yue sat on the ground, gritting his teeth, ¡°Lou Xiangzhen, don¡¯t get cocky, wait five years, and I will surely beat you until you¡¯re looking for your teeth on the ground.¡± ¡°Five years?¡± Lou Xiangzhen laughed heartily, ¡°Give you fifty years, and you would still be no match for me.¡± Clothed in fine garb and riding on spirited horses during one¡¯s youth, one¡¯s spirit soars high. The disciples of the Blue River Sect present were angry yet silent, as the man before them, Lou Xiangzhen, was indeed too formidable. Wang Yue wasn¡¯t aware, but they knew the strength of this Lou Xiangzhen. Lou Xiangzhen glanced around and said, ¡°Snot-nosed brats, let¡¯s go drink and eat meat.¡± ¡°Yes, Senior Brother! Let¡¯s go drink and eat meat.¡± Jiang Sanjia, upon hearing this, immediately shouted with pride. A child of four or five years old talking about drinking and eating meat was somewhat comical, but the disciples of the Blue River Sect present couldn¡¯t muster a laugh. With that, the two of them began walking towards the distance. ¡°Damn it!¡± Wang Yue, watching the pair¡¯s retreating backs, couldn¡¯t help but curse, ¡°Let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll also go back to eat. Just because they have it, doesn¡¯t mean we don¡¯t!¡± On a distant pavilion, two elders looked at this scene with a trace of amusement. ¡°This Lou Xiangzhen is really a genius,¡± said the elder in blue garments on the left, ¡°And his temperament and comprehension are both top-notch. His future is limitless. It seems like you¡¯ve found a suitable heir to your legacy and can rest at ease.¡± ¡°Indeed, Xiangzhen is exceptional,¡± the Sect Leader of the Ghost Valley Sect hesitated before sighing softly. ¡°You needn¡¯t calculate this and that every day. The secrets of heaven are infinite; can you really foresee them all?¡± chuckled the Sect Leader of the Blue River Sect. ¡°Actually, half a month ago, I made a divination and accidentally glimpsed a hint of heaven¡¯s will,¡± said the Sect Leader of the Ghost Valley Sect as he took a deep breath. ¡°The great trend is unifying, unstoppable; the Mystical Sect is about to reunify.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± The face of the Blue River Sect Leader shook upon hearing this. The Mystical Sect had split into three: the Zhenyi Sect, Ghost Valley Sect, and Daluo Sect. While the Daluo Sect isn¡¯t particularly extraordinary, the Ghost Valley Sect and the Zhenyi Sect are both first-rate factions, which shows the strength of the Mystical Sect. With the Mystical Sect unifying again, it will undoubtedly cause a huge shock in the Jianghu. A thousand years ago, the Mystical Sect was a top force not belonging to either the Buddhist or the Demon Sect. If it unifies again, the landscape of the Jianghu will surely be reshuffled. Seeing the hesitant expression on the face of the Ghost Valley Sect Leader, the Blue River Sect Leader knew this matter wasn¡¯t as simple as imagined. The Mystical Sect had split into three, but who will bring about the unification? With whom does this great trend lie? Based on the expression in the eyes of the Ghost Valley Sect Leader, the great trend seems most likely to be with the Zhenyi Sect. In the separate courtyard. The table was laid with roasted chicken, beef, and two jars of liquid refreshment. Jiang Sanjia gnawed on the roasted chicken with big bites, and while observing Lou Xiangzhen drinking deeply, he whispered, ¡°Senior Brother, didn¡¯t our master say we shouldn¡¯t drink alcohol?¡± ¡°If master doesn¡¯t allow it, you won¡¯t drink?¡± Lou Xiangzhen, squinting his eyes, said, ¡°Master told you to practice martial arts diligently and not to go out and play, yet every day you still go out and mess around. Yesterday you went to steal chickens from the Blue River Sect again¡­¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t!¡± Jiang Sanjia quickly looked around, and after noticing there was no one around, he breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Come, have a drink, this is the good stuff.¡± Ignoring Jiang Sanjia¡¯s protest, Lou Xiangzhen put one of the jars of wine in front of him and said with a smile. ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Jiang Sanjia looked at the wine in front of him and was tempted. Lou Xiangzhen continued to tempt him, ¡°Drink it, I saw our master and the Sect Leader of the Blue River Sect head down the mountain.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Sanjia subconsciously hugged the wine jar. Lou Xiangzhen said, ¡°After drinking this, you¡¯ll be the happiest person in the world.¡± ¡°Is it sweeter than eating Tang people?¡± ¡°Sweet, very sweet.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll give it a try. Elder Martial Brother never lies to me.¡± Upon hearing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words, Jiang Sanjia could no longer hold back; he wrapped his small hands around the wine jug and took a swig. ¡°Cough cough cough¡­.¡± The gulp was a bit too big, the spicy sensation rushed from his throat straight to his belly, instantly causing Jiang Sanjia to tear up, ¡°Elder Martial Brother, you lied to me, this isn¡¯t sweet at all, it¡¯s spicy¡­.ha¡­¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Seeing the little snot-nosed kid in such a state, Lou Xiangzhen couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter, ¡°Of course, the wine is spicy.¡± Before long, the alcohol rushed to his head, and Jiang Sanjia¡¯s face turned beet red, feeling his body becoming feather-light. Jiang Sanjia swayed, saying, ¡°Elder Martial Brother, the movement technique Master taught me, I feel like I¡¯ve got the hang of it, I feel so light right now.¡± The corners of Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s mouth curled up as he took a sip of wine, ¡°Didn¡¯t I say it, this is good stuff, I don¡¯t share it with just anyone.¡± ¡°Elder Martial Brother, such fine treasures must not be wasted.¡± Jiang Sanjia, drunk as a lord, climbed onto the table, his small hands gripping the wine jug, ¡°Come, drink!¡± ¡­¡­.. Inside the tavern. ¡°Elder Lou!¡± An Jing saw the wine jug halt mid-air in Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s hand and couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Come drink, we can¡¯t waste such good wine.¡± ¡°Delicious.¡± Upon hearing this, Lou Xiangzhen guzzled the Song Lao Wine with vigor, the spiciness brought a much-needed relief. When he first heard of Jiang Sanjia¡¯s death, he was merely slightly stunned, not quite feeling the impact then, but as time slowly passed, he seemed to come to his senses. Sanjia was truly dead. After Lou Xiangzhen finished drinking, he felt as if sand and dust were blinding his eyes and instinctively turned his head towards the distance. Grief always arrives unexpectedly and silently, mingling into mundane trifles, then it hits you hard all at once, deeply distressing you. An Jing seemed oblivious and mused to himself, ¡°Good wine, truly fine wine.¡± ¡°Tat tat tat tat¡­.¡± Just then, the sound of horseshoes approached from afar, shaking the very ground. Dressed in black and riding tall horses, dozens of men raced urgently down the official road, their expressions hurried. ¡°Heh, those seem to be the experts from the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Qing Feng Hall.¡± ¡°I wonder what brings them here.¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard? There are wanted posters all over Jianghu now, all seeking the Ghost Swordsman.¡± ¡°How could I not know about that? They say the big incident on Nanhua Mountain a while ago was the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s doing.¡± ¡°Pity, the Ghost Swordsman was indeed a renowned swordsman. It¡¯s just unfortunate that he had to provoke the Zhenyi Sect.¡± ¡­¡­ The patrons inside the tavern started discussing as they witnessed the scene. An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen exchanged glances, both having a hunch. On their journey, they had seen some of Qing Feng Hall¡¯s experts. Initially, An Jing paid it no mind, but then they encountered more and more of these experts. Something was not right. It seemed the Zhenyi Sect knew his whereabouts and was weaving a massive net around him. An Jing hesitated before saying, ¡°Elder Lou, I think it¡¯s best if we hit the road.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked into the distance and said in a deep voice, ¡°Let¡¯s take the left path and make a detour.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± An Jing nodded. This particular left path led straight to Xuanqing Mountain. Xuanqing Mountain was a place of immense significance, the ancestral court of the Mystical Sect. It was the location of the sect¡¯s gates in bygone years. After the Mystical Sect split, no other sect had established its gates there. It was said that every ten years, Xiao Qianqiu would come down from his mountain to Xuanqing Mountain to offer incense and worship his ancestors. His ambition was known to the entire world. ¡­¡­ On the official road. The Reverend Moyun took out a fruit the size of a thumb and placed it in front of the spirit-seeking rat. This thumb-sized fruit was no ordinary fruit but a heavenly material and earthly treasure known as the Water Spirit Fruit. It grew on the Water Spirit Tree, bearing fruit every three years. Water Spirit Trees could only be found on Poison Mountain in Zhao Country, making them extremely rare. The spirit-seeking rat swallowed the thumb-sized fruit in one go and then lay on the road, sniffing towards the front, making a ¡®squeak squeak¡¯ sound. ¡°It¡¯s up ahead.¡± Seeing this, the Reverend Moyun turned and said, ¡°We should be close now.¡± Behind them were Ling Yuanjing, the grand truth-seeker Yu Huai, and three more Taoists and a nun, who all had an impressive demeanor. These individuals were indeed several of the great truth-seekers from the Zhenyi Sect: Yu Zhen, Yu Lin, Yu Jiu, and the master of Tongxuan Peak, He Chen. Yu Lin and Yu Zhen, both in their fifties, appeared amiable with a whisk in hand. The difference was that Yu Lin wore an exquisite jade pendant on his waist, a Purple Wood Crown on his head, and his Daoist robe was embroidered with intricate patterns, giving him an air of being an immortal figure. On the other hand, Yu Zhen wore a simple white-gray Daoist robe that was thoroughly cleansed and shoes that were incredibly ordinary, making him unobtrusive. Were it not for his standing among the other great truth-seekers, one might mistake him for a wandering Taoist. Yu Jiu, a female crown-wearer, had a rosy complexion and fine features, and she must have been quite attractive when she was younger. She carried a sword at her waist. Everyone knew that apart from Yu Ying, the leader of the Heavenly Venerate Hall, Yu Jiu was the second most skilled practitioner of the Sword Dao on Zhenyi Mountain. He Chen, the master of Tongxuan Peak, wore a black Daoist robe, his hands behind his back, and his face betrayed no emotion. Among the four peak masters, He Chen was the eldest. Like Xiao Qianqiu, he too was a disciple of Ye Ding and was in fact Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s senior fellow apprentice. The grand truth-seeker Yu Huai declared in a resolute voice, ¡°Ahead? We¡¯re nearing Xuanqing Mountain.¡± The great truth-seeker Yu Zhen furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°What would the Ghost Swordsman be doing on Xuanqing Mountain?¡± Since the dissolution of the Mystical Sect, most of Xuanqing Mountain¡¯s scriptures and treasures had been completely divided among the three sects. Over the years, the buildings atop the mountain had been largely destroyed, and with the annual looting by people from Jianghu, only a dilapidated site remained. The great truth-seeker Yu Jiu thought for a moment and said, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is a disciple of Yan Shaoshan and thus is also of the Mystical Sect lineage. Perhaps he is visiting the Ancestor Court to pay homage to his ancestors, or maybe he¡¯s just passing by to take a look.¡± He Chen glanced at the distant Xuanqing Mountain and spoke slowly, ¡°Whatever he intends to do is of little consequence to us. All we need to do is intercept him.¡± Everyone nodded in agreement. ¡°Have someone surround the area for tens of miles, and let not a single shadow escape.¡± Ling Yuanjing took a deep breath and said, ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is extremely skilled in the Concealing Method. Even the experts from Qing Feng Hall might pass by him without recognizing him. We can only rely on this spirit-seeking rat to find him.¡± ¡°Remember, he has an Exotic Beast by his side, and we must not underestimate him or act rashly.¡± As he said this, Ling Yuanjing looked towards the Reverend Moyun. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Brother Ling. We will definitely find that Ghost Swordsman today.¡± The Reverend Moyun smiled and then took out two more Water Spirit Fruits from the pouch at his waist and threw them before the spirit-seeking rat. ¡°Eat up quickly, then it¡¯s time to get to work.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After wolfing down the Water Spirit Fruits, the spirit-seeking rat showed a satisfied look and with a ¡®squeak¡¯, it transformed into a black line and darted into the dense forest. Seeing this, the Reverend Moyun quickly said, ¡°Let¡¯s follow swiftly. After swallowing the Water Spirit Fruits, my spirit-seeking rat can move extremely fast and will find the Ghost Swordsman within thirty miles.¡± Having said that, the Reverend Moyun chased after it without hesitation. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± The numerous formidable practitioners of the Zhenyi Sect exchanged glances and quickly followed suit. Chapter 146 - Chapter 146: Chapter 146 Tan Yuns Identity Suspected of Being Exposed Chapter 146: Chapter 146 Tan Yun¡¯s Identity Suspected of Being Exposed Xuanqing Mountain, atop the cliff. Looking around, there was endless misty clouds, ethereal like a fairyland. Lou Xiangzhen, with his hands behind his back, looked at the disarray in front of him and remained silent. ¡°Is this the piece your junior disciple left behind?¡± At that moment, a leisurely voice came from afar. A Taoist slowly walked over. If An Jing had been there, he would have recognized that the person in front of him was none other than the Luo-surnamed Taoist who had divined earlier in the Thousand Mechanism Palace. Lou Xiangzhen nodded, saying nothing. The Taoist nodded slightly and slowly said, ¡°Strength is good, Root Bone is good, fortune is excellent, both land and people are favorable, but the timing is a bit difficult¡­¡± Lou Xiangzhen squinted his eyes, ¡°The providential time has already been occupied by Xiao Qianqiu and me.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Hearing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words, the Taoist was slightly stunned and then burst into laughter, ¡°It¡¯s one thing for Xiao Qianqiu to possess the providential time, but when did you occupy it?¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked at the front, remaining silent. Seeing this, the Taoist narrowed his eyes, ¡°What, do you want to try with my great-nephew?¡± Great-nephew! In today¡¯s world, the only person who could call Xiao Qianqiu a great-nephew was Luo Chongyang, the younger brother of the previous Zhenyi Sect Sect Hierarch Ye Ding. Who is Luo Chongyang? People who have spent some time in Jianghu mostly know him well, especially the older generation of martial artists who revere him like thunder. Who is Ye Ding? He is the master of Xiao Qianqiu, who now presides over Zhenyi Mountain, overlooking the martial world. Luo Chongyang¡¯s standing in the Zhenyi Sect and Zhenyi Mountain is extremely high. Just now, the Zhenyi Sect grandmasters and peak masters present had to respectfully greet him as granduncle. When the temple masters of the various Daoist temples see Luo Chongyang, they must also call him granduncle and pay him great respect. It is rumored that when Ye Ding passed on the leadership to Xiao Qianqiu, Luo Chongyang harbored some dissatisfaction in his heart, and within three years, he had a dispute with Xiao Qianqiu, which even escalated to a physical altercation, after which he was defeated by Xiao Qianqiu and fled from Zhenyi Mountain. Thereafter, Luo Chongyang wandered Jianghu for decades, completely disappearing from the public eye twenty years ago. Lou Xiangzhen touched the Peach Blossom Sword at his waist and whispered softly, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu has dominated the scene for over twenty years now, time really flies.¡± It seemed as if there were halos floating on the Peach Blossom Sword, dazzling and mesmerizing the onlooker. Luo Chongyang glanced at the Peach Blossom Sword at Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s waist, ¡°One final step?¡± The difference between the Fifth Realm of Sword Skill and the Sixth Realm is like heaven and earth, incomparable. In the same era, there are dozens of swordsmen who reach the Fifth Realm, among whom the best can become top Sword Immortals. But only those who reach the Sixth Realm can truly dominate and even be recorded in history. Why has Lin Yiyang¡¯s reputation surged lately? Isn¡¯t it because of that statement he made after challenging the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva? He must reach the Sixth Realm within three years. The Sixth Realm is a shackles for all Fifth Realm swordsmen, even the top swordsmen in the world seldom reach the Sixth Realm. Lou Xiangzhen stood at the peak of the mountain, letting the fierce wind blow, his gaze deep, ¡°What do you think our chances are?¡± ¡°It¡¯s worth a try.¡± Luo Chongyang thought for a moment before finally speaking, ¡°After all, decades have passed, and I¡¯m not very familiar with my great-nephew¡¯s current strength.¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s expression was calm as water, and he nodded slightly. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s strength is very high, his reputation even more terrifying, among which there is no lack of embellishment from the Zhenyi Sect, and in addition to his decades of seclusion on Zhenyi Mountain, not many people know his true strength. Yet, the title of the number one person in the Great Yan Martial World, he has nurtured for decades. His prestige is extraordinary, and his true strength is definitely not lacking. Luo Chongyang thought of something and said, ¡°Throughout history, many have sought the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ and the position of Mystical Sect Daoist Master, but in the end, they all turned into dust. Do you know why?¡± When Mystical Sect fragmented, it mysteriously turned into a secret, and even after a thousand years, it has not been unified. It¡¯s worth noting that in these thousand years, each faction has produced outstanding figures, but none have obtained the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ or achieved the Daoist Master position to revitalize the Mystical Sect. ¡°Some people don¡¯t want it.¡± Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently, ¡°The Mystical Sect has been the foremost sect from ancient times to the present, once surpassing even today¡¯s Zhenyi Sect in prestige. Buddhist and Demon Sects couldn¡¯t even touch its edge; who in the world would like to see the Mystical Sect rise again?¡± Luo Chongyang nodded, ¡°So, it¡¯s extremely difficult for the Mystical Sect to unite. This is also why Xiao Qianqiu hasn¡¯t descended the mountain yet. Once he truly comes down, it would mean he is confident about his chances.¡± Uniting the Mystical Sect is not as easy as others think; it is fraught with difficulties and turbulent waves. ¡°That would be the best, to defeat such a Xiao Qianqiu would truly be exhilarating.¡± Lou Xiangzhen began walking down the mountain, ¡°When the time comes, don¡¯t forget to come and watch.¡± Watching Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s distant figure, Luo Chongyang said, ¡°I¡¯ve long stopped caring about the grudges in Jianghu.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t about the grudges of Jianghu, this is a conflict of Daoist traditions. Whether you come or not, Xiao Qianqiu and I are destined to have a battle sooner or later.¡± After saying that, Lou Xiangzhen leaped up and disappeared over the cliff. Luo Chongyang stood where Lou Xiangzhen had been standing, gazing at the sea of clouds below for a long time. He remembered the first time he went to find Lou Xiangzhen. At that time, he invited Lou Xiangzhen to come out of seclusion to jointly create a legacy and revitalize the Mystical Sect, but Lou Xiangzhen had no intention of clashing with Xiao Qianqiu and completely lacked the ambition to become the Daoist Master. Lou Xiangzhen is indeed an interesting person; a talented youth renowned throughout Jianghu, adorned in splendid garments riding a spirited horse, he enjoyed much adulation as the darling of the heavens and lived a life of boundless glamour. His temperament was incredibly arrogant and unruly. Later, as his fame rose, he gradually became one of the top swordsmen in the world and even sought to challenge the Sword God. Unexpectedly, he was bitterly defeated by the Yu Heng Sword Sect, discouraged and disheartened, he half-retired from Jianghu. He no longer strove for fame and fortune but pursued a leisurely and carefree life, seemingly having found the true essence of life. Regardless, he was still considered the second best swordsman in the world at that time, just below the Sword God and Sword Demon. Years later, as the Sword God and Sword Demon either disappeared or died, Xiao Qianqiu from the Zhenyi Sect began to rise. He further withdrew from Jianghu and secluded himself at the northwest border, but he remained one of the top swordsmen in the world. Some said he was now the top swordsman; others claimed he ranked fifth, his spirit defeated, no longer possessing his former courage, afraid to face the formidable Zhenyi Sect. Some praised him, but more despised and cursed him. Eventually, some even suggested that he was only relying on his seniority; otherwise, he would have no place among the top five Sword Immortals in the world. Lou Xiangzhen ignored such rumors, entirely indifferent. The ranking in the world meant nothing to him anymore. Only this year, with the death and disappearance of Jiang Sanjia, did he rekindle that fire within him. He came out of seclusion to rival Xiao Qianqiu and challenge the Jianghu once more. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s life has been full of ups and downs, his heart swaying with the major trends of Jianghu. Luo Chongyang, watching the drifting clouds in the sky, couldn¡¯t help but muse, ¡°Clouds gather and scatter in the sky, and such is life as well.¡± ¡­¡­ East Lin Road, Heavenly Water City, within a beautifully exquisite pavilion. A guqin was placed on a small table, beside which sat a middle-aged man. The man¡¯s appearance could not be considered handsome or imposing, merely above average, but his fingers were exceptionally slender and elegant. His fingers rested on the strings of the guqin, yet he did not play. A stream of sunlight poured through the window, illuminating the back of his hand. Just then, the sound of knocking came from the door. ¡°Sir, there¡¯s an urgent report.¡± ¡°Come in,¡± the man said serenely toward the door. As the door was pushed open, a man with a sword quickly entered, presenting an urgent dispatch, ¡°This comes from Mo Yan, sir, with utmost urgency.¡± Mo Yan, a tributor of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. The identity of the man before him was all too clear, he was the extremely mysterious Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Upon hearing, the Pavilion Master¡¯s hand reached out, and the dispatch landed in his palm. He quickly skimmed through it. Afterward, his usually calm face tightened slightly, and he couldn¡¯t help but mutter, ¡°What a formidable Ghost Swordsman.¡± The urgent dispatch detailed a great battle atop Xuanqing Mountain. The Zhenyi Sect had dispatched numerous experts, not escaping the notice of some, but few knew of Zhenyi Sect¡¯s true intent. It turned out this mission was aimed at encircling the Ghost Swordsman of Jiangnan Dao. Unexpectedly, this Ghost Swordsman was so formidable that, facing a siege by four Grand Real People, two Peak Masters, and the Reverend Moyun, he directly killed two Grand Real People and Reverend Moyun before safely departing. Such a terrifying accomplishment is exceedingly rare in the Great Yan Martial World. After all, there was hardly anyone with such strength who dared to offend the Zhenyi Sect, except perhaps a master from the Demon Sect or someone from Black Ice Platform at the Great Snow Mountain of Houjin, but these people were not currently within the borders of Great Yan. Even so, they had to weigh their options carefully and be wary of retaliation from the Zhenyi Sect. After all, the Zhenyi Sect did have its grandmasters, especially the world-renowned Xiao Qianqiu, who was a top-notch grandmaster with immeasurable strength. The man bearing the longsword asked in a low voice, ¡°My lord, could the Ghost Swordsman be¡­¡± ¡°See for yourself.¡± The Pavilion Master of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion tossed the urgent dispatch to the swordsman. After glancing at it, the man gasped in shock. Normally, just one great master could dominate in the martial world and hold power over a region, but this time, even with so many masters dispatched by the Zhenyi Sect, they had failed to capture the Ghost Swordsman, who instead killed many of their masters and walked away. Moreover, the dispatch mentioned he left peacefully rather than escaping, which implied that the Ghost Swordsman faced the seven great masters without falling into a disadvantage. The strength of this Ghost Swordsman was terrifying indeed! The man pondered and said, ¡°What an incredible swordsman; this person¡¯s strength must be no less than that of Lin Yiyang¡­¡± Lin Yiyang was one of the five great Sword Immortals of the current era, the Sect Leader of the Yu Heng Sword Sect, and he possessed the Ninth Sword, ranking him among the top masters just below the grandmasters of this world. After a long moment, the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion said, ¡°This person¡¯s strength is profound and inscrutable, as if he has appeared out of thin air; could there be someone behind him?¡± The swordsman thought for a moment and replied, ¡°It¡¯s unclear, but this person doesn¡¯t seem to have any particular grand motives.¡± ¡°Whether he has motives or not, we must be cautious and continue the investigation; do not halt your efforts.¡± After another pause, the Pavilion Master continued, ¡°Also, there is a significant matter that I need you to handle.¡± ¡°Xiao Ruoyun is entirely at your command, my lord,¡± the swordsman said as he bowed with clasped hands. The Pavilion Master spoke gravely, ¡°I need you to make a trip to Lingnan Dao.¡± Xiao Ruoyun was startled and exclaimed, ¡°Lingnan Dao!?¡± ¡­¡­. In the North, within Hidden Mountain. Hidden Mountain was not a notable mountain in Great Yan and was located on the fringe of Great Yan¡¯s border, with surroundings that were far from bustling. Yet in the martial world, no one dared to underestimate this place. For within these mountains lay one of the seven factions of Great Yan, the Five Poison Sect. Those truly familiar with the martial world knew that the Five Poison Sect originally belonged to the Demon Sect as the Five Poisons, but later, due to a paramount genius who grew discontent with the Demon Sect, they broke away and established the Five Poison Sect. The ability to break away from the Demon Sect and establish the considerable Five Poison Sect, becoming one of the Great Yan¡¯s seven factions without falling prey to retaliation from the Demon Sect, surely showed the support from the Zhenyi Sect and the Human Emperor, but it also highlighted the formidable strength of the Five Poison Sect itself. Halfway up the mountain, there was a beautifully designed corridor and group of buildings. At that moment, a group of disciples dressed in the attire of the Five Poison Sect were seated on meditation mats, looking tensely and reverently forward. Directly in front of them was a woman of stunning beauty and extreme coldness. This woman had a delicate face, eyes full of spirit, arched eyebrows, a petite nose, and red lips that breathed fragrance, captivating anyone who looked at her and immersing them deeply. The only pity was her isolated and proud demeanor, chilly to the extreme. This person was none other than Dai Ling, who had narrowly escaped death at Three Temple Mountain. ¡°That will be all for today¡¯s lesson; if there¡¯s anything unclear, feel free to ask me privately,¡± she said. Dai Ling swept her eyes over her audience and then stood up to leave. ¡°This morning I heard a major piece of news.¡± ¡°I know, you must be talking about the big news from Xuanqing Mountain.¡± ¡°Brother Mao, what exactly is the news? Hurry up and tell us.¡± ¡°The six great masters of the Zhenyi Sect descended the mountain to exterminate the Ghost Swordsman.¡± ¡­.. Just as Dai Ling turned to leave, the disciples below burst into chaos. At the mention of ¡°Ghost Swordsman,¡± her steps faltered slightly, and a cold chill flashed through her usually icy eyes. ¡°The six great masters of the Zhenyi Sect, who are they? Hurry up and tell us, Mao Yun,¡± a clueless disciple eagerly asked. Mao Yun was an inner disciple of the Five Poison Sect who often engaged in indolence and socialized with unruly friends, possessing a profound awareness of the news from Jianghu. Mao Yun said in a deep voice, ¡°Great Real Masters Yu Lin, Yu Jiu, Yu Zhen, Yu Huai, and the Peak Masters of Nanhua Peak and Tongxuan Peak, Ling Yuanjing and He Chen, six people in total.¡± Upon hearing this, someone couldn¡¯t help but interject, ¡°You forgot about the Ascetic Monk Moyun from Heaven¡¯s Cave Mountain; he also went.¡± The surrounding disciples, each carrying an expression of surprise, exclaimed, ¡°So many experts! Then the Ghost Swordsman is undoubtedly doomed.¡± In their view, with so many masters mobilized by the Zhenyi Sect, how could the Ghost Swordsman possibly survive? ¡°Then you are mistaken,¡± Mao Yun retorted with a cold laugh. ¡°The Zhenyi Sect truly made a huge loss this time. They¡¯re carrying their coffins and crying in defeat. Six great masters perished, Great Real Master Yu Lin and Yu Huai died, Tongxuan Peak¡¯s Master He Chen was gravely injured, and the remaining ones were also severely wounded. Ascetic Monk Moyun suffered the worst fate; neither he nor his companion mice managed to escape.¡± Whoosh! Everyone¡¯s faces showed shock and amazement. They were evidently stunned by the news, never expecting the Ghost Swordsman to be so formidable as to break out from so many of Zhenyi Sect¡¯s masters. Dai Ling clenched her silver teeth, her heart turning ice-cold. She clearly remembered that at the time on Three Temple Mountain, the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s power was not this terrifying. Yet, in just a few short months, he had killed several experts at the Heavenly Flower Realm. It was said that he now had an exotic beast by his side, and not even a Half-step Master could handle him. The position and status of a Half-step Master were significant¨Cher own father, Five Poison Young Master Dai Danshu, was also just a Half-step Master. And in these months, she had diligently cultivated day and night, along with a strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy that Tian Cansou had risked his life to obtain, barely reaching the First Grade Realm. Dai Ling clenched her fists tightly, a wave of discomfort surging in her heart, ¡°Is avenging him truly hopeless?¡± During this period, she often dreamed of the scene where the Ghost Swordsman and Li Fuzhou cruelly killed Tian Cansou¨Cthis was almost the source of her motivation for cultivation. This was also why she had been exceptionally diligent recently, and her cultivation had progressed very rapidly. Soon, she had returned to the front of her courtyard. ¡°Ling¡¯er.¡± Just as she was about to step inside, a voice called out. Following the voice, she saw a strikingly handsome man with distinctly sculpted facial features, sharp and well-defined, and a straight nose above perfectly proportioned lips. With just one look, one knew who this extremely handsome person was¨CFive Poison Young Master Dai Danshu. ¡°Dad!¡± Dai Ling said upon seeing him. Dai Danshu raised his eyebrows and asked, ¡°You seem preoccupied; what were you thinking about just now?¡± ¡°Nothing, nothing,¡± Dai Ling shook her head. ¡°You were thinking about the Ghost Swordsman, weren¡¯t you?¡± Dai Danshu said lightly. Dai Ling, upon hearing this, did not speak. Dai Danshu took a deep breath and said, ¡°I¡¯ve also received news that the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s power is now not inferior to mine, and might even be a bit stronger. Without a Grandmaster¡¯s intervention, killing him might be very difficult. You should probably not dwell on seeking revenge against him.¡± Three Half-step Masters and four at the Heavenly Flower Realm surrounded him, yet he managed to kill two Heavenly Flower Realm masters and one Half-step Master. Even though he had the help of an exotic beast, the beast was also a part of his strength. Dai Ling still said nothing. Dai Danshu seriously continued, ¡°I know you won¡¯t heed my advice, but I am speaking for your own good. The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength is not something you can handle, and your chances of killing him are almost nonexistent.¡± Dai Ling bit her lip hard, ¡°Dad, I understand what you are saying, but to pretend like nothing happened and forget about the blood feud, I can¡¯t do it.¡± The death of Tian Cansou was still vivid in her mind; how could she possibly forget her hatred now? Dai Danshu knew well the nature of Dai Ling and felt somewhat helpless, quietly saying after a long while, ¡°If you can¡¯t forget, at least keep it deeply buried in your heart.¡± Dai Ling nodded firmly, ¡°I naturally know that. I won¡¯t act irrationally.¡± She was acutely aware that when it was time to endure, she must endure, waiting for the most critical moment to strike a fatal blow. Dai Danshu knew persuasion was futile, and it might even motivate her, so he did not linger on the topic. Instead, he said, ¡°I came here mainly to discuss the matter we talked about last time. How have you considered it?¡± Dai Ling looked up, and after a long pause, said, ¡°I don¡¯t like Zhao Mengtai; he is too gloomy and overcalculating.¡± Half a year ago, proposals were made to the Five Poison Sect regarding this marriage. Back then, Dai Danshu, considering that the Second Prince Zhao Mengtai had an elder brother, the Crown Prince, had always put this matter on hold. But considering recent developments and seeing the ambitious nature of Zhao Mengtai, especially now with the Human Emperor in seclusion, the future scenarios seemed unsure¡­ The Second Prince might not be a bad option. ¡°Since you dislike him, then let¡¯s forget about it,¡± he said. Dai Danshu sighed softly, ¡°But the matter of marriage must be arranged, and you are not young anymore. I plan to issue the Jianghu Heroic Invitation to seek a husband for you.¡± Dai Ling¡¯s strength was among the very top of the younger generation. Initially, he was quite interested in Qi Yun. Unexpectedly, Qi Yun had died in Yu State City, and his death was exceedingly disgraceful. Finding someone of a similar family status and strength was indeed too difficult for Dai Ling. Dai Ling blinked, ¡°Dad, if a bunch of old men in their seventies or eighties come to respond to this Heroic Invitation, would you have me marry them too?¡± ¡°How could that be possible!?¡± Dai Danshu brushed his sleeve and said irritably, ¡°Rest assured, if someone in their seventies or eighties calls me ¡®father-in-law,¡¯ I wouldn¡¯t dare to agree.¡± Upon hearing this, Dai Ling said softly, ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave it all to you, Dad. I definitely won¡¯t marry anyone I don¡¯t like.¡± ¡°Since you agree, I will have someone spread this news tomorrow.¡± Upon hearing this, Dai Danshu also felt relieved. ¡­¡­ The night was silent. East Lin Road, a small border town tavern. ¡°Server, bring the dishes.¡± A woman dressed in black, with average features and a somewhat plump figure, walked in. ¡°Coming right up!¡± The server, slapping his towel, walked over quickly and smiled, asking, ¡°What would you like to eat, sir?¡± Being a tavern server meant more than just serving tea and water; observing and understanding guests was equally important. Servers needed to remember a guest¡¯s face for at least a month if it was their first visit to the tavern. This was fundamental. They also had to gauge the guest¡¯s background based on their clothing and guess their line of work. The woman in front of him, although ordinary-looking and plump, wore loose clothes and held a longsword, making it obvious that she might be a Jianghu traveler. ¡°Serve me four¡­ no, six of your special dishes,¡± said the woman after thinking for a moment. ¡°Six dishes?¡± The server muttered under his breath, then something occurred to him, ¡°Would you like any drinks, sir?¡± The woman waved her hand and said, ¡°No drinks, just bring three large bowls of rice first.¡± ¡°Sir, could it be that more friends are coming?¡± Upon hearing this, the server cautiously asked, ¡°Should I bring a few more sets of cutlery?¡± Upon hearing this, the woman¡¯s brows furrowed, showing impatience, ¡°Just bring the dishes, why so much talk?¡± ¡°Alright, I will order right away.¡± The server smiled apologetically and then went to the back, ¡°Six special dishes, three large bowls of rice.¡± ¡°Did more people come?¡± At this, a cook wiping the sweat from his forehead asked. The server pursed his lips and said, ¡°Not many, just one.¡± Upon hearing this, the cook became discontent, ¡°Just one person? Is he a pig? Wants six large dishes?¡± It was almost closing time, and he was looking forward to going home and resting with his wife. Now he had to start bustling again. In the tavern, the woman in black, who had excellent hearing, caught every word of the conversation. She clenched her fist, as if flames of anger were burning within. The woman extended her hand and tapped her chest, signaling herself to calm down. This person was none other than Tan Yun, who had just left Yu State City. However, at this moment, she had disguised herself so well that even people who knew her could not recognize her. ¡°Let¡¯s figure out the route first.¡± Having calmed down, Tan Yun took out a map from her bosom and started to study it. Because the terrain of Great Yan was complex and the roads extensive, Tan Yun had already taken the wrong path twice, delaying her considerably. Fortunately, after buying a map from a merchant, she no longer lost her way. ¡°Xuanqing Mountain, East Lin Road, Blue River Sect¡­¡± Tan Yun stared intently at the map. In recent days, the Jianghu had been buzzing with news that the Ghost Swordsman was spotted on Xuanqing Mountain, and upon hearing this, she had rushed here with great anticipation. ¡°Sir, your dishes are ready.¡± Soon, the waiter came up with a few dishes, his face full of enthusiasm. Tan Yun quietly put away the map and glanced at the dishes on the table, feeling her appetite stir. ¡°Enjoy your meal, sir. Call if you need anything.¡± The waiter slowly withdrew. ¡°Understood.¡± After the waiter left, Tan Yun immediately picked up a bowl of rice and began to eat heartily. Since leaving Yu State City, she had found herself eating less and less. Suddenly, Tan Yun saw the stir-fried pork kidney on the table, and something occurred to her, causing her chopsticks to pause momentarily. She remembered that her husband had always enjoyed this stir-fried pork kidney because she liked it too, and they used to fight over who got to eat more. Of course, that was what Tan Yun believed. ¡°Husband, rest assured, I¡¯ll eat your portion too.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s expression grew a bit sad, then she channelled her sorrow into strength and began to gulp down the rice voraciously. Thinking that she could no longer see An Jing, her heart suddenly soured, and this feeling spread to her stomach, making her feel even hungrier. ¡°Waiter, another bowl!¡± After swiftly finishing two bowls of rice, Tan Yun called out loudly. ¡°Right away.¡± The waiter quickly brought two more bowls of rice and set them in front of Tan Yun, ¡°Take your time.¡±¡® At that moment, an old man accompanied by a young girl walked in. The old man¡¯s clothes were somewhat tattered, and he looked frail and blind as he held a two-stringed fiddle in his dry palms; the lean girl clung tightly to his clothing. ¡°Sir, how about a tune for some money?¡± The pair approached a table cautiously. At that table, four or five burly men were drinking merrily and seemed to be enjoying themselves. One of the men waved his hand impatiently, saying, ¡°Go away, go away. I¡¯m too poor to give money for you to drink.¡± Seeing this, the old man quickly pulled the girl towards another table to ask, but most ignored them, and a few directly chased them away. ¡°Would you like to hear a tune? Just ten copper coins.¡± Before long, the old man approached Tan Yun¡¯s table. Tan Yun, holding a chicken leg, looked up and saw the lean girl beside him, ¡°Alright, play me a tune then.¡± Upon hearing this, a hint of joy appeared in the old man¡¯s eyes: ¡°Sure, does the sir have any preferred tune?¡± Tan Yun spoke carelessly, ¡°Anything will do.¡± ¡°Then the old man will play ¡®Western River Moon,¡¯ which is something I¡¯m particularly good at.¡± With that, the old man sat down on a nearby empty chair and began to play his two-stringed fiddle. The mournful sound of the music began slowly, then hastened, and after the quick phase, it gradually softened, like the tide receding, leaving a clear, moonlit night and a quiet sandbar. The plaintive, sorrowful sound echoed throughout the inn. Suddenly, many people looked over and started whispering among themselves. The more Tan Yun listened, the sadder she became. ¡°My husband must have loved this tune. Next time I visit his grave, I must hire some musicians to play for him.¡± Before long, the old man stopped playing. ¡°Not bad.¡± Tan Yun took out some broken silver from her purse and handed it to the young girl. ¡°Sir, ten copper coins are enough,¡± the girl hastily said upon seeing the silver. ¡°Keep it, it¡¯s a reward for you,¡± Tan Yun generously offered on this rare occasion. ¡°But¡­.¡± The girl still hesitated. ¡°Hurry along, and don¡¯t disturb my meal.¡± Tan Yun raised his eyebrows, feigning displeasure. ¡°Yes, yes, yes.¡± The elderly man quickly took the girl by the hand, excitedly walking off towards the distance. Watching the elderly and the young girl leave, Tan Yun seemed to remember something and sighed lightly, ¡°I wonder if that little black dog is dead.¡± After a moment, Tan Yun felt full and, rubbing his round belly, laid down a few copper coins and leisurely picked up his bundle to continue on his journey. At this moment, the several burly men sitting beside the table saw this, exchanged looks, and quickly followed him, without even paying for the silver. The waiter, trembling, cleared the bowls and dishes from the table, not daring to ask for the silver and then nervously went back to the kitchen. ¡°Old Zhu, Old Zhu.¡± ¡°What now? Did someone else come in?¡± The cook raised his eyebrows upon hearing this. ¡°No, no.¡± The waiter swallowed nervously, ¡°That woman who ate three bowls of rice just now left a silver after paying the performer, then she left, and I saw some men from North Mountain following her.¡± Upon hearing this, the cook¡¯s face also turned pale, ¡°That¡¯s bad.¡± In this remote small town plagued by thieves, Xuanyi Guards rarely appear. Although it can¡¯t be said that disturbances happen often here, they certainly aren¡¯t rare, and often involve unresolved injustices. Above the North Mountains of this town lives a group of very arrogant bandits called the North Mountain Bandits, who commit all sorts of heinous acts like murder and robbery, causing prolonged suffering to the town. ¡°I saw that the woman looked like she was from the Jianghu, I wonder what will happen,¡± the waiter said shakily. ¡­.. As the night deepened, Tan Yun did not intend to rest. She needed to reach the vicinity of Xuanqing Mountain as soon as possible. Leaving the small town, Tan Yun, riding a black horse, galloped along the official road. ¡°Find that Ghost Swordsman and recruit him into the Demon Sect¡­.¡± Thinking this, Tan Yun¡¯s heart suddenly began to race. Suddenly, a cold light struck from behind. ¡°Hm?!¡± Tan Yun, as the Protector of the Human Sect and the sole disciple of Li Fuzhou, was accustomed to being flanked by numerous top masters for protection when she was in the Jianghu; although unprotected now, she was not someone who could easily be bullied. Whoosh! Whoosh! Tan Yun leaped, separating from her horse, and the cold light impaled the ground instead. ¡°Stop!¡± Tan Yun pulled on the reins. ¡°Miss, that¡¯s quite a skillful move.¡± At this moment, a sneering laugh approached. Four or five burly men who had been at the eatery came from behind, quickly surrounding her, seemingly blocking all her escape routes. ¡°What do you want?¡± Tan Yun looked at the men in front of her, and her mind moved swiftly, immediately guessing that her display of silver had incited their murderous intent. ¡°What do we want?¡± The leader chuckled, and the others instantly encircled her more tightly. ¡°Leave your silver with us, then stay and have some fun with us.¡± As they spoke, a lewd smile formed on their faces. An excited voice from the side chimed in, ¡°Old Ma, this miss may look ordinary, but the skills she displayed earlier could indeed make for an exciting night.¡± ¡°Have fun!? Have fun!?¡± Tan Yun, who was well-read, was no longer a naive girl. Angered, she drew her Longsword. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Reflected by the moonlight, a streak of cold light shone before everyone¡¯s eyes. ¡°Still resisting.¡± One man leaped forward, aiming a palm strike at Tan Yun¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Shriek!¡± Tan Yun drew her Futu Sword, a flash of sword light surged forward. ¡°Boom!¡± The flying figure was blasted into a mist of blood, scattering across the sky. The North Mountain bandits were terrified upon seeing this. One move! One move had killed the North Mountain¡¯s Third-in-command of the Sixth Grade Realm! This was no ordinary Jianghu expert; she was at the very least of the Fourth Grade Realm, perhaps even higher. ¡°Not good, we¡¯ve encountered a tough one.¡± ¡°Run!¡± ¡­.. They were not fools; realizing their mistake, they quickly fled towards the distance.¡± ¡°Thinking of running away!?¡± Tan Yun, who never hesitated to kill, snorted coldly as her Longsword slashed again. ¡°Puff Puff Puff Puff Puff Puff!¡± The sword light moved so swiftly, it seemed like strands of silk passing by. Just ahead, several North Mountain bandits¡¯ bodies stiffened, then they fell to the ground together. Four men killed in one move, without any hesitation or delay. ¡°Worthless things, let¡¯s go!¡± Tan Yun gracefully sheathed her Futu Sword, then mounted the black horse and rode off into the distance. Not long after Tan Yun had left, two figures, an old man and a young girl, arrived by leaping movements. It was the grandfather and granddaughter who had been at the restaurant. ¡°Is that blood?¡± The old man furrowed his brow and swiftly asked, ¡°What happened?¡± The slender girl calmly walked up to the bodies and slowly said, ¡°Those North Mountain bandits are all dead, killed by a single sword strike. This person¡¯s sword skills are very high, and the sword is a fine one too, it might be that woman.¡± The old man listened but said nothing, instead he placed his hand on the bodies of the North Mountain bandits. Seeing this, the girl couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Master Xue, what¡¯s wrong?¡± The old man said gravely, ¡°Earth Demon Technique, the one who employed these sword skills cultivated the Earth Demon Technique!¡± The girl also looked worried as she asked, ¡°Could it be that the woman just now is a master from the Human Sect?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only That woman had shown no signs of Qi energy fluctuations, a hallmark of Human Sect spies in the Demon Sect, known for their profound concealment skills. ¡°Very likely.¡± Master Xue said coldly, ¡°Better to kill wrongly than miss one. Report this to the Xuanyi Guard.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The girl pondered for a moment and then nodded her head. Chapter 147 - Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Reach the Sixth Realm in One Day Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Reach the Sixth Realm in One Day In Yun Hua, deep in the dense forest. ¡°Phew!¡± An Jing gently exhaled a turbid breath, with most of his injuries having already recovered. This duel wasn¡¯t perilous, but it was still an intense competition. If it was not for his perfect Golden Bone, he might very well have been dancing with death. At that moment, Lou Xiangzhen landed from afar and said, ¡°This time you¡¯ve killed two True Men from the Zhenyi Sect. Given the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s style, they won¡¯t let this slide after taking such a hard hit.¡± An Jing replied somberly, ¡°If they insist on making me their enemy, I can only resist.¡± If the Zhenyi Sect were willing to trade or offer some benefits, he would not mind handing over the Daluo Heart Method. However, not only were they overbearing and aggressive, but they also wanted to take his Daluo Heart Method for nothing. An Jing could never allow that. Lou Xiangzhen asked, ¡°Do you know of Yu Ying from the Heavenly Venerate Hall?¡± ¡°I do.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°He is the Hall Master of the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Heavenly Venerate Hall, but he has not left the mountain for decades.¡± Decades ago, the Zhenyi Sect had three masters known throughout Jianghu. Besides the Zhenyi Sect Hierarch Ye Ding, there were Yu Ying and Luo Chongyang. Among them, Luo Chongyang was the most gifted and also the youngest. It was rumored he might surpass Ye Ding and take over as the leader of the Zhenyi Sect, but unexpectedly, Ye Ding¡¯s disciple Xiao Qianqiu rose too quickly and took the position of Sect Hierarch directly from Ye Ding. Compared to Luo Chongyang and Ye Ding, Yu Ying was indeed somewhat inferior, but even so, he was still renowned as a grandmaster in Jianghu, capable of fighting hundreds of rounds with Demon Sect Heavenly Sect¡¯s Master Duanmu Xinghua without a winner. His strength was not inferior to Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s; it might even be higher. Lou Xiangzhen chuckled mischievously, looking at An Jing with a playful expression, ¡°I guess that next time, he might personally make a move against you.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing was shocked, and his expression tensed, ¡°A Grandmaster?¡± ¡°Shh!¡± Just then, Lou Xiangzhen flicked his finger, and a sword light surged from his fingertip. The sword light was too fast, and An Jing didn¡¯t react at all. It grazed directly over his palm. A clear bloodstain appeared on the back of his hand. Only when the blood began to flow did An Jing feel a twinge of pain and couldn¡¯t help but feel alarmed. Lou Xiangzhen shook his head and said, ¡°You have perfected your Golden Bone and practiced Buddhist Body Refining Martial Arts; your body seems strong, but this is nothing in front of a Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Lin Yiyang¡¯s swordsmanship is superior to yours; though his body isn¡¯t as strong as yours, he wields the Phoenix Sword, making him no less powerful than you are now. Yet he was defeated by the newly ascended Grandmaster Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, who is a Zen monk who shuns killing. Under the same realm conditions, he is far weaker than the Buddhist Vajra, so you must never underestimate a fight with a Grandmaster.¡± An Jing knew Lou Xiangzhen was reminding him. Although he had faced seven masters in Zuanqing Mountain and killed three, he was still far from ready to face a master of the Grandmaster Realm. Grandmasters have undergone a transformation; their Inner Strength has turned into True Qi, and every action carries the pressure of a Grandmaster. This is why Grandmasters seldom participate in the affairs of Jianghu. Once a Grandmaster takes action, the battle inevitably spirals out of control. Back when the Demon Sect was expelled from Great Yan, Grandmasters had fought, but those battles hadn¡¯t been extraordinarily fierce. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Senior Lou, my mindset remains the same,¡± An Jing assured him slowly. ¡°The truly top-notch swordsmen always maintain a humble heart.¡± He was well aware that there were hidden dragons and crouching tigers in Jianghu, with new masters continually emerging; although he was making waves in Jianghu now, he was far from unbeatable. ¡°That¡¯s the best mindset to have,¡± Lou Xiangzhen responded after hearing this and nodded, ¡°But you shouldn¡¯t belittle yourself too much; right now, beneath the level of Grandmaster, you should have few rivals.¡± ¡°No,¡± An Jing shook his head, sighing, ¡°There is one person; she isn¡¯t a Grandmaster yet, but I might not be able to defeat her.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Lou Xiangzhen heard this and couldn¡¯t help but ask curiously, ¡°Who is this person?¡± An Jing¡¯s cultivation had already reached the pinnacle of the First Grade, with the incomplete Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, two to three Heavenly Martial Level martial arts, and his Golden Bone refined to Perfection. Unless he faced someone with similar fortune and whose cultivation had reached the Half-step Master Realm, ordinary Half-step Masters stood no chance against him. ¡°I don¡¯t know who that person is, either. I encountered a Half-step Master at Liumu Villa in Yu State City.¡± An Jing furrowed his brows and then recounted the details of his duel with the expert surrounded by a cloak of black mist. ¡°Cloaked in black mist, a Demon Sect expert?¡± Lou Xiangzhen raised his eyebrows, ¡°You might have encountered a top expert of the Demon Sect. The martial arts practiced by members of the Demon Sect are mostly derived from ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯, shrouded in mystery and power. These top Demon Sect techniques indeed involve the dispersal of black mist, which obscures all appearances.¡± ¡°However, of the top Half-step Master experts of the Demon Sect, I only know of two individuals, one being Li Fuzhou, the head of the Human Sect, and the other is Yi Daoyun, the chief of the White Tiger Sect, but neither of them may currently be able to defeat you,¡± he continued. An Jing shook his head, Yi Daoyun was a master of the Sword Dao, and the person he fought did not use Sword Dao. As for Li Fuzhou, that was even less likely. Lou Xiangzhen remarked with emotion, ¡°This world is truly full of exceptional individuals.¡± With such strength as An Jing¡¯s, he was practically unbeatable below the Master Realm, yet there were still those who could surpass him. It was unknown what kind of fortune this person had encountered. An Jing asked nonchalantly with a smile, ¡°If Yu Ying really came out of seclusion, would senior be a match for him?¡± Lou Xiangzhen, who was savvy, saw right through An Jing¡¯s intention upon hearing this remark, ¡°It¡¯s not impossible for me to help you deal with Yu Ying, but you must accompany me to visit an old friend.¡± Hearing this, An Jing asked, ¡°Is that true?¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded. If Yu Ying had indeed come out of seclusion, he would naturally make a move. Others might not know, but Lou Xiangzhen was aware that since Xiao Qianqiu went into seclusion, it seemed like Ling Yuanjing was in charge of the Zhenyi Sect, but in reality, it was Yu Ying of the Heavenly Venerate Hall. The death of Jiang Sanjia had an indescribable connection to him. ¡°Very well, I shall accompany senior on this journey,¡± An Jing decided. An Jing pondered and then asked, ¡°Where might senior¡¯s old friend be?¡± ¡°Blue River Sect,¡± Lou Xiangzhen exhaled slowly and continued, ¡°Actually, heading to the Blue River Sect also benefits you.¡± ¡°Blue River Sect?¡± An Jing murmured to himself. The Blue River Sect was one of the Great Yan¡¯s seven major factions. Compared with other sects, this sect had a long history and a profound heritage spanning a thousand years. However, in recent years, compared to the other seven major factions, the Blue River Sect¡¯s development was somewhat unsatisfactory, falling to the last among them, long losing the prestige it held as one of the top three sects of Great Yan in the past. But as the saying goes, even a camel that¡¯s dying of hunger is still bigger than a horse. Even so, the Blue River Sect was not a sect that ordinary factions could compare to. Lou Xiangzhen said, ¡°That¡¯s right, there is a Sealing within the Blue River Sect, and beneath it lies a piece of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade. Could you take it to unite with your Evil Suppressing Sword?¡± A Sealing!? An Jing couldn¡¯t help but recall the Sealing at the Fa Xi Temple. Originally, at the bottom of the Sealing, there had been a strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence and a piece of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade. He remembered Jiang Sanjia mentioning that around the world, there were six other Sealings, including the Dragon Locking Well in Great Yan, making a total of seven places. At that time, Jiang Sanjia hadn¡¯t told him what exactly lay beneath the Sealings. An Jing inquired, ¡°Senior, do you know what exactly this Sealing is about?¡± Lou Xiangzhen pondered for a moment and then replied, ¡°The thing under this Sealing is the Earth Veins.¡± An Jing heard this and was even more puzzled, ¡°Earth Veins? Why seal the Earth Veins?¡± He remembered that it was recorded in ancient texts, Earth Veins were the roots of the Earth and the very basis from which nature¡¯s spiritual energy derived. Once the Earth Veins were sealed, the gathering of this spiritual energy would also become extremely difficult. But why seal these Earth Veins in the first place? Lou Xiangzhen spoke solemnly, ¡°Because when the Earth Veins break their bounds, a terrible disaster occurs. No ancient text records exactly what this disaster is, but I can tell you how terrible it is; both the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Great Qin Dynasty were destroyed because of this disaster.¡± An Jing took a deep breath, his heart shaken. It was rumored that both the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Great Qin Dynasty had Great Grandmasters in seat, and yet even they couldn¡¯t withstand this disaster? No wonder Great Yan built the Dragon Locking Well to trap the Earth Veins, and they built it right in the heart of Yujing City. Lou Xiangzhen continued, ¡°Now that the Dragon Locking Well has been forged, Great Yan has become somewhat negligent in guarding these seals around the world. Moreover, with the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s retreat in progress, uncertain as it is, this is the perfect opportunity for you to break the seal and retrieve the Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± ¡°However, you must not touch the Dragon Locking Well. It is Great Yan¡¯s critical vulnerability. If you dare to break into the Dragon Locking Well, you will surely face catastrophic consequences.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°All I plan to do is recall the entire blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword, why would I damage the Dragon Locking Well?¡± Lou Xiangzhen took a swig from his wine gourd and said, ¡°Many with ulterior motives have tried to exploit this seal, all without exception have died, including Grandmasters. The old ancestor of the Lifeless Sect once tried to break this seal and ultimately had his entire sect annihilated.¡± ¡°The Xuanyi Guard in the hands of the Great Yan Emperor is a sharp sword hanging over everyone in Jianghu¡¯s heads, but the Inner Palace still harbors many top-notch experts. Not to mention others, the current Emperor himself is an extremely terrifying entity.¡± Lou Xiangzhen rarely praised anyone, but when he said someone was exceptional, their cultivation was at least at the level of a top Grandmaster.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and said, ¡°There definitely must be something incredible about this Earth Vein.¡± It came to him then that following the breaking of the seal at Fa Xi Temple, his Life Fate began to show an upward trend. ¡°Could it be you know something?¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing. ¡°How could I possibly know if even my senior doesn¡¯t know?¡± An Jing smiled. Lou Xiangzhen slapped his wine gourd, then said, ¡°Stop thinking about such trivial matters. Let¡¯s hurry on our way; my wine is almost gone.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± This trip to the Blue River Sect might just hold opportunities waiting for him under the seal. ¡­¡­. Three days later, Zhenyi Mountain. ¡°Dong!¡± ¡°Dong!¡± The mourning bell in Zhenyi Mountain tolled incessantly, the whole day long. The entire Zhenyi Sect, nearly amounting to tens of thousands of disciples, but there were only seven Great True Ones, and now two had been lost. Experts of the Heavenly Flower Realm, when placed in Jianghu, belonged to the most influential class, with extensive connections and immense authority. Countless people came to offer their condolences. Inside the Heavenly Venerate Hall. An old Taoist sat at the front of the hall, his eyes tightly shut, seemingly napping. ¡°Great-Uncle.¡± After a while, a voice came from behind. The entrant was none other than Ling Yuanjing. ¡°You¡¯re here.¡± Yu Ying slowly opened his eyes, as if waking from a reverie. He wasn¡¯t asleep after all, but was reminiscing about the memories of Yu Huai and Yu Lin. These two disciples had also grown up under his watch. ¡°The affairs of Brother Yu Huai and Brother Yu Lin have been taken care of.¡± Ling Yuanjing¡¯s face was filled with guilt. ¡°This time, I failed to assess the strength of the Ghost Swordsman and as a result, two junior brothers died, and senior brother He was severely injured. I can¡¯t shirk the blame. I came here to confess my guilt to my senior uncle.¡± Originally, he thought that deploying so many experts to capture the Ghost Swordsman was almost a sure thing, but the result turned out to be the opposite. If it weren¡¯t for the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s hesitation because of his concerns, none of them might have survived. ¡°You¡¯re not to blame for this.¡± Yu Ying waved his hand. ¡°The strength of the Ghost Swordsman is profound and unpredictable. It is normal for you to be no match for him. Moreover, I received news yesterday that there was someone else with the Ghost Swordsman. Even if you had defeated the Ghost Swordsman, you definitely wouldn¡¯t have been able to obtain the Daluo Heart Method from him.¡± Upon hearing this, Ling Yuanjing couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°Lou Xiangzhen!¡± Yu Ying stated each word distinctly. ¡°It¡¯s him!¡± Ling Yuanjing¡¯s expression turned ugly. He and Lou Xiangzhen had an unresolved grudge; every encounter with Lou Xiangzhen left him in a sorry state. He hadn¡¯t expected that even without Lou Xiangzhen lifting a finger this time, he would end up the same. ¡°Lou Xiangzhen has left his seclusion and is now mingling with the Ghost Swordsman. It seems the death of Jiang Sanjia has sparked his ambition.¡± Yu Ying sighed lightly, ¡°It¡¯s also my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have ordered the removal of Jiang Sanjia. It would have been better to let him live a bit longer.¡± Ling Yuanjing added, ¡°Jiang Sanjia was too dangerous, and knowing Mu Xiaowan¡¯s true identity is detrimental to our Great Zhenyi Sect¡¯s plans¡­..¡± Yu Ying pondered for a moment then said, ¡°We should say no more about this matter. It¡¯s more important to deal with the Ghost Swordsman and Lou Xiangzhen.¡± Ling Yuanjing asked, ¡°Senior Uncle, do you plan to take action personally?¡± Yu Ying¡¯s eyes were deep like an abyss. ¡°If your third senior uncle were here, there might have been a chance to capture Lou Xiangzhen. As for me dealing with this Ghost Valley Sword Immortal, I¡¯m not certain of victory.¡± Ling Yuanjing was shocked, ¡°Senior Uncle, you¡¯re not sure?¡± He was very aware of Yu Ying¡¯s strength¨Ca rare expert in today¡¯s world and a Second Qi Grandmaster¨Cyet he didn¡¯t dare claim victory against Lou Xiangzhen. Yu Ying nodded slightly, ¡°Lou Xiangzhen is also of Second Qi cultivation, and his swordsmanship is superb, almost reaching the Sixth Realm. Once he reaches the Sixth Realm, not even a Third Qi Grandmaster might defeat him.¡± Ling Yuanjing was filled with shock. He hadn¡¯t realized that Lou Xiangzhen, who had always been ranked second in the world, could be so formidable. Thinking carefully, it indeed should be so; as a swordsman who spanned two eras, Lou Xiangzhen was truly deserving of his reputation. ¡°Grand Uncle Master.¡± Just then, a childish voice came from outside the Heavenly Venerate Hall. Looking in the direction of the voice, there stood a Daoist boy about seven or eight years old, with rosy lips and white teeth. ¡°A note has arrived from the Sect Leader¡¯s Quiet Room.¡± ¡°Bring it here for me to see.¡± Yu Ying spoke indifferently. ¡°Yes.¡± The boy respectfully handed over the note. It had just three words on the pristine note, ¡°twenty days.¡± Ling Yuanjing also saw the words on the note, and his heart trembled. Twenty days, could it be that my senior brother will be leaving seclusion in twenty days? Seeing this, Yu Ying sighed lightly, ¡°It seems that Lou Xiangzhen and the Ghost Swordsman won¡¯t be able to enjoy their lives for much longer.¡± Ling Yuanjing, puzzled, asked, ¡°Why do you sigh at such good news, Senior Uncle?¡± Yu Ying replied, ¡°I actually think that both men are talents that could be of great use. If they could serve our Great Zhenyi Sect, it would enhance our sect¡¯s prestige when competing with the Buddhist and Demon Sects.¡± Ling Yuanjing hesitated before speaking, ¡°Lou Xiangzhen follows a different path from us and it¡¯s impossible for him to be of use to us. As for the Ghost Swordsman, who killed two of my junior brothers, there is a deep-seated vengeance that cannot be resolved.¡± If he had harbored any thoughts about the Ghost Swordsman before, the death of Real People Yu Huai and Yu Lin had completely severed those thoughts. Yu Ying said indifferently, ¡°Wait until Qian Qiu emerges from seclusion in twenty days, and let him decide.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ling Yuanjing nodded heavily. When Xiao Qianqiu came out of seclusion, who knew what kind of storms it would stir up in the Great Yan Martial World. ¡­¡­ Dongluo Pass, Dongluo Tower, as the night deepened. Zhao Qingmei looked at the paper figure in her hands. She was certain that the one directing the paper figure¡¯s movements was An Jing. It was because they had agreed on this beforehand, and no one else could possibly know, especially in such detail. Then, she slowly got up and looked up at the moon in the sky. Looking at the moon, she saw only him. On the days they could not meet, she felt her heart grow even hotter. ¡°Sect Hierarch, important intelligence has arrived from Great Yan.¡± At that moment, Yu Qiurong¡¯s voice rang out from outside the door. ¡°Come in and speak.¡± Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath, and her gentle eyes turned somewhat cold. ¡°Yes.¡± Yu Qiurong walked in slowly, and then said to Zhao Qingmei, ¡°The Zhenyi Sect dispatched four great real people and two peak masters to Xuanqing Mountain to encircle the Ghost Swordsman. In the end, the Ghost Swordsman killed two great real people and then disappeared without a trace.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, a hint of surprise appearing in her eyes, ¡°That Ghost Swordsman is quite capable. Without an exotic beast, his strength is merely at the Heavenly Flower Realm. It seems he has gained quite a fortune either in Jiangnan Dao or atop Nanhua Mountain.¡± She remembered their first encounter at Liumu Villa; she was very clear about the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength, and she had not even used her full power at the time. Yu Qiurong said gleefully, ¡°Sect Hierarch, this time the Zhenyi Sect has truly lost both their troops and their generals. I heard that He Chen was seriously injured as well.¡± Something seemed to occur to Zhao Qingmei, ¡°Let Mu Xiaoyun come in. I have questions for her.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Yu Qiurong nodded and then turned to walk out. Before long, Yu Qiurong came back with a woman. The woman was dressed in a long black dress that fit snugly around her body, accentuating her curves perfectly, complemented by a delicate, fair face and a pair of slender, watery, peach-blossom eyes. This was none other than Mu Xiaoyun. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Mu Xiaoyun approached Zhao Qingmei and quickly bowed. She had been at Dongluo Pass for several months now. Relying on her abilities and strength, she had been given a position of authority and was currently the nominal head of the Vermilion Bird Seat. However, she knew well that she was merely a puppet, the true head was still Yu Qiurong, and she was just holding the title, not a true core member of the Demon Sect. But the person in front of her was different. She was the current Hierarch of the Demon Sect, with unfathomably profound cultivation. Recently, she had even defeated the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sect, Duanmu Xinghua. Although the Demon Sect had sealed this news, she was naturally aware of it. Zhao Qingmei spoke softly, ¡°You have interacted with that Ghost Swordsman. What do you think of him?¡± ¡°That person¡­.¡± Mu Xiaoyun pondered for a while and then said with a wry smile, ¡°Subordinate also can¡¯t see through him. His heart is quite complex.¡± ¡°Tell me, how complex it is,¡± Zhao Qingmei said. Thereafter, Mu Xiaoyun clarified everything about how she met the Ghost Swordsman and how he helped her retrieve Xue Chen¡¯s body. Zhao Qingmei raised her eyebrows slightly when she heard this, ¡°You mean, the Ghost Swordsman was only at the Human Flower Realm when you first met him?¡± Mu Xiaoyun nodded and said, ¡°It should be, his swordsmanship is very advanced, and the swordsmanship he uses is famously odd. No one knows his origin, and his strength might be somewhat exaggerated.¡± Why is it that in Jianghu some swordsmen, when they first appear, seem exceptional? Because their swordsmanship is very special, masters of the same realm don¡¯t fully comprehend it. Once the swordsmanship becomes familiar and its patterns are understood, it¡¯s no longer as sharp and frightening as before. Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s statement wasn¡¯t intended to suppress the Ghost Swordsman; she didn¡¯t know why Zhao Qingmei had summoned her, so it seemed better to adopt a lower profile in front of this female demon sect leader. Zhao Qingmei pondered and asked, ¡°Do you think you can recruit this person into the Demon Sect?¡± Even if they couldn¡¯t recruit him, forming a collaboration would still be beneficial. Although Zhenyi Sect would definitely move against him, the Demon Sect could secretly assist the Ghost Swordsman and disrupt Zhenyi Sect¡¯s plans. ¡°That would certainly be good¡­¡± Mu Xiaoyun was slightly taken aback by Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words, then replied, ¡°However, I am not well acquainted with this person.¡± Although she had joined the Demon Sect and seemed to hold a high position as one of the Four Leaders, she was still alone within the sect, which had many factions. The most evident were the Youth Faction and the Conservative Faction. There were also masters trained by the Demon Sect Main Hall, such as Yu Qiurong and Yi Daoyun, who were utterly loyal to the sect. Then there was the Azure Dragon Sect Leader and the Xuanwu Sect Leader like her, who had joined midway. However, the Xuanwu Sect Leader was genuinely valued by the female demon sect leader. He had real talent in military strategy and command. The Azure Dragon Sect Leader had been with the Demon Sect for thirty years and was already a core member. If the Ghost Swordsman could join the Demon Sect, she would no longer be alone. Zhao Qingmei waved her hand and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, in a few dozen days, you will return to Great Yan with me. Then, you just need to invite the Ghost Swordsman.¡± ¡°Your subordinate obeys.¡± Mu Xiaoyun quickly complied upon hearing this. Just then, her eyes suddenly caught sight of a paper figure in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand, and her heart stirred, ¡°Eh, isn¡¯t that Jiang Sanjia¡¯s paper figure? Why does the Sect Hierarch have one too?¡± Mu Xiaoyun naturally knew about the paper figures specially made by Jiang Sanjia. ¡°You may leave now.¡± Zhao Qingmei waved her hand. ¡°Yes.¡± Mu Xiaoyun, not daring to ask more, bowed and withdrew. After Mu Xiaoyun had left, Zhao Qingmei fiddled with the paper figure in her hand, a soft light in her eyes, ¡°I wonder what brother is doing now?¡± ¡­¡­ Yun Hua Road, Wangjiang City. As the largest city on Yun Hua Road, that would definitely be Wangjiang City. This place is the capital of Yun Hua Road, and with its well-connected roads, it serves as Great Yan¡¯s major north-south transportation hub. It has well-developed land and water routes. Once trade becomes convenient, it injects a lot of vitality, and with a large influx of people, Wangjiang City is even more prosperous than Yu State City by three folds. In a bookstore, the flow of people was incessant. An elder stood by, his eyes calmly observing the distance. At that moment, peach blossoms fell, fragrant and pleasing. This person was Lou Xiangzhen. At this moment, he seemed lost in thought, ¡°I wonder how A Zhi is doing?¡± ¡°Senior Lou, let¡¯s go.¡± Just then, An Jing came out from the bookstore, holding an exquisitely bound book in his hand. Lou Xiangzhen looked at the book in An Jing¡¯s hands and asked with confusion, ¡°Did you enter the bookstore just to buy this book?¡± ¡°Yes, this book isn¡¯t available in Jiangnan Dao.¡± A meaningful smile played on An Jing¡¯s lips. Seeing such an expression on An Jing, Lou Xiangzhen also grew interested and said, ¡°Oh? Let me see what treasure this is.¡± An Jing hastily tucked the book into his bosom before pulling out an old, well-thumbed tome, ¡°Such a treasure should be enjoyed alone. I have this one that I¡¯ve read already; you can take it.¡± Lou Xiangzhen accepted the book and began flipping through it immediately, ¡°Flower Camp Array, this name is¡­¡± But then, as he saw its contents, his face turned red with embarrassment, and he threw the book back at An Jing, ¡°Shameless, utterly shameless.¡± ¡°What¡¯s so shameless about it?¡± An Jing caught the book and retorted irritably, ¡°Amusements of the boudoir, who doesn¡¯t check out this stuff?¡± Lou Xiangzhen puffed out his beard and glared, ¡°Well, I certainly don¡¯t.¡± An Jing glanced around and then whispered, ¡°Could it be that you¡¯re really that old virgin rooster?¡± Lou Xiangzhen snorted lightly, seeming somewhat displeased, ¡°My peers and I possess Primordial Yang for cultivation which is why our martial arts progress so swiftly. What¡¯s this about being a virgin or not?¡± An Jing immediately asked, ¡°Who said that?¡± Lou Xiangzhen paused, then said, ¡°My master has always said so since I was young.¡± ¡°Nonsense, utter nonsense.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°I saw a martial arts book before, guess what was written on the first page?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°¡®To practice this technique, one must castrate oneself first.''¡± ¡°Do people really practice such techniques?¡± ¡°Do you know what was written on the last page?¡± ¡°No need to castrate to practice the technique.¡± Lou Xiangzhen opened his mouth, then was speechless. An Jing patted Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s shoulder in a very sympathetic manner, ¡°So you see, you¡¯ve been fooled, understand? Doing that which is done between a man and a woman is like walking in the clouds, visiting a fairyland, achieving clarity and indescribable wonder.¡± Lou Xiangzhen gave An Jing a deeper look, filled with even more doubt. ¡°Alas.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°Such experiences, they can¡¯t really be related to outsiders, one must experience it themselves; perhaps you could reach the Sixth Realm in a day.¡± At that moment, two figures dashed past them on the street, moving incredibly fast. Ordinary people hadn¡¯t noticed them, but what were An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s levels of cultivation? Naturally, they saw everything clearly. One was an old man and the other a young girl; the man was of the Second Grade and the girl was of the Fourth Grade. ¡°What is this?¡± An Jing frowned as he saw that both the old and the young had tokens at their waists, one engraved with ¡®Earth¡¯ and the other with ¡®Heaven.''¡± ¡°The Heaven and Earth Net, spies of the Emperor.¡± Lou Xiangzhen frowned and asked, ¡°Were you marked by the Xuanyi Guard? The Heaven and Earth Net was Great Yan¡¯s strongest intelligence organization, the Emperor¡¯s eyes in Jianghu, monitoring every action there. If the Heaven and Earth Net targeted you, that could be really troublesome. ¡°No.¡± An Jing shook his head; he had been marked before, but it had been removed. Lou Xiangzhen nodded slightly, ¡°That¡¯s good; the Heaven and Earth Net must be investigating something, but it doesn¡¯t concern us. We shouldn¡¯t meddle in the Court¡¯s affairs, lest it bring endless trouble.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Let¡¯s get something to eat first.¡± After that, both of them stopped talking and walked towards the tavern. Lou Xiangzhen seemed to have a lot on his mind and didn¡¯t say a word. Suddenly, the leading An Jing pointed towards a tall building ahead and laughed, ¡°Elder Lou, stop thinking about sword practice. Sometimes you should also sharpen your spear.¡± ¡°Do you gentlemen want to come in and sit for a while?¡± At this moment, a fairly attractive woman with a face full of rouge came forward, grabbed An Jing¡¯s arm, and rubbed against it. Such guests from Jianghu were known to be very generous, spending silver like water. ¡°Nonsense!¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s expression darkened as he spoke righteously, ¡°Filthy, low, I¡¯m ashamed to be in the presence of such scum like you.¡± At this, many nearby people turned to look. An Jing was somewhat helpless on the side, thinking, I was just joking. There¡¯s no need to defame me as scum in such a public setting. I know you¡¯re impressive! You¡¯re above all this! ¡°Sir, you jest, there are even more depraved things the girls can do, would you like to see?¡± Seeing this, an old madam fanning herself nearby chuckled, hugged Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s arm, and almost pressed her entire body against him. The overwhelming smell of her rouge nearly made Lou Xiangzhen faint. ¡°There¡¯s no need, I never come to such places.¡± Lou Xiangzhen quickly pushed the old madam away. Unable to stand the tacky and vulgar surroundings any longer, An Jing quickly walked away, ¡°Let¡¯s just go get some drinks.¡± He was merely speaking casually; he naturally had no interest in such vulgar women. He needed to save his money for his own wife. The two men quickly left the area below the tall building and soon arrived at a tavern in Wangjiang City. Fine wine and dishes were served, and they drank merrily. During these days, the two had been together constantly, often exchanging insights on sword skills, and their relationship had grown considerably. ¡°Elder Lou, this wine is good, come drink.¡± ¡°Good.¡± ¡­¡­ As they drank and chatted, it seemed they had forgotten all about the earlier incident. An Jing didn¡¯t mind Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s misunderstanding; after all, whether he was scum or not, he knew himself, and there was no need to explain anything to Lou Xiangzhen. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After three rounds of drinks and five different dishes, Lou Xiangzhen appeared as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. Seeing this, An Jing raised an eyebrow, ¡°Elder Lou, if you have something to say, just speak.¡± ¡°Ahem ahem¡­ there were quite a few people earlier.¡± Lou Xiangzhen cleared his throat a couple of times and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go back there tonight; I mainly want to see if it¡¯s really as you said, reaching the Sixth Realm in a day.¡± Chapter 148 - Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Blue River Sects Black Opportunity Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Blue River Sect¡¯s Black Opportunity Yun Hua said, Wangjiang City, Yuhong Pavilion. Yuhong Pavilion is a brothel, and moreover, it¡¯s the most famous one in Wangjiang City. Here, one could listen to songs, enjoy music, watch dances, and partake in banquets. Under the tall archway, at the entrance stood several women in gorgeous attire, eagerly receiving the incoming and outgoing guests. These women were all quite attractive, and the skin they exposed was delicate and fair. Their every move carried the charm of mature women, easily igniting the fire in a man¡¯s heart. Looking up slightly, the three large characters of Yuhong Pavilion boldly caught one¡¯s eye, written with vigorous strokes and in a style of dragons and phoenixes in flight. The big red lanterns hung high, the fragrance was overwhelming, and the constant chatter of women was enough to make blood boil and leave one unable to control oneself. ¡°Young Master Zhang, remember there¡¯s someone always thinking of you, don¡¯t forget the words you once said,¡± said the heavily made-up woman with tears brimming in her sorrowful eyes. ¡°Su Niang, rest assured, I will definitely not forget,¡± the scholar nodded emphatically. Afterward, the scholar reluctantly left Yuhong Pavilion. No sooner had the scholar left than the heavily made-up woman turned and threw herself into the embrace of a wealthy merchant, lavishing him with affection. This scene was as unexpected as it was inevitable. Atop Yuhong Pavilion¡¯s flying eaves stood two figures. It was An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen. Seeing this, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes slightly drooped. An Jing spoke indifferently, ¡°In this place, don¡¯t believe a single word said by these women, not a single one.¡± Lou Xiangzhen knitted his brows and said, ¡°Not only is Jianghu full of deception and snares, but so are the secular markets.¡± The woman who had just now been coquettish turned and cast herself into another¡¯s arms, the irony of it was palpable. An Jing chuckled and said, ¡°Wherever there are people, there is Jianghu. People are Jianghu.¡± ¡°Then, the affection they speak of, could it be all false?¡± ¡°The affection of the mouth, naturally, exists only in the mouth.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the worth of mouth-spoken affection?¡± ¡°Prostitutes are heartless, actors are without loyalty; the brothel has always been a place of shallow sentiments.¡± ¡­¡­ Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Lou Xiangzhen fell silent for a while. In his heart, affection was worth more than gold, and he naturally couldn¡¯t understand those who treated affection like rubbish. Watching the people coming and going, neither of them spoke. After a while, Lou Xiangzhen asked, ¡°What would you do if you were just an ordinary person?¡± ¡°An ordinary person?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but laugh at the question: ¡°If I were an ordinary person, I¡¯d like to be an ordinary doctor, and live an ordinary life with my wife, that would be enough.¡± The words sounded familiar; Li Fuzhou seemed to have asked him the same question once, but what Li Fuzhou asked was what he would do as a master? ¡°Being a doctor, to hang the pot to help the world, and to benefit the community, is also quite nice.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded at his response, ¡°I once asked my junior brother the same, and he said he just wanted to be a fisherman.¡± Compared to Li Fuzhou, he understood An Jing quite well. Although both of them had cultivations ranked among the top in Jianghu, their lives were burdened with invisible shackles, and shedding these shackles could mean losing countless precious things. Curious, An Jing asked, ¡°What about Elder Lou?¡± ¡°I wish to open a teahouse, detached like an idle cloud or a wild crane, asking nothing of Jianghu,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said as he watched the fading moon, his voice somber. ¡°This vast Jianghu, some want to enter while some want to leave.¡± ¡°Those who enter find it very hard to leave again.¡± An Jing nodded and then sighed heavily. He still didn¡¯t understand why Jiang Sanjia wanted to kill him; unwittingly, he had stepped into Jianghu, yet he had no clue about it. An Jing seemed to recall something and said, ¡°I remember Elder Lou saying that out on the Northwest Border, it seems someone is waiting for you?¡± Lou Xiangzhen softly spoke, ¡°You could say so.¡± Back then, he thought she was a fool. Young and brash, he was obsessed with becoming the world¡¯s foremost swordsman, only to waste years in vain pursuit. In the end, what did the title of the World¡¯s First Swordsman mean? Only after several ups and downs in life did he realize that it wasn¡¯t others who were fools; he was the fool. Having seen so much of the world¡¯s insincere flattery, you come to realize just how precious genuine, sincere feelings are. An Jing laughed heartily, ¡°When I have the time, I¡¯d really like to see what kind of woman managed to become an unforgettable thought for Elder Lou.¡± Lou Xiangzhen, too, laughed without replying, his thoughts drifting afar. An Jing spoke slowly, ¡°The Blue River Sect isn¡¯t far now. If we set off now, we might be able to ascend the mountain by morning.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Lou Xiangzhen returned to the present and nodded. ¡­¡­ The next day, at the foot of the Blue River Sect¡¯s mountain. Thousands of years ago, a sect in the Great Zhou Dynasty obtained the Mountain Opening Order and established their mountain gate here. Within this mountain flows a stream, pristine and clear. Yet every year on the sixth night of June, the water in this stream turns a pale blue, shining brightly, emitting a faint glow. As time passed, this stream became known as Blue River, and the mountain as Blue Mountain. The sect later came to be known as the Blue River Sect. At this moment, An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen were walking on the ancient trail. Lou Xiangzhen gazed at the plants and trees along the mountain path, his eyes filled with a hint of reminiscence. He and Jiang Sanjia had lived in the Blue River Sect for three years. He had forgotten most of the sights here, and everything had become blurred, with only scattered memories etched in his mind. Stepping on the stone steps, An Jing asked, ¡°Which old friend of Elder Lou is from the Blue River Sect?¡± ¡°Wang Yue of the Blue River Sect,¡± Lou Xiangzhen replied. ¡°Wang Yue?!¡± An Jing found this name quite unfamiliar as if he had heard it somewhere, but it wasn¡¯t very familiar to him. Lou Xiangzhen explained, ¡°He was once the son of the twenty-second-generation Sect Master of the Blue River Sect, an individual of exceptional talent. Originally, he was to be the twenty-third-generation Sect Master, but for some unknown reason, he was harmed, his legs crippled, so he seldom left the mountain, and thus his reputation in Jianghu is not prominent.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing nodded, realizing why he hadn¡¯t heard of Wang Yue¡¯s reputation, ¡°Was the attacker never found?¡± Lou Xiangzhen fell silent for a while before saying, ¡°They couldn¡¯t be tracked.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± A look of puzzlement appeared between An Jing¡¯s brows. Jiang Sanjia could divine the fates, and naturally, so could Lou Xiangzhen. Seeming to notice the doubt in An Jing¡¯s eyes, Lou Xiangzhen explained, ¡°My divination skills are not as good as Sanjia¡¯s, and although he and Wang Yue originally intended to investigate, Wang Yue stopped them.¡± Hearing this, An Jing fell silent. Soon, the two arrived at the mountain gate of the Blue River Sect. ¡°Who are you two? This is Blue River Sect territory, trespassers are not allowed!¡± Two disciples of the Blue River Sect glanced at them and, sensing that An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen were concealing their Qi mechanism, promptly shouted coldly. An Jing¡¯s brow twitched slightly, clearly not expecting the guards of the Blue River Sect to be so arrogant. ¡°I¡¯m here to visit Wang Yue,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently as he took out a token from his waist. ¡°Visit Wang Yue?!¡± The two disciples were taken aback, one of them was about to speak when the other quickly stopped him, ¡°Please wait a moment, we will report this at once.¡± With that, the disciple pulled the other and walked towards the inner parts of the gate. ¡°Why are you pulling me? Hasn¡¯t the Great Elder ordered that anyone visiting Wang Yue cannot enter the gate?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you see the token he took out?¡± ¡°What token is that?¡± ¡°A Supreme Elder token!¡± ¡°What?!¡± ¡­.. An Jing watched the two Blue River Sect disciples enter the gate, then couldn¡¯t help but glance at the token in Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s hand. To his surprise, Lou Xiangzhen was actually a Supreme Elder of the Blue River Sect. Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently, ¡°It was given to me by Wang Yue in the past. I only enjoyed its privileges but never fulfilled its responsibilities.¡± Stirred by this information, An Jing said, ¡°It seems that Elder Lou and this Wang Yue must be on very good terms.¡± The Blue River Sect was, after all, one of the current Jianghu¡¯s seven major factions; becoming a Supreme Elder of one of the seven major factions was a symbol of honor and strength. Moreover, Lou Xiangzhen could enjoy the privileges without fulfilling any responsibilities of the Blue River Sect, which was telling. About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, a white-haired elder clad in blue garments from the Blue River Sect hurried out. Behind him followed dozens of Blue River Sect disciples and deacons. ¡°It turns out to be the visit of the Supreme Elder.¡± The Blue River Sect elder strode forward with a smile: ¡°Please come in, please come in.¡± Lou Xiangzhen recognized the man as Le Ming, an elder of the Blue River Sect. Seeing Le Ming¡¯s enthusiastic welcome, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he said, ¡°I have said before that there¡¯s no need for such fanfare.¡± The Blue River Sect Elder Le Ming laughed, ¡°After all, you are our Supreme Elder. If the Sect Master knew I was remiss in my hospitality towards the Supreme Elder, it would be a grave sin.¡± ¡°Supreme Elder, please come inside.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded his head. Subsequently, led by Le Ming, the two walked into the Blue River Sect. They bypassed the long corridor, the pathway, arriving at a group of aesthetically pleasing pavilions. Eventually, the group reached the Great Hall of the Blue River Sect. Upon seeing this, Lou Xiangzhen paused, ¡°I only want to see Wang Yue.¡± Le Ming offered an apologetic smile, ¡°Supreme Elder, please don¡¯t be anxious. Both of you wait here in the hall for a moment, and I will invite Elder Wang right away,¡± ¡°Have some tea served to our guests first.¡± After speaking, Le Ming made a knowing look at a deacon beside him, then walked out of the hall. Lou Xiangzhen did not speak. He sat down with An Jing, and soon two beautiful maids came out, bringing two cups of tea. The Blue River Sect deacon sat beside them, trembling, barely daring to breathe. Although those present did not know the identities of Lou Xiangzhen and An Jing, they had heard how Le Ming addressed and behaved towards Lou Xiangzhen. Especially since the tea had been served and Lou Xiangzhen hadn¡¯t even moved the cup. As time ticked by, the sound of footsteps eventually approached outside the hall. ¡°` An Jing looked outside the hall. He saw an old man with a walking stick appear outside the hall, his hands gripping the handle tightly, veins bulging, and his eyes tinged with a trace of blood red. Lou Xiangzhen was also looking at the old man, and slowly stood up, as if in a trance. An Jing knew that this person must be Wang Yue, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s old friend. Everyone inside the Great Hall was shocked by this scene, not expecting Wang Yue to show such agitation upon seeing the visitor. ¡°You¡­ all of you, leave for now.¡± Wang Yue took a deep breath and lowered his voice. The crowd looked at each other in confusion, no one speaking. An Jing frowned, sensing that something was amiss. ¡°What? Did you not hear what I said?¡± Wang Yue¡¯s voice gradually grew colder. ¡°Presumptuous, leave at once.¡± Then, a voice from outside the hall, Le Ming¡¯s, was heard. Hearing this, everyone hurriedly made their way outside, Le Ming included, bowing his hands as he left. In the blink of an eye, only Lou Xiangzhen, An Jing, and Wang Yue remained in the vast Great Hall. Wang Yue, leaning on his cane, stepped forward and gave Lou Xiangzhen a careful look, ¡°It¡¯s been¡­ a long time since we last met.¡± Sometimes, there are a thousand words in your heart that you can¡¯t express, and in the end, they can only be condensed into the simplest of greetings. ¡°Hmm.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded, and after a long while, said, ¡°It¡¯s been ten years, you¡¯ve changed a lot.¡± Wang Yue, who used to be fearless of both heaven and earth, had become much more composed with the passage of time. Then, after that incident, his assertive nature seemed to have been smoothed out, and now he had lost all his edges, as if he was a completely different person. ¡°Changed, hasn¡¯t everyone in this world changed?¡± Wang Yue forced a smile, then turned his gaze to An Jing, ¡°This is¡­?¡± Lou Xiangzhen pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°He is Jiang Sanjia¡¯s closest friend.¡± In his opinion, since Jiang Sanjia had imparted the Ghost Valley Heart Method to the Ghost Swordsman, calling them close friends was not an exaggeration. Wang Yue nodded, then sighed deeply, ¡°Sanjia has died, I also received the news.¡± The former Sect Leader of Ghost Valley Sect had stayed in the Blue River Sect for three years, and naturally, his two disciples, Lou Xiangzhen and Jiang Sanjia, had also spent three years in Blue River Sect. Afterward, they often visited Blue River Sect, and Wang Yue had exerted a lot of effort to secure a position in the Qintian Bureau for Jiang Sanjia. Both of them remained silent. An Jing, seeing this, quietly left the Great Hall. Only when Wang Yue saw An Jing leave did he speak in a heavy tone, ¡°Are you reentering Jianghu today because of Sanjia¡¯s death?¡± The last time Wang Yue had seen Lou Xiangzhen was ten years ago when Lou Xiangzhen had decided to retire from Jianghu and had specifically come to find him at Blue River Sect. Wang Yue had advised him not to retire from Jianghu too easily. If he was going to retire, it would be best to take Jiang Sanjia with him so as to avoid falling prey to the Zhenyi Sect. But at that time, although Lou Xiangzhen had been dismissed from his official position, he mingled in Jianghu and had no intention of retiring. ¡°I once thought that by backing down, I could let Yu Ying rest easy and lay down his butcher¡¯s knife.¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s voice was a bit cold, ¡°But I was wrong, my constant concessions only made Yu Ying more rampant.¡± ¡°Sigh.¡± Upon hearing this, Wang Yue let out a deep sigh, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu is extremely powerful, you must be careful.¡± From this statement, he understood Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s intentions clearly. This time reemerging, it must be an irreconcilable fight with the Zhenyi Sect. The position one holds in Jianghu changes the perspective from which they see Jianghu. Ordinary people within Jianghu see the masters of the Tiger List and the Dragon List. But those like them, standing at the mountain¡¯s peak, see a very different Jianghu. The Zhenyi Sect becoming the national religion of Great Yan and terrifying the entire Jianghu for hundreds of years is certainly not as simple as just these visible masters. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Lou Xiangzhen took a deep breath and said. Wang Yue knew, once Lou Xiangzhen was determined to do something, no one could persuade him otherwise. Lou Xiangzhen glanced at Wang Yue¡¯s leg and asked, ¡°After all these years, your leg still hasn¡¯t healed?¡± Wang Yue looked at his own leg and said in a low voice, ¡°Nine-tailed Scorpion Poison, an incurable toxin. It¡¯s already fortunate that I am alive and gasping for breath.¡± The Nine-tailed Scorpion, a strange poison from Great Snow Mountain, nothing but the Nine Treasures Holy Medicine of Great Snow Mountain could cure it. Back then, Wang Yue was suddenly afflicted with this strange poison. The Sect Master of Blue River Sect found one of the four great doctors known for bringing back the dead, Bu Sheng, and with a huge price obtained a Resurrection Pill. Although he took the Resurrection Pill and Wang Yue did not die, he lost most of his cultivation, and from then on his legs became numb. Lou Xiangzhen thought of something and asked, ¡°I heard Bai Qun reached the Grandmaster realm?¡± Bai Qun, currently the Sect Master of Blue River Sect, was also the former Chief Disciple. Originally, Wang Yue¡¯s father was the Sect Master of Blue River Sect and Wang Yue, with his high talent, was naturally the prime candidate for the Sect Master¡¯s position. But after these series of events, Bai Qun took over as Sect Master. Was Bai Qun¡¯s talent high? Apart from Wang Yue, he had the highest qualifications in Blue River Sect, ranking at the top among his peers at that time. But without the necessary opportunities, it would be difficult for him to reach the Master realm. ¡°` Lou Xiangzhen was not interested in how Bai Qun became a Grandmaster. Wang Yue nodded and said, ¡°Yes, seven years ago, in the third year after you left, he reached the Grandmaster Realm.¡± Lou Xiangzhen asked, ¡°How has he been to you these past years?¡± Wang Yue smiled and said, ¡°As you see, I¡¯m still alive and not too bad off.¡± ¡­.. Blue River Sect, in a rear courtyard. The sound of water pouring from a ceramic pot, moss covering the ground, greenery adding splashes of color, fish frolicking. An elderly man with hair as white as a crane¡¯s feathers but a youthful face, dressed in luxurious brocade, was sitting beside a pond, holding a handful of fish bait. At the toss of his palm, the handfuls of bait scattered into the pond, immediately attracting countless carp to compete for the food, splashing water in all directions. ¡°Sect Master, Lou Xiangzhen has met with Wang Yue.¡± At this moment, Le Ming hurried over. This old man was none other than Bai Qun, the current Sect Master of Blue River Sect. ¡°Hmm.¡± Hearing this, Bai Qun continued his actions without any pause. Seeing this, Le Ming frowned and said, ¡°Sect Master, do you think Wang Yue will¡­¡± ¡°He won¡¯t.¡± Bai Qun said indifferently, ¡°Although Wang Yue is very domineering and strong, he is also a very intelligent man. His family is in our hands; he would not do anything foolish.¡± Le Ming nodded and hesitated, ¡°But what if Lou Xiangzhen sees through something?¡± ¡°See through something? And what if he does?¡± Upon hearing this, Bai Qun then let all the fish bait in his hand fall into the pond. ¡°Others might fear Lou Xiangzhen, but I do not. He may be a Grandmaster, but am I not as well? Besides, he is someone who values loyalty and affection. For Wang Yue¡¯s sake, he would not dare to do much.¡± In the current seven major sects, only three Sect Masters¡¯ cultivation had reached the Grandmaster Realm. Besides the Zhenyi Sect, there was also Bai Qun of the Blue River Sect, whose cultivation had reached the Grandmaster level. Of course, the potentials of the Five Poison Young Master Dai Danshu and Lin Yiyang were not yet fully realized, and their futures as Grandmasters were virtually a certainty, especially for Lin Yiyang. Le Ming let out a sigh of relief. Yes, Lou Xiangzhen was of the Master Realm, and so was their own Sect Master. With a cold sneer in his narrowed eyes, Bai Qun said, ¡°Go and bring Wang Yue¡¯s granddaughter, Wang Xiaoxi, here.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Upon hearing this, Le Ming bowed and complied. ¡­.. An Jing stepped out of the Great Hall of Blue River Sect; around him, all the disciples of the sect had been dismissed. ¡°It seems that this Wang Yue must have some unspeakable secrets.¡± An Jing walked with his hands clasped behind his back, slowly making his way along the paths of Blue River Sect. He had observed everyone¡¯s expressions towards Wang Yue in the Great Hall earlier. Although the changes were subtle, he had noticed something unusual. However, since Wang Yue himself was unwilling to elaborate, An Jing had no reason to question further. Lou Xiangzhen must have noticed as well, and if he truly wanted to find out, he would inquire on his own. Wandering aimlessly, it was then that he discovered a large lake on the left side of Blue River Sect. The lake water was clear, with the surface shimmering in the light. ¡°Buzz, buzz!¡± At that moment, the Evil Suppressing Sword on An Jing¡¯s back began to vibrate slightly. Lou Xiangzhen had once told him that there was a sealing within Blue River Sect holding part of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade. ¡°Could it be that the seal is underneath?¡± A thought crossed An Jing¡¯s mind, and he walked slowly towards the lake. The lake was vast, far exceeding the size of the entire Blue River Great Hall, surrounded by temples and pavilions. As he drew closer to the lake, the trembling of the Evil Suppressing Sword grew more intense. Even the incomplete Evil Suppressing Sword allowed An Jing to enhance his strength significantly; if he could complete the sword, the improvement to his power would undoubtedly be even greater. Grandmaster Jiang Sanjia was a top-notch Grandmaster, and even if An Jing achieved the Master Realm, it would be difficult for him to be his match. Only by continuously enhancing his strength and making incremental improvements could he hope to face him. An Jing took a deep breath, then with a leap, he plunged into the water. ¡°Splash!¡± He instantly plunged into the lake. The water was extremely cold, a sensation that was vividly perceptible. ¡°This lake seems quite ordinary, but unexpectedly, it¡¯s so cold,¡± An Jing thought to himself. The lake was not deep; after a few breaths, he reached the bottom. The bottom of the lake was pitch dark and very calm. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Aside from the chill of the lake water, there seemed to be no other disturbances. Whoosh! Just then, the Earth Book radiated a black light. ¡°Tip Two: A black opportunity is nearby the host.¡± A tremor ran through An Jing¡¯s heart; after encountering Jiang Sanjia, he realized that a black opportunity was an existence that could undoubtedly lead to death. Chapter 149 - Chapter 149: Chapter 149 Dirty Affairs within the Blue River Sect Chapter 149: Chapter 149 Dirty Affairs within the Blue River Sect Upon sensing the emergence of a dark omen, An Jing immediately grew extremely nervous and hastily looked around. A dark omen was akin to a catastrophic disaster. The bottom of the lake was calm, with only wildly growing lake grass and fish swimming around, nothing out of the ordinary. At that moment, a massive sinking stone in the distance caught his attention. As he approached the stone, he distinctly felt the dark radiance from the Earth Book becoming intensely hot. ¡°Is there a dark omen within this black stone?¡± An Jing was greatly alarmed and swiftly drifted away. Whoosh! The next moment, a blue radiance seemed to emerge from the sinking stone. The blue light, like an arrow, shot through the turbulent tide, nearly forcing An Jing¡¯s eyes shut. ¡°What is this¡­¡± It was unclear how much time had passed when the blue light gradually faded, and An Jing finally focused his eyes on it. He noticed multiple spiderweb-like cracks on the dark sinking stone ahead, which continued to grow until they suddenly stopped tearing further. An Jing thought the cracks had ceased to split, but at that moment, the black sinking stone suddenly turned transparent. It was only for an instant, but he could see a silhouette within the stone. Hiss¨C! The sight of that silhouette sent a chilling coldness surging from his soles to the top of his head. In a dazed glance that followed, the sinking stone returned to normal appearance, as if unchanged from before. Hurry! An Jing dove upward at top speed, fearful of attracting this inexplicable dark omen. With a ¡®plop¡¯ sound, he emerged back on the shore. ¡®Boom boom boom!¡¯ An Jing¡¯s heart pounded like a drum, shaking violently. ¡°Who was that person I just saw? Why did they make me feel so dangerous? How could someone be inside a sinking stone?¡± A series of questions arose, making his heart feel exceedingly strange and perplexed. Gazing at the calm surface of the lake, An Jing took a deep breath and dared not dwell on it longer, hastening towards the Blue River Hall. It was wise to stay away from the dark omen. Just as he was about to reach the Blue River Hall, he saw Lou Xiangzhen approaching with a furrowed brow. ¡­¡­ In the serene backyard of the Blue River Sect, a jade-like body lay horizontally on a bed, covered with a thin quilt. The lovely face showed no joy, eyes gazing at the beams overhead, devoid of anything but cool detachment and indifference. This person was Wang Xiaoxi. ¡°Thump thump!¡± At that moment, a knocking sound came from outside the door, ¡°Madam, may I come in?¡± ¡°Mmm.¡± Wang Xiaoxi, without glancing towards the door, responded indifferently. ¡°Creak!¡± As the door pushed open, a Maid slowly walked in, cautiously asking, ¡°Madam, would you like to change your clothes?¡± After a long silence, Wang Xiaoxi slowly propped herself up with her jade arm and stepped down from the bed, ¡°Change clothes.¡± Bruises and swelling covered her exquisite body, yet Wang Xiaoxi seemed utterly indifferent to them. The Maid, seeing the bruised and battered Wang Xiaoxi, couldn¡¯t help but cover her face and sob, ¡°Madam, you¡¯ve suffered.¡± Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s face remained calm, merely extending her hands without a word. The Maid carefully picked up the clothes beside her, and then gently draped them over Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s body, as if fearing to cause her any more pain. ¡°There¡¯s no need to be so cautious, I¡¯ve grown accustomed to the pain,¡± Wang Xiaoxi said, extending her hand with total disregard for the pain and bruises on her body. ¡°Madam¡­.¡± The maid felt even worse upon hearing this. No one understood Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s pain better than her. Though officially she was Wang Yue¡¯s granddaughter, day and night she had to serve Bai Qun, the current Sect Master of Blue River Sect, enduring his whippings and verbal insults. Bai Qun had tormented her for a full seven years. During these years, she had gone from vehement resistance at first to utter despair and desolation, and now to a numb state. This kind of suffering was not something ordinary people could endure. ¡°When will he die?¡± Wang Xiaoxi said as she draped her clothes over herself lightly. ¡°You must never speak such words.¡± The maid hastily said, ¡°No matter what, he is still your grandfather, and he is also suffering immensely.¡± ¡°When will he die?¡± Wang Xiaoxi repeated. The maid, seeing Wang Xiaoxi in such a state, bit her lip and said no more. ¡°Why won¡¯t Wang Yue die, why?¡± Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s eyes showed a hint of blood-red, a hint of resentment. If Wang Yue were dead, why would she have to endure such pain and humiliation? Over these seven years, she had not only suffered tremendous physical torture, but her heart had also endured unimaginable torment. Bai Qun had not only sought revenge on her, but also on everyone associated with Wang Yue, subjecting them to severe reprisals. Before her very eyes, he had humiliated her husband and then tortured him to death. Her father had also died a cruel death due to Bai Qun¡¯s torture, and her mother had been used by Bai Qun as a dual cultivation furnace until her death. From then on, no one in the Blue River Sect dared approach Wang Yue, and all avoided him like a plague. ¡°Evil man!¡± Just then, a figure rushed through the door. It was a little girl about four years old, dressed in pink, her lips red and teeth white, looking very pretty. ¡°Lin¡¯er.¡± Seeing the girl, a soft light flashed in Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll hit you, hit you!¡± The little girl walked up to Wang Xiaoxi and fiercely hit her thigh. Her small fists seemed light, but each punch landed on her wounds. Seeing this, the maid hurriedly grabbed the little girl: ¡°Miss, what are you doing? The madam still has wounds on her body.¡± ¡°It¡¯s all her fault; she is a bad person.¡± The little girl pointed at Wang Xiaoxi and shouted angrily, ¡°She made daddy angry again, and daddy won¡¯t play with me anymore.¡± Wang Xiaoxi quickly embraced the little girl, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to stay away from Bai Qun?¡± This little girl was none other than Bai Lin¡¯er, born to Wang Xiaoxi by Bai Qun. Bai Lin¡¯er struggled out of Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s embrace and said angrily, ¡°You are a bad person; I want to stay away from you. I will not leave my daddy.¡± As she said this, Bai Lin¡¯er started punching and kicking Wang Xiaoxi, exerting as much force as she could muster. ¡°You¡­¡± The words hurt much more than the physical pain, like a knife stabbing into Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s heart, causing tears to flow down her cheeks. ¡°Miss, you really shouldn¡¯t.¡± The maid quickly restrained Bai Lin¡¯er. ¡°You are the lackey of a bad man; I don¡¯t like you anymore.¡± To their surprise, Bai Lin¡¯er ran to the side table, grabbed a teacup from the top, and fiercely smashed it at the maid. ¡°Thud!¡± The maid, seeing the teacup coming, did not dodge; it hit her forehead solidly, and blood gushed out immediately. ¡°Scoundrel!¡± Wang Xiaoxi rushed over, ¡°Xiao Huan, are you all right?¡± ¡°Madam, I am fine.¡± The maid shook her head and said, ¡°As long as the miss has vented her anger, this pain is nothing.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk anymore.¡± Wang Xiaoxi pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it against the maid¡¯s forehead to stop the bleeding. Bai Lin¡¯er stood on the desk, shouting at Wang Xiaoxi and Xiao Huan, ¡°Miss me getting angry? I will teach you two villains a lesson today. If you truly anger my father into a thunderous rage, beware that you will not get off easy.¡± Unable to bear it any longer upon seeing this, Wang Xiaoxi grabbed Bai Lin¡¯er. ¡°What¡­ what are you going to do?¡± Bai Lin¡¯er asked in terror. ¡°Smack!¡± Wang Xiaoxi stripped off her clothes and fiercely slapped her on the buttocks. ¡°How dare you hit me!?¡± In excruciating pain, Bai Lin¡¯er couldn¡¯t help but scream, ¡°I will have my dad kill you all!¡± ¡°What did you say!?¡± Hearing this, Wang Xiaoxi seemed to have heard wrong. Bai Lin¡¯er shouted, ¡°I will have my dad kill all of you, not sparing a single one. Are you scared now?¡± Hearing this, Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s palm fiercely slapped on Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s buttocks. ¡°Smack! Smack! Smack!¡± ¡°I¡­ I definitely will¡­. wuh wuh wuh¡­ have my dad kill you all.¡± Despite the unbearable pain in her buttocks, Bai Lin¡¯er still bit her teeth and screamed, ¡°May you be cut to pieces and flayed.¡± ¡­¡­ Outside the Blue River Hall. Lou Xiangzhen asked in a concentrated voice, ¡°Where did you just go?¡± For a moment just now, he had seemingly lost the Qi Mechanism of An Jing and had thus hurriedly come out. ¡°I was just strolling around here.¡± After pondering for a moment, An Jing asked, ¡°Senior Lou, do you know about the lake next to that hall?¡± ¡°I know something about it.¡± Lou Xiangzhen glanced at An Jing and then said, ¡°That lake is called Chenxin Lake, connected to the Blue Creek on the mountain. Chenxin Lake has existed since ancient times. From what I see, this lake does not seem to be naturally formed but man-made. However, I am not quite sure who did it, but it definitely wasn¡¯t someone from the Blue River Sect, as there are no records of it in the ancient books of the sect.¡± Blue Creek is exactly that stream which flows over Blue Mountain. Hearing this, An Jing nodded slightly, without speaking. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Lou Xiangzhen asked. ¡°Nothing, I just find it strange.¡± An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°I see Senior Lou frowning; could it be that some misfortune has occurred?¡± It¡¯s best to avoid dark fortunes if possible. Lou Xiangzhen said with a doubtful tone, ¡°Didn¡¯t you notice something in the Great Hall just now?¡± ¡°I noticed something.¡± An Jing nodded. Wang Yue, an elder of the Blue River Sect, had been giving orders to the people of the Blue River Sect, but no one from the sect responded to him. Instead, Le Ming appeared in time to dismiss the crowd. There was clearly something odd about this. ¡°I always feel like Wang Yue is hiding something from me,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said slowly. ¡°Where is Wang Yue now?¡± ¡°He said he was tired and has gone back to rest now.¡± ¡°What does Senior Lou plan to do?¡± Lou Xiangzhen did not speak but looked towards the distance, where a figure was walking along the corridor. That person was Le Ming, an elder of the Blue River Sect. Le Ming quickly walked over, with a smile saying, ¡°Supreme Elder, I have prepared the wine and dishes; please come to the side room.¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing beside him, ¡°Shall we taste this good wine and food of the Blue River Sect together?¡± Le Ming glanced at the person beside Lou Xiangzhen, his brow slightly furrowed. Lou Xiangzhen is a renowned Sword Immortal and the Sect Leader of the Ghost Valley Sect, widely known under the heavens. Anyone able to stand beside him would certainly not be ordinary. ¡°Fine.¡± An Jing caught the deep meaning in Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words and nodded. ¡°Lead the way.¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked towards Le Ming. Le Ming chuckled, ¡°Please come in.¡± Under Le Ming¡¯s guidance and after winding through several corridors and courtyards, the three quickly arrived at a side hall where a table was already prepared with dishes and wine. Lou Xiangzhen noticed that there was nobody at the head seat, slowly walked over, and sat down. ¡°Supreme Elder¡­..¡± Le Ming quickly spoke up. This head seat was reserved for the Sect Master. Although Bai Qun was not present, his seat should have been prepared, and now Lou Xiangzhen sitting there was against the rules of the Blue River Sect. Lou Xiangzhen indifferently asked, ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Supreme Elder, please sit.¡± Le Ming chuckled dryly. Since Bai Qun wasn¡¯t present today, they might as well let Lou Xiangzhen take the seat and avoid more trouble. An Jing chose a random spot to sit down and placed the Evil Suppressing Sword on the table. ¡°This sword is extraordinary, and so is the swordsman.¡± Le Ming glanced at the Evil Suppressing Sword. Although he was not a swordsman, he could feel the extraordinariness of the Evil Suppressing Sword and grew even more curious about the identity of the person before him. ¡°Clap Clap Clap!¡± As Le Ming clapped his hands, several graceful women emerged from behind the hall. ¡°I don¡¯t care for these kinds of women.¡± Lou Xiangzhen poured himself a drink and indifferently said. Le Ming¡¯s smile stiffened, and he hurriedly said, ¡°I understand, I am aware of the Supreme Elder¡¯s temperament.¡± Saying that, he signaled the women with his eyes, and they quickly withdrew towards the back. ¡°Then I shall not disturb the two of you drinking.¡± Le Ming prepared to get up and take his leave. He did not wish to wait at the side, serving Lou Xiangzhen like a servant with his peculiar temper. ¡°It¡¯s been a long while since I¡¯ve seen Zhao Liangdong. Invite him over, I want to meet him,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said, drinking his glass of wine in one gulp. Zhao Liangdong, Peak Master of the Blue River Sect¡¯s Third Peak. ¡°Understood,¡± Le Ming narrowed his eyes slightly and then slowly retreated. Suddenly, only Lou Xiangzhen and An Jing were left at the banquet. Lou Xiangzhen raised his glass, ¡°Come, the wine of the Blue River Sect is still quite good.¡± ¡°Senior Lou, I toast you.¡± An Jing responded with a faint smile, raising his glass as well. After a round of hearty drinking, Lou Xiangzhen took down the Peach Blossom Sword from his back and placed it on the table. Though it was a subtle movement, An Jing discerned the profound implication behind it. Killing intent! Lou Xiangzhen appeared to be truly furious! For a swordsman of Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s stature, his killing intent was controlled very delicately; even An Jing couldn¡¯t feel the killing intent released by Lou Xiangzhen. It seemed Wang Yue¡¯s time at the Blue River Sect wasn¡¯t as smooth as it appeared on the surface. ¡°Zhao Liangdong pays his respects to the Supreme Elder,¡± a voice sounded from the door after about the time it took an incense stick to burn. The person who arrived was Zhao Liangdong, the Peak Master of the Blue River Sect¡¯s Third Peak. Lou Xiangzhen acted as if he heard nothing, continuing to pour his own drink. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhao Liangdong glanced at the person above, immediately realizing why Le Ming had threatened him earlier. ¡°Senior Lou¡­.¡± Disciples of the Blue River Sect or newly appointed deacons might not recognize the person before them, but how could Zhao Liangdong not recognize him? ¡­.. PS: Finally finished being busy today, will start updating ten thousand words starting next Monday. Chapter 150 - Chapter 150: Chapter 150 The Divine Sword of Peach Blossoms Appears in Jianghu Chapter 150: Chapter 150 The Divine Sword of Peach Blossoms Appears in Jianghu ¡°Please have a seat.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded indifferently. Upon hearing this, Zhao Liangdong¡¯s heart stirred. Lou Xiangzhen had an excellent private relationship with Wang Yue, and as the Peak Master of the Blue River Sect¡¯s three peaks, he naturally knew about it. Today, Lou Xiangzhen had specifically asked for him, which seemed somewhat out of the ordinary. Zhao Liangdong slowly took a seat and then noticed An Jing sitting opposite him. Without any Qi Mechanism darting about and a longsword placed on the table, it was clear that he was an extremely skilled figure of the Jianghu. Lou Xiangzhen said to Zhao Liangdong, ¡°You should know why I asked you to come.¡± ¡°That¡­.¡± Zhao Liangdong frown tightened as he spoke in a low voice, ¡°I¡¯m not very clear on the matter, junior.¡± On his way here, Le Ming had told him, words implying a threat, that things that could be said should be, and things that should not, could not. Lou Xiangzhen glanced at Zhao Liangdong and asked bluntly, ¡°Wang Yue is hiding something from me, I want to know what exactly it is.¡± Feeling the gaze of those eyes on him, Zhao Liangdong became as nervous as if he were sitting on pins and needles, ¡°Junior really doesn¡¯t know, if Senior Lou wishes to know, why not ask the Sect Master personally?¡± Lou Xiangzhen raised his cup and drank in one gulp, ¡°Speak, and I can assure you safety, but if you don¡¯t talk, I¡¯ll kill you right now.¡± The atmosphere at the banquet suddenly grew tense. Zhao Liangdong felt as if the once sunny day had instantly turned into a bitterly cold deep winter. An Jing, on the other hand, kept drinking his wine, not speaking, nor looking at Zhao Liangdong, as if the matter had nothing to do with him. Zhao Liangdong gave a wry smile, ¡°Since Senior Lou wants to know, then I¡¯ll tell you what I know. Since fifteen years ago, the Blue River Sect has changed.¡± ¡°After the old Sect Master died suddenly, the sect became very oppressive, as if covered by a layer of dark clouds, making it difficult to breathe. Plus, at that time, the Court assigned the Blue River Sect a mission to guard the sealing on top of Blue Mountain. My master and I went to guard the Sealing.¡± Sealing!? An Jing¡¯s heart stirred slightly upon hearing this. Lou Xiangzhen asked, ¡°I heard your master is dead?¡± Sorrow appeared in Zhao Liangdong¡¯s eyes, ¡°Dead. One time, when my master descended the mountain, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion betrayed information to my master¡¯s enemies, and he was ambushed by several masters and killed.¡± The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion possessed some of the strongest intelligence in the Great Yan Martial World and would occasionally sell information to people of the Jianghu. Lou Xiangzhen didn¡¯t speak again. Zhao Liangdong continued, ¡°At that time, I was the only one guarding the Sealing, so I wasn¡¯t well-informed about internal sect affairs. All I know is that Sect Master Bai put Elder Wang Yue under confinement, forbidding anyone from entering Elder Wang Yue¡¯s bedroom. Moreover, one by one, the family of Elder Wang Yue met with tragic deaths.¡± As he said this, Zhao Liangdong paused slightly. Rumors were rife throughout the Blue River Sect, mostly about how Bai Qun had practiced certain Martial Arts Methods from the Joyful Union Sect, changing his temperament drastically and embarking on a fierce vendetta against Wang Yue. When the old Sect Master was still in power, Bai Qun was the Chief Disciple, and Wang Yue was the old Sect Master¡¯s son. One of them had to be chosen to become the Blue River Sect¡¯s Sect Master, and Bai Qun had the highest support, but the old Sect Master chose Wang Yue. It was rumored that this was one of the biggest reasons for Bai Qun¡¯s later revenge. In the Blue River Sect, following the death of the old Sect Master, the foundation of the sect over the past few centuries was far less substantial compared to the likes of the Yu Heng Sword Sect and the Zhenyi Sect. In the Sect, the Sect Master¡¯s word was law, and Bai Qun had reached the Master Realm; who would dare anger him? Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes narrowed as he asked, ¡°Is what you¡¯re saying true?¡± ¡°True, these are all the things I know,¡± Zhao Liangdong nodded. His words were reasonable, as he only spoke about what he knew, without divulging the speculative rumors about the Blue River Sect. ¡°I understand.¡± Lou Xiangzhen drained the wine in his cup, stood, and walked towards the exit of the banquet hall. Seeing this, Zhao Liangdong quickly got up and asked, ¡°Senior Lou, where are you going?¡± Lou Xiangzhen said slowly, ¡°I¡¯m going to see Bai Qun.¡± As he spoke, Lou Xiangzhen walked out. An Jing also drained his cup in one gulp and followed him out. Zhao Liangdong¡¯s expression changed dramatically at this, and considering Le Ming¡¯s words, he steeled his heart. ¡­¡­ Blue River Sect, a quiet and secluded courtyard. Bai Qun was sitting cross-legged on the bed, breathing and meditating, a practice he had performed diligently for decades. Just then, the voice of Le Ming sounded from outside the door. ¡°Sect Master, Lou Xiangzhen seems to have learned about the matter with Wang Yue and now wants to see you.¡± ¡°See me?¡± Bai Qun chuckled lightly upon hearing this, ¡°Where is he now?¡± He had no intention of completely hiding the matter concerning Wang Yue. ¡°Ancestor Master Mountain.¡± Le Ming responded. Ancestor Master Mountain, actually located atop Blue Mountain, was the holy land of the Blue River Sect. Succession of the Blue River Sect Leader, Heaven¡¯s ceremony, and the Sect Leader¡¯s acceptance of disciples all took place here. On normal days, ordinary people simply couldn¡¯t ascend it. ¡°I understand.¡± Bai Qun¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly before he pushed open the door and stepped out. At this moment, the sky had turned to dusk, and the gentle, tranquil sunlight was spilling softly across his face. ¡°It might have been many years since I last saw him, but it would be good to take a look at him. Of the talented young generation back in the day, he was the one I admired the most. I always felt that if he did not perish, he would achieve extraordinary things in the future.¡± As he spoke, Bai Qun made his way toward Ancestor Master Mountain. Le Ming quickly followed behind, but he couldn¡¯t shake a bad feeling that was creeping into his heart. Soon, the two arrived at a stone staircase. The staircase extended upwards, continuously without end, seemingly without a peak in sight. Atop the mountain summit, a figure was standing. The afterglow of the setting sun draped over him, his garment fluttering with the fierce wind, prompting infinite sighs. ¡°Xiangzhen.¡± Upon seeing the person before him, Bai Qun couldn¡¯t help but laugh loudly, ¡°Long time no see and you look even more impressive than before. I reckon it won¡¯t be long before you step into the Sixth Realm, right?¡± An Jing was standing at the foot of Ancestor Master Mountain, scrutinizing Bai Qun closely. Perhaps it was because Bai Qun took great care of himself; despite being older than Lou Xiangzhen, his countenance showed no signs of such age, his eyes deep and dark, his body as straight and tall as a spear. How could someone who became the Sect Leader of the Blue River Sect and reached the Master Realm be a simple character? Lou Xiangzhen gazed downward at Bai Qun, ¡°You haven¡¯t changed much.¡± ¡°I have always been like this.¡± Bai Qun opened his palm and smiled faintly. He had always been the same, never changing; it was just that Lou Xiangzhen, with his proud nature, had never seriously observed him. Lou Xiangzhen nodded and said, ¡°Why do you do this?¡± ¡°If it¡¯s about reminiscing, I¡¯m most welcoming,¡± Bai Qun¡¯s smile faded as he replied, ¡°But if it¡¯s to question internal matters of our Blue River Sect, I can only say I have nothing to share with you.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Lou Xiangzhen laughed out loud, ¡°Has Sect Master Bai forgotten? I am after all the Supreme Elder of the Blue River Sect.¡± The whistling wind carried Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s laughter far away. The two exchanged a glance. ¡°Since you¡¯re so eager to know, I¡¯ll tell you, because you¡¯ll find out sooner or later anyway,¡± Bai Qun looked up at Lou Xiangzhen, ¡°Do you always think that Wang Yue¡¯s talent surpasses mine?¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly; it was a widely acknowledged fact that Wang Yue¡¯s talent was greater than Bai Qun¡¯s. Seeing this, Bai Qun couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°Do you still remember that visit to our Blue River Sect forty years ago?¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded. He naturally remembered his visit to the Blue River Sect thirty years ago, when he was preparing to challenge the Sword God at the Yu Heng Sword Sect. With his hands clasped behind his back, a trace of resentment in his eyes, Bai Qun said, ¡°Actually, at that time, my cultivation had already reached the Earth Flower Realm, while Wang Yue had only just entered the First Grade. When the Sect began to select candidates for the next Sect Master, I believed with my strength far surpassing Wang Yue¡¯s, victory was assured; but, in the end, my master chose his own offspring.¡± ¡°Do you know what he said to me at that time?¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes held a cold light, but he did not speak. Staring directly at Lou Xiangzhen, Bai Qun¡¯s voice seemed almost squeezed through his teeth, ¡°He said the Sect Leader of the Blue River Sect would only be passed down to those of Wang family blood, not to others.¡± ¡°Do you know how I¡¯ve been living these decades? Always regarded with great expectations, always considered the heir-apparent to the Sect Leader of the Blue River Sect. I too always thought this way. But then my master, who was like a father to me, told me this news.¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyebrows were tightly furrowed; he knew some things about the Blue River Sect. The Blue River Sect, with a lineage spanning thousands of years, seemed to have a remarkable talent and top-notch cultivation for each Sect Leader, all of whom carried the Wang surname, almost forming a sect rule. No one knew why, and few within the Blue River Sect would question this rule. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s master seemed to know some reasons but had long since turned to dust. With a mocking expression, Bai Qun coldly said, ¡°Back then, I told my master, having been raised by you since childhood, I¡¯m akin to your own son. Am I not eligible to inherit the position of Sect Master of the Blue River Sect?¡± ¡°My master only said one sentence. He told me to abandon that thought; otherwise, he would have to treat me as a scourge to be eliminated.¡± ¡°These were the words my master spoke, my master, ah! The one I considered my closest kin said I was a scourge and that he would kill me if I dared harbor the wrong intentions.¡± As Bai Qun uttered these words, there was no hysteria, just an indifferent composure. Lou Xiangzhen looked at Bai Qun and asked, ¡°So you killed Wang Yangping, Wang Tianzhao, and even placed Wang Yue under house arrest?¡± At this, Bai Qun snorted with derision, ¡°¡®Everyone says I did it, so what if it was me? I¡¯ve never thought of myself as a good person.¡± ¡°Lou Xiangzhen, oh Lou Xiangzhen, you¡¯ve roamed Jianghu for so many years, but have you truly been part of it? Do you even know what Jianghu really is?¡± Lou Xiangzhen had spent over fifty years in Jianghu, mostly practicing swordplay, and every time he emerged from seclusion, he did so with the reputation of a disciple of the Ghost Valley Sect and a top young swordsman. Everything had gone smoothly without any ripples, and since he had no pursuit of power or status, he saw little of the dark side of Jianghu. Every day, the vast Jianghu claimed lives; it was just not yours. Lou Xiangzhen shook his head, ¡°Maybe that¡¯s just your Jianghu.¡± ¡°In the deceitful Jianghu, being a good person gets you killed, so why not be a thoroughly bad person?¡± With that, Bai Qun burst into laughter, ¡°Now that we¡¯ve come to this, I might as well tell you everything. The Nine-tailed Scorpion Poison that Wang Yue had¨CI bought it from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. And his granddaughter gave birth to a girl, who is also of my bloodline. Now I can rightfully pass on the position of Sect Master to my daughter.¡± Upon hearing this, anger flashed in Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes: ¡°Scum!¡± He naturally knew Wang Xiaoxi, Wang Yue¡¯s granddaughter. He couldn¡¯t believe that Bai Qun would do something so nefarious, to commit such an abhorred and absurd act. An Jing watched Bai Qun, his eyes also narrowing slightly. ¡°Right, I am scum, I have never been a good person.¡± Bai Qun laughed rather than got angry, ¡°If we¡¯re talking about good people, Lou Xiangzhen, you certainly count as one, but that Brother Wang of mine, forget it. You all always thought that my master died how¡­..¡± ¡°Dong!¡± ¡°Dong!¡± Just then, the chimes of the Blue River Sect suddenly sounded. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°Could another major incident have occurred!?¡± ¡°Quick, to Ancestor Master Mountain!¡± ¡­ All members of the Blue River Sect, upon hearing the chimes, came out of their rooms one after another, transforming into streaks of swift shadows, rushing towards Ancestor Master Mountain. In no time, all five Peak Masters and several Elders had gathered. Wang Yue, with staggering steps, stood behind the crowd at the bottom of the stone steps, staring blankly ahead. ¡°Who rang the bell?¡± Bai Qun asked coldly, looking down from above. ¡°I did!¡± At this moment, Zhao Liangdong stepped forward at a calm pace. ¡°Zhao Liangdong!?¡± Bai Qun¡¯s eyebrows rose at the sight. With sword in hand, Lou Xiangzhen declared, ¡°Bai Qun, you imprisoned the previous Sect Master of the Blue River Sect, committed misdeeds, disturbed the Sect, and practiced forbidden martial arts of the Court. Do you acknowledge your crimes?¡± ¡°I am innocent.¡± Bai Qun said coldly, ¡°Today, let¡¯s see who within the Blue River Sect dares to sentence me.¡± Pausing, the members of the Blue River Sect looked on, chilled to the bone, none daring to speak up loudly. ¡°They may not dare, but I do!¡± Lou Xiangzhen, standing atop the summit, drew his longsword, and a cold light appeared between heaven and earth. ¡°Bai Qun, come forth and meet your death!¡± His voice resonated like a great bell, echoing throughout heaven and earth, rippling to the surroundings. Bai Qun, come forth and meet your death! Seeing this, Wang Yue¡¯s lips parted, but ultimately he remained silent. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Bai Qun roared with laughter, ¡°Lou Xiangzhen, you¡¯re at the Master Realm. Do you think I am not?¡± Saying this, Bai Qun stepped forward. A powerful and domineering Qi Mechanism radiated in all directions, as if the surging tides were emanating from his body. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! In an instant, those standing behind Bai Qun were all blown back by the Qi Force, retreating towards the distance. Only An Jing stood far away, his expression as still as water, his clothes rippling with the breeze. ¡°A battle between two Grandmasters?¡± An Jing intently watched the scene unfold before him. Battles between Grandmasters were rare. He had missed the fight between Lin Yiyang and Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, but today he could witness a duel between two Grandmasters. Particularly since one of the Grandmasters was one of the top swordsmen of the era. ¡°I can give you a chance.¡± Lou Xiangzhen, touching the Peach Blossom Sword in his hand, said indifferently, ¡°Bai Qun, if you defeat me, from now on wherever you are, I, Lou Xiangzhen, will surely retreat three feet away.¡± Bai Qun sneered, ¡°Let¡¯s see if your sword is still as sharp as it was back then.¡± Boundless True Qi swelled like tidal waves, filling the void and emanating tremendous momentum. Lou Xiangzhen swung his sword. The Sword Qi was vast and boundless, as if flowing from the edge of the sky, surging downwards. Moreover, at the moment of Sword Qi explosion, the surrounding air burst into a piercing sound. ¡°Too powerful!¡± Everyone lifted their heads, their eyes filled with shock. And An Jing¡¯s heart also trembled. Was this just an ordinary sword strike from Lou Xiangzhen? Bai Qun took a deep breath, his True Qi vast like a broad river or a lake. Blue River Water Dividing Technique! Behind Bai Qun, there seemed to be a tide of blue water surging, bursting forth with an extremely dazzling light, ancient and filled with a sense of the vicissitudes of time. Crash! Crash! After that, he struck forward with a palm, and the blue tides behind him instantly divided, forming spiral vortices. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! At the moment when the Sword Light and the great tide clashed, heaven and earth both trembled, and time seemed to have stopped. After an unknown amount of time, waves visible to the naked eye spread out to the surrounding area, those dreadful waves of True Qi being the result of the collision of their True Qi pushed to the extreme. Crash! Crash! ¡°Lou Xiangzhen, if this is the extent of your strength, it¡¯s quite unlikely that you will make me concede today,¡± Bai Qun said. Bai Qun steadied his body, his palms vibrating from the shock to the point of severe pain, but he seemed as though he didn¡¯t perceive the pain at all. His True Qi madly spread out from his body, and then, centered around his body, spirals of blue water churned, forming an impregnable barrier. Although Bai Qun said that, he obviously did not dare to initiate the attack first. ¡°Watch closely,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said, his eyes revealing a sharp light. That statement seemed to be addressed to Bai Qun, but An Jing knew it was actually meant for him. All of a sudden, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Peach Blossom Sword moved. In an instant, countless streams of Qi surged around him, the world seemed to be refreshed, and an enormous force of heaven and earth crashed down like collapsing mountains, making one¡¯s heart tremble. That Qi Force subsequently condensed, forming what seemed to be red peach blossoms drifting midair. Sword Intent! This was Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Sword Intent. An Jing carefully felt those peach blossom petals that floated in midair, which were mysterious and unfathomable. ¡°Shi!¡± The light from the Peach Blossom Sword was erratic in its speed. Swift as thunder when at its fastest, and like drifting feathers when at its slowest. One sword stroke passed, and the world was startled into a chill. The mountains and rivers all trembled! ¡°Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!¡± And in the next moment, the peach blossom petals that had been floating in midair all converged towards the Peach Blossom Sword in Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s hand, coming in a mighty flood. It was as if the intercrossing of dawn welcomed a brand-new daybreak. That daybreak seemed to engulf everything. In Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s hand, the sword no longer existed, and the sword in his heart also slowly faded away. Sword Light covered everything; the True Qi vortices in front of him, defenses, all dissipated into nothingness, and then that cold light struck fiercely at Bai Qun¡¯s face. The sword departed, the man left. What a brilliant streak of heaven and earth flowing light! ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Bai Qun¡¯s face was full of astonishment, with a hint of terror in his eyes. ¡°Shi!¡± Lou Xiangzhen remained expressionless, his Peach Blossom Sword smoothly inserted back into its scabbard. Even among Grandmasters, there were differences. ¡°Thump!¡± As Bai Qun¡¯s body heavily fell to the ground. Silence! All was silent in heaven and earth! Everyone was stunned, looking at Bai Qun lying on the ground. Two swords! With only two sword strikes, Bai Qun lay on the ground, his life hanging in the balance. How formidable was Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s strength? ¡°The¡­ Sect Master has lost?¡± ¡°Defeated a Grandmaster with two swords!? How could Lin Yiyang, the world¡¯s number one swordsman, possibly be his match?¡± ¡°This Lou Xiangzhen of the Ghost Valley Sect is too terrifying!¡± ¡­¡­ Unbeknownst to them how much time had passed, the members of the Blue River Sect whispered in shock. ¡°So powerful¡­¡± Zhao Liangdong muttered in a low, involuntary whisper. An Jing, however, was savoring the memory of that recent sword strike, pondering in his mind, ¡°Could it be that Elder Lou has already reached the Sixth Realm?¡± At this moment, Bai Qun lay collapsed on the ground, his chest heaving violently as if he were a wild beast on the verge of death. But no disciple of the Blue River Sect approached him, not even his close confidant Le Ming. At this moment, Le Ming was overwhelmed by fear, unable to compose himself. When one thought back to Bai Qun¡¯s usual imposing manner, seated majestically on the high platform, one couldn¡¯t help but sigh. Just then, a figure slowly walked towards Bai Qun. Everyone followed the sound and looked, only to see that man was none other than Wang Yue. Wang Yue¡¯s expression seemed neither happy nor sad as he approached Bai Qun. ¡°Wang¡­ Wang Yue¡­..¡± Blood gurgled at the corner of Bai Qun¡¯s mouth when he saw the person before him. His lips cracked into a smile, revealing a hint of amusement. Even though he had died, there was only one person left in the Wang bloodline, his daughter Bai Lin. Wang Yue no longer had any offspring. ¡°Brother Bai Qun, I must thank you.¡± Wang Yue said after a long contemplation, looking at the person before him. Upon hearing Wang Yue¡¯s words, a hint of astonishment flashed in Bai Qun¡¯s eyes. Wang Yue was thanking him!? Who was Wang Yue? From a young age, he was the fearless Demon Lord of Mayhem. Relying on the abundant resources of the Blue River Sect and his own formidable talents, he was someone for whom the Jianghu would bend at his beck and call. Such a proud and boundless person, tormented by him for so long, was now saying thank you to him? Wang Yue walked up to Bai Qun, let go of the walking stick in his hand, and then, astonishingly, slowly squatted down, whispering into his ear. That was the Transmission Skill. An Jing didn¡¯t hear anything. ¡°You¡­ you¡­ pfft!¡± It was as if Bai Qun heard something shocking like a bolt from the blue. A long breath seemed to be blocked in his chest, and then a gush of blood spurted out like an arrow. The blood gushed out like a spring, spraying onto Wang Yue¡¯s face, head, and body, but he seemed completely unaware. Bai Qun died, his eyes still wide open. Wang Yue reached out his hands to close Bai Qun¡¯s eyes, but they would not shut. An Jing furrowed his eyebrows slightly upon seeing this. ¡­. Blue River Sect, back courtyard. Wang Xiaoxi was sitting by the desk, absorbed in reading a book she held in her hands. Bai Lin¡¯er stood in a corner not far away, her little legs trembling continuously, her teeth biting her lips hard. Even though her face was red with effort, she still didn¡¯t speak a word. Just then, a maid named Xiao Huan hurried out. ¡°Madam, Madam!¡± Wang Xiaoxi closed the book in her hand, then asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Xiao Huan glanced at Bai Lin¡¯er in the corner and whispered into Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s ear. ¡°Thud!¡± Upon hearing the news, the book in Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s hand fell onto the desk. Xiao Huan exclaimed joyfully, ¡°Madam, isn¡¯t this wonderful news?¡± Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s heart was a mix of emotions. She said nothing, as if overwhelmed with joy, her mind had gone blank and she didn¡¯t know what to say, yet she seemed unfazed. ¡°Look, Lin¡¯er has been standing for almost half an hour now.¡± Xiao Huan walked over to Bai Lin¡¯er, hugging her with compassion, ¡°Madam, don¡¯t let her stand any longer.¡± Bai Lin¡¯er kept her lips tightly sealed and said nothing. ¡°Forget it.¡± It took a good while for Wang Xiaoxi to come back to her senses, and she gestured with her hand. ¡°Whimpering sobbing¡­ whimpering sobbing.¡± Upon hearing Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s words, Bai Lin¡¯er could no longer hold back and began to wail loudly. Xiao Huan rubbed her little leg, ¡°Does it hurt?¡± ¡°¡­.It hurts.¡± Bai Lin¡¯er nestled in Xiao Huan¡¯s embrace, crying even harder, ¡°Huan¡¯er sister, it hurts.¡± Xiao Huan patted Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s back, saying, ¡°Be good from now on, and don¡¯t make your mother angry, then you won¡¯t be punished again.¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Bai Lin¡¯er sobbed, squeezing out a sound from her nose. ¡°I need to go back to my room to rest a bit, you take care of her for now.¡± Wang Xiaoxi spoke and then headed towards her room. Seeing Wang Xiaoxi leave, Bai Lin¡¯er wiped her tears, cautiously asking, ¡°Huan¡¯er sister, is mother really angry with me?¡± In the past, when she caused trouble for Wang Xiaoxi, Wang Xiaoxi rarely hit her, lavishing her with extreme affection, but this time not only had she been severely beaten, but now she was being ignored as well. Thinking of this, panic set into her heart. ¡°No, your mother will never be angry with you.¡± Xiao Huan stroked Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s head, then took out a stack of plasters, ¡°Tonight, remember to apply this elixir on your mother, and remember to be gentle.¡± Bai Lin¡¯er received the plaster: ¡°I know.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go, we¡¯re going to eat pastries.¡± Xiao Huan said, taking Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s little hand. Bai Lin¡¯er bit her lip, murmuring lowly, ¡°Huan¡¯er sister, you¡¯re so good to me, I was wrong, I will never hit you with the teacup again.¡± Hearing this, Xiao Huan touched Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s braids, ¡°It¡¯s okay, as long as you remember to treat your mother well, that¡¯s all that matters. My kindness is nothing compared to a tenth of your mother¡¯s toward you.¡± ¡­.. The news of Bai Qun¡¯s death quickly spread, shaking the entire Blue River Sect, and the new director, Wang Yue, gave the direct order to seal the mountain. Thanks to the presence of Lou Xiangzhen, and Wang Yue having been the previous Sect Master, the Blue River Sect did not fall into much chaos. Even Le Ming was actively cooperating, daring not to show the slightest negligence for fear of retaliation. Blue River Sect, behind the mountain. On a narrow path, two figures appeared. It was An Jing and Zhao Liangdong, the Peak Master of San Chong Peak. Zhao Liangdong pointed towards the entrance of the path, speaking slowly, ¡°Ahead is the Sealing Land. However, the Sealing Land contains a vast amount of malicious Yin energy, so I never ventured too deep when I guarded this place.¡± ¡°Our Blue River Sect¡¯s sealing is different from the Buddhist sealing; it requires a person to guard it, so you can enter this Sealing Land safely,¡± he added. An Jing nodded, ¡°Thank you for your efforts.¡± ¡°Then I won¡¯t disturb you any further,¡± Zhao Liangdong said, bowing his hand and retreating towards the back, quickly disappearing into the path. An Jing walked slowly towards the cave entrance. ¡°Hint three: The host is near a green opportunity.¡± At that moment, the Earth Book transmitted a new hint. ¡°As long as it¡¯s not a black opportunity,¡± An Jing thought, gazing at the Earth Book and letting out a sigh of relief after a careful inspection. The absence of a black opportunity in the Earth Book meant he likely wouldn¡¯t face a life-threatening situation in the cave. With this in mind, he lit a fire starter and walked slowly into the depths of the cave. As he approached the cave, wisps of malicious Yin energy rushed towards him, and the temperature around him dropped rapidly. At this moment, his cultivation had reached the Heavenly Flower Realm, so he wasn¡¯t concerned about such Yin energy. After walking for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the Yin energy grew thick and rampant, forcing An Jing to operate his mental method to resist it. ¡°Hum! Hum!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword seemed guided, starting to emit a faint vibration. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± In the pitch darkness ahead, following the faint light, a sword blade could be clearly seen. The fragmented blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword! The Evil Suppressing Sword, one scabbard for six swords, meaning one draw could produce six Evil Suppressing Swords. Six Evil Suppressing Swords could also merge into one. This was one of the reasons why the Evil Suppressing Sword was ranked as the third sword. At this moment, the Evil Suppressing Sword was enveloped by dense Yin energy, and something seemed to be flowing on its thick blade. Upon closer inspection, that flowing substance was crimson, identical to the blood on the Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand. The Evil Suppressing Sword seemed to sense An Jing¡¯s arrival, releasing vibrations as if it was extremely cheerful. ¡°Wash! Wash! Wash!¡± A surge of overwhelming inner strength came forth, instantly dispersing the malicious Yin energy in front. Free from the obstructing Yin energy, the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword began to quiver, as if it was trying to break free from the ground. ¡°Swoosh!¡± The next moment, the body of the Evil Suppressing Sword abruptly was drawn out, transforming into a streak of flowing light that surged into the hilt of An Jing¡¯s sword. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± The entire earth trembled, shaking for roughly dozens of breaths, before slowly returning to calm as if nothing had happened. ¡°We can go now.¡± An Jing had obtained the body of the Evil Suppressing Sword and let out a slight breath. He quickly made his way out of the cave, leaping agilely. If it wasn¡¯t for relying on Zhao Liangdong¡¯s connection, entering the back mountain of the Blue River Sect would have been a huge problem for himself. Even though Great Yan had built the Dragon Locking Well, the Blue River Sect still had the responsibility of guarding the seal. Soon, he exited the cave and arrived at an offbeat hall of the Blue River Sect. At this moment, Lou Xiangzhen was sitting cross-legged beside a desk, staring at the teacup in front of him as though he was preoccupied with thoughts. ¡°Elder Lou, I have returned,¡± An Jing said. Lou Xiangzhen came back to his senses and smiled, ¡°It seems that you have gotten your hands on the Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± An Jing patted the sword scabbard, which now held two bodies of swords within. ¡°We should leave as well.¡± Lou Xiangzhen slowly stood up. Upon hearing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Oh? Elder, don¡¯t you plan to stay another night?¡± Wang Yue had instructed earlier to let Lou Xiangzhen stay overnight, seemingly wanting to discuss something with him. ¡°No need.¡± Lou Xiangzhen shook his head. An Jing didn¡¯t say anything more; after all, he was not very keen on staying at the Blue River Sect either. Even though the Blue River Sect was currently sealed, the news of Bai Qun¡¯s death would spread quickly throughout Jianghu, and sooner or later, the Zhenyi Sect might also trace the whereabouts of himself and others¨Cleaving quickly was naturally the best option. Moreover, through An Jing¡¯s covert observations, that Wang Yue was not a simple character either. For Bai Qun to act in such a way and for him to be able to swallow his anger, even maintaining his composure when Lou Xiangzhen arrived, revealed a frightening level of restraint. Why did he exercise such restraint? What exactly was he aiming for? Everything seemed confusing and eerie. And Lou Xiangzhen had said that his leg was broken, but yesterday at Ancestor Master Mountain, when Wang Yue slowly squatted down, An Jing, with many years of medical experience, could tell that even if Wang Yue had not fully recovered, he was in the process of recovery. In summary, Wang Yue was not as simple as he appeared to be on the surface. Plus, the black opportunity within the Chenxin Lake had terrified An Jing even more; leaving the Blue River Sect as soon as possible was undoubtedly the best. The two of them headed towards the door to leave. ¡°Elder Lou.¡± Just then, a voice came from ahead. Following the voice, they saw Wang Xiaoxi leading Bai Lin¡¯er as they walked towards them. Lou Xiangzhen looked at the woman in front and nodded slightly. Wang Yue had held a banquet last night, and An Jing had also seen this woman, who was the granddaughter of Wang Yue as mentioned by Bai Qun, and the child she was leading was the daughter of Bai Qun. Bai Lin¡¯er was still unaware of Bai Qun¡¯s death, and since Bai Qun often secluded himself for several days, she did not find it strange. After a moment of contemplation, Wang Xiaoxi said, ¡°I have a favor to ask and hope that Elder Lou can accommodate.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hear it,¡± said Lou Xiangzhen without outright refusal. Wang Xiaoxi glanced at Bai Lin¡¯er and said, ¡°This child of mine has excellent Root Bone and is a good seed for martial arts, but she is somewhat simple-minded and loves to play. I wish to ask Elder Lou to take her as a disciple.¡± As she spoke, Wang Xiaoxi bowed, her tone carrying a hint of pleading. Frowning, An Jing watched from the side. Elder Lou was the one who killed Bai Qun. If it were any ordinary person in Jianghu, they would have eradicated the threat entirely; how could Elder Lou possibly take Bai Lin¡¯er as his disciple? Raising his eyebrows, Lou Xiangzhen glanced at Bai Lin¡¯er and shook his head: ¡°She does indeed have a good Root Bone, but I cannot take her as my disciple.¡± His purpose for coming out of seclusion was to fulfill Jiang Sanjia¡¯s last wish and to battle with the Zhenyi Sect; he simply did not have the time for anything else. Upon hearing this, even though Wang Xiaoxi had anticipated this outcome, she couldn¡¯t help but sigh deeply. ¡°Mother, I want to be his disciple,¡± Bai Lin¡¯er said, gripping her dress and pointing at An Jing. Wang Xiaoxi turned to look at An Jing. She had also met this swordsman beside Lou Xiangzhen yesterday. Although she vaguely sensed that this swordsman was extraordinary, she did not know his identity. ¡°This¡­¡± ¡°I lack knowledge and abilities, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t take disciples,¡± An Jing declined indifferently. He did not want to involve himself in all these trifles. Besides, with a bunch of troubles of his own, how could he possibly have the mind to teach a disciple? ¡°I want to become his disciple, Mother,¡± Bai Lin¡¯er tugged at Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s sleeve and said, ¡°As long as you let him teach me, I will study hard.¡± Wang Xiaoxi was also in a dilemma and rubbed Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s head. Lou Xiangzhen shook his head slightly upon seeing this but said nothing. Wang Xiaoxi had grown up under her watch; now that Bai Qun had died, leaving behind a daughter of Bai Qun, who knew what the future held? It was a sizable problem for anyone. ¡°Elder Lou, let¡¯s go,¡± An Jing said. The two of them continued to walk towards the mountain gate. Wang Xiaoxi rubbed Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s head and sighed helplessly. Originally, she had wanted her to become the disciple of Lou Xiangzhen to ensure her safety. Suddenly, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s steps faltered. An Jing saw this and knew that Lou Xiangzhen had been moved by compassion. Lou Xiangzhen exhaled softly, ¡°Indeed, my Ghost Valley Sect is in need of a successor. Should I rebuild the Mystical Sect one day, I will also need a chief disciple to establish its foundation.¡± With that, Lou Xiangzhen took out a book, ¡°These are the basic sword techniques of the Ghost Valley Sect. Have her start cultivating this first. When I return to the Blue River Sect in the future, I will pass on the subsequent martial arts to you.¡± Upon seeing this, Wang Xiaoxi was overwhelmed with excitement and hurriedly said, ¡°Quick, offer your respects to your master.¡± ¡°Master above, please accept your disciple¡¯s bow.¡± Bai Lin¡¯er was pushed down by Wang Xiaoxi, causing her to kneel to the ground directly. ¡­.. In the dense forest of Yun Hua Dao, ¡°This Heaven and Earth Net is really extraordinary. I merely made a move, and my whereabouts were exposed.¡± A plump woman stood on a tree branch, rushing swiftly towards the distance, doubts emerging in her heart. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± At that moment, several silver arrows shot out. The entire dense forest was suddenly shrouded in a rain of arrows. Although the woman appeared bulky, her body was incredibly agile. Dodging to the left and right, she managed to avoid all the sharp arrows. This person was Tan Yun, who had been discovered by the Heaven and Earth Net. In an instant, several Silver Constables and two Gold Constables appeared around her. ¡°What do you want with me?¡± Tan Yun, upon seeing the Xuanyi Guards, immediately sensed trouble but still forced a composed expression. ¡°Why pursue you?¡± One of the Gold Constables, Bian Jingdao, known as ¡®Hill Descending Tiger,¡¯ sneered, ¡°Members of the Demon Sect, everyone merits death.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s inner strength surged, and her hand reached for the Futu Sword at her waist: ¡°Who says I¡¯m from the Demon Sect, you¡¯re talking nonsense! I am a disciple of the Yu Heng Sword Sect.¡± Bian Jingdao shouted loudly, ¡°A disciple of the Yu Heng Sword Sect? What¡¯s your name? Let me hear it.¡± As he spoke, he signalled to a few nearby Silver Constables. They also began to encircle from the side. Tan Yun, the Guardian of the Human Sect of the Demon Sect, was well-versed in the experts of Jianghu. Her eyes flickered and she called out loudly, ¡°Have you heard of Liu Lu, the chief disciple of Qiu Wanxia from the Yu Heng Sword Sect?¡± ¡°Of course, I¡¯ve heard of that.¡± Bian Jingdao, hearing this, yelled, ¡°Are you really Liu Lu, the Deacon? We are from the Xuanyi Guard. If you truly are, you can come with me to the Yunhua City stronghold to confirm your identity. If it is a mistake, we will certainly visit to apologize.¡± Tan Yun was taken aback for a moment, her eyebrows shooting up¨Cwith them taking her to Xuanyi Guard¡¯s stronghold, she would be trapped and couldn¡¯t possibly go. ¡°She¡¯s a fake, get her!¡± The very next moment, Bian Jingdao shouted loudly. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± Suddenly, the Silver Constables hiding around swiftly charged in, their blade lights flashing, exuding a chilling aura. ¡°Clang! Clang! Clang!¡± Tan Yun also drew her Futu Sword, and instantly, streaks of cold light were unleashed, directly repelling three Silver Constables of the Third Grade. ¡°Brother Bian, this is the Night Cloud Sword Technique, it seems to be really a Yu Heng Sword Sect sword technique,¡± Seeing this technique, another Gold Constable beside Bian Jingdao, Li Zixia, was quick to say. Bian Jingdao spoke in a low voice, ¡°Half a year ago, I met that Deacon Liu Lu; she was strikingly beautiful, tall, and slim. How could it be you, this ugly freak!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s all attack together and be done with this ugly witch from the Demon Sect!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Hearing Bian Jingdao¡¯s words, Tan Yun was furious, nearly spitting out blood in anger. People had at most called her a seductive woman of the Demon Sect; none had ever called her an ugly witch of the Demon Sect. ¡°Today, none of you are leaving!¡± Tan Yun knew her identity had been thoroughly exposed; she shook off the cotton padding piled on her body, and then with greater agility than before, she thrust her sword straight at Bian Jingdao. She had initially wanted to pretend to be an ordinary person, but being insulted in such a manner by them¨Cwell then, she thought, do not blame me for not holding back. Chapter 151 - Chapter 151: Chapter 151 Tan Yun Appears in Huangyao Town Chapter 151: Chapter 151 Tan Yun Appears in Huangyao Town Bian Jingdao was merely a Second Grade Realm expert, easily capturing ordinary masters of Jianghu, but faced with Tan Yun¡¯s peak Second Grade strength, he was clearly out of his league. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! With a strike of his sword, Tan Yun seemed to produce thousands of cold glares, as powerful as thunder, surging incessantly. Cold Water Sword Technique! A True Martial Level swordsmanship! As the sole disciple of Li Fuzhou, how could the martial arts Tan Yun practiced be inferior? ¡°Clang clang clang clang clang!¡± Bian Jingdao hastily drew his sword to block, with sparks flying in a series, while a domineering Qi Force transmitted from the hilt, shaking him so violently that his blood churned and he was forced to step back repeatedly. ¡°All of you, attack together, this person is no ordinary Demon Sect thief!¡± Bian Jingdao shouted while clutching his chest. Li Zixia¡¯s brows furrowed, and he hurriedly stepped forward, blocking the raging Tan Yun. In a short time, the two exchanged dozens of moves, and Li Zixia was also pressed to continuously retreat. Several Silver Constables also advanced, forming an encircling stance, instantly putting enormous pressure on Tan Yun. Tan Yun took a deep breath, and the Futu Sword in his hand violently turned, revealing a chill that burst forth from the blade, creating an unparalleled cold Qi wave. ¡°Pfft!¡± The Silver Constable closest to him couldn¡¯t dodge in time and was immediately decapitated by a single sword strike. The other Silver Constables felt a chill in their hearts upon seeing this. Silver Constables were already Third Grade Cultivators, commonly undertaking solo missions. And now, one was just slain by a single sword strike from a Demon Sect expert. ¡°Don¡¯t give her a chance to breathe.¡± Bian Jingdao also reacted, slashing with the long sword in his hand. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The overwhelming Qi Force fell, mixed with the whistling of the wind, like a fierce tiger descending the mountain. ¡°Clang-!¡± Tan Yun hastily raised the Futu Sword to parry, resulting in a thunderous sound echoing through the air. The next moment, Li Zixia also quickly stepped forward, repeatedly striking with his long sword. Tan Yun¡¯s eyes flashed, and she fiercely slapped towards the front. Boom! Black Qi Mechanism scattered, then formed a massive ghostly face. Earth Demon Palm Technique! This palm technique was somewhat similar to Tian Liu¡¯s Soul Losing Hand, said to have been acquired by a Demon Sect expert who then integrated its characteristics with Demon Cult Techniques. Dominating and eerie, irresistible! The grotesque ghostly face roared ferociously, viciously tearing forward. Li Zixia did not expect Tan Yun to execute this palm despite facing so many experts; his Inner Strength also crazily surged into the blade. Several streaks of sword light instantly shattered, and the domineering handprint pressed on relentlessly, hitting Li Zixia hard in the chest. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± ¡°Wah!¡± The sound of bones breaking was distinctly audible; Li Zixia¡¯s body, like a leaf in a violent wind, wobbled unstably until a spurt of blood burst forth. Bian Jingdao¡¯s long sword also slashed over, Tan Yun retracted her palm and could only desperately twist her body to avoid the vital points. ¡°Shiist!¡± The long sword directly chopped into her shoulder, Tan Yun groaned, as her clothes ripped open and her flesh gaped, blood flowing freely. ¡°It¡¯s best to flee now.¡± Tan Yun gritted her teeth, knowing she could handle one Second Grade expert, but with two Second Grade Realm opponents and other Silver Constables around, a prolonged battle was extremely disadvantageous to her. With this thought, her Futu Sword swung out again, an unrivaled chill sword radiance streaked through, and then she leaped towards the distance. ¡°Whoosh, whoosh!¡± ¡°Brother Li, are you alright?¡± Bian Jingdao hurriedly approached Li Zixia¡¯s side. He had seen it clearly; that palm had solidly hit Li Zixia¡¯s chest. If it shattered his heart, then it would be over. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m fine, quickly chase that Demon Sect thief.¡± Li Zixia gasped for air, urging them, ¡°Hurry, we can¡¯t let him escape. The deputy governor has issued a death order to catch this person.¡± Bian Jingdao clenched his teeth, then said to a nearby Silver Constable, ¡°Xiao Tian, you stay to care for your Uncle Li, the rest come with me.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The Silver Constable felt a chill in his heart and quickly responded. Bian Jingdao took a deep breath, grasped his saber, and chased after him. The dense forest ahead was not very deep; after passing through it, they arrived at the official road. Bian Jingdao closely examined the official road for a moment, then associated it with the route of the Demon Sect fiend and exclaimed, ¡°To the north, along the official road! Maybe that Demon Sect person has already entered the city to look for his accomplices by now.¡± After that, the group hurried along the official road. About a few hours later, they still hadn¡¯t caught sight of Tan Yun¡¯s figure again; it was as if she had evaporated from the human world in an instant. ¡°Sir, what do we do now? The Demon Sect fiend seems to have disappeared.¡± A Silver Constable behind him, stars in his eyes, tentatively asked. Running continuously for several hours, especially at full strength, even a Third Grade Cultivation couldn¡¯t endure it. ¡°She¡¯s severely injured and won¡¯t be able to run far. Now, send a message to the nearby Xuanyi Guard posts and conduct a full-scale search of this area,¡± Bian Jingdao said, taking a deep breath, then glanced at the tea house in front of them, ¡°Let¡¯s go in and rest for a while.¡± Hearing what Bian Jingdao said, the several Silver Constables present all sighed with relief. Upon entering the tea house, Bian Jingdao¡¯s brows immediately furrowed. The tea house was crowded, so much so that it didn¡¯t seem like a tea house but more like a theater. Each table was filled with people, except for a corner where a man in white sat alone. The man, dressed in a white garment that outshone the snow, appeared to be just over forty, with his hair meticulously tied up, his face calm as still water, and his body as straight as a sword. He cradled a cup of fragrant tea in his hands. The surrounding people seemed to be discussing in low voices, talking and laughing, but their eyes occasionally and inadvertently glanced at the white-clothed man. ¡°These honorable guests, I¡¯m afraid we have run out of seats¡­¡± At that moment, the waiter came out, trembling. He didn¡¯t know what was going on today; the usually desolate small tea house was suddenly filled with so many experts. ¡°Isn¡¯t that man sitting alone? We¡¯ll just sit there,¡± Bian Jingdao said, pointing beside the white-clothed man. ¡°This¡­¡± the waiter hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± the white-clothed man said indifferently, ¡°Let them sit down.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Bian Jingdao said as he sat down nonchalantly and ordered loudly, ¡°Waiter, bring two pots of tea.¡± Meanwhile, many people frowned and looked over, which made Bian Jingdao even more puzzled. The white-clothed man smiled faintly and said, ¡°You must be from the Xuanyi Guard, right?¡± ¡°Yes, you are¡­¡­?¡± Bian Jingdao hadn¡¯t worn the distinctive attire of the Xuanyi Guard that day, but the person in front of him still recognized him. Could it be based on the martial arts he practiced? His Qi Mechanism was externalized, but to see through his own background with one look was not something an ordinary expert could do. ¡°Zhao Country, Cui Daoxian.¡± The white-clothed man stated serenely. ¡°Cui¡­ Cui Daoxian?¡± As soon as Bian Jingdao heard these three words, his body swayed, and he almost fell off the chair. And the Xuanyi Guard experts behind him all showed a huge change in their expressions, their hearts deeply shocked. Who was Cui Daoxian?! One of the five Great Sword Immortals in the world, they included the Peach Blossom Sword Immortal Lou Xiangzhen, the White Tiger Sword Yi Daoyun, Yu Heng Sword Sect¡¯s Lin Yiyang, the handler of the Emperor¡¯s Sword, Zhong Binru, and the last one was Zhao Country¡¯s Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian. Cui Daoxian, stationed in Zhao Country¡¯s Sword Tomb, had not been seen in the world for thirty years. Every three years, the Sword Tomb opens once, attracting countless young talents to the Sword Tomb to select swords, and Cui Daoxian also conducts a Sword Meeting, teaching the swordsmen of the current younger generation. No matter one¡¯s identity or status, as long as they came to the Sword Tomb, they could listen to Cui Daoxian explain swordsmanship. As a result, in addition to the title of Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian is also known as a Sword Master. Many well-known swordsmen in the world today have studied under Cui Daoxian and hold him in high esteem and respect. In the contention of the five great Sword Immortals for the title of The World¡¯s First Swordsman, each has his own adherents, among whom Cui Daoxian and Lin Yiyang have the most. Yi Daoyun is an expert from the Demon Sect, with an impressive record of defeating numerous experts, and his cultivation has also reached the Half-step Master level, but due to his identity, he doesn¡¯t have many supporters. The sword-wielding eunuch, Zhong Binru, is known to have high swordsmanship and remarkable strength, but as he¡¯s stationed in the Imperial Palace with few opportunities to act, there are very few convincing accomplishments to win people¡¯s trust. As for Ghost Valley Sword Immortal Lou Xiangzhen, who had vanished from the Jianghu for decades and had also lost to the Sword God in the past, it inevitably disappointed people. Moreover, since everyone knew he didn¡¯t wish to compete with the Zhenyi Sect for dominance and his spirit was somewhat diminished, he was the most controversial swordsman. Bian Jingdao swallowed hard, finally understanding why there were so many experts around. It turned out that the man in white was none other than Heavenly Sword Cui Daoxian, one of the most formidable Sword Immortals of this age. ¡°` He entered Great Yan without concealing his identity, which certainly attracted a group of supporters and Jianghu spies; ninety percent of those in this small teahouse were likely here because of him. ¡°So it is Senior Cui,¡± Bian Jingdao forced a couple of dry laughs, then said in a low voice, ¡°It is indeed an intrusion, I hope the senior won¡¯t take offense.¡± Cui Daoxian waved his hand, ¡°I and your Deputy Governor Xi Yuanjun are also close friends, no need for such formalities.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes.¡± Although Cui Daoxian said so, Bian Jingdao remained extremely cautious. ¡°How has Brother Xi been in recent years?¡± Cui Daoxian asked casually. He had been in Great Yan for less than ten days, and although he had not sent a letter to Xi Yuanjun, Xi was likely aware of his arrival, and given Xi¡¯s character, he should have made contact by now. ¡°The Deputy Governor has been doing very poorly,¡± Bian Jingdao sighed deeply and said, ¡°Last year, Lord Xi Jikui was brutally murdered by a Demon Sect expert. Overnight, the Deputy Governor aged decades, and lately¡­¡± At this point, Bian Jingdao cut himself off with two forced laughs. The following matters were Xuanyi Guard¡¯s top secrets, not to be casually shared with outsiders. Cui Daoxian was stunned, ¡°Jikui was killed? By whom?¡± Although news between Great Yan Martial World and Zhao Country¡¯s Martial World was not entirely cut off, it did not spread that quickly. Moreover, while Xi Jikui had a considerable reputation in Great Yan¡¯s Martial World, his fame in Zhao was not as conspicuous, and residing within the Sword Tomb, one would not be privy to Jianghu¡¯s news. ¡°The Sect Master of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect, Li Fuzhou.¡± Bian Jingdao replied. ¡°Him!?¡± Upon hearing the name Li Fuzhou, Cui Daoxian¡¯s brows furrowed tighter. He had met Li Fuzhou once, thirty years ago in Great Yan, when the two had crossed swords. Bian Jingdao nodded and continued, ¡°That¡¯s right, he not only killed Lord Xi Jikui but also several Gold Constables, and now he has vanished. However, according to intelligence, he should still be within Great Yan.¡± Cui Daoxian sighed lightly, ¡°This Demon Sect truly is a great scourge of the world.¡± When Jiang Shang was the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, he had immense power in Great Yan, so much so that the developments in Great Yan influenced Zhao, and they even clashed with the Black Ice Platform. Although the Demon Sect was forcefully suppressed by the Black Ice Platform, leading to their abject retreat back to Zhao, this did not mean the Demon Sect was weak. It was because the Black Ice Platform was too strong. In Zhao Country, the influence of the Black Ice Platform was even more terrifying and stronger than that of the Zhenyi Sect; one could say that Zhao Country was under the shadow of the Black Ice Platform. Or rather, that Zhao Country was controlled by the Black Ice Platform. At one time, the sect leader of the Demon Sect¡¯s Azure Dragon Sect went to Zhao Country, clashed with many experts, and even killed Cui Daoxian¡¯s senior fellow disciple. At that time, Cui Daoxian was quite young, but his cultivation had already reached the Earth Flower Realm. Relying on his famous sword, the Heavenly Sword, he pursued the Azure Dragon Sect¡¯s sect leader for more than three hundred miles, and finally cut him down at the border of Yan and Zhao. That battle made Cui Daoxian¡¯s name known throughout the world. Later, as a form of retaliation, the Demon Sect even sent assassins from the White Tiger Sect to kill Cui Daoxian; even the White Tiger Sect leader personally took action but failed to kill him, and eventually, the Demon Sect had no choice but to give up and let the matter drop. One could say Cui Daoxian had his fair share of grievances against the Demon Sect. ¡°Indeed,¡± Bian Jingdao nodded vigorously, ¡°Just now, I was in pursuit of a Demon Sect Human Sect expert but let them escape.¡± ¡°An expert from the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect?¡± As Cui Daoxian heard this, he glanced at Bian Jingdao. For Bian Jingdao, a Second Grade cultivator to let an expert from the Human Sect escape indicated that the strength of this Demon Sect Human Sect expert was at least equivalent to Second Grade. The Human Sect of the Demon Sect, unlike the Earth and Heavenly Sects, was mainly responsible for surveilling and tracking, and their combat power was not considered very high, thus a Second Grade cultivation in the Human Sect was already exceptionally high. Bian Jingdao said, ¡°I believe so. This person¡¯s hiding skills are extraordinary, and being alone, it¡¯s very likely they are an expert from the Human Sect.¡± At this, an idea struck him. Since this Heavenly Sword was friends with the Deputy Governor, and he had grievances with the Demon Sect, why not have him make a move to capture the Demon Sect expert? Cui Daoxian gently picked up the teacup on the table, asking casually, ¡°Has this person disappeared now?¡± Bian Jingdao hurriedly said, ¡°Yes, this individual might know information about Li Fuzhou, so the Deputy Governor ordered us to capture them at all costs. However, the Deputy Governor is tied up with urgent matters right now, and the Demon Sect expert¡¯s strength is extraordinary; I might not be their match¡­¡­¡± Cui Daoxian set down his teacup and after pondering for a moment, said, ¡°The grievances between Brother Xi and the Demon Sect are both personal and reasonable for me to assist.¡± ¡°Then I will have to trouble the senior.¡± Bian Jingdao was elated. If Cui Daoxian made a move, the Second Grade Demon Sect woman would undoubtedly be an easy catch. ¡­¡­. Blue River Sect, Chenxin Lake. The lake was extremely tranquil, its surface like a radiant mirror. On the east embankment of Chenxin Lake, there was a stone bridge. ¡°` At this moment, atop the stone bridge, a figure was sitting cross-legged, holding a fishing rod as if they were about to fall asleep. That person was none other than Wang Yue. ¡°Tap, tap, tap¡­¡± Footsteps sounded, Zhao Liangdong approached from afar, ¡°Sect Master, Lou Xiangzhen and the swordsman have already left.¡± ¡°If they have left, let them be.¡± Wang Yue opened his eyes and gazed at the calm lake surface, asking, ¡°Do you know who that swordsman was?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Zhao Liangdong shook his head, ¡°However, I feel that swordsman is no ordinary person; his strength must be quite high.¡± Although he had not seen An Jing make a move, and had not even perceived any Qi Mechanism, sometimes the aura of an expert couldn¡¯t be hidden. And what sort of person would a friend with Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s status be if not an extraordinary one? Wang Yue said indifferently, ¡°He went to the Sealing Land, broke the seal, and must have taken away the Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± ¡°The Evil Suppressing Sword!? Could it be the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Zhao Liangdong¡¯s heart shook, thinking of the Ghost Swordsman who had recently become notorious in the Jianghu, vaguely on his way to becoming the sixth Great Sword Immortal. ¡°It is him.¡± Wang Yue extended his hand and reeled in the fishing rod, ¡°Do you know what the Evil Suppressing Sword is?¡± Zhao Liangdong nodded and said, ¡°This sword is also called Great Zhou Yunlong, forged by the Human Emperor of Great Zhou Dynasty. However, it never recognized a master over the years, and instead, many experts perished by it; hence, this sword is also known as the Demon Sword.¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword, being the third-ranked sword on the Famous Sword List, how could he not know of it. Wang Yue set the fishing rod aside and slowly said, ¡°The person able to subdue the Evil Suppressing Sword must not only carry the Royal Family¡¯s bloodline of the Great Zhou Dynasty but must also be a person of destiny, carrying great fortune and great opportunities.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Liangdong was startled, ¡°Sect Master means to say that the Ghost Swordsman is such a remarkable person?¡± To know that even top Grandmasters of Great Zhou couldn¡¯t subdue the Evil Suppressing Sword, yet it was subdued by the Ghost Swordsman, could it be that the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s future strength would surpass that of the Human Emperor of Great Zhou? Top Grandmasters are the most formidable experts in the world, standing at the very peak of existence. Could the Ghost Swordsman really become such a powerful figure? ¡°Exactly.¡± Wang Yue glanced at the lake surface and said with emotion, ¡°If this person can survive under the hands of the Zhenyi Sect, he will definitely become one of the most extraordinary swordsmen in the world.¡± Zhao Liangdong was taken aback, somewhat lost in thought. Wang Yue waved his hand and said, ¡°Don¡¯t think too much about it. He killed two Great True Ones of Zhenyi Sect; it¡¯s not certain whether he can survive.¡± Zhao Liangdong suddenly thought of something, ¡°What about Senior Lou?¡± Lou Xiangzhen and Zhenyi Sect were also bitter enemies, yet they had not openly torn apart their facade. Now that Lou Xiangzhen was by the side of the Ghost Swordsman, there must be deep implications. ¡°Time and fate.¡± Wang Yue muttered to himself, and after a while, he spoke again, ¡°From today onwards, you will take care of Lin¡¯er. Keep in mind to stay close by her side and protect her well. She is now the only bloodline of my Wang Family, and nothing can go wrong.¡± Zhao Liangdong clenched his fist in a salute and said, ¡°Yes, I understand.¡± After speaking, Zhao Liangdong slowly retreated. Wang Yue looked at the tranquil lake surface, as if trying to peer through the waters to see to the bottom of the lake, muttering to himself, ¡°He could actually see through the Serenity Stone. The ancestral teachings didn¡¯t say that only those in the Grandmaster Realm could see through the Serenity Stone? Or could it be that the Ghost Swordsman will reach the Grandmaster Realm in the future?¡± With that, his hand touched the white jade at his waist. The white jade was extremely ancient, engraved with a dragon that seemed to soar through clouds and fog, remarkably lifelike. At that moment, after Wang Yue stroked the white jade, it gradually turned red, which was quite magical. Beneath the lake waters, a shocking secret was buried. Wang Yue slowly stood up. If Lou Xiangzhen were there, he would have been extremely surprised because Wang Yue¡¯s legs seemed to have healed. He took out a porcelain bottle, then opened the lid and poured it towards the bottom of the lake. ¡°Swish!¡± The red liquid flowed into the lake water, and that red liquid instantly seemed to be drawn by something, rushing into the depths of the lake. ¡°It seems that the day is not far off.¡± ¡­¡­ Two days later, in Yun Hua Road, Huang Yao Town. On the black hillside covered with irises, under the influence of the heavy color of spring, willow trees sprouted slender branches with pale yellow tender leaves, and the grass exuding the fragrance of the earth arose in bunches. In the flower-filled season of March, spring returned to the earth. Two unfamiliar guests arrived in the small town. It was An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen, who had come down from Blue Mountain. An Jing, admiring the spring scenery of the small town, couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°After passing through Huang Yao Town, we will reach the North.¡± At that moment, An Jing had changed into new robes, and the Evil Suppressing Sword was hidden within his waistband, a stark contrast from his previous appearance as the Ghost Swordsman. After all, his image had been widely spread across the Jianghu, and if he kept his previous appearance, it would unavoidably attract some trouble. ¡°The liquor from the north is much stronger than that from the south,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said, touching the wine gourd at his waist with a hint of a smile in his eyes. An Jing thought of something and asked, ¡°Senior, have you really reached the Sixth Realm?¡± That day on the Ancestor Master Mountain of the Blue River Sect, Lou Xiangzhen killed Bai Qun with two sword strikes, and the last strike was clearly with all his might, already containing traces of transcendence. ¡°No.¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked into the distance and said faintly, ¡°I¡¯m still missing something.¡± ¡°Not yet?¡± An Jing frowned slightly upon hearing this. ¡°It¡¯s just a layer of paper on the window, easy to break if wanted,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently. An Jing was shaken, then thinking of something, asked, ¡°Senior, why did you take Bai Lin¡¯er as a disciple that day?¡± ¡°Do you think I was moved by compassion?¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t it, senior?¡± Lou Xiangzhen shook his head with a smile and asked, ¡°What do you think of that little girl¡¯s talent?¡± ¡°Excellent.¡± Without hesitation, An Jing said, ¡°Her future is boundless.¡± For An Jing to praise someone¡¯s talent was indeed rare, but this also showed the extent of Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s prodigious talent, truly a rare genius. Lou Xiangzhen spoke slowly, ¡°Before I took her in, I did a divination. Bai Lin¡¯er carries great destiny, her fortune is evident, but there is a calamity in her life. If she can overcome it, her future is indeed limitless.¡± ¡°Bai Qun died by my hand. I wasn¡¯t planning to take her as my disciple, but considering Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s young age, let¡¯s not even talk about future matters. Even if she should seek revenge on me in the future, I figure by then, if I am not dead, my time would be near. As long as my Ghost Valley Sect has a successor, what does it matter?¡± In his heart, Lou Xiangzhen was also amazed by Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s talent, which was incredibly high. That kind of natural gift seemed almost ready to overflow. ¡°Senior, I also know the heart method of your Ghost Valley Sect. How could it possibly be lost?¡± An Jing knew Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s thoughts. In their eyes, the continuation of the sect was more important than their own life. If the lineage were to end in their hands, it would be more unbearable than death itself. ¡°You?¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing and said with irritation, ¡°You¡¯re already one foot in the grave, and you still want to be the heir of my Ghost Valley Sect?¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­..¡± I¡¯m one foot in the grave? I¡¯m in the prime of my life, at the best of times, just when my life is about to take off. Lou Xiangzhen wanted to speak but then stopped, heaving a deep sigh without saying anything. An Jing raised his eyebrow slightly, ¡°Senior, are you talking about Wang Yue?¡± Lou Xiangzhen was silent for a long time before he said, ¡°From the first glance I saw him this time, I knew he had changed.¡± In the Blue River Hall, upon their first encounter, Lou Xiangzhen could feel that Wang Yue had changed. At first, he thought Wang Yue had been tormented by the Nine-tailed Scorpion Poison and it had changed his nature. But as more things happened, he realized that it wasn¡¯t that simple. Those subtle changes were small, but having known Wang Yue for so many years¨Cseventy years in fact¨CLou Xiangzhen could still see them. Now that he thought about it, that expression carrying hints of deliberateness and performance seemed to be for him to see. The Wang Yue from before wouldn¡¯t bow his head even if you beat him to death. ¡°People are always changing.¡± An Jing said, ¡°There are friends who become strangers and conversely, close friends. Sometimes people who are close to you become unrecognizable, and all you can do is let go.¡± Lou Xiangzhen sighed deeply upon hearing this, ¡°Let him be, let¡¯s go have a few drinks instead. The Huangyao wine from Huangyao Town is also a specialty.¡± ¡°Good, today I shall drink heartily with senior.¡± An Jing¡¯s mood was also good. Reaching the north, he wasn¡¯t far from Ping County, and he would soon see his wife. Thinking of Zhao Qingmei, how could his mood not be good? As they talked and laughed, they entered a tavern and randomly chose a spot. Before long, a full table of dishes and two jars of Huangyao Town¡¯s specialty wine were brought to them. ¡°Senior, here.¡± An Jing picked up a jar of wine and placed it in front of Lou Xiangzhen, also grabbing a jar for himself. ¡°Seeing good wine always seems to make people forget a multitude of worries,¡± Lou Xiangzhen laughed heartily. The two of them grabbed the wine jars and began drinking heartily. An Jing gulped down a big mouthful of wine and set his jar on the table. At that moment, he noticed a lone figure in the corner of the room, at a table piled with a great variety of dishes, currently burying his face in the food and eating merrily. This eating manner made An Jing think of Tan Yun, ¡°With those skilled movements, she really does resemble him. I wonder if she¡¯s alive or dead now.¡± When he had gone to see Han Wenxin before, Han Wenxin made it clear that Tan Yun had disappeared, and her life or death was uncertain. But inside, An Jing faintly felt that Tan Yun was most likely dead. At this thought, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit sorrowful. It might have been because of his own actions that Tan Yun, so young, had lost his life. This Lord Jiang, I must not let him go. When I return to Yu State City later, I must build a proper tomb for Tan Yun. ¡°Hey kid, why aren¡¯t you drinking? Are you starting to play tricks on this old man?¡± Lou Xiangzhen saw An Jing¡¯s movement halt and grabbed his wrist bone. The next moment, his complexion drastically changed! ¡°Senior, what are you doing?¡± An Jing quickly withdrew his arm. ¡°My wife said, she doesn¡¯t want me philandering outside, not even with men.¡± ¡°You!¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing in utter astonishment, a storm of shock rising in his heart. A person¡¯s appearance might deceive, but their bones don¡¯t lie. So, when the masters of Jianghu assess someone, they usually look at the age of the bones. When Lou Xiangzhen touched An Jing¡¯s arm just now, he found that the bone age was just over twenty. What did being twenty-one mean?! That was more than a decade younger than Wang Yue, whose granddaughter was already twenty-eight. When he himself was twenty-one, his cultivation had only reached around Second Grade, and during his travels in Jianghu, he had nearly been killed by a First Grade Expert, ultimately escaping by the skin of his teeth. And here was the Ghost Swordsman, merely twenty-one, facing seven top-notch experts in succession, slaying two True Martial Realists, and a Half-step Master. This astonishing record of battles, turned out to have been achieved by this youngster whose hair had just fully grown. Jiang Sanjia considers him a close friend!? And I have been treating him as a peer!? He not only said I was just a fledgling, we even went to the brothels together, and I would often confide in him¡­. Thinking this, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s face involuntarily flushed a deep red. ¡°Lou Senior, this alcohol isn¡¯t even strong. Why is your old face turning red?¡± An Jing asked curiously, seeing this. ¡°You don¡¯t have to call me Lou Senior anymore.¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s face turned the color of liver. ¡°Then what should I call you?¡± asked An Jing, puzzled. ¡°Lou Brother? Xiangzhen Brother?¡± ¡°Call me Grandpa Lou!¡± Lou Xiangzhen said somberly, ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll treat you as my own grandson. Forget about protecting the way for three years, let alone lifting a finger once. Even for thirty years, a hundred times would be fine.¡± If he, Lou Xiangzhen, wanted to take in a grandson, countless people in Jianghu would cry and beg to be his grandson. An Jing ¡®bang¡¯ stood up abruptly, fuming with anger, ¡°How dare you insult me!?¡± ¡°Quit the act, you grandson.¡± Lou Xiangzhen gestured for him to sit down, looking at An Jing with a touch of resentment, ¡°I always wondered why you wore that mask every day, making yourself look so secretive. So, it turns out you¡¯re just a kid with freshly grown hair, out to travel the Jianghu.¡± He had once asked An Jing why he didn¡¯t show his true face to everyone, and An Jing had said he had his own difficult reasons and didn¡¯t want to attract too much trouble. As a person of Jianghu, Lou Xiangzhen expressed understanding. But now, it seemed that he had been completely deceived by this youngster. A twenty-something young man, with such profound and unfathomable strength, what difficult circumstances could he have?! Hearing this, An Jing grew even more angry, ¡°I treated you as a brother, and you see me as your grandson?¡± ¡°Does what you said before still count?¡± Lou Xiangzhen asked with a smiling gaze. ¡°What did I say?¡± An Jing questioned with a raised eyebrow. Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing, ¡°You said you could become the successor of my Ghost Valley Sect. If you were serious about that, should I pass the position of Sect Leader to you?¡± An Jing waved his hand, ¡°Forget it. What¡¯s the use of being the Sect Leader of a sect with only one person ¨C you?¡± ¡°Am I not a person?¡± Lou Xiangzhen raised an eyebrow, ¡°If you become the Sect Leader of Ghost Valley Sect, with me, the World¡¯s First Swordsman, around, who would dare to harm a hair on your head?¡± ¡°The World¡¯s First Swordsman?¡± An Jing let out a light laugh, ¡°Senior Lou, you haven¡¯t reached the Sixth Realm, have you? That doesn¡¯t qualify you as the first swordsman.¡± ¡°You know nothing. That realm for me now is just a layer of window paper.¡± Lou Xiangzhen said with some excitement, ¡°Just think, in a few decades, when I pass this title of the World¡¯s First Swordsman to you, wouldn¡¯t it be a fine tale?¡± The more Lou Xiangzhen thought about it, the more excited he became. If Ghost Valley Sect were really taken over by this youngster, it might have the chance to grow and flourish in the future. An Jing took a sip of wine and said indifferently, ¡°If you haven¡¯t reached the Sixth Realm, you¡¯re not it. Besides, it wouldn¡¯t take me ten years to surpass you, senior.¡± The World¡¯s First Swordsman is not only about profound strength but also superior swordsmanship. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s strength and swordsmanship were beyond reproach, but without breaking through that barrier, he could never be considered the world¡¯s number one swordsman in the eyes of people everywhere. After all, the other five Sword Immortals were just as powerful, and they were all much younger than Lou Xiangzhen. Hearing this, Lou Xiangzhen thought about it and realized that An Jing was unlikely to join his Ghost Valley Sect. Moreover, given his age and current strength, there might well be a master guiding him from behind. Lou Xiangzhen thought of something and asked, ¡°By the way, who is your wife?¡± ¡°She is just an ordinary woman, nothing special.¡± An Jing casually said, ¡°If you get a chance to meet her later, we can talk about her then.¡± ¡°That works, I¡¯ll take your word for it this time.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded slightly, and then couldn¡¯t help but take a few more glances at An Jing. A twenty-one-year-old expert of the Heavenly Flower Realm who had refined the Golden Bone and cultivated two or three Heavenly Martial Arts techniques was a rare talent indeed¨Cfar more terrifying than Xiao Qianqiu. If the Zhenyi Sect got wind of this, they might send a Grandmaster expert to take him out tomorrow, so hiding his identity was a smart move. As long as he was given time, he might one day set foot on Zhenyi Mountain. ¡°Sanjia, oh Sanjia, did you really calculate this, or is it just blind luck?¡± Lou Xiangzhen muttered to himself, then tapped his fingers lightly on the table and coughed softly. ¡°Come, elder, have a drink.¡± An Jing immediately got the hint and lifted the wine gourd, saying. Lou Xiangzhen said with annoyance, ¡°Pour the wine quickly for your grandpa Lou, don¡¯t be disrespectful.¡± ¡°Sure, sure, sure.¡± An Jing, hearing this, remained unchanged in expression, but inwardly he muttered: Old babyface, considering you can protect me for a while, I¡¯ll let it slide. Lou Xiangzhen raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp. In a corner, the woman in black, who had eaten her fill, looked curiously at An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen who were drinking not far away. ¡°Two weirdos, could they be spies from the Heaven and Earth Net?¡± This person was none other than Tan Yun, who had escaped the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s encirclement. Since she was last targeted by a Heaven and Earth Net expert, she had become overly cautious, suspecting that everyone she saw might be their spy. After observing carefully, it seemed the two men hadn¡¯t noticed her, which allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°Having eaten my fill, it¡¯s best to leave quickly.¡± Tan Yun thought of something, picked up the sword on the table, and prepared to leave. She had been on the run for days; rest wasn¡¯t much of an issue, but she couldn¡¯t starve herself. With that, Tan Yun headed toward the stairway, ready to leave the tavern. An Jing watched the woman in black approach and felt an oddly familiar sensation, especially something about her figure. Turbulent waves. Suddenly, An Jing¡¯s brows slightly furrowed, and Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s movements paused as well as they turned to look outside the window. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going!?¡± A shout boomed, followed by a fierce slash of sword light flooding in like a tide. The voice arrived before the person, a clear sign of the murderous intent within. The newcomer was the Gold Constable of the Xuanyi Guard, Bian Jingdao. After two days of pursuit and with the help of the Heaven and Earth Net, he had finally located the gluttonous woman of the Demon Sect. ¡°Caught up already?¡± Tan Yun reacted quickly, drawing out the Futu Sword at her waist and charged forward to meet the attack. ¡°Clang!¡± In the instant the two blades collided, the qi mechanism wildly scattered around, shattering tables, chairs, and pillars into debris. ¡°Xuanyi Guard on duty, all unrelated people leave immediately.¡± Bian Jingdao shouted coldly. ¡°Crash! Crash!¡± The next moment, several Xuanyi Guard experts quickly surrounded the entire tavern. ¡°It¡¯s the Gold Constable of the Xuanyi Guard!¡± ¡°Run! Run!¡± ¡°Who exactly is it that could make the Gold Constable of the Xuanyi Guard take action?¡± ¡­ Inside the tavern, everyone was quite surprised, and they started to flee in panic. In Great Yan, obstructing the work of the Xuanyi Guard was a crime of complicity. Many stood at a distance, not going too far, curious about what kind of expert had prompted the action of the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s Gold Constable. Tan Yun saw the Xuanyi Guards encircling her and instantly let out a sharp cry, her Futu Sword turning into streaks of cold light. Several Silver Constables didn¡¯t even try to exchange blows with Tan Yun; upon seeing her draw her sword, they all retreated continuously. And whenever Tan Yun tried to break out, Bian Jingdao would take the lead to step forward, blocking her path with his sword. ¡°Too cunning.¡± Tan Yun inwardly cursed, beginning to grow anxious. At this moment, she still had an injury on her shoulder, and if the battle dragged on, not only would her wound tear open, which would be the least of her worries, but she would certainly be captured alive, which would lead to bigger troubles. ¡°It seems that Jianghu is really not peaceful.¡± An Jing said in a low voice as he picked up the wine jug. ¡°This woman is from the Demon Sect.¡± Lou Xiangzhen commented on the swordsmanship used by Tan Yun, ¡°Her cultivation is so-so, and her swordsmanship is also so-so.¡± ¡°A master from the Demon Sect?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but take a few more glances; he had no feud with the Demon Sect. On the contrary, he had a rather good relationship with Li Fuzhou. But it was only good with Li Fuzhou. No, there was also Shui Zhongyue. At this moment, Tan Yun, encircled by several top experts of the Xuanyi Guard, was clearly at her wit¡¯s end, retreating repeatedly. ¡°It seems I can only use the life-saving item my master gave me.¡± Tan Yun made up her mind and reached into her bosom, pulling out a black ball the size of a thumb and threw it towards Bian Jingdao and the others. ¡°Not good!¡± Bian Jingdao, seeing this, immediately shouted loudly, ¡°Quick, get out of here.¡± But it was already too late. The black ball fell to the ground and suddenly exploded with an enormous burst of Qi Force, directly blasting two Third Grade Silver Constables into an unconscious, bloody mess. The entire roof of the tavern was blown off, revealing the azure blue sky and dazzling sunlight. Bian Jingdao was also retreating continuously, his face pale as death. Seeing this, Tan Yun quickly fled into the distance. ¡°Stay.¡± A calm voice sounded. Although it wasn¡¯t loud, it echoed in Tan Yun¡¯s ears like thunder. Tan Yun¡¯s body immediately felt as if shackled, unable to move, and the inexplicable pressure almost made her kneel down. ¡°I¡¯m done for!¡± Feeling the pressure, Tan Yun knew it was a supreme expert who made a move. Looking in the direction of the voice, a man in white appeared on the street. The man was extraordinarily handsome, his garments whiter than snow, his expression as calm as an abyss, his steps neither hurried nor slow. Each step seemed to tread on Tan Yun¡¯s heart, the immense pressure making it hard for her to breathe. ¡°A Sword Dao master!¡± Lou Xiangzhen transmitted his voice to An Jing, ¡°Dressed in white, endowed with a Sword Bone, this person must be the Heavenly Sword, Tian Liu, who presides over the Sword Tomb. I never expected to see the Heavenly Sword for the first time in this place.¡± An Jing¡¯s brows were also tightly knitted. The moment this person acted, the Qi Mechanism inside him burst forth, a sharpness unparalleled, something he had never seen before. The Qi Mechanism of Lou Xiangzhen did not possess the sharpness this person had. An Jing was, of course, familiar with the name Heavenly Sword. This man was one of the five great Sword Immortals of that time, receiving the allegiance of swordsmen from all over the world. Only, such a top-notch expert, who had not made an appearance in thirty years, was now met by chance. Fate is indeed indescribable. ¡°Are you the Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian?¡± Tan Yun said through clenched teeth upon seeing the newcomer. The Heavenly Sword had a feud with the Demon Sect; if he really was that person, she was likely to face death today. ¡°Yes.¡± Cui Daoxian responded indifferently. So it really was him! Tan Yun¡¯s heart skipped a beat, her complexion turning exceptionally pale, her steps retreating subconsciously. ¡°It seems you truly are a master from the Human Sect. Your Ghost Skin Technique is also refined to perfection.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Cui Daoxian extended a finger, pointing forward. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± Overwhelming Qi Mechanism descended, the air itself trembling, and under such a strong impact, Tan Yun¡¯s steps kept retreating. The human skin mask on her face, struck by the powerful force, turned into fine powder. As the powder dissipated, her delicate and charming face was revealed. Watching the scene from afar, An Jing paused slightly, his eyes as wide as copper bells. Chapter 152 - Chapter 152: Chapter 152 Ghost Swordsman Battles Heavenly Sword Chapter 152: Chapter 152 Ghost Swordsman Battles Heavenly Sword Tan Yun!? An Jing¡¯s mind went blank, as if struck by thunder on a clear day; the woman was actually Tan Yun. ¡°It must be my eyes deceiving me, it has to be.¡± An Jing muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes forcefully, ¡°How could Tan Yun possibly appear here? Absolutely impossible.¡± When he opened his eyes again, the lovely face remained as familiar as ever. It was Tan Yun, without a doubt! But why would she appear here? How had she become a high-ranking expert of the Demon Sect? Moreover, it seemed her cultivation was not low. ¡°Could it be she has a sister or a twin?¡± An Jing was utterly confused at the moment, as if countless threads were entangled in a knot, impossible to undo. This scene was too shocking for him; he could never have imagined that the glutton was a person from the Demon Sect. Was it because she acted too convincingly!? ¡°She was fooling me!?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help exclaiming in his heart, ¡°She can even outperform Li Fuzhou in acting?¡± He had never imagined that his own home could host an Oscar night. ¡°Come with me.¡± Cui Daoxian¡¯s voice was extraordinarily calm as he reached out toward Tan Yun¡¯s shoulder. Spies from the Human Sect were, naturally, far more useful alive than dead. Tan Yun only felt a gust of wind blowing in her face, messing up her hair, and a sense of powerlessness rose in her heart. At this moment, she couldn¡¯t help but recall the words her master once taught her. The Human Sect has no captives. Moreover, with an identity like hers, once captured, she would inevitably suffer unimaginable pain. With this thought, Tan Yun bit her tongue, preparing to commit suicide. It was late to say it, but soon to act. Just as Cui Daoxian¡¯s palm was about to touch her, he suddenly furrowed his brow, twisted his foot, and quickly leaped away into the distance. ¡°Boom!¡± A Qi Light descended from the sky, slashing down. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± As the Qi Light landed on the earth, the ground ¡®cracked and cracked,¡¯ creating cracks that spread into the distance. ¡°Who is it!?¡± Bian Jingdao was greatly alarmed upon seeing this scene. The Qi Light that had just fallen was not from an ordinary expert; could it be that a high-ranking expert from the Demon Sect had arrived? Cui Daoxian¡¯s eyebrows lifted as he looked into the distance. The figure was clad in a jet-black long robe, and under the cover of the robe, it was impossible to see his face or expression, but an upright Qi Mechanism radiated from his entire being. This was exactly the Qi Mechanism of the Mystical Sect, completely different from that of the Demon Sect. Tan Yun also looked over in astonishment, believing that a high-ranking expert of the Demon Sect had arrived. But at present in Great Yan, the only Demon Sect high-ranking expert capable of contending with Cui Daoxian was Li Fuzhou. The one who made the move was none other than An Jing. Lou Xiangzhen watched the figure in front and felt somewhat puzzled. This grandson was usually the sort to not hunt without seeing the hare; he wouldn¡¯t take action without a clear benefit. Today, he actually intervened to save that woman from the Demon Sect; could it be lust at first sight? That shouldn¡¯t be the case. After all, the other party was the Heavenly Sword Cui Daoxian, and An Jing might not be a match for him. ¡°Heavenly Sword, I have long admired you,¡± An Jing said with a faint smile, directly expressing his intent, ¡°I wonder if today I might have the honor of learning a few moves from you. If I win, how about you hand her over to me?¡± As he spoke, the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand shone. The ancient longsword carried a sharp Sword Intent. ¡°Evil Suppressing Sword!?¡± Heavenly Sword Cui Daoxian was naturally very familiar with the famous swords of the world. Upon seeing the sword in An Jing¡¯s hand, his eyes narrowed slightly: ¡°I wonder who it could be¨Cturns out, you are Ghost Swordsman.¡± ¡°` As Cui Daoxian¡¯s voice fell, a wave of astonishment swept through the surroundings. ¡°Ghost Swordsman!? The person who has come is actually the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡°I was wondering who would dare to block Cui Daoxian from making an arrest.¡± ¡°Could today be a battle between two of the greatest Sword Immortals?¡± ¡°When did the Ghost Swordsman become a Sword Immortal? In my view, he is not far from being one, but as of now, he doesn¡¯t quite make the cut.¡± ¡°Although the Ghost Swordsman made a name for himself in the battle at Xuanqing Mountain, he relies more on his exotic beast companion. Compared to the true Five Great Sword Immortals, he still has a long way to go.¡± ¡°Yes, without that exotic beast by his side, he doesn¡¯t count as a real Sword Immortal.¡± ¡­¡­.. The appearance of the Ghost Swordsman suddenly made the scene much noisier and more lively. Nobody expected that two of the top swordsmanship experts would appear in Huang Yao Town at the same time, and it seemed as if they were about to engage in a duel. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman!?¡± Tan Yun¡¯s mouth hung open as if she were dreaming. This scene had appeared countless times, but only in dreams. Yet now, the Ghost Swordsman was actually standing before her, very much alive, in reality. In this world, there is an inexplicable thing called fate. Could it be that the Ghost Swordsman showed up today precisely to rescue her? With that thought, Tan Yun¡¯s heart thumped wildly, filled with an excitement that was almost dizzying, making her wonder if she was still dreaming. An Jing remained silent, his gaze fixed on Cui Daoxian. To save Tan Yun today, he would have to compete with Cui Daoxian. Cui Daoxian smiled faintly, saying, ¡°My visit to Great Yan this time was specifically to meet with Lin Yiyang of the Yu Heng Sword Sect, but since the Ghost Swordsman is also a renowned swordsman of Great Yan, I will take this opportunity to cross swords with you first and witness the prowess of Great Yan¡¯s swordsmen.¡± Cui Daoxian had not appeared in the world for thirty years, and his arrival in Great Yan today was naturally not without purpose. The battle between Lin Yiyang and Universal Benefit Bodhisattva had long since reached Zhao Country. Cui Daoxian, residing in the Sword Tomb, also knew of Lin Yiyang¡¯s statement that he would reach the Sixth Realm within three years. It was precisely because of that statement that Cui Daoxian chose to leave seclusion and come to Great Yan, prepared to seek instruction from Lin Yiyang. Today, whoever reaches the Sixth Realm is acknowledged as the premier swordsman. That is an accepted fact. ¡°Fine.¡± An Jing pointed at Tan Yun and said, ¡°If I win, I hope to take this person with me.¡± Tan Yun blushed, touched by the gesture. So he had indeed come to rescue her¡­ Sure enough¡­ ¡°I am not in a position to grant that,¡± Cui Daoxian shook his head and said, ¡°But I can assure you that I will not interfere.¡± ¡°That is enough.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, his palm moving towards the hilt of his sword at his waist. ¡°Young man, do you want the old man to take action?¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s frown was deep as he transmitted his voice. An Jing¡¯s strength was profound or not, compared to ordinary Half-step Masters, he definitely ranked among the top, but facing swordsmen of the caliber of Cui Daoxian and Lin Yiyang, he would find it quite challenging. An Jing¡¯s cultivation was at the Heavenly Flower Realm, while Cui Daoxian was a Half-step Master, and their swordsmanship was both at the Fifth Realm. However, Cui Daoxian was on the verge of breaking through to the Sixth Realm, obviously a notch above An Jing. With both cultivation and swordsmanship gap apparent, the only advantage was An Jing¡¯s Perfect Golden Bone, but with Cui Daoxian stationed in the Sword Tomb for thirty years cultivating Sword Bone¨Ca bit less durable than Golden Bone but sharper and more cohesive¨Cwas more fitting for a swordsman. Thus, overall, An Jing¡¯s chances of winning were extremely low. ¡°No need,¡± An Jing declined, ¡°I have always wanted to see the true strength of the current Five Great Sword Immortals.¡± ¡°You are not his match.¡± Lou Xiangzhen said solemnly. A swordsman nurtures Sword Intent, and during this period, one must never face defeat. Achieving victory in battle builds a certain confidence, and this confidence will extend into one¡¯s sword. Such Sword Intent will make the swordsman increasingly confident, and his sword will become even more lethal. If one were to fail, it would strike a blow not only to the swordsman but to the Sword Intent as well. Back then, when Lou Xiangzhen was defeated by the Sword God with several strikes at the Yu Heng Sword Sect, it completely shattered his confidence, which was the reason he became dispirited for years afterward. Since An Jing debuted, he has experienced almost no defeats, his Sword Intent being perfect and sharp. Should he suffer defeat today, it would undoubtedly deal a huge blow to him. Thus, Lou Xiangzhen did not wish to see An Jing repeat his past mistakes. ¡°Old Lou, you should have said so earlier.¡± An Jing¡¯s face darkened, then he transmitted back, ¡°Forget it, since I¡¯ve already spoken, I might as well try Cui Daoxian¡¯s Sword Dao.¡± ¡°` Had he known that Elder Lou was willing to intervene, why would he himself have bothered with Cui Daoxian? Without the help of the Thousand-year-old Black Boa, he felt somewhat unsure in his heart. Cui Daoxian, who is he? Known as Heavenly Sword, some even call him a Sword Master. The title of Heavenly Sword itself is a supreme honor, and even more so is the title of Sword Master. Although his most glorious victory was slaying the chief of the Azure Dragon Sect, and many years have passed since then, Cui Daoxian had not achieved any notable victories, yet no one in the world dared to underestimate his strength. Lou Xiangzhen heard this and stopped talking. In his opinion, among the five great Sword Immortals, Yi Daoyun was of the weakest ability, followed by this Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian. Yi Daoyun had claimed countless lives, but he had never slain a half-step Master Realm expert. The reason he could become one of the five great Sword Immortals was partly due to his ruthless slaying and notorious reputation, and partly due to the Demon Sect¡¯s exaggerations. The same goes for Heavenly Sword Cui Daoxian. His cultivation was at the half-step Master level, and his swordsmanship was unfathomably profound, but much of his reputation was also hyped up. Among the current five great Sword Immortals, the ones with true, solid strength are the remaining three. If An Jing wants to become a Sword Immortal of this era, he must defeat one of them to prove his way. Cui Daoxian is from Zhao Country, and defeating him would undoubtedly be the best for An Jing¡¯s fame. However, even so, the title of one of the five great Sword Immortals was not something any ordinary swordsman could assume. Cui Daoxian looked at the Ghost Swordsman ahead, his palm caressing the blade of the longsword. The reason why Cui Daoxian is called Heavenly Sword is because there is an extraordinary famous sword within the Sword Tomb known as the Heavenly Sword. The Heavenly Sword ranks seventh on the Famous Sword List. Each of this sword¡¯s owners has been an unparalleled swordsman of their era, and just as Cui Daoxian was initiated into the Sword Tomb, the Heavenly Sword recognized him as its master and he immediately became the current master of the Heavenly Sword. The Heavenly Sword has the power to suppress all other swords in the Sword Tomb, and this time he came to Great Yan originally intending to exchange swordsmanship with Lin Yiyang and pursue the Sixth Realm. His goal was not to seek vengeance or to kill anyone, so he did not bring the Heavenly Sword with him. Neither of them spoke, yet the marketplace around them fell silent and empty. In the silence, an oppressive and dull atmosphere formed; Bian Jingdao simply felt the fluctuations of their Qi and his face turned pale. ¡°How terrifying these swordsmen are. Is this what the world¡¯s top Sword Immortals are like?¡± Bian Jingdao kept retreating backwards. Tan Yun finally snapped out of it, focusing intently on the figure of the Ghost Swordsman. The world around them went quiet, leaving only the beating of her heart. ¡°He actually came specifically to save me,¡± Tan Yun muttered to herself. From the moment he appeared, her gaze no longer belonged to her. ¡°Make your move,¡± Cui Daoxian said as his voice fell, and the vigorous inner strength of a half-step Master burst forth from within him like a tempest, pressing down on An Jing like a series of giant waves. If an ordinary practitioner in the Heavenly Flower Realm had faced this pressure, they might have been intimidated, their abilities greatly reduced, but An Jing¡¯s black eyes showed no trace of fear, remaining as calm as still water. The look in An Jing¡¯s eyes suddenly became sharp, and instantly, a boundless aura surged, stirring Cui Daoxian¡¯s wave-like momentum and sending it crashing backwards. Brahma Heart Sees Me! The inner strength around was crushed by the overwhelming aura emanating from An Jing, producing golden rays of light that spiraled, stirring the streets of Huangyao Town. And his frame appeared as if it were projected against the distant horizon, enlarging more and more. The Buddhist Brahma Heart Sees Me was executed perfectly in an instant. Observers from afar were profoundly moved by the scene. Just the standoff between two top-notch Sword Immortals was already so breathtaking. ¡°Heavenly Flower Realm?¡± Cui Daoxian also sensed An Jing¡¯s level of cultivation, and with a slap to his sword, he sent forth a Qi like a black python, a sinister and powerful rush towards An Jing. Sword Bone! That was the sharpness of the Sword Bone! Unlike Golden Bone, Sword Bone was formed from the gathered Sword Qi of many swords in the Sword Tomb. When Cui Daoxian executed sword moves, his Sword Qi was naturally formed, carrying an unparalleled and fierce chill. Added to that the Heavenly Martial Level¡¯s Sword Holy Technique from the Sword Tomb, its power was unfathomable. An Jing drew the Evil Suppressing Sword with his right hand; the moment his palm touched the sword, it was as if a mountain had suddenly appeared above the town, pressing down heavily. And the one who felt it the most was Cui Daoxian. His gaze slightly hardened as An Jing swung the Evil Suppressing Sword heavily forward. It seemed slow, but the stroke was fast, cruel, and precise. The Evil Suppressing Sword, devoid of any fanciness, struck directly at the seven inches of the black python. Bang! The black python was hit by the Evil Suppressing Sword, halted for a moment, and then dissipated in the surroundings. Cui Daoxian, seeing his casual probing strike blocked by An Jing, did not mind. His body shook, and the longsword in his hand, wrapped in vigorous inner strength, lunged directly towards An Jing. Only to see the sword tip spiraling with a force that pierced deeper and deeper, its destructive power was tremendously strong. An Jing, seeing a streak of yellow light coming towards him and not quite making it out clearly, instinctively extended the Evil Suppressing Sword in front of himself. Thud! Cui Daoxian¡¯s sword tip struck heavily against An Jing¡¯s sword body, causing the air to shudder and overflow, creating a violent tremor on the ground beneath their feet that continuously shook without end. An Jing¡¯s body was forced to retreat continuously, only stopping after about ten steps. The next moment, Cui Daoxian¡¯s inner strength surged like a tidal wave, flowing into the sword body. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± The piercing chill released from the sword body made even the high-level Jianghu experts in the distance stand on end, feeling a cold shiver down their spines from its sharpness. ¡°Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!¡± When Cui Daoxian struck with his sword, it was as if countless sharp sword shadows swept through the air, raining down on An Jing like a torrential downpour. But this downpour was made of numerous sharp sword qi, which terrified people, making their bodies tremble with fear. Magnificent Heavenly might enveloped An Jing completely. An Jing¡¯s eyes beheld the sword qi before him, fast as lightning and cascading like a waterfall, slightly lifting his arm in response. Nine-character Sword Technique! Lin Character Secret! The Lin Character Secret primarily served for defense, those numerous sword shadows converging as if forming a dense, interwoven net of swords. ¡°Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!¡± The sound of metal clashing rang out, sending forth a series of ear-piercing noises. ¡°Swoosh!¡± Right at that moment, a streak of cold light suddenly shot out from An Jing¡¯s sword scabbard. Hundred-step Flying Sword! What flew out was the sword body of another Evil Suppressing Sword! The sword light was piercingly cold, as swift as thunder, thrusting towards Cui Daoxian¡¯s heart. This was one of An Jing¡¯s prepared killer moves, seizing the moment Cui Daoxian was distracted to use the Hundred-step Flying Sword and the properties of the Evil Suppressing Sword to deliver a fatal blow. ¡°Huh!?¡± Cui Daoxian¡¯s brows slightly furrowed, and without even thinking, instead of retreating, he advanced, his palm and longsword meeting the oncoming Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡°Clang!¡± The severe sound of metal clashing erupted, with shockwaves sweeping out. The body of the Evil Suppressing Sword was directly repelled back. An Jing stretched out his hand and caught the hilt of the Evil Suppressing Sword. The remaining force from the clash kept rushing over, causing his arms to feel somewhat numb. ¡°What an impressive Heavenly Sword,¡± An Jing thought to himself. Even without the Heavenly Sword in his hands, his sword dao was still so terrifying. The sneak attack he had just executed would require the four peak masters of the Zhenyi Sect to be careful in handling it, not daring to be careless in the slightest. But Cui Daoxian had managed to neutralize it with a raise of his sword: was this the strength of a Sword Immortal? ¡°Your Excellency¡¯s sword dao is indeed somewhat strange, truly worthy of the title Ghost Swordsman,¡± Cui Daoxian gripped his longsword tightly, and then pointed it forward with one thrust. Sword Holy Technique! Immortal Pointing the Way! The sword light was ethereal, unstoppable, turning everything in its path into nothingness, shooting down the street towards An Jing. An Jing loosened his grip on the Evil Suppressing Sword, allowing the two Evil Suppressing Swords to transform into two dragons, intertwining as they formed a sword body shrouded with golden radiance. Eventually, the sword tips collided in the center of the street. Boom! Potent inner strength roared like the sea, emitting deep booming sounds, as if the whole street was violently disturbed at this moment. Clang! Then another deafening metallic sound exploded like thunder, reverberating through the heavens and earth, echoing in everyone¡¯s ears as if to burst their eardrums, causing the blood of countless onlookers to surge within their bodies. Visible ripples spread out towards the distance. On the hazy sides of the street, two figures gradually revealed themselves. One could see An Jing holding the Evil Suppressing Sword with its tip against the tip of Cui Daoxian¡¯s longsword, fierce winds blowing, stirring the corners of their garments. ¡°` The two seemed to be evenly matched All over Huangyao Town, the air was thick with tension, as two figures stood on the devastated street, their sharp glances intersecting and sparking fire, with a cold murderous intent silently spreading. The power of their last clash still lingered in the minds of the onlookers as if mountains and rivers had been cleft in twain; even the experts standing dozens of feet away felt their hair stand on end and their hearts trembling from the chilling edge of the sword. Cui Daoxian¡¯s longsword suddenly thrust forward, and then using the rebounding force, his body retreated about four or five steps. An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword also paused briefly, his offensive momentum disintegrated by Cui Daoxian¡¯s strike. ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is indeed extraordinary,¡± Cui Daoxian thought, ¡°Among the sword masters of this world, he definitely has a place. Great Yan is truly the ancestral land, full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with masters emerging one after another, giving rise to such a terrifying swordsman.¡± Then, Cui Daoxian raised his right arm, the tip of his sword pointing straight ahead, as if in that moment, the sword seemed to completely merge with his body¨Che was the sword, and the sword was him. An indescribable pressure spread through the heavens and the earth at that moment. ¡°Cui Daoxian is going to use all his strength,¡± Lou Xiangzhen, who watched from a distance, also condensed his gaze and thought. An Jing¡¯s brow also furrowed slightly as he looked at Cui Daoxian in front of him, who was exerting pressure on him, and gripped his sword even tighter. He took a deep breath, his eyes as calm and undisturbed as a secluded pool, seemingly unshaken even if the sky were to fall. Cui Daoxian¡¯s arm suddenly extended forward, the longsword with a grey halo thrust straight ahead, frenziedly absorbing the Inner Strength from around! Sword Holy Technique! Prisoner Demon Sword Form! The vast force of Inner Strength unfolded, and where the sword pointed, it seemed like the whole world shrouded An Jing, forcing him to be immobile. As the sword edge passed, the air screeched and shattered, the covering pressure making people shudder. Hum! The longsword burst into a sky-shaking hum, and in the next instant, it turned into a streak of light, reaching An Jing at an indescribable speed. The moment the longsword came, its chilling edge felt like countless flying needles piercing him, stabbing into his body. Sword Bone is the most suited for swordsmen, but the secret of refining Sword Bone from the Sword Tomb is not passed on; no one knows how Sword Bone is refined. Now, coupled with Cui Daoxian¡¯s Fifth Realm sword skill, that domineering pressure was unstoppable. An Jing dared not be careless; he pushed the Brahma Heart Sees Me technique to its limit as a Chan sound emerged, and a golden light swept out. Great Wisdom! Great Compassion! The Perfection of Golden Bone rose to meet the challenge, for though Golden Bone¡¯s offensive might was slightly weaker than Sword Bone¡¯s, its physical robustness was three times stronger. Moreover, An Jing was employing the Brahma Heart Sees Me¨Ca Heavenly Martial Level Body Refining Method¨Cits power threefold. The combined Evil Suppressing Swords also released rays of light. The sky above the entire street seemed to be enveloped in pitch-black darkness. ¡°Whoosh!¡± A sword light pierced through, brightening the world from darkness. Sword Control Technique! When the Evil Suppressing Sword soared, the twin blades surprisingly separated. Ordinarily, Sword Control Technique could not be applied this way, but An Jing was a master of not only Sword Control, but also the Hundred-step Flying Sword technique. The two supreme sword techniques were fused and operated in harmony, combined with the unique property of the Evil Suppressing Sword being six swords in one sheath. This virtually allowed the two supreme swordsmanship to merge, forming a new sword technique. A truly top-notch swordsman will, based on the experiences of predecessors, summarize his own sword moves and Sword Dao. Sword lights collided and interweaved, casting the world into darkness. All the people in Huangyao Town looked up to the sky, witnessing the sword qi clashing with each other, descending from the heavens with destructive fluctuations, fiercely colliding together. Everyone raised their heads, all wanting to know which of these two top swordsmen would prevail in this clash of techniques. Boom! The moment of the collision, a thunderous noise resounded, and an extremely violent Inner Strength storm instantly formed, then swept out in a terrifying manner, spreading around. Not only the entire tavern, but even the surrounding shops were heavily affected by the huge impact, crumbling into fragments. ¡°Bang Bang Bang Bang!¡± Fortunately, the common folk had already been evacuated by Bian Jingdao and other Xuanyi Guards, and the Jianghu experts watching from afar quickly operated their Inner Strength to withstand this frightful shock. Even so, some with weaker Inner Strength were shaken to the point of spilling blood from their mouths, which attested to the dominance of the force. Just then, several figures flew from a distance and landed beside Tan Yun; the leader was a plain-looking woman. It was none other than Luo Zixiang of the Earth Sect. ¡°Little Tan Yun!¡± ¡°` Luo Zixiang walked to Tan Yun¡¯s side and whispered, ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°Aunt Luo, I¡¯m fine. How did you get here?¡± Seeing the newcomer, a hint of surprise appeared in Tan Yun¡¯s eyes. Luo Zixiang was an expert from the Earth Sect and her cultivation was at the Earth Flower Realm, which Tan Yun not only recognized but was also very familiar with. Luo Zixiang took a deep breath and said, ¡°It was Sect Master Li. He received a message that you were discovered by the Heaven and Earth Net, and immediately sent me a secret letter to escort you along the way.¡± In Great Yan, the Heaven and Earth Net was an extremely capable intelligence organization, and the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect was not far behind. Although many of its operations in Great Yan had been destroyed over the years, Li Fuzhou had managed to restore quite a few of the covert channels recently. Therefore, when Tan Yun was discovered by the Heaven and Earth Net, Li Fuzhou also received some information. Fearing that Tan Yun would fall into an ambush by the Xuanyi Guard, he promptly sent a secret letter to Luo Zixiang, the nearby expert from the Demon Sect¡¯s Earth Sect. With her level of cultivation, unless three of the Great Heavenly Gang took action, she could certainly take someone away safely. But when Luo Zixiang arrived in Huangyao Town, she found that the person who had captured Tan Yun was actually Cui Daoxian. Who was Cui Daoxian? He was a top Half-step Master. Even Li Fuzhou probably couldn¡¯t say for sure he could defeat this man. If she took action, not only would she fail to rescue Tan Yun, but she would also bring about her own death. Just as Luo Zixiang was extremely anxious, the Ghost Swordsman descended from the sky to intervene, filling her with great joy. Tan Yun clenched his teeth and then looked forward. Just then, on the chaotic street ahead, two sword lights emerged once again. Clang! The swords collided once more, pressing heavily against each other before suddenly quieting down. The next moment, An Jing swiftly retreating backwards, covering a distance of dozens of yards, his face pale and traces of blood at the corners of his mouth. Whoosh! Everyone exclaimed in shock. Had the outcome been decided? ¡°Thud!¡± ¡°Thud!¡± Cui Daoxian moved to step forward but then his expression changed slightly and he hastily clutched at his heart. The faster he clutched at his heart, the quicker it beat, as if it was about to leap out of his chest. During this time, as a result of exchanging ideas and sparring with Lou Xiangzhen, An Jing had made significant progress in his swordsmanship, especially mastering the Killer Heartbeat technique. About several dozen breaths later, Cui Daoxian managed to suppress his heartbeat but missed the best opportunity and fixed his gaze intently on An Jing ahead. The two stood at opposite ends of the street, facing each other. ¡°Little Tan Yun, this is a great opportunity. Let¡¯s leave now,¡± Luo Zixiang said to him urgently in a low voice. Seeing the Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian, being stalled by the Ghost Swordsman and knowing that the Ghost Swordsman did not seem to be a match for Cui Daoxian, now was the time to slip away. ¡°No, I¡¯m not leaving.¡± Tan Yun bit his teeth and said, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman came to save me. How can I abandon him?¡± Luo Zixiang¡¯s eyebrows knitted together, ¡°Are you mad? Staying here is a dead end. The Ghost Swordsman is clearly no match for Cui Daoxian, who is a Sword Master.¡± ¡°When the Ghost Swordsman is defeated, you¡¯ll find no chance to escape.¡± Tan Yun stubbornly replied, ¡°No! I¡¯m not leaving. If I do, I will leave with him.¡± Luo Zixiang pondered for a moment, then earnestly said, ¡°Silly girl, look at what he¡¯s done for you, risking his life for your sake. Why let his efforts be in vain? If you leave, he will have nothing to worry about, and there might be a chance for him to escape from Cui Daoxian.¡± Tan Yun looked at the figure ahead, his face serious, ¡°Aunt Luo, there¡¯s no need to persuade me. I must leave with him today.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll die if you stay.¡± ¡°Then let me die,¡± Tan Yun responded firmly. ¡°He came for me. If I am to die, what¡¯s wrong with dying together with him?¡± Upon hearing this, Luo Zixiang¡¯s brows furrowed deeply as her tone grew somewhat more forceful, ¡°No, you must leave with me today.¡± Tan Yun bit his red lips tightly, expressing his discontent, ¡°Aunt Luo, why are you trying to break us up, spoiling my chance at happiness?¡± Trying to break up a pair of lovers!? Spoiling your chance at happiness!? Luo Zixiang listened to Tan Yun¡¯s words, her face full of confusion, ¡°What are you talking about? How old are you?¡± The Ghost Swordsman and Tan Yun, did these two seem like a suitable match? ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± Tan Yun said defiantly. Seeing this, Luo Zixiang sighed deeply. This Tan Yun truly lived up to being Li Fuzhou¡¯s disciple; his stubborn nature was no different from his master¡¯s. Meanwhile, the Xuanyi Guards, having dispersed the civilians and folks from Jianghu, stood not far away. ¡°Constable Bian, a master from the Demon Sect has arrived,¡± a Silver Constable of the Xuanyi Guard whispered, pointing at Luo Zixiang, ¡°His cultivation seems not insignificant; this might just be a big catch.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Bian Jingdao slapped him on the head and chided in a low voice. A big catch!? Others might not know who that person was, but how could Bian Jingdao not recognize him? That was Luo Zixiang of the Earth Sect, known as Blood Hand. How many masters of Jianghu had those hands slain? He had once killed a member of the Great Heavenly Gang. ¡°Fortunately, today we encountered Grandmaster Cui Daoxian. Otherwise, it might have been the end for us today.¡± Cold sweat formed on Bian Jingdao¡¯s forehead, and he felt somewhat relieved in his heart. Off in the distance, An Jing and Cui Daoxian finally made their move. Cui Daoxian stepped forward, and an unparalleled sharpness pierced out from his body. For a moment, it seemed as though a giant sword was suspended behind him. That surging, impassioned Sword Intent shot straight to the sky, chilling the heart of the observer. ¡°Is this Cui Daoxian¡¯s Sword Intent? It looks like he¡¯s not far from the Sixth Realm,¡± Lou Xiangzhen silently thought to himself as he watched. ¡°As expected of a Sword Master!¡± Feeling that Sword Intent, Luo Zixiang¡¯s heart clenched, and fear filled his entire body. Tan Yun, being a practitioner of the Sword Dao, naturally sensed the impressiveness and brilliance in Cui Daoxian¡¯s ability. Her hands instinctively clenched into fists, her eyes filled with worry. An Jing stood still, his vision darkening around the edges until he saw a grave. It was a place where swords were buried! Soon, he saw another grave, then more and more in increasing numbers. Sword Tomb! It was as if he was standing right in the middle of a Sword Tomb. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± Each Sword in the Sword Tomb emitted an ultimate sword hum as if they were about to burst forth. ¡°Shush!¡± A sharp Sword Light struck towards him. ¡°So fast!¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised, and he drew the Evil Suppressing Sword, shattering the sharp Sword Light instantly. But in the next moment, every grave exploded, releasing a deluge of Sword Lights. The Sword Lights were dense and overwhelming, silent yet fierce. Every strand of Sword Light was grayish black, carrying a grim aura of death and sharp Sword Qi. Cui Daoxian¡¯s Sword Intent! This was the Heavenly Sword Sword Intent that had been sitting atop the Sword Tomb for thirty years! An Jing felt that immense Sword Intent as if facing desolate, lonely Sword Tombs, overwhelming him with a sense of powerlessness. In the eyes of the crowd, the giant sword behind Cui Daoxian emitted a chilling sharpness, while An Jing stood retreating step by step, clearly at a disadvantage. Lou Xiangzhen was the only one present who could see the situation clearly; shaking his head, he thought, ¡°Cui Daoxian not only has a Sword Bone, but his Sword Intent is profound, and his Sword Skill is stronger than that of the young man, even his cultivation has the upper hand. It¡¯s going to be too difficult for him to win.¡± It wasn¡¯t that An Jing wasn¡¯t strong, but that Cui Daoxian was too formidable. If he had several more years to endure bitter training, perhaps there would be a chance for a battle. Lou Xiangzhen hesitated, pondering whether to intervene at the last moment of the young man¡¯s defeat. But then he dismissed the thought. ¡°I can¡¯t keep retreating.¡± An Jing took a deep breath, and the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand turned. Two Evil Suppressing Swords circled around his body, constantly spinning, and the sharp Sword Qi repelled all the Sword Intent released by the giant sword behind Cui Daoxian. Ripples emanated from his back, and then a giant Yin Yang Fish appeared. A vast and boundless Sword Intent surged from within, and the surrounding graves seemed to melt away. In its place emerged a vast and boundless galaxy, mysterious and infinite. ¡°Such a vast Sword Intent.¡± Seeing that Sword Intent, Cui Daoxian¡¯s eyes slightly widened in surprise. Sword Intent is the comprehension and sudden realization of the Sword Dao, and in this world, no two swordsmen¡¯s Sword Intents are completely the same. One could see the essence of a swordsman¡¯s Sword Dao from his Sword Intent. Cui Daoxian had also witnessed the Sword Intents of many top swordsmen, but he had seldom seen one as vast as the sky, like the one before him. The more majestic and broad the sword intent, the slower the growth of its sword skill, and the more difficult it becomes to break through to an even higher realm. Both individuals stood at opposite ends of the street, with a giant sword and the Yin Yang Fish floating behind them, shimmering brightly. The entire town of Huangyao seemed to divide around them, each occupying one half, standing off against each other in confrontation. Although neither had moved, the fierce sword intent swept through, leaving the whole street riddled with countless gaping holes, a sight of utter devastation. ¡°This is¡­ this is too terrifying!¡± ¡°Is this what the top Sword Immortals are like? Too strong, even if I cultivate for three hundred years, I won¡¯t reach that realm.¡± ¡°Senior Cui is rightly named a Sword Master, even if he is from Zhao Country, one can¡¯t help but express admiration.¡± ¡­.. Everyone watched the stand-off between the two, hearts surging with emotion. If Cui Daoxian were to win, not only would his position as one of the five Great Sword Immortals become even more secure, but challenging Lin Yiyang of the Yu Heng Sword Sect would mean aiming for the title of the world¡¯s number one swordsman. If the Ghost Swordsman were to win, then the world would have another fearsome Sword Immortal. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± The overwhelming sword intent surged as if it were clashing sword energies, and the street on the other side couldn¡¯t bear such a terrifying pressure, cracking open yard by yard. This scene was simply too frightening. The very earth couldn¡¯t bear the sword intent of the two and began to crumble. Bian Jingdao was so frightened that he turned pale, and couldn¡¯t help but mutter to himself, ¡°If one were caught in the middle, one would probably be ground into mincemeat in an instant¡­.¡± ¡°These two are top swordsmanship experts of this era, truly terrifying.¡± Luo Zixiang¡¯s eyes showed a hint of shock, and then he secretly thought, ¡°No, I must take Tan Yun and leave quickly, I can¡¯t put our fates in the hands of the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Thinking this, Luo Zixiang looked towards Tan Yun, who was completely engrossed, not daring to even blink. ¡°Little Tan Yun.¡± ¡°What?¡± Tan Yun was extremely nervous, breathing somewhat erratically, eyes fixated on An Jing¡¯s figure. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± With a gentle chop of his hand, Luo Zixiang struck Tan Yun¡¯s neck, and Tan Yun felt darkness before his eyes, after which he lost all consciousness. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Luo Zixiang carried Tan Yun in his arms and quickly leaped away into the distance. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± Seeing this, the Earth Sect experts of the Demon Sect quickly followed, vanishing into the dilapidated street in the blink of an eye. Bian Jingdao could only hide far away, watching carefully, not daring to even breathe too loudly for fear that Luo Zixiang would notice him and casually dispose of him as well. ¡°Boss, they¡¯re gone.¡± After the Demon Sect experts had been gone for several moments, a Silver Constable finally spoke up slowly. Bian Jingdao let out a sigh of relief and said, ¡°Well, let them go, the most important thing is that we¡¯ve saved our own lives.¡± Just being alive today was already a stroke of great fortune. At this moment, the standoff between An Jing and Cui Daoxian was reaching a fever pitch. The collision of sword intents was causing everything before them to collapse. An Jing only felt his vision blurring, as if he might faint at any time. Cui Daoxian too was having a tough time, his face very pale, his hand holding the sword trembling, having reached an intense state. ¡°I¡¯ve presided over the Sword Tomb for thirty years, studied swordsmanship for fifty years, taught thousands of swordsmen, and was fortunate to be recognized by swordsmen across the world as a Sword Master. Today, for this name, I will shatter your sword intent.¡± Cui Daoxian shouted clearly, his giant sword¡¯s qi force surging wildly, turning into a relentless tide, rushing mightily towards An Jing. The skies dimmed and the sun and moon lacked light. Having presided over the Sword Tomb for thirty years, Cui Daoxian would not stand to die unaccomplished in his quest upon leaving his retreat! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Alas.¡± Lou Xiangzhen sighed softly upon seeing this. Witnessing this scene, he knew that An Jing was defeated. ¡°Senior Cui, Senior Cui, why didn¡¯t you win earlier?¡± While Bian Jingdao was ambivalent, unsure whether to feel happy or sad, even though Cui Daoxian had won, the evil Demon Sect figure had also been taken away. Chapter 153 - Chapter 153: Chapter 153 Lou Xiangzhens Divination for Qingmei Chapter 153: Chapter 153 Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Divination for Qingmei Sword Qi turned into a river! Cui Daoxian exhibited his power to the utmost, vast and boundless. The sky filled with sweeping sword qi, mixed with its supreme sword intent. An Jing stood under the limitless sword qi, like a small boat in a storm, unstable and drifting. Everyone could see the helplessness of the Ghost Swordsman, as if in the next moment he would be ground into dust by that sword intent. An Jing held the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand and thought to himself in awe, ¡°Worthy of the Heavenly Sword, one of the top five Sword Immortals.¡± His thoughts rapidly turning, An Jing gripped the Evil Suppressing Sword tightly. The sword intent within his body also instantly condensed, as if countless threads converged to form a giant sword made of sword intent. Lou Xiangzhen and Cui Daoxian could both feel the vastness of the sword intent. When sword intent operated to its extreme, it could condense into form, and after An Jing¡¯s sword intent condensed, it seemed to be just a huge shell, seemingly expansive, but empty within. The higher the stack, the more solid the foundation needs to be. The pitch-black night sky, like numerous silver beads densely packed, embedded within, looked like a glowing white belt. The heavens have limits, but that vast sword intent seemed even more extensive than the heavens. But this sword intent had not yet fully formed, so it appeared somewhat hollow; it still needed time to amass and refine. The giant sword and the myriad sword shadows converged as if raindrops struck the earth, becoming more fierce and vigorous, and at that moment, time itself seemed to stop. All the onlookers¡¯ eyes were tightly fixed, afraid of missing any thrilling detail. And Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s expression also turned stern. The next moment, under the barrage of sword shadows, the giant sword began to fracture as if it was about to collapse. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is going to be defeated.¡± Seeing this, everyone took a deep breath of relief. Many didn¡¯t find the result of this duel surprising, but still couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the spectacle of this astonishing battle. An Jing¡¯s brows were tightly furrowed, and his forehead was also covered with beads of cold sweat. He stood as straight as a sharp sword, unmovable even as the aftershocks of the sword qi struck him. At that moment, the Evil Suppressing Sword emitted a trembling sound. The flowing blood became dazzling and bright, then refracted rays of golden light. An Jing seemed to see a person, disheveled and wearing a dragon robe, his mere presence exuding an overwhelming aura. The Great Zhou Human Emperor!? Seeing the suddenly appearing master, the only thought in An Jing¡¯s mind was this. In a trance, Cui Daoxian saw a phantom appear behind An Jing, covering him with a supreme, tyrannical force, so overwhelming that it left him struggling to breathe. Especially those sharp eyes, which seemed to mercilessly see right through him. ¡°There was actually¡­. in the Evil Suppressing Sword¡± Cui Daoxian was immensely shocked. Suddenly, the sword intent on the Evil Suppressing Sword surged, and the giant sword became even more brilliant, bursting forth with a supremely tyrannical chilling force. The incomparable aura directly penetrated through, and the sword shadows in front were instantly pierced. ¡°Thump thump thump¡­.¡± ¡°Wow!¡± Cui Daoxian¡¯s body shook, and he staggered backward, feeling an intense burning pain in his chest when he finally came to a stop, then a stream of blood spurted out. At the same time, the sword intent also retracted completely, and the sword qi dissipated like smoke. There was a deathly silence over the earth, and everyone was dumbstruck by the scene. What exactly happened? A moment ago, Cui Daoxian was in absolute control; how did he end up retreating and spitting blood so quickly? Cui Daoxian looked at the Ghost Swordsman opposite him and gave a bitter smile, ¡°I have lost.¡± He knew he was defeated by the Evil Suppressing Sword, but to be able to wield the Evil Suppressing Sword was also a skill, wasn¡¯t it? As Cui Daoxian¡¯s words fell, the long-silent surroundings couldn¡¯t help but erupt, and the sounds of discussion surged like a tide. ¡°This¡­ the Sword Master was defeated?¡± a Jianghu master exclaimed, muttering to himself. ¡°Cui Daoxian actually lost, am I dreaming?¡± ¡°Impossible, how could the Heavenly Sword be defeated?¡± ¡°My heavens! The Ghost Swordsman really defeated the Heavenly Sword.¡± ¡°The Sword Dao of the Ghost Swordsman is truly terrifying!¡± ¡°It seems that Jianghu has indeed seen the rise of the sixth Sword Immortal, and no one will question it anymore.¡± ¡­¡­. The world was in shock, no one had expected that the Ghost Swordsman could defeat Cui Daoxian. Who was Cui Daoxian? He had been ensconced in the Sword Tomb for over thirty years, taught thousands of swordsmen, and his fame had deeply entered people¡¯s hearts. He stood at the pinnacle of swordsmanship under the heavens. Moreover, in today¡¯s world, only White Tiger Sword Yi Daoyun had narrowly lost to Lin Yiyang thirteen years ago. Aside from him, no other among the five great Sword Immortals ever clearly outperformed the others. Today, the renowned Heavenly Sword, lauded in two countries, had actually lost to the Ghost Swordsman. A year ago, no one even knew who this Ghost Swordsman was. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Bian Jingdao looked incredulous. Just a moment ago, Cui Daoxian was utterly dominating. It seemed that the Ghost Swordsman was about to be defeated, but unexpectedly, in a blink, Cui Daoxian was spitting blood in defeat. The change happened so fast that Bian Jingdao couldn¡¯t even catch his breath. ¡°Good lad.¡± Lou Xiangzhen also furrowed his brows, ¡°This lad actually still had a trick up his sleeve, that cultivation definitely belongs to the realm of a Five Qi Grandmaster, otherwise, he couldn¡¯t have displayed such powerful might.¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword also called Ye Tai¡¯e, had originally been forged and never revealed until it absorbed the essence blood of the ninth generation Human Emperor of Great Zhou. So, the Evil Suppressing Sword must contain the essence blood of the Human Emperor of Great Zhou. Initially, he thought An Jing was going to lose today, but unexpectedly, he turned defeat into victory. Seeing this moment, Lou Xiangzhen suddenly felt that the Evil Suppressing Sword was not as simple as rumors suggested, it must have other secrets. ¡°Whew¡­.¡± Standing still, An Jing was also breathing heavily and then looked at his trembling hands. At that moment, he too had felt like he was on the brink of defeat. ¡°Ah.¡± Cui Daoxian let out a long sigh and then turned to Bian Jingdao, ¡°I lost, I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s Cui¡¯s incompetence.¡± ¡°Senior Cui is too humble.¡± Bian Jingdao quickly replied, ¡°This was fate, how could I possibly blame the senior?¡± It wasn¡¯t that Cui Daoxian wasn¡¯t strong enough, but rather that the Ghost Swordsman wielding the Evil Suppressing Sword was too strong. Everyone was sighing incessantly, marvelling at the spectacular duel between the two great swordsmen today. ¡°Where is Tan Yun?¡± An Jing had also come back to his senses and looked around, finding no trace of Tan Yun. He had been fighting Cui Daoxian and dared not be distracted at all, so he was completely unaware of the surroundings. Lou Xiangzhen came over to An Jing and said lightly, ¡°Just now, some people from the Demon Sect came and took that young girl away.¡± ¡°Senior, why did you let her go!¡± An Jing suddenly became anxious upon hearing this. He still had many doubts he wanted to ask, but Tan Yun had already left? She had actually gone?! ¡®Weren¡¯t you trying to save her?¡¯ Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing and said indifferently, ¡°I saw you lad showing signs of defeat just now, if that young girl didn¡¯t seize the time to escape, was she supposed to wait here to die?¡± ¡°Besides, the Xuanyi Guard and the Demon Sect have nothing to do with me, why would I bother jumping into this muddy water?¡± An Jing, upon hearing this, was at a loss for words. Lou Xiangzhen was indeed right, but he still had many questions he wanted to ask Tan Yun. Li Fuzhou is the master of the Human Sect of the Demon Sect, and Tan Yun is a master from the Human Sect of the Demon Sect, then¡­ ¡®Impossible, absolutely impossible.¡¯ An Jing shook his head, seemingly somewhat guilty as he thought secretly, ¡®How could my wife possibly have any connections with the vicious Demon Sect? It¡¯s absolutely impossible.¡¯ Because of Jiang Shang, the reputation of the Demon Sect in Great Yan was indeed viciously evil, considered a taboo sect. If any trace of a member of the Demon Sect was discovered, it would lead to eradication to prevent future problems. If Zhao Qingmei had even a slight connection with the Demon Sect, An Jing would also end up on the wanted list of the Xuanyi Guard. From then on, there were no more peaceful and tranquil days. ¡°¡­Could Qingmei be coerced by the people of the Demon Sect?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart sank, recalling the letter Zhao Qingmei had once sent him. Logically, she should have been on her way back and might have already been near Yu State City by now. But time kept dragging on. Could there be some hidden secret? The more An Jing thought about it, the more afraid he became. ¡°Could this person be the Peach Blossom Sword Immortal, Lou Xiangzhen?¡± At this moment, Cui Daoxian, seeing Lou Xiangzhen, couldn¡¯t help but feel a chill in his heart. ¡°Indeed.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded indifferently. Upon hearing this, Cui Daoxian quickly said, ¡°I never expected to meet both of you here today. This truly is a stroke of fate.¡± Upon hearing this, Bian Jingdao and many other Jianghu experts among the Xuanyi Guard were greatly shocked. It was already surprising enough that the Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian, and the Ghost Swordsman had appeared, but now even the Peach Blossom Sword Immortal, Lou Xiangzhen, had also shown up. Lou Xiangzhen laughed, ¡°Indeed, it is fate. The name of Heavenly Sword is well-known, and I have long wanted to witness it for myself. Today has truly opened my eyes.¡± Cui Daoxian took a deep breath and said, ¡°You flatter me, senior. It is I who have long admired your great reputation.¡± Today¡¯s swordsmen, both in terms of seniority and fame, are almost fewer than Lou Xiangzhen. The name Lou Xiangzhen represents a top swordsman spanning two eras. ¡°It¡¯s all mere empty fame.¡± Lou Xiangzhen waved his hand and then said to An Jing beside him, ¡°It¡¯s time to go.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± An Jing¡¯s brows were tightly furrowed, lost in thought beside him. Then, in an instant, the two figures leaped and disappeared from Huangyao Town. Cui Daoxian watched their departing figures, feeling a bit melancholic. Originally, he had come to Great Yan to exchange pointers with Lin Yiyang but ended up being defeated by the Ghost Swordsman first. ¡°If I had the Heavenly Sword with me, perhaps I could have won today.¡± Cui Daoxian shook his head and then walked towards the distance. Today, if he had brought the Heavenly Sword from the tomb, he was confident he could have defeated the Ghost Swordsman. Though he was defeated by the Ghost Swordsman, his determination to proceed to the Yu Heng Sword Sect had not changed; instead, it had grown even stronger. Reaching the Sixth Realm was his main purpose for coming to Great Yan. The surrounding people of Jianghu, seeing the three individuals leave and then disappear instantaneously, were desperate to spread what they had just witnessed throughout the entire Jianghu. ¡°Boss, what do we do now?¡± A Silver Constable, looking at the chaotic, wrecked scene, couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°You handle the aftermath here.¡± Bian Jingdao said gruffly, ¡°I¡¯ll send this news back immediately. Let¡¯s see what the deputy governor has to say.¡± ¡­¡­ In a dense forest to the north of Huangyao Town. The moonlight slanted down like flowing silk. A campfire rose, crackling loudly. Lou Xiangzhen, holding a rabbit in his hands, placed it over the fire, the fat sizzling as it cooked through, nearly eighty percent done. An Jing watched the fire, his mind still preoccupied with the events of the day. The sudden appearance of Tan Yun today had been too much of a shock for him, so much so that it made An Jing question his life. Tan Yun, that dim-witted maid, turned out to be a master of the Demon Sect. Was this her acting, or her true nature? If it was real, why would the Demon Sect send her to be undercover, and even more, to lurk within his own home? Could it be¡­ that Grandfather Jiang also had connections with the Demon Sect? An Jing racked his brains but couldn¡¯t figure it out, feeling as though he was caught in a maze, needing only to find the crucial clue to understand it all. Yet, this crucial clue remained elusive. ¡°What are you thinking about, lad? You¡¯ve been quiet since just now.¡± Lou Xiangzhen tore off a leg of the rabbit and started chewing on it vigorously. An Jing looked at Lou Xiangzhen, a glint of realization in his eyes. ¡°Senior Lou, do you also have great knowledge in divination?¡± Lou Xiangzhen turned around, ¡°You little brat, thinking of scheming against Grandpa Lou?¡± Jiang Sanjia was proficient in divination, and each divination of heaven¡¯s secrets would consume essence blood and lifespan. Even though he was very careful, his lifespan still depleted when he was just over seventy, despite regularly taking elixirs that helped prolong life. Knowing that his end was near, he went to Yujing City to settle the grudges and affections of his life. Lou Xiangzhen didn¡¯t delve much into divination exactly because it shortened life too much. ¡°How could this be considered scheming?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Senior, that rabbit is one I caught, and I couldn¡¯t even bear to eat it.¡± Lou Xiangzhen took a big gulp from his wine gourd at his waist and said, ¡°It¡¯s just a rabbit. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll give you ten, a hundred.¡± An Jing directly asked, ¡°Senior Lou, how can you help me with a divination?¡± ¡°Helping you with a divination isn¡¯t impossible,¡± he said. Lou Xiangzhen extended his sleeve and wiped his mouth, ¡°Call me Grandpa Lou, and I¡¯ll do the divination for you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re being unreasonable, Old Lou.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing slightly raised his eyebrows, ¡°I consider you a trusted friend, and here you are always trying to take advantage of me?¡± Upon hearing this, Lou Xiangzhen could no longer hold back and shouted angrily, ¡°To hell with it, you¡¯re just a greenhorn whose milk smell is not yet dry. When I was roaming Jianghu, your father wasn¡¯t even in your mother¡¯s belly.¡± Thinking of acknowledging a greenhorn as a brother, Lou Xiangzhen wished he could run him through with a sword. Seeing this, An Jing coughed lightly, ¡°Old Lou, help me with a divination; consider it a favor you owe me, how about that?¡± ¡°What use is your favor to me?¡± Lou Xiangzhen didn¡¯t buy An Jing¡¯s act at all. An Jing was at a loss for words; Old Lou¡¯s strength was above his own, and he really couldn¡¯t help him for the time being. Lou Xiangzhen was a tough nut, not like Jiang Sanjia, who was more emotionally driven. Without any benefits, he probably wouldn¡¯t do the task for him. Thinking this, An Jing said solemnly, ¡°I¡¯ll just tell you the truth. I¡¯m well acquainted with Li Fuzhou, the Sect Master of the Demon Sect. If you ever need any information, I might be able to help.¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing somewhat surprised, ¡°You brat, you¡¯ve got quite the nerve, making connections with people from the Demon Sect?¡± In Great Yan, associating with people from the Demon Sect was a major taboo in Jianghu; even mere association made one a target of intense scrutiny by the Xuanyi Guard, a thorn in their side. An Jing laughed dryly, ¡°Hehe, what do you think, Senior?¡± He and Li Fuzhou were indeed familiar; just that it was uncertain if Li Fuzhou would heed his words. ¡°Do you know who Meng Zhaodou is?¡± Lou Xiangzhen raised an eyebrow. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± An Jing shook his head. His understanding of Jianghu largely came from Zhou Xianming, so while he knew of the well-known figures, he was unaware of hidden experts. ¡°He is the leader of the Heaven and Earth Net. He nearly died once at the hands of Jiang Shang.¡± Lou Xiangzhen smiled faintly, ¡°I saved him back then.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing opened his mouth in surprise, not expecting Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s connections to be so extensive. He was at most acquainted with Li Fuzhou, who may not even listen to him, but Lou Xiangzhen had saved Meng Zhaodou¡¯s life. ¡°How about this?¡± After thinking for a while, An Jing reluctantly took out the Holy Essence Gu from his bosom, ¡°If you help me with a divination, I will give you this Holy Essence Gu. How about that?¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Oh? Are you really willing to give up the Holy Essence Gu?¡± An Jing, annoyed, said, ¡°Old Lou, just say if you¡¯re willing or not.¡± It was a rare opportunity indeed; if not for wanting to know about his wife¡¯s situation, he wouldn¡¯t have considered offering such a treasure. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll reluctantly agree then,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said, smiling and stroking his beard. ¡°Then hurry up with the divination,¡± An Jing urged promptly. Seeing how eager An Jing was, Lou Xiangzhen set down the rabbit leg he was holding, tucked away the Holy Essence Gu, and said, ¡°You brat, calling me grandpa wouldn¡¯t have been a loss for you, yet you had to be stubborn, now look how pained you are.¡± An Jing¡¯s mouth twitched. If Lou Xiangzhen really were his grandfather, it genuinely wouldn¡¯t have been a loss, and he wouldn¡¯t have fled Yu State City in such an embarrassing manner. But Grandpa Lou, you came too late. ¡°What do you want to calculate?¡± Lou Xiangzhen asked indifferently. ¡°My wife.¡± After a moment¡¯s hesitation, An Jing said, ¡°Zhao Qingmei, how is she now, where is she?¡± ¡°Watch closely.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded his head and then wiped his oily hands on An Jing¡¯s robe. He took out a turtle shell from his bosom, ¡°My divination method is different from Jiang Sanjia¡¯s.¡± ¡°Whoosh whoosh!¡± As he spoke, Lou Xiangzhen threw the turtle shell in his hand, and the palm-sized shell flipped in mid-air. The turtle shell spun rapidly in the air, releasing beams of light. ¡°If your wife is just an ordinary person, I can not only predict her life and death but even easily determine her location.¡± Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently. An Jing opened his mouth slightly, now feeling a slight uncertainty himself. Whether his lady was ordinary or not¡­. Even when he had discovered that Li Fuzhou was the Sect Master of the Human Sect, An Jing hadn¡¯t doubted his wife at all. But upon discovering Tan Yun, he began to waver. ¡°My warm and comfortable home might actually be a den of the Demon Sect.¡± An Jing felt utterly lost and anguished as he spoke, ¡°My lady might have been coerced. No, she must have been. How could she possibly belong to the Demon Sect?¡± Somehow, he violently recalled the words of Aunt Niu (Chapter 132) and felt even more unease. Why did Zhao Qingmei insist on him specifically? Could there really be some hidden purpose behind this? The turtle shell spun faster and faster, even emitting beams of light, looking like a ball of flame burning in midair, causing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s brows to furrow. Soon after, he drew out the Peach Blossom Sword. ¡°Hiss!¡± The sword light was extremely fast and soon ignited within the flames, creating a series of imprints. It was precisely the three characters, Zhao Qingmei. Then, the sword light merged with the flames and completely disappeared. After engulfing the sword light, the flames surged more fiercely, their color changing dramatically to a dark purple. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyebrows lifted, his expression suddenly changing. ¡°Craack, Craack, Craack!¡± Just then, a series of cracking sounds emerged from within the dark purple flames. ¡°Tap!¡± About three breaths later, the flames suddenly vanished, and the cracked turtle shell emerged and heavily fell to the ground. ¡°Wow!¡± Lou Xiangzhen spat out a jet of blood and wobbled several steps backward. ¡°Old Lou, are you alright?¡± An Jing rushed forward upon seeing this. ¡°You¡­ You kid, you¡¯re trying to kill your grandpa Lou,¡± Lou Xiangzhen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. ¡°This¡­¡± An Jing looked puzzled, ¡°How could I possibly be trying to trick you?¡± Lou Xiangzhen took a deep breath and stared at An Jing, ¡°This Zhao Qingmei, bearing such a significant destiny, and you said she was nothing special. I was nearly severely wounded by the backlash of the heavenly secrets.¡± ¡°What!?¡± An Jing, startled by Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words, looked shocked, ¡°You¡¯re saying my wife carries a great destiny?¡± The great destiny Lou Xiangzhen mentioned was definitely extraordinary. Lou Xiangzhen was also deeply shaken, ¡°That¡¯s right, like you, she is a person who carries a great destiny. Predicting her fate would cost me at least five years of lifespan, and even then it might not reveal anything.¡± Considering the destiny this young man bore was already enough to defy the heavens, but to think his wife was also someone of significant destiny. This was terrifying. The Ghost Swordsman, not yet in his twenties, had already become a renowned swordsman across the world, and he might potentially break through the constraints and reach the Grandmaster Realm in the future. But his wife was similar as well, and she might also have a chance to reach the Grandmaster Realm in the future. Such a woman, whom this young man described as nothing special. An Jing hesitated for a moment and then said, ¡°Could it be that my destiny has transferred to her?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not impossible,¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing and slowly said, ¡°But for an ordinary person to bear an unwarranted destiny, that¡¯s a calamity.¡± Hearing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words, An Jing sighed deeply. His heart became even more confused. ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s head north to Ping County first,¡± he said. ¡°Boy, do you still not understand your wife?¡± Lou Xiangzhen raised an eyebrow, ¡°This old man almost took a big fall, luckily I reacted quickly and stopped the divination in time.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing hurriedly retorted, ¡°What do you mean by that? Don¡¯t I understand my own wife?¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s face showed disbelief; everything about this youngster was somewhat strange, including his wife. Seeing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s expression, An Jing anxiously said, ¡°My wife and I know each other thoroughly; how could I possibly not understand her?¡± ¡­¡­ At Dongluo Pass, the top floor of Dongluo Tower. Zhao Qingmei, dressed in white, sat beside a soft couch, holding a book in her hands. She rarely wore white clothing. Her snow-white, radiant legs were exposed, revealing delicate ankles and feet as fair as frost-covered snow. Now clothed, coupled with her exquisitely beautiful features, she seemed like a fairy banished to the mortal world. ¡°Why does it feel like several years have passed in just a few months?¡± she wondered. Zhao Qingmei felt somewhat frustrated; she simply couldn¡¯t concentrate on the book. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± At that moment, Yu Qiurong¡¯s urgent voice came from outside, ¡°An urgent report from the Sealing Demon Platform.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± At these words, a cold light flashed in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes, ¡°Come in and speak.¡± ¡°Creak¨C!¡± Yu Qiurong pushed open the door, looking somewhat rushed as she bowed and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, the Sealing Demon Platform seems very unsatisfied with the delay; the Third Elder is asking you to hurry to the Sealing Demon Platform.¡± Not to mention outsiders, few within the Demon Sect knew about the Sealing Demon Platform, but in everyone¡¯s eyes, it was a holy place. The day before yesterday, the Sealing Demon Platform had summoned Zhao Qingmei, but she outright refused. ¡°Summon me?¡± Zhao Qingmei sneered, ¡°Who in this world can summon me?¡± Yu Qiurong was very anxious, ¡°Sect Hierarch, the Third Elder has already sent four secret letters¡­¡± Although she understood Zhao Qingmei¡¯s domineering and assertive nature, she did not want her to clash with the Sealing Demon Platform. It wasn¡¯t just about whether the Sealing Demon Platform would severely punish Zhao Qingmei; one must know that many masters within the Sealing Demon Platform were also the foundation of the Demon Sect, a capital for contending with the world. If Zhao Qingmei were to clash with the Sealing Demon Platform, it would be akin to severing her own arm. Zhao Qingmei thought for a moment and said, ¡°They are getting anxious; since that is the case, it might as well meet with those old folks at the Sealing Demon Platform.¡± She had not intended not to go to the Sealing Demon Platform, but the attitude of the Sealing Demon Platform had greatly displeased her. Having already delayed for two days, it was time to gauge the true state of the Sealing Demon Platform. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll go prepare the carriage now.¡± Yu Qiurong, hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked out. Zhao Qingmei stood up and walked to the desk, picking up two blades hanging on the wall. The blades were called Mandarin Duck Blades, one longer and the other shorter¨Cthe longer blade was the Yuan Blade, the shorter was the Duck Blade, bright and clean, unstained by mud. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve used these blades.¡± Zhao Qingmei muttered to herself, then played with them for a while. ¡°Sect Hierarch, the carriage is ready.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± she replied. Zhao Qingmei responded, then placed the Mandarin Duck Blades on her body and walked outside. The weather today was very good, the sun was bright, and the sky clear. Due to the special location of Dongluo Pass, the weather was somewhat hot at the moment, and many merchants on the street had donned thin garments. At that moment, a beautifully decorated carriage drove out from Dongluo Tower, surrounded by several figures in black, top experts from the Demon Sect. The inside of the carriage was spacious. In the center was a small square table, laid with delicious pastries. Zhao Qingmei sat next to the table, her expression calm and serene. Meanwhile, Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s eyebrows were tightly furrowed, looking anxious and concerned. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked. Duanmu Xinghua bowed and said, ¡°I¡¯m worried about the Sect Hierarch¡¯s trip to the Sealing Demon Platform this time.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Zhao Qingmei couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Tell me about the worries in your heart.¡± Duanmu Xinghua reflected for a moment and said, ¡°The Sect Hierarch¡¯s delay of two days in heading to Dongluo Pass may have already upset the Third Elder.¡± As she spoke, she hesitated to continue and finally chose to remain silent. Originally, the summoning of Zhao Qingmei to the Sealing Demon Platform was meant to be a show of authority since, after becoming the Sect Hierarch, she had never visited the Sealing Demon Platform. Which previous Sect Hierarch hadn¡¯t gone to pay their respects at the Sealing Demon Platform upon taking office? Only Zhao Qingmei continued to ignore it without any concerns. The Sealing Demon Platform had been tolerantly biding its time. Now that Zhao Qingmei had acquired the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡± things had become even more complicated. The ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± was a martial arts of what kind? It was one of the three major secret techniques of the current world. If a Half-step Master practiced it, it could increase their cultivation to approach the Grandmaster Realm, and for those in the Grandmaster Realm, it could help reach the Great Grandmaster Realm. Such martial arts, how many in the world could remain unmoved? Zhao Qingmei looked intently at Duanmu Xinghua, ¡°Do you think I care about their dissatisfaction?¡± Duanmu Xinghua gave a wry smile and said no more. Such words could only be spoken by Zhao Qingmei. The carriage sped along, rushing in the direction of the Sealing Demon Platform. ¡­.. Dongluo Desert, Sealing Demon Platform. Before them, within an oasis, several magnificent Jade Towers were built, with golden roofs and red doors, brimming with ancient charm and ethereal immortal energy. A pathway made of white jade stones spread deep into the distance. Alongside it, there were clear, piercing pools and exotic, rare beasts. This was the Demon Sect¡¯s holy land, the Sealing Demon Platform. Duanmu Xinghua led the way at the front, with Zhao Qingmei and other high-level experts of the Demon Sect following behind her. Before long, a man appeared ahead, dressed in splendid clothes with a jade ornate hanging from his waist, his eyes carrying a hint of pride. This man appeared to be just over thirty, but his cultivation was not low. He was at the First Grade, a top-notch expert in Jianghu. Upon seeing Duanmu Xinghua, the man greeted with a closed fist, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, it¡¯s been a long time.¡± ¡°Hierarch, this man is the son of the Third Elder, Ouyang Quan.¡± Duanmu Xinghua then introduced them, ¡°This is the current Hierarch of our Demon Sect.¡± Ouyang Quan¡¯s eyes showed a hint of admiration, then he greeted Zhao Qingmei with a fist and said, ¡°Hierarch, please come in. My father and the Second Elder have been waiting for a long time.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded her head and said nothing. The two led the way to the Great Hall. The interior of the Great Hall was very luxurious, supported by many large red pillars, each engraved with lifelike, swirling golden dragons, creating a spectacular sight. Additionally, several beautiful maids stood on both sides of the hall. At the upper end of the Great Hall, two old men were seated. The elder on the left wore a green robe and had a benign appearance with a smile on his lips, while the one on the right looked rather cold, his brows furrowed tightly, making the air around him suddenly chilly. Zhao Qingmei had seen the elder on the right before; it was he who had led her into the Sealing Demon Well. Duanmu Xinghua conveyed in a whisper, ¡°Hierarch, these two are Yuan Feng, the Second Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform, and Ouyang Ping, the Third Elder. Ouyang Ping was the leader of the previous generation¡¯s Heavenly Sect, while Yuan Feng was the Sect Master of the Earth Sect before last.¡± Yu Qiurong, upon seeing the two men, had a sudden change in expression. The man on the right, she had seen his portrait within the Demon Sect; his name was Ouyang Ping, with unfathomably deep strength. The last time he was seen was thirty years ago, and at that time, his cultivation had already reached the Grandmaster Realm. Many thought he had died, but not only had he not died, he had directly entered the Sealing Demon Platform to become an elder. The person next to Ouyang Ping was even older, and although Yu Qiurong did not recognize him, she knew his status was certainly extraordinary. Zhao Qingmei, hearing the whisper, furrowed her brows tightly. It looked like these two old foxes were at least over a hundred years old, looking somewhat close to death, but they were evidently well-maintained. Yu Qiurong, looking at the cold-faced Ouyang Ping, felt a surge of nervousness. ¡°Indeed, a young hero, excellent, excellent.¡± Yuan Feng laughed loudly, ¡°Hierarch, you must be tired from the journey, please have a seat.¡± Zhao Qingmei slowly sat down and said, ¡°I have met Elder Ouyang once before, but today is the first time I¡¯m meeting Elder Yuan.¡± Regrettably, Yuan Feng said, ¡°Yes, for the past few decades, I have been in seclusion and thus, never had the opportunity to meet with the new Hierarch. It must be said that Jiang Shang has found a good disciple.¡± At nineteen years old, she had reached the Grandmaster Realm, and there was a great possibility she could strive for the Great Grandmaster level. If she really could make it to the Great Grandmaster Realm, she could definitely guarantee the development of the Demon Sect for three hundred years. Zhao Qingmei modestly said, ¡°Elder Yuan overestimates me; my cultivation is still far inferior to my master¡¯s.¡± Yuan Feng waved his hand and remarked sentimentally, ¡°Although your current cultivation is still shallow, you are also young. Given time, you will definitely reach the pinnacle of the Five Qi and attain the Great Grandmaster Realm.¡± Although Ouyang Ping had many grievances against Zhao Qingmei, he couldn¡¯t help but nod at these words. At that moment, a beautiful servant girl brought up some tea. Yuan Feng smiled and said, ¡°Please try this¨Cthe tea is called Purple Tribute Tea, brewed with oasis spring water. It has a refreshing aroma that soothes the soul and heart.¡± Zhao Qingmei did not pick up the tea. Instead, she spoke directly, ¡°Elders, you have summoned me here; what matter is it that can¡¯t be discussed openly? There are still many duties within the Sect that await my arrangement and handling.¡± From the attitudes of Yuan Feng and Ouyang Ping, it became clear that there must be something important they wanted to discuss. Zhao Qingmei did not wish to waste time on probing and tact; it was best to lay some matters outright. Ouyang Ping frowned deeply. ¡°I have long heard that the Sect Hierarch is hasty. Seeing it today confirms the rumor. Since the Sect Hierarch speaks so, I will speak plainly,¡± he said. Yuan Feng hesitated for a moment then said, ¡°We have heard that the Sect Hierarch has obtained our Demon Sect¡¯s supreme martial scripture ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡¯ Is this true or false?¡± Here it comes! Duanmu Xinghua felt a slight stir in her heart upon seeing this. At this moment, Yu Qiurong¡¯s heart also rose to her throat; clearly, the people from Sealing Demon Platform had no good intentions in summoning the Sect Hierarch. ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded and did not deny it. Even though Yuan Feng and Ouyang Ping had already known the news, hearing Zhao Qingmei personally confirm it still brought a gleam to their eyes. ¡°The Sect Hierarch has been at the helm of the Demon Sect for two years now, so you should also be aware of the current world situation. No Grandmaster has yet managed to control the heaven and earth,¡± Yuan Feng took a deep breath and said. ¡°And the Great Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform is currently in closed-door cultivation, preparing to break through the Grandmaster barrier. If he had this ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡¯ the process would surely be more effective. If he reaches the Grandmaster Realm, our Demon Sect would surely hold heaven and earth in its grasp and no longer have to flee from Great Yan like before¡­¡± Ouyang Ping nodded, agreeing with Yuan Feng¡¯s words. In today¡¯s world, among all the forces, the one to first reach the Grandmaster would have absolute authority. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s fingers tapped on the desk, and she said lightly, ¡°So the two Elders mean for me to hand over this ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯?¡± Yuan Feng slowly replied, ¡°This is also for the sake of the Demon Sect¡¯s millennia-old plan. Besides, you only need to hand over a copy of this ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡¯ If the Great Elder breaks through to the Grandmaster Realm, our Demon Sect can be as stable as Mount Tai, which would be beneficial for the Sect Hierarch.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded solemnly. ¡°The Elders are not wrong. If our Demon Sect were to boast a Grandmaster, we would indeed have a place in today¡¯s world.¡± She agreed very much with some of the points. Even Yuan Feng, upon hearing this, a smile flickered across his eyes: ¡°So, does this mean the Sect Hierarch agrees?¡± ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯¨Cthis represents the supreme pinnacle of martial arts. In the entire world, there are only three such arts, with Buddhist sector¡¯s own being so unique that only their formidable masters can cultivate it, and the Mystical Sect¡¯s ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture,¡¯ divided into three branches, one of which is in the hands of Zhenyi Sect, another in the Ghost Valley Sect, and the third lost to the world. And now, the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ was right before him, how could he not be tempted? ¡°Second Elder must be joking,¡± Zhao Qingmei said lightly, ¡°I never said I would hand over the mental method to you.¡± Yuan Feng¡¯s smile briefly faltered: ¡°Then what do you mean?¡± The entire hall¡¯s atmosphere froze. ¡°If the Demon Sect truly had a Grandmaster, it indeed would be able to control the heaven and earth.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled and said, ¡°So I, as the Sect Hierarch, will certainly cultivate diligently to reach the Grandmaster Realm soon, fulfilling the desires of both Elders.¡± Ouyang Ping finally spoke up, ¡°So, are you unwilling to part with the mental method?¡± Ouyang Ping¡¯s voice was a bit hoarse with a hint of chill, immediately making the whole hall three times colder. It wasn¡¯t just Yu Qiurong, even Duanmu Xinghua had her eyebrows tightly furrowed, thinking to herself: ¡®The cultivation of this Third Elder seems to surpass hers, at least at the Second Qi Grandmaster level, and possibly even reaching the Third Qi Grandmaster.¡¯ Zhao Qingmei, seemingly unfazed by the cold, said, ¡°This mental method is a secret not passed on within our Demon Sect, only the Sect Hierarch can cultivate it. Why should I pass it to you?¡± Yuan Feng said sternly, ¡°The times are different now, we need to learn to adapt. If a Grandmaster were to emerge in the Demon Sect at this time, it would be a great fortune for you and me and for the whole Demon Sect.¡± Zhao Qingmei laughed out loud, ¡°You speak so grandly, yet you just want to cultivate the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ yourself. There¡¯s no need to pretend to be so noble.¡± ¡°If today¡¯s meeting is about this matter, then I fear the Elders will be disappointed. The ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ belongs to me, and I will let no one take it away.¡± After speaking, Zhao Qingmei stood up and walked towards the hall¡¯s exit. Seeing this, Yuan Feng and Ouyang Ping¡¯s expressions turned very ugly, as they had not expected Zhao Qingmei to be so firm and to outright tear off the pretense. Duanmu Xinghua gave a bow to the pair and quickly followed after. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Little Qingmei, why the rush?¡± Just then, a voice suddenly rang out. The voice wasn¡¯t loud, but it echoed in everyone¡¯s ears. Upon hearing this voice, Yu Qiurong felt as if thunder had exploded in her heart. Zhao Qingmei paused slightly, her beautiful eyes narrowing into slits. Chapter 154 - Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Three Grandmasters Join Forces Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Three Grandmasters Join Forces Zhao Qingmei was all too familiar with that voice. Following the sound, she saw an elderly figure in black standing at the entrance of the hall, with white hair, a youthful face, and a celestial aura. A faint smile played around his lips. ¡°Old¡­ Old Sect Hierarch!¡± Yu Qiurong trembled as she saw the man, exclaiming in disbelief. The man was none other than Jiang Shang, the previous Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. ¡°Old Sect Hierarch!¡± Duanmu Xinghua slightly bowed, giving Jiang Shang a respectful fist salute. Yuan Feng felt a sigh of relief upon seeing Jiang Shang¡¯s sudden appearance, as Zhao Qingmei¡¯s master was here, and things should not be too difficult now. Jiang Shang gave a slight nod and then turned to look at the silent Zhao Qingmei, smiling, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Don¡¯t you recognize your master anymore?¡± ¡°Have you been in Yu State City all this time?¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at Jiang Shang and asked. ¡°Yes, I have been here for a few years,¡± Jiang Shang sighed. ¡°I was seriously injured and barely survived; I could only recuperate in Yu State City first.¡± Jiang Shang was capricious and highly suspicious by nature; having been gravely injured by Xiao Qianqiu, he feared that news of his condition might lead to attacks from his enemies, so he hid in Yu State City, telling no one, including Jiang Renyi. During his time in Yu State City, aside from healing his injuries, he was also secretly searching for the Undying Blood that could grant immortality. Zhao Qingmei asked expressionlessly, ¡°Why did you kill my husband?¡± To kill Zhao Qingmei¡¯s husband!? Hearing this, Duanmu Xinghua was slightly shocked and then it dawned on her. She finally understood why Zhao Qingmei had accused her that day; Jiang Shang had called Zhao Qingmei back for this reason. ¡°Little Qingmei.¡± Hearing her words, Jiang Shang shook his head, ¡°Do you know that I did this for your own good?¡± ¡°For my good?¡± Zhao Qingmei could not help but laugh when she heard this. Yu Qiurong knew Zhao Qingmei very well; Zhao Qingmei never laughed, and when she did, it meant her anger had reached its limit. Jiang Shang looked at Zhao Qingmei seriously and said, ¡°That doctor was just an ordinary person, whereas you? You¡¯re a once-in-a-millennium prodigy. Your future is boundless. Now that you¡¯re cultivating the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, reaching the realm of Great Grandmaster is just a matter of time, and you might even touch the realm of Transcendence and achieve immortality.¡± ¡°He was merely a hindrance, a shackle on your path to the Supreme Dao.¡± The Supreme Dao! Upon hearing Jiang Shang¡¯s words, Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s heart raced, her breathing paused. To a Great Grandmaster, increasing one¡¯s lifespan by three hundred years was something Duanmu Xinghua considered beyond reach, let alone Transcendence, which could offer true immortality. Was there really anyone who could achieve this realm? Ouyang Ping raised an eyebrow, his lips parting slightly. Others might not know, but as veteran cultivators who had practiced for over a hundred years, they were aware of some secrets of the world. If the realm of Great Grandmaster was a reality in this world, then Transcendence was merely speculative. Throughout history, very few had reached the realm of Great Grandmaster; all who pursued Transcendence had failed without exception. And those who did reach the realm of Great Grandmaster were rare talents, stunning figures in the world. Eventually, some claimed that Transcendence was merely a fantasy, that the Great Grandmaster was the pinnacle of cultivation, and that true immortality was impossible in this world. Ouyang Ping believed that reaching the realm of Great Grandmaster was fortunate enough. As for Transcendence, it was best not to harbor illusions. ¡°I will decide my own affairs; no one else may interfere.¡± Zhao Qingmei lightly laughed upon hearing this, ¡°Besides, if your so-called Dao requires being heartless and emotionless, then I would rather not pursue it.¡± Although she was laughing, everyone felt a chill in the air. Jiang Shang¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he said, ¡°The disparity between you is too great; in the end, it would only harm you and him. I cannot stand by and watch you fall into an abyss.¡± ¡°So, you killed him?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s smile faded, her words ice-cold, almost completely unhidden. Jiang Shang took a deep breath and nodded, ¡°I shattered his heart meridians; not even a Daluo Immortal could save him.¡± Boom! Upon hearing Jiang Shang¡¯s words, Zhao Qingmei felt her mind buzz, plunging into blankness. When Tan Yun sent the letter, she saw the paper figures move and felt a glimmer of hope, but now, hearing Jiang Shang¡¯s words, that glimmer of hope was almost extinguished. Who was Jiang Shang? Zhao Qingmei knew him too well. Once he took action, it was bound to be foolproof. Moreover, her husband was only a doctor. How could he possibly be a match for Jiang Shang? Now, her only hope lay in the responding paper figures. But even this hope seemed faint. The slight luck in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart was about to be extinguished as well. Jiang Shang¡¯s gaze turned to Zhao Qingmei and he said, ¡°Qingmei, hand over the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ to your master, and I will henceforth preside over the Sealing Demon Platform and cease to intervene in the affairs of the Demon Sect. You will remain the Sect Hierarch, and should you or the Demon Sect face any peril, I will not stand idly by.¡± ¡°In the future, when the world falls into great turmoil, this old man might even come out of seclusion to help you accomplish the grand ambition in your heart.¡± Zhao Qingmei lowered her head and said nothing. The entire great hall was quiet, with everyone¡¯s gazes fixed on Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Why!?¡± Zhao Qingmei murmured to herself, her voice devoid of any emotion. Duanmu Xinghua sighed deeply upon seeing this; she had not expected things to turn out this way. Where emotions are concerned, some people willingly indulge. Jiang Shang¡¯s voice, rarely soft, softened a few degrees as he said, ¡°Throughout the ages, how many people have been obsessed with love, trapped in its depths, unable to extricate themselves? I see my own reflection in you, and thus I intervened¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s voice trembled slightly, ¡°Why, why did you kill him? He clearly did nothing wrong!¡± Her husband was just an ordinary man, wanting nothing more than to live an ordinary life. What had he done wrong? She had promised to protect him well, she had promised¡­ At this thought, Zhao Qingmei felt as if her heart was being sliced open by a knife. Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes were deep as he said, ¡°You¡¯re not wrong, he wasn¡¯t wrong, I¡¯m not wrong; such is the way of survival in this world. Haven¡¯t you known this since you were young?¡± Zhao Qingmei did not respond but touched the long blade at her waist. ¡°Shi!¡± ¡°Shi!¡± The Mandarin Duck Blades were drawn, revealing a chilling gleam. The temperature in the entire great hall suddenly dropped. Seeing this, Jiang Shang¡¯s brows furrowed into a ¡®Chuan ¡® shape, and he said coldly, ¡°What, are you going to fight me?¡± ¡°Sect Hierarch, think carefully,¡± Duanmu Xinghua said solemnly. She could understand Zhao Qingmei¡¯s feelings at the moment; her husband had been killed, and she was being coerced to hand over the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯. But who was she facing? That was Jiang Shang, the previous Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, one of the sect¡¯s top experts. Moreover, behind Jiang Shang stood two grandmasters with higher cultivation than hers, and it could be said without exaggeration that Zhao Qingmei had almost no chance of winning. At that moment, Zhao Qingmei simply couldn¡¯t hear any of Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s words; the Mandarin Duck Blades flickered with an extreme icy radiance, ¡°Today, only one of us will live.¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s heart trembled, and her fists clenched tightly. Zhao Qingmei had made her intentions clear; she was determined to fight Jiang Shang to the death. As Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words fell, the expressions of the others changed. ¡°Absolutely not.¡± Duanmu Xinghua continued to plead earnestly. But Zhao Qingmei was deaf to her words. Ouyang Ping and Yuan Feng, however, remained silent; in their view, letting Jiang Shang teach Zhao Qingmei a lesson could be a good thing. Seeing this, Jiang Shang was not angry, but instead laughed, ¡°Very well, let me see the progress you¡¯ve made these past few years.¡± ¡°Step back,¡± As Zhao Qingmei¡¯s internal fire reached its peak, True Qi began to surge within her. Duanmu Xinghua and Yu Qiurong swiftly stepped back, not daring to hesitate a moment. ¡°Mandarin Duck Blades, these are indeed fine blades,¡± Jiang Shang said slowly, looking at the blade light in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hands. The Mandarin Duck Blades, one inscribed with ¡®Benevolence¡¯ and the other with ¡®Invincible¡¯, were forged by a highly famous forger from the Great Zhou Dynasty, using extremely precious meteoric iron, and took thirteen years to make. Later, a pair of Grandmaster couple acquired them. Each wielding one blade, one holding the Yuan Blade and the other the Mandarin Duck Blade, they roamed the world, seldom meeting opponents, and even killed Grandmasters with these blades. Over the past thousand years, these twin blades have been saturated with the blood of countless Grandmaster martial artists, and their blades are steeped in a murderous Qi mechanism. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body moved, and in an instant, she had disappeared from the spot. Zhao Qingmei stood ahead, her body enveloped in a full-blown killing aura, not concealing any of it. Jiang Shang¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he stared at Zhao Qingmei in front of him and pointed his finger forward. Immediately, True Qi burst forth in the great hall, and a fist-sized True Qi rainbow shot out explosively from his fingertip. Boom! Boom! The True Qi rainbow traveled piercing through the air. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression grew tense, as Jiang Shang¡¯s cultivation was much stronger than Duanmu Shanghua¡¯s. Woosh! As that True Qi rainbow trembled through the void and pierced through, the great hall seemed to tremble. Zhao Qingmei tightly gripped the Mandarin Duck Blade, her expression as unyielding as millennium-old ice; her robe whipped around, engulfing a dark extreme light in the savage wind. Then, her body propelled forward, turning into a beam of black light. Jiang Shang¡¯s expression was unwavering as he directly faced the charge. At the moment the two clashed, True Qi intersected, overturning clouds and smashing waves. Like lightning striking flint, even Yu Qiurong, in the Heavenly Flower Realm, couldn¡¯t clearly see the traces of their fight. Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s face was extremely solemn as she watched the scene ahead. Jiang Shang flicked his hand, and a palm strike headed towards Zhao Qingmei. This palm turned into a dark black canopy, like a mountain shifting and sea overturning, surging towards Zhao Qingmei. Thunderous! Waves of True Qi spread out everywhere, producing ripples of True Qi throughout the entire great hall wave after wave. ¡°Shush, shush!¡± Zhao Qingmei drew her blades, and the Mandarin Duck Blade emitted a resonant clash as she charged forward. When the sword Qi and black twilight touched, a domineering force transmitted towards her. So strong! Zhao Qingmei hastily retreated backwards, guessing that her master¡¯s cultivation must have progressed further, most likely peeking into the pinnacle of the Three Qi Grandmaster, not far from reaching the Four Qi Realm. If it weren¡¯t for her cultivation of the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡± she would have been defeated in a single move, from which she could sense Jiang Shang¡¯s profound strength. ¡°What an impressive ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡¯ It not only strengthens her physical body but also enhances the depth of her True Qi far beyond that of an ordinary Grandmaster,¡± Jiang Shang was even more stunned given that his and Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivations differed by two whole realms. Standing in the distance, Duanmu Xinghua smiled wryly and shook her head, ¡°The Sect Hierarch truly has heaven-sent talent; I didn¡¯t expect her to reach the Essence Qi returning so quickly and advance to the One Qi Realm.¡± Upon reaching the Grandmaster Realm, what¡¯s cultivated is the human body¡¯s Five Qi. Once all Five Qi return, one can challenge the shackles to ascend to the Great Grandmaster Realm. Just over a month ago, Zhao Qingmei barely reached the Grandmaster cultivation. Logically, it would take a long time to achieve Essence Qi returning. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s rapid Essence Qi returning, apart from cultivating the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡± another main reason is that she had suppressed herself in the Half-step Master Realm for a long time, allowing for accumulation that facilitated a breakthrough. The next moment, Jiang Shang appeared directly behind Zhao Qingmei. And at the instant he appeared, Zhao Qingmei sensed Jiang Shang¡¯s Qi mechanism. In the Heavenly Demon Technique, there¡¯s a movement technique called Step by Step Lotus, modeled after the martial arts in the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡± Zhao Qingmei had already mastered it to the Seventh Layer a while ago. A black lotus appeared beneath her feet, allowing her to dodge Jiang Shang¡¯s sure-hit palm. Swish! Swish! Swish! One using the flexibility of Step by Step Lotus to continuously dodge, and one with extremely high cultivation incessantly pursuing, Zhao Qingmei always narrowly avoided Jiang Shang¡¯s attacks. With Jiang Shang¡¯s cultivation, a single hit would be disastrous, even for Zhao Qingmei, whose bones had been tempered to be as strong as gold. Employing Step by Step Lotus, which blends illusion with reality, and appearing slow yet moving incredibly fast, Jiang Shang¡¯s torrential attacks were instantly dissolved. ¡°Such a peculiar movement technique¡­¡± Jiang Shang frowned, his cultivation was significantly higher than Zhao Qingmei¡¯s; logically, he should be much faster, but with Zhao Qingmei executing this Step by Step Lotus technique, he simply couldn¡¯t close the distance to her. ¡°Stop running!¡± Suddenly, Jiang Shang halted his steps, and a strong black light emerged behind him. The next moment, he unleashed the most overbearing palm technique from the Heavenly Demon Technique. Heavenly Demon Technique! Heavenly Demon Star Splitting Palm! Boom! Each palm seemed to carry the force of a miniature mountain crashing down, all concentrated into a single strike. The power in the palm of Jiang Shang¡¯s hand was so terrifying that one couldn¡¯t comprehend its intensity without experiencing it firsthand. Jiang Shang¡¯s palm struck precisely, and the fierce gust of wind hit Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body. Zhao Qingmei was sent flying backward. The Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture activated, subsequently offsetting some of the impact. ¡°Jiang Shang¡¯s cultivation is two realms higher than mine. Even using the Nine Nether Secret Technique from the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, it¡¯s probably hard to defeat him. I need to find another way¡­¡± Thinking this, Zhao Qingmei knew it was difficult to defeat Jiang Shang, ¡°If only I had the Heavenly Flipping Seal with me, I could have given it a try.¡± Jiang Shang had no intention of giving Zhao Qingmei a chance to catch her breath. The surging qi, like a tidal wave, flooded aggressively toward Zhao Qingmei in front, seemingly intent on crushing her completely. Zhao Qingmei stood still, holding the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades in her hands, her expression extremely solemn. Ouyang Ping indifferently said, ¡°Jiang Shang¡¯s cultivation has reached the peak of the Three Qi Grandmaster. His student is at the One Qi level. The gap is too large.¡± ¡°At her age, such cultivation, if she loses, it might not be a bad thing.¡± A gleam flashed in Yuan Feng¡¯s eyes. Many naturally gifted talents, due to their arrogance and smooth journeys, often find it hard to break through their own shackles. If Zhao Qingmei could see through these constraints and elevate her state of mind early, her future would be boundlessly promising. Yu Qiurong whispered, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, this?¡± ¡°The chances of winning are very low.¡± Duanmu Xinghua shook her head. In fact, she initially wanted to say there was no chance at all. As Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body tensed up, Jiang Shang stomped his foot, and his body eerily vanished. Hum! Zhao Qingmei clenched the Mandarin Duck Blades tightly, and her arm swung, emanating force qi that carried enough power to destroy mountains. And at the very moment Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Mandarin Duck Twin Blades slashed down, the previously empty space burst forth with Jiang Shang¡¯s figure, his finger pointing directly at her blade. ¡°Bang!¡± The blade of the Yuan Blade directly struck Jiang Shang¡¯s finger light. The moment of collision was like two giant stones meeting, visible waves of qi lashed out, exploding instantly, causing the entire great hall to tremble. The ground beneath their feet also cracked, spreading outwards into the distance. The strong rebounding force rushed toward Zhao Qingmei like a tsunami, causing her body to violently jerk backward and almost fly out of the great hall. Zhao Qingmei steadied herself, lifting the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades in her hands. Whirr whirr whirr whirr! Countless black spiraling qi streams surged forward, forming terrifying waves of blade qi. Beneath Zhao Qingmei¡¯s feet, a black lotus flower several feet in size appeared, and she stood atop it. The numerous spiraling waves of blade qi formed the petals of the black lotus, enveloping Zhao Qingmei at the center. Such a spectacle! Truly astonishing and spectacular! Yuan Feng and Ouyang Ping both furrowed their brows, their eyes fixed intently on the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hands. Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture! Zhao Qingmei, standing on the black lotus, her beautiful eyes suddenly brightened. Force qi surged up, and the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades streaked down like a shooting star. Boom! Boom! Boom! The blade light that shot down like a meteor, causing the air to crackle wherever it passed. A glint appeared in Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes. He inhaled sharply, then suppressed the shock in his heart as his entire body¡¯s true qi gathered in his fist. Heavenly Demon Palm! Heavenly Demon Star-plucking Hand! Jiang Shang struck out with a palm, his body connected between heaven and earth, radiating light akin to moonlight. One palm strike fell, as if stars descended, heavily smashing toward the incoming blade qi. Bang bang bang bang bang bang! The ear-splitting sounds echoed in all directions, followed by the fierce rush of true qi. ¡°Hurry up!¡± Duanmu Xinghua grabbed Yu Qiurong and rushed towards the outside of the hall. Meanwhile, Ouyang Ping, Yuan Feng, and Ouyang Quan were also quickly running towards the distance. The magnificent great hall was blasted by the surge of force, instantly turning into ruins, even the roof of the palace was lifted, turning into debris. Not far from the ruined great hall, a huge well appeared. The well was about two zhang in diameter, and at each side of the well stood stone statues of the four exotic beasts: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Xuanwu, each bound with iron chains that extended into the well, forming a peculiar formation. At the surroundings of the Sealing Demon Well, there was an extremely dense aura of slaughter; anyone getting close would feel their scalp tingle and even bleed from their skin. ¡°The Sealing Demon Well!?¡± Upon seeing the well, Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s pupils slightly shrank. This Sealing Demon Well is known as the first secret site of the Demon Sect, where almost all the top martial artists have entered to train and obtained great fortunes. Duanmu Xinghua also craved to enter the Sealing Demon Well, but she was not originally nurtured by the Demon Sect and, moreover, was too old to have had the chance to enter. Among the younger generation, Zhao Qingmei and Jiang Renyi had greatly increased their strength after entering the Sealing Demon Well. However, as per the ancestral teachings of the Demon Sect, one could not enter the Sealing Demon Well a second time; no matter how high one¡¯s cultivation was, those who entered for the second time could never come out again. A fierce wind swept through, whipping up a sky full of sand and dust. Zhao Qingmei felt a numbness in her arm, as if losing sensation in an instant, followed by a pain in her internal organs, tasting a sweet burst of blood in her mouth. ¡°Gulp!¡± With a determined look in her eyes, Zhao Qingmei slightly tilted her neck, her throat surged, and she forcibly swallowed the blood back down. At that moment, Jiang Shang¡¯s figure reappeared atop the broken wooden pillar; his clothes were torn, but his eyes were still bright and spirited, showing no signs of injury. Even though Zhao Qingmei had used the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± and summoned all her strength, she had still been unable to injure Jiang Shang. ¡°Ah, the former Sect Leader¡¯s strength is still too powerful!¡± Duanmu Xinghua, seeing this scene, shook her head slightly. If she had been in Jiang Shang¡¯s place, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s move would have already defeated her, but Jiang Shang was only left with torn clothes, completely unharmed. Meanwhile, the expressions of Ouyang Ping and Yuan Feng were exceedingly grave, clearly frightened by Zhao Qingmei¡¯s earlier attack. A master of the One Qi Realm already possessing such strength was indeed rare. Zhao Qingmei, looking at the calm Jiang Shang ahead, thought to herself, ¡°If I want to defeat him, I must rely on the Nine Nether Secret Technique; I don¡¯t know if this strike will defeat him, but I must try.¡± With that thought, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s True Qi began to leak continuously outward. The massive and vast True Qi, viscous like a dark ocean, was breathtaking. ¡°Little Qingmei, you are no match for me.¡± Jiang Shang shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s time for this all to end.¡± After he spoke, the True Qi within him also surged out wildly, cultivating the Heavenly Demon Technique to the ninth layer, just one step away from the tenth layer. As the True Qi surged, the originally clear sky filled with dark clouds. His palm extended forward, and the True Qi instantly became turbulent; ripping open a huge gap in the dark clouds, a gigantic palm descended like a mountain. The Heavenly Demon Palm! Heavenly Demon Wild Dance! Boom! Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression shifted. The colossal black hand seemed to cover all the heavens and earth, leaving Zhao Qingmei with nowhere to escape. In that moment, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart couldn¡¯t help but tremble at such tactics, such momentum, truly worthy of being one of the top masters in the world. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s advantage lay in the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡± but now as Jiang Shang exerted all his cultivation, that advantage instantly vanished. The moment the giant hand descended, darkness fell over the earth. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression was unusually grave; she took a deep breath, and a tremendous aura burst forth from within her. Under the shadow of the day-covering giant hand, Zhao Qingmei stood tall, unflinching, and within her seemingly fragile body, a vast and extensive Qi mechanism burst forth at that moment. Noticing the sudden shift in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s aura, Jiang Shang¡¯s pupils also slightly contracted. Grasping the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades in her hands, the massive black lotus beneath her feet suddenly melted, reflecting in the backdrop behind her, releasing a black and golden radiance. In an instant, Zhao Qingmei turned into a black and gold sun. ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡± secret techniques! Nine Nether secret techniques! Zhao Qingmei gently stamped her foot and rose elegantly. Under that giant hand that obscured the sun, she seemed as tiny as an ant, yet she fearlessly charged forward, clashing her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades heavily against it. Buzz! The moment of impact, it seemed as if the heavens and earth had fallen silent, devoid of any sound. The next moment, the giant hand that blotted out the sky trembled violently. Visible cracks began to quietly spread, and finally, with a ¡®bang,¡¯ it shattered completely. However, at the moment the giant hand shattered, Zhao Qingmei was also struck heavily, her body shooting backward and crashing heavily into the broken ruins. In the distance, although Jiang Shang had not retreated, the wooden pillar under his feet had also crumbled into dust at that moment, and his complexion turned somewhat pale. True Qi churned; dust rose in the skies. ¡°The gap is too large.¡± Zhao Qingmei exhaled deeply, aware that this disparity in cultivation could not be bridged by martial arts alone. If her cultivation had reached the Second Qi Realm, defeating Jiang Shang at the peak of Three Qi would be no problem at all. ¡°Little Qingmei, won¡¯t you admit defeat?¡± Jiang Shang said solemnly. ¡°In this world, no one can make me admit defeat.¡± Zhao Qingmei held her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades and spoke coldly. At that moment, she stretched her hand toward the distant Sealing Demon Well, and streaks of black light emerged from her palm. Seeing this, Jiang Shang furrowed his brow, ¡°What are you doing!?¡± ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± The Sealing Demon Well trembled violently. An indescribable aura of slaughter surged from within the well. At that moment, she seemed to have formed a connection with the Sealing Demon Well. Zhao Qingmei gripped her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades tightly, and a sky-flood of slaughter aura burst forth from her, tingeing the True Qi in the world with a tint of red. ¡°Not good, she can actually control the Sealing Demon Well!¡± Ouyang Ping exclaimed in shock. What was the Sealing Demon Well? It was a secret place established by the Demon Sect and also the greatest secret of the sect. All top experts of the Demon Sect would cultivate inside the Sealing Demon Well. But throughout history, very few experts from the Demon Sect had understood or known the origins of the Sealing Demon Well. At present, Zhao Qingmei was actually able to harness the aura of slaughter from the Sealing Demon Well. Yuan Feng shouted, ¡°Sect Leader Zhao, stop now! Don¡¯t be rash.¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s mouth hung open, staring in shock at the scene before her, as if she were dreaming. ¡°How is it possible, how is it possible for anyone to connect with the Sealing Demon Well? It¡¯s absolutely impossible,¡± Ouyang Quan stated in disbelief. Duanmu Xinghua was also dumbstruck, immensely shocked. ¡°Today, no one can stop me.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked coldly at Jiang Shang, ¡°I didn¡¯t kill Jiang Renyi, thus repaying your kindness. Today I will cripple your cultivation, repaying your kindness a second time. From now on, we in the Jianghu are strangers.¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s heart was also filled with uncertainty, and without caring for anything else, immediately shouted to Ouyang Ping and Yuan Feng, ¡°Both of you, help me quickly!¡± Ouyang Ping and Yuan Feng exchanged glances and leapt into action. Zhao Qingmei raised her arm, striking out flatly and slowly; at that moment, the two blades seemed to merge into one. However, that simple action caused countless True Qi in the air to explode thunderously. An aura of annihilation surged to the heavens. Bang! Bang! Bang! The overwhelming aura of slaughter erupted from Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body, and the surrounding True Qi seemed to be infected, quickly turning blood-red. Bloody! Terrifying! Everyone present felt a tremor deep within their souls. ¡°Let¡¯s join forces and suppress her,¡± Jiang Shang urged. As he spoke, the True Qi surged from inside him. Ouyang Ping and Yuan Feng also felt that frightful murderous intent and hurriedly unleashed their True Qi. ¡°Xinghua?¡± Jiang Shang saw Duanmu Xinghua standing still and shouted. Duanmu Xinghua clasped her fists and said, ¡°Former Sect Hierarch, last time I already did what I should not have. This time, I am determined not to make a move.¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s brow was tightly furrowed, and he no longer had time to say anything more. The True Qi of the three Grandmasters, covering the sky and blocking the sun, formed a vast ocean, the vast Qi forcing everyone¡¯s breath to catch. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Mandarin Duck Blade fiercely chopped down, colliding directly with that sea of True Qi. Boom! The explosion of Qi centered on Zhao Qingmei, the deafening sound reverberating through the area. At that moment, everyone within several miles of the Sealing Demon Platform felt a headache splitting their skulls, as if their heads were about to explode. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! The exploding True Qi wildly vibrated, turning most of the buildings on the Sealing Demon Platform into powder. ¡°Crack! Crack! Crack!¡± The ground of the oasis cracked open yard by yard. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body was relentlessly pushed back by that vast ocean, rapidly retreating backwards. Even Zhao Qingmei was powerless to turn the tide against the united effort of the three Grandmasters. ¡°Qingmei, won¡¯t you come to your senses!?¡± Jiang Shang saw this and urgently shouted, ¡°Do you really want to end in death with me?¡± Saying this, he began to withdraw his True Qi. ¡°You killed my husband, I will never share the sky with you!¡± Thinking of An Jing possibly dying at Jiang Shang¡¯s hand, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes filled with a hint of crimson, and seizing the moment to breathe, she fiercely pushed her Mandarin Duck Blade forward. Ouyang Ping and Yuan Feng saw this and immediately showed signs of retreating. Jiang Shang¡¯s True Qi gathered again, and then he fiercely slapped down. ¡°Thump!¡± The surging wave, raging and surging, fiercely struck Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body. ¡°Ah!¡± Zhao Qingmei spewed blood, and her body shot towards the entrance of the Sealing Demon Well like an arrow released from a bowstring. ¡°No good!¡± Zhao Qingmei also felt her body uncontrollably falling towards the Sealing Demon Well and silently cursed in her heart. She had entered the Sealing Demon Well before and was very familiar with it. ¡°Since nobody can enter a second time, let me be the first.¡± Thinking this, Zhao Qingmei gritted her teeth, her vision gradually blurring. ¡°Quick, save her!¡± Jiang Shang saw this, his pupils dilating, and he cried out urgently. ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Ouyang Ping and Yuan Feng also cried out in shock. According to the rules of the Demon Sect, entering the Sealing Demon Well a second time would undoubtedly lead to death. Since ancient times, many experts of the Demon Sect, relying on their high cultivation, defied this rule hoping to enter the Sealing Demon Well again to train, but without exception, none ever emerged again. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body crashed heavily into the Sealing Demon Well, disappearing into the darkness completely. In an instant, the world became very quiet. ¡°Sect Hierarch¡­.¡± It took a long while for Yu Qiurong to regain her senses, and she ran frantically toward the edge of the Sealing Demon Well, but numerous killing intents emerged from the well, stimulating her skin to seep blood. Yet, it seemed she felt no pain as she continued running toward the Sealing Demon Well. ¡°Stop!¡± Duanmu Xinghua stopped Yu Qiurong with a hand. ¡°No, the Sect Hierarch is still inside the well; I must go in,¡± Yu Qiurong cried out, seeming utterly distraught. Duanmu Xinghua held Yu Qiurong, sighing with a sense of helplessness in her heart. Jiang Shang¡¯s expression had soured to its utmost, as entering the Sealing Demon Well a second time was tantamount to certain death. He had not anticipated such an outcome. Yuan Feng, too, was furrowing his brows in distress, ¡°Jiang Shang, what should we do now? Only Zhao Qingmei knows the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡¯ Are we going to lose this supreme secret of the Demon Sect again?¡± ¡°Alas.¡± Ouyang Ping sighed heavily, regret also forming in his heart. After a while, Jiang Shang frowned and said, ¡°Looking at this Sealing Demon Well, I suspect she might not have died so easily.¡± Yuan Feng responded with helpless resignation, ¡°Anyone re-entering the Sealing Demon Well is doomed to die. She couldn¡¯t possibly have survived.¡± Jiang Shang shook his head, saying, ¡°She was able to communicate with the Sealing Demon Well, maybe there¡¯s a slim chance she survived?¡± Hearing this, Yuan Feng and Ouyang Ping both turned their gazes towards the mouth of the Sealing Demon Well. ¡­¡­ Under a night of sparse stars in Lingnan Dao, within an inn, An Jing sat cross-legged on the bed, the Evil Suppressing Sword resting on his knees. He had just discussed swordsmanship with Lou Xiangzhen, enlightening him greatly. Sword Intent was vast and powerful, making it progressively harder to break through; his Sword Intent was the most mysterious and profound that Lou Xiangzhen had ever seen among swordsmen, hence advancing to the Sixth Realm would be much harder for him. But similarly, once he reached the Sixth Realm, his Sword Skill would be stronger than other swordsmen of the same Realm. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s advice to him was to study swordsmanship and accumulate more knowledge. If he truly managed to reach the Sixth Realm, even swordsmen at the same level would be at a disadvantage in terms of Sword Skill. However, the same vast and mighty Sword Intent could also hinder his growth, and he might never reach the Sixth Realm in his lifetime. An Jing took a deep breath, then his thoughts fell on the Earth Book. Cultivation: First Grade Life Fate: Favorable Star Shining (Rising) Root Bone: Once in a Century Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Daluo Heart Method, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword (Eighth Layer), Ghost Valley Heart Method (Second Profound), Nine Yang Divine Finger (Eighth Layer), Brahma Heart Sees Me (Seventh Layer), Great Sun Tathagata Mantra (Unopened) Prompt One: The host¡¯s Life Fate has not yet taken root (four months remaining), do not reveal host identity when using Martial Arts, or a purple opportunity will arise. ¡­.. In his battle with the Heavenly Sword, if not for the release of the Great Zhou Human Emperor¡¯s Qi Mechanism within the Evil Suppressing Sword, he feared he might very well have been defeated. Thinking of this, his heart was filled with melancholy. Lou Xiangzhen had once told him during the day that among the current five great Sword Immortals, the White Tiger Sword Immortal and the Heavenly Sword were slightly inferior to the other three in both cultivation and swordsmanship realm. He nearly lost against the Heavenly Sword; facing the other two Sword Immortals, he likely wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. ¡°It seems I still need to increase my strength.¡± Every time he thought of that elder Jiang, he felt a sense of powerlessness. Although the saying goes, a gentleman¡¯s revenge is not too late even after ten years, An Jing, who preferred immediate retribution, couldn¡¯t wait another moment. If he wanted to increase his strength quickly, improving his cultivation was undoubtedly the best choice, but advancing from the Heavenly Flower Realm to the Merging of Three Flowers seemed difficult even with Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s unreserved sharing of his experiences. Secondly, it would be elevating the realm of swordsmanship, solidifying his vast Sword Intent, but his expansive Sword Intent was clearly not an overnight feat. Lastly, there was the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra; an opportunity he had acquired in purple, yet it had always shown as unopened, puzzling An Jing immensely. How exactly could he unlock this Great Sun Tathagata Mantra? Did he need to cultivate Buddhist Law? If so, An Jing would rather give up on practicing the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra; he had no interest in studying scriptures daily. ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing suddenly thought of something, ¡°Improving my own strength might be challenging for now, but I can enhance the strength of the Thousand-year-old Black Python. Old Lou once said that once the Black Python undergoes the Transformation, it could be comparable to an ordinary Three Qi Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Right now the most pressing matter is how to borrow the Thunder Pool from the Five Poison Sect.¡± ¡°Buzz buzz!¡± Just then, An Jing¡¯s chest grew warm, as if a flame was burning on him. ¡°What¡¯s happening!?¡± Chapter 155 - Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Opportunity in the Heavenly Flipping Seal Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Opportunity in the Heavenly Flipping Seal An Jing touched his chest and then took the Heavenly Flipping Seal out from it. At that moment, the seal face of the Heavenly Flipping Seal was emitting a scorching red light, as if flames were burning on it. ¡°What¡¯s going on¡­?¡± As soon as An Jing placed his palm on the seal face, he immediately felt a sharp pain in his fingers. It¡¯s important to note that he had already tempered his body to forge Golden Bones, making his physique extraordinarily strong. Therefore, anything that could instantly cause him pain was definitely not ordinary. ¡°The Heavenly Flipping Seal was left to me by my wife. Could it have some other purpose?¡± An Jing thought of something and couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit puzzled. Ever since he met Tan Yun again, there were several complicated emotions added to his heart. He was a very cautious person by nature. Even though he deeply trusted Zhao Qingmei at the bottom of his heart, he couldn¡¯t help but recall many things now, such as whether Zhao Qingmei had any connection with the Demon Sect. When he previously discovered that Li Fuzhou was the Sect Leader of Human Sect, An Jing had never doubted Li Fuzhou. But this time, he wavered a bit. However, if Zhao Qingmei was really related to the Demon Sect, why would she marry him? All of this, what could be the reasons behind it? In a daze, An Jing remembered Zhao Qingmei¡¯s countenance and felt a profound sense of loss in his heart. After pondering for a moment, he slowly got up and went to the door of Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°Knock knock!¡± ¡°Senior, are you asleep?¡± ¡°Come in.¡± The voice of Lou Xiangzhen came from inside the room. An Jing pushed the door open and saw Lou Xiangzhen sitting crossed-legged on the bed, meditating with closed eyes. Hearing the footsteps, Lou Xiangzhen slowly opened his eyes and said, ¡°What¡¯s the matter that you¡¯re not resting in the middle of the night, kid?¡± An Jing chuckled dryly and said, ¡°Nothing, I just wanted to see if Senior Lou had rested.¡± Lou Xiangzhen: ¡°¡­.¡± An Jing explained, ¡°I¡¯m just more concerned about you, Senior. Are you getting used to living here, eating here, and how your injuries are healing.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not beat around the bush with each other.¡± Lou Xiangzhen gave An Jing a strange look, ¡°You¡¯ve been acting odd lately, is it because of that little girl that day?¡± Ever since he rescued that Demon Sect woman in Huang Yao Town, An Jing had been acting very weird, often zoning out as if contemplating something. ¡°Sigh.¡± An Jing sighed deeply and then took out the Heavenly Flipping Seal from his bosom, ¡°Actually, I wanted to ask Senior to take a look at this and tell me what it is.¡± Instantly, a red light filled the room. ¡°Is this an Exotic Treasure!?¡± Lou Xiangzhen was astonished when he saw the Heavenly Flipping Seal. ¡°Exotic Treasure?¡± An Jing asked, puzzled, ¡°What is an Exotic Treasure?¡± As Lou Xiangzhen examined the Heavenly Flipping Seal, he explained, ¡°In this world, there are countless precious materials. Once refined, they become powerful Exotic Treasures, capable of attacking and killing, very strong.¡± ¡°The top ten swords on the Famous Sword List can actually be considered Exotic Treasures, and the seal you hold in your hand is also one.¡± As he spoke, Lou turned to take a closer look at the Heavenly Flipping Seal. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect this thing to be so precious.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing was moved, having thought it was just an antique, when in fact it was an Exotic Treasure. ¡°Hmm?¡± When Lou Xiangzhen saw the characters on the face of the Heavenly Flipping Seal, he was shockingly taken aback, ¡°The Heavenly Flipping Seal!?¡± ¡°Yes, this is the Heavenly Flipping Seal,¡± An Jing nodded. ¡°This is really the Heavenly Flipping Seal!?¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing. ¡°Yes, doesn¡¯t it have writing on it?¡± An Jing pointed to the seal face. ¡°Of course I know the writing here¡­¡± Lou Xiangzhen paused, then said with an extremely serious expression, ¡°Where did you get this thing from?¡± ¡°` Seeing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s expression, An Jing also knew that this object was extraordinary and said cautiously, ¡°It was given to me by my wife, who said it is an antique passed down from her ancestors. She told me to keep it on me and not to lose it.¡± ¡°` ¡°` ¡°Antique? This is worth a hundred, no, a thousand times more than any antique.¡± ¡°` ¡°` Lou Xiangzhen carefully examined the Heavenly Flipping Seal, murmuring, ¡°This is a truly incredible exotic treasure, lost for a thousand years. I never imagined it would appear in your hands today.¡± ¡°` ¡°` Curious, An Jing asked, ¡°What exactly is this thing?¡± ¡°` ¡°` ¡°The Demon Sect¡¯s treasured relic to suppress the sect!¡± ¡°` ¡°` Lou Xiangzhen stated each word deliberately. ¡°` ¡°` ¡°The Demon Sect¡¯s treasured relic to suppress the sect?¡± ¡°` ¡°` Hearing this, An Jing felt as if he had been struck by a bolt from the blue. ¡°` ¡°` Zhao Qingmei had in her possession the Demon Sect¡¯s treasured relic to suppress the sect!? ¡°` ¡°` As if realizing something, his expression changed drastically. ¡°` ¡°` To say that Zhao Qingmei had nothing to do with the Demon Sect, An Jing wouldn¡¯t even believe it himself now. ¡°` ¡°` Seeing An Jing¡¯s change in complexion, Lou Xiangzhen couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? This is a top-tier exotic treasure, one of the finest in the world. Why do you look so troubled, lad?¡± ¡°` ¡°` An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°I think I¡¯ve been deceived?¡± ¡°` ¡°` ¡°All those who deceived me in the past were killed by me.¡± ¡°` ¡°` Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly before he said, puzzled, ¡°What did your wife deceive you about? This is an unparalleled exotic treasure, one that can only be rivaled by the union of six Evil Suppressing Swords.¡± ¡°` ¡°` An Jing replied earnestly, ¡°I was tricked in love.¡± ¡°` ¡°` Apart from being suave and handsome, it seemed he had no other outstanding qualities unless Zhao Qingmei had spotted something else¡­ ¡°` ¡°` ¡°Do you think you¡¯re worth a Heavenly Flipping Seal?¡± ¡°` ¡°` Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing with a hint of irritation, then admired the Heavenly Flipping Seal in his hand, saying, ¡°It¡¯s said that back in the Nine Nether, a piece of jade was found. This jade, growing in the Nine Nether, was pure and untainted, luminous and pure white. The jade was then taken and came into the hands of a remarkable person, who split it in two. One piece was turned into the Imperial Jade Seal of the Qin Dynasty, treasured and seen as a symbol of the nation.¡± ¡°` ¡°` ¡°The other piece was fashioned into the Heavenly Flipping Seal, and later used to establish the Demon Sect. This person, emulating the Human Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, made the Heavenly Flipping Seal the treasured relic to suppress the sect, intending for the Demon Sect to be passed down for generations.¡± ¡°` ¡°` Listening to Lou Xiangzhen, An Jing scrutinized the Heavenly Flipping Seal and asked, ¡°Do you mean, senior, that the Heavenly Flipping Seal and the Imperial Jade Seal are from the same piece of jade?¡± ¡°` ¡°` He had not expected the Heavenly Flipping Seal to have such an impressive origin. ¡°` ¡°` Lou Xiangzhen nodded, saying, ¡°Correct. This Heavenly Flipping Seal represents the supreme status within the Demon Sect. Not only that, this object is also an extraordinary treasure for offensive and defensive purposes, no weaker than the complete Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± ¡°` ¡°` ¡°However, this object has been lost by the Demon Sect for thousands of years, and they have searched for it for thousands of years, but have not been able to find it.¡± ¡°` ¡°` Upon hearing this, An Jing was greatly astonished. His wife had in her possession the Demon Sect¡¯s treasured relic to suppress the sect, and furthermore, she had passed it on to him. ¡°` ¡°` What exactly was the reason for this? ¡°` ¡°` What kind of relationship did his wife have with the Demon Sect? ¡°` ¡°` At this moment, his mind was in turmoil. If she truly belonged to the Demon Sect, why would she give him such a precious object? ¡°` ¡°` Or was she being coerced by the Demon Sect? ¡°` ¡°` Lou Xiangzhen, as if struck by a thought, said, ¡°Drop some of your blood onto the surface of the seal and try it.¡± ¡°` ¡°` ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°` ¡°` An Jing, confused, asked, ¡°Does this exotic treasure also require a blood pact to recognize a master?¡± ¡°` ¡°` Lou Xiangzhen explained, ¡°Such exotic treasures naturally possess a hint of sentience. By leaving behind your own aura, you may be able to use it in part. But if you wish for it to recognize a master and exert its full power, it will depend on your opportunity and fate.¡± ¡°` ¡°` Hearing this, An Jing nodded slightly. ¡°` ¡°` His Evil Suppressing Sword was just like this; it could only be drawn once it recognized a master. ¡°` ¡°` An Jing cut his finger, producing a drop of blood, then let it fall onto the surface of the seal. ¡°` ¡°` ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°` ¡°` When the blood touched the surface of the seal, it was as if a spark had fallen onto dry grass, igniting an immediate blaze. ¡°` ¡°` The crimson surface of the seal seemed to boil, with red light filling the entire room. ¡°` ¡°` But soon, the red light faded away. ¡°` ¡°` An Jing was puzzled, as for some reason, he felt Zhao Qingmei¡¯s essence within the Heavenly Flipping Seal, and it was profound. Her essence then completely devoured his own. ¡°` ¡°` He could sense that Zhao Qingmei was still alive, and judging by the essence she left behind, her cultivation seemed rather strong. ¡°` ¡°` Knowing his sensation of strength meant she truly must be very strong. ¡°` ¡°` He was currently in the Heavenly Flower Realm; above that were only the Half-step Master and maybe the Grandmaster Realm. ¡°` ¡°` ¡°Tip Two: A purple opportunity is near the host.¡± ¡°` ¡°` ¡°Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!¡± ¡°` ¡°` The red light trembled, refracting streams of characters from within. ¡°` ¡°What is this?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows rose as he looked over, ¡°The ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Lou Xiangzhen gazed at the characters, bursting into laughter, ¡°The records within the ¡®Heavenly Flipping Seal¡¯ are true, it contains the supreme martial heart method of the Demon Sect.¡± Originally, he was merely speculating, but now it seemed his guess was entirely correct, the ¡®Heavenly Flipping Seal¡¯ indeed included the Demon Sect¡¯s supreme heart method. ¡°Is this one of the three martial arts that surpass the Heavenly Martial in the current age?¡± An Jing looked at those characters, astounded. The heart method of the martial arts that surpassed the Heavenly Martial, a heart method that countless people coveted, was now before his eyes. After a short while, the red light gradually disappeared, and the ¡®Heavenly Flipping Seal¡¯ returned to how it looked before as if nothing had happened. ¡°You best not expose the ¡®Heavenly Flipping Seal.¡¯ If the people of the Demon Sect learn you possess this item, they will certainly stop at nothing, by any means necessary.¡± Lou Xiangzhen seemed to think of something, ¡°You said this was given to you by your wife? Does your wife know what this is?¡± ¡°I¡­ should know¡­ or do I not know?¡± An Jing¡¯s mouth opened, and his mind felt a bit foggy. If Zhao Qingmei didn¡¯t know, why would she insist he carry it close to his body? Moreover, she seemed to have some connection with the Demon Sect. Now, An Jing was even more confused. Lou Xiangzhen shook his head, saying, ¡°Either way, since she gave you something so precious, you should keep it safe. Remember not to let anyone else find out about it.¡± It seemed that this lad¡¯s wife was no ordinary figure, and she was quite good to him, indeed, to have given him such a precious item. An Jing nodded vigorously, then asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you wish to take another look at the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯?¡± Lou Xiangzhen waved his hand and spoke with righteousness, ¡°I practice the orthodox methods of the Mystical Sect, which inherently conflict with the Demon Sect¡¯s techniques. Even though the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ is above the Heavenly Martial, converting my true qi now would be too time-consuming.¡± ¡°Moreover, as a disciple of the Mystical Sect, it would be inappropriate for me to practice a cultivation technique from the Demon Sect. How would it look if that got out?¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Ghost Valley Heart Method had already reached the ninth layer, and if he were to start over with the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡¯ it would take too much time. Besides, he had his pride; how could he possibly practice a technique from the Demon Sect? An Jing inwardly sighed, ¡°The predecessor still upholds his integrity, unswayed even by this heart method.¡± Lou Xiangzhen spoke indifferently, ¡°After I obtain the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture,¡¯ and practice the orthodox martial arts of my Mystical Sect, won¡¯t it be stronger than this Demon Sect heart method?¡± An Jing nodded, then clenched the ¡®Heavenly Flipping Seal¡¯ tightly and carefully placed it against his chest. This was what Zhao Qingmei had left for him. ¡°Your wife is quite good to you.¡± Seeing this, Lou Xiangzhen couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit sour, ¡°Did she trick you with charm? How valuable are you?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows rose, ¡°My affection is priceless.¡± Lou Xiangzhen spoke dismissively, ¡°Then you haven¡¯t hidden anything from your wife, have you?¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­..¡± Upon reflection, he realized he too had kept many things from Zhao Qingmei, such as his cultivation, and when Zhao Qingmei left, he only gave her paper effigies along with Third Grade wooden figures. Thinking of this, guilt started to set in his heart. In comparison to his wife, he was far too poor. He had finally obtained the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡¯ but couldn¡¯t even cultivate it. Lou Xiangzhen let out a soft sigh, then took a seat in a chair, ¡°In this world, there is nothing more precious than sincere affection, make sure not to live with regret.¡± An Jing quickly sat down next to Lou Xiangzhen, pouring two cups of tea, ¡°Listening to the predecessor, it seems you have some regrets.¡± ¡°Some regrets, yes, but not entirely.¡± Lou Xiangzhen shook his head and said, ¡°How could life be full of only regrets? Looking back, there are three regrets in my heart, two of which I still have the chance to rectify.¡± ¡°What regrets?¡± Lou Xiangzhen took a deep breath and after a long silence finally said, ¡°One of my regrets was Jiang Sanjia, but his death reignited my will to persevere, sparking my fighting spirit. It was key for me to reach the Sixth Realm; otherwise, my life might have never advanced to this stage.¡± With that said, Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing, ¡°If I reached the Sixth Realm, you have a part in it, too. Your sword intent was also immensely beneficial to me.¡± An Jing chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s mutually beneficial. I also learned a lot from the predecessor.¡± Throughout their exchange over this period, An Jing¡¯s swordsmanship had also greatly improved, especially as Lou Xiangzhen had almost unreservedly passed on his experience to him. ¡°As for the second regret¡­ it is the title of the world¡¯s foremost swordsman. A person¡¯s life spans but seventy years, deducting ten years for childhood ignorance and another ten for old age, only fifty remain. Among those fifty, when divided by day and night, only twenty-five are left. When you account for windy and rainy days, sickness, dangers, and the time spent rushing here and there, how many good days are truly left? Regardless, the one thing I have always been doing is practicing the sword.¡± ¡°Why practice the sword? Because of the world¡¯s vain titles, yes, for that vanity. That¡¯s right.¡± Lou Xiangzhen chuckled lightly, his voice laden with infinite sighs, ¡°Something I¡¯ve pursued my whole life seems so distant, yet also seems within reach.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing was inwardly shaken. How many swordsmen spent their lives chasing the title of the world¡¯s number one, exhausting their essence blood in the effort. In the eyes of many, this might seem ridiculous, but this is precisely what a true Swordsman is. When you choose to become a Swordsman, that becomes your ultimate destiny. There isn¡¯t a Swordsman who doesn¡¯t wish to be the world¡¯s foremost Swordsman. ¡°I thought that after retiring for decades, I had left everything behind,¡± Lou Xiangzhen slowly said, ¡°but as they say, only when you can pick it up, can you put it down. I, however, never picked it up in the first place, so how can we speak of putting it down?¡± In his lifetime, Lou Xiangzhen never became the world¡¯s foremost Swordsman; in his earlier years, he was overshadowed by unparalleled Swordsmen such as the Sword God and the Sword Demon, and later lost his ambition, with no progress in his Sword Dao realm for years. Although the Sword God and Sword Demon had retired, new and emerging young talents had since arisen in Jianghu. For his entire life, he was the second-best Swordsman. An Jing knew that his heart harbored unwillingness. For a lifetime, persisting devotedly to one task, such an obsession had been deeply imprinted in his mind, impossible to shake off completely. This time, Lou Xiangzhen came out of retirement not only to avenge Jiang Sanjia but also to truly become the world¡¯s foremost Swordsman. An Jing nodded solemnly, understanding that with Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s strength, he could indeed contend for the title of the world¡¯s foremost Swordsman. Without going any further, neither he nor the Heavenly Sword were matches for Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°The last one¡­¡± Lou Xiangzhen paused after these words, and then said no more. An Jing remained silent, knowing that Lou Xiangzhen was referring to that woman. Both men understood each other without words, and each raised their teacups to take a sip. An Jing put down his teacup and said, ¡°Senior, I¡¯ve decided to go to the Five Poison Sect to borrow the Thunder Pool.¡± Lou Xiangzhen chuckled, ¡°Oh? Have you thought it through? The Five Poison Young Master isn¡¯t a very generous person. With the grudges between you and the Five Poison Sect, they might not lend it to you.¡± An Jing spoke gravely, ¡°This is something I must try to know for sure.¡± The transformation of the Thousand-year-old Black Python into a Jiao, with strength comparable to the Grandmaster Realm, was the most pressing matter for him at the moment. ¡°You have finally come to understand,¡± Lou Xiangzhen smiled, ¡°Once the Thousand-year-old Black Python undergoes the Jiao Transformation, even Yu Ying from the Zhenyi Sect wouldn¡¯t be able to harm you when he arrives, and with me protecting you along the way, unless the Zhenyi Sect mobilizes in full force, they stand no chance against the two of us.¡± He had previously advised An Jing to visit the Five Poison Sect, but at that time, An Jing had refused. ¡­¡­. In Lingnan Dao, the city of Heavenly Travel, in an alleyway. The alley wasn¡¯t long and ran from north to south. On both sides were courtyards made of thick loam, one connected to the next, with sturdy ancient locust trees and wisterias laden with purple blossoms embellishing the depths of the alley. The courtyards were uniform in height and size; on one side, a dozen families lined up neatly. You couldn¡¯t see inside the houses, only the broad wooden doors, each double-paned, and the wisps of blue smoke rising from earthen chimneys atop their roofs. In one of these courtyards at the moment. In the alley, there was a wooden table laid with fish head stew, dragon beard vegetables, stir-fried eggs, and steamed crabs. ¡°Little Tan Yun, it¡¯s time to eat,¡± Luo Zixiang called out to the inner room. ¡°Coming, coming!¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun hurriedly ran out from her room. Luo Zixiang laughed, ¡°These are all your favorites; you aren¡¯t angry anymore, are you?¡± Tan Yun took a seat and said, ¡°I never get angry during mealtime, but after I eat, that¡¯s not so certain.¡± After saying this, Tan Yun picked up her chopsticks and started eating. ¡°You little girl,¡± With a stern face, Luo Zixiang said, ¡°Consider this a lesson. The spies of the Heaven and Earth Net are quite formidable. As you move through the Great Yan Martial World, you must be extremely careful and vigilant.¡± While stuffing her face and puffing out her cheeks, Tan Yun replied, ¡°I took action once, probably killing those blind little bandits, and I guessed it might expose my identity. I just didn¡¯t expect the Heaven and Earth Net to catch up so quickly.¡± Tan Yun was unaware that because the North Mountain bandits had recently committed too many outrages, they had become a major target of the Heaven and Earth Net, and since Tan Yun had killed them at this juncture, she was quickly marked by the spies of the Heaven and Earth Net. ¡°Ah,¡± Luo Zixiang sighed, ¡°It¡¯s really difficult for our Demon Sect to infiltrate Great Yan while it remains stable.¡± The current situation was like a taut bow, just waiting for the first arrow to be fired. The Demon Sect could only find its way into Great Yan when someone else fired that first arrow. For example, if Houjin or Zhao Country declared war on Great Yan, or if the Zhenyi Sect and the Buddhist sects engaged in battle¨Cevents that could completely unsettle Jianghu. However, the likelihood of the latter unfolding is meager, as neither the Zhenyi Sect nor the Buddhist sects would act hastily at such crucial times. Suddenly, Luo Zixiang thought of something and asked, ¡°By the way, why did that Ghost Swordsman intervene to save you that day?¡± Now that they had escaped, they also learned that in the end, the Ghost Swordsman had defeated the Heavenly Sword, which truly surprised Luo Zixiang. She hadn¡¯t expected the Ghost Swordsman to turn defeat into victory. ¡°` It seems I was wrong that day; I failed to see that the Ghost Swordsman is an even more formidable swordsman than the Heavenly Sword. Facing the Heavenly Sword, Luo Zixiang admits even the courage to make a move eludes her. If it weren¡¯t for the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s intervention that day, Tan Yun wouldn¡¯t have the chance to be eating now; she would only be able to eat the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s prison food. Recently, the entire Jianghu has been discussing this duel. Now that the Ghost Swordsman has eclipsed the fame of the Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian, he has directly become the sixth Sword Immortal of the Jianghu, and countless swordsmen, upon mentioning this swordsman, can¡¯t help but feel a chill in their hearts and silently express their admiration. First, he slew the Great Zhenren of the Zhenyi Sect, and then he defeated the Heavenly Sword; either deed alone is a major event that has shaken the Jianghu. In just a few short months, the Ghost Swordsman went from being a fairly well-known swordsman to ascending to the position of a Sword Immortal. One should know that the other five Sword Immortals are all renowned figures, swordsmen who have undergone decades of experience before gradually becoming Sword Immortals in the Jianghu. Only the Ghost Swordsman remains true to his name, with his moves unpredictable and mysterious, and to this day no one knows his true appearance or age. This only adds a layer of mystery to his identity. ¡°How¡­ how would I know?¡± Tan Yun¡¯s face turned completely red upon hearing this, and her voice was as thin as a thread. ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Luo Zixiang stared wide-eyed, ¡°You don¡¯t know that the Ghost Swordsman made a move against the Heavenly Sword? That¡¯s one of the five great Sword Immortals.¡± When she took Tan Yun away, the Ghost Swordsman was already at a clear disadvantage; even if he had finally overcome the Heavenly Sword, he probably didn¡¯t win easily. For the sake of someone she doesn¡¯t know, who would come to her rescue? And if Tan Yun doesn¡¯t know the Ghost Swordsman, why did she say such things that day? ¡°I really don¡¯t know, I¡¯m not a parasite in his stomach; how could I know why he saved me?¡± Tan Yun shook her head, feeling even sweeter than if she had eaten honey at this moment. Luo Zixiang was full of suspicion; she didn¡¯t believe Tan Yun¡¯s words. Tan Yun bit her lip and said, ¡°Aunt Luo, do you believe in love at first sight?¡± ¡°I did decades ago, but not anymore,¡± Luo Zixiang laughed lightly, ¡°I¡¯m old and faded now; there is no such thing as love at first sight for me anymore.¡± Tan Yun earnestly replied, ¡°Love at first sight isn¡¯t about liking someone at a glance; it¡¯s about seeing someone once and then never being able to forget them.¡± To say she likes him, she doesn¡¯t know; she¡¯s not familiar with mystery, but his silhouette is something she can never forget. ¡°Wow!¡± Luo Zixiang couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°What if he¡¯s hideous?¡± ¡°No, his eyes are very nice.¡± ¡°How nice?¡± ¡°Just like¡­ like your husband¡¯s¡­¡± When Tan Yun said this, her expression became somewhat sad. For some reason, whenever she thought of the Ghost Swordsman, she would often be reminded of An Jing. ¡°You¡¯re not talking about that Ghost Swordsman, are you?¡± Luo Zixiang shook her head and advised, ¡°Forget it, this is your private affair; if you don¡¯t speak of it, I won¡¯t pry. But you¡¯d better stay away from this Ghost Swordsman for now. He killed the Great Zhenren of the Zhenyi Sect, and while there¡¯s been no move by the sect yet, I reckon they will act soon.¡± What kind of sect is the Zhenyi Sect? It¡¯s the state religion of Great Yan and the undisputed leader of the Jianghu. If no one knew about the Ghost Swordsman killing the Great Zhenren, it would be better, but now the whole Jianghu knows of it. How would the rest view the Zhenyi Sect if they did not act? How can the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s reputation continue to intimidate the Jianghu? Therefore, the Ghost Swordsman is in grave danger. Tan Yun paused in her actions, asking, ¡°Aunt Luo, do you think it would be a good thing if the Ghost Swordsman joined our Demon Sect?¡± ¡°That¡­ would of course be an incredible boon,¡± Luo Zixiang looked at Tan Yun seriously, ¡°He is one of the six Sword Immortals in the Jianghu. Currently, only these six can be called Sword Immortals. If he were to join our Demon Sect, it would undoubtedly greatly strengthen our sect¡¯s prestige.¡± The noise the Ghost Swordsman has made in the Jianghu lately has been no small matter. If he were to join the Demon Sect, then the sect¡¯s reputation and power would grow correspondingly. Regardless of being known for good or ill, it would intimidate a large number of Jianghu experts. ¡°I have finished eating; I will go rest now,¡± Tan Yun acknowledged this with a nod and then set down her chopsticks, making her way to her room. Luo Zixiang looked at the mess on the table and asked, ¡°How come you only ate two bowls today? Was the food not to your liking?¡± ¡°There wasn¡¯t enough food; I wasn¡¯t satisfied.¡± Having said this, Tan Yun then slipped into her own room. ¡°` ¡°Really.¡± Luo Zixiang saw this and couldn¡¯t help but laugh and shake his head, ¡°Love at first sight, this little girl even asks about love at first sight. In the blink of an eye, she¡¯s all grown up.¡± Many of the newer generation in the Demon Sect Main Hall were watched over by her as they grew up, and she had very deep impressions of Zhao Qingmei, Tan Yun, and Yu Qiurong. Zhao Qingmei was brought into the sect by Jiang Shang, and the first time Luo Zixiang saw Zhao Qingmei, she felt that Zhao Qingmei was quite extraordinary. That gaze and tone of voice shouldn¡¯t belong to a girl of about ten years old. Some people can be seen from childhood to be not of the common sort. Zhao Qingmei was such a person. Then there was Tan Yun, who was brought into the Demon Sect by Li Fuzhou. Moreover, he made an exception by accepting her as his disciple, although he claimed at the time that he would not take any disciples. Compared to Zhao Qingmei¡¯s coldness, Tan Yun was quite familiar with many of the sect members. Many people liked this innocent and cute little girl, and they often looked out for her. Luo Zixiang remembered clearly that once, when Tan Yun failed to complete a task assigned by Li Fuzhou, she followed a merchant convoy out of Dongluo Pass to eat beggar¡¯s chicken. Upon her return, Li Fuzhou punished her by making her kneel in the courtyard for a day and a night. Inside the sect, many people pleaded for her, but Li Fuzhou refused to see anyone and ignored them all. At night, many went to secretly bring food to Tan Yun, who unexpectedly fell asleep in the middle of the courtyard. In fact, Luo Zixiang knew that Li Fuzhou was observing everything in secret. He protected Tan Yun very well; she had never been exposed to the shady and ignoble affairs within the Demon Sect. Moreover, because of Li Fuzhou, few people dared to set their sights on Tan Yun. Sometimes, Luo Zixiang almost thought that Tan Yun might be Li Fuzhou¡¯s own daughter. You should know that Li Fuzhou was famously handsome and elegant in his youth. The women he was close to were numerous. When he first joined the Demon Sect, Liu Huiyun from the Liu Family of Great Yan even came to look for him. At that time, Li Fuzhou hid for a whole month and did not show up. As for Yu Qiurong, her impression was not that deep. Yu Qiurong liked to follow Zhao Qingmei from a young age, very honest and loyal. A sect member with ill intent took a fancy to Yu Qiurong, who was quite attractive. Yu Qiurong was much older than Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun and had already grown into a tall and graceful beauty. Although her cultivation was also not bad, she didn¡¯t hold any status within the sect. In the end, it was Zhao Qingmei who took action and helped her out of the crisis. Since then, Yu Qiurong became Zhao Qingmei¡¯s shadow, often following her around. When Zhao Qingmei became the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, the first person she promoted was Yu Qiurong. ¡°This little girl seems a bit off today; even her appetite is lacking.¡± Luo Zixiang was halfway through her meal when she suddenly felt something strange and walked slowly to Tan Yun¡¯s door. ¡°Tan Yun! I still have some things to ask you, have you gone to sleep?¡± There was no response from inside the room, not even the sound of breathing. ¡°This is bad!¡± Luo Zixiang muttered to herself in alarm and hurriedly pushed the door open. She saw that the room was completely empty; there was no sign of Tan Yun. On the table, there was a piece of white paper with a few crooked words: ¡°Aunt Luo, I have important matters to attend to, I¡¯m leaving first. No need to look for me, Tan Yun.¡± Seeing this, Luo Zixiang couldn¡¯t help but reveal a bittersweet smile. ¡°Master Li, Master Li, girls really can¡¯t be kept around once they grow up.¡± ¡­.. Zhenyi Sect, Zhenyi Mountain. Majestic and towering, with layered ranges, the midsection of the mountain was shrouded in endless clouds, rolling ceaselessly. Today seemed somewhat different. On the plaza of Zhenyi Mountain, thousands of disciples stood on both sides, their eyes focused straight ahead, filled with a certain excitement. In the center of the plaza was a giant cauldron, currently emitting red incense that gave off a fragrance which inevitably jolted the mind. Directly in front was Heavenly Venerate Hall¡¯s Yu Ying, followed by Nanhua Peak Master Ling Yuanjing, Dongxu Peak Master Song Chengbiao, Chongling Peak Master Sima Changlin¨Cthe three great peak masters. Only the Tongxuan Peak Master He Chen was still lying in bed with injuries requiring more time to heal. Further back were the great real people of the Zhenyi Sect. Out of the seven great real people of the Zhenyi Sect, except for Yuchen Real Person, who was far in the Southern Barbarians, four had come, while two had already been buried. Such a grand and solemn assembly was something very few people in Zhenyi Sect of contemporary times could enjoy. Everyone was serious, as if they were waiting for something. Time ticked away, and after about half an incense stick¡¯s time passed, ¡°Dingling!¡± ¡°Dingling!¡± Just then, clear bell sounds came from the great hall ahead, followed by a young boy¡¯s crisp shout. ¡°The Sect Leader Uncle has exited seclusion!¡± The tone was clear and pleasant, echoing across the entire plaza. ¡°Greetings to the Sect Leader upon exiting seclusion!¡± ¡°Greetings to the Sect Leader upon exiting seclusion!¡± ¡­¡­. All the people were shouting loudly, and then they bowed in respect. The voices of thousands rang out clearly, echoing resoundingly and scattering across the skies. At that moment, a young boy walked out slowly. Behind him, the sound of footsteps followed, and soon, a figure emerged at a leisurely pace. The man was dressed in a white robe, wearing a Daoist crown and had his hair tied up in a Daoist topknot; he appeared to be in his early thirties, with a face as sharp as if it had been cut by a knife, and a pair of pure, bright eyes that showed no trace of impurity¨Cclear yet profoundly unfathomable, and his skin was as lustrous as jade. Some people, even when standing in a crowd and dressed in the same Daoist robes, you would immediately recognize them. He was none other than Xiao Qianqiu, the most respected figure in the current Great Yan Martial World. Upon seeing Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s silhouette, everyone present showed a hint of reverence. ¡°Senior Uncle.¡± Xiao Qianqiu glanced at Yu Ying in front of him and nodded faintly in response. Yu Ying¡¯s eyes sparkled as he smiled and said, ¡°Congratulations to the Sect Leader for exiting seclusion. Your cultivation must have improved further, right?¡± Xiao Qianqiu nodded slightly, then glanced around, ¡°Senior Brother He Chen is still unable to leave bed?¡± ¡°Brother He Chen¡¯s injuries are severe; he needs at least a month or two of recuperation,¡± Ling Yuanjing stepped forward and said with a deep breath. He Chen had suffered a sword strike from An Jing, and although it did not hit a vital point, the Sword Qi was still within him, requiring time to be expelled. Yu Ying said gravely, ¡°It is not only He Chen; Yu Huai and Yu Lin have both perished.¡± As his words fell, everyone from the Zhenyi Sect fell silent, their heads bowed, eyes filled with a touch of sorrow. ¡°Did Qi Yun also die?¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s face showed neither joy nor sorrow, betraying no change in emotion. Yu Ying replied, ¡°He did die, killed by the Ghost Swordsman and another mysterious expert during a fight.¡± ¡°Are there any other messages?¡± After speaking, Xiao Qianqiu raised his head and looked into the distant sky. On his face, in his eyes, there was no sign of any emotion, no telling whether he felt loss, sadness, or melancholy. Yu Ying glanced at Ling Yuanjing, who took a deep breath and said with a serious face, ¡°Recently, there are two important pieces of intelligence. Jiang Shang is not dead, and he has returned to the Demon Sect.¡± The news of Jiang Shang¡¯s return to the Demon Sect had been spreading secretly, but it had yet to spread throughout Jianghu. Xiao Qianqiu nodded, ¡°This Jiang Shang indeed has formidable abilities. However, having been gravely injured before, even if he did not die, he would need several years to recuperate, so his cultivation should not have progressed over these years.¡± He was well aware of their previous clash; Jiang Shang had taken the blow with his own body, and if not dead, would certainly be critically injured. That Jiang Shang was not dead was not entirely unexpected to him. ¡°The second piece of intelligence concerns the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯.¡± Ling Yuanjing continued, ¡°Lou Xiangzhen of the Ghost Valley Sect and the Ghost Swordsman of the Daluo Sect were seen together. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s cultivation should be at the peak of the Second Qi Peak, while his Sword Skill at the peak of the Fifth Realm.¡± ¡°The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s cultivation is at the realm of the Heavenly Flower, extremely strong in power, with a formidable Thousand-year-old Black Python under his command. He Chen was wounded by him, while the revered Yu Huai and Yu Lin were killed by him.¡± Yu Ying, furrowing his brows, said, ¡°Against the strength of this Lou Xiangzhen, I¡¯m not confident I could defeat him¡­¡± Considering Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s formidable abilities, he was not sure he could prevail. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s gaze was serene, as he gently declared, ¡°Proclaim to the world that in five days, I shall descend the mountain.¡± Upon hearing Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s words, everyone present was profoundly shaken! Xiao Qianqiu was going to leave the mountain! The most respected figure in the Great Yan Martial World was going to come down from the mountain! If this news were to spread, it would surely cause an uproar throughout the entire Jianghu. Upon hearing this, Ling Yuanjing couldn¡¯t help but clench his fists, knowing well that with Xiao Qianqiu making a move, the outcome was bound to be certain, allowing them not only to seize the Daluo Heart Method but also to exact their great revenge by slaying the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Are you really going to leave the mountain?¡± Yu Ying asked in a grave tone. Xiao Qianqiu was of such special status that descending from the mountain meant facing not only the visible members of the Zhenyi Sect but also many unseen enemies. ¡°Such is life, nothing more than ascending and descending mountains,¡± Xiao Qianqiu said indifferently while watching the white clouds drifting in the distance. ¡­¡­ Lijiang City, aboard a fishing boat. Ling Yuhua, looking at the secret letter in her hands, shook her head slightly. ¡°Li Fuzhou, oh Li Fuzhou, if only you had stayed in Capital Road, but you even went to meet that Liu Huiyun¡­¡± Even though she had long anticipated the outcome, the actual sight of it still made her heart skip a beat. ¡°Grandma, there¡¯s an urgent secret letter.¡± At this moment, a crisp, pleasant voice sounded. The curtain was lifted, and a gentle and beautiful figure walked in, holding a secret letter from Wind and Rain Tower in her hand. This person was Li Yue, currently dressed in plain clothes, disguised as a fisher girl. Her peerless beauty was not diminished by this attire; on the contrary, it added an enchanting charm. ¡°Let me see what it is.¡± Upon hearing this, Ling Yuhua took the secret letter and scanned the dozens of words on it. Li Yue saw Ling Yuhua¡¯s face turn incredibly serious, and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Grandma, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Ling Yuhua took a deep breath and slowly said, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu is coming down from the mountain.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Li Yue was also startled by the news. Even though she had never met Xiao Qianqiu, ever since she stepped into Jianghu, his legends were everywhere. The number one person in the Great Yan Martial World! Currently, he was the topmost top expert under the heavens, also having a chance to break into the Grandmaster Realm in the future. Throughout the thousands of years of history, Grandmasters were few and far in between. ¡°It seems that the world is going to be disturbed again.¡± Ling Yuhua lamented, ¡°You don¡¯t understand Xiao Qianqiu¡­ He¡¯s descending the mountain to find the Ghost Swordsman and Lou Xiangzhen. You must gather information quickly, and if you learn anything about these two, immediately send word to the Zhenyi Sect.¡± Li Yue, puzzled, asked, ¡°Why is this?¡± Why should Wind and Rain Tower involve itself in the affairs of Zhenyi Sect? Ling Yuhua said sternly, ¡°Don¡¯t ask why, just do it.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Li Yue nodded, then departed. ¡°Sigh.¡± Ling Yuhua sighed, her gaze fixed on the secret letter as she lost herself in thought. ¡­¡­ Capital Road, inside a certain secluded courtyard. In the courtyard stood a thick, tall camphor tree, beneath which was a stone table. At this moment, an elderly man in a green shirt was sitting next to the table, his brow furrowed, staring blankly at the chessboard. ¡°A dead end, another dead end. It seems this game of chess has no solution.¡± The elder looked on for a long while, then helplessly shook his head and set down the black piece in his hand. ¡°My lord, there¡¯s urgent news.¡± At this time, a man dressed in ornate silk clothing hurried in. ¡°Speak.¡± The elder picked up the chess pieces from the stone table, one by one, and then placed them back into the chess pot. The man hurriedly said, ¡°Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Xiao Qianqiu will descend from the mountain in five days. His targets are the Ghost Swordsman and Lou Xiangzhen, and the motive is the Daluo Heart Method.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Even an elder as skilled in controlling his emotions couldn¡¯t help but be shaken by the news. This elder was none other than Meng Zhaodou, the head of Heaven and Earth Net. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The man asked cautiously, ¡°This news has not yet fully spread, but in a few days, it will travel throughout Jianghu. Do we need to take action?¡± Xiao Qianqiu spreading this news was a clear indication that he wanted to use the hands of the entire Jianghu to find these two men. ¡°Investigate the whereabouts of these two men, and report back to me immediately upon learning anything.¡± Meng Zhaodou took a deep breath, then without even bothering to tidy up the chess pieces on the table anymore, he went straight into the house. ¡­¡­ Chapter 156 - Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Mysterious Person Under the Sealing Demon Well Chapter 156: Chapter 156: Mysterious Person Under the Sealing Demon Well Capital Road, Youfeng Valley. Mountains grand and magnificent, peaks soaring into the clouds. The sound of birds pervades the valley, and everywhere are lush trees. The gentle breeze rustles through them, carrying with it the scent of nature, like that of fresh grass, set against the blue sky and white clouds. All these marvels naturally form a painting so beautiful it needs no embellishment. The most spectacular sight in Youfeng Valley is the waterfall, which, with the arrival of spring, has long lost its icy cover. At this moment, a figure appears in the valley. The person is dressed in a robe, with a headband, appearing meticulously neat and tidy. This person is none other than Li Fuzhou, the Lord of the Human Sect of the Demon Sect. Li Fuzhou walks neither fast nor slow towards the valley. One li away from the waterfall, a distant roar can be heard. After a few turns, the waterfall comes into view. From afar, it looks like a ribbon of silver light set between the green mountains, dazzling and striking. The closer one approaches the waterfall, the louder it roars, deafening as if thousands of horses and soldiers are charging with unstoppable momentum. The water cascades down from the mountaintop, striking the rocks around and shattering into spray like scattered pearls, the fine droplets creating beautiful halos in the sunlight, as if one were enveloped in the vast mist. Not far from the waterfall, there is a pavilion. Li Fuzhou enters the pavilion and, like always, takes a book out from his bosom and sits down to read. He always carries a book with him, to relieve boredom and to calm his mind. As Li Fuzhou opens his book, he becomes completely immersed, as if the thunderous waterfall does not affect him at all. In this world, the number of people with his level of cultivation and strength, who are also able to sit quietly and read, can be counted on one¡¯s fingers. Time trickles by, and about half an hour passes. ¡°Mr. Li, Elder Liu has asked you to go back. There¡¯s no use in waiting; she said she won¡¯t meet with you.¡± At that moment, a female disciple of Youfeng Valley comes flying from afar, landing near the pavilion. She doesn¡¯t know who this reader is or why he seeks out the Great Elder, but his perseverance is not something ordinary people possess. For over half a month he has waited here every day for Elder Liu Ruyun, even though he is turned away each time. Yet he persists, day after day, never flagging. ¡°If she does not come to see me today, I will not leave. You go about your business; I¡¯ll just read my book here.¡± Li Fuzhou replies with a faint smile. ¡°Alright then, I won¡¯t disturb Mr. Li.¡± The female disciple of Youfeng Valley hesitates briefly before bowing to Li Fuzhou and taking her leave. Li Fuzhou continues to read, as though he truly is just reading and not waiting for someone. Time passes, and it seems to be noon already. A figure appears in front of him. She is wearing a black cloth dress, with a red belt around her waist, and sky-blue boots. Her once jet-black hair now has streaks of silver as if touched by the first snow of winter or the frost of an autumn morning, partially hidden and ethereal. Her face bears the marks of time, her hair meticulously combed, devoid of any mess, but those strands of silver are still clearly visible among the black, telling stories of the years. Her deep brown eyes quietly speak of the vicissitudes of time. At this moment, as their eyes meet, it seems as if time itself has come to a stop. ¡°Ruyun, I knew you wouldn¡¯t let me wait in vain, you¡¯ve come at last,¡± Li Fuzhou suddenly speaks, guilt filling his heart, ¡°How have you been over the years?¡± The woman before him, nearing her fifties, is the Great Elder of Youfeng Valley, Liu Ruyun. ¡°Fine,¡± she replies. Liu Ruyun looks at the man before her, a turmoil of emotions stirring within, and then asks, ¡°And you, all these years?¡± Although she had been gathering news about Li Fuzhou all these years, roughly knowing how he had spent them, she couldn¡¯t help but ask now. Li Fuzhou shakes his head and sighs, ¡°I have been doing very badly.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Liu Ruyun feels a surge of nervousness upon hearing this. Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes fix intently on Liu Ruyun, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s the guilt I feel towards you that I cannot resolve.¡± ¡°Guilt?¡± Liu Ruyun¡¯s heart clenches, ¡°Fuzhou, I am no longer who I was back then, don¡¯t think you can deceive me with those tricks anymore.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyebrows rose, ¡°Ruyun, how could I possibly deceive you? I hid from you in the past because I had no choice due to compelling reasons.¡± Liu Ruyun shook her head, ¡°Compelling reasons? What compelling reasons could you possibly have to hide from me for twenty years? My senior brother was right, you must have found someone else, which is why you dared not come back to see me.¡± That damn Zuo Biwen! Li Fuzhou cursed inwardly, then explained seriously, ¡°At that time, my departure from the Lv Sect was acrimonious, and I was disintegrated. Afterwards, I defected to the Demon Sect, Lv Guoyong ordered the Xuanyi Guard to hunt me down, you know that, don¡¯t you?¡± After leaving the Lv Mansion, Li Fuzhou had defected directly to the Demon Sect, which was quite a ¡®fine tale¡¯ in the Jianghu at the time. Liu Ruyun gave a bitter smile, ¡°What about me? In order to find you, I even went to the Demon Sect Main Hall. As long as you had agreed to see me once and explain things clearly, I was ready to join the Demon Sect with you, but you refused to see me.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s heart trembled, he hadn¡¯t expected Liu Ruyun had once considered joining him in the Demon Sect, something he had never anticipated. ¡°Fuzhou.¡± Liu Ruyun looked at Li Fuzhou, ¡°Stop lying to me. I won¡¯t believe any word you say anymore.¡± With that, Liu Ruyun steeled her heart, clenched her teeth, and walked away toward the distance. ¡°Ruyun, I came here this time to say goodbye to you.¡± Li Fuzhou sighed heavily, ¡°Seeing you now fulfills my wish. In a few days, after taking care of matters with the Demon Sect, I plan to enter Yujing City to face Lv Guoyong.¡± Liu Ruyun¡¯s steps halted, and she quickly turned back, ¡°You¡¯re going to Yujing City? You¡¯ll die.¡± Who is Li Fuzhou!? He was the Sect Master of the Human Sect of the Demon Sect, a key fugitive wanted by the Xuanyi Guard. Not only that, he was a Confucian scholar who defected from the disciples of the Confucian master Lv Guoyong, and such a man entering Yujing City would undoubtedly face imminent danger and a slim chance of survival. ¡°Maybe I will,¡± Li Fuzhou said solemnly, ¡°Anyway, there¡¯s nothing in this world I can cling to, even you don¡¯t believe me anymore, so what does it matter whether I live or die?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Liu Ruyun¡¯s eyes immediately showed a glint of struggle upon hearing this. ¡°Well, for someone like me, maybe this is the best outcome after all.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s voice grew somber, ¡°Ruyun, you must take good care of yourself in the days when I¡¯m gone. Out of the myriad people in the world, it¡¯s a pity that it¡¯s hard to find another me.¡± With these words, Li Fuzhou walked away into the distance. All around, silence fell, with only the sound of the waterfall thundering, echoing with a sense of farewell and sorrow. Out of the myriad people in the world, it¡¯s hard to find another me. Li Fuzhou walked slowly, as if waiting for something. ¡°Fuzhou.¡± Just as Li Fuzhou had taken a few steps, Liu Ruyun called out in a hurry. ¡°Whew¡­¡± Hearing this, Li Fuzhou let out a breath of relief, then turned around and asked, ¡°Ruyun, do you want to hear some last words from me?¡± Liu Ruyun said seriously, ¡°You cannot go to Yujing City.¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head and sighed, ¡°I must go to Yujing City, and I have reasons I cannot avoid it. This time, I just wanted to see you one last time.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Liu Ruyun took a deep breath and slowly said, ¡°Then I will go with you. No matter what, my Liu Family is still a family with meritorious achievements, and we still have some influence.¡± Liu Ruyun following Li Fuzhou into Yujing City, with her family¡¯s connections, even if Li Fuzhou was eventually captured by the Xuanyi Guard, saving Li Fuzhou¡¯s life should be no problem at all. ¡°But.¡± A glint flashed in Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes, fleeting, ¡°I am a person of the Demon Sect, and for you to join me entering Yujing City would be very inconvenient. Moreover, Ling Yuehua said you were already married¡­¡± Liu Ruyun lowered her head, speaking softly, ¡°I made Ling Yuehua tell you that on purpose, but in reality, it¡¯s not true.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded his head in response. He hadn¡¯t spent so many years in studying only to turn himself into a fool. Before heading to Capital Road, he had already inquired about the truth. Actually, he knew all along that Ling Yuehua was lying to him. With his means, how could such information escape his notice? But of course, this explanation naturally had to come from Liu Ruyun herself. Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes held a deep affection, ¡°Ruyun, it¡¯s fine if you accompany me to Yujing City. Once I resolve the grudges between Lv Guoyong and Zhao Tianyi, I promise to make it up to you doubly.¡± Liu Ruyun was taken aback, and suddenly her face flushed with color, ¡°What nonsense are you talking about¡­¡± Sometimes, even if you know you might be deceived a thousand times, you will still head into it without any hesitation, willingly so, because at the moment of being deceived, you are happy. Liu Ruyun was exactly that type of woman, and Li Fuzhou was the man who could deceive her a thousand times over. Seeing this scene, Li Fuzhou, a man experienced in the art of love, knew he had her wrapped around his finger. Then, he thought of something and said, ¡°Your senior brother, I¡¯ve heard he¡¯s been getting quite close to the Second Prince lately?¡± Liu Ruyun¡¯s senior brother was none other than Zuo Biwen of the Zuo Family, who was also the Valley Master of one of the seven great sects today, the Youfeng Valley. Liu Ruyun shook her head and said, ¡°Perhaps, I seldom get involved in the affairs of the valley now.¡± ¡°It¡¯s better for you to be less involved.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded slightly. Liu Ruyun was not a particularly scheming person, and in the treacherous crossing between Jianghu and the temple halls, the slightest misstep could make her a pawn of those with ulterior motives. Just then, a figure clad in black hurriedly flew in from afar. If An Jing were here, he would definitely recognize that this person was none other than Shui Zhongyue. ¡°Sect Master, there is a covert report.¡± Shui Zhongyue approached Li Fuzhou and spoke in a low voice. ¡°Speak.¡± Li Fuzhou also knew that if it weren¡¯t for something urgent, Shui Zhongyue would definitely not be so frantic. The last time was when Zhao Qingmei had fallen into the Sealing Demon Well, her life and death uncertain. Although he was aware of the situation and somewhat worried, given he was currently in Great Yan and powerless to do anything about it, he could only wait to deal with Yujing City¡¯s affairs before making plans. Shui Zhongyue glanced at Liu Ruyun but said nothing. ¡°Just speak,¡± Li Fuzhou said, gesturing with his hand. ¡°Yes!¡± Shui Zhongyue bowed and said, ¡°The Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect, Xiao Qianqiu, is going to descend the mountain.¡± ¡°Xiao Qianqiu!?¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s brows furrowed. Liu Ruyun was also slightly taken aback. ¡­¡­. In Beihuang Dao, Yuan City. Compared to Jiangnan Dao, Beihuang Dao was much more desolate. This place belonged to the Great Yan Border, close to the Western Pure Land, with a sparse population. Even though the overland routes were open, trade was incredibly difficult. It could be said that among the nine regions of Great Yan, Beihuang Dao was among the most barren. However, recently, Beihuang Dao had become quite lively. This was because the Sect Leader of the Five Poison Sect, the Five Poison Young Master, was seeking a son-in-law. The Sect Leader of the Five Poison Sect was known as the Five Poison Young Master not just for his unfathomable cultivation but also his extraordinarily handsome features. And his daughter, Dai Ling, was like a lotus flower emerging from water, stunningly beautiful to the point of being unforgettable, a real beauty. No sooner had this news spread than all of Beihuang Dao was abuzz with excitement. Moreover, young talents and martial arts experts from all over were converging here. Suddenly, Beihuang Dao was teeming with masters, especially in Yuan City at the foot of Five Poison Sect, where all the inns were exceptionally crowded. The Five Poison Sect Leader¡¯s search for a son-in-law had become the hottest event in Jianghu. The usually quiet streets had become busier than before, with significantly more people from Jianghu. In the street, a man in a black robe and an elder in plain clothes walked leisurely. These two were none other than An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen. Hearing the conversations around him, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°This event of the Five Poison Young Master seeking a son-in-law is a tremendous opportunity.¡± ¡°What opportunity?¡± An Jing asked, raising his eyebrows. ¡°I¡¯ve seen the Five Poison Young Master before, and he¡¯s undeniably good-looking; his daughter is surely no exception,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said with a grin. ¡°Just think, if you became the son-in-law of the Five Poison Young Master, wouldn¡¯t he let you use that Thunder Pool for sure?¡± It was common knowledge among Jianghu¡¯s masters that the Five Poison Young Master was a suave and exceptional man, which was the very reason for his moniker. ¡°Forget about it,¡± An Jing replied irritably, ¡°Dai Ling is indeed attractive, but I already have a wife. How could I play with someone else¡¯s feelings?¡± Indeed the plan was sound but not suited for him; it could lead to unforeseen trouble. Lou Xiangzhen expressed some regret, ¡°Such a golden opportunity to win a beauty and enter the Thunder Pool, it¡¯s truly a pity indeed.¡± An Jing chuckled, ¡°Senior, why don¡¯t you¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it.¡± Seeing An Jing¡¯s eyes turn, Lou Xiangzhen immediately puffed his beard and glared. ¡°You¡¯re talking about good opportunities, but you don¡¯t seize them yourself, and yet you criticize me.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°I plan to go directly to the Five Poison Sect and ask the Five Poison Young Master if he could lend me the Thunder Pool for a bit. At worst, I¡¯ll owe him a favor.¡± The only real difficulty now was how to resolve the grudge with the Five Poison Sect, which wasn¡¯t something that could be resolved just by talking. Without bringing real gold and silver benefits to others, all the talk in the world is useless. Lou Xiangzhen shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s not impossible to borrow the Thunder Pool from the Five Poison Young Master, but it¡¯s best not to reveal its true purpose.¡± ¡°Why is that?¡± asked An Jing. Lou Xiangzhen smiled, ¡°A thousand-year-old Black Python undergoing Jiao Transformation will probably consume a hundred years of the Thunder Pool¡¯s Spiritual Essence. The Thunder Pool might be closed for who knows how many years before it can recover its Primordial Energy. Do you think the Five Poison Young Master would lend it to you if he knew?¡± ¡°Are you his ancestor or his grandchild?¡± The transformation of the thousand-year-old Black Python into a Black Flood Dragon signifies a qualitative change in strength, requiring a vast amount of Essence. Even the Thunder Pool of the Five Poison Sect might not make ends meet, and it¡¯s possible that the source of the Thunder Pool could be damaged in the process. Hearing this, An Jing sighed softly, finding the situation rather difficult indeed. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such an arrogant beggar!¡± Just then, a ragged beggar flew out of the tavern ahead, followed by the angry scolding of a serving boy. ¡°Beggars are supposed to beg for food, and you want me to pay you, too? If I had money, would I be begging?¡± Grumbling, the beggar got up and patted the dust off his body. The onlookers quickly covered their noses and walked away to distance themselves from the beggar. Only An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen went about their business, walking forward. Seeing Lou Xiangzhen, the beggar hurriedly shouted, ¡°Hey, old man, got any silver? I haven¡¯t had a drink today, give me some silver to buy some liquor.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing blinked and took a closer look. The beggar appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, ragged and dirty, with his hair in disarray and emitting an awful stench. An Jing had seen beggars asking for money before, but he had never seen one so openly demanding it. And on top of having eaten, he wanted to drink; he seemed to be living better than An Jing. Is this really a beggar? Lou Xiangzhen examined the beggar carefully, piqued with interest, ¡°If you want to drink, that¡¯s fine. Just keep me company for a few drinks.¡± The beggar waved his hand dismissively, ¡°All you people of Jianghu are so troublesome, needing company to drink. Alright, alright, you pay and treat me to a drink, that¡¯s all.¡± Lou Xiangzhen messaged An Jing, ¡°This is indeed an interesting person.¡± With that, the two headed inside the tavern. ¡°Dear guests¡­¡± The serving boy approached with a smile, but his face changed upon seeing the beggar. ¡°Bring us a private room, some fine dishes, and a few jars of good wine,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently. The serving boy warned hastily, ¡°Dear guests, don¡¯t be deceived by this beggar; he¡¯s not a good person at all.¡± The beggar just laughed, not giving a hoot about the serving boy¡¯s words. ¡°No harm.¡± Lou Xiangzhen waved his hand, ¡°I just want to find someone to drink with.¡± ¡°Alright then.¡± The serving boy shook his head to himself and said nothing more, leading the trio to a private room on the second floor. Once seated, An Jing looked curiously at the man and asked, ¡°Do you recognize either of us?¡± The beggar flopped into a seat, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in who you guys are, just treat me to a drink. I like you Jianghu people; each one of you is generous and drinks heartily.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but take a few more looks at the beggar, marveling at his audacity, and then messaged, ¡°Senior, why did you invite him for a drink?¡± Lou Xiangzhen replied, ¡°Something about this person¡¯s face seems familiar.¡± Familiar? Could this person Lou Xiangzhen recognized be a master too? But An Jing couldn¡¯t detect even a hint of Qi Mechanism from the beggar; he seemed to be just an ordinary person. The situation at hand could only be one of two things: either this person¡¯s cultivation was far above my own, or he was well-versed in the art of concealment. It wasn¡¯t long before fine wine and dishes were served. ¡°Come, eat! The food won¡¯t taste as good once it¡¯s cold.¡± The beggar acted completely at home, urging An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen to eat. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to pour the wine?¡± Lou Xiangzhen clinked his wine cup on the table, voicing his displeasure. An Jing¡¯s forehead sprouted three black lines, and he promptly picked up the wine jug to pour for Lou Xiangzhen and the beggar. ¡°What¡¯s the relationship between you two?¡± The beggar downed the wine in his cup and then asked. With the wine flowing down his throat, Lou Xiangzhen said with a laugh, ¡°This is my dear grandson. I¡¯m taking him out on a journey to experience the Jianghu.¡± ¡°Lou, old man, don¡¯t talk nonsense,¡± An Jing immediately objected upon hearing this. The beggar just shook his head without speaking. An Jing picked up a piece of food and looked toward the beggar, ¡°Who are you? What¡¯s your surname and name?¡± ¡°My name is Li Qirong,¡± the beggar replied nonchalantly. An Jing searched his memory carefully, but no powerful individual by the name of Li Qirong came to mind. The movements in Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s hands paused slightly before he narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°The top scholar of the seventeenth year of Li Ping¡¯s reign?¡± Top scholar!? Hearing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words, An Jing was somewhat surprised. The current Great Yan Emperor was titled Taiping, and the previous emperor was titled Li Ping. The seventeenth year of Li Ping¡¯s reign was already several decades ago. Shouldn¡¯t a top scholar be seated in the temple halls? How had he ended up as a beggar? ¡°Oh, old sir, you still remember my name.¡± Upon hearing this, Li Qirong chuckled, ¡°Of the few people who have treated me to drinks these past days, only you remember that I was once a top scholar.¡± As he spoke, he took the wine jug from beside An Jing and proceeded to pour Lou Xiangzhen a cup of wine. Watching An Jing¡¯s indifferent demeanor, Lou Xiangzhen slowly said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you familiar with Li Fuzhou? Li Fuzhou was the third-place winner in the seventeenth year of Li Ping¡¯s reign, and this man was the top scholar of that year. Back then, they were famously known as the ¡®Two Lis¡¯ of Yujing City.¡± Li Qirong looked at An Jing, suddenly interested, ¡°You know Li Fuzhou!?¡± Li Fuzhou was the leader of the Human Sect of the Demon Sect, not just any ordinary Jianghu expert. His status was among the elite in the Jianghu. Li Qirong never would have guessed that the two seemingly ordinary Jianghu people he had randomly asked for drinks would turn out to be deeply concealed masters of the Jianghu. An Jing shrugged and said, ¡°Li Fuzhou, when he has nothing to do, spends his time in brothels listening to songs. He never mentioned these past events to me.¡± ¡°Is Li Fuzhou still the same?¡± As An Jing spoke, Li Qirong¡¯s brows suddenly knit together. An Jing nodded, ¡°Indeed, which scholar doesn¡¯t visit brothels to listen to music?¡± Unexpectedly, I encountered an acquaintance of Li Fuzhou here in Yuan City, a baffling twist of fate. ¡°Damn the fates for being so blind.¡± When Li Qirong heard this, he seemed quite indignant and subsequently took a big swig from the cup in his hand. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± An Jing asked, puzzled, ¡°Could it be that you have some story or a grudge against that Li Fuzhou?¡± Lou Xiangzhen also looked over, with a trace of confusion in his eyes. At that time, Lou Xiangzhen was defeated by the Sword God of the Yu Heng Sword Sect and was at a low point in his life. How could he possibly care about the grudge between these two men? Moreover, these two were not even part of the Jianghu. ¡°What¡¯s your relationship with Li Fuzhou?¡± Li Qirong looked at An Jing with a skeptical expression, ¡°Could it be that he sent you?¡± An Jing pondered for a while before saying, ¡°My relationship with Li Fuzhou is complicated; it¡¯s not something that can be explained in a short time.¡± He knew Li Fuzhou, but that didn¡¯t mean Li Fuzhou knew him. ¡°Complicated?¡± Li Qirong raised an eyebrow, ¡°What, has Li Fuzhou now even taken a fancy to men?¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°Actually, this isn¡¯t really a secret, you¡¯d know if you just asked around a bit.¡± Li Qirong waved his hand and said, ¡°Back in the day, though Li Fuzhou and I were both candidates, I greatly disliked his personality and considered him a disgrace to scholars, so we didn¡¯t get along.¡± An Jing clapped his hands in approval, ¡°A disgrace to scholars, that¡¯s well put.¡± Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Li Qirong¡¯s voice deepened even more, ¡°Would you say a scholar who¡¯s lazy by nature and lingers in pleasure quarters¨Chow could such a person be taken in as a disciple by Master Lv?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing asked, ¡°¡­.. Would you, sir, not go?¡± Are there really scholars who don¡¯t visit the pleasure quarters to enjoy music? Li Qirong, agitated, said, ¡°Never go. We scholars aspire to ¡®regulate the family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world¡¯. Naturally, our thoughts should be entirely on delving into the study of Confucianism. How could I be as degraded as him?¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°Well said, that¡¯s why you¡¯re the top scholar, and he¡¯s merely third.¡± There really are scholars who hold such rancor toward the pleasure quarters and music¨Cit¡¯s indeed quite rare in this world. Li Qirong, upon hearing this, felt his fervent emotion immediately wilt. Others might not know why he became the top scholar, but how could he himself not understand? ¡°Actually, this title of top scholar was given to me by Master Lv.¡± Li Qirong said soberly, ¡°Originally, the Human Emperor Li Ping had personally chosen Li Fuzhou as the top scholar.¡± ¡°He almost became the top scholar?¡± An Jing was shocked and couldn¡¯t help but think: Li Fuzhou is quite talented, flourishing both in the Demon Sect and in the officialdom. Being the top scholar isn¡¯t something just anyone can achieve. As Li Qirong spoke of the past, he sighed gently, ¡°Master Lv said that Li Fuzhou still needed more refinement, so he awarded the title to me, and because the Human Emperor Li Ping liked him, he got the title of third place.¡± An Jing heard this and also sighed. Li Fuzhou, who was usually serious and meticulous, and who would read books or visit pleasure quarters to listen to music in his free time, had such stories behind him. ¡°Li Fuzhou is indeed quite a character.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded in agreement, ¡°The Confucianist Qi mechanism is fully realized, integrating into the Demon Sect¡¯s mental method. He is a rare talent.¡± Li Qirong picked up the wine jar and poured three cups, saying, ¡°What infuriates me most is Old Master Liu from the Liu Family. Just as the palace exam had ended, he went straight to Lv Mansion to ask for Miss Liu Ruyun¡¯s hand in marriage from Lv Guoyong. Miss Liu Ruyun is a true lady of great families, literati-bred, and I also¡­.¡± ¡°I just don¡¯t understand, how come Li Fuzhou, with such a tarnished reputation, womanizing and philandering, still has so many women throwing themselves at him?¡± ¡°He may look handsome and extraordinary, but I¡¯m not bad-looking either, so what exactly is the reason?¡± Li Qirong said this with a heavy sigh. He could never understand. Li Fuzhou, with his reputation of visiting pleasure quarters, was nothing but a profligate. How could he compare to someone mature and capable like himself? Why did the young ladies of Yujing City seem to favor him? Where have I, Li Qirong, fallen short? Lou Xiangzhen also shook his head. When it came to emotions, interpersonal relationships, and calculating schemes within the official circles, he was not an expert. An Jing said somberly, ¡°Because he¡¯s flirtatious.¡± Because he¡¯s flirtatious¡­. Li Qirong¡¯s movements paused for a moment, struck as if by a bolt from the blue. ¡°You,¡± An Jing patted Li Qirong on the shoulder, ¡°Don¡¯t think too much about it. This is a natural talent. Sometimes, these things even make me worry, and I think Li Fuzhou feels the same.¡± Though it was a simple sentence, it instantly enlightened Li Qirong, who couldn¡¯t help but let out a deep sigh of realization. Lou Xiangzhen asked curiously, ¡°Master Li, how come you¡¯ve become a beggar in Yuan City?¡± ¡°My career has been difficult, and I haven¡¯t been able to fulfill my full vengeance.¡± Li Qirong, with a mouthful of food, said indifferently, ¡°The current court is a mess; factional strife is severe. I¡¯m not interested in their games, and if I can¡¯t achieve my own vengeance, what¡¯s the difference between sleeping rough and living luxuriously?¡± An Jing, hearing this, couldn¡¯t help but silently criticize: I¡¯m not interested in their games, you mean they just didn¡¯t invite you to play along, right? Lou Xiangzhen, on the other hand, could not compare with Jiang Sanjia when it came to the affairs of the court and so his knowledge was limited. ¡°Just watch. In less than half a year, conflicts will surely arise throughout the world. And the fuse for it all,¡± Li Qirong solemnly looked towards the north and said, ¡°lies in the Northern region.¡± ¡°Houjin?¡± Lou Xiangzhen narrowed his eyes. ¡°There¡¯s also the Demon Sect.¡± Li Qirong said indifferently, ¡°The Holy Master of Houjin, this person has meticulous plans. I have studied his life; he always makes use of everything at his disposal before he makes a move, he would definitely prepare in multiple ways,¡± ¡°As for whether there is still more, that would depend on the methods of this Holy Master as well as the stratagems of the Human Emperor and Old Master Lv.¡± Lou Xiangzhen asked with a serious tone, ¡°Are you implying that the Human Emperor¡¯s serious injury is a ruse?¡± Rumors had it that the Taiping Human Emperor failed to break through his shackles, and now the Great Yan Temple was in chaos. Could all of this be false? All part of a plan? If it was a plan, the cost seemed a bit too steep. It must be known that for each day Great Yan was in chaos, it was a drain on the national strength of Yan Country. If Houjin did not fall for this open scheme, it would be Great Yan itself that ended up suffering in the end. ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡± Li Qirong shook his head. Whether it was an open scheme or the truth, probably only a few people knew besides the chess players of Great Yan. Lou Xiangzhen couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°Who knows how long this world will remain at peace.¡± The seemingly calm surface of the lake was in fact already surging with undercurrents. Li Qirong quickly said, ¡°Come, let¡¯s drink. After we¡¯re done, we still have to go back to sleep. If we go back late, we won¡¯t even have a place to sleep.¡± ¡°Come, let¡¯s drink.¡± An Jing raised his glass. ¡­¡­ Dongluo Desert, Sealing Demon Well, the night was serene, and the temperature plummeted. Zhao Qingmei only felt that she was shrouded in darkness until a flame began to burn, restoring a trace of her consciousness. ¡°This¡­ What is this?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows were tightly knit, and then she slowly opened her eyes. Above her was also enveloped in darkness. ¡°Sealing Demon Well, I¡¯ve fallen into the Sealing Demon Well.¡± Zhao Qingmei thought of Jiang Shang¡¯s words, and her heart twisted with pain, ¡°It¡¯s all my fault, I didn¡¯t protect my husband.¡± She had once silently vowed to protect him, but she had failed. Zhao Qingmei took out a tinderbox and gently blew on it. A weak flicker of light emerged, illuminating the surroundings. Zhao Qingmei took out a diary she had treasured for a long time from her bosom and gently flipped it open, the feeble light casting upon its pages. Each page was a precious memory, a past she couldn¡¯t forget. Tears unknowingly filled her eyes. It wasn¡¯t that she wanted to cry, but the pain in her heart made the tears flow involuntarily. ¡®Drip drop¡¯ The tear fell onto the diary and slowly spread. At that moment, a sense of bloodline resonance came to her. It was a very familiar aura. ¡°Husband!?¡± Zhao Qingmei gasped in astonishment, murmuring, ¡°The Heavenly Flipping Seal, his aura is within the Heavenly Flipping Seal. Could it be that he¡¯s still alive, that he has discovered the secrets of the Heavenly Flipping Seal?¡± This bloodline aura, she would never forget. If the aura was still there, it meant the person was definitely alive. Even if half-dead, she, Zhao Qingmei, might have a chance to revive him. ¡°Definitely, it must be my brother¡¯s.¡± Feeling this aura, Zhao Qingmei felt as if she had grasped hope. Suddenly, the gloomy skies seemed to clear up. Then Zhao Qingmei wiped away her tears with her sleeve, carefully put away the diary, and took out a paper effigy. The paper effigy quickly responded, and the response was quick and frequent. Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei felt even more certain, and couldn¡¯t help talking to herself, ¡°It must be because I haven¡¯t responded, my brother must be getting anxious.¡± ¡°An Xiaorou, tricking me into tears again.¡± However, doubts lingered in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart. ¡°Why would Jiang Shang kill my brother, yet he still has breath, and can even contact me through a paper figure?¡± ¡°Could it be that Jiang Shang made a mistake?¡± The more Zhao Qingmei thought about it, the less she understood. She couldn¡¯t comprehend how An Jing survived. ¡°Stop thinking about these things, I need to get out quickly.¡± Zhao Qingmei put away the paper figure and picked up the mandarin duck blade from the ground and stood up. ¡°Once I get out¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the well opening above and said with determination. At that moment, an immense pressure came from the well opening, as if all her True Qi was locked down, making it highly unlikely to escape through there. Afterward, she walked deeper into the Sealing Demon Well. The reason why the Sealing Demon Well was a secret place of the Demon Sect was that many of the Demon Sect¡¯s masters, before their death, would go to the Sealing Demon Well. Once inside, people could not leave, hence these Demon Sect masters all died there. When a grandmaster dies, Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence would emerge from within their bodies, which, over time, would dissipate into the universe. However, inside the Sealing Demon Well, these Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence wouldn¡¯t dissipate but would remain intact within the corpses. Therefore, those who entered the Sealing Demon Well from the Demon Sect could obtain the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from within their predecessors¡¯ bodies. The deeper one went into the Sealing Demon Well, the higher the cultivation of the deceased Demon Sect masters who reached enlightenment, and the grander the amount of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence derived from the higher-cultivation grandmasters after death. Inside the Sealing Demon Well, there was the oppressive presence of the deceased Demon Sect masters. The deeper one went, the heavier the pressure, even affecting the mind and potentially leading a Demon Sect master to deviate from their practice. In the past, some had entered the Sealing Demon Well and ended up deviating due to the influence on their psyche, which was why Ouyang Ping of the Sealing Demon Platform had already cautioned Zhao Qingmei not to overexert herself before she went in. The first time Zhao Qingmei came to the Sealing Demon Well, she had already walked more than a hundred yards along one of the paths. She remembered there was a way ahead, but she was so depleted at the time that she couldn¡¯t go on and had given up. Now that her cultivation had reached the level of a One Qi Grandmaster and her mindset had become even more flawless, she felt that entering deeper into the Sealing Demon Well should be no problem. She might even find a way out of the Sealing Demon Well. She followed the path straight ahead, seeing the corpses of Demon Sect masters in enlightenment in several niches along the way. These corpses had long since turned to bones, their Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence already taken. At the same time, a vast pressure surged towards her, but Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression remained unruffled as she strode forward. After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Zhao Qingmei arrived at the place where she had initially found the Heavenly Flipping Seal. Next to the body of the eighth Hierarch of the Demon Sect. At this point, the pressure was already extremely heavy, like a mountain pressing down on her shoulders. Why did the eighth Hierarch of the Demon Sect disappear? It was because he entered the Sealing Demon Well for a second time, trying to discover its secrets, but in the end died there, never able to leave. After that, none of the Demon Sect masters who had the capacity and temperament of the eighth Hierarch managed to make it to his side deep in the Sealing Demon Well. Naturally, they couldn¡¯t find the Heavenly Flipping Seal, nor the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence on the body of the eighth Hierarch. The cultivation level of the eighth Hierarch of the Demon Sect must have been at the peak of Four Qi or a Five Qi Grandmaster ¨C already at the extreme limit of the Grandmaster Realm, which meant that the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence he generated was exceptionally immense. It was precisely because Zhao Qingmei had encountered such a great opportunity and also practiced the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture that she was able to quickly reach the Grandmaster Realm. Otherwise, even with her high aptitude, without resources, it would be difficult for her to achieve the Grandmaster Realm at the age of nineteen. Unlike the other Demon Sect masters sitting in niches, the corpse of the eighth hierarch leaned against the cave wall, the reason for his death unknown. Back then, Zhao Qingmei speculated that he might have died of starvation. Although there were water droplets beside this stone wall, a grandmaster surviving half a month or a month without food would still be unbearable for their body. Zhao Qingmei, sensing the pressure ahead, took a deep breath and prepared to brave the danger and give it a try. Only from this place might she find a way out of the Sealing Demon Well. ¡°You little one, why have you come a second time? Have you forgotten the ancestral decree or what?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just then, a robust voice echoed through the cave. Someone!? In the Sealing Demon Well, there was actually someone!? ¡°Who!?¡± Zhao Qingmei felt a surge of turbulent emotions, her eyes reflecting a trace of disbelief. PS: I¡¯ll work hard to write an extra chapter tomorrow. Chapter 157 - Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Reunion at the Grand Event in Jianghu Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Reunion at the Grand Event in Jianghu The Sealing Demon Well is the most mysterious secret place of the Demon Sect. Only the most outstanding youths of the current generation of the Demon Sect could enter. After entering, their strength would advance by leaps and bounds, becoming the backbone of the Demon Sect. This place is extremely mysterious, so much so that even the ancient records of the Demon Sect contain very little information, and even the Sect Hierarch knew very little about it. Moreover, nobody had ever heard of any living person being beneath the Sealing Demon Well. All around fell into silence, and then no other sound followed. ¡°Could it be my illusion?¡± Zhao Qingmei did not sense any fluctuations in the surrounding aura and couldn¡¯t help but frown and say, ¡°It cannot be an illusion, there must be secrets in this Sealing Demon Well.¡± Thinking of this, she clenched the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades and then slowly walked forward. The path ahead was very dim, as if a chilly light was shining straight out. At the same time, that immense pressure continued to attack her, this force carried a great deathly aura and demonic qi, crushing one¡¯s psyche, and those of weaker wills would lose their minds in a short time. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes were like torches, allowing the demonic qi and deathly aura to invade without changing her expression, calm and undisturbed. This showed her inner toughness, already like cold ice. The only thing that could make her moved, was him. From another perspective, what Jiang Shang said was not wrong, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s tough heart had a tiny flaw. But put another way, in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s dark and bottomless heart, there was a sole light. After walking about tens of meters farther, the demonic qi and deathly aura suddenly disappeared as if they had vanished in an instant. Looking ahead, it appeared to be a naturally formed stone cave. On both sides of the cave were carvings of exotic beasts, and the cave was deep and serene, carrying a hint of eeriness, making it hard to see what was precisely inside. ¡°You are not young, but your mind is quite tough,¡± that resonant voice sounded again. But this time Zhao Qingmei recognized that the voice was coming from within the stone cave ahead. ¡°Who are you?¡± Zhao Qingmei held the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades tightly and asked coldly. As for the person appearing in the Sealing Demon Well, her heart was full of wariness. ¡°Who am I?¡± The person¡¯s voice suddenly became a bit hoarse, ¡°You might want to come in and see.¡± What was now guttural had seemed like their own voice before, but it was not possible to tell whether it was male or female, nor the age, and it carried a somewhat eerie tone. Zhao Qingmei slightly narrowed her beautiful eyes, ¡°Stop playing these little tricks.¡± The person chuckled lightly, ¡°If I remember correctly, it was over four hundred years ago, he too came here, you and that lad are quite similar¡­¡­.¡± Over four hundred years ago!? Zhao Qingmei, looking at the cave, said coldly, ¡°Stop trying to spook me, how can anyone live over five hundred years in this world?¡± Even a Great Grandmaster can only extend their lifespan by three hundred years, and living up to four hundred years old is the limit, and the ancient records do not mention anyone living beyond five hundred years. ¡°You are indeed correct.¡± The voice carried a hint of temptation, ¡°I have survived till now, obviously for special reasons and methods, little child, don¡¯t you want to know?¡± The secret to extending one¡¯s lifespan was too tempting for many to resist. ¡°I am not interested in what you are saying,¡± Zhao Qingmei responded coldly with a sneer. She also sensed something peculiar: this person had been trying to lure her into the cave, obviously harboring evil intentions. It seemed as though this person could not come out. The person confidently said, ¡°Since you have entered the Sealing Demon Well, then I surely have something you would want to know.¡± Zhao Qingmei pondered for a moment and then asked, ¡°How do I leave the Sealing Demon Well?¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± To Zhao Qingmei¡¯s surprise, the person burst into laughter, ¡°Of the many people who have entered the Sealing Demon Well throughout the ages, almost all seek great opportunities and creation, yet you have come to seek a way to leave.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyebrows rose but she said nothing. The top experts of the Demon Sect who re-entered the Sealing Demon Well probably knew their time was running out and wished to find an opportunity to break through their constraints here, it seems the last people who entered this place all failed. Or perhaps, only the person in front of her succeeded, and this person might just be a predecessor of the Demon Sect. It was just unclear why he could live for so long¡­ The person chuckled darkly, saying, ¡°To tell you the truth, after entering the Sealing Demon Well again, it is impossible to leave.¡± ¡°Impossible to leave?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyebrows raised, ¡°I don¡¯t believe it!¡± She was determined to get out, even if it meant splitting the Sealing Demon Well into two halves. The person said indifferently, ¡°You don¡¯t believe it? I have been trapped here for a thousand years; could that be false?¡± ¡°Who exactly are you?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked coldly. Trapped here for a thousand years, could he not be from the Demon Sect? However, in the ancient records of the Demon Sect, there was no record of anyone being imprisoned in the Sealing Demon Well. ¡°I¡¯ve said it, if you want to know who I am, just come in and see,¡± said the person. ¡°A rat hiding its head and showing its tail.¡± Zhao Qingmei turned her body and walked directly toward the distance. ¡°Little child, you will come back again,¡± the person said lightly, hearing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s footsteps fading away. ¡­¡­ The sky turned the pale white of dawn; Five Poison Mountain was treacherous but contained secluded beauty and hidden wonders. At this time, the energy of the morning sun slowly rose, as the heavy, humid air dispersed. On the mountain paths of Five Poison Mountain, it was already bustling with people coming and going. Today was the great day the Sect Leader of the Five Poison Sect was to choose a son-in-law. In order not to delay, many people had started moving towards the gates of Five Poison Mountain early in the morning. Along the way, mostly elders accompanied by young talents, and among these youths, were not a few outstanding figures listed high on the martial world leaderboards. Thus, An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen did not look particularly conspicuous. ¡°Yan Sheng, ranked second on the martial world leaderboard, has come, and not a few others from the leaderboard are here as well,¡± ¡°Not just Yan Sheng, I heard that the son of Pingyang Marquis also came. It¡¯s said he is a martial arts genius, with his cultivation having achieved the First Grade,¡± ¡°Qiu Lun? I also heard he came.¡± ¡­¡­ The people on the road discussed animatedly, their expressions incredibly excited. An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen were walking up the mountain at an unhurried pace. ¡°When you reveal your identity and speak with the Five Poison Young Master, be a bit cautious,¡± Lou Xiangzhen advised, recalling something, ¡°Don¡¯t provoke him.¡± ¡°What kind of person is this Five Poison Young Master?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help asking upon hearing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s words. He had old scores to settle with the Five Poison Sect; what if this Five Poison Young Master was unwilling to resolve these grievances? Wouldn¡¯t he be walking into a trap? Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently, ¡°This person is vengeful, narrow-minded, and unforgiving. Definitely not someone you¡¯d want to provoke lightly. However, you and he are equally matched in strength, and if you wield the Evil Suppressing Sword, you might even surpass him.¡± An Jing nodded slightly at this. After all, if the talks failed, the Five Poison Young Master would have no choice but to deal with him, and with Lou Xiangzhen there, he didn¡¯t have much to fear from the Five Poison Sect. ¡°Don¡¯t count on me this time,¡± Lou Xiangzhen seemed to see what An Jing was thinking and said, ¡°I had a past relationship with the elder of the Five Poison Sect, and I definitely will not act on your behalf.¡± ¡°Old Lou, are you playing me?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say this yesterday? Now that we¡¯re already on the mountain, you suddenly tell me you have ties with the Five Poison Sect elder?¡± He had dared to meet with the Five Poison Young Master mainly because he had a swordsman grandmaster like Lou Xiangzhen by his side. Even if negotiations failed, the Five Poison Young Master would have had to think twice. But now, at the crucial moment, Lou Xiangzhen was pulling out, undoubtedly hitting him with a bolt from the blue. Lou Xiangzhen spoke irritably, ¡°You never asked me; why must I tell you everything? Besides, you don¡¯t want to be my grandchild.¡± Old Lou was too sly, definitely saying this on purpose. Perhaps his relationship with the elder of the Five Poison Sect was also fabricated. An Jing¡¯s expression darkened, then he asked, ¡°Does the Five Poison Sect have other experts then?¡± If the Five Poison Sect possessed grandmaster-level experts, things could get difficult. If the Five Poison Young Master got stubborn and brought out a grandmaster to capture him, combined with many other experts from the Five Poison Sect, he might very well fall on Five Poison Mountain. Lou Xiangzhen pondered for a moment and said, ¡°That old fellow should still be alive, likely residing and cultivating near Thunder Pool.¡± An Jing took in a slight breath upon hearing this. ¡°Let¡¯s become family,¡± Lou Xiangzhen patted An Jing¡¯s shoulder, his face breaking into a smile as brilliant as a chrysanthemum. ¡°Impossible!¡± An Jing, watching Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s smug expression, spoke emphatically, word by word. Lou Xiangzhen stood with his hands behind his back, no longer saying anything. The two continued to walk up the mountain when suddenly two figures caught An Jing¡¯s attention. No, it was more accurate to say one figure. The woman still had a charming air about her, with white teeth and dark eyes, but she no longer had a waistline; her entire figure resembled a large water jar. She wore a green leather jacket, her hair up in a bun, her face heavily rouged. By her side followed a burly man with a fierce look, a black iron chain hung around his waist, emitting a faint glow. The people of Jianghu around them seemed to recognize the pair, their eyes filled with a hint of fear and trepidation, as many moved away to a distance. ¡°Elder Lou, do you know these two?¡± An Jing curiously asked. He felt he had some impression of them but couldn¡¯t recall ever meeting them, probably from stories he had heard from Zhou Xianming in the past. ¡°I don¡¯t recognize them.¡± Lou Xiangzhen shook his head, ¡°Not every Tom, Dick, or Harry is worth my acquaintance.¡± If such words were spoken by an ordinary person of Jianghu, it might seem boastful, but coming from Lou Xiangzhen, it seemed perfectly reasonable. Not everyone was worthy of his recognition. ¡°Han Li!¡± Just then, a loud shout erupted from a distance. Suddenly, a swordsman like an agile swallow landed in front of the two. ¡°It¡¯s Gu Baolin of the Fringed Blade!¡± Someone recognized the imposing swordsman and couldn¡¯t help but exclaim. ¡°He must be here for revenge this time.¡± ¡°Just last month, Han Li killed his younger brother.¡± ¡°His cultivation is also at the Second Grade, seemingly matched with Han Li.¡± ¡­¡­ The surrounding people of Jianghu discussed fervently upon seeing this. In Jianghu, a Second Grade cultivation was already quite high, qualifying one as a master. However, the current gathering at the Five Poison Sect was neither a major nor minor event; several masters had arrived, including not just some First Grade, but even experts of the First Grade Earth Flower, older experts not there to participate in taking in a son-in-law but to bring the younger generation to experience the event. Han Li, the man with the whip, had a very grave expression on his face. Clearly, the Second Grade Gu Baolin was a formidable enemy for him. Han Li lowered his voice, ¡°Gu Baolin, let¡¯s discuss past grievances another day, shall we?¡± ¡°Go to hell! When you killed my brother, did you talk about killing him another day? Today, it¡¯s either you or me.¡± With hatred in his eyes, Gu Baolin roared and drew his long sword. ¡°Whoosh!¡± A cold light flashed, chilling the hearts of everyone present. Seeing this, Han Li¡¯s brows rose, his waist chain whipped out and clashed with Gu Baolin. The fight between the Second Grade masters was extremely fierce, with Gu Baolin harboring resentment and striking viciously, every move deadly. Clangs of metal rang out; the two had exchanged blows for dozens of rounds already. With the duo blocking the mountain path, An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen could only stand by and watch the fight unfold. ¡°East Lin Road is a middling sect, not too big, not too small,¡± Lou Xiangzhen slowly explained by the side. An Jing nodded but said nothing. Since he had started, he had mostly dealt with the top forces in Jianghu, whether it was from the five gangs or seven major sects, or even the Demon Sect and Buddhist fraternities, with these masters having at least Second Grade or First Grade cultivation. In this vast world of Jianghu, there were no shortage of Third Grade and Fourth Grade fighters. But they were no longer on the same level as him. ¡°Brother, let¡¯s not waste time; we should focus on what¡¯s important,¡± the woman who looked like a large water jar suddenly called out crisply. The sound was very melodious, much like a lark. She clapped her hands, sending a forceful Qi bursting forth like a storm. ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Step step step¡­¡± The palm had landed solidly on Gu Baolin¡¯s blade, sending a powerful force through the sword that made Gu Baolin stagger backward repeatedly. ¡°First Grade!?¡± Gu Baolin looked at the stout woman in front of him in astonishment, a hint of shock flickering in his eyes. It was not just Gu Baolin; other martial experts present were also somewhat surprised. Some marveled at the woman¡¯s strength while others were amazed by her beautiful, captivating voice. ¡°How dare you! Who is brawling here? Don¡¯t you want to live?¡± Suddenly, a roaring voice echoed through the area. ¡°Clattering!¡± ¡°Clattering!¡± A large group of soldiers clad in black armor approached from not far away, led by a young man in armor, stout as a ball of flesh. ¡°Who are you two?¡± The young man pointed at Gu Baolin and Han Li, yelling, ¡°Don¡¯t you know where this place is, what day it is, do you want to eat prison food?¡± Pingyang Guard! Seeing the soldiers surrounding the young man, Gu Baolin felt a chill in his heart, then forced a smile and said, ¡°I am Gu Baolin, a tributor from the Sanhu Gang¡­.¡± The young man showed no regard for Gu Baolin¡¯s dignity and coldly said, ¡°I don¡¯t care what Baolin or fish scales you are, just mind yourself. If you annoy me, I¡¯ll have every one of you locked up in the Heavenly Prison to eat prison food.¡± Gu Baolin chuckled dryly and said no more. The Heavenly Prison was not a place just anyone could be sent to at a whim. Seeing the appearance of the young man, Gu Baolin immediately recognized his identity. ¡°Senior, do you recognize the man under whose command this armored person serves?¡± An Jing found this odd. Knowing that people in the Jianghu are usually very proud, especially someone with a Second Grade Cultivation like Gu Baolin, why would he swallow his pride like this? ¡°This is the Pingyang Guard, the personal guard of the Pingyang Marquis of Great Yan.¡± Lou Xiangzhen continued, ¡°Among the three Great Yan marquises, Marquis Wang Shiyi is stationed at the Houjin border, Pingding Marquis confronts the Zhao Country, and only the Pingyang Marquis sits in the central lands, often accompanying the Xuanyi Guard to clear out sects in the Jianghu. He has quite a reputation in the Jianghu, having dealt with the rebel forces of the Demon Sect.¡± So, this was the Pingyang Guard! An Jing certainly had heard of the Pingyang Guard before; Great Yan had only three people who were ennobled for their military achievements, among whom was the Pingyang Marquis. This man not only fought against the rebel armies of the Demon Sect but had also slain tens of thousands in the Yan-Zhao border area, a renowned figure in both countries and an exceptional general of Great Yan. Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s frown deepened, ¡°Senior means to say, the Pingyang Marquis might actually be here on the Five Poison Mountain.¡± Lou Xiangzhen pointed to the young man, who looked like a mountain of flesh, clad in armor, and slowly said, ¡°That chubby one is Qiu Lun, the son of the Pingyang Marquis. When I first met him, he was only as tall as my lower leg.¡± While saying this, Lou Xiangzhen gestured slightly with his hands. An Jing¡¯s heart sank. If the son of the Pingyang Marquis had come, then the Pingyang Marquis was most likely also on Five Poison Mountain. Seeing that Gu Baolin had stopped speaking, Qiu Lun nodded in satisfaction. Then, his gaze fell on Han Li, but his eyes couldn¡¯t help but brighten upon seeing the woman, shaped like a large barrel, causing his heart to flutter. Beauty! There was such an incredibly beautiful person in the world! He had never seen such exquisite beauty in his life. The next moment, Qiu Lun hurriedly stepped forward, eagerly saying, ¡°May I know the lady¡¯s name?¡± The people around blinked in astonishment, watching Qiu Lun. ¡°I am Fang Jinxiu from the Iron Gate.¡± The woman blushed slightly when she heard Qiu Lun¡¯s words and bowed her hands in greeting. No young man had ever taken the initiative to ask for her name. ¡°So, you are from Iron Gate.¡± When Qiu Lun heard this, he smiled, ¡°Five Poison Mountain is quite vast, and it is easy to get lost. How about I escort you up the mountain?¡± Han Li looked at Qiu Lun as if he had seen a ghost. Ordinarily, men would avoid his sister-disciple like the plague, not like this young marquis who seemed as if he had eaten ginseng fruit at the sight of her. ¡°Hehehehe.¡± Fang Jinxiu burst into a sweet, charming laugh, ¡°Then I¡¯ll have to trouble the young marquis.¡± The laugh was sweet and charming, but difficult to describe. ¡°Lady, please.¡± Hearing this, Qiu Lun was overjoyed. A mountain of flesh and a barrel of water¨Cthey did seem oddly well-matched. Watching the group head up the mountain, An Jing turned his head to look at Lou Xiangzhen and shook his head helplessly. Lou Xiangzhen sighed deeply, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m getting old.¡± ¡­¡­ Five Poison Mountain, inside the grand hall. At this moment, the hall was filled with a feast, and seats around square tables were occupied by guests. Sitting at the head of the gathering was none other than the Sect Leader of the Five Poison Sect, Five Poison Young Master Dai Danshu. By his side was the breathtakingly beautiful, incomparably stunning Dai Ling. To the left at the foot of the table sat the elders of the Five Poison Sect, and to the right were close friends of the Five Poison Young Master. One of them, An Jing recognized. It was indeed Ling Yuanjing, the Peak Master of Nanhua Peak from the Zhenyi Sect. Dai Danshu raised his cup with a smile and said, ¡°Peak Master Ling, you¡¯ve traveled a long and dusty road to get here, which must have been exhausting. The distance between the Five Poison Sect and Zhenyi Sect was neither near nor far, and Ling Yuanjing must have traveled day and night to arrive in such a short time, a truly rare feat for someone of his status and position. ¡°Ah, where are these words coming from?¡± Ling Yuanjing waved his hand and replied with a smile, ¡°How could I not personally attend such a significant event as Miss Dai Ling choosing a suitor?¡± Since a battle many years ago, Ling Yuanjing and Dai Danshu had become close friends, forming a beautiful tale in Jianghu. ¡°Peak Master Ling.¡± At this time, a middle-aged man in white robes chuckled, raised his cup, and asked, ¡°I¡¯ve heard some rumors that the Sect Leader of your sect plans to come down from the mountain, is there any truth to this?¡± The man¡¯s eyes sparkled bright, and he carried himself with an upright posture, his martial valor palpable even though he was clad in white robes. This man was none other than the Pingyang Marquis Yan Sheng, one of the three Marquises of Great Yan. At the mention of the Pingyang Marquis¡¯s question, everyone in the room felt a chill and looked his way. The movements of Xiao Qianqiu were a matter that weighed on many minds. ¡°Indeed.¡± Ling Yuanjing smiled and said, ¡°That Ghost Swordsman killed two true disciples of our Zhenyi Sect on Xuanqing Mountain, a fact you all must be aware of, right?¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s descent from the mountain was no longer a secret. According to the schedule, he would set off the day after tomorrow, and Ling Yuanjing obviously had no intention of keeping it to himself. Last time the Ghost Swordsman killed two true disciples of the Zhenyi Sect on Xuanqing Mountain, it greatly tarnished the sect¡¯s reputation. Now was the time to seize the Ghost Swordsman and restore Zhenyi Sect¡¯s honor. Though many present had heard this news, getting confirmation directly from Ling Yuanjing still left them shocked. Xiao Qianqiu was really leaving the mountain! ¡°This is indeed good news.¡± Upon hearing this, Dai Danshu¡¯s eyes gleamed with a sharp light, ¡°Perhaps some people are not yet aware, but the head of our Five Poison Sect¡¯s Heavenly Centipede lineage, Zhang Zhixing, was slain by this man. His arrogance is boundless, lawless, showing no regard for the laws of Great Yan.¡± The members of the Five Poison Sect, upon hearing this, were filled with righteous indignation, their eyes carrying a hint of sorrow. Dai Ling clenched her silver teeth tightly; every time she thought of Tian Cansou¡¯s death, the flames of vengeance in her heart burned fiercer. ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is elusive and adept in disguise, making him extremely hard to track down.¡± Ling Yuanjing took a deep breath and said, ¡°It¡¯s said that Lou Xiangzhen is with him, and Lou Xiangzhen, as a Second Qi Grandmaster, is one of the top Sword Dao masters in the world; killing him will undoubtedly be very difficult.¡± Dai Danshu nodded. After Tian Cansou was killed, he had sent people to investigate the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s whereabouts, but to no avail, as if the man had sprung out of thin air. No one knew where he came from or where he was going. As the ruckus around the Ghost Swordsman grew, more and more formidable warriors fell or were defeated by him, making even the Five Poison Young Master hesitant to act rashly and instead, decided to let it be. Yan Sheng, however, remained composed, not particularly concerned about the grudges in Jianghu. What really piqued his interest now was the relationship between Lou Xiangzhen and the Ghost Swordsman, such that Lou Xiangzhen would willingly follow him. He knew a bit about the older generation of Jianghu masters like Lou Xiangzhen. Such a man was prideful by nature, hardly anyone could catch his eye. Dai Danshu inhaled deeply and said, ¡°If Sect Leader Xiao takes action this time to eliminate this scourge from Jianghu, that would be for the best.¡± ¡°Rest assured, Brother Dai.¡± Ling Yuanjing solemnly said, ¡°Once my teacher brother makes his move, that man will have no choice but to surrender.¡± The people of the Five Poison Sect all nodded slightly; with Xiao Qianqiu taking action, the Ghost Swordsman, no matter how capable, could not escape today. Dai Ling exhaled, thinking to herself, ¡°It¡¯s a pity that the Ghost Swordsman will not die by my hand; he¡¯s getting off too easy. I hope Sect Leader Xiao doesn¡¯t let him die too comfortably.¡± As time continued to dwindle, her hatred grew increasingly intense. Qiu Heng smiled lightly, raised his glass, and said, ¡°Eliminating an enemy, together with today¡¯s events, must mean double happiness is at your door, Brother Dai.¡± Dai Danshu glanced at Dai Ling and couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°Double happiness is perhaps a bit premature; after all, my approval doesn¡¯t matter when choosing a suitor, it ultimately depends on my daughter¡¯s decision.¡± Qiu Heng looked at Dai Ling and couldn¡¯t help but remark, ¡°Ling¡¯er is so beautifully delicate and also resolute and ambitious. Seeing so many young talents here today, I believe there are few who are truly worthy of her.¡± He was highly interested in Dai Ling; if she could become his daughter-in-law, he would probably wake up laughing in his dreams. That was also why he brought Qiu Lun to Five Poison Mountain today. ¡°Uncle Qiu is joking.¡± Dai Ling behaved properly and with grace. Just then, a figure rushed in hastily. At that moment, a Deacon of the Five Poison Sect rushed in and said, ¡°Sect Master, the auspicious time has arrived, and many people have already gathered at the mountain gate square.¡± Dai Danshu nodded his head, then smiled towards Qiu Heng and Ling Yuanjing, saying, ¡°Why don¡¯t you two come with me to have a look?¡± ¡°Please.¡± Ling Yuanjing stood up and gestured invitingly. Qiu Heng also nodded his head. ¡­.. On the square of Five Poison Mountain. Although Five Poison Mountain was not very high, there was a vast and broad platform constructed at the summit, spacious enough to accommodate thousands of people. At that moment, many Jianghu masters donned in unusual apparel had already gathered at the square, waiting for the grand event of the Five Poison Sect. ¡°Sister Jinxiu, are you here to enjoy the festivities today as well?¡± Qiu Lun asked warmly. Throughout their journey, the two seemed to have grown quite close and appeared very familiar with each other. Fang Jinxiu replied, ¡°Yes, my senior brother came under our master¡¯s orders, and I, having nothing else to do at the sect, came along with him.¡± To be able to form a marriage alliance with the Five Poison Sect was the wish of countless sects. ¡°What a coincidence, I am actually here to join in on the fun as well,¡± Qiu Lun rubbed his hands together. ¡°My father and Dai Sect Leader are good friends, so I am here to help maintain some order.¡± Qiu Lun looked at the stunningly beautiful Fang Jinxiu in front of him, his satisfaction growing the more he looked. At that moment, Fang Jinxiu was also feeling somewhat fearful internally; since her youth, few men dared to approach her because of her beauty, unlike Qiu Lun who was showing such attentive care today, her heart fluttering like a little deer, opening up her emotional gates. ¡°Young Marquis, the Marquis sends for you,¡± whispered a member of the Pingyang Guard who had approached silently at that moment. ¡°Tell the old man I¡¯m busy,¡± Qiu Lun said annoyed. It was not easy to meet a woman he liked; this was surely a match made in heaven. ¡°But¡­¡± The face of the Pingyang Guard immediately showed difficulty. Fang Jinxiu quickly said, ¡°Elder brother Qiu, you should go and see, perhaps the Marquis really has an urgent matter?¡± Qiu Lun looked at Fang Jinxiu and could not help but express, ¡°What a virtuous woman.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go and have a look now. Sister Jinxiu, please wait here for a moment,¡± Qiu Lun said with a smile, then hurried off towards the distance. The Pingyang Guard raised his head to look at the robust woman that seemed stout as a barrel, feeling as though countless needles were pricking his eyes, he forced a grin and quickly followed. In a corner of the square¡¯s viewing platform, Qiu Heng was anxiously waiting. ¡°Old man, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Qiu Lun came over, rather impatiently, and said, ¡°I¡¯m very busy right now.¡± The sister from the Fang family is waiting for me. Qiu Heng said irritably, ¡°You¡¯re over thirty and still not serious about anything? Were those skills given to you as a gift?¡± Qiu Lun quickly retorted, ¡°Serious business, I am doing just that right now.¡± ¡°You and your so-called ¡®serious business,''¡± Qiu Heng fiercely slapped the back of Qiu Lun¡¯s head, ¡°I have just the task for you now.¡± Did others not understand Qiu Lun? How could he not? ¡°What is it?¡± With a slap, Qiu Lun immediately wilted. Qiu Heng took a deep breath, his tone solemn, ¡°This time, in the Five Poison Sect¡¯s groom recruitment, you must win Dai Ling.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Qiu Lun thought he had heard wrong. Qiu Heng grabbed Qiu Lun¡¯s collar, fiercely saying, ¡°You have to succeed in this recruitment. I want you to become Dai Danshu¡¯s son-in-law, did you hear me?¡± Qiu Lun, who weighed over three to four hundred jin, was lifted up, thanks largely to the exceptional quality of his armor. Upon hearing this, Qiu Lun grimaced and said, ¡°Dad¡­ is Dai Ling perhaps a bit¡­¡± A bit unsatisfactory¡­ When he saw Qiu Heng¡¯s eyes, he swallowed the last four words back down. Qiu Heng, looking at the son he had fathered, bellowed, ¡°Are you blind? That niece from the Dai family is as beautiful as a celestial maiden, a beauty that captivates the heart, envied by many.¡± Sometimes, Qiu Heng even doubted if Qiu Lun was truly his own. Or had his eyes been enchanted!? ¡°I¡¯ll try my best,¡± he said. Qiu Lun sighed and said with resignation. Resolutely, Qiu Heng said coldly, ¡°It¡¯s not about trying, if this doesn¡¯t work out, I am going to chop off that thing of yours and feed it to the dogs when I get home tonight.¡± Shocked by Qiu Heng¡¯s stern words, Qiu Lun nodded reluctantly. ¡°I understand.¡± ¡­¡­ At the plaza of the Five Poison Sect: An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen stood in a corner, with a dense crowd of martial artists in front of them. ¡°Old Lou, do you think I¡¯ll get caught if I sneak into the Thunder Pool now?¡± An Jing whispered as he looked out over the plaza. This was also his first time attending this great martial gathering, and he felt a bit curious at the moment. Lou Xiangzhen said slowly, ¡°The entrance to the Thunder Pool is interwoven with Lei Qi, a blunt intrusion will cause a huge commotion, unless the people from the Five Poison Sect are deaf, you will definitely be discovered.¡± ¡°There are only two ways for you to enter the Thunder Pool: either break in forcefully or have someone from the Five Poison Sect let you in.¡± After hearing this, An Jing pondered for a moment and asked, ¡°What is the cultivation level of the ancestors of the Five Poison Sect?¡± With a faint smile, Lou Xiangzhen said, ¡°His surname is Feng. It was he who led the Five Poison out of the Demon Sect. Dame Duanmu Xinghua of the Demon Sect Heavenly Sect almost died by his hand, and it¡¯s because of him that the Five Poison Sect has avoided retribution from the Demon Sect. What do you think his cultivation is like?¡± Realization dawned on An Jing that it was this man who had led the Five Poison out of the Demon Sect. The Five Poison was initially a branch of the Demon Sect, but due to a highly skilled individual emerging within, who was dissatisfied with the allocation of resources within the Demon Sect, he led the Five Poison to break away. This event was quite famous in the martial world at the time. An Jing thought that after so many years, this person would have already died. ¡°So, if you want to try breaking in.¡± Lou Xiangzhen shook his head, ¡°Difficult, difficult, difficult!¡± His repetition of the word ¡®difficult¡¯ indeed illustrated the immense difficulty of breaking in. An Jing frowned; having come all the way to the Five Poison Mountain, he was somewhat reluctant to give up on entering the Thunder Pool. Just then, a man with a face as fine as jade and a handsome appearance ascended to the high center of the stage, followed by an extremely beautiful woman. An Jing looked over and thought to himself: She indeed looks very good. This woman was Dai Ling. Without saying, he knew that the man standing next to Dai Ling was none other than the renowned Five Poison Young Master, Dai Danshu, of the Great Yan martial world. ¡°Senior Lou, do you think that¡¯s Ling Yuanjing?¡± Suddenly, An Jing noticed a familiar figure not far away and quickly transmitted his voice. ¡°It really is him,¡± Lou Xiangzhen acknowledged upon seeing Ling Yuanjing standing not far from the Five Poison Young Master, and couldn¡¯t help but laugh. He had a significant impression of Ling Yuanjing. This young man had encountered him upon entering the Jianghu, and at that time, Lou Xiangzhen had no good feelings about the Zhenyi Sect, hence Ling Yuanjing had a tough time under his hands. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, please quiet down!¡± The Five Poison Young Master, Dai Danshu, raised his hand, and then a loud voice resonated in all directions, sprawling out. The entire plaza quieted down a bit instantly, with everyone looking toward the stage. How beautiful! Many who saw Dai Ling for the first time felt a sense of astonishment. Dai Ling had inherited all the merits of her father, Dai Danshu, and even outshined him. Dai Danshu was a man known for rising to fame on the back of his good looks. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor that you have come to Mount Five Poison today,¡± said Dai Danshu with a smile. ¡°I think you have been waiting for a long time so I will cut to the chase. My daughter is seeking a suitor today, any young heroes below the age of thirty-five are welcome to try.¡± ¡°The examination will be held at the Thunder Cloud Platform, and the last young hero standing will qualify for the final round of assessment to become my son-in-law.¡± ¡°Of course, I won¡¯t let you come here for nothing; the top three competitors who last the longest on the Thunder Cloud Platform will be allowed into the secret Thunder Pool of the Five Poison Sect for one day of cultivation.¡± Boom! As Dai Danshu¡¯s voice fell, the entire square immediately burst into discussion. ¡°This Five Poison Young Master is really generous; to think he could enter the Thunder Pool to cultivate for a day.¡± ¡°The Thunder Pool is a sacred place for cultivation.¡± ¡°That place at the Thunder Cloud Platform also seems quite extraordinary, doesn¡¯t it? It sounds like a trial site of the Five Poison Sect.¡± ¡°Being in the top three tests more than just one¡¯s strength, right?¡± ¡°If one becomes the son-in-law of the Five Poison Young Master, would there be any worries in the future? Not only would you be embracing a beauty, but isn¡¯t the Thunder Pool also something you can¡¯t just enter whenever you like? And there¡¯s the massive support of the Five Poison Sect.¡± ¡­¡­. The crowd was abuzz, each person¡¯s eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°What an opportunity!¡± An Jing heard this and was greatly moved. As long as he stayed in the top three, he would have the chance to enter the Thunder Pool for cultivation. With his strength, wasn¡¯t securing a spot in the top three within easy reach? ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s a good opportunity.¡± Lou Xiangzhen commented playfully from the side, ¡°But you¡¯d better be careful to keep your identity hidden. If it gets exposed, Ling Yuanjing, the Five Poison Young Master, and the Pingyang Marquis won¡¯t let you off easily¡­.¡± If his identity were exposed today, the situation would become several times more dangerous than it had been at Xuanqing Mountain. An Jing confidently said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I just need to secure the third place and enter the Thunder Pool. They probably won¡¯t focus their attention on me.¡± When it came to acting, he was serious. ¡°Let¡¯s hope nothing unexpected happens.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded. If they truly drew out the old ancestors of the Five Poison Sect, things would become greatly troublesome. Before long, the Five Poison Young Master shouted, ¡°Alright, all participating young heroes step forward to test your bone age, and prepare to enter the Thunder Cloud Platform.¡± The young heroes present all rubbed their hands and prepared themselves, some even starting to form alliances. Elders nearby cautiously advised and warned them. An Jing handed the Evil Suppressing Sword to Lou Xiangzhen, then found a human skin mask on his body, applied the Disguise Technique, changed his appearance again, and lastly dressed in a new set of clothes and a mask of a fierce green face. After repeatedly making sure in his mind many times that his identity would not be exposed, An Jing finally approached Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°You sure are cautious, kid.¡± Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing in front of him and said pensively, ¡°This makes me feel quite insecure.¡± ¡°Old man Lou, why do you need to feel secure?¡± An Jing said irritably, ¡°Just wait till I come out of the Thunder Pool; then I¡¯ll ride the Black Flood Dragon and take you flying.¡± Saying this, An Jing followed the large troop ahead. ¡°But being cautious is also a good thing.¡± Lou Xiangzhen watched An Jing¡¯s figure, nodding his head. Compared to others, he was more reassured about An Jing. Having been together for so long, he didn¡¯t even know what the kid really looked like. If it weren¡¯t for finding out his bone age last time, he still wouldn¡¯t know his actual age now. Mixing in the martial world, being cautious is never a mistake. An Jing, dressed in a white robe and wearing a mask of a fierce green face, looked entirely different from a Ghost Swordsman. Apart from him, there were also some swordsmen wearing bamboo hats or black robes, looking secretive; thus, his dress did not seem too odd. ¡°Stretch out your hand,¡± said a deacon of the Five Poison Sect indifferently. An Jing did not hesitate and immediately stretched out his palm. Then he thought internally, ¡°In the martial world, there are also martial arts methods to alter bone age. It would be good to learn one if I get the chance in the future.¡± ¡°Alright, go on in, the Thunder Cloud Platform is to the left,¡± the deacon of the Five Poison Sect touched An Jing¡¯s wrist, confirmed the bone age was not over thirty-five, and said. ¡°Thank you,¡± An Jing responded. Just as he was headed toward the Thunder Cloud Platform, a familiar figure appeared in his sight. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This person, dressed in a black robe similar to his own but smaller in stature, was currently sitting in a corner, holding a chicken leg in one hand and a sugarcoated haw on the other, with several pieces of leather paper spread on the ground full of cakes. At that moment, she was eating heartily as if nobody else was around. This peculiar scene appeared somewhat out of place among the busy crowd around, but nobody noticed her. ¡­¡­ PS: There will be another chapter tonight, though it might be very late. Please subscribe for the full series. Chapter 159 - Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Thunder Beast Appears in the Thunder Pool Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Thunder Beast Appears in the Thunder Pool Qiu Lun and An Jing clashed with a palm strike, and Qi Mechanism immediately trembled within him, fresh blood trickling down the corner of his mouth. But before he could revel in self-satisfaction, what occurred before him left him dumbstruck. An Jing¡¯s body was actually sent flying a dozen meters backward, followed by two rolls on the ground before he managed to get up with difficulty, shakily saying, ¡°Young Marquis, your strength is profound, indeed you¡¯re no ordinary man¡­¡± The onlookers below the stage were all startled, their hearts shocked beyond measure. ¡°The Young Marquis truly deserves to be a high-level expert of the Human Flower Realm.¡± ¡°Just one palm strike, and he forced the mysterious expert back, he¡¯s just too strong.¡± ¡°That palm strike was surging and turbulent with Inner Strength, perhaps not even weaker than an average Earth Flower Realm expert, right?¡± ¡­¡­ Witnessing this scene, a tide of comments from the crowd below surged forth. On hearing this, Qiu Lun¡¯s face turned beet red, as if it was about to bleed. I was just putting on a show with that palm strike! Pretending! That man in white was absolutely pretending! An Jing sighed deeply, ¡°Not only does the Young Marquis have the grace and vigor of a noble, your strength is profound and unfathomable, I¡­.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go again.¡± Fearing An Jing would continue, Qiu Lun let out a low roar and charged at An Jing. God damn it! In an instant, the two were clashing once again, appearing extremely fierce, yet both were holding back, fearing they¡¯d inadvertently ¡®hurt¡¯ the other again. To the onlookers, it seemed as though the two were cautiously feeling each other out, making feints, tranquil like the calm before a storm. Perhaps this was the way high-level masters dueled. An Jing sent a message with his inner Qi, ¡°Young Marquis, the great beauty is right before your eyes, don¡¯t you really feel moved?¡± He truly couldn¡¯t understand Qiu Lun¡¯s way of thinking, to not want a beauty like Dai Ling. ¡°If you think she¡¯s a great beauty, why don¡¯t you take her!¡± Qiu Lun raised an eyebrow, responding in a strange tone. ¡°I cannot take her.¡± An Jing retorted irritably. Let alone the fact that he already had a family, even without one, he couldn¡¯t take her; at this moment, Dai Ling¡¯s innermost feelings probably involved eating his flesh and drinking his blood, and bringing her home would be like living with a ticking time bomb. ¡°Why should I take something you don¡¯t want?¡± Qiu Lun glared at An Jing, furious, and then a ¡®ferocious¡¯ palm strike came hurtling towards him, ¡°This beauty, you must take.¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t want her!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± An Jing¡¯s body stiffened as the palm strike hit him truly, obviously committed with great effort; blood trickled down the corner of his mouth as he shouted, ¡°Young Marquis, your cultivation is just too high¡­ I¡¯m no match for you.¡± With that said, An Jing moved swiftly to retreat, seemingly ready to concede and admit defeat. ¡°Crafty villain!¡± Qiu Lun was furious inside, his steps nonetheless chasing after An Jing. ¡°Young Marquis, what are you trying to do?!¡± An Jing asked, both shocked and scared, ¡°Could it be you still want to put me to death?¡± The crowd below was also greatly perplexed; it was clear that the man in white was about to admit defeat, so why was Qiu Lun still relentlessly pursuing him? ¡°Our competition isn¡¯t over yet, where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Qiu Lun sent the message with his inner Qi, then reached out to grab An Jing. Then come on. An Jing stood still as if petrified, waiting for Qiu Lun¡¯s palm to ¡®put him to death.¡¯ It was time for a showdown of acting skills. However, just as Qiu Lun was about to touch An Jing, it seemed like a tremendous force suddenly struck out. ¡°Not good!¡± ¡°Not good!¡± Both shouted almost simultaneously. Qiu Lun was hit by an incredibly mighty rebounding force, and like a kite with its string cut, he plummeted below the stage, making a tremendous noise. ¡°` However, An Jing also rapidly retreated, but he had just reached the edge of the Thunder Cloud Platform when he realized he was one step too late. Whoosh! The audience watched this scene in stunned silence, their eyes wide and mouths agape. No one had expected that Qiu Lun, who had until recently been firmly in the lead, would now be lying beneath the Thunder Cloud Platform. The turn of events had been so swift that everyone had yet to react. ¡°What overbearing Protective Gang Qi.¡± Covering his plump belly, Qiu Lun wailed, ¡°Sir, what a clever scheme, Qiu Lun will remember this.¡± ¡°You¡­ you!?¡± An Jing pointed at the fatty below the Thunder Cloud Platform, stuttering and unable to utter another word. A day spent hunting geese, and now the geese have pecked out his eyes. The big fat man was cunning enough; An Jing hadn¡¯t expected him to be so shameless, pretending to be blown away without a trace of Inner Strength leaking from his body. He wasn¡¯t even pretending anymore; he blatantly threw the blame onto An Jing. It¡¯s all rigged, damn it all to rigged machinations! Qiu Lun got to his feet, cupped his hands towards An Jing on the platform, and righteously proclaimed, ¡°Brother, I, Qiu Lun, am not a sore loser. I admit defeat today!¡± ¡°All I can do is wish brother a happy marriage and a speedy arrival of your firstborn child.¡± Having said that, Qiu Lun quickly walked away, not giving An Jing a chance to speak. He had to leave, for he feared he couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. ¡°I!¡± Watching the large man¡¯s retreating figure, An Jing felt a mix of shock and rage, wishing he could call forth the Evil Suppressing Sword to pierce a few holes in him right then and there. Today, it seemed he had truly been played by that fatty. Ling Yuanjing, seeing this, couldn¡¯t help but take a deep breath, saying, ¡°Indeed, a scion of the Kuiyuan Sect.¡± He had not sensed the slightest leakage of Inner Strength, yet Qiu Lun was sent flying; only the mental method of the Kuiyuan Sect could achieve such an effect. Qiu Heng, upon witnessing this scene, furrowed his brows in thought; he had seen clearly that the man in white seemed ready to admit defeat¡­ Could there be a hidden trick or profound secret? ¡°This is somewhat unexpected.¡± The Five Poison Young Master glanced at An Jing on the platform and then asked, ¡°Ling¡¯er, what do you think?¡± Dai Ling responded indifferently, ¡°Let¡¯s first see his true face.¡± For some reason, she couldn¡¯t help feeling an inexplicable aversion towards the man in white. This feeling was different from her attitude towards Qiu Lun; at most, she was slightly repulsed by him. Meanwhile, Lou Xiangzhen, standing afar, froze at the scene, then smiled after a thought, ¡°This lad is also susceptible to schemes. It looks like there¡¯s a feast I can enjoy.¡± An Jing had always been sly despite his young age, and it was extremely difficult to gain an advantage over him. Lou Xiangzhen couldn¡¯t contain his joy at seeing An Jing outmaneuvered by that fatty. ¡°So familiar, could it really be him?¡± Tan Yun stared intently at the man in white, and upon seeing those familiar eyes, her heart shuddered. The Ghost Swordsman! She would never forget those eyes; the man in white was the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Why is he here? Could he be aiming to become the son-in-law of the Five Poison Sect?¡± Tan Yun became anxious; she even dropped her chicken leg without realizing it. The Ghost Swordsman had come to take part in the Five Poison Sect¡¯s son-in-law contest and had claimed the first place, about to become their son-in-law. Clutching her lips tightly, Tan Yun felt disturbed, ¡°No, I absolutely can¡¯t let this happen, absolutely not.¡± The miss had always said, one must fight for one¡¯s own happiness. On the Thunder Cloud Platform. At this moment, An Jing was somewhat bewildered, everything was contrary to his initial intentions. Just then, a deacon of the Five Poison Sect stepped forward and said, ¡°This young hero, the Sect Leader requests your presence.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± An Jing replied, bracing himself. Now, he could only pray that he wouldn¡¯t expose himself, for as long as he entered the Thunder Pool, and the Thousand-year-old Black Boa fully transformed into the Black Flood Dragon, none of this would matter. The Five Poison Sect deacon led the way, and soon they arrived at the high platform. At that moment, the Five Poison Young Master, Pingyang Marquis Qiu Heng, Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Ling Yuanjing, and many other experts stood to the side. ¡°Wu Qiren pays his respects to Sect Master Dai and the other esteemed seniors,¡± An Jing greeted with a bow. ¡°` While on the stage, An Jing had already thought of a pseudonym. Since the Great Zhou Royal Family had the surname Wu, and he carried the royal bloodline, why not call himself Wu Qiren? With a slight nod, Dai Danshu seemed quite satisfied as he nodded, ¡°Not bad, a hero emerges from youth.¡± ¡°Hmm?!¡± Ling Yuanjing raised his eyebrows slightly as he looked at An Jing in front of him. ¡°Brother Ling, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Dai Danshu also noticed Ling Yuanjing¡¯s small movement and couldn¡¯t help but ask through a transmitted message. Ling Yuanjing replied, ¡°I feel that this person¡¯s figure looks somewhat familiar, as if I¡¯ve seen him somewhere before, but I have seldom left the mountain in recent years, so it might just be my imagination.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t panic, let¡¯s have him remove the mask later.¡± Dai Danshu said with a faint smile. An Jing¡¯s expression remained unchanged, but he was observing secretly. He too had noticed Ling Yuanjing¡¯s frown earlier. Could it be that the old fellow had recognized him? Thinking of this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but feel nervous. Now was the most agonizing moment. He didn¡¯t know what Ling Yuanjing was thinking, whether he had spotted something amiss with him. If Ling Yuanjing had seen through him, this would be like walking into a trap. If he hadn¡¯t been discovered, An Jing¡¯s own anxiety might betray him. Fortunately, An Jing¡¯s Qi cultivation skills were substantial, and he quickly adjusted his state of mind. The Five Poison Young Master smiled and said, ¡°I have witnessed your strength, and it is quite impressive. Now that you have claimed the title, would you be willing to take off your mask for us to see?¡± Dai Ling also looked over; she wanted to see the true face of this person as well. ¡°Yes.¡± An Jing clasped his fists and then removed the mask from his face. It was a rugged and resolute face, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, appearing neither old nor young, but very mature and steady. Dai Ling glanced over a few times, and in her heart, she couldn¡¯t quite say she was pleased, but nor could she say she was dissatisfied. At the very least, his appearance wasn¡¯t odd, and he was passable to look at. Upon seeing this, the Five Poison Young Master let out a sigh of relief and then transmitted a message, ¡°Brother Ling, do you recognize him?¡± After pondering for a moment, Ling Yuanjing shook his head and said, ¡°No, it must have been my imagination.¡± He always felt that this person¡¯s silhouette was familiar¡­ but the thought seemed absurd, and their Qi mechanisms were completely different. That person¡¯s strength was even above his own. Meanwhile, Qiu Heng couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Are you perhaps the successor of the Kuiyuan Sect?¡± What he wanted to know now was whether the person in front of him was really the successor of the Kuiyuan Sect, and whether Qiu Lun had truly been defeated or if it was just a ruse. ¡°This¡­¡± An Jing was suddenly at a loss for words, as he knew nothing about the Kuiyuan Sect. But he knew that speaking too much under so many watchful eyes would surely lead to mistakes. ¡°Young Master Wu, you need not say more.¡± Seeing An Jing appear to have difficulties expressing himself, Qiu Heng slightly raised his eyebrows but said no more. ¡°Overall, I am quite satisfied with you,¡± the Five Poison Young Master said slowly as he looked at An Jing. ¡°But if you wish to become my son-in-law, you must still pass one final test.¡± No, I don¡¯t want to. Naturally, An Jing could not voice his inner thoughts and instead clasped his fists, saying, ¡°Wu would like to give it a try¡­¡± But as he spoke, a hint of hesitation appeared on his face. ¡°If you have any concerns, feel free to speak up,¡± the Five Poison Young Marquis said indifferently. An Jing asked straightforwardly, ¡°If Wu fails this test, I wonder about the Thunder Pool¡­¡± His main goal, after all, was the Thunder Pool; the rest were of no concern to him. At this, the Five Poison Young Marquis replied, ¡°Rest assured, whether or not you pass the test, you may enter the Thunder Pool for cultivation.¡± An Jing smiled upon hearing this and said, ¡°Then I thank Sect Leader Dai. May I know what the last test entails?¡± The Five Poison Young Master narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, ¡°The last test is to gain the approval of the Five Poison Sect¡¯s protective exotic beast, the Thunder Beast.¡± The Thunder Beast?! Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. Lou Xiangzhen had told him yesterday that within the Five Poison Sect¡¯s Thunder Pool, there resided an exotic beast that resembled a crocodile, with sharp claws, a forked tail, and blinding speed, appearing with the sound of thunder. It seemed this beast had come into existence along with the Thunder Pool, and could live for a thousand years, though it certainly wasn¡¯t as formidable as the Thousand-year-old Black Boa, an extremely fierce exotic beast. An Jing remained silent, but Ling Yuanjing beside him chuckled lightly. ¡°The Thunder Beast of the Five Poison Sect is also considered a rare treasure of the world. So far, I have not had the chance to see it; maybe today I will get the opportunity.¡± Qiu Heng was also stirred, his eyes carrying a trace of curiosity. Although the Five Poison Sect¡¯s exotic beast wasn¡¯t as renowned as the Buddhist miraculous manifestations, it was still a rare beast in the world. Dai Danshu shook his head upon hearing this, ¡°You two may be disappointed. It¡¯s not just you; even I have only seen the Thunder Beast once.¡± ¡°That beast resides in the depths of the Thunder Pool year-round, and ordinary people standing at a distance from the Thunder Pool are fortunate to even hear its calls, let alone see it in person. So far, only Elder Feng has been able to make it appear.¡± The Thunder Beast of the Five Poison Sect is not as ferocious as the Thousand-year-old Black Python, an Exotic Beast of extraordinary viciousness; it is considerably more docile by nature and highly perceptive. Unless it smells the aura of a person with Great Destiny, it generally lies submerged at the bottom of the Thunder Pool and doesn¡¯t surface to the shore. Five Poison Young Master Dai Danshu, up until now, had only seen the creature once, and that was when the Five Poison Sect¡¯s ancestor used the Thunder Pool to break through to the level of Second Qi Grandmaster. Only then did the Thunder Beast emerge from the Thunder Pool, showing its head and taking a distant glance. ¡°That¡­¡± Upon hearing this, Qiu Heng looked at Dai Danshu with some confusion. Seeing the Thunder Beast was so difficult that gaining its acknowledgment seemed even more impossibly challenging. Dai Danshu said, ¡°As long as Junior Wu can make the Thunder Beast call out a few times with his aura, that would suffice.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Alright, I am willing to give it a try.¡± Right now, he only wished to enter the Thunder Pool; he cared little for anything else. ¡°Good, then let Brother Ling and Brother Qiu come with me as well,¡± Dai Danshu ordered and then got up and walked toward the back of the square. An Jing and the others followed suit. Along the way, Dai Danshu kept probing An Jing with seemingly casual questions that were, in fact, designed to elicit information. Fortunately, An Jing was no greenhorn and responded with great caution and care. Generally, his answers implied he was the inheritor of a reclusive master, having started wandering Jianghu not long ago after the hidden master had barely passed on most of his Martial Arts knowledge before departing this world. Generally, his story sounded flawless. After communicating with each other through voice transmission, Dai Danshu and Qiu Heng were mostly convinced of An Jing¡¯s identity. He was very likely the inheritor of the Kuiyuan Sect. Only Ling Yuanjing remained somewhat skeptical in his heart. Knowing that the peerless master who taught An Jing had died, Dai Danshu felt a pang of regret in his heart, but upon reflection, if he could get this person to stay permanently at the Five Poison Sect, it would also be a beautiful affair. Although Dai Ling did not speak, her beautiful and moving eyes occasionally swept toward An Jing, as if trying to discern something from him. ¡°Dai Ling¡¯s gaze is also peculiar.¡± An Jing felt his skin crawl upon noticing her eyes. Shortly after, the group reached a platform in the heavens. High above, the platform was surrounded by mountains, and looking down and ahead, there was a cloud of white smoke filled with a golden halo. The Thunder Pool!? Seeing that divine scenic halo brimming with Spiritual Energy, An Jing knew that what lay ahead must be the Thunder Pool of the Five Poison Sect. Ling Yuanjing, beholding the drifting white smoke ahead, couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°This Thunder Pool truly is a place of divine beauty, a rare find indeed.¡± Qiu Heng nodded in agreement, his heart filled with emotion. Initially, because the Five Poison Sect¡¯s ancestor was highly skilled, and with both the Zhenyi Sect and the Human Emperor wanting to support the Five Poison Sect against the Demon Sect, they granted the Mountain Gate Order for this place to the Five Poison Sect. Everyone knew that just with this uniquely favored Thunder Pool, one could build a major sect; in the end, the Five Poison Sect reaped the benefits. ¡°How should I proceed now?¡± Asked An Jing. He was eager to have the Thousand-year-old Black Python enter the Thunder Pool; once the Black Python underwent the Jiao Transformation, he could go anywhere under the heavens. Five Poison Young Master Dai Danshu said, ¡°You just need to spread out your Inner Strength; if the Thunder Beast senses your Qi Mechanism, it might respond to you.¡± Hearing this, An Jing gave a slight nod, ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± He then walked forward slowly, looking down at the vast white smoke below. Right within this boundless smoke lay the Thunder Pool. ¡°Hoo¡­¡± Exhaling gently, An Jing began to spread his Inner Strength slowly. ¡°Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!¡± A wave of Cultivation-based Inner Strength suddenly surged forth like a tide, quickly pouring into the white fog and blending within it. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing felt that the moment his Inner Strength entered the white smoke, it dissipated into nothingness, as if snow had met flame and melted away in an instant. After that, the white smoke ahead turned deadly silent, without the slightest sound. ¡°That¡¯s great.¡± An Jing breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this and then turned to Dai Danshu with an ugly expression, ¡°Sect Master Dai, this¡­?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be in a hurry, just wait a little longer.¡± The Five Poison Young Master Dai Danshu looked ahead and said, ¡°All right.¡± An Jing sighed with annoyance, then stood aside. Ling Yuanjing and Qiu Heng kept their eyes on the billowing white smoke, while Dai Ling kept her gaze fixed on An Jing. An Jing felt very uncomfortable being watched like this and couldn¡¯t help but grin at her with a forced smile. Dai Ling¡¯s expression turned cold, and then she looked away. Half a quarter of an hour went by without realizing it. Dai Danshu, seeing that there was still no change, couldn¡¯t help but shake his head and say, ¡°It seems that young master Wu has not succeeded.¡± Getting a response from the Thunder Beast was extremely difficult, so it was within his expectation that An Jing would fail, but he still felt somewhat regretful. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s really a pity,¡± said An Jing with feigned regret on his face, but inside, he was overjoyed. Qiu Heng looked at the smoke ahead and said, ¡°It seems that obtaining the Thunder Beast¡¯s approval isn¡¯t an easy task.¡± In his opinion, the cultivation of Wu Qiren in front of him was not bad, and being under thirty-five years old, he could be considered talented, but he had failed to get a response from the Thunder Beast, which showed its pride. Ling Yuanjing commented quietly, ¡°You needn¡¯t be too upset; this might even turn out to be a good thing for you.¡± Could it be that he had really guessed wrong? An Jing felt disheartened and said, ¡°Thank you for the guidance, senior. It¡¯s just that my talents and learning are shallow, and I lack the capacity for such good fortune.¡± ¡°You seem quite pleased?¡± Dai Ling suddenly said, staring into An Jing¡¯s eyes. ¡°No¡­ not at all.¡± An Jing was startled by Dai Ling¡¯s comment and replied with a calm facade, ¡°Why would Miss Dai say such a thing?¡± Ling Yuanjing and Qiu Heng also looked over. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Dai Ling shook her head and said no more. Dai Danshu then instructed, ¡°Ling¡¯er, go and call Bai Zhi and the young marquis now. Let them enter the Thunder Pool for cultivation today.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Dai Ling responded and prepared to head towards the square. Excellent! An Jing was elated within, knowing he was about to enter the Thunder Pool. ¡°Chirp chirp!¡± ¡°Chirp chirp!¡± Just as Dai Ling had taken a few steps away, a sharp voice pierced through the white smoke like a pointed sword. ¡°The Thunder Beast! That¡¯s the Thunder Beast¡¯s cry!¡± The Five Poison Young Master¡¯s face changed, and he quickly looked down at the white smoke below. ¡°Oh!?¡± Ling Yuanjing and Qiu Heng also looked over. Dai Ling furrowed her brows, then glanced at the somewhat bewildered An Jing before turning her attention back to the white smoke. ¡°What!?¡± At that moment, An Jing¡¯s heart was filled with astonishment, but he had to maintain a look of utter surprise on his face. ¡°Chirp chirp! Chirp chirp!¡± The voice kept coming from within the white smoke. The Five Poison Young Master couldn¡¯t help but laugh and said, ¡°That is the voice of the Thunder Beast, crisp as a bird¡¯s song. I didn¡¯t expect it to come so late, almost causing us to miss it.¡± ¡°Congratulations to you, Brother Dai,¡± said Qiu Heng, his expression complex and his heart slightly sour. It seems that his own family¡¯s pig failed to shine. ¡°Congratulations, congratulations!¡± Ling Yuanjing continued to gesture respectfully, then turned to look at the ¡®overjoyed¡¯ An Jing, who was at a loss for words, ¡°Young Master Wu, aren¡¯t you going to meet your father-in-law!?¡± ¡°Oh¡­ right.¡± An Jing snapped out of it and quickly said to the Five Poison Young Master, ¡°Greetings to my father-in-law!¡± Dai Ling¡¯s brows were tightly knit, as if contemplating something. ¡°Hahahaha, there¡¯s no need for such formality.¡± The Five Poison Young Master was all smiles, quite satisfied with this Wu Qiren. A successor of Kuiyuan Sect, with profound cultivation, excellent aptitude, and seemingly loyal and honest by nature, he had no other relatives at home, and could therefore remain at the Five Poison Sect permanently. Decades later, surrounded by children and grandchildren, he himself could enjoy his twilight years in comfort. This thought was indeed quite pleasing. ¡°Hmm? What is that!?¡± Just then, Ling Yuanjing pointed at the white smoke in shock. Within the white smoke, a strange head seemed to emerge, cautiously peering over at them before it appeared to notice something frightening in its eyes. ¡°Splash!¡± A sound of water splashing was heard, and the head vanished into the white smoke, as if it had never appeared. ¡°Thunder Beast!?¡± The Five Poison Young Master, Dai Danshu, exclaimed in disbelief: ¡°That was a Thunder Beast!¡± ¡°That was a Thunder Beast?¡± Ling Yuanjing also showed a surprised expression, ¡°No wonder I felt the spiritual energy fluctuations from the white smoke. So that was the Thunder Beast.¡± Dai Ling¡¯s cold eyes were wide with disbelief. Qiu Heng, with his hands behind his back, continued to look around as if searching for the fleeting shadow of the Thunder Beast, and couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°Could the Thunder Beast have appeared because of Young Master Wu¡¯s presence?¡± With that, he turned to look at An Jing, who was ¡®surprised¡¯ into a stupor. ¡°I¡­.¡± An Jing stammered, but internally cursing, I don¡¯t bloody know a thing. The Five Poison Young Master patted An Jing¡¯s shoulder and laughed heartily, ¡°Son-in-law, it must be you. Just now, only you released your aura, and the Thunder Beast must have come in response to your breath. There is absolutely no mistake.¡± Dai Danshu finally saw the Thunder Beast again, the last time he had seen it was when the old ancestor of the Five Poison Sect, Feng Lingyue, made a breakthrough in the Second Qi, which seemed to have disturbed the Thunder Beast, allowing him a fortunate glimpse. The Thunder Beast must have come for Wu Qiren, which means that Wu Qiren is a person with great destiny. Throughout history, those with great destiny invariably achieved greatness if they did not die young. The Five Poison Young Master had never imagined that today¡¯s marriage alliance would actually bring in someone with such a fate. His heart was already blossoming with joy. Looking at An Jing¡¯s simple and honest face, he grew even more satisfied. ¡°Hehehe¡­. is that so?¡± An Jing chuckled dryly, awkwardly touching the back of his head. Seeing this, Ling Yuanjing couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°It seems, Brother Dai, that you are quite pleased with him.¡± ¡°Pleased, very pleased indeed,¡± Dai Danshu said, his mood uplifted, his previously somber state completely dissipated. Dai Ling looked at An Jing without saying a word. Qiu Heng suggested, ¡°Brother Dai, shouldn¡¯t we prepare a feast now? This event deserves a celebration.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes!¡± Dai Danshu nodded repeatedly, ¡°This great news must be shared immediately with everyone; they are all waiting for updates.¡± ¡°But what about the Thunder Pool¡­¡± An Jing pointed to the Thunder Pool below. Dai Danshu smiled and said, ¡°Son-in-law, no need to worry. I shall arrange for Bai Zhi and young nephew Qiu to come here. You all can cultivate in this Thunder Pool tonight. Today I have to make some arrangements at Five Poison Mountain. After you come out tomorrow, we can proceed with the wedding without any issue.¡± Upon hearing Dai Danshu¡¯s words, An Jing breathed a sigh of relief, ¡°I¡¯ll leave everything to my father-in-law¡¯s arrangement.¡± If the Five Poison Young Master had insisted on performing the marriage ceremony first before letting him enter the Thunder Pool for cultivation, things would have been much more complicated. Tomorrow? We¡¯ll see if he would still be around to talk about it tomorrow. ¡°Son-in-law, please wait here for a moment, I¡¯ll go make the arrangements now.¡± Dai Danshu was very joyful inside, ¡°Ling¡¯er, later you arrange for them to enter the Thunder Pool for cultivation, I will go take care of other matters.¡± After speaking, Dai Danshu walked towards the plaza. ¡°Tomorrow, we shall drink to the wedding of Young Master Wu and niece Dai,¡± Qiu Heng smiled and then left. Ling Yuanjing left without a word, looking preoccupied with his own thoughts. ¡°Phew¡­¡­¡± Watching the figures of the others disappear, An Jing¡¯s heart eased slightly. ¡°You seem very nervous.¡± Just then, a cold voice rang out. ¡°Not too bad.¡± An Jing turned his head to look, and saw that Dai Ling was still staring at him. ¡°Let¡¯s be honest, I don¡¯t like you, but my father seems quite satisfied with you,¡± Dai Ling said indifferently. For some reason, looking at Wu Qiren in front of her made her feel uncomfortable. It was a kind of instinctual intuition. Thus, she did not want this marriage. An Jing chuckled awkwardly, ¡°Of course, that¡¯s for the best, you think I like you?¡± The fatso was right, nobody likes an ice mountain. ¡°Once you enter the Thunder Pool for cultivation, I will speak to my father and arrange for you to have an additional three days of training there to compensate you,¡± Dai Ling looked earnestly at An Jing: ¡°If there is anything else you are not satisfied with, feel free to bring it up now. If possible, I will satisfy your demands.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but sigh lightly, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I, An Jing, have nothing more to say.¡± He was satisfied, indeed very satisfied with this outcome which alleviated much of An Jing¡¯s guilt. ¡°Good, then let¡¯s agree on this,¡± Dai Ling said softly. Neither of them spoke again. Although they stood close to each other, it felt like there was an insurmountable gulf between them. Shortly after, two figures approached from not too far away; it was Bai Zhi and the fatso Qiu Lun. ¡°Congratulations, Brother Wu,¡± Seeing An Jing, Qiu Lun greeted him with a big smile plastered on his face. At this moment, An Jing wished he could give the fatso a couple of punches, but he still put on a smiling face. Alas! Bai Zhi glanced at Dai Ling, whose beauty was breathtaking, and felt a surge of envy. Why can¡¯t that person be me? ¡°Follow me, all three of you,¡± Dai Ling spoke softly, then walked towards a high platform and stopped in front of a stone door, pressing down a mechanism. ¡°Thump!¡± ¡°Thump!¡± As the mechanism was activated, the stone door also slowly opened, revealing a narrow flight of stone steps before the three men. Pointing at the stone steps, Dai Ling said, ¡°These steps lead to the Thunder Pool. The pool contains a great deal of essence, which makes it extremely hot, like being roasted by thunder flames. Even grandmasters who have tempered their Golden Bones wouldn¡¯t dare to stay in the Pool for long, so you three must remember not to get too close.¡± ¡°Around ten yards from the Thunder Pool, there will be essence mist drifting about. All of you have First Grade cultivation. If it¡¯s your first time entering the Pool, absorbing the mist will speed up your cultivation and bring you great benefits.¡± An Jing gave a fist salute and said, ¡°I understand.¡± Bai Zhi and Qiu Lun also nodded. ¡°All right, you may go now,¡± Continuing, Dai Ling looked at Qiu Lun and Bai Zhi, ¡°Remember, you only have one day.¡± Having spoken, Dai Ling walked off into the distance. ¡°Why do we only get to cultivate for one day, and so quickly the distinction between insiders and outsiders is made?¡± Watching Dai Ling¡¯s retreating figure, Qiu Lun snorted coldly, then turned to An Jing with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes, ¡°Brother, you¡¯ve snagged yourself a valuable fiancee.¡± An Jing brushed off Qiu Lun¡¯s hand with irritation and turned to head towards the Thunder Pool; he was familiar with the terrain and still had to control the Thousand-year-old Black Boa to enter the Pool later. There would be time to deal with this pesky fatty afterward. ¡­.. Five Poison Sect, the square. Many of the martial artists from Jianghu had already dispersed, but some had not yet left. That¡¯s when Dai Danshu stepped up to the front of the stage and announced loudly, ¡°Valued friends from Jianghu who have come from afar, tomorrow is my daughter¡¯s wedding day. I, Dai Danshu, will host a grand feast, and I hope you all will grace the occasion.¡± ¡°Congratulations to Sect Leader Dai!¡± ¡°Congratulations, Sect Leader Dai.¡± ¡°This is a joyous occasion. No matter what, we should all attend.¡± ¡­¡­ Upon hearing this, the crowd began to offer their congratulations. ¡°What!?¡± Tan Yun, who had been waiting for a long time, felt a sudden dizziness rush over her, nearly causing her to fall. He was getting married!? How could this be possible!? At that moment, several disciples of the Five Poison Sect came out, holding red silk streamers. ¡°What are you guys doing?¡± Tan Yun asked hastily as soon as she saw them. ¡°What else? Obviously, we are decorating for the festive occasion,¡± they replied. The Five Poison Sect disciple glanced at Tan Yun and said irritably. ¡°Arranging a wedding celebration?¡± Tan Yun blinked. ¡°Of course, Wu the Younger is about to become my Five Poison Sect¡¯s son-in-law, remember to come and have a drink at the wedding feast tomorrow.¡± The Five Poison Sect disciple said with a chuckle. ¡°No way!¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun immediately wrinkled her nose in protest. ¡°What do you mean ¡®no way¡¯?¡± The Five Poison Sect disciple suddenly became displeased, ¡°Are you looking for trouble?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t make you understand.¡± Tan Yun waved her hand and hurriedly said, ¡°I need to see your Sect Leader, Dai Danshu.¡± She had been seeking the Ghost Swordsman for several months; how could he marry the daughter of Dai Danshu, the leader of the Five Poison Sect? This was something that Tan Yun absolutely would not allow. ¡°Who do you think you are?¡± The Five Poison Sect disciple snorted, ¡°You think you can just see our Sect Leader whenever you wish?¡± ¡°If you won¡¯t let me see him, I¡­ I will¡­¡± Tan Yun¡¯s face turned red with anger, but for a moment, she didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°Fine, now I see, you¡¯re here to stir up trouble, aren¡¯t you?¡± The expression of the Five Poison Sect disciple turned icy as he spoke coldly. To dare come to the mountain and cause trouble on the Five Poison Sect¡¯s day of great joy, this person must be incredibly audacious. ¡°Hm!? Little girl?¡± Just then, Lou Xiangzhen, who was about to leave, noticed Tan Yun. He clearly remembered that kid, who, in order to save this girl, had even dared to confront the Heavenly Sword. ¡°You are¡­?¡± Tan Yun also saw Lou Xiangzhen and then suddenly remembered, ¡°You¡¯re that old man who was with the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡°Old man!?¡± Lou Xiangzhen raised an eyebrow. This girl was as impolite as that boy. Birds of a feather flock together, people are known by the company they keep. ¡­¡­. Inside the Five Poison Hall. At this moment, Dai Danshu was brimming with joy. Thinking of Wu Qiren, who clearly possessed a great fortune and had a boundless future, how could he not be happy? Furthermore, Wu Qiren was considered morally upright in his sect, and he appeared to be very honest; Dai Danshu thought it wouldn¡¯t be too difficult to have him stay in the Five Poison Sect in the future. Dai Danshu thought of something and called out sharply, ¡°Third, go and tell the elder ancestor that Ling¡¯er has found a good match, and ask him to come to the banquet tonight. He always loved Ling¡¯er the most, and he will surely come.¡± ¡°Brother, I understand. I¡¯ll go invite the elder ancestor right away.¡± A middle-aged man, also smiling, quickly walked towards the inner hall. Ling Yuanjing¡¯s brows were tightly furrowed. He always felt that Wu Qiren looked somewhat familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere, but he couldn¡¯t quite place where. Qiu Huan laughed, ¡°Brother Dai, we must have a good drink tomorrow.¡± ¡°Indeed, we shall drink until we¡¯re thoroughly inebriated,¡± Dai Danshu replied, waving his hand, then turned to look at Ling Yuanjing, ¡°Brother Ling, don¡¯t think too much. Tomorrow we shall drink heartily.¡± Ling Yuanjing chuckled dryly, ¡°Alright.¡± Just then, a Zhenyi Sect disciple hurried in, went up to Ling Yuanjing, and whispered, ¡°Uncle Ling, there are secret reports from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and Wind and Rain Tower.¡± Secret reports from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and Wind and Rain Tower naturally meant that they had found information about those two people. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Ling Yuanjing¡¯s eyebrows lifted, and he quickly said, ¡°Let me see them.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Hearing this, the Zhenyi Sect disciple quickly pulled out two secret reports from his bosom. Ling Yuanjing immediately opened the reports and swiftly scanned them. When he clearly saw the contents of the reports, he ¡®boom¡¯ shot to his feet and his expression dramatically changed. ¡°So it¡¯s him!¡± Chapter 161 - Chapter 161: 161 Palms, Great Sun Tathagata Appears in the Mountains Chapter 161: 161 Palms, Great Sun Tathagata Appears in the Mountains Not only Bai Zhi, but Qiu Lun beside him also showed a look of shock. ¡°My God, the ferocious beast recorded in the history books, we have really seen it today. If such a beast enters the battlefield, what kind of terrifying existence would that be?¡± Those hard scales were obviously not something that mundane weapons could penetrate. If deployed during a battle between armies, it would certainly be a mighty weapon of war. As time ticked away, the pitch-black night gradually became somewhat translucent, with the break of dawn painting the sky with the light of the fish belly white. However, within the Thunder Pool, the three people were extraordinarily focused, all staring ahead. ¡°Crack crack crack crack!¡± At the moment when the black snake skin shed, a pair of strong claws emerged from its waist and abdomen. ¡°The Jiao Transformation has succeeded.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart was also filled with immense joy. He could clearly sense the changes in the Thousand-year-old Black Python, especially after it had devoured the inner core of the Thunder Beast, which transformed into violent Thunder Essence within the python¡¯s body. It was unexpected that such an exotic beast really existed in this world, which meant that transforming into a True Dragon might also be possible. However, the process of transforming into a True Dragon would likely be many times harder than the Jiao Transformation. The Thousand-year-old Black Python continued to twist its body in the water, absorbing the Essence from the Thunder Pool bit by bit, causing the water in the pool to become somewhat transparent. Soon after, the snake skin shed towards the head, and the python¡¯s gill slits began to bulge. The wrinkled snake skin fell off bit by bit, and the gill slits completely retracted, forming two bulges, as if something was about to protrude from them. ¡°Splash splash!¡± The water in the Thunder Pool had become very transparent and turbulent, surging unevenly. An Jing, controlling the Thousand-year-old Black Python, distinctly felt that the water around the pool became very harmonious, as if moving in it were swifter than on land. Not only that, he seemed able to control the surrounding waters for several meters. ¡°Roar!¡± The body of the Thousand-year-old Black Python shook, then a resonating sound rose, dispersing the clouds above its head. Qiu Lun and Bai Zhi stood in the distance, feeling the intimidating might that captured one¡¯s soul, their faces turning pale. Without experiencing that kind of formidable oppression, one would never understand the suffocating sensation. It seemed like their knees were trembling. Black Jiao! The Thousand-year-old Black Python absorbed the Thunder Essence gathered over a hundred years in the Thunder Pool, and then devoured the inner core and fresh blood of the Thunder Beast, finally transforming into a Black Jiao. The Black Jiao no longer had the gill slits the size of wings on its cheeks. They looked smaller on both sides, but overall the body was larger, almost two zhang in size. Its body had become extremely massive, growing by thirty percent in length and becoming thicker by more than two circles compared to the pre-transformation Thousand-year-old Black Python. With a shake of its body, the Black Jiao soared into the air. An Jing¡¯s figure leapt up and landed on the back of the Black Jiao. The area around the Thunder Pool was dense with nets of lightning. If the nets were damaged, the Thunder Pool would no longer be able to retain Thunder Essence. Although the Black Jiao had no Qi Mechanism to freely pass through the lightning nets, An Jing was a living person who could not traverse the nets at will. ¡°Having already received such great benefits from the Five Poison Sect, it would be a tad disgraceful to destroy their lightning nets,¡± he thought. With this thought, An Jing slightly shook his head. ¡°Congratulations, congratulations,¡± Qiu Lun, fawning like a lackey, said, ¡°Brother, your Black Python has transformed into a Black Jiao, it must be at least at the Grandmaster Realm, right?¡± In the Jianghu, the term Grandmaster represented an existence revered above all. Bai Zhi swallowed hard, cautiously surveying the Black Jiao. Even though there were no fluctuations of Qi Mechanism on the Black Jiao¡¯s body, its very appearance made his heart tremble. Looking at the Black Jiao, An Jing thought, if the sensation given by the Thousand-year-old Black Python before was between a Grandmaster and a Half-step Master, now it had undergone a complete metamorphosis, undoubtedly increasing its strength significantly. However, having just completed the Jiao Transformation, the body was not yet accustomed to it, and it might not be able to perform at its full potential. Lou Xiangzhen had said that if the Thousand-year-old Black Python transformed into a Black Jiao, it would likely reach the Three Qi Grandmaster level. At this thought, An Jing¡¯s heart flared with excitement. When the Five Qi converge, one can reach the realm of a Great Grandmaster. Hence, every advancement within the realm of Grandmasters signifies a revolutionary change in cultivation. Lou Xiangzhen had also told him that, to their knowledge, there were practically no Grandmasters who had reached the convergence of the Five Qi in the world. Even Xiao Qianqiu, who was known, was at the strength of the Three Qi Peak, though he might have reached the convergence of Four Qi, his exact strength was not widely known. Therefore, the strength of a Grandmaster at the Three Qi convergence could already be said to be almost unmatched in the world. Though an exotic beast lacks the combat flexibility of humans, its flesh and scales are not something that can be easily penetrated by the swords of ordinary people. ¡°Now, just wait for this mechanism to open, and if I find the chance to slip away, there should be no big problem,¡± An Jing thought to himself. ¡­¡­ Five Poison Sect, outside the Thunder Pool. Day turned to night, and dazzling sunshine fell upon the mountains of the Five Poison Sect. The Five Poison Young Master, Ancestor Feng Lingyue, Lord Qiu Heng, Ling Yuanjing, and others all focused on the mechanism stone door ahead. Waiting for that stone door to open. ¡°Ancestor, Sect Leader, the phenomenon at the Thunder Pool seems to be weakening, and the thunder essence is becoming quite sparse,¡± said a Five Poison Sect elder as he approached. ¡°The thunder essence must have been almost completely absorbed by the Ghost Swordsman,¡± Feng Lingyue said, frowning slightly. ¡°Ling¡¯er, how much longer?¡± Dai Danshu asked with an icy gaze. ¡°There¡¯s still the time it takes an incense stick to burn,¡± Dai Ling replied. Upon hearing Dai Ling¡¯s words, everyone held their breath and grew tense. Especially Ling Yuanjing, the battle at Xuanqing Mountain was still vivid in his mind, and he wondered how much his strength would increase after entering the Thunder Pool this time. However, even if he got stronger, it was useless. As long as Feng Lingyue was willing to make a move, An Jing was doomed. The time it took an incense stick to burn quickly passed. ¡°Father, the time is up!¡± Dai Ling reminded, biting her lower lip. ¡°Activate the mechanism!¡± Dai Danshu ordered coldly. Dai Ling stepped forward and gently pressed on the mechanism. ¡°Click!¡± ¡°Click!¡± With a deafening noise, the huge stone door before them suddenly opened. Three figures appeared in everyone¡¯s view. Aside from Qiu Heng, everyone¡¯s eyes were fixed on the person in the middle. At the moment the stone door opened, An Jing was also stunned. What¡¯s going on here!? How did all these people suddenly appear? Could it be that I¡¯ve already been exposed? Seeing Dai Danshu and Ling Yuanjing¡¯s eyes, An Jing immediately realized something, but he kept a calm expression on his face. ¡°Ghost Swordsman, we meet again,¡± said Ling Yuanjing coldly, looking at An Jing. ¡°Peak Master Ling, Ghost Swordsman? What Ghost Swordsman?¡± An Jing feigned confusion, as if he was puzzled. You¡¯re really good at pretending. Qiu Heng shrank his neck beside him, privately sneering. ¡°You still deny it!?¡± Ling Yuanjing¡¯s eyes turned cold. ¡°All the thunder essence in the Thunder Pool was absorbed by you. Explain this!¡± As he spoke, Ling Yuanjing leaped forward, aiming a palm at An Jing¡¯s heavenly spirit. The Five Poison Young Master and the others impassively watched the scene unfold. So decisive! An Jing cursed inwardly. If he continued to pretend, taking a palm from Ling Yuanjing would mean certain death or at least severe injury. He immediately channeled his inner strength, meeting the attack with a palm of his own. ¡°Boom!¡± The moment the palms collided, a fierce sound echoed, and An Jing staggered backward several steps, while Ling Yuanjing flipped back. ¡°As expected!¡± Seeing this, everyone present no longer had a shred of doubt. Ling Yuanjing was at the Half-step Master Realm. How could someone who could clash with him without falling behind be just a First Grade expert? Dai Ling stared at An Jing with cold eyes, as if flames jumped within them. If looks could kill, An Jing would have already been slain countless times by her. ¡°Heavenly Flower Realm? Body Refining expert?¡± Feng Lingyue¡¯s brows raised slightly as she saw through An Jing¡¯s cultivation and strength. An Jing steadied himself, brushed the ash from his clothes, and said indifferently, ¡°Peak Master Ling, we haven¡¯t seen each other for long; why start with violence and killing?¡± Since he was already exposed, there was no need to continue the pretense. ¡°How dare you!¡± Before Ling Yuanjing could speak, the Five Poison Young Master, Dai Danshu, roared with anger. Dai Danshu had initiated this search for a son-in-law, expecting to recruit a man of great fortune and virtue. Never had he envisioned that it would turn into such an absurd spectacle. If this incident were to spread, how would the world view Dai Danshu, or think of Dai Ling? ¡°I had no choice.¡± An Jing clasped his fists and earnestly said, ¡°I have offended many today. If there is anything that Sect Leader Dai needs me to do, I will not refuse.¡± After all, he had come to the Five Poison Sect under a false identity and had used up a century¡¯s worth of Thunder Pool¡¯s lightning essence, as well as killed the Thunder Beast¨Cthese were undeniable facts. An Jing always believed in not harming others for personal gain. Now that he had crossed that line, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a tinge of guilt. ¡°Serve us?!¡± Upon hearing this, Dai Danshu sneered coldly, ¡°Your actions today are unforgivable.¡± ¡°What about giving me a chance?¡± asked An Jing with a faint smile. Qiu Lun and Bai Zhi watched the tense atmosphere, barely daring to breathe. They were acutely aware that behind this Ghost Swordsman was an extremely ferocious and relentless exotic beast. Dai Danshu was about to speak when Feng Lingyue interrupted, ¡°It¡¯s not impossible to give you a chance, as long as you are willing to marry Ling¡¯er and wish to stay within the Five Poison Sect in the future. Any grievances between you and the Five Poison Sect will naturally be forgiven.¡± As the words of Feng Lingyue fell, everyone present changed their expressions. ¡°Ancestor¡­¡± Dai Ling looked at Feng Lingyue in shock. Was her ancestor really suggesting she marry the Ghost Swordsman? Was she dreaming? Ling Yuanjing also frowned deeply, but having presided over the Zhenyi Sect for many years, he naturally understood the pros and cons involved. It was true that the Ghost Swordsman had killed Tian Cansou, but that was a conflict over the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. The grievance could be deemed as both significant and minor depending on the perspective. Now that the Ghost Swordsman had assumed a false identity to participate in the Five Poison Sect¡¯s groom selection, and absorbed the lightning essence from the Thunder Pool, if he were to actually marry Dai Ling, then everything would make sense, and one might even say it was reasonable. Moreover, if the Ghost Swordsman became the Five Poison Sect¡¯s son-in-law, he would be considered half a member of the sect, and using the sect¡¯s resources on him would be no waste. Not only did the Ghost Swordsman possess undiscernibly powerful skills, but he was also young and carried a great destiny, which promised future achievements. It would seem Feng Lingyue had calculated her moves quite excellently. Five Poison Young Master, Dai Danshu, remained silent for a long time beside them. This arrangement could work, but¡­ ¡°This must be the esteemed Elder Feng of the Five Poison Sect,¡± An Jing said with a smile, looking at the purple-robed elder. ¡°I, for one, have killed two great sages of the Zhenyi Sect, and I fear such enmity is not easily resolved,¡± An Jing said. Feng Lingyue replied indifferently, ¡°If you are willing, I am able to discuss the matter with Sect Leader Xiao and resolve this grudge.¡± Feng Lingyue was of the same generation as Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s master, Ye Ding, and even ranked above Xiao Qianqiu. Xiao Qianqiu would give him some face. With some compensation, the Zhenyi Sect might not pursue the matter further. An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°Elder Feng might not be able to resolve this grudge. My dispute with the Zhenyi Sect is a conflict of sect heritage and traditions.¡± Conflict of sect heritage and traditions!? Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Feng Lingyue¡¯s expression tightened as something dawned on him. ¡°Are you a disciple of Yan Shaoshan?¡± he asked sharply. ¡°I suppose you could say that,¡± An Jing nodded slightly. Yan Shaoshan was the old man who had taught him the Daluo Heart Method. Having learned the Daluo Heart Method, claiming that he was not Yan Shaoshan¡¯s disciple would likely convince few. The Five Poison Young Master, Dai Danshu, looked towards Ling Yuanjing. He had not heard from Ling Yuanjing that the Zhenyi Sect and the Ghost Swordsman had become enemies for such a reason. The division of the Mystical Sect into three was common knowledge throughout the world. Taking a deep breath, Ling Yuanjing said, ¡°Indeed, this matter pertains to the battle for doctrinal succession within our Mystical Sect. Unless the Ghost Swordsman is willing to relinquish the Daluo Heart Method and prostrate himself before the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Great Hall for three days, there¡¯s a chance for reconciliation.¡± Even if the Daluo Heart Method were surrendered, the enmity wouldn¡¯t be easily resolved, as the Ghost Swordsman had killed two of their great sages. ¡°It seems, then, that our grudge is irreconcilable,¡± concluded An Jing with a smile. Handing over the Daluo Heart Method was an impossibility, and kneeling at the Zhenyi Sect for three days was out of the question. ¡°If you¡¯re thinking of leaving today, I¡¯m afraid it won¡¯t be so easy,¡± said Feng Lingyue in an emotionless tone. This man had assumed a false identity to participate in the Five Poison Sect¡¯s martial contest for marriage and had absorbed a century¡¯s worth of lightning essence from the Thunder Pool. If the Five Poison Sect let this slide without any consequence, it would be the laughingstock of the world. Moreover, capturing him and offering him to the Zhenyi Sect would be a considerable favor on their part. In an instant, the situation, which had been somewhat eased, became tense once again. Ling Yuanjing¡¯s eyes flashed with a cold sharpness upon seeing this. ¡°Alas.¡± An Jing let out a long sigh, ¡°This is not what I had in mind.¡± ¡°Boom!¡± The next moment, the stone door behind him was violently struck and burst into pieces with a loud crash. ¡°Run!¡± Qiu Lun and Bai Zhi hurriedly retreated into the distance; no one knew better than they what was emerging from behind the door. ¡°Roar!¡± A wild and turbulent roar echoed in all directions, shaking the hearts of all who heard it. Then, out of the ruins of the mechanical stone door, an enormous creature coiled behind An Jing, its cold and domineering eyes looking down at the people below. Even though there was no flow of Qi mechanism, that appearance alone sent chills shooting through everyone¡¯s hearts. ¡°A Black Flood Dragon?! Is that a Flood Dragon?!¡± Ling Yuanjing exclaimed. Flood Dragons, notorious for their ferocity in ancient historical records, often brought great disasters upon their appearance. Consequently, whenever such exotic beasts appeared throughout history, they were hunted down. There were also many records about Flood Dragons in history. Among them, the Azure Flood Dragon and the Red Flood Dragon were mentioned, with the Red Flood Dragon being famous for being slain by the founder of Great Yan, the Human Emperor, who took its inner core and the most precious scales, along with countless rare materials, to forge the Emperor¡¯s Sword. Now, that very Emperor¡¯s Sword was in the hands of one of the Five Great Sword Immortals, the Sword Custodian Zhong Binru. ¡°What?! A Flood Dragon?!¡± ¡°An exotic beast so vicious?¡± ¡­.. The members of the Five Poison Sect all changed their expressions drastically, exclaiming in shock. Clearly, the sudden appearance of the Black Flood Dragon filled them with a chilling awe. ¡°It¡¯s the transformation of the Black Python; no wonder it needed the Thunder Pool of my Five Poison Sect,¡± Five Poison Young Master Dai Danshu said, as a look of realization dawned upon him. Qiu Heng¡¯s brows furrowed in concern as he couldn¡¯t help thinking, ¡°I never expected this Ghost Swordsman to have such an exotic beast protecting him¡­¡± Flood Dragons are inherently brutal, and the Black Flood Dragon is one of the most outstanding among them. History records no instance of a Flood Dragon being subdued, which speaks volumes about the capabilities of the one who managed to do so. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Feng Lingyue sensed something peculiar within the Black Flood Dragon, and anger rose in his heart, ¡°You Black Flood Dragon dared to devour the Thunder Beast?!¡± From the body of the Black Flood Dragon, Feng Lingyue could sense traces of the Thunder Beast¡¯s essence that had not yet completely dissipated. It went without saying that the Black Flood Dragon had devoured the Thunder Beast and had yet to fully digest its inner core. ¡°You¡¯re very bold!¡± Hearing this, Five Poison Young Master Dai Danshu was even more enraged. Everyone from the Five Poison Sect looked furious, staring daggers at An Jing, wishing they could carve him up a thousand times over. The Thunder Beast was the guardian beast of the Five Poison Sect, a symbol of auspiciousness. Now, it had been devoured by the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Black Flood Dragon, how could the members of the Five Poison Sect not be infuriated? An Jing said nothing. It was true that the Thunder Beast had coveted the essence of the Black Python, but equally true was his own act of slaying the Thunder Beast, aiding the thousand-year-old Black Python in its transformation into a Flood Dragon. No matter how it was presented, the fact he had entered the Thunder Pool under a false identity meant that any explanation would leave him at fault. ¡°Ancestor, no need to waste words with him. Let¡¯s capture this man first,¡± Five Poison Young Master Dai Danshu took a deep breath and said. Feng Lingyue, looking at the Black Flood Dragon and feeling a sudden surge of cold inside, then loudly declared, ¡°Today we shall see me slay a Flood Dragon!¡± After speaking, True Qi roared within him. In a flicker, the heavens and earth seemed unable to withstand the rolling and mighty force, trembling unceasingly. Feng Lingyue was a Second Qi Grandmaster, one of the topmost experts in the world. When he led the Five Poison Sect away from the Demon Sect, even the Demon Sect Hierarch had no means against him, and Jiang Shang, upon seeing him, would address him as senior brother. Had it not been for Jiang Shang¡¯s diabolical talent and supreme innate ability, which had him earmarked as the next Hierarch of the Demon Sect, Feng Lingyue might have had the chance to contend for the position of the Sect Hierarch himself. What a terrifying existence he was! It could be said that the prominence of the Five Poison Sect as one of the seven major factions today relied on Feng Lingyue alone. ¡°So powerful, is this a Grandmaster?¡± Bai Zhi, watching the trembling heavens and earth, felt fear gripping his heart to the extreme. Although the Black Jiao was extremely powerful, its body bore no sign of Qi mechanism, unable to strike directly at the innermost depths of the heart. Dai Ling and Ling Yuanjing both saw this and a glimmer of sharpness flashed across their eyes. The Black Jiao¡¯s colossal body shuddered and lunged toward the sky, soon after, the trembling sound echoed in all directions. The sky darkened abruptly, completely obscured by a stream of black Qi. The inner core within the Black Jiao began to operate, unleashing a tremendous oppressive force like ancient mountains, rampaging and sweeping across the entire Five Poison Mountain. It was as if everyone¡¯s heart was being hammered, all of them shaking uncontrollably while tilting their heads back to look up at the Black Jiao above. As the Black Jiao¡¯s inner core operated, it seemed to come alive in an instant. The domineering presence rolled in, carrying a dark and eerie gleam, its formidable aura reaching sky-high as though it could tear the heavens apart. A chill ran through Feng Lingyue¡¯s heart, and behind him emerged the giant phantom of an ancient clam. No sooner had it been said than done. The air rippled, and the force of the hand strike collided with the massive claw of the Black Jiao. Boom! The instant they collided, the air of heaven and earth trembled, and the ground around the Thunder Pool could no longer withstand such devastation, showing deep fractures. Feng Lingyue felt a significant resistance in front of him, followed by a terrible, savage, and rampant aura rushing into his body, causing him to step back repeatedly. Such an intense Black Jiao! Everyone saw that after the Black Jiao and Feng Lingyue clashed, Feng Lingyue took several steps back, his facial expression becoming extremely grave. The Black Jiao circled in the high sky, its enormous head looking down upon the people of the Five Poison Sect from above, its pair of eyes as large as lanterns, conveying an extreme sense of oppression. Apart from Feng Lingyue, everyone else felt a chill rising in their spines, shooting straight up to the crown of their heads. ¡°It¡¯s better to leave quickly.¡± An Jing did not wish to engage with a grandmaster like Feng Lingyue, so he prepared to jump onto the back of the Black Jiao to leave. ¡°Want to leave!?¡± Feng Lingyue, seeing this, pointed his finger towards the air. ¡°Hiss!¡± A beam of Qi whizzed through the air, incredibly fast. ¡°Not good!¡± The moment An Jing saw Feng Lingyue raise his hand, he knew something bad was about to happen, but it was too late to dodge, and that beam pierced through his chest. ¡°Tap, tap, tap¡­¡± An Jing landed on the ground, retreating step by step as a hole the size of a thumb appeared on his chest, with blood ¡®gurgling¡¯ forth. ¡°So powerful!¡± The Golden Bone that even a half-step master couldn¡¯t break, was now gravely injured by a single finger strike from Feng Lingyue. This was the strength of a Grandmaster. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Jiao roared lowly and then its body shuddered as it charged over. ¡°I will hold off this Exotic Beast. The rest of you quickly make a move and capture this person,¡± Feng Lingyue slowly said. He too was uncertain in his heart whether he could completely defeat the Black Jiao, especially after clashing with it just once, he could feel the strength of its powerful body and how its claws carried tens of millions of pounds of force. It was truly too terrifying; even the force exerted by the several Grandmasters from the Great Snow Mountain might be three parts weaker than that of the Black Jiao. Having said that, Feng Lingyue swiftly leaped up to meet with the Black Jiao. Feng Lingyue¡¯s clashes with the Black Jiao were mighty and forceful, even causing the small hill to tremble and sway. The sky turned dusky, and the sun and moon lost their light! Only a Grandmaster at the Master Realm could withstand such a ferocious Exotic Beast with their mortal flesh and blood. At this moment, this intense battle also drew the attention of many experts who hadn¡¯t yet left the vicinity of Five Poison Mountain. ¡°Look quickly, that person seems to be the Five Poison Elder!¡± ¡°Has such a legendary figure of Jianghu appeared today?¡± ¡°What a terrifying Exotic Beast!?¡± ¡°Is that the Black Jiao transformed from the thousand-year-old Black Python?¡± ¡°Even the Five Poison Elder is helpless against it, truly terrifying.¡± ¡­¡­.. Everyone who saw the Black Flood Dragon was shockingly astounded. Such an exotic beast had only been seen in ancient texts; who had truly witnessed one before? An Jing, while distracted controlling the Black Flood Dragon, watched the Five Poison Young Master and Ling Yuanjing below, ready to leave at any moment riding the Black Flood Dragon. ¡°Brother Ling, this man is unarmed and has sustained heavy injuries. What are our chances of victory if the two of us join forces?¡± Dai Danshu asked in a low voice. Upon hearing Dai Danshu¡¯s words, everyone present felt a chill in their hearts¨Chis intentions were clear; he wanted to team up with Ling Yuanjing to take on the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Eighty percent.¡± Ling Yuanjing¡¯s eyes slightly narrowed. A Sword Immortal without a sword was like a tiger without its teeth. Moreover, he was already heavily injured. Feng Lingyue had cultivated the Five Poison Technique; a Grandmaster¡¯s Qi mechanism invading the body would significantly weaken even the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s formidable Inner Strength. Many eyes turned towards them, intrigued by the prospect of Ling Yuanjing and the Five Poison Young Master teaming up against An Jing. Noticing this, the Five Poison Young Master did not hesitate to spur his Inner Strength; black Qi surged skyward as he coldly stared at An Jing. Ling Yuanjing¡¯s sleeves fluttered as his vast Inner Strength roiled behind him, creating the faint illusion of a mountain manifesting. As the two Half-step Masters made their move, their Inner Strength¡¯s oppression swooped down, causing numerous experts to tremble with fear and astonishment under its pressure. ¡°Such a terrifying oppression!¡± Qiu Lun said with a heavy expression. And he was just on the outskirts; it was hard to imagine the tremendous pressure An Jing faced directly against the two Half-step Masters. Countless gazes fixed on An Jing, only to see the young man standing still, with his clothes iron-cast and unflinched, regardless of how fierce the Inner Strength assaulted him. An Jing looked up, staring ahead at the two figures that blazed like the scorching sun, feeling a hint of pressure himself. Last time on Xuanqing Mountain, he had the Thousand-year-old Black Boa by his side and the Evil Suppressing Sword in hand. Now, not only was the Evil Suppressing Sword gone, but he also had the residual Qi of Feng Lingyue within him. ¡°Huff¡­¡± An Jing took a deep breath. Three figures confronted each other, their aura so thick that even the air seemed to freeze. Bang! The frozen atmosphere shattered in an instant as the Five Poison Young Master made the first move, locking onto An Jing with his rolling Inner Strength, seeking to engulf him. Ling Yuanjing, meanwhile, waited for an opening to exploit. An Jing leaped into the fray, engaging in fierce battle with the Five Poison Young Master. In the air above, waves of Inner Strength force clashed wildly. An Jing¡¯s punching and kicking skills were average, not exceptionally skilled, but he still possessed a Heavenly Martial Level Finger Technique and a Heavenly Martial Level Body Refining Finger Technique. Two figures on the peak of Five Poison Mountain fought fiercely, with the ripples of their Qi mechanisms spreading like waves. Whoosh! A shadow flashed across the sky, swift as a streak of black light. An Jing, after repelling the onslaught of the Five Poison Young Master, leaped straight toward Ling Yuanjing, attacking him. Sensing the domineering Finger Force and the robust Inner Strength, Ling Yuanjing too was startled and began retreating rapidly. Seeing Ling Yuanjing retreat, An Jing sped up even more and vanished from his original spot in an instant. Nine Heavens Soaring Body Technique! ¡°So fast!¡± Ling Yuanjing¡¯s eyebrows raised as a surge of Inner Strength erupted, gathering in his arms. A cold killing intent appeared in his eyes as he brutally pressed down towards An Jing. Thousand Mountains Palm Technique! Sea Stabilizing Form! As Ling Yuanjing¡¯s palm came down, it seemed as if a black mountain appeared overhead. Beneath it, An Jing seemed to have nowhere to hide, no place to seek refuge. Whir. This sudden turn of events elicited gasps from many experts around, and exclamations followed without restraint: ¡°It¡¯s the Thousand Mountains Palm Technique! This is Ling Yuanjing¡¯s ultimate skill.¡± Qiu Heng silently remarked, ¡°Ling Yuanjing has cultivated this True Martial Level palm technique to the Ninth Layer; it¡¯s his ace in the hole. Is he really using it right off the bat?¡± The other experts were also astonished that Ling Yuanjing had resorted to his ace skill so soon, apparently giving the Ghost Swordsman no chance to catch his breath. With one palm strike, ripples quivered in the air, and from those ripples emerged a palm print as massive as a mountain. An Jing¡¯s gaze turned icy as the inner strength within his body circulated, and a golden light surged behind him, indicating the Heavenly Martial Level Body Refining Martial Arts technique ¡°Brahma Heart Sees Me.¡± Nine Yang Divine Finger! Pointing Qiankun! A single point shot out like an aurora piercing the daylight. In the knowledge of hand-to-hand combat, it was clear that fists break fingers, fingers break palms, and palms break fists. The moment that overwhelming Finger Force collided with the Handprint, the aurora shattered the Thousand Mountains Palm Technique and surged mightily towards Ling Yuanjing. ¡°Bang Bang Bang Bang!¡± Ling Yuanjing¡¯s inner strength shook and formed a protective Light Shield around him, blocking all the Force Qi from reaching him. ¡°What a formidable Ghost Swordsman, could all of his martial arts be at the Heavenly Martial Level?¡± Seeing this, Ling Yuanjing was deeply shaken. Martial arts at the Heavenly Martial Level were not only precious but also required time for cultivation and deep study as they became more profound and inscrutable. Even if a golden mountain was placed before someone, not everyone would be able to obtain it. During this gap, the Five Poison Young Master once again soared into action. Boom! An Jing and the Five Poison Young Master clashed fiercely, their inner strength rolling like waves. An Jing shot backward but immediately steadied himself. However, this time he didn¡¯t gain the upper hand. This was partly because he had just exchanged blows with Ling Yuanjing and his breath was unstable, and partly because the Qi Mechanism of Feng Lingyue within his body stirred uncomfortably. Five Poison True Energy! That wildly rampant Five Poison True Energy wreaked havoc in his body, disturbing his Dantian so much that it started to feel abnormal. ¡°Today you won¡¯t be able to escape, even if you had wings!¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he tilted his head and saw Ling Yuanjing appearing not far behind him, cutting off all of his escape routes. At this moment atop the mountain range, Feng Lingyue was fiercely battling the Black Flood Dragon, causing the ground to shake and boulders to tumble down; their fight was even more intense than An Jing¡¯s. The Black Flood Dragon had j ust transformed and couldn¡¯t unleash its full strength; moreover, Feng Lingyue was a very powerful Grandmaster. It was extremely difficult to defeat the cunning Feng Lingyue at this time. ¡°This Five Poison True Energy is really troublesome.¡± An Jing struggled to suppress the Five Poison True Energy within him, but how could he, with his strength, contain the Qi Mechanism of a Grandmaster. His complexion became paler and even appeared slightly distorted. In the distance, many Jianghu experts who saw this scene shook their heads secretly. It seemed the outcome of today¡¯s battle was already determined; the Ghost Swordsman who had dominated the Jianghu now seemed doomed. However, to be able to fight fiercely against two great Half-step Masters while severely injured was enough to show the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s terror. The Five Poison Young Master¡¯s handsome eyes carried a hint of regret. Such a talented person, if fallen into the hands of the Zhenyi Sect, would likely only have one end. But if you were to blame, blame him for trying to be strong and insisting on delivering himself to his death at the Five Poison Sect. Thinking this, the Five Poison Young Master¡¯s figure flashed. Gecko Wall-Crawling Technique! An Jing inwardly cursed at the bad turn of events, not expecting the Five Poison Young Master¡¯s speed to be so astonishingly quick, reaching him in the blink of an eye. The Handprint struck, aiming directly at the crown of his head. ¡°Bang!¡± An Jing had no choice but to meet it with a palm of his own. As the palms collided, an exploding force spread from his arm and shook his viscera painfully. ¡°It¡¯s poisoned¡­¡± An Jing quickly looked at his palm where a dark green radiance had silently entered his body. The Five Poison Technique contained the venom of centipedes, snakes, scorpions, geckos, and toads, each one being deadly toxic, and the Five Poison Technique had combined them into a peculiar poison. ¡°What an opportunity!¡± Ling Yuanjing¡¯s eyes flashed with a sharp light as he launched an attack towards An Jing. ¡°Bang!¡± A punch was hurled out, hitting directly on An Jing¡¯s wound, which had already been pierced through by Feng Lingyue. A dull sound followed, and blood sprayed from An Jing¡¯s back. ¡°Ah!¡± An Jing spat out a mouthful of black blood as ¡°Brahma Heart Sees Me¡± was instantly broken and his body shook unsteadily, like a leaf in the wind. ¡°Ghost Swordsman, it seems you are done for.¡± ¡°Pity, the world loses a great Sword Immortal.¡± ¡°Who would have thought, truly unexpected, that this Ghost Swordsman would just be a meteor across the Jianghu.¡± ¡­¡­. Murmurs of discussion arose around, everyone bearing a sense of lament and pity. Clearly, everyone thought that the Ghost Swordsman had no chance of survival today, including Pingyang Marquis Qiu Heng. Ling Yuanjing¡¯s expression was icy, silently watching An Jing. ¡°Uncle Zhang, today your great vendetta will finally be avenged,¡± said Dai Ling, his expression slightly complex as he watched the Ghost Swordsman. This period of time, he was almost his own nightmare, but now this nightmare was finally about to dissipate. The Ghost Swordsman was about to die, and the only regret was not killing him with his own hands. ¡°What a pity.¡± Qiu Lun looked towards the distant Black Flood Dragon and thought to himself, ¡°If only I could obtain the method to control the Black Flood Dragon from the Ghost Swordsman. Maybe later I can try to search the body, perhaps I can find some methods to control the Black Flood Dragon.¡± Thinking of controlling the Black Flood Dragon in the future, Qiu Lun¡¯s heart was pounding wildly. Dai Danshu took a deep breath and said, ¡°Alright, capture him. Uncle Feng is still struggling against the Black Flood Dragon.¡± Feng Lingyue was in the midst of a fierce battle with the Black Flood Dragon, and it seemed that he might not have the upper hand. ¡°Okay.¡± Ling Yuanjing nodded slightly and then walked towards the staggering An Jing, ¡°When the time comes, as long as you hand over the Daluo Heart Method, my Zhenyi Sect will grant you a quick end.¡± An Jing was gasping for breath, watching as Ling Yuanjing approached slowly, the Inner Strength within his body somewhat chaotic. The Black Flood Dragon was an external factor that could abandon Feng Lingyue and attack at any moment. Just as he was about to control the Black Flood Dragon to launch a surprise attack on Ling Yuanjing, his eyebrows suddenly furrowed. A glimmer of golden light, like glazed glass, was born from within An Jing¡¯s body. ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra!?¡± In that moment, An Jing¡¯s consciousness became somewhat blurred, but in the next moment, it was as if a surge of Essence rushed out from within him, suddenly making him somewhat sober. The severe poison from the Five Poison Young Master, and the Qi Mechanism from Feng Lingyue, were instantly absorbed by that golden light. ¡°Hm!?¡± A sudden reflection of golden light burst forth behind An Jing as if at that moment, it were even more dazzling than the sun hanging in the sky. ¡°This is bad, act now!¡± The Five Poison Young Master and Ling Yuanjing exchanged glances and charged toward An Jing once again. ¡°Humming! Humming!¡± A wave of Zen chanting vibrated, echoing through the heavens and the earth. Suddenly, behind An Jing emerged a golden Buddha. He pointed one hand to the heavens and the other touched the earth, his dignity revealing limitless Zen spirit. An Jing took nine steps around, then he, too, pointed one hand to the heavens and the other touched the earth, his visage dignified. Afterward, he put his palms together. At that moment, the golden Buddha behind him struck out with a palm. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± The palm strike from the Buddha was like a mountain falling. The air was compressed and spewed forth, exploding into cracking sounds. ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± Both the Five Poison Young Master and Ling Yuanjing, two Half-step Master experts, were shaken back by the palm strike, their bodies tumbling to the ground like kites with broken strings. Whoosh! The whole place was in an uproar, everyone stunned, with Dai Ling feeling as though he had been struck by lightning. Looking at that elusive Zen chanting, the imposing golden Buddha alone in its majesty. Beneath that golden Buddha, An Jing had his palms together, his demeanor gaining a touch of grandness and extraordinary magnificence. ¡°Is¡­ is this the Buddha Master¡¯s method?¡± ¡°Could the Ghost Swordsman be a man of the Buddhist sect?¡± ¡­¡­ Inexplicably, a strange thought appeared in the minds of everyone present. The Ghost Swordsman had always been mysterious, no one knew his true appearance or age, and now under such dire circumstances, he displayed such immense Divine Skills and Martial Arts of the Buddhist sect. How could the hearts of the crowd not be filled with suspicion? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Meanwhile, the Five Poison Young Master and Ling Yuanjing trembled as they stood up. An Jing did not look at the two men, but instead set his eyes on the Black Flood Dragon that was battling Feng Lingyue in the distance, preparing to escape by stepping onto the Black Flood Dragon. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going!?¡± Just then, a thunderous voice, like rolling thunder, sounded. An Jing followed the voice and saw two overwhelmingly strong auras coming violently. Chapter 162 - Chapter 162: Chapter 162: A Chance Encounter with Li Fuzhou Chapter 162: Chapter 162: A Chance Encounter with Li Fuzhou Everyone turned their gaze in that direction, only to see two Daoist priests clad in black Daoist robes descending from the sky. Their presence was astonishing, by no means weaker than Ling Yuanjing and the Five Poison Young Master, clearly indicating that they were also at the Half-step Master Realm. ¡°Song Chengbiao and Sima Changlin!?¡± ¡°The other two Peak Masters of the Zhenyi Sect have actually all come?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t expect them to arrive so quickly. Does the Zhenyi Sect have some major move at hand?¡± ¡­. The numerous heroes of Jianghu who witnessed this were all greatly shocked in their hearts. The newcomers were none other than the Peak Master of Dongxu Peak of the Zhenyi Sect, Song Chengbiao, and the Peak Master of Chongling Peak, Sima Changlin. One must know that it was rare for the Zhenyi Sect to dispatch three Peak Masters for an operation. Generally, affairs of Jianghu were managed by Ling Yuanjing, the Peak Master of Nanhua Peak. Although the news of Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s descent from the mountain had spread, it was only known among the top forces of Jianghu, and had not yet completely disseminated throughout the Martial World. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows knit together tightly, realizing that since the Zhenyi Sect was far from the Five Poison Mountain, their rapid arrival meant they must have been secretly investigating and tracking him for some time. ¡°It¡¯s just the right time for the two junior brothers to arrive.¡± Upon seeing the arrivals, Ling Yuanjing took a deep breath and said, ¡°The four of us joining forces to capture this Ghost Swordsman will save elder brother Xiao the trouble of coming down the mountain.¡± Elder brother Xiao coming down the mountain!? At the mention of Ling Yuanjing¡¯s words, An Jing¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted. Who else could elder brother Xiao be but Xiao Qianqiu, the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect? Though An Jing had not been part of Jianghu for long, he was still very familiar with the name, which one could hear everywhere, from Jianghu to the common marketplace. The number one figure in the Great Yan Martial World, the State Preceptor of Yan Country, one of the most extraordinary martial geniuses in the world¡­ the many accolades heaped upon this one man were each enough to make a name for themselves in Jianghu. And to have so many honors upon a single person was truly frightening. ¡°Is Xiao Qianqiu about to descend from the mountain?¡± Some of the Jianghu figures, who were more slow to realize, were slightly stunned. That recluse, who dominated the Great Yan Martial World, was he actually going to descend from the mountain? ¡°Good!¡± Song Chengbiao looked at An Jing, who was radiating golden light splendidly, with a trace of solemnity between his brows. This Ghost Swordsman was truly formidable. Even without his sword and despite being heavily injured, he was still able to defeat Ling Yuanjing and the Five Poison Young Master working together. Just how terrifying would he be if he had his sword? The Five Poison Young Master had a gloomy expression and did not speak. The four Half-step Masters encircled him, their eyes firmly fixed on An Jing ahead of them. That extreme sense of oppression felt like a mountain pressing down on his shoulders. An Jing remained undisturbed, as if completely unaware of that pressure, and he was internally shocked at how the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra truly surpassed techniques of the Heavenly Martial Level. ¡°Let¡¯s go together!¡± As Song Chengbiao shouted, the four of them charged at An Jing like a gust of wind. Watching the four figures burst towards him, An Jing¡¯s expression stayed calm as he gently pushed his palm forward. Bang! Although it seemed like a simple palm strike, it carried a shocking and domineering impetus. The four instantly unleashed their terrifying attacks, which crashed into the palm print like a tempest. Boom! Boom! Boom! Even though the palm print was incredibly sturdy, it shook violently under the relentless assault of the four Half-step Masters, sending ripples in all directions. By the looks of it, it was clearly going to shatter very soon. The onlookers around the Five Poison Mountain, witnessing this scene, couldn¡¯t help but click their tongues in wonder. Once four Half-step Masters teamed up, the might they possessed was indeed terrifying. The previously overwhelming Ghost Swordsman was now completely at a disadvantage, no longer displaying the heroism of before. If things continued in this fashion, once An Jing¡¯s offensive was broken, he would be ensnared by the combined onslaught of the four Half-step Masters, with no chance of escape. Clearly, the situation had reached a perilously dangerous stage. An Jing, with a tranquil and composed expression, remained unphased, merely raising his head to stare at the four attackers without a hint of panic in his eyes. With the boost from the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, his Inner Strength seemed inexhaustible, as if the divine power of gods had been bestowed upon him. In midair, the sounds of collision continued incessantly, as each brutal and unrivaled blow hammered down onto the giant palm, causing the very heavens and earth to tremble. An Jing¡¯s back radiated with golden brilliance, shimmering like the blinding morning sun. His pitch-black eyes, tranquil as a silent night sky, were profoundly deep. At that moment, everyone became aware of the inner strength bursting from within An Jing¡¯s body, surging to an astonishing magnitude. Boom! An Jing once again brought his hands together, and the golden Buddha behind him crushed down with a palm strike. ¡°Be careful!¡± Seeing An Jing¡¯s momentum continuously building, the four men cried out in unison. In an instant, they gathered their inner strength behind them. The Five Poison Young Master executed the Five Poison Technique, his inner strength rolling forth, carrying a wisp of bewilderment, like smoke, like mist. The inner strength of the remaining three Zhenyi Sect masters was vast and majestic, surging like a relentless tidal wave. Their combined strike was already fiercely descending. Boom! At the moment of impact, heaven and earth seemed to fall silent for an instant, only for a massive tidal wave of inner strength to explode outward from the center. Between heaven and earth, all eyes were fixed intently on the point of collision. There, amidst the storm swept up, a golden palm connected heaven and earth and fiercely bombarded Ling Yuanjing, Dai Danshu, Song Chengbiao, and Sima Changlin. Thud thud thud thud! The four men grunted, their faces somewhat pale as they staggered backward step by step. Heaven and earth erupted into an uproar as countless masters watched the scene in disbelief, clearly not expecting that the Ghost Swordsman could directly withstand the joint attack of four Half-step Masters. ¡°To counter four Half-step Masters alone and seemingly not be at a disadvantage.¡± While whispers echoed through heaven and earth, Song Chengbiao and Sima Changlin also regarded An Jing with ice-cold gazes. An Jing shook his somewhat numb arms and, with a faint smile, said to the four men before him, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? No more tricks? Then it¡¯s my turn now.¡± Without waiting for a response from the four, An Jing spoke, The next moment, the magnificent Buddha behind him unleashed overwhelming and marvelous authority. It enveloped half of Five Poison Mountain, and numerous Jianghu masters gazed in shock, faces filled with terror looking at the golden Buddha. An Jing¡¯s expression was calm as he uttered the profound and enigmatic Sanskrit that ordinary people couldn¡¯t understand, stepping forward. Suddenly, the golden Buddha¡¯s eyes snapped open, and upon closer inspection, those eyes were actually blood-red. Blood Buddha Opens Eyes! In an instant, heaven and earth seemed to freeze, and an enormous handprint that covered the sky descended. It carried the force that could sweep away all, an unrivaled power! As if the handprint was connected with the heavens themselves, it descended not just as a handprint but as heaven and earth itself. Boom! ¡°This¡­ is too powerful!? What kind of martial arts is this!?¡± This thought flashed through the minds of the four, who then hastily retreated without hesitation. No matter how quickly they withdrew, they couldn¡¯t escape the scope of the handprint¡¯s descent. Up on Five Poison Sect¡¯s mountain, the golden handprint struck down heavily upon the four, which was followed by them unleashing their ultimate skills. Their vigorous inner strength ran rampant, shaking the very heavens and earth, and causing hurricanes to howl. ¡°Five Poison Unity!¡± ¡°Thousand Mountains No Shadow!¡± ¡­. Countless gazes were locked on the scene before them. What was expected to be a fierce battle turned out to be a one-sided affair. The handprint slammed down ferociously, and the inner strength of the four men was unable to resist, instantly crushed into nothingness by the golden handprint. The next moment, four streaks of light smashed into the ground, creating four immense and deep craters. ¡°What is that?¡± All gazes pierced through the black fog, converging on the four silhouettes. In a flash, everyone¡¯s eyes suddenly widened, a look of utter shock spreading across their faces. Lying within the four enormous pits were precisely Dai Danshu, Ling Yuanjing, Song Chengbiao, and Sima Changlin¨Cthe four Half-step Masters! ¡°` Whoosh! Astonishment that shook the heavens filled the air, one after another, resounding between heaven and earth. The experts of the Five Poison Sect all changed color, their expressions filled with fear as if they had seen a ghost. ¡°Too¡­too strong!¡± ¡°Four half-step masters joined forces but still failed to defeat him.¡± ¡°The strength of the Ghost Swordsman is simply too formidable. What kind of Buddhist martial arts is this?¡± ¡­¡­ Before this battle, no one believed the Ghost Swordsman could win. The four who besieged the Ghost Swordsman were top-tier experts in Jianghu, where grandmasters rarely take action; yet, the combined efforts of these four ended in defeat at the hands of the Ghost Swordsman. And the Ghost Swordsman didn¡¯t even have a sword in hand. Qiu Heng also displayed a look of surprise: ¡°Is the Ghost Swordsman really so formidable at the Heavenly Flower Realm?¡± It must be known that the Ghost Swordsman was at the Heavenly Flower Realm, with cultivation lower than any one of those four, yet still he defeated them when they joined forces. ¡°How¡­how is this possible?¡± Looking at the white-clothed figure in front, Dai Ling felt a sense of powerlessness deep in his heart. An Jing stood serene above the world, though presently without any vast inner strength surging, everyone felt a heart-palpitating pressure slowly radiating from within him. Under that subtly oppressive force, the entire Five Poison Sect fell silent. Their gaze towards that figure carried a sense of respect that emerged quietly. In Jianghu, killing is the fastest way to fame. Killing a master even more so. And towards the countless gazes from all over, An Jing seemed indifferent. At the moment, the Qi within his body was also somewhat chaotic ¨C powerful moves inevitably harm oneself. The fearsome martial arts of the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, when endowed upon one¡¯s self, were unpredictable in power, but similarly, they inflicted certain damage to the body afterwards. And Feng Lingyue, who was currently entangled with the Black Flood Dragon, was also shocked. Initially, she thought that with the two peak masters from the Zhenyi Sect coming, dealing with a Heavenly Flower Realm expert should have been a sure victory; unexpectedly, not even four half-step masters could defeat him. ¡°Sect Leader Dai, today¡¯s matter is a grudge between myself and the Zhenyi Sect.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, then he stretched out his palm and reached for Ling Yuanjing and the other two. ¡°Is the Ghost Swordsman actually going to kill the three peak masters of the Zhenyi Sect?!¡± Upon witnessing this, Qiu Lun couldn¡¯t help but exclaim aloud. The three peak masters of the Zhenyi Sect were not only famous experts in Jianghu but also held high positions and authority within the sect. Should they perish today, half of the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s sky would collapse, and could the sect¡¯s experts let him off? ¡°This is bad!¡± Ling Yuanjing and the other two, seeing An Jing¡¯s attack incoming, felt their hearts tremble, but they were powerless to dodge after being heavily injured by the palm strike. Everyone had not expected the Ghost Swordsman to be so bold, daring actually to kill three peak masters of the Zhenyi Sect. Just at this critical juncture, a figure flew in swiftly, standing in front of the three. ¡°Hmm?!¡± An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed, he slapped his hand forward, and a tremendous shock transmitted into his arm, causing him to rapidly retreat backward. ¡°A grandmaster?!¡± An Jing looked at his palm, shaken inwardly, and stared ahead with a solemn expression. The person in front wore a black robe, tall and sturdy, his garment rustling with the wild wind, his face obscured by a red monkey mask, his specific features unclear. Standing between heaven and earth, he exuded an air of elegance and commanding presence. ¡°Lord Meng!¡± Ling Yuanjing saw the newcomer, his heart still beating wildly ¨C if not for this sudden arrival, perhaps he would have already been doomed. ¡°Meng Zhaodou is here?¡± Upon seeing the person, even Qiu Heng felt a tinge of surprise. The arrival was none other than Meng Zhaodou, the head of Heaven and Earth Net. With the appearance of Meng Zhaodou, the hearts of the surrounding crowd clenched, as the already complex situation seemed to gain yet more layers of intrigue. ¡°Lord Meng¡­..¡± ¡°` An Jing muttered to himself, and then he guessed the identity of the person in front of him. In Great Yan, there was only one master under the Meng surname, Meng Zhaodou from Heaven and Earth Net. Meng Zhaodou looked at An Jing in front of him and slowly said, ¡°Although this is a dispute within the Mystical Sect, I should not interfere. But today, Meng has no choice but to step in.¡± The Zhenyi Sect was the national religion of Yan Country; any turbulence within it would be a major blow to the entirety of Great Yan, especially under the current restless and uneasy situation. For the current state of Great Yan, he had to intervene to stop An Jing. ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing could not help but laugh, ¡°When I was under attack by four people just now, why didn¡¯t you show up, Commander Meng?¡± Meng Zhaodou stared into An Jing¡¯s eyes for a long time before he said, ¡°If Sect Leader Xiao insists on killing you, I can save your life.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing knew in his heart that Meng Zhaodou was at the Grandmaster Realm, and it was foolish to think he could kill Ling Yuanjing and the other two. He had to give up the idea of killing them. Whether Meng Zhaodou was sincere or just saying it for the sake of appearances, An Jing was powerless either way. ¡°Fine, I hope that Commander Meng keeps his word.¡± After An Jing finished speaking, he turned his gaze toward the Black Flood Dragon in the distance. At that moment, Feng Lingyue¡¯s face was extremely ugly. There were also some injuries on the body of the Black Flood Dragon nearby, and some scales had even fallen off on the ground. It was obvious that Feng Lingyue knew it would be difficult to capture An Jing that day, and if the fight continued, she might herself get injured, so she chose to stop. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon let out a low growl, then lay prostrate before An Jing. Meng Zhaodou seemed to see An Jing preparing to leave and immediately said, ¡°Sir, Sect Leader Xiao has already descended the mountain, and even if you go to the ends of the earth, it¡¯s pointless¡­¡­.¡± An Jing felt a slight heaviness in his heart when he heard Meng Zhaodou¡¯s words. The three words Xiao Qianqiu were like a mountain pressing down on the head of everyone in the Great Yan Martial World, leaving all the masters breathless. If he had indeed come down from the mountain, could An Jing and the Black Flood Dragon be his match? Even if Meng Zhaodou could save his life, what if Xiao Qianqiu destroyed his cultivation? Could he still live a peaceful life? Not to mention that he had offended so many people¨CSouthern Barbarians, Seven Evils Sect, Five Poison Sect¡­ they would definitely not let him off. And his wife might be involved with the Demon Sect¡­ The road ahead is still difficult. ¡°Swoosh!¡± Suddenly, a sharp sound came from a nearby mountaintop. Then an immense, vast qi mechanism arrived, even stronger by a third than Feng Lingyue¡¯s qi mechanism, and it was sharper too. ¡°The Qi is returning to its place! Someone has made a breakthrough to the Three Qi Grandmaster.¡± Feng Lingyue frowned upon hearing this, then thought of something, ¡°Could it be¡­.¡± Three Qi Grandmaster!? When the many great masters in the world heard Feng Lingyue¡¯s words, they were all greatly shaken. What did it mean to be a Three Qi Grandmaster? Years ago, Xiao Qianqiu was able to dominate the entire Jianghu at the peak of the Three Qi Grandmaster. When the Five Qi gather at the head, the essence is fortified, and the water returns to the origin; if the heart is still, the qi is fortified, and fire returns to the origin; if the true nature is silent, the spirit is hidden, and wood returns to the origin; if earthly passions are forgotten, the po is subdued, and metal is hidden in the origin; if the four elements are in harmony, the intent is settled, and earth returns to the origin. This is called the Five Qi Returning to the Origin, all converging at the head. Gather the body and mind, do not let the heart wander outward, and do not let emotions chase after things. When the Five Qi converge at the head, one is a great Grandmaster of the world, nurturing the essence of the five organs and six entrails, gaining a lifespan of three hundred years. In the vast world, with its grand history spanning thousands of years of rolling carriages, there were no more than one or two dozen Great Grandmasters at best. A top-tier Grandmaster could dominate an era. And in the current world, no Great Grandmaster has yet appeared. Being a Three Qi Grandmaster is sufficient to shock the entire Great Yan Martial World. ¡°Who is it!?¡± Song Biaocheng¡¯s eyes showed a hint of confusion. ¡°It¡¯s that old man.¡± Ling Yuanjing took a deep breath, his face full of seriousness. Five Poison Young Master, Sima Changlin, and others were all shaken as well. Meng Zhaodou also looked in the direction of the sound. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered above the mountaintop, the sky turned pitch-black, and a wild wind howled, as if wanting to uproot the trees on the mountaintop and its stinging presence felt on one¡¯s face. The incredible momentum arose, causing everyone¡¯s brows to furrow tightly. Centered around the summit, a vortex of airflow formed, crazily absorbing the atmosphere around it. About dozens of breaths later, the vortex of airflow gradually dissipated, and the world returned to a state of clarity. Two figures leapt out from the mountaintop. One of them was not tall, with a full head of gray hair, a face full of wrinkles bearing the marks of time, disheveled, looking somewhat sloppy, with two longswords hanging on his back. With one hand behind his back and the other holding a collar, he looked as if he were carrying a small chicken. His feet stepped on the cliff as if walking on flat ground, and in an instant, he landed on the main peak of the Five Poison Sect. The newcomers were none other than Lou Xiangzhen and Tan Yun. Upon seeing Tan Yun, An Jing slightly relaxed. This time, she seemed not to have run away. After Tan Yun landed on the ground, she too looked towards An Jing, and then, finding that An Jing was also looking at her, her heart trembled, and her heartbeat quickened as if it were about to pop out of her throat. ¡°Senior Lou¡­¡± Meng Zhaodou saw the newcomers and hurriedly clasped his fists in greeting. ¡°So it is this old fellow indeed.¡± Feng Lingyue¡¯s expression was somewhat complex. He could be said to be a few years older than Lou Xiangzhen, but his cultivation was only at the Second Qi, whereas Lou Xiangzhen had now reached the Three Qi Realm, showing that Lou Xiangzhen was truly a rare talent of this era, unfortunately suppressed by the Sword God of the Yu Heng Sword Sect and fallen into decline for more than a decade. A Grandmaster of the Three Qi Realm!? Ling Yuanjing and the other two exchanged glances, secretly shocked. Lou Xiangzhen was a top Sword Immortal, and now he had reached the Three Qi Cultivation; his strength was a few notches stronger than an average Three Qi Grandmaster. It seemed that Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s hope of capturing him was now looking quite difficult. ¡°It¡¯s Lou Xiangzhen! It¡¯s actually him!¡± ¡°Ghost Valley Sword Immortal Lou Xiangzhen, I did not expect him to have reached the Three Qi Realm.¡± ¡°Since entering Jianghu, I¡¯ve heard of the Ghost Valley Sword Immortal. Now that I¡¯m nearing my grave, the Ghost Valley Sword Immortal still dominates the martial world.¡± ¡­¡­. With the appearance of Lou Xiangzhen, the world around boiled over with excitement. Who was Lou Xiangzhen? He was the oldest among the five great Sword Immortals, and the only one who spanned two eras as a top Sword Immortal. Unexpectedly, above the Five Poison Sect today, such a momentous gathering occurred, not only featuring several experts at the Half-step Master Realm but also three Masters. This scene was definitely a rare event in the martial world. Many were internally exclaiming in amazement, thinking that their trip had not been in vain. Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently, ¡°Meng Zhaodou, as for my grandson, I can protect him myself, there¡¯s no need for you to bother.¡± An Jing: ¡°???¡± I treat you like a brother, and you actually want to be my grandfather!? ¡°Grandson!?¡± Meng Zhaodou was astonished as he looked towards the Ghost Swordsman, finding it hard to believe. Since when did Lou Xiangzhen have a grandson!? Not just Meng Zhaodou, everyone was astonished, the Ghost Swordsman was actually Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s grandson? Does this mean his last name is also Lou now? ¡°Isn¡¯t he from the Kuiyuan Sect? Since when did he become Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s grandson?¡± The Five Poison Young Master was somewhat astonished. Qiu Heng also shook his head, feeling confused, and then suddenly realized, no wonder Lou Xiangzhen was willing to clear the way for the Ghost Swordsman, there was this relationship between them. Only Dai Ling clenched her teeth, secretly resenting. She did not expect the Ghost Swordsman to have a top expert like Lou Xiangzhen, the Ghost Valley Sword Immortal, backing him. It seemed that making him meet his end would be incredibly difficult. Feng Lingyue furrowed his brows and said nothing. Lou Xiangzhen turned to Feng Lingyue, ¡°Brother Feng, as for the losses of the Five Poison Sect, consider it repayment for the favor I owed you in the past. Let¡¯s call it even from now on.¡± Feng Lingyue took a deep breath and glanced at Lou Xiangzhen, ¡°Okay!¡± When the Five Poison Sect broke away from the Demon Sect, the Demon Sect naturally did not let it slide easily. Feng Lingyue invited many experts to support him, but few were willing to come. After all, the renown of the Demon Sect in the Great Yan Martial World was such that only the Zhenyi Sect could compare, and not many were willing to provoke the Demon Sect at that time. Lou Xiangzhen, owing a favor to Feng Lingyue, rushed to the Five Poison Sect without a second word upon receiving a letter from Feng Lingyue. This favor, Feng Lingyue had always remembered in his heart. An Jing, hearing this, silently thought to himself, so it turns out that this old man Lou owes a favor to Feng Lingyue. Lou Xiangzhen nodded slightly and then looked toward Ling Yuanjing, smiling as he said, ¡°Ling lad, I won¡¯t make things difficult for your Zhenyi Sect disciples today, hasn¡¯t Xiao Qianqiu come down from the mountains?¡± ¡°Three days from now, above Abyss Lake, I will wait for him.¡± Three days from now, above Abyss Lake, I will wait for him. The voice was grand and imposing, resonating through heaven and earth. Whoosh! As soon as Lou Xiangzhen spoke these words, it immediately set off a thousand waves. All present trembled in their hearts. Lou Xiangzhen was a Three Qi Grandmaster, and Xiao Qianqiu had already reached the peak of the Three Qi Grandmaster Realm several years ago. Both were among the top-ranking experts in the Great Yan Martial World, and their battle now would essentially be the most top-tier contest currently in the Great Yan Martial World. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve got the message, Ling will definitely convey the news.¡± Ling Yuanjing took a deep breath and gave Lou Xiangzhen a fist salute. Lou Xiangzhen looked at An Jing, ¡°Kid, let¡¯s go.¡± An Jing remained silent and then controlled the Black Flood Dragon to descend. Lou Xiangzhen and Tan Yun also sat on the back of the Black Flood Dragon, and with a low roar, the dragon weaved through the air and disappeared over the Five Poison Mountain. ¡°Senior Lou!¡± Meng Zhaodou came back to his senses and immediately turned into a black shadow to follow. ¡°The encounter at Linhu Lake in three days?¡± Feng Lingyue watched the departing figures, murmuring to himself in a low voice. He was also very curious to see who between Xiao Qianqiu and Lou Xiangzhen would be stronger or weaker. ¡°Lou Xiangzhen has ascended to a Three Qi Grandmaster and challenges Xiao Qianqiu!¡± ¡°Who knows who will win or lose between these two?¡± ¡°Jianghu is going to be shaken once again!¡± ¡­¡­. The surrounding martial arts masters also came back to their senses, and the buzz of their discussions was like a volcanic eruption. The Great Yan Martial World had been in a prolonged silence ever since Xiao Qianqiu became the number one expert in the world, a silence for far, far too long. And now, finally, a major event that could shock the entire Jianghu was about to take place. ¡­¡­. In Yu State City, at Fa Xi Temple. Within the grand and magnificent temple, a little monk with rosy lips and white teeth was sitting cross-legged on a cushion, striking a wooden fish. This little monk was none other than the abbot of Fa Xi Temple, Fa Wu. He extended his hand and immediately, three pebble-sized stones appeared in his palm. Relics! These were indeed Buddhist relics of Buddha bones! Originally, An Jing only obtained a single relic from Monk Fa Zhi, but now, there were three relics in Fa Wu¡¯s hands. ¡°Absorbing these three relics, my cultivation could probably reach the level of a Half-step Master.¡± Fa Wu looked at the relics in his hand and started muttering to himself, ¡°There are thirteen more relics in the sect, and absorbing them all would take a year¡­.¡± Most high-ranking monks would leave behind a relic after passing away, and such relics are treasures in the outside world and are a rare treasure in the Buddhist sect, but they are not considered rare. In a hundred years, there would typically be two or three Bodhisattvas in the Buddhist sect, and over the course of a millennium, a total of more than a dozen Shariputras had been accumulated. And how immense would the Essence contained within these Shariputras be? However, Shariputras contain the pure power of Supreme Yang and are not something ordinary people can absorb at will, and after An Jing refined two relics, he felt it difficult to absorb the Essence contained in relics any further. ¡°Master¡­.¡± Before long, another monk walked in. The monk¡¯s face was covered with horizontal flesh, and he looked fierce and evil, with a body that was also fat and sturdy. This monk was a disciple taken in by Fa Wu half a month ago, Jie Lu. Originally a fierce bandit in the mountains, he was extremely ruthless. Recently, as times had become tough, he turned toward Fa Xi Temple to learn some martial arts before venturing back into Jianghu. Who would have known his sins ran deep, and at first glance, Fa Wu took a liking to him, immediately accepting him as a student, becoming the second disciple under Fa Wu, younger than Jie Se. ¡°Eldest martial brother is nowhere to be seen.¡± Jie Lu pressed his hands together, dutifully responding. He truly couldn¡¯t understand Han Wenxin. He himself had been unable to live on and had thus sought refuge in Fa Xi Temple. But his fellow disciple Jie Se, born into a rich family and fairly skilled for his age, why would he choose to join Fa Xi Temple and subject himself to such strict discipline and regulations? Wasn¡¯t living the life of a wealthy scion and enjoying the company of beautiful women every day more enjoyable? He really didn¡¯t understand. Fa Wu asked, ¡°Where did he go?¡± Jie Lu replied, ¡°Jie Chen said younger martial brother Jie Se went down the mountain to see his brother and along the way, to wash his head.¡± ¡°Brother?¡± Fa Wu¡¯s eyes carried a trace of confusion. With a deep sigh, Jie Lu said, ¡°It¡¯s that black dog, one that Jie Se often brought to the mountain.¡± At first, he truly couldn¡¯t understand why his martial brother frequently talked to that black dog. It wasn¡¯t until one day, when he overheard Jie Chen that he learned the whole story. It turned out his martial brother Jie Se had a dear friend who was a renowned divine doctor in Yu State City. Later, the divine doctor died suddenly, leaving behind only that black dog. It was said that to revive his dear friend, he once made a great vow before Buddha. Jie Se, my martial brother, is truly someone who values relationships. ¡°And the washing of hair is¡­?¡± Fa Wu¡¯s confusion deepened, feeling it was more unfathomable than any scripture or riddled with difficulty to understand. Listening to Fa Wu¡¯s question, Jie Lu suddenly showed a hint of hesitation. Fa Wu glanced at Jie Lu and said, ¡°You may speak freely.¡± With hands together, Jie Lu whispered, ¡°Martial brother Jie Se said he went to wash his ¡®little head¡¯.¡± ¡°Little head?¡± Fa Wu¡¯s confusion grew even further, akin to a scripture that was even more obscure and impenetrable. ¡­¡­ Outside Yuan City. The Black Flood Dragon landed on a huge rock. ¡°Good grandson, catch up with old times.¡± Lou Xiangzhen, sensing Meng Zhaodou approaching from behind, immediately leapt onto the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s back. An Jing also frowned as he looked in the direction of Meng Zhaodou¡¯s approach. Lou Xiangzhen used the Shrinking Land into Inches technique and quickly vanished into the forest. In an instant, only Tan Yun and An Jing were left on the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s back. Tan Yun¡¯s large eyes sneakily glanced at the Ghost Swordsman ahead, her heart pounding wildly. ¡°Alright, take off that human skin mask on your face.¡± An Jing looked at Tan Yun and spoke indifferently. Fine! He had been deceived by the dim-witted Tan Yun, played like a fool, not seeing her true face. The more An Jing thought about it, the angrier he got. Could it be that his mind was also not sharp enough? ¡°Oh¡­¡± Hearing that indifferent voice, Tan Yun cautiously took off her mask, revealing her pretty, slightly plump face. An Jing stared intently at Tan Yun¡¯s face, screaming in his heart, ¡°I¡¯m such a fool. After discovering Li Fuzhou was a high-ranking expert from the Demon Sect, I tested Tan Yun and then believed her.¡± Those eyebrows, that expression, those seemingly innocent eyes¨Cwho else could it be but Tan Yun? Tan Yun, looking at An Jing¡¯s ¡®ardent¡¯ eyes, blushed, and then quickly lowered her head. ¡°Cough cough¡­.¡± An Jing coughed lightly, ¡°You¡¯re from the Demon Sect, aren¡¯t you? What¡¯s your relationship with Li Fuzhou?¡± He needed to interrogate her thoroughly, one by one, he was eager to see how many secrets were being kept from him. ¡°He¡¯s my master.¡± Tan Yun blinked and replied. Master!? So that was it! Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s brows lifted ever so slightly. Tan Yun was actually that old fox¡¯s master, no wonder she acted like a mouse who had seen a cat whenever she saw Li Fuzhou. Seeing that An Jing didn¡¯t speak, Tan Yun hurriedly said, ¡°Actually, my master is a very good person, not at all like the rumors say, and so is our Demon Sect. It¡¯s all slander by people with ulterior motives¡­.¡± Watching Tan Yun gesticulate wildly, An Jing felt she might indeed be not too bright, but the more he thought that, the more he felt a sense of being deceived. Maybe she was really foolish, and that¡¯s why she deceived him. And that old fox Li Fuzhou, hadn¡¯t he figured him out? ¡°¡­Actually, I have been looking for you.¡± Seeing that An Jing remained silent, Tan Yun mustered the courage to speak in a low voice. ¡°What do you want with me?¡± An Jing asked coldly. ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Tan Yun¡¯s cheeks turned rosy, and she became flustered, ¡°I have food here, I can share half of it with you.¡± Saying that, Tan Yun took out her favorite pastries from her bag. Since being brought to the Demon Sect by Li Fuzhou, she had developed a special attachment to food. She knew the value of this food better than anyone else. To her, being able to share half of what she loved most was a silent form of affection. This was Tan Yun¡¯s most sincere expression at the moment. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry; you keep it for yourself.¡± An Jing, looking at the pastries offered to him, shook his head, ¡°I have some questions I want to ask you.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Tan Yun unnaturally withdrew the pastries in her hand, and said with her head lowered. An Jing straightforwardly asked, ¡°Where is your young lady?¡± ¡°Young lady?¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun felt a jolt in her heart, then lifted her head to look at the Ghost Swordsman in front of her, her eyes filled with a hint of confusion. What does the Ghost Swordsman want with the Sect Hierarch? Ever since she started following Zhao Qingmei, she remembered her words well, not to reveal her identity and location to anyone outside of the Demon Sect. Unless the Ghost Swordsman was willing to join the Demon Sect. An Jing coughed, explaining, ¡°I met you and your young lady at Fa Xi Temple; I had a deep impression of that time.¡± In his memory, it was the only time he had encountered Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun as the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°To think you could still remember a chance meeting amidst the vast sea of people, your memory is indeed remarkable.¡± Just then, an aged, deep voice sounded. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only From afar, an old scholar in a black robe slowly approached. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows rose as he looked over in response to the sound. This person was none other than Li Fuzhou. ¡­.. PS: I originally didn¡¯t want to reveal who the person was, but I got scared of being scolded by you guys, I won¡¯t split the chapter, I¡¯m laying my cards on the table. Chapter 163 - Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Mysterious Person Appears in the Cave Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Mysterious Person Appears in the Cave ¡°Master!? How did you get here?¡± Tan Yun was very surprised to see Li Fuzhou. She remembered Li Fuzhou had told her that he had something very important to do in Yujing City and might not be able to see her for a while; yet, here he was before her now. An Jing looked at Li Fuzhou, who wore a faint smile, and his eyebrows instinctively furrowed. This old guy sure got here fast. But then again, it made sense; as the Sect Master of the Demon Sect, Li Fuzhou naturally had access to information far beyond the ordinary people. ¡°We meet again,¡± intoned An Jing somberly. His words carried a dual meaning, referencing both his encounters with Li Fuzhou and the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s past clash with Li Fuzhou at the Three Temple Mountain. ¡°Indeed, we meet again, although I¡¯m not sure if you want to meet me or not,¡± Li Fuzhou said with a light smile. He remembered clearly that at Three Temple Mountain, the Ghost Swordsman had attacked him indiscriminately, ready to fight and kill, making him suspect this person was an enemy of the Demon Sect. An Jing, with a profound gaze, spoke straightforwardly, ¡°Sect Master Li, let¡¯s not beat around the bush. What exactly is your purpose for hiding out in Yu State City?¡± Li Fuzhou and Tan Yun were different: he was an old fox, and it would be tough to pry any information from him; better to be direct and straightforward. Li Fuzhou laughed lightly and stroked his beard, ¡°My Demon Sect is a taboo in Great Yan, akin to rats crossing the street, always hiding here and there. Is it so unusual to be hiding in Yu State City?¡± ¡°Tan Yun, aren¡¯t you coming over?¡± He said, glancing at Tan Yun. Tan Yun looked at An Jing, still masked, and then somewhat reluctantly jumped down from the back of the Black Flood Dragon and walked towards Li Fuzhou. An Jing frowned, Li Fuzhou¡¯s words did indeed hold some truth¨Calthough the Demon Sect had a notorious reputation in the Great Yan Martial World, they couldn¡¯t afford to be too conspicuous since both the Xuanyi Guard and Zhenyi Sect kept close watch on them, making it normal for them to lie low in Great Yan. But if you¡¯re going to hide, why hide in my home? ¡°Is that really so, Sect Master Li?¡± An Jing took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes, ¡°I have been to Jishi Hall, and I know Doctor An.¡± What!? Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Tan Yun¡¯s mouth dropped open in shock, her eyes nearly popping out, and her jaw almost hit the ground. The Ghost Swordsman knew about Jishi Hall, so he must know their whereabouts. How could this be possible? Li Fuzhou was extremely skilled at concealment, his qi flow tricky and unpredictable, making it difficult even for a typical Half-step Master standing before him to discern his cultivation. Only someone who had seen him before and could penetrate his qi mechanism might discover Li Fuzhou. Such a person must be a top-notch expert in the world. And Tan Yun herself had only been to Great Yan a few times, mostly without revealing her tracks and merely killing a few people in Jianghu before hurriedly returning to the Demon Sect Main Hall. In the Great Yan Martial World, anyone who had seen her true face was dead, so no one should recognize her. How could the Ghost Swordsman possibly know that they were hiding in Jishi Hall? Meanwhile, Li Fuzhou, upon hearing this, became as tense as a rock, his heart sinking as if filled with cold lead. The Ghost Swordsman knew far too much; he was even aware of this information. What was his intention in announcing this? While Li Fuzhou was internally shocked, he maintained a calm and undisturbed exterior, ¡°I¡¯m not quite sure what you are talking about.¡± An Jing, noticing the contrast in the expressions of Tan Yun and Li Fuzhou, thought to himself: This old man Li really knows how to keep his composure. He had made himself perfectly clear, yet Li still feigned ignorance. No matter how staunchly he refused to speak, or how tightly he held his tongue, he said nothing. ¡°Lord Li, we will not disturb your grandchild¡¯s reunion; we¡¯ll be leaving now.¡± With that, Li Fuzhou glanced at Tan Yun beside him, preparing to leave with her. ¡°Did I say you could go, Sect Master Li?¡± An Jing saw Li Fuzhou attempting to leave, then coldly chuckled. He had not yet finished asking his questions; how could he allow Li Fuzhou to walk away so easily? Li Fuzhou turned around, smiled faintly, and said, ¡°You have fought fiercely against four half-step masters consecutively, using the Buddhist supreme martial arts. The stronger the move, the greater the self-harm. Why do you insist on pushing yourself?¡± Li Fuzhou was well aware that the Ghost Swordsman before him had been fighting continuously, and now not only was his inner strength depleted, but he was also riddled with wounds and utterly powerless to fight. ¡°What you said is correct.¡± An Jing¡¯s gaze was chilly as he then controlled the Black Flood Dragon he was sitting on. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon issued a deep roar towards Li Fuzhou. Li Fuzhou stared at the Black Flood Dragon for a moment and shook his head, saying, ¡°This Black Python is just transforming into a Flood Dragon, its strength is greatly reduced. Moreover, it has been injured by the elder of the Five Poison Sect, Feng Lingyue. If it were to strike now, it might damage its inner core. Are you willing to pay such a price? We originally had neither grudges nor ties; why bother?¡± He was sure the Ghost Swordsman had rescued Tan Yun from under the Heavenly Sword¡¯s hand, which must have meant he bore no great malice towards the Demon Sect. An Jing looked at the cunning Li Fuzhou before him and took a deep breath, ¡°Just tell me your young lady¡¯s identity, and I can let you go, never to bother you again.¡± Sect Hierarch!? Upon hearing this, Tan Yun¡¯s face turned slightly pale. Was the Ghost Swordsman so persistent in learning the Sect Hierarch¡¯s identity because he rescued me for that reason? ¡°My young lady?¡± Li Fuzhou smiled and said, ¡°Our Demon Sect is among the top forces in Jianghu, we don¡¯t have any delicate young ladies. Perhaps you¡¯ve asked the wrong person? If you really want to know someone¡¯s identity, why not ask them directly yourself?¡± Meanwhile, Li Fuzhou was quickly pondering within, what does this person want with the Sect Hierarch¡¯s whereabouts? Could it be that he¡¯s taken a fancy to the Sect Hierarch? Though this idea seemed conventional, which young man in Jianghu doesn¡¯t love a beautiful woman? Especially a beauty who could overthrow states, like Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Ask directly?¡± An Jing furrowed his brow. He really wanted to know right now and couldn¡¯t wait a moment longer to head toward Ping County, and moreover¡­ ¡°Actually, it is not impossible for you to find out,¡± Li Fuzhou smiled. ¡°Speak.¡± An Jing looked at Li Fuzhou¡¯s smile, unsure of what cunning plan he was devising again. Li Fuzhou spoke deliberately, ¡°Join our Demon Sect.¡± Although he did not know why this man was so eager to learn about the Sect Hierarch¡¯s whereabouts, ¡°Join your Demon Sect? Like a stray dog?¡± An Jing, who loathed threats, scoffed coldly, ¡°There isn¡¯t the slightest possibility of that happening.¡± Join the Demon Sect!? From the sound of it, Zhao Qingmei must also be deeply entangled with the Demon Sect. Yes, both Li Fuzhou and Tan Yun were from the Demon Sect, and she even had the sect¡¯s treasured relic. How could there not be a connection!? ¡°That is truly a pity then,¡± Li Fuzhou said with a beaming smile, ¡°This old man is also willing but unable.¡± With that, Li Fuzhou prepared to leave with the seemingly distraught Tan Yun by his side. Watching Li Fuzhou about to depart, An Jing urgently asked, ¡°I know Doctor An Jing from Jishi Hall, and I just want to know¡­ what exactly is her relationship with the Demon Sect?¡± Right now, An Jing was eager to find out whether Zhao Qingmei had any connection with the Demon Sect and why she wanted to marry him. He was just a doctor! What truly was on her mind!? Or was she coerced!? ¡°Doctor An?¡± Li Fuzhou paused in his steps, with a hint of confusion in his words. An Jing said again, ¡°Jishi Hall¡¯s Doctor An Jing.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t know the person you¡¯re talking about.¡± Li Fuzhou spoke indifferently and continued walking forward. An Jing: ¡°¡­..¡± The wind whistled, carrying with it swirling fallen leaves. Tan Yun looked at An Jing, who stood motionless, and then quickly followed Li Fuzhou with gritted teeth. ¡°Old Li, you actually say you don¡¯t recognize yourself!?¡± It was a long while after Li Fuzhou and Tan Yun had left, An Jing, gritting his teeth, said, ¡°Well done, Old Li, you¡¯ve eaten so much of my silver, and now you clean your mouth and deny it, huh?¡± After that, An Jing calmed down, thinking it seemed direct questioning wouldn¡¯t make Old Li tell him anything. Did he really have to infiltrate the Demon Sect? What exactly was the relationship between his wife and the Demon Sect? ¡°Got it, since I can¡¯t get a word out of that old fox Li Fuzhou, I might use someone with a simpler mind¡­¡± An Jing fell into deep thought, and then something struck him. If it hadn¡¯t been for Li Fuzhou¡¯s sudden appearance, he might have succeeded this time. ¡­¡­ Outside the forest, among a pile of rubble. The dense fog gradually rose, engulfing the whole mountain forest in a thick white mist, blurring everything in sight, covering the lush greenery. Lou Xiangzhen stood on a giant rock, his eyes gazing into the distance, his body seeming somewhat hunched, his clothes fluttering at times, still at others. ¡°Elder Lou, you¡¯ve grown old too,¡± Meng Zhaodou stood below, looking at Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s silhouette, and couldn¡¯t help but softly lament. He remembered the first time he saw Lou Xiangzhen, over thirty years ago, during the last rampant years of the Demon Sect in Great Yan. Lou Xiangzhen was spirited and talented, recognized as the strongest and most gifted among the new generation of swordsmen. Admired by all, he was said to be the man who could carry the title of the world¡¯s first swordsman after the Sword God and the Sword Demon. This was the unanimously acknowledged opinion at the time. Later, Lou Xiangzhen went to challenge the Sword God at the Yu Heng Sword Sect and, after only a few moves, was defeated miserably. That deeply shattered his spirits as a swordsman. Such a crushing defeat dealt a horrendous blow to his pride. And thus, his dreamlike Peach Blossom Sword Intent disappeared from Jianghu. ¡°Who in this world can escape aging and death?¡± Lou Xiangzhen retracted his gaze, looked at Meng Zhaodou, and said indifferently, ¡°We haven¡¯t seen each other in over a decade, have we?¡± ¡°Thirteen years since you went into seclusion,¡± Meng Zhaodou replied. ¡°Thirteen years, another thirteen years have passed,¡± Lou Xiangzhen, with his hands clasped behind his back, said quietly, ¡°I wonder if I have another thirteen years in my life.¡± Meng Zhaodou also smiled, ¡°Elder, you¡¯re healthy; not just one thirteen years, but two or three would be no problem.¡± Lou Xiangzhen waved his hand, ¡°You know I¡¯ve always hated dealing with the Court¡¯s people. Just speak your mind.¡± During his early years wandering through Jianghu, he despised the Court¡¯s people, especially the Xuanyi Guard under the Great Yan Emperor. He felt that the Xuanyi Guard treated Jianghu like a prison, imprisoning the free souls within, which is why Lou Xiangzhen was always cold to them. And Jiang Sanjia¡¯s employment at the Qintian Bureau was also a major reason for their scarce contact. Meng Zhaodou let out a wry smile, then his expression turned solemn as he saluted with clasped hands: ¡°Elder Lou, do you know the current power of the State Preceptor?¡± ¡°Three Qi Peak?¡± Lou Xiangzhen, seeing Meng Zhaodou¡¯s expression, said lightly, ¡°Or has he reached the Four Qi Realm?¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s cultivation was revealed several years ago as Three Qi Peak, and with his talent and the support from the Zhenyi Sect, reaching the Four Qi Realm wasn¡¯t impossible. ¡°He has reached the Four Qi.¡± Meng Zhaodou took a deep breath. The differences between each realm of cultivation became more apparent the further one advanced, especially within the Master Realm¨Cdifferences as vast as a chasm. ¡°That is for the best.¡± Lou Xiangzhen heard this, yet his smile deepened, as if this news was not bad, but rather a greatly favorable one for him. Such a Xiao Qianqiu was worth defeating. Seeing this, Meng Zhaodou hesitated, ¡°Elder Lou¡­¡± ¡°Speak frankly,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said indifferently. ¡°Ah.¡± Meng Zhaodou sighed slightly, then said, ¡°The Human Emperor claimed that regardless of the outcome, this battle would be a loss for our Great Yan Martial World. He sent me to stop you, Elder, and he will also send a letter to Xiao Qianqiu, advising both of you not to fight.¡± Great Yan is the ancestral land, and now, with the Human Emperor injured, Houjin and Zhao Country are also watching closely. The entire situation is delicately interconnected; a duel between the top expert of the Great Yan Martial World and a renowned Sword Immortal, and with Xiao Qianqiu also holding the position of the State Preceptor of Great Yan, any harm to him would be profoundly detrimental to Great Yan. ¡°Has the Human Emperor started managing things so broadly now?¡± Lou Xiangzhen raised an eyebrow, ¡°The contest between Xiao Qianqiu and me is a matter of Jianghu enmity. Don¡¯t we even have this bit of freedom now?¡± Meng Zhaodou¡¯s mouth opened slightly, then he asked, ¡°Then, is the senior insisting on a fight?¡± ¡°You should know about Yu Ying forcing Jiang Sanjia to his death, right?¡± Lou Xiangzhen glanced at Meng Zhaodou and said indifferently. Upon hearing this, Meng Zhaodou immediately fell silent. As the chief leader of Heaven and Earth Net, he was extremely well-informed; even seemingly highly confidential information was as familiar to him as the palm of his hand. Yu Ying, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s martial uncle, was the hall master of the Heavenly Venerate Hall in the Zhenyi Sect. The Zhenyi Sect was originally the national religion of Great Yan, with mutual binding interests and shared honor and disgrace, but the rumor that spoken of ¡°two saints under heaven¡± began to circulate in recent years¨C the Human Emperor presiding over the court and Xiao Qianqiu presiding over the Jianghu. And the one secretly spreading this rumor was none other than Yu Ying. With the rapid development of the Zhenyi Sect, disciples of the sect were present all over Great Yan. If the Zhenyi Sect wanted to advance further, they would have to follow in the footsteps of the Black Ice Platform. Although Yu Ying presided over the Heavenly Venerate Hall, he was a person of great ambition and vindictiveness. This move was clearly a test of the Human Emperor¡¯s bottom line. And this was also why the Human Emperor agreed to the reason for Buddhism¡¯s eastward crossing. ¡°Yu Ying indeed went too far.¡± Meng Zhaodou¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. ¡°He even dared to reach into the inner workings of the imperial palace, crossing the Human Emperor¡¯s bottom line.¡± What Yu Ying had done, however, was not just limited to this. ¡°I don¡¯t want to know how the Human Emperor views Yu Ying.¡± Lou Xiangzhen waved his hand and said indifferently, ¡°There¡¯s no need for further words. A battle between Xiao Qianqiu and me is inevitable. If he doesn¡¯t come, I will step into Zhenyi Mountain myself.¡± The words of a swordsman should be as transcendent as a drawn sword. ¡°Meng understands.¡± Upon hearing this, Meng Zhaodou¡¯s heart trembled. He also saw Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s determination, realizing that further persuasion would be futile. He then extended both hands towards Lou Xiangzhen in salute, ¡°I now understand the senior¡¯s intention. In three days, I will come to Abyss Lake to support the senior.¡± ¡°I will not disturb the senior any longer today, farewell.¡± Lou Xiangzhen nodded slightly, no longer speaking. Meng Zhaodou leapt up, heading into the distance. Lou Xiangzhen still watched the drifting white clouds in the distance, his ears filled with the sound of crisp sword chimes, calming his heart as still as water, undisturbed by any waves. There are many beautiful things in the world, but truly few belong to one¡¯s self. Witnessing the flowers blooming and wilting in the garden, unswayed by honor or disgrace, watching the clouds rolling and stretching in the sky, with no intention to stay or leave. And now, as the third month came to a close and the fourth month was at its peak, was the prime flowering season of the peach blossoms. ¡­.. Inside Yuan City, there was constant flow of people, buzzing with activity. Tan Yun followed behind Li Fuzhou, not saying a word. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Why so quiet today?¡± Li Fuzhou looked at Tan Yun, who was silent with his head bowed. Tan Yun raised his head and asked, ¡°Master, what do you think is the intention of that Ghost Swordsman today?¡± ¡°What intention?¡± Li Fuzhou chuckled lightly, ¡°He seems very keen to know about the Sect Hierarch¡¯s whereabouts. When a man is so obsessed with a woman, there are only two possibilities. Either he has fallen for that woman or¡­ ¡± Tan Yun¡¯s heart clenched, asking, ¡°Or what?¡± ¡°Or he has a grudge,¡± Li Fuzhou said indifferently. A grudge?! The Ghost Swordsman didn¡¯t even know the Sect Hierarch¡¯s identity; how could he possibly have a grudge? Thinking this, Tan Yun¡¯s face fell in dismay. Yes, the Sect Hierarch¡¯s beauty was captivating; how could most men not fall in love with such a woman? Tan Yun asked dejectedly, ¡°Master, why don¡¯t you reveal the Sect Hierarch¡¯s identity? Maybe if he knew, he would be willing to join the Demon Sect.¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head, ¡°This person is secretive and his identity unclear, joining our Demon Sect might not be a good or bad thing, plus I¡¯ve always felt something off about him. Previously at Three Temple Mountain, he attacked us, and his attitude was unclear.¡± During his earlier conversation with the Ghost Swordsman, not only did he know they were at Jishi Hall, but he also recognized the doctor, which deepened Li Fuzhou¡¯s suspicion about the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s identity. A person with an unclear identity and unclear motives, how could they possibly allow him to join the Demon Sect easily? And you told him the identity of the Sect Hierarch? What he just said was merely to test the Ghost Swordsman. Even if he wanted to join the Demon Sect, he would need to present his credentials. Tan Yun bit her lip, saying, ¡°I think he is not a bad person and he also saved me.¡± ¡°Saved you? Silly girl.¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head, then said solemnly, ¡°Saving you is false, using you is true. You¡¯d better stay away from that Ghost Swordsman.¡± Seeing Li Fuzhou so serious, Tan Yun could only nod. After a while, Tan Yun softly said, ¡°Master, should I investigate his true identity?¡± Li Fuzhou naturally noticed Tan Yun¡¯s hidden thoughts and said, ¡°No need. From today, just follow me.¡± This Ghost Swordsman was a dangerous character, and Tan Yun¡¯s mind couldn¡¯t match that of the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s. She could very likely be sold by him and help him count the money. ¡°I understand.¡± Tan Yun, almost unable to hide her dismay, asked, ¡°Master, where are we going now?¡± ¡°To meet someone.¡± Li Fuzhou looked toward the distance and said, ¡°Just ahead.¡± Tan Yun followed Li Fuzhou¡¯s gaze and saw a quiet alley ahead, where a ragged beggar lay at the end of the alley. Could it be that Master wants to meet that beggar? She was greatly puzzled. Li Fuzhou walked up slowly, ¡°Scholar Li, we meet again.¡± The beggar was lying on the ground sleeping, suddenly hearing this familiar voice, his body shuddered and he stood up, then looked at the person in front of him in astonishment, ¡°You¡­ You are Li Fuzhou!?¡± If not for seeing it with his own eyes, he would never believe that he could see Li Fuzhou here. Li Fuzhou, with a smile, said, ¡°Even as a scholar, how have you become so wretched?¡± ¡°I am wretched?¡± Li Qirong snorted softly, immediately jumping in anger, and said, ¡°I beg for food as a scholar, I have food and drink, free from worries, how carefree and happy is that?¡± Even if he died now, he would not die in front of Li Fuzhou. That was the last bit of dignity Li Qirong left for himself. Li Fuzhou listened and said melancholically, ¡°Scholar Li said it well. Unlike me, homeless and displaced, having a home but unable to return to it¡­¡± Li Fuzhou spoke, his tone taking on a bit of sadness and loneliness. Tan Yun blinked her big eyes looking at Li Fuzhou, before she didn¡¯t know what listening to music in a brothel meant. Since reading her master¡¯s books, she had come to somewhat understand. Her master should have been very happy. Li Qirong, hearing what Li Fuzhou said, felt his mood lighten suddenly; the sunlight today even seemed warmer. He said, ¡°You, you insisted on joining the Demon Sect and became a thief of the sect. Otherwise, how glorious would your life be now?¡± In those days, Li Fuzhou in Yujing City was so glorious, not only was he accepted as a disciple by Lv Guoyong, but aside from not achieving the status of Scholar, everything else went smoothly. He was even admired by the daughters of major families, most notably Liu Ruyun of the Liu Family and Zuo Linglong of the Zuo Family¡­ The former, the only daughter of the Liu Family, is now the Great Elder of Youfeng Valley. She has never married for his sake; and the latter, Zuo Linglong, who was the foremost beauty back then, is now the Empress, such good fortune not many can enjoy. Li Fuzhou¡¯s limelight at that time was indeed unmatched. However, Li Qirong looked straight in Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes, the word ¡®jealousy¡¯ naked for all to see, and he even said it in front of Li Fuzhou: I am jealous of you, Li Qirong. But now, seeing Li Fuzhou also miserable, he felt much better, even feeling a bit of sympathy. However, Tan Yun, looking at the strange beggar in front of her, started to wonder, why did her master seem happy when hearing that he was not doing well? Li Fuzhou, with a wistful look, said, ¡°I returned to Great Yan this time to settle past grievances and enmities.¡± Li Qirong, taken aback, said, ¡°Settle grievances and enmities? Are you going to Yujing City then?¡± Others might not know why Li Fuzhou left the Lv Sect to join the Demon Sect, but Li Qirong knew very well, involving many years of past conflicts. ¡°Yes.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded and said, ¡°Now in Great Yan, I have no close friends. This trip, I can only talk to you.¡± If not for the matters of Lou Xiangzhen and Xiao Qianqiu and his disciple Tan Yun being involved, he wouldn¡¯t have come to Yuan City. His trip could have been just a passing visit¡­ And Li Qirong hearing this also sighed deeply. Back then, his relationship with Li Fuzhou was very bad, especially since the woman he loved, Liu Ruyun, chose Li Fuzhou, even becoming his fiancee, which made him very irritable and angry when facing Li Fuzhou. Li Qirong secretly made things difficult for Li Fuzhou on several occasions, setting traps multiple times, thinking Li Fuzhou still might not know to this day. Reflecting on the past and discussing the present, Li Qirong¡¯s jealousy towards Li Fuzhou had somewhat abated. Li Qirong, moved, said, ¡°Fuzhou, listen to an older brother¡¯s advice. The waters of Yujing City are very deep, you are likely to die there. Don¡¯t go. Isn¡¯t it better to continue wandering? At least you can keep living.¡± With the many masters in Yujing City, Li Fuzhou was already a traitor of the Lv Sect and also the Sect Master of the Demon Sect. Going to Yujing City would be like a turtle trapped in a jar, wouldn¡¯t it? Li Fuzhou sighed and said casually, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s why Ruyun agreed to go to Yujing City with me.¡± ¡°Ruyun¡­..¡± Li Qirong¡¯s smile gradually solidified, and his face suddenly turned fierce as he exploded in a curse, ¡°Damn you, Li Fuzhou!¡± Deliberate! It was definitely deliberate on Li Fuzhou¡¯s part! What destitution, nowhere to live, having a home but unable to return, going to Yujing City to court death¡­ A person like Li Fuzhou, how could he possibly put himself in danger? He was just showing off in front of himself! Tan Yun watched the scene of Li Qirong seething with anger and couldn¡¯t help but think to himself: What the hell is going on? Li Fuzhou replied with a wronged tone, ¡°Scholar Li, you are a learned man, how could you curse at someone?¡± At that moment, Li Fuzhou¡¯s heart was bursting with joy; it had been a long time since he had felt this exhilarated. ¡°Li Fuzhou!¡± Li Qirong took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and said, ¡°Just tell me, what did you come here today for?¡± ¡°I just wanted to see my good friend.¡± Li Fuzhou sighed, ¡°I¡¯ve said it before, I hardly have any friends in Great Yan, and even fewer since I joined the Demon Sect.¡± Li Qirong glared at Li Fuzhou, furious, ¡°What good friend of mine are you, treating your good friend like this?¡± The saying that rivals meeting only adds fuel to jealousy was indeed true. Although he usually maintained his composure quite well, he couldn¡¯t suppress the flames of anger in his heart upon seeing Li Fuzhou, especially after being recently tricked. Li Fuzhou patted Li Qirong on the shoulder and smiled, ¡°Scholar Li, don¡¯t say that. You used to make things difficult for me all the time, but I¡¯ve forgotten all about it.¡± So Li Fuzhou had known all along. Upon hearing this, Li Qirong stared at Li Fuzhou in shock. Forget it? You remember it very clearly. ¡°Let¡¯s forget it, I won¡¯t hold it against you,¡± said Li Qirong, waving his hand dismissively, then he asked, ¡°Did you see Liu Ruyun?¡± ¡°I did,¡± Li Fuzhou responded as if it were a matter of fact. On hearing this, Li Qirong¡¯s heart sank even further and he scrutinized Li Fuzhou¡¯s face carefully. Was he really the black-robed boy the others said was not flamboyant enough? Li Qirong fell into deep thought, overcome with melancholy. Li Fuzhou exhaled and asked, ¡°I heard that Wang Ningshui had looked for you.¡± ¡°Indeed, being the Sect Master of the Human Sect, you know everything,¡± Li Qirong replied proudly. ¡°Yes, she did look for me,¡± Li Qirong affirmed. Who was Wang Ningshui?! The current Palace Master of the Unrivaled Palace, a master from the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall. In the world, the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall was much more famous than the Unrivaled Palace. Back in the Seven Evils Sect, Wang Ningshui had even tried to recruit An Jing, wanting her to join this Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall. Li Fuzhou asked, ¡°What did she want with you?¡± ¡°Why should I tell you?¡± Li Qirong snorted coldly. Li Fuzhou chuckled, ¡°You and her¡­ don¡¯t have some kind of affair, do you? I¡¯ve heard that Wang Ningshui was stunningly beautiful in her youth, and many in the Jianghu fell at her feet. Don¡¯t get fooled by someone in a confused moment.¡± Li Qirong gave Li Fuzhou a look and then continued lying on the ground, replying irritably, ¡°Fool me? Do you think I¡¯m an idiot? Besides, if someone fools me, it¡¯s because I have some value to them.¡± ¡°She wanted me to go to Heavenly Gate Pass to devise strategies and assist the Marquis in resisting the Houjin army.¡± Li Fuzhou frowned slightly upon hearing this. Nowadays, Houjin was indeed making significant moves, and coupled with the rumors passed by the Demon Sect to that Marquis, it seemed he too was preparing. ¡°What do you think?¡± asked Li Fuzhou. Li Qirong was someone he knew well, who had real skills, especially in grasping the overall situation profoundly. ¡°I agreed,¡± Li Qirong said slowly, looking at the blue sky, ¡°What else could I do, live in this broken Yuan City as a beggar all my life?¡± Li Fuzhou nodded and said no more. ¡°Where did that little girl beside you come from?¡± Li Qirong glanced at Tan Yun. Somehow, he felt he had seen Tan Yun somewhere before. After a closer look, he noticed that the girl bore a seven or eight-point resemblance to a woman from the Lv Mansion in the past. ¡°This is my disciple, Tan Yun.¡± Li Fuzhou smiled subtly, ¡°Hurry, pay respects to your Uncle Li. He is a top scholar, holding a position as a Third Grade official. Could recognizing him as your uncle possibly treat you badly?¡± Tan Yun hurriedly said, ¡°Hello, Uncle Li.¡± ¡°What Third Grade, no Third Grade.¡± Li Qirong waved his hand dismissively, then looked deeply at Li Fuzhou, ¡°Li Scholars will be Li Scholars.¡± Li Fuzhou said, ¡°Brother Li, it is still early, how about a drink?¡± Li Qirong replied indifferently, ¡°If you¡¯re treating, I¡¯ll go.¡± ¡­.. In the Dongluo Desert, Sealing Demon Platform. At this moment, the great hall of the Sealing Demon Platform was still being reconstructed, in a side hall at the edge of the platform. Ouyang Ping, the Third Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform, Yuan Feng, the Second Elder, and the former Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, Jiang Shang, were all gathered together. Ouyang Ping was the first to speak, ¡°Sect Hierarch Jiang, do you really intend to go to Houjin?¡± ¡°Yes, I must visit Houjin and take the opportunity to see the Holy Master of the Great Snow Mountain too.¡± Jiang Shang replied indifferently. The Undying Blood that appeared beneath the sealing of Fa Xi Temple, although he didn¡¯t obtain it eventually, confirmed its existence. If he could obtain the Undying Blood, he could live forever. Not even the Supreme Dao was out of reach then. Ouyang Ping furrowed his brows, ¡°But the current state of the Demon Sect¡­.¡± He was still filled with regret about that day¡¯s events. He had hoped that Zhao Qingmei would bring out the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡¯ but he had not wished to witness such a scene. Zhao Qingmei, merely nineteen or about twenty after the New Year, had become a Grandmaster at such an age. Undoubtedly aided by the fortune within the Sealing Demon Platform, she still was a rare genius. As long as she was steadily promoted, Zhao Qingmei, holding her position in the Demon Sect, would surely rise over the next century. Jiang Shang pondered, ¡°As long as we spread the word, I will hold Dongluo Pass, and let Duanmu Xinghua handle the affairs within the sect, all will be without danger.¡± Ouyang Ping nodded, ¡°Then, I will discuss with Brother Yuan on how best to rescue Sect Hierarch Zhao. According to our people reporting from below, Sect Hierarch Zhao seems to have loosened up a bit, willing to hand over the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ if she can be rescued.¡± The Sealing Demon Well could only be entered once, so after Zhao Qingmei fell into the Sealing Demon Well, the Demon Sect had sent people down to communicate with her. They consequently knew that Zhao Qingmei was still inside the Sealing Demon Well and was alive, but she could not escape due to the immense pressure at the well¡¯s mouth. ¡°We mustn¡¯t be hasty in this matter.¡± However, Yuan Feng shook his head, ¡°In my opinion, we should wait until she hands over the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ first.¡± Ouyang Ping¡¯s brows furrowed tightly, ¡°This matter needs further deliberation. Rescuing her is crucial.¡± Seeing Ouyang Ping say that, Yuan Feng stayed silent and instead looked towards Jiang Shang. ¡°Knowing Qingmei as I do, once she is out, she definitely won¡¯t let things go easily.¡± Jiang Shang shook his head, also somewhat troubled, ¡°Let¡¯s wait until she hands over the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ first.¡± He understood Zhao Qingmei¡¯s character quite well. ¡°Sect Hierarch, I really think you¡¯ve gone too far this time.¡± Ouyang Ping sighed, ¡°The Hierarch holds high authority, handles countless tasks daily, and given your age, maintaining a male consort isn¡¯t really a big deal.¡± Jiang Shang frowned slightly, ¡°You don¡¯t understand. Qingmei has developed feelings for that doctor. Extreme emotions can cause harm. It¡¯s done, she¡¯s killed him; if these feelings bind her, it¡¯s not only her restraint, but also restraint for the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°If she truly can¡¯t understand, can¡¯t control her desires, then let her stay in the Sealing Demon Well for a lifetime.¡± That was what Jiang Shang inwardly thought. If Zhao Qingmei remained so stubborn, not just as his disciple, even Jiang Renyi, he wouldn¡¯t show the slightest mercy. Ouyang Ping also frowned deeply; there was some truth in what Jiang Shang said. Throughout history, how many exceptionally talented individuals had not died by the treacherous edges of the martial world¡¯s swords but perished due to deep entanglements in love? Most masters from ancient times till now have been lonely. Jiang Shang slowly stood up, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go down to see Renyi first, and tomorrow I will leave the Demon Sect. You also need to be careful with the situation beneath the Sealing Demon Well.¡± ¡°Alright, you just go ahead, Sect Hierarch,¡± Yuan Feng said cheerfully. Then, Jiang Shang slowly left the side hall. Taking a deep breath, Ouyang Ping said, ¡°We still have time to salvage this.¡± ¡°Salvage, how do we salvage?¡± Yuan Feng stared at Ouyang Ping, ¡°Brother Ouyang, have you become senile? Yes, I know you value Zhao Qingmei¡¯s talent, and I highly value it too. I also hope she can become a pillar of the Demon Sect and lead the Demon Sect to return to Great Yan.¡± ¡°But do you think Zhao Qingmei, with her domineering and aggressive personality, would willingly accept the existence of the Sealing Demon Platform over her head?¡± ¡°Ever since that battle, I¡¯ve become somewhat afraid. I¡¯m afraid that one day, when she becomes more powerful and self-reliant, the first ones she might strike at are not Zhenyi Sect or Xuanyi Guard, but us two.¡± The words of Yuan Feng stabbed mercilessly, piercing straight to the heart. Ouyang Ping became silent as well. Yuan Feng continued earnestly, ¡°For her to hand over the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯, wouldn¡¯t it be a beneficial thing for our Demon Sect, where the Great Elder getting this mental method could potentially advance his cultivation, and our strengths increase significantly? Wouldn¡¯t you say that¡¯s a good thing?¡± ¡°If she is not wholeheartedly with us, even if she becomes a Great Grandmaster, it would all be in vain, and instead, we would be nurturing a tiger for trouble.¡± Ouyang Ping sighed deeply and did not speak again. ¡­¡­ In the Dongluo Desert, below the Sealing Demon Well. Gloomy and cold, an expanse of turbid darkness. Zhao Qingmei held some dry food in one hand and a water pouch in the other, leaning near the cave not far away, her eyebrows tightly furrowed at the moment. The food was delivered by Yu Qiurong using wooden figures. Being made of wood, the figures naturally weren¡¯t affected by the restrictions of the Sealing Demon Well, so they could come and go freely. She had been under the Sealing Demon Well for several days now, and aside from the well opening, she hadn¡¯t found any other exit. She only found a strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in a corpse, and although this Spirit Essence was extremely precious, if she couldn¡¯t escape from the Sealing Demon Well, it would all be for naught. At that moment, a voice came from inside the cave, ¡°Little girl, it seems you haven¡¯t given up, huh? But that¡¯s right, the others before you were just like that too. However, they weren¡¯t as lucky as you, having no one to bring them food and drink. About seven or eight days in, they couldn¡¯t hold on anymore.¡± ¡°You really talk too much.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the dry food in her hand, then narrowed her eyes and said, ¡°It seems you don¡¯t need to eat?¡± The voice laughed, ¡°Here in this cave, not only can one survive without dying, but one can also live without consuming any food.¡± The laughter was very strange, high-pitched, and extremely unpleasant to the ear. Zhao Qingmei put away the dry food and water, her eyes intently staring ahead. The voice kept luring her to go further inside. Zhao Qingmei thought of something and chuckled lightly, ¡°Fine, today I¡¯ll see just who you really are.¡± After speaking, Zhao Qingmei glanced at the wooden figure in a long robe beside her, then started controlling the wooden figure to walk forward. She carefully followed behind the wooden figure. ¡°You won¡¯t regret this,¡± the voice said. The wooden figure moved slowly, Zhao Qingmei intensely focused on the cave ahead, managing to control her heartbeat and breathing very well even in such a tense situation. ¡°Step¡­..¡± Soon, the wooden figure took its final step and entered the cave. ¡°Hiss!¡± Just as it stepped into the cave, a powerful suction force came from the front, directly pulling the wooden figure in. And following the wooden figure, Zhao Qingmei also stepped inside. The moment she entered the cave, she felt very strange, as if she was carrying a mountain on her shoulders, extremely heavy. Finally, she saw the person in the cave. The person was disheveled, with tattered clothes, and it was unclear whether it was a man or a woman. ¡°Deceived!?¡± The person realizing they had sucked in a wooden figure, muttered to themselves. At that moment, a cold light already struck at the person. ¡°Clang!¡± The person pinched the Yuan Blade between two fingers, then directly caught Zhao Qingmei¡¯s blade. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Here, you are no match for me at all.¡± The person said blandly. This time, using their original voice, an old, murky voice tinged with a slight hoarseness, and distinctly female. ¡­¡­ PS: Chapter 143 has been slightly modified, changing seventy years to more than fifty years to correct Jiang Sanjia¡¯s age. Chapter 165 - Chapter 165: Chapter 165: The Earth-Shattering Sound of Dragon Roar Chapter 165: Chapter 165: The Earth-Shattering Sound of Dragon Roar Around Abyss Lake, experts gathered aplenty. Luo Chongyang glanced at the elderly Qingfeng and spoke indifferently, ¡°Watching the show is best, I hope you won¡¯t break the rules.¡± Having said that, Luo Chongyang sat down cross-legged. As an old-timer in Jianghu, Qingfeng, although slighted by Luo Chongyang¡¯s admonishment, still maintained a smile on his face. Luo Chongyang was not someone to be trifled with! Besides the many masters already present, there were numerous hidden identities and strengths among the Jianghu veterans around, including one or two from the Master Realm. Furthermore, there were some spies from Zhao Country and Houjin. In the distance around Abyss Lake, the waterside pavilion followed a winding path. Tan Yun held a chicken leg, looking towards Abyss Lake, ¡°Master, there are quite a lot of people today.¡± Indeed, all sorts of people have come to join in the bustle.¡± Li Qirong, also holding a chicken leg and smeared with grease, couldn¡¯t help but lament, ¡°When will the struggle for fame and fortune ever cease, with neither freedom in rising early nor sleeping late? On donkeys and mules we think of steeds; occupying high offices we dream of princely states. Worried only about basic sustenance, who fears prematurely meeting the king of hell? Advancing offspring to secure wealth, yet none turn back!¡± At this time, Li Qirong had changed into a set of white clothes and had his hair combed and washed; even in his youth, he was quite handsome and dashing. Tan Yun clapped her hands, unable to restrain herself, ¡°Well said, well said indeed!¡± Li Qirong glanced at Tan Yun, ¡°Do you understand what I said?¡± Tan Yun threw away the chicken bone and wiped her hand on Li Qirong, saying, ¡°I¡­ my friend once said that most people in this world hustle and bustle just for three meals a day, truly too exhausting.¡± Li Qirong looked at the grease stain on his new clothes and immediately expressed his discontent, ¡°Girl, this is my new outfit.¡± ¡°So what if it¡¯s new? Wasn¡¯t it my master who bought it for you anyway?¡± Tan Yun said, cheerfully taking out a peach blossom pastry she had bought that morning. Li Qirong looked at the young girl in front of him and inwardly shook his head; in this worldly competition for fame and fortune, innocence was indeed a precious rarity. At that moment, Li Fuzhou, hands behind his back, smiled faintly, ¡°Fame and fortune are right before your eyes; if you don¡¯t take them, others will. Will you take them or not?¡± ¡°I will!¡± Li Qirong didn¡¯t hesitate at all. Those who talk of renouncing worldly ambition are either inept and incapable of achieving great deeds themselves or simply delude themselves and even advise others to steer clear of ambition. Living a lifetime, though one might be as insignificant as ants, ought to aspire to great heights. The sunlight slanted down, the vast sky and earth overhead, and the waters of Abyss Lake shimmered. At this moment, on the distant path, two figures gradually appeared. Leading them was an old man clad in loose black clothes, his silhouette ethereal, his pace neither fast nor slow, almost as if embedded in the landscape of mountains and waters, amidst the cosmic crucible. The other was a man in a black robe, his presence condensed to the utmost, virtually imperceptible unless one directly witnessed him with their own eyes. As the figures arrived, a buzz of discussion arose around Abyss Lake. The newcomers were An Jing and Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°Lou Xiangzhen, you¡¯ve finally come.¡± Ling Yuanjing saw the man, his eyes sparking with a flicker of sharpness. ¡°As I said, I would surely come,¡± Lou Xiangzhen replied, standing by the shore of Abyss Lake with a calm demeanor. ¡°Brother Lou.¡± At this moment, Wang Yue of the Blue River Sect also stood up and spoke. It seemed as though he had been waiting here for a long time. Lou Xiangzhen glanced at Wang Yue and then said, ¡°You¡¯ve come at the right time. Here, I return this Supreme Elder Token to you.¡± As he spoke, he took out the token that Wang Yue had given him years ago. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The token traced an arc through the air and landed firmly in Wang Yue¡¯s hand. Wang Yue was slightly stunned, then looked at the token in his hand with complex emotions, thinking how in the relentless march of time, some paths inevitably diverge. ¡°Since you don¡¯t want it, I won¡¯t insist.¡± Just like Lou Xiangzhen could no longer see through Wang Yue, Wang Yue also couldn¡¯t understand why, after decades, Lou Xiangzhen remained unchanged. The world changes, the tides shift, but why do some remain ever the same? Lou Xiangzhen nodded slightly then turned to Ling Yuanjing, ¡°Let Xiao Qianqiu come out.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Just then, a clear voice of dissent echoed through the heavens and earth. Who!? An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed as he followed the sound. There, on the official road by Abyss Lake, a figure appeared. The person carried a soft, feminine beauty, with eyes that were both ice-cold and proud, filled with calmness at their depths. He wore a black robe embroidered with a green python. Following him were several guards clad in black, seemingly strong in their own right. In Great Yan, those who could wear such official python robes were no ordinary individuals. ¡°Zhong Binru!?¡± Upon seeing the newcomer, Lin Yiyang¡¯s brows slightly furrowed. This man was none other than Zhong Binru, the eunuch who wielded the Emperor¡¯s Sword and was also one of the five Great Sword Immortals. ¡°Elder Lou.¡± Zhong Binru greeted Lou Xiangzhen with a fist and palm salute, saying, ¡°Zhong Binru pays his respects.¡± Zhong Binru!? Hearing this name, An Jing¡¯s heart stirred. Among the current five Great Sword Immortals, Zhong Binru was the most mysterious. He seldom made a move, yet he was listed among the top five, which spoke volumes about his strength. Moreover, Lou Xiangzhen often spoke highly of Zhong Binru in his conversations, once stating that if An Jing wished to become the paramount swordsman, Lin Yiyang and Zhong Binru would be his greatest adversaries. Lou Xiangzhen blandly asked, ¡°What brings you here?¡± Holding up his ancient sword, Zhong Binru took a deep breath and said, ¡°The Human Emperor wishes for Elder Lou to consider the state of Great Yan and to cease hostilities today.¡± The Emperor¡¯s Sword! The presence of the Emperor¡¯s Sword was akin to the Human Emperor himself being present. This was an imperial decree. Many faces changed upon hearing this; they hadn¡¯t expected the Human Emperor to personally intervene in this duel. With the Xuanyi Guard as his blade, the Human Emperor¡¯s authority was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and virtually no one in the martial world of Great Yan dared to openly defy the laws of Great Yan. In the distance, within a carriage, a young man peered through the drapes and upon seeing the Emperor¡¯s Sword in Zhong Binru¡¯s hands, he shook his head, ¡°I hadn¡¯t expected Father to personally intervene.¡± This person was none other than the current Crown Prince, Zhao Chongyin. Standing to the side, White-nun slowly said, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu is the State Preceptor of Great Yan, highly placed and powerful. With him here, the martial world of Great Yan won¡¯t easily fall into chaos. However, if he were to be gravely injured, that would spell trouble.¡± Xiao Qianqiu was not only the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect but also the State Preceptor of Great Yan. Should a mishap befall him today, the martial world of Great Yan would undoubtedly face turbulence, possibly even igniting a sequence of reactions. Zhao Chongyin nodded earnestly, then continued to watch ahead. At this moment, all eyes were on Lou Xiangzhen, waiting for his response. ¡°The Emperor¡¯s Sword, huh?¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s expression remained unchanged: ¡°Even if the Human Emperor himself were here today, he couldn¡¯t stop me.¡± Even if the Human Emperor himself were here today, he couldn¡¯t stop me. With these words, Lou Xiangzhen had made his resolve clear. ¡°I understand, Elder Lou, please proceed.¡± A gleam appeared in Zhong Binru¡¯s eyes as he slowly stepped back. Before coming here, he had received a secret order from the Human Emperor, instructing him not to insist if he truly couldn¡¯t prevent the altercation. Zhong Binru understood Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s mind; more words would be futile. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s body moved, and in the next instant, he stepped onto Abyss Lake, and in another blink, he had already reached the pavilion above the lake. The lake wind was strong, making his clothes flap loudly. ¡°Whoosh!¡± With a slap of his hand, the Peach Blossom Sword at his waist instantly flew out. A beam of cold light pierced the sky, making the entire lake seem icy cold, chilling the hearts of everyone around. Spring was vibrant, peach blossoms freely fluttered, making Abyss Lake appear exceptionally ethereal. ¡°What a splendid Peach Blossom Sword!¡± a leisurely voice exclaimed. The waves rippled, and a black-canopied boat came with the wind, on its bow stood a spotless middle-aged Taoist. The Taoist¡¯s body and mind were one, heart and heaven were united, a perfect harmony that bestowed upon him an ethereal, transcendent aura, as if he were an extraordinary immortal. Mere standing there made him unforgettable. ¡°Xiao Qianqiu has arrived!¡± ¡°Is the battle finally about to begin?¡± ¡­¡­. Expert fighters around Abyss Lake felt a jolt in their hearts when they saw the figure appear. ¡°Xiao Qianqiu?¡± An Jing muttered to himself upon seeing the man. Among the key players in Great Yan today, aside from the Human Emperor who had broken through his shackles and suffered heavy injuries, Xiao Qianqiu, the Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect, was also one of them. Seventeen years ago, Ye Ding had battled Xiao Qianqiu and ultimately losing by a half move; Xiao Qianqiu naturally took over the position of the world¡¯s number one expert. With the Demon Sect withdrawing from Great Yan Martial World and the Buddhist yet to travel east, Xiao Qianqiu was like a mountain, suffocating all the martial artists in Jianghu. Atop Zhenyi Mountain, Xiao Qianqiu had not only defeated Ye Ding but also the unknown Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, Jiang Shang. This year, Xiao Qianqiu was only forty-seven, at an age that could be described as flourishing, with a future that was boundlessly promising; he was also the most likely person in the world to become a Great Grandmaster. On the canopy boat, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s demeanor was indifferent like water, and even dressed in an ordinary Taoist robe, he remained dazzlingly magnificent, unforgettable at a glance. Lou Xiangzhen stood on the pavilion, and the two gazed at each other across the space; the originally calm lake surface began to surge tumultuously, followed by the shaking waters, seeming to roll up countless stormy waves. The roaring sound was like thunder, resounding through and shaking the soul. The two men did not speak, but the atmosphere had already completely solidified. ¡°Make your move,¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, his expression as calm as the abyss, hands behind his back. The earth and skies were like a chessboard, and now that chessboard lay beneath his feet. Regardless of the stormy waves in the lake, he himself was unaffected. Heaven and earth became one, and then he merged into the heavens and the earth. There was no longer heaven and earth, no longer himself. ¡°How formidable Xiao Qianqiu is,¡± Feng Lingyue remarked silently with surprise in her heart. Only by reaching the Grandmaster Realm could one truly feel the terrifying strength of Xiao Qianqiu at this moment, which was already pursuing the realm of the Dao. Xiao Qianqiu did not make a move but merely standing there made one feel a trace of unease. ¡°As you wish,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said with an indifferent smile, thrusting the Peach Blossom Sword in his hand. It seemed as if a shocking sword light attacked, spewing forth from the Peach Blossom Sword. With surging waves rising and water splashing in all directions, it seemed as if those droplets each formed a piercing sword light attacking. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s gaze remained as calm as water; True Qi began to circulate, and the turbulent lake surface seemed to be suppressed by him, forming solid, thick walls. The sword light was blocked, as if it could no longer advance an inch, all offensive moves were solidly blocked by the water walls. Then, Lou Xiangzhen wrist twisted, and the Peach Blossom Sword also began to rotate, and a majestic sword intent arose. Immensely vast, the imposing presence came like a mountain. ¡°Splash!¡± ¡°Splash!¡± The water splashed, and amid the disintegration, the cold sword light swiftly struck like thunder, directly aiming for Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s neck. Fast! Too fast! Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s sword was really too fast! It was so fast that few present could see his sword clearly. Xiao Qianqiu turned his body, easily dodging this majestic Peach Blossom Sword. The two exchanged places, then both stood on the churning lake surface. An Jing watched the brief exchange between the two, yet felt a surge of emotions, even though he had anticipated that this battle would be intense, he had not expected it to be this fierce. It had just begun, and numerous killing intentions had already emerged. A slight misstep would result in death and obliteration of the path. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s Qi Mechanism spread out; now that the battle had started, he inherently possessed momentum. Whoosh! An astonishing Qi Mechanism suddenly burst forth from the Abyss Lake, and in an instant, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s figure turned into a blur. Then, he extended his index finger, striking towards Lou Xiangzhen with the speed of a fleeing bird. At the moment Xiao Qianqiu made his move, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes also tightened; he stomped on the lake surface, and the mighty surging waves swept forward. ¡°Clang!¡± The Peach Blossom Sword collided with Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s index finger in the next instant, and the fierce wind swept open. The next moment, an extremely profound energy burst open from Xiao Qianqiu, and the world seemed to have darkened at that instant. Wow! Behind him, a starlight emerged. Wow wow wow wow wow wow! Then six more starlights emerged, forming profound patterns, glittering brilliantly. Seven Stars Shining Sun! The manifestation of the Beidou Seven Stars Technique at its Tenth Layer, meaning Xiao Qianqiu had cultivated the Heavenly Martial level Beidou Seven Stars Technique to the Tenth Layer. The moment those seven starlights emerged, his fingertips shot out a massive Qi Mechanism. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s expression changed slightly, and he immediately felt an overwhelming surge of force transmitted from the Peach Blossom Sword. ¡°Thud, thud, thud¡­¡± Soon, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s body swiftly moved backward, causing waves to rise all around him. However, Xiao Qianqiu advanced instead of retreating, his fingertip pressing against the tip of the sword, charging forward with a momentum that seemed to move mountains and overturn seas. Yin Yang Dual Element Sword! Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Qi mechanism also surged continuously, with black and white streams intertwining. At the same time, countless drops of water in the air transformed into numerous Sword Qis, attacking Xiao Qianqiu. Seeing this, Xiao Qianqiu was forced to retreat toward the distance. ¡°Bang, bang, bang, bang!¡± Those drops of water fell onto the surface of the lake, immediately exploding with deafening sounds. Outside the Abyss Lake, many masters witnessed this scene with extremely grave expressions. Even those within the Grandmaster Realm weren¡¯t sure they could withstand the assault if they were to replace either of the two combatants. ¡°Such formidable Grandmasters.¡± Zhao Chongyin watched the scene before him, his heart pounding uncontrollably, ¡°I wonder if the Chamberlain Bai Mei is a match for either of them.¡± In the Great Yan Imperial Palace, naturally, there were Grandmasters, top-level ones at that. That would be one of the three great eunuchs of the Human Emperor, the Chamberlain, Bai Mei. No one knows his exact age. He has been in the Imperial Palace for seventy to eighty years. When Lou Xiangzhen had not yet made his debut, he had already been in charge of the palace. The Peaceful Human Emperor even respectfully referred to him as a fatherly figure, and it was rumored his cultivation reached the heavens, not far from the peak of the Grandmaster. It was because of this man¡¯s presence that even ordinary Grandmasters dared not act recklessly within the palace. It was rumored that the missing Great Grandmaster from Zhao Country had tried to sneak into the Great Yan Palace, only to be killed by him. However, Bai Mei, serving in the palace, did not count as one of Great Yan¡¯s martial world figures, thus his name was not ranked among the many lists and rows of great masters in the Jianghu. Still, many were curious who would come out on top between Bai Mei and Xiao Qianqiu. But one was an Archmage of Great Yan, and the other a Chamberlain eunuch; both pillars of the kingdom, making a clash between them nearly impossible. ¡°Hard to say who would win,¡± Aunty Bai sighed lightly, looking towards the distant Luo Chongyang, ¡°That Luo Chongyang is not to be underestimated. If it weren¡¯t for the teamwork of Xiao Qianqiu, Ye Ding, and Yu Ying a few years ago, he might not have withdrawn from the Zhenyi Sect.¡± Zhao Chongyin nodded but said no more. As someone familiar with the worldly wrestlers, he naturally knew many secrets, including the incident of Luo Chongyang¡¯s betrayal of the Zhenyi Sect. It was rumored that Luo Chongyang had been defeated by Xiao Qianqiu, but how old was Xiao Qianqiu at that time? Merely over thirty and just stepping into the Grandmaster Realm; how could he have possibly defeated a world-renowned Grandmaster like Luo Chongyang. The truth is, Luo Chongyang was forced to retreat by the combined efforts of Xiao Qianqiu, Ye Ding, and Yu Ying. Being able to escape from three cooperating Grandmasters clearly demonstrated the extreme strength of Luo Chongyang. Late*r*, people in the Zhenyi Sect in Hidden Mountain tried to capture Luo Chongyang but ended up failing miserably and sustaining heavy losses, severely weakening their power. Since then, the Zhenyi Sect had stopped troubling Luo Chongyang, as if he never existed. Aunty Bai remarked, ¡°And that Jiang Shang from the Demon Sect is also a very fearsome character, his cultivation not inferior to anyone in the Three Qi. Moreover, he¡¯s ruthless and excels at lying low and enduring, like a venomous snake, always needing to be cautiously guarded against.¡± ¡°The envoy of the Black Ice Platform in Zhao Country is also a practitioner of Tongxuan, approaching the peak of the Grandmaster Realm.¡± Zhao Country, having battled Great Yan for hundreds of years, has long been unified under the Black Ice Platform; one might say that in Zhao Country, Black Ice is the sky. Their top masters are no fewer than those of Great Yan. The two remained silent; Zhao Country was like a hungry wolf if so, then Houjin was a fierce tiger. The strength of the Holy Master of Houjin was still unknown to anyone. He was also one of the experts closest to the Great Grandmaster level and was a serious concern for Great Yan. This vast world is filled with numerous masters. And those are just the ones visible on the surface. What about those hidden old creatures? Above the Abyss Lake, figures crisscrossed. In Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s hand, the Peach Blossom Sword danced, its sword light surging¨Cblack and white streams continuously interwove, accompanied by torrential mighty water movements, surging and vibrant. Sss, sss, sss! Seeing the oncoming sword light, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s internal True Qi surged like a tide, his palm striking forward. Seven Stars Palm Technique! Shifting Mountains and Rivers! A vast and majestic Qi surged forward, the palm imprint transforming into a landscape that fell from the sky, crushing all the chaotic and sharp Sword Qi. The sky darkened, the surface of the lake churned violently. As the water splashed in all directions, a cold gleam emerged from the spray, shooting straight down toward Xiao Qianqiu below the surface of the lake. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s expression remained calm and unperturbed, stars surging behind him, his body forming impenetrable barriers. The Sword Light had reached in front of him, but it could not advance even an inch further. Xiao Qianqiu not only had momentum on his side, but his cultivation was also in the Four Qi Realm. Although only higher by one Qi than Lou Xiangzhen, the gap was visibly significant. Many onlookers furrowed their brows at this scene. Could it really be that the victor would be decided this quickly? ¡°The way of the sword cannot prevail forever.¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s Daoist robe fluttered in the wind, his eyes bright and clear as he looked up at Lou Xiangzhen, who held the Peach Blossom Sword. ¡°All I need is to grasp that fleeting moment-eternity can wait for eternity, I simply disregard it,¡± Lou Xiangzhen said nonchalantly, and then a vast aura began emerging around him. ¡°Buzz, buzz, buzz!¡± ¡°Buzz, buzz, buzz!¡± In an instant, the sky and earth resounded clearly. Flying swords within dozens of kilometers emitted a crisp sound, trembling. The Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand began to tremble as well, as if it was struggling to break free. The entire Abyss Lake trembled, water surging and sending waves crashing toward the shores. At that moment, the Peach Blossom Sword in Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s hand seemed to vanish into the universe, and delicate red petals appeared above Abyss Lake, gently scattering upon the lake¡¯s surface. The sound of swords ringing filled the heavens and the earth, and the sword qi emitted chilling glimmers that were overwhelming; all swordsmen stared ahead, astonished. Hand without sword! Heart without sword! Now, fame and fortune were all trodden underfoot by Lou Xiangzhen. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s sword skill finally reached the Sixth Realm, becoming the world¡¯s top swordsman! In the moment when the Peach Blossom Sword disappeared from his hand, the protective Gang Qi around Xiao Qianqiu shattered completely, turning into a cloud of white smoke. ¡°Whoosh!¡± This sword was like one at the dawn of an ancient day, emerging in an instant when night and day intersected. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s expression finally changed, and he quickly moved backward to retreat. ¡°Swoosh!¡± That sword light slashed through Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s garments, a trail of blood staining his Daoist robe, then the two crossed paths again. All was quiet between heaven and earth, without a single sound. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Peach Blossom Sword seemed to have disappeared, standing indifferently on the lake surface, the reflection of the sky making it seem as if he were standing on the universe itself. ¡°Drip, drop!¡± Blood from Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s shoulder dripped onto the lake¡¯s surface, his eyebrows slightly furrowing. ¡°The Sixth Realm¡­¡± Cui Daoxian murmured to himself as he gazed upon Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s figure, unable to contain his awe. Countless swordsmen in the world, and for many decades none had reached this Sixth Realm. Today, this Ghost Valley Sword Immortal had finally achieved the Sixth Realm. ¡°Is this the Sixth Realm?¡± Luo Chongyang chuckled softly, ¡°Now things are getting interesting.¡± The numerous experts present were all, in their hearts, shockingly affected even if they were regarded as mystical grandmasters of swordsmanship by common eyes in Jianghu. Once again, the world witnessed the emergence of a swordsman of the Sixth Realm. A swordsman of the Sixth Realm, a god of slaughter. ¡­¡­ Standing in the distance, An Jing, with furrowed brows, was still pondering over the sword light he had just seen. That sword was exceedingly formidable. Although he felt like he had memorized it, it also seemed forgotten. Thinking about it carefully, it had a profound influence on his own understanding of sword intent. An Jing¡¯s sword intent was vast but not solid enough; however, that sword had given him much inspiration and food for thought. ¡°Is this the famed Ghost Swordsman?¡± Just then, a woman¡¯s voice came from beside him. Hearing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but turn his head; the speaker was an ordinary-looking middle-aged woman, but the aura she emitted was not simple-she was a First Grade Expert. This person was none other than Bai Mei, who was by Zhao Chongyin¡¯s side. An Jing asked indifferently, ¡°And you are?¡± Bai Mei smiled and produced a card, handing it to An Jing. ¡°This is an invitation from my master to you, in hopes that you will accept it,¡± she said. The card was clearly marked with the character ¡®Zhao¡¯. In Great Yan, there were many with the surname Zhao, but there were not many who could make a First Grade Expert call them master. ¡°I understand. If an opportunity arises, I will surely visit,¡± An Jing said, taking the card then paying no further attention to the woman. Bai Mei nodded her head and then walked away. At that moment above Abyss Lake, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s brow was tightly furrowed as he sensed a slight threat from Lou Xiangzhen, which ruffled the otherwise serene waters of his heart. Ye Ding had once said that Xiao Qianqiu was a naturally born Daoist child, a rare genius within the Mystical Sect that comes once in a blue moon. His mental state was mature and his Root Bone was exceedingly rare in the world. Given enough time, he would definitely reach the Grandmaster Realm. Such a figure was rarely seen throughout thousands of years of history. Xiao Qianqiu did not disappoint Ye Ding¡¯s expectations. By the age of thirty, he had reached the Master Realm, and before he was fifty, he took over his predecessor¡¯s responsibilities and became the Supreme Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect, commanding awe throughout the entire world. Decades had passed since then. Xiao Qianqiu stood on the pavilion, looking at Lou Xiangzhen on the water, and asked, ¡°Lou Xiangzhen, do you really not want the sword in your hand anymore?¡± Lou Xiangzhen replied indifferently, ¡°I have a sword.¡± Xiao Qianqiu asked, ¡°Where is the sword then?¡± Lou Xiangzhen answered, ¡°The sword is in my hand, and also in my heart.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Xiao Qianqiu chuckled softly. Lou Xiangzhen stepped forward and swung his arm. Peach blossoms emerged from nowhere, followed by a flurry of sword qi, covering the sky and converging above Xiao Qianqiu on the pavilion. The sword qi was fierce and unmatched! Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s True Qi surged, and his Inner Strength emerged like a tide. ¡°Hmm!? ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method¡¯?¡± An Jing felt the Qi mechanism bursting from Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s body and frowned deeply. Xiao Qianqiu possessed the ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method¡¯ ¨C but where had he obtained it? Could there be some secret behind it? Moreover, he was capable of using both methods simultaneously; his talent was evidently at least no lesser than his own. Indeed, this man, valued by Ye Ding and who had become the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect before the age of fifty, how could his talent be lacking? Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s Qi mechanism exploded, operating both mental methods simultaneously. Particularly, the ¡®Beidou Seven Stars Technique¡¯ he practiced had reached the Tenth Layer, embodying a state where it functioned in complete harmony with his desires, integrating Yin and Yang, with nothing outside of its grasp. Faintly, one could feel a subtle convergence within the heart methods. ¡°It is rumored that ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ contains a certain palm technique, and I, having contemplated both the ¡®Beidou Seven Stars Technique¡¯ and ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method¡¯, have glimpsed a slight part of the Great Dao. Please, let me test it.¡± After Xiao Qianqiu finished speaking, a palm strike fell. Boom! The cultivation at the Four Qi Realm and the momentum built over many years pressed down as the palm strike fell, as if carrying an immense force of destiny. Not only did the water of Abyss Lake tremble, but even the Dantian of the experts on the shore violently shook. Those whose cultivation had not reached the Half-step Master Realm all retreated backward, daring not to approach Abyss Lake anymore. ¡°Worthy of being called the top figure of Great Yan Martial World!¡± Jia Shiwu, the man in the straw hat, watched this with a glint in his eyes. Lou Xiangzhen shook his sword and went on; his Sword Qi pierced through heaven and earth, endlessly flowing. The moment the True Qi stirred, it was like a dazzling white light, more blinding than the sun in the sky, causing dizziness and bewilderment that one couldn¡¯t resist. Approximately three or four breaths later, the white light gradually dispersed, and Qi mechanisms interwove above the lake, producing a great amount of white smoke. Everyone hurriedly looked towards the lake surface as the white smoke gradually cleared. ¡°Bang!¡± Lou Xiangzhen stomped his foot, and the lake surface immediately stirred up waves several meters high, with blood visible at the corner of his mouth, a shocking sight. The battle between the two had reached a fever pitch. Xiao Qianqiu on the pavilion was also somewhat pale, his robe flapping continuously, revealing an ancient bronze mirror at his heart¡¯s center. ¡°Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror?¡± Upon seeing that mirror, Luo Chongyang¡¯s brow furrowed deeply. During the Zhou Dynasty, the Mystical Sect was claimed to be the foremost sect in the world, not only possessing many experts and one of the three great secret scriptures, the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, but also an exotic treasure, the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror. This mirror, a relic left by the founder of the Mystical Sect, possessed unmatched power, capable of both defending against enemies and delivering formidable offensive might. The founder of the Mystical Sect had once used this mirror to kill a Great Grandmaster of the same realm, illustrating the terrifying power of this mirror. Later, when the Mystical Sect split into three, the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror was seized by the founder of the Zhenyi Sect. This exotic treasure possessed unpredictable power, but it was not something a common expert could use. Over the generations, only a few Sect Leaders of the Zhenyi Sect were capable of activating this Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s expression was extremely solemn, and his True Qi gathered towards the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror. In an instant, storm clouds rolled across the sky, completely covering the sun. The world darkened, and the sun and moon lost their light. A streak of starlight emerged from that blackened sky, then pierced through the air, shining down on Lou Xiangzhen below. The starlight beamed like a pillar, swift as thunder. Lou Xiangzhen leapt to avoid that beam of starlight. ¡°Boom!¡± The falling starlight struck the surface of the lake, immediately causing a huge shockwave, as if to explode the Abyss Lake itself. Even a Grandmaster struck by this attack would likely be severely injured instantaneously. ¡°Is this the power of the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror? Truly, it¡¯s worthy of being a mystical sect¡¯s exotic treasure.¡± Feng Lingyue watched the falling starlight with profound shock in his heart. Not just Feng Lingyue, many experts present wore solemn expressions, their fear towards the Zhenyi Sect growing. With such an exotic treasure, coupled with Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s Four Qi cultivation, who in this world could be his opponent? ¡°Boom!¡± Another beam of starlight converged the very next instant, and then fell towards Lou Xiangzhen. Instantly, the entire lake¡¯s surface exploded in splashes, creating a towering tidal wave. An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed tightly, as merely the remaining waves alone were enough to leave him terrified, let alone the immense threat that Lou Xiangzhen in the center was facing. Above the sky, the Big Dipper shone with extreme brilliance. Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, Yao Guang. Every time these seven star positions flashed, a beam of starlight would fall like a meteor. ¡°To break the Seven Stars, today is the day.¡± Lou Xiangzhen laughed aloud, a glint of light emerging in his eyes, ¡°Boy, watch closely.¡± As the sound of the wind arose, sword light dazzled like a startling silver brilliance, agile as a flying dragon, rippling like water, and vibrant as firework trees. The sky was filled with countless bright petals, shining like the moon lighting the stars, radiating a dazzling radiance. Those petals then seemed to transform into many Peach Blossom Swords, with sword Qi crisscrossing sharply, instantly filling the heavens and earth. ¡°Is this the Hundred-step Flying Sword?¡± Someone murmured in a low voice. The ultimate sword technique of Ghost Valley Sect, the Hundred-step Flying Sword, rumored to be controllable even from a mile away. At this moment, Lou Xiangzhen transformed the sky-filled peach blossom petals into swords, controlling the numerous peach blossom swords was indeed a spectacular sight, making it a breathtaking spectacle. The high-level swordsmanship involved, even if one was not a swordsman, was shockingly profound. ¡°Are we going for a desperate move?¡± Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyebrows knit together, his expression also becoming solemn. Lin Yiyang, Zhong Binru, Cui Daoxian, and other swordsmen watched without blinking, afraid to miss any detail, for any part of it could benefit them for a lifetime. An Jing, seeing the swords transformed from the peach blossoms, also showed a hint of being shaken, deeply moved by the display. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s expression was cold, and he then channeled True Qi into the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror, only to see those seven beams of starlight shift, merging into a huge moon disk. The moon disk, it seemed, was the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror itself, its splendor shining, enveloping the entire Abyss Lake. ¡°Infinite Venerable!¡± Xiao Qianqiu formed a handprint, then the Qi mechanism within the moon disk surged, its momentum like an imminent erupting volcano. ¡°Whoosh!¡± A streak of cold light burst forth, and its target was Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°Go!¡± Lou Xiangzhen did not retreat anymore, driving the sky-filled Peach Blossom Swords towards it. Countless flying swords met the moon disk, instantly causing the heavens and the earth to lose their color. In such a realm, the control of Qi mechanism by the experts was extremely exquisite, once fully unleashed, the power formed was indeed terrifying to the extreme. In this world, many experts emerged, numerous talented individuals existed, except for some thousand-year-old creatures hiding at the bottom of the river, there were only one or two Masters of the Five Qi Realm, and a Four Qi Grandmaster could already be considered the pinnacle of the current martial world. The entire Abyss Lake trembled; the heavens and earth shook. The lake¡¯s turbulent waves roared like an enraged beast. With one sword, all florid music and bustling scenes from the vast land were swept away! The next moment, all swords became nothingness, only Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Peach Blossom Sword remained; his body and the sword merged into one, turning into a streak of cold light, swiftly heading towards the moon disk. The Sword Qi was imposing, as if swallowing miles of realms. The moon disk, intimidated by the incomparably sharp Sword Qi, showed signs of faltering. ¡°Not good!?¡± Ling Yuanjing saw this, his expression drastically changing. Xiao Qianqiu, initially calm, revealed a hint of astonishment in his eyes, then steeled himself as he spat out a mouthful of essence blood, which turned into a dense blood mist, merging directly into the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror in his hand. The next instant, a force that made everyone¡¯s hearts palpitate surged forth. That ancient aura, as if it came from age-old lands. In a trance, behind Xiao Qianqiu, a figure appeared. The apparition was clad in a white daoist robe, wearing a headpiece, holding a dust whisk, and carrying a treasure sword on his back. ¡°Mystical Sect¡¯s Ancestor!?¡± Luo Chongyang looked at the man and felt an eerie familiarity, as if he had seen him before in the Heavenly Venerate Hall, causing a shudder in his heart. ¡°Who is this person?¡± Feng Lingyue¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly, a trace of astonishment in her eyes. Just as the apparition appeared, the power of the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror surged tremendously, and the aura beneath the moon disk also burst forth tumultuously. ¡°Be it the Mystical Sect Ancestor or an emperor from the Human World, today, no one can stop me.¡± Lou Xiangzhen roared, and his sword intent suddenly skyrocketed, the Peach Blossom Sword in his hand appearing somewhat distorted under the impact. In that moment, memories of past days, a lifetime of rises and falls, the turbulent waves of life, flooded his vision. The life of Lou Xiangzhen was full of ups and downs, brilliance, and loneliness. Raising a toast, life should be just like this. Today, why not pierce through the veil with a sword and be a man of the Human World for a moment. An Jing silently watched this scene, not uttering a word. The sword light was bitterly cold, the world fell silent, shooting straight up into the skies. The whole world was split in two, one half filled with countless sword lights, and the other half occupied by a white-robed daoist. As the constellations shifted, mountains and rivers shook. The ground beneath trembled. Everyone held their breath, eyes wide open not daring to blink. The next moment, the sword qi plunged deep like an abyss, piercing through the aura of the moon disk. ¡°Crack!¡± The apparition of the Mystical Sect¡¯s Ancestor shattered instantly, and the hair restraint on Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s head also burst apart, his hair flying wildly in the air. A long sword charged forward, its tip directly aimed at Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s brow. Blood trickled down from his brow, spreading over his nose and onto his neck. A complete silence enveloped the earth, everyone¡¯s expressions frozen. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s calm pupils slightly widened, the previous moment of life and death intersecting brought a new insight deep in his heart. This sensation was so strange, it made him forget who he was, forget what he was doing. He even forgot about the sword right in front of him. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s face also turned pale, as if just a piece of paper, but his hand had no strength left, the sword tip resting on Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s forehead, all the support his body had. Should Xiao Qianqiu step back, he might fall into Abyss Lake and drown. ¡°Sss¨C!¡± Watching the Mystical Sect Ancestor¡¯s apparition shatter, Luo Chongyang sucked in a breath of cold air, murmuring to himself, ¡°When the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror is broken, the Mystical Sect Ancestor will return; could it truly be the second coming of the Mystical Sect Ancestor?¡± ¡°Sect Leader!?¡± At this moment, a loud shout erupted. Song Chengbiao of the Zhenyi Sect saw this, his body swiftly leaping towards Abyss Lake, his eyes intently fixed on Lou Xiangzhen. ¡°Xiao Elder Brother!¡± Seeing this, other experts from Zhenyi Sect also hastily followed. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Roar!¡± As the water exploded, a dragon roar cleaved through the heavens, a black Flood Dragon swiftly emerged from Abyss Lake, then opened its gaping maw. The Half-step Master Song Chengbiao was swallowed whole by it in one bite. ¡°Not good!¡± Ling Yuanjing and Sima Changlin, seeing this, their faces dramatically changed, bodies slightly faltering. All the masters present were stunned by this horrifying scene, that a Half-step Master of the Zhenyi Sect, Song Chengbiao, was swallowed alive by the black Flood Dragon? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What terrifying existence was this!? An Jing leaped onto the back of the black Flood Dragon, then grabbed Lou Xiangzhen by his clothes. The black Flood Dragon roared lowly, soaring through the air, and disappeared above Abyss Lake in a breath. Only Xiao Qianqiu was left behind, disheveled and miserable, his face still smeared with blood. ¡­¡­. Chapter 166 - Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Sword Immortal in the Sunset Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Sword Immortal in the Sunset Atop Abyss Lake. Xiao Qianqiu gazed quietly into the distance at the disappearing figure, seemingly lost in a trance. From simple to complex was the experience of his early life; from complex to simple was his cultivation in later life. The great path is simple; the great path is silent. In that moment, he was blessed with enlightenment. The glow of the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror in his palm dissipated, clearly unable to be used for a short time. ¡°Brother Xiao, are you alright!?¡± Ling Yuanjing hurried over, asking. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Xiao Qianqiu shook his head, sighing lightly, ¡°Just now, brother Song was swallowed by the evil dragon; my energy was broken, and I couldn¡¯t stop it.¡± The Black Flood Dragon had charged out; he saw it, too, but was too powerless to intervene. Ling Yuanjing and Sima Changlin both looked somber. In the blink of an eye, their fellow disciple of many years had died before their eyes, without even leaving a body behind. ¡°Brother, who won between you and Lou Xiangzhen?¡± Sima Changlin asked. At the last moment, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s sword tip rested at Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s brow. If it had moved forward even slightly, he couldn¡¯t bear to think about it¨Cbut he couldn¡¯t help but wonder¨C Did Xiao Qianqiu really lose?! ¡°Winning or losing doesn¡¯t matter anymore.¡± Finally taking his eyes off, Xiao Qianqiu chuckled lightly, his laugh inscrutable yet profound. He shook his head again, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± With that, Xiao Qianqiu flew off into the distance. Ling Yuanjing and Sima Changlin exchanged a glance. They quickly followed. Jia Shiwu noticed that the man next to him wearing a conical hat had been silent all along and couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°My lord¡­¡± ¡°Lou Xiangzhen, oh Lou Xiangzhen, why did it have to come to this?¡± The man in the conical hat shook his head, and then said no more. ¡°Elder, who won and who lost?¡± The Five Poison Young Master looked puzzled and turned to the solemn Feng Lingyue. Although Xiao Qianqiu had blood on his face and looked disheveled, suggesting he had been severely injured, he still managed to employ movement techniques over the lake surface, indicating he had not yet reached a desperate standstill. On the other hand, considering Lou Xiangzhen¡­ ¡°Let¡¯s say Lou Xiangzhen won.¡± Feng Lingyue sighed deeply. Who won and who lost, everyone had their own ideas, especially since in what everyone saw as a fight to the death, no one actually died. Watching Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s retreating figure, Luo Chongyang thought to himself, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s momentum being broken is not necessarily a bad thing for him, it might even lead to a transcendental breakthrough!¡± Xiao Qianqiu, precocious and transcendent in disposition, had always been a standout among the young generation from the moment he entered the martial world, vastly surpassing his peers and never defeated even by elder experts. A figure like him, in any era, would be a peerless entity. The recent sword strike from Lou Xiangzhen, though it seemed to break his momentum, also gave Xiao Qianqiu a sliver of chance. The natural way of Daoist skill is that nothing can be established without being destroyed first. If established, then how formidable would Xiao Qianqiu become? ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± On the carriage, Zhao Chongyin slowly said. ¡°Yes.¡± Bai Aunt nodded, then the sound of the carriage wheels arose, moving towards the distance, gradually fading away. Wang Yue too took a long time to regain his composure. He said nothing but turned and left, followed by the experts of the Blue River Sect exchanging confounded glances. In the world, masters from all directions inevitably sighed with admiration. This battle deeply moved them; such a ground-shaking confrontation between two top experts, it was long before everyone gradually dispersed. Abyss Lake once again became calm, only a white-haired elder remained, unwilling to leave for a long time. The white-haired elder gazed at the tranquil lake surface, as if reliving half his life, filled with emotion, he couldn¡¯t help but mutter, ¡°Who in the Four Seas knows me; how many times has a single sword crossed the horizon.¡± ¡­¡­.. The Canglang River, sunset. The Canglang River stretched thousands of miles at a glance, with rolling waves. The Canglang River, originating from the boundless East Sea, continued unceasingly, cutting across Yunhua Road, Lingnan Road, and Beihuang Road as its endpoint. This river, cutting through high mountains, circling plains, flying across canyons, leaping over hills, roared turbulently, embracing countless rugged mountains with an imposing momentum. The Black Flood Dragon lay coiled atop the Canglang River; the surrounding water seemed to have a mind of its own, controlled by the dragon to form a curtain of water. As the sun set, the river shimmered with a halo of light, and at that moment, everything turned serene and silent. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Peach Blossom Sword was embedded in the riverbank, and his whole body seemed to lean on the sword¡¯s hilt. His face was as pale as could be, blood continuously trickling from the corner of his mouth down to the ground, seeping into the soil. An Jing looked at Lou Xiangzhen in front of him, this swordsman renowned for defeating grandmasters and battling alone against the number one expert of the Great Yan Martial World, now so wretched for the first time. ¡°They won¡¯t be able to catch up now,¡± An Jing said from beside him. Lou Xiangzhen reached up to touch the blood at the corner of his mouth. ¡°They won¡¯t catch up. That Song Chengbiao was swallowed by your Black Flood Dragon in one bite, and Xiao Qianqiu is also injured; they certainly won¡¯t catch up.¡± An Jing breathed a sigh of relief and said, ¡°Let me treat your wounds first.¡± Lou Xiangzhen shook his head and gazed into the distance, his demeanor no longer that of a renowned Sword Immortal who had shaken the world for many decades, but more like an ordinary old man. ¡°Let this old man take a few more looks at this setting sun.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart trembled, and he fell silent. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s voice was calm yet faintly weak, and his voice was hoarse, no longer as resonant as before. ¡°Xiao Qianqiu, with his Four Qi Grandmaster skill and Master Realm cultivation, sees a significant gap between any of the Five Qi. Although my Sword Dao has reached the Sixth Realm, but¡­ Xiao Qianqiu is not far behind. His path has already taken shape, along with the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror in his hand, an exotic treasure left by the ancestors of the Mystical Sect¡­¡± An Jing stepped forward, supporting Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s body. He knew that Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s last sword was exerted with all his might, and he was already burned out. In combat at higher levels, it comes down to the right time, geographical advantage, and harmony among people. Xiao Qianqiu had the momentum and the Exotic Treasure, enjoying the advantage in timing. Both men had an equal share of the geographical advantage; it was hard to say who was superior. Harmony among people depends on the Dao and Skill. In terms of the Dao, Xiao Qianqiu held the advantage, while only in Skill did Lou Xiangzhen manage to gain the upper hand through his advanced years. All things considered, Lou Xiangzhen had to have exhausted all his Essence to shatter the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror! ¡°Originally, I thought my last sword, ha, let it be, let it be, it was just a thought¡­ Young man, no need to support me, I have some words to discuss with you.¡± Lou Xiangzhen pushed An Jing away and then sighed gently. An Jing nodded and said, ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± Mustering strength in his body, Lou Xiangzhen continued, ¡°The Mystical Sect is divided into three, and so is the momentum and fortunes. Xiao Qianqiu is an exceptional figure not commonly seen in the Zhenyi Sect. He is bound to try to collect the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯. Only with the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ can he have a greater assurance of reaching the Grandmaster Realm and rightfully revitalize the Mystical Sect. Thus, you are bound to face him in battle.¡± ¡°And revitalizing the Mystical Sect isn¡¯t as simple as it appears. As the once number one Sect, many do not wish to see its return, including the Great Yan Emperor. Hence, your journey is fraught with responsibility and challenges.¡± ¡°Having embarked on this path, you can either continue or become a corpse on this road, waiting for others to step over your body and proceed.¡± An Jing nodded, somewhat melancholic, ¡°I understand.¡± Countless masters of the Zhenyi Sect had died by his hand. Some paths, once embarked upon, offer no way back. It was the path he had to take! The only path, and moreover, the path he could only take¡­ Lou Xiangzhen continued, ¡°This battle could only be considered half-fought. Although I broke Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s momentum and inflicted heavy damage on him, allowing him no time to focus on you for now, if you were to fight him again in the future and he hasn¡¯t transformed through this battle, your chances of victory¡­ will increase. However¡­¡± Lou Xiangzhen paused slightly, his expression grew serious, ¡°But if he has transformed after this setback, breaking through his current realm to a higher extremity¡­ I fear myriad dangers await you.¡± He then took out the emerged Holy Essence Gu from his bosom. ¡°The Holy Essence Gu has hatched. Take good care of it. There¡¯s still a wisp of remaining Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence inside it. With proper nurturing, it will continue to release more Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence.¡± ¡°¡­¡± An Jing carefully received the Holy Essence Gu, remaining silent. He knew in his heart that not only was he skilled in the Ghost Valley Heart Method, but he also possessed the incomplete Daluo Heart Method, thus becoming a thorn in the side of the Zhenyi Sect. If he wanted to stand between heaven and earth, it was inevitable that he would battle the Zhenyi Sect sooner or later. ¡°As the foremost sect, if you unify the Mystical Sect, you will surely make history. The Ghost Valley Sect, Daluo Sect, and Zhenyi Sect will then fade into the mists.¡± Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyebrows lowered. He gazed at the distant sunset, where the vast river melded with the sky, his eyes slowly misting over. ¡°A true man should carry a three-foot sword and establish an unparalleled name. The things you want, you have to secure for yourself.¡± His eyelids seemed to grow heavier. His strength was dissipating steadily. But Lou Xiangzhen had not finished speaking! ¡°In my life, as a young man, I gained fame; I was unrivaled for a time, and all under heaven called me a once-in-a-century swordsman! My future was bright and clear!¡± In middle age, defeated by Sword God Liu Moyuan, I fell into decline for decades, losing myself in Jianghu, and thought I had seen through worldly fame and fortune and chose to seclude within the court. It was only after Jiang Sanjia¡¯s death that I truly understood and recognized, being born between heaven and earth, how could one live a mediocre life?¡± Lou Xiangzhen asked, as if questioning An Jing and himself. ¡°The ups and downs of life, like the clouds in the sky, gather and disperse unpredictably; what I¡¯ve been pursuing all my life is now within my grasp, yet there¡¯s some regret in my heart that I fear cannot be resolved in this lifetime.¡± An Jing was silent, understanding the regrets Lou Xiangzhen spoke of. Lou Xiangzhen felt increasingly weak, as if even speaking took too much effort: ¡°It¡¯s normal for a life not to end perfectly. Initially, it was my ignorance in choosing; later, I knew better but chose to give up. With circumstances like mine, this is already the best outcome.¡± ¡°Young man, I really look forward to the day¡­ the day you become the Sect Leader of the Mystical Sect.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t there still one last thing you want to accomplish?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Lou Xiangzhen watched the orange sunset, the golden light softly rippling with the sea waves. In those shifting lights and shadows, there appeared to be layers of life¡¯s scenes. A life fleeting like a passerby from the dust lands, inviting the clear wind and bright moon to sing along with wine in hand, how many times can one be intoxicated in a lifetime? Seventy years of storms, the seasons of spring¡¯s glow and autumn¡¯s yield, come and go. Dreaming of returning to his homeland, the first time he entered the Ghost Valley and learned swordsmanship, he set his ambition to be the world¡¯s first swordsman. Practicing day and night, not caring for the stars and the way home. By fourteen, he had mastered the Peach Blossom Sword Intent, defeating the Chief Disciple of the Blue River Sect; at twenty-two, he traveled across Jianghu, traversing thousands of miles and defeating a multitude of young sword masters, beginning to show his edge. Then, soundly grounded, he reached the Fifth Realm at thirty-eight and upon first entering, defeated three veteran swordsmen immersed in it for years, solidly establishing his fame across the world. Some called him the Ghost Valley Sword Immortal, others, for the dreamlike illusions brought forth when he wielded his sword, like blossoming peach flowers, named him the Peach Blossom Sword Immortal. At forty! Lou Xiangzhen, alone with his sword, went to the Yu Heng Sword Sect and defeated two Sword Servants. In today¡¯s Jianghu, he was the only one at the age of forty to defeat those two Sword Servants, reaching the peak of his fame, unrivaled for a time. Unexpectedly, the Sword God emerged, and with just three sword strikes, he defeated the newly risen number one swordsman in Jianghu, causing the name of Sword God to resound through heaven and earth once more. No one noticed the disheartened, lonely swordsman in the corner. Those three strikes broke Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s fighting spirit and his path in Sword Dao. Undoubted, undoubted, they said undoubted¡­ But Lou Xiangzhen fell into confusion. Subsequently, he drifted for decades, his Sword Dao cultivation stagnant, wandering aimlessly in Jianghu, drifting through the Four Seas, homeless. Zhao Country, Great Yan, Houjin, Southern Barbarians, Pure Land¡­ all bore his footprints and traces. The sharpness of the sword quietly faded away. Not until his sixtieth year did he finally breathe a sigh of relief, willingly confining himself to a drawn circle, no longer caring about the grudges of Jianghu, letting go of all disputes, letting go of sixty years of obsession, and even letting go of the Peach Blossom Sword in his hand. Not until Jiang Sanjia in Yujing City, sought a hint of fate, and ultimately died struck by lightning. That bolt of lightning not only struck Jiang Sanjia to death but also awakened Lou Xiangzhen. The rights and wrongs of this world, along with its grudges and grievances, are all trivial matters besides life and death. The Blue River Sect killed Bai Qun with two swords, and Five Poison Mountain even reached the Three Qi Realm in a single night, intimidating all the heroes. Above Abyss Lake, he pointed his sword at the number one person in the Great Yan Martial World, combating a Four Qi Sect Leader Grandmaster alone with the cultivation of a Three Qi Grandmaster. That day, he finally became the world¡¯s leading swordsman. Better late than never¡­ Lou Xiangzhen had no regrets. For thousands of years in the way of the sword, few have shone for a century. Some have called him the pinnacle swordsman of the world, regarding him with respect; others have despised him, showing disdain. This life was full of rises and falls, floating and sinking, much like a stage where one never knows the climax or the brilliance of life until the last moment. Life is but a few centuries; holding a three-foot-long Qingfeng, being the world¡¯s top swordsman once, with drums echoing and yellow sand stretching far, he carved out a peerless reputation, quelled the waves of the four seas, and severed the endless worldly desires. With wine in his belly, a thousand dauntless ambitions surged, and he couldn¡¯t help but declare that a true man should live like this! And now, all these have turned into fleeting clouds of the past. A lonely sunset, a rising sun, such is the unchangeable truth of the world. Lou Xiangzhen leaned on the hilt of his sword as if he had fallen asleep. ¡°Let¡¯s go, I would like to enjoy this splendid scenery alone.¡± ¡°¡­..¡± An Jing remained silent, not speaking. After a long time, he nodded in agreement. ¡°Okay¡± Then he jumped onto the back of the Black Flood Dragon and slowly floated away with the water waves. Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s eyes were somewhat vacant as he gazed at the vast expanse of rivers emitting an orange halo in the distance. As the sun set in the west, he watched the surging river for a long, long time. ¡­¡­.. Five days later. Great Yan, Northern Border, a frontier town. At the end of the town, there was a tofu shop. The owner of the tofu shop was a woman in her fifties, short in stature, with hair as white as silver threads, eyes thin as shuttles when smiling, and forehead wrinkles deep as mountains and ravines, profoundly etching her life and hardships. At that moment, she was diligently slicing tender tofu. Just then, a young boy approached cautiously, it was Zhu Kai. ¡°What are you doing here again?¡± the woman frowned at the boy. Zhu Kai chuckled nervously and said, ¡°Aunt He, I just came to look around, just to look.¡± Tofu He sized up Zhu Kai and said, ¡°You lad, ever since that old man left, I haven¡¯t seen you around for a long time. Tell me, what brings you here today? Has that old man returned?¡± Zhu Kai scratched his head and said, ¡°He hasn¡¯t come back, and I just wanted to ask because my dad said you definitely know.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know a damn thing.¡± Tofu He said irritably, ¡°He and I have nothing to do with each other; how would I know where he went or what he did?¡± Zhu Kai looked unconvinced, wanting to say something but not knowing how to put it. Tofu He, with a hint of interest, said, ¡°You lad, do you really believe that old wreck knew swordsmanship?¡± Zhu Kai nodded earnestly and said, ¡°I believe in Old Xiang; he has hardly ever lied to me. He said he would come back once he becomes the top swordsman in the world.¡± Tofu He chuckled lightly and said, ¡°The top swordsman in the world, huh?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Zhu Kai nodded. ¡°Then just keep waiting,¡± Tofu He replied and continued slicing the tofu in front of her. Her words seemed to be spoken to Zhu Kai but also to herself. Hearing this, Zhu Kai sighed softly, and then left reluctantly. ¡°The top swordsman in the world?¡± Tofu He looked at the tofu in her hand and murmured to herself, ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s the path he has been obsessed with his whole life, and I¡¯m just an inconspicuous grass along that path.¡± She knew Lou Xiangzhen very well; it was his lifelong obsession, he was devoted to it for a lifetime. Yes, wasn¡¯t that precisely why she was attracted to Lou Xiangzhen back then? Holding a three-foot Qingfeng, traversing all directions, a burst of sword qi that must be released to feel satisfied. The story is not long, nor is it difficult to tell. However, her heart suspended in midair could no longer fly over thousands of mountains and rivers. Later, the wind from the South Mountain scattered the grain heaps, and the waters of the North Sea flooded the gravestones. Have people truly just missed each other like this? ¡­. Yujing City, Feihua Lane. In a house, a scholar was seriously and carefully reading a letter in his hand. This scholar was none other than Zhou Xianming. ¡°Alas, the ways of the world are hard to predict.¡± After a long while, Zhou Xianming let out a sigh, his expression tinged with a trace of sorrow. The letter bore the signature of Lin Mianhong. And the news she relayed was about the recent upheavals in Yu State City. Zhou Xianming clutched the letter tightly, murmuring softly, ¡°Doctor An is dead, Officer Han has retreated into the monastery¡­.¡± He hadn¡¯t expected that in just a few months, Yu State City had completely changed, undergoing earth-shattering transformations. Still fresh are the faces and laughter, the warm nagging now unreachable. He remembered how Doctor An used to urge him to take care of his health, to avoid the brothels, to stay away from the cold wind, often praising him as a ¡®simp,¡¯ a term unlikely to be heard from anyone else ever again. The first time Doctor An had called him a ¡®simp,¡¯ he was quite astonished and puzzled, but then Doctor An explained it meant he was serious about his feelings, deeply in love. This made Zhou Xianming sigh inwardly, riches are easy to acquire, but true friends are hard to find. Wasn¡¯t Doctor An also like that towards Mrs. Zhao? ¡°Doctor An, such a good person, why did you have to die young?¡± ¡°Back when I was severely beaten by the men in black, only you came to see me, and even took me to the brothel to listen to music to soothe my wounded heart. You were also generous, knowing I was impoverished, often treating me to drinks. Even the money I needed for my examination was provided by you and Mrs. Zhao.¡± Thinking of this, Zhou Xianming heaved a long sigh, then jolted, ¡°Does this mean I no longer need to repay that money?¡± ¡°Once I return to Yu State City, I must build a grand tombstone for Doctor An, and hire the most famous paper effigy master to craft a brothel for you to send to the afterlife, and then some beauties¡­.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about this matter, I absolutely won¡¯t let my younger sister find out, this is all I can do.¡± ¡­.. Zhou Xianming rambled on and before he knew it, a whole morning had passed. He had been talking to himself in the room all morning, and suddenly came to his senses, realizing he would never see Doctor An again, his nose suddenly felt sour. Life and death happen in an instant. ¡°Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou.¡± Just then, a voice sounded from outside the door. ¡°What is it? Come in and talk.¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s voice was somewhat heavy. With the room door pushed open, a young scholar entered, excitedly saying, ¡°Master Lv is hosting a banquet at his residence, inviting the top twenty scholars of the imperial examination to attend. Aren¡¯t you going to get ready?¡± Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianming slightly furrowed his brows, ¡°Master Lv is hosting a banquet?¡± Master Lv was none other than the chief examiner of the imperial examination, Lv Fang. If Zhenyi Sect uniquely shines in the Jianghu, then in the imperial court, the Lv Sect is the courtly equivalent of Zhenyi Sect. Lv Guoyong, a veteran official through three dynasties and also the Grand Secretary for over sixty years, has held regency powers, his influence permeating the court. His disciples have formed a faction of their own within the court, known as Lv Sect. However, Lv Guoyong himself has been tight-lipped and restrained, even being strict with his own followers. It can be said that any scholar who clings to this powerful support is almost guaranteed a meteoric rise in their official career. However, there have been recent rumors that the head of Lv Sect, Lv Guoyong, due to health issues, hasn¡¯t appeared in court for a long time and there are whispers of his intention to retire, though the truth of these speculations remains unknown. ¡°Yes, hurry up, Xu Zongshun and Zuo Zixin are both going.¡± The scholar quickly tugged at Zhou Xianming¡¯s sleeve and headed towards the door. Zhou Xianming, not daring to delay, followed the scholar towards the Lv Mansion. Yujing City is divided into the Inner City and the Outer City, with Feihua Lane in the Outer City, while Lv Mansion is next to the Crossroads Square in the Inner City. The two hustled through the bustling streets, crowded with people coming and going, and soon reached the entrance to the Lv Mansion. The vermilion gate exuded an ancient charm, manifesting grandeur and magnificence. ¡°Who are you two? Are you here to attend the banquet?¡± The gatekeeper, seeing two people hurriedly approaching, asked softly without an imposing tone. The scholar quickly produced a seal, ¡°Yes, this is my private seal, East Lin Road scholar Gao Wenxu, and this is Jiangnan Dao¡¯s chief graduate, Zhou Xianming.¡± Upon hearing the name ¡®Zhou Xianming,¡¯ the doorman was greatly shocked and quickly said, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Scholar Zhou, please come in.¡± It is said that in this imperial examination, the answer sheets of this scholar had astonished the family head, Lv Fang, who recognized him as a once-in-a-generation talent. This banquet, not widely known to others, was reportedly prepared especially for this scholar. ¡°Thank you.¡± Zhou Xianming bowed and then proceeded inside the Lv Mansion. Upon entering the mansion, they were greeted with paving of white jade stone and roof tiles that reflected brilliant radiance; pavilions, towers, bridges, and streams were artfully arranged showing a grand setup. Under the guidance of a servant of the Lv Mansion, they quickly arrived at a lively hall. At that moment, the hall was a scene of joy and celebration, filled with singing and dancing. Sitting at the head of the table was a middle-aged man. The man, in his fifties, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, had a face that was honest and sincere, appearing slightly younger than Li Fuzhou. This was Lv Guoyong¡¯s son, the chief examiner of this session, Lv Fang. ¡°Master, Scholar Zhou has arrived.¡± A servant from Lv Mansion stepped forward and bowed. Instantly, all eyes turned towards Zhou Xianming. ¡°Oh? Has Zhou arrived? Please, take a seat quickly.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Fang immediately smiled and urged. ¡°Master Lv is too kind.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhou Xianming bowed to Lv Fang, then took his seat. Apart from Zhou Xianming and Gao Wenxu, the hall was already filled with scholars, including all the top twenty candidates from this examination, among them Zhou Xianming¡¯s old acquaintances, Zuo Zixin and Xu Zongshun. The two looked somewhat displeased upon seeing Zhou Xianming. ¡­¡­ PS: There was an error in chapter 163 regarding Old Liu, which has been changed to Old Hao. Today¡¯s piece was a bit choppy; I didn¡¯t write much, and didn¡¯t have time to complete the plot involving Zhou Xianming due to revisions needed. There¡¯s one last part of his travels in Jianghu left. Chapter 168 - Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Crown Prince Speaks of the Demon Sect Sect Hierarch Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Crown Prince Speaks of the Demon Sect Sect Hierarch At Dongluo Pass, beneath the Sealing Demon Well. Zhao Qingmei sat in the well, looking up. From the depths of the Sealing Demon Well, she could clearly see the azure sky, with the faint sunlight slanting down, just the sight of which made one feel warm. That sort of freedom, that breath of fresh air, was something to long for. Moreover, in that free land, there were even more important people waiting for her. Before long, a wooden figure fell from above the well, with a food box hanging from it. Zhao Qingmei picked up the food box, which contained a white note and a bottle of elixirs. ¡°Red Beauty Drunk, the latest poison Powder concocted by the Poison King, colorless and tasteless, even Grandmasters would struggle to detect it¡­.¡± After glancing at the white paper in her hands, Zhao Qingmei silently pondered. Even with a strange poison like Red Beauty Drunk, one had to be cautious, after all, Nan Weiping might be a master of the Grandmaster Realm. Though she had lost most of her cultivation, who knew whether she would detect the poison powder. If discovered, all the effort would have been in vain. With this in mind, Zhao Qingmei took out a tiny amount of Red Beauty Drunk, sprinkling it over the roasted chicken and dishes. Such a minute dosage, especially since Red Beauty Drunk was inherently colorless and tasteless, greatly reduced the chance of Nan Weiping detecting it. If one attempt didn¡¯t work, then she would just have to poison her multiple times¡­. Taking a deep breath, Zhao Qingmei carried the food box into the cave. ¡°Why have you only come now?¡± Nan Weiping¡¯s eyes lit up upon seeing the food box in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hands. ¡°Here.¡± Zhao Qingmei directly threw the food box she was holding to Nan Weiping. Nan Weiping caught the food box, and as the chains made a frictional sound, she stared straight at Zhao Qingmei, ¡°Little girl, you didn¡¯t poison this, did you?¡± Zhao Qingmei responded indifferently, ¡°No.¡± Her tone had not the slightest fluctuation, calm as still water. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you. Try it yourself first and show me,¡± demanded Nan Weiping, clearly not trusting Zhao Qingmei and tossing the food box back to her. Without saying a word, Zhao Qingmei sat down cross-legged and ate a few bites in front of Nan Weiping without hesitation. ¡°Good.¡± Seeing this, Nan Weiping finally felt somewhat reassured and began to eat ravenously. Such a demeanor made it hard to imagine that this was a master of the Grandmaster Realm. Zhao Qingmei sat quietly to one side, casually taking out paper and ink. Her heart was somewhat anxious, unaware if Nan Weiping had noticed the Red Beauty Drunk. After a while, seeing that she had no reaction, Zhao Qingmei finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the minute trace of Red Beauty Drunk she had added was the correct choice. After Nan Weiping had eaten her fill, she let out a long breath and showed a satisfied expression. She then looked at Zhao Qingmei and asked, ¡°What are you writing?¡± ¡°A journal,¡± replied Zhao Qingmei straightforwardly. ¡°A journal?¡± Nan Weiping seemed puzzled and asked, ¡°I do not understand this object of yours, but aren¡¯t you coveting the treasure within this stone cave?¡± ¡°Treasure? What treasure?¡± said Zhao Qingmei, pausing her writing. All this time, she had been thinking about how to leave the Sealing Demon Well; it had never occurred to her that the well was where the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect secluded himself, and there surely would be some valuable use to it. Nan Weiping glanced around the walls and said, ¡°You must have acquired the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture from Wu Jiaming¡¯s hands. All over this stone cave are the insights and experiences of the Demon Sect¡¯s predecessors, even the writings left by the Sect¡¯s founding master, which would be immensely beneficial to your cultivation.¡± Wu Jiaming was the eighth-generation Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. Upon hearing Nan Weiping, Zhao Qingmei took up a fire starter and looked towards the walls of the stone cave. With the faint light from the fire starter, she finally made out the scribbles and etchings on the walls of the cave. Upon closer inspection, most of them were insights into the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, along with some spontaneous enlightenment. As she read those words, Zhao Qingmei narrowed her eyes, carefully considering them, and gained a whole new understanding of the content within the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture. It is known that the Sect Hierarchs of the Demon Sect were always exceptionally gifted, each of them having a profound understanding of the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, building upon the experience and research of the previous generations. ¡°` Even continuously improved and extrapolated the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡± it has undergone significant changes compared to the original version. A glint flashed in the eyes of Nan Weiping, who was standing by. Anyone from the Demon Sect who practices the ¡°Nine Nether Body Refining Demon Scripture¡± would naturally be immersed upon seeing its content. Zhao Qingmei, captivated by the characters on the stone wall, eventually came back to her senses only after reading every word. ¡°There are more words¡­¡± Just as Zhao Qingmei¡¯s gaze left the wall, she abruptly noticed more characters and murmured, ¡°The demon is in the heart, the Buddha is in the void.¡± With profound eyes, Nan Weiping said, ¡°This was left by the ancestral master of the Demon Sect. To reach the highest realm of this ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡¯ one must become possessed by a demon.¡± Zhao Qingmei frowned, ¡°Becoming possessed by a demon?¡± Somehow, upon hearing these words, she felt her blood boiling, as if it were a primal instinct. Nan Weiping intoned solemnly, ¡°Without becoming possessed by a demon, how can the true self be realized? Only by willingly becoming possessed by a demon, can one truly comprehend oneself.¡± ¡°So you mean, the demon is the true self.¡± Zhao Qingmei felt she had grasped something, enlightening her, and at the same time, the shackles that plagued her for so long loosened a bit. Surprised, Nan Weiping glanced at Zhao Qingmei, thinking to herself, ¡°This young girl has truly remarkable insight.¡± Just by witnessing the enlightenment in this cave once, she was already able to perceive a bit of its profound mysteries. The path of the Demon Sect is unorthodox; its cultivation grows extremely quickly, unlike the steady and arduous cultivation of the Mystical Sect or the Buddhist schools, which requires years of hard practice for a moment¡¯s enlightenment. When practicing the martial arts of the Demon Sect, the higher the cultivation, the more one¡¯s mindset must enter a transcendent state, which the Demon Sect calls becoming possessed by a demon. Once possessed, the cultivation level reaches an unimaginable realm. This cave does not only contain the imprints left by the predecessors of the Demon Path, but also the ominous Demonic Qi. Feeling its mysteriousness can assist one in becoming possessed by a demon. However, since the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± was lost, no one from the Demon Sect has reached the true state of being possessed, which is why even after the Mystical Sect split, the Demon Sect has never been able to stand at the pinnacle of Jianghu. Zhao Qingmei slowly sat down, feeling something unusual in her embrace, and immediately took out the paper doll. ¡°In this world, men are innately unreliable.¡± A mocking smile tugged at the corner of Nan Weiping¡¯s mouth upon seeing this. She often saw Zhao Qingmei fiddling with the paper doll in her hands. ¡°Maybe for you,¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at the paper doll in front of her, and a smile unconsciously crept onto her lips. Seeing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s smiling face, Nan Weiping couldn¡¯t help thinking: What a beautiful girl, it¡¯s a pity she¡¯s smitten with a man. ¡°In less than half a year at the Sealing Demon Well, the man had already changed his heart,¡± Nan Weiping stated. Zhao Qingmei looked at Nan Weiping, ¡°I won¡¯t worry about things that couldn¡¯t possibly happen.¡± Shaking her head with pity, Nan Weiping looked at Zhao Qingmei, ¡°Your disbelief is futile; the human heart is unpredictable, especially concerning affection. Being by his side is world¡¯s different from being away from him.¡± ¡°Should that day come when you discover he has changed his heart, what will you do?¡± After playing with the paper doll for a while, Zhao Qingmei put it away and her jade-like palm gently rested on the hilt of the Mandarin Duck Blade at her waist, murmuring, ¡°I will show him through actions just how much I love him.¡± Nan Weiping was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. Zhao Qingmei ignored Nan Weiping and sat down again, continuing to write in her diary. ¡­¡­. Zhao Country, Royal Capital. High buildings lined the streets, and the splendid architectural clusters were less bustling than those in Yujing City, but they exuded a vibe of solemnity and dignity. Beside an ancient pavilion that was simple and unadorned, all was silent except for a middle-aged man who was sweeping with a broom. His movements were neither fast nor slow, methodical, with a look of patience on his face, and a natural grace to his sweeping arms. Could it be¡­. As if sensing something, the middle-aged man sweeping immediately contracted his pupils sharply and turned to the pavilion¡¯s door. ¡°Creak¨C!¡± At that moment, the door of the pavilion slowly swung open. Motes of dust appeared as if it had been silent for a long time. An old man in green robes stepped out, squinting at the harsh sunlight above, savoring the warmth after an extended absence. His steps were faltering, his back hunched, as old as if he could enter the earth at any moment. ¡°Seven years have passed in the blink of an eye.¡± ¡°Jin Lao, you have come out of seclusion?¡± ¡°` The middle-aged man cleaning the courtyard trembled upon seeing the elder. For seven years, he had delivered three meals a day; then he would clean the courtyard, waiting every day¨Cand now, he had finally witnessed the elder emerge from seclusion. Does his emergence indicate that his cultivation has stagnated once again? ¡°Shenci.¡± Master Jin looked at the middle-aged man and asked, ¡°How fares the world these days?¡± How fares the world these days? The middle-aged man fell silent for a long moment before responding, ¡°Master Jin was right all along. The Holy Master of Houjin is ambitious and, now that his power has grown, he has started to reveal his fangs. The envoy from Houjin has already arrived secretly at Cloud Tower and is in talks with the people of Black Ice Platform.¡± ¡°Chaos is beginning to arise, and the future situation is yet uncertain.¡± Master Jin sighed; he had visited the Holy Master of Houjin in Great Snow Mountain years ago. The man¡¯s ambition was like a hidden tide, deep and unseen, yet a glimpse of it could still be detected. The longstanding hatred between Yan and Zhao had forged them into mortal enemies, each viewing the other with enmity and engaging in constant conflicts. This undoubtedly created favorable conditions for the Holy Master of Houjin. As long as he focused on strengthening his forces, the moment Houjin¡¯s military might peaked, they could march south in alliance with Zhao to swallow Great Yan whole, thus securing ancestral fate and making a great achievement. Currently, everything was going smoothly, as if moving according to the Holy Master of Houjin¡¯s plan. ¡°What about Zhao and Great Yan?¡± Master Jin continued to inquire. Yu Shenci continued, ¡°With Qi Wushuang acting as the Stabilizer, Black Ice Platform is still firmly in control of the situation. Great Yan, however, has faced many changes. The Taiping Human Emperor seems to have failed in breaking through his limits and is now healing. The Buddhist sector has come to Great Yan, and while Zhenyi Sect hasn¡¯t shown much activity, the Demon Sect is definitely stirring¡­¡± Upon hearing this, Master Jin¡¯s voice rose slightly, ¡°The Taiping Human Emperor!?¡± Yu Shenci nodded, ¡°It¡¯s uncertain whether the news is true, but right now, the Great Yan court is rife with factional strife. Lv Guoyong feigns illness to avoid court, and the Second Prince and Crown Prince are openly and secretly vying for power. The undercurrent is surging, which doesn¡¯t seem fabricated.¡± An image involuntarily appeared in Master Jin¡¯s mind. The world at peace¨Chow could the world possibly be at peace? Only through unification could there be peace. That young man, who dared concoct a rebellion in his twenties, has now reached his sixties. His cultivation has unwittingly reached the pinnacle of the world, yet he¡¯s failed to break free of his shackles. Yu Shenci bowed slightly and continued, ¡°Additionally, a few days ago, Xiao Qianqiu, the Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect, descended the mountain. According to the intelligence, it seems he was after the Ghost Valley Sect¡¯s mental method, associated with the Daluo Sect. Following that, he dueled with Lou Xiangzhen, the Sect Leader of Ghost Valley Sect, at Abyss Lake. Lou Xiangzhen entered the Sixth Realm, and while Xiao Qianqiu of Zhenyi Sect was wounded by his sword and not killed, the prevailing momentum has been broken¡­¡± Master Jin¡¯s eyes gleamed as he softly said, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu, that young man, holds boundless potential. In him, I can see the spirit of those who painstakingly cultivate the Mystical Sect. A broken momentum is not necessarily a bad thing.¡± ¡°This world has indeed become lively.¡± Master Jin expressed his sentiment and then, as if recalling something, asked, ¡°And what of Lou Xiangzhen?¡± Yu Shenci frowned and said, ¡°After being rescued by the Ghost Swordsman, Lou Xiangzhen disappeared without a trace. Now, only the Ghost Swordsman knows of his whereabouts.¡± Master Jin queried, ¡°And who is this Ghost Swordsman?¡± This name was somewhat unfamiliar to him. Had a terrifyingly powerful expert appeared in the Jianghu during these seven years? Yu Shenci explained, ¡°He¡¯s a swordsman who has risen to prominence within the past year, a disciple of Daluo Sect. Not long ago, he killed two immortals and a Peak Master from Zhenyi Sect, and he even defeated the Heavenly Sword, Cui Daoxian. Although he relies on the sharpness of the Evil Suppressing Sword, he is a person¡­¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Master Jin suddenly interrupted Yu Shenci, his brow furrowing deeply, ¡°What sword did you say he wields?¡± Yu Shenci promptly replied, ¡°The Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± Master Jin¡¯s breath hitched, ¡°Is it the Evil Suppressing Sword that guards the Sealing?¡± Yu Shenci nodded, ¡°Indeed, they say this Ghost Swordsman took one of the six avatars of the Evil Suppressing Sword from Fa Xi Temple.¡± Master Jin stood stunned as if frozen. The Great Zhou Dragon has emerged, the Great Zhou truly has royal blood capable of being acknowledged by the Evil Suppressing Sword¡­ Having followed the elder for over forty years, Yu Shenci rarely saw him so out of sorts, and he said nothing more, waiting by the side. After a while, Master Jin declared, ¡°It is time to go to Great Yan.¡± ¡­¡­. The battle at Abyss Lake was the talk of the Jianghu. Xiao Qianqiu returned to Zhenyi Mountain to seclude himself and heal his injuries, rumored to have gained some enlightenment. Meanwhile, the newly acclaimed World¡¯s First Swordsman, Lou Xiangzhen, had suddenly vanished, as if evaporated from the world. Some say that as the Sect Leader of Ghost Valley Sect, no member of the sect ever met a good fate, suggesting Lou Xiangzhen had likely perished from consuming his essence. Others speculate that having achieved his desires, he¡¯s now completely withdrawn from public life. Still, others believe Lou Xiangzhen is truly healing his injuries now. The people of the world are abuzz with speculation, none able to provide any concrete evidence. And the only one in the world who knows the specifics of Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s situation is the Ghost Swordsman. In the Jianghu, the Ghost Swordsman is notoriously enigmatic. Very few in the world have seen his true appearance, let alone know his whereabouts. Therefore, many theories circulated in the Jianghu. On the Canglang River of Lingnan Dao. Clouds drifted lazily, and the sky was a clear blue. The sunlight at this moment was just right, reflecting off the water in shimmering waves. A giant passenger ship was coming from north to south, with a length of six zhang, divided into two levels; the upper level was for accommodations, specifically for people to stay, while the lower level was for dining and entertainment. At this time, several people were standing on the lower deck, among them were some merchants, scholars, and various individuals from Jianghu. Among them, a man and a woman stood out conspicuously. The man resembled a walking mountain of flesh, with his short, thick legs and a round belly that made him look like a waddling duck. His clothes seemed ready to burst at the seams, and his eyes were as small as mung beans. And the woman by his side was like a water jar, wide at both the top and the bottom. No matter how one looked at them, they were a perfectly matched pair. ¡°Young Master Hou and Heroine Fang, you truly are a match made in heaven,¡± ¡°One can tell at a glance that Heroine Fang has the appearance of one who brings prosperity to her husband.¡± ¡°Young Master Hou is wise and brave, only Heroine Fang is a fitting match for him.¡± ¡°Yes, indeed,¡± ¡­.. The surrounding crowd was all smiling flatteringly. These two were none other than Qiu Lun and Fang Jinxiu. It was extremely difficult for the two of them to conceal their identities, as they stood out wherever they went. Fang Jinxiu, hearing the congratulations from the crowd, blushed, clasping Qiu Lun¡¯s arm tightly, seeming somewhat at a loss. Qiu Lun was also overjoyed, declaring generously, ¡°Today everyone should eat and drink well; since we are fated to be on the same boat, I, Qiu, will cover the expenses on board.¡± Upon hearing this, the crowd was even more joyful, knowing that it cost them nothing more than a few flattering words. At this moment, An Jing stood at a distance on the deck, originally admiring the boundless beautiful scenery on both banks, then turning his attention to the boisterous voices. When he saw Fang Jinxiu beside Qiu Lun, he was momentarily taken aback. ¡°Perhaps this is what it means to see beauty in the eyes of a lover,¡± An Jing shook his head. After leaving Northern Wilderness Dao, he headed north, and to reach Bo City, he had to travel by this waterway. The Black Flood Dragon could fly, but that would deplete the True Qi within its core. After Lou Xiangzhen left, An Jing dared not overly consume the True Qi within the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s body, so after flying for some time, he guided the Black Flood Dragon back into the water and boarded a merchant ship himself. At this time, Qiu Lun and Fang Jinxiu walked over side by side, and An Jing turned away to continue gazing at the surging waves. Fang Jinxiu, with some concern, said, ¡°Qiu Lang, you were too generous just now. There are at least thirty or fifty people on this ship, and the food and drink will cost quite a bit of silver.¡± My family¡¯s Sister Fang really is virtuous. Upon hearing Fang Jinxiu¡¯s words, Qiu Lun immediately laughed, ¡°Sister Fang needn¡¯t worry about these things; we made quite a bit this time at the Abyss Lake opening, a few dozen silvers are nothing to us.¡± ¡°Besides, since they give me face, I ought to give them gold.¡± Gold¡­ An Jing, upon hearing this, couldn¡¯t help but cough twice, ¡°cough cough¡­¡± ¡°Who?¡± Qiu Lun and Fang Jinxiu were both startled and only then realized there was another man in a black robe near them. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, carry on,¡± An Jing waved his hand, then started walking away. ¡°Wait,¡± Qiu Lun stopped An Jing, his mung bean-sized eyes wide open, ¡°Brother, don¡¯t you recognize me? It¡¯s me!¡± Others might not recognize the Ghost Swordsman, but Qiu Lun had seen him on several occasions and was extremely familiar with his figure. An Jing calmly replied, ¡°I am not your brother.¡± ¡°Brother, have you forgotten the days of shared hardship at Thunder Pool? How can you be so heartless and ungrateful?¡± Upon hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Qiu Lun pretended to wipe away tears. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly, ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of Zhenyi Sect looking for trouble with you?¡± Now he was nominated by the Zhenyi Sect as a calamity of Jianghu, and those who associated with him in Jianghu were undoubtedly offending Zhenyi Sect. And Zhenyi Sect was the National Religion, also having considerable prestige in the royal court. ¡°But you¡¯re my brother!¡± Qiu Lun¡¯s eyes bulged, he said hastily, ¡°The brotherhood between us is worth a thousand gold.¡± This kid is an acting talent; he nearly got me into a mess before, and now he¡¯s sticking to me like a plaster, definitely up to no good. Watching Qiu Lun¡¯s moved performance, An Jing inwardly sneered, then stretched out his hand, ¡°Brother¡¯s been a bit tight on funds lately.¡± Upon hearing this, Qiu Lun eagerly placed his hand into An Jing¡¯s palm, ¡°Brother, I used to be tight too, but later when I stopped using it, it wasn¡¯t tight anymore¡­¡± As he gestured, his jowly cheeks trembled. An Jing hurriedly shook off Qiu Lun¡¯s hand, ¡°You really are a little bastard.¡± Saying that, he walked towards the second floor cabin. Qiu Lun watched An Jing¡¯s retreating figure and hurriedly shouted, ¡°Big brother, Jinxiu and I plan to get married in July this year, don¡¯t forget to come, ah, you can¡¯t skip out on the wedding gift.¡± An Jing acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard and hastened his steps, directly returning to his room. Fang Jinxiu was somewhat puzzled and said, ¡°Qiu Lang, is this Ghost Swordsman really¡­?¡± She had never heard Qiu Lun mention that he had such a deep relationship with the Ghost Swordsman. Taking a deep breath, Qiu Lun said with emotion, ¡°Yes, he¡¯s my big brother, and Lou Xiangzhen is my grandfather. I don¡¯t have many remarkable strengths, but I abide by filial piety and value relationships¡­¡± ¡­¡­ On the river, in the cabin. An Jing sat cross-legged on the bed, the Evil Suppressing Sword placed before his knees. In his mind, he kept reliving that day¡¯s great battle, each time gaining different insights, but he knew he was still some distance away from the threshold of the Sixth Realm, not to mention reaching it. Time passed, and without realizing it, it was already deep into the night. ¡°The Sixth Realm is truly difficult.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and looked at the blood on the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand. At that moment, the blood on the sword became increasingly active, as if it was about to burst out of the sword. ¡°This blood is a little strange¡­¡± An Jing stared at the blood, feeling like it had a trace of sentience and was not a dead thing. He always had the feeling that the blood would suddenly rush out of the sword. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Suddenly, An Jing heard a faint sound by his ear. Ever since his cultivation had reached the Half-step Master level, his hearing and sensitivity to the Qi mechanism had greatly improved. ¡°Swoosh, swoosh!¡± In the blink of an eye, An Jing¡¯s body disappeared from the cabin and appeared on the deck. At that moment, the river was quiet and deserted, the only sound being the passenger ship moving forward. A figure in black appeared on the deck, their movements smooth and graceful, barely making a sound as they lightly stepped on the deck. Moreover, the figure moved rapidly, like a gust of wind sweeping by. ¡°What a nice scent. It must be this room,¡± said the figure, arriving at the door of Fang Jinxiu¡¯s room and then taking a deep breath as if immersed in the scent. An Jing, hidden from a distance, saw this scene and wondered if this man was Qiu Lun. But that couldn¡¯t be. The figure didn¡¯t look like him, and he wouldn¡¯t need to sneak in like a thief. As An Jing pondered, the figure had already discreetly entered Fang Jinxiu¡¯s room. This agile figure and familiar technique¡­ ¡°Could it be a flower thief?¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°Usually, a flower thief would scout out his target first. Why would he be so reckless?¡± Let alone Fang Jinxiu¡¯s appearance, she is a master with considerable cultivation, not just any flower thief¡¯s match. ¡°A flower thief is here!¡± As expected, Fang Jinxiu¡¯s youthful shout rang out. The next instant, the figure dashed out from Fang Jinxiu¡¯s room in a hurry, holding a red brassiere in their hand. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going!?¡± Hearing Fang Jinxiu¡¯s voice, Qiu Lun, furious, bolted out and threw a punch at the thief. ¡°Whish, whish!¡± ¡°Whish, whish!¡± The flower thief¡¯s cultivation was not a match for Qiu Lun¡¯s, but their movement technique was excellent, they deftly dodged the punch, and then sprinted away into the distance. ¡°Stop!¡± Seeing this, Qiu Lun¡¯s eyes, red with blood vessels, hurriedly chased after. It must be said, the flower thief¡¯s speed was astonishing, crossing several yards in the blink of an eye, stepping on the deck ready to escape. ¡°Big brother, quickly stop him!¡± Qiu Lun, realizing he couldn¡¯t catch up, saw An Jing standing to the side. In the dim light, An Jing also caught sight of the flower thief and furrowed his brow. This person was astonishingly handsome, his eyes clear as water, his complexion fair, and his long, dense eyelashes slightly curled, shadowing a pair of bright yet profound pupils, his features seemingly even more delicate than a woman¡¯s. ¡°What a handsome young pretty-face!¡± An Jing thought to himself, and then he reached out and grabbed at the person¡¯s collar. ¡°I want to leave, who can stop me?¡± The flower-picking thief shook the bellyband in his hand, ready to jump into the river and flee, when suddenly he felt a tightening behind him, and a palm had already grabbed his collar and lifted him up. ¡°You!¡± The flower-picking thief looked at An Jing behind him with a face full of astonishment. Fast! It was simply too fast! So fast that he hadn¡¯t even reacted before the man in black had caught hold of him. This person was at least a Half-step Master or a high-level expert of the Master level. ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve!¡± At this moment, Qiu Lun strode over, grabbed the flower-picking thief, and snatched the bellyband from his hand. By this time, Fang Jinxiu had also walked over quickly, staring intently at the flower-picking thief, ¡°You actually dared to covet my ¡®tofu¡¯!?¡± ¡°You¡­.¡± When the flower-picking thief saw Fang Jinxiu, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck on a clear day. He had actually gone into her room to steal a bellyband, no wonder it felt strangely large, almost like a cape¡­. ¡°Big brother, fortunately, you arrived just in time.¡± Qiu Lun expressed his gratitude to An Jing, and then looked at the flower-picking thief, a trace of cold light appearing in his eyes, and he said viciously, ¡°This guy can¡¯t be spared! There can¡¯t be anyone in this world with a whiter face than mine.¡± An Jing: ¡°??¡± You¡¯re white? Isn¡¯t that something I should be saying? ¡°I¡­ I was wrong.¡± The flower-picking thief looked like a bereaved son, ¡°Please let me go, sirs. If I had known it would come to this, even if you killed me, I wouldn¡¯t have attempted to steal¡­..¡± As he spoke, he saw the murderous look in Qiu Lun¡¯s narrow eyes, then realized something and quickly shut his mouth. Qiu Lun drew his long knife and placed it against the flower-picking thief¡¯s neck: ¡°Tell me, how do you want to die?¡± The body of the flower-picking thief slumped to the ground as he cried out, ¡°Spare my life, and I will repay you by working like an ox or horse in the future.¡± His voice was somewhat shrill and very grating to the ears. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Then you should die even more.¡± The flower-picking thief was taken aback, his mind blanking. Why should someone willing to work hard deserve to die? ¡°Eh?¡± Qiu Lun suddenly felt something odd and asked with a focused tone, ¡°Your voice sounds strange, boy. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re lacking in the ¡®bird¡¯ department?¡± On hearing this, An Jing frowned and reached out to grab the flower-picking thief¡¯s wrist, finding that the Yang Energy in his body was weak while the Yin Energy was strong. Clearly a man, yet the Yin Energy in his body was more prevalent than the Yang Energy. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± An Jing asked. The flower-picking thief seemed to realize that An Jing was the most powerful and influential here, and replied honestly, ¡°I¡­. I am called Zhuo Yuchang.¡± On hearing this, Qiu Lun came to a sudden realization: ¡°You¡¯re the infamous Holy Hand Zhuo Yuchang from Jianghu.¡± Holy Hand Zhuo Yuchang, a notorious flower-picking thief in Jianghu. ¡°Indeed, it is I.¡± Zhuo Yuchang said with a morose expression. Qiu Lun sized up the pretty-faced youth before him, ¡°You¡¯re of no ¡®bird¡¯ use, yet you still play the role of a flower-picking thief?¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with being of no ¡®bird¡¯ use?¡± Zhuo Yuchang, on hearing this, glared and retorted, ¡°Even if I¡¯m of no ¡®bird¡¯ use, what¡¯s wrong with yearning for a world full of flowers?¡± Perhaps due to some emotional fluctuations, Zhuo Yuchang¡¯s voice again became a bit uncontrollable, breaking into a higher pitch. Qiu Lun scratched the back of his head, ¡°But without that ¡®bird¡¯ use, how do you go about picking flowers?¡± Zhuo Yuchang was displeased with Qiu Lun¡¯s remarks and responded, ¡°Stop repeating that I¡¯m of no ¡®bird¡¯ use. There are people with birds that are useless, aren¡¯t they just the same?¡± Although he was inept, he still yearned greatly. An Jing faintly smiled, ¡°The so-called ¡®Flower-Picking Master¡¯ doesn¡¯t need to use a bird.¡± ¡°Big Brother, I understand now.¡± Qiu Lun looked like he had just had a revelation and then admired An Jing, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Big Brother¡¯s reminder, how could a fool like me understand such profound meaning?¡± An Jing looked at Qiu Lun and secretly sneered, thinking that this fat man probably knew very well what he was doing but still pretended to be innocent and curious. Thereupon, An Jing patted Qiu Lun¡¯s shoulder and said seriously, ¡°If you¡¯re too fat, it can shrink the Yang energy and turn it into a little bird.¡± Qiu Lun shivered and then forced a laugh twice, but deep down he weakly cried out: My bird is big¡­. An Jing looked toward Zhuo Yuchang lying on the ground and said indifferently, ¡°Who castrated you? What exactly is your identity?¡± ¡°I¡­..¡± Zhuo Yuchang¡¯s face was uncertain, fearing that being captured alive today might be the end for him. Qiu Lun glared at Zhuo Yuchang and said, ¡°If you dare to lie to my Big Brother, I¡¯ll kill you right now.¡± An Jing patted Qiu Lun¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Little bird, don¡¯t scare him.¡± Qiu Lun: ¡°¡­..¡± With a sigh, Zhuo Yuchang said, ¡°When I was eight, my foster grandfather castrated me.¡± Qiu Lun suddenly understood, ¡°So you¡¯re a eunuch!¡± ¡°I left the Imperial Palace, and now I am no longer one,¡± Zhuo Yuchang jumped anxiously, ¡°I am a man without a bird, I am not a eunuch.¡± ¡°So did you escape from the Imperial Palace on your own?¡± An Jing asked again. ¡°Of course not,¡± Zhuo Yuchang shook his head, ¡°The Great Yan Palace is strictly managed, what kind of little eunuch can escape from the Imperial Palace?¡± An Jing nodded; the Imperial Palace was not like Yu State City, where anyone could come and go as they pleased. ¡°Little bird, I¡¯ll leave him to you, I¡¯m going to rest,¡± said An Jing. After finishing, An Jing turned and walked into his room. Qiu Lun, watching An Jing¡¯s back, couldn¡¯t help but shout, ¡°Big Brother, can you not call me ¡®little bird¡¯? It doesn¡¯t sound nice.¡± ¡°I got it, little bird.¡± An Jing waved his hand and then stepped up to his room on the second floor. Qiu Lun¡¯s face darkened as he looked at Zhuo Yuchang, his anger flaring, ¡°You useless thing, even daring to steal my sister Jin Xiu¡¯s dudou?¡± ¡°Had I known this would happen, I would regret my actions.¡± Zhuo Yuchang looked at Fang Jinxiu beside him, nearly shedding tears. Qiu Lun sneered coldly, ¡°You just resign yourself to being delivered to the Heavenly Prison by me and enjoy prison food.¡± ¡­.. The next day, the sky was clear and bright. Lingnan Dao, Bo City. The largest city in Lingnan Dao was Bo City, with thriving trade and a dense population. The streets were bustling with people coming and going, creating a vibrant atmosphere. One of the Great Yan¡¯s seven major sects, the Four Symbols Sect, was built next to Bo City, hence Bo City also held an extraordinary status in Jianghu. Last night, once the True Qi in the Black Flood Dragon Core had recovered, An Jing quietly left the passenger ship¨Canyway, that Qiu little bird was going to foot all the bills. The Black Flood Dragon traveled through air with incredible speed and after seven to eight hours, it reached Bo City. At the moment, the Black Flood Dragon lay quietly in a pond in the mountains, while An Jing walked alone into the city of Bo City. ¡°Excuse me, old sir, do you know the way to Liao family¡¯s residence?¡± An Jing stood in the marketplace, smiling as he stopped an old man carrying a burden. ¡°Liao family?¡± The old man gave An Jing a glance and pointed ahead, saying, ¡°Cross the street ahead, turn left into Yu Lin Street, and you will see a large, imposing house. That¡¯s the Liao family residence.¡± ¡°Thank you very much,¡± replied An Jing with a smile, nodding his head. Following the old man¡¯s direction, soon he came to a mansion. The grand vermillion gate and the imposing structure with flying eaves and high walls exuded an aura of solemn dignity. This mansion was quite large and imposing. It must be the Liao family¡¯s residence. An Jing stepped forward to knock on the door. ¡°Thump, thump!¡± ¡°Thump, thump!¡± Shortly, the gate opened, and the gatekeeper¡¯s head peeked out, asking An Jing, ¡°Whom are you looking for? Do you have a visiting card?¡± ¡°Here is my card.¡± An Jing produced a card from his bosom, given to him by Zhao Chongyin. Upon seeing the ¡®Zhao¡¯ character on the card, the Liao Family gatekeeper¡¯s body trembled, ¡°Please wait a moment, sir. I will inform them immediately.¡± An Jing nodded, saying nothing. Soon, the middle-aged woman who had presented An Jing with the invitation the other day appeared. ¡°Please come inside,¡± said Aunt Bai with a smile, gesturing with her hand in a welcoming manner. ¡°All right.¡± An Jing nodded and then strode toward the Liao Family estate. ¡°Our master said you would surely keep the appointment, and it seems he was right,¡± Aunt Bai said, chuckling. ¡°Is that so?¡± An Jing was noncommittal and did not say much. Aunt Bai fell silent, then continued walking ahead, following a cobblestone path that weaved through the flowers and willows, leading to a scene of pavilions and towers surrounding a lake of clear, shimmering water, where swans gracefully took flight, and willow branches swayed gently on the banks, their reflections vivid in the crystal waters. A cool pavilion stood erect in the lake, with green tiles and soaring eaves. Nearby, a rockery rose ruggedly, a corridor laid with blooming flowers stretched like a red carpet through the entire complex, and almost every building featured intricately carved latticed windows, brimming with elegance and delicacy. Currently in that pavilion, a man in his thirties was sitting upright, with a board of interlaced black and white chess pieces before him, reminiscent of a landscape painting. The man¡¯s features could not be described as handsome, merely graceful. His gestures exuded a scholarly air, but upon closer inspection, one felt an imposing weight, as heavy as a mountain. ¡°Young master, the guest has arrived,¡± said Aunt Bai to the man. This person was none other than the current Crown Prince, Zhao Chongyin. Zhao Chongyin quickly rose to his feet, beaming, ¡°Your renowned name resonates like thunder, but today is the first official meeting, which is indeed my great honor.¡± His demeanor was like a refreshing spring breeze, courteous and refined. This was the first impression the Crown Prince made on An Jing. An Jing smiled and saluted, ¡°This humble one pays his respects to the Crown Prince. It is my honor to be granted an audience with Your Highness.¡± ¡°No need for such formality,¡± said Zhao Chongyin, pointing to the seat across from him. ¡°Have a seat.¡± An Jing nodded, then took his seat across from him. Zhao Chongyin, with a cheerful smile, said, ¡°You are also a pupil of the Mystical Sect, so you must have a good understanding of this game of chess. I¡¯ve been looking for a worthy opponent. How about you join me for a game?¡± Looking at the scattered chess pieces before him, An Jing shook his head, ¡°Then I¡¯m afraid the Crown Prince will be disappointed, for I am a terrible player and have never won against my wife.¡± Back at Jishi Hall, he had almost never won against Zhao Qingmei. Hearing this, Zhao Chongyin laughed, ¡°Though I have studied with masters since childhood, learning for over thirty years, I have never delved deeply into it. It is but a hobby.¡± ¡°Clack!¡± As he spoke, Zhao Chongyin placed a white piece on the board. Hearing this, An Jing picked up a black piece and said indifferently, ¡°Since Your Highness wishes to play, it would be my pleasure to accompany you.¡± The two began their game, with pieces falling into place swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, dozens of moves were made. At that moment, Zhao Chongyin looked at the board and said, ¡°I suspect you are here today primarily for the ¡®Daluo Heart Method¡¯ fragment mentioned in the invitation.¡± An Jing placed a black piece down and said, ¡°Yes.¡± If not for the ¡®Daluo Heart Method¡¯, he might not have come to meet the current Crown Prince. After all, finding his wife was the most pressing matter. Today¡¯s visit was more of a detour. Zhao Chongyin shook his head, ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t have the ¡®Daluo Heart Method¡¯ fragment.¡± An Jing set down another piece, remained silent, as if he was wholly absorbed in the game, yet also seemingly waiting for Zhao Chongyin to continue. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhao Chongyin went on, ¡°However, I do know where the ¡®Daluo Heart Method¡¯ fragment is.¡± ¡°Where?¡± An Jing glanced at Zhao Chongyin. ¡°In the hands of the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect.¡± Zhao Chongyin smiled and looked up at An Jing. Chapter 169 - Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Four Symbols Sword Ancestors Sword Talisman Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Four Symbols Sword Ancestor¡¯s Sword Talisman ¡°The Demon Sect Hierarch! How did it end up in his possession?¡± With a lift of his eyebrows, An Jing was somewhat surprised by Zhao Chongyin¡¯s words; after all, he had never imagined that the fragment of the Mystical Sect¡¯s ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture¡± would actually be in the hands of the Demon Sect Hierarch. ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Seeing the expression on An Jing¡¯s face, Zhao Chongyin couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with that part of history,¡± An Jing shook his head. Initially, Yan Shaoshan had only passed on to him the ¡°Daluo Heart Method¡± and he probably felt disheartened as well. ¡°It seems that Yan Shaoshan didn¡¯t tell you,¡± Zhao Chongyin remarked as he looked at the chessboard in front of him, speaking indifferently, ¡°The Daluo Sect initially had the complete ¡®Daluo Heart Method.¡¯ Unlike the Ghost Valley Sect and the Zhenyi Sect that were flourishing and full of vitality, the Daluo Sect had been on a steady decline for nearly a hundred years, even having their mountaintop sanctuaries stripped away by the Court. Later, the Zhenyi Sect tried to acquire the Daluo Heart Method and deliberately incited internal strife within the Daluo Sect, tricking the then Daluo Sect disciple, Feng Zhijun, into stealing the ¡®Daluo Heart Method.¡¯ After Feng Zhijun successfully stole it, he arranged to trade it for a favor with the Zhenyi Sect as agreed.¡± ¡°But at the time, the Zhenyi Sect wasn¡¯t interested in upholding any martial world righteousness; they planned to simply kill Feng Zhijun and take away the ¡®Daluo Heart Method.¡¯ Feng Zhijun was no match for the Zhenyi Sect, and just when things were critical, the Daluo Sect Leader appeared. With cultivation at the Half-step Grandmaster Realm, the Sect Leader struggled against two Peak Masters of the Zhenyi Sect. After a desperate battle, the Daluo Sect Leader managed to take the half of the heart method in Feng Zhijun¡¯s hands and escape back to the Daluo Sect. He died at the entrance of the Daluo Sect. Amidst the chaos, Feng Zhijun also escaped and disappeared within the Jianghu.¡± An Jing nodded upon hearing this, ¡°So why did it end up in the hands of the Demon Sect Hierarch?¡± The Demon Sect acquiring this fragment was a huge threat to the Zhenyi Sect. Twisting a white piece in his fingers, Zhao Chongyin smiled, ¡°This ¡®Daluo Heart Method¡¯ has been split into two. Half of it was in the hands of Yan Shaoshan, and the other half was with Feng Zhijun. The Zhenyi Sect searched for Feng Zhijun¡¯s whereabouts for several years to no avail, as if he had suddenly vanished, until two years ago, when he appeared at Dongluo Pass¡­¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, ¡°I see. Feng Zhijun has quite a nerve. Is he not afraid of the Demon Sect backstabbing him?¡± The Zhenyi Sect, who were deceitful and lacked integrity, paled in comparison to the forthright Demon Sect. It seems that the new Demon Sect Hierarch is quite capable, at least more principled than the Zhenyi Sect. Zhao Chongyin chuckled and said, ¡°This newly appointed Demon Sect Hierarch does have some tricks up his sleeve. It¡¯s said that he¡¯s very young and talented, but it¡¯s a pity¡­¡± ¡°A pity what?¡± An Jing asked, placing a piece on the board. Zhao Chongyin said, ¡°This man¡¯s ambition is even greater than Jiang Shang¡¯s.¡± ¡°Too great an ambition is not necessarily a good thing.¡± An Jing felt a stirring in his heart. Back in Yu State City, the Demon Sect had teamed up with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion to prepare to kill Liu Qingshan. It was undeniable that the Demon Sect must have had dealings with today¡¯s Second Prince, which Jiang Sanjia¡¯s dying letter had also mentioned, telling him that the Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai, was in good terms with both the Zhenyi Sect and the Demon Sect. This made things very interesting. Zhao Mengtai was not only the mastermind behind Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion but was also in cahoots with both the Zhenyi Sect and the Demon Sect ¨C could this be a menage a trois? Logically, Zhao Chongyin passing this information to the Zhenyi Sect would have been the best course of action, leading to strife between the two forces and allowing him to benefit from their conflict. So why was he telling An Jing instead? Could it be that he feared the Demon Sect might use this as an excuse, or even that the Zhenyi Sect might reconcile their differences with them? ¡°In short, we have a common enemy, whether it¡¯s the Demon Sect or the Zhenyi Sect.¡± As Zhao Chongyin placed the white piece down, the chessboard brimmed with a killing aura. The Crown Prince of Great Yan actually regarded the Zhenyi Sect as a thorn in the side ¨C this was truly incredible. ¡°The Demon Sect¡­¡± An Jing slowly placed a chess piece on the board, reminded of the Heavenly Flipping Seal left by Zhao Qingmei, of Li Fuzhou, and of Tan Yun, he couldn¡¯t help but let out a wry chuckle. Whether the Demon Sect is an enemy or a friend is still uncertain. The implications in Zhao Chongyin¡¯s words had been very clear, the enemy of an enemy is a friend, clearly wanting to cooperate with An Jing. Although the World¡¯s First Swordsman, Lou Xiangzhen, is now missing and presumed dead, given that there is an exotic beast like the Black Flood Dragon under An Jing¡¯s command, one must not underestimate him, as he also represents a significant force. Moreover, with him around, he could restrain the Zhenyi Sect. An Jing was not interested in the struggles between the court and Jianghu but as Lou Xiangzhen once said, when you set foot on that path, there¡¯s no turning back. ¡°This matter, I need to consider it further,¡± An Jing said. He did not outright reject the idea, leaving himself some leeway. ¡°Very well.¡± Zhao Chongyin nodded slightly, then seemed to recall something, ¡°There will be a banquet at the Four Symbols Sect in three days, I wonder if you might be interested.¡± An Jing inquired, ¡°A private banquet? May I know what kind of private banquet it is?¡± ¡°The private banquet of Jia Shiwu of the Four Symbols Sect.¡± Zhao Chongyin spoke indifferently, ¡°In today¡¯s Jianghu, besides the Zhenyi Sect, there are the six schools and five factions. As the saying goes, the court and Jianghu are inseparable. Nowadays, the Four Symbols Sect is at the bottom among the seven major sects, and it is very likely that in a few years, like the Daluo Sect, they will be stripped of the mountain gate and the rights to establish a sect. Jia Shiwu¡¯s invitation to me is to discuss this matter.¡± In Great Yan, establishing a sect requires a Mountain Gate Order, and with it comes support and subsidies from the court. But Great Yan has certain assessments for sects, and if they fail to meet the standards, the Mountain Gate Order for those prized locations will be revoked. Among the seven major sects, the Four Symbols Sect is the weakest. The highest cultivation in the sect is Jia Shiwu, a Half-step Master. They don¡¯t even have a single Heavenly Flower Realm cultivator, only two Earth Flower Realm elders, and thereafter, no more masters of First Grade Cultivation. For ordinary sects, such strength is quite notable, but when compared to the seven major sects of Great Yan, it looks quite meager. The Four Symbols Sect managed to become one of the seven major sects because, three hundred years ago, they had a Grandmaster expert who was peerless in both swords and fingers, known as the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor. This person was then the first swordsman in the world, his Sword Dao Cultivation dominating the era. He was also one of the only two swordsmen in the Sixth Realm in the world, his Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique shaking the world. The Yu Heng Sword Sect¡¯s Four Symbols Sword Technique was but an imitation of the Four Symbols Sect¡¯s Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique, far inferior in power and subtlety to the original. Furthermore, the finger technique of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor was extraordinary, recognized as unparalleled in Jianghu. With such a remarkable figure, the Four Symbols Sect was once at the peak of its glory, unrivaled, and even not weaker than the Yu Heng Sword Sect at that time. Times change, and since the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor, the Four Symbols Sect has yet to produce another person of such exceptional talent, a Grandmaster expert has not appeared since then. With no Grandmaster in three hundred years, the gradual decline of the Four Symbols Sect was inevitable. If not for the extensive reputation of the Four Symbols Sect and Jia Shiwu¡¯s strenuous efforts to maintain it, the sect might have long fallen from the ranks of the seven major sects. An Jing gave a slight nod, seeming to catch the deeper meaning behind the information. A private banquet implies a gathering held in secret. Zhao Chongyin also said that the court and Jianghu are indivisible. With Jia Shiwu of the Four Symbols Sect inviting Zhao Chongyin, it¡¯s likely they already have intentions of defecting. An Jing laughed lightly, ¡°Since it¡¯s Sect Master Jia¡¯s private banquet, it would be quite inconvenient for me to attend, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°This private banquet will be very interesting.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s smile was meaningful, ¡°Moreover, there should be something within the Four Symbols Sect that would interest you greatly.¡± An Jing stared at the chessboard and asked, ¡°What is it?¡± Zhao Chongyin, confident and composed, replied, ¡°It¡¯s a sword talisman left by the ancestor of the Four Symbols Sect. It is said to contain a strand of his Sword Intent that lingers on and on, serving as the Sect¡¯s treasured artifact. Countless swordsmen in this world yearn to catch a glimpse of its truth but have never gotten their wish.¡± ¡°Snap!¡± As he spoke, Zhao Chongyin placed another piece on the board. At this point, the chessboard was a chaotic mix of black and white, having reached a fever pitch in battle. Upon hearing this, An Jing laughed and said, ¡°I am indeed very interested.¡± It would have been impossible not to be moved. Having witnessed the sword intent of Lou Xiangzhen, he felt his understanding of the Sword Intent had greatly improved, benefiting him immensely. If he could also observe the sword talisman left by the ancestor of the Four Symbols Sect, he believed his Sword Dao cultivation would advance even further. ¡°So, does this mean that you are willing?¡± Zhao Chongyin asked, placing another piece. ¡°It¡¯s a pity, I must first go to find my wife.¡± An Jing shook his head. On his journey thus far, he had already delayed much of his time. Although he was very interested in studying the sword talisman, it would require him to stay in Bo City for a few more days, and afterward, contemplating and digesting the sword technique would take up a lot more time. ¡°That is indeed a shame. But you must be careful on the mountain roads,¡± Zhao Chongyin said without trying to detain him any further, suddenly adding, ¡°I have heard some unsettling rumors; since the incident at Abyss Lake, the old man Qingfeng has not returned to East Lin Road¡­¡± Old man Qingfeng!? Upon hearing Zhao Chongyin¡¯s words, An Jing furrowed his brows. This name was thunderous in one¡¯s ears. The man was a master from the same generation as Lou Xiangzhen, who had also vanished from the Great Yan Martial World for decades. Masters like Lou Xiangzhen and old man Qingfeng, after reaching the pinnacle in the martial world, tended to retreat to some unnamed corner for cultivation, vainly aspiring to reach the realm of a Great Grandmaster or to see through the secular world and withdraw completely from the Jianghu. Because they had already attained ordinary fame and fortune. Similarly, in top sects like the Zhenyi Sect and the Yu Heng Sword Sect, there were certainly centenarian masters who were in reclusive cultivation. Thus, in this vast martial world, there were always a few thousand-year-old creatures hiding in some unknown corner. Old man Qingfeng was one such master of the older generation. After his cultivation reached the Grandmaster realm thirty years ago, he half-retired from the Jianghu. If not for his second disciple, Yan Sheng, making an appearance in the martial world in recent years, many would have thought old man Qingfeng had long since turned to dust. An Jing clearly remembered seeing old man Qingfeng at Abyss Lake. ¡°Your Highness means because of the monk Moyun?¡± An Jing paused with a chess piece in his hand. Zhao Chongyin nodded and said, ¡°Monk Moyun was Qingfeng¡¯s eldest disciple, and he was quite fond of him. Moreover, on Qingfeng¡¯s eightieth birthday, Moyun spent a considerable sum to have two golden peaches made for the celebration. At Abyss Lake, on account of the presence of Sword God Lou, he didn¡¯t act rashly.¡± ¡°And then, with the extremely ferocious Black Flood Dragon by your side, he was powerless to do anything.¡± Ever since the battle at Abyss Lake, where the Black Flood Dragon swallowed Song Chengbiao whole, the Jianghu has been deeply fearful of the Ghost Swordsman. That was a Half-step Master who was devoured in one bite. The thought was truly horrifying! Seeing that An Jing did not speak, Zhao Chongyin moved to pick up a white piece and said, ¡°Not just old man Qingfeng, Feng Lingyue has not returned to the Five Poison Sect either.¡± Feng Lingyue!? Upon hearing Zhao Chongyin¡¯s words, An Jing immediately understood and said, ¡°I see.¡± Although old man Qingfeng was a Grandmaster-level cultivator, he would not dare to trouble him, because the Black Flood Dragon had the strength of a Second Qi to Third Qi Grandmaster. But if Feng Lingyue were to join, it would be different. If Feng Lingyue could hold off the Black Flood Dragon, then with old man Qingfeng¡¯s strength, there would be a fair chance to kill him. After all, the strength he had shown was above that of a Half-step Master, but still far from the Grandmaster realm. ¡°This move is likely orchestrated by the Zhenyi Sect, a case of ¡®borrowing a knife to kill someone,''¡± Zhao Chongyin commented as he placed the white piece down. An Jing laughed and said, ¡°Retribution sure comes quickly.¡± After the battle between Lou Xiangzhen and Xiao Qianqiu, neither could protect him. The Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect had been seriously injured, and with the critical time at hand, it was inconvenient to act. This ¡®borrowed knife to kill someone¡¯ was clever and swift. A glint of imperceptible light flashed in Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes as he said slowly, ¡°Why not stay here for a while and give it some more thought?¡± An Jing could naturally feel Zhao Chongyin¡¯s good intentions in trying to win him over. ¡°What is meant to come will always come. I must go north this time; I appreciate Your Highness¡¯s kind offer.¡± After a moment of contemplation, An Jing still declined, then glanced at the chessboard and admired, ¡°Your Highness¡¯s skill in chess is indeed profound. I am inferior.¡± At this moment, the black pieces had been pushed into a desperate situation and the overall position was already lost, so he simply conceded the game. Upon hearing An Jing say this, Zhao Chongyin smiled and shook his head, saying, ¡°Since it is so, I won¡¯t force the issue. If you change your mind, the doors here will always be open for you.¡± ¡°Aunt Bai, please see the guest out.¡± Everything that needed to be said had been said, and to say more might cause displeasure. An Jing stood up, cupped his hands in a bow, and said, ¡°I¡¯ll remember Your Highness¡¯s kindness today. I shall take my leave now.¡± Just as An Jing stood up, he suddenly noticed an old man standing behind Zhao Chongyin. The old man had a short, wiry beard and his unkempt grey hair framed a pair of deep-set black eyes. A Master! An Jing was startled; he had not realized until that moment that there was such a person behind Zhao Chongyin. The old man was not looking at An Jing but was instead gazing at the chessboard. ¡°Please.¡± It was only when Aunt Bai¡¯s voice echoed in An Jing¡¯s ears that he came back to his senses. ¡°What is it, Elder Su?¡± Zhao Chongyin saw the elder behind him staring intently at the chessboard and couldn¡¯t help asking. Old Su stepped forward two paces and took a single black piece from the basket before placing it on an inconspicuous spot on the board. ¡°Snap!¡± A crisp sound was heard. That move reversed the heavens and earth, completely changing the previous dire situation of the black pieces. What had been weak and listless black pieces now seemed to transform into ferocious ancient beasts. Just moments ago, the white pieces were in a very favorable position, but in the blink of an eye, the situation became tumultuous and unstable, and they were now driven into a dead end with no chance to recover. ¡°This¡­.¡± Zhao Chongyin was stunned, then let out a wry laugh, ¡°This Ghost Swordsman, really is¡­¡± The Ghost Swordsman had trumped himself, and he hadn¡¯t even noticed. Old Su, watching An Jing¡¯s retreating back, shook his head and said, ¡°This man¡¯s Qi Mechanism is extremely concealed, he must have cultivated the most formidable Concealing Qi Method in the world.¡± Zhao Chongyin frowned and asked, ¡°Even with Elder Su¡¯s cultivation, you can¡¯t see through him?¡± Others might not know the old man¡¯s strength and identity before them, but he was very clear about it. If even Elder Su couldn¡¯t see through him, then there likely wasn¡¯t a person in the world who could. Old Su shook his head and said, ¡°However, he definitely hasn¡¯t reached the Grandmaster Realm.¡± As he spoke, the elder¡¯s tone hesitated for a moment, as if he had more to say but stopped himself. ¡°Truly an interesting person.¡± After a long while, Zhao Chongyin narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°I wonder if he will be able to withstand Yu Ying¡¯s offensive with Lou Xiangzhen gone.¡± ¡­.. In Lingnan Dao, a small city, within a separate courtyard. The early summer evening breeze, carrying the delicate fragrance of jujube and roses, wafted in. Li Fuzhou sat in the stone chair in the courtyard, staring at the secret letter that had come from Dongluo Pass, his eyebrows tightly furrowed. Top powers in Jianghu knew that Jiang Shang had returned to the Demon Sect. But those within the Demon Sect knew all too well that since Jiang Shang¡¯s return, the sect seemed even more plagued by hidden dangers than before. After his return, Jiang Shang disappeared in a hurry, his thoughts clearly not concerned with the matters of the Demon Sect, while the Demon Sect Hierarch, Zhao Qingmei, was trapped in the Sealing Demon Well and couldn¡¯t get out. For a time, the Demon Sect was like a dragon without a head, with only Yu Qiurong¡¯s subordinate Duanmu Xinghua managing the overall situation. That¡¯s right, Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s position was still beneath Yu Qiurong. ¡°How did it come to this?¡± Seeing the secret letter from Duanmu Xinghua, Li Fuzhou shook his head. The secret letter from Yu Qiurong was asking him to return and take charge, ostensibly to preside over the situation, but behind the scenes, it was a conspiracy joining forces with Duanmu Xinghua, the leader of the Xuanwu Sect, and the experts from Li Fuzhou, the Azure Dragon Sect, and the White Tiger Sect to launch an assault on the Sealing Demon Platform. ¡°No, we must pacify them one by one, this cannot be rushed.¡± After some thought, Li Fuzhou still picked up pen and paper and wrote a secret letter. He hadn¡¯t yet gone to Yujing City to resolve his concerns, and besides, with only a Half-step Master in cultivation, returning to Dongluo Pass would be of no help. After finishing the letter, Li Fuzhou carefully wrapped up the secret message and then picked up the next one to read. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Upon reading it, Li Fuzhou raised his eyebrows and muttered to himself, ¡°Yu Ying, you old rascal, you move fast. You don¡¯t dare to take action yourself, yet you plan to strike from behind the shadows with another¡¯s hand?¡± ¡°Two Grandmasters, what a big move.¡± The secret letter detailed the schemes of the Zhenyi Sect. The involvement of two Grandmaster experts was a rare event in Jianghu. One should know that even when the Demon Sect was stirring up chaos in Great Yan, there were altogether only three or four Grandmasters clashing, and even then they were merely testing each other. The most pivotal action was Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s initiative to strike first, killing two Great Real Ones of the Zhenyi Sect, which resulted in a full-blown war. Grandmasters did not act lightly, which had almost become an iron law in Jianghu. And now two Grandmasters were mobilized just to kill one man. ¡°Master, Master.¡± Just then, a crisp voice called out. Tan Yun came out quickly, holding a dark plate in her hands. Her rosy cheeks were smudged with black and red streaks, resembling a charming patchwork kitten, yet her face beamed with a smile, ¡°Master, look what I made?¡± Li Fuzhou frowned and asked, ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Tan Yun said with anticipation, ¡°It¡¯s peach blossom pastry, Master. Won¡¯t you try some?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need.¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head; he knew very well that aside from boiling water, she was only capable of setting the kitchen on fire. Hearing this, Tan Yun looked somewhat disheartened and said, ¡°Master, do you also think what I¡¯ve made is terrible?¡± ¡°It also depends on talent and effort.¡± ¡°But I¡¯ve been working really hard.¡± ¡°Then perhaps your talent isn¡¯t enough, or maybe your talent just doesn¡¯t lie there.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Tan Yun let out a long sigh, then dejectedly made her way back to the kitchen. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Li Fuzhou called out to Tan Yun. ¡°` ¡°I want to go back and try again.¡± Tan Yun said earnestly, ¡°Master, didn¡¯t you say that as long as one works hard, there will definitely be a reward? I want to give it my all on this matter.¡± The phrase ¡°I want to give it my all on this matter¡± seemed to have a double meaning. She had always lived her life carefree and without much thought, but today her words were especially serious. Li Fuzhou¡¯s brows furrowed, and his face became stern, ¡°When I told you to practice martial arts, why weren¡¯t you this serious? If you had been as diligent and earnest as you are now, how could your cultivation be only Second Grade?¡± Tan Yun took a deep breath and asked, ¡°Master, can practicing martial arts capture a man¡¯s heart?¡± Li Fuzhou: ¡°¡­..¡± Tan Yun continued to speak with a solemn tone, ¡°The Sect Hierarch is very strong, but why does son-in-law like her? Isn¡¯t it because she cooks good food and is gentle and virtuous¡­.¡± Li Fuzhou retorted, ¡°That¡¯s because the Sect Hierarch is good-looking. That deceitful Doctor is just a vulgar, lecherous person.¡± To be so clever and smart, yet having suffered the most setbacks at the hands of that little Doctor, in this world, there are not many who could make Li Fuzhou suffer in silence. Thinking this, Li Fuzhou sighed endlessly. Tan Yun said somewhat sadly, ¡°I don¡¯t think son-in-law is deceitful, and he has been very good to me.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about him. Maybe that boy is already busy being reincarnated.¡± Li Fuzhou paused for a moment, then asked seriously, ¡°Do you like that Ghost Swordsman?¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s words were straightforward and clear. ¡°Unable to forget him, that¡¯s a kind of liking, I guess.¡± Tan Yun bit her lip and said. ¡°He might be about to die.¡± Li Fuzhou handed the secret letter in his hand to Tan Yun, and heaved a long sigh of relief in his heart. Yu Ying, oh Yu Ying, you¡¯ve actually done a good deed. It¡¯s fortunate that this young girl hasn¡¯t completely fallen for it. To Li Fuzhou, no matter how he looked at it, he was very dissatisfied with that Ghost Swordsman. He didn¡¯t seem to be a responsible and dependable good man. Especially since he had been violently attacked by Three Temple Mountain for no reason. Death!? Hearing Li Fuzhou¡¯s words, Tan Yun quickly took the letter and was stunned. ¡°Two Grandmasters¡­ How could it be?¡± ¡­.. Outside Bo City, in the dense woods. After leaving Bo City, An Jing came to a small lake outside the city. ¡°Splash! Splash!¡± As the water splashed, a huge black Flood Dragon burst out from the lake. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± An Jing leapt onto the back of the Black Python. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Python let out a low roar and turned into a shadow passing through the woods. At this moment, a woodcutter carrying firewood was walking through the forest and only saw a blur as if something flew by. ¡°Huh?¡± The woodcutter rubbed his eyes and mumbled to himself, ¡°Are my eyes deceiving me? It felt like something flew in the sky.¡± The speed at which the Thousand-year-old Black Boa moved was incomparable to the Black Flood Dragon, and it wasn¡¯t long before they were about to leave the vicinity of Bo City. As for An Jing, it was impossible not to feel any emotion about the blocks set by the old man Qingfeng and Feng Lingyue. After all, it was two Grandmasters taking action, especially Feng Lingyue, who was a Second Qi Grandmaster. In the Martial World, anyone who could become a Grandmaster was no ordinary figure, each one cunning and with unfathomable strength. After several hours, An Jing had completely left the vicinity of Bo City and even passed more than a hundred miles. South of Pingling was Lingnan Dao, and north of it was Capital Road. At this moment, An Jing stood before Pingling, facing an endless dense forest and mountain range. Once he crossed Pingling, he would be at Heaven Gate City, which was also the entrance to Yujing City. At this moment, An Jing was full of eagerness, yet at the same time, he was nervous and apprehensive. He wanted to know exactly who Zhao Qingmei was, and he also wanted to ask her why she married him, afraid of receiving some unbearable answers. A complex and subtle emotion arose in his heart. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Suddenly, a cold light shot from a distance, incredibly fast and thunderous. The air itself carried a whistling sound. ¡°Not good!¡± An Jing¡¯s heart turned cold, feeling goosebumps all over. ¡°Bang!¡± The cold light struck the Black Python hard. Despite the Black Python¡¯s scales being extremely tough, the body still shook from the intense impact. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Where are you heading, sir?¡± A leisurely, familiar voice came from the distance. ¡­.. PS: Sorry, I¡¯m short and powerless. ¡°` Chapter 170 - Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Invite the Grandmaster to Test the Sword in the Dense Forest Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Invite the Grandmaster to Test the Sword in the Dense Forest The Black Flood Dragon¡¯s body gradually stabilized, and it was then that An Jing frowned and looked into the distance. Above the vastness of heaven and earth in the distance, an old man in white stood on the top of a lush giant tree, his robe fluttering gently with the wind. His aged face was etched with the traces of time, and his lips held a faint smile that seemed both present and absent. The old master of the Five Poison Sect, Feng Lingyue. He led the Five Poison out of the Demon Sect and defeated the grandmaster of Heavenly Sect, Duanmu Xinghua. From head to toe, he exuded an air of unrestrained freedom and elegance. An Jing had seen many masters, but few had the same carefree nonchalance as him. Xiao Qianqiu, who had withdrawn from the world for many years of arduous practice, had long since lost the vitality of life. Sitting aloof on that mountain without a care for worldly fame and fortune, he¡¯d cast aside all human emotions and desires. It seemed he had acquired a touch of immortal energy, but he was still inevitably the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect, the State Preceptor of Great Yan, unable to escape from the shackles of that human vitality. So, he appeared somewhat strange to others¨Cneither human nor immortal, like a stone statue placed on an altar. When looking back on Feng Lingyue¡¯s life, he also became famous at a young age. Later, within the Demon Sect, he accomplished great military feats, took charge of the Demon Sect¡¯s Five Poison, and his natural talent and cultivation even surpassed that of Jiang Shang, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect in his youth. Jiang Shang was the predetermined Sect Hierarch. The proud and lofty Feng Lingyue naturally felt disgruntled with this arrangement. Within the Demon Sect, he formed alliances and his ambition became glaringly obvious. Jiang Shang certainly did not turn a blind eye and suppressed him with thunderous measures. It was thought that this would make Feng Lingyue come to his senses, but instead, it only stimulated his ambition and honed his state of mind, causing his cultivation to grow day by day until, decades after Jiang Shang ascended to his position, Feng Lingyue did something that shocked the entire Great Yan Martial World. He led the Five Poison to break away from the Demon Sect and establish the Five Poison Sect. At that time, the event caused a huge uproar in the Great Yan Martial World. One must know that the Demon Sect in Great Yan was thriving, its prestige comparable to the National Religion¨Cthe Zhenyi Sect¨Cand the fragmentation of the Demon Sect was naturally an earth-shattering affair. Afterwards, the Demon Sect regarded the Five Poison Sect as a thorn in their eye, a thistle in their flesh, and the Heavenly Sect even deployed most of their masters to try and kill Feng Lingyue. The result was that Heavenly Sect suffered heavy losses, and Duanmu Xinghua nearly died at Feng Lingyue¡¯s hands. At the moment when Jiang Shang was preparing to take matters into his own hands, Ye Ding of the Zhenyi Sect also began to descend the mountain. The atmosphere in the Martial World at that time was extremely tense; the Zhenyi Sect and the Demon Sect, one righteous and one evil, almost represented over half of the Great Yan Martial World. Should war break out, it would have created earth-shattering waves. In the end, Jiang Shang chose not to act. After all, behind the Zhenyi Sect was the Human Emperor. If the Demon Sect truly went to war, their chances of victory were not great. But the Five Poison Sect remained like a thorn deeply lodged in the hearts of all within the Demon Sect. Now, more than thirty years have passed. The Five Poison Sect has already become one of the seven major factions in the Great Yan Martial World that could summon the wind and call the rain, and Feng Lingyue, after the retreat of the Demon Sect from the Great Yan Martial World, no longer meddled in worldly affairs. In the eyes of many in the Martial World, Feng Lingyue had already become a martial myth, an insurmountable peak. A character who wandered between righteous and evil, much like the Five Poison Sect itself, received mixed praise and criticism in the Martial World. Some say that the Five Poison Sect is a branch of the Demon Sect and thus belongs to the category of crooked paths and evil ways. Others say that the Five Poison Sect¡¯s cultivation techniques are profound, deep, and grand, and that Feng Lingyue was an extremely accomplished individual for leading the Five Poison out of the Demon Sect. ¡°We meet again.¡± With a face as calm as still water, An Jing inwardly frowned slightly. ¡°Yes, we meet again.¡± Feng Lingyue exhaled gently. He had great admiration for the Ghost Swordsman before him. For some reason, he could see a bit of himself in him. What differed was that he had once faced the Demon Sect, while the other faced the Zhenyi Sect. The Black Flood Dragon slowly rose and hovered in the air. An Jing stood at an elevation equal to Feng Lingyue¡¯s. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect such a great figure as Elder Feng to willingly become a chess piece of the true Zhenyi Sect.¡± ¡°A chess piece?¡± Feng Lingyue shook his head, ¡°Perhaps so, but in this vast world, how many can truly hold the chessboard? Those who are not the chess players are inside the chessboard, only to be manipulated and directed by others.¡± In this vast world, how many can truly be the chess players? Even if one reaches the Master Realm, can one really do as one pleases and act without any restraint? This world has its rules, Feng Lingyue has indeed become a martial myth, but he still can¡¯t be the one who makes the rules. ¡°That¡¯s rather disappointing to me.¡± An Jing laughed heartily, ¡°I¡¯ve heard old man Lou say that in his youth, Elder Feng was also a person who feared neither heaven nor earth.¡± Feng Lingyue fell into a deep silence upon hearing this, then slowly said, ¡°This old man fears neither Heavenly Sect nor Jiang Shang, but I cannot ignore the Sealing Demon Platform of the Demon Sect. I cannot ignore the thousands of disciples of the Five Poison Sect. Under the overwhelming tide of these great forces, the Five Poison Sect cannot help but fear.¡± ¡°The legacy of the Five Poison ancestors can be interrupted by anyone, but it cannot be broken by this old man. That was my promise to the Five Poison ancestors in the beginning.¡± How could he not wish to be a man who stands tall between heaven and earth? But alas, the heavy burden of the Five Poison Sect was already pressed upon his shoulders. It was an inevitability imposed by the great situation, against which he was powerless. Eight short words, yet they carried a torrent of helplessness that others, who had not experienced it firsthand, could not truly understand. How could he alone contend against the great Demon Sect? Whether the Demon Sect or the Zhenyi Sect, both had thousands of years of heritage, and what about Feng Lingyue himself? How could he resist such colossal entities? ¡°I understand.¡± An Jing nodded, speaking softly, ¡°Elder Qingfeng, since you have come, please show yourself.¡± ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± Only the sound of the wind could be heard as a graceful figure descended from afar, his gray hair shining like silver threads, his complexion ruddy, and his eyes devoid of any emotion. This person was none other than Elder Qingfeng, a long-residing elder in the Great Yan Martial World and a top expert famous for many years. ¡°I hear you¡¯re from the same generation as Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s grandsons.¡± Elder Qingfeng looked at An Jing and said with a deep voice, ¡°Originally, I was not willing to make a move against you, even if it would raise some dust. After all, many in this world would mock me behind my back. However, the Zhenyi Sect has offered a benefit I cannot refuse.¡± An Jing burst into laughter, ¡°If you want to kill someone, just do it cleanly and swiftly, there¡¯s no need for such excuses that only serve to increase the jest.¡± Elder Qingfeng took a deep breath, ¡°I won¡¯t kill you, just capture you.¡± The Zhenyi Sect had made it very clear, they wanted a living Ghost Swordsman. An Jing¡¯s smile faded and his expression suddenly grew a bit colder, ¡°Falling into the hands of the Zhenyi Sect, how is that different from death?¡± He had killed so many experts from the Zhenyi Sect; the hatred between them was already indelible. If he were to fall into the hands of the Zhenyi Sect, how could he possibly end up with a good fate? Elder Qingfeng shook his head, no longer wanting to waste words. With his left hand behind his back and his right hand outstretched, he said, ¡°Come, let this old man witness the elegance of a contemporary Sword Immortal and offer you one last shred of dignity.¡± An Jing looked at Feng Lingyue and said, ¡°Elder Feng has also seen the prowess of the Black Flood Dragon. So, if my mount, the Black Flood Dragon, doesn¡¯t make a move, there¡¯s no need for Elder Feng to take action, right? Wouldn¡¯t that save us some effort?¡± Others might not know that the Black Flood Dragon was soulless, but An Jing was very aware. If he had to control the Black Flood Dragon while fighting Elder Qingfeng, he would inevitably be stretched too thin. Feng Lingyue glanced at the Black Flood Dragon. The memory of the intense battle with the creature was vivid in his mind; the Black Flood Dragon had nearly transformed, revealing impressive strength. Now that it had stabilised, its power would surely have grown further. Since his main task was to stall the Black Flood Dragon, and he could save some effort doing so, why not? ¡°Alright.¡± With that thought, Feng Lingyue nodded slightly and said, ¡°As long as this exotic beast doesn¡¯t take action, neither will I.¡± ¡°Then let me experience the strength of a Grandmaster level expert.¡± An Jing looked towards Elder Qingfeng, his eyes carrying a trace of frigidness. Neither of them spoke, but the atmosphere between heaven and earth seemed to solidify, an immense pressure as if to even stop the wind itself. An Jing felt his heart sink; the pressure was even stronger than when he confronted the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva. Elder Qingfeng possessed Master Cultivation, and despite many years of practice, he remained at the Second Qi Grandmaster level, struggling to make further progress. But compared to the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, his cultivation was deeper and more vast, like a boundless sea. One should know that in the Buddhist community, the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva held a position equivalent to a Bodhisattva. If promoted to the Grandmaster level, he would naturally be weaker than an average Grandmaster in the same realm. Although An Jing¡¯s cultivation wasn¡¯t high back then, he also had the Ghost Transformation Secret Technique and Beast. As a result, the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva suffered heavy damage. In the realm of the Grandmaster, one merges the body and mind, and internal strength is already transformed into surging True Qi. ¡°Sssshh!¡± An Jing drew one half of his Evil Suppressing Sword from its scabbard. Lou Xiangzhen had once favored Zhong Binru over An Jing. Why was this? Because An Jing¡¯s sword wasn¡¯t pure enough. A swordsman¡¯s brilliance and life often reside in the sword he holds in his hand. Moreover, Lou Xiangzhen always felt that An Jing¡¯s sword Dao was vast, containing the aura of engulfing all things. Though he seemed detached from worldly contests, An Jing¡¯s heart aspired to swallow the whole world. A sword intent that¡¯s too vast can also be a bad thing, beyond the control of humans. Ants moving mountains will ultimately be just a dream, impractical. But what if one day ants really could move mountains? That would surely be the biggest miracle in the world! The wind suddenly rose. It swept through the treetops, scattering a carpet of petals, marking the remnants of spring. An Jing¡¯s body leaped up as a cyan sword light finally shot up into the sky. The sword drew three indistinct flowers in the air, striking towards Elder Qingfeng¡¯s glabella like a serpent flicking its tongue. ¡°What a fast sword.¡± The elder Qingfeng¡¯s eyes held a hint of admiration before he flicked his finger. ¡°Ding!¡± A crisp sound rang out, and the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade was directly deflected by a surge of hidden force, causing An Jing¡¯s arms to sour from the vibration. Boom! An Jing¡¯s figure burst forth violently, and the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand also revealed a towering chill. The Evil Suppressing Sword, mottled throughout, was covered with the traces of years, and the fresh blood on it was still slowly flowing, flickering with a faint light under the sunshine. Swish! An Jing swung his arm, carrying an overwhelming chill as he furiously swept towards the elder Qingfeng with a terrifying momentum! The elder Qingfeng looked on without a ripple on his face as he watched An Jing, whose momentum was frightening, and turned his body to dodge this sharp cold light. ¡°Three Flowers Merged, Half-step Master?¡± Feng Lingyue¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly upon seeing An Jing make his move. He still remembered the last time he saw An Jing; his cultivation was but at the Heavenly Flower Realm. Now, in just a few days, he had quietly reached the Half-step Master Realm. Compared with the shackles between a Half-step Master and a Grandmaster, advancing from the Heavenly Flower Realm to a Half-step Master wasn¡¯t so easy to break through either. Elder Qingfeng¡¯s eyelids twitched as well, but although there was only a step between the Master Realm and the Half-step Master, the gap was huge. Even Lin Yiyang, a half-step master high-level swordsman as strong as a Sword Immortal, had to admit defeat when facing the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva. Therefore, the elder Qingfeng did not feel a sense of crisis; his heart still held confidence. An Jing¡¯s face was more solemn than ever before; this was the first time he was fighting against a Grandmaster in their prime. Whoosh! With a rainbow of light vibrating the air, it pierced through from the void. Nine-character Sword Technique! Bing Character Secret! An Jing gripped the Evil Suppressing Sword tightly, his robe waving, and the sword in his hand swung out again, intricately like an antelope hanging its horns, ineffably refined. Several streaks of sword light danced in the air, nearly sealing off all of elder Qingfeng¡¯s paths of retreat. What a fast sword! Elder Qingfeng¡¯s eyes darkened, and his True Qi surged out, slapping his palm forward. Bang! Several streaks of sword light collided fiercely with that palm print in midair, immediately generating a mass of air force vitality at the center. Only after retreating dozens of steps did An Jing finally stabilize his footing. Seeing this, elder Qingfeng was a bit surprised, but not enough to lose his composure; after all, he had used only about fifty or sixty percent of his strength. He believed that with his full strength, he would undoubtedly be able to kill An Jing. Elder Qingfeng¡¯s eyes darkened as he said, ¡°Wanting to challenge the Grandmaster Realm as a Half-step Master, there have been a few since ancient times, but they are few and far between, and in the present age, not a single person has managed to do it, not even Lin Yiyang, the White-clothed Sword Immortal.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll just be one of those few,¡± An Jing replied coldly, then swung the Evil Suppressing Sword, the pitch-black sword wind blowing into the sky before blending into the air, as if disappearing in an instant. The sword light can disappear out of thin air?! ¡°What a bizarre way of the sword,¡± elder Qingfeng said as he flipped his palm and slapped it towards An Jing. This massive palm print turned into a green canopy as if the sky had collapsed, rushing toward An Jing. The might of the Grandmaster was already at its peak. Boom! Waves of True Qi surged in all directions, and wrinkles appeared in the air, wave after wave, like a mountain-toppling and sea-overturning surge. ¡°So powerful!¡± An Jing flew backward several dozen feet. There indeed was a profound gulf between Grandmaster and Half-step Master. If An Jing hadn¡¯t tempered his bones to perfection and kept strengthening them with his growing cultivation, he might have already been severely injured by this strike. ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is truly formidable. No wonder he has become a thorn in the side of the Zhenyi Sect,¡± elder Qingfeng thought to himself. Little did he know, elder Qingfeng was even more astonished. After all, there was such a large difference in cultivation between them¨Clike the difference between heaven and earth. Shrinking Land into Inches, in an instant, Elder Qingfeng appeared behind An Jing and sent his palm towards the back of An Jing¡¯s head. ¡°Not good.¡± An Jing felt a chill surge up and quickly used the Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, dodging in succession to hurriedly evade Elder Qingfeng¡¯s move. But no matter how fast he was, how could he be faster than Elder Qingfeng? Elder Qingfeng¡¯s body shook again as a cyan light erupted from his palm. Six Extremes Misty Rain Palm! Soul-breaking! Although that palm did not strike An Jing, the violent gale scraped across his body. Pfft! A spurt of fresh blood shot out as An Jing was sent flying backwards. ¡°The strength of a Grandmaster really is terrifying, I must quickly use the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra.¡± Taking a deep breath, An Jing knew that if a swordsman couldn¡¯t even launch an offense, he was basically without any chance of victory. With that thought, An Jing began to recite the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± A golden light emerged from behind him and transformed into a tide of gold, with An Jing standing at the center, similar to a golden sun. Suddenly, a golden Buddha faintly appeared behind him, head bowed and eyes lowered in majestic splendor, radiating great compassion and wisdom. Meanwhile, An Jing¡¯s Qi mechanism was climbing steadily. When Buddhist mantra reinforcement was applied to the body, it was as though gods or demons had possessed him. The Inner Strength flowed continuously, like an endless flame that would not be extinguished. ¡°Is this that Buddhist Martial Art?¡± Upon seeing this, Elder Qingfeng felt a skip in his heart. ¡°Such a formidable martial art.¡± Even though Feng Lingyue was witnessing it for the second time, he couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in admiration, feeling the profound and unthinkable nature even with his Second Qi Grandmaster¡¯s Cultivation. It was unheard of for the Buddhist sect to have such a Seal Technique. An Jing¡¯s eyes carried a faint hint of golden light as he looked calmly at Elder Qingfeng in front of him. ¡°Why must you harm yourself with such powerful moves?¡± The surging Qi mechanism was like roaring waves, erupting inside Elder Qingfeng¡¯s body at that moment, sweeping through heaven and earth. The strong True Qi even vibrated the air. Feeling the overwhelming True Qi exploding from inside Elder Qingfeng, An Jing took a deep breath, his face turning solemn. An Jing stood quietly, holding the Evil Suppressing Sword, with the golden Buddha behind him radiating an overwhelming sense of pressure, enough to make one¡¯s heart tremble with fear. Elder Qingfeng¡¯s lips curled upward, and then he suddenly clenched his palms. Boom! Elder Qingfeng¡¯s body radiated a cyan glow, standing firmly on the earth like an Immortal descending from the heavens, his aura unstoppable and fervent. An Jing, seeing the imposing Elder Qingfeng, became even more serious. Elder Qingfeng¡¯s strength was definitely the most formidable opponent he had faced so far. Thud! While An Jing¡¯s body tensed up, the eyes of Elder Qingfeng burst with intense battle desire. Without any more hesitation, he stomped his foot, shaking the ground, and his figure eerily disappeared into thin air. Buzz! An Jing suddenly gripped the Evil Suppressing Sword tightly. Swinging his arm, a powerful force Qi overflowed, carrying enough strength to shatter mountains. It was precisely the moment when An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword sliced down that Elder Qingfeng¡¯s figure, just like a celestial, abruptly emerged from what had been nothingness, delivering a palm strike. Rumble! The blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword directly clashed with the handprint of Elder Qingfeng¡¯s Immortal Monarch¡¯s palm, colliding with the force of a meteor streaking across the sky. Visible ripples erupted in just a moment, causing the air to buzz and tremble continuously. The terrifying recoil, like a tsunami, struck forth, jolting An Jing¡¯s body with such force that he was thrown several meters backward. Stabilizing himself, An Jing threw the Evil Suppressing Sword into the air, which seemed to create an illusion as it split into two Evil Suppressing Swords. Ripples formed around the two swords, which then transformed into two giant swords. Two giant swords appeared across the sky, a truly spectacular sight. The Unity Sword Technique! Sword Control Technique! An Jing stood tall between heaven and earth. Behind him, the golden Buddha shimmered, his eyes suddenly brightened fiercely, a violent surge of Force Qi erupted, and the two Evil Suppressing Swords fell like shooting stars. Boom! Boom! Boom! The Sword Light of the shooting stars streaked across the sky, where it passed, the air seemed to shatter. ¡°Such powerful swordsmanship, such formidable Sword Dao!¡± Old man Qingfeng¡¯s eyes revealed a glint of brilliance as he sucked in a cold breath, then he suppressed the shock in his heart and converged the True Qi all over his body into his Fist Force. Six Extremes Misty Rain Palm! Overwhelming! The body of old man Qingfeng merged with the universe, radiating a green halo all around, his hands even more so like glaze jade, as if containing a might that could shake the heavens and the earth. In the blink of an eye, he fiercely slapped forward with his palm. The glaze radiance surged out completely, transforming into a mountain of green crystal. The Sword Light surged tumultuously, shaking mountains and rivers. The moment the two forces collided, the Qi Mechanism began to spill out wildly, followed by booming noises that were deafening, and the resulting air waves scattered, shattering the surrounding trees into dust. ¡°Tap, tap, tap, tap¡­¡± An Jing¡¯s footsteps retreated repeatedly, his face a bit pale, his Internal Strength was somewhat chaotic. The Six Extremes Misty Rain Palm was not as simple as it appeared on the surface. The terrible impact seemed soft, but in reality, it was domineering beyond measure, causing turmoil in the Dantian. ¡°Drip! Drip!¡± The body of old man Qingfeng also retreated. His eyes and brows carried a hint of gravity, and a trickle of blood slowly flowed down from his palm, falling to the ground. Feng Lingyue frowned; the Ghost Swordsman had actually managed to injure old man Qingfeng. To fight as a Half-step Master against a Grandmaster, and even to injure a Grandmaster expert, he would be considered among the top Half-step Masters of this world. When Lin Yiyang severely injured Universal Benefit Bodhisattva in the past, that Universal Benefit Bodhisattva had only recently become a Grandmaster and hadn¡¯t even achieved the position of One Qi. Whereas old man Qingfeng was a bona fide Second Qi Grandmaster. ¡°From now on, I won¡¯t give you the slightest chance anymore,¡± said old man Qingfeng, his eyes growing colder as he looked at the golden light behind An Jing. Boom! Suddenly, a powerful surge of True Qi swept from the body of old man Qingfeng, like ferocious giant waves, rushing towards the distance. An Jing immediately felt a tremendous pressure, like a mountain rushing towards him, and at the same time, the Internal Strength within him also surged out. Thump, thump, thump, thump! The entire dense forest sounded like two huge waves crashing, emitting intense sounds, creating clusters of Qi Mechanism tides that spread out to the surroundings. ¡°You¡¯re just a Second Qi Grandmaster,¡± An Jing said as the astonishing Sword Light in his hand wildly spread out, the surrounding air swirling open and surging towards the distance. The chilling aura seemed to tear the air apart, and even Feng Lingyue, standing at a distance, felt a cold sharpness invading her body, chilling her from head to toe. ¡°Is his Sword Dao growing stronger?¡± Feng Lingyue muttered to herself upon seeing this. Throughout history, swordsmen have upheld decisiveness in battle; any top swordsman¡¯s strikes have left mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Only through constant triumph can a swordsman¡¯s tenacious heart be cultivated. Indomitable! As long as the sword is drawn, there is a feeling of certainty of victory! This is the exceedingly strong belief of a swordsman! Lou Xiangzhen was once defeated by the Sword God and fell into decline for decades because his fighting spirit dissipated. This was also why Lou Xiangzhen was worried when An Jing dueled with Heavenly Sword at that time. Why Heavenly Sword Cui Daoxian was defeated by Qiu Wanxia was partially because Qiu Wanxia¡¯s Sword Dao was extremely high and Cui Daoxian was careless. On the other hand, Cui Daoxian had lost his fighting spirit due to An Jing, making his Sword Skill less sharp. And today, facing a Second Qi Grandmaster against a One Qi Grandmaster, with almost no chance of victory in the eyes of the world, in such an adverse situation, An Jing¡¯s indomitable confidence was ignited, and his Sword Dao continued to grow. The vast and profound Sword Intent was also becoming increasingly solidified. If An Jing won today, the mysterious and profound momentum would also gather around him. Old Man Qingfeng saw An Jing¡¯s sword slash coming and thought to himself, ¡°What a fierce Sword Skill.¡± However, in an instant, he quickly suppressed the shock in his heart, changed the handprint on his palm, and the Inner Strength around him suddenly became turbulent, with specks of green light converging toward Old Man Qingfeng¡¯s palm. Then Old Man Qingfeng struck forward with a palm, shaking the sky. Bang! The two exchanged another move, and then their figures crossed again. Old Man Qingfeng stretched out his five fingers, and his attack was as relentless as the tide, never-ending. Boom! A palm blasted out, filled with a terrifying green light that made one¡¯s heart tremble with fear. Seeing the green Hand Force coming, An Jing¡¯s body shook, and then he disappeared from the world. Old Man Qingfeng looked cold and indifferent. After striking empty air with one palm, a green long knife suddenly appeared in his hand and stabbed towards the back. Clang! A sound of metal clashing, almost explosive, echoed through the air, and then a metal storm spread wildly to the distance. An Jing had unconsciously reached Old Man Qingfeng¡¯s back. After the heavy clash of their swords, An Jing felt a numbness in his arm, and his body subconsciously moved back. Boom! After Old Man Qingfeng¡¯s matching strike, he appeared entirely unchanged and palm-struck An Jing with the intent to kill. An Jing moved back, his momentum very unstable, and he stepped back into the distance. That palm came bombarding, with an overwhelming intent to show no mercy. Hum! Hum! The Evil Suppressing Sword emitted a light humming sound, as if conjuring numerous sword shadows that rushed forward. Bang! Bang! Bang! The multitude of sword shadows were directly shattered by the green Hand Force, and the remaining force came at his face, almost tearing him apart. Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap! An Jing¡¯s footsteps rapidly retreated backward, with terrifying sounds of air explosions bursting beneath his feet. ¡°Gurgling~¡± After being struck by that palm, An Jing immediately felt his blood boiling, almost spitting out a mouthful of thick blood. An Jing endured the pain in his internal organs, and his Inner Strength surged crazily, converging on the Evil Suppressing Sword. The next moment, the heavens and the earth were filled with starry river lights, cascading behind An Jing. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Drawing Skill! An Jing¡¯s hand holding the Evil Suppressing Sword shone like a brilliant galaxy, bursting with blinding light, almost illuminating the entire world. The Sword Light thundered, flowing like a starry river. Hum! Hum! The Sword Light travelled through the world, dashing towards Old Man Qingfeng with fury. Old Man Qingfeng¡¯s eyes were deep, and he stepped forward. Six Extremes Misty Rain Palm! Earth Splitting! In an instant, a destructive might was unleashed, an overwhelming force that seemed unstoppable. ¡°Old Man Qingfeng has to fight for his life against the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Feng Lingyue couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of amazement upon seeing this. Six Extremes Misty Rain Palm! Though it was a True Martial level Martial Arts technique, the power of the last two moves was not inferior to those of the Heavenly Martial level palm techniques, and it was also Old Man Qingfeng¡¯s ultimate skill that he seldom used during friendly bouts. It was only used desperately in life-threatening situations. This showed that the Ghost Swordsman, who was at the Half-step Master Realm, had pushed Old Man Qingfeng to this extent. The overwhelming hand force that shook heaven and earth assaulted him, causing mountains and rivers to drastically change, and An Jing, under that terrifying momentum, felt as insignificant as a mayfly. Boom! The sword shadow that resembled the starry river collided with the earth-shaking hand force, instantly stirring up a wave of Qi mechanism like an ocean¡¯s surging tide, towering several zhang high. Boom, boom, boom, boom! The aftershocks brought by the wave of Qi mechanism were even more terrifying than the clash between the two, and An Jing was directly engulfed by the oncoming Qi mechanism. ¡°Ah!¡± As the Qi mechanism wave collided against An Jing¡¯s body, he felt as if all his internal organs were about to shatter, expelling a stream of blood in a spray. His body then fluttered like a withered leaf caught in the wind, tumbling through mid-air, while the golden Buddha behind him dimmed, flickering in and out of existence as if it could vanish at any moment. Elder Qingfeng wasn¡¯t having an easy time either. His internal blood churned and his face turned deathly pale. Normally, at this point, the Ghost Swordsman would be running on empty, his defeat inevitable, but there still seemed to be a lingering force around him. The duo locked gazes, and the world fell silent, save for the howling wind. ¡°I still have one last sword.¡± An Jing¡¯s voice was somewhat calm. He looked at his Evil Suppressing Sword, ¡°Today, please allow me, Grandmaster, to test my sword!¡± Today, please allow me, Grandmaster, to test my sword! As An Jing¡¯s words fell, the heavens echoed with the sound of the sword¡¯s chant, a clear and peculiar tone that made the heart resonate in unison. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Two strokes of the Evil Suppressing Sword flew out, sword Qi crisscrossing wildly, creating a sword Qi world within a li¡¯s distance. Unprecedentedly sharp, it chilled the soul. The next moment, sword Qi crisscrossed the sky, turning into a violent downpour. Dense and numerous, it occupied all of the sky above. The Hundred-step Flying Sword merged with the Sword Control Technique, harking back to the fierce sword Qi from the vast land and skies. Elder Qingfeng¡¯s brow furrowed sharply as all the True Qi within surged, gathering all the green light into his palm. ¡°This aura is too strong, and yet, it¡¯s not enough¡­¡± The determination in Elder Qingfeng¡¯s heart solidified as he even consumed his own essence blood. He was absolutely determined to maintain an undefeated position, leaving no room for error. In an instant, a violent wind and flying pebbles uprooted the grass and trees around. Smoke Rain Six Absolute Palm! Swallowing Heaven! Elder Qingfeng opened his mouth, his eyes also turning bloody red as he struck down with his hand. A huge, green handprint appeared in the sky, falling like a mountainous weight. The ferocious Gang Wind howled, filling the dense forest within several li¡¯s of range. Boom! In that moment, it was as if the earth trembled, and the entire dense forest was stirred into rolling waves, even transmitting vibrations beyond the woods, bursting into countless Qi mechanism waves on the official road. How terrifying was this collision?! Gang Wind ripped through the air as the sword Qi whistled towards it. Feng Lingyue held her breath, watching with a hint of solemnity in her eyes. Boom! Boom! This was An Jing¡¯s one powerful strike, and also his peak strike to date! Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! The heaven and earth seemed to explode, Gang Wind and sword Qi intertwined together, rising to meet the descending handprint. Shocking and splendid! Gradually, the sword Qi was crushed and ground down by the handprint, then disappeared continuously. Seeing this scene, Feng Lingyue let out a slight breath, her heart feeling a bit complicated. A trace of joy appeared on Elder Qingfeng¡¯s face as well. He had never thought he would feel joy from defeating a Half-step Master. Crack! Just at that moment, the qi mechanism wildly scattered, surging towards all directions, turning into rolling waves that pulverized everything in their path to dust. In just the blink of an eye, the entire dense forest was a mess, torn asunder with wounds all around. As the qi mechanism continued to disperse, two figures emerged from the dust and smoke ahead. Time seemed to stand still at that moment. The Old Qingfeng stood upright, his tattered robe fluttering noisily in the fierce wind, his expression one of immense relief. An Jing¡¯s face was as pale as a sheet of paper, half-kneeling on the ground, blood continually flowing from his mouth, the Evil Suppressing Sword planted in the ground supporting his body, otherwise, he would have already collapsed. The golden Buddha that had been behind him had long since vanished without a trace, replaced by the onset of severe aftereffects. ¡°Cough cough cough¡­ cough cough¡­¡± An Jing coughed lightly, blood not only streaming from his mouth but also bringing with it a sense of dizziness, his eyelids heavy as if they weighed a thousand pounds. ¡°You¡¯ve lost,¡± said the Old Qingfeng, taking a deep breath. ¡°Is that so?¡± An Jing slowly raised his head, his pitch-black eyes looking at the Old Qingfeng in front of him, his lips curved in a wry smile. Seeing the smile on An Jing¡¯s face, the Old Qingfeng¡¯s eyebrows furrowed tightly into a ¡®Chuan ¡® shape; suddenly, his expression changed dramatically. Thump! Thump! Thump! A series of rhythmic sounds followed. The Old Qingfeng, horrified, clutched his heart; he felt nothing else at that moment, aware only that his heart had begun to pound uncontrollably. All the blood in his body began to circulate rapidly in time with the beats of his heart. Thud! The next moment, he knelt on the ground. ¡°I¡­. I¡­¡± The Old Qingfeng clutched his heart tightly, lying on the ground, his palm desperately trying to lift upwards, but the more effort he put into it, the more wildly his heart throbbed. He tried to speak, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t get out a complete sentence. ¡°What is this¡­¡± Feng Lingyue watched on, her face filled with horror. What on earth was happening? The Old Qingfeng felt his heart turn into a marching drum, beating faster and faster, to the point it felt as though it would leap out from his mouth. His features twisted grotesquely, bloodshot eyes, his palm seeming to reach out towards An Jing. ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡± In the end, however, his arm never lifted, and he violently spewed forth a fountain of blood towards the space in front of him, blood shooting up to a formidable height, as if ejecting all the blood in his body. ¡°Thud!¡± The Old Qingfeng¡¯s body fell heavily to the ground. ¡°Elder Feng, you will keep your promise,¡± An Jing looked towards Feng Lingyue calmly. ¡°Of course¡­¡± It took a good while for Feng Lingyue to snap out of her stunned state. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Good, then I take my leave.¡± An Jing commanded the Black Flood Dragon to come to his side, then staggeringly climbed onto its back. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon let out a low growl and walked off into the distance. A dark shadow flashed by, and, in an instant, the Black Flood Dragon had disappeared from Feng Lingyue¡¯s sight. Chapter 171 - Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Black Flood Dragons Spiritual Chapter 171: Chapter 171: Black Flood Dragon¡¯s Spiritual Dragon Hidden Lake In the dense forest. The Old Man Qingfeng¡¯s chest was continuously convulsing, his facial muscles also spasming, and fresh blood was ceaselessly gulping from his mouth, while blood also flowed from his nose and ears. This scene was extremely bizarre. Feng Lingyue walked slowly up to Old Man Qingfeng then shook his head and sighed, ¡°Life in this world is but a transient journey; when will the struggle for fame and profit ever cease?¡± Looking at Luo Qingfeng, who had once roamed the Jianghu with joy in friendships and enmities, a touch of melancholy and emotion arose in Feng Lingyue¡¯s heart. This is the Jianghu. Having entered the Jianghu, it held not only illusory fame and wealth but also intrigue and the shadows of swords and blades. The so-called Jianghu is the human heart, where everything originates. The lesser form of heroism aids those in distress; the greater serves the country and the people. How could one passionately live in this indifferent world? This is a profoundly difficult question in the hearts of everyone in the Jianghu¨Chow many remian true to their original aspirations? On the path to fame and fortune, what is more often seen is the vanity that fame and wealth bring; who could maintain poverty yet speak of wealth? Some say that the Jianghu is the universe, it is everything, it is nature, it is all that we can see. Entering the Jianghu is easy; leaving it, however, is extremely difficult. Perhaps only in death can one truly exit the Jianghu. The Old Man Qingfeng, lying on the ground, had eyes wide open, his chest heaving as if he were no longer the Grandmaster known throughout the Great Yan Martial World but more like a wild beast on the brink of death. ¡°I too am a common man, burdened by the pursuit of fame and profit, otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have competed with Jiang Shang and become a mere pawn in the hands of others.¡± Feng Lingyue squatted down, looking at the dying Old Man Qingfeng with a trace of resignation in his eyes, ¡°Perhaps one day, Brother Luo¡¯s today may be my Feng¡¯s tomorrow. All I can do is strive to ensure this day never comes.¡± When you are in the Jianghu, you are not the master of your own fate. Despite Feng Lingyue¡¯s position and strength, there were still forces pushing him to continue moving forward; sometimes, it was no longer up to him to simply give up. The Old Man Qingfeng¡¯s eyes were open, a hint of darkness glimmering in his pupils. ¡°Crack!¡± Feng Lingyue placed his hand on the Old Man Qingfeng¡¯s neck, and as he twisted his wrist, a sound of bones cracking filled the air. The Old Man Qingfeng¡¯s body ceased its undulations and he stopped breathing. The Old Man Qingfeng was dead! The once renowned Grandmaster of the Great Yan Martial World died in this dense forest. With a flick of his hand, a green light began to float out from the Old Man Qingfeng¡¯s body. It was the remnant essence in his body, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Essence. ¡­.. Outside the dense forest, dozens of miles away. In the half-space, the wind howled. An Jing lay on the back of the Black Flood Dragon, his face pale to the extreme, his eyelids growing increasingly heavy. His injuries were already severe, and after the backlash of the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra had started, his entire body felt as though it was burning in flames. The pain was decreasing, but he felt weaker and weaker. If not for relying on his strong willpower, he might have collapsed in the dense forest just now. If he had fallen in front of Feng Lingyue, then the Black Flood Dragon would have also lost its fighting ability, and whether Feng Lingyue would keep his promise then was uncertain. After all, he still had great use to the Zhenyi Sect. ¡°So tired¡­¡± An Jing lay on the cold dragon scales, feeling utterly exhausted, but he knew he couldn¡¯t close his eyes, for if he did, the Black Flood Dragon would plummet from the sky. However, the sensation of fatigue kept assaulting him, especially since the pain had already disappeared, numbing his nerves. His eyelids drooped several times, but he lifted them again each time with incredible willpower. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± The Black Flood Dragon soared through the air, rising and dipping, swaying left and right, and directly collided with a huge tree; under the powerful impact of its body, even trees that took three to four people to encircle would snap instantly. Eventually, An Jing could no longer withstand the overwhelming tiredness, and he lost consciousness. As his consciousness faded, the massive body of the Black Flood Dragon also fell heavily. ¡°Thud!¡± The landing spot was a creek, immediately splashing water high into the air. An Jing¡¯s body fell from the Black Flood Dragon, rolling twice on the ground before coming to a stop. His mask also loosened and, along with the splashing water, disappeared into the creek. Half of the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s head ended up on the bank, with the rest of its body hidden in the creek water. Time passed, and it was uncertain how long it had been when the creek¡¯s surface gradually returned to calm. Suddenly, the eyelids of the Black Flood Dragon seemed to twitch, and a pair of large dragon eyes flickered with a hint of curiosity, staring intently at An Jing lying on the ground. Suddenly, its eyes shifted towards the distance, a hint of panic in its gaze. ¡°Splash!¡± The Black Flood Dragon¡¯s head reached into the creek water, and then its entire body completely vanished beneath the water, seemingly hiding itself. About several breaths later, a young girl carrying a bamboo basket approached from a distance. This girl, around eighteen or nineteen, had a round oval face, jet-black eyes, radiating a youthful and lively aura, her skin tone not exactly fair but possessed a healthy natural beauty. ¡°What is this¡­¡± The girl quickly walked over to the person lying on the bank, and upon seeing An Jing¡¯s pale face, she couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Young sir, wake up, wake up¡­¡± ¡­.. Houjin, Snow Mountain. At night, the stars were brilliant, and the bright moonlight illuminated the grassland, creating a tranquil scene where the evening breeze gently swayed the grass waves, providing a particularly pleasant atmosphere. Due to years of peaceful development, trade flourished throughout Houjin, and they even established grassland markets in the vast prairies. Every year, large caravans from Yan Country, Zhao Country, Pure Land, and the Southern Barbarians came there, making Houjin prosper and rapidly develop its national strength. To the north of the grassland were the continuous, soaring, steep Snow Mountains. In Houjin¡¯s view, this mountain range was their holy land, deep within which lay their yearned-for Holy Sect. The Holy Sect of Houjin, known in the Martial World as the Great Snow Mountain, was the largest sect in Houjin. The current emperor of Houjin was also the Holy Master of the Houjin Holy Sect. At this moment, a figure approached from a distance, crossing over the grassland and following a path towards the Snow Mountains. The man had the appearance of a young child with white hair, a smile on his face, his kindly and benevolent features giving a spring-like warmth and a sense of closeness. This man was Jiang Shang. His steps appeared slow, but on closer inspection, his body had already covered dozens of feet. Shrinking Land into Inches. Only a master of the Grandmaster Realm could employ such methods. About half an hour later, Jiang Shang arrived at a cave beneath Snow Mountain. This cave was extremely hidden, located along a small path between two snow mountains. Ordinary people, unless they knew of this cave, would never be able to find it. The surrounding temperature dropped sharply, the cold was penetrating, and there even drifted a white frosty mist in the air. Jiang Shang walked slowly into the cave, his steps crunching in the snow, making a ¡®crunch¡¯ ¡®crunch¡¯ sound. The cave was very dark, and the match flickered with a faint light, illuminating the path ahead. The temperature became colder and colder, to the point where even Jiang Shang had to circulate his true qi to resist the terrifying cold air. Before long, a pitch-black coffin appeared ahead. ¡°Hu¡­..¡± Upon seeing the black coffin, Jiang Shang gently exhaled a breath. Due to the extreme cold, that breath instantly turned into a frost. ¡°Jin Se, it has been six years since I last visited you,¡± Jiang Shang approached the coffin and slowly said, ¡°You see, I¡¯ve brought your favorite winter melon candied fruit.¡± With that, he reached into his bosom and took out a package made of cowhide paper. Wrapped inside the cowhide paper was the cool, sweet, crispy, and clear winter melon candied fruit without any residues. Jiang Shang¡¯s hand caressed the coffin, ¡°I feel like I am about to reach the Four Qi Realm, so I thought of visiting you. Time really flies, you know? Ren Yi is already thirty-six, and if you think about it, we have known each other for forty years.¡± ¡°Forty years, ah. The events of forty years ago still seem to resurface in front of my eyes, yet forty years have passed. So much has really happened. Not long after you died, I became the leader of the Demon Sect, then suppressed Feng Lingyue, battled Sword God Liu Moyuan, and fought the Zhenyi Sect Leader Ye Ding. The past forty years have seen tumultuous changes and unpredictable events, yet I have always stood above the waves of Jianghu, defeated only by Xiao Qianqiu.¡± ¡°Xiao Qianqiu is a formidable figure, a natural Dao seed. That old fellow Ye Ding really has good luck to have found such a disciple. If Xiao Qianqiu truly cultivates the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture,¡¯ then the Mystical Sect might really unify everything, and the entire situation in the world might undergo a great change, putting the Demon Sect at risk.¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s words carried a tone of lamentation, as if he was pouring out his melancholy. If anyone were here, they would be greatly surprised, for the capricious, unpredictable, and ruthless Jiang Shang also displayed such a sentimental side. ¡°However, for Xiao Qianqiu to achieve his great ambition is not so simple. The Holy Master of Great Snow Mountain has long been covetously watching, seemingly with the ambition to swallow the world. The world¡¯s situation is changing, giving Xiao Qianqiu little time left. Houjin and Great Yan will battle sooner or later, while that crafty like a fox, Human Emperor, whose palace coup at the Heavenly Book Pavilion I still vividly remember to this day, shows no mercy even to his blood relatives, indicating his decisive actions. Whether this old fox is really seriously injured or pretending, even I cannot see through.¡± ¡°Let it be chaotic, let this world descend into complete chaos,¡± Jiang Shang picked up a piece of candied fruit and held it in his hand. Only under this coffin could he feel utterly relaxed, revealing all his vexations: ¡°Do you remember Qingmei, whom I told you about? She indeed did not disappoint my expectations, her cultivation has reached the Grandmaster Realm, it¡¯s just a pity.¡± Speaking of this, Jiang Shang gently bit into the candied fruit. The cave turned quiet, with only the sound of chewing. ¡°She has followed in my old footsteps and by the time she realized her mistake, it was already too late. Since that is the case, I can only take action for her. ¡®The Dao is merciless but has its sentiments; the human path has sentiments yet is merciless.¡¯ Only the heartless can achieve the ultimate human Dao. One day she will understand.¡± ¡°I killed that young doctor just like I had once killed you.¡± At this point, the entire cave became very quiet. The temperature seemed to become even colder, and outside the cave, the sound of the wind and snow roared, coming like the wails of ghosts and wolves, causing one¡¯s heart to tremble. In the faint, weak light, that expressionless face looked rather eerie and frightening. ¡°I have also discovered Undying Blood. There truly is such a thing as Undying Blood in this world, and its secret might be related to the Zhou Dynasty, even possibly to the Qin Dynasty. No matter what, I will obtain this Undying Blood. I, Jiang Shang, will definitely obtain the secret to eternal life, and no one can stop me.¡± ¡°Apart from approaching the Four Qi Realm, the main reason I came to Great Snow Mountain was to search for this Undying Blood.¡± Jiang Shang set down the bite of candied fruit he had eaten and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°I can taste the bitterness of this life, but I can¡¯t seem to enjoy the sweetness of this candied fruit. This one bite has already become slightly nauseating.¡± Taking a deep breath, Jiang Shang gazed at the coffin for a long while. ¡°Jin Se, you are the love of my life.¡± ¡°Hu.¡± The firestarter had gone out, leaving only the sound of Jiang Shang¡¯s departing footsteps in the cave. ¡­.. Dongluo Pass, Sealing Demon Well. ¡°Indeed, the taste of this pig stomach is quite good today.¡± Nan Weiping, greatly enjoying the meal, continuously swallowed the still warm food while praising it. Zhao Qingmei smiled slightly upon seeing this, as these past few days she had been mixing a very small amount of Red Beauty Drunk into the food, which was a tasteless and odorless poison that even a master like Nan Weiping had failed to detect. In a few more days, she would be able to get the method of escape from her. Nan Weiping looked at Zhao Qingmei and asked, ¡°You seem less anxious these days. What, no longer worried about your lover?¡± Zhao Qingmei shook her head and replied, ¡°If I can¡¯t get out, worrying is useless.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right about that. Well, in light of this meal, I¡¯ll give you a few tips.¡± Nan Weiping nodded, smiling warmly. ¡°You¡¯ve reached the level of a One Qi Grandmaster at such a young age. Without accidents, you are definitely capable of reaching Great Grandmaster status. Why not cultivate here quietly for a while, elevate your cultivation to the Second Qi Realm, and then when you leave Sealing Demon Well, you can even resolve the internal strife of the Demon Sect.¡± In recent days through conversations, Nan Weiping had also learned from Zhao Qingmei why she had fallen into the Sealing Demon Well once again. ¡°Reaching Second Qi is not that simple.¡± Why Zhao Qingmei was so anxious now was because she knew that Jiang Shang was currently not in the Demon Sect, which was definitely an opportunity. Both Yuan Feng and Ouyang Ping were of Second Qi Master¡¯s level of cultivation, and although it was almost impossible for her to kill both, they also couldn¡¯t hope to detain her. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m saying, you need to calm your mind.¡± Nan Weiping said calmly, ¡°Your cultivation includes the Demon Sect¡¯s top mental method, the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture. The cultivation technique of the Demon Sect progresses rapidly, and you¡¯ve also devoured the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence left by a Five Qi Grandmaster, which makes your cultivation soar rapidly. However, your foundation is somewhat unstable. At the moment, the most important thing is to stabilize your foundation.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Upon hearing Nan Weiping¡¯s words, Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Is the mindset very important?¡± ¡°If you can calm your mind, naturally it would be best. But can you, a mischievous girl, really settle down?¡± Nan Weiping shook her head, then asked, ¡°By the way, to which layer have you cultivated your Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture?¡± ¡°The seventh layer,¡± Zhao Qingmei replied. The Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture was no ordinary martial arts; transcending even Heavenly Martial arts, it was extremely difficult to practice. Even with Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation, she had only reached the Seventh Layer and found it difficult to progress further. After a long pause, Nan Weiping finally said, ¡°Cultivate your Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture to the Eighth Layer. If you don¡¯t reach the Eighth Layer, you can¡¯t leave.¡± The Eighth Layer? Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mind stirred, Nan Weiping¡¯s words surely had a purpose. Since she suggested cultivating to the Eighth Layer, it must be related to leaving the Sealing Demon Well. ¡°I understand.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded her head and began to study the inscriptions on the stone walls of the cave. Nan Weiping observed Zhao Qingmei in front of her. Over time, she gradually understood some aspects of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s temperament. Cool and reserved, she hardly ever spoke more than necessary. It was as if her heart was locked tight; no one could walk into her inner world. Nan Weiping was quite curious about the kind of man that could make this young girl so devoted. Suddenly recalling something, Nan Weiping said, ¡°Young girl, how about showing me your diary?¡± Zhao Qingmei turned to glance at Nan Weiping, then as if she hadn¡¯t heard her at all, continued to study the experiences and methods left by her ancestors of the Demon Sect on the stone walls. With a smile in her eyes, Nan Weiping said, ¡°Show me, and I¡¯ll tell you the way out.¡± The more she thought about it, the more interested she became in the diary, which surely hid a big secret. ¡°Impossible.¡± Zhao Qingmei said indifferently. The diary, no one could view it. Nan Weiping said, ¡°Young girl, this is your only chance, miss this village, and there will be no such shop.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression remained as calm as water, ¡°You will eventually tell me because without me, you can¡¯t get out either.¡± Nan Weiping would tell her sooner or later, so why bother using the diary as a bargaining chip? ¡°If you don¡¯t show the diary to this old body, I will never tell you,¡± Nan Weiping said, seeing Zhao Qingmei unyielding, seemingly a bit annoyed. ¡°Then let¡¯s wait and see.¡± Zhao Qingmei coldly sneered in her heart, just wait a few more days, and you will comply. ¡­¡­ ¡°Hmm¡­..?¡± An Jing felt as if his soul was drifting in darkness, unable to feel warmth or light. He didn¡¯t know how long had passed when he vaguely heard a faint voice, sometimes far and sometimes near. ¡°This young man¡¯s face is so pale, he isn¡¯t dead, is he?¡± ¡°Brother Yang Chong, how can you say such a thing?¡± ¡­. ¡°This voice is unfamiliar; I definitely don¡¯t know it. Where exactly is this place?¡± An Jing¡¯s consciousness drifted in the darkness, trying to recall, ¡°That day after my battle with the elder Qingfeng, I rode away on the Black Flood Dragon, and then I lost consciousness.¡± ¡°Brother Yang Chong, you go back first, I can take care of him on my own.¡± The crisp, pleasant sound rang out again. Soon, footsteps came, growing farther and farther. With strong willpower, a streak of light suddenly appeared in the darkness, and An Jing¡¯s consciousness finally burst through this dark gateway. As he opened his eyes, he saw an antique-looking room. At that moment, An Jing was lying on a bed, beside him was a beautiful, young girl dressed in light green palace attire. ¡°You¡¯re awake!?¡± The girl, seeing An Jing open his eyes, couldn¡¯t help showing a trace of delight. ¡°What place is this, and you are¡­?¡± An Jing struggled to sit up and asked the girl in front of him. ¡°This is the Four Symbols Sect, my name is Jia Meixian,¡± the girl quickly replied. ¡°Four Symbols Sect? Jia Meixian?¡± An Jing¡¯s head throbbed with pain, he was somewhat disoriented, ¡°How did I end up here?¡± Jia Meixian replied, ¡°Two days ago, I was picking herbs in the mountains and found you unconscious in Dragon Hidden Creek with severe injuries, so I brought you back.¡± Dragon Hidden Creek?! An Jing furrowed his brows and hurriedly asked, ¡°Did you find any other¡­ strange things?¡± If the Black Flood Dragon was left uncontrolled, would someone have taken its inner core? If that was the case, it would be a big problem. Without its inner core, the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s strength would be greatly diminished. Recalling for a moment, Jia Meixian then shook her head, ¡°Apart from you, I found nothing¡­¡± An Jing nodded, sinking into thought. ¡°Of course, your clothes were changed by my Brother Yang Chong,¡± Jia Meixian recalled something and her face turned slightly red. ¡°Thank you, young lady, for saving my life¡­..¡± As An Jing was about to give a salute, he suddenly felt a tearing sensation in his chest, and his brow tightened instantly. Jia Meixian supported An Jing¡¯s arm, then said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to speak, just rest well.¡± ¡°No need for thanks where gratitude is due.¡± An Jing expressed his gratitude. Without Jia Meixian before his eyes, he would be in the same state as the Black Flood Dragon, it without its inner core and him without his life. Jia Meixian, Four Symbols Sect¡­.. Suddenly, An Jing thought of something, a glint appeared in his eyes; the Sect Leader of the Four Symbols Sect happened to have the surname Jia. Could it be that the girl before him was related to Jia Shiwu? ¡°No need, no need, my grandfather constantly warned, the daughters and sons of Jianghu should aid the injured and draw swords to assist those in unrighteous situations, these are my duties.¡± Hearing An Jing speak like this, Jia Meixian couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Where are you from, and how did you come to sustain such severe internal injuries?¡± An Jing¡¯s brain whirred rapidly, and he immediately thought of an explanation, saying sadly, ¡°I am originally a Daoist known as Han Wenxin from East Lin Road, and I was planning to visit a friend in Yujing City this time; unexpectedly, I encountered bandits on the road¡­¡± Hearing this, Jia Meixian¡¯s face paled instantly, ¡°Bandits? I hadn¡¯t thought there would be bandits nearby.¡± Not to mention that the Xuanyi Guard had been striking hard against bandits in recent years, but Dragon Hidden Creek was a territory of the Four Symbols Sect, to think there were still bandits. Without changing his expression, An Jing said, ¡°I was chased by the bandits all the way and escaped to this place.¡± ¡°You must have some skills to have escaped from the bandits,¡± Jia Meixian said with concern, ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten in days, I¡¯ll get you something to eat.¡± ¡°That would trouble Miss Jia,¡± An Jing responded with a smile, as he patted his stomach. ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Jia Meixian covered her mouth with a chuckle and walked away with light steps. Watching Jia Meixian leave, An Jing touched his face, realizing his mask was gone. He vaguely remembered that his mask had fallen off when he dropped. ¡°I better check my internal injuries first.¡± An Jing took a deep breath before examining his internal injuries. The injuries were serious, but not extremely so. Mainly, it was the internal injuries from the battle with elder Qingfeng and the aftereffects of the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra that had combined that had caused him to collapse from exhaustion. With ten days to half a month of recuperation, he should be able to recover. ¡°What about the Black Flood Dragon?¡± After examining his internal injuries, An Jing couldn¡¯t help thinking of the Black Flood Dragon. The Black Flood Dragon couldn¡¯t move without being controlled. Jia Meixian saved me, so how could she not have seen the Black Flood Dragon? Could it be that Feng Lingyue chased after me, skinned and deboned the Black Flood Dragon, taking its kidneys? But that¡¯s not right; Feng Lingyue wouldn¡¯t have let me go. The more An Jing thought about it, the stranger it seemed. He felt there was something peculiar about the situation, and it seemed necessary to personally visit Dragon Hidden Creek. ¡°This is the Four Symbols Sect, and I have been unconscious for two days.¡± An Jing¡¯s expression became somewhat strange, and he thought to himself, ¡°My injuries are not too severe; I should be able to leave the Four Symbols Sect tomorrow, to avoid attracting any trouble.¡± Just then, Jia Meixian came in with a bowl of porridge, ¡°Here is the morning porridge; I¡¯ve warmed it up.¡± An Jing took the porridge, smiling, ¡°I can handle it myself; no need to trouble Miss Jia.¡± Jia Meixian hesitated for a moment, then nodded, ¡°Alright, then you eat first, I¡¯ll go and brew another batch of medicine for you.¡± Saying this, without waiting for An Jing to respond, Jia Meixian enthusiastically ran out again. Watching her graceful figure disappear, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but chuckle softly. In this world of deceit and intrigue within the martial arts community, there wasn¡¯t just the clash of swords, but also many who joyfully helped others, possessing inherently good hearts. ¡°Tip Two: There is a blue opportunity (Four Symbols Hall) near the host.¡± Just then, a stream of blue light emerged in An Jing¡¯s mind. ¡°A blue opportunity?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing felt a stir in his heart. He knew that a blue opportunity was an extremely rare treasure. Originally, the Holy Essence Gu had already evolved, helping Lou Xiangzhen advance from the Second Qi to the Third Qi, and also allowing him to directly ascend to the Half-step Master. Every blue opportunity was a treasure that was rarely available in the world. An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he pondered secretly, ¡°The Four Symbols Sect¡¯s treasure, could this blue opportunity be the sword plaque left by the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll act when night falls. For now, it¡¯s crucial to recover from my internal injuries.¡± The ways of the world are unpredictable, and now that this opportunity had presented itself right in front of him, it would be a waste if he didn¡¯t seize this blue opportunity. After drinking the porridge, and then taking the decoction brewed by Jia Meixian, An Jing began to sit cross-legged to recover from his internal injuries. Outside the wing of the Four Symbols Sect. ¡°Junior sister, I heard that the kid woke up?¡± Yang Chong came over quickly, his eyes filled with curiosity. ¡°Yes.¡± Jia Meixian nodded, smiling, ¡°I just brewed some medicine for Mr. Han, and he¡¯s resting after taking it.¡± Yang Chong, astonished, said, ¡°Impossible, that kid¡¯s internal injuries are severe¡­¡± He had taken An Jing¡¯s pulse, and those injuries were either fatal or extremely severe. How could he have woken up so quickly? There must be something strange about this. Jia Meixian frowned, ¡°Mr. Han¡¯s injuries are indeed very severe, and he can¡¯t get out of bed right now. In my opinion, he still needs a few months of recuperation.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to see him.¡± Upon hearing this, Yang Chong suddenly became a bit displeased. His own junior sister hadn¡¯t taken such good care of him, yet she was going to look after that kid for several months? ¡°Senior brother, he is resting right now, it wouldn¡¯t be good for you to disturb him,¡± Jia Meixian quickly blocked Yang Chong, ¡°Let¡¯s wait until he wakes up tomorrow.¡± After thinking it over, Yang Chong said, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll wait until he wakes up tomorrow to see.¡± Jia Meixian anxiously said, ¡°Hmm, tomorrow you should take his pulse again, hoping that no lingering illness remains.¡± However, Yang Chong shook his head and said, ¡°With such severe injuries, it¡¯s impossible not to have lingering effects. I think it¡¯s already very fortunate that he survived.¡± Hearing Yang Chong say this, Jia Meixian sighed, ¡°Ah, that Young Master Han is really pitiful, I think he is a good person.¡± Although it was their first meeting, Jia Meixian could tell from his ¡®facial features¡¯ that Young Master Han must be a good person. Yang Chong furrowed his brows and said no more; his junior sister was just too kind-hearted, hopefully she wouldn¡¯t be deceived. ¡­.. The moon was as dark as ink, the stars speckled across the sky. On the bed, An Jing circulated the Daluo Heart Method and Ghost Valley Heart Method simultaneously, and his injuries healed at a rate visible to the naked eye. After three Circulations, his Qi Mechanism finally calmed down slowly. ¡°It will still take several days to fully recover.¡± An Jing slowly opened his eyes, which had a clear glint, ¡°Now I only have about 30 to 40 percent of my strength, but it¡¯s barely enough.¡± Thirty to forty percent strength was equivalent to the high masters of the Heavenly Flower Realm, making it quite safe to move around in the Jianghu. ¡°Huh¡­ the Blue Opportunity?¡± Exhaling a breath of turbid air, An Jing¡¯s body transformed into a residual shadow and disappeared within the room. The moon hung high in the sky like a massive plate, bright and pristine, enveloping the entire building complex of the Four Symbols Sect. Though An Jing was unfamiliar with the environment of the Four Symbols Sect, he could navigate by following the glowing light from the Earth Book. Under the cover of night, a figure swept across the land like a breeze, silently approaching the Four Symbols Great Hall. An Jing¡¯s movement technique was very light, and coupled with the Concealing Qi Technique, even a Grandmaster in the Four Symbols Sect could not detect his presence, let alone now when there were no Grandmasters in the sect. Just as he was about to move forward, a voice from under the floor of the tower caught his attention. ¡°The matter tomorrow must not encounter any mishaps.¡± ¡°Rest assured, there is no chance of failure.¡± ¡°Once this succeeds, Brother Jia, your merit will be like ascending from a dragon, and with the support of the Court, revival is just around the corner.¡± ¡­. ¡°The matter tomorrow? Ascending from a dragon?¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows and couldn¡¯t help but look through a crack. Through the dim light, he could clearly see the scene inside the room. He saw an old man in blue robes sitting at the head, his brow furrowed heavily, his expression very solemn, and below him was a man in a hat, whose face was unclear, his aura concealed. Next to him was a middle-aged man with a sword, with ordinary looks and nothing remarkable. An Jing glanced and remembered. This man in blue robes was none other than the Sect Leader of the Four Symbols Sect, Jia Shiwu, and the man with the hat seemed to have been present that day, standing right behind Jia Shiwu. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As for the middle-aged swordsman, An Jing had no impression of him, but the Qi Mechanism around him was distinctly sharp, clearly indicating he was a Swordsman of the Fifth Realm, evidently not an ordinary character in the martial world. ¡°It looks like they are discussing some important matter?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed as he looked at the man in the hat, thinking to himself, ¡°This person acts so covertly, could he be a high-level expert from the Demon Sect?¡± ¡­¡­ PS: There will definitely be regular updates still, and the climax isn¡¯t far off as we slowly gather what¡¯s been foreshadowed. Although the pace has been slow earlier, it will pick up later, and if it doesn¡¯t, it would collapse, right? Some may find it filler, but maintaining a consistent pace is essential, and there are probably about fifty chapters left. Chapter 173 - Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Red Beauty Drunk under the Sealing Demon Well Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Red Beauty Drunk under the Sealing Demon Well ¡°The safety of the Sect Hierarch!?¡± An Jing muttered to himself upon hearing this. In heaven there is no room for two saints, naturally, the Demon Sect could not have two Sect Hierarchs, which made him recall the words Zhao Chongyin once said. ¡°This newly appointed Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect does seem to possess some tricks; reportedly very young and promising, it¡¯s just a pity¡­.¡± An Jing touched the Heavenly Flipping Seal in his chest and remembered the supreme martial arts heart method of the Demon Sect, the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡±. Boom! It struck him like a bolt from the blue, as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over him from head to toe, leaving his entire body numbed. Lin Tianhai looked at the Ghost Swordsman standing before him as still as a wooden chicken, feeling somewhat puzzled; the words he himself had uttered didn¡¯t seem to touch on the hidden secrets of our Demon Sect, and besides, the Sect Hierarch was currently trapped in the Sealing Demon Well, so why would the Ghost Swordsman have such an expression? After a long while, An Jing finally came back to his senses, grabbing Lin Tianhai¡¯s collar in one swift motion: ¡°What is your Sect Hierarch¡¯s name?¡± Lin Tianhai frowned and said coldly, ¡°I¡¯ve told you, I¡¯ll only answer one question.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± An Jing released Lin Tianhai¡¯s collar and turned to leave. ¡°Whew¡­.¡± Seeing this, Lin Tianhai couldn¡¯t help but heave a sigh of relief, but before he could catch his breath, the Ghost Swordsman returned abruptly and once again grabbed his collar. ¡°Unfortunately for you, you¡¯ve fallen into my hands again.¡± Lin Tianhai: ¡°¡­..¡± An Jing stared at Lin Tianhai, his gaze calm, and asked, ¡°Answer the question I just asked, and I can let you go again.¡± Lin Tianhai, unable to contain his anger, said, ¡°You are toying with me, playing tricks on this old man, even if I die today I will not compromise with the likes of you, a bandit.¡± Lin Tianhai, after all, was one of the Demon Sect¡¯s top experts, the Chief of the Azure Dragon Sect, and now he was being insulted in such a manner; how could he tolerate this indignation? You won¡¯t tell me, right?¡± An Jing said gravely. ¡°Castrate me then, for I no longer need that. You¡¯d do well to draw your sword quicker, lest you get splattered with my blood,¡± Lin Tianhai closed his eyes, assuming an indifferent posture. Fuck! An Jing observed Lin Tianhai¡¯s defiant expression and found himself unable to strike. What if, in the future¡­. ¡°Roar!¡± Just then, a low growling dragon roar came from the serene surface of the creek, as if calling out to something. ¡°The Black Flood Dragon!?¡± An Jing was shocked upon hearing this. The sound was indeed that of the Black Flood Dragon, but it seemed somewhat strange. That Black Flood Dragon possessed the cultivation of a Grandmaster with Three Qi powers; it was his greatest reliance right now. If he were to lose the Black Flood Dragon and encounter the experts of the Zhenyi Sect, he could be in big trouble, especially since his Evil Suppressing Sword might be with the Black Flood Dragon as well. ¡°Old fart, I¡¯ll deal with you later.¡± An Jing glanced at Lin Tianhai, then, with a bound, soared into the distance. Lin Tianhai watched An Jing¡¯s departing figure, and only after ensuring he had vanished did he frantically cycle the true qi within his body. However, the lightning qi was still inside him, blocking the flow of qi mechanisms in his body. ¡°Damn it!¡± Lin Tianhai¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, but the more he hurried, the more it seemed futile, as the lightning qi raged inside him, causing him exceptional discomfort. After approximately the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, the Ghost Swordsman still hadn¡¯t returned. Lin Tianhai started to get anxious; if that Ghost Swordsman really had left, given his current lack of mobility, he might starve to death in this wilderness. If this were to be known, the Chief of the Azure Dragon Sect starving to death in the wilderness would become a joke to all under heaven? ¡°Chief Lin?¡± Just then, a voice came from not too far away. ¡°I¡¯m here¡­.¡± Lin Tianhai hastily replied. ¡°Swoosh, swoosh!¡± ¡°Chief Lin, are you alright?¡± A figure rushed over swiftly, covered in dust; it was none other than Luo Zixiang, an expert of the Earth Sect of the Demon Sect. She had managed to escape the Four Symbols Sect, but after realizing that Lin Tianhai hadn¡¯t appeared for a long time, she ventured back to check what had happened and saw the Ghost Swordsman carrying Lin Tianhai away from the Four Symbols Sect. ¡°Quick, take me away.¡± Seeing the newcomer, Lin Tianhai was overjoyed and promptly said, ¡°Hurry, that madman might come back any moment now.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go now.¡± Luo Zixiang nodded and helped Lin Tianhai up, and together they headed into the distance. ¡­¡­. Elsewhere, An Jing followed the sound to its source. A red sun seemed to hang on the branches to the west; the surrounding red clouds were blood-like, congealed in the air. Distant mountains stretched above one another, with specks of red as if the sunset, reluctant to part, had shed drops of blood. In the depths of Dragon Hidden Creek, the surface of the water reflected an orange glow. Due to the Living Puppet Technique, An Jing had a unique sense of proximity to the Black Flood Dragon. So when he arrived at the creek, he felt that the Black Flood Dragon was below. ¡°Splash!¡± Before he could command the Black Flood Dragon, a huge dragon head surfaced from the water. Its enormous eyes blinked, looking at An Jing standing above the creek, revealing a trace of joy. ¡°Hm!?¡± An Jing noticed something different about the eyes of the Black Flood Dragon. The next moment, the Black Flood Dragon rapidly charged towards him. An Jing didn¡¯t sense any danger, so he didn¡¯t dodge. ¡°Thump!¡± The Black Flood Dragon directly knocked An Jing into the water and then plunged into the creek itself, causing a huge splash. ¡°What are you doing? Do you want to kill me?¡± An Jing floundered in the water with a low growl. Meanwhile, the Black Python floated in the distance like a misbehaving child, nervously watching him. ¡°Could it be that this fellow has developed spiritual intelligence?¡± An Jing looked at the Black Python, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. When he had subdued the Thousand-Year-Old Black Python, he had used the Living Puppet Technique, extracting its violent and fierce divine soul. From then on, the body of the Thousand-Year-Old Black Python was under his control. After the Black Python underwent the Jiao Transformation, it had not spawned a new divine soul and had always been like a puppet. But today, judging by its movements and expressions, it seemed to have developed a new divine soul. ¡°Come here.¡± An Jing tried to summon it with a wave of his hand. The Black Python, as if understanding his words, tumbled in the water and cautiously floated over. It then prostrated its head before An Jing, showing a sense of obedience. An Jing touched the scales on the Black Python¡¯s body with his palm. ¡°Huff! Huff!¡± Two streams of white breath burst from the Black Python¡¯s nostrils, appearing to enjoy it immensely. ¡°Not bad at all.¡± An Jing leaped up and landed on the back of the Black Python, ¡°My Evil Suppressing Sword should be with you, right?¡± ¡°Hiss! Hiss!¡± The Black Python opened its mouth wide, and the sheathed Evil Suppressing Sword, comprising two swords, appeared between its teeth. ¡°Shoo!¡± An Jing reached out his hand, and the Evil Suppressing Sword, as if sentient, landed in his palm. Now that the Black Python had returned and he held the Evil Suppressing Sword again, he finally felt a sense of security in his heart. ¡°Could it be that old boy Lin Tianhai was swallowed by a wild dog?¡± Thinking of something, An Jing then said, ¡°Let¡¯s hurry back.¡± ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Python let out a low roar and then transformed into a black shadow, darting away into the distance. The Black Python, for some reason, was very excited, tumbling in the water and raising waves. After about the time it takes to brew a half pot of tea, the Black Python landed next to the dense forest they had been at before. ¡°Where is everyone?¡± An Jing noticed that the place was empty; Lin Tianhai was nowhere to be seen. The Black Python seemed a bit afraid, its body prostrated on one side, its large eyes watching their surroundings vigilantly. An Jing approached the previous tree and murmured softly, ¡°No bloodstains, and given the wounds on him, it¡¯s impossible he walked away by himself; he must have been rescued¡­ maybe they haven¡¯t gone far¡­¡± He was very clear about Lin Tianhai¡¯s injuries; it was absolutely impossible for him to have escaped on his own in such a short time. He still had some questions he wanted to ask Lin Tianhai, but suddenly realized, whether he asked or not, it seemed to make no difference¡­ Sitting alone on the green mountain, he watched the setting sun break. The orange halo, like withered leaves, spilled on An Jing, making him appear serene and at ease. He looked at the ceaseless flow of water in the distance, his eyes and brows lowered. He suddenly felt a bit tired. ¡°Sigh¡­¡± An Jing sat on the bank of Dragon Hidden Creek. In fact¡­ He never considered himself a good person, but he never thought of himself as utterly wicked either. What is Jianghu? Jianghu is a place of fame and fortune. Once you mingle in Jianghu and step into this realm of fame and fortune, it¡¯s like half stepping into the Underworld. Even someone with the cultivation of a Grandmaster like Old Qingfeng cannot escape the fate of death and the dissolution of his Dao. When human kindness and sophistication can¡¯t solve problems, the only option left is fighting and killing. This simple method is always the most direct and the most effective. Mingling in Jianghu, killing is just a mundane occurrence. To cut weeds and eliminate the roots is not just something written in books. They would even shake eggs to break them, flood the anthills by the door; such cruelty, such unreasonableness¡­ ¡°Why?¡± An Jing whispered softly, the image of that beautiful figure emerging in his mind, that gentle and heartwarming smile like a spring breeze in February, he remembered their first encounter¡­ ¡°Why?¡± An Jing asked again. He really couldn¡¯t imagine, that gentle and soft woman, who couldn¡¯t even climb a ladder, that clumsy lady who could be cut by a broken bowl, would have her hands possibly stained with the blood of countless people! It was like a dream! Touching shatters it, contact breaks it, everything seems like an illusion¡­ ¡°Why¡­¡± This time, his voice was faint. Afterwards, there were no more words. He sat by the bank for a long time, perhaps until the sky grew dim, the night filled with quiet stars hanging high in the sky, and the Star River silently flowing, before he came back to his senses. He stood up and slowly returned to the Black Python. At this moment. The Black Python¡¯s body was coiled, its large head casually drooping to the ground, those unaffected eyes reflecting An Jing¡¯s figure. It was curious yet could sense An Jing¡¯s mood, tenderly rubbing its head against him. ¡°I¡¯ve been deceived¡­ but I don¡¯t know why I was deceived.¡± An Jing smiled bitterly, his hand caressing the Black Python¡¯s scales. Lou Xiangzhen once said, when you reach his age you won¡¯t be confused anymore, but you¡¯ll always lose your way. He didn¡¯t understand before¡­ But now, he seemed to somewhat understand. ¡°Yes, you¡¯ll always lose your way¡­¡± An Jing murmured softly, ¡°She came to find me on purpose, and she took a fancy to me at first glance. Now that I think about it carefully, I was indeed deceived by allure.¡± Just then, a rustling sound arose, likely from something moving alone in the grass, but An Jing did not pay attention, sighing softly while petting the head of the Black Flood Dragon. The Black Flood Dragon, however, seemed to be spellbound, its gaze fixed on the grass. In its amber-like eyes, a small, fat, snowy white shadow appeared. It was a rabbit. Standing with its back to the Black Flood Dragon, it nibbled at the roots of the grass nearby. The head of the Black Flood Dragon leaned forward, its fangs bared. As if sensing something, the rabbit turned its tiny body, innocently looking at the Black Flood Dragon. Suddenly. It hopped forward. ¡°!¡± The Black Flood Dragon immediately drew its head back. Colliding with An Jing, who was gathering the surrounding tree branches and fallen leaves. He looked puzzled, glancing from the Black Flood Dragon to the rabbit, nearly fainting from exasperation. ¡°You are a Flood Dragon! A Flood Dragon! How can you be afraid of a rabbit?!¡± ¡°¡­¡± The Black Flood Dragon could not speak. It could only look on guiltily. Rubbing its head against An Jing, it appeared rather wronged. ¡°You¡¯re not even as good as the dog Tan Yun keeps!¡± An Jing felt somewhat helpless, ¡°Forget it.¡± With a flick of his finger, a stream of Sword Qi shot out from his fingertip, striking the rabbit¡¯s neck precisely. The rabbit convulsed on the ground for a moment before lying still in a pool of blood. ¡°It can be considered a meal delivered to our door.¡± An Jing stepped forward and picked up the rabbit by its ears. He then skillfully built a fire and hung his drenched clothes over the fire rack to dry. ¡°Such a fat rabbit¡­¡± An Jing took a sharpened stick, skewered the entire rabbit, and placed it over the fire to roast. Soon, the aroma of the meat was overwhelming. The Black Flood Dragon curiously watched the roasted rabbit in An Jing¡¯s hands. It thought it smelled delicious. It started to drool a little. An Jing bit fiercely into the rabbit meat, as if to relieve the melancholy and helplessness in his heart. The moonlight was sinking in the west, casting its reflection on the clear stream. ¡°How can I bear to leave when feelings grow intense, and there are no regrets or complaints when love runs deep.¡± Looking at the moonlight¡¯s reflection, An Jing could not help but recall the misty rain of Yu State City, ¡°I wonder when I can return to Yu State City, or perhaps I may never return.¡± Life is like a long river, with ephemeral joys flashing for thousands of years on the left bank, eternal longing under candlelight on the right, and year after year of faint loneliness flowing in between. The sorrow that the wind plays is always that floating melancholy, and the loneliness of the heartless is the fireworks that not even the wind can scatter. ¡°No matter the outcome, I still want to go and see, seeing is believing, yes, seeing is believing.¡± ¡°Perhaps I¡¯m wrong?¡± ¡°Perhaps¡­¡± An Jing muttered to himself, gazing at the full moon. ¡­.. Four Symbols Sect, chamber. The waning moon hung high, scattered stars twinkling, as moonlight fell like flowing satin. Yang Chong¡¯s brows were tightly furrowed as he walked slowly toward the chamber. ¡°Brother!¡± Just then, a lovely girl with bright eyes approached, carrying a food box. It was Jia Meixian. Yang Chong asked curiously, ¡°What dish have you prepared?¡± ¡°I stewed an old hen as you instructed, for Young Hero Han to nourish his body,¡± Jia Meixian said with a tinge of peculiarity in her eyes, ¡°Brother, what brings you here so late?¡± ¡°That¡­ that¡¯s good,¡± Yang Chong stammered, feeling a bit guilty, ¡°I was worried that Brother Han might be bored, so I thought I¡¯d keep him company and chat to relieve his boredom.¡± As he spoke, he pushed open the door and shouted loudly. ¡°Brother Han, Sister and I have come to see you, and we¡¯ve even stewed chicken soup for you.¡± The room was silent, void of any sound. Jia Meixian entered the room and saw that the bed was empty. She couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Huh, where is he?¡± ¡°Not good!¡± Yang Chong¡¯s face changed, fearing the worst, ¡°Brother Han wouldn¡¯t have been so ashamed that he¡­¡± Jia Meixian placed the food box on the table, puzzled, ¡°Brother, look at the table.¡± There was a piece of white paper on the table next to a wooden sword the size of a palm. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Yang Chong picked up the white paper from the table and read aloud, ¡°Brother Yang, Miss Jia, stricken with longing, I have departed ahead. If fate allows, we shall meet again. I leave this gift as a token of my gratitude.¡± Jia Meixian toyed with the wooden sword in her hand, murmuring, ¡°Is it this wooden sword?¡± ¡°Alas.¡± Yang Chong sat down heavily on a chair, his voice forlorn, ¡°He¡¯s actually gone, it¡¯s all my fault¡­¡± Confused, Jia Meixian asked, ¡°Brother, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Yang Chong knew her well; he was not a person of arrogance and overbearing nature. ¡°It was mountain bandits.¡± Yang Chong shook his head, his voice filled with pain and regret, ¡°Today I learned from his own lips that he was humiliated by mountain bandits, his body and soul both suffered immense trauma.¡± Jia Meixian became even more puzzled upon hearing this. Yang Chong explained, ¡°What do you think of Brother Han¡¯s appearance?¡± Jia Meixian thought for a moment, then said softly, ¡°Quite good¡­¡± Among the thousands of disciples in the Four Symbols Sect, there were not many who were more handsome than the young hero Han, especially those pair of eyes. Yang Chong sighed, ¡°Yes, some people are most fond of his rosy-cheeked and white-toothed youthful appearance.¡± ¡°Brother, could it be¡­.¡± Jia Meixian¡¯s eyes widened, a look of disbelief emerging in them. Yang Chong glanced at the wooden sword in Jia Meixian¡¯s hand and shook his head, ¡°Since he wants to leave, we should not force him to stay. Take good care of this item; Brother Han is indeed a man of misfortune.¡± With that, Yang Chong walked out of the house with a face full of regret. Leaving behind a completely bewildered Jia Meixian, who stared blankly at the wooden sword in her hand. ¡­¡­. Three days later, at Dongluo Pass, Sealing Demon Well. Zhao Qingmei stood at the bottom of the well, holding a piece of white paper in her hand, while a wooden figure next to her hung a basket filled with wine and meat. ¡°Failed?¡± After reading the letter, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows furrowed tightly. Although she was currently inside the Sealing Demon Well, she could still manipulate the entire Demon Sect through Yu Qiurong. Duanmu Xinghua was loyal to the Demon Sect, and since Zhao Qingmei was still the Sect Hierarch, Duanmu Xinghua still followed her orders. Her words, considering her past status as the leader of the Heavenly Sect, carried a lot of weight. Yu Qiurong and the head of the Xuanwu Sect were both promoted by her hands. Yu Qiurong controlled the lifeline of the Demon Sect, while the head of the Xuanwu Sect held the might of the Demon Sect¡¯s most formidable and elite iron-armored forces. Zhao Qingmei was very clear inside, as long as she held this elite force in her hands, then the Demon Sect would forever be under her control. Aside from that, Jiang Shang showed no interest in the matters of the Demon Sect and left in a hurry, while Jiang Renyi honestly secluded himself within the Dongluo Desert, seemingly seeking an opportunity to break through to the Grandmaster Realm. The Demon Sect remains quite stable to this day. The only cause for concern are the several old fellows at the Sealing Demon Platform. ¡°Sigh¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei mused, ¡°Jia Shiwu truly presented Zhao Chongyin with a splendid gift. The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is probably going to be finished, Xiao Ruoyun is really foolish¡­¡± The Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had said that this endeavor was foolproof, yet the most critical part had a flaw; if the charge of plotting against the Crown Prince were confirmed, the Pavilion might well be destroyed in the Great Yan Martial World. ¡°It seems that the Ghost Swordsman has sided with the Crown Prince, Zhao Chongyin. Not killing him in Yu State City was a mistake; he has now become a thorn in the side.¡± Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and then crumpled the letter in her hand into dust. The head of the Azure Dragon Sect of the Demon Sect was seriously injured by the Ghost Swordsman and nearly died at his hands, which was a clear opposition to the Demon Sect. Considering the situation, the Ghost Swordsman has apparently sided with Zhao Chongyin, and recruiting him seemed much less likely. ¡°I can only resolve these issues once I am out.¡± Zhao Qingmei picked up the food box and, as usual, sprinkled Red Beauty Drunk over the food before walking towards the cave. Based on her calculations over the past few days, the quantity by today should be nearly sufficient. Even if Nan Weiping possessed top-tier Grandmaster strength, it would be difficult to purge the poison of Red Beauty Drunk. Soon, she arrived inside the cave. Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°Elder Nan, today¡¯s meal has arrived.¡± ¡°Good, what delicacies do we have today? Bring them here quickly.¡± Nan Weiping, who still lay on the ground, suddenly perked up, her eyes gleaming. These days¡¯ meals had made her increasingly fond of the delicious offerings brought by Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei placed the food box in front of Nan Weiping and said, ¡°We have Pearl Jade and White Jade Soup, Bletilla Pig¡¯s Lung Soup, Sugar Lily Water Chestnut Soup, Barbecued Deer Tenderloin, and a pot of fine wine.¡± ¡°Very good, very good.¡± Merely hearing about it caused Nan Weiping¡¯s taste buds to dance, and she hurriedly opened the food box. Zhao Qingmei quietly watched Nan Weiping scarfing down the food without a word. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to write in your diary instead of watching me eat?¡± Nan Weiping, clutching her bowl of rice, asked seeing Zhou Qingmei standing motionless. Today¡¯s Zhao Qingmei seemed somewhat different from her usual self. ¡°No rush.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s serene eyes flowed calmly as she said, ¡°After Elder Nan finishes eating, I would like to ask you a question.¡± After hearing this, Nan Weiping continued to gobble up the food, ¡°Asking me a question will depend on my mood.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips rarely curved into a smile, ¡°That might not be up to Elder Nan.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Nan Weiping also sensed the deeper meaning in the words, and her movements paused. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s smile lifted slightly, ¡°Elder, have you not noticed yet?¡± Zhao Qingmei was extremely beautiful, and even more so when she smiled, but Nan Weiping felt a chill in her heart at that moment, a cold draft rising up her spine, shooting straight to the crown of her head. ¡°This Red Beauty Drunk is colorless and tasteless.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s pace was steady as she continued, ¡°You have ingested it for several days now, and the poison has long contaminated your internal organs.¡± Nan Weiping¡¯s gaze turned cold as she said indifferently, ¡°This old body does not fear death.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhao Qingmei watched Nan Weiping with a smile, her red lips parting lightly, ¡°I believe there¡¯s absolutely no one who does not fear death, but I am sure Elder Nan isn¡¯t one of them.¡± If Nan Weiping truly did not fear death, she would have hung herself long ago due to the torment of the lightless Sealing Demon Well, rather than struggle to live until now. She was someone who greatly cherished her life. ¡­¡­.. PS: Today I¡¯ll organize the outline. Chapter 175 - Chapter 175: Chapter 175 First Meeting in the Small Town of Ping County Chapter 175: Chapter 175 First Meeting in the Small Town of Ping County The pain was all-consuming, filling every nerve in An Jing¡¯s body, and it was continuous, without pause. ¡°Could this be because of the cultivation of the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯?¡± An Jing quickly sat down cross-legged, his qi mechanism surging wildly within him, resisting the black flames. Two major mental methods of the Mystical Sect frantically circulated within his body, a great amount of qi mechanism condensed inside him, yet the black flames not only became panicked, but surged even more violently. ¡°Boom!¡± When the qi mechanism of the Mystical Sect¡¯s mental method flowed into the black flames, it directly turned into a surging black qi mechanism. Although the black qi mechanism was very small, its momentum suddenly erupted. The qi mechanism condensed by the Mystical Sect was white, completely incompatible with the black qi mechanism. An Jing¡¯s face twisted with the piercing burning pain, and he frantically drove the qi mechanism within his body, continuously resisting the destructive force of the black qi mechanism. Although he already knew the potency of the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯s mental method, he was still taken aback by the qi mechanism derived from it at this moment. Both the ¡®Daluo Heart Method¡¯ and ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method¡¯ are derived from the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ of Mystical Sect martial arts, and are definitely incompatible with the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯. ¡°Huff, huff¡­¡± Intense panting sounds continuously came from An Jing¡¯s mouth as streams of crimson blood seeped out from his pores. It looked extremely terrifying and chilling. However, as soon as the blood appeared, it solidified into shackles, firmly sticking to his skin, making An Jing look as if he was wearing blood-red armor. At this moment, An Jing was hovering between losing himself under the impact of the two qi mechanisms. Indescribable severe pain emanated from every part of An Jing¡¯s body, a pain so intense it almost drove one mad, yet An Jing¡¯s eyes were bloodshot as he stubbornly held on with sheer willpower. The qi mechanism inside An Jing¡¯s body immediately rushed fearlessly towards the black qi mechanism, then forcibly enveloped it, following the Mystical Sect mental method¡¯s pathway as it began to circulate! Faced with the refinement of the Mystical Sect mental method, the black qi mechanism seemed to sense something and began to struggle violently. After all, the two qi mechanisms fundamentally differed and were completely incompatible. The repulsive force of the black qi mechanism was too strong, the white qi mechanism couldn¡¯t bear it at all. The powerful repulsive force spread throughout every part of his body, and also filled his dantian. These repulsive forces, unable to be expelled, would sooner or later burn An Jing from the inside out. An Jing¡¯s mind became somewhat dazed in an instant and he almost lost his defense. If he lost his defense, allowing the black qi mechanism to rampage within his body, then he wouldn¡¯t be far from a bodily explosion. ¡°Embrace the primordial unity, the heart opens divine clarity¡­¡± An Jing silently recited the incantation in his mouth, his mind seemingly emptying of everything, as if he had reached a state of selflessness. The black qi mechanism roiled within An Jing¡¯s body like an angry dragon, eventually all converging into his dantian. The dantian trembled as it faced the sudden intrusion of the black qi mechanism. Black and white qi mechanisms stood off against each other, a terrifying and frightening power spread out. It seemed like a life-and-death struggle. Once these two Qi mechanisms collided and converged, the resulting storm within his body would be enough to deal him severe damage. An Jing¡¯s awareness snapped back, and he immediately began to circulate the ¡°Daluo Heart Method¡± and the ¡°Ghost Valley Heart Method¡± in one hand, while channeling the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± in the other. If it were someone with average aptitude, they simply wouldn¡¯t be capable of cultivating these three heart methods at the same time, especially since the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± was a martial art of the Heavenly Martial¡¯s level. In an instant, the black and white Qi mechanisms were guided to interact with each other and started to settle down. The previously tense atmosphere also became much more tranquil. ¡°Sigh¡­¡± An Jing felt the condition inside his body and then let out a heavy sigh of relief. At this moment, the black and white Qi mechanisms nestled within his Dantian, clearly demarcated from each other, with the middle resembling a Thunder Pool, where neither would dare to overstep even half a step. ¡°Hmm?¡± An Jing opened his eyes and then discovered that the Earth Book indicated the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± had actually been cultivated to the Fourth Layer. One must understand that the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± is among the top martial arts in the current age; every level is exceptionally difficult to advance, especially since An Jing had only been cultivating it for a few short days, without any research and pondering. Seeing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but mutter to himself, ¡°This ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ is a martial art that only the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect can cultivate. Does this mean I could also become the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect?¡± A great man, living between heaven and earth, should not languish beneath others for long; occasionally standing above others is also acceptable. He quickly dismissed this ¡®impractical¡¯ thought from his mind. An Jing muttered to himself, ¡°Forget it, it is still most important to enhance my own strength for now.¡± Although he had been continuously studying and pondering the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor¡¯s sword scrolls these past few days, his progress in Sword Dao cultivation had actually slowed down. The barrier between the Fifth and Sixth Realms was indeed a massive threshold. Throughout history, many top swordsmen have been trapped within this realm. Therefore, advancing to the Sixth Realm is not something that can be achieved overnight. ¡°The threshold from a Half-step Master to a Grandmaster is also there, but if one accumulates enough Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, there might still be a chance,¡± he said. An Jing muttered to himself, then took out the Holy Essence Gu he had been carrying in his bosom, ¡°I almost forgot this precious thing.¡± At this moment, the Holy Essence Gu was no longer smooth and translucent like before; it seemed extremely famished, and its body had shriveled up considerably. Not to mention condensing Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, it was questionable whether it could even continue to live. An Jing originally obtained this Holy Essence Gu through a stroke of blue luck. Even a master like Lou Xiangzhen was greatly tempted by it. And somehow, Lou Xiangzhen had managed to hatch it, allowing it to nourish a significant amount of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence upon birth. Most of it had been used by Lou Xiangzhen to advance to the Three Qi Realm, but a small part had been left behind, allowing An Jing to break through to the Master Cultivation of a Half-step Grandmaster. Having not been fed for so long, the Holy Essence Gu appeared to be on its last breath. An Jing took a deep breath. ¡°But I need to find a way to make it release the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. When the old man Lou left, he mentioned this thing likes to eat various rare jades. I¡¯ll buy some jade to feed the Holy Essence Gu when I go to Ping County.¡± After safely storing the Holy Essence Gu, An Jing didn¡¯t hesitate any further and immediately landed on the back of the Black Flood Dragon. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon, though currently very timid, was extremely perceptive and fully understood An Jing¡¯s instructions. Nodding and shaking its head, it leapt into the air and flew swiftly toward the distance. Heavenly Gate City was aptly named, as it was the gateway to Yujing City. Ping County belonged to the jurisdiction of Yujing City. Once past the Heavenly Gate City, one would enter the outskirts of Yujing City. An Jing had the Black Flood Dragon hide in the midst of the mountains before he entered Ping County. Ping County was neither large nor small, situated between Yujing City and Youfeng Valley, serving as a vital path that connected the eastern side with Yujing City. Due to its proximity to Yujing City, this place was also bustling with activity. Originally, An Jing thought he would be extremely excited upon arriving here, but at this moment, he was overcome with a complex and subtle array of emotions. ¡°Candied hawthorns for sale! Four copper coins per skewer.¡± ¡°Selling rice, come and have a look!¡± ¡°Stinky tofu, smells bad but tastes delicious, everyone come have a look.¡± ¡­¡­. The streets were crowded, with a constant stream of people coming and going, and the vendors¡¯ cries from the stalls on both sides were incessant. There were also a few stalls including a fortune teller with a signboard. On the golden sign was written: The ancient art of divination passed down by immortals, surpassing the stars and better than the Purple Forbidden enclosure. As An Jing walked on the streets, looking at the bustling scenes before him, he couldn¡¯t help but become slightly distracted. The fortune teller looked up and said with a smile, ¡°Sir, would you like to have your palm read?¡± ¡°Can you really tell the future?¡± An Jing glanced at the fortune teller and asked. ¡°That depends on whether you believe it will come true or not.¡± The fortune teller grinned and said, ¡°Come on, let me tell you your fortune. I¡¯m very accurate.¡± ¡°No, thanks.¡± An Jing glanced at the fortune teller¡¯s palm and shook his head. The fortune teller had a strong scent of blood on him, and though his palms seemed free of calluses, there was a sharp qi mechanism about him that suggested he was not so much a fortune teller as a life taker. The fortune teller smiled and said no more. ¡°My lord, you must have traveled from afar. I can show you the way,¡± said a clever-looking youth who approached at that moment. In every region, there were ¡®informers¡¯ who were clever and had a sharp eye, specialized in guiding people, finding others or objects, and gathering information in exchange for some silver. The youth could tell from An Jing¡¯s unfamiliar face, the robe covering his features, and the ancient longsword in his hand, that he was an outsider, a traveler of the Jianghu. ¡°How long have you been in Ping County?¡± An Jing gave the youth a glance and inquired. The youth eagerly replied, ¡°My lord, I was born and raised here; you could say I¡¯m quite familiar with every blade of grass and tree in Ping County.¡± ¡°Here¡¯s some silver.¡± An Jing took out a tael of silver upon hearing this. ¡°I only have one question.¡± ¡°Please, my lord, ask away,¡± the youth said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. A tael of silver! That was a whole tael of silver! It was rare for someone to offer such a substantial consultation fee. Those around who saw it all showed a hint of envy. After a long pause, An Jing finally asked, ¡°Does Ping County have a prominent family with the surname Zhao?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve lived here over ten years and know only of the Zhang Family and the Zuo Family,¡± the youth said, shaking his head. An Jing nodded, letting out a deep breath, but then his mood became overcast once more. Although he had already known this outcome, now that the fact was right before his eyes, he still couldn¡¯t quite react. An Jing, how could you be so foolish! The lady¡¯s demeanor of a noble daughter is fake, it¡¯s her ruthlessness that might be real. But why did Zhao Qingmei marry me in the first place? An Jing was puzzled and bewildered. Seeing An Jing lost in thought, the youth stood by respectfully, not uttering a word. Many things suddenly seemed to become clear. For example, the sudden attempt on his life by Jiang Ye ¨C logically speaking, he shouldn¡¯t have known An Jing¡¯s true identity, and An Jing had never had any trouble with such a powerful figure before, so why would such a man seek to kill him? Thus, it must be because of his wife that Jiang Ye had attacked him so ruthlessly. Moreover, Zhao Qingmei had left for so long, she had said she would return to Yu State City in two months, and by now she must have learned of ¡®An Jing¡¯s¡¯ death, so naturally, there was no need for her to return to Yu State City anymore. ¡°Huh¡­¡± An Jing exhaled deeply. Seeking out Zhao Qingmei directly would be restricted by the Earth Book, preventing him from revealing his identity and instead leading him to clash swords with the Demon Sect. Since his wife was safe, he felt no need to be overly concerned. ¡°In the Jianghu, strength is the most important. I need to improve my own strength. Also, I need to infiltrate the Demon Sect. On one hand, it allows me to slowly enhance my power; on the other hand, it lets me uncover my wife¡¯s schemes against me,¡± An Jing reasoned. ¡°So, the plan now is to find that old fellow Li Fuzhou, then submit my declaration of allegiance to infiltrate the Demon Sect,¡± An Jing quickly formulated his current path and strategy as his mind raced. In short, infiltrating the Demon Sect was the best course of action. Li Fuzhou seemed to be around Yujing City, and so was Tan Yun, who had managed to become a Guardian in the Demon Sect thanks to the mentor-disciple relationship with Li Fuzhou. It would be exceedingly difficult for An Jing to locate them. Thinking back to his previous encounter with Li Fuzhou at Five Poison Mountain, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°If only I hadn¡¯t been so absolute in rejecting Li Fuzhou¡¯s offer to join him back then¡­¡± ¡°` Many things are only realized to be regrettable after they have passed. Even if I found Li Fuzhou now, I doubt it would be easy to make him trust me. Li Fuzhou is a complete fox, very tricky; if I suddenly changed my tune and said I wanted to join the Demon Sect, he would definitely become very suspicious. Could I enter the Demon Sect through Tan Yun and thereby obtain more information about my wife? An Jing mused inwardly, ¡°However, before heading to Yujing City, I should first retrieve the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s split form from Xu King Mountain, as gaining even a bit more strength is still an increase in strength.¡± ¡°My lord¡­¡± The young boy next to him, seeing An Jing standing in place lost in thought for a long time, said somewhat anxiously. An Jing came back to his senses, took out another two taels of silver, and threw it to the boy, saying, ¡°Take this to my jade shop.¡± ¡°Yes, my lord, right this way.¡± The boy, seeing An Jing¡¯s generous tip, was extremely excited. ¡­.. Capital Road, Qinghe Village. Inside the village, there was a square courtyard with flickering lights. A square table was placed inside, with three sets of teaware. A beautiful and delicate girl stood by the side, listening intently to the conversation of those present. This girl was none other than Tan Yun. The ones sitting at the table were the heads of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect¨CLi Fuzhou, the head of the Azure Dragon Sect¨CLin Tianhai, and a master of the Earth Sect¨CLuo Zixiang. ¡°This Ghost Swordsman has gone too far, showing no regard for our Demon Sect.¡± Lin Tianhai¡¯s old face darkened as he started to bitterly complain to Li Fuzhou and Luo Zixiang. It had been a close call; the Ghost Swordsman almost castrated him, and to say Lin Tianhai wasn¡¯t scared at the time would be impossible. Thinking back on it now, his heart still filled with both shock and fear. Although he had aged, his heart had not¡­ his once vigorous spirit was still present. That day at the Four Symbols Sect, if not for the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s interference, how could Xi Yuanjun and Jia Shiwu have been a match for him, Lin Tianhai? After all, those two were at the Half-step Master level, while he, Lin Tianhai, had already reached the Grandmaster Realm. ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is indeed a bit peculiar.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded his head and said in a deep voice, ¡°Back when I was on Three Temple Mountain, I hadn¡¯t said a single word and he attacked to kill me; at that time I thought he had some grudge with our Demon Sect.¡± But Luo Zixiang¡¯s brow was furrowed tightly. ¡°However, last time in Huangyao Town, the Ghost Swordsman personally saved Tan Yun.¡± Tan Yun nodded again and again by the side, saying anxiously, ¡°Yes, if not for the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s appearance, I might have fallen into the hands of the Xuanyi Guard. There might be some misunderstanding here.¡± As Tan Yun was a person of low profile and high emotional expressiveness, the three others present seemed as if they hadn¡¯t heard a word she said. ¡°` She was so anxious that she was sweating profusely. All three of them were frowning tightly, silently contemplating; the Ghost Swordsman was not only elusive in his whereabouts but even his motives were just as unpredictable. At this moment, Li Fuzhou took out a piece of white paper and placed it on the table, saying, ¡°Sect Master Yu has sent a secret letter, stating that we should try to capture the Ghost Swordsman alive.¡± When Lin Tianhai heard this, he couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly, ¡°Even the old Qingfeng was slain by this Ghost Swordsman; let alone capturing him alive, it would be a tremendous fortune if we could simply defeat him.¡± The old Qingfeng was a master who had reached the One Qi realm of the Grandmasters, and he was well-known for a long time; even he fell at the hands of the Ghost Swordsman, how could the people present be a match for the Ghost Swordsman. Luo Zixiang¡¯s face was full of shock and uncertainty, ¡°Even the Zhenyi Sect in the Great Yan did not manage to capture him alive; I¡¯m afraid we might¡­.¡± The Ghost Swordsman was no longer just the Ghost Swordsman of Yu State City; with countless martial arts experts¡¯ lives under his belt, his reputation had long been established. Tan Yun, standing beside, had a face full of worry, but at this moment there was simply no place for her to speak. Li Fuzhou shook his head, ¡°The strength of the Ghost Swordsman is profound and unpredictable; it is certain that we have very little chance of defeating him, but we can make use of others instead.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Upon hearing Li Fuzhou say this, Lin Tianhai¡¯s eyebrows shot up. Narrowing his eyes, Li Fuzhou said, ¡°It¡¯s known throughout Jianghu that Lou Xiangzhen favors the Ghost Swordsman; and it¡¯s an indisputable fact that Lou Xiangzhen was once defeated by the Sword God of the Yu Heng Sword Sect, which left him desolate for decades. Now, Lin Yiyang is one of the six great Sword Immortals, and the Ghost Swordsman is also among these six. This grudge has yet to be settled; we can exploit this fact¡­.¡± Lin Tianhai, being a sly fox himself, promptly asked, ¡°Are you suggesting, Sect Master Li, that we should propagate this matter widely, and then spread the rumor that the Ghost Swordsman has challenged Lin Yiyang, letting them fight each other while we reap the benefits as the third party?¡± Li Fuzhou nodded, ¡°Exactly, according to the intelligence obtained by our Human Sect, Lin Yiyang is already in Yujing City.¡± In Jianghu, the Zhenyi Sect holds an extraordinary status, not needing to find support from any power within the temples, and even the Second Prince has to curry favor with the Zhenyi Sect, exerting all his effort to make an alliance with it. Other powers, even as strong as the Yu Heng Sword Sect, also need to find a patron within the temples. Lin Yiyang is an arrogant and haughty man, deeming no one worth his attention; naturally, he has very few friends, but among these few is none other than the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin. Every time Lin Yiyang visits Yujing City, he has only one purpose. And that is to visit this old friend. On the side, Luo Zixiang asked, ¡°What if the Ghost Swordsman and Lin Yiyang don¡¯t fall for this obvious plot? Keep in mind that the Ghost Swordsman seems to also have a relationship with the Crown Prince¡­¡± Back then at the Four Symbols Sect, the Ghost Swordsman had taken action, otherwise, with Lin Tianhai¡¯s strength, it would only be a matter of time before Xi Yuanjun and Jia Shiwu were defeated. ¡°If the Ghost Swordsman is confident enough, there are two definite reasons why he must challenge Lin Yiyang.¡± Li Fuzhou pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°Firstly, it¡¯s true that Lou Xiangzhen was indeed harmed using a petty scheme by the Sword God back in the day; secondly, Lin Yiyang¡¯s character is so arrogant that if he knew the Ghost Swordsman was challenging him, whether it is true or false, he would scoff at it internally. Who in Jianghu does not fight for fame and profit? Unless the Ghost Swordsman is willing to be a shrinking turtle.¡± Tan Yun finally found an opportunity to speak up on the side, ¡°But this Ghost Swordsman is like a shrinking turtle; Master, how about we try a different strategy, say, a beauty trap¡­.¡± Towards the end, her voice trailed off as if she lacked the courage to continue. Luo Zixiang looked down, Lin Tianhai drank water, and Li Fuzhou simply turned a deaf ear. With a faint smile, Li Fuzhou said, ¡°There¡¯s no one in Jianghu who doesn¡¯t value their reputation. When this matter escalates continuously, both parties will find themselves at the eye of the storm. With the tide of events, they can only proceed out of necessity. Do you remember what happened to Lou Xiangzhen back then?¡± After Jiang Sanjia was framed, Lou Xiangzhen chose to stay in seclusion, indifferent to the situation. This matter had indeed sparked intense debates in Jianghu at the time. Those wandering in Jianghu usually take loyalty and brotherhood very seriously. Li Fuzhou shook his head and said, ¡°Of course, if the Ghost Swordsman really is that patient and we can¡¯t outsmart him, then we¡¯ll have no choice but to force our hand.¡± ¡°Force our hand?¡± Lin Tianhai glanced at Li Fuzhou. Could they really take on the Ghost Swordsman by force? Li Fuzhou said indifferently, ¡°When this old man returns from Yujing City, I¡¯ll meet with him personally.¡± Lin Tianhai and Luo Zixiang didn¡¯t speak, their expressions turning gravely serious. Li Fuzhou had been in seclusion for decades, so much so that people had forgotten that he was once a prodigy, a genius that even Jiang Shang couldn¡¯t help but admire inwardly. Tan Yun bit her lip, her mind racing as she pondered how to stop these three men in front of her or to relay the message to the Ghost Swordsman, telling him to leave quickly to avoid the cunning plots of these old foxes. ¡­¡­.. In Ping County, outside the Jade Shop. The youth pointed ahead to the shop and said, ¡°Sir, that¡¯s the Jade Shop right there.¡± ¡°Good, thank you,¡± said An Jing, gesturing with his hand. ¡°You go on with your business.¡± The youth rubbed his hands together and said, ¡°Sir, if you have any other instructions, I¡¯ll just wait nearby.¡± This gentleman before him was very generous, and the youth couldn¡¯t miss this excellent opportunity. An Jing nodded and then entered the Jade Shop. ¡°Hmm?!¡± As soon as he entered, he saw an old Buddhist monk with a compassionate and benign countenance standing to the side, seemingly waiting patiently for something. The old monk also sensed someone entering and joined his hands together in front of his chest, saying, ¡°Benefactor, we meet again.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see the master here.¡± An Jing was a bit surprised and said with a smile, ¡°Indeed, life is full of unexpected reunions.¡± The old monk before him was none other than Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, a grandmaster of the Zen Sect. Somehow, seeing this monk gave An Jing an inexplicable sense of familiarity, possibly because the old monk reminded him of past events in Yu State City. ¡°Indeed, I did not expect it either,¡± said Universal Benefit Bodhisattva with a sigh, then he asked, ¡°May I know what business brings the benefactor here today?¡± ¡°I came here searching for someone.¡± ¡°By the looks of it, it seems the benefactor has not found them.¡± ¡°I have found them, yet I have not,¡± An Jing let out a melancholic sigh and said, ¡°Master, why aren¡¯t you spreading the Buddhist teachings but instead in this small city?¡± The Buddhist institutions had started to expand widely across Great Yan, showing significant success recently, and in a few years, the Great Yan Martial World might see an increase in Buddhist disciples. Given the current trend, Buddhism is flourishing everywhere, significantly affecting the direct interests of the Zhenyi Sect and compounding their previous severe losses and injuries. Xiao Qianqiu above Abyss Lake also failed to maintain the prestige of the Zhenyi Sect as the National Religion, making the sect now seem like a wounded tiger. But a wounded tiger is the most dangerous and aggressive. If the conflicts with the Ghost Swordsman only involved succession disputes, then the struggle with Buddhism was a matter of life and death. With the rise of Buddhism, the Zhenyi Sect would undoubtedly decline. As the National Religion of Great Yan, the Zhenyi Sect would surely respond. Currently, in the martial world of Great Yan, only Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, who had just entered the Grandmaster Realm, was clearly no match for the Zhenyi Sect. Rumors in Jianghu suggested that a Buddhist Vajra had crossed the ocean to the ancient temple of Dragon Spring in Yujing City. Vajra¡¯s Furious Eyes, exorcising evil and subduing demons, the Bodhisattva with lowered brows, extending salvation to all sentient beings. Both Vajra and Bodhisattva are esteemed titles in Buddhism, with the distinction that Bodhisattvas, although grandmasters, are not fond of battle, whereas Vajras are known for their ferocity, practicing the lethal martial arts of Buddhism, ranking top among experts of the same realm. In the war that eliminated Buddhism, when Buddhist Vajras emerged, they fought bloody battles on all sides, leaving corpses for miles, a horror still vivid in the minds of many experts. However, whether Dragon Spring Temple truly harbors a Buddhist Vajra is unknown. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva said, ¡°This humble monk is entrusted to ensure someone¡¯s safety.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s brows slightly raised in curiosity as to who could compel a Buddhist grandmaster to serve as a protector, surely someone with an extraordinary background. Who exactly could this person be? ¡°Old monk, what do you think of carving a jade Buddha from this prime Dushan jade?¡± Just then, a voice rang out. The voice was melodious, bright and clear yet soft and melodious, like an oriole singing, distinct in its beauty. What a beautiful young woman. An Jing instinctively looked up to see a woman in a white dress, shining like the blossoming flowers around her, no more than seventeen or eighteen, with skin fairer than snow and breathtaking beauty, almost too radiant to look directly at. To An Jing, the beauty of women should not be compared by ranking. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Every woman had her own unique charm and grace, like Zhao Qingmei, with her gentle and demure nature, like willows in the breeze, softly alluring and full of tender passion. Dai Ling, with her ice-pure jade-like aura, was coldly aristocratic, seemingly a fairy banished to the mortal realm, intimidating people from getting too close. Tan Yun might not be the most stunning, but she was nevertheless a rare beauty, with a curvaceous figure, a playful and lively demeanor in her brows, exuding innocence and natural appeal, difficult not to like. The woman before him exuded an aura of ethereal beauty, her phoenix eyes like pools of crystal-clear water with electric arcs that strike directly into a man¡¯s heart, especially with the faint smile curling at the corner of her mouth, perfect as a crescent moon. At that moment, the woman holding an ancient jade slowly descended the stairs. Chapter 176 - Chapter 176: Chapter 176 Doctor An Enjoys Watching Events Unfold Online Chapter 176: Chapter 176 Doctor An Enjoys Watching Events Unfold Online The woman was breathtakingly beautiful, like a bright moon in the night sky, capable of attracting the gaze of any man wherever she stood. However, An Jing merely glanced over her briefly, focusing more attention on the elderly nanny behind her. First Grade Heavenly Flower Realm! In Jianghu, the First Grade Heavenly Flower Realm was considered exceptionally high-level, and An Jing had only encountered two individuals who willingly served in such a capacity so far. One was Li Fuzhou, and the other was the middle-aged woman next to the Crown Prince, Zhao Chongyin. Both of their masters held extraordinary statuses. Given this, the identity of the woman before him was certainly far from ordinary. The breathtaking woman was none other than Princess An Le of Great Yan, Zhao Xuening. ¡°Old monk, what do you think of this jade?¡± Zhao Xuening approached Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, completely oblivious to An Jing nearby. At that moment, An Jing was not completely concealed; he had merely retracted all his Qi Mechanism, appearing unremarkable. A master! But the elderly nanny beside Zhao Xuening was vigilant and looked over with a grave heart. A swordsman who could converse so pleasantly with Universal Benefit Bodhisattva couldn¡¯t possibly be a commoner; this person must be a top-level master. An Jing maintained a calm and indifferent demeanor, withdrawing his gaze after a brief look. Beauty inevitably fades, and fine features will eventually decline. The world never lacks for beauties. Those who worship beauty as if it were divine are the greatest fools in the world. Once you possess power and wealth, you will realize that what you least lack is beauty. What is lacking is sincere affection, which is truly priceless. ¡°This jade is indeed exquisite.¡± Universal Benefit Bodhisattva took the jade and caressed it. ¡°Its appearance is moist and pure, and touching it is like feeling the delicate and smooth skin of an infant; it truly is a good piece of jade.¡± Zhao Xuening thought of something and joyfully said, ¡°I¡¯ll use this unique Dushan jade to make a jade Buddha for my uncle; he will surely love it.¡± The mother of Zhao Xuening was the once most beautiful woman in the world, Zuo Linglong, and her uncle was the current Valley Master of Youfeng Valley, Zuo Biwen. Among the seven major Sects in the Great Yan Martial World today, except for Youfeng Valley, other sects either shunned Buddhist affiliations like avoiding a snake, or kept at a respectful distance, only Youfeng Valley¡¯s Valley Master Zuo Biwen held a deep affection for Buddhism. Many speculated that it might be because Zuo Biwen had conflicts with Lin Yiyang when he was younger, so whatever he did later, he always opposed Lin Yiyang. In Jianghu, many were aware that Lin Yiyang and the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin were close friends, so Youfeng Valley had severed all ties with the Crown Prince¡¯s lineage and instead associated with the Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai. This was also the case with Buddhism. Most talkatively, it was once said by an elder of the Yu Heng Sword Sect that during the preparations for a grand event of their sect, an elder asked if they should invite someone from Youfeng Valley to ease the friction between the factions. However, Lin Yiyang raised an eyebrow and responded, ¡°What grudges do the Yu Heng Sword Sect and Youfeng Valley hold?¡± It wasn¡¯t that Lin Yiyang was being sarcastic; he genuinely had forgotten the past grievances with Zuo Biwen. When this story spread in Jianghu, many admired Lin Yiyang¡¯s broad-mindedness, mocking Zuo Biwen¡¯s pettiness in contrast. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva held his hands together in front of his chest, ¡°Valley Master Zuo is devout in his Buddhism practices. If this jade were made into a Buddha statue for him, it would indeed be wonderful.¡± Valley Master!? Uncle!? Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s mind spun rapidly, and he instantly guessed the identity and origin of this person. Another noble of the Great Yan Royal Family, no wonder Universal Benefit Bodhisattva personally provided protection. Hearing this, Zhao Xuening immediately laughed and said, ¡°Then pack up that jade stone upstairs for me, and later I will ask an artisan to carve it.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the elderly nanny immediately bowed and then headed towards the second floor. An Jing chuckled softly, ¡°Master, I¡¯ll go and buy some jade stones then.¡± ¡°You may proceed as you wish,¡± said Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, his palm resting on his chest. An Jing approached the counter, ¡°Show me some jade stones of good quality.¡± Although An Jing was not very knowledgeable about jade stones, he could generally tell whether the stones were of good quality. ¡°Right away,¡± the clerk quickly took out some jade stones from under the counter, ¡°These jade stones are unpolished, uncarved. If you¡¯d like finished products, we have those too, though they would be slightly more expensive.¡± An Jing glanced over them and casually pointed out a few, ¡°These stones will suffice; please pack them up for me.¡± Eventually feeding the Holy Essence Gu with these jade stones would suffice for the time being, so long as the Holy Essence Gu survives, he could seek out rarer jade stones later. Zhao Xuening, curious, looked at the man in the black robe and asked in a low voice, ¡°Master, who is this?¡± ¡°Not the benefactor¡¯s benefactor,¡± Universal Benefit Bodhisattva thought for a moment and said. Not the benefactor¡¯s benefactor? Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuening was even more puzzled. What did it mean if not the benefactor¡¯s benefactor? ¡°That will be thirty-two silver pieces,¡± the clerk said with a grin, placing the packed jade stones in front of An Jing. An Jing placed the silver on the counter. The shop assistant knew the weight of the silver the moment he held it in his hand and immediately said, ¡°Alright, dear guest, feel free to make any other requests.¡± The assistant was genuinely pleased with An Jing, a guest who did not haggle and was very decisive. An Jing picked up the packaged jade, walked up to the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, and smiled, ¡°Master, as rivers and mountains meet, so shall we meet again.¡± The Universal Benefit Bodhisattva pressed his palms together in front of his chest and said, ¡°The Buddhist has a deep connection with you, donor; I believe we will meet again.¡± An Jing nodded and walked towards the exit of the jade shop. The sunlight was brilliant, dazzling on the streets, somewhat bewildering. ¡°Hm!?¡± Suddenly, An Jing felt the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand trembling. This was the first time such a thing had happened since he had acquired the Evil Suppressing Sword. An Jing looked around discreetly. The street market was bustling, and a familiar figure was coming through the crowd. It was the fortune teller. He was carrying a flat gold piece, his face wearing a faint smile. At the same time, several strong auras rushed toward him, their murderous intensity barely concealed, and their target was the jade shop behind An Jing. ¡°It¡¯s inside there,¡± a voice rose from the crowd. A man in plain clothes leaped forward, aiming a palm strike at the jade shop. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± Inner Strength surged like a tide, emitting a trembling sound, and a giant palm emerged, crashing down like a million-pound boulder. ¡°Bang!¡± The walls and wooden pillars around the jade shop instantly scattered into chips. But as the palm continued its descent, a golden light enveloped it. This was indeed the Buddhist¡¯s Vajra Immortal Body! ¡°Boom!¡± The palm was instantly pierced by the golden light, dissipating into smoke. Dust rose around, the residual Qi Force surged like a tide. Several ordinary civilians turned into a mist of blood, and those farther away had their organs shattered by the powerful Qi Force, falling to the ground breathless. An Jing, positioned not too far, quickly stepped backward, dodging the incoming Qi Force. Just then, a body fell before him; it was the young boy who had led him earlier. The boy still clutched the two taels of silver, now smeared with fresh blood. Seeing this, An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°Quick, run!¡± Seeing this, the people of Ping County panicked, running madly towards the distance, fearing they would be implicated. Some individuals from the martial world showed shocked expressions, staring intensely at the high master who had delivered the palm strike. This single strike revealed the person to be a first-class master of the current age. ¡°Amitabha!¡± As the dust gradually settled, the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva appeared standing amidst the ruins, with a slightly pale Zhao Xuening and the old lady behind him. ¡°Universal Benefit, step aside, and I will spare your life,¡± the fortune teller said with a light smile. Grandmaster!? An Jing felt the Qi Mechanism emanating from him and was immediately shocked. He had not realized that the fortune teller was actually a grandmaster, even as they had met earlier. The Universal Benefit Bodhisattva looked at the fortune teller and asked with furrowed brows, ¡°The malicious energy on your body is indeed rare. Could it be that you are a high master from the Black Ice Platform?¡± Black Ice Platform of Zhao Country. This group was known to everyone in the world. In Zhao Country, the Black Ice Platform was undeniably the foremost power, its influence so extensive that it encompassed over seventy percent of the masters there, even controlling and dominating the Zhao royal family. In Zhao Country, the Black Ice Platform was the sky. Moreover, with the Black Ice Platform specializing in various sinister martial arts and elixirs, its reputation was formidable yet also notorious worldwide. The infamous Blood Spirit Technique, rumored to be disseminated by the Black Ice Platform, and even the Joyful Union Sect was said to have significant ties with them. In short, many of the world¡¯s atrocities were intricately linked with the Black Ice Platform. Not just that, the Black Ice Platform also possessed the renowned Blood-Loathing Pill, capable of enhancing the probability of advancing from a Half-step Master to a Grandmaster, attracting countless masters worldwide to join their ranks. It could be said that the location with the most masters in the current world was the Black Ice Platform. Moreover, this great hand stretched and spread across various places worldwide; who was to say which dark corner wasn¡¯t manipulated by the Black Ice Platform? However, compared to the Demon Sect, the Black Ice Platform had always been very secretive and rarely initiated disturbances in the Jianghu. Moreover, in Great Yan, the Black Ice Platform was in an even more pitiful state than the Demon Sect, which is why their influence could not be considered very strong. The fortune teller did not speak, but several formidable individuals already gathered around him, two of whom were Half-step Masters. The person on the left was an elderly man, with a detached demeanor, hands held behind his back. He was the person who had launched the palm strike earlier. The other was a middle-aged man, holding a silver hook that shone brightly, his complexion cold, and his face exceedingly ugly, intimidating like a Rash ghost from the underworld. The old lady behind Zhao Xuening saw these two men and whispered with furrowed brows, ¡°The Cold Whistle of Xiaoxiang Water Clouds, Silver Hook Rash Lin Zisheng!?¡± Leng Xiao, a peer of Lou Xiangzhen, was a renowned master who had disappeared from Jianghu for many years. Although he paled in comparison to Lou Xiangzhen, who had a reputation spanning an era, he was still a formidable figure. Having lived in seclusion for many years without involving himself in the affairs of Jianghu, his sudden reappearance took many by surprise as his cultivation had reached the boundary of a half-step Master. Another, Lin Yiyang, was originally the chief tributor of Nu Jing Gang. Back then, his cultivation was only at the Earth Flower Realm. During conflicts between Cao Gang and Nu Jing Gang, he had once overwhelmed Tian Liu of Cao Gang before mysteriously vanishing as if evaporated from the human world. This led to the decline of Nu Jing Gang, which was later absorbed by Cao Gang, establishing its reputation as the leading force in the world today. Some said he had gone into hiding in Jianghu, others thought he had died early, and some believed he had fled to another country, no longer in Great Yan. Now, he too had suddenly appeared, and his cultivation had surprisingly reached that of a half-step Master, which seemed almost dreamlike to the listeners. Apart from these two, there were several other masters behind them, their Qi mechanisms showing they were of Second Grade and First Grade cultivation levels. The fortune teller shook the sign in his hand and remained silent. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva¡¯s expression darkened, and he spoke slowly, ¡°Could it be that the benefactor is Qi Shu?¡± When the name ¡®Qi Shu¡¯ was mentioned, the old nanny turned pale, and Zhao Xuening felt as if struck by thunder out of the clear sky. ¡°I¡¯m honored.¡± The fortune teller spoke indifferently, ¡°My time is short. If that old man from the palace arrives or an old scholar from Lv Sect makes a move, I fear it would be difficult to escape. I will give you only three breaths¡¯ time to consider.¡± What kind of master was the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva? Although he had reached the master-level with his position as Bodhisattva within the Buddhist community only a few years ago, he was indeed of Master Cultivation. At this moment, Qi Shu was giving him just three breaths to decide, suggesting a readiness to engage in battle with him if he refused. This showed the arrogance in Qi Shu¡¯s tone and demeanor. ¡°Qi Shu from beyond the stars?¡± An Jing was also shocked internally and began retreating steadily towards the back. The martial worlds of Yan Country and Zhao Country did not interlink, but the top masters from both countries were renowned worldwide. Among them were dozens of top masters, including Qi Shu. This person was the disciple of Qi Wushuang, the number one master of Zhao Country. Qi Wushuang, whose real name was Qi Xuan Dao, was born in Zhao Country. In his youth, he entered Black Ice Platform for training. Initially, he did not display extraordinary talent and was even considered inferior among his peer top masters. Qi Xuan Dao kept a low profile and did not stand out; in his forties, his cultivation was only around Second Grade and was quite unremarkable, almost unnoticed. However, as time progressed, Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s cultivation suddenly accelerated, and within just twenty years, he became the number one master in Zhao Country, defeating countless renowned masters worldwide, placing him among the top figures. A late bloomer, to be feared by the younger generation. It was said that Ye Ding from Zhenyi Sect once went to Zhao Country to discuss Dao with Qi Xuan Dao and ended up narrowly defeated. This incident had caused a great stir in the Great Yan Martial World at the time. Since Zhenyi Sect had always proclaimed Ye Ding as the top master in the Great Yan Martial World, his defeat by Qi Xuan Dao undoubtedly tarnished the reputation of the Great Yan Martial World. Neither Ye Ding nor Zhenyi Sect ever came out to explain this. Of course, no one had witnessed this, so whether it was true or false was only known to Ye Ding and Qi Xuan Dao. Zhao Country regarded Qi Xuan Dao as unparalleled, thus they named him Qi Wushuang, a name he had for more than forty years and which the people gradually grew accustomed to, some even forgetting his real name. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s cultivation was profound and immeasurable, considered among the top three or five worldwide, and he was still active in Zhao Country, serving as the stabilizer, which was one reason why Zhao Country dominated over Yan Country for decades. Qi Xuan Dao had three disciples in his lifetime, Qi Shu being the youngest and most talented among them. Qi Shu was not only Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s disciple but also raised by him since childhood, regarded as his own child. His talent was evident from an early age, and his cultivation progressed at an incredible pace. Among his contemporaries, only the practitioner who was in seclusion on Zhenyi Sect¡¯s mountain could surpass him. Despite being under Xiao Qianqiu, Qi Shu was still expected to succeed Qi Xuan Dao and become the foremost master of Zhao Country. ¡°Amitabha.¡± The Universal Benefit Bodhisattva placed his palms together in front of his chest, yet his feet remained unmoved. ¡°Then Qi has no reservations.¡± Qi Shu spoke lightly, taking a step forward. Though the step seemed calm, the momentum rushing forth was like surging tidal waves, instantly engulfing everything. Others could not feel it, but to the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, it was like a mountain collapsing and the earth splitting. The next moment, Qi Shu had already reached in front of the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, and then threw a punch, landing heavily on the light shield in front of him. ¡°Boom!¡± The ground immediately began to tremble, and nearby buildings shook violently. As the punch landed, the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°The Buddhist Vajra Immortal Body indeed has some skills.¡± Qi Shu smiled faintly, then clenched his fingers tightly, as if to crush even the air in the gaps. Wind sprang up beneath his feet, swift as thunder. Draped in swirling black Qi, his presence seemed domineering and eerie, instilling fear in those who saw. ¡°Boom!¡± Another punch came crashing down like a shooting star, striking the golden light shield. At the moment of collision, the explosive Qi surged like a tidal wave, spreading to both sides. ¡°Let¡¯s go quickly!¡± The old nanny grabbed Zhao Xuening¡¯s arm and leaped away towards the distance. ¡°Where are you going!?¡± Leng Xiao and Lin Yiyang, however, quickly chased after them. Lin Zisheng¡¯s hand trembled with a long hook, and several cold lights attacked like a flurry of venomous snakes. ¡°Hiss!¡± The old nanny was struck directly in the chest by this cold light, and in the nick of time, she pushed Zhao Xuening away. On one side, Leng Xiao¡¯s body leaped, like an eagle spreading its wings, and he grabbed Zhao Xuening¡¯s neck, then lifted her entire body. ¡°Mmm¡­ Mmm¡± At that moment, the stunning beauty looked disheveled; her snow-white neck was clutched by Leng Xiao, her face flushed red, her mouth wide open, but she couldn¡¯t speak a word. Lin Zisheng revealed a cold smile and said, ¡°Senior Leng, you really don¡¯t spare beauty. Please don¡¯t hurt Princess An Le.¡± Leng Xiao said indifferently, ¡°She won¡¯t die. I¡¯m preventing her from biting her tongue to commit suicide.¡± Lin Zisheng¡¯s eyes sparkled brightly as he laughed, ¡°Princess, this is the emperor¡¯s favorite princess.¡± On the other hand, Universal Benefit Bodhisattva couldn¡¯t withstand that terrifying punch. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± The Vajra Immortal Body that Lin Yiyang had struggled in vain to break open suddenly shattered in the blink of an eye. ¡°Wow!¡± Blood gushed from the mouth of Universal Benefit Bodhisattva as he staggered backward. Several Jianghu experts observed this scene, losing their souls in fright, as if witnessing the most terrifying thing in the world. The Grandmaster-level Universal Benefit Bodhisattva actually couldn¡¯t withstand two punches from Qi Shu. How terrifying was Qi Shu¡¯s strength? An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised, the last time he was this shocked was on Ancestor Master Mountain of the Blue River Sect. Lou Xiangzhen killed Bai Qun with two swords. However, Bai Qun¡¯s strength was much stronger than that of Universal Benefit Bodhisattva. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Seeing this, An Jing continued to drift towards the distance, fearful of attracting unwarranted trouble. The sudden dispatch of such a strong person from Black Ice Platform could be intertwined with conflicts among Zhao Country, Houjin, and Great Yan. He did not want to involve himself in these grudges and entanglements. When Qi Shu saw Leng Xiao had captured Princess An Le, he said indifferently, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Leng Xiao and Lin Zisheng nodded. The next instant, Qi Shu and the others vanished from the spot with Zhao Xuening. It was clean and decisive, without any hesitation, as if they had made a very thorough preparation from the beginning. ¡°Quite bold indeed.¡± An Jing watched the scene unfold and couldn¡¯t help but be slightly stunned. To think Ping County was also within the bounds of Yujing City, and yet a top fighter from Black Ice Platform suddenly arrived and abducted Princess An Le, which was a blatant provocation to the Great Yan Royal Family. Compared to his own actions, which merely involved killing a few true men of a sect and a peak master, it was mere child¡¯s play. In the past, An Jing had always been the main character at the center of the stage. Today, as merely a spectator on the side, seeing ordinary people lying on the ground, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh deeply. The disturbance he and Cui Daoxian caused during their battle in Huangyao Town might have been bigger than now, but they hadn¡¯t caused any harm to ordinary people. How are mere ants supposed to survive in this world? Unbeknownst to them, with every step, they inadvertently crush tens of thousands of ants. ¡°I don¡¯t know how much turmoil this will cause; Yujing City may be about to descend into chaos. I better leave quickly.¡± An Jing¡¯s body leaped, vanishing from the spot in the blink of an eye. At this moment, only the powerful Black Flood Dragon could offer him a semblance of security. Shortly after he left, an old man in a black python robe appeared among the ruins. The old man had a head full of gray hair, a pained expression on his face, and looked like an ordinary old man, with his most striking features being his two white eyebrows. ¡°Amitabha.¡± The seated Universal Benefit Bodhisattva saw the newcomer, opened his eyes, and his expression carried a hint of helplessness. ¡°Ming¡­ Ming Gong!¡± The nanny saw the eunuch appear and ran over in a scrambling and crawling manner, crying out, ¡°Gong¡­ Princess was abducted by Qi Shu of Black Ice Platform.¡± ¡°Qi Shu!?¡± The eunuch furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°Which direction did they go?¡± ¡°North.¡± The nanny quickly replied. ¡°I see.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Upon hearing this, the eunuch moved, vanishing from the spot in an instant, reappearing dozens of feet away. Shrinking Land into Inches, clearly a Grandmaster. While a typical Grandmaster might cover several feet, this White Eyebrow eunuch instantly moved dozens of feet away. ¡­¡­ PS: I¡¯ve been quite busy these past few evenings and haven¡¯t been able to write much, please understand. Chapter 177 - Chapter 177: Chapter 177: The Immortal Swords Boundless Expanse Chapter 177: Chapter 177: The Immortal Sword¡¯s Boundless Expanse Yujing City, Yu Hua Pavilion. Amidst the peaks, springs, blooming trees, and the gurgle of the clear, meandering stream, the ancient and quaint architecture nestled, exuding a unique charm all its own. Under the rockery, the lotus pond path winds its way, with the tinkling sound of the small bridge¡¯s flowing water filling the air, a melodious delight. Pavilions, terraces, buildings, and water chambers reflected amidst the green pines and cypresses; rockeries, stone gardens, flower beds, potted landscapes, vines, and bamboo added ornamental touches throughout. Lin Yiyang stood in front of the railing, below which the pond was covered with green lotus leaves. The water was clear and transparent, revealing the roots, with dozens of plump red carps leisurely swimming amongst them. Qiu Wanxia stood by, holding the Phoenix Sword, her eyes watching the red carps swimming below, her expression extremely calm and serene. Perhaps there were few in the world who knew that Lin Yiyang¡¯s Sword Servant was also a celebrated swordsman of the Fifth Realm who had even defeated the Heavenly Sword Cui Daoxian. In today¡¯s Jianghu, it¡¯s rare to find someone like Qiu Wanxia who is indifferent to fame and fortune. Lin Yiyang seemingly heard something and turned around to look into the distance. A figure approached from afar. The person was clad in splendid brocade and handsome attire, with a handsome visage and a crown upon his head, a piece of exquisite white jade hanging at his waist. The maids on either side lowered their eyes respectfully as they saw the approaching figure, daring not to stare directly. This man was none other than the master of Yu Hua Pavilion, Zhao Chongyin. ¡°Yiyang, it¡¯s been over two years since we last met,¡± Zhao Chongyin said with a smile as he approached. Lin Yiyang turned around and clasped his hands, saying, ¡°Yes, it has been over two years. The last time was when you traveled south, and that¡¯s how we had the chance to meet.¡± Zhao Chongyin patted Lin Yiyang¡¯s shoulder and said with a smile, ¡°We don¡¯t need to be so formal with each other. Let¡¯s sit down and talk.¡± Inside the water chamber, there was a beautifully made stand with soft leather cushions beneath it, and the stand was topped with tasty and fresh pastries. After the three of them took their seats, the maids quickly brought them tea. Zhao Chongyin glanced at Qiu Wanxia and said with a smile, ¡°Elder Qiu is still so youthful. It seems that cultivating in the mountains has its great benefits. Regrettably, I am entangled in worldly affairs, and I can¡¯t settle down to practice. To this day, I am still only at the Third Grade Realm.¡± As the current Crown Prince of Great Yan, Zhao Chongyin naturally could not be a weak scholar, but his cultivation was not high either. For one thing, he truly had many political affairs to deal with, and secondly, he was limited by his natural talent. Rumors had it that among the many children of the Human Emperor Tai Ping, it was the Seventh Prince and the Second Prince who had the highest martial talent. The Crown Prince was seen as having moderate and slightly inferior talent; therefore, he did not focus on this area. Qiu Wanxia couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Time ages all; I¡¯m no longer young.¡± In this world, there isn¡¯t any woman who doesn¡¯t like others to say she is young, and Qiu Wanxia was no exception. ¡°Although the life span of cultivators is long, one should never waste their prime years,¡± she said. Zhao Chongyin looked at Lin Yiyang and said, ¡°Just now you saw my son Ping. The first time you came here, he was only this high to my knee. Now, he is already up to my waist. Brother Lin, you too must work hard.¡± Lin Yiyang paused for a moment before speaking, ¡°Yes, time really flies by, and in the blink of an eye, several years have passed.¡± Qiu Wanxia blinked her eyes on the side and did not speak. Zhao Chongyin shook his head, as if recalling something, and said, ¡°Recently, I¡¯ve heard rumors in Jianghu that you are going to have a swordsmanship contest with the Ghost Swordsman. Is this true or false?¡± No one other than Qiu Wanxia understood Lin Yiyang¡¯s temperament better. Lin Yiyang replied indifferently, ¡°I¡¯ve heard some rumors as well, but I¡¯ve never heard specifically from the Ghost Swordsman. If he really wants to settle this past grievance for Lou Xiangzhen, then I am ready to accept.¡± Lately, there were rumors all over Jianghu about the Ghost Swordsman challenging Lin Yiyang. The contest between top swordsmen naturally attracted attention in the Great Yan Martial World, and many were curious as to whom the title of the world¡¯s number one swordsman would fall following the fleeting appearance of Lou Xiangzhen, the previous holder of this title. In the current world, besides Lou Xiangzhen, the five other great Sword Immortals also had an illustrious record of victories, but unfortunately, the White Tiger Sword Immortal Yi Daoyun was defeated by Lin Yiyang, and Heavenly Sword Cui Daoxian was defeated by the Ghost Swordsman; thus, both were disqualified from the competition. Therefore, the most likely candidates for the title of the world¡¯s number one swordsman were three people: Zhong Binru, the Sword Eunuch, Lin Yiyang, and the Ghost Swordsman. Debate about the three had been raging in Jianghu, causing quite a stir. Furthermore, with hidden forces fanning the flames, the situation was now more heated than ever. Zhao Chongyin pondered for a moment and said, ¡°I have met the Ghost Swordsman, and he seems like an open-minded and sensible man. Lou Xiangzhen is now of uncertain life and death, perhaps deceased, or has retired from Jianghu. Let the past grudges disperse. I will host a banquet to help resolve this grudge between you two, and perhaps you and he could become a fine tale.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± Lin Yiyang said flatly. ¡°That Ghost Swordsman is just a clay chicken and pottery dog. Lou Xiangzhen had over thirty extra years of Sword Dao cultivation than I, yet I am not afraid of him; all the more for the Ghost Swordsman. If he truly wishes to fight, then let¡¯s fight.¡± Hearing this, Zhao Chongyin wasn¡¯t surprised. Lin Yiyang was such a person, not that he looked down on the Ghost Swordsman, he simply didn¡¯t bother to look at all. At this moment, Qiu Wanxia said with a smile, ¡°The grudge of Lou Xiangzhen is but a grudge against my master, so it¡¯s fitting that I take it on. I have long wanted to experience this Ghost Swordsman¡¯s ghost sword.¡± Lin Yiyang did not speak, but his expression was filled with indifference, implying ¡®feel free to do as you please¡¯. Zhao Chongyin shook his head, ¡°Well then, settle your own affairs among yourselves.¡± He knew very well that those who practiced the Sword Dao were very stubborn. And who in Jianghu didn¡¯t value fame and fortune? The title of the world¡¯s number one swordsman would sooner or later fall on the shoulders of these individuals, meaning that a fight between them was inevitable. ¡°That Ghost Swordsman is but a trivial existence, not worth mentioning.¡± After taking a light sip from his tea cup, Lin Yiyang looked towards Zhao Chongyin and said, ¡°My main purpose for coming this time is regarding the matter of the Houjin envoy, which is of utmost importance.¡± Just last month, the undercurrents of the Great Yan Martial World surged as the Houjin envoy entered Great Yan along the border. Since the matter was not widely publicized, few people paid attention to it. Zhao Chongyin nodded and said, ¡°Judging by their journey, they will arrive soon.¡± Lin Yiyang pondered for a while before saying, ¡°This visit of the Houjin envoy is probably not as simple as it seems.¡± Lin Yiyang was extremely proud, but he was no fool, especially since he had covertly visited Houjin seven years ago and understood the boundless ambition of Houjin¡¯s Holy Master. The current situation in Great Yan was complex and intricate, and Houjin had been honing their strength for twenty years, their weapons already sharpened. This time the Houjin envoys arrived in Great Yan, likely harboring ill intentions, perhaps a case of courtesy before force, or possibly other motives. For instance, probing the current Great Yan Emperor. Houjin had been inactive for a long time; whether the Great Yan Emperor was indeed severely wounded had yet to be thoroughly confirmed. After all, this Great Yan Emperor was a formidable ruler. The court and Jianghu were inseparable; without a safe haven, disaster befalls all. If Great Yan were to fall into crisis, the Yu Heng Sword Sect would also likely face difficulties. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s expression remained calm as still water, saying, ¡°The person leading the Houjin envoy this time is Zongzheng Yuan, the seventh son of Zongzheng Huachun. It is said this person is intelligent and resourceful, extremely clever. By the age of five, he had read dozens of books, by thirteen he had thoroughly memorized various historical texts, and at seventeen, he came to study in Great Yan and Zhao Country. At the age of twenty-four, he returned to Houjin and took over his own tribe, which developed rapidly into one of the largest tribes in Houjin within three years.¡± Zongzheng Huachun was the name of the current emperor of Houjin. Zhao Chongyin had long been familiar with Zongzheng Yuan who was dispatched to Great Yan, and similarly, he believed that Zongzheng Yuan had also thoroughly investigated the current state of Great Yan. Lin Yiyang opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something. Just then, a man dressed in a cloak and carrying a long sword at his waist hurried over. Xuanyi Guard, Great Heavenly Gang! The Xuanyi Guard Great Heavenly Gang hastily said, ¡°Crown Prince, there¡¯s terrible news.¡± ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡± Zhao Chongyin asked. Great Heavenly Gang quickly said, ¡°Princess An Le, on her way to Youfeng Valley, has been kidnapped by Qi Shu of the Black Ice Platform.¡± ¡°Qi Shu?¡± ¡°Crack!¡± As the words fell, Zhao Chongyin, who had been calm, suddenly had his expression turn extremely unsightly. Lin Yiyang and Qiu Wanxia by his side also showed a slight change in expression. Princess An Le was the daughter of the Empress, the most beloved princess of the Human Emperor. Now she had been kidnapped by Qi Shu of Zhao Country¡¯s Black Ice Platform, and the incident occurred near Yujing City; it was clearly premeditated. Such blatant action was akin to a heavy slap on the face of the Great Yan Royal Family. Naturally, it was a disgrace for anyone from Great Yan. ¡°Please have Elder Tang and Commander Meng take action, they must intercept Qi Shu. He must not be allowed to leave Great Yan.¡± Zhao Chongyin took a deep breath, his countenance returning to a calm state. Qi Shu absolutely could not be allowed to succeed, otherwise, the disaster would be endless. ¡­¡­ Youfeng Valley, Smoke Cloud Cave. Vague and ethereal smoke emitted from the cave, continually drifting out. A middle-aged man in a robe sat cross-legged on a cushion, surrounded by an aura rolling in like howling winds, eventually merging into his body. The man¡¯s qi mechanism was vast and unfathomable, like the deep sea. ¡°Valley Master!¡± Suddenly, an anxious voice rang out. One could see an Elder of Youfeng Valley rush in with a worried frown on his face. The middle-aged man¡¯s brow was tightly furrowed before he slowly opened his eyes and said with a frown, ¡°Haven¡¯t I said it? All matters can wait until I come out of seclusion the day after tomorrow.¡± This was none other than the head of the Zuo Family, the Valley Master of Youfeng Valley, Zuo Biwen. Compared to the Sect Leaders of the other seven major factions, his aptitude was not dazzling, nor was his strength formidable, but his background was the best. Behind him stood the support of the Zuo Family, and his sister was additionally the current Empress of the Great Yan. Therefore, Zuo Biwen held a reputable name both in Jianghu and in the Court. The Elder from Youfeng Valley hurriedly said, ¡°Valley Master, something big has happened. Princess An Le has been abducted.¡± ¡°What did you say!?¡± Zuo Biwen, upon hearing this, felt as if struck by lightning, doubting whether there was a problem with his ears. Princess An Le, Zhao Xuening, was his niece and beloved by him as dearly as his own daughter. And now this princess of a nation had been abducted!? The whole situation sounded absurd. Zuo Biwen snapped back to reality and urgently asked, ¡°Is that true?¡± The Elder from Youfeng Valley replied, ¡°It¡¯s true. It was Qi Shu of Zhao Country who did it, bringing several experts who defected to the Black Ice Platform, and they brazenly took Princess An Le away in Ping County.¡± Upon hearing this, Zuo Biwen¡¯s body swayed, his face ashen as paper. Then fire seemed to burst from his eyes as he roared, ¡°That Qi Shu, that old thief! Old thief! If he dares to hurt a single hair on Xuening¡¯s head, I will never let this go.¡± The Elder from Youfeng Valley took a deep breath and said, ¡°Valley Master, it is said that Governor Tang and General Meng, leading the Xuanyi Guard and the Heaven and Earth Net, have already mobilized to hunt down Qi Shu. Moreover, the Second Prince has given orders to Marquis of Pingding to deploy heavy troops and tightly guard all paths to Zhao Country.¡± In just one day, the Great Yan Court had already taken action. But Qi Shu was the most proud disciple of Qi Wushuang, the pillar of Zhao Country and a Second Qi Grandmaster of the Black Ice Platform. Since he dared to commit such a shocking crime this time, he certainly had a backup plan. Thus, in a short time, they had neither captured him nor found any trace of him. Zuo Biwen¡¯s face darkened to the extreme, and after a while, he said, ¡°This isn¡¯t just about the Royal Family¡¯s face, this concerns the honor of everyone in the Great Yan Martial World. Issue a Jianghu death warrant immediately; Qi Shu must not be allowed to leave Great Yan.¡± Zuo Biwen was naturally no match for Qi Shu, but with the power of the Great Yan Martial World, even Qi Shu as a Second Qi Grandmaster would have to weigh his chances of leaving alive. ¡°Yes.¡± Upon hearing this, the Elder from Youfeng Valley was inwardly shaken. ¡­¡­.. In Yujing City, Lv Mansion. There was a centuries-old camphor tree, its branches lush, covering the sky and land. Standing beneath the tree, Lv Guoyong, dressed in white, gently stroked the thick trunk of the tree, his face expressionless, but his murky eyes held a hint of sigh. Behind Lv Guoyong stood a plump young man. The young man was dressed in a scholar¡¯s robe, his round belly protruding, his face rosy and radiant. With some dissatisfaction, the young man said, ¡°Grandfather, that Zhou Xianming, in my view, is an ignorant layabout who does nothing but indulge in eating, drinking, and merrymaking. Why then do you take him as your disciple, and moreover, give him Aunt¡¯s separate residence to live in?¡± He could not understand why his grandfather regarded Zhou Xianming so highly when he engaged in daily leisure and seemed to have heard that Princess An Le, whom he¡¯d yearned for day and night, might end up marrying this man, which made his heart feel even more unbalanced. Lv Guoyong turned to look at the young man and pointed toward Mount Wangjing in the distance, ¡°Jing Chun, can you see that mountain?¡± The young man followed the direction of the pointing finger and nodded, ¡°Of course, I can see it.¡± Mount Wangjing was just outside the city, naturally within sight. Lv Guoyong shook his head and said, ¡°You can see the mountain, but you cannot see the mountain¡¯s spiritual marrow and the essence of its depths. You can see the ocean, but you cannot see the unpredictable waves and surging winds that lie within.¡± ¡°The things you can see are merely the surface, or rather, what others want you to see.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Jingchun immediately felt ashamed and lowered his head, ¡°I am dull-witted.¡± Lv Guoyong sighed lightly and said, ¡°Being dull-witted is good, what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Just then, footsteps approached from outside the courtyard. A middle-aged scholar entered in haste, drenched in sweat, holding a Cuju ball in his arms. This person was none other than Zhou Xianming. ¡°Teacher, how did you come here?¡± When he saw Lv Guoyong, he too was shocked and quickly bent over to pay his respects, ¡°This student just went out, I hope teacher will forgive me.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Lv Guoyong waved his hand, smiling, ¡°Did you go out to play Cuju?¡± Zhou Xianming replied, ¡°Having nothing better to do, I joined a group of children for fun and to exercise my body.¡± Lv Guoyong spoke softly, ¡°That¡¯s fine. There¡¯s just over a month left until the palace examination, so it¡¯s good to relax occasionally. When you¡¯re busy in the future, I¡¯m afraid it will be very difficult to have leisure time like today.¡± ¡°Have you thought about what I mentioned to you yesterday?¡± Zhou Xianming was silent for a long while before he said, ¡°The student is unwilling.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Guoyong couldn¡¯t help but heave a long sigh, ¡°In my short life, I didn¡¯t want to make any compromises, but in the end, I still made many, all for this short life.¡± ¡°In life, one is just compromising with one¡¯s thoughts, to live each day fully.¡± Zhou Xianming held the ball, looking into the distance, ¡°Such compromises, it¡¯s as if being abandoned by the world, as if being bullied by someone; powerless to fight back, the only joy remaining in my heart awaits the autumn breeze to stir.¡± Lv Guoyong shook his head, ¡°That joy will eventually dissipate into nothing, days will not always be as one wishes.¡± Zhou Xianming remained silent. The Lv Sect was a thorn in the heart of the Great Yan Emperor. Now that the Lv Sect¡¯s influence in the court was gradually declining, how could the Emperor just watch the Lv Sect rise again? Even if one didn¡¯t join the Lv Sect, the Great Yan Emperor would still be extremely wary; with one Lv Sect emerging, he would not allow a Zhou Sect to follow. Unless one had no great aspirations, or the current Great Yan Emperor passed away. Otherwise, as long as Zhou Xianming did not side with the royal family, he would have to face ruthless oppression. His two senior brothers were a lesson from the past. ¡°Under the force of the prevailing trend, what heroes, what romances, all that is bullshit, worth nothing.¡± Lv Guoyong walked around the camphor tree twice, ¡°I¡¯m not saying these things to force you to make a choice, but to let you choose for yourself, follow your own heart. After all, in this world, you gain some, you lose some; no one can have it both ways.¡± Zhou Xianming never spoke; he felt as if an invisible mountain had suddenly been placed on his shoulders, making it difficult for him to breathe. He wasn¡¯t a naive youngster anymore; he naturally understood the course of destiny, irresistible, and that even the slightest change could result in the final outcome. Lv Guoyong said no more, as he looked at Zhou Xianming at this moment, time seemed to fly, as if he saw the young man from decades ago, just as stubborn, just as obstinate. ¡°Father.¡± A hasty voice interrupted, and Lv Fang hurried in. ¡°Princess An Le has been abducted by a master from Black Ice Platform, and now there is complete chaos in the temple. The Crown Prince is asking for you to take control of the situation.¡± ¡­¡­. In just two days, the area around the Capital Road was thrown into chaos. The incident then escalated, causing violent shocks across the entire martial community. Nobody expected the masters of Black Ice Platform to be so brazen and audacious, daring to snatch a Great Yan princess on the soil of Great Yan. It is known that Yan and Zhao have been in conflict for hundreds of years, and this struggle isn¡¯t only military; these soldiers typically come from common backgrounds. Moreover, when major wars break out, members of the martial world also partake in them. It can be said without exaggeration that the hatred between Yan and Zhao has taken root in the blood of every common citizen. This time, with Black Ice Platform abducting a princess of Yan, the martial community and the public alike have been set ablaze, igniting a raging fury in everyone¡¯s heart. Countless angry martial artists stepped forward, seeking Qi Shu¡¯s whereabouts, and even some powerful old freaks appeared, plotting to unite and surround Qi Shu, to annihilate the masters of Black Ice Platform. For a time, Capital Road, Lingnan Road, and Jinghai Road were all in turmoil. Various great martial artists from Great Yan, the Xuanyi Guard, and Heaven and Earth Net all mobilized, determined to capture Qi Shu in one fell swoop. At the foot of Xuwang Mountain. After leaving Ping County, An Jing headed straight toward the northern Xuwang Mountain. In these two days, he had largely focused on comprehending the Sword Intent from the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor Sword Sticker and sometimes took out the Evil Suppressing Sword to study the Sword Intent inscribed on it. The Sword Intent on the Evil Suppressing Sword was also there, but it was extremely sinister and domineering. The Sword Intent of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor embodied elements such as wind, rain, lightning, and thunder, oriented according to the Sword Dao Tao General Outline towards the Heavenly Dao Sword. ¡°` And Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Sword Intent was indeed the Peach Blossom Sword Intent that he had comprehended himself, dreamlike and illusory, leaning towards the Human Dao Sword. However, the Sword Intent on the Evil Suppressing Sword was exceedingly strange. Every time he contemplated it, it was like being on the brink of death, always able to see an exotic beast roaring forth. The beast was merely a phantom, yet it gave An Jing the feeling of being three times more terrifying than the Black Flood Dragon, despite knowing that the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s cultivation was that of a Second Qi Grandmaster and a Three Qi Grandmaster; yet the beast felt this terrifying to him. What was the origin of this exotic beast, and why would Sword Intent residue be left behind? Contemplating the Sword Intent of two Sixth Realm swordsmen, along with the Sword Intent of the Evil Suppressing Sword, also led to An Jing¡¯s Sword Dao advancing day by day, though the pace of progress had slowed considerably. ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s retrieve that third sword body of the Evil Suppressing Sword first.¡± An Jing descended from the Black Flood Dragon. Along the way, he saw many enraged individuals from the Martial World of the Great Yan, most of whom were in search of Qi Shu¡¯s whereabouts. Currently, the whereabouts of Qi Shu alone were worth a hundred thousand taels of silver, not to mention the price on his head, which was self-evident, and could fetch thousands or tens of thousands of gold. In addition, there was the immense fame it would bring in the Martial World. Besides these, An Jing also received some information about Xuwang Mountain. Rumors had it that in the past half-year, mysterious incidents had occurred on Xuwang Mountain; ghosts haunted the mountain at night, drifting through the woods. Many people, hearing the news, went up the mountain to investigate, and subsequently, they all disappeared mysteriously, reappearing later as corpses. Thus, in recent times, Xuwang Mountain had become known as a place of ill omen in the Martial World of the Great Yan. Even a member of the Great Heavenly Gang guarding Xuwang Mountain had died under mysterious circumstances, and it was said that experts from the Heaven and Earth Net came to investigate but could not ascertain the cause. Since Xuwang Mountain was also protected by the Great Heavenly Gang, for safety reasons An Jing did not continue riding the Black Flood Dragon but had it follow a li behind him. Should danger arise, it could appear in time, while he could enter the mountain at any moment to investigate. ¡°Hmm?¡± As An Jing moved swiftly through the woods, he suddenly noticed several figures appearing ahead. These people were dressed in yellow, and their sleeves bore a distinct leaf emblem. ¡°Golden Corner Alliance experts?!¡± With a glance, An Jing recognized them; the group before him was dressed in the gear of the Golden Corner Alliance, one of the five bands in the Martial World. The leader was a robust man in fine clothes, brandishing a long knife. ¡°Hurry, to Pingling, the people from the Black Ice Platform are moving southward. By sunset tomorrow, you must hurry there.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡­.. The experts of the Golden Corner Alliance hastened southward in a flurry. ¡°Pingling?¡± An Jing murmured to himself, clearly remembering that it was there he had been cornered by Feng Lingyue and the Qingfeng elder. The entire Martial World of the Great Yan and the Court itself were seeking Qi Shu¡¯s whereabouts, almost as if they were ready to turn over the earth to find him, so it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if they found their location. Once the Golden Corner Alliance members left, An Jing continued towards Xuwang Mountain. The Great Zhou Dynasty would typically dispatch experts or sects to guard the various seals they had laid down. Originally, Xuwang Mountain was protected by the Joyful Union Sect. The Joyful Union Sect was conventionally normal; its disciples engaging in Dual Cultivation would typically choose a cultivation partner and marry according to the sect¡¯s rules, which forbid sexual relations with others. But somehow, an ambitious Sect Leader emerged within the Joyful Union Sect, disrupting the entire Martial World of the Great Yan and making the sect a target of public criticism, ultimately leading to its eradication by the Xuanyi Guard. The Joyful Union Sect was destroyed, and its sect was burned to the ground. The seal on the mountain still needed protection, so the Court dispatched the Xuanyi Guard to take over. Initially, six members of the Great Heavenly Gang were sent to guard the mountain. Over time, as the Dragon Locking Well was built, the six seals became less critical, so the number of experts sent gradually decreased. Now, there were only two members of the Great Heavenly Gang in Xuwang Mountain, one of whom had recently perished. The Xuanyi Guard hadn¡¯t sent any more experts, so currently, there was just one First Grade member of the Great Heavenly Gang left on the mountain. Even if it had been the deputy Xuanyi Guard Governor Xi Yuanjun himself guarding, with An Jing¡¯s methods, entering the Sealing Land would be an easy task. Xuwang Mountain was neither very tall nor particularly dangerous, but it always gave off an eerie and sinister vibe. The forest on the mountain, full of century-old trees, thick canopies blocking out the sun, added a chill to the mountain¡¯s interior. As An Jing made his way up the mountain at a leisurely pace, gusts of cold wind suddenly swept through. ¡°` ¡°This wind is peculiar.¡± An Jing frowned, his body sprang up onto a branch, agile as a darting swallow, moving forward. Soon, he could see the remains on the top of Mount Xu, where dilapidated walls and broken palace halls presented a scene of desolation and decay. Atop the mountain peak, there stood a complete pavilion. ¡°Buzz, buzz, buzz!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand emitted a clear, resonating hum of its own accord. ¡°The blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword is inside.¡± An Jing muttered to himself, employing the Concealing Qi Technique as he prepared to approach the pavilion. ¡°Out of wine again.¡± At that moment, an elder cloaked in a large cape emerged from a nearby dwelling, glanced around, and murmured, ¡°Those youngsters have probably gone off to enjoy themselves again. Well, I might as well go buy some myself.¡± Seemingly overcome by his craving for alcohol, the old man hesitated time and again before finally resolving to go down the mountain to purchase wine. Watching the Great Heavenly Gang Xuanyi Guard recede into the distance, An Jing leaped forward and arrived in front of the pavilion. Inside the pavilion, everything was arranged in an ancient and exotic manner, with several mysterious talismans and a number of black iron chains extending down from the ceiling beams, all targeting a massive stone in the center. In the heart of the stone, stood an antique longsword, half of its blade fiercely embedded within. The sword, perhaps weathered by centuries, lacked any signs of sharpness, appearing to be just an ordinary longsword, but unlike other ordinary swords, the embedded half still reflected dazzling light, showing no rust despite the passage of time. The blade part of the Evil Suppressing Sword! Each Evil Suppressing Sword had been placed differently. The one in Fa Xi Temple not only impaled a mysterious corpse but also contained Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, while the one from the Blue River Sect rested in a dark, concealed cave. The Evil Suppressing Sword of Mount Xu was right inside the pavilion, thrust into a giant rock. As if sensing something, the part of the Evil Suppressing Sword embedded in the rock began to emit sounds. An Jing stepped forward, approaching the blade. Instantly, the sounds emitting from the sword became even sharper, intertwined with low growls. On closer inspection, streams of fresh, red blood surged within the shiny blade, much like when An Jing first acquired the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword at Fa Xi Temple. ¡°The blood on the sword¡­.¡± An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed. He remembered what Elder Jiang had mentioned to him about Undying Blood. And then An Jing speculated that the blood on the sword might very well be Undying Blood, although he had no way to confirm it. ¡°Elder Jiang¡­ a master from the Demon Sect.¡± An Jing¡¯s brow wrinkled slightly, then his heart jolted, ¡°Could it be Jiang Shang?¡± Initially, he couldn¡¯t associate anything with Jiang Shang, but shortly after Elder Jiang¡¯s appearance, Jiang Shang returned to the Demon Sect, and ¡®Jiang¡¯ sounds the same as ¡®Jiang¡¯ in Mandarin. ¡°Why would Jiang Shang, the old Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, want to kill me?¡± An Jing felt somewhat confused, ¡°Then why did Qingmei marry me? Or is it that¡­.¡± After pondering for a moment, An Jing didn¡¯t dwell on it further and turned his attention to the Evil Suppressing Sword before him. ¡°I¡¯ll take the blade first.¡± Without hesitation, he grasped the blade with his palm, channeling his Inner Strength into it. ¡°Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack!¡± In an instant, a dense network of cracks appeared on the surrounding boulder, radiating outward from the center where the blade was. Boom! Boom! At the same moment the blade levitated, the entire Mount Xu seemed to shake violently. ¡°What¡¯s going on!?¡± Just as the Great Heavenly Gang was about to descend the mountain, he felt the mountain tremble and was instantly alarmed, ¡°Could it be the pavilion?¡± Normally, this sealed land was often disturbed by people wanting to disrupt the seal, causing trouble for the Great Yan Court¡¯s plans and arrangements. However, after the construction of the Dragon Locking Well, the Great Yan Court focused on it, and those people gave up on the idea of causing issues at the other six seals. ¡°` Therefore, there haven¡¯t been any anomalies on Mount Xu for a long time. ¡°That damned guy must have eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± The Great Heavenly Gang thought of something, and with a swing, he threw the wine gourd in his hand to the ground. Then he drew the long blade from his waist and strode menacingly toward the building. Just at that moment, a gigantic Flood Dragon coiled around, and its immense head emerged, a pair of curious eyes watching the Great Heavenly Gang who had returned. ¡°Thump!¡± Seeing eyes as large as lanterns, the Great Heavenly Gang felt his knees weaken and he collapsed to the ground. ¡°I¡­ my memory, wasn¡¯t I going to get some wine? I almost took the wrong path.¡± The Great Heavenly Gang turned around, picked up the wine gourd that had been smashed in two, and shakily crawled away to the distance. ¡°Ghost¡­ Ghost Swordsman.¡± The Great Heavenly Gang turned around, his entire body became ashen, his lips trembling uncontrollably. One of the six great Sword Immortals in the world, the Ghost Swordsman who had slain Grandmasters, was well-known for having a Black Flood Dragon at his side, and in his hand was the Evil Suppressing Sword. It made sense for him to come to Mount Xu to take the Evil Suppressing Sword. Though considered a skilled fighter in the martial world, facing a Sword Immortal like the Ghost Swordsman, his skill was simply inadequate. Inside the building. An Jing continuously pulled out the Evil Suppressing Sword, and as it emerged, the cracks in the huge rock grew larger and larger. ¡°Bang!¡± Finally, at the moment when the sword was completely revealed, the boulder burst apart with a violent cracking sound. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± All three Evil Suppressing Swords resonated with a clear, reverberating chant, and the whole of Mount Xu shook with it. The next moment, a deafening sound exploded beside An Jing¡¯s ear. ¡°Roar!¡± The tremendous noise seemed to come from deep within his heart, yet it rang out like thunder, leaving his mind utterly blank. Before his eyes, the scene blurred, and in that vague space. An Jing saw once more that man in the dragon robe, his hair disheveled, his face unclear, as if two beams of light refracted through him. He held a sword in his hand, and upon closer inspection, it was indeed the Evil Suppressing Sword. The Great Zhou Human Emperor! Yet An Jing furrowed his brows, wasn¡¯t it said that the Evil Suppressing Sword had never recognized a master? The Great Zhou Human Emperor wielded the Evil Suppressing Sword exuding an overwhelming Sword Intent, torrential and supreme, an unrivaled imperial might unstoppable by anything. The Sword Intent of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor contained the elements of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. It naturally followed the Heavenly Dao, hence the shadow of the Heavenly Dao Sword. And Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Peach Blossom Sword Intent, dreamy and illusory, was a combination of fast and slow movements, both tangible and intangible, rising and falling in cycles, which belonged to the Human Dao Sword. At this moment, the Great Zhou Human Emperor holding the Evil Suppressing Sword had the extraordinary aura of an emperor, with an exceptionally dominating presence, naturally embodying the Emperor Sword. ¡°The Emperor Sword¡­¡± An Jing, sensing the Human Emperor¡¯s Sword Intent, felt like he was being drenched in enlightening dew, as if his mind opened in an instant, and everything he had been struggling to understand these days suddenly became clear. ¡°Each swordsman¡¯s Sword Intent is different, but in the end, they cannot escape these few types of Sword Intents¡­¡± An Jing was deep in thought at this moment, ¡°And what is my Sword Intent?¡± When he first began cultivating his Sword Intent, his mind was cluttered and chaotic, yet there was a distinct energy within him compared to others. One that swallowed mountains and rivers, majestic and grand. The path of a swordsman¡¯s swordsmanship is the road he must walk. At this moment, Mount Xu seemed to fall into silence. Looking up into the heavens, he saw the vastness without bounds, the sky endless, with the Milky Way in motion and the sun and moon rising and falling. The primordial flames of countless ages extinguished themselves within, then rebirthed anew. Standing below, An Jing also raised his head to gaze at the nascent Sword Intent, feeling its immense and boundless nature, with all things in the world incredibly insignificant in comparison. ¡°` At this moment, An Jing finally experienced the sensation Lou Xiangzhen had described to him¨Cthe feeling of being one step away from a breakthrough. Now he had reached that realm, feeling as if one more step would cause the world to undergo a drastic upheaval. A roar pierced through and shattered everything. The light and shadows before his eyes faded away as the Great Zhou Emperor charged forward, merging with the Evil Suppressing Sword into a streak of flowing light. The flowing light forged ahead unabated, rushing forward regardless of everything. An Jing had thought the light would continue endlessly but, all of a sudden, it was halted, pausing in midair and dissipating into nothingness. Whoosh! The ethereal images in front of him vanished, and An Jing snapped back to reality, looking at the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand. What he had just seen seemed unreal, yet it felt as though it had actually happened. He still remembered the first time he saw that exotic beast; he had had a vague vision of another scene. The sword was broken! A life was lost! An Jing took a deep breath and it took him a good while to collect his thoughts and push aside what he had just witnessed. The three Evil Suppressing Swords lay intact within their scabbards. ¡°Only one step away, huh?¡± An Jing looked at the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, feeling somewhat emotional at this moment. Among the Sixth Realm masters of the Human Dao Sword, Heavenly Dao Sword, and Emperor Sword, he had comprehended three types of sword intents, and his own sword intent had also undergone another sublimation. He had now reached the brink of the Sixth Realm, just one step shy of achieving it. The Sixth Realm represented a watershed for top swordsmen. Lou Xiangzhen had once said that his sword intent was vast and profound, making it more difficult for him to reach the Sixth Realm than it would be for an ordinary swordsman, but if he did reach it, his sword skill would be stronger than that of other swordsmen at the Sixth Realm. ¡°The Sixth Realm is just a matter of time.¡± An Jing clenched the Evil Suppressing Sword tightly and stepped out of the pavilion. Outside the pavilion, the sky held a waning moon amidst a scattering of stars. At this moment, the Black Flood Dragon lay sprawled on the ravaged plaza, dozing off in boredom. ¡°It seems that the Great Heavenly Gang of the Xuanyi Guard knows his place.¡± Seeing this, An Jing naturally guessed some of the situation¨Cit must have been the Great Heavenly Gang of the Xuanyi Guard who, upon seeing the Black Flood Dragon sleeping on the ground, beat a hasty retreat. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± An Jing leaped onto the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s back. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon let out a low growl and darted down the mountain. Mount Xu isn¡¯t high, but its vegetation is lush, particularly the centuries-old tall trees that are plentiful. The speed of the Black Flood Dragon was extremely fast; like a gust of wind, it whisked through the dense forest, and in no time, they had gone from the mountain peak to the mountainside. ¡°Rustle, rustle, rustle¡­¡± An Jing sat cross-legged on the back of the Black Flood Dragon, about to digest the sword intent he had experienced when a breeze blew by, carrying with it a touch of icy chill. ¡°Roar!¡± Suddenly, the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s body halted, letting out a low roar towards something ahead, a sound that bore a mix of fear and alertness. One should know that since the Black Flood Dragon became sentient, this was the first time it had roared in fear. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing quickly looked ahead. The pale moonlight spilled over Mount Xu, revealing movement in the dense shrubbery ahead. Shortly after, a figure emerged. The figure grasped the body of a dead deer, from which fresh blood was still dripping, evidently long dead, while the person¡¯s mouth and hands were smeared with red blood. Upon seeing An Jing on the Black Flood Dragon, the figure parted his lips in a smile. Under the moonlight, one could see his white teeth stained with fresh blood, and such a bizarre and terrifying sight was enough to send chills down the spine and cool the heart. Chapter 178 - Chapter 178: Chapter 178 Discussing Fate in the Land Temple Chapter 178: Chapter 178 Discussing Fate in the Land Temple The man¡¯s face was pale without a hint of color, but An Jing recognized him. It was Xuanyi Guard! He was the master martial artist who An Jing had released from the cave on White Horse Mountain. At this moment, the corpse Qi on his body had fully contracted, and if An Jing hadn¡¯t recognized this Xuanyi Guard, he would never have guessed that this blood-drinking man was actually a master martial artist. ¡°It¡¯s been¡­a long time.¡± At this moment, Xuanyi Guard¡¯s mouth was smeared with blood as he looked at An Jing, who stood atop the Black Flood Dragon. The scene was somewhat eerie. ¡°What are you doing?¡± An Jing looked at the wild deer in Xuanyi Guard¡¯s hand and asked in astonishment. Xuanyi Guard grinned and said, ¡°I got hungry, so I came out to find something to eat.¡± ¡°Swoosh, swoosh!¡± An Jing leaped up, then landed in front of Xuanyi Guard, ¡°Do you usually eat these wild tastes?¡± Xuanyi Guard handed the wild deer to An Jing, enthusiastically saying, ¡°These things taste very good, do you want to try some?¡± ¡°No need.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°I prefer cooked food.¡± ¡°Cooked?¡± A puzzled look appeared in Xuanyi Guard¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve never eaten cooked food?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then have you ever used silver?¡± ¡°Is that the thing you gave me last time?¡± As he spoke, Xuanyi Guard took out the silver An Jing had given him from his bosom. He had been carefully preserving this item, even though he had changed many clothes, he had not dared to discard it. An Jing paused for a moment, then noticing Xuanyi Guard¡¯s clothes, asked, ¡°Where did you get these clothes from?¡± These clothes were unmistakably the attire of the Xuanyi Guard. Could it be that the deceased Great Heavenly Gang was killed by Xuanyi Guard? Xuanyi Guard shook his clothing and said, ¡°Are you speaking of what I¡¯m wearing now? I borrowed it from someone.¡± An Jing blinked and asked, ¡°Is this borrow something that needs to be returned or not?¡± ¡°They¡¯re like this wild deer now.¡± Looking at the deer in his hand, Xuanyi Guard said, ¡°It probably doesn¡¯t need to be returned.¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­¡± It seemed the recent disturbances in Xuanyi Guard Mountain had been caused by Xuanyi Guard himself. An Jing pointed to the raw meat in Xuanyi Guard¡¯s hand and said, ¡°What¡¯s tantalizing about this raw meat? Let me cook some for you.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Xuanyi Guard scratched his head, then handed over the deer meat he was holding. An Jing found some tree branches, set up the wild deer, and skillfully started to make fire for roasting. Soon the delicious aroma of meat filled the air. Xuanyi Guard¡¯s nose twitched as he remarked, ¡°This smells really good.¡± ¡°Raw is certainly much tastier than cooked.¡± An Jing sprinkled some salt and asked, ¡°By the way, how did you get to Xuanyi Guard Mountain?¡± Xuanyi Guard replied, ¡°I just followed the map you gave me, rushing all the way here, drinking from mountain streams when thirsty, and if hungry I ate these wild flavors.¡± ¡°It didn¡¯t take me long to arrive at Xuanyi Guard Mountain.¡± ¡°So, did you find what you were looking for?¡± ¡°I found some clues.¡± Xuanyi Guard¡¯s expression suddenly became silent, ¡°I feel very familiar with this place, as if I had stayed here for a very long time in my past life, and there¡¯s always a voice in my mind ordering me not to leave here.¡± An Jing shook his head after hearing this. Xuanyi Guard was truly mysterious, so mysterious that even his own origins were unclear. Suddenly recalling something, Xuanyi Guard smiled and said, ¡°You can come and see my dwelling, that place is what I¡¯ve been looking for all along.¡± ¡°Your dwelling?¡± An Jing glanced around at the wild and desolate landscape; it hardly seemed a suitable place for human habitation. King Xu seemed somewhat impatient, ¡°Let¡¯s leave the venison here for now. I¡¯ll take you to see the place where you can rest tonight if you wish, at my home.¡± ¡°That sounds good.¡± An Jing turned to the Black Flood Dragon and said, ¡°Stay here, I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± With that, An Jing turned and followed King Xu towards the side of the mountain. Soon, the two of them reached a secluded jungle, which was extremely shady and carried a hint of eeriness. An Jing keenly spotted a green poisonous snake flicking its tongue on a branch. Not just that, there were also numerous other poisonous insects. Any normal person would have retreated three feet away, never venturing further into such a place. King Xu pointed to the strange jungle ahead and said, ¡°It¡¯s inside there, let¡¯s go in.¡± Saying so, he took the lead into it. As soon as his foot entered, a heavy corpse qi spread out, causing the surrounding poisonous insects and fierce beasts to scatter in a frenzy. An Jing followed behind King Xu, walking slowly towards the distance. Passing through the gloomy dense forest, a huge mountain emerged ahead. Within the pitch-black mountain, a dark, hidden cave entrance appeared before An Jing. King Xu pointed to the cave ahead, smiling, ¡°Here we are.¡± An Jing hadn¡¯t even entered yet, but he already felt the air grow heavier and noticed a strange smell at the entrance of the cave. As he stepped inside, he found the cave to be extremely dark, and the furnishings were very simple: just a huge rock with some clothes and bedding on it. The only object of note inside the cave was a wooden table, but nothing was placed on it, which felt a bit cold and stark. At that moment, the dense corpse qi was indeed emanating from deeper within the cave. Looking carefully, the depths of the cave were unfathomably deep, like a bottomless pit. ¡°What is inside here?¡± An Jing pointed towards the depths of the cave, his expression turning somewhat ugly. Just the corpse qi emanating out was terrifying, letting one imagine just how astonishing the corpse qi at the deeper parts of the cave must be. This kind of place, if a common expert stayed too long, they would be contaminated by the corpse qi, and the only outcome would be a path leading to death and extinction. King Xu also looked towards the depths of the cave, speaking in a low voice, ¡°I also don¡¯t know, but my subconscious mind tells me not to enter there, nor allow others to do so.¡± An Jing frowned slightly, remaining silent. The cave was hidden here, certainly not a place that any common expert could find. What secrets were hidden inside, and anything seen currently must be related to King Xu. Corpse qi, a mysterious grandmaster¨Cwhat was the connection? After about a dozen breaths, An Jing began to feel uncomfortable, saying, ¡°This place is not suitable for me to stay long. I think I should leave.¡± The dense corpse qi attacked, almost swallowing him whole. At that moment, residual corpse qi had already lingered in his meridians, needing urgent cleansing. A trace of regret appeared on King Xu¡¯s face, and then something seemed to dawn on him, his eyes brightening, ¡°Right, An Jing, I know there¡¯s a ruined temple on the mountainside that doesn¡¯t have any living people.¡± ¡­¡­. Pingling. The green mountains were lush, and the white clouds drifted leisurely. Upon those mountain ridges, the vegetation was dense, and specks of sunlight came down through the branches, casting mottled shadows. Beneath those shadows, stood several people. They were the experts from Black Ice Platform who were being besieged by the Great Yan Martial World. At this moment, everyone¡¯s expressions were somewhat ragged; the original several First Grade Experts had also suffered heavy losses, including both Leng Xiao and Lin Zisheng who were injured. ¡°Huff¡­..¡± Qi Shu gasped for air, his face somewhat pale. ¡°Lord Qi, are you alright?¡± Stabilizing his breath, Leng Xiao then asked. Qi Shu, holding his chest, slowly said, ¡°That Bai Mei is indeed powerful, with just half a move, he almost severely wounded me; truly a Palace Guardian of the Great Yan Palace.¡± ¡°He was disturbed by my Sealing God Seven Soul Smoke, he probably won¡¯t catch up any time soon.¡± Just before, Qi Shu and Bai Mei, the old eunuch, had clashed with a palm from miles away, and even at such a distance, Qi Shu was still shaken until his blood surged. Luckily, he had prepared the Sealing God Seven Soul Smoke made secretly by Black Ice Platform. Even a top grandmaster would be trapped by Sealing God Seven Soul Smoke, and it would be difficult to break free in a short time. However, this Sealing God Seven Soul Smoke was exceedingly precious, and Qi Shu only had two bottles on him. Fear flashed through Lin Zisheng¡¯s eyes as he whispered, ¡°Earlier I saw, not only the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s experts but also experts from the Great Yan Martial World were there¡­¡± This situation was different from what had been anticipated; unexpectedly, not only were they facing the Royal Family and the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s experts, but they were also being pursued by experts from the Great Yan Martial World. This undoubtedly made their journey from the south back to Zhao Country several times more difficult than expected. Qi Shu looked towards Princess An Le whom Leng Xiao was holding, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, ¡°As long as she remains in our hands, we are invincible.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s clothes were torn, and her hair was in disarray, making her appear somewhat disheveled. ¡°Just kill me already,¡± Zhao Xuening said coldly. ¡°Kill you? Have I exerted so much effort just to kill you?¡± Qi Shu slightly restrained his smile and said indifferently, ¡°I heard you went to the Imperial Study Room last month. You must have seen the Great Yan Emperor. Is it true that the Great Yan Emperor was seriously wounded?¡± Zhao Xuening clenched her teeth and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Now, the entire world is probably concerned about this matter. No one knows whether it is true or false that the Great Yan Emperor was seriously injured during his seclusion. Not to mention that Zhao Xuening didn¡¯t even know whether her father, the emperor, was really ill; even if she did know, she couldn¡¯t say it. This matter was a major national secret. Once revealed, it would certainly trigger a chain reaction and could even bring disaster to Great Yan, leading to the destruction of the state and leaving the people of Great Yan homeless. ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Qi Shu narrowed his eyes slightly. ¡°Shrr-!¡± ¡°Do you know but refuse to say, or do you really not know?¡± At that moment, Lin Zisheng stepped forward and cruelly tore open Zhao Xuening¡¯s clothes, revealing her pale shoulders. ¡°You!?¡± Zhao Xuening clenched her teeth and glared fiercely at Lin Zisheng, ¡°You are also a person of Great Yan, yet you betray your country to serve foreign robbers? Did a dog eat your conscience?¡± Although she was very fearful inside, the anger in her heart gradually overshadowed her fear. Lin Zisheng didn¡¯t expect the seemingly delicate Zhao Xuening to be so fiery. He chuckled and said, ¡°People of Jianghu, and you talk to me about having a conscience? Those I know who had conscience are all lying underground now.¡± As Lin Zisheng spoke, he planned to continue tearing Zhao Xuening¡¯s clothes. The person before him was a princess of a nation, moreover, the favorite princess of the Great Yan Emperor, and a national beauty, evoking pity. The experts around the Black Ice Platform all looked over, with some lustful evil spirits shining brightly. ¡°Wait a moment,¡± Qi Shu intervened, ¡°I once told the Crown Prince of Houjin that I would give this Princess An Le to him for his pleasure. Since she¡¯s a gift, she naturally must be intact. If her purity is taken now, it would be quite improper.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Zisheng had to stop his actions. Given his status, he naturally knew what was more important between a beauty and his own life. When Zhao Xuening heard Qi Shu¡¯s words, her eyes filled with shame and anger, but she did not scream to further provoke Qi Shu. Leng Xiao, who had been silent, asked, ¡°Lord Qi, we are now being hunted by many masters. What should we do now?¡± Qi Shu stroked his chin, and a thought suddenly struck him. He indifferently said, ¡°Given that numerous masters are hunting us and pursuers are behind us, I think we should split up.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Zisheng frowned slightly, ¡°Split up?¡± Rather than splitting up, he preferred staying by Qi Shu¡¯s side, which was much safer. Qi Shu pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Lin Zisheng, you take all the experts of the Black Ice Platform and head south first, to save the living forces of the Black Ice Platform. My senior brother will meet and guide you later, and there will absolutely be no problem. I will cover the rear and hold them off for now.¡± Lin Zisheng was overjoyed inside but showed a troubled and sorrowful expression, saying, ¡°How can I let Lord go to the rear? I am willing to share Lord¡¯s worries.¡± Qi Shu waved his hand and said, ¡°Forget it. Whether it¡¯s Tang Taiyuan of the Xuanyi Guard or Meng Zhaodou of the Heaven and Earth Net, you are no match for them. Only I can stop these two.¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Lin Zisheng sighed, his face overly theatrical. At that moment, Leng Xiao grabbed Zhao Xuening and said earnestly, ¡°I am willing to follow Lord and cover the rear.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good, I hope you won¡¯t disappoint me.¡± Qi Shu looked at Leng Xiao deeply, then furrowed his eyebrows sharply, ¡°Someone¡¯s coming. Get ready to leave.¡± Suddenly, a figure clad in black appeared on the twigs afar. ¡°Qi Shu, you can¡¯t escape,¡± The elder gazed coldly at the people below. ¡°Hand over Princess An Le, and I might consider sparing your life.¡± ¡°Meng Zhaodou, do you think you are Bai Mei?¡± Qi Shu laughed loudly and then waved his hand, signaling his men to leave quickly. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Lin Zisheng did not hesitate at all and led the many experts of the Black Ice Platform toward the distance. Leng Xiao, watching Lin Zisheng¡¯s retreating figure, quickly followed with Zhao Xuening in tow. ¡°Put down Princess An Le!¡± Meng Zhaodou shouted, stretching out his hand toward the front. A surge of True Qi came rolling forward, forming a gigantic palm print that moved toward them. ¡°Meng Zhaodou, your opponent is right here.¡± Qi Shu threw a punch furiously. ¡°Boom!¡± The Qi Force vibrated and surged, his fist force sweeping forward like a mountain-shifting and sea-overturning force, completely dispersing Meng Zhaodou¡¯s Qi Force. Meng Zhaodou was a One Qi Grandmaster, his strength was stronger than the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva but roughly equal to the old man Qingfeng, naturally, he was no match for the Second Qi Grandmaster Qi Shu, and was immediately overwhelmed by this punch, causing his inner breath to surge tumultuously. ¡°Today, I¡¯ll kill a Great Yan Grandmaster first to mourn the countless soldiers of Zhao Country who died beneath South Mountain.¡± Qi Shu sneered coldly, then threw another punch. He practiced the Nine Stars Fist, an extremely tyrannical technique that tore through waves and severed seas, and his fist force continued endlessly, containing tremendous hidden force. The most important thing was that each punch was fiercer and more domineering than the last. ¡°Bang!¡± As this punch struck, the air itself exploded with a piercing, turbulent sound. Meng Zhaodou¡¯s True Qi surged out as he met the attack with a palm. ¡°Bang!¡± At the moment of the fist and palm collision, Meng Zhaodou¡¯s face turned pale, and the trees beneath his feet burst apart, turning into myriad pieces of wood scattering into the air. Qi Shu was swift and moved to kill Meng Zhaodou directly. ¡°Swoosh!¡± A long, slender sword light came sweeping in from afar. The sword light was fast! It seemed as if it had ascended from the abyss of hell itself, aiming straight for Qi Shu¡¯s throat, even Qi Shu felt a chill in his heart and continuously floated backward. Meng Zhaodou got a chance to breathe and then landed on the ground, adjusting his internal breath. Meanwhile, Qi Shu¡¯s eyes deepened as he looked into the distance. Approaching from afar was an elder in a green robe, stepping slowly towards them, holding a long sword in his hand that flickered with a cold light, shimmering brilliantly. ¡°Tang Taiyuan, you¡¯ve arrived quite quickly,¡± he said. Qi Shu appeared relaxed on the surface, but inside he was tense. The newcomer was Tang Taiyuan, the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard. The Xuanyi Guard was a blade that the Human Emperor hung over the Great Yan Martial World, and its Great Commander, Tang Taiyuan, was the edge of that blade. His cultivation was profound and unfathomable, rarely taking action, but each time without exception resulted in a great victory. Tang Taiyuan looked at Qi Shu in front of him and said indifferently, ¡°I¡¯ve seen those who send letters from a thousand miles away, but this is the first time seeing someone who sends heads from a thousand miles away.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Hearing this, Qi Shu did not get angry but laughed instead. ¡°My head is right here, whether you can take it down also depends on your abilities.¡± ¡°In this world, how many have survived under my sword?¡± Tang Taiyuan¡¯s long sword was positioned casually, his tone was calm and composed, yet carried an overwhelming aura. Even though facing Qi Shu, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s most proud disciple, and the one closest to Xiao Qianqiu in ability among his generation, Qi Shu, his expression hardly changed. Yet Qi Shu felt a chill inside, and his hairs stood on end. ¡°Swoosh!¡± The next moment, Tang Taiyuan drew his long sword. The sword light was as fast as a startled swan, and in a few breaths, it had reached in front of Qi Shu. ¡°So fast!¡± Qi Shu was shocked inwardly, but his fist force was already rising, and he wasn¡¯t afraid of Tang Taiyuan. Right then, he shook the Qi Mechanism inside his body and threw a punch forward. ¡°Bang!¡± The air emitted a huge collision sound, like two mountains striking each other, instantly, surging boundless True Qi raged around, sweeping up the winds and sands. Qi Shu felt as if his palm had struck against a mountain, instantly making his arm go numb. His body staggered, almost falling over. In contrast, Tang Taiyuan appeared unaffected, standing firmly, even the gravel under his feet didn¡¯t sink at all, which showed that Tang Taiyuan¡¯s cultivation was above Qi Shu¡¯s. Seeing Tang Taiyuan¡¯s ferociousness, Qi Shu¡¯s heart tightened. At that moment, Meng Zhaodou suddenly leapt up, ready to chase after Leng Xiao and Lin Zisheng. ¡°Meng Zhaodou, why are you in such a rush?¡± Qi Shu shouted coldly, his hands moving like lightning, forcing Meng Zhaodou back with a strike, then he began to gather his Qi Force. The golden light in the air began to converge and then transformed into a tremendous punch force that swept out. ¡°Boom, boom, boom!¡± The force of the fist seemed to make the air itself tremble. Tang Taiyuan held a blade in one hand, the blade flashing with a red glow as if it had an infinite allure, drawing all the surrounding true qi towards it. The originally white blade turned blood-red in an instant, shining brilliantly and dazzlingly. The next moment, he slightly lifted the long blade in his hand, placed his left hand on his shoulder and pushed it rapidly towards his palm, as if all the true qi in his body was surging into that right arm, and then into the long blade. Clang! Clang! Clang! The surging true qi flowed into the long blade, immediately causing the blade to emit waves of agitating sounds, which seemed to transform into tangible waves rippling outward. A vast momentum of the blade suddenly rose. From the long blade, an immense sharp energy spread everywhere, turning the whole world extremely cold, as if the air itself had condensed into threads of ice, even the freely flowing true qi started to slow down. Hiss! Hiss! Tang Taiyuan¡¯s eyes were also incomparably cold, making him seem even more despairing than the long blade. A huge blade radiance suddenly fell from the sky, and the target was Qi Shu below. Qi Shu looked up at the huge sword radiance coming down from the sky, as if it would split heaven and earth. This scene was truly shocking. Qi Shu¡¯s gaze turned cold, as true qi frantically surged within him. Behind him, the aura grew more and more intense, magnificent and vast, with wild winds rising around, even sending some bushes flying. The momentum was terrifying to the extreme, and the violent fluctuations of true qi also caused the heaven and earth to tremble. ¡°Boom!¡± The fist force was unparalleled, bringing with it an unstoppable force as it fell. Bang! Bang! Explosions continued one after another, and a purple light emerged around Tang Taiyuan¡¯s body, blocking the airwaves outside. Amidst the continuous explosions between heaven and earth, only Tang Taiyuan stood quietly in the middle of the purple light, remaining immovable no matter how the attacks destroyed the world. All sounds in the world quieted down at that moment. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! In the forest, the noise of the vibrating qi force resounded through the heavens, unceasing. It was unknown how much time had passed, but the airwaves gradually disappeared. Tang Taiyuan furrowed his brows sharply, seeing that beneath the rising dust there was no one, and Qi Shu¡¯s figure was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Has he escaped?¡± Meng Zhaodou¡¯s expression turned very ugly. ¡°Chase!¡± Tang Taiyuan leaped up, turning into an arc of light, ¡°This old man wants his head to sacrifice my blade.¡± ¡­.. North of Pingling. Leng Xiao carried Zhao Xuening and sped through the mountains, moving as fast as the wind. Meanwhile, Zhao Xuening looked around, glanced up at the sun, then suddenly realized with a shock that this was not the way south, but rather heading north. To the north was Yujing City, and naturally, the people from the Black Ice Platform wouldn¡¯t head to Yujing City to court death, so there was only one possibility. Continuing north to Houjin!? Thinking this, Zhao Xuening¡¯s heart grew cold. ¡°Let me go, I need a toilet,¡± Zhao Xuening suddenly shouted. ¡°Just solve it right here,¡± Leng Xiao said indifferently. Upon hearing Leng Xiao¡¯s words, Zhao Xuening felt both embarrassed and annoyed. It seemed in Leng Xiao¡¯s eyes, she was neither a princess of a country nor a breathtaking beauty, but rather more like an animal. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± Just then, a gust of wind approached. Suddenly, a figure appeared ahead. ¡°Cough cough¡­ cough cough¡­¡± It was Qi Shu, who now had a pale face and some torn clothes, clearly having suffered some internal injuries during his fight with Tang Taiyuan. Leng Xiao landed in front of Qi Shu, whispering, ¡°Lord Qi, are you alright?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing significant.¡± Qi Shu waved his hand and a slight smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, ¡°You do have some brains.¡± ¡°Lord Qi is too kind.¡± Leng Xiao said indifferently. As the saying goes, where there is an anomaly, there must be monsters; where there is a deviation in person, there must be knives; where words carry insincerity, there must be ghosts. How could a person like Qi Shu possibly cover the retreat for Lin Zisheng and the other experts of the Black Ice Platform? Could it be that Qi Shu believes their lives are worth more than his own? If it were a hero of great empathy and righteousness, it might indeed be possible for the sake of face to do so. However, Qi Shu, a cold and ruthless person, would definitely not commit such an act against common sense. Now Lin Zisheng is being sold out and is still helping count money for Qi Shu. Qi Shu took a deep breath and said, ¡°Now that Tang Taiyuan and Meng Zhaodou and others have been lured to move southwards, we will go against the path and enter Houjin. Once we reach Houjin, we will be completely safe.¡± Leng Xiao pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Lord Qi is wise and strategic. Just delaying Lin Zisheng for half a day and adding the time it takes for them to regain their senses, which is one day, by the time they catch up, we will already have reached the border area of Yan Country. By then, trying to stop us would be as difficult as reaching the south by ascending to heaven.¡± Zhao Xuening turned pale upon hearing this. If what Leng Xiao said was true, then she would fall into the hands of the barbarians of Houjin¡­. ¡°Don¡¯t waste time; let¡¯s move quickly.¡± Qi Shu then took out an elixir, popped it into his mouth, and said. ¡°Yes.¡± Leng Xiao nodded. ¡­. Dongluo Desert, the far end. Yellow sand stretched endlessly, vast and boundless, with heatwaves assaulting like raging flames. Dongluo Pass is the entrance to the Dongluo Desert, and this place is almost the exit of the desert. To the north are barbarians living a primitive lifestyle of drinking blood and short of supplies, and to the west lies the Western Pure Land. Because of the natural barrier of the desert, these barbarians dreaming of entering Dongluo Pass has always been just a fantasy, hence there has been little interchange historically. In the desert, a figure slowly walked through the heatwaves. His steps seemed slow, but in the blink of an eye, he was tens of meters away. ¡°Bang!¡± At that moment, sand whirlwinds rose from the front, forming a yellow tornado that looked like a soaring dragon from afar. Upon closer inspection, a figure was seated in the middle of it. Sensing someone approaching, the person sitting in the midst of the yellow sand opened his eyes. This person enduring the hardships of the desert was none other than the former master of the Earth Sect, Jiang Renyi. Seeing the visitor, Jiang Renyi expressed surprise, ¡°Elder Yuan, why have you come?¡± Yuan Feng smiled, ¡°Good, looking at your qi mechanism, stepping into the Grandmaster realm is just around the corner for you.¡± ¡°Elder Yuan jests,¡± Jiang Renyi shook his head and said, ¡°The Grandmaster Realm is incredibly difficult to achieve. I am still lacking somewhat; this final step is the hardest.¡± For top geniuses, the leap from Half-step Master to Grandmaster is also a threshold. Even Li Fuzhou has been in this realm for several years and has not yet stepped into the Grandmaster level. Yuan Feng laughed heartily and said, ¡°Don¡¯t be anxious. With your current age and talent, Grandmaster is just the beginning.¡± ¡°Elder Yuan, you flatter me.¡± Jiang Renyi smiled and then asked, ¡°Elder Yuan, what urgent matter brings you to the Dongluo Desert today?¡± Given that Yuan Feng was an elder of the Sealing Demon Platform and Jiang Renyi had only seen him a few times when he was the master of the Earth Sect, Yuan Feng¡¯s current visit to find him in the Dongluo Desert couldn¡¯t be simple. ¡°Now is a critical time for the survival of the Demon Sect.¡± Yuan Feng¡¯s expression turned solemn as he said, ¡°You must be aware of Sect Hierarch Zhao entering the Sealing Demon Well?¡± ¡°I know some.¡± Jiang Renyi nodded. Although he did not really follow the outside world much anymore, how could he not have heard of such a major event concerning the Demon Sect? Hearing this news, his heart was full of regret; firstly, regretting Zhao Qingmei¡¯s supreme talent and secondly, lamenting the loss of the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture. Yuan Feng said solemnly, ¡°Now the Demon Sect is managed by Yu Qiurong. The grand reputation of our sect, the legacy of thousands of years, when has it been led by a person of the Heavenly Flower Realm? She is not fit to wield such power.¡± Jiang Renyi¡¯s brows furrowed, and he nodded in agreement. The cultivation in the Heavenly Flower Realm indeed isn¡¯t very high. Seeing Jiang Renyi nod, Yuan Feng directly stated his purpose: ¡°Now that Zhao Qingmei is trapped in the Sealing Demon Well and there¡¯s no hope of her escape, in my view, the Demon Sect cannot be without a leader for a day¡­¡± Jiang Renyi was immediately intrigued: ¡°Oh? Elder Yuan, are you suggesting that I take over as the Sect Hierarch?¡± To say he wasn¡¯t tempted by the position of Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect was impossible. Otherwise, after Zhao Qingmei became the Sect Hierarch, he wouldn¡¯t have harbored so many ulterior motives. However, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s entry into the Grandmaster level had indeed thrown a cold bucket of water on Jiang Renyi, instantly cooling his ambition. With his abilities, competing with Zhao Qingmei for the position of Sect Hierarch was indeed not enough. But now, things were different, Zhao Qingmei was trapped in the Sealing Demon Well, and the Demon Sect had no Sect Hierarch. Yuan Feng said indifferently, ¡°With the support of the Sealing Demon Platform, as long as you want to become the Sect Hierarch, it is a certainty. Duanmu Xinghua, Yi Daoyun, and Lin Tianhai, those people are loyal to the Demon Sect, not Zhao Qingmei. Now that Zhao Qingmei is trapped in the Sealing Demon Well, they won¡¯t say they support you to become the Sect Hierarch, but they definitely won¡¯t obstruct.¡± Jiang Renyi thought for a moment and said, ¡°Zhao Qingmei has two confidants, one is Yu Qiurong, and the other is Qin Bin, the leader of the Xuanwu Sect. These two are not easy to deal with, especially that Qin Bin, who commands the most elite Black Armor Iron Guard¡­¡± Yuan Feng said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, what waves can a Third Grade Cultivation person stir up?¡± Jiang Renyi shook his head and said, ¡°No, I¡¯m talking about those seventy thousand elite troops, the only elite soldiers of the Demon Sect. If they were gone, Houjin could destroy Dongluo Pass in an instant¡­¡± These seventy thousand elite were the sole living force of the Demon Sect, and also one of the capitals for competing for supremacy in the world. Yuan Feng smiled from the side, ¡°Rest assured, I have already reached a cooperation agreement with Houjin. Now the Demon Sect and Houjin are allies united at heart, so there is absolutely no need to worry about Houjin.¡± Jiang Renyi looked at Yuan Feng, his brows furrowing deeper. The Demon Sect cooperating with Houjin? Wasn¡¯t this akin to seeking a tiger¡¯s skin? It was known that Houjin had long harbored ambitions to swallow Dongluo Pass and had merely been fearful of the experts of the Demon Sect. Jiang Renyi pondered for a while and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll return to Dongluo Tower with Elder Yuan first.¡± ¡­¡­ Mt. Xu, midway up the mountain. Dense forests layered upon each other, obscuring the sunlight, making it somewhat chilly. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Qi Shu landed, taking a deep breath, ¡°Half a day and a night have passed without encountering any obstacles, presumably the experts within the Great Yan Martial World have all headed south.¡± Leng Xiao nodded, expressing his admiration, ¡°Lord Qi, this move of yours is indeed brilliant.¡± It must be said that Qi Shu¡¯s tactic was somewhat ruthless. Meng Zhaodou and Tang Taiyuan clearly saw the people from Black Ice Platform heading south, but secretly Leng Xiao took Princess An Le northwards. By the time they realized it, the time taken for one action and then a counteraction was sufficient for them to escape the trap. North of Mt. Xu was the Great Yan border region. Once in the Great Yan border region, Great Yan¡¯s control weakened significantly, making it extremely difficult to track their whereabouts. Zhao Xuening was limp, her complexion pale as paper, seemingly on the verge of fainting at any moment. Qi Shu nodded slightly, then looked towards a dilapidated temple in the distance and said, ¡°There¡¯s a broken temple ahead, no Qi Mechanism present. Let¡¯s rest there first.¡± Since the battle with Tang Taiyuan, Qi Shu had yet to rest. Now, having escaped the encirclement, it was naturally time to rest well and recover some strength. As he spoke, the two walked into the temple. The moment they entered the temple, Qi Shu¡¯s brows fiercely knitted together. This was a Land Temple. The stone statues inside were dilapidated, neglected for many years and appeared very disordered. Not far from a stone statue, a man in black robes was sitting cross-legged with a bonfire rack in front of him, apparently preparing to grill something. This man was none other than An Jing. At this moment, seeing Qi Shu, he too was momentarily stunned. Wasn¡¯t it said that Qi Shu was in Pingling preparing to head south? How did he suddenly appear on Mount Xu? ¡°Save¡­ save me¡­.¡± Zhao Xuening was dazed, looking at the figure in black robes ahead, immediately recalling a past brief encounter. This man in black robes knew the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, and thus must be an expert. Currently, with only a faint consciousness, Zhao Xuening subconsciously saw An Jing as her last straw. ¡°Who are you?¡± Leng Xiao raised his eyebrows, his gaze cold as he looked at An Jing. An Jing, seeing Leng Xiao¡¯s tense face, couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°A passing stranger, do you believe that?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe it.¡± Leng Xiao said coldly. Zhao Xuening clearly recognized this person and had not sensed any Qi Mechanism from start to finish. The person before them was very likely someone with ulterior motives. ¡°We meet again.¡± Qi Shu, however, remembered and couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to meet again here; it seems we really are fated.¡± ¡°Can we refuse such fate?¡± An Jing sighed, his hand touching the hilt of the Evil Suppressing Sword. Hearing An Jing say this, Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes dimmed. The man in black robes seemed reluctant to make a move, otherwise, he would have acted when the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva was defeated that day. ¡°If you can¡¯t save me, just kill me instead.¡± With this thought, Zhao Xuening looked towards An Jing, her eyes showing a hint of readiness for death; she would rather die than bear such humiliation. An Jing looked at those phoenix eyes; the most fearsome people in this world are those who aren¡¯t afraid to die. ¡°Fate is not something you can just decide to take or leave as you wish,¡± Qi Shu shook his head and after he finished speaking, he glanced at Leng Xiao beside him. Leng Xiao immediately understood and stepped forward, appearing before An Jing in the next moment. ¡°Bang!¡± With one palm strike, the immense force and mighty Qi shook the air, causing a booming sound. An Jing turned his body and easily dodged the palm strike. ¡°Hm?!¡± Leng Xiao¡¯s brows furrowed deeply. Currently, he was a Half-step Master through medicinal enhancements. Although this status as a Half-step Master was weaker compared to usual, it still signified him as an expert of the Half-step Master level. Leng Xiao struck out with his palm again, but he then realized that no matter how fast or fierce his palm wind was, the man in the black robe easily dodged it, as if toying with him. Leng Xiao, known as ¡®Xiaoxiang Water Cloud,¡¯ was once a senior expert of the Great Yan Martial World, having a significant reputation. Later, when he could no longer advance in cultivation, he withdrew from the Jianghu. Unable to resist the temptation of the Black Ice Platform later, he joined it. After consuming the elixir of the Black Ice Platform, his power greatly increased, and he became a Half-step Master. ¡°Indeed, quite interesting. Then, take another palm strike from me,¡± he announced. Leng Xiao shouted explosively, as all the Inner Strength in his body surged, converging into his arm. ¡°Boom!¡± He struck out his palm, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing, his Inner Strength continuously surged, creating spirals of Qi Force. ¡°I will take your head then,¡± An Jing took a light breath, his palm resting on the hilt of the Evil Suppressing Sword at his waist, and then he drew it out sharply. Buzz! Buzz! The Evil Suppressing Sword emitted a sound that trembled the heavens, its three-blade fusion¡¯s power enhanced once again. The sword light was fast! Faster than a blink of an eye! Leng Xiao only felt he blinked once, and the sword light had already reached his neck. Not good! Dread filled his heart, and he attempted to retreat quickly to avoid the exceedingly cold sword light. But it was too late, the sword was even faster than his thought. ¡°Puff!¡± The sword light swept across, and a fountain of blood sprayed forth, followed by a fine head flying into the air. The head tumbled through the air, eventually landing at Qi Shu¡¯s feet, its fierce eyes still staring at him, the terror within them not yet faded. ¡°Thud!¡± Leng Xiao¡¯s body heavily fell to the ground, blood still flowing continuously. ¡°Gulp!¡± Zhao Xuening also suddenly perked up, swallowing her saliva as she watched the scene unfold before her. On the way here, she had witnessed Leng Xiao entering among the Xuanyi Guard like no one else was present, even her uncle Zuo Biwen couldn¡¯t capture him, such a high-level expert. But now, he was gone with a single sword strike. ¡°The Evil Suppressing Sword!?¡± Qi Shu¡¯s pupils suddenly constricted. In that instant, he threw Zhao Xuening who was in his hands aside, ¡°Are you that Ghost Swordsman?¡± Zhao Xuening scrambled and stumbled away, this being the only chance she had had to move in several days besides for necessities and meals. ¡°Perhaps no one has told you that this fate also involves a sword.¡± An Jing¡¯s arm was level with the ground, and the blood from the Evil Suppressing Sword dripped to the ground. In the dilapidated temple, where statues were broken and winds howled mournfully, the two stared at each other, like volcanoes ready to erupt. Qi Shu, with a grave expression, spoke first, asking, ¡°Is your surname Wu?¡± ¡°Does my surname matter that much?¡± An Jing¡¯s demeanor was somewhat indifferent. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Since entering the Jianghu, many had inquired about his identity or name but asking his surname was a first. ¡°It matters a lot.¡± ¡°How much does it matter?¡± ¡°Enough to decide how you die.¡± ¡­.. Chapter 179 - Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Ghost Swordsman Pursues Qi Shu Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Ghost Swordsman Pursues Qi Shu In the Land Temple. The temperature in the air was plummeting rapidly, as if it had grown much colder. Leng Xiao¡¯s body convulsively twitched symbolically before blood began to flow continuously, staining the ground red. Qi Shu¡¯s eyes were like deep pools, without a ripple. And An Jing, without further thought, fixed his eyes on Qi Shu ahead. The sound of the wind howled as the two stared at each other from across the distance. The next instant, Qi Shu¡¯s body leaped and vanished from his spot. He attacked the moment he said he would, giving An Jing no time for a war of words. Fast! Too fast! Although Qi Shu had sustained some minor injuries, his cultivation as a Second Qi Grandmaster far surpassed that of Elder Qingfeng, and even the Grandmaster Meng Zhaodou couldn¡¯t withstand more than a few moves against him. From this, it was clear that the difference of one Qi in the realm of Grandmasters meant a groundbreaking shift in strength. An Jing¡¯s heart tightened, and he thrust the Evil Suppressing Sword forward. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The sword quivered as it shot forward like a spirit snake darting rapidly. ¡°Ding!¡± Qi Shu¡¯s figure appeared in front of the blade, twisted his footstep to dodge the sharp Sword Light, then flicked his finger. That casual flick, as if containing the power of an explosion, traveled along the sword, sending a numbing force up An Jing¡¯s arm, nearly causing the Evil Suppressing Sword to slip from his grasp. The Second Qi Grandmaster was indeed formidable. In the blink of an eye, Qi Shu¡¯s arm reached out again, seemingly unwilling to give An Jing any chance, aiming straight for his throat. Whirr, whirr, whirr! Sword Light flashed, and multiple sharp edges flew down. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Qi Shu felt a chill and hastily turned his claw into a palm, slamming it ruthlessly forward. ¡°Bang!¡± This palm of Hand Force landed solidly on An Jing¡¯s chest. ¡°Step, step, step¡­¡± An Jing retreated continuously, each step leaving a deep dent in the ground, testament to the domineering Force of Qi Shu¡¯s palm. Qi Shu stared intently at the man in the black robe, slowly saying, ¡°The people of Tian Yin have been hiding for three hundred years, but they can¡¯t hide any longer.¡± An Jing responded indifferently, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll make you understand.¡± Qi Shu clenched his fists, making a crackling sound. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly; he could feel the surging, vigorous Qi Force, rolling and emerging like the ceaseless flow of a river. Qi Shu threw a heavy punch at An Jing, turning into a wild current of True Qi that caused the air to tremble. A gleam of sharpness appeared in An Jing¡¯s eyes and he swung the Evil Suppressing Sword while silently reciting the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra. Golden light shone like thousands of arrows, and behind An Jing an ancient Great Buddha appeared, radiating a supreme and irresistible force. Om! An Jing swung out his arm holding the Evil Suppressing Sword with a surge of golden light on his body¡¯s surface, the explosive momentum dispersing the surrounding windstorms. That sword, with tens of millions of pounds of force, shattered the air in front, carrying an indescribable terrifying power that swept forth and slammed head-on into the incoming Fist Force. Bang! The two violently collided, causing the whole Land Temple to tremble at that moment as An Jing was forced to step back. After retreating several steps, a glint of cold light appeared in An Jing¡¯s eyes, followed by a pointing of his left hand. Nine Yang Divine Finger! Crack! Crack! Visible cracks swiftly spread out from under An Jing¡¯s finger, quickly engulfing the vast current of Qi Force. In just a few breaths¡¯ time, the huge stream was filled, and with a loud bang, the True Qi burst that could drown a Half-step Master shattered and dispersed into white smoke. The Qi Mechanism exploded, An Jing¡¯s blood surged and all his organs throbbed with pain. At this moment, his Inner Strength surged like a tide, and with the three combined sword bodies of the Evil Suppressing Sword, every move was infused with the force of an erupting volcano. ¡°Interesting¡­.¡± Qi Shu¡¯s figure appeared, looking at the Sword Qi that An Jing had shattered and shaking his head, he said, ¡°If this is all you have, survival will be difficult.¡± As soon as these words fell, Qi Shu waved his sleeve, and the explosive stream of True Qi turned into a sweeping barrage of countless arrows, raining down upon An Jing like an unavoidable storm. Boom! Boom! White streams of Qi Force danced, forming shimmering shards like a sky full of falling stars. An Jing¡¯s heart shuddered, an unprecedented sense of crisis surged to his mind. Evasion was critical! Clutching the Evil Suppressing Sword, An Jing had no intention of going head-to-head with Qi Shu. Whoosh! An Jing¡¯s figure suddenly vanished from the spot, executing the Soaring Nine Heavens movement technique. Bang bang bang! The overwhelming Qi Force descended heavily upon the ground, and the resulting tremors that followed broke the silence far and wide. The stone statue instantly shattered, and the entire Land Temple lay in ruins, a complete mess. Fortunately, Zhao Xuening was hiding in a corner and was not affected. An Jing barely dodged the assault but felt a chill in his heart. Boom! The very next moment! As if a volcano had erupted all at once, a terrifying Qi Mechanism burst forth, breaking through the roof of the Land Temple. With an indifferent expression, Qi Shu exerted a powerful True Qi pressure that made An Jing¡¯s breathing stall. The boundless True Qi, like a storm, raged across the sky. Qi Shu clenched his fist, and the Fist Force roared in like the tide. In a matter of breaths, the Fist Force seemed to condense into a layer shining with starlight. Following it was the overwhelming Qi Mechanism, a sweeping chill that resembled a dazzling galaxy. From a distance, it was indeed spectacular. However, beneath that splendor lurked a heart-palpitating danger. The layer of starlight magnified rapidly in An Jing¡¯s pupils, and he took a deep breath, his expression becoming slightly solemn. The Nine Stars Fist grew more formidable with each punch, especially the ninth punch. It was rumored that the ninth punch was akin to a meteor falling, its vast Heavenly might unstoppable. Few could execute the ninth punch, and even fewer could withstand it. The enormous Fist Force descended like a mountain, erupting with a thunderous noise. An Jing could distinctly feel as if the air around him had exploded, as if he were in a strange and terrifying space. Humming! Humming! Without the slightest hesitation, An Jing gathered all his Inner Strength onto the Evil Suppressing Sword, from which dazzling light began to shine. The Evil Suppressing Sword was raised, and An Jing, along with the sword, merged as one with heaven and earth. The Sword Skill rose, majestic and towering like mountains and rivers, elusive yet magnificent. Hundred-step Flying Sword! An Jing seemed to disappear, leaving only a Sword Radiance that pierced through heaven and earth, descending from the skies. ¡°Such a formidable Sword Dao¡­..¡± Qi Shu¡¯s eyes revealed a hint of seriousness, unable to sense such majesty from any other swordsman before. And the moment the Sword Light and Fist Force collided, the heavens and the earth seemed to pause. ¡°Crack crack crack crack crack!¡± The Sword Light instantly shattered, and a great deal of the Fist Force was also diminished. ¡°Bang bang bang bang!¡± The remaining force crashed viciously against the golden light around An Jing¡¯s body, then turned into waves of Qi Force. Blood trickled down An Jing¡¯s mouth as he gasped for air. Qi Shu¡¯s gaze was icy; his Nine Stars Fist had only begun to exert its power, while the Ghost Swordsman opposite had already given it his all. ¡°Roar!¡± At that instant, a low roar erupted from the distant horizon. Following the sound, Qi Shu saw a massive black Flood Dragon soaring into the sky. ¡°Black Flood Dragon!?¡± Such an Exotic Beast was extremely ferocious and brutal by nature, known to feed on humans as recorded in ancient texts, yet here it was being subdued by someone. The Black Flood Dragon glared furiously at the Qi Shu ahead, baring its teeth and displaying its fierceness. Seeing this, An Jing¡¯s heart somewhat relaxed, but he did not completely lower his guard. Despite the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s display of ferocity, without the experience of battle, it was uncertain if it could match Qi Shu. Qi Shu¡¯s brows furrowed deeply, intimidated by the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s formidable force, he did not rush to act. ¡°Tap tap tap tap¡­.¡± At that moment, a figure approached from afar. The man, clad in a black cloak and robust in stature, had a particularly pale face. He was carrying two plump wild chickens in his hand. Qi Shu¡¯s pupils constricted sharply, shocked, ¡°Who are you?¡± To approach within ten paces of him without making a sound, there were not many in this world who could achieve that. This was none other than Prince Xu returning from hunting. Prince Xu didn¡¯t answer Qi Shu¡¯s question but instead countered, ¡°Do you know where this place is?¡± Qi Shu¡¯s brows remained knitted, his mind racing to think of any experts in Great Yan who could be hidden in that drainage ditch for a thousand years. ¡°This is my territory, how dare you strike at my friend on my ground?¡± An Jing¡¯s gaze turned icy, and his body trembled, his foot stomped vigorously, and the ground beneath him collapsed, while his figure turned into a black light and instantly disappeared from the spot. A tide of corpse Qi surged like rivers and seas, rushing towards Qi Shu. Without any fancy moves, just a punch slammed down, and the air seemed to be squeezed and deformed. Qi Shu had no hesitation and his true Qi surged into his arm as he threw a punch in response. ¡°Bang!¡± The moment their fists collided, Qi Shu¡¯s face changed dramatically and he retreated step after step towards the rear. ¡°Strong!¡± The overbearing force shook the Qi and blood in his body violently, and then that raging corpse Qi directly rushed into his internal organs. ¡°I really want to see who you are!¡± Qi Shu shouted coldly, his momentum continually rising, and he threw another punch. His Nine Stars Fist had a continuous, unending flow of Qi force, growing stronger as it progressed, so he was not afraid even though he was at a disadvantage at the moment. An Jing didn¡¯t use any martial arts but simply punched out. Thus, the two wildly overbearing fists collided heavily. Boom! A violent burst of light swept through heaven and earth, as if a raging sun rose from the place where the fists met, and terrible true Qi shockwaves ravaged the ground, which collapsed layer by layer under the impact. Bang! As true Qi swept through, Qi Shu¡¯s figure was sent flying backward again. He stepped through the air, each step leaving a depression in the ground beneath him. It was only after retreating dozens of steps that he managed to forcefully stabilize himself. ¡°Again!¡± Standing in that Qi force gale, An Jing looked like an unbeatable statue, overtly dominating as he punched out once more, except this time, as his fist roared, not only the terrifying physical strength burst forth, but also that overwhelming flowing corpse Qi like a deluge. It was like a black torrent piercing through heaven and earth, and anything in its path would be utterly destroyed. Seeing this, Qi Shu felt his heart leap to his throat. He quickly circulated the true Qi in his body and punched towards the front one after another. ¡°Bang bang bang bang bang!¡± But at the moment his fist collided with the black torrent, it instantly shattered and turned into nothingness. ¡°Ah!¡± The aftermath of the black Qi force swept through, causing Qi Shu¡¯s hair accessories to shatter, his clothes to tear, and blood to stream from his mouth, immediately looking extremely distressed. Three punches! Just three punches! Qi Shu, the one who had stirred up troubles in the Great Yan Martial World, who had escaped from under Bai Mei, and had fought Meng Zhaodou, the Second Qi Grandmaster, was now severely injured by An Jing with just three punches. ¡°Is this An Jing¡¯s true strength?¡± Seeing this, An Jing revealed a hint of astonishment. An Jing¡¯s strength was truly formidable; Qi Shu was also a top-level expert, yet now he was utterly powerless against An Jing. An Jing¡¯s strength may very well be at the Third or even Fourth Qi Grandmaster level; compared to Xiao Qianqiu, he probably wouldn¡¯t be much less. ¡°You¡­ who exactly are you?!¡± Qi Shu¡¯s face was filled with horror as he stared at An Jing; he had never heard of such a formidable expert in Great Yan before. An Jing turned to look at An Jing and said, ¡°What now?¡± ¡°Kill.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Since they had already offended each other, they might as well go all out. Any revenge that could be avenged should not wait for another day. Moreover, Qi Shu was a Second Qi Grandmaster; if his body could produce Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence after death, it might even aid in his own cultivation. ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing, upon hearing this, looked towards Qi Shu. His eyes were devoid of any emotion, just like how he had looked at the dead deer the night before. Feeling a chill in his heart, Qi Shu felt the threat of imminent death and quickly reached for his waist. ¡°Be careful!¡± An Jing saw Qi Shu¡¯s subtle movement and hurriedly shouted a warning. No sooner said than done. Qi Shu took out a palm-sized object and threw it towards the ground. Suddenly, a cloud of black smoke emerged, engulfing An Jing. Right after that, with a fierce glint in his eyes, Qi Shu charged towards An Jing. ¡°Courting death!¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits when he saw this. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± The Black Flood Dragon roared angrily, and the sky above was covered with dark clouds. Suddenly, a thunderbolt that resembled an angry dragon crashed down from the sky, falling straight like a black sword. Qi Shu felt a twinge in his heart and subconsciously retreated backward. ¡°Bang!¡± The black lightning struck the ground heavily, shaking Mount Xu. A deep pit nearly thirty feet wide appeared before them, still emitting black smoke. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon, seeing this, roared triumphantly. ¡°Such a terrifying Black Flood Dragon¡­¡± Qi Shu was secretly alarmed, and at the same time, the black smoke surrounding Mount Xu gradually dissipated, spreading a thick corpse qi. ¡°If I don¡¯t leave now, it¡¯ll be too late¡­¡± Heart set, Qi Shu could no longer care about the princess in the temple. He immediately executed the Shrinking Land into Inches technique and fled toward the distance. ¡°He¡¯s running?¡± An Jing watched the direction in which Qi Shu disappeared, frowning immediately. At that moment, the corpse qi of King Xu broke through the black smoke left by Qi Shu. ¡°Where did that guy go?¡± King Xu asked. ¡°He ran. I¡¯ll give chase now.¡± Seeing King Xu break free, An Jing leaped onto the dragon¡¯s back in an instant. King Xu nodded, expressing difficulty, ¡°Unless there¡¯s a special situation, I cannot leave this place.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s doubtful he¡¯s a match for the Black Flood Dragon.¡± An Jing shouted lowly, ¡°Fast, catch up to him!¡± ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon let out a low roar and then shook its body, chasing after him. ¡­¡­ Two hundred li south of Pingling. Among the woods, the killing intent was pervasive, a bloody battle waged on. Countless corpses lay on the ground, dyeing the forest a vivid red. At this moment, Lin Zisheng leaned against a large tree, gasping for air. In front of him stood several experts from the Great Yan Martial World, including Youfeng Valley¡¯s Valley Master Zuo Biwen, Blue River Sect¡¯s Elder Zhao Liangdong, and Dai Danshu of the Five Poison Sect, among other martial arts masters. They had him surrounded, sealing off any chance of survival. The experts of the Black Ice Platform couldn¡¯t form an effective resistance and were all slain in less than half an incense stick¡¯s time. Dai Danshu said coldly, ¡°Lin Zisheng, why betray Great Yan to side with Zhao Country, willing to be someone else¡¯s dog?¡± The grudge between Yan and Zhao had lasted a long time and penetrated the blood of everyone involved. Dai Danshu himself had participated in the wars between the two countries and had killed numerous generals from Zhao Country. Lin Zisheng wiped the blood from his mouth and sneered, ¡°Dai Danshu, you are also the Sect Leader of the Five Poison Sect, how can you ask such a foolish question?¡± ¡°Sect Leader Dai, don¡¯t waste words on him.¡± Zuo Biwen held back Dai Danshu, who was about to speak, and said gravely, ¡°Tell us, is Princess An Le in Qi Shu¡¯s hands, and is he headed south right now?¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Lin Zisheng burst into laughter without replying. Seeing this, everyone present frowned deeply. ¡°Swish! Swish!¡± ¡°Swish! Swish!¡± Just then, a figure descended from afar. It was none other than Meng Zhaodou. ¡°Lord Meng!¡± Zuo Biwen and Dai Danshu both greeted him with a bow. Meng Zhaodou¡¯s expression was rather grim, ¡°Qi Shu has disappeared without a trace. He¡¯s nowhere to be found along the way; we may have been deceived. This Lin Zisheng might just be bait.¡± On his rapid journey southward, despite his incredible speed, he had not seen Qi Shu since their brief encounter at Pingling. This was somewhat strange, unless Qi Shu had hidden himself in that little valley and did not emerge. ¡°What!?¡± Zuo Biwen exclaimed, and his eyebrows knitted into a ¡®Chuan ¡® shape. Upon hearing Meng Zhaodou¡¯s words, Lin Zisheng¡¯s smile suddenly froze on his face. Upon realizing the implications, ¡°Qi Shu and Leng Xiao¡­¡± Considering what the two had said, Lin Zisheng felt as if struck by a bolt of lightning. So much for covering for him; turns out he was nothing but a pawn to be discarded. ¡°Foolish!¡± Dai Danshu looked at Lin Zisheng, the corner of his mouth curled in scorn. ¡°Speak, where is Qi Shu now!?¡± Zuo Biwen¡¯s features twisted into a ferocious mask as he grabbed Lin Zisheng by the collar and roared. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know either.¡± Lin Zisheng gave a bitter smile. Meng Zhaodou pondered for a moment and said, ¡°All the checkpoints along the Great Yan and Zhao Country borders are guarded by soldiers. Brother Wind and Lord Tang have also headed to Jiangbei Dao. If Qi Shu is alone, the chances of him being discovered are very slim, but if he¡¯s with the Princess, it would be impossible not to expose their whereabouts¡­¡± Thinking of this, a cold gleam flashed in Meng Zhaodou¡¯s eyes, ¡°Could it be that Qi Shu has made a feint to the north?¡± As his words fell, the entire forest fell into silence. All the masters who heard this felt a chill in their hearts. They knew that a high-level cultivator like Qi Shu would definitely require another master of the same level to deal with him. Moreover, most of the masters capable of confronting Qi Shu were in the south of Pingling. Even if the news was sent to Yujing City, Qi Shu would have likely already escaped by now¡­ ¡°Then¡­ what do we do now?¡± At this moment, Zuo Biwen¡¯s mind was in complete disarray, and he was panicking. He didn¡¯t dare to imagine the disgrace it would be if Qi Shu had indeed abducted Zhao Xuening. Moreover¡­ It wasn¡¯t just Zuo Biwen feeling this way, all the masters present had a shadow cast over their hearts. If Qi Shu really had left Great Yan, the consequences would be unimaginable. Meng Zhaodou took a deep breath and said, ¡°You continue the search to the south, I will head north.¡± Having said that, Meng Zhaodou performed the Shrinking Land into Inches technique and rapidly moved toward the north. Suddenly, the forest became quiet once again. Zuo Biwen stared fixedly at Lin Zisheng, ¡°A dog like you who betrays his own side should go to hell!¡± With that, Zuo Biwen clenched his palm tightly. ¡°Crack!¡± Lin Zisheng¡¯s neck was twisted, and his internal organs were shattered by the powerful Qi Force, cutting off his breath instantly. ¡°That¡¯s too easy a death for this traitor,¡± scoffed the Five Poison Young Master. ¡­¡­ North of Xuwang Mountain. In the forest, a figure staggered forward hastily. This person was Qi Shu, the man whom the Great Yan Martial World was currently searching for, and he looked somewhat flustered at the moment. Shrinking Land into Inches is a hallmark of a Grandmaster, but it consumes a lot of True Qi and is not a method used for traveling long distances. Qi Shu, after a fierce battle on Xuwang Mountain, had very little True Qi left and dared not use Shrinking Land into Inches excessively. ¡°What is the background of that person? Aside from Bai Mei on the Capital Road, how could there be such a strong master?¡± Qi Shu¡¯s face was gloomy as he recalled the encounter. Not only was that person¡¯s strength nearly equal to Bai Mei¡¯s, but his origins were also extremely mysterious, and his martial arts had no recognizable style. ¡°Ghost Swordsman, Tian Yin¡­¡± The more Qi Shu thought about it, the more frustrated he was. This time, not only had he failed to kill the Ghost Swordsman, but he had also lost Princess An Le and sustained serious injuries, a total loss. Suddenly, the sky above became overcast with clouds, and it darkened instantly. ¡°This is bad!¡± Qi Shu cursed inwardly and immediately stopped, hurrying away into the distance. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± A thunderous noise erupted from the clouds, striking exactly where Qi Shu had just been. The ground exploded, stones flew, and a vast expanse of black smoke appeared. Qi Shu looked into the distance and saw the Black Flood Dragon soaring in mid-air, with a man in a black robe standing on its back. An Jing wore a faint smile and said, ¡°Why the rush? Do you really want to miss the fate between us?¡± Qi Shu glanced at An Jing and then leaped, instantly appearing several yards away. ¡°Chase after him,¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes and commanded. With a low growl, the Black Flood Dragon rapidly pursued. ¡°Boom!¡± Qi Shu stepped on a tree limb and continued to flee into the distance, with thunder blasting behind him. If he was even a step slower, he could have been struck by the lightning. ¡°Old man, quite the runner you are. No wonder so many people couldn¡¯t catch you,¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but sneer as he watched Qi Shu¡¯s agile form ahead. ¡°Shh!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword flew from its scabbard, turning into a streak of cold light heading towards Qi Shu. In the blink of an eye, the cold light split into three sword lights, each carrying an edge of biting cold. Sword Control Technique! The Hundred-step Flying Sword and the Sword Control Technique had similarities, but also differences. The Sword Control Technique¡¯s power focussed on a single point, showing weakness thereafter, was a move intended to kill. Qi Shu only felt a bone-chilling pain in his back and, as if by instinct, his True Qi gathered in his fist before he struck backwards with all his might. ¡°Bang!¡± Two of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blades were directly hit, while the remaining blade was evaded by Qi Shu. Although he had broken An Jing¡¯s sword move, that thunderbolt still mercilessly struck down. ¡°Boom!¡± The thunder raged across Qi Shu¡¯s body, jolting every inch of his skin and flesh, making his already wretched state even more withered. Such a thunderbolt was powerful enough to directly kill a Half-step Master. Fortunately, Qi Shu¡¯s will was extremely firm, and he gritted his teeth and continued to rush toward the distance. The Black Flood Dragon¡¯s large eyes gleamed with excitement, following closely behind him, constantly brewing thunder and ready to strike Qi Shu at any moment. Running all the way, they had inadvertently covered a distance of thirty li. Qi Shu led the way, while An Jing stood on the back of the Black Flood Dragon. An Jing, standing on the dragon¡¯s back, said coldly, ¡°Qi Shu, I refuse to believe that the True Qi in your body is as inexhaustible as the ocean¡¯s waters, even the ocean will run dry one day.¡± At this moment, Qi Shu was extremely bedraggled; he had roamed the Jianghu all his life and had never suffered such humiliation, he swore in his heart that as long as he escaped with his life, he would return today¡¯s humiliation a hundredfold, no, a thousandfold. On the official road, at a tea shed. A young hero couldn¡¯t help but grip his teacup tightly with a face full of indignation, saying, ¡°It¡¯s outrageous that Qi Shu, that old thief, is so despicable; it¡¯s infuriating that I lack the strength to kill him.¡± ¡°This man is truly despicable and shameless, I wonder if so many masters from Great Yan have surrounded and possibly executed Qi Shu by now.¡± The bearded giant next to him was also filled with righteous indignation. The name of Qi Shu was now thunderous in the Great Yan Martial World, making everyone gnash their teeth in anger. After all, kidnapping Princess An Le was a matter concerning the honor and disgrace of the entire Great Yan. The young hero was about to speak when he saw the bearded giant looking up at the sky in horror, and he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± The bearded giant stumbled with his words, ¡°That¡­ that is¡­¡± The young hero looked where he was pointing and exclaimed, ¡°It¡¯s actually a Flood Dragon! It¡¯s really a Flood Dragon!¡± The Flood Dragon was a creature mentioned only in ancient texts, and now it was appearing before their eyes in reality; how could they not be excited? ¡°There¡¯s someone on the dragon¡¯s back, could it be the rumored Ghost Swordsman.¡± ¡°Who is he chasing?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but it seems to be Qi Shu.¡± ¡°How could it be Qi Shu!?¡± ¡°My God, the Ghost Swordsman is chasing Qi Shu, he¡¯s really after Qi Shu.¡± ¡°Quick, let¡¯s follow and see.¡± ¡­¡­ At that moment, everyone looked up at the sky, their hearts swelling with emotions and shock. But Qi Shu and the Black Flood Dragon moved too fast, vanishing into the sky in the blink of an eye. The crowd seemed to snap to their senses and frantically gave chase. Qi Shu in the lead, Black Flood Dragon in pursuit. Qi Shu¡¯s speed was extremely fast, and each time he was almost caught, he used the Shrinking Land into Inches technique to momentarily create some distance. Although the Black Flood Dragon was incredibly fast in flight, it was hard to catch up with Qi Shu, who was running for his life. The chase stretched for over three hundred li. Passing tea stands and cities along the way, it attracted countless Jianghu masters; everyone was struck with astonishment and followed along, hoping to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. But their Cultivation was not high, and they simply couldn¡¯t keep up with the two figures. Nevertheless, a dense and spectacular procession had already formed along the way, a sight truly rare to behold. The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s pursuit of Qi Shu over three hundred li! When word of this spread, the name of the Ghost Swordsman would shake the world. Three hundred li had brought them outside the boundaries of Capital Road, and unknowingly, they¡¯d arrived at the Great Yan Border. Fifty li further north would be Houjin. The wind and sand rose as it howled. At this moment, Qi Shu¡¯s face was tired, and his body was swaying. Not only did he have to run all the way, but he also had to keep an eye on the pursuit behind him, which had caused his nerves to be stretched to their limits; he felt as if he was on the verge of collapsing. ¡°Boom!¡± Suddenly, a dull thunder resounded, instantly waking him up considerably and igniting the anger in his heart once more. ¡°Ghost Swordsman, if you let that Black Flood Dragon release another thunderbolt, believe it or not, I¡¯ll hide in the Great Yan cities. When the thunder strikes then, it will be the Great Yan commoners who die.¡± Unable to bear it anymore, Qi Shu staggered to a halt and turned around to bellow his fury. Three hundred li! He had been chased for a full three hundred li! Qi Shu was a top expert from Zhao Country, a man of high status and authority; when had he ever suffered such humiliation? Rushing all this way, the True Qi within him was nearly depleted; if it continued like this, he would sooner or later be tired to death. ¡°Our fate, wasn¡¯t it you who chose it?¡± An Jing had no desire to waste words with Qi Shu. ¡°Kill him for me!¡± After all, if a grudge had been formed, then best to resolve it decisively¨Csimply kill and be done with it. The Black Flood Dragon let out an enraged roar, and in an instant, thunder and lightning resounded throughout the sky. Qi Shu nearly coughed up blood. Now, he was filled with regret. Knowing that such a doomed fate awaited him in this decrepit temple, he would rather have never set foot in it his entire life. Before he even had the chance to catch his breath, the lightning was already crashing down. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± The roaring thunder was deafening. If struck by it, even someone with Qi Shu¡¯s cultivation would be stripped of a layer of skin. Qi Shu could only hurriedly dodge the bolts, not letting the violent lightning strike him. ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± The thunder struck the ground, instantly creating a vast crater and flinging debris into the air. Though Qi Shu was unharmed, the ordeal left him in even more of a sorry state. ¡°Not good!¡± Qi Shu felt the sky darken above him and, looking up, he saw the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s claw striking down at him. Such an exotic beast had a formidable and powerful body. Even with his Master Cultivation, being hit by such a claw would be no small matter. Qi Shu could only dodge awkwardly again as the claw tore a huge pit into the ground, illustrating the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s fearsome power. ¡°Hiss!¡± An Jing leapt into the air, the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand as if surrounded by a blazing flame, its bright glow shining brilliantly, blinding Qi Shu¡¯s eyes. The blade quivered as if carrying the furious wrath of starfire burning the heavens. Four Symbols Sword Technique! Fire Burning Sky! The Four Symbols Sword Technique was the signature move of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor, a genuine Heavenly Martial Level martial art. ¡°Seeking death!¡± A glint of sharpness flashed in Qi Shu¡¯s eyes. That enigmatic Xu Wang was too powerful, beyond his match, and the Black Flood Dragon was an extremely ferocious exotic beast. Wasn¡¯t he capable of dealing with this Half-step Master? Bang! Qi Shu threw a punch, shattering the flames that were before him. The scattered flames were pierced through, and immediately, three streaks of cold light emerged, stabbing towards him like meteors. ¡°Whoosh whoosh whoosh!¡± Qi Shu was caught off guard, rapidly retreating backwards. Hundred-step Flying Sword! Those three streaks of cold light charged forward rapidly, as if they were three peerless swordsmen. It had to be said that the Evil Suppressing Sword was a blade born to be wielded by An Jing. The three Flying Swords were one with the wind, one like thunder, magnificent in its power, and the last, with fire, flames surging tumultuously. They embodied the Four Symbols Sword Technique¡¯s Wind Unstoppable, Thunderous Movement, and Fire Burning Sky. The peak of the Fifth Realm sword skill was pushed to the utmost, a formidable, unstoppable force spreading out. Qi Shu retreated dozens of steps before he took a deep breath, his fingers clenching tightly as Qi Force thundered sonorously to life. He formed a fist with one hand and hurled it ruthlessly towards the oncoming sword light. Boom! The moment his fist landed, True Qi surged over him like a blanket and transformed into a fiery meteor beneath his fist. Nine Stars Fist! Earth Fire Meteor! Qi Shu¡¯s punch was aggressively dominant, its awe-inspiring might such that even ordinary One Qi Grandmasters would have their courage shattered under its force, unable to confront it. Against An Jing, he dared not hold back any True Qi, and intended to slay him outright, as this was his only chance for survival. Boom! The two terrifying forces clashed. Boom boom boom! Qi Force spread out in shockwaves, surrounding stones shattered, and a gust of wind suddenly rose, blurring the vision of both combatants. ¡°Tap tap tap tap¡­¡± An Jing was forced back by the shockwave of Qi Force, continuously retreating. With a resolute heart, Qi Shu, who was drained of True Qi, began burning his Essence Blood. As the Essence Blood boiled and burned, that abundant power once again surged through his body. Boom! Qi Shu stomped on the ground, causing it to explode, and from the center of his footprint, a web of cracks like spiderwebs formed. This moment was as if mountains crumbled and the earth split apart. Under his feet was no longer the earth, but rather an expansive, unbounded Star River. Nine Stars Fist! Nine Star Chain! Qi Shu¡¯s eyes held unfathomable depths as he threw a punch forward. The fearsome Fist Force vibrated through the air, and even the air itself seemed to crackle with the impact, like a massive mountain plummeting down, unstoppable. ¡°Old man, are we fighting to the death?¡± An Jing raised his arm, and the Evil Suppressing Sword suddenly flew out, as if the mountains and rivers reversed themselves on that blade edge in an instant. A massive flying sword appeared out of nowhere, spanning the world, a boundless sharp qi surged forth, piercing Qi Shu¡¯s heart with a chill. This sword light soared to the skies! This sword skill shook the mountains and rivers! One after another, terrifying sword radiance surged, the bone-chilling sharpness seemingly freezing the True Qi in Qi Shu¡¯s body, rendering him unable to move. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Control Flying Immortal! This was the ultimate martial arts of the Unity Sword Technique. An Jing had always treated this move as a secret skill and had cultivated it to the realm of perfection, completely mastering it. The huge flying sword rose, the closer it got, the more one could feel its piercing chill. When the sword tip touched the Fist Force, it was as if the air itself had solidified. ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°Ah!¡± An Jing and Qi Shu both vomited blood, injured by the reverberating force. Thud! A deep sound echoed. The ground beneath their feet suddenly collapsed, and a ring-shaped shockwave wreaked havoc, lifting up waves of crippling Qi Force several meters high, thundering towards the distance. The sound of crashing and howling filled the air! Countless trees turned into flying sawdust, and the surroundings became a wasteland. An Jing bit the tip of his tongue, and his body leaped forward. ¡°Shick!¡± The cold sword light pierced through the rolling Qi waves, relentlessly advancing forward as if it was going to completely submerge Qi Shu ahead. At this moment, Qi Shu was already exhausted, his eyes bulging with rage, he could only watch as An Jing charged towards him. ¡°Am I really going to die?¡± This was the last thought in Qi Shu¡¯s mind. He had envisioned his own death, but never expected it to be today. The Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s tip flickered with a cold light, extremely sharp, the clear ringing of the sword resonating in all directions, aiming straight for Qi Shu¡¯s forehead. ¡°Not good!¡± ¡°Roar!¡± Just then, a terrifying presence arrived from afar, a formidable force that An Jing had never encountered before. It was like a mountain on one¡¯s chest, leaving no room to breathe, causing the brain to enter a state of blankness. A giant palm descended from the sky, crashing down fiercely. ¡°Bang bang bang bang!¡± An Jing¡¯s Sword Qi was completely neutralized, and his body was so pressed down that he couldn¡¯t move, only able to roar, ¡°Kill him for me.¡± The Black Flood Dragon roared, and clouds gathered in the sky, followed by a thunderbolt that crashed down hard on Qi Shu. ¡°Boom!¡± Qi Shu had no chance to resist and was directly hit by the thunder, instantly losing consciousness and collapsing on the ground. The giant palm didn¡¯t bother with An Jing anymore, it grabbed Qi Shu¡¯s body in one swoop. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it!¡± An Jing struck with the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, a beam of sword light swept towards the giant palm. But the palm¡¯s shadow moved incredibly fast, vanishing with Qi Shu¡¯s body in the blink of an eye. ¡°Sizzle sizzle!¡± ¡°Sizzle sizzle!¡± The piercing sword light swept across the ground, immediately stirring up a storm of flying sand and a cloud of dust. ¡°So fast!¡± An Jing frowned tightly as he watched the direction in which the palm disappeared, ¡°The person who made the move must be a top-notch Grandmaster, could it be someone from Houjin?¡± ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon instinctively let out a low roar, seemingly unsettled by the sudden intervention of the top-notch expert. An Jing soothed the Black Flood Dragon, then began to contemplate. He was just a bit away from killing Qi Shu, but a Houjin top Grandmaster interfered. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only However, the ability of this Grandmaster from Houjin was indeed remarkable. From such a distance, he managed to repel An Jing and saved Qi Shu. Even in Houjin, there would be no more than three with such cultivation. Who exactly was that person? He managed to save Qi Shu, which means Zhao Country and Houjin must be colluding. An Jing took a deep breath, and regretfully said, ¡°Qi Shu did not die today; I fear this feud is now firmly established. However, with his injuries, it will take him several years to recover.¡± Chapter 180 - Chapter 180: Chapter 180: The Ghost Swordsman Whose Fame Spreads Across the World Chapter 180: Chapter 180: The Ghost Swordsman Whose Fame Spreads Across the World Great Yan Border. The wind and sand stretched endlessly, vast and boundless, the wild and unrestrained spirit was awe-inspiring, and it also made one feel an endless fatigue. This place was far from the bustling noise, and even birds wouldn¡¯t linger here. The heavy weight of time pressed on this vast land, hardly capturing that moment of grandeur from years past; yesterday, today, and tomorrow were all frozen together. Only drought-resistant Russian olives and poplars grew here, occasionally accompanied by clumps of half-fathom-high tamarisk grass, all solemnly guarding this piece of land together. This feeling surpassed that of the oceans and mountains, making one truly understand what emptiness and vastness were. An Jing held the Evil Suppressing Sword, gazing into the distant direction. It seemed his mind was still contemplating the remaining power of that one palm, or perhaps admiring the distant vast land. ¡°Rustle! Rustle!¡± At the same time, countless Jianghu experts swarmed in from afar. These people were dressed in various garments, but the anxious expressions on their faces were unanimously identical; they all wanted to know how the pursuit of Qi Shu by the Ghost Swordsman had ended. ¡°That¡¯s the Ghost Swordsman!¡± Someone who spotted An Jing at the front hastily shouted. The crowd all stopped and looked over. The yellow sand was swept up, and the sound of the wind howled. The black-robed man¡¯s coat fluttered in the strong wind, his body as straight as a spear. The ground around was a mess, with traces of fresh blood visible. The Black Flood Dragon was now circling mid-air, silently waiting for something. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± ¡°Where is Qi Shu?¡± ¡­¡­ Everyone¡¯s hearts were filled with doubt. Among the crowd, a woman stepped forward slowly and crisply shouted, ¡°Sir, may I know where that thief Qi Shu is now?¡± This woman¡¯s face showed a few lines of wrinkles, but her features were very beautiful and charming, with a hint of allure in her eyes. The Unrivaled Sword, Wang Ningshui. An expert from the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall. ¡°The mysterious expert from Great Snow Mountain saved him,¡± An Jing quietly withdrew his gaze and responded softly. On hearing this, everyone present felt a pang of regret, but then they were all shocked. ¡°That Qi Shu boy, chased for over three hundred li, has taken quite a fall this time.¡± ¡°If not for someone from Houjin taking action, Qi Shu would have undoubtedly died.¡± ¡°Such a despicable and shameless person, and he still managed to escape.¡± ¡°Could Great Snow Mountain be secretly colluding with Black Ice Platform?¡± ¡°Houjin barbarians, they even dare to invade our ancestral land?¡± ¡­.. Although everyone felt some regret, Three hundred li! The Ghost Swordsman had chased Qi Shu for a full three hundred li. One must know, Qi Shu was also a top expert in Zhao Country, initially making a name for himself no less than Xiao Qianqiu, and even surpassing him by a fraction. It was only later that Qi Shu gradually got overshadowed by Xiao Qianqiu. Xiao Qianqiu, hailed as the once-in-a-generation genius, most likely to enter the Great Grandmaster Realm, was not something to be ashamed of being surpassed by. With Qi Shu¡¯s talent, in a time of scarcity, he could still hold up this world. Zhao Country also regarded Qi Shu as the next Qi Wushuang, and Qi Shu did not disappoint the expectations of others, achieving the Second Qi Grandmaster cultivation by his early fifties. Now having suffered such humiliation and run three hundred li with his tail between his legs, if not for the expert from Houjin intervening, he might have died within Great Yan territory, killed under the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s sword. Looking at that figure, everyone was somewhat solemnly respectful. An Jing quietly exhaled, deep in thought. Now being at the Half-Step Master level, how he could truly reach the Grandmaster level by Three Flowers Gathering at the Top. If it were solely depending on his own cultivation, it would take decades of hard work to reach, but he couldn¡¯t wait that long now; he needed to find a way to quickly ascend to Grandmaster. ¡°Two more months, I guess, to reach Grandmaster within two months,¡± An Jing paid no attention to the crowd, his figure leapt, landing on the back of the Flood Dragon. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon roared, its powerful sound vibrating the sky, echoing in all directions. Everyone watched the scene before them, the peerless swordsman bathed in a golden orange sunlight, every move he made was indescribably expressive. Everyone¡¯s eyes carried a solemn respect as they shuffled to the sides to make way. Wang Ningshui watched the figure gradually fade away, unable to refrain from calling out. ¡°Sir, when will you become the World¡¯s First Swordsman?¡± An Jing, however, did not speak again, as the Black Flood Dragon moved extremely fast, vanishing from everyone¡¯s sight in the blink of an eye. ¡­.. Land Temple on Mount Su. The temple was now a mess, a sight full of devastation wherever one looked. Zhao Xuening couldn¡¯t hear the outside noises anymore, and cautiously poked her head out. ¡°Whew¡­..¡± Seeing no one around, she couldn¡¯t help but let out a deep sigh before forcefully climbing out. Now that there was no one, if she stayed in this place, who knew whether Qi Shu would come back to kill again. ¡°Princess?! What are you doing here?¡± Just then, a sharp voice rang out. Zhao Xuening raised her head and saw a man standing outside the broken temple. The man was exceptionally handsome, with a delicate beauty to his features that seemed to rival even Zhao Xuening¡¯s. ¡°Little Table?¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes lit up when she saw who it was. This man was Zhuo Yuchang, who had used some connections to be released from the Heavenly Prison and had planned to go to Dongluo Pass to pick flowers. Unexpectedly, as he passed by Xu Wang Mountain, he sensed a disturbance in the qi mechanism and sneaked up the mountain waist to investigate. Zhuo Yuchang¡¯s mouth twitched as he said, ¡°I am no longer a eunuch in the palace, Princess. You can just call me by my name.¡± Zhao Xuening quickly called out, ¡°Little Table, come help me, let¡¯s go quickly.¡± Hearing this, Zhuo Yuchang helped Zhao Xuening towards the outside of the temple, while asking, ¡°Princess, what in the world happened?¡± Nowadays, south of Pingling, Jianghu was completely chaotic. Everyone was frantically searching for Qi Shu¡¯s whereabouts. All kinds of true and false news, complicated and intertwined, had bewildered many in the martial world. In short, the entire court and Jianghu were in complete disarray. Zhao Xuening took a deep breath and said, ¡°The criminal Qi Shu was preparing to head north to hand me over to Houjin, but unexpectedly encountered that Ghost Swordsman here, and then the two of them started fighting; now their whereabouts are unknown¡­.¡± ¡°Ghost Swordsman!?¡± Upon hearing this, Zhuo Yuchang couldn¡¯t help but recall that ¡®extra-large¡¯ bellyband, a surge of unpleasant memories rushing to his mind. If it weren¡¯t for that ¡®extra-large¡¯ bellyband, he wouldn¡¯t have been sent to the Heavenly Prison. Seeing the expression on Zhuo Yuchang¡¯s face, Zhao Xuening asked, ¡°What, do you know this person?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± Zhuo Yuchang quickly shook his head, ¡°That Ghost Swordsman is extremely mysterious in Jianghu, how could I possibly know him? But I do know someone who does.¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Qiu Lun, the son of the Pingyang Marquis.¡± ¡°Qiu Lun!?¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s expression also turned strange, as she had a profoundly deep impression of Qiu Lun. Zuo Linglong had once tried to arrange a marriage between herself and Qiu Lun. When Zhao Xuening first met that water-tank-like fat man, a sense of aversion sprang up within her¨Cit was clearly not a person, but a big meatball! To her surprise, without her saying anything, Qiu Lun had outright refused. Which nobleman or high-ranking official¡¯s son didn¡¯t try to win her favor, pleasing her in every possible way? Only Qiu Lun avoided her as if she were a viper, as if he had seen a ghost. He even blatantly called her an ugly monster. Besides, she always felt that this man¡¯s way of thinking was somewhat abnormal. According to the saying that like attracts like, the brain of that Ghost Swordsman also seemed to be abnormal, since normal and abnormal people do not mix. However, her escape this time was indeed thanks to that Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Let¡¯s just go,¡± she said. Zhao Xuening didn¡¯t ponder any longer, instead urging Zhuo Yuchang to hurry towards the distance. The two hurried down Xu Wang Mountain and ran towards Yujing City. ¡°Someone!?¡± Just as they reached the foot of the mountain, Zhuo Yuchang felt a familiar qi mechanism swiftly approaching from ahead. ¡°Princess, I still have matters to attend to, I must take my leave today,¡± he said. As Zhuo Yuchang set Zhao Xuening down and tried to escape towards the distance, ¡°Grandson, where are you going?¡± Just as Zhuo Yuchang took a step, a dry hand landed onto his shoulder. ¡°Grand¡­ Grandfather, how did you come here?¡± Zhuo Yuchang turned around, looking at the white-browed elder behind him, his face stricken as if in mourning. The white-browed eunuch turned to look at Zhao Xuening, bowing slightly and saying, ¡°This old servant has come late to rescue, causing fright to the Princess.¡± Zhao Xuening let out a big sigh of relief, saying, ¡°No harm, it was my carelessness that gave Qi Shu an opportunity, causing so much chaos and concern for you all.¡± With this man here, she knew she was safe. The white-browed eunuch said, ¡°Princess, let¡¯s return to the palace quickly, the Empress is currently very anxious¡­.¡± Zhao Xuening frowned slightly and said, ¡°Okay, let¡¯s hurry back.¡± Zhuo Yuchang¡¯s face darkened, thinking of something, ¡°Grandfather, I just remembered, I borrowed something from someone yesterday and need to return it today. How can a man fail to keep his word? I, Zhuo Yuchang, as a man, always keep my promises; please allow me to fulfill my commitment¡­.¡± The white-browed eunuch said indifferently, ¡°You borrowed that woman¡¯s bellyband, didn¡¯t you? In my opinion, it¡¯s better not to return it; besides, you are not really a man, just a eunuch, and the most important thing for a eunuch is to know his place.¡± ¡°Grandson, better come back with me.¡± Zhuo Yuchang¡¯s face turned red, then he sighed deeply, seemingly resigned. ¡­.. Three days later, Yujing City, Baiyu Palace. The woman at the head wore a fiery red dress with golden auspicious clouds embroidered on the skirt, her sharp and charming phoenix eyes smiling, a phoenix perched in her hair bun holding a bright pearl, casting a magnificent and charming light. This person was the current Empress of Great Yan, Zuo Linglong. The man who had just rushed there was Zhao Mengtai. Zuo Linglong, still shaken, said, ¡°This was indeed perilous. If it wasn¡¯t for that Ghost Swordsman fighting with Qi Shu, Qi Shu might have truly escaped.¡± At this moment, Zhao Xuening had already returned to the Imperial Palace, and news had spread throughout the world that the Ghost Swordsman had pursued Qi Shu for over three hundred miles and was ultimately rescued by a master from Houjin at the Great Yan Border. This invisibly elevated the fame of the Ghost Swordsman to a new height. Many young heroes sought to emulate the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s attire, and even some flower-picking thieves wore black robes, lingering in the fragrant boudoirs and dark chambers, significantly increasing their chances of success. Since no one in Jianghu knew what the Ghost Swordsman looked like, whether male or female, or how old they were. Some wealthy widows and courageous heroines even posted tens of thousands in rewards, eager to glimpse the true face of the Ghost Swordsman, quickly turning it into a hot topic in Jianghu. It was not just women who were curious; even some men wondered about the true identity of this mysterious figure. Many youngsters in Jianghu sought the whereabouts of the Ghost Swordsman, hoping to become his disciple and learn his profound and inscrutable sword skills. For a time, the name of the Ghost Swordsman was immensely notorious in Jianghu, truly renowned throughout the world, and supported by countless followers. Zuo Biwen, despite the warrants from the Zhenyi Sect, openly declared that the Ghost Swordsman would be a distinguished guest should he come to Youfeng Valley. Zhao Mengtai spoke in a deep voice, ¡°The strength of the Ghost Swordsman shouldn¡¯t be that formidable. It must be his Black Flood Dragon.¡± He constantly monitored the strength of the Ghost Swordsman. Although it was said that he had killed an old master like Qingfeng of the One Qi Grandmaster level, he was still far from possessing the power to pursue a Second Qi Grandmaster. ¡°Regardless, this is a favor.¡± Zuo Linglong took a deep breath and said, ¡°I heard that the Ghost Swordsman is on the wanted list of the Zhenyi Sect, but I am not sure if it¡¯s true.¡± Zhao Mengtai nodded, ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± Zuo Linglong tentatively asked, ¡°Then is there a chance for reconciliation?¡± ¡°It is unlikely.¡± Zhao Mengtai shook his head. Zuo Linglong was not very concerned about the matters of Jianghu, but she vaguely knew about the recent battle at Abyss Lake between Xiao Qianqiu and Lou Xiangzhen, and it seemed that the Ghost Swordsman was also involved. The Zhenyi Sect was definitely not going to give up on the Jade Emperor Scripture, and if they asked the Ghost Swordsman to surrender the Jade Emperor Scripture, it would undoubtedly break the backbone of a swordsman. Zuo Linglong pondered for a moment, then thought of something, and asked, ¡°What did Elder Lu say?¡± ¡°Elder Lu agreed,¡± Zhao Mengtai smiled, ¡°With Xuening¡¯s appearance and status, there should be few men in this world who can refuse her. Now it just depends on whether Xuening is satisfied.¡± Zuo Linglong slightly nodded, ¡°Although he is Elder Lu¡¯s student, we still need to see his character.¡± ¡°Mother, rest assured, I will handle this matter.¡± Zhao Mengtai stood up, preparing to take his leave: ¡°Since Xuening has rested, I shall visit her next time¡­ ¡°Empress, the Crown Prince has arrived.¡± Just then, a beautiful palace maid walked in. Upon hearing this, Zhao Mengtai paused mid-sentence, and his eyebrows involuntarily furrowed. Zuo Linglong nodded, ¡°Let him in.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The palace maid spoke and retreated out. Zhao Mengtai smiled, ¡°It¡¯s good, it¡¯s been a while since I have seen my brother.¡± Zuo Linglong could clearly see this ¡®cordial brotherly¡¯ facade, as the two brothers were already at odds with each other in the imperial court, a situation that is inevitably sad in an imperial family. If Zhao Xuening were a boy, would she still be as close to Zhao Mengtai? Soon, a man with a friendly smile and elegant demeanor entered, It was indeed Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin. ¡°Your son pays respects to mother,¡± Zhao Chongyin bowed to Zuo Linglong above him. ¡°No need for such formalities.¡± Zuo Ling smiled slightly, ¡°You came today to see Xuening as well, but she has just rested.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s smile lingered, ¡°That is indeed a pity. However, it is my duty to pay respects to mother after being away for so long, and it provides a chance to see my younger brother whom I haven¡¯t seen in a long time; I do have important matters to discuss with him.¡± Saying this, Zhao Chongyin glanced at Zhao Mengtai. Zuo Linglong said, ¡°Crown Prince, please take a seat.¡± ¡°Thank you, mother.¡± Zhao Chongyin straightened his clothes and then sat down, his demeanor graceful and his face always carrying a pleasant smile that naturally endeared him to others. However, Zhao Mengtai¡¯s expression was stern and even carried a hint of mockery, ¡°Your Highness, I hope you did not come today just to boast?¡± The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had been his work for decades. Now, not only had it suffered heavy losses, but it was also forced underground, which could be said to have cost Zhao Mengtai a major limb. Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongyin glanced at Zhao Mengtai and smiled, ¡°Of course not. I actually came to discuss Qi Shu.¡± Zhao Mengtai¡¯s fingers lightly tapped on the table, his expression indifferent, ¡°Please speak, Your Highness.¡± Zhao Chongyin said, ¡°Younger brother, as you know, Qi Shu was able to escape this time entirely because of the intervention of a top expert from Houjin, who did not enter Great Yan¡¯s territory and managed to fend off a peerless swordsman like the Ghost Swordsman. There are only a handful of such experts.¡± ¡°Houjin and Zhao Country, one is a jackal, the other a tiger; it now seems they both view Great Yan as a fat sheep.¡± Zhao Mengtai remained silent, the hint of a dark look in his eyes completely withheld. Although there had been rumors of Houjin moving south for three years now, years had passed since that speculation, somewhat making people complacent. But today¡¯s episode with Qi Shu gives a glimpse into the situation. It was clear that Houjin and Zhao Country had reached some understanding, and now everyone knew their intentions. What worried both Houjin and Zhao Country now was whether the Great Yan Emperor truly reached that Great Grandmaster level. While others might not be aware, Zhao Mengtai knew very well that the Emperor had not achieved this Great Grandmaster level but had instead suffered backlash injuries, and his internal injuries might be more serious than expected. This was also why he had been somewhat anxious lately. Great Yan was surrounded by formidable foes, and the situation was precarious. Zuo Linglong also furrowed her brows deeply, feeling extremely worried. The ruin of a nation and the fall of a dynasty weighed more heavily on the heart than mountains, especially since she was the current Empress of Great Yan, with her own fate and her daughter¡¯s bound together with the nation¡¯s fortune. Zhao Chongyin continued, ¡°The Jin Envoy will soon arrive in Great Yan, seemingly with matrimonial intentions, but their true purpose is likely espionage.¡± ¡°Regardless of the intelligence, both Houjin and Zhao Country might send out troops; the only differences are the methods and timing of their deployment.¡± Zhao Mengtai couldn¡¯t help but nod. The Holy Master of Houjin had indeed mastered the ancestral art of warfare to perfection, never engaging in battles unless success was assured. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I wanted to say.¡± Zhao Chongyin took a deep breath, then stood up and said, ¡°Empress Mother, I will take my leave now.¡± After finishing his statement, Zhao Chongyin slowly exited the Baiyu Palace. Zuo Linglong watched Zhao Chongyin¡¯s retreating figure, then turned to look at Zhao Mengtai, who had remained silent the whole time. ¡°Mengtai.¡± ¡°Empress Mother, don¡¯t worry, I am not someone who fails to see the bigger picture.¡± Though Zhao Mengtai¡¯s face wore a smile, his heart was growing colder. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s stratagem was indeed cruel and ruthless. Now, with Great Yan surrounded by formidable enemies, to compete against him would be akin to throwing Great Yan into turmoil. Moreover, what he said today in the Baiyu Palace was partly a reminder for himself and partly intended for Zuo Linglong¡¯s ears. But if he didn¡¯t make a move now, once the Crown Prince truly consolidated his power and won over the people¡¯s hearts, would he still have a chance? ¡­.. Dongluo Pass, beneath the Sealing Demon Well. ¡°Are you implying that the world is now divided into three, and it¡¯s no longer the era of the Qin Dynasty¡¯s unification?¡± Nan Weiping asked intermittently, lying on the ground. During this time, she would often ask about the world outside when she had nothing else to do, thus she understood the current state of affairs. ¡°Yes.¡± Zhao Qingmei stated faintly. Upon hearing this, Nan Weiping couldn¡¯t help but comment, ¡°The times now really aren¡¯t suited for me anymore, perhaps staying here is the best destiny for me.¡± Such a lengthy passage of time had worn down her ambitions and aspirations, prompting her to utter these words involuntarily. Zhao Qingmei glanced at Nan Weiping and asked, ¡°Does that mean you still wholeheartedly wish to escape the Sealing Demon Well?¡± After a long silence, Nan Weiping responded, ¡°I want to see the sunrise and sunset again.¡± Who could have imagined that this individual, once a Grandmaster, now simply yearned to witness the sunrise and sunset? Although it seemed a rather ordinary desire, for her, it was seemingly impossible due to the Nine Heavens Profound Iron within her. Zhao Qingmei remained silent but closed the diary she had been reading. Nan Weiping looked at Zhao Qingmei and said, ¡°Young girl, how about you comb my hair?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid I¡¯ll take the opportunity to harm you?¡± Zhao Qingmei raised an eyebrow. ¡°Not afraid.¡± Nan Weiping shook her head and leaned back against Zhao Qingmei, ¡°You need me if you want to leave the Sealing Demon Well, so you wouldn¡¯t kill me.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the serious expression on Nan Weiping¡¯s face and broke into a smile, nodding, ¡°Alright.¡± Then, Zhao Qingmei pulled out a comb and went behind Nan Weiping. The comb glided through her tangled, salt-and-pepper hair, lifting strands of silver with it. Nan Weiping commented, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for this special cave, my hair would likely be full of lice by now.¡± Zhao Qingmei casually asked, ¡°Why were you trapped here, Elder?¡± Nan Weiping waved her hand, ¡°The past is the past, let¡¯s not mention it.¡± Zhao Qingmei said nothing more, instead she focused on meticulously combing the hair, afterward twisting it into a bun and securing it with a hairpin she carried. Nan Weiping felt her temples and the bun on her head, saying, ¡°Will you lend me your bronze mirror to see?¡± Zhao Qingmei went to a stone table to hand over her bronze mirror. Through the mirror, Zhao Qingmei also observed Nan Weiping¡¯s visage. Eyes tinged with red, skin like dried bark, cheekbones hollowed out, her appearance having long lost the traces of youthful beauty. It was hard to imagine what she looked like when she was young. ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Seeing her own reflection, Nan Weiping burst into laughter, then turned to Zhao Qingmei, ¡°Young girl, what if I asked you to stay here forever with me, what would you think?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°Impossible.¡± Nan Weiping¡¯s smile faded as she muttered to herself, ¡°Indeed, being born so beautiful and enchanting, it would be a waste to confine you in the Sealing Demon Well during your prime.¡± Neither spoke again, and the cave seemed to quieten further. ¡°I¡¯ll go fetch tonight¡¯s dinner.¡± Zhao Qingmei turned to leave the cave. Suddenly, Nan Weiping raised her head and looked towards the ceiling of the cave, saying, ¡°The door is right above you.¡± ¡°A door!?¡± Zhao Qingmei, upon hearing this, immediately looked up. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only All she saw above were rows of characters, and nothing else¨Cwhere was there any sign of a door? ¡°The door, that¡¯s a ¡®heart gate.''¡± Nan Weiping spoke softly. ¡­¡­ PS: I¡¯m not sick, nor do I have other matters today, just feeling a bit tired, this is enough for today. Chapter 183 - Chapter 183: Chapter 183: The Origins of Tan Yun in the Lv Sect Chapter 183: Chapter 183: The Origins of Tan Yun in the Lv Sect In Lin Garden. An Jing felt a sudden shock in his heart upon hearing Lv Fang¡¯s words. Li Fuzhou is here?! He really has some nerve, daring to come to this Lv Mansion. Not to mention the rumor that he was a betrayer within the Lv Sect, but also he is currently the master of the Demon Sect, his hands stained with who knows how much blood of the Xuanyi Guard. The moment Li Fuzhou set foot in Lv Mansion, the Heaven and Earth Net might have already received his information. On the other hand, Zhou Xianming remained indifferent. Although the name was very familiar, there were simply too many people with the same name in the world, and he did not make any association. He didn¡¯t believe that the accountant from Jishi Hall was the vicious master of the Demon Sect. After a long silence, Lv Guoyong asked, ¡°Who did he bring with him?¡± Lv Fang quickly bowed, his voice somewhat trembling, ¡°A girl of about eighteen or nineteen. She looks¡­ looks a lot like elder sister.¡± Lv Guoyong maintained an expression as calm as water, ¡°Where are they now?¡± Lv Fang replied, ¡°In the guest hall.¡± Lv Guoyong did not say anything but got up and walked out of the garden. Lv Fang bowed to An Jing and quickly followed Lv Guoyong. Suddenly, only An Jing, Lv Jingchun, and Zhou Xianming were left in the entire courtyard. Watching the two leave, Lv Jingchun sat down as if relieved and then strangely said, ¡°This person from the Demon Sect really has guts to dare to come to my house.¡± Zhou Xianming frowned deeply and said, ¡°This Li Fuzhou was a student of my teacher before, so he must have had some important matter.¡± About this senior brother, he also often heard from others how talented and extraordinary he was, acclaimed both in scholarship and martial arts throughout Jianghu. As early as his twenties, Li Fuzhou obtained the title of third-degree scholar, unlike him who achieved significance only in his thirties. An Jing glanced at Zhou Xianming and asked, ¡°Do you know any experts from the Demon Sect?¡± He suddenly remembered that when they were in Yu State City, the two were very close, and there was a time when Zhou Xianming would call Li Fuzhou out every night to visit the opera houses. Zhou Xianming, slightly annoyed, said, ¡°Zhou is innocent and has nothing to do with the Demon Sect.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Let¡¯s also follow them and take a look.¡± Zhou Xianming hesitated for a moment, ¡°Isn¡¯t that inappropriate?¡± An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Li Fuzhou is a ruthless and vicious master of the Demon Sect. What if he suddenly attacks Old Lv?¡± Zhou Xianming upon hearing this also nodded and said nothing more. Lv Jingchun was about to say that there were also experts within Lv Mansion, but he just opened his mouth and yet said nothing. Actually, he was also curious in his heart about the people of the Demon Sect, whether they really were as fierce and ruthless as the rumors, looking formidable at a glance. ¡­¡­ In the Lv Mansion, Guest Hall. Tan Yun sat upright in her chair, her eyes constantly looking around. Li Fuzhou, however, looked indifferent, sitting in his chair and drinking tea, making it unclear what he was actually thinking. ¡°Tat tat tat tat¡­¡± Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the door. Li Fuzhou put down his teacup and stood up, reverently greeting the hunched-back old man at the doorway, ¡°Student Li Fuzhou, pays respects to Teacher.¡± His movements were cautious and sincere, and the degree of his bow was perfectly judged. Just like the topknot on his head, not a hair was out of place, combed very conscientiously. Lv Guoyong looked at the student in front of him, whom he hadn¡¯t seen for decades, and stretched out his dry palm to pat his shoulder, just as when they first met. ¡°No need for such formality.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Lv Guoyong¡¯s old eyes then shifted to Tan Yun standing behind Li Fuzhou. And Tan Yun also curiously looked at Lv Guoyong, the Grand Secretary to three emperors of the Great Yan Dynasty, this noble of the land under heaven, but why was he staring at her? Lv Guoyong looked at the girl in front of him, his expression somewhat absent-minded, and after a long while, he said, ¡°Your name is Tan Yun, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Tan Yun hastily imitated Li Fuzhou¡¯s actions and paid his respects to Lv Guoyong. ¡°Please, have a seat.¡± Lv Guoyong nodded slightly and gradually made his way to the head of the table, where he slowly sat down. Li Fuzhou, observing Lv Guoyong¡¯s movements, remarked, ¡°Teacher, you have aged.¡± Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, more than two decades had gone by. Lv Guoyong looked at his student¡¯s fully gray hair, feeling an inexplicable bitterness in his heart. He remembered the first time he met Li Fuzhou, who was but a youth, and now his hair was fully gray. Lv Guoyong gazed at the student he once was most proud of, ¡°Fuzhou.¡± If it hadn¡¯t been for him, Li Fuzhou might have had limitless possibilities. Just like in the past, Li Fuzhou stood upright and said, ¡°Your student is here.¡± Lv Guoyong sighed softly, ¡°Birth, aging, sickness, and death are just the common lot of humanity. A hundred years is but a handful of dust in the human world; I am not afraid of death.¡± Li Fuzhou responded, ¡°For some, becoming a handful of dust in the human world is extremely difficult, and they still have to be constantly trampled upon by others.¡± Lv Guoyong, hearing this, couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°After death, everyone is trampled underfoot. This is an unchanging truth. Can you change this truth?¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head, ¡°I cannot.¡± How high must one¡¯s cultivation be to change this truth!? Li Fuzhou had been practicing martial arts for over twenty years, yet he was still unclear about it. Lv Guoyong glanced at Tan Yun, who was looking down, and asked, ¡°You haven¡¯t been to Yujing City for twenty years, so what brings you here today?¡± Li Fuzhou took a deep breath, his face serious as he said, ¡°Firstly, to visit my teacher, and secondly, to demand a truth from Tang Taiyuan.¡± Lv Guoyong looked at Li Fuzhou¡¯s expression and remained silent. The entire Guest Hall suddenly became quiet. Tan Yun, listening to the cryptic discussion between the two, felt dizzy and couldn¡¯t help but complain internally: This is so boring. When can we leave this place? Meanwhile, Lv Guoyong looked at Tan Yun again and after a long silence finally spoke, ¡°The truth of Tang Taiyuan is not something easily demanded.¡± Who is Tang Taiyuan? The Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, one of the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s confidants, one of the top masters in all of Great Yan, even Qi Shu might not be his match. As he once said, ¡°In this world, in my hands, how many can survive?¡± ¡°To be shattered to pieces, I would not hesitate.¡± Li Fuzhou, his expression utterly calm, said, ¡°Besides, teacher, you once told me that the reason scholars read is for a truth, and if there is no truth, then what is the purpose of reading? I have practiced martial arts for twenty years, all for the sake of a truth today.¡± Lv Guoyong looked at his most proud disciple before him and nodded slightly, ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Only two brief words. Li Fuzhou glanced at the impatient Tan Yun and said, ¡°I originally did not plan to bring her, but given the complicated situation in the world today and some chaos within the sect, I have become slack in disciplining this girl. She is a bit stubborn and very gluttonous.¡± ¡°I always feel that the teacher should meet this child.¡± Upon hearing Li Fuzhou¡¯s words, Tan Yun¡¯s face turned red, and she quickly lowered her head, indignantly thinking to herself: Master actually speaks of me like this, after all I had thought of how to honor and care for him in his old age¡­ Lv Guoyong looked at Tan Yun and laughed, ¡°Each person has their fate and law. I think it¡¯s quite good, at least in her eyes, one can see a glimmer of light.¡± ¡°Father.¡± Just then, three figures appeared at the door. The person in the lead was Lv Fang, followed by Zhou Xianming and the black-robed An Jing. ¡°Huh?! Ghost Swordsman!¡± Tan Yun rubbed her eyes, hardly believing she would meet the Ghost Swordsman here, and immediately felt an immense surge of excitement. ¡°Master Lv.¡± An Jing stepped forward, glanced at Li Fuzhou, and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect we would meet again.¡± Li Fuzhou was also filled with doubt: ¡°How are you here?¡± How could the Ghost Swordsman appear in Lv Mansion? Could he have always been a man of the teacher? An Jing smiled warmly, ¡°I am good friends with Master Lv.¡± Lv Guoyong stroked his beard and smiled, ¡°Indeed, a friend I just made.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s heart was filled with doubt, and Tan Yun became incredibly excited. Yet the most expressive face wasn¡¯t either of them; it was Zhou Xianming, standing behind Lv Fang. At this moment, as he looked at Li Fuzhou and Tan Yun, he seemed as if struck by a bolt from the blue, ¡°You¡­you¡¯re Mr. Li?¡± The Li Fuzhou from Jishi Hall was actually Li Fuzhou; had Zhou Xianming not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it. Li Fuzhou smiled and said, ¡°Xianming, we meet again.¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s mouth twitched for a while, revealing a smile uglier than crying before he looked towards Tan Yun, ¡°This¡­who is this?¡± Tan Yun blinked her eyes, ¡°Mr. Zhou, don¡¯t you remember me?¡± She had intended to flaunt her fists, but then she remembered how she had given Zhou Xianming quite a bit of silver and had urged him to visit her master¡¯s place for a performance¨Cthis was definitely not something to reveal. Li Fuzhou smiled and said, ¡°My disciple.¡± Zhou Xianming swallowed, hardly believing his own eyes, and couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°Then¡­is Doctor An also¡­?¡± Since both Tan Yun and Li Fuzhou were from the Demon Sect, could Doctor An also be a master of the Demon Sect? Li Fuzhou shook his head and said, ¡°He is not; he¡¯s just a regular doctor.¡± Zhou Xianming said regretfully, ¡°So you mean he really died?¡± Li Fuzhou did not speak again, as more questions would inevitably lead to the involvement of the Sect Hierarch. Tan Yun¡¯s expression grew somewhat dim; whenever An Jing was mentioned, she would recall her days in Yu State City, perhaps the happiest time of her life. Lv Guoyong looked at Tan Yun and said, ¡°Fuzhou, since that¡¯s the case, you should stay here for now.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s face showed hesitation. Staying at the Lv Mansion could indeed bring trouble to Lv Guoyong. Whether for him or for Tan Yun. Seeing Li Fuzhou remaining silent, Tan Yun hurriedly bowed to Lv Guoyong, saying, ¡°Old sir, then we shall impose without hesitation.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Lv Guoyong, seeing Tan Yun behave like that, couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter, ¡°Lv Fang, go prepare the dinner now; tonight, I want to drink a few cups.¡± Lv Fang promptly responded, ¡°Yes, father.¡± It had been a long time since he had seen Lv Guoyong smile like that. Lv Guoyong then supported himself on his chair to rise, ¡°I¡¯ll go rest a while, we¡¯ll talk more later tonight.¡± As he said this, he shakily walked towards the outside of the hall. Li Fuzhou and others didn¡¯t come forward to help, just watched Lv Guoyong leave. Lv Fang also carried a slight smile, ¡°Fuzhou, then I¡¯ll get busy; we¡¯ll drink more tonight.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Li Fuzhou smiled in response. Lv Fang nodded, took a long look at Tan Yun, and then left straight away. Once both Lv Fang and Lv Guoyong had left, Lv Jingchun suddenly became more lively and exclaimed in surprise, ¡°And to think, this little girl does bear some resemblance to the portrait of my aunt.¡± Tan Yun creased her brows and demanded, ¡°Who are you, you little chubby boy? You can eat messy, but you can¡¯t talk nonsense.¡± Lv Jingchun hurriedly said, ¡°Really, I¡¯m not making this up!¡± Seeing that Tan Yun seemed about to probe further, Li Fuzhou said in a low voice, ¡°Tan Yun.¡± Hearing Li Fuzhou¡¯s words, Tan Yun stuck out her tongue and fell silent. To the side, An Jing was deep in thought, wondering if Tan Yun also had ties to the Lv Sect. Seeing the expressions of Lv Guoyong and Lv Fang, it seemed quite possible, yet no one seemed to be spelling it out. Could there be some concealed complications? ¡°Xianming, let¡¯s talk over here.¡± Li Fuzhou was pulling Zhou Xianming with him out of the guest hall towards the door and did not forget to call out to the motionless Tan Yun, ¡°Tan Yun, come here too.¡± Although Tan Yun was somewhat reluctant, she quickly followed. ¡°Wait!¡± An Jing, seeing this, couldn¡¯t help but say. Li Fuzhou looked at An Jing and asked, ¡°What is it? Is there something else?¡± What a crafty old fox! An Jing took a deep breath and smiled, ¡°Sect Master Li, do you remember what you said last time?¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head and said, ¡°What did I say? I have said too much throughout my life; I remember some but have forgotten others.¡± An Jing¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he said, ¡°Last time you mentioned that if I was willing to join the Demon Sect, you could tell me¡­¡­¡± When Li Fuzhou heard this, he said in surprise, ¡°Really? Did I say that?¡± Tan Yun quickly added, ¡°Master, you did say it. Have you forgotten? It was outside Yuan City.¡± Li Fuzhou glanced at Tan Yun and said indifferently, ¡°You remember quite clearly, don¡¯t you?¡± Tan Yun shrank his neck and stopped speaking. Li Fuzhou turned to An Jing with a forced smile, ¡°Perhaps I did say it, but I have forgotten.¡± This Ghost Swordsman was indeed strange; last time he had been vehement and indignant when invited to join the Demon Sect, yet now he seemed eager to do so. This man must be watched! An Jing knew Li Fuzhou was difficult to deal with and sighed, ¡°Sect Master Li, let¡¯s speak frankly. In Jianghu, I have already offended the Zhenyi Sect, and there¡¯s no way out for me in Great Yan anymore.¡± Li Fuzhou did not believe the words of the Ghost Swordsman before him and thought to himself, ¡°You want to join my Demon Sect? It¡¯s not impossible, but the Demon Sect is not just for anyone.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows. Li Fuzhou smiled and said, ¡°As long as you can defeat Lin Yiyang and show me your strength and determination, I am willing to vouch for you.¡± Defeat Lin Yiyang!? An Jing¡¯s frown deepened; this crafty old man was actually challenging him to fight Lin Yiyang. Seeing this, Li Fuzhou walked away without changing his expression but laughed coldly in his heart. If the Ghost Swordsman gave up at this point, it would be normal. But if he really went to challenge Lin Yiyang, that would be very suspicious. Vouch for the Ghost Swordsman? The Sect Hierarch¡¯s order was to capture him alive. ¡­¡­. The weather was fine, and the air was clear. North Gate of Yujing City. At this moment, the area outside the North Gate was surrounded by soldiers, with a man in brocade standing in the center. This man was Zhao Chongyin. Behind Zhao Chongyin stood Xi Yuanjun, the deputy commander of the Xuanyi Guard, dressed in a large fur coat. Bai Jing whispered beside him, ¡°Yan Gang passed by Mengjiabao and killed the Soul Stealing Sword again. It is said he has issued a challenge to the sword immortals of Great Yan, including Lin Yiyang and the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Zhao Chongyin said nothing and continued to look into the distance. Xi Yuanjun¡¯s face showed a trace of seriousness, ¡°The Soul Stealing Sword is dead then?¡± He knew the Soul Stealing Sword, a swordsman with old credentials and very high cultivation. It was rare for Houjin to have a thirty-three-year-old Fifth Realm swordsman. Bai Jing continued, ¡°Yan Gang¡¯s swordsmanship is Fast Sword. It¡¯s said that his first strike broke the Soul Stealing Sword¡¯s sword body, and the second strike pierced straight through his throat.¡± A hint of cold light flashed in Xi Yuanjun¡¯s eyes, ¡°A fierce sword indeed; he never spares his opponents in duels. It seems he came not to compete but to kill.¡± Along the way, Yan Gang had already killed dozens of renowned swordsmen of Great Yan, causing even some well-known swordsmen to panic and flee southward. Only a few Fifth Realm swordsmen swam against the current, looking to challenge Yan Gang, but their chances too appeared to be slim. ¡°Here he comes.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes suddenly sharpened. The sound of hooves thundered closer, and soon dust clouds rose as dozens of robust horses galloped from afar. The men on the horses wore leather and carried bows and long knives. Only the leader was a man in a black long coat, looking elegant and graceful. The newcomer was Zongzheng Yuan. As they approached just about a mile away from the city gate, Zongzheng Yuan leaped down from his horse. Seeing this, although some were reluctant, they dismounted their horses, except for a burly old man in leather who remained indifferent. Zhao Chongyin and Zongzheng Yuan exchanged glances and then both smiled. Zongzheng Yuan clasped his fists and said, ¡°The personage before me must be His Highness the Crown Prince of Great Yan. I am deeply ashamed that Your Highness has come so far to greet us.¡± Clasping his fists and bowing, this was indeed the etiquette of Great Yan, and whether in gestures, attire, or demeanor, Zongzheng Yuan gave no inkling of being a man from Houjin. ¡°Leader Yuan has traveled thousands of miles to come here; what is this modest reception in comparison?¡± Zhao Chongyin looked past Zongzheng Yuan, and immediately noticed the elderly man still on horseback, smiling as he said, ¡°This must be the Dharma King Mu Jin of the Great Snow Mountain, right?¡± The elderly man opened his eyes but did not dismount. Instead, he placed his left hand on his chest and bowed slightly, saying, ¡°Your Highness, I offer my respects.¡± His eyes were calm yet sharp, sweeping over them and sending shivers down their spines. Such a formidable master! Xi Yuanjun couldn¡¯t help but think to himself. Dharma King Mu Jin, the grandmaster who had rescued Qi Shu at the borders of Great Yan and whose cultivation was at least in the Second Qi Realm, indeed stood among the top warriors of Houjin, probably here specifically to protect Zongzheng Yuan. Zongzheng Yuan, standing beside him, explained with a smile, ¡°In Houjin, this is the highest form of etiquette.¡± Zhao Chongyin waved his hand and said, ¡°Leader Yuan need not explain; I, too, have studied the etiquette of Houjin extensively.¡± Dharma King Mu Jin ranks only below the Holy Master within the Great Snow Mountain hierarchy. In Houjin, where strength is paramount, hardly anyone dismounts their horse except the high-ranking Zongzheng Huachun. Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s eyes flashed briefly upon hearing this. Zhao Chongyin continued, ¡°I have prepared a banquet for you, so tonight you can rest well.¡± Zongzheng Yuan casually asked, ¡°I wonder if it will be possible to meet the Great Yan Emperor tomorrow? Leader Zongzheng Yuan has important matters to convey to the Great Yan Emperor during this mission.¡± Immediately, the skilled warriors of Houjin pricked up their ears to listen. Zhao Chongyin replied, unperturbed, ¡°Leader Yuan is here to enjoy the journey, there¡¯s no need to rush this meeting, and touring our magnificent Yujing City first would not be too late.¡± Zongzheng Yuan smiled and said no more. Zhao Chongyin glanced at Yan Gang behind Zongzheng Yuan and smiled, ¡°This must be Houjin¡¯s genius swordsman, right? Truly an extraordinary hero.¡± Zhao Chongyin had encountered many swordsmen, including the Ghost Swordsman, Lin Yiyang, Zhong Binru, Cui Daoxian, and Lou Xiangzhen, sword immortals among them, and except for the Ghost Swordsman whose age was unknown, the youngest was Lin Yiyang, who was also forty-six. None of them possessed the sharpness this swordsman before their eyes did. Merely standing there, he made one feel the outflow of sharpener and a dominating aura. Yan Gang¡¯s body twitched as he responded indifferently, ¡°Thank you for the compliments, Your Highness.¡± His expression carried a touch of lethargy and casualness, as if Zhao Chongyin¡¯s words were merely stating the fact. Seeing this, Xi Yuanjun involuntarily frowned. Zongzheng Yuan shook his head and said, ¡°Your Highness praises too highly. Yan Gang here is considered a genius swordsman in Houjin, but among the Great Yan martial world, he might not really be ranked at the top. Let¡¯s enter the city first.¡± Upon hearing Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s remark, Yan Gang¡¯s eyebrows tightened, and pride surged within him. To him, these great sword immortals were no big deal; had he been born a decade earlier, would there still be a contest for the title of the world¡¯s first swordsman? Dharma King Mu Jin then opened his eyes to glance at Zongzheng Yuan, his look bereft of any sentiment. Zhao Chongyin extended his hand and said, ¡°Please!¡± ¡­¡­ Under the ink-like moonlight, in Yujing City, at the Lv Mansion. Along the corridor, the lamps glowed dimly, illuminating the area. At this moment, the main hall was lively with guests clinking their cups in constant revelry. Having finished his meal, Lv Jingchun found an excuse and staggered out, shaking his head. He was reluctant to stay with Lv Guoyong and Lv Fang, feeling the atmosphere suffocating, and as if the sect leaders and grandmasters looked down on him through tinted glasses, treating him as if he were just a worthless layabout. The moon does not lose its luster when waning; a broken sword should not forsake its standard. He too was a man of great ambitions and ideals, not someone who merely relied on the legacy of his forefathers. ¡°Why can Zhou Xianming marry Princess An Le and not I?¡± Indignant, Lv Jingchun pulled out an invite from his robe, his eyes gleaming, ¡°Later, let my sister-in-law introduce me to a few heroines from the martial world; it doesn¡¯t matter if their martial skills are great, as long as they are beautiful.¡± The invitation bore a prominent ¡®Qi¡¯ character. Of course, his grand ambition was simple: to marry a beautiful woman. ¡°Hey, tubby!¡± Just then, a crisp voice called out from behind Lv Jingchun. Jing Chun was startled and turned his head back, slightly relieved as he said, ¡°Tan Yun, what are you doing?¡± The person who came was indeed Tan Yun. Tan Yun asked sternly, ¡°You said this afternoon that the portrait of your aunt resembles me somewhat, is that true or false?¡± She was rather naive, but she wasn¡¯t a fool. During the day, the expressions of Lv Guoyong and Lv Fang had seemed strange to her. Jing Chun raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°It does resemble you a bit, do you want to see it?¡± Tan Yun nodded and said, ¡°Yes, take me to see.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even dream about it.¡± Jing Chun sneered, ¡°That¡¯s in my grandfather¡¯s study, he doesn¡¯t allow anyone to enter privately. If he finds out I sneaked you in, he would break both of my legs.¡± In the Lv family, the person Jing Chun feared the most was naturally his grandfather, Lv Guoyong. Sneaking Tan Yun into Lv Guoyong¡¯s room¨Cif Lv Guoyong found out, would there be a good outcome? Tan Yun snorted coldly, showing her clenched fist and threatened, ¡°If you don¡¯t take me there, do you believe I¡¯ll break your third leg?¡± If Jing Chun had never seen Tan Yun before, he might have been fooled by her identity as a Demon Sect expert, but recalling how she had wolfed down food at the banquet earlier and now seeing the threatening posture she held in front of him, he couldn¡¯t help but laugh. I might just be a blockhead, but you are nothing but a glutton. ¡°Watch the punch!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± Seeing Jing Chun¡¯s mocking smile, Tan Yun immediately threw a punch at him. Jing Chun had learned martial arts and studied various subjects since he was a child, dabbling in everything and excelling in none. However, other than his own father and grandfather, no one else dared to hit him. ¡°Ouch¡­ you¡­ you actually hit me!¡± Jing Chun covered his nose, looking at Tan Yun with a face full of shock. This crazy woman, she actually dared to hit him. He was the grandson of the Grand Secretary, Lv Guoyong, and the only son of the Minister of Personnel, Lv Fang. Who didn¡¯t hold their nose in the air when they saw him? ¡°I did hit you, now hurry up and take me there.¡± Tan Yun looked at her clenched fist, feeling a sense of triumph in her heart. Since she was young, the education she had received was that fists solved all problems; if fists couldn¡¯t solve it, then the fists weren¡¯t hard enough. ¡°Just you wait, I¡¯m going to tell my dad right now.¡± Jing Chun ignored Tan Yun and headed straight towards the Dining Hall. ¡°You want to leave?¡± Tan Yun grabbed Jing Chun¡¯s clothes and lifted the chubby fellow up. Jing Chun cried out frantically, ¡°Let¡­ let go of me, if you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll scream, I¡¯m telling you, the Lv Mansion has many Hidden Guards.¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± This time, Tan Yun didn¡¯t speak, but punched him fiercely again. ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°If you dare to yell, I¡¯ll punch you until you stop.¡± Tan Yun brandished her fists. ¡°No no no¡­ I¡¯ll take you there,¡± Jing Chun said, his face mournful at the sight of that fist. Upon hearing this, Tan Yun put down Jing Chun, ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡± Jing Chun, tears streaming down his face, secretly vowed to vehemently complain about her later, and that old man Li Fuzhou would be dragged down with her. ¡°Move it!¡± Tan Yun kicked Jing Chun on his buttocks. Jing Chun howled, ¡°I know, no more hitting, no more hitting.¡± Shortly after the two disappeared, a figure emerged from the distance. This person was the steward of the Lv Mansion. At that moment, he watched the two figures leave and couldn¡¯t help but mutter to himself, ¡°So alike, she is the spitting image of the young lady, but their temperaments are worlds apart, truly interesting¡­¡± Jing Chun found it very strange, always feeling that the Lv Mansion was not as it usually was. Tan Yun said somewhat impatiently, ¡°Are we there yet?¡± ¡°We¡¯re here, we¡¯re here, right there.¡± Jing Chun quickly pointed ahead, fearing a beat too slow would earn him another beating. Tan Yun peered at the quaint house ahead, surrounded by loquat trees, appearing exceptionally desolate under the night sky. Jing Chun plopped down on the ground and then said, ¡°You go inside, I wouldn¡¯t dare to even if you killed me.¡± ¡°Coward, I¡¯ll go in myself then,¡± she snapped. Tan Yun huffed, pushed the door open, and entered. ¡°Tan Yun, you¡¯re doomed!¡± Seeing Tan Yun walk in, Jing Chun scrambled away into the distance, muttering under his breath, ¡°Dare to hit me, dare to hit me, how dare you hit me! I¡¯m going to tell my dad, tell my grandfather! Just you wait and see.¡± Before long, Jing Chun had disappeared within Lv Guoyong¡¯s courtyard. Tan Yun pushed the door to the study open. What met her eyes was a pair of couplets, their bold and vigorous strokes visible under the faint moonlight. ¡°To toil to recognize all the world¡¯s characters, to aspire to read all the books in the human world.¡± In the center of the room was a large Huali marble desk, covered with assorted famous scrolls and numerous precious inkstones, amidst a forest of brushes in various holders. To the east, there was a large imperial porcelain vase, full of crystal ball-like white chrysanthemums. Hanging on the center of the west wall was a finely painted ink landscape, with a pair of couplets on either side, clearly the work of a master, and the bed had green embroidered silk canopies with insects and flowers hanging above it. The entire study exuded a simplicity and clarity, brimming with a dashing and elegant scholarly air. Tan Yun picked up a tinderbox and lit the candle on the table. ¡°It¡¯s that portrait.¡± Guided by the flickering candlelight, she saw the portrait on the wall directly facing the desk. ¡°Mother¡­.¡± Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but look over, and her heart suddenly shivered. It was the portrait of a beautiful woman, not a national beauty, but still exceptionally gorgeous, especially the slight upturn at the corners of her lips. In an instant, myriad memories surged in her heart. Some fell from the sky, some were lost in the human world. Beneath the cold winds and snow, she remembered the intricate sugar figures, the insatiable buns, and even the worn-out quilt and the chipped porcelain bowl. Her nose tingled, and tears streamed down her face. ¡­¡­ Moonlight like water, casting over the earth. At the dining hall banquet. Lv Guoyong sat at the head of the table, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. At the other end sat Li Fuzhou, Lv Fang, An Jing, and Zhou Xianming. An Jing, observing the expressions and conversations between Li Fuzhou and Lv Guoyong, quietly speculated, seeming to dismiss the rumors as untrue. There were rumors that Li Fuzhou had defected from the Lv Sect to join the Demon Sect and that Lv Guoyong, furious, had ordered the Xuanyi Guard to pursue and kill Li Fuzhou. But the teacher-student conversation appeared entirely normal now, mostly recounting old times or discussing trivial matters, hardly indicative of any grievance. There might be hidden details unknown to outsiders. Li Fuzhou raised his glass and said, ¡°Teacher-brother must have known I¡¯ve come to the capital, and I guess he also knew I would come to Lv Mansion.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s teacher-brother, who was the Imperial Censor Grandmaster Zhao Tianyi. Lv Guoyong said indifferently, ¡°Let him know if he knows, it¡¯s just a few more impeachments against me.¡± With Lv Guoyong¡¯s vast influence, a few petitions weren¡¯t enough to topple him. Li Fuzhou¡¯s expression darkened as he said, ¡°What I fear is that he knows Tan Yun is here as well.¡± Li Fuzhou finished his drink in one gulp, and Lv Guoyong also raised his glass to sip. The Lv Sect, with its vast influence in the royal court, looked splendid and had long since become a thorn in the side of others, and the Human Emperor also harbored dissatisfaction towards it. From ancient times, powerful ministers in their later years never escaped a certain fate. And what about Lv Guoyong, the Grand Secretary through three dynasties? Didn¡¯t Zhao Tianyi still end up as the Human Emperor¡¯s eunuchful scribe? Suddenly, Lv Guoyong looked up at the beautiful moonlight and sighed, ¡°Fuzhou.¡± Li Fuzhou poured a cup of wine, looking at Lv Guoyong without speaking. ¡°These years have been hard on you.¡± Lv Guoyong suddenly said and then drank the wine in his cup in one gulp. Li Fuzhou seriously replied, ¡°Teacher, that determination to do what one knows shouldn¡¯t be done, how many times can one experience that in life?¡± Lv Fang also looked at Li Fuzhou, and couldn¡¯t help but sigh deeply in his heart. ¡°Well said.¡± Lv Guoyong shook his head, turned to Zhou Xianming, and said, ¡°You are still young and have a promising path ahead, remember not to choose the wrong path, especially you, Xianming.¡± Li Fuzhou also looked at Zhou Xianming. As the Sect Master of the Demon Sect, he naturally knew some information. The Royal Family intended to recruit Zhou Xianming as a Prince Consort. For Zhou Xianming, this was indeed a great fortune. Once he became the Prince Consort, he could not only leverage the power of the Lv Sect but also operate without their constraint, and most importantly, gain the support of the Royal Family, stepping into a high position in the royal court in one move. Zhou Xianming spoke in a deep voice, ¡°I have my own judgment, Teacher.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good that you have your judgment. It¡¯s important to do what you truly believe is right.¡± Lv Guoyong nodded and then turned his eyes to the always silent An Jing, smiled, and said, ¡°Young friend, come, let¡¯s have a drink.¡± ¡°Please, Elder Lv!¡± An Jing also raised his glass. Li Fuzhou felt puzzled, wondering why his always aloof teacher would show such warmth and seemingly intent on befriending this Ghost Swordsman. Could it be that the Ghost Swordsman harbored some secret? The Sect Hierarch also said to capture this man alive. Maybe the Ghost Swordsman had some secret? ¡°Grandfather! Grandfather!¡± Just at that moment, a crying shout erupted. Lv Jingchun hastily ran in, fell in front of Lv Guoyong, and burst into tears. ¡°What happened?¡± Lv Fang furrowed his brows and shouted, ¡°What intolerable nonsense is this?¡± Lv Jingchun raised his head, wiped his tears, and said, ¡°Father, I was beaten.¡± It was evident that Lv Jingchun had a bruised nose and a swollen face, looking very much the worse for wear. Lv Fang was also quite surprised, ¡°Who did it?¡± Lv Jingchun pointed at Li Fuzhou, growled, ¡°It was Tan Yun, Li Fuzhou¡¯s apprentice Tan Yun, she¡¯s the one who beat me. Grandfather, Father, you must stand up for me, it hurts so much.¡± ¡°Smack!¡± Before Lv Jingchun could finish, a slap fiercely came down. Lv Jingchun was completely stunned, looking at Lv Fang in disbelief, ¡°Father, it was Tan Yun who beat me, why are you hitting me?¡± ¡°Hit him, hit him hard!¡± Lv Guoyong¡¯s expression darkened as he spoke. ¡°Understood.¡± Hearing Lv Guoyong¡¯s words, Lv Fang grabbed Lv Jingchun and headed towards the outside. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Father, what are you doing?¡± ¡°Father? I am your son Jingchun!¡± ¡°Father! It hurts so much.¡± ¡­. Soon, cries and howls of pain echoed from outside. Chapter 184 - Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Convergence of Storms in Yujing City Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Convergence of Storms in Yujing City ¡°Father, Jing Chun has learned his lesson,¡± Returning to the banquet at last, Lv Fang rolled up his sleeves, his fists visibly red. An Jing, seeing this scene, became even more convinced. He hadn¡¯t expected the normally lively and playful maid to have such an identity. And yet, Lv Guoyong did not acknowledge her directly, suggesting there must be complexities involved. ¡°Gulp!¡± Zhou Xianming, witnessing this, swallowed hard, silently reminding himself to keep away from this ¡®Miss Lv¡¯. Lv Guoyong said indifferently, ¡°Well done. This useless boy accomplishes nothing, not even capable of being a prodigal. It¡¯s necessary to give him a sound beating from time to time, to teach him a lesson.¡± Lv Fang nodded, then added, ¡°That girl went to father¡¯s study.¡± Li Fuzhou frowned slightly, wanting to say something but then hesitated. Lv Guoyong pondered for a while and then said, ¡°Let her be.¡± Afterward, they drank a few cups, and Lv Guoyong, claiming to be tired, excused himself and left. ¡°I am somewhat weary as well.¡± Li Fuzhou gestured to Lv Fang and also left. An Jing bowed to Lv Fang and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need for Mr. Lv to bother on my behalf. I plan to visit the study again to borrow some books.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formality,¡± Lv Fang smiled and said, ¡°Since you are a friend of my father, feel free to browse the library at your leisure.¡± ¡°Thank you very much.¡± An Jing nodded and slowly walked out of the banquet. Zhou Xianming watched An Jing¡¯s departing figure and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Who is this man¡­?¡± He says he is a friend of Lv Guoyong and also knows the leader of the Demon Sect, Li Fuzhou. Certainly, he must be no ordinary individual. Watching the disappearing figure, Lv Fang said quietly, ¡°He¡¯s a new top expert in the Jianghu lately. I think you might have heard of him.¡± Zhou Xianming was startled and quickly asked, ¡°Could it be the Ghost Swordsman who slew the great true person of the Zhenyi Sect, defeated the Heavenly Sword, and pursued Qi Shu for three hundred miles?¡± Having previously been a storyteller in Yu State City, he naturally knew the subtleties and strengths of the Jianghu. Therefore, his understanding of the forces in Jianghu was greater than that of an average scholar. The recently famous Ghost Swordsman was undoubtedly one of the most celebrated experts in the Jianghu in recent years. Lv Fang nodded, ¡°That¡¯s him.¡± Zhou Xianming murmured, ¡°So it¡¯s him, I thought he was active in the south, never expected him to come to the north.¡± ¡­¡­. In the dim corridor of the Lv Mansion, Tan Yun walked while recalling the portrait she had just seen. Compared to the earlier turmoil, her heart was now very calm, as tranquil as the water in the well, without a single ripple. Suddenly, a figure appeared ahead. In the faint moonlight, the man was hunched over and moving very slowly. It was Lv Guoyong, holding a food box in his hand. Tan Yun leaned forward slightly and said, ¡°Old Master Lv.¡± Lv Guoyong chuckled and said, ¡°Little girl, this is the eight treasures cake I had the chef make just now. I saw you enjoyed it quite a bit earlier.¡± Looking at the food box in front of her, Tan Yun quickly waved her hands and said, ¡°No, that¡¯s too kind of you.¡± ¡°Take it.¡± Lv Guoyong forcibly placed the food box in Tan Yun¡¯s hands. ¡°Thank you.¡± Tan Yun looked at the food box in her hands and said softly. Neither of them spoke for a while, as if time had stopped. After a long while, Lv Guoyong heaved a long sigh and asked, ¡°Do you harbor any hatred in your heart?¡± This question seemed to be posed to Tan Yun, and yet it felt as though it was directed to the heavens above. Tan Yun shook her head and said, ¡°Mother often mentioned a phrase.¡± ¡°What did she say?¡± ¡°Past events are like a breeze past the ear, one should remain calm and unruffled.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Guoyong suddenly fell silent. With a hint of brightness in her beautiful eyes, Tan Yun said, ¡°I don¡¯t know what it means, but I think that living should be about being happy. If there are unhappy things, it¡¯s better to just forget them.¡± Looking at the young girl in front of him, Lv Guoyong couldn¡¯t help but ask himself, ¡°Can they really be forgotten?¡± Tan Yun nodded earnestly and said, ¡°Yes, you can, for example, think more about those things that once made you very happy. When my mother was healthy, the jelly she made was really delicious. Also, when I was in Dongluo Pass, I often went to play in the city after practicing my skills. I felt very happy during those times. And in Yu State City, I had a dog, and my master was also very kind to me, although he died¡­¡± Pausing here, Tan Yun continued, ¡°There are always very happy things in life. When you¡¯re unhappy, just think more about them, and you¡¯ll feel much better.¡± Seeing a fleeting dimness in Tan Yun¡¯s eyes, Lv Guoyong asked, ¡°The master you mentioned, did he die?¡± Tan Yun nodded, her tone somewhat somber, ¡°He was very kind to me, and he took good care of me. He once said that as long as you keep thinking about someone, they aren¡¯t really dead, at least they still live in your heart.¡± ¡°I will always remember him. I believe he will also live in this world in another way.¡± Saying this, Tan Yun forced a smile, revealing two rows of teeth like shattered jade. Lv Guoyong stretched out his withered hand and gently touched Tan Yun¡¯s hair. Some people, when they find a glimmer of light in the darkness, wish to pull that light into the darkness, while others wish to chase after that light. At that moment, Lv Guoyong noticed that the candlelight was lit again in the distant library and said, ¡°This youngster really is impatient.¡± It was so late, yet someone was entering the library, definitely not Lv Jingchun who had just been scolded severely. Tan Yun picked up a piece of Babao cake from the food box and put it in her mouth, curiously looking over, ¡°Old Lv, who are you talking about?¡± Lv Guoyong said in a deep voice, ¡°That elusive youngster from today¡¯s banquet.¡± A thought struck Tan Yun, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡°That¡¯s him.¡± ¡°What is he doing there?¡± ¡°He wants to find a method to quickly advance to the Grandmaster Realm; I told him there¡¯s a method in the book library of the Lv Mansion.¡± ¡°Is there really one?¡± ¡°There is, but that method is very difficult.¡± ¡°Old Lv, you should go rest first. I need to leave for a while,¡± said Tan Yun. Seeing this, Tan Yun quickly grabbed the food box and hurried towards the direction of the library. Watching Tan Yun¡¯s anxious figure, Lv Guoyong couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Did I ever say I was tired?¡± ¡­.. The library. In the Lv Mansion, there was a pavilion specifically for storing books. This pavilion was five stories high and filled with various books, including the Six Arts Summary, Philosophers, Poetry and Prose, Military Books, Mathematics Summary, and Skills Summary, among other categories of books. An Jing searched from one floor to the next, but still couldn¡¯t find the method to promotion to Grandmaster that Lv Guoyong had mentioned. ¡°Old Lv wouldn¡¯t deceive me.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment, ¡°Back in his youth, Old Lv must have read the Philosophers the most.¡± With that thought, he went to the second floor of the Philosophers section, checking from one bookshelf to another, even flipping through one book after another. Every book here bore traces of having been read, and beside them were annotations with personal insights and feelings, clearly read attentively. Time passed like flowing sand, and before he knew it, the time it took for an incense stick to burn had passed. Suddenly, as An Jing flipped through a book titled ¡°Shu Kingdom Chronicles,¡± a silver paper fell out. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing picked up the paper from the ground, and his eyes instantly brightened. ¡°Three Flowers Gathering at the Top, also known as Three Yangs Gathering. The intrinsic meaning of the three flowers is the three yangs: Yang within Yin, Yang within Yang, and Yang within Yin and Yang. When these three yangs converge, one enters a state of complete self-forgetfulness, with a mind as clear as the sun¡¯s rays, suddenly bright and feeling immensely cool.¡± ¡°For the three yangs to converge, besides needing one¡¯s mind to fully reach a state of unity, a massive amount of essence, various heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth can all be integrated into oneself, forming a substantial amount of yang energy. At the base of Beili Volcano, there exists Volcano Spirit, which belongs to the essence of heaven and earth, abundant in yang energy, and is extremely conducive to forming yang energy. Remember three things, you must commit them to heart: first, do not absorb the Volcano Spirit until you have achieved unity within yourself; second, the base of Beili Volcano is highly dangerous, with exotic beasts lurking; third, those with heavy yin energy within their bodies should not absorb Volcano Spirit to refine yang energy, otherwise it will cause a sudden imbalance of yin and yang.¡± Volcano Spirit of Beili Volcano? An Jing quickly glanced over, and then inspected it twice more carefully, his eyebrows slightly raised. There are three points mentioned here, all are very important, besides the last one, the first and second points require special attention from An Jing. Especially the first point, one must achieve body and mind unity to truly reach the state of Three Flowers Gathering. This state, he had incidentally seen on Li Fuzhou¡¯s body before. Li Fuzhou, like Lin Yiyang previously, was capable of directly advancing to the Grandmaster Realm but suppressed the qi mechanism within their bodies. The advantage of such an advancement is obvious. When advancing to the Grandmaster Realm, one can quickly reach the state of One Qi Grandmaster. However, each of them had stayed at the realm of Half-step Grandmaster for a long time, nurturing the qi mechanism within their bodies. Naturally, An Jing couldn¡¯t follow their example. ¡°Next, after reaching the state of body and mind unity, one can go to the base of Beili Volcano. However, heading to the base of Beili Volcano also carries dangers¡­¡± An Jing pondered for a moment before placing the silver paper back into the portfolio. Just then, footsteps sounded from the stairs. An Jing looked in direction of the sound and immediately saw Tan Yun coming upstairs with a food box and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Did you specifically come to bring food for me?¡± ¡°Ah¡­?¡± Tan Yun glanced at the Eight Treasures cake in her hand and said subconsciously, ¡°Yes¡­ yes, I did.¡± An Jing unceremoniously took over the food box, saying, ¡°Thanks. I was just feeling a bit hungry.¡± Saying this, he sat down on the ground, picked up an Eight Treasures cake from the box, and began eating. Earlier at the banquet, he had focused on drinking and had not eaten much. Tan Yun also squat down and asked, ¡°Do you really want to join our Demon Sect?¡± An Jing nodded and replied, ¡°Of course.¡± Tan Yun curiously looked at the man in the black robe and asked, ¡°But why did you refuse the last time outside Yuan City?¡± An Jing picked up another piece of Eight Treasures cake and asked, ¡°Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?¡± Tan Yun hastily said, ¡°The truth, of course. Who wants to hear a lie?¡± An Jing looked at Tan Yun and said mildly, ¡°In this Demon Sect, there is someone very important to me.¡± A very important person!? It shouldn¡¯t be the Sect Hierarch. Tan Yun¡¯s heart started pounding, nearly jumping into her throat. She remembered the Ghost Swordsman had once said he knew the Groom. If the two knew each other, it would be impossible for him to love the Sect Hierarch again, especially since the Sect Hierarch¡¯s temperament would only make her love the Groom, not anyone else. And he had saved her before; maybe he joined the Demon Sect for¡­ Thinking of this made Tan Yun¡¯s heart race even faster. An Jing ate the Eight Treasures cakes heartily, consuming three or four pieces before stopping. It must be said that the chef of the Lv Mansion still had quite impressive skills. Tan Yun softly said, ¡°Back in Huang Yao Town, thanks to you, if it weren¡¯t for your timely appearance¡­¡± An Jing waved his hand and smiled, ¡°It¡¯s a trivial matter, not worth mentioning.¡± If it had been Li Fuzhou being pursued and hunted by the Xuanyi Guard under similar circumstances where his power allowed, An Jing would have intervened to help. ¡°For you it¡¯s a trivial matter, but for me, it was a significant event. For a drop of water given, a spring should be returned.¡± Tan Yun glanced at the food box and noticed that An Jing was nearly finished with it. She hurriedly reached into the box and grabbed a piece of Eight Treasures cake. An Jing clapped his hands and said, ¡°For a drop of water received, a spring should be repaid.¡± Somehow, he felt it was odd for Tan Yun to say that phrase. ¡°Wait!¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Tan Yun paused with the pastry in hand, looking at An Jing somewhat strangely. An Jing stretched out his thumb to wipe the pastry crumbs from the corner of Tan Yun¡¯s mouth. ¡°You had pastry on your face.¡± Tan Yun laughed reflexively, ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll eat it when I¡¯m hungry later.¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­¡­¡± That¡¯s just like you, Tan Yun. Seeing An Jing fall silent, Tan Yun¡¯s face flushed red as she quickly explained, ¡°No no no, I mean¡­we should cherish food, how can we waste it?¡± An Jing spoke indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s okay, just eat as you like.¡± At that moment, Tan Yun was eating much more reservedly than before; An Jing found this change somewhat unsettling. Tan Yun reluctantly looked at the food box with the eight treasures cake and said, ¡°I¡¯m already full. Lately, I don¡¯t know why, but my appetite has increased. I can eat a whole piece of cake now.¡± Who are you trying to fool!? An Jing took a deep breath, trying hard to control his emotions. Tan Yun seemed to recall something, and cautiously asked, ¡°By the way, you said you knew my master. Did he ever say anything to you?¡± An Jing shook his head. ¡°No.¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun breathed a sigh of relief. A thought struck An Jing, though his expression remained indifferent, ¡°He often told me he was very poor, saying that someone nearly left his house empty by eating everything.¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun¡¯s eyes widened, and she blinked rapidly, ¡°Ah¡­ yes, my master can eat a lot; he can eat eight crabs in one meal. He loves crabs, and I can¡¯t stop him¡­ If I had known it would come to this, I should have let him eat to his fill.¡± ¡°When there¡¯s time to pay respects at the end of the year, I¡¯ll burn a few crabs for him, hoping he can understand my feelings underground.¡± If one were to take off the mask now, one would be able to see An Jing¡¯s face turning completely dark. Crabs, they were his biggest inner shadow, to the point that he hardly ate crabs afterward. An Jing waved his hand casually, ¡°That Dr. An is really lucky to have married such a beautiful wife.¡± Remembering Li Fuzhou¡¯s words, Tan Yun stared at An Jing asking, ¡°Miss? Why do you bring up the Miss?¡± Li Fuzhou had warned Tan Yun to never reveal the sect¡¯s secrets to the Ghost Swordsman. Although Tan Yun was naive, she was not foolish and certainly wouldn¡¯t easily divulge the sect¡¯s secrets to the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°I was just asking casually.¡± An Jing said indifferently, ¡°I¡¯m just curious why your Miss, with her status, would marry An Jing.¡± Tan Yun shook her head, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± How could she possibly understand Zhao Qingmei¡¯s thoughts? An Jing pondered silently, it seemed like Tan Yun was also cautious around him; had she detected his attempt at prying? Tan Yun looked out the window and said somewhat reluctantly, ¡°It¡¯s getting late. I should go back. I¡¯ll come to see you the day after tomorrow.¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows, ¡°The day after tomorrow, do you have something to do these next two days?¡± The purpose of Li Fuzhou¡¯s visit to Yujing City wasn¡¯t just to meet Lv Guoyong and hurriedly leave, was it? ¡°Yes, the day after tomorrow is the big wedding of the son of the Marquis of Pingyang. My master said we should attend the wedding, to meet an old friend,¡± Tan Yun thought for a moment and felt this wasn¡¯t a secret of the Demon Sect, so she mentioned it. ¡°Marquis of Pingyang¡¯s son¡¯s big wedding?¡± An Jing blinked, ¡°Qiu Lun?¡± Tan Yun picked up the food box, ¡°I¡¯m going back. If I don¡¯t return now, my master will start to worry.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Okay¡± Tan Yun picked up the food box and slowly walked toward the stairs. An Jing watched Tan Yun¡¯s retreating figure and mused silently, ¡°What exactly is Li Fuzhou doing in Yujing City this time?¡± ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Marquis of Pingyang¡¯s mansion. The mansion was brightly lit and decorated, truly lively. At this moment, everyone in the Pingyang Marquis¡¯ residence was very busy, each wearing a festive expression. As one of the three marquises of the Great Yan Dynasty and with the Marquis himself and the Marquis of Martial Guarding being generals, the Pingyang Marquis was essentially the leader of the military officials. Today was the marriage of the Pingyang Marquis¡¯ son, the biggest event in Yujing City besides the arrival of the Houjin envoy. On the practice field, Qiu Heng held a long spear in his hand. The spear technique was agile and swift like dancing pears, advancing sharply, retreating quickly, and changing unpredictably. He was undoubtedly a master spear expert of his time. He finished with a fiercely spirited Hui Ma Spear maneuver. ¡°Dad, everything is nearly ready, just waiting for the big wedding the day after tomorrow,¡± Qiu Lun, with a big belly, came over joyfully, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, within five years I promise to give you three or four grandsons.¡± Qiu Heng put down the spear and placed it on the rack, then sat on a chair nearby, ¡°Since you were little, I knew you would handle anything you wanted to do, I didn¡¯t call you over to ask about the wedding preparations.¡± Qiu Lun, a bit puzzled, asked, ¡°Then what is it?¡± Qiu Heng said gravely, ¡°Your wedding tomorrow might see bloodshed.¡± Qiu Lun nodded naturally, ¡°That¡¯s bound to see some blood.¡± ¡°Pesky boy.¡± Qiu Heng glared at Qiu Lun disapprovingly, ¡°I mean, having your wedding at this critical moment will attract a lot of trouble.¡± Qiu Lun¡¯s face cooled upon hearing this, speaking calmly, ¡°Who dares to cause trouble? Are there really people who are not afraid of death?¡± Qiu Heng slowly said, ¡°The Houjin envoy has entered the capital; the Crown Prince is still holding them. That¡¯s the first trouble. And Li Fuzhou has appeared. That might be the second trouble.¡± Qiu Lun paused, then asked, ¡°Is Li Fuzhou really that dangerous?¡± Li Fuzhou was the main leader of the Demon Sect, but in Qiu Lun¡¯s view, his reputation was inferior to the leader of the Heavenly Sect, and even the Heavenly Sect¡¯s leader wouldn¡¯t dare enter Yujing City alone; this Li Fuzhou dared, which he couldn¡¯t understand. Qiu Heng took a big sip from his teacup, speaking gravely, ¡°Do you know why everyone says Li Fuzhou is a prodigy? He took to Martial Arts after leaving the Lv Sect, and within less than thirty years, his strength has reached the Half-step Master, still suppressing his current realm.¡± ¡°Most importantly, he is the only one in the world who can nurture the Dantian in the Literary Palace as a scholar, his future is boundless. ¡± Qiu Lun furrowed his brows, ¡°Two different cultivation paths, and Li Fuzhou¡¯s ability to integrate them is indeed remarkable, but what¡¯s his real purpose for coming to Yujing City?¡± Qiu Heng paused for a long while before responding, ¡°This ties back to an old incident. You know how the Human Emperor has been treating the Lv Sect, right?¡± Qiu Lun nodded, the Lv Sect¡¯s power was immense and deeply rooted, casting a huge shadow over the Court, and the Human Emperor had been subtly suppressing the Lv Sect in recent years ¡ª a fact known to all. But a thin camel is still bigger than a horse, not to mention that this camel wasn¡¯t dead yet. Qiu Heng continued slowly, ¡°Back then, Li Fuzhou was so prominent in Yujing City, overshadowing all the young talents of his generation, with his brilliance shocking everyone. Then, a rumor spread through the streets that Li Fuzhou had the credentials to inherit the Lv Sect.¡± On hearing this, Qiu Lun¡¯s eyes narrowed. The Human Emperor was already wary of the Lv Sect; now a young prodigy had emerged from Lv Sect, how could the Human Emperor be at ease? This rumor was clearly designed to kill two birds with one stone. ¡°To kill Li Fuzhou and to strike at the Human Emperor¡¯s heart.¡± Qiu Lun asked, ¡°So you mean the Human Emperor purposely suppressed Li Fuzhou, forcing him to leave the Lv Sect?¡± Qiu Heng replied, ¡°Exactly, that¡¯s why I admire Li Fuzhou. Not wanting to drag the Lv Sect into turmoil and cause unrest within the Great Yan Dynasty, Li Fuzhou and Zhao Tianyi took a different path.¡± Zhao Tianyi bent his knee to the Human Emperor, becoming the Human Emperor¡¯s scribe eunuch, and was even given the Zhao surname. But Li Fuzhou was different; he left Yujing City alone, elegant and carefree. Qiu Heng reflected, ¡°When he left, the Human Emperor dispatched the Xuanyi Guard to kill him. To save his life, Li Fuzhou had no choice but to join the Demon Sect.¡± On hearing this, Qiu Lun also felt introspective; he hadn¡¯t realized that Li Fuzhou¡¯s defection to the Demon Sect had such secret reasons behind it. He had long found the stories circulated in the Jianghu strange. The Xuanyi Guard were the Human Emperor¡¯s weapon; how could Lv Guoyong possibly wield such a weapon? Now, it seemed this was the real story. Qiu Lun thought for a moment and then asked, ¡°So, is Li Fuzhou here to seek justice this time?¡± Qiu Heng took a deep breath, ¡°With his temperament, he is not one to court death, but now that the Human Emperor is severely weakened and the Houjin envoy has entered Yujing City, it¡¯s a time of much strife. Regardless, we must be extra careful tomorrow.¡± Qiu Lun nodded earnestly, ¡°I understand, but since Li Fuzhou has no beef with us, he shouldn¡¯t cause any trouble at my wedding. Others, seeing my father¡¯s face, naturally won¡¯t create disputes either.¡± Qiu Heng stood up and looked into the distance, ¡°The bloodshed I mentioned earlier was not his doing.¡± ¡°Then whose was it?¡± ¡°Houjin¡¯s genius swordsman, Yan Gang.¡± ¡°Him?¡± Qiu Lun raised his eyebrows at the mention of the name of this swordsman. He had almost heard it enough to develop calluses on his ears, with over a dozen renowned swordsmen of Great Yan having already died at his hand, causing turmoil in Jianghu. Had he not come to Yujing City, the death toll among swordsmen might have been even higher. A hint of murderous intent flashed in Qiu Heng¡¯s eyes, ¡°The Crown Prince has issued a secret order, he must die.¡± Qiu Lun¡¯s frown deepened, then he nodded, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Spring Wind Tower. Located in Yujing City, Spring Wind Tower is quite a famous tavern, managed by an authentic Daoist from the Northern Wilderness. Therefore, the liquor sold here is very spicy and strong. At this moment, a swordsman wearing a leather jacket, tall and holding a black treasure sword, walked in. ¡°Sir, what would you like to order?¡± The waiter came over enthusiastically. ¡°Two jin of meat, three jin of liquor, and the strongest they¡¯ve got,¡± the leather-coated swordsman¡¯s accent was a bit strange, but the waiter could just about understand him. ¡°Right away!¡± The waiter hurriedly shouted to the back hall, ¡°Two jin of meat, three jin of Fire Blade.¡± Hearing this, the leather-coated swordsman then found a corner to sit down. Soon, both the liquor and meat were served. The leather-coated swordsman grabbed the meat with one hand and gulped down the strong liquor from the jar with the other, displaying a spirit of boldness and unruliness. ¡°Did you hear? That Houjin swordsman, Yan Gang, wants to challenge a Sword Immortal.¡± ¡°Him, challenge a Sword Immortal level swordsman?¡± ¡°Thinking a Fifth Realm swordsman can challenge a Sword Immortal? Ridiculous indeed.¡± ¡°Barbarians will be barbarians, probably not fully civilized yet.¡± ¡­.. At this moment, two people at the next table started discussing. Upon hearing the word ¡®barbarians¡¯, a cold gleam flashed in the eyes of the leather-coated swordsman. An interested young man at the neighboring table said, ¡°Did you know? A hundred years ago, the prairie was just like those desert tribes, all barbarians who drank blood and ate raw meat, only in recent years have they started to eat cooked food.¡± ¡°Their sword techniques are all stolen from our Great Yan. Do you think they have any top-notch swordsmen? Look at Zhao Country with Cui Daoxian, and the Demon Sect has the White Tiger Sword Immortal. What does the vast Houjin have?¡± ¡°They have Yan Gang, don¡¯t they? He¡¯s the genius swordsman of Houjin.¡± ¡°Him? Absolutely ridiculous.¡± ¡°Facing a real Sword Immortal, I bet he wouldn¡¯t last ten moves.¡± ¡°Ten moves? I¡¯d say three moves would be generous.¡± ¡°The White-clothed Sword Immortal, Lin, the Sect Leader, is in Yujing City, would he dare to challenge him?¡± ¡°I bet Yan Gang is regretting it now. He should have said he¡¯d challenge Yi Daoyun or Cui Daoxian, since neither of them are in Yujing City.¡± ¡°Hahahahahaha!¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± The entire tavern burst into intense discussion, the mockery and satire in the tones almost completely undisguised. The leather-coated swordsman¡¯s face grew increasingly gloomy, as if about to drip water. Finally, he clenched his fists, picked up the sword on the table, and walked out of the tavern. The very moment the leather-coated swordsman¡¯s form disappeared, the young man still freely mocking Yan Gang saw this and a cold smile appeared on his lips. ¡­¡­ May thirteenth. Suitable for: moving into a house, construction, visiting the nobility, seeking wealth, marriage. Avoid: relocating, burial, construction, roofing, installing beds. The sun was not scorching, and there was a gentle breeze. An Jing sat cross-legged in the courtyard, feeling the universe around him and seeking the sensation of unity between body and mind. Behind him, the Human Flower, Earth Flower, and Heavenly Flower appeared and disappeared intermittently, casting a faint glow. Flowers wither, fragrance unfading; mind at peace, self at ease. Only by reaching a state of true inner peace can one attain this unity of body and mind. For the past few days, An Jing had been searching for that state but always lacked that final touch. Another half an hour passed, and An Jing heard footsteps and slowly opened his eyes. He saw Lv Jingchun approaching with a limp, his face bruised and swollen. The moment he saw An Jing, a glimmer of light sparkled in his eyes. ¡°Uncle Ghost, I need your help with something,¡± he said. An Jing glanced at Lv Jingchun and asked, ¡°What do you need?¡± With a dry laugh, Lv Jingchun said, ¡°My elder brother is getting married today. Given my appearance, it¡¯s not suitable for me to go. I¡¯d like you to deliver this wedding gift for me.¡± ¡°The wedding card and gift are here. Just mention it to my brother when you arrive.¡± As he spoke, Lv Jingchun carefully took a box out of his bosom. An Jing took the box and saw inside a pair of jade mandarin ducks. The jade was dense and smooth, incredibly resilient, with a crystalline and translucent hue, gentle and elegant. The craftsmanship was exquisite and lifelike, indicating its significant value at a glance. Twiddling his thumbs, Lv Jingchun said, ¡°In my current state, I can¡¯t meet my friends, so I had to turn to you, Uncle Ghost.¡± An Jing nodded slightly and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll make the trip for you.¡± Even if Lv Jingchun hadn¡¯t invited him, An Jing had planned to attend the wedding feast to see Imperial Concubine Rong, who was rumored to have a connection with the Pingyang Marquis and would be present. Jiang Sanjia was reportedly forced to death by this Imperial Concubine Rong, Mu Xiaoyun. Patting his chest excitedly, Lv Jingchun said, ¡°Uncle Ghost, if there¡¯s anything you need in the future, just tell me. Lv Jingchun will certainly not shirk.¡± After a moment of thought, An Jing asked, ¡°What have Li Fuzhou and Tan Yun been doing these last couple of days?¡± ¡°Li Fuzhou has been studying, Tan Yun went out to buy a few new clothes, and then she has been cooking in the kitchen.¡± As Lv Jingchun mentioned this, there was a hint of fear in his eyes, ¡°I heard that what she cooked knocked a dog unconscious with just one bite. It took a while for it to wake up. In my opinion, marrying a doctor would be best for her.¡± Confused, An Jing asked, ¡°Why is that?¡± Lv Jingchun honestly replied, ¡°Because after eating her cooking, you can be sent immediately for treatment.¡± Looking at the chubby young man in front of him, An Jing was speechless: ¡°¡­..¡± With a chuckle, Lv Jingchun said, ¡°Uncle Ghost, rest assured, if there¡¯s any movement from their side, I¡¯ll report to you immediately.¡± ¡°You¡¯re doing well. I¡¯ll be leaving now,¡± said An Jing. An Jing patted Lv Jingchun¡¯s shoulder, then took the invitation and the wedding gift and walked off into the distance. ¡°Uncle Ghost is truly a good man,¡± Lv Jingchun remarked as he watched An Jing¡¯s departing figure. ¡°I must not let him down.¡± He had never been trusted so much in his life. Cloaked in black, An Jing walked out of the Lv Mansion, with the Evil Suppressing Sword hidden behind him. By now, Yujing City was bustling and lively. Today, the son of the Pingyang Marquis was getting married, and even the city¡¯s commoners were joyous, which reflected the Pingyang Marquis¡¯s prestige and reputation in the city. After all, the Pingyang Marquis was one of the few generals who had gained the upper hand in battles against Zhao Country. About fifteen minutes later, An Jing arrived in front of the Pingyang Marquis Mansion. The entrance to the Pingyang Marquis Mansion was crowded and lively. Sedans and carriages had already blocked the intersection. Descending from them were princes, ministers, high officials from the court, and famous experts from Jianghu. Qiu Lun, clad in a particularly large festive robe, displayed a smile as radiant as blooming daisies and was greeting the guests at the entrance. An Jing stood at the doorway, about to step forward, when he happened to see several familiar figures. It was a father and daughter pair, both exceptionally handsome and elegant. The daughter was even more stunningly beautiful, a beauty that could topple cities and states. Their appearance immediately attracted the attention of everyone at the door. ¡°Sect Leader Dai, Miss Dai, please, come in quickly,¡± he called out. Qiu Lun eagerly greeted the arrivals. ¡°Nephew Qiu, congratulations,¡± Dai Danshu, looking at Qiu Lun, who was bulky as a mountain of flesh, felt a surge of emotions. If it hadn¡¯t been for that incident with his son back then, this joyous scene as an in-law should have taken place on the Five Poison Mountain. Who could have known that Wu Qiren would turn out to be an impostor by the Ghost Swordsman? A thought crossed Qiu Lun¡¯s mind, and he said with a smile, ¡°Miss Dai¡¯s cultivation has improved again. That¡¯s truly delightful and praiseworthy.¡± He remembered seeing Dai Ling last time when she was merely at the First Grade. Now, she had already formed the Human Flower, and even the Earth Flower was about to manifest. Such rapid progression was truly astounding. Dai Ling¡¯s expression was icy, and she gave a detached nod. The father and daughter then slowly walked inside. An Jing, standing at a distance, slightly furrowed his brows, ¡°It must be the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence left by old man Qingfeng.¡± He had lost his ability to move after a battle with old man Qingfeng and had left in a hurry without killing him, only to find out later that Qingfeng had died. At that time, only Feng Lingyue was present, and it must have been him who took Qingfeng¡¯s Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence and later gave it to Dai Ling for cultivation, enabling her to reach the peak of the Human Flower. Soon, the Minister of Industry, Yue Tingchen, the Minister of Revenue, Fang Shaohan, and other high officials from the court personally arrived. An Jing slowly stepped out and headed towards the Pingyang Marquis Mansion. Ghost Swordsman! Upon seeing the visitor, Qiu Lun¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Big brother, you¡¯ve come?¡± ¡°Yes, this is a congratulatory gift.¡± An Jing took out the jade stone that Lv Jingchun had prepared for him. ¡°Big brother, let me see what gift you have prepared.¡± Qiu Lun directly opened the box, and his eyes immediately shone as he recognized the exceptional nature of the jade stone. An Jing watched Qiu Lun with amusement, ¡°What do you think?¡± This fat man really had thick skin, daring to open it right in front of him. Qiu Lun tossed it to someone nearby, then gave a thumbs up, ¡°No wonder you¡¯re my big brother, always so generous.¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Little bird, after all, you call me big brother, so it¡¯s only proper.¡± Little bird¡­ Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Qiu Lun chuckled dryly, ¡°Big brother, there¡¯s a chance today to make a name for thousands of generations, are you interested?¡± The trap for Yan Gang was set, now just waiting for Yan Gang to fall into it, and then to strike him down with the sharpest sword. An Jing raised his eyebrows, ¡°Do I still need to make a name for myself?¡± Upon hearing this, Qiu Lun nodded slightly. One of the six great Sword Immortals of the present, who has an exotic beast, the Black Flood Dragon, under his command, swallowed Song Chengbiao, a Half-step Master of Zhenyi Sect, and his Evil Suppressing Sword carried the fresh blood of Yu Lin and Yu Huai, two great real people of Zhenyi Sect, he defeated Cui Daoxian with the Defeating Heaven Sword, and pursued Qi Shu for three hundred miles. His military achievements were outstanding, and his fame was widespread; otherwise, he would not have become one of the six great Sword Immortals. Moreover, there was a lesser-known deed, the slaying of the Grandmaster, old man Qingfeng. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A man¡¯s name, a tree¡¯s shadow. Ghost Swordsman, three words that implied deterrence. Qiu Lun said softly, ¡°Big brother, you must have seen that Five Poison Young Master Dai Danshu just went in, and Ling Yuanjing and He Chen from Zhenyi Sect have already arrived.¡± ¡°As long as Xiao Qianqiu doesn¡¯t show up, it¡¯s fine.¡± An Jing smiled faintly, then proceeded to enter the Pingyang Marquis Mansion. Chapter 186 - Chapter 186: Chapter 186: Defeat the Second Qi Grandmaster with One Punch Chapter 186: Chapter 186: Defeat the Second Qi Grandmaster with One Punch A Houjin expert walked up to Yan Gang and then shakily extended his hand, placing a finger under his nose, whispering, ¡°Dead¡­ dead, Yan Gang is dead.¡± Even Mu Jin Dharma King found it difficult to remain calm at this moment, his expression grave. Yan Gang was the leading swordsman of Houjin, a genius swordsman highly regarded by Zongzheng Huachun, who claimed that he would certainly become one of the top swordsmen of his time, his future boundless. In Houjin, where swordsmanship was not particularly prevalent, a top swordsman was exceptionally rare. Therefore, Yan Gang not only had a great reputation in Houjin but was also the subject of much attention and expectation. But now, he had died by the sword of the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Such a terrifying Sword Dao.¡± Mu Jin Dharma King kept recalling the stroke of the Ghost Swordsman, his brows tightly furrowed. He had seen the swordsmanship of top swordsmen before, but never anything as ¡®distinctive¡¯ as that of the Ghost Swordsman, giving him a sense of substantial weight as if facing a mountain. The practice of weapons such as swords, blades, and spears is divided into seven realms, and different methods lead to different intents, thereby creating many schools of thought. By comparison, the realm distinctions in hand-to-hand combat and body refining are much simpler, with just one way, divided into four major realms: Body and Mind Unity, Flawless Body, Heavenly Human Communication, and Heavenly Man Unity. To advance to the Master Realm, one must reach the first boundary of Body and Mind Unity. For ninety-nine percent of experts, reaching the Body and Mind Unity realm is extremely difficult. The Universal Benefit Bodhisattva from the Buddhist sect, who perfected the True Martial level Martial Arts ¡°Vajra Immortal Body,¡± was at the Master Realm level of Flawless Body. Xiao Qianqiu, before his battle with Lou Xiangzhen, was also at the realm of Flawless Body and was on the verge of touching Heavenly Human Communication; whether he reached this realm or not is unknown. As can be seen, the difficulty of progressing in body refining realms is immensely challenging, much more so than increasing power with blades and swords in the early stages, and the demands are also extremely high. Thus, even among the world¡¯s top hand-to-hand combat and body-refining masters, many renowned Master Realm experts are only at the level of Flawless Body. Those who can reach Heavenly Human Communication are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns; such experts are either old monsters or hidden away in some obscure corner cultivating, rarely appearing in the martial world. It is even an unknown number whether they exist at all. Although it is very difficult to progress in realms of hand-to-hand combat and body refining, each advancement brings a visibly significant increase in strength. It¡¯s even more exaggerated than the latter three stages of weapon prowess. Until now, An Jing had only practiced the Buddhist ¡°Brahma Heart Sees Me¡± and ¡°Nine Yang Divine Finger¡± in terms of hand-to-hand combat and body-refining techniques. As he was devoted to the Sword Dao, he didn¡¯t pay much attention to these two types of martial arts and has not yet reached the realm of Body and Mind Unity. However, reaching that realm is not difficult for someone with his talent; the only challenge is when he will achieve Body and Mind Unity. The place fell silent for a long time before a Houjin expert spoke in a low voice, ¡°Dharma King, what should we do now?¡± Mu Jin Dharma King said with a deep voice, ¡°Take Yan Gang¡¯s body. We¡¯re leaving.¡± Afterward, a group of Houjin experts carried Yan Gang¡¯s corpse and began walking towards the door. Just as Mu Jin Dharma King left, his eyes glanced at An Jing intentionally or otherwise, the killing intent in his gaze fleeting. ¡°Ah, such auspicious blood, just looking at it is lucky.¡± Qiu Lun came over at this moment, looking down at the fresh red blood on the ground and mumbled to himself. Pingyang Marquis Qiu Heng also called out, ¡°Everyone, don¡¯t mind this, keep eating and drinking as you were.¡± ¡°Well killed.¡± Many officials in the temples were inwardly delighted to see this, how could they not be excited that the spirit of the Houjin people had been dampened? Gao Sheng, watching the Ghost Swordsman still drinking with Li Fuzhou, slowly said, ¡°I fear that Ghost Swordsman may not live out the night, given that Mu Jin Dharma King glanced at him when he was leaving.¡± Tang Taiyuan indifferently said, ¡°Although this man saved Princess An Le and killed Yan Gang, he has turned against the National Religion and has also made friends with the Demon Sect¡¯s Li Fuzhou; surely he is a disaster waiting to happen.¡± Gao Sheng nodded, fully agreeing with Tang Taiyuan¡¯s latter statement. Good and evil are merely different sides of the same coin, or different interests. The Ghost Swordsman had said while killing Yan Gang that he was exacting repayment for a life because Mu Jin Dharma King had previously saved Qi Shu. In the eyes of the people in the Great Yan Martial World, Yan Gang might have been arrogant and deserved punishment, but to the people of Houjin, he might as well be a hero. One man¡¯s poison is another man¡¯s honey. One man¡¯s bandit is another man¡¯s hero. Just as Tang Taiyuan put it, with no ambiguity, to him the Ghost Swordsman, who got along well with the Demon Sect¡¯s Li Fuzhou, is undoubtedly a villain. Gao Sheng pondered for a moment then reminded, ¡°Lord Tang, you need to be careful in the upcoming battle at the Eight Feet Platform.¡± If an ordinary Half-step Master dared to challenge Tang Taiyuan, in Gao Sheng¡¯s eyes, it would undoubtedly be a death wish. Let alone a Half-step Master; even a One Qi Master would be undoubtedly doomed. But today¡¯s challenger was Li Fuzhou. In Gao Sheng¡¯s view, there were many scholars in the world, ninety-nine percent of whom were deadbeats in their studies, but Li Fuzhou was the only one he had seen so far who had brought life to his reading. Tang Taiyuan¡¯s complexion was as calm as the abyss, ¡°This old man shall present his head to the Human Emperor.¡± Gao Sheng did not speak, but he was looking forward to the fight on the Eight Feet Platform. Yue Tingchen sighed, ¡°Such a formidable swordsman, no wonder he¡¯s gained such a great reputation in just a year¡¯s time and is held in such high esteem by the divine prognosticator Jiang Sanjia.¡± His martial arts realm was not high, but that did not prevent him from knowing Yan Gang¡¯s formidability. The fact that such an impressive Yan Gang was killed by a single sword strike was testament to the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s prowess. Yue Tingchen spoke in a voice that was neither loud nor soft, just enough for Mu Xiaowan to hear clearly. The three words ¡®Jiang Sanjia¡¯ felt like needles pricking sharply into her heart. It was an uncomfortable feeling. Jiang Sanjia had true affection for her, but she took advantage of him and even drove him to his death eventually. She wanted to bury this not so glorious past. But the emergence of the Ghost Swordsman constantly reminded her of that unsightly history. Mu Xiaowan, watching An Jing¡¯s figure, sneered to herself, ¡°Since you want to kill me so badly, I¡¯ll give you a chance then.¡± The crowd on the scene showed varied expressions, displaying a diverse range of emotions¨Csome felt unfettered joy, while others harbored hidden murderous intents. Qiu Lun walked over to An Jing with a smile and said, ¡°Big brother, I toast to you with this cup.¡± An Jing lifted his cup with an impassive face and transmitted his voice, ¡°The death of Yan Gang, it seems, was a settled matter long ago.¡± From the fat man¡¯s demeanor, it was clear that today was a trap set up. If it wasn¡¯t Lin Yiyang making a move, then it would be him. After thinking for a moment, Qiu Lun also transmitted his voice, ¡°Big brother should be careful of the Jinmu Dharma King.¡± No matter what, having used the Evil Suppressing Sword to kill Yan Gang today and fulfill the secret order from the Crown Prince, the Jinmu Dharma King would not let this slide without revenge. Logically speaking, with Yujing City being home to many experts and powerful individuals like the rain. Even the Jinmu Dharma King, at the peak of the Second Qi Grandmaster level, would not dare to act rashly. However, considering the Ghost Swordsman had previously offended the Zhenyi Sect, just now confronted the white-browed eunuch, and now, was getting along famously with Li Fuzhou, he clearly belonged to the category of ¡®neither favored by grandmother nor loved by uncle¡¯. If the Jinmu Dharma King targeted him, the Royal Family might not step in to protect him. An Jing spoke lightly, ¡°I understand.¡± After another moment of thought, Qiu Lun transmitted, ¡°From what I know, Mu Xiaowan used to be quite close to the Second Prince, but ever since the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion fell, she has not been as enthusiastic as before. However, she still has close ties to the Second Prince. Actually, the Crown Prince is a very good option for you, big brother. You might consider¡­¡± In Qiu Lun¡¯s eyes, although An Jing was currently facing enemies on all sides, having rescued Princess An Le and slain Yan Gang were both meritorious deeds for Great Yan. If he could establish a connection with the Crown Prince, it would be highly beneficial. Despite his rough exterior, Qiu Lun¡¯s mind was as fine as a thread. Indeed, An Jing transmitted back, ¡°I have my own thoughts, you need not worry.¡± ¡°Alright, then I¡¯ll head over there first, big brother.¡± Qiu Lun smiled and then walked off towards a distant location. Li Fuzhou watched Qiu Lun¡¯s retreating figure and said, ¡°This meat mountain is quite crafty.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Extremely sly.¡± Li Fuzhou then turned to Tan Yun, who was earnestly ¡®chewing thoroughly and eating slowly¡¯, and said, ¡°Tan Yun, hurry up and eat. Once you¡¯re full, we¡¯ll be leaving.¡± Tan Yun wiped his mouth and asked in confusion, ¡°Master, why leave so quickly? Didn¡¯t you want to see your old friends?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen all the old friends I wanted to,¡± Li Fuzhou replied. He pointed towards the distance, indicating the officials, Ling Yuanjing, Jia Shiwu, Zuo Biwen, and others. Tan Yun blinked and realized that when his master said he was going to ¡®see¡¯ old friends, he really just meant to ¡®see¡¯ them. Li Fuzhou glanced at An Jing and said, ¡°Besides, if we don¡¯t leave now, what will we do if we get into trouble later?¡± He had killed the Houjin genius swordsman, and the Jinmu Dharma King did not look like someone who would easily let things go, which would surely lead to trouble. ¡°Alright then,¡± came the response. Tan Yun reluctantly looked at the remaining half of the roast chicken on the table. His eyes suddenly lit up, ¡°Mr. Zhou has not eaten yet; maybe I should bring some for him. Otherwise, all this food would go to waste. Master, have you not always taught me to be frugal?¡± An Jing almost laughed out loud at the side, clearly, he just wanted to eat, no? Li Fuzhou arrived without even a simple invitation, and he didn¡¯t give any congratulatory gift or money. Now, after mooching off a meal, he was even thinking of taking away leftovers. Li Fuzhou sighed deeply and said, ¡°As you wish.¡± Tan Yun gestured at a servant of Pingyang Marquis Mansion, then whispered a few words to him. The servant from Pingyang Marquis Mansion paused for a moment when he heard this, quickened his steps towards the kitchen, and soon returned with some parchment paper, handing it to Tan Yun. Tan Yun did not stand on ceremony and packed the tasty delicacies from the table into a piece of parchment paper. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Li Fuzhou gestured a cupped hand salute to Qiu Heng and started walking towards the door. Tan Yun also followed with satisfaction. After An Jing drank another cup, he was about to stand up when a figure calmly approached. It was none other than the East Palace¡¯s Junior Preceptor, Bai Jing. Bai Jing smiled and said, ¡°It seems that your swordsmanship has improved once again, congratulations are in order.¡± An Jing indifferently replied, ¡°There¡¯s nothing praiseworthy about that.¡± Bai Jing took out an invitation from his bosom and said, ¡°This is a Heroic Invitation from the Crown Prince for you.¡± ¡°Heroic Invitation?¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow. Bai Jing smiled and explained, ¡°The Crown Prince has invited experts from the six major sects, as well as some old masters from Jianghu, to hold a heroes¡¯ meeting on the seventeenth of May. Given that you possess the ¡®Daluo Sect¡¯s¡¯ mental method and the ¡®Ghost Valley Sect¡¯s¡¯ mental method, you may attend as the sect leader of the Daluo Sect, especially since the Daluo Sect is still officially registered with the Ministry of Revenue.¡± An Jing glanced at the Heroic Invitation and waved his hand, saying, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in this heroes¡¯ meeting.¡± Bai Jing¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, but then he still reclaimed the invitation and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll take my leave. If you¡¯re ever interested, you¡¯re welcome at Yuhua Villa at any time.¡± After speaking, Bai Jing returned to his seat. In Jianghu, some people are accustomed to being unconventional, like the previously mentioned Lou Xiangzhen, and now, the Ghost Swordsman before them. Seeing this scene, many people became thoughtful. Jia Shiwu frowned and said, ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is really too¡­¡± The Second Prince had extended an olive branch to him, clearly intending to protect the Ghost Swordsman, yet he refused. Concerned, Jia Meixian asked, ¡°Grandfather, will there be trouble?¡± Jia Shiwu shook his head without speaking. Dai Danshu spoke in a low voice, ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is too arrogant.¡± Zuo Biwen thought for a moment and then said, ¡°I will go and have a word with him.¡± ¡°Brother Zuo.¡± Dai Danshu stopped Zuo Biwen with a hand and said, ¡°He has already refused; anything more you say would be in vain.¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Upon hearing this, Zuo Biwen showed a hint of difficulty. Indeed, the Ghost Swordsman had refused the Crown Prince¡¯s goodwill; anything he could say now wouldn¡¯t change the situation at hand. An Jing stood up, cupped his hand towards Qiu Heng, and said, ¡°Marquis, I shall take my leave now.¡± With a solemn nod, Qiu Heng replied, ¡°Please.¡± ¡°Big brother.¡± Qiu Lun thought for a moment and still called out loudly, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to drink a few more cups?¡± In an instant, everyone¡¯s attention turned to them. ¡°Hahaha.¡± An Jing burst into laughter and walked towards the gate under everyone¡¯s gaze. ¡°He might die.¡± Qiu Wanxia murmured, watching An Jing¡¯s retreating figure. Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s temperament was extremely violent and ruthless; given that the Ghost Swordsman had killed a genius from Houjin in front of everyone, he would surely seek revenge. ¡°Let¡¯s go have a look.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Yiyang slowly rose and followed. He Chen looked at Ling Yuanjing beside him and asked, ¡°Junior brother?¡± After a long contemplation, Ling Yuanjing said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡­¡­ Outside the Pingyang Marquis Mansion, the sky was clear, and the sunlight was warm. Many beggars who had been standing at the door asking for celebratory money also dispersed, as if to spread the news of Yan Gang¡¯s death throughout Yujing City in an instant. Only a few pedestrians remained, along with some people who were coming out of the wedding banquet and ready to leave. But everyone who saw the black-robed man walking out was stunned for a moment, and then they all made way for a path. After walking about a dozen steps, An Jing suddenly paused and looked into the distance. In front stood an old man dressed in the attire of Houjin. He was alone in the middle of the street, with no one else around. ¡°It¡¯s Mu Jin Dharma King.¡± Someone whispered, ¡°He hasn¡¯t left yet.¡± Then there was silence all around as everyone watched the two of them. Mu Jin Dharma King said to the black-robed man in front, ¡°Your sword is very fast, faster than Yan Gang¡¯s.¡± An Jing, expressionless, replied, ¡°His sword was too slow.¡± ¡°I want to know exactly how fast your sword is.¡± Mu Jin Dharma King smiled and said, ¡°With a single move, we¡¯ll decide the superior and determine life and death, what do you think?¡± As the words of Mu Jin Dharma King fell, everyone around became solemn. The title of Dharma King in the Great Snow Mountain is not something any expert can assume at will; the vast Houjin only has the top sect of Great Snow Mountain, and it can be said that seventy percent of the experts come from there. The Great Snow Mountain has only five Dharma Kings, and Mu Jin Dharma King is one of them. Moreover, the Great Snow Mountain holds a lofty position in Houjin. The status of a Dharma King is comparable to that of a heavyweight minister of the state. Even royal nobles like Zongzheng Yuan find it difficult to command a Dharma King level expert on a regular day. This time, as Houjin¡¯s envoy to Great Yan, Mu Jin Dharma King was ordered by Zongzheng Huachun to accompany and protect them, which speaks volumes. Mu Jin Dharma King became famous early among the five Dharma Kings. His most famous battle was the debate between Buddhist and the Great Snow Mountain thirty years ago. Mu Jin Dharma King fought with the Buddhist Da Yan Vajra. It is said that the two fought for a day and a night at the summit of the snow mountain, ending in a draw. The snow mountain is said to have been turned into a puddle by their True Qi. The battle ended in a draw, and both sides ceased the fight. Buddhist Vajra usually cultivated physical techniques, and compared to the Bodhisattva Fruit Position, they specialized in combat capabilities, being extremely powerful even among peers of the same realm. Although this Da Yan Vajra has long since passed away, when he was alive, his cultivation was at the peak of One Qi Grandmaster, and he even had the record of surviving a fight with a Second Qi Grandmaster. Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s ability to fight Da Yan Vajra to a draw demonstrates his formidable strength. Now, thirty years later, Mu Jin Dharma King must have improved from the past. Throughout Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s life till now, he has only suffered two defeats: one at the hands of another Dharma King, and another to Zongzheng Huachun. Besides these, he has not known any other defeats. Although Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s reputation in the Great Yan martial world may not be as great as Feng Lingyue and Qi Shu, true experts who have traveled the world know that Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s strength is not at all inferior to theirs. At this time, Lin Yiyang and Qiu Wanxia also came out. Besides them, there were Ling Yuanjing, Jia Shiwu, Dai Danshu, Zuo Biwen, and other Great Yan martial world experts. Nobody expected that Mu Jin Dharma King would seek revenge so quickly, just as the Ghost Swordsman stepped out. Lin Yiyang indifferently said, ¡°At the same realm, the number of moves doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Zuo Biwen nodded and added, ¡°That¡¯s right, if the Dharma King really wants to contest, just like before, he can suppress to the same realm.¡± If they were to clash directly, how could the Ghost Swordsman, with his Half-step Master cultivation, be a match for Mu Jin Dharma King? But at the same cultivation realm, with the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Sword Dao, Mu Jin Dharma King might not be his match. ¡°That¡¯s just child¡¯s play. We rely on actual strength.¡± Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s eyes narrowed as he looked at An Jing and challenged, ¡°Sir, do you dare to take my strike?¡± ¡°This Mu Jin Dharma King is really despicable.¡± Qiu Lun couldn¡¯t help but snort lightly, ¡°Big brother, weren¡¯t you going to have a few more drinks with me? Let¡¯s go back and continue drinking.¡± It was clear to everyone that Mu Jin Dharma King was trying to regain face, hoping to kill the Ghost Swordsman with one strike, just like he did with Yan Gang. Mu Jin Dharma King glanced at Qiu Lun with a dark expression, clearly annoyed by the fatty giving the Ghost Swordsman a way out. All eyes at the scene turned to An Jing, with some feeling joy and others concern. The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s ability to slay a One Qi Grandmaster was no secret to those present, but the gap between a One Qi Grandmaster and a Second Qi Grandmaster was not trivial. Moreover, Mu Jin Dharma King could very well be at the peak of Second Qi Grandmaster, on the verge of advancing to the level of Three Qi Grandmaster. ¡°Don¡¯t dare? Is this really the kind of sword immortals Great Yan boasts of?¡± Mu Jin Dharma King sneered mockingly. He knew that people from Great Yan were the least tolerant of provocation. ¡°Since you¡¯re so eager for a contest, I can oblige you with a match.¡± Just then, a hoarse voice echoed from afar. Who is it?! The sudden appearance of the voice attracted everyone¡¯s attention, and they couldn¡¯t help but look toward the source. They saw a man dressed in the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s great mantle, with an extraordinarily pale complexion, walking out. He had no fluctuations of qi mechanism around him, identical to An Jing. Had he not spoken up, everyone would still have thought he was just an ordinary commoner from the street. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Tang Taiyuan was slightly surprised when he saw this. The clothes worn by the man were indeed those of the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s Great Heavenly Gang, but among the many Heavenly Gang members of the Xuanyi Guard, he did not recognize this one. This person was none other than Prince Xus. Prince Xus walked up to An Jing and smiled, ¡°I haven¡¯t arrived too late, have I?¡± ¡°Just on time.¡± An Jing looked at Mu Jin Dharma King in front of him. As early as when he was confronting the Chamberlain, he had already crushed the ancient jade Prince Xus had given him. Mu Jin Dharma King looked at Prince Xus and asked with knitted brows, ¡°Who are you?¡± The man before him seemed to have appeared out of thin air; he could not sense any breath of life from him at all. Prince Xus indifferently said, ¡°It¡¯s not important who I am. Right now, I just want to know if I can kill you with one move.¡± Whoosh! A stir went through the surrounding area, and everyone¡¯s expressions changed subtly. To kill Mu Jin Dharma King in one move ¨C even a Four Qi Grandmaster would probably find that difficult, wouldn¡¯t they? Just who was this person making such a brazen claim? Ling Yuanjing said with a grave voice, ¡°Who is this? Where did this madman come from?¡± Gao Sheng was also curious, ¡°An accomplice of the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Bai Jing was also very surprised in her heart, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman has another expert by his side? How is that possible!?¡± If this was the aid Ghost Swordsman had refused to recruit for the Crown Prince, she was somewhat curious. The White Browed Chamberlain saw Prince Xus and his white eyebrows deeply furrowed, ¡°That mysterious Grandmaster?¡± Mu Jin Dharma King heard Prince Xus¡¯s words and laughed, ¡°You¡¯re probably not aware of who I am, are you?¡± In this world, there was actually someone claiming they could kill him in one move. If it had been the Human Emperor of Great Yan, or the old monster from the Hidden Mountain of the Zhenyi Sect, or even the thousand-year-old turtle under this pond floor, it would indeed make him panic. But some randomly emerging expert claiming to kill him in one move? ¡°Come on then.¡± Prince Xus swept his great mantle and looked toward Mu Jin Dharma King. ¡°Well, then let me test your prowess. Let¡¯s see if your bark is as tough as your bite.¡± Mu Jin Dharma King sneered, but he was not the slightest bit careless or sloppy in his heart. Ssssssssss¡­¡­. The moment he finished speaking, a gust of wind surged around them, as if blades were scraping across everyone¡¯s faces. And the body of Mu Jin Dharma King was dazzling to the extreme, emitting robust power. With each movement, he seemed capable of splitting heaven from earth. Great Snow Mountain is currently one of the world¡¯s topmost Body Refining Sects aside from Buddhist Vajra. Mu Jin Dharma King was practicing a Heavenly Martial level Body Refining Method, the Divine Statue Technique. Boom! Boom! Boom! Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s True Qi surged forward, stomping his feet, and visible cracks appeared on the ground¡¯s stone slabs, spreading out towards the distance. His martial prowess and Universal Benefit Bodhisattva¡¯s also had achieved the Flawless Body. And his figure shot out like a ghost, appearing in front of King Xu in just a breath¡¯s time. Mysterious light patterns spread across his body. Divine Image Heaven and Earth! Jinmu Dharma King¡¯s eyes flashed with cruelty as he immediately deployed his ultimate skill. Although he roared wrathfully, his attack was made with full force. An ethereal shadow emerged behind him, as if a sculpted relic of a distant past flickered in and out of existence. Boom! Jinmu Dharma King¡¯s fist expanded instantly as he threw his punch, which landed heavily like a mountain, shattering the air and splitting the ground with its terrifying power. However, as many gazes shifted to King Xu, they couldn¡¯t help but be stunned to find King Xu standing motionless, allowing the earth-shattering punch to come his way. ¡°Does this man not know to dodge?¡± Many exchanged perplexed looks. Jinmu Dharma King had seized the initiative with an impressive offensive momentum. Normally, one would prioritize avoidance to escape the sharpness of the attack and then counterattack with their own force, but why did this person appear like a wooden doll, standing still? Under the numerous astonished gazes, the horrific punch finally howled its way toward King Xu. Just as it was about to hit his chest, King Xu finally made his move. He extended his palm, and a vast force surged from his fingers. Bang! The moment of impact was accompanied by a world-shaking loud noise. A visible shock wave ravaged the surrounding streets, cracking them with fissures as cobblestones burst apart. Dust billowed, slowly dissipating. Gazes then shifted, and their expressions subtly changed as they saw the two combatants clashing fists in the middle of the street. The stone slabs around King Xu turned to dust, but a slab under his feet remained intact as if nothing had happened. Moreover, not an inch of his body had moved! Bai Mei, the eunuch, had his eyes narrow, clearly not expecting King Xu to so effortlessly withstand Jinmu Dharma King¡¯s ferocious punch. In the midst of the widespread shock, Jinmu Dharma King¡¯s own expression changed. A terrifying force instantly spread within him as his blood coursed through his body rapidly. A vast, supremely domineering force erupted from the clash of fists. His punch seemed not to have struck the man¡¯s fist but had collided with a mountain. ¡°Thump!¡± In the next moment, an explosive wave of force violently dispersed. Jinmu Dharma King¡¯s complexion drastically shifted, and he stumbled backward repeatedly, retreating dozens of steps before finally collapsing to the ground with a thud, coughing up fresh blood. Silence! All became eerily quiet. Only the teetering Jinmu Dharma King continued to cough up blood. King Xu scratched his head and turned around, somewhat apologetically saying, ¡°I didn¡¯t manage to kill with one punch, my apologies.¡± Everyone was horrified as they looked at King Xu as if they had seen a ghost. The words they had thought flippant he had meant seriously. He really had intended to kill Jinmu Dharma King with a single punch. That was a Second Qi Peak Grandmaster, and not just any, but a Second Qi Peak Grandmaster with a mastery in body refining. ¡°Who exactly is he?¡± Ling Yuanjing asked, his voice trembling. To have severely injured a Second Qi Grandmaster with one punch ¨C this strength was hardly inferior to that of Sect Leader Xiao Qianqiu. The Ghost Swordsman had such a formidable master by his side. What was his identity, his background? It wasn¡¯t just Ling Yuanjing; Jia Shiwu and Zuo Biwen also wore shocked expressions as a tempest of awe surged in their hearts, refusing to subside. This fair-skinned man was truly too strong. ¡°Who is this expert¡­¡± The eunuch Bai Mei was especially grave, feeling the unplain force of that punch much more acutely than the others, knowing full well its might. ¡°Too strong¡­¡± Qiu Lun, staring at the blood-coughing Jinmu Dharma King, couldn¡¯t help but take in a sharp breath. He would have never imagined that ¡®Big Brother¡¯ beside him actually had such a formidable master who was not afraid of Bai Mei, the eunuch. From this day forward, the Great Yan Martial World likely had one more top-tier master. An Jing, witnessing the clash between King Xu and Jinmu Dharma King, had an epiphany, as if the truth had been poured into him, especially the seemingly ordinary punch thrown by King Xu that seemed to hold profound and deep principles. Inner and outer cultivation, unity of body and mind. This was the fundamental requirement for advancement to the Master Realm. Watching the two Grandmasters battle, he took that critical step. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± It took An Jing nearly dozens of breaths to recover, and then he glanced indifferently at the Jinmu Dharma King kneeling on the ground. ¡°Okay.¡± The Prince of Su nodded, following An Jing as they left. Throughout the heavens and earth, all eyes were fixed on An Jing and the Prince of Su until a long while later, when a burst of discussion erupted. ¡°Who is that person? He actually severely injured the Jinmu Dharma King with a single punch.¡± ¡°Too terrifying, he seems to be the protector of the Ghost Swordsman.¡± ¡°What exactly is the background of the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡°These people from Houjin really like to humiliate themselves.¡± ¡­.. Everyone was discussing animatedly, eyes filled with shock and bewilderment. The scene just now was too unbelievable. ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is not to be trifled with.¡± Yue Tingchen murmured to himself, then scanned the surroundings and noticed that Bai Jing had already hurriedly left. ¡­¡­ In the Dongluo Desert, beneath the Sealing Demon Well. Zhao Qingmei looked up, revealing her fair neck, as her beautiful eyes gazed up at the well¡¯s opening above. Ever since the wooden puppet climbed up two days ago, it had not come back down. Zhao Qingmei knew Yu Qiurong¡¯s temperament; such a situation would not occur without reason. It must be that some changes had occurred in the Demon Sect. Recalling that Yuan Feng had previously visited the East Camp, she seemed to understand what had happened. ¡°The Sealing Demon Platform?¡± Zhao Qingmei muttered to herself, feeling increasingly cold inside. She couldn¡¯t help but walk towards the cave. Nan Weiping saw that Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hands were empty and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°What? No food again today?¡± Zhao Qingmei replied indifferently, ¡°It seems that the Demon Sect has encountered some troubles.¡± Nan Weiping chuckled, ¡°As the saying goes, ¡®The human heart is separated by the belly¡¯¨Cno one can see through someone else¡¯s heart. Worldly affairs are unpredictable, and not everyone is as you imagine them to be. Not all are as they appear. Only by experiencing these things can you truly see through people¡¯s hearts.¡± ¡°To them, you seem to have no hope of escape. It¡¯s normal for some changes to occur.¡± Pople¡¯s hearts are fickle and changeable, something she had seen far too often, to the point of growing accustomed to it. Zhao Qingmei shook her head, her eyes always carrying a hint of coldness, ¡°I firmly believe that some people will never change.¡± ¡°Yes, some people never change. But how can you be sure that they are the unchanging ones?¡± Nan Weiping waved her hand and said, ¡°If you don¡¯t have any food, with your strength, you probably won¡¯t last half a month. What do you plan to do?¡± With her Great Grandmaster cultivation and her body known as a Demi Immortal, she needed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence to survive without food. How could Zhao Qingmei, a Grandmaster, survive here without food or water? ¡°I still have some.¡± Zhao Qingmei took out a black package from outside the cave and slowly opened it, revealing some dry food and several water skins. Nan Weiping was surprised, ¡°You were prepared?¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly and said, ¡°It¡¯s always wise to plan ahead for safety, to think of danger in times of peace. Once is enough for a desperate situation.¡± Ever since she could contact Yu Qiurong, she had asked her to prepare dry food and water to prevent any special circumstances. Especially when Yuan Feng went to the East Camp, it made Zhao Qingmei feel a bad premonition. Now, her guess was not wrong. ¡°Interesting.¡± Nan Weiping looked at the stunning woman in front of her and couldn¡¯t help but give her a thumbs up, ¡°How long before you can reach the eighth layer of the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯?¡± Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath, ¡°About half a month, that should be enough to reach the eighth layer.¡± These past few months had been incredibly long for her, feeling as though she was in constant torment, and now, only half a month of that torment remained. But in her heart, Zhao Qingmei was extremely grateful for these months, which made her inner strength much more resilient. What doesn¡¯t kill you makes you stronger. Nan Weiping asked curiously, ¡°What¡¯s the first thing you are going to do after getting out? Kill the usurper?¡± Zhao Qingmei replied very calmly, ¡°Correct, I must personally kill anyone within the Demon Sect who dares to usurp the throne.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Hearing this, Nan Weiping couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°I definitely don¡¯t want to fight and kill, I just want to watch the sunrise. The people of this world can¡¯t be killed off.¡± Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°I am different from my senior, some people don¡¯t wish for me to see the sunrise.¡± Upon hearing this, Nan Weiping sighed softly and said no more. That¡¯s how it is in Jianghu. Zhao Qingmei picked up some dry food and water and walked towards the exit of the cave, then slowly sat down cross-legged, involuntarily taking out a paper figure from her bosom. Fortunately, longing is silent; unfortunately, longing is silent. Gently stroking the paper figure, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes held a glimmer of gentleness. All the paths were her own choice, back then she followed Jiang Shang to the Demon Sect, and later, she returned to Yu State City on her own. She would, of course, bear the storms on the path she had chosen. ¡°Once I¡¯m out, everything will start to get better.¡± Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath, placed the paper figure on her heart, and began to silently recite the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡± As the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± began to circulate, black Qi surrounded her, forming spiraling whirlwinds that enveloped her entire body. ¡­¡­. In Yujing City, Feihua Alley. A cool breeze continuously blew through the alley. An Jing, feeling that breeze against his face, became completely calm. Wang He, holding four or five stuffed buns in one hand and stuffing them into his mouth, asked inarticulately, ¡°Jing¡¯an, these are quite tasty, how¡¯d you get them?¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Bought them with silver.¡± Wang He asked curiously, ¡°Can it be borrowed?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t borrow it, the small business is tough for others as well.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Take all of these with you, I won¡¯t eat.¡± ¡°Then, thank you very much.¡± Wang He, devouring two buns at a time, said, ¡°I¡¯ll be heading back soon, because I can¡¯t be away from Wang He Mountain for long, especially now that I can feel the tremors from beneath the earth becoming even more intense. It¡¯s possible I might not be able to come out to find you again next time¡­..¡± Saying this, Wang He¡¯s expression turned somewhat somber. ¡°Is that so, that¡¯s truly a pity.¡± Hearing this, An Jing also felt somewhat disappointed. He initially planned to have Wang He accompany him to Beili Volcano in search of Volcano Spirit, but now it seemed unlikely. Wang He looked earnestly at An Jing and said, ¡°If you need to find me, you can come at any time.¡± ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± An Jing nodded solemnly. Wang He took a deep breath and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°Go ahead.¡± Wang He¡¯s figure leaped and instantly used the technique of Shrinking Land into Inches, vanishing from Feihua Alley in an instant. ¡°Life is unpredictable; who knows when the next meeting will be.¡± As An Jing watched the figure fade away, he turned and walked out of the alley. ¡°Amitabha!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Suddenly, an aged voice echoed. An Jing turned towards the source of the sound and saw an old monk with a kind and gentle expression, standing with his hands clasped together before him. An Jing raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°Master Puhui, it seems we truly have fate.¡± This old monk was indeed Master Puhui from the Buddhist sect. Master Puhui spoke softly, ¡°Today, I have come specifically to seek you out.¡± Chapter 187 - Chapter 187: Chapter 187 Suspicions Arise in the Demon Sect Chapter 187: Chapter 187 Suspicions Arise in the Demon Sect Is it for the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡±!? Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s mind raced, and the first reason he thought of for Universal Benefit Bodhisattva seeking him out was the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡±. The only link he had with the Buddhist sect was the relic he possessed and the Buddhist martial arts he had learned. An Jing calmly asked, ¡°May I know the purpose of the Master¡¯s visit today?¡± Universal Benefit Bodhisattva pressed his hands together and slowly said, ¡°The donor¡¯s aura is profound and bears the seal of Buddhism, just as I said before, you are indeed destined to be associated with Buddhism.¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°Being able to meet Universal Benefit Bodhisattva time and again, we are certainly fated.¡± ¡°Since the donor is a forthright person, I will not beat around the bush any longer.¡± Universal Benefit Bodhisattva took a deep breath and asked, ¡°May I know if the donor possesses any Buddhist cultivation methods?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Yes.¡± Back on Five Poison Mountain, he had openly used the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡±. The Ghost Swordsman was originally at a disadvantage against four Half-step Masters, but as soon as the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡± was deployed, the tides were turned instantly, and many masters were present at the time, so it was normal for Universal Benefit Bodhisattva to be aware of it. ¡°The martial arts that the donor has learned, when executed, does a golden Buddha appear behind you?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°The donor has not studied Buddhist Law, have you?¡± ¡°No.¡± An Jing answered truthfully, as these were not secrets that couldn¡¯t be spoken of. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva took a deep breath, his expression growing more solemn, ¡°Then it must be so.¡± An Jing said, ¡°What does the Master mean, please speak freely.¡± Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, with a grave expression, said, ¡°The donor should be aware that today there are three exceptional secret scriptures circulating in the world: the Mystical Sect¡¯s ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, Demon Sect¡¯s ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯, and our Buddhist ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯. These three martial arts.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for me to mention the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, as the donor knows it even better than this poor monk. The Demon Sect¡¯s ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ has been lost for countless years, and even the Demon Sect members are still searching for it. Only the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯ remains within Buddhism, and actually, the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯ is not complete; one could say that from the time it came into Buddhist hands, it was already incomplete.¡± Top-level experts in Jianghu are naturally familiar with these three martial arts. But not many know the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯ is incomplete; only the top Buddhist experts are privy to this fact. An Jing¡¯s eyes flicked up, ¡°Does the Master imply that the martial arts I possess is the incomplete portion of the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯?¡± The ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡± and ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡± did have many similar aspects in their names. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva nodded, ¡°Buddhist rankings are divided into Bodhisattva and Vajra, and within the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯, there ought to be two secret techniques. However, our Buddhist sect currently only has the Bodhisattva¡¯s secret technique, lacking that of the Vajra, and if I¡¯m not mistaken, what the donor holds should be that Vajra Secret Skill.¡± An Jing did not respond upon hearing this. The ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡±, although formidable, indeed seemed more like a secret skill within a mental method, much like the ¡°Heavenly Demon Myriad Forms¡± within the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡±, or the Paperman Substitute Death Skill of the ¡°Ghost Valley Heart Method¡±. Moreover, Buddhist martial arts are rumored to require study of Buddhist Law to practice, yet he had managed to cultivate this ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡± with ease. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva looked at An Jing calmly, revealing his purpose for this visit, ¡°Donor, would you be willing to return this incomplete part to Buddhism?¡± Last time in Ping County, Universal Benefit Bodhisattva had intended to bring up the matter, but with the presence of royal experts, it was inconvenient to disclose these Buddhist secrets. After contemplating for a moment, An Jing said, ¡°I am willing to exchange this secret skill for the Buddhist ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯. Of course, I can guarantee I won¡¯t share it with others. What do you think, Master?¡± Upon hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Universal Benefit Bodhisattva fell silent. The ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡± was Buddhism¡¯s supreme martial arts, and even Universal Benefit Bodhisattva himself had not practiced the Bodhisattva¡¯s secret technique within it, and now it might have to be entrusted to someone outside of Buddhism. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Our Buddhist sect is willing to exchange three relics with the honored one.¡± An Jing laughed, ¡°Are three relics as precious as this secret skill?¡± No one knew better than he how terrifying the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡± was. Once it fell into the hands of a Buddhist Vajra, their strength would surely rise to another level, which meant an increase in the Buddhist sect¡¯s strength. Although three relics were extremely precious, they were far from having the same real value as the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡±. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva pressed his hands together, ¡°As for the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯, this poor monk does not have the authority to decide.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°Then that¡¯s a pity.¡± On that day, he took a relic from Buddhism, and now he had returned half of the ¡°Concealing Qi Technique¡±. He had no debts of gratitude owed to Buddhism and would certainly not give the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡± to Buddhism for nothing. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, after a thought, said, ¡°If the donor has the time, you are welcome to visit Dragon Spring Temple.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Feeling a movement in his heart upon hearing this, An Jing considered. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva said he had no authority, but invited him to Dragon Spring Temple, which clearly indicated that there were other high-level Buddhist experts within the temple, with positions and power perhaps even higher than Universal Benefit Bodhisattva. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva let out a light laugh and said, ¡°Then I shall not impose any longer, this poor monk awaits the donor¡¯s good news.¡± After speaking, Universal Benefit Bodhisattva promptly left. ¡°Dragon Spring Temple¡­..¡± An Jing muttered to himself before heading towards the Lv Mansion. ¡­¡­. The moon was bright, the stars sparse, and the night deepened. In Yujing City, at the Honglu Institute. Whether it was the Great Yan Dynasty¡¯s grand ceremonies, suburban sacrifices, worship, court assemblies, banquets, scripture reading sessions, title conferrals¡­and many other affairs, even including foreign officials paying respects and tributaries from various regions, all were introduced by the Honglu Institute. The officer from the Institute beamed with a joyous smile and asked, ¡°I wonder whether today¡¯s music and dance pleased you?¡± Zongzheng Yuan, filled with emotion, replied, ¡°Excellent. It¡¯s been several years since I¡¯ve seen such a dazzling Seven Plate Dance.¡± Compared to Yan Gang and the Houjin-accented Mu Jin Dharma King, Zongzheng Yuan seemed more a man of Great Yan, speaking the official language smoothly and having a good temper, not at all resembling a leader from Houjin. The officer from the Honglu Institute stood up and said, ¡°It¡¯s good that the leader is satisfied. Seeing that it¡¯s getting late, I won¡¯t disturb your rest any longer.¡± After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the officer took his leave. The moment the officer from the Honglu Institute left, Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s expression suddenly turned grave, and he hurried towards the back courtyard. Before long, they arrived at the entrance of a side chamber. ¡°Leader Zongzheng.¡± The two Houjin experts bowed hurriedly when they saw Zongzheng Yuan. Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s face unusually cold, ¡°How is Mu Jin Dharma King?¡± The Houjin expert on the left replied in a low voice, ¡°The Dharma King¡¯s injuries seem quite severe, he is still recuperating in the room.¡± Zongzheng Yuan nodded slightly and then pushed the door open to enter. Inside the side chamber, Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s face was deathly pale, sitting cross-legged on the bed with golden light swirling around him, shining brightly. After about half an incense stick¡¯s worth of time, Mu Jin Dharma King slowly opened his eyes, ¡°Leader Zongzheng.¡± Zongzheng Yuan asked in a deep voice, ¡°How are your injuries?¡± Mu Jin Dharma King let out a sigh, ¡°Even after taking the Snow Lotus Seed, a healing holy medicine from my Great Snow Mountain, I still need at least a month to recover.¡± One punch! That mysterious Grandmaster expert¡¯s mere punch had nearly annihilated him, body and Dao alike. Zongzheng Yuan questioned doubtfully, ¡°Who exactly is that person?¡± Mu Jin Dharma King was also frowning deeply, speculating, ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but my guess is that he is very likely connected to the Royal Family of Zhao Country.¡± Qi Shu once mentioned to him that the Ghost Swordsman seemed to have a complex relationship with the Royal Family of Zhao Country. Within Yan Country, the temples and Jianghu were plagued with internal strife; similarly, Zhao Country was no exception. The Black Ice Platform controlled the entire country, and the Royal Family naturally did not want to be a mere puppet. The struggle between these two forces had been ongoing for hundreds of years. Even during the original chaos of the Nine Kingdoms, it was the internal strife within Zhao Country that caused them to miss this immense opportunity, allowing Yan Country to unify the Nine Kingdoms and rise to power. And the cause of Zhao Country¡¯s internal strife was none other than Black Ice Platform and the Royal Family. Black Ice Platform had suppressed the Zhao Royal Family for hundreds of years, extinguishing numerous counterattacks from the Royal Family. Over the past few centuries, it seemed that the Zhao Royal Family had eventually capitulated and gradually receded from the core power struggle of Zhao Country, allowing Black Ice Platform to take complete control and govern Zhao Country. Zongzheng Yuan sighed deeply, ¡°What a pity that Yan Gang died just like that.¡± He had held extremely high expectations for Yan Gang; given time, he would have certainly become one of the top Swordsmen in the world, and even had the chance to replace Lou Xiangzhen as the number one Swordsman. But who could have thought that Yan Gang would meet such a premature demise. Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s face looked somewhat ugly as well, Yan Gang was a young prodigy Swordsmen of Houjin, arrogant and prideful in character. He had refrained from stopping Yan Gang in the past because he too was after Lin Yiyang¡¯s head. But who would have thought that Yan Gang, who cultivated the Fast Sword, wouldn¡¯t be able to block even one strike from the Ghost Swordsman at the same level of cultivation? Mu Jin Dharma King, thinking of Xu Wang, looked extremely grave, ¡°That person¡¯s strength is too formidable, not the slightest bit weaker than the Great Dharma King.¡± His own cultivation was at the Second Qi Peak, yet he had not been able to withstand that person¡¯s single punch. Zongzheng Yuan nodded slightly, ¡°Within Great Yan, hidden dragons and crouching tigers abound, concealing countless experts. This is also one of the reasons I am wary of Great Yan.¡± Mu Jin Dharma King, unusually silent, seemed to agree with Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s statement. Zongzheng Yuan took a deep breath, his expression turning solemn, ¡°Now Zhao Chongyin is intentionally dragging things out with me, it seems he is preparing for something, and with Dharma King injured, I¡¯m afraid it will take some time before we can return to Houjin.¡± ¡°` Without the accompaniment of the Mu Jin Dharma King, Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s head might have been separated from his body as soon as they left Yujing City. Even though the Mu Jin Dharma King did not support his tribe, now that both of them had arrived in Houjin, they were like grasshoppers on the same rope, and Zongzheng Yuan had no choice but to rely on the Mu Jin Dharma King, a Second Qi Peak Grandmaster. The Mu Jin Dharma King also nodded, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it after my injuries heal.¡± It seemed that the Honglu Institute in Yujing City was quite safe, at the very least Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin of Zhao Country would find a way to protect them. ¡°Then give Zhao Chongyin time to prepare,¡± said Zongzheng Yuan with a hint of coldness in his eyes. ¡°Dragging this out will also be a significant drain for Yan Country.¡± Continuously taut bowstrings naturally incur great damage, and the same is true for people. ¡­¡­ At the Lv Mansion, a quiet courtyard. In the courtyard stood a huge camphor tree, with walls and corridors around it filled with various exotic herbs: some with trailing vines, others with climbing creepers. Bathed in the moonlight, they glimmered with faint luminescence¨Cfragrant and rich, incomparable to the scent of flowers. An Jing was sitting cross-legged in the center of the yard, eyes firmly closed, letting the breeze brush over him. In his mind, he was replaying the moment when King Xu struck with his fist; that casual and natural posture as if it contained some profound principle of Dao. ¡°Something¡¯s not right,¡± An Jing shook his head; he clearly felt he had reached the realm of Body and Mind Unity, but for some reason, it felt different from what he sensed from Li Fuzhou. At the Cao Mansion in Yu State City, Li Fuzhou sat on a stone chair, his entire being in slight harmony with the vast universe. Though it lasted only for a moment, An Jing still found it unforgettable to this day. ¡°Uncle Ghost, Uncle Ghost¡­¡± Suddenly, an urgent voice came from afar. Lv Jingchun hurried in, panting and drenched in sweat when he reached An Jing. An Jing looked at the plump young boy before him and asked, ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I heard about it, I¡¯ve heard everything¡­¡± Lv Jingchun looked at the man in the black robe before him with admiration and said, ¡°Uncle Ghost, you killed the top talent swordsman of Houjin with a single sword strike, that¡¯s really amazing.¡± The events at the Pingyang Marquis Mansion, in just a few short hours, had spread throughout Yujing City, especially the mysterious expert behind the Ghost Swordsman who severely injured the Houjin Dharma King, leaving people aghast and utterly shocked. Countless people were guessing the identity of the Ghost Swordsman and wondering about the numerous experts behind him. An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°It¡¯s just a trivial matter.¡± To him, indeed, it was a trivial matter; killing a master in the Heavenly Flower Realm and the person who grievously wounded the Mu Jin Dharma King was not him. Seeing An Jing¡¯s indifferent demeanor, Lv Jingchun hurriedly asked, ¡°Uncle Ghost, what do you think of me?¡± An Jing gave a puzzled glance to Lv Jingchun and asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Excitedly, Lv Jingchun said, ¡°Let me join you.¡± This was his purpose; he wanted to join the mysterious force behind the Ghost Swordsman, thinking that if he did, the Ghost Swordsman and that mysterious expert would protect him anytime in the future, wouldn¡¯t they? ¡°Join me?¡± ¡°` An Jing glanced at Lv Jingchun. Even if he truly intended to recruit followers, he would never consider someone like Lv Jingchun¨Ca ¡®straw bag¡¯ who could be left bruised and swollen by Tan Yun. The aptitude of Lv Jingchun was truly mediocre, but being born into a prestigious family like the Lv Sect, his ordinary talents were even more pronounced next to the many outstanding talents surrounding him. Indignant, Lv Jingchun said, ¡°Uncle Ghost, since I was young both my grandfather and father said I was no good, but I believe I am capable. I¡¯m already twenty-two this year; I must accomplish something remarkable.¡± To be born as lowly as an ant, yet to possess the aspiration of a swan. Though life may be frail, one should have an indomitable spirit. An Jing nodded and asked, ¡°Where do you think your strengths lie?¡± Lv Jingchun found himself at a loss for words, stuttering, ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± An Jing patted Lv Jingchun¡¯s shoulder, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. Eat when you should eat, drink when you should drink¨Ctomorrow is a new day.¡± ¡°Uncle Ghost, I will definitely make you see me in a new light,¡± declared Lv Jingchun. Then, as something occurred to him, he asked, ¡°By the way, how attractive is the new bride?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but recall the appearance of Fang Jinxiu and sincerely replied, ¡°Attractive.¡± With a goofy smile, Lv Jingchun said, ¡°My brother mentioned that he would also find me a spirited heroine.¡± Seeing the hopeful expression on Lv Jingchun¡¯s face, An Jing fell silent. Just then, a crisp voice called from outside the door, ¡°Eh, chubby, what are you doing here?¡± Looking toward the voice, he saw a woman dressed in a light purple palace attire, her shapely figure undulating in all the right areas, especially her chest, which heaved impressively. Although her features were not strikingly beautiful, they were very delicately formed, and her long eyelashes fluttered over a pair of dewy, large eyes. Why is it her, this calamity!? Upon seeing the newcomer, Lv Jingchun¡¯s eyeballs bulged forthwith. The person who had just arrived was Tan Yun. ¡°Oops, I suddenly remember I haven¡¯t done my evening studies yet,¡± said Lv Jingchun, patting his head as if he just realized something and scampered away towards the distance. If I can¡¯t beat her, at least I can outrun her. Tan Yun watched Lv Jingchun¡¯s retreating back, looking very curious, ¡°Why is he running so fast?¡± An Jing shook his head and then turned to Tan Yun, ¡°What, has your master agreed to let you out?¡± Li Fuzhou was very wary of him and never allowed Tan Yun to have any contact with him alone. With a worried look, Tan Yun said, ¡°No, my master is in seclusion, so I sneaked out.¡± ¡°Li Fuzhou is in seclusion?¡± ¡°Yes, my master is preparing for the Eight-Foot Platform trials. This time, the trials seem very important. He said that after it¡¯s over, he¡¯s going to return to the Demon Sect to see the Sect Hierarch.¡± ¡°The Sect Hierarch!?¡± An Jing heard this and remained outwardly calm as he said, ¡°Is your sect hierarch currently at the Demon Sect Main Hall?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Tan Yun wore an expression of concern, especially recalling the recent news from the Demon Sect Main Hall. Jiang Renyi had become the new sect hierarch of the Demon Sect, Duanmu Xinghua resumed control over the Heavenly Sect, and the previous Heavenly Sect leader, Yu Qiurong, had disappeared without a trace. Inside the Demon Sect, there was a sense of chaos, with sighs of apprehension spreading quietly. Having grown up in the Demon Sect Main Hall, the place was as a home to Tan Yun; naturally, she did not want the Demon Sect to experience turbulence. But now, with Zhao Qingmei trapped at the bottom of the Sealing Demon Well, almost without a chance to escape, it was not unreasonable for the Demon Sect to elect a new leader. After all, the vast Demon Sect cannot be without a master for a day. However¡­ Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but let out a heavy sigh, ¡°So in a couple of days, I will have to go back to the Demon Sect with my master. Since my master is still in seclusion, today I came to say goodbye to you; I don¡¯t know when we¡¯ll meet again.¡± An Jing looked at Tan Yun and smiled, ¡°Maybe sooner than you think.¡± So soon!? Tan Yun¡¯s heart throbbed, asking, ¡°Do you really want to join the Demon Sect?¡± An Jing let out a long sigh, saying, ¡°I would like to join the Demon Sect, but as you see, your master thinks I have ulterior motives and is quite guarded against me.¡± Seeing the troubled An Jing, Tan Yun felt a mix of confusion and indecision. For some reason, she felt that the Ghost Swordsman bore no malice toward her, and he had even once saved her life. If he could truly join the Demon Sect, that would be wonderful, but the others within the sect deeply disliked and were cautious of him. An Jing, observing Tan Yun¡¯s expression, earnestly continued, ¡°You know I am acquainted with Doctor An, so my desire to join the Demon Sect is genuine. Remember, it was I who saved the leader of the Azure Dragon Sect.¡± Now, he truly meant to join the Demon Sect wholeheartedly. Tan Yun, blushing at his earnest gaze, bit her lip, and said, ¡°Rest assured, once I return, I will definitely report the true situation to Sect Hierarch Jiang. By then¡­¡± ¡°Wait!¡± An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed, ¡°Who did you say is your sect hierarch?¡± ¡°Sect Hierarch Jiang, our Demon Sect¡¯s new leader, Jiang Renyi.¡± Tan Yun sighed, her mood dejected, ¡°I actually don¡¯t like him much. He is the old hierarch Jiang Shang¡¯s son, and it was Jiang Shang who killed my cousin¡¯s husband. I want to avenge him, but I know I¡¯ll never be able to in this lifetime.¡± Please enter your email address below to sign up for our emails. An Jing stood as if struck by thunder, completely stupefied. Qingmei was actually trapped in the Demon Sect, and the Sect Hierarch was Jiang Renyi. Lin Tianhai had mentioned that one of Li Fuzhou¡¯s other reasons for going to Yu State City was to protect the safety of the Sect Hierarch. Jiang Shang was in Yu State City, and he was also the previous Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. Qingmei possessed the Heavenly Flipping Seal of the Demon Sect, within which lay the Demon Sect¡¯s supreme cultivation technique. Could it be that the people of the Demon Sect were after the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± within the Heavenly Flipping Seal? Could it be that the members of the Demon Sect wanted the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± so much that they had Qingmei return, and Qingmei, not wanting to hand over the scripture, had entrusted him to guard it with extreme caution? And was Jiang Shang¡¯s attempt to kill him also for the Heavenly Flipping Seal? An Jing felt his heart sink to the bottom of the valley and asked, ¡°What is the Sealing Demon Well, and why can¡¯t people come out once they go in?¡± Tan Yun, facing the suddenly emotionally changed An Jing, fell silent. An Jing frowned and demanded, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you speaking!?¡± Tan Yun bit her lip and said, ¡°It¡¯s a forbidden land of our Demon Sect, and once someone enters for the second time, it is impossible to come out. No one has ever been able to break this rule.¡± An Jing remained silent, his heart growing colder and colder. Tan Yun, feeling the slight chill in the air, carefully asked, ¡°Why are you asking about the young lady¡¯s matter?¡± An Jing looked straight at Tan Yun with a cold voice, ¡°Tan Yun, is it true that you don¡¯t like the current Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect?¡± Tan Yun nodded and said, ¡°Yes, I still prefer¡­¡± An Jing spoke softly, ¡°How about I become the Sect Hierarch?¡± He had cultivated the Demon Sect¡¯s supreme martial arts, the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡± giving him every right to become the Sect Hierarch. ¡°Ah!?¡± Upon hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Tan Yun was completely shocked. The Ghost Swordsman actually said he wanted to be the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect!? She shook her head, wondering if she had heard wrong. After a long while, Tan Yun regained her senses, ¡°You¡­ You want to be the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect?¡± ¡°I will eradicate the Demon Sect Main Hall and lead the Demon Sect back to the righteous path.¡± An Jing¡¯s voice was as cold as ice that had been frozen for ten thousand years. He was determined to storm into the Demon Sect Main Hall and rescue Qingmei from beneath the Sealing Demon Well. He also knew that with his current strength, it would be difficult to take the head of the Demon Sect Hierarch in the Demon Sect Main Hall, so this matter still required careful consideration. ¡°Gulp.¡± Tan Yun swallowed hard, looking in astonishment at the Ghost Swordsman before her. The thought of him commanding the masses from atop the Demon Platform made her heart beat even faster. Suddenly, the entire guest house became quiet. Tan Yun, remembering something, hastily said, ¡°Jiang Renyi is backed by a Grandmaster from the Sealing Demon Platform.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Do you know the specifics of his cultivation?¡± Tan Yun shook her head and honestly replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Good.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly. What is a Grandmaster to him? He had killed Grandmasters before, and once his cultivation reached the Grandmaster Realm, ordinary Grandmasters at the One Qi level were no match for him. With the Black Flood Dragon and if he could convince the King of Xu to lend a hand once more, the Demon Sect Main Hall wasn¡¯t impossible to assault. ¡°I¡¯m going back to cultivate.¡± Having thought this, An Jing turned and headed inside the house, ready to contemplate how to enlist all external forces to attack the Demon Sect. Tan Yun¡¯s mind was in a daze, so much so that she wasn¡¯t even clear on how she had left the guest house. The Ghost Swordsman wanted to become the lord of the Demon Sect? This sounded too ridiculous, but if it were true, it seemed quite good. ¡°Tan Yun, where have you been?¡± At that moment, a leisurely voice came from ahead. ¡°Master¡­ Master.¡± Upon recognizing the person in front, Tan Yun was startled. Li Fuzhou said indifferently, ¡°Have you been finding that Ghost Swordsman again?¡± Tan Yun forced a laugh, ¡°No¡­ no, I was just wandering around casually.¡± ¡°No?¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits. Feeling guilty, Tan Yun replied, ¡°Really, I haven¡¯t. The chubby kid, Lv Jingchun, can testify that I was just strolling around Jing Garden.¡± If master knew what the Ghost Swordsman and she had discussed, what would his expression be!? Would he agree? Could he end up fighting with the Ghost Swordsman?! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At that moment, Tan Yun¡¯s heart was in chaos, feeling like her brain wasn¡¯t enough to comprehend everything. Li Fuzhou glanced at Tan Yun and said, ¡°You will stay in the courtyard these next two days, and you¡¯re not to go anywhere.¡± There must be a demon at work when things are out of the ordinary. The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s sudden change of attitude definitely had a purpose, and Tan Yun, with her single-mindedness, could very possibly be used by the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Yes, master.¡± Tan Yun said in a low voice, her head drooping. Chapter 188 - Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Entering the Grandmaster Level at Eight Feet Platform Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Entering the Grandmaster Level at Eight Feet Platform ¡°` The wedding banquet of the Pingyang Marquis was the talk of the town, stirring up a storm of gossip, but there was another piece of news that caused an equally sensational uproar. This was none other than the challenge issued by the leader of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect, Li Fuzhou, to the Xuanyi Guard Governor Tang Taiyuan on the Eight Feet Platform. In the blink of an eye, discussions about this battle could be heard everywhere in the streets and alleys. Who was Tang Taiyuan? In the martial world, there was no one who didn¡¯t know of him, the great Governor of the Xuanyi Guard, and the confidant of the current Human Emperor. The swordsmen of Great Yan reverently worshipped him as a divine figure. Although Tang Taiyuan was an official of the Great Yan Court and had never mingled in the martial fraternity, the world equated him with the Mo Luo Dharma King of Houjin, Tianpeng Ancestor, and the proud frost blade of the Black Ice Platform, collectively naming them the four great swordsmen of the world. That proud frost blade was the older martial brother of Qi Shu. The Mo Luo Dharma King and Tianpeng Ancestor¨Cone a Dharma King of the Great Snow Mountain and the other a rootless weed wandering the world¨Cwhile Tang Taiyuan inadvertently became the myth of the Great Yan Martial World¡¯s swordsmen. The leader of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect, Li Fuzhou, was also a famous figure. Originally a distinguished scholar who grew resentful and left the Lv Sect to join the jianghu, his cultivation of martial arts barely exceeded thirty years, but he had become one of the renowned experts known throughout the world, having combined the Demon Sect¡¯s cultivation techniques with his own vast scholarly righteousness. But no one had expected that today Li Fuzhou would come to Yujing City to challenge Tang Taiyuan. Many experts in the world of jianghu regarded Li Fuzhou as a rare talent of his time, and exactly how rare his ¡®rare¡¯ talents were, made people eager to uncover. Everyone was looking forward to this duel between the two of them. In the Lv Mansion, within a quiet courtyard. Zhou Xianming yawned and after a quick wash, stepped outside, only to see a hurried Lv Jingchun, ¡°Jingchun, why are you in such a rush so early in the morning?¡± The plump young man glanced at Zhou Xianming with annoyance, ¡°Early? The sun¡¯s already high in the sky.¡± He could not understand why everyone thought Zhou Xianming had potential yet saw him as nothing but a fool, despite getting up earlier than Zhou Xianming and spending more time reading. Was there no reason in this world? Zhou Xianming swung his head and replied, ¡°I stayed up late last night reading and practicing my calligraphy, which is why I slept late.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Jingchun immediately rebuked him, ¡°You liar, your room was dark last night. You weren¡¯t reading or writing; weren¡¯t you off to the brothels to listen to music again?¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s favorite pastime was indeed sitting in the brothels, listening to the coarse songs of the young women. While others might not know, Lv Jingchun was well aware of his habits. Zhou Xianming walked over to Lv Jingchun and slung an arm around his shoulder, ¡°Why be so angry? Next time, I¡¯ll bring you along.¡± Lv Jingchun shrugged off Zhou Xianming¡¯s hand and huffed, ¡°Vulgar. I won¡¯t go to such a place again. I plan to practice martial arts seriously and train diligently from now on.¡± Uncle Ghost used to say that cultivating martial arts was all about preserving yang and locking essence. Zhou Xianming, ever smiling, took no offense and then noticed the clothes in Lv Jingchun¡¯s hands, asking, ¡°What¡¯s that you¡¯re holding?¡± Lv Jingchun, suddenly prideful, shook the black robe in his hands, ¡°See? Uncle Ghost¡¯s clothes.¡± Zhou Xianming paused, wondering if Lv Jingchun had gone and stolen the clothes of the Ghost Swordsman. But that was impossible; how could he, with his skills, steal the clothes of the Ghost Swordsman? Lv Jingchun quickly donned the black robe with agile movements, cockily raising an eyebrow at Zhou Xianming, ¡°How about that? Do I not carry the same chivalrous air, the same overwhelming aura of charging into battle and slaying amidst the mortal world?¡± His tone was filled with a strange excitement and fervor. Given Lv Jingchun¡¯s naturally shorter stature and plump figure, the black robe was filled out completely, and his belly even protruded prominently, displaying a picture of affluent rotundity. He looked out of place compared to the slim figure of the Ghost Swordsman. At the same time, Lv Jingchun also stepped onto a chair, assuming a ¡®king of all I survey¡¯ pose as he looked down at Zhou Xianming. Zhou Xianming spoke melancholically, ¡°Where did you get this garment?¡± ¡°I had the servants make it overnight, how about that?¡± ¡°The material is quite nice; I think it¡¯s better than what the elder wears. You might as well gift him a set of what you¡¯re wearing, so he doesn¡¯t look so destitute.¡± ¡°Right, you¡¯re absolutely correct. How did I not think of that?¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Jingchun¡¯s eyes sparkled. Uncle Ghost wasn¡¯t willing to let him join, but he could corrode that resolve with money. Eventually, Uncle Ghost might agree and even teach him the unrivaled swordsmanship. Lv Guoyong¡¯s status and position naturally precluded any overt displays of greed or corruption, but his family¡¯s wealth was surely beyond compare to that of ordinary people. Zhou Xianming shook his head, filled with silent reflection. Lv Jingchun fluffed the fabric of his robe and boasted, ¡°Old Zhou, how do I look in this robe compared to Uncle Ghost?¡± Zhou Xianming shook his head, stating, ¡°You are worlds apart.¡± ¡°` ¡°You don¡¯t understand a damn thing! The valiant and heroic spirit of those in Jianghu is not something a poor wretch like you could comprehend.¡± Lv Jingchun glanced at Zhou Xianming, their feelings for each other could hardly resonate. Zhou Xianming raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°You rushed over early in the morning just to show me this?¡± ¡°Almost forgot about the real business.¡± Lv Jingchun slapped his forehead and then hurried off towards An Jing¡¯s residence. Zhou Xianming watched Lv Jingchun¡¯s retreating figure and said in a low voice, ¡°You don¡¯t resemble a Ghost Swordsman but rather a fat swordsman.¡± Lv Jingchun, however, did not hear Zhou Xianming¡¯s muttering and quickly made his way to An Jing¡¯s doorstep. ¡°Thump, thump!¡± ¡°Uncle Ghost! Are you awake?¡± An Jing was sitting cross-legged on his bed, experiencing the profound mystery of body and mind unity, and opened his eyes upon hearing this sound. ¡°Come in.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Jingchun outside carefully pushed the door open, ¡°Uncle Ghost, there¡¯s an eunuch looking for you outside.¡± An Jing frowned and said, ¡°An eunuch!?¡± Lv Jingchun replied, ¡°It¡¯s the Chief Eunuch Ping De from Kunning Palace.¡± Kunning Palace!? An Jing nodded slightly. Imperial Concubine Rong was the master of this Kunning Palace¨Ccould this eunuch be seeking him out with a hidden agenda? Lv Jingchun said with a sycophantic smile, ¡°That old eunuch is currently waiting in the side hall; if you don¡¯t want to meet him, Uncle Ghost, I¡¯ll send him away right now.¡± An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Take me to meet him.¡± ¡­¡­. In the side hall of the Lv Mansion. An old eunuch slightly bowed, almost curling into a ball, with a very young and handsome little eunuch standing beside him. This old eunuch was none other than Eunuch Ping De, and the young eunuch at his side was the famous flower thief from Jianghu, Zhuo Yuchang. Zhuo Yuchang advised, ¡°On this visit, adopted grandpa said that he hopes to calm things down, turning conflict into alliance, and we must remember not to cause any troubles.¡± Eunuch Ping De nodded and said, ¡°This old servant understands.¡± By now, it was well-known that behind the Ghost Swordsman was not only the world¡¯s number one swordsman, Lou Xiangzhen, but also a mysterious and extremely powerful grandmaster expert. Even the Great Yan Royal Family had to carefully consider whether to woo him or to make an enemy of him. The visit of Eunuch Ping De and Zhuo Yuchang today was intended to ease the atmosphere between the Royal Family and the Ghost Swordsman. They at least did not want the Ghost Swordsman to align with the Royal Family but also did not wish to become adversaries. Not long after, footsteps were heard from outside. Following the sound, a man in a black robe was seen walking into the hall; he wore black boots, with a tall and sturdy figure, his pace steady and unhurried. Lv Jingchun followed behind, puffing out his chest with a somewhat triumphant expression. Eunuch Ping De hurriedly said, ¡°This old servant Ping De offers his respects.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formalities, Eunuch,¡± An Jing responded, then looked curiously at Zhuo Yuchang standing behind Ping De. ¡°We meet again.¡± When Zhuo Yuchang saw An Jing, his face got awash with embarrassment, wishing he could find a crevice to crawl into whenever he thought of that oversized bellyband. An Jing said with a playful smile, ¡°To come and go as you please, it seems your adopted grandpa must be no ordinary person.¡± It was known that Zhuo Yuchang was a renowned flower thief within Jianghu, albeit with a rather unique method of picking flowers. Zhuo Yuchang let out an awkward laugh and said, ¡°The adopted grandpa you met yesterday is indeed the one who sent me here today.¡± An Jing nodded slightly; Qiu Lun had mentioned that Zhuo Yuchang¡¯s adopted grandpa was the Chamberlain with white eyebrows. As one of the three great eunuchs serving the Human Emperor, though the Chamberlain might not hold as much power as the Eunuch Zhao Tianyi, his status was even higher than Zhao¡¯s. The current Human Emperor even addressed this white-eyebrowed eunuch as a respected father, which reflected his position within the Royal Family. An Jing asked, ¡°What did he send you to do?¡± Zhuo Yuchang didn¡¯t speak, but Chamberlain Ping De said, ¡°The honorable officer heard that you have been searching for the burial site of Jiang Sanjia. When Officer Jiang died, it was this old servant who personally buried him, right in the northern sector of Yujing City, inside Wangjing Mountain. We have come today especially to guide you there.¡± An Jing had only asked Lv Fang about the whereabouts of Jiang Sanjia¡¯s remains; he hadn¡¯t expected the white-browed eunuch to act so quickly. It seemed they were trying to ease the tension from the previous day¡¯s disagreement. An Jing fell silent for a while, then let out a long sigh and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Please.¡± Chamberlain Ping De gestured with his palm. The party then left the Lv Mansion, and without making a sound, Lv Jingchun followed An Jing as they headed toward Wangjing Mountain. Along the way, An Jing inquired about some specific details of the celestial divinations conducted on the Qintian Platform that day. Chamberlain Ping De recounted everything without missing a word, speaking in great detail. An Jing asked, ¡°So you¡¯re saying it was the Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai, who initiated the petition? And Imperial Concubine requested that Jiang Sanjia perform the divination?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The Chamberlain said softly. An Jing nodded, then fell silent again. In his letter, Jiang Sanjia had already mentioned that upon his return to Yujing City, it was very likely that the Second Prince Zhao Mengtai would inquire about his true identity. But An Jing was somewhat puzzled in his heart. Jiang Sanjia had loved Mu Xiaowan deeply, yet why would Mu Xiaowan force the death of someone who loved her? He remembered that Lou Xiangzhen had once vaguely mentioned that Mu Xiaowan had connections with the Zhenyi Sect. Could it be that the mastermind behind this was the Zhenyi Sect? Could it be that the Zhenyi Sect had obtained the ¡°Ghost Valley Heart Method¡± from Jiang Sanjia long ago? All these matters were unknown to An Jing, but he was aware that things were not as simple as they seemed on the surface. ¡°Hold on a second.¡± As they passed a tavern, An Jing paused and looked over at it. ¡°Uncle Ghost, what¡¯s wrong? Could it be assassins?¡± Lv Jingchun was startled and quickly scanned the surroundings, his heart instantly rising to his throat. Chamberlain Ping De and Zhuo Yuchang also became somewhat nervous after hearing this. In Yujing City, who would be so blind as to attack them? The man by their side was the unparalleled Sword Immortal, not to mention the grandson of the foremost scholar of the day, Lv Jingchun. An Jing slapped Lv Jingchun on the back of his head and said, ¡°What assassin? Go and buy me two jars of wine.¡± ¡°Ah¡­ So you just wanted to buy wine.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Jingchun¡¯s eyes revealed a hint of disappointment, and then he scurried toward the tavern. Shortly after, he returned carrying two jars of fine wine. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± An Jing took the jars of wine and said. Beyond Yujing City to the north lay Wangjing Mountain. Verdant peaks solemn for a thousand years, green foliage dripping jade, boulders resting among the waves. Chamberlain Ping De led the way, and before long they arrived at a dense forest. Slanting sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the forest floor with a mottled pattern of shade. Chamberlain Ping De pointed to a grave mound in the distance and said, ¡°That is Officer Jiang¡¯s grave.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing walked slowly toward it. The grave mound was just a pile of earth, without even a gravestone or wooden marker for identification. If not for Chamberlain Ping De¡¯s guidance, no one would have guessed it was the resting place of the divine fortune teller of the Ghost Valley Sect from Jianghu. ¡°Sanjia, I have come a bit late.¡± An Jing sat down directly on the ground facing the grave mound, then opened the seal of the wine jar he was holding. They say in shallow engagement, speak deeply, and avoid speaking of the profound. Strangely enough, Jiang Sanjia had not been like that with him. Jiang Sanjia was still in Fuyang Village when An Jing would often visit him, mainly to join him for a drink or watch him sit by the river and fish. Perhaps it was due to An Jing¡¯s rescue from the dungeon that Jiang Sanjia harbored gratitude, or perhaps it was the ancient jade he accepted from Mu Xiaoyun and the fact that he stole Xue Chen¡¯s corpse from the Three Temples Mountain Faxi Temple, which earned him some respect. Or maybe it was because both practiced the Daluo Heart Method and belonged to the Mystical Sect at their core, or perhaps Jiang Sanjia¡¯s bleak twilight years, neglected by all, stirred a complex sentiment for the past in him. It could also have been because of An Jing¡¯s words, ¡°What? If the Daoist Master does it, can I not do it?¡± All in all, it¡¯s probably impossible for anyone to clarify. The depth of friendship is not necessarily tied to the length of acquaintance. ¡°Sanjia,¡± An Jing poured the wine from the jar onto the ground, ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten what I said. The day I set foot on Zhenyi Mountain, I¡¯ll definitely bring good wine and a roasted chicken.¡± The wine spilled onto the earth, then seeped into the soil. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, I might have actually died at Jiang Shang¡¯s hands. By the way, I also met Old Lou. He has become the world¡¯s number one swordsman, stepping into the Sixth Realm. It¡¯s a pity he didn¡¯t come today.¡± ¡°These past several months of separation felt like years. Before, I was not keen on entering the jianghu, but unconsciously, I¡¯ve already stepped into it.¡± ¡°Maybe, from the moment I married my wife, I unknowingly entered the jianghu, or perhaps it was from the moment I rescued you.¡± ¡°Life is but a dream in drunken stupor, return to find the person the same, only to lament that time flies too quickly.¡± Saying this, An Jing took a big gulp of wine from the jar. In the distance, Chief Eunuch Ping De, upon seeing this scene, sighed, ¡°The disciples of the Ghost Valley Sect have never had a good ending since ancient times.¡± Zhuo Yuchang spoke slowly, ¡°The Dao cannot be fully predicted, the world is ever-changing, those who vainly attempt to divine the heavens are freaks by nature.¡± Lv Jingchun appeared perplexed while watching An Jing sitting by the grave, speaking intermittently. What he saw in the jianghu was mostly chivalry and carefree spirit, but today, facing the tomb, he was jolted back to reality; the jianghu not only boasted heroic loyalty but also deception and helplessness, with corpses piled one upon another. ¡°The jianghu, it truly is a dangerous place,¡± Lv Jingchun sighed endlessly. The three stood under the tree for a long time, until the sky began to dim, when An Jing finally stood up slowly. On the other side, may it also be as splendid as this mortal world. On the way back, when Zhuo Yuchang wasn¡¯t paying attention, Chief Eunuch Ping De slipped An Jing a waist badge, saying, ¡°My lord, this is the waist badge of Kunning Palace. The Empress said you are welcome to visit anytime.¡± Having said that, Chief Eunuch Ping De nonchalantly left with Zhuo Yuchang. An Jing gripped the waist badge in his hand, a faint cold light flashing in his profound eyes. ¡­¡­ Dongluo Pass, Dongluo Tower. The room was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood, and the delicate sunlight streamed through the intricate carvings of the latticed windows, shining upon the center where there lay a soft wooden bed with exquisite carvings, a guqin placed in the corner; a bronze mirror sat on a wooden dressing table, beside which were some rouge pots. Jiang Renyi stood beside the table, casually flipping through a confidential letter, finding it so uninteresting that he put it down again. Sitting below him was the pale Yu Qiurong, whose spirit seemed diminished, fragile as a willow in the wind, ready to fall at any moment. Jiang Renyi looked at the delicate beauty before him and said, ¡°Yu Qiurong, I have given you three days already. How have you considered it?¡± Yu Qiurong replied indifferently, ¡°Impossible, just give up on that notion.¡± Jiang Renyi chuckled softly, walked over to Qiurong, and gently traced her smooth, fair cheek with his finger. Qiurong gave Jiang Renyi a cold glance, then retreated further back. Jiang Renyi sighed and said, ¡°All you need to do is persuade Qin Bin to lay down his military power. Not only would I release you, but I would also drop food into the Sealing Demon Well to ensure my junior sister does not die. Why wouldn¡¯t you take such a favorable deal? Do you really think she can make it out?¡± As head of the Xuanwu Sect, Qin Bin controlled Dongluo Pass¡¯s only elite forces, with all his subordinates being confidants. Hastily killing him would likely incite mutiny among the soldiers, so naturally, Jiang Renyi hoped to take control of a complete Black Armor Iron Guard. Qiurong faced Jiang Renyi and said, ¡°According to my Demon Sect¡¯s rules, one can only elect a new Sect Hierarch if the current one has been missing for more than two years. Do you think you¡¯re worthy of the title now?¡± A sinister look crossed Jiang Renyi¡¯s eyes, ¡°My junior sister is trapped in the Sealing Demon Well, never to come out. Should I waste another two years just to wait? Besides, many Demon Sect masters have already agreed that I should take over the position.¡± ¡°Since you are so stubborn, I will tell you a harsh truth. Yesterday, I sent someone to the Sealing Demon Well to relay a message to my junior sister, saying that if she hands over the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡¯ I would spare your life. But she killed the messenger instead. This shows how much less important you are to her compared to the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡¯ Why be so blindly loyal to her?¡± Unaffected by Jiang Renyi¡¯s words, Qiurong mocked, ¡°The Sect Hierarch is right not to give it to you.¡± Licking his lips, Jiang Renyi said, ¡°You truly are a fiercely loyal dog. Do you really think I have no way of dealing with you?¡± With the old Demon Sect masters like Duanmu Xinghua still around, and having just become the Sect Hierarch, he couldn¡¯t kill Qiurong outright, but it didn¡¯t mean he had no means of subduing her. ¡°Jiang Renyi, last time the Sect Hierarch spared your dog¡¯s life, have you truly forgotten?¡± Yu Qiurong stared straight at Jiang Renyi and said, ¡°I advise you to control yourself, for when the Sect Hierarch comes out, your death won¡¯t be too ugly.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Upon hearing Yu Qiurong¡¯s words, Jiang Renyi burst into laughter. His voice was loud, tinged with unabashed defiance. Yu Qiurong looked at the somewhat crazed Jiang Renyi, her eyebrows tightly furrowed. After a while, Jiang Renyi, perhaps tired from laughing, took out a porcelain bottle, ¡°Do you know what this is?¡± ¡°Red Beauty Drunk!?¡± When Yu Qiurong saw the porcelain bottle, her eyes immediately widened. This was the latest poison pill refined by the Poison King, and naturally she was aware of it; moreover, some time ago, Yu Qiurong had delivered this poison pill to Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Correct.¡± Jiang Renyi nodded slightly, and a cold glint surfaced in his eyes, ¡°This is a wonderful thing. It¡¯s said that Red Beauty Drunk can silently seep into the organs and bowels of a person, and when the poison acts, it¡¯s like countless venomous insects gnawing on the organs, making life worse than death. This agony lasts for several days before it ends¡­¡± Yu Qiurong looked at the Red Beauty Drunk, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead, her feet unconsciously retreating backward. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be fearless?¡± Jiang Renyi¡¯s mouth curved upward slightly, wearing a hint of a cold smile. The next moment, his figure appeared in front of Yu Qiurong, and he seized her chin, pouring the Red Beauty Drunk from his hand into her mouth. ¡°Mmm mmm¡­ mmm¡­ cough cough cough¡­¡± Yu Qiurong felt the powder entering her mouth and with a surge through her throat, it moved into her abdomen. ¡°Swallow it,¡± Jiang Renyi pushed Yu Qiurong away and said, ¡°From today onward, if you don¡¯t agree to me, I will feed you some of this Red Beauty Drunk every day. At present, the dosage isn¡¯t large, and it won¡¯t act, but there will come a day when it will burst forth. Whether you want a swift death or prefer something quick and clean, the choice is yours.¡± ¡°Cough cough cough¡­¡± Yu Qiurong lay on the ground, coughing continuously, without speaking. ¡°Sect Hierarch, a new secret letter has arrived.¡± Just at this moment, a voice came from outside the door. Jiang Renyi took a deep breath and said, ¡°Come in.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Geng Tianchou pushed the door and walked in, holding a secret letter from the Human Sect. Jiang Renyi immediately took the secret letter, opened it, and his eyebrows knitted tightly together, ¡°This Ghost Swordsman actually has a master behind him?¡± The information on this secret letter was about the situation in Yujing City of the Great Yan. Geng Tianchou spoke solemnly, ¡°Sect Hierarch, what should we do now? Lin Tianhai and Luo Zixiang, among others, are still on Capital Road, and Sect Hierarch Zhao wants the Ghost Swordsman captured alive, but I fear that will be difficult¡­¡± Not to mention that the Ghost Swordsman himself is one of the top Sword Immortals in the land, but he also has such a powerful master behind him. It is not wise for the Demon Sect to be his enemy. ¡°Have them come back immediately.¡± Jiang Renyi said coldly, ¡°Do they no longer care for their lives?¡± Geng Tianchou hurriedly responded, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll send the order to Chief Lin right now.¡± After speaking, Geng Tianchou rushed out. Jiang Renyi took a deep breath and muttered to himself, ¡°My junior sister really loves to stir up trouble, insisting on provoking someone like the Ghost Swordsman. Let Black Ice Platform, the Zhenyi Sect, and Houjin worry about how to deal with this person.¡± He really didn¡¯t understand why his junior sister would want to capture the Ghost Swordsman alive. If there was a grudge, wouldn¡¯t it be better to just kill him? Could it be that there were secrets on the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s person? But regardless of the secrets, now was not the time to make an enemy of such a person. ¡­¡­ May 17th, in Yujing City, at the Lv Mansion. In a garden with fields. The fields were planted with seasonal vegetables and fruits, like cucumbers, radishes, watermelons¡­ The green branches and leaves were lush beyond compare, carrying the breath of life. At this moment, Lv Guoyong, his body stooped, held a ladle in his hands, continuously scooping and sprinkling water onto the fields. ¡°Father.¡± Lv Fang walked over at a gentle pace. Lv Guoyong paused his motion, saying, ¡°What is it?¡± Lv Fang spoke in a low voice, ¡°Li Fuzhou has left.¡± ¡°He left?¡± Lv Guoyong continued watering, his expression showing little change, ¡°Did Tan Yun also leave?¡± Lv Fang nodded, saying, ¡°Yes, he followed behind Li Fuzhou to Eight Feet Platform.¡± Lv Guoyong fell silent for a while, not speaking further. ¡°Father¡­..¡± Lv Fang looked somewhat hesitant. Lv Guoyong scooped another ladleful of water, saying, ¡°Just speak up if you have something to say.¡± Lv Fang said, ¡°Tang Taiyuan is a peak Second Qi cultivator, and also the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard. With the battle taking place at Eight Feet Platform in Yujing City, he naturally stands on invincible ground. Li Fuzhou¡¯s journey there is likely fraught with danger.¡± Not many people knew how ruthless and ferocious Tang Taiyuan could be, but if they knew what he had done, they would surely be shocked. Lv Fang inhaled deeply, continuing, ¡°Li Fuzhou is not only doing this for himself but also for elder sister. Decades ago, our Lv family has already yielded enough. Father, you have taken step after step backwards, allowing Zhao Tianyi to castrate himself and become a eunuch, Li Fuzhou was compelled to leave the Lv Sect, and elder sister also¡­¡± Speaking thus, Lv Fang paused and didn¡¯t continue. Lv Guoyong remained silent for a long time, finally saying, ¡°Let Jing Chun go then. It can be a gesture.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Fang¡¯s spirits lifted, ¡°I understand, Father.¡± After speaking, he hurriedly left. Lv Guoyong watched Lv Fang¡¯s retreating figure, staying silent for a long while before once more continuing to scoop and water. ¡­¡­. Yujing City, Eight Feet Platform. Eight Feet Platform was famous in Jianghu, as it was where the Yujing City Xuanyi Guard¡¯s yamen resided. On ordinary days, Eight Feet Platform was the place where the heads of Jianghu¡¯s outlaws were severed, hence this place was extremely heavy with the scent of blood, faintly exuding a sense of murderous aura. In the surrounding area, there were no other buildings or residential houses to be seen, not to mention people passing by. But today, compared to the usual quietness, it seemed somewhat bustling. Many masters from Jianghu were gathered on both sides of Eight Feet Platform, their eyes filled with a grave seriousness. This included Lin Yiyang from Yu Heng Sword Sect, Zuo Biwen from Youfeng Valley, the Five Poison Young Master from Five Poison Sect, Ling Yuanjing from Zhenyi Sect, He Chen, and many other great masters of Jianghu. There were also numerous experts from smaller sects, each top desperados of Jianghu, all formidable masters in their own right. A great battle might unfold today. Not far from Eight Feet Platform, on the spectator¡¯s stand, a tent had now been pitched. On the left side, a man dressed in a golden python robe¨Cit was Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin; on the right side was Zongzheng Yuan, the seventh son of the Houjin Holy Master. Zongzheng Yuan looked at Eight Feet Platform in front of him and smiled, ¡°I never expected that on this mission to Great Yan, I would have the honor to witness a battle between the top masters of the world.¡± Zhao Chongyin responded with a faint smile, ¡°Whether they are true top masters remains to be seen.¡± At that moment, however, Zhao Chongyin¡¯s heart was filled with worry. He could not comprehend why Tang Taiyuan had agreed to Li Fuzhou¡¯s request for a duel. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to have dispatched a master to slay him directly? If Tang Taiyuan won today¡¯s battle, everyone would simply think it was as expected. But if Li Fuzhou won, the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s reputation, built up over hundreds of years, would be instantly ruined. Although the chances of Tang Taiyuan losing were very low, Zhao Chongyin felt this duel should never have occurred from the beginning. Zongzheng Yuan whispered, ¡°Li Fuzhou couldn¡¯t possibly be challenging Tang Taiyuan with just Half-step Master Cultivation. He must have some other methods, right?¡± His words seemed like a question to himself, as well as a question directed at Zhao Chongyin. After all, challenging Tang Taiyuan with just Half-step Master Cultivation was undoubtedly suicidal. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s gaze was piercing, ¡°Regardless of what Li Fuzhou does, I am confident that Commander Tang will certainly be victorious.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s wait and see,¡± Zongzheng Yuan said. Zongzheng Yuan smiled and said nothing more. At that moment, An Jing, clad in a black robe, stood with his arms crossed over his chest. He gazed at the surging crowd ahead of him, his heart also filled with curiosity about what skills Li Fuzhou possessed to challenge the Second Qi Grandmaster. Beside him stood Zhou Xianming and Lv Jingchun. Zhou Xianming¡¯s face revealed nothing, but his heart was heavy, because he knew very well the predicament Li Fuzhou faced today. The chances of winning were slim, and even if he won, he would likely be targeted. Lv Jingchun chuckled and asked, ¡°Uncle Ghost, how does the fabric of this new clothing feel?¡± ¡°Not bad.¡± An Jing replied indifferently, ¡°You¡¯ve been very thoughtful.¡± Although Lv Jingchun seemed to be simple-minded, when he gave An Jing his robe, he presented him with two sets, one to wear and the other to change into whenever needed. ¡°Uncle Ghost, I¡¯m glad you like it.¡± Lv Jingchun smiled. Then, he noticed that the clothes on his body were somewhat different from those he had given, and just as he was about to ask, something strange happened on the Eight Feet Platform ahead. ¡°Place your bets, place your bets, the more you bet, the more you win!¡± A man with a figure like a mountain of flesh weaved through the crowd, shouting as he moved. This was none other than Qiu Lun, the son of the Pingyang Marquis. Seeing that person, Lv Jingchun¡¯s excitement soared as he shouted, ¡°Brother Lun!¡± ¡°Jing Chun.¡± Qiu Lun turned his head, then joy appeared on his face when he saw An Jing. ¡°Eh, Big Brother, you¡¯re here too!¡± Zhou Xianming was stunned by the man¡¯s mountainous physique. Could there really be someone so corpulent in the world? An Jing nodded slightly, ¡°Mm, I came to watch a duel of the experts today.¡± Qiu Lun wasn¡¯t surprised since the Ghost Swordsman was present when Li Fuzhou and Tang Taiyuan had agreed to their match. It was only natural for him to come to see their duel today. Suddenly, Qiu Lun remembered something, and with a grave face, he turned to Lv Jingchun and said, ¡°Jing Chun, that¡¯s rather underhanded of you, not attending your brother¡¯s wedding.¡± ¡°I truly couldn¡¯t make it.¡± Lv Jingchun sighed deeply, ¡°I fell that day, and I¡¯ve only just recovered. Moreover¡­¡± An Jing coughed twice, interrupting, ¡°People are coming. No more talking.¡± ¡°Wooosh!¡± ¡°Wooosh!¡± Dozens of Xuanwu Arrest Officers clad in black robes emerged from the back hall, followed by several more wearing large black capes at the Great Heavenly Gang Level. The last to emerge were Xi Yuanjun, the Deputy Governor of the Xuanwu Guard, and the Great Commander, Tang Taiyuan. ¡°Look, Governor Tang has arrived!¡± ¡°Why hasn¡¯t that Demon Sect¡¯s Li Fuzhou shown up yet?¡± ¡°Maybe he¡¯s not coming?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so; Li Fuzhou issued the challenge himself, how could he not show up?¡± ¡­¡­ With the appearance of Tang Taiyuan, the surroundings of the Eight Feet Platform instantly erupted with clamor. Tang Taiyuan, dressed in a black robe, seemed not to hear the discussions around him as he slowly walked onto the Eight Feet Platform. His black robe fluttered without wind, making a rustling sound. Tang Taiyuan, definitely one of the top experts in the Great Yan Dynasty. In the entire Great Yan, there were definitely no more than five people who could defeat him openly. One of the four great swordsmen legends of the Great Yan martial world, and a swordsman myth. It was just like the words he had said to Qi Shu of Zhao Country, bright as the scorching sun¨Cindeed, very few people could survive a battle with him. Tang Taiyuan¡¯s expression was calm as he stood silently on the Eight Feet Platform, not saying a word. Suddenly, his eyes opened, and a spark of light surged within them. ¡°Li Fuzhou has arrived!¡± ¡°Make way!¡± A clear shout arose, and everyone looked in the direction of the sound. The crowd parted like a tide, creating a path through the middle. Li Fuzhou walked over slowly, dressed in a white robe today that was without a speck of dust, his hair neatly combed. On his slightly aged face were those eyes as calm as the abyssal sea. Following behind him, other than Tan Yun, was a woman in her fifties. ¡°Liu Huiyun?¡± Seeing the woman¡¯s appearance, Qiu Lun couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in surprise. An Jing asked in a low voice, ¡°The name sounds somewhat familiar.¡± Qiu Lun explained quietly beside him, ¡°Liu Huiyun is the only bloodline of the Liu family. The Liu family was once a military marquis family of the Great Yan Dynasty. The entire family perished on the border in battle with Zhao Country. Her elder brother Liu Zixing and younger brother Liu Zhaoyu died on the frontier, and her father, Marquis Xin Tian, was assassinated by a master of the Black Ice Platform. They were a family of loyal martyrs. Back then, my father was just a thousand-man captain under Marquis Xin Tian; it was Marquis Xin Tian¡¯s promotion that brought him to his current status. Marquis Xin Tian was almost Li Fuzhou¡¯s father-in-law¡­¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing nodded, thinking to himself: The Liu family all died on the battlefield; they must have received great imperial grace. Could it be that Li Fuzhou brought Liu Huiyun here to protect Tan Yun? Tang Taiyuan frowned slightly when he saw Liu Huiyun, ¡°You should not have come.¡± Liu Huiyun met Tang Taiyuan¡¯s gaze and said indifferently, ¡°Yet I have come.¡± Li Fuzhou stepped onto the Eight Feet Platform, his white robe fluttering in the wind. At that moment, the howling grew louder, carrying with it a faint scent of blood stirring the air. Li Fuzhou opened his mouth and said, ¡°Li Fuzhou has arrived as promised.¡± The volume of his voice was moderate, yet it rang out like thunder in everyone¡¯s ears. ¡°Very well.¡± Tang Taiyuan looked at Li Fuzhou standing before him, feeling quite emotional. He reminisced about the first time he saw Li Fuzhou, then a young man in his prime, and now, in less than thirty years, he had reached the threshold of the Grandmaster Realm and appeared ready to break through to Grandmaster at any moment. It must be said that he truly was a prodigy. If he had continued devotedly practicing martial arts, his achievements might not have been inferior to Xiao Qianqiu. Unfortunately, the prime of life has passed, and one cannot start over again in life. Tang Taiyuan lifted his arm slightly, saying indifferently, ¡°Li Fuzhou, I admire your courage. You are the first in the Demon Sect to come to Yujing City to face death, doing something Jiang Shang wanted to do but did not dare to.¡± Jiang Shang, a name infamous in the Great Yan, a name that brought the Demon Sect to its zenith, an electrifying name. What he dared not do, Li Fuzhou has now done. The old scholar in a white robe, with sleeves fluttering, said aloud, ¡°Tang Taiyuan, today¡¯s Great Yan is too corrupt, it needs a cleansing to bring back the clear skies. Since others won¡¯t do it, won¡¯t speak of it, then today let me be the one to speak, the one to act.¡± Tang Taiyuan burst out laughing, ¡°Do you think you are a Saint?¡± His laughter had a clear ring to it. It has been so many years since a Saint appeared from the scholarly faction, as if the last one belonged to the distant past. Li Fuzhou shook his head as if filled with regret, ¡°Li Fuzhou is ignorant; after studying the sages¡¯ teachings for over twenty years, I couldn¡¯t bring forth a Saint, failing my father, my teacher, and my former self.¡± Decades have passed in the blink of an eye, his life divided into two parts, and also two calamities. Tang Taiyuan unsheathed his long sword, stating flatly, ¡°By not focusing on either martial arts or literature, you ultimately wasted your prime, ending up as an ephemeral mayfly, fading into obscurity.¡± As the long sword appeared, a cold sheen illuminated between heaven and earth, sending a chill down everyone¡¯s spine, as if suddenly transitioning from the sweltering heat of summer to the piercing cold of winter. Tang Taiyuan continued to ask, ¡°Facing life and death, do you have any regrets?¡± ¡°Born at dawn, I gaze upon the sunlight; born at night, I accompany the sun and moon, I have no regrets.¡± ¡°A mayfly will always be a mayfly, unable to glimpse the great Dao.¡± ¡°Then today, let this mayfly shake the great tree!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After Li Fuzhou spoke, he took a step forward. Instantly, the bloodthirsty Qi of the Eight Feet Platform radiated outward in all directions, and a breaking-Qi mechanism, like rivers and seas surging, sent a tremble through everyone¡¯s heart. Three Flowers shone brightly, emerging behind him and then converging above Li Fuzhou¡¯s head. In almost the blink of an eye, Three Flowers Gathering at the Top was complete. At that moment, Li Fuzhou entered the Grandmaster Realm. Chapter 190 - Chapter 190: 190 Chapter 190: 190 An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly; he had been waiting for someone from the Lv Sect to make a move. Unexpectedly, Jing Chun now seemed to want An Jing himself to take action. Even though he had many doubts in his mind, at this critical moment, he could no longer care for much. An Jing¡¯s wrist twisted, lightly tapping on the sword scabbard. ¡°Shi!¡± Three cold beams of sword light suddenly shot out from the scabbard, flying swiftly toward the front. Zhong Binru strode forward, reaching Tan Yun in the blink of an eye. ¡°Not good!¡± Tan Yun also sensed something was wrong and drew the Futu Sword in a sweeping motion. ¡°Child¡¯s play, daring to show off in front of an expert.¡± Zhong Binru¡¯s expression remained indifferent as he flicked his finger. ¡°Ding!¡± Tan Yun felt a tremendous force traveling through the Futu Sword, causing her arms to go numb and forced her to step back repeatedly, blood flowing from the tiger¡¯s mouth of her sword-holding hand. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Just as Zhong Binru was about to continue moving forward, he suddenly felt an inexplicable chill from behind him. Immediately, he moved the Emperor¡¯s Sword behind him. ¡°Clang clang clang clang clang!¡± The sounds of metal clashing echoed, forming a storm of sword qi as the lights interweaved. Many masters were shocked by this scene; who could be powerful enough to fight equally with Chamberlain Zhong Binru? The three beams of sword light gradually merged into one, then flew back to their master¡¯s hand. Zhong Binru looked at the man in the black robe in front of him, his brow slightly furrowed, ¡°Ghost Swordsman, do you intend to oppose the Court and the Human Emperor?¡± An Jing¡¯s move instantly drew the attention of many people present. It was known that the Ghost Swordsman pursued and killed Qi Shu, slaying Yan Gang, and had already established a formidable reputation in the Great Yan Martial World. No one expected that he would intervene today on behalf of the remnants of the Demon Sect. Zongzheng Yuan looked at the distant figure in the black robe, ¡°Is he the Ghost Swordsman?¡± In the Great Yan Martial World, names like Zhong Binru, Lin Yiyang, and Lou Xiangzhen might resonate more with the people, given their decades of fame as sword immortals. But in Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s heart, among the six great sword immortals, the Ghost Swordsman was one of the most memorable. Zhao Chongyin frowned tightly, transmitting his voice to the elder behind him, ¡°Elder Su, are you confident you can handle the formidable person beside the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Elder Su responded indifferently, ¡°As long as they are not of the Great Grandmaster level, I can handle them.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongyin said no more. On the Eight Feet Platform, enveloped by the Pagoda, Li Fuzhou, whose strength was greatly diminished, plus the true qi he had expended after a battle, was now unable to break the deadlock against many masters. ¡°It seems very difficult for Li Fuzhou to leave today.¡± ¡°This Eight Treasures Exquisite Tower of Lord Ming is truly remarkable.¡± ¡°I wonder if the Ghost Swordsman can turn the tide.¡± ¡°It seems unlikely. Grandfather Guang De is of the One Qi Grandmaster level, and the Ghost Swordsman might not be able to defeat him. Moreover, even if there is that mysterious master behind the Ghost Swordsman, this is still Yujing City.¡± ¡­¡­ The discussions rose like a tide, everyone believing it was unlikely for Li Fuzhou to leave Yujing City today. After all, killing the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard and still managing to leave Yujing City safely, would be a tremendous blow to the prestige of the Great Yan Court! An Jing, holding the Evil Suppressing Sword, said with a light smile, ¡°I have always wanted to experience the chill of the Emperor¡¯s Sword; it seems today I finally have that opportunity.¡± Zhong Binru gaze was icy cold, he concisely replied, ¡°As you wish.¡± The moment after he spoke, he raised his arm, and a lustrous sword brilliance surged out from the body of the Emperor¡¯s Sword. ¡°You¡¯re using the Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords right away?¡± From a distance, Lin Yiyang didn¡¯t focus on Li Fuzhou but instead watched the fierce battle between Zhong Binru and the Ghost Swordsman, two top-tier swordsmen. Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords! This Heavenly Martial-level sword technique was widely known, a legacy of an unparalleled swordsman from the Great Qin Dynasty thousands of years ago. Since then, it has never been lost, and top-tier swordsmen have always sought to learn it, making their name worldwide by wielding this technique. Later, during the conquest of the world by the Great Yan Dynasty, they annihilated countless sects, obtaining numerous martial arts manuscripts, including the Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords. The Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords consisted of seven sword strikes, each strike doubling the power of the previous one, similar to Qi Shu¡¯s fist skill but also quite different. This sequence of Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords was a sword path of slaughter; by the fifth strike, the power was already astonishing, the sixth strike alone could directly slay a peer in the same realm, and wielding the seventh strike could even kill a master of a higher realm. Throughout history, many top-tier swordsmen practiced the Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords, yet very few reached the seventh strike; most struggled to progress beyond the sixth. Qiu Wanxia smiled, ¡°It seems Zhong Binru takes the Ghost Swordsman very seriously.¡± Lin Yiyang crossed his arms and watched indifferently as the two top swordsmen dueled before him. Zhong Binru¡¯s figure soared, and the sword light surged toward him. Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords! White Cloud Sword! A flash of cold light appeared before him, and An Jing felt a cold, ruthless sword qi attacking his face, coming so suddenly and strangely. Clang! An Jing, without shifting his gaze, swung the Evil Suppressing Sword, easily breaking through the sword qi. Zhong Binru¡¯s eyes still cold as ice, the Emperor¡¯s Sword in his hand burst into dazzling brilliance, like a volley of thousands of arrows. Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords! Xia Dang Sword! Whoosh! Zhong Binru¡¯s figure, like a sudden dimming of the evening glow, instantly appeared right in front of An Jing, the Emperor¡¯s Sword carrying pure killing intent as it thrust forward. This second sword, blending swordsmanship with footwork, complemented each other. This sword was unbelievably fast. The footwork and sword moves almost merged into one, using the momentum of the charge to elevate the power of the sword to a new realm. A top swordsman, his steps seamlessly integrated with his sword moves, also carried a commanding killing intent. Clang! As the two swords collided, sparks flew everywhere! An Jing raised his Evil Suppressing Sword horizontally, directly blocking Zhong Binru¡¯s second strike. However, the sword momentum on the Emperor¡¯s Sword was not so easily dissipated; An Jing¡¯s feet rubbed against the ground, sliding backward, leaving a trail of brilliant sparks. Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords! Stabbing Star! Zhong Binru, seizing the momentum, quickly withdrew the Emperor¡¯s Sword, then thrust it forward again. This thrust, the sword light shot out explosively, its power several times stronger than before. ¡°So this is the Sword Immortal who wields the sword for the Human Emperor? He¡¯s really ruthless! One sword following the other, the Ghost Swordsman hardly has a chance to counterattack.¡± ¡°When he strikes, it¡¯s a killing move!¡± In such a short time, many experts present had the same thought flash through their minds. Zing zing zing¡­ Zhong Binru¡¯s thrust was off, not because of his lack of precision, but because An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword and his Emperor¡¯s Sword were locked together. Then the entire sword spun, creating a surge as powerful as thunder. Four Symbols Sword Technique! Moves like Thunder! The sword light floated out, a thunderbolt resounding through the heavens and the earth. ¡°Four Symbols Sword Technique!?¡± Zhao Chongyin saw the sword light and immediately frowned. The signature martial art of the Four Symbols Sect, well known in the Great Yan Martial World, but it was unexpected that the Ghost Swordsman could execute the Four Symbols Sword Technique so effortlessly and skillfully. The battle between two great Sword Immortals was even more intense and eye-catching than Li Fuzhou¡¯s fight with many experts. Whoosh! One sword strike achieving nothing, Zhong Binru swiftly retreated, his gaze intently on An Jing. ¡°Truly worthy of being the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Zhong Binru took a deep breath, stepping forward, his body lunging, his hand wielding the Emperor¡¯s Sword, suddenly stabbing out hundreds of strikes in a moment. Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords! Long River! This sword light was majestically overwhelming, and then it all converged into a long river of sword qi, the coldness it emitted causing everyone present to shiver. An Jing raised his eyebrows, stepped forward, his inner strength gathering in his sword like a surging river, the blade of his Evil Suppressing Sword also emitting streaks of cold light. In an instant, the three blades merged into one. Sword Control Technique! Suddenly, the sword light unified and, with a slap from An Jing toward the front, it roared out, the air on both sides madly spilling around, abruptly turning into a wave of qi force. ¡°Boom!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword was unstoppable, its momentum grand and magnificent. When the sword light collided with the river, the entire Eight Feet Platform area shook, and then from the center, a sword qi storm burst forth in all directions. ¡°Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack!¡± The sword qi splintered on the ground, bursting into a series of sounds while also throwing up clouds of dust into the air. And in the next moment, Zhong Binru was already close at hand again. Zhong Binru flew towards An Jing, the Emperor¡¯s Sword raised high, its elegance paired with a chilling killing intent. An Jing¡¯s swordsmanship was not as flashy as Zhong Binru¡¯s, but the craftiness of An Jing¡¯s swordsmanship was even greater, and he executed it with utmost precision and speed. Ding Ding Dang Dang! The two fought from the ground to the air and then along the surrounding walls, their sword Qi colliding in the air, obscuring their figures from view. Such a spectacular duel of swordsmen had many spectators wide-eyed, afraid to miss any brilliant detail and live with regret for life. Zhong Binru¡¯s body suddenly spun, the Emperor¡¯s Sword circling around him. Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords! Snow Dance! Zhong Binru¡¯s sword light greatly intensified, and the surrounding temperature plummeted, soon followed by the emergence of bitterly cold snowflakes. At this moment, he had pushed his master cultivation to its limit. Each snowflake contained chilling sword light; this was already the fifth slash of the Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords, and with Zhong Binru¡¯s sword momentum added, it was incredibly shocking. An Jing¡¯s inner strength circulated, and behind him surged a golden Buddha light. A golden Buddha with a grand and exceptional aura appeared. The golden Buddha pointed one hand to the sky and the other touched the earth, its form dignified, filled with limitless Zen spirit. Under the oppression of the master realm, he could only cast the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra. An Jing¡¯s inner strength flared like flames, leaving his mind somewhat ethereal and tranquil as he fiercely patted the Evil Suppressing Sword. Hundred-step Flying Sword! ¡°Shoo!¡± ¡°Shoo!¡± ¡°Shoo!¡± The body of the Evil Suppressing Sword split into three, each carrying a golden sword light as they rushed forward, then the gold sword lights multiplied, transforming into a sky full of sword shadows. The Hundred-step Flying Sword could freely control the sword, and under An Jing¡¯s exquisite Sword Control Technique, the three Evil Suppressing Swords seemed to turn into countless swords. In the sky, under the watchful eyes of the audience, those myriad sword lights met the swiftly approaching snowflakes. Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang¡­ The sword lights merged with the snowflakes, resulting in piercingly loud explosions. Having cast the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, An Jing was three times more fearsome than before, and he even subtly suppressed Zhong Binru¡¯s Sword Dao. ¡°Zoom!¡± An Jing pushed his Hundred-step Flying Sword to the limit, and the Evil Suppressing Sword shot out from the sword light, slicing open a very fine cut towards Zhong Binru. Zhong Binru had to admit he had been careless, having given An Jing an opportunity, now pressed down to this point, even unleashing the fifth sword was of no avail. ¡°So terrifying!¡± Only then did the people realize the power of the Ghost Swordsman. His strength was unassuming and low-key, noticeable only to those who clashed with him, allowing them to feel the startling peculiarity of his Sword Dao; even Zhong Binru, in the master realm, was still suppressed by it. One could only imagine how fearful his Sword Dao was. Clang Clang! Sparks flew, melting a lot of the snowflakes. Zhong Binru skidded across the icy ground, the frosty surface speeding up his motion, leaving behind a trail of afterimages. ¡°Enough!¡± ¡°Shoo!¡± Just then, a sharp shout rang out, and a figure appeared in the sky. The figure leaped up and landed with one foot on top of the Qi Mechanism Pagoda. ¡°Boom!¡± The Qi Mechanism Pagoda seemed to be crushed by a mountain, heavily falling to the ground, the ground around the center of the pagoda cracked open, and Li Fuzhou, at the center of it, looked as pale as a piece of paper. ¡°Master!?¡± Tan Yun, who had been on the sidelines, felt his heart clench at the sight. The man was dressed in a black python robe, his eyebrows white, his face rosy, and his eyes fierce and spirited. ¡°Greetings to the Honorable Lord!¡± Gao Sheng, upon seeing the newcomer, quickly bowed down in greeting. ¡°Honorable Lord!¡± Zhong Binru also cupped his fists towards the man. Zhao Chongyin, upon seeing the newcomer, also slightly relaxed his frown. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing had also drawn his sword, watching the white-browed eunuch standing atop the pagoda, feeling a surge of anxiety. This white-browed eunuch was a real monster entrenched in the Imperial City, his strength probably no less than Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s, perhaps even slightly stronger. The situation today was indeed extremely difficult to resolve. Ling Yuanjing, He Chen, and Dai Danshu all heaved a sigh of relief at the arrival of the white-browed eunuch. Today, Li Fuzhou would find it difficult to escape even if he had wings. ¡°Scholar Li, how did it come to this?¡± The white-browed eunuch landed on the ground, looking at Li Fuzhou¡¯s somewhat pale face. He didn¡¯t understand why Li Fuzhou wouldn¡¯t even leave himself a way out and insisted on killing the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, Tang Taiyuan. Facing this monstrous figure entrenched in the Royal Family, Li Fuzhou¡¯s expression remained undisturbed, ¡°A gentleman¡¯s word is as good as his bond. I once said I would ask Commander Tang to face death; thus, there is no reason for me to go back on my word.¡± The white-browed eunuch burst into laughter upon hearing this, ¡°Good, very good.¡± ¡°Your Honor.¡± Liu Huiyun stepped forward and spoke. The white-browed eunuch glanced at Liu Huiyun and said, ¡°The Liu Family is full of loyal martyrs. Do you want to use the grace left by your ancestors to save Li Fuzhou?¡± Taking a deep breath, Liu Huiyun said, ¡°Please, Your Honor, in consideration of my father and elder brother, perhaps you could spare Li Fuzhou¡¯s life. After all, he also has deep ties with my Liu family¡­¡± The white-browed eunuch¡¯s expression turned rather indifferent, ¡°If Li Fuzhou hadn¡¯t killed Commander Tang, sparing his life wouldn¡¯t be an issue, but¡­¡± If they let Li Fuzhou walk away so easily after he had killed the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, where would the face of the Xuanyi Guard and the Great Yan Court lie? After all, Li Fuzhou was a thief from the Demon Sect. Upon hearing this, Liu Huiyun took out a token from his bosom and presented it with both hands, ¡°This is the Heavenly Grace Token bestowed by the Human Emperor, please, Your Honor, have a look.¡± The Heavenly Grace Token was a token bestowed by the Great Yan Dynasty to those who had made significant contributions to the nation. In the hundreds of years since the founding of the Great Yan, only five Heavenly Grace Tokens had been issued. Those holding this token could net Heaven¡¯s mercy and escape death once. One of these tokens was awarded to the loyal Liu Family. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s brow furrowed immediately upon seeing the Heavenly Grace Token. This was a Heavenly Grace Token issued by his father. If he killed Li Fuzhou today, wouldn¡¯t that be like slapping himself in the face? The grace and majesty of the Great Yan Dynasty that had been built over hundreds of years would be utterly depleted, an event even worse than the killing of Tang Taiyuan. The white-browed eunuch glanced at the token and said with a heavy voice, ¡°Do you truly wish to save Li Fuzhou?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Liu Huiyun presented the token with both hands. ¡°Very well.¡± The white-browed eunuch reached out his hand and swept up the Heavenly Grace Token, then glanced behind An Jing at Tan Yun, ¡°Li Fuzhou might be spared from death, but his disciple cannot.¡± Suddenly, everyone¡¯s gaze turned towards Tan Yun. ¡°I¡­¡± Tan Yun, unaccustomed to such attention, found everyone¡¯s gaze converging on her and immediately panicked. Seeing this, Liu Huiyun quickly said, ¡°Your Honor¡­¡± ¡°A single Heavenly Grace Token can only save one life. Moreover, the Demon Sect is a taboo presence in our Great Yan,¡± The white-browed eunuch interrupted Liu Huiyun, his voice growing colder, ¡°The criminals of the Demon Sect who dare to intrude into Yujing City shall be killed without mercy!¡± ¡°Am I going to die today?¡± At this moment, Tan Yun¡¯s mind went blank, and she kept retreating backward, ¡°Am I to join my master in death? But I am still young, I haven¡¯t lived enough¡­¡± She naturally knew who the old eunuch before her was¨C he was the Chamberlain entrenched in the Royal Family, and if he decided to kill her, there were few in the world who could stop him. Just then, An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°Old eunuch, I saved Princess An Le¡¯s life; can that act exchange for this one?¡± Instantly, all eyes were once again on the cloaked man. Everyone understood, implicitly. The Ghost Swordsman had saved Princess An Le from the hands of Qi Shu. For the Yan Royal Family, that was a favor of immense significance, and the royal house had to consider giving some face. The white-browed eunuch looked at An Jing, ¡°Only one of you can leave Yujing City alive, choose one.¡± As the Ghost Swordsman had interfered with the Court¡¯s arrest of Demon Sect criminals today, technically speaking, he could be considered an accomplice of the Demon Sect and sentenced to death; he himself was hardly safe, so how could he protect someone else? The white-browed eunuch didn¡¯t wait for An Jing to reply and continued, ¡°Even if that mysterious Grandmaster arrives, unless he slaughters his way through Yujing City, none of you will escape.¡± ¡°Let it be known that I said this.¡± Saying so, he took a step forward. ¡°Boom¨C!¡± A powerful aura descended like mountains, pressing down on everyone around the Eight Feet Platform, with An Jing bearing the brunt of the pressure. His face changed color immediately, and he kept retreating. ¡°Such a terrifying white-browed eunuch.¡± As An Jing observed the deep imprints of his retreating steps in the stone slabs, it was evident just how formidable the white-browed eunuch¡¯s oppressive strength was. ¡°Truly a figure worthy of guarding the palace.¡± Zongzheng Yuan was shocked when he saw this, ¡°Such cultivation is at least that of a Four Qi Grandmaster, and perhaps even more. The Demon Sect is likely in trouble today.¡± No one in the world could possibly slaughter their way through Yujing City. Both in the open and in secret, who knows how many masters are hidden across the world. Just as An Jing stepped back seven or eight steps, a delicate jade hand steadied him. ¡°There¡¯s no need to say more, I already know your intentions.¡± Tan Yun said in a low voice, her head bowed, ¡°If someone really has to die, let it be me. My life, compared to yours, is ordinary. There¡¯s no need for you to be in danger. I feel that my life has been worthy.¡± In truth, she was innocent, not foolish; she knew many truths in her heart. As the saying goes ¡®Blue is made out of Indigo but is more vivid than it.¡¯ She knew her own measure; she could never achieve the accomplishments of her master Li Fuzhou or Zhao Qingmei. Compared to such people with supreme mindsets and talents, she was inconspicuous. Being a small person, with small desires and small satisfactions, is true happiness. So her thoughts were simple: to see warm eyes every day, to eat her fill, to occasionally enjoy tasty pastries, and to see the person she wanted to see before closing her eyes at night¨Cthat was her happiness. Life was already so tiring; why make it even harder for oneself? Upon reflection, she felt that her short life had indeed been happy and fulfilling. An Jing laughed and said, ¡°Do you realize this means death?¡± Tan Yun also chuckled lightly, ¡°I know, and dying might not be bad. Maybe I¡¯ll see your uncle there; I wonder if he has missed me.¡± At the end, Tan Yun lowered her head. An Jing instinctively touched the hairpin on Tan Yun¡¯s head, ¡°Once you¡¯re dead, there will be no more pastries to eat.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a glutton.¡± Tan Yun blushed, then said quietly, ¡°After I die, remember me, but don¡¯t seek revenge for me.¡± An Jing pinched Tan Yun¡¯s cheek, and then shouted toward another figure in the distance, ¡°Hey, chubby, where are you hiding and watching the show?¡± Hearing An Jing¡¯s shout, Lv Jingchun scampered out from among the crowd. Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, seeing that person, showed a hint of surprise, ¡°Lv Jingchun?¡± The grandson of Lv Guoyong, he certainly recognized him, but didn¡¯t have a strong impression. The Lv Sect was a family of considerable standing, a clan of scholars and officials. Disciples from such a family usually stood out as young talents or were notorious for their extravagant ways, but Lv Jingchun was neither; the best description for him was ¡®mediocre.¡¯ ¡°Lord¡­ Lord,¡± Lv Jingchun, trembling, approached the eunuch with white eyebrows. The white-browed eunuch said indifferently, ¡°Jingchun, stand over there for now, let Grandfather Fan finish killing, then we can talk.¡± As he said this, the white-browed eunuch did not give Lv Jingchun a chance to speak. Just as the latter was about to step forward, he felt as if millions of pounds weighed on his shoulders. It¡¯s coming! Feeling the pressure, the white-browed eunuch sighed to himself. ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­¡± Suddenly, a light cough echoed. Following the sound, an old man with a full head of silver hair, bent back, was seen standing in the distance. All the masters present had not noticed the old man quietly approaching the area around the Eight Feet Platform. ¡°Lord Lv!¡± Zhao Chongyin, Gao Sheng, Zhong Binru, and others all bowed in greeting. The elderly man was none other than the Grand Secretary of three dynasties, and the foremost figure of the Scholar Sect, Lv Guoyong. ¡°Grandfather.¡± Lv Jingchun¡¯s face lit with joy, and he ran over like a wild boar breaking free, ¡°You¡¯ve finally arrived.¡± When would the Lv Sect ever leave important matters to him, Lv Jingchun!? Li Fuzhou, below the Qi Mechanism Tower, revealed a hint of a smile, as if everything was within his expectations. Lv Guoyong moved very slowly, and everyone in the area remained silent, quietly watching the old figure advancing. Lv Guoyong finally approached Tan Yun and spoke softly, ¡°Fan Daoji, you want to kill my granddaughter. Did you ask me, Lv Guoyong, first?¡± The voice of Lv Guoyong was neither loud nor soft, and even carried a hint of hoarseness. Whoosh! The moment his words fell, the entire area was abuzz. Everyone stared in astonishment at the disciple brought by Li Fuzhou, their hearts stirring like tumultuous waves. ¡°What! That woman is Lv Guoyong¡¯s granddaughter!?¡± Dai Danshu exclaimed in shock. No one would have thought that Li Fuzhou¡¯s disciple was actually the granddaughter of Lv Guoyong. After all, Lv Guoyong was the Grand Secretary throughout three reigns, a pillar of Great Yan. And his granddaughter was a master from the Demon Sect? ¡°Interesting.¡± Zongzheng Yuan couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter upon witnessing the scene. Zhao Chongyin blinked, his brows furrowed, as the woman before him was Lv Guoyong¡¯s granddaughter¨Cyet Meng Zhaodou had not informed him of such important news. Since the Human Emperor had ceased to deal with the political affairs, the Heaven and Earth Net could be said to be temporarily under his control. By reason, such intelligence should not have escaped their investigation. Could there be other secrets involved? Even though Tan Yun had somewhat guessed at some of this, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a tremor in his heart upon hearing Lv Guoyong himself announcing it. The eunuch with white eyebrows revealed a bitter smile upon seeing this, ¡°Brother Lv¡­.¡± Lv Guoyong said indifferently, ¡°Do you still want to kill?¡± The expression of the eunuch with white eyebrows changed, and after glancing around, he said, ¡°Who dares to kill Brother Lv¡¯s granddaughter is making an enemy of me, Fan Daoji!¡± His expression changed rapidly, as if the person who had spoken of killing was not him at all. A true master is not only quick to strike but also quick to change faces. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Guoyong nodded, then looked up at the Crown Prince, ¡°Your Highness, may I take my granddaughter home today without issue?¡± Zhao Chongyin quickly stood up, saying, ¡°Of course, Elder Lv, please.¡± With the eunuch speaking like that, how could he dare to stop them? Lv Guoyong nodded, then glanced at Mr. Su behind Zhao Chongyin. Both men exchanged a look and then shifted their gaze away. ¡°Brother Lv, go ahead and take your granddaughter home.¡± The eunuch spoke slowly, ¡°However, this Li Fuzhou of the Demon Sect cannot go.¡± Liu Huiyun hastily interjected, ¡°I have the Heavenly Grace Token, why not?¡± The eunuch replied indifferently, ¡°Li Fuzhou can escape death, but he cannot escape punishment. I will not pursue his murder of Tang Taiyuan, but as a Sect Master of the Demon Sect, he killed many experts of Great Yan. There¡¯s solid evidence.¡± ¡°Your Heavenly Grace Token only ensures he won¡¯t die.¡± Liu Huiyun¡¯s mouth opened, and his heart immediately sank. Li Fuzhou laughed aloud, saying, ¡°Huiyun, no need for more words, I won¡¯t die anyway.¡± An Jing observed the scene, deep in thought. Li Fuzhou certainly couldn¡¯t leave Yujing City now. Firstly, the Great Yan Court would never allow the Demon Sect to gain such a powerful master. The principle of ¡®preventing future troubles by not allowing a tiger back to the mountain¡¯ was understood by all, and secondly, Li Fuzhou¡¯s remarkable actions at Eight Feet Platform, where he killed the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s Great Commander, had shocked the entire realm. If the Great Yan Court remained unresponsive, its authority would surely plummet. In the current situation of encirclement, even if Great Yan was truly corrupt, Lv Guoyong still had to uphold this grand tree, under which countless commoners of Great Yan resided. Lv Guoyong asked, ¡°How do you plan to deal with him?¡± The eunuch replied, ¡°Send him to the ninth level of the Heavenly Prison, to await the personal judgment of the Human Emperor.¡± Lv Guoyong fell silent, no longer speaking. ¡°Brother Lv, I will take my leave first.¡± The eunuch took a deep breath, bowed to Lv Guoyong, and then leaped over to Li Fuzhou¡¯s side. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Li Fuzhou looked serene, casting a reassuring glance at Tan Yun. The little girl who used to cry at the bedside had grown up indeed. ¡°Huiyun, remember to visit me.¡± Li Fuzhou said to Liu Huiyun, then followed the eunuch towards the distance. His figure faded calmly, as if strolling in a leisurely garden. Just like back then, when he roamed out of Yujing City alone, carefree and unrestrained. All eyes followed Li Fuzhou¡¯s figure, filled with mixed emotions. Some considered him a severe problem they wanted to eliminate, some viewed him as a legendary figure, some awaited his downfalls to ridicule, while others had already turned his stories into baffling legends. This was Li Fuzhou. ¡°Master!¡± Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but call out, looking at Li Fuzhou¡¯s retreating figure. Liu Huiyun sighed and patted Tan Yun¡¯s shoulder. An Jing shook his head, knowing in his heart that with Li Fuzhou unharmed, it was already the best outcome. This game was an exchange, but the price Li Fuzhou paid was extremely small. He spared Tang Taiyuan and outwitted his own teacher Lv Guoyong and even the Human Emperor. ¡°Let¡¯s head back,¡± said Lv Guoyong in a low voice. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Just then, a cold voice rang out. The speaker was none other than the Sword Chamberlain, Zhong Binru. Liu Huiyun coldly said, ¡°What else do you want?¡± Zhong Binru looked at An Jing and said, ¡°Sir, our contest is not yet over; I have not unleashed my Sixth Sword.¡± The crowd that was ready to disperse paused at these words. Zhong Binru touched the Emperor¡¯s Sword in his hand and said, ¡°This sword can slay a Grandmaster of the same realm; even I cannot control it. Do you have the courage to try it?¡± Upon hearing this, murmurs immediately filled the surroundings. ¡°Could it be that this Zhong Binru is talking about the Sixth Sword of the Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords?¡± ¡°This Sword might even claim the life of a Four Qi Grandmaster.¡± ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is only a Half-step Master. Can he withstand this sword?¡± ¡°Only a fool would agree to this.¡± ¡­¡­. No one believed the Ghost Swordsman would agree, for as a Half-step Master, to battle a Four Qi Grandmaster for so long without defeat was already incredibly impressive. If he really wanted to contest, he could simply wait until he breaks through his limitations and achieves the Grandmaster Realm. Upon hearing Zhong Binru¡¯s words, Tan Yun hastily said, ¡°You, a Four Qi Grandmaster, challenge a Half-step Master. Don¡¯t you feel ashamed?¡± Qiu Lun, pinching his nose amidst the crowd, reminded, ¡°Big brother, that¡¯s the Sixth Sword of the Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords, capable of killing a Grandmaster.¡± The Sixth Sword of the Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords was terrifying, especially since Zhong Binru¡¯s cultivation was above that of An Jing. Lin Yiyang looked at An Jing and whispered, ¡°He has no way to retreat.¡± Zhong Binru, challenging him in front of everyone, if refused, the crowd might not say much, but it would still be a blow to the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Sword Dao. A sword neither bends nor breaks! He didn¡¯t understand the Ghost Swordsman, but he understood swordsmen. An Jing glanced at the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand and said, ¡°Very well, I shall experience this Sixth Sword.¡± Tan Yun, standing by his side, was very anxious. She wanted to stop him but didn¡¯t know how to say it, especially after Zhong Binru¡¯s statement that the sword could kill a Grandmaster, which greatly alarmed her. ¡°Let him go,¡± said Lv Guoyong indifferently. ¡°I¡¯m putting my word here, Uncle Ghost won¡¯t lose,¡± boasted Lv Jingchun, looking up confidently. He had full confidence in the Ghost Swordsman, just as much as he believed in himself. Tan Yun fiercely glared at Lv Jingchun. This little fatty didn¡¯t understand anything. Zhong Binru¡¯s lips curved slightly upwards, ¡°Good, I shall not disappoint.¡± The battle between An Jing and Zhong Binru was highly compelling, as after Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s disappearance, the only swordsmen capable of competing for the title of the world¡¯s best were the Ghost Swordsman, Zhong Binru, and Lin Yiyang. Among them, Zhong Binru and Lin Yiyang were the most talked about since they were young and both at the Grandmaster Realm, with promising futures ahead. The Ghost Swordsman had always been mysterious. Nobody knew his exact age, and his cultivation had yet to reach the Grandmaster Realm. He was only able to compete with these two because he had recently gained tremendous fame from pursuing Qi Shu. Many experts present had also observed the earlier duel between the two. An Jing¡¯s swordsmanship was not as flamboyant as Zhong Binru¡¯s, nor as fiercely lethal, but his technique was peculiarly variable, making it difficult for others to predict. One might say, the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s swordsmanship had discarded the unnecessary and retained only the purest essence. His Sword Dao was unlike any other. ¡°The Sixth Sword is indeed capable of slaying those at the Grandmaster Realm and to think it is paired with the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s Sword,¡± Zuo Biwen said, gazing at the Emperor¡¯s Sword in Zhong Binru¡¯s hand, his expression extremely grave. ¡°Could the Ghost Swordsman possibly die under this sword?¡± suddenly asked Ling Yuanjing. He Chen also looked slightly startled. If the Ghost Swordsman were to die, then the ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture¡± would be thoroughly severed from its lineage. While the two pondered, Zhong Binru¡¯s figure swiftly shot forward, moving so fast that he was invisible to the naked eye, seemingly like an aurora piercing through the endless void, lunging toward An Jing. The two were among the top swordsmen of their time, their sword skills having reached the realm where they could do whatever they wished, a realm that was considered the ultimate Heart Sword Realm in the eyes of ordinary people. There was no sword in his hand, but there was one in his heart. Zhong Binru¡¯s eyes were filled with endless murderous intent, and with a swing of the Emperor¡¯s Sword in his hand, the sky turned gloomy as if doomsday had arrived. ¡°What¡¯s happening? This feeling is so oppressive.¡± Everyone felt their hearts tremble and looked up in astonishment at the dark sky. Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords! Starlight! The sword light merged with the starlight, and his entire being exuded an extremely ¡°Dangerous!¡± Jia Shiwu¡¯s hair stood on end, his eyes unblinking. ¡°This sword is terrifying.¡± As a fellow swordsman, Qiu Wanxia¡¯s heart almost stopped, overwhelmed by the might of this sword. If she were under this sword, she would undoubtedly be defeated. Lin Yiyang raised his head, his eyes fixed on the sky, but in his heart, he wished he could replace An Jing and battle Zhong Binru. He wanted to see if his Yu Heng Unrivaled Sword could contend with Zhong Binru¡¯s Life-taking Seven Immortal Swords. ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± Zhong Binru thrust the Emperor¡¯s Sword forward. In that moment, the Emperor¡¯s Sword burst forth with a light like exploding stars, dazzling to the extreme, blinding to the extreme. Suddenly, the heavens and earth turned much darker. Everyone looked up in shock to see the sky had turned pitch black, as if a great force was brewing within, making it hard for them to even breathe. And the Ghost Swordsman stepped forward. If behind Zhong Binru there was a sky full of starlight, then behind the Ghost Swordsman there was a vast galaxy. Both were at the Heart Sword Realm, but there was a fundamental difference between the two. An Jing silently chanted the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, burning all the inner strength within his body. His Evil Suppressing Sword transformed into a huge sword that surged forward, pierceing through the galaxy. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Control Flying Immortal! Boom! The giant sword swept across the sky, cracking the heavens and earth. This sword instantly made Zhong Binru¡¯s expression change dramatically, even the esteemed Elder Su¡¯s expression became extremely solemn. An Jing¡¯s sword contained a truth of the great way that was not the slightest bit weaker than Li Fuzhou¡¯s Heavenly Human Communication? ¡°Such a vast sword dao¡­¡± Upon seeing this, Lin Yiyang¡¯s face rarely showed a change. Among those present, no one knew better than him the terror of the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s sword dao. The entire heaven and earth seemed to tremble at that moment. The sky was filled with wild thunder and the sound of thunder reverberated through the heavens and the earth. An Jing¡¯s sword had reached a level of might that even he had not anticipated. The sword light cut across the heavens and earth, heading towards the starlight. Boom! And just as the pattern of stars had just formed, the unstoppable punch from Wu Qiren exploded forth, striking heavily upon the star pattern without any hesitation. The collision was like a meteor striking the earth, and in that instant, time itself seemed to freeze, followed by an earth-shaking explosion that reverberated through the void. Above the sky, visible waves of Qi swept through, eventually reaching several yards away, turning the entire Eight Feet Platform upside down. The wave of Qi force surged from the point of impact. Countless people squinted, their eyes pained by the intense light, but they still did not take their eyes off the point of impact. Such a staggering clash of sword qi was earth-shattering. Thump! And as countless eyes watched, the rampaging wave of Qi in the sky suddenly exploded, spreading a terrifying shockwave, and then, those watching narrowed their eyes. Zhong Binru was the first to appear, his body covered in blood, his clothes turned into a blood-soaked garment, with the Emperor¡¯s Sword in his hand still trembling. But even so, he did not let go of the handle. ¡°Your sword dao has won¡­¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhong Binru looked at An Jing opposite him, and after a long time, he finally spoke. As the dust in front settled, the Ghost Swordsman, clad in a black robe and holding the Evil Suppressing Sword, stood amidst it, his robe fluttering with the breeze, standing unmovable like a green mountain. ¡°Wow!¡± Just then, a vast wave of sword qi surged from afar, clearing the clouds above thoroughly clean. Everyone turned their gaze towards it. Chapter 191 - Chapter 191: Chapter 191 The Demon Sect Sect Hierarch Condenses the Demon Seed Chapter 191: Chapter 191 The Demon Sect Sect Hierarch Condenses the Demon Seed ¡°Swoosh!¡± Just then, a magnificent Sword Qi soared straight into the sky, instantly drawing everyone¡¯s attention. This Sword Qi was peerlessly sharp, piercing the heavens, making everyone present feel a chill in their hearts. ¡°It¡¯s Sect Master Lin!¡± Someone exclaimed in a low voice. All the experts present turned their eyes towards Lin Yiyang, each one of them deeply shaken. At this moment, Lin Yiyang was emitting Sword Qi all around his body, which faded into obscurity within a radius of one zhang, as if protected by some unfathomable charm. Gao Sheng frowned deeply, thinking to himself, ¡°Could it be that he has reached the Sixth Realm?¡± The Sixth Realm was almost equivalent to the status of the foremost swordsman in Jianghu. The only swordsman in the Great Yan Martial World who had reached the Sixth Realm was Lou Xiangzhen, but he had disappeared. In an instant, all eyes were fixed on Lin Yiyang. ¡°Such a profound Sword Dao.¡± After a long while, Lin Yiyang withdrew his gaze and looked towards the cloaked Ghost Swordsman in the distance. Their eyes met in mid-air. An Jing¡¯s eyes showed no ripples or wavering, but Lin Yiyang felt an overwhelming surge in his heart. After a long silence, Lin Yiyang suppressed the Sword Qi within him and bowed towards Zhao Chongyin above, ¡°Your Highness, Crown Prince, I have urgent matters to attend to and must take my leave.¡± After speaking, he paid no attention to the gazes of the crowd around him and walked away into the distance. Qiu Wanxia also gave An Jing a deep look and quickly followed behind Lin Yiyang. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s face showed no emotion, and no one knew whether he felt joy or sorrow in his heart. Watching the two figures departing, Lv Guoyong said softly, ¡°He was able to reach the Sixth Realm not only because of his innate talent but also with support from behind; perhaps you had half the credit for that.¡± Behind the Ghost Swordsman was the Peach Blossom Sword Immortal, Lou Xiangzhen, while Lin Yiyang had the support of the Ancestor Hall from the Yu Heng Sword Sect. He had been half a step away from reaching the Sixth Realm, but now he had taken that final step. The key was not watching the duel between the two great Sword Immortals but grasping something from An Jing¡¯s Sword Dao displayed in the Sword Control Flying Immortal move just now. That vast and overwhelmingly powerful Sword Dao, even just grasping a hint of it, was enough to make his heart palpitate. The Sword Dao of a swordsman comes from their understanding of the Sword Dao, as well as their life experiences, their readings, and their expression of the world¡¯s Dao. Lv Guoyong might not understand the Sword Dao, but from that artistic conception, he knew that this young man¡¯s understanding of Sword Dao was far beyond that of other swordsmen. At the same time, it also restricted him. ¡°Perhaps so.¡± An Jing¡¯s hands trembled as he sheathed the Evil Suppressing Sword, his voice also slightly weakened. At this moment, his mind was clear and empty, not just because of the injury from the duel with Zhong Binru but also due to the backlash from the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Tan Yun asked the Ghost Swordsman in front of him in a low voice. An Jing shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Bent over, Lv Guoyong turned and walked away. Seeing An Jing and the others leave, Gao Sheng also quickly went away with Zhong Binru. Ling Yuanjing took a deep breath, frowning, ¡°Lin Yiyang has truly reached the Sixth Realm.¡± He Chen nodded silently without a word. Originally, everyone was excited to see the duel between the two great swordsmen, especially the Ghost Swordsman defeating Zhong Binru, who wielded the Emperor¡¯s Sword. Many even thought the Ghost Swordsman would become the world¡¯s foremost swordsman at the Eight Feet Platform today. Unexpectedly, Lin Yiyang suddenly had an epiphany and took that final step, reaching the Sixth Realm directly. This move stole the limelight from the Ghost Swordsman. Around the Eight Feet Platform, many experts sighed and gradually dispersed. ¡­.. The news from the Eight Feet Platform spread throughout the Great Yan Martial World like wildfire. A red sun slowly sank to the west, its setting rays casting a soft glow on a quiet courtyard in Yujing City. A maid with a broom in her hand was carefully sweeping the dust off the ground. Her movements were efficient, without any superfluous action, as if even sweeping had become an elegant and meticulous task in her hands. ¡°Creak¨C!¡± Just then, the courtyard door opened, and an elderly man with white hair, dressed in black, walked in slowly. The old man was very thin, with deep wrinkles on his neck and age spots spreading across his face. His black clothes were nearly washed white, and in his hand, he carried an ancient, weathered longsword. Everything about him appeared aged, except for his eyes, which were as bright as ever. ¡°Old Hao, you¡¯re back.¡± Seeing the elder, the maid quickly approached him with a respectful demeanor. ¡°I¡¯m back,¡± replied the elder with a nod. The maid asked in a low voice, ¡°Did you find the person you were looking for, Old Hao?¡± Earlier that day, when the clouds in the sky dispersed suddenly, and a chill swept through, Old Hao had said he was going out to look for someone and had only now returned. The elder shook his head, ¡°He left quickly, but it doesn¡¯t matter. There will come a day when we meet again.¡± As if remembering something, the maid took out a letter from her chest, ¡°Right, shortly after you left, Old Hao, someone delivered this letter.¡± The black-clad elder took the maid¡¯s letter, then tore it open. On the glimmering white paper were only four bold characters, yet they contained endless murderous intent. The elder grasped the letter and, in an instant, it turned into a pile of powder and dissipated into the earth and sky, his lips curling into a faint smile. The maid asked, ¡°Elder Hao, is there something that brings you joy?¡± ¡°A smile does not necessarily mean happiness.¡± With that, the elder stood and walked towards the inside of the house. The maid, watching the elder¡¯s retreating back, felt a chill deep within her. She had been following the elder for two or three years, and despite her cleverness, she could never see through his thoughts, finding his heart as inscrutable as the starry sky above. You can see it, but you cannot fathom it. ¡­¡­. Yujing City, Lv Mansion. An Jing sat cross-legged in the courtyard, enjoying the vastness of the world ever since he reached the state of Body and Mind Unity. He felt he was only a step away from the Sixth Realm, but he had yet to take it. If others faced a mountain as a barrier, An Jing faced a sky; he had to ascend to traverse it. Once he crossed that sky, a different realm lay ahead. Suddenly, An Jing opened his eyes and looked towards the gate. Soon after, two figures walked in at a leisurely pace. It was Zhou Xianming and Lv Jingchun. Lv Jingchun, full of enthusiasm, said, ¡°Uncle Ghost, how is your recovery going?¡± An Jing replied indifferently, ¡°It will take a few days to heal.¡± His injuries were severe, and coupled with the backlash from the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, he needed time to recover. Lv Jingchun¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement as he said, ¡°Uncle Ghost, then during this time, could you teach me some swordsmanship?¡± Zhou Xianming shook his head, knowing Lv Jingchun¡¯s enthusiasm could be inconsistent¨Chot today, cold tomorrow, whether it was studying or anything else. His current passion for swordsmanship might soon be abandoned. An Jing waved his hand, ¡°We can talk about that later. I¡¯m planning to leave tomorrow.¡± He originally came to Yujing City to check on the top three duelists and to find someone from the Demon Sect to learn Qingmei¡¯s whereabouts. Now that he had met the top three and learned where Qingmei was, what reason did he have to linger in Yujing City? Lv Jingchun was taken aback, ¡°Uncle Ghost, your injuries haven¡¯t healed¡­¡± Zhou Xianming also frowned, ¡°Indeed, won¡¯t you stay at the Lv Mansion to recuperate for a few more days?¡± The Ghost Swordsman had many backers yet just as many enemies, between the distant Houjin and Zhao Country, not to mention the looming threat of the Zhenyi Sect from Great Yan. Now with injuries, was he really not afraid? ¡°No need, the injuries are not that significant.¡± An Jing waved his hand again and looked towards Lv Jingchun, ¡°How is Tan Yun doing?¡± Lv Jingchun said, ¡°She¡¯s been crying in her room, claiming her master is doomed. She even talked about taking Li Fuzhou¡¯s ashes back to the Demon Sect. Eventually, she cried herself to sleep¡­¡± Upon hearing about the Demon Sect, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but think of his own wife Zhao Qingmei. Looking back, Zhao Qingmei was also a victim, holding in her hands an Exotic Treasure and supreme martial arts of the Demon Sect, constantly being hounded by its experts, and now trapped within the Sect¡¯s secret grounds. The Demon Sect had lost the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture for a thousand years. Should they reclaim such martial arts, their strength would undoubtedly increase significantly. ¡°No wonder Zhao Chongyin said the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect had great ambition in his youth. Indeed, this Sect Hierarch¡¯s ambition is immense.¡± Thinking this, An Jing wished he could immediately storm into the Demon Sect and kill the Sect Hierarch, Jiang Renyi. He had let his thoughts run wild so many times before, but really, where was there so much right and wrong to ponder? Charging into the Demon Sect could never be a mistake. As An Jing mused, Zhou Xianming laughed, ¡°Predecessor, you and my friend really are alike.¡± An Jing solemnly replied, ¡°He is also my friend.¡± Zhou Xianming said wistfully, ¡°Yes, he was a ¡®very good¡¯ friend.¡± Just thinking that he would never see that person again made him feel somewhat complicated inside. An Jing glanced at Zhou Xianming, ¡°The palace exam is coming up soon, right?¡± By now, he was quite familiar with Zhou Xianming¡¯s circumstances: a deep rift between the Royal Family and the Lv Sect, with the Human Emperor deeply wary of the latter¡¯s growth and unlikely to sit by as the Lv Sect grew stronger. If Zhou Xianming didn¡¯t marry the Princess, his peaceful dreams and aspirations might be crushed. After all, a man must do something, especially someone like Zhou Xianming who had spent half his life studying. Marrying the Princess promised a boundless future, perhaps even achieving greatness equal to the likes of Lv Guoyong. But without such a marriage, he was bound to face unprecedented suppression in court. Even someone as remarkable as Li Fuzhou had been forced to leave Yujing City. The strife of those in power has always been so. There¡¯s no bloodshed to be seen, but it¡¯s more turbulent and intense than any sword fight or battleground. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s drawing near,¡± Zhou Xianming sighed deeply. The closer the palace exam approached, the more it felt like a death sentence, and even Zhou Xianming was beside himself with worry. An Jing did not speak; after all, his own situation was a mess. How could he advise others? Zhou Xianming was smart; he knew what choice to make and what the outcomes of his choices would be. ¡°Cough cough cough¡­..¡± Just then, a coughing sound came from outside the door. Lv Guoyong, leaning on the doorframe with a hunched back, made his way into the courtyard. ¡°Teacher!¡± ¡°Grandfather.¡± Zhou Xianming and Lv Jingchun both quickly got up to pay their respects. ¡°Elder Lv.¡± An Jing also cupped his hands in greeting. With a light laugh, Lv Jingchun said, ¡°Ready to leave?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Yes, I was planning to ask for Elder Lv¡¯s permission to leave tomorrow morning.¡± An Jing held a deep respect for the elder Lv Guoyong before him. Lv Guoyong nodded slightly and then turned towards the other two, ¡°Xianming, Jing Chun, it¡¯s time for you to read.¡± ¡°Teacher (Grandfather), then we will go back to our reading.¡± Zhou Xianming and Lv Jingchun, understanding the hint, cupped their fists towards An Jing and quickly left the courtyard. Slowly sitting down, Lv Jingchun said, ¡°I¡¯m old, my body no longer serves me well, not like you martial artists whose bodies remain sturdy even at the age of a hundred.¡± An Jing also sat down and said, ¡°Elder Lv is strong at heart, no less than those martial Grandmasters.¡± ¡°You do have a way with words.¡± At this, Lv Jingchun laughed and asked, ¡°Do you know what is currently being widely talked about in the streets and alleys?¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°I do not.¡± Lv Jingchun¡¯s turbid eyes turned towards An Jing, ¡°Some say that since Lou Xiangzhen has disappeared without a trace, Lin Yiyang, having reached the Sixth Realm, is now the world¡¯s first swordsman.¡± The definite outcome of Li Fuzhou¡¯s slaying of Tang Taiyuan on the Eight Feet Platform has caused a huge stir, another hot topic being Lin Yiyang¡¯s advancement to the Sixth Realm. Originally, after the duel between the Ghost Swordsman and Zhong Binru, with one Sword Immortal after another falling to him, the Ghost Swordsman was indisputably the top swordsman, unrivaled at the time. But unexpectedly, Lin Yiyang, as an observer, directly reached the Sixth Realm. His rise instantly overshadowed the Ghost Swordsman, becoming many people¡¯s ¡®in name and in fact¡¯ world¡¯s first swordsman. After all, Lou Xiangzhen had vanished completely after the battle at Abyss Lake, disappearing from the world, with rumors already spreading that he had died. An Jing looked up and laughed, ¡°Let Sect Master Lin keep that title of the world¡¯s first swordsman.¡± Seeing the young man before him, Lv Jingchun¡¯s smile deepened. It should be known that this great renown was originally that of the Ghost Swordsman, but today he had entirely made way for Lin Yiyang. It¡¯s not just for someone as full of vigor as him, but any Jianghu swordsman would likely be somewhat dissatisfied. Lv Jingchun asked, ¡°Do you truly not care at all?¡± ¡°Does Elder Lv want to hear the truth?¡± ¡°Of course, the truth.¡± ¡°I care, but I cannot hold down such a title. Besides, today¡¯s event is actually a good thing for me,¡± An Jing said, and he really thought so. He originally went to the Eight Feet Platform just to watch Li Fuzhou and had no intention of fighting for the title of the world¡¯s first swordsman. Also, rumors of him challenging Lin Yiyang were everywhere in Jianghu, but he never responded to them. Firstly, his restrictions from the Earth Book were still in place, so attracting too much attention might lead to exposure. Secondly, the title of the world¡¯s first swordsman is not an easy one to hold. There is no first in literature, no second in martial arts; the heights are cold. To sit in such an exalted position naturally brings endless troubles. Thirdly, An Jing deeply knew that with his current strength, he was far from deserving of the title of the world¡¯s first swordsman. After all, with such a title, comes even more trouble. Can Lin Yiyang hold it down? Without relying on the prestige of the Ancestor Hall behind him, it would be extremely difficult to maintain the title of the world¡¯s first swordsman. ¡°Hahaha,¡± laughed Lv Guoyong, looking at the man in the black robe, ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Too young, this swordsman before him was just too young, yet it was unexpected that someone so young would have such an open-minded nature. He knew how to sheathe his sharpness. For a swordsman, the most difficult thing isn¡¯t revealing his sharpness, but knowing when to properly conceal it. Yan Gang died at An Jing¡¯s hands for failing to do so. Otherwise, with Yan Gang¡¯s potential, he had a great chance of reaching the Sixth Realm someday. Lin Yiyang was similar, not entirely concealing his sharpness; he was just much smarter than Yan Gang, not easily testing others. Among today¡¯s publicly recognized swordsmen, the only one who truly could hold the title of the world¡¯s first swordsman was Lou Xiangzhen. Lou Xiangzhen had risen and fallen for several decades before reaching the Sixth Realm, and Li Fuzhou had also consolidated day and night to achieve the feat of slaying Tang Taiyuan on the Eight Feet Platform. One must keep the depth in the heart, not on the lips. Lv Guoyong looked at An Jing as if seeing a peerless weapon before him, knowing that once it was unsheathed, it would shine brilliantly. Only then would the world realize that this so-called world¡¯s first swordsman was nothing special. Looking intently at An Jing, Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Do you know what I am thinking right now?¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°Who in this world can guess the thoughts of Elder Lv?¡± Lv Guoyong said softly, ¡°I am thinking about how to keep you here in the Lv Sect.¡± ¡°I believe Elder Lv is jesting,¡± An Jing replied. ¡°` ¡°No, I¡¯m quite serious,¡± ¡°What method does Elder Lv plan on using?¡± ¡°Throughout history, the beauty trap has always been an almost invincible tactic against heroes.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a pity, for I am no hero.¡± Both individuals exchanged a glance and subsequently erupted into laughter. ¡­.. Dongluo Pass, Sealing Demon Well. In the dim and shadowy stone cave, darkness abounded. Nan Weiping sat cross-legged on the ground, looking at her hands as dry as tree bark, ¡°The river of time has swept away the splendor of youth, leaving behind only a body scarred deeply by the years, and a heart¡­¡± ¡°Sealing Demon Well, madness-inducing well¡­¡± As she spoke, a tinge of blood red surfaced in Nan Weiping¡¯s eyes, her fingers digging fiercely into her flesh, drawing blood that trickled down from her fingernails. Outside the cave, an inexplicable surge of Qi swirled tumultuously. Zhao Qingmei sat cross-legged by the cavern, surrounded by swirling black Qi that seemed to want to devour her whole. Within her, strands of black True Qi revolved around her Dantian. The True Qi was gloomy and glossy, exuding an air of enigma and mystique. The next moment, the swirling black Qi began to emit sounds, each distinct, as though encompassing all mannerisms of creation within heaven and earth. But upon closer examination, one could see that each was still the same person. The Realm of Myriad Forms! Zhao Qingmei had emerged from the Seventh Layer; her face had assumed myriad forms, too intricate for ordinary people to discern. Nevertheless, ultimately, these forms were all her own, not truly reaching Heavenly Demon Myriad Forms. Now, with the countless insights from the predecessors of the Demon Sect within the Sealing Demon Well and the careful guidance of Nan Weiping, her cultivation was advancing by leaps and bounds. ¡°Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Dantian suddenly generated a spiral force, beginning to furiously absorb the black True Qi around her body. In just tens of breaths, the surrounding black Qi was all drawn into her Dantian. Her Dantian swelled with such immense currents of True Qi, roiling tumultuously as if heralding a volcanic eruption. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± Almost in the blink of an eye, the Dantian burst open, and the sea of True Qi shook wildly, surging towards the limbs and all the nexus points in the body. With the sudden backflow of True Qi, the Qi mechanism within her body also began to rise dramatically. Behind Zhao Qingmei, a black silhouette slowly emerged, aged and vast. As the Heavenly Demon surfaced, all forms ceased to converge into one, seemingly becoming a single, controllable face. Zhao Qingmei slowly opened her eyes, a black light emerging within her gaze, ¡°Just one more step, and I will reach the Eighth Layer.¡± Although she had not yet fully reached the Eighth Layer, her cultivation had already attained the peak realm of One Qi, and Second Qi didn¡¯t seem so far away either. Zhao Qingmei stood up and walked into the cave. ¡°Have you reached the state of Myriad Forms Heartless?¡± Nan Weiping took a careful look at Zhao Qingmei who walked in, instantly noticing something. She could no longer see through the realm within Zhao Qingmei, which meant she had reached the state of Myriad Forms Heartless. Every form was her, yet at the same time, none of them were. This state, profound and elusive, was known only to those who had reached it personally. Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and asked directly, ¡°Senior, how long will it take to condense the Demon Seed?¡± Having reached the state of Myriad Forms Heartless as mentioned by Nan Weiping, she was just short of condensing the Demon Seed to enter the Eighth Layer. To condense the Demon Seed is to nurture a Qi mechanism seed in the Dantian, and this seed is the Demon Seed. To ascend to the Ninth Layer of the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, one must rely on the infinite Qi derived from this Demon Seed. Condensing the Demon Seed is not difficult. A gleam flashed in Nan Weiping¡¯s eyes, ¡°With my help, it would take as little as two days, or at most three days. According to the passage of time outside, this equates to roughly six to nine days.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded, light flickering in her eyes, ¡°So it means I can leave this place in about seven to ten days?¡± Nan Weiping affirmed earnestly, ¡°Indeed, but let me warn you beforehand, condensing the Demon Seed is not without danger. If you face backlash when breaking through to the Ninth Layer, those with a weak heart may stray into the path of evil¡­¡± The Demon Seed could bring about tremendous opportunities as well as infinite calamities. This is the essence of the Demon Sect¡¯s martial arts; while offering rapid growth, it also carries great risks. Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°Senior, rest assured, I am aware of the risks.¡± ¡°Very well, let¡¯s begin,¡± Nan Weiping nodded. There was no need to worry about Zhao Qingmei¡¯s temperament; barring any major unforeseen circumstances, controlling the Demon Seed should be well within her grasp. Zhao Qingmei then sat down cross-legged with her back to Nan Weiping. With a flick of her finger, Nan Weiping sent a stream of black Qi surging forward, striking Zhao Qingmei¡¯s back firmly. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At once, True Qi in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Dantian gathered again. The swirling black Qi compressed into one another, forming a tiny black dot. Though just a tiny speck, the dot radiated an awe-inspiring might. The Demon Seed was taking shape. ¡­.. ¡°` Chapter 192 - Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Flattening the Demon Sect and Assisting the Buddhist Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Flattening the Demon Sect and Assisting the Buddhist Yujing City, Dragon Spring Temple. Dragon Spring Temple was also a millennium-old monastery. However, compared to the well-preserved Fa Xi Temple, Dragon Spring Temple seemed somewhat fragmented and dilapidated. Before Great Yan unified the realm, Dragon Spring Temple was burnt to the ground by the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect at that time. There had been some rebuilding and refurbishing, but it was indeed a shadow of its former glorious self. Two years ago, the Human Emperor ordered Yue Tingchen, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, to spend a fortune on renovating Dragon Spring Temple, which restored its antique appearance somewhat. Additionally, with the resurgence of Buddhism this year, the entire Great Yan Dynasty seemed to have ignited a fervor for offering incense and revering the Buddha, making Dragon Spring Temple much more lively. At this moment, the temple gate was bustling with people. Among them were young ladies from noble families seeking marital connections, scholars praying for their future, and women wishing for peace and prosperity. In the Grand Hall, there stood a man in a black robe. The man stood in the corner, inconspicuous as people passed by without noticing him, his ancient longsword hidden within his robe. At that moment, he was looking up at the Buddha statues above the Grand Hall. The eight-feet-tall sandalwood Buddha statue stood majestically. Its left hand drooped down forming the ¡°Wish-granting Seal,¡± symbolizing the fulfillment of all beings¡¯ desires, while its right hand curved up, forming the ¡°Fearless Seal,¡± signifying the removal of all beings¡¯ suffering. People continuously kneeled on the mats, kowtowing earnestly to the Buddha statues, their lips moving in prayer. The man in the black robe was An Jing, who, after leaving the Lv Sect, remembered the appointment with the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva and thus came to this ancient temple, Dragon Spring Temple. ¡°This honored guest, please come this way.¡± Just then, a monk slowly approached An Jing and said. An Jing nodded and followed the monk towards the back of the Grand Hall. They passed through a long corridor and up some steps to reach a side hall of the Grand Hall. This side hall was already sealed off and not accessible to ordinary folk. Inside the hall stood several Buddha statues, all with fierce expressions and eyes that seemed to blaze with fire. On the left side, below the Buddha statues, two old monks were sitting cross-legged. One of the monks had a kind and gentle face; he was indeed the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva. The other was wearing a white kasaya, thin in stature, with eyes tightly closed, as if he was dozing off on his mat. The monk addressed the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, ¡°Two venerable masters.¡± The Universal Benefit Bodhisattva smiled and said, ¡°Honored guest, please have a seat.¡± At that moment, the old monk in the white kasaya also opened his eyes, and as they opened, it seemed as though golden light burst forth from within. ¡°Greetings to the two grand masters.¡± An Jing bowed to the two monks, then sat down cross-legged. The Universal Benefit Bodhisattva said, ¡°This is my elder brother, Wenwen.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing immediately clasped his fists and said, ¡°So it is Master Wenwen, my apologies for any disrespect.¡± Universal Literary Vajra, the current abbot of Leiyin Temple and one of the top masters in Buddhism, his cultivation was on par with Da Yan Vajra, at the very least, a master at the peak of the Second Qi. Indeed, Buddhism would not simply send an early Grandmaster like Universal Benefit Bodhisattva; there was also a master of Vajra Cultivation. ¡°No need for formalities,¡± said Universal Literary Vajra indifferently. ¡°The honored guest¡¯s name is also well-known to me. Speaking directly, how could the honored guest bring out the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯ secret technique?¡± In contrast to the gentleness of Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, Universal Literary Vajra was much more direct in his speech. ¡°If your sect is unwilling to produce the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture,¡¯ I do not wish to insist,¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°As long as the two grand masters are willing to assist me with a favor, I am ready to offer the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡¯ with both hands.¡± Universal Literary Vajra asked upon hearing this, ¡°What favor?¡± An Jing directly said, ¡°I plan to head to Dongluo Pass and slay the traitors of the Demon Sect. I hope Buddhism can lend a helping hand.¡± With many high-level practitioners in the Demon Sect, it would be somewhat dangerous without the assistance of a master by his side, and Universal Literary Vajra was the best candidate for help. Upon hearing this, Universal Literary Vajra frowned, ¡°Is the honored guest jesting?¡± To enter Dongluo Pass and kill the traitors of the Demon Sect¨Ca slogan often chanted by the people of the Great Yan martial world, but was someone actually going to do it? Universal Benefit Bodhisattva also showed a hint of disbelief in his eyes. The Ghost Swordsman was actually planning to infiltrate the Demon Sect? It was known in Jianghu that he clashed with the Zhenyi Sect, but there had been no news of enmity with the Demon Sect. An Jing asked with a smile, ¡°Do I look like a man who jokes, Master?¡± The two looked at each other, both remaining silent. Seeing their silence, An Jing said, ¡°As long as the two masters are willing to join me in striking the Demon Sect, once the deed is done, the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡¯ will naturally not pose a problem.¡± This, however, might not come to fruition. Universal Literary Vajra thought to himself and then shook his head, ¡°This matter is too involved.¡± Not to mention whether the three of them could make their way into the Demon Sect and counter its demons, Buddhism shouldn¡¯t be opposing the Demon Sect at this critical moment. Buddhism, currently spreading its doctrines throughout Great Yan, had Zhenyi Sect as its main competitor. An Jing shook his head, speaking faintly, ¡°Then there¡¯s nothing more to discuss.¡± Buddhism was unwilling to provide assistance, and unwilling to hand over the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture.¡¯ Did they wish to reap benefits without giving anything in return? Seeing An Jing rising to leave, Universal Literary Vajra smiled and said, ¡°Hold on a moment, honored guest.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, ¡°What else does the master wish to say?¡± Universal Literary Vajra pondered for a while, saying, ¡°It¡¯s not impossible for the donor to obtain this ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture,¡¯ but you must promise to never impart it to a second person besides yourself.¡± The Vajra Secret Technique was something Buddhism was determined to obtain. Possessing this secret technique would undoubtedly elevate Buddhism¡¯s strength to another tier. With chaos gradually emerging, who would want to miss the chance to enhance their power? As long as the Ghost Swordsman did not propagate ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture,¡¯ what harm would there be in allowing him to practice it? ¡°Very well.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, feeling somewhat disappointed. He had initially hoped that Buddhism could help him deal with the Demon Sect, but clearly, Buddhism did not wish to confront the Demon Sect directly. Universal Literary Vajra nodded towards Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, who then took out a skin scroll from his bosom, saying, ¡°This scroll contains the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture.¡¯ If you wish to practice it, you can stay at the Dragon Spring Temple to study it thoroughly until you have mastered it completely.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°There¡¯s no need for such trouble; lending me this copy to take a look will suffice.¡± Universal Literary Vajra narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°Just a look, you say?¡± The higher the level of the Martial Arts Heart Method, the harder it is to practice, and the Heart Method of the Heavenly Martial level is already extremely difficult, not to mention those above the Heavenly Martial level. ¡°Of course.¡± An Jing also took out his favorite ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡¯ from his bosom and handed it to Universal Literary Vajra, ¡°This is the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Mantra,¡¯ genuine or fake, the master will know at a glance.¡± Universal Literary Vajra glanced at it, a thought stirring in his mind. Having practiced Buddhist Martial Arts his whole life, he could naturally discern the authenticity of the Martial Arts. Meanwhile, An Jing also took a glance at the copied scroll, with countless characters instantly entering his mind, afterward focusing on the Earth Book. Cultivation: Half-step Master Life Fate: Favorable Star Shining, rising Root Bone: Once in a century Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Daluo Heart Method, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword Ninth Layer, Ghost Valley Heart Method Second Profound, Nine Yang Divine Finger Eighth Layer, Brahma Heart Sees Me, Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique Sixth Layer, Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture Fourth Layer, Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture First Layer. Prompt One: The host¡¯s Life Fate is not yet deeply rooted, remaining one month. Do not reveal the host¡¯s identity through displaying Martial Arts, or else a black opportunity will arise. ¡­¡­.. An Jing nodded slightly; the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva and Universal Literary Vajra indeed hadn¡¯t deceived him with anything counterfeit. ¡°Thank you very much.¡± After finishing, An Jing handed the copied scroll back to the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva was momentarily stunned, ¡°You¡­ really aren¡¯t looking at it anymore?¡± The Ghost Swordsman in front of him had just glanced once; could it be that he had already learned the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯? Such a thing seemed impossible. Universal Literary Vajra also watched the Ghost Swordsman, wondering if this man had come specifically to deliver the Buddhist Secret Technique today? One should know that even the high monks of Buddhism took at least several months to practice to the first layer just by viewing this copy. An Jing smiled and shook his head, ¡°No need, I have already mastered it.¡± Hearing this, Universal Benefit Bodhisattva reluctantly accepted the skin scroll, sighing, ¡°The donor is indeed generous and virtuous, truly a rarity in this world.¡± In their minds, the Ghost Swordsman today seemed to have come specifically to give them the secret technique; the thought touched them both. Was it all a trial, a test before? Receiving the secret technique so willingly made Universal Literary Vajra feel rather ashamed; he pondered for a while, then asked, ¡°May I know why your excellency wants to infiltrate the Demon Sect?¡± An Jing calmly replied, ¡°Because of a person.¡± Universal Literary Vajra frowned and said, ¡°The Demon Sect is filled with numerous experts, especially at the Sealing Demon Platform, which is unfathomably deep. If your excellency goes alone, it might be very hard to come out alive.¡± Ordinary people in the Martial World might not know of this Sealing Demon Platform, but as a Dharma King of Buddhism, he naturally knew of this extremely mysterious platform, which constituted the foundation of the Demon Sect. An Jing said, ¡°Even if it¡¯s dangerous, I must go.¡± Even if the path ahead was a mountain of swords and a sea of flames, he had to proceed. Hearing An Jing¡¯s resolute words, Universal Literary Vajra sighed lightly, ¡°Given your kindness and grace today, this poor monk has no way to repay you. If your excellency truly wishes to go to the Demon Sect, this poor monk is willing to help alone, but this matter is not about the conflict between Buddhism and demons.¡± Buddhism emphasizes cause and effect; since a cause has been established, there naturally results an effect. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva clasped his hands and remained silent. An Jing heard this and laughed, ¡°Oh? Is the master really willing to help?¡± Universal Literary Vajra nodded, smiling, ¡°This poor monk is willing to go with the donor to resolve this matter of cause and effect; perhaps we may even witness your Excellency performing feats that will shock the world. This poor monk would then live without regrets.¡± An Jing¡¯s face was serious as he replied, ¡°Good, I will remember your kindness today, master.¡± The abbot of Leiyin Temple, that was the cultivation of a Second Qi Peak Grandmaster, plus with Duke Xu emerging from seclusion, and by then his own cultivation reaching the realm of a One Qi Grandmaster, he would have some assurance against the Demon Sect. After all, that was the Demon Sect, reputed to be an extremely dangerous place. Universal Literary Vajra asked, ¡°May I know when the donor plans to go?¡± ¡°This matter still needs more than a month.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Before then, I need to take care of a very important matter.¡± Since his cultivation was still at the Half-step Master Realm, he naturally needed to first go to Beili Volcano to obtain the Volcano Spirit and advance to the Grandmaster level before proceeding. Universal Literary Vajra nodded slightly, ¡°Good, then this poor monk will wait for the donor¡¯s message, and in the meantime, start practicing this ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Mantra.¡¯ ¡°Good, then let¡¯s agree on this.¡± An Jing stood up and bowed with clasped fists, ¡°Universal Literary Vajra, see you in a month¡¯s time.¡± Universal Literary Vajra turned to the side and said, ¡°Universal Benefit, please see the donor out.¡± Universal Benefit Bodhisattva rose and said, ¡°Yes, senior brother.¡± Speaking, the two of them walked towards the outside of the hall. Returning the same way, they walked from the side hall along the corridor towards the Grand Hall. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva whispered, ¡°The benefactor¡¯s kindness, Universal Benefit will keep in mind.¡± In his view, An Jing entrusting the incomplete secret technique to the Buddhist was a matter too profound to articulate. An Jing, baffled like a monk who could not make heads or tails of it, still said solemnly, ¡°Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, you flatter me; the kindness of Buddhism is also unforgettable for me.¡± Just as they were talking, An Jing noticed two figures ahead. They were two women, both extremely beautiful, one of whom was Princess An Le, Zhao Xuening. The woman beside Zhao Xuening bore a slight resemblance to her but was slightly older, and her temperament was entirely different. The woman¡¯s beauty was tinged with a heroic air, radiant like autumn dews on frost, her cheeks warm and eyes sparkling, like moonlight over cold rivers, dressed in a robe adorned with flying colorful phoenixes, majestic and elegant. ¡°Ghost Swordsman and Universal Benefit Monk,¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised, somewhat surprised in her heart; she hadn¡¯t expected to meet the Ghost Swordsman here again. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva placed his palms together and said, ¡°This humble monk has seen the Empress and Princess An Le.¡± ¡°The master is courteous.¡± Zuo Linglong chuckled lightly, then turned to look at An Jing, who was dressed in a black robe and said, ¡°Could it be that the gentleman is the Ghost Swordsman?¡± A black robe and a mask on his face, this was almost a signature look for the Ghost Swordsman nowadays. ¡°This humble commoner greets you.¡± An Jing said indifferently. Zuo Linglong was not particularly bothered by An Jing¡¯s aloofness and said, ¡°Sir, you are the benefactor of Xuening, who saved her previously. I have felt deeply ashamed for not being able to thank you in person. Today, fortunately meeting you, I can finally settle this debt of gratitude.¡± Speaking, Zuo Linglong bowed towards An Jing. An Jing waved his sleeve, his inner strength secretly supporting, immediately stopping Zuo Linglong and said, ¡°The Empress flatters me too much, it was but a minor deed that day.¡± If it weren¡¯t for Qi Shu wanting to kill him, he might not have intervened to save Zhao Xuening. Zhao Xuening bit her lip, feeling secretly annoyed in her heart; she knew that the Ghost Swordsman hadn¡¯t really intended to save her at that time. Zuo Linglong smiled charmingly, insisting, ¡°Sir¡¯s kindness, our mother and daughter, the Zuo family, will never forget; if there is a need in the future, we will certainly do our utmost to repay today¡¯s gratitude.¡± An Jing glanced at the peerlessly beautiful woman, ¡°The Empress is indeed thoughtful.¡± Whether the polite words were sincere or not, they were comforting to hear, worthy of the current Empress. Zuo Linglong, seeing Zhao Xuening not speaking, immediately said, ¡°Xuening, aren¡¯t you going to thank him?¡± Hearing Zuo Linglong say this, Zhao Xuening stepped forward towards An Jing and bowed, ¡°Xuening thanks you, sir, for your help that day.¡± Whether intentional or not, it was the Ghost Swordsman who had saved her, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable. ¡°Princess, you are too polite, this humble commoner has urgent matters and must leave first, Master need not see me off.¡± An Jing bowed his hands and then walked towards the exit of Dragon Spring Temple. Zuo Linglong, watching An Jing¡¯s departing figure, couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°This Ghost Swordsman, truly a mysterious figure indeed.¡± She had just tried to make some connection with the Ghost Swordsman, but his words conveyed a sense of coldness and resistance. It¡¯s said that even Heaven and Earth Net has yet to uncover specific information about him, and the mysterious Grandmaster that appeared behind him seemed to come out of nowhere. Zhao Xuening slightly frowned her delicate nose and said, ¡°Skulking around, everywhere wearing a mask, sooner or later one day I¡¯ll pull off his mask and see if he¡¯s a human or a ghost.¡± Zuo Linglong patted Zhao Xuening¡¯s head, scolding, ¡°Xuening, be respectful.¡± Zhao Xuening stuck out her tongue and laughed, ¡°I¡¯m just teasing, who knows what kind of old monster is under the mask.¡± Universal Benefit Bodhisattva laughed and said nothing. ¡­¡­ As night fell like ink and moonlight flowed like water, Honglu Institute hosted a grand hall. Candles flickered. Zongzheng Yuan was seated cross-legged on a carpet, with an ancient zither in front of him. At that moment, his fingers continuously plucked at the strings, the sound deep and leisurely, clear as splashing jade, trembling like a dragon¡¯s roar. Beneath him, Mu Jin Dharma King was seated, holding a wine jar and continuously pouring wine into his mouth, uninterested in the music Zongzheng Yuan was playing. He really couldn¡¯t understand what was so appealing about this feeble ancient zither. After a while, Mu Jin Dharma King set down the jar and said, ¡°This Great Yan¡¯s wine is just like plain water, bland and tasteless.¡± Zongzheng Yuan paused his action and said, ¡°Perhaps the Dharma King is not used to it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not like you, leader, having spent several years here, long accustomed to tasteless wine.¡± Mu Jin Dharma King glanced at Zongzheng Yuan and said, ¡°Leader must not forget our purpose here; don¡¯t let Zhao Chongyin hold us back.¡± They had been in Yujing City for several days now, but it seemed they hadn¡¯t even met the Human Emperor yet, apart from having a meal, they had achieved nothing, completely led by the nose by Zhao Chongyin. Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly; if not for Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s serious injury, why would they be so restrained? At the very least, they could always leave Yujing City at any time, turning retreat into advance. Now with Mu Jin Dharma King injured, they could only stay in Yujing City, wasting time. Zongzheng Yuan took a deep breath and said, ¡°Dharma King, rest assured.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hope so.¡± Mu Jin Dharma King walked toward the exterior of the house. ¡°The night has deepened, Zongzheng Yuan, remember to rest early.¡± Zongzheng Yuan bowed his head and continued to prepare to play his instrument. ¡°Hmm!?¡± But the next moment, he noticed that Mu Jin Dharma King stood at the doorway motionless and had not left. Zongzheng Yuan frowned and asked, ¡°What is it, Dharma King?¡± ¡°Step! Step!¡± Mu Jin Dharma King didn¡¯t speak, but his steps moved backward, retreating about four or five steps, and Zongzheng Yuan saw a figure. It was an old man in black with gray hair, an ordinary face without any expression, his hands clasped behind him. With every step he took toward the inside of the house, Mu Jin Dharma King stepped back. Even without seeing Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s expression, Zongzheng Yuan could guess what it was. Mu Jin Dharma King said with utmost gravity, ¡°What do you want to do?¡± From the figure before him, he suddenly felt a pressing sensation as if his heart was being struck, making his breathing quicken. The black-clothed old man said indifferently, ¡°I am here to kill someone.¡± ¡°To kill someone!?¡± Mu Jin Dharma King stared in shock at the black-clothed old man. This was the Honglu Institute of the Great Yan, and he was one of the five great Dharma Kings of Houjin. Moreover, his patron was Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s seventh son, Zongzheng Yuan, a renowned leader even within Houjin. He was there to kill someone!? Such a person was either a madman or one of the topmost experts in the current world. And to arrive at the Honglu Institute without a sound, he obviously couldn¡¯t be a madman. Mu Jin Dharma King was not stupid; his expression immediately darkened. ¡°Your courage is admirable. You must not be a nobody, I presume.¡± The next moment, without waiting for the old man to reply, he executed the shrinking land into inches technique to move far away. ¡°You can¡¯t escape.¡± The black-clothed old man¡¯s hand suddenly held a longsword. Fast! Fast to the extreme! At the moment the longsword was revealed, a bloody mark appeared on Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s neck. This speed was so swift, it completely surpassed the speed the naked eye could capture, as if it were faster than a flash of lightning. ¡°Thump!¡± Mu Jin Dharma King fell heavily to the ground, a thin red line visible at his neck, from which blood continuously flowed. ¡°Gushing¨C!¡± Mu Jin Dharma King¡¯s eyes were wide open, his mouth agape, as if he wanted to call for help or to shout. ¡°You¡­¡± Such a terrifying scene occurred in a flash, and even with Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s refined Qi cultivation, his complexion drastically changed. He was furious that Mu Jin Dharma King tried to leave him and escape alone, and shocked that Mu Jin Dharma King was killed with a single sword stroke. That was a Grandmaster at the peak of Second Qi, although gravely injured. But just like that, he was dead. By the time Zongzheng Yuan collected his senses, the old man had already retracted his longsword and turned to him. ¡°Now, it¡¯s your turn.¡± Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s breathing stalled as he said, ¡°Senior, is there room to negotiate any terms?¡± He possessed power, ambition, wealth, status, talent, and even luck¡­ In short, dying like this was something he could not accept. ¡°I know what you want to say.¡± The black-clothed old man waved his hand and said, ¡°I am not interested in any conditions you could offer.¡± Hearing this, Zongzheng Yuan forced himself to remain calm and said, ¡°Senior is also a master of the sword. Could it be you¡¯re from the Sixth Realm, I wonder who is stronger or weaker compared to Lin Yiyang¡­¡± In the present world, few could claim to be the ultimate sword immortals, among whom the most formidable was Lin Yiyang, who had just reached the Sixth Realm. Who was this old man before him? Only by identifying this old man could he present something the other party deemed valuable. The black-clothed old man glanced at Zongzheng Yuan and said emotionlessly, ¡°There is no unbeatable sword, only unbeatable people; no unbeatable realm, only unbeatable Sword Dao. Even within the Sixth Realm, there are differences.¡± ¡°You are a talented, ambitious, aspiring person, with opportunities and a background. By rights, in the impending chaotic world, you should have a place; but do you know what you lack a little of?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°A bit of luck.¡± The black-clothed old man spoke, lifting his arm. Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s breathing paused; then his body, as if boneless, slowly toppled down, severing all breath. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°This world is most fascinating because you never know what will happen tomorrow. Whether you are a powerful ruler or a profound and inscrutable Grandmaster, anyone might die tomorrow.¡± The black-clothed old man glanced at the corpse on the ground, murmured to himself, and walked toward the door. ¡°Past matters darken beyond pursuit, the road of forthcoming days, is bright and splendid.¡± ¡­.. PS: The old man appeared during the duel between Lou Xiangzhen and Xiao Qianqiu. Chapter 193 - Chapter 193: Chapter 193 The Three Religions Heart Method Ultimately Unites Chapter 193: Chapter 193 The Three Religions Heart Method Ultimately Unites ¡°` The next day, in Yujing City, the Honglu Institute. Zhao Chongyin stood at the entrance of the courtyard, taking in the pungent smell of blood, his eyebrows tightly furrowed. Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang and Wang Yangyu of the Honglu Institute stood to one side, their faces equally grave. No one had expected to receive such shocking news early in the morning. Mu Jin Dharma King and Zongzheng Yuan had been killed in the dead of night, and what was crucial was that no one knew about it until their bodies were discovered in the morning. Surrounding them were dozens of Houjin experts, their faces ashen and contorted with grief. Besides them, a man dressed in a black cape stood outside the gate. The man appeared to be in his early forties, his countenance as indifferent as water. Whenever he looked at someone, it felt as though one was being eyed by a ferocious beast, making their heart race. After a moment, Bai Jing cautiously came forward and said, ¡°They¡¯re dead. Mu Jin Dharma King and Zongzheng Yuan were both killed by a sword thrust to the throat.¡± ¡°A sword thrust to the throat?¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s frown deepened. Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s cultivation might not have been high, but he was at least at the Second Grade Realm, and Mu Jin Dharma King, being a Second Qi Grandmaster, although severely injured by the enigmatic Grandmaster Ghost Swordsman, should have been able to defend against ordinary grandmasters after taking Houjin¡¯s healing holy medicine. To kill with a single sword thrust, the attacker must at least be at the Second Qi Grandmaster realm or possibly even higher. Go to oovgo.co Currently in the world, there were probably only the likes of Lou Xiangzhen who had such strength. His cultivation was in the Three Qi Realm, and he had reached the Sixth Realm; it wasn¡¯t impossible for him to kill a gravely wounded Mu Jin Dharma King with a single move. ¡°It couldn¡¯t have been him.¡± Zhao Chongyin shook his head. Killing Zongzheng Yuan would have no benefits for Lou Xiangzhen, and it was also highly unlikely for Lou Xiangzhen to be in Yujing City. Considering the current situation in the world, there were essentially two types of people who would want to kill Zongzheng Yuan. The first were those involved in Houjin¡¯s fight for succession, as with Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s death, there would be one less powerful competitor. The second were those who wanted Yan and Houjin to start an all-out war, including members of the Black Ice Platform and those who wished to stir chaos in the world. ¡°Regarding this matter, your Yan Country must give a satisfactory explanation to my Houjin.¡± While Zhao Chongyin was deep in thought, a Houjin expert said in a stern voice. ¡°Indeed, an explanation is required.¡± The eyes of the surrounding Houjin experts glowed blood-red as they echoed the demand in a chorus. Most of them were loyal followers of Zongzheng Yuan. Naturally, seeing Zongzheng Yuan killed in such a way aroused great indignation in their hearts. At this moment, the man at the gate said, ¡°Crown Prince, this person is an exceptional swordsman expert. Capturing him will likely be very difficult.¡± Zhao Chongyin fell silent, not uttering a word. The Houjin expert huffed, ¡°Then this is a matter for your Great Yan Court to address. If you do not provide an explanation to Houjin, be prepared for an invasion by Houjin¡¯s million-strong army.¡± Zhu Yongfang and Wang Yangyu, two civil officers, turned pale with a mixture of shock and anger upon hearing this threat. If Houjin attacked, Zhao Country would surely kick them while they were down. Yan Country would be attacked from both sides, a truly perilous situation. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s pupils contracted slightly as he said with a faint smile, ¡°An explanation¨CI will certainly provide one.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± The Houjin crowd all sneered in response. ¡°Governor Xu, I leave all of this in your hands.¡± Zhao Chongyin glanced at the man standing outside the gate. ¡°Your Highness can rest assured.¡± The man bowed slightly, a fleeting glint of murderous intent in his eyes. Afterward, Zhao Chongyin, along with Bai Jing and Zhu Yongfang, and Wang Yangyu walked towards the hall. Outside the hall, the sky was clear and the sun shone brightly. Zhao Chongyin felt a mixture of emotions, ¡°I hadn¡¯t expected Zongzheng Yuan to die just like that.¡± In his view, Zongzheng Yuan was a talented individual, potentially a successor to Houjin¡¯s leadership. Yet unexpectedly, he had died so easily here. The world is full of uncertainties, no one knows what the next day may bring. This made Zhao Chongyin feel a twinge of caution; today¡¯s Zongzheng Yuan could be himself tomorrow. After pondering, Bai Jing asked, ¡°Crown Prince, will the hero¡¯s meeting still take place tonight?¡± Zhao Chongyin said nonchalantly, ¡°Now that Zongzheng Yuan is dead, the meeting is even more necessary.¡± The purpose of the hero¡¯s meeting was to discuss how to counter Houjin. Now that Zongzheng Yuan was dead, the ferocious tiger that was Houjin had even more reason to be aggressive. At this moment, sounds of collision and shrill screams came from inside the hall. The commotion lasted for dozens of breaths, and then the man surnamed ¡®Xu¡¯ emerged. ¡°Crown Prince, everything has been taken care of,¡± he said. A trace of blood still lingered on the man. Upon hearing this, both Zhu Yongfang and Wang Yangyu exchanged glances, a chill rising in their hearts. The Crown Prince is truly decisive. It seemed like the conflict between Houjin and Great Yan was inevitable. Zhao Chongyin nodded slightly and turned to Wang Yangyu, ¡°Minister Wang, seal off this news. It is not yet appropriate to spread it.¡± Wang Yangyu replied hastily, ¡°This official understands.¡± If today¡¯s events were made public, they would unquestionably create an uproar. Although the deaths of Zongzheng Yuan, Mu Jin Dharma King, and the others could not be kept under wraps forever, and the mastermind behind the scenes probably knew about it and might even spread the word, suppressing the news for now could at least give the border regions some time to prepare. ¡°` I just don¡¯t know how long this matter can be suppressed. ¡­¡­. In Yujing City, within the Lv Mansion, at the backyard. The ancient-styled room was filled with a subtle fragrance. ¡°Master!?¡± Tan Yun opened his eyes in a daze, then felt a shock in his heart and suddenly sat up. ¡°Awake?¡± Just then, the door opened, and Liu Huiyun walked in from outside. Tan Yun looked at Liu Huiyun, lightly biting his lip and said, ¡°Aunt Liu, I thought I was dreaming.¡± The battle at the Eight Feet Platform, where Li Fuzhou killed Tang Taiyuan with a palm strike, followed by the Bai Mei eunuch taking him away to the Heavenly Prison¡¯s Ninth Layer, seeming like it was all just a dream. Liu Huiyun sat down on the bed, touched Tan Yun¡¯s head, and said, ¡°Don¡¯t think too much about it.¡± Tan Yun looked up and asked, ¡°Will master die?¡± Every time he uttered the word ¡®die,¡¯ his heart clenched. He always felt like fate was playing tricks on him, as every important person kept drifting further away from him. ¡°I¡¯m not sure either.¡± Liu Huiyun sighed deeply, ¡°The Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Prison is very dangerous, holding many experts from the Great Yan Martial World. To this day, no one has been heard to have come out from there.¡± The Great Yan Court had been in control of the kingdom for hundreds of years, which was not an easy or carefree task, especially when there were always top experts in Jianghu who wanted to challenge the Royal Family and scorn royal authority. These people either died or were imprisoned in the Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Prison. For hundreds of years, people had been sent there regularly, which indicates how many old monsters from Jianghu were hidden inside, yet not a single person has ever come out alive from the Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Prison. Upon hearing this, Tan Yun¡¯s expression grew somewhat dim: ¡°I once swore that I would take care of master in his old age, I¡­¡± Liu Huiyun pinched Tan Yun¡¯s tender cheek, and couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°If your master heard what you just said, I wonder what he would think. Don¡¯t worry too much. Where there¡¯s a will, there¡¯s a way, and your master wouldn¡¯t want you to be gloomy every day.¡± Looking at Tan Yun before her, a wave of pity arose in Liu Huiyun¡¯s heart. Tan Yun, Tan Yun¡­ his name contains the character for ¡®cloud¡¯. At that thought, Liu Huiyun¡¯s heart suddenly warmed as she remembered her own past dear friend. ¡°I understand. I will find a chance to rescue master,¡± Tan Yun nodded, then touched his belly and asked, ¡°Aunt Liu, what time is it now?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the hour of noon.¡± ¡°It¡¯s noon already, I was wondering¡­ Aunt Liu, did you bring the pastries on the table?¡± Tan Yun glanced at the pastries on the table and blinked his eyes. Liu Huiyun picked up a pastry from the table and handed it over, ¡°They were already here when I came. If you¡¯re hungry, have some first, especially since you didn¡¯t eat anything all night yesterday.¡± Tan Yun was starving and grabbed a piece of pastry from the parchment paper to stuff into his mouth. ¡°Eat slowly.¡± Liu Huiyun quickly poured a glass of water and said, ¡°After eating, go see Elder Lv. We planned to take you to thank the Ghost Swordsman who helped us the other day, but I didn¡¯t expect him to have left.¡± ¡°He left!?¡± Tan Yun¡¯s hands, holding the pastries, paused. Wasn¡¯t the Ghost Swordsman supposed to join the Demon Sect? Why had he left!? Liu Huiyun said, ¡°Yes, apparently he left early this morning. Such people in Jianghu, like the Divine Dragon, often appear and disappear unpredictably. Who knows when we will see him again?¡± For loner experts in Jianghu without organizations or backing, their whereabouts were always erratic. ¡°But, but¡­¡± Tan Yun began to get anxious. Liu Huiyun patted Tan Yun¡¯s hand and reassured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he is a good friend of Elder Lv, and there will always be another opportunity to thank him in person.¡± Tan Yun bit into the pastry in his hand and then made up his mind, ¡°Aunt Liu, I want to return to the Demon Sect for a bit.¡± Could it be that the Ghost Swordsman went directly to the Demon Sect? After all, he had been persistently asking about the Demon Sect. Moreover, now that her master was trapped in the Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Prison, this was no small matter. She wondered whether the people in the Demon Sect would be willing to help with the rescue. All things considered, she had to return to the Demon Sect. ¡°You want to go back to the Demon Sect?¡± Liu Huiyun frowned deeply. Now that Li Fuzhou was locked in the Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Prison and Tan Yun¡¯s identity had been revealed, was it necessary to return to the Demon Sect and be a demon¡¯s disciple? ¡°I want to go back and take a look, after all, it is where I grew up.¡± Tan Yun obviously would not speak of what he truly had in mind, instead giving a different reason. After thinking for a while, Liu Huiyun said, ¡°If you truly want to go back, I can accompany you for a visit.¡± Tan Yun looked at Liu Huiyun with a grateful expression, ¡°Then I will trouble Auntie Liu.¡± ¡°Eat quickly, or have some water first.¡± Liu Huiyun watched the young girl¡¯s face brimming with smiles. If Li Fuzhou hadn¡¯t left Yujing City back then¡­ But in life, there are no ifs. ¡­¡­. Yun Hua Dao, Xuanqing Mountain. Dense ink-colored clouds twined around the mountain, which was lush and verdant, with mountains nestling against water and water reflecting mountains, a picture of quiet harmony and a tint of solitude. It was now the early summer season, the weather somewhat hot and oppressive, with the robust chirping of cicadas audible throughout the forest. Once the ancestral court of the Mystical Sect, this place was renowned throughout the world, even surpassing Nanhua Mountain, the highest peak. But few sects chose to build their gates here, firstly because the Court had not issued Mountain Gate Orders, and secondly because with the Zhenyi Sect in its heyday, few dared to provoke such bad luck. Everyone knew that the Zhenyi Sect always wanted to revive its sect and prop up the might of the Mystical Sect. Amidst the mountain woods, the sound of a low howl echoed in all directions. Following the sound, one would see a gigantic Black Flood Dragon lying in the dense forest, occasionally opening its vast maw to growl, as if showing its domineering presence to the creatures around it. An Jing sat cross-legged on the head of the Black Flood Dragon, meditating and regulating his breath. The Inner Strength within his Dantian surged out towards his limbs, spreading to every corner of his body. Within the Dantian, where the qi of black and white intersected, faint golden glimmers started to emerge, with the golden light becoming brighter and stronger between the two. About half an hour later, the internal breath returned within his Dantian. ¡°Hoo¡­.¡± An Jing exhaled deeply, then opened his eyes, ¡°This ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯ is indeed the ultimate Buddhist martial art, it¡¯s just a pity that the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ has yet to become one. Otherwise, I really could find a common thread among these three heart methods.¡± He was now cultivating the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ and the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯, two ultimate martial arts. Although the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ of the Mystical Sect was incomplete, because of ten years of trials, he had reached the Tenth Layer. Cultivating these three heart methods made him vaguely sense a certain connection between them, which was quite wondrous. However, compared to the rapid progression of the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯, the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯ showed no sign of progress after the first layer. An Jing silently speculated that perhaps only by studying Buddhist Law like the monks could he hope to make further progress. An Jing looked up at the building complex above and murmured to himself, ¡°It was upon the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate that I grasped the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra. Moreover, the Demon Sect¡¯s treasure, the Heavenly Flipping Seal, also reacted. Perhaps there could be some clues within the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate.¡± Beili Volcano lay on the border between Yun Hua Dao and Northern Wilderness Dao. Since he was passing by Xuanqing Mountain, it was naturally worth visiting the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate again to glimpse its true mysteries. Additionally, there was a peerless expert within Xuanqing Mountain. ¡°Wait here for me.¡± An Jing patted the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s head, then leaped up towards Xuanqing Mountain. The lush greenery was rampant in the forest, and there were even more visitors on the path seeking pleasure and admiration than the last time. An Jing arrived at the Heavenly Ascending Stairs, looking at the endless mountain peaks ahead, and he couldn¡¯t help but remember the first time he and Lou Xiangzhen climbed these stone stairs. ¡°As hard as it is to ascend to heaven, if given the chance in life, one ought to try.¡± He sighed softly and continued to climb the mountain alone. One step at a time, it took him a full hour to reach the summit of Xuanqing Mountain, Black Bull Ridge. The mountaintop was as usual, with people enjoying the view, and a few Daoists scattered about telling fortunes and divining with talismans. The once intact Thousand Mechanism Palace had collapsed thunderously, the result of An Jing¡¯s battle with the Zhenyi Sect. Yet to this day no one had repaired it, leaving the gigantic Thousand Mechanism Stone exposed. Next to the Thousand Mechanism Stone, a middle-aged Daoist in a Daoist robe huddled beside it, dozing off, with bunches of sandalwood and a talisman tube in front of him. The tube was filled with bamboo talismans. This person was Luo Chongyang. An Jing approached Luo Chongyang and asked with a smile, ¡°Do you still tell fortunes?¡± Luo Chongyang slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the man in black robes, and said, ¡°Same old rules, a hundred copper coins for fate, fifty for love.¡± An Jing handed over a hundred copper coins, ¡°Then let¡¯s see about the future.¡± Luo Chongyang took the coins and said, ¡°Please draw a talisman.¡± An Jing shook the talisman tube, and a stick fell out. ¡°Good talisman.¡± Luo Chongyang picked up the stick and smiled, ¡°The whale guards the Jianghu before its transformation, not yet permitted to ascend and leave the azure waves. One day, when it changes form, it leaps over the Yu Gate at once.¡± ¡°The meaning of the talisman is to endure when you must endure and be patient when you must be patient. Do not rush your actions; fame and success will come naturally.¡± An Jing asked with a smile, ¡°It seems I have drawn another top-grade talisman?¡± Luo Chongyang replied, ¡°A top-grade talisman.¡± An Jing glanced around and whispered, ¡°It seems your business hasn¡¯t been so good these past few days, Daoist.¡± Luo Chongyang put away the tube and said, ¡°Good or not, life goes on, so why bother with what is good or bad?¡± ¡°Indeed, life must go on, whether it¡¯s good or bad. This is life itself.¡± An Jing too sat down, gazing at the clouds drifting above, and remarked, ¡°Daoist leads such an easy and comfortable life, truly enviable.¡± Feng Lingyue, as a traitor to the Demon Sect, lived in constant fear, and the Demon Sect was still at Dongluo Pass, who knows how far from the Five Poison Sect. In contrast, Luo Chongyang, right under the nose of the Zhenyi Sect, could live so comfortably, which showed Luo Chongyang¡¯s extraordinary nature. Luo Chongyang stretched lazily and said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you living quite comfortably yourself? Killing several Zhenyi Sect¡¯s real people and still carefree in the Great Yan Martial World, there aren¡¯t many like you.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked with a smile, ¡°How many has the senior killed?¡± Luo Chongyang replied indifferently, ¡°I have only killed one expert of the ¡®Hua¡¯ generation; not as many as you.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes revealed a trace of confusion, ¡°The ¡®Hua¡¯ generation?¡± He knew that Xiao Qianqiu was of the ¡®Yu¡¯ generation, and it seemed that the previous Sect Leader Ye Ding was rumored to be of the ¡®Qing¡¯ generation, but he was unclear about those of the ¡®Hua¡¯ generation. Luo Chongyang glanced at An Jing and said, ¡°An old monster from Hidden Mountain. There aren¡¯t many of the ¡®Hua¡¯ generation left in Zhenyi Sect. After so many years, most of them have died, and one of them died by my hand.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s wanted list now places you and me side by side. You should not underestimate the methods of Zhenyi Sect.¡± Zhenyi Sect, after all, is the national religion of the Great Yan, having grasped the world¡¯s reins for hundreds of years. Apart from the Yu Heng Sword Sect, the other major sects combined can¡¯t match its profundity. An Jing said, ¡°It seems we have the same enemy.¡± ¡°In this world, there are many masters with grudges against Zhenyi Sect, not just you and me.¡± Luo Chongyang smiled noncommittally, ¡°So, did you come here today specifically looking for me because of this matter?¡± As the saying goes, a tall tree catches the wind, especially such a towering tree as Zhenyi Sect. An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°Not entirely. I plan to join the hunt at Dongluo Pass and stopped by to visit on my way. Perhaps in the future, I might have the opportunity to collaborate with you.¡± Luo Chongyang looked at the Ghost Swordsman before him with interest, ¡°Hunt at Dongluo Pass? Do you intend to kill your way into the Demon Sect?¡± The Demon Sect, with its thousand years of profundity, is also extremely deep, perhaps not much less than Zhenyi Sect. This Ghost Swordsman, with his Half-step Master cultivation, wants to hunt at Dongluo Pass? An Jing asked directly, ¡°Are you interested?¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Upon hearing this, Luo Chongyang burst into laughter. ¡°Jiang Shang also tried his best to recruit me in the past. My relationship with the Demon Sect is not particularly good, but I have few grudges with them as well. Why should I go to the Demon Sect Main Hall to seek death?¡± ¡°If you were to go to Zhenyi Mountain, however, I might just take an interest.¡± In his opinion, the Ghost Swordsman heading to the Demon Sect Main Hall was seeking his own death, since that was truly a lair of dragons and a den of tigers. An Jing simply smiled without speaking. He had long been prepared for Luo Chongyang¡¯s refusal. Luo Chongyang shook his head and said, ¡°You must have come to the wrong place. If you go to the Five Poison Sect to find Feng Lingyue, maybe he¡¯d be very willing to accompany you to Dongluo Pass.¡± An Jing said, ¡°He may not trust me.¡± Feng Lingyue had crossed his mind, but after careful consideration, he decided against it. First, he had his own grudges with the Five Poison Sect, and secondly, Feng Lingyue would certainly not trust him. Luo Chongyang nodded slightly without speaking. If Lou Xiangzhen were to take on the Demon Sect, a rallying cry might even resonate throughout the Great Yan Martial World, but the Ghost Swordsman was still somewhat lacking. A person¡¯s reputation casts a long shadow. The title of The World¡¯s First Swordsman carried significant weight. Especially after Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s battle by Abyss Lake, where his sword challenged the Daoist Crown of the Four Qi Grandmaster Xiao Qianqiu, becoming famous throughout the world. ¡°It¡¯s getting late; time to head back and rest.¡± Luo Chongyang glanced at the sky, picked up the blanket on the ground, ¡°I still advise you, don¡¯t go to Dongluo Pass. It¡¯s not a possibility you may die; it¡¯s a certainty you will.¡± After speaking, Luo Chongyang strode away lightly, heading off into the distance. An Jing watched Luo Chongyang¡¯s retreating figure and muttered to himself, ¡°How can one capture tiger cubs without entering the tiger¡¯s den?¡± As the sun neared setting, the tourists on Black Bull Ridge hurried down the mountain before darkness fell. The setting sun cast its afterglow over Xuanqing Mountain, and the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate seemed to have been draped in a veil. An Jing did not look at the Thousand Mechanism Stone. Instead, he sat in silence for a long while, quietly watching the clouds roll and unfold across the sky, and the sun set. ¡°Half with others, half with myself, half carefree; half awake, half inebriated, half like an Immortal.¡± After a long time, he seemed to snap out of his trance, then turned his head to look at the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate. The vast stone plate lay exposed in the natural world. If An Jing thought the stone plate before him exuded an incredible mystery the first time he saw it, today, looking at the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate, it seemed more like an ordinary boulder to him. A rock that had withstood countless years of wind, countless years of rain, and countless years of sunshine, bearing the marks of endless ages and vicissitudes. An Jing gazed at the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate with unparalleled calmness in his heart, as placid as an ancient well, without the slightest ripple or wrinkle, smooth as a water mirror. In that moment, he seemed to enter into the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate. Witnessing the countless years of wind, rain, and sunshine, his body and mind transformed into the stone plate, and within it, he saw an essence of profound mystery. At that point, ancient traces began to appear on the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate. These marks had some connection and seemed to form an ancient script. The marks emitted light, growing brighter and more spectacular, as if they were akin to a sun. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± Cracks formed on the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate, growing larger as if something was trying to burst forth, ultimately unable to withstand the shining light. ¡°Boom!¡± The Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate suddenly exploded, sending a beam of light from the mountain top into the sky. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This beam was grand and majestic, containing deeply profound truths. ¡°Hm!?¡± Luo Chongyang, who was descending the Heavenly Ascending Stairs, halted abruptly, staring in amazement at the beam of light. ¡­¡­. PS: Another chapter will arrive before 12 o¡¯clock. Chapter 194 - Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Entering Grandmaster with the Name of an Immortal Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Entering Grandmaster with the Name of an Immortal Twilight mists rose, and as darkness enveloped the vastness, a bright moon ascended the mountaintop of Xuanqing Mountain, casting its clear light everywhere, illuminating the eyebrows and hair of those it touched. A figure in a black robe was seated atop Black Bull Ridge, enveloped by white mists floating around him. If anyone from Jianghu were there, they could clearly see his Qi Mechanism seemed to be climbing relentlessly. In front of him, there was a faint, nearly imperceptible breath, which had just burst forth from the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate. ¡°Swoosh!¡± The elusive breath drifted forward and plunged directly into An Jing¡¯s mind. Originally, there were three colored light spheres in his mind. The moment that breath charged in, all three light spheres paused, then, as if summoned by a sound from the unknown, they surged towards the breath. As the three colored light spheres merged with the breath, with every sphere that integrated, An Jing felt his brain stutter, as if experiencing a brief void, and when the three spheres fully amalgamated, a supremely wonderful sensation emerged. At that moment, the Earth Book showed a slight change, but An Jing had no time to pay it any mind. ¡°Buzz!¡± ¡°Buzz!¡± His entire brain became ethereal in an instant, losing all capacity for thought, as if his entire being was floating above the clouds. It might have been a moment, or it might have been decades. Boom! The next moment, his Dantian suddenly erupted, like a volcano bursting forth. Go to wuxiaworld.site The black Qi Mechanism on his left side collided fiercely with the white Qi Mechanism, causing his entire Dantian to shake violently, boiling over completely. An Jing felt an acute pain in his internal organs, intensely uncomfortable, nearly causing him to spew fresh blood. Before he could stabilize himself, the black and white Qi Mechanisms inside collided once more, like meteors crashing, creating a tremendous impact. Blood seeped from all seven of An Jing¡¯s orifices, bright red and unstoppable, yet the internal collisions did not cease. The last time, when he was on his way to Ping County, he had experienced similar phenomena, but the collisions were much milder than now. Currently, it seemed as if the black and white Qi Mechanisms were out of control, starting to collide violently. This collision of Qi Mechanisms created immense pain within his body, nearly causing him to faint. An Jing bit his tongue lightly, which brought a little calm to his reeling mind. As time dripped slowly away, the black and white Qi Mechanisms gradually merged, and the immense pain continued to torment An Jing. Boom! Suddenly, An Jing¡¯s body exploded, so to speak, with waves of terrifying Qi emanating from his Dantian. In just an instant, his strong and robust inner body was severely injured. An Jing felt his mind go blank, the scent of blood reaching the cap of his head. Almost instinctively, his Mental Method began to operate. An Jing looked inward at the increasingly integrated black and white Qi Mechanisms, sustained by tremendous pressure. Time trickled on, and An Jing was like a monk in deep meditation. At this moment, An Jing had turned into a bloody figure. The merging black and white Qi Mechanisms continued to resonate, intensifying the pain that shook his body, but An Jing seemed to have lost all sensation, one thought remaining in his mind. As the black and white Qi Mechanisms fused a bit, it was like a spark landing on a dry prairie. Boom! The moment the black and white Qi Mechanisms merged, the pain gradually began to dissipate. But just then, a quiet golden Qi Mechanism suddenly erupted and joined in. Seeing this, An Jing¡¯s heart jolted. He had anticipated intense pain, but instead of the heart-wrenching agony from before, there was a feeling of coolness. ¡°Whew¡­¡± An Jing lightly exhaled a breath. The original chaotic atmosphere in his Dantian completely disappeared, the three colored Qi Mechanisms continually merging, but it did not put him fully at ease. An Jing focused intently on the inside of his body, fearing any slight mistake. The pain just now had nearly knocked him unconscious; had he not endured it, he might now be a corpse. This perilous cultivation, his first encounter of its kind, demanded his utmost attention. The merging of the three colored Qi Mechanisms inside continued, following on quite calmly, even smoothly. When the three colored Qi Mechanisms finally amalgamated into one, the Qi Mechanism seemed to turn transparent, quietly floating in the middle of his Dantian. Although it was transparent, the terrifying power that burst forth from it could be felt. Just then, a Taoist stepped onto Black Bull Ridge. ¡°This Qi mechanism, could it be breaking through its shackles?¡± Luo Chongyang glanced at An Jing, who was meditating cross-legged, and then at the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate that had exploded into powder in front of him, his expression changing dramatically, ¡°Where is the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate?¡± What kind of object was the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate!? It was rumored that the founding ancestor of Mystical Sect had perceived the Supreme Martial Arts Heart Method, ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture,¡± from this stone. Normally, even divine weapons could hardly leave a mark on it, but now it had collapsed. How could Luo Chongyang not be shocked!? Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyes fixed intently on the black-robed swordsman sitting on the ground. Could it be this person!? ¡°No wonder he is a man of great fortune, no wonder the old man Lou Xiangzhen protected his path.¡± The Qi mechanism within An Jing had completely integrated and was continuously ascending. Later, this Qi mechanism began to wander out from the Dantian, moving through the limbs and flowing into every meridian. The intense pain that had been present just a moment ago vanished in an instant, and his entire body became warmly energized. ¡°Is this the hidden secret within the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate?¡± An Jing was greatly moved in his heart, and before he could enjoy it, the Qi mechanism began to wander continuously in the meridians as if it were operating according to some heart method¡¯s route. Moreover, the speed of operation was getting faster and faster, and it was almost uncontrollable. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± At the same time, a glow flowed behind An Jing, and the phantom images of the Human Flower, Earth Flower, and Heavenly Flower also emerged, shining brilliantly in the night sky, and vaguely floating towards the sky. Three Flowers Gathering at the Top denotes the Grandmaster Realm. With everything falling into place and unity of body and mind, aided by the heart method, the three flowers of heaven, earth, and man began converging at the top. An Jing also felt the convergence of the Three Flowers inside his body, but he suddenly got a shock. Because the gathering of the Three Flowers required a vast amount of Essence, wasn¡¯t it common for nearly every Half-step Master to stay for years and consume numerous Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures or Elixirs during the process? An Jing had reached the Heavenly Flower Realm by relying on the Golden Pill, and the Essence accumulated over these months was nowhere near sufficient for the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top. Thinking of this, he quickly suppressed the wandering Qi mechanism inside his body, trying to halt this breakthrough. But the transparent Qi mechanism carried on regardless, circulating one cycle after another. Each time he completed one cycle, the Three Flowers moved a few inches upwards. An Jing took a deep breath, immersing himself wholly in his own body, trying hard to control the internal Qi mechanism. The current situation was like having an exceptional beauty standing in front of him, but the man in front was impotent. How could he engage in the pleasures of the flesh? Was he supposed to force his way in? Under An Jing¡¯s control, the three flowers moved downward. ¡°Hm!?¡± Luo Chongyang saw this scene and was quite astonished. Could it be that this Ghost Swordsman did not intend to break through to the Grandmaster Realm? There were indeed many in Jianghu who could directly attain the Grandmaster Realm without actually stepping into it, and Li Fuzhou was among them. Not just him, there were quite a few others as well. For one thing, the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top required a large amount of Essence to support the three flowers, and secondly, achieving the Grandmaster Realm also required Essence to reach One Qi. If one were to progress steadily, a deeply rooted Half-step Master progressing to Grandmaster could directly reach the One Qi Realm. However, just moments after the three flowers moved downwards, the transparent Qi mechanism inside started circling even faster, and then like a rapidly burning flame, it began burning An Jing¡¯s Essence Blood. ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s happening?¡± An Jing felt this condition inside his body and frowned deeply. Due to the lack of Essence for the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top, the transparent Qi mechanism began to burn the Essence Blood in his body. Essence Blood, much more precious than Essence, required the body to nurture, not only needing Essence but also a significant amount of time, but there were many places where Essence could be obtained. As the Essence Blood inside his body burned, the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top became significantly smoother, and the initially slow-moving speed of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top increased by several degrees. But the amount of Essence required for the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top was enormous, and just these few drops of Essence Blood were not enough. The Qi mechanism wandered even more frequently, frantically burning the Essence Blood inside his body. ¡°It needs to burn more Essence Blood!?¡± At this moment, An Jing, already somewhat weakened by the burning of Essence Blood, became anxious when he saw the Qi mechanism starting to burn his Essence Blood again. With far too much loss of Essence Blood, he would undoubtedly die. What use then was reaching the Grandmaster Realm? Thinking this, he tried hard to control the Qi mechanism, but it remained uncontrollable, merely continuing to burn the Essence Blood. As a large amount of Essence Blood burned, the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top seemed to have entered the proper course. ¡°He really is a ruthless man¡­¡± Luo Chongyang saw the red mist of blood surrounding the Ghost Swordsman and was utterly shocked. He had seen people use their Essence Blood to escape or to fight to the death, but he had never seen someone use their Essence Blood to break through. This was truly an act of risking one¡¯s life for the sake of advancing one¡¯s cultivation. At this moment, An Jing had burnt a massive amount of Essence Blood, leaving him extremely weakened, his mind a complete blank, as if he was hovering between life and death. ¡°Boom!¡± The night sky burst into light as three flowers converged and rose above An Jing¡¯s head. Instantly, the authority of a Grandmaster manifested from his body. However, all of this was not yet over. The beautiful moonlit night sky reflected a beam of starlight that seemed to come from the ancient past, pouring entirely over An Jing¡¯s body. In the darkness, while others were sinking, he seemed to be in the light. ¡°Heavenly might!?¡± Luo Chongyang watched the beam of starlight, feeling his soul almost leaving his body, overwhelmed, his mind exploding like thunder. Advancing to the Grandmaster Realm, how could it possibly trigger the Heavenly Might!? It was rumored that advancing to the Great Grandmaster, which was akin to a half-immortal body, would bring about the descent of Heavenly Might, a blessing given by Heaven. But he had never heard of the Grandmaster Realm receiving such a divine blessing. Luo Chongyang thought to himself that perhaps he should befriend this Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Roar!?¡± Just then, a low roar echoed loudly. In the sky above, a black Flood Dragon came soaring from afar, its body circling around, its huge eyes fixed on An Jing who sat atop Black Bull Ridge. As the starlight gradually faded, the heavens and the earth suddenly became clear. The pale-faced An Jing opened his eyes and looked up at the sky, murmuring to himself, ¡°The pinnacle of martial arts is the summit of immortals; so it is.¡± Afterward, his thoughts fell upon the Earth Book. Cultivation: Grandmaster Life Fate: Favorable Star Shining (ascending) Root Bone: Once in a hundred years Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword Ninth Layer, Nine Yang Divine Finger Eighth Layer, Brahma Heart Sees Me, Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique Sixth Layer, Incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture (Third Layer) Prompt One: The owner¡¯s Life Fate is still not rooted and remains for one more month. Displaying martial arts must not reveal the owner¡¯s identity; otherwise, a dark opportunity will arise. ¡­¡­.. An Jing, seeing the words ¡®Incomplete¡¯ in front of the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ on the Earth Book, couldn¡¯t help but think: Could it be because it¡¯s incomplete that it¡¯s out of control, and to repair the incompleteness, the complete ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ is required? After operating the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ just now, he fully understood the power of this ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture.¡¯ The speed of circulation was unlike any other martial arts heart method he had practiced before. It seemed as if the heart methods he had practiced before were of martial arts, but this ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ had already transcended the concepts understood by mere mortals and resembled more of a cultivation method of immortals. Quite notably, An Jing could, with his movements, directly absorb the fine spiritual energy of heaven and earth, bypassing the refining process. This transformation was a qualitative leap from the usual martial arts heart methods. If such a heart method were to spread, probably every Grandmaster in the world would go crazy for it. Since ancient times, Grandmasters needed to refine the spiritual energy of heaven and earth before they could properly absorb it into their bodies. Therefore, when reaching the Grandmaster Realm, cultivation often slowed down considerably. Who had ever heard of someone being able to directly absorb the spiritual energy of the world? An Jing knew that within this ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ seemed to lie many secrets, waiting for him to explore and uncover. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon saw An Jing open his eyes, and its dragon head moved down as if it wanted to nuzzle him. An Jing patted the head of the Black Flood Dragon, seemingly trying to stand up, but as he straightened his legs, he suddenly felt a wave of weakness throughout his body and nearly collapsed to the ground. The Three Flowers Gathering at the Top had depleted too much Essence Blood; now there was trouble. Ordinarily, even a Half-step Master who could advance to the Grandmaster Realm would remain for half a year to solidify the foundation, but only An Jing had stepped directly into the Grandmaster Realm without any preparation and had even burnt Essence Blood to break through the shackles. This had always been exceedingly rare throughout history. Originally his Golden Bone had already reached Perfection, now showing a layer of jade-like color, but due to the massive loss of Essence Blood, he did not feel the unprecedented vigor, but instead felt a sense of weakness. Luo Chongyang came over at this moment, smiling, ¡°Congratulations, nephew, on reaching the Grandmaster Realm.¡± To cause such an upheaval upon entering the Grandmaster Realm was unheard of to Luo Chongyang, especially coupled with the shattering of the Thousand Mechanism Stone Plate; he vaguely sensed that the Ghost Swordsman before him was no simple individual. An Jing took a deep breath, supporting the head of the Black Flood Dragon, and said, ¡°What¡¯s there to congratulate, now I am even weaker than before I entered the Grandmaster Realm.¡± Though he had reached the Grandmaster Realm, the depletion of his essence blood posed an even bigger problem. He could imagine just how pale his face must look beneath the mask. If it weren¡¯t for the streak of starlight that had shone upon him earlier, he might have already passed out. Luo Chongyang waved his hand and said, ¡°Hey, throughout history, so many have failed to enter the Grandmaster Realm, your smooth entry should indeed be celebrated.¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows and replied, ¡°Since when did I become your nephew?¡± If someone acts out of character, they must have an ulterior motive; Luo Chongyang¡¯s sudden change in attitude was definitely fishy. Luo Chongyang chuckled and explained, ¡°According to the hierarchy of the Mystical Sect, Yan Shaoshan is my brother in arms, and since you are his disciple, aren¡¯t you my nephew then?¡± An Jing, with a playful tone, said, ¡°So, if your nephew faces trouble, you won¡¯t help?¡± Luo Chongyang replied earnestly, ¡°If my nephew faces trouble, how can his grand-uncle stand by idly? It¡¯s just a matter of going to the Demon Sect together. I haven¡¯t seen Jiang Shang for a long time; this could be a good chance to exchange a few moves.¡± Delaying Jiang Shang was not a difficult task, and it was not a matter of life and death at the Demon Sect. It would also give him a chance to see just how the Ghost Swordsman managed to be so effective at Dongluo Pass. If he was previously somewhat disbelieving, he was now quite curious. What is the most valuable thing in the world? Thick skin. And what¡¯s the least valuable? Likewise, it¡¯s thick skin. An Jing looked at the Taoist in front of him and asked, ¡°Are you a match for Jiang Shang?¡± The name ¡®Jiang Shang¡¯ seemed to weigh heavily on Luo Chongyang, who said, ¡°We used to be evenly matched, but now it¡¯s unclear. Jiang Shang is a ruthless and brutal man. He stops at nothing for his cultivation. I¡¯m not sure how far his Cultivation has progressed; he might be at the Peak of Three Qi or might have reached the Four Qi Realm.¡± To others, Jiang Shang was a legend and a myth, but having had real interactions with him, he knew Jiang Shang better than most, which made him more aware of Jiang Shang¡¯s ferocity and fearsomeness. Luo Chongyang continued, ¡°He once killed a retired Second Qi Grandmaster from Jianghu to break through to the Three Qi Grandmaster level. Because of this, the Demon Sect faced collective attacks and was eventually driven out of Great Yan.¡± An Jing was somewhat astonished, ¡°So that¡¯s why.¡± It was his first time hearing that Jiang Shang had killed a Second Qi Grandmaster just to advance to the Three Qi Grandmaster level. Luo Chongyang explained, ¡°A Grandmaster can generate Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence within their bodies. Centuries ago, there were those who killed Grandmasters to enhance their Cultivation, but most of them, because they advanced too quickly in their Cultivation levels and had unstable minds, eventually succumbed to madness. Others were nipped in the bud. Jiang Shang belongs to the latter group, and he has been quite clever in not evoking the wrath of heaven and the masses.¡± ¡°Otherwise, whether he could have led the Demon Sect out of Great Yan remains questionable.¡± These were secrets of Jianghu, not known to the general public or spoken of in random rumors, hence An Jing, lacking information, was not aware of these intricacies. ¡°I see.¡± An Jing nodded and asked, ¡°Do you know how to quickly replenish the essence blood deficiency in my body?¡± The most important thing right now was to restore the essence blood in his body; otherwise, he would be too weak to unleash his full strength. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Oh? What method?¡± Luo Chongyang pointed at the Black Flood Dragon and said, ¡°If you take the essence blood from within this Black Flood Dragon and absorb it all, you can restore eighty percent of your essence blood in a short period of time without affecting your ability to exert your strength. The remaining twenty percent will need to be gradually recovered over time.¡± ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon seemed to understand Luo Chongyang¡¯s words and couldn¡¯t help but let out a low roar, its eyes filled with malice. The Taoist appeared to have ignoble intentions, targeting its head. An Jing immediately said in annoyance, ¡°How can that be possible? Is there no other way?¡± This approach was even stupider than robbing Peter to pay Paul; the Black Flood Dragon was a major force and would be needed to confront the high-level experts of the Demon Sect at Dongluo Pass. ¡°There is another way.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Luo Chongyang said, ¡°Kill a few Grandmasters and stew them for you to make a soup.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes gleamed, ¡°Kill whom?¡± Luo Chongyang was taken aback; he had only been speaking casually, but this cheap nephew before him took it seriously. ¡­¡­. PS: Please subscribe to the full series. Chapter 195 - Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Dragon Slayer Land Reveals Treasured Blood Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Dragon Slayer Land Reveals Treasured Blood Killing Grandmasters indeed allowed one to quickly acquire Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence and rapidly restore their Essence. However, simply killing Grandmasters to extract Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was certain to incur the jealousy of all Grandmasters in the world, and might even provoke a united attack from the world¡¯s experts. After all, no one wanted to one day become fodder in someone else¡¯s pot, or to unwittingly dress another in bridal robes. ¡°Killing a few Grandmasters is likely very difficult,¡± said An Jing with a shake of his head, ¡°Perhaps we should try a different method. Let¡¯s storm into the Zhenyi Sect.¡± An Jing looked at Luo Chongyang, ¡°Old Taoist, could it be that you desire the bait from the Zhenyi Sect? Are you deliberately deceiving me into this trap?¡± As the National Religion, everyone knew of the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s four great Peak Masters and the seven Real Humans beneath the Heavenly Venerate, but few knew these were merely the tip of the iceberg of the Zhenyi Sect. As Luo Chongyang himself had said, there was a Hidden Mountain within the sect, and one could not fathom how many old monsters were hidden within it. The previous Zhenyi Sect Leader, Ye Ding, had vanished without a trace. Jiang Shang and that Ye Ding were top tier experts of the same era, and Jiang Shang was still alive in the world today. Ye Ding, who cultivated the Mystical Sect¡¯s ¡°Beidou Seven Stars Technique¡± and sought to comprehend creation for Longevity and the path to immortality, was very likely stationed within Hidden Mountain even at that moment. Experts like these were countless within the Zhenyi Sect, and there were even one or two old monsters of the ¡®Hua¡¯ generation. It was merely a stroke of luck that Luo Chongyang had managed to escape from the Zhenyi Sect. Luo Chongyang let out a light chuckle; he knew all too well how difficult it was to attack the Zhenyi Sect¨Cmuch clearer than the Ghost Swordsman did. The two most dangerous places in Great Yan were none other than the Great Yan Palace, perched above mountains and rivers, and Zhenyi Mountain, which suppressed the Jianghu. Luo Chongyang gave it some thought and said, ¡°To replenish Essence Blood, a large amount of Essence is required. If there are precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, those could serve as well.¡± Go to wuxiaworld.site An Jing inquired, ¡°Uncle Luo, do you have any?¡± When things were fine, he was an old Taoist, but at the moment of need, he became Uncle Luo. An Jing, my frugal nephew, is not simple either, thought Luo Chongyang as he glanced at An Jing and took out his own purse, giving it a shake, ¡°I¡¯m so poor I jingle, where would I get any Silver Coins? These hundred Copper Coins were even given to me by you today. Have you possibly saved all your earnings from your decades of wandering the Jianghu?¡± An Jing shook his head; he did have some savings on him, but it was not Silver¡­ The two poor ghosts, old and young, exchanged glances. ¡°Actually, there is another way.¡± Luo Chongyang smashed his right fist into his left palm and said, ¡°In Great Yan, there are several mountain ranges that are beautifully picturesque, full of spiritual energy and wonder, where rare and exotic treasures are not uncommon. If you could obtain such a thing, it wouldn¡¯t be just about replenishing your Essence, there might even be a chance for you to reach the One Qi Realm.¡± After pondering for a moment, An Jing asked, ¡°Which place?¡± Luo Chongyang said seriously, ¡°In Lengping Mountain, there is Ghost Ganoderma.¡± ¡°We can¡¯t go to that place,¡± said An Jing as he immediately shook his head upon hearing these three words. What kind of place was Lengping? An Jing was well aware, having even visited the location, which was on the border of Jiangnan Dao. The capital of the Zhou Dynasty was located in Lengping. When the dynasty fell apart, the world was divided into nine parts, with the most powerful factions being Great Yan in the northern region and the Shu of the current Beihuang Dao and Nanping Dao. Great Yan embraced distant diplomacy while engaging in aggressive expansion, soon after annexing several smaller countries. Shu united with other states to resist Great Yan, and both sides claimed righteousness in a standstill that lasted for years. One side claimed to clear the king¡¯s side, while the other sought to exterminate traitorous subjects. Naturally, the final outcome was Great Yan¡¯s victory, but the battle was incredibly brutal, resulting in the deaths of seven hundred thousand soldiers. And this battle took place in Lengping. The souls of seven hundred thousand soldiers had no home to return to and eventually formed an overwhelming evil aura. Because Lengping was located in Jiangnan Dao, An Jing had once visited that ancient battlefield. At the time, he already possessed Fifth Grade Cultivation and was met with an overwhelming evil aura. By the time he returned to Yu State City, he had fallen gravely ill. He always felt that the land of Lengping was particularly harmful to him. Since then, he had kept his distance from Lengping. Lou Xiangzhen had also once mentioned to him that it was best not to go to Lengping, as rumors said the evil aura there had not dissipated for a long time and might even be connected to the Underworld. Occasionally, ghost soldiers would appear, and encountering them passing by would be a major trouble. An Jing simply wanted to repair the Essence within his body and was not yet desperate enough to risk himself. While it¡¯s true that fortune favors the bold, that saying generally applies to expendable ceramics because they have little value and can be easily replaced if broken. A few risks in life are enough. Constantly putting one¡¯s life on the line will eventually result in losing one¡¯s head. Luo Chongyang¡¯s mind raced as he said, ¡°Beyond Wangjing Sea lies Outer Heaven Island, where the population is sparse and spiritual treasures abound. It is said that immortals from overseas occasionally appear to enlighten all beings.¡± On the eastern side of Great Yan and Zhao Country, there weren¡¯t just a group of pirates causing trouble but also a vast, endless sea with countless islands. Because they were far from human habitation and worldly affairs, they were known as a paradise on earth. Fishermen near the islands often claimed to see immortals from overseas, and these were presumably the masters of the Grandmaster Realm who chose to live in seclusion in this area. ¡°No,¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°That place is full of experts, and the journey is too long. Even with the round trip and the search, it will take at least three to four months.¡± Luo Chongyang sighed, ¡°Then my nephew can only wait slowly. You¡¯ve depleted too much. Without spirit pills, miraculous medicines, or heavenly materials and earthly treasures, it will take years to recover gradually.¡± The difficulty of restoring essence blood actually increases upon reaching the Grandmaster Realm. An Jing thought for a moment and asked, ¡°Could the Volcanic Essence from Beili Volcano help me recover my essence quickly?¡± He had originally planned to go to Beili Volcano to borrow the Volcanic Essence, absorb its essence, and thereby enter the Grandmaster Realm, or even to follow in Li Fuzhou¡¯s footsteps and directly reach the One Qi Realm. Now, this incomplete ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± had pushed him to the Grandmaster Realm, but at a significant loss of essence blood, and it had not directly returned his essence qi to its place. Now, whenever he entered a meditative state, the spiritual energy from heaven and earth he absorbed would directly convert into essence blood, meaning he had the cultivation, but the true qi inside his body was extremely thin. ¡°It¡¯s difficult,¡± Luo Chongyang pondered for a moment and said, ¡°The Volcanic Essence from Beili Volcano is similar in effect to the Thunder Pool of the Five Poison Sect. Every year, many people from Jianghu go near Beili Volcano to absorb the Volcanic Essence. Compared to the Thunder Essence within the Five Poison Sect¡¯s Thunder Pool, the Volcanic Essence is extremely overbearing. Moreover, a large amount of essence is buried deep beneath Beili Volcano, where temperatures are extremely high. At the bottom of the volcano lives an exotic beast called Honghu, which belongs to ancient divine birds. Its strength is no small matter, and even Grandmaster experts dare not approach it lightly.¡± ¡°Most importantly, absorbing too much Volcanic Essence will leave fire poison in one¡¯s body.¡± As he said this, Luo Chongyang paused for a moment. An Jing frowned and asked, ¡°Absorbing this Fire Essence will leave fire poison behind?¡± The method left by the Sect Leader of Ghost Valley for Lv Guoyong mentioned that only those with extremely heavy yin energy should not absorb it¨Ccould it be implicitly referring to this fire poison? ¡°That¡¯s right, the Volcanic Essence is extremely domineering. Once absorbed by the human body, it will undoubtedly be difficult to purge the impurities. Centuries ago, there was a peerless expert who practiced the Burning Fire Technique with the help of this Volcanic Essence. In the end, significant fire poison developed within his body, burning everything to ash, leaving nothing but dust behind. After the disappearance of this peerless expert, which caused a great shock in Jianghu, nobody knew of his whereabouts. Only the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect, who was a friend of his, knew that this peerless expert had died from fire poison combustion.¡± Seeing that An Jing had not spoken, Luo Chongyang continued, ¡°However, it¡¯s not impossible for you to try. Beili Volcano is also considered one of Jianghu¡¯s great secrets, with many wondrous spiritual plants surviving around it. Furthermore, in the caves of Beili Volcano, there are many remnants of experts from Jianghu. It¡¯s possible that there are other opportunities. For example, Tian Liu from the Cao Gang once found the remnants of a very old person in Beili Volcano and acquired a part of the Soul Losing Hand and half of the Three Extremes Return to One technique, which helped him cultivate to the First Grade. What he obtained was but a small fraction, hardly worth mentioning.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, ¡°Alright, then let¡¯s go there.¡± With the Earth Book in hand, as long as there were any opportunities within a certain range, he could find them with ease. Beili Volcano seemed like a good destination. Luo Chongyang pointed at the Black Flood Dragon and reminded, ¡°The Honghu at the bottom of Beili Volcano is formidable. In my opinion, this Black Flood Dragon should not approach within several dozen miles of Beili Volcano.¡± ¡°Exotic beasts can sense each other, and if that Honghu bursts out from the bottom of the mountain, the trouble will be significant. Although this Black Flood Dragon is an extremely fierce exotic beast, it may not be a match for that Honghu.¡± Luo Chongyang could naturally tell that the Black Flood Dragon in front of him had just molted, whereas the Honghu had been cultivating at the bottom of the volcano for who-knows-how-many years. The Black Flood Dragon was certainly no match for the Honghu. ¡°Roar!¡± Upon hearing Luo Chongyang¡¯s words, the Black Flood Dragon let out a low roar, seemingly dissatisfied with what he said. An Jing nodded and said, ¡°Then please accompany me on this journey, Uncle Luo.¡± Luo Chongyang chuckled softly, ¡°My nephew, I only agreed to accompany you to the Demon Sect, but this Beili Volcano¡­¡­.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Could it be that Uncle Luo wishes to negotiate terms with his nephew?¡± Luo Chongyang replied as if it were only natural, ¡°What terms? You¡¯re putting it so crudely. I should at least get some compensation, shouldn¡¯t I?¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow, ¡°What does Uncle Luo want?¡± Luo Chongyang looked at the lazily reclining Black Flood Dragon, a gleam of light appearing in his eyes, ¡°One drop of essence blood from this Black Flood Dragon.¡± ¡°Agreed.¡± An Jing immediately consented. One drop of essence blood was hardly significant for the Black Flood Dragon. Luo Chongyang straightened his robe and said, ¡°Let¡¯s descend the mountain first so that I can prepare properly.¡± An Jing nodded and said nothing more. Afterward, the two rode the moonlight down from Xuanqing Mountain. Unlike An Jing, who was extremely weak and drowsy on the back of the Black Flood Dragon. In a short while, they reached a small village at the foot of Xuanqing Mountain. At that moment, the night was utterly silent, and the village was pitch black except for a small courtyard still lit by lamp light. ¡°` ¡°You¡¯ll wait for me a moment here,¡± An Jing said and then walked into the courtyard. The tiles were damaged and the kiln was cold, yet the courtyard was simple but very clean and orderly. ¡°Creak¨C!¡± An Jing slowly pushed the door open. Hearing the knock, a woman in her early twenties with an ordinary appearance came out and smiled, saying, ¡°Uncle Luo, why did you come back so late tonight? The children have all fallen asleep, but I¡¯ve saved you some food.¡± An Jing looked at the woman and said, ¡°No need for the food, I am going to be away for a while to preach and teach. This is the copper coins I¡¯ve earned these days, and I¡¯m leaving all of it for you.¡± Saying so, he took out all of the copper coins from his purse and handed them to the woman. The woman, seeing this, hastily refused, ¡°Uncle Luo, if you give it all to us, what will you do¡­ keep some for yourself.¡± ¡°No need, to me, these are all but worldly possessions.¡± An Jing smiled and placed all of the copper coins on the table. ¡°I¡¯m leaving, you should also rest early and stop staying up late to mend clothes,¡± he said. Then, An Jing turned and walked out the door. The woman stood at the door and called out to An Jing¡¯s retreating figure, ¡°Uncle Luo, take care on your journey and remember to come back early.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± An Jing smiled faintly and left the courtyard. ¡°Cough cough cough¡­¡± An Jing leaned against the wall, constantly coughing. An Jing walked over and said, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± An Jing curiously asked, ¡°That woman is¡­?¡± An Jing looked to be over forty years old, but his real age might be even older than Lou Xiangzhen, and the voice of that woman sounded like she was just over twenty. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°A pitiful child. Her parents abandoned her at the doorstep of the Daoist temple. I took pity on her and adopted her, and then gradually took in more abandoned children.¡± An Jing, intrigued, said, ¡°You¡¯ve set up a Daoist temple?¡± A traitor from the Zhenyi Sect daring to set up a Daoist temple, that¡¯s quite some courage. An Jing nodded, ¡°I have.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Where?¡± An Jing looked at the distant moonlight and said slowly, ¡°On any barren piece of land in this world.¡± ¡­¡­ Houjin, North Field. In early summer, waves of grass ripple outwards, a few golden flowers adorn the verdant grasslands, each unique. Flocks of sheep, like clouds in the sky, spread across the vast expanse of the great grasslands. Groups of Houjin herdsmen walked leisurely in front of their homes, raced horses, and played, while women of Houjin stood in the distance singing and dancing. Qi Shu stood atop the grassland, calmly watching the scene before him. A woman came walking over slowly and said, ¡°Qi Ziyi, what do you think of my Houjin?¡± The woman in her thirties was dressed in a red robe, with deerskin boots beneath her feet, looking graceful and seductive with an air of valor in her demeanor. This woman was none other than the eighth daughter of the Holy Master Zongzheng Huachun of Houjin, Zongzheng Yue. ¡°Princess well wishes.¡± Qi Shu performed a Houjin salute to the woman and smiled, ¡°It¡¯s hard to imagine that Houjin has developed to such an extent these days. It¡¯s breathtaking and one must admit that under the current Holy Master¡¯s leadership, Houjin is increasingly resembling a prosperous dynasty.¡± Zongzheng Yue smiled, ¡°How does it compare to Great Yan?¡± Qi Shu almost responded without thinking, ¡°More thriving than Great Yan.¡± ¡°` Zongzheng Yue¡¯s smile deepened. Regardless of whether Qi Shu¡¯s words were sincere or not, having such a renowned master flatter him was indeed a pleasure. Zongzheng Yue looked to the south, a hint of light sparkling in her beautiful eyes. ¡°The ancestral lands are rich with heavenly treasures, and the people are as spirited as the land itself. Our grasslands are no less exceptional.¡± Qi Shu let out a deep sigh. ¡°It¡¯s just a pity that this time, I wasn¡¯t able to obtain any news about that Taiping Human Emperor from Princess An Le.¡± This Taiping Human Emperor was ruthless and also a martial arts prodigy, the very existence that Zhao Country feared the most. If it weren¡¯t for the appearance of this Human Emperor in Great Yan and Xiao Qianqiu, who suppresses Jianghu, Zhao Country might have unified what is today¡¯s Yan Country long ago. The original goal of Qi Shu¡¯s mission was to find out if the Taiping Human Emperor had really suffered the serious injuries rumored. Zongzheng Yue said with a smile, ¡°Qi Ziyi, do you know what a true master is?¡± Qi Shu looked at the beautiful grassland woman in front of him. ¡°Oh?¡± There were few in the world who dared to speak of masters in front of Qi Shu. Qi Shu had reached the Second Qi Cultivation and was the only one who could closely follow behind Xiao Qianqiu, a glimpse is indicative of the whole. Had he not been previously injured by that mysterious Grandmaster and been wary of the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Black Flood Dragon sitting below him, how could the Ghost Swordsman be his match? And the reason why the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s name resounded throughout the world and became famous was simply because he had chased him for more than three hundred miles. Zongzheng Yue looked into the distance, speaking slowly, ¡°A true master knows it¡¯s a trap, but he still enters it, and moreover, he breaks it.¡± ¡°Therefore, it doesn¡¯t matter whether the Taiping Human Emperor is alive or dead, Houjin will still move south to graze the horses.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Hearing this, Qi Shu couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°The princess speaks truly, there are few women in the world as heroic as you.¡± Upon hearing Zongzheng Yue¡¯s words, Qi Shu completely understood Houjin¡¯s ambitions and became secretly vigilant. Houjin is a fierce tiger, and dealing with the Black Ice Platform is like negotiating with the tiger for its skin. It remains to be seen whether the hunter can kill this fierce tiger or if the tiger will turn and bite the hunter instead; one must prepare early, or else it will be too late for regrets. Zongzheng Yue slightly lifted her head to look at Qi Shu, saying, ¡°Qi Ziyi flatters me too much, I heard that you plan to return to Zhao Country?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Qi Shu nodded, ¡°After this trip to Yan Country, and having consumed the Snow Lotus Seed bestowed by the Holy Master, I feel my cultivation bottleneck loosening. I plan to rush back to Zhao to break through my constraints.¡± Zongzheng Yue smiled and said, ¡°Then Zongzheng Yue congratulates Qi Ziyi in advance. I shall also tell you another piece of good news to add to your joy.¡± Qi Shu looked at Zongzheng Yue, asking, ¡°What good news?¡± Zongzheng Yue slowly said, ¡°In Great Qin¡¯s Dragon Slayer Land, there remains True Dragon Treasure Blood buried deep underground that Qi Ziyi could attempt to obtain with your abilities.¡± True Dragon Treasure Blood!? Upon hearing these four words, Qi Shu¡¯s heart skipped a beat. The historical records note that only one true dragon has ever appeared. Back then, the Great Qin Dynasty deployed a million troops, dozens of Masters, and three Grandmaster Level experts to slay that dragon. In that battle, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and several Masters were lost, with even two Grandmasters perishing. One can imagine the tragic intensity of the battle that nearly drained all of Great Qin¡¯s national strength. However, the Qin royal family obtained the True Dragon Essence Blood, and every member of the Qin Dynasty¡¯s royal family possessed True Dragon Bloodline thereafter, advancing rapidly in their cultivation and becoming world-renowned Martial Arts Emperors, which allowed the Great Qin Dynasty to thrive for so long. Aside from that one true dragon, no other has appeared in the world since then. True Dragon Treasure Blood, although far inferior to True Dragon Essence Blood, was still an extremely rare treasure. Its absorption into one¡¯s body and bloodline would certainly transform one¡¯s potential, and even possibly provide an opportunity to reach the Grandmaster Realm. Instantly, Qi Shu¡¯s heart beat wildly as he murmured to himself, ¡°Great Qin¡¯s Dragon Slayer Land?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zongzheng Yue slightly nodded, ¡°Indeed, this is the news that the Great Wizard of the Southern Barbarians told my father, absolutely true.¡± Qi Shu bowed with his fist clenched, saying solemnly, ¡°Thank you for the news. I am deeply grateful.¡± For him, this news was a treasure beyond measure, as it would be for anyone. ¡°Then I¡¯ll pre-emptively wish Qi Ziyi great success.¡± Zongzheng Yue smiled, yet internally she thought to herself: Xiao Qianqiu, my father has indeed found you a worthy opponent. Chapter 196 - Chapter 196: Chapter 196: A Murderous Intent Appears in the Righteous Manor Chapter 196: Chapter 196: A Murderous Intent Appears in the Righteous Manor Two days later, outside Beili City, at the entrance of the charitable estate. The night was tranquil, with a waning moon hanging high, soft as fluff, light as a floating cloud, varying in depth, seemingly there and yet not. Under a large tree stood two figures, An Jing and Luo Chongyang. ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­¡± An Jing¡¯s body was still actively cycling the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± absorbing the spiritual energy from heaven and earth, nurturing his essence blood. According to this pace, he wouldn¡¯t need the several years Luo Chongyang spoke of. Half a year might suffice for a nearly full recovery. But, half a year was still a very long time for An Jing. Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyes flickered with light as he said, ¡°Tomorrow, during the Yin hour, which is also when the Yin energy is the strongest, is the best time to enter the cave.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Then we shall rest at this charitable estate for a moment.¡± However, they only needed to wait in this place for a day and a night. Luo Chongyang took out a compass from his sleeve and said, ¡°You go ahead and enter the charitable estate. Uncle-Master will check out the cave terrain. If I don¡¯t return after a while, remember to enter the cave at the Yin hour.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Does it take a whole day to check the terrain?¡± Luo Chongyang responded as if it were obvious, ¡°Of course, the cave¡¯s terrain is complex, so naturally I must thoroughly explore it for my nephew.¡± Go to wuxiaworld.site As he spoke, Luo Chongyang walked off into the distance. An Jing watched his back, murmuring lowly, ¡°This old Taoist, he probably has some schemes.¡± Compared to Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s sullen nature, Luo Chongyang was more like an old child at heart, possessing an unrestrained spirit and an ideal that transcended the secular world. In this world, everyone has their own calculations, and not everything centers around oneself. This trip to Beili Volcano, Luo Chongyang had his purpose, and An Jing had his. As long as they didn¡¯t encroach on each other and had no conflict of interest, they could cooperate wholeheartedly. An Jing turned and walked toward the charitable estate. This estate was originally established as a school by a nearby clan. Later, for some reason, the entire clan moved away, leaving behind dozens of empty houses. The Court didn¡¯t demolish them to provide convenience for travelers needing a place to rest. Entering the house, An Jing casually chose a pile of straw to sit on, placing the Evil Suppressing Sword before his knees. The ¡°Sword Dao General Outline¡± states that there are many types of swordsmanship, but truly superior swordsmanship is rare. Among them, the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor¡¯s Heavenly Dao Sword and Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Human Dao Sword are considered superior sword techniques. Swordsmanship is a swordsman¡¯s expression of essence, energy, and spirit, so the higher the level of swordsmanship, the more difficult it is to reach the Sixth Realm. Yan Gang¡¯s Fast Sword Dao, for example, is not considered a superior sword technique, neither is the famous Killing Sword Dao; most swordsmen in Jianghu train in such moderate swordsmanship. An Jing had not considered any specific sword Dao to train in since he started sword training; his mind was more focused on integrating with all things, which is why he often referred to the Sword Dao General Outline. Later, his intricate fusion of sword techniques surpassed both the Heavenly Dao Sword and the Human Dao Sword, yet was not recorded in the Sword Dao General Outline. It was like rootless duckweed, requiring him to explore and comprehend by himself. An Jing touched the sword scabbard, his mind earnestly contemplating. Just then, several hurried footsteps came from outside the charitable estate. ¡°Brother Wu, we¡¯ve hurriedly covered seventy li; we should have shaken off Ning Cunzheng by now.¡± ¡°Sister Xu, there¡¯s nowhere good to rest nearby; let¡¯s make do in this charitable estate for tonight.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s just make do here for the night.¡± ¡­¡­ Several young men and women hurriedly entered, all appearing somewhat anxious. They were all dressed in white robes, with the same crescent emblem on their chests, clearly all disciples of the same sect. The leader was a young man with a horse face and a broad forehead, whose appearance was not handsome and could even be described as somewhat ugly. Beside him was a young girl whose looks were passable, but she was not stunningly beautiful. A few other young men and women followed these two, treating them as if they were stars surrounded by the moon. ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­¡± Seeing the approaching figure, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but let out a light cough. ¡°Who¡¯s there!?¡± One of the young women, startled by the sound, immediately called out in alarm. The others appeared as though facing a formidable enemy, weapons in hand raised, as they looked over in the direction of the sound. They saw a man in a black robe sitting cross-legged amongst the grass, coughing continuously. Wu Hao, seeing this, let out a sigh of relief, ¡°Junior Sister Xu, don¡¯t panic, it turns out it¡¯s just a sickly traveler.¡± Xu Wanling¡¯s heart, which had been in her throat, settled back in her stomach, ¡°You startled me. I thought Ning Cunzheng had caught up to us.¡± Wu Hao gave a laugh and said, ¡°Let¡¯s just make do here for the night. Junior Brother Zhang, Junior Brother Chen, start a fire and prepare something to eat.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± replied the two young men behind him, bustling about to start a fire. Xu Wanling looked at An Jing with suspicion but seeing the man in the black robe lying on the grass pile, still coughing continuously and apparently not faking, she finally relaxed a little. The campfire rose, crackling sounds filling the air, and soon the group of men and women began to talk in soft voices. After a moment of contemplation, Wu Hao said, ¡°We might have already shaken off Ning Cunzheng. It¡¯s good we avoided him, otherwise, we¡¯d be in grave danger.¡± ¡°My second senior uncle died at his hands, and now that he¡¯s returned to Great Yan, his cultivation is even more formidable than before. Bearing our master¡¯s orders, we must proceed with caution and absolutely cannot afford any mistakes.¡± Xu Wanling frowned and added, ¡°He has the cultivation of a Second Grade, yet he stoops to serving as a dog for Soul Seeker Mansion, working for Houjin. It¡¯s a shame he doesn¡¯t know the meaning of disgrace.¡± The other disciples around them nodded in agreement, their expressions grave. Although their voices were low, An Jing lying in the grass pile could hear everything clearly: it turns out that these people were disciples of the Yanhang Sect. Apart from the seven major sects, there were a total of hundreds of sects of various sizes registered with the Ministry of Revenue in Great Yan. Yanhang Sect was a sect with some reputation in Yun Hua Dao, but among the entire Great Yan Martial World, it could only be considered a second-tier sect. Its leader, Huang Tianhua, a practitioner at the Second Grade Realm, had a reputation for being charitable and friendly, garnering him quite a bit of fame. Listening to their conversation, An Jing learned that both the young man with the surname Wu and the young woman named Xu were disciples of Huang Tianhua, and were considered outstanding among the younger generation of the Yanhang Sect. Within a sect, there is a world of Jianghu. An Jing had encountered the wide world of Jianghu since starting his journey. Underneath this vast martial world were countless smaller worlds of Jianghu. ¡°It seems that Great Yan and Houjin will inevitably go to war given time, and Soul Seeker Mansion must be their preparation against the top fighters of the Great Yan Martial World,¡± An Jing thought quietly to himself after overhearing their conversation. He had, of course, heard of Soul Seeker Mansion, an organization Houjin used to rally martial artists from Great Yan, Zhao Country, and other places. It seemed there were many able fighters within it. Suddenly, Xu Wanling pointed at the figure lying in the distant grass pile and suggested, ¡°Brother Wu, why don¡¯t we give him some food?¡± Xu Wanling looked at the man in the black robe, alone and continuously coughing, and compassion arose in her heart. ¡°Alright,¡± agreed Wu Hao, picking up some dry food and quickly walking over to An Jing, ¡°Friend, would you like something to eat? This is some of the best jerky we have.¡± An Jing struggled to sit up and took the jerky, ¡°Cough, cough¡­ Thank you,¡± he replied. ¡°So pitiable,¡± Wu Hao said as he watched An Jing¡¯s condition, shaking his head. Carrying such a serious illness and lying alone in the middle of a charitable burial place, it made him wonder whether the sick man had no home to return to, possibly facing death with no one to collect his body. ¡°Sigh.¡± Wu Hao returned to his fellow sect members and let out a sigh. Xu Wanling asked curiously, ¡°Brother Wu, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Wu Hao shook his head and replied, ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Just lamenting the chaotic state of the world.¡± And in the distance, An Jing glanced at the dried meat in his hand and tasted a piece. It was fairly good, much tastier than the flatbread he had brought with him. Suddenly, his brows furrowed, and he thought to himself, ¡°Someone else is coming. There are two of them, one very close by the door, and the other about ninety feet away. The footsteps don¡¯t belong to that old Taoist, and there¡¯s a murderous intent¡­¡± Meanwhile, the people of the Yanhang Sect were completely unaware that someone had already arrived outside the righteous manor, and were tidying up the place, preparing to lie down and rest. ¡°Found you.¡± A cold voice sounded, echoing within the righteous manor. A middle-aged man holding a spear stood outside the door, his murderous gaze not the slightest bit concealed. ¡°It¡¯s Ning Cunzheng!¡± Upon seeing the newcomer, Wu Hao felt as though he had been struck by a bolt from the blue. The other disciples of the Yanhang Sect also turned pale, never expecting to be caught by the man before them after all their efforts to hide. Ning Cunzheng¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile, ¡°You little fellows, keep hiding. I¡¯d like to see where you can run to now.¡± Xu Wanling bit her lip and coldly shouted, ¡°Ning Cunzheng, you should show some respect as an elder of the Great Yan Martial World, always bullying the young, and what¡¯s more, you¡¯ve thrown in your lot with the Soul Seeker Mansion, becoming Houjin¡¯s groveling dog. How pathetic.¡± Ning Cunzheng¡¯s eyes held a hint of cold indifference and mockery, ¡°What does a little girl like you know? Being alive anywhere is better than lying dead on the ground.¡± ¡°Today this old man will smash your heads, and then I¡¯ll see how Huang Tianhua reacts when I place them before him.¡± As he spoke, Ning Cunzheng waved his spear, and a fierce spear energy pierced through. With his Second Grade Cultivation, dealing with these youngsters was naturally a piece of cake. Even Xu Wanling and Wu Hao together were merely at Fifth Grade Cultivation. ¡°Bang Bang Bang Bang!¡± A single wave of spear energy swept over, and all the disciples of the Yanhang Sect fell to the ground. ¡°Your heads, Ning will take them.¡± Ning Cunzheng¡¯s eyes turned frosty, and just as he was about to raise his spear to kill, his brows suddenly furrowed deeply. He felt as if he¡¯d lost all his strength, his body and palms seemingly nailed in place, unable to move. ¡°Could there be a ghost within this righteous manor?¡± Cold sweat appeared on Ning Cunzheng¡¯s forehead. He had never encountered such a bizarre situation before. It wasn¡¯t just Ning Cunzheng, everyone from the Yanhang Sect equally found that they could not move at all. Xu Wanling was also in a great panic, asking, ¡°Brother Wu, what¡¯s happening? I can¡¯t move at all.¡± Wu Hao¡¯s face was also full of shock, ¡°I have no idea.¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Just then, a burst of loud laughter came from outside the manor. Looking towards the source of the laughter, they saw a woman dressed in black entering. The woman had her face veiled and was indiscernible, her voice sounding to be in her thirties, but she had a curvaceous figure, full of allure, easily stirring a man¡¯s desire. Ning Cunzheng quickly asked, ¡°Who are you?¡± The woman ignored Ning Cunzheng and instead turned her gaze toward An Jing, who was lying on the ground, with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s true what they say, no need for the effort when ¡¯tis fate. The effort is nothing if the fortune is predestined.¡± An Jing was somewhat surprised and asked, ¡°You came specifically for me?¡± The woman in black took out a piece of incense, laughing, ¡°This is Snowy Mugwort, colorless and odorless. Anyone below the Grandmaster Realm who smells Snowy Mugwort will become completely powerless, as if subjected to an Immobilization Spell, and the effect can last the time it takes an incense stick to burn.¡± An Jing pondered thoughtfully, ¡°The person capable of concocting such a thing must not be ordinary.¡± Snowy Mugwort, just hearing about its effectiveness, one would know it¡¯s very precious and rare, certainly not something that could be easily concocted. Clearly, the woman in black had paid a significant price for him. Moreover, in the Jianghu, not many dared to come knocking on his door looking for trouble. ¡°Sir,¡± Ning Cunzheng whispered, ¡°I am from the Soul Seeker Mansion, may I ask if you possibly¡­¡± ¡°Silence!¡± The woman in black raised her eyebrows and swept her hand forward. ¡°Bang!¡± Profound Inner Strength surged from her palm and violently struck Ning Cunzheng¡¯s body, and with a ¡®bang¡¯, the Second Grade Cultivation Ning Cunzheng instantly turned into a mist of blood. Seeing this scene, the entire Yanhang Sect was petrified with shock, as if turned to stone. Wu Hao¡¯s face went pale to the extreme, and his heart thumped so wildly it felt like it could burst out. Too terrifying! It was indeed too terrifying! A Second Grade expert, a martial artist with Second Grade Cultivation, had just been turned into a blood mist with a single slap. Who in the world was this woman in black!? Wu Hao had seen experts kill like slaughtering dogs, but this was his first time seeing someone kill a high-level expert as if slaughtering a dog. An Jing lay in the pile of grass and said with a smile, ¡°If you want to kill me, could you at least let me die knowing why?¡± ¡°Kill you? How could I bear to kill you?¡± The woman in black¡¯s eyes gleamed as she playfully complained, ¡°Sister hasn¡¯t had enough time to dote on you.¡± With that, she extended her hand and a powerful Qi Force emerged from her palm, rushing towards An Jing. The Qi Force was as soft as snow, as if intending to envelop An Jing. But just as the Force Qi was about to touch An Jing, it suddenly came up against a burst of Supreme Yang True Qi, causing the Inner Strength to dissipate completely. ¡°Not good!?¡± The woman in black reacted extremely quickly, instantly thinking of something and swiftly retreating towards the outside of the charity estate. ¡°Sister wants to leave now? Isn¡¯t it a bit too late?¡± An Jing chuckled lightly. The woman in black moved with astounding speed, disappearing from the charity estate in the blink of an eye. But An Jing¡¯s speed was even faster, vanishing before the Yanhang Sect members could even blink. This was indeed the Master¡¯s Secret Technique, Shrinking Land into Inches. In a flash, the entire charity estate became eerily silent. Wu Hao looked at the disappearing figure of the man in the black robe, his lips trembling, ¡°Grand¡­. Grandmaster¡­.¡± That ¡®sickly man¡¯ was a Grandmaster! Just now, a legendary figure from the Jianghu was right before him, even staying under the same roof. If it weren¡¯t for that woman in black, and the events that just unfolded, he would never believe that the pitiful ¡®sickly man¡¯ was actually a master-class expert. ¡°Brother Wu, what Grandmaster? What are you talking about?¡± Xu Wanling¡¯s mind was in chaos, and she couldn¡¯t help but ask after hearing Wu Hao¡¯s words. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Wu Hao looked outside the charity estate, shaking as he said, ¡°That¡­ that person is a Grandmaster, that man lying on the ground in the black robe, is a Grandmaster predecessor.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Xu Wanling¡¯s face was full of astonishment, and she couldn¡¯t help but exclaim. The Yanhang Sect disciples nearby, upon hearing Wu Hao¡¯s words, also felt their hearts quake, their eyes filled with disbelief. Just moments ago, a master-class expert had been right before their eyes, and they had been completely unaware? Chapter 197 - Chapter 197: Chapter 197: The Appearance of the Divine Bird Exotic Beast Honghu Chapter 197: Chapter 197: The Appearance of the Divine Bird Exotic Beast Honghu Outside Beili City, all was quiet. The woman in black moved like the wind, her toes touching a branch, darting forward like a dragonfly skimming the water¡¯s surface. The night hurried along, and soon they had covered several hundred yards. ¡°I hadn¡¯t expected this Ghost Swordsman to have entered the Grandmaster Realm.¡± When she saw that her snow-on-a-branch technique was ineffective against the Ghost Swordsman, she guessed that he must have entered the Grandmaster Realm. The Ghost Swordsman was one of the six Great Sword Immortals and had defeated two other Sword Immortals. Reaching the Grandmaster Realm, he was even three times more formidable than an ordinary grandmaster. How could she, with her Half-step Master Cultivation, possibly be his match? Therefore, she decisively chose to run. The night hurried on, and the woman in black, hearing no sound behind her, let out a slight sigh of relief. But the next moment, her pupils sharply contracted. There in the moonlight ahead, a figure in a black robe stood, his eyes indifferent like still water. It was the Ghost Swordsman! The woman in black shuddered, halting her step to stand on a thin sprig, her chest heaving. An Jing indifferently said, ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± The woman in black, unfazed, even laughed, ¡°Where can your sister go? Just out for some air, to see the moon.¡± Go to wuxiaworld.site An Jing did not want to waste words with this woman, directly asking, ¡°Who are you, and what power do you represent?¡± Who exactly was this woman in front of him, and why was she causing him trouble? The woman in black blinked and said, ¡°If sister accompanies me to watch the moon, I¡¯ll tell you, how about it?¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow, ¡°I want to see what makes you so confident.¡± Having said that, An Jing leaped forward, reaching out to grab the woman in black. The woman in black saw only a blur before another figure appeared in front of her, quickly sidestepping and raising her own palm to counter. ¡°Bang!¡± Their palms did not directly contact, but the resulting Qi Force was explosive, emitting a deafening sound. ¡°Tap tap tap tap¡­.¡± The woman in black felt as though she had been struck by a mountain, her inner breath boiling, her organs trembling, instantly turning her complexion pale. An Jing, expressionless, said, ¡°I used thirty percent of my strength in that palm, the next one won¡¯t be so lucky for you.¡± The woman in black ignored An Jing¡¯s threat and instead called out sharply, ¡°Sister, if you don¡¯t come out now, I might die by his hand, and you won¡¯t be able to live either.¡± There were others around!? An Jing¡¯s eyebrows lifted; he had only sensed one Qi Mechanism. Shortly after the woman in black spoke, a woman in white floated towards them from afar, bathed in the moonlight. The woman with a delicate waist and light steps, her wrists as white as porcelain under the gauze, her features exquisite and beautiful as a painting, her white clothes purer than snow, adding to her saintly and untainted appearance. ¡°My friend, Su Lian greets you respectfully,¡± she said. Compared to the woman in black, the woman in white was very polite and courteous, giving a gentle bow to An Jing as she spoke. An Jing watched the woman in white, but his brows were tightly knitted. Su Lian and the woman in black had the same Qi Mechanism, and if he hadn¡¯t seen it with his own eyes, he would not have noticed that they were two different people. Seeing the woman in white appear, the woman in black immediately laughed coyly, ¡°Sister, aren¡¯t you going to join forces with me to take this Ghost Swordsman back?¡± An Jing looked at the two, asking, ¡°Who exactly are you, and why are you attacking me?¡± The woman in black, her seductive eyes shining, said, ¡°Attacking you is naturally to take good care of you.¡± As she spoke, without waiting for a response from An Jing, the woman in black charged at him. Fast! Very fast! If just moments ago the woman in black possessed only Half-step Master Cultivation, now she seemed to have suddenly broken through her constraints, turning into a master of the Master Realm. ¡°How has this woman in black suddenly increased in strength so much!?¡± In the blink of an eye, the woman in black had already rushed to her, her hand seeming to want to rest on her shoulder to capture him. ¡°Shing!¡± A cold light unsheathed, exploding like a cracked silver jug under the moonlight, casting a startling gleam towards the arm of the woman in black. ¡°Not good!¡± The woman in black quickly withdrew her arm, but the sword light still rushed towards her. The Evil Suppressing Sword was fierce as frost, the blade turning wildly, its tip like a venomous snake¡¯s tongue, striking terror into the heart. Even though the woman in black knew the Ghost Swordsman was formidable, especially having entered the Grandmaster level, she didn¡¯t expect him to be this formidable. The woman in black retreated dozens of steps, then wrapped her palms around, seemingly forming a special Seal Technique. Life and Death Seal! Yin Wind Burial! The woman in black shot into the air, swaying her body, casting a sinister seal technique toward the front. Bang! Bang! Bang! An Jing¡¯s palm turned, and a cold light suddenly appeared on the Evil Suppressing Sword. Nine-character Sword Technique! Dou Character Secret! Sword Qi enveloped the hanging moon like a mountain. The moment the sword qi collided with the seal technique, explosions erupted continuously, a force of Qi surged from the emptiness, and several large trees around were swept up, rapidly transforming the ground into a pocked landscape. Although both were in the Grandmaster Realm, the woman in black was somewhat flustered, floating backwards on the ground. ¡°Shoo!¡± An Jing knew his essence blood was depleted and he could not fully exert his strength nor afford a prolonged battle. He immediately leapt forward, his longsword moving like a dragon. Seeing this, Su Lian¡¯s eyebrows raised sharply, and she immediately stepped in front of the woman in black. Light and shadow intertwined, Su Lian also displayed a seal technique, seemingly identical to that of the woman in black. Life and Death Seal! Parting of Life and Death! Black and white Qi swirled in her palms, and under the moonlight, she appeared like a banished immortal from the mortal world. Her seal technique grew larger and larger until it burst forth from her palms. ¡°Break!¡± An Jing¡¯s expression did not change as he pushed forward with the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand. ¡°Boom!¡± Sword Control Technique! The blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword transformed into a beam of flowing light, piercing through the darkness ahead. Infinite sharpness burst from the body of the Evil Suppressing Sword, and soon struck the seal technique. ¡°Crack!¡± The seal technique shattered in an instant, scattering into the air, and much of the sword qi around the Evil Suppressing Sword also dispersed. Following An Jing¡¯s inhaling of True Qi, it returned to his palm. Both their seal techniques were instantly broken by the sword qi. ¡°Friend, hold on!¡± Seeing An Jing about to strike again, Su Lian quickly shouted. An Jing paused with the Evil Suppressing Sword in hand and spoke indifferently, ¡°Who exactly are you, and what is your purpose? If you do not speak now, do not blame me for being impolite.¡± The woman in black also knew of the prowess of the Ghost Swordsman before her and stood beside Su Lian without speaking. Su Lian took a deep breath and said, ¡°We are from Zhao Country. We came to find a friend because an elder in our family wanted to meet you.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes flashed with a cold light, ¡°Black Ice Platform!?¡± From his memory, only his connections with Qi Shu held such enmity; could it be that the two women before him were masters from the Black Ice Platform!? Thinking this, his heart filled with intent to kill. The woman in black then said, ¡°My sister is not a person from the Black Ice Platform.¡± Su Lian knew of An Jing¡¯s grievances with Qi Shu, and quickly smiled, ¡°Friend, rest assured, we are not people from the Black Ice Platform. This invitation from our elder is meant in good faith.¡± ¡°Good faith?¡± An Jing glared at the woman in black, ¡°You do not seem to carry good intentions.¡± ¡°This is my sister Su Yue; she acts somewhat rashly and impetuously. The herb on the snow only serves to deplete strength and carries no poison.¡± Su Lian gave An Jing a deep bow and said, ¡°Thus, I would like to apologize on behalf of my sister here.¡± An Jing glanced at the two, ¡°Who is your elder?¡± Su Lian replied, ¡°Our elder¡¯s surname is Jin, and since he is currently venerating our ancestors, he could not come in person.¡± ¡°Surname Jin?¡± An Jing thought for a moment, genuinely unaware of any renowned master by the surname Jin, and he was also not very familiar with the Jianghu of Zhao Country, except for its most famous top-class masters. Su Lian nodded slightly, ¡°Our family elder said that if you do not wish to come, he can wait.¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow, ¡°Wait?¡± Su Lian said, ¡°Yes, wait until you have time.¡± Su Yue¡¯s lips curled slightly, ¡°But not too long, as we are in a hurry to return.¡± ¡°Hold your tongue.¡± Su Lian frowned and chided. Hearing Su Lian¡¯s words, Su Yue immediately furrowed her eyebrows, ¡°Who are you telling to hold their tongue!? Don¡¯t forget who¡¯s the elder sister and who¡¯s the younger sister.¡± Su Lian said, ¡°Elder Jin said that during this trip, everything should be up to me.¡± Su Yue¡¯s lips curled up into a sneer, ¡°When did Elder Jin say such a thing? I never heard it.¡± ¡°You!¡± Upon hearing this, anger surged within Su Lian. ¡°Su Yue, if we weren¡¯t on a mission, I would definitely show you my prowess.¡± Su Yue nonchalantly said, ¡°Then let¡¯s see the truth under our hands. We¡¯ve fought hundreds of times; when have you ever won against me?¡± An Jing watched as their argument escalated and his heart suddenly stirred slightly, ¡°Ladies, it¡¯s not that I can¡¯t go to meet your family elder, but I currently have some very important matters to attend to.¡± Su Lian smiled slightly, ¡°That¡¯s alright, we can wait as long as you have time.¡± Su Yue frowned slightly and said, ¡°How long will you need? Don¡¯t take half a year or a year.¡± An Jing laughed, ¡°If the two of you are willing to lend me a hand, I think I can make time quite soon.¡± Although he didn¡¯t know why this woman in black had significantly increased in strength, both of them currently possessed the standard of Master Realm, which was indeed a rare aid. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± This time, both of them agreed without any argument, instead showing a unanimous attitude. An Jing asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to ask what it is about?¡± Su Yue raised her eyebrows slightly, smiled charmingly, and said, ¡°As long as you can make time to come with us, big sister will do anything for you.¡± ¡°Impudent!¡± Su Lian glared at Su Yue and then said to An Jing, ¡°When we came here, our predecessor had instructed us to protect our friend as much as possible if we got the chance, so a little favor is naturally not a problem.¡± Having heard this, An Jing smiled, ¡°Good, then, let¡¯s meet outside Yunlin City in twenty days.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not miss it.¡± Su Lian smiled, then turned to Su Yue and scolded in a low voice, ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving yet? Why disgrace yourself here?¡± Su Yue cursed under her breath, ¡°I¡¯ll deal with you when we get back.¡± The two figures, one black and one white, moved like the wind and soon disappeared into the forest. ¡°Those two are really strange.¡± An Jing watched their figures, his mind deep in thought. There were clearly two people, but he could only sense the Qi Mechanism of one. Moreover, the moment Su Lian appeared, the strength of Su Yue in black had suddenly reached the Master Realm. What exactly were their origins, and why did the person behind them want to see him? After pondering for a moment, An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°Forget it, for now, I will use the skills of these two to first behead the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. Other matters are not important for the time being.¡± Taking a deep breath, An Jing returned to the righteous village. By the time he turned back, only a patch of blood foam was left on the ground. The group from Yanhang Sect had taken their chance to slip away after the medicine had worn off. ¡­¡­ Beili Volcano, inside a cave. Due to the extremely high temperature, the air carried a bit of dryness, and one could sense the sparse volcanic essence drifting around. In the profound darkness, a glimmer of light suddenly appeared; looking along that light, there was a Taoist in a blue Daoist robe holding a fire striker in one hand and a compass in the other. This Taoist was Luo Chongyang. Luo Chongyang, using the faint light, looked at the compass in his hand, ¡°The temperature is getting higher the further we go, it seems we are getting closer to the mouth of the volcano¡­.¡± The needle of the compass in his hand seemed to be drawn by some force, constantly pulling him forward. Luo Chongyang pondered for a moment, then placed the compass on the ground and took out a palm-sized porcelain bottle from his waist. On opening the bottle, a powerful Qi Force burst out from it, and one could faintly hear a deep roar. Black Flood Dragon Essence Blood. Luo Chongyang looked at the bottle in his hand, a smile appearing on his lips, ¡°With this Black Flood Dragon Essence Blood, perhaps I can find that True Dragon Treasure Blood.¡± His main purpose for coming to Beili Volcano was, of course, the rumored True Dragon Treasure Blood said to be hidden here. However, the True Dragon Treasure Blood was underground and extremely difficult to locate. Luo Chongyang had known about this from ancient texts of Zhenyi Sect and had come to this place two or three times, but he had never been able to find the True Dragon Treasure Blood. It was only when he saw the Black Flood Dragon under his cheap disciple¡¯s command this time, that he suddenly had an idea to use the Flood Dragon Essence Blood to evoke a resonance with the True Dragon Treasure Blood, perhaps leading him to it. True Dragon Treasure Blood, which was transformed by a True Dragon, although not as precious as True Dragon Essence Blood, was still one of the wonders of the world. The most important thing was that it could improve one¡¯s inherent Root Bone and expel impurities from the body. Why the Great Qin Dynasty remained prosperous was because the royal family descendants had True Dragon Essence Blood in their bodies. Through diligent cultivation of martial arts, they could easily reach the Purity Body state. Their cultivation of martial arts advanced at an astonishing speed, intimidating others. The reason Luo Chongyang had discouraged An Jing from letting the Black Flood Dragon come was because he feared that the Black Flood Dragon would sense the True Dragon Treasure Blood and compete for it with him, knowing well how tempting it was for the Black Flood Dragon. Luo Chongyang dropped the Black Flood Dragon Essence Blood onto the compass. As the Black Flood Dragon Essence Blood fell, the compass needle began to spin rapidly, finally pointing directly ahead. ¡°Is it still ahead?¡± Luo Chongyang frowned and continued moving forward. As they went deeper into the cave, the temperature increased more and more, searing heat waves surging forward, scalding even to the skin but fortunately, the old Taoist¡¯s cultivation was profound, and his skin thick enough. About a hundred feet further, heat waves assaulted them, as if they could melt iron and sever gold, while the volcanic essence grew denser and richer around them. This place was no longer accessible to ordinary Jianghu experts. In the originally pitch-black cave, a strange light seemed to appear ahead. Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyebrows locked tightly, ¡°The mouth of the volcano is ahead, could it be that the True Dragon Treasure Blood is at the bottom of the volcano?¡± At the bottom of the volcano, where the temperature is extremely high, even the Golden Bone of a Grandmaster could melt into a pool of molten blood and a wisp of white smoke. It would be very difficult to obtain the True Dragon Treasure Blood. Luo Chongyang had walked another hundred steps before finally reaching the mouth of the cave where a searing wave of heat washed over him, continuously lapping against his protective True Qi, mixed with a heavy, muffled sound. ¡°Gulug!¡± ¡°Gulug!¡± Looking down, he saw a sea of red, churning magma; merely looking at it was enough to feel the terrifying temperature. ¡°Swash!¡± The compass in Luo Chongyang¡¯s hand suddenly began spinning rapidly, the Black Flood Dragon Essence Blood within it transforming into streams of white vapor. ¡°Roar!¡± A loud, ringing sound emerged from the Black Flood Dragon Essence Blood, echoing throughout the entire volcano. Luo Chongyang furrowed his brows, his gaze fixed on the magma below. As the sound stirred up, the whole volcano shook violently, the magma below churning and quivering as well. About dozens of breaths later, the trembling suddenly stopped. ¡°This is¡­¡± The sight only deepened the furrows on Luo Chongyang¡¯s brow, as he vaguely sensed a tremendous force emerging from the depths of the magma. Could the True Dragon Treasure Blood really be beneath this magma!? ¡°Boom!¡± The magma erupted violently, sending large splashes everywhere, followed by a fiery behemoth bursting forth, roughly glanced to have its wingspan tens of meters wide, with a vastly huge head and eyes like the essence of fire, burning everything. Honghu! This was indeed the exotic beast Honghu! The head of the Honghu radiated Yang Energy and a crisp, clear chirping sound resounded. The piercing noise struck straight into the depths of one¡¯s heart. In an instant, the surrounding temperature soared again, the heat waves fiercely assaulting Luo Chongyang¡¯s protective True Qi like violent tides. ¡°Run quickly!¡± A chill went through Luo Chongyang¡¯s heart, and without looking back, he sprinted away. ¡­¡­ Houjin, Royal Court. This was a palace of unique style and bizarre decorations, showcasing architectural features from various places of the world, and it was built just seventeen years ago, seemingly reflecting the ambition and aspirations of the Holy Master. At the palace gate, stood eight guards, clad in Houjin armor, towering and robust, with a broad road in front that could accommodate twelve horses abreast. ¡°Clatter! Clatter!¡± As the sounds emerged, a carriage appeared, drawn by eight white stallions, adorned with gold, silver, and jade, as well as jewels and pearls, its body engraved with dragon and phoenix motifs, displaying the luxurious and noble flair of an emperor. Upon seeing the carriage, the eight guards felt a chill and immediately knelt on one knee. The person inside was naturally the current ruler of Houjin and the Holy Master of the Great Snow Mountain. Not just in Houjin, even in Great Yan and Zhao Country, this Holy Master was a very renowned emperor. Throughout the grasslands, amidst hundreds of tribes over thousands of years, no one before this Holy Master had managed to unite them, evident of this ruler¡¯s skills and power. ¡°Holy Master!¡± Just then, a man hurriedly rushed out from within the palace. The few guards, seeing the man, were all stirred. This rushing man was no ordinary person; he was Jiren Tai, a high-ranking and powerful figure in Houjin. Normally calm and composed, his haste today clearly indicated a matter of great urgency. ¡°Whoa!¡± The driver of the carriage, hearing this, quickly reined in the horses. Jiren Tai approached the carriage, panting heavily, and said, ¡°Yujing City of Yan Country sent an urgent sealed letter by Silver Snake.¡± ¡°Speak.¡± A resonant voice came from inside the carriage. Houjin¡¯s Left Minister Jiren Tai spoke softly, ¡°Leader Zongzheng Yuan and Mu Jin Dharma King have been killed at the Honglu Institute, and all the rest of the Houjin experts are dead, while Yan Country has sealed off this news, keeping it confidential, ¡­¡± As he finished, the surroundings fell eerily silent, punctuated only by Jiren Tai¡¯s heavy breathing. The carriage remained silent, yet this silence felt terrifyingly ominous. Even the legs of the guards shook slightly. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Who was Zongzheng Yuan? He was one of Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s favorite sons, but now he was dead in Yan Country, and Yan Country had kept it secret; it was a piece of news potent enough to shake the world. After a long silence, that icy voice from inside the carriage issued orders. ¡°Order Chen Shi and Bai Ying to mobilize the camp, head south to graze the horses, and hang the sword at Heavenly Gate Pass for seven days.¡± ¡­.. PS: With the Beili Volcano plot coming to an end, the protagonist now heads to the Demon Sect to acquire his ¡°Golden Finger,¡± making the plot more exhilarating from here on. Please be patient and stay tuned. Chapter 207 - Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Thunder Startles at Dongluo Pass Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Thunder Startles at Dongluo Pass A full moon slowly rose from the eastern sky. In the Heavenly Demon Hall of Dongluo Tower at Dongluo Pass. At this moment, the hall was gathering with members of the Demon Sect, with top experts who could attend already arrived, and countless more experts were hurrying over on the trail to Dongluo Pass. Dressed in white, Duanmu Xinghua stood in the center of the hall, her eyes tightly closed, silvery strands of hair hanging by her ears, her aura overwhelming and fierce, faintly dispersing around her. Eyes lighting up, Yi Daoyun bowed and said, ¡°Congratulations, Sect Master Duanmu!¡± Clearly, Duanmu Xinghua had just broken through her shackles. Her cultivation had reached the Second Qi Grandmaster level. Her inner Qi had not yet completely settled, giving off a feeling as majestic as mountains. Duanmu Xinghua sighed, ¡°This crisis within our Demon Sect has instead completed this old body of mine, loosening years of mystic barriers at last.¡± Why can one¡¯s cultivation advance so rapidly in their youth? Because once the foundation of the realm is firmly established, rapid advancement is possible. However, the further one progresses, the more difficult the cultivation breakthrough becomes. This gives rise to a lax mindset, and diligence and focus also rapidly decline towards the later stages ¨C a common plight for everyone. Hence, those who are able to train every day for decades have very steadfast hearts. Furthermore, in this comfortable environment, they had forgotten danger and the feeling of their hearts pounding rapidly, which is one of the critical reasons limiting the advancement of cultivation. This time, because of the Demon Sect¡¯s crisis, the members felt a sense of crisis for the first time in decades. Under this pressure, Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s shackles were finally broken, reaching Second Qi Grandmaster. ¡°Congratulations! Congratulations!¡± The surrounding Demon Sect experts were also very pleased, as Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s advancement to Second Qi Grandmaster undoubtedly boosted the confidence of all the Demon Sect experts present. Source: , updated on Novg0.so Taking a deep breath, Duanmu Xinghua said coldly, ¡°This time, we must surely overcome this adversity and make those so-called righteous Taoists spill their blood over Dongluo Pass.¡± ¡°Of course, we can.¡± Just then, a hearty laugh came from outside the hall. Following the direction of the look outside the hall, they saw Lin Tianhai of the Azure Dragon Sect and Qin Bin of the Xuanwu Sect walking shoulder to shoulder into the hall. ¡°Head Qin has arrived.¡± When Duanmu Xinghua saw Qin Bin, a glint of light flashed in her eyes. Although Qin Bin¡¯s cultivation was not high, his command over the seventy thousand Black Armored troops was the lifeblood of the Demon Sect, especially since Zhao Qingmei took over as Sect Hierarch, having devoted a great deal of effort. This army was completely under Qin Bin¡¯s control, or else Jiang Renyi would not have hesitated to make a direct move against Qin Bin, fearing he may damage what he intended to capture. But it was well known that Qin Bin was a confidant promoted by Zhao Qingmei. Since Jiang Renyi became Hierarch, Qin Bin had never come to Dongluo Pass to visit Jiang Renyi, a fact worth pondering. The rest of the Demon Sect experts also stirred, bowing their fists towards Qin Bin of the Xuanwu Sect. Yi Daoyun, looking curiously at the smiling Lin Tianhai, asked, ¡°Head Lin, you said the Hierarch summoned us here for a major announcement. Do you know what it is?¡± Why did he feel that Lin Tianhai before him seemed different from before, with an unfathomable smile in his eyes? Duanmu Xinghua looked over as well, not believing that Jiang Renyi would dare challenge the Ghost Swordsman. The disparity in their strengths was evident to the naked eye. ¡°The Hierarch has arrived.¡± Lin Tianhai looked up briefly, taking a deep breath. In a blink, everyone¡¯s gaze shifted to the upper part of the hall. Suddenly, a cloud of black fog emerged, and a figure stepped out of it. Dressed in black, his steps were unhurried, but each one seemed to chill the onlookers¡¯ hearts. His delicate features, seemingly painted, carried a soft beauty, but the vigor and cold glint between his brows also displayed commanding presence. ¡°The¡­ the Hierarch!?¡± Seeing the person, the entire hall burst into a stir. Because the person who appeared was none other than Zhao Qingmei, who had been trapped under the Sealing Demon Well. Shock and disbelief filled every face, followed soon by grave doubts. ¡°She came out of the Sealing Demon Well?¡± Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s eyes held disbelief. If not for the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, she would not believe that the person before her was Zhao Qingmei. ¡°How have you all been recently?¡± Zhao Qingmei sat on a chair, looking down at everyone. Qin Bin¡¯s expression unchanged, he bowed to Zhao Qingmei at the head, ¡°Greetings, Hierarch!¡± Lin Tianhai followed right after, ¡°Greetings, Hierarch!¡± ¡°Greetings, Hierarch!¡± The entire hall fell silent, but soon many of the Demon Sect experts reacted, bowing towards their leader. Jiang Renyi was not bad, but compared to the former Hierarch Zhao Qingmei, there was no comparison. Naturally, everyone knew who could restore the Demon Sect. And Jiang Renyi was only acting as an interim Hierarch after all. Zhao Qingmei looked indifferently at the people below, ¡°Stand up.¡± Duanmu Xinghua stepped forward, her eyes intense, ¡°Congratulations on your return, Hierarch. With you here, our Demon Sect can surely overcome this crisis.¡± Between Zhao Qingmei and Jiang Renyi, she naturally knew whom to choose. ¡°You all have worked hard during this time. I am aware of the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s crusade against our Demon Sect.¡± Zhao Qingmei slightly nodded, her tone icy, ¡°Where is the Ghost Swordsman now?¡± Shui Zhongyue hurriedly said, ¡°He is currently on his way to Dongluo Pass. Based on the Grandmaster¡¯s speed, he could possibly arrive at Dongluo Pass before noon tomorrow.¡± Before noon tomorrow. The myriad demons of the Heavenly Demon Hall had all become somewhat solemn. Duanmu Xinghua spoke gravely, ¡°Sect Hierarch, rest assured, I have already dispatched the Poison King and many experts to lay ambushes in various locations. I suppose they should be able to hold them off for a while, to gain some time.¡± Zhao Qingmei slightly raised her eyebrows, ¡°No need, recall all the top experts of the Demon Sect. I will wait for him here at Dongluo Pass.¡± ¡°This Ghost Swordsman, I will kill him personally.¡± Whoosh! The sound fell, and a penetrating killing intent filled the room. The summer that was initially a bit hot had suddenly turned extraordinarily cold. That Ghost Swordsman was the peerless Sword Immortal who could even slay the Second Qi Grandmaster, Qi Shu. The Sect Hierarch was currently only nineteen, could she really kill such a peerless expert? Duanmu Xinghua wanted to speak but stopped, eventually saying, ¡°Sect Hierarch, this Ghost Swordsman has already reached the Master Realm of One Qi, and his cultivation comes from both the Mystical Sect and the Buddhist Martial Arts; his swordsmanship is among the top today, even the Second Qi Grandmaster, Qi Shu, died by his hand¡­¡­.¡± Even though Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation came from the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡± Duanmu Xinghua still felt somewhat uneasy. Was she really a match for the Ghost Swordsman? Zhao Qingmei looked at Duanmu Xinghua, her voice indifferent, ¡°Keep your heart in your stomach.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Duanmu Xinghua saw that pair of eyes and immediately lowered her head. Zhao Qingmei turned to Qin Bin, asking, ¡°How prepared is the Black Armored Army?¡± Qin Bin stepped forward and said loudly, ¡°Everything is ready. This time, these martial experts of Jianghu will find no way back.¡± Zhao Qingmei slightly nodded and looked at Yi Daoyun, ¡°Have many experts of the White Tiger Sect put on black armor and blend in among the regular soldiers, ready to strike opportunistically.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± A light flashed in Yi Daoyun¡¯s eyes. Among the four seats, the White Tiger Sect specialized in slaughter, filled with assassins from the Demon Sect, each extremely proficient in assassination. Now, with the identities of black armored soldiers as cover, their ability to assassinate was made even more convenient. Next, Zhao Qingmei continued to give orders, and all the top experts of the Demon Sect present received their orders without daring to be negligent. The lights of the Heavenly Demon Hall burned until dawn, and the people of the Demon Sect also began their preparations at a bustling pace, a firm, meticulous network enveloping down, just waiting for the Ghost Swordsman and his troupe of top experts to step into this net. ¡­¡­.. Dongluo Desert, Sealing Demon Platform. As the night deepened, the temperature in the desert also dropped sharply, even turning somewhat icy cold. Jiang Renyi lay on the bed, unable to fall asleep. The faint moonlight fell from the window lattice, shining on the bedside and illuminating his face. For an expert of his level, having an arm severed basically meant losing seventy to eighty percent of his cultivation, and even if Zhao Qingmei wasn¡¯t present now, it would be difficult for him to become the Sect Hierarch. ¡°Huff¡­.¡± His mind spun rapidly, beginning to ponder his next moves. Yuan Feng, a person as selfish as he was, hardly provided any sense of security, entrusting one¡¯s entire life and fortune to another was the most foolish act in the world. Just then, it seemed as if the moonlight was blocked, and the entire room plunged into complete darkness. ¡°Who!?¡± Jiang Renyi was taken aback and couldn¡¯t help but shout. The person who could enter the room without a sound and approach him, how terrifying must their skills be? ¡°Jiang Sect Leader, don¡¯t panic, it¡¯s me.¡± The arrival said with a light laugh. Jiang Renyi looked over and saw Yuan Feng standing in front of him backed by the moonlight; his aged face in the dark became eerily foreboding, sending chills down one¡¯s spine. ¡°It¡¯s the Second Elder.¡± Jiang Renyi breathed a sigh of relief, then with a furrowed brow said, ¡°Second Elder, coming to me this late, is there something you need?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Yuan Feng nodded his head, speaking directly, ¡°Just now Ouyang Ping set off for Dongluo Pass and instructed Ouyang Quan to awaken the Great Elder who is currently in seclusion, should a great blaze arise in Dongluo Pass.¡± Jiang Renyi heard this, not surprised. Although Ouyang Ping usually kept a cold face and appeared somewhat unapproachable, he was still absolutely loyal to the Demon Sect. Yuan Feng continued, ¡°If the Great Elder comes out of seclusion, then the crisis of the Demon Sect this time will also be insignificant, unless the Ghost Swordsman can invite a top expert standing at the peak of the world, but I think that¡¯s practically impossible.¡± Jiang Renyi inwardly said, ¡°Now it seems that the crisis of the Demon Sect should be resolved, and my junior sister¡¯s position as Sect Hierarch is as stable as Mount Tai.¡± Yuan Feng¡¯s eyes showed a glint as he continued, ¡°Therefore, as long as Zhao Qingmei lives another day, you cannot become the Sect Hierarch. Only if she is gone, will you have a chance to become the Sect Hierarch.¡± Jiang Renyi laughed bitterly, ¡°Even if my junior sister isn¡¯t here now, I wouldn¡¯t be able to become the Sect Hierarch.¡± In the Demon Sect, everything is based on strength. Originally, his strength wasn¡¯t enough to subdue the myriad demons. Now that his right arm was severed, his strength greatly reduced, who would recognize him as the Sect Hierarch? ¡°No, you have the old Sect Hierarch backing you; such a presence isn¡¯t something just anyone can contend with. As long as Zhao Qingmei is gone, you¡¯ll have a great chance to become the Sect Hierarch,¡± Yuan Feng glanced at Jiang Renyi and shook his head, ¡°Tomorrow the opportunity will be right before your eyes, it all depends on whether you can grasp it.¡± Having said that, Yuan Feng walked towards the door. The moonlight slanted down once more, shining on Jiang Renyi¡¯s face. Watching Yuan Feng¡¯s departing figure, Jiang Renyi slightly raised his eyebrows, his expression fluctuating uncertainly, and then suddenly, he was startled by a thought: Could Yuan Feng have gone mad, planning to strike a deadly blow in the chaos of tomorrow¡¯s great battle? The scenario was not impossible. If the Ghost Swordsman won, the Great Elder would definitely be summoned by Ouyang Quan, and with the Great Elder around, no matter what, the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture wouldn¡¯t fall into Yuan Feng¡¯s hands. If the Demon Sect won, not only would he have no chance of obtaining the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, but he might even face retribution from his own junior sister. Right now, it was his only chance to get the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture. Yuan Feng had already descended into madness over the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, much like his father¡¯s obsession with longevity. Knowing how terrifying a paranoid person could be once they went mad, Jiang Renyi was all too aware. ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡­.¡± After careful consideration, Jiang Renyi recognized Yuan Feng¡¯s intentions and couldn¡¯t help but mutter to himself, ¡°It seems Yuan Feng is prepared to stake everything, even the Sealing Demon Platform will hardly be peaceful.¡± All he, Jiang Renyi, wanted was the position of Sect Hierarch, he hadn¡¯t reached such a frenzied state yet. ¡°First, leave this place, then consider ascending to the Grandmaster Cultivation later. Following someone like Yuan Feng will never end well.¡± Jiang Renyi took a deep breath, packed up briefly, and left the Sealing Demon Platform under the moonlight. ¡­.. At the border of Yan Country. The dense, dark forest loomed, and the clouds above also seemed rather low. The Black Flood Dragon glided through the air, with An Jing crossing his arms, deeply contemplating the imminent difficulties of heading to the Demon Sect. Although this mission appeared to be about eliminating evil and defending the Dao on behalf of the world, how many were truly committed to fighting the Demon Sect with all their might? Not to mention others, even Luo Chongyang, Universal Literary Vajra, Su Lian, and Su Yue ¡ª the four people he had brought ¡ª if he found himself in a losing position, it was likely all four would abandon him. Therefore, this trip to Dongluo Pass left no room for any sign of defeat or even a setback. He himself must behead the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, or capture him alive, afterwards heading straight for the Demon Sect¡¯s secret location, the Sealing Demon Well. An Jing glanced at the carefree Luo Chongyang and transmitted his voice, ¡°Uncle Master, honestly, how capable are you?¡± Among all the experts, An Jing could sense that Luo Chongyang was the most skilled, even more so than the practitioner of the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, Universal Literary Vajra. Luo Chongyang replied with a lazy smile, ¡°Just relax, I definitely won¡¯t drag you down; just make sure you don¡¯t lose to that Demon Sect Hierarch.¡± Hearing this, An Jing¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile, ¡°Uncle Master, how many sword strikes do you think that Demon Sect Hierarch can withstand?¡± Luo Chongyang shook his head, ¡°Don¡¯t fall into the trap of the Demon Sect Hierarch. If you do, and uncle master has to bail you out, remember Zongzheng Yuan from Houjin. He had a Second Qi Grandmaster protecting him up close, and yet, right there in Capital, he got stabbed through with a sword. The world¡¯s situations change rapidly; you must be careful at all times, one wrong move can lose everything.¡± An Jing nodded, deeply agreeing with Luo Chongyang¡¯s words. If it weren¡¯t for this mission being about rescuing Qingmei, he might consider finding another ¡®Yu State City¡¯ to calmly cultivate for a few years, ascending to the pinnacle of the world before emerging to annihilate the Demon Sect with a flick of the wrist. Afterward, An Jing ceased transmitting his voice, and his mind relaxed to its utmost. The Black Flood Dragon continued at a very fast pace through the sky. Along the way, they had already spotted many traces of skirmishes, with corpses lying all over the forest and hills. These bodies included both those of the Demon Sect and martial experts from the Great Yan Martial World. ¡°Huh!? Are there experts?¡± Just then, intense fighting noises came from not too far away, fading quickly. Not only had An Jing noticed, but Luo Chongyang and the others below had also detected the movement of True Qi ahead, and they all slowed down. An Jing dismounted from the Black Flood Dragon. Su Lian looked ahead and said gravely, ¡°Given the robustness of this True Qi, it should be a One Qi Grandmaster.¡± Su Yue waved her hand dismissively, saying, ¡°It¡¯s just a One Qi Grandmaster, what¡¯s there to fear?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s take a look.¡± An Jing gave Su Yue a curious glance and walked forward. Soon, the scene ahead came into view. They saw dozens of heads placed on the ground, forming a small mound, with blood flowing freely. Each of these heads had a ferocious expression, their eyes filled with terror in death. Beside these heads, a child was sitting cross-legged. The child didn¡¯t look very old, appearing to be only about seven or eight years old, with rosy lips and white teeth, but his hands were covered in blood. This scene appeared somewhat discordant and also somewhat horrifying. ¡°Amitabha.¡± Upon seeing this, Universal Literary Vajra muttered softly to himself. The child saw An Jing and his people approaching, slowly stood up and smiled, ¡°You must be the famed Ghost Swordsman from across the world. I am Ji Le Tongzi, and I greet you respectfully.¡± An Jing glanced at the child and transmitted his voice, ¡°Uncle Luo, who is this person?¡± Luo Chongyang replied indifferently, ¡°He is Ji Le Tongzi from Nanxiang of Zhao Country. Although he appears as a child, his age is not much different from mine. When the Demon Sect went to Zhao Country, they first annihilated Ji Le Tongzi¡¯s Asura Sect. Jiang Shang even inflicted severe injuries on Ji Le Tongzi, after which he disappeared for several years, only reappearing when the Demon Sect retreated to Dongluo Pass. His grievances with the Demon Sect are as intense as fire and water.¡± Understanding this, An Jing then smiled at Ji Le Tongzi and said, ¡°Greetings to you as well.¡± ¡°These are the gifts I have prepared for you, the heads of the Earth Sect experts of the Demon Sect.¡± A cold murderous intent appeared in Ji Le Tongzi¡¯s eyes, and he said, ¡°Currently, many from the Demon Sect are converging towards Dongluo Pass. Battles have already erupted along the way. However, these Demon Sect experts are being gathered together, retreating towards the interior of Dongluo Pass. It seems they are preparing to decide life and death with you at Dongluo Pass. Ji Le Tongzi has been waiting here for a long time and wishes to help you flatten the Demon Sect Main Hall.¡± ¡°Good.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, knowing that the person before him was a Grandmaster with cultivation and also harbored deep-seated hatred with the Demon Sect. This was not someone who changes sides like a fence-sitter; he would definitely go all out in this battle. ¡°Elder, we also wish to offer our assistance,¡± Just then, two clear voices rang out. A fair-skinned man in his thirties appeared in front of them, holding a black long knife in his hand that was also covered in fresh blood. Next to this man stood a burly giant. The giant¡¯s large frame was dressed in plain clothes, which could hardly conceal his well-built, robust physique, especially his arms, where veins bulged out like pythons. Although the cultivation of the two men had not reached the Grandmaster Realm, they were both at the Earth Flower Realm. ¡°I am Chen Ayi, and I pay my respects to the elder,¡± ¡°I am Zeng Fanqing, and I pay my respects to the elder,¡± The two approached An Jing and bowed to him. The Earth Flower Realm in the martial world was already considered a mark of a master, similar to Liu Qingshan, the leader of the Five Sects, who was previously at the Earth Flower Realm too. An Jing asked, ¡°Do you also have a feud with the Demon Sect?¡± Chen Ayi replied somberly, ¡°Yes, I have a vendetta against Jiang Shang of the Demon Sect for killing my father. Hearing that you intend to obliterate the Demon Sect, my blood surged, and I immediately came out of seclusion to assist you.¡± Zeng Fan also nodded but seemed reluctant to discuss his grudge with the Demon Sect further. Taking a deep breath, An Jing¡¯s eyes flashed with intensity, ¡°Today, let us hunt together at Dongluo Pass and invade the midst of the Demon Sect.¡± Upon hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Chen Ayi¡¯s eyes blazed with eagerness, gripping the handle of his knife tightly. Along the way, more experts continued to follow the group, but no Grandmaster-level masters joined them. Aside from that, most of the masters seemed to be following the Black Flood Dragon, including the elder of the Five Poison Sect Feng Lingyue and Sect Leader Dai Danshu among several others; they seemed to still be observing the situation. As they advanced, silhouettes poured in from all directions in a mighty force, their sole target being Dongluo Pass. Soon, they left the Great Yan Border. The wind and sand swept across, covering the official road that extended into the distance, gradually hidden by the sand. This road led directly to the Demon Sect¡¯s Dongluo Pass. Upon entering this road, it became eerily quiet. One could hardly see any members of the Demon Sect or even people from the Great Yan Martial World, only the occasional howling wind and grit. ¡°Roar!¡± A low roar echoed, and the body of the Black Flood Dragon coiled in mid-air. An Jing gazed ahead. In front of him, a massive pass emerged, looking from afar like a slumbering dragon winding across the land, its sturdy, towering walls conveying an unbreakable fortitude. The entire Dongluo Pass was eerily calm, a calm that was frightening. An Jing knew that at this moment, a Heaven and Earth Net had already been laid both inside and outside Dongluo Pass, waiting for him. He was never one to knowingly head into a dangerous mountain, but today, he had to move towards this danger. At that moment, the sun was blazing high, and the heat was scorching. Su Yueyu shielded her eyes and said, ¡°We have arrived at the Demon Sect Main Hall.¡± Everyone stopped, gazing ahead at the majestic, sprawling Dongluo Pass, the millennium-old sect¡¯s main hall, fully aware of the perilous dangers and lurking threats within. ¡°Elder!¡± Chen Ayi was breathing a bit heavily as he looked towards An Jing. Not just him, everyone¡¯s eyes turned to the man standing atop the black robe. They were all waiting. At that moment, An Jing¡¯s face was calm as a lake yet his heart thundered. This moment, he waited longer than anyone else. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After several breaths, he drew out his Evil Suppressing Sword from his waist. A cold light spread across the heavens, dispelling the fiercely hot chill and the sweeping winds and sands. ¡°Follow me and strike!¡± ¡­¡­ PS: The previous mention of Da Yan Vajra was a typo; it has been corrected to Universal Literary Vajra. Please don¡¯t criticize too harshly, try to fully subscribe if you can, or subscribe to more chapters if you can¡¯t afford rewards. Also, rumors of the author being arrested are false; please don¡¯t spread or believe rumors. The plump rabbit will continue to write. Chapter 208 - Chapter 208: Chapter 208: The Couple Meets Again (Seeking Monthly Ticket) Chapter 208: Chapter 208: The Couple Meets Again (Seeking Monthly Ticket) Dongluo Pass. The fierce sun blazed like fire, and the land felt like a steaming cage. Sunlight penetrated through the dense layers of leaves, casting copper coin-sized shimmering spots on the ground. Upon Dongluo Pass, a winding black flood dragon rushed towards it from afar. ¡°Roar!!¡± The black flood dragon roared and charged toward Dongluo Pass. ¡°Ding ding!¡± ¡°Ding ding!¡± Instantly, arrows fell like rain inside Dongluo Pass, densely shooting towards the black flood dragon. An Jing, dressed in a black robe, stood on the dragon¡¯s back as protective true qi swept around him, melting the incoming arrows into powder the moment they approached. As for the rest, they struck the black flood dragon but couldn¡¯t pierce through its scales. Suddenly, all the arrows dissipated, and a figure appeared atop the city walls, ¡°Ghost Swordsman, long time no see.¡± The newcomer was none other than Lin Tianhai, head of the Azure Dragon Sect. Besides him, there were many other experts from the Demon Sect like Duanmu Xinghua, Yi Daoyun, Luo Zixiang, Shui Zhongyue, Gu Renwo, and others. Source: , updated on wuxiaworld.site.s0 ¡°Old man, you¡¯re still not dead?¡± An Jing gave a cold smile. The last time they had spoken, this old man had run away before An Jing could finish. Upon hearing these words, Lin Tianhai became so enraged that he puffed his beard and his face turned bright red. The incident where the Four Symbols Sect was struck by heavenly thunder and subsequently humiliated by the Ghost Swordsman was the biggest stain of his life. Duanmu Xinghua gazed at the imposing Ghost Swordsman standing on the back of the black flood dragon and couldn¡¯t help but frown, ¡°Is this man the Ghost Swordsman?¡± The swordsman, whose fame was currently at its peak in the Great Yan martial world, was someone Duanmu Xinghua, even far away at Dongluo Pass, often heard about. Seeing him today, he indeed appeared to be extraordinary. Putting aside whether his sword skills were as legendary as rumored, just the exotic beast, the black flood dragon beneath him, was enough to make someone¡¯s blood run cold with fear. Shui Zhongyue spoke with a grave expression, ¡°Yes, he is the Ghost Swordsman.¡± He had seen the Ghost Swordsman fight with Liu Qingshan when he was in Yu State City. A glint of cold light surfaced in the eyes of Yi Daoyun, the White Tiger Sword Immortal, ¡°I really want to see his sword dao.¡± The Ghost Swordsman had successively defeated Heavenly Sword and Zhong Binru and later even slain Qi Shu. His reputation had already surpassed his, and it seemed that in anyone¡¯s view, Yi Daoyun had no chance of winning. However, at this moment, he was still eager to fight with the Ghost Swordsman. A person¡¯s reputation precedes them like the shadow of a tree. Many experts from the Demon Sect fixed their eyes on An Jing above the black flood dragon, many displaying nervous expressions. An Jing, however, had eyes as calm as still water, and he said indifferently, ¡°Today, I have come to the Demon Sect only to slay the Sect Hierarch¡¯s lackeys. I can spare the innocent, but if you insist on being obstinate, then don¡¯t blame my merciless sword.¡± His voice wasn¡¯t loud, but it echoed like rolling thunder in the hearts of the Demon Sect crowd. At the same time, Luo Chongyang, Universal Literary Vajra, and many other experts were hurrying over. Luo Chongyang looked even calmer than An Jing, as if he was not there to break the Demon Sect, but rather as if he was out for a leisurely stroll. And Universal Literary Vajra had his hands together, his face marked by solemnity. Chen Ayi, who usually had a pale complexion, was now flushed red with anger, drawing his long blade with fierce murder in his eyes, almost without any attempt to hide it. The looks on people¡¯s faces varied, but the atmosphere in the air had solidified, and everyone could sense the sparks drifting in the air. With a light touch, it could turn into a raging inferno. At the same time, martial arts experts hastily approaching from the surroundings were filled with doubt and uncertainty, whispering among themselves. ¡°Today, the big battle is finally going to start.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just unknown whether the Ghost Swordsman can shake the thousand-year-old tree that is the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°If the Ghost Swordsman can kill that Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, we will lend him our voices to raise his reputation.¡± ¡­¡­ These onlookers had their own calculations, with the outcome of this battle determining whether they would become the straw that breaks the Demon Sect¡¯s back. A murderous intent emerged at the corner of Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s mouth, ¡°Good, today I will catch you all in one fell swoop.¡± ¡°Arrogant!¡± The Blissful Child sneered coldly and took a step forward. Boom! The ground suddenly crumbled, spreading out in a web of terrifying cracks from the point where his foot landed. ¡°The Blissful Child!?¡± Seeing the child appear, many of the Demon Sect experts were taken aback. An expert Grandmaster of Zhao Country, although not very active in recent years to the point where some of the younger generation in Zhao Country hadn¡¯t even heard of his name, the older generation of experts still knew of him. Lin Tianhai pointed at the Blissful Child and shouted, ¡°A brat dares to spout such wild words?¡± ¡°Looking for death!¡± The Blissful Child leaped forth, and soon after, his body was wreathed in flames as intense as a raging inferno as he struck forward with his palm. ¡°Thump!¡± Qi force shattered, transforming into a fierce wave of fiery palm prints. He unleashed a full-force palm strike at the outset! ¡°Well met!¡± Lin Tianhai refused to show weakness, as he slapped his longspear, which burst forth with light as swift and fierce as thunder, piercing towards the oncoming palm print. Boom! The moment the true qi collided, shockwaves billowed and frantically dispersed in all directions. Lin Tianhai snorted coldly, his figure moved, vanishing from everyone¡¯s line of sight. ¡°I¡¯ll start by slaying a Grandmaster of the Demon Sect as an offering to the heavens.¡± A trace of blood appeared in the Blissful Child¡¯s eyes as he charged forward. Everyone only saw the sky full of true qi suddenly explode, whirling and rolling outwards, as the heat waves insanely spread to the distances, elevating the intensity of battle to a new level. An Jing brandished the longsword in his hand, speaking indifferently, ¡°There¡¯s no need for more idle talk, let¡¯s reveal the truth in our clashing skills. Where is the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect?¡± The Black Flood Dragon growled and charged forward. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going!?¡± Just as An Jing was about to rush forward, a clear voice came hurdling from afar. Following that was a massive palm print descending from the heavens. ¡°Boom!¡± An Jing¡¯s gaze was cold as ice, his hand slapped the Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡°Whoosh!¡± A sword light as ethereal as moonlight soared, tearing fiercely through the sky. The sword light danced, instantly piercing through the palm print. ¡°Huh!?¡± Although he had pierced the palm print, An Jing still felt a trace of unease. The previously shattered palm print reassembled and continued its onslaught downwards. ¡°Roar!¡± Only the low growl of the Black Flood Dragon was heard before it quivered and vanished from the spot. ¡°Thump!¡± The enormous palm print struck the ground, trembling the very earth itself. Apart from Lin Tianhai and the Blissful Child, who were locked in combat, all eyes turned to look. It was a white-haired old man whose expression was cold as frost; he appeared not within Dongluo Pass but outside it. An Jing asked the elder, ¡°Who are you?¡± The exchange of moves just now made him aware of the elder¡¯s extraordinary strength, and although both had Second Qi, the elder¡¯s might was even greater than that of Qi Shu. The elder said faintly, ¡°Sealing Demon Platform, Ouyang Ping.¡± An Jing muttered to himself, ¡°Ouyang Ping?¡± He didn¡¯t know Ouyang Ping, but he was aware of the Sealing Demon Platform, known to be a sacred place of the Demon Sect. ¡°Ouyang Ping? What a familiar name.¡± ¡°Could it be the Ouyang Ping of the Four Symbols Qian Kun, the previous leader of the Heavenly Sect?¡± ¡°So it¡¯s him.¡± ¡­¡­ Meanwhile, the surrounding area instantly buzzed with discussion, as the appearance of Ouyang Ping was obviously shocking to everyone. Luo Chongyang glanced at the newcomer and mused to himself, ¡°So people from the Sealing Demon Platform have come too?¡± Ouyang Ping, with one hand behind his back, gazed at An Jing and his companions, ¡°Today, you petty individuals can only become lost souls beneath the gate; I might well pay tribute to you next year.¡± ¡°Old man, don¡¯t be too certain of your words,¡± replied An Jing as he stamped his foot, and the Black Flood Dragon opened its enormous jaws, biting fiercely at Ouyang Ping. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon was extremely fast, and its formidable body flashed through the heavens and earth, accompanied by the chilling sound of tearing the air. ¡°What a formidable beast!¡± Ouyang Ping instantly felt an increased pressure, his body flickered as he struck out with his palm at the Black Flood Dragon. The palm print struck like a mountain, causing the air around to frantically flee to the sides, forming terrifying gusts of wind. Dongluo Pass, already filled with flying sand, became even more obscured in the tumult. ¡°Thud! Thud!¡± The Black Flood Dragon didn¡¯t dodge or evade, its claws lashing out towards the handprint. Ouyang Ping¡¯s Protective True Qi was instantly torn apart by the powerful blood energy, while the Black Flood Dragon transformed into a black light and continued to charge forward. A gleam of surprise flashed in Ouyang Ping¡¯s eyes as he vaulted into the distance to avoid the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s attack. But before he could steady himself, dark clouds filled the sky overhead, overshadowing the blazing sun, and thunder roared in an instant. ¡°Boom!¡± A clap of thunder struck down from the sky, aimed at Ouyang Ping. Shrinking Land into Inches! Ouyang Ping used the Master¡¯s Secret Technique just in time to narrowly evade the lightning strike. ¡°Crash!¡± The thunderbolt struck the ground, creating a pit one zhang in size that even emitted wisps of smoke. This top expert who was guarding the Sealing Demon Platform was suddenly forced into a dangerous situation, fleeing everywhere. ¡°This is terrifying¡­.!¡± Many experts witnessed the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s fearsome power for the first time, breaking out in cold sweat down their spines. Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s brows furrowed as she saw this scene. She circulated her True Qi, preparing to step forward to rescue Ouyang Ping. ¡°Duanmu benefactor, please stop.¡± The Universal Literary Vajra looked at the eager Duanmu Xinghua, bringing his hands together in a gesture of respect. As he spoke, a golden light surged behind him. Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s eyes darkened, saying, ¡°Universal Literary Vajra, the Demon Sect and the Buddhist sects have kept to their own waters in recent years. Why must you meddle in these muddy waters?¡± Even in the eyes of the world, a Vajra at the second Qi peak was a top expert. Duanmu Xinghua did not believe she could defeat him. The Universal Literary Vajra brought his hands together and replied impassively, ¡°This matter concerns the Buddhist sects only in that it involves karma between the Ghost Swordsman and me.¡± ¡°In that case, we of the Demon Sect will bear this in mind,¡± she replied. Knowing the Universal Literary Vajra¡¯s intention, Duanmu Xinghua could only step back and face him instead. Golden light and black light crisscrossed, piercing through the expanse of the world, and the clashing Qi forces made heaven and earth rumble. The White Tiger Sword Immortal wielded his longsword with extreme sharpness, taking on both Su Lian and Su Yue by himself. At the same time, the great battle officially commenced. The experts behind An Jing charged towards Dongluo Pass. Experts from within the Demon Sect also emerged. These were the Sect¡¯s finest warriors; even a single one taken at random would be a formidable expert in Jianghu. The sounds of battle were deafening, reverberating through heaven and earth, especially as several Grandmasters clashed, causing the very ground to shake. ¡°Kill!¡± Seeing that the Grandmasters were held at bay, Chen Ayi and Zeng Fanqing dared to enter the fray, steering clear of the Sect¡¯s Grandmasters. Compared to the Universal Literary Vajra and the likes of Su Lian and Su Yue, these two were truly exerting themselves in battle. Yet with their First Grade power, they were quickly intercepted by Demon Sect warriors. But they themselves knew that to truly crush the Demon Sect was not contingent upon them but rather upon that man in the black robe in the distance. They were merely there to bolster his might. ¡°Uncle Luo, cover for me. I shall take the head of the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect!¡± An Jing transmitted his message to Luo Chongyang in the distance. He wanted to personally take down a half-step Master, to first ease the resentment in his heart. Luo Chongyang nodded slightly and replied, ¡°There are still experts in the Sealing Demon Platform who have yet to act. I will hold them off for you, but once that old guy appears, I won¡¯t be able to hold out for long.¡± Reassured by Luo Chongyang¡¯s words, An Jing quickly headed toward Dongluo Pass. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is coming!¡± Seeing An Jing approach Dongluo Pass sent a chill down the spines of many experts from the Demon Sect. While Duanmu Xinghua, Yi Daoyun, and Lin Tianhai were held up, the few remaining First Grade experts from Heavenly Sect only dared to watch from afar, not daring to take any action. ¡°If you won¡¯t come out, then I¡¯ll keep killing until you do!¡± An Jing, holding the Evil Suppressing Sword, looked up at the formidable pass in front of him. As he finished speaking, An Jing raised the Evil Suppressing Sword. The next moment, a sandstorm spread out, countless True Qi converged upon the Evil Suppressing Sword, its chilling radiance swirling between heaven and earth, piercing into everyone¡¯s bones with icy sharpness. Feeling the oncoming chill, Luo Chongyang muttered to himself, ¡°The Evil Suppressing Sword really suits him.¡± ¡°Such a terrifying mastery of the Sword Dao.¡± Gasping for breath, Yi Daoyun¡¯s eyes were filled with shocked light. He understood the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s swordsmanship better than anyone else. No wonder Cui Daoxian and Zhong Binru had been defeated by him; even Lin Yiyang¡¯s swordsmanship was likely far inferior to his. An Jing swung the Evil Suppressing Sword, its blade releasing a sweep of a heaven-spanning Sword Light. The sword light had not yet surged forth when, in the moment before it did, the Demon Sect experts and the various fighting individuals hurriedly leaped away toward the distance. ¡°Hiss!¡± ¡°Thud! Thud!¡± That stroke of sword light heavily struck the mighty pass above, instantly emitting an astonishing sound. Subsequently, the city wall that had stood for hundreds of years suddenly cracked apart. ¡°Boom!¡± The city wall collapsed, kicking up a skyful of dust, burying everyone in the smoke and causing the entire Dongluo Pass to tremble. As the dust settled, the world suddenly became clear again. The walls of Dongluo Pass had vanished, leaving nothing but ruins. One sword broke through the pass! An Jing stood in front of the ruins, his black robe billowing with the wild wind. In front of him, Dongluo Pass lay completely exposed, especially the Dongluo Tower that towered in the center of the pass. Duanmu Xinghua and the other Demon Sect experts were slightly startled. They had not expected the centuries-old wall to be split by a single sword strike from the Ghost Swordsman. An Jing didn¡¯t speak, his foot stepping on the dust as he walked toward the interior of Dongluo Pass. Not a single person from the Demon Sect dared to make a sound to stop him. But in the next moment, his footsteps paused slightly. They saw that ahead, a mass of black fog was rapidly closing in. ¡°The ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯!?¡± Su Yue and Su Lian exchanged a glance, a trace of solemnity appearing in their eyes. The two, who were cultivating the Heavenly Heart Tribulation, were very sensitive to martial arts secret techniques that exceeded Heavenly Martial, recognizing at a glance the martial skill displayed by the figure ahead. Luo Chongyang narrowed his eyes and transmitted his voice to An Jing, ¡°This Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect is somewhat strange. Be careful.¡± At this moment, An Jing¡¯s eyes were narrowed to slits, staring intently at the figure ahead. He was naturally not unfamiliar with the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯, as he had practiced it himself and was close to reaching the Fifth Layer realm. This Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, Jiang Renyi, actually knew this martial art. What did that imply? Thinking of this, a chill surged within An Jing¡¯s heart. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Duanmu Xinghua, Lin Tianhai, and the others were overjoyed at the emergence of the black fog. The Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect!? Everyone looked over, gazing into the black fog. But not a single person could see the figure within the fog. In the black fog, Zhao Qingmei looked at the Ghost Swordsman ahead, ¡°Your Excellency really has a big mouth.¡± An Jing grasped his longsword and scoffed, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the infamous Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect to also be a rat hiding its head and showing its tail.¡± The figure of the current Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect was not only invisible, but even their voice was produced by the art of abdominal speech. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mouth curved with mockery, ¡°What a joke. Who doesn¡¯t know that you are the one who is hiding your head and showing your tail in the world?¡± An Jing was unconcerned and then frowned, asking, ¡°It seems you really did get your hands on the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯. Now where is the person who gave you this martial art?¡± Tan Yun had said that they had detained Zhao Qingmei in the Sealing Demon Well because of the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯. Now they had obtained this ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯, but he wondered how Zhao Qingmei was faring. ¡°Do you really want to know?¡± ¡°Very much so. If you tell me, I will grant you a swift death.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Zhao Qingmei couldn¡¯t help but laugh out loud. An Jing said coldly, ¡°Will you speak or not?¡± ¡°It wouldn¡¯t hurt to tell you.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s smile faded, and she said indifferently, ¡°The person who gave me this ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ has long been dead.¡± The ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ she held came from the hands of the eighth generation Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, and that hierarch had been dead for who knows how many years. At this point, revealing such a secret didn¡¯t matter anymore. ¡°Dead!?¡± An Jing felt as if struck by a bolt from the blue, his brain going blank. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhao Qingmei was dead!? Had he arrived too late? He staggered several steps backward, nearly falling to the ground. ¡­¡­ PS: Lastly, I recommend a friend¡¯s book, ¡®Simulation: Doomsday Saviour¡¯. Everyone can go and scold him, and by the way, I¡¯m begging for a monthly ticket. Chapter 209 - Chapter 209: Chapter 209: The Stunning Beauty Before My Eyes Chapter 209: Chapter 209: The Stunning Beauty Before My Eyes Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows knitted slightly, although she was unclear as to why the death of the eighth-generation Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect had such a profound impact on the Ghost Swordsman opposite her, she knew this was an excellent opportunity. ¡°Swoosh!¡± The next moment, the black fog moved violently and rushed forward swiftly. Fast! Way too fast! Zhao Qingmei stepped forward as if she were a nimble breeze, a chilling brilliance emanating from within the black fog that could shake one¡¯s soul. ¡°Shi!¡± ¡°Shi!¡± At the instant the blade approached, An Jing felt an extreme chill in his heart, followed by the hair on his body standing on end. His Evil Suppressing Sword instinctively lifted, trapping the two terrifying streaks of blade light. ¡°Clang!¡± A huge force transmitted from it, causing his arm to go numb with soreness, thankful that his body was faintly showing signs of evolving towards Jade Bone, otherwise that strike would have been enough to injure him. Still, he took three or four steps back before he stopped. ¡°What a formidable Ghost Swordsman!¡± Zhao Qingmei thought to herself when she saw this, knowing that her move had come when he was distracted; yet, she still hadn¡¯t managed to kill him, which spoke to his quick reflexes. Source: , updated on novG0.sO ¡°Not a Half-step Master?¡± Luo Chongyang, upon seeing this, immediately furrowed his brow. This Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect was certainly not just a Half-step Master as claimed, but possessed the peak strength of a One Qi Grandmaster and had even cultivated the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, ensuring his strength was possibly no less than that of the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Indeed!¡± Feng Lingyue, who was observing the battle from afar, felt a jolt in her heart, ¡°This Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect is truly not simple.¡± From the moment the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect said he wanted to challenge the Ghost Swordsman, Feng Lingyue had felt something was odd. A Half-step Master challenging the Ghost Swordsman who had slain a Second Qi Grandmaster, wasn¡¯t this courting death? ¡°Ancestor, what should we do now?¡± Dai Danshu asked from the side. ¡°Let¡¯s watch a bit longer, no need to rush,¡± Feng Lingyue replied with a light chuckle, saying, ¡°No matter what, the Demon Sect will definitely be severely damaged today; it¡¯s impossible for them to enter Great Yan, and my Five Poison Sect will have a hundred years of peace.¡± Whether the Demon Sect won or lost today, her Five Poison Sect would be the winner. The other experts also noticed the strength of the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, each with a tightly furrowed brow and a profoundly shaken heart. ¡°Drip-drip!¡± Bright red blood dripped down to the ground from the tiger¡¯s mouth, staining the earth red. An Jing stood there woodenly, silent and still. For some reason, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s furrowed brows deepened even further; a tremor appeared in the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades she held, and amidst the fresh blood, she sensed a chill. An Jing laughed softly, suddenly recalling many things. Actually, whether you love someone or not, the moment they leave you, your heart gives you the answer. That feeling of heartache leaves one suffocated and in despair. ¡°Then let¡¯s see the truth in the fight,¡± An Jing said as he looked towards Zhao Qingmei in the distance, his eyes devoid of any expression. A corner of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mouth lifted into a cold smirk, saying, ¡°As you wish.¡± A chilling aura filled the heavens and the earth, and the Evil Suppressing Sword stood like a pillar supporting the sky, standing amidst the world, radiating astonishing fluctuations. Every expert stared agape at the figure standing beside the Evil Suppressing Sword. This edge that looked down upon the world caused everyone¡¯s hearts to palpitate. An Jing¡¯s figure suddenly burst forth, his Evil Suppressing Sword carrying a terrifying, shocking tide of Sword Qi. Whoosh! Thousands of sword radiance charged directly toward the black mist. Zhao Qingmei looked on impassively at the terrifying momentum of An Jing, her finger lightly touching the empty air. Immediately, True Qi surged wildly in this piece of heaven and earth, and a True Qi rainbow, roughly several zhang in size, violently shot out from her fingertip. ¡°Bang!¡± An Jing looked at the True Qi rainbow but showed no sign of dodging. With one hand, he held the Evil Suppressing Sword, the sword skill wrapped in sword Qi, and he swept the sword towards Zhao Qingmei. Boom! A low and scalp-numbing sound seemed to spread through the sky. On the Evil Suppressing Sword, towering sword Qi surged, and as the sword swung down, the seemingly powerful True Qi rainbow was directly cleaved into pieces. Countless people were shocked at the sight. The Ghost Swordsman was too fierce at this moment. Whoosh! Amidst the sky filled with light spots, An Jing shot out like lightning, and in the next moment, he was already above the black mist. Immediately, the sword light from the Evil Suppressing Sword burst forth, sweeping across. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s beautiful eyes flashed with cold light, and her five fingers suddenly clenched around the Mandarin Duck Blade. She directly slashed down, also sending out dancing blade light, containing massive and boundless True Qi. Black radiance enveloped the blade light, as swift as shooting stars. The collision of sword and blade immediately produced a terrifying sound, followed by the creation of metallic storms. Visible ripples spread outwards, and beneath Zhao Qingmei¡¯s feet, the earth cracked inch by inch. Then the cracking spread out like waves, extending outwards to the surroundings. Those present quickly retreated in panic, fearing being engulfed by such a powerful shockwave. It was too terrifying! These two were clearly Second Qi Grandmasters, but the ferocity and intensity of their confrontation exceeded that of Universal Literary Vajra and Duanmu Xinghua. Just spectating from a distance caused a chill to run down one¡¯s spine. An Jing¡¯s face was expressionless, the sword Qi in his hand surged violently, tearing through the space in front of him. The black mist billowed, directly dispersing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s blade Qi. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, feeling the onslaught of that frenzied sharpness; this level of swordsman was the first she had ever encountered. The moment of contact made her heart surge wildly, and she quickly circulated the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture to suppress this burst of strength. ¡°What a domineering Evil Suppressing Sword! What formidable Sword Dao!¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, still remembering the last time she crossed swords with the Ghost Swordsman at Liuwood Villa; his strength wasn¡¯t this formidable. And yet, in such a short time, his strength had grown to such a degree. So what if the Ghost Swordsman was extremely powerful today? Zhao Qingmei¡¯s complexion gradually became colder, and a sweep of murderous intent enveloped her heart. Myriad Forms of Lotus! At the same time, a giant Black Gold Lotus emerged beneath her feet. The aura exuded by the Black Gold Lotus was extremely terrifying, crazily plundering all the Qi mechanisms around. In the blink of an eye, everyone stopped in their tracks and looked over in this direction. The Black Gold Lotus shone brightly in mid-air, forming a sinister vortex centered around the black mist. An Jing let the Evil Suppressing Sword drift in his hand, unleashing a torrent of fierce sword light without any reservation. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind Unstoppable! Emphasizing speed in the Wind Symbol¡¯s sword moves, An Jing naturally would not give the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect time to deploy martial arts skills. ¡°Shh!¡± The piercing cold charged forward, seemingly intent on splitting the Black Gold Lotus apart. Zhao Qingmei combined the two Mandarin Duck Blades into one, pushing them forward. The blade Qi from the two blades also turned into a black tidal wave, surging forward violently. Fifth Realm blade skill! Compared to the top swordsmen in the world, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s sword skill was still a considerable distance away, but it was much stronger than that of the average swordsman. Once the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades united, the generated Sword Qi was naturally not to be underestimated. ¡°Boom-!¡± The moment the Sword Qi collided with the Sword Qi, it transformed into roaring waves of Qi that crazily shook the surroundings. ¡°You will not survive.¡± An Jing¡¯s body soared, his feet quick as lightning, flying forward and stepping on the tide of True Qi as he rushed toward the black fog. Zhao Qingmei seemed to have anticipated this, as a surge of True Qi welled up within her. Soon a tremendous Qi Mechanism burst forth from behind her, with an unstoppable might falling down, and the sky above her seemed to turn into a swath of darkness. Black fog swirled all around, with the Qi Mechanism surging, centered on Zhao Qingmei. The world trembled. Everyone¡¯s hearts gave a lurch, as if some terrible thing was about to happen. Zhao Qingmei then retracted her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades, slapping a palm towards An Jing who was approaching at high speed. This palm didn¡¯t seem flashy, just an ordinary palm. An Jing¡¯s eyes were cold as the tide, but his Finger Technique in his hands was as aggressive as fire. Nine Yang Divine Finger! Pointing across Qian and Kun! Finger Light and Handprint met, a complete clash between the True Qi of the two. Boom! In the moment of collision, a thunderous noise echoed between heaven and earth. Splashing sounds filled the air. In the corner of everyone¡¯s eye, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Handprint cracked and ultimately burst with a bang, sending her body rapidly flying backward. At that moment, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body rushed backward, and the black fog also seemed on the verge of dispersal, strangely crashing heavily upon Dongluo Tower. ¡°Boom!¡± Suddenly, the Dongluo Tower collapsed, kicking up clouds of dust into the sky. An Jing¡¯s internal organs trembled, his body quickly filled with a surge of Demonic Qi which was then absorbed and refined by the clear True Qi within his body. ¡°Worthy of the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture,¡¯ even able to absorb the Demonic Qi of the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.''¡± Taking a deep breath, An Jing continued his pursuit of the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Duanmu Xinghua, seeing this, was greatly shocked and attempted to chase after the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Duanmu benefactor!¡± The Universal Literary Vajra extended a hand, directly blocking Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s path. The rest of the Demon Sect¡¯s experts were also in disarray, but they were helplessly tied down and couldn¡¯t possibly lend a hand to assist Zhao Qingmei. ¡°What a formidable One Qi Grandmaster!¡± Luo Chongyang couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in amazement. Both individuals were of One Qi Grandmaster Cultivation, but their strength was comparable to that of ordinary Second Qi Grandmasters, and it seemed both were in possession of unrivaled Martial Arts and the Ice Blade. Seeing them fight was truly awe-inspiring. ¡°These two are truly formidable.¡± ¡°The Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect seems to be at a disadvantage; the Ghost Swordsman is indeed capable of slaying Second Qi Grandmasters.¡± ¡°So strong, these two are clearly not at the level of strength that One Qi Grandmasters should have.¡± ¡­¡­. Some of the Grandmaster experts watching from a distance felt a chill in their hearts. Clearly, he was shocked by the strength of both of them. Dust rose in all directions, shrouding everyone¡¯s vision in a hazy veil. The two of them had fought their way from outside the pass directly into its interior. Outside the pass, the battle resumed, True Qi pulsing through the air, creating waves upon waves. An Jing looked indifferently at the black fog ahead, throwing the Evil Suppressing Sword straight into it. Whoosh! The Evil Suppressing Sword emitted a series of tremulous sounds, its Sword Qi flowing like water to either side, before transforming into a beam of light that split heaven and earth, shooting forward. Sword Control Technique! The Sword Qi was vast and mighty, cutting through the air ahead with the speed of rumbling thunder. Hmm? Zhao Qingmei was greatly alarmed at the sight; her Demonic Qi had clearly poured into the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s body, so how could there be no reaction? How could he possibly remain unharmed? How could this be? Despite her surprise, she was quick to react, the Black Gold Lotus swiftly closing to form a barrier of petals. Thump! The Evil Suppressing Sword pierced through the air, its tip striking directly upon the petals of the Black Gold Lotus. Immediately, a deadlock formed between the two forces. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows lifted slightly as he channeled more True Qi into the sword. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword, infused with An Jing¡¯s True Qi, began to vibrate violently, and cracks appeared on the petal of the Black Gold Lotus where its tip touched, before it suddenly burst apart with a ¡®bang¡¯. The Evil Suppressing Sword continued its thrust forward, plunging into the black fog. This time, while the Evil Suppressing Sword pierced the black fog, it ultimately met resistance from two blades of light. From beneath the veil of fog, a figure was revealed. Clothed in fiery red like a blaze, the person¡¯s appearance was elegant and peerlessly beautiful, exuding an air of ethereal grace. Like a new moon crowned with a halo, like blossoming trees laden with snow, so incomparable. An Jing was completely stunned, not even noticing that his arms had been pierced by the two blades of Sword Qi. The stunning beauty before him enraptured him entirely. Yesterday¡¯s snow, today¡¯s sunshine, I see green mountains and waters vast, every glance beholds beauty incomparable, yet none hold a candle to the charm before me now. ¡°Your sword is slow,¡± said Zhao Qingmei, positioning her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades while slightly raising her arched brows. The two blades of light from just now could have been easily blocked by the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s skill, yet he remained motionless. Zhao Qingmei couldn¡¯t understand what had happened, sensing something was off. What followed next made her even more perplexed. The Ghost Swordsman reached out a hand, lifting his mask to reveal the face she had been longing for, day and night. ¡°Clang!¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mind boomed, turning blank in an instant, and the Mandarin Duck Blades in her hands fell to the ground. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At that moment, it seemed as if the whole world fell silent. The wind picked up gently, tousling those black locks. The vast expanse of mountains and rivers, the smoke of the human world, none compared to the perfectly timed breeze and this moment of reunion. An Jing took a few steps forward, his palm gently caressing that beautiful cheek, and laughed softly. ¡°My lady, I have arrived a bit late,¡± he said. Chapter 210 - Chapter 210: Chapter 210: A Burst of Anger for a Beauty (Request for Monthly Ticket) Chapter 210: Chapter 210: A Burst of Anger for a Beauty (Request for Monthly Ticket) Outside Dongluo Pass. Dark clouds covered the sun, lightning flashed and thunder roared, and the wild wind howled. Boom¨C! The Black Flood Dragon¡¯s body thrashed, its low roar echoing across heaven and earth. Faced with such a ferocious exotic beast, Ouyang Ping could only keep dodging, in a completely disheveled state. In front of the city wall ruins. Many experts also fought back and forth, with no clear winner. Universal Literary Vajra¡¯s strength was above that of Duanmu Xinghua, and having acquired the Vajra Secret Skill, his power had advanced by leaps and bounds. Even without using the Vajra Secret Skill yet, he had already suppressed Duanmu Xinghua. Clearly, Universal Literary Vajra¡¯s intention was to hold Duanmu Xinghua back, giving the Ghost Swordsman enough time to kill the Demon Sect Sect Hierarch! ¡°Yi, quickly go and save the Sect Hierarch!¡± Upon seeing the Ghost Swordsman rush into the pass, Lin Tianhai immediately shouted. At this moment, Yi Daoyun, who was dealing with Su Lian and Su Yue, was clearly the only Grandmaster who could spare a moment. ¡°Alright.¡± Yi Daoyun took a deep breath, his longsword slashing through the air in front of him. Source: , updated on wuxiaworld.site.C0 ¡°Swoosh!¡± Sword Light like a rainbow! Carrying immense momentum, it shot straight towards Su Lian and Su Yue. But the strength of those two was not simple; both of them formed seals, and black and white light surged from a distance. ¡°Boom!¡± The moment the Seal Technique collided with the Sword Light, there was an immediate thunderous roar, forming a gigantic light column that reached the sky. ¡°Tat tat tat tat¡­..¡± Yi Daoyun, fighting alone against two Second Qi Grandmasters, continuously stepped back, realizing instantly that these two had not been using their full strength at first, merely wanting to hold him back. The many experts of the Demon Sect saw this scene and were all extremely anxious. ¡°Jiang Renyi is bound to die today; does old ghost Jiang still refuse to show himself?¡± Blissful Child sneered, raising his hand and striking forward with a palm. Lin Tianhai¡¯s spear light barely managed to hold off the attack. Unlike the others who were exerting little effort, Blissful Child evidently had a deadly intent and did not hold back in his moves. Inside and outside the pass, chaos reigned, with countless figures crisscrossing. Suddenly, the area within the pass quieted down. Many were startled, their gazes drifting towards the inside of the pass where dust rose, obstructing everyone¡¯s view. The clash of Qi Mechanisms also began to weaken, as if the battle inside had ended. ¡°What on earth is happening?¡± Everyone¡¯s hearts raced. Had the Demon Sect Sect Hierarch Jiang Renyi died utterly, or had the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s sword broken through Dongluo Pass today? ¡°Quick! Launch the signal flare.¡± Seeing this, Duanmu Xinghua could no longer contain himself. Tan Yun, who had been hiding in the distance, quickly took out the prepared signal flare. ¡°Swoosh!¡± The signal flare flew into midair, releasing red flames, the entire sky turning spectacularly colorful. ¡°Jiang Renyi is dead!¡± Feng Lingyue¡¯s eyes sparkled from afar, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Sword Dao is indeed formidable!¡± Dai Danshu took a shuddering breath, murmuring lowly, ¡°Ancestor, what do we do now?¡± ¡°Kill!¡± Feng Lingyue¡¯s lips parted, uttering a single word. The next moment! Feng Lingyue leaped forward, charging straight towards Dongluo Pass. ¡°The Demon Sect Sect Hierarch Jiang Renyi has been slain, you Demon Sect villains, will you not surrender!?¡± Feng Lingyue¡¯s True Qi circulated, his voice thundering across heaven and earth. ¡°Jiang Renyi is dead, Ancestor Feng has made a move.¡± ¡°Flatten Dongluo Pass! Eradicate the Demon Sect!¡± ¡­¡­ With Feng Lingyue¡¯s intervention, countless observing experts revealed themselves and rushed towards Dongluo Pass to join the battle. In an instant, the battle that had been evenly matched turned into a one-sided affair. ¡°Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop¡­¡± However, just at this moment, the ground began to tremble. Looking in the direction of the sound, a thick cloud of smoke rolled in from the distance, faintly revealing the presence of an army! ¡°The Black Armored Army of the Demon Sect.¡± Chen Ayi¡¯s complexion changed slightly. Martial arts masters are not immortals; they too have moments when they exhaust their strength and perish. Facing this endless, dark mass of army, they would eventually be worn out to death. Especially the Black Armored Army of the Demon Sect. Although not numerous, each soldier was an elite, cultivated by the sect through vast amounts of wealth and resources. The dust settled. The Black Armored Army slowly came into everyone¡¯s view. Their armor flickered with a cold gleam, and the weapons in their hands emitted a chilling, murderous aura. Their movements were uniform, striking terror into the hearts of onlookers. ¡°Kill! Kill! Kill!¡± The expressions of the Black Armored soldiers were cold as ice. They uttered a deep chant, their voices merging and stirring the winds and clouds. ¡°This Sect Hierarch¡¯s ambition is not small,¡± Luo Chongyang furrowed his brows, muttering to himself. When Jiang Shang led the Demon Sect, there was also a mighty army stationed at Dongluo Pass. Later, this army rebelled, but it was quickly obliterated by the Pingyang Marquis, and even the chief of the Xuanwu Sect was beheaded at that time. This Black Armored Army today was many times stronger than the disorganized troops of the past! In an instant, the area outside Dongluo Pass was filled with an atmosphere of oppressive silence, with the sounds of killing echoing through heaven and earth. The martial arts masters, who fought under the banner of exorcising demons and defending the Dao, were startled and began retreating unconsciously. At this moment, Feng Lingyue did not step back but moved forward, laughing, ¡°Gentlemen, there¡¯s no need to panic. Jiang Renyi has been slain by the Ghost Swordsman. The Demon Sect is like a dragon without a head, how could they possibly be our match? The wealth and martial arts of the thousand-year-old Demon Sect within Dongluo Pass are now within our grasp.¡± Feng Lingyue¡¯s words instantly boosted the confidence of those present, and many eyes gleamed with greed. ¡°Feng Lingyue!?¡± Ouyang Ping was burning with rage. The Five Poison was originally a faction within the Demon Sect. Following Feng Lingyue¡¯s emergence and his disagreements with Jiang Shang, he led the Five Poison out of the Demon Sect. The once thriving Demon Sect suffered a significant blow and subsequently faced constant opposition from the Zhenyi Sect, to which the Five Poison had allied. Now, when the Demon Sect was in the throes of peril, he took advantage of their weakness, further fueling his intent to obliterate the sect. Feng Lingyue looked at the members of the Demon Sect and shouted loudly, ¡°Now, the Demon Sect is nothing but dry bones in the tomb, ready to turn to wood. If you do not surrender now, do you wish to be obliterated along with the Demon Sect?¡± ¡°Kill! Kill! Kill!¡± Even facing a renowned Grandmaster like Feng Lingyue, the Black Armored Army did not show the slightest panic, instead, they raised their arms and chanted even louder. ¡°What about you? Do you also want to turn into ashes along with the Demon Sect?¡± Feng Lingyue looked toward Duanmu Xinghua, Lin Tianhai, and others, speaking coldly, ¡°Considering you are also personalities of some standing, why would you die for the sake of the Jiang family?¡± ¡°How dare you!¡± Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s eyes flashed fiercely, with her true qi surging powerfully. Lin Tianhai¡¯s expression was sullen, and he remained silent. Feng Lingyue snorted coldly, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, there¡¯s nothing more to say.¡± With that, Feng Lingyue¡¯s figure flashed, speeding towards the main camp of the Black Armored Army, seemingly intending to capture the commander of the Black Armored Army directly. ¡°Kill!¡± Seeing this, many martial arts masters behind Feng Lingyue, their eyes bloodshot, rushed towards the Demon Sect¡¯s masters. In the distance, the figure of a man concealing his presence emerged. ¡°Once the Ghost Swordsman and Zhao Qingmei are both critically injured from their fight, that will be the best moment for me to strike.¡± This person was Yuan Feng from the Sealing Demon Platform. Even though the qi mechanism inside the fort began to stabilize, he still did not rush to make his move. The key to hunting prey lay in knowing how to endure patiently, waiting for the decisive moment for a sure hit. At that moment, not only could he cut down the Ghost Swordsman and resolve the crisis facing the Demon Sect, but he could also capture Zhao Qingmei and seize the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡± Thinking this, Yuan Feng¡¯s heart ignited with fervor. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; few know the next line, unaware of the slingshot beneath the tree, in this world, who knows whether he is the mantis, the cicada, the oriole, or the slingshot. ¡­¡­ Inside the fort, the air was filled with swirling dust. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips parted slightly, her expression one of astonishment, lost in a daze. The man before her¡­ Her own husband¡­ Was the infamous Ghost Swordsman. Was it the longing that clouded her mind, or was it a case of Zhuangzi dreaming he was a butterfly, trapped in a ridiculous dream? An Jing did not speak. He extended his palm and gently pulled the woman in front of him into his embrace. A warmth spread through them, that solid and reliable chest made Zhao Qingmei gradually go limp, a slight sourness swirling around her nose. Neither of them spoke, just gazing into each other¡¯s eyes, as if they had many things to say but did not know where to begin. At that moment, silence was more eloquent than words. After a long while, Zhao Qingmei finally came back to her senses, remembering something. She struggled out of An Jing¡¯s embrace, her heart aching as she looked at An Jing¡¯s arm. ¡°You¡¯re injured.¡± ¡°¡­¡± An Jing shook his head, he wanted to comfort his wife, but even before words could leave his mouth, he saw Zhao Qingmei pull out a jade pendant and the rounded color of the elixir from her sleeve fell into her palm. It was a precious pill. An Jing chuckled softly, ¡°It¡¯s just a superficial wound, there¡¯s no need for such valuable medicine.¡± ¡°In my eyes, you deserve the very best.¡± Zhao Qingmei, holding the pill, gently pushed it into An Jing¡¯s mouth, her eyes seemingly containing autumn waters. An Jing gently bit her jade finger. ¡°The best thing is having you as my wife.¡± ¡°Is it?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked softly, ¡°Is that really what you think in your heart?¡± An Jing earnestly said, ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°But someone not only deceived me, but also opposed me at every turn, and today even attempted to murder his own wife, to sever his wife¡¯s head from her body¡­¡± ¡°With such actions, wouldn¡¯t that make him a heartless person?¡± Zhao Qingmei pushed An Jing away, turned around, and looked towards the ruins of the Dongluo Tower, yet the corners of her mouth slightly curled upwards. An Jing stepped forward, grasped Zhao Qingmei¡¯s fragrant shoulders hurriedly saying, ¡°I learned from Tan Yun that you were trapped beneath the Sealing Demon Well. I immediately hurried over without stopping¡­¡± If he had known Zhao Qingmei would come out from the Sealing Demon Well, why would he have gathered experts to rush to Dongluo Pass? Zhao Qingmei turned around and asked, ¡°Did you rush here to pledge your loyalty?¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled out loud, ¡°What would you say your situation is now?¡± An Jing¡¯s gaze was intense as he looked at Zhao Qingmei, ¡°A rush to crown and anger on behalf of the beauty.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart trembled, feeling as if her heart was pounding chaotically like a deer. ¡°If I had known your identity sooner, why would I have hidden it with so much difficulty?¡± ¡°¡­¡± You could never have known earlier. ¡°I had compelling reasons.¡± ¡°Reasons, what reasons?¡± ¡°The reasons are gone now.¡± ¡°I hope that whatever reasons you have in the future, you can tell me.¡± Zhao Qingmei, her eyes deep with affection, she did not probe further. ¡°Okay.¡± An Jing nodded vigorously, his fingertips touching that tender skin, saying, ¡°You also kept it hidden from me with much difficulty. I have always had one doubt in my heart, why did you marry me?¡± Zhao Qingmei was the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, why would she marry a seemingly ordinary doctor like himself? Could it be she saw his virtues with just one look? Zhao Qingmei smiled sweetly, blinking she said, ¡°You figure it out.¡± An Jing¡¯s mind raced rapidly, but if he hadn¡¯t figured it out after such a long time, how could he do so now in such a short moment? Zhao Qingmei softly said, ¡°Brother, why not join the Demon Sect?¡± An Jing took a deep breath, and said, ¡°Now I can only join the Demon Sect temporarily.¡± Zhao Qingmei raised her eyebrows, her beautiful eyes studying An Jing, ¡°Why do you say temporarily?¡± An Jing looked up, gazing at the vast and expansive heaven and earth. ¡°This ultimately is not a long-term solution.¡± ¡°Indeed the world is vast, Dongluo Pass is indeed too small.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes sparkled with a glint. ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s give them an explanation.¡± Outside Dongluo Pass, the intense sounds of fighting continued, An Jing put on his mask once again. The multitude of experts he had invited were all confronting the experts of the Demon Sect outside the pass. It wasn¡¯t necessary to mention others; these people certainly needed a clear explanation. Zhao Qingmei nodded. She did not speak, merely following behind An Jing. ¡°Everyone, stop!¡± When An Jing arrived atop the ruins, a commanding shout echoed between heaven and earth. ¡°Is that the Ghost Swordsman!?¡± ¡°It seems Jiang Renyi has already been executed.¡± ¡°Wait, who is that woman behind him? Why can¡¯t I see her face clearly?¡± ¡­. With the appearance of the Ghost Swordsman, the atmosphere boiled over, but soon everyone noticed a woman in red behind him. She had an extraordinary demeanor, yet her face seemed to be obscured by a mysterious qi mechanism. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± The members of the Demon Sect, upon seeing their leader appear, were overjoyed beyond measure, immediately filling with confusion as to why the Sect Hierarch would follow behind the Ghost Swordsman. As Feng Lingyue, who was preparing to head to the Black Armored Army¡¯s camp to slay Qin Bin, the head of the Xuanwu Sect, his body froze, his eyes full of puzzlement. In an instant, everyone ceased fighting and turned to look over. ¡°Everyone!¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°Let¡¯s end today¡¯s battle here. I plan to retreat into the Demon Sect.¡± The declaration rang like thunder, resounding clearly in everyone¡¯s ears. Su Lian: ¡°¡­¡­¡± Su Yue: ¡°¡­¡­¡± Feng Lingyue: ¡°¡­¡­¡± Jilei Youth: ¡°¡­¡­¡± Everyone was stunned at that moment, their eyes filled with disbelief, hardly daring to believe their ears. The Ghost Swordsman was actually going to retreat from Jianghu!? Hadn¡¯t he just said he would slay the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect? Why was he now joining the Demon Sect? Chen Ayi, gripping the longsword in his hands, roared, ¡°Senior, have you been coerced by a demon!?¡± Not just Chen Ayi, many Jianghu experts present were indignant, obviously unwilling to accept what was happening before their eyes. ¡°Sect Hierarch Jiang Renyi has already fled, and Jiang Shang is no longer among the Demon Sect. Everything happening now has nothing to do with the current Sect Hierarch.¡± An Jing looked at the crowd, then picked up a flying arrow from the ground and said, ¡°To give everyone an explanation, from now on, there will be no Ghost Swordsman in Jianghu ¡°Snap!¡± An Jing applied a slight force with one hand, and the crisp sound of the arrow breaking into two echoed. Silence! All around Dongluo Pass was eerily quiet, so quiet that the sound of a silver needle falling to the ground could be heard. Luo Chongyang¡¯s heart pounded like thunder, transmitting a message, ¡°Are you really planning to retreat from Jianghu?¡± ¡°Amitabha.¡± Universal Literary Vajra clasped his hands together and sighed lightly. ¡°This¡­.¡± Su Yue was also baffled, unable to comprehend. How could such a renowned Sword Immortal announce his withdrawal from Jianghu today, catching everyone by surprise? Ouyang Ping, Duanmu Xinghua, Lin Tianhai, Yi Daoyun, and many other experts from the Demon Sect, upon seeing this, were naturally both shocked and delighted. Not only did this battle not lead to the annihilation of the Demon Sect, but it also resulted in the Ghost Swordsman joining their ranks¨Ca truly great piece of news! ¡°Jiang Renyi is not here, Jiang Shang is also not here¡­¡­¡± Chen Ayi felt somewhat dispirited. Jiang Shang was his father¡¯s murderer. Now that this murderer was no more, what was the point in trampling over the Demon Sect? The Jilei Youth¡¯s expression changed unpredictably, his mind pondering unknown thoughts. And the most difficult to accept were individuals like Feng Lingyue, who had been ready to kick someone when they were down to gain benefits. Now, each of them looked dumbfounded, as the Ghost Swordsman not only did not trample the Demon Sect but even planned to join it. Feng Lingyue¡¯s thoughts raced, his expression turning extremely unsightly. Could it be that from the beginning, this was all a grand scheme set by the Ghost Swordsman and the Demon Sect, aimed at luring them out? ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is in collusion with the Demon Sect, setting a trap today to eliminate all of us who bear grudges against the Demon Sect! Everyone, attack together and crush the Demon Sect!¡± At this moment, someone raised a doubt. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Whoosh¡ª- Such words swept through the crowd like a storm, raising a colossal wave in their minds, their expressions drastically changing. If the Ghost Swordsman and the Demon Sect were indeed in cahoots, they truly faced a life-and-death situation today. ¡­¡­. PS: The production donkey has died, another chapter tonight before midnight. Chapter 211 - Chapter 211: Chapter 210: Ghost Swordsmans Soul Returns to the Western Paradise Chapter 211: Chapter 210: Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Soul Returns to the Western Paradise Luo Chongyang, Universal Literary Vajra, and others stood still, not moving an inch. They were experts invited by the Ghost Swordsman, and now that the Ghost Swordsman was not engaging in a decisive battle with the Demon Sect, they naturally would not strike against the Demon Sect either. After Feng Lingyue¡¯s expression slightly changed, he was not foolish; if the Ghost Swordsman and the Demon Sect had colluded so deeply, there was no way they could have fought so fiercely with the Sect Hierarch just now. Clearly, something had happened, such as the Ghost Swordsman having old grudges only with Jiang Renyi and Jiang Shang, and no current disputes with the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. Now that they had ceased fighting and talked peace, or perhaps the Ghost Swordsman was compromised by the Sect Hierarch. But these had nothing to do with him, Feng Lingyue, as he came today to eradicate the Demon Sect. Having cleared his thoughts, Feng Lingyue stepped forward, ¡°We came here today because of the three words, ¡®Ghost Swordsman,¡¯ at your call, we traveled thousands of miles to Dongluo Pass, and now with just a word from you about retreating from the martial world, isn¡¯t this too much of a child¡¯s play?¡± Feng Lingyue¡¯s words immediately resonated with many of those present. ¡°We all came because of you, the Ghost Swordsman, and now you say we should not fight just because you say so. Isn¡¯t that treating us all like monkeys to be teased?¡± ¡°Simply childish, we regarded you as the hope of the righteous path, truly a ridiculous joke!¡± ¡°Such petty behavior, is this your martial integrity, Ghost Swordsman!?¡± ¡­.. In an instant, everyone started denouncing and blaming the Ghost Swordsman. They had come through thick and thin to erase the Demon Sect, and now at the doorstep of the Demon Sect Main Hall, the Ghost Swordsman changed his mind, how could they accept this? Source: , updated on wuxiaworld.site.Co The Blissful Child, Zeng Fanqing, and others also looked on with chilly eyes, seemingly discontented. The only ones who did not openly criticize were Luo Chongyang, Universal Literary Vajra, and the other four. Seeing this, Luo Chongyang secretly thought, ¡°These people are going to use martial morality to kill with a borrowing knife again; my disciple nephew is still kind-hearted. Since he plans to bow before beauty, it¡¯s better to cut down these people to eliminate future problems.¡± The common tactic used by those in the martial world against those who cherish their reputation is to kill by praise. Throughout history, countless who cherished their reputation have died off due to the four words of martial morality. An Jing looked at everyone below, his heart calm as a still well, undisturbed in the slightest. ¡°Warning: A dark opportunity is near the host.¡± Suddenly, a prompt emerged in his mind from the Earth Book. Startled, An Jing transmitted to Zhao Qingmei, ¡°Be careful later.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows furrowed. An Jing said gravely, ¡°There will be danger.¡± Outside Dongluo Pass, public sentiment was ablaze, bound to demand an explanation from the Ghost Swordsman. They fantasized about using the term martial morality to hoist An Jing high up in the air, forcing him to act against his will. A reputation can bring endless benefits, but it can also bring endless burdens. But little did they know, An Jing had never been a person concerned with the opinions of others. ¡°Ghost Swordsman, why not give us an explanation!?¡± Someone cried out, ¡°Why disregard martial morality?¡± ¡°Martial morality?¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, then drew out the Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡°Swish!¡± ¡°Bang bang bang bang!¡± The next moment, a cold light descended from the sky, cleaving forward and instantly generating a heart-shaking sound that filled the air. All of Dongluo Pass then fell silent. An Jing looked towards Feng Lingyue, ¡°Feng Lingyue, don¡¯t forget, it was you and not I who called upon the martial experts to flatten the Demon Sect. I have never done such a thing.¡± ¡°Rather, it was you, Feng Lingyue, who borrowed my momentum, wanting to profit like a scavenging vulture from my struggle with the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°You were the ones who called me the hope of the righteous path, not me, and now the ones calling me a villain are also you.¡± ¡°Your quest to eradicate the Demon Sect was your own doing, not for me.¡± ¡°Yes, I am such a person.¡± Feng Lingyue was taken aback and, upon reflection, realized that the Ghost Swordsman was right; the Ghost Swordsman had never intended to use others to ascend to the Demon Sect. The grand preparations were solely orchestrated by Feng Lingyue, with the goal certainly not to aid the Ghost Swordsman. The others present exchanged glances, speechless; all their slander and defamation boiled down to one thing. Ghost Swordsman, if you don¡¯t eradicate the Demon Sect, where would our benefits come from!? ¡°You may leave.¡± An Jing looked towards Chen Ayi and the Ecstasy Child, among others. Among those present, very few had truly exerted effort; most were merely opportunists swayed by the shifting winds. ¡°Alas.¡± The Ecstasy Child nodded, his hopes dashed, but at least the Ghost Swordsman ensured they could leave unscathed. Zeng Fanqing, usually reticent, suddenly spoke up, ¡°Senior, may I ask you a question?¡± An Jing nodded slightly, ¡°Ask.¡± Zeng Fanqing took two steps forward. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± Zhao Qingmei raised an eyebrow. ¡°If you¡¯re not eradicating the Demon Sect, then what¡¯s the point of you being alive?¡± Zeng Fanqing¡¯s face suddenly contorted into a ferocious expression as he charged towards An Jing, a low growl emanating from his throat. ¡°Hm!?¡± An Jing¡¯s hand wielding the Evil Suppressing Sword swung fiercely, sending a cold streak of sword light surging forward. ¡°Boom!!!¡± The charging Zeng Fanqing was instantly split in two, but as his body divided, a terrifying burst of thunderous power erupted from within, raising a mushroom cloud several dozen yards wide. A frightening blast wave emanated from its center, spreading outwards. Several Jianghu masters nearby were reduced to a bloody mist and even Ecstasy Child was left disheveled, evidently suffering some internal injuries. If not for An Jing¡¯s quick reaction, even he might have been slightly affected. ¡°Black Gold Thunder Pill?¡± Luo Chongyang recognized the lightning power at a glance. Ouyang Ping felt a chill in his heart, ¡°Could it be him!?¡± The Black Gold Thunder Pill was originally concocted by Yuan Feng. Others might not know, but Ouyang Ping was well aware that it was the work of Yuan Feng, the Second Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform. A single Black Gold Thunder Pill could injure even a One Qi Grandmaster if not careful; with enough quantity, it could even severely injure a Second Qi or even a Third Qi Grandmaster. These were laboriously studied and crafted by Yuan Feng after gathering malevolent energy and thunder essence, using a special method; a year¡¯s toil could yield only four or five pills. But at this moment, Ouyang Ping could hardly believe that Yuan Feng would dare to commit such a heinous act. Madman! An Jing¡¯s expression darkened as he watched the still-sparking thunder power in front of him. ¡°Someone is causing trouble.¡± Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, ¡°Husband¡­¡± Before Zhao Qingmei could finish transmitting her message, several people had already rushed out from the crowd. ¡°Retreat quickly!¡± Feng Lingyue yelled to several masters of the Five Poison Sect. In the next moment, those carrying the Black Gold Thunder Pills charged towards Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Sect Hierarch, be careful!¡± The experts of the Demon Sect shouted loudly, gathering toward Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Uncle Master, there is a master nearby.¡± An Jing transmitted his voice to Luo Chongyang while waving the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand. ¡°Hiss!¡± ¡°Hiss!¡± Several streaks of sword light shot forth, and a startling roaring sound emerged in front of them. ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± Zhao Qingmei set up a huge Light Shield, blocking the surging tide of Force Qi coming from the front. The scene immediately became chaotic, especially after many from the Jianghu and the Demon Sect were severely injured by the Black Gold Thunder Pills, causing a complete mess. The Black Gold Thunder Pills were extremely difficult to refine and already possessed tremendous power; their sudden explosion among the crowd was startlingly powerful. Many masters were overwhelmed, their faces turning pale. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± Just then, a figure charged toward them. ¡°A master!¡± An Jing felt a chill in his heart, and he pointed his Evil Suppressing Sword straight ahead. ¡°Ding!¡± The sword seemed blocked by some Force Qi, becoming very heavy to swing, and then a terrifying force was transmitted from it. An Jing took several steps back. At the same time, several figures emerged among the Great Yan Martial World¡¯s experts, plunging into the chaos to fight. The originally calm scene became chaotic once again. This scene surpassed everyone¡¯s expectations, including Feng Lingyue¡¯s. An Jing looked at the figure in front of him and coldly said, ¡°Who are you?¡± The person in front was a master, with a cultivation level at least at the Second Qi Grandmaster. ¡°Ghost Swordsman, this has nothing to do with you, step aside.¡± After saying that, the person didn¡¯t intend to speak further. With a flash in his hand, a Black Gold Thunder Pill the size of a thumb appeared between his fingers. ¡°Whiz!¡± The Black Gold Thunder Pill flew at a high speed and arrived in front of An Jing in the blink of an eye. ¡°Boom!¡± An Jing hastily circulated his True Qi, and the Black Gold Thunder Pill completely exploded, creating a huge impact that forced him to step back twice. ¡°Yuan Feng, he is Yuan Feng, the Second Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform. It was him who, along with Jiang Shang, drove me toward the Sealing Demon Well back then,¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes chilled, and she drew out her Mandarin Duck Blade. ¡°Leave it to me,¡± An Jing transmitted to Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Okay, remember to keep the Heavenly Flipping Seal in front of your chest.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the man always shielding her, feeling warmth in her heart. Having such a man in front of her seemed quite nice. The aura of the Heavenly Flipping Seal had been shielded before, so Zhao Qingmei hadn¡¯t sensed it, but now that An Jing had unblocked it, she also sensed the existence of the Heavenly Flipping Seal. Ouyang Ping also rushed over and angrily denounced, ¡°Yuan Feng, have you truly gone mad?¡± ¡°Roar!¡± The black flood dragon circled high in the sky and emitted a low roar. Yuan Feng¡¯s voice was somewhat deep, ¡°Ghost Swordsman, what is the meaning of this?¡± He had never expected that the Ghost Swordsman, who had previously declared to flatten the Demon Sect, would now be stopping him. ¡°To kill you.¡± An Jing, upon hearing this, wielded his Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡°Since you seek death, do not blame me for being unkind.¡± Yuan Feng¡¯s heart surged with rage; he knew the Ghost Swordsman and Zhao Qingmei had already fiercely fought, and their True Qi was likely not full. Moreover, with an ample supply of Black Gold Thunder Pills on him, he was not afraid of the Ghost Swordsman before him. And naturally, there were others around who could deal with the rest of the experts. Yuan Feng¡¯s eyes tightly focused on An Jing, his gaze sharp as a knife, emitting a fierce and deadly aura from within. Whoosh! A startling deadly aura suddenly burst forth from the arena; Yuan Feng¡¯s figure instantly turned into an afterimage, thrusting furiously at An Jing¡¯s throat with his forefinger. As Yuan Feng made his move, An Jing¡¯s eyes also hardened, placing the Evil Suppressing Sword in front of himself. ¡°Clang!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword and Yuan Feng¡¯s forefinger collided in the next instant, sending a fierce wind sweeping through. An Jing¡¯s ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± circulated to resist the invading Force Qi. The next moment, his eyes turned cold, his finger transforming into a red flame, pointing directly at Yuan Feng before him. Bang! The force from An Jing¡¯s finger was terrifying, even somewhat appalling. Wherever it passed, the air burst into deafening roars. Yuan Feng, with his forefinger resisting the Evil Suppressing Sword, twisted his other hand into a palm; a burst of black light furiously exploded from his arm, promptly unleashing a palm strike. Hiss! Yuan Feng¡¯s palm did not carry a massive momentum, but the palm wind was filled with an overwhelming killing intent, chillingly substantial, engulfing everything in its path. Bang! The black palm force heavily collided with the red finger light, with red and black light sweeping out simultaneously. Boom boom boom! The ground where the two stood directly shattered, enormous cracks spreading crazily from beneath their feet like a spider web. In the midst of their fierce battle, a red light fell from afar. That person in white robes, exuding a majestic and overpowering aura. Duanmu Xinghua, Ouyang Ping and others¡¯ faces turned very ugly; after successive fierce battles, although they still had True Qi left, it was almost depleted, and the newcomer¡¯s cultivation was above them, making resistance extremely difficult. Universal Literary Vajra, Su Lian, Su Yue, and others stood far away; having achieved their goals, they naturally would not defend against the sudden emergence of powerful foes for the Demon Sect. As the Qi mechanism dissipated, Duanmu Xinghua, when he saw clearly who was coming, his pupils immediately shrunk: ¡°Qiu Fengsheng!?¡± ¡°Qiu Fengsheng, such a familiar name,¡± Yi Daoyun murmured softly. ¡°He is the Mansion Master of Soul Seeker Mansion.¡± Ouyang Ping said in a deep voice, ¡°It seems Yuan Feng indeed colluded with Houjin, otherwise, how could he dare come here alone?¡± As Ouyang Ping¡¯s words fell, all the Demon Sect masters present changed their expressions. This name, Soul Seeker Mansion, who among them hadn¡¯t heard? It was essentially Houjin¡¯s ¡®Xuanyi Guard¡¯. The difference was that Great Yan Xuanyi Guard dealt with Great Yan Martial World experts, while Houjin¡¯s Soul Seeker Mansion ostensibly managed the Houjin Martial World, but secretly dealt with Martial World experts from other nations. The strength of someone who could become the Mansion Master of Soul Seeker Mansion was certainly extraordinary! ¡°Today, this place is indeed lively.¡± Qiu Fengsheng looked around, shaking his head and chuckling, ¡°And absurd.¡± ¡°Everyone thought that if they came today, they would simply pick up a bargain, destroy the Demon Sect, and kill the Ghost Swordsman, but no one expected the two sides to suddenly cease fighting, which was a complete surprise to everyone.¡± Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s eyes swept over, and he immediately spotted Ouyang Ping along with Duanmu Xinghua and the others, his eyes filled with a sense of amusement. ¡°We can only ask the Great Elder to come out now¡­..¡± Ouyang Ping felt a sinking feeling in his heart, just as he was about to send a message to Duanmu Xinghua to start a fire, a Daoist walked out slowly at that moment.¡± ¡°It¡¯s absurd, this world is inherently absurd.¡± This man was Luo Chongyang, who had not made a move from the beginning to the end.¡± At this moment, he had a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, standing calmly between heaven and earth.¡± Upon closer inspection, his aura was not as astounding as Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s, but he was in harmony with heaven and earth, not at all inferior to Qiu Fengsheng.¡± Qiu Fengsheng looked at the Daoist in front of him and said in a deep voice, ¡°Taoist Luo, you and Soul Seeker Mansion have always kept to our own paths.¡± He was very clear in his mind that all the people present together were not as formidable as this Taoist before him.¡± Back then, on Zhenyi Mountain, he had fought against Ye Ding and Yu Ying together and had left nonchalantly afterward. Such a reputation was truly astonishing; even if Zhenyi Sect wanted to suppress this scandal, there are no walls in the world that don¡¯t leak, and eventually, someone would know the messy details.¡± Luo Chongyang laughed and said, ¡°I have never troubled myself with river water.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Qiu Fengsheng squinted his eyes into slits, exhaling softly.¡± ¡°But that person is my disciple¡¯s nephew; he calls me ¡®Uncle Master.¡¯ If he were to die, I¡¯m afraid no one would be willing to call me ¡®Uncle Master¡¯ again.¡± Luo Chongyang looked at the Ghost Swordsman, who was confronting Yuan Feng in the distance.¡± The Fire Bodhi from the Beili Volcano had always been etched in his memory.¡± Similarly, he admired his disciple¡¯s nephew for his way of following his heart and desires.¡± With only thirty thousand days in a human life, one should live as they please, entirely at their whim.¡± And Luo Chongyang was someone who feared neither heaven nor earth.¡± Qiu Fengsheng looked towards the distant battle, his expression suddenly becoming stern, ¡°If the Ghost Swordsman wins, I won¡¯t intervene; if the Ghost Swordsman loses, you won¡¯t intervene, how about that?¡± Luo Chongyang nodded slightly, ¡°That¡¯s acceptable.¡± Qiu Fengsheng took a deep breath, watching the intense battle before him.¡± Ouyang Ping, seeing this, exclaimed, ¡°This Taoist Luo Chongyang is indeed formidable.¡± A true master doesn¡¯t need ace up their sleeves because you can¡¯t see a master¡¯s hidden card, and a master doesn¡¯t need to use one.¡± Luo Chongyang with just a few words had stopped Mansion Master Qiu Fengsheng, which was indicative of the strength of Luo Chongyang.¡± Following Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s gesture, many of the experts from Soul Seeker Mansion also ceased fighting.¡± ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon glanced at Qiu Fengsheng, gave a low roar, and coiled above Zhao Qingmei.¡± An Jing¡¯s gaze flickered towards Feng Lingyue; he knew that if he let the Black Flood Dragon attack, this old timer might intercept it immediately.¡± He had done this more than once or twice.¡± ¡°Then today, you can only die by my sword.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes were ice-cold, his eyelids narrowed slightly, and in the next moment, his sword radiance burst forth, whistling out again, bringing a series of afterimages and shrill sonic booms, as fast as lightning, enveloping Yuan Feng.¡± The terrifying sword radiance filled with aggressive force grew rapidly in Yuan Feng¡¯s pupils. An Jing¡¯s torrential offense also brought a fierce look to Yuan Feng¡¯s eyes; he clenched his right fist, and then suddenly struck out.¡± Shua shua shua! Sword radiance and fist force collided, covering the sky and the earth, creating a commotion that undoubtedly shook the heavens, as if trembling violently at this very moment.¡± Countless pairs of eyes, laden with sheer astonishment, looked toward the dust-filled battleground. A breeze came, scattering the dust, followed by the rapid sound of cutting wind.¡± Suddenly, a cold gleam shot through An Jing¡¯s eyes, and the Evil Suppressing Sword transformed into an overwhelming giant sword.¡± Whoosh! The giant sword slashed through the void, striking hard at Yuan Feng. Yuan Feng was clearly aware of the power of the Evil Suppressing Sword, as he collected his True Qi at his index finger and pointed it towards the Evil Suppressing Sword. Clang! The moment the fingertip collided with the sword tip, a violent, ear-piercing sound of metal striking metal echoed through heaven and earth. ¡°Hiss!¡± An Jing sidestepped swiftly, his eyes filled with an extremely sharp light. The Evil Suppressing Sword once again burst forth, whooshing directly towards Yuan Feng¡¯s throat. ¡°Hmph!¡± An Jing¡¯s relentless assault made Yuan Feng snort coldly. He quickly curled his fingers into a point, which met the piercing sword radiance. His fingers, wrapped in a red Forc Qi, clashed against the fierce Sword Radiance. The two exchanged dozens of moves, with neither appearing to gain the upper hand. Boom, boom! After clashing in one move, Yuan Feng did not retreat but instead forcibly closed the gap to An Jing. He threw his fists out, tearing through the air with a forceful and domineering barrage of punches, enveloping An Jing like a torrential rain. Clang, clang, clang! Loud sounds of metal clashing continuously echoed in the arena. The two figures mingled in the fray, and the ferocious gales they generated were heart-stopping. Clang! Following another fierce collision, both An Jing and Yuan Feng stepped back several steps, their feet landing so heavily that the ground immediately shattered into powder. Whoosh! No sooner had Yuan Feng steadied himself than he leapt forward again, a robust wave of True Qi suddenly sweeping out from his hands. The roaring grey light seemed to penetrate the surrounding air, ferociously bombarding towards An Jing, the energy on that whip of air filled with a terrifying force. With a raise of the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, An Jing instantly unleashed a thunderous sound from it. Four Symbols Sword Technique! Move like thunder! The Sword Light surged forward, as if thunder were rumbling forth. Bang! The instant the Qi Forces collided, they turned into a rolling tide, their overwhelming power turning the surrounding stones into powder. Yuan Feng stretched out his hand, blocking the surging tide of Qi Force before him. But the next instant, his expression suddenly changed, as his heart began to beat erratically. Just then, a cold light struck. ¡°Puchi!¡± Because of his heart¡¯s violent pulsing, Yuan Feng¡¯s reaction was a fraction slow, and he was directly slashed across the arm by a sword. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Feng Lingyue frowned deeply. Yuan Feng had just fought the Ghost Swordsman without falling behind. How could he be stabbed so quickly? It wasn¡¯t just Feng Lingyue; all the experts present wore expressions of disbelief. The battle, which had been evenly matched moments ago, had suddenly turned one-sided in the blink of an eye. Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s eyebrows lifted as he thought to himself, ¡°The battle is decided.¡± He glanced at the Black Flood Dragon above, then at Luo Chongyang, and took a deep breath, fearing that the plan to deal with the Demon Sect was about to fall through. ¡°Heartbeats, huh?¡± Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyes were slightly closed, as if he was listening to Yuan Feng¡¯s heartbeat. ¡°Not good!¡± The more Yuan Feng tried to suppress his heartbeat, the faster it thumped, as if it would leap out of his throat. ¡°Since Jiang Shang is not here, I¡¯ll take your head first as a sacrifice to the heavens.¡± An Jing¡¯s gaze was icy cold as he slapped the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword transformed into a streak of cold light, rushing forward. The sword Qi scattered the air on both sides, creating wave after wave of air currents. ¡°It¡¯s over, let¡¯s go,¡± Qiu Fengsheng saw this and immediately knew the outcome of the battle, speaking to the Soul Seeker Mansion experts around him. Instantly, Qiu Fengsheng performed the Shrinking Land into Inches technique and disappeared from the spot, with many experts from the Soul Seeker Mansion following him. No one paid any attention to Yuan Feng. Luo Chongyang smiled, ¡°They left quite quickly.¡± ¡°Qiu Fengsheng left?¡± Yuan Feng also sensed Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s departure, furious in his heart. He hadn¡¯t expected Qiu Fengsheng to come here and leave without lifting a finger, turning himself into an expendable piece to be manipulated. ¡°Puff!¡± This sword directly pierced through Yuan Feng¡¯s chest, and blood drenched his clothes. Ouyang Ping saw this and couldn¡¯t help but look up to the sky and say, ¡°Yuan Feng, if you confess now, though your cultivation is destroyed, you can still preserve your life.¡± The two had been close for decades; it was impossible to say there were no feelings involved. ¡°I am ninety-three this year, already not having many good years left. Isn¡¯t destroying my cultivation almost the same as killing me?¡± A trace of ruthlessness flashed in Yuan Feng¡¯s eyes, ¡°My plan failed, let it be Heaven¡¯s will.¡± If it weren¡¯t for the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s sudden betrayal and even helping Zhao Qingmei, he would have surely captured her today and forced her to reveal the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture. ¡°You dare to speak of Heaven¡¯s will?¡± An Jing sneered, lifting the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand. Whoosh! The Sword Light surged majestically forward, piercing through the darkness like a burst of light. Sword Control Technique! Yuan Feng¡¯s pupils reflected that cold and fierce Sword Light, with a hint of madness. The next moment, he stretched out his hand, and several black Gold Thunder Pills appeared. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Luo Chongyang was the first to react, but it was already too late to stop it. Yuan Feng came prepared this time, bringing all the remaining Black Gold Thunder Pills with him. With his life hanging by a thread, he naturally held nothing back. ¡°Whoosh whoosh!¡± The several Black Gold Thunder Pills flew toward An Jing, and just when Yuan Feng threw the Black Gold Thunder Pills, the Evil Suppressing Sword had already reached him, directly piercing his throat. Afterwards, the sword¡¯s blade stuck in the giant rock behind him, trembling slightly. Almost the next moment, the Black Gold Thunder Pills were also next to An Jing. ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom!¡± The explosions of the several Black Gold Thunder Pills were tremendously terrifying, instantly causing a thunderous roar, and the earth felt like it had experienced a fierce quake. ¡°Not good!¡± Ouyang Ping¡¯s brow furrowed, his face slightly changed. ¡°Bad!¡± Su Lian and Su Yue¡¯s pupils widened, both in a state of shock. The earth-shattering tremors caused everyone around to stagger, nearly falling to the ground. Just then, a figure leaped out from the midst of the explosion¡¯s smoke and dust, moving rapidly beyond detection. ¡°Nice white butt,¡± Luo Chongyang opened his eyes wide and murmured, ¡°My nephew has kept himself in rather good shape.¡± Apart from Luo Chongyang, Zhao Qingmei also blinked and looked toward the swiftly fleeing figure. If not for the Heavenly Flipping Seal¡¯s bloodline connecting her, she wouldn¡¯t have sensed that departing figure at all. Everyone was staring at the center of the explosion, no one noticed that the Black Jiao had also transformed into a streak of light and disappeared. The smoke and dust scattered, finally gradually dissipating after a long while. The world was silent. A crater about ten meters deep appeared ahead, beyond that, nothing else. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman, could he have been blasted into dust?¡± ¡°Where is he? Where is the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡­¡­. Everyone¡¯s gaze was fixed on the crater, all feeling a massive shock. The Ghost Swordsman had disappeared, could he have been killed in the blast!? Su Yue¡¯s pretty face turned pale, ¡°Such a powerful impact, even a Grandmaster in the Golden Bone Realm would undoubtedly die.¡± Who could have imagined that Yuan Feng would be able to produce several Black Gold Thunder Pills at the last moment, whose terrifying power was comparable to a full blow from a Second Qi Grandmaster. After all, a Grandmaster is also human, only a Great Grandmaster is called a Demi Immortal. ¡°Amitabha,¡± Universal Literary Vajra¡¯s brow was tightly locked, he then sighed. The Ghost Swordsman certainly had impressive strength, but under such powerful impact, even he, a Body Refining Second Qi Grandmaster, feared he would perish in both body and Dao, let alone a One Qi Grandmaster like the Ghost Swordsman. Dai Danshu said solemnly, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is gone; he doesn¡¯t need to retire from Jianghu anymore.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s leave quickly,¡± Feng Lingyue was slightly taken aback, then came to her senses. She didn¡¯t care about the life or death of the Ghost Swordsman at all. Once the Demon Sect experts came to their senses, they wouldn¡¯t be able to leave. Dai Danshu also was startled and then hurriedly followed Feng Lingyue. With Feng Lingyue and many other experts leaving, other Jianghu experts also dared not stay. As for the previously mentioned Jianghu righteousness, it all disappeared. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman, just like that, died?¡± Duanmu Xinghua also found it hard to believe that the Ghost Swordsman, who had stormed into the Demon Sect¡¯s Dongluo Pass, had actually died in combat for their sect, his soul ascending to the afterlife? If it wasn¡¯t for seeing it with one¡¯s own eyes, anyone hearing it would find it preposterous and hard to believe. ¡°He died a truly miserable death.¡± Lin Tianhai¡¯s expression was complex, suddenly feeling a sense of sympathy for the Ghost Swordsman. I am such a person, who needs no explanation to anyone. In the midst of swords and blades, watch the colors of the world change; follow your heart¡¯s joy. How many in this world could be as carefree as him? Certainly, Lin Tianhai knew he couldn¡¯t. ¡°He¡¯s dead, let him be,¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhao Qingmei gestured dismissively, ¡°Keep that Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword; I want to keep it as a memento.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Lin Tianhai nodded heavily. Only Tan Yun, hiding in the distance, harbored a hint of sorrow in her heart, her eyes wide in shock. Could he also be dead!? Chapter 212 - Chapter 212: Chapter 112: Capture the Yellow Dragon All the Way to the End Chapter 212: Chapter 112: Capture the Yellow Dragon All the Way to the End Dongluo Pass, behind the Dongluo Tower there was a floor housing pavilions. The night sky, like a dark cyan curtain, was adorned with stars scattered across its expanse. After the day¡¯s great battle, Dongluo Pass had fallen into a tranquil silence. ¡°You all may go rest,¡± A crisp and pleasant voice emanated from within the room, and the maids in the courtyard promptly withdrew. Looking inside the room, one could see a stunningly beautiful woman lying on the opulent couch. Her skin was fairer than snow, and her eyes were like clear pools of water. With each glance, she exuded an aura of elegant grace. Her hair, black as a waterfall, still held a misty air, and her body was draped in a sheer silk robe that barely concealed her most alluring curves. Her shapely long legs and fair feet were bare, exposed to the air. It was the very image of a beauty fresh from her bath, her sheer robe partially covering her bosom. Suddenly, the corners of the stunning woman¡¯s mouth curved upward as she looked out the window. ¡°Clang!¡± Shortly after, a figure rushed into the room from outside. The man was completely naked, without a stitch of clothing on. This man was no other than An Jing, who had earlier escaped from several Black Gold Thunder Pills; presently, aside from a small bundle in his arms, he had nothing else to cover his body. Source: , updated on wuxiaworld.site.so An Jing chuckled, ¡°My lady, the weather has become quite cold suddenly.¡± In the desert, the temperature difference between day and night could be extreme, with scorching sun and clear skies during the day and bone-chilling cold as night fell. Zhao Qingmei glanced at An Jing with amusement, laughing, ¡°A master like you, brother, still afraid of a mere chill?¡± An Jing took a few steps forward, twirling his hand, ¡°Mainly, it¡¯s rather inappropriate like this.¡± The Black Gold Thunder Pills were immensely powerful. Even though An Jing had concentrated all his true qi to the front of his body to block their force, his clothes were still shattered by the terrifying energy. The residual qi force was blocked by the Heavenly Flipping Seal, an exotic treasure, which prevented him from sustaining any injuries. In the nick of time, An Jing activated the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± seizing the moment while everyone was stunned to flee out of the dust and smoke. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if someone sees it.¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°This is a gift of nature that others can only envy.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, ¡°Anyone who dares look will have their eyes gouged out by me. Men included.¡± Gazing at those soft yet murderous eyes, An Jing gave a dry laugh and changed the subject, ¡°My lady, it¡¯s a bit cold¡­¡± ¡°Cold?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes blinked slowly as her feet gently swept up from below. As they touched a crucial point, An Jing¡¯s heart trembled, and his soul seemed to leap out of his body. Her slender, snow-white leg lifted high, and like the young shoots of the cardamom plant, she touched An Jing¡¯s chin with her toes, pouting, ¡°Brother, are you still cold now?¡± ¡°Not cold anymore, but it¡¯s very hot now.¡± ¡°Very hot? What should we do about that?¡± An Jing grabbed her delicate ankle, gazing at her beautiful face as he chuckled lowly, ¡°What do you think we should do? We didn¡¯t settle who was superior during the day; it¡¯s not too late now to find out.¡± With that, he pounced on her. A journey long with legs so slender, I shall roam far and wide in search. One of the four great joys in life is said to be the rain after a long drought. Moonlight swaying, waves surging, stirring lovely sounds incessantly, even the moon itself appeared to blush. Eventually, the great battle subsided. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cheeks were flushed with the glow of spring, as she lay on An Jing¡¯s chest, ¡°I originally thought that knowing each other so thoroughly, I had mastered it all, yet you deceived me, brother.¡± An Jing pinched her delicate nose and laughed softly, ¡°You¡¯ve kept things quite hidden as well, haven¡¯t you?¡± Who would have imagined that the modest doctor from Yu State City was, in fact, a peerless master in the Jianghu? Who could have thought that this fine lady, expert in needlework and household management, would turn out to be the Sect Hierarch controlling a host of demons? The two chatted idly, with An Jing recounting how he broke free from Jiang Shang¡¯s grasp, and Zhao Qingmei sharing how she had managed to enter the Sealing Demon Well. Suddenly, Zhao Qingmei looked up and asked, ¡°Brother, how did you reach the Grandmaster Realm?¡± She vividly remembered that An Jing had not practiced martial arts ten years ago. Yet, in a mere ten years, he had reached the Grandmaster Realm, which was truly unbelievable. One must know that not only was Zhao Qingmei exceptionally talented, she was also thoroughly nurtured by the Demon Sect, and only by obtaining the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from a Five Qi Grandmaster in the Sealing Demon Well had she cultivated to the peak of the One Qi Grandmaster. But how did An Jing manage to cultivate to this level? An Jing stroked her smooth shoulder, reflecting, ¡°All this, I owe to my diligent efforts.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always believed that wherever the heavens place me, it¡¯s to do what I¡¯m meant to do, to meet who I¡¯m meant to meet. If one can endure the loneliness that comes with obscurity, they are worthy of poetry and the distance.¡± Zhao Qingmei blinked her eyes, her gaze flickering with admiration. ¡°Yes, brother, how could someone as outstanding as you be just an ordinary doctor? I can¡¯t believe I never saw through you before.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°My lady, speaking of which, why did you¡­¡± He had always been curious as to why Zhao Qingmei had chosen to marry him. ¡°Brother, I haven¡¯t finished my question yet.¡± Zhao Qingmei gazed intently at An Jing, ¡°Back at Liumu Villa, did you go there because of the ¡®Beidou Seven Stars Technique¡¯?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing sighed, ¡°Naturally.¡± He had almost captured Qi Yun and obtained the Beidou Seven Stars Technique from Zhenyi Sect. Now, with Qi Yun dead and Zhenyi Sect yet to appoint a new Sect Leader, the only possibility of acquiring the Beidou Seven Stars Technique was through Ye Ding or Xiao Qianqiu. Both of these individuals might be hiding out in Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Hidden Mountain or seated in Zhenyi Mountain, acknowledged as top masters of this era. The difficulty of acquiring the Beidou Seven Stars Technique now was imaginable. Zhao Qingmei, biting An Jing¡¯s shoulder, whispered, ¡°It¡¯s your fault for sneaking around. If you had shown even a hint of a clue, wouldn¡¯t I have stopped competing with you?¡± An Jing, with an air of nonchalance, said, ¡°If it¡¯s destined to happen, it will; if it¡¯s not, there¡¯s no point in forcing it. I believe I will obtain the Beidou Seven Stars Technique sooner or later.¡± Zhao Qingmei took out a skin scroll from under her pillow and said with a smile, ¡°I have here a fragment of the ¡®Daluo Heart Method¡¯.¡± ¡°Let me see it.¡± An Jing took the fragment and after a glance, the Earth Book recorded the fragment of the ¡®Daluo Heart Method,¡¯ and the incomplete ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ advanced to the Fifth Layer. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± An Jing suddenly realized. He finally understood why there had been a purple opportunity hidden within Liumu Villa. Initially, he had cultivated the incomplete ¡®Daluo Heart Method¡¯ passed on by Yan Shaoshan, the complete ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method,¡¯ and now he needed the ¡®Beidou Seven Stars Technique¡¯ and the skin scroll in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hands to fully piece together the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture.¡¯ And naturally, the skin scroll Zhao Qingmei had belonged to him. The only thing left to acquire was the ¡®Beidou Seven Stars Technique,¡¯ which was why the Earth Book indicated a purple opportunity. He had always been unaware of what kind of purple opportunity was hidden inside Liumu Villa, but now, it all became clear. Zhao Qingmei continued to inquire, ¡°By the way, brother, where did all the martial arts in your storeroom come from?¡± It seemed as if there were endless mysteries about the man in front of her, waiting to be discovered by her. An Jing laughed and said, ¡°Those were all forced upon me; they¡¯re all basic introductory methods. I was too lazy to discard them, so I just stored them in the storeroom.¡± In the past ten years, he had acquired quite a few heart methods and heavenly materials and earthly treasures through opportunities. Otherwise, how could he have reached the First Grade realm? Zhao Qingmei had some realizations too, then remembered something and asked, ¡°What about the diary then?¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows, ¡°Diary? What diary?¡± Zhao Qingmei reminded him, ¡°The diary book, you know, the one where you record daily events. I wrote some things in it too¡­..¡± ¡°Oh, that thing.¡± Laughing upon realization, An Jing said, ¡°Who in their right mind keeps a diary? Who would spill their heart¡¯s content in a journal?¡± Anyway, An Jing wouldn¡¯t. ¡°Hm?¡± Zhao Qingmei felt as if struck by lightning, her normally rosy cheeks turning pale. What does that mean!? Was it all fake!? Sensing something, An Jing said, ¡°You didn¡¯t write a diary, did you? Bring it here, let me have a look.¡± ¡°No, I didn¡¯t write anything.¡± Zhao Qingmei hurriedly denied, her eyes appearing like ripples in autumn water. An Jing chuckled and said, ¡°My lady, let¡¯s be open with each other, shall we? Hurry up and hand over the diary for me to see.¡± Zhao Qingmei protested coyly, ¡°Brother, aren¡¯t we being open with each other right now?¡± The moonlight was soft, the lamplight dimmed, and the two lay bare, open and honest with each other. An Jing: 8=====D Zhao Qingmei: (.)(.) An Jing pinched a grape, ¡°Now, will you hand over your treasure?¡± Instantly, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face flushed with color, and then she got up and walked to the desk. Seeing this, An Jing grew curious; he really wanted to see what Zhao Qingmei had written in her diary. However, what Zhao Qingmei took out next somewhat disappointed him. In her hands, she held two jars of wine. An Jing asked with confusion, ¡°My lady, what is this?¡± ¡°My lord, come, let us have a good talk,¡± she said, placing the jars on the table. ¡°About how to dominate the world and laugh proudly amidst Jianghu.¡± ¡°` An Jing blinked and looked at the stunningly beautiful woman before him. The wives of others were always gentle and spoke softly, wanting stars and moons, discussing the trivial troubles of daily life. Yet his own wife was different, the moment she spoke, it was about flattening this Jianghu. An Jing pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Do you know about Jiang Shang¡¯s cultivation?¡± He has now faked his death to escape, so in the short term, he doesn¡¯t have to worry about Zhenyi Sect¡¯s retaliation, but he must be cautious of Jiang Shang. No one knows if Jiang Shang might suddenly come back to kill. Zhao Qingmei took a sip of wine and said, ¡°When I became an apprentice, I was at the peak of Three Qi, so by now, it should be Four Qi cultivation, right?¡± ¡°Four Qi?¡± An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. Anyone who has reached the Grandmaster Realm is no ordinary person; Qi Shu can cross realms and challenge opponents before reaching the First Grade, but in the Grandmaster Realm, it becomes very common. Any Grandmaster is a prodigy with natural gifts, most are geniuses who can defeat others across realms, and those who can still cross realms and challenge at the Grandmaster Realm are monstrous talents. Yuan Feng has Second Qi cultivation but is somewhat weaker than Qi Yun at the peak of Second Qi. The reason Qi Yun was calmly slain by An Jing was actually because An Jing had a huge psychological advantage. Firstly, Qi Yun did not dare to entangle with An Jing, fearing Black Flood Dragon and Luo Chongyang would arrive to kill him, and secondly, he had been chased by An Jing over three hundred li before, so he inherently lost his advantage when facing the Ghost Swordsman. Apart from that, the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± that An Jing cultivated was also a significant factor. The True Qi was robust, and extremely intense, and his physique far surpassed that of a usual One Qi Grandmaster, these were the visible advantages of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡±. Zhao Qingmei continued, ¡°By the way, the other people who came with you have all left, except for that Taoist Luo Chongyang who hasn¡¯t left.¡± ¡°I shall meet with my cheap uncle tomorrow then,¡± said An Jing with a smile, taking over Zhao Qingmei¡¯s wine jar and taking a big gulp. If he could revive the Mystical Sect, with the help of masters like Luo Chongyang and Lou Xiangzhen, he could instantly form a formidable force. Zhao Qingmei stared into An Jing¡¯s eyes and said, ¡°Those two women who knew you were dead seemed really upset, leaving reluctantly, tsk tsk¡­ their expressions, their figures, really do evoke pity.¡± Towards the end, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s tone obviously had a few more edges to it. An Jing hastily waved his hand and said, ¡°I have nothing to do with them, not familiar at all.¡± Thinking of Su Lian and Su Yue, a trace of doubt arose in his heart. There are people behind them who wanted to see him, but who could it be? Zhao Qingmei looked skeptical and said, ¡°Not familiar at all, yet they were willing to sacrifice themselves to kill their way into the Demon Sect for you? If they were familiar, wouldn¡¯t they¡­¡± ¡°Familiar? How could they be familiar?¡± An Jing quickly interrupted Zhao Qingmei, righteously saying, ¡°Madam, the important matters come first. By the way, do you know where Jiang Shang is now?¡± Zhao Qingmei sighed deeply and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know where Jiang Shang is either. An Jing thought for a moment and said, ¡°Leave Jiang Shang to me.¡± Zhao Qingmei and Jiang Shang were after all teacher and pupil, no matter what, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation was all thanks to Jiang Shang¡¯s teachings, he didn¡¯t want Zhao Qingmei to bear the name of a teacher killer. To deal with Jiang Shang, a Grandmaster of Four Qi, his cultivation must reach Three Qi, or even reach the Realm of Four Qi, so the most important thing now is to find a way to improve his own cultivation. An Jing thought for a while and asked, ¡°Do you have any other plans?¡± ¡°I do.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded, her voice ethereal, ¡°Houjin and Great Yan are currently only in a state of friction, and the day when the real battle breaks out is not far away. When that time comes, and Great Yan is embroiled in war, it will be the perfect opportunity for the Demon Sect to move south.¡± ¡°Before this, I had laid out undercover networks in Zhao Country and Houjin, which are slowly growing stronger, and will be useful one day.¡± Hearing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words, An Jing was slightly astonished. His wife¡¯s ambition was indeed great. In fact, after the Demon Sect was driven out of the Great Yan Martial World, they began to operate among the Houjin, Zhao Country, Southern Barbarians, and the desert nomads. The desert nomads lived a primitive lifestyle, drank blood and ate raw meat, and their development was extremely backward. The tribes revered ancient gods and were stubbornly conservative, yet the desert nomads were rich in precious resources like gold and jade, and some lands even held rare Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. In these past years, the Demon Sect had dealt with the nomads, profiting immensely. ¡°In fact, the biggest current trouble is Houjin.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows tightene, ¡°Houjin wants to wage war against Great Yan, and if they were to commit fully to the war, they would be wary of Dongluo Pass, so Houjin has always wanted to draw the Demon Sect in to fight against Great Yan. Jiang Renyi seemed to have reached some agreement with Houjin, which is why they ventured out to attack Great Yan. Now that I have regained control of the Demon Sect, the previous agreement is naturally void, and Houjin is extremely wary, not daring to put in their full effort to attack Great Yan.¡± ¡°Soul Seeker Mansion is likely to take action soon as well.¡± An Jing nodded when he heard this, the location of Dongluo Pass was like a nail harshly nailed between Houjin and Great Yan. It was balancing the powers of both sides while also being a thorn in the flesh for each, a matter the Demon Sect indeed had to be cautious about. ¡°My husband, all these shall become a handful of yellow soil under our feet, to fulfill our supreme ambition,¡± she said. ¡°` Zhao Qingmei wrapped her hands around the wine jug, her cheeks already flushed with the warmth of the alcohol. Thinking of standing at the pinnacle of the world with An Jing, her breathing became brisk with anticipation, unable to wait for that day to come. An Jing too lifted the wine jug with one hand, and they clinked jugs before setting them down. In each other¡¯s eyes, sparks ignited anew. Under the moonlight, the atmosphere grew even more romantically charged. ¡°I don¡¯t think there should be any major trouble in the short term,¡± Zhao Qingmei sat on An Jing¡¯s lap, her hand reaching towards his lower body, eyes brimming with allure as her lips moved gently, her voice trailing off, ¡°Brother¡­¡± An Jing only felt a flame surge in his belly, then he flipped over and pinned Zhao Qingmei beneath him. Passion thwarted makes the heart yearn deeper, slender jade fingers about to unseal. Should you stir the crystal curtain aside, ensure the yellow dragon reaches the very end. ¡­¡­. The next morning, all was silent, the first threads of light from the east tenderly soaked the pale blue sky, the dawn of a new day gradually approaching from afar. The soft sunlight pierced through the gauze window, falling into the room. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing felt a piercing brightness and slowly opened his eyes, looking around. ¡°Has madam already awakened?¡± The room, ancient in its style, was exceptionally quiet, and on the table lay a set of brand-new clothes and socks. An Jing stretched his limbs and stood up, dressing in the clothes from the table. The fatigue from the night before was extraordinary, his half-year¡¯s savings gone in one sweep, yet now he felt rejuvenated. ¡°The Earth Book has new changes!?¡± Cultivation: Grandmaster (One Qi) Life Fate: Favorable Star Shining (on the rise) Root Bone: Once in a millennium Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword (Ninth Layer), Nine Yang Divine Finger (Eighth Layer), Brahma Heart Sees Me, Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique (Seventh Layer), Incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture (Fifth Layer) Prompt One: The host¡¯s Life Fate has taken root. Prompt Two: A dark opportunity is approaching. ¡­¡­. ¡°A dark opportunity!?¡± An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed into a knot. Another dark opportunity was closing in¨Ccould it be Jiang Shang? Each appearance of a dark opportunity portended a crisis threatening his life, like the Honghu at Beili Volcano, which he survived thanks to Luo Chongyang blocking the exotic beast Honghu. Then there was yesterday¡¯s Yuan Feng, whose Black Gold Thunder Pills, if all had hit him, would have turned him to ash despite his cultivation of the Nameless Heart Scripture. What could this new dark opportunity be? Questions and worries sprouted in An Jing¡¯s mind, but apart from Jiang Shang, there seemed to be no other threats to his life. And with his identities as both the Ghost Swordsman and An Jing ¡®dead,¡¯ what kind of dark opportunity could there be? ¡°Idle thoughts are useless; improving my own strength is what¡¯s most important.¡± After reflecting for a moment, An Jing rose and headed outside. ¡°Creak!¡± The door opened, revealing the strong sunlight above. The sun high in the sky indicated it was no longer early. An Jing shielded his eyes, grinning, ¡°Didn¡¯t I come here to enjoy life at leisure, when the sun is high in the sky?¡± Last night, he had already made plans with his wife that today, he was going to meet his nominal martial uncle. Thinking of this, An Jing walked out of the courtyard. Just then, a figure approached. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The woman wasn¡¯t strikingly beautiful, but still a sightly beauty, particularly with her curvaceous figure poised to burst forth. Her eyes were red and puffy, though, and she looked utterly forlorn. An Jing blinked, ¡°Tan Yun.¡± ¡°Ghost¡­!?¡± Seeing the person before her, Tan Yun¡¯s face suddenly paled, followed by rubbing her swollen eyes. As she repeatedly confirmed the identity of the person in front of her, her whole body collapsed to the ground, choking up, ¡°Son-in-law, I¡¯ve never forgotten you, it¡¯s just that these days have been so busy. I¡¯ll burn some paper money for you tonight¡­¡± Chapter 213 - Chapter 213: Chapter 213 The Demon Sect Hierarch Raises an Outside Pet Chapter 213: Chapter 213 The Demon Sect Hierarch Raises an Outside Pet Looking at Tan Yun sprawled on the ground, wailing and weeping, An Jing felt a mix of irritation and amusement. In her memory, An Jing had perished in Yu State City long ago; suddenly appearing at Dongluo Pass, if not a ghost, then what was he? With this thought, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but want to tease Tan Yun a bit. With an expressionless face, An Jing coldly asked, ¡°Tan Yun, tell me honestly, have you done anything to betray me?¡± Tan Yun hurriedly raised three fingers, her teeth clenched as she said, ¡°No¡­ no, I, Tan Yun, swear to the heavens, I¡¯ve absolutely never done anything to wrong you, my lord.¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow, ¡°Really?¡± When Tan Yun saw those eyes, she immediately said in a low voice, ¡°Besides sneaking some of the pastries you bought and taking some of your herbs¡­¡± ¡°Anything else?¡± ¡°The clothes that were torn by Little Blackie, it wasn¡¯t him, I just scrubbed too hard. And your tea leaves, I knocked them over, then I secretly swept them up and put them back, and there¡¯s also¡­¡± Sitting on the ground, Tan Yun sobbed as she spilled her confessions like pouring beans, ¡°There are many other things I can¡¯t even remember. No matter how you press me, I just can¡¯t recall.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s amusement had long disappeared, replaced by sheer frustration, ¡°I died so miserably, and I still lack a maid in the afterlife, so I must take you with me today.¡± With her tears falling like rain, Tan Yun pleaded, ¡°Whimper whimper, my lord, I was wrong, can you not take me away? I still need to rescue my master. Let me ask the Sect Hierarch to save her, and then I will go with you.¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Source: , updated on wuxiaworld.site.co Seeing this, An Jing could no longer contain his laughter. Why would a Second Grade expert be so silly?! The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was normal. It was understandable that his wife and Zhao Qingmei could fool him with their wits, and the fact that Tan Yun could fool him was purely because of her naivety. It was hard for anyone to imagine that the Guardian of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect could be so brainlessly gullible. ¡°My lord, you¡­ you¡­.¡± Tan Yun shuffled backward a few steps, ¡°Are you human or ghost?¡± An Jing laughed, ¡°You tell me, do I look like a human or a ghost?¡± ¡°So you¡¯re not a ghost!¡± A flash of realization overcame Tan Yun, and she glared at An Jing angrily, ¡°You tricked me?¡± The Sect Hierarch, Jiang Shang, had killed her lord; how could he possibly be alive? In Jianghu, some masters were extremely skilled at disguise. It wasn¡¯t impossible for them to masquerade as An Jing, but this was the Sect Hierarch¡¯s private residence, and the Sect Hierarch was much smarter than her¡­ Tan Yun¡¯s large eyes were tightly fixed on An Jing, her face showing a kaleidoscope of emotions. An Jing raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°Are you still reading those picture books? How is that going?¡± ¡°Who, who reads that stuff?¡± Tan Yun¡¯s face reddened immediately, then she realized, ¡°Are you really my lord?¡± Ever since An Jing found out she was secretly reading picture books and had sternly warned her, she had been even more cautious. To this day, she hadn¡¯t slipped up once; the only person who knew of her habit was An Jing. An Jing stepped forward and pinched Tan Yun¡¯s cheek, laughing, ¡°Could there be any doubt?¡± ¡°My lord, you¡¯re not dead!?¡± Finding assurance, Tan Yun¡¯s eyes gleamed with a hint of joy, ¡°My lord, you really aren¡¯t dead!¡± As she spoke, her hands fumbled over An Jing¡¯s body. ¡°What are you doing?¡± An Jing was tickled and hurriedly retreated backward. Tan Yun immediately bounced up excitedly, then grabbed An Jing¡¯s shoulders and quickly asked, ¡°Son-in-law, you really didn¡¯t die, how did you escape from the old Sect Hierarch¡¯s clutches? Did you use the trick of the cicada shedding its skin? And how did you come to the Demon Sect? How come I never knew about it?¡± An Jing, looking at the excited Tan Yun in front of him, couldn¡¯t help but let the corners of his mouth lift slightly. Tan Yun turned her head quickly, promptly saying, ¡°I know, son-in-law, the Sect Hierarch must have had a plan all along, so the one the old Sect Hierarch killed must have been a fake, and you had already come to the Demon Sect. Am I right?¡± Seeing that An Jing didn¡¯t speak, Tan Yun excitedly said, ¡°Son-in-law, I guessed correctly, didn¡¯t I?¡± An Jing did not explain any further and gently stroked Tan Yun¡¯s head, ¡°Sort of.¡± ¡°Son-in-law, it¡¯s so wonderful that you¡¯re alive.¡± Tan Yun looked at An Jing in front of her as if she could no longer hold back, ¡°I always thought you were gone.¡± A single breath seemed to pass through the entire cycle of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. A stream of tears silently flowed down Tan Yun¡¯s smiling face; there was no sound of crying, just tears unceasingly streaming down. It seemed like, for her, this was the best news she could receive during this time. An Jing gently wiped the tears from the corner of Tan Yun¡¯s eyes, ¡°Why the tears?¡± Tan Yun wiped away her tears, smiling, ¡°I¡¯m not crying. I¡¯m just happy for you, sir, happy for the Sect Hierarch. Do you believe it? I dreamt about you.¡± An Jing laughed, ¡°What did you dream about me doing?¡± Tan Yun thought carefully for a moment before smiling, ¡°¡­¡­. I forgot.¡± An Jing said with annoyance, ¡°What else can your brain remember apart from eating?¡± ¡°Are you belittling me?¡± Tan Yun raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°I¡¯m done pretending, I¡¯ll be straightforward, I¡¯m of Second Grade Cultivation.¡± As she spoke, Tan Yun rolled up her sleeves and showed off her pink fists. An Jing gave a thumbs up, ¡°Impressive.¡± Tan Yun slightly gloated, ¡°That Han Wenxin guy, I could take on ten of him, you know that, right?¡± Compared to your average Jianghu expert, Tan Yun indeed had enough reason to be proud; not yet twenty and already of Second Grade Cultivation, her future achievements at the very least would be that of a Half-step Master, and if given the chance, she might even become a Grandmaster Realm expert. An Jing nodded repeatedly, ¡°Not bad at all, in the future in this Demon Sect, if anyone bullies me, you teach them a lesson.¡± Tan Yun chuckled awkwardly, ¡°Son-in-law, you¡¯re mistaken. As the Sect Hierarch¡¯s favored one, who would dare to bully you?¡± Favored one¡­. An Jing blinked, knowing in Tan Yun¡¯s eyes, he had become someone who fed off a woman¡¯s favor. Tan Yun bit her lip and said, ¡°Son-in-law, I¡¯d like to ask a favor of you.¡± An Jing inquired, ¡°What favor?¡± Tan Yun bowed her head, speaking softly, ¡°You might not be too familiar with Jianghu affairs, but my master, Li Fuzhou, is currently imprisoned in the ninth layer of the Heavenly Prison, and I want the Sect Hierarch to rescue him.¡± She herself was clearer than anyone else that even if she practiced for a lifetime, she couldn¡¯t possibly rescue Li Fuzhou; the only one who could was Zhao Qingmei. An Jing pondered for a moment, then said, ¡°Alright, I will discuss it with the lady.¡± Back then, on the Eight Feet Platform, when Li Fuzhou advanced to be a Second Qi Grandmaster and reached the Martial Arts Realm of Heavenly Human Communication, he killed that Tang Taiyuan with a single palm strike, dominating the spotlight all by himself. He is also a master of the Demon Sect. If the Sect remains indifferent, it would inevitably chill the hearts of many. Tan Yun clenched her fists with excitement and said, ¡°Son-in-law, you are truly good. A good person like you will definitely not die.¡± ¡°Alright, alright.¡± An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°Did you come here because you have something to do?¡± Tan Yun shuddered, ¡°I almost forgot, the Sect Hierarch asked me to deliver a note, it should be for you, son-in-law.¡± As she spoke, Tan Yun took out a white note from her sleeve. On the note, there were just four big characters: Fu Lin Tavern. ¡°Good.¡± An Jing nodded his head, ¡°I will go and be busy now.¡± The address written on the note was exactly where Luo Chongyang was located. ¡°Son-in-law!¡± Tan Yun suddenly called out. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± An Jing turned around and looked back. He saw Tan Yun hesitating, as if she had something she wanted to say. An Jing said irritably, ¡°If you have something to say, just say it.¡± Tan Yun lowered her head and after a long while, she finally asked, ¡°If one day I die, would you be sad, son-in-law?¡± An Jing frowned deeply and said, ¡°Why would you ask that?¡± Tan Yun raised her head, smiling as she said, ¡°I¡¯m just afraid that one day if I die, there won¡¯t even be one person to grieve for me.¡± An Jing¡¯s tone became somewhat stern as he said, ¡°Don¡¯t talk about such things anymore, I don¡¯t like to hear them.¡± ¡°Alright, got it. You go be busy, son-in-law, I still need to go back and report to the Sect Hierarch.¡± Tan Yun stuck out her tongue. An Jing saw this and chuckled, shaking his head as he stepped towards the outside. ¡°By the way, son-in-law, I¡¯ve recently learned a few signature dishes, including your favorite¡­¡± The previously smiling An Jing¡¯s face instantly stiffened, and he quickened his pace. ¡­¡­.. Dongluo Pass, Fu Lin Tavern. Since a few days ago when the Ghost Swordsman threatened to flatten Dongluo Pass, business and travel near the Pass had drastically declined, especially after it was sealed off, becoming even scarcer. Now, although the great battle had ended, the streets were still somewhat desolate, with the previous prosperity requiring some time to recover. Next to the tavern, there was a street stall. On the ground, there was a talisman tube displayed, with a middle-aged Taoist sitting beside it, holding a cloth sail with only four big characters: ¡°Fortune-telling and Divination.¡± ¡°Though I am a traveler from afar, temporarily presiding over this felt mat. With truths and falsehoods, I support my days.¡± The middle-aged Taoist was very enthusiastic to the passersby, ¡°Whether heading south or north, fortune or misfortune, good luck or disaster, this poor Taoist can predict it all.¡± This middle-aged Taoist was none other than Luo Chongyang. When An Jing saw this, he stepped forward and said, ¡°Divine a fortune for me.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Luo Chongyang looked up and laughed, ¡°This young master is certainly handsome and dashing, a truly striking and fine young man.¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°How much does it cost to have one fortune told?¡± Luo Chongyang extended one finger, ¡°One hundred copper coins per fortune.¡± A greedy Taoist! A few passersby nearby heard this and frowned slightly. One hundred copper coins was not cheap, as common fortune-tellers on the road would ask for no more than twenty copper coins. This Taoist was asking for one hundred copper coins, which was practically robbery. An Jing asked, ¡°Is there a discount available?¡± Luo Chongyang shook his head, ¡°This poor Taoist runs a small business and never gives discounts.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± An Jing nodded his head and took out the copper coins, placing them on the stall. Luo Chongyang pointed to the talisman tube on the ground, ¡°Then please draw a talisman.¡± An Jing laughed and said, ¡°What I mean is that I want to divine a fortune for the Taoist.¡± ¡°Oh!?¡± Upon hearing this, Luo Chongyang also laughed out loud, as he had been divining fortunes for many years and had never had someone offer money to tell his fortune. An Jing asked directly, ¡°How about it?¡± Luo Chongyang nodded and said, ¡°Fine.¡± As he spoke, Luo Chongyang picked up the talisman tube, suddenly feeling it was somewhat different, as if it had become slightly heavier. ¡°Clatter!¡± He shook the talisman tube in his hand and then a talisman fell out with the character ¡®inauspicious¡¯ written on it. ¡°A very inauspicious sign.¡± An Jing took the talisman tube and slowly said, ¡°Climbing halfway up the mountain in broad daylight, the precipitous and jagged rocks are not easy to climb; looking up to the sky for divine protection, my body is still in the vast ether.¡± ¡°You will indeed encounter an unprecedented tribulation in the future, but fortunately, there¡¯s hope beyond this path. Just as they say, the mountain won¡¯t turn, but the road can, and if the road doesn¡¯t, then the person must.¡± Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyes lit up with a bright light, ¡°Where does the friend come from?¡± Not simple! This young man in front of him was able to see through the Mystical Sect¡¯s talisman position and spoke convincingly, which, combined with what Lou Xiangzhen had divined for him, showed that this young man was extraordinary. So young, yet it inexplicably made him feel a chill inside. Who was this person? An Jing said indifferently, ¡°From nothingness.¡± ¡°Nothingness?¡± Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyebrows twitched upon hearing this, as if those words contained some unknown mystery. Innate One An Jing, with his hands behind his back, said lightly, ¡°I know you must be waiting for someone, and I also know where that person is right now.¡± ¡°` ¡°Where?¡± Luo Chongyang remained expressionless, but deep inside he was somewhat astonished. Who exactly was this youth in front of him, that he even knew his intentions so clearly? An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Far in the horizon, yet close before the eyes.¡± ¡°You are that White Ass!?¡± Upon hearing this, Luo Chongyang was suddenly greatly surprised, a look of shock appearing in his eyes. This youth¡­ was he the cheap disciple¡¯s nephew!? At this moment, Luo Chongyang¡¯s heart was overwhelmed by towering waves, never having imagined that the Ghost Swordsman, who had recently become famous throughout the world, was such a young person. It was simply too fantastical, too unbelievable. If this news were to spread, it would cause a tremendous upheaval throughout the world. For from beginning to end, no one would have expected that behind the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s mask was such a youthful face. Today, the swordsman Yan Gang reached the Fifth Realm at the age of thirty-three, yet the Ghost Swordsman who killed him with a single stroke was barely over twenty years old. What would the world think upon knowing this? An Jing raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Taoist Luo, what White Ass!?¡± Luo Chongyang stared at An Jing for a while and then shook his head, sighing, ¡°I never expected, never expected that you, my nephew, had hidden your hand so deep.¡± Considering the strange events that had occurred on Xuanqing Mountain and looking at the youthful face before him, he finally understood why Lou Xiangzhen was willing to clear the path for the Ghost Swordsman. Given enough time, this young man¡¯s achievements would be even more terrifying than Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s. A Grandmaster in his early twenties and moreover a Fifth Realm swordsman¨Cthis was like a dream. No, it was even more terrifying than a dream. An Jing chuckled and said, ¡°Uncle Master, this way please.¡± Luo Chongyang packed up his street stall, and then the two of them entered a quiet alleyway. An Jing clasped his hands towards Luo Chongyang and said, ¡°Thank you very much this time, Uncle Master. I will remember this kindness in my heart.¡± When Mansion Master Qiu Fengsheng of Soul Seeker Mansion came, there was absolutely no need for Luo Chongyang to take action, but he still deterred Qiu Fengsheng, giving An Jing enough time. Otherwise, that day would not have been so relaxed. Luo Chongyang gestured dismissively and asked, ¡°Did you head to Dongluo Pass this time to deal with the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect?¡± An Jing nodded. Luo Chongyang patted An Jing and said earnestly, ¡°Lust is a knife that scrapes the bone.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°As long as the bones are hard, even a steel knife may break one day.¡± Luo Chongyang: ¡°¡­..¡± He even wanted to immediately pull over Lou Xiangzhen and ask: Do you hear what this kid is saying? Does it sound like human words to you? An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Just be assured, Uncle Master. I have a clear understanding of it all.¡± Luo Chongyang held his street stall tightly and looked at An Jing, ¡°A great man living between heaven and earth should not live dejectedly under others for long. Have you never thought of becoming the Sect Master of the Mystical Sect?¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°Uncle Master also knows about Zhenyi Sect and Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s strength. With my current cultivation, it¡¯s very difficult to achieve that.¡± Luo Chongyang slightly nodded. Indeed, with An Jing¡¯s current strength, it would be very difficult to stand shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Qianqiu. At this moment, faking his death and cultivating within the Demon Sect for some time would be an excellent idea. Luo Chongyang thought of something and said, ¡°Right, those two girls, you can go find them when you have time.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows rose as he asked, ¡°What exactly is their background¡­?¡± ¡°` Luo Chongyang said, ¡°They cultivate the supreme secret technique ¡®Heavenly Heart Tribulation,¡¯ a legacy left by the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s royal family. If I¡¯m not mistaken, the two of them should be related to the Great Zhou royal family, and their search for you might also be due to the Evil Suppressing Sword in your possession. There could be a stroke of fate involved.¡± An Jing was somewhat surprised, ¡°The Great Zhou royal family?¡± The Great Zhou Dynasty had been destroyed for hundreds of years, could there still be remnants of its power? ¡°That¡¯s right, I¡¯ve obtained some information from that Su Yue. It seems they¡¯re in Lengping.¡± Luo Chongyang nodded his head, his eyes narrowing slightly, ¡°You still need to assemble the Evil Suppressing Sword, for when its six swords are united, its power is immense. Once your sword skill reaches the Sixth Realm, I think you will be strong enough to set foot on Zhenyi Mountain and challenge Xiao Qianqiu.¡± An Jing had already acquired three of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blades, but the other three blades had not yet been found. ¡°I understand.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°What are Uncle-Master¡¯s plans next, returning to Xuanqing Mountain?¡± Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyes shone with a hint of light, ¡°First, I will return to devote myself to cultivating in seclusion, and it is a good opportunity to refine the two pieces of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence that I obtained from you.¡± ¡°The situation in Yan Country is not optimistic, but the support of the Zhenyi Sect and the Great Yan Royal Family stands firm as Mount Tai, and the Buddhist sects are also preparing to make a move. The waters of Great Yan are deep and unfathomable, so if you go back to Great Yan, remember to be extra cautious.¡± An Jing said solemnly, ¡°Alright.¡± After a few more moments of casual conversation, Luo Chongyang turned and walked towards the gate. Watching Luo Chongyang¡¯s retreating figure, An Jing¡¯s eyebrows were tightly knit. Now Great Yan was at a critical junction of gathering storms, unpredictable and at the center of the tempest. Internal and external troubles were on the verge of eruption. ¡­¡­. Yujing City, Yuhua Pavilion, study. Zhao Chongyin sat with eyes closed in contemplation, still pondering the current situation. Through the recent days of battle, he had also become aware that Houjin was probing Great Yan, as well as testing his own father, the current Great Yan Emperor. For Zhao Chongyin, how to deal with Houjin and the pressure from Zhao Country were secondary concerns. How to deal with his second brother was of the utmost importance right now. Without settling internal strife, how could one resolve external threats? Zhao Chongyin¡¯s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, rapidly considering his options. ¡°Your Highness, the Crown Prince.¡± Just then, a voice came from outside the door. Bai Jing hurried in. Zhao Chongyin said in a low voice, ¡°Hmm.¡± Bai Jing took a deep breath before saying, ¡°The battle at Dongluo Pass has ended. The Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect turned out to be Zhao Qingmei, a disciple of Jiang Shang. The Ghost Swordsman suddenly ceased fighting. Yuan Feng, an Elder of the Demon Sect¡¯s Sealing Demon Platform, emerged with Qiu Fengsheng, the Mansion Master of Soul Seeker Mansion, breaking through. Eventually, the Ghost Swordsman and Yuan Feng both perished. Qiu Fengsheng, Feng Lingyue, and several other masters retreated.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes snapped open, his tone rising slightly, ¡°Yuan Feng and the Ghost Swordsman both perished?¡± Bai Jing nodded to confirm, ¡°They¡¯ve died, many masters witnessed it.¡± Zhao Chongyin slowly said, ¡°What a pity for that Ghost Swordsman. I had always wanted to recruit him for my own use, perhaps even to contain the Zhenyi Sect in the future. Now it seems¡­¡± Bai Jing said softly, ¡°It¡¯s too difficult for the Ghost Swordsman to contain the Zhenyi Sect. Perhaps Your Highness should place your hopes on Luo Chongyang.¡± For the Ghost Swordsman to stand against the Zhenyi Sect was basically an impossibility. Zhao Chongyin incisively stated, ¡°Luo Chongyang will not be used by anyone.¡± ¡°Your Highness speaks the truth,¡± came the agreement. Bai Jing sighed. They had also invested considerable effort in Luo Chongyang, but it had all been in vain. Zhao Chongyin stood up and looked out towards the azure sky, ¡°The fact that Zhao Qingmei is in charge of the Demon Sect is both a good and a bad thing. She is far more ruthless than Jiang Renyi.¡± ¡­¡­. The Yu Heng Sword Sect, Yu Heng Mountain. Atop the heavenly platform, the sea of clouds churned, and the heaven and earth were solemn and quiet. Lin Yiyang was seated at the center, eyes tightly closed, with the ninth-ranked Phoenix Sword resting on his knees. Approximately half an hour later, he slowly stood up. Daily meditation was his essential practice, no matter where he was. Lin Yiyang put away the Phoenix Sword and walked down from the cloud platform. Along the way, he encountered various elders, deacons, and disciples of the Yu Heng Sword Sect, all respectfully greeting him. Now, Lin Yiyang was a Sixth Realm swordsman, comparable to the supreme Sword Immortal Lou Xiangzhen. During the days of Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s disappearance, many regarded him as the world¡¯s number one swordsman. At the top of the towering mountain, the vast sea of clouds rolled on. Currently, on a plateau halfway up the mountain, dozens of Yu Heng Sword Sect disciples were practicing swordplay. ¡°It¡¯s such a pity about the Ghost Swordsman.¡± ¡°Indeed. He was a swordsman who could defeat two supreme Sword Immortals.¡± ¡°Apart from the Sect Master and Lou Xiangzhen, he was unquestionably the third greatest swordsman of our time.¡± ¡­¡­ Lin Yiyang heard several disciples discussing and raised his eyebrows, his steps momentarily pausing. ¡°Sect Master!¡± The surrounding Yu Heng Sword Sect disciples fell silent upon seeing Lin Yiyang. Lin Yiyang asked with furrowed brows, ¡°What happened to the Ghost Swordsman?¡± One of the disciples bowed and reported, ¡°To inform the Sect Master, in the battle at Dongluo Pass, the Ghost Swordsman perished under the hand of Elder Ujin Thunder Pill on the Sealing Demon Platform, leaving no remains.¡± Dead!? Lin Yiyang¡¯s pupils sharply constricted, a complex array of emotions surging within him. The others might not know, but his heart was aware that if it weren¡¯t for the Ghost Swordsman, he would have never reached the Sixth Realm. He had been waiting for the Ghost Swordsman to reach the Sixth Realm to spar with him. Such a pity¡­ for such a swordsman. For the first time in his life, Lin Yiyang felt regret for someone¡¯s death. In the past, he believed that if a swordsman died, there was only one reason: insufficient strength. The surrounding Yu Heng Sword Sect disciples looked at the silent Lin Yiyang, exchanging puzzled glances. ¡°Continue your sword training,¡± he finally said after a long while and walked towards the distance. ¡­¡­ The news of the battle at Dongluo Pass quickly spread throughout the world, everyone became aware that the Ghost Swordsman had been blown to dust by Ujin Thunder Pill. Many experts were present at the scene and witnessed it with their own eyes, consequently confirming the news. For a moment, the entire Jianghu was in an uproar. Some regarded the Ghost Swordsman as a remarkable figure, with swordsmanship unparalleled in the world, and within a year, his name echoed loudly in Jianghu. Others saw him as a grave threat that needed to be swiftly dealt with, while even more considered him a myth of his era, revered and admired intensely. And now, all of it had turned to dust. Regarding the death of the Ghost Swordsman, some lamented, some rejoiced, and still others sighed with deep regret. His name was like a meteor that streaked across the heavens and earth, brief but unforgettable. All grievances and affections eventually fade into nothingness, only to lament how few return in the fleeting world. This is the world of Jianghu, where people come and go, without missing anyone in particular¨Cit remains the same Jianghu. In the Dongluo Desert, Dongluo Pass. Sitting atop the high platform, Zhao Qingmei remained stunningly beautiful, yet her expression was somewhat weary, seemingly fatigued. ¡°¡­¡­ The tax revenue in July amounted to 102,713 taels of silver, earnings from iron ore sales reached 71,093 taels, and revenue from jade stone trading totaled 92,213 taels, making a cumulative total of 1,310,000 taels of silver,¡± reported Mu Xiaoyun from the Vermilion Bird Seat. Zhao Qingmei nodded, ¡°Alright, I¡¯m aware. Is there anything else?¡± The many Demon Sect experts below exchanged glances before shaking their heads. Zhao Qingmei waved her sleeve, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, you may all leave.¡± After speaking, Zhao Qingmei stood up and walked towards the back hall. ¡°Yes.¡± The Demon Sect experts below heeded the command, rising and dispersing. ¡°Qiurong.¡± Just then, Duanmu Xinghua called out to Yu Qiurong, who was about to depart. Yu Qiurong promptly bowed and said, ¡°Elder Duanmu.¡± Although the Red Beauty Drunk inside her was temporarily suppressed, she hadn¡¯t completely recovered, and her complexion still seemed pale. Duanmu Xinghua pondered for a moment before asking, ¡°What has been going on with the Sect Hierarch lately, appearing so listless? I hope her training hasn¡¯t resulted in mishap?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s wellbeing was vital for the future of the Demon Sect¨Cno slight error was permissible. ¡°I¡¯m not too sure either,¡± replied Yu Qiurong with a furrowed brow. ¡°However, it seems there¡¯s a man in the Sect Hierarch¡¯s private residence. Perhaps it¡¯s because of this man.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only In recent days, she often saw the Sect Hierarch and a man together, their demeanor intimate as though their relationship was quite special. The man was indeed good-looking. ¡°A man?¡± Upon hearing this, Duanmu Xinghua realized, ¡°Could it be the outside lover the Sect Hierarch is keeping?¡± ¡­¡­.. PS: I¡¯d like to recommend a book titled ¡°My Wife Came Out of a Video Game,¡± and while I¡¯m at it, I¡¯d like to ask for a monthly ticket. Chapter 215 - Chapter 215: Chapter 215: Monster for 300 Years (Seeking Monthly Ticket) Chapter 215: Chapter 215: Monster for 300 Years (Seeking Monthly Ticket) Houjin, Snow Forest. The peaks that soared high into the clouds, shrouded in perennial snow, seemed both hidden and visible. Mountains and forests, all covered in ice and snow, presented a serene beauty amidst their majesty and transcended the rugged terrain with their sublime presence. The snow-capped mountains were not only majestic but also exquisitely prominent, pristine as crystal jade and brilliant as thirteen sharp swords, lying across the mountaintops like a nimble silver jade dragon against the backdrop of the azure sky. The map of Houjin was of such a large scale that it rivaled the combined lands of Great Yan and Zhao Country, consisting of three main regions. The first was the plains bordering Yan Country, inhabited by many assimilated peoples from Yan Country and Houjin, presenting a landscape and culture that was quite chaotic. Although it was part of Houjin territory, it still differed somewhat from the traditional Houjin grassland tribes. The second was the real rulers of Houjin¨Cthe grassland tribes of Houjin. These tribes were now the true nobles of the Houjin dynasty, possessing nearly all of the rich grasslands recognized as belonging to the people of Houjin. The last was the Great Snow Mountain beyond the grasslands, a land of perennial ice and snow, sparse resources, and few inhabitants. Yet, this place occupied three-tenths of Houjin¡¯s territory and was also home to a few exotic tribes. Houjin had always wanted to subdue these tribes, but due to the harsh weather and the fact that these tribes had many capable and extraordinary people, several attempts to conquer them had ended in failure. Descriptions of these exotic tribes were very vague; some said they were related to the pre-Qin people, originally belonging to the ancestral land but later driven to remote corners of the world to escape wars. Others believed they were fundamentally different from the people of the ancestral lands because their habits and beliefs had no record in historical texts. There were various opinions regarding the exotic tribes. wuxiaworld.site In the towering snow mountains, there was an ice cave. At the entrance of the ice cave stood several statues made of solid ice, which under the dazzling sunlight, shimmered and captured the eye with their splendor. Around it gathered dozens of people in extraordinary attire, the leader of whom was an old man with white hair like snow, his face extraordinarily aged, his body slightly hunched. ¡°Did someone break in?¡± The white-haired elder inquired. A middle-aged man beside him spoke softly, ¡°That person has great strength, killed Huai Chi with a single palm, and then calmly entered the forbidden area.¡± This middle-aged man was none other than the chieftain of the Snow Mountain tribe. The white-haired elder furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°Can any information about his background be clarified?¡± The chieftain of the Snow Mountain tribe replied, ¡°I just examined Huai Chi¡¯s corpse. There was a black qi mechanism surrounding it, similar to demonic qi, most likely someone from the Dongluo Pass of the Demon Sect.¡± The white-haired elder¡¯s brows furrowed even deeper, ¡°Our Snow Mountain tribe has never had any grievances with the Demon Sect. Why would a person from the Demon Sect suddenly intrude into our forbidden land?¡± The chieftain of the Snow Mountain tribe asked in a deep voice, ¡°Elder Ancestor, what should we do now?¡± ¡°The Snow Mountain tribe once swore to heaven and earth that no one from our tribe would enter this ice cave,¡± the white-haired elder said coldly. ¡°I want to see who this bold intruder is.¡± With that, the elder sat down cross-legged. Just then, the howling wind and snow in the air stopped instantly, and the skilled fighters from the Snow Mountain tribe watching this all showed a hint of respect in their eyes, and then gradually retreated into the distance. Outside the ice cave was piercingly cold, but inside it was even colder to the bone. A man dressed in purple, with white hair and a youthful complexion, walked deeper into the cave holding a fire stick, with a token hanging from his waist¨Ca legacy item from the Demon Sect, the Heavenly Demon Order. This man was none other than Jiang Shang, the former Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. The firelight glowed brightly, casting its light on his expressionless face. The ice cave was long, and even after walking for the duration it would take to burn two sticks of incense, he had not reached the end. Mostly what lay on the ground were corpses frozen into ice sculptures, dressed in very ancient clothing, with a variety of weapons in their hands. Jiang Shang recognized that these were all attire from the Qin Dynasty, and because the place was extremely cold, these people had not decayed, even after a thousand years of death. A few moments later, a cold and fierce qi surged towards him from ahead, causing a slight tremor in Jiang Shang¡¯s heart. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes shone like electricity as he looked forward. He saw a massive ice sculpture ahead, about ten feet tall and twenty feet long, looking closely, the ice sculpture was not a creature but more like a bundle of cold, crimson qi. ¡°Undying Blood!?¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s pupils dilated suddenly, his eyes filled with fervor, and his heart thumped violently. From this massive ice sculpture, he could feel an exquisite breath, the same as what he had sensed once in Yu State City. This meant that inside this ice sculpture there must be the Undying Blood he sought. ¡°Undying Blood, I have finally found Undying Blood again, hahahaha!¡± Jiang Shang laughed loudly, tears even streamed down his face. In the face of immortality, what was a Demi Immortal? If he were immortal, not to mention a Demi Immortal, even a real Immortal was within reach. Soon, Jiang Shang calmed down. Recalling his last experience of refining the Undying Blood, he was not in a hurry to take action but stared quietly at the ice sculpture, deep in thought. Suddenly, an idea came to him. Jiang Shang took a step forward, holding a fire striker in his left hand, and with his right hand, he struck forward. Boom! The powerful True Qi surged forth like a tidal wave, and the ice sculpture in front of him began to melt at a visibly fast rate. The ice sculpture grew smaller and smaller, and the crimson gas inside seemed to be continuously compressed, making the ice sculpture even redder. Originally one zhang tall and two zhang long, the ice sculpture instantly shrank to the size of a water tank and continued to melt and decrease in size. Moreover, the crimson gas inside was wildly compressed; the originally crimson gas turned purple-red, and at the end, it even emitted a hint of black light. As Jiang Shang¡¯s True Qi continuously surged toward it, the ice sculpture eventually shrank to the size of an egg, and at that moment, he abruptly retracted his True Qi. ¡°Swoosh!¡± The egg-sized block of ice was sucked into Jiang Shang¡¯s palm, with the crimson gas inside compressed to the extreme, turning black and red. ¡°Undying¡­.¡± Clutching the egg-sized block of ice, Jiang Shang¡¯s breathing grew somewhat rapid. Over millions of years, countless people had pursued eternal life and immortality, only to die in the rolling torrents of time. Eternal longevity, it¡¯s like a mountain blocking all the grandmasters of the ages, and now, he, Jiang Shang, was about to surpass this mountain. Jiang Shang took a deep breath and, without any hesitation, swallowed the ice block directly. The moment the ice block entered his belly, it melted instantly, and the black and red gas inside it burst forth, exploding like a volcanic eruption, assaulting Jiang Shang¡¯s heavenly spirit. ¡°Ah¡ª!¡± In the next moment, a tremendous pain surged, and blood began to flow from all his orifices. Jiang Shang¡¯s face twisted in immense agony. This pain was like being roasted over flames, his skin, flesh, meridians, and every nerve enduring tremendous suffering. But Jiang Shang¡¯s strong will remained incredibly calm; even under such tremendous pain, a faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. True Qi surged from his Dantian, moving throughout his body, attempting to suppress the volcano-like surge of red gas. Because Jiang Shang knew, this was just the beginning. ¡­¡­. In the tranquil courtyard at Dongluo Pass, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s long eyelashes blinked slightly, like clouds dispersing to reveal the moon. ¡°It¡¯s so late already.¡± Zhao Qingmei abruptly sat up, then noticed she was only in her undergarments and quickly covered herself with the quilt, her face flushing. ¡°Awake?¡± An Jing heard the noise inside the room and slowly walked in. Zhao Qingmei rubbed her head, chiding herself, ¡°It¡¯s already bright out; have you eaten? I¡¯ll get up now and prepare something.¡± An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Lie down.¡± Hearing this, Zhao Qingmei glanced at An Jing, then obediently lay back down on the bed. An Jing tucked the quilt around Zhao Qingmei, ¡°There is no kitchen in this separate courtyard, so I asked Tan Yun to buy some food on the street, she should be back soon.¡± It was a peculiar thing; as the Hierarch of the Demon Sect, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s aspirations surprised even An Jing, with a flick of her robe thinking to tread upon Jianghu. But sometimes, she would rather cook, do the laundry, and take care of these mundane daily tasks for An Jing. In her bones, she wanted to be the little woman cuddling next to An Jing, yet also the Hierarch of the Demon Sect capable of holding up a piece of the sky. Or perhaps, she wanted to do everything well. As if she intended to swallow all hardships and fatigue by herself. An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei on the bed, asking, ¡°Do you know what happened to you?¡± Zhao Qingmei thought for a moment, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, ¡°I don¡¯t know; I just felt very drowsy and fell asleep without realizing it.¡± With her cultivation, it was impossible for her spirit to be so depleted, indicating there was definitely a problem. An Jing said, ¡°It¡¯s your Dantian, I think there must be some issue with your cultivation of the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.''¡± ¡°Dantian, could it be the Demon Seed?¡± Zhao Qingmei pondered doubtfully. An Jing asked, ¡°Are you talking about the Demon Seed condensed in the Sealing Demon Well?¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded and said, ¡°To reach the Eighth Layer of the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡¯ one must condense a Demon Seed. Back then, with my cultivation, it would have taken at least several dozen days to condense the Demon Seed, but with Senior Nan¡¯s assistance under the Sealing Demon Well, it only took eight days.¡± ¡°Senior Nan is a Great Grandmaster, and she also cultivates the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡¯ Presumably, she should know some reasons. I will go down the Sealing Demon Well later to ask her about the situation.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and said, ¡°You have already come out of the Sealing Demon Well, so don¡¯t go back. I will go instead; you should rest well here.¡± He was also filled with curiosity about the extremely mysterious Sealing Demon Well, especially given that he was an expert who had achieved the Great Grandmaster Realm. Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing and spoke softly, ¡°I am a bit worried if you go alone; the Sealing Demon Well is no ordinary place, and reaching the deepest part is very challenging¡­.¡± To find Nan Weiping, one needed to enter the deepest part of the Sealing Demon Well, a feat seldom accomplished by even the experimented experts of the Demon Sect. An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Leave it to me; there won¡¯t be any problems.¡± Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei no longer insisted and said, ¡°Then take the Heavenly Flipping Seal with you. With it, you can sneak into the Sealing Demon Well without making any sound.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± After Zhao Qingmei gave a few more instructions, An Jing left with the Evil Suppressing Sword that was on the wall. The Sealing Demon Platform was located in the Dongluo Desert, over five hundred miles from Dongluo Pass; the journey was not considered short, and finding the place would be very difficult without a map. The desert was assaulted by fierce winds, whipping up sand and darkening the sky. The sun blazed furiously, as if it intended to burn the earth into oblivion. An Jing¡¯s cultivation had reached the Master Realm, and coupled with the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ that continuously absorbed True Qi, he traveled extremely fast, finally finding the oasis after about five hours. In the oasis, there was a Jade Tower, elegant and majestic, like a fairyland. This was the Demon Sect Holy Land, the Sealing Demon Platform. By then, the sky was dim, night had fallen, and the cold wind cut like a blade, giving a chilling sensation to the bone. An Jing concealed all his aura and silently landed on the Sealing Demon Platform. With the presence of the breath of the Heavenly Flipping Seal, it seemed not to trigger any reactions. Not far from the great hall was a massive well. The well¡¯s mouth was two zhang in diameter, and at the four corners of the well were stone statues of the four exotic beasts: Qinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, Xuanwu, all entwined with iron chains that extended into the well¡¯s mouth, seemingly forming a bizarre formation. The area around the Sealing Demon Well was filled with a thick aura of slaughter; one would feel their scalp tingle just approaching it, and even the skin would ooze with blood. The Sealing Demon Well! An Jing arrived at the mouth of the Sealing Demon Well and looked down. The well was enshrouded in darkness, seemingly bottomless at a glance. An Jing took a deep breath and jumped into the Sealing Demon Well. ¡°Whoosh!¡± As his body entered the Sealing Demon Well, the surging aura of blood ruthlessly approached, like thousands of steel needles stabbing at him, but these assaults had not yet neared his body when his Protective True Qi immediately dissolved them all. After a few breaths, he finally landed at the bottom of the well. Just landing on the bottom, An Jing already felt a faint pressure engulfing him. In this Sealing Demon Well, there was Spiritual Essence left by the sitting transformation of Demon Sect experts. However, in recent years, as Jiang Shang acted perversely, the number of Demon Sect experts had dwindled, making the Spiritual Essence in this secret place of the Sealing Demon Well very rare, and with the previous actions of Zhao Qingmei, Jiang Renyi, and others who had taken some of the Spiritual Essence, it had become even rarer. An Jing walked towards the deeper part of the Sealing Demon Well, passing many corpses of Demon Sect experts, all of whom had their Spiritual Essence extracted. The deeper he walked into the Sealing Demon Well, the greater the pressure, eventually causing An Jing¡¯s brows to furrow tightly, feeling a hint of pressure. Yet as the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ began to operate, that pressure quickly lessened significantly. ¡°The ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture,¡¯ a combination of three secret techniques, can actually block that surging pressure. What would the complete ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ be like if I could also obtain the ¡®Beidou Seven Stars Technique¡¯?¡± An Jing thought to himself, quickening his steps even further. Suddenly, a corpse lying on the ground ahead caught his attention. Before he could approach to examine it, a voice came from ahead. ¡°Youngster, you don¡¯t practice the heart method of the Demon Sect, how did you enter this Sealing Demon Well?¡± ¡°Senior must be Senior Nan, this junior is An Jing,¡± An Jing replied, cupping his fists towards the direction of the voice. The voice came again, ¡°An Jing, you are Zhao Qingmei¡¯s husband?¡± An Jing replied solemnly, ¡°Yes, I came here to ask Senior Nan some questions and try to help Senior Nan sever this Nine Heavens Profound Iron.¡± ¡°Thanks for that, then come into the stone cave.¡± An Jing nodded, continuing his walk forward. With the operation of the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture,¡¯ he quickly spotted the stone cave. ¡°Clang!¡± ¡°Clang!¡± As the sound of the iron chains vibrating echoed, Nan Weiping¡¯s voice called out, ¡°Please come in.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes, took out a fire striker, and slowly walked into the stone cave. Just then, a black radiance suddenly emerged on the Earth Book in his mind. ¡°Hint Three: Black opportunity nearby.¡± An Jing felt as if thunder were echoing in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged. Nan Weiping, upon seeing An Jing walk in, was secretly startled and couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°You are that young girl¡¯s husband, not only are you good-looking, but your cultivation is also astounding.¡± She had thought Zhao Qingmei¡¯s reaching the Grandmaster Realm was already astonishing, yet here was this young man who seemed not much older but had also reached the Grandmaster Realm. How could she not be surprised? Could it be that Grandmasters now roamed everywhere outside? ¡°You flatter me,¡± An Jing said. An Jing followed the voice and saw an old woman not far ahead, her body bound by dense iron chains around her arms and ankles. Nan Weiping sighed, ¡°At your age, even a thousand years ago, you would be considered a prodigy. It¡¯s not flattery. What do you seek by coming here?¡± This couple truly was exceptional, each possessing the qualifications of a Great Grandmaster. An Jing bowed with hands clasped, ¡°The demon seed within Qingmei¡¯s Dantian is somewhat peculiar, subtly releasing demonic qi. Lately, she has been feeling drowsy and listless. I have specifically come to inquire about this.¡± Nan Weiping waved her hand and laughed, ¡°This is normal. The demon seed has taken root and is now germinating. Soon, it will surge with boundless vitality, and she will be able to reach the Ninth Layer, even elevating her cultivation significantly.¡± An Jing frowned, ¡°Normal? I noticed that the demonic qi is quite unusual, completely out of control within the body. Is that also normal?¡± Nan Weiping¡¯s eyes flashed a sharp light, ¡°Demon Cult Techniques have always been like this. They can propel your advancement by leaps and bounds, but they come with constraints.¡± An Jing nodded, Demon Cult Techniques indeed were as such¨Cfast in cultivation but with strong side effects. Nan Weiping had not spoken wrongly. With a light chuckle, Nan Weiping said, ¡°You need not worry, once it fully germinates, such a situation will no longer occur.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, sighing, ¡°Alright then.¡± Nan Weiping continued to reassure, ¡°With me here, you can be at ease.¡± An Jing took a deep breath, ¡°Then I will fulfill the promise made by my wife and see if the sword in my hand can sever these Nine Heavens Profound Iron chains and free you.¡± ¡°Cang Lang¨C!¡± As the Evil Suppressing Sword was drawn, icy coldness permeated the cave. ¡°Excellent sword!¡± Seeing this, Nan Weiping could not help but exclaim in admiration. An Jing¡¯s True Qi was potent, like the vast rivers and lakes, fuelling the Evil Suppressing Sword before he fiercely chopped toward the front. The sword light roared, swift as lightning and with an endless sharp momentum, as if it could split the entire cave. At the instant the sword light struck, Nan Weiping¡¯s heart chilled, and she quickly crossed her arms in front of her chest. ¡°Clang!¡± The sword light forcefully chopped onto the iron chains, releasing a deafening sound of metal clashing that nearly shattered eardrums. ¡°Tat tat tat¡­¡± Nan Weiping stepped back continuously, her face turning quite ugly as she coldly said, ¡°Boy, are you trying to cut the chains or cut me down?¡± This strike seemed not aimed at the chains but rather at her head¨Cif she hadn¡¯t reacted quickly, even her Half-immortal Body would have had difficulty withstanding that sword. An Jing, expressionless, said, ¡°Old thing, you might deceive my wife, but you can¡¯t fool me. The Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture is only for the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect to cultivate. Even if you are the wife of the Sect Hierarch, I doubt you have the qualifications.¡± ¡°Besides, how exactly were you imprisoned here? It must have been for some serious crimes.¡± From the moment the Earth Book prompted him, he had been wary of Nan Weiping in front of him. That previous sword strike was a test, and clearly, Nan Weiping had been prepared as well. Nan Weiping raised an eyebrow, ¡°Young man, this is my secret. How can I tell you so easily?¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes, coldly saying, ¡°Old thing, stop pretending. What exactly is that demon seed?¡± At An Jing¡¯s words, it was as if the last piece of Nan Weiping¡¯s veil of shame had been torn off. ¡°Well done, quite the clever young man.¡± Nan Weiping¡¯s facial muscles twitched, her features contorting into something horrifying as she burst into crazed laughter. ¡°Hahahahaha!¡± Seeing the crazed Nan Weiping before him, An Jing felt a chill in his heart, gripping the Evil Suppressing Sword even tighter. Nan Weiping¡¯s blood-red eyes fixed on An Jing, her voice piercingly shrill and exhaustive as she roared, ¡°Do you know how many years I¡¯ve spent here? Over three hundred years! That¡¯s three hundred years! Do you understand what three hundred years entail?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been trapped here for over three hundred years. Do you know how I¡¯ve spent these three hundred years? Every year, every month, every year, staring at a lightless cave, this body of mine has entirely succumbed to this darkness, and similarly, my heart has merged into the darkness.¡± The old woman before him, unlike the calm and dignified Nan Weiping from before, seemed like a completely different person. With blood-red eyes full of chilling madness and distortion, the sight alone was hair-raising and spine-chilling. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Time is the most frightening of medicines in the world, as well as the finest of poisons. Three hundred years could create a towering saint, but it could also create a terrifying monster. The silent torture of three hundred years had twisted her humanity within, turning her into a profoundly terrifying, man-eating monster. All her previous demeanor had been nothing but camouflage. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 216 - Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Soul Seeker Mansions Plot to Acquire the Demon Sect Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Soul Seeker Mansion¡¯s Plot to Acquire the Demon Sect ¡°` An Jing quietly watched the Great Grandmaster before him, who had fallen into madness, and remained silent. Trapped in a sealed space without the passage of time, without sunlight or water, without food, surviving barely on nature¡¯s spiritual energy, the person¡¯s heart was tormented. On the surface, they appeared to be a living person, but inside, they had long become a terrifying monster. Nan Weiping growled lowly, ¡°The hatred in my heart can¡¯t be fully articulated.¡± An Jing slowly said, ¡°Although I don¡¯t know who trapped you here, nearly a thousand years have passed in the outside world, and that person has already turned into a handful of dust.¡± Hearing this, Nan Weiping¡¯s expression suddenly froze, and her blood-red eyes glinted with a hint of cold light. ¡°Yes, he¡¯s dead, but he left me to endure the pain of these endless lonely years. That¡¯s why I want to destroy the Demon Sect, to obliterate any trace of him left in this world.¡± An Jing frowned and said coldly, ¡°So are you saying you meddled with the Demon Seed in my wife¡¯s body?¡± With a sneer, Nan Weiping said, ¡°The ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ is one of the top Heart Method Martial Arts of our time. Its core essence is a mental method that sees everything as vibrations ¡ª mountains, rivers, every grass, and every tree are vibrations; Inner Strength is a type of vibration; the True Qi inside Grandmasters is a fusion of person and spirit, hence a higher level of subtle vibration. The Demonic Qi derived from the Demon Seed is a vibration transcending life and death, which is why it can do what others cannot ¡ª when cultivated to the highest level, one even has the chance to shatter the void.¡± ¡°To reach this level, one must condense the Demon Seed. Your wife was going to form the Demon Seed eventually. I merely lent her a helping hand, and while doing so, I took the liberty of embedding a little trick within the Demon Seed, casually bestowing her a great creation.¡± A Heart Method Martial Arts superior to Heavenly Martial, belonging to Demi Immortal techniques, all possess supreme effects. The ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡¯ when cultivated to its pinnacle, even possesses the method to pierce through the void. This is indeed recorded in the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡¯ An Jing, expressionless, asked, ¡°What do you mean by a ¡®great creation¡¯?¡± ¡°The Demon Seed within Zhao Qingmei is a derivation of my own Demon Seed,¡± responded Nan Weiping coldly. wuxiaworld.site ¡°Once I die, all my life¡¯s cultivation will feedback from the Demon Seed, potentially allowing her to reach the Grandmaster Realm without any effort.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that a great creation for her?¡± An Jing looked at Nan Weiping, his eyes narrowing slightly, ¡°I fear it¡¯s not that simple, is it?¡± Feedback from the Demon Seed, directly reaching the Grandmaster Realm. He didn¡¯t believe Nan Weiping would be so generous as to pass on her lifetime of cultivation directly to Zhao Qingmei. A sly smile appeared on the corner of Nan Weiping¡¯s mouth. ¡°Soul transference is a method of the Mystical Sect¡¯s ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, I cannot do it, so you need not worry.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment, then said, ¡°The feedback of Demonic Qi might not be something she can withstand. The emergence of the Heart Demon, reaching the true realm of demonic possession, that¡¯s your real purpose, isn¡¯t it?¡± Nan Weiping was inwardly shocked by his words, staring intently at An Jing, ¡°How do you know about the Heart Demon? Could it be that you have also cultivated the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯?¡± Only those who have practiced the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ would know of the Heart Demon; moreover, it¡¯s those who have cultivated it to the Ninth Layer who can glimpse its mysteries. How could this young man before her possibly know about the Heart Demon? Unbeknownst to Nan Weiping, An Jing¡¯s ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ had already integrated the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ and the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯ at the time of fusing the heart methods from the Three Religions, advancing them to the highest realm. Thus, he knew all the secrets of these two heart methods, including the secret of the Heart Demon. An Jing paid no heed to Nan Weiping and continued, ¡°Heart Demons need blood as a catalyst, and at that time there will be a great slaughter in all directions. Whether it¡¯s killing the people of the Demon Sect or those from Jianghu, it will bring endless calamities upon the Demon Sect, leading to its total collapse and annihilation.¡± Nan Weiping said nothing more, her eyes filled with an icy chill. All her thoughts had been seen through by this young man before her. Or rather, the schemes she could use were few, and as the fight progressed, her hand had been revealed. ¡°` An Jing looked at the old woman before him and said, ¡°My wife has already promised to release you, so why do you still act this way? Do you really not want to see the world again?¡± ¡°Promise!?¡± Nan Weiping burst into laughter, her blood-red eyes carrying a hint of cold viciousness, ¡°What use is a promise? I have been in this place for more than three hundred years, my heart has long become a lump of iron, and I no longer believe anyone in this world. I only wish to destroy the Demon Sect and ruin what he has been longing for.¡± ¡°Moreover, this Nine Heavens Profound Iron is the hardest iron in the world. You think just because Zhao Qingmei says it can be cut, then it can be cut? Have a careful look, are there any marks from your sword on it?¡± Nan Weiping stretched out her hands, and immediately the iron chains burst forth with a ¡®clang clang¡¯ sound. One could see that in the spot where the Evil Suppressing Sword had struck the Nine Heavens Profound Iron, not even an imprint was left. One must know that An Jing¡¯s sword strike just now had used eight or nine parts of his full strength, and he was also holding the Evil Suppressing Sword. Under such circumstances, not leaving even an imprint shows just how hard the Nine Heavens Profound Iron is. Seeing An Jing fall silent, Nan Weiping said coldly, ¡°I might as well tell you now, there are only two ways to undo my Demon Seed. The first one is for me to personally erase the Demon Seed mark, and the second is to shatter the Demon Seed within Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body. But once the Demon Seed is shattered, all her meridians will be broken and her cultivation will dissipate. I think, given Zhao Qingmei¡¯s temperament, she is decidedly unwilling to shatter the Demon Seed.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, ¡°So I must find a way to rescue you, and then you will consider whether or not to remove that Demon Seed mark?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Nan Weiping said with a smile, ¡°You have no other choice, or rather, you can wait, wait until I am dead, and Zhao Qingmei has fully inherited the Half-Immortal Cultivation.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± An Jing gave a cold smile and turned to walk out of the cave. Nan Weiping watched An Jing¡¯s back and said, ¡°To break through this Nine Heavens Profound Iron at the very least, you need to collect your incomplete sword, and your Sword Skill must reach the Sixth Realm. Perhaps there¡¯s a slight chance. Oh, and I don¡¯t have much longer to live.¡± An Jing walked forward, his countenance indifferent as water. ¡°I choose the third method.¡± With that, he disappeared into the cave. ¡°The third method?¡± Nan Weiping¡¯s blood-red eyes held a trace of amusement. ¡­¡­ In the Northern Wilderness Dao, outside Heaven Gate Pass. Ever since Chen Shi, the leader of the Golden Eagle Banner, breached the outside of Heaven Gate Pass, the area had been tightly guarded by the Houjin army. The Houjin¡¯s ceaseless troops were amassing, faintly revealing an intent to swallow the Great Yan through Heaven Gate Pass. In the dense forest in the distance, figures scurried about. A man wearing an unusually large set of armor gazed at Heaven Gate Pass in the distance, a hint of cold light in his eyes, and said in a low voice: ¡°Did you get everything clear?¡± This man was none other than Qiu Lun, the son of the Pingyang Marquis, and behind him was the densely packed Pingyang Guard. If Chen Shi of the Golden Eagle Banner and Bai Ying of the Black Feather Banner were to see this, they would surely be shocked. According to the intelligence they had received, the army led by the Pingyang Marquis was still defending Yujing City and had shown no signs of mobilization. How could they possibly have appeared on the Northern Wilderness Road without anyone noticing? A general whispered to the side, ¡°Replying to Young Marquis, thirty thousand men guarding the pass are all elite soldiers of the Black Feather Banner.¡± ¡°Elite, we kill the elite.¡± Murderous intent overflowed in Qiu Lun¡¯s eyes. As long as they recaptured Heavenly Gate Pass, then both the Golden Eagle Banner and the Black Feather Banner that were trapped within the borders of Great Yan would be completely isolated. By then, by gathering superior forces, they could annihilate them completely. But there were two prerequisites for this, the first was to cut the Gordian knot swiftly, and the second was to take down Heavenly Gate Pass and also staunchly defend against Houjin¡¯s reinforcements. This great net had been cast, and now it was time to close it completely. Qiu Lun clenched the long sword in his hand and gave a low command, ¡°At the third watch, the experts from the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall will create chaos within the pass. At that time, I will lead the army to attack the pass in the night and directly seize Heavenly Gate Pass in one fell swoop. You will then lead the remaining twenty thousand troops to lie in ambush along their retreat path and kill them all for me, no prisoners.¡± ¡°Dare to come to the south to herd horses, then we will break their horse legs.¡± The adjacent general, hearing this, felt his own blood boiling, ¡°Yes.¡± In recent times, Houjin had committed all manner of atrocities in Great Yan, creating a bloody storm in the city. Once they conquered a town, they would cease their blades three days later, leaving every town they took ravaged, with countless civilians dead or injured. Countless women were taken to the Houjin camps to serve as military concubines for their amusement, ending up ravished to death. In just half a month, hundreds of thousands of Great Yan¡¯s citizens had been killed or injured, and these unspeakable crimes had planted a huge seed of hatred in the hearts of the Yan people. The barbarians of the steppe were brutal and savage, like wild tigers. Looking at the towering natural barrier ahead, Qiu Lun mulled over quietly, ¡°These Houjin savages have developed so swiftly in the past twenty years, it¡¯s truly baffling.¡± ¡°This battle must hurt and wound them, so that whenever they think of the words ¡®invading the south,¡¯ they will feel chills.¡± ¡­¡­.. North Field, Heavenly Water City. The North Field was Houjin territory, while Heavenly Water City was a border city between Houjin, Great Yan, and Dongluo Pass. Due to development in recent years, the area was very prosperous and thriving, almost on par with Dongluo Pass. Furthermore, the blending of various local customs endowed this city with a unique charm. In the midst of Heavenly Water City stood the vast and majestic Four Directions Platform, from which nature¡¯s spiritual energy continuously surged, eventually converging and spiraling into the center. An elderly man sat cross-legged at the center of the Four Directions Platform, his presence so faint it seemed as if he was one with the platform itself. It was Qiu Fengsheng, the Mansion Master of the Soul Seeker Mansion. At that moment, several figures approached from afar. Leading them was a woman of fair appearance, dressed in regal Houjin attire, yet exuding a distinct air of valor. ¡°Princess Eight.¡± The moment Qiu Fengsheng saw the newcomers, he slowly opened his eyes. The visitor was Zongzheng Yue, Princess Eight of Houjin. Zongzheng Yue chuckled lightly, ¡°Master Qiu, your True Qi is as solid as forged iron, truly a testament to your profound cultivation.¡± ¡°You flatter me, Princess,¡± Qiu Fengsheng responded with a light tone, appearing beside Zongzheng Yue the next moment, ¡°How can my humble skills compare with those of a true master?¡± Zongzheng Yue waved her hand dismissively, ¡°The cultivation of a Three Qi Grandmaster, looking at the whole world, is among the few at the top. There¡¯s no need for Master Qiu to be so modest.¡± A Three Qi Grandmaster was indeed among the pinnacle of experts worldwide. In the entire Houjin, even including the old masters who had been in seclusion for many years, there were not more than ten people who could surpass Qiu Fengsheng, and among these, some were not aligned with Houjin while others were reluctant to emerge and involve themselves in the world¡¯s trends. Therefore, having a Three Qi Grandmaster in Soul Seeker Mansion was a huge cost for Houjin. Tang Taiyuan of Great Yan¡¯s Xuanyi Guard was only a Second Qi Grandmaster. Qiu Fengsheng folded his hands respectfully, ¡°May I know why the Princess has paid a visit today?¡± ¡°It¡¯s still about the matter with the Demon Sect,¡± Zongzheng Yue took a deep breath and spoke gravely, ¡°This time father is very disappointed in the Demon Sect. He does not wish to have a thorn in his side when moving southward, and hopes to resolve it sooner rather than later.¡± The Demon Sect¡¯s position was special, bordering both Houjin and Great Yan. If either country were to engage in all-out war, the Demon Sect would have the opportunity to launch a surprise attack and penetrate deep into enemy territory. If Houjin were to wage an all-out war against the Demon Sect, it would not only suffer heavy losses but might also give Yan Country a chance to benefit. Initially, Houjin sought to win over the Demon Sect and sent Chen Kang, son of the Golden Eagle Banner flag-bearer (Chapter 133), to negotiate. The result, however, was his death at Dongluo Pass, a matter that left the Houjin people filled with resentment yet they dared not rashly attack Dongluo Pass. Only when Jiang Renyi became the Sect Hierarch did an opportunity arise. The reason why Houjin dispatched troops to attack Yan Country this time was largely due to a secret agreement signed with Jiang Renyi. After this agreement, the Demon Sect would not only refrain from threatening Houjin but would also provide assistance when necessary. However, with the change of authority in the Demon Sect, the agreements made by Jiang Renyi were all invalidated. It was originally thought that the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s attack on the Demon Sect would steer the situation in a favorable direction. Soul Seeker Mansion also orchestrated Yuan Feng¡¯s rebellion, and Qiu Fengsheng personally went to Dongluo Pass. However, the unexpected betrayal of the Ghost Swordsman thwarted Houjin¡¯s plans once more. Now the Demon Sect had become an enduring concern for Houjin. Zongzheng Yue continued, ¡°I am here to request Master Qiu¡¯s assistance this time. If we cannot bring the Demon Sect under our control, we must at least ensure they dare not venture out of Dongluo Pass, thus achieving a demonstration of power.¡± Qiu Fengsheng thought for a moment and said, ¡°According to intelligence, Jiang Shang is not in the Demon Sect, and the experts at the Sealing Demon Platform are few. Now indeed presents a great opportunity.¡± ¡°If the Princess wishes to act against the Demon Sect, I suggest that we exert pressure on them from all directions. After all, the Demon Sect¡¯s territory is but a drop in the ocean, and it should be relatively easy to impose sanctions. The experts from Soul Seeker Mansion will also strike from the shadows. A series of blows will severely weaken the Demon Sect, forcing them to confine themselves within Dongluo Pass.¡± Zongzheng Yue¡¯s eyes revealed a glint of sharpness as he said, ¡°Good.¡± ¡­¡­.. The night was like water, with a waning moon hanging high. The nights in the desert were exceptionally cold, as if knives were scraping across the skin. An Jing emerged from the Sealing Demon Well and headed towards Dongluo Pass, arriving there by evening. ¡°Creak-!¡± He pushed open the door and walked in. Under the dim light of the lamp, Zhao Qingmei was sitting at the table, holding a book in her hands. When she saw An Jing walk in, she quickly set aside the book and unconsciously used the ¡°Poetry Collection¡± beside her to hide it. An Jing cast a curious glance at the book, then said, ¡°My lady, I have returned.¡± Zhao Qingmei stood up, blocking the table as she asked, ¡°How did it go?¡± An Jing fell silent for a moment before saying, ¡°It was Nan Weiping who had tampered with something.¡± Upon hearing this, a cold light flickered between Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows, ¡°Was it her?¡± While An Jing was on his way to the Sealing Demon Well, she too had guessed that the tampering might be Nan Weiping¡¯s doing. An Jing placed a hand on Zhao Qingmei¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°Sit down first, I¡¯m going to check the demon seed in your body.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded softly and slowly took a seat. An Jing extended his palm and lightly touched her abdomen, and his true qi flowed from his palm into her dantian. ¡°Brother, that tickles¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face blushed slightly, a hint of moisture evident in her eyes as she pouted. ¡°Don¡¯t let your thoughts wander.¡± An Jing tapped Zhao Qingmei¡¯s forehead and said sternly, ¡°Do you realize how serious this is?¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the fully focused An Jing, and somehow, her heart was not as anxious and panicked. On the contrary, she felt very reassured. As true qi poured into Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body and went toward her dantian, the demon seed there suddenly acted like a ferocious tiger, devouring all of An Jing¡¯s true qi. ¡°This demon seed is quite powerful.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows lifted. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± he cultivated was a heart method that combined the Three Religions, and its true qi was vigorous and domineering. Yet it was absorbed by the demon seed before even getting close. He realized his current level of cultivation was far from sufficient to probe the origin of the demon seed. Seeing An Jing frown, Zhao Qingmei couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°What did Nan Weiping say?¡± An Jing did not hide anything and said directly, ¡°The demon seed you¡¯re nurturing has her imprint on it. If she dies, it will become a heart demon. There are only two ways to resolve this, one is for Nan Weiping herself to erase the imprint.¡± Having guessed some of Nan Weiping¡¯s schemings, Zhao Qingmei commented, ¡°She doesn¡¯t trust me and wants me to rescue her, right? And the second method?¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°The second is for you to shatter the demon seed, but that will also damage your meridians.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart sank, and she murmured, ¡°If the demon seed is shattered, doesn¡¯t that mean I¡¯ll lose all my cultivation?¡± Her cultivation had reached the peak of Second Qi Grandmaster, and given time, she was certain to reach the Grandmaster Realm. Now that it would all dissipate into nothing, how could she accept that? Now that the Demon Sect regarded her as the Sect Hierarch, if she were to lose her cultivation, would things remain as they were now? An Jing caressed Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cheek and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, there will always be a way.¡± The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± he currently practiced was only at the Fifth Layer. Once he advanced to the Seventh or Eighth Layer, perhaps he could absorb the imprint on the demon seed. ¡°Yes, Nan Weiping does not have many years left to live anyway. There¡¯s no need to rush this.¡± Relieved by An Jing¡¯s words, Zhao Qingmei smiled and said, ¡°There¡¯re still a great deal of affairs to handle within the Demon Sect. In a few days, come with me. You can also get to know the sect¡¯s experts better. With you there, I would feel much more at ease.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing remained silent for a while. Zhao Qingmei, noticing An Jing¡¯s silence, followed his gaze and asked, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡± She saw that his eyes were focused on the diary on the table, which had three large characters inscribed on it: ¡°Diary.¡± This was what Zhao Qingmei had tried to conceal earlier. ¡°You wrote this, didn¡¯t you?¡± An Jing spoke as he reached out to pick up the diary. He was extremely curious about this secretive ¡°Diary.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Zhao Qingmei quickly grabbed the diary and retreated several steps. Her face then turned completely red, almost as though it might bleed. Her diary contained her innermost thoughts, filled with words unfit for others¡¯ eyes. If An Jing saw them, wouldn¡¯t he think she was ¡®indecent¡¯? ¡°My lady, why not let your husband have a look?¡± An Jing lunged forward, closing the distance to Zhao Qingmei in an instant. ¡°No way.¡± Zhao Qingmei promptly dodged and even used the Master¡¯s Secret Technique, Shrinking Land into Inches, to escape. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re running to?¡± An Jing moved like a flash, quickly catching up to her. The room was not large, so it didn¡¯t take long for An Jing to catch Zhao Qingmei¡¯s arm and then draw her into his embrace, yet she still clung tightly to the ¡°Diary¡± in her arms. ¡°Let me have a look.¡± ¡°No, I won¡¯t give it to you even if it kills me.¡± ¡°Am I not your beloved brother anymore?¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face flushed with redness, and no matter what An Jing said, she refused to hand over the ¡°Diary.¡± There was a hint of a mischievous smile on An Jing¡¯s lips, ¡°Then don¡¯t blame me for being impolite.¡± As he spoke, his hand started to climb upwards. ¡°Mmm¡­ oh.¡± Zhao Qingmei only felt a heat spreading throughout her body, her chest rising and falling slightly, but she still held onto the ¡°Diary¡± tightly. ¡°Since I can¡¯t look at the ¡®Diary,¡¯ let¡¯s find something else to look at.¡± Feeling the warmth in his arms, An Jing carried Zhao Qingmei directly to the bed. ¡°I won¡¯t let you see that either¡­ you see.¡± Behind the curtain, dreams of spring woke and lulled again; at the cave¡¯s mouth, the flood dragon moved shallow then deep. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face bore a hint of the color of spring, feeling utterly weak throughout her body. ¡°Clatter!¡± The ¡°Diary¡± fell to the ground, flipping pages with each note. ¡­¡­ Three days later, Dongluo Pass, Fengyun Hall. After the collapse of Dongluo Tower, Fengyun Hall had become the place where the Demon Sect¡¯s experts convened for important matters. At this moment, the Demon Sect¡¯s experts had gathered together in the hall¨CDuanmu Xinghua, the Sect Master of Heavenly Sect, Yu Qiurong, Lin Tianhai, the leader of the Azure Dragon Sect, Yi Daoyun, the leader of the White Tiger Sect, Mu Xiaoyun, the leader of the Vermilion Bird Seat, and others were all present. However, the brows of those present were tightly furrowed. Duanmu Xinghua asked in a low voice, ¡°Sect Master Mu, are you sure about what you said?¡± Mu Xiaoyun nodded, speaking gravely, ¡°Yes, the caravans of Dongluo Pass have now been banned from going to Houjin.¡± Just yesterday, all caravans coming in and out of Dongluo Pass were strictly prohibited from proceeding to Houjin. One must know the reason why Dongluo Pass had developed so rapidly was due to the traffic of caravans. Now that Dongluo Pass had banned its caravans from entering Houjin, it was undoubtedly like breaking the Demon Sect¡¯s legs. This was a tremendous blow to the Demon Sect. Mu Xiaoyun pondered for a moment and then continued, ¡°Moreover, I have heard that Houjin is starting to make contacts with the tribes north of the desert.¡± Lin Tianhai¡¯s expression turned sour, ¡°Does Houjin seek to pull out the rug from under us?¡± The tribes north of the desert were of critical importance to the Demon Sect. ¡°Houjin¡­¡± Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s eyes flashed with a hint of cold light. With an army of seventy thousand and countless followers within the sect¨Cthe Demon Sect would crumble from within if their economic sources were cut off, without the need for outside aggression. The move by Houjin was evidently aimed at targeting the Demon Sect. Just then, a figure walked in from outside the grand hall. The person was clad in blue garments, with eyes clear as water, exquisite as a painting, resembling autumnal mountains with misty rain, or waves surging across twin lakes¨Ctheir beauty made it difficult for onlookers to raise their gaze. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Upon seeing the person, the Demon Sect¡¯s experts all knelt on one knee. The newcomer was none other than the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei gestured with her hand, saying, ¡°No need for formalities. Today, with all of you present, I have an important matter to discuss with you.¡± Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Zhao Qingmei, curiosity in their hearts. What could be the important matter the Sect Hierarch was about to announce? Zhao Qingmei clapped her hands, and a young man stepped out from behind her. ¡°Son-in-law!?¡± Tan Yun looked at the person who had appeared, taken aback. The young man was no other than An Jing. Shui Zhongyue was also in disbelief, his eyes full of shock, ¡°Huh!? The young doctor?¡± Others might not recognize the young doctor, but Shui Zhongyue knew very well¨Cwasn¡¯t he supposed to be dead? Yu Qiurong, upon seeing An Jing, frowned slightly, her eyes showing some hostility. The rest of the crowd was curious about An Jing; they could not sense any fluctuations of energy from him. If he were an old man in his seventies or eighties, they might have speculated that he was a suShang Ci preme expert, but for someone so young, it seemed unlikely. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Who exactly was he? Zhao Qingmei chuckled softly, ¡°This man is my husband.¡± An Jing clasped his fists towards the crowd and smiled, ¡°Greetings.¡± He recognized a few people there, such as Mu Xiaoyun, Shui Zhongyue, Lin Tianhai, and others, but it was clear they no longer recognized him. A hush fell over Fengyun Hall; the high-ranking members of the Demon Sect looked at each other, as if their ears had deceived them. Chapter 217 - Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Ice Soul Poison Hidden Within (Requesting Monthly Ticket) Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Ice Soul Poison Hidden Within (Requesting Monthly Ticket) Everyone was looking at the young man, then fell into a silent state. If it were an ordinary person marrying an unremarkable commoner, they would not say anything nor intervene. But Zhao Qingmei was different. What kind of person was Zhao Qingmei? She was a prodigy with demonic talents, a lofty Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. She bore not only the lives but also the hopes of all the members of the Demon Sect. Duanmu Xinghua broke the deadlock and asked, ¡°Sect Hierarch, is¡­is this gentleman marrying into our Demon Sect?¡± Zhao Qingmei narrowed her eyes and coldly glanced at Duanmu Xinghua, ¡°Duanmu Xinghua, I hope you won¡¯t say that again in the future.¡± Upon hearing this, Duanmu Xinghua immediately shut her mouth and said no more. She knew that only when Zhao Qingmei was truly angry would she call her by her full name. An Jing, however, appeared calm as if he had not heard Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s words at all. The others present saw this and furrowed their brows deeper, clearly not expecting Zhao Qingmei to be truly angry because of the man before them. ¡°He is my husband, and his words are as if spoken by myself. I hope you treat him as you would treat me, as you all should know,¡± Zhao Qingmei said after scanning the room once. ¡°I, Zhao Qingmei, am indeed a person who is very protective of my own people,¡± she added. wuxiaworld.site Novts`0.co An Jing: ¡°¡­..¡± Suddenly, he wanted to stand up and tell everyone that he did not need his wife to protect him. But last night, the two had already discussed it: the identity of the Ghost Swordsman would not be revealed yet, not even to the high-ranking members within the sect. After all, it¡¯s best to save one¡¯s best resources for critical moments. The focus of the world was not on the Demon Sect at the moment. Revealing that the Ghost Swordsman had joined the Demon Sect would likely cause more trouble. A tall tree catches the wind, and high status brings ruin. Both were well aware of this principle. Zhao Qingmei touched her chin and pondered for a moment, then said, ¡°As of now, nobody occupies the position of Earth Sect¡¯s lord within our sect.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s voice was not loud, but the experts present surely heard her, and they were utterly shocked. The Three Sects of the Demon Sect, the Earth, the Heavenly, and the Human, were its pillars. The lords of the Human Sect, Li Fuzhou, and the Heavenly Sect, Duanmu Xinghua, were both paragons of excellence. The previous lord of the Earth Sect, Jiang Renyi, was also a Half-step Master in his thirties, and his ascension to Grandmaster was almost guaranteed. Now, the Sect Hierarch was offering this position to a man they perceived as an idler, which was difficult for them to accept. Duanmu Xinghua quickly exchanged a glance with Lin Tianhai. ¡°Ahem¡­.¡± Lin Tianhai cleared his throat. ¡°Sect Hierarch! The experts from the Russell Clan have arrived and request a personal audience with you. They are currently in the Guest Hall.¡± Zhao Qingmei raised her eyebrow and turned to An Jing, ¡°I¡¯ll go take a look.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Go ahead.¡± Following that, Zhao Qingmei and Lin Tianhai both headed towards the Guest Hall. Meanwhile, An Jing stayed in the Fengyun Hall with the other high-ranking members of the Demon Sect. The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat complex, subtly intricate. Tan Yun¡¯s embroidered shoes slowly moved towards An Jing, who was standing at the entrance. Yu Qiurong arched her brow and asked, ¡°Tan Yun, what are you doing?¡± Tan Yun glanced outside the hall, ¡°Just checking if the sun is too strong out there.¡± Duanmu Xinghua performed a Jianghu salute and then inquired, ¡°May I ask for your esteemed name and from whence you come?¡± An Jing bowed slightly and replied, ¡°This humble one is An Jing, from Jiangnan Dao, Yu State City.¡± Shui Zhongyue whispered from beside, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, he is the doctor from Yu State City.¡± A doctor!? Upon hearing Shui Zhongyue¡¯s words, the experts of the Demon Sect present all frowned even more. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s eyes showed a trace of confusion as she looked towards Tan Yun and Feng Lingyue. Wasn¡¯t it said that the doctor died at the hands of the old Sect Hierarch? Tan Yun stepped forward and murmured, ¡°The Sect Hierarch had some tricks up her sleeve, so the son-in-law was unharmed.¡± Only then did Duanmu Xinghua nod, a faint smile appearing at the corners of her mouth, ¡°So it turns out that the gentleman is a doctor, my apologies.¡± An Jing coolly said, ¡°No need for apologies.¡± Whether someone was genuinely courteous or merely pretentious, An Jing could naturally tell at a glance. After a moment¡¯s thought, Duanmu Xinghua said, ¡°Doctor An may not be aware, but our Demon Sect does not harbor idle people. Since your occupation is that of a doctor, perhaps you could lend a hand to the Poison King, even if just to handle some miscellaneous tasks.¡± Although Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s words seemed to carry a sting, first, they were to dispel An Jing¡¯s thoughts of becoming the master of the Earth Sect, and second, they were to have the Poison King protect An Jing, preventing others with ulterior motives from using him to blackmail the Demon Sect. After all, the Poison King was also a master of the First Grade, protecting a doctor should not be a problem. The people around them nodded in agreement. If this doctor were to become the master of the Demon Sect¡¯s Earth Sect, wouldn¡¯t that be a laughingstock? The moment Poison King Liu Simiao heard this, he understood Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s meaning in her words, but as someone with a carefree character similar to a wild crane, how could he possibly take on such a troublesome responsibility? Instantly, without any outward reaction, he said, ¡°I only need someone who has a deep mastery of medical skills¡­..¡± A group of people made excuses, clearly not wanting to take on this trouble. Seeing this, Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but speak up for An Jing, ¡°My son-in-law¡¯s medical skills are very high; he¡¯s very impressive.¡± Liu Simiao glanced at An Jing, ¡°Very high?¡± An Jing smiled faintly, ¡°Somewhat knowledgeable.¡± ¡°Rare are those who speak so before me, you are the first,¡± Liu Simiao said. Liu Simiao gave a thumbs up and sneered, ¡°If you want to help me, I wouldn¡¯t mind.¡± ¡°Please proceed,¡± An Jing said. Upon hearing Liu Simiao¡¯s words, An Jing knew there must be more to it. But today, he and Zhao Qingmei had come to Fengyun Hall, knowing it couldn¡¯t be as simple as that. To take root within the Demon Sect, naturally, he needed to show his hand; otherwise, how could he command the respect of the demons? According to his nature, he generally kept a low profile and quietly amassed wealth, yet some people were so noticeable in a crowd, recognized instantly as the protagonist. This was An Jing¡¯s predicament. Liu Simiao chuckled lightly, ¡°Yu Sect Head was poisoned by villains a few days ago, and I was planning to detoxify her today; since you claim to have some understanding of medical skills, why not give it a try?¡± The Demon Sect masters present immediately understood Liu Simiao¡¯s implication; clearly, this was an opportunity to embarrass the doctor. What poison was on Yu Qiurong? It was the Ice Soul Poison, concocted by the Poison King himself, which even he couldn¡¯t resolve, and now they were asking this doctor to detoxify it, how could that be possible? An Jing gave Yu Qiurong a glance, remaining silent. Liu Simiao, with a sneer that was more pitiful than smiling, said, ¡°This poison isn¡¯t profound, but it¡¯s a difficult problem for ordinary quacks; if you can¡¯t solve it, it would be normal.¡± Shameless! Tan Yun cursed internally; he couldn¡¯t solve it himself, but now burdened An Jing with the detoxification, while pretending the poison was ordinary, which was utterly shameless. Thinking this, Tan Yun was about to step forward to speak, but at that moment, Duanmu Xinghua stopped her. ¡°Sect Master Duanmu¡­..¡± Duanmu Xinghua paid no heed to Tan Yun but instead looked at An Jing. It was just right to use this Red Beauty Drunk to suppress his momentum, letting him know his limitations, to discourage him from actually taking up the position of the Earth Sect Master. An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Then, I shall attempt to resolve this poison.¡± Upon hearing An Jing agree, Liu Simiao grinned, ¡°Good.¡± Tan Yun was somewhat anxious at the side, like an ant on a hot pan. Her son-in-law was usually very clever, but why was he so easily falling into their trap today? An Jing approached Yu Qiurong and said, ¡°Miss Yu, please take a seat. I¡¯ll first take your pulse.¡± Yu Qiurong furrowed her brows, ¡°You can¡¯t resolve this poison, just forget it.¡± An Jing laughed, ¡°I haven¡¯t tried yet. How do you know I can¡¯t resolve it?¡± Duanmu Xinghua interjected, ¡°Qiurong, since the doctor wishes to try, let him take your pulse.¡± Liu Simiao revealed his yellow teeth, with a hint of pride in his tone, ¡°Yes, let him try. Perhaps this minor poison might just be cured with a wave of his hand.¡± This Red Beauty Drunk was a unique poison meticulously concocted by him. Hearing this, the surrounding Demon Sect masters said as much, and Yu Qiurong sat down and extended her hand. An Jing placed his fingers on her pulse at the cun and chi points, sensing the rhythm of the qi mechanism within her body. Chi is yin, flaring is yang. Based on the fluctuations of the chi, he detected the changes in the yin and yang within Yu Qiurong¡¯s body. Her chi readings fluctuated strangely at this moment, clearly indicating poisoning. Watching the very solemn and serious An Jing, the Demon Sect masters present shook their heads. Yi Daoyun whispered, ¡°A unique poison concocted by the Poison King, how could he, an unknown doctor, possibly cure it?¡± Duanmu Xinghua smiled and said, ¡°Since he wants to try, let him have a go.¡± Nobody believed An Jing could detoxify this poison. After a long while, An Jing spoke, ¡°Miss Yu, the poison in your body has been there for some time, and the dose isn¡¯t substantial.¡± Yu Qiurong nodded, ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Jiang Renyi was afraid she would die, so he did not give her a lot of Red Beauty Drunk. Instead, he mixed a little into her food every day. Despite this precaution, if it weren¡¯t for Zhao Qingmei suppressing the Red Beauty Drunk with her True Qi, she would have likely become a lost soul by now. An Jing narrowed his eyes. From the pulse diagnosis just now, this poison was much more severe than the Corpse Qi back in Baima Town. The toxins were hidden in the lethal acupoints of the body. A slight error could have caused Yu Qiurong to perish completely. It would be difficult for him to absorb it with his True Qi alone. ¡°This Poison King indeed has some tricks up his sleeve.¡± His brain quickly turned, contemplating the method to detoxify. Liu Simiao chuckled lightly, ¡°Young brother, can¡¯t you solve it? It¡¯s okay if you can¡¯t, but don¡¯t waste everyone¡¯s time.¡± Duanmu Xinghua said, ¡°If it can¡¯t be done, let it be. Don¡¯t trouble yourself.¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s expression did not change, as she had never held out hope for the doctor before her from the start. ¡°No need to worry, everyone.¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°I will detoxify Miss Yu right now.¡± As he spoke, An Jing stood up and took several silver needles from his sleeve. Liu Simiao burst into laughter, ¡°Don¡¯t overexert yourself¡­ An Jing said, ¡°Just watch.¡± Under everyone¡¯s gaze, An Jing walked behind Yu Qiurong. He lightly placed his palm on her back, and after about three breaths, his silver needles targeted the Baihui acupoint on Yu Qiurong. The human body has about fifty-two single acupoints, three hundred double acupoints, and fifty extraordinary acupoints, totaling seven hundred and twenty acupoints. There are one hundred and eight vital acupoints among them, seventy-two of which are not necessarily fatal if pressed, but the remaining thirty-six are lethal acupoints, commonly known as deadly acupoints. Most Jianghu masters who train in mental methods only know the pathways of these mental methods and some deadly acupoint locations while very few can remember all seven hundred and twenty acupoints of the body. ¡°What are you doing!?¡± Seeing the silver needle penetrate, all the masters present were stunned. Everyone knew that Baihui acupoint was one of the deadly acupoints of the human body. Wouldn¡¯t this needle kill Yu Qiurong? But the next scene shocked everyone present. Yu Qiurong furrowed her brows but no abnormalities appeared. Liu Simiao, with a deep frown, whispered, ¡°He has sealed all the acupoints in Yu Qiurong¡¯s body with his Inner Strength, including the deadly ones, so there will be no harm.¡± ¡°It seems he is somewhat capable.¡± A true expert is recognized as soon as they make a move. Remembering seven hundred and twenty acupoints is extremely difficult. Being able to locate these acupoints so promptly is as tough as ascending to heaven. This requires an incredibly familiar understanding of the body¡¯s acupoints! To seal all the acupoints within just a few breaths? Duanmu Xinghua too expressed surprise, ¡°Incredible, to think of using such a method, but¡­ An Jing did not stop as his silver needle continued to strike sequentially at the Shenting acupoint, Sun Temple, Ear Gate, Ren Zhong, Qingming acupoint¡­ and all thirty-six deadly acupoints. His needle insertion was fast and without the slightest delay. Tan Yun proudly said from the side, ¡°The son-in-law is quite experienced in acupuncture.¡± An Jing blocked out all external sounds; otherwise, hearing Tan Yun¡¯s words would have made him lose his composure. Soon, his forehead began to show dense sweat. All the deadly acupoints were pierced with silver needles. An Jing took a deep breath, and his True Qi slowly entered Yu Qiurong¡¯s body through the silver needles, attracting the Red Beauty Drunk hidden in the deadly acupoints. The subtle True Qi entered, and even Duanmu Xinghua failed to notice the transparent True Qi. By this time, Yu Qiurong¡¯s mind was in chaos, all her senses vanished, as if she was in a void. As An Jing¡¯s True Qi surged, all the entrenched Red Beauty Drunk in her body was absorbed, and the direction it moved towards was his own body. As the intense toxins surged in instantly, An Jing¡¯s complexion turned pale. Seeing this, Liu Simiao couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°Kid, you can¡¯t solve this poison. Don¡¯t risk your life.¡± Just as the red mist had not yet entered the Dantian, An Jing multitasked. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± in his body activated, absorbing all the incoming red mist, which then transformed into powder. ¡°As long as this toxin does not enter the Dantian, the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ can resolve it.¡± An Jing then finally breathed a sigh of relief, his confidence greatly increased. Zhao Qingmei had already discussed this type of poison with him, and An Jing had also met Yu Qiurong once before. At that time, he was thinking about whether to use the True Qi derived from his ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± to resolve this poison. Among those present, only Duanmu Xinghua saw the red toxin drift into An Jing¡¯s body, and her face immediately showed great shock. Her heart was inexplicably shaken; this young man was actually drawing the toxin into his own body!? An Jing¡¯s complexion started to look rosy again. The red mist from the thirty-six deadly acupoints increasingly became finer. About the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the red mist gradually turned white, and all the Red Beauty Drunk inside Yu Qiurong¡¯s body was absorbed by An Jing into his own body. ¡°Phew¡­¡± An Jing lightly exhaled and then proceeded to remove the silver needles from his hand. All eyes turned toward him, filled with immense tension, and their breathing even seemed to pause. ¡°Wow!¡± Yu Qiurong immediately spurted a jet of black blood, and suddenly the red carpet on the ground was scorched with a hole. An Jing retracted the silver needle, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said, ¡°The poison is cured.¡± It must be said, the Poison King still had some capabilities; if it were not for his cultivation of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± unraveling this poison might have required further consideration. ¡°Really?!¡± Liu Simiao asked incredulously. Everyone¡¯s eyes widened as they turned towards Yu Qiurong. ¡°Huff¡­¡± Yu Qiurong slowly opened her eyes and exhaled a breath of turbid air, then looked at her hands. Duanmu Xinghua hurriedly asked, ¡°Qiurong, how do you feel?¡± Yu Qiurong, with a face full of joy, said, ¡°The poison has truly dissipated.¡± Although Zhao Qingmei had suppressed the Red Beauty Drunk, the poison still caused her great discomfort. She had suffered immensely these past days, but now the poison had finally been cured. Boom! Suddenly, the entire Fengyun Hall was in an uproar! The experts of the Demon Sect present were all faces of astonishment and shock. This young doctor really cured the Poison King¡¯s poison?! It must be known that even Liu Simiao himself had not been able to cure this poison, yet this doctor had easily neutralized it, which was truly astonishing. Yi Daoyun¡¯s expression darkened as he said in a low voice, ¡°This doctor has some skill; I underestimated him.¡± Initially, he thought this youth was just relying on an official position, but it turns out he was a genuinely capable person. Seeing this, Duanmu Xinghua also realized An Jing¡¯s uniqueness and once again clasped his fists, saying, ¡°Thank you for your intervention.¡± ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± An Jing also returned the gesture. ¡°Son-in-law, you are amazing.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s face glowed red, feeling proud, ¡°This is a strange poison that even the Poison King couldn¡¯t cure.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that impressive; the dose of the poison was light,¡± An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°At most, it could kill a One Qi Grandmaster, perhaps a Second Qi Grandmaster, at best. Fortunately, Lady used Demonic Qi to suppress it in time, otherwise Miss Yu would have been in danger.¡± The experts of the Demon Sect nearby, hearing this, remained silent. This young doctor was indeed boastful, so casually mentioning One Qi Grandmaster and Second Qi Grandmaster as if they were nothing. Who did he think he was? The Demon Sect was also a Grand Sect, yet there were only two Grandmasters present. Upon hearing this, Liu Simiao trembled and asked, ¡°Sir, what do you think of this poison?¡± An Jing glanced at the Poison King and nonchalantly said, ¡°This poison is inadequate.¡± Hearing this, Liu Simiao was completely disheartened. The strange poison he had painstakingly concocted had been so lightly dismissed and deemed worthless by this doctor. ¡°My dogs eat better than this poison.¡± An Jing casually shook his head, looked towards Tan Yun, and said, ¡°Don¡¯t you think, Tan Yun?¡± ¡°Ah!?¡± Tan Yun, hearing this, touched her head. She didn¡¯t understand what the son-in-law was saying. At that moment, Yu Qiurong stood up, bowed deeply to An Jing, and said, ¡°Thank you, sir. I will never forget this favor.¡± If it weren¡¯t for An Jing¡¯s intervention, she wouldn¡¯t know how much longer she would have been tormented by the Red Beauty Drunk. ¡°No need.¡± An Jing looked at Yu Qiurong and calmly said, ¡°Although the Red Beauty Drunk in your body is cured, the Ice Soul Poison is still there.¡± ¡°Ice Soul Poison!?¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s eyes widened with a trace of surprise. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°There¡¯s still poison?¡± Liu Simiao felt like thunder had struck on a clear day. All the experts of the Demon Sect present turned their eyes towards An Jing, filled with disbelief. ¡­¡­ PS: I¡¯m asking for a monthly ticket. Chapter 218 - Chapter 218: Chapter 218: The Couples Secret Plot Chapter 218: Chapter 218: The Couple¡¯s Secret Plot An Jing looked towards Yu Qiurong and asked, ¡°Do you often feel a sharp pain in your eight extreme channels around midnight?¡± ¡°Could it be the Ice Soul Poison?¡± Yu Qiurong furrowed her brows, ¡°I always thought it was due to the cultivation of the ¡®Earth Demon Technique.''¡± Just as An Jing had said, she did indeed occasionally feel a sharp pain in her eight extreme channels, but the pain would quickly dissipate. The various Demon Sect experts present had different expressions on their faces. Tan Yun muttered softly, ¡°What is this Ice Soul Poison?¡± An Jing looked toward Liu Simiao and said, ¡°Senior, known as the Poison King, must be very familiar with this poison.¡± Upon hearing this, Duanmu Xinghua gave An Jing a deep look. ¡°Brother An is too polite.¡± Liu Simiao chuckled dryly and then his expression turned quite solemn, ¡°The so-called Ice Soul is not referring to Profound Ice, but to the moon in the sky. Ice Soul Poison, also known as Xuanyin Poison, generally occurs due to an excessive accumulation of Yin Energy within the body. The human body requires a relative balance of Yin and Yang. Once this balance is disrupted and Yin Energy becomes predominant, it will erode the internal organs. It seems that Yu Qiurong was infected with Yin Energy in her early years. As her cultivation became deeper, she suppressed the Yin Energy, but it was not completely eradicated, taking root within her body, hiding within her very foundation over the years.¡± Pausing for a moment, Liu Simiao continued, ¡°Moreover, the ¡®Earth Demon Technique¡¯ itself is a Yin-type martial art, which makes the Yin Energy even denser. It seems that it has not erupted completely yet, but once it does, the Yin Energy will surge reversely. If light, one will suffer from deviation and completely lose one¡¯s cultivation, becoming paralyzed. If heavy, it will lead directly to death and the dissipation of one¡¯s path.¡± As Liu Simiao¡¯s voice fell, the entire Fengyun Hall fell silent. No one had expected the Ice Soul Poison to be so terrifying, with the lighter outcome being the complete loss of cultivation and paralysis. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.co An Jing nodded and looked towards Yu Qiurong, ¡°This poison has been with you for a certain number of years, hasn¡¯t it? It must have been left behind when you were young, right?¡± Yu Qiurong was silent for a long while before saying, ¡°If it is as you say, then it would have been with me even before I joined the Demon Sect.¡± To strengthen its power, the Demon Sect not only recruited famous experts but also nurtured talented children from a young age. These youths grew up in the Demon Sect, naturally becoming loyally devoted to the Sect and forming the real pillars of the Demon Sect. People like Yi Daoyun, Zhao Qingmei, Yu Qiurong, and others were among these youths. The Demon Sect meticulously investigated the pasts of these youths, having a clear understanding of their backgrounds, which was confidential information stored in the Sect¡¯s archives. Yu Qiurong took a deep breath and continued, ¡°Actually, I am from the Russell Clan. In the clan, there is a forbidden land known as the Extreme Flame Land, where the temperature is extremely high and contains the Power of Supreme Yang, which can double the effect of one¡¯s cultivation. However, due to the strong Yang Energy, ordinary people cannot cultivate there for long. So, from when I was very young, my father would temper my body daily and had me consume Moon Cold Grass, so that once I went to cultivate in the Extreme Flame Land, the Yin and Yang could be balanced, and I could establish a strong foundation. However, when I was fourteen, a change occurred in my clan. Both my parents were killed, and I was fortunate enough to escape from the Russell Clan¡­¡± Even among the people of the Demon Sect, this was the first time they heard this part of Yu Qiurong¡¯s past. Although she spoke in a very calm tone, there must have been many complications hidden in her story, concealing a deep-seated grudge as vast as the sea of blood. A light flickered in Liu Simiao¡¯s eyes, ¡°The Moon Cold Grass is of a Yin and cold nature. You have consumed it for many years, and because the coldness has not dissipated, it gradually accumulated into Yin Poison, and your body has long been accustomed to this poison. That¡¯s why all these years it hasn¡¯t erupted. No wonder I didn¡¯t notice anything unusual last time.¡± The saying goes that all medicines have an element of poison, and the line between poison and medicine is often blurred. Thus, sometimes, if used correctly, poison can cure disease and, conversely, medicine can become a deadly poison lurking within the body. Duanmu Xinghua asked, ¡°So, how can it be treated?¡± An Jing chuckled softly, ¡°Balancing Yin and Yang.¡± ¡°Balancing Yin and Yang¡­¡± Yu Qiurong murmured to herself. With an excess of Yin Energy, naturally, it would be appropriate to balance it out with Yang Energy. The best method would be exactly what her father initially thought¨Cgoing to the Extreme Flame Land to neutralize the Yin Energy in her body. ¡°Many thanks!¡± Yu Qiurong bowed deeply in gratitude. All the experts present looked at the young man before them, no longer holding any trace of disdain in their eyes. Liu Simiao, in particular, looked at him with a hint of admiration. An Jing waved his hand, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just a trivial matter.¡± ¡­ Guest Hall. Zhao Qingmei sat at the head, her expression indifferent and calm, but her sharp and spirited eyes exerted a strong sense of pressure. Standing at the lower end was a middle-aged man in strange attire, a long bow on his back, and a grey hat on his head. The man¡¯s skin was rough and dark, and his eyes were somewhat sunken. Observing his attire and appearance, it was clear that he was of the foreign Luo Su clan. ¡°Greetings to Sect Hierarch Zhao.¡± The foreigner bowed respectfully to the figure above, Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Rise.¡± Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°Cha Rong, what brings you to visit the Demon Sect this time?¡± ¡°Your insight is profound, Sect Hierarch.¡± Cha Rong took a deep breath and went straight to the point, ¡°There has been an upheaval within our clan, and I implore the Sect Hierarch to lend us assistance.¡± Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°What kind of upheaval?¡± The Luo Su clan resided north of the desert, where temperatures were scorching and resources were scarce, yet their mineral resources were quite abundant. To resolve the scarcity of materials within the clan, the Luo Su clan conducted extensive trade with the Demon Sect every year. One side resolved their material issues, and the other gained massive wealth; it was a mutually beneficial relationship that had persisted for a century. ¡°Our Great Elder Chuck and the chieftain have never gotten along, which you, Sect Hierarch Zhao, should be aware of.¡± Cha Rong continued, ¡°Three days ago, during the clan meeting, Great Elder Chuck suddenly suggested that we cease cooperation with the Demon Sect and instead collaborate with Houjin. Naturally, Chuck¡¯s proposal was rejected by the chieftain since our Luo Su clan has always enjoyed cooperative ties with the Demon Sect. Moreover, we had agreed that as long as the Demon Sect existed, this collaboration would continue indefinitely.¡± ¡°However, come nighttime, a mysterious expert assailant killed their way into the Luo Su clan. Their strength was formidable, managing to severely injure the chieftain in just a few moves. Following that, Chuck took over the Luo Su clan, began to oust those opposed to him, and incited our people not to work with the Demon Sect any longer. While the chieftain was unconscious, he sent me to seek out Sect Hierarch Zhao, hoping that you can help our Luo Su clan through this crisis.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows raised ever so slightly. She was well aware of the Luo Su clan¡¯s circumstances; their chieftain had been promoted to power with the Demon Sect¡¯s support and was naturally very close to the sect. As for Great Elder Chuck, he had always been less friendly towards the Demon Sect and harbored great ambition, unwilling to remain a submissive affiliate to the sect. Yet due to the Demon Sect¡¯s formidable presence, Chuck had no choice but to keep his grievances to himself and not act too ostentatiously. The fact that he had abruptly proposed halting cooperation with the Demon Sect, and that the Luo Su chieftain was gravely harmed shortly after his objection, was indeed intriguing. Lin Tianhai also felt a stir in his heart, clearly someone was aiding Chuck; otherwise, how would he dare to oppose the Demon Sect with his level of strength? Zhao Qingmei inquired, ¡°The expert who severely injured your chieftain, do you have any leads?¡± Cha Rong with a solemn face replied, ¡°No, it¡¯s as if they came out of thin air. Our chieftain is of Master Cultivation, yet to be defeated in just a few moves indicates the assailant¡¯s strength is extraordinary.¡± For the Luo Su clan, there were only two Grandmasters, both of whom had barely reached the One Qi Realm. Thus, the sudden appearance of a Grandmaster-level expert was certainly a significant matter for them. Zhao Qingmei gave a slight nod and continued, ¡°I understand. You may go and rest for now. I will do my best to arrange for a master to go to the Luo Su clan.¡± Cha Rong breathed a sigh of relief, ¡°Then I¡¯ll be in your debt, Sect Hierarch Zhao.¡± After Cha Rong retreated, the Guest Hall was left with only Zhao Qingmei and Lin Tianhai. Lin Tianhai said solemnly, ¡°Sect Hierarch, the matter is not as simple as it seems.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded, ¡°Let¡¯s return to Fengyun Hall to discuss it.¡± With that, Zhao Qingmei stood and made her way towards Fengyun Hall. When she returned to Fengyun Hall, the main hall was bustling with activity as everyone gathered around Yu Qiurong and An Jing. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Upon seeing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s return, everyone promptly bowed. ¡°Mm.¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at Yu Qiurong and then at An Jing, ¡°Is it resolved?¡± ¡°The issue has been largely addressed.¡± An Jing nodded his head. The matter of Red Beauty Drunk within Yu Qiurong was solved, and the Ice Soul Poison was a latent poison that only required a substantial amount of Yang Energy to neutralize. It was even possible that Yu Qiurong could turn this misfortune into a blessing and improve her cultivation further. The source of such Yang Energy, though, would depend on Yu Qiurong herself. Liu Simiao clasped his hands together and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, Brother An¡¯s medical skills are truly exceptional.¡± Liu Simiao was not an arrogant person and sometimes even exhibited an irreverent attitude, but An Jing was the first to receive such high praise from him for his medical skills. Zhao Qingmei, hearing this, revealed a faint smile at the corner of her mouth, ¡°Good, then let¡¯s continue discussing the matter at hand. The position of the Sect Master of Earth Sect¡­¡± An Jing waved his hand, ¡°Let¡¯s forget about the Sect Master of Earth Sect position. I¡¯m better off just lending a hand under the Poison King.¡± He was well aware that Earth Sect was one of the largest branches of power within the Demon Sect, and having him manage so many people was truly difficult for him. ¡°Brother An jests. Your medical skills are probably even superior to mine.¡± Liu Simiao laughed, ¡°However, if you are willing to learn from me in the future, I can not only teach you some martial arts but also impart all of my poison techniques to you. Once you¡¯ve mastered my poison techniques, you can walk sideways in the vast Jianghu as long as you don¡¯t provoke any Grandmaster-level experts.¡± The other high-ranking experts of the Demon Sect nodded in agreement, seeing that it would be excellent if An Jing could learn the Poison King¡¯s entire array of poison techniques and someday become able to protect himself. Duanmu Xinghua, seeing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s slightly furrowed brows, promptly said, ¡°Our Demon Sect has never had a Tributor. Why don¡¯t we make this Doctor An our Demon Sect¡¯s Tributor? What say you, Sect Hierarch?¡± With An Jing¡¯s special identity, Duanmu Xinghua initially intended for Liu Simiao to protect him, but seeing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s apparent dissatisfaction, she quickly changed her suggestion. Zhao Qingmei glanced at An Jing, ¡°Indeed, then let him be a Tributor.¡± Tan Yun, standing by, pondered to herself: How significant is a Tributor in the Demon Sect? In the future, will I still have to obey my son-in-law within the Demon Sect? Then, everyone resumed their respective roles, leaving An Jing to sit alone. Zhao Qingmei turned to Lin Tianhai and said, ¡°Elder Lin, share the news you received earlier with everyone.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Lin Tianhai stood up and recounted the words of Cha Rong. Upon hearing the information, the brows of the high-ranking Demon Sect experts in the room furrowed tightly. Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s eyes grew cold, ¡°Recently, the Houjin merchant caravans have been prohibited from entering Dongluo Pass, and suddenly there has been a surge of bandit attacks on nearby merchant groups. In my opinion, the person instigating Chuck must also be connected to Houjin.¡± Yi Daoyun nodded, ¡°It¡¯s surely them. I heard that these bandits are well-trained and come and go like the wind, leaving no trace to be found. It is very likely that they are disguised soldiers from Houjin¡¯s Flying Horse Banner.¡± An Jing pondered in his heart. It seems Houjin is already preparing to make a move against the Demon Sect. How can a power allow others to sleep soundly by their bed? The Holy Master of Houjin is well-known to the knowledgeable people of the world for his ambition to swallow the heavens. The Demon Sect lies on the path of his southern advance. If he truly wishes to fight with all his might, he naturally wouldn¡¯t leave this thorn in his side. What follows will be a tempestuous onslaught from Houjin. For the Demon Sect to confront Houjin is immensely challenging. After all, Houjin is an exceedingly powerful dynasty, and Dongluo Pass, occupied by the Demon Sect, is just a prosperous city. It is only deemed exceptional due to the presence of numerous high-level experts from the Demon Sect. Zhao Qingmei scanned the room, ¡°Regardless, we helped the Russell Clan. Sect Master Duanmu, this time I will have to trouble you to make a trip there personally.¡± Since he was capable of defeating the chieftain of the Russell Clan, he was clearly a Grandmaster-level expert. Duanmu Xinghua and Yi Daoyun were the only suitable choices to be sent, but undoubtedly Duanmu Xinghua was more appropriate. Duanmu Xinghua stood up and said succinctly, ¡°I will carry out the order.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at Yi Daoyun, a glint of killing intent flashing in her eyes, ¡°As for those bandits, I¡¯ll leave them to Elder Yi. I want them all killed without exception.¡± ¡°I will comply with the order.¡± Yi Daoyun stated solemnly. ¡°Very well, then let¡¯s dismiss the meeting,¡± Zhao Qingmei said as she waved her hand and then gestured to An Jing with a look. An Jing stood up, clasped his fists at everyone, and followed after Zhao Qingmei to leave. ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, what do you make of this person?¡± Lin Tianhai, observing the two departing, quickly asked out of curiosity. Given that Duanmu Xinghua had appointed that youngster as a Tributor of the Demon Sect, it was evidently shrouded in mystery. Duanmu Xinghua pondered for a moment and replied, ¡°He¡¯s no simple character.¡± From the moment he first met everyone, Doctor An¡¯s demeanor had been very calm, with not even a hint of panic in his eyes¨Ca remarkable feat, considering that the room was filled with the Demon Sect¡¯s finest, enough to make any ordinary person¡¯s legs buckle. And facing Liu Simiao¡¯s mockery, he remained as calm as a breeze, not caring at all, and even managed to cure the poisons that even the Poison King couldn¡¯t solve, which indeed showed he was extraordinary. Liu Simiao sighed, ¡°Indeed, his medical skills surpass mine. However, his Qi Mechanism is average, perhaps he has devoted all his energy to studying medicine. It¡¯s a pity his cultivation isn¡¯t high.¡± Tan Yun, overhearing the praises from everyone, instantly felt as if she had tasted honey, ¡°I¡¯ve said it before, my son-in-law¡¯s medical skills are excellent, but you wouldn¡¯t believe me.¡± Standing in a corner, Mu Xiaoyun, who had been silent the whole time, shook his head. As a man who was the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, medical skills alone weren¡¯t enough. Yu Qiurong stood still, always feeling an indescribable sense of strangeness. ¡­¡­ In the profound night sky, a Full Moon hung, surrounded by drifting wisps of white clouds, the moon emitting a faint white glow. It scattered trembling, uncertain silvery light on the water¡¯s surface, resembling silver fish darting around. Tan Yun was washing dishes in the kitchen, humming a light tune. For An Jing to join the Demon Sect was probably the happiest thing for her recently. In the room, the lamp flickered as An Jing and Zhao Qingmei sat opposite each other, two pots of alcohol on the table. Zhao Qingmei poured An Jing a bowl, saying, ¡°The mastermind behind the Russell Clan this time must be a master from the Soul Seeker Mansion, not only the Russell Clan. Everything that has happened recently should all be the doing of the Soul Seeker Mansion.¡± The Soul Seeker Mansion, similar to the Xuanyi Guard of Great Yan, recruits Jianghu experts from all over. However, they target Jianghu figures from various countries. Compared to the chaotic power structures of Great Yan, Houjin¡¯s real experts all reside in the Great Snow Mountain. Outside the Snow Mountain and the Royal Court¡¯s influence, there are hardly any top experts in Houjin. As a result, the Jianghu of Houjin is like a pool of stagnant water, barely rippling, especially on the grasslands where power is divided by tribe, and every faction is entangled with the Royal Court. If there is some distinction between Great Yan¡¯s temple-halls and Jianghu, then in Houjin, the temple-halls and Jianghu are practically indistinguishable. An Jing nodded, ¡°Last time, Yuan Feng¡¯s rebellion was supported by the Soul Seeker Mansion. If it cannot be broken from within, then it must be penetrated from without.¡± Zhao Qingmei spoke solemnly, ¡°That¡¯s right, I feel this time the Russell Clan might be setting up a trap targeting the Demon Sect.¡± The Russell Clan is extremely important to the Demon Sect, after all, sustaining an army of 70,000, countless followers, and experts on a piece of land the size of a marble comes with immense daily expenses. Now that Houjin¡¯s trade caravans are forbidden to pass, many inns and pleasure houses in Dongluo Pass have closed their doors, and the impact is undeniable. Furthermore, the frequent ¡®horse bandits¡¯ robbing trade caravans have made many merchants fear for their safety, undoubtedly adding frost to the already bleak Dongluo Pass. If the Russell Clan were to break off cooperation with the Demon Sect, it would undoubtedly be a fatal blow to the Sect. An Jing drank the alcohol from his bowl, squinting, ¡°A trap set by the Soul Seeker Mansion, could it be that they aim to obliterate the Heavenly Sect?¡± Given the crisis of the Russell Clan, the Demon Sect could certainly not send just any expert, especially now that the clan is controlled by Chuck, and there is suspicion of two Grandmasters within the clan. Therefore, to resolve this crisis, the Demon Sect could only send Duanmu Xinghua and the experts of the Heavenly Sect. Zhao Qingmei nodded, ¡°The Heavenly Sect is a pillar of the Demon Sect. If anything goes wrong with the Heavenly Sect, it would essentially mean the Demon Sect is trapped in Dongluo Pass, a blatant scheme.¡± Hearing this, An Jing revealed a trace of a smile, ¡°Since you¡¯re aware it¡¯s a trap and you¡¯ve entered it, my lady must have a countermeasure.¡± A glint of cold light appeared in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes, ¡°I like to strangle dangers in their cradle.¡± An Jing poured another bowl of alcohol for Zhao Qingmei, his smile deepening, ¡°It¡¯s the perfect opportunity to take Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s life using this blatant scheme and thoroughly deter all the villains.¡± ¡°My lady, cheers.¡± An Jing raised his porcelain bowl. If a Master of the Three Qi were to die, it would be like breaking two legs of the Soul Seeker Mansion, and even if the Royal Court of Houjin had many experts, it would at least be a flesh wound. Especially as, in recent years, the influence of the Demon Sect has weakened, not matching that of the Buddhist or the Zhenyi Sect. Now is a great opportunity. Zhao Qingmei also raised her porcelain bowl, a light flashing in her beautiful eyes. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°My husband, please.¡± The husband and wife were completely in sync, ready to pull off a big job. The two clinked their bowls together, drank in one gulp, and then exchanged a smile. ¡­¡­ PS: There might not be an update tonight, no need to wait up. Chapter 219 - Chapter 219: Chapter 219 Impending Storm Chapter 219: Chapter 219 Impending Storm ¡°We should not be hasty in this matter,¡± Zhao Qingmei set down her porcelain bowl and said, ¡°Wait until the spies of the Human Sect have gathered more information, then we can discuss and make decisions.¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows and asked, ¡°Madam, do you mean that Cha Rong today¡­?¡± A smile appeared on the corners of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mouth, revealing dimples, ¡°After all, he is from a different race; it¡¯s never a big mistake to be cautious.¡± Looking at the woman in front of him, who seemed to have everything under control, with her spirited and commanding presence, one couldn¡¯t help but be slightly mesmerized. An Jing thought for a moment and said, ¡°Do we have any information on Qiu Fengsheng?¡± He had only heard the name of this martial arts master but did not know much about him. ¡°I have it here for you.¡± Zhao Qingmei walked inside the house, then took out a thick stack of white papers and said, ¡°The majority of Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s lifetime achievements are all here.¡± An Jing looked at the stack of white papers; it seemed Zhao Qingmei had long harbored designs on Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s head. He then carefully began to read through the papers, his brow immediately furrowing slightly. Qiu Fengsheng was originally a master from Zhao Country and had come from Black Ice Platform just like Qi Xuan Dao, both of them masters of the same era. The difference was that at that time in Black Ice Platform, Qi Xuan Dao had average talent and was not outstanding, whereas Qiu Fengsheng was a genius, dazzling and brilliant, and was even considered by many to be a future head of Black Ice Platform. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site Qiu Fengsheng indeed did not let down the people of Zhao Country. Under the full cultivation of Black Ice Platform, he reached the Grandmaster Realm by the age of thirty-three. This caused quite a stir, not just in the martial world of Zhao Country but all over the world. Just when Qiu Fengsheng was at the peak of his fame, gossip spread in Zhao Country about his illicit affair with his master¡¯s wife. Not many believed this gossip, but Black Ice Platform suddenly expelled Qiu Fengsheng and even launched a manhunt for him. Since Zhao Country was dominated by Black Ice Platform, facing the manhunt, Qiu Fengsheng had no choice but to flee to Yan Country. When Qiu Fengsheng arrived in Yan Country, many powers offered him olive branches, including the Demon Sect and even the Xuanyi Guard of the Great Yan Court. Qiu Fengsheng chose to join the Xuanyi Guard, and later, due to his outstanding strength and track record of military service, he became the Deputy Governor of the Xuanyi Guard. He had been stationed at the Eight Feet Platform for several decades, holding considerable prestige in the Great Yan Martial World. Just as everyone thought that one day Qiu Fengsheng would become the Governor of the Xuanyi Guard, he abruptly resigned his office and vanished from the martial world of Great Yan. This disappearance lasted twenty years. When he reappeared, people found that he had become the head of the Soul Seeker Mansion of Houjin, and his cultivation had reached the Three Qi Realm. If Qi Xuan Dao is considered a late bloomer, then Qiu Fengsheng seems to be ¡®indistinguishable from the masses.¡¯ Given his previously shown talent and his current age, he should be at least in the Four Qi Realm, but now he is only in the Three Qi Grandmaster Realm. Nevertheless, Qiu Fengsheng is still a top-notch master with a great reputation in the world and one of the very few who have made a name for themselves in the Jianghu of Houjin, Great Yan, and Zhao Country. Although he has been defeated by Ye Ding and the Great Dharma King of Houjin, both of these men are among the very top masters in the world. Who is Ye Ding?! Back then, his status in the Great Yan Martial World was comparable to Xiao Qianqiu of today, suppressing all the masters in the entire martial world, and later even fought to a draw with Jiang Shang, a genius of the Demon Sect. It was not a disgrace for Qiu Fengsheng to be defeated by such a man; the standing of the Houjin Great Dharma King was even more exceptional, said to be the strongest master next to the Holy Master of Great Snow Mountain. These two were considered the top figures of the time, and to be able to fight with them was an honor in itself. Moreover, Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s list of victories was also quite splendid; countless masters have died at his hands, including two in the Master Realm. Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°Husband, what are your thoughts?¡± ¡°This Qiu Fengsheng is rather odd,¡± An Jing said thoughtfully, ¡°Logically speaking, his track record before the age of thirty-three is a replica of Qi Shu¡¯s path. Given his age, he should at least be in the Four Qi Realm, with the potential to break into Five Qi. But why is he only at Three Qi now?¡± Qi Shu, in his fifties, is already in the Second Qi and even aims to break into Three Qi before his sixties, and then to tackle Four Qi in his seventies. Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s talent didn¡¯t seem to be beneath Qi Shu¡¯s, yet his advancement in recent years appeared as though it was somehow delayed. Zhao Qingmei said with a light laugh, ¡°To break through the barriers of the Grandmaster Realm, one finds it increasingly difficult the further one advances. It is normal for Qiu Fengsheng to linger in the Three Qi. It could be largely related to his state of mind.¡± The further one advances in realm, the more difficult it becomes to make progress. Each Grandmaster achieved their status through innate brilliance, yet even so, increasing a minor realm might take years, or even decades. An Jing nodded his head and continued, looking through the papers, ¡°Reviewing his life¡¯s accomplishments, Qiu Fengsheng is quite scheming and handles matters with extreme calm. If the news of Sect Master Duanmu visiting the Russell Clan gets out, he is likely to go there himself to thwart her.¡± Duanmu Xinghua has also advanced to the Second Qi Grandmaster level, and the most secure method to slay a Second Qi Grandmaster would naturally be to dispatch someone even higher than a Second Qi master. In the entire Soul Seeker Mansion, the only person stronger than Duanmu Xinghua is Qiu Fengsheng himself. ¡°I have thought of this as well. Qiu Fengsheng will surely set many traps in the Russell Clan, and may even take the matter into his own hands. Hence, I plan to set a counter-trap,¡± Zhao Qingmei straightforwardly expressed her thoughts, ¡°At that time, with you there, as well as the Black Flood Dragon, who is comparable to a Three Qi Grandmaster, and if I also go, even if Qiu Fengsheng grows wings, he will not escape death.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and said, ¡°It is indeed worth a try, but we should first thoroughly investigate the Russell Clan¡¯s intelligence, and then consider the feasibility of the plan.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded and said, ¡°After listening to the opera tomorrow, the message should be able to get back to us.¡± Zhao Qingmei had agreed with Duanmu Xinghua, Yu Qiurong, and others to listen to opera in Dongluo Pass¡¯s opera garden, which subtly felt like a send-off for the Heavenly Sect experts, and could also be used to inform Qiu Fengsheng. ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing continued to pick up the white paper and read it. Zhao Qingmei casually asked, ¡°Husband, with the Human Sect¡¯s experts in decline, Tan Yun will sooner or later end up in the Human Sect. What do you think about Qiurong¡¯s person?¡± Although Tan Yun was the Guardian of the Human Sect, she seemed unaware of it, ¡®loitering¡¯ in the courtyard every day, serving tea, pouring water, washing clothes and eating. During the time Yu Qiurong was recuperating, she continued to do the work of a maid. An Jing, without lifting his head, replied, ¡°Not bad.¡± ¡°What about compared to Tan Yun?¡± ¡°Tan Yun is older¡­ it¡¯s no problem to let her return to the Human Sect.¡± An Jing¡¯s tone shifted, his face remained calm, but his heart gave a sudden jolt, almost letting slip the wrong words. Fortunately, his reaction was swift. At that moment, Zhao Qingmei approached like the wind, placing her palm over An Jing¡¯s chest, giving him a coquettish glance, ¡°Brother, why is your heart beating so fast¡­ and now it suddenly slowed down?¡± As she said that, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, ¡°Could it be there is something unspeakable in your heart?¡± An Jing, holding Zhao Qingmei¡¯s slender waist and embracing her, whispered softly, ¡°The world is so quiet, I dare not let my heart beat too fast, I¡¯m afraid everyone will know I¡¯m thinking of you.¡± Zhao Qingmei felt something pressing against her waist, her eyes shimmered like flowing water, she softly moaned, ¡°What does it matter if others find out?¡± Just then, Tan Yun came out after washing the dishes, immediately saw Zhao Qingmei lying in An Jing¡¯s arms, and quickly retreated to the back, then hid inside the house. ¡°Are the son-in-law and the Sect Hierarch here!?¡± Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but recall the scenes from those illustrated booklets, her heart began to throb wildly, and on impulse, she stuck out her little head to peek into the courtyard. By the time she looked again, there was no trace of the two people in the courtyard. Tan Yun blinked her eyes and then cautiously slipped out of the yard. Back in her own residence, she hurriedly bathed and, unable to wait, burrowed into her bedding, pulling out the newly ¡®bought¡¯ illustrated book from under her pillow. Under the dim light, there was a wonderful spring atmosphere. ¡­¡­ Night fell, and all of Heavenly Water City was enveloped in silence. In the quiet manor, lights bright in the study room. Qiu Fengsheng stood outside the window, looking at the bright moon hanging in the sky. After a while, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°A moon overhead in a foreign land is not as comforting as a lamp from home.¡± Time flies swiftly as a fleeting horse, in the blink of an eye nearly fifty years had passed since he left Zhao Country. How many fifty years does one have in a lifetime? ¡°Governor Qiu.¡± At this moment, a voice came from outside the door. ¡°Come in.¡± Qiu Fengsheng said indifferently. ¡°Creak-!¡± As the door opened, a middle-aged man dressed in the official attire of the Soul Seeker Mansion walked in. This man was named Zeng Zhen, also a top expert who took refuge with the Soul Seeker Mansion. Zeng Zhen said in a low voice, ¡°Governor Qiu, people have been arranged, they can be connected tonight.¡± Qiu Fengsheng turned around, sat down on the chair, and asked, ¡°The people from the Russell Clan have entered Dongluo Pass, haven¡¯t they?¡± Zeng Zhen nodded and said, ¡°They arrived this morning, by now the Demon Sect must be aware of this news.¡± Qiu Fengsheng smiled and said, ¡°The grand task is already half accomplished.¡± Zeng Zhen thought for a moment and asked, ¡°My lord, are you so certain that the Demon Sect will send masters through the pass?¡± Just a careful consideration of the affairs of the Russell Clan, coupled with Houjin¡¯s recent sanctions against the Demon Sect, would reveal that there must be someone behind it all, pulling the strings. If the Demon Sect still sends masters, do they truly not fear a trap? Qiu Fengsheng said indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s like a game of chess between two players, with all the pieces clearly laid out on the board. Now that our army is at the gates of the city, the Demon Sect must come, even if it¡¯s an open plot, because if they don¡¯t, they¡¯re certain to lose a great many pieces.¡± ¡°And if they continue to endure in silence, the only opportunity awaiting them is to be slowly dragged to their doom.¡± Lacking the merchant caravans to sustain itself, the Demon Sect has already been severely weakened. If they were to lose the mineral resources and jade trade of the Russell Clan, they would truly face a disastrous extinction. After wielding power and dominance for so many years, how could the Demon Sect possibly accept such a bleak situation? Thus, the Sect Hierarch Zhao will definitely send masters to resolve the crisis of the Russell Clan. It¡¯s highly likely that it will be Duanmu Xinghua and the masters of the Heavenly Sect. Once we get rid of this Heavenly Sect and take control of the Russell Clan, the Demon Sect will be reduced to a toothless beast, left at the mercy of others. Unless Jiang Shang returns or that one master from before comes out of seclusion. However, both possibilities are extremely unlikely, and even if they were to happen, the colossal Demon Sect would no longer pose a threat to Houjin. Zeng Zhen pondered for a long while before asking cautiously, ¡°Lord Qiu, do you think the Demon Sect might turn our strategy against us?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Qiu Fengsheng smiled and said, ¡°Since ancient times, in a contest of strategy, one must utilize every available resource. We intend to trap and kill them, and naturally, they also wish to blunt our prestige.¡± Zeng Zhen showed a trace of hesitation and asked, ¡°Then, Lord Qiu, do you still intend to go personally?¡± If the Demon Sect is prepared and Qiu Fengsheng insists on going personally, even as a Three Qi Grandmaster, he might not emerge unscathed. ¡°A lion still uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit, and when dealing with the Demon Sect, of course I must make a move.¡± Qiu Fengsheng narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°That¡¯s why I instructed you to send messages to the leaders of the Flying Horse Banner, Tianying Banner, and the Great Snow Mountain. As soon as the Demon Sect makes any significant move, we can take swift action to cut the ground from under their feet and take their main hall. If not, I will deal with the Heavenly Sect and Duanmu Xinghua myself.¡± ¡°What the Ghost Swordsman failed to do, I will do; whom the Ghost Swordsman failed to kill, I will kill.¡± In Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s calm words, there was a trace of chilling murderous intent. Upon hearing this, Zeng Zhen couldn¡¯t help but draw a cold breath. Qiu Fengsheng appeared to be aiming to round up the high-ranking members of the Demon Sect¡¯s Heavenly Sect, but in secret, he also planned to breach the Demon Sect itself. If the Demon Sect really tried to counter the encirclement against Qiu Fengsheng, they might not only fail to encircle him but also have to hand over their main hall. It had to be said, his grand scheme was so alarming that even Zeng Zhen was taken aback. Taking a deep breath, Zeng Zhen cautiously inquired, ¡°Lord Qiu, what are the odds of success for this scheme?¡± ¡°Eighty percent.¡± Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s gaze was sharp as he said in a deep voice, ¡°The most frightening thing for both sides in a game of chess is the hidden piece. Once that hidden piece is successfully positioned, our chances of victory become absolute.¡± Zeng Zhen murmured, ¡°Hidden pieces¡­¡± Qiu Fengsheng straightened his sleeves and said earnestly to Zeng Zhen, ¡°What delivers the fatal blow to the enemy is never what is seen, but what is unseen.¡± ¡­¡­. Dongluo Pass. Mu Xiaoyun, exhausted, stepped out from Fengyun Hall. The Vermilion Bird Seat controlled the entire economic lifeline of the Demon Sect¨Cits finances, expenditures, and more. It could be said to hold the heart of the Demon Sect¡¯s economy. The previous head of the Vermilion Bird Seat was Yu Qiurong, a confidant of Zhao Qingmei. After Mu Xiaoyun joined the Demon Sect, she was able to become the head of the Vermilion Bird Seat largely because the Demon Sect was short on personnel. Even though she had become the head of the Vermilion Bird Seat, some of the more important operations were still in the hands of Yu Qiurong and had not been directly handed over to her. However, Mu Xiaoyun was quite understanding of this; after all, she had joined the Demon Sect not so long ago, and she lacked any significant achievements. If Zhao Qingmei were to entrust the lifeblood of the Demon Sect into her hands, that would indeed be an extraordinarily strange event. In recent days, due to the blockade by Houjin and frequent attacks by horse thieves, the traffic of merchant caravans through Dongluo Pass had become quite scarce. This made Mu Xiaoyun, as the head of the Vermilion Bird Seat, even busier with the responsibility of making up for these losses. Her footsteps were neither fast nor slow, walking through the quiet alley, heading towards the residence she lived in. ¡°Madam Liu, please stop.¡± Suddenly, a voice floated towards her. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s pupils suddenly shrunk, as it had been a long time since anyone had addressed her in that way. Following the sound, she saw a middle-aged man appear under the moonlight. The man had an ordinary appearance and would be unremarkable in a crowd. ¡°Who are you?¡± Mu Xiaoyun frowned, not recognizing the man in front of her. ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside,¡± the man glanced around and walked deeper into the alley. Mu Xiaoyun looked at the man¡¯s retreating figure and hesitated for a moment before following him. In the depths of the alley, silence and solitude prevailed. Mu Xiaoyun spoke in a low voice, ¡°Who on earth are you?¡± ¡°I am Ma Xing, a secret agent from Soul Seeker Mansion.¡± The middle-aged man directly pulled out a token. Under the moonlight, one could clearly see a ¡®Suo ¡® character emerging on the token. Soul Seeker Mansion!? ¡°You really have some nerve,¡± Mu Xiaoyun exclaimed, a chill suddenly rising in her heart, followed by a scoff, ¡°Now that Soul Seeker Mansion and my Demon Sect are at odds, you still dare to come to Dongluo Pass?¡± Without showing any signs of panic, Ma Xing merely smiled, ¡°Madam Liu, let¡¯s not beat around the bush. You haven¡¯t been with the Demon Sect for even a year, and although you are the head of the Vermilion Bird Seat, your power is far less than your predecessor Yu Qiurong. You are not truly a core figure in the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°Your reason for joining the Demon Sect was simply hoping that one day it would strike back at Great Yan, allowing you to take over the Cao Gang.¡± ¡°Now that the Ghost Swordsman has attacked the Demon Sect, Yuan Feng¡¯s betrayal at the Sealing Demon Platform has greatly weakened it, coupled with Li Fuzhou being trapped and Jiang Renyi missing, the Demon Sect is fading. It seems your wish is about to be thoroughly dashed, isn¡¯t it?¡± Mu Xiaoyun glanced at Ma Xing but said nothing. She had joined the Demon Sect from afar just to rescue her true husband, Liu Qingshan. Now, sunk deep into a quagmire, the Demon Sect could hardly be expected to strike back at Great Yan, let alone withstand the pressure from Houjin. Seeing Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s silence, the corner of Ma Xing¡¯s mouth revealed a hint of cold laughter, ¡°Our Houjin forces are strong, and Soul Seeker Mansion has a profusion of experts, powerful as clouds and as frequent as rain. Once the Demon Sect is dealt with, our great army can directly march on Great Yan. Then even the Great Yan Royal Family will become easy prey under our horses. Madam Liu, wouldn¡¯t it be child¡¯s play for you to take over the Cao Gang then?¡± Mu Xiaoyun asked, ¡°You mean for me to defect to Soul Seeker Mansion?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Ma Xing said straightforwardly, ¡°I think this would be a clear and bright path for Madam Liu.¡± Once again, Mu Xiaoyun lapsed into silence. Ma Xing knit his brows and continued, ¡°Do you really want to go down together with the Demon Sect? Don¡¯t forget that the Sect Hierarch has never treated you as a true confidant. Are you actually willing to die for the Demon Sect?¡± Mu Xiaoyun asked in a stern voice, ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± Ma Xing replied, ¡°To join Soul Seeker Mansion, one must first present proof of loyalty.¡± ¡°What proof of loyalty?¡± ¡°By saying this, have you really agreed?¡± ¡°I still need to think it over.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Then I¡¯ll give you one day to consider. Let¡¯s meet again tomorrow night.¡± Without another word, Ma Xing¡¯s figure leapt up and vanished from the alley. Mu Xiaoyun looked at Ma Xing¡¯s retreating figure, her eyebrows twisted into a knot. ¡­¡­ PS: Updated, please vote. Chapter 220 - Chapter 220: Chapter 220 Crisis in Extreme Flame Land Chapter 220: Chapter 220 Crisis in Extreme Flame Land After mid-July, the scorching sun was like a furnace, as if the entire land had transformed into a molten forge. In the newly fragrant wine district, the alleyways of Dongluo Pass might no longer buzz with the bustle of the old days, but the playhouse was still abuzz with voices and activity, teeming with excitement. Arched gateways, pavilions, cloisters, reflective walls, and the stage itself were all ornately carved, their majestic presence captivating and full of whimsy. At the very center of the main archway, there was a beautifully elegant square table, on which were arranged rare fruits, pastries, and seeds along with tea. Zhao Qingmei, dressed in a snow-white robe, sat at the center, holding a handful of seeds, her beautiful eyes fixed on the stage below. Beside her were Duanmu Xinghua, Yu Qiurong, Mu Xiaoyun, Tan Yun, and others. ¡°In the courtyard of the Xie family, the remnants of night stand tall, swallow nests on the carved rafters. The moon sails across the silver wall, distinguishing not the mass of flowers ¨C how to discern the scent?¡± ¡°This emotion has turned into a memory, the mandarin ducks shattered. The rain stops, and a slight coolness lingers, like a dream from eleven years ago.¡± As the music resounded, a young woman stepped onto the stage with small, graceful steps. The opera singer¡¯s voice alternated between passionate, melodious, resounding, and deep tones, the fluctuating melody swiftly captivating the audience. Duanmu Xinghua gently tapped her fingers on the wooden table, softly harmonizing, her mind involuntarily filled with memories of past splendor. Back then, the Demon Sect was at its zenith, commanding awe worldwide, with its three sects, four seats, and five poisons. Back then, the most formidable swordsmen were not Lin Yiyang or Lou Xiangzhen, but rather the Sword God and Sword Demon. At that time, the newly enthroned emperor of Great Yan was just beginning to flex his imperial muscle, and Houjin was still in chaotic warfare, far from its present unification. Scenes from those bygone days flashed before her eyes, causing even a master like Duanmu Xinghua to sigh deeply within her heart. The grand dynamics of the world were as unpredictable as clouds in the sky, with one wave of masters followed by another. And what power does one individual have against this overwhelming tide? wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.co ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, is it really that pleasing to hear?¡± After the song ended, Tan Yun, sitting beside Duanmu Xinghua, asked softly. For her, these arcane plays were almost like spoken stories: well-sung yet unable to truly captivate. Feeling quite bored, she had already polished off two plates of pastries. Duanmu Xinghua chuckled lightly, ¡°Life is merely like this opera; as soon as one finishes singing, another takes the stage.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes shimmered as she continued cracking seeds in her hand. Tan Yun chuckled, saying, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu¡¯s words are too mysterious, just like my master¡¯s reading habits. No wonder he too likes listening to operas.¡± Yu Qiurong glanced at Tan Yun with annoyance, thinking, Can the kind of opera your master Li Fuzhou listens to even compare to this one? Mu Xiaoyun also started laughing. Although she had never met this member of the Demon Sect, she often heard tales of his romantic exploits. Now, hearing it from his own disciple made it all the more amusing. Upon hearing this, Duanmu Xinghua scolded with a smile, ¡°You girl, are you making fun of your master like that?¡± Tan Yun replied earnestly, ¡°I¡¯m not. I¡¯m only telling the truth.¡± Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°It is indeed the truth, but it should not be mentioned again.¡± Hearing Zhao Qingmei, Tan Yun quickly shrank her neck and dared not speak further. Within the Demon Sect, those she feared the most were Li Fuzhou and Zhao Qingmei; Li Fuzhou for his strictness and Zhao Qingmei due to a deep-seated fear. Now that the Sect Hierarch had spoken, she dare not utter another word. Duanmu Xinghua, however, patted Tan Yun¡¯s head, quite fond of Li Fuzhou¡¯s disciple and even more so than of Zhao Qingmei. A person who talks a lot shows they carry little worries, living happily and simply; one who talks little shows greater burdens, living restrained and clear-minded. ¡°Here,¡± At that moment, Yu Qiurong passed the pastries in front of her to Tan Yun. Tan Yun¡¯s eyes lit up as she took the pastries, ¡°Thanks, Qiurong sister.¡± Yu Qiurong smiled, ¡°I hope these pastries will keep your mouth busy.¡± ¡°Certainly, certainly,¡± Tan Yun, holding the plate, quickly found a corner to herself. Seeing this, everyone present giggled even more. ¡°Hierarch!¡± Just then, Shui Zhongyue hurriedly walked in from outside the playhouse and whispered, ¡°The intelligence has come back.¡± Zhao Qingmei spoke succinctly, ¡°Speak.¡± Shui Zhongyue said gravely, ¡°Indeed, a disturbance has occurred within the Russell Clan, and just a half-moon ago, Sun Xiu of Soul Seeker Mansion suddenly went into seclusion, with still no word up till now.¡± Sun Xiu, a top expert from Soul Seeker Mansion, originated from Yan Country as a Heavenly Flower Realm expert. He established the Heavenly Cloud Sect and was renowned. However, due to lax supervision, his disciples caused much chaos in Jianghu, eventually stirring the soil on Taishui¡¯s head and provoking the Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai. Zhao Mengtai was not one to hold his breath ¡ª a man who would surely avenge any and all slights. He would not easily let matters rest. In this way, within a mere few months, Heavenly Cloud Sect was leveled to the ground, completely vanishing from the Great Yan Martial World. Meanwhile, Sun Xiu had escaped from Yan Country and sought refuge in the Soul Seeker Mansion in Houjin. With Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s aid, his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, and he even reached the Grandmaster Realm. Previously, Qiu Fengsheng had studied under the Black Ice Platform, famous for its elixirs, which could overdraw potential to enhance strength. The most famous of these was the Blood-Loathing Pill, but that was just one of the myriad lesser-known elixirs. Qiu Fengsheng, naturally, was quite familiar with these elixirs, and originally, the Xuanyi Guard had planned to have Qiu Fengsheng concoct a batch of these elixirs, though it was unknown why they later abandoned this plan. Some say that Qiu Fengsheng was unwilling to divulge his alchemy methods; others say the Royal Family was reluctant to use elixirs to control the Xuanyi Guard. In any case, rumors abounded, with numerous conflicting accounts, but very few knew the actual truth. However, Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s joining the Soul Seeker Mansion was indeed a contribution, directly boosting the mansion¡¯s capabilities significantly. It could be said that Soul Seeker Mansion owes its current grand scale to Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s indelible contributions. ¡°In seclusion?¡± Zhao Qingmei scoffed, ¡°Does he even need to be in seclusion?¡± The whole world was aware of how Sun Xiu had broken through to the Grandmaster level, by overextending all his potential. Not only would he be ¡®enslaved¡¯ henceforth, but it would also be very difficult for him to reach the Second Qi Grandmaster¡¯s Realm in this lifetime. He really needn¡¯t bother with further cultivation. Duanmu Xinghua spoke softly, ¡°Sect Master, it appears that the Russell Clan is behind this mischief.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded, ¡°Since the matter has been investigated thoroughly, then tomorrow, Sect Master Duanmu may set out for the Russell Clan, but remember to be cautious.¡± Duanmu Xinghua clenched her fists, a trace of cold light flashing in her eyes as she spoke, ¡°Do not worry, Sect Master, I am not yet infirm.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled, ¡°When the time comes, have Qiurong and my husband go together. It will be a good opportunity for Qiurong to go to the Extreme Flame Land and rid her body of the Ice Soul Poison.¡± Duanmu Xinghua furrowed her brows slightly, ¡°This¡­¡± This trip to the Russell Clan was fraught with immense danger; they might have to face two One Qi Grandmaster masters, and Duanmu Xinghua might not be able to spare the effort to protect this young doctor. The most crucial aspect was that there could be other complications, and any harm befalling this young doctor would be unfortunate. Zhao Qingmei smiled, ¡°Just be reassured, Sect Master Duanmu.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± she responded. Hearing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words, Duanmu Xinghua felt a shiver in her heart. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words clearly carried a deeper meaning¨Ccould it be that she¡­ ¡°My husband¡¯s side cannot be without someone to take care of him.¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced around nonchalantly before falling into thought. Upon hearing this, Tan Yun momentarily paused in her actions, her wide eyes turning towards Zhao Qingmei. Could it be that the Sect Master plans for me to become a maid for her husband? Zhao Qingmei glanced at Yu Qiurong and said, ¡°Qiurong, once your injuries heal, you should stay by my husband¡¯s side.¡± ¡°Sect Master, if I am not by your side, then who will take care of you?¡± Yu Qiurong hurriedly said. She had always been Zhao Qingmei¡¯s personal maid, and the thought of caring for a man¨Ceven though that man was the Sect Master¡¯s husband¨Cmade her somewhat reluctant. Tan Yun also blinked and couldn¡¯t help but mutter softly, ¡°Sister Qiurong doesn¡¯t know how to take care of men¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at Tan Yun, who sat in a corner, and softly chuckled, ¡°I think Tan Yun isn¡¯t too busy; she might as well stay with me.¡± ¡°Me!?¡± Tan Yun was momentarily stunned, forgetting to chew her pastry, her expression somewhat bewildered. She did not understand why Zhao Qingmei had suddenly taken such an interest in her. She recalled the first time she had ventured to Great Yan; Zhao Qingmei hadn¡¯t wanted her by her side, fearing that she might slip up. If given a choice, she would rather stay beside An Jing, but unfortunately, she had no such option. Zhao Qingmei declared, ¡°This matter is thus settled.¡± Mu Xiaoyun and Duanmu Xinghua exchanged glances, both women naturally understanding that the Sect Master assigning Yu Qiurong to the young doctor¡¯s side likely had deeper implications. Yu Qiurong sat down, thought it over carefully, and seemed to grasp Zhao Qingmei¡¯s intentions. About half a cup of tea later, Zhao Qingmei lightly laughed, ¡°Head Mu, I remember you mentioned this morning that you had matters to attend to¨Cgo handle them now, don¡¯t delay.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± responded Mu Xiaoyun. Mu Xiaoyun rose to her feet, clasped her fists, and exited the theater. Duanmu Xinghua watched Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s retreating figure and said, ¡°This Mu Xiaoyun indeed has some talent, the only pity being that she entered the sect recently and has yet to establish any significant achievements.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s smile deepened, ¡°Whether or not she can accomplish the task depends on herself.¡± ¡­¡­ At Dongluo Pass, within the separate courtyard. An Jing was sitting cross-legged on the bed, with the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± circulating within him. Once one reached the Grandmaster Realm, one could refine the spiritual energy from nature and absorb it directly, though the speed of refining nature¡¯s spiritual energy was extremely slow. Typically, for a Grandmaster practicing the heart method, it might take half a year or even a year to refine a strand of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. However, the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± allowed one to directly absorb the spiritual energy from the air, which was several times faster than the usual self-refinement by Grandmasters. Furthermore, due to the transformation of An Jing¡¯s Root Bone, the efficiency of absorbing the spiritual energy was extremely high. Even so, it could not compare to the speed of his first dual cultivation with Zhao Qingmei. Directly advancing from First Grade to the Human Flower Realm, that was the true definition of rapid progress. ¡°Huh¡­¡± An hour later, he slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a murky breath. ¡°After reaching the Grandmaster Realm, the improvement has indeed slowed down a lot. If I continue at this pace, it might take several more years to reach the Second Qi,¡± he said. Even with the cultivation of the extraordinary martial arts heart method like the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± he still felt his progress in cultivation was very slow. At that moment, footsteps were heard outside the courtyard. Soon, the voice of the Poison King Liu Simiao came from outside the door. ¡°Brother An, are you there?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± An Jing collected all his aura and slowly stepped out the door. Outside were indeed Liu Simiao and Lin Tianhai, the head of the Azure Dragon Sect. An Jing smiled and said, ¡°So it¡¯s Senior Liu and Senior Lin. May I know what brings you both here so unexpectedly?¡± Poison King Liu Simiao usually stayed in his Poison Cave within the Demon Sect concocting poisons and rarely showed himself, while Lin Tianhai was also a very busy man, whose duty within the Azure Dragon Sect was specifically to ensure the safety of the Sect Hierarch. Their visit today surely meant there was some matter at hand. ¡°This time, it¡¯s mainly me who has come to seek Doctor An,¡± Lin Tianhai said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Doctor An is skilled in medicine, but less so in martial arts. Considering this, why not learn some poison techniques and martial arts from the Poison King, so you also have sufficient ability to protect yourself?¡± The Poison King was highly skilled in poison techniques, and his cultivation was naturally not weak. With First Grade Cultivation paired with his mastery in poison techniques, even a typical expert of the Earth Flower Realm would not dare to underestimate him. In the Great Yan Martial World, inheriting the skills of the Poison King would also be considered a great story. Liu Simiao stroked his beard and nodded, ¡°As long as Brother An is willing to learn, I am willing to teach everything I know.¡± An Jing pondered for a while and then said, ¡°Actually, compared to poison techniques, I would prefer to learn swordsmanship.¡± Swordsmanship!? Lin Tianhai and Liu Simiao exchanged glances, then both frowned. ¡°Brother An, you might not realize,¡± Liu Simiao hesitated for a moment, then said, ¡°Swordsmanship is primarily about killing and requires a lot of actual combat to learn. It also consumes a great deal of attention, time, and moreover¡­¡± He paused, leaving his sentence unfinished. Lin Tianhai, however, was straightforward, ¡°Learning swordsmanship requires great innate talent. Some people train for years and only barely reach the first entry level. Yi Daoyun, head of the White Tiger Sect, is a swordsmanship genius. After cultivating for over forty years, he has only just earned the reputation of a Sword Immortal. If you want to make achievements in this area, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s a bit late now.¡± ¡°With your proficiency in medicine and learning poison techniques rapidly, and with Brother Liu¡¯s guidance, it¡¯s not impossible for you to surpass Brother Liu in the future.¡± Liu Simiao nodded; An Jing¡¯s medical skill was so high, his talent in poison techniques surely wouldn¡¯t be lacking. After all, the arts of medicine and poison were closely related. Starting to learn swordsmanship at his age, wouldn¡¯t it be a misguided adventure? An Jing glanced at them both and seriously said, ¡°I still want to practice the sword and become a swordsman.¡± Lin Tianhai squinted his eyes and snorted, ¡°What good is practicing swordsmanship? If you really want to learn a weapon, I can teach you the spear technique.¡± Whenever ¡®swordsman¡¯ was mentioned, Lin Tianhai always thought of that legendary Ghost Swordsman that made him sigh unceasingly. An Jing, curious, asked, ¡°Why does Head Lin hold such a grudge against swordsmen?¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Liu Simiao burst into laughter upon hearing this, ¡°Brother An, you don¡¯t know; this matter goes back to that Ghost Swordsman who has long passed to the other side.¡± ¡°Brother Liu.¡± Lin Tianhai spoke in a deep voice. ¡°What is there to fear, Brother An is not an outsider.¡± Liu Simiao waved his hand and said, ¡°Originally, when Sect Leader Lin was on a mission in Great Yan, he was captured by the Ghost Swordsman, who threatened Sect Leader Lin saying he would castrate¡­¡± ¡°Shh!¡± Before Liu Simiao could finish, Lin Tianhai¡¯s face had already turned dark, ¡°Brother Liu!¡± ¡°I won¡¯t speak of it, I won¡¯t speak of it.¡± Seeing this, Liu Simiao gave a forced laugh and said no more. ¡°Senior Liu, I¡¯ve been looking for you for a while, and when I heard you came here, I hurried over.¡± Just then, a seductive, light laugh came from outside the door. Following the voice, there was a stunningly beautiful woman standing there, it was Mu Xiaoyun, who had just returned from the theater garden. Liu Simiao glanced at the enchanting Mu Xiaoyun and said indifferently, ¡°I am preparing to impart all my knowledge of poison techniques and martial arts to Brother An.¡± Mu Xiaoyun looked at An Jing and smiled, ¡°I heard from the Sect Hierarch that Doctor An plans to go to the Russell Clan with Sect Master Duanmu.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Liu Simiao furrowed his brows upon hearing this and said, ¡°Is it because of Yu Qiurong¡¯s Ice Soul Poison?¡± Mu Xiaoyun replied, ¡°That should be the case.¡± Liu Simiao nodded, ¡°Well then, we can only wait for your return, Brother An, to discuss this matter.¡± Lin Tianhai also said, ¡°Then you should think it over carefully and decide what to do.¡± In his view, studying poison arts and martial arts with the Poison King was naturally the best choice, studying swordsmanship was just a waste of time. An Jing waved his hand, ¡°I will think it over carefully.¡± Afterward, the three of them headed towards the courtyard exit. Liu Simiao asked, ¡°What do you need me for?¡± Mu Xiaoyun chuckled lightly and said, ¡°I was wondering if Senior Liu still has any Hundred Bone Withering?¡± Liu Simiao raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°What do you need the Hundred Bone Withering for?¡± This Hundred Bone Withering was a torturous poison. Swallowing it wouldn¡¯t cause death, but it was like thousands of steel needles simultaneously piercing the body¨Carms, chest, thighs¡­ even the eyeballs. Even the toughest individuals would break under the influence of Hundred Bone Withering, which the Demon Sect specifically used for interrogations. Most of those who took this poison either confessed everything or chose to sever their own meridians and die. Mu Xiaoyun took a deep breath and said earnestly, ¡°It is necessary. I ask Senior Liu to lend it to me.¡± Liu Simiao looked deeply at Mu Xiaoyun, then took out two porcelain bottles from inside his sleeve, ¡°The red one is Hundred Herbicide, and the white one is the antidote.¡± ¡°Thank you, Senior.¡± Mu Xiaoyun took the bottles, a glint of sharpness flashing in her eyes. ¡­¡­ The night deepened. The moon hung thinly in the sky, where the remnants of darkness and the nascent light mixed to form swathes of pale gray. Zhao Qingmei was sitting upright in meditation on the bed, opposite her sat An Jing, and the two were engaged in their last conspiracy. ¡°The matter with the Russell Clan must be true.¡± ¡°Good, then tomorrow I will go with Sect Master Duanmu and the experts from the Heavenly Sect.¡± ¡°I feel there¡¯s something odd there. If I go, do you think the Houjin army might suddenly attack Dongluo Pass?¡± Zhao Qingmei voiced her concerns apprehensively. In front of others, she had to display a calm demeanor, as if everything was under her control, but with An Jing, she could be herself. An Jing nodded, ¡°It¡¯s very likely, but aren¡¯t you at Dongluo Pass? There¡¯s also Elder Ouyang.¡± Since Houjin had already shown its hand, they would not hold back, and the matter with the Russell Clan obviously seemed premeditated and cautious. ¡°If Houjin dispatches a large army¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei clenched her fist slightly, ¡°Then I will quickly resolve the crisis at Dongluo Pass and then rush to the Russell Clan as fast as possible.¡± An Jing nodded, saying, ¡°Alright, then I¡¯ll keep the Black Flood Dragon with me.¡± Zhao Qingmei quickly responded, ¡°No, you must keep it close at hand. Qiu Fengsheng, that old man, is very likely to be inside the Russell Clan as well.¡± After all, Qiu Fengsheng was a Second Qi Grandmaster. If the Black Flood Dragon was by her side, she would feel somewhat more at ease. An Jing pondered for a long time and did not speak again. In fact, he saw Dongluo Pass as equally dangerous. In recent days when he had attacked the Demon Sect, the sect had already played all the cards it could, especially with Yuan Feng¡¯s betrayal and Jiang Shang¡¯s disappearance. The mysterious Great Elder was still in seclusion, and Soul Seeker Mansion must have already investigated all these events. Upon closer inspection, the layout of Soul Seeker Mansion was indeed very ingenious. The Demon Sect would not give up on the Russell Clan. With that being the case, Soul Seeker Mansion would be able to strike against the experts coming to support from the Demon Sect. However, if the Demon Sect dispatched a large number of experts, Dongluo Pass would become vulnerable, offering an opportunity for Houjin to strike. If they could not hold on this time, the Demon Sect would definitely suffer a significant loss of Primordial Energy, let alone confronting the heroes of the world; it would be very difficult even to survive. Zhao Qingmei went on chattering, ¡°Furthermore, the Russell Clan¡¯s Great Elder, Chuck, is a Grandmaster with One Qi Cultivation. The reason he and the clan leader of the Russell Clan became Grandmasters is firstly due to the secret grounds of the Russell Clan and secondly because all the resources of the clan were concentrated on these two. Although their cultivation is at the Grandmaster level, their actual strength is not high. As for the missing expert of the Soul Seeker Mansion, Sun Xiu, he is a body-refining Grandmaster whose strength surpasses these two. But for you, they are like just a few kittens¡­¡± She wished she could crush them all and tell everything to An Jing, even though she had already repeated these tiresome words twice. An Jing took off his cloak and smiled, ¡°I know, the only thing we need to worry about is Qiu Fengsheng from the Soul Seeker Mansion.¡± ¡°Husband,¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s gaze was intense as she clenched her fist, ¡°Wait for me, and together we¡¯ll kill Qiu Fengsheng.¡± With the Black Flood Dragon, Duanmu Xinghua, and themselves, there was a great chance for the couple to slay a Second Qi Grandmaster expert. ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly as his fist gently bumped Zhao Qingmei¡¯s. ¡­¡­ On the other side of the desert, the Russell Clan. Inside a mud house, the candlelight flickered. A tall and burly old man with a fierce look in his eyes was sitting on a chair. In front of him was a freshly roasted calf. The elder held a sharp dagger and skillfully sliced, with chunks of fragrant meat falling into his palm. This man was none other than Chuck, the Great Elder of the Russell Clan. ¡°Great Elder, Lord Qiu has arrived.¡± Just then, a voice came from outside the mud house. ¡°Good, I¡¯m coming.¡± A gleam of sharp light flashed in Chuck¡¯s eyes, and he quickly walked out of the mud house. Two people were standing outside. One of them Chuck recognized as Soul Seeker Mansion¡¯s expert, Sun Xiu; the other, naturally, was Mansion Master Qiu Fengsheng from the Soul Seeker Mansion. ¡°Lord Qiu.¡± Chuck gave a saluting gesture, speaking with slight respect. Second Qi Grandmaster, even when Jiang Shang came to the Russell Clan, he was only at this level. At all times, the biggest fist was the ultimate reason, unless your fist wasn¡¯t big enough. ¡°There¡¯s no need for formalities.¡± Qiu Fengsheng gave a faint smile, ¡°It seems that Great Elder Chuck is enjoying a delicious meal.¡± ¡°Look at me!¡± Chuck slapped his head, ¡°Please come in, Lord Qiu. This calf was just freshly roasted; it¡¯s extremely delicious.¡± Then, the group walked back into the mud house. Inside, the mud house was lavishly decorated. Not only was exquisite tea ware placed on the table, but there was also a screen behind it and even a jade ruyi on a cabinet. The setting was antique, resembling the guest hall of a sophisticated gentleman. Chuck said, ¡°Please have a seat.¡± Qiu Fengsheng and Sun Xiu both took their seats. Sun Xiu practiced the Horizontal Thirteen Refinements, a form of Martial Arts that belonged to the body-refining path. Although he hadn¡¯t been able to refine a Golden Bone even after advancing to Grandmaster, the Horizontal Thirteen Refinements made his physical body sturdier than those Grandmasters who had refined a Golden Bone. Thus, just sitting there, he exuded a sense of stability, as solid as a mountain. Qiu Fengsheng had another kind of charm, every gesture of his bathed people in a spring breeze, calming their hearts and minds. ¡°With Lord Qiu¡¯s arrival, the anxiety weighing on my heart has completely dissipated,¡± Chuck laughed heartily. If the Soul Seeker Mansion of Houjin hadn¡¯t initiated contact with him, even if granted another bout of courage, he would never dare to make such a move, given the formidable reputation of the Demon Sect among the Russell Clan. As he spoke, he personally poured a cup of tea for both Qiu Fengsheng and Sun Xiu. Qiu Fengsheng didn¡¯t touch the teacup, instead saying, ¡°According to the intelligence, people from the Demon Sect will depart tomorrow and will be able to cross the desert to arrive here the day after tomorrow. The ones coming should be Duanmu Xinghua and experts from the Heavenly Sect.¡± ¡°Duanmu Xinghua?¡± Hearing this, Chuck burst out laughing, ¡°With Lord Qiu here, even if the Hierarch of the Demon Sect arrives, it would be hard for him to escape death.¡± Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, ¡°Even when a lion fights a rabbit, it uses all its might.¡± In the back of his mind, Qiu Fengsheng felt that Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s visit this time was not simple. It was very likely that Ouyang Ping might be hiding among the experts from the Heavenly Sect, but naturally, he would not share this thought with Chuck. After all, the more experts that came, the better for him. ¡°What Lord Qiu says is very true,¡± Chuck nodded, adding subtly, ¡°As long as we eliminate the Heavenly Sect, the Demon Sect will lose its fangs, and then my Russell Clan can cooperate peacefully with Houjin, but just¡­¡± Qiu Fengsheng calmly stated, ¡°Rest assured, the benefits promised to you will definitely not change.¡± A flicker of joy passed through Chuck¡¯s eyes, ¡°I, Chuck, am willing to go through fire and water for Lord Qiu, and will not refuse any request.¡± Watching this, Sun Xiu¡¯s mouth curled into a cold smile. Once the Demon Sect is eliminated, what use will they have for keeping you Russell Clan? ¡­¡­. The next day, under a blazing sun and amidst swirling sands, dozens of robust camels appeared outside Dongluo Pass. An Jing, Yu Qiurong, Duanmu Xinghua, and other experts from the Heavenly Sect prepared to go to the Russell Clan, while Zhao Qingmei and other high-ranking members of the Demon Sect came to see them off. Cha Rong of the Russell Clan sat quietly atop a camel in the distance, waiting. Duanmu Xinghua, leading a camel, bowed to Zhao Qingmei and said, ¡°Hierarch, rest assured, with me here, Doctor An will surely be protected.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly and glanced at An Jing. Despite discussing thoroughly the night before and making meticulous arrangements, she couldn¡¯t help feeling somewhat uneasy. An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, with Sect Master Duanmu here, there will be no problems.¡± Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and said, ¡°It¡¯s getting late, you should set off now. The desert sands are fierce; remember to be cautious of sandstorms.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing and the others mounted their camels and followed Cha Rong towards the Russell Clan. Tan Yun looked towards the direction of the desert and couldn¡¯t help feeling worried, ¡°I really don¡¯t know why my son-in-law insists on joining this fray. Wouldn¡¯t it have been better to send the Poison King?¡± She also vaguely felt that heading to the Russell Clan was extremely dangerous. Only after the camels had completely disappeared from view did Zhao Qingmei say, ¡°Let¡¯s go back.¡± As they spoke, members of the Demon Sect walked towards the interior of Dongluo Pass. The swirling sands swept through, engulfing everything in their path. The camels moved swiftly across the desert and were also effective in avoiding sandstorms. Encountering a sandstorm would be a significant challenge even for Jianghu experts, and as they were potentially going to encounter experts from the Soul Seeker Mansion at the Russell Clan, they naturally needed ample strength and energy. Dongluo Pass was already at the edge of the desert. Crossing the nearly two thousand miles of Dongluo Desert would lead them to the Russell Clan. Cha Rong, familiar with this route, had traveled more than twelve hundred miles by evening. The hot weather suddenly dropped, and the temperature also became cold. Cha Rong pointed to an open campsite ahead and said, ¡°Let¡¯s rest up ahead.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Duanmu Xinghua looked at the seated camels, which already appeared very tired, as there was still eight hundred miles left to travel the next day. After the group of dozens reached the campsite, they dismounted and rested. An Jing, Cha Rong, Duanmu Xinghua, and Yu Qiurong were seated around a fire, while the other experts from the Heavenly Sect sat around another fire. An Jing glanced at Cha Rong and politely said, ¡°Elder Cha Rong, once we reach the Russell Clan, may we have the privilege of using your clan¡¯s secret place once?¡± ¡°Extreme Flame Land?¡± Cha Rong frowned slightly, ¡°That is a secret territory of our clan, usually not accessible to anyone outside the Russell Clan. What do you need with the secret territory?¡± An Jing pointed to Yu Qiurong and said, ¡°Miss Yu has the Xuanyin Poison in her body and requires the yang energy from the Extreme Flame Land to neutralize it.¡± Cha Rong looked at Yu Qiurong with a slight quirk in his expression. ¡°Xuanyin Poison? The Extreme Flame Land can indeed remove the Xuanyin Poison, but I know of an optimal method.¡± Duanmu Xinghua asked, ¡°What is the optimal method?¡± Cha Rong¡¯s lips curved up slightly, ¡°Like us men who enter the Extreme Flame Land, our bodies contain a vast amount of Primordial Yang. Just engaging in the acts of the bedroom will suffice¡­..¡± At that moment, Cha Rong suddenly felt a cold glare stabbing at him like a dagger into his heart, the owner of those eyes being none other than Yu Qiurong. An Jing glanced at Cha Rong but said nothing. The harmony of yin and yang, indeed this man¡¯s Primordial Yang energy would be an optimal choice, but for clear-sighted people, it¡¯s apparent that Yu Qiurong is a virtuous maiden, and such direct propositions are inconvenient to pronounce. ¡°When we reach the Russell Clan, Qiurong, you first use that secret territory,¡± Duanmu Xinghua said authoritatively. An Jing showed a friendly face to Cha Rong, Duanmu Xinghua, however, would not. The Russell Clan is after all but a small clan that survives by attaching itself to the Demon Sect, and the so-called secret territory naturally belongs to the Demon Sect. Do the people of the Demon Sect need permission to use their own secret territory? Cha Rong forced a couple of embarrassed chuckles, his face filled with awkwardness. Before him stood an elder woman who is the Sect Master of Heavenly Sect, possessing overwhelming authority within the Demon Sect. Even the clan leader would probably not dare utter a word against her. An Jing shook his head, Cha Rong was the epitome of the type who bullied the weak and feared the strong. When treated kindly, he would put on airs of superiority, but to Duanmu Xinghua who treated him like a slave or a dog, he could only swallow his pride and remain silent. People like him are far too common in this world! Perhaps this is just the way the world works. As night deepened, a cold wind began to blow incessantly, sharp as blades. The many experts of the Demon Sect were sitting in meditation, resting and recuperating. An Jing opened his eyes to find Yu Qiurong standing in the desert, her gown flapping in the cold wind. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you rested yet?¡± ¡°The wind is too strong.¡± Yu Qiurong looked up at the full moon above, finding a random excuse. An Jing asked, ¡°Could it be that you are reflecting on the past?¡± Yu Qiurong, also a person from the Russell Clan, inevitably remembered her childhood upon returning to the Russell Clan. ¡°No.¡± Yu Qiurong seemed reluctant to say more and sat down cross-legged, closing her eyes. ¡°By the way, how did Qingmei join your Demon Sect?¡± An Jing was curious, always interested in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s past, but Zhao Qingmei never shared anything with him. Yu Qiurong, with her eyes closed for rejuvenation, said, ¡°She was brought into the Demon Sect by Jiang Shang at the age of nine, personally taken as a disciple in the Heavenly Demon Hall.¡± An Jing continued, ¡°Do you know about her life prior to that?¡± ¡°Not sure.¡± Yu Qiurong paused for a long moment then shook her head. An Jing did not ask any further as the night once again fell silent. The night passed without incident, and soon it was dawn. Cha Rong chuckled lightly, ¡°Let¡¯s go. We should arrive by the evening.¡± The group set off again, and after about four and a half hours, they finally reached the territory of the Russell Clan at dusk. The Russell Clan is a tribe of about one hundred thousand people, mostly living in mud houses. The sudden appearance of outsiders made the tribespeople gather around them. Cha Rong stepped forward, said something to the people of the Russell Clan, and then they dispersed. Turning around, Cha Rong looked at Duanmu Xinghua and said, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, let¡¯s go see the clan leader first.¡± Duanmu Xinghua nodded and remained silent. Yu Qiurong suddenly looked ahead and whispered, ¡°That place right there is the secret territory of the Russell Clan.¡± An Jing also looked in that direction. Not far ahead, there was red and yellow smoke rising, blurry and unclear, but the astonishing yang energy contained within could be felt. ¡°Hint Three: There is a Blue Opportunity nearby (¡®Extreme Flame Land¡¯).¡± An Jing was moved, the Earth Book had not prompted such a Blue Opportunity for a long time. The last time was True Dragon Treasure Blood. And what blue opportunities lie within this Extreme Flame Land? ¡°Follow me.¡± Leading the way, Cha Rong cleared the Russell clansmen from their path, leaving the streets eerily deserted. After passing a few rows of yellow earthen houses, the group arrived at the entrance of a uniquely styled one, ¡°The clan leader has been severely injured by a mysterious martial arts master and has not yet recovered.¡± ¡°Wait outside for me.¡± Duanmu Xinghua instructed, then entered the earthen house with An Jing and Yu Qiurong. Upon entering, they saw an old man with snowy white hair and a pale face sitting in the center, his life force faint. The old man smiled bitterly when he saw Duanmu Xinghua enter. ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, long time no see. I am unwell and unable to rise to greet you.¡± Duanmu Xinghua waved her hand and said, ¡°Clan leader, there¡¯s no need for formalities.¡± An Jing glanced at the old man, realizing that he was the clan leader of the Russell Clan. ¡°Ah.¡± The Russell Clan leader sighed, ¡°It was my carelessness that allowed me to fall into a trap set by villains, requiring Sect Master Duanmu to come personally.¡± Duanmu Xinghua asked, ¡°How strong was that person?¡± The Russell Clan leader shook his head. ¡°His cultivation was not much different from mine, definitely a body refinement expert. I was no match for him.¡± ¡°It was Sun Xiu.¡± Duanmu Xinghua said flatly, ¡°This person is a body refinement expert who managed to enter the Grandmaster realm with the help of Qiu Fengsheng.¡± Zhao Qingmei had provided her with all the intelligence before she arrived. The Russell Clan leader¡¯s eyes darkened, ¡°So, it¡¯s true that Chuck is colluding with the Soul Seeker Mansion.¡± Although he had suspected it, hearing Duanmu Xinghua confirm it still stoked his inner anger. An Jing nodded. Looking at the clan leader, he said intensely, ¡°Your injuries appear severe?¡± The clan leader looked at An Jing, raising an eyebrow in surprise, ¡°You are!?¡± Duanmu Xinghua spoke, ¡°This is a tributor from our Demon Sect.¡± ¡°So, he¡¯s a tributor from the Demon Sect.¡± The Russell Clan leader was shocked, having never heard of a tributor in the Demon Sect before, but seeing Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s manner, he replied, ¡°That person¡¯s cross-training is ironclad; we fought several dozen exchanges, and just two of his punches severely damaged my internal organs.¡± Hearing this, An Jing felt something was strange, but couldn¡¯t immediately pinpoint what it was. ¡°Where¡¯s Chuck now?¡± Duanmu Xinghua thought for a moment before asking. The Russell Clan leader gritted his teeth, ¡°I don¡¯t know his current whereabouts. All our top experts have been wiped out by him, but according to intelligence secretly sent by some clanspeople, tonight he plans to gather all the gold, jade, and herbs in the clan and then take them all to trade with Houjin.¡± ¡°Fortunately, you arrived in time, Sect Master Duanmu. If you had come a day later, he might have already left.¡± Tonight, huh!? An Jing narrowed his eyes upon hearing this. Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s mind also started to calculate rapidly, ¡°Qiurong, you go with Doctor An to the Extreme Flame Land to neutralize the Ice Soul Poison. I¡¯ll handle things here for now.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Yu Qiurong, grasping Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s intent, turned to An Jing, ¡°Let¡¯s go ahead.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment, recalling the blue opportunity in the Extreme Flame Land, and then followed Yu Qiurong out of the clay house. Watching them leave, Duanmu Xinghua said softly, ¡°Then it¡¯s settled for tonight. I want to see who this mysterious master behind Chuck really is.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only With her current status as a Second Qi Grandmaster, dealing with two First Qi Grandmasters was not very challenging. She had Yu Qiurong take An Jing away because it allowed Yu Qiurong to quickly eliminate the Ice Soul Poison and also to keep An Jing away from tonight¡¯s battle. No one knew what might happen, and if something were to happen to Doctor An, she would be in a difficult position. The Russell Clan leader¡¯s eyes flashed with a subtle sharpness, ¡°Then tonight, I must trouble Sect Master Duanmu.¡± ¡­.. Chapter 221 - Chapter 221: Chapter 221: Promotion 2 - Terrifying Air Sword Chapter 221: Chapter 221: Promotion 2 ¨C Terrifying Air Sword Dongluo Pass, inside the gloomy and damp dungeon. Because it rarely saw sunlight, it even carried a sense of eeriness. Inside the cell, Ma Xing, pale as a piece of paper, was bound by iron chains, his head slightly drooping, clearly tormented to a state of confusion in the past day or two. Outside Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cell, her brows carried a touch of indifference. Behind her stood Lin Tianhai, the head of the Azure Dragon Sect. Mu Xiaoyun took a few steps forward, his face solemn as he said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, he has confessed.¡± ¡°Speak.¡± Zhao Qingmei said. Mu Xiaoyun clasped his fists and said, ¡°This man, named Ma Xing, is a secret spy from the Soul Seeker Mansion. According to him, not only is the Flying Horse Banner approaching Dongluo Pass, but the Heavenly Martial Banner is also gathering at Sanfeng Pass, waiting for orders to attack our Demon Sect. Moreover, Ma Xing and the Soul Seeker Mansion communicate daily, which means they are already aware of our detainment of Ma Xing.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Tianhai was somewhat shocked and said, ¡°Both the Flying Horse Banner and the Heavenly Martial Banner?¡± It was known that Houjin had deployed only two banners of troops against the Northern Wilderness Dao of Great Yan. Now, facing his Demon Sect, not only was the Soul Seeker Mansion involved, but also two banners of troops, which nearly confirmed their determination to strike at the Demon Sect. Even Lin Tianhai, upon hearing about the two banners consisting of hundreds of thousands of troops, couldn¡¯t help but shudder inside. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s beautiful eyes narrowed into slits, ¡°Elder Lin, you stay at Dongluo Pass. As for this matter¡­ nevermind, Chief Yi, follow me out of the pass.¡± wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.co ¡°Sect Hierarch¡­¡± Both Lin Tianhai and Mu Xiaoyun were slightly taken aback upon hearing this. What was Zhao Qingmei doing going out of the pass? Could it be that she was heading to Sanfeng Pass, where Houjin¡¯s hundreds of thousands of troops were stationed? A murderous look flashed in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes, ¡°Qin Bin has been waiting at Sanfeng Pass for a long time now. Paired with a covert assassination by the experts from the White Tiger Sect, what does it matter if there are hundreds of thousands of troops?¡± ¡°If we do not take the initiative to strike now, by the time the two banners reach Dongluo Pass, we will find ourselves in a situation of forced defense.¡± Having said this, Zhao Qingmei walked out of the dungeon. She could not let the vast army before her stall her, because there was another more important enemy waiting for her. Lin Tianhai and Mu Xiaoyun exchanged glances, both recognizing the determination in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes. With Zhao Qingmei¡¯s orders, the entire Demon Sect began to mobilize, particularly the experts from the Azure Dragon and White Tiger Sects. The Azure Dragon Sect was responsible for defending Dongluo Pass, a task of paramount importance that allowed no errors. Meanwhile, Yi Daoyun of the White Tiger Sect followed Zhao Qingmei out of Dongluo Pass towards Sanfeng Pass. Sanfeng Pass was not far from the Demon Sect¡¯s main hall at Dongluo Pass; a day¡¯s march for troops would suffice. When Houjin blocked Dongluo Pass, the Flying Horse Banner¡¯s army was already stationed there. Zhao Qingmei had also ordered Qin Bin to keep an eye on the Flying Horse Banner, ready to strike immediately at any sign of movement and wipe out this banner. This time, not only was there the Flying Horse Banner¡¯s eighty thousand troops, but also tens of thousands from the Heavenly Martial Banner. Together, they were a force comparable to the Golden Eagle and Black Feather Banners. Their intentions were clearly evident. Now that Ma Xing was captured, the Soul Seeker Mansion must have realized something. To strike first was essential, especially before they were fully prepared. Zhao Qingmei, leading Yi Daoyun and other experts from the White Tiger Sect, soon reached the Black Armored Army¡¯s camp. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Upon seeing Zhao Qingmei, Qin Bin quickly bowed in respect. Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°Has there been any movement from the Houjin army these past two days?¡± Qin Bin replied, ¡°No, all has been quiet.¡± ¡°Quiet? Quiet is the biggest problem.¡± Zhao Qingmei felt a chill in her heart, ¡°Immediately mobilize all the troops. As soon as there is chaos in the Houjin camp, strike immediately.¡± A moment¡¯s careful thought would reveal that both the Flying Horse Banner and the Heavenly Martial Banner seemed to be waiting for orders, likely from within the Russell Clan. Once an order was issued following a realization of a large presence of Demon Sect masters, they would attack Dongluo Pass. If they did not detect any Demon Sect masters, then it would be perfect to eliminate Duanmu Xinghua and many experts from the Heavenly Sect. Zhao Qingmei intended to annihilate these two armies before that moment. ¡°As you command.¡± Qin Bin took a deep breath and bowed deeply. ¡­¡­. At Sanfeng Pass, inside the Flying Horse Banner¡¯s camp. Inside the tent, Xiong Chunxiao, the chief of the Flying Horse Banner, sat high on his command seat. Below him was a middle-aged man dressed in leather, exuding an unruly aura, his eyebrows shining with a hint of cold light. This was none other than Tang Dali, the eldest disciple of Houjin¡¯s Great Dharma King. As a disciple of the second highest master in Houjin, he was quite a prominent figure, wielding considerable authority and having reached the Second Qi Grandmaster level, which made him very proud, looking down on anyone except his own master and the Holy Master. Tang Dali impatiently said, ¡°Chief Xiong, now that Houjin¡¯s hundreds of thousands of troops are at the city gates, what are you waiting for?¡± The Flying Horse Banner had been stationed here for several days, but there had been no action, which made the quick-tempered Tang Dali somewhat unbearable. Xiong Chunxiao placatingly said, ¡°The Soul Seeker Mansion sent a message at midnight. The spy Ma Xing has been captured, and our actions have been exposed. It¡¯s still not appropriate to act hastily. We continue to wait for the news from Mansion Master Qiu.¡± Tang Dali raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Qiu Fengsheng dealing with Duanmu Xinghua is not as easy as capturing her? When he sends a message for us to hold our forces, do we really just stand still?¡± ¡°Are our hundreds of thousands of troops just here to play house? And then all the credit goes to him alone?¡± Coming down from Snow Mountain, his goal was to make a significant impact, and if he could annihilate the Demon Sect, that would be a momentous event that would shock the world. But with these hundreds of thousands of troops just waiting idly, how could he bear it? Especially since Qiu Fengsheng might have killed Duanmu Xinghua and earned great merit, he was even more anxious. Suddenly, a disruptive noise arose outside. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Xiong Chunxiao stood up and walked outside, only to hear a sharp noise and hissing sounds coming from the camp not far away. ¡°Someone is attacking the camp!¡± A soldier from Houjin rushed over in a hurry. Xiong Chunxiao quickly gathered his inner strength and shouted loudly, ¡°Don¡¯t panic; it must be the Black Armored Army of the Demon Sect. They aren¡¯t many in number.¡± As soon as Xiong Chunxiao finished speaking, a figure charged towards him. ¡°Seeking death!¡± Tang Dali narrowed his eyes and then slapped his hand forward. ¡°Boom!¡± A powerful burst of true qi shot forward, turning the soldier into a mist of blood, even splattering Xiong Chunxiao¡¯s face with fresh blood. ¡°Puff puff puff puff puff!¡± At the same time, several experts burst out from the middle, and countless soldiers fell to the ground, throwing the entire camp into chaos. ¡°Damn it, they are assassins from the White Tiger Sect of the Demon Sect.¡± Xiong Chunxiao wiped the blood off his face and roared, ¡°Calm down everyone!¡± Tang Dali indifferently said, ¡°Let¡¯s kill all these infiltrating assassins first.¡± As he spoke, his body flickered, launching two palms consecutively, and instantly two more mists of blood appeared. Although a grandmaster was still in a mortal body, in comparison to ordinary Jianghu experts, they were much more formidable, especially in battle formations where they could often decapitate generals amidst thousands of troops. Thus, during battles between nations, it was an unconscious rule not to deploy grandmaster-level experts because involving a grandmaster would mean a full-scale war between nations. But the Demon Sect was different; their armies were made up of people from Jianghu, naturally not abiding by such rules. The entire camp was in utter chaos, but upon closer inspection, Xiong Chunxiao, sitting in the center, remained as steady as Mount Tai, with no one able to get close within several meters. Xiong Chunxiao sneered, ¡°Demon Sect scoundrels, is this all you¡¯ve got?¡± Meanwhile, Tang Dali plunged into the group of expert assassins from the Demon Sect¡¯s White Tiger Seat, like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, effortlessly defeating opponents wherever his palms landed. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Suddenly, Tang Dali felt a chill in his heart, his back hair standing on end. ¡°Swoosh!¡± Just then, a streak of sword light sped from a distance. Tang Dali turned his body, but the sword light still pierced through his clothes. After the figures crossed, his heart started trembling violently; had he not reacted in time, that sword might have pierced directly through his heart. ¡°Phew¡­¡± Tang Dali exhaled a breath and looked over to see a middle-aged man in white holding a longsword emitting a chilling white air. ¡°Yi Daoyun!?¡± In the Demon Sect, the only one with grandmaster strength and such high-level swordsmanship was the White Tiger Sword Immortal, Yi Daoyun. Yi Daoyun said lightly, ¡°No grandmaster has ever survived my sword; you could be the first.¡± Among the six great Sword Immortals of the world, Yi Daoyun and Cui Daoxian were both more renowned for reputation than skill, especially Cui Daoxian, who had been presiding over the Sword Tomb for thirty years and was acknowledged as a Sword Master. Yi Daoyun¡¯s title of Sword Immortal was also promoted by the Demon Sect, but his skill was not to be underestimated, though he had not proven himself yet. ¡°Thinking of using me as a stepping stone?¡± Tang Dali¡¯s expression turned icy, ¡°You¡¯re not leaving today.¡± ¡°Boom!¡± Saying this, Tang Dali stomped his foot, and the ground instantly cracked open as he charged towards Yi Daoyun. The collision of fist force and sword qi created shockingly violent storms, forcing the surrounding soldiers to retreat far away, daring not to get close. Even the residual force from a battle between grandmasters could rip ordinary people to shreds. ¡°The Demon Sect has struck first¡­¡± Xiong Chunxiao¡¯s expression darkened as he suddenly thought of something and sprinted towards a tent in the distance. The worst thing a commander could do was to expose their position among Jianghu experts. ¡°Since you¡¯re out, don¡¯t even think of going back.¡± A detached voice sounded. ¡°Puff puff puff puff!¡± A flash of red light passed, and the throats of the guards around Xiong Chunxiao burst with blood, spurting out like a fountain. ¡°You!¡± Xiong Chunxiao looked at the suddenly appearing figure in front of him, his heart jumping to his throat. It was an extremely beautiful woman, her skirt fluttering with the breeze, holding a pair of twin blades in her jade hands, each emitting a chilling cold aura. Under normal circumstances, seeing such a stunning beauty would have thrilled him, but at this moment, his heart was filled with an immense coldness. According to the intelligence from the Soul Seeker Mansion, this person was the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. ¡°Kill her for me! She is the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect! The reward is a hundred gold pieces and a position overseeing a thousand tribes!¡± Xiong Chunxiao roared urgently. ¡°Kill!¡± ¡°Kill!¡± With such a heavy reward, the valiant soldiers of the Flying Horse Banner charged blood-eyed towards Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s blades danced, and dozens fell with each swing, her figure flickering instantly before Xiong Chunxiao. ¡°Protect the Commander!¡± The surrounding personal guards quickly blocked in front of Xiong Chunxiao, who also hurriedly fled to the distance. Zhao Qingmei did not speak; her Mandarin Duck blades swung through the air. The narrow sword light slashed across, and the sturdy iron armor was neatly cleaved in two, clean as if it were tofu. However, the number of soldiers around was increasing, vaguely giving the impression that they were about to encircle Zhao Qingmei. ¡°If this continues, I¡¯m afraid that Xiong Chunxiao will really escape.¡± Even a Grandmaster, when surrounded by countless soldiers, would find it extremely difficult to escape, for even one person killing day and night would require tremendous effort. Moreover, there would come a time when True Qi within the body would be exhausted. Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath, lightly tapped her toes on the ground, and a black lotus flower blossomed at her feet. This was exactly the Martial Arts Heart Method from the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± called Step by Step Lotus! The next moment, she leapt forward, her Yuan Blade chopping towards Xiong Chunxiao not far away. ¡°Shi!¡± The blade light directly struck Xiong Chunxiao¡¯s shoulder, instantly causing blood to splatter. ¡°Ah!¡± Xiong Chunxiao¡¯s body staggered and fell to the ground, then hurriedly scrambled up. But just that moment was enough for him to have been killed once over. ¡°Puchi!¡± The blade light swiped again, slicing Xiong Chunxiao¡¯s body in two. Xiong Chunxiao¡¯s eyes bulged, half of his body falling to the ground, his thighs still trembling. His blood-stained hand reached out frantically forward. The scene was chilling and horrifying enough to make one¡¯s heart skip a beat. Eventually, he couldn¡¯t catch his breath and his life ended completely. ¡°The¡­ the banner leader is dead!?¡± A soldier of the Flying Horse Banner exclaimed in horror upon seeing this. This panic spread quickly throughout the camp, as if the sky had fallen. ¡°Don¡¯t panic!¡± Tang Dali, who was fighting Yi Daoyun, cried out loudly, confident that as long as the massive army worked together, even a Grandmaster should not be feared. But the soldiers of the Flying Horse Banner only recognized their banner leader and did not recognize the Great Snow Mountain expert before them. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± At that moment, the sound of rumbling arose in the distance, and a dense mass of troops attacked. The Black Armored Army! The sudden appearance of the Black Armored Army was the last straw that broke the camel¡¯s back. The sounds of fierce killing echoed throughout the camp, with soldiers of the Flying Horse Banner falling and retreating, more being trampled to death than those who died in battle. Seeing this, Tang Dali¡¯s face turned red with anger, his mind momentarily losing its composure, and he became slightly distracted. ¡°Distracted in battle with me?¡± Yi Daoyun sneered, his longsword flashing, and the cold light turned into a white tiger that charged majestically forward. ¡°Not good!¡± In an instant, Tang Dali urgently channeled his True Qi to protect himself. ¡°Whoosh!¡± A streak of sword light shot through, and Tang Dali¡¯s heart suddenly tightened as everything around him seemed to quiet down. ¡°Thump!¡± The Grandmaster from Great Snow Mountain fell to the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust. As Yi Daoyun held a strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in his hand, his heart surged with emotion. His sword had slain a Grandmaster today. The camp of the Flying Horse Banner was in complete chaos, countless soldiers terrorized and frantically fleeing towards the distance. The body of Tang Dali lay on the ground, trampled into mud by the stampede. Alive, a Grandmaster is revered by thousands; dead, he is nothing. Zhao Qingmei stood under the command tent, her eyes calm and indifferent, her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades still dripping with fresh blood. At this moment, a general from the Black Armored Army raced over, ¡°Sect Hierarch, the assassination operation targeted at Tian Ye¡¯s banner leader, Tian Ling, has failed, and Tian Ling has since gone into hiding. Now, countless armies from Tian Ye have counterattacked; some generals from the Flying Horse Banner have also led their forces to counterattack, seemingly planning to charge directly into Dongluo Pass. The battle situation is intensely critical.¡± ¡°Hmm!?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyebrows slightly furrowed. The banner leader of Tian Ye not only survived but also led a massive counterattack. It¡¯s known that Tian Ye¡¯s army alone is larger than the Black Armored Army, not to mention the remaining forces of the Flying Horse Banner. The fiercer the battle, the more unfavorable it became for the Demon Sect, especially since she was expected to help the Russell Clan at the moment. Zhao Qingmei massaged her temples and thought silently, ¡°With the Black Flood Dragon present, even if my husband is not a match for Qiu Fengsheng, escaping should be no issue.¡± With this thought, her heart settled slightly. Five miles outside Dongluo Pass, the sun was blazing, as if a giant fiery ball hung in the sky. ¡°Boom!¡± Suddenly, sandstorms whirled up, and a massive flood dragon¡¯s head emerged from the sands. The Black Flood Dragon¡¯s lantern-sized eyes looked towards the quiet Dongluo Pass, recalling An Jing¡¯s instructions before he left to keep it protected at all times. Then, the Black Flood dragon moved its body and continued to hide beneath the sands. ¡­.. On the other side of the desert, the Russell Clan. An Jing and Yu Qiurong arrived unobstructed at the Extreme Flame Land. The dark red smoke drifted around, the surrounding temperature extremely high, even hotter than the exterior of Beili Volcano. The sand underfoot was scorching¡­ The air was filled with that hot Qi mechanism, like a wildly roaring beast, as a hot wind swept through, seemingly ready to devour anyone in its path. Looking ahead, everything was hazy and unclear, but the closer one moved towards the center, the richer and more intense the Yang energy became. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Yu Qiurong felt the hot air sweeping across her face, and instead of feeling discomfort, she found it rather comfortable. The Qi mechanism here was very different from that of Beili Volcano; there, it was the essence of the volcano, while here, it was the Yang energy nurtured by the sun above in the sky. Comparedly, this was easier to absorb. Seeing this, An Jing said, ¡°The Yang energy here is very abundant. If the Ice Soul Poison in your body can be balanced, I think your cultivation can improve significantly.¡± Yu Qiurong blinked and asked, ¡°How should we do it?¡± ¡°Right here.¡± An Jing glanced around and pointed at the sandy ground, ¡°You sit down first, and initiate the ¡®Earth Demon Technique.¡¯ Yu Qiurong nodded, sat down, and started circulating the ¡®Earth Demon Technique¡¯ within her body. The Yang energy surged around her like a tide, entering her Dantian. An Jing said, ¡°Channel this Yang energy successively into the Baihui acupoint, Heavenly Spirit acupoint¡­ finally, forming a cycle, and then absorb it back into the Dantian.¡± Following his words, Yu Qiurong began absorbing the Yang energy from the air. After a full cycle, she had completely absorbed the Yang energy into her body, even feeling a warm sensation. Experiencing the benefits, Yu Qiurong involuntarily began to absorb more of the surrounding Yang energy. Seeing this, An Jing felt relieved. Maintaining this cycle, if she absorbed for a few more hours, some of the Ice Soul Poison in Yu Qiurong¡¯s body could be neutralized. To completely neutralize it would still take more time. ¡°This Extreme Flame Land, truly worthy of being the Russell Clan¡¯s forbidden land.¡± The Yang energy here, the essence of the sun, was much stronger than the volcanic essence of the Beili Volcano. This place could gather a vast amount of the sun¡¯s essence, surely there was a secret to it. Feeling the blue light emanating from the Earth Book, An Jing walked towards the front. The sandy ground under his feet was as hot as flames, scorchingly hot. Yang energy rushed at his face, bringing with it waves of heat. An Jing circulated the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture,¡¯ and immediately, the rushing Yang energy seemed to be guided in some way, being directly absorbed into his Dantian. This Yang energy was directly absorbed, even comparable to a trace of nature¡¯s spiritual energy entering the body. After the surrounding Yang energy thinned, the temperature suddenly dropped, and then the Yang energy from afar surged over once again. An Jing stepped forward, his Dantian forming a massive vortex, continuously absorbing the surging Yang energy from around him. Without the support of the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture,¡¯ even with his Grandmaster cultivation, it would be difficult for him to continue moving forward. After walking several hundred steps forward, it seemed as if a beam of light fell from the sky above, gathering at a spot with an extremely pure bundle of Yang energy. ¡°What is this!?¡± An Jing furrowed his brows; the beam of light falling from the sky was the essence of the sun, seemingly absorbed and then transformed into Yang energy by something mysterious ahead. What is that thing that can absorb and transform the essence of the sun? ¡°Rustle rustle!¡± ¡°Rustle rustle!¡± An Jing circulated the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± with all his heart and soul. The thick and extremely pure Yang energy was all absorbed by him, and only then did the scene in front of him emerge into his view. It was a smooth stone, dyed a bright crimson, seeming to have something flowing within it. The beams from the sky fell upon the stone. The crimson stone absorbed all the essence of the sun and then transformed it into Yang energy. Since it was past noon, the sun was no longer at its hottest, so the essence of the sun was not at its most explosive. The release of Yang energy was also slowing down. An Jing stepped forward, staring unblinkingly at the crimson stone. It seemed as though there were meridians inside the red stone, something flowing within them, which made it all the more wondrous. ¡°Hiss¨C!¡± An Jing touched the red stone, and immediately felt as if his fingers were being roasted in fire. Simultaneously, the blue light from the Earth Book reached its peak. ¡°Hint Three: There is a blue opportunity (essence of the sun) near the host.¡± An Jing looked at the stone in front of him and realized that this stone must contain the essence of the sun. The True Dragon Treasure Blood was a blue opportunity, and now the essence of the sun was also a blue opportunity. All in all, items designated as blue opportunities should not be mediocre. ¡°No wonder there are Grandmaster-level experts in the Russell Clan. It must be because of this stone. Maybe the essence of the sun could help me break through to the Second Qi.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart surged with heat, and his eyes narrowed slightly, ¡°But absorbing this essence of the sun seems to be quite challenging.¡± Although the stone contained the essence of the sun, to absorb it, one had to be in contact with this red stone. An Jing took a deep breath and then leaped directly onto the red stone, sitting cross-legged. Immediately, he felt flames spouting from below, as if they wanted to burn his body to ashes. As the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± was set into motion, a strand of golden light surged from the red stone below towards An Jing¡¯s body. The pale golden light appeared inside An Jing¡¯s body and then transformed into a gentle glow. This absorption of the sun¡¯s essence was very likely to elevate An Jing to a Second Qi Grandmaster, so he concentrated fully, not daring to be careless. As the essence of the sun entered An Jing¡¯s body, it then burst out with dazzling light, rushing towards all the meridians in his body. Just as the essence of the sun entered An Jing¡¯s body, he suddenly felt a surging and uplifting Qi mechanism. This stone had been in this place for who knows how many years. Although most of the essence of the sun had transformed into scorching Yang energy, the remaining essence of the sun was still enormously vast. Afterward, the essence of the sun started rushing towards An Jing¡¯s Dantian. Just as the essence of the sun neared the Dantian, a very powerful resistance suddenly surged out from within it, strong as if it were moving mountains and overturning seas. Caught off-guard, An Jing¡¯s eyes suddenly opened wide, and a spray of blood spewed out. ¡°This essence of the sun is too overbearing.¡± An Jing gently wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes narrowing slightly, ¡°Even though I possess the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture,¡¯ absorbing this essence of the sun is still very difficult.¡± With that said, he closed his eyes again. If the people of the Russell Clan knew that An Jing was directly absorbing the essence of the sun from their holy stone, they would be so shocked their jaws might drop. In his Dantian, True Qi tightly wrapped around the Sun Essence, moving towards the center of the Dantian. In an instant, a powerful and overbearing backlash continued to come from the Dantian. An Jing suppressed that kind of pain, and little by little, he moved the Sun Essence towards the center of his Dantian using True Qi. ¡°Sizzle, sizzle! Crunch!¡± At that moment, a large amount of fresh blood violently sprayed out from the surface of An Jing¡¯s skin, followed by the sound of twisting bones. Such pain would be unbearable not only for ordinary Grandmasters but also for An Jing, whose body was verging towards becoming as hard as jade; he almost fainted from the pain. An Jing bit his own tongue tip, keeping himself calm and alert. Time slowly passed, and the Sun Essence gradually moved towards An Jing¡¯s Dantian, while immense pain continuously tormented An Jing. Bang! Bang! Bang! Suddenly, a series of explosions occurred inside An Jing¡¯s body, centered on the Dantian a terrifying wave of air burst forth, rushing towards his body¡¯s meridians, bones, and blood. In just an instant, his vigorous and robust inner body was severely damaged. An Jing felt his mind become chaotic, and the smell of blood reached his mouth and nose. Almost as a natural reaction, the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± began to operate, and a huge amount of True Qi fed back continuously flooding into his body, fixing the injuries within. But even so, the terrifying pain continued unabated, and An Jing¡¯s body visibly burst open, oozing fresh blood. Only a thin membrane appeared between the Sun Essence and An Jing¡¯s Dantian, blocking further fusion of the Sun Essence with the Dantian. ¡°Did it fail?¡± An Jing opened his eyes, his body somewhat unstable. At this moment, his body was completely drenched in blood, turning him into a blood-soaked figure, with red blood also covering the stone beneath him. ¡°As long as I absorb this Sun Essence, I have an eighty percent chance of reaching the Second Qi Grandmaster level,¡± An Jing muttered as he raised his eyebrows and closed his eyes again, planning to try once more. ¡­¡­ The Russell Clan, as night gradually fell. Duanmu Xinghua sat cross-legged inside a mud house, eyes closed in meditation. ¡°Sect Master Duanmu!¡± Just then, the voice of the Russell Clan¡¯s leader came from outside. ¡°Creak¨C!¡± Duanmu Xinghua pushed open the old wooden door and walked out. The pale-faced Russell Clan leader glanced up at the sky and said in a deep voice, ¡°It¡¯s about time.¡± ¡°Good, let¡¯s get ready to move,¡± Duanmu Xinghua clapped her hands, and subsequently, many experts from the Heavenly Sect emerged from within the house. In attendance were twenty-three Heavenly Sect experts, seven of them at the peak of Second Grade, among them ten were at First Grade, four had achieved Earth Flower, and two had reached Heavenly Flower level¨Cthis was the terrifying strength of the Heavenly Sect. The Russell Clan leader scanned the group and asked in a low voice, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, Chuck has formidable backers behind him¡­¡± Even though he had already investigated clearly earlier, he still couldn¡¯t help but ask tentatively. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, just two One Qi Grandmasters,¡± Duanmu Xinghua said lightly. ¡°Okay, then let¡¯s go,¡± the Russell Clan leader took a deep breath and then walked outside. Duanmu Xinghua followed with the many experts of the Heavenly Sect. The group concealed their tracks, not moving too fast. It took them about the time of burning an incense stick to reach a secluded area within the Russell Clan territory. It was a row of sturdy earthen towers, much larger than ordinary mud houses, surrounded by several guards of the Russell Clan standing on both sides. The Russell Clan leader steadied himself and said, ¡°Ahead is our Russell Clan¡¯s tribal warehouse.¡± Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s aged face showed a trace of murderous intent. ¡°Sect Master!¡± Suddenly, a Heavenly Sect expert stepped forward and whispered, ¡°There¡¯s something strange. There¡¯s no movement inside, but there are uniform breathing sounds, as if a master is present.¡± ¡°Breathing sounds!?¡± Duanmu Xinghua muttered to herself when suddenly a flash of cold light burst forth, speeding toward her throat. ¡°Swoosh!¡± Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s eyes narrowed to slits, and she struck with a palm toward the incoming shadow. ¡°Bang!¡± At the collision of the palms, the figure was sent flying backward several meters. ¡°Truly formidable as the master of the Heavenly Sect,¡± the figure, now revealed to be the Russell Clan leader, flexed his arm that had become extremely rosy, showing no signs of the earlier pale frailty. All experts of the Heavenly Sect were shocked, none had anticipated the Russell Clan leader to attempt a surprise attack. However, Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s expression turned incredibly grim, ¡°Cha Wei, you really have some nerve.¡± Cha Wei, which was the name of the Russell Clan leader. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Cha Wei laughed loudly, ¡°Duanmu Xinghua, you do not even know you are at death¡¯s door?¡± Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s gaze turned icy, ¡°To die at your doorstep, just with you alone?¡± ¡°There¡¯s not just one clan leader.¡± A cold voice spoke up. Then, two figures walked out from the distant ¡®warehouse,¡¯ followed by several more figures. The leaders were none other than Chuck and Sun Xiu from the Soul Seeker Mansion. Three One Qi Grandmasters¨C even Duanmu Xinghua furrowed her brow tightly, as she had only recently reached the ranks of Second Qi Grandmasters and found it quite challenging to cope with three experts of One Qi Grandmaster. Duanmu Xinghua took a deep breath and said, ¡°Your Russell Clan is really something.¡± From beginning to end, it had all been a play staged by the Russell Clan themselves. What a great betrayal by the Great Elder Chuck and the injuries of the clan head¨Call were but traps specifically aimed at the Demon Sect. Cha Wei said coldly, ¡°You Demon Sect exploit our Russell Clan, treating us no better than pigs and dogs. We provide you with such precious gold, jade, and herbs, yet you repay us with worthless things like rice, meat, and vegetables. Do you really think we of the Russell Clan are fools?¡± Duanmu Xinghua glanced at Cha Wei and after a long while, replied, ¡°Rice, meat, vegetables¡­ Aren¡¯t these precisely what you need?¡± ¡°What we need?¡± A vicious look appeared in Cha Wei¡¯s eyes. ¡°We need more than just these worthless things. I told you before that we wanted to exchange them for some martial arts heart methods from the Demon Sect, but you always made excuses and palmed us off with some inferior martial arts heart methods. Do you really take us of the Russell Clan for beggars?¡± In today¡¯s world, if you had some money and it bought you food, you could only eat for three days; but if it bought you a gun, you could eat indefinitely. Such a simple concept was naturally understood by Cha Wei. Duanmu Xinghua looked at the clan head of the Russell Clan, who was like a wild beast, a cold smile playing on her lips. Sun Xiu licked his lips and sneered. ¡°It¡¯s hard to imagine the uproar in Jianghu if the head of the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sect of the Demon Sect were to be taken off.¡± Duanmu Xinghua calmed down and said lightly, ¡°My head is right here, but it won¡¯t be easy for you three to take it away.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s find out!¡± Chuck roared and his body shot towards Duanmu Xinghua like an arrow released from the bowstring. Although his cultivation had reached the realm of One Qi Grandmaster, his understanding of martial arts was far inferior, and his skill in hand-to-hand combat had only barely achieved body and mind unity. The Universal Benefit Bodhisattva had reached an untainted body right at entry into the Grandmaster Realm, a difference as stark as that between heaven and earth. Shadows crisscrossed, and True Qi overflowed¨Cwithin just a dozen or so moves, Chuck was already showing signs of defeat. ¡°I¡¯ll help you!¡± Upon seeing this, Cha Wei leaped and joined the fray, unleashing his True Qi, which whirled and kicked up sand and stones. Yet, their combined efforts against Duanmu Xinghua were still excruciatingly inadequate. ¡°This is truly¡­¡± Sun Xiu saw this and couldn¡¯t help shaking his head. Although these two were called Grandmasters of One Qi, their level of martial arts was exceedingly poor, fortunate only to be absorbing the Yang Energy of this land of Extreme Flame day and night, otherwise they might not reach even Half-step Grandmaster. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± Sun Xiu leapt up, a domineering punch hurling towards Duanmu Xinghua. ¡°Bang!¡± Their fists and palms collided, suddenly feeling as if mountains were collapsing and earth was splitting, causing the ground to shake. ¡°Sect Master!¡± The other experts of Heavenly Sect also crowded around, blocking Sun Xiu. The scene turned into a chaotic battle, with a group of Heavenly Sect experts and Duanmu Xinghua fighting against the three Grandmaster experts. Duanmu Xinghua pushed her strength to the limits, overpowering both Chuck and Cha Wei, while Sun Xiu, though a Body Refining expert of the Grandmaster Realm and impervious to blades and spears, could not extricate himself from the Heavenly Sect experts. ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Today, I shall wipe out your Russell Clan.¡± Duanmu Xinghua moved her palm, shaking Cha Wei repeatedly backward as he spat out fresh blood. Chuck¡¯s face became very ugly. He had not expected Duanmu Xinghua to be so formidable. Duanmu Xinghua advanced with large strides, intending to swiftly eliminate Cha Wei with a deadly palm. ¡°Mansion Master Qiu!¡± Cha Wei suddenly cried out. Duanmu Xinghua was startled by the shout. Just as she was about to withdraw her palm, it was already too late. Her vision blurred suddenly, a gust of refreshing breeze faced her, followed by a massive handprint fiercely hitting upon Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s palm. ¡°Boom!¡± Duanmu Xinghua felt as if her own palm had struck a mountain, her arm creaking ominously as she continuously stepped back. A figure appeared in front. ¡°Qiu Fengsheng!?¡± Duanmu Xinghua, enduring the pain in her arm, felt a chill shoot from her spine to her Baihui acupoint. Upon seeing the person who had appeared, Chuck and Cha Wei both breathed a deep sigh of relief. The person who had appeared was none other than the Mansion Master of the Soul Seeker Mansion, Qiu Fengsheng. Qiu Fengsheng said somewhat disappointedly, ¡°Duanmu Xinghua, it seems your Sect Hierarch has sent you here to die.¡± He had thought the Demon Sect Hierarch would send a strong reserve like Ouyang Ping, even if not coming in person. He did not expect only Duanmu Xinghua and a group of Heavenly Sect experts, without a glimpse of any other Demon Sect experts. However, slaying the Sect Master of Heavenly Sect, Duanmu Xinghua, also counted as a severe blow to the Demon Sect. After all, Duanmu Xinghua held high prestige within the Demon Sect. ¡°Huff¡­¡± Duanmu Xinghua exhaled deeply, having never faced such a perilous situation in her career; not even when she earlier faced the assassination from Leaf of the True One Sect or the ambush by Feng Lingyue that almost led to her death, was it as pressing as now. Because in front of her stood three One Qi Grandmasters along with a Three Qi Grandmaster, and she was also surrounded by numerous experts of the Heavenly Sect. She could neither run nor afford to run. Duanmu Xinghua, feeling a chill in her heart, cautiously watched Qiu Fengsheng in front of her. ¡°You are no match for me.¡± After Qiu Fengsheng finished speaking, his body appeared in front of Duanmu Xinghua the next moment, his robust True Qi instantly enveloping her like rolling mountains bearing down. Boom! The air ahead erupted with a piercing boom. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Duanmu Xinghua was frantically gathering True Qi within her body. Her palm slowly lifted, and as it did, her hand visibly swelled at an observable rate, turning into a colossal hand that blotted out the sun within moments. Atop this gigantic hand, a ferocious aura instantly gathered, and in that moment, the hand, like a mountain, descended towards Qiu Fengsheng below. The True Qi from all directions boiled up at this moment. Infinite Skill! Demon Shattering Hand! Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s eyes, resolute, watched Qiu Fengsheng, and then the giant hand suddenly struck down, carrying a chilling battle intent that spread throughout heaven and earth. Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s expression remained undisturbed as his palm swiftly changed into a fist that thundered forward. ¡°Thud!¡± The True Qi ahead was completely penetrated, turning into a cloud of ash. ¡°Tap, tap, tap¡­¡± Duanmu Xinghua, as if severely struck, turned pale, repeatedly stepping back. Meanwhile, Qiu Fengsheng stood unmoved, his expression as calm as still water. ¡°Too strong¡­¡± Duanmu Xinghua watched the Qiu Fengsheng before her, with a deeply solemn expression. In her view, the strength of Qiu Fengsheng was as unfathomable as the ocean, and considering his fist from before, he clearly hadn¡¯t exerted his full strength. Sun Xiu, with a sinister smile, looked at the Heavenly Sect behind Duanmu Xinghua and whispered lowly, ¡°You two, first slay this group of Heavenly Sect masters.¡± Cha Wei and Chuck exchanged a glance, each revealing a trace of grim killing intent in their eyes. Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s heart turned cold, only able to watch as two One Qi Grandmasters went to kill. Qiu Fengsheng waved his robe faintly and said, ¡°Duanmu Xinghua, today this old man shall borrow your head.¡± ¡­¡­. Extreme Flame Land. Yu Qiurong suddenly woke up, staring astonished at the vortex forming in the distance, as if countless Yang Energies were madly converging towards it. ¡°What on earth is happening!? Could it be that doctor?¡± She didn¡¯t understand what had occurred, but it seemed like only she and that doctor had entered the Extreme Flame Land. She also didn¡¯t understand why a doctor could cause such disturbances. What on earth is happening? In the depths of the Extreme Flame Land, atop a red stone. As the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± operated, the Essence of the Sun once again wafted out from the stone, merging into An Jing¡¯s body. The red light from the Essence of the Sun rushed fiercely like a wild dragon. Instead of directly entering An Jing¡¯s Dantian, it transformed into countless beams of light, flowing towards various meridians throughout his body. Once the Essence of the Sun completely merged into An Jing¡¯s body, it slowly circulated within him, adapting to this scorching light. After about the duration of an incense stick burning, the Essence of the Sun, encased in True Qi, moved slowly towards the Dantian. At the moment the Essence approached the Dantian, a powerful resistance burst forth from within, like a mountain-shifting and sea-overturning force. However, An Jing had anticipated this rejection, biting down hard, steadfastly guarding his spirit. Even though he knew refining the Essence of the Sun was difficult, he was determined to do so today. In the Dantian, True Qi tightly wrapped around the Essence of the Sun, moving toward it. Instantly, a forceful, dominating backlash continued to emanate from within. An Jing suppressed the pain, gradually moving the Essence with his True Qi towards the Dantian. The intense force of rejection, like an unceasing river, harshly stimulated An Jing¡¯s body. After enduring the pain from body refining, such pains were hardly significant to him now. Not only on the surface, but his internal organs too were squeezed out blood due to the strong pressure. This was only because An Jing¡¯s body was much stronger than that of an average Grandmaster; otherwise, he might have exploded from the pain and perished by now. Time flowed like water, and again, half an hour unknowingly passed. Boom! Suddenly, An Jing¡¯s body exploded like a bomb, with the Dantian at the center, emitting terrifying waves of Qi. His whole body trembled, and at that moment, his consciousness became ethereal. Just then, the Essence of the Sun entered the Dantian, transforming into a massive amount of red Essence, instantly filling all the spaces. With his current foundation far from reaching the Second Qi Realm, but the continual influx of the Essence of the Sun broke through the barrier directly. At that moment, the barrier was like a floodgate bursting open, tumultuous and unstoppable. The red stone¡¯s Essence of the Sun was being absorbed bit by bit. An Jing¡¯s cultivation also visibly increased at a rate perceptible to the naked eye, and the Divine Qi above his head began to settle. Divine Qi settling! The next moment, his cultivation reached the realm of a Second Qi Grandmaster. Around him, a robust wave of True Qi burst forth, dispersing the thin Yang Energy in the vicinity. After a long while, heaven and earth returned to tranquility. Second Qi Realm! An Jing opened his eyes, ¡°Second Qi, is it?¡± Compared to his breakthrough to Grandmaster, reaching One Qi, this promotion seemed the quickest¨Cperhaps due to the continuous flow of the Essence of the Sun, perhaps due to his change in talent making breakthroughs much easier, or maybe it was because of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture.¡± An Jing stood up, at this moment the Earth Book emitted a purple glow. ¡°Reminder: Host, there is a purple opportunity nearby.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed as he glanced at the red stone he had been sitting on. At this moment, because the Sun Essence within the red stone had been absorbed, it had turned into a pale cyan color. An Jing gently touched the stone with his palm and muttered, ¡°This stone turns out to be a Purple opportunity, but its ability to absorb the Sun Essence is indeed extraordinary.¡± A Purple opportunity, that is comparable to the opportunities given by the three greatest heart methods surpassing the Heavenly Martial Level. Although he knew this stone was a Purple opportunity, taking it away would still be extremely difficult. The first problem to solve was the Russell Clan. This was the cause behind the formation of the Russell Clan¡¯s secret land. Would they let him take the stone away? ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s deal with the Russell Clan¡¯s matter first.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and walked towards the distance. After about a hundred steps, he saw Yu Qiurong looking at him in astonishment. An Jing asked, ¡°Have you balanced the Ice Soul Poison within you?¡± Yu Qiurong shook her head, ¡°No, the Yang Energy has disappeared, but it seems to have been suppressed a bit.¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°The Yang Energy here will gather again. It will be alright next time; let¡¯s head out for now.¡± ¡°That sounds good.¡± Yu Qiurong nodded, and the two of them then left the Extreme Flame Land. The moment they stepped out, the booming sounds of True Qi reached their ears, clearly indicating the intensity of the battle. ¡°Not good! We need to hurry.¡± Hearing this, Yu Qiurong quickly followed the sounds and leaped forward. ¡°Seems like there¡¯s a master here.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows slightly furrowed as he muttered to himself and also hurried after her. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± The ¡®warehouse¡¯ was not far from the Extreme Flame Land, and they soon arrived at the scene. They saw Duanmu Xinghua with a pale face, collapsed on the ground, continuously spitting out fresh blood. Beside her, apart from dozens of Heavenly Sect master bodies, there were also seven or eight severely injured Heavenly Sect masters at death¡¯s door. Cha Wei and Cha Chuck each held a body of a Heavenly Sect master, their mouths curled with a cold smile. Sun Xiu also had a face full of joy. Today, annihilating the Demon Sect Heavenly Sect and killing the Sect Master Duanmu Xinghua was a significant achievement. Qiu Fengsheng stood with his hands behind his back, his face neither happy nor sad. He had anticipated today¡¯s results, so he did not feel overly excited in his heart. ¡°Sect Master Duanmu!¡± Yu Qiurong quickly walked forward. ¡°You¡­ you¡­ sigh.¡± Duanmu Xinghua looked at the arrivals, her lips moved, and her eyes showed a trace of dimness. She had thought Yu Qiurong and An Jing might have escaped this calamity, but unexpectedly, they still came. The numerous Heavenly Sect masters behind her also had ashen faces. Today, it seemed the entire Heavenly Sect might be doomed here. Cha Wei coldly said, ¡°These two, one is a tributor of the Demon Sect, and the other is the Hierarch¡¯s personal maid.¡± Qiu Fengsheng glanced over. There were no fluctuations of Qi mechanism in the young man¡¯s body, and judging from his age, it was impossible for his cultivation to surpass that of an old monster. He must be an ordinary person, and the maid hadn¡¯t even reached the Master Realm, so she was also not a threat. ¡°Unexpectedly, two more came to seek death.¡± Sun Xiu raised an eyebrow, looking at Yu Qiurong with a cold smile curling on his lips, ¡°The Hierarch¡¯s personal maid, I¡¯ve heard that your Hierarch is a woman. It seems you are still young¡­¡± At this point, a beauty could no longer attract him, but a beauty with status and position could ignite the desire in his heart. Just then, An Jing let out a light laugh, ¡°You¡¯re Sun Xiu, right?¡± ¡°Why did you come along?¡± Seeing An Jing, Yu Qiurong was startled. She moved at a very fast speed; how could this ordinary man possibly keep up? Sun Xiu sized up An Jing and chuckled, ¡°Boy, want to beg for mercy?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard of you.¡± An Jing slightly nodded, ¡°They say in Jianghu that you¡¯ve trained in Cross-Training, which is quite formidable.¡± Cha Wei scornfully laughed, ¡°Boy, you do know how to flatter. Master Sun is a Body Refining expert, with iron head and arms, impervious to blade and spear¨CIsn¡¯t that undeniable? But even with all your flattering today, you can¡¯t escape death.¡± An Jing bowed his head, the smile on his face fading away. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Qiu Fengsheng suddenly sensed something; he wanted to speak but it was already too late. ¡°Surging Wave¨C!¡± An Jing extended his palm towards Yu Qiurong¡¯s waist at an extremely fast speed, pulling out the sword so quickly that only Qiu Fengsheng, among those present, noticed the sword light. A cold gleam silently emerged within the world. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Drawing Skill! The sword light was imperceptibly quick, sweeping forward like thunder. Between its opening and closing was no longer darkness and light but a birth and death anew. ¡°Puff!¡± A line of blood appeared on Sun Xiu¡¯s neck, blood gushing out like a fountain. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Thump!¡± His body heavily fell to the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust, his face filled with immense horror. Clutching Yu Qiurong¡¯s Water Stopping Sword, An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Impervious to blade and spear, what does that have to do with a sword?¡± ¡­¡­ PS: Looking for a Monthly Ticket. Chapter 222 - Chapter 222: Chapter 222: The Supreme Sword Technique Cuts Through Heaven and Earth Chapter 222: Chapter 222: The Supreme Sword Technique Cuts Through Heaven and Earth ¡°Huff, huff¡­¡± All was terrifyingly silent in the world, with only the wind and sand fluttering past. The invulnerable Sun Xiu had fallen to the ground from a single sword strike. ¡°This¡­ This¡­¡± Though Cha Wei and Chuck were both shockingly lost for words with their hearts pounding rapidly, they hadn¡¯t clearly seen how the young man had drawn and struck with his sword; they only felt a flash of sword light, and then Sun Xiu was lying on the ground. In their eyes, Sun Xiu was such an expert that anyone who could kill him with one sword strike must be terrifyingly powerful. A trace of gravity and even surprise surfaced in the calm eyes of Qiu Fengsheng. What kind of monster was this young man before them, possessing a cultivation not inferior to Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s? How could the Demon Sect have such a formidable expert? ¡°You!¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s mouth hung open, overwhelmed with shock to the point where her breathing even stopped momentarily. The Sect Hierarch¡¯s husband had killed a master with a single sword strike!? Wasn¡¯t he just a regular doctor? Who exactly was he!? wuxiaworld.site The masters of the Demon Sect Heavenly Sect were also profoundly shaken, their eyes filled with disbelief. ¡°So the Sect Hierarch¡­¡± Duanmu Xinghua slowly recovered from her astonishment, the doubts in her mind instantly dissipating. No wonder the Sect Hierarch had this young doctor come along; there was such profound secret hidden within him. Where was this merely a doctor? This was clearly a Sword Immortal. Ever since he had entered the Demon Sect, this young man had concealed his sharpness, maintaining an unchanging facade even when questioned by members of the sect. If not for the sword strike today, the people of the Demon Sect might never have realized that the Sect Hierarch¡¯s husband was so formidable. To kill a master with a single sword strike, how terrifying was that? His talent was comparable to the Sect Hierarch¡¯s, but what astonished Duanmu Xinghua the most was his maturity and composure at such a young age. An ancient saying goes, ¡®He who has a thunderstorm in his chest but a calm face like a still lake can be a great general.¡¯ This ¡®doctor¡¯ was surely such a person. An Jing was indifferent as water, unchanged in the slightest, after all, cutting down a master of the One Qi Realm was nothing more than a trivial matter for him. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence within Sun Xiu¡¯s body was released, and he grasped it in his hand. Qiu Fengsheng looked over and said, ¡°What a formidable sword.¡± To possess such swordsmanship and strength, and yet be so young, Qiu Fengsheng couldn¡¯t imagine who this person could be. Could there truly exist someone in this world who has mastered the art of rejuvenation to appear so young? ¡°You really came in person.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, the Water Stopping Sword in his hand gently swaying like a ripple of gentle light, emitting a series of slight trembling sounds. Qiu Fengsheng took a deep breath and said, ¡°It seems you are indeed the Demon Sect¡¯s trump card.¡± He initially had his suspicions. The Russell Clan¡¯s move was clearly a trap, but the Demon Sect Hierarch only deployed Duanmu Xinghua, which seemed unreasonable. Now, it turned out there was a swordsman behind the scenes. ¡°Trump card!?¡± The Demon Sect members gazed at each other in astonishment, unaware that the Sect Hierarch had long deployed a powerful expert. An Jing let the fierce wind tousle his hair and said, ¡°Today, let me see what skills Mansion Master Qiu possesses.¡± Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Sparks! The gazes of the two clashed in the air, seemingly sparking off a series of sparks. The air around them seemed to solidify, and though no one could see the sparks, everyone could feel them in their hearts. Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s eyes were as profound as the abyss, like a vast ocean that seemed to absorb everything into it. And the eyes of the swordsman were equally vast, more like an endless galaxy that could completely lose one with just a glance. It was clear to anyone that both individuals were extraordinarily skilled. Qiu Fengsheng said, ¡°This isn¡¯t your sword. Where is your sword?¡± An Jing¡¯s palm, slender and powerful, gently lifted the Water Stopping Sword, ¡°The sword is here.¡± The ordinary treasure sword, the Water Stopping Sword, seemed to emit an unprecedented sharpness in his hand, making it difficult to look at directly. ¡°Where is it?¡± ¡°In my heart!¡± Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of coldness emerging. The Fifth Realm, no sword in hand, but a sword in the heart. This swordsman in front of him was indeed a master of the Sword Immortal level. A Sword Immortal¡¯s swordsmanship is inherently contained within his heart. Others may not see it, but in this world, it is often the invisible things that are the most dangerous. Cha Wei and Chuck, both confused despite being Grandmasters, struggled to grasp this realm; however, the two, not understanding, knew there was something extraordinary about it. They wisely stepped back a few steps. As the wind and sand blew, the swordsman and Qiu Fengsheng still confronted each other, everyone knew their clash would shake the heavens and earth. The next moment, Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s figure shook, and he appeared in front of An Jing in an instant. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The Water Stopping Sword swung forward, instantly sweeping out like a tide of sword light. True Qi surged tumultuously within Qiu Fengsheng, not retreating in the slightest. Purity Body! Mastering to the Second Realm of the four major realms of fist, foot, body, and technique, but since Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s cultivation was at the level of Three Qi, the True Qi he now unleashed rolled forth like mountains, bringing an oppressive force. ¡°Ss Ss!¡± The Water Stopping Sword revealed a boundless sharpness, tearing through the tidal wave of True Qi and heading towards Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s throat. But in the next instant, the True Qi that had been ripped apart gathered again, tightly wrapping around the sword, making it impossible for the blade to advance even slightly further. Qiu Fengsheng stretched out his left hand, pointing towards An Jing¡¯s heart. He practiced the martial arts of the Black Ice Platform at the Heavenly Martial level, the renowned Three Elements Secret Scripture. These three elements were fist, palm, and finger; mastery of all three, and their combination, was the Supreme Seal Technique. True Qi also erupted within An Jing, and he fiercely retracted the Water Stopping Sword to form a sword flower in front of his chest. ¡°Ding!¡± Fingertip and sword met, producing a clear, resonant sound in an instant. Sword light danced, True Qi surged, and the figures of the two continuously interchanged, exchanging dozens of moves in a blink. Only Duanmu Xinghua among the crowd could clearly see the competition between the two; the others saw only fleeting shadows. ¡°Bang!¡± Upon clashing again, both took several steps back. ¡°A Three Qi Grandmaster and a Second Qi Grandmaster are indeed different,¡± An Jing glanced at the Water Stopping Sword; after the myriad clashes, it trembled almost uncontrollably. Perhaps it was because he hadn¡¯t brought the Evil Suppressing Sword, or because he had only just broken through to the Second Qi Cultivation and had not yet stabilized it. In any case, he felt a lot more pressure than he did facing Qi Shu or Yuan Feng. Qiu Fengsheng calmly stated, ¡°Your swordsmanship is not that of an unknown person, and it even feels vaguely familiar to me.¡± He always felt like he had seen this person¡¯s sword somewhere before. ¡°Is that so?¡± In An Jing¡¯s hand, the Water Stopping Sword shone, as though countless fine rains were falling from it, gradually transforming into a towering giant sword, which he slashed towards Qiu Fengsheng. Four Symbols Sword Technique! Rain Without Gap! Qiu Fengsheng remained composed, extending his hand and grabbed the giant sword in the sky. Suddenly, the massive Water Stopping Sword became immobile as if it were stuck by a huge rock. The True Qi-shaped hand grasped the Water Stopping Sword, greatly surprising An Jing. ¡°Clang!¡± An Jing¡¯s intent moved, and the giant sword, like a mountain-splitting saw blade, fiercely cut forward, slicing the True Qi-formed hand in two, losing its grip on the giant sword. ¡°How sharp a sword!¡± The True Qi giant hand was sliced apart, yet the remaining power of the Water Stopping Sword was still not to be underestimated. It slashed towards Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s head with a terribly ferocious sword skill, nearly capable of shattering one¡¯s soul and undermining the enemy¡¯s courage. However, Qiu Fengsheng was at the Second Qi Grandmaster realm. He suddenly clenched his right fist, carrying a fierce and harsh Qi Force, and heavily struck the Water Stopping Sword. Clang! The Water Stopping Sword flew backwards, and Qiu Fengsheng himself retreated ten steps. ¡°Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s strength is indeed formidable; he truly deserves the position of Mansion Master of the Soul Seeker Mansion.¡± An Jing sighed inwardly; that strike had fully displayed his strength, yet it still did not cut down Qiu Fengsheng, which spoke volumes about the latter¡¯s fearsomeness. His thoughts were nearly instantaneous, like a flash of lightning, and he continued his assault towards Qiu Fengsheng. Whoosh! Under An Jing¡¯s urging, the Water Stopping Sword moved as fast as the aurora, unable to be dodged by Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s sensing power in a mere instant. ¡°Clang!¡± Qiu Fengsheng extended two fingers and directly clamped the thin-as-a cicada¡¯s wing Water Stopping Sword, knowing that if he allowed the swordsman¡¯s sword skill to rise, it would be even more difficult to deal with later. Full Moon! Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s right hand flicked, and Qi Force materialized in the air as a crescent moon, containing hidden changes in Qi Mechanism, its finger light seemed incomplete yet was fiercely overwhelming. Clang!! The finger light collided with the Water Stopping Sword again, and sparks flew in a continuous line, erupting in the most bizarre manner. The Qi Force twisted and spread peculiarly, making it impossible for anyone to discern a complete trajectory. Both of them retreated several steps backwards, scraping a long narrow trace on the ground. An Jing stamped his foot, and the Water Stopping Sword paused slightly, then with blistering speed, it slashed forward, cracking the ground with a large sword mark, splitting the air as if tearing apart any material obstructing this strike with a destructive rending. Raging Seas! Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s foot dragged on the ground, creating a long narrow trace, but the moment he landed, he immediately launched another attack. This time, his fist roared out even more violently, like a towering wave, unceasing. As a long-established Second Qi Grandmaster, Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s martial arts prowess was highly sophisticated. The force of the Water Stopping Sword seemed indestructible, but it had been partly neutralized by his earlier strikes. The remaining power was less than eighty percent of its original, just enough to meet the continuous, escalating waves of raging seas with fist force. Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang! One punch hit the Water Stopping Sword, and then Qiu Fengsheng quickly followed with a second and third punch, each faster than the last, seemingly endless, and in a blink, he had thrown a total of seventeen punches. Bang! With the eighteenth punch, the Water Stopping Sword was sent flying sideways, and An Jing felt his internal organs violently trembling. But it wasn¡¯t easy for Qiu Fengsheng either. The previous seventeen punches were not without harm; he knew that retreating now would break his momentum and he would no longer be able to block the advance of the Water Stopping Sword, which would certainly pierce his heart. ¡°Huff¡­¡± An Jing exhaled deeply, though his expression grew immensely grave. He had rarely taken the initiative to attack first and had exerted his strength to the utmost, but it seemed to pose no threat to Qiu Fengsheng. Qiu Fengsheng was the strongest expert he had encountered so far, aside from Jiang Shang. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve made your move, it¡¯s time for you to take one of mine,¡± Qiu Fengsheng said, then he became like his fist light, as his fist moved with him, creating a ferocious grey fist radiance that appeared between them, forming a crescent moon with the notch directly facing An Jing¡¯s position. Three Qi! Crescent Moon! Facing Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s formidable punch, An Jing¡¯s heart raced; however, his hands were not slow. In fact, they moved so quickly that the naked eye could barely see them. Although Qiu Fengsheng struck first, when the fist light swept over, it appeared as if An Jing, attacking later, was actually first, his sword tip directly targeting the flaw in the fist light. Boom! The fist force collided with the sword Qi, sparks flying wildly, accompanied by the domineering Qi Force and the overflowing sword radiance from the Water Stopping Sword, both were twisted apart by the opponent¡¯s fist light, making it difficult for the sword force to advance an inch. Sword Control Technique! An Jing slapped the hilt of the Water Stopping Sword, only to see the Water Stopping Sword surge forward, enveloped in boundless piercing cold, tearing open a massive gap as if to completely shatter the surrounding darkness. Fast! Too fast! The sword reached an extreme speed! Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s hairs stood on end as he instinctively gathered all his True Qi in his palms, blasting forward! True Qi burst forth from his palms, like the Milky Way overturning, with tumultuous waves, incessant and unending. ¡°Buzzing!¡± ¡°Buzzing!¡± The sword light initially moved extremely fast, but as True Qi surged forth, its speed abruptly slowed down, and ultimately it ground to a halt without even a flicker. ¡°Boom!¡± As the two people¡¯s Qi Force exploded, waves of Force Qi shockwaves rippled out, wildly scattering in all directions. An Jing again retreated three or four steps, then he grasped the Water Stopping Sword that flew back to him. After retreating a step, Qiu Fengsheng fiercely exerted force with his right foot, discharging the immense rebounding Qi Force into the ground, causing the ground around him to tremble. He then looked up with a hint of surprise. ¡°Ghost Swordsman!?¡± ¡­.. Atop the cliffs at Sanfeng Pass. After the Flying Horse Banner¡¯s leader, Xiong Chunxiao, was killed, chaos ensued, but fortunately, with the appearance of the Heavenly Martial Flag¡¯s troops, working together both internally and externally, they managed to temporarily stabilize the morale of the Flying Horse Banner¡¯s troops, subsequently forcing the Demon Sect¡¯s Black Armored Army to retreat. The mastermind behind the Heavenly Martial Flag, cunning as a fox, upon learning that the Flying Horse Banner¡¯s leader was slain by a Grandmaster, set up decoys in the main camp. Even Yi Daoyun¡¯s personal intervention failed to eliminate him. Instead, it led to an ambush by a large number of soldiers and significant losses among the White Tiger Sect¡¯s experts. This situation not only drained his energy but also required a great deal of time. The battle between the two armies was extremely brutal. Despite having numerical superiority, the Houjin army could barely gain the upper hand against the Black Armored Army, which was assisted by Demon Sect experts, in a short period. The sounds of slaughter at Sanfeng Pass shook heaven and earth; blood flowed into rivers, bodies piled up high. Zhao Qingmei watched the distant Houjin camp with a slight frown. A day had passed, but the Houjin army hadn¡¯t been pushed back and was incredibly tenacious. It seemed they had been given a command to fight to the death. Yi Daoyun said in a low voice, ¡°This leader of the Heavenly Martial Flag truly is a significant figure. To think he reacted so quickly, rallying the remnants of the Flying Horse Banner. Now whether we can hold off the Houjin army depends only on Faction Master Qin.¡± Even for an enemy, one couldn¡¯t help but admire. Zhao Qingmei asked quietly, ¡°How many men have we lost?¡± Yi Daoyun replied, ¡°We¡¯ve lost three thousand this morning, wounded over seven thousand, and still have fifty thousand capable soldiers. Houjin¡¯s losses are two to three times ours.¡± Zhao Qingmei said somberly, ¡°It¡¯s still not enough.¡± Yi Daoyun, puzzled, said, ¡°This Heavenly Martial Flag¡¯s leader is fighting to the death, it seems he hasn¡¯t fully committed to attacking our Dongluo Pass. What exactly is he planning? Just to hold Sanfeng Pass?¡± Sanfeng Pass could indeed pose a threat to Dongluo Pass, yet it was not strategically critical. Why then was the Heavenly Martial Flag¡¯s leader so adamant about holding this position? Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°To hold me back.¡± Yi Daoyun also understood and exclaimed, ¡°Could it be because of the Russell Clan?¡± ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Just then, Shui Zhongyue hurried over, ¡°A battalion from Houjin is closing in, suspected to be the Black Tiger Flag, and the Dharma King of the Great Snow Mountain has descended but his movements are unclear. It¡¯s very possible that he¡¯s within the Black Tiger Flag¡¯s forces.¡± Yi Daoyun frowned deeply, ¡°Has Houjin gone mad?¡± Another army was approaching, and with the Snow Mountain¡¯s Dharma King among them, was Houjin really committing all their forces to fight the Demon Sect? Currently, the Black Armored Army was barely managing against two flags¡¯ armies. If another force joined in, the situation could indeed become dire. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression chilled, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°Sect Hierarch, there is another matter.¡± After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Shui Zhongyue said, ¡°A spy from the Human Sect outside Dongluo Pass spotted the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Black Flood Dragon again. The dragon has moved several miles closer to the pass and is now within our defensive perimeter.¡± Ever since the Ghost Swordsman perished, the whereabouts of the Black Flood Dragon had been a mystery. Human Sect spies had spotted it a few days ago, but it soon vanished. Now the Black Flood Dragon had reappeared, alarmingly close to Dongluo Pass. Notably, this Black Flood Dragon could suppress Elder Ouyang of the Sealing Demon Platform, with its formidable presence. Now, with Dongluo Pass internally vulnerable, if the dragon went berserk, the Demon Sect Main Hall would be in danger. ¡°Black Flood Dragon!?¡± Zhao Qingmei, upon hearing this, showed a hint of astonishment, then came to a sudden realization and murmured, ¡°That fool!¡± She clearly understood why the Black Flood Dragon was near Dongluo Pass. Shui Zhongyue and Yi Daoyun remained silent, first witnessing such an expression on their Sect Hierarch. Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and said, ¡°I leave everything here to Faction Master Yi and Qin Bin. Generally follow the commands set by Qin Bin. Shui Zhongyue, go immediately and request Elder Ouyang from the Sealing Demon Platform. There must be no errors.¡± After speaking, Zhao Qingmei hurried away toward the distance. Yi Daoyun watched the hurried figure, his eyes filled with doubt, ¡°What is the Sect Hierarch doing? Is there something even more critical than defending the Main Hall at this moment?¡± With tens of thousands of Houjin troops outside Dongluo Pass and reinforcements seemingly on the way, what was the Sect Hierarch going to do? ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡± Shui Zhongyue shook his head. ¡­.. The wind and sand swept through, and all was quiet in the world. All eyes from the Demon Sect converged on the swordsman in front who wielded the Water Stopping Sword, their expressions wonderfully intense. Yu Qiurong was thunderstruck and exclaimed, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman was supposed to be dead!?¡± ¡°Is he the Ghost Swordsman¡­?¡± Duanmu Xinghua was also immensely shocked, as everyone in the world wanted to know the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s true face, but who could have thought that he was such a young person. No one had expected the ¡®deceased¡¯ Ghost Swordsman to appear among them in the Demon Sect, and even more so as the Sect Hierarch¡¯s husband. It was well known that the Ghost Swordsman had stormed the Demon Sect a month ago, but now he had suddenly become the Demon Sect¡¯s son-in-law. This was indeed like a dream. Cha Wei and Chuck didn¡¯t quite understand the name of the Ghost Swordsman, but seeing Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s expression, they knew he was an extremely skilled master. An Jing remained silent. He knew that if he acted, there would eventually come a day when he¡¯d be exposed. It was just a matter of revelation at an unexpected time. Moreover, as long as he killed the person before him, besides the people from the Demon Sect present, no one else would know his identity, and he could continue to hide. Qiu Fengsheng couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Excellent, an escape plan akin to the golden cicada shedding its shell.¡± Everyone in the world thought the Ghost Swordsman was dead, but no one knew that he was actually hiding within the Demon Sect, not only increasing greatly in strength but also becoming a tributor to the sect. If they knew the mystery within, what would their expression be? The Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect and the Ghost Swordsman truly played the world in their palms. ¡°Yes, I am the Ghost Swordsman.¡± An Jing slapped the Water Stopping Sword in his hand. An icy chill surged from the blade, while lightning streaked across the sky as if a crack had appeared, revealing a giant sword. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Control Flying Immortal! An immense, piercing chill spread over the area, turning the surrounding mile extremely cold, as if even the air had condensed into fine ice threads, and the normally smooth-flowing True Qi also slowed down. At the moment the giant sword fell, it seemed as if it could split heaven and earth in half. Upon seeing the giant sword, both Cha Wei and Chuck¡¯s faces immediately revealed a look of utter terror, and they backed away again. This scene was truly shocking. In an instant, Qiu Fengsheng suppressed the tremor in his heart and his expression became extremely serious, no longer daring to keep any secrets, he began forming seals with his palm. He then frantically drew True Qi from within his body. Buzzing! Buzzing! Dense True Qi gathered, forming a massive whirlpool as if under the sea. The vast whirlpool of True Qi emitted a luminescent light, dazzling and brilliant. Three Elements Secret Scripture! Three Elements Seal Technique! A light seal condensed in his palm and then heavily descended towards the front. The two did not hold back any longer, each deploying their most profound skills. To reach this realm and strength, acting like this was indeed risking their lives. The giant sword and the globe of True Qi collided fiercely, and then the world seemed to freeze for a moment. Boom! Boom! An Jing¡¯s Water Stopping Sword chopped straight down, and where the tremendous Sword Radiance passed, it left behind a long, narrow scar in the world. Bang bang bang bang bang bang! The enormous Sword Radiance, like thunderbolts, directly split the huge True Qi whirlpool in half. Suddenly, True Qi scattered across the sky, shaking the ground. An astonishing surge of shockwaves emerged, spreading continuously into the distance. ¡°Wow!¡± Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s body shook as he stretched out his hand to block the Qi wave in front, but such overbearing force still injured his internal organs, and immediately he spat out blood. On the other hand, An Jing was also extremely pale, his hand holding the Water Stopping Sword still trembling. ¡°Drip drop!¡± At this moment, one could clearly see the blood continuously flowing down from his tiger¡¯s mouth to the ground. Both parties made their move with full strength, sparing nothing, and what they got in return was mutual damage. After a long silence, Qiu Fengsheng slowly spoke, ¡°This sensation of life and death, it¡¯s been many years, the last time being when I confronted Ye Ding, the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect, in Great Yan.¡± Qiu Fengsheng didn¡¯t know why, but he felt that facing the Ghost Swordsman today was even more challenging than when he had confronted Ye Ding that day. Perhaps Ye Ding had not intended to kill him at the time, or maybe his mental state was very different from what it is now. ¡°Years are hard to count, old friends are never the same.¡± In a daze, Qiu Fengsheng recalled the words his teacher had once told him, words because of which he had left Zhao Country, moved to Great Yan, and later to Houjin. What kind of truth could possibly justify such a rough and tumble life, battered by wind and rain? Fifty years had hurried past, all in the blink of an eye for him. At this moment, Qiu Fengsheng felt a fleeting connection with the world around him. ¡°Not good!¡± An Jing¡¯s heart began to beat rapidly upon seeing this scene. Qiu Fengsheng was almost about to realize the Third Realm of Heavenly Human Communication. How formidable Heavenly Human Communication could be, An Jing had seen clearly at Eight Feet Platform; after Li Fuzhou used Heavenly Human Communication, he had killed the Xuanyi Guard Tang Taiyuan with a single palm strike. How terrifying was that? It was known that Li Fuzhou was just entering the Second Qi Realm, while Tang Taiyuan had fully stabilized in that realm. If Qiu Fengsheng reached this realm, his chances of surviving today were very slim. ¡°How can I die before my philosophy is complete?¡± A slight smile appeared on Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s lips as he looked at An Jing in front of him. At this moment, his body shone brilliantly, as if illuminated. An Jing sneered, ¡°How many people¡¯s corpses are your philosophies supposed to tread upon?¡± Qiu Fengsheng replied indifferently, ¡°Since ancient times, philosophies have always been so.¡± The moment he finished speaking, Qiu Fengsheng didn¡¯t give An Jing a chance to obstruct him and took the initiative to strike first. In the world around them, everything was filled with his fist force like ocean waves. Seeing the boundless fist light rushing toward An Jing, Yu Qiurong, Duanmu Xinghua, and others were all shocked. If Qiu Fengsheng were an overwhelming wave, then An Jing was like a small boat in this gigantic wave. Although relying on skill to stay afloat, the situation was perilously dangerous. A slight misstep could mean the destruction of the boat and death of the person. Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s complexion turned somewhat pale, ¡°Qiu Fengsheng has actually had a realization.¡± She knew well that if Qiu Fengsheng truly reached Heavenly Human Communication, it would be terrifying. His strength would definitely increase to another level, making it impossible for the Ghost Swordsman to be his match. If the Ghost Swordsman died, they would have no way out. There was no change in An Jing¡¯s expression. Perhaps, in his view, there were not many things in this world that could truly panic him. The Water Stopping Sword struck, creating a surprising scene. An Jing¡¯s body, like a phantom, drew his sword and countless figures spread out. Every An Jing had a different sword striking motion; they either leaped up, twisted their bodies, pressed down their centers of gravity, or their figures flickered, instantly countless sword lights plunged into the raging sea of fist light. It was like a painting, leaving everyone present stunned. Crash! The limitless fist light shattered, and many An Jings merged into one. Three Elements! Earth Star! Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s fist technique, compared to Moon Full, not only possessed completeness but also an unruly momentum, purer and more direct than the raging sea. The Three Elements Secret Scripture, of Heavenly Martial level mental method, plus Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s many years of cultivation, made this fist technique truly extraordinary. Boom! In the thunderous noise that split heaven and earth, a fierce fist force extended and rushed towards An Jing. Qiu Fengsheng, once a pillar of Black Ice Platform and a contemporary master like Qi Xuan Dao, though his subsequent power waned, was still a master not to be underestimated. An Jing didn¡¯t blindly respond with attack to attack. Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s punch was extremely overbearing; to directly counter it would definitely not be advantageous. The Water Stopping Sword fiercely plunged into the ground, then seemed to merge with the entire earth. The next moment, sharp sword light erupted from around An Jing, spraying upwards, where a great amount of sword light layered together, constantly compressing and solidifying into a boundless sharp cold sword light. Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind Unstoppable! With the improvement of An Jing¡¯s swordsmanship, every sword move was performed effortlessly. Crack! The highly compressed sword light roared in, fiercely colliding with that punch, instantly causing the heaven and earth to tremble, and the force Qi surged violently like a tidal wave. ¡°What exquisite swordsmanship.¡± Qiu Fengsheng had seen such realms before, but those were old antiquities immersed in martial arts for years, some capable of using martial moves defensively and offensively at will. However, these people were all elder masters, having studied the Sword Dao and martial arts for decades, but how old did the Ghost Swordsman seem to be? An Jing, seeing Qiu Fengsheng unmoved, furrowed his eyebrows tightly because his murderous intent hadn¡¯t taken effect. With his blood boiling, An Jing remained motionless as if a flash of spiritual light suddenly appeared, and in an instant, he also gained a bit of enlightenment in his mind. All the complex sword moves, at this moment, turned into the simplest techniques. In such a deadly crisis, a moment of great peril, masters tend to become even more composed. Qiu Fengsheng stretched out his arms, feeling the vastness of the heaven and earth, slowly communicating with this part of the world. As long as he achieved a sliver of communication, he would officially step into the realm of Heavenly Human Communication, just like Li Fuzhou at the Eight Feet Platform, harnessing the power of heaven and earth. Duanmu Xinghua, Yu Qiurong, and other Demon Sect masters were extremely tense, their faces exceptionally pale. No one had expected that, under the pressure of this battle, Qiu Fengsheng would have an epiphany and was about to break free from his own shackles. Being able to step into the realm of Heavenly Human Communication, that ranked one among the top masters of the same realm, even able to transcend the Master Realm to slay enemies. At this moment, the fate of everyone¡¯s life and death lay on the two fighters. ¡°Master, help me step into the Heavenly Human.¡± Qiu Fengsheng looked towards the distant south, his expression containing a trace of brightness, his disheveled hair moving with the wild wind. Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but about dancing in the wind. A so-called master is not fearless out of ignorance, but is knowledgeable and still fearless. His eyes were filled with frost, as if they contained the hardships of the past fifty years, then he looked towards the swordsman in front of him. ¡°Ghost Swordsman, I am not afraid to fight you, but what if the heavens were also involved?¡± After speaking, thunder roared in the sky, and the lightning resembled a dragon, echoing loudly. Cha Wei and Chuck were trembling inside; they had never seen such a terrifying realm where a person could actually move heaven and earth, to them, it transcended human limits. ¡°Today, in cooperation with heaven and earth, are you afraid!?¡± Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s True Qi surged like tidal waters, knowing An Jing wouldn¡¯t give him time to break through and making a deadly attack once again. The overwhelming True Qi came, seeming to cover all of heaven and earth, just resisting this attack, he, Qiu Fengsheng, might step into that realm. The True Qi converged, forming a deep, mysterious Seal Technique, carrying an ancient and vast Qi Force. Three Elements Secret Scripture! Three Elements Seal Technique! Qiu Fengsheng slammed force forcefully forward, and the Seal Technique also descended towards the front. Boom! Boom! The oppressive power of the Seal Technique was unstoppable like a collapsing mountain, the ground itself trembling slightly. ¡°Interfacing with heaven and earth?¡± An Jing opened his eyes, as sharp as a drawn sword. All the enlightenment in his mind seemed forgotten at that moment. Yet, An Jing subconsciously raised his Water Stopping Sword, stabbing towards Qiu Fengsheng, its erupting light twisting as if entering into a chaotic illusion. That sword light suddenly disappeared, as if it had never existed. Then, his body also merged into the Seal Technique, the robust Qi Force engulfing him like shifting mountains and overturning seas. ¡°He¡¯s gone¡­ No, that¡¯s not right!¡± Qiu Fengsheng saw the disappearing sword light but still distinctly felt the closer he was to An Jing¡¯s sword tip, the colder and sharper it became. This bone-chilling sharpness seemed to solidify the True Qi in his body, rendering him immobile. Invisible yet clearly felt sword light¨Cwhat kind of swordsmanship was this? It seemed like a year had passed, or perhaps it was just a moment. ¡°Thud!¡± An Jing¡¯s Water Stopping Sword directly penetrated Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s heart, and the next moment, everything returned to normal, An Jing¡¯s movements freed, the sword tip protruding from Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s back, creating a through-and-through hole. ¡°Thump!¡± As the sword was withdrawn, An Jing¡¯s figure unfolded, retreating backwards, consecutively spitting out several mouthfuls of blood. This blood, full of vitality, was breathtakingly red. At that moment, time and space seemed to have stopped. Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the two figures. ¡°What a pity¡­¡± Qiu Fengsheng still stood upright, like a long spear standing between heaven and earth, but the light in his eyes gradually faded. He was just a hair¡¯s breadth away from reaching the Third Realm of Heavenly Human Communication through this pressure. If he had reached Heavenly Human Communication, he could have joined forces with heaven and earth to slay the Ghost Swordsman. But the world has no ifs. Qiu Fengsheng felt his eyelids heavy as if they were laden with lead; he did not want to close his eyes. The wisdom and dreams his master had shared still echoed beside him. Having not yet witnessed that wisdom, how could he simply leave this world? With life slowly ebbing away, death was creeping closer. Qiu Fengsheng, who had believed in fate all his life, wanted to defy the heavens at the moment of death; he was not willing to die like this. In that moment, he connected with the universe and reached the Third Realm of Heavenly Human Communication. But his life had reached its end¨Csuch was his fate. Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s head drooped, never to be lifted again. Qiu Fengsheng was dead! This once proud son of the heavens from the Black Ice Platform, who had dominated across Yan Country, Zhao Country, and Houjin as a Three Qi Grandmaster, died standing in the midst of the swirling sands. ¡°How is this possible!?¡± Chuck, seeing this, was utterly incredulous. How could the mighty Qiu Fengsheng be dead? The Qiu Fengsheng who could have joined forces with heaven and earth was just dead like that? What seemed a certainty had now taken a turn. Everything had gone wrong! Cha Wei, however, felt a bone-chilling coldness inside, as if thousands of steel needles were piercing his body. ¡°Qiu Fengsheng is dead!?¡± ¡°He¡¯s truly dead, the Mansion Master of the Soul Seeker Mansion is really dead!¡± ¡°Heavens! The Ghost Swordsman is too terrifying.¡± ¡­.. In contrast to Cha Wei and Chuck¡¯s fear, the followers of the Demon Sect were filled with unspeakable elation. Duanmu Xinghua murmured to herself, ¡°So powerful¡­¡± A Second Qi Grandmaster slaying a Three Qi Grandmaster¨Cwhat terrifying strength, especially since Qiu Fengsheng was just a step away from reaching Heavenly Human Communication and could have joined forces with heaven and earth. Her heart heated with excitement, knowing now the fearsome Ghost Swordsman was a member of the Demon Sect. Given ten years for Zhao Qingmei and the Ghost Swordsman, this world might very well belong to the Demon Sect. Yu Qiurong, witnessing such an astounding battle, felt a storm surge within her that lingered long, as if she was still immersed in it, unable to extricate herself. This scene today had completely overturned her understanding. An Jing, looking at the steadfastly standing Qiu Fengsheng, remarked thoughtfully, ¡°Don¡¯t you know, sometimes humans are more terrifying than heaven and earth?¡± Saying this, he slowly walked toward Duanmu Xinghua and Yu Qiurong. His steps were slow, his footprints still bearing fresh blood. ¡°This swordsman has taken heavy damage; let¡¯s go together.¡± Upon seeing this, both Cha Wei and Chuck¡¯s eyes burned with a fierce decisiveness. They were very clear in their hearts that if the people of the Demon Sect survived today, their own deaths were certain, and this seemed to be their only chance. ¡°Roar!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just then, a mighty roar of a dragon echoed from afar. Looking in the direction of the sound, one could see a ferocious black flood dragon flying through the sky. On the back of the flood dragon stood a figure with exquisitely beautiful features, a hint of urgency in her expression, her garment fluttering wildly in the fierce wind. The followers of the Demon Sect, seeing this person, all tensed. ¡­¡­. PS: Asking for monthly tickets. Chapter 224 - Chapter 224: 224 Chapter 224: 224 The Demon Sect has a long and far-reaching history, only matched by the Buddhist and Mystical Sects among the martial world. Should the Mystical Sect be in ruins, only the Buddhist Sect could vie with it for supremacy. Therefore, within the Demon Sect, there are ancient texts that might touch upon secrets unknown to ordinary people. The obscure history of the fall of the Great Qin and Great Zhou Dynasties, what kind of secrets are hidden within, and the true reasons behind Tian Yin¡¯s search for me, remain a mystery. A series of doubts emerged in the minds of the couple. ¡°Black luck!?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but think of the first time he encountered Qi Shu, who had wanted to kill him upon seeing the Evil Suppressing Sword in his possession. Tian Yin sought him out because of the Evil Suppressing Sword, and Zhao Country¡¯s Black Ice Platform also wanted to kill him for it. In other words, these two forces must have some special connection, just as the lady said. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Zhao Qingmei seemed to recall something, frowning as she said, ¡°Liu Simiao spent a day in the Poison Cave without noticing anything unusual, but there seems to be something very uncommon about Qiu Fengsheng.¡± After An Jing discovered something unusual about Qiu Fengsheng, he told Zhao Qingmei, who then handed the body over to the Poison King Liu Simiao for investigation. ¡°It¡¯s too strange, the corpse of a Grandmaster level expert should remain intact for a while, but Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s bones suddenly became soft after his death.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and analyzed calmly, ¡°I think this may have something to do with the Black Ice Platform. Qiu Fengsheng came from the Black Ice Platform, and the events of that year might have been more complicated. Such a clever man as Qiu Fengsheng, how could he ruin his own future? And with the Black Ice Platform being so powerful in Zhao Country, how could they possibly have let Qiu Fengsheng escape Zhao Country?¡± wuxiaworld.site Zhao Qingmei nodded, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s possible. This Black Ice Platform is too mysterious.¡± Even when the Demon Sect was at its most powerful, it tried to invade Zhao Country but was no match for the Black Ice Platform. Only then did the Demon Sect realize what a colossal entity ruled over Zhao Country. In the end, Jiang Shang could only lead the Demon Sect to retreat back to Yan Country, daring not harbour any more designs on Zhao Country and never mentioning the matter again. The two fell silent for a while. An Jing took a deep breath and looked at Zhao Qingmei, ¡°I can feel that danger is slowly creeping closer.¡± Indeed, no one can truly leave Jianghu, for a person is Jianghu itself. Unwittingly, he had fallen into the whirlpool of Jianghu. Some wanted to kill him, while others wanted to use him. Perhaps this is the inevitability of being in the Jianghu, where one¡¯s actions are not one¡¯s own to control. Zhao Qingmei held An Jing¡¯s hand and said softly, ¡°You still have me at your back.¡± An Jing felt warmth in his heart upon hearing this. ¡°However, you know your unauthorized actions nearly destroyed my plans. We agreed to be honest with each other, yet you deceived me. Do you understand the severity of the consequences?¡± Her tone shifted, her gaze intense as she stared into An Jing¡¯s eyes. An Jing fell silent, for he had indeed gone against the plan he had made with Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei pursed her lips and said, ¡°We agreed to be honest with each other, to trust each other, yet you didn¡¯t trust me. If you thought there was something wrong with the plan, why didn¡¯t you speak up beforehand?¡± An Jing earnestly said, ¡°My lady, I was wrong.¡± Zhao Qingmei lowered her head and sighed softly, ¡°If there¡¯s one person in this world you should trust, it has to be me.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but gently embrace the woman before him. ¡°This won¡¯t happen again.¡± ¡°If you were to die one day, then I wouldn¡¯t want to live either. I¡¯ve realized that I won¡¯t seek revenge for you.¡± Zhao Qingmei spoke fiercely, yet leaned on An Jing¡¯s chest with tears in her eyes, ¡°So, when you put yourself in danger, when you seek death, remember to take me with you.¡± Feeling a painful sting in his heart, An Jing gently stroked Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hair. There¡¯s a saying that fortune favors the bold, but what wealth is more important than the life of one¡¯s wife and oneself? Zhao Qingmei spoke softly, ¡°Having obtained Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, I feel that I can break through to the Second Qi Realm. I plan to enter closed-door cultivation tomorrow, and I should emerge after about four or five days.¡± ¡°I have already instructed Qiurong to take care of you while I¡¯m gone these next few days.¡± An Jing chuckled, ¡°I¡¯m not a child, there¡¯s no need for such trouble.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes danced, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, she¡¯s my personal maid, clever and well-mannered; you can tell her if you need anything.¡± An Jing pinched Zhao Qingmei¡¯s nose and said, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡­. Yujing City, Heavenly Prison. As the Heavenly Prison of Great Yan, these two words had become the nightmare of countless martial artists from Jianghu. That¡¯s because it held too many notorious martial artists who had committed heinous crimes but whom the Court couldn¡¯t execute, aside from some martial artists, there were many powerful courtiers, merchants, and hidden experts imprisoned here. Since the establishment of Great Yan¡¯s Heavenly Prison, there had been seven major cases of prison breaks, each initiated by famous individuals from Jianghu, remarkable people, trusted subordinates of border generals, or death soldiers and guests fostered by wealthy merchants. But without exception, these individuals had not even entered the true Heavenly Prison before they died at its entrance. Thereafter, the number of people attempting to break into the Heavenly Prison dwindled until, in the past fifty years, there had been no attempts to breach it, as if the place had become forbidden ground within Great Yan. The Heavenly Prison, despite its name, was constructed underground and comprised nine layers. Each layer was more rigorous and tightly guarded than the one above it. The ninth layer held individuals who had once been famous within Great Yan. In the ninth layer, the atmosphere was dark and oppressively dank. The silence was so profound it felt eerie, with only the occasional light flickering on the walls breaking through the darkness. On the straw mat inside a cell near the entrance lay a scholar with graying hair, who was currently propped up on the mat, holding a book. This was none other than Li Fuzhou, who had killed Tang Taiyuan, the Governor of the Xuanyi Guard, on the Eight Feet Platform with a single palm strike. ¡°Hey, new scholar, come out and have a chat,¡± called an old voice from inside the cell. ¡°You say you killed Tang Taiyuan. Why didn¡¯t the old white-browed one kill you?¡± Li Fuzhou replied indifferently, ¡°He didn¡¯t kill me because I still have my uses.¡± The voice laughed, ¡°What? Is there someone outside who can actually get you out of here?¡± Those who enter the Heavenly Prison have to take a Qi Scattering Pill every day, which disperses the true Qi in their bodies. Moreover, due to the special construction of the Heavenly Prison, it¡¯s impossible to replenish true Qi here. So, thinking of walking out of the Heavenly Prison is as difficult as ascending to the heavens, unless someone from the outside rescues you, but there has been no success in forcefully breaking into the Heavenly Prison thus far. The other possibility of leaving the Heavenly Prison is only if the Great Yan Emperor himself issues an order. And the likelihood of that happening is also extremely low. What kind of person is the current Great Yan Emperor? Forty years ago, he staged a coup and ascended to power with unparalleled ruthlessness. Moreover, he is a famed Martial Arts Emperor. Before he came to power, it is said that he had already reached the Grandmaster Realm. With the support of the Royal Family¡¯s vast resources over these forty years, wouldn¡¯t his cultivation have reached the heaven and earth? Li Fuzhou shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± In his memory, there were only two people who had a chance to save him. One was his teacher, Lv Guoyong, and the other was Zhao Qingmei, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. But with Zhao Qingmei¡¯s current shallow cultivation, it was unknown how long it would take for her to become capable, and whether he would still be of use to her by then was another matter. As for his teacher, who was stuck in a quagmire, it would be extremely difficult to rescue him while finding difficulty in saving himself. The old voice chuckled, ¡°You¡¯re quite interesting. There are not many people who can remain as calm as you are at the beginning of their imprisonment in the Heavenly Prison, and you even have the mood to read books. Could it be that reading now is useful, and it can bring you to the Saint Realm?¡± At the beginning of their imprisonment in the Heavenly Prison, not many had such a calm state of mind, as they all sought ways to escape. However, since this scholar had come in, all he did after eating and drinking was to lie on the straw mat and read books. If it were possible to reach the Saint Realm, perhaps there really would be a chance to escape. Li Fuzhou looked at the book in his hand and said calmly, ¡°The purpose of reading books is not to achieve great accomplishments, but rather to give you an inner strength, so when life knocks you back to square one and you are mired in setbacks, you can face it all with tranquility and composure.¡± Upon hearing this, the owner of the old voice fell silent for a moment. This scholar seemed somewhat extraordinary. ¡°Li Fuzhou, you have a visitor.¡± Suddenly, a cold voice echoed throughout the Heavenly Prison. All eyes in the Heavenly Prison looked over; it was extraordinary for someone to be allowed to visit in the Heavenly Prison. Li Fuzhou put down the book in his hand. Then the door to his cell opened, and a prison guard dressed in black extended a dispassionate palm. ¡°Please,¡± said the prison guard. ¡°Thank you,¡± Li Fuzhou replied courteously, bowing slightly as he exited the cell. With the black-clad prison guard leading the way, they soon arrived at a room, ¡°Go in.¡± Having said that, the prison guard stepped aside. ¡°Creak-!¡± Li Fuzhou pushed the door open and walked in, where the inside was brightly lit, and a woman sat under the bright light. She was like an orchid in an empty valley, like the sound of a flute in the moonlit water, her ethereal and extraordinary temperament refreshing to the soul, and her faint smile¡¯s charm was endlessly delightful. This person was none other than the former number one beauty of the Great Yan, and now the Empress Zuo Linglong. ¡°Who do I think it is, it turns out to be Her Majesty the Empress. The commoner pays his respects.¡± Seeing the person coming in, Li Fuzhou couldn¡¯t help but bow to Zuo Linglong. Zuo Linglong looked at the man before her, her brow slightly furrowed in her heart, but her face remained serene, ¡°There¡¯s no need for pretense, we are well aware of what kind of person you are.¡± Li Fuzhou said, ¡°The Empress jests. I am not familiar with Her Majesty. How could you possibly know what kind of person Li Fuzhou is?¡± Zuo Linglong¡¯s beautiful eyes narrowed into slits as she slowly stood up, ¡°Li Fuzhou, it seems you¡¯ve had quite a comfortable time in the Heavenly Prison.¡± The scent that was faint yet pronounced wafted over, coupled with her delicate beauty and her voluptuous appeal, seemingly capable of ensnaring a man¡¯s soul. Li Fuzhou, as if not seeing any of this, replied indifferently, ¡°There is food and drink here, naturally it¡¯s quite nice.¡± Zuo Linglong shook her head, staring at the old scholar before her, ¡°Li Fuzhou, you truly are a weed that can¡¯t be burnt down. When you fled from Yujing City, I thought you were surely doomed. Yet you managed to escape all the way, and even joined the Demon Sect in the end. Coming to Yujing City this time, you even killed Tang Taiyuan. I thought you were finally going to die today, but it turns out you are still alive. It seems not only is your spine tough, but your life is too.¡± To say she hated the man before her, so many years had passed that such feelings had dissipated like smoke, but to say she wasn¡¯t resentful, there was still a knot in her heart. How can one talk of letting go when one has never picked it up? Li Fuzhou said, ¡°The wind doesn¡¯t break the grass that blows, from extreme weakness comes strength. Perhaps the heavens didn¡¯t want the grass to just die off like that.¡± ¡°Well said, ¡®The wind doesn¡¯t break the grass that blows, from extreme weakness comes strength.''¡± Zuo Linglong couldn¡¯t help but clap her hands and then said, ¡°Li Fuzhou, do you realize you¡¯re about to die?¡± ¡°I¡¯m unaware.¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head. ¡°Are you afraid?¡± ¡°How many in this world are not afraid of death? Li, for one, is very much afraid.¡± ¡°But there is no fear in your eyes, which means you are not afraid in your heart.¡± ¡°Her Majesty can see my eyes, but might not be able to see what is in my heart from them.¡± Their back-and-forth held no sharp confrontation, nor the warmth of long-separation, instead carrying an indescribable flavor. After a long silence, Zuo Linglong spoke again, ¡°Li Fuzhou, you¡¯re a talented individual. Would you be willing to work for the Martial Arts Emperor?¡± Li Fuzhou asked, ¡°Will I die if I say I¡¯m unwilling?¡± Zuo Linglong countered, ¡°What if I say you will?¡± Li Fuzhou, shaking his head, refused, ¡°Unwilling.¡± ¡°Li Fuzhou, are you mocking me?¡± Zuo Linglong laughed upon hearing this. Li Fuzhou answered, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± Zuo Linglong turned away, her back to Li Fuzhou, ¡°You entered the Heavenly Prison, yet the Demon Sect has undergone earth-shattering changes.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to hear more.¡± Zuo Linglong said, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman led Luo Chongyang, the Universal Literary Vajra, and two mysterious One Qi Grandmasters to denounce the Demon Sect. Heroes from all over responded in droves. You probably didn¡¯t know about this, did you?¡± A suspicion flashed in Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman!?¡± It was hard to determine whether this person was a friend or foe to the Demon Sect. To this day, he was filled with doubts. And the Ghost Swordsman had such a call to arms that even Luo Chongyang and the Universal Literary Vajra, such renowned experts, heeded his call? ¡°Yes, the battle has been very much in the spotlight.¡± Zuo Linglong murmured softly, ¡°Even I¡¯ve heard about this matter in the palace, you can imagine the tumult this battle has stirred.¡± ¡°What was the outcome?¡± Zuo Linglong said, ¡°The result is quite absurd. In the end, the Ghost Swordsman chose to cease fighting. The Demon Sect¡¯s Sealing Demon Platform elders joined forces with Soul Seeker Mansion in a surprise rebellion against the Demon Sect, ultimately leading to both the Ghost Swordsman and the traitor Yuan Feng perishing together.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s mind was somewhat chaotic, feeling that this affair was shrouded in secrets unknown to others. Without giving Li Fuzhou time to process, Zuo Linglong continued, ¡°Moreover, news came a few days ago that the Houjin army suffered a defeat at Sanfeng Pass, and the Master of Soul Seeker Mansion was besieged and killed by the Demon Sect¡¯s experts.¡± Qiu Fengsheng is dead!? Who killed him? Could it have been the old Sect Hierarch Jiang Shang who took action? Li Fuzhou was exceptionally shaken. His brow furrowed tightly, and he did not speak. He hadn¡¯t expected that after entering the ninth layer of the Heavenly Prison, the Demon Sect would be rocked by such a great disturbance. ¡°The Demon Sect is now at war with Houjin and will be unable to avoid disaster sooner or later; they simply have no time to care about your life or death.¡± Zuo Linglong turned around with a smile, ¡°Li Fuzhou, His Majesty is willing to offer you a chance, it all depends on whether you can find your way back from your lost path.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s deep eyes gleamed with a hint of brightness, ¡°Are you here to persuade me on behalf of the Emperor?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Zuo Linglong did not hesitate. Li Fuzhou asked with a smile, ¡°I, Li Fuzhou, am a layman. May I ask, if I submit to the Human Emperor, what benefits can he offer me, Li Fuzhou?¡± Zuo Linglong replied, ¡°Feel free to speak.¡± A person is not feared for his greed, but for his lack of desire. It is those without wants or needs that are most difficult to control. Li Fuzhou looked at Zuo Linglong with a grin, ¡°I, Li Fuzhou, don¡¯t crave power but beauty. I wonder if the Human Emperor can bestow a beauty upon Li?¡± Zuo Linglong¡¯s face flushed slightly, then a flicker of cold light passed through her eyes, ¡°Li Fuzhou, you have quite the nerve!¡± ¡°Ha ha ha ha.¡± Li Fuzhou laughed out loud, ¡°Miss Zuo, the rouge on your face is much thicker than it used to be, but I still find that you were more beautiful before.¡± With that, Li Fuzhou walked out the door nonchalantly. Zuo Linglong seemed very annoyed; her chest heaved up and down, and then subconsciously, she touched her cheek with a slight frown. ¡­. Dongluo Pass, within the courtyard. Sunlight filtered through the layered leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground and turning into faint, gently swaying rounds of light. An Jing sat cross-legged on the bed, with the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± flowing within him. He had fully refined and absorbed the three strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. Not only had his internal injuries recovered, but his Second Qi Realm had also stabilized. ¡°This Sixth Realm is indeed not so easy to reach.¡± An Jing exhaled a breath of turbid air and then opened his eyes. After his battle with Qiu Fengsheng, he had combined his own sword technique with the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± and grasped a move of the Invisible Sword, gaining new insights into the Sword Dao, yet he was still unable to cross from the Fifth Realm to the Sixth Realm. What Lou Xiangzhen said was right; it would be much more difficult for him to reach the Sixth Realm compared to other swordsmen. ¡°My son-in-law, it¡¯s time to eat.¡± At that moment, a voice came from outside the door, Yu Qiurong¡¯s voice. ¡°Coming.¡± An Jing got up and walked towards the door. There stood Yu Qiurong, respectfully saying, ¡°The food is ready; it¡¯s in the dining hall.¡± ¡°Good.¡± An Jing nodded and headed to the dining hall. Zhao Qingmei was going into seclusion to break through the Second Qi Realm and had Yu Qiurong take care of his meals and daily needs, which An Jing thought was unnecessary. Upon entering the dining hall, he saw a woman dressed in a light purple palace outfit, standing with her hands behind her back, examining the food on the table. The woman was Tan Yun. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± An Jing glanced at her, then took a seat. Upon seeing An Jing, Tan Yun said, ¡°Son-in-law, I was just checking to see how the meal turned out, afraid it might not suit your taste.¡± As she spoke, she sneakily glanced at Yu Qiurong. For some reason, ever since Yu Qiurong had become An Jing¡¯s maid, Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit despondent. A job that should have been hers had now been snatched away by Yu Qiurong. Yu Qiurong chimed in, ¡°I made these dishes myself. They might not be as delicious as those the Sect Hierarch makes, but if the son-in-law doesn¡¯t like them, I can call the chef.¡± ¡°No worries, I don¡¯t care much for these sorts of things,¡± An Jing said, pausing to look at Tan Yun, ¡°as long as they are edible, that¡¯s fine.¡± Tan Yun shook her head and sighed, ¡°Qiurong, looking at the dishes you made, it¡¯s obvious that you have no idea what the son-in-law likes to eat.¡± Yu Qiurong asked, ¡°What does the son-in-law like to eat? I¡¯ll make it tomorrow.¡± Tan Yun smugly picked up her chopsticks, ¡°The son-in-law¡¯s favorite is crab, especially the specialty crabs from Weishan Lake in Lijiang City, Yu State.¡± How could Qiurong understand the son-in-law? Only she knew him best. Hearing this, An Jing suddenly felt a heart attack coming on. ¡°Crab!?¡± Dongluo Pass was in a desert region, so where would it have crabs? Thus, Yu Qiurong couldn¡¯t help furrowing her brows. ¡°Cough cough cough.¡± An Jing coughed lightly and said, ¡°What Tan Yun mentioned was from last year; this year I no longer fancy eating crabs. The dishes you¡¯ve made are quite alright.¡± Although Yu Qiurong¡¯s cooking was hardly delicious, it was far from being poisoned. At that moment, Tan Yun served a bowl of rice for An Jing, and then dished out a bowl each for herself and Yu Qiurong. Yu Qiurong raised her eyebrows, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Tan Yun looked at the rice in her hands, ¡°Of course, I¡¯m going to eat.¡± ¡°No respect for seniors or juniors here.¡± Yu Qiurong hummed softly, ¡°The Sect Hierarch is in seclusion; you should go and attend to your own matters.¡± With the strict rules of the Demon Sect, only the carefree Tan Yun dared to dine with the Sect Hierarch¡¯s husband at the same table. ¡°Oh.¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun immediately hung her head low. An Jing chuckled and said, ¡°It¡¯s fine, just sit down and eat with us.¡± Yu Qiurong showed a look of difficulty, ¡°But¡­¡± An Jing waved Tan Yun over, ¡°It¡¯s okay, there¡¯s too much food here for one person to finish, you should sit down and eat too.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, it would be a waste not to finish it.¡± Tan Yun nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with hope. ¡°Alright.¡± Ultimately, Yu Qiurong nodded her head and took a seat. Compared to Tan Yun¡¯s hearty feasting, Yu Qiurong was much more deliberate, chewing each bite slowly and carefully, her mannerisms faintly revealing a shadow of Zhao Qingmei. While Tan Yun was struggling with the meal in front of her, she managed to find a moment amid her busyness to ask, ¡°Son-in-law, if you no longer like eating crabs, what do you like to eat now?¡± An Jing became immediately guarded upon hearing this, ¡°Why do you ask?¡± With wide eyes, Tan Yun said, ¡°I¡¯m just curious, just asking casually.¡± Yu Qiurong also looked over. After considering for a moment, An Jing said, ¡°I¡¯ve been enjoying beef, okra, yam, and such.¡± Nutritional supplementation must be prioritized in the making, as this matter relates to every single meal each day. Tan Yun said gravely, ¡°Son-in-law, I have noted it all down.¡± During this period while the Sect Hierarch is in seclusion, she must let the son-in-law realize her growth in culinary skills. As long as she gains his favor, by the time he influences the Sect Hierarch with pillow talk, perhaps the Hierarch will consider rescuing her master. An Jing¡¯s hand shook slightly as he held his chopsticks and said, ¡°No, you must forget it right away.¡± Yu Qiurong almost let out a laugh upon hearing this, seemingly understanding something. ¡°Brother An.¡± Just then, the urgent voice of Liu Simiao sounded from outside the door. Seeing the visitor, An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Senior Liu, what brings you here?¡± Liu Simiao took a deep breath and said, ¡°There¡¯s new news from Great Yan. Sect Master Duanmu has requested your presence to discuss matters.¡± Tan Yun looked up, puzzled, and asked, ¡°What do they need the son-in-law for?¡± Even though An Jing was nominally a tributor, in the Demon Sect, it was a mere honorary title; he rarely participated in discussing the Sect¡¯s major affairs. Liu Simiao responded with slight annoyance, ¡°I don¡¯t know either. Anyway, Sect Master Duanmu asked me to come personally and invite Brother An.¡± ¡°Alright, then I will go now.¡± An Jing nodded his head. If Sect Master Duanmu Xinghua had asked for him, it must be a significant matter. Yu Qiurong also put down her chopsticks. As An Jing¡¯s personal maid, she naturally had to follow closely by his side. In the dining hall, only Tan Yun was left with a hesitant face and a table full of food. After struggling for a while, Tan Yun swallowed down the last big mouthful of rice and followed them. ¡­. Fengyun Hall. Experts of the Demon Sect gathered together, with Duanmu Xinghua, Lin Tianhai, Yi Daoyun, and others all frowning and involved in heated discussion. Lin Tianhai asked, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, does this mean that there is really a chance for our Demon Sect to improve relations with Great Yan?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, this message has come from within the court; it¡¯s thoroughly verified.¡± Duanmu Xinghua contemplated for a moment and said, ¡°Consider this, Great Yan is currently facing dual pressures from Houjin and Zhao Country, and the intentions of the Southern Barbarians are unclear, yet their relations with Great Yan have always been strained. Given our recent major victory over Houjin, their desire to cooperate with us is only normal.¡± As Duanmu Xinghua finished speaking, the experts of the Demon Sect present all had their spirits lifted. It is known that many masters from the Demon Sect originated from Great Yan, but due to the Sect Hierarch Jiang Shang¡¯s perverse actions causing chaos in Jianghu, the Demon Sect was ultimately expelled from Great Yan, leaving them no choice but to retreat and hold their ground in Dongluo Pass headquarters. Now that there was a chance to mend relationships, wasn¡¯t this an enormous piece of good news for everyone? It was the wish of so many for the Demon Sect to return to Great Yan openly and legitimately. Among the many experts present, Mu Xiaoyun was naturally the most ecstatic, or rather, she had been waiting for this day for a very long time. Duanmu Xinghua shook his head and said, ¡°Gentlemen, there¡¯s no need to be too pleased just yet. While there is this proposal in the Great Yan Court, whether it will pass remains uncertain.¡± Lin Tianhai stroked his beard, smiling, ¡°I think this matter is not difficult. Although Houjin has lost this battle, they are not yet so grievously wounded, and Zhao Country has not yet made a move. Given the consistent losses Great Yan has suffered against Zhao Country, they cannot disregard that threat. If Houjin and Zhao Country were to join forces, attacking from the north and the south, the Great Yan Dynasty would surely crumble in an instant.¡± Everyone was aware of the current situation. Although there was enmity between Great Yan and the Demon Sect, with a common enemy and goal, this hostility was not irreconcilable. ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, the person has been brought here.¡± Just then, An Jing, Liu Simiao, Yu Qiurong, and Tan Yun, among the four, entered Fengyun Hall. ¡°Tributor An, you¡¯ve arrived.¡± Upon seeing An Jing, Duanmu Xinghua quickly rose to his feet. Yi Daoyun and Lin Tianhai exchanged glances and also stood up. The many Demon Sect experts present were somewhat perplexed as to why Duanmu Xinghua had asked Doctor An to come and discuss important matters of the Demon Sect that day. Moreover, this attitude seemed overly enthusiastic, even with a hint of ingratiating intent. ¡°Hmm.¡± An Jing nodded and glanced at Duanmu Xinghua, asking, ¡°Is there something major?¡± Duanmu Xinghua smiled and replied, ¡°Please take a seat, An Tributor, and allow me to explain slowly.¡± An Jing walked over slowly and sat down. Tan Yun and Yu Qiurong stood behind him, one to the left and one to the right. Taking a deep breath, Duanmu Xinghua said, ¡°Just yesterday, news leaked from the Great Yan Court that they intend to negotiate peace with our Demon Sect.¡± ¡°Negotiate peace?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart stirred upon hearing this. Before Zhao Qingmei entered seclusion yesterday, they had already considered it; currently, the best strategy for the Demon Sect was to ally with either Great Yan or Houjin. Since the Mansion Master of the Soul Seeker Mansion from Houjin had recently died at the hands of the Demon Sect, the possibility of peace talks with Houjin was not high, making an alliance with Great Yan much more likely. After all, Great Yan was currently caught between a pincer attack from Houjin and Zhao Country to the north and south, and the situation looked grim. If they formed an alliance with Great Yan, perhaps they could even negotiate to rescue Li Fuzhou. After all, Li Fuzhou was a Second Qi Grandmaster who had reached the Heavenly Human Communication realm, his strength comparable to a Three Qi Grandmaster, and the Demon Sect was in dire need of manpower at the moment. After thinking for a while, An Jing said, ¡°An alliance between the Demon Sect and Yan Country would be all benefits and no drawbacks. Indeed, it¡¯s an opportunity, but we mustn¡¯t rush into action.¡± Duanmu Xinghua asked, ¡°So, An Tributor agrees?¡± ¡°Agreed.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°We still need to wait, waiting for the Great Yan Court to speak is not too late.¡± All the Demon Sect experts present heaved a sigh of relief and nodded silently; whoever proposed the alliance first would be at a disadvantage in the negotiations. The Yan Kingdom Court needed to wait, and naturally, the Demon Sect needed to wait as well. Houjin, having just experienced a great battle, would not be able to start another one in such a short time. The Demon Sect could afford to wait. Subsequently, the group discussed the specific details, including a series of affairs concerning the Demon Sect. Duanmu Xinghua would make decisions only after consulting An Jing. The meeting concluded after an hour. Due to matters concerning the Heavenly Sect, Duanmu Xinghua stood up to take his leave, and the other many experts of the Demon Sect also dispersed. ¡°Brother An, wait for a moment.¡± An Jing was preparing to leave when Liu Simiao stopped him. An Jing asked, ¡°Senior Liu, is there something else?¡± Liu Simiao chuckled, ¡°About the matter I mentioned to you last time, I wonder how Brother An has considered?¡± Lin Tianhai and Yi Daoyun also approached. An Jing smiled, ¡°If there is an opportunity, I would naturally still want to learn swordsmanship.¡± Liu Simiao pointed at Yi Daoyun and said, ¡°This is the head of the White Tiger Sect in our Demon Sect, Yi Daoyun. If you really want to learn the sword, you can study by his side.¡± Yi Daoyun scrutinized An Jing and shook his head, ¡°An Tributor has missed the prime age to practice the sword, and Yi is very busy on regular days. I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t have much time to teach An Tributor.¡± Ever since Yi Daoyun killed Tang Dali and obtained a wisp of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Essence, his cultivation had improved, and his Sword Dao had progressed. With his age, he still held hopes of reaching the Sixth Realm; if he could reach the Three Qi Realm, he might well find a place for himself in this vast world. He was naturally fully devoted to his training at this moment. Lin Tianhai laughed and patted An Jing on the shoulder, jocularly commenting, ¡°What¡¯s so good about practicing the sword? It¡¯s better to practice the spear.¡± Liu Simiao raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Spear Technique might not be easier to learn than Sword Dao. It¡¯s more reliable to study poison skills. Moreover, you already know medical skills; you would learn poison skills quickly. In time, Brother An could surpass the blue and become a great Poison King.¡± The two went back and forth, each trying to persuade An Jing. Tan Yun thought carefully on the side, her little brain whirring rapidly as she helped An Jing strategize, ¡°Yes, brother-in-law, with your high medical skills, studying poison skills is indeed an excellent choice.¡± ¡°You idiot.¡± Yu Qiurong glanced at Tan Yun, inwardly shaking her head; if they knew that the person before them was the Ghost Swordsman, and that he had single-handedly killed Qiu Fengsheng, she wondered what they would think. An Jing interrupted Liu Simiao, saying, ¡°Yu Miss is also an expert in the way of the sword. I think it¡¯s better for her to teach me swordsmanship.¡± ¡°Me!?¡± Yu Qiurong said in astonishment, but then her face turned bright red in an instant. For her, a Fourth Realm swordsman, to instruct An Jing in swordsmanship was utterly preposterous and comical. To the side, Tan Yun saw Yu Qiurong¡¯s face blush slightly and furrowed her brows in concern, her expression turning wary. She knew something of Yu Qiurong¡¯s temperament; it was impossible for her to blush without reason. Could it be that Sister Qiurong¡­. Tan Yun seemed to think of something. How could such a thing happen!? Liu Simiao, not yet ready to give up, said, ¡°Is Brother An truly set on learning swordsmanship?¡± ¡°Certain.¡± An Jing nodded emphatically. Lin Tianhai hesitated, then finally said, ¡°There is no future for you in practicing swordsmanship now, but this is your own choice, and we have no right to interfere.¡± Yi Daoyun shook his head, not speaking, yet seemingly saying a lot without words. Yu Qiurong whispered, ¡°My swordsmanship is crude, how dare I instruct the Sect Hierarch¡¯s husband¡­ ¡± ¡°The Sect Hierarch¡¯s husband!¡± Tan Yun interrupted Yu Qiurong, seriously saying, ¡°My swordsmanship is also formidable. When the time comes, I can teach you if you want to learn.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Alright, then you will teach me.¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun immediately clenched her fists in excitement. The Sect Hierarch¡¯s husband has finally recognized that she is a Second Grade Cultivation expert! The crowd on site exchanged glances. Initially, they had intended to let An Jing learn some self-defense martial arts, but now with Tan Yun teaching An Jing swordsmanship, this method seemed unreliable, and the person looked even more unreliable¡­. At that moment, a master from the Azure Dragon Sect hurriedly walked in. ¡°Sect Master, Elder Ouyang from the Sealing Demon Platform has arrived.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Tianhai quickly said, ¡°Elder Ouyang? Let him in immediately.¡± Ouyang Ping!? An Jing naturally recognized the name. The Third Elder from the Sealing Demon Platform, a Second Qi Peak expert who had fought against the Black Flood Dragon for dozens of rounds. Yi Daoyun and Liu Simiao showed a trace of curiosity in their eyes. Ouyang Ping wouldn¡¯t come to the Demon Sect without reason; could there be some matter? Soon after, an elderly man in white robes walked in from outside the hall. ¡°We pay our respects to the Second Elder.¡± All the Demon Sect masters present bowed to the newcomer. This person was indeed the Third Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform, Ouyang Ping. ¡°Please, there¡¯s no need for formality,¡± Ouyang Ping said with his usual indifferent expression, then asked, ¡°Where is Sect Hierarch Zhao? I have important matters to discuss with her.¡± Yu Qiurong replied, ¡°The Sect Hierarch is in seclusion. This man is the Sect Hierarch¡¯s husband and can fully act in her place.¡± Ouyang Ping looked towards An Jing, raising his eyebrows slightly. ¡°Act in place of Sect Hierarch Zhao!?¡± He had also heard that Zhao Qingmei had taken an outside lover, but he had not expected the man to hold such a high status. Wasn¡¯t this too frivolous? Yu Qiurong nodded, ¡°Yes.¡± An Jing chuckled softly and said with a salute, ¡°Elder Ouyang can speak freely, and we can discuss the matter. If it is something that truly can only be addressed by the Sect Hierarch, we can also wait for my wife to come out of seclusion to discuss it.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing spoke sensibly and modestly, calm and composed. Ouyang Ping glanced at An Jing, pondered for a moment, and then said, ¡°Since everyone present is from our own Demon Sect, I will speak frankly. The Great Elder might soon come out of seclusion.¡± The entire Fengyun Hall immediately went silent, and the Demon Sect masters present were taken aback. Lin Tianhai asked, ¡°When the Second Elder speaks of the Great Elder, is he referring to the Great Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform?¡± Ouyang Ping nodded, ¡°Exactly.¡± Chapter 229 - Chapter 229: Chapter 229: Yin Wind Burial Summoning Death Chapter 229: Chapter 229: Yin Wind Burial Summoning Death ¡°Agreed,¡± Lin Tianhai took a deep breath and stepped forward. ¡°We agree as well,¡± Liu Simiao and Mu Xiaoyun followed closely behind, expressing their agreement. ¡°I also agree,¡± Yi Daoyun, after a long silence, also clasped his fists. At that moment, the Demon Sect experts present changed their tune, with no one speaking out against it. Who would dare to oppose now? Even Yi Daoyun had been defeated by An Tributor, and his strength seemed unfathomable, not having displayed his full power. Who else could be more suitable than him for the mission to Yan Country? ¡°Very well,¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, ¡°This time, our Demon Sect¡¯s mission to Yan Country will be led by An Tributor. Yu Qiurong and the experts of Earth Sect among others will accompany him. This matter is settled, and the specifics and details will remain unchanged.¡± The Demon Sect experts bowed deeply: ¡°We will strictly adhere to the Sect Hierarch¡¯s decree.¡± ¡°Then this meeting is adjourned,¡± wuxiaworld.site Zhao Qingmei gave An Jing a meaningful look, and the two stood up and left the Fengyun Hall, with Yu Qiurong closely following behind An Jing. After the Sect Hierarch departed, Lin Tianhai urgently looked at Duanmu Xinghua and asked, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, did you already know about An Tributor¡¯s strength?¡± Liu Simiao also approached and inquired, ¡°Who exactly is he? How can he be so terrifying?¡± No one would have imagined that the Hierarch¡¯s ¡®favored consort¡¯ possessed such profound strength, since, to them, An Jing had no advantages apart from a good appearance and decent medical skills. But the power he demonstrated was truly terrifying. Most crucially, he was still so young. ¡°He is just An Tributor,¡± Duanmu Xinghua chuckled lightly and whispered, ¡°This matter should not be spread for the time being.¡± Lin Tianhai replied, ¡°We understand, and will not spread the word.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good then,¡± Duanmu Xinghua nodded and then walked slowly out of the Fengyun Hall. Liu Simiao muttered, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu is actually keeping this even from us?¡± ¡°Perhaps Duanmu Xinghua doesn¡¯t know himself,¡± Lin Tianhai looked at Yi Daoyun and said with a smile, ¡°Yi, what do you think of An Tributor¡¯s swordsmanship?¡± Yi Daoyun pondered for a moment, ¡°Very fast.¡± That was the sole thought in his heart facing that sword. Lin Tianhai pondered for a moment, ¡°In this world, the swordsman known for practicing the Fast Sword Dao to fame is Zhao Country¡¯s Wind Sword Huang Shang, but his cultivation has not yet reached the Grandmaster level.¡± Liu Simiao shook his head, ¡°I have seen Huang Shang, he is already sixty-three years old, it¡¯s absolutely impossible for him to be so young.¡± ¡°Elders, there is no need to guess,¡± Mu Xiaoyun interjected with a smile, ¡°All in all, regardless of who he is, as long as we know him as An Tributor, that¡¯s enough for us.¡± Lin Tianhai nodded in agreement, ¡°Precisely. It doesn¡¯t matter who he is, as long as he serves as Tributor of our Demon Sect.¡± Such an outstanding figure was beyond their guess as to who he might be, but it was enough for them to know that he was the Hierarch¡¯s husband and not an enemy of the Demon Sect, Liu Simiao stroked his beard and exclaimed, ¡°It seems our Demon Sect will have another Sword Immortal in its ranks.¡± ¡°Sword Immortal¡­¡± Mu Xiaoyun seemed to think of something, his heart skipped a beat, ¡°He couldn¡¯t be the Ghost Swordsman, could he?¡± Silence! Instantly, the Fengyun Hall became eerily quiet. Liu Simiao said with a trembling voice, ¡°Wasn¡¯t the Ghost Swordsman supposed to be dead? It should be impossible.¡± The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s deeds were somewhat mysterious, and upon closer thought, there seemed to be a faint possibility. Mu Xiaoyun spoke in a haunting tone, ¡°I always feel there¡¯s something fishy.¡± Lin Tianhai¡¯s expression changed, and shaking his head, he said, ¡°No way, absolutely no way that An Tributor could be the Ghost Swordsman, absolutely impossible.¡± ¡­¡­ Outside Fengyun Hall. An Jing reflected for a moment and then said, ¡°You should go back and manage the sect affairs first, I want to visit the Sealing Demon Platform.¡± Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°Are you going to visit the Great Elder?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± An Jing nodded, After all, Jun Qinglin was currently one of the top experts in the world and surely knew some secrets that others did not; it would be good to get some advice from him before heading to Yan Country. ¡°Okay,¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips lifted into a smile, her brow revealing a hint of coquetry, ¡°Remember to come back early, I¡¯ll make your favorite dishes tonight.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll make a quick trip there and back,¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing, his heart racing, then headed towards the outskirts of Dongluo Pass. Outside Dongluo Pass, the scorching sun blazed down, with sandstorms sweeping across the sky and land. A few dozen li out from Dongluo Pass, a huge shadow suddenly surged from the sands. It was the Black Flood Dragon. ¡°Roar!¡± Sensing An Jing¡¯s arrival, its body transformed into a streak of light rushing forward. It wasn¡¯t long before the Black Flood Dragon saw An Jing, clad in a white robe, standing amid the whirling sands, and it extended its enormous head, as if wanting to rub against him. ¡°Hmm? Blood?¡± An Jing suddenly sensed a heavy scent of blood on the Black Python and upon closer inspection, he saw fresh red blood on its scales. Seeing this, he couldn¡¯t help but frown deeply. Flood Dragons, as recorded in the history books, are extremely fierce and ferocious Exotic Beasts, and their appearance is often accompanied by unimaginable disasters, with many of them feasting on human flesh. Originally, after the Thousand-year-old Black Boa had shed and been refined into a Living Puppet, it had no soul, but in the place near the Four Symbols Sect called Dragon Hidden Creek, it developed a new Divine Soul. This new soul, like a newborn baby, was curious about everything in the world, without emanating a sense of fierceness or brutality. However, as the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s soul came into contact with more and more of the world, An Jing realized that its soul seemed to be slowly developing and changing. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if this is good or bad,¡± An Jing looked at the lively Black Flood Dragon before him and thought to himself. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon roared lowly, its pupils showing a trace of excitement, and then its massive body rolled and wriggled in the sand, causing a ¡®sizzling¡¯ noise from the friction. An Jing approached the Black Flood Dragon, touching its hard scales. ¡°I might have to leave for a while, so you stay here during this time.¡± This time, going to Yan Country, he didn¡¯t plan to bring the Black Flood Dragon mainly because its body was very conspicuous and would inevitably draw premature attention from others. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon let out a low growl, its lantern-sized eyes intently fixed on An Jing, as if responding to him. After communicating with the Black Flood Dragon for a while, An Jing then left the Gobi for the Sealing Demon Platform. After reaching the Second Qi Realm in his cultivation, his pace had quickened considerably. Just a few hours later, he caught sight of the Qionglou Yuyu in the oasis ahead, the Sealing Demon Platform that looked like a fairyland on earth. As soon as An Jing landed on the ground paved with white jade, he saw Ouyang Quan already there as if waiting for something. ¡°An Tributor, please come inside,¡± invited Ouyang Quan with an outstretched hand gesturing. An Jing asked curiously, ¡°Could it be that Brother Ouyang has been waiting for me?¡± Ouyang Quan nodded and said, ¡°Just tens of breaths ago, I was accompanying the Great Elder in a game of chess when he suddenly asked me to come out to welcome An Tributor.¡± An Jing didn¡¯t speak further, but he thought to himself with a silent awe, Truly a Five Qi Grandmaster, his sensing abilities far surpass those of ordinary experts. Ouyang Quan led the way, and the two crossed the Great Hall to a square platform behind it. In the center of the platform was a stone table, with a chess game laid out on it, and Jun Qinglin was presently sitting on one side, focusing intently on the chessboard. ¡°Great Elder, our guest has arrived,¡± said Ouyang Quan respectfully as he approached. Jun Qinglin waved his sleeve and said, ¡°Good, you can go. I know you¡¯re also bored; it¡¯s time someone else kept me company.¡± Ouyang Quan laughed dryly twice before withdrawing. An Jing bowed with his fist cupped in the other hand. ¡°Great Elder, your junior offers his respects.¡± Jun Qinglin placed the chess piece in his hand down, rose with a light smile, and asked, ¡°What brings you here today?¡± An Jing didn¡¯t beat around the bush and replied straightforwardly, ¡°Actually, your junior will soon be representing the Demon Sect on a mission to Yan Country, so before that I wanted to visit you, hoping you could offer some advice.¡± Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyes drifted towards the distant sands and slowly said, ¡°I¡¯ve also learned from Ouyang Ping about the currents of our world today. A Demon Sect alliance with Yan Country to oppose Houjin is the best choice. Houjin¡¯s Holy Master is an ambitious fellow, and cooperating with him would be akin to seeking the tiger¡¯s skin.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°You know Houjin¡¯s Holy Master, senior?¡± Even being in Yan Country, one could often hear about Houjin¡¯s Holy Master, Zongzheng Huachun¨Cwithin twenty short years, he had conquered all the tribes of the Great Plains, united the vast grasslands, and within another two decades, developed Houjin rapidly, enough to pose a threat to Yan Country. Even though Houjin was defeated by Yan Country in the battle at Northern Wilderness Dao, Yan Country failed to injure Houjin¡¯s primordial energy, and nearly ten of the Thirteen Banners still had their full military force intact. Furthermore, the force of Houjin¡¯s Great Snow Mountain had not yet made a move. In Yan Country¡¯s Martial World of Zhenyi Sect, the power was awe-inspiring, and if other forces united, they could still hold their own against it. In contrast, Zhao Country¡¯s Martial World was dominated by Black Ice Platform, but other Sects also scattered traces of their presence. Houjin, on the other hand, was completely different from the two countries. In Houjin, there was only one Sect: Great Snow Mountain. Great Snow Mountain was considered the holy land of the plains. All the masters of Houjin almost invariably came from there, without exception. Zhenyi Sect openly had only two Grandmaster level experts: Yu Ying, who guarded the Heavenly Venerate Hall and boasted the cultivation of a Second Qi Peak Grandmaster, and Xiao Qianqiu, a Four Qi Grandmaster who had a formidable presence in the Great Yan Martial World. And what about the openly known experts of Great Snow Mountain? They had five Dharma Kings and one Holy Master. Among them, the Great Dharma King and the Holy Master had unfathomable Tongxuan-level cultivations, renowned as top experts far and wide, showcasing the formidable strength of Great Snow Mountain. ¡°I¡¯ve met him once; the man is beyond measure,¡± Jun Qinglin mused for a moment before continuing, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun can be considered my junior, but his talents surpass mine; he has an unfathomable nature and is a person of great resolve. When I first met him, I knew he was no ordinary individual.¡± ¡°The Great Plains was fractured with many tribes locked in constant strife and killing each other, and with external threats like the Snow Mountain tribes. Add to that the interference and manipulation from Yan Country, stirring up conflicts¨Cin less than twenty years, for him to unite Houjin with substantial support from Great Snow Mountain, I believe it¡¯s his own capability as well.¡± An Jing nodded. The great deed of uniting the Grand Plains by the Houjin Holy Master would indeed leave a profound mark in history. Jun Qinglin continued, ¡°What I didn¡¯t expect was that in the past twenty years, Zongzheng Huachun has managed to enhance the power of Houjin so significantly, to the point where they have the resources to contend with Yan Country. This is quite terrifying.¡± Twenty years of development turned the weak grasslands into a powerful tiger; it¡¯s simply unimaginable. An Jing thought for a moment and said, ¡°Besides vigorously developing trade, there were also the elixirs that Qiu Fengsheng brought from the Black Ice Platform, which attracted quite a few good hands from the Jianghu.¡± The grasslands were most in need of ironware and salt supplies, but the bureaucrats of Yan Country were corrupt, selling countless iron mines to Houjin each year. Unseen, they had become a terrifying interest group. It¡¯s fair to say that most of Yan Country¡¯s bureaucrats were accomplices in the massacre of the people in the Northern Wilderness Dao by Houjin. Moreover, with the assistance of Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s elixirs, the Soul Seeker Mansion also developed rapidly. Jun Qinglin nodded and continued, ¡°The Holy Master of Houjin is not only ambitious but also a Martial Arts Emperor. Thirty years ago, I had a clash with him on the Heavenly Plain. At the time, his cultivation was in the Three Qi Realm. Only I, Zongzheng Huachun, and that Great Dharma King from the Great Snow Mountain were present. Outsiders do not know of this.¡± An Jing furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°Oh? Your cultivation back then should have been higher than that Holy Master¡¯s, right?¡± ¡°Correct, my cultivation was in the Four Qi Realm at the time.¡± Jun Qinglin appeared to be lost in memories, ¡°With my higher cultivation, I had somewhat of an upper hand, but I wasn¡¯t able to take him down. Eventually, the Great Dharma King intervened, and I wasn¡¯t a match for the two combined, so I made my escape.¡± An Jing looked at Jun Qinglin in front of him, deeply shaken. He thought to himself how this person almost killed the Holy Master of Houjin. If he had succeeded back then, what would the world¡¯s situation be like now? ¡°This is not something to be proud of.¡± Jun Qinglin looked at An Jing and said seriously, ¡°But now, if I were to encounter Zongzheng Huachun again, I¡¯m afraid I wouldn¡¯t be his match.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°Has Zongzheng Huachun also reached Five Qi?¡± Jun Qinglin was silent for a moment and then said, ¡°Unless there are surprises, he probably has.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing was internally astonished. Then he asked again, ¡°Does senior know how many Five Qi Grandmasters are there in the world?¡± Five Qi Grandmasters stand on the pinnacle among grandmasters, the closest to demi-immortals, and can be said to be the top existences in the current world. Looking into the distant sands, Jun Qinglin said slowly, ¡°Probably only about five or six. However, most are like me, mere old bones in the grave, struggling at the end. Don¡¯t underestimate us. For those who are near their end, an impasse can become a view and a crisis can lead to rebirth. At your lowest point, as long as you are willing to move forward, every direction is an ascent. And who knows, one day the gates of Heaven might open, and you just might step directly into a demi-immortal state.¡± As he spoke, a hint of brightness emerged in Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyes. An Jing shook his head with a smile, ¡°Looking at the world, senior is a true master. You have nothing in common with the ¡®old bones in the grave, on the brink of death¡¯ you speak of.¡± Jun Qinglin seemed to be asking An Jing and at the same time questioning himself, ¡°What defines a true master, and what constitutes a real powerhouse?¡± After thinking for a while, An Jing replied, ¡°A true powerhouse is someone with a strong heart, while a true master is a master of life.¡± ¡°A master of life¡­¡± Upon hearing this, Jun Qinglin sighed deeply. The distant sandstorm howled, and both of them fell silent as if reflecting on the words they had just shared while watching the blowing sands. Coming back to his senses, Jun Qinglin said, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun is not just ambitious and powerful, but the Human Emperor of Yan Country is also not to be underestimated.¡± ¡°This Human Emperor is adept at biding his time. The coup at the Heavenly Book Pavilion forty years ago is still vivid in my mind. I¡¯m not too clear whether he is laying out plans now, but in my estimation, if he is indeed planning something, it¡¯s likely a grand game he is setting up. And Zhenyi Sect also has profound depths with the likely presence of old monsters of the Hua generation in Hidden Mountain yet to emerge. First, there was the Buddhist¡¯s crossing to the east, then our Demon Sect¡¯s alliance in the south. Now the world has fallen into chaos. Planners are making their moves, and pieces are being placed in order. Even a sect like the Demon Sect could be reduced to ashes if it makes a wrong move.¡± ¡°Before heading to Yan Country, I have only one piece of advice, being cautious never leads to big mistakes.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart grew tense, ¡°So, I will be extra cautious on this trip to Yan Country, ensuring nothing goes wrong.¡± ¡­¡­ A crescent moon rose up, clear and cold, spilling ice-like silver light from the west. An Jing took steps towards the courtyard. ¡°Son-in-law.¡± At that moment, Tan Yun appeared from the side calling out to An Jing. An Jing walked over and asked, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Tan Yun pressed her lips together and said, ¡°Son-in-law, I heard that the Sect Hierarch asked you to make a trip to Great Yan.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± An Jing nodded in response. Tan Yun glanced around and whispered, ¡°The Sect Hierarch ordered Sister Qiurong and you to go together, but how could she take care of you, my lord? Surely, I understand you better¡­¡± Whether she will take care of me, I do not know, but at the very least, she won¡¯t poison and harm me. An Jing saw through Tan Yun¡¯s thoughts in a glance, ¡°Do you want to accompany me on the mission to Yan Country?¡± Tan Yun nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining brightly, ¡°This mission to Yan Country might present an opportunity to rescue my master.¡± An Jing looked at Tan Yun, she was Lv Guoyong¡¯s granddaughter with a special identity, but it was precisely because of this special connection that Tan Yun could not be brought along. Involving Tan Yun and the Lv Sect in this whirlpool could backfire due to some unspeakable secret. Initially, Li Fuzhou had not planned on taking Tan Yun to Yujing City, but unexpected changes had occurred. Seeing that An Jing was silent, Tan Yun quickly asked, ¡°My lord, what do you think?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea.¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°You stay in Dongluo Pass, and when I come back, I¡¯ll bring you some Yan Country pastries.¡± ¡°My lord, I want to go.¡± Tan Yun bit her lower lip. An Jing¡¯s expression turned stern, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to listen to your lord?¡± Tan Yun began to get anxious, ¡°Of course I¡¯ll listen to my lord, but¡­¡± An Jing interrupted Tan Yun, soothingly saying, ¡°There are no buts, just stay at home.¡± With that, An Jing walked towards the bedroom. ¡°My lord¡­¡± Tan Yun watched An Jing¡¯s retreating figure, wanting to call out to him but not daring to raise her voice too much, only able to huff and puff, ¡°Bad lord, I won¡¯t see you off then.¡± ¡°Creak¨C!¡± As he pushed open the door, he saw Zhao Qingmei in a white gauzy dress, with her jade-like skin faintly visible and her stunningly beautiful face becoming even more enchanting under the dim light, holding a book in her hand. ¡°My lady, I¡¯m back.¡± An Jing then looked around, asking with a smile, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were going to make something delicious for me? Why don¡¯t I see anything?¡± Zhao Qingmei stepped forward, gently touching An Jing¡¯s collar with her palm, her eyes seductive as silk, ¡°Brother, am I not delicious?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± An Jing blinked, looking at the young woman in front of him, grudgingly saying, ¡°I haven¡¯t eaten dinner yet.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t we eat in bed?¡± Zhao Qingmei began tugging An Jing¡¯s clothes off, impatiently saying, ¡°I promise to satisfy your appetite fully.¡± An Jing put up a final resistance, ¡°Don¡¯t rush, I haven¡¯t had a bath yet.¡± ¡°Brother, then we can bathe together afterwards.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips parted slightly, her eyes revealing an alluring charm as her hand seized An Jing¡¯s hold. ¡°Then we¡¯ll bathe together later.¡± An Jing also felt a flame rising within him, as he embraced Zhao Qingmei¡¯s waist. ¡­¡­ News of the Human Emperor of Yan Country issuing the National Teaching Order spread across the land at an extremely fast speed, like a stone causing ripples in a pond, instantly stirring the entire world into a tumult. The term National Teaching Order carried an extraordinary significance; it was precisely because of this order that the Zhenyi Sect could thrive in Yan Country, growing into a force that dominated the Great Yan Martial World over a hundred years. Now that the Human Emperor of Yan Country had issued another National Teaching Order, it naturally caught everyone¡¯s attention. However, the discerning could see that this order was clearly prepared for the Buddhist sect, and their plans to cross eastward had been in the works since before the year began. Buddhism had settled in the Yan Country, becoming the national religion. That was tantamount to binding themselves to Yan Country¡¯s war chariot, a move that would be a tremendous upheaval for the world¡¯s balance of power. Moreover, there were rumors that the Demon Sect had dispatched masters on a mission to Yan Country. All at once, Yan Country became a meeting place of winds and clouds, gathering masters from all walks of life. The following day, outside Dongluo Pass. A white-clothed youth with a charming and elegant demeanor, who looked serene and calm, was riding a black steed. Beside him was a beautiful woman dressed in black, followed by six black-clothed martial artists. The group, mounted on horses, left the Demon Sect¡¯s main hall through Dongluo Pass. The young man in white was carrying a long object wrapped in Shu brocade that looked like a wooden box on his back. An Jing led Tan Yun and several Earth Sect masters out of Dongluo Pass, the object on his back being none other than the third-ranked sword on the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion¡¯s Famous Sword List, the Evil Suppressing Sword. There weren¡¯t many in the world who recognized the Evil Suppressing Sword, but going to Yujing City in the Yan Country, there might be quite a few who did. In heading to Yan Country, in addition to visiting Yujing City, An Jing intended to display the grandeur of the legendary third-ranked sword again by finding the other three sword bodies of the Evil Suppressing Sword, completing its set of six sword bodies. It was said that when a famous sword emerged, its blade was unlike any common one, impossible to wield except by peerless swordsmen and masters. The Evil Suppressing Sword was even more enigmatic. When it was initially forged, it resulted in the deaths of the Human Emperor and several experts of the Great Zhou Royal Family. Zhao Qingmei and a group of Demon Sect masters stood atop the city walls, seeing An Jing off. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows were knit with worry. After all, the journey to Yan Country would be fraught with difficulties. With dangers lurking in both light and shadow, even An Jing, who had reached the Second Qi Grandmaster level, couldn¡¯t ease her concerns. Mu Xiaoyun beside her was curiously watching the white-clothed youth¡¯s retreating figure, her mind brimming with questions. Could he truly be the Ghost Swordsman? ¡°The world is about to gain another sword immortal master,¡± Yi Daoyun remarked as he looked down, feeling sentimental. He was indifferent to whether An Jing was the Ghost Swordsman or not, but he knew that An Jing¡¯s swordplay was worthy of the title of Sword Immortal. Lin Tianhai and Liu Simiao had their own thoughts, but this matter concerning the interests of the Demon Sect made them hope that this mission to Yan Country would go smoothly. Only Duanmu Xinghua appeared somewhat composed as she said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, are you somewhat worried?¡± Looking into the distance, Zhao Qingmei replied, ¡°Heading to Yan Country, the future is unpredictable. With so many masters converging, how could I not worry?¡± Duanmu Xinghua consoled her, ¡°Sect Hierarch, the strength of An the Tributor will surely protect him.¡± After all, the swordsman who could slay Qiu Fengsheng, the experts who could threaten him were few and far between in the world. In a soft voice, Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°If things go well this time, the Demon Sect¡¯s alliance with Yan Country could work together to confront Houjin.¡± An Jing looked back and waved at the woman standing atop the city walls. After a clear call to his horse, he spurred it on the official road, galloping away into the distance. As a dust storm was raised, An Jing and his party soon vanished from everyone¡¯s sight. ¡°Let¡¯s go back.¡± It was a long while before Zhao Qingmei exhaled and with a wave of her sleeves, she walked off into the distance. The other Demon Sect masters also rose and followed behind Zhao Qingmei, leaving the city walls. ¡°Son-in-law¨C!¡± Shortly after everyone had left, Tan Yun hastily rushed up to the city walls. Standing on the walls of Dongluo Pass, she looked into the distance where the yellow sands were pervasive. There was no trace of An Jing anymore. Somehow, a sense of unease and sorrow unexpectedly stirred within her. Tan Yun, with her eyes still moist with tears, placed her hands over her mouth and shouted loudly, ¡°Son-in-law, I will listen to you and not go, but you must remember to return safely. Don¡¯t forget what you promised.¡± ¡­. An Jing had barely left Dongluo Pass when he suddenly pulled the reins and looked back. Dongluo Pass¨Cthis place felt both familiar and foreign to him. Without a direction, he was a wanderer anywhere. But now that his heart had a direction, for the first time in ten years, he felt a sense of ¡®leaving home¡¯¨Can emotion he had not experienced even when he left Yu State City. ¡°Son-in-law, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Yu Qiurong couldn¡¯t help but ask curiously when she saw this. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°Let¡¯s hurry up. We¡¯ll try to get to Yunlin City as soon as possible. Let¡¯s go!¡± After that, several steeds galloped, running towards the distance. Dongluo Pass is located in the northwest, and the nearest to Dongluo Pass is the Northern Wilderness Dao. The official road from Yunlin City of Northern Wilderness to Dongluo Pass was closed, but the relationship between the two sides has eased recently. Now this trade route has reopened. Along the way, one could see many merchants and armed escorts, and even some wandering Jianghu visitors. Every few tens of miles, there would also be a bustling teahouse. The last time An Jing came to the Demon Sect, he had passed through this official road. At that time, there were few people around and it could even be described as desolate. But now it¡¯s bustling with activity. To be precise, An Jing had been to many places in Great Yan, but he had hardly had the chance to take a good look at them. It could even be said to be just a glimpse. Now riding on a steed, his speed was not as fast as his Black Flood Dragon, and he stopped along the way to appreciate the surrounding scenery. Even so, by the time night fell, the group had reached Yunlin City on the Northern Wilderness Dao. Compared to several months ago, Yunlin City had undergone earth-shattering changes. Even at night, the streets were still ablaze with lights and crowded with people. An Jing smiled and asked, ¡°Do you know what it looked like here when I first came?¡± Yu Qiurong thought for a moment and replied, ¡°It should have been very run-down and desolate.¡± An Jing said with emotion, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s only been a short two months, and yet the change has been so great. It¡¯s truly unimaginable.¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s lips curled up as she said, ¡°The future will be even better.¡± An Jing gave a slight nod and said nothing more. The reason why Yunlin City could develop so well was naturally due to the easing of relations between the Demon Sect and Yan Country, leading to its current development. If the mission to Yan Country goes smoothly this time, the Demon Sect would be able to make an aboveboard appearance in Yan Country. Yu Qiurong pointed to an inn ahead and said, ¡°Son-in-law, there is an inn up ahead.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Good, we¡¯ll stay there for tonight.¡± The group entered the inn. ¡°Guests, are you looking to stay at the inn?¡± As soon as they walked in, an inn¡¯s assistant came over with a smile, ¡°Our rooms are already fully booked.¡± Yu Qiurong looked at An Jing with a hint of inquiry in her eyes. An Jing said, ¡°Let¡¯s try another place.¡± Then, the group switched several inns in succession, but all were already full. Eventually, they arrived at the last inn in Yunlin City, Yue Lai Inn. Soon after, an Earth Sect expert came out in a hurry and reported, ¡°An Tributor, this inn has rooms, but there are only two¡­¡± ¡°Only two?¡± Yu Qiurong frowned and looked at An Jing, ¡°Son-in-law, six of them can share one room, and the two of us can share another room; let¡¯s just rest for the night.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°It can only be so.¡± After that, the group entered the inn, and they were met by a middle-aged innkeeper. He was very tall, burly, with a rugged appearance. Seeing An Jing and his party, the innkeeper eagerly greeted, ¡°Guests, are you here to stay?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Bring us some food first.¡± ¡°Right away.¡± The innkeeper quickly shouted towards the kitchen, ¡°Prepare some signature dishes.¡± An Jing and Yu Qiurong sat at one table, while the other six sat at another. Soon, several steaming dishes were served, looking delicious and appetizing. An Jing picked up his chopsticks and took a bite, his eyes lighting up, ¡°This taste is really not bad.¡± Yu Qiurong also took a bite and chewed delicately, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s good.¡± The innkeeper, while wiping the table, said with a smile, ¡°Our chef used to be a master chef for the Liu Family of Yuan City. After the Liu Family fell into decline, the chef fell on hard times too and ended up in Yunlin City.¡± ¡°The Liu Family used to be a big clan, and the cooking skills of their chefs are naturally extraordinary.¡± An Jing nodded his head and said no more. The innkeeper also knew that the identity of An Jing and his companions was extraordinary, so after a few more words, he stopped talking. After a satisfying meal, An Jing and his party went to their rooms. Yu Qiurong, preparing a place on the floor, said, ¡°Son-in-law, you rest on the bed. I¡¯ll sleep on the floor.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need; you go rest. I won¡¯t be sleeping tonight.¡± An Jing shook his head. ¡°Not sleeping?¡± Yu Qiurong showed a hint of confusion in her gaze. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Go to sleep; that¡¯s an order.¡± Although Yu Qiurong was nominally a maid, she and Zhao Qingmei were like sisters. An Jing naturally would not let her sleep on the floor. Moreover, with his cultivation, he could go for days and nights without shutting his eyes. This short night didn¡¯t require any rest at all; he would meditate and cultivate with the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± and the night would soon pass. ¡°Yes.¡± Upon hearing the word ¡®order,¡¯ Yu Qiurong could only obediently lie down on the bed. She didn¡¯t take off her clothes but lay flat on the bed, her heart thumping wildly and restlessly. This was the first time in her life, apart from her father, that she shared a room with a man¨Cespecially as she lay on the bed while that man sat on a chair. As time slipped by, Yu Qiurong¡¯s emotions gradually settled, and even her heart became very calm, soon drifting into dreams. Moonlight shone like water, covering thousands of miles. Yunlin City fell into eerie silence, even frighteningly so. ¡°Hm!?¡± Suddenly, An Jing heard faint noises coming from above, and the sound was getting closer. ¡°Someone¡¯s here.¡± ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed, and in the next moment, his body shot through the window like the wind and landed on the rooftop. Under the high-hanging full moon, there was a burly figure standing on the rooftop, appearing as if embedded within it. It was none other than the innkeeper. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing chuckled, ¡°Innkeeper, you¡¯re not resting so late at night?¡± Faced with a figure like a ghost, the innkeeper was startled inside but kept a composed smile, ¡°The moon is nice tonight, I came up to enjoy it and to catch a breeze.¡± ¡°The sky is clear tonight, and there seems to be no wind,¡± An Jing said, extending his palm, a cold gleam in his eyes, ¡°Could it be that the innkeeper is enjoying the ¡®Yin Wind Burial¡¯?¡± ¡­.. PS: Please vote for support. Chapter 230 - Chapter 230: Chapter 230 Turmoil in the Inn (Seeking Monthly Ticket and Subscription) Chapter 230: Chapter 230 Turmoil in the Inn (Seeking Monthly Ticket and Subscription) The innkeeper saw a pair of cold lights rushing towards him and chuckled lightly, ¡°Only the dead would produce such a chilling wind.¡± An Jing said, ¡°I think you seem very much like a dead man.¡± The innkeeper felt a sudden chill in his heart and subconsciously retreated backwards. He knew he had encountered a tough opponent, the young man in white before him looked unassuming, but his strength was undoubtedly terrifying. An Jing asked indifferently, ¡°Who are you?¡± The man before him had no low cultivation, being of the First Grade Human Flower Realm; having such a person hiding in an inn as the innkeeper, there was certainly something strange going on. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± The innkeeper¡¯s eyes suddenly widened, and he hurtled away into the distance. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going!?¡± Just then, a sharp shout rang out. Yu Qiurong, with the Water Stopping Sword in hand, pursued quickly, the sword in her hand was extremely sharp as it aimed directly for the innkeeper¡¯s back. Whoosh! The tip of the sword was so fast it was imperceptible, and just as it was about to stab him in the back, the tip veered sharply, avoiding the vital area. wuxiaworld.site ¡°Thump!¡± The innkeeper¡¯s body stumbled and rolled down the roof. ¡°Crash! Crash!¡± ¡°Innkeeper!¡± At the same time, four figures emerged around the inn. These four were the workers and cooks of the Yue Lai Inn, obviously people of Jianghu. Six masters from the Demon Sect¡¯s Earth Sect also charged out, and a fierce battle erupted between the two sides in the dark night, accompanied by the clashing sounds of metal. The battle came quickly and ended just as rapidly; the few were no match for the masters of the Demon Sect. Lanterns were lit, illuminating the gloomy inn; An Jing went up to the second floor. Yu Qiurong reported, ¡°Son-in-law, the innkeeper was called Wu Shangyuan, and he¡¯s dead. We found a waist badge and some letters on him, and it seems he was a master from the Ma family of the Northern Border.¡± With that, Yu Qiurong took out a stack of letters and a waist badge. Hearing this, An Jing said in a low voice, ¡°The Ma family of the Northern Border?¡± Yu Qiurong sorted through her thoughts carefully before speaking, ¡°The Ma family is a prominent northern family in Yan Kingdom, quite influential, and wields near-absolute power in the northern part of Yan Kingdom. The Ma family has intricate connections with Fang Shaohan, the Minister of Revenue at the court; moreover, they support one of the five major factions of the Great Yan Martial World, the Golden Corner Alliance, and the president of the Yujing Trade Association also has extensive ties with the Ma family (as mentioned in Chapter 129). Additionally, Ma Changde, the head of the Ma family, is friends with Dai Danshu.¡± ¡°Furthermore, a month ago during the conflict between Yan Kingdom and Houjin, the Ma family also supplied Wang Shiyi with a considerable amount of food.¡± An Jing chuckled, ¡°It seems this Ma family really is quite powerful, with such an intricate network of relationships.¡± Yu Qiurong nodded, ¡°In recent years, it¡¯s been rumored that the Ma family has been selling iron mines to Houjin. Although this has caused some disturbances, the Ma family has managed to suppress them.¡± The Ma family¡¯s influence extends across Jianghu, the court, and the business world; the magnitude of their power is evident. They¡¯re like an invisible giant hand covering the Northern Wilderness Dao; even if the Yan Kingdom Court wanted to take action against the Ma family, careful consideration would be necessary, as this already involves a situation where pulling one hair might affect the whole body. If not handled properly, it could even cause harm to oneself. At that moment, a middle-aged man came forward with a salute, ¡°An Tributor, I¡¯ve found that the other rooms are empty, and there are no other guests in the inn.¡± This man was Qian Cishan, a Guardian of the Earth Sect, with cultivation at the Earth Flower Realm; he was one of the top third or fourth masters in the Earth Sect and the highest-ranking one among them. ¡°How interesting.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes when he heard this. The sudden fullness of the inns in Yunlin City, coupled with the fact that Yue Lai Inn just happened to have two rooms left, but without other guests staying, already explained everything. Clearly, someone was setting a trap, inviting one into the pot. However, An Jing had anticipated this scene long ago, from the moment he left Dongluo Pass; countless eyes had been watching him, especially now at the border, where it was the best time to make a move. An Jing picked up the letters and said, ¡°I¡¯ll take a look at these letters; you all go down and see if there are any survivors.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan responded and then withdrew. An Jing opened the three letters to take a look, and one of them was a letter from the head of the Ma Family, Ma Changde, initiated personally by Wu Shangyuan. In the vast Jianghu, what could be seen was Jianghu, and what couldn¡¯t be seen was also Jianghu. The Jianghu beneath the Grandmasters was perhaps the Dragon and Tiger List that ordinary experts looked up to high above them, fighting over superficial fame and fortune, which in the end were the joys and sorrows of small figures. But in the Jianghu above the Grandmasters, they regarded themselves as transcendent hermits, yet they couldn¡¯t escape the chains of fame and fortune either, their desires for fame and fortune were just on a much larger scale. Wu Shangyuan, the Three Flowers Hand, was also a very famous expert in the Great Yan Martial World, especially notorious in the Northern Yan Jianghu. A pair of iron hands covered in blood, nobody knew how many people in Jianghu had fallen to him, but he had now died silently in the Yue Lai Inn. An Jing glanced at the letter, which surprisingly detailed the Ma Family¡¯s transactions and dealings with Houjin. The Ma Family did indeed have transactions with Houjin, and they trafficked large amounts of iron ore to them, with this secret trade continuing for several years even as the Yan Country was at war with Houjin. One had to say that the Ma Family was incredibly audacious, reaching a lawless extent. ¡°Such a letter, and it has not been destroyed.¡± An Jing slightly raised his eyebrows, feeling somewhat surprised. Normally, such a letter would be top-secret. Wu Shangyuan¡¯s decision not to destroy it after seeing it was quite thought-provoking. An Jing put the letter away and picked up the other two to read. One of the two letters was written by Wu Shangyuan¡¯s wife, filled with embarrassing and provocative words that made one¡¯s thoughts wander on reading them, but just as it was getting interesting, the letter abruptly ended. ¡°That¡¯s too short.¡± An Jing muttered to himself and picked up the last letter, which bore no signature, but just three powerful and vigorous characters, Heavenly Punishment Peak. ¡°Heavenly Punishment Peak?¡± An Jing began to search his memory for anything related to this Heavenly Punishment Peak. ¡­¡­ Downstairs at the Yue Lai Inn. By this time, the night had deepened and the cold moonlight swept over the ground, making the inn seem quite serene. Yu Qiurong asked, ¡°What did they say?¡± Qian Cishan shook his head, ¡°They¡¯re all Ma Family spies positioned in Yunlin, unaware of today¡¯s operation. The only one in the know should have been Wu Shangyuan.¡± Hearing this, Yu Qiurong felt a sinking sensation in her heart. The informed Wu Shangyuan had already been thoroughly impaled by her sword, dead beyond any doubt. Yu Qiurong took a deep breath and said to herself, ¡°Clearly, things are not simple.¡± Qian Cishan asked, ¡°Should we inform An Tributor and leave Yunlin City overnight?¡± There were definitely masterminds behind this operation, and no one knew if there were other experts behind them. Just as Yu Qiurong was about to speak, her brows suddenly furrowed, ¡°Someone is coming, you all fall back.¡± The other five high-rank Earth Sect experts all concealed themselves. In the moonlight, one could see a line of people walking slowly into the Yue Lai Inn. These people were tall and sturdy, all with long sabers at their waists, and the leader was a sinister-looking man who seemed to be in his forties or fifties, wearing a blue robe. He held nothing in his hands, yet he had a very dangerous aura, making even Yu Qiurong¡¯s heart pound erratically with a sense of danger. Thirteen or fourteen people entered in sequence, quickly filling up the first floor. The one leading was none other than Sang Tianyou. There was a short stillness in the inn, no one spoke, not a sound was heard, everyone was motionless, like a static picture. ¡°Innkeeper, please serve us some good dishes.¡± Sang Tianyou sat down carelessly and ordered loudly. Yu Qiurong replied composedly, ¡°You must be joking, sir. I¡¯m certainly not the landlady here,¡± Sang Tianyou scrutinized Yu Qiurong carefully, then laughed and said, ¡°This landlady here looks very familiar. I feel as if I¡¯ve seen you somewhere before.¡± Yu Qiurong smiled sweetly and said, ¡°We all wander the Jianghu, where don¡¯t we meet? Maybe we have encountered each other, or maybe it was just a fleeting meeting.¡± A glint flashed in Sang Tianyou¡¯s eyes, but he said nothing more. ¡°` The man behind Sang Tianyou shouted loudly, ¡°Then what about the tavern keeper?¡± He yelled a few times, but there was no response whatsoever. In this world, dead men cannot speak; if they can, they are most likely feigning death. The man cursed under his breath, ¡°If the keeper is not around, then we¡¯ll just help ourselves to some drinks.¡± As he spoke, he reached out with his palm, and the jar of wine that was three paces away on the counter appeared in his hand in the blink of an eye. To snatch objects through the air! In the Jianghu, only a skilled expert can snatch objects through the air like that. It requires not only immense inner strength but also an extremely delicate control over it. ¡°An expert!¡± Qian Cishan narrowed his eyes; although he couldn¡¯t sense the man¡¯s cultivation, he was at the very least a First Grade Realm expert. One must know that it is not easy for a First Grade expert to appear in a city like Yunlin City, and it seemed like he was just a follower. ¡°This wine is not bad.¡± The man uncorked the wine and took a big gulp before saying, ¡°But it has too strong a scent of blood. Could this be a black shop?¡± As the man¡¯s voice fell, both Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan frowned deeply. Sang Tianyou¡¯s pupils dilated sharply as he looked toward the door. The next moment, footsteps sounded, and an old Taoist with a full head of white hair walked in alone, ¡°Brandishing a sword and riding a horse through the demon rain, white bones pile like mountains as birds scatter in surprise. Life¡¯s troubles come like waves, and people flow like water, only lamenting how few return from Jianghu.¡± All the pupils in the room constricted suddenly. When wandering in Jianghu, one must be wary of ¡®the old, the weak, the women, the children, the monks, the Taoists, and the disabled.¡¯ For these people, without any special skills, it¡¯s impossible to survive in the perilous Jianghu and mix in with this world full of deception and betrayal. The old Taoist had a calm and serene demeanor, encompassing everything around him, walking neither too fast nor too slow, but he made Sang Tianyou unable to look directly at him. His mind raced, trying to figure out who this old Taoist was, when did the Demon Sect include such Mystical Sect experts? Could it be¡­ The old Taoist glanced at Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan and then fixed his gaze on Sang Tianyou, a sharp gleam appearing in his eyes, ¡°A man from Houjin?¡± Sang Tianyou composed himself and responded indifferently, ¡°And who might you be, sir?¡± The old Taoist smiled faintly, ¡°Today is quite the coincidence, the last time I encountered the minions of Zongzheng Huachun was decades ago. Those were two red-robed Dharma Masters from the Great Snow Mountain, whom I ended up chopping up and feeding to the dogs. You needn¡¯t worry, over the years my Qi cultivation has improved greatly, and this time, I definitely will not chop you up.¡± The way the old Taoist spoke was light and breezy, but his words sent chills down the spine. A Dharma Master holds a position second only to the Dharma King on the Great Snow Mountain. The wooden Gold Dharma King himself was once a Dharma Master who advanced rapidly in cultivation before ascending to the rank of Dharma King. In Jianghu, a Dharma Master can be considered a master capable of standing on their own, but this old Taoist casually claimed to have chopped up two of them and fed them to dogs. Sang Tianyou¡¯s expression darkened, ¡°You certainly have quite the gall.¡± ¡°Quite the gall?¡± The old Taoist turned his head to look at Sang Tianyou, ¡°It¡¯s been many years since anyone dared speak to me in such a manner.¡± Upstairs, An Jing listened to the commotion below and thought to himself: Both men have high cultivation, especially the old Taoist who just came in. When the old Taoist was still dozens of steps away from the tavern, An Jing barely sensed his presence. Although this man was not quite at Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s level, he should be close and likely had the cultivation of a Second Qi peak Grandmaster. As for the group from Houjin, their strength was also extraordinary. Apart from the leader, there were three at the First Grade, and the rest were at the Second and Third Grade cultivation levels; such power could definitely make waves in Jianghu. The tall and burly leader, whose Qi Force was restrained, seemed a notch below the old Taoist, likely at the level of a Second Qi Grandmaster. Under the cool moonlight, the modest Yue Lai Inn gathered three Grandmaster-level experts¨Ca momentous convergence sure to set off ripples of crisis from all directions. Sang Tianyou sneered, ¡°It seems there are still people from the Mystical Sect in the world so brazen and arrogant. You must be a disciple from the Zhenyi Sect, and given your strength, if I am not mistaken, you should be Yi Daoyun, the Hall Leader of the Heavenly Venerate Hall, right?¡± Yi Daoyun! This name was well-known in the Great Yan Martial World, as resonant as thunder. He was one of the three great prodigies of the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Qing generation. Among them, Ye Ding had a firm nature and broad mind, known for his vision and eventually chosen as the Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect; Luo Chongyang was the youngest, but his talent was the highest, deemed to have the greatest potential among them, and his prestige was just as great as Ye Ding¡¯s. Out of the three prodigies, Yi Daoyun was the most moderate and inconspicuous one. But that was only in comparison to Ye Ding and Luo Chongyang. ¡°` When placed among the top experts in the world of Jianghu, Yu Ying was a Grandmaster who could turn his hand for the clouds and cover his hand for the rain. Though he rarely left the Heavenly Venerate Hall in the recent years, no one in Jianghu dared to underestimate this expert. Yu Ying¡¯s expression became reserved, then he slowly rose to his feet and took a step forward. Just one step. In the next moment, the air was instantly filled with a suffocating atmosphere of deadly silence, as if someone was fiercely restraining one¡¯s neck, making it oppressively difficult to breathe. Even the light from the oil lamps in the room began to shrink and eventually only maintained a few inches around the wick. This kind of Grandmaster¡¯s pressure was simply not something that ordinary experts could withstand. ¡°It seems today this place will have a few more lonely and wild ghosts.¡± Yu Ying waved his sleeve robe. Whoosh whoosh¡­ With the waving of the sleeve robe, what seemed unexceptional carried a wind that was wrapped with an extremely sharp force qi. The wooden tables and chairs that the wind touched instantly turned into fine dust, creating a dense flurry of debris rushing forward. A chill in his heart, Sang Tianyou¡¯s true qi also surged forward as he struck out with his palm. ¡°Bang!¡± As the true qi collided, the force qi assaulting from Yu Ying instantly turned into ash, scattering in all directions and dissolving into nothingness. And as the Qi Force spread around, the experts beside Sang Tianyou suffered the consequences. With a ¡®bang,¡¯ two Second Grade Realm experts were directly crushed into blood mist by the Qi Force. ¡°Interesting.¡± A faint smile appeared on Yu Ying¡¯s lips. Sang Tianyou, however, was not in such a good mood, and his face was so sullen it seemed to drip with water. Meanwhile, the experts from Houjin all had very ugly expressions, even showing a hint of panic. The old Taoist¡¯s strength was so terrifying that the remnants of his Qi Force killed two Second Grade Cultivation experts. Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan both swallowed hard, exchanged a glance, and involuntarily took two steps back. A confrontation between Grandmaster experts was not something they could intervene in. In the small inn, all forms of life emerged, some fearful, some anxious, some gloomy as water, some unmoving as mountains, all different in their own ways. ¡°I want to see just how powerful the Hall Leader of the Heavenly Venerate Hall is.¡± Sang Tianyou snorted coldly and reached out his hand and struck forward. In an instant, his true qi surged forward, carrying a piercing sound like the howling of a fierce ghost, unsettling and chilling to the bone. ¡°Evil Spirit Yin Wind Palm?¡± Yu Ying looked indifferent, ¡°Where did you learn such a vicious palm technique?¡± As he spoke, he extended two fingers like a light of a star emerging, pointing a brilliantly bright beam forward. Heavenly Star Finger! Thump! This beam of starlight was too fast to detect and directly pierced through the howling palm wind of the Evil Spirit Yin Wind Palm. The remaining force struck towards the wall behind. Sang Tianyou¡¯s body twisted, and in the next moment, he had already reached in front of Yu Ying, throwing a punch towards Yu Ying¡¯s chest. As a Grandmaster at the peak of Second Qi, Yu Ying¡¯s reaction was also extremely quick, his palm reaching out to envelop the incoming punch, and then he deflected the fist force to the side. ¡°Boom!¡± The fist force was completely deflected, and the powerful blow heavily struck, causing an entire wall to collapse instantly, kicking up a large cloud of dust. This also caused the second floor to become a suspended structure, teetering on collapse. The two separated in a flash, with Sang Tianyou quickly retreating backwards, yet his expression was extremely solemn. ¡°Are you a disciple of Taiyin Kui?¡± Yu Ying looked at the dark qi on his palm and slightly raised an eyebrow. As he circulated his true qi inside his body, the dark qi on his palm gradually dissipated. Sang Tianyou did not speak, but his eyes were fixed tightly on the old Taoist Yu Ying. The moon shone bleakly, outside the inn was utter silence, as if the entire Yunlin City had fallen into a deep slumber, only this small Yue Lai Inn was busy with figures and brimming with murderous intent. And this small inn resembled a reef standing steadfast on the shore, vulnerable to the deluge of rainfall that could, in an instant, submerge it within the tumultuous Jianghu waves. The silence was frightening, with only the sound of breath and heartbeat lingering. The stillness before the imminence of a mountain rain seemed like the quiet before the pounce of a terrifying beast. Footsteps suddenly echoed down the staircase, resounding like a giant stone thrown into the serene surface of a lake. All gazes swiftly turned in that direction. A young man dressed in white emerged, his features handsome¨Cthough not extraordinarily so¨Cbut his eyes, unforgettable. An Jing descended the steps at a leisurely pace, his expression unchanged throughout. With the strategic depth of a city and the perilous complexity of mountains and rivers within his heart, he could witness the collapse of Mount Tai without a change in countenance, a true sign of composure in the face of significant events. From the dialogue between the two parties, he had already discerned their identities: one side was a skilled practitioner from Houjin, either from the Great Snow Mountain or the Soul Seeker Mansion; the other was Yu Ying from the Zhenyi Sect. As for whether the Zhenyi Sect had any other experts present, he was unsure. Sang Tianyou glanced at An Jing and asked, ¡°This gentleman carries an extraordinary air. May I know who you are?¡± With a gentle smile, An Jing replied, ¡°Drifting like duckweed, a wanderer I be, why should a passerby¡¯s name matter to thee?¡± Sang Tianyou snorted coldly, choosing not to speak further. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± Just then, the First Grade Expert standing behind Sang Tianyou lunged forward, his movements as quick as lightning and his momentum like thunder, reaching for An Jing¡¯s heavenly spirit cover with his claw. A practitioner of the First Grade Realm was considered a master anywhere in the world of Jianghu, one who could barely survive even if faced with a Grandmaster almost at the Demi Immortal level. The Houjin expert, watching the unmoving young man dressed in white, wore a sinister smile. But in the next moment, his hand reached for the heavenly spirit cover, and his expression suddenly shifted. He had grasped only an afterimage; the young man was not there. Such incredible speed! The First Grade Expert immediately thought to retreat, only to find it was too late; unbeknownst to him, a chopstick had already pierced his throat. ¡°Gurgle-!¡± ¡°Thump!¡± With horror etched on his face and devoid of any strength to struggle, the man collapsed powerless to the ground. Shock¨C! A First Grade Expert was slain on the spot in the blink of an eye. The collective experts from Houjin felt an icy chill run from their feet to the crown of their heads. The white-dressed young man had just killed a First Grade Expert in an instant. Not only them, but Yu Ying and Sang Tianyou were also struck with a hint of astonishment. Upon An Jing¡¯s arrival, they hadn¡¯t sensed that the young man before them was, in fact, a ¡®highly skilled individual.¡¯ Sang Tianyou¡¯s lips curled into a cold sneer, ¡°It seems you are indeed the person I¡¯ve been looking for.¡± An Jing glanced at Sang Tianyou and inquired, ¡°Was it you who attempted to assassinate Duanmu Xinghua at Dongluo Pass?¡± As for whether the man before him was a disciple of Taiyin Kui, he was not curious. During the Great Qin Dynasty, there were many Grandmasters, and even one or two Great Grandmasters dominating the era. The Qin Dynasty was one of the few where the Human Emperor¡¯s power reached its zenith. Following the transition to the Great Zhou Dynasty, despite its territory not being as vast as the Qin¡¯s, several states, including Zhao Country, separated during this time. The Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s control over Jianghu began to wane; Mystical Sect, Buddhist Sect, and Demon Sect stood as the three pillars within the Zhou Dynasty, especially after the ninth Human Emperor died trying to forge the Evil Suppressing Sword, which caused the dynasty¡¯s prestige to plummet. Fortunately, the appearance of a Saint from the Confucian school stabilized the world. Otherwise, the global balance of power would¡¯ve disintegrated long ago. Since then, the decline of Great Grandmasters in the Great Zhou Dynasty became apparent; furthermore, the emergence of such figures dwindled over time. Over the dynasty¡¯s nearly thousand-year history, the number of prominent Grandmasters had dwindled significantly in comparison to the Great Qin Dynasty, with only two or three notable individuals emerging. By the time of Great Yan, Great Grandmasters were even rarer, with only one known to appear¨Cwho protected Yan Country and secured its lands and peoples. With over three hundred years since the establishment of Yan Country, that expert had long since passed away. Despite the gradual decrease in Great Grandmasters, the control of the temple halls over Jianghu only tightened. Yan Country had not only the imposing Zhenyi Sect in Jianghu, but also the Xuanyi Guard, a swift blade held above the heads of those in Jianghu, aimed at utterly subduing any who crossed rivers and lakes. In Zhao Country, needless to say, the Black Ice Platform single-handedly crafted an impregnable dominion, so tight that even the Zhao Royal Family was kept firmly under constraint, never getting a chance to vie for power. Houjin, following Yan Country¡¯s example, had the Great Snow Mountain from within and the Soul Seeker Mansion from without, jointly exerting control over Houjin¡¯s Jianghu. Certainly, Soul Seeker Mansion¡¯s heritage could not compare to that of Xuanyi Guard. After all, one could only imagine how many heart method martial arts were hidden in the mysterious towers behind Eight Feet Platform in Yujing City, where Jianghu masters died year after year, generation after generation. However, Soul Seeker Mansion had no lack of skilled practitioners; firstly, it absorbed numerous sword bone masters with their sins piled high, and secondly, through Qiu Fengsheng, it mass-produced elixirs that consumed potential to boost strength. Although the creation of these elixirs by the Black Ice Platform came with many drawbacks, such as huge potential costs and even the risk of being enslaved and driven by others, there were still many experts who were eager to obtain these medicines. Qiu Fengsheng was the second-generation master of Soul Seeker Mansion, while Taiyin Kui, the one Yu Ying mentioned, was the first-generation master of Soul Seeker Mansion, not only a close confidant of Zongzheng Huachun but also the guide for this Holy Master. After Qiu Fengsheng took over, this man completely disappeared from the martial world. Some said he died and his Dao ceased to exist, others said he went into hiding to cultivate in secret¨Cthe speculations about his whereabouts were numerous and varied. ¡°An Jing was originally a doctor in Yu State City, but later faked his death to escape and joined the Demon Sect. Now, by relying on his status as the favored outsider of the Sect Hierarch, he has become a tributor of the Demon Sect,¡± Sang Tianyou said somberly, ¡°It seems the situation is not as simple as the intelligence suggests. If he¡¯s truly a favored outsider of the Sect Hierarch, it¡¯s impossible for him to kill a First Grade Expert with a single move, much less replace Yi Daoyun on a mission to Yan Country.¡± Clearly, this comment was not meant for An Jing¡¯s ears but for the old Daoist, Yu Ying, by his side. It was evident that he wanted to join forces with Yu Ying to eliminate An Jing and the other Demon Sect experts. However, An Jing simply turned to Yu Ying and said, ¡°The Zhenyi Sect prides itself as the National Religion. With Houjin bandits right before us, when else would Hall Leader Yu apprehend these criminals if not now?¡± Yu Ying immediately looked from his nose to his mouth, and asked his heart, ¡°Poor Daoist has descended the mountain to travel the world and just happened to pass by here, not concerning himself with anything else.¡± Seeing this, An Jing sneered inwardly. This Yu Ying really was an old fox, hoping to sit back and watch the tigers fight; if An Jing and the others were killed by the Houjin experts, it would suit him just fine. Everyone present had their own calculations and thoughts. Sang Tianyou¡¯s heart sank, but his hands were slowly clenching tighter. Venturing deep into Great Yan was fraught with danger, and intercepting the Demon Sect at the border of Yan Country was a heaven-sent opportunity. Even with the covetous Yu Ying beside him, he had no choice but to make a move. ¡°Charge!¡± Following Sang Tianyou¡¯s commanding shout, the Houjin experts charged forward. Two First Grade Experts dashed towards Yu Qiurong, while the rest confronted Qian Cishan and the other Earth Sect experts. Qian Cishan practiced the Earth Demon Technique, and was a famously powerful expert within the Earth Sect, with combat experience and skills that stood out even among his sect, surpassing even Luo Zixiang. Several Houjin experts unsheathed their blades, and a series of clanging sounds rang out abruptly. The bright gleam of their swords flashed up, illuminating the entire inn. This onslaught might have been effective against ordinary experts, but Qian Cishan was a First Grade Realm expert. He didn¡¯t retreat but advanced instead, charging into the flurry of blades like a tiger amongst sheep. ¡°Seeking death!¡± The several Second Grade Houjin Experts¡¯ eyes turned icy as they swung their long blades towards Qian Cishan¡¯s vitals. Qian Cishan¡¯s inner strength coursed through him, and a blood-red smoke instantly gushed from his palm. ¡°Ssssh!¡± The red smoke spread, and in an instant, three Houjin experts were shriveled up, their blood and flesh completely dried out, collapsing as dried-up corpses and skeletons, presenting a horrifying spectacle. Such a dreadful scene would have scattered the souls and chilled the spines of ordinary people. After Qian Cishan killed three Second Grade Experts, his intent to kill surged even higher. His body leaped once more, closing in on another Houjin expert, reaching for the latter¡¯s heart from behind. ¡°Thump!¡± The Houjin expert was struck with inexplicable horror, and at that moment, his heart was already being clawed out. This scene unfolded in the blink of an eye, the speed was so fast that the Houjin expert could see his own heart clearly, but he was not yet dead. Qian Cishan sneered, then promptly crushed the heart in his hand. ¡°Tap, tap, tap, tap¡­¡± This moment terrified the remaining Houjin experts so greatly that they turned deathly pale and repeatedly retreated. Yu Ying¡¯s pupils contracted sharply, and he thought to himself: True to the reputation of a Demon Sect member. Qian Cishan licked the blood off his fingers. Every First Grade Expert that survived in the vast martial world had more than one trick up their sleeve. ¡°How bold!¡± Seeing this, Sang Tianyou could no longer sit idly by and flicked his finger. ¡°Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!¡± Three flying needles shot out from his fingertips, aimed at Qian Cishan¡¯s forehead, heart, and navel. The needles were imbued with tremendous True Qi, and being hit by even one would cause an instant explosion. Even someone of Qian Cishan¡¯s First Grade Cultivation would be blasted to dust. ¡°Swoosh!¡± In a moment too swift to follow, a single chopstick intercepted the three flying needles. ¡°` The three flying needles, brimming with overwhelming True Qi, were actually embedded in the chopsticks and then fell to the ground in unison. ¡°Grandmaster!?¡± Sang Tianyou looked towards the person who had shot out the chopsticks, his brows heavy with a frown. At this moment, Qian Cishan also had cold sweat breaking out on his forehead; he was well aware that if An Tributor had not intervened just now, his fate would have been exceedingly miserable. Sang Tianyou turned towards Yu Ying, who had been silent all along, and said, ¡°The Demon Sect¡¯s disciples are cruel and ruthless. Duanmu Xinghua had once killed three great True Humans of the Zhenyi Sect. Have you so quickly forgotten?¡± The pale moonlight shone through the window lattice, and the old Daoist stood in the shadow. His voice betrayed no emotion, ¡°How did Taiyin Kui teach such a foolish disciple? The crooked demon path has never been about behavioral norms, but always about winning or losing.¡± Sang Tianyou harrumphed coldly and did not speak further, but his palm struck forth towards the front. His hand technique, without any hesitation, spun forward from his waist. With a swing of his arm, a vast and robust Hand Force thundered out. The palm wind churned up the soil, as terrifying in its might as a dragon splitting the earth. ¡°Retreat.¡± An Jing uttered lowly, as the Nameless Heart Scripture began to circulate, his finger light pointing outwards. Seven Stars in a Row! The instant these seven energies surged forward, they directly unraveled Sang Tianyou¡¯s hand technique, lifting the entire roof with the force that burst forth. ¡°Huh!?¡± Yu Ying was shocked by this scene. The Seven Stars in a Row was the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Seven Stars Sword Technique, and the young man before him could not only use it but also substitute fingers for the sword. This meant he was not only profoundly familiar with Seven Stars in a Row but also exceedingly skilled in the Sword Dao. At such a young age, who on earth was he!? After clashing with An Jing in one exchange, Sang Tianyou was also profoundly shaken. The cultivation of the young man before him was so high it was no less than his own. How could this be possible!? He had cultivated for fifty-five years and even consumed a large amount of Blood-Loathing Pills and Primordial Spirit Pills. Now, unable to advance even an inch further, he had reached the Second Qi Grandmaster level. You should know that Xiao Qianqiu had reached the peak of Second Qi at thirty years old, which made this even less conceding than Xiao Qianqiu. An Jing did not deploy his own martial arts as Yu Ying, who eyed him with desire, was still present. The thoughts of the few flashed by in an instant. Then Sang Tianyou charged forward again, his palm wind howling as it came, sometimes fierce, sometimes overbearing, as if filled with the chilling wails of ghosts. An Jing dodged and weaved, avoiding each hand technique one after the other. Grandmasters are also divided by strength, and among the Second Qi Grandmasters, Sang Tianyou and Duanmu Xinghua, although both were entering Second Qi for the first time, were among the least powerful. Duanmu Xinghua, new to Second Qi, had last been ambushed by Sang Tianyou. Sang Tianyou, having advanced by consuming elixirs instead of breaking through his own bottlenecks, could only be considered a standard Second Qi Grandmaster. After a few moments, An Jing had already figured out Sang Tianyou¡¯s martial arts routine. ¡°Young man, can you only run away?¡± Sang Tianyou said coldly. As he spoke, his hand technique slapped down once more. Boom! With the furious gust of yin wind, it seemed a giant ghostly face was tearing its way towards An Jing within the gale. Evil Spirit Yin Wind Palm! Soul Capturing and Spirit Shattering! An Jing twisted his palm and from behind him, a cold chill blew forth as well. He too struck forward with a palm. ¡°Bang!¡± As the two palms collided, it was like two small mountains crashing into each other, the violent force of the impact making the earth quiver. Sang Tianyou staggered back repeatedly, then he felt a chill in his heart, ¡°How can you also use the Evil Spirit Yin Wind Palm?¡± ¡°Naturally, I learned it from you¡­¡± An Jing sneered, stepped forward aggressively, and rushed towards the front. The palm wind was chilling to the bone, accompanied by the sounds of ghostly crying and wolf howling, instantly plunging Sang Tianyou into the Underworld. Sang Tianyou stepped back again and again, a bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead; he suddenly realized that the young man before him was executing the Evil Spirit Yin Wind Palm with great agility, almost not inferior to his own. Moreover, his True Qi was vigorous and dominating, even surpassing Sang¡¯s own. ¡°No, I must not lose my composure.¡± ¡°` Sang Tianyou clenched his teeth and braced himself, and when he saw An Jing attack with another palm strike, he immediately moved to meet it. The palm strike shimmered with a dark light, mixed with specks of purple. Bone Erosion Heart Palm! An Jing narrowed his eyes. His palm strike was irreversible, so he gathered True Qi in his Dantian again and fiercely pushed forward. ¡°Hmm? Is this the Bone Erosion Heart Palm?¡± Yu Ying was shocked. Sang Tianyou truly must be Taiyin Kui¡¯s disciple, otherwise, he couldn¡¯t possibly have learned such a hand technique. ¡°Bang!¡± Palms collided, and An Jing stood immovable like a towering mountain. But Sang Tianyou was forced to step back repeatedly, blood even seeping from the corner of his mouth, yet there was a trace of joy on his face. Seeing Sang Tianyou in such a state, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°You realize the joys of the human world only when death is upon you?¡± ¡°Death is upon me?¡± Sang Tianyou laughed heartily. ¡°You¡¯ve been struck by my Bone Erosion Heart Palm and are still self-satisfied¨Cit¡¯s laughable.¡± Once tainted by the Bone Erosion Heart Palm, one must suppress it with True Qi. The more the True Qi is mobilized, the more the poison penetrates the body. Even a Grandmaster struck by his Bone Erosion Heart Palm would see their strength greatly diminished. An Jing looked at his palm. After clashing with Sang Tianyou, a dark glow surfaced on his palm, with purple streaks in the middle. ¡°This¡­¡± Qian Cishan and Yu Qiurong¡¯s expressions changed. Duanmu Xinghua was still recuperating at Dongluo Pass because of the poison from the Bone Erosion Heart Palm. If An Jing was poisoned, they were doomed to fail that day. Seeing this, both became increasingly anxious, but a Grandmaster¡¯s battle was not something they could intervene in. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows lifted as he circulated the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture.¡± In a moment, True Qi gathered in his palms, calming the agitated True Qi as if ice and snow met flame, melting instantly. ¡°Stop struggling!¡± Sang Tianyou, seeing An Jing frowning, leapt toward him. ¡°Whoosh!¡± An Jing extended his finger, surrounded by a flowing starlight, which he swiftly pointed at Sang Tianyou. Heavenly Star Finger! ¡°Thump!¡± The starlight directly hit Sang Tianyou¡¯s chest. Despite his Golden Bone, a thumb-sized blood hole appeared, and blood gushed out. ¡°Tap, tap, tap¡­¡± Sang Tianyou stumbled back upon landing. ¡°You¡­¡± The next moment, the dark light in An Jing¡¯s hand gradually disappeared, returning to its original color. An Jing spoke indifferently, ¡°It seems that your palm is not poisonous enough.¡± ¡°Who exactly are you!?¡± Sang Tianyou took a step back, his expression growing extremely grave. His trump card, the Bone Erosion Heart Palm, was casually resolved by the young man before him. The Bone Erosion Heart Palm had trapped Duanmu Xinghua, yet the youth in front of him managed to neutralize it almost instantly? Yi Daoyun, standing in the shadows, was also deeply furrowed in thought, puzzled. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only He was well aware of the Bone Erosion Heart Palm¡¯s notoriety but had never heard of it being neutralized so quickly unless one had healing holy medicine. Yet, from start to finish, he hadn¡¯t seen the young man swallow anything. An Jing stepped forward and raised his palm emotionlessly, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s Heaven¡¯s will for you to die.¡± As his palm rose, a cold wind swirled around, with mournful voices echoing as if one was in the Underworld. ¡­ PS: Almost at ten thousand subscriptions, brothers. For those who haven¡¯t fully subscribed, I ask for a full subscription. Chapter 231 - Chapter 231: Chapter 231: Three Grandmasters Gather at Yunlin Chapter 231: Chapter 231: Three Grandmasters Gather at Yunlin The young man in white stood amidst the gloomy and chilly wind, resembling a judge from the Underworld. The Evil Spirit Yin Wind Palm in An Jing¡¯s hands became even more fierce and terrifying, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine. The next moment, An Jing stepped forward. Just one step. Merely one step, and the lingering chilly wind completely exploded, transforming into countless sharp and cold wind blades raging forward. This attack was so fierce that it was almost impossible to dodge, like a torrential downpour. Sang Tianyou, being a Second Qi Grandmaster, although his mastery was built upon elixirs, was still a top expert among the Second Qi Grandmasters. Seeing the chilly wind approaching, the True Qi surged out of his Dantian like the vast rivers and lakes. In an instant, this True Qi gathered on his arms, and then he struck forward. Boom! Boom! Boom! The sound of a sonic boom suddenly erupted, the moonlight seemed to be blocked out, appearing as though thunder was charging forward. The powerful True Qi exploded forward, and his figure then turned into several afterimages. This palm was surrounded by numerous shrill screams, disturbing one¡¯s heart and mind. It was the same Evil Spirit Yin Wind Palm, and it was also Second Qi Cultivation. wuxiaworld.site The moment they collided, Sang Tianyou felt as though his palm had hit a furnace, the chilly wind contained an immensely hot True Qi within. In that moment, he came to a realization; the technique the young man used was not truly the Evil Spirit Yin Wind Palm, but something similar in essence. What kind of martial arts could turn decay into magic!? At this moment in the battle, there was no time for him to think further. ¡°Thud thud thud¡­.¡± Sang Tianyou¡¯s feet repeatedly stepped back, each step leaving a footprint on the hard ground, continuing about seven steps before stopping, then a spray of blood burst forth. His palm was bright red and even emitted white smoke. All those present had solemn and horrified expressions. It was clear they had not expected this young man in white to be so formidable that even Taiyin Kui¡¯s disciple, Sang Tianyou, was no match for him. Although Sang Tianyou was not famous, his master, Taiyin Kui, was once among the top experts in the world, and his cultivation was genuinely Second Qi¨Ctruly an expert. Not far off, Yu Ying watched the young man, somehow seeing the reflection of Xiao Qianqiu in him, yet there were differences. ¡°If you don¡¯t have any other tricks up your sleeve, you are going to die today,¡± An Jing¡¯s tone was indifferent, devoid of any emotion. Sang Tianyou felt a chill in his heart, glancing at the unfazed Yu Ying; wouldn¡¯t the old fox take action? Anyone could see the reason for Yu Ying¡¯s sudden appearance here was undoubtedly to assassinate the expert sent by the Demon Sect¨CDemon Sect¡¯s establishment in Yan Country could become a significant aid in battling Houjin, but for the Zhenyi Sect, it was entirely detrimental. With Buddhism making its way eastward, becoming a fixed outcome, even the Human Emperor of Yan Country had issued a National Teaching Order. If the Demon Sect were to enter Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu as well, it would create a three-legged stand-off. If it were only Buddhism, Zhenyi Sect could still maintain its number one spot in Yan Country¡¯s Martial World with its prestige and heritage. However, with the Demon Sect entering the martial world, things could go either way. Moreover, there¡¯s a saying everyone understands¨Conly by muddying the waters can one catch the fish. Chances were, other people with ulterior motives were stirring up troubles. For Zhenyi Sect, the hope of maintaining control over the Great Yan Martial World had essentially become an impossibility. An Jing also glanced at Yu Ying; even as he fought Sang Tianyou, he had not relaxed his attention, continually guarding against Yu Ying to the side. This elder brother of Luo Chongyang, disciple to Ye Ding, possessed strength far superior to Sang Tianyou. Seeing no change in Yu Ying, An Jing¡¯s urge to kill surged, about to swiftly eliminate the chaos by killing Sang Tianyou. ¡°Whoosh whoosh!¡± Just then, a purple Gang Wind struck, instantly drawing everyone¡¯s attention. Yu Ying¡¯s eyes brightened, the person he was waiting for had finally arrived. ¡°Contain your energy!¡± An Jing bellowed, his True Qi surging within like raging waves. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± The purple Gang Wind dispersed, completely transforming the inn into ruins. The experts present rushed outside the inn. As the purple Gang Wind dissipated, a figure slowly emerged. It was an elderly man with white hair, unlike the common attire of a simple and clean robe worn by ordinary experts, he was dressed in an exquisite purple robe and wore a flawless jade pendant. The experts present all recognized him¨Che was the ancient ancestor of the Five Poison Sect, Feng Lingyue. Qian Cishan was shocked and quickly transmitted his voice, ¡°An Tributor be careful, he is Feng Lingyue from the Five Poison Sect, and he has irreconcilable grievances with our Demon Sect.¡± An Jing naturally recognized Feng Lingyue. From the moment the purple Gang Wind appeared, he had guessed the identity of the visitor. As the Demon Sect entered Great Yan, the Zhenyi Sect would be affected indirectly, while the Five Poison Sect would definitely be affected directly. After all, the Five Poison Sect was originally a branch force of the Demon Sect, and the Demon Sect would not sit back and watch Feng Lingyue act recklessly. Sang Tianyou, however, breathed a long sigh of relief. Feng Lingyue coming over would certainly not be the same as Yu Ying, that old fellow. After all, it was widely known that the Demon Sect and the Five Poison Sect were like fire and water. ¡°Indeed, he is young.¡± Feng Lingyue glanced at An Jing and couldn¡¯t help exclaiming, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect there to be such a young master in the world. Except for the Black Ice Platform, only the Demon Sect could do it, right?¡± Yu Ying commented from the side, ¡°His cultivation technique doesn¡¯t seem like the Earth Demon Technique or the Heavenly Demon Technique from the Demon Sect.¡± Feng Lingyue nodded and said, ¡°That makes it all the more intriguing.¡± The two of them stopped talking and stared at An Jing. There have been too many geniuses throughout history, and there are definitely more talented than An Jing and Zhao Qingmei. However, unfulfilled geniuses are just a handful of yellow soil, not even comparable to a late bloomer. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± An Jing thought of the deceased Wu Shangyuan and suddenly realized. Since the head of the Ma Family and Feng Lingyue were friends, Wu Shangyuan¡¯s investigation of him was mainly due to the mastermind behind him, Feng Lingyue. Sang Tianyou looked at the two men and said, ¡°Although An Jing looks young, his cultivation is profound. It would be better for us to strike together and eliminate him.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Yu Ying did not speak, but Feng Lingyue responded. The Zhenyi Sect was the national religion, so it might still have concerns about court intrigues, but his Five Poison Sect had not so great a concern. With the entry of the Demon Sect into Great Yan, the Five Poison Sect faced a calamitous disaster. An Jing looked at Sang Tianyou and sneered, ¡°They must be thinking right now that if they killed me, they would immediately kill you to silence you. You really are foolish without knowing it.¡± Sang Tianyou¡¯s eyebrows raised. What An Jing said made sense. After they killed someone from the Demon Sect, they would want to kill him next. Feng Lingyue raised three fingers and said, ¡°Rest assured, sir. I swear I will not lay a hand on you. If I break my vow, may thunder strike me down.¡± Sang Tianyou¡¯s face did not change. Having been mixed up in the Jianghu for decades, if he really believed Feng Lingyue¡¯s oath, then it would have been all for nothing. What is face, dignity, and oaths¡­ Are they more important than life? Perhaps for some people, these things are more important than their lives, but in Sang Tianyou¡¯s view, they are worthless. Yu Ying said indifferently, ¡°Do you have any other choice?¡± Yu Ying¡¯s casually spoken words, however, seemed to explode in Sang Tianyou¡¯s heart. Today, coming to Yan Country, his aim was to definitively kill An Jing, and now being on the border of Yan Country was his only chance. ¡°Hall Leader Yu is right.¡± Sang Tianyou chuckled lowly, a cold light emerging in his eyes. The three great masters aligned their battle line, looking towards An Jing. This was their main purpose for this trip. As for the rest, they would discuss it after killing him. An Jing also narrowed his eyes as he watched the three men, the whole world around them silent. The silence lasted for a moment, and finally, An Jing shook his head and quietly said, ¡°If so, let¡¯s see if you have the capability to do so.¡± Yu Ying did not care whether they joined forces to kill the young man in white before him; after all, this matter was not honorable to begin with. Killing the young man in front of him was the most important thing. As the True Qi within him started circulating, he seemingly had no intention of holding back. Swish, swish! The boundless Qi force suddenly swept out from Yu Ying¡¯s body, a black surge forming several white iron pillars behind him. The powerful wave of True Qi, like a tide, kept spreading out from Yu Ying¡¯s body, putting under pressure the area all around An Jing. Seeing this, Sang Tianyou also activated his True Qi without hesitation. Black energy rose to the sky, and his eyes firmly fixed on An Jing. Feng Lingyue chuckled slightly, his robe billowing as his body slowly rose. The vast True Qi churned behind him, with a gigantic silhouette faintly visible. The simultaneous strike of the three great masters enveloped An Jing with such pressuring True Qi. Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan hurriedly retreated towards the distance, still feeling the oppressive stuffiness, while An Jing, at the center, faced even more astonishing pressure. The commoners around the inn had long since fled far away, and as for those from the Jianghu bold enough to stay and watch, they were crushed into blood foam by this overwhelming pressure, which showed just how terrifying it was. An Jing¡¯s gaze was as calm as water, and he silently pondered. Sang Tianyou¡¯s strength was just that of an ordinary Second Qi Grandmaster, but both Feng Lingyue and Yu Ying were at the peak of Second Qi Cultivation, posing threats comparable to Qiu Fengsheng, if not slightly less. Four figures confronted each other, their pervasive aura making the very air seem to freeze at that moment. Bang! The tense atmosphere was shattered in the next instant. Taking the initiative, Sang Tianyou attacked, a chilling wind sweeping over everything, covering An Jing completely. Meanwhile, Yu Ying and Feng Lingyue waited at the side for an opportunity when An Jing showed an opening. Facing the joint assault of three masters, An Jing stomped his foot without retreating an inch and directly engaged in fierce combat with Sang Tianyou. Boom! Boom! The moment their true Qi collided, it turned into a roaring tide that rolled far into the distance. Whiz! In the sky above, a shadow sped across the horizon; it was Yu Ying, whose several white pillars behind him swaying, drastically boosting his speed to an almost terrifying extent. An Jing struck out with a palm, repelling the advancing Sang Tianyou, then leaped up, his fingers aiming straight for Yu Ying. Swoosh! A surge of sword light erupted. It was the first time Yu Ying faced An Jing¡¯s sharp sword light and overbearing true Qi, which sent a shock through his heart, prompting him to step back repeatedly. Seeing Yu Ying retreat, An Jing quickened his pace, his body disappearing from the spot in an instant. Shrinking Land into Inches! Upon seeing An Jing vanish, Yu Ying began sealing crazily, his white pillars releasing a mysterious glow. Crack! Crack! Crack! Several white pillars behind Yu Ying formed a huge cage, securely protecting him inside. Clang! The sword light forged by An Jing¡¯s fingers heavily struck the cage, emitting a harsh metallic clashing sound. After a slight pause, the sword light quickly sliced through the black cage. In that moment, Yu Ying had already disappeared from the spot. But then, a slight smile appeared in Yu Ying¡¯s eyes. Suddenly, Feng Lingyue appeared above An Jing, her palm raised and glowing with golden light. Boom! Boom! The true qi above twisted under the tremendous force, creating a deafening roar. Five Poison Soul-breaking Hand! A cold killing intent emerged in Feng Lingyue¡¯s eyes as she fiercely pressed down toward An Jing. As Feng Lingyue¡¯s palm covered the sky, a purple wave seemed to sweep across, leaving An Jing with nowhere to hide beneath the wave. Five Poison is a branch of the Demon Sect. The ¡°Five Poison Technique¡± is comparable to the ¡°Heavenly Demon Technique,¡± classified as a Heavenly Martial Level Heart Method, and the Five Poison Soul-breaking Hand is the core martial art of the Five Poison Technique. The Five Poison Soul-breaking Hand includes two major classes: the Thirty-Six Yang Poison Methods of Qian, and the Seventy-Two Yin Poison Techniques of Kun, both intricate and profoundly mysterious. This Five Poison Soul-breaking Hand was also one of Feng Lingyue¡¯s ultimate skills, having been cultivated to the Ninth Layer. Boom! Boom! The tremendous handprint thundered down, and within it, bizarre howls sounded, vaguely revealing a purple poison beast. An Jing sneered coldly, his hand stretching out as if holding a longsword. Rustle! One Sword Breaks All Methods! An Jing¡¯s sword slashed, instantly shattering the descending poison beast, dispersing into nothingness. ¡°A Fifth Realm Swordsman!¡± Feng Lingyue felt a jolt in her palm, the purple smoke around her hand dispersing in all directions. Looking at the young man in white robes before him, who seemed even younger than Yan Gang of Houjin who was highly praised, a chill couldn¡¯t help but arise. How could there be such a formidable person in the world? However, Feng Lingyue¡¯s Five Poison Soul-breaking Hand was far from over as the purple smoke once again swept towards An Jing, enveloping him in an instant. Released poison gas! This poison gas, when blended into True Qi, was extremely lethal. Touching it would cause skin to fester and rot. Though Feng Lingyue hadn¡¯t cultivated the ¡°Five Poison Technique¡± to the highest realm, she was close. Once contaminated, even a Second Qi Grandmaster would be troubled. Although An Jing believed in the exceptional nature of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± he wouldn¡¯t foolishly overestimate himself and directly confront Feng Lingyue¡¯s poison gas. The Protective True Qi rose in front of him, and he swiftly flew away to a distance. Sang Tianyou and Yu Ying rushed in, sealing off his path of retreat completely. The three of them fought together, their figures blurred and True Qi howling past. At the moment An Jing displayed his swordsmanship, Sang Tianyou was completely overwhelmed, having no power to strike back. It seemed like a one-on-two fight, but in reality, it was only Yu Ying and An Jing clashing. ¡°This Yu Ying is really formidable,¡± An Jing thought privately as he observed Yu Ying, whose expression remained calm like water. From several exchanges, he clearly felt that Yu Ying¡¯s strength was only slightly inferior to Qiu Fengsheng. Keep in mind, Qiu Fengsheng was a Three Qi Grandmaster, while Yu Ying was at the Second Qi Peak. Logically, there should be a considerable gap between them. Yu Ying casually blocked An Jing¡¯s two streams of Sword Light and even countered with a palm strike. After a series of clashes, the three separated, and at that moment, Feng Lingyue also landed. Yu Ying seemed to still be contemplating the two bursts of Sword Qi he had faced, ¡°Such a shame, such a promising youngster.¡± Feng Lingyue indifferently spoke, ¡°In this world, no matter how good the talent, it¡¯s useless if one doesn¡¯t grow.¡± Yet in his eyes, a chilling murderous intent flashed. ¡°I¡¯ve indeed learned something,¡± Upon hearing Feng Lingyue¡¯s words, An Jing gently nodded and then chuckled, ¡°However, I also have a lesson for you.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Feng Lingyue¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked toward An Jing. What could An Jing possibly do under today¡¯s circumstances? An Jing smiled faintly, and in his pupils, there seemed to be a surge of Sword Light. ¡°Complacency before achieving great ends always leads to exposure of failures.¡± The icy voice slowly rose. The next moment, the three figures in front didn¡¯t bother with words and instantly rushed towards An Jing. The assault of three Grandmasters, especially Yu Ying and Feng Lingyue at the Second Qi Peak, posed a daunting challenge even for a Three Qi Grandmaster. At once, An Jing leaped forward, his index finger extending, the tip glowing with a dark red light. Five Poison Technique! Thousand Spider Finger! Whoosh whoosh! In an instant, fierce winds blew wildly as black tornadoes converged and swept toward the front. Seeing the tornadoes approaching, An Jing¡¯s pupils reflected a bright light and from him emanated sharp and limitless streams of air. Then, the invisible sword in his hand slashed out. A sword cut through, as if splitting the sky open, revealing a sinister crack which then suddenly burst with horrifying Sword Light. The Sword Light was chillingly sharp, making it painful to look at for too long. Countless Sword Lights then fell from the sky, sweeping through like an autumn wind clearing away fallen leaves. Both combatants made their moves without holding anything back, displaying the full might of grandmasters. Boom! Countless Sword Lights swept across, finally clashing hard against the incoming tornadoes. In that moment, it felt as if heaven and earth were shaking. Crash! The tornadoes abruptly shattered, True Qi transforming into a torrential downpour, while the countless Sword Lights scattered, slicing through everything like unmatched sharp blades. The heavy rain fiercely fell to the ground, the earth corroded by the black-red liquid, creating deep pits. This was the formidable power of the Five Poison Technique. The intensely sharp blades of light also flashed with a chilling edge, relentlessly sweeping towards Feng Lingyue. Just as An Jing was about to continue his assault, a clear call suddenly erupted from the side, prompting him to instinctively look over. Bang! Bang! Bang! Yu Ying¡¯s feet tread upon the sky, and immediately, the True Qi between heaven and earth was suppressed by a powerful force, emitting a terrifying sound of qi explosion. Boom! A bright light emerged in Yu Ying¡¯s eyes, and from that light, a pagoda seemed to appear, finally landing in his palm. Floating Prison Tower! With a wave of Yu Ying¡¯s palm, the pagoda flipped over and fell, crushing down with an unstoppable momentum. Instantly, the world before them split apart. In this world, there are many profound and magical martial arts, among which ancient sects like Buddhist, Mystical, and Demon Sects, with unbroken lineages, are most prevalent. And the ¡°Floating Prison Suppressing Prison Scripture¡± cultivated by Yu Ying, as well as the ¡°Qiankun Eight Diagram Technique¡± cultivated by Luo Chongyang, are among them. Unlike other martial arts classified into ten layers, this heart method is divided into eighteen layers, but even among the countless geniuses in the Mystical Sect, no one has cultivated the ¡°Floating Prison Suppressing Prison Scripture¡± to the eighteenth layer¨Cthe maximum reached was only the thirteenth layer. Yu Ying had currently cultivated up to the twelfth layer. Watching the pagoda fall, An Jing¡¯s eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light, he took a deep breath, then tightly clenched his left hand, and surging True Qi rushed forth like a tide. Boom! A wave of Qi swept out, and An Jing stood at the center of the wave, his momentum reaching a peak. Five Poison Soul-breaking Hand! A fierce poison beast materialized, tearing forward. The two collided relentlessly, causing a deafening sound that echoed between heaven and earth, making everyone feel as if their eardrums had burst. The Five Poison Soul-breaking Hand was directly crushed by the robust pagoda, scattering to either side, turning into rolling qi flows. The pagoda also instantly lost its fierce offensive momentum and turned into whiffs of breeze, slowly dissipating. Watching An Jing launch extreme attacks one after another, and skillfully dealing with each move, everyone was profoundly shocked by his ability to handle the situation with ease. Sang Tianyou leaped forward, and in an instant, appeared behind An Jing, reaching for his heart. An Jing instinctively felt a surging killing intent from behind, and flipped his hand. Bang! Their palms met in midair, followed by a muffled sound. ¡°Thud!¡± ¡°Thud!¡± The ground beneath both An Jing and Sang Tianyou cracked, extending outward in all directions. Sang Tianyou¡¯s expression changed, and though both were at the Master Level of the Second Qi, his True Qi was not as profound as the young man opposite him. An Jing sneered, and his True Qi surged forward. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± Suddenly, a series of crisp bone-cracking sounds emerged. Just as Sang Tianyou was about to give in, a mighty surge of True Qi came from behind, greatly stabilizing his heart. And this person was none other than Yu Ying. The True Qi of two Master Level practitioners merged into one, powerfully pressing forward, not only withstanding An Jing¡¯s onslaught but even starting to counterattack. An Jing immediately felt the pressure intensify, frowning. Strike you when you¡¯re weak, take your life! Feng Lingyue, too, was an old hand in Jianghu, reacting incredibly fast. After employing the ¡®Shrinking Land into Inches¡¯ technique, he rushed forward in an instant and struck a palm towards An Jing. ¡°Bang!¡± An Jing could only extend his left hand to meet it with a palm. Boom! Boom! The explosive Qi shook the earth, which then violently trembled. Yet the bodies of An Jing and Feng Lingyue stood like boulders, unshaken, as True Qi surged along their arms, neither yielding an inch. An Jing then released dual palms, alone contending against the True Qi of three Master Level experts. For a moment, neither side could gain the upper hand, resulting in a standoff. The convergence of True Qi, robust and vigorous, made the mere shimmering light around them chill Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan from afar, neither daring to approach. Sang Tianyou clenched his teeth tightly and said, ¡°I don¡¯t believe you also have the cultivation of a Second Qi Grandmaster that can withstand the combined effort of three people.¡± Such a shocking scene, if known to the people in the Jianghu, would astonish countless individuals. It¡¯s known that Sang Tianyou rarely makes an appearance; Feng Lingyue and Yu Ying are seasoned figures of the Great Yan Martial World, legendary characters in the martial arts community. However, at the moment, the three of them together seemed only to equally match, each holding their own, and they hadn¡¯t completely subdued An Jing. Dozens of breaths passed, and An Jing¡¯s forehead was covered with dense sweat. Even though the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± was furiously in operation, it was hard to resist the three Second Qi Grandmasters opposite him. Especially since Yu Ying and Feng Lingyue began to exert more force, seeming to stake their lives, if the standoff continued, he would undoubtedly be defeated. In the black night sky, the figures of four individuals flickered with True Qi, bizarre and dazzling. The three opponents also had tightly knitted brows, especially Sang Tianyou, who had the lowest cultivation among them and the most severe injuries, with fresh blood continuously flowing from the corner of his mouth. An Jing¡¯s eyes surged with purple light. He suddenly felt that he could absorb the True Qi from his left hand and channel it into his right hand, accomplishing the reversal of Qian and Kun. He immediately guided the inflow of Yu Ying¡¯s and Sang Tianyou¡¯s True Qi into his left arm. ¡°Boom!¡± Feng Lingyue felt the True Qi in An Jing¡¯s palm surge like a tide, sensing a crisis approaching and immediately let go of his grasp, retreating continuously backward. Seeing Feng Lingyue pull back, An Jing narrowed his eyes with True Qi surging within his Dantian toward Sang Tianyou. ¡°Let go!¡± Yu Ying¡¯s eyes displayed a hint of disbelief as he quickly leaped backward. Sang Tianyou also reacted promptly, staggering backward. The four finally separated, leaving Sang Tianyou with the most severe injuries. An Jing extended his hand. In an instant, an extreme chill surged from an inn in ruins. ¡°Not good!¡± Yu Ying instinctively felt a crisis¨Cthe last time this occurred was when facing Jiang Shang. ¡°Quick, run!¡± At this moment, Sang Tianyou also felt the threat of death. No longer thinking about killing An Jing, surviving was now the best outcome. Watching Sang Tianyou like a startled bird, Yu Ying and Feng Lingyue also leapt away into the distance. Whiz! A sound was heard and a stream of light emerged from the ruins, ultimately landing in An Jing¡¯s hand. This was precisely the Evil Suppressing Sword! The cold glint in An Jing¡¯s eyes flickered, and the Evil Suppressing Sword unsheathed, casting a cold light between heaven and earth. ¡°In this world, nothing surpasses life and death, and between life and death, there is but a single sword.¡± An Jing¡¯s expression was as indifferent as ice, then he slashed forward with his sword. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Drawing Skill! When one¡¯s cultivation reached a certain realm, the technique became the path, and the moves simplified. And this sword, nurtured from the beginning to now, was meant for the execution of this cutting wind. This streak of sword light seemed ordinary, yet it seemed to merge into the night of Cangming. ¡°The Houjin barbarians have invaded Great Yan, they must be killed!¡± Yu Ying¡¯s hair stood on end, a chill touching his heart, he turned and slapped toward Sang Tianyou. ¡°Bang!¡± This palm strike hit directly on his chest, causing Sang Tianyou, who staggered and slowed down half a step, to then be swept by the sword light, turning into a mist of blood. Yu Ying moved as fast as thunder, covering several meters in a blink of an eye. He had betrayed Sang Tianyou, obtaining some time for himself. Feng Lingyue glanced at the blood mist containing two streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, narrowed his eyes, and also disappeared into the night using the Shrinking Land into Inches Technique. Today¡¯s affair had already failed, lingering further would be futile; better to leave early to prepare for consequences. The decisive actions of the two, without a moment¡¯s hesitation, were truly lamentable. The sword light, as unstoppable as a bull fight, charged straight into the sky. Even the thick clouds in the night sky were split apart by the soaring sword light, revealing the bright moon behind them. Moonlight spilled across the land, stretching for thousands of miles. Unfortunately, apart from a few individuals, no one else could witness this scene at this time. Yu Qiurong¡¯s eyes widened as she murmured to herself, ¡°So there really are Sword Immortals in this world.¡± An Jing sheathed the Evil Suppressing Sword, for this sword was not one to be flaunted lightly. He then looked towards the figures of Feng Lingyue and Yu Ying without rashly pursuing them. ¡°Son-in-law!¡± ¡°An Tributor.¡± Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan quickly walked over. Qian Cishan and several other experts from the Earth Sect of the Demon Sect felt a tumultuous surge in their hearts; they had racked their brains but never expected that An Tributor, facing three Grandmasters together, would not only remain undefeated but also slay one of them. If this battle were to spread, it would be a terrifying and remarkable achievement, especially given his youth. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Yu Ying and Feng Lingyue have not yet fought with all their might. As old Jianghu like them, they will absolutely not resort to desperate measures unless it¡¯s unavoidable. If I were to pursue them, it is likely they would stake their lives in the struggle. If I were to get injured, it wouldn¡¯t be worth it, especially since the main purpose of this mission to Great Yan is most important.¡± Yu Qiurong suddenly understood; she had thought An Jing was heavily injured and unable to pursue, but it was actually for this reason. Having said this, An Jing walked towards the ruins. The experts of Houjin were either dead or injured, with several lying on the ground hardly daring to breathe, while a few experts from the Earth Sect of the Demon Sect were also wounded. The surviving experts of Houjin had eyes wide with immense fear, seemingly struggling internally whether to beg for mercy, surrender, or hope the people from the Demon Sect would extract secrets from their mouths, thus allowing them to survive. But remembering that they had consumed the Houjin elixirs, even if they begged for mercy now to avoid death, they would only live for a few more days at most, and thus they looked utterly devastated. Only when you reach a certain realm will you understand that the Jianghu of one and another are not the same. For ordinary people, being first or second grade is already considered a realm of the expert, but once you become a First Grade expert, you will realize that there is an unattainable mountain above you. The expert in your eyes is but an ant in the eyes of an even higher expert. Yu Qiurong asked, ¡°Son-in-law, how should these people be dealt with?¡± Qian Cishan stood by honestly, waiting for An Jing¡¯s command. One must admit, Yu Qiurong was an extremely intelligent woman. Ever since leaving Dongluo Pass, she had left all matters to An Jing¡¯s discretion, never overstepping her bounds. If the inn had been full, in the past, they certainly would have used ¡°methods¡± to expel the staying guests; wealth might not move a ghost, but fists definitely could. But Yu Qiurong had queried An Jing. And now, according to the style of the Demon Sect, they would normally just kill them all, but Yu Qiurong still inquired of An Jing. An Jing looked at the several Houjin experts before him, as each person¡¯s vision of the Great Dao of Jianghu differed. Some say that Jianghu is not about fighting and killing, but about human feelings and worldly wisdom. In his view, the essence of Jianghu is in fact about fighting and killing; worldly wisdom is only necessary when one¡¯s skills are not tough enough. The most useful means is fighting and killing, never sentimentalities. At that moment, An Jing¡¯s expression was as calm as water, showing no hint of emotion, yet his entire being exuded an authority that needed no words to convey. ¡°Kill them.¡± Following several shrill cries, the night once again grew quiet. ¡­¡­ In Dongluo Pass, within a pavilion. The light was dim, and in the faint mystical glow, one could see a breathtakingly beautiful face. What was most captivating was not the delicate features, but a hint of an uncommon heroism amongst her brows, which harmoniously blended with feminine grace, adding a unique allure. Beside her were several secret letters, each labeled with names of women associated with An Jing such as Cao Ling¡¯er, Jia Meixian, and Princess An Le. Zhao Qingmei sat beside the table, looking at the secret letters by candlelight, frowning deeply: ¡°Exalted Vajra from Buddhist?¡± Known as the foremost Vajra of Buddhist, Exalted Vajra possessed immense and unfathomable strength, having reached the peak of the Third Qi Grandmaster, and had even obtained the Vajra Secret Skill ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡± from her husband, potentially nearing the level of a Fourth Qi Grandmaster. Such strength was indeed far superior to the Third Qi Grandmaster Qiu Fengsheng. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Just then, the voice of Duanmu Xinghua resonated from outside the door. ¡°Come in.¡± Zhao Qingmei said indifferently. Duanmu Xinghua walked in and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, there is a new urgent secret letter from the spies of the Human Sect in Zhao Country.¡± As she spoke, Duanmu Xinghua presented the secret letter in her hand. ¡°Let me see.¡± Zhao Qingmei took the secret letter, then opened it and looked at it. Although there were only a few dozen characters, she read them for quite some time. The entire room was very quiet, and Duanmu Xinghua was very patient. Zhao Qingmei closed the letter in her hands, ¡°Indeed, Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s departure from the Black Ice Platform was not so simple.¡± ¡°I believe that his escape from the Black Ice Platform might have been a conspiracy from the beginning.¡± Duanmu Xinghua took a deep breath, her face grave, ¡°You must know that at that time Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s prestige was at its zenith, he was the most powerful figure of his generation at the Black Ice Platform, unparalleled in temperament, comprehension, and talent, even not inferior to today¡¯s Xiao Qianqiu of the Yan Country. How could he possibly commit such an absurd act?¡± The fame Qiu Fengsheng had back then in Zhao Country was just like that of Xiao Qianqiu in Yan Country today. But no one expected that, overnight, for the sake of a woman, he would make a grave error, becoming a wandering stray dog, directly pursued by the Black Ice Platform and eventually fleeing Zhao Country. Now, according to the secret letter, there are many doubts about the case back then, it seems that the Black Ice Platform might have orchestrated it intentionally. Zhao Qingmei, puzzled, said, ¡°Qiu Fengsheng originally had great potential, logically speaking, his cultivation should have progressed rapidly. Why did he decline after leaving the Black Ice Platform?¡± ¡°Could it be that the Black Ice Platform had Qiu Fengsheng take elixirs like the Blood-Loathing Pill or the Primordial Spirit Pill, draining his potential. Thus, causing him to have no future prospects?¡± The Black Ice Platform was most famous for elixirs like the Blood-Loathing Pill and the Primordial Spirit Pill, which could exhaust potential and increase one¡¯s cultivation. Duanmu Xinghua shook her head, ¡°The Black Ice Platform would not use such pills on a true genius, and moreover, these pills can at most cultivate a Second Qi Grandmaster, and the resources consumed to cultivate just one Second Qi Grandmaster are immense, even strictly speaking at a loss. Even with Zhao Country¡¯s extensive resources, it would be impossible to do such a thing.¡± The pills of the Black Ice Platform are formidable, but not miraculously so. Moreover, within the Black Ice Platform, the true prodigies are not to consume elixirs like the Blood-Loathing Pill or the Primordial Spirit Pill. Because true experts cannot possibly be cultivated through pills, and even if it were possible, the resources consumed would be extremely terrifying. Zhao Qingmei shook her head, ¡°Perhaps Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s elder brother knew about this.¡± Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s elder brother was none other than Qi Xuan Dao. Duanmu Xinghua nodded, as the head of the Black Ice Platform, Qi Xuan Dao definitely knew the secrets of the past. Zhao Qingmei thought for a moment, then said, ¡°Keep a close watch on the news from the Black Ice Platform in Zhao Country, I always feel like Zhao Country is plotting something.¡± ¡°Yes, I will take my leave first.¡± Duanmu Xinghua bowed with clasped hands and left. Now that Li Fuzhou was imprisoned in the ninth layer of the Heavenly Prison and the Heavenly Sect had suffered heavy losses, both the Human Sect and the Heavenly Sect were a mess for her to resolve, which was quite a headache. ¡°Wait.¡± Zhao Qingmei casually asked, ¡°What do you think about Tan Yun?¡± ¡°Tan Yun, ah.¡± Duanmu Xinghua couldn¡¯t help but chuckle lightly, ¡°It has been quite some time since I have seen her.¡± Inside, she quite liked Tan Yun, it was just a pity she should not have been in the Demon Sect, previously there was Li Fuzhou to protect her, now that Li Fuzhou was gone, she seemed more like a wandering lost soul in the Demon Sect. In addition, with her background from the Lv Sect, her presence was everywhere incompatible with the Demon Sect. Duanmu Xinghua noticed there was no smile on Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face, and quickly restrained the smile at the corner of her mouth, clasped her fist, and said, ¡°She is not suitable to take over the affairs of the Human Sect, not calm enough, not resolute enough in decisions and actions.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s fingers lightly tapped on the table, seeming to sink into contemplation. Duanmu Xinghua felt a movement in her heart, as if understanding something, and could not help but sigh internally. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s desire for control was strong, evident from how she dealt with the affairs of the Demon Sect. She wanted to keep everything under her control, following the rules she had set, to operate. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was one of the reasons why the Demon Sect was able to develop rapidly in a short period. However, emotions were different; emotions were like sand in your hand, the tighter you grasp it, the faster it slips through your fingers, you must learn to let go at times. But she knew Zhao Qingmei¡¯s nature; even if she said something, Zhao Qingmei might not listen, and even if she listened, she might not act accordingly. That was just Zhao Qingmei¡¯s character. Duanmu Xinghua sighed deeply in her heart, unsure whether that was good or bad. ¡­.. Chapter 233 - Chapter 233: Chapter 233: Xuanqing Mountain Sword Breaks Heaven and Earth Chapter 233: Chapter 233: Xuanqing Mountain Sword Breaks Heaven and Earth The name of Xuanqing Mountain is known to all under the heavens, once the ancestral home of the Mystical Sect, the most prosperous faction in the world. With beautiful scenery, clear mountains and waters, shrouded in mist and drizzle all year round, the ever-changing mists envelop the mountains. Entering Xuanqing Mountain, one finds layers upon layers of peaks, ancient trees reaching for the sky, broken cloud bridges, deep valleys, a sliver of sky, waterfalls cascading through a myriad of ravines, exotic flowers paving the paths, revealing a unique realm within. In Yan Chu¡¯s ¡°Origin Opening Scripture,¡± it was recorded that of the five famous mountains within the territory of Yan Country, Nanhua Mountain is tall, Tianku Mountain is steep, and Xuanqing Mountain is divine. Standing atop Xuanqing Mountain, one can feel the vast expanse of mists and clouds, as if being in the boundless universe itself. Along the dense and secluded trail in the forest, the crisp chirping of birds can be heard, as a gracefully dressed young master in white makes his way up the mountain. Accompanying the young master in white is a beautiful, delicate maid, along with several black-clad attendants following behind. An Jing looked at the scenery along the way and said, ¡°Yan Country occupies the ancestral land, blessed with good fortune, a place where gifted people and spiritual lands converge, truly the heartland of the world. No wonder Houjin desires to move southward and Zhao Country wishes to move northward.¡± Although it was his second visit to Xuanqing Mountain, his feelings were different each time he came to this place. It was as if infinite secrets within Xuanqing Mountain awaited his discovery. Yu Qiurong, who lived for a long time in the desolate Dongluo Pass, couldn¡¯t help but look several times at the ethereal immortal energy. Qian Cishan quickly said, ¡°Even this serene shaded path alone is so picturesque, evoking boundless longing and imagination.¡± An Jing glanced at the Heavenly Ascending Stairs and said in a deep voice, ¡°The shaded path you admire is wet with dew every night and morning.¡± wuxiaworld.site Qian Cishan didn¡¯t understand, but his heart was profoundly shaken, and he flattered, ¡°What the Tributor says is true.¡± Yu Qiurong was silent, feeling a deeper meaning in his words, yet unable to comprehend, and thought to herself, ¡°I am indeed far from the master¡¯s realm, worthy of being a genius who reached the Second Qi Grandmaster level at such a young age.¡± ¡­¡­. Xuanqing Mountain¡¯s Black Bull Ridge was bustling with activity. Following the sound, one could see several children of different ages collaborating to move a log. Among them were teenagers around thirteen or fourteen, as well as children around five or six years old. The log was thick enough to require the embrace of an adult, a task that would demand considerable effort even from strong men, let alone these children, who naturally found it extremely strenuous and arduous. Their clothing was colorful with patches, and despite being drenched in sweat and out of breath, their expressions were filled with enthusiasm. At the forefront stood a woman in her twenties, of average looks but with a gentle brow, currently passing water from a porcelain bowl to the children in front of her. There were many logs, all neatly arranged, evidently the product of their hard work felling trees in the mountains. A boy, panting heavily, said, ¡°Sister Yu¡¯er, we¡¯ve more or less prepared the timber, only the roof tiles remain.¡± A girl beside him said with longing, ¡°The roof tiles should be beautiful, with red, blue, yellow, brown¡­ the more colors, the better, they will look comfortable to the eyes.¡± At this, everyone present showed yearning expressions. Luo Yu¡¯er laughed lightly, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll speak with Uncle Luo later, to add more color when making the tiles.¡± ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! Red is my favorite,¡± exclaimed a child joyfully. ¡°Sister Yu¡¯er, we should move more timber to make the Daoist temple bigger and stronger, so that the wind won¡¯t get through at night,¡± suggested another. ¡­.. All the children¡¯s eyes lit up as they talked. Luo Yu¡¯er patted the head of the girl in front, chuckling, ¡°Good, I¡¯ll go make food now. Everyone did great today, so we¡¯ll have potatoes stewed with meat.¡± Her words sparked cheers among the children, with the younger ones even involuntarily swallowing their saliva. As Luo Yu¡¯er was about to head toward the stove nearby, a group of people not far away caught her attention. ¡°What a handsome young master.¡± Especially the leading man in white, whose smile seemed to glimmer in his eyes, his eyelashes fluttering as if clouds obscured the moon, making her heart skip a beat. The next instant, when she saw the tall and burly Qian Cishan with a long saber at his waist, her face turned pale. An Jing took a few steps forward, smiling as he asked, ¡°Miss, are you renovating the Daoist temple?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ yes, we are,¡± Luo Yu¡¯er replied softly, her face blushing. An Jing nodded slightly, looking at the children of various ages and the neatly piled timber, gaining some insight. Perhaps it was related to his cheap Daoist uncle. At that moment, the children were staring wide-eyed at the wealthy young master who had suddenly arrived. An Jing asked further, ¡°Do you know where Taoist Luo is?¡± ¡°Uncle Luo is inside the Thousand Mechanism Palace.¡± Luo Yu¡¯er¡¯s eyes shone as she quickly offered, ¡°Are you here to see Uncle Luo? I can lead the way for you, young master.¡± ¡°No need, I know where the Thousand Mechanism Palace is,¡± replied An Jing with a chuckle, and continued walking ahead. ¡°` Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment passed through Luo Yu¡¯er¡¯s eyes. Just then, An Jing turned his head and said, ¡°If Miss plans to make potato stew with meat, remember to make some extra.¡± ¡°O¡­ okay.¡± By the time Luo Yu¡¯er had recovered her composure, she hastily replied. A youth called out, ¡°Sister Yu¡¯er, stop staring. That young master has already left.¡± ¡°Always the smart mouth with you.¡± Luo Yu¡¯er¡¯s face grew even redder, then she quickly made her way toward the stove, such handsome and gentle young masters were scarce to come by. An Jing, on the other hand, had passed through Black Bull Ridge and arrived in front of the Thousand Mechanism Palace. An old Taoist was sitting cross-legged at the entrance of the palace, engrossed in studying a set of drawings, and beside him was a dish of peanuts. He was eating the peanuts while gazing intently at the drawings in his hand, seemingly lost in thought. Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan looked at the old Taoist with a trace of nervousness on their faces. The man before them had quite the reputation; he was the number one wanted individual by the Zhenyi Sect and had managed to elude capture for decades. His mere words had once daunted Mansion Master Qiu Fengsheng of Soul Seeker Mansion. How could they not be nervous? An Jing instructed, ¡°Wait here for a moment.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The two bowed and responded. An Jing then walked towards Luo Chongyang and greeted with a smile, ¡°Uncle Master, it has been a while since we¡¯ve met.¡± Luo Chongyang lifted his head upon hearing the voice, ¡°You, with your bare butt, are actually dressed decently today, eh?¡± Damn it! The only time An Jing had been embarrassed was when he got his clothes blasted off by Yuan Feng¡¯s Black Gold Thunder Pill at Dongluo Pass. But amid the chaos, he had run off so swiftly that no one saw him, only Luo Chongyang noticed clearly. Seeing An Jing¡¯s expression, Luo Chongyang felt a surge of satisfaction. He always felt deceived by the appearance of the ¡®Ghost Swordsman,¡¯ but now he felt like he had avenged one deceit. An Jing coughed lightly to change the subject, ¡°Elder Taoist Luo, are you really planning to establish a Taoist temple here on Xuanqing Mountain?¡± Xuanqing Mountain was the ancestral court of the Mystical Sect. Xiao Qianqiu would visit to pay homage to the Mystical Sect¡¯s ancestor at regular intervals; his ambition was clear to see. In the past, Luo Chongyang might have been able to meditate in seclusion on Xuanqing Mountain with the Zhenyi Sect turning a blind eye. But now that he was refurbishing the palaces, it was an outright challenge to the Zhenyi Sect. Luo Chongyang said indifferently, ¡°This spiritual land has been abandoned for many years; renovating it to create a small Taoist temple is not a problem.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment before speaking, ¡°If Uncle Master has made such a plan, you must be fully prepared, right?¡± With a peanut in hand, Luo Chongyang replied, ¡°It¡¯s just a redundant Taoist temple. Why make a fuss about it? The significance of this temple is merely to provide a shelter for the children from the rain and wind.¡± ¡°Is this your way, Uncle Master?¡± ¡°To have a grand abode that shelters all under heaven, isn¡¯t that ¡®the way¡¯? Just stay grounded¨Cwhy strive for those illusory things?¡± Hearing this, An Jing felt deeply moved. Taoist temples, Taoist lineages¡­ all those myriad external things, none mattered as much as the grand path that Luo Chongyang kept in his heart. Some people live in high towers, while others are stuck in deep ditches; some shine brilliantly, while others rust away. Among the myriad types of people in the world, don¡¯t chase after fleeting clouds. Luo Chongyang glanced at An Jing and said, ¡°Don¡¯t put on that moved look. Show me something tangible.¡± An Jing sat down on the ground as well, took a peanut, and put it in his mouth, ¡°Uncle Master, where would I have any money?¡± Luo Chongyang said irritably, ¡°You¡¯re now a tributor of the Demon Sect, aren¡¯t your silvers flowing like water? Give your uncle master a few hundred thousand silver to spend first.¡± An Jing sighed and did not speak. ¡°Still want to eat peanuts?¡± Seeing this, Luo Chongyang snatched the peanuts from An Jing¡¯s hand, ¡°So you came empty-handed, and I still have to shell out?¡± An Jing said with a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t be so stingy. When I have money in the future, Uncle Master can open as many Taoist temples as you want.¡± Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyebrow shot up, ¡°Why don¡¯t you muster some spirit and relieve me of the need to open a temple? If you succeed, Uncle Master¡¯s wish could be fulfilled, and I might even step into the realm of an Immortal.¡± Luo Chongyang¡¯s ambition wasn¡¯t small either, aspiring even to become a Land Immortal. An Jing shook his head with a chuckle, ¡°Have you heard about the National Teaching Order, Uncle Master?¡± ¡°Of course, those bald heads in the Buddhist sect must be thrilled. If they get that order, their status in Yan Country could rise to rival the Zhenyi Sect.¡± Luo Chongyang gave An Jing a meaningful look, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be trying to get me to take action because you can¡¯t beat the Exalted Vajra, would you?¡± He knew of the animosity between An Jing and the Buddhist sect. With the Demon Sect and the Buddhist sect clashing over the National Teaching Order, could it be that his cheap nephew wanted to drag him into the Demon Sect? Though the Demon Sect and Great Yan had formed an alliance, the sect couldn¡¯t just spread its teachings within Yan Country at will. If Houjin became powerful, the Demon Sect would have no way out. ¡°` ¡°` If we could enter Yan Country to spread our teachings, the implications would be quite different. The Demon Sect could then retreat to the territory of Yan Country at any time, which would undoubtedly be a very tempting prospect for the Demon Sect. An Jing didn¡¯t answer Luo Chongyang¡¯s question but instead asked, ¡°Uncle Master, who do you think is stronger between me and Exalted Vajra?¡± ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, Qiu Fengsheng must have been killed by you. It seems that your cultivation has reached the Second Qi Grandmaster Realm. However, I¡¯ve crossed hands with Qiu Fengsheng. Among the Third Qi Grandmasters, he definitely ranks at the bottom. It wouldn¡¯t be an overstatement to call him a past genius, but when placed among Third Qi Grandmasters, he hardly meets the standard, whereas Exalted Vajra is at the peak of the Third Qi and the power of a Buddhist Vajra is top-notch even among those of the same realm. Add to that the secret technique you gifted to the Buddhist sect.¡± After Luo Chongyang finished his analysis without mincing words, he said, ¡°I think your chances of winning are slim.¡± He was well aware of the capabilities of both Exalted Vajra and Qiu Fengsheng. Although they were seemingly at the same level of Three Qi, their strengths were worlds apart. An Jing remained silent, not uttering a word. Luo Chongyang said indifferently, ¡°Moreover, you simply cannot take this National Teaching Order away. For the Demon Sect to become the national religion of Great Yan, that¡¯s frankly a joke.¡± An Jing raised his eyes and asked, ¡°Uncle Master, what about you facing Exalted Vajra?¡± Luo Chongyang said with a chuckle, ¡°Exalted Vajra has commendable strength, but I am unafraid.¡± An Jing had seen Luo Chongyang¡¯s ability, who was able to hold off the Honghu under the Beili Volcano. It seemed he was either at the level of Four Qi, or at the pinnacle of Third Qi. An Jing flattered, ¡°Experience does come with age.¡± Luo Chongyang snorted disapprovingly, ¡°All your flattering words won¡¯t help. There are plenty of people in this world who would like to kiss up to me; I don¡¯t need it from you. The waters of Yujing City run deep, even more dangerous than last time at Dongluo Pass. Even I might drown.¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­..¡± From the beginning, he never intended to have Luo Chongyang replace him to face Exalted Vajra and vie for the National Teaching Order. Luo Chongyang slapped his buttocks and laughed, ¡°Enough talk, that lass Yu¡¯er has almost finished cooking. Her culinary skills are exceptional. It¡¯s a pity that you, my boy, are too enamored with the beauty of the Demon Sect Hierarch, otherwise¡­¡± Just as Luo Chongyang stood up and prepared to head towards Black Bull Ridge, his eyes shifted towards the distance, his brow furrowed with a hint of gravity. An Jing also looked in the direction of Luo Chongyang¡¯s gaze, and his pupils severely contracted. In the sunlight ahead, a Taoist wearing a Purple Sun Cloth and Eight Diagrams Robe drifted in on the gentle breeze. This Taoist was dressed very plainly and simply, but that could not conceal his peerless elegance. His figure seemed hazy, as if merging with the ground beneath his feet and the sky above his head. Otherworldly, a high sage from beyond this mortal coil. If Luo Chongyang cultivated a path of worldly involvement, indulging in the myriad tastes of life, then the Taoist before them was lofty and untainted by dust, like an exiled immortal from heaven, too awe-inspiring to behold. Xiao Qianqiu! The person approaching was none other than the current State Preceptor of Yan Country, the Sect Leader Xiao Qianqiu from Zhenyi Sect. This was the second time An Jing had witnessed this world-famous decisive master since Abyss Lake. Back then, Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s Human Dao Sword had entered the Sixth Realm, and only the final thrust had injured this foremost figure of the Great Yan Martial World, breaking the momentum he had been accumulating for many years. But now, seeing those calm, lake-like eyes, An Jing felt that he had not been affected by that battle; rather, it seemed that his cultivation had advanced further because of that sword strike. ¡°Is it him!?¡± Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan were even more internally shaken. They had not seen Xiao Qianqiu in person, but they had seen his portrait countless times. Now, with the saintly Taoist appearing before them, his name involuntarily leapt to mind. The foremost expert of the Great Yan Martial World, the State Preceptor of Yan Country, the Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect¨Cany one of these titles would make the world tremble, but to think they all resided in one person, how terrifying could that be? Xiao Qianqiu gave Luo Chongyang a Taoist salute, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu pays respects to Junior Uncle Master.¡± Luo Chongyang replied with an impassive face, ¡°You¡¯ve come before the time is due?¡± Xiao Qianqiu responded calmly, ¡°Although the time we agreed upon has not yet arrived, my nephew has had some insights due to a stroke of good fortune and would like to seek advice from Uncle Master.¡± Ever since Luo Chongyang left Zhenyi Sect, the sect had initiated a manhunt for him, but not only did they fail to kill Luo Chongyang, they even lost a high-ranking member of the ¡®Hua¡¯ generation. Since then, Zhenyi Sect had not launched any further pursuits against him. Instead, Xiao Qianqiu would visit Xuanqing Mountain from time to time. In addition to paying respects to the Mystical Sect ancestors, he would seek Luo Chongyang for sparring and comparison. In the past decade, they had already fought twice. Luo Chongyang took two steps forward with unhurried and steady gait, ¡°Fifteen years ago, I spared you out of gratitude to Zhenyi Sect and couldn¡¯t bring myself to kill you. Five years ago, you had good fortune on your side. Today, you may not be so lucky.¡± Xiao Qianqiu gave a gentle smile, ¡°Junior Uncle Master, rest assured, in my heart death is merely another form of rebirth.¡± As his words fell, all was silent between heaven and earth. An Jing¡¯s heart skipped a beat, sensing that Xiao Qianqiu was specially here to compete with Luo Chongyang. ¡°Very well.¡± Luo Chongyang glanced at his own hand and laughed, ¡°It seems you have gained some enlightenment from your battle with Lou Xiangzhen.¡± Every time Xiao Qianqiu came to challenge Luo Chongyang, his cultivation had made great strides forward, looking to test his edge against him. This was also one of the reasons why Zhenyi Sect had refrained from further pursuits against him. ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°` Xiao Qianqiu nodded slightly, ¡°It depends on whether the junior martial uncle has made any progress.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll know with a try.¡± Luo Chongyang¡¯s demeanor was serene and immovable. The two Taoists stood firm at opposite ends of heaven and earth, as if even the wind itself had stilled. Not to mention Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan, at this moment even An Jing felt a tinge of nervousness within, his feet subconsciously retreating backward. The question of who was stronger between Xiao Qianqiu and Luo Chongyang. Luo Chongyang was a high-level expert of the previous generation, and among the prodigies, he was a prodigy, whereas Xiao Qianqiu, though young, was hailed as possessing the immense talent of a banished immortal. Especially after his battle with Lou Xiangzhen, he gained new insights. ¡°Junior martial uncle, please make your move,¡± incited Xiao Qianqiu. True qi swirled around Xiao Qianqiu, forming a giant vortex, from which a purple light coalesced, stirring up a sudden fierce wind. Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyebrows lifted; it seemed Xiao Qianqiu truly made a breakthrough after that battle. Worthy of the term banished immortal. Clothed in his Taoist robe, Luo Chongyang stood against the wind, his garment fluttering with the fierce gales. The vortex swirling around Xiao Qianqiu further intensified his already formidable presence, sending chills into spectators¡¯ hearts. Xiao Qianqiu struck forward with a palm. Boom! Boom! The palm print descended, and the air itself exploded with roaring sounds, trembling the hearts of those within earshot. In Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyes, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s palm print rapidly enlarged, yet facing such a ferocious strike, Luo Chongyang chose not to retreat. Behind him, a Yin Yang fish emerged, its robust True Qi surging forth, and he too advanced with a palm thrust. Boom! In the next instant, the two palm prints ferociously collided with each other, creating visible ripples that swept outwards. The True Qi spread like a torrent to the distance, as Luo Chongyang¡¯s body shuddered violently and he rapidly retreated backwards, dragging deep marks on the ground with his feet. Once he stabilized his stance, Luo Chongyang¡¯s face flushed, then calmed, and he clenched his throbbing palms. Xiao Qianqiu, having reached the Four Qi Realm, was indeed formidable. Xiao Qianqiu also took several dozen steps back, but compared to Luo Chongyang, he appeared much more composed. Although Luo Chongyang had been sent flying several meters by his palm strike, it didn¡¯t seem to cause any injury. ¡°My master once said that if junior martial uncle had stayed in the Zhenyi Sect, his cultivation might have already reached the Five Qi Realm, and he had the potential to attain the Half-immortal Body,¡± Xiao Qianqiu said with a faint smile, looking at his palm. He lowered his head to glance at his hands, where there was a faint flicker of black and white light on the surface of his palm¨CLuo Chongyang¡¯s True Qi that had secretly invaded his arm during their palm contact. Qiankun Eight Diagram Technique! Although Xiao Qianqiu had not cultivated it, he had studied it and had prior experience clashing with Luo Chongyang. The Qiankun Eight Diagram, taking heaven, earth, thunder, wind, water, fire, mountain, and lake as images for cultivation, left residual traits within the True Qi. But this time, the Qiankun Eight Diagram Technique proved to be particularly difficult to handle. ¡°Could it be that junior martial uncle has cultivated to the unprecedented Eighth Layer?¡± Xiao Qianqiu seemed to realize something, looking at Luo Chongyang, ¡°It seems that the name of genius is indeed indisputable.¡± Qiankun Eight Diagram Technique! Rumored to be the most challenging Martial Arts of the Mystical Sect to cultivate, very few Mystical Sect experts chose to cultivate this technique, and the records in the Mystical Sect indicated it only reached the Seventh Layer. The True Qi vortex around Xiao Qianqiu quivered even more violently, and at the same time, a dangerous aura emerged from within him. Sensing that dangerous aura, Luo Chongyang¡¯s gaze also slightly hardened. Woo woo! Xiao Qianqiu hovered in the air, with what seemed like howling winds surrounding him, and at the moment his momentum reached its peak, a brilliant light burst forth from his eyes. Whir whir whir! Lightning and thunder appeared within the surrounding True Qi vortex, as if something was about to explode forth. His palm slowly lifted, and as it rose, it visibly swelled to a colossal size in mere moments, becoming an enormous hand that obscured the sky. On that giant hand, a mystical aura emerged, descending upon Luo Chongyang below. The air around Xuanqing Mountain boiled at that moment. ¡°The Jade Emperor Scripture!?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart thudded uncontrollably upon seeing this, and he hurriedly transmitted a message, ¡°What Xiao Qianqiu is cultivating must be the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯.¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s gaze was fixed on Luo Chongyang. Without wasting a word, his giant palm descended from the sky and mercilessly slammed down on the spot where Luo Chongyang stood. Boom! As the giant palm fell, it seemed to block out the sun in the sky, and the land was plunged into utter darkness. Standing beneath the shadow, Luo Chongyang was like a small boat in a storm, teetering on the verge of collapse. With Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s strength, what kind of terror would it be for him to cultivate the supreme secret technique ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯? He had one hand behind his back and his expression was unfazed as he said, ¡°Grasping a thread of wind in the human world, I prove my Dao is among the three thousand paths.¡± Boom! The next moment, a white aurora appeared between heaven and earth, piercing through the giant hand and completely melting it. The power of heaven and earth! Luo Chongyang stood proud between heaven and earth, his clothes fluttering with the breeze, his form seeming to merge with the world around him. Connecting with heaven and earth! Heavenly Human Communication! An Jing¡¯s heart surged¨Che was witnessing the realm of Heavenly Human Communication once more, a grandmaster harnessing the power of heaven and earth. Luo Chongyang, at the peak of Three Qi, fought Xiao Qianqiu, a Grandmaster of Four Qi, by harnessing the power of Heavenly Human Communication. Last time, Yu Qiurong had only seen Qiu Fengsheng about to enter this realm and was profoundly shaken; now, witnessing Luo Chongyang leveraging the power of heaven and earth was even more astounding. ¡°Is this the legendary Heavenly Human Communication?¡± Qian Cishan was left agape with shock. Heavenly Human Communication, in the Jianghu, was a legendary realm. Everyone who reached this realm was among those with the highest comprehension. With his move broken, Xiao Qianqiu remained calm, ¡°Little uncle, that¡¯s a good move.¡± Luo Chongyang, blending into the universe, had an even more powerful aura, and his voice resounded like rolling drums, ¡°Nephew, hiding and holding back is not your style.¡± A flash of light appeared in Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s eyes as he took a step forward. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing furrowed his brows; that step was not merely forward¨Cit was into the world itself. Xiao Qianqiu was suddenly surrounded by rising winds and whirlwinds, and the momentum from the heavens and earth above grew magnificent. Connection to heaven and earth! Heavenly Human Communication again! This Xiao Qianqiu, whose reputation shook the Great Yan Martial World, had undergone a breakthrough under the pressure of his battle with Lou Xiangzhen, destroyed and then reestablished himself, reaching the realm of Heavenly Human Communication. Xiao Qianqiu stood amidst the wind, ¡°Regretting the wind passing through the human world, sufficient to fill ten thousand autumns¡¯ long water.¡± ¡°Splashing!¡± ¡°Splashing!¡± In an instant, two extreme Grandmasters confronted each other, the power of heaven and earth intertwining between them, carving long gashes on the ground with the vigor that erupted. The new and old generations of the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s prodigies were clashing fiercely. And such an astonishing scene, unfortunately, went unseen. The intense contention between the two had become invisible, surged in the dark currents, and reached a stalemate. Heavenly Human Communication¡¯s greatest strength lies in borrowing a sliver of power from heaven and earth¨Cand how much one can borrow naturally depends on their realm. Compared to Xiao Qianqiu, who had just entered Heavenly Human Communication, Luo Chongyang had been in this realm much longer and thus was much deeper. But Xiao Qianqiu, with the massive resources of the Zhenyi Sect behind him, had a cultivation that surpassed Luo Chongyang¡¯s. As for mastering the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture,¡¯ even if Xiao Qianqiu had exceptional talent, it would be unlikely for him to grasp its essence so quickly. The force of heaven and earth kept intertwining, and though there wasn¡¯t much noise, the energy that burst forth was terrifying. This was a contest between the two men, a contest of Dao, and a contest of the power of heaven and earth. An Jing, observing the surging power of heaven and earth, suddenly felt an enlightenment strike his mind. His understanding of the Sword Dao, which had previously been stuck, seemed to loosen a bit. Without a sword in hand, nor in heart. The Sword Dao Tao General Outline once mentioned that this realm is: Moves with the heart; nothing is contrary; yin and yang as one; all-encompassing. With no sword in hand or heart, when the sword is gone, the Dao is achieved. Time wafted gently by, and Xiao Qianqiu and Luo Chongyang were still confronting each other. Boom! A piercing sword light streaked across the heaven and earth. Both men felt a trace of strangeness and simultaneously took a step back. The connection with the heaven and earth that was still accessible a moment ago was instantly lost. The Heavenly Human Communication had disappeared!? Luo Chongyang¡¯s heart was shocked. The connection with heaven and earth that he had just now felt like a streak of aurora that had been directly severed. Is it him!? Xiao Qianqiu, however, looked towards the distant figure in white, his expression carrying a trace of gravity and curiosity. ¡°Swoosh!¡± At this moment, an astonishing sword qi surged from An Jing¡¯s body, heading towards the vast expanse above, as if it carried an endless chill, threatening to puncture a hole in the heaven and earth. Chill! Every living being on Mount Xuanqing felt a coldness despite it being the late summer of September; an ice-cold sensation emerged from the depths of their hearts. Xiao Qianqiu murmured in a low voice, ¡°Such astonishing swordsmanship.¡± Usually, a Sixth Realm swordsmanship could not possibly sever the connection with heaven and earth. However, the youth in front of them not only simultaneously severed the connection for both men but also carried with it a sense of oppression. Luo Chongyang also inwardly exclaimed, ¡°Could this young man have reached the Sixth Realm?¡± He remembered this junior nephew¡¯s grand and majestic sword intent surpassed that of Lou Xiangzhen by far. How terrifying would it be if he had reached the Sixth Realm? The astonishing sword qi was fleeting, and after rushing to the sky, it completely vanished from sight. Mount Xuanqing returned to calm. An Jing had an epiphany. He slowly came back to his senses and said, ¡°Alas, the wind leaves no trace, this dream must be but a fantastic one.¡± Xiao Qianqiu looked at Luo Chongyang and said, ¡°Little junior uncle, your swordsmanship hasn¡¯t reached this realm yet, has it? He shouldn¡¯t be the young talent you¡¯re looking for, right?¡± Luo Chongyang lazily said, ¡°You could say that. What do you think?¡± Xiao Qianqiu glanced at An Jing, then at Yu Qiurong and the others in the distance, ¡°Demon Sect? It seems like Sang Tianyou was killed by him. This person must be the Demon Sect Tributor dispatched.¡± He could still sense their auras. Piecing together the recent events, he quickly understood. Luo Chongyang, Demon Sect, Swordsman¡­. It was as if there was a connection that made him think of something. Luo Chongyang said indifferently, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who he is. The important thing is whether you still want to compete? I, your junior uncle, am ready to accompany you to the end at any time.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said calmly, ¡°Just by looking at it, I¡¯ve seen the outcome of this battle. I would be seriously injured, but you, junior uncle, would perish along with your Dao.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Upon hearing this, Luo Chongyang laughed loudly. Unperturbed, Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°Junior uncle, I know you are not far from entering the Four Qi Realm. I¡¯ll give you this chance.¡± With those words, he waved his sleeves and, offering Luo Chongyang a solemn gesture of respect, turned and walked down the mountain. As if by some unspoken understanding between the two, they stopped at the right moment. Looking at Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s departing figure, Luo Chongyang felt an extreme weight in his heart. ¡°Drip.¡± ¡°Drip.¡± ¡­. Blood dripped from his fingertips, staining the ground red. An Jing stepped forward and asked in a low voice, ¡°Junior uncle, is what Xiao Qianqiu said true?¡± ¡°True.¡± Taking a deep breath, Luo Chongyang said, ¡°After his battle with Lou Xiangzhen, his cultivation has greatly improved, and he has come to understand many principles. Thus, he does not wish to fight to the death with me since there are no benefits to him. After all, he has a bright future ahead and no need to risk his life over every matter.¡± Resting in the shade of a big tree is comfortable. Zhenyi Sect, as the national religion, provides astounding resources, and with Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s demon-like talent, it¡¯s only natural for his strength to skyrocket. Now having obtained the Jade Emperor Scripture, given time, he would certainly become a renowned top master throughout the world. Luo Chongyang left some things unsaid; his visit to this nephew had not been as simple as it seemed. The two had sparred over the years, developing a silent understanding, not needing words. An Jing felt a sinking feeling in his heart upon hearing this. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s strength was truly fearsome. With Luo Chongyang¡¯s peak Three Qi cultivation and the ability to step into Heavenly Human Communication, harnessing the power of the world, he was still no match for Xiao Qianqiu. Luo Chongyang turned to An Jing and asked, ¡°Have you reached the Sixth Realm?¡± An Jing thought for a moment and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know. Just now, it felt like I was in a sort of trance, as if I was in a dream.¡± Although what he said was profoundly mysterious, Luo Chongyang faintly understood something, and a glint of light appeared in his eyes, ¡°You¡¯re still missing an opportunity.¡± An Jing muttered to himself, ¡°An opportunity!?¡± Luo Chongyang slowly said, ¡°It lies in the north.¡± An Jing looked towards the north, also deep in thought, ¡°How did Xiao Qianqiu cultivate the Jade Emperor Scripture?¡± The Jade Emperor Scripture required the integration of three major heart methods, and Xiao Qianqiu at best only had the Beidou Seven Stars Technique and the Ghost Valley Heart Method; it was absolutely impossible for him to have the Daluo Heart Method. If he had, he wouldn¡¯t have possibly sent a Grand Real Person of the Zhenyi Sect to kill him back then. But without integration, how did he cultivate the Jade Emperor Scripture? Luo Chongyang shook his head, ¡°Heaven knows.¡± At this moment, Luo Yu¡¯er came hurrying over from afar, ¡°Uncle Luo, are you all right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Luo Chongyang waved his hand, smiling, ¡°Are the meals ready? I made a guarantee that your cooking is supreme; you can¡¯t let this poor Daoist lose face.¡± Luo Yu¡¯er breathed a sigh of relief and stole a glance at An Jing, saying, ¡°They¡¯re ready.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go have our meal first.¡± Luo Chongyang waved his hand and said. Subsequently, An Jing and the others arrived at Black Bull Ridge, where they saw the stove emanating a fragrant aroma that made one¡¯s mouth water. Luo Yu¡¯er systematically served food to everyone, handing it out one by one. Yu Qiurong, seeing An Jing chatting leisurely with Luo Chongyang in the distance, could only find a spot to sit down. ¡°Miss Luo, what excellent culinary skills.¡± Qian Cishan had a taste of the potato pork stew and immediately his eyes lit up, giving a thumbs up. ¡°You flatter me.¡± At this moment, Luo Yu¡¯er, looking at the fierce-looking burly man, suddenly felt he was not so intimidating and even found him somewhat simple and lovable. An Jing and Luo Chongyang were sitting beside the stone steps, casually chatting back and forth. Luo Chongyang reminded him, ¡°The waters of Yujing City are deep; the current Human Emperor is not a simple character, and whether his injury is real or fake, there remains doubt. Besides that, there¡¯s the foremost scholar of Confucianism, the masters of Buddhism¨Cthere are struggles not only in Jianghu but also in the courts of the temple. You mustn¡¯t get overwhelmed by these currents and lose your way.¡± ¡°With experts as plentiful as carps crossing a river, you¡¯ve reached the Second Qi now, but you need to be even more cautious. After all, as a Tribune of the Demon Sect now, you¡¯re mingling with top experts from all over the world, and if you aren¡¯t careful, you might just get taken down by some old cunning fellow.¡± In the past, it was just a small city in Yu State, where First Grade was the pinnacle. Now, however, you are among the top renowned experts in the world. The position you¡¯re in is different, and so are your opponents. An Jing nodded, ¡°I¡¯m aware of that.¡± If it hadn¡¯t been for Jun Qinglin coming out of seclusion, how would he have known that such a Five Qi Grandmaster lay hidden within the Demon Sect? What about the Great Yan Royal Family then? For example, that elder who stands behind the Crown Prince. And the mysterious expert who killed Zongzheng Yuan and the Mu Jin Dharma King. It¡¯s hard to say whether other powers around the world don¡¯t have other top experts; in any case, he had to be extremely careful. Luo Chongyang, thinking of something, asked, ¡°Is that old fellow from the Sealing Demon Platform with the last name Jun dead yet?¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°No.¡± Hearing this, Luo Chongyang couldn¡¯t help but feel a chill, exhaling, ¡°That was really dangerous back then. I always thought that old guy was dead. Otherwise, I never would have gone with you to Dongluo Pass.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Uncle, are you afraid of dying?¡± Luo Chongyang replied irritably, ¡°Who in this world isn¡¯t afraid of death? If I were like that old guy Jun, living over a hundred years, I wouldn¡¯t be afraid anymore.¡± As he spoke, Luo Chongyang grabbed some peanuts next to him and mixed them into his rice. ¡°How could I not help when my nephew is in trouble?¡± ¡°Xiao Qianqiu also calls me uncle, doesn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°That¡¯s different; Xiao Qianqiu has ulterior motives.¡± ¡°Indeed, you only call me Old Dao Luo when you have no ulterior motives.¡± An Jing said, ¡°This demonstrates the deep bond between us, uncle and nephew.¡± Luo Chongyang scoffed, ¡°White butt, you¡¯re young but cunning as a fox.¡± An Jing¡¯s expression darkened, ¡°Old Dao Luo, if you keep talking like that, I¡¯ll get angry.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll stop, I¡¯ll stop.¡± Luo Chongyang laughed, ¡°Since that old guy from the Demon Sect is still alive, then I¡¯ll tell you a secret. You know about the Sword God of the Yu Heng Sword Sect, right?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°I know.¡± The Sword God and the Sword Demon were the top swordsmen several decades ago, and even after so many years, their legends still persist in Jianghu, reflecting their profound influence. When the Sword God and the Sword Demon became famous, even Lou Xiangzhen was but a junior in Jianghu, which shows how much older their qualifications are. Especially the Sword God, Liu Moyuan, who is also the Sect Master of the Yu Heng Sword Sect, had defeated Lou Xiangzhen with just three swords, causing the Peach Blossom Sword Immortal to never recover from the blow. However, both of them had retreated from Jianghu decades ago and were later rumored to have died, with the Yu Heng Sword Sect even making an official announcement. Luo Chongyang spoke in a low voice, ¡°This Liu Moyuan is still alive.¡± ¡°What!?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart trembled upon hearing this. The swordsman who had defeated Lou Xiangzhen with three swords is still alive!? Isn¡¯t he a monster just like Jun Qinglin then!? Luo Chongyang patted An Jing on the shoulder and said, ¡°So you must be more careful, an old turtle might be hiding in the pond ready to ambush you.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and nodded firmly. The two of them talked a bit more until it was almost dark. An Jing took out two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence stored within his body and said, ¡°Uncle-Master, it seems like your cultivation is still a bit short of reaching the Four Qi Realm, so your nephew will take out something to honor you.¡± These two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence had been obtained from Sang Tianyou. His cultivation had just reached the Second Qi, and he had already absorbed three strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. It was time to stabilize his foundation, so naturally he didn¡¯t need these two strands. And Luo Chongyang was at the peak of the Three Qi, with these two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence perhaps he could reach the Four Qi. Luo Chongyang had gone to Dongluo Pass to help, and An Jing had always kept this kindness in mind. ¡°Is this for me?¡± Luo Chongyang did not take it. ¡°Of course.¡± An Jing injected the two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence into Luo Chongyang¡¯s Dantian, then stood up and said goodbye, ¡°Uncle-Master, I¡¯m heading to Yujing City, so I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± Saying this, An Jing got up and walked towards Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan, who had been waiting for a long time. Luo Chongyang watched An Jing¡¯s figure as he walked further and further away, and then cracked a smile, ¡°This kid, still knows how to honor his Uncle-Master.¡± ¡­.. Two days later, Yujing City. With the arrival of the Buddhist delegation, numerous masters gathered in the martial world of Yujing City. Many people wanted to witness the grandeur of the Buddhist Vajra. Among the three oldest sects, only Buddhism had preserved its ancient teachings. The Mystical Sect had split into three, the Demon Sect¡¯s supreme martial arts secret scriptures were also lost, and Buddhism, besides being expelled from its ancestral land hundreds of years ago, had not suffered any other damages, thus maintaining a very ancient heritage. Every year, many people would head to the Pure Land to study Buddhist martial arts, and after Buddhism spread eastward, the number of people studying Buddhist martial arts increased even more. Now that the top masters of Buddhism were coming to Yan Country, how could it not draw attention? Especially since the Demon Sect would also send envoys to Yujing City, therefore attracting a large number of martial arts masters. The sky was clear, the sun blazed like fire, and the land was scorched and hot. The soldiers holding spears were parched and dizzy, barely able to suppress their complaints as they muttered, ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Wu De come to take over yet? Is he still lying on top of that woman¡¯s belly?¡± A comrade beside him said, ¡°It¡¯s just past noon; what¡¯s the rush?¡± The soldier sighed, feeling every breath as drawn out as the New Year, when suddenly there was a sound of horse hooves in the distance, followed by a cloud of dust. ¡°Huh?! Who is that?¡± In Yujing City, all were significant figures, so as gatekeeping soldiers, they needed to have some discernment. The other soldiers also perked up and looked in that direction. They saw several spirited horses galloping towards Yujing City¡¯s gate, led by a dashing young man in white. Behind the young man in white, there fluttered a flag, waving in the wind. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The flag was bright red like fire, hotter than the sun in the sky, and upon a closer look, it seemed to have a vine curve with a gleam of gold at its center. The soldier almost collapsed, then exclaimed with a tremble, ¡°The Demon Sect! It¡¯s the Demon Sect!¡± ¡­¡­. PS: Brothers, I¡¯m asking for a monthly ticket! Chapter 234 - Chapter 234: Chapter 234 Buddha Descends to Extinguish the Demon Chapter 234: Chapter 234 Buddha Descends to Extinguish the Demon Yujing City, Dragon Spring Temple, Zen Room. Three meditation cushions were situated on either side; to the left, the Universal Literary Vajra and Universal Benefit Bodhisattva of the Zen Sect, and to the right was the Exalted Vajra of the Lotus Sect. At this moment, the three gathered to discuss the grand scheme of Buddhism that would impact the Yan Kingdom¡¯s framework and the struggle for the National Teaching Order that could even affect the entire world. The Universal Benefit Bodhisattva spoke softly, ¡°With the National Teaching Order, we would essentially bind ourselves to the fate of the Yan Kingdom, and our Buddhist teachings could potentially flourish once more.¡± The Universal Literary Vajra lamented, ¡°Buddhism has long suffered in desolation.¡± Although Buddhism is the most intact of the three ancient teachings, it has consistently been suppressed and is located far in the barren lands of the Western Pure Land, with its poor soil, scarce resources, and sparse population. In such a place, how could the teachings be spread and the law be passed on? And now, this National Teaching Order represents an opportunity for Buddhism, a chance to break free from the present predicament. Those who possess the luck of the ancestral lands shall thrive, the Zhenyi Sect being a living example, with countless disciples worldwide. The Buddhists were keenly aware of the significance this National Teaching Order held for them; hence, the Exalted Vajra came personally from the Pure Land. After a long silence, the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva said, ¡°Outer Heaven has already arrived.¡± Outer Heaven, a name even older than the Demon Sect, but now seldom mentioned by people, who tend to remember the name ¡®Demon Sect¡¯ more readily. ¡°According to His Highness the Crown Prince, if Buddhism wants to establish a firm foundation and satisfy the Human Emperor,¡± only by becoming a blade in the Emperor¡¯s hand and curtailing the Demon Sect¡¯s influence could this be achieved,¡± said the Vajra. wuxiaworld.site The Universal Literary Vajra pressed his palms together and stated, ¡°By doing so, we can not only obtain the National Teaching Order but also magnify the prestige of our Buddhist Sect.¡± As an ambitious emperor of the human world with real power, his desire for control is naturally very strong; he would be willing to offer four peaches for five monkeys to fight over, but only because he chose to offer them, not because the haughty monkeys demanded them. Regarding the Demon Sect, an organization historically known for its spirited independence and rebelliousness, the Human Emperor employs differing strategies. Buddhism clearly understood the Emperor¡¯s intentions but saw great benefit in the arrangement, even as the Emperor¡¯s blade. Besides, the grudges between Buddhism and the Demon Sect ran deep. The Universal Benefit Bodhisattva¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly as he said, ¡°The emissary to the Demon Sect is said to be over twenty years old, but possesses a Grandmaster Realm cultivation. We had no prior information on this person, who seems to have emerged out of thin air. We must ponder this carefully.¡± Even when fighting rabbits, a lion must use all its might, let alone when facing the Demon Sect, which is no mere rabbit, and the Buddhist Sect is not necessarily the lion. ¡°What we do not understand is what¡¯s truly terrifying,¡± echoed the Universal Literary Vajra in a grave tone. The Exalted Vajra nodded slightly, ¡°However, rest assured my brothers, as long as Old Jiang of the Demon Sect does not make a move personally, this poor monk can handle it.¡± ¡°This National Teaching Order, we must achieve at all costs.¡± Buddhism needed this National Teaching Order desperately, even if it meant making enemies with both the Demon Sect and the Zhenyi Sect. Since the war of Buddhist extermination, it had been a long time since Buddhism had gained fame and prestige in the world. After a moment of contemplation, the Universal Literary Vajra took out a skin scroll from his sleeve and said, ¡°This is the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra and some insights I¡¯ve gleaned, which my brother may wish to reflect upon.¡± While Buddhism presents a united front, internal conflicts exist, like the thousands of years of open rivalry and covert battles between the Lotus Sect and the Zen Sect. How could the Universal Literary Vajra easily hand over the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra to the Exalted Vajra? An Jing speculated that the Exalted Vajra had already learned the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, suggesting a fundamental misunderstanding of the internal forces within Buddhism, although his speculation turned out to be correct. Now, for the sake of this National Teaching Order, not only did the Universal Literary Vajra offer up the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, but he also shared his recent insights with the Exalted Vajra. ¡°Good,¡± the Exalted Vajra breathed deep and took the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra. The Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture is a mental method surpassing the Heavenly Martial Level, rich in mysterious and unfathomable secret techniques, especially the Vajra Secret Skill which can significantly enhance one¡¯s strength in a short period, as An Jing had personally experienced. With the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, the Exalted Vajra would have an invincible position in the competition for the National Teaching Order. ¡­.. The Demon Sect¡¯s envoy entered Yujing City, and although their presence was not as magnificent as that of the Buddhist faction, the sensation they caused was nonetheless considerable. Whether in the Jianghu or among the common folk, the Demon Sect had a notorious reputation, infamous and despised by all. Now that the Demon Sect had sent an envoy to the Great Yan, it naturally caused a great stir. But the Great Yan Court had given them due honor; the Minister of Rites, Zhu Yongfang, personally went to meet them outside the city and arranged for their accommodation in the largest hostel in the Outer City. This hostel, managed by the Honglu Institute, was a compound with three courtyards, featuring pavilions, waterside pavilions, rockeries, and cool pavilions¨Ceverything one could wish for. Zhu Yongfang smiled and said, ¡°An Tributor, you may rest in the compound for the night. I have prepared delicacies from all across the Great Yan for you; please enjoy them to your heart¡¯s content tonight.¡± An Jing nodded slightly and said, ¡°Then we are much indebted to Minister Zhu.¡± He remembered that this Minister of Rites, Zhu Yongfang, was a member of the Crown Prince¡¯s faction. ¡°Please.¡± Zhu Yongfang gestured with his hand, then led An Jing and the others to the banquet hall. Several tables were set up, each laden with delicious dishes from all over the Great Yan, and a number of beautiful maids stood by; they all bowed gracefully as An Jing and his group entered. ¡°You all are elite experts from Outer Heaven, heroes of the Jianghu who prize freedom and unconventionality, so please don¡¯t be shy.¡± Zhu Yongfang, a seasoned official skilled at reading people and situations, managed to keep the conversation flowing and the atmosphere lively, even though An Jing had a solemn expression. He even personally served wine to An Jing. After several rounds of wine and a variety of dishes had been served, Zhu Yongfang could not help but show a hesitant expression, as if he had more to say. Is the old scoundrel getting to the main point at last? An Jing smiled and said, ¡°If Minister Zhu has something to say, feel free to speak openly.¡± Zhu Yongfang waved his hand, and the court entertainers and maids slowly retreated. ¡°An Tributor, we have enjoyed our conversation. There are some matters I¡¯ll discuss frankly,¡± said Zhu Yongfang, his brow knitted, after everyone in the room had left. ¡°This alliance between your sect and our Great Yan is beneficial for both sides. However, there are some who do not wish to see such a beneficial arrangement.¡± An Jing asked, puzzled, ¡°Oh? Is Minister Zhu perhaps referring to Houjin?¡± Zhu Yongfang hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°Yes and no. I¡¯ve heard that An Tributor encountered an assassination attempt in Yunlin City, is that true or false?¡± ¡°It¡¯s true.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t say who was behind the attempt to kill you, but since you¡¯ve managed to eliminate many experts from Houjin, I imagine you¡¯re quite clear about it. However, there are others with ulterior motives that you must guard against.¡± ¡°Others with ulterior motives?¡± Zhu Yongfang did not continue to answer but said gravely, ¡°Aside from external forces, there are those within who do not want your sect to be stationed in the Great Yan. It was only thanks to the Crown Prince¡¯s firm opposition to the dissenters that the current situation was brought about. He, too, does not wish to see a mutually beneficial situation be spoiled by those with malicious intentions.¡± An Jing considered carefully what Zhu Yongfang had now explicitly said. The ambush in Yunlin City was orchestrated by the Zhenyi Sect, which had been flirting openly with the Second Prince in the court circles¨Ca fact that was hardly a secret. An Jing cupped his fists and said, ¡°Thank you for the warning, Minister Zhu.¡± Zhu Yongfang replied earnestly, ¡°Rest assured, An Tributor. The Crown Prince is committed to the alliance and also wishes your sect to return and spread its teachings in the Great Yan. He asked me to tell you that even if your sect does not obtain the National Teaching Order, he will do his utmost to mediate and help your sect achieve its wish.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°Please convey my thanks to the Crown Prince for his kind intentions.¡± Zhu Yongfang also stood up and said, ¡°After a long journey today, An Tributor must be tired. I will now take you to rest, and tomorrow Minister Zhao will send someone to summon you to the Imperial Palace.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Much obliged.¡± Zhu Yongfang then led An Jing and the others to their quarters in the inner courtyard. After everything was arranged, he left with a few guards. Yu Qiurong watched Zhu Yongfang¡¯s retreating figure and whispered a reminder, ¡°Son-in-law, this Zhu Yongfang seems to have more meaning in his words.¡± ¡°His words today have a dual purpose.¡± An Jing said with a faint smile, ¡°First, he is showing goodwill on behalf of the Crown Prince. Although the Crown Prince has his own plots with the Buddhist community in secret, he doesn¡¯t wish to become enemies with us, and secondly, he wants to put us at ease, hoping we will not put all our eggs in one basket by betting everything on the National Teaching Order and fighting the Buddhist community to the death over it.¡± Qian Cishan nodded his head in agreement, saying, ¡°What An Tributor says is very true. In other words, on one hand, he plays the good person, directing the enmity towards Zhenyi Sect and the opposing Second Prince, while on the other hand, he wants us to give up on the competition for the National Teaching Order. It¡¯s likely he¡¯ll put in a few good words for us and try to secure some benefits.¡± Despite Qian Cishan favoring bootlicking, his mind is not simple; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been appointed to follow An Jing to Yujing City. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± An Jing looked at Qian Cishan approvingly. Yu Qiurong asked, ¡°Son-in-law, what should we do now?¡± Contending for the National Teaching Order could be very difficult. If we do not vie for this National Teaching Order, it would damage the reputation of the Demon Sect, but we could get a verbal promise from Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin. An Jing laughed and said, ¡°The thing to fear the most in doing anything is having to make a choice, because you do not have the initiative. Why does a mere National Teaching Order from the Great Yan Emperor, something intangible, cause such a stir in the world and lead many great forces to struggle for it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s simply because the Great Yan Emperor has the initiative. He can allow other forces to make choices and manipulate them at will. If we want to break the game, it¡¯s about not letting him control us and stepping out of the choices he gives us.¡± ¡°If we were to get our hands on this National Teaching Order, what do you think the Crown Prince¡¯s feelings would be? What would the Human Emperor think? Wouldn¡¯t the initiative still be in our hands by then?¡± Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan both felt a jolt in their hearts. Seizing the National Teaching Order was something they desperately desired yet hardly dared to think about. But with the Exalted Vajra from the Buddhist community present, could An Jing really snatch this National Teaching Order from the hands of the Exalted Vajra? An Jing paused and looked towards the door. Before long, an Earth Sect expert entered and said, ¡°My lord, someone outside has sent an invitation.¡± ¡°The Lv Sect?¡± An Jing took the invitation and a thought crossed his mind. The invitation had just one big character ¡®Lv¡¯ on it. An Jing put away the invitation and said, ¡°I understand, you may leave.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The Earth Sect person bowed slightly and left the room. After pondering for a moment, An Jing said, ¡°You two rest first, Qiurong and I will go out tonight.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Qian Cishan promptly responded. Dusk fell quickly, and only then did An Jing and Yu Qiurong leave the hostel, heading for the Inner City. With nightfall, the streets began to empty of people, as the inner city of Yan Country had a curfew in place, with guards patrolling after evening. Although the Inner City was under curfew, it didn¡¯t pose much of a hindrance for An Jing and Yu Qiurong with their level of cultivation, unless they tried to enter the Inner Palace. The Imperial Palace of Yan Country was not a place An Jing dared to intrude upon at the moment, especially with an eunuch of White Eyebrows caliber, who was not someone he could contend with. Soon, the two arrived at the entrance to the Lv Mansion. Yu Qiurong stepped forward to knock on the door, and before long, a gatekeeper poked his head out. ¡°Who are you?¡± Yu Qiurong didn¡¯t say a word but instead took out the invitation she held. ¡°Please come in.¡± The gatekeeper, upon seeing the invitation, naturally understood that the person before him was a significant and esteemed guest invited by the master of the house. Some led the way in front while others ran swiftly towards the back courtyard of the Lv Mansion to convey this message to the inner court as quickly as possible. Soon, An Jing had arrived in the guest hall. At that moment, the guest hall was brightly lit and gleaming. Sitting at the top of the hall was an old man with a hunched back, none other than Lv Guoyong. Sitting below him was his third student, Zhou Xianming. When An Jing and Yu Qiurong crossed the threshold, Zhou Xianming¡¯s face froze. He seemed to have turned into a stone statue. Zhou Xianming muttered to himself, ¡°Teacher, I must be drunk or possessed by some demon.¡± Isn¡¯t that damn doctor supposed to be dead? How could he possibly appear in Lv Mansion, it must be an illusion. ¡°An Jing pays respects to Lord Lv.¡± An Jing bowed to Lv Guoyong, seated at the head, and then turned to Zhou Xianming, ¡°Mister Zhou, it¡¯s been a while. Are you well?¡± ¡°You¡­ you.¡± Zhou Xianming said in astonishment, ¡°Are you Doctor An?¡± After speaking, he held his breath and stared intently at An Jing. An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Could I possibly be someone else?¡± Zhou Xianming stepped forward quickly, touching An Jing¡¯s arm to feel for himself, and joyfully said, ¡°You really are alive, Doctor An, you have no idea, I often reminisce about the joyous times we had listening to music in the brothels of Yu State City¡­¡± An Jing glanced back at Yu Qiurong, shook off Zhou Xianming¡¯s arm, and said, ¡°Mister Zhou, please show some dignity. When have I ever frequented brothels to listen to music?¡± Zhou Xianming also glanced over and winked, ¡°Is this a new sister-in-law?¡± Yu Qiurong did not speak, but her beautiful eyes narrowed into slits, sending a shiver through Zhou Xianming. An Jing coughed gently, bowing to the senior Lv Guoyong and said, ¡°The junior has received the invitation from Lord Lv and has hurried over, hoping I am not too late.¡± Lv Guoyong looked at the young man in front of him, deep in thought as if confirming something in his mind, ¡°Not late, your arrival is just in time, please take a seat.¡± An Jing bowed with his hands clasped and took a seat. Zhou Xianming kept a calm facade, but his heart was in turmoil. The teacher said that the guest he invited today was someone from the Demon Sect, so it was that Doctor An. He had originally thought that it was merely a coincidence of names, never having imagined this possibility, but now the reality struck him like a bolt from the blue. Upon reflection, if Li Fuzhou could be the master of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect, how could Doctor An just be an ordinary person? A tributor of the Demon Sect, dispatched to Yan Country, he truly is a formidable expert! As he considered this, his gaze towards An Jing carried a hint of resentment. We agreed to live as ordinary people, yet you soared to great heights behind my back, along with that youngster Han Wenxin. Lv Guoyong chuckled softly and said, ¡°I heard that the envoy from Outer Heaven this time is a young talent. I¡¯ve been very curious, and now that I see you, the rumors certainly ring true.¡± An Jing responded, ¡°Lord Lv jests, please forgive my previous frivolous offense.¡± Lv Guoyong waved his hand dismissively, ¡°No matter. Representing Outer Heaven as an envoy to Yan Country, you must know the many difficulties involved. Have you thought about how to proceed?¡± An Jing was thoughtful, ¡°The junior is slow-witted; I wonder if the senior has any advice to give?¡± Lv Guoyong laughed scoldingly, ¡°You sly lad, you probably have a plan already in your heart. Why bother asking? If I told you to abandon the National Teaching Order and bow to the Human Emperor, would you be willing?¡± ¡°` An Jing decisively shook his head and said, ¡°I am unwilling.¡± For him to kneel down and beg for peace was definitively impossible. Upon hearing this, Lv Guoyong stroked his beard and said, ¡°The National Teaching Order may not be a good thing for those in Outer Heaven, but it is a good bargaining chip.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing seemed to understand something and sincerely said, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Lv, for the guidance.¡± It had to be said, with just a simple sentence, Lv Guoyong had explained the essence of the matter, further strengthening what An Jing had in mind. Lv Guoyong looked at the young man before him, pondered for a long moment, and then asked, ¡°How is Tan Yun?¡± ¡°Very good.¡± An Jing thought for a moment and said, ¡°She might be one of the happiest people in the world.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Hearing this, Lv Guoyong¡¯s eyebrows relaxed slightly, a feeling he could not conceal. He had summoned An Jing for two reasons: One was to verify what he had in mind, and the other was concerning this very matter. ¡°As one grows old, the body cannot withstand much turmoil.¡± Lv Guoyong slowly stood up, supporting himself on the table as he walked towards the back hall. An Jing rose and bowed with his hands folded in front. As Lv Guoyong walked halfway, he suddenly paused and said, ¡°I am old and do not have much time left to live. I have always fantasized about a scene with grandchildren all around, and I hope that Tan Yun can come back to my side.¡± After saying that, Lv Guoyong¡¯s figure slowly departed. Zhou Xianming also understood why his teacher had given An Jing some counsel, realizing there was another purpose behind it. An Jing watched Lv Guoyong¡¯s receding figure, turned his head toward Zhou Xianming, and said, ¡°Mr. Zhou, I will take my leave as well. Once this matter is concluded, we should have a good drink together.¡± ¡°Agreed.¡± Zhou Xianming said, ¡°Do what you can and leave the rest to fate. There are countless paths in this world; do not force things.¡± An Jing smiled, got up, and walked out of the hall. Yu Qiurong followed closely behind him. Zhou Xianming thought of something and hurriedly shouted toward An Jing¡¯s departing figure, ¡°Brother An, with all your wealth, do you not have to pay back the silver you owe?¡± ¡­¡­. In the back hall, under the lamplight. Lv Guoyong walked slowly towards his own residence in the annex. Lv Fang and Lv Jingchun followed closely behind with small steps. Lv Fang¡¯s eyebrows were tightly knitted, his expression one of hesitance. In the end, Lv Fang could not hold back and asked, ¡°Father, do you truly intend to bring Tan Yun back?¡± There was no trace of emotion on Lv Guoyong¡¯s face; he merely nodded slightly. Lv Jingchun, on the other hand, appeared very nervous. He knew that his father and grandfather¡¯s conversation must hold deeper meanings, but he was too lazy to ponder and delve into it. However, the thought of Tan Yun made the fat on his body tremble. ¡­¡­. The next day, dark clouds covered the sky, and the weather was gloomy. Taiqing Hall. The place where Yan Country entertained foreign envoys was right here. ¡°` At this moment, several officials were seated in the Taiqing Hall, including the Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang, the eunuch Zhao Tianyi, the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, and others. The Demon Sect was not considered a major power, nor a minor one. Especially in today¡¯s world, the situation was quite unfavorable for Yan Country. There was no need for the Yan Kingdom Court to demean itself, but there was also no need to maintain an aloof and superior attitude. However, Lv Guoyong and the Second Prince Zhao Mengtai from the Lv Sect were not present in the Taiqing Hall. ¡°Announce the Dongluo Pass envoys.¡± As a shrill voice rang out, it slowly spread from the Taiqing Hall, and then echoed throughout the Imperial Palace. Before long, a young man dressed in white entered step by step. The moment the young man in white entered, the entire Taiqing Hall burst into discussion. Many officials were whispering to each other, showing a hint of surprise on their faces. So young! He was really too young! Even though they already knew in advance that the envoy sent by the Demon Sect was very young, they were still deeply shocked at this moment, especially knowing that this person named An Jing had killed a Grandmaster, which made it even harder for them to believe. An Jing remained calm and gave a slight bow to the few at the top, saying, ¡°An Jing pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince and all the distinguished officials.¡± ¡°No need for formalities.¡± Zhao Chongyin chuckled lightly, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect An Tributor to be so young and able to represent Outer Heaven as an envoy. It is indeed enviable.¡± Zhao Tianyi didn¡¯t speak, but he was sizing up the young man before him. From his demeanor and attitude, it was clear that being able to represent the Demon Sect was no small feat. After all, with so many eyes upon him, to remain calm required experience no ordinary person would have. An Jing responded, ¡°Compared to Your Highness the Crown Prince¡¯s accomplishments, I am not worth mentioning.¡± Zhao Tianyi asked, ¡°I wonder if An Tributor rested well last night?¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I slept so soundly. I¡¯m sure Lord Zhao also knows the hardships of the journey here. I¡¯ve been extremely cautious and terrified, always fearing that if I fell asleep at night, I would never see the sun the next day.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he swept a cold gaze around him, ¡°Rest assured, in Yujing City, no scoundrel dare stir trouble.¡± As Zhao Chongyin¡¯s gaze swept over, some of the weaker-hearted officials who had dealings with the Zhenyi Sect felt a chill in their hearts. ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on pleasantries, I think it¡¯s best we get straight to the point quickly.¡± Zhao Tianyi said calmly, ¡°An Tributor has traveled thousands of miles to form an alliance, bearing sincerity. What demands does your sect have?¡± Everyone present tensed up and turned their eyes to An Jing. An Jing chuckled lightly and said with a bow, ¡°Regarding forming an alliance, firstly, we hope that trade with Dongluo Pass can be completely open and never blocked, secondly, that we can get necessary assistance from Yan Country when resisting Houjin, including supplies, troops, metal weapons, and thirdly, we hope Yan Country can release our Sect Master of the Human Sect, Li Fuzhou, and fourthly, that Outer Heaven can spread its teachings within Yan Country and enjoy the treatment of a sect.¡± As An Jing¡¯s words came to an end, the whole Taiqing Hall instantly became noisy. ¡°Impossible, Li Fuzhou killed the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, and just sparing him from execution is already a grace, yet you still wish to release him?¡± ¡°The Demon Sect actually wants to spread its teachings and delude the people in our Yan Country? Isn¡¯t that just laughable?¡± ¡°It seems the Demon Sect is not here to form an alliance but to extort us instead.¡± ¡­¡­ The Yan Country officials were all abuzz, utterly enraged by the conditions An Jing had proposed. Zhao Tianyi spoke expressionlessly, ¡°Your request is truly exorbitant.¡± ¡°While the importance of Dongluo Pass may not be clear to others, I believe everyone here understands. It is a barrier for Yan Country. If Houjin wants to attack Yan Country in full force, they will definitely take Dongluo Pass first.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°If Yan Country wishes to use Dongluo Pass as a shield, yet doesn¡¯t want to offer some benefits, isn¡¯t that a daydream? Dongluo Pass can form an alliance with Yan Country, but it can also ally with Houjin.¡± These words landed with resounding clarity throughout the Great Hall. The Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, revealing a sharp glint. Zhao Tianyi said indifferently, ¡°There¡¯s some truth to your words, and Great Yan is indeed willing to firmly support Dongluo Pass in resisting Houjin, but the latter two conditions you¡¯ve mentioned are simply impossible to realize.¡± Whether it¡¯s releasing Li Fuzhou or allowing the Demon Sect to spread its teachings in Yan Country, either would have a massive impact, especially the latter. An Jing asked with a smile, ¡°Is there truly no room for negotiation?¡± Both parties had long been aware of each other¡¯s bargaining chips and bottom lines, so the current negotiations were nothing more than a formality. The Demon Sect cannot spread its teachings in Yan Country; resisting Houjin is a dead-end path, essentially being Yan Country¡¯s doorkeeper. The court of Yan Country had also long been aware that the Demon Sect would propose the condition of spreading its teachings. It¡¯s not that the Demon Sect couldn¡¯t spread its teachings in Yan Country; as long as they bowed down and pledged allegiance, perhaps the court of Yan Country might give them a chance. To put it bluntly, The Demon Sect cannot stand erect and spread its teachings in Yan Country, but they can do it on their knees. Seen in this light, it appears to be an alliance, but in reality, it¡¯s just a pawn of Yan Country. Zhao Tianyi pondered for a moment, then said, ¡°As for the possibility of negotiation, it¡¯s not completely nonexistent. The Human Emperor can issue a National Teaching Order. If Outer Heaven has the capability to secure this National Teaching Order, then there may be a chance to spread its teachings in Yan Country.¡± In an instant, the entire hall fell into silence, all eyes turned to An Jing with mockery gleaming in their eyes. It¡¯s not as though we¡¯re not giving your Demon Sect a chance. Now, the court of Yan Country has given you an opportunity; it¡¯s up to you whether you can grasp it. ¡°Good.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, ¡°Then may I ask when Sect Master Li Fuzhou of the Human Sect will be released?¡± ¡°Indefinitely.¡± Zhao Tianyi spat out coldly, ¡°There¡¯s no room for negotiation on this matter; it is an imperial edict.¡± An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed. He hadn¡¯t expected that, while they were given a seemingly impossible chance to spread their teachings, the release of Li Fuzhou was so categorically rejected without any room for discussion. Pondering briefly, An Jing said, ¡°Then please state Yan Country¡¯s demands. I¡¯m all ears.¡± Zhao Tianyi stood up and said flatly, ¡°Yan Country¡¯s demands for forming an alliance are few. First and foremost, you must stand with Yan Country wholeheartedly in resisting Houjin, without any second thoughts. Second, without Yan Country¡¯s permission, members of the Demon Sect are not allowed to enter Yan Country¡¯s territory at will.¡± An Jing looked directly at Zhao Tianyi, ¡°Isn¡¯t this second point somewhat of a joke?¡± Zhao Tianyi replied, ¡°When it comes to matters of the state, is there any room for jest?¡± An Jing gave a faint laugh, ¡°How then shall Outer Heaven spread its teachings in Yan Country if it is not allowed to enter?¡± Zhao Tianyi¡¯s tone was very calm, ¡°Whether you can spread your teachings or not is another matter.¡± An Jing bowed slightly, ¡°In that case, there¡¯s nothing more to discuss. Please, everyone, watch and see.¡± Having said that, he turned and walked towards the exit of the hall. The officials from Yan Country watched his retreating figure, their lips curling with a hint of cold mockery. ¡°It seems the Demon Sect is still harboring ill intentions.¡± ¡°Competing with the Buddhist Sect for that National Teaching Order? That will be a testament to his abilities.¡± ¡°After all, the abilities of the Demon Sect were completely obliterated by Jiang Shang twenty years ago.¡± ¡°The Buddhist Sect¡¯s number one Vajra is not renowned for nothing.¡± ¡­¡­. Zhao Chongyin watched An Jing¡¯s departing figure, his brows tightly knitted. He hadn¡¯t expected An Jing to actually attempt to compete for that National Teaching Order. ¡°The Demon Sect still wishes to spread its teachings in Yan Country? What a joke!¡± In a corner, a man clad in a python robe let out a cold snicker. This man was none other than the Seventh Prince. Zhao Tianyi looked unaffected, with a calm and composed demeanor, ¡°If that is the case, then let the best man win.¡± If the Demon Sect were to submit so meekly, that would be truly contemptible in his eyes. Even if they were to lose to the Buddhist Sect, at least they wouldn¡¯t tarnish the prestige of a millennium-old faction. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Tianxiang Street. The dreary weather seemed stagnant, as if suffocating, yet Yujing City bustled as usual. The streets were crowded with people discussing the recent major events. It was at this moment that an exclamation rang out. ¡°Look, a high-ranking monk from the Buddhist Sect is preaching.¡± ¡°That really is a high-ranking monk bathed in a golden light, it¡¯s truly miraculous.¡± ¡­¡­ The crowd surged, a multitude of people rushing towards Tianxiang Street. In the middle of the street, an old monk was seen walking forward, his hands pressed together in front of his chest, and murmuring as if chanting Buddhist Scriptures. Beams of golden light emanated from around him, spreading outwards in all directions. To ordinary folks, such a miraculous phenomenon was akin to the descent of an Immortal, and with the mysterious allure of the Buddhist teachings, the surrounding people were even more drawn to it. The Bodhisattva gazes downward to universally save sentient beings, while Vajra¡¯s Furious Eyes subdue demons and exorcise evil! And as for Vajra¡¯s public lecture on the dharma, the implication is clear without being stated. The golden light around him began to spread and eventually converged into a single point. The weather wasn¡¯t good that day; the sky was overcast with dense clouds, and a storm was brewing, causing many to hastily gather their clothes, and some even prepared umbrellas before going out. Suddenly, a beam of golden light shot straight into the heavens from above. This beam of golden light dissipated the dark clouds, covering the sky of Yujing City with a golden sheen, even more dazzling than the sunlight. Boom! Boom! In the next moment, a sound like morning bells and evening drums resounded throughout the ears of nearly half of Yujing City¡¯s inhabitants. Then, within the golden clouds above, a colossal Buddha appeared. If the Buddhas seen in temples were one detail short of two inches, exuding the aura of self-possession, this Buddha had golden eyes wide open and brows inverted. Vajra¡¯s Furious Eyes! As this Buddha manifested, a terrifying awe emerged, as if a mountain was pressing down upon Yujing City. Like a deity descending to the mortal realm, untouchable and inviolable. Ordinary citizens were astounded, with many bowing devoutly. From a distance, the mass of kneeling figures was striking to behold. ¡°Is this¡­ the Buddhist Vajra?¡± At the gates of the Imperial Palace, Yu Qiurong¡¯s mouth hung open, her voice trembling with emotion. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Qian Cishan was completely taken aback too. Even though he was a First Grade Expert, the sight still shook him to his core. At that moment, the Buddha in the sky seemed to find what it was looking for, a single glance directed not at Yu Qiurong but at a young man in white emerging from behind her out of the Imperial Palace. ¡°If I become the Buddha, there will be no demons in the world!¡± The Furious Eyes Vajra spoke, his voice booming like a thunderclap, reverberating throughout the heavens and earth, sweeping across all directions. ¡­.. Chapter 235 - Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Sword Breaks the Dharma Image in Yujing City Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Sword Breaks the Dharma Image in Yujing City Yujing City, an ordinary detached courtyard. In the courtyard on both sides stood centuries-old palm trees with lush branches, under which were heavy stone tables and chairs. A black-clothed elder sat cross-legged in the center of the courtyard, his eyes closed as he visualized the world within his heart. Golden brilliance fluttered down from the sky, covering the heavens and brightening the originally dim sky immensely. A Vajra Buddha appeared in midair, as if looking down upon all sentient beings. The elder slowly opened his eyes and looked up at the Buddha in the sky. Just then, an explosive Zen chant rose, echoing across much of Yujing City. The terrifying authority mixed with the grand solemnity of the Buddhist was particularly pronounced to those at the Grandmaster Realm. ¡°Bald donkeys of the Buddhist, quite the clamor.¡± The black-clothed elder spoke indifferently, his sleeves waving, making the grand authority melt away instantly like snow meeting flame. ¡­¡­ Lv Sect, the back yard. Lv Guoyong was reclining in a chair, resting, hovering between wakefulness and drowsiness. Lv Jingchun was reading beside him, also dozing off, but after glancing at Lv Guoyong, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh in his heart. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site ¡°Such fine weather, yet here I am reading books, wasting the prime of my youth. It would be better to play with birds or walk dogs, or even just take a stroll; I wonder when I¡¯ll be able to live the life I desire.¡± Lv Jingchun picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, intending to compose a poem, but after a long struggle he realized he didn¡¯t know what to write and could only give up in frustration. Zhou Xianming opposite him chuckled lightly, picked up a brush and paper, and within a moment wrote down a poem and handed it to him. ¡°Spring is not for reading books; summer¡¯s heat is just right for a nap. Autumn¡¯s clear days are perfect for play; bitter winter makes one long for next year.¡± Lv Jingchun read the verse and his eyes lit up as he silently recited, ¡°Good poem, it fits my thoughts perfectly.¡± ¡°Copy this poem a hundred times.¡± At that moment, a voice sounded from behind Lv Jingchun. ¡°Yes.¡± Lv Jingchun, startled as if from a nightmare, looked pale as death. Then, wonders arose in the sky above, and the Buddha appeared over the world. Zhou Xianming felt the immense pressure, as if his entire body was under great stress, and cold sweat streamed down his forehead. ¡°Is this the strength of the Buddhist Vajra?¡± Such pressure was more acutely felt the stronger one was, and this was just the aura it emitted, which was already astonishing. Lv Guoyong appeared to be unaffected by the pressure and said indifferently, ¡°The Buddhist Vajra¡¯s hand of killing and sermon is not a good sign.¡± He knew in his heart that a conflict with the Buddhist was probably inevitable. ¡­¡­. In the Imperial Palace, an old eunuch stood before the Golden Throne Hall, looking at the Buddhist Vajra that seemed so near in the sky. Though the tremendous pressure approached, it dissipated before entering the palace. Eunuch Bai Mei said, ¡°It seems the Buddhist are showing their resolve to intimidate that youngster with this move.¡± Zhao Tianyi chuckled, ¡°Grand Secretary, what do you think will happen?¡± Bai Mei spoke slowly, ¡°Young people, inevitably full of vigor, let¡¯s see if he can resolve this situation. If he knows when to retreat, it will save much effort.¡± Zhao Tianyi nodded, saying nothing. ¡­.. Within Inner City of Yujing, there was a tremor, as everyone felt the authority of the Buddhist Vajra. What was with the Buddha in the sky? Why was it so authoritative today, even instilling fear in people? This was completely different from the Buddha that sat solemnly in the temple on normal days. Which one was the true Buddha? The entire Yujing City, with its millions of inhabitants and countless Jianghu practitioners, was astir. Compared to ordinary people kneeling and worshiping, fearful and anxious, those from the Jianghu appeared extremely solemn, understanding clearly that this was obviously the Buddhist trying to intimidate the Demon Sect. At the gates of the Imperial Palace, Yu Qiurong, Qian Cishan, and several other Demon Sect masters felt like facing a great threat, retreating step by step, their footprints embedding three inches deep into the ground. And all this was just the residual might of the Vajra Dharma Image; it was clear to imagine the pressure An Jing must be under. An Jing¡¯s robe fluttered with the wind, rustling. Instead of retreating, he stepped forward and said, ¡°If one¡¯s heart is filled with demons, then all they see is demons. Great monk, how can you rid the world of demons?¡± His voice was resonant, echoing between heaven and earth. As if the Vajra¡¯s chant was thunderous, reverberating everywhere, An Jing¡¯s voice was like the toll of a bell, long and lingering. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Suddenly, his figure stood upright, as if he transformed into a towering longsword between heaven and earth, and then a black-and-white light shot out towards the Vajra Dharma Image. A chilling edge! That was an endless chill! Almost all the masters in Yujing City felt that icy sword light, feeling utterly cold, as if their very hair stood on end. The sword light whistled by, cleaving open the golden clouds and heading straight for the Furious Eyes Vajra. ¡°Hum! Hum!¡± The next moment, golden light burst forth again, forming two massive golden palms that clapped together as if trying to capture the sword light. Under the astonished gaze of everyone, the sword light and the Vajra collided. The frigid Sword Light was unstoppable, directly piercing through all the golden light ahead and the pair of gigantic palms, before heavily striking the Vajra Buddha above. Crack! Crack! Cracks appeared on the Vajra Buddha, and then the golden Buddha burst apart, its dazzling golden radiance mixing with the Sword Light, diffusing into the distance, and with a ¡®boom¡¯, the cloudless sky revealed its pure blue expanse to everyone present. Desolate and vast, this was the true color of the heavens. Such a spectacular scene had all of Yujing City holding their breath; such a sight had not been seen in their lifetime. The Buddhist¡¯s initial display of power had been easily broken by An Jing. ¡°The Buddhist¡¯s Dharma Image has been broken!¡± ¡°A sect that has stood for a thousand years would not be so easily named in vain.¡± ¡°It¡¯s uncertain who will ultimately obtain the National Teaching Order.¡± ¡°No matter who it falls to, it definitely won¡¯t be the Demon Sect.¡± ¡­.. The oppressive aura also gradually dissipated. Just when everyone thought the matter would just end like that, the chant of Zen rose again. ¡°Whether this monk can exorcise demons and subdue evil, will be seen by one¡¯s own ability,¡± said the voice. As the words fell, peace returned to heaven and earth, only the clear sky seemed to hint at the events that had just unfolded. ¡°Son-in-law,¡± After a long while, Yu Qiurong came back to her senses and looked towards An Jing. Buddhism had initially sought to suppress the Demon Sect¡¯s pride and force them to retreat, but now it had openly become a direct challenge. ¡°Let¡¯s go back.¡± An Jing¡¯s demeanor remained undisturbed as he turned toward the distance. Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan exchanged a glance before quickly following him. In no time, the group returned to the hostel. In the afternoon, the anxious Minister of Rites, Zhu Yongfang, arrived and directly said, ¡°An Tributor, you should not be so unyielding.¡± His words carried a mix of helplessness and reproach. Now that Buddhism and the Demon Sect were at loggerheads, the struggle for the National Teaching Order was inevitable. An Jing offered a faint smile, ¡°There¡¯s no need for more words, Minister Zhu. You surely did not come here to lecture me, did you?¡± Zhu Yongfang took a deep breath and said, ¡°The decree of the National Teaching Order has been issued, and many sects have already given up on the competition, including the Four Symbols Sect, Youfeng Valley, the Five Poison Sect and others. Even Sect Master Lin from the Yu Heng Sword Sect has given up. Now, only your Sect and Buddhism intend to obtain this Order. The Human Emperor plans to hold a contest on the grounds of the Heavenly Martial Sect in Yujing City the day after tomorrow. The winner will be granted the Order.¡± An Jing inquired, ¡°When exactly?¡± Zhu Yongfang replied, ¡°The day after tomorrow.¡± An Jing said solemnly, ¡°Alright, then the day after tomorrow it is.¡± ¡°Then I shall take my leave and report back.¡± Zhu Yongfang took a careful look at the young man in front of him, then, with a bow, prepared to leave. This An Jing is still too brash, failing to see the situation clearly. If even Lin Yiyang has surrendered the competition, it¡¯s obvious. The Yu Heng Sword Sect and Buddhism have significant animosities, but direct concession in the competition is partly due to the huge gap between the Yu Heng Sword Sect and Buddhism, and partly due to understanding the Human Emperor¡¯s intent, recognizing the difficulty and retreating. ¡°Wait.¡± An Jing stopped Zhu Yongfang who was about to leave. Zhu Yongfang asked with confusion, ¡°Is there something else?¡± An Jing stated, ¡°My Sect¡¯s Li Fuzhou is detained in the Heavenly Prison. Tomorrow, I wish to visit the Prison. Please report this to the Crown Prince, and I hope he approves.¡± Zhu Yongfang immediately shook his head, ¡°The Heavenly Prison is a heavily protected area of Great Yan, nobody but the Human Emperor has approval to enter.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°So even my visit is not allowed?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that it¡¯s not allowed, it¡¯s just the rules of Great Yan.¡± ¡°Rules are dead, but people are alive.¡± ¡°Rules are still rules.¡± Zhu Yongfang didn¡¯t think twice before directly denying the request. An Jing said flatly, ¡°I don¡¯t repeat myself.¡± Zhu Yongfang felt a chill in his heart, seeing the young man still smiling with his demeanor unchanged, yet he felt a cold tide within. That earlier gentle attitude had almost made him forget that the youth before him was an emissary of the Demon Sect, a decisive expert who had slain a Grandmaster, and who had just broken the existence of the Vajra Dharma Image. ¡°I understand,¡± Zhu Yongfang said, with a heavy heart stepping out of the hostel. Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan also felt a gathering storm within; the pressure on the Demon Sect¡¯s mission was immense. They faced oppression not only from the court but also from the streets and the Jianghu, where the Demon Sect maintained a notorious reputation. Should the contest for the National Teaching Order between Buddhism and the Demon Sect proceed, they would also have to face the top expert of Buddhism, the Exalted Vajra. He was known as the first Vajra of Buddhism. Yu Qiurong¡¯s eyebrows slightly arched as she said, ¡°The Yan Kingdom Court is too oppressive.¡± In her view, the Yan Kingdom Court clearly had not treated the Demon Sect with fair judgement. Qian Cishan shook his head, ¡°If it were an alliance, indeed we wouldn¡¯t have to suffer so, but now our Sect wishes to spread teachings in Yan Country, and also to free Sect Master Li, which means we need something from Yan Country, thus inevitably facing some hardship.¡± An alliance with Yan Country would be the best choice for the Demon Sect; not to mention that most top fighters within the Demon Sect were originally from Yan Country and had a natural affection for their homeland. If the Demon Sect allied with Houjin, there would be only one outcome: once Yan Country fell, Dongluo Pass would also be swallowed by Houjin. Houjin was devoid of Jianghu; it had only countless tribes and a single Great Snow Mountain. The Holy Master of Great Snow Mountain was the present lord of the Houjin royal court. How could Great Snow Mountain possibly allow the Demon Sect to rise within Houjin? Especially now, when the Holy Master of Houjin possessed such sweeping genius and ambition, there wasn¡¯t room for even a grain of sand in his eyes. The interests at stake didn¡¯t need to be pointed out to the wise; they could see through it all with a single glance. An Jing remained silent, his expression as calm as still water, leaving others clueless as to what he was thinking. Zhu Yongfang left swiftly and returned just as quickly. In about half an hour, he came back to the hostel and said with a smiling face, ¡°His Highness the Crown Prince has gone to great lengths, and finally, your sect has been granted an opportunity to visit the Heavenly Prison.¡± An Jing replied with a faint smile, ¡°Then please extend my thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince.¡± ¡°No need for courtesy, His Highness the Crown Prince will do his utmost to help with the mediation.¡± After that, the two exchanged pleasantries for a while, and Zhu Yongfang took his leave. An Jing¡¯s smile faded, and he didn¡¯t believe a word Zhu Yongfang had said. ¡­¡­ The clash over a National Teaching Order between Buddhists and Demon Sect quickly spread throughout Yujing City, causing uproar in both the streets and the temples, with endless debate and argument. But whether it was the common folk on the streets, the Jianghu, or those within the temples, they all hoped, without exception, for the Buddhist to seize the National Teaching Order. After all, the Buddhist were seen by most as transcending worldly affairs, relieving suffering and difficulty, while the Demon Sect was the embodiment of evil, known for looting, killing, and all sorts of wicked deeds. The notion of such a sect becoming the national religion of Yan Country was simply ludicrous. In the quiet and secluded courtyard. The black-clothed elder gazed at the sky, his expression laden with gravity, still contemplating the sword light that had soared into the sky earlier that day. ¡°That sword skill¡­¡± Ordinary swordsmen might not be able to sense the terrifying power contained within, but he could feel it very clearly, even though it was hidden and unreleased. No doubt the owner must also be an exceptional swordsman. As the black-clothed elder was lost in thought, a young man around thirty years old walked into the courtyard. The young man was dressed in a long black robe with green borders and embroidery, and a green jade belt, with a delicate gold crown decorated with vine patterns on his head, his complexion fair as jade. This man was none other than the current Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai. The black-clothed elder glanced at Zhao Mengtai and asked indifferently, ¡°Why have you come?¡± Having been in Yujing City for so long, this was only the second time Zhao Mengtai had ever come to visit him. ¡°Hao Tian,¡± Zhao Mengtai bowed his hands and said, ¡°I naturally have an important matter to ask of you this time.¡± ¡°Speak.¡± Hao Tian said flatly. Zhao Mengtai got straight to the point, ¡°I would like to ask Hao Tian to kill someone for me.¡± Hao Tian said, ¡°Hao does not kill nameless individuals beneath his sword.¡± ¡°This man is far from nameless, on the contrary, he¡¯s quite well-known.¡± Zhao Mengtai produced a piece of white paper from his sleeve and handed it to Hao Tian, ¡°I hope this person can live through tonight.¡± Hao Tian took the white paper and glanced at it. There were only four words on it¨C¡°Interesting,¡± he commented. Zhao Mengtai asked with a smile, ¡°So, does Hao Tian agree?¡± Hao Tian shook his head and said, ¡°Let¡¯s put this matter aside for the moment. I do not intend to take action recently, as I would like to join in on the excitement and see for myself.¡± ¡°Join in on the excitement?!¡± Zhao Mengtai¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as he heard this. ¡°Is Hao Tian referring to the struggle between Buddhist and Demon Sect?¡± Hao Tian nodded, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Zhao Mengtai¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, ¡°Isn¡¯t Hao Tian usually not fond of joining in on the excitement?¡± ¡°There¡¯s an interesting fellow this time.¡± Hao Tian let out a light laugh, then extended his hand, and the white paper turned into powder, ¡°I can assure you, this person won¡¯t be able to leave Yujing City.¡± Zhao Mengtai pondered for a long while; for him, a few days earlier or later made a significant difference. But Hao Tian was not someone he could control. After what felt like dozens of breaths, Zhao Mengtai finally nodded, ¡°Alright.¡± Hao Tian said softly, ¡°I have agreed to aid you three times. This is the second time. Do not forget what you¡¯ve promised me in return.¡± Zhao Mengtai smiled, ¡°Rest assured, Hao Tian, I¡¯ve always kept it in mind and haven¡¯t forgotten.¡± ¡°Then I won¡¯t see you out.¡± Hao Tian turned and walked back into his room. A shadowy light flashed across Zhao Mengtai¡¯s eyes before he turned and left the courtyard. ¡­¡­ In Yujing City, in the Empress¡¯s sleeping quarters. Emerging from her bath, the Empress Zuo Linglong, a beauty clad in lavish garments, indolently lay on a luxurious couch. Both the couch and the woman on it became a scene within a scene, full of allure, intoxicating to behold. Indeed, as the verse goes: ¡°She was granted a springtime bath in Huaqing Pool, where the warm waters smoothed and washed her creamy skin. With the help of her maids, she rose, still delicate and weak, first basking in the favor newly bestowed upon her.¡± As the once most beautiful woman in Great Yan, even after more than twenty years, one could still see the stunning beauty of her youth in her. Opposite her sat a woman aged around forty to fifty. Though her appearance could not match Zuo Linglong¡¯s, she must have also been a beauty in her youth. Zuo Linglong gently picked up a cup of wine and said with a smile, ¡°Huiyun, it¡¯s been many years since we drank and talked so leisurely.¡± This lady was none other than the Great Elder of Youfeng Valley. Liu Huiyun earnestly lifted her cup and said, ¡°Thirty-one years.¡± Zuo Linglong¡¯s voice was filled with a wistful tone, ¡°Thirty-one years, and this is the first time you¡¯ve come to find me. Since that incident, I thought you would never come to see me again.¡± Liu Huiyun said, ¡°Within the Imperial City, it¡¯s hard to distinguish friends from foes, and within the palace walls, it¡¯s even harder to gauge people¡¯s hearts. I haven¡¯t come to visit the Empress, and Her Majesty has never come to visit the likes of me. In truth, we are the same, each harboring resentment in our hearts.¡± At this, Zuo Linglong laughed softly, ¡°No, I¡¯ve lost that feeling long ago. Who would I be angry with? You, or Li Fuzhou?¡± ¡°Li Fuzhou is in the Ninth Layer of the Heavenly Prison, and despite your status as the Great Elder of Youfeng Valley, aren¡¯t you all alone?¡± Liu Huiyun watched her attentively, looking at the face that once dazzled the world, ¡°You are angry with yourself.¡± Hearing this, Zuo Linglong¡¯s smile slightly faded, ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. Could it be that I hate becoming the Empress of Great Yan, the mother of this nation? Do I hate having wealth and glory, or holding immense power?¡± Liu Huiyun¡¯s words hit her directly in the heart, ¡°But you have no feelings for the Human Emperor of Taiping.¡± ¡°Feelings, you speak to me of feelings?¡± Zuo Linglong stood up and declared, ¡°Unrequited love is a common state of human life. Take everything lightly; don¡¯t force what doesn¡¯t belong to you.¡± Looking straight at Zuo Linglong, Liu Huiyun said, ¡°So because you can¡¯t have it, you seek to destroy it?¡± Originally, Lv Guoyong had secretly helped Li Fuzhou escape from Yujing City, a plan seemingly without flaws. However, there was a traitor among them, leading to Li Fuzhou being pursued and hunted down by the Xuanyi Guard. Zuo Linglong didn¡¯t speak, and the Great Hall fell silent. Liu Huiyun sighed softly, ¡°You¡¯ve changed. Ever since you entered the palace, you¡¯ve become scheming and indifferent, deceiving others and yourself.¡± ¡°Do you know where this is?¡± Zuo Linglong suddenly stood up, approached Liu Huiyun, and scoffed coldly, ¡°This is the Imperial Palace, the harem of the Great Yan Emperor, the residence of the most powerful person in Great Yan. Look out of the window; all that land is his dominion. Do you know what an emperor is?¡± The word ¡°emperor¡± represents an intangible mountain to all under the heavens. Especially this emperor, who was a strong and domineering sovereign. This time, Liu Huiyun fell silent. Time seemed to stand still as myriad thoughts and words arose in the hearts of the two women, yet at this moment, they didn¡¯t know how to express them. After a long while, Zuo Linglong finally spoke, ¡°You came to see me today for Li Fuzhou, didn¡¯t you?¡± Liu Huiyun nodded directly, ¡°Yes.¡± Zuo Linglong pondered for a moment, then said, ¡°You should know the personality of the Human Emperor. His survival is already a grace; the chance of him seeing daylight again is almost none.¡± Liu Huiyun spoke slowly, ¡°I only hope, based on our past relationship, that you could say a few words. Now that the Demon Sect has forged an alliance with Yan Country, it¡¯s an opportunity.¡± The best chance for Li Fuzhou to escape seemed to be upon them. ¡°Actually, there is a possibility for Li Fuzhou to be released, unless¡­¡± Zuo Linglong laughed lightly, but she ended her sentence by gently sipping her drink. Liu Huiyun¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she asked hastily, ¡°Unless what?¡± Zuo Linglong set down her cup and said, ¡°Unless Li Fuzhou is willing to secretly surrender to the Human Emperor. Not only could Li Fuzhou be free to see daylight again, but past events would also no longer be pursued. In the future, he might even have the chance to enter the court as an official, possibly succeeding Lv Guoyong as the Cabinet Chief, becoming a vital minister in the court.¡± Liu Huiyun understood at once; the Human Emperor was making Li Fuzhou a hidden piece on the chessboard within the Demon Sect. Li Fuzhou, with a high position and significant influence, had now advanced to the Second Qi Grandmaster, attaining the Third Layer of Body Refining¡¯s Heavenly Human Communication. If he returned to the Demon Sect, he would undoubtedly be highly valued. If this chess piece was played, it would mean the Demon Sect was under the control of the Human Emperor. Zuo Linglong continued, ¡°He was originally an official of Yan Country and then joined the Demon Sect. Now, there¡¯s a chance not only for him to escape the Heavenly Prison but also to return to the legitimate fold of Yan Country. What a great opportunity this is.¡± Liu Huiyun grew even more silent. Upon reflection, this indeed was a great opportunity for Li Fuzhou. After all, Outer Heaven was part of the Demon Sect. But the only thing was, he would have to endure the torment in his heart, mingle within the Demon Sect, and become a hidden piece for the Human Emperor. In the future, the Human Emperor could topple the Demon Sect with Li Fuzhou as his hidden piece or exploit other opportunities for Li Fuzhou to return to the Yan Kingdom Court. Then, even his patient endurance could be praised, hailed as a heroic figure. After all, in the eyes of the people, any despicable means used by the righteous side are nonetheless righteous, and any righteous means used by the despicable side are still despicable. Liu Huiyun asked, ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± Zuo Linglong gave a faint smile, ¡°Let him understand the situation he¡¯s in, take a moment to calm down, and make the right choice.¡± After pondering for a long while, Liu Huiyun said, ¡°Tomorrow, I want to see him.¡± Zuo Linglong nodded, ¡°You may.¡± ¡°Very well, then I will take my leave,¡± said Liu Huiyun as she stood up to bid farewell. Zuo Linglong chuckled, ¡°Leaving so soon? Won¡¯t you stay for a few more drinks?¡± ¡°The wine of Her Majesty the Empress is too refined for a commoner like me to enjoy,¡± replied Liu Huiyun. After giving a courteous bow, Liu Huiyun left the Great Hall. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Back in the day, it took but a couple of drinks to cheer one up,¡± Zuo Linglong said to herself with a self-deprecating smile. ¡°Now, in this vast Imperial Palace with thousands, I can find no one to accompany me for a drink.¡± As she spoke, Zuo Linglong gently lifted her cup, her beautiful eyes becoming lost in the liquid within. Life is a river that can only flow forward. The toughest paths are often walked alone. In this endless darkness, loneliness is an inherent part of life. ¡­¡­ PS: For some reason, my left arm keeps twitching; it¡¯s not painful or itchy, but I¡¯ve been feeling rather tired recently. That¡¯s all for today. I¡¯ll strive to update more of the climax tomorrow, guaranteeing at least ten thousand words. Fellow readers, do you have any good relaxation tips? Chapter 237 - Chapter 237: Chapter 237: The Ghost Swordsman Reappears in Jianghu Chapter 237: Chapter 237: The Ghost Swordsman Reappears in Jianghu An Jing arrived riding on crisscrossing sword qi, causing a devastating impact on the hearts of everyone present. Not just ordinary folk, but even those from Jianghu were trembling in their hearts. That stunning figure, with a calm and composed expression, seemed no longer a person of the mundane world but more like a sword immortal who had cast off the mortal coil, standing high above all else. Lv Jingchun couldn¡¯t help but exclaim excitedly, ¡°How could such an unparalleled sword immortal possibly be associated with the vile and evil Demon Sect?¡± Lv Jingchun¡¯s words seemingly represented the feelings of most of the women present. Zhou Xianming was also boiling with excitement and couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°Doctor An is truly a genius in some respects.¡± It was clearly a simple appearance, a simple phrase, but it set the entire place boiling with excitement, even overshadowing the authority of the Buddhist sect¨Cwhat kind of skill was this? Meanwhile, Qiu Lun¡¯s eyes were wide open, feeling his scalp tingle. Li Yue was also shocked beyond belief. ¡°How is this possible? How can this be?¡± She recognized the tributor of the Demon Sect, who turned out to be the doctor from Yu State City. This completely overturned all her imagination and understanding. A peerless master had been right by her side, and yet she was unaware. Compared to the constant chatter of the court and the common folks, the masters within Jianghu were silent as sparrows, incredulous to the extreme. The stronger the master, the more they knew the terror of the sword qi that had just swept over. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site Even a Half-step Master would feel a chill run from the soles of their feet to the top of their head. When did such a terrifying sword immortal appear in the world? ¡°Not simple at all.¡± The expression of Universal Literary Vajra suddenly became a bit solemn. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva muttered softly, ¡°Outer Heaven does not produce the nameless.¡± At Heavenly Martial Square, the wind swelled and the clouds surged, all eyes fixed on the two figures in the square. Exalted Vajra placed one hand over his chest and said, ¡°Benefactor, you have my respect.¡± An Jing replied indifferently, ¡°You¡¯re too kind.¡± Seeing this Exalted Vajra, he knew who had tried to intimidate him that day at the gates of the Imperial Palace. It was none other than this Exalted Vajra. Exalted Vajra asked, ¡°Benefactor is so young, yet you are in the Grandmaster Realm, and your swordsmanship is rarely matched. You will surely have a bright future and become renowned everywhere. Why then do you insist on aiding the wicked Demon Sect?¡± Exalted Vajra¡¯s voice was neither loud nor soft, but when it reached the ears, it was as though thunder was trembling. An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°Aiding the wicked Demon Sect¨Cwhat do you mean by that, Master?¡± Exalted Vajra said earnestly, ¡°This poor monk sees that you have an infinite future and do not wish to see you step into an irreversible abyss. The sea of suffering is boundless; turning back is the shore.¡± ¡°If the sea of suffering is boundless, how can one find the shore?¡± ¡°Taking refuge in Buddha is returning to the shore.¡± ¡°Buddha?¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°What is Buddha? What is Demon?¡± Exalted Vajra said, ¡°In one¡¯s heart, goodness is Buddha, and evil is Demon.¡± An Jing, with his white clothes fluttering in the breeze and his hair slightly disheveled, said, ¡°Master, like everyone else in the world, your concept of Buddha and Demon is merely this¨Cthose who are good to me are Buddha, those who are evil to me are Demon.¡± ¡°Is there really a clear distinction and boundary between Buddha and Demon?¡± Exalted Vajra smiled without speaking, choosing not to argue further. Everyone in the world has their own view, and it is difficult to change one¡¯s mind, especially the mind of a steadfast master. As water flows without contention for place, attaining endless torrents, so too are masters. As the two fell silent, the entire Heavenly Martial Square erupted into discussion. ¡°It¡¯s hard to tell, in this battle between Buddha and Demon, who will prove stronger.¡± ¡°Although the Demon Sect¡¯s sword qi arrival was stunning, I still favor the former.¡± ¡°The Buddhist Vajra is at the Three Qi Peak of cultivation, indeed a rare opponent.¡± ¡°The swordsman from the Demon Sect should not be underestimated.¡± ¡­ Even though that wave of Sword Qi had swept in, overpowering the Buddhist momentum, most of the people present still believed that the Exalted Vajra of Buddhism would come out victorious. After all, the Exalted Vajra was at the Three Qi Peak of Cultivation and held the position of Buddhist Vajra Fruit, while that tributor from the Demon Sect was originally just an obscure nobody. Although mysterious, most experts in the world were not known for empty reputations; it wasn¡¯t easy for someone with an enigmatic background to defeat them effortlessly. ¡°My son-in-law.¡± Yu Qiurong held her breath, her heart tense to the extreme. Qian Cishan also had a furrowed brow, knowing full well that An Jing was facing the number one Vajra of Buddhism. In addition to that Tianyi Bodhisattva and the mysterious Xi Hafu, this man was the third highest expert in Buddhism. There were very few people in the world who could be confidently expected to defeat him. ¡°How interesting.¡± Hao Tian, dressed in black, hid among the crowd, watching the two figures dueling in the distance, his eyes firmly fixed on the young man in white. That Sword Light that had swept through just now, he understood its sharpness and terror far more than anyone else present. Had he reached the Sixth Realm or not!? In the middle of the square, the two adversaries confronted each other, their auras spreading so intensely that even the air seemed to freeze. The surrounding noises gradually diminished until complete silence ensued. All eyes converged on the two combatants, filled with unmistakable gravity. ¡°Then let¡¯s rely on our own abilities.¡± Exalted Vajra stepped forward, and True Qi surged towards him, a mountainous aura bearing down heavily on An Jing. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! The oppressive might of the Buddhist Vajra came fiercely, causing the complexions of the Jianghu people watching from the Heavenly Martial Sect to change drastically, including some Half-step Masters among them. Boom! If Exalted Vajra¡¯s aura was akin to the vast and boundless ocean, enormous and overwhelming, then An Jing¡¯s aura was like a river from a high mountain tumbling from the heavens. The collision of their auras in the void immediately set off a thunderous roar. This clash of auras alone was enough to shake one¡¯s courage. ¡°What a formidable Second Qi Grandmaster.¡± Feeling that tide of aura rushing at him, Exalted Vajra was somewhat astonished. Universal Literary Vajra was also of the Second Qi Grandmaster¡¯s Cultivation, but compared to this tributor from the Demon Sect, there was a visibly stark difference. Exalted Vajra wouldn¡¯t have believed this young man was a Second Qi Grandmaster if he hadn¡¯t felt it for himself. ¡°Shoo!¡± Suddenly, everyone¡¯s hearts skipped a beat as they saw Exalted Vajra, who had been standing in the center, disappear in an instant. In a flash, Exalted Vajra moved as fast as thunder, a number of afterimages appearing. His form seemed to transform into a beam of light, carrying a torrent of golden radiance as he charged forward. The next moment, he was already in front of An Jing, his wrist turning as he aimed a strike towards An Jing¡¯s chest. Boom! The seemingly ordinary hand strike was not only fast but also heavy, as if harnessing the power of tens of thousands of pounds, the whistling sound piercing the ears. ¡°Even though he¡¯s also a Three Qi Peak Grandmaster, this Exalted Vajra puts much more pressure on me than Qiu Fengsheng did.¡± The thought flashed through An Jing¡¯s mind. With his left palm¡¯s five fingers positioned in front of his chest and neck, he feigned a press towards Exalted Vajra¡¯s wrist and then stepped forward as his right fist shot past Exalted Vajra¡¯s chest. If Exalted Vajra insisted on following through with his palm strike, he would inevitably be met with a punch from An Jing. Most experts who were unaware of the depths of their opponent¡¯s skill would certainly not take the risk of taking a punch head-on, but Exalted Vajra didn¡¯t retreat an inch. ¡°Bang!¡± The moment the two palms collided, a terrifying force transmitted between them. But then came An Jing¡¯s punch towards Exalted Vajra¡¯s chest. ¡°Thud!¡± Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh! Just as the punch was about to reach the Exalted Vajra, the heavens and earth suddenly erupted, with beams of golden light emerging, and a vast, boundless aura spread across the sky. Vajra Immortal Body! ¡°Tap tap tap¡­¡± An Jing only felt an immense force transmitted through his arm, repeatedly forcing him to retreat backward. Whoosh! The clash in the arena happened in the blink of an eye; thus, when the crowd saw An Jing being pushed back by the Exalted Vajra, there was a burst of exclamations. ¡°As expected of the Buddhist¡¯s number one Exalted Vajra¡­¡± ¡°He actually made the tributor of the Demon Sect retreat with just one move, truly formidable.¡± ¡°The speed of both is so fast, I couldn¡¯t even see an afterimage.¡± ¡­¡­ Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan¡¯s faces also slightly changed at this moment. They were both very clear about how strong An Jing was. He could slay one amidst the siege of three Second Qi Grandmasters, yet no one expected that he would be at a disadvantage when exchanging moves with the Exalted Vajra. Was the Exalted Vajra really that powerful? Dai Danshu shook his head and said, ¡°How could An Jing possibly be a match for the Exalted Vajra?¡± Jia Shiwu, however, shook his head and replied, ¡°When experts cross hands, the initial engagement is just a probe; the real confrontation has not yet started.¡± Zuo Biwen also calmly added, ¡°That¡¯s right, the Exalted Vajra didn¡¯t even bother to probe; it may look like An Jing was forced to retreat, but not only was he not injured to the bone, his skin wasn¡¯t even scratched.¡± All of them were veteran figures in Jianghu. Although such a duel was beyond their reach, they still possessed a certain level of discernment. In a clash between experts, they would definitely test each other out. Unless one party¡¯s strength overwhelmingly dominated the other, a strong move that exposes a weakness could signal the moment of defeat. In the arena, the Exalted Vajra gazed at the distant An Jing, knowing well how formidable his Vajra Immortal Body was. If he had been a regular Second Qi Grandmaster, he would have been injured by that strike, but all he did now was merely to push An Jing back. ¡°You are very strong, worthy of being the first Vajra.¡± An Jing rubbed his wrist. With the probe just now, An Jing could sense that the strength displayed by the Exalted Vajra was definitely beyond Qiu Fengsheng. And subconsciously, he vaguely felt that the Exalted Vajra had not revealed all his strength. Golden currents burst forth around the Exalted Vajra, flowing out like a vast river toward the distance. Vajra Immortal Body! As overwhelming golden light swept out from his body, his magnificent aura also dispersed. Gazing at An Jing, the Exalted Vajra¡¯s eyes deep as an abyss, he stated, ¡°This monk has endured seventy-one years of arduous cultivation in the Pure Land, thirty-one of which were spent in Avici Hell, to achieve my current level of cultivation.¡± Avici Hell, rumored to be one of the two great secret places of Pure Land, was incredibly perilous. Each year, many Buddhist disciples would enter to cultivate, and those allowed to undertake this trial were among the best of the Buddhist sect. Even so, a number of Buddhist disciples would perish there each year. One could only imagine how terrifying and astonishing it would be to cultivate there for thirty-one years! ¡°Vajra Immortal Body, is it?¡± An Jing, facing the suddenly intensified Exalted Vajra, also cast the ¡°Brahma Heart Sees Me.¡± Today, this Heavenly Martial level of Body Refining Martial Arts had reached the Ninth Layer. A magnificent and imposing aura surged forth from his body, in no way inferior to the formidable presence bursting from the Exalted Vajra. ¡°Hummm! Hummm!¡± The deep and resonant sounds of Zen chanting reverberated at that moment. ¡°Is this Buddhist Body Refining Martial Arts!?¡± The high-ranking Jianghu experts, seeing the two colossal phantoms stand tall, were all filled with confusion. Universal Literary Vajra expressed his surprise: ¡°How can this individual from the Demon Sect perform our Buddhist martial arts? And it seems even more profound than the Vajra Immortal Body.¡± The Universal Benefit Bodhisattva also shook her head, her mind filled with bewilderment. Buddhist martial arts required the foundation of Buddhist Law to cultivate. As a high-ranking member of the Demon Sect, how could An Jing possibly cultivate this Buddhist martial arts!? All present were looking up, witnessing this earth-shaking conflict between the Buddha and the demon. ¡°Boom!¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes surged with golden light as he gazed at the Exalted Vajra. In the next instant, he stepped out fiercely, accompanied by the explosion of True Qi, and almost instantaneously appeared in front of the Exalted Vajra, then pointed his finger forward. This technique of replacing the sword with a finger had been realized from the Four Symbols Sword Sticker. Thud! The True Qi in front became explosively compressed at that moment, and everyone could see a surge of Qi wave rushing in the direction where the finger force was directed. Clang! Facing An Jing¡¯s finger light, the Exalted Vajra didn¡¯t retreat in the slightest, slapping forward with his palm print shimmering in gold, confronting the finger light head-on. At the moment of collision, a metallic clang immediately rang out piercingly from the arena, and a ripple of force swept outwards, causing the surrounding True Qi to explode violently. A halo of golden light enveloped the Exalted Vajra, blocking the surge of True Qi waves, then stretched out his hand and the surrounding True Qi madly converged towards his palm, reflecting a deep azure in the sky above. Great Compassionate Thousand Leaf Hand! Nourish the Source and Solidify the Foundation! In that patch of azure sky, a cyan-colored handprint suddenly appeared, descending towards An Jing. Boom! A palm strike thundered forth, True Qi roared tumultuously as if heaven and earth were splitting apart. As the cyan handprint descended, the earth in front began to tremble violently. An Jing extended his finger forward, constantly shifting, as countless amounts of True Qi wildly transformed before him, and soon a vast sea of flames appeared before him. Within those flames, it seemed as if something was continuously coalescing together. Cheep! Cheep! Two sky-shaking screeches echoed, and from that sea of fire, two enormous Fire Birds emerged, bathing in raging red flames, flapping their massive fiery wings as if they intended to incinerate heaven and earth. Nine Yang Divine Finger! Phoenix Facing Phoenix! Boom! Twin phoenixes manifested behind An Jing, those two fire phoenixes high in the sky radiated boundless heat and a domineering aura. As the cyan handprint collided with the twin phoenixes, the cyan and red glows became entangled, and an intimidating might surged, spreading outwards like a tidal wave. The overwhelming force of the True Qi was astounding; even a common mountain would crumble if struck. It was at this moment that the royal experts made their move. Cold as ice, Xu Qianyue led the charge, followed by many Xuanyi Guards of the Great Heavenly Gang and the masters from the Seven Great Schools, all leaping up to resist the surging True Qi. ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± The terrifying tidal waves of True Qi were desperately blocked by all the experts, yet a piercing roar still erupted. Witnessing this, the faces of the commoners watching from a distance turned pale. ¡°My heavens, are these the masters of Jianghu?¡± ¡°Terrifying! A single palm strike wields such frightening power.¡± ¡­¡­. The commoners felt fear in their hearts and couldn¡¯t help but retreat backwards. The people of Jianghu, on the other hand, watched with fervent eyes, fixated on the two combatants. Such a splendid battle seemed comparable only to the previous clash between Xiao Qianqiu and Lou Xiangzhen. The Exalted Vajra stepped back three paces, while An Jing retreated five steps backward. It seemed a minor observation, yet to true experts, it was a clear indicator of superiority. ¡°Benefactor, let¡¯s cease this probing, and bring forth our true strengths,¡± the Exalted Vajra said, holding his hands in a gesture of reverence; a series of golden lights emerged within his palms, and soon, an immense, majestic might swept over them. In his hands appeared a pestle, one end a Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle, the other a trident made of iron. The middle section bore three figures: one laughing, one angry, one cursing. Zhao Mengtai spoke gravely, ¡°The Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle?¡± This was indeed the Buddhist exotic treasure, the Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle! ¡°` The ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡± contains secret techniques that allow one to conjure a Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle with True Qi when reaching the Seventh Layer. Compared to other exotic treasures, one from the Buddhist sect can be materialized using this ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture.¡± This Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle had claimed the lives of countless Jianghu masters; its fame was indeed awe-inspiring and formidable throughout the world. Zhao Chongyin chuckled lightly and said, ¡°It seems the Exalted Vajra must bring out his true strength now. Let¡¯s see if An Jing can withstand it.¡± Princess An Le held her breath and asked, ¡°Big brother, second brother, is this thing very powerful?¡± ¡°Powerful doesn¡¯t even begin to cover it.¡± The Seventh Prince said coldly from the side, ¡°This item is the Buddhist sect¡¯s number one killing weapon. Countless grandmasters have perished under this Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle, and nobody even knows just how many.¡± Princess An Le¡¯s lips parted slightly in shock, ¡°What!?¡± Zuo Linglong took a deep breath and said with emotion, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s formidable. I have also heard of its great fame.¡± Zuo Linglong came from a family steeped in scholarly traditions and later married into the royal family, rarely hearing about Jianghu affairs, but she had heard a thing or two about this Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle. With the emergence of the Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle, a wave-like murmur arose among the crowd. Qian Cishan declared gravely, ¡°This bald donkey is about to reveal his true skills.¡± Yu Qiurong clenched her delicate fists tightly and said, ¡°He must succeed.¡± Looking at those calm eyes, she felt a trace of confidence rise within her heart towards the young man. And with the appearance of the Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle, An Jing also felt an immense pressure, as if a great mountain had appeared upon his shoulders. If the probing earlier had already made hearts tremble, then the emergence of the Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle at this moment caused everyone¡¯s heart to tighten. The Exalted Vajra was the first to move, his figure leaping forward as the Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle in his hand thrust fiercely towards An Jing. Boom! As the Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle thrust forward, the air vibrated, emitting a piercing screech, causing the faces of all the Jianghu masters around to pale as they backed away once more. In An Jing¡¯s pupils reflected a golden light, as the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± began to circulate, causing the True Qi inside his body to surge violently, and then he thrust out his right hand abruptly. A burst of purple light exploded from the index finger of his right hand, forming a powerful vortex that instantly absorbed all the Heaven and Earth True Qi in the surrounding area. The heaven and earth became pure; his body looked disdainfully at the heavens, with light radiating into the nine skies above. Nine Yang Divine Finger! Pointing Qiankun! An Jing pointed forward, and his Finger Light was as piercing as Sword Light. Immediately, heaven and earth shuddered, and the purple light dazzled the sky. A shattered starlight seemed to fall from the heavens above, striking the Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle with an unstoppable divine might. Boom! Boom! Boom! The moment the purple light collided with the Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle, the air trembled. An Jing¡¯s body transformed into a straight line, retreating backwards, with a series of sonic booms trailing behind from his True Qi. The Exalted Vajra smiled faintly and said, ¡°Benefactor, if that¡¯s all the strength you have, you might as well give up now.¡± ¡°You can see for yourself what my strength is like,¡± An Jing said with a faint smile, as the True Qi in his body erupted and surged towards his energy channels. Countless streams of True Qi rushed forward like a giant wave, and with a stomp of his foot, An Jing¡¯s robe fluttered, his black hair danced wildly, as he displayed ¡°Brahma Heart Sees Me¡±. Simultaneously, he pointed forward once more with his finger. At this moment, An Jing¡¯s aura had reached its zenith, and the True Qi within his body seemed to be drained completely. Yet he remained indifferent, his heart as serene as still water, facing the breeze in silence. Boom! Boom! The entire world seemed to be enveloped in darkness, and then countless beams of light emerged from the sky, shining brilliantly against the gloomy heaven and earth. Nine Yang Divine Finger! The Mysteries of Heaven! Each beam of light transformed into a Finger Light, falling heavily on the Exalted Vajra. What appeared to be Finger Light was in reality sword energy. ¡°What powerful martial arts!¡± ¡°` Exalted Vajra felt the incoming formidable power and thought to himself, An Jing had actually perfectly merged the two martial arts. Moreover, these two martial arts were definitely not ordinary ones¨Ctheir power made even him inwardly marvel. Exalted Vajra quickly came to his senses, gripping the Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle in his hand and pouring a surging mighty True Qi into it, slamming it toward the front where the True Qi tide was raging. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! After the collision, rings of True Qi waves spread outward to the distant, leaving the surroundings completely still. The sound startled the area for miles, with True Qi waves rising, reaching several dozens of feet high. Ling Yuanjing took a sharp breath in and said, ¡°This young man¡¯s strength is truly terrifying, to be able to battle Exalted Vajra to such an extent.¡± The strength that Exalted Vajra was now displaying was certainly one of the top existences in the world. Not to mention the younger generation, even the older generation of grandmaster experts might not be able to battle him for so long. But at this moment, the young man was able to engage in such a fierce battle with Exalted Vajra, which was incredibly shocking. Thump! Thump! Thump! The two ghostly figures kept intertwining, and with each collision of fist and palm, terrifying shockwaves exploded, creating ripples of True Qi that spread out. Now, the two individuals began to gradually show their true strength. What shocked the experts present was that facing the terrifying Exalted Vajra, An Jing did not retreat at all. He met force with force outright and was not at an apparent disadvantage! ¡°His strength is indeed not that of an ordinary Second Qi Grandmaster,¡± said Zhao Tianyi, squinting his eyes. ¡°But defeating Exalted Vajra, I¡¯m afraid, is very difficult.¡± His discerning eye could see clearly. Although it seemed the two were evenly matched, An Jing still had a slight disadvantage. Exalted Vajra held the Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle with both hands and fiercely slammed it into the ground. Woosh! The ground around trembled, and terrifying Hidden Forces like hidden dragons surged from the ground towards An Jing, coming from all directions and swirling into whirlpools. And at the center of the whirlpools was An Jing! What a terrifying presence! The Jianghu experts present felt a shudder in their hearts and a tingling on their scalps. With this move, Exalted Vajra fully exhibited his mastery of a Three Qi Grandmaster to an extreme level. The Demon Sect experts watching this were all sweating for An Jing. They saw An Jing, with an undisturbed demeanor, take a slight step back. But the Hidden Dragon Force was coming swiftly, completely engulfing him, leaving him nowhere to hide. If struck by these Hidden Forces, even a Second Qi Grandmaster would perish in an instant. Now that he had nowhere to escape, he must take the hit head-on, but could his cultivation truly withstand such dreadful, domineering Hidden Forces? Clearly, it was impossible. Exalted Vajra looked at An Jing in front and said, ¡°Benefactor, you have lost.¡± His voice clearly echoed between heaven and earth, reaching everyone¡¯s ears. Had the battle ended? Everyone seemed perplexed but then let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Not necessarily.¡± Just at that moment, an indifferent voice echoed through the air. They saw An Jing, who was surrounded by the whirlpools, leap upward, soaring straight into the sky. ¡°Amitabha.¡± Exalted Vajra shook his head, ¡°Why struggle in vain?¡± ¡°Boom!¡± The next moment, the underground Hidden Forces converged into one. The solid ground instantly cracked open, and the Hidden Force shot out like a fierce dragon, rushing toward An Jing in the sky. Instantly, everyone¡¯s hearts leaped to their throats. Meanwhile, An Jing circulated the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± and then extended his hands, attempting to catch the incoming dragon-like Hidden Force. ¡°This is not something a Second Qi Grandmaster can take on,¡± Xu Qianyue shook her head. ¡°` Xu Qianyue¡¯s voice fell, and the Twisting Dragon¡¯s hidden force fiercely collided with An Jing¡¯s arm, only to see An Jing¡¯s arm raised. The next scene left all the martial arts experts present astounded and bewildered. ¡°Hiss!¡± The colossal hidden force of the Twisting Dragon seemed to be diverted in an instant, rushing skyward before completely dissipating from view. ¡°This¡­ this¡­¡± ¡°What exactly is going on!?¡± ¡­¡­ The hearts of everyone present beat wildly, their discussions rising like a tide. Nobody had anticipated that the cage-like hidden force would be redirected by a mere wave of An Jing¡¯s hand and vanish into nothingness. Universal Literary Vajra exclaimed in disbelief, ¡°What martial art is this!?¡± Universal Benefit Bodhisattva was also stunned. ¡°Is there really such miraculous martial arts in the world? How come I have never heard about it?¡± It wasn¡¯t just the Buddhist experts who were perplexed; other martial arts experts present also felt their hearts quake. The domineering and mighty Twisting Dragon hidden force, a move powerful enough to instantly kill a Second Qi Grandmaster, was just neutralized by An Jing in an instant? Dai Danshu looked at Ling Yuanjing and asked, ¡°Peak Master Ling, have you heard of this martial art?¡± Ling Yuanjing shook his head. ¡°This old man has never heard of it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s too terrifying.¡± Zuo Biwen sighed. ¡°The experts in this world are indeed dreadful. Someone was actually able to create such a frightening martial art. If that¡¯s the case, then True Qi is essentially useless against him. Only fist, palm, knife, and sword strikes that make contact can defeat him.¡± Redirecting True Qi, using minimal force to move something much heavier; this seemingly simple act contains mysteries too profound to fully describe. Just like the stars in the sky, everyone can see them, but who can actually touch them? ¡°Truly not simple at all.¡± Zhao Tianyi murmured to himself, ¡°The Demon Sect indeed has no shortage of talented individuals.¡± ¡°Whew¡­¡± Yu Qiurong breathed out deeply; she had really thought An Jing was about to be severely injured by the Twisting Dragon¡¯s hidden force, but to her surprise, he managed to neutralize it at the last moment. The members of the Royal Family at the Rest Platform also displayed various expressions, most of which were of immense surprise. Convinced of his certain victory, Exalted Vajra gently exhaled, ¡°It seems I have underestimated the benefactor.¡± An Jing spoke indifferently, ¡°Master, you should bring out your true strength.¡± Others may not know, but he was aware that Exalted Vajra had not yet used the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra. Exalted Vajra brought his hands together in prayer, ¡°Benefactor, since you say so, then this poor monk will no longer hold back.¡± Zhao Mengtai¡¯s heart sank, thinking to himself, ¡°Could it be that Exalted Vajra has not yet revealed his full strength!?¡± The Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle had already been used, could it be that Exalted Vajra still had more tricks up his sleeve? With this thought, he glanced sideways at Zhao Chongyin, who had a calm expression, revealing nothing. Upon hearing Exalted Vajra¡¯s words, everyone present was deeply shaken. At such a juncture in the battle, it turned out Exalted Vajra still had this technique ¨C it seemed the Buddhist sect had indeed prepared many trump cards for this battle between the Buddhist and Demon camps. All eyes were on Exalted Vajra, curious to see what his trump card was. ¡°Omm!¡± ¡°Omm!¡± Chants of Zen vibrated forth, resonating through heaven and earth. The Great Sun Tathagata Mantra! Behind Exalted Vajra, a golden Buddha suddenly appeared, one hand pointing to the heavens and the other touching the earth, exuding magnificence and boundless Zen spirit. This golden Buddha was different from all the previous ones; it was connected to Exalted Vajra¡¯s aura, as if he was the Buddha himself. The surge in strength was instantaneous, and the pressure spread out in all directions. Zhao Tianyi leaned forward, squinting his eyes, ¡°What a powerful secret technique!¡± ¡°` Dai Danshu witnessed this scene and felt an extreme sense of familiarity, as if the Ghost Swordsman had once employed the same secret technique on Five Poison Mountain. Following the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s performance of the technique, the spectacle had astonished all present, culminating in a fierce battle against four Half-step Grandmasters. Now that the Exalted Vajra was employing it, what kind of horrifying scene would unfold? Without saying much, from their perceptions alone, the many masters present knew the extraordinary power and excellence of this secret method. ¡°The situation is settled.¡± Universal Literary Vajra and Universal Benefit Bodhisattva exchanged a glance, their hearts settling with conviction. With the Exalted Vajra performing the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra,¡± how could An Jing possibly stand a chance? An Jing looked at the golden Buddha and revealed a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, extending his hand, ¡°Then, I suppose it¡¯s time for me to reveal my true strength as well.¡± And as his words fell, the heavens and earth began to boil over. The expressions of Universal Literary Vajra and Universal Benefit Bodhisattva both stiffened. Could it be that An Jing still had cards up his sleeve? Zuo Linglong, who was sitting on a cozy couch and just about to breathe a sigh of relief, heard An Jing¡¯s words and her beautiful eyes carried a hint of disbelief. It was well-known that to fight against the Exalted Vajra to such an extent was already extremely impressive and formidable, especially since no one had expected a Second Qi Grandmaster to be able to defeat the Exalted Vajra before the battle. Now that the Exalted Vajra had not only wielded the Vajra Devil Subduing Pestle but also executed a Buddhist secret technique, and An Jing had yet to reveal his full strength. ¡°What!?¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s heart trembled, suddenly filled with a bad premonition. Could it be that there was going to be an unexpected twist in their grand plan? ¡°My sword! What is happening!?¡± A swordsman suddenly found that his own sword was no longer under his control, and it was flying out of the scabbard into the air on its own. ¡°Hm!?¡± Hao Tian also felt his Blood Tears Sword trembling at his waist, and with a shock in his heart, he narrowed his eyes at An Jing. Immediately channeling his True Qi, he firmly suppressed the agitation of the Blood Tears Sword. ¡°Shua shua shua shua shua!¡± Suddenly, all the swords between heaven and earth took to the skies, their tips all pointing in one direction. ¡°Xiu!¡± A piercingly sharp sound resonated as a tide of Sword Qi swept across, followed by a black streak that rushed forward. Everyone looked up, wondering where the black light had gone, and it turned out to be a roaring, towering wave of blackness that covered the clouds and the sun. The world darkened, an irresistible and oppressing force descended, making everyone feel as if they were suffocating. A gigantic Sword Light approached from the distant cosmos, like a radiance piercing through the darkness. An Jing remained composed, his white garment fluttering with the wild winds. ¡°Boom!¡± The Sword Light fell from the sky, causing the earth to tremble, and from within its brilliance manifested an ancient longsword, landing in An Jing¡¯s hand. Ling Yuanjing lost his composure and exclaimed, ¡°The Evil Suppressing Sword, is that the Evil Suppressing Sword?!¡± That sword was one he could never forget in his dreams, how could he possibly forget it?! ¡°What!?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Around the world, all the martial artists from Jianghu thought of something terrifying, their eyes widened, as they stood transfixed, staring at An Jing, who now wielded the Evil Suppressing Sword. Everyone in the Great Yan Martial World knew to whom the Evil Suppressing Sword belonged. Zuo Biwen thought of something, swallowing hard he said, ¡°Could it be¡­ could it be that An Jing is actually the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡­¡­. PS: This segment was a headache to write; I usually finish a fight scene in one go, but this time it took a very long time, I¡¯m too exhausted. Today I¡¯ll strive to update with ten thousand words before seven o¡¯clock to end this plotline, my head is exploding, sigh. Chapter 238 - Chapter 238: Chapter 238: The Buddha Masters Dharma Image Appears in the World Chapter 238: Chapter 238: The Buddha Master¡¯s Dharma Image Appears in the World ¡°` ¡°Evil Suppressing Sword!?¡± ¡°` Zhao Chongyin¡¯s pupils contracted sharply, and his mind couldn¡¯t help but conjure up the image of the man clad in black with his face covered. In an instant, the image of the black-clad man in his mind merged with that of the white-garbed youth standing before him. A look of shock and uncertainty also emerged on Zhao Mengtai¡¯s face, ¡°An Jing is the Ghost Swordsman?!¡± Zuo Linglong also remembered the black-clad man they had met in the Buddhist institution that day, her willow-like eyebrows raising slightly. ¡°Is it him!?¡± For Princess Zhao Xuening, it felt like a bolt from the blue, as if she were dreaming. The Ghost Swordsman had once saved her in the dilapidated temple on Xuanwang Mountain. Although his intentions weren¡¯t genuine, he had indeed saved her life. In her heart, she had always imagined the Ghost Swordsman as a quirky old man in his sixties or seventies. Who would have thought he would be so young, so handsome, so suave and dashing? This completely exceeded her imagination. In fact, feelings between people are very important, and these feelings depend on the atmosphere of the time and also on appearances. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.cO People only know that men love beautiful women, but women are the same. Zhao Tianyi also felt emotional, ¡°Who would have thought the Ghost Swordsman would be so young?¡± Probably very few people in the world could guess that the Ghost Swordsman, who once stirred trouble in the Great Yan Martial World, was such a young man. ¡°My God! The Demon Sect tributor is the Ghost Swordsman!?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t the Ghost Swordsman die at Dongluo Pass?¡± ¡°How can he still be alive!?¡± ¡­¡­ The discussions erupted like a volcanic explosion, resonating between heaven and earth. ¡°This¡­ this¡­¡± Even for Dai Danshu, who was quite composed, his face was now particularly expressive. He suddenly recalled the Ghost Swordsman going to the Five Poison Sect to seek a marriage alliance, and he had passed the bone-age test conducted by the Elder of the Five Poison Sect. Originally, the experts from the Five Poison Sect had thought the Ghost Swordsman used some kind of mysterious martial arts. Who could have imagined his bone-age was actually real? Jia Shiwu looked at Dai Danshu strangely, ¡°I heard that the Ghost Swordsman once went to the Five Poison Sect for marriage.¡± Hearing this, Dai Danshu nearly died of anger, now finally vaguely understanding why the old ancestor of the Five Poison Sect wanted the Ghost Swordsman to become their son-in-law. A Second Qi Grandmaster in his early twenties, one of the six great Sword Immortals¨Chow terrifying the future would be, he could well rival Xiao Qianqiu. However, this person had killed Zhang Zhixing, and Dai Ling likely wouldn¡¯t be willing to accept him. Thinking of this, Dai Danshu felt a complex and subtle emotion. Ling Yuanjing¡¯s face was extremely unsightly. Regardless, the Ghost Swordsman in front of him had killed his brothers. Every time he thought of it, it felt like a knife was cutting through his heart, fueling his intense hatred. He hated the Ghost Swordsman, but at the same time, he hated himself even more. The masters of the Buddhist faction looked at each other in dismay, exclaiming in astonishment. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is An Jing!?¡± Universal Literary Vajra pondered for a moment, as if he had understood something. Universal Benefit Bodhisattva¡¯s brows showed a trace of worry, ¡°The ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡¯ was bestowed by the Ghost Swordsman, he knows about it.¡± The Ghost Swordsman had given the ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡¯ to the Buddhist institution, he surely knew that Exalted Vajra had cultivated this mantra, and today¡¯s match was surely well within his calculations, perhaps he had long figured out how to counter their methods. Universal Literary Vajra took a deep breath and said, ¡°Let¡¯s trust in Brother Exalted.¡± The once settled matters began to sprout complications, and the expressions of the Buddhist masters also became somewhat solemn. ¡°Big Brother, that¡¯s my Big Brother!¡± Qiu Lun was also excitedly waving his hands, then wiped the corners of his eyes and said, ¡°I thought you died at Dongluo Pass, you fooled a lot of tears out of me.¡± Zhou Xianming wondered, ¡°Since when did Doctor An become your Big Brother?¡± How does An Jing know the son of the Pingyang Marquis? The light in Qiu Lun¡¯s small eyes sparkled, his flesh trembling, ¡°During the time on Five Poison Mountain, I was profoundly convinced by his charisma, deeply admiring his noble integrity to the point of prostration. From that moment on, he was my Big Brother in my heart.¡± A sneer appeared at the corner of Zhou Xianming¡¯s mouth, ¡°Truly shameless.¡± According to Zhou Xianming¡¯s speculation, Doctor An¡¯s character and the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s way of doing things mean he had two means of winning people over: with the sword for men, and with the stick for women. Lv Jingchun¡¯s mouth opened and closed, he hesitated to speak, his face turning a deep red. That An Jing had a fair complexion, and reportedly, he was even two years younger than himself. Yet, there he was, obsequiously calling him ¡®Uncle¡¯. Thinking about it, he wished he could crawl into a hole. Zhou Xianming put an arm around Lv Jingchun¡¯s shoulder and laughed, ¡°Jing Chun, don¡¯t feel like you¡¯re at a loss. How many people in the world beg in vain for his attention? He is a great master of the Demon Sect.¡± Lv Jingchun¡¯s eyes brightened slightly as he said, ¡°So in the future, can I swagger around in the Jianghu? For example, if I run into a dispute with Jianghu folks, I can use the Demon Sect¡¯s reputation¡­¡± Qiu Lun said indifferently, ¡°They will kill to silence.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Jingchun abruptly shuddered and secretly abandoned the idea. Zhou Xianming smiled and said, ¡°Let¡¯s see who will win and who will lose in this battle between Buddhas and demons.¡± Everyone¡¯s gaze once again converged on the two of them. The Exalted Vajra executed the Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, and the golden Buddha behind him shone brilliantly, blinding to behold. His aura continued to soar around him. Opposite him, An Jing remained composed, the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand reflecting shafts of cold light under the golden glow, while his white garments danced with the breeze. He was dazzling, a peerless Sword Immortal. That refined and handsome face made it hard to believe that he was once the infamous Ghost Swordsman who shook the Great Yan Martial World. ¡°It is this humble monk¡¯s honor to be able to battle with today¡¯s supreme Sword Immortal,¡± he said. In this moment, the Exalted Vajra felt even more serene than before, even somewhat transcendent. His heart seemed to have forgotten the struggle for supremacy, the contest before him, focusing only on the battle with the supreme Sword Immortal ahead. ¡°The master¡¯s words are also what An has in mind,¡± An Jing replied. With a flick of the Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand, those light sword radiance streaked across heaven and earth as if a round of cold moonlight illuminated the surroundings. The Exalted Vajra stretched out his hands, forming a mysterious and profound Buddhist seal. A tremendous surge of True Qi came forth, viscid as a golden lake, sending shivers into one¡¯s heart. The Exalted Vajra looked at An Jing, then stirred his hands, and immediately, the golden lake of True Qi began to churn as well. Within the lake, it seemed as if some terrifying entity was brewing, emitting a frightening fluctuation. An Jing¡¯s expression also grew incredibly grave at this time. The Exalted Vajra smiled faintly, then pointed his finger towards the middle of the golden lake with a decisive tap. Great Sun Tathagata Seal! Vast Heaven! Boom! The golden lake was suddenly torn apart, and masses of Golden Qi surged into the sky. A golden hand that seemed to reach out from the Nine Nethers thrust forth from the golden expanse, then as if traversing heaven and earth, pressed down towards An Jing. The golden hand was so immense, it seemed to cover the heavens and the earth, leaving no place to escape. Especially around the golden hand, the intertwining Buddhist aura was extraordinarily domineering and soul-captivating. Hao Tian watched the golden hand and thought to himself, ¡°The ¡®Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡¯ is indeed formidable.¡± Among the three supernatural martial arts exceeding the Heavenly Martial Level, before the Demon Sect Hierarch obtained the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, only the Buddhist sect possessed the Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture. Such a method, such a might, is surely one of the most pinnacle martial arts of this world. An Jing swept his arm, and the sword light of the Evil Suppressing Sword whirled up and down, tumultuous. A vast sea of red flames surged behind An Jing, spreading across all the lands under heaven, with An Jing seemingly in the midst of the inferno. Just then, those assembled only saw a twisting, vibrating red brilliance burst forth. Four Symbols Sword Technique! Fire Burning Sky! It was as if roars of flames thundered from this realm, echoing across all directions. The Evil Suppressing Sword moved, and a red beam of extreme radiance connected to the sky-wide sea of flames, charging towards the giant golden hand. Hum! The moment of impact seemed to hush the world around them. In that silence, the air at the collision point was torn asunder into massive fissures, like ferocious dragons showing their teeth, emanating a heart-thumping vibration. Boom! And still within that silent clash, the plaza seemed to tremble for an instant, and then, that sky-obscuring colossal hand tremored violently, then fissures quietly spread, and with a final shudder, it exploded into fragments. An Jing leaped forward, his Evil Suppressing Sword stabbing towards the golden Buddha in front of him. Clang! Clang! Clang! The sound of metal clashing furiously erupted throughout the world, and with it came the afterwaves of True Qi, those terrifying surges making many spectators¡¯ scalps tingle. They found it hard to imagine that such astonishing extremes could be reached simply from the True Qi collision between the two combatants before them. ¡°To be able to fight the Exalted Vajra to this extent¡­¡± Dai Danshu¡¯s heart pounded as he watched the scene unfold. The Exalted Vajra was even a powerhouse that Feng Lingyue dared not provoke, yet such a figure was now locked in fierce battle with the Ghost Swordsman. The more he thought about it, the more embittered he felt. If this man had not killed Zhang Zhixing and truly became his son-in-law, he would not have to toil for the affairs of the Five Poison Sect. Zuo Linglong¡¯s eyebrows were tightly knotted, obviously preoccupied with her own thoughts. Yu Qiurong, Qian Cishan, and others also watched the two figures clashing in the center with faces full of tension, unable to conceal the gravity in their eyes. ¡°` The clash before their eyes was incredibly intense, so much so that even the top experts in the Jianghu couldn¡¯t help but feel their hearts race and their flesh tremble. Exalted Vajra straightened his body, took a step forward, and began to gather his handprint technique. The golden Buddha behind him also overflowed with golden light. Great Sun Tathagata Seal! Crush the Earth! Above the cloudless sky, golden light burst forth, the thunderous sound shook the heavens, and the seal technique fell like an ancient mountain. The faces of the martial artists below the level of Grandmasters who were present turned pale, and although Exalted Vajra¡¯s target was not them, their hearts were still filled with extreme terror. An Jing stood below, like a small boat in the vast sea, buffeted by wind and rain, with the golden light reflecting in his pupils, his heart incredibly calm. A chilling aura surged, followed by a sky-shattering Sword Qi bursting from the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword. Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind Unstoppable! A Sword Qi that seemed to tear the sky apart erupted from the Evil Suppressing Sword, fiercely striking against the oppressive seal technique coming from above. This beam of sword light was thick and vast, like a river. It was as if the sword light could pierce through all the world¡¯s vanity and brilliance. Thud! Thud! Thud! When the sword light collided with the seal technique, the earth itself seemed to tremble. Boom boom boom boom boom! The golden light and Sword Qi created a terrifying storm of True Qi that spread out from the center of the collision. Xu Qianyue¡¯s expression became extremely grave as she quickly led the Xuanyi Guard and the Royal Guards to block the surging energy waves. Waves that could destroy the heavens and the earth surged one after another, and it was unknown how long it took before there was a sense of subsiding. As the waves receded, there stood An Jing in his white robes, his eyes always shining with bright light. Seeing this, all the Jianghu experts present were secretly astonished. Princess An Le couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°He might really have a chance to win.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyelids twitched, but he said nothing. Zhao Tianyi looked up with a solemn expression, his eyes fixed intently on the distant sky. Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh! Accompanied by a wild whirlwind, Exalted Vajra¡¯s figure appeared in everyone¡¯s line of sight. Hum hum! The True Qi around him surged like tidal waters toward Exalted Vajra. Countless streams of True Qi converged, forming a giant ¡®Wan ¡® seal. With a wave of Exalted Vajra¡¯s sleeve, a flood of golden light burst towards An Jing, carrying the ¡®Wan ¡® seal along with it. An Jing ran his right hand across the Evil Suppressing Sword, fingers gently stroking its blade. Whoosh whoosh whoosh! Where his fingers touched, the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword glowed with frightening light. Sword Control Technique! The Evil Suppressing Sword turned into a beam of light, rushing forward with a force that could shift mountains and overturn seas. The brilliance illuminated heaven and earth, extremely dazzling. The air around it was punctured by the frigid currents, spreading in all directions. The sharp point of the sword touched the ¡®Wan ¡® seal, and suddenly there was a fierce standoff, with waves of Qi flying everywhere, followed by piercing explosions. Xu Qianyue frowned heavily, ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Exalted Vajra taken the Baopu Dragon Tiger Pill yet?¡± With Exalted Vajra¡¯s current strength, as long as he swallowed the Baopu Dragon Tiger Pill, with the power comparable to a Four Qi Grandmaster, even if the Ghost Swordsman was stronger, it would be impossible for him to win. Lifting the Evil Suppressing Sword, An Jing swept the gigantic sword light across the universe, clearing the invading True Qi from his surroundings. ¡°Today, amidst ten thousand people, this monk wishes to prove the Buddhist Law with his own body.¡± A hint of a smile appeared on the aged face of Exalted Vajra, his hand extending to reveal a delicate Jade Box in his palm. Xu Qianyue¡¯s brows snapped together with an ominous premonition. As he channeled his True Qi, the Jade Box in his hand turned to ash, dissipating into the air. Zhao Chongyin also tensed, his eyes narrowing into slits, a cold light spilling out. ¡°This Buddhist Vajra¡­¡± Zuo Linglong¡¯s expression cooled slightly as well. Some of the uninformed experts also felt a shock in their hearts, as if they had realized something. ¡°` ¡°` ¡°Amitabha.¡± Universal Literary Vajra put his hands together, showing no trace of emotion on his face. He was also aware of that Baopu Dragon Tiger Pill. An Jing said with a smile, ¡°What is the Buddhist Law of the master?¡± Exalted Vajra¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly enjoying the transcendent state of mind, ¡°Exorcism.¡± From the time he began cultivating, whether he entered Avici Hell or stepped into the realm of Grandmaster, his heart had never been as calm and collected as it was today. In the depths of his heart, there appeared a trace of enlightenment. An Jing laughed loudly, ¡°Then the master might not get his wish today.¡± Above, everyone in the martial world felt as though a dark cloud was descending, making it difficult for them to breathe. Every sound vanished, and countless gazes converged on the two figures. ¡°Buddhist Law is infinite!¡± At that moment, the aura behind Exalted Vajra became brighter, and the surrounding area gathered a sky full of True Qi, oppressing even the martial experts present, like the prelude to a tempestuous storm. Exalted Vajra waved his sleeve, and the massive True Qi transformed into golden light enveloping An Jing. Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack, crack! The golden light seemed to form a tempest, terrifying and impenetrable. ¡°Bring it on!¡± An Jing shouted coldly, and with a shake of his right arm, the Evil Suppressing Sword flew into the sky enveloped by rolling, piercingly cold Qi, clashing with the pervasive True Qi. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! True Qi collided with True Qi, forming storms of True Qi swirling around the heavens and earth. An Jing stood proudly amidst the storm. Exalted Vajra gazed calmly at the scene, a cold light suddenly flaring as he softly said, ¡°Condense!¡± Hum, hum! Following his soft command, a golden Buddha with three heads and six arms emerged behind him, shining even more dazzlingly. On this day, the Buddhist Asura was about to arrive! The sky full of golden light poured down, and the majestic, exceptional aura filled the space between heaven and earth, emptying all hearts. ¡°Asura!?¡± Universal Benefit Bodhisattva couldn¡¯t help but exclaim upon seeing this. ¡°Exalted Brother has reached sudden enlightenment!¡± Universal Literary Vajra¡¯s voice also trembled slightly. He immediately sat down to meditate. Then, all the Buddhist experts present sat down as well, each reciting Buddhist Scriptures. ¡°These great monks¡­¡± This scene attracted the attention of many, wondering what had happened to these Buddhist experts. ¡°Is this Asura!?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart sank; he had not expected Exalted Vajra to at this critical juncture take the Vajra Secret Skill to its limit, condensing an Asura Dharma Image. Exalted Vajra looked at the solemn An Jing, stretched out a finger, and made a pressing motion in the air. The golden Asura hand behind him also covered the space below, and True Qi around the hand sent out ripples, emitting waves of Zen sounds. Boom! Boom! The massive golden hand descended, blotting out the sun. In the moment it fell, radiant lotuses emerged around it. The golden hand concealed everything beneath it, making everything below appear dark and insignificant. An Jing seemed to actually face the downfall of a huge mountain. ¡°Everything has ended¡­¡± Exalted Vajra, with an indifferent expression, murmured as he watched the scene unfold. Boom! A thunderous explosion erupted from the spot where the golden hand had struck, a terrifying whirlwind of penetrating True Qi spilling out wildly, shattering the solid ground beneath. ¡°It¡¯s over¡­¡± The voice of relief, coming from Zhao Tianyi, emerged at this moment, his eyes intently fixed on the field. He clearly felt that Exalted Vajra¡¯s attack had hit An Jing. The magnitude of the force¨Cif An Jing did not die, he would surely be gravely injured, and the battle was seemingly decided. Zuo Linglong, standing behind him, also released a deep breath of relief. ¡°` ¡°` The young man in white was simply too strong! So strong that only by unleashing ten tenths of Exalted Vajra¡¯s strength could he be defeated. Yu Qiurong gripped her hands tightly, her eyes firmly locked onto that golden hand covered with lotuses. Was it really over, just like this? Qian Cishan and other Demon Sect experts also showed reluctance in their faces. In their eyes, An Jing was only a hair¡¯s breadth away from defeating the number one Vajra of the Buddhist sect. Boom! Boom! Where that golden hand wreaked havoc, a voice thundered, and a white-robed figure slowly walked out from among the heaven-spanning True Qi. The majestic aura, like a rainbow piercing through heaven and earth, suddenly swept out from around An Jing¡¯s body, and under the impact of such powerful aura, the pervasive True Qi started to fade. The many astonished gazes were fixed on the white-robed figure that walked out, whose suddenly surged aura shocked them greatly; nobody expected that even in the face of such a perilous situation, An Jing could still emerge unscathed. Moreover, they could all feel that at this moment, An Jing¡¯s aura had reached an extreme strength, almost enveloping all the experts of Jianghu in this world. That silhouette seemed even broader than the heavens and the earth. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade revealed a startling cold light, cutting across all directions, with the chilling Sword Qi filling the space between heaven and earth. An Jing took a step forward. It looked like just one step, but it felt as if he stepped into another world. The whole world became vast and expansive. Everyone¡¯s hearts shook. An Jing¡¯s Sword Dao had entered the Sixth Realm! In fact, his Sword Dao had already entered the Sixth Realm while he was at Xuanqing Mountain, but he was unaware of it himself. And the Sixth Realm was also the reason he could stand invincible today. Unlike others, he only fought battles he was sure of. Having a breakthrough in the midst of battle was not suitable for him. ¡°Master, your move has been made, now take my next sword,¡± An Jing said as he raised the sword in his hand, his garment fluttering with the clear breeze. There was silence in heaven and earth, and the transparent Sword Light instantly seized away the golden lustre, more fearsome than the Asura itself. ¡°As you wish,¡± replied Exalted Vajra as he slapped his palm, and then, the True Qi around the sky suddenly howled out. The Asura¡¯s six handprints emerged at once, carrying a tremendous momentum as they headed straight for An Jing¡¯s head, pressing down on him. Bang bang bang! The ground was frantically collapsing, with massive cracks spreading rapidly. Everyone could see that Exalted Vajra was now exerting his strength to the utmost. An Jing looked up, observing the six handprints descending upon him. Sword Skill spread from the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword. Majestic and grandiose, boundless and limitless. ¡°This Sword Dao¡­¡± Hao Tian showed a look of surprise for the first time, his heart inexplicably shaken. At the same time, the True Qi of heaven and earth began to boil. It was as if the whole world, all living beings, were merged into this one sword; they were within this sword, yet also apart from it. Such profound complexity was beyond imagination. The boundary between life and death dissipated in an instant. An Jing swung his sword. A world-shaking explosion descended on this stretch of land once again. Boom! At the moment of impact, a sky-shocking sound struck terror across the cosmos! A bright and violent radiance fiercely collided with that golden hand. Amidst that intense light, everyone could feel a nearly apocalyptic terrifying fluctuation. Thump thump! The endless sky¡¯s clouds were scattered by a tremendous force at this moment, and on the vast ground, circles of soil waves spread out. The entire earth was almost crushed to pieces. ¡°` Gazes heavy with gravity watched the terrifying shockwave spread, and some of the more cautious began to retreat quickly, fearing they would be caught up in the impact. ¡°What an astonishing clash¡­¡± All the Half-step Masters present were stunned, their eyes fixated on the source of the dazzling light. The astonishing fluctuations emanating from there left even them deeply shocked. ¡°Who won?¡± Countless experts nervously watched the cracked and broken ground, knowing that both combatants had played their final hand, and that this was likely the deciding move. Zuo Linglong clasped her jade hands tightly, her eyes filled with tension, her heart trembling. Then, unconsciously, she stood up. Zhao Chongyin and Zhao Mengtai both knitted their brows deeply. Xu Qianyue¡¯s gaze was locked onto the site of the True Qi explosion. After a moment, her pupils suddenly contracted slightly. This moment seemed to last an eternity. Bang! In that instant, the sun-like intense light in the arena suddenly shot into the sky, then the light dimmed, and the dust and smoke revealed the hazy figures once more. Whoosh! All gazes promptly turned at that moment, and the dust also slowly dissipated under the watchful eyes of the crowd. Everyone¡¯s hearts clenched as they looked at the standoff at the center of the scene. The entire Heavenly Martial Sect was silent at this moment, with only the rustling sound of the breeze stirring the leaves. Crack! Crack! This silence did not last long before people heard faint cracking sounds in mid-air, and at once, their gazes swiftly turned. Cracks began to shoot out from behind the Exalted Vajra¡¯s Asura, growing larger and spreading farther. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± Then came the sound of an explosive ¡®bang¡¯, and the Asura behind him shattered abruptly. On this day, a Sword Immortal descended into the world, furiously slaying the Asura! There was a deathly silence, with no sound to be heard. The Exalted Vajra stepped back several paces, blood trailing down the corner of his mouth. ¡°Master, I yield,¡± said An Jing casually, sword in hand. Exalted Vajra took a deep breath, brought his hands together and said, ¡°Thank you for showing mercy at the end, benefactor. I am utterly convinced of my defeat.¡± Boom! As soon as Exalted Vajra finished speaking, the world suddenly erupted. ¡°The Buddhist¡­ The Buddhist side lost!?¡± ¡°The Sword Immortal, this is the truly invincible Sword Immortal.¡± ¡°Too strong, this Ghost Swordsman is simply too powerful, and so young, it¡¯s monstrous!¡± ¡°In my opinion, the Ghost Swordsman deserves to be called the World¡¯s First Swordsman.¡± ¡­¡­ Everyone was extremely shocked and rendered speechless. Originally, they had thought the Demon Sect had almost no chance of winning, but who would have thought that the Demon Sect¡¯s Tributor would turn out to be the renowned Ghost Swordsman, and his cultivation and Sword Dao had advanced once again. On this day, a Sword Immortal was born, sword in hand, slashing the Asura, shocking Yujing City. ¡°Even the Exalted Vajra has been defeated.¡± Zhao Chongyin frowned deeply, then felt an ominous premonition. The event he had planned had taken a turn, which was extremely awkward and uncomfortable for someone with such a strong desire for control. Zuo Linglong¡¯s face was also slightly pale, but then she forcefully suppressed the turmoil in her heart and sat down. Zhao Mengtai¡¯s expression was complex as he said, ¡°Exalted Vajra¡¯s defeat is not unjust!¡± He naturally hoped the Demon Sect would win, since he had a nominal but actual defunct secret alliance with them, which was certainly better than the Buddhist faction. Princess An Le, Zhao Xuening, upon seeing that figure in white, had her eyes lit with glimmers of light. Some people are hard to forget after just one glance. And in this moment, the young man standing on the platform, clad in white robes, was one such person. God knows how many wealthy daughters and noble ladies¡¯ hearts were right now aflutter, secretly yearning for this Sword Immortal of the current age. ¡°Now it¡¯s getting interesting,¡± Zhao Tianyi chuckled darkly, a playful glint in his eyes. Xu Qianyue¡¯s face turned extremely ugly, as everyone knew what today¡¯s struggle between Buddhism and the Demon Sect meant. Now that the Demon Sect has obtained the National Teaching Order, what will Great Yan do? Will it honor the Demon Sect as the national religion or not? Ling Yuanjing, Dai Danshu, and many other experts from Jianghu also showed various expressions, but their hearts were all engulfed in shock and amazement. Did a tributor of the Demon Sect really win!? Does this mean the Demon Sect can now openly enter Great Yan and hold a status similar to that of the Zhenyi Sect? Not long ago, the martial world of Great Yan and the Xuanyi Guard were still purging experts from the Demon Sect, and now the Demon Sect has become the national religion. This situation is somewhat comical and ridiculous to some. What kind of changes will now unfold in Yan Country¡¯s power dynamics? ¡°Big brother is indeed impressive,¡± Qiu Lun opened his mouth slightly, his heart also filled with surprise, originally thinking that An Jing was about to lose. Zhou Xianming murmured, ¡°A peerless Sword Immortal should indeed be like this.¡± ¡°Sword practice!¡± Lv Jingchun suddenly felt a surge of lofty aspirations, excitedly saying, ¡°What use is reading books? I want to practice swordsmanship.¡± He also wanted to become an unbeatable Great Sword Immortal, to angrily slay Asuras and tread on Vajras, and to overturn the martial world with a single sword. Qiu Lun looked at An Jing¡¯s retreating figure and mused for a long while, ¡°If I practice swordsmanship, maybe it really would be of use.¡± Zhou Xianming glanced at Qiu Lun and thought to himself that this fat man was truly sassy, very much like An Jing in that respect. Could this be a case of birds of a feather flocking together? ¡°Did he really win!?¡± Qian Cishan swallowed hard, his eyes filled with disbelief. Even as an expert of the Demon Sect, he had not imagined that An Jing could actually achieve victory. ¡°He won, my son-in-law has won,¡± Yu Qiurong, watching the youth who was the center of everyone¡¯s attention, felt a sense of pride as if she shared in his glory, even more exhilarating than if she herself were the focus of such attention. People of the Buddhist sect could hardly hide their disappointment, all remaining silent. That National Teaching Order was the only opportunity for Buddhism to rise at the moment, but now their hopes were shattered. In the world, all experts had varied expressions. Exalted Vajra brought his hands together and said, ¡°Thank you for the secret technique, benefactor. This monk has a question he wishes to ask the benefactor, and wonders if the benefactor could enlighten him.¡± ¡°Please ask, Master.¡± ¡°Has the benefactor also cultivated our Buddhist Law?¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°I have not.¡± Exalted Vajra frowned and said, ¡°Without having cultivated it, how could one practice our Buddhist martial arts?¡± ¡°Buddhist Law!?¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°That is but a shackle.¡± Exalted Vajra seemed to understand but not quite, and then looked at An Jing earnestly, ¡°The benefactor is young with a promising future, but by joining the Demon Sect, you are treading a path of no return. This monk offers a word of advice, ¡®the sea of suffering is boundless, turn back to the shore.''¡± In the eyes of the world, demons represent evil, and naturally, the Demon Sect is regarded as the worst of all evils. An Jing asked, ¡°Master¡¯s words are mistaken. What is the sea of suffering? What is the other shore?¡± Exalted Vajra brought his hands together and said, ¡°Since the benefactor is interested in Buddhist Law and has a connection with Buddhism, then this monk will explain the Dharma to the benefactor.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°No, I do not need the Master to explain the Dharma to me; I just want to debate the Dharma with the Master.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Exalted Vajra smiled upon hearing this, ¡°Then I shall discuss the Dharma with the benefactor.¡± Whispers spread among the crowd. ¡°A Demon Sect expert is going to discuss Buddhist Law with a Buddhist Vajra?¡± ¡°This is truly astonishing.¡± ¡°Has the Ghost Swordsman also studied Buddhist Law?¡± ¡°Even if he has studied it, could he possibly understand it better than a Buddhist Vajra?¡± ¡­¡­. Everyone looked at each other, each with a hint of confusion in their hearts. Cultivating Buddhist martial arts requires studying Buddhist scriptures, so the experts of Buddhism emphasize a thorough understanding of the Bodhi mind, reaching high levels of mental state unaffected by external influences. In contrast, the Demon Sect¡¯s martial arts advocate for unorthodox methods and rapid advancement in cultivation, but this can lead to an unstable mind, making it very easy to fall into demonic insanity. Moreover, the Ghost Swordsman is a swordsman who cultivates the Sword Dao, how could he understand Buddhist Law? In Heavenly Martial Sect¡¯s square, two people stood amid a field of ruins. ¡°Since the benefactor has asked what the Sea of Suffering is, this monk shall tell the benefactor.¡± Exalted Vajra¡¯s voice boomed like a great bell, echoing in all directions, ¡°In the Sea of Suffering there is affliction, and in the Other Shore, there is Bodhi. Affliction causes the cycle of life and death, while Bodhi brings about the silence of Nirvana.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Once one turns back, the shore is no longer the shore, the sea is no longer the sea, so how can one attain Bodhi?¡± Exalted Vajra laughed and said, ¡°If you don¡¯t turn back, how will you know that the shore is not the shore, the sea is not the sea? Benefactor, heed my word, turn back and you can.¡± An Jing fell silent for a while before speaking, ¡°Master, you are attached.¡± Exalted Vajra shook his head and replied, ¡°Benefactor, it is you who are attached.¡± As Exalted Vajra¡¯s voice fell, four golden haloes emerged behind him, representing the grand wisdom, compassion, action, and vow of Buddhism. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± An Jing laughed uproariously towards the heavens, ¡°I originally thought that Buddhist monks possessed deep understanding of Buddhism, but after hearing the master¡¯s words, my heart is somewhat disappointed. It seems the master¡¯s research into Buddhism isn¡¯t thorough.¡± Arrogant! Exalted Vajra¡¯s face showed no change, but his brows furrowed slightly inside. Even though he had been defeated by An Jing¡¯s hand, one must know that he was a Grandmaster of the Three Qi of Buddhism, the number one Vajra of Buddhism, yet he was being criticized by someone from the Demon Sect for lacking in Buddhist teachings. That was Exalted Vajra, and there was no need to mention the reaction of other Buddhists present. A Buddhist monk couldn¡¯t help but snort coldly, ¡°These words are a little too arrogant.¡± A group of monks from Dragon Spring Temple chimed in, ¡°A person from the Demon Sect dares to speak wildly of Buddhist teachings? That is simply laughable.¡± Not just the Buddhist experts, everyone present frowned upon hearing this. After all, for someone from the Demon Sect to casually discuss the Buddhist teachings of Vajra indeed seemed absurd and topsy-turvy. ¡°Master, today I will show you what the true Other Shore is, what true transcendence is, and what true Buddha and demon are.¡± Just then, An Jing¡¯s words rose again, sounding like a tempest sweeping through heaven and earth. The crowd surrounding the Heavenly Martial Sect expressed various emotions¨Csome were astonished, some discussed among themselves, and some scoffed. Even Exalted Vajra, usually so steadfast, now felt a surge of anger within. A man from the Demon Sect presuming to instruct him in Buddhist teachings was truly absurd. An Jing raised his voice and asked, ¡°Master, do you know where the Other Shore you seek so desperately is located?¡± Exalted Vajra responded, ¡°Turning back is the Other Shore; the Other Shore lies at the beginning. Only by returning to the starting point, can one escape the Sea of Suffering.¡± An Jing stood up and pointed to the ground, ¡°Actually, the Other Shore is within the Sea of Suffering.¡± Exalted Vajra paused momentarily, feeling a sudden switch from the heat of summer to the harsh cold of winter, then his breathing started to rush. ¡°The Other Shore is within the Sea of Suffering?¡± ¡°Because people have never truly been in the sea. There is no sea of suffering, nor is there an end to it. Suffering is attachment, from beginning to end, attachment is the knife that slaughters Bodhi.¡± The Universal Literary Vajra and Universal Benefit Bodhisattva below were both taken aback, their breath caught in their throats. Exalted Vajra¡¯s lips parted, wanting to say something in defense, but for the time being, he didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°Lay down the butcher¡¯s knife, and you shall instantly become a Buddha.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°Master, you keep on talking about exorcising demons and subduing fiends, but do you know what a Buddha is? What is a demon? When Buddha does not carry out the affairs of Buddha, and a demon wholeheartedly turns towards goodness, Buddha and demon are merely different names.¡± ¡°Buddha and demon are one and the same; a flower blooms with two sides. Today, let the master see the true Buddha.¡± Having said that, An Jing¡¯s whole body shone with golden light like the most dazzling sun, and behind him emerged a giant golden Buddha several zhang high. The golden Buddha had a majestic and magnificent presence, even more robust and powerful than the Asura Dharma that Exalted Vajra had summoned, by threefold. Upon closer examination, there was a fundamental difference between this golden Buddha and Exalted Vajra¡¯s Vajra Dharma. The Golden Buddha had one half with a Vajra¡¯s face and the other half with a Bodhisattva¡¯s, and yet it did not look odd. Instead, it invoked a sense of awe so profound one felt compelled to worship and revere. The Vajra and the Bodhisattva are both facets of Buddha, existing to liberate all beings; the Buddha is both Vajra and Bodhisattva. Vajra with furious eyes, tames the four demons; Bodhisattva with lowered brows, shows compassion to the six realms. The compassionate Bodhisattva is a Bodhisattva, yet is the Vajra with the furious eyes not also a Bodhisattva of infinite compassion? So-called positions of Vajra Fruit and Bodhisattva Fruit merely put needless shackles upon oneself. Buddha Master¡¯s Dharma Image!? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Exalted Vajra gazed at the Dual-faced Buddha as if struck by thunder, completely caught off guard. Not a single Buddha Master-level expert had appeared in Buddhism for hundreds of years, and today, they were witnessing a Buddha Master¡¯s Dharma again. However, this Buddha Master¡¯s Dharma was manifested through someone from the Demon Sect. The nearby Buddhist experts were equally petrified, barely able to believe their eyes. ¡­¡­ PS: For those who have not subscribed to the whole novel, I implore you to subscribe. And while you¡¯re at it, kindly spare a monthly ticket; Little Fat Rabbit thanks you in advance! Chapter 239 - Chapter 239: Chapter 239: Ghost Swordsman Obtains the National Teaching Order Chapter 239: Chapter 239: Ghost Swordsman Obtains the National Teaching Order ¡°` All Buddhist practitioners looked dumbfounded, staring in astonishment at the colossal shadow behind An Jing. Had they not seen it with their own eyes, they would never have believed that a high-level expert from the Demon Sect could actually condense a Dharma Image of the Buddha Master. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with these monks?¡± ¡°Could it be because of that Dharma Image?¡± ¡°How could a Dharma Image possibly have such tremendous power?¡± ¡­¡­ Ordinary people, upon seeing the Dharma Image, felt only its overwhelming presence, having just witnessed the astonishing battle; they found nothing unusual about the Dharma Image. But for the people of the Buddhist sects, they knew exactly what this Dharma Image signified. The Dharma Image of Buddha Master¨Cit was a manifestation of Buddhist Law that only the highly enlightened Buddha Masters could condense. What level was a Buddha Master? They were experts at the Grandmaster Realm. At this moment, the Exalted Vajra also came back to his senses, looked seriously at An Jing, and said, ¡°Donor, this poor monk has been taught.¡± ¡°You¡¯re too polite.¡± With a light chuckle, An Jing simply wanted the Exalted Vajra to let go of his fixation on Buddha and demon, to not be harmed by worldly views. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site After all, there might be chances for cooperation between the Demon Sect and the Buddhist sects in the future. He hadn¡¯t expected the Exalted Vajra to have a moment of sudden enlightenment. ¡°In the past, I, too, was very persistent and curious about what defines a Vajra and what defines a Bodhisattva. Later, after studying scriptures and the teachings of our ancestors, it was said that a Vajra is one with angry eyes, a Bodhisattva must lower their gaze; Vajra is the one who exorcises demons and subdues fiends, a Bodhisattva is one with kind and compassionate eyes.¡± Taking a deep breath, the Exalted Vajra looked towards the direction of the Pure Land and said, ¡°Today, having heard the donor¡¯s words, my heart has suddenly reached enlightenment. Whether Vajra or Bodhisattva, both are Buddha; the one with the angry eyes is Buddha, the one with compassion is also Buddha, both aim to liberate all beings.¡± ¡°Actually, on closer reflection, this is similar to the dispute between Buddha and demon; it all lies within one¡¯s heart. After all, everything depends on the person.¡± An Jing sheathed the Evil Suppressing Sword and placed a hand over his chest to bow, ¡°The master speaks wisely.¡± ¡°Amitabha.¡± In the next moment, behind the Exalted Vajra, a radiant gold light shone forth, manifesting the colossal Asura Dharma Image. Under the unsure and astonished gazes of the crowd, they watched as a crack appeared on the Asura Dharma Image¡¯s brow, which then gradually enlarged until it spread like a spider web. ¡°What is¡­?¡± Everyone had a puzzled look, wondering what the Exalted Vajra was doing. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± The crack grew larger and eventually completely shattered, turning into golden dust that scattered into the air. Rustle, rustle¡­ This golden dust, glinting under the gentle sunlight, scattered in all directions with the breeze. The dust fell onto the ground where the yellow grass revived with new life, and when it touched the onlooking crowd, it immediately brought a feeling of warmth. The previously glaring light from behind the Exalted Vajra became exceedingly warm. Everyone around the Heavenly Martial Sect was internally shocked beyond measure because no one could have imagined An Jing and the Exalted Vajra discussing Buddhist Law, and that An Jing¡¯s words would enlighten the Exalted Vajra, leading him to complete understanding. This was so absurd and bizarre that it was almost unbelievable. Keep in mind, An Jing was a high-level expert from the Demon Sect, while the Exalted Vajra was the foremost Vajra of the Buddhist sects. Universal Literary Vajra reached out to tap the golden dust in the air and said, ¡°Is the Exalted Vajra starting to relearn the Buddhist Law?¡± It was the Exalted Vajra erasing his own Dharma Image that had ascended from Vajra to Asura. ¡°What about us?¡± A trace of confusion appeared in the eyes of the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva. Faced with the disappearance of the Exalted Vajra¡¯s Dharma Image, the faces of the other Buddhist masters were filled with bewilderment. If the first among the Vajras was restarting his Buddhist practice, should they also start relearning Buddhist Law? Did it mean that the truth they had been pursuing for decades was mistaken? Taking a deep breath, Universal Literary Vajra said, ¡°Brother Exalted¡¯s Vajra Dharma Image ascended to an Asura Dharma Image, entering another path, which is why he must relearn Buddhist Law. Our cultivation is still shallow; we need not consider these issues.¡± ¡°` The Universal Literary Vajra¡¯s words were not loud, but they exploded in everyone¡¯s ears like thunder. The high-level Buddhist experts present finally breathed a sigh of relief. Zuo Linglong asked, puzzled, ¡°What exactly is going on?¡± She could see that An Jing had given some ¡®guidance¡¯ to the Exalted Vajra, but she did not understand why the Exalted Vajra would choose to annihilate his own Dharma Image. Zhao Tianyi took a deep breath and said, ¡°Empress, a Buddhist Dharma Image represents an understanding of Buddhist Law and is also a prerequisite for cultivating Buddhist martial arts. Now that the Exalted Vajra has annihilated his Dharma Image, it means he plans to delve into Buddhist teachings again.¡± Zuo Linglong¡¯s heart shuddered. ¡°Delve into Buddhist teachings again, could it be because of An Jing¡¯s words?¡± An Jing¡¯s speech and the powerful Dharma Image he revealed were so impressive that even the foremost Vajra among Buddhists planned to delve into the teachings again!? At this moment, Zhao Mengtai¡¯s mind also became active, as if he had thought of something, and his heart was burning hot. But soon, that burning sensation was thoroughly suppressed and became completely calm. ¡°This An Jing, this Ghost Swordsman.¡± Zhao Chongyin exhaled deeply, his brows furrowing tightly. The situation that was supposed to follow the plan had completely changed because of this Demon Sect Tributor. Ling Yuanjing, Dai Danshu, and others all had looks of astonishment on their faces, and some even became somewhat confused. The Buddhist experts were already extraordinary in both mind and strength, so why did a few words from An Jing cause a monk, who had bitterly cultivated Buddhist teachings for decades, to reconsider his path? Could it be that An Jing not only understood Buddhist Law, but was also far superior to the Exalted Vajra!? The crowd exchanged glances, trying to maintain composure on their faces, but their hearts were tumultuous and stirred. As the faint golden light dissipated, the Exalted Vajra¡¯s Dharma Image behind him also turned into nothingness. ¡°For the grace of guidance, I have no way to repay,¡± the Exalted Vajra said, hands clasped together. ¡°The benefactor has not studied Buddhist teachings, but is able to condense a Dharma Image, truly a natural-born Buddha¡¯s child. May I inquire if you would be willing to join our Buddhist sect?¡± As soon as the Exalted Vajra finished speaking, a wave of discussion rose again. In the crowd, Qiu Lun said with surprise, ¡°Does the Exalted Vajra want my elder brother to become a monk?¡± Lv Jingchun said timidly, ¡°Buddha¡¯s child, it seems to be a very powerful title.¡± Although he also read books, he was indeed very unfamiliar with the Buddhist term ¡®Buddha¡¯s child.¡¯ Zhou Xianming spoke slowly, ¡°Buddha¡¯s child indicates the sanctity similar to that of Buddha, capable of inheriting Buddha¡¯s great cause, thus it is an honored title of the highest regard.¡± Lv Jingchun¡¯s eyes widened as he said, ¡°Doesn¡¯t that mean, by becoming a Buddha¡¯s child, one can lead the Buddhists?¡± The Buddhists, one of the three oldest sects located in the Western Pure Land, are numerous and powerful. Even when facing the current Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty, they hold a status not far off. Zhou Xianming pondered for a long time, then said, ¡°I suppose you could say that. There hasn¡¯t been a Buddha¡¯s child in Buddhism for five hundred years.¡± Lv Jingchun was greatly shaken, his lips parting to say something, but no words came out. Zhou Xianming smiled and continued, ¡°But don¡¯t worry, he will not agree.¡± Lv Jingchun quickly asked, ¡°Why not?¡± This was the chance to become a Buddha¡¯s child. In an instant, one could lead Buddhism, becoming the master of one of the world¡¯s top forces. Zhou Xianming said darkly, ¡°Because a Buddha¡¯s child must also practice celibacy.¡± Far away, Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan felt both anger and urgency in their hearts. ¡°This big monk!¡± Although Yu Qiurong knew An Jing might not agree, she still felt exceedingly displeased inside, wishing she could strike off the Exalted Vajra¡¯s head with a sword. After hesitating for a long time, Qian Cishan asked softly, ¡°An Tributor wouldn¡¯t really agree, right?¡± The circumstances in Buddhism were, anyway, better than those in the Demon Sect, and if An Jing were to go to Buddhism, it would be to become its leader, which was different from being a tributor for the Demon Sect. ¡°Impossible,¡± Yu Qiurong said with a cold light flashing in her eyes. ¡°If my husband dares to go, the Sect Hierarch will definitely ascend to the Pure Land and kill all the monks in the Western Regions.¡± In the Demon Sect, Yu Qiurong could be considered the one who understood Zhao Qingmei¡¯s character the best in some respects. Zhao Qingmei would certainly wield dual blades and storm into the Pure Land. Qian Cishan let out an awkward laugh. An Jing looked at the Exalted Vajra and said indifferently, ¡°The Master is joking. It¡¯s not possible for An to become a monk.¡± All these old Bald Donkeys from the Buddhist sect are quite the schemers, all trying to persuade me to take vows. Then, what use would there be for an iron staff? ¡°Amitabha.¡± The Exalted Vajra smiled but said nothing more. His words were not meant to actually recruit An Jing into Buddhism but simply to send a friendly signal. A Tributor of the Demon Sect, rumored to even be the Sect Hierarch¡¯s husband, how could such a person possibly enter the Buddhist sect because of a single sentence? An Jing turned to look at Zhao Tianyi in the distance, ¡°Lord Zhao.¡± Peace reigned over the land, and now the crux of the matter would begin. The struggle between Buddhism and the Demon Sect had reached a conclusion today. Zhao Tianyi slowly approached, smiling, ¡°Tributor An¡¯s strength truly is eye-opening.¡± An Jing glanced at Zhao Tianyi and replied, ¡°Lord Zhao flatters me.¡± The eunuch before him seemed to be no ordinary individual. He had seen Li Fuzhou, the disciple of Lv Guoyong. A Second Qi Grandmaster who achieved enlightenment of Heavenly Human Communication with a single insight, he killed the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, Tang Taiyuan, with one palm strike, making his name renowned far and wide. And Zhao Tianyi seemed unlikely to be any less complicated. At this moment, a guard came forward with a jade box, which contained a gold-plated token. The National Teaching Order! Zhao Tianyi picked up the National Teaching Order and announced loudly, ¡°Today, in the contest between Outer Heaven and Buddhism, Outer Heaven¡¯s An Jing is victorious. This National Teaching Order is hereby bestowed upon Outer Heaven.¡± With that, Zhao Tianyi handed the National Teaching Order to An Jing. ¡°Thanks.¡± An Jing accepted the National Teaching Order, feeling a slight steadiness in his heart. Regardless of anything else, he now held a certain initiative at the very least. ¡°Could the Demon Sect really become the national religion of Yan Country?¡± ¡°Who would have thought that Buddhism would truly be defeated?¡± ¡°It seems that this matter is now a foregone conclusion.¡± ¡­.. Crowds murmured, wave upon wave of discussion. Before this battle, almost no one thought the Demon Sect could obtain this National Teaching Order. After all, Buddhism had sent their Number One Vajra, and the Demon Sect was represented by a Tributor hardly known to the public. But who could have predicted that this ¡®unknown¡¯ Tributor was actually the notorious Ghost Swordsman, who defeated the Exalted Vajra in today¡¯s event? The Exalted Vajra walked towards the people of the Buddhist sect, sighing, ¡°My two junior brothers¡­ ¡± The Universal Benefit Bodhisattva smiled and said, ¡°Elder brother, do not insist too much.¡± The Exalted Vajra nodded slightly and fell silent. However, the numerous masters of the Demon Sect were in a state of incredible excitement. Qian Cishan¡¯s voice even quivered slightly, ¡°Our Outer Heaven can finally return to Great Yan.¡± Qian Cishan was now forty-three years of age. Twenty years ago, when the Demon Sect was expelled from Yan Country, he was only in his early twenties. Now, twenty years later, half of his life had passed. How many twenty-year periods does a man have in his life?! ¡°My son-in-law is really too impressive.¡± Yu Qiurong was also thrilled. This envoy mission was extremely difficult initially, not only facing the pressures of Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu and the Houjin, but now also contending with the Great Yan Court¡¯s schemes and the competition with Buddhism. Yet An Jing weathered them all. Even if Duanmu Xinghua herself had come, she likely couldn¡¯t have turned the tide. ¡°I wonder if the Sect Hierarch will also be very pleased when she hears the news?¡± Yu Qiurong thought of Zhao Qingmei learning this news, and a smile couldn¡¯t help but appear on her lips. ¡°Ghost Swordsman¡­¡± Hao Tian gave An Jing a profound look before slowly vanishing into the crowd. He felt the sword dao emanating from that blade, which could excite him, send his blood surging, and even cause a tremor in his heart. Such a Jianghu was truly interesting. ¡°Peak Master Ling, what should we do now?¡± Dai Danshu¡¯s expression was extremely ugly, and his heart was ice-cold. The Demon Sect had defeated the Buddhist sect and was entering Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu. It seemed to be a done deal, which would certainly boost the reputation of the Demon Sect once again. At this time, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect was very likely to strike while the iron was hot and take down Five Poison Sect, once traitors to the Demon Sect. Now, with the Five Poison Sect in grave danger, the only power capable of contending with the Demon Sect was the Zhenyi Sect. ¡°Sect Leader Dai, keep your composure,¡± Ling Yuanjing took a deep breath and transmitted his voice: ¡°While the Demon Sect has indeed obtained the National Teaching Order this time, entering Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu is not such a simple matter. Moreover, planning and preparation will take time, and the Yan Kingdom Court will also have prepared other excuses.¡± Hearing Ling Yuanjing¡¯s words, Dai Danshu also calmed down. Although the Demon Sect had obtained the National Teaching Order, entering and spreading their teachings throughout Great Yan was not straightforward. The Great Yan Court might foster a sheep, but would never nurture a ferocious tiger. Dai Danshu transmitted back, ¡°I was too hasty.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the Human Emperor has his own plans,¡± said Ling Yuanjing. This was a trap laid by the Human Emperor; it was naturally up to him to end the game. And in the Great Yan Temple, the civil and military officials all had grave expressions, seemingly pondering their own thoughts, while the noble ladies and daughters of prestigious families behind them had their eyes shining with curious light. The Demon Sect had indeed obtained the National Teaching Order. Xu Qianyue, the new Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, frowned, her eyebrows subconsciously twitching. Originally, today¡¯s match was hoped to be a straightforward win for the Buddhist sect to obtain the National Teaching Order, thereby suppressing the Demon Sect further. But instead of quelling the Demon Sect¡¯s vigor, they had actually secured the National Teaching Order. This was entirely contrary to the Human Emperor¡¯s intention. The Demon Sect was inherently wild and unruly. The previous Sect Hierarch, Jiang Shang, had caused a storm of bloodshed in Great Yan¡¯s Martial World, leading to widespread misery and a decline in overall strength. After the Court took measures against the Demon Sect, not only did they not restrain themselves, but they also organized a rebel uprising. This completely enraged the Human Emperor, who issued an Imperial Decree ordering the Xuanyi Guard, Zhenyi Sect, and the entire Great Yan Martial World to join forces and expel the Demon Sect. After twenty years of absence from Great Yan, the Demon Sect¡¯s legends still persisted in Jianghu. Although cooperation with the Demon Sect seemed inevitable now, their unyielding spirit had to be suppressed to prevent a repeat of the past. ¡°We must report this news to the Human Emperor.¡± Xu Qianyue took a deep breath and discreetly made her way toward the Imperial Palace. If this scheme failed and the Demon Sect really entered Yan Country as the state religion, it would have unimaginable consequences. After all, with the Demon Sect¡¯s history of rebellion, how should the Yan Kingdom Court support them? What would the commoners in the markets think? And how would Great Yan¡¯s Martial World view the Demon Sect then? If the Demon Sect¡¯s influence grew too strong, it might spur further conflicts within Jianghu, leading to fresh bloodshed. Secret battles were one thing, but open conflict was quite another. Zuo Linglong watched the young man in white and couldn¡¯t help laughing lightly, ¡°This An Jing is indeed impressive, no less distinguished than the State Preceptor in his prime. It¡¯s just uncertain whether he can become the new State Preceptor.¡± As Zuo Linglong¡¯s voice faded, several princes were stirred, each with their thoughts. Zhao Chongyin pondered for a moment, his eyes reflecting a sharp gleam. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The Demon Sect wanted to become the national religion, but setting aside whether the Zhenyi Sect would agree, it was doubtful his father, the Emperor seated high in the Imperial Palace, would consent. An Jing looked at the token in his hand, feeling that he had not yet fully relaxed because he knew this matter was far from over. Rather than expecting the monarch to spend money from his own pocket, it¡¯s better to dupe Kong Yiji of his wine. ¡­ PS: I have something to do this afternoon, and will write another chapter tonight, probably very late. Everyone can read it tomorrow. It¡¯s the last day of April today, and if you don¡¯t vote now, it will expire. Chapter 240 - Chapter 240: Chapter 240: Unrest in Yujing City Chapter 240: Chapter 240: Unrest in Yujing City Yujing City, Emerald Cloud Tower. Red clouds filled the sky, golden waves covered the sea, and the sun, like boiling water in a furnace, burst forth in a brilliant golden light, illuminating the interior of the tower. The entire room was very large, with a screen partitioning off the left side, but one could still vaguely see a zither and a pipa. Only the head of the ancient zither was exposed, and though its color appeared dark and old¨Cnot at all matching the rest of the room¡¯s exquisite and rich style¨Cit still carried an elegant simplicity. Inside the tower sat a stunningly beautiful woman. The woman wore a light green blouse, her eyebrows curved, her small nose slightly upturned, her face as white as jade, glorying like the morning sun, with a string of bright pearls around her neck casting a faint halo that made her face seem even more delicately sculpted. This was indeed the Oiran of the Emerald Cloud Tower. At that moment, she was languidly leaning against the headboard, looking at the bustling teahouse opposite, her willow eyebrows slightly raised. Usually at this time, the Emerald Cloud Tower would have been filled to capacity, but today it was deserted, with few carriages or horses. ¡°Xiaoyu!¡± The Oiran couldn¡¯t help but call out softly. ¡°Creak!¡± Soon, a maid hurriedly pushed the door open, ¡°Sister Rou, do you need something?¡± wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.co The Oiran curiously asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on today? Why is the teahouse opposite so lively?¡± The maid immediately became interested upon hearing this and said, ¡°Sister Rou, there¡¯s a storyteller talking about the conflict between the Buddhist and the Demon Sect at Heavenly Martial Gate.¡± The Oiran¡¯s interest was immediately piqued, ¡°Has the conflict between the Buddha and the Demon ended? What was the outcome?¡± Normally, she enjoyed the swordsmen of Jianghu, who were not only unrestrained and carefree but also very generous in their actions. The maid said, ¡°This duel was fantastic. The Buddha¡¯s representative was a high monk with divine cultivation, who could even manifest a great Buddha. According to people of Jianghu, he was on the verge of becoming a real Buddha, while the representative from Outer Heaven was a great sword immortal, barely over twenty, handsome and elegant.¡± The Oiran couldn¡¯t help but express her curiosity, ¡°Just over twenty, so young?¡± ¡°Yes, very young,¡± the maid said with regret, ¡°It¡¯s a pity I couldn¡¯t witness that great battle. It¡¯s truly a significant regret in life.¡± The Oiran chuckled softly, ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s listen to the story.¡± ¡°Really going?¡± ¡°Of course, why not? There aren¡¯t any guests to attend to today, and listening to the story next door won¡¯t be a problem. I¡¯m very curious about this sword immortal you¡¯ve mentioned.¡± Saying this, the two women walked out of the tower towards the crowded teahouse. The teahouse was packed to the brim, and in the center stood a man in blue, holding a wooden gavel in his hand. ¡°Snap!¡± He slammed the gavel solidly onto the table, ¡°The Exalted Vajra from the Buddhist side failed to intimidate, and the duel between him and the representative from Outer Heaven had been set in stone. Heavenly Martial Gate had been chosen as the venue, and the night before, spots offering the best views had already been taken. As expected, the next day, Heavenly Martial Gate was swamped with people stretching as far as the eye could see, with members of the Royal Family present including the Great Yan Empress and the Crown Prince and Second Prince by her side, along with the Grandmaster Zhao Tianyi, Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang, Director Wang Yuyang from Honglu Institute, and many others. Also, many great masters from the seven major sects of Jianghu were there. The high monk Exalted Vajra, representing the Buddhist sect, sat cross-legged in the center of the square, surrounded by a dazzling golden aura that was almost too brilliant to look at directly.¡± ¡°Everyone was waiting, can you guess who they were waiting for?¡± The storyteller glanced around and then took a sip of tea. ¡°Go on, tell us.¡± ¡°Need we guess? Isn¡¯t it the expert from the Demon Sect?¡± ¡­.. The surrounding crowd urged noisily. The storyteller cleared his throat and continued, ¡°Just at that moment, the Buddhist light was swept away by a massive wave of sword Qi, sweeping across like the water of the Milky Way, unceasing and boundless. Under the watchful eyes of the multitude at the edge of the sky, a white-clothed sword immortal approached on a flying sword, finally landing gracefully in the square of Heavenly Martial Gate, silencing the crowd as everyone gazed at the newcomer with intense anticipation. This was no mere mortal but truly a sword immortal!¡± Everyone present was stupefied, and just imagining in their minds, they could feel the spectacle of the white-clothed sword immortal sweeping away the Buddhist light and shocking the crowd upon his descent. A swordsman clenched his fists, his face turning a vivid red. He moved with his sword, his white robe billowing in the wind, indescribably carefree and dashing. The Oiran, standing at the back of the crowd, also pictured that scene in her mind, her heart starting to pound uncontrollably. At that moment, the storyteller noticed the radiant lady and hurriedly called out, ¡°Lady Shui Rou from the Emerald Cloud Tower is also here to listen to the story, please have a seat.¡± The surrounding crowd turned to look, a spark of interest in their eyes. The Oiran chuckled softly and said, ¡°Mr. Ye, you speak of this great sword immortal, and I am quite curious about him; I wonder where I might catch a glimpse of him.¡± The crowd chuckled at this. The storyteller shook his head and said, ¡°Lady Shui Rou jests. Nowadays, every daughter of a notable family in Yujing City has been clamoring to get into the Three Forests Inn, even the daughter of the Minister of Rites couldn¡¯t get in. It would be extremely difficult for Lady Shui Rou to meet him.¡± As the words fell, the Oiran¡¯s face flushed red, and she notably withdrew her previously ready invitation. ¡°Mr. Ye, please continue, what happened next?¡± ¡°Butcher Zhu, weren¡¯t you just at Heavenly Martial Gate for the duel this morning?¡± ¡°I was there, but that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t enjoy hearing it retold, right?¡± ¡­.. The crowd kept up their noisy encouragement, seemingly oblivious to the Oiran of the Emerald Cloud Tower. ¡°Lady Shui Rou, please make yourself comfortable,¡± The storyteller lightly coughed, then gazing past the crowd, continued, ¡°Next, the truly thrilling part begins¡­¡± ¡°The great sword immortal?¡± The Oiran gripped her invitation tightly, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss in her heart. If only she had known, she would have attended the Buddhist-Demon conflict today to witness this unmatched elegance of the great sword immortal. ¡­¡­. Lv Sect, Lv Mansion. Zhou Xianming and Lv Jingchun hurried towards the inner courtyard. Lv Guoyong was leisurely lying on a chair, eyes closed, resting. Lv Jingchun quickly approached Lv Guoyong and said earnestly, ¡°Grandfather, I won¡¯t study anymore. I have made up my mind to practice swordsmanship.¡± Qiu Lun was right, studying is useless, so why cling to books? Lv Guoyong opened his eyes and said indifferently, ¡°Are you sure you want to practice swordsmanship?¡± Lv Jingchun, with a serious face, replied, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure.¡± Lv Guoyong nodded slightly and said, ¡°Then go find the steward, he will arrange a swordsmanship teacher for you.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go now.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Jingchun excitedly ran out of the courtyard, like a wild boar breaking free. ¡°Teacher?¡± Zhou Xianming watched Lv Jingchun¡¯s departing figure and said in a low voice. He knew too well what kind of person Lv Jingchun was; practicing martial arts not only required Root Bone quality and certain resources and wealth but also required perseverance and determination. Lv Jingchun did not seem to be someone with great determination and perseverance. ¡°Let him be.¡± Lv Guoyong waved his hand and asked, ¡°Has today¡¯s contest concluded?¡± Zhou Xianming nodded and said, ¡°Doctor An won.¡± ¡°He really won, huh.¡± Even though Lv Guoyong had vaguely sensed the outcome from the continuous Sword Skill, hearing Zhou Xianming recount it still elicited a sigh from him. Now that An Jing held the National Teaching Order, he possessed great initiative; however, if not used well, it could also bring crises and troubles. Zhou Xianming smiled and said, ¡°Doctor An is a smart man; he won¡¯t do anything foolish.¡± ¡°If he truly is a smart man, indeed he won¡¯t do something foolish at this time.¡± Lv Guoyong shook his head and said, ¡°But sometimes, smart people also do foolish things, and that¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of.¡± Zhou Xianming thought for a moment and asked, ¡°Teacher, are you talking about me?¡± Lv Guoyong said somberly, ¡°I¡¯m talking about all the smart people in the world, not just you.¡± Zhou Xianming fell silent. Lv Guoyong patted Zhou Xianming¡¯s shoulder and said with a smile, ¡°Alright, don¡¯t overthink it. Let¡¯s go inside and talk over tea; I¡¯m very curious about this thrilling duel.¡± Saying this, Lv Guoyong walked towards the house. ¡°Yes.¡± Zhou Xianming chuckled softly and quickly followed him. ¡­¡­.. Yujing City, Kunning Palace. Behind the screen, there was a graceful figure which, as it gently dressed, revealed a stunningly beautiful woman stepping out. This woman was the mistress of Kunning Palace, Imperial Concubine Mu Xiaoyun. At this moment, she wore a light purple long dress, her fair skin alluring, as if time had left no trace on this beauty. ¡°What day is it today?¡± At her side, the eunuch Guang De said in a low voice, ¡°September 23rd.¡± ¡°September 23rd, it¡¯s been two months since I last saw His Majesty.¡± Mu Xiaoyun calculated silently, and her red lips parted slightly, ¡°Is the Imperial Buddha Jumps Wall ready?¡± Guang De replied, ¡°It¡¯s ready.¡± Mu Xiaoyun took a deep breath and said, ¡°Let¡¯s take this Imperial Buddha Jumps Wall and go see His Majesty in the Imperial Study Room.¡± Saying this, she walked gracefully towards the Imperial Study Room. The Imperial Study Room was in the center of the Imperial Palace, not far from Kunning Palace but still a walk away. Along the way were palaces with golden roofs and red gateways with green tiles. The glazed tile roofs with heavy eaves, red-painted doors, and same-level bases seemed to bind countless beauties. Mu Xiaoyun looked around, her calm heart feeling a slight ripple, which quickly dissipated. Often, a person¡¯s heart experiences fluctuations, but those are only momentary. Soon, Mu Xiaoyun and the eunuch Guang De arrived at the Zhengyang Palace. Ancient trees reached the skies, awe-inspiring and majestic. Just then, a figure hurried towards the Imperial Study Room. Mu Xiaoyun asked, ¡°Lord Xu, why are you in such a haste?¡± As a trusted confidante of the Human Emperor who was allowed to carry a sword before him, Mu Xiaoyun was naturally familiar with him. Xu Qianyue quickly saluted and replied, ¡°Replying to Imperial Concubine, there¡¯s a result in the Buddhist and Demon conflict at the Heavenly Martial Sect, and I am on my way to report.¡± This Imperial Concubine, being the most favored in recent years and a distinguished figure before the Human Emperor, he naturally did not dare to neglect her. Mu Xiaoyun asked, ¡°Did the Buddhists win?¡± Xu Qianyue replied gravely, ¡°Outer Heaven won.¡± Mu Xiaoyun furrowed her brows, ¡°Isn¡¯t An Jing of the Demon Sect just a young man? Even with extraordinary talents, he couldn¡¯t possibly defeat the Buddhist Vajra, could he?¡± The conflict between Buddhism and the Demon Sect naturally garnered her attention, as it affected the current situation in Yan Country. With her channels, she also clearly understood that this great battle was merely a trap laid by the Human Emperor. The National Teaching Order was intended solely for the Buddhists. Furthermore, with the Exalted Vajra, the foremost among the Buddhist Vajras, firmly in place, the hope for Outer Heaven to seize the National Teaching Order was also extremely slim. ¡°An Jing of the Demon Sect has another identity, the Ghost Swordsman, and his Sword Dao has reached the Sixth Realm. Even the Exalted Vajra fell at his hands,¡± said another. Xu Qianyue took a deep breath and said, ¡°Please forgive me, Your Highness, the situation is extremely urgent. I must go and report the situation now.¡± With that, Xu Qianyue headed straight for the Imperial Study Room. ¡°What!?¡± Upon hearing these three words, Mu Xiaoyun felt as if she had been doused in cold water from head to toe, her whole body numb. The emissary from the Demon Sect turned out to be the Ghost Swordsman!? Not knowing how much time had passed, Mu Xiaoyun turned and headed towards Kunning Palace. Grandmaster Guang De asked softly, ¡°Your Highness, aren¡¯t you going to the Imperial Study Room?¡± Mu Xiaoyun, as if she hadn¡¯t heard, continued on her way towards Kunning Palace on her own. ¡­¡­. Imperial Study Room. Xu Qianyue walked in; this was a forbidden place within the Imperial Palace. The number of people who could enter this Imperial Study Room definitely did not exceed three, and he was one of them. The atmosphere inside the study room was majestic, filled with an aura of purple mist, mysterious and profound. Xu Qianyue walked towards the interior, and after about dozens of steps, he saw Bai Mei, the eunuch, and his steps slightly paused. Next to Bai Mei was a door, behind which was a quiet room. In this quiet room was the most powerful person in contemporary Great Yan, the Emperor of Great Yan. Even Zhenyi Sect Leader Xiao Qianqiu, a celestial talent known as the Sect Leader of a hundred thousand disciples, had to bow in the presence of the current Human Emperor. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± Xu Qianyue walked to the door of the quiet room and knelt down. A deep voice came from within the quiet room, ¡°Buddhism lost?¡± Xu Qianyue slowly said, ¡°They lost. The person from the Demon Sect is actually the Ghost Swordsman. His cultivation has reached the rank of the Second Qi Grandmaster, and his Sword Dao has also reached the Sixth Realm, seemingly practicing the Heavenly Dao Sword, but it is different. I feel that his sword skill is even three parts stronger than that of the Heavenly Dao Sword.¡± Bai Mei, the eunuch, asked in a low voice, ¡°Stronger than the Heavenly Dao Sword, could it be the rumored Holy Dao Sword?¡± The Fast Sword Dao and Killing Sword Dao among the Sword Dao are considered moderate and are not strong, whereas the Heavenly Dao Sword and Human Dao Sword belong to the extremely strong Sword Dao, generally comprehended only by top swordsmen. The Four Symbols Sword Ancestor of the Four Symbols Sect practiced the Heavenly Dao Sword, while Lou Xiangzhen practiced the Human Dao Sword. The stronger the Sword Dao, the stronger the sword intent, and similarly, the difficulty of advancing also increases. There are numerous types of Sword Dao; aside from the Heavenly Dao Sword and Human Dao Sword, there is also the King Sword. Typically, those who practice the King Sword are royals and nobles, and such experts rarely appear in Jianghu, hence the Sword Dao of the King Sword is little known in Jianghu. Above these diverse Sword Dao, there is also the mysterious Holy Dao Sword. Compared to the Heavenly Dao Sword, Human Dao Sword, and King Sword, fewer people practice the Holy Dao Sword, and even in history, they are considered extremely rare. Through ancient times to the present, swordsmen who practiced the Holy Dao Sword were among the very top, but very few have cultivated it to the Sixth Realm; however, without exception, those who reached the Sixth Realm were swordsmen whose fame shook an era or even several centuries. The person inside the quiet room appeared to be pondering. Xu Qianyue and Bai Mei remained silent. After a long while, the individual inside the quiet room finally said, ¡°I want to meet him.¡± ¡°Your Majesty¡­..¡± Xu Qianyue was slightly astonished upon hearing this. Considering the Human Emperor had declared he would not emerge for three years, but now, just for this An Jing, he was willing to emerge? The tone of the individual inside the quiet room was calm but carried an unquestionable air, ¡°In ten days, I want to meet him.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Having heard this, Xu Qianyue headed toward the door of the Imperial Study Room. Watching Xu Qianyue leaving, Bai Mei inquired, ¡°Your Majesty, has it been confirmed?¡± The person inside the quiet room did not answer Bai Mei¡¯s question but instead asked, ¡°Recently, have those two made any moves?¡± Bai Mei replied, ¡°All is quiet.¡± ¡°That is best.¡± Four words came from inside the quiet room, followed by silence. Bai Mei felt a stir inside, contemplative. ¡­¡­ The night was like thick ink, deep and unyielding. In a serene courtyard, the lights were still brightly lit. Zhao Mengtai looked at the white paper in front of him and said in a low voice, ¡°Is this all the information on An Jing?¡± Yue Tingchen stood by, his head lowered without a word. ¡°Yes.¡± Mo Yan said quietly from the side, ¡°This is all the information on An Jing from Yu State City.¡± Hearing this, Zhao Mengtai picked up the white paper and looked over it carefully. The information was extensive, but most of it was very commonplace, seeming only like an ordinary doctor. The only thing that was particularly noteworthy was that An Jing¡¯s medical skills were extremely exquisite, earning him the reputation as the Divine Doctor of Yu State City, and he had also married a wife as beautiful as a celestial being. Zhao Mengtai slightly raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°It seems that this woman must be the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect.¡± Mo Yan gravely said, ¡°Yes, although An Jing serves as a tributor in the Demon Sect, he has managed to be an ordinary doctor in Yu State City without anyone knowing his true identity, which is quite terrifying.¡± After all, who would have thought that an ordinary doctor in Yu State City could actually be a contemporary great sword immortal. ¡°Interesting.¡± Zhao Mengtai took another look and always felt something was off, but he couldn¡¯t pinpoint what exactly was strange at the moment, and he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Tingchen, take a look, do you see anything strange here?¡± Yue Tingchen took over the information and after a moment finally spoke, ¡°Second Prince, it doesn¡¯t seem too strange. The Ghost Swordsman attacking the Demon Sect is to save Zhao Qingmei, after all, according to previous information, Zhao Qingmei was trapped under the Sealing Demon Well, which makes sense and is logical. However, I am curious about what their purpose is for hiding in Yu State city.¡± Zhao Mengtai applauded and said, ¡°Exactly, what is the purpose of their hiding in Yu State City as a couple?¡± Yue Tingchen shook his head and said, ¡°I can¡¯t guess it at this moment.¡± ¡°These issues are minor; the most important thing now is this National Teaching Decree.¡± Zhao Mengtai thought for a moment and said, ¡°Check out what hobbies An Jing usually has, the day after tomorrow, I intend to hold a grand banquet and meet this Ghost Swordsman.¡± Upon hearing this, Yue Tingchen looked downward and blinked, saying, ¡°Your Highness, this doctor usually enjoys visiting the entertainment quarters and listening to operas.¡± ¡­¡­ Although the conflict between Buddhism and Demons had ended, the reverberations had just begun. The sounds of hawks above Yujing City were incessant, spreading the results of today¡¯s great battle to all parts of the world. In addition, various forces also tried their best to transmit the specific intelligence within their jurisdiction, and undercurrents surged for a time, which was even more intense than before the conflict between Buddhism and Demons. After all, the current situation of the world is interconnected, especially concerning the events of Yan Country, the Demon Sect, and Buddhism, attracting everyone¡¯s attention. How this event would develop further, no one knew. Outside the city, in the inn. In the room, a lamp was lit. Qian Cishan smiled broadly, ¡°An Tributor, the sword you wielded today was truly formidable; that leading Buddhist Vajra felt like tofu under your sword, and the people from the Yan Kingdom Court seemed stunned.¡± ¡°Moreover, at dusk, an unknown number of noble daughters and aristocratic ladies arrived at the inn entrance, and if it were not for the strict guard of the Imperial Guards, they would have nearly stormed inside¡­..¡± At this moment, Qian Cishan suddenly felt a surge of killing intent and looked up to see Yu Qiurong¡¯s extremely cold gaze. An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°Though we have obtained the National Teaching Order now, we can also start negotiations with the Yan Kingdom Court.¡± Yu Qiurong asked, ¡°Son-in-law, aren¡¯t we going back first?¡± In her opinion, having obtained this National Teaching Order, they could return to Dongluo Pass and then call on the followers to come back to Yan Country to preach as planned. After all, this National Teaching Order was issued by the Yan Kingdom Court; surely they wouldn¡¯t break their promise, given that they are a vast empire and such actions would definitely be despised by all people. An Jing said solemnly, ¡°It would probably be extremely difficult to take this National Teaching Order away.¡± The Yan Kingdom Court would definitely not allow the Demon Sect to take away the National Teaching Order so easily, and the Zhenyi Sect would do the same. When that time comes, it might result in an ambush similar to the one at Yunlin Inn. And this ambush would be unprecedented in scale, because he defeated the Exalted Vajra, others wouldn¡¯t dare to act rashly, but once they did, it would be with a thunderous momentum. Yu Qiurong¡¯s eyes brightened as she said, ¡°Son-in-law, do you intend to use this National Teaching Order to negotiate terms with Yan Country?¡± Although being recognized as the national religion would bring immense glory and greatly enhance the fame of the Demon Sect, beyond that, there wouldn¡¯t be many other benefits. No one knew whether the Court¡¯s support was earnest or insincere. If it was the latter, the National Teaching Order would be nothing more than a title, offering no real help to the Demon Sect. An Jing nodded slightly, and just then, footsteps arrived outside the door. A high-ranking expert from the Earth Sect of the Demon Sect walked in and said, ¡°An Tributor, the new Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, Xu Qianyue, has arrived.¡± Qian Cishan chuckled, ¡°Coming so late, it seems they are really in a hurry.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Let him come in.¡± The new Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, Xu Qianyue, had his information laid on Zhao Qingmei¡¯s desk three days after taking office, so An Jing naturally knew about this visit. The Human Emperor¡¯s personal sword-wielding guard was no ordinary person. After a short while, a middle-aged man dressed in black entered alone, his face expressionless like a wooden puppet, with a long saber on his waist, his entire presence condensed, without a trace of Qi leaking. An Jing couldn¡¯t discern his specific cultivation level; clearly, he possessed a highly sophisticated Concealing Method. An Jing stood up, smiled faintly, and said, ¡°Lord Xu, you honor us with your presence.¡± Even though Xu Qianyue had seen An Jing during the day, he couldn¡¯t help but scrutinize him up close and then said, ¡°Your swordsmanship is very skilled, definitely among the top three of the current era.¡± If one knew Xu Qianyue, they would understand that he rarely praised others openly. In his heart, An Jing was indeed the number one swordsman among all he had encountered to date, surpassing even Lin Yiyang. As for the battle at Abyss Lake, he hadn¡¯t attended, so he made no judgment concerning Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s strength. An Jing waved his hand and calmly said, ¡°There are many talented people in this world, who knows? Furthermore, these are just empty honors.¡± Xu Qianyue looked deeply at An Jing and said, ¡°You are too modest. Your sword is strong.¡± A swordsman who is not burdened by empty honors is extremely rare. Because he himself was such a person. And similar people invariably respect each other. ¡°This saber is not weak either.¡± An Jing glanced at the saber at Xu Qianyue¡¯s waist and then laughed out loud, ¡°Lord Xu, you surely didn¡¯t come so late just for mutual flattery, did you?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Of course not.¡± Xu Qianyue placed his hand on the hilt of the saber and slowly said, ¡°Since An Tributor has taken away the National Teaching Order, Outer Heaven will now be our Yan Country¡¯s national religion. This is a state affair, naturally, it cannot be taken lightly.¡± ¡°Therefore, the Human Emperor intends to meet An Tributor in person.¡± ¡­¡­ PS: It¡¯s the beginning of the month, so I¡¯m asking for votes. Chapter 241 - Chapter 241: Chapter 241: The Mysterious Swordsman Under the Moonlight Chapter 241: Chapter 241: The Mysterious Swordsman Under the Moonlight An Jing¡¯s brows ticked up slightly, ¡°The Human Emperor wants to see me personally?¡± The Great Yan Emperor had suffered serious injuries while trying to break through his cultivation restraints during seclusion, a matter that caused a great stir in the entire city. Numerous powers were secretly speculating whether the rumor was true or false, especially since Yan Country, a vast and powerful nation, certainly had healing holy medicines and other hidden strengths. No one knew if this was indeed a ruse laid out by the Yan Country Emperor, and if it were true, there could be other great conspiracies at play. Both Houjin and Zhao Country had not taken any action, precisely because they were quite wary, deeply fearing falling into the cunning plans of the Yan Country Emperor. As for the battle at the Northern Wilderness Dao that occurred previously, it was just an initial probe by Houjin. The Yan Country Palace was also on high alert, and spies from all sides, whether palace eunuchs planted inside or Jianghu masters skilled in movement techniques, had been unable to obtain any information, suffering heavy losses instead. To be able to plant a mere eunuch into the Yan Country Palace was extremely difficult, yet recently, all those painstakingly planted eunuchs had been caught cleanly. As for the experts skilled in movement techniques and concealment, once they entered the Imperial Palace, there was no further contact with them. This situation caused the various forces across the world to become more uncertain and hesitant to take rash actions. Now, however, the Yan Country Emperor wanted to personally summon An Jing, making it the first audience he had granted since entering seclusion. After pondering carefully, An Jing guessed the reason; it was very likely that the Human Emperor had summoned him regarding the National Teaching Order. Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan also perked up at the news; what kind of signal was the Human Emperor sending with this summon? Xu Qianyue stated blandly, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and asked, ¡°When?¡± wuxiaworld.site Xu Qianyue replied, ¡°Ten days from now, His Majesty will summon you in the Imperial Study Room.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯m aware now.¡± ¡°Then Xu shall take his leave.¡± Xu Qianyue gave a formal bow and walked towards the outside of the house. Midway, he paused, a complex and subtle emotion arising in his heart, and slowly said, ¡°Xu does not wish to cross swords with you, but at the same time, his heart yearns to experience your sword Dao.¡± Saying this, Xu Qianyue then walked straight out of the house. After watching Xu Qianyue leave completely, Yu Qiurong asked, ¡°Son-in-law, could there be danger¡­?¡± An Jing chuckled lightly and said, ¡°If the Yan Country Emperor really wanted to act against us, do you think we would be safe here?¡± No matter how you put it, Yan Country is still one of the preeminent powerhouses of the world today, especially here in the capital of Yan Country, the Imperial Palace is surely filled with top-notch experts. Not to mention the likes of Xu Qianyue and the previously known eunuch with white eyebrows, who are themselves masters. Xu Qianyue was very strong, but definitely not stronger than Exalted Vajra, and the strength of the white-eyebrowed eunuch was surely above Exalted Vajra. As for whether there were other strong figures in the Royal Family, An Jing did not know. After all, the Demon Sect had the Sealing Demon Platform and the Zhenyi Sect had Hidden Mountain, so whether the Royal Family had any hidden experts was something probably known only to members of the Royal Family themselves. Hearing this, Yu Qiurong nodded, feeling slightly relieved. On the side, Qian Cishan said with furrowed brows, ¡°Being summoned by the Human Emperor might actually be a good thing.¡± An Jing glanced towards the direction of the Imperial Palace from the window, ¡°The Human Emperor has summoned me because of the National Teaching Order. Since that¡¯s the case, I might as well go meet this Human Emperor.¡± An Jing was indeed very curious about this prominent and resourceful Martial Arts Emperor who had secured his throne through machinations. Afterwards, the few of them chatted casually for a bit, and Qian Cishan stood up with a fist salute before leaving. Yu Qiurong, who had felt tired earlier, said, ¡°Son-in-law, I¡¯m also going to rest.¡± ¡°You go rest, I¡¯m going out for a walk.¡± An Jing nodded slightly and headed towards the door. It was his second time in Yujing City, but he had never really taken the time to stroll around, especially since it was Yan Country¡¯s capital and the most bustling city in the world today. Yu Qiurong, who was initially planning to rest, changed her mind upon hearing this and quickly caught up, saying, ¡°Then I¡¯ll accompany you.¡± An Jing looked puzzled, ¡°What, not tired anymore?¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s face turned slightly red, and she replied somewhat awkwardly, ¡°Suddenly¡­ Suddenly I¡¯m not tired anymore.¡± An Jing let out a light laugh and continued walking towards the hostel¡¯s exit. At this moment, the night grew deeper, but Yujing City was still bustling, even more raucous than during the daytime. Vendors on both sides hawked their goods as cheers and clamor poured out of the teahouses and restaurants. Fortunately, at this moment An Jing had already changed into a set of black clothes; otherwise, perhaps he really might have had to use the Concealing Qi Technique to prevent being recognized. An Jing stood amidst the bustling streets, watching the lively scenery ahead. This ancient and weather-beaten street, through countless years, had witnessed no end of joy and sorrow, partings and reunions. He remembered Yu State City, the misty rain, the meals he could have as soon as he got home, that silly girl, and the lazy little black dog. Most importantly, there was the person always holding the lamp waiting for his return. An Jing looked at the busy passersby and seemed to be asking Yu Qiurong, yet also asking himself, ¡°What is it that people are truly pursuing in life?¡± Yu Qiurong didn¡¯t respond to An Jing¡¯s question but instead asked, ¡°My lord, what are you thinking about?¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°I am thinking about that year in Yu State City.¡± ¡°That year in Yu State City?¡± Yu Qiurong seemed to understand something, but at the same time she did not. ¡°If I must think of a place, then it has to be Dongluo Pass.¡± Everyone has different experiences and feels differently, which is why there are countless different people; some are naturally compatible, while others are naturally incompatible. Clearly, An Jing and Yu Qiurong belonged to the latter. Even though it was a very ordinary matter, they could never resonate with each other. Just then, an old man carrying a hawthorn stick approached and said with an apologetic smile, ¡°Would this young master like to buy a sugar-coated hawthorn? It¡¯s the last stick I have.¡± An Jing looked at the old man, weathered by time, and said, ¡°Then I shall buy it.¡± The old man immediately beamed with a smile and handed over a sugar-coated hawthorn stick, saying, ¡°One stick costs seven copper coins, but for the last one, five copper coins will suffice for the young master.¡± Yu Qiurong took out a piece of broken silver from her purse, ¡°Take it all.¡± The old man¡¯s eyes lit up, then he hurriedly said, ¡°This¡­this won¡¯t do. Seven copper coins for one stick is enough.¡± Yu Qiurong said indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s fine, don¡¯t bother with the change.¡± The old man hesitated for a moment, then said, ¡°No, no, I must give you the copper coins.¡± Saying this, the old man carefully counted out the copper coins and handed them to Yu Qiurong. Yu Qiurong shook her head with a light chuckle before accepting the copper coins. ¡°Old man!¡± Just at this moment, an elderly woman was shakily walking over from a distance. Upon seeing the old woman, the old man quickly went up to her and said, ¡°Why have you come? Go back and rest. Don¡¯t you know the state of your health?¡± The old woman replied, ¡°It¡¯s already getting dark, and you weren¡¯t back yet, so I was worried.¡± The old man said grumpily, ¡°Look, I¡¯ve sold them all. Make more for tomorrow.¡± The old woman was also dissatisfied, complaining, ¡°What¡¯s the use of making so much? Selling them all was just your luck today, and yet you¡¯re not in a hurry to come home even when it¡¯s getting dark.¡± Upon hearing this, the old man hastily said with an apologetic smile, ¡°Who said I wasn¡¯t in a hurry? I¡¯m so worried my hair has gone white.¡± ¡°Always the one to make jokes. After all these years, you haven¡¯t changed a bit?¡± ¡­¡­ An Jing watched the two support each other as they walked into the distance, and he sighed inwardly, ¡°I wanted only to live a peaceful life, but alas, Jianghu, does not grant what one wishes.¡± Yu Qiurong also watched their figures; unexpectedly, her heart suddenly felt a touch of envy and emptiness. She thought such a life was far too distant for her, that if such a day ever came, it would surely be only in a dream. After a while, An Jing asked, ¡°This sugar-coated hawthorn, would you like it?¡± Yu Qiurong shook her head and said, ¡°No, thank you. I don¡¯t like it.¡± ¡°What a pity Tan Yun isn¡¯t here; she might even eat the stick,¡± An Jing said as he put away the sugar-coated hawthorn. ¡°I can only take it back for Qian Cishan to eat.¡± Yu Qiurong couldn¡¯t help but cover her mouth and laugh, ¡°Tan Yun isn¡¯t as gluttonous as you say. If she knew this is what you think of her, she might be angry enough to die.¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°If I say Tan Yun has a small chest, would she get angry?¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s face flushed as she said, ¡°That can¡¯t be.¡± ¡°Then why?¡± ¡°She¡¯s not young, why would she get angry?¡± ¡°Right, because she really is gluttonous.¡± ¡°Son-in-law, you really are wicked.¡± With that said, the two of them walked towards the direction of the hostel. Just then, an incredibly beautiful woman appeared before them. She was dressed in a light purple embroidered robe, with a pearl white pleated skirt beneath. A pair of dimples faintly surfaced on her delicate, tender cheeks, with a light touch of rouge adding to the charm of her freshly bloomed peony-like face. Her captivating eyebrows arched like new moons above her expressive eyes, clear and bright, which shimmered with an enchanting allure. Following the stunning woman was an elderly maid. This was not the first time An Jing had encountered this woman. The first was in a jade shop in Ping County, the second in a dilapidated temple on Xuwang Mountain, the third in Dragon Spring Temple, and not counting yesterday at the Heavenly Martial Sect, today was already the fourth. The woman was Princess An Le, Zhao Xuening. ¡°Commoner An Jing pays respects to the Princess.¡± An Jing said with clasped hands, ¡°I did not expect to encounter the Princess here by such a coincidence.¡± Princess An Le¡¯s face flushed with a hint of rosiness as she said, ¡°It¡¯s not a coincidence. In fact, I came here specifically to look for Tributor An.¡± An Jing was somewhat puzzled, ¡°Looking for me?¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s eyebrows shot up, instantly becoming wary of Zhao Xuening who stood before her. Zhao Qingmei had made herself An Jing¡¯s personal maid, and Yu Qiurong fully understood her intentions¨Cto keep an eye on this son-in-law who was capable of ¡®flirting with every skirt¡¯. Though it seemed he was not such a person, it did not prevent the mad rush of wanton admirers from coming toward him. Especially the stunning woman before him, and a princess of Yan Country at that. If she really flung herself at him, who wouldn¡¯t be bewildered? Princess An Le slightly bowed and said, ¡°Previously, Tributor An saved my life, and I have not had the chance to thank you formally.¡± An Jing smiled and replied, ¡°In Dragon Spring Temple, Princess An Le, did you not already offer thanks?¡± ¡°How can a life-saving grace be settled with just a word of thanks?¡± Princess An Le smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling as she said, ¡°May I ask if Tributor An has any time lately? I would like to prepare a modest banquet to express my gratitude personally.¡± The pair of eyes were bright and fervent. If the women An Jing had encountered before were somewhat reserved, then those eyes spoke volumes quite directly. It was almost as if she were saying, ¡®This Princess has her sights set on you.¡¯ Yu Qiurong narrowed her eyes into slits. Does this Princess not know An Jing¡¯s status? An Jing said indifferently, ¡°After the battle yesterday, I felt somewhat unwell in health and may need a few days to recuperate.¡± Princess An Le¡¯s eyes revealed a trace of concern as she asked, ¡°Is Tributor An seriously hurt?¡± An Jing replied with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s alright, I¡¯ll be fine after resting for a few days.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡± Princess An Le let out a sigh of relief and then, on seeing the sugar-coated hawthorns in An Jing¡¯s hand, a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes, ¡°I am very fond of this local snack. I intended to buy that last skewer, but I didn¡¯t expect Tributor An to beat me to it.¡± Without thinking much, An Jing said, ¡°Since the Princess likes it, please take it.¡± Just as An Jing was about to hand over the sugar-coated hawthorns, Yu Qiurong whispered, ¡°Son-in-law, Qiurong suddenly has a craving for that skewer of sugar-coated hawthorns.¡± An Jing¡¯s hands stiffened in their motion. Princess An Le glanced at Yu Qiurong, didn¡¯t you just say you didn¡¯t want to eat? An Jing transmitted his voice, ¡°Qiurong, how about we eat it tomorrow? We can buy ten skewers, a hundred skewers, there¡¯s no need to waste time with her.¡± ¡°I suddenly feel like having it now.¡± ¡°` Yu Qiurong seemed to have become a different person overnight, no longer as understanding, gentle, and caring as she once was, gazing longingly at the string of candied hawthorns. Princess An Le also stood by, staring eagerly at An Jing. ¡­.. In Yujing City, within the Imperial Palace. The great hall was brightly lit, and Zuo Linglong sat on the soft couch, holding a wine cup as she asked, ¡°Brother, have you seen the scholar?¡± Zuo Biwen nodded and said, ¡°I saw him. The scholar¡¯s appearance may not be outstanding, but his demeanor is refined, and judging by his essays, he truly is a great talent, but¡­¡± At this, Zuo Biwen paused. Zuo Linglong said, ¡°But what? Brother, speak freely.¡± Zuo Biwen pondered for a long while, then said, ¡°That Zhou Xianming seems to be on very good terms with An Jing, and he used to linger frequently in the company of an oiran, seemingly reluctant about this marriage.¡± Who was An Jing, after all? He was a contributor to the Demon Sect, the great Sword Immortal who defeated Exalted Vajra. Zuo Linglong smiled and said, ¡°Just an oiran? Is she as beautiful as Xuening? I don¡¯t believe that scholar could remain unmoved upon seeing Xuening.¡± Hearing this, Zuo Biwen fell silent for a while. Everyone has thoughts of weighing pros and cons. One is an oiran, the other a current princess; ninety-nine percent of people know which to choose. It is human nature. Some always boast about their high morals and tastes, but when it comes to making a real choice, these high-minded people will also choose what¡¯s most advantageous for themselves. Because seeking benefit and avoiding harm is human instinct. Regarding that scholar, Zuo Biwen couldn¡¯t say he was completely satisfied; although the man¡¯s scholarship was indeed formidable, Zuo Biwen, being a man of Jianghu, naturally appreciated the young heroes of Jianghu more. There are but a few scholars in the world that could impress him. However, the huge presence behind Zhou Xianming, the Lv Sect, was of the utmost importance. Zuo Biwen thought of something, ¡°Xuening seemed somewhat reluctant the last time she came to Youfeng Valley¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve pampered her too much before,¡± Zuo Linglong said indifferently. ¡°Brother, do you remember how more than twenty years ago I also refused to enter the palace, even threatening death, and yet, in the end, I still entered the palace and became the Empress of a nation?¡± Zuo Biwen sighed inwardly. Back then, Zuo Linglong¡¯s affection was for Li Fuzhou of Lv Sect. However, Li Fuzhou had an engagement with Liu Huiyun of the Liu Family; it would have been one thing for an ordinary woman to be a concubine, but for the direct daughter of the Zuo Family to be a concubine would have tainted the family¡¯s honor. Moreover, the Human Emperor had taken an interest in Zuo Linglong, issuing an imperial decree to the Zuo Family. Zuo Linglong was entirely unwilling at the time but ultimately had no choice but to enter the palace with tears in her eyes. In fact, Zuo Biwen hadn¡¯t really wanted Zuo Linglong to enter the palace at that time either; after all, he knew how cruel palace life could be, not to mention that the opportunities for siblings to meet would be exceedingly rare thereafter. Some things are not up to him to decide, not even today. This matter of marrying Zhao Xuening to scholar Lv Guoyong must be the intention of the Human Emperor, aimed at completely disintegrating Lv Sect. ¡°Alas.¡± Zuo Biwen sighed, saying, ¡°It¡¯s better to marry a scholar than to be in the grand palace courtyard. Sister, rest assured, I¡¯ll take care of Xuening¡¯s matter with Mengtai.¡± Zuo Linglong¡¯s face showed a hint of a smile, ¡°This place is quite nice as well: worry-free with clothes and food, respected by others who must all greet me reverently as ¡®Your Majesty the Empress¡¯.¡± ¡°Brother, you need not worry about me, if there¡¯s nothing else, you may leave,¡± Zuo Linglong said. Zuo Biwen looked at his sister. In the past, whenever Zuo Linglong had any issues, she would discuss them with him, even asking for his advice and strategy when she had feelings for Li Fuzhou. But now, Zuo Linglong seemed to have unconsciously put on a layer of a mask, pretending to be strong even in front of him. Perhaps it started as a pretense, but eventually it became real. The little sister who once followed him around could never come back. ¡°Amidst a thousand lights behind me, there must be one that leads home.¡± Zuo Biwen stood up, bowed his hands, and slowly exited the great hall. The hall that was once relatively lively became quiet once again. ¡°Amidst a thousand lights behind me, there must be one that leads home¡­¡± ¡°` Zuo Linglong spoke to herself, her heart feeling a slight warmth. ¡­¡­.. The next day, the sky was clear and the air was fresh. As usual, An Jing opened the door of his house and, gazing at the bright sun, couldn¡¯t help but feel nostalgic, ¡°It¡¯s still more comfortable in Dongluo Pass, where one can live with the sun three poles high.¡± At that moment, Yu Qiurong, dressed in white, came out and happened to hear An Jing¡¯s words. Her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity as she asked, ¡°If sir is tired, you could also sleep until the sun is three poles high. After all, there¡¯s nothing else to do.¡± An Jing shook his head, about to speak, when Qian Cishan hurriedly approached, ¡°An Tributor, the Second Prince¡¯s guest has arrived and has been waiting for half an hour.¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow, ¡°The Second Prince?¡± With the intelligence from the Demon Sect, An Jing had also become quite familiar with the court of Yan Country. Zhao Mengtai was one of the main culprits stirring up trouble in the current court. If it weren¡¯t for the open and covert struggle between Zhao Mengtai and Zhao Chongyin, the court wouldn¡¯t be in such a state of chaos as it was today. Moreover, Zhao Mengtai had also established the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion in Jianghu, whose influence was profound, with a multifaceted layout in Yan Country. Besides, he secretly colluded with the Demon Sect through Jiang Renyi, forming a massive power system of his own. In the past, An Jing had met the steady, calm Crown Prince with a deep strategic mind, but he never had the chance to meet this Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai. Just by looking at his actions, it was clear that he was a man with ambition, aspiration, and ability. While in You City, the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had given him a reminder, which was the handiwork of the Second Prince Zhao Mengtai. It not only served as a warning to An Jing but also hinted at an intention to form an alliance. An Jing said, ¡°Let¡¯s go and have a look.¡± Subsequently, the group arrived at the guest hall, where a middle-aged man sat patiently on a chair. Seeing An Jing come in, he quickly stood up and said, ¡°An Tributor, my name is Zhu Shangfa, a guest under the Second Prince.¡± An Jing formally greeted him with a fist salute, ¡°Apologies for keeping you waiting.¡± ¡°An Tributor is too polite, it was I who instructed not to disturb you, after all, you have been very busy since arriving in Yujing City,¡± the guest said with a light chuckle. Zhu Shangfa smiled and said, ¡°The master has prepared a banquet this afternoon and would like to invite An Tributor to join. May I ask if you are available?¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and nodded, ¡°Alright, this afternoon, then.¡± ¡­¡­. Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin¡¯s Yuhua Enclosure was quiet and elegant. The decor was not extravagant and the location was fairly secluded, whereas the Second Prince Zhao Mengtai¡¯s residence was quite different. Exquisite carvings adorned the pavilions, with corridors flanking both sides, dotted with colorful parrots, thrushes, and other rare birds¨Ca testimony to Zhao Mengtai¡¯s particular fondness for bird-walking. On the pavilion perch, several brightly dressed, pretty women sat, each with unique features. Together, they resembled a painting. An Jing looked at the group of charming ladies, ¡°They seem quite nice.¡± This time he came alone, without Yu Qiurong or Qian Cishan, since people still needed to be left at the hostel. Zhu Shangfa, thinking An Jing was referring to the precious birds, responded with a laugh, ¡°The Second Prince has few hobbies, and bird-walking is one of his favorites.¡± An Jing chuckled, ¡°Bird-walking, that¡¯s one way to put it.¡± Zhu Shangfa looked puzzled but didn¡¯t inquire further. Soon, the two reached a chamber. They could hear the crisp, pleasant sound of string and wind instruments before even entering, accompanied by the drifting aroma of incense. An Jing thought he had come to the wrong place. This did not seem like a solemn, serious banquet but more like a brothel. No wonder Zhu Shangfa said the Second Prince liked bird-walking. ¡°Ah, Brother An, I¡¯ve been waiting for you with such hard-earned patience,¡± a man with unremarkable looks but extremely bright eyes greeted them warmly as he came down from the hall. An Jing saluted Zhao Mengtai, ¡°Greetings to the Second Prince.¡± Zhao Mengtai patted An Jing¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Brother An, why so formal? Please, take a seat.¡± It was as if they weren¡¯t meeting for the first time, but were good friends reunited after many years apart. An Jing sat down, and Zhao Mengtai immediately clapped his hands. As the clapping subsided, a graceful woman walked in. She was dressed in a light purple gauze that veiled her body, with a seductively wide-open neckline that revealed her beautifully curved neck and delicate collarbones, setting off her skin which was smooth as jade. She was indeed very beautiful. In this world, when a woman¡¯s beauty reaches its peak, it¡¯s hard to judge who stands above whom, one can only say that each has her own merits. The woman before him might not be the most breathtaking, but she was certainly a rare find in terms of looks. The woman walked up to An Jing, bowed slightly, and greeted, ¡°Shui Rou greets Young Master An.¡± Seeing the handsome young man before her, Shui Rou¡¯s heart beat erratically, and thinking of his recent fame as the Great Sword Immortal, it beat even faster. ¡°This is the Oiran of Cuilou, the top courtesan. Today, she will surely satisfy Brother An.¡± Zhao Mengtai took the seat of honor, and a woman who was slightly less attractive than Shui Rou sat beside him, a detail that revealed Zhao Mengtai¡¯s temperament. Could this Second Prince think he was someone fond of soliciting courtesans and listening to music? He wondered where the false and absurd news came from. An Jing sat down, unmoved, and Shui Rou also cleverly sat down next to An Jing. An Jing chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s been quite some time since I last listened to music. Miss Shui Rou, please play some tunes.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Shui Rou froze for a moment upon hearing this, and even Zhao Mengtai showed a hint of confusion. To be the Oiran of Cuilou, one must not only be beautiful but also excel in musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, painting, be perceptive, and know how to appeal to a man¡¯s heart. Shui Rou¡¯s skills with the guqin were naturally extraordinary. Zhao Mengtai poured a cup of wine, smiling, ¡°I¡¯ve long heard of Brother An¡¯s fame, and today I¡¯m finally fortunate enough to share a drink with you.¡± An Jing also offered polite words, ¡°The Second Prince is too kind. I¡¯ve admired the Second Prince¡¯s elegant demeanor for a long time.¡± ¡°Brother An is jesting. The rumors in the streets suggest a close connection between me and the Zhenyi Sect. How could you admire my demeanour?¡± Zhao Mengtai waved his hand, smiling, ¡°Some are just misunderstandings by the public, I hope Brother An won¡¯t take them to heart and let them affect our relationship.¡± The emphasis he put on the word ¡®relationship¡¯ was heavy, its implication was clear without being spoken. An Jing raised his cup, chuckling, ¡°The Second Prince can rest assured, I am well aware and will not take it to heart.¡± He didn¡¯t believe a word of Zhao Mengtai¡¯s. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. You are much too formal, Second Prince. Please, feel free to call me Mengtai.¡± Zhao Mengtai laughed heartily, ¡°Come, let us drink to that.¡± The two of them chatted back and forth, seemingly probing, yet appearing casual in conversation. An Jing was discreet in his speech, causing Zhao Mengtai to inwardly marvel at how the young man, not only powerful, handled matters with a ruthless maturity uncharacteristic of someone in their twenties. After half an hour, they had gone through three rounds of drinks and sampled five courses. Zhao Mengtai waved his hand, ¡°You must be tired. You may withdraw for now.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± All the entertainers in the room left, and Shui Rou and the woman beside Zhao Mengtai stood up to leave as well, leaving the two men alone. An Jing felt a stir in his heart, suspecting Zhao Mengtai was about to get to the main point. Zhao Mengtai pondered for a while before saying, ¡°Brother An, there¡¯s something that I must get off my chest. You too prefer straightforwardness, so I will speak frankly.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°Please do, Brother Mengtai.¡± Zhao Mengtai put down his cup and looked at An Jing, ¡°Actually, the person who instigated everything, causing Jiang Sanjia to be forced onto the Qintian Platform to predict the nation¡¯s fortune and meet his tragic end, was not me.¡± Zhao Mengtai¡¯s party had been the one to coerce Jiang Sanjia to test the nation¡¯s fortune. If not for knowing that Mu Xiaowan had once approached Jiang Sanjia, most would believe that it was Zhao Mengtai who pressured Jiang Sanjia to his death. An Jing set down his wine cup and asked unblinkingly, ¡°Oh? Who is the mastermind behind this?¡± Zhao Mengtai didn¡¯t beat around the bush, stating directly, ¡°It¡¯s Imperial Concubine Mu Xiaowan.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°What¡¯s her motive?¡± ¡°Because of the ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method¡¯.¡± A cold smile flickered on the corners of Zhao Mengtai¡¯s mouth as he said, ¡°Imperial Concubine Mu received the ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method¡¯ from Jiang Sanjia, which she traded with Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Yu Ying for some of Zhenyi Sect¡¯s spirit pills.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he thought to himself that it made sense; no wonder the Zhenyi Sect had previously shown little interest in the ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method¡¯¨Cthey had already obtained it. Zhao Mengtai continued, ¡°And since Jiang Sanjia knew about Imperial Concubine Mu¡¯s dealings with the Zhenyi Sect, in order to silence him and also remove the stain from herself¡­ ¡± After all, those in the harem must not interfere with politics, especially an Imperial Concubine implicated with the Zhenyi Sect, which was a grave taboo. Mu Xiaowan, having obtained the ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method,¡¯ could have presented it to the Human Emperor to leverage against the Zhenyi Sect, but instead, she secretly gave it to the Zhenyi Sect. What would the Emperor think upon discovering this? Zhao Mengtai left some things unsaid; in fact, he was blackmailing Mu Xiaowan based on this relationship and using her as a conduit to curry favor with the Zhenyi Sect. He didn¡¯t have the status or position of Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, so he had to exploit everything that could be exploited. An Jing fell silent, reflecting on how Jiang Sanjia had handed over the ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method¡¯ to Mu Xiaowan wholeheartedly, and how ironically it had become his death sentence. An Jing then inquired, ¡°What spirit pills did she obtain in exchange?¡± Zhao Mengtai shook his head, ¡°I am not sure of the specifics, but a Heavenly Martial Level Heart Method, especially one as unique as this, would likely garner no simple exchange.¡± An Jing bowed with his fists clasped and said, ¡°I understand now, thank you Brother Mengtai for clearing up my confusion.¡± ¡°Since we are in an alliance with your sect, and since Zhenyi Sect has come up in our conversation, I feel obliged to say a few more words.¡± Zhao Mengtai¡¯s expression became grave, ¡°Brother An, by obtaining this National Teaching Order, you¡¯ve upset the Buddhist sect¡¯s plans, which is secondary. Do you realize how many eyes are now upon you, including the Zhenyi Sect?¡± ¡°This National Teaching Order is of great significance; whether your sect or Buddhism acquires it, either can rise swiftly in Yan Country and become a preeminent faction. Especially since you, Brother An, have defeated Buddhism¡¯s number one Vajra and garnered immense prestige. Now is the prime time for spreading the teachings and amassing followers. If I were in your shoes, I would take this National Teaching Order and slip away from Yujing City unnoticed, and then rally the faithful back in Outer Heaven and lead many of Demon Sect¡¯s elites.¡± An Jing instantly grasped Zhao Mengtai¡¯s intentions for visiting today. Briefing him on Mu Xiaowan¡¯s affairs was a way to disassociate and gain favor, while his real purpose lay in the latter concerns. He feared that An Jing would hand over the National Teaching Order to Buddhism, hence he advised An Jing to return to the Demon Sect with it. An Jing inwardly smirked at the thought; if he really listened to Zhao Mengtai, he would probably die without even knowing how. An Jing feigned contemplation on his face and finally said, ¡°I shall decide after I have seen His Majesty in ten days.¡± A flicker of surprise crossed Zhao Mengtai¡¯s eyes, ¡°The Emperor has summoned you?¡± Clearly, he had been unaware of this piece of news. An Jing nodded, ¡°Officer Xu himself came to the hostel yesterday.¡± ¡°Fair enough.¡± Zhao Mengtai nodded unnaturally, his focus wavering from then on, losing the coherence his words previously held. Others might not detect it, but An Jing felt it clearly. After a while, An Jing stood up and said, ¡°The night has grown quiet; Second Prince, I should take my leave.¡± Zhao Mengtai, with a meaningful smile on his lips, said, ¡°Very well, I will have Shui Rou escort you for a part of the way. I will not accompany you.¡± This Second Prince really thinks I¡¯m fond of gallivanting about in the courtesan houses¡­ An Jing shook his head and did not bother to explain further as he walked towards the hall exit. Shui Rou was standing under the dappled shade of the trees, the breeze caressing her face, entangling her hair, as her beautiful eyes fixed intently on the man ahead. ¡°Miss Shui Rou, please stop there, I can manage alone,¡± An Jing called out before Shui Rou could speak. ¡°Master An, do you really not need Shui Rou to see you off?¡± Pressing her lips together, Shui Rou said, ¡°The Second Prince has instructed me to serve Master An well tonight, and I am quite willing.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± An Jing laughed out loud, ¡°Please thank Brother Mengtai for his kind intentions on my behalf. I am flattered.¡± That said, he strode toward the courtyard exit. Shui Rou watched his departing figure, her eyes suddenly deepening. ¡°His self-control is truly extraordinary, it seems his feelings for that Demon Sect Sect Hierarch are excellent.¡± ¡­¡­ A crescent moon hung high in the ink-blue sky, casting a clear, watery glow across the land. An Jing made his way toward the hostel outside the city, while recalling the words of Zhao Mengtai in his mind. ¡°Mu Xiaowan¡­¡± Thinking of that woman, An Jing felt a chill in his heart. If not for Jiang Sanjia, An Jing might have long since died at the hands of Jiang Shang, so he was determined to settle his debt of gratitude and vengeance with Jiang Sanjia. Beyond that, regarding the attitude towards the National Teaching Order, Zhao Mengtai clearly hoped that he would leave Yujing City soon. After all, delay could lead to unexpected changes. He did not want the National Teaching Order to fall into the hands of Buddhism. However, this also confirmed the dangers of leaving Yujing City with the National Teaching Order in possession. The Zhenyi Sect and the Royal Family would surely send their experts. At that time, even with his strength, it might not be possible to escape unscathed. It seemed using the National Teaching Order as a bargaining chip was the best choice. Moreover, after the Human Emperor summoned him, Zhao Mengtai¡¯s expression had become strange. It seemed he was unaware of the current situation of the Human Emperor. That expression was part hesitation, part fear¡­ as if Zhao Mengtai had some secret he was keeping from the Human Emperor. But upon closer thought, Zhao Mengtai indeed had a lot of nerve. Having already secured the support of the Zhenyi Sect, he still dared to collude with the Demon Sect and even attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince, Zhao Chongyin, at the Four Symbols Sect. Even An Jing felt that he was too reckless and audacious in his actions. Despite having a meticulous plan, one shouldn¡¯t always seek fortune amidst grave dangers. Moreover, the words Zhao Mengtai said about ensuring his safe escort indicated that there might be more experts in the background. Could it be that Zhao Mengtai also had dealings with other powers? An Jing suddenly became filled with apprehension. If Zhao Mengtai had the audacity to collude with the Demon Sect, what wouldn¡¯t he dare to do with such powers as Houjin, Black Ice Platform, or the Southern Barbarians? ¡°Hm!?¡± While deep in thought, An Jing abruptly halted as a figure emerged in the dark moonlit night ahead. Under the faint moonlight, it was possible to see clearly: it was an elderly man in black, his aged face neither joyous nor sorrowful, and his eyes like still water, completely devoid of any emotion or fluctuation. The black-clad elder was only thirty feet away from An Jing. Not noticing someone within thirty feet indicated a cultivation that was terribly formidable, certainly above that of the Exalted Vajra. This person was none other than Hao Tian. Waves surged in An Jing¡¯s heart like a tide, but his face remained composed as he asked, ¡°Who might you be, sir?¡± Hao Tian responded indifferently, ¡°A swordsman.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°A swordsman!?¡± An Jing felt a rush of cold air. The cultivation level of the person before him was definitely above the Four Qi, and perhaps even at the Five Qi level. Could there be such a terrifying swordsman in this world!? ¡­¡­. PS: Wherever I write, there are unfinished chapters, it¡¯s all the same, so don¡¯t complain. Chapter 243 - Chapter 243: 243 Chapter 243: 243 Hostel, the guest hall. Exalted Vajra and Universal Literary Vajra sat on chairs and both stood up upon hearing footsteps. ¡°No need for formalities, masters.¡± The elegant young man in white entered with a beaming smile on his face. Universal Literary Vajra, looking at the young man before him, exclaimed, ¡°My lord, we meet again.¡± Who could have imagined that the Ghost Swordsman hidden behind the mask would be such a young man? An Jing bowed with his fists clasped and said, ¡°Due to unavoidable reasons, I hope the master won¡¯t blame me.¡± Universal Literary Vajra had initially been willing to lend him a helping hand, something he had always remembered. Universal Literary Vajra smiled and said, ¡°My lord, concealing your identity must be due to some unspeakable difficulties; I understand.¡± An Jing turned to Exalted Vajra, his eyes lit up, ¡°Master Exalted¡¯s spirit is abundant, and his soul energy seems to be almost realigning. It seems the Four Qi Realm is not far off.¡± Exalted Vajra joined his palms together and said, ¡°Amitabha, thanks to the lord¡¯s guidance, otherwise I would have needed several more years.¡± He had been stuck in the Three Qi Realm for decades without an opportunity for breakthrough. Now, after the battle at the Heavenly Martial Sect combined with the final pieces of advice from An Jing, the shackles had subtly begun to crack. Given time, he had a great chance of reaching the Four Qi Realm. wuxiaworld.site ¡°It was the master¡¯s own enlightenment, I merely assisted,¡± An Jing said. An Jing took the seat of honor and smiled, ¡°Having the honor of both masters¡¯ visit, there must be some important matters?¡± Exalted Vajra pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Today, indeed, there are some matters to discuss with Master An. I¡¯ve heard that Master An is a straightforward person, so I will just speak frankly.¡± ¡°Your sect forming an alliance with the Yan Country has almost been finalized. Now, with this National Teaching Order, it will only be a matter of time before your teachings spread across Yan Country.¡± An Jing nodded slightly. It was indeed only a matter of time before the Demon Sect would openly return to Yan Country. It was just a question of how soon or late it would be. Exalted Vajra continued, ¡°Now, as the national religion of Yan Country is powerful, your sect and Buddhism, being foreign factions, have indeed infringed upon the interests of the Zhenyi Sect and will definitely face repression and resistance from them. Therefore, today I have come to propose an alliance with your sect so in the future we may support each other and overcome adversities together.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart stirred, ¡°An alliance!?¡± From the intelligence, Buddhism had been in Yan Country for nearly half a year, establishing temples everywhere, collecting followers, but things hadn¡¯t gone as smoothly as expected. After all, the Zhenyi Sect was the national religion and had been rooted in Yan Country since its establishment. Today, it boasts disciples almost numbering one hundred thousand, and one could say that every inch of Yan Country had a Taoist temple of the Zhenyi Sect. Its influence was profound, far beyond what Buddhism could match. Watching the rapid development of Buddhism was merely superficial. Additionally, after Buddhism¡¯s defeat in the battle at Heavenly Martial Sect¡¯s gate, not only had Buddhism¡¯s prestige been damaged, but they had also lost an order that should have been theirs. Now, facing the Zhenyi Sect in Yan Country was even more challenging. For Buddhism, forming an alliance with Zhenyi was somewhat unlikely, whereas uniting was much more realistic. Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan exchanged glances, surprised that Buddhism had come today to propose an alliance with the Demon Sect. But upon further consideration, it wasn¡¯t surprising, as currently, Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu was dominated by the Zhenyi Sect, and both Buddhism and the Demon Sect were outsiders and weaker in comparison. Universal Literary Vajra added, ¡°Master An must also be aware that the Zhenyi Sect is not as simple as it appears. Apart from the seven real people and the four peak masters, there¡¯s the martial prodigy Xiao, the Sect Leader. Furthermore, Hidden Mountain within the Zhenyi Sect houses many of their senior disciples from the Qing and Hua generations.¡± ¡°Their foundation is unfathomably deep due to the development over these centuries.¡± The reputation of the Zhenyi Sect was not as simple as it seemed on the surface. It was like an iceberg; what you see is just the tip, and what is hidden beneath the sea is the truly formidable part. An Jing laughed lightly and said, ¡°Forming an alliance with Buddhism would naturally be a wonderful thing, but this matter is of great significance, and I need to think it over.¡± Exalted Vajra responded, ¡°Of course, it is naturally a significant matter.¡± If An Jing had agreed immediately, it would have made him suspicious. An Jing seemed to think of something and spoke to Exalted Vajra, ¡°I have always had a question that I wish to ask the master, if you could enlighten me?¡± Exalted Vajra joined his palms and replied, ¡°Please go ahead, my lord. If I am aware and it does not involve the secrets of Buddhism, I shall spare no detail.¡± An Jing then spoke directly, ¡°It¡¯s actually about the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s sealing. I have always been curious¨Cwhat exactly is under that seal? Was the fall of the Great Zhou Dynasty because of that seal?¡± Exalted Vajra and Universal Literary Vajra exchanged glances upon hearing this. An Jing asked, ¡°Is it inconvenient for the master to disclose?¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± Exalted Vajra pondered for a long moment and said, ¡°Benefactor holding the Evil Suppressing Sword should be aware that this sword was originally forged by the royal family of the Great Zhou Dynasty for suppressing and sealing purposes. And this seal is none other than the earth veins of the ancestral land.¡± An Jing had also heard from Jiang Sanjia that the underground indeed constituted the earth veins, and according to the Demon Sect¡¯s scriptures and other sources of information, he understood much about the earth veins. The earth veins are precisely the root of heaven and earth, the foundation of humanity. Human bodily meridians correspond one-to-one with those in the earth, known as earth veins. Lengping used to be the hub of the earth veins, but with the disintegration of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Dragon Locking Well in Yujing City became the new hub of the earth veins, with the twelve major channels all converging in Yujing City. The twelve major channels balance the yin and yang qi of humanity, maintaining the fortunes of Yujing City and Yan Country without decline. The earth veins correspond to the five spirits and change with the gathering and dispersal of the five spirits between heaven and earth; yin and yang harmonize, perpetuating endlessly. Exalted Vajra¡¯s expression grew somewhat solemn as he said, ¡°In our Buddhist teachings, it is recorded that the earth veins contain vibrant and explosive spiritual energy. However, they also harbor filth, bloodiness, and calamities. This bloodiness and filth will contaminate the world, turning it into wasteland and bringing about great catastrophes. The mysterious disappearance of the Great Qin Dynasty was due to such calamities.¡± ¡°Thus, every dynasty must guard against this surge of bloodiness and filth, lest a great disaster befall them. Yet, no one knows exactly what this disaster is, as those who knew have all perished in the calamity.¡± With Exalted Vajra¡¯s words concluding, the reception hall turned utterly silent. An Jing furrowed his brows, baffled by how mysterious and terrifying the seal was. What exactly is this catastrophe? No wonder the Human Emperor asked for Buddhism to cross eastward, and why the Zhenyi Sect made no response. Suppressing the earth veins¡¯ hub to prevent disasters was indeed of utmost importance, especially since if Yan Country fell apart, the Zhenyi Sect would cease to exist. After a while, An Jing finally spoke up, ¡°So it¡¯s said, the Great Zhou Dynasty also perished because of that seal¡­¡± Exalted Vajra shook his head, ¡°The fall of the Great Qin Dynasty remains a deep mystery, and the decline of the Great Zhou Dynasty was also very rapid. The specifics seem much more complicated. Our Buddhist records are extremely limited; it¡¯s not only related to the seal but also involves human actions.¡± ¡°Too much time has passed, and many things have been concealed, making verification extremely difficult.¡± An Jing was struck by a sudden realization, filled with doubt. Human actions!? Who could have caused the downfall of the once mighty Great Zhou Dynasty? That was the most powerful dynasty at the time; even Zhao Country could not compare to the Great Zhou Dynasty then. Exalted Vajra sighed, ¡°There¡¯s much that even our Buddhist sect has lost, and we know very little. It¡¯s like the split of the Mystical Sect back then. In the unknown, there might have been instigations, but there¡¯s no record of the specifics.¡± An Jing offered a bow to the two Vajras, ¡°Thank you very much, Masters.¡± Then An Jing and the two Vajras from Buddhism chatted idly for a bit longer before they stood up to leave. Watching their departing figures, An Jing began to ponder deeply, ¡°If it¡¯s due to human actions, does Tian Yin know something or is there any relation to the Black Ice Platform?¡± When the sky falls, no one can remain uninvolved; some things cannot be escaped. ¡­¡­ Yu State City, Fa Xi Temple, Grand Hall. In the Grand Hall, the Buddha¡¯s statue looked solemn and majestic, with the air of grandeur. Incense smoke curled up gently. A woman dressed in light pink palace attire, fairly beautiful, came before the cushion and devoutly bowed to the Buddha statue above, then placed the incense she held into the censer. ¡°Miss Ye, are you here to offer incense again today?¡± Just then, a monk with a fierce-looking face and a bulky speech ¡®accidentally¡¯ passed by and said. Seeing the person, Miss Ye smiled, ¡°Master Jie Lu, what a coincidence meeting you again.¡± Despite Master Jie Lu¡¯s fierce appearance, he was a kind person. Jie Lu placed his palms together in front of his chest and mimicked his fellow monks by solemnly saying, ¡°Perhaps, this is the fate that Buddha speaks of.¡± Listening to this, Miss Ye gazed at the Buddha statue above and dreamily said, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s thanks to Buddha that I found my destined path.¡± Jie Lu¡¯s heart suddenly began to beat rapidly, ¡°Five hundred glances in a past life to exchange for a brief encounter in this one, it¡¯s rare to meet in this lifetime. Perhaps, he had already been looking forward to this since his past life.¡± Miss Ye earnestly said, ¡°I will definitely cherish this hard-won affection.¡± Jie Lu, nearly fainting with excitement, quickly said, ¡°Miss Ye, you must take it seriously, do not waste this good relationship.¡± ¡°Master Jie Lu, your Buddhist teachings are profound, enlightening us with every word.¡± Miss Ye sighed softly, ¡°It¡¯s a pity that I have to marry Young Master Fan from Lijiang City next month, so I¡¯ll have fewer opportunities to listen to your Buddhist teachings, which is a significant regret.¡± What!? Hearing this, Jie Lu felt as if struck by lightning. ¡°Isn¡¯t your fated one me!?¡± Miss Ye¡¯s face slightly reddened, ¡°Master Jie Lu, you might have heard about the Ghost Swordsman recently? It is said that he drifts about in white robes, a true Sword Immortal of our times. That young Master Fan is also a somewhat famous swordsman, truly a good match,¡± At that moment, Jie Lu¡¯s mind went blank, unable to clearly hear what Miss Ye was saying. ¡°Zhenzhen, let¡¯s go.¡± Just then, a young man in white stood at the entrance of the Grand Hall and softly called out. ¡°Young Master Fan has arrived, Master Jie Lu, may we meet again if it¡¯s fated.¡± Upon seeing this, Miss Ye bowed towards the stunned Jie Lu and hurriedly ran towards the young man in white. ¡°Zhenzhen, are you hungry? Let¡¯s go grab something to eat first.¡± ¡°Brother Fan, you are so kind.¡± ¡°Who was that person?¡± ¡°Just a monk from Fa Xi Temple, not very familiar,¡± The young man and woman cozily leaned against each other, holding hands as they sweetly walked out of the Grand Hall. Jie Lu watched their departing figures, unable to snap back to reality for a long time; he wandered towards his quarters, seemingly soulless. The setting sun cast a somewhat desolate and lonely shadow behind him. ¡°Creak¨C!¡± Upon pushing open the door, he saw his senior brother Jie Se lying on the bed, sound asleep, clearly exhausted from negotiating some billion-worth deals last night. ¡°Senior brother.¡± Jie Lu sighed and walked over to Jie Se. ¡°What is it?¡± Hearing the noise, Jie Se groggily opened his eyes. Jie Lu seriously said, ¡°Senior brother, I have a very serious question to ask you.¡± Jie Se yawned, ¡°What¡¯s the question?¡± ¡°It¡¯s about if you found out, the woman you like¡­¡± Jie Lu¡¯s expression darkened and he said, ¡°Fell in love with another man, what would you do?¡± Saying that, Jie Lu looked to his senior brother, hoping he could provide some guidance. Jie Se glanced at Jie Lu and said, ¡°I would do exactly what you are doing, asking around.¡± Jie Lu: ¡°¡­.¡± Jie Se patted Jie Lu¡¯s shoulder and sat up, saying, ¡°About this love, senior brother has some feelings. Clench your fist, and your hand is empty; unfold your palm, and you hold the whole world.¡± Those were words once said by An Jing but now became his words. Jie Lu perplexedly asked, ¡°But senior brother, didn¡¯t you say that five hundred glances in past lives merely exchange for a brush past in this life?¡± Jie Se shook his head, ¡°Five hundred glances can only lead to a single brush past; yet, you hoped to spark flames? That¡¯s impossible.¡± Jie Lu was speechless, his mouth opening and closing, unable to utter a word. Jie Se continued lying on the bed, saying, ¡°Recently, senior brother feels very empty and extremely exhausted, I¡¯ll go to sleep first, tomorrow I still have to visit the dog left by my brother.¡± Jie Lu, recalling something, rubbed his bald head and said, ¡°Senior brother, have you heard? That Ghost Swordsman who fought against our exalted Buddhist ancestor is called An Jing.¡± Jie Se opened his eyes and said, ¡°It¡¯s just someone with the same name as my brother, don¡¯t worry. Once I¡¯ve perfected my divine skills, I¡¯ll help Buddhism reclaim its honor.¡± The rumors of the conflict between Buddhism and the Demon Sect in Yujing City had been boiling. Upon first hearing this, Han Wenxin¡¯s heart raced, but he soon abandoned the unrealistic thoughts. His good friend An Jing, a divine doctor who saves the dying and helps the injured, how could he be involved with the Demon Sect? Jie Lu also sighed. Indeed, the doctor named An Jing who lived in Yu State City had already died, and besides, his senior brother Jie Se could not possibly know such a great Sword Immortal!? He knew his own worth, and as his junior brother, how could he not know? It couldn¡¯t possibly be related. ¡­¡­ Outside the monk¡¯s quarters, two dark figures darted through the shadows. Both individuals had extremely high cultivation levels; their tiptoes touched the roof tiles without making a sound. Soon, they landed on the roof of the quarters and exchanged glances, both revealing a gleam of cold light. ¡°Amitabha Buddha!¡± Just then, a young voice sounded behind them. Both were startled and hurriedly turned around, only to see a monk about eight or nine years old, who had appeared behind them at some unknown time, now watching them calmly with hands clasped together. One of the figures in black furrowed his brow and demanded, ¡°Fa Xi Temple¡¯s abbot, Fa Wu?¡± Fa Wu replied, ¡°Indeed, it is I. May I know who you are? Why sneak into the quarters of Fa Xi Temple? This is a sacred place of Buddhism and off-limits to outsiders.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s kill this young monk first.¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± The figure on the left did not hesitate and darted toward Fa Wu, his hand transforming into a claw aimed at Fa Wu¡¯s throat. ¡°Thud!¡± Just as the claw was about to make contact, it was suddenly blocked by a burst of golden light, sending the black-clothed man flying backward. ¡°You!?¡± The other black-clothed man saw this and was immediately shocked and frightened, not anticipating that Fa Wu¡¯s strength would be so formidable. ¡°Why such anger, coming here to fight and kill?¡± Fa Wu extended his palm and struck forward. ¡°Boom!¡± The palm struck out, dispersing everything before him like it was shifting mountains and overturning seas. The two men in black quickly circulated their inner strength to protect themselves, but their robust inner strength crumbled like tofu in an instant under that palm strike. ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°Ah!¡± They fell heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood. This single palm strike left both of them not lightly injured, and it appeared that Fa Wu hadn¡¯t even used his full strength yet. Fa Wu descended, looked at them, and smiled, ¡°Why don¡¯t you accompany me to the Precepts Courtyard?¡± One of the black-clothed men thought of something and looked at Fa Wu in astonishment, ¡°Are you the reincarnated child of Buddha?¡± Fa Wu shook his head, ¡°There is no reincarnation in this world, nor is there such a thing as a child of Buddha.¡± Feeling a chill in their hearts, they quickly leapt away, aiming to leave this place quickly and relay the news to their superiors. ¡°Once here, you should not leave.¡± Fa Wu watched their retreating figures, his body surging with golden light. ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± The two men felt a powerful force strike their backs, shattering their internal organs and sending them plummeting to the ground like broken kites, where they lost consciousness. Normally, such a shock of golden light would either kill or cause blood to flow from all seven orifices for a skilled fighter, but these two only lost consciousness, indicating that their physical resilience far exceeded that of ordinary experts. ¡°Great Snow Mountain, eh?¡± Fa Wu walked over to them and scrutinized them closely. ¡­¡­. Dongluo Pass, Dongluo Tower. Zhao Qingmei wore a light purple robe as usual, sitting in front of the desk, browsing through the secret correspondence and documents sent from all over the world. Soft sunlight poured in, filling the room with a warm orange glow. Tan Yun stood by, drowsy and totally unspirited. ¡°Tan Yun.¡± Zhao Qingmei put down her pen and called out softly. ¡°Sect Leader!¡± Tan Yun suddenly snapped back to attention. Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°Where¡¯s the fruit delicacy you were supposed to prepare?¡± Today, she had specifically instructed Tan Yun to prepare some fruit delicacies, but the table was as empty as usual. Tan Yun stammered, ¡°I¡­ I forgot, I¡¯ll go right now.¡± ¡°Wait.¡± Zhao Qingmei stopped Tan Yun, who was about to leave, and said, ¡°Lately, you seem to be completely out of spirits. Do you find it boring to be by my side?¡± ¡°How could that be?¡± Tan Yun pursed her lips and quickly explained, ¡°I just¡­ just¡­¡± She tried to find a reason, but couldn¡¯t come up with a good one at the moment. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s voice grew somewhat cold, ¡°The sect does not maintain idlers, as you should know. If you can¡¯t even manage such a simple task, what use are you to us?¡± Tan Yun bowed her head, ¡°This subordinate knows her mistake.¡± Zhao Qingmei picked up a pen and continued, ¡°When you work, you must be focused and responsible. No matter where you are in the future, it¡¯s the same, there¡¯s no free lunch in this world.¡± There¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch¡­. Tan Yun¡¯s complexion turned pale in an instant; could the Sect Hierarch mean¡­. Just then, Duanmu Xinghua rushed in, a trace of joy in her eyes, ¡°Hierarch, great news, great news, the National Teaching Order is in hand.¡± Zhao Qingmei was also shaken by the news, ¡°Oh!?¡± When she had learned that the Exalted Vajra had been sent to Yan Country, her heart was also filled with worry, as the Exalted Vajra was known as the foremost Vajra in the Buddhist sect. Duanmu Xinghua took out a white sheet of paper and handed it forward, joyfully saying, ¡°According to the intelligence, An Tributor confronted the Exalted Vajra at Heavenly Martial Sect and ultimately reached the Sixth Realm, defeating the foremost Vajra of the Buddhist sect and seizing this National Teaching Order.¡± Defeating the foremost Vajra of the Buddhist sect was something she could hardly even imagine, yet An Jing had accomplished it. Her heart then filled with some relief; had this mission to Yan Country been granted to someone else, they might not have secured the National Teaching Order. Zhao Qingmei took it and started to carefully examine it. ¡°Son-in-law defeated the Exalted Vajra?¡± Meanwhile, Tan Yun¡¯s lips parted slightly, her mind going blank. Son-in-law defeating the foremost Vajra, the Exalted Vajra, how could this be possible, it felt somewhat surreal, like a dream. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, ¡°With this, we seize the initiative.¡± Duanmu Xinghua thought of something and looked towards Tan Yun, ¡°Tan Yun, there¡¯s another confidential letter on my desk, can you fetch it for me?¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Hearing Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s words, Tan Yun walked out blankly, still pondering over her words. Zhao Qingmei looked towards Duanmu Xinghua, a trace of doubt in her eyes. Duanmu Xinghua was known for her steady, meticulous work¨Cthis was obviously a pretext to send Tan Yun away. Duanmu Xinghua took a deep breath and said, ¡°The intelligence from An Tributor also stated that the Lv Sect wishes to have Tan Yun return. Essentially, they¡¯re asking us to release her.¡± Zhao Qingmei pondered for a long while, ¡°The Lv Sect, huh?¡± Duanmu Xinghua sighed, ¡°No matter how you look at it, Tan Yun is Lv Guoyong¡¯s granddaughter. It¡¯s natural that they¡¯d want her under their own watch.¡± Now that the cover has been lifted, Tan Yun¡¯s true identity is known to the world; there¡¯s no need for secrecy anymore. Zhao Qingmei nodded, ¡°Then let her go back. In this way, Lv Guoyong can be seen as having extended this courtesy, which may help our sect¡¯s propagation in Yan Country down the line.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Duanmu Xinghua felt somewhat reluctant; seeing that girl in the future might become difficult. But establishing a connection between the Demon Sect and the Lv Sect would be immensely beneficial for the future development of the Demon Sect in Yan Country. ¡°Tra-tra-tra-tra¡­¡± Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the door. The newcomer was none other than Shui Zhongyue, the Guardian of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect. ¡°Hierarch, there¡¯s big trouble.¡± Shui Zhongyue¡¯s complexion was somewhat pale. Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°What happened?¡± Shui Zhongyue took a deep breath and hurriedly said, ¡°The Soul Seeker Mansion has received intelligence, and they suddenly started a thorough investigation, arresting our sect¡¯s experts from the Demon Sect. Now, the line in Houjin has suffered tremendous losses, with casualties around seventy percent.¡± Zhao Qingmei and Duanmu Xinghua frowned upon hearing this. A seventy percent loss of the experts, which meant that the arrangements made in Houjin over the years were destroyed all at once, a blow that had not occurred since they were expelled from Yan Country over twenty years ago. Duanmu Xinghua said solemnly, ¡°Sect Hierarch, I feel there is something fishy about this.¡± The spies of the sect weren¡¯t highly skilled in cultivation, but were adept at concealment and disguise, usually hiding unnoticed all over the world. But this time, it seemed like someone pre-emptively knows the information of our sect¡¯s spies, and directly eliminated seventy percent of them, dealing a devastating blow to the line in Houjin. ¡°I know.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded and said to Shui Zhongyue, ¡°For now, do not contact any of the Demon Sect¡¯s experts in Houjin, let them hide on their own to avoid exposure.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Shui Zhongyue clasped his hands, turned, and left. Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s brow was knotted in worry. Meanwhile, Zhao Qingmei watched Shui Zhongyue¡¯s departing figure, her beautiful eyes narrowed into slits, with a hint of cold light emerging from them. ¡­¡­ In Lengping City, Yan Country, a remote small town. The lake gleams under the autumn moon harmoniously, and the calm lake surface, unmarred by wind, reflects the sky, clouds, green mountains, and trees in a picturesque scene akin to a painting. Near the lake sat an old man wearing a conical hat, holding a fishing rod in his hand. If one were to only look at the old man, he seemed plain and ordinary with nothing novel. However, the two women behind him were striking, capturing one¡¯s gaze so firmly it could not be shifted away. On the left was a woman in white, with delicate features and a gentle, soft demeanor, radiating a saintly purity, like a fairy from the mortal realm. The woman in black on the right had a similar appearance to the one in white, but her aura was vastly different. She carried a hint of enchanting charm, especially her enchanting eyes and red lips seemed to suck away the souls of men. These two women were none other than Su Lian and Su Yue. Su Yue pouted and said to Jin Deng, ¡°Old man Jin, the Ghost Swordsman is not dead; he is quite at ease now.¡± As they initially agreed to help the Ghost Swordsman, conditions were involved; now they had assisted him, but he had yet to fulfill his promises. Su Lian looked towards the distant north and said, ¡°It really is surprising; his strength must have increased significantly.¡± Jin Deng chuckled softly and said, ¡°I was curious before. How could someone capable of subduing the Evil Suppressing Sword die so easily?¡± When he first heard of the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s death, he was also surprised, but given that Su Lian and Su Yue wouldn¡¯t lie, along with the widespread news, he had no choice but to believe. Now it appeared everyone had been deceived by the Ghost Swordsman and the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. After pondering for a moment, Su Lian said, ¡°Old man Jin, what should we do now, should we sisters go ask him again?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to,¡± Su Yue snorted pridefully. ¡°That boy doesn¡¯t know how to cherish beauty at all.¡± ¡°Sister was so kind to him, and he completely ignored me. I don¡¯t know how he manages it,¡± she continued arrogantly. Su Lian raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°You were kind to him? You even poisoned him. If It hadn¡¯t been for my timely arrival, the big plan would have been ruined.¡± Su Yue¡¯s eyes glimmered coquettishly as she retorted, ¡°But in the end, wasn¡¯t he perfectly fine? I even risked my life to accompany him into the Demon Sect. Doesn¡¯t he remember this favor?¡± Su Lian looked at Su Yue and felt rather headache. ¡°No need,¡± Jin Deng waved his hand and said, ¡°We¡¯ve already invited him once. He knows that¡¯s enough, and he will come to Lengping.¡± With a spark of realization, Su Lian asked, ¡°Because of the Evil Suppressing Sword?¡± Jin Deng smiled and replied, ¡°The Evil Suppressing Sword, comprising six blades, one of which is around this area of Lengping City. If he wants to gather all the blades of the Evil Suppressing Sword, he will certainly come here.¡± Su Yue asked, puzzled, ¡°Old man Jin, why must you see An Jing? Could it be that he has a connection with our Tian Yin?¡± Just then, the float on his fishing rod bobbed. Jin Deng skillfully lifted the rod and said, ¡°There is a connection, and a significant one at that. The Evil Suppressing Sword was created by the Great Zhou royal family to suppress and seal. Although the sword has never recognized a master for countless years, the fact that it might now recognize a master indicates he not only has destiny on his side, but also carries royal blood.¡± Su Yue continued, ¡°It¡¯s no longer surprising that members of the Great Zhou Royal Family are scattered all across the land.¡± After the fall of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the royal family members faced massive purges and were forced to live in exile, concealing their identities. However, many were not killed and their lineages continued. An Jing was not the only one. Jin Deng, looking at the big fish on the hook, his smile deepened, ¡°Yet the Evil Suppressing Sword is of critical importance; he is the only one who has been recognized as the master of the Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± Su Lian suddenly realized and said, ¡°Old Jin, are you suggesting that there is more to this Evil Suppressing Sword than meets the eye?¡± Old Jin did not answer Su Lian¡¯s question but instead spoke deeply, ¡°Moreover, the purpose of Tian Yin is also to protect the Great Zhou Royal Family. Since the Ghost Swordsman has the blood of the Great Zhou Dynasty, we naturally have to exert all our efforts to protect him.¡± Su Yue huffed softly, her red lips slightly parting, ¡°What¡¯s the use of protecting him? He does not even care for his sister, and are there not people in the royal family who are closer to his heart than him?¡± Su Lian rubbed her temples and said, ¡°You really are becoming more and more fond of spouting nonsense; you¡¯re bound to create trouble one of these days.¡± Su Yue retorted, ¡°Sister, it is you who has a penchant for speaking nonsense, not me.¡± As if anticipating something, Old Jin said indifferently, ¡°If you two have nothing better to do, go and cultivate. That Ghost Swordsman, in his early twenties, has already reached the Second Qi Grandmaster Realm, reflecting his diligence and effort. Now look at you two¡­¡± Hearing this, neither dared to speak and exchanged knowing looks as they withdrew. Jin Deng watched them leave and couldn¡¯t help shaking his head. ¡­¡­ In Yujing City, at a hostel, within the courtyard. An Jing leaned back in his chair, looking at the book in front of him. Qian Cishan was on the side eating the cakes that had just been delivered today, his face showing complete satisfaction, and he mumbled to himself, ¡°Hearing from the maid that the Princess made these herself, who would have thought a princess could possess such culinary skill? Truly surprising.¡± An Jing said calmly, ¡°If it tastes good, eat more.¡± Envy filled Qian Cishan¡¯s heart; he knew that his chance to eat these cakes was purely due to An Jing¡¯s influence. Yu Qiurong then came out and said, ¡°Gentleman-in-law, it¡¯s almost time.¡± It had been ten days, and today was the day the Human Emperor had summoned him. ¡°Let¡¯s go and meet this Human Emperor,¡± said An Jing. An Jing took a deep breath, stood up, and walked towards the hostel exit. The hostel was located in the outer city. To enter the inner city, one had to go through a bustling, lively market. About half an hour later, An Jing arrived at the front of the Zhengyang Gate of the Imperial Palace. The first thing that caught his eye were the two large red doors, topped with a sign framed in gold, bearing the prominent golden characters ¡°Zhengyang Gate.¡± At that moment, Xu Qianyue, the Human Emperor¡¯s Imperial Sword-Bearing Guard, was waiting for him at the gate. An Jing said, ¡°You wait here.¡± Yu Qiurong thought for a moment, then said solemnly, ¡°Gentleman-in-law, be careful, and stay safe.¡± Although meeting this Human Emperor posed no danger, this was an unpredictable emperor of the human world, whose thoughts were hard for ordinary people to gauge. If the Human Emperor harbored a killing intent, even someone with An Jing¡¯s capabilities would find it difficult to walk out of the palace. An Jing walked forward a few steps, saluted with a fist, and said, ¡°Mr. Xu.¡± Xu Qianyue gestured with his hand and said, ¡°Please come in.¡± Entering the palace, one could feel the weight of years accumulated, as well as its majestic grandeur; the golden yellow glazed tiles were dazzling under the sunlight. The weighty eaves of the glazed tile roof, the vermilion doors, and the platforms all bound many emperors of past dynasties. They led to the downfall of dynasties, displacements of the people, and the world changing hands. The golden throne in the palace was now occupied by a reigning sovereign of the human world, the most powerful man in Great Yan. On their way, they encountered several palace maids and eunuchs who, upon seeing Xu Qianyue, bowed deeply from a distance and only dared to raise their heads long after he had passed. Their gazes towards the young man in white trailing behind Xu Qianyue were filled with amazement. Who was Xu Qianyue? He was the Human Emperor¡¯s Imperial Sword-Bearing Guard, the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard. Someone of such stature leading the way implied the young man¡¯s importance. Who could he be? Eventually, Xu Qianyue stopped in front of a large hall. The hall was surrounded by ancient trees that reached the sky, providing shade, with red walls and golden tiles that were strikingly splendid. The atmosphere around the hall was complex, and a single glance was enough to sense its immeasurable depth. Step by step, An Jing ascended each layer of the staircase, where six guards stood, each a member of the Imperial Guard with supreme cultivation. They had mastered the method to conceal their spiritual energy, so much so that even An Jing couldn¡¯t discern their true cultivation level. If he had channeled the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± perhaps he could have caught a glimpse of their abilities, but to act cautiously, An Jing did not attempt it. ¡°Please.¡± Xu Qianyue extended her hand. An Jing took a deep breath and walked up the stone steps towards the front. Soon, he arrived at the doorway of the Imperial Study Room, guarded by the eunuch Fan Daoji, who had white eyebrows. An Jing clasped his fists and saluted, ¡°Senior.¡± Fan Daoji smiled faintly and said, ¡°His Majesty is inside, please enter.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing proceeded forward. As soon as his footsteps crossed the threshold of the grand hall, a dense, mountainous pressure suddenly bore down on him. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± inside him spontaneously circulated, making the sensation somewhat more tolerable. This pressure was not specifically targeted at him; it was an innate presence that became heavier the stronger one¡¯s cultivation was. This Imperial Study Room was extraordinary indeed. An Jing continued forward and could see a curtain of pearls swaying ahead of him, through which a purplish-gold spiritual energy was visible, profound and unfathomable. He could feel that the Great Yan Emperor was within. ¡°Your Majesty, the tributor from Outer Heaven has arrived.¡± Xu Qianyue and the white-browed eunuch both stood to one side, their expressions calm and detached. ¡°Greetings, Your Majesty!¡± An Jing bowed forward. There was a silence in the grand hall, and it was uncertain how long it passed before a voice came from ahead, ¡°No need for formalities.¡± The voice, deep and resonant, echoed throughout the grand hall, as if reverberating next to An Jing¡¯s ears. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± An Jing stood up and looked toward the pearl curtain. From behind the curtain, the voice said, ¡°The mental method you cultivate possesses the strangeness and dominance of Outer Heaven, the fierceness and grandeur of the Buddhist methods, and the profundity and spontaneity of the Mystical Sect, encompassing everything naturally and harmoniously.¡± ¡°Taking the strengths of many, and forming your unique doctrine, it seems your martial arts attainment has already surpassed Xiao Qianqiu.¡± At these words, the expressions of both Xu Qianyue and the white-browed eunuch remained unchanged, but inside, they were incredibly astonished. They had not expected such high praise for An Jing from the Emperor, even placing him above Xiao Qianqiu. Xiao Qianqiu was a talent of mythical proportions, a future contender for the Grandmaster Realm. Could it be that this youth in front of them had even greater prospects of reaching the Grandmaster Realm than Xiao Qianqiu? An Jing too was surprised, and said, ¡°It¡¯s just a bit of superficial knowledge that I¡¯ve managed to integrate; it¡¯s flattering to hear His Majesty make such a joke.¡± Jun Qinglin hadn¡¯t been able to unravel the secrets of his cultivation, but this Great Yan Emperor had seen through his martial arts foundation at a glance. Could the Emperor¡¯s cultivation surpass that of Jun Qinglin? The voice spoke again, ¡°If merely scratching the surface can allow one to take the strengths of many and reach the Second Qi Grandmaster, then surely all the grandmasters in the world must be fools and incompetents.¡± ¡°You have your destiny, and I have no interest in it. I believe you know why I summoned you today. Let¡¯s be frank.¡± An Jing did not feign ignorance and straightforwardly said, ¡°If I am not mistaken, Your Majesty is concerned about the National Teaching Order.¡± ¡°You¡¯re quite astute,¡± the Emperor remarked. ¡°Leave the National Teaching Order here, and I will allow Outer Heaven the same support as the Six Sects to spread teachings across Yan Country, excluding Capital Road and the other eight paths,¡± he stated, his tone as deep as before but now unquestionably firm. An Jing pondered and said, ¡°I have one more request.¡± There was a brief silence from behind the curtain before the response came, ¡°I don¡¯t like others setting conditions.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As soon as these words were spoken, a silent oppression descended on An Jing. Although the struggle between Buddhism and Demon Sect appeared as a loss for Buddhism on the surface, those who knew the full story were aware that it was also a blow to the Emperor¡¯s prestige. Previously, the Demon Sect was a forbidden religion in Yan Country; now, being allowed to proselytize within the country was already a tremendous favor. ¡­.. PS: I was taken to do an audit today, and I resumed writing as soon as it ended, though it is still a bit late. It¡¯s the last day for double Monthly Tickets, so don¡¯t forget to vote, Little Fat Rabbit thanks you. Chapter 244 - Chapter 244: Chapter 244: Undercurrents in Yujing City Chapter 244: Chapter 244: Undercurrents in Yujing City An Jing smiled and said, ¡°If Dongluo Pass were strong, it could better resist Houjin, and then Your Majesty could rest easy, couldn¡¯t he?¡± The powerful voice behind the bead curtain spoke up again, ¡°What you say indeed makes sense, but that is not the true reason you bring up conditions. Do not forget, Outer Heaven organized a rebel army to commit treason twenty years ago. Now that I choose to form an alliance without holding past grievances, is that not enough?¡± An Jing frowned upon hearing this. It seemed the Human Emperor had a deep prejudice against Li Fuzhou, even though Li Fuzhou had killed the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, Tang Taiyuan. In light of the alliance between the Demon Sect and Yan Country, that should have been a minor issue, yet he was stubbornly refusing to let go. Or perhaps this was just the Human Emperor deliberately making things difficult for him, using it as a bargaining chip in the negotiations with the Demon Sect. After pondering for a moment, An Jing asked straightforwardly, ¡°Then what would it take for Your Majesty to grant a pardon to Sect Master Li?¡± The Human Emperor said, ¡°What if I refuse?¡± ¡°It would be mutually beneficial to agree, but mutually harmful to disagree.¡± ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± ¡°Of course not, I simply hope Your Majesty can set aside some personal grievances for the sake of the bigger picture.¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Laughter echoed from behind the bead curtain. An Jing, however, remained as calm as still water inside. He acted this way precisely because he had not sensed any murderous intent from the Human Emperor, or rather, the Earth Book had not indicated any dark fortunes. wuxiaworld.site That meant the Human Emperor bore no malice toward him, nor did he have any motive to kill him, especially since an alliance between Yan Country and the Demon Sect to oppose Houjin was of utmost importance. ¡°Considering the bigger picture, you are right.¡± The Human Emperor¡¯s smile gradually faded, and he said indifferently, ¡°The bargaining chip in your hands is only a National Teaching Order, not enough to release a Second Qi Grandmaster, especially one who has reached Heavenly Human Communication.¡± Although the Demon Sect currently holds the National Teaching Order and can spread its doctrine in Yan Country, can it truly receive support like the Zhenyi Sect? All of this depends on the attitude of the Human Emperor. Thus, the National Teaching Order in the hands of the Demon Sect can only be used for spreading the doctrine. Desiring support from Yan Country¡¯s resources is basically impossible, and using this Order to spread the doctrine might even be secretly suppressed by the court. Thinking, An Jing said, ¡°Before coming here, I also brought a gift for Your Majesty.¡± The Human Emperor unmercifully said, ¡°Are you talking about Taiyin Kui¡¯s disciple? His life isn¡¯t as valuable as Li Fuzhou¡¯s.¡± Sang Tianyou is also a Second Qi Grandmaster, but his status was boosted with the aid of elixirs from Black Ice Platform, making the value of the two clear at a glance. After contemplating for a moment, An Jing asked, ¡°What exactly does Your Majesty desire?¡± The Human Emperor chuckled lightly, ¡°How about the Demon Sect establish its main temple in Yujing City? I could allocate a sufficiently large area for you, how does that sound?¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, ¡°Your Majesty must be joking.¡± A bed¡¯s immediate side cannot accommodate another¡¯s snoring, much like how even the entrance of the National Religion of the Zhenyi Sect is located thousands of miles away on Zhenyi Mountain. If Outer Heaven were to set up its main temple in Yujing City, it would likely soon become an object in the Human Emperor¡¯s palm. ¡°An emperor doesn¡¯t jest lightly.¡± The Human Emperor said meaningfully, ¡°If Outer Heaven is willing to relocate its main temple to Yujing City, I would truly consider supporting Outer Heaven as the National Religion.¡± Without thinking, An Jing refused, ¡°Perhaps the followers are already accustomed to the harsh and cold borders; relocating here might be somewhat uncomfortable for many.¡± The hall suddenly fell into a somber silence. Observing the young man below, the Human Emperor finally said after a long pause, ¡°Then let¡¯s change the condition.¡± An Jing didn¡¯t immediately agree but instead said, ¡°Please speak, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Become my Prince Consort,¡± the resonant voice behind the bead curtain sounded again, ¡°I have thirteen princesses, you can choose any one of them, among whom ten are exceptional in beauty. If you wish, from today onward, the entire Yan Country will be at your back.¡± Bai Mei, the eunuch, twitched his eyelid, noticing that the Human Emperor really valued this young man, more so than he had even Xiao Qianqiu previously. After all, regardless of what was said, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s surname was Xiao, and An Jing¡¯s surname was An, none bore the Zhao surname. To become the Prince Consort of the Great Yan Emperor and to have the support of Yan Country¡¯s national power was a resource many dreamed of. The Human Emperor did not wait for An Jing to respond and continued, ¡°After all, it¡¯s no small matter; I can give you time to think about it.¡± An Jing laughed, ¡°I entirely agree, but my lady wife probably would not consent.¡± The Human Emperor lifted his eyes to look at the young man in front of him, ¡°Have you really thought it through? You might regret what you are refusing hereafter.¡± An Jing bowed and said, ¡°Thank you for your deep affection, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Everyone has their own aspirations, especially in matters of the heart. I wouldn¡¯t want to force you if you¡¯re unwilling,¡± The Human Emperor looked deeply at An Jing, ¡°Since you are so committed to Outer Heaven and Li Fuzhou, as long as you agree to one thing for me, pardoning Li Fuzhou is not impossible.¡± As expected, the Human Emperor was using this as a bargaining chip, constantly testing his limits. An Jing felt a bit weary, ¡°Please speak, Your Majesty.¡± ¡­¡­ The sunlight shone on the exquisite corner tower, casting fragments of golden light within the high walls, making the Imperial Palace appear mysterious and quiet. Mu Xiaowan, accompanied by Eunuch Guang De, headed towards the Imperial Study Room. Just then, a familiar figure appeared in front of them. It was none other than the Imperial Guard with a sword, Xu Qianyue. Xu Qianyue bowed to Mu Xiaowan, ¡°This humble official greets the Imperial Concubine.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formality, Master Xu.¡± Mu Xiaowan gave a light laugh, then glanced at the young man in white beside her, her heart stirring slightly, her eyes filled with curiosity, ¡°Who might this be?¡± Looking at the direction, this young man apparently had come out from the Imperial Study Room. Ever since the Human Emperor retreated into seclusion, he had sealed off the Imperial Study Room, and even she had only been there once. An Jing laughed lightly, ¡°It has only been a few months since we parted at Pingyang Marquis Mansion, has Your Highness really forgotten me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s you!?¡± Mu Xiaowan¡¯s expression changed slightly, a chill rising in her heart. The Ghost Swordsman! The very swordsman who had once forged a deep friendship with Jiang Sanjia. Although she had known long ago that the Ghost Swordsman was very young, she had not expected him to be this young. An Jing surveyed Mu Xiaowan, speaking complexly, ¡°Your Highness is radiant, truly enviable.¡± Mu Xiaowan¡¯s eyes shimmered, ¡°I have been well; it¡¯s quite disappointing for you, isn¡¯t it?¡± An Jing glanced at the sky, ¡°In this world, feelings are voluntary, and what¡¯s done is past regret. As an outsider, I only feel it¡¯s unworthy for Brother Sanjia.¡± Mu Xiaowan, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, coldly said, ¡°Even if you want to kill me, so what? Even if you can defeat the Buddhist Vajra with a single strike, so what? But you cannot.¡± An Jing shook his head with a smile, then strode off into the distance, ¡°From now on, words fall on Jin Cheng, no man and no umbrella walk in the rain; perhaps that¡¯s what you desire.¡± From then on, words fell upon the golden city, and nobody with no umbrellas walked in the rain¡­ Upon hearing this, when Mu Xiaowan looked again at the departing figure of An Jing, her heart felt a sudden discomfort, as if his indifferent and carefree expression was mocking her. Many things she thought she could forget by not thinking about them, as time passed, she later realized there were many things that couldn¡¯t be forgotten, surging forth like a spring. Such was the case, it seemed more painful than if she had been killed. She would rather see that Ghost Swordsman hysterical, with eyes full of rage, than witness that pitiful look. After a few moments, Mu Xiaowan managed to stabilize her emotions, and her chest stopped heaving violently. Seeing this, the steward Guang De secretly shook his head. Mu Xiaowan stepped forward, and soon she arrived at the entrance steps of the Imperial Study Room. Her lotus steps followed one after another up the steps. ¡°Your Highness, please wait!¡± At this moment, a guard reached out his hand to stop Mu Xiaowan. Mu Xiaowan took a deep breath and said, ¡°This palace seeks an audience with His Majesty.¡± The guard indifferently said, ¡°His Majesty is tired and asks Your Highness to return to Kunning Palace.¡± Mu Xiaowan¡¯s lips parted slightly, her face becoming somewhat pale, and she suddenly had a bad premonition. The guard said, ¡°Your Highness, please go back.¡± ¡°Then I will not disturb His Majesty.¡± Mu Xiaowan looked back at steward Guang De, ¡°This Imperial Buddha Jumps Wall has been simmering for a long time, let¡¯s leave it here for His Majesty¡­¡± The guard paused for a moment, seemingly receiving a transmission, then took the Buddha Jumps Wall from the hands of Guang De. Mu Xiaowan slightly bowed to the Imperial Study Room, performed a courtesy, and turned to walk towards Kunning Palace. The last time she requested an audience, she at least was able to enter the Imperial Study Room, but this time the Emperor directly refused to see her, the subtleties of which clearly showed his attitude towards her. It was as different as heaven and earth. In this Imperial Palace, the power of women is just what the Emperor grants, and once taken back, what are they really worth? An Jing walked out of the Imperial Palace and saw Yu Qiurong standing under the budding branches of the willow tree. ¡°Son-in-law.¡± Yu Qiurong quickly walked over, her heart slightly relieved, ¡°How did the discussions go?¡± Since An Jing had entered the Imperial Palace, her heart had been hanging by a thread, but now seeing him safe and sound, she finally relaxed. ¡°In three days, we will go to the Heavenly Prison to retrieve Sect Master Xiao.¡± An Jing, looking at the dazzling sun, lightly laughed, ¡°Moreover, from today onward, Yan Country can spread the teachings everywhere except for the Capital Road.¡± ¡°That¡¯s truly wonderful.¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s eyes sparkled when she heard this, unsure how to look at the man before her, as she felt an ease in her heart. It seemed that any difficulty in front of him could easily be resolved. This mission to Yan Country could be called a perfect success, not only did it bring the Demon Sect back into the open in Yan Country but also got the Emperor to release Li Fuzhou. Yu Qiurong looked at An Jing, a smile curling at her lips, ¡°Son-in-law, let¡¯s go back and have a drink to celebrate.¡± ¡­¡­ Inside the Imperial Study Room. The Emperor looked ahead and said softly, ¡°He is indeed very young, but his actions are steady and meticulous.¡± Bai Mei, the eunuch, nodded and said, ¡°A Second Qi Grandmaster of such an age is extremely rare in the historical records, but whether he can stand at the pinnacle in the future remains to be seen.¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s prestige and power are due to the full support of the Zhenyi Sect, and he has always been cultivating in seclusion at Zhenyi Mountain, sparing him from many ill-intents. Now the Demon Sect is declining, there¡¯s not only the pressure from Houjin but also internal conflicts within the sect itself, making the environment quite unlike Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s. ¡°Pity that he cannot be taken for our use.¡± The Emperor said lightly, ¡°And this sword is a double-edged one; improper handling at the end may cause harm to oneself.¡± Bai Mei frowned slightly, then nodded. Currently, the Buddhist sect appears stronger than the Demon Sect, yet the latter is harder for the Buddhist sect to control and poses a bigger threat. The Emperor said, ¡°Summon Liu Huiyun into the court for a minor position. Besides that, ask the Minister of Rites to treat An Jing well and incidentally build momentum for him.¡± ¡°Your servant understands.¡± Bai Mei bent over in response. ¡°And there¡¯s more¡­¡± The Emperor glanced at the Buddha Jumps Wall on the table and said, ¡°Yu Ying is becoming more and more presumptuous; now that the Buddhist sect has returned, it¡¯s time to let him know who really owns this world.¡± Bai Mei nodded, lightly laughing, ¡°Yu Ying stands too tall, forgetting who enabled him to stand that high.¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s rise was orchestrated by Yu Ying, along with speakings of the ¡®Two Saints of Great Yan¡¯ behind the scenes. A saint in Jianghu, a saint in the imperial court. This undoubtedly was a test for the Emperor; formerly, the Zhenyi Sect had dominated Jianghu alone, but now with the Buddhist and Demon Sects returning, it was no longer just about the Zhenyi Sect. It was necessary to make it known that this kingdom belonged to Yan Country¡¯s Royal Family, not to his Zhenyi Sect. Yan Country belongs to the royal family; imitating the Black Ice Platform was basically impossible. ¡­.. Outside the city, at Ningxiang Pavilion. Zhao Xuening was sitting at a table by the window, looking at the stream of people on the streets, lost in thought. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a beautiful maid hurriedly approached. ¡°How did it go?¡± Zhao Xuening saw the beautiful maid and quickly asked, ¡°What did he say, did he agree?¡± The beautiful maid hesitated, ¡°Your Highness, I didn¡¯t see An Tributor, only a few people from the Demon Sect¡­¡± ¡°What about them? Continue.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s voice suddenly deepened. The maid trembled and hurriedly said, ¡°This servant saw a few people from the Demon Sect eating the pastries made by Your Highness.¡± At last, the maid lowered her head. She was very aware that those pastries were carefully prepared by Zhao Xuening every day, with much effort put into them. Zhao Xuening was slightly taken aback, then clenched her fists tightly, saying angrily, ¡°How dare they? How dare they?¡± The old maid beside her seemed to have something to say, but ultimately, she hesitated to speak. Zhao Xuening looked toward the old maid and said, ¡°Maid, if you have something to say, just say it.¡± The old maid sighed and said, ¡°Princess, that An Jing is the husband of the Demon Sect¡¯s Sect Hierarch¡­¡± It had to be said that the Demon Sect¡¯s Tributor was indeed excellent. In his early twenties, he was already one of the top Great Sword Immortals in the world, and now some even called him ¡®The World¡¯s First Swordsman,¡¯ and his appearance was also exceptional. Ordinary young people paled in comparison when standing next to him. It was only natural for Princess An Le to like such a heroic figure, but unfortunately, this An Jing was already married, and his wife was none other than the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. Competing with the Sect Hierarch for a man was indeed a challenge. ¡°I know.¡± Zhao Xuening slightly furrowed her nose, unconvinced, ¡°So what if she is the Demon Sect¡¯s Sect Hierarch? I am still the Princess of Yan Country. Life is not long, only over thirty thousand days in a lifetime. It¡¯s rare to meet someone I like.¡± When one finally meets someone they like, why not contend for a chance? There are some things one must try, or else there will always be some regrets in their heart. The old maid sighed softly, ¡°What the Princess said is not wrong, but this old servant sees that An Jing does not show any initiative, I fear he may disappoint your kind intentions.¡± Whether a man likes a woman or not is something that can be discerned. ¡°He just doesn¡¯t understand me.¡± Zhao Xuening confidently said, ¡°I believe that if I persist, eventually the iron stick will be ground to a needle.¡± The beautiful maid heard this, deep in thought, and hastily nodded. Zhao Xuening narrowed her eyes and asked, ¡°Lu¡¯e, what does your nod mean?¡± ¡­ On the Northern Wilderness Road, You Mountain. The waterfall in the distance, surrounded by mountains, with swirling martial clouds, was both shadowy and visible. Below the waterfall, an adult man in a green shirt inhaled deeply amidst the magnificent scene, his eyes filled with intoxication, ¡°Half the mountain in rain, half in clear skies, how much is hazy, how much is distinct, where does the cloud-covered fog eventually go, bit by bit it enters the heart.¡± This person was none other than Pavilion Master Qi Yuan of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, with the Pavilion¡¯s Tributor, You Shanshui, beside him. You Shanshui asked, ¡°Pavilion Master, where should we go now?¡± Ever since the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion became a taboo of Yan Country, they had gone underground, and they had become homeless ghosts, often wandering without a fixed abode. ¡°The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion was initially established not only to earn silver coins but also to recruit Jianghu experts to serve us. Now that we¡¯ve gone underground, its role has diminished significantly.¡± After pondering for a moment, Qi Yuan said, ¡°Let¡¯s go to Yujing City, the Second Prince needs me more by his side.¡± As the earliest strategist of the Second Prince, he was well aware of his lord¡¯s character; ambitious and capable, decisive and ruthless, but also far-sighted. Yet, he also had some shortcomings, liking the thrill of riches against dangers, risking small to win big. It is a strength during desperate times, but sometimes, it becomes a lethal drawback. As a leader, how can one frequently gamble with their life? Especially as the situation becomes more and more intricate and unpredictable, a slight mistake might result in total loss. Is the Human Emperor seriously injured? If so, the battle for supremacy might soon be on the agenda, but if not, what plans does the Human Emperor have? With the Demon Sect, the Buddhist, and many other forces in Yujing City, the attitude of Zhao Mengtai toward these forces is also worth deliberating. Just as You Shanshui was about to speak, he suddenly felt a chill in his heart and shouted, ¡°Who is it?¡± Its sound resembled a great bell, resonating clearly even amid the thunderous roar of a waterfall. ¡°Worthy of being called the ¡®Swallow Shuttle,¡¯ one could hear my breathing even under such rumbling of the waterfall.¡± A laugh sounded, and a middle-aged man dressed in black and white clothes emerged. You Shanshui coldly said, ¡°Who are you? What sneaky business brings you here?¡± The corners of the middle-aged man¡¯s mouth twitched as he said, ¡°My surname is Zeng, and I have specifically come here today to send you on your way.¡± Qi Yuan¡¯s brows furrowed tightly, a chill running through his heart. His movements were mysterious; even the Heaven and Earth Net hadn¡¯t been able to locate him. How had this man found him¨Ccould it be through the Demon Sect? ¡°Pavilion master, you go first. This person is a master.¡± You Shanshui transmitted his voice while coldly declaring, ¡°We shall see your skills then.¡± After speaking, You Shanshui¡¯s inner strength surged, and he conjured a tremendous suction in his hands. The waterfall seemed to be drawn towards him, forming a water sphere with a diameter of about fifteen feet. ¡°Take this!¡± You Shanshui bellowed, and the huge water sphere charged toward the man in front. ¡°Child¡¯s play. Why bother showing off familiar tricks?¡± The middle-aged man sneered and pointed forward. ¡°Bang!¡± True qi burst forth from his fingertips, transforming into a rainbow of light that directly struck the water sphere, instantly causing it to burst and turn into a scattered rain. ¡°A grandmaster!?¡± You Shanshui was astonished, not expecting this sudden opponent to possess master cultivation. At that instant, another rainbow of true qi surged forward. ¡°Bang!¡± This beam of true qi directly struck You Shanshui¡¯s body. How could he, a mere First Grade, withstand it? He instantly vaporized into a cloud of blood mist mixed with water droplets that sprinkled onto the ground. Qi Yuan glanced at the crimson on the ground, his grief fleeting, for there was no time to mourn You Shanshui. ¡°You are Qi Bangyan from the seventeenth year of Li Ping, aren¡¯t you?¡± The middle-aged man looked at Qi Yuan and smiled, ¡°The imperial examination of Li Ping¡¯s seventeenth year indeed produced many talents; first, Li Fuzhou who killed Tang Taiyuan, then Li Qirong who set up the ambush that slaughtered two hundred thousand troops.¡± Qi Yuan sighed, ¡°Compared to them, I am insignificant.¡± The middle-aged man shook his head, ¡°In just over a decade, to have developed the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion to such an extent, you are truly gifted. It¡¯s a shame you followed the wrong master.¡± ¡°I can offer you a chance to live, would you consider it, Qi Bangyan?¡± Qi Yuan glanced around calmly, ¡°This place with its clear mountains and waters is indeed a good place to lay one¡¯s bones.¡± A sigh emerged in his heart, pitying that his great endeavor was unfulfilled. The middle-aged man was silent for a while, then said regretfully, ¡°It¡¯s time to say goodbye to this beautiful world.¡± About three breaths later, the middle-aged man¡¯s figure flashed in front of Qi Yuan. ¡°Swoosh!¡± A flash of cold light struck down, and a headless corpse fell into the lake and drifted away with the current. Subsequently, the man, carrying Qi Yuan¡¯s head, strode towards the distance. ¡­¡­. Two days later, at Yuhua Separate Courtyard, the moon was bright, and the stars were sparse, the night as dark as ink. Zhao Chongyin stood on the Observatory, gazing at the vast expanse of stars above. ¡°It seems, Your Highness, that you are in quite a good mood today.¡± At that moment, an old man with a head full of white hair carrying a wine jug approached. Zhao Chongyin turned and smiled, ¡°Old Su, what makes you say that?¡± Old Su indifferently said, ¡°In three years, you¡¯ve come to this Observatory only twice, once when the Human Emperor was in seclusion and once today.¡± Zhao Chongyin narrowed his eyes and said nothing, disliking the feeling of being understood. Old Su waved his hand, ¡°Rest assured, I have no interest in probing your inner thoughts, just here for a drink and some autumn wind.¡± Zhao Chongyin laughed and said, ¡°Indeed, I am very pleased today, as the Demon Sect has renounced the National Teaching Order. This National Teaching Order has been obtained by the Buddhist, meaning Great Yan will soon have two major national religions.¡± Having two national religions might seem absurd, but for the Crown Prince and the Human Emperor, it was a good thing. Emperors most favor the path of balance; with Buddhism becoming a national religion, the scenario of Zhenyi Sect¡¯s dominance would disintegrate, which overall strengthened the martial power in the Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu. For the Crown Prince, it was even better news. The Zhenyi Sect was inherently hostile towards him, and a rift between the national religion and the Crown Prince was indeed a serious matter. It was precisely this, coupled with Zhenyi Sect¡¯s secret coordination with Zhao Mengtai, that made Zhao Mengtai¡¯s influence increasingly arrogant. Old Su took a big sip of wine and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll toast to Your Highness in advance.¡± ¡°A toast to what?¡± Zhao Chongyin shook his head, ¡°My father¡¯s health is uncertain, what is there for me to celebrate?¡± Since the political upheaval at the Heavenly Book Pavilion forty years ago, the current Taiping Human Emperor had been in power for forty-one years. How many forty-one years are there in a human life? This Martial Arts Emperor was a martial arts prodigy and, combined with great determination and the resources of the Yan royal family, now stood at the pinnacle of martial arts. He was just one step away from joining the ranks of the demi-immortals. To become a demi-immortal would mean adding three hundred years to his lifespan. Does this not mean his father could rule for at least another three hundred years? Three hundred years, what a terrifying number it was. By then, he would have become a handful of yellow earth, while his father would still be ruling over this world, overlooking humanity. As a Crown Prince, how complex must his feelings be? Old Su, hugging the wine jug, clucked his tongue, ¡°Your father truly is a prodigy among men, also one of great determination. Unlike me, if not for the shade cast by my forebears, I might now be an inconspicuous wine seller on the streets.¡± Zhao Chongyin pondered for a while, unable to refrain from voicing a secret that had been hidden in his heart, ¡°Old Su, what do you think are the chances of my father ascending to demi-immortality?¡± Was his father truly on the verge of breaking through the shackles and suffering a heavy blow, or had he already attained the realm of a demi-immortal? ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but the chances are probably not great.¡± Old Su shook his head, ¡°Reaching the realm of demi-immortal is extremely difficult, but there are always some extraordinary talents who defy common understanding, like Xiao Qianqiu and the Sect Hierarch An Jing, among others. As for your father, his rare appearances have left few aware of his true strength.¡± Zhao Chongyin, upon hearing this, was just about to continue his inquiry when he saw a figure approaching from the darkness of the night. Bai Jing stepped forward, her expression somewhat grave, ¡°Your Highness, there is important intelligence to report.¡± Zhao Chongyin said indifferently, ¡°Speak.¡± Bai Jing said, ¡°Qi Yuan is dead.¡± Zhao Chongyin, upon hearing this, was somewhat surprised, ¡°Dead!? How was he captured?¡± As the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Qi Yuan was well-known to him ¡ª having been the second-highest scholar from the 17th year of Li Ping¡¯s reign, and unlike the Li twins, this man was not only intelligent but also extremely cautious and careful. Moreover, there must have been experts from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion by his side; the Xuanyi Guard would have needed to dispatch at least a dozen members of the Great Heavenly Gang, otherwise, there was hardly any chance to take him down. The great forces of the Xuanyi Guard had all gathered in Yujing City; there simply wasn¡¯t time to capture Qi Yuan. Bai Jing said gravely, ¡°The day before yesterday in the afternoon, his head was placed at the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s base in You City.¡± ¡°You mean someone deliberately did it?¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s tone became slightly elevated as his mind raced. Bai Jing said, ¡°Exactly, I don¡¯t know who did us a big favor.¡± The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion was Zhao Mengtai¡¯s eyes in Jianghu; now that the Pavilion Master was eliminated, it undoubtedly severed one of Zhao Mengtai¡¯s arms. ¡°No.¡± Zhao Chongyin said, ¡°A cornered dog will leap over a wall, and a cornered rabbit will bite; this is not necessarily a good thing.¡± In an instant, Zhao Chongyin felt there was something more to this matter. Who would ¡®kindly¡¯ help him remove the head of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion? In this world, how could there possibly be such kind-hearted people? Now, Zhao Chongyin was somewhat anxious, considering the Human Emperor above him; but switching perspectives, Zhao Mengtai was undeniably even more anxious, as he had two additional people above him. The prestige of the Crown Prince, as the heir, would only grow with time. If the Human Emperor truly became ill, then Zhao Chongyin would naturally be the next in line; and if Zhao Chongyin were to ascend the throne, what would be his first action? Of course, it would be to eliminate rivals and clear obstacles. And what these rivals and obstacles were, both Zhao Chongyin and Zhao Mengtai knew well. Now that Zhao Mengtai had lost an arm, would his already impatient heart grow even more restless? He would certainly suspect that Zhao Chongyin was moving against him, beginning to eliminate his followers, and given Zhao Mengtai¡¯s temperament, what else might he do? Suddenly, Zhao Chongyin had a clear train of thought. ¡°Someone wants to stir up this water.¡± Zhao Chongyin took a deep breath, ¡°It seems like they are helping me, but in reality, they are forcing Zhao Mengtai. From today onwards, keep a close watch on Zhao Mengtai, you must.¡± Right now, Yan Country cannot afford chaos; once chaos ensues, it would give Zhao Country and Houjin an opportunity, and in a collapsed nest, there are no intact eggs; all claims to the throne would become void, and they would become prisoners of another country. That¡¯s the reason why Zhao Chongyin has been enduring Zhao Mengtai¡¯s actions. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°I understand; there¡¯s another matter to report to the Crown Prince.¡± Bai Jing nodded solemnly, then pulled out a sheet of white paper from his sleeve and said, ¡°This contains the information that the Crown Prince asked me to gather on Zhao Qingmei, not only about her being taken as an apprentice by the Demon Sect but also about her previous life in Yu State City.¡± Zhao Chongyin took the white paper and read it carefully; then his expression subtly changed, ¡°Who found this out?¡± Bai Jing thought for a moment and said, ¡°Two spies from ¡®Heaven and Earth Net¡¯ with the rank of ¡®Second Qi¡¯.¡± ¡°Go now and silence the two of them,¡± Zhao Chongyin said, his tone suddenly turning ice-cold, before clenching his palm, turning the white paper into powder in an instant. Chapter 245 - Chapter 245: Chapter 245: A Sudden Murderous Intent in the Teahouse Chapter 245: Chapter 245: A Sudden Murderous Intent in the Teahouse White Pavilion Manor. The elegant pavilions and towers of the estate, the quiet and beautiful pools and water corridors, all spoke of indescribable extravagance and elegance. At this moment, around the pavilion stood dozens of beautiful maids, each holding a lantern in their palms, illuminating the entire surrounding area brightly. In the pavilion, Zhao Mengtai, dressed in a black long robe, sat on a stone chair with a four- or five-year-old child in his arms. The child was plump and fair-skinned, especially his cheeks which, due to a bit of chubbiness, made his eyes appear as small as beans, yet they twinkled with light. This was none other than Zhao Mengtai¡¯s youngest son, Zhao Yunfan. Zhao Mengtai feigned seriousness, ¡°Little Fan, have you recently annoyed Master Yue?¡± Zhao Yunfan blinked his large eyes, ¡°No, Master Yue even praised me as clever and quick-witted, saying I will surely achieve greatness.¡± The woman in palace attire by the side heard this and said with irritation, ¡°Master Yue was so annoyed by you, those were words spoken in anger.¡± Zhao Yunfan immediately protested, ¡°Mother, you¡¯re talking nonsense, Master Yue said that of all his students, he likes me the most.¡± The woman in palace attire tapped Zhao Yunfan¡¯s head and thought to herself: Your father is Zhao Mengtai, how could he not like you? Zhao Mengtai raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°Then let father test how well you¡¯ve memorized the poetry.¡± Zhao Yunfan, unafraid, responded, ¡°Alright, alright, just go ahead and test me.¡± wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site The woman in palace attire showed a look of concern, ¡°Your Highness¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Zhao Mengtai waved his hand and looked at Zhao Yunfan, ¡°Then let¡¯s start with the simplest one, I¡¯ll say the first line, and you say the next line, ¡®In front of West Side Mountain, white egrets fly.''¡± ¡°I know this one.¡± Zhao Yunfan chuckled and immediately said aloud, ¡°On the edge of East River Village, a turtle climbs.¡± Zhao Mengtai¡¯s eyebrows twisted upon hearing this. The woman in palace attire also turned pale. The several maids around bit their lips hard, struggling to hold back their laughter. ¡®In front of West Side Mountain, white egrets fly, on the edge of East River Village, a turtle climbs¡­¡¯ it did have a certain flow to it. Zhao Yunfan, seeing his mother winking and gesturing at him, seemed to realize that he might have said something wrong, and felt disheartened. Zhao Mengtai took a deep breath and continued, ¡°¡®Startled he sits up in his sickness bed.¡¯ Zhao Yunfan scratched his head in thought, then timidly said, ¡°¡®Smiling, he asks the guest from where he comes?''¡± The entire pavilion instantly fell silent, as if something eerie was afoot. ¡°Good, very good.¡± Zhao Mengtai, now furious yet smiling, said, ¡°It seems you have indeed ¡®been diligent¡¯ in your studies.¡± Zhao Yunfan breathed a sigh of relief and said with grievance, ¡°I have been reading under the lamplight nightly, to the point my head often feels swollen, glad I haven¡¯t disappointed father¡¯s earnest hopes.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll wake you up properly now.¡± Zhao Mengtai grabbed Zhao Yunfan and lifted his clothes, then started to smack his bottom vigorously. ¡°Smack!¡± ¡°Smack!¡± ¡°Father, you need to¡­ wuwu¡± ¡­ The clear sound of slaps mixed with the wails of the naughty child echoed throughout the pavilion. The woman in palace attire wanted to intercede, but dared not speak up, and could only turn her head away helplessly. After what seemed like dozens of moments, Zhao Mengtai felt he had finally relieved his anger and then said, ¡°Go back and study.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go, hurry back with your mother and study.¡± Zhao Yunfan, tears in the corners of his eyes, followed behind his mother as they walked into the distance. Zhao Mengtai watched the receding figures of the mother and son, ¡°Truly a case of ¡®spare the rod, spoil the child.''¡± At today¡¯s imperial court meeting, Imperial Censor Zhang Wen accused Fang Shaohan of selling official positions and abusing his authority. He then produced an abundance of evidence, which created a tide of shock in the hall of government. Based on the evidence presented, Fang Shaohan, the Minister of Revenue, is now to be tried by the Joint Tribunal of the Three Departments. It should be noted that Fang Shaohan is the Minister of Revenue, and the questioning of a minister in the government implies a seismic event. What does this mean exactly? Furthermore, among the evidence was the charge that Fang Shaohan colluded with the Ma Family of the Beihuang Dao to sell iron mines to Houjin, an accusation that left everyone dumbfounded and massively shocked. If the evidence is verified, it would mean more than just losing one¡¯s head¨Cit would not be an exaggeration for his entire family to be executed. Everyone felt a shiver in their hearts, a feeling like being chilled to the bone. They knew Fang Shaohan was finished. The ministers who were close to him were all silent as cicadas in winter, their legs trembling as they walked. When the water is too clear, there are no fish; when the scrutiny is too thorough, there are no followers. In the entire hall of government, not a single person dared to guarantee their own innocence, especially certain eunuchs. Zhao Mengtai, however, was on alert and began to ponder in secret. Others may not know who was behind Fang Shaohan, but he was very clear about it. Behind Fang Shaohan were indeed the Zhenyi Sect and the Five Poison Sect. Now that Fang Shaohan was thoroughly investigated, the implication was clear¨Chis father, the Emperor, was planning to take action against the Zhenyi Sect, or at the very least, serve as a warning to them. But for Zhao Mengtai, this was undoubtedly good news. With the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s influence removed from the court, and the return of the Buddhist and Demon Sects to the martial world, the immense pressure would make them value the cooperation with him even more. Zhao Mengtai felt that his own situation was not too bad after all; at the very least, he still had a chance to play the game. The night was like a thick fog that couldn¡¯t disperse, and in the silence, a figure appeared behind Zhao Mengtai. That person said indifferently, ¡°Second Prince, I have some bad news for you.¡± Zhao Mengtai frowned and asked, ¡°Bad news?¡± The person replied, ¡°Qi Yuan is dead.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Hearing this, Zhao Mengtai felt his heart tremble. Who was Qi Yuan? Qi Yuan was his trusted aide of over a decade, not just a subordinate, but someone like a confidant and good friend. In the past, the two had discussed domination and the future together. They often ate at the same table and shared the same covers, their camaraderie even closer than with his own royal siblings. Qi Yuan once joked whether the Second Prince would become a cold and heartless emperor if he ascended the throne. Zhao Mengtai replied in jest that he would award Qi Yuan ten tokens of immunity from death¨Cthis was, in truth, his sincere intention; whether it would change in the future, he didn¡¯t know, but at that moment, he was sincere. In the cold and calculating imperial family, such camaraderie is rarely seen, but Zhao Mengtai valued friendships highly, including those with Zhao Xuening, Qi Yuan, and his own wives and children. It took about dozens of breaths for Zhao Mengtai to regain his composure. He asked, ¡°How did he die?¡± The voice was slightly cold, ¡°It¡¯s not clear who killed him, but his head was brought in by the Xuanyi Guard.¡± ¡°Zhao Chongyin?¡± Zhao Mengtai narrowed his eyes, his mind racing with thoughts. Zhao Chongyin was stable, calm, calculating, and good at biding his time. If he were to act against him, it would certainly be with the force of a thunderclap, not giving him any chance to catch his breath. Yet there were no rumors at all from the court, revealing a trace of strangeness. ¡°Isn¡¯t it normal for him to act against you?¡± The person sneered, ¡°After all, to him, you are an unstable element.¡± Zhao Mengtai felt an even deeper chill in his heart. Qi Yuan¡¯s death was undoubtedly a stark wake-up call for him. Zhao Chongyin would sooner or later act against him, openly or covertly. If he continued to wait, he would only be at the mercy of others. The person continued, ¡°The Buddhist sect has now obtained the National Teaching Order, and the Crown Prince¡¯s power is established. Moreover, according to previous information, the Buddhist sect and the Demon Sect seem to have formed an alliance in secret. With the Buddhist sect supporting the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, the Demon Sect would naturally side with them. I fear that the Second Prince is in an extremely passive position¡­¡± Zhao Mengtai had planned from the beginning to win over and befriend the Demon Sect, but judging from An Jing¡¯s attitude, he knew that this person was not as easy to sway as Jiang Renyi. Especially since the Demon Sect had ¡®returned¡¯ the National Teaching Order to the Buddhist sect, which clearly showed their stance. Zhao Mengtai clenched his fists slightly, then relaxed them, and said in a low voice, ¡°A lifetime is too long, only the immediate matters. In great endeavors, you either succeed grandly or fail miserably; there is never a middle path.¡± The person nodded slightly, ¡°If you could secure the support of the Zhenyi Sect, what would it matter even if the Demon and Buddhist sects both stand against you?¡± ¡°The Human Emperor is presently in the most favorable condition. Think carefully about it,¡± After speaking, that person once again vanished into the night, as if they had never appeared. Zhao Mengtai pondered for a long time, then uttered curtly, ¡°Someone come.¡± As his voice fell, a silhouette slowly emerged before him ¨C it was Mo Yan. Zhao Mengtai instructed, ¡°Go and tell Hao Lao that the plan remains unchanged.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Mo Yan gave a deep bow, then walked away along the cobblestone path towards the courtyard exit. Zhao Mengtai murmured softly, ¡°What significance does a person hold in the face of fate? One can only follow the tide and act in accordance with heaven and the people.¡± ¡­¡­. The next day. Heavenly Prison, Ninth Layer. The dark and damp Heavenly Prison was eerily silent, like stagnant water without a ripple or wave. As usual, Li Fuzhou got up and washed up, just like every other day. Opposite him, Zhu Qiu was still lying on the bed. Seeing Li Fuzhou rise as usual, he couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°Scholar, why are you up so early today? Couldn¡¯t be that you¡¯re up early to read?¡± Li Fuzhou smiled, ¡°No, I¡¯ll have a good chat with you in a bit.¡± Zhu Qiu raised an eyebrow, ¡°Have a chat with me?¡± Having interacted for several months, he could sense that the Li Fuzhou in front of him was not one to talk much, and except when he was coaxed into conversation, he hardly ever engaged in extended exchanges. Today, however, he was willing to have a chat with him? Li Fuzhou said pensively, ¡°Because I might be leaving this place very soon.¡± According to timing, the struggle between the Buddhist and Outer Heaven should have concluded, but no one had come to ¡®persuade him to surrender¡¯. As for the reasons, Li Fuzhou could guess upon reflection. There was only one possibility: something had gone wrong with the persuasion. ¡°Leave?¡± Zhu Qiu burst out laughing upon hearing this, ¡°Have you turned simple-minded from all that reading, thinking you could leave?¡± What place was Heavenly Prison, where most who entered were confined for life, yet this scholar was thinking of getting out. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken.¡± Li Fuzhou smiled without saying a word. Zhu Qiu shook his head, ¡°You might as well stay here honestly, and keep me company each day by singing the Ballad of the Iron Window to pass the time.¡± The Ballad of the Iron Window was a song Zhu Qiu adapted from the folk tunes of the Southern Barbarians, which he hummed whenever he felt depressed. His favorite activity was tirelessly teaching others to sing this song. ¡°Li Fuzhou.¡± At that moment, a man dressed in black walked out slowly and said flatly, ¡°Heavenly Prison has been established for three hundred and twenty years, and you are the seventh person to be released. Now, you can go.¡± The whole Heavenly Prison went quiet, with Zhu Qiu widening his eyes in shock. Crash! The few remaining cells all turned to look, their eyes filled with a tinge of envy. ¡°Click!¡± The cell door was then opened. Li Fuzhou stepped out slowly, looking back at Zhu Qiu in the cell, ¡°I may not be able to sing the Ballad of the Iron Window with you anymore, Old Zhu.¡± With that, he walked out of the Heavenly Prison while Zhu Qiu looked on in stunned silence. ¡°Someone on the outside pulled strings for him?¡± Following the same route on his return, he passed through the Eighth Layer, the Seventh Layer¡­ until he reached the deserted First Layer. As the imprisoning gate opened, Li Fuzhou stepped out. The long-missed sunlight shone down, making his eyes slightly sting. Just a few short months felt to him like many years had passed, almost like waking from a dream. ¡°Fuzhou.¡± Just then, a sudden voice called out. Looking towards the sound, Li Fuzhou saw Liu Huiyun standing under a tree. Behind her were An Jing, Yu Qiurong, and other Demon Sect experts. Li Fuzhou nodded to Liu Huiyun, then bowed to An Jing, ¡°Congratulations, son-in-law. It seems you ultimately bested that Number One Vajra of the Buddhist sects.¡± Liu Huiyun laughed and said, ¡°Now, An Tributor is recognized as the world¡¯s first swordsman, with Lin Yiyang only ranking second.¡± Ever since An Jing defeated Exalted Vajra, tales of the event have bubbled and boiled over across the land, and this time, he has completely surpassed Lin Yiyang in fame, becoming the swordsman known as the world¡¯s number one. Not long ago, Lin Yiyang was still the one people referred to as the world¡¯s first swordsman; now, in such a short period, there has been a changing of the guard. Some even say that An Jing must now have surpassed the Sword Demon and Sword God, Lou Xiangzhen and others. There are those who claim his current accomplishments are already above these swordsmen. Overall, most people believe that An Jing has truly earned the title of the world¡¯s number one swordsman. Being the world¡¯s first swordsman in his early twenties is terrifying, astonishing, and it makes one wonder just how formidable he may become in the future. Li Fuzhou couldn¡¯t help but secretly think: Back then in Yu State City, I was deceived by this young doctor; I had such a terrifying swordsman by my side and didn¡¯t even know it. An Jing chuckled and said, ¡°This part of Heavenly Prison couldn¡¯t hold the Third Master.¡± What the Demon Sect now lacks the most are experts, especially ones like Li Fuzhou, capable and strong. For the Demon Sect, this is undoubtedly good news. Li Fuzhou also turned his head to look in the direction of the Imperial Palace, deep in thought. From a distance, two figures approached, namely Lv Fang and his son. ¡°It seems I¡¯ve not come too late.¡± Lv Fang looked at Li Fuzhou and said, ¡°Now you have not only escaped from Heavenly Prison but also rid yourself of the taboo shackles of Outer Heaven. From now on, you can travel unrestricted throughout Yan Country.¡± For many experts of the Demon Sect, the liberation from the word ¡®taboo¡¯ is indeed great news. Li Fuzhou took a deep breath and nodded, ¡°Truly a cause for great joy.¡± The Demon Sect has nonviolently and righteously infiltrated Yan Country, and its future development won¡¯t be hampered¨Cafter all, rootless water is bound to run dry one day. Lv Fang said, ¡°Father knew you were getting out today and has been waiting for quite some time.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded slightly and said to An Jing, ¡°I¡¯ll visit the teacher first, then meet up with you at the hostel.¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± An Jing knew that this teacher and student had a lot to talk about, concerning the past, the present, and especially the future. Li Fuzhou then turned to Liu Huiyun at his side and said, ¡°Huiyun, come with me.¡± Liu Huiyun, upon hearing this, didn¡¯t refuse and simply responded, ¡°Alright.¡± After that, Li Fuzhou and Liu Huiyun followed Lv Fang and the others towards the Lv Mansion. An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Let¡¯s also head back, pack up simply; we¡¯ll be returning in a few days too.¡± Yu Qiurong, upon hearing this, couldn¡¯t help but reveal a hint of a smile. Even though Yujing City was a place of beautiful flowers and pleasant warm weather, she still preferred the harsh cold and sandstorm-covered skies of Dongluo Pass. The group made their way to the hostel. The Heavenly Prison was in the outer city, as was the hostel, although one was in the west and the other in the east. They had to cross through the busiest crossroads in the city to return to the hostel. The streets were bustling with people coming and going, clamorous and lively, with vendors¡¯ cries echoing endlessly. Suddenly, An Jing¡¯s steps faltered slightly. Yu Qiurong asked, ¡°Son-in-law, what¡¯s the matter?¡± An Jing didn¡¯t speak but instead looked ahead at the woman dressed in white. That woman was none other than Bai Jing. With a smile, she said, ¡°The Crown Prince wishes to see you.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Where?¡± Bai Jing pointed towards a quiet teahouse and said, ¡°Just inside this teahouse.¡± ¡­.. In the Lv Mansion, the sitting room. Lv Guoyong was sitting in the seat of honor, dozing off. Only when he heard footsteps did he open his eyes and saw the familiar figure before him. Li Fuzhou respectfully performed a grand salute and said, ¡°Teacher.¡± Lv Guoyong looked at his disciple before him and said, ¡°You look the same as you did a few months ago; it seems the Human Emperor hasn¡¯t mistreated you.¡± Li Fuzhou said, ¡°The teacher has been worried for me. Had it not been for your intervention, I may have already died on the Eight Feet Platform.¡± ¡°No.¡± Lu Guoyong waved his hand and said, ¡°In fact, His Majesty had long plotted everything. Even if I hadn¡¯t shown up on the Eight Feet Platform, I think he wouldn¡¯t have killed you.¡± Li Fuzhou raised an eyebrow, ¡°Plotted everything?¡± Lu Guoyong spoke solemnly, ¡°The Buddhist eastward transmission was one of his moves, and uniting with Outer Heaven to confront Houjin was another. This chess move had been arranged long ago.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes showed confusion, but his heart sank. ¡°The simplest is the issue of Houjin¡¯s resources.¡± Lu Guoyong said, ¡°Houjin sits on the grasslands where resources are scarce; they need iron mines. However, completely cutting off such a resource is extremely difficult. Dongluo Pass, with its flourishing trade, also boasts plentiful resources. If they were to buy iron ore from Dongluo Pass, they would become dependent on it. Over time, this would only bring Houjin closer to Outer Heaven. Since such materials cannot be entirely cut off, it¡¯s better to let go; this instead gives Houjin the false impression that Yan Country is corrupt and weak in power.¡± ¡°Besides this, he has other arrangements. I believe you should be clearer about them than I am.¡± Li Fuzhou pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°The Golden Eagle Banner of Houjin that appeared near Dongluo Pass last year wasn¡¯t the actual Golden Eagle Banner?¡± Last year, Houjin troops were often spotted around Dongluo Pass, causing the people of the Demon Sect to be terribly alarmed¡­ Lu Guoyong said, ¡°Whether it was true or false is unclear. I¡¯ll remind you of something: the death of Chen Kang, the son of the Golden Eagle Banner¡¯s leader, was actually part of the plan (Chapter 133).¡± ¡°The original plan was going smoothly, but was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Jiang Shang, resulting in the change of the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, which led to some unexpected events. Fortunately, things later returned to normal.¡± Hearing Lu Guoyong¡¯s words, Li Fuzhou¡¯s frown deepened. When he thought carefully about the one who sat high in the Imperial Palace, it was indeed typical for him to plan before acting, and it was normal for him to have already taken precautions against Houjin. ¡°The teacher knows all this¡­¡± ¡°These are my speculations.¡± Lu Guoyong¡¯s eyes gleamed as he said, ¡°I only know bits and pieces about the Human Emperor¡¯s schemes, and as to whether he has broken through his shackles, I can¡¯t guess. It might be bait for fishing or perhaps he has truly been heavily injured. Whether true or false, it will shake the overall situation of the world.¡± ¡°Emperors are heartless, fond of balancing power and intrigue. Every emperor is no exception; in their eyes, lives are just numbers, like mountains, rivers, and lands are just a way for them to showcase their sovereignty.¡± Having said this, Lu Guoyong stood up and walked over to Li Fuzhou. ¡°Yujing City is a place of ever-changing winds and clouds. Those standing at the top can¡¯t avoid being affected, and neither can pawns in a game of chess. But even as a pawn, one must consider carefully whose pawn to be. With His Majesty in power, even for a moment, the world remains His Majesty¡¯s. Remember, do not get involved in that so-called struggle for succession, lest you bring great calamity upon yourself.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded slightly, then nodded seriously in agreement. Lu Guoyong was reminding him, cautioning the Demon Sect to be wary of the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s plots, for one wrong move could be disastrous. ¡­¡­ At the entrance of a private room in a restaurant. ¡°Hint: A black opportunity is near the host.¡± An Jing sensed the black radiance from the Earth Book and couldn¡¯t help but pause in his steps. ¡°An Tributor?¡± Bai Jing, seeing this, couldn¡¯t help but express her confusion. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± An Jing appeared calm and composed, ¡°Qiurong, you go back first.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Yu Qiurong, though somewhat puzzled, still followed An Jing¡¯s instructions. Watching Yu Qiurong leave, An Jing entered directly. The room was ornately decorated, bearing the charm of antiquity, and a faint tantalizing aroma of tea lingered in the air, refreshing the spirit. Zhao Chongyin was sitting at the head of the private room, pouring tea. Aside from him, there was only the white-haired elder who often followed behind him. An Jing saluted, ¡°I pay my respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince.¡± Zhao Chongyin smiled, ¡°An Tributor, please, no need for formalities. Have a seat.¡± An Jing brushed his sleeve robe and sat down, speaking calmly, ¡°Your Highness truly has elegant tastes.¡± Zhao Chongyin put down his teapot and turned to An Jing, ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t really like tea. I¡¯m here in this tea house today solely to wait for you.¡± An Jing glanced at the elder and said, ¡°For His Highness to wait specifically for me, I am truly flattered.¡± The black radiance was emanating from the elder, indicating that the man could potentially kill him, and might also have the intention to do so. It suggested that the elder had at least a Four Qi cultivation. Who could he be!? Today, the Crown Prince is likely up to no good, but now that the Demon Sect has already given the National Teaching Order to the Buddhist sect, why has the Crown Prince developed a murderous intent towards him? In an instant, An Jing¡¯s brain began to work at high speed, delving into deep thought. The elder, too, glanced at An Jing, his face devoid of any expression, like an ancient well. ¡°To meet the world¡¯s foremost swordsman, a little wait is only proper,¡± he said. Zhao Chongyin swept his sleeve, and the teacup went flying towards An Jing¡¯s desk, ¡°Please.¡± An Jing glanced at the teacup, ¡°Thank you, Your Highness.¡± Zhao Chongyin asked, ¡°Why don¡¯t you drink?¡± ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t like to drink tea. I come from the Jianghu and prefer to drink alcohol.¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°I think Your Highness didn¡¯t ask me here just to offer me tea, so whether I drink it or not isn¡¯t important.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s hand holding the teacup paused, ¡°Since An Tributor is a clever man, then I¡¯ll cut to the chase.¡± As Zhao Chongyin¡¯s words fell, the surroundings suddenly became quiet. Outside the window, the hustle and bustle of carriages and horses continued unabated, but it seemed as if there was a complete barrier between them and the private room. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s gaze settled on An Jing, ¡°Although Outer Heaven may not be the national religion for the moment, I can guarantee that it will be in the future. I can even assure you a status above Zhenyi and the Buddhist sect.¡± ¡°As long as Outer Heaven is willing to join forces and stand by my side.¡± Processing swiftly, An Jing said, ¡°Your Highness¡¯s words leave me somewhat confused. If Outer Heaven becomes part of Yan Country¡¯s religious factions, naturally it would share in Yan Country¡¯s fortunes and misfortunes.¡± A sharp glint appeared in Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes, ¡°There¡¯s no need to play dumb, my point is to stand by my side, not Yan Country¡¯s.¡± He was being forced to take sides! With a grave face, An Jing said, ¡°Your Highness speaks of matters of great importance. I am merely a tributor of the Demon Sect, and I fear it¡¯s difficult to decide on my own.¡± Zhao Chongyin frowned. What was An Jing¡¯s status? Although he was a tributor of the Demon Sect, his wife was the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. His strength and position were sufficient to influence the Demon Sect¡¯s stance. ¡°What exactly does Your Excellency desire? Power? Status? Benefits?¡± A subtle and silent killing intent began to spread, and An Jing seemed to sense something, but his face remained calm, ¡°Your Highness is overthinking it. I simply wish to live a simple life.¡± The elder had not moved from the beginning to the end, but he gave An Jing a feeling as heavy as a mountain. ¡°Hahaha.¡± Zhao Chongyin burst out laughing upon hearing this, ¡°A Great Sword Immortal who defeated the Exalted Vajra wishes only to live a simple life?¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°Beneath the overwhelming torrents of fate, a person is but a speck in the vast ocean, pushed along by the currents. Ahead there may be smooth roads or it could be an abyss.¡± Zhao Chongyin lifted the teacup and took a small sip, ¡°To follow the general trend is to certainly fall into the abyss. An Tributor should be cautious.¡± His words seemed like a reminder, and at the same time more like a warning, but upon closer listening, they felt like a threat. An Jing smiled, ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness.¡± That barely detectable killing intent was gradually dissipating, and An Jing knew that the Crown Prince had temporarily set aside his murderous intent. ¡°Your Excellency is a smart man.¡± ¡°Your Highness flatters me.¡± ¡°Since An Tributor does not like tea, I won¡¯t keep you any longer.¡± An Jing stood up and gave a bow to Zhao Chongyin, then slowly retreated out. Zhao Chongyin remained motionless throughout, simply sipping his tea, watching as An Jing walked out of the private room and down the stairs, leaving the tea house. Su Lao chuckled, ¡°Why did Your Highness not make a move?¡± Zhao Chongyin spoke in a low voice, ¡°To act rashly is to startle the snake; now is not the best time to strike.¡± Killing An Jing in Yujing City would create a huge uproar and expose his trump cards, leading to a loss greater than the gain. Su Lao said, ¡°Your Highness must have other plans.¡± Having accompanied the Crown Prince for several years, Su Lao understood the Prince¡¯s mindset. Not attacking An Jing today meant there was another method to doom him. Zhao Chongyin stood up, gazed at the window where the figure had long since disappeared, and said somberly, ¡°He is a swordsman, so let him die by the sword, and in doing so, we might also lure out that big fish.¡± Su Lao asked with some confusion, ¡°Oh?¡± Zhao Chongyin indifferently said, ¡°It¡¯s time for that old fellow to come out of hiding. Many people know he is not dead. There is no need to keep hiding him.¡± ¡°I am really curious about who the real ¡®World¡¯s First Swordsman¡¯ is.¡± Su Lao seemed thoughtful, as if he knew something. No wonder Zhao Chongyin and Lin Yiyang had such an unbreakable relationship; everything didn¡¯t seem as simple as it appeared on the surface. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s gaze suddenly turned icy cold, ¡°From my father the Emperor, I have learned that as an emperor, one must clear all obstacles ahead, including those that might become obstacles in the future.¡± ¡­.. An Jing left the tea house and headed toward the hostel. Two questions lingered in his mind: why had the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin suddenly become so intent on killing him, and who was the master behind him? Anyone who could pose a threat to him must be at least a Four Qi Grandmaster or above; they couldn¡¯t possibly be an unknown nobody. After returning to the hostel, An Jing began to deeply contemplate. Unconsciously, night fell, and the faint moonlight shone through the window lattice into the room. ¡°Young Master, Sect Master Li has returned.¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s voice came from outside the door. An Jing came back to his senses, ¡°Please come in.¡± ¡°Creak¨C!¡± The door slowly opened, and Yu Qiurong and Li Fuzhou walked in. Yu Qiurong took out the firestarter to light the candle and said, ¡°Young Master, don¡¯t you light a candle?¡± An Jing looked at Li Fuzhou, who was behind him, and smiled, ¡°Third Master, I just have some questions to ask you.¡± Li Fuzhou took his seat boldly, ¡°Young Master, you may ask anything, as long as it does not involve my personal secrets, I will be open and share all I know.¡± ¡°I am not interested in your secrets.¡± An Jing waved his hand and said seriously, ¡°Today I met Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, but there was a mysterious master behind him, seemingly having a cultivation of at least Four Qi Grandmaster. Do you know who it might be?¡± ¡°Four Qi Grandmaster and above?¡± Li Fuzhou frowned and pondered for a moment, ¡°In the world, there are very few Grandmasters of Four Qi. In the Buddhist sect, to this day, there are only Tianyi Bodhisattva and Xi Hafu. As for the Zhenyi Sect, aside from Xiao Qianqiu, it¡¯s unclear, but there¡¯s definitely more than one; as for other Grandmasters of Four Qi¡­¡± In the Jianghu and the world at large, Grandmasters are top experts in the Jianghu, while Four Qi Grandmasters rank among the pinnacle in the world. Today, in the Great Yan Martial World, with Xiao Qianqiu presiding over the Jianghu and Bai Mei the eunuch presiding over the Imperial Palace, the Sword Demon Hao Tian is also an expert from decades ago. Except for Xiao Qianqiu, not many are free and unfettered from worldly concerns. An Jing said, ¡°You have seen this person too, the old man who stood by Zhao Chongyin¡¯s side on the Eight Feet Platform.¡± ¡°Is it him?¡± Li Fuzhou appeared surprised, ¡°If the Young Master hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I really wouldn¡¯t have known that the man possessed such cultivation. With that level of cultivation, there absolutely can¡¯t be more than three in the royal family, aside from Bai Mei, and definitely not one who would be by the Crown Prince¡¯s side.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Why?¡± Having a Four Qi Grandmaster protector for Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin was normal due to his special status. Li Fuzhou took a deep breath, ¡°Actually, Zhao Chongyin is not the most beloved son of the Human Emperor. Compared to the current Second Prince Zhao Mengtai, the Human Emperor favors the latter more. Zhao Chongyin being the Crown Prince is mainly due to the previous Empress.¡± ¡°The previous Empress?¡± ¡°This woman has been with him since before Taiping, the Human Emperor, came to power. At that time, Taiping faced much suppression among many princes. Although he had enough to eat, he suffered much humiliation, and that Empress stood by him unwaveringly. It was said she came from the Jianghu, but due to the passage of time and the Human Emperor having executed everyone who knew the truth, it¡¯s impossible to verify the specifics. However, this Empress had suffered much hardship for the Human Emperor and bore him two sons in succession. Sadly, after only two years of the Human Emperor¡¯s accession, she died mysteriously. Their eldest son also died of illness a year later, at only seven years old.¡± ¡°The Human Emperor seemed deeply guilty, so he named the second son Zhao Chongyin as the Crown Prince.¡± An Jing, hearing these royal secrets for the first time, had not expected there to be such grievances and emotional entanglements behind Zhao Chongyin¡¯s ascent as Crown Prince. Mastering the information of the Human Sect, Li Fuzhou once dealt with intelligence on par with the Heaven and Earth Net in Yan Country. Although some claims were overstated, it was definitely top-notch among intelligence networks. An Jing asked, puzzled, ¡°Then why does the Human Emperor dislike Zhao Chongyin?¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it is certain that the Human Emperor does not like Zhao Chongyin much. Although he is the Crown Prince, he grew up alone in the East Palace, accompanied only by little eunuchs and palace maids, with the Human Emperor rarely visiting him.¡± ¡°It is also because of the Human Emperor¡¯s displeasure that there were rumors a few years ago about plans to depose the Crown Prince and establish a new one.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, his curiosity about the identity of that master growing stronger. Had the Crown Prince personally garnered the support of a Four Qi Grandmaster? Yu Qiurong, who was standing by, was also secretly amazed by these secrets, which very few people in the entire world knew about. Firstly, because they related to the Great Yan Royal Family, and secondly, because the events had taken place nearly forty years ago, those who were privy to them had likely all passed away by now. Li Fuzhou thought for a moment and said, ¡°Tomorrow, I will gather information on Grandmasters of Second Qi from the Jianghu of the past fifty years, dead or alive, and then we will scrutinize them one by one.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Thank you, Third Master, for the trouble.¡± ¡°No trouble at all.¡± Li Fuzhou stretched his limbs and said, ¡°That Heavenly Prison nearly bored me to death. When I used to go to the Baihua Building in the southern part of the city, the girls there would welcome me with open arms.¡± An Jing nodded slightly. Given Li Fuzhou¡¯s youthful appearance, only slightly less impressive than his own, it indeed wouldn¡¯t be strange for him to attract those frivolous creatures. ¡°Didn¡¯t Third Master once say that there are houses of gold in books, and women as fair as jade?¡± Li Fuzhou sighed deeply, ¡°But the books don¡¯t contain the simple and profound truths of life.¡± An Jing scoffed, ¡°If Liu Huiyun knew about this, she would definitely break your third leg.¡± Li Fuzhou said nonchalantly, ¡°Just listening to music and drinking wine, that¡¯s all. Mainly because I haven¡¯t seen Xianming in a long time.¡± Why would he go to the pleasure quarters to listen to music if he hadn¡¯t seen Zhou Xianming for a long time? ¡°In every cup of wine, there¡¯s three parts sorrow, and seven parts grief.¡± Li Fuzhou looked at An Jing with a smile, ¡°Son-in-law, are you coming for a drink tonight?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart stirred, but after glancing at Yu Qiurong beside him, he said righteously, ¡°I¡¯m not going.¡± Li Fuzhou casually replied, ¡°That¡¯s a pity then.¡± Yu Qiurong laughed softly, ¡°Son-in-law, you should rest early. I¡¯ll be going back now.¡± An Jing nodded imperceptibly, ¡°Hmm, go ahead.¡± Yu Qiurong turned and walked out, casually closing the door behind her. ¡°Then I shall take my leave as well, not to waste any of this perfect hour.¡± Looking at the sky, Li Fuzhou too prepared to leave. ¡°Third Master.¡± At this moment, An Jing called out to Li Fuzhou and lightly coughed, ¡°Yujing City is very dangerous, filled with many experts.¡± Li Fuzhou glanced at An Jing, ¡°With my Second Qi Master Cultivation, there are few in the world who can kill me easily, and that¡¯s exactly why Yujing City is even safer.¡± An Jing said gravely, ¡°Not long ago, the Sword Demon ambushed me. He has the Cultivation of a Four Qi Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Since he didn¡¯t succeed last time, he should be cautious now.¡± ¡°You have many enemies. Don¡¯t you know that yourself?¡± ¡°My enemies aren¡¯t as numerous as yours, son-in-law.¡± An Jing immediately adopted a look of exasperation, ¡°Have you forgotten who gave you silver in Yu State City, who risked their life to defeat the Exalted Vajra at the Heavenly Martial Sect, who went to see the Human Emperor, and who pulled you out of the Heavenly Prison?¡± Li Fuzhou let out a long sigh, ¡°Son-in-law, I beg you, please protect this ¡®frail¡¯ Second Qi Grandmaster.¡± An Jing could only helplessly shake his head, ¡°Ah, there¡¯s no helping it, I must go with you.¡± Li Fuzhou: ¡°¡­¡­.¡± An Jing blew out the candle, and then the two of them vanished unnoticed into the hostel. ¡°Creak¨C!¡± About half a pot of tea later, Yu Qiurong¡¯s room door opened. She walked to the door of An Jing¡¯s room, and carefully pressed her ear against it. It was so quiet that it felt eerie. ¡°Son-in-law?¡± Yu Qiurong asked tentatively in a soft voice. But there was no sound from inside. Yu Qiurong pushed the door open, looking into the room in the faint moonlight to find it empty. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only She quickly stepped over to the bed, touched the blanket, and found no warmth. It was cold through and through. ¡°Son-in-law¡­¡± Yu Qiurong spoke melancholically, ¡°Do you really think I am as easily deceived as Tan Yun?¡± ¡­¡­.. PS: I¡¯m asking for Monthly Tickets! Chapter 247 - Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Summoning Heroes to Conquer Ghost Sword Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Summoning Heroes to Conquer Ghost Sword The Exalted Vajra brought his hands together in prayer before his chest. In the very next moment, a whirling golden radiance erupted from behind him, shooting out like thousands of arrows and seemingly illuminating the very night itself. Soon after, a golden Dharma Image appeared behind him. This golden Dharma Image¡¯s body was straight and towering like mountains and rivers, but no emotion could be discerned from it. At the same time, the surging Sword Light came striking down, heavily chopping onto the golden Buddha. ¡°Clang!¡± The ground shook and trembled as if the mountains themselves were swaying. The Sword Light struck the golden Buddha and was immovable, unable to advance even an inch further. A surging and fervent force from the handle traveled to the blade; Hao Tian¡¯s hands burst with fresh blood, yet he seemed to feel no pain as he furiously channeled True Qi into it. The Exalted Vajra¡¯s eyes snapped open, and he silently chanted a sutra. Golden Cicada¡¯s Shedding! One of the secret techniques within the Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture, it was also what allowed Da Yan Vajra to escape from the clutches of the Sword Demon. The next moment, the Sword Light swept forward unstoppably, cleaving the golden Buddha before it in two. wuxiaworld.site ¡°You think you can escape!?¡± A flash of sharp light appeared in Hao Tian¡¯s eyes as he thrust the Blood Tears Sword forward. No sooner said than done, a pair of golden hands appeared in the air, which then came together to block Hao Tian¡¯s path. Violent attacks burst forth, Hao Tian brandished the Blood Tears Sword, and the golden hands were instantly extinguished. By the time he came back to his senses, the Exalted Vajra had already turned into a streak of golden light and vanished. ¡°Drip-drip!¡± ¡°Drip-drip!¡± ¡­¡­ Blood, following the blade, dripped onto the ground. Even though he had anticipated this secret technique, the Exalted Vajra managed to escape, which testified to the formidable power of the Golden Cicada¡¯s Shedding technique. ¡°What does it matter if he has escaped?¡± Hao Tian looked towards the fleeing figure of the Exalted Vajra, a trace of a cold sneer at the corner of his mouth. His Supreme Sword Qi had already penetrated the Exalted Vajra¡¯s body; even if he didn¡¯t die, he would be gravely injured, with wounds more severe than those of Da Yan Vajra back in the day. In the current state of affairs, the Buddhist sect having one less Three Qi Master was undoubtedly a massive blow, and after their previous defeat at the hands of the Demon Sect, it would be difficult to quickly recover their reputation and vitality. Guarding the Dragon Locking Well and establishing roots in Yan Country would all have to be put on hold unless the number one Buddhist master Tianyi Bodhisattva personally came to Yan Country. ¡°Dragon Locking Well¡­¡± Hao Tian glanced at the moonlight above, then sheathed the Blood Tears Sword, proceeding to stride away and disappear from the spot. ¡­¡­ The next day dawned clear and bright, with a gentle breeze. At the hostel outside the city. Li Fuzhou, Yu Qiurong, and Qian Cishan, among others, had all packed their belongings. This diplomatic mission to Yan Country had resulted in the Demon Sect not only becoming an officially registered sect under Yan Country¡¯s Ministry of Revenue but also in the release of the Sect Master of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect, Li Fuzhou, from the Heavenly Prison, marking a perfect completion of their tasks. With this, it was time for them to head back to Dongluo Pass, especially since the waters of Yujing City were far too deep for them. Yu Qiurong hesitated for a moment before speaking, ¡°Son-in-law, let me stay here with you.¡± An Jing laughed softly, ¡°You go back with Third Master. I¡¯ll be back once I¡¯ve acquired the body of the Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± Hearing An Jing say so, Yu Qiurong found it hard to persist. After all, with her cultivation, she wasn¡¯t of any substantive help by An Jing¡¯s side; aside from serving tea and water, it seemed there wasn¡¯t much she could do for her son-in-law. Just then, Li Fuzhou approached with furrowed brows and spoke in a low voice, ¡°Son-in-law, two major events have occurred.¡± An Jing saw Li Fuzhou with such an expression and immediately asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Li Fuzhou, this old fox who was as calm as still water, appeared to be quite solemn, obviously it wasn¡¯t something trivial. Li Fuzhou took a deep breath and said, ¡°Exalted Vajra was attacked by a mysterious master last night, his life and death are uncertain, his disciple Fa Ming fled with the National Teaching Order.¡± Upon hearing this, Yu Qiurong and Qian Cishan were both shocked. Exalted Vajra was a peak Three Qi Grandmaster, and although he focused on cultivating the Dharma Image and couldn¡¯t compare to his prime, he still was a high-level Three Qi Grandmaster expert. For someone to ambush him and leave his life in uncertainty was no small feat. An Jing narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°To dare to ambush Exalted Vajra, the assailant must at least be a Four Qi Grandmaster.¡± Li Fuzhou thought for a moment and said, ¡°I think, it¡¯s very likely to be the Sword Demon.¡± In the vicinity of Yujing City, there were very few high-level experts at the Four Qi Realm. Bai Mei, the eunuch, counted as one, the mysterious old man behind the Crown Prince counted as another, and it was unclear if the Royal Family had any top grandmasters, but the Royal Family naturally wouldn¡¯t act against the Buddhist sect. After all, the Royal Family still relied on the Buddhist sect to balance the Zhenyi Sect and to guard the Dragon Locking Well. Those who might have a motive included the Zhenyi Sect, Houjin, and Black Ice Platform, but if Houjin or Black Ice Platform were to take action, they would have done so earlier on the journey, not delaying until now. It was very likely the Zhenyi Sect, but according to Luo Chongyang, the Zhenyi Sect had not many Four Qi Grandmasters left, and they generally would not take action lightly. Xiao Qianqiu, as the number one person in the Great Yan Martial World, didn¡¯t seem like such a foolish person based on his past actions. Attacking the Buddhist sect at this time and being exposed would cause great turmoil in the Great Yan Martial World. If we dismiss those factions, then only the already exposed and mysteriously backed Sword Demon remains. An Jing said, ¡°Eight or nine out of ten.¡± Li Fuzhou said solemnly, ¡°Then, what exactly is the Sword Demon¡¯s intention? He first killed the envoy from Houjin, then made a move against the Demon Sect, and now he has ambushed the Buddhist sect¡¯s number one vajra.¡± A top expert has hidden for many years but has recently made multiple moves. What exactly is his purpose? An Jing stroked his chin and said, ¡°Killing the person from Houjin caused Houjin and Yan Country to go to war. Attacking me and Exalted Vajra was to stir up chaos within the Great Yan Martial World¡¯s forces. Could it be that he is from Black Ice Platform?¡± ¡°Son-in-law¡¯s reasoning is sound. This person is mysterious and exceptional; judging merely by the slightest clues is extremely difficult.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded, then said, ¡°However, the most important matter right now isn¡¯t this, but what comes next.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing and the others all looked towards Li Fuzhou. Could there be something even more important than the assassination of the Buddhist sect¡¯s number one vajra? Li Fuzhou said with a pause between each word, ¡°Ye Ding of the Zhenyi Sect has come out of Hidden Mountain and is preparing to come down the mountain.¡± ¡°This old man is coming down the mountain?¡± Qian Cishan had the biggest reaction to this news. Qian Cishan, around fifty years old and just a bit younger than Li Fuzhou, had joined the Demon Sect during its heyday in Yan Country. At that time, Sect Master Jiang Shang of the Demon Sect had once had an earth-shaking contest with Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Sect Leader Ye Ding, ending with no victor between the two. For the martial artists of that era, no one was unaware of who Ye Ding was. Back then, Ye Ding was known as the righteous path¡¯s number one martial artist, leading martial artists to expel the infamous Demon Sect, pushing the Zhenyi Sect to its peak¨Ca true master revered not only for his power but also his reputation. He wasn¡¯t like Xiao Qianqiu with his young talent and profound strength but was genuinely respected and revered. Ye Ding also had another nickname in Jianghu, Great Heavenly Yang. Heavenly Yang refers to the energy of the sun, which also illustrates Ye Ding¡¯s position in the Jianghu at the time, like the sun above one¡¯s head. But this title, as Ye Ding secluded himself in Hidden Mountain and no longer appeared, had scarcely been mentioned by others. An Jing had never met or had any contact with Ye Ding, but he had often heard the name because this man was not only the previous leader of the Zhenyi Sect but also Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s master. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Li Fuzhou said with a very grave expression, ¡°His descent from the mountain is related to our Demon Sect and to you, son-in-law.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes, ¡°In what way?¡± He had a doctrinal conflict with the Zhenyi Sect and also a grudge, after all, Zhenyi Sect experts had died by his hand, and the death of Elder Qingfeng and his disciples at his hand had also been due to the provocation of the Zhenyi Sect. A doctrinal conflict and a grudge in Jianghu are distinct. Fighting for control of Nanhua mountain, the rivalry between Unrivaled Palace and Seven Evils Sect, that was a doctrinal conflict, occurring once every twenty years. The Mystical Sect dividing into three, Zhenyi Sect, Daluo Sect, and Ghost Valley Sect, were also a doctrinal conflict, perhaps even more closely knit than Unrivaled Palace and Seven Evils Sect, since these three factions originally came from the same root and were even from the same sect a thousand years ago. But a grudge in Jianghu differs. Many such conflicts cannot be resolved even with bloodshed. Li Fuzhou said with a heavy voice, ¡°Ye Ding himself has come down from the mountain to summon heroes from all over the world to Blue Sky Island on the seventh day of the next month to settle the grudge with the Demon Sect, as well as settle the grievances between the Ghost Swordsman and the Zhenyi Sect.¡± Hearing this, everyone¡¯s heart shuddered. Yu Qiurong widened her eyes and said, ¡°Settling grudges? This is clearly a trap.¡± Is there a need to summon all the heroes of the world to settle grudges? And to do so with such fanfare, creating momentum even before descending the mountain? Li Fuzhou said gloomily, ¡°If we don¡¯t go, our Sect will find it extremely difficult to spread our teachings in Yan Country. After all, we¡¯ve killed quite a few experts in the Great Yan Martial World before, tarnishing our reputation and making many enemies. If Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Ye Ding waves their flag to expel the Demon Sect, countless will follow suit.¡± The Demon Sect wants to spread its teachings and gain followers in Yan Country, and the Human Emperor has agreed, but it¡¯s not certain whether the many forces on Jianghu would agree. Due to the might of the Demon Sect, they dare to hold anger but not to speak out. But now, with Ye Ding stepping forward, the situation is different. Qian Cishan spoke softly, ¡°Ye Ding still has a significant pull.¡± Once the Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect and the number one expert on the Righteous Path, he has fought on the Black Ice Platform against Qi Xuan Dao and battled Jiang Shang, Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. Though he has since lived in seclusion, his legend still exists in Jianghu. Now, as he beckons once more, it¡¯s not just about how many will follow Zhenyi Sect, but surely those experts who bore grudges against the Demon Sect would respond. After all, when An Jing attacked Dongluo Pass, there were many who heeded the call, and now it is Ye Ding, a man whose fame and strength far surpass that of the Ghost Swordsman from before. An Jing asked, ¡°What place is this Blue Sky Island? Why does it sound somewhat familiar to me?¡± Li Fuzhou replied, ¡°It¡¯s in Jinghai Road, at the border between Yan Country and Zhao Country in the south, to the southeast where there is a vast stretch of islands. The pirates of Wangjing Sea are there and also the famed Outer Heaven Island. Blue Sky Island is one of those peculiar islands, famous for the perennially vibrant Blue Sky Trees that grow on it.¡± Yu Qiurong looked at An Jing and said softly, ¡°My son-in-law, you¡¯re not planning to risk your life, are you?¡± Qian Cishan also advised, ¡°An Tributor, Ye Ding coming down from the mountain to settle grudges might not be so simple. On one hand, he intends to suppress our Outer Heaven, and on the other hand, he seeks to curb your rise.¡± Anyone could see that Blue Sky Island was bound to be filled with murderous traps and crises. Even with An Jing¡¯s current strength, could he possibly contend with Ye Ding? And what about the many other experts? An Jing nodded and said, ¡°I have a measure in my heart; rest assured.¡± Li Fuzhou did not speak. In his view, there were reasons to go to this battle, but also reasons not to. The Demon Sect indeed needed to settle all its past grudges, or it would face endless difficulties when spreading its teachings. Plus, An Jing¡¯s recent victory over the Exalted Vajra had bolstered his momentum, making him unparalleled. Should he not go, his prestige would surely fall. This is the prestige of a swordsman, one who continuously wins will have their sword skill empowered by three parts. But Blue Sky Island is a trap, designed to kill the experts of the Demon Sect, particularly An Jing, whose rise has already intimidated Zhenyi Sect or certain influential individuals. After all, who wouldn¡¯t fear a major Sword Immortal in his twenties? Li Fuzhou thought for a moment and said, ¡°Based on the time, it will take several days for this secret letter to reach Dongluo Pass, and it would be extremely difficult for both the Sect Hierarch and Sect Master Duanmu to rush over unless my son-in-law sets a time himself. Then at the appointed time, the Sect Hierarch can lead the experts to Yan Country.¡± Not going was not an option. One joins Jianghu to pursue fame and wealth, and if he did not go, wouldn¡¯t it belittle Outer Heaven in the eyes of the world? However, rushing headlong into someone else¡¯s trap would be foolish. An Jing answered indifferently, ¡°Let¡¯s not respond for now. Let¡¯s watch how things unfold.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a good idea.¡± Li Fuzhou smiled faintly and said, ¡°This time, we¡¯ll just wait and see how many will come out. It¡¯ll show whether my predictions are not far off.¡± Ye Ding is summoning a gathering with great fanfare, which could also present an opportunity, no? Back at Dongluo Pass, many real experts did not join because they knew the foundation of the Demon Sect; they believed the Ghost Swordsman couldn¡¯t possibly invade. Besides, there were Grandmasters like Feng Lingyue who saw the adverse situation and directly fled. This time, it was possible to catch them all in one go. An Jing glanced at the sky and said, ¡°It¡¯s about time. You should leave now, and take the route we talked about earlier. Though it¡¯s a longer detour, it¡¯s much safer.¡± Yu Qiurong looked as if she wanted to speak again, her eyes filled with concern. After packing up, the group left the hostel. Before long, they had left Yujing City, riding their steeds swiftly on the imperial road. Yu Qiurong asked, ¡°Uncle, do you think my son-in-law would go to Blue Sky Island alone?¡± Li Fuzhou laughed heartily and said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about that kid. He won¡¯t act rashly and court death.¡± He had a sense of what An Jing was like; when faced with danger, he could retract his neck as quickly as a turtle. To knowingly enter the tiger¡¯s den suggests only one possibility: he has the strength to kill the tiger outright. After hearing this, Yu Qiurong still felt somewhat worried. ¡°` Li Fuzhou glanced at Yu Qiurong and said, ¡°Why are you so worried about that kid? If he dies, the Sect Hierarch¡¯s mind will be undistracted, and his strength will improve even faster.¡± Yu Qiurong was stunned for a moment before saying, ¡°The Sect Hierarch will be heartbroken, ah, he might not recover from the setback.¡± A meaningful smile crept onto the corner of Li Fuzhou¡¯s mouth, his heart clear as a mirror. Yu Qiurong continued to explain, ¡°Besides, our son-in-law is a top expert in the sect, and he¡¯s a good person too. After being around someone for a long time, it¡¯s natural to develop feelings.¡± Li Fuzhou said, ¡°Is this what they call ¡®familiarity breeds fondness¡¯?¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s eyes lit up, and she nodded, ¡°Third Master is right, you could say that.¡± ¡­.. Five Poison Mountain, Five Poison Sect. White smoke swirled within the Thunder Pool, flickering with terrifying lightning. Feng Lingyue, dressed in a purple robe, sat on the edge of the Thunder Pool, absorbing the drifting Lei Yuan. The next moment, his eyes opened slightly. ¡°Ancestor.¡± Soon, Dai Danshu hurried over from the distance, a red invitation in his hand. ¡°Zhenyi Sect¡¯s former Sect Leader, Ye Ding, has come out of seclusion. This is the Heroic Invitation he sent, claiming to gather the world¡¯s heroes at Blue Sky Island to settle scores with the Demon Sect.¡± Feng Lingyue was momentarily taken aback, then said, ¡°Let me see it.¡± Without hesitation, Dai Danshu handed over the invitation to Feng Lingyue. ¡°He really emerged from Hidden Mountain, it seems Ye Ding is not going to last much longer.¡± Feng Lingyue read the invitation quickly, and a gleam of insight flashed in his eyes. Others might not see the secrets within, but Feng Lingyue caught a hint that Ye Ding¡¯s descent from the mountain was not as simple as it appeared on the surface. Dai Danshu said solemnly, ¡°Ancestor, this could be a great opportunity.¡± Although the Demon Sect had not returned, with An Jing defeating Exalted Vajra, disciples of the Five Poison Sect had already started feeling insecure, considering the long-standing grudge between the Five Poison Sect and the Demon Sect. How could they not fear? Feng Lingyue took a deep breath and said, ¡°Indeed, it is a good opportunity, but I think the Ghost Swordsman will not go to his death.¡± ¡°I think so too.¡± Dai Danshu spoke with concern, ¡°Moreover, the Ghost Swordsman is cunning. If he really does accept the invitation, he must have some trick up his sleeve.¡± Even if the Ghost Swordsman defeated Exalted Vajra, he was only a Second Qi Grandmaster and had not yet reached the level of a Five Qi Grandmaster at the pinnacle of the world. How could he not fear the encirclement by a multitude of experts? Feng Lingyue shook his head and said, ¡°Take a closer look at this place.¡± ¡°Blue Sky Island¡­..¡± Dai Danshu picked up the Heroic Invitation and glanced at it, his heart suddenly alarmed. What kind of place was Blue Sky Island? It was situated on the edge of Jinghai Road, near the border between Yan Country and Zhao Country, where pirates from one of the five gangs, Wangjing Sea, had been rampant for decades¨Can area relatively chaotic. Dai Danshu inhaled sharply, ¡°In this case, if the Ghost Swordsman goes there, he is bound to die, and if Demon Sect experts go, they may well be caught in one fell swoop, unless the one from the Sealing Demon Platform personally shows up.¡± Feng Lingyue said mysteriously, ¡°Now look at the time, it¡¯s nearly impossible for Demon Sect experts to reach Blue Sky Island unless they fly there. Ye Ding is still Ye Ding, indeed meticulous in his actions.¡± ¡°If I were the Ghost Swordsman, I would decidedly not go.¡± Reputation is important, but not as important as life. Dai Danshu breathed a sigh of relief and said, ¡°But in doing so, the Demon Sect¡¯s prestige will suffer, and they will also face suppression from the Great Yan Martial World, giving us some time to breathe.¡± No matter what, for his Five Poison Sect, this was good news. Feng Lingyue looked towards the south and said, ¡°Ye Ding¡¯s game is set; now let¡¯s see how the Ghost Swordsman and the Demon Sect react.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Dai Danshu asked, ¡°Ancestor, will you still go to Blue Sky Island then?¡± Feng Lingyue smiled faintly, ¡°Yes, just in case the Ghost Swordsman decides to go meet his death.¡± ¡­¡­.. PS: There¡¯s another chapter tonight, quite late. Last day for doubling monthly tickets, please cast them if you can. ¡°` Chapter 248 - Chapter 248: Chapter 248 The Scholar and Emperor Gaze at Each Other Chapter 248: Chapter 248 The Scholar and Emperor Gaze at Each Other Capital Road, Youfeng Valley. As one of the seven major sects of the Great Yan Martial World, Youfeng Valley couldn¡¯t be considered strong when compared to the likes of Zhenyi Sect or Yu Heng Sword Sect, but it was still slightly stronger than the Four Symbols Sect and Blue River Sect. Add to that the fact that Valley Master Zuo Biwen had quite a reputation for benevolence in Jianghu, and with the support from the Empress of the Zuo Family behind him, Youfeng Valley held a significant status in Jianghu. There were not many who dared to provoke it. Following the conflict between Buddhists and the Demon Sect, Zuo Biwen had been in closed-door cultivation within Youfeng Valley, seeking an opportunity to break through to the Grandmaster Realm. Inside the valley, wisps of Cloud Dust Fragrance slowly rose up. This fragrance, capable of cleansing the heart and clarifying the mind, was a rare aid for cultivation. Footsteps approached from outside, and Zuo Biwen¡¯s eyes opened slightly. Soon after, a voice rang out. ¡°Valley Master, there¡¯s an important matter to discuss.¡± It was the voice of the Second Elder of Youfeng Valley. Zuo Biwen said, ¡°Come in.¡± Shortly after, an old man dressed in a black robe and boots entered, looking rather solemn. The Second Elder of Youfeng Valley said gravely, ¡°Valley Master, Great Heavenly Yang Ye Ding is planning to leave the mountain.¡± Zuo Biwen was somewhat surprised. ¡°What does he want to do by leaving the mountain?¡± wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.co The name Ye Ding was naturally not unfamiliar to him. In his times active in Jianghu, Ye Ding had been even more famous than the current Xiao Qianqiu. After all, Xiao Qianqiu liked to cultivate in the mountains and didn¡¯t manage the secular affairs of Zhenyi Sect much. Ye Ding, on the other hand, was the actual Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect, and had many battle achievements against various masters. Besides the suspected defeat to Qi Xuan Dao of the Black Ice Platform, no other losses were publicized. In the eyes of the younger generation in Jianghu today, he had already become a legendary figure. The Second Elder of Youfeng Valley presented an invitation, saying, ¡°Elder Ye has widely issued a Heroic Invitation, calling heroes from all over the world to Blue Sky Island to resolve the enmity with the Demon Sect. This is the invitation sent to our Youfeng Valley.¡± Upon hearing this, Zuo Biwen picked up the invitation to look at it. The Demon Sect had received the ¡®National Teaching Order¡¯, or in other words, was officially listed by the Ministry of Revenue as a sect of Yan Country recognized by the Court. However, the enmity in Jianghu from twenty years ago was still unresolved. Because An Jing had defeated the Exalted Vajra, everyone in the Great Yan Martial World felt threatened, and no one dared to say anything. Now that Zhenyi Sect was taking the lead, naturally a collective response ensued, as the Demon Sect was a faction that people dreaded from the bottom of their hearts. The Second Elder of Youfeng Valley said, ¡°Valley Master, we also exerted effort in the past siege against the Demon Sect¡­¡± ¡°I know.¡± Zuo Biwen let out a long sigh, ¡°Elder Ye has issued this Heroic Invitation widely this time. It contains the personal vendetta of Zhenyi as well as the enmity between the Great Yan Martial World and the Demon Sect. Even if we at Youfeng Valley do not go to Blue Sky Island, we must still deliver the invitation into the hands of the Ghost Swordsman on behalf of Elder Ye.¡± Zuo Biwen was greatly grateful that the Ghost Swordsman had once saved Zhao Xuening, so he was reluctant to go to Blue Sky Island. However, regarding the matters mentioned by Ye Ding in the invitation, he felt obligated to help. The Demon Sect is the Demon Sect, and the Ghost Swordsman is the Ghost Swordsman. If one day the Demon Sect were to return to Yan Country and wreak havoc to avenge the events of the past, wouldn¡¯t Youfeng Valley be helpless on its own? ¡­¡­ Blue River Sect. Wang Yue sat in front of the great lake, gazing at the clear blue waters in front of him. The sunlight scattered upon the lake¡¯s surface, creating a dazzling array of gleaming ripples. By his side, a sweet-looking young girl curiously observed the lake water. It was none other than Bai Lin¡¯er. She didn¡¯t understand why her grandfather spent every day gazing at the lake water, seemingly entranced every time. After some tens of breaths, Wang Yue lightly stretched his limbs and then glanced at the invitation on the side table. ¡°Liangdong.¡± ¡°Sect Master.¡± The Peak Master of the Triple Peaks, Zhao Liangdong, responded softly. Wang Yue chuckled, ¡°Blue Sky Island is indeed a good place, huh.¡± Zhao Liangdong said with some confusion, ¡°I don¡¯t really understand why the location wasn¡¯t set at Xuanqing Mountain.¡± Blue Sky Island was almost out of Yan Country¡¯s border. Wasn¡¯t it said to be about resolving the grudge between Yan Country and the Demon Sect? Wang Yue glanced at Zhao Liangdong and countered with a question, ¡°What do you think, how many people will respond to Ye Ding¡¯s call?¡± ¡°Many.¡± Zhao Liangdong pondered, ¡°The Demon Sect has made many enemies, and Ye Ding is a renowned master with extraordinary influence.¡± ¡°Do you think the Ghost Swordsman will go?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think he will.¡± ¡°Not resolving the ¡®enmity¡¯ spoken of by Ye Ding would push you to oppose the Great Yan Martial World as before. Will you go or not?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Zhao Liangdong¡¯s brow immediately furrowed. Twenty years ago, the Demon Sect had withdrawn from the Great Yan Martial World because they had become the public enemy of Jianghu and were surrounded by the Xuanyi Guard. After all, no sect today wants the Demon Sect to rise again. In the end, the Demon Sect and Buddhism are different. Buddhism is protected by the Court, and Jianghu also hopes Buddhism can keep Zhenyi Sect¡¯s arrogance in check. However, the overbearing nature of the Demon Sect lingers in people¡¯s hearts. Moreover, there are only so many places, so many people, in Jianghu; Buddhism¡¯s eastern crossing has already pressured the interests of Jianghu. Should the Demon Sect re-enter the Great Yan Martial World, every sect would have to yield some of their interests again. Who would want to! Wang Yue said lazily, ¡°You help me to send a reply to the Zhenyi Sect. Just say that the Blue River Sect has now closed its mountain and will not manage other worldly affairs. As for the matter of sending messages on behalf of the Great Yan Martial World, consent to it.¡± Zhao Liangdong nodded slightly, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡­¡­. In the teahouse, Cloud Dust Fragrance said. Inside the teahouse, there sat a Taoist dressed in a Daoist robe. Within the Jianghu, because of the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s influence, the status of Taoists is extremely high; after all, no one knows whether the encountered Taoist is a master from one of the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s temples. Moreover, with the backing of the big tree that is the Zhenyi Sect, these Taoists have become accustomed to arrogance and despotic behavior. Hence, many martial experts in the Jianghu would generally go out of their way to avoid Taoists. The old Taoist in front of them had an ancient appearance, with his face covered in dense wrinkles, as though he would step into a coffin at any moment. Besides that, there was a black umbrella next to him. The old Taoist sat alone, ordering only a pot of tea and nothing else. At the neighboring table, however, there were several Taoists wearing luxurious robes and purple gold crowns on their heads, each with an exquisite jade pendant at their waist. Among them were both men and women, looking relaxed and comfortable, with a variety of pastries and teas before them. Leading them was a middle-aged Taoist in green, seated next to a strikingly beautiful nun, who kept stuffing pastries into the middle-aged Taoist¡¯s mouth with affectionate eyes. Such a display of affection, so alluring and vulgar, seemed shockingly out of place on people who were supposed to be cultivating the Dao. As the nun fed him pastries, she whispered softly, ¡°Don¡¯t forget about the Spiritual Origin Pill newly sent over, Temple Master Yue.¡± ¡°Of course, I won¡¯t forget.¡± The middle-aged Taoist pinched the nun, giving a lewd smile, ¡°Once it arrives, I¡¯ll reward you with one.¡± The nun¡¯s eyes were seductive, her breath fragrant. ¡°Temple Master Yue, as the nephew of Great True Person of Yu Dust, why would the Spiritual Origin Pills not be as plentiful as you desire?¡± ¡°Indeed, Temple Master Yue elevated from Fourth Grade Cultivation to Third Grade last year, who knows, you might even have the opportunity to step into the realm of First Grade in the future.¡± The two Taoists beside him had long since grown accustomed to this and smiled obsequiously. They dared not covet the Spiritual Origin Pills, but there might be a chance to obtain some Origin Opening Pills. ¡°First Grade!?¡± A gleam flashed in Temple Master Yue¡¯s eyes, ¡°With a continuous supply of Spiritual Origin Pills, reaching First Grade is just a matter of time.¡± To reach the realm of First Grade meant one could be considered a master in a domain within the Jianghu. Coupled with his connections, he might even have the chance to enter Zhenyi Mountain and cultivate the core Martial Arts of the Zhenyi Sect. Thinking of this, Temple Master Yue felt a burning desire in his heart. ¡°The Spiritual Origin Pill is intended for the young rising generation. You, already in your thirty-ninth year of bone age, can hardly be considered among the young generation, right?¡± At that moment, the old Taoist beside them spoke up. Temple Master Yue¡¯s heart jumped upon hearing this, and after a closer look at the old Taoist¡¯s robe, he sneered, ¡°What does a stray Taoist have to do with matters of my Zhenyi Sect?¡± The other Taoists beside him, upon hearing the term ¡®stray Taoist¡¯, suddenly had a cold look in their eyes. ¡°You have some nerve meddling in the affairs of my Zhenyi Sect!¡± ¡°Could it be that you have a death wish?¡± The teahouse patrons upon hearing this turned pale with fright, one after another standing up and retreating to a distance. The Zhenyi Sect was an entity that roamed without fear in the Great Yan Martial World. The old Taoist¡¯s expression remained as still as water as he said, ¡°How so, did I say anything incorrect?¡± Temple Master Yue gave a cold laugh, ¡°To discuss the Zhenyi Sect is to court death.¡± At that, he signaled to three Daoists nearby. The trio understood and quickly rushed toward the old Taoist. With two at Fifth Grade Cultivation and one at Fourth Grade, their skills were not profound, but they were more than enough to stand out in the Jianghu. In their eyes, dealing with this poor-looking stray Taoist should be effortless. ¡°Shhh, shhh, shhh!¡± The next moment, three streaks of cold light shot out at an unimaginable speed. The three Daoists from the Zhenyi Sect staggered, then simultaneously fell to the ground, each with a thumb-sized hole in their foreheads. ¡°You!¡± The nun turned ashen upon seeing this, her face as pale as a sheet of paper. She hadn¡¯t seen clearly how the stray Taoist had made his move; it was as if in the blink of an eye, the three men were dead. This stray Taoist was definitely a master! Temple Master Yue was also shocked, but quickly regained his composure, ¡°You dare to kill the disciples of my Zhenyi Sect?¡± ¡°Are you even worthy to talk about the Zhenyi?¡± The old Taoist touched the umbrella beside him and said indifferently, ¡°Disciples like you only spoil the rules of Zhenyi and tarnish its reputation. You deserve to die!¡± As he spoke, the old Taoist moved his umbrella. ¡°Whoosh, whoosh!¡± ¡°Thud!¡± Yet another two streaks of cold light shot out, and immediately, the Temple Master Yue and that female Taoist priestess lay on the ground. ¡°Shopkeeper, bury these people, here¡¯s the silver.¡± The old man took out several bits of broken silver and placed them on the table, then nonchalantly picked up his black umbrella and left. The scene unfolded extremely quickly. With the suddenness of a thunderbolt, the old man killed two people, and many around had not yet come to their senses. By the time the crowd regained their composure, the wild Taoist was already nowhere to be found. ¡­¡­. The silvery white moonlight spilled onto the ground, and the scent of the night pervaded the air, giving people a sense of dreamlike illusion. Yujing City, Lv Sect. An Jing planned to leave Yujing City in two days and decided to visit Lv Guoyong, the current number one scholar of the Confucian sect, before leaving. ¡°Knock knock!¡± An Jing walked to the door and knocked. Soon, a doorman stuck his head out and said, ¡°Are you An Jing, Young Master An?¡± An Jing asked in confusion, ¡°Do you know me?¡± The doorman smiled and said, ¡°Master Lv has long given instructions, please come in.¡± Hearing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but laugh. He had not expected that his visit would have been anticipated by Lv Guoyong. He had already visited the Lv Mansion several times, and even stayed there for a while, so he was familiar with the place. After a short while, the doorman led An Jing to the banquet hall. The hall ahead was brightly lit, and the clinking sounds of cups and toasts could be vaguely heard. An Jing walked in and saw Lv Guoyong, dressed in white, sitting at the head of the table, holding a porcelain cup, while Zhou Xianming, with a flushed face, and Lv Fang, with a bitter smile, sat at the foot of the table. ¡°Greetings to Elder Lv.¡± An Jing entered the hall and greeted Lv Guoyong with a clasped fist. ¡°Brother An, you¡¯ve come at the perfect time. Join us for a few drinks,¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes lit up as he briskly walked forward and grabbed An Jing¡¯s sleeve. ¡°I must win the top scholar title in this imperial examination. That would mean winning the titles of three examinations in a row, which is rare throughout history.¡± Frowning, An Jing said, ¡°Mr. Zhou, you¡¯ve had quite a bit to drink.¡± He was familiar with Zhou Xianming, who always drank with moderation; rarely did he become completely drunk, usually calling it quits after just getting tipsy. But Zhou Xianming, holding his cup, laughed and said, ¡°I haven¡¯t drunk much.¡± Then he sat down on his own, poured another cup of wine, and drank it in one gulp. ¡°Take a seat first.¡± Lu Guoyong smiled and said, ¡°Don¡¯t mind him, let him drink.¡± An Jing took a seat slowly and said, ¡°Elder Lv knew I would come today?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Lu Guoyong nodded and said, ¡°I knew not only that you would come, but also that Ye Ding of the Zhenyi Sect has already prepared to descend the mountain for you.¡± Ye Ding¡¯s descent had not yet spread widely; news in the Jianghu is often a step behind. In truth, such news has already been passed on through numerous channels. Li Fuzhou received his news through secret letters from Human Sect spies delivered by falcons. The fact that Lv Guoyong also knew about it indicated that it was no simple matter. It¡¯s known that Lv Guoyong does not have his own intelligence organization; his only source of information comes through the Court¡¯s Heaven and Earth Net, and the Heaven and Earth Net belongs to the Human Emperor¡­ An Jing chuckled and said, ¡°If he wants to descend the mountain, let him. Just because he considers himself the Righteous Path, does that make it so?¡± Lu Guoyong poured himself a drink and replied, ¡°Ye Ding has been the number one man of the Righteous Path for half his life. If not him, then who?¡± These words were profound and thought-provoking. If he were not the once number one man of the Righteous Path, then that would mean that those who had revered him were wrong. Would they admit their error? An Jing kept silent, realizing that the Demon Sect¡¯s return to Yan Country was not as simple as he had imagined. He had thought that with the Human Emperor¡¯s approval, the Demon Sect could return to Yan Country. Now, it seemed that it was not entirely the case. Ye Ding¡¯s move was to lure him into a trap. After pondering for a moment, An Jing said, ¡°If I postpone the meeting again¡­¡± ¡°They won¡¯t give you the opportunity,¡± Lu Guoyong replied, drinking up the wine he had just poured. ¡°This wine is truly good.¡± This was an overt conspiracy. On the seventh day of the next month, if you do not attend the event on Blue Sky Island, it amounts to a lack of sincerity, and without sincerity, you become an enemy of the entire Jianghu. Then, the return of the Demon Sect is not about spreading the teaching, but rather falling into endless slaughter. And then, the only option is to force submissiveness through killing, until no one dares to oppose the Demon Sect, until there¡¯s no Righteous Alliance left, until no one dares to claim they are the number one person of the Righteous Alliance. Does the Demon Sect have such strength? An Jing shook his head, ¡°That Blue Sky Island is very dangerous indeed.¡± Lu Guoyong nodded, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s dangerous.¡± Ye Ding was forcing An Jing¡¯s hand, wanting to kill him. The so-called resolution of grievances was just seeking a justified cause, because the twenty-one-year-old Great Sword Immortal cast a shadow over their hearts. With swordsmen like that in the Demon Sect, who wouldn¡¯t be afraid? Lv Guoyong would not make choices for An Jing; he merely clarified the pros and cons. After all, one must walk one¡¯s own path. An Jing understood in his heart, poured a cup of wine, and said, ¡°Master Lv, please.¡± ¡°Please.¡± Both drank up in one gulp. An Jing said with a smile, ¡°Master Lv is truly magnanimous.¡± Lv Guoyong was just an ordinary man, now close to the age of ninety, still able to drink like this was truly rare. Lv Guoyong glanced at his beloved disciple and smiled, ¡°I promised to have a good drink with Xianming today.¡± ¡°Thank you, teacher.¡± Zhou Xianming felt warmth in his heart. Lv Guoyong gestured, ¡°Bring more wine.¡± Sitting below him, Lv Fang wanted to speak but hesitated, understanding his father¡¯s temperament and knowing he could not be persuaded. Next, a maid came up with several more jugs of fine wine. The group clinked cups and passed them around, and soon the jugs were nearly empty again. Zhou Xianming kept burping from the alcohol, his face even more flushed with red. Lv Guoyong raised his empty wine cup and said, ¡°The past is not important, the future is not important, what matters most is the present.¡± Those words seemed to be addressed to Zhou Xianming, but also seemed meant for An Jing. ¡°The present?¡± An Jing murmured to himself and then said, ¡°Master Lv is right, the present is what matters most.¡± ¡°No one knows what they truly want until they have experienced everything¨Cpower, desire, kinship, love¡­. Only at the end will you know what you really want.¡± ¡°Yu Ying of the Zhenyi Sect was too immersed in power, and although he enabled the rapid development of the Zhenyi Sect and made it famous throughout the world, what is left after the waves of power recede? Nothing but corpses and emptiness.¡± Lv Guoyong looked toward An Jing and said, ¡°If one day you are able to do something for the people of the world, I hope you can do what is within your ability.¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows slightly, then fell somewhat silent. He had never thought of himself as tied to this world; he always felt he was an insignificant figure, only wishing that when he settles the affairs of the world one day, he could live peacefully and safely. But now, the position he found himself in was unwittingly being pushed by the tide of events. He was no longer the insignificant doctor from Yu State City, even a flutter of his wings could stir up a storm. On his shoulders, he carried the hopes and lives of countless people. His thoughts should also have changed accordingly. An Jing said earnestly, ¡°Master Lv, I understand.¡± The elderly man before him sat in high authority, genuinely considering the welfare of the people. ¡°Hahaha.¡± Lv Guoyong burst into hearty laughter and said, ¡°One should not shoulder the great affairs of the world alone; its weight is too heavy for any one person to lift.¡± Saying this, Lv Guoyong poured another cup of wine. ¡°Father!¡± Lv Fang said in a low voice. ¡°Xianming.¡± Lv Guoyong waved his hand and then turned to Zhou Xianming, ¡°You have ambitions; I hope that you can fulfill them one day.¡± Having said that, Lv Guoyong once again drank the wine in his cup in one gulp. Zhou Xianming sat by the table, holding his empty cup, then burst into laughter, looking like he wanted to cry, but without a single tear flowing. An Jing did not speak, only quietly observed Zhou Xianming. From the beginning, he and Li Yue were doomed to have no future. Li Yue practiced the Blood Spirit Technique and had not much time left, while Zhou Xianming was a genius, a prodigy of his time. If either had been without their status, perhaps there might have been a chance for a past together. For men, love is like a tsunami, waves that can overturn a city. That night, Zhou Xianming was thoroughly drunk, and in the end, it was An Jing who had to drag him by his clothes back to his room. Lv Guoyong steadied himself on the railing, heading towards his own bedroom. He never wanted assistance from others, even with Lv Fang standing right beside him. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Suddenly, he paused in his step and his cloudy eyes looked towards Yujing City. The night sky resembled a dark blue curtain, sprinkled with twinkling stars. Lv Guoyong spoke out, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve enjoyed such hearty drinking.¡± Lv Fang was startled and then also turned to look in the direction of Yujing City. ¡­¡­ Chapter 249 - Chapter 249: Chapter 249: The Five Qi Grandmaster Finally Comes Out of Seclusion Chapter 249: Chapter 249: The Five Qi Grandmaster Finally Comes Out of Seclusion The starry sky adorned the vast twilight with a touch of deep, profound desolation, rolling the warp of the early autumn new moon. An Jing stepped out of the Lv Mansion, walking amidst the silent streets, heading towards the hostel. Suddenly, his footsteps paused slightly. ¡°Come out.¡± A few moments after his words fell, a woman in red emerged. Under the faint moonlight, one could see that the woman had delicate features and was extremely beautiful, especially her eyes, which could captivate any man¡¯s heart and seemed to bewitch one¡¯s very soul. This woman was none other than Li Yue. When An Jing saw who it was, he looked indifferent, ¡°I thought it was someone else; it turns out to be Miss Lin.¡± ¡°Dr. An, greetings.¡± Li Yue looked at the man before her as if in a dream. She remembered the first time they met on the boat in Yu State City; who would have known that such a young individual was the world-renowned supreme Sword Immortal? An Jing glanced at Li Yue with interest, ¡°Are you here for Zhou Xianming?¡± He already knew the mystery behind the Wind and Rain Tower, it must be the power that the Houjin had planted in Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu, and their purpose in coming to Yujing City was for the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.cO Not to mention that Li Yue was practicing the Blood Spirit Technique and did not have much life left, her background itself was a huge obstacle. Li Yue glanced at Lv Mansion but didn¡¯t speak. ¡°Then Miss Li Yue can take your time to look around; I am a bit tired, I¡¯ll go back to rest first.¡± An Jing lazily spoke and walked towards the distance. Li Yue¡¯s lips parted slightly, asking, ¡°Will Doctor An go to Blue Sky Island?¡± An Jing looked at Li Yue, ¡°Why ask this all of a sudden?¡± ¡°Blue Sky Island is very dangerous; I wanted to remind Doctor An, although perhaps you don¡¯t need my reminder.¡± Li Yue fell silent for a while, ¡°After all, I don¡¯t know many people.¡± There was no mixed interest, no reason or purpose, just because of a past chance encounter, she said these words. An Jing smiled, ¡°Thank you, I am aware of it.¡± Li Yue chuckled softly, ¡°Doctor An is a wise man.¡± An Jing, looking at the night sky¡¯s new moon, murmured, ¡°This world has too many wise men; it doesn¡¯t need more of them¨Cbeing sensible is enough.¡± ¡°A sensible person¡­ how does it help to understand everything?¡± Li Yue let out a long sigh, muttering to herself, ¡°Life presents many paths for you to choose from, yet paradoxically, you can only choose one.¡± An Jing looked at Li Yue before him, he could not persuade another to let go of their hatred. Unaccustomed to their suffering, do not counsel them to kindness. Without standing in their shoes or experiencing their journeys, don¡¯t preach about magnanimity and good deeds. The woman before him was tired, and simply standing there, one could feel it. As if a mountain rested on her shoulders, pressing down upon her. Li Yue whispered, ¡°Yesterday, I had a dream.¡± An Jing subconsciously asked, ¡°What dream?¡± ¡°In a clear weather, under the warm sunshine, there was a group of people, laughing and talking lightly, free from major worries and the complicated Jianghu grudges, not burdened by heavy loads.¡± ¡°That sounds nice; such a life is perhaps envied by many.¡± ¡°Yes, but I wasn¡¯t among that group of people.¡± ¡°¡­..¡± Both were silent for a while, as if unsure what to say, or perhaps many words no longer needed to be spoken. An Jing pointed to the night sky above, ¡°You see, no matter how long the night, the day always comes.¡± He felt what he could offer were just these few words, albeit futile. ¡°It¡¯s hope, right.¡± Li Yue chuckled lightly, turned, and walked away towards the distance. An Jing watched Li Yue¡¯s departing figure for a long time before heading towards the hostel. Neither of them said goodbye, each turning towards their respective paths. Such is a fleeting acquaintance. ¡­.. The news of Ye Ding from the Zhenyi Sect emerging from Hidden Mountain gradually spread within the Jianghu. This news stirred up numerous waves; once a paramount figure on the Righteous Path, maybe his strength was no match for Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s nowadays, but his prestige undoubtedly surpassed that of Xiao Qianqiu. Ye Ding¡¯s emergence from Hidden Mountain meant settling two decades of grievances with the Demon Sect and also the grievances between the Zhenyi Sect and the Ghost Swordsman. Many sects bearing deep-seated hatred towards the Demon Sect were restless, led by the Five Poison Sect, while those with minor grievances against the Demon Sect were also hesitant. On one hand, they dared not participate in this confrontation between the Zhenyi Sect and the Demon Sect, on the other hand, they feared, worried about the Demon Sect¡¯s retaliatory return. Some responded, some hesitated, some watched from the sidelines. This was different from the Buddhist-Demonic conflicts; this time, everyone could feel the intensity in the air, aware of the tumultuous undercurrents and the surging waves. This time, surely lives would be lost, and blood would be shed. The day after tomorrow, the sunshine was splendid, casting down on the dried yellow leaves, forming mottled tree shadows on the ground. An Jing stepped out of the hostel¡¯s main gate accompanied by the Minister of Rites, Zhu Yongfang. ¡°Regarding the recent rumors in Jianghu, I have also heard some.¡± Zhu Yongfang warmly said, ¡°After all, these are Jianghu grievances, and it¡¯s wholly reasonable for the Zhenyi Sect to challenge openly in good faith; there¡¯s nothing the Crown Prince could do to prevent it¡­¡± An Jing indifferently responded, ¡°Thank him for me, but the grievances of Jianghu, my Outer Heaven can resolve on its own; I can resolve them myself too.¡± If a young newcomer had heard Zhu Yongfang¡¯s words, he might have felt grateful inside, but An Jing just sneered at them. The Crown Prince would have been more than happy to see the Demon Sect and Zhenyi Sect fight each other to death, which was the situation he most wanted to see. Zhu Yongfang asked nonchalantly, ¡°I wonder how An Tributor plans to decide?¡± An Jing looked at Zhu Yongfang and smiled, ¡°Does Mister Zhu hope I go, or hope I don¡¯t?¡± Those eyes were like two sharp knives, stabbing into his heart. Zhu Yongfang felt creeped out by that stare and chuckled awkwardly, ¡°This is your Sect¡¯s private affair and yours, how could I make the decision?¡± An Jing patted Zhu Yongfang on the shoulder and smiled, ¡°Since it¡¯s a private matter, Mister Zhu should avoid prying into it, especially matters of Jianghu, which are inherently dangerous.¡± With that, An Jing walked towards the city outskirts. Zhu Yongfang frowned and hurriedly followed him. The hostel was located just outside the city, not far from the city gate. Zhu Yongfang, with the officials from the Ministry of Rites and the guards, escorted him properly all the way to the city outskirts. A finely crafted carriage was waiting in the distance, drawn by six fine horses. An old nursemaid sat on the carriage, and as the curtain was lifted, a stunningly beautiful woman stepped down. Upon seeing the newcomer, An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°Princess An Le.¡± ¡°Greetings, Princess!¡± Zhu Yongfang and the officials from the Ministry of Rites, along with the guards, all kneeled down. ¡°Rise.¡± Zhao Xuening waved her hand and looked towards An Jing, ¡°Mister An, are you planning to return home?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°I¡¯ve been in Yan Country for almost two months now; it¡¯s about time I returned.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes shimmered with a hint of regret, ¡°I was hoping Mister An would stay a bit longer to enjoy the four sights of Yujing City.¡± An Jing responded, ¡°Thank you for your kind intentions, Princess.¡± Zhao Xuening smiled, ¡°You don¡¯t need to be so formal with me, you can just call me Xuening.¡± On the side, Zhu Yongfang was as passive as if he hadn¡¯t heard anything, keeping his attention inward. An Jing said somewhat awkwardly, ¡°I¡¯m afraid that might be inappropriate.¡± Zhao Xuening looked into An Jing¡¯s bright eyes, ¡°A name is just a form of address, Mister An, as someone of Jianghu, why confine yourself to these trivial formalities?¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, but said nothing. Princess An Le casually asked, ¡°Mister An, are you in such a hurry to return because you miss your wife at home?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Of course.¡± Princess An Le said with a smile, ¡°It seems Mister An and your wife have a very good relationship.¡± Zhu Yongfang also looked at An Jing with curiosity. He had heard that the new Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect was a woman and not very old, reportedly very beautiful as well. Could she be even more beautiful than Princess An Le, Zhao Xuening? With a twinkle in her eyes, Princess An Le said, ¡°Mister An, if you find it uncomfortable in Dongluo Pass, you can always come to Yujing City. I think both my father and I would welcome you anytime.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t put such pressure on Mister An; I might even acquiesce to whatever you suggest.¡± If the earlier statements were indirect, this statement was a direct indication. Even with her boldness, Princess An Le¡¯s face turned slightly red after saying this. An Jing was about to speak when he sensed a disturbance in the distance and automatically looked in that direction. A blue radiance appeared far away. Blue River Water Dividing Technique! This qi mechanism was something An Jing had seen in the Blue River Sect; it was indeed the Blue River Sect¡¯s Blue River Water Dividing Technique. Besides the blue radiance, a fierce wind swept in, bringing with it a sky full of dust. ¡°This is from the Blue River Sect, high experts of Youfeng Valley!¡± The old nursemaid immediately protected Princess An Le behind her. Zhu Yongfang also retreated repeatedly while the guards formed a barrier in front of him. Shadows flickered in the front, and soon, six figures appeared. Among them was Zhao Liangdong from the Blue River Sect, Dai Danshu from the Five Poison Sect, Jia Shiwu from the Four Symbols Sect, and two others he didn¡¯t recognize, but their aura was not weak, all at the First Grade, especially the old Daoist holding a black umbrella, whose cultivation seemed to be the highest. The six figures approached An Jing, then one after another they declared. ¡°Zhao Liangdong, representing the Blue River Sect!¡± ¡°Chang Yifu, representing Youfeng Valley!¡± ¡°Gu Yanruo, representing Yu Heng Sword Sect!¡± ¡°Dai Danshu, representing the Five Poison Sect!¡± ¡°Jia Shiwu, representing the Four Symbols Sect!¡± ¡°We are here specifically to deliver a greeting card to Elder Ye from the Zhenyi Sect.¡± As the five announced their affiliations, their voices combined, roaring like thunder and echoing all around. Wow! The area suddenly erupted into a buzz! Zhu Yongfang¡¯s eyelids twitched continuously, also shocked by the grand gesture before his eyes, not expecting Elder Ye to have invited five major Sects to deliver a greeting card. Princess An Le also frowned at this scene. ¡°Quite the grand gesture.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, looking towards the old Daoist. The old Daoist gave a Daoist salute to An Jing, ¡°This must be An Tributor. I, Qian Ji, pay my respects.¡± ¡°Qian Ji!?¡± An Jing thought it over and didn¡¯t recall any expert by the name Qian Ji in the Zhenyi Sect. ¡°Qian Ji!?¡± The old nanny murmured to herself, and upon seeing the black umbrella beside the old daoist, as if realizing something, she exclaimed, ¡°Could it be that your excellency is the Qian Ji Old Man from the Soul Chasing Sect?¡± The old daoist said indifferently, ¡°The Soul Chasing Sect has become a thing of the past, and the Qian Ji Old Man is dead. Now, I am a person cultivating the Dao, and my Daoist name is Qian Ji.¡± Qian Ji Old Man! Upon hearing these four words, An Jing suddenly remembered; within Jianghu, there had been many masters, including myths like Ye Ding of Taishan Beidou, and masters similar to Sword Demon, but there were also some exceptionally talented and extraordinary figures. Among them, Qian Ji Old Man was one of the most renowned masters. Qian Ji Old Man originated from the Soul Chasing Sect, which was once the foremost hidden weapon sect in Great Yan. However, due to internal conflicts, it gradually declined and never recovered. What thrives must wane, and what wanes must thrive. Just when the Soul Chasing Sect was about to collapse, a genius emerged from the sect, who was the Qian Ji Old Man. Due to his talent, he was extremely adept in the way of hidden weapons, quickly distinguishing himself in Jianghu with the hidden weapon techniques of the Soul Chasing Sect, and even created the Thousand Mechanism Umbrella capable of slaying masters of the same realm. He continued to refine and enhance it until it became a supreme fierce weapon. The battle that truly made the Thousand Mechanism Umbrella famous throughout the world was when he, with the Half-step Master cultivation, used it to slay a Grandmaster. From then on, his fame spread far and wide, and everyone knew him as Qian Ji Old Man. At the same time, Sect Hierarch Jiang Shang of the Demon Sect also started showing his ambitions, expanding the power of the Demon Sect, aggressively recruiting and absorbing other sects¡¯ forces. The Soul Chasing Sect, with its deep understanding of hidden weapons, was very much to his liking, naturally becoming his primary target. Despite Jiang Shang¡¯s hints and suggestions, Qian Ji Old Man never agreed to join the Demon Sect. This caused Jiang Shang¡¯s anger to rise from his heart, and he directly eradicated the then Soul Chasing Sect under the pretext of their assassination attempts on Demon Sect members. Although Qian Ji Old Man was able to use the Thousand Mechanism Umbrella to slay a Grandmaster, the Demon Sect sent Ouyang Ping, a Peak One Qi master. Within just a few moves, Qian Ji Old Man was defeated by Ouyang Ping, and he barely escaped with his life, thereafter vanishing from the world without a trace. The rumors in Jianghu declared that Qian Ji Old Man had died at the hands of the Demon Sect, and it was almost considered a closed case. Who could have imagined that not only had he not died, but he had also taken the Thousand Mechanism Umbrella and joined the Zhenyi Sect? An Jing was unimpressed by such legendary figures of Jianghu. No matter how powerful the Thousand Mechanism Umbrella was, it couldn¡¯t possibly allow Qian Ji Old Man, with just One Qi cultivation, to kill him. ¡°Since your excellency has come to deliver an invitation, where is the invitation?¡± ¡°It¡¯s right here.¡± The black-clothed old daoist looked towards An Jing, extended his hand, and a piece of paper flew towards An Jing. An Jing casually glanced at the paper, which simply contained a date and a location. The date was the seventh day of the next month, and the location was Blue Sky Island. Qian Ji Daoist said indifferently, ¡°Outer Heaven has killed 312 disciples of my Zhenyi Sect over the past twenty years, and Heavenly Sect¡¯s Sect Master Duanmu Xinghua killed my Great True Men Qing Feng, Qing Ming, and Qing Yue. My sect also killed Human Sect¡¯s head Feng Jingchu, and this year, the Ghost Swordsman in Xuanqing Mountain also killed my Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Great True Men Yu Huai and Yu Lin, even slaying Peak Master Song Chengbiao at Abyss Lake. Now, Outer Heaven has received the Mountain Opening Order from the Human Emperor and has once again become a legitimate sect of Yan Country. Former Sect Leader Ye Ding of my Zhenyi Sect has invited the Ghost Swordsman of Outer Heaven to Blue Sky Island to settle all past grievances. After this battle, regardless of life or death, Zhenyi Sect will have no further grievances or entanglements with Outer Heaven and the Ghost Swordsman, and those in Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu who wish to settle grievances are also welcome to attend.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing pondered for a moment. Settling all grievances in one battle, he quite agreed with this, as after more than twenty years of killing, it was already impossible to determine who was right or wrong, and right or wrong had become irrelevant. From certain positions, one is compelled to act; such is the trend of the times. An Jing had killed quite a few masters of the Zhenyi Sect, although it was the Zhenyi Sect that had oppressed first. Even though the masters of the Zhenyi Sect knew the complications involved, they had no choice but to take action. ¡®A laugh to erase hatred¡¯, that¡¯s just a ridiculous notion in the books. Without settling the grievances, only the destruction of one side can end it. But everyone knows deep down that the Emperor would never allow one sect to dominate without challenge. Zhu Yongfang¡¯s brows were furrowed. Ye Ding¡¯s display today was clearly aimed at forcing An Jing to settle their conflicts, and the timing was indeed a cunning ploy. However, in his view, focusing solely on the agreed time was underestimating Ye Ding. Blue Sky Island, this place was truly the most alarming. ¡°Very well.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°Settling the conflict is fine. Since the location has been set by the Zhenyi Sect, then how about I set the time?¡± Thousand Mechanism Daoist glanced at An Jing, ¡°I am merely here to deliver this message; such significant matters are beyond my authority to decide.¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°So it cannot be changed?¡± With a hint of indifference, Thousand Mechanism Daoist replied, ¡°If you¡¯re afraid, you can choose not to go. If this grudge isn¡¯t settled, it will only continue.¡± ¡°Are you provoking me?¡± An Jing mockingly looked at Thousand Mechanism Daoist. Thousand Mechanism Daoist also nodded, ¡°Indeed.¡± An Jing touched the Evil Suppressing Sword and said, ¡°Then do you know how many grandmasters have died by this sword?¡± The question seemed casual, yet it sent shivers down one¡¯s spine. Thousand Mechanism Elder¡¯s pupils shrank suddenly, looking at the young man before him who could be the size of his grandson, not out of fear but because of that statement. Dai Danshu felt a chill from the soles of his feet to the top of his skull, as indeed, a significant number of grandmasters had died at the hands of the Ghost Swordsman; the Great Elder Qingfeng, Qi Shu, Sang Tianyou, Yuan Feng¨Cthese four Grandmasters. Among them, Sang Tianyou and Yuan Feng possessed the cultivation of Second Qi Grandmasters. The expressions of the other three were complicated. However, compared to Dai Danshu¡¯s anxiety, they were slightly calmer. After all, the three sects had not explicitly stated they would go to Blue Sky Island. With the Zhenyi Sect and Demon Sect vying for supremacy and the Buddhist community intervening, they could cheer for the Zhenyi Sect considering the tyranny of the Demon Sect, but going out to fight to the death was absolutely out of the question. ¡°Go back and tell Elder Ye that I have received his message.¡± An Jing crumbled the message into powder, bowed to Princess An Le, and said, ¡°Your Highness, I take my leave.¡± With that, he strode away. Arguing with Thousand Mechanism Daoist over timing was less appealing than finding the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword and returning to the warmth of his wife. Knowing he would die, why would he go to his death willingly? Did they really think he was some inexperienced youth who could be provoked by a few sects¡¯ invitations? Princess An Le watched An Jing¡¯s departing figure, wanting to shout a warning, but felt it improper and ultimately, she could only sigh deeply. Watching the young man¡¯s departing figure, clouds of darkness gathered in Thousand Mechanism Daoist¡¯s heart. No wonder Ye Ding had emerged from Hidden Mountain. No wonder Yu Ying was frightened. He instantly realized all the reasons. If he had such a formidable enemy, he too would be restless day and night. ¡­.. Dongluo Pass, Sealing Demon Platform. Atop the flying eaves of the great hall, there stood an elderly man dressed in white. Jun Qinglin was unlike other experts; he gazed at the distant sunlight and sandstorm, his eyes filled with memories. Memories of things that were elusive. People always think that after the baptism of time, they will let go of their obsessions and past, but this is merely self-deception. Just like Jun Qinglin at this moment, he continually recalled the years gone by, the days when he could laugh heartily, the days he sang songs over wine, and the brilliant sunshine that once belonged to his world. In these endless recollections, he realized a truth: always reminiscing means that the present isn¡¯t going well. Sigh¡­ Suddenly, a sandstorm rose in the distance, appearing from afar like a soaring dragon roaring towards them. That dragon, twining around the sand, was unending, covering even the distant sky with a layer of yellow. A sandstorm, a common occurrence in the desert. ¡°Great Elder!¡± At that moment, Ouyang Ping hurried over, ¡°There¡¯s urgent news from Yan Country again.¡± ¡°Again?¡± Jun Qinglin heard this and chuckled lightly, ¡°Is it that youngster again?¡± Normally, no significant news would be transmitted to the Sealing Demon Platform from within the Demon Sect, especially after Yuan Feng¡¯s death. To avoid suspicion, Ouyang Ping seldom interfered with the affairs of the Demon Sect. However, a heavy piece of news a few days ago was that An Jing had defeated Exalted Vajra, allowing the Demon Sect to establish their doctrine in Yan Country. This indeed was good news, indicating that Jun Qinglin could enter Yan Country openly and rightfully. Even though he previously could as well. ¡°Yes.¡± Unlike his previous joyful expression, this time Ouyang Ping wore a worried look, ¡°Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Ye Ding has come down from the mountain, fixing the seventh day of the next month at Blue Sky Island to settle personal and Demon Sect grudges with An Tributor. After that, regardless of life or death, there will be no further entanglements.¡± ¡°Blue Sky Island?¡± Jun Qinglin thought of that place, a location almost forgotten in his mind. Ouyang Ping said solemnly, ¡°On the seventh day of next month, with the Sect Hierarch Zhao and Sect Master Duanmu¡¯s speed, they could barely make it, but other experts would have difficulty arriving. Even if they did arrive, they would be weary. This is forcing An Tributor¡­¡± Ouyang Ping naturally could see the craftiness involved. If there were no schemes, it would be even more terrifying. It might even hide some conspiracy. ¡°Settling grudges is indeed excellent.¡± Jun Qinglin watched the distant sandstorm, ¡°Jianghu is all about slaying each other; in the beginning, right and wrong could still be discerned, but after killing many, who is right and who is wrong has become unknown.¡± ¡°Actually, in this world, the notion of right and wrong is not important.¡± Ouyang Ping nodded, ¡°What¡¯s important is strength; if our sect¡¯s strength surpasses everything, we wouldn¡¯t need to ally with Yan Country, and Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Ye Ding wouldn¡¯t dare to come down from the mountain.¡± The strength of a fist makes one¡¯s words reasonable. Thus, now that the Demon Sect has An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, as long as they continue to develop steadily it¡¯ll be enough. But would others watch them grow? Especially the covetous Houjin. Jun Qinglin asked, ¡°What did the Sect Hierarch say?¡± Ouyang Ping replied, ¡°The Sect Hierarch ordered Human Sect spies to spread the news that this time Outer Heaven¡¯s return to Yan Country will take on a new sect, and except for the Five Poison Sect, they won¡¯t settle any prior grievances. If there really are those who want to settle grudges, the time is set for next month in the Northern Wilderness¡¯s You Mountain.¡± ¡°But as I see it, proposing a different time, Ye Ding might not agree.¡± Jun Qinglin started laughing, ¡°Ye Ding certainly will not agree; his arranging the meeting at Blue Sky Island is no simple matter.¡± Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ping frowned deeply. If Ye Ding does as such, the Demon Sect¡¯s return to Yan Country will definitely lead to a full-scale blood battle with Zhenyi Sect, surely involving other powers. This outcome is probably only what Houjin and Yan Country would like to see. Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyes deepened as he looked into the distance, ¡°Ouyang, a Great Grandmaster is already considered a land immortal by the people, so what lies in between humans and immortals?¡± Ouyang Ping pondered for a long time before shaking his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Sigh! Sigh! ¡­. The distant sandstorm roared like a rampant dragon, stirring up the sky full of sand, turning the world into a dim yellow, as if the apocalypse had arrived. Jun Qinglin looked up at the sky filled with sand. The next moment, the sky full of sand suddenly stopped moving. Each grain of sand, illuminated by the sunlight, shone with a pale golden light, completely transforming the world into a realm of sand. This scene, even for a Second Qi Peak Grandmaster like Ouyang Ping, was immensely shocking. ¡°It¡¯s a Five Qi Grandmaster.¡± Jun Qinglin looked at the motionless sand in front of him and declared, ¡°Send down the message, the time will be the seventh of next month, then.¡± Ouyang Ping¡¯s breath also halted, ¡°Great Elder¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll personally go to settle the grudges.¡± Jun Qinglin said indifferently, ¡°And while at it, see how many can survive under my hand in this vast world.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As his words fell, that piece of golden sand suddenly began to fall like rain. The white robe fluttered with the breeze, and then tranquility returned to the world, even the just-occurred sandstorm had disappeared, as if nothing had happened. On this day, Jun Qinglin, who had been in seclusion for thirty years, walked out of the Sealing Demon Platform. ¡­¡­. PS: I originally wanted to discuss the logic a bit more, but then thought better of it. Those who can understand, will understand; those who can¡¯t, no amount of explanation will do, I¡¯d better reflect on why today¡¯s update is so short. Chapter 250 - Chapter 250: Chapter 250: I am the eagle in The Condor Heroes Chapter 250: Chapter 250: I am the eagle in The Condor Heroes Lv Mansion. Lv Guoyong looked at the map in front of him, at the words Blue Sky Island marked on it. At this moment, Lv Fang came out and said, ¡°Father, it was the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Qian Ji Daoist who sent the invitation to An Jing. After he accepted the invitation, he left.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Lv Guoyong continued to look at the map in front of him. Lv Fang hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°Father, with the trap set by Daoist Ye, An Jing probably won¡¯t go. In the future, this might lead to another great conflict in Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu. What should we do next?¡± Lv Fang had some understanding of An Jing¡¯s character. He did not seem like the typical hotheaded youth. With the Grudge Platform set by Ye Ding on Blue Sky Island, it was highly likely that he wouldn¡¯t go. If he didn¡¯t go, then Ye Ding could righteously reassemble the alliance that fought against the Demon Sect before. It could be that some hesitant sects, fearing the Demon Sect¡¯s might, would also join this great battle. The two sides clashing and causing bloodshed was extremely disadvantageous to the current situation. Lv Guoyong said softly, ¡°He¡¯ll go.¡± Lv Fang was startled and said, ¡°But, Blue Sky Island is on the border between Yan and Zhao Countries. Qi Shu once died at the hands of An Jing, and before that, Zhao Country even threatened to force us to hand over the Ghost Swordsman. If he goes to Blue Sky Island this time¡­¡± In fact, time was not the greatest concern. The location was the real issue. wuxiaworld.site Why Ye Ding chose Blue Sky Island as the location was not just to prevent the Demon Sect¡¯s masters from arriving quickly, but also to leverage Zhao Country¡¯s Black Ice Platform. This time, settling grudges meant a fight to the death. Many who didn¡¯t have deep hatred for the Demon Sect would merely watch from the sidelines, and only the Five Poison Sect would truly fight to the death. The other sects might cheer from the sidelines, but facing the Demon Sect directly, many would falter. These sects were still waiting for the Demon Sect¡¯s next move, waiting for the situation to change, as compared to the Demon Sect, they were insignificant in the presence of a behemoth like the Zhenyi Sect. Moreover, Qi Shu was the adopted son of Qi Xuan Dao from the Black Ice Platform. Now that An Jing had reached Zhao Country¡¯s border, how could the Black Ice Platform simply sit by and watch? Furthermore, if the Ghost Swordsman and other Yan Country Jianghu masters like Ye Ding sought to settle their scores, would the Black Ice Platform seize the chance to capture them all? At the thought, a cold sweat appeared on Lv Fang¡¯s forehead. Lv Guoyong then muttered to himself, ¡°Ye Ding, oh Ye Ding¡­¡± In a trance, he remembered that handsome middle-aged Daoist who had entered Yujing City years ago. The details of the Heavenly Book Pavilion¡¯s coup were unclear to others, but Lv Guoyong knew that the now Great Heavenly Yang had bided his time for years before eventually launching the coup, surprisingly even Lv Guoyong himself. The success was largely attributed to Great Heavenly Yang¡¯s pivotal role. It could be said that during the coup, whichever side the Zhenyi Sect supported would have overwhelming advantage, and Ye Ding unswervingly stood behind the current Taiping Human Emperor. This was also why the Zhenyi Sect grew so rapidly afterward. Xiao Qianqiu, who had only reached the Second Qi Realm, became the State Preceptor of Great Yan, the foremost figure in Great Yan Martial World, not only because of his own strength but also because of the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s support and the Human Emperor¡¯s backing. And now, Xiao Qianqiu had not disappointed expectations, truly deserving the title of the foremost person in Great Yan Martial World, and he had the potential to be the foremost in all of Great Yan, possibly even in the world. ¡­¡­ Dongluo Pass, in a secluded courtyard. Zhao Qingmei wore a simple white dress, with pink silk threads on the cuffs and chest embroidering blossoming plum flowers that extended from the hem to the waist, highlighted by a dark purple wide belt that accentuated her slender figure. In her hands, she held a novel once popular in Jianghu, telling the story of a couple traversing the Jianghu with a golden eagle exotic beast. The real Jianghu was dark and sinister, filled with deceit, whereas the Jianghu in the book was about drinking, singing, and living a life of righteousness and vengeance, making countless people yearn for it. Tan Yun seemed less lethargic than usual, her large eyes gazing out the window at the sky with a touch of melancholy. Now she knew that An Jing was the Ghost Swordsman, and the Ghost Swordsman was An Jing. While feeling somewhat emotional about it, she also felt a greater sense of joy. The Ghost Swordsman was not dead, and neither was her husband-to-be¨Cit was the best news for her. But she felt as though she had been kept in the dark, which was quite distressing. Why had her husband-to-be never told her? Did he not trust even her? Moreover, she sometimes felt quite lost. When her husband-to-be returned, how should she face him? ¡°Sect Master.¡± At that moment, Duanmu Xinghua came in. ¡°Elder Ouyang from the Sealing Demon Platform has sent news. The Great Elder will personally go to Yan Country.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingmei put down the book in her hand, a glint in her eyes, ¡°The Great Elder is going personally?¡± In her opinion, it was necessary to resolve the enmities between the Demon Sect and some Yan Country Jianghu sects. The best way was to kill them all, but that wasn¡¯t very realistic. Killing too many minor sects would not only cause panic and make everyone defend themselves against the Demon Sect, but the Human Emperor would not agree either. The only solution was to kill a few key figures to set an example and resolve the issues once and for all. But this old fox Ye Ding obviously wanted to play ¡®smart little tricks.¡¯ Killing the Ghost Swordsman would not only deal a heavy blow to the Demon Sect but would also suppress the recently flourishing Demon Sect, elevating the status and prestige of the Zhenyi Sect. Such a clearly trap-like challenge, Zhao Qingmei naturally would not let An Jing go. If it came down to it, the result would just be the Zhenyi Sect, the Five Poison Sect, and other sects going to war with the Demon Sect. Zhao Qingmei wasn¡¯t afraid. As long as An Jing and she had enough time, many problems could be resolved. What was most important was that the Human Emperor definitely would not want to see a war between the two sides and would intervene in time. However, if Jun Qinglin were to go now, all of Ye Ding¡¯s ¡®little tricks¡¯ would become meaningless. ¡°Yes.¡± Duanmu Xinghua, with a spark of light in her eyes, said, ¡°This is indeed a good opportunity to ensnare those who are resolutely against our Demon Sect in one fell swoop, saving us a lot of trouble.¡± ¡°It truly is a good opportunity.¡± Zhao Qingmei always felt something was amiss, but she couldn¡¯t quite put her finger on what exactly was wrong. Duanmu Xinghua clasped her fists and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, I will immediately send a secret letter to An Tributor, and then spread the news.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s delicate fingers lightly tapped on the table as she pondered for a long time before asking, ¡°Has there been any more gossip in Yujing City about him and Princess An Le lately?¡± Duanmu Xinghua hesitated for a moment before replying, ¡°There is some, I suspect there are people spreading rumors deliberately.¡± Because An Jing had once saved Princess An Le, and given that Princess An Le had openly shown him affection, rumors had already been swirling furiously throughout the city. Zhao Qingmei said expressionlessly, ¡°Rumors end with the wise. If they don¡¯t end, then cut out their tongues for me.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s delicate body shuddered slightly beside her, sensing that the Sect Hierarch seemed somewhat angry. ¡°I understand.¡± Duanmu Xinghua had more to say, but in the end, she said nothing and simply withdrew from the room. ¡°Tan Yun, come here.¡± Zhao Qingmei beckoned. Tan Yun stepped forward and said softly, ¡°Sect Hierarch.¡± Zhao Qingmei handed the book she was holding to Tan Yun, ¡°Seeing you often study by lamp light at night, I presume you have recognized all of the characters by now. Take this book to read.¡± ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, you may go back and rest.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Tan Yun took the book and slowly exited the room. Gazing at Tan Yun¡¯s retreating figure, Zhao Qingmei thought to herself: She will be leaving soon anyway, should I be kinder to this girl? Zhao Qingmei then looked at the secret letter on the table, inscribed with the four large characters of ¡®Princess An Le¡¯, and said, ¡°Truly a person who gives no peace of mind.¡± As Tan Yun left the room, holding a novel that had once been all the rage, she couldn¡¯t help but mutter, ¡°The Sect Hierarch has never been so gentle with me, and even gave me a book; could there be some deeper meaning?¡± ¡°Duanmu Sect Master.¡± Tan Yun called out to Duanmu Xinghua, who was about to leave, and asked, ¡°Is the Sect Hierarch angry because her son-in-law and that princess are involved with each other?¡± Duanmu Xinghua laughed and said, ¡°Isn¡¯t that obvious? But don¡¯t worry about it, An Tributor is a trustworthy person.¡± Indeed, not just anyone had the courage to challenge the Demon Sect. From this, it was clear that An Jing was a man of great loyalty and righteousness. Besides, with the Sect Hierarch¡¯s beauty and charm, how could that princess compare? Tan Yun¡¯s lips curled into a smile, nodding vigorously like a pecking chick, ¡°Yes, he¡¯s a good person indeed.¡± ¡°The two of them really make a pair to envy. I have urgent matters to attend to.¡± Duanmu Xinghua glanced at the book in Tan Yun¡¯s hand and, having said that, she left. Tan Yun hugged the book as she returned to her room, promptly washed up and threw herself onto the bed. However, she couldn¡¯t fall asleep today, tossing and turning. She occasionally reminisced about the days in Yu State City and couldn¡¯t help but laugh. But she always felt that those happy times could never return. Turning her head, she saw the book by her bedside again and her face immediately soured as she realized something. ¡°The Sect Hierarch and her son-in-law are like a pair of divine sculptures, and me? I am merely the carving.¡± ¡­¡­ In Yujing City, Kunning Palace. Whenever a storm was about to hit at sea, the surface was always exceptionally calm. At this moment, the palace hall was very calm, a calmness that frightened people. Mu Xiaowan lay sprawled on the desk, her beautiful eyes veiled with a hint of haze, in front of her were pot after pot of fine wine. ¡°Your Highness.¡± Guang De, the eunuch, whispered at her side, ¡°It¡¯s dawn.¡± Mu Xiaowan muttered to herself, ¡°The day will not be bright again.¡± Ever since she returned from the Imperial Study Room that day, Mu Xiaowan had been acting very strangely, especially since yesterday when she seemed to have lost her soul. As an old eunuch of the palace, Guang De seemed to understand something, feeling a faint pain in his heart. Mu Xiaowan, looking at the wine cup in her hand, laughed and said, ¡°Guang De, what do you think will happen to a chess piece that has been abandoned by others?¡± Guang De thought for a moment and replied softly, ¡°This servant does not know.¡± ¡°It will be captured.¡± Mu Xiaowan struggled to prop herself up, her body swaying slightly. ¡°Your Highness.¡± Guang De, the eunuch, stepped forward to support Mu Xiaowan¡¯s arm. Mu Xiaowan waved her hand and looked around sharply, her piercing voice cutting through the Great Hall, ¡°In the eyes of others, I am of noble status, revered in position. But in the end, am I not just a pawn at the mercy of others?¡± Guang De quickly cautioned, ¡°Your Highness, please be careful of the walls that have ears.¡± In the past, Mu Xiaowan had been the most cautious and taboo-conscious. But today, she seemed like a different person, spouting such unrestrained words. These were words of grave disrespect! Yet, Mu Xiaowan appeared as if she had given up completely, ¡°Apart from eating and drinking each day, what say do I have in anything? What meaning is there in living like this?¡± ¡°This palace has imprisoned me for half my life. Worse still is the wall built within my heart, making it difficult for me to breathe, to escape.¡± Guang De fell to his knees and pleaded with a trembling voice, ¡°Your Highness, please don¡¯t say anymore.¡± ¡°What cannot be said? I will speak my mind!¡± Mu Xiaowan smashed her wine cup fiercely onto the ground, and with a ¡®bang,¡¯ she continued, ¡°Everything about me has been arranged by others, my fate was decided by others long ago. What does it have to do with me, whether I want to do something or not? Why should they treat me this way, why do they have the right to control my life?¡± Mu Xiaowan grabbed Guang De by the arm, her hair somewhat disheveled, her beautiful eyes bloodshot, ¡°Do you think I wanted to enter the palace? Do you think I wanted to engage in these heart-wrenching intrigues, do you think I wanted to kill? Do you think I wanted to revel in this luxury and wealth?¡± Guang De¡¯s face turned pale, his lips trembling uncontrollably, as if the scene before him had terrified him. Why had Mu Xiaowan suddenly become so frantic? ¡°I¡¯ve given my all, why won¡¯t you let me go?¡± Mu Xiaowan released Guang De and turned her head toward the Great Hall, venting years of suppressed bitterness and indignation, ¡°Tell me, what else can I have in this lifetime?¡± ¡°What Human Emperor, what National Religion, what martial world of Jianghu!¡± ¡°I refuse to play these games with you!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± After finishing, Mu Xiaowan¡¯s chest heaved with each breath she took. If she had a knife in her hand, she would have wished to kill everyone. But even with a knife, she couldn¡¯t kill everyone. Guang De, looking at the Mu Xiaowan in front of him¨Cwho was both unfamiliar and familiar¨Cfelt his mind go blank. The entire Kunning Palace became very quiet, as palace maids and guards outside shivered in fear, chilled to their core. Within these palace walls, they had seen too many masters who had fallen from grace, with very, very, very tragic ends. Because their power all came from the Emperor, and what could they have left after the Emperor took it back? After a long while, Mu Xiaowan let out a breath, ¡°Guang De, how many years have you been with me?¡± The eunuch Guang De hurriedly answered, ¡°Your Highness entered the palace in the 26th year of Li Ping¡¯s reign, and I have been with Your Highness ever since, seventeen years to date.¡± ¡°For all these years, have you ever regretted it or felt it was difficult?¡± ¡°Your Highness has a kind heart and granted this old servant a meal to eat. I will never forget it in my life. Serving Your Highness for so many years is not only not difficult, but my heart also feels greatly honored.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Mu Xiaowan, feeling a hint of warmth in her heart, closed her eyes slightly, and crystal-clear tears streamed down her cheeks. ¡°Guang De, get me something to eat, I¡¯m feeling a bit hungry.¡± ¡°This old servant will go at once, get you something you¡¯ll enjoy eating.¡± Guang De, the eunuch, was ecstatic as he said this and quickly headed toward the Imperial Kitchen. After attending to Mu Xiaowan for seventeen years, Guang De knew all of her culinary likes and dislikes as if they were the treasures of his own home. Reaching the entrance to Kunning Palace, Guang De¡¯s voice suddenly became cold, ¡°I hope you all understand what should and should not be said.¡± ¡°Understood, understood.¡± The guards and palace maids hastily nodded. Guang De nodded slightly and hurried off. On his way, he walked briskly and soon arrived at the Imperial Kitchen. ¡°Little Li, Her Highness wants something warm to eat now. Get it ready.¡± The eunuch in charge of the Imperial Kitchen glanced at Guang De and responded listlessly, ¡°Understood.¡± Guang De frowned, but said nothing. In the past, when he came here, Little Li welcomed him with the same enthusiasm as he would his own father, but now his attitude was indifferent, a reflection of the opportunistic nature of the palace. ¡°Hurry up.¡± ¡°The cooks haven¡¯t even gotten up yet, there¡¯s no way to hurry.¡± ¡°Then try to make it as quick as possible.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± ¡­. Having no desire to waste time with that eunuch, Guang De made his orders and headed towards Kunning Palace. Inside Kunning Palace, all was quiet. As Guang De crossed the towering steps, the scene that unfolded before him struck like a bolt from the blue. He saw Mu Xiaowan sprawled over the desk, blood spewing from her mouth, a delicate jade bottle placed beside her. The light in Mu Xiaowan¡¯s bright eyes gradually faded away. Flashes of her past life flickered before her eyes like scenes from a lantern show. Born into a family of high status, pampered and privileged since youth, by sixteen, suitors had worn a path to her door. It was that year she met Jiang Sanjia in the Peach Garden of Yujing City. Back then, Jiang Sanjia was full of youthful vigor, relying on his status as the Ghost Valley Sect heir, not yet targeted by the Zhenyi Sect; he thrived both in the court and in Jianghu. And it was that early summer when wind met cloud, flower met tree, fireflies met starlight. Yet, all these encounters ended up being nothing more than rough conclusions, dim and lusterless. Later, a Daoist came to the Mu Family, claiming Mu Xiaowan was destined to be an Imperial Concubine, saying she was naturally born to bloom with wealth and honor. It was only after entering the palace that she realized this Daoist was Yu Ying. Her entire life seemed to have halted on that day when she was sixteen; from then on, her existence was nothing but lifeless, filled with memories too few and stuffed with deception and intrigue. In all the years of her life, what she couldn¡¯t forget were the blossoming peach flowers in the Peach Garden, the unresolved sentiments of her life. The one who could have given her his whole heart ended up dying by her hand. She remembered the last time Jiang Sanjia looked at her in silence, as if a thousand knives were piercing her heart. And then, she saw the Peach Garden again, saw Jiang Sanjia. It turned out, all of it was nothing but a grand dream. Suddenly, Mu Xiaowan felt her eyelids growing heavier and heavier. ¡°Your Highness!¡± Guang De hurried forward, placing a finger under Mu Xiaowan¡¯s nose, only to find no breath left. Boom! A thunderclap rang out above Guang De¡¯s head, as if the very heavens were falling. Hearing Guang De¡¯s voice, the palace maids of Kunning Palace rushed in as well. ¡°Ah¨C!¡± Seeing the scene, a palace maid screamed uncontrollably. Guang De was momentarily stunned, remembering the first time he met Mu Xiaowan. He was just an ordinary eunuch in the palace, enduring oppression and humiliation. Strangely enough, it wasn¡¯t the scholars or martial generals, or those outside the palace who looked down on and bullied eunuchs, but rather the eunuchs themselves. Guang De had often not had enough to eat; then he met Mu Xiaowan wandering in the plains. Back then, Mu Xiaowan was still lively and mischievous, not as gloomy and melancholic as now. Seeing the pitiful Guang De, she not only gave him a meal but also transferred him to serve by her side. Although he couldn¡¯t become a powerful eunuch like Zhao Tianyi or Bai Mei, at least he wouldn¡¯t starve. Seventeen years of serving her went by, and Guang De could almost say he watched Mu Xiaowan slowly change herself. As time passed, Guang De didn¡¯t even know which Mu Xiaowan was the real one, especially when it came to the affair with Jiang Sanjia, he could see her struggling, hesitating. But today, he finally saw the hints of the truth. ¡°Your Highness.¡± Guang De knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, thinking to himself, ¡°You¡¯re finally free.¡± Soon, the whole harem was in turmoil. Just recently, Imperial Concubine Rong was greatly favored; rumors had it she fell out of favor, but who would have thought she would hang herself so quickly in Kunning Palace, causing such shock? Not long after Imperial Concubine Rong¡¯s suicide, the old eunuch who had served her for years dashed his head against one of Kunning Palace¡¯s stone pillars, blood flowing, dead on the spot. In the Imperial Study Room, the eunuch Bai Mei said to the figure behind the beaded curtain, ¡°Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Rong has hanged herself.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only There was silence behind the curtain for three breaths, then a faint voice said, ¡°Sacrificing the pawn to save the chariot, is it?¡± Bai Mei didn¡¯t respond, his insight into life and death in the palace had long been clear. ¡°Give a grand burial.¡± ¡­¡­. PS: Another chapter coming tonight. Chapter 251 - Chapter 251: Chapter 251: Divine Soul Appears Under the Evil Suppressing Sword Chapter 251: Chapter 251: Divine Soul Appears Under the Evil Suppressing Sword An Jing had left Yujing City and was heading towards East Lin Road. As for the challenge set by Ye Ding on Blue Sky Island, he felt it was merely Ye Ding¡¯s delusion. The most important thing right now was to gather the remaining parts of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade. The remaining three segments of the blade were located on East Lin Road, Jiangnan Road, and Jinghai Road. The closest one was East Lin Road, with the remaining two located in the south because, after obtaining the first segment, he had carried it on his back, thus not having retrieved the two segments in the south. An Jing muttered to himself, ¡°If I were from the Zhenyi Sect¡­¡± Along the way, he continually pondered the objectives and plots of the Zhenyi Sect. This battle on Blue Sky Island would inevitably lead to an ambush by the masters of both the Zhenyi Sect and the Five Poison Sect, presenting a perilous situation. If the plan were successful, they could assassinate him, eliminating a major threat while also suppressing the Demon Sect¡¯s influence and maintaining the hegemony of the Zhenyi Sect. However, if he chose to disregard it, their challenge on Blue Sky Island would become a joke. Then, if the Zhenyi Sect were to raise the anti-demon banner, it would undoubtedly lead to a bloody upheaval in Great Yan¡¯s martial world, intensifying the conflict. While this would pose a great danger to the Demon Sect, it would offer no benefit to the Zhenyi Sect either. After all, formidable enemies were watching from all sides. ¡°Could it be that the Zhenyi Sect has other means?¡± An Jing was baffled and chose not to think further about it. Three days later, An Jing finally arrived at East Lin Road. wuxiaworld.site The seal on this part of the Evil Suppressing Sword was incredibly covert, rather dangerously so than merely hidden. This place was located in Big Treasure Mountain on East Lin Road, known as a dangerous land due to the swamps and miasma as well as venomous insects and beasts. The skies were blue, the waters azure, the distant mountains serene, and even the partially yellow grasses had not yet parted with their green. Though it was already autumn, the southern parts of East Lin Road in Canton¡¯s Big Treasure Mountain remained lush and verdant. ¡°Hint Three: There is a blue opportunity near the host.¡± The moment An Jing stepped into the forest, the Earth Book provided a hint. ¡°It seems the body of the Evil Suppressing Sword is indeed inside.¡± An Jing eyed the Big Treasure Mountain in front of him and then sprinted towards it. If there was no black opportunity, it indicated that there wasn¡¯t much danger in the area. Darkness surrounded him, not a speck of sunlight peeked through the gaps between the leaves, and the silence was only broken by the sound of An Jing stepping on the leaves. After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the blue opportunity grew closer. Suddenly, a strange scent reached An Jing¡¯s nose. An Jing frowned, ¡°What a weird smell¡­ The odor was peculiar, mildly fragrant, which upon smelling too much, could induce a nauseating sensation, reminiscent of rotting flesh in the sea. An Jing walked on a bit further, hearing several sounds of scales rubbing together. Through the sparse forest in front of him, he finally saw what lay ahead. He saw an extremely stout blue python, as thick as a man¡¯s torso, its eyes gleaming dimly, captivating anyone who saw it, its long tongue flicking, body coiling. Such a magnificent blue python could swallow an adult man whole, looking dreadfully fearsome. Nonetheless, it was much smaller compared to a Black Flood Dragon. The most important aspect was that pythons are yin and normally cold by nature. But this python was yang. This wasn¡¯t just a rarity, it was absolutely unique. The blue python hurried off towards the distance. An Jing leaped forward and quickly followed. After about half the duration of an incense stick, the python arrived at a cave entrance. The cave was extremely concealed, and the surrounding environment was dark and damp. As An Jing neared, a chill breeze hit him, along with a continuous flickering of blue lights inside the Earth Book. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± At that moment, the ground trembled. An Jing looked up and followed the direction of the sound. He saw a giant shadow crawl out from the cave. It was a huge humped-back turtle. The turtle¡¯s shell was dark bluish-black, spiraling patterns forming seemingly at random. Yet upon closer inspection, the patterns were intricacies that seemed to coincide with certain cosmic sequences, extraordinarily unique. Its four limbs were surrounded by dark Yin winds, giving an eerie chill. ¡°This is¡­¡± An Jing frowned. Yin winds were not something ordinary beasts could conjure, suggesting this humped-back turtle was some kind of exotic beast. Yin winds, carrying a scent of death, usually accumulated from evil qi. Yet, here it was, beneath the feet of this humped-back turtle. This indicated that the animal was an entity of extreme Yin. Turtles are generally considered long-lived and are naturally yang. ¡°Hiss hiss!¡± Upon seeing the turtle, the python hissed, its eyes shining brightly. The turtle too appeared excited and quickly ran towards it. A turtle and a snake were entangled with each other. Suddenly, they began to mate. Suddenly, the hunchbacked turtle sensed something and bit towards the python. ¡°Hiss¨C!¡± The python¡¯s body was torn open, and it immediately hissed in pain. The python opened its bloody mouth wide, and a red Essence Qi surged forth. Bang! The red Essence Qi was forcefully expelled onto the neck of the hunchbacked turtle. The flesh on the turtle¡¯s neck flew about, and its body staggered. This scene happened too quickly! An Jing, who was hiding in the distance, had no time to react. The snake and the turtle shifted from their mating stance and began to fight fiercely, as if they wouldn¡¯t stop until one was dead. Roar! The hunchbacked turtle roared angrily, then opened its jaws wide. Sharp teeth suddenly extended from its beak, desperately clamping onto the python¡¯s body. ¡°Hiss! Hiss!¡± The python cried out in pain, its body twisting continuously. Crack! Crack! The hunchbacked turtle did not care about the life and death of the python, twisting its neck as well. ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!¡± The python¡¯s massive body slammed against the stone walls, making a loud noise. The stone walls were stained red with the python¡¯s blood. Dozens of breaths later, the python¡¯s body gradually stopped twisting. The turtle also lay down, gasping for breath with open mouth. An Jing, from where he watched, could clearly feel the Essence Qi swiftly draining from the turtle¡¯s body. ¡°Huff! Huff! Huff!¡± The turtle struggled to rise, moved to the front of the python, and greedily devoured its flesh and blood. An Jing hid in the distance, quietly watching this. Soon, the turtle had devoured the entire python, visibly bloating its belly. ¡°Crack! Crack! Crack!¡± Even so, the turtle¡¯s Essence Qi continued to drain away. Until its breath stopped completely! Seeing the turtle lying motionless on the ground, An Jing finally slowly came out. Such a bizarre scene was hard to believe. ¡°This hunchbacked turtle and python are truly strange,¡± An Jing muttered to himself, took out his flint from his pocket, and walked towards the cave. Faintly, he felt there was something unusual about this cave. He had not gone deep yet, but he could already see many corpses around, both human and other beasts, which obviously had become food for the hunchbacked turtle. As he went deeper, cold winds blew from inside, which posed no real threat or harm to An Jing at his current level of Cultivation. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± Suddenly, the sound of a sword¡¯s humming spread, and the Evil Suppressing Sword at An Jing¡¯s waist also began to sway. Then, by the faint firelight, he could see an ancient sword stuck in the ground ahead, with wisps of evil Qi around it. The cold winds in the cave were caused by this swirling evil Qi. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± An Jing stretched out his palm, his True Qi surged out from within, directly dispersing all the Yin Evil Qi in front, then with an extension of his palm, a powerful suction emerged. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± The ground began to shake violently, crazily quaking. ¡°Crack! Crack! Crack!¡± Inch by inch, the Evil Suppressing Sword was pulled out from the ground. Despite hundreds of years passing, the sword still flickered with a chilling cold light, daunting to the soul. ¡°Bang!¡± Only when the sword was completely withdrawn did the ground stop shaking. The blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword flew towards An Jing¡¯s hand like a black streak of light, accompanied by a deafening sound surging towards him. ¡°Roar!¡± The sound seemed to transform into tangible sound waves, as if they were about to burst An Jing¡¯s eardrums. There were actually divine souls in the Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡°A divine soul!?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart was startled, and his True Qi surged forward fiercely. A terrifying phantom appeared, its aura daunting, carrying a vast and majestic breath, but as An Jing¡¯s True Qi surged, it suddenly became listless. Remnant Soul! This strand of remnant soul had been suppressed by the Evil Suppressing Sword for too long, so long that it was about to disperse. An Jing¡¯s heart moved, and he directly used a secret technique to draw the divine soul into his Dantian. As the divine soul was drawn into the Dantian, An Jing also got a glimpse of the shape of this phantom. The shape was extremely odd, humanoid yet not human, entirely pitch-black, and strangely familiar in appearance. ¡°A mummy!?¡± An Jing suddenly thought of the mummy that had the Evil Suppressing Sword plunged into it back on Three Temple Mountain, his eyes narrowing into slits instantly. What secrets were hidden beneath the sealing of the Evil Suppressing Sword? Recalling the blood on the sword, the mummy, the divine soul that had just entered the Dantian, and the Undying Blood Jiang Shang once mentioned, it seemed as if an elusive thread was linking them together. After pondering for a moment, An Jing had no clues and decided not to exert any further futile effort. With the divine soul gone, the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword also became very ordinary and returned to its sword scabbard. The hint from the Earth Book about the Evil Suppressing Sword vanished completely as the sword landed in his hands. Four sword bodies now. The Evil Suppressing Sword had a total of six sword bodies, and now that four were in An Jing¡¯s hands, the remaining two were just a matter of time. He just didn¡¯t know if the other two would be like today. ¡­. Houjin, Royal Court. Brilliant sunshine bathed the area, warm and pleasant. Zongzheng Yue, dressed in prairie attire, rode in on a horse. ¡°Princess!¡± Wanyan Lin, clad in brightly colored clothes, quickly approached and supported Zongzheng Yue¡¯s delicate body, then whispered, ¡°There is news from Yujing City in Yan Country.¡± Zongzheng Yue asked, ¡°What news?¡± Wanyan Lin produced a sealed letter, saying, ¡°This is a sealed letter, how could I dare to open it?¡± Zongzheng Yue waved her hand, ¡°It¡¯s harmless for you to see this sealed letter.¡± Truly confidential intelligence required a special method to open, and only she could open it. Everything else was just confidential correspondence concerning world affairs. Wanyan Lin smiled, ¡°Since the Princess says so, from now on, Wanyan Lin will boldly open and read these letters on behalf of the Princess.¡± Wanyan Lin¡¯s gaze was bold and ardent, causing Zongzheng Yue¡¯s heart to flutter. ¡°You are the person I trust the most.¡± Zongzheng Yue spoke softly, ¡°You know, understanding these worldly affairs not only helps me analyze the current situation but most importantly, it will help me resolve worries and problems in the future.¡± Speaking thus, Zongzheng Yue took the letter, opened it, and her brows instantly furrowed. Wanyan Lin inquired nonchalantly, ¡°Princess, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Zongzheng Yue took a deep breath before saying, ¡°The Purple Sun Token is lost.¡± Wanyan Lin asked somewhat puzzled, ¡°What is the Purple Sun Token?¡± Zongzheng Yue crushed the sealed letter in her hand, ¡°The Purple Sun Token is the key to opening the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, inside of which lies the body of the Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty. Not only are there world-renowned treasures and riches, but also True Dragon Essence Blood.¡± ¡°Now I have one Purple Sun Token in my hand, and adding the one lost from Yujing City, that makes two. If we find three, we might be able to enter the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum.¡± Even though Wanyan Lin knew the woman before him had great ambition and many secrets, he was still shocked at the moment. What a treasure the True Dragon Essence Blood was¨Cit was the paramount treasure that brought prosperity to the Great Qin Dynasty. Without it, how could the Great Qin have produced so many Martial Arts Emperors that shook the world? Since Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s death, Zongzheng Yue had become the most powerful successor of Houjin. Her capabilities far outstripped Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s, added to her training in martial arts at Great Snow Mountain, nearly rivaling that of Qi Shu. Now, at thirty-two, she had reached the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster Realm. This was despite the fact that she devoted part of her energy to political strategy. If she obtained the True Dragon Essence Blood, she might very well reach the Five Qi Grandmaster level and even attempt to break into the Great Grandmaster Realm in the future. Was this woman aiming to emulate the Martial Arts Emperors of the Great Qin Dynasty? Zongzheng Yue squinted, ¡°Even if I have to turn this world upside down, make sure you find the Purple Sun Token for me.¡± Wanyan Lin reassured her from the side, ¡°The Purple Sun Token won¡¯t escape from the Princess¡¯s grasp.¡± Zongzheng Yue nodded slightly, not saying another word. Wanyan Lin casually mentioned, ¡°By the way, Princess, about Blue Sky Island that you mentioned last time¡­ ¡± Zongzheng Yue shook her head, ¡°The matter of Blue Sky Island is an unexpected situation. It¡¯s too far from Houjin for us to get involved easily, and there are more important things to consider.¡± She had pondered long over Blue Sky Island and felt that a battle there seemed unlikely. After all, the Ghost Swordsman was not foolish; without the Demon Sect¡¯s experts entering Yan Country, he would not venture alone to Blue Sky Island, unless he was truly confident he could kill Ye Ding and the multitude of experts from Yan Country. However, for Houjin, it was beneficial as they could watch the infighting between the Zhenyi Sect and the Demon Sect, undeniably weakening the overall strength of Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu. Zongzheng Yue looked at his stunningly beautiful eyes, asking, ¡°How many days have I been in seclusion?¡± Wanyan Lin replied, ¡°Thirteen days.¡± Zongzheng Yue spoke with deep significance, ¡°It¡¯s been quite some time then.¡± Wanyan Lin embraced the graceful waist and chuckled softly, ¡°Without the Princess here, I really missed you deeply.¡± Zongzheng Yue grabbed Wanyan Lin¡¯s vital parts and said with seductive eyes, ¡°I felt the same, missed you very much.¡± ¡­¡­. Yujing City, Yuhua Bieyuan. Zhao Chongyin lay on the Grandmaster Chair, basking in the gentle autumn sunlight. ¡°Your Highness really enjoys the finer things,¡± a voice came from afar. Seeing the visitor, Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin slowly got up and smiled, ¡°Lord Meng, it¡¯s been a long time.¡± Tian Luo Di Wang¡¯s Meng Zhaodou was the Human Emperor¡¯s eyes and ears and also the most powerful intelligence organization in Yan Country. No one knew how many secrets he controlled. He held a high position but was rarely seen in the temples. Meng Zhaodou was well aware that the Zhenyi Sect and the Crown Prince were not on good terms, and the Crown Prince had turned to seek the support of the Buddhist faction. Although it was ¡®frustrating¡¯ for the Buddhist faction to have received the National Teaching Order and then Vajra was severely damaged, this was initially bad news. However, with Ye Ding coming down the mountain to deal with the Ghost Swordsman, the situation had improved. Meng Zhaodou asked, ¡°Your Highness, do you think there is a large chance the Ghost Swordsman will head to Blue Sky Island?¡± Zhao Chongyin shook his head, ¡°The chances are small.¡± The Demon Sect and the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s struggle, although not likely to escalate to a full-blown battle, allowed the Buddhist faction to develop steadily, as it was a significant card in his hand. Meng Zhaodou smiled silently. Zhao Chongyin asked with a puzzled look, ¡°Lord Meng, what do you think?¡± Meng Zhaodou didn¡¯t hesitate and replied, ¡°I believe the Ghost Swordsman will definitely go.¡± Zhao Chongyin raised his eyebrows in surprise at his certainty, ¡°Lord Meng, why do you say that?¡± ¡°Your Highness.¡± At that moment, Bai Jing quickly approached from a distance. Upon seeing Meng Zhaodou, she paused for a moment, then said, ¡°It seems Your Highness is already aware.¡± Zhao Chongyin glanced at Meng Zhaodou, then turned to Bai Jing, ¡°Aware of what?¡± Bai Jing bowed and said, ¡°The Demon Sect announced today in the Jianghu: the Ghost Swordsman will definitely attend the battle on Blue Sky Island as scheduled.¡± ¡°Oh!?¡± Zhao Chongyin was startled, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman agreed to go? Is this true?¡± Qian Ji Daoist making the invitations at the gate of Yujing City had caused a storm throughout the city, knowing that the Ghost Swordsman had left upon receiving his invitation without agreeing to move to Blue Sky Island, and his tone and attitude at the time seemed to indicate that he was not planning to go. Bai Jing nodded, ¡°It¡¯s an announcement from the Demon Sect¡¯s Earth Sect, absolutely true.¡± Zhao Chongyin looked at Meng Zhaodou, ¡°Does Lord Meng know the reason?¡± Meng Zhaodou shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know. However, the Human Emperor hopes that I go there to prevent unnecessary turmoil in the Jianghu.¡± Hearing this, Zhao Chongyin¡¯s mind raced, wondering why the Ghost Swordsman suddenly agreed. Was Meng Zhaodou aware of the reason but unwilling to say, or was he also unaware? After a long while, Zhao Chongyin finally exhaled and smiled, ¡°It seems there will be quite a spectacle at Blue Sky Island.¡± Sometimes, thinking too much can be a burden. Perhaps the Ghost Swordsman got a rush of blood to his head, thinking he could storm through Blue Sky Island after defeating Exalted Vajra, or maybe the Ghost Swordsman has other trump cards up his sleeve. In any case, we will know when the time comes. Meng Zhaodou sighed and said, ¡°Whether it will be a great event or great turmoil, who knows?¡± ¡­¡­. The next day. East Lin Road, Linhu City, inside an inn. A gentleman in white, as elegant as a graceful tree, sat at a table, holding a porcelain cup and sipping tea. Next to him stood a middle-aged man, none other than Hu Yu, a Grandmaster of the Human Sect responsible for the area around Linhu City. An Jing casually asked, ¡°Any news on the Jianghu recently? How many sects have responded to the call of the Zhenyi Sect?¡± Coming to Linhu City and retrieving the Evil Suppressing Sword had taken four days, by which time the invitation sent from Yujing City must have spread throughout the Jianghu. Now he was more eager to know how many forces were eager to settle old scores with the Demon Sect and also to cause trouble for the Zhenyi Sect. ¡°Apart from the Five Poison Sect, none of the seven major factions participated, but there were a few who are fearless, proclaiming themselves from the small sects of the Righteous Path.¡±¡± Hu Yu hurriedly bowed and said, ¡°The affair at Blue Sky Island is being discussed all over the Jianghu. This morning, news came out that the Ghost Swordsman will definitely be on time for the battle at Blue Sky Island.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing narrowed his eyes, ¡°Does anyone dare spread rumors about Outer Heaven?¡± He had never agreed to attend, clearly, this was deliberately orchestrated by someone with ulterior motives. Listening to this, Hu Yu was stunned, somewhat puzzled. An Jing thought for a moment, then instructed, ¡°Pass down my order, check which force is behind this.¡± ¡°An Tributor, there¡¯s no need to check, this was orchestrated by the Sect Hierarch¡­¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Hu Yu lowered his head, softly speaking, ¡°There¡¯s also an express secret letter from Dongluo Pass that arrived this morning.¡± With that, Hu Yu carefully took out an express secret letter. ¡°Let me see.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing picked up the express secret letter and started reading it, his heart skipping a beat, ¡°Jun Qinglin is coming¡­.¡± ¡­¡­.. Chapter 252 - Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Life is Nothing But Ups and Downs Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Life is Nothing But Ups and Downs Early November, Ling City. After receiving a secret letter from Zhao Qingmei, An Jing headed south immediately. The battle at Blue Sky Island quickly became the talk of Jianghu, overshadowing the Buddhist and Demon Sect conflict in Yujing City. This battle was particularly notable because it was a life-or-death duel meant to resolve deep-seated grudges. Life-or-death duel¨Cthat wasn¡¯t merely a competition, it was intended to draw blood and determine survival. Those seasoned in Jianghu could vaguely sense the extreme danger of this trip to Blue Sky Island. Coupled with the Demon Sect¡¯s notorious ferocity and brutality, there weren¡¯t many who harbored thoughts of merely watching the fight. Apart from the Zhenyi Sect, only a few sects with deep-seated hatred against the Demon Sect attended the challenge on Blue Sky Island, including the Five Poison Sect and two smaller sects. As for other sects, they chose to remain silent, after all, the Demon Sect had declared that past grievances would not be pursued further. They saw no need to venture to Blue Sky Island for a fight to the death. However, in terms of support, they actively responded favorably toward the Zhenyi Sect. An Jing traveled swiftly and eventually arrived at Ling City. Blue Sky Island was still in the south, not far from Ling City. Had he not possessed the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± cultivation technique, which provided him with an almost endless supply of True Qi, he would not have been able to reach the border of Jinghai Road so swiftly. But maintaining this full pace took a severe toll on his spirit, and he needed a good rest. Ling City could not compare to Yu State City, but it was still quite prosperous. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site The streets were bustling with people, ox carts, and horse carts continually passed by, and in the west of the city, there was a dock where one could see black canopy boats, merchant ships, and banners of armed escorts passing to and from various places. Jinghai Road was notorious for its many pirates, especially those from the Wangjing Sea, known as one of the top five gangs, who were regarded by traders as the foremost of the three scourges. An Jing walked to the riverbank, where his attention was caught by a black canopy boat. The boat had red flags inserted on both sides, and an old boatman at the bow was rowing, besides him sat an elderly man in white, brewing tea. This white-robed old man was Jun Qinglin, who had recently emerged from the Sealing Demon Platform. An Jing waved his hand, and the old boatman, seeing this, hurriedly moved toward the shore. ¡°Great Elder really knows how to enjoy himself, admiring the tea and the scenery,¡± An Jing remarked as he sat across from Jun Qinglin and poured himself a cup of tea the latter had brewed. The boatman continued rowing, heading into the distance. Jun Qinglin took a sip of tea and said, ¡°What lies before the eyes are all things of the past, there¡¯s really nothing much to admire in the scenery. I¡¯m mostly observing the people and seeing how this world differs from the past.¡± An Jing poured another cup for Jun Qinglin and asked with a smile, ¡°Great Elder, with your arrival, my heart is also put at ease.¡± Jun Qinglin, with a playful smile, responded, ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing slowly said, ¡°Blue Sky Island is merely a hundred miles from Zhao Country. In the past, Qi Shu died by my hand. With Zhenyi Sect stirring trouble, the masters of the Black Ice Platform will definitely take action.¡± The thing An Jing feared the most about this trip to Blue Sky Island was not the power of Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu, for other than the Zhenyi Sect, Jianghu masters from Five Poison Sect might also surround and attack him, but there was also a great chance that the Black Ice Platform would be involved. Ye Ding choosing Blue Sky Island as the location was also an indication to the Black Ice Platform. This showed that in Ye Ding¡¯s view, he had become a significant threat, enough to warrant the use of the Black Ice Platform to ensure his elimination. Black Ice Platform! That terrifying and mysterious power! Zhao Country¡¯s strength was not inferior to Yan Country, and the Black Ice Platform was the absolute ruler of Zhao Country. Possessing elixirs like the Blood-Loathing Pill and the Primordial Spirit Pill, it had recruited countless masters, even enabling some half-step masters to reach the level of a One Qi Grandmaster, or even a Second Qi Grandmaster. Its strength was definitely superior to the Zhenyi Sect, and it could even be considered the number one sect in the world, which also represented the greatest crisis hidden on Blue Sky Island. Jun Qinglin tapped his fingers on the table, ¡°They say the early achiever might not ultimately succeed, and the late arriver might not fail. This Qi Xuan Dao bloomed late which is really baffling. His first thirty years were unremarkable compared to the top talents of the world, but in the next thirty years, he surpassed all his peers. It¡¯s his current strength that concerns me the most.¡± As the leader of the Black Ice Platform, his capabilities were undeniably powerful, but not many knew exactly how strong he had become. Perhaps even the masters within the Black Ice Platform were unaware since Qi Xuan Dao had not acted in many years. ¡°What if the masters from the Black Ice Platform do come?¡± An Jing responded with a forced smile, ¡°The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, yet little does it know that beneath the tree a famished slingshot waits. Now, Great Elder, you are that hidden hunter beneath the tree, ready to ensnare them all in one fell swoop.¡± Jun Qinglin laughed lightly, ¡°If you can anticipate the Black Ice Platform making a move, wouldn¡¯t Ye Ding, that old fellow, guess as much?¡± An Jing furrowed his brows, also somewhat puzzled in his heart. ¡°Ye Ding, his actions this time are not as simple as imagined, maybe he also has a backup plan,¡± Jun Qinglin hinted. Jun Qinglin looked at the river, saying, ¡°You have never met this person, and most of what you¡¯ve heard about him is hearsay, which is often hard to distinguish between truth and falsehood, so you should no longer take it as a basis.¡± ¡°You killed a master of the Zhenyi Sect, and the Zhenyi Sect killed our Sect Leader of Outer Heaven, these are facts, how can grudges be resolved with a few words?¡± ¡°Especially since you killed two true masters and a great peak master, right or wrong, this is a fact. If they remain silent, what will the disciples within the sect think, what will the people under the heavens think of this great national religion?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows knitted into a knot, ¡°This event, settling years of accumulated grievances, is indeed a good thing for our sect, but I¡¯m afraid these grievances are not easy to settle.¡± Not to mention whether people from Black Ice Platform on Blue Sky Island will come, if Ye Ding dies at Blue Sky Island, would the Zhenyi Sect really stop at that? Jun Qinglin indifferently said, ¡°It depends on whether the Zhenyi Sect wants a few people dead, or a crowd.¡± ¡­¡­ Five Poison Mountain, Five Poison Sect. Not far from the Thunder Pool, there was a pavilion. This pavilion was where Feng Lingyue cultivated. In his youth, Feng Lingyue enjoyed beautiful slaves, fine foods, and exquisite clothing, and even as he aged, he still favored luxury, always dressed exceptionally compared to the modest attire of ordinary masters. This was his unique hallmark. Feng Lingyue sat at the head, sipping on expensive tea with a serene expression. ¡°Elder Ancestor.¡± Three figures appeared outside the door. The visitors were precisely the Sect Leader of the Five Poison Sect, Dai Danshu, the Great Elder Cheng Quan, and Dai Ling. Feng Lingyue gestured with his hand, ¡°You¡¯ve all arrived, take a seat.¡± ¡°Thank you, Elder Ancestor!¡± The three, uncertain why Feng Lingyue had summoned them, cautiously sat down. Feng Lingyue cut straight to the point, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman has already been invited to Blue Sky Island. I¡¯m not sure about others, but I, Feng Lingyue, must go.¡± The grudge between the Demon Sect and the Five Poison Sect was not just ordinary Jianghu rivalry. Dai Danshu took a deep breath, saying, ¡°This time a senior from the Zhenyi Sect, Great Heavenly Yang Ye, took action, and it happened on Blue Sky Island; it won¡¯t be easy for the Ghost Swordsman to escape.¡± Dai Danshu could naturally smell the crisis of Blue Sky Island, and even if An Jing had defeated the Exalted Vajra, he did not believe the Ghost Swordsman could safely get past Blue Sky Island. ¡°The battle of Blue Sky Island isn¡¯t that simple.¡± Feng Lingyue waved his hand, his face unusually solemn, ¡°If the Ghost Swordsman dared agree, I suspect there might be something odd about this matter.¡± Instinctively, he felt the battle of Blue Sky Island would be perilous. Dai Danshu and Cheng Quan also fell silent, their presence filling with lethal intent; of the seven major sects, only the Zhenyi Sect and the Five Poison Sect attended, which was telling. Dai Ling hesitated, saying, ¡°I also feel that, Elder Ancestor, perhaps¡­¡± ¡°I must go to Blue Sky Island.¡± Feng Lingyue knew what Dai Ling wanted to say and cut her off, ¡°Even if it might be extremely dangerous, even if it may cost me my life.¡± ¡°Elder Ancestor!¡± ¡°Elder Ancestor!¡± Hearing this, both Dai Danshu and Cheng Quan turned pale. Feng Lingyue was the pillar of the Five Poison Sect; if anything really happened to him, the Five Poison Sect would immediately become like the Blue River Sect¨Crelegated to the bottom of the major sects, unable to withstand the onslaught of the Demon Sect. ¡°This battle of Blue Sky Island has two possible outcomes; the first scenario is that I do not die, naturally, that would be the best outcome. The other is that I die¡­¡± Feng Lingyue paused, then said, ¡°In that case, you should return to the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°Elder Ancestor.¡± Dai Danshu hurriedly said, ¡°The Five Poison Sect is your life¡¯s work, and if it really comes to it, Elder Ancestor, you could¡­¡± ¡°No need to say more, you all may return to the Demon Sect, but I cannot.¡± Feng Lingyue waved his hand, calmly saying, ¡°I swore an oath when I left the Demon Sect that I would never return in this life; moreover, after so many years of conflict with the Demon Sect, they might accommodate me, but I may not be able to live with myself.¡± Upon hearing this, everyone felt a mix of sadness and confusion. Especially Dai Ling, who felt as if her life lost all meaning at the thought of joining the Demon Sect. Previously, she had always thought that Zhang Zhixing was motivated by revenge. If he joined the Demon Sect, how would he seek his revenge? Feng Lingyue, upon reading this, burst out laughing and said, ¡°I am merely analyzing one possible outcome. Why be so sad when the battle of Blue Sky Island is still uncertain?¡± After about three or four breaths of silence, Dai Danshu stood up and said with a fist salute, ¡°Then I wish the ancestor a triumphant victory.¡± ¡°Then I wish the ancestor a triumphant victory.¡± The other two also stood up. Feng Lingyue stepped out of the pavilion, gazing at the majestic Five Poison Mountain. He couldn¡¯t help but laugh aloud, proud of the Five Poison Sect he had founded. ¡­.. Zhenyi Sect, side hall. The mountain was enveloped in a vast cloud sea, with towering green pines and jade towers standing amidst the mist that gently rose. Xiao Qianqiu was playing a game with Ye Ding. Ye Ding, holding a black piece, looked at the chessboard before him, which resembled a starry river, then laughed lightly and said, ¡°I lost.¡± ¡°You are too courteous.¡± Even though his opponent was both his teacher and a father figure, Xiao Qianqiu did not concede even slightly. Xiao Qianqiu asked, ¡°Master, after you descend the mountain this time, will you visit Xuanqing Mountain?¡± Ye Ding smiled faintly and replied, ¡°I met him half a month ago.¡± Xiao Qianqiu calmly said, ¡°Has junior master returned to Zhenyi Mountain?¡± Ever since Luo Chongyang had killed a high-ranking master of the Zhenyi Sect, he had never returned to Zhenyi Mountain, not even to pay his respects when his own grandmaster passed away. ¡°It is precisely because of him that I made up my mind to come down from the mountain.¡± Ye Ding nodded slightly, then reflected, ¡°Master was right, he was the only one among us three who had a chance to reach that realm.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°Junior Uncle is a true cultivator.¡± Ye Ding picked up a chess piece and put it back in the basket. ¡°What¡¯s funny is that the original Zhenyi Sect couldn¡¯t accommodate a true cultivator, yet now it can accommodate a hundred thousand disciples.¡± ¡°Everything in the world changes, had it not been for Uncle Yu Ying and master, Zhenyi Sect might not have its present status.¡± ¡°But now, Zhenyi no longer needs us.¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s hands paused momentarily, a ripple stirred in his heart that had been calm for many years. This ripple was different from the one he felt when facing Lou Xiangzhen¡¯s sword. Ye Ding saw clearly, Zhenyi Sect reached the pinnacle because of power, but now its roots were rotting due to the very same power, its mere surface was enough to look daunting and horrifying. The tides of time were changing, and a grandmaster was becoming a castoff of the era. ¡°There are some things, you understand even if I do not speak them, I will just mention a few important matters.¡± Ye Ding continued picking up the pieces into the basket, ¡°Zhenyi Sect is the state religion of Yan Country, its fate is tied to the fate of Yan Country. Only if Yan Country prospers can the state religion prosper, and if Yan Country falls, Zhenyi will also decline.¡± ¡°Currently, Yan Country is beset with crises and the court is also fraught with infighting, more difficult than imagined. Houjin has developed into a fierce tiger within twenty years, there must be some mystery and clues involved, that Houjin Holy Master is also a rare dominant ruler, just like the Taiping Emperor, also a Martial Arts Emperor, but much younger, and will certainly become a major threat. Besides Houjin, Zhao Country and the Southern Barbarians are also eyeing us covetously, you could say the situation is extremely dangerous.¡± Xiao Qianqiu just listened quietly, not saying a word. If it weren¡¯t so, how could the Buddhist and Demon Sects have a foothold? Ye Ding continued, ¡°About court struggles, do not intermeddle. The Emperor dislikes these things the most. As for the current Emperor, whether he has broken through his constraints I am not sure, but he definitely has his own schemes. You have achieved the Creation from seizing the heaven and earth, your future is limitless, all you need is some time.¡± ¡°After the battle of Blue Sky Island, no matter who lives or dies, Zhenyi Sect and Outer Heaven should no longer bring up any past grievances, consider it a resolution for the tens of thousands of disciples of Zhenyi Sect and those in Jianghu. However, you as the Ghost Swordsman have a doctrinal dispute with him, Zhenyi Sect originated from Mystical Sect, unifying Mystical Sect is the longtime wish of numerous ancestors of Zhenyi Sect, I couldn¡¯t achieve it in my time, I hope you can.¡± Xiao Qianqiu slightly raised his eyebrows, ¡°Master¡­.¡± Ye Ding calmly said, ¡°Did you catch all that?¡± Xiao Qianqiu nodded, ¡°I have noted it all.¡± Ye Ding placed the last chess piece down and said, ¡°The junior brother has been waiting for me for a long time, take my luggage, I and he should also be descending the mountain now.¡± As he spoke, Ye Ding stood up and walked towards the outside of the hall. At that moment, Yu Ying, dressed in a black Daoist robe, stood at the doorway and bowed as he saw Ye Ding. ¡°Senior brother!¡± Ye Ding asked, ¡°Have you paid your respects at the Heavenly Venerate Hall?¡± Every morning that Yu Ying spent cultivating on Zhenyi Mountain, he would go to the Heavenly Venerate Hall to worship and light three sticks of incense. ¡°I¡¯ve paid my respects.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Ye Ding, looking at the white-haired Yu Ying in front of him, was filled with emotion, ¡°Junior brother, do you think Zhenyi Mountain looks different from when we first climbed it?¡± Yu Ying glanced over, ¡°Is it different? I haven¡¯t really paid attention.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ye Ding pointed at a thick pine tree in the distance and said, ¡°That old pine tree next to Zhenyi Hall died seventeen years ago; you even peed on it. Chongyang secretly told me.¡± Yu Ying shook his head and laughed, ¡°If you hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I would have forgotten completely. Back then, that kid even threatened to tell our master, but later, I traded him ten sugar figures to keep the secret, and yet he ended up telling you.¡± Ye Ding also laughed, ¡°I traded with him for just three sugar figures.¡± Yu Ying asked, ¡°By the way, how did that pine tree die? With my boyish urine, it should have grown robust.¡± Ye Ding responded, ¡°There were too many insects, and they made many holes in the pine tree.¡± Yu Ying, looking at the majestic Jade Tower in front of him and the fairy-like green mountains in the distance, spoke softly, ¡°Brother, do you really not need me anymore?¡± Ye Ding, looking towards the distant view, said quietly, ¡°It¡¯s not us they need anymore.¡± Yu Ying fell silent and didn¡¯t speak. ¡°Master.¡± At this moment, Xiao Qianqiu came out carrying his luggage. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Soon, the three of them headed down the mountain, encountering many disciples of the Zhenyi Sect along the way. Seeing the three of them, the disciples quickly bowed deeply and shouted with utmost respect, ¡°Ancestors!¡± Ye Ding murmured quietly, ¡°How many years has it been since I came down the mountain?¡± It sounded like he was asking himself, but it also seemed directed at Yu Ying. Yu Ying, looking at the grass and trees on both sides, thought for a long time before saying, ¡°I just came down the mountain recently.¡± Over the years, coming down from the mountain had always been to kill for the Zhenyi Sect, the last time being the Ghost Swordsman, the time before that Yan Shaoshan, and this time was still to kill. After that, the three walked down in silence. Xiao Qianqiu remembered the many years ago, when Ye Ding accepted him as a disciple, leading him step by step up Zhenyi Mountain, explaining every grass and stone, every mountain and rock. And now, he was sending Ye Ding down the mountain, one step at a time. No matter how the world changes, life will always cycle, and a new beginning will slowly unfold a new scroll. Such is life, nothing more than climbing up and down a mountain. Eventually, the three reached the base of the mountain. Ye Ding spoke first, ¡°Qian Qiu, go back.¡± Yu Ying stood by, looking at the long staircase, the tranquil mountains, and the vast sky, as if trying to imprint everything in his eyes, his heart. He had done many things, perhaps good, perhaps bad, perhaps deeds best left unseen, but among the three, it was he who had invested the most effort. His life, had been scattered across this mountain. Hearing this, Xiao Qianqiu turned around to ascend the mountain again but stopped after two steps, ¡°Allow me to see off Master and Second Uncle.¡± Ye Ding didn¡¯t speak, just watched Yu Ying from the sidelines. It was unclear how much time had passed before Yu Ying returned to his senses and said, ¡°Brother, let¡¯s go.¡± Ye Ding asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to look a bit longer?¡± Yu Ying started laughing and said, ¡°It¡¯s etched in my heart now, I doubt I¡¯ll ever forget.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Then let us embark.¡± Ye Ding laughed heartily and walked into the distance. Xiao Qianqiu, watching their fading figures¨Cone black, one white¨Cbowed deeply towards the distance and said loudly, ¡°Farewell Master, Uncle!¡± ¡­.. PS: Another update coming tonight. Chapter 253 - Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Battle Erupts on Blue Sky Island Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Battle Erupts on Blue Sky Island Zhao Country, in an elegant pavilion next to the Cloud Tower. Two tables were set opposite each other, with a man and a woman seated. The man was none other than Qu Renlin, a top expert of the Black Ice Platform in Zhao Country. As a junior brother of Qi Xuan Dao, Qu Renlin might not have been as dazzling as Qiu Fengsheng at the start, but he was also gifted, with solid and steady cultivation. When Ye Ding arrived in Zhao Country, Qu Renlin held on for a hundred moves before being defeated by Ye Ding, and was considered an extremely formidable expert. The woman had an ordinary appearance that, despite proper care, revealed her age, with her head of silver hair particularly striking. Her name was Chu Yun, and she was also one of the top experts of the Black Ice Platform. Compared to Qu Renlin, Chu Yun joined the Black Ice Platform mid-way; originally, she was a wizard of a tribe among the Southern Barbarians, with cultivation roughly at the level of a Half-step Grandmaster. Later, after offending a Great Wizard in the Southern Barbarians, her tribe was brutally exterminated. In the Southern Barbarians, such incidents were uncommon but not rare. The Great Wizard had the authority over life and death and could even obliterate a small tribe with just his words. Chu Yun was fortunate to escape and afterward joined the Black Ice Platform of Zhao Country. Due to her resilient character, even more daring than the average Grandmaster, she quickly gained the appreciation of Qi Xuan Dao and hence obtained many rare elixirs from the Black Ice Platform. With time, her cultivation flourished. When she reached the Second Qi Realm, Chu Yun did not conceal her strength and directly invaded that major Southern Barbarian tribe, publicly killing the Great Wizard who had annihilated her own tribe, as well as five hundred and twelve of their people, before she coolly left the scene. Subsequently, Chu Yun was pursued by two Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians. Facing two at once without falling short, she left the Southern Barbarians with composure, which earned her certain renown in a world teeming with experts. Back at the Cloud Tower, she practiced even more diligently. When her cultivation stagnated, knowing her potential in this life had reached its limit, she directly consumed a large quantity of Spiritual Essence Pills to boost her breakthrough, leading to a halt in progress after reaching the Three Qi Realm. But even this level of cultivation was enough to make a name for herself across the world. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.C0 In the Black Ice Platform of Zhao Country, aside from Qi Xuan Dao, there were eight beings of the Heavenly Slaughter Level, and these eight were not only the top experts of the Black Ice Platform but also the very top in Zhao Country, each of them known throughout the world. And the present Qu Renlin and Chu Yun were two among these eight Heavenly Slaughters. Qi Shu¡¯s cultivation and strength had not reached the Heavenly Slaughter level, but due to his special standing, he received treatment not inferior to the average Heavenly Slaughter. Chu Yun asked eagerly, ¡°What does the letter say?¡± Qu Renlin hastily opened the letter in his hand, his eyes lighting up immediately, ¡°That Ghost Swordsman is on his way to Blue Sky Island. With such unwavering confidence, the Ghost Swordsman must have a card up his sleeve.¡± Chu Yun thought for a moment and said, ¡°Luo Chongyang was once a disciple of the Zhenyi Sect; he would not defy heaven and aid the Demon Sect in resolving conflicts with the Zhenyi Sect. As for the mysterious Grandmaster who once aided the Ghost Swordsman, he disappeared during the Dongluo Pass incident and has been out of sight ever since. It¡¯s very likely he has entered closed-door cultivation. Based on my estimate, the reason he dares to go is probably because of Tian Yin.¡± ¡°Tian Yin, very likely.¡± Qu Renlin nodded slightly, ¡°This time, a lot of experts from Yan Country are heading there, including Feng Lingyue and Yu Ying, both Second Qi Grandmasters at their peak, and that unfathomable Ye Ding. The Ghost Swordsman couldn¡¯t possibly be traveling alone.¡± A cold light flashed in Chu Yun¡¯s eyes as she said, ¡°Such a great opportunity; we can take them down in one fell swoop.¡± Qu Renlin pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°This Ye Ding is ruthless. He deliberately set the duel location on Blue Sky Island, wanting to use us to kill the Ghost Swordsman. Not only would he remove a thorn from his side, but he could also divert the disaster elsewhere.¡± ¡°But if you think about it, a twenty-one-year-old Great Sword Immortal like him is not someone to be trifled with.¡± In his view, Ye Ding¡¯s ruthless tactics were quite understandable. The Zhenyi Sect itself had grievances with the Ghost Swordsman, and if the Ghost Swordsman grew in power, he would surely ascend with his sword to challenge the Zhenyi Sect. As for resorting to cunning schemes, although somewhat disgraceful, achieving the goal was the greatest success. Chu Yun asserted dominantly, ¡°His Zhenyi Sect might fear the Demon Sect, but my Black Ice Platform does not. A twenty-one-year-old Great Sword Immortal is merely another to slay. Let¡¯s deal with that old man at the same time.¡± Qu Renlin gave it some thought and replied, ¡°We need to plan carefully for this matter. Tian Yin¡¯s Jin Deng is powerful and unfathomable, and I might not be his match. Furthermore, with Ye Ding, the Ghost Swordsman who defeated Exalted Vajra, and two Second Qi Grandmasters, Yu Ying and Feng Lingyue, and the many experts of Blue Sky Island, we really should plan in the long run.¡± ¡°Ye Ding might have some sort of trump card; we must not fall for that old fox¡¯s scheme.¡± Ye Ding wouldn¡¯t choose Blue Sky Island for no good reason. A sneer formed on Chu Yun¡¯s lips, ¡°Once they¡¯ve both suffered, it will be time for us to make our move.¡± Qu Renlin pondered a moment longer and then said, ¡°We should report this matter to our senior brother.¡± Chu Yun frowned and said, ¡°Do you think Qu Brother is making a mountain out of a molehill?¡± If the two of them directly slaughtered their way through Blue Sky Island, that would be a great feat. If they informed Qi Xuan Dao beforehand, their share of the merit would diminish. She thought it was foolproof for them to act according to the situation, and make their move after both sides were injured. Qu Renlin shook his head and said, ¡°No, I always feel Ye Ding is not such a foolish person. If we slip up, it could mean death on Blue Sky Island.¡± ¡°All right then.¡± Chu Yun was convinced by Qu Renlin¡¯s words. After all, the matter was no small issue, and being more cautious couldn¡¯t hurt. ¡°I¡¯ll go report it now.¡± Following that, Qu Renlin headed deeper into the Cloud Tower to convey the news to Qi Xuan Dao, who was in the midst of a closed-door cultivation session. ¡­¡­. As the seventh day of the eleventh month approached, the situation in Yan Country was rapidly evolving. Many were focused on the upcoming battle on Blue Sky Island, as it was a fight that could be said to affect the very structure of Yan Country. If the Jianghu forces led by the Zhenyi Sect won, the Demon Sect would lose a great swordsman and undoubtedly suffer a blow to their influence, while the Zhenyi Sect would maintain its dominant status. If the Ghost Swordsman won, then the hegemony of the Zhenyi Sect would be threatened, and the forceful return of the Demon Sect would be unstoppable. An Jing and Jun Qinglin both arrived in Linhai City, and under the arrangement of a Human Sect expert, they found lodgings at an inn. The night was like dense ink, deep and undissolvable. Jun Qinglin stood in the courtyard, watching the sky covered by dark clouds. ¡°Ye Ding, what a planner.¡± In his mind, he pondered Ye Ding¡¯s actions, as if he had suddenly grasped something, feeling somewhat enlightened. ¡°Great Elder, haven¡¯t you rested yet?¡± A floaty voice rang out, and An Jing appeared from behind. Jun Qinglin said, ¡°I¡¯m thinking about things.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Have you found a clue?¡± ¡°I have some.¡± Jun Qinglin spoke softly, ¡°Have you always been curious why the challenge Ye Ding sent you is very unfair, and also set on Blue Sky Island, as if he wasn¡¯t afraid you¡¯d reject the challenge?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Yes.¡± Jun Qinglin pondered for a moment before speaking, ¡°Because that challenge was never meant for you from the start.¡± ¡°The challenge wasn¡¯t for me?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart was shocked, ¡°Could it be¡­.¡± Jun Qinglin smiled, ¡°That¡¯s right, the challenge was for me. Due to certain reasons, he knew I would definitely come to Blue Sky Island and that from Dongluo Pass, thousands of miles away, only someone of my cultivation could reach Blue Sky Island in time.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. He had always thought that Ye Ding¡¯s challenge was meant for him, deliberately luring him to Blue Sky Island. Now, hearing Jun Qinglin¡¯s words, he had a moment of sudden realization. So all of this was a conspiracy, and Ye Ding¡¯s true intentions went far beyond just that. An Jing said gravely, ¡°What is Ye Ding¡¯s hidden scheme!?¡± How did Ye Ding know that Jun Qinglin was still alive, and why did he challenge Jun Qinglin; were there other plans involved? Jun Qinglin said indifferently, ¡°He challenged me to come out, and I think there are many reasons. It¡¯s very possible that he wants to use my hand to fight Black Ice Platform, or rather to have both me and Black Ice Platform suffer losses.¡± An Jing was alarmed, ¡°This old fox actually has such schemes?¡± He had always believed that Ye Ding¡¯s target was him, but never expected that Ye Ding had designs on Black Ice Platform as well. Jun Qinglin, who had been stationed on Sealing Demon Platform for decades without ever leaving, had not spread rumors of his death like the Yu Heng Sword Sect did for the Sword God, but the people of Jianghu had long presumed Jun Qinglin dead. How did Ye Ding find out Jun Qinglin was still alive? Moreover, was Ye Ding not afraid of Jun Qinglin killing him too? And the ones who could fight Jun Qinglin to mutual destruction, how many could there be in Zhao Country? Only that unrivaled Qi Xuan Dao, perhaps. At this moment, An Jing was deeply immersed in thought. ¡°Since we¡¯re here, there¡¯s absolutely no possibility of leaving.¡± Jun Qinglin pondered for a moment before saying, ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s battle on Blue Sky Island, I will support you from behind. Without my appearance, Ye Ding won¡¯t make a move on you. I¡¯d actually like to see what kind of tricks Ye Ding and Black Ice Platform are up to. Remember to be careful at all times, and once Qi Xuan Dao shows up, you need to leave immediately.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°So can I kill that Ye Ding?¡± Jun Qinglin gave An Jing a look, and said oddly, ¡°Ye Ding¡¯s strength is certain to be above that of Exalted Vajra. If you can kill him, then kill him.¡± An Jing¡¯s strength was about on par with Exalted Vajra¡¯s, not likely much higher. Ye Ding was probably at the Four Qi cultivation stage. The difference between Three Qi Peak and Four Qi was just one realm, but the gap in strength was enormous. An Jing said calmly, ¡°Great Elder, you just need to block a Five Qi Grandmaster for me. Leave the rest to me.¡± Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyes gleamed with a trace of brightness, ¡°Do you really have such confidence?¡± To fight a Four Qi Grandmaster as a Second Qi Grandmaster, in Jun Qinglin¡¯s view, was almost impossible, and furthermore, there might be more than just Ye Ding, a Four Qi Grandmaster, appearing tomorrow. An Jing chuckled softly, ¡°A swordsman with a sword in hand is the most confident person.¡± He, too, longed to meet this top expert of the Great Yan Martial World, the once number one figure of the Righteous Path. Jun Qinglin patted An Jing¡¯s shoulder and smiled, ¡°Then tomorrow, I shall watch you slaughter all directions, young man. Don¡¯t flee in a panic and lose face for our Outer Heaven.¡± He took An Jing¡¯s words with a grain of salt, not really believing them. Who would believe that he could defeat a Four Qi Grandmaster while in the state of a Second Qi Grandmaster? An Jing didn¡¯t speak and subconsciously gripped the Evil Suppressing Sword at his waist tighter. Even with Jun Qinglin¡¯s presence, the unpredictable nature of the world remained, and no one knew what dangers might arise tomorrow. The Divine Soul, quietly lying dormant within his Dantian, was one of his trump cards. Initially, he had burned the Divine Soul of a Thousand-year-old Black Boa, fighting a Grandmaster in the Earth Flower Realm, and now this damaged Divine Soul showed no panic, suggesting that fighting a Four Qi Grandmaster with his Second Qi cultivation might not be difficult¨Cit might even make him stronger. With that thought, An Jing relaxed his grip. Tomorrow at Blue Sky Island, there would undoubtedly be a storm of blood and violence. ¡­.. On the seventh day of the eleventh month, where the sea met the sky! The sky was like a molten furnace, radiating with crimson hues, and the orange halo spread wide as the sun slowly rose. Rows of gentle waves lapped against the rocks, making a deep and clear sound. Above Blue Sky Island. The Blue Sky trees stood tall and majestic, branches lush with foliage, as they were deep in their flowering season. Pink petals continuously fell from the Blue Sky trees, covering the ground like a soft and fine carpet. Within the woods. Dozens of top experts from Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu had gathered. Leading them were Ye Ding, Yu Ying, Feng Lingyue, and several others who bore deep-seated hatred towards the Demon Sect, among them was the Extreme Joy Child who had once fled from Dongluo Pass. Compared to the overwhelming public sentiment outside, there weren¡¯t many people present. Many feared the Demon Sect¡¯s power and, with the sect no longer pursuing grievances, had chosen not to come. Nevertheless, Blue Sky Island was still a gathering place for many powerful experts, and upon closer inspection, several were of the First Grade Realm. Ye Ding opened his eyes, staring at the orange sky, his heart inexplicably racing. ¡°Elder brother?¡± Yu Ying spoke softly. It was rare for him to see his elder brother like this; being unsettled before a battle was a major taboo. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Ye Ding waved his hand and looked at the others, his eyes carrying a hint of determination, ¡°Today, Ye Ding and the Ghost Swordsman from Outer Heaven will settle our grudges. It will be a fight to the death. If any of you cherish your lives, I advise you to leave as soon as possible.¡± ¡°Having come this far, we will not turn back now. The Demon Sect¡¯s dogs destroyed my sect; I¡¯m itching to exterminate every last one of them, starting with this Ghost Swordsman,¡± a swordsman said coldly. ¡°That¡¯s right, kill this Ghost Swordsman first.¡± ¡°The Demon Sect and I share a hatred as deep as the skies. Even if I die today, I want to take a piece of them with me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s do or die!¡± ¡­.. This swordsman¡¯s words echoed, spurring on further agreement, and Extreme Joy Child was gritting his teeth with rage. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is also a great Sword Immortal, bolstering the reputation of the vile Demon Sect, and truly deserves death!¡± Just when it seemed that Dongluo Pass could be breached, the Ghost Swordsman unexpectedly drew back from the battle, and later even feigned death to join the Demon Sect. At this moment, the Delighted Child had transferred all the hatred for the Demon Sect onto the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Kill the Ghost Swordsman!¡± ¡°Kill the Ghost Swordsman!¡± ¡­.. The cries for murder were shrill and piercing, particularly grating on the ears. Aside. Yu Ying swept his gaze across the crowd seething with a murderous rage, but said nothing. Ye Ding took a deep breath, his mind also became incredibly calm. Feng Lingyue¡¯s voice transmission said, ¡°Sect Leader Ye, do you have a contingency plan for the Black Ice Platform?¡± Ye Ding¡¯s eyes lifted slightly, and he said in a light voice, ¡°Rest assured, the experts of the Black Ice Platform today are bound to leave without return.¡± Hearing Ye Ding¡¯s words, Feng Lingyue immediately felt reassured. Threads of sunlight showered upon the Blue Sky Tree, shining on the faces of the crowd as the sound of the waves crashing became even more violent, like the rolling thunder of a roar. Boom! Boom! The sound grew louder and louder, as if it would shatter their eardrums. Yu Ying said softly, ¡°They¡¯re coming.¡± The crowd immediately looked towards the sea. In that seemingly boundless ocean, a solitary boat was slowly approaching. On the boat¡¯s canopy. A rustic longsword was thrust straight into it, and a man in white leaned casually against the blade, his clothes fluttering with the sea breeze, making a rustling sound. His hair too was in disarray, streaming in one direction, but it could not hide his handsome face or the brightness of his eyes, sparkling like the stars. With a winepot in hand, he looked ahead, lifting the pot high and tilting his head back, under the morning sun¡¯s glow¨Che drank in such a way that his temperament seemed otherworldly, like an exiled immortal descending to the mortal realm! This truly was a peerless Sword Immortal! ¡°Is this the Ghost Swordsman?¡± The Delighted Child¡¯s eyes widened as he stared intently at the man on the boat. If not for seeing with his own eyes, he would never believe that the Ghost Swordsman, once shrouded in black attire at Dongluo Pass, with a mask concealing his face, could possess such a youthful appearance! Ye Ding also looked at the young man, curious in his heart. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman really came.¡± ¡°He¡¯s coming alone to the appointment!?¡± ¡­¡­.. Seeing the Ghost Swordsman arrive alone, ecstasy filled the eyes of everyone present. Many had thought that if the Ghost Swordsman agreed to the appointment, he would likely gather some helpers, bringing along a few experts from the Demon Sect, but no one expected he would truly dare to come alone. What enormous courage he possessed! ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± An Jing finished the last drop of wine from his pot and then threw it into the lake, leaping onto Blue Sky Island with his body. His eyes calmly surveyed the dozens of experts before him. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As his foot stepped forward, the crowd instinctively moved back, a hint of panic and unease in their eyes that were once filled with righteous indignation. The name of a person, the shadow of a tree! After the battle between the Ghost Swordsman and the Exalted Vajra, how many in the world did not know of his renowned name, how many did not fear his might? ¡­¡­. PS: Writer¡¯s block is giving me a headache. Chapter 254 - Chapter 254: Chapter 254 Chapter 254: Chapter 254 Ye Ding approached and said, ¡°Ghost Swordsman An Jing?¡± An Jing looked at the white-robed old Daoist next to Yu Ying, ¡°You must be Great Heavenly Yang Ye Ding, am I correct?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Ye Ding nodded slightly in response. Jiang Shang, with his white hair and youthful face, exuded a deep and ocean-like calmness of character, whereas Ye Ding manifested an added sense of transcendence and ease. ¡°I¡¯ve long admired your reputation!¡± An Jing folded his fists in a salute, his gaze calm like water. Ye Ding, a Grandmaster of his generation who had once stood alongside Jiang Shang atop Jianghu as a master of unparalleled skill, enjoyed immense renown. Even Lou Xiangzhen spoke of him with extra solemnity and caution. Observing those water-like eyes, Ye Ding said, ¡°No wonder you, sir, have gained such fame at such a young age.¡± Before seeing An Jing, Ye Ding had some doubts about Luo Chongyang¡¯s words, thinking his junior brother might have exaggerated; but now, witnessing An Jing in person, he realized Luo Chongyang wasn¡¯t overstating the facts. How terrifying must one¡¯s composure be to remain undisturbed amidst so many masters? Keep in mind he is a young man, and when Ye Ding was his age, he barely survived the tumultuous waters of Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu, let alone contend with the world¡¯s top masters. Meanwhile, Yu Ying looked at the Ghost Swordsman in front of him, harboring some regret that if he had left the mountain earlier, this Ghost Swordsman might have already died at his hands. wuxiaworld.site Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in this world. An Jing laughed aloud and said, ¡°In front of all the seniors here, the phrase ¡®fame that shakes the world¡¯ seems to flatter me too much.¡± Anyone could tell that these words were mocking Ye Ding¡¯s ¡®little strategy¡¯, as well as the other masters present. Ye Ding gazed at the Evil Suppressing Sword and slowly said, ¡°Right and wrong, grudges, they all must be settled with blood.¡± His words, calm and unrippled, without a trace of killing intent, still sent a shiver through the hearts of those present. In this world, wrongs are always righted with blood. An Jing¡¯s smile faded, ¡°Wherever there are people, there are debts of gratitude and vengeance, which are never truly settled.¡± Ye Ding indifferently replied, ¡°A person has but thirty thousand days; how can we speak of ¡®forever¡¯?¡± An Jing nodded in agreement, saying, ¡°Senior speaks the truth.¡± This was precisely why he had come here. The feud between the Demon Sect, Zhenyi Sect, and Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu, ultimately had to come to an end. An Jing then looked at Feng Lingyue behind Yu Ying and sighed, ¡°Senior Feng, we meet again. I truly thought you wouldn¡¯t come.¡± Feng Lingyue blandly replied, ¡°Yet here I am.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°It seems you really aren¡¯t afraid of death, Senior Feng.¡± Yu Ying¡¯s eyes narrowed, a cold glint appearing. Many who heard such arrogant words displayed a trace of anger. ¡°Hahaha.¡± Feng Lingyue laughed heartily, ¡°With so many masters gathered here today, and with Sect Leader Ye presiding, who lives and who dies is still unknown. Do you dare to boast?¡± An Jing caressed the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword and said, ¡°Whether it¡¯s boastful or not, the fight will tell.¡± Suddenly, the air of Blue Sky Island froze, even as the morning sun cast gentle golden rays across the sky. Yet, everyone present felt a chill over their hearts. The many masters present certainly hadn¡¯t forgotten that the seemingly young man before them was the Great Sword Immortal who once stood atop Heavenly Martial Sect and defeated Exalted Vajra. ¡°Since you dared to set foot on Blue Sky Island, let¡¯s not waste words.¡± Ye Ding stepped forward and said indifferently, ¡°Today¡¯s fate lies in our own abilities.¡± All that needed to be said was already clear on that notice. Since that was the case, why bother with useless talk? ¡°Elder Ye¡¯s words indeed reflect my thoughts. So, will you come at me one by one, or will you join forces?¡± ¡°Cang Lang-!¡± An Jing drew out the Evil Suppressing Sword, a sharp ribbon of cold light emerging, casting a reflection between heaven and earth. ¡°Whoo¡­¡± A gust of wind suddenly picked up, and the Sky Blue Petals on the ground began to whirl wildly in the dance of the wind. Feng Lingyue and Yu Ying exchanged a glance, then with a stomp, they turned into arrows shot from a bow, charging towards An Jing. Both had attained a Transformation Realm in their martial arts, especially Yu Ying who was at the peak of Second Qi Grandmaster, stronger than Feng Lingyue. To those below First Grade, only their afterimages remained. An Jing¡¯s body pirouetted, the Sword Light from the Evil Suppressing Sword splitting into several beams that burst forth. One pierced through Feng Lingyue¡¯s Handprint like a venomous snake, swiftly aiming for his throat. Compared to the last encounter at the Yue Lai Inn, An Jing had grown in strength. Not only did his Sword Skill reach the Sixth Realm, but he had also gathered four blades of the Evil Suppressing Sword. Feng Lingyue felt a chill in his heart and quickly dodged to both sides. ¡°Shii!¡± The sword light grazed his body, piercing through the Protective True Qi on his chest with its icy edge. Even though they were both of Second Qi Cultivation, Feng Lingyue¡¯s Protective True Qi was like tofu in front of An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword, easily torn apart. ¡°Hiss¡ª!¡± The experts who were about to step forward were all shocked. Could it be that Feng Lingyue of the Five Poison Sect was defeated by a single sword? At the same time, Yu Ying¡¯s finger light also attacked, initially unremarkable, ordinary, but when the finger light exploded upon arrival, it was like a star bursting in the sky. His timing was perfect, coinciding with the moment An Jing made his strike. ¡°Eh!?¡± Yu Ying thought his strike would succeed, but in the next moment, the cold sword light came at him again. Fast! Too fast! After repelling Feng Lingyue, An Jing was actually able to withdraw his sword and counter. The tip of the Evil Suppressing Sword pointed directly ahead, meeting Yu Ying¡¯s fingertip, and instantly all the True Qi in front was pierced, fleeing frantically to both sides. Even with Sixth Realm swordsmanship and a famed sword like the Evil Suppressing Sword, Yu Ying could not stand his ground, despite the sword¡¯s current imperfection, it was still extremely terrifying. ¡°Boom!¡± Yu Ying was forced to retreat step by step, causing the petals of the Sky Blue Flowers on the ground to tremble with every step he took. After eight steps, he finally stabilized himself. ¡°Drip, drop!¡± ¡­ Blood dripped from his fingertips to the ground, staining the Sky Flower petals red. Feng Lingyue¡¯s eyes shot a cold light; knowing the young man before him was formidable, he leapt up and struck down with his palm. Bang! The palm wind whistled past, shattering the air itself. Feng Lingyue¡¯s attack was vicious and ruthless, showing no mercy. With the palm wind roaring like thunder and sweeping over him, An Jing¡¯s gaze was as calm as ripples on water. Bang! An Jing struck out with his sword, directly clashing with Feng Lingyue¡¯s palm wind. When they touched, it was like a flash flood; ripples of visible True Qi waves spread out. At the moment of True Qi dispersion, Feng Lingyue¡¯s expression changed abruptly, the overwhelming force from An Jing¡¯s sword pressuring him immediately. However, just as he moved, An Jing swung the Evil Suppressing Sword once more. Bang! Agony surged from Feng Lingyue¡¯s arm, and a splash of blood shot out, as a chunk of flesh was slashed off by the sharp Sword Qi. ¡°What a formidable swordsman!¡± Ye Ding raised an eyebrow slightly upon witnessing this. He knew Feng Lingyue¡¯s strength, but to be severely injured by An Jing in an instant spoke volumes of An Jing¡¯s fearsome power. Suddenly, with Feng Lingyue and Yu Ying working together, they were repelled by three strikes and both sustained light injuries, sending a chill through the hearts of those eager to take action. Was this the terrifying might of the Great Sword Immortal? An Jing, holding the Evil Suppressing Sword, looked at Ye Ding and said, ¡°Elder Ye, fighting in turns won¡¯t work against them, you come.¡± He saw that Ye Ding was hoping to use others to deplete the True Qi in his body and exhaust his energy, which was completely futile. Ye Ding shook his head, not bothering to explain anything, and just said calmly, ¡°Today, I shall resolve our grudges and grievances, everyone else please step back.¡± Yu Ying immediately retreated, followed by a deep breath from Feng Lingyue as he moved behind Yu Ying. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Seeing this, the surrounding experts stepped back dozens of steps. An Jing narrowed his eyes, focusing on Ye Ding in front of him. According to his estimation, Ye Ding¡¯s strength must be higher than that of Exalted Vajra, but definitely not by much. That meant that Ye Ding¡¯s strength was very likely at the Four Qi level. As of now, An Jing¡¯s last confrontation with a Four Qi Grandmaster had been with the Sword Demon Hao Tian. However, because the eunuch Bai Mei interfered midway, the Sword Demon retreated, and that¡¯s how it ended. Strictly speaking, the two had only tentatively tested each other out and had not fought intensely, so An Jing did not fully understand the depth of a Four Qi Grandmaster. Moreover, masters of the same realm don¡¯t necessarily possess equal strength. The Exalted Vajra was far superior to that Qiu Fengsheng. With this thought, An Jing activated the Brahma Heart Sees Me, and a golden radiance flowed across his surface. Ye Ding also began to operate the Beidou Seven Stars Technique, as countless streams of star-like True Qi surged into his body, as if hooking the Big Dipper stars in the sky above. The Beidou Seven Stars Technique, derived from the Jade Emperor Scripture, ranks among the top in the Heavenly Martial Level Heart Methods, and its most powerful aspect is that it can borrow the power of the stars. Most people think there are no stars during the day, but in fact, the stars are always there. In the sky above, the Big Dipper shone with extreme brilliance. Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, and Yao Guang glittered splendidly. About three breaths later, Ye Ding¡¯s foot stomped fiercely, and his ghostly figure directly appeared in front of An Jing, followed by a heavy slap towards the latter¡¯s Heavenly Spirit. The sound of wind and thunder echoed, as fast as lightning. Thud! But though his speed was fast, An Jing was even swifter. Before Ye Ding could fully exert his palm strike, An Jing pointed a finger at his palm, and a terrifying force burst forth, directly dispersing Ye Ding¡¯s palm wind. Whoosh! However, Ye Ding was certainly not an easy opponent. With his rich combat experience far surpassing ordinary people, he utilized the rebounding force from An Jing¡¯s resistance and threw another punch. An Jing¡¯s expression remained unchanged, and he operated his True Qi as well, sweeping across with a sword. Bang! Bang! Bang! Their attacks were so fast that it dazzled onlookers, who could only see the afterimages of white and golden light streaking past, followed by violent thunderous noises erupting in the midair. In just a dozen breaths¡¯ time, the two had exchanged blows for dozens of rounds, and each collision was as hard as steel clashing, shaking the very ground beneath them. Surrounding experts, watching the fight between Ye Ding and An Jing, had looks of horror on their faces. Thud! True Qi ripped through the air, as the two figures crossed paths again. Many could only see flickering shadows and couldn¡¯t discern the specifics of their exchange. The sword winds clashed like thunder, creating a tide of True Qi that burst wildly from the contact point. An Jing was knocked flying backward. An Jing was pushed back several steps before he stomped his foot, stabilizing his figure, and with a shake of his arm, his white sleeve turned into dust and scattered. Indeed, the cultivation of a Four Qi! Through the exchange moments ago, An Jing had already gauged Ye Ding¡¯s strength and had a measure in his heart. Ye Ding pursued his advantage, his True Qi raging like the waters of a river or lake. Suddenly, thunderclouds surged forth, and lightning rapidly gathered around him. In just a few breaths, an immense lightning shadow had formed around Ye Ding. Five Thunder Palm! Fire Thunder! The lightning shadow fully condensed, and a fiery Handprint shot towards An Jing. An Jing¡¯s figure trembled as the massive Handprint descended from above, striking directly upon his Brahma Heart Sees Me. ¡°Hum hum!¡± ¡°Hum hum!¡± Immediately, golden light spread out, rippling waves after wave. An Jing¡¯s True Qi kept circulating, resisting the fiery Handprint falling from above. ¡°Suppress!¡± Above in the sky, seven stars echoed as Ye Ding once again infused True Qi downward, instantly forcing An Jing to keep retreating further back. ¡°BOOM!¡± Eventually, the golden light shattered and the Fire Thunder Handprint, mingled with the golden light, turned into a wave of True Qi that heavily descended below. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is defeated!?¡± Seeing this, the experts present were puzzled and uncertain. Was the reputedly formidable Ghost Swordsman truly defeated? Was his reputation as insubstantial as a bubble, or was Ye Ding¡¯s strength too overwhelming? After landing the hit, Ye Ding felt no joy but frowned instead, as he saw An Jing¡¯s figure was drowning in the True Qi tide, but his Qi mechanism was not weakening; it was getting even stronger. Astonishing Sword Light surged from within the tidal wave, not only tearing it apart but also threatening to rip open the orange sky. It surged like ocean waves and then collided fiercely. On Blue Sky Island, it was as if thunderous voices were echoing all around. Boom! Another clash of True Qi pressure, a muffled sound rang out, and in both An Jing¡¯s and Ye Ding¡¯s eyes, a flash of cold light seemed to pass at the same time. Whoosh! Their figures moved almost simultaneously, like lightning streaking across the sky. In the next instant, they collided fiercely on the petals of the Sky Flower. ¡°It seems I still have to use some of my real strength,¡± Ye Ding thought to himself, then unleashed a palm strike, with rolling True Qi following like a tidal wave, emanating an aura as if it were about to split mountains. Facing Ye Ding¡¯s powerful offensive, An Jing did not dodge in the slightest, brandishing his Evil Suppressing Sword instead. Boom! The impact of their forces, both heavy with tremendous True Qi, collided harshly, sending out a low rumbling sound as a wave of visible Qi burst forth from the clash. Boom! Boom! Boom! The surrounding sea instantly gave rise to terrifying waves. Ye Ding¡¯s momentum continued to rise, his True Qi flowing ceaselessly. That sense of overwhelming power made the experts behind him feel a trace of fear. With a single step forward, Ye Ding caused the ground itself to tremble slightly, his palms slamming forward. Whoosh! Whoosh! Every sweep of his palms brought a roaring surge of True Qi, transforming into a terrifying light of stars. Most shocking was that these streams of starlight seemed able to fuse, becoming boundless with even more astonishing power after merging. An Jing looked at the fierce offensive enveloping his surroundings. His expression remained as calm as still waters as he suddenly darted out with a tap of his foot. Swoosh! Swoosh! Amidst the whistling globe of True Qi, An Jing¡¯s figure blurred, leaving behind trails of afterimages. With a ghostly speed, he darted right through the myriad streams of starlight. ¡°What incredible speed!¡± Ye Ding narrowed his eyes, feeling a jolt in his heart. ¡°Swoosh!¡± An Jing¡¯s figure broke through the myriad stars, thrusting forward with the Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword turned into four streaks of Sword Light, rushing forward with unstoppable might. Sword Control Technique! The Evil Suppressing Sword split into four, each streak of Sword Light like a meteor piercing the heavens. Thud! The starlight was punctured, scattering to the sides, targeting Ye Ding¡¯s throat. In a flash, Ye Ding suppressed the surging in his chest, his abundant True Qi densely arrayed in front of him. Suddenly, a Yin Yang Fish rose behind him. The enigmatic Yin Yang Fish began to revolve amidst the seven rays of starlight in the heavens. Qiankun Eight Diagram Technique! This was one of the most difficult Martial Arts to master in the Mystical Sect, Luo Chongyang¡¯s signature skill. The four distinct blades of Sword Light pierced into the shield of True Qi, but the resistance they encountered increased as they approached Ye Ding, ultimately not advancing any further. An Jing retracted the four Sword Lights back into his palm with a gesture. Boom! Ye Ding, hit by the force, dragged his feet across the ground, creating a long, narrow trail as he retreated into the distance. The surrounding experts were astounded by this scene. Ye Ding, the former Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect, was actually repelled by An Jing, and it seemed Ye Ding had fallen into a disadvantage. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Elder Ye, show all your strength. There¡¯s no need to hide it when you¡¯re close to death.¡± He could feel that Ye Ding had not yet displayed his full capabilities. All the experts around tensed up, their gazes collectively turning to Ye Ding. Ye Ding brushed off the dust from his clothes, his demeanor calm and composed, ¡°I truly underestimated your strength.¡± He had known the Ghost Swordsman had defeated the Exalted Vajra and had taken precautions, but he still hadn¡¯t gained the upper hand. This indicated the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength surpassed his expectations. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Yu Ying watched the back of his senior brother; others might be unaware of Ye Ding¡¯s condition, but he knew all too well. His senior brother was wounded, and grievously so. If it weren¡¯t for holding back¡­ Ye Ding chuckled, ¡°Then, I shall no longer hold back.¡± ¡­¡­. PS: I¡¯ll leave the title to you. There¡¯s another chapter tonight, I¡¯ll strive to have it out by before twelve. Chapter 255 - Chapter 255: Chapter 255: When an Eras Grandmaster Ends Chapter 255: Chapter 255: When an Era¡¯s Grandmaster Ends Boom! Ye Ding¡¯s eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance, his powerful True Qi surged towards the heavens, and his Four Qi Cultivation was no longer concealed. The starlight in the sky, originally flickering, suddenly became continuously bright. Seven streams of starlight enveloped Blue Sky Island, giving off a great illusion, as if the night had fallen in a blink of an eye. Simultaneously, the lake water on Blue Sky Island trembled wildly, as waves crashed against the shore like a thousand heaps of snow. In the next instant, Ye Ding took a step forward, the ground beneath his feet shattered, but his figure was like a bolt of lightning, carrying a heaven-reaching momentum, and he charged straight towards An Jing. An Jing, seeing Ye Ding charging over, struck with the Evil Suppressing Sword once again. His Sixth Realm Sword Skill was executed to its limit, and as the sword light surged, the oppressive power of his sword descended. Thud! Two shadows quickly met, sword light and handprints collided, terrifying shockwaves rampaged outwards, fissures spread from beneath their feet, and both were blasted backwards. They had just steadied their retreating figures when in the next instant, they shot out again, colliding once more. Ye Ding, fully unleashing his Four Qi Cultivation, now completely surpassed An Jing in cultivation. Even though An Jing¡¯s True Qi purity far surpassed that of an ordinary Second Qi, and his Sword Skill had reached the Sixth Realm, As a Four Qi Grandmaster, Ye Ding surpassed An Jing by two realms of cultivation. The difference between the peak of Three Qi and the realm of Four Qi was only a step, but the gap in cultivation was enormous. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.co The addition of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade at this moment seemed unable to bridge that gap. Boom! Boom! Both fighters adopted the wildest and most overbearing stances, their True Qi intertwining chaotically. In the next moment, Ye Ding¡¯s palm suddenly became covered with starlight, radiating with an overwhelming presence, and then he struck out with a palm, fast as lightning, hitting An Jing squarely in the chest. If An Jing was able to sense Ye Ding¡¯s speed before, the speed at this moment was now imperceptibly fast. Bang! The palm directly pierced through An Jing¡¯s protective golden light, landing heavily on his body, and An Jing was sent flying backwards, the sound of cracking bones clearly audible. An Jing¡¯s body hovered in the air several feet away, gasping for breath, as the intense pain pierced through every nerve. An Jing coldly looked at Ye Ding and said, ¡°You truly are a Grandmaster of your generation, still holding back in a life-and-death fight.¡± Ye Ding had cultivated the ¡°Beidou Seven Stars Tecgnique¡± and the ¡°Qiankun Eight Diagram Technique.¡± Though his ¡°Qiankun Eight Diagram Technique¡± had not reached the realm of Luo Chongyang, nor had he found the common ground between the two mental methods, his True Qi was extremely powerful. This was the result of many years of accumulation and cultivation. Ye Ding shook his head and said, ¡°Your strength caught me off guard; I originally thought that I could win with the effort I had already shown.¡± An Jing said, ¡°I will let you know that you¡¯ve miscalculated more than just that.¡± Thud! Thud! The ground of Blue Sky Island was continuously trembling under the impact of An Jing¡¯s charge. Ye Ding, seeing An Jing coming with the terrifying force of impact, also had a stern look in his eyes, took a deep breath, and his hands suddenly came together. Hum! A powerful storm of True Qi burst out from within him. Ye Ding struck out with a palm, True Qi gushing forth, colliding with the oncoming sword light. Hum! A visible shockwave erupted, petals on the ground and the surrounding trees turned to dust. An Jing floated in midair, retreating continuously backwards, blood continuously streaming from the corner of his mouth. Ye Ding lifted his head, stating indifferently, ¡°You are no match for me now. Perhaps when you reach the Three Qi Realm, I would no longer be your opponent.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly; even though they both had Four Qi Cultivation, he always felt that Ye Ding was somehow different from the Sword Demon of the past. Without further words, True Qi within Ye Ding surged like tides, as he charged toward An Jing. Whoooosh! The terrifying waves smacked into the air, more tremor-inducing than the surging waves. Boom! Boom! Boom! A force piercing through the mist erupted from Blue Sky Island into the sky, a massive hand opened up like a dark cloud and descended upon An Jing¡¯s head. ¡°Boom!¡± The earth shook violently, and a thunderous roar seemed to come from deep beneath Blue Sky Island. In a moment, Ye Ding¡¯s entire presence vanished, as if he had merged with the very earth beneath their feet. No, more accurately, he was the vast expanse of land under everyone¡¯s feet! At this moment, Ye Ding truly utilized his powers to their fullest extent. His robust aura extended across the entirety of Blue Sky Island, and all the high-level experts on the island felt this terrifying presence, watching the battle in amazement. ¡°This fight reminds me of the day Xiao Qianqiu battled Lou Xiangzhen.¡± ¡°The same Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect, the same supreme Sword Immortal.¡± ¡°Truly invincible.¡± ¡°To witness this battle today is indeed a rewarding experience.¡± ¡­¡­ From afar, amidst the churning sea waves, Qu Renlin caught a gleam of insight, ¡°Old Ye Ding has finally used all his strength.¡± Having fought with Ye Ding before, although he lost to him, Qu Renlin was well aware of Ye Ding¡¯s strength. Beside him stood Chu Yun, the Heavenly Slaughter, and Lv Qiujian, one of the four top Swordsmen of the human world, along with dozens of top experts from the Black Ice Platform, all of whom had enhanced their cultivation with Elixirs, but their strength was by no means low, with the weakest being at the First Grade level. Besides them, there was an old man in a black robe. If Ye Ding saw this man, he would certainly recognize him. Because this man was the pillar of Zhao Country, a top-notch expert above the mountain peaks of the world, the master of the Black Ice Platform, Qi Xuan Dao. Qi Xuan Dao, watching the distant Blue Sky Island, murmured, ¡°That Ghost Swordsman actually managed to force Ye Ding to go all out¡­¡± Sometimes, those who know you best aren¡¯t your friends, but your enemies. Because your friends don¡¯t monitor you at all times, but your enemies do. Qi Xuan Dao was once an enemy of Ye Ding for a while, especially during their direct confrontation decades ago when he tried to take down the then Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect. Unfortunately, he was not successful. So he was very familiar with Ye Ding¡¯s strength and also very familiar with Ye Ding¡¯s temperament. Ye Ding¡¯s visit to Blue Sky Island was not simple in its intent. To prevent accidents, and also for the Ghost Swordsman, Qi Xuan Dao came in person. Qi Xuan Dao said indifferently, ¡°Ye Ding, using all his power, will likely finish very soon. When we make a move, not even one of them, Ye Ding or the Ghost Swordsman, will be left alive. Kill them all.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The three of them were shocked when they heard this. ¡­¡­.. Amidst the overwhelming aura, An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword burst forth in his hand, tearing through the thick handprints. An Jing¡¯s move was much faster than anyone expected, so much so that it seemed to the crowd that Ye Ding had made the first move, without noticing that An Jing¡¯s move was far faster than anyone had imagined. ¡°Boom!¡± The ground shook and fierce Sword Qi ravaged the earth, erupting from its very depths, and everyone, including Ye Ding, was shocked by this terrifying presence. Boom! In the blink of an eye, the powerful forces of the two collided fiercely. The collision was earth-shattering, and Blue Sky Island trembled. With this strike, most of the watching experts were caught in the storm. However, the storm didn¡¯t last long, as thick streams of True Qi began to spread from all around the original Blue Sky Island. Four Symbols Sword Technique! Move like thunder! An Jing¡¯s hair flew wildly as he stomped heavily, and with a ¡°hum¡±, Sword Light swept through like roaring thunder. Ye Ding¡¯s eyelids twitched, a sense of warning rising in his heart. He looked up only to hear ripples around him, as countless An Jings from all directions rushed toward him. ¡°I have long looked forward to dueling with the top experts of the Zhenyi Sect!¡± An Jing¡¯s voice came from all around, ethereal and uncertain, a dense murderous aura pervading the void, as if to tear the air to thousands of pieces. An Jing was fast, but Ye Ding¡¯s reaction wasn¡¯t slow, either. His hands moved and his True Qi exploded, unleashing a massive Qi Mechanism from within his body, immediately creating a vast sound of waves in the air. A heavy pressure spread out from Ye Ding in all directions. Five Thunder Technique! Wind Thunder! Then a palm fell fiercely, and in an instant, thunder flashed. Boom! Boom! In the now silent world, the Sword Thunder and Palm Thunder viciously tore through the air. Bang! Bang! The continuous explosions on Blue Sky Island finally began to thin, and the overwhelming True Qi wave began to show signs of defeat, eventually disappearing completely. The world finally became truly quiet. An Jing¡¯s internal ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± began to circulate, his True Qi surged wildly, flowing through his body to the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, which immediately glowed brightly with a murderous aura. Boom! An Jing stomped heavily, his body transformed into a golden rainbow that shot into the sky, and in the next instant, he appeared above Ye Ding. Without any hesitation, the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, now carrying a chilling aura, slashed down heavily. Bang! The Sword Radiance howled past, and with True Qi running to its limit combined with the Sixth Realm Sword Skill, this power had almost reached its peak. Boom! An immense True Qi suddenly burst from within Ye Ding, his hands formed an intricate Seal Technique, and the resounding noise echoed through heaven and earth, as a giant Yin Yang Fish emerged. Qiankun Eight Diagram Technique! Surging True Qi roared out, creating a black and white Yin Yang Fish Light Shield before him. The sharp Sword Radiance continued to fall recklessly, finally hitting the Light Shield with a stone-breaking force. Bang! Cracks spread rapidly across the Light Shield, with bright light shooting through the fissures. Bang! Bang! An Jing felt a great rebounding force, drifting backward. When he stabilized, he realized his right hand was drenched in blood. The black and white Light Shield in front of him had shattered, but Ye Ding¡¯s expression remained calm as he stood opposite An Jing. ¡°I saw it¡­¡± An Jing¡¯s gaze was icy as the Evil Suppressing Sword was raised again, slashing fiercely at Ye Ding. He had seen Ye Ding¡¯s flaw. Ye Ding also raised his head at that moment, his eyes gleaming piercingly sharp, and then a meaningful smile appeared on his lips. He raised his hand to block the Sword Radiance. Clang! Metal clashed against metal, sparks flew, and An Jing¡¯s heart jolted. Because he sensed that this time, Ye Ding¡¯s True Qi suddenly withdrew. The fall of the Evil Suppressing Sword was halted, and the Evil Suppressing Sword was sent flying, as An Jing looked heavily towards Ye Ding¡¯s figure. Ye Ding¡¯s robes fluttered, and then he raised his head sharply, his eyes locking onto An Jing as he unleashed his True Qi without reservation. Boom! The once-teetering black and white Light Shield transformed into a shower of light and faded away. And in the next moment, An Jing had vanished. Ye Ding seemed to want to stop him, but it was too late. A streak of Sword Light rushed forward. Sword Control Technique! The Sword Light, like thunder, sped towards him piercing the darkness like the first ray of light. ¡°Shick!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword pierced directly into Ye Ding¡¯s shoulder, sinking three inches deep. ¡°Tap tap tap¡­..¡± A surge of True Qi from within Ye Ding¡¯s Dantian repelled the Evil Suppressing Sword, and he stumbled back dozens of steps, his white Daoist robe soaked red with blood. His complexion was also deathly pale. ¡°Senior Brother!¡± Yu Ying shouted out reflexively upon seeing this. Whoosh! Yet Blue Sky Island remained silent, all the experts holding their breath and watching the scene unfold with rapt attention. They knew the battle had been decided. An Jing adjusted his breathing and said indifferently, ¡°It appears the injuries on your body are quite severe.¡± From the exchange just now, he had discerned that Ye Ding was injured, and grievously so. Feng Lingyue, hearing this, frowned. Ye Ding had injuries? Being an old hand in Jianghu, even Feng Lingyue couldn¡¯t tell that Ye Ding was suffering from such serious injuries despite the fierce battle. ¡°Cough cough cough¡­.¡± Ye Ding coughed lightly, ¡°Your eyes are indeed first-rate, I didn¡¯t expect you to see through my injuries.¡± An Jing said somberly, ¡°It seems you don¡¯t know me well. Before I joined the Demon Sect, I had practiced medicine in Yu State City for ten years.¡± While an ordinary expert would indeed have difficulty discerning Ye Ding¡¯s injuries, An Jing was different; he was a doctor, and not just any doctor, but one with a profound medical expertise. Ye Ding fell silent, saying no more. An Jing looked to the other experts behind Ye Ding and said indifferently, ¡°Now, as you wished, let¡¯s settle all grudges.¡± Yu Ying snorted coldly, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman just fought a fierce battle and might not have his full strength. Let¡¯s go together and kill him.¡± Ye Ding¡¯s figure was drenched in blood, his face as pale as death, and An Jing, holding the sword, was also covered in blood, looking no better off. Feng Lingyue¡¯s words struck a chord in everyone¡¯s hearts, ¡°If we don¡¯t kill him, he will surely kill us. Isn¡¯t defeating the scum of the Demon Sect the very reason you are here?¡± Yu Ying and Feng Lingyue were the first to attack, with the other masters exchanging glances and then joining in. An Jing blocked the two of them, then said indifferently, ¡°It looks like more souls will fall by my sword today¡­.¡± ¡°You¡¯re already running on fumes; don¡¯t be so brash!¡± Suddenly, with a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes, the Blissful Child rushed towards An Jing, his thunderous palm force bearing down, unstoppable. An Jing drew a quick line with the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, a flash of glassy brilliance swiftly passing through. The Blissful Child felt the pressure carried by the Sword Skill of the Sixth Realm and his heart trembled, his pupils filled only with Sword Light, and nothing else. Thump! Like a fountain, blood spurted out. In less than a moment, the Blissful Child, a Grandmaster from Zhao Country, was devoid of life, plummeting toward the ground. Even the well-versed and experienced people present had never seen such a terrible, eerie scene. A bone-chilling cold overwhelmed everyone¡¯s hearts in an instant. Just then, a powerful suction force, even quicker than An Jing¡¯s, drew the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from the Blissful Child¡¯s body into his palm. The person was none other than Ye Ding. Before An Jing could speak, Feng Lingyue and Yu Ying, along with many other experts, surrounded him. The multitude of experts around him didn¡¯t wake up to reality because of the Blissful Child¡¯s death; on the contrary, the looks they gave to An Jing turned even more ferocious. Every person present was a famous expert from Yan Country, each with irreconcilable grievances with the Demon Sect; it was unthinkable that they would be frightened off by a few words from An Jing. Anyone truly afraid would not have set foot on the island. An Jing watched the crowd enclosing him with a cold gaze, his sword moving as fast as lightning, whipping around him. In the blink of an eye, An Jing¡¯s figure was engulfed by a sea of people. Thump thump thump thump thump¡­ With every sweep of his sword, numerous Sword Lights dispersed, and beautiful flowers of blood burst into the sky, the heavens overwhelmed by the wafting stench of it. ¡°Together we fight, is An Jing still not our match?¡± ¡°Together¨Cattack!¡± ¡°Fang Huti is here!¡± ¡°The Five Eccentrics of Nine Dragon Lake are here to capture and kill the scum of the Demon Sect!¡± ¡­¡­ With each move of An Jing¡¯s hand, someone died by his sword, but this did not instill fear in the surrounding crowd; it only fueled the ferocity of the other masters. The operation of the Nameless Heart Scripture, though constantly supplying True Qi, was causing his brain to feel dizzy. Such was the drawback of the incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture; while it seemed to supply an endless stream of True Qi, it caused his Divine Soul to feel pain, and prolonged use would surely damage it. But at this moment, he could not care less. Unknowingly, the ground became buried in bones, the soil dyed red with blood, and the air filled with a bloody stench that was nauseating. The Evil Suppressing Sword was completely soaked with blood, turning to a blood-red color, and An Jing himself had become a blood-soaked figure, his body dripping with the blood of others. Until the last high-level expert fell. With the passing of life, the grudges also came to an end. Most of the many masters present were independent wanderers of Jianghu, or those who had escaped the destruction of the Demon Sect. Those experts with families did not dare to participate in the battle of Blue Sky Island. The only real threats to him were the Zhenyi Sect and the Five Poison Sect. Whether killing can resolve grudges or not, it can, by killing everyone. It was at this moment that Feng Lingyue and Yu Ying finally looked down at their feet. Blood flowed like a river. The two felt a chill rush up from the soles of their feet to the crown of their heads, and immediately their eyes turned towards An Jing, who was a few dozen feet away from them. Whoosh whoosh! A gust of wind blew, carrying the stench of fresh blood and the fragrance of the Sky Flower through the air to their nostrils. They saw An Jing slowly walking towards them, fresh blood still dripping from the sword in his left hand, his eyes colder than any sharp blade in the world. An Jing said to Feng Lingyue, ¡°I can give you a chance.¡± Feng Lingyue had once received guidance from Jun Qinglin, and the two had some history. Jun Qinglin had mentioned that if Feng Lingyue voluntarily returned, his life could be spared. Furthermore, Feng Lingyue had left because of a power struggle with Jiang Shang, and now that Jiang Shang was gone, it was not out of the question to give him another chance. Feng Lingyue shook his head and laughed loudly, ¡°Even in death, I shall die in the Jianghu.¡± An Jing was taken aback; he had thought Feng Lingyue would agree, then he started to laugh. ¡°Very well, I shall fulfill Senior Feng¡¯s wish.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not necessarily so!¡± A fighting spirit flashed in Feng Lingyue¡¯s eyes, and he moved towards An Jing with a strange agility, reminiscent of a spider crawling across a web. Five Poison Soul-breaking Hand! Feng Lingyue¡¯s eyes were extremely cold as a massive shadow of a beast appeared behind him. Then Feng Lingyue flipped his palm, and from that black palm, a layer of Qi flowed out, with the giant Poison Beast also charging towards An Jing. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! The black Qi pressed down on the air, causing explosive roaring noises. An Jing stood below, watching the Poison Beast charging towards him. In front of that beast, he seemed extremely small, almost insignificant. His expression did not change much. Hum hum! Hum hum! The Evil Suppressing Sword suddenly emitted hums, as if transforming into visible sound waves echoing into the distance. Whoosh! All of a sudden, An Jing¡¯s left hand holding the sword stomped down, directly shattering the surrounding air. Immediately after, from the Evil Suppressing Sword, an extremely dazzling radiance burst forth, the light so aggressive that everyone present couldn¡¯t help but close their eyes. Invisible Sword! An Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, and with one swipe of his left hand, a sword radiance that seemed to tear the heavens surged forth from the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword. This was his strongest Sword Dao technique, a creation based on his own understanding and the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture.¡± That sword radiance, with the momentum of a thundering force and incredible speed, collided with the handprint in an instant. At the moment of collision, it was as if two meteors had struck against each other. Thud! Time seemed to solidify, and the world quieted down in an instant. But just moments later, a piercing roaring sound exploded in the sky, and then waves of Qi, like rolling tide water, crazily spread outward from the center of the impact. Boom! Boom! Boom! Beneath An Jing¡¯s feet, cracks as wide as giant trees spread out toward the distance, and the black Qi that stretched across the sky also dispersed, revealing a clear sky. Wow! Feng Lingyue¡¯s body jolted as if electrocuted, his pale face like paper, floating unsteadily in the sky before he could no longer hold on, and a spurt of blood gushed out. At this moment, the organs inside his body were completely shattered; even the lightest touch could turn his insides into dust. Life was swiftly leaving him, his end was merely moments away. An Jing said nothing, watching this master from the same era as Jiang Shang and Ye Ding. Had he not left the Demon Sect, perhaps he would be fighting shoulder to shoulder with him now. But if he had not left the Demon Sect, he would no longer be the Feng Lingyue he was. Feng Lingyue¡¯s expression was wilted, his weak eyes looking ahead as if seeing An Jing, and also as though he was gazing at the rising Chaoyang behind him. To die is to no longer come back; the sorrows, grievances, and joys of the world, from now on, would be without entanglement. Reflecting on the formidable days of the past, enjoying the pleasures of fine clothes and spirited horses in youth, and being a recognized grandmaster of the Seven Factions¡¯ Old Ancestor of the Five Poison Sect at the brink of death¨Che had attained everything he ought to have in life. Now dying in the Jianghu, what more could he ask for? ¡°Hahahaha!¡± With these thoughts, Feng Lingyue burst into laughter. I crossed the mortal world just to experience it. Since his organs had already been shattered by the powerful Sword Qi, his laughter ultimately triggered his body¡¯s frailties, and with a tremble, Feng Lingyue fell to the ground with a thud. Feng Lingyue breathed his last. The founder of the Five Poison Sect, formerly the head of the Demon Sect¡¯s Five Poisons, died on Blue Sky Island. Ye Ding and Yu Ying remained expressionless as if Feng Lingyue¡¯s death¨Cindeed, the death of anyone present¨Cwas inconsequential to them and held no significance. ¡°It¡¯s your turn now¡­¡± An Jing turned his attention to Ye Ding and Yu Ying, who were seated on the ground. In a detached tone, Ye Ding said, ¡°You may take away the four Heaven and Earth Spirit Essences inside me as you wish.¡± Yu Ying, on the other hand, was uncharacteristically silent, not saying a word. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing raised an eyebrow, feeling that something was amiss. In the last clash with Ye Ding, Ye Ding held back some of his True Qi. Otherwise, the outcome might still be uncertain, and An Jing himself would have had to use that remnant soul within his Dantian. Why would Ye Ding do such a thing? ¡°What a splendid battle that was.¡± Just then, a voice came from a distance, echoing in the ears of the three. Chapter 256 - Chapter 256: Chapter 256 Chapter 256: Chapter 256 An Jing furrowed his brows and looked towards the source of the sound. Any who could tread silently upon Blue Sky Island were certainly the world¡¯s top martial artists, and he had already vaguely guessed who was coming. Not far away, a group approached. At the forefront was an extraordinary-looking elderly man with a ruddy complexion and radiant aura, his presence surpassing all but Jiang Shang from his generation. Beside him was a silver-haired woman, appearing to be in her fifties, though An Jing¡¯s instincts told him she was older than she looked. Additionally, there was a swordsman holding a blue long saber, wearing a hat that obscured his features, but one could sense that his strength was no simple matter. Behind the three, several dozen men in black stood, each with a cold, detached expression, no less skilled than the Jianghu masters who had just died at An Jing¡¯s hand ¨C in fact, they were even stronger by a margin. Black Ice Platform! An Jing glanced over and roughly surmised who these sudden arrivals were. ¡°Ye Ding, we meet again.¡± Qu Renlin looked at Ye Ding, who was sitting on the ground, and shook his head with a smile, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that after that battle back then, not only did you not die, but now, as the sun sets in the west, you¡¯ve been defeated by a young man.¡± Years ago, when Ye Ding fought with Qi Xuan Dao, Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s Palm of Heavenly Cycle slammed onto Ye Ding¡¯s left shoulder, and the Black Ice True Qi firmly surged into his body. Black Ice True Qi is one of the rarest and coldest Yin energies, even colder and more bone-chilling than normal Yin or malevolent energies. Especially since Qi Xuan Dao had already mastered ¡°Black Ice Technique¡± to the Ninth Layer, even with Ye Ding¡¯s cultivation and strength, if he hadn¡¯t died, he would have been gravely wounded. The fact that he had held on for so many years was definitely not only due to Ye Ding¡¯s strength but also because the Zhenyi Sect had used many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to sustain the life force within his body. ¡°Qi Xuan Dao is indeed formidable; although that palm did not take my life, it prevented my cultivation from progressing an inch for decades.¡± wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.Co Ye Ding smiled wryly, ¡°But you, Qu Renlin, only lasted a few hundred moves under my hands back then.¡± An Jing¡¯s brow tightened, astonished that the rumors of the past duel between Ye Ding and Qi Xuan Dao were true, and that Ye Ding had suffered such severe injuries. Whether these two top experts had fought was only known through sketchy rumors in the martial world at the time; some said Ye Ding had been defeated by Qi Xuan Dao, others claimed the two had never actually fought. However, many in Great Yan Martial World were skeptical because Ye Ding was considered one of the zenith martial artists at the time, fully capable of representing the pinnacle of Yan Country¡¯s martial prowess. And Qi Xuan Dao, as the leader of the Black Ice Platform, naturally represented Zhao Country. The blood feud between Yan and Zhao Countries was deeply entrenched, hence people from Yan Country naturally did not want to believe that Ye Ding had lost. As for rumors, An Jing was never one to believe in them, but hearing this conversation, he was now convinced that a true battle had taken place back then, resulting in Ye Ding¡¯s defeat and severe injury at the hands of Qi Xuan Dao. Yu Ying¡¯s face bore no expression, yet his eyes staring at the Black Ice Platform experts under Qu Renlin began to glimmer with a cold light. If not for Ye Ding¡¯s injury, why would he have chosen to seclude himself in Hidden Mountain, and why would he posture for Xiao Qianqiu? All these triggering points stemmed from that planned ¡®private contest¡¯ back then. Rather than feeling angered by Ye Ding¡¯s words, Qu Renlin appeared quite agreeable, ¡°Indeed, I was defeated by you, that is the truth. But you too were a famous top expert for a long time, shouldn¡¯t you also mention the great past episodes?¡± Yu Ying said with a cold laugh, ¡°My senior¡¯s cultivation hasn¡¯t progressed for decades, and now he has fought a major battle. You choose this time to come out and instruct the world, making grandiose statements?¡± Qu Renlin replied indifferently, ¡°The truths of this world, the conspiracies and schemes, the differentiation of right and evil, none of them matter. Only the words of those who survive to the end hold any truth.¡± ¡°Well said.¡± Ye Ding slowly stood up. Yu Ying¡¯s pupils contracted sharply, whispering softly, ¡°Senior¡­..¡± Qu Renlin, Lv Qiujian, and Chu Yun all frowned. From the moment Ye Ding stood up, his aura not only didn¡¯t decline but continued to climb. Chu Yun thought of something, twisting her brows, ¡°He consumed a pill just now, could it not be a healing pill?¡± ¡°A pill?¡± Qu Renlin suddenly realized something, shocked, ¡°Could it be the Shattering Origin Pill!?¡± As aficionados of elixirs, the Black Ice Platform naturally knew the effects of the Shattering Origin Pill. And An Jing, being a doctor, had also heard of what a Shattering Origin Pill was. Elixirs like Origin Opening Pill and Spiritual Origin Pill were producible in large quantities, varying only in the herbs used and success rates. Shattering Origin Pill and Golden Pill, however, belonged to a category that was extremely difficult to refine. Such pills required not only masterful pill-making skills, precise recipes, but also incredibly rare herbs and even the use of centuries-old Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. The Shattering Origin Pill was different from the Golden Pill; only one Shattering Origin Pill could be produced per furnace, and its effects were also vastly different. Golden Pill enhances cultivation, whereas Shattering Origin Pill breaks it. After consuming a Shattering Origin Pill, the Dantian inside the body shatters, briefly transforming into a vast amount of Qi Mechanism. This was a precious pill, used in desperate life-and-death situations to fight desperately, turn defeat into victory, and find a path to survival. After all, he was about to lose his life, so what use was a Dantian that absorbed True Qi and Inner Strength anymore? However, while ordinary people could live without their Dantian, merely losing their cultivation, Ye Ding¡¯s body suppressed the overwhelming Black Ice True Qi. Once the effect of the Shattering Origin Pill wore off, he would immediately be smashed by the Black Ice True Qi. Ye Ding gave a faint smile and said, ¡°I know you don¡¯t make a move without seeing the rabbit, so before I came down the mountain, I specifically prepared a Shattering Origin Pill.¡± Ye Ding had this pill but had not used it; could it be that he¡­ An Jing recalled what Jun Qinglin had said¨Cthe post was not meant for An Jing but for him, Jun Qinglin. And the sudden cessation of combat meant that today¡¯s duel, Ye Ding¡¯s real target, might not be An Jing but the Black Ice Platform!? An Jing took a deep breath, quietly watching the situation unfold before him. It seemed this old Daoist had deceived not only himself but most of the world. Qu Renlin also came to his senses, looking coldly at Ye Ding and said, ¡°From the beginning, your goal was neither the Demon Sect nor the Ghost Swordsman, but my Black Ice Platform?¡± At that moment, he guessed what Ye Ding was thinking. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Ye Ding calmly said, ¡°Personally, he is a disciple of Yan Shaoshan, who died at the hands of my Zhenyi Sect. My Zhenyi Sect too had losses at his hands; the grudges are unclear and indistinguishable, but no matter how you put it, it originated from the Mystical Sect.¡± ¡°In terms of Outer Heaven, if I killed him, the Sect Leader of Outer Heaven would not let it go easily. I don¡¯t know what that leader would do, but I know it would definitely stir up a bloodstorm in Yan Country. It would have been no issue twenty years ago, but now, with Yan Country surrounded by enemies and turmoil arising in the martial world, it would surely affect Yan Country. The Zhenyi Sect, being the national religion, is long tied to the fate of Yan Country.¡± Continuing Ye Ding¡¯s words, Qu Renlin further said, ¡°And in this martial world, grudges must be settled, providing an explanation to the disciples of Zhenyi Sect and the martial experts of the world.¡± ¡°So you choose to die for the cause, drawing out the experts of the Black Ice Platform. Not only can you eliminate the troubles of the Black Ice Platform¡¯s experts, but you can also keep Yan Country¡¯s martial world temporarily stable. The Human Emperor of Taiping would also have to appreciate this kindness, the experts of Black Ice Platform and Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Sect Leader Ye Ding perish together, but the Zhenyi Sect gains immense fame.¡± Ye Ding said no more; his own words and those of Qu Renlin covered most of it, but there were still one or two points not discussed. With Ye Ding and Yu Ying gone, Xiao Qianqiu would also lose his restraints, allowing him to radically change the Zhenyi Sect and draw out the two masters standing at the summit of the world today¡­ However, there was no need to discuss these with Qu Renlin. All in all, for the Zhenyi Sect, it was hugely beneficial, and the drawback was merely the death of two old Daoists nearing their end and ¡®hindering¡¯ others. He said these words only for An Jing to hear. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you could have predicted that the Ghost Swordsman would keep the appointment, and my Black Ice Platform would come as well.¡± Qu Renlin looked at Ye Ding with mixed feelings and said, ¡°But Ye Ding, I never expected you to lay out this plan at the cost of your own life.¡± As Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s junior brother, Qu Renlin, undoubtedly talented, had a certain arrogance, admiring very few people. The Ye Ding before him certainly counted as one. Qu Renlin also understood why he had lost to Ye Ding in the past; whether in the past or present, he was never Ye Ding¡¯s match. He lacked Ye Ding¡¯s strategic mind, his magnanimity in facing death, and his decisive resolution to sever all ties. Ye Ding¡¯s aura was growing stronger than before, even An Jing¡¯s forehead showed a trace of solemnity. If Ye Ding had taken the Shattering Origin Pill earlier, An Jing would have no choice but to use the Mo Family¡¯s secret technique, Ghost Transformation, for a fight. Ye Ding glanced at the three of them and said, ¡°The three of you are no match for me, so confident as if he has already arrived, let him come out then.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, his heart throbbing. This ¡®he¡¯, could it be Qi Xuan Dao? ¡°Ye Ding, you truly are cunning.¡± A voice of lamentation came from afar, and a rolling, oceanic Qi energy swept over from a distance, the overwhelming pressure crashing like a tsunami, making one feel suffocated. An Jing immediately felt his heart pounding as if it was jumping out of his mouth. Five Qi Grandmaster! Only those closest to Demi Immortal, a Five Qi Grandmaster just one step away from Demi Immortal, have such prowess. That one step away could extend life by three hundred years, blocking countless masters in the world. A black-clad old man walked from afar on the sea surface as if on flat ground, clearly still a hundred yards away, but in the blink of an eye, he stepped onto Blue Sky Island. That elderly man¡¯s eyes were profound, his black clothing as if forged in iron, unaffected by the sea breeze, firmly in place, his Qi energy rolling like waves behind him, unfathomable. Even without speaking, he exuded the pressure of a mountain looming over him. Especially his eyes, when they fell on An Jing, made one¡¯s hair stand on end, sending chills down the spine. There was no need to say it¨CAn Jing already knew who the person in front of him was, the number one expert of Zhao Country, and indeed, one of the true pinnacle masters of the world. ¡°He is Qi Xuan Dao,¡± Ye Ding pointed at Qi Xuan Dao and said to An Jing, ¡°If he does not die today, you must remember his face.¡± An Jing was somewhat puzzled and did not understand why Ye Ding would say this to him. Qi Xuan Dao looked at his old opponent and said, ¡°You¡¯ve put in so much effort; you should have expected that I would come.¡± Ye Ding said, ¡°As expected.¡± Qi Xuan Dao looked at Ye Ding and asked, ¡°Did you also expect to die by my hand, even going so far as to bring the Ghost Swordsman to die for you?¡± Ye Ding did not respond to Qi Xuan Dao, but slowly said: ¡°A thousand years ago, a great calamity befell the Mystical Sect. At that time, the Daoist Master of Mystical Sect died mysteriously, leaving the sect without a leader, which forced them to elect a new Daoist Master. During this period, a severe schism emerged within the sect, with no one willing to back down. Under the instigation of some with ulterior motives, it even led to armed conflict, ultimately causing the complete split of the Mystical Sect¡¯s three great masters into what are today the Zhenyi Sect, Daluo Sect, and Ghost Valley Sect.¡± ¡°And the person with ulterior motives was none other than the founder of the Black Ice Platform.¡± Boom! Ye Ding¡¯s words undeniably stirred up a thousand waves! So it was the Black Ice Platform behind it all! Hearing Ye Ding¡¯s words, An Jing and Qu Renlin, among others, all showed a look of surprise. Initially, the split of Mystical Sect had already felt somewhat strange, definitely not as simple as it appeared on the surface. Some guessed it was the Human Emperor of the Great Zhou at the time, while others thought it might have been the masters of the Demon Sect or even the Buddhist. But no one had expected it to be someone from the Black Ice Platform. They were the culprits behind the split of Mystical Sect. If this matter were to be leaked, it would undoubtedly cause a huge uproar throughout the world. Mystical Sect was the oldest sect, and at the time, it was the premier sect in the world, with even the overbearing Demon Sect needing to steer clear of them. If not for the mysterious death of the Mystical Sect¡¯s Daoist Master and the split of the three great masters, Mystical Sect¡¯s influence might have continued for another hundred years, and the world¡¯s structure could have even undergone a major change. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s eyes dimmed, and he indifferently said, ¡°This is just your one-sided statement.¡± ¡°Whether it is a one-sided statement, will be known sooner or later.¡± Ye Ding shook his head and continued, ¡°The person who assisted the Great Zhou Dynasty in refining the Golden Pill, if I am not mistaken, is the founder of the Black Ice Platform.¡± Hearing this, Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s eyes immediately narrowed into slits. An Jing was also greatly shocked, ¡°The remarkable figure from the Great Zhou was actually a master of the Black Ice Platform?¡± Others do not know the effects of the Golden Pill, but he understood them very clearly; even a significantly diminished Golden Pill could elevate him from the Earth Flower Realm to the Heavenly Flower. And a complete Golden Pill could supposedly elevate an ordinary person directly to First Grade, or a Half-step Master directly to Grandmaster. How miraculous was such an elixir? To say it allowed one to ascend to heaven in a single step was not an overstatement. Ye Ding looked towards Qi Xuan Dao, ¡°The ¡®Pill Seal¡¯ of my Mystical Sect should have been stolen by that person, causing the highest pill refining techniques of Mystical Sect to be lost, while the Black Ice Platform rose rapidly relying on the ¡®Pill Seal¡¯.¡± ¡°Qi Xuan Dao, everything I¡¯ve said is correct, isn¡¯t it?¡± Suddenly, An Jing¡¯s gaze also turned towards Qi Xuan Dao, his heart profoundly shaken. Judging from Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s expression, it likely wasn¡¯t fabricated. Apart from Ye Ding, Yu Ying, and Qi Xuan Dao, hardly anyone would have imagined the vast conspiracy behind the Black Ice Platform, which was also related to the ephemeral remarkable figure from the Great Zhou. This Black Ice Platform was far more mysterious and terrifying than imagined, having orchestrated the past split of Mystical Sect; what other conspiracies might they still harbor? Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s gaze showed no change, revealing neither fluctuations nor any trace of joy or sorrow, ¡°What use is right or wrong?¡± Ye Ding nodded, ¡°Right or wrong is useless, who can walk out of this Blue Sky Island today is what matters.¡± Qi Xuan Dao glanced around at the surroundings and said, ¡°Such a fine scenery, it is indeed a good place for a grave.¡± Ye Ding looked at Qi Xuan Dao and said, ¡°This is the place chosen for me, as well as for you.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Qi Xuan Dao laughed, ¡°Ye Ding, do you really think that by consuming the Shattering Origin Pill you could be my match?¡± Decades ago, there was already a gap in their cultivation, and Yanding, who had stagnated for decades, now foolishly thought to defeat him with the Shattering Origin Pill¨Cit was nothing but a fool¡¯s dream. ¡°Someone will come to behead you.¡± Yanding shook his head¨Cthe Dantian had unknowingly shattered, yet his aura continued to climb. ¡°Whoo¡­.¡± A violent wind surged, and the blood-stained petals left on the island danced chaotically. Seeing this, Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s smile slightly faded, his gaze turning toward the figure of an old man standing above Blue Sky Island. Compared to Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s sharp and spirited eyes, the old man looked calm and unrippled, appearing like a mere ordinary elder on the street. ¡°It¡¯s Jun Qinglin!¡± Qu Renlin looked up and saw the person, then cried out in shock. ¡°It¡¯s him!?¡± Chu Yun felt as if struck hard, disbelief filling her eyes, ¡°Such a master is still not dead?¡± Who was Jun Qinglin? Fifty years ago, he had already made a name for himself worldwide, his Inquiry of Heaven unmatched, and at that time, there were only two or three people in Great Yan Martial World who could compete with him, but none dared claim they could defeat him. Back then, the Demon Sect was supported solely by his prestige, still one of the most powerful sects in Great Yan Martial World. Jun Qinglin had twice ventured into Houjin Royal Court and once into Zhao Country, always leaving at ease. How many masters in the world dared do such things? Before he vanished from the public eye, it was even rumored that he defeated the Holy Master of Great Snow Mountain, which the Holy Master of Great Snow Mountain neither clarified nor responded to. Many people believed this to be true. Today, those masters who were once his equals had mostly turned to dust, and yet the oldest among them, he was not dead? To roam Jianghu for a hundred years without dying, how terrifying was that? Qi Xuan Dao looked at the man, muttering under his breath, ¡°Jun Qinglin¡­.¡± There were few in the world who could pressure him, and Jun Qinglin was definitely one of them. When Yanding saw Jun Qinglin appear, his expression did not show any surprise, as if he had foreseen this. Jun Qinglin stood on sprouting branches, hands behind his back, watching the Sky Blue Petals fluttering all over the island. A hundred years ago, this had been a deserted island, and everything began with the young girl who planted the first sapling of the Sky Blue Tree here. Jun Qinglin looked toward Yanding and calmly said, ¡°You truly are scheming, even including this old man in your calculations.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve brought a great gift for your sect.¡± Yanding looked at Qi Xuan Dao and his group and said, ¡°Those who die under the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s blade are the first gift, and those masters from the Black Ice Platform before us are the second gift.¡± With blood feud settled by those affiliated with the Demon Sect, and now these masters of the Black Ice Platform being strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, not to mention aiding Jun Qinglin in breaking through his limits, it would definitely boost the cultivation of the Ghost Swordsman and the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. As for why resolve the grudge with the Demon Sect on Blue Sky Island, Yanding knew that Jun Qinglin was bound to return¨Ceven if he ignored the matters of the Demon Sect because this place meant a lot to him. And the eleventh day of the seventh month was not to stop the Demon Sect masters from rushing here, but to prevent Houjin and Great Snow Mountain from getting involved. As for Qi Xuan Dao of Black Ice Platform, Yanding believed he would definitely come. Because of the Ghost Swordsman who killed Qi Shu, he was bound to return. The true identity of Qi Shu was not merely that of his adopted son. In Cloud Tower, the only one who dared to break the rules was Qi Shu, and even his junior brother Qu Renlin had to obediently follow the strict laws of the Black Ice Platform. Among the many forces in the world, Black Ice Platform had the strictest rules and the least personal feelings, yet from this strictest platform came Qi Shu who disliked following rules the most. The secrets behind this were not for outsiders to know¡­. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Even if Qi Xuan Dao would not personally rush here, the Black Ice Platform would send several masters here, and their deaths at the hands of Jun Qinglin would undoubtedly create enmity between the Demon Sect and Black Ice Platform. The Demon Sect, whether fighting against Houjin or resisting Zhao Country, had to exert every effort. So, since the time he had not descended the mountain, Yanding had already begun to lay out his plan. ¡­¡­. PS: Please suggest names. Chapter 258 - Chapter 258: Chapter 258 Nightfall on Blue Sky Island Chapter 258: Chapter 258 Nightfall on Blue Sky Island Between heaven and earth, a flash of brilliance faded away. Ye Ding was dead, this figure who had stirred up the storm in the Great Yan Martial World for decades left this realm. Yu Ying, who enjoyed playing with power and presided over the Heavenly Venerate Hall, also followed his senior brother in death, journeying to the Underworld. Possibly with his cunning and understanding of Ye Ding, he had anticipated that the trip to Blue Sky Island would lead to his demise, but he still willingly went to Blue Sky Island. Only his death could allow Xiao Qianqiu to truly act freely, enable the Zhenyi Sect to be reborn, and allow the pine filled with wormholes to regrow its branches and leaves anew. This path led to the Underworld, and it was crowded with travelers, with the deceased standing on the Naihe Bridge; this was not a tragedy but a reunion instead. With the death of two Zhenyi Sect masters, the Zhenyi Sect would surely face a reshuffling that would affect the structure of Yan Country and even the broader world. The situation changed in the blink of an eye, and no one knew what would happen next in Jianghu. The turbulence of Jianghu would not cease with the death of two individuals; it might even become more intense. Ye Ding simply issued an invitation. He did not force An Jing to come, nor did he force other Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu masters or Jun Qinglin, Qi Xuan Dao to come. But they all came; this was the true drawing into the urn. Wherever there are people, there is Jianghu, and wherever there is Jianghu, there are conflicts of interest. Jianghu is a stage of fame and interest. It¡¯s hard to describe a person as simply good or bad. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.Co Within it, each person pursues their own fame and fortune, or just strives to survive. As An Jing looked at the two piles of ashes, to say he was deeply moved would not be quite accurate, although Ye Ding¡¯s setup ended the previous grievances with the Demon Sect and involved a gift, it also lured the Demon Sect into trouble. All the instigators were dead, but the battle on Blue Sky Island today had yet to end. Jun Qinglin looked toward Qi Xuan Dao in the distance and transmitted a message, ¡°He¡¯s barely hanging on by a breath, his strength has increased¡­¡± Just now, in their fight against Qi Xuan Dao, Jun Qinglin had used nearly ninety-nine percent of his strength, but he did not gambit his life like Ye Ding did. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s ability to repel Jun Qinglin and slay Ye Ding, who had swallowed the Shattering Origin Pill, was enough to indicate his formidable strength. ¡°The two of us will join forces.¡± Behind An Jing, shadows flitted and flickered, with a chilly wind swirling around, as if stepping out from the Underworld. This bone-chilling sensation made even Jun Qinglin frown slightly. Qi Xuan Dao also looked over, the Minghong Blade in his hand still dripping with blood. His gaze was not on Jun Qinglin, but on the Ghost Swordsman with the flickering shadow behind him. Blue Sky Island was now a sight of devastation, with tree debris, petals, blood, soil, and countless bodies¡­ ¡°Let¡¯s see if you two can survive my hand.¡± A cold smile appeared on Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s lips as he lifted the Minghong Blade. The next moment, his figure vanished from the spot. At the instant he disappeared, Jun Qinglin¡¯s body also trembled, and he struck out with a palm towards the incoming blade light. ¡°Be careful!¡± The handprint and the blade light collided violently, forcing Jun Qinglin to retreat three steps. He couldn¡¯t help but shout out. ¡°Whoosh!¡± An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword was also thrust forward, emitting a glittering cold light. Shadow-like, Qi Xuan Dao appeared in front of An Jing, a blue-black streak of light, mad yet deceptively fast, spread out. Squeak! The sound of twisting bones rang out, An Jing¡¯s seven orifices bled, and even the surface of his skin oozed strands of blood, turning him into a bloodied figure. The time for Ghost Transformation was almost up. True Qi on Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s body quickly concentrated at the tip of his finger, a blue light with a terrifying aura shot out in a burst. This finger strike was not simple! Whoosh! The blue-black light instantly struck right in front of An Jing. ¡°Break!¡± An Jing struck the finger light with his sword. Clang! To everyone¡¯s surprise, the indestructible Evil Suppressing Sword actually bent, resembling a fully drawn bow. The next moment, an extremely domineering force traveled along the body of the Evil Suppressing Sword, impacting An Jing¡¯s palm. ¡°Tat tat tat¡­¡± A thread of blood trickled down from the corner of An Jing¡¯s mouth, winding like a snake. Utilizing this force, An Jing was propelled backwards, staggering to the ground and involuntarily retreating several steps, each step imprinting deep footprints on the ground. Qi Xuan Dao swung his blade, sending not blade light but countless blue-black ice points across the sky like an overwhelming barrage of arrows, all sweeping toward An Jing. Seeing this, Jun Qinglin operated the Inquiry of Heaven at full strength within his limbs and spared no effort. Black True Qi emerged in front of him, holding up a huge light shield. Crack crack crack! The ice struck the black light shield and scattered all around, transforming into Heaven and Earth True Qi that dispersed into the surroundings. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly at this sight. Jun Qinglin said indifferently, ¡°That Qi Mechanism isn¡¯t yours, is it?¡± ¡°Is it that important?¡± Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s left hand gently caressed the ancient blade as his eyes grew increasingly colder. Boom! The very next moment! It was as if a volcano suddenly erupted at that instant, a terrifying True Qi surged upward, chilling the sky around so much that countless shards of ice began to form next to the blade of Qi Xuan Dao. Qi Xuan Dao looked at Jun Qinglin ahead, his expression cold, the oppressive force weighing down like a mountain. The overwhelming True Qi rampaged like a storm across the sky, Qi Xuan Dao clenched his hand, and the icy True Qi roared like a tide from his blade. Qiankun Seven Extremes! Reverse Heaven and Earth! In the blink of an eye, the path of the blade solidified into a layer of ice waves, followed by an endless cold current. Wherever the cold wave swept, even the air turned into dazzling ice crystals. The ice wave rapidly expanded in Jun Qinglin¡¯s pupils, his face becoming exceedingly solemn. Being at the Five Qi Grandmaster realm, improving one or two percent in cultivation was a tremendous boost, let alone what Qi Xuan Dao had achieved beyond that. Jun Qinglin circulated his True Qi and then swept a leg forward. Seven Calamities! Calamity Has Intent! Having stripped from the heavens and earth, unbound by their constraints, this leg carried the force to shake heaven and earth. Even Qi Xuan Dao, a Five Qi Grandmaster, did not dare to be careless. Countless sword lights burst in the air, fiercely colliding with that leg shadow. Boom! It was like two massive mountains smashing into each other. The very next moment, the ground shook, and the air was filled with extremely cold white smoke. An Jing¡¯s body flashed, transforming into a dark shadow as he moved to kill Qi Xuan Dao. Fast! Incredibly fast! His speed was even faster than Ye Ding after he had swallowed the Shattering Origin Pill. This surprised not only Qi Xuan Dao but also made Jun Qinglin significant astonishment. But even with such speed, there was still a slight gap from the Five Qi Grandmaster. Qi Xuan Dao circulated his True Qi, and layers of cold ripples surged around his body, the temperature dropping so low that even An Jing¡¯s swift speed was greatly slowed. So cold that it felt as though his blood was freezing. At this point, there was no turning back once the sword was drawn. ¡°Swish!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword flew forward and as the sword body surged, the sharp Sword Light could clearly be seen piercing through the cold flow, creating two swirling waves of air. The next moment, the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade split into four Sword Lights. They stabbed toward Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s throat, between his eyebrows, and his heart, each critical spot with the Sword Skill of the Sixth Realm embedded in them, their oppressive force sharper and vaster than any other Sword Skill of the Sixth Realm Swordsman. Qi Xuan Dao drew the Minghong Blade with his palm and slashed forward without any hesitation. The Sixth Realm¡¯s sword intent enveloped the blade, creating an immense oppressive force. A blue Sword Light burst from the Minghong Blade with incredible speed, charging forward and surrounding the path with numerous icy blue Sword Lights as if clinging by the side of the original. The collision between Sword Light and Sword Light was also a collision between Swordsmen and Swordsmen. ¡°Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang¡­.¡± The harsh sound of metal clashing created a metallic storm, which seemed to freeze over. ¡°Boom!¡± Finally, a surge of Sword Light came rushing, shattering all the Sword Lights. ¡°Ah!¡± An Jing grabbed the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword, his organs shook violently, and a spray of blood erupted, and a powerful surge of Black Ice True Qi gushed from the blade. Black Ice True Qi! This was the exact True Qi that previously Qi Xuan Dao had forced into Ye Ding¡¯s body, causing his cultivation to not only stagnate for many years but also torturing him for several years. The moment Black Ice True Qi entered his body, An Jing felt an icy cold rushing towards his Dantian and all over his limbs, and instantly, he began to circulate the Nameless Heart Scripture to forcefully suppress the surging Black Ice True Qi. At that moment, the final wave of the Ghost Transformation surged fiercely towards his Heavenly Spirit. ¡°Roar!¡± A huge roar erupted inside his mind, as if his brain had become ethereal in that moment, then his eyes turned pitch-black. No, not pitch black, but rather a void. Black itself is a color, yet before his eyes everything turned into nothingness, even black disappeared. ¡°This is that remnant soul¡­¡± An Jing desperately held on to his last trace of consciousness. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s gaze also turned icy cold, firmly gripping the Minghong Blade in his palm without making any rash movements, because standing before him was still a master. Yes, a master in his eyes. With his current cultivation, few could be called masters by him. If Qi Xuan Dao was like an incomparably sharp blade at this moment, his hands, eyes, and heart filled with killing intent, then Jun Qinglin opposite him was more like a sheath, his eyes calm as water, capable of containing that extreme killing intent. The two men¡¯s eyes burned with intense heat and icy coldness as they stared at each other. The waves continued to roar, the wind on the island still blew, carrying the blood-stained Sky Blue petals dancing in the air. Qi Xuan Dao suddenly felt a chill in his heart, not from a sudden drop in temperature, but a cold emanating from deep within, given to him by the elder opposite him. The elder, who seemed to have one foot already buried in the ground, still had eyes calm as water, but the feeling he gave was drastically changed. Actually, it wasn¡¯t him who had changed, but Jun Qinglin. At that moment, Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyes also filled with killing intent. The cultivation of a Five Qi Grandmaster is very high, a fact known to all under the heavens, for a Five Qi Grandmaster has already reached the limits of what humans can attain, and crossing this realm means entering another world. And at this moment, both men stood at the gateway of that world, as if looking down on the vast lands of humanity. Qi Xuan Dao knew this better than anyone. How terrifying could a desperate Five Qi Grandmaster be? Yet even with this knowledge, Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s heart was full of confidence; he believed that he would definitely be the last to walk out from Blue Sky Island, for he was Qi Wushuang, the unrivaled man of the world. The setting sun lit up Blue Sky Island. The mountains were covered with broken petals and fresh blood, brilliantly red like fire. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Without saying much, Qi Xuan Dao swung the Minghong Blade forward. A narrow beam of blade light flew out along the ancient blade¡¯s edge, shattering the land ahead as it rolled forward. Jun Qinglin did not move, but why did he not move? Why did he see the sword light of Qi Xuan Dao, a Five Qi Grandmaster, coming towards him and not show the slightest reaction? His eyes no longer saw the blade light, only Qi Xuan Dao. Without the blade light, the ¡®nonexistent¡¯ blade light naturally could not harm his body. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The blade light seemed to pass through Jun Qinglin¡¯s body and rushed toward the mountains of Blue Sky Island behind him. Boom! Boom! As the blade light passed, the ground shook violently, and countless rocks tumbled down. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s brow suddenly furrowed, as it was impossible for a person to get through that blade light, which left only one explanation. The Jun Qinglin of that moment had moved; he had avoided the blade light. How exactly did he move? Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s confidence, like the ice, met an intense flame, beginning to show signs of melting, and this complete melting was what happened next. Standing in the distance, a Ghost Swordsman with a dark silhouette held up his sword and walked towards him. The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s body was covered in fresh blood, belonging to others and to himself. These were not the scariest parts; the scariest was the vague dark shadow behind him. His eyes were devoid of any expression, just like the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, seemingly a lifeless object. The glow of the setting sun shone on An Jing¡¯s face, the orange light which should have been warm added a bizarre chill instead. As the sunset gave way to night, and with the deepening night, the shadow that was nearly gone seemed to linger with the sunset, apparently not willing to leave just yet, still greedily relishing the mortal world. At this moment, An Jing was completely merged into the dark shadow, as if he was the shadow, and the shadow was him. Qi Xuan Dao couldn¡¯t tell the difference. Neither could Jun Qinglin. But in their hearts was a bone-chilling coldness, their hearts uncontrollably pounding, as at this moment they actually felt that neither was the most terrifying existence on the island. It was that young man, the young man who had fought from the beginning to the end with a sword in his hand. An Jing gradually merged with the shadow into the darkness, completely becoming one with it. Everyone knew that darkness was the most terrifying thing. There was nothing more terrifying than darkness. Because of the unknown in the darkness, the unpredictability in the darkness. Now, An Jing himself had become the darkness. All before him was dark. The next moment, the only thing left in the eyes of the two men was darkness. The darkness came quickly, and seemingly left just as swiftly, a flash of darkness passing by in an instant, but it left an indelible mark in the hearts of both men. Qi Xuan Dao looked at the dark figure, his firm belief melting completely as his brow furrowed intensely. A sense of retreat blossomed in his heart. The truly terrifying things in this world were never divine weapons or unfathomable cultivation. It was people. People were the most terrifying beings in the world. The Minghong Blade in Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s hand loosened slightly, then he took two steps back. He was not willing to fight for his life, nor would he gamble his life against the two men. Two steps back elicited no response. ¡°Go!¡± As he stared at An Jing for a few seconds, he grabbed the weakened Lv Qiujian and instantly turned into a beam of light, fleeing towards the distance. Jun Qinglin watched Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s retreating figure, knowing that Qi Xuan Dao did not want to fight to the death. He felt the same and thus did not block Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s retreat. A fight to the death between the two, no matter the outcome, would be disadvantageous for either, and the only beneficiaries would be those high-seat fishing from their towers. This was perhaps the best outcome. Jun Qinglin withdrew his gaze and looked toward the simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar An Jing. The dark figure behind him was slowly fading away, as the curtain fell with the setting sun¡¯s rays, and the shadow completely disappeared. The world gradually merged into darkness, and the shadow vanished. ¡°Shh!¡± An Jing¡¯s body went limp, feeling an overwhelming sense of powerlessness invade his whole body. Had it not been for the Evil Suppressing Sword planted in the ground, he might have collapsed headfirst. He desperately wanted to take deep breaths, but the strength to breathe seemed to be vanishing. Thinking back to the darkness just now, his heart still palpitated with fear. Jun Qinglin walked over to An Jing and asked, ¡°How are you?¡± ¡°Still¡­ still alive?¡± An Jing¡¯s response sounded both like an answer and a question. He did not know whether he was still trapped in that darkness or had already walked out, only feeling a dim and shadowy light before him. Jun Qinglin spoke softly, ¡°Qi Xuan Dao has left. He didn¡¯t want to fight to the death with this old man half buried in the soil, or perhaps he was frightened off by you.¡± Qi Xuan Dao clearly did not intend to easily give up at the end. Seeing the determined yet enigmatic An Jing, he ultimately abandoned his plan. If the confrontation had truly gone to the bitter end, not to mention whether Qi Xuan Dao could have won, it would have been impossible for him to leave Blue Sky Island unscathed. And that was exactly the scene that Ye Ding, the Great Yan Emperor, wanted to witness. Qi Xuan Dao naturally wouldn¡¯t commit such a foolish act. Moreover, with An Jing suddenly acting extremely abnormal, not just Qi Xuan Dao, even Jun Qinglin was somewhat surprised inside. Upon hearing this, An Jing breathed a sigh of relief. As the Ghost Transformation Secret Technique dissipated, he felt extremely weak; the colossal side effects were much stronger than the last time when he refined the spiritual soul of the Thousand-year-old Black Boa. If Qi Xuan Dao hadn¡¯t left, the best possible outcome would likely have been both sides suffering heavy injuries. And mutually assured destruction held no advantage for the Demon Sect. Exhaling deeply, a sliver of doubt flashed in An Jing¡¯s mind as he subconsciously thought, ¡°What exactly is that remnant soul? How can a fragmented soul produce such terrifying effects¡­¡­¡± The Thousand-year-old Black Boa was an Exotic Beast, and its soul could match a regular Grandmaster. Yet, this fragment of a soul was far more powerful than even the Thousand-year-old Black Boa. What then, was the whole divine soul? Was it human or an Exotic Beast? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only If it was human, could it be a divine soul of Great Grandmaster cultivation suppressible by the Evil Suppressing Sword? If it was an Exotic Beast, what kind of Exotic Beast could it be? But soon, the weakness and pain invaded him, causing his features to twist in agony. ¡­¡­ PS: If I can write another chapter before midnight, it will be there, if not, then there won¡¯t be any. Also, please give a Monthly Ticket. Chapter 259 - Chapter 259: Chapter 259: Looking Back at the Mountains and Rivers, Its Already Autumn Chapter 259: Chapter 259: Looking Back at the Mountains and Rivers, It¡¯s Already Autumn The agony An Jing felt was like being pierced by tens of thousands of steel needles in his flesh and bones, a tearing, heart-wrenching pain, and what was critical was that his entire body also felt a kind of weakness and exhaustion. ¡°Absorb those strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence,¡± Jun Qinglin reminded aloud beside him. An Jing¡¯s mind sank, and he began to circulate the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± to absorb the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in his Dantian. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± is profound and inscrutable in martial arts, embodying the three greatest martial arts that surpass the Heavenly Martial Level of the current era. An Jing had once guessed that if the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± were complete, it might be comparable to the rumored Immortal Law. Although incomplete, it was still not something ordinary martial arts could match. At the same time, Jun Qinglin also placed his palm on An Jing¡¯s back, his vast True Qi flowing into his body through his palm, helping him refine the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence within. A strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was quickly guided, circulating through the meridians in his body and melding into his flesh and blood. In no time at all, that strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was thoroughly absorbed. The speed at which An Jing refined this Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence clearly surprised Jun Qinglin. He knew that a strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was an extremely precious existence, yet An Jing managed to refine it in less than the time it took an incense stick to burn. Beyond having a physical body that far exceeded that of an ordinary Second Qi Grandmaster, he likely fostered a spell that was also extraordinary. The dark night seemed like boundless thick ink heavily daubed across the sky, with not even the faint light of stars, only a waxing crescent moon hanging in mid-air and the sound of waves ¡°whooshing¡± could be heard by the ears. A breeze blew past, and the weather was also somewhat cold. About another half cup of tea¡¯s time later, An Jing absorbed another strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence and recovered some energy. ¡°Sigh¡­¡± wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site Jun Qinglin withdrew his True Qi and couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of wonder looking at the mysterious young man before him. Who would have thought that such a young person would emerge in the vast Jianghu after many years? An Jing also slowly opened his eyes and said, ¡°Doesn¡¯t the Great Elder want to ask something?¡± Jun Qinglin smiled faintly, ¡°If you want to say something, you will. If you don¡¯t, then you won¡¯t. Everyone has their secrets, and I am no different.¡± Although he was indeed curious about the sudden surge in An Jing¡¯s strength, he wasn¡¯t the type to pry into others¡¯ secrets. An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Since it¡¯s already been used, it¡¯s no longer a secret. Actually, I have a secret technique called ¡®Ghost Transformation,¡¯ which can burn Divine Soul and Essence Blood to instantly enhance strength. What I used just now was that technique.¡± Jun Qinglin nodded slightly, then cautioned, ¡°This secret technique is not bad, but the side effects aren¡¯t small. It would be best to use it sparingly in the future.¡± An Jing was able to fight Ye Ding because Ye Ding was injured and did not intend to fight to the death with him. If one were to say An Jing defeated Ye Ding, it would seem somewhat far-fetched. However, what was truly terrifying was when he faced an ambush by one Four Qi Grandmaster and two Three Qi Grandmasters and managed to fight against three by himself, slaying two. That¡¯s what was genuinely fearsome. The strength he displayed in an instant was even comparable to the Master Cultivation at the peak of Four Qi, or perhaps even more terrifying. If this were under normal circumstances, it would almost be impossible because the Dao is the key to an individual¡¯s strength. With only Second Qi Cultivation, even if An Jing¡¯s Sword Skill was profound and he was at the Sixth Realm, he still could not have slain a Five Qi Grandmaster. It is like a child holding an iron sword and an adult with a wooden sword sparring; not to mention whether the child can even hold the iron sword, even if he could, he would not be a match for the adult. In situations where power levels are not much different, the more powerful one¡¯s skills, the higher their strength. When the disparity in power is too great, the Dao is what becomes most crucial. Jun Qinglin did not want An Jing to always rely on this secret technique, to depend on it, or to often put himself in peril by using it. ¡°This Ghost Transformation Secret Technique is not something you can use whenever you want, it requires the burning of the Divine Soul.¡± An Jing frowned and said in a deep voice, ¡°The more powerful the Divine Soul you burn, the greater the increase in your cultivation. This time, the Divine Soul I burned was a fragment I obtained from the sealing land of the Evil Suppressing Sword. I don¡¯t know what it was, but I feel that this thing has a myriad of connections with the seal of the Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± The fragmented Divine Soul, the peculiar corpse, the catastrophe mentioned by the Buddhist sect, the opportunity spoken of by the Demon Sect, the Undying Blood Jiang Shang sought for¡­including the reasons behind the fall of the Great Qin Dynasty and the Great Zhou Dynasty. An Jing grew increasingly curious about what exactly lay beneath this seal. Jun Qinglin thought for a moment and said, ¡°The matter of the seal is indeed a rare tale, known by very few in the world. Even the records in Outer Heaven are sparse. However, the Royal Family of Yan Kingdom or Zhao Country may know more secrets.¡± An Jing said, ¡°The Great Yan Emperor created the Dragon Locking Well, presumably knowing something, or sensing some secret. It would be good if there is a chance to thoroughly investigate this matter.¡± One thing leads to another, especially with matters of such vast implications. The Demon Sect, being among the top factions in the world, naturally needed to investigate such earth-shattering secrets to take precautions for the future. Jun Qinglin gazed into the night sky and said softly, ¡°After the battle at Blue Sky Island, Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Ye Ding died, many who had irreconcilable conflicts with the Demon Sect also died. With this, there are no more obstacles for Outer Heaven¡¯s return to Yan Country, but we must still be wary of Houjin.¡± Dongluo Pass is in a very delicate position. Houjin, on its aggressive expansion southwards, would surely seek to remove this thorn in its side, and a major battle between the two is inevitably still to come. Now is not the time for the Demon Sect to let down its guard as it faces the powerful onslaught of Houjin. However, this mission to Yan Country, in addition to forming an alliance with Yan Country, also gave the Demon Sect a surge in strength. Even if the Demon Sect can¡¯t hold Dongluo Pass, it can retreat into Yan Country¡¯s territory, leaving some room for maneuver. Zhao Country is still some distance from Dongluo Pass, not a direct threat, but it¡¯s different with Houjin. Dongluo Pass is directly exposed to Houjin¡¯s robust cavalry. If Houjin is truly intent on attacking Dongluo Pass, who can be confident in withstanding Houjin¡¯s iron cavalry? An Jing also spoke with some gravity, ¡°The Holy Master of Houjin took forty years to unify the great plains and develop such a powerful royal court, he is certainly no simple figure.¡± In An Jing¡¯s heart, Houjin has always been a tremendous threat. Because the plains are scarce in resources, yet the Holy Master of Houjin managed to make them into one of the mightiest dynasties of the time¨Cnot just because of his ability and ambition, but I always feel there are unknown secrets hidden within¡­ Jun Qinglin looked at An Jing and asked, ¡°What do you plan to do next? Do you intend to find the remaining two pieces of the sword and complete the Evil Suppressing Sword?¡± An Jing pondered for a moment but did not say, ¡°Let¡¯s see what the Great Elder has planned, I wonder if the Great Elder intends to visit an old friend?¡± Old friend? Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Jun Qinglin glanced at the ravaged landscape of Blue Sky Island, then looked into the distance and said indifferently, ¡°I have no old friends.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Now that we¡¯re already in the southern part of Yan Country, and since the two pieces of the sword are also in this southern Yan, it makes sense to collect the sword pieces of the Evil Suppressing Sword first.¡± Without hesitation, Jun Qinglin replied, ¡°Good, I¡¯ll accompany you.¡± An Jing felt reassured with Jun Qinglin by his side, knowing that as long as they didn¡¯t encounter two Five Qi Grandmasters, there would be no problem at all. After all, how many forces in the world were there that could deploy two Five Qi Grandmasters? ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡± An Jing stood up, unable to help but glance at the corpse in front of him, the fresh blood¡­. ¡°Okay.¡± Jun Qinglin pulled up An Jing, turned back for a look at Blue Sky Island with a gaze as if ingraining the image of the desolate island in the night deep into his mind or as if it was a final glance. The crescent moon¡¯s light carried a hint of chill and solitude as it cast upon the ravaged Blue Sky Island, riddled with wounds and scars. Life seemed much like the moonlight of the waxing crescent, with some people¡¯s hearts resembling the island at this very moment. Yet it¡¯s just that, as old friends pass by in mind, when you look back, the landscape has already turned to autumn. ¡­¡­ Outside Blue Sky Island, several sea boats moored on both sides, each carrying torches. Many Jianghu martial artists still lingered, their eyes fixed on the tranquil Blue Sky Island, as if waiting for something more to happen. Someone whispered, ¡°What¡¯s happening? We only saw shadows flickering on the Black Ice Platform, and then no one appeared again. Did they all die at the hands of the Black Ice Platform experts?¡± The surrounding Jianghu martial artists from Yan Country exchanged looks, their faces showing displeasure. A man spoke in a muted tone, ¡°Don¡¯t rush, let¡¯s wait and see.¡± On a sea boat, a middle-aged man with a horse face and a wide forehead¨Ca rather ugly appearance¨Clooked towards the distant Blue Sky Island with a tense expression. This man was Chen Wandou, the notorious pirate leader from Wangjing Sea that even the Xuanyi Guard found troublesome. If it hadn¡¯t been for Second Prince Zhao Mengtai¡¯s secret letter urging him to keep watch over Blue Sky Island, he would never have come to this place, flocking to what might be a deadly excitement. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Chen Wandou furrowed his brow and ordered an underling, ¡°Go and check, what exactly is happening?¡± The stout henchman¡¯s body shuddered at the words, hesitation flashing across his face. Just witnessing the daylight confrontation on Blue Sky Island from a distance was enough to send chills down one¡¯s spine and sow fear in one¡¯s heart. Now, being sent to check raised the risk of offending the terrifying figures on the island, which could cost him his life without even knowing how. However, he dared not refuse his leader¡¯s command. Finally, he clenched his teeth and prepared to move forward. At that moment, two figures soared out from the island. Under the faint moonlight, it was visible: Leading was an old man dressed in black, looking extremely aged. By his side was a handsome young man in white. Although the young man was strikingly attractive, his face was exceedingly pale, and he had to be supported by the elder. Without a need for words, those present knew who the young man was. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the Ghost Swordsman? It looks like he sustained severe injuries.¡± ¡°The injuries are definitely serious.¡± ¡­¡­. Those around were invigorated, starting to make guesses. But in the blink of an eye, both figures vanished from the line of sight. As soon as the two departed, Chen Wandou urgently said, ¡°Quick, go check Blue Sky Island.¡± Several sea boats then made their way towards Blue Sky Island, and the moment Chen Wandou set foot on the island, he was shocked by the scene before him. It wasn¡¯t just him; the pirates and quite a few brave and skilled Jianghu martial artists were stunned as well. Merely looking at the scene before them, they could imagine how fierce and terrifying the great battle must have been. ¡°Great Heavenly Yang¡¯s Ye Ding is probably dead and gone,¡± Chen Wandou speculated coolly. ¡°The Black Ice Platform experts couldn¡¯t kill the Ghost Swordsman, but they did severely wound him, and it seems more likely to be bad than good¡­¡± He wasn¡¯t present for everything that had transpired on Blue Sky Island and naturally did not know what exactly had happened, but observing the aftermath of the horrific battle led him to believe the matter was far from simple. Those around, hearing Chen Wandou¡¯s words, exchanged looks. The higher one¡¯s cultivation, the more difficult it is to recover from injuries. Li Fuzhou once battled Xi Yuanjun, and it took years for him to recover from his injuries. And such fighting between grandmasters would mean even more terrifying injuries. Seeing the situation just now, it¡¯s certain that the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s wounds are grave. ¡­¡­. Several days later, at Black Bull Ridge on Xuanqing Mountain. Young boys of various ages bustled about, building a ¡®Daoist temple¡¯ with smiles brimming on their faces. They aimed to complete the Daoist temple before the onset of winter. Luo Chongyang sat in front of the Thousand Mechanism Palace, looking at the newly completed main hall, a smile instinctively taking shape at the corner of his lips. The warm sunlight filtered through the faint breath of wind, leisurely and elongated. A subtle fragrance filled the autumn air, saturating the voids between heaven and earth. Under the sun, a slender trail of dust was filled with the figure of an aloof and elegant man who had once been unfathomably lonely as he walked up the mountain. He was a Taoist, clad in an ordinary gray robe and a wooden crown, exuding a certain immortal charm and a transcendent air. If Luo Chongyang looked like a crude country Taoist with his rustic manners, then the Taoist before him seemed like a high-minded recluse. This Taoist was none other than Xiao Qianqiu. Luo Chongyang noticed him, ¡°You¡¯ve come early again.¡± ¡°Congratulations to my junior uncle for breaking through the shackles,¡± Xiao Qianqiu saluted Luo Chongyang, saying, ¡°This time, my visit is not to seek instruction from my uncle, but to deliver a message.¡± Luo Chongyang fell silent for a while before asking, ¡°What news?¡± Xiao Qianqiu let out a long sigh and said, ¡°Master and Second Uncle have transcended mortality on Blue Sky Island.¡± ¡°¡­..¡± Even though he had anticipated such a day would come, upon hearing Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s words, Luo Chongyang couldn¡¯t help but shudder inwardly. The last time he went to find Ye Ding, although unclear about Ye Ding¡¯s plans, he saw the determination in the eyes of an aging Ye Ding. Based on his understanding of his martial brother, he vaguely guessed some of it. Moreover, it was rare for Ye Ding not to send him back to the Zhenyi Sect but instead reminisced about the days when they studied Dao on Zhenyi Mountain together. Luo Chongyang murmured to himself in a low voice, ¡°Gone, huh?¡± Their brotherhood had never been about significant grudges or grievances; after all, they had been martial brothers for decades. Together, the three had once joined forces to subdue the elder experts of their generation in the Zhenyi Sect, allowing Ye Ding to ascend to the position of Sect Leader. Such grudges, with their deaths, also completely dissipated from his heart. Suddenly, at this moment, Luo Chongyang felt a certain emptiness and loneliness within his heart. His mind wandered to the thought of what today would be like if he had not left the Zhenyi Sect in the first place? Bathed in sunlight, Luo Chongyang gazed at the lush green mountains before him, his mind filled with images of the decades spent with his brothers, as if it were only yesterday. The once-famed Three Heroes of Zhenyi now only he remained. He didn¡¯t know what to say, simply turning his head to look at the newly constructed great hall before him. Ye Ding was dead! Yu Ying was dead! Who would be next? Who in the world cannot die? Xiao Qianqiu, watching the back of the elderly Daoist, turned to look at the fallen leaves on the ground and said, ¡°Little Uncle, fallen leaves will eventually return to their roots.¡± Fallen leaves will eventually return to their roots. Luo Chongyang remained silent, just quietly gazing into the distance. Xiao Qianqiu also did not speak. The two Daoists stood in silence, one looking at the great hall before him, and the other at the back of the other Daoist. After a long while, Luo Chongyang asked, ¡°How many old fellows are left atop Hidden Mountain?¡± Xiao Qianqiu replied, ¡°Only Hualian, the Grand Elder remains. The others have transcended.¡± Luo Chongyang thought of that person, and softly said, ¡°He was a carefree wanderer of Jianghu. Thirty years ago, he closed himself off in Hidden Mountain, trapped by love. Such a man, even if the Zhenyi Sect were to be destroyed, is unlikely to leave the mountain.¡± ¡°He seems alive, but in truth, he died many years ago.¡± Xiao Qianqiu bowed and said earnestly, ¡°That¡¯s why the Zhenyi Sect now lacks Little Uncle¡¯s presence, and Little Uncle also needs the Zhenyi Sect.¡± His purpose for coming today was precisely this¨C a matter entrusted by Ye Ding before he left the mountain. The vast National Religion cannot be without a powerful master to guard it. In this Jianghu, only strength brings fame, and fame brings benefits. Ultimately, power remains of the essence. The grudges Ye Ding settled were not only within Jianghu but also with the Human Emperor¡¯s court and with his martial brother, Luo Chongyang. The Zhenyi Sect needs someone like Luo Chongyang, a cultivator pure in his pursuit of Dao. And Luo Chongyang also needs the Zhenyi Sect, to carry the true teachings of Dao forward. ¡°Return to the Zhenyi Sect, huh?¡± Luo Chongyang murmured to himself, his thoughts turning to another martial nephew, inadvertently saying, ¡°You and the Ghost Swordsman from the Demon Sect¡­..¡± Xiao Qianqiu calmly said, ¡°I will wait for him on Zhenyi Mountain.¡± Luo Chongyang, puzzled, asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you need the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯?¡± The competition among the Zhenyi Sect, the Daluo Sect, and the Ghost Valley Sect wasn¡¯t just a struggle for the legitimate position of Daoist Master. It also revolved around the exalted martial arts of the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, a complete scripture that could only be compiled by gathering the teachings from all three sects. With talents like Xiao Qianqiu and the Ghost Swordsman, should they cultivate the complete ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, not only would their power surge dramatically, but their chances of breaking through restraints would also increase. Xiao Qianqiu pulled out an ancient bronze mirror from his bosom, the Treasure Venerate¡¯s Mirror, a phenomenon of the Mystical Sect. Only now, cracks had formed on the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror. ¡°This is¡­?¡± Seeing the shattered treasure, Luo Chongyang¡¯s composed expression grew heavy. As a disciple of the Mystical Sect, not only was he familiar with the Treasure Venerate¡¯s Mirror, but he also knew well the legends surrounding it. It was said that when the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror shattered, the Mystical Sect¡¯s Ancestor Master would return. And now, the mirror had indeed been broken. With this thought, Luo Chongyang looked back at his martial nephew, his eyes filled with complexity. ¡°My nephew has obtained the complete ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ and, moreover, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence left by the Mystical Sect¡¯s Ancestor Master.¡± Xiao Qianqiu presented a carefully prepared manuscript, saying, ¡°This is the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ transcribed by my nephew.¡± Luo Chongyang looked at the manuscript before him. This top-tier heart method of martial arts, which had once set the hearts of masters from Zhenyi Sect, Ghost Valley Sect, and Daluo Sect racing, was now lying in front of him. All he had to do was reach out, and this martial technique would be his. Luo Chongyang said, ¡°You must understand, only the Daoist Master of the Mystical Sect has the right to cultivate the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯. This is the rule of the Mystical Sect.¡± Taking a deep breath, Xiao Qianqiu earnestly replied, ¡°Initially, my nephew thought the same, that as the unique Daoist Master of the Mystical Sect, he should naturally cultivate the unique ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯. But after Master told me about the hidden secrets of the Mystical Sect¡¯s schism, I began to think that in comparison to a power like Black Ice Platform, the Mystical Sect is now declining. With the Demon Sect of Yan Country and Buddhism returning, nobody knows what the future holds. If one day the Mystical Sect disappears, the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ will simply become a trophy on the shelf of other sects and powers¨Cwhat meaning would it all have then?¡± ¡°Therefore, my nephew began to think that rules are dead but people are alive; one cannot cling to rules until death, can they?¡± Xiao Qianqiu looked at the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ in his hands, his eyes extremely serene, as many truths had become apparent with the passing of time. Luo Chongyang nodded, deeply moved by Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s words. Rules are dead, but people are alive. As times change, so must the rules adapt. He couldn¡¯t help but think of Ye Ding and Yu Ying¡¯s past actions. Perhaps their methods were not wrong then, for how else could the Zhenyi Sect have thrived to this day? Now, looking at his own disciple, he strangely saw the shadows of Ye Ding and Yu Ying in him, yet there was also something different. ¡°I will accept this ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯.¡± Luo Chongyang didn¡¯t beat around the bush, ¡°Although I won¡¯t practice the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, I am very curious about this mental method. I will return it to you once I am done reading it.¡± As a top-notch expert, he was naturally very curious about this mental method that surpassed conventional Heavenly Martial Arts. Xiao Qianqiu smiled without saying a word. As Luo Chongyang looked at the mountains and clear water before his eyes, he once pondered when he could build Daoist temples on the barren lands under heaven. Now, he wondered when there would no longer be barren lands anywhere. ¡­¡­ In Yujing City, within the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study Room. The eunuch Bai Mei hurried in, his expression grave. The Great Hall above was filled with a purple haze. Bai Mei said in a deep voice, ¡°Your Majesty, Meng Zhaodou has sent news of the battle on Blue Sky Island.¡± ¡°Speak.¡± The voice behind the bead curtain was succinct and to the point. Bai Mei organized his thoughts before speaking, ¡°All of the Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu experts involved in the Blue Sky Island battle died, along with some outliers from Zhao Country. Not a single one survived. Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Ye Ding and Yu Ying also perished. The Ghost Swordsman was severely injured and his condition is unknown. It seems it will take several years to recover. Zhao Country¡¯s Black Ice Platform experts emerged, with Qu Renlin and Chu Yun of the Eight Great Heavenly Slaughters dying, Lv Qiujian severely injured, and Ye Ding¡¯s aforementioned Jun Qinglin and Qi Xuan Dao both appeared. After a brief exchange, seeing no certainty in killing each other, they hastily left.¡± That Emperor who presided over the Imperial Palace fell silent upon hearing this. ¡°It seems Jun Qinglin is indeed still alive¡­¡± Jun Qinglin, the famously skilled fighter, was indeed someone the Human Emperor once feared greatly. The eunuch Bai Mei laughed, ¡°Without Jun Qinglin, how could Jiang Shang have had the courage to raise the banner of rebellion? Merely with some remnants of rebels? The voice behind the bead curtain asked, ¡°Elder Statesman, do you think they can rise again from the ashes?¡± Elder Statesman, a once very familiar term that now felt quite alien. Bai Mei bowed, ¡°The general trend of the world is set. Those who have died are turned to ashes and blown away. How can they ever rise again?¡± Twenty years ago, the Demon Sect was a Sect registered with the Yan Kingdom Court¡¯s Ministry of Revenue and had even received a Mountain Opening Order from the Yan Kingdom Court. The Court and the Jianghu were inseparable, entwined in countless ways. The Demon Sect¡¯s rebellion was not as simple as the common people in the Jianghu imagined. ¡°There are always those who are rather nostalgic, something we must guard against.¡± The Human Emperor slowly said, ¡°Regarding this battle on Blue Sky Island, if Jun Qinglin and Qi Xuan Dao had perished together¡­¡± If those two Five Qi Grandmasters had died fighting each other, it would have been more than welcome. Now, it seems they merely tested each other. Although the Black Ice Platform suffered significant losses and the Demon Sect¡¯s Ghost Swordsman was severely injured, they did not damage the vital strength of either faction. The Black Ice Platform was a hidden threat, and the Demon Sect was like a soft nail hammered into his heart, even after so many years. Nevertheless, the grievous damage to the Black Ice Platform and the emergence of the Demon Sect¡¯s top master, along with Ye Ding and Yu Ying¡¯s departure, could also be seen as a positive development. ¡°That old fellow Jun Qinglin, even if he doesn¡¯t die, his days are numbered.¡± After pondering for a moment, Bai Mei said, ¡°If the Human Emperor is worried, we could use the Dulu Sword¡­¡± At this, Bai Mei paused slightly. The Human Emperor also fell into thought, ¡°The Dulu Sword?¡± The Dulu Sword, the number one sword on the Famous Sword List. This sword had once caused countless slaughters and had been coveted by numerous swordsmen. The name Dulu Sword implied that if the world was like a deer, one person would claim it exclusively, and that was the origin of the name of this uniquely forged sword. The Dulu Sword had been kept in the treasury of Yan Country for hundreds of years now, yet to be claimed or awarded to anyone by the Great Yan Emperor. The number one sword in the world, left untouched for centuries, was indeed a regret. Bai Mei continued, ¡°Furthermore, the Sword Demon has been appearing frequently, indicating that Yu¡¯er is growing impatient. Just another bait is needed to make Yu¡¯er bite the hook completely.¡± The Human Emperor agreed, ¡°Fishing requires not only patience but also sufficient bait. Let¡¯s follow the Elder Statesman¡¯s suggestion. I will provide the bait, and it remains to be seen whether the fish will take it.¡± Bai Mei bowed deeply, ¡°Your Majesty is wise.¡± The Human Emperor decided, ¡°As for Xuanqing Mountain¡¯s Mountain Opening Order, give it to Zhenyi Sect. Xiao Qianqiu wishes to become a major force, then I shall lend him a helping hand.¡± Xuanqing Mountain was indeed the Ancestral Court of the Mystical Sect. Due to its unique location, the Yan Kingdom Court had always kept the Mountain Opening Order in its possession, never granting it to any Sect. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Giving the Mountain Opening Order to Zhenyi Sect was not only a response to Ye Ding, but also carried other profound implications. Xiao Qianqiu was the most likely person to break through the shackles and achieve greatness. Now that he had grown powerful, the Human Emperor did not mind offering a helping hand. After all, Zhenyi Sect was the National Religion of Yan Country, and Ye Ding understood that they would prosper or suffer together, something the Human Emperor was also well aware of. ¡­.. PS: There¡¯s a Qidian event with extra chapters available. I don¡¯t quite understand it myself, but the editors asked me to write it. There will be another chapter tonight. Chapter 260 - Chapter 260: Chapter 260: A Strange Phenomenon at the Bottom of the Cold Pond Chapter 260: Chapter 260: A Strange Phenomenon at the Bottom of the Cold Pond Zhao Country, Tianjiang Prefecture. The map of Zhao Country was not small compared to the nine provinces of Yan Country, comprising thirteen prefectures in total. Among them, Tianjiang Prefecture was close to Jinghai Road, one that bordered the territories of Yan and Zhao, where Zhao Country¡¯s hundreds of thousands of naval and land forces would converge. Because the Black Ice Platform dominated alone, the strife within the martial world of Zhao Country was not as intense as that in the Yan Country¡¯s martial world, but there were still several martial factions entrenched within it. They were the White Mist Sect, the Seven Snakes Association, and Bibo Island. Of these three great martial powers, Bibo Island¡¯s influence was the greatest; Bibo Island harbored numerous experts who opposed Black Ice Platform. Due to its proximity to Yan Country¡¯s Jinghai Road, these experts could infiltrate Yan Country at any time, so even the experts from Black Ice Platform were quite helpless against them. Qi Xuan Dao was well aware that it was impossible for such a large Zhao Country to have no voices of opposition against Black Ice Platform, and Bibo Island might even enjoy the support of the Yan Kingdom Court. Because of this, the Platform had always suppressed Bibo Island without considering its total destruction. Besides, there were four most powerful families in Zhao Country. These four great families were the Qu, Wu, Wang, and Qi. Among them, the Qu and Qi families had close ties with Black Ice Platform and controlled many of Zhao Country¡¯s economic livelihoods, becoming the most significant families in the country some decades ago. The Wu Family, on the other hand, was more affiliated with the Royal Family, a lineage loyal to the Emperor. The Wang Family, however, conducted itself neutrally, never taking sides and always starting with its self-interest. As night approached, the streets became extremely sparse with pedestrians. In a secluded courtyard, a young girl stood at the entrance. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.cO The girl was only about four or five years old, with two little ponytails on her head, and her appearance was very cute and charming. However, her eyes were sharp, like two pointed daggers shining brightly in front of people, a natural dissonance that would ordinarily surprise, but on this girl, it did not seem strange at all but rather fitting. She seemed to be waiting for someone inside the door. It wasn¡¯t long before the wooden door slowly opened. ¡°Creak¨C!¡± As the door was pushed open, Qi Xuan Dao came out in black attire and said to the girl at the door, ¡°Senior Sister, I didn¡¯t expect you to come.¡± If there had been onlookers, they would have been extremely surprised. Qi Xuan Dao, a late bloomer within Black Ice Platform and one of its most senior members, yet he was calling this young girl ¡°Senior Sister,¡± a detail that revealed a trace of the bizarre. This girl was also born into Black Ice Platform, but few high-ranking members had seen her; even Lv Qiujian, Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s second disciple, had only met her once. At that time, his master Qi Xuan Dao had instructed him to address the girl as Elder Qin Shan. Elder Qin Shan said indifferently, ¡°You¡¯ve always been prudent, but this time you have been truly reckless, squandering that breath of Pure Yang True Qi for nothing. You should know the eldest brother is already dead, and now our Fifth Brother has died on Blue Sky Island. There are not many left who can take charge.¡± Qi Xuan Dao calmly replied, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman was from Tian Yin; he had to be eliminated, and moreover, Eldest Brother died at his hand. Should such a grudge not be avenged? It¡¯s just that I didn¡¯t anticipate Jun Qinglin showing up this time and disrupting the plan. Still, there was some gain as at least now we know Jun Qinglin is still alive.¡± Elder Qin Shan raised an eyebrow. ¡°Jun Qinglin? With half his body already in the grave at his age, he couldn¡¯t possibly affect the world¡¯s overall situation.¡± ¡°And by killing that Ghost Swordsman this time, the Demon Sect will be convinced to form an alliance with Yan Country, surely that will affect the Third Brother¡¯s grand plan?¡± Qi Xuan Dao gave Elder Qin Shan a look but said nothing. Elder Qin Shan huffed lightly, quite bluntly, ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what this trip was about. That Qi Shu was one of your progeny back in the day. According to the rules, you were supposed to kill them all, but when it came down to it, you couldn¡¯t bring yourself to do it and let him go. Later you even took him in and raised him by your side¡­¡± Hearing this, Qi Xuan Dao felt a stir in his heart, his calm eyes narrowing into slits. Elder Qin Shan actually knew about this!? He thought he had been flawless, leaving no stone unturned, yet here he was, with his actions under her watchful eye. The entire quiet courtyard was filled with a tense atmosphere. ¡°There is no wall in the world that doesn¡¯t let wind through.¡± Elder Qin Shan spoke indifferently, ¡°I¡¯ve always pretended to know nothing of this matter and have not told anyone, only hoping that you would restrain yourself and not act rashly again. But you¡¯ve once again decided to act on your own. Do you realize that if anything goes wrong with the grand plan, you will die, and so will I? Many will die.¡± Qi Xuan Dao was silent for a long time before he finally responded, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just one offspring; dead is dead. We can have more in the future.¡± Elder Qin Shan said in a low voice, ¡°Up next, it¡¯s up to the Third and the Fourth. Whether the Great Yan Emperor finally takes that step, we will truly know then.¡± Having finished speaking, Elder Qin Shan, with her short little legs, walked toward the courtyard entrance. Qi Xuan Dao watched as Qin Shan¡¯s grandmother vanished, his face showing no change, but his eyes seemed to flash with a spark of lightning and fire. Humans, after all, are creatures of emotion. Unless one is not human, but a puppet, or a wild beast. ¡­¡­ The battle on Blue Sky Island quickly spread throughout the world and raised huge waves of discussion. Only a few were privy to the specific details, as only four had survived, and these four naturally wouldn¡¯t widely publicize it in the Jianghu. Consequently, much of what circulated within the Jianghu was conjecture ¨C rife speculations abounded. Some said that the Ghost Swordsman had killed all the Jianghu masters as well as Ye Ding, Yu Ying, and Feng Lingyue, and other renowned experts, and that a master from Black Ice Platform had suddenly appeared and severely wounded the Ghost Swordsman. Others claimed that all the masters of Yan Country had been killed by the Black Ice Platform, and the Ghost Swordsman had barely escaped with severe injuries, with no telling when he would recover ¨C a terrible loss for the Great Yan Martial World. There were also those who said that the Ghost Swordsman had slaughtered widely, killing many of Yan Country¡¯s masters and even repelled the Black Ice Platform¡¯s top fighters. In short, various rumors flourished, the truth indiscernible. However, the fact that the Ghost Swordsman had been severely injured was indeed true news. In Yan Country, on Jinghai Road, amidst the mountains of Pingyun Mountain. The mountains nestled by the water, the water reflecting the mountains ¨C in this serene harmony and gentle solitude, a small boat drifted by, with an elder and a youth aboard, both bearing tranquil and calm expressions. An idle mindset like life itself, slowly cherishing the years gone by ¨C still as water, light as mountains. An Jing, looking at the surrounding withered trees, couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°Time really flies; in the blink of an eye, winter is almost upon us again.¡± It had been two months since they left Dongluo Pass, and his heart couldn¡¯t help but grow concerned. Having obtained nine strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from Feng Lingyue, Chu Yun, and Qu Renlin on Blue Sky Island, after absorbing two, his internal injuries had mostly healed, with seven strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence converging in his Dantian. An Jing planned to enter seclusion after returning to Dongluo Pass and attempt to absorb these seven strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence to see if he could break through to the Three Qi Realm. Jun Qinglin stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the uniformity of the sky and earth, and said, ¡°In the blink of an eye, a hundred years have gone by.¡± The scenery of the past remained, but the person was no longer the youth of before. An Jing shook his head, not daring to think of what he might be like in a hundred years ¨C whether as full of youthful vigor as he was now¡­ Jun Qinglin seemed lost in memories, ¡°I remember it clearly, that summer day when the weather was unbearably hot. I was wandering in the mountains of Pingyun Mountain, resting by the cold pond ahead, when a few fierce bandits emerged, intending to rob me of my valuable belongings. Being young and hot-blooded, newly venturing into the world, how could I simply hand over my possessions? I charged at them head-on. At that time, although my cultivation was only at Fourth Grade, those Fourth Grade bandits were no match for me, and I swiftly killed them all.¡± ¡°Little did I know that the leader of those bandits was not far off, his cultivation quite high, at Second Grade. I engaged him and was quickly overmatched. Fortunately, Leng Xiansheng and his wife arrived in time, killed the bandit leader, and saved my life.¡± In stories of the Jianghu, it¡¯s common to hear tales of drawing one¡¯s sword to help in a situation of injustice, heroes saving beauties, and performing heroic deeds. However, in reality, such events are rare in the actual Jianghu. This is because a slight misstep could lead to death by the sword, and those without significant strength wouldn¡¯t dare to act heroically, while it¡¯s hard to come across those with real power in the Jianghu. The Jianghu is a blood-drenched world. For Jun Qinglin, though, it was fortunate to have encountered Leng Xiansheng. An Jing said, ¡°Leng Xiansheng, that name sounds very familiar.¡± Jun Qinglin, looking at the impeccable white clouds in the sky, replied, ¡°He is Jiang Shang¡¯s master, the former Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect.¡± So he was the former Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. An Jing realized in his heart why this figure from the Jianghu sounded so familiar. Jun Qinglin continued leisurely, ¡°At that time, Brother Leng was not yet the master of Outer Heaven, just a top fighter of the Heavenly Sect, but his cultivation had already reached the pinnacle of First Grade, and he possessed great renown in the Jianghu. Not only did they save me, but they also taught me martial arts. As a grateful youth, I joined Outer Heaven.¡± ¡°What I loved most after joining Outer Heaven was drinking with the experts of the Heavenly Sect and engaging in deep conversations. The lowest cultivation among the Heavenly Sect experts was at Second Grade, and they were all older than me. Because of Brother Leng¡¯s influence, they were very courteous to me. Each time we drank, they would not only share their Jianghu stories but also discuss martial arts with me, imparting experience and techniques. It was during that time that my cultivation began to advance by leaps and bounds.¡± An Jing hadn¡¯t expected Jun Qinglin to have joined the Demon Sect in such a manner, and that Leng Xiansheng had simply saved a fervent youth by the roadside, thus bringing a Five Qi Grandmaster expert to the Demon Sect. Perhaps even Leng himself had not anticipated this. ¡°Do you regret joining Outer Heaven, Great Elder?¡± ¡°I, old man, have never spoken the word regret. Do you, youngster, understand what Outer Heaven is?¡± ¡°I am eager to learn.¡± ¡°Outer Heaven, in its original meaning, is the heaven beyond our heaven, symbolizing carefree freedom, devoid of oppression and worries ¨C where you can do what you want and go where you wish, a perfectly ideal Pure Land. This represents the complete release of the desires within one¡¯s heart, and the desires within the heart are also known as demons. Hence, Outer Heaven is also referred to as the Demon Sect.¡± An Jing was listening to Jun Qinglin¡¯s explanation of the understanding of evil for the first time, perhaps because he lacked certain experiences and knowledge, he himself was not clear about what exactly evil was, nor did he understand what this Outer Heaven meant. Jun Qinglin said, ¡°Buddhism suppresses desires, while the Demon Sect releases desires; in my opinion, both are biased.¡± Jun Qinglin did not continue, as some things when explained too much can misguide, and everyone has their own understanding. This was only his idea, not that of An Jing. An Jing solemnly said, ¡°The Great Elder speaks wisely.¡± Jun Qinglin, as a Five Qi Grandmaster who could separate the rules of heaven and earth, had a profound perception of his own way. Jun Qinglin looked into the distance at the falling leaves and said in a soft voice, ¡°Forty-two years, it turns out that Leng brother has been dead for forty-two years, time passes so quickly¡­¡± An Jing inquired, ¡°How did the former Demon Sect Hierarch die?¡± ¡°There was a coup in the Heavenly Book Pavilion, and due to differing stances, he was killed by the hands of the Royal Family¡¯s experts.¡± Jun Qinglin paused for a moment, then continued, ¡°At that time, Outer Heaven supported not the Taiping Human Emperor, but the current Crown Prince, who despite being born in an imperial family, was benevolent, loyal, and soft-hearted, with mediocre martial arts talent. How could he stand against the decisive and iron-willed Taiping Human Emperor? The coup in the Heavenly Book Pavilion seems now to have been inevitable.¡± An Jing had heard about the coup in the Heavenly Book Pavilion from Lou Xiangzhen. On the day the Emperor passed away, the now Taiping Human Emperor stormed the Heavenly Book Pavilion with numerous experts, killing the then Crown Prince along with many Princes, ultimately succeeding in ascending the throne. This incident was supposed to be a secret, unknown to the common people. He was surprised to learn that the Demon Sect had supported the then Crown Prince, given the general perception of the Demon Sect as one always filled with great evil and wickedness. If the Crown Prince had succeeded in ascending the throne at that time, the Demon Sect¡¯s subsequent status might have been like the current Zhenyi Sect, or even have had the opportunity to become the National Religion. Jun Qinglin let out a light chuckle and said, ¡°Later on, many things were forgotten, and you should also be aware of some. Leng brother died in that coup at the Heavenly Book Pavilion. They wanted me to succeed him as the Master of Outer Heaven, but having grown accustomed to my indolence, I did not wish to manage the affairs of the Sect. After staying in Yan Country for a few more years, I returned to the Sealing Demon Platform to enter seclusion. At that time, there were several Outer Heaven experts in the Sealing Demon Platform with very high cultivation, but soon after I entered, they all went down into the Sealing Demon Well.¡± An elder and a youth idly chatted about the past, reflecting on the changes brought by time. As the years aged, those who listened to stories became the ones telling them, and the tale-tellers became the characters in their stories. The mountains were serene, the water pristine, reflecting the sky seamlessly. Jun Qinglin was filled with emotion, and An Jing was full of sighs. ¡°Hint three: There is a cyan opportunity near the host.¡± At this moment, the prompt from the Earth Book appeared again. An Jing knew this must be the sword body of the Evil Suppressing Sword. Finding this sword body would make it five, with the final one being in Lengping. Once the six bodies of the Evil Suppressing Sword were gathered, it would form the complete Evil Suppressing Sword, and then he could return home triumphantly. An Jing glanced around and said, ¡°The fifth sword body is nearby.¡± Jun Qinglin asked, ¡°Can you sense it?¡± ¡°I can sense it.¡± An Jing touched his Evil Suppressing Sword. The Evil Suppressing Sword could only sense others when they were very close, and the current sensation was naturally from the Earth Book. As the small boat sailed forward, it quickly arrived at a cold pond. The clear waves rippled, the tranquil azure water carrying a bone-chilling cold, and the temperature around them gradually dropped. According to the guidance of the Earth Book, the cyan radiance was below, which meant the sword body of the Evil Suppressing Sword was beneath. An Jing pointed to the water and said, ¡°The sword body is down there, Great Elder, please wait here for a moment.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Jun Qinglin nodded. ¡°Splash!¡± An Jing dove into the water, rushing towards the depths of the pond. The ice-cold water assaulted him continuously, growing colder and more piercing the deeper he dove. An Jing¡¯s body had reached a level between Golden Bone and Jade Bone, so such chilling cold naturally could not affect him in the slightest. The deeper he went, the colder the surrounding waters became, even releasing wisps of white vapor. Before long, he landed next to a massive stone. Embedded in the stone was an antique longsword, flickering with a cold, shimmering light that caused the waters around it to turn extremely icy. It was the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡°There¡¯s something strange here!¡± Upon seeing this, An Jing¡¯s brows instantly furrowed. Just the presence of part of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade emanated such coldness that the entire pond turned incredibly icy, which was somewhat unbelievable. After all, it was only one part of the Evil Suppressing Sword, and even a complete Evil Suppressing Sword shouldn¡¯t be able to emit such intense cold. An Jing approached the stone, and the Evil Suppressing Sword as if sensing his presence, also began to tremble. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± The flowing water surged violently as the huge stone suddenly shattered. The next moment, an extremely cold black light struck towards An Jing¡¯s mind. Cold! The ultimate chill! It was as if he had instantly moved from the heat of summer to a winter filled with frost. The water around An Jing began to freeze because of the chill, and the cold continued to spread. Within a few breaths, the entire pond had frozen into a block of ice. Under the faint sunlight, it glinted with a sparkling light. Meanwhile, Jun Qinglin, who was standing on the boat, also noticed the waters below had frozen, and his brows raised slightly. He didn¡¯t know what exactly was happening below, and he didn¡¯t act rashly. Within the ice block formed by the pond water, An Jing was holding the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand. And it was from this Evil Suppressing Sword that the coldness emanated, as if it wanted to completely engulf and submerge his consciousness. A low roar sounded, vibrating the soul. In his mind, he could see that dark shadow approaching. It seemed human, yet not human. At the moment of its assault, An Jing felt as if he couldn¡¯t move, only able to watch as it invaded. A pair of pupils clearly looked just like human eyes, but they had lost all human emotions; only ferocity, eeriness, bloodthirst, and cruelty remained. If swallowed by this shadow, who knew what terrible things would happen. In such a critical moment, An Jing subconsciously began to circulate the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± and immediately, a warm current emerged from within his body and surged into his mind. Boom! It was like a scorching light shining in his mind. ¡°Roar!¡± The shadow, struck by the light, let out a low roar. The sound was harsh and strange, as if uttered by a non-human, sending chills down the spine and striking fear into the heart. The shadow, like winter snow exposed to the warm sun, began to melt away, vanishing in the blink of an eye, completely dissolved by the light into nothingness. At the same time, the cold air surrounding the pond gradually dissipated, but the entire icy pond had frozen into a large block of ice and did not melt back into water. No one knew how much time had passed, perhaps an hour, perhaps a moment. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing slowly opened his eyes and looked at the fifth blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, then his True Qi began to circulate as he moved upwards. ¡°Whoosh!¡± His body shot up like an arrow released from its bow, breaking through the ice of the cold pond, with shards of broken ice scattering across the world, glittering under the sunlight. ¡­¡­. PS: Don¡¯t forget to enter the draw, brothers! Chapter 261 - Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Qingmei gazes at the moon and thinks of An Jing Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Qingmei gazes at the moon and thinks of An Jing An Jing steadied himself on the ice surface and then looked at the blade of the fifth Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, a trace of solemnity flashing in his eyes. Who exactly was the black shadow he had seen within the blade just now? That brutal, ferocious, and evil gaze was almost unforgettable. Why was there a connection between the Evil Suppressing Sword and this shadow, could it be due to the sealing? If it weren¡¯t for the operation of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡±, if he had been engulfed by the shadow, it was very likely that he would have lost his own consciousness. The strangeness just now filled An Jing¡¯s heart with doubts and unease. Jun Qinglin walked over and said, ¡°It seems you¡¯ve obtained the fifth blade.¡± ¡°I have, now the last one is the only one left.¡± An Jing put away the blade of the fifth Evil Suppressing Sword and said with a light smile, ¡°The last one is in Lengping, which the Great Elder should know about.¡± Lengping, once the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, had now become an infamous land of misfortune. ¡°I do.¡± Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly as he said, ¡°That place is very sinister, filled with unclean things.¡± ¡°Unclean things?¡± ¡°Seven hundred thousand troops died miserably, and their resentful spirits have not dissipated over the years. They have coalesced into a vast amount of Yin Evil Qi. In the past, the Zhenyi Sect would send Taoists to perform rites for them every year, but it was all in vain. Instead, many experts were lost. The Yin Evil Qi has a greater impact on those with higher cultivation; over time, Jianghu experts rarely appeared near Lengping City. I once visited Lengping and could clearly hear the sounds of battle while lying in the inn at night.¡± wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.co ¡°Sounds of battle!?¡± A look of astonishment appeared in An Jing¡¯s eyes. With Jun Qinglin¡¯s level of cultivation, it was surely not an illusion; perhaps Lengping was as bizarre as the rumors claimed. There were rumors of ghostly spirits and malevolent creatures in Lengping City, and even some had seen the gloomy and terrifying Fengdu City. Fengdu City, also known as Fengdu, is the mythical Underworld where the dead are said to reside after death. Jun Qinglin nodded and said, ¡°Some rumors in Jianghu are exaggerated, but some do not arise from nothing. Be careful when you go to Lengping City; watch your step.¡± Hearing this, An Jing looked in the direction of Lengping City. Capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, below lies the buried souls of seven hundred thousand troops, and there is this last blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡­ Jun Qinglin slowly said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s take a look at Lengping City. I shall revisit the old grounds.¡± An Jing nodded, then the two of them, treading on the shimmering ice, walked towards the direction of Lengping City. Having obtained the last blade of the sword, An Jing planned to return to Dongluo Pass. ¡­¡­ East Sea Road, Qifeng Mountain Range. Bizarre mountains stood erect, an endless chain of peaks, towering lushly with clouds wrapping around them. The Zhenyi Sect was undoubtedly the first among the seven major sects of Yan Country, while the Yu Heng Sword Sect was the undisputed second, also ranking among the top sects in Yan Country. Every year, many youths ascended the mountains wishing to join the Yu Heng Sword Sect to learn swordsmanship, dreaming that one day they could walk the Jianghu with a sword, face trials and tribulations, and become a swordsman famous all over the world. However, in reality, many who climbed the mountain did not even qualify to be accepted into the Yu Heng Sword Sect. Resources within the sect were limited; unlike gangs and cults that expanded recklessly, the Yu Heng Sword Sect assessed and selected individuals from those who sought to join each year. Only a mere few dozen could be admitted each year, and at most, just over a hundred. This vast Qifeng Mountain Range with its jade towers seemed like a paradise on Earth, but in fine detail, there were only a little over two thousand people living there. Compared to the Zhenyi Sect and the five gangs, indeed, two thousand people were not many, but compared to other sects, it was quite a significant number, making it truly the second largest sect in Yan Country. This day was when the Yu Heng Sword Sect admitted new disciples. Once again, numerous youths ascended the mountain, hoping to learn the arts with the aspiration of one day becoming an unrivaled Sword Immortal, whose name resounded in everyone¡¯s ears. In the misty peaks above the clouds, A man in white robes sat cross-legged atop the Cloud Platform, with one of the famous swords of the world, the Phoenix Sword, lying before his knees. This man was Lin Yiyang, the head of the Yu Heng Sword Sect. Qiu Wanxia stood by the side, looking quietly into the distance, patiently waiting. She could wait, no matter how long it took. It was not until a while later that Lin Yiyang slowly opened his eyes. ¡°Junior Sister, what is the matter?¡± If it wasn¡¯t important, Qiu Wanxia wouldn¡¯t come during his meditation. Qiu Wanxia¡¯s expression, rarely serious, conveyed some gravity as she said, ¡°The Dulu Sword is about to emerge.¡± ¡°The Dulu Sword!?¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Yiyang¡¯s brow furrowed. As a swordsman, he would not be oblivious to the fame of this sword. Whether on the Famous Sword List of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, the arsenal records of Zhao Country, or from prior various diverse listings, the Dulu Sword was always ranked at the top. The Dulu Sword, known as the World¡¯s First Sword, was cast for the Human Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty by craftsmen using copper from the Shou Mountain. It was then lost to the world and whereabouts unknown until it fell into the hands of Yan Country after conquering Shu. The blade featured mysterious and profound patterns, reportedly bearing insights into the Dao of Heaven, while the hilt was made from the essence of the horn of a True Dragon. The blade was sharp and contained boundless power, rumored to generate its own Sword Qi capable of cutting through heaven and earth, earning it the title of Divine Sword. Over the millennia, there were countless unclear claims of ownership, but those who wielded the Dulu Sword were either the absolute top experts of their era or the most exceptional swordsmen across several eras. Under the Dulu Sword, none but the illustrious have lost their lives. Since ancient times, innumerable masters of Master Cultivation have perished under its edge, and it¡¯s even stained with the blood of Great Grandmasters. The blade also bore a robust Sword Intent and malevolence. From the time the royal family of Yan Country acquired the Dulu Sword, it had always been kept in the treasury. That year, the Sword God from the Yu Heng Sword Sect had wanted to demand the Dulu Sword from Li Ping, the Human Emperor, but was ultimately refused. Qiu Wanxia said in a deep voice, ¡°After the New Year, the Human Emperor commanded Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin to use the Dulu Sword to pay homage to Heaven and Earth at Zhong Mountain, to pray for the nation¡¯s fortune, and Zhao Chongyin then announced a piece of news that he would convene a sword meeting before the grand ceremony of paying homage to Heaven.¡± ¡°A grand ceremony for paying homage to Heaven!?¡± Although Lin Yiyang was prideful, as the leader of Yu Heng Sword Sect, he was not dull-witted at all. Upon hearing Qiu Wanxia¡¯s words, he immediately guessed their deeper meaning. The Dulu Sword, being the foremost famous sword in the world, will undoubtedly attract countless experts. What is the purpose of this sword meeting? Ever since the conflict between the Sword God and the Sword Demon began, the empty title of The World¡¯s First Swordsman had been passed around. With the Sword God and the Sword Demon both being unparalleled and unmatched, no one dared to surpass them, and as they had never fought each other in their lifetimes, no one knew who would win or lose, hence the title of The World¡¯s First had not fallen into anyone¡¯s hands. Afterwards, the newly emerged Swordsman Lou Xiangzhen fell into decline after a battle with the Sword God and only decades later, in a battle at Abyss Lake with Xiao Qianqiu, did his Human Dao Sword break through to the Sixth Realm, making him the world¡¯s foremost swordsman. However, after Lou Xiangzhen became the world¡¯s foremost swordsman, he disappeared from Jianghu. Even when the Ghost Swordsman attacked Dongluo Pass, he was nowhere to be seen. Some said that Lou Xiangzhen had died, others said he had completely retired from Jianghu. In any case, he gradually faded from the martial world. As Lin Yiyang broke through to the Sixth Realm, some people said that Lin Yiyang was the current world¡¯s first swordsman. Later, the Ghost Swordsman defeated the Exalted Vajra at the Heavenly Martial Sect, and thus the title of the world¡¯s foremost swordsman once again fell into the hands of the Ghost Swordsman. The title of The World¡¯s First Swordsman never stayed long with anyone, much like the unstable and fraught world of Jianghu. Today, the title of The World¡¯s First Swordsman is held by the Ghost Swordsman, but for how long will he be able to retain it? Convening a sword meeting with the Dulu Sword will surely attract countless Sword Dao experts. Some seek fame, others seek advantage, and a great storm is bound to arise. Qiu Wanxia said with a laugh, ¡°I wonder if the top prize of this Dulu Sword meeting will be the Dulu Sword itself?¡± The world¡¯s top famous sword, would there be a Swordsman who wouldn¡¯t want it? ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Lin Yiyang fell silent for a while before shaking his head and saying, ¡°Have you told Master about this?¡± ¡°I am already aware of it.¡± Just then, a gentle voice sounded from behind the two. ¡°Master!¡± Both were stirred in their hearts and turned to bow. In the distance, an elder in grey robes approached, not tall in stature and somewhat hunched, his face lined with deep wrinkles, showing signs of the years, yet his eyes were bright and sharp, shimmering with a faint light. Lin Yiyang¡¯s thoughts raced. His master had not left the Ancestor Hall for decades, and in recent years had even stopped concerning himself with affairs of Jianghu. Could his appearance today mean that he was going to¡­ At the same time, the Phoenix Sword in Lin Yiyang¡¯s hand also began to quiver. The elder reached the edge of Yun Hai and gazed out over the vast expanse, sighing, ¡°Ye Ding is dead, Yu Ying is dead, I can¡¯t believe they have gone before me.¡± Lin Yiyang nodded slightly, ¡°Such is the unpredictability of life.¡± The elder¡¯s lips moved slightly as he asked, ¡°Apart from you, I hear there are two other Sixth Realm swordsmen in Jianghu.¡± Lin Yiyang nodded, ¡°One of them, Master knows as well, it is none other than Lou Xiangzhen.¡± ¡°Lou Xiangzhen?¡± The elder narrowed his eyes, remembering the young man who had challenged him in front of the Sword Pavilion, ¡°So he indeed reached the Sixth Realm.¡± The elder was not surprised that Lou Xiangzhen had achieved the Sixth Realm. Perhaps if he hadn¡¯t been defeated by his three moves back then, he might have reached the Sixth Realm much earlier. The identity of the elder was already self-evident; it was none other than Liu Moyuan, the Sword God who presided over the Ancestor Hall. Lin Yiyang continued, ¡°Lou Xiangzhen reached the Sixth Realm with the Human Dao Sword, his Sword Dao still surpasses mine.¡± Liu Moyuan was unperturbed, ¡°It seems that his setback back then turned into a blessing in disguise. Where is he now?¡± Lou Xiangzhen had previously observed the falling peach blossoms to comprehend his own Sword Dao; the petals fell slowly or swiftly, from which he derived the essence of speed, hence on climbing the Yu Heng Sword Sect¡¯s Sword Pavilion, Lou Xiangzhen wielded the Fast Sword Dao. It was unexpected that after that defeat, he switched to cultivating the Human Dao Sword and even made a name for himself. Lin Yiyang replied, ¡°He¡¯s untraceable.¡± Liu Moyuan did not pursue the whereabouts of Lou Xiangzhen further, ¡°And the other person?¡± Lin Yiyang said solemnly, ¡°There¡¯s a very young one; just slightly over twenty years old, I couldn¡¯t see through his Sword Dao.¡± Liu Moyuan raised an eyebrow and said gravely, ¡°Just over twenty, and he has reached the Sixth Realm?¡± To him, someone so young, with such a level of Sword Dao cultivation, seemed extremely formidable. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°That is indeed interesting, I didn¡¯t expect there to be such a prodigy in Jianghu.¡± Liu Moyuan¡¯s eyes glittered, ¡°What¡¯s his background and identity?¡± Lin Yiyang answered, ¡°He is from the Demon Sect, named An Jing.¡± Liu Moyuan felt some confusion and looked towards Qiu Wanxia, as she nodded in confirmation. Some time ago, Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin had sent a secret letter asking Liu Moyuan to kill someone, but Liu Moyuan had refused at that time. After all, he had endured for many years and it wasn¡¯t to kill a junior. But now things were different. Ye Ding had perished and the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s influence would surely be greatly diminished. Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu was in need of a leader, and with Zhao Chongyin hosting the grand ceremony of Dulu Sword meeting, both the title of the world¡¯s first swordsman and the Dulu Sword were within reach. He wanted the title of the world¡¯s first swordsman and he wanted the Dulu Sword. If the Dulu Sword were in his possession, his strength would certainly rise a notch, giving him the power to battle even a Five Qi Grandmaster. If everything went as planned, with Zhao Chongyin¡¯s help, both Yu Heng Sword Sect and himself would surely ascend to the pinnacle of Jianghu. This was an opportunity that came once in a millennium. ¡°This Jianghu is still just as interesting,¡± Liu Moyuan chuckled, ¡°The Dulu Sword, Lou Xiangzhen, An Jing, and that Sword Demon¡­ Now that the Zhenyi Sect has suffered consecutive heavy blows, with Ye Ding dying on Blue Sky Island, it presents an opportunity for my Yu Heng Sword Sect.¡± Lin Yiyang nodded. Having been the head of the Seven Sects for years, the Zhenyi Sect had always been ranked second. It was impossible for them not to have any ambitions. Indeed, it was an excellent opportunity. Liu Moyuan, looking at the Phoenix Sword in his hand, murmured, ¡°Next, I must take down this Jianghu.¡± His voice was very calm, as if he were discussing an insignificant trifle. Lin Yiyang and Qiu Wanxia exchanged glances, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes. ¡­¡­ Dongluo Pass. Li Fuzhou and Yu Qiurong had successfully traversed Beihuang Dao and returned to Dongluo Pass with the Mountain Opening Order issued by the Yan Kingdom Court. From then on, like the other sects from Yan Country, the Demon Sect could freely enter the territory of Yan Country. The trade between the Demon Sect and Yan Country also became more frequent, with merchant caravans passing through more often, gradually restoring the former prosperity of Dongluo Pass and thriving more and more each day. The repaired official road leading from Dongluo Pass to Yan Country was in excellent condition, with a large number of trade caravans entering and departing Dongluo Pass daily, creating a lively scene all around the official road. Even though deep autumn had arrived, Dongluo Pass remained exceedingly hot. The relentless sun blazed down with an intense heat. Under the shade of a leafy poplar tree stood a young woman, who occasionally shaded her eyes with her hand while looking into the distance. This young woman was none other than Tan Yun. Since Li Fuzhou and Yu Qiurong¡¯s return, she had often come to this place to wait. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t my betrothed returned yet?¡± Apparently having stood for quite a while, Tan Yun sat down on a stone stool next to her, taking out some candied fruit she had bought that morning, her eyes twinkling. ¡°To eat means being content, to abstain means craving.¡± Just then, an aged voice came from behind her. ¡°Master.¡± Tan Yun turned her head and saw Li Fuzhou appear behind her. Li Fuzhou, quite sternly, said, ¡°You¡¯ve sneaked out again. Aren¡¯t you afraid that the Sect Hierarch will look for you?¡± ¡°The Sect Hierarch is busy now, he won¡¯t look for me.¡± Tan Yun lowered her head, looking at the candied fruit in her hands, ¡°Master, didn¡¯t you say I should return to the Lv Sect before the year¡¯s end? Does that mean I¡¯m no longer a person of Outer Heaven?¡± While speaking, Tan Yun put the candied fruit in her mouth, then sighed while chewing. Li Fuzhou watched her with a somewhat downcast expression and asked, ¡°Being separated from your master, you can¡¯t bear it, can you?¡± Tan Yun, feeling slightly guilty, said, ¡°Of course, how could I bear to leave Master?¡± ¡°You¡¯re probably not speaking from your heart.¡± ¡°Of course I¡¯m speaking from my heart, don¡¯t you know me, Master? I never lie.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because I know you that I¡¯m aware all you say are lies.¡± Li Fuzhou picked up a piece of candied fruit and held it in his palm, ¡°Besides, thoughts from the heart should stay in the heart, how can they be called such if spoken aloud?¡± Tan Yun hung her head low, munching on the candied fruit without speaking again. Li Fuzhou tasted the candied fruit; he didn¡¯t know if it was delicious, but it was certainly sweet. Neither of them spoke as the diluted sunlight streamed through the leaves, casting mottled shadows upon them. Li Fuzhou asked, ¡°Are you waiting for him to return?¡± Tan Yun¡¯s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she replied softly, ¡°My betrothed has been so good to me, and he saved me too. I want to see him once more.¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head, ¡°And after you meet him?¡± ¡°Once I¡¯ve met my betrothed, I¡¯ll be at ease and then return to Yujing City.¡± Pointing in the direction of Yujing City, Tan Yun beamed, ¡°Master, there are so many more pastries in Yujing City than in Dongluo Pass.¡± Li Fuzhou replied irritably, ¡°You¡¯re the one person I can¡¯t stop worrying about, what are you at ease about?¡± Tan Yun pouted, ¡°I haven¡¯t caused any trouble for you in several days, Master.¡± ¡°Not causing trouble and you¡¯re already feeling proud about it?¡± Li Fuzhou glanced towards the distance, ¡°Your betrothed said he¡¯s going to look for the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade. He won¡¯t come back anytime soon. The day is getting late; stop waiting and come back with me.¡± ¡°Alright then.¡± Tan Yun took one last look at the vast, desolate expanse of the official road, even though she deeply wished to see that solitary figure racing towards her, noticing her at first glance. But she knew such a thing was practically impossible. Sometimes, people go to great lengths to attempt the utterly impossible. They call this kind of action foolishness. The two made their way back to the villa as the sky gradually faded to dusk. Li Fuzhou briefly explained a few things and then left. The Demon Sect had plenty of affairs to tend to, especially since spies from the Houjin had been killed. The Yan Country intelligence network needed further deepening. Even for someone skilled like Li Fuzhou, maintaining control of the operation was frazzling. The ancient and quaint room was suffused with the tipsy light of candles, and the moonlight slowly descended. Zhao Qingmei was bent over her desk, looking at a secret letter before her, then her delicate fists clenched slightly. ¡°People from the Black Ice Platform really made their move¡­¡± The letter contained news from Blue Sky Island. From the monumental defeat of the Exalted Vajra in the Buddha-Demon war to the battle of Blue Sky Island, Zhao Qingmei had learned through secret letters that An Jing¡¯s cultivation must have improved again. Furthermore, with the Evil Suppressing Sword soon to be complete, there was still room for an increase in strength. Somehow, while her heart was excited, there was also an increase in worry. It was as if everything had been under her control before, but now some things were starting to slip away from her grasp. Would An Jing betray superiors? Especially the reports from Yan Country¡¯s court indicated that Princess An Le seemed to be casting amorous glances at An Jing, creating a buzz throughout Jianghu, even turning into a delightful tale. This made her furious. She detested such rumors, even though she knew very well that they were just hearsay. Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and walked to the window to look at the moonlight. She looked at the moon, and the moon looked back at her, but it also looked at others simultaneously. Thinking of this made Zhao Qingmei even more unhappy¡­ ¡°Sect Hierarch, dinner is ready.¡± Just then, a voice carried in from outside the door, belonging to Tan Yun. Upon hearing, Zhao Qingmei, with her hands clasped behind her, walked towards the dining hall. The table was set with delicious dishes, and both Tan Yun and Yu Qiurong were standing by. ¡°Sit down as well,¡± she said. Zhao Qingmei, expressionless, took her seat and gestured for the two to do the same. ¡°Yes, Sect Hierarch.¡± The two sat down as usual, with Tan Yun, like always, digging into her bowl with big bites, rice grains sticking around her mouth. Yu Qiurong, on the other hand, ate gracefully and unhurriedly. Zhao Qingmei observed them, silently pondering whether a woman like Tan Yun, full in the stomach but empty in the head, might be safer. Apart from her stature, she had no other merits. While women like Yu Qiurong, gentle and charming, had a greater allure to men. Although she trusted Yu Qiurong completely, whether An Jing could resist remained uncertain¡­ Which of the two could truly be relied upon? Or maybe¡­ Seeing Zhao Qingmei lost in thought, Yu Qiurong couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Sect Hierarch, why aren¡¯t you eating?¡± ¡°You eat, I¡¯m thinking about things,¡± Zhao Qingmei replied with a smile. The Sect Hierarch was smiling¡­ Tan Yun paused in her actions and then became more careful. In her memory, the Sect Hierarch only smiled in front of the son-in-law, rarely at other times. Zhao Qingmei picked up her utensils and also took a few bites of the food. The room became somewhat quiet for a while. ¡°The food tastes good today,¡± Zhao Qingmei remarked casually. ¡°This is a new cook,¡± Yu Qiurong replied. ¡°It¡¯s said that he can also cook dishes from Zhao Country¡¯s Min Prefecture. If the Sect Hierarch wishes, I¡¯ll have the cook prepare some tomorrow.¡± ¡°It¡¯s delicious,¡± agreed Tan Yun. Though she had indulged in preserved fruits, peach pastries, peach blossom cakes, rice balls¡­ she felt she could eat another two bowls, yet an inexplicable sense made her think today¡¯s Sect Hierarch was different, and she decided to only eat two bowls and quietly observe the changes. Soon, the meal was finished in this subtle atmosphere. Zhao Qingmei set down her utensils and noticed Tan Yun sitting still, compelling her to ask, ¡°Tan Yun, why did you eat so little today?¡± ¡°Sect Hierarch, I¡¯m full,¡± whispered Tan Yun. ¡°You¡¯ve eaten quite little today,¡± Zhao Qingmei remarked lightly. Tan Yun laughed dryly a couple of times, her heart moved. She hadn¡¯t expected Zhao Qingmei to be so clearly aware of her appetite. Yu Qiurong then inquired, ¡°Sect Hierarch, do you have something on your mind?¡± Today¡¯s Zhao Qingmei was very different from usual, and if Tan Yun had noticed it, how could she not? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°What do you think, is the son-in-law not quite good?¡± Zhao Qingmei said offhandedly. ¡°The son-in-law is indeed a good person,¡± they both agreed, their eyes lighting up. Zhao Qingmei glanced at them, an unkind look in her eyes. ¡­.. PS: There will be another chapter tonight, probably around 12-1 AM. See you tomorrow. Chapter 262 - Chapter 262: Chapter 262 Secret of the Zhou Dynasty under the Moonlit Night Chapter 262: Chapter 262 Secret of the Zhou Dynasty under the Moonlit Night Jiangnan Dao, Lengping City. Once the imperial capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Lengping City naturally had a very advantageous geographical location, with interlacing waterways forming an extensive network. However, with the burial of the souls of 700,000 soldiers, the Yin Evil Qi lingered for a long time, and couldn¡¯t be easily dissipated, adding to the place a reputation for strange occurrences in the mountains and wilds, instilling fear in people, and leading to a sharp decline in population. Moreover, with Yan Country in the north and Lengping City in the south, and further south lay the territory of Zhao Country, the management of this region was neglected, resulting in its desolation and decline. Once the foremost city in the world, now it was only growing more desolate and impoverished, but from the ancient, thick city walls one could still barely discern the glory of days past. As deep autumn approached, a chill started to set in, adding an even greater sense of bleakness near Lengping City. An Jing and Jun Qinglin walked into the city, which was not as bustling as Yu State City or Jinghai City, with not many inhabitants, but also not extremely sparse. Teahouses, restaurants, and shops were all available on both sides of the streets. Jun Qinglin asked, ¡°Can you feel it?¡± An Jing nodded and replied, ¡°It¡¯s somewhat chilly.¡± At the Grandmaster Realm, one could refine the Spiritual Energy within heaven and earth, so one was very sensitive to different auras, feeling the previously unnoticeable chill creeping into one¡¯s body as one walked through the streets. Looking at the common people around, Jun Qinglin said, ¡°These locals have long been accustomed to the chill here. If people from other regions were to move here and live for years on end, constantly absorbing the Yin chill, their bodies would become extremely weak. Many men would mostly be impotent, while women would be infertile, which is why Lengping City, despite its vast resources and excellent location, struggles to develop. This is also the reason why the administrative center of Jiangnan Dao is in Lijiang City rather than Lengping City.¡± As a doctor, An Jing naturally knew the consequences of being invaded by Yin poison over the years and couldn¡¯t help feeling somewhat relieved, glad that he had been in Yu State City. If he had been in Lengping City, it would have been a big trouble. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.Co Impotence was very hard to cure. Jun Qinglin looked towards the north and said slowly, ¡°The bodies of the soldiers from the ancient battlefield are naturally not buried within the city, but outside in White Bone Mountain. White Bone Mountain wasn¡¯t originally called that. There were too many fallen Great Zhou soldiers at first, and so many corpses that couldn¡¯t be buried in the ground, eventually turning into an endless expanse of bones. Later on, the mountain came to be known as White Bone Mountain.¡± An Jing nodded. He had also gone to White Bone Mountain before but was scared away by the Yin Evil Qi before he could get close. ¡°Great Elder, you seem to be very familiar with Lengping City?¡± ¡°Sixty years ago, I held a position within the Demon Sect as the Sect Leader of Jiangnan Dao, and I was well-informed about the many cities big and small within Jiangnan Dao.¡± In Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyes, there was a glimmer of reminiscence. Many things in his mind were not very clear anymore, but when he thought carefully, there were some things he remembered quite distinctly, as if they were etched in his mind. In a somber voice, An Jing said, ¡°I have a friend from Yu State City who, from childhood to adulthood, would often forget his way, but even with his eyes closed, he could find his way to the brothels and music halls.¡± An illusion out of thin air!? Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyebrows raised as he said, ¡°You¡¯re talking about yourself, aren¡¯t you?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing immediately retorted, ¡°Great Elder, you mustn¡¯t speak carelessly. Do I look like that sort of person?¡± ¡°You do.¡± Jun Qinglin looked at that handsome face and said, ¡°If I had been born with your appearance when I was young, and with your ability to talk, that would have been wonderful¡­.¡± Sometimes, having a good appearance could triumph over a thousand sweet words. If one had both a good appearance and a silver tongue, it would become an unstoppable weapon in winning over women. An Jing feigned a sigh, ¡°Sometimes this might also be a worry, as there are always those who harbor inappropriate thoughts towards me.¡± ¡°You rascal.¡± The two joked and laughed as they walked into the inn. The lacklustre waiter came out and asked, ¡°Do you two wish to stay at the inn?¡± ¡°Arrange two of the best rooms for us, and prepare some fine wine and dishes.¡± ¡°` An Jing took several taels of broken silver from his purse and said, ¡°This is all yours now.¡± As the saying goes, with money, you can make a ghost turn a millstone, without money, you¡¯re the ghost pushing it. ¡°All right!¡± The waiter¡¯s eyes instantly lit up with greed at the sight of the broken silver. The cost of living in Lengping City wasn¡¯t high, so this amount of silver was sure to be more than enough. Soon, the waiter had prepared a lavish spread of delicious dishes. An Jing and Jun Qinglin chatted over drinks, and before they knew it, it was deep into the night. They then retired to their respective rooms to rest. The night in Lengping City was especially quiet and desolate. The entire city seemed to have fallen into a deep slumber, and even the full moon hanging in the sky emitted a somewhat eerie glow. An Jing sat cross-legged on the bed, circulating the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± to cultivate. He planned to solidify his foundation now, and once he returned to Dongluo Pass, he was ready to break through to the Three Qi Realm. The realm of the Great Grandmaster is known as ¡°Five Qi Toward the Origin,¡± which comprises Essence Qi, Divine Qi, Soul Qi, Corporeal Qi, and Will. The teaching of Three Qi emphasizes the return of Soul Qi. Once the Soul Qi returns to its rightful place, one¡¯s perception of the divine soul will become much clearer, increasing one¡¯s understanding of the heavens and earth. Perhaps there would even be a chance to reach the realm of Heavenly Human Communication. ¡°When I have time, I must ask the Great Elder about his method of ¡®Separating Heaven and Earth.''¡± An Jing thought back to the battle between Jun Qinglin and Qi Xuan Dao, and couldn¡¯t help but feel intrigued. He had seen Xiao Qianqiu, Luo Chongyang, Li Fuzhou, and others communicate with heaven and earth to enter the realm of Heavenly Human Communication, augmenting their strength with a trace of heavenly power. However, it was rare to see anyone like Jun Qinglin ¡®Separating Heaven and Earth,¡¯ breaking free from its binds to greatly enhance their power. Yet it was unclear whether detaching oneself from the heavens and earth or integrating with them to achieve unity would strengthen one¡¯s power more. ¡°Hmm!?¡± As An Jing was deep in thought, he suddenly heard faint footsteps coming from the rooftop. The light steps indicated that the visitor was also an expert. ¡°Swoosh, swoosh!¡± An Jing¡¯s body leaped up, swiftly flying out of the window to land on the rooftop. He saw a seductive woman crouching and carefully making her way forward. Her figure looked incredibly familiar. It was her! This black-clothed, alluring woman was none other than Su Yue. An Jing moved silently to her front. At this moment, Su Yue was looking down through the cracks between the tiles, unaware of any change. Because An Jing had completely concealed his presence and had reached the Second Qi Realm, Su Yue hadn¡¯t noticed an additional figure in front of her. If she moved any further forward, her head would inevitably bump into a critical part of An Jing. He then lightly coughed to signal his presence. ¡°Cough cough¡­.¡± Upon hearing this sudden sound, Su Yue¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and as she turned around, she saw An Jing. In the moonlight, a man and a woman looked at each other, enveloped in tranquility She guessed the identity of the man before her, and though she had long known that the Ghost Swordsman was extremely young, seeing An Jing still made her feel somewhat astonished. An Jing extended his hand and said, ¡°Don¡¯t believe me? It¡¯s genuine, no deception included.¡± ¡°I believe.¡± Su Yue glanced at the Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand, ¡°Apart from the Ghost Swordsman, who else would dare to wield the Evil Suppressing Sword?¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword, known by this name, was actually the most sinister sword in the world, once even the Human Emperor of the Great Zhou had died by this very sword. Even if the Evil Suppressing Sword was laid on the ground, there were few swordsmen who would dare to take it away. An Jing squinted his eyes and asked, ¡°Are you here for me?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Thinking of something, Su Yue angrily looked at An Jing and said, ¡°At Dongluo Pass, you actually faked your death to deceive me?¡± Initially, both Su Lian and Su Yue went to Dongluo Pass because An Jing promised they would visit Doctor Jin, only for him to fake his death at the last moment and escape. ¡°I had my difficulties at the time.¡± An Jing chuckled awkwardly, ¡°Right, your visit must be on the orders of an elder from your family, right?¡± Tian Yin certainly had its capabilities. Back then at the righteous inn, Su Yue and Su Lian had found An Jing; now with Jun Qinglin making no effort to conceal his whereabouts, it wasn¡¯t strange that Su Yue found him. Patting her head, Su Yue said, ¡°I almost forgot about the main issue. No matter what you say, you have to come with me this time.¡± An Jing smiled and replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we can go now.¡± ¡°Good, let¡¯s go then.¡± ¡°Wait, an elder from my family said they want to come too.¡± ¡°Your family elder?¡± A look of surprise flashed in Su Yue¡¯s eyes, and before she could gather her thoughts, Jun Qinglin appeared on the rooftop, gazing calmly at her. A master! Su Yue was startled internally. Anyone who could appear before her so silently and unnoticed was undoubtedly a master. An Jing inquired, ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Su Yue nodded slightly and said, ¡°No problem, let¡¯s go.¡± Immediately after, the three of them leaped up and disappeared into the moonlight. Su Yue was heading not toward the city but outside of it. Before long, the trio had arrived at a gloomy forest. In the distance, two figures could be vaguely seen, one of whom was Su Lian, standing beside an old man dressed in golden clothes. Approaching, Su Yue said to the man in gold, ¡°Doctor Jin, the Ghost Swordsman has arrived.¡± Doctor Jin nodded and smiled, ¡°Jin Deng, I have seen the two of you.¡± ¡°An Jing.¡± An Jing saluted with a fist and began mentally searching for a Jianghu expert with the name Jin Deng. Jin Deng glanced at Jun Qinglin and said, ¡°After the battle at Blue Sky Island, Qi Xuan Dao took action, and there are not many in the world who can fight Qi Xuan Dao without losing ground; you must be Jun Qinglin, also known as ¡®Three-Foot White¡¯ in Jianghu, right?¡± ¡°Three-Foot White¡± was the title Jun Qinglin once held in Jianghu. Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyebrows lifted slightly as he said, ¡°Jin Deng, I have not heard this name before.¡± There are numerous experts in the world, but once one reaches the Grandmaster realm, it is basically impossible to remain nameless; almost all have some measure of fame. However, Jun Qinglin had never heard of the name ¡°Jin Deng,¡± unless he had become renowned in Jianghu like An Jing in the recent decades. But looking at Jin Deng¡¯s aged appearance, he did not seem like someone who had only gained fame in recent decades. Jin Deng waved his hand and said, ¡°I come from Tian Yin and do not generally wander in the mortal realm, so it is natural that you do not know of me.¡± ¡°So it is Tian Yin.¡± Upon hearing this, Jun Qinglin revealed a look of sudden realization. Common folk may have long forgotten about the organization Tian Yin, but the older generation of martial arts experts in Jianghu had at least heard of it. Tian Yin was an organization established by the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s Royal Family, independent of the imperial courts and only answering to the commands of the Royal Family of Great Zhou. The exact details of what they did were not widely known. Some speculated that it was to protect the Royal Family of Great Zhou, while others guessed it was related to the sealing of the Evil Suppressing Sword. The true purpose was known only to the direct lineage of the Great Zhou Royal Family and the experts of Tian Yin. As An Jing held the Evil Suppressing Sword, drawing the attention of experts from Tian Yin seemed fairly normal. Smiling and stroking his beard, Jin Deng said, ¡°I knew there was a piece of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade in Lengping White Bone Mountain, so I have been waiting here. As expected, you did not disappoint me, and have indeed come.¡± With a chuckle, An Jing said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried that I might have died on Blue Sky Island?¡± If he had died on Blue Sky Island, Jin Deng¡¯s waiting here would have been in vain. Jin Deng shook his head and responded, ¡°With the Evil Suppressing Sword acknowledging you as its master, you must be a person blessed with great fortune. You wouldn¡¯t die on Blue Sky Island. Even if you had died, I am no match for Qi Xuan Dao, so going there would have been fruitless.¡± Qi Xuan Dao was the master of the Black Ice Platform, with a cultivation so profound. Jin Deng was clearly aware that Qi Xuan Dao was bound for Blue Sky Island, so why would he go there to seek death? An Jing glanced at Jin Deng and asked, ¡°Senior has been waiting for me for a long time. May I know why?¡± Jin Deng stood with one hand behind his back and turned his gaze toward the distant Lengping Ancient City, saying, ¡°You managed to get the Evil Suppressing Sword to acknowledge you as its master. Not only are you blessed with great fortune, but you also carry the blood of the Great Zhou Royal Family. You must be aware of this, right?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡± He had the blood of the Great Zhou Royal Family in his veins, and Jiang Sanjia had informed him of this long ago. ¡°Since that is the case, I¡¯ll speak frankly.¡± After a moment of contemplation, Jin Deng said, ¡°When Great Zhou was founded, it passed through a chaotic era marked by war and welcomed a long period of peaceful development. Great Zhou had millions of scholars, workshops in abundance, thriving trade, tributary states, over a hundred sects under its command, and masters and grandmasters were as common as clouds. With a history of eleven hundred years of continuous military preparedness and a standing army of more than three million, the strength of its martial prowess was evident!¡± ¡°However, investigations into various records have revealed that the Great Qin Dynasty was even more powerful than the Great Zhou Dynasty. They possessed three Great Grandmasters, yet still perished into the annals of history¡­¡± Jun Qinglin and An Jing exchanged glances. They were also quite curious about the reasons behind the fall of the Great Qin Dynasty. Three Great Grandmasters, that¡¯s akin to three Land Immortals; how terrifying is that? Yet, they still could not escape their demise. What exactly is the reason? Continuing, Jin Deng said, ¡°At that time, the Human Emperor of Great Zhou created Tian Yin. First, to investigate the truth behind the scenes; second, to protect the safety of the Royal Family. Over the years, the Royal Family of the Great Zhou Dynasty has never been extinguished, but has gradually declined, and the investigation has slowly been put on hold.¡± Raising an eyebrow, An Jing commented, ¡°The Great Zhou Royal Family has not been extinguished? Then how could it be possible not to know what happened back then?¡± Jin Deng sighed and said, ¡°After the fall of the Great Qin Dynasty, it seemed that Great Zhou and Zhao Country stood side by side with no apparent connection. In reality, the royal families of these two nations were of the same bloodline¨Cit was just a split between two brothers.¡± ¡°Subsequently, the two brothers fought against each other from the north and the south. Thus, the world was never unified. Later on, the northern Royal Family of Great Zhou was annihilated, leaving only the southern royal bloodline. In fact, hundreds of years ago, the Royal Family of Zhao Country was suppressed, and the power of Zhao Country had long since fallen into the hands of the Black Ice Platform. Now the Zhao Royal Family is barely surviving, precarious¡­¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As Jin Deng¡¯s words trailed off, they set off a mammoth wave in An Jing¡¯s heart. The current Zhao Royal Family actually shared the same bloodline as the former Great Zhou Royal Family? Then, one could say that he was also of the Zhao Royal Family? By his side, Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyes also lit up with a sharp glint. The connection between the royal families of Zhao Country and the Great Zhou Dynasty was quite an unexpected revelation. ¡­¡­. Chapter 263 - Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Uniting Against Evil at White Bone Mountain Chapter 263: Chapter 263: Uniting Against Evil at White Bone Mountain ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± After a long while, An Jing slowly exhaled, ¡°Was Qi Shu trying to kill me back then for this reason?¡± Such deep secrets would be nearly impossible to uncover if not spoken by Jin Deng himself, especially since the Great Zhou Dynasty had already perished. Now, only the Zhao Country Royal Family and Tian Yin present here knew this information. Jin Deng slightly nodded and said, ¡°Now in Zhao Country, the Royal Family has virtually no power at all; they are merely puppets of the Black Ice Platform. Nowadays, the royal descendants¡¯ ambition has been thoroughly corrupted by luxury and debauchery. However, you share the same bloodline as the Zhao Royal Family, and both the imperial court and the Jianghu still have quite a few royalist forces. With the right opportunity and conditions, you could change the destiny of the heavens.¡± Anyone who heard Jin Deng¡¯s words would feel their heart skip a beat; the power of Zhao Country could certainly be said to be no weaker than that of Yan Country, and might even be stronger in terms of warfare due to the Black Ice Platform¡¯s development of elixirs for common soldiers. Additionally, with Yan Country being surrounded by enemies on all sides, this made for a prime opportunity. The only resistance was the Black Ice Platform, also the greatest resistance. But An Jing had a calm expression, ¡°Are you suggesting that you want me to become the new Emperor of Zhao Country?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Jin Deng took a deep breath and said seriously, ¡°You are a person destined to carry great fortune. The Evil Suppressing Sword, which even the Human Emperor of the Great Zhou had not been able to subdue, now obeys you. Moreover, considering your youth, becoming a Five Qi Great Grandmaster in the future is all but certain. Along with my Tian Yin forces in Zhao Country¡­¡± An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°Being Emperor is not something just anyone can do.¡± Jin Deng, however, chuckled and said, ¡°It¡¯s just a position. Even a beggar can become an Emperor if he desires.¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°This matter, I need to consider further.¡± He neither agreed nor outright refused. wuxiaworld.site wuxiaworld.site.CO Jin Deng pondered for a moment and said, ¡°The Black Ice Platform is not simple. It has many experts within it, including the eight Heavenly Slaughters, Qu Renlin, Qiu Fengsheng, and Qi Xuan Dao; and other powerful Grandmasters. This failure to kill your lordship has caused them heavy losses, and Qi Xuan Dao will definitely not let this go.¡± Jin Deng said thus and then stopped speaking. Everyone understood, it was enough to stop at the crucial point. An Jing narrowed his eyes and smiled, ¡°If Qi Xuan Dao wants to take revenge, I¡¯ll be waiting for him at Dongluo Pass. Let¡¯s see if he dares to come.¡± Jin Deng smiled, ¡°I think with this person by your side, Qi Xuan Dao is unlikely to come alone, but Zhao Country has millions of soldiers, the Black Ice Platform has several Grandmasters, and the Demon Sect might not be able to withstand it¡­¡± If one were to view the Black Ice Platform as a sect, its strength completely surpassed the Zhenyi Sect, Buddhist, Demon Sect, and even the Great Snow Mountain. Because in Zhao Country, the Black Ice Platform¡¯s status was even above the Royal Family, completely able to use the resources of the whole Zhao Country to support the Black Ice Platform. Not to mention, with the Blood-Loathing Pill and Spiritual Essence Pill among other elixirs that could directly enhance strength, it had attracted countless experts. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°I will consider it and give you a response.¡± Jin Deng, hearing An Jing¡¯s tone, immediately said, ¡°My disciples Su Lian and Su Yue will be within Yan Country¡¯s borders, waiting for you to make up your mind and tell them.¡± Su Lian and Su Yue exchanged glances, remaining silent. ¡°Actually, I do have a question that I wish to ask you,¡± ¡°You may ask it freely.¡± ¡°Why did the Great Zhou Dynasty collapse, and what exactly is this ¡®sealing¡¯?¡± Jin Deng seemed to have anticipated An Jing¡¯s question, and after a moment¡¯s thought, he said, ¡°The collapse of the Great Zhou Dynasty was mainly connected to the sealing. At that time, the seal caused the deaths of many experts of the Great Zhou royal family, even the Human Emperor perished within it. As for the specifics of the seal, I am not aware, as all the top experts of Tian Yin also died, no survivors, no messages. To avoid retaliation from the Black Ice Platform, Tian Yin also went into hiding.¡± ¡°The Black Ice Platform also played a role in the downfall of the Great Zhou Dynasty. At that time, the Black Ice Platform dispatched a significant number of experts to the Great Zhou Dynasty, an intense slaughter occurred, and the Black Ice Platform too suffered heavy losses. You should know what happened afterward, the Zhao Royal Family started a counter-offensive, and to solidify their rule, the Black Ice Platform did not return to their ancestral lands. The internal strife in Zhao Country also lost the prime opportunity to unite the lands under one ruler.¡± As An Jing mulled over these words, he thought about how the split of the Mystical Sect was also related to the Black Ice Platform, noting to himself the vast ambition of the Black Ice Platform. Then the two chatted about some minor details, and Jin Deng prepared to depart. ¡°I will be within the borders of Zhao Country, awaiting the day you respond,¡± After speaking, Jin Deng walked away with Su Lian and Su Yue toward the distance. Once the trio had completely vanished, An Jing turned to look at Jun Qinglin and asked, ¡°Great Elder, what do you think?¡± ¡°This Jin Deng just wants Tian Yin to become the next Black Ice Platform,¡± Jun Qinglin smiled faintly, ¡°The Great Zhou royal family had Tian Yin, while the Zhao Royal Family has the Black Ice Platform. The difference is, the Great Zhou royal family perished, and Tian Yin went into hiding, whereas Zhao has been controlled by the Black Ice Platform¡­.¡± An Jing furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°So, Great Elder, you mean to say that the Black Ice Platform and Tian Yin were originally founded for the same purpose?¡± Jun Qinglin looked at the faint moonlight in the sky, ¡°The Black Ice Platform controls Zhao, Tian Yin is weak and cannot act alone; naturally, they need to find external help. Yan Country and Tian Yin previously had no interactions and could not possibly have any in the future. Therefore, you are their best potential ally. From my perspective, they originally intended to find a puppet, but seeing your profound strength and the powerful backing of Outer Heaven, they now wish to cooperate with you.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing pondered for a long while, then said somberly, ¡°The world hustles and bustles, all for benefit; the world bustles and hustles, all for loss. In the future, there indeed might be an opportunity for cooperation.¡± Jun Qinglin thought of something and said, ¡°Those two girls are not simple, their cultivation seems to involve an ancient martial art.¡± ¡°Heavenly Heart Tribulation!?¡± An Jing asked, Luo Chongyang had once spoken to him about this martial art. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s the ¡®Heavenly Heart Tribulation.''¡± Jun Qinglin spoke gravely, ¡°This martial art, along with ¡®Shifting Flower and Wood¡¯ and ¡®Heavenly Silkworm Technique,¡¯ are some of the most unique in the world, all of the top Heavenly Martial level heart methods, but their effects are astonishingly impressive. However, these arts have not been widely disseminated, so not many people know about them; I too heard it from the old Sect Hierarch.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°What exactly is the martial art heart method of ¡®Heavenly Heart Tribulation¡¯?¡± Jun Qinglin watched as the trio departed and whispered, ¡°Cultivating the ¡®Heavenly Heart Tribulation¡¯ allows one to sever a thought from their mind, also known as Coagulation of Heart Thoughts. This heart thought not only has a complete set of thoughts and a flesh body but can also cultivate normally. When cultivated to the highest level, it allows the heart thought to reintegrate with the physical body, greatly increasing one¡¯s cultivation.¡± It turned out Su Lian and Su Yue were the same person! An Jing was greatly surprised in his heart, not expecting there to be such peculiar martial arts in the world that allowed one to sever a thought from themselves. But he was unsure whether Su Lian was the thought, or if it was Su Yue! Considering that the first time he encountered Su Yue, she had the cultivation of a Half-step Master, and when Su Lian appeared, her strength had reached the Grandmaster Realm, there indeed was profound mystery involved. An Jing, curious, asked, ¡°If the body and the thought reintegrate, then is it the body or the thought . . . . .¡± Su Lian and Su Yue not only wore distinctly different clothing, but their personalities were also vastly different. Su Lian was gentle, intellectual, and elegant, whereas Su Yue was quirky, lively, and cheerful. ¡°I¡¯m not too sure myself; you¡¯re not thinking of something crooked, are you?¡± Jun Qinglin glanced at An Jing and chuckled, ¡°Such a beauty, no wonder you¡¯re moved.¡± An Jing waved his hand, ¡°The Great Elder misunderstands, they once helped me as well, I¡¯m only curious, that¡¯s all.¡± ¡°You can rest assured, I definitely won¡¯t tell Qingmei girl.¡± Jun Qinglin stroked his beard and laughed, ¡°As the saying goes, a young man not frivolous is a waste of youth; at your age, it is normal.¡± An Jing gave Jun Qinglin a look, not trusting this crafty old man. Yu Qiurong had just left, and here came Jun Qinglin, perhaps he too carried a ¡®secret mission¡¯. At that moment, An Jing discovered a blue brilliance flickering in his mind an Earth Book. ¡°Tip Three: There is a purple opportunity near the host.¡± An Jing looked toward the towering mountain range in the distance. The last piece of the Evil Suppressing Sword was located there. ¡­.. Lengping City, minor road. Su Yue¡¯s lips slightly parted as she asked, ¡°Why would the Ghost Swordsman hesitate?¡± Jin Deng casually said, ¡°When you were three years old, if a passerby gave you candy, you would pick it up, put it in your mouth, and thank them profusely. At thirteen, if a passerby gave you candy, you would suspect the passerby had ulterior motives.¡± Su Yue raised her eyebrows, ¡°Jin Elder, are you saying the Ghost Swordsman is worried we have ulterior motives?¡± Jin Deng didn¡¯t respond to Su Yue¡¯s question but instead said pensively, ¡°He is very confident.¡± Su Lian was also puzzled and asked, ¡°Confident?¡± ¡°He will figure it out one day.¡± After pondering for a moment, Jin Deng said, ¡°According to my estimation, Qi Xuan Dao could launch a cleanup on Bibo Island at any moment before the full-scale war breaks out. I must return to Zhao Country immediately.¡± ¡°The two of you should stay in Yan Country and await my orders at any moment.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Su Lian and Su Yue both bowed. Jin Deng looked at the distant valley and said, ¡°Before that, I am quite curious whether he can take away the last piece of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s blade.¡± He had been at this place for over a month and had checked the White Bone Mountain several times; he was well aware of the dangers and oddities within. ¡­¡­ Under the night sky, the pale moonlight slanted down. In the valley, there was no hint of light, except for a faint, elusive firelight at the distant center of the valley, with most places covered by boundless darkness. The night was chilling, and the wind was bleak with a touch of coldness, which, when blowing across the valley, stirred up strange, tide-like dark currents that were the energies of cold yin. The valley was vast. If it were daytime, one could see the surrounding continuous and rolling mountains, but at night, only those vaguely tall shadows were visible, standing like silent giants across the land. White Bone Mountain, where the souls of seven hundred thousand soldiers were buried. Between two high mountains on the northwest side lay the only passage in and out of White Bone Mountain, and outside the valley, on the equally rugged and treacherous mountain path, two figures walked in. It was An Jing and Jun Qinglin. An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°The last Evil Suppressing Sword is within this White Bone Mountain.¡± Jun Qinglin also looked towards White Bone Mountain, his eyes calm as water. White Bone Mountain was eerie, on par with the dangerous lands of Yan Country. Every part was extremely hazardous, and even the experts of the Zhenyi Sect would not dare to easily intrude into White Bone Mountain. The two walked on the trail, and with the breeze, they could already feel the Yin Evil Qi surging towards them like ocean waves. For their level of cultivation, such Yin Evil Qi couldn¡¯t invade their bodies. However, the deeper they went, the denser the Yin Evil Qi became, almost as if they could hear the ghostly wails and wolf howls in the wind. ¡°Great Elder, just wait here for me.¡± An Jing touched the Evil Suppressing Sword at his waist, ¡°Once I retrieve this last sword body, I¡¯ll come out.¡± Jun Qinglin¡¯s lifespan wasn¡¯t much, and his vital energies were depleted. At this stage, the more he used his True Qi, the more it would accelerate the aging of his organs and the passage of his lifespan. Especially entering White Bone Mountain, where the Yin Evil Qi converged like a sea, he definitely had to use more True Qi from within his body. After all, the Demon Sect could not afford to lose Jun Qinglin, its top expert. ¡°Okay, be careful,¡± Jun Qinglin squinted at the chilling wind and said in a low voice, ¡°If you sense anything wrong, withdraw immediately.¡± Although An Jing was of Second Qi cultivation, his strength was comparable to a Third Qi Grandmaster, so even White Bone Mountain, replete with dangers, could not possibly claim the life of a Grandmaster reaching the Third Qi level, could it? Then, An Jing leapt up, shuttling through the gloomy forest with swift movements and entered into the valley. At that moment, the Earth Book shone brightly with green light. The very next moment, the Earth Book again displayed both black and purple light. ¡°Hint four: A Purple opportunity is near the host.¡± ¡°Hint five: A Black opportunity is near the host.¡± ¡­.. An Jing paused in his steps, his heart chilled. This White Bone Mountain, to concurrently possess such a Purple opportunity and Black opportunity. Purple opportunities generally belong to the world¡¯s top martial arts or treasures, such as the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± or the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡± ¨C these are Purple opportunities. And what, then, might the Purple opportunity within this White Bone Mountain be? Apart from the Purple opportunity, the mountain also held a Black opportunity, which generally represented major crises. What, then, was this Black opportunity? ¡°First, let¡¯s retrieve the last sword body of the Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± An Jing let out a deep breath and then proceeded deeper into the valley. The valley in front seemed pitch-black, the chilling biting wind whooshing in, its coldness slashing like knives. Although An Jing had reached the Second Qi Grandmaster level, even he felt a bit disheartened. The Yin Evil Qi grew denser and there appeared to be figures drifting in it, like spectral shadows of the mountain, but upon closer inspection, it was just branches trembling in the cold wind. Guided by the green brilliance on the Earth Book, An Jing reached a small mound scattered with rocks of various sizes, and could vaguely see the very dense Yin Evil Qi surrounding the top of the mound. The young man in black paused momentarily, then turned and walked toward the hill. There was no path on the small hill, only wild grass which undulated slightly in the night breeze. Vaguely, one could see several corpses on the ground, all of which had died in strangely bizarre ways. Looking further ahead, one could see a stone stele standing on the hill, with characters inscribed upon it. ¡°Wipe the dust and clearly mark the moon, drive away gods and spirits, lock the deep mountains.¡± Beside the stele, a simple long sword was planted. A gleam flashed in An Jing¡¯s eyes because this was indeed the body of the Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡°I need to disperse the Yin Evil Qi surrounding the Evil Suppressing Sword first¡­¡± At this time, Yin Evil Qi swirled around the Evil Suppressing Sword, forming black winds. Nothing grew within three feet of the sword, which bore an eerie air. Ordinary experts, if tainted by this Yin Evil Qi, would certainly be severely injured, but An Jing not only had reached the realm of a Second Qi Grandmaster, but he also possessed the peerless Heart Method ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± naturally unafraid of this Yin Evil Qi. Feeling the call of the last sword body, all five swords at An Jing¡¯s waist trembled, emitting a clear, quivering sound. The air echoed with a sharp, piercing wind, coincidentally resonating with the gloomy wind howling in the hills. An Jing stepped forward. As the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± circulated, a layer of True Qi Light Shield enveloped his body, causing the Yin Evil Qi to part like the tide to either side. ¡°Hiss! Hiss!¡± The Yin Evil Qi even made bizarre noises and eventually transformed into a wisp of white smoke that flew into the midair. Finally, he arrived in front of the Evil Suppressing Sword, grabbed the sixth sword body of the Evil Suppressing Sword, and powerful True Qi poured into the sword body, instantly causing the surrounding Yin Evil Qi to burn into a large amount of white smoke. The Heart Method Martial Arts of Supreme Yang was the nemesis of Yin Evil Qi. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± contained the Supreme Yang Martial Art Heart Method ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡±, giving it a formidable suppression against Yin Evil Qi. As An Jing¡¯s hand touched the hilt, a cold chill instantly surged from his palm to his mind, but it was soon dispersed by the surging True Qi. ¡°Rise!¡± An Jing gripped tightly. ¡°Hum! Hum!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword was drawn inch by inch, and the ground beneath the sword suddenly cracked open, shaking the entire small hill and then the whole of White Bone Mountain violently, as though there was an earthquake. ¡°Zoom!¡± The moment the sixth sword body of the Evil Suppressing Sword was drawn, a cold light shone between heaven and earth, and the temperature of White Bone Mountain plummeted once again. ¡°I have finally obtained the complete Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± An Jing murmured softly. ¡°Hum! Hum!¡± All six bodies of the Evil Suppressing Sword completely assembled, An Jing took out all the sword bodies from his waist, combined the six bodies into one, and immediately made a noise that pierced through the skies. The Evil Suppressing Sword, ranked third on the Famous Sword List, appeared in the world once again. The blood on the Evil Suppressing Sword flowed slowly, and an unparalleled Sword Intent emerged, causing the surrounding Yin Evil Qi to retreat a great distance. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± Suddenly, the sky was covered with dense clouds, and thunder rumbled faintly from within. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The sword summoned thunderous roars, the Qi surged toward the heavens. The lightning, like a coiled dragon, struck fiercely, illuminating the world brightly. An Jing, looking at the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hands, also had a gleam in his eyes. ¡­¡­. PS: Transitioning from mid to late stage. I¡¯ll organize the outline tonight, update tomorrow. Chapter 264 - Chapter 264: Chapter 264 The Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty Chapter 264: Chapter 264 The Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty The next moment, a chill rose from his heart. A streak of cold light silently assailed him, its speed incredibly fast. An Jing hastily utilized the ¡°Shrinking Land into Inches¡± technique and vanished from the spot. ¡°Thump!¡± A gigantic hook ruthlessly plunged into the ground, instantly stirring up dust and shattering rocks, leaving a massive pit where An Jing had just been standing. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing looked over and, to his astonishment, saw a scorpion a full zhang in height. The scorpion was entirely black, but its eyes glowed green, and the sharp hook on its tail emanated a heart-chilling light. An exotic beast!? In the world, there were some spiritual objects that, thanks to fortuitous opportunities and creation, such as the Honghu and the Thousand-year-old Black Python, had transformed. The black scorpion before him was also one such exotic beast. The difference was that this black scorpion had mutated by absorbing the Yin Evil Qi. ¡°Swoosh!¡± An Jing¡¯s body became like the wind, and he leaped straight onto the back of the black scorpion. The black scorpion, naturally feeling An Jing on its back, swung its tail hook madly at him. The cold glow hung in the air, leaving one feeling suffocated. wuxiaworld.site ¡°Zing!¡± The hook clashed violently with the sword blade, immediately causing An Jing to feel a huge force pull at him from the sword. ¡°This black scorpion sure is strong.¡± An Jing gripped the Evil Suppressing Sword with both hands, his eyebrows tightly knitted as he planted his feet on the back of the black scorpion. A man and a scorpion continued their tug-of-war, neither willing to give in, with surging force qi rippling outwards. Suddenly, with a hint of ferocity in its eyes, the black scorpion¡¯s giant pincers snapped fiercely towards An Jing. An Jing, hearing the wind beside his ear, thrust his sword forward sharply, causing the scorpion¡¯s tail hook to retract rapidly. He grabbed the Evil Suppressing Sword, his hands moving swiftly as he slid the sword toward the middle part of the scorpion¡¯s hook. ¡°Ssst!¡± The blade sliced cleanly, its sharp edge peerless, severing the black scorpion¡¯s tail hook in two, with black blood spurting out several meters high. With a sharp cry, the black scorpion charged forward frantically. An Jing promptly thrust the Evil Suppressing Sword heavily into the back of the black scorpion, emitting sparks of color as the razor-sharp tip pierced straight through the scorpion¡¯s iron armor. This was the sharpness of the Evil Suppressing Sword! Stabbed, the black scorpion¡¯s ferocity was roused further; its green eyes took on a hint of blood red, and it emitted a strange roar. Meanwhile, countless little black scorpions emerged from the surroundings and swarmed towards An Jing. ¡°Clang!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword moved in quick succession, tapping four times in front of him. The next moment! Four cross-shaped sword lights burst forth, shredding the swarm of little black scorpions, enveloping the area in a black rain. Sword Control Technique! An Jing narrowed his eyes, and with a slap of the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, The sword light, unmatched in its chill, turned into a streak of light and thrust forward, causing the surrounding air to spill out, lighting up the originally pitch-black night sky. ¡°Thud!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword directly penetrated the body of the black scorpion, and black blood splattered onto the ground, sizzling, before the black scorpion fell to the ground, twitching briefly before lying still. An Jing looked at the Evil Suppressing Sword that had returned to his hand, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. At the same time, in the Earth Book, black and purple radiances intertwined, shining brilliantly. Before An Jing could regain his composure, the small hill began to shake again, cracking in all directions from the center with the stele as the epicenter. ¡°Rumble! Rumble!¡± Upon closer inspection, the trembling wasn¡¯t just confined to the small hill, but the entire White Bone Mountain. ¡°What¡¯s this¡­¡± Such a disturbance, shaking tens of miles around, was also felt by Jun Qinglin beneath his feet. He couldn¡¯t help but look forward, feeling the Yin Evil Qi around him converging towards White Bone Mountain. An Jing looked at the fractured mountain range before him, feeling the surge of Yin Evil Qi from the dark rift like an incoming tide. This Yin Evil Qi was incredibly dense; even a grandmaster wouldn¡¯t dare to approach it recklessly. Through this Qi, one seemed to peek at countless wronged souls and fierce ghosts howling. Besides that, there were earth-shattering sounds of battle, resounding in the ears. It was as if the scene of tens of thousands of soldiers clashing in battle unfolded before the eyes¨Cthe clash of weapons, the neighing of horses, kicking up clouds of dust, and the ground scattered with innumerable amounts of fresh blood and corpses. At a glance, one couldn¡¯t see the end, ultimately leading to a mountain built of bones. This was White Bone Mountain! Indeed, White Bone Mountain was genuinely formed from a pile of bones. And these army ghosts had always been under the mountain, along with the Evil Suppressing Sword, as if they were suppressing some unknown fierce creature, holding back the surging Yin Evil Qi within the mountain. At this moment, with the Evil Suppressing Sword drawn, the Yin Evil Qi surged forth violently. ¡°Quick, leave!¡± Upon witnessing this eerie and terrifying scene, An Jing felt a sudden chill in his heart, his feet stepping on the scattered stones as he retreated into the distance. It was easier said than done, and before one knew it¨CBoom! The Yin Evil Qi rushed forward like a tangible giant hand, turbulent and stirring fiercely. An Jing¡¯s ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± began to circulate, and instantly a scorching stream of Qi surged around his body, dispersing all the approaching Yin Evil Qi. But the Yin Evil Qi was like an ocean, and as soon as the Qi in front was melted away, more surged forward in relentless waves. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± The Yin Evil Qi in front morphed into a violent storm, into thousands of troops and horses. A point of red light in the boundless darkness was simply insignificant. Even as all the True Qi inside An Jing gushed forward, it only held off the Yin Evil Qi for a moment before the overwhelming tide came rushing back, swallowing him up in an instant. Boom! That red light also disappeared, and suddenly White Bone Mountain became very still. After the Yin Evil Qi engulfed An Jing, apart from feeling cold, there were no other sensations, and in an instant, both his sight and mind were plunged into darkness. About three or four breaths later, a speck of light appeared before his eyes. Above his head was a pitch-black expanse, like an eternal night, and murky, unclean currents of air flowed around. All around was vast emptiness, devoid of any light. Underfoot was barren land as far as the eye could see. Through the black, muddy mist, one could discern an immense and majestic gate, ancient and heavy with history. The gate was a hundred zhang high and several tens of zhang wide, and if not for the fact that An Jing still had some distance from it, he probably wouldn¡¯t have been able to perceive its entirety. By the terrifying gateside, two stone sculptures on either side were carved with eerie and archaic patterns. ¡°What place is this?¡± An Jing took a glance around, feeling the utmost chill inside, ¡°Could this be Fengdu?¡± Fengdu governs the life of all things. When every living creature dies, their divine soul is brought to the Underworld, where all good and evil deeds from the Mortal World must be settled. As the saying goes, the living stay in the Mortal World, and the dead reside in the Underworld¨Cone world for the living, another for the dead. In the human world, nothing is more momentous than life and death. And at this moment, An Jing stood at the boundary between life and death. ¡°Swoosh!¡± In his mind, the Earth Book suddenly released an extreme black radiance. The stronger the light released, the closer the black opportunity was. The last time the Earth Book unleashed such an extreme black radiance was when he faced Jiang Shang. Is everything here just an illusion? Or is it real? An Jing watched the ancient gate before him with utmost calm, subconsciously reaching for the Evil Suppressing Sword at his waist. But his palm grasped at the void, as the sword was not on his belt. ¡°Could it be that I¡¯m truly dead?¡± Cold sweat broke out on An Jing¡¯s forehead as his heart pounded chaotically. ¡°` In this world, no one is unafraid of death, especially those whose hearts are still entangled with worldly concerns. ¡°Impossible¡­.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart became incredibly calm, his eyes narrowing into slits. If he had truly died, the Earth Book wouldn¡¯t possibly have emitted a black light. He walked forward, and before he knew it, he found himself in front of the ancient door. In front of this door, a person seemed insignificant, utterly minuscule. An Jing placed his hand on the ancient door and without any hesitation, he pushed hard. In an instant, darkness engulfed him from above; An Jing felt as if he had lost consciousness, his breathing slowly ceasing, and all the strength from his body slowly draining away. It seemed as if he could see his body gradually sinking into the darkness. His eyes seemed to glimpse a faint light, and by his ears, he could hear the sounds of battle. An Jing¡¯s soul began to separate from his flesh. His entire body felt like it was falling into darkness, but not into absolute darkness. A path appeared ahead of him, lined with flowers on both sides, followed by a tremendous noise, almost shattering his eardrums. Then, An Jing saw something enormous, seemingly without end. In front of the path, a strong light was refracting, not inducing fear, dread, or tension, but an unmatched tranquility. In one¡¯s life, there may be countless farewells, but the most heart-shaking is the farewell in death. That is a farewell to oneself. ¡°Click¨C!¡± The ancient door was opened. ¡°Whoosh!¡± ¡°Whoosh!¡± The moment the door was pushed open, An Jing too opened his eyes. Unknowingly, he had walked a circle through the Ghost Gate. He found himself within White Bone Mountain, where a faint sunlight cast its rays from above. The mountain was crumbling, chaotic, and the bare white bones on the ground were shockingly exposed. An Jing was enveloped in Yin Evil Qi, as if he was in the middle of darkness. In front of him, there seemed to be a ray of light¨Cit was Jun Qinglin, who was also trapped by the thick Yin Evil Qi, unable to move an inch. Even Jun Qinglin, a Five Qi Grandmaster, was powerless in the face of such dense Yin Evil Qi. A mysterious sound came from within the Yin Evil Qi, and a giant shadow crept forward, as if it was going to cover the sun in the sky. ¡°So it¡¯s you who¡¯s causing mischief¡­.¡± An Jing gazed at the specter before him. The Nameless Heart Scripture began to operate, and then he drew the Evil Suppressing Sword from his waist and struck forward. ¡°Shh!¡± The surrounding massive Yin Evil Qi dissipated. ¡°Kill!¡± ¡°Kill!¡± ¡°Kill!¡± From the vast and dark mist ahead, the sound of a thousand troops surged once more, the echoes of intense combat reverberated over the entire White Bone Mountain. An Jing saw an overwhelming darkness ahead, covering the sky and earth, endless to the eye¨Can army of countless soldiers, the military souls of the Great Zhou Dynasty who had died hundreds of years ago but had not yet dispersed. At that moment, they stood in front of An Jing, roaring as they charged into the vast sea of Yin Evil Qi. The military souls merged with the Yin Evil Qi, but still fearlessly continued their onslaught as if bound by a singular destiny. They had failed to defend Lengping City in the past, failed to protect the last stronghold of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and failed to protect the royal family of the Great Zhou Dynasty. This grievance was the reason their divine souls had not faded for so long. And now, once more, they faced the same choice. This time, whether in favorable or adverse circumstances, they resolved to advance with their heads high, leaving no room for regret. If thorny paths lay ahead, they would forge ahead, cutting through the obstacles. ¡°Kill¨C!¡± The cry of battle shook heaven and earth; no one retreated. With steel and valor, they roared mightily like tigers swallowing thousands of miles! The countless military souls surged forward towards the Yin Evil Qi, willing to dissolve into it, yet showing no sign of retreat. Fearless of death! ¡°` Divine Soul dissolves, this is true death! It was as if they had stayed in this world for hundreds of years, just to wait for this moment. An Jing looked at the scene before him, and an unusual emotion arose within him. Jun Qinglin walked to An Jing¡¯s side and slowly said, ¡°This Yin Evil Qi should have been caused by your removal of the Evil Suppressing Sword. These Army Souls should have been suppressing the Yin Evil Qi of White Bone Mountain together with the Evil Suppressing Sword, and this Yin Evil Qi was not produced by the Army Souls themselves.¡± The scene that unfolded at White Bone Mountain naturally attracted the attention of hundreds of thousands of commoners around Lengping City, many of whom raised their heads in surprise and looked up at the dark clouds rising from White Bone Mountain, and at the towering ghost city within the clouds. Dim lanterns hung high on the red pavilions, which were like a jade tower standing at the edge of the sky. ¡°That¡­ that is¡­¡± Ordinary people were visibly shocked at the sight, everyone was stunned. Fengdu! The legendary Fengdu has really appeared! ¡°Emperor Zi Wei has revealed his spirit.¡± An old man was seen tremblingly kneeling down. Seeing this, the surrounding commoners kneeled down en masse, their expressions extremely reverent. ¡­.. At White Bone Mountain, white bones covered the ground, and the Yin Evil Qi kept converging, forming a black vortex. An Jing looked at the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, then glanced at the Army Souls plunging into the Yin Evil Qi above, and suddenly he felt purple radiance fluttering within the fissure. At this time, the black opportunity had also disappeared from the Earth Book, leaving only the purple opportunity. An Jing leaped to the front of the crevice and looked down. Under the faint sunlight, he could see an ancient jade stone below. It was like a seal. ¡°Whoosh!¡± An Jing¡¯s palm sucked in, and the jade stone was drawn by the force, floating upwards, before finally landing in his palm. The Jade Seal was extremely peculiar, . ¡°Is this the Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s royal family?¡± Jun Qinglin looked at the Jade Seal in An Jing¡¯s hand, a glint flashing in his eyes. After Lengping was breached, Emperor Yan searched for months and failed to find the Imperial Jade Seal, ultimately he could only give up in frustration. It turned out the Jade Seal was actually within White Bone Mountain. ¡°It should be.¡± The moment An Jing held the Jade Seal, the purple opportunity on the Earth Book disappeared as well. This indicated that the Jade Seal was indeed the purple opportunity. Jun Qinglin whispered, ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± All of the 700,000 Army Souls were soldiers from the former Great Zhou Dynasty, and An Jing had the bloodline of the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s royal family; it was only natural for the Jade Seal to end up in his hands. An Jing channeled his True Qi into the Jade Seal. ¡°Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!¡± The Jade Seal flickered with a faint golden light, flying towards the sky. In a daze, the golden light of the Jade Seal grew bigger and bigger, obscuring the sun and enveloping the entire White Bone Mountain. The vast Yin Evil Qi, as if it had met its nemesis, scattered and fled, eventually being absorbed by Fengdu. As the Yin Evil Qi dispersed, the chill of White Bone Mountain began to fade, and the temperature between heaven and earth was slowly rising. That dazzling sunlight once again shone upon this land, warm and inviting, once again bursting with vitality. Meanwhile, countless Army Souls on White Bone Mountain turned towards An Jing¡¯s location and then knelt down in unison. Looking over, it was only a vast expanse of black, endless and boundless, as if it had no end. There was no speech, nor any sound. But the scene was extremely spectacular and awe-inspiring, even Jun Qinglin felt his heart tremble. An Jing took an instinctive step forward, looking at the dark mass of Army Souls before him. At that moment, it was as if a thunderous sound rang out in his heart. The next moment, these Army Souls, without any hesitation, headed towards Fengdu floating in the sky. The great army moved out, with grand and mighty momentum, connecting heaven and earth. An Jing watched as those military souls surged into Fengdu, then glanced at the Jade Seal in his hand, ¡°I never expected this Jade Seal to be such an extraordinary treasure.¡± There are many unique and unparalleled treasures in the world, such as the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror and the Heavenly Flipping Seal crafted by the Demon Sect in imitation of the Imperial Jade Seal from the Great Qin Dynasty. They are treasures that firmly establish the foundation of their respective sects, exceedingly precious. And not only does the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s Imperial Jade Seal symbolize status and position, but it is also a powerful offensive exotic treasure. Jun Qinglin couldn¡¯t help but think to himself, ¡°This Jade Seal is not inferior to the Heavenly Flipping Seal, it might even be stronger. This young man truly has great fortune upon him. His visit to White Bone Mountain was clearly fraught with extreme danger, but in the end, not only did he complete the Evil Suppressing Sword, but he also obtained this exotic treasure. His strength must have greatly increased. If he reaches the Three Qi, aside from the Five Qi Grandmasters, I¡¯m afraid there are few in the world who could be his match.¡± At that moment, Fengdu in the sky also became illusory, then completely disappeared, as if it had never appeared. All of White Bone Mountain fell into silence. An Jing spoke softly, ¡°Great Elder, there really is a Fengdu in this world.¡± Jun Qinglin also looked towards the horizon and said, ¡°Indeed there is, this is my first encounter as well. To peer into its mysteries, I¡¯m afraid one must reach the true Immortal level.¡± Great Grandmasters are called Demi Immortals or Land Immortals. Aren¡¯t true Immortals even above the level of Great Grandmasters? Throughout the ancient and modern times, there have been people who have reached the realm of Great Grandmaster; the realm above Great Grandmaster is merely rumored among mortals. Whether or not such a realm exists is left to people¡¯s conjectures and guesses. An Jing touched the Jade Seal in his hand, ¡°From now on, this Lengping City will return to calm once again.¡± ¡­.. Three days later, Jiangnan Dao. The confluence of Yu State River and the small boat in the misty rain, the birds floating in the fog and the riverbanks are not as turbulent as the northern waters, but they possess a more engaging charm; everything appears soft, clear, clean, and spotless. In the awning boat, An Jing and Jun Qinglin sat facing each other. Looking at Yu State City, where he had lived for dozens of years, An Jing¡¯s heart was filled with a sense of poignancy at the moment. In the year that had past, he had visited many places: the bitterly cold Dongluo Pass in the north, the Russell Clan in the desolate lands, Jinghai City on the difficult-to-reach islands, and even Yujing City, blooming like a brocade of dazzling flowers¡­ But still, he missed the misty rain of Yu State City. Jun Qinglin held a cup of wine, looking at the small bridges over flowing water, his expression tinged with a measure of leisurely contentment. Just then, as the boat slowly drifted past the Grand Tea House, it came to the entrance of Jishi Hall. ¡°Woof! Woof!¡± Suddenly, a loud barking erupted. An Jing followed the sound and saw a black dog on the shore, barking excitedly. It then spun around and barked twice more, seemingly unable to contain its emotions, and with a splash, it dove into the river, swimming towards the boat. Little Blackie? An Jing recognized at a glance that this was the Little Blackie Tan Yun had adopted. Now, Little Blackie had grown quite a bit larger than before, but due to its breed, it would never grow very large; it still looked just like a bench-legged dog. Sure enough, Little Blackie quickly reached the side of the boat, its eyes excitedly fixed on An Jing. An Jing reached out his hand and lifted Little Blackie aboard, ¡°You¡¯re still alive, huh?¡± Jun Qinglin put down his cup and laughed, ¡°We have a tasty treat delivered right to us, how convenient, just when we lack a dish to accompany the wine.¡± Little Blackie certainly didn¡¯t understand their words, running circles around An Jing, its tail wagging excitedly. An Jing patted Little Blackie on the head and said with a smile, ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve gained some weight, Jie Se did not mistreat you.¡± Little Blackie howled and bit at An Jing¡¯s pants, jumping up and scurrying around to show its excitement. At this moment, another small boat drifted over, and a man in black approached and spoke softly, ¡°An Tributor, news has arrived.¡± ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°The Yan Kingdom Court is preparing for the Zhong Mountain Heavenly Ceremony. Lin Yiyang has already hinted at attending this Solitary Deer Assembly. In addition, many swordsmen will participate, including both old generation and new swordsmen.¡± ¡°Is there any news of the Sword Demon?¡± An Jing asked. Not long ago, the Exalted Vajra had already returned to Buddhism, and the news that the Sword Demon was still alive had spread throughout the world in the past few days, causing a stir in Jianghu. After all, no one in Jianghu had imagined that the Sword Demon, who had vanished for so long, would still be alive. Many had believed that the Sword Demon had perished in the hands of the Houjin. Furthermore, the Sword Demon had severely injured the Exalted Vajra with his first strike, which was enough to prove that his strength was still above that of the Exalted Vajra, and he had made further progress compared to when he disappeared. With the reappearance of such a legendary figure in the martial world, the debate over who holds the title of the world¡¯s number one swordsman has risen once more. Who is truly the world¡¯s number one swordsman? Some insist it¡¯s the Ghost Swordsman, but even more think it¡¯s the Sword Demon. After all, the Sword Demon has severely injured the Exalted Vajra, even though the Exalted Vajra managed to escape by using a secret technique. But with the Sword Demon¡¯s strength, he is far above the Exalted Vajra. Moreover, decades ago, the Sword Demon had already reached the Sixth Realm in his Sword Dao. With so many years having passed since, it would not be surprising if his mastery of the Sword Dao has reached the peak of the Sixth Realm. Even if the Ghost Swordsman had incredible talent, he couldn¡¯t possibly be the match for that once top swordsman in the world. Some also believed that the Ghost Swordsman was actually the best swordsman in the world because even the Exalted Vajra had been defeated by him, and it was a fair and square defeat. In that perilous battle on Blue Sky Island, even Ye Ding died, yet he managed to survive. However, these discussions had both sides presenting their own arguments, but since the Ghost Swordsman and the Sword Demon hadn¡¯t fought, it was unclear who was stronger. Nevertheless, the emergence of the Sword Demon had stirred up a fervor for the title of the world¡¯s best swordsman. ¡°No.¡± The Human Sect spy shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s as if he has disappeared once again, without any news.¡± ¡°Hiding your head while showing your tail will lead to your eventual appearance.¡± An Jing said with a faint smile, ¡°Is there any other news?¡± ¡°There are two other pieces of significant news, the first concerns the Shuangmu Forest that the Tributor asked us to pay attention to.¡± The Human Sect expert¡¯s expression darkened as he said, ¡°Half a month ago, an unusual event occurred in Shuangmu Forest. Many experts of Shuangmu Manor died tragically, and Liu Qingshan, who had been detained, was rescued by a mysterious expert. Then the mysterious expert took Liu Qingshan and stormed into the Cao Gang Headquarters, where the impostor posing as Liu Qingshan was killed. He turned out to be the well-known Thousand-faced Ghost Shadow, Chen Wentai, from Jianghu. The Poison Master, Guo Yuchun, took the opportunity to escape. Afterwards, Liu Qingshan issued invitations for the Five Gangs Alliance, and Chen Wandou of Wangjing Sea responded to the call as well. It seems the establishment of the Five Gangs Alliance is imminent¡­¡± An Jing had never forgotten about the Cao Gang, whose real gang leader, Liu Qingshan, had been trapped in Shuangmu Forest. And Mu Xiaoyun, the head of the Vermilion Bird Seat, was Liu Qingshan¡¯s wife. An Jing had planned to rescue the real Liu Qingshan when the Demon Sect returned and leverage the influence of the Cao Gang in places like Jiangnan Dao to better spread the sect¡¯s beliefs. After all, a strong dragon does not repress local snakes, and the Cao Gang, being one of the five gangs, still had considerable clout in various places of Jianghu. Now, it seemed that someone had anticipated and outmaneuvered him, and the person behind this appeared to have significant backing. The Five Gangs Alliance had not been successful because Chen Wandou of Wangjing Sea did not agree to it. Now, just as the impostor Liu Qingshan died, he agreed to it, which clearly indicated premeditation. ¡°It is very likely that this person is the Second Prince,¡± An Jing thought to himself, his eyes narrowing slightly. Originally the Demon Sect and the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had planned to kill the impostor Liu Qingshan, but due to an unfortunate coincidence, An Jing had stopped them. According to Human Sect intelligence, Chen Wandou had also been leaning towards the Second Prince in secret. Linking together various clues, it wasn¡¯t difficult to guess the person behind the scenes. An Jing asked, ¡°What else is there?¡± The Human Sect spy quickly bowed and said, ¡°There¡¯s news from the Sect Hierarch. She says that Houjin is increasingly active, and their army seems to be preparing to move out. She hopes that An Tributor and the Great Elder will hurry back to Dongluo Pass as soon as possible.¡± An Jing¡¯s brows raised slightly. Even though he had anticipated that Houjin would make a move against Dongluo Pass, he didn¡¯t expect it to happen so soon. ¡°Alright, I understand. You may go now,¡± An Jing said. The Human Sect expert bowed with his fists and then slowly retreated. An Jing was stroking the head of little Blacky, murmuring to himself, ¡°Winter is approaching, and the roads will be icy and slippery, making it difficult for horses to travel. It should be a feint by Houjin, but we cannot afford to neglect it.¡± ¡°Woof! Woof!¡± At this moment, little Blacky started barking furiously at Jun Qinglin, as if it recalled that earlier hostile gaze. Jun Qinglin was staring at little Blacky, chuckling, ¡°This dog is quite clever, are you taking it back to Dongluo Pass?¡± An Jing rubbed the fur on little Blacky¡¯s body and looked towards the distant mountain peaks, ¡°The journey is too far, so let¡¯s leave it here. Before that, I want to pay a visit to an old friend.¡± It had been a long time since he had seen Han Wenxin, and he wondered how he was doing in his studies at Fa Xi Temple. ¡°Go home, keep a good watch over the house.¡± After disembarking from the small boat, An Jing left little Blacky by the roadside and then gave a few instructions before heading towards Three Temple Mountain. Little Blacky wailed in the back but ultimately did not follow. It just watched the figure of An Jing getting farther away and then sat down to lick its fur. There was a constant stream of people going up and down the stone steps. Seeing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but remark, ¡°Buddhism is thriving.¡± Jun Qinglin replied with a light tone, ¡°This indicates that the times of turmoil are coming.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart jolted, agreeing completely with Jun Qinglin¡¯s words. Buddhism flourishes when the world is in chaos; the more tumultuous the world is, the greater the suffering of mortal beings. While talking, the two arrived at the top of Three Temple Mountain, just as a figure appeared not far away. It was a novice monk about ten years old, with good looks and a clean, handsome face despite his young age. He wore a pale grey monk¡¯s robe and held a wooden fish and mallet in his hands. Jun Qinglin communicated through a transmission, ¡°This little monk seems extraordinary.¡± Surprise flickered in his eyes. This young monk, roughly ten years old, had already reached the Grandmaster Realm in his cultivation. Generally, high-level Grandmasters can conceal their aura, and even those one to three minor realms higher might not sense any fluctuations in their energy. But Jun Qinglin was easily aware of the aura from this young monk. This was because, firstly, his own cultivation was much higher than the young monk¡¯s, and secondly, because the young monk¡¯s cultivation had been hastily assembled through some secret technique, appearing somewhat lightweight. This novice monk was none other than Fa Wu. An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°Master Fa Wu, we meet again.¡± ¡°Benefactor, you honor me with your presence,¡± replied the monk. Upon seeing An Jing, Master Fa Wu brought his palms together in a gesture of respect. Through the Buddhist network of information, he had also learned that the once doctor from Jishi Hall was the ghost swordsman of the Demon Sect, which shook him to his core. After all, anyone who heard this would find it absurd and bizarre. An Jing glanced at Fa Wu and said, ¡°The master¡¯s cultivation has made progress, congratulations are in order.¡± The last time he saw Fa Wu, he was at the First Grade, and now, in such a short time, he had reached Grandmaster level; it seemed there was indeed something extraordinary about Fa Wu. However, Fa Wu¡¯s expression was solemn as he said, ¡°My cultivation is different from the benefactor¡¯s, it came easily and is not worth mentioning.¡± Others only knew he had reached the status of Grandmaster, but he himself knew how his cultivation had been achieved. What was there for him to be proud of? The two looked each other in the eyes, An Jing¡¯s gaze was calm, and so was Fa Wu¡¯s. An Jing knew this matter concerned the secret sorrows of Buddhism, and he immediately asked, ¡°May I inquire if Monk Jie Se is around?¡± Fa Wu shook his head, ¡°The benefactor has come at an inopportune time, my disciple has gone down the mountain to wash his hair.¡± ¡°To wash his hair?¡± An Jing and Jun Qinglin exchanged glances. Did a bald monk need to wash his hair? Fa Wu explained, ¡°Monk Jie Se comes from a wealthy home and is generous and kind; he says there are many poor women working hard at the base of the mountain, and he goes down to wash his hair and incidentally gives alms to them.¡± An Jing said meaningfully, ¡°He truly is a noted philanthropist.¡± Only someone as guileless as Fa Wu would be deceived by Han Wenxin. In the end, An Jing did not manage to see Han Wenxin and stood up to take his leave. On the way down the mountain, An Jing thought of Fa Wu and furrowed his brows, ¡°That Monk Fa Wu has a unique physique, seemingly able to continuously absorb relics to enhance his cultivation.¡± Relics, which generally are bone relics, only come into existence after a Bodhisattva-level monk passes away, and not every deceased high monk results in relics. Therefore, relics, even within Buddhism, are extremely rare treasures. An Jing had once absorbed two relics and was very aware of their efficacy and power. But relics cannot be absorbed endlessly. After taking in two relics himself, he found it difficult to further absorb relics for cultivation. From Fa Wu, he sensed an overwhelming aura of relics. If one continued to absorb relics, what heights could one¡¯s cultivation eventually reach? It appeared that Buddhism had bet all its treasures on Fa Wu alone. Jun Qinglin narrowed his eyes slightly, ¡°Indeed, there is something peculiar; we should also be cautious about Buddhism.¡± All powers in the world have their schemes, and even the Buddhist monks who practice daily in the temples have their own calculations. Although the Demon Sect and Buddhism have formed an alliance for now, who can guarantee that Buddhism won¡¯t stand against the Demon Sect in the future? ¡°Let¡¯s go back,¡± said An Jing, taking one last look at Three Temple Mountain before shaking his head. ¡­.. In Yujing City, the Imperial Palace. Within the empress¡¯s sleeping chamber, the voluptuous Zuo Linglong lay on a divan, her fair and smooth thighs exposed, holding a small wine cup in her hand. ¡°Mother!¡± At that moment, a crisp voice rang out as Zhao Xuening hurried in. Zuo Linglong looked at her only daughter and couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°What brings you here now?¡± Zhao Xuening spoke coquettishly, ¡°Mother, I heard that my second brother went to see old man Lv.¡± She was very astute and knew Zhao Mengtai¡¯s visit to Lv Guoyong was surely to discuss her own marriage to the top scholar Zhou Xianming. Although her mother was very fond of Zhou Xianming, she herself did not share the sentiment. ¡°Indeed, Mengtai did go,¡± said Zuo Linglong, swirling her wine cup and speaking indifferently, ¡°But Zhou Xianming refused. He said he does not wish to be a prince consort.¡± Relieved, Zhao Xuening¡¯s face showed a look of release from a heavy burden. ¡°I saw Zhou Xianming during the imperial examination,¡± Zuo Linglong sat up, her bosom heaving as she set the wine cup on the table. ¡°With my experience in judging men, I believe he will be a person of significance in the future. You may feel smug now, but you might end up with regrets.¡± Zhao Xuening quickly asked upon hearing this, ¡°Mother, you have a keen eye for men; can you tell what the future holds for An Jing?¡± Zuo Linglong couldn¡¯t help but recall the white-clothed sword immortal of the Heavenly Martial Sect she saw that day and only after a long time did she reply, ¡°But he is a married man.¡± Zhao Xuening looked earnestly at Zuo Linglong and said, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with being a married man? Mother, don¡¯t you always tell me that if you want something, you must fight for it? Without fighting, it will never be yours.¡± If she didn¡¯t try to fight for it, she always felt she would regret it in the future. Zuo Linglong was greatly moved inside; if it were An Jing¡­ It seemed that even his Imperial Majesty was quite satisfied with him. Zuo Linglong asked, ¡°What do you want to do?¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuening¡¯s face flushed slightly and she said, ¡°Please teach me, Mother.¡± She only knew she wanted to do this, but how to do it, she did not know. ¡°To capture a man¡¯s heart, you must first understand a man.¡± Zuo Linglong laughed softly and said, ¡°Knowing the enemy and knowing yourself, you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.¡± Zhao Xuening thought for a moment and said, ¡°I heard second brother say that he likes to frequent brothels to listen to music¡­¡± ¡°Tsk¡­ Men.¡± Zuo Linglong scoffed upon hearing this and then said, ¡°But knowing this weakness of his makes things much easier to handle.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes brightened immediately, ¡°Mother means¡­¡± Zuo Linglong heard her and glared at Zhao Xuening fiercely, ¡°What kind of women are in those brothels? How can any of them compare to you?¡± As she spoke, Zuo Linglong felt that something was wrong with her comparison; how could she compare her daughter to the women of brothels? Zuo Linglong took a deep breath, ¡°You need to find an opportunity to get close to him, seduce him with your beauty. Men are very hard to control, unless they are¡­¡± Zhao Xuening quickly asked, ¡°Unless what?¡± Zuo Linglong said, ¡°Unless they are not men.¡± Zhao Xuening sighed deeply and said, ¡°But he is in Jianghu, and I am in the palace. It¡¯s extremely difficult to even see him once.¡± Zuo Linglong slowly walked to her daughter¡¯s side and said, ¡°There is a way that can let you see him whenever you wish.¡± ¡°What way?¡± Zuo Linglong pressed her lips to her daughter¡¯s ear, her voice very low, ¡°If you take the place of your father, wouldn¡¯t it be easy to meet anybody you wish?¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s heart stirred, but her eyebrows raised slightly as she spoke in a low voice, ¡°Mother, we must not speak carelessly about such matters.¡± Zuo Linglong smiled and said no more. ¡­ In Houjin, Heavenly Water City. A major battle between Houjin and Yan Country ended with Houjin losing two banners of their military force. Out of thirteen banners, the loss of two banners was not a fatal blow to Houjin, but it was not a minor injury either. Over the last decades, Houjin had developed rapidly, not only in economic trade; its many tribes also saw significant population changes compared to forty years ago. Finding two new tribes to replace them was not hard; the difficulty lay in assembling an army of two hundred thousand in a short period of time. Under the dim yellow light. A map was slowly spread out on the tabletop. Yan Country, Houjin, Dongluo Pass, Zhao Country, the Southern Barbarians, and many other forces were clearly marked on the map. Zongzheng Yue looked at the map in front of her, her eyes filled with utter solemnity. Soul Seeker Mansion¡¯s Zeng Zhen stepped in slowly and said, ¡°Princess.¡± Zongzheng Yue asked, ¡°Has her intelligence arrived?¡± Zeng Zhen took a letter from his bosom and said, ¡°This contains the defensive layout of the Demon Sect¡¯s sixty thousand Black Armored Army, the granary locations, and intelligence material on many of the Demon Sect¡¯s experts.¡± A glint appeared in Zongzheng Yue¡¯s eyes, ¡°Very well.¡± Zeng Zhen asked carefully, ¡°Princess, do you really intend to¡­?¡± After all, Houjin had just been defeated by Yan Country, and they had also suffered a setback at Sanfeng Pass. To now wage war again, if they won it would be one thing, but if they lost, it would be a tremendous blow. ¡°Keep your worries to yourself.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zongzheng Yue¡¯s lips curled up with a confident smile, ¡°The most formidable thing about the Demon Sect is not the sixty thousand Black Armored Army, but the Jianghu experts who come and go without a trace. This time I am well-prepared; they have experts in the Demon Sect, but doesn¡¯t Houjin have them as well?¡± The fearfulness of the Demon Sect lay in their ability to behead leaders amidst army clashes. If it were purely a matter of war, with just sixty to seventy thousand soldiers at Dongluo Pass, it would have been reduced to ashes long ago. Zeng Zhen was shocked inwardly and said no more; Houjin¡¯s march southward would inevitably lead to an epic battle with the Demon Sect, it was just a matter of time. Zongzheng Yue¡¯s gaze landed on Dongluo Pass on the floor, a cold light flashing in her eyes, and then her hand clenched fiercely. ¡­ Chapter 265 - Chapter 265: Chapter 265: The Five Qi Grandmaster Appears in the Wind and Sand Chapter 265: Chapter 265: The Five Qi Grandmaster Appears in the Wind and Sand Deep autumn presented a desolate scene; the fields after harvest stretched bare as far as the eye could see. In the fields, livestock walked back and forth with drooping heads, and flocks of sparrows occasionally erupted from the wheat fields into the air. Crows circled low in the sky before one let out a cry of despair and flew away. After obtaining the complete Evil Suppressing Sword, An Jing visited Yu State City once more before hastily heading towards Dongluo Pass. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s letter mentioned that Houjin had been increasingly active recently, and no one knew when the great army might descend from the north, so he had to quicken his pace. As a Five Qi Grandmaster, Jun Qinglin naturally was extraordinary, capable of reaching Blue Sky Island on Jinghai Road from Dongluo Pass. Although An Jing was only at the Second Qi Cultivation level, practicing the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± allowed him to absorb True Qi extremely fast, nearly matching Jun Qinglin¡¯s pace. The two of them traveled northward through Lingnan Dao, East Lin Road, and after several days, they directly reached Yunlin City on Beihuang Dao. As soon as they passed through the official road of Yunlin City, they would arrive at Dongluo Pass. News from Dongluo Pass came incessantly. As the weather cooled, Houjin showed no further movements, like a fierce tiger yawning, which nevertheless kept Dongluo Pass extremely tense. With tens of hundreds of thousands of soldiers poised to descend, could Dongluo Pass truly hold? In the melancholic autumn breeze, Jun Qinglin stood atop a hill outside Yunlin City. Since he left Dongluo Pass, there were still spots of green light to be seen, but now, there were only the barren hills and the desolate cries of crows flying past. Jun Qinglin gazed at the drifting white clouds in the sky, feeling a sudden sense of melancholy, ¡°I left this land over thirty years ago and haven¡¯t returned since. This time, the departure may be even longer¡­¡± Over thirty years was a long time indeed, but how much longer could ¡°even longer¡± be? ¡°Great Elder.¡± An Jing also gazed into the distance and asked, ¡°How difficult is that final shackle to break through?¡± wuxiaworld.site There were a few Five Qi Grandmasters in the world, all top masters of the various peaks. There surely must have been some over the past few hundred years, but did none reach the Great Grandmaster Realm? Jun Qinglin spoke slowly, ¡°Holy relics linger amidst treacherous paths, the Spiritual Lamp emerges from chaos. To reach the Land Immortal Realm, the final step is to ignite the Spiritual Lamp and attach the longevity lock. Only then can one truly reach the Great Grandmaster level. The Spiritual Lamp is a lamp in the mind, and to light it requires insight into life and willpower, profound upon profound. The longevity lock, even more so, is tied to the laws of heaven and earth. Heavenly Human Communication and Separating Heaven and Earth are both methods to attach the longevity lock, but just the initial steps of Heavenly Human Communication and Separating Heaven and Earth are insufficient to secure it.¡± An Jing knew it was not easy for a Five Qi Grandmaster to become a Great Grandmaster, but he hadn¡¯t anticipated it would be this difficult, ¡°To ignite the Spiritual Lamp, to attach the longevity lock¡­¡± Jun Qinglin chuckled lightly, ¡°There are prodigies in this world. Some are born with the Spiritual Lamp already lit, and some Five Qi Grandmasters spend decades without a chance to ignite it.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Great Elder, are you now¡­¡± In Jianghu, one¡¯s cultivation was taboo, and even master and disciple would not reveal their true level of cultivation, as it was the greatest secret in Jianghu. Especially at Jun Qinglin¡¯s level, it was something that should never be spoken of. Jun Qinglin did not hide it, answering, ¡°The Spiritual Lamp is already lit, but the longevity lock remains unattached.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart stirred. To have lit the Spiritual Lamp, didn¡¯t that mean he was half a step into the Great Grandmaster Realm? ¡°When I reached the Five Qi Realm, my only thought was to discard all distractions and break through to the Great Grandmaster Realm. I then went straight to the Sealing Demon Platform for a closed-door retreat. Only then did I realize how difficult it was to step into the Great Grandmaster Realm. I spent ten years and still couldn¡¯t ignite the Spiritual Lamp. Last year, my state of mind changed, and I managed to light it by chance,¡± said Jun Qinglin. Seeing the spark in An Jing¡¯s eyes, Jun Qinglin shook his head with a wry smile, ¡°But attaching the longevity lock is the hardest step. My lifespan is not long, and I don¡¯t know if I can succeed in the time I have left.¡± At his level and age, without attaching the longevity lock, it was hard to make any progress in his realm, and he might die without achieving the Dao. Yet Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyes showed indifference. An Jing smiled, ¡°Great Elder, you are a rare talent of the ages. Surely you will have the opportunity to secure the longevity lock.¡± Jun Qinglin just smiled and said nothing. Speaking of Jun Qinglin¡¯s talent, it surely was extraordinary. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been valued by Leng Xiansheng, nor would he have reached the Five Qi Realm. But whether he could make that final step, he wasn¡¯t entirely sure himself. The two looked out at the sea of clouds, saying nothing. Jun Qinglin, being from Yan Country, had his entire life, his glory and shame, his joy and sorrow, his longing¡­ all borne by this land. It¡¯s just that he himself did not know when he would next set foot on this land. Years go by, depositing the sands of time, washing away lives. With one look back, a landscape is captured; with a single turn, a story of time is told. Now, in this vast Jianghu, it was hard for him to find many old friends. This Jianghu would remember him, Jun Qinglin, standing over eight feet tall, perhaps even for hundreds of years, but how many really understood him, knew him? At sunset, the mountains and seas return to tranquility, hiding deep meanings. There is no one without regrets, just that some choose not to voice them. Jun Qinglin turned to look at An Jing¡¯s youthful face, his mind involuntarily recalling Ye Ding and Yu Ying, consumed by flames, and he couldn¡¯t help but exhale a long breath. An Jing asked, ¡°Great Elder, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Jun Qinglin let out a sigh, ¡°Our Jianghu has grown old.¡± ¡­.. The two continued on their journey after that, passing through Yunlin City and reaching the official road which led them to Dongluo Pass, just a few hundred miles away. On the barren frontier, desolate and expansive, dust storms prevail. Along the way, the two men saw several trade caravans and escorted horse carriages. An Jing¡¯s heart grew increasingly eager, as it had been three months since he left Dongluo Pass, and he hadn¡¯t seen his wife in a long time. Suddenly, Jun Qinglin halted in his steps, peering into the distance. An Jing¡¯s brow also furrowed deeply. Up ahead, a wall of yellow sand swept through, looking like a soaring yellow dragon from afar, imposing a terrifying might that bore down on everything. Under the faint sunlight, the sand carried a shimmer of broken gold. In the vastness of heaven and earth, everything seemed to vanish except for the advancing yellow dust. And then, even the yellow dust gradually disappeared, leaving only a lone figure standing amidst it. The dust storm enveloped the area, and with such a distance between them, the figure and their features were indiscernible. A powerful expert! An Jing sensed an extremely strong aura from within, a suffocating feeling, the last time he felt this was when he faced Jiang Shang at the Earth Flower Realm. But now, his cultivation was no longer that of Earth Flower, and the person ahead was not Jiang Shang. ¡°I have been waiting for a long time.¡± A sonorous and deep voice traveled from afar. Transmission through the air! While not a particularly profound technique, to dare such an act of transmission in the presence of An Jing and Jun Qinglin meant that this was no ordinary expert. ¡°What¡¯s meant to come will come.¡± Jun Qinglin smiled faintly, as if he had anticipated this battle all along. An Jing¡¯s heart jolted, and then he scowled, ¡°Great Elder, is he¡­?¡± ¡°He wants to see if the Jianghu under my command still retains its warmth.¡± Jun Qinglin looked at his own palm, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes, ¡°The dust storm is too strong. You should wait here, while I go and meet him.¡± With that said, Jun Qinglin, dressed in a black robe, walked toward the front. His steps were firm and steady, his clothes flapping in the gale¡¯s roar. His footsteps on the gravel made a faint sound, and his figure gradually faded into the dust storm, or rather, merged into it. ¡°The Holy Master of Houjin?¡± An Jing¡¯s expression carried a trace of solemnity. There were not many experts in the world bold enough to clash with Jun Qinglin, and up to now, An Jing had only seen Qi Xuan Dao in action. However, at that time, An Jing had employed Ghost Transformation, greatly enhancing his strength, so he didn¡¯t feel the pressure facing Qi Xuan Dao as he did today. Without the Ghost Transformation, he now acutely felt the overpowering pressure exerted by the Five Qi Grandmaster. The Holy Master of the Great Snow Mountain, the lord of Houjin Royal Court. This individual, within a span of twenty years, united the vast grasslands. Before Zongzheng Huachun emerged, the grassland tribes waged separate wars until this dominant figure appeared. His achievements were etched into each grassland tribe, revered as the supreme chieftain of his time. Even the Martial Arts Emperor of Taiping paled in comparison concerning achievements. After all, the Martial Arts Emperor of Taiping had usurped the throne of Yan Country, whereas this grassland Holy Master united a land never before consolidated. And like the usurper Taiping Emperor, he too was a Martial Arts Emperor with unfathomable power. Now this pinnacle expert stood before them in this place. The wind howled, and the dust storm grew fiercer, obscuring the whole sky. Then the earth itself began to tremble. His purpose was clear and straightforward. It certainly wasn¡¯t a reunion because he and Jun Qinglin had no past friendship to reminisce about. The veil was lifted on an earth-shattering battle. The world was chaotic, dust filled the air, and An Jing felt his body swaying, as if to be blown away by the mighty force qi. Due to the shroud of yellow sand, An Jing couldn¡¯t see the details of the great battle but could only sense the True Qi surging tumultuously. Time marched on relentlessly, and before he knew it, an hour had passed. He did not approach but merely watched from a distance. The grains of sand carried within them a terrifying force. Darkness loomed over, sand flew, winds raged, and the sky was a dance of flying sand and rocks. ¡°` Two figures stood tall amidst the whirling sand, facing each other across the void. Dressed in a long black robe, Jun Qinglin stood on the gravel, his left sleeve already torn, yet his expression remained as calm as still water, out of place in this part of the world. He had seemingly broken free from the bonds of heaven and earth and was no longer affected by them in the slightest. In front of him, the wind and sand swirled, countless grains of sand building up to form a gigantic sand figure. It blocked out the sun, casting a shadow as if it were eclipse. Jun Qinglin smiled faintly, saying, ¡°Your strength has now reached the pinnacle in the world.¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Not yet, the pinnacle of the world can only accommodate one person.¡± Jun Qinglin narrowed his eyes, ¡°Do you wish to become the number one in the world?¡± Zongzheng Huachun laughed heartily, ¡°When you ask such a question, don¡¯t you also harbor the same thought in your heart?¡± The number one in the world! Who doesn¡¯t want to be the first in Jianghu, the first in the world? Jun Qinglin shook his head, ¡°You do not know what I am thinking.¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Perhaps everyone has their troubles, but becoming the first in the world can solve most of them.¡± Jun Qinglin gazed at the ¡®young man¡¯ before him, saying, ¡°Being the first in the world is a trouble in itself.¡± Zongzheng Huachun started to laugh, ¡°Then give that trouble to me.¡± ¡°You might not be able to handle it.¡± ¡°You just don¡¯t want to give it up.¡± ¡°The title of the world¡¯s first is not in my hands, how can I give it to you?¡± Two men, neither of whom were the world¡¯s first, were debating over the title, a rather incomprehensible sight to behold. People are different at times, but alike at other times. It is because of similarities that differences arise, leading to conflicts. Neither Zongzheng Huachun nor Jun Qinglin spoke. They seemed to be saying their farewells, though not a single word of goodbye was mentioned in their conversation. The yellow sand whirled up into a long dragon, covering the sky, like a vast flood, submerging both men in the brilliant grains of sand. The swirling sand collided with each other; every minute collision was like a tumultuous upheaval to both men. Neither made a move. Why not move? At such a realm, to remain still was to move. A glimmer of deep light emerged in Jun Qinglin¡¯s eyes, cold to the extreme, as if it could veil the entire sky. That beam of light did not come from his eyes, nor from this world, but from another. Zongzheng Huachun saw the light coming toward him and still did not move. The deep light streaked across the sky, blood flowing down from fingertips to fall upon the sand. And the moment the blood fell, the rising yellow sand exploded into action. As the sandstorm swept across, the sun blazed high above, the tangerine sky and the earth merged into one. ¡°Let¡¯s stop here,¡± Zongzheng Huachun said after a long while. He finally moved, but it was to turn and walk away towards the distance. Just as in the past, stopping at an agreed point. ¡­¡­. An Jing gazed at the flying sand and rocks in the distance, waiting with patience and urgency. Suddenly, the swirling sand ahead halted, and a thump echoed in An Jing¡¯s heart as she couldn¡¯t help looking forward. The yellow sand settled, and a figure walked towards her upon the gravel, the evening sun¡¯s lingering light casting shadows on his shoulders. Jun Qinglin. The man wasn¡¯t walking fast or slow, occasionally lifting his head to glance at the sunset in the sky. ¡°` ¡°Great Elder.¡± An Jing breathed a sigh of relief and looked toward the distance, ¡°Has Zongzheng Huachun left?¡± ¡°He has.¡± Jun Qinglin glanced at his shattered sleeves, smiling, ¡°In my hands, he wished to pick up a bargain, to stand atop the true summit.¡± Hearing this, An Jing gave Jun Qinglin a thumbs up, ¡°Great Elder, you fought Qi Xuan Dao first and then Zongzheng Huachun. You are second to none in the world.¡± It seemed that Jun Qinglin was not seriously harmed. Could it be that Zongzheng Huachun had once again retreated in defeat? Jun Qinglin shook his head, ¡°I am not the best in the world.¡± Jun Qinglin had not become the world¡¯s number one martial artist. Neither had Qi Xuan Dao become the number one martial artist in the world. Then, who could be the world¡¯s number one martial artist? So many people in the world, there must be someone who becomes the number one. Jun Qinglin¡¯s complexion suddenly turned red, and then blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. ¡°Great Elder.¡± An Jing quickly supported Jun Qinglin, his expression becoming grave. Last time, Jun Qinglin had fought Qi Xuan Dao fiercely without getting injured. But now, bleeding indicated the extreme peril of this battle. ¡°Zongzheng Huachun was also injured.¡± Jun Qinglin said with self-depreciation, ¡°He can withstand an injury, but I cannot.¡± Although Zongzheng Huachun had plenty of years ahead, his life limit was still decades away. However, Jun Qinglin¡¯s life limit was nearing, and his internal organs had already lost their vitality, pushing him closer to his limit every day. This battle had accelerated the depletion of his lifespan, leaving Jun Qinglin with even less time. An Jing said solemnly, ¡°Did he do it on purpose?¡± Jun Qinglin took a deep breath, ¡°Houjin¡¯s army will arrive soon; you must prepare.¡± Zongzheng Huachun wouldn¡¯t have fought him for no reason. At his level, it wasn¡¯t merely about regaining face from a previous defeat at Jun Qinglin¡¯s hand. He acted with a strong purpose in everything he did. ¡°I understand.¡± An Jing noticed Jun Qinglin¡¯s complexion was somewhat pale, ¡°Great Elder, your injuries seem severe, do you need the Sect¡¯s heavenly materials and earthly treasures?¡± ¡°My injuries are not serious; they merely hasten my life¡¯s limit approaching, that is all.¡± Jun Qinglin shook his head, speaking softly, ¡°Having exchanged hands with Qi Xuan Dao and Zongzheng Huachun, I have had some realizations. Together with the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ you sent, I will see if I can break through this last step upon my return.¡± The final step was to achieve the Land Immortal Realm and extend his lifespan by three hundred years. An Jing asked, ¡°Great Elder, what are your chances?¡± Jun Qinglin started to smile, ¡°Less than ten percent.¡± Less than ten percent! An Jing was shocked, not expecting Jun Qinglin¡¯s cultivation and strength to have such a low chance of breaking through to the Great Grandmaster level. Jun Qinglin glanced at the tranquil sand dunes, casually saying, ¡°Through the ages, few have dared claim they could step into it. The last Great Grandmaster was Yan Taizu hundreds of years ago, who has long since turned into a handful of dust, with no Great Grandmaster appearing for over three hundred years.¡± This was also his last chance to break through his constraints, and his greatest one. An Jing felt a heaviness within, not knowing what to say. If he could not take this step, Jun Qinglin¡¯s life limit would not be far off. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Jun Qinglin patted An Jing on the shoulder, smiling, ¡°I will not go to Dongluo Pass. Going there would only turn me into a living Bodhisattva for display, which is too uncomfortable. I have nothing to say to them, and they have nothing to say to me.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing pondered for a long while, then said, ¡°Great Elder, let me escort you.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need.¡± Jun Qinglin waved his torn sleeve, laughing, ¡°Having fought the two top experts in the world this time upon leaving seclusion, I need to find Ouyang and have a few drinks. He is the only one in this world who can bear with my ramblings.¡± Jun Qinglin¡¯s figure bathed in the setting sun, gradually disappearing from An Jing¡¯s sight. ¡­.. Chapter 266 - Chapter 266: Chapter 266: Lament the Impermanence of Life and the World Chapter 266: Chapter 266: Lament the Impermanence of Life and the World Dongluo Pass. The setting sun gave way to a sky filled with wind and sand. With evening approaching, the number of people on the highway gradually dwindled. Under the poplar trees lining the road, there stood a stunningly beautiful woman in white, her gaze following the horizon, a rare gentleness in her eyes. This woman was none other than Zhao Qingmei. Behind her were Tan Yun, Yu Qiurong, Duanmu Xinghua, Lin Tianhai, along with many other experts from the Demon Sect. At that moment, Duanmu Xinghua couldn¡¯t help but feel nostalgic as she looked into the distance, ¡°The last time I saw the Great Elder was thirty years ago¡­¡± Before Jun Qinglin went into seclusion, he was the pinnacle of martial artists. To seasoned Demon Sect experts like her, they were still considered junior in front of Jun Qinglin. And experts of his age, ninety-nine percent of them had already become dust, leaving him alone in this jianghu. ¡°Thirty years really flew by so fast.¡± Lin Tianhai also nodded in agreement at her side. Although both Zhao Qingmei and An Jing were Second Qi Grandmaster experts, especially An Jing, who had defeated the Exalted Vajra and emerged unscathed from Blue Sky Island, sending shockwaves throughout the jianghu, in the hearts of the older generation of Demon Sect experts, Jun Qinglin¡¯s prestige remained unmatched. Li Fuzhou, the Poison King, Mu Xiaoyun, and others stood behind, their eyes filled with curiosity. Li Fuzhou had only heard about Jun Qinglin and had never seen this ¡®Three-feet of Pure White¡¯ Jun Qinglin for himself; today was the perfect opportunity to witness this legendary supreme expert. And Mu Xiaoyun had been thoroughly entrusted with a key position, becoming the head of the Vermilion Bird Seat, controlling the Demon Sect¡¯s livelihood and financial power, and thus was part of the Demon Sect¡¯s upper echelons. wuxiaworld.site Zhao Qingmei was anxious inside, but her face remained calm. Every time she thought of the gossip in Yujing City, her fists would clench subconsciously: An Jing, I must teach you a lesson. At this moment, on the highway bathed in the afterglow of the sunset, a figure appeared in their line of sight. Dressed in white, with a longsword hanging at his waist, his face was indistinct, but the mere sight of his figure made it clear who he was. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes lit up, as if all the anger in her stomach vanished in an instant, and the corners of her mouth lifted unconsciously. As if all the grudges in her heart were brushed away the moment she saw him. Duanmu Xinghua said, ¡°It¡¯s An Tributor!¡± Who else could it be but An Jing? Soon, An Jing approached, gazing at the one he had missed day and night, he said, ¡°I got held up by some matters on the way.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good you¡¯re back.¡± Zhao Qingmei handed over An Jing¡¯s bundle to Yu Qiurong, then asked, ¡°By the way, where is the Great Elder?¡± Duanmu Xinghua, Li Fuzhou, and the others all looked over, a hint of confusion in their eyes. Hadn¡¯t it been agreed that An Tributor would return with the Great Elder? Why did they only see An Jing now and not Jun Qinglin? An Jing glanced in the direction of the Sealing Demon Platform and said, ¡°The Great Elder has gone back to the Sealing Demon Platform.¡± Zhao Qingmei understood immediately and said, ¡°The Great Elder must not be accustomed to this anymore; let¡¯s not disturb him.¡± Everyone sighed, yet they expressed understanding. An Jing nodded slightly and then swept his gaze past everyone behind Zhao Qingmei to Lin Tianhai, he bowed with his hands clasped and said, ¡°Section Leader Lin, I apologize for any offense I may have caused previously; I hope you can forgive me.¡± Back at the Four Symbols Sect, An Jing had once threatened this Azure Dragon Seat Section Leader with his sword. Seeing this, the Poison King and Li Fuzhou both revealed an odd smile, clearly understanding the implication in An Jing¡¯s words. Lin Tianhai¡¯s face turned red as he replied, ¡°No need for such formalities, An Tributor. A little conflict is how we got to know each other. If you hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I would have forgotten all about it.¡± An Jing thought to himself: I didn¡¯t mention any specifics and he already took the bait; obviously, he hasn¡¯t forgotten but has remembered it firmly instead. Li Fuzhou laughed heartily, ¡°What a phrase, ¡®familiarity starts with a fight.¡¯ But that¡¯s not what Section Leader Lin said at the time, you said that¡­¡± Lin Tianhai glared at Li Fuzhou, ¡°Let¡¯s not dredge up old affairs, Sect Master Li.¡± The Poison King, Liu Simiao, teased with a twinkle in his eye, ¡°What old affairs? It was something that just happened this year, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Duanmu Xinghua could tell that Li Fuzhou and Liu Simiao were playing off each other, but she didn¡¯t know the details, so she asked, ¡°Did some misunderstanding happen here?¡± Liu Simiao chuckled, ¡°Let me tell you, Duanmu Sect Leader.¡± Instantly, Lin Tianhai¡¯s face turned crimson, and he soared forward, covering Liu Simiao¡¯s mouth with his hand, growling; ¡°Damn you, old Liu, I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Liu Simiao¡¯s mouth was covered by Lin Tianhai, rendering him utterly speechless. Duanmu Xinghua saw the unseemly Lin Tianhai and couldn¡¯t help but shake her head. ¡°Hahaha!¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± Li Fuzhou and An Jing burst into laughter. Zhao Qingmei asked curiously, ¡°What exactly happened?¡± Yu Qiurong, too, spun her eyes around, brimming with curiosity¡­ An Jing said with a laugh, ¡°I¡¯ll tell you tonight.¡± Zhao Qingmei rolled her seductive eyes at An Jing, ¡°You always say you¡¯ll tell me at night.¡± Then, everyone walked towards Dongluo Pass while chatting and laughing. An Jing¡¯s once gloomy mood also improved quite a bit. Only Tan Yun, who was hiding behind everyone, just quietly watched An Jing without saying a word. In her heart, there was actually a tsunami brewing, but this time she didn¡¯t let anyone know, just quietly standing aside, remaining silent. ¡­¡­ The earth under the moonlight was solid and steady, like a vast and broad chest, comforting everything to sleep soundly in its embrace. After the Dongluo Tower was rebuilt, Zhao Qingmei moved her residence back to the Dongluo Garden behind the tower. As the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, naturally, she couldn¡¯t live in a small courtyard house. However, because of the clash between An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, the Dongluo Tower was destroyed, resulting in the Dongluo Garden behind it being affected, forcing her to temporarily stay in the courtyard house. Inside the bedroom, on the bed. Zhao Qingmei was lying on top of An Jing, looking left and right, sniffing around as though searching for something. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, do I have flowers on me?¡± An Jing, puzzled, looked at Zhao Qingmei, who seemed to be treasure hunting. ¡°Nothing.¡± Zhao Qingmei searched for a long time and found nothing, which didn¡¯t relax her expression but instead made her frown even more. ¡°As long as it¡¯s nothing serious.¡± An Jing stretched his limbs and said, ¡°These past few days have really been exhausting¡­¡± He had been sleepless for a night on White Bone Mountain, then rushed thousands of miles, and halfway met Zongzheng Huachun. He had been constantly on edge, and even someone with a physique like An Jing¡¯s felt quite fatigued. Now, lying next to Zhao Qingmei, he finally could breathe a sigh of relief, his eyes tightly shut, looking as though he could fall asleep at any moment. Zhao Qingmei, leaning on An Jing¡¯s chest, said, ¡°The Earth Sect has always lacked strong experts. It feels like a waste for Qiurong to be just a maid with her current strength. I¡¯m thinking about transferring her to the Earth Sect.¡± An Jing, with closed eyes, gently said, ¡°She used to be the head of the Vermilion Bird Seat; now, it would be suitable to make her the Earth Sect Sect Master.¡± Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°What about transferring Liu Simiao to your side?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessary; doesn¡¯t the Poison King need to study poison techniques day to day?¡± ¡°How could that be okay? I¡¯m not at ease with no one by your side.¡± ¡± then do as you wish.¡± An Jing naturally saw through Zhao Qingmei¡¯s little schemes but chose not to expose her. It was merely about having someone keep an eye on him. Far from being angry, he even felt like chuckling to himself. Could the Poison King Liu Simiao really keep an eye on him? Seeing An Jing¡¯s listless appearance, Zhao Qingmei was even more upset but didn¡¯t say much more. She just looked at his face that seemed ready to fall asleep at any moment. When An Jing was just a common doctor, she felt extremely at ease with him, despite knowing she might have to face the vast martial world and carry the pressures of both within the Demon Sect and outside of it all by herself. But now, An Jing was one of the top Great Sword Immortals in the world. Not only did she no longer need to protect him, but he could also share her worries. However, her heart felt even more uneasy. It was as if everything was slipping out of her control. She couldn¡¯t bear for An Jing to suffer, but she also didn¡¯t want him to suddenly leap to prominence and become the most talked-about person. The rumors in Yujing City, even though she didn¡¯t believe them and thought them impossible, An Jing didn¡¯t offer any explanations either. What did that mean? She grabbed An Xiaoruan and said, ¡°I won¡¯t let you sleep.¡± An Jing opened his eyes in a daze, looking at the radiant face before him. Zhao Qingmei continued to tease as she asked, ¡°The Taiping Human Emperor didn¡¯t choose Zhou Xianming as the Prince Consort, did he choose you instead?¡± An Jing let out a light laugh and said, ¡°I¡¯ve already married you, how could I make the princess be the secondary wife?¡± ¡°What do you mean by ¡®little one¡¯?!¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes widened, her grip involuntarily tightening. An Jing suddenly felt unbearably constricted and hastily said, ¡°I was just speaking offhandedly, how could I have any other thoughts?¡± ¡°Saying it¡¯s not acceptable, even thinking it is even less so.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s red lips parted slightly, still holding An Xiao Ruan in her hand, she took it into her mouth. Only then did An Jing notice something was amiss, ¡°My lady, your cultivation¡­¡± At this moment, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation was even more profound than his, having reached the pinnacle of Second Qi, just one step away from the Three Qi Realm. To think that she had reached the Second Qi not long ago, only three months¡¯ time, and now was nearing Three Qi Cultivation, how could this be possible?! Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips curved slightly upward, a trace of pride in her heart, ¡°Did you think that just because you became a Great Sword Immortal, you could no longer be suppressed by me? Little Ruan.¡± ¡°Could it be the Demon Seed?¡± An Jing thought of something and urgently asked, ¡°Is it because of the Demon Seed that your cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds?¡± Nan Weiping was at the Great Grandmaster Realm, and when she was cultivating Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Demon Seed, she had meddled with it somewhat. Either she would have to undo it herself, or upon her death, Zhao Qingmei would receive all her cultivation. But with such a lunatic, how could she possibly tell the whole truth. Zhao Qingmei stammered, ¡°After condensing the Demon Seed, one¡¯s cultivation will indeed greatly increase.¡± An Jing¡¯s expression grew severe, ¡°Don¡¯t you feel that the growth is too rapid?¡± Zhao Qingmei sat up straight and said, ¡°Too fast? I don¡¯t think so. Hasn¡¯t your cultivation also increased extremely quickly?¡± The two fell silent as the lamplight flickered. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s gaze burned as she looked at An Jing. At this moment, An Jing too had fully sobered up, having momentarily forgotten the great trouble beneath the Sealing Demon Well. If this problem couldn¡¯t be resolved, he would ultimately have to take drastic measures, shattering the Demon Seed within him. But would Zhao Qingmei be willing to do that? Would he himself be willing to dispel all his cultivation and start anew? The Demon Sect, although seemingly powerful within the Great Yan Martial World, was actually besieged on all sides: Houjin was covetously lying in wait, Black Ice Platform was looking for opportunities to strike at any moment, and the Great Yan Court, despite its promise to support the Demon Sect, was not wholeheartedly committed. Moreover, Jun Qinglin¡¯s time was running out; whether he could overcome this last obstacle was also uncertain. With crisis upon crisis approaching, An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed deeply. Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei also raised her brows slightly, ¡°Isn¡¯t this a good thing?¡± An Jing spoke softly, ¡°I always feel that it might not be a good thing, that Demon Seed was tampered with by Nan Weiping after all.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s rapid increase in cultivation was undoubtedly due to Nan Weiping¡¯s Demon Seed. As for the secrets of the Demon Seed, she had probably only revealed a part, with the majority remaining undisclosed. ¡°Is that so?¡± Zhao Qingmei laughed softly, her voice mixed with unintended confidence, ¡°But the higher my cultivation, the more I can suppress the Demon Seed. As long as my cultivation exceeds Nan Weiping¡¯s, what can her schemes amount to then?¡± An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei and hesitated to speak. He knew that Zhao Qingmei was forever a woman he couldn¡¯t fully grasp. Zhao Qingmei was very confident, a confidence that had seeped into her bones. Just like when she first came to Yu State City, she had been so sure she would marry An Jing. ¡°Are you awake yet?¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at An Xiao Ruan, which was gradually growing larger, ¡°Are you coming or not?¡± ¡°I am.¡± An Jing replied, knowing that after all the arguing between a man and a woman, it was merely a self-inflicted insult because a woman was always right. Zhao Qingmei took An Xiao Ruan in her mouth once more. Delicate as waterbone, her form like a jade mountain, the mandarin duck cover hid a spring breeze within. With a shudder running through An Jing¡¯s body, the fierce battle ended, leaving only their breaths gasping in the air. ¡­.. The moonlight was like water, deepening as the night wore on. In a quiet courtyard in Dongluo Pass, this was the lair of the Poison King, Liu Simiao. On normal days, aside from his two disciples, hardly anyone visited this place. Liu Simiao, as usual, returned to his lair, the only place that could provide him a sense of security, a feeling of complete and utter relaxation. ¡°` Arriving in the room, he made his way to the secret chamber in the back. The shelves in the secret chamber were filled with all kinds of bottles and jars, containing the poisons that he had concocted. Among them were the notorious Seven-star Begonia, Three-step Soul Summoning Powder, and Heavenly One Divine Water from the Jianghu. Each of these bottles and jars bore unique labels for identification. A careless mistake in handling them was not a trivial matter. Behind these poisons stood a jade-colored bottle, which had no labels or characters on it. When Liu Simiao spotted the jade bottle, a glint of light flashed in his eyes. He picked it up and poured it into his hand, revealing a round and lustrous elixir on his palm. ¡°In one more year, my Hundred Poison Technique will be complete¡­¡± Liu Simiao gazed at the elixir in his hand, the Hundred Poison Pill, made from a hundred types of poisonous herbs. Every herb carried a toxin, yet each could also cure illnesses and save lives; combined into one, they formed the Hundred Poison Pill in his hand. With the cultivation of the Hundred Poison Technique and the aid of this Hundred Poison Pill, he could achieve the state of immunity to all poisons. Without the slightest hesitation, Liu Simiao swallowed the Hundred Poison Pill and, as usual, sat down cross-legged to begin circulating the Hundred Poison Technique. Inner Strength surged from his Dantian throughout his body, ready to fully absorb the medicinal power of the elixir into his bones. However, the moment his Inner Strength flowed from his Dantian, a tremendous wave of coldness struck him instantly. His organs felt as if they were shattering, and no amount of circulating Inner Strength could fend off the terrible assault. ¡°Phwooosh¡ª!¡± Liu Simiao could no longer restrain himself and a jet of blood spurted out. The black blood splashed against the walls of the secret chamber, immediately sizzling upon contact. ¡°Poison¡­ poisoned¡­¡± Liu Simiao¡¯s body slumped to the ground, his eyes wide open with rage as he stared at the wall, his chest heaving as if he were a wild beast on the brink of death. Poisoned! As one of the four famous physicians in the world, the Poison King, he was well aware that he had been struck by a violent poison. ¡°Red¡­ Beauty¡­ Drunk¡­¡± Liu Simiao¡¯s thoughts flashed back but, ultimately, he couldn¡¯t draw another breath and ceased breathing. A generation¡¯s Poison King, in the end, perished from the Red Beauty Drunk poison he had created himself. ¡­.. The next day. The body of the Poison King Liu Simiao was laid out in the Heavenly Demon Hall of Dongluo Tower. Lin Tianhai, Duanmu Xinghua, Li Fuzhou, and others all had gloomy expressions. ¡°I will find the murderer and have them sliced into a thousand pieces.¡± Rage burning in his eyes, Lin Tianhai clenched his fists, his nails digging into his flesh, unable to be restrained. The death of Liu Simiao brought an ugly look to the faces of the Demon Sect¡¯s experts, particularly because he had died at the hands of his own poison, which was unsettling and caused much speculation and unease. At the same time, Liu Simiao¡¯s two disciples, Yu Dou and Zhang Zihao, had disappeared. This added even more suspicion to the situation. Did they kill the Poison King and fled out of guilt, or were they also victimized? Everyone knew that things were not as simple as they appeared on the surface. If there was someone behind the disciples, they would not dare to commit such an act of betrayal without good reason. And if these two disciples were also murdered, who could have the audacity? Who dared to kill the Demon Sect¡¯s Poison King within Dongluo Pass? Zhao Qingmei issued a direct order to thoroughly search for the whereabouts of the two, to find them alive or dead. Moreover, there was to be an investigation of all suspicious individuals who had entered or left Dongluo Pass in recent times. Dongluo Pass was a trade hub, with massive numbers of caravans passing through daily, making the search for suspicious individuals extremely difficult. But with Zhao Qingmei¡¯s order, no matter how difficult, the search had to be conducted, and experts from the Azure Dragon Sect and Human Sect sprang into action. In no time, the entire Dongluo Pass was in a state of panic, even more tense than the previous assassination attempt on Duanmu Xinghua by Houjin. After all, back then, it was known to be the work of Houjin, and Duanmu Xinghua had not been killed. But today, the Poison King Liu Simiao was dead, and his bizarre manner of death was chilling. And who was the perpetrator this time? Houjin again? Or was it Black Ice Platform, or an enemy of Liu Simiao? A dark cloud loomed over the hearts of the Demon Sect experts. ¡­.. The gentle morning sunlight was already piercing through the window into the room when An Jing felt a slight discomfort in his eyes and slowly opened them. ¡°` Although a fierce battle had taken place the night before, ending in a draw, An Jing felt refreshed, his exhaustion swept away, and he reveled in a clear mind and invigorating spirit. He propped himself up; a new set of clothes and shoes were placed beside him, tailored to fit perfectly. Feeling a warmth in his heart at the sight, An Jing quickly dressed and pushed open the door. Even deep into autumn, the sun over Dongluo Pass was still blisteringly fierce, making it difficult to keep one¡¯s eyes open. ¡°First I¡¯ll check on the Black Flood Dragon, then find a secluded place to attempt a breakthrough to the Three Qi Realm.¡± With his mind set, An Jing prepared to head towards Dongluo Pass. At that moment, a small head peeked out from a distance, a pair of eyes fixated on An Jing. An Jing whispered, ¡°Tan Yun?¡± ¡°Prince Consort!¡± Tan Yun stuck out her tongue and, with her head down, walked out. An Jing asked with suspicion, ¡°What are you sneaking around for?¡± Tan Yun¡¯s face turned red as she spoke softly, ¡°I wasn¡¯t sneaking around. I was just¡­.¡± ¡°Just what?¡± ¡°The Sect Hierarch asked me to tell you some news. Poison King Liu Simiao died last night.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Hearing this, An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed instantly, his heart somewhat in a daze. Yesterday, Liu Simiao was still hosting a banquet for him at Dongluo Pass, but today he was dead? ¡°How did he die?¡± ¡°He was poisoned with a heavy dose of Red Beauty Drunk and died in his own secret chamber.¡± ¡°Who found the body?¡± ¡°A servant who had followed the Poison King for thirteen years discovered it this morning. His two direct disciples have also disappeared; their fates unknown.¡± An Jing sighed softly upon hearing this, knowing that the matter was far from simple. Red Beauty Drunk was a peculiar poison brewed by Liu Simiao, colorless and tasteless, one that even a Grandmaster could fall victim to. Surely Liu would have carefully guarded such a lethal substance, far out of ordinary people¡¯s reach. And Liu Simiao¡¯s secret chamber was definitely not somewhere just anyone could enter. ¡°I understand.¡± An Jing nodded and began walking towards the courtyard exit. ¡°Prince Consort, you¡¯re lying.¡± At that, Tan Yun called out from behind him. An Jing turned and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Tan Yun looked at him with big, watery eyes, her pitiable expression irresistibly evoking sympathy. ¡°You said you would bring me pastries. I¡¯ve been waiting.¡± ¡°You¡¯re talking about that.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, recalling a pleasant memory and said, ¡°When I passed by Baigui Fang in Yujing City, the array of pastries reminded me of you.¡± For some reason, whenever he saw pastries, he would involuntarily think of that gluttonous girl. Upon hearing this, Tan Yun pursed her lips and said, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen any pastries, but they reminded me of you.¡± You think of me when you see pastries, but even without pastries, I still think of you. An Jing paused for a moment, then stepped forward and gently touched Tan Yun¡¯s hair, ¡°I forgot this time, but I will definitely bring you some next time.¡± Tan Yun pouted, her voice tinged with grievance, ¡°There won¡¯t be a next time, Prince Consort. I will be leaving in a few days. My master wants me to return to the Lv Sect before the end of the year.¡± ¡°Are you leaving so soon?¡± Hearing this, An Jing felt a sense of loss, although he had known Tan Yun would leave, he couldn¡¯t help but feel reluctant now that the moment had arrived. It was impossible for him to claim that he felt nothing for Tan Yun. He had truly grown fond of the naive and plump food-loving girl. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯ve been waiting for you to come back.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s heart pounded wildly, as if it were about to leap out of her throat, and her cheeks flushed with color. As long as An Jing said a word to keep her, no matter what, she would find a way to stay. Just one word from him. An Jing smiled and said, ¡°That¡¯s good, going to the Lv Sect will make you the young miss of the Lv family.¡± Tan Yun looked into those intoxicating eyes and forced a smile, ¡°Does the prince consort also think it¡¯s quite good?¡± An Jing said earnestly, ¡°For you, this is the best.¡± The threat of the Demon Sect lurked everywhere, and with Tan Yun¡¯s special identity, it was best for her to return to Yujing City. But this isn¡¯t what I want. I¡¯d rather stay in Dongluo Pass, stay by the Sect Hierarch¡¯s side, stay by the prince consort¡¯s side¡­ These thoughts she couldn¡¯t voice. ¡°The pastries in Yujing City are plenty.¡± Tan Yun feigned a look of yearning and said, ¡°I can eat as many as I want, and there are so many people who¡¯ll buy them for me, they¡¯ll all have to line up for me.¡± An Jing tapped Tan Yun¡¯s forehead and laughed, ¡°Lv is upright and honest, what will he do if you, a foodie, eat him out of house and home?¡± ¡°I am not a foodie!¡± Tan Yun wrinkled her nose and casually asked, ¡°Prince consort, do you really think of me as a lazy glutton in your heart?¡± With hands clasped behind his back, An Jing looked Tan Yun up and down and said, ¡°You do like to eat, but that doesn¡¯t necessarily mean you¡¯re lazy.¡± She was plump in the right places, otherwise quite slender. ¡°Of course, I am very diligent, and my cooking skills have improved a lot lately. Tomorrow¡­ next time, I¡¯ll let you witness my culinary skills.¡± ¡°Really¡­ Hahaha.¡± An Jing, hearing this, broke into a sweat; he found himself unable to continue the conversation. Both fell silent, and suddenly time seemed to stand still. ¡°Prince consort.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°I¡¯m leaving, and I hope you and the Sect Hierarch will also stay well together.¡± Tan Yun looked at An Jing seriously and said, ¡°The Sect Hierarch truly loves you. Even back in Yu State City, when you were just an unremarkable doctor, she still loved you. She truly fell for you alone. Despite the enormous pressure, she has always been steadfast. I think in this world, the Sect Hierarch is the person who treats the prince consort the best, incomparable to anyone else. When I return to Yujing City, I¡¯ll go to Dragon Spring Temple to offer prayers for you two.¡± An Jing pinched Tan Yun¡¯s rosy cheek irritably and said, ¡°I don¡¯t need you to teach me what to do. You just take care of yourself, and don¡¯t you dare lose weight, or I¡¯ll have to deal with you.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s face turned slightly red, with her eyes beginning to well up, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m speaking the truth.¡± ¡°Alright, alright, I know.¡± An Jing said with a smile, ¡°When do you plan to leave? Do you want me to see you off part of the way?¡± Tan Yun, with her head lowered, said, ¡°The prince consort has many matters to attend to, it¡¯s not necessary to bother you with such a small affair.¡± An Jing looked at the girl in front of him, wanting to say something, but not knowing how to express it. ¡°Prince consort, I have to go back and report to the Sect Hierarch.¡± Suddenly, as if she remembered something, Tan Yun hurried away into the distance. An Jing watched her frenzied departure, ¡°Why run so fast? It¡¯s not like you¡¯re rushing to eat.¡± Tan Yun dashed out of the guest house frantically; the person she had once tirelessly pursued, one day she would desperately try to flee from. Finally, she reached a corner, where she leaned weakly against the wall, covering her chest with her palm, feeling heartache as if it were being sliced with a knife. From her beautiful eyes shone a melancholic light, as if something was rippling in them. Her usual lively demeanor was nowhere to be seen. A single, burning tear lingered on her delicate cheek, then, as if exploding, tears streamed down uncontrollably. She couldn¡¯t remember what she had just said because most of it was against her will, all lies, and the things she truly wanted to say, she hadn¡¯t uttered a word. ¡°Prince consort, I¡¯ll be foolish just this once.¡± In the fourteenth year of Xingping, on the twenty-third of November, it was a clear and sunny day. But in Tan Yun¡¯s heart, it was raining heavily. ¡­. Outside Dongluo Pass, as far as the eye could see was endless sand. An Jing walked toward the desert, his feet crunching on the gravel. With threats abounding in Dongluo Pass, Tan Yun returning to Yujing City was a good thing. With the Great Yan Royal Family and Lv Guoyong there, safety was at least guaranteed. After walking a mile, An Jing saw a figure in the distance. The woman had a full figure, curves in all the right places, and coupled with her lightly made-up beautiful face, she perfectly embodied the image of a ripe, mature woman, her every move filled with allure that kindled many a man¡¯s imagination. The pale pink gauze fluttered with the breeze, stirring the blood in anyone who beheld it. Mu Xiaoyun. An Jing approached her and said, ¡°Chief Mu, it seems we have quite the coincidence today.¡± Mu Xiaoyun glanced at An Jing and replied, ¡°An Tributor, you had me thoroughly deceived back then. If I had known your relationship with the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect was such, why would I have bothered to travel all the way from Yu State City to Dongluo Pass?¡± An Jing could only offer a wry smile. If he had known his wife was the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, so many things would not have happened. ¡°How come Chief Mu is here?¡± Pointing towards a distant land shrouded in sand and dust, Mu Xiaoyun said, ¡°The Poison King died under the extreme toxicity of Red Beauty Drunk. I am here specifically to seal off the road ahead.¡± An Jing inquired, ¡°Do you have any leads?¡± ¡°I have a feeling there is something strange about this matter.¡± Mu Xiaoyun shook her head, her voice coming out melancholy, ¡°The person who could kill the Poison King and obtain Red Beauty Drunk from him must undoubtedly be someone from within the sect.¡± Someone from within the sect!? An Jing¡¯s heart trembled, and his eyes narrowed into slits. If it was someone from within the sect, then the situation was all the more terrifying. It meant there was a traitor within the Demon Sect, and not just any traitor, but one of high rank. Mu Xiaoyun pointed towards the distance and asked, ¡°Three hundred miles further from here, do you know what place that is, An Tributor?¡± Following the direction of her jade-like finger, An Jing murmured softly, ¡°Houjin¡¯s North Camp is there, harboring an army of three hundred thousand from Houjin, and behind those three hundred thousand, an even larger force.¡± Three hundred thousand troops might sound simple on paper, just a series of numbers in a book, but in reality, facing them would be terrifying beyond belief. An army of three hundred thousand could fill the space between heaven and earth, an endless black mass that not even a Grandmaster could escape from if surrounded. Grandmasters are human, too; they cannot fly. Even surrounded by tens of thousands, not to mention three hundred thousand, escape would be impossible. Now, these three hundred thousand troops were stationed right in front of Dongluo Pass, eyeing the strategic point with covetous eyes. Though they had not attacked, their mere presence was enough to send chills down anyone¡¯s spine and exert a massive deterrent force that left people breathless. Taking a deep breath, Mu Xiaoyun asked, ¡°An Tributor, do you really think we can hold off these three hundred thousand troops?¡± An Jing pondered for a moment before responding, ¡°It depends on how you see it.¡± Mu Xiaoyun was somewhat puzzled and asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Gazing into the distance, An Jing said earnestly, ¡°If you are prepared to face death, then surely we can withstand them; if not, then we will undoubtedly fail.¡± With a deep sigh, Mu Xiaoyun said, ¡°What¡¯s the point of holding Dongluo Pass then?¡± Dongluo Pass had become a gateway for Yan Country. To protect this pass from tens of thousands of Houjin¡¯s troops and lose countless masters from the Demon Sect, was it truly worth it? In the clash between two nations, could a sect really survive? The ultimate outcome was not hard to surmise. Between two behemoths, what chance did Dongluo Pass have to survive? An Jing remained silent, some things Mu Xiaoyun didn¡¯t understand, and though he understood, he could not verbalize them. Many things never pertain to being worth it, only about willingness. When you start questioning worth, the answer in your heart is already clear¨Cit¡¯s not worth it. After looking at the billowing sand for a while longer, Mu Xiaoyun took her leave. An Jing watched her retreating figure before continuing to walk into the swirling sandstorm. ¡°Thump!¡± A dark shadow burst forth from the sandy winds, turning the sky into a sea of sand and rain. It was the Black Flood Dragon. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon, upon seeing An Jing, showed a hint of joy in its lantern-sized eyes and charged toward him with great speed. The vast force of its approach made even An Jing retreat several paces. The Black Flood Dragon constantly rubbed its massive head against An Jing, its excitement obvious. An Jing too caressed the scales of the Black Flood Dragon, which had followed him all the way to Dongluo Pass. It would be impossible for them not to have formed a bond. ¡°Hm? Why are there injuries?¡± Suddenly, An Jing noticed fresh blood on the black scales of the Black Flood Dragon. The Black Flood Dragon was on par with a Three Qi Grandmaster, yet something had injured it. What level of power must that being have possessed? The Black Flood Dragon seemed oblivious to the wounds on its body, constantly circling around An Jing, letting out cheerful growls from time to time. In its world, no one was more important than An Jing. An Jing sat cross-legged in the sand, talking to the Black Flood Dragon. About half an incense stick of time later, the surrounding sandstorm swept up fiercer and fiercer, turning the vicinity into a sea of sand. ¡°You guard me, I will attempt to break through to the Three Qi Realm right here.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and decided to try breaking through to the Three Qi Realm in this place. Now, with Houjin eyeing covetously, but with no movement for the time being, the top experts of the world also believed he was at Second Qi Cultivation. If he could break through to the Three Qi Realm at this time, he would have a modest, yet significant trump card against Houjin. Thinking this, An Jing sat down cross-legged. The Black Flood Dragon also understood the implication in An Jing¡¯s words, and it watched the surroundings vigilantly, with a hint of caution in its eyes. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Earth-shattering True Qi began to surge from all directions, forming a powerful vortex centered around An Jing. The True Qi gathered massively, turning into streams of white waves. This was indeed the effect of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± being activated. At the same time, An Jing felt a sensation like flames searing his throat, then moving into his Dantian. That blazing sensation flowed for a moment in the Dantian, slowly entering his meridians. Boom! As the scorching sensation surged into the meridians, Heaven and Earth True Qi became even more ferocious, rushing towards An Jing and pouring into his Dantian. The once mist-enshrouded Dantian began to radiate a tremendous amount of light, reflecting inside An Jing¡¯s body. A different transformation started to occur. Crack! Crack! It seemed as though the sudden influx of True Qi was about to burst the Dantian, which expanded several times over. The Dantian is where True Qi is stored; the larger the Dantian, the more powerful the True Qi it can store. But with more and more True Qi flooding in, the Dantian couldn¡¯t store such an enormous amount. Despite An Jing¡¯s constant circulation of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± channeling the True Qi within his body, it was still overwhelmingly vast. Especially after the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence inside the Dantian began to refine, the True Qi resembled a flood that had broken its levees, overflowing disastrously within his Dantian. Large beads of sweat appeared on An Jing¡¯s forehead, even soaking his clothes. Finally, after the Dantian had swollen several times over and could no longer withstand any more True Qi, An Jing began to compress the endless stream of True Qi. The relentless True Qi surged into the Dantian once again, then, through continual compression, it seemed to form a cycle. Time passed unknowingly, and the compressed True Qi became extremely pure, its concentration now many times greater than before. Yet the True Qi continued to rush into the Dantian endlessly, as if there was no end in sight. The majestic True Qi around him assaulted An Jing, and all the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence remaining in the Dantian ignited as well. This was undoubtedly a timely assistance for An Jing¡¯s body at the moment, finally revitalizing the fatigued state within. With a thought, the pure True Qi flowed endlessly like gushing spring water within the meridians, eventually pouring into the Dantian, adding to the infrastructure of the massive True Qi needed. Luckily, An Jing practiced the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± which allowed him to refine such an enormous amount of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in a short time, and bear the strain of such fierce True Qi. Anyone else might have already exploded and perished by now. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence continued to dwindle, one wisp, two wisps, until it completely vanished. ¡°It seems to be missing something¡­¡± An Jing, observing the situation inside his body, couldn¡¯t help but frown; breaking through to the Three Qi Realm was not as simple as he had imagined. A rapid advancement is a considerable strain on the body, consuming a tremendous amount of Essence; especially when reaching the Three Qi Grandmaster realm. For the breakthrough to One Qi, it wasn¡¯t unusual for Grandmasters to prepare for several years. But it was only five months ago that An Jing reached the Second Qi. The speed of this breakthrough was too fast, even though he had the support of five strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. However, it seemed that the five strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence were still not enough. Now, before advancing to the Three Qi, the Dantian had already expanded several times. If his previous efforts were to be abandoned now, then it was essentially a waste, and who knows when there would be another chance to break through the barriers. With the world situation rapidly changing, and the Demon Sect fraught with crises, how much time does An Jing still have? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Indeed, ascending to a higher realm requires Essence as support, and without it, it¡¯s impossible to break through the barriers. Unless, like breaking through to Grandmaster, he uses the Essence Blood in his body. Utilizing Essence Blood can lead to a breakthrough at critical moments, but even at the Three Qi Realm, it would mean a body grievously wounded, and if Houjin attacks, then the advancement would be more of a hindrance. The Essence within the body dwindled bit by bit, and with the lack of continued Essence support, the opening Xuan Pass seemed to be closing again. ¡­.. Chapter 268 - Chapter 268: Chapter 268 Chapter 268: Chapter 268 After their intimate union, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips parted slightly as she gasped faintly. An Jing too inhaled deeply, then placed his palm on her lower abdomen. In an instant, a warm current flowed through, converging into her dantian. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked with feigned annoyance. An Jing did not speak, and as the true qi within him continued to pour into her dantian, he sensed the changes in her qi sea and his brows fiercely furrowed. The qi sea of an ordinary person would radiate a milky white luminescence, but Zhao Qingmei¡¯s qi sea was an ominous black, and that dark glow stemmed from the Demon Seed at the heart of her qi sea. The cultivation techniques of the Demon Sect always favored unorthodox paths, and the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± was the most extreme among them. Especially the latter layers, which were terrifyingly fiendish to even hear about. In reality, the germination of a Demon Seed was extremely difficult. Without the assistance of someone like Nan Weiping, a great grandmaster, it would take significant time for Zhao Qingmei, despite her talents, to cultivate a Demon Seed. Indeed, the Demon Seed could generate an abundance of true qi, causing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation to swiftly advance. As the Demon Seed started to take root and sprout, it would reach the stage of full fruition, known as the Heavenly Demon Realm or the Ninth Layer, which is also referred to as ¡°falling into demonhood.¡± Once this realm is reached, the person¡¯s strength would surge, and according to An Jing¡¯s estimation, it would be somewhat like the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra,¡± but the difference is that the influence of demonhood is ceaseless, while the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Mantra¡± only takes effect during its implementation. However, the germination and growth of the Demon Seed is not as simple as it seems on the surface; it¡¯s accompanied by unimaginable crises. Firstly, the Demon Seed would affect one¡¯s mental will, with perils unpredictable, like a solitary boat in a stormy sea, rootless and almost certain to perish. Moreover, now that Nan Weiping has tampered with the Demon Seed, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mental state has become even more dogmatic. If a cultivator is not careful, under the sway of these mental influences, at best they could deviate and fall into demonhood, at worst, they would be beyond redemption, both physically and mentally destroyed. Throughout history, most practitioners of the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± ended up in ruin and death, including many strong-willed and fortunate experts. wuxiaworld.site Sensing the mental fluctuations from the Demon Seed, An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, ¡°Something¡¯s not right about this Demon Seed¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked. The majority of her rapid cultivation advancement is credited to this Demon Seed, so upon hearing An Jing¡¯s words, she became somewhat anxious. An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei seriously and said, ¡°This Demon Seed is affecting you at every moment, a slight carelessness could lead you to fall into demonhood.¡± Zhao Qingmei laughed lightly, ¡°So you¡¯re concerned about that. I¡¯m well aware of it, and the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ describes and explains it thoroughly. I believe it has no effect on me at all.¡± An Jing shook his head gravely and said, ¡°You are mistaken, the most dangerous aspect of the Demon Seed is precisely this, the stronger one¡¯s determination, the more it affects you. It will make you become more dogmatic and obstinate, and it¡¯s this insidious influence that is truly terrifying.¡± If it were someone like Tan Yun, with his disposition, the Demon Seed would have little influence on him. But for someone like Zhao Qingmei, with her strong and mature mind, the impact would be even more significant. Zhao Qingmei leaned gently into An Jing¡¯s embrace and said softly, ¡°Brother, don¡¯t worry, I have it all under control.¡± An Jing felt the Demon Seed had already taken over Zhao Qingmei¡¯s qi sea and could not help but worry. After hesitating for a moment, he said, ¡°What if we abandon the Demon Seed¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei pursed her lips and said, ¡°How could that be possible? The Demon Seed is now one with my dantian. If it shatters, my dantian would also break, and all my cultivation would come to nothing.¡± ¡°With your talent, starting cultivations anew would also be quick.¡± ¡°Start over with cultivation?¡± Zhao Qingmei sat up abruptly, frowning, ¡°The Demon Sect is fraught with danger from the outside and in disarray within. As the Sect Hierarch, how can I abandon my cultivation?¡± ¡°The Demon Sect boasts the Three Sects of Heaven, Earth, and Human, four chiefs, tens of thousands of disciples, and an army of over sixty thousand in the Black Armored Army. Their lives are in my hands. If I lose my cultivation, there would only be one outcome for them¨Cdeath.¡± An Jing parted his lips to speak but held back in the end. This Demon Seed was essentially a ticking time bomb, akin to a double-edged sword. When wielded correctly, it could propel Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation forward in leaps and bounds. But if mishandled, it could just as easily cause grave harm to her. Now, as the Demon Seed began to assert its influence, enriching Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation, persuading her to give it up for a fresh start seemed nearly impossible. What if An Jing were in her shoes? He would likely choose as Zhao Qingmei did, placing faith in his own intellect and determination to suppress the Demon Seed¡¯s influence. ¡°As long as my true nature isn¡¯t affected, what does it matter if my cultivation surpasses Nan Weiping and nullifies any meddling she did with the Demon Seed?¡± Zhao Qingmei consoled An Jing, ¡°My husband need not worry, I will surely handle this matter well. Right now, the most urgent issue is Houjin. They dared to kill our sect¡¯s experts within Dongluo Pass; it¡¯s time they learn a lesson.¡± As she spoke, a sharp light flashed in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes. An Jing said nothing, still harboring his concerns. This kind of obsession would magnify Zhao Qingmei¡¯s inner desires, but what exactly were Zhao Qingmei¡¯s desires? Great ambitions and hegemony!? Or something else!? But Zhao Qingmei was, after all, no ordinary woman. She would not blindly obey An Jing¡¯s words, nor would she allow An Jing to ¡°manipulate¡± her. An Jing gently caressed her smooth back, ¡°Then you must be very careful, and don¡¯t overexert yourself.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Zhao Qingmei lay on An Jing¡¯s body like a kitten, her hands becoming increasingly restless, her lips slightly opened with a trailing note. ¡°Brother~!¡± ¡­.. In the Northern Wilderness Path, outside Yuan City, at the East Camp. The last time they slaughtered two hundred thousand Houjin troops, Marquis Wang Shiyi¡¯s fame was boosted yet again. Although it was known in the court and among the people that this great battle had been won at the cost of the lives of hundreds of thousands of commoners, not many blamed Wang Shiyi. Because deep down, many people understood that if Yan Country had shown weakness in the last battle, it would not only have mired the Northern Wilderness Path in the quagmire of war but also incentivised Zhao Country and the Southern Barbarians to take action. At that point, Yan Country would have found itself instantly surrounded by enemies on all sides. So in that battle, defeat was not an option, victory was the only possibility. This great victory not only boosted the morale of Yan Country but also made the Southern Barbarians and Zhao Country wary and hesitant to make any rash moves. After all, even a dying camel is bigger than a horse, and Yan Country was not a camel, but a fierce tiger. But Wang Shiyi and Li Qirong were clear that this was only temporary. Houjin, relentlessly sharpening their blades, would not stop their southern incursions just because they had lost two hundred thousand troops. They were simply licking their wounds, waiting for a better opportunity. Storm clouds were looming, and the real battle was on the brink of an eruption. Not only might Houjin launch an attack, but when the time came, the Southern Barbarians and Zhao Country might also besiege Yan Country. This was Yan Country¡¯s most significant concern. After all, facing Houjin or Zhao Country alone, Yan Country had sufficient strength, but facing a coalition of multiple forces would spell disaster. Being situated at the heart of the world, it seemed inevitable for Yan Country to face this. Inside the tent, Wang Shiyi squatted on a chair, looking at the sand table in front of him and murmuring, ¡°Damn Houjin bastards, it¡¯s almost the new year, and they can¡¯t let a person have a good rest.¡± The movement of hundreds of thousands of troops was hard to conceal, especially since the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall were always monitoring Houjin¡¯s army. Added to that, information from both the Heaven and Earth Net and the Demon Sect rested beside the sand table, making it very difficult for Wang Shiyi to pretend he had seen nothing. Li Qirong said with a deep voice, ¡°Dongluo Pass is now a barrier for our Yan Country. If it falls, Houjin will be able to head south without restriction.¡± Wang Shiyi picked up a bunch of grapes, held them in front of him, and then bit into one. He agreed completely with Li Qirong¡¯s words, ¡°Houjin¡¯s troops are stronger than those of Yan Country, and they mainly have cavalry. If Houjin¡¯s cavalry crosses You Mountain, what lies ahead is the vast plain, where it will be difficult to stop them.¡± During the last battle, when Yan Country¡¯s army ambushed Houjin¡¯s forces, they also engaged in combat, so Wang Shiyi had some understanding of Houjin¡¯s military strength. In terms of individual combat capabilities, the ferocious and barbaric nomads indeed had an edge over the soldiers of Yan Country, and especially with the participation of masters from the Soul Seeker Mansion, their lethality was significant. Li Qirong looked at Wang Shiyi, ¡°There are only sixty thousand Black Armored troops inside Dongluo Pass. It¡¯s too difficult for them to hold off hundreds of thousands of Houjin troops. We must move north to assist Dongluo Pass in resisting Houjin¡¯s army.¡± Wang Shiyi nodded slightly, ¡°We must indeed move north, but the key is how and when to move. I¡¯m sure Military Advisor Li has already made some plans, right?¡± Looking at the bigger picture, Dongluo Pass and the Northern Wilderness Path were interdependent. Watching Dongluo Pass fall would mean that the Northern Wilderness Path would soon suffer. So when Houjin attacked Dongluo Pass, Wang Shiyi had to take action. A cold light flickered in Li Qirong¡¯s eyes, ¡°If Houjin sends tens of thousands of troops to attack Dongluo Pass, the North Field will inevitably be left vulnerable. Heavenly Water City is the hub of the North Field. If we capture Heavenly Water City, we can definitely deal a heavy blow to Houjin, leaving them too stretched to respond effectively.¡± Wang Shiyi felt a surge of shock upon hearing this. This was not about rescuing Dongluo Pass, but about advancing northward to strike directly at Houjin¡¯s territory. Indeed, this move was exceptionally brilliant. It could relieve the crisis at Dongluo Pass and pierce straight into the heart of Houjin. Wang Shiyi furrowed his brow, ¡°If we truly capture Heavenly Water City, we will definitely be counterattacked by Houjin.¡± Now was not the time for Yan Country to expand its territory. Li Qirong had already considered this, ¡°Heavenly Water City is a hub city in the North Field, and Houjin will certainly not let it fall into our hands easily. We can learn from Houjin and retreat after looting a large amount of resources.¡± ¡°Good! Damn them all!¡± Wang Shiyi clenched his fists with excitement, feeling his blood boil with enthusiasm. Moving north into Houjin was something he had long wanted to do. Li Qirong spoke faintly, ¡°This time, I am going to pay tribute to the spirits of tens of thousands of citizens from Yan Country in Heavenly Water City.¡± Some said that Li Qirong lacked real skills, so he set up an ambush and killed two hundred thousand soldiers from Houjin; some said Li Qirong was too ruthless and disregarded the lives of civilians, so he planned to commemorate the spirits of tens of thousands of citizens on the city walls of Heavenly Water City. Everything he did seemed to serve as proof. ¡­¡­ The sands outside Dongluo Pass were vast. An Jing stood atop a sand dune, watching the sunlight filter through the grains. Ever since his Sword Dao reached the Sixth Realm, his enlightenment and cultivation of Sword Dao had slacked considerably, not just due to busyness but also because advancing even a tiny bit within the Sixth Realm was extremely difficult. The Sixth Realm equates to having no sword in hand, no sword in heart. A swordsman has completely forsaken his sword; without a sword, how could one continue to cultivate the Sword Dao and reach the Seventh Realm? The Seventh Realm is renowned as the final stage of Sword Dao. None has been heard to have achieved this in ancient and modern times, except for some records in the ¡°Sword Dao Tao General Outline.¡± However, An Jing believed that there must have been swordsmen who attained this realm and that this ¡°Sword Dao Tao General Outline¡± must have been authored by one such swordsman; otherwise, no one could depict the stages of Sword Dao so intricately and precisely. The Seventh Realm of Sword Dao, integrating the sword and the self, to forget both the sword and oneself. This state has transcended the secular world and truly reached the realm of immortals and buddhas. To reach this realm is to be a god amongst swords, an immortal amongst swords, indeed the foremost swordsman of all time, ancient and modern. At the Fifth Realm, An Jing could still draw upon the Sword Intent of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor and receive hints from Lou Xiangzhen, so he had some inkling before entering the Sixth Realm; but after reaching the Sixth Realm, it felt like he had gone blind. The Seventh Realm was a complete mystery to him. This was not only a great challenge for An Jing but a problem that plagued countless unparalleled swordsmen of the Sixth Realm. How could one reach the Seventh Realm? Every day, An Jing would come to this desert, gaze at the grains beneath the sunlight, and immerse himself in the vast expanse of the desert, emptying his mind in relentless pursuit of the mysterious Seventh Realm. In addition, he was also experiencing the realms of fist and kick body refining. After swallowing the True Dragon Treasure Blood, he directly achieved a Purity Body, the result of his talent and the True Dragon Treasure Blood¡¯s promotion. Just as Jun Qinglin once said, some people are born with their spiritual lamp already lit. The next realm after the Purity Body is Heavenly Human Communication, also the realm of Separating Heaven and Earth that Jun Qinglin practices. An Jing had some doubts in his heart, wondering whether Heavenly Human Communication was stronger or Separating Heaven and Earth was more formidable¨Cone merges with heaven and earth to borrow its power, the other separates from heaven and earth to release the constraints imposed upon oneself. For An Jing, either option was like the Seventh Realm of Sword Dao¨Cutterly clueless. If talking about leveraging the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence with the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± to rapidly ascend in cultivation, but as for these kinds of enlightenment, they require a great deal of time and a true understanding of Dao. Achieving mastery in a single bound is impossible for a true expert. ¡°Integrated with the sword, forgetting both the sword and oneself¡­.¡± Looking at the sand before him, An Jing completely emptied his mind, sensing the grains and the sunlight, momentarily forgetting everything. In his trance, he saw particles of sand dancing in the air, their speed growing slower and slower, until they came to a standstill. He could see the grains shining brightly under the sunlight, but that glow soon disappeared. The light faded because the sun in the sky was setting. He did not realize it, but he had been standing there contemplating until sunset, and the moon had already risen. The desert night was lonely and frigid, a mere breath turning into a puff of white smoke. An Jing drew out the Evil Suppressing Sword; its six blades now merged into one, showing a faint gleam under the moonlight on the ancient sword body. The sky was cold! The sword was cold too! And he was even colder! The sword light emitted by the Evil Suppressing Sword seemed chillier still, cold to the marrow. ¡°To forget everything, including the sword in hand, thus forgetting oneself.¡± The next moment, the sword in An Jing¡¯s hand disappeared as if it had never appeared, and he gently lifted his elbow. In an instant, the world fell into icy coldness again, the kind that pierces straight to the heart, different from the sensation of cold. Vast sword qi surged forth, illuminated by the moonlight, and it rolled mightily forward. ¡°Chi!¡± The sword split mountains and rivers! The heavens shook and the earth quaked! Bang bang bang bang bang! The sword light whistled past, and the entire desert¡¯s gravel shook, being flung more than three zhang into the air, forming curtains of yellow sand in the sky. Each grain of sand shimmered with a cold light, piercing the mind. ¡°Whirr whirr!¡± After a long while, the gravel heavily fell back to the ground, and finally, peace returned to the world. An Jing stood in the desert, beneath the moonlight. But if you looked closely, the Evil Suppressing Sword was still in his palm. The sword was in his hand all along, and it had never disappeared. ¡°The selfless is not the self, not mine, not my self. This move, let¡¯s call it the Selfless Dao.¡± An Jing looked at the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, remembered the sword technique he had just grasped, and then whispered to himself. Last time, he grasped an invisible and intangible sword technique called the Invisible Sword, and this time, he had grasped a new sword technique, called the Selfless Dao. ¡°Huh¡­¡± An Jing exhaled softly. Grasping a new sword technique made it even clearer to him that reaching the Seventh Realm was not so simple, and there was a huge difference between it and the Sixth Realm. This gap was indescribable, because to describe it would be to truly understand it, much like the distance between humans and the stars, visible but not clear. ¡°The Seventh Realm is truly reaching the realm of immortals and buddhas. Those who reach this realm, how terrifying and powerful they must be, will definitely have that feeling of being invincible in the human world.¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± An Jing sheathed the Evil Suppressing Sword and looked into the distance. A figure emerged in the distance and finally landed in front of An Jing. It was Yu Qiurong, ¡°Son-in-law, it¡¯s getting dark, the Sect Hierarch has asked you to go back and rest.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± An Jing nodded, following behind Yu Qiurong towards the inside of Dongluo Pass. Yu Qiurong followed An Jing meekly, hesitated for a moment then said, ¡°Son-in-law, let me hold the sword for you.¡± ¡°That would be good.¡± An Jing casually threw the Evil Suppressing Sword to Yu Qiurong, stepping on the gravel and looking at the cold moon in the sky. Yu Qiurong, holding the world-famous Evil Suppressing Sword and feeling the residual warmth on the hilt, couldn¡¯t help but smile softly. ¡­¡­ Time flew like an arrow, passing by swiftly. In Dongluo Pass, North Field Road, the North Field seemed to be shrouded in smog of gunpowder, with a great battle imminent. The end of the year arrived unnoticed. As the year¡¯s end approached and the weather turned colder, the number of caravans within Dongluo Pass dwindled, but this did not affect the city¡¯s prosperity and bustle at all. Dongluo Pass was festively decorated, both inside and out, in anticipation of the new year. Dongluo Pass, Fulu Street, Xianghe Pawnshop. This pawnshop had been established in Dongluo Pass for a full thirteen years and could be considered a true old brand of the city. The most numerous establishments within Dongluo Pass were gambling houses and brothels, with their backers being no secret, making Dongluo Pass the most famous den of iniquity in the world, with countless master thieves from Yan Country, Zhao Country, and Houjin squandering their dubious fortunes there each year. To be able to set up a pawnshop in such a place required not only greasing palms but also having significant strength and means of one¡¯s own, and Mao Xin, the shopkeeper of Xianghe Pawnshop, was just such a person. At this moment, the shopkeeper of Xianghe Pawnshop, with a bundled package on his back, stood at the entrance of the pawnshop, looking up at the four gilded characters overhead. Unnoticed, he had already lived here for thirteen years. A hint of reluctance flashed in his eyes, but this light was fleeting, and he quickly regained his composure. The pawnshop accountant said with a smile, ¡°Shopkeeper, rest assured that I¡¯ll take good care of the shop while you¡¯re gone.¡± ¡°With you here, I¡¯m very at ease.¡± Mao Xin laughed heartily and said, ¡°I¡¯ll leave it to you then, make sure to take good care of this pawnshop.¡± ¡°Shopkeeper Mao, I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t be able to leave for the time being.¡± Just then, an indifferent voice sounded. The pawnshop keeper turned his head and saw it was a middle-aged man dressed in green, with a jade token hanging from his waist. The jade token bore the lifelike engraving of an Azure Dragon. Azure Dragon Sect. Having mingled in Dongluo Pass for many years, he naturally knew what the jade token represented. As one of the four sects of the Demon Sect, the Azure Dragon Sect served as the Sect Hierarch¡¯s personal guard and oversaw the Demon Sect¡¯s punishments and rewards. Inside the Demon Sect, they were an existence that made even ghosts apprehensive. The man before him was none other than Zhu Cheng, a powerful figure of the Azure Dragon Sect with Third Grade Realm cultivation. ¡°Lord Zhu, what wind has brought you here today?¡± Mao Xin smiled, took out a piece of gold from his bosom, and discreetly approached the member of the Azure Dragon Sect, whispering with a laugh, ¡°This is a small token of my appreciation; I hope you¡¯ll continue to look after Xianghe when I¡¯m gone.¡± He often handed out silver to maintain his connections, assuming the Azure Dragon Sect high-ranking member had come to seek a benefit as well. Since he was going to leave, the pawnshop keeper was very generous. Zhu Cheng weighed the gold in his hand and a cold smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, ¡°Maybe Shopkeeper Mao didn¡¯t hear me clearly just now. You won¡¯t be able to leave today.¡± Mao Xin was startled, but maintained a calm demeanor and said, ¡°Oh? What is this about¡­?¡± Zhu Cheng stated indifferently, ¡°Our sect leader wishes to see you.¡± Mao Xin was surprised and asked, ¡°Why would the Sect Hierarch suddenly want to see me?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m just following orders. Please, come with me,¡± Zhu Cheng replied. With that said, Zhu Cheng gestured for Mao Xin to follow him. ¡°Since the Sect Hierarch wishes to see me, it seems I have no choice but to go.¡± Mao Xin nodded slightly and followed Zhu Cheng towards the Azure Dragon Hall. In Dongluo Pass, the Demon Sect is heaven. Suddenly, a cold glint flashed in Mao Xin¡¯s eyes, and a sharp blade appeared from his sleeve and stabbed towards Zhu Cheng¡¯s throat. The speed of the blade was extremely fast and nearly undetectable. ¡°Clang!¡± Just as it was about to pierce Zhu Cheng¡¯s throat, a longsword blocked the short blade. A smile appeared on Zhu Cheng¡¯s lips, ¡°Shopkeeper, you really hide your strength well, to be a Third Grade expert.¡± Run! Mao Xin felt a chill rush to the top of his head and frantically bolted into the distance. ¡°Seeking death!¡± Zhu Cheng swung his longsword, and a narrow, black Sword Qi shot forth. ¡°Shick!¡± The Sword Light hit Mao Xin¡¯s back directly, slicing his flesh open, and Mao Xin fell heavily to the ground, his forehead covered in cold sweat, unable to utter a word. He extended his hand and scrambled towards the outside of Dongluo Pass. As long as he could leave Dongluo Pass, he would be safe, and he could finally be reunited with his family. But the distance, which clearly lay within an arm¡¯s reach, was one he could no longer traverse. Whoosh! This scene unfolded extremely fast, causing an instant uproar on the street; the workers of Xianghe Pawnshop were all stunned, unable to snap back to reality. Zhu Cheng indifferently ordered, ¡°Seal off Xianghe Pawnshop, take Mao Xin into custody.¡± ¡­¡­ Vermilion Bird Lane, Tubular Alley. As usual, Lu He finished organizing the roll of names and headed home. In his earlier years, he was a Taiping Advanced Scholar of Yan Country during its seventeenth year. After the imperial examinations, because he hadn¡¯t bribed the relevant officials from the Ministry of Personnel, he was relegated to a remote area to serve as a minor official. At first, Lu He was filled with resentment, but he soon bowed his head to fate and, going with the flow, engaged in corruption and bribery, amassing a substantial amount of silver. However, due to his failures in cultivating relationships above him, he was exposed before he had completed even two years in his position. It was precisely at a time when the Human Emperor of Taiping had issued strict laws; corruption was a serious offense. Judging by the amount he embezzled, ten heads would not have been enough to pay for his crimes. With no other choice, he fled Yan Country and arrived at Dongluo Pass. Given that he was formerly an Advanced Scholar, and still had some literary skills, he was quickly discovered and recruited by the Demon Sect into the Vermilion Bird Seat. Over the decades, he indeed made some accomplishments; not only did he acquire a residence with three courtyards, but he also took three concubines, and his days were rather comfortable. Naturally, he was utterly loyal to the Demon Sect. Nowadays, his position was ever-rising, and he was one of Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s most capable aides. Lu He muttered to himself, ¡°Now that relations between Outer Heaven and Yan Country are easing, next year I¡¯ll be able to return to Yan Country to see my old mother.¡± Others might not be aware, but he knew very well that, with the aggressive stance of Houjin this time, the chances of the Demon Sect holding Dongluo Pass were extremely slim. The only opportunity would be to fall back to Yan Country¡¯s territory. Let these two colossi clash head-on, return to the Demon Sect inside Yan Country, and continue to work for the Sect while being even safer. The next moment, a streak of cold light shot from a distance. Although Lu He was a scholar, he wasn¡¯t completely ignorant of martial arts; he was a practitioner with Fourth Grade Cultivation and deftly avoided the cold arrow that surged towards him with innate instinct. ¡°Buzz buzz!¡± The cold arrow struck the ground fiercely, quivering incessantly, showing the terrifying force behind it. ¡°Who!?¡± Feeling a chill in his heart, Lu He shouted, ¡°Come out, you sneaky rat!¡± ¡°Kill him!¡± A low shout erupted as two figures dressed in black charged from all sides towards Lu He. With a single glance, Lu He was taken aback¨Cboth of these assailants had higher Cultivation levels than his. ¡°Run!¡± Without a second thought, Lu He desperately fled towards the distance. With a leap, the two men swiftly gave chase. Their movements were as fast as lightning, and just as they were about to strike Lu He, a longsword blocked their path. ¡°Not good!¡± Both assassins felt a chill in their hearts. It was too late to retreat. ¡°Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft!¡± As the longsword descended, a storm of Sword Qi formed around it, instantly turning the two men into a mist of blood that sprayed across the alley. Lu He now gasped for air, looking ahead. He saw a sword-wielding man appear at the end of the alley. ¡°Yi, the Head of the Seat!?¡± Lu He was slightly astonished, then quickly came to his senses, ¡°Is there no need for a survivor? These people are clearly premeditated.¡± Yi Daoyun coolly replied, ¡°All these are death soldiers from the Soul Seeker Mansion, the Sect Hierarch has ordered their complete extermination.¡± ¡°Soul Seeker Mansion¡­¡± Lu He murmured to himself, his heart trembling uncontrollably. Unexpectedly, even the experts of the Soul Seeker Mansion had infiltrated Dongluo Pass. They were audacious indeed; it left one to wonder if there were any top experts from the Soul Seeker Mansion still within the Pass. Additionally, based on the actions of the Soul Seeker Mansion, it seemed the Houjin army would soon arrive¡­ And this bloody scene was repeatedly played out in Dongluo Pass, as the scouts of Houjin were one by one captured and netted by the experts of the Azure Dragon Seat, while the experts of the Soul Seeker Mansion were intercepted and slain by the experts of the White Tiger Seat, leaving not a single survivor. This was the Demon Sect¡¯s response to Houjin. ¡­¡­ Inside Dongluo Garden, in the hall. An Jing, Zhao Qingmei, Yu Qiurong, Duanmu Xinghua, and Mu Xiaoyun were seated in the hall. The other experts of the Demon Sect also had their own families, with only Duanmu Xinghua, Mu Xiaoyun, and Yi Daoyun truly alone, so Zhao Qingmei invited the two to celebrate the new year together. Mu Xiaoyun reported the Demon Sect¡¯s financial earnings for the past year at the side. Compared to last year, this year¡¯s overall revenue tended to decline. On one hand, there were sanctions from Houjin, as well as heavy compensation needed for the casualties of the Black Armored Army, along with other various expenses. Fortunately, the Demon Sect could now spread its teachings in Yan Country, which not only allowed the Demon Sect to continuously absorb fresh blood but also helped balance its financial power to a certain extent. After Mu Xiaoyun finished, it was Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s turn to report. The power of the Demon Sect also suffered a heavy blow this year. Initially, Jiang Renyi of the Earth Sect and countless Earth Sect experts were exiled and executed. Then there was Yuan Feng¡¯s betrayal and the battle with the Russell Clan¨Cevents that caused the Demon Sect to lose a significant number of masters. But the strength of the Demon Sect had also expanded. For example, a top Great Sword Immortal, Ghost Swordsman, was added. Furthermore, Jun Qinglin had emerged from seclusion. This undoubtedly elevated the Demon Sect to a higher level of top-tier strength, which was even more formidable than the current Zhenyi Sect. Zhao Qingmei contemplated for a moment before asking, ¡°How many experts of First Grade Cultivation and Second Grade Cultivation do we have in the sect now?¡± Duanmu Xinghua answered, ¡°There are seventeen people at the realm of First Grade, among them eight are First Grade Human Flowers, five are First Grade Earth Flowers, two are First Grade Heavenly Flowers, and the rest are newly promoted to the First Grade Realm. As for Second Grade, there are twenty-nine people. The majority of these First and Second Grade Cultivators are from the Heavenly Sect, followed by the Earth Sect.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows furrowed tightly. The year had indeed been tumultuous and had caused the Demon Sect to lose a number of experts in the First Grade Realm, leading to a downtrend in overall strength. Furthermore, the seventy thousand Black Armored Army had been greatly devastated, and now barely numbered over sixty thousand with the reserves included, clearly insufficient against the hundreds of thousands strong Houjin army. An Jing, seated to the side, was preoccupied with eating peanuts, her eyes occasionally drifting towards Mu Xiaoyun, her thoughts inscrutable. Yu Qiurong noticed An Jing¡¯s subtle movements and her eyebrows furrowed slightly. ¡°We also received a secret report this afternoon.¡± Duanmu Xinghua seemed to remember something and said, ¡°The old Sect Hierarch has emerged from the forbidden land of the Snow Mountain clan, but afterwards, his whereabouts became unknown.¡± Jiang Shang came out!? An Jing and Zhao Qingmei exchanged glances. Upon hearing this, Yu Qiurong¡¯s brows also knitted together tightly. In her heart, an enemy of Zhao Qingmei was her own enemy. Zhao Qingmei said softly, ¡°Conduct a full search; I want to know his whereabouts.¡± When it came to her own master, Zhao Qingmei knew his power better than anyone else. Back in the day, even Ye Ding of the Zhenyi Sect had not been able to defeat him. Later, Ye Ding was ambushed by Qi Xuan Dao, and his power had not increased by much, while Jiang Shang had consistently made steady progress over the decades. Now, his strength was definitely above Ye Ding¡¯s. Since Ye Ding was of the Four Qi Cultivation, Jiang Shang¡¯s Cultivation was likely at the peak of Four Qi, or even close to the realm of Five Qi, which indeed presented a formidable enemy for An Jing and Zhao Qingmei. ¡°Understood.¡± Duanmu Xinghua nodded, her heart feeling somewhat forlorn. What she feared the most was internal strife within the Demon Sect. If Jiang Shang could return to the Demon Sect, how terrifying would the power of the Demon Sect become by now? But as it stood, a confrontation between the two sides seemed unavoidable, especially since Jiang Renyi¡¯s fate was unclear. Moreover, with the recent suspected emergence of a traitor, it was difficult to say whether it was one of Jiang Shang¡¯s hooks. If so, could it be Lin Tianhai, Yi Daoyun, or another master? Duanmu Xinghua suppressed the thoughts in her heart, feeling increasingly anxious and unsettled as she pondered. After some casual conversation, Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath, rubbed her temples, and said, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s set aside the matters within the sect for now. Next, let¡¯s wait for some good news.¡± Confused, Mu Xiaoyun asked, ¡°Good news? May I know what this good news is?¡± ¡°Soon, you¡¯ll find out.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked towards Mu Xiaoyun, ¡°You¡¯ve been working hard during this period; take today to relax since it¡¯s New Year¡¯s Eve.¡± The Vermilion Bird Seat was in charge of all the Demon Sect¡¯s operations, finances, expenses, and was known as the busiest and most important department within the sect. Previously, the Head of the Vermilion Bird Seat was Yu Qiurong, but after Mu Xiaoyun had made significant contributions, authority was gradually transferred to Mu Xiaoyun. Sincerely, Mu Xiaoyun responded, ¡°I am grateful to the Sect Hierarch for taking me in; I keep it in mind constantly, daring not to slack off for fear of failing your expectations.¡± ¡°The best thing is that you keep it in your heart,¡± Zhao Qingmei said, looking into those eyes and uttering a profound statement. Somehow, when those eyes were fixed on her, all her secrets seemed to be seen through in an instant, giving her an uncomfortable feeling as if she were sitting on pins and needles. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Just at that moment, an expert from the Azure Dragon Hall entered the hall, ¡°Head Lin has arrived.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, ¡°Let him in.¡± Soon, Lin Tianhai entered the grand hall, where everyone present was an experienced Jianghu master, naturally sensing the scent of blood on him. This made both Duanmu Xinghua and Mu Xiaoyun frown subtly. Lin Tianhai cupped his fists and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, all seven spies from Houjin have been captured, one of them couldn¡¯t withstand the torture and confessed. Zhang Zihao is indeed the traitor, and it was he who poisoned the Poison King. He is currently in Heavenly Water City in the Northern Wilderness, but Yu Dou was killed by someone else, and it is said to be the work of someone within our Demon Sect.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked with a smile upon hearing this, ¡°Yu Dou was a master at the peak of the Third Grade Realm. There aren¡¯t many in our sect who could kill him, are there? Have you found out who it was?¡± Lin Tianhai replied, ¡°Not yet. These spies from the Soul Seeker Mansion don¡¯t hold high positions, their purpose was to gather information on Dongluo Pass, and this traitor¡¯s status is not ordinary, evidently having a separate line of communication with Houjin. However, we found dozens of secret letters at the Houjin spies¡¯ base, all evidence of people from our Demon Sect secretly communicating with Houjin.¡± With that, Lin Tianhai produced several secret letters. Zhao Qingmei asked indifferently, ¡°Who are they?¡± Lin Tianhai listed a series of names, ¡°Earth Sect¡¯s Chang Yu, Pu Caide, Si Baishan, Azure Dragon Sect¡¯s Sha Yongjian, Wu Zheng¡­¡± Duanmu Xinghua felt a chill in her heart; she recognized some of the names, shocked that these people had unknowingly pledged allegiance to Houjin. It seemed that under the tremendous pressure of the vast might of Houjin, many skilled masters of the Demon Sect couldn¡¯t bear the burden and had developed second thoughts, ready to switch allegiances at any time. Finding out beforehand was a relief. If a sudden betrayal occurred during actual combat, the Demon Sect, already at a disadvantage, might have faced the final straw that broke their back. Suddenly, Duanmu Xinghua felt a sense of lingering fear and grew even more admiring of Zhao Qingmei, who, despite her youth, was careful and steady in her actions, meticulous in every way. Unbeknownst to all, she had set up a mesh of Heaven and Earth Net. Zhao Qingmei said expressionlessly, ¡°Kill them all.¡± Lin Tianhai hesitated for a moment before asking, ¡°Sect Hierarch, should we not investigate these people further? Perhaps we can obtain information about the bigger fish behind this.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Zhao Qingmei replied with a cold smile, ¡°I¡¯m curious to see what kind of waves this fish can make.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Lin Tianhai cupped his fists again and then turned to leave. Lin Tianhai had barely left when Yi Daoyun came in, his sword still dripping with fresh blood, obviously having survived a fierce battle. Considering Yi Daoyun¡¯s realm as a master of One Qi, the fact that he had to take action meant that his opponent must have been strong. ¡°Sect Hierarch, all the assassins sent by the Soul Seeker Mansion to kill our sect¡¯s masters have been slain, not a single one left alive. Among them, five were of First Grade Realm, nine of Second Grade Realm, and seventeen of Third Grade Realm.¡± ¡°Very good.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, ¡°Hang their corpses outside Dongluo Pass and let them be exposed to the sun for three days as a warning to others.¡± Even for the Soul Seeker Mansion, losing so many masters would surely be a painful blow. An Jing had known for some time that Zhao Qingmei was planning to make a move against Houjin, but even now, hearing the report of the battle outcome, he couldn¡¯t help but secretly marvel in his heart. His wife was decisive and resolute in action, swift in cutting through the mess like a sharp knife. Capturing the Houjin spies and arranging a counter-ambush in advance, she managed to kill a large number of Soul Seeker Mansion masters in one fell swoop. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This series of measures undoubtedly boosted morale and alleviated the pressure for the upcoming major battle while also delaying Houjin¡¯s advance. However, An Jing still had worries in his heart. Fundamentally, the hundreds of thousands of Houjin troops were the most lethal and troublesome. Right then, hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall again, and Lin Tianhai returned after leaving, cupping his fists and saying: ¡°Sect Hierarch, the Great Elder and Second Elder from the Sealing Demon Platform have arrived.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 269 - Chapter 269: Chapter 269 The Houjin Descends South, The Beacon Fires Rise Chapter 269: Chapter 269 The Houjin Descends South, The Beacon Fires Rise Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows slightly lifted, ¡°Please let them in.¡± Ever since Yuan Feng had died, Ouyang Ping rarely meddled in the affairs of the Demon Sect, and Jun Qinglin was even more ¡®hands-off,¡¯ often not inquiring about the sect¡¯s business. Whenever there was a major event, it was Zhao Qingmei who would have Duanmu Xinghua draft letters to be sent to the Sealing Demon Platform. It was the same during the battle at Blue Sky Island, and it was the same now with the frequent movements of the Houjin. If the last event concerned the future plans of the Demon Sect, then the actions of the Houjin this time related to the very survival of the Demon Sect. At such a time, as elders of the Demon Sect¡¯s Sealing Demon Platform, they naturally couldn¡¯t remain uninvolved. Before long, Jun Qinglin and Ouyang Ping entered and greeted Zhao Qingmei at the head of the room with clasped hands. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± ¡°Great Elder, Second Elder, please take a seat,¡± Zhao Qingmei stood up, indicating for them to do so. The two slowly sat down, while An Jing, standing to the side, noticed that Jun Qinglin¡¯s qi mechanism hadn¡¯t changed at all, which meant that Jun Qinglin had not yet attempted to take that step. Thinking this, he let out a faint sigh of relief. He then shook his head secretly. Why did he feel relieved? Did he also think that Jun Qinglin couldn¡¯t break through that barrier? Great Grandmasters were known as Land Immortals, the threshold for all the Five Qi Grandmasters; anyone who could step beyond this threshold would truly become the foremost in the world. The Great Yan Emperor had also suffered heavy injuries when breaking through this barrier and had been unable to manage court affairs since. Qi Xuan Dao also stayed at the level of a Five Qi Grandmaster, unable to enter this realm for a long time. Before them, there were Five Qi Grandmasters who had stalled at this point. This checkpoint stopped many of the world¡¯s most extraordinary masters. wuxiaworld.site Duanmu Xinghua, Yi Daoyun, and Mu Xiaoyun stood up to pay their respects to Jun Qinglin and Ouyang Ping. ¡°We greet the Great Elder and the Second Elder.¡± Jun Qinglin glanced over and thought for a moment. ¡°Duanmu Xinghua? Yi Daoyun?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± The two nodded in acknowledgment. Jun Qinglin couldn¡¯t help but smile upon hearing this. Back when he was at Dongluo Pass, Duanmu Xinghua had been in his forties, at the peak of his career, while Yi Daoyun was an extremely young swordsman. Now, Duanmu Xinghua had become grey-haired, and Yi Daoyun also began to show his age. Thinking of this, he couldn¡¯t help but glance at An Jing and Zhao Qingmei. At such young ages, they had reached heights that others could not in a lifetime. They seemed to possess endless possibilities. Ouyang Ping also felt quite emotional, as if aging had happened in just a flash of time. Zhao Qingmei gestured to serve tea and then asked, ¡°May I know if the Great Elder and the Second Elder¡¯s sudden visit is concerning the southward movement of the Houjin army?¡± ¡°Correct.¡± Jun Qinglin nodded slightly, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun has been scheming for decades; naturally, he won¡¯t give up on moving south because of one or two setbacks. The attack on Dongluo Pass by tens of thousands of Houjin soldiers has become a certainty. Although we have retired to the Sealing Demon Platform, this matter is related to the life and death of the Demon Sect, and we have an inescapable responsibility.¡± The Demon Sect experts present were delighted upon hearing this. With Jun Qinglin, who stood at the summit of the martial world, their hearts were somewhat reassured. Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and spoke earnestly, ¡°With the Great Elder and the Second Elder present, we have a greater chance of holding Dongluo Pass.¡± After pondering for a moment, Jun Qinglin asked, ¡°Actually, does the Sect Hierarch have any other thoughts?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°What thoughts?¡± Jun Qinglin said, ¡°Such as, abandoning Dongluo Pass.¡± ¡°Abandon Dongluo Pass!?¡± As Jun Qinglin finished speaking, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyebrows knit together more tightly. Duanmu Xinghua, Yi Daoyun, and others exchanged looks of surprise and bewilderment. Jun Qinglin continued, ¡°Now that our sect is allied with Yan Country, we are allowed to spread our teachings in all places in Yan aside from Capital Road. Why be fixated on this small Dongluo Pass? After all, people are alive. As long as we have followers, it will still be Outer Heaven, but if we no longer have followers, if we no longer have the people present here, even if we continue to hold Dongluo Pass, what meaning does it have?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brow didn¡¯t ease at Jun Qinglin¡¯s words, instead furrowing deeper, ¡°Dongluo Pass is the main stronghold of Outer Heaven, and we have been rooted here for hundreds of years. Many of our followers have already come to see this place as their home.¡± The others also nodded repeatedly. At this moment, Dongluo Pass was their home. How could they possibly give it up without a fight? Jun Qinglin heard this and fell silent. Once people develop feelings, they become bound, true for relationships with people and matters alike. To some, the ground underfoot was just ordinary land, but for others, it was a home watered with sweat, blood, and affections. To ask them to put down their weapons and leave their homeland without a fight, what would they think in their hearts? The entire hall became quiet, with everyone feeling a suppressive atmosphere. The Demon Sect was powerful, but faced with the immense entity of Houjin, it seemed somewhat insignificant. Not to mention top-level masters; Houjin had many, such as the Soul Seeker Mansion, Snow Mountain, and Royal Court Guards. In terms of soldiers, Dongluo Pass was far outnumbered. Houjin could easily muster tens of thousands of soldiers, while Dongluo Pass, at its full capacity, only had fifty to sixty thousand soldiers. Despite knowing that the vast armies of Houjin were about to attack, the only thing they could do was wait for the storm to hit. After a while, Ouyang Ping spoke out, ¡°The Yan Kingdom Court won¡¯t just watch Dongluo Pass fall either.¡± Jun Qinglin nodded in agreement, without saying another word. The Yan Kingdom Court still needed to use Dongluo Pass, so how could they allow it to fall? But living in the cracks between these two colossal forces, the future of the Demon Sect also appeared bleak. After all, sometimes you don¡¯t know whether persisting is a mistake or if giving up too easily until you¡¯ve reached the last step. Seeing this, An Jing chuckled softly and said, ¡°Today marks the end of the year, and tomorrow is the start of a new one. Why don¡¯t we put aside the current affairs for now and have a good drink?¡± Jun Qinglin shook the teacup in his hand, ¡°Then it seems this tea must be replaced with wine.¡± ¡°Bring the wine.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled faintly. Before long, the fine wine was brought forth, and everyone¡¯s wine cup was filled to the brim. Ouyang Ping poured a cup of wine and said to everyone, ¡°It has been many years since I¡¯ve enjoyed such a lively scene.¡± The Sealing Demon Platform was aloof in status, inhabited only by several servants and the offspring of the Sealing Demon Platform¡¯s elders, thus it was always very quiet throughout the year. In the past, he didn¡¯t like the hustle and bustle, but after a long period of quietness, he discovered that enjoying the liveliness occasionally seemed to be very good. The change in Ouyang Ping was most deeply felt by Duanmu Xinghua, Yi Daoyun, and others. Ouyang had previously been extremely cold, but in recent years he had become much gentler. Duanmu Xinghua looked at the wine cup in her hand and sighed inwardly, ¡°Once this battle against Houjin is over, it¡¯s time for me to retire within the Sealing Demon Platform.¡± She had served as the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sect for decades, especially when Jiang Shang left the Demon Sect and Zhao Qingmei had just taken over, she had exhausted all of her energy. Now the time had come to step away from the Jianghu and make way for the younger generation. Zhao Qingmei raised her wine cup, looking at An Jing with a soft light in her eyes, ¡°My husband.¡± ¡°My wife.¡± An Jing looked at the tender and attractive face before him. Fondness for a person cannot be hidden, especially in the eyes when looking at you, they shine with a bright light. Zhao Qingmei was stubborn, confident, and suspicious, especially under the subtle influence of the Demon Seed, her paranoia and suspicion became increasingly severe. But at the same time, her eyes when looking at An Jing also turned increasingly ardent. Just like she once said, she didn¡¯t want to be the red rose in An Jing¡¯s heart; she wanted to be the wild grass that¡¯s undying and sprouts with every gust of wind. Everyone raised their wine cups. In such a scene, everyone present was filled with their own deep emotions. ¡­. After three rounds of wine and a variety of dishes, The crowd gradually dispersed. The cold weather at Dongluo Pass grew several degrees colder, with a full moon in the sky, casting a chill on people¡¯s brows and hair. All lights in Dongluo Garden were ablaze, yet it was very quiet. The vast garden had few servants, and because of the holiday, they all had gone home. An Jing and Zhao Qingmei walked through the garden, their hands tightly clasped, feeling each other¡¯s warmth. ¡°My husband.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Do you think what the Great Elder said makes sense?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked. Jun Qinglin was among the top experts in the world today, but even he seemed somewhat uncertain about this battle. Could Dongluo Pass really hold against the tens of thousands of Houjin¡¯s troops? And even if they held this time, what about the next? As long as Dongluo Pass stands, it will remain a thorn in Houjin¡¯s side, a nail in their eye; only by removing it could they rest at ease. An Jing gently squeezed her hand and said, ¡°The Great Elder makes sense, but now that tens of thousands of Houjin¡¯s troops have already gathered on the plains, retreating would likely be incredibly difficult.¡± Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath, her brow furrowed with worry. Sometimes, she had to be cautious. Things were far more complicated than imagined, and one wrong step could cost the Demon Sect the lives of countless experts. Besides that, what worried Zhao Qingmei the most was the ¡®traitor.¡¯ This was the most deadly issue at present. She clearly knew there was a traitor among the high ranks of the Demon Sect, but was unable to weed them out, leaving everyone unsure of what sort of twists this traitor might cause. Looking at the somewhat weary Zhao Qingmei before him, An Jing gently pulled her into his embrace. Zhao Qingmei buried her head in An Jing¡¯s chest and said, ¡°My husband, the Demon Seed within me has been providing more and more cultivation lately, I think I will soon reach the Three Qi.¡± Feeling the warmth within him, An Jing said softly, ¡°As long as you are confident.¡± Zhao Qingmei wrapped her arms around An Jing¡¯s neck and whispered in his ear, ¡°Husband, this time we will definitely get through the difficulty smoothly, and then I will go back to Yu State City with you. It has been a long time since we rowed a boat together.¡± ¡°All right.¡± An Jing gently touched Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hair. Both showed a trace of a smile. ¡­¡­. North Field, Heavenly Water City. Inside a grand hall of a tower, although it was deep into the night, the place was still brightly lit. Sitting in the chief seat was a general with a tiger¡¯s back and bear¡¯s waist, clad in black scale armor. He had a Houjin-style curved saber hanging at his waist, and his entire presence exuded a chilling aura of blood. Ordinary martial arts experts from Jianghu would feel a shiver inside their hearts upon seeing this man. Zongzheng Huachun had unified the grasslands, and among his subordinates were two mighty generals who not only possessed profound strength but were also seasoned strategists who had seen countless battles. Now, sitting in the chief seat was one of them, the Black Tiger Jin Lv. Jin Lv was calm and composed, with measured action, and extremely sensitive to grand military battles. His military exploits were magnificent and rarely seen. He had faced off against the Marquis Wang Shiyi on the borders of Houjin and Yan Country several times, with victories and losses on both sides. However, their encounters had been just minor skirmishes, stopping at the first blow. Besides Jin Lv, sitting below were the leaders of the Water Cloud Banner, Flying Horse Banner, and Heavenly Eagle Banner, Jiang Shang, the chieftain of the Snow Mountain tribe, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, Soul Seeker Mansion, and many other experts. Meeting together were top forces from the military and Jianghu, which made the atmosphere in the room grow heavy. Jin Lv glanced around and said in a deep voice, ¡°Since everyone is here, I will speak directly. Dongluo Pass is easy to defend and hard to attack. If Dan Jun wants to break through Dongluo Pass, he can only do so via Sanfeng Pass and Knife Pass. Clearly, both places must be guarded by people from the Demon Sect. But according to the intelligence we received, the Black Armored Army of the Demon Sect is only 60,000 strong. If they divide their forces to guard both places, they will be spread too thin; there¡¯s nothing to fear. What had been worrying me was the experts of the Demon Sect. Now, not only do we have Prefect Zeng inside Dongluo Pass to cooperate with us, but also the Great Dharma King, Sect Hierarch Jiang, and Chieftain Wu. With them, all these worries are dispelled. Based on my estimation, if the great army sets out tonight and focuses on attacking Sanfeng Pass, within ten days we shall be celebrating with drinks inside Dongluo Pass!¡± With the absolute advantage in forces, there was no need for trickery or stratagems; a straight push would suffice. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King nodded and looked at Jiang Shang, ¡°Sect Hierarch Jiang, what do you think?¡± Jiang Shang waved his hand indifferently, ¡°Marshal Jin can proceed with his own plan.¡± He understood Zhao Qingmei¡¯s stubborn nature all too well. Jin Lv said, ¡°When the troops reach the city, it would be better for Sect Hierarch Jiang to show up.¡± At present, the Demon Sect¡¯s momentum clearly indicated their intention to hold Dongluo Pass at all costs. Having Jiang Shang intervene at that point would be less favorable. But once they were under the city walls of Dongluo Pass, if Jiang Shang then stepped forward, there would naturally be many within the Demon Sect ready to side with him; thus, Dongluo Pass would fall without a fight. Jiang Shang said indifferently, ¡°Actually, I know of a small path that leads straight to Dongluo Pass.¡± A gleam flashed in Jin Lv¡¯s eyes, ¡°Oh? Please do tell, Sect Hierarch Jiang.¡± Dongluo Pass was under-manned at the time, and just tens of thousands of soldiers could break into Dongluo Pass. Thus, the Black Armored Army guarding Sanfeng Pass and Knife Pass would have no choice but to surrender. Reducing casualties was naturally a good thing. Not just Jin Lv, but the leaders of the three banners were also deeply shocked, understanding the impact this path could have on the current war. Jiang Shang said, ¡°It¡¯s not far from Knife Pass. Few people know of this path, and there are often sandstorms. The troops that could be dispatched may not be many, and some might be lost along the way¡­¡± ¡°Then dispatch twenty thousand cavalry.¡± ¡°When twenty thousand cavalry reach Dongluo Pass, probably about seventeen or eighteen thousand will remain.¡± ¡°No matter. When we attract the Demon Sect¡¯s attention at the front, Sect Hierarch Jiang, Great Dharma King, and Chieftain Wu will lead the cavalry through this path into Dongluo Pass. How could they defend against that?¡± Jin Lv laughed heartily and boisterously said. If this move to undermine the enemy¡¯s base were successful, the gains would far outweigh the loss of two thousand cavalry. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King and the chieftain of the Snow Mountain tribe exchanged glances and then nodded in agreement. Jin Lv then began issuing commands, ¡°Heavenly Eagle Banner and Flying Horse Banner, you suffered heavy losses at Sanfeng Pass last time; this time you will lead the main force in attacking Sanfeng Pass. I will personally lead twenty thousand Tiger Guards to attack Knife Pass. Water Cloud Banner and thirty thousand Snow Mountain soldiers will be responsible for defending Heavenly Water City. Wang Shiyi will surely come. You need only hold for ten days.¡± ¡°Subordinates obey!¡± The leaders of the three banners stood up to receive their orders. As commands were issued, the massive war machine began to operate, turning the entire Heavenly Water City into a hubbub. This activity could not possibly be concealed, and spies from all forces quickly spread the news. The clamor from the encampment outside the city triggered a wave of noise; the sound of horse hooves rolled like thunder, as if the very ground was roaring. The great army of Houjin finally set out. The new year was indeed ushered in with the great battle between Houjin and Dongluo Pass. ¡­¡­ The night grew deeper. From the day before the lunar new year, Dongluo Pass had entered a state of high alert. All four city gates were sealed, and without the Sect Hierarch¡¯s decree, no one could enter or leave. Inside Dongluo Pass, a pervasive tension and unease filled the air. Oppressive. Suffocating. Even on the eve of the new year, the streets were sparsely populated. Most of those remaining in Dongluo Pass were either family members of the Demon Sect or civilians who had long been rooted in the pass. As for merchant convoys from various forces, they had left long ago. Clearly, everyone harbored doubts that the Demon Sect would be able to hold Dongluo Pass, even with the aid of Yan Country¡¯s great army. At the North Gate, several masters from the Azure Dragon Sect were guarding the firmly shut city gates; the leader among them was none other than Zhu Cheng of the Azure Dragon Sect. Just then, a figure approached from a distance. It was a woman, with a voluptuous figure and a seductive charm. The sight of her stirred a burning desire in men, and if summarized in one word, it would be ¡®provocative¡¯. ¡°Mu Elder!¡± Zhu Cheng¡¯s eyes brightened, and he quickly bowed his head. The sensual woman before him was the Mu Xiaoyun of the Vermilion Bird Seat, also the current favorite of the Sect Hierarch. Not to mention him, even his direct superior, Lin Tianhai, would have to show her some courtesy. Mu Xiaoyun glanced at the people in front of her and said, ¡°You truly have worked hard.¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± Zhu Cheng hastily shook his head, then curiously asked, ¡°May I inquire why the respected Mu Elder has come so late?¡± Mu Xiaoyun offered a faint smile, ¡°The White Tiger Sect¡¯s experts have returned from an assassination mission, and the Sect Hierarch sent me here to receive them?¡± ¡°The White Tiger Sect carried out an assassination mission?¡± Zhu Cheng murmured to himself; he hadn¡¯t received any news about this. However, upon thinking harder, it made sense. Historically, only the White Tiger Sect¡¯s experts and the Sect Hierarch would be privy to important assassination missions. It was normal for him to be uninformed. But why send the Vermilion Bird Seat¡¯s Elder for the reception? Listening to the distant sound of the watchman, Mu Xiaoyun said, ¡°The hour of Zi (11 PM ¨C 1 AM) has arrived, open the city gate.¡± Zhu Cheng revealed a trace of hesitation, ¡°This¡­ ¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s brows furrowed, ¡°What? Are my orders not effective here?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that. It¡¯s just¡­ the Sect Hierarch has ordered¡­¡± ¡°This is a verbal decree from the Hierarch himself. If you delay, your life could not compensate for it.¡± Facing the cold gaze in Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s eyes, Zhu Cheng felt an immense pressure and his heart wavered. If it were anyone else, he would have dismissed them without a second thought, but this woman could influence the Sect Hierarch. Mu Xiaoyun noticed Zhu Cheng¡¯s hesitation and snapped sternly, ¡°Open the gate quickly!¡± ¡°Open the gate.¡± With a deep breath, Zhu Cheng eventually waved his hand. ¡°Ka-ka¨C!¡± The city gate slowly opened, and Mu Xiaoyun let out a slight sigh of relief. Before long, several figures in black appeared outside the gate, each emanating a lethal aura, particularly the leader, whose gaze was especially chilling. Zhu Cheng glanced over them and felt something was amiss, but couldn¡¯t quite place it. The White Tiger Sect was responsible for assassination and beheading within the Demon Sect, thus their members were not only highly skilled but also held extremely secretive identities. They usually moved in and out of the Demon Sect with concealed faces, rarely showing their true appearances. ¡°Let¡¯s go. The Sect Hierarch has been waiting for a while,¡± Mu Xiaoyun said indifferently as she surveyed the group. ¡°Yes.¡± The leader nodded to Mu Xiaoyun and followed behind her, heading into the city. The group moved in perfect unison, without the slightest sound, surrounded by an eerie atmosphere. Zhu Cheng gestured to his men to close the city gate, without giving it another thought. After all, Mu Xiaoyun was the Elder of the Vermilion Bird Seat. ¡°Ka-ka-!¡± The city gate was closed again. Zhu Cheng bowed and said, ¡°Safe travels, Mu Elder.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Mu Xiaoyun waved her hand and continued along the street into the depths. The moon grew deeper, and the air carried a biting chill. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As the group made their way along the street, the lead figure, Mu Xiaoyun, suddenly paused, and under the faint moonlight, her pupils could be seen sharply contracting. ¡°What is it?¡± The leader of the men in black asked softly, then followed Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s gaze. On the dark, icy street, someone had appeared out of nowhere. ¡­¡­ Chapter 270 - Chapter 270: Chapter 270: Abnormal Tides in Heaven and Earth Chapter 270: Chapter 270: Abnormal Tides in Heaven and Earth That was a young man in white, his back to the moonlight, his expression indiscernible, and his qi mechanism unfelt. But Mu Xiaoyun knew who the visitor was. The newcomer was the notoriously famous Ghost Swordsman. The person in black standing behind Mu Xiaoyun felt a chill in their heart, as if a blade was constantly scraping against their heart. ¡°An Tributor.¡± Mu Xiaoyun let out a light laugh, trying to calm herself down, ¡°You haven¡¯t rested so late at night?¡± An Jing took a few steps forward, the faint moonlight shining on his face, void of any expression, ¡°Isn¡¯t it the same for Elder Mu?¡± Mu Xiaoyun said, ¡°I had received a secret order from the Sect Hierarch . . .¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°She did not issue such an order.¡± Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s heart twitched, and her expression momentarily froze, but she quickly adjusted, ¡°Perhaps the Sect Hierarch did not tell An Tributor.¡± An Jing calmly said, ¡°Yi Daoyun is now at Sanfeng Pass, and experts from the White Tiger Sect are also there. Who are they?¡± His words were very calm, without the slightest ripple, but the person in black opposite felt as if thunder had exploded in their heart. Mu Xiaoyun remained silent. ¡°Swoosh!¡± The leader of the men in black had drawn the long sword from his waist, the blade reflecting a cold light. wuxiaworld.site An Jing looked at that man in black and continued, ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, you must be Zeng Zhen.¡± The Soul Seeker Mansion of Houjin had many experts, among them Grandmasters besides Qiu Fengsheng; Soul-cutting Blade Zeng Zhen was one of them. Because Soul-cutting Blade acted low-key and restrained, he was not ranked among the top four swordsman of the world, but those who understood his strength knew that his capabilities were no less than the top four, and he could be ranked among the top five swordsmen of the world. In this vast Jianghu, there are those who seek fame for profit, and once they have profit, they no longer pursue too much fame, instead feeling that fame is a burden; Zeng Zhen before him was such a person. Over the years, he had killed more people for Soul Seeker Mansion than even Qiu Fengsheng had. Not long ago in You Mountain, Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion died by his hand, which was to pressure Second Prince Zhao Mengtai. As the Human Emperor retreated in an attempt to break through his limitations, and the Crown Prince gradually took control, the internal pressure of Zhao Mengtai was like a spring that needed just one last straw to bounce back. And Zeng Zhen¡¯s goal was to place that last straw. Besides, he had done many things, such as once attempting to assassinate Wang Shiyi but ending in failure and then impersonating an expert from the White Tiger Sect to assassinate within the Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu. He was experienced in such matters, so this time, impersonating an expert from the White Tiger Sect to enter Dongluo Pass, he was quite at ease. Zeng Zhen took out two pills from his sleeve and put them in his mouth, ¡°The Mansion Master Qiu had died at your hands, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± An Jing did not deny it. With Qiu Fengsheng¡¯s death at his hands and his identity now revealed, this was hardly a secret anymore. Zeng Zhen¡¯s gaze was icy, his long sword emanating a chilling light, ¡°He had shown me great kindness.¡± ¡°So you want to kill me to avenge him?¡± ¡°All experts within Dongluo Pass were transferred to Sanfeng Pass.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± he said. The two ceased talking, and the pitch-dark street fell into silence. Zeng Zhen¡¯s aura was rising continuously, and its wave-like force erupted, immensely terrifying. Zeng Zhen swept his palm, his figure swift and shifting from left to right, curving towards An Jing with his War Soul Blade raised, launching unpredictable phantom strikes. Clang! An Jing flicked his finger, sending out a burst of sword qi. Their initial exchange was mainly exploratory; thus, it appeared plain, but it contained lethal intent. If the opponent could not withstand it, even the ordinary moves could evolve into ones that severely injured the opponent, ending the fight with a single stroke. Phantom Form! Zeng Zhen¡¯s practiced War Soul Saber Technique, known for its deceitful and fierce nature, caused a rolling fog to spread ominously in all directions from him, quickly engulfing An Jing and turning the surrounding area into a thick fog zone. Mist blossoms condensed, and Zeng Zhen, stepping on them, moved silently yet as fast as lightning towards An Jing, his every move indescribably tricky and eccentric, taking an unconventional path to achieve surprise victories. Although it was An Jing¡¯s first battle with Zeng Zhen, his experienced eye clearly discerned the opponent¡¯s tactics. A vibrant burst of sword qi tore through the fog, splitting it directly in two. Zeng Zhen was shocked by An Jing¡¯s insight; not only had he blocked his attack, but he also counterattacked with a sword strike that shattered the dense fog. An Jing¡¯s expression remained unchanged, even as Zeng Zhen¡¯s qi continued to surge dramatically. A flick of the wrist unleashed An Jing¡¯s fastest sword technique within the dense fog, a captivating blade of wind emerging within, roaring in all directions. From the outside, the foggy area, spanning several meters, seemed like a giant hedgehog, its slender sword qi both quick and sharp. A muffled grunt sounded from the fog, and a figure was thrust out¨Cit was Zeng Zhen, now slightly disheveled, with a shallow sword mark on his chest. Zeng Zhen forcibly swallowed a mouthful of blood that nearly spurted out. An Jing¡¯s sword strike, though not lethal, carried sharpness along with the ferocity of the Evil Suppressing Sword, breaking through his protective true qi. Mu Xiaoyun was greatly shaken by this sight. It was just one move, yet Zeng Zhen already showed signs of defeat. It¡¯s key to note that he had ingested two Blood Burning Pills, a type of elixir that accelerates the burning of essence blood and drastically boosts cultivation in a dire trade-off. Behind Zeng Zhen, massive waves of dense fog emerged, not spreading outward this time but converging behind him, connecting to his back and forming a small, tempestuous sea of fog, both real and illusory. Boom! Zeng Zhen, exceptionally direct this time, broke through the ground of the hall and charged towards An Jing, backed by the mighty sea of fog behind him, his presence unstoppable. The air couldn¡¯t withstand the impact of Zeng Zhen¡¯s momentum, swirling violently to both sides. With the War Soul Blade in his hand emanating dark qi, Zeng Zhen slashed ferociously. Simultaneously, the sea of fog behind him detached in a wilder manner, swallowing An Jing whole as if a flood had engulfed him, showcasing the insignificance of human strength against it. If it were an ordinary person, being hit by this intangible sea of fog would cause panic and mistakes, even a composed person would be somewhat affected, let alone facing Zeng Zhen¡¯s fierce attacks next, as the fog erupted from his body, leaving him as the only one unaffected and free to assault his opponent. With such an advantage, even a slightly superior opponent would be at Zeng Zhen¡¯s mercy. This was Zeng Zhen¡¯s killing technique, a combination of illusion and reality. The sea of fog affected the opponent¡¯s mind, while the physical attacks targeted the body, overwhelming the opponent. Crash! A tidal wave of true qi surged in all directions, fierce and staggering. Zeng Zhen¡¯s War Soul Blade was met by An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword, and the momentum of Zeng Zhen¡¯s sea of fog did not make An Jing falter. A strange expression flitted across Zeng Zhen¡¯s face. Pressing his War Soul Blade against the Evil Suppressing Sword, he pushed forward and hissed; a slender blade sprang from the front of the War Soul Blade, aiming directly for An Jing¡¯s face, threatening to mar it if it struck. His left hand as fast as lightning, An Jing gave a cold smile, as if he had anticipated this moment, and he extended two fingers at lightning speed to catch the blade. Since the opponent had launched the attack using the Evil Suppressing Sword, the force was inevitably weaker. An Jing¡¯s two fingers not only caught the blade but also put an end to the opponent¡¯s offensive momentum unless he chose to abandon the War Soul Blade, organizing a second wave of fierce moves in a short time would be highly unlikely. ¡°Not good!¡± Fearing that An Jing would employ some tactics, Zeng Zhen simply let go and swiftly retreated. Zeng Zhen¡¯s speed was incredibly fast, and since An Jing traded blows with him, he directly bore the brunt of his formidable Qi force, consequently stumbling three steps backward. An Jing raised his arm, and hundreds of Sword Radiance burst crazily from his sword blade, charging towards Zeng Zhen in front. Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind Unstoppable! Whoosh whoosh! Whoosh whoosh! Wherever the Sword Radiance passed, fierce winds suddenly arose. Zeng Zhen¡¯s heart vibrated intensely, his veins becoming visible and bright red in color as True Qi crazily converged on the skin of his right arm, his entire body surging with red blood essence. ¡°Pu!¡± A vast blood essence formed a red barrier. Zeng Zhen knew he couldn¡¯t stop An Jing, but that did not matter. His real intent lay in the moves of his right hand. He rubbed his thumb, merged his iron blades, and infused them with a massive amount of True Qi before slashing diagonally. Countless Sword Qi surged, densely covering the surroundings, instantly turning the human world into a hell, and Zeng Zhen into a demon that had walked out of the Underworld. The blood essence barrier coupled with the sinister blade light was Zeng Zhen¡¯s killer move. After unleashing that sword strike, An Jing¡¯s expression remained detached and serene, not blinking even as Zeng Zhen waved countless blade lights. ¡°Thud!¡± Only then did the green Sword Light flash past, surging forward. It pierced through the blood essence barrier, shattered countless blade lights, and surged forward. A cold voice pierced through the heart, freezing the blood of everyone around. That sword was as brilliant as the starry sky, instantly enveloping the heaven and earth in pitch darkness like the ink moon. Fast! Too fast! Zeng Zhen only saw a flash of light before him, then felt a warmth on his neck, reaching his hands to touch it instinctively. It was scalding blood. Seeing the blood, he realized his throat had been pierced. ¡°Thud!¡± In the silence of the night, only the sound of a body hitting the ground was heard. Two moves! The second most powerful master of Soul Seeker Mansion, defeated in just two moves by that sword. For many masters at Soul Seeker Mansion, this scene was like a bolt from the blue. Seeing this, Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s heart, which had been suspended, gently settled down, followed by a relieved sigh. About a few breaths later, they also came to their senses, their eyes shining with a beast-like intensity as they rushed towards An Jing. Without the elixirs of Soul Seeker Mansion, they only had a path to death; killing the Ghost Swordsman in front of them might stil offer a glimmer of life. An Jing¡¯s expression remained indifferent as he took two Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from Zeng Zhen¡¯s body and charged towards the dozens of Soul Seeker Mansion masters rushing towards him. With a pat, the Evil Suppressing Sword transformed into six streams of Sword Light surging forward. ¡°Pu!¡± ¡°Pu!¡± ¡°Pu!¡± As the Sword Light swept by, the cold cutting Qi pierced through, splitting the air on either side like parted waves. Among all masters across the world, swordsmen kill the fastest. A sword opens with dual edges, all intended to condemn a person to death. As the Sword Light dissipated in the world, dozens of bodies neatly fell to the ground, the six blades of the Evil Suppressing Sword coming together once again into An Jing¡¯s hand. Scalding blood continuously streamed down, staining the blue stone pavement red. All the masters of Soul Seeker Mansion were dead. An Jing looked towards Mu Xiaoyun in front. Mu Xiaoyun began to smile, ¡°Truly, he is among the top swordsmen in the world.¡± Somehow, her heart filled with many thoughts. Back when in Yu State City, An Jing was merely at the First Grade of cultivation, but now, even the Second Qi Grandmaster were just souls under his blade such a rate of progress, unfathomable to most. The temperature of the night felt cold. The shining cold blade felt cold. The person standing under the moonlit night also made one feel cold. Seeing that An Jing didn¡¯t speak, Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s smile faded, and she lowered her head, asking, ¡°How did you know?¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Liu Qingshan of Shuangmu Forest in Jiangnan Dao was rescued by people from Houjin, wasn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°It seems you were suspicious of me because of this.¡± Mu Xiaoyun gave a bitter smile, saying, ¡°Houjin has deep schemes within Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu.¡± An Jing was well aware, as one of the five gangs, Wind and Rain Tower were supported by Houjin, and now Cao Gang had also become backed by Houjin¨Cthey were far from merely having deep schemes. After a long silence, An Jing said, ¡°Go see the Sect Hierarch.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Mu Xiaoyun shook her head. If there was one person in the Demon Sect she felt guilty about, it had to be Zhao Qingmei. Joining the Demon Sect, obtaining her current status and identity, all were given by Zhao Qingmei; she feared seeing those eyes. Some people are not afraid of others treating them poorly, but are terrified of being treated well, because they can¡¯t bear it. No matter what she did, she always felt indebted. Sidebar HTML tags and line breaks are preserved from the original formatting request. This feeling made her feel suffocated. Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s lips were slightly parted, her voice somewhat bewildered and helpless, ¡°The first time Houjin contacted me, I refused, the second time, they threatened the lives of my parents and my husband.¡± An Jing said, ¡°So you chose a path of no return.¡± ¡°Life itself doesn¡¯t allow for turning back.¡± ¡°Yes, life itself doesn¡¯t allow for turning back.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Mu Xiaoyun said softly. Some words are trivial, but that was all she could say. An Jing waved his hand, ¡°No need to say these three words, the path is one¡¯s own choice.¡± The two ceased speaking, as if time itself had stopped. After a few moments, Mu Xiaoyun took a deep breath and said, ¡°Houjin has a large army approaching along a small road, and Zeng Zhen and I were supposed to meet them; that¡¯s the only thing I know.¡± As she spoke, she walked to Zeng Zhen¡¯s corpse and picked up the long sword from the ground. ¡°Houjin¡¯s army!?¡± An Jing heard this and frowned. Now the Demon Sect¡¯s Black Armored Army is gathered at Sanfeng Pass and Dao Pass, where did this suddenly appearing Houjin army come from? Mu Xiaoyun placed the sword horizontally in front of her neck, then closed her eyes, greedily inhaling the air mixed with blood. ¡°In my next life, I do not wish to walk through this Jianghu again; it¡¯s too exhausting.¡± In that instant, she saw Xue Chen, saw Jiang Sanjia, saw Mu Xiaowan, saw Peach Garden, saw the secluded courtyard she had lived in since childhood, saw each blade of grass and tree very clearly, she saw so much¡­ ¡°Puff!¡± As the blade flashed, blood spurted out like a fountain. Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s body fell heavily to the ground, losing all signs of life. An Jing approached Mu Xiaoyun¡¯s body and looking at the woman with eyes wide open before him, he reached out and closed her eyes. Ultimately, Mu Xiaoyun was just a person manipulated by fate or perhaps just a pawn in someone else¡¯s game. In this vast Jianghu, where one cannot control one¡¯s own destiny, pawns like her, who are unwilling but powerless, ultimately have only one end. And that is death. That is the destiny of all pawns; there¡¯s no end to the game, pawns will ultimately die, and even when the game ends, the pawns can only return to their box. This is the fate of pawns. An Jing stood up, and just at that moment, as if sensing something, he suddenly raised his head and looked. The moonlight was bleak, carrying a deep, bone-chilling cold. In the pale yellow halo, there was even a hint of blood-red light. For some reason, An Jing felt that this crimson glow carried a chilling aura of murder. ¡­.. Dongluo Garden, the quiet room. The night was like water, carrying a hint of chill. Zhao Qingmei sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, her willow brows slightly furrowed. She felt her cultivation was increasing faster and faster, reaching the Three Qi Realm in the blink of an eye. An Jing had relied on several strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence to reach this realm of Three Qi, whereas she depended entirely on the Demon Seed, or rather the cultivation bestowed upon her by Nan Weiping. ¡°Nan Weiping¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei felt the pressure of the Demon Seed growing increasingly intense, and couldn¡¯t help but stand up and walk out of the quiet room to her bedroom. ¡°Where is my husband?¡± She had expected to see An Jing, but found that the bedroom was empty. After pondering for a moment, she headed for the Sealing Demon Platform. She felt uneasy tonight, and intuition told her that she should go check on Nan Weiping at the Sealing Demon Platform, especially after noticing a streak of crimson in the pale yellow moonlight which made her feel even more restless. Black lotuses sprung up beneath Zhao Qingmei¡¯s feet, her speed reaching the extreme as she quickly arrived beside the Sealing Demon Well at the platform. The night was eerily silent, and the moon hanging above grew larger. Zhao Qingmei gripped the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades in her hand and leaped down into the Sealing Demon Well. The oppressive aura inside the well grew heavier, coupled with the howling cold wind. Zhao Qingmei had once lived here for several months and naturally knew the area like the back of her hand. Holding her twin blades, she headed toward the cave. ¡°Clang!¡± ¡°Clang!¡± Even before she approached the cave, she could hear the sound of rattling chains. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she took out a firelighter and confidently strode into the cave. In the cave, chains stretched out from all directions like a spider web. At this moment, Nan Weiping, who had reverted to a disheveled state, showed no surprise when she saw Zhao Qingmei, ¡°You really did come.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at Nan Weiping, once believed to be a ¡®senior expert¡¯, and said indifferently, ¡°Do you think the alterations you made to the Demon Seed can truly lead me to demonic possession?¡± Nan Weiping¡¯s lips curved into a strange smile, ¡°If you are equally confident about not being controlled by the Demon Seed, then why come to ask me?¡± Zhao Qingmei raised an eyebrow, her gaze gradually turning colder. Recently, her cultivation had been increasing at a breakneck speed, which was good, but it had reached a point where even she herself could not control it, which was rather a threat. Nan Weiping looked up at the pitch-black sky above and said, ¡°Tonight, you can step into the realm of Three Qi, everything is falling into place.¡± ¡°Tonight!?¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at Nan Weiping, knowing this old schemer must be holding back, or perhaps there was important information she hadn¡¯t shared with her and An Jing. Nan Weiping said with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile, ¡°Tonight is a good opportunity, the tidal forces of heaven and earth will arrive; others might not sense this, but with the Demon Seed within you, you can feel the subtle fluctuations of heaven and earth.¡± The Demon Seed perceives everything as vibrations¨Cevery grass and tree is a vibration. Inner Strength is also vibration, True Qi is a higher-level and more refined vibration that can merge with one¡¯s spirit. The Demon Seed, however, transcends life and death with its vibrations, hence achieving what humans cannot. After a long silence, Zhao Qingmei looked at Nan Weiping and shook her head, ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡± Nan Weiping smiled, ¡°What don¡¯t you understand?¡± Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°I don¡¯t understand what exactly you are thinking?¡± Zhao Qingmei initially wanted to harm her, which was thwarted by her, and later, due to mutual predicaments, they cooperated. However, Nan Weiping secretly tampered with the Demon Seed, claiming it was to guard against Zhao Qingmei, but in fact, she was feeding Zhao Qingmei a large amount of True Qi, rapidly advancing her cultivation. Nan Weiping coldly said, ¡°All that I have done is to threaten you to rescue me.¡± ¡°I promised you that if there¡¯s a chance in the future, I will definitely rescue you.¡± ¡°What if you go back on your word?¡± ¡°There will be no such case.¡± ¡°Then I shall wait for you to rescue me, and by then, the Demon Seed imprint can be easily erased.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at Nan Weiping, ¡°Once my husband has obtained the Dulu Sword, I will come to rescue you.¡± Having promised Nan Weiping, she naturally intended to honor it. Moreover, she always felt that Nan Weiping¡¯s words were not as simple as they seemed on the surface and likely had another purpose. Nan Weiping said mockingly, ¡°I hope I¡¯m not dead by the time you get here and that you haven¡¯t succumbed to demonic influences.¡± Saying this, she looked up toward the ceiling. At this moment, True Qi surged out from within Nan Weiping¡¯s dantian, spreading all around. Even though Nan Weiping had been trapped here for hundreds of years and her True Qi was greatly diminished, the might she displayed was akin to an overwhelming tsunami, and under the vast sea of True Qi, Zhao Qingmei was like a small boat. ¡°Is this the power of a Great Grandmaster?¡± Zhao Qingmei was filled with shock, her feet instinctively stepping back. ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom!¡± The wild Qi Mechanism broke through the sky, and even the Sealing Demon Well couldn¡¯t continue to contain this terrifying, horrific Qi Mechanism. The next moment, even more tremendous True Qi surged into Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body, her inner portals opening and closing, and she immediately sat down cross-legged, preparing to break through to the Three Qi Realm. ¡­.. At the Sealing Demon Platform, inside the great hall. Jun Qinglin sat at the top seat of the empty great hall, with only Ouyang Ping and Ouyang Quan below him. Any sentimentality had already passed, and now all that was left in Jun Qinglin¡¯s heart was calmness. ¡°Master!¡± Ouyang Quan respectfully bowed to Jun Qinglin sitting at the top seat, then picked up a bowl of tea. A very simple ceremony of discipleship, without baths in fragrant incense or offerings to heaven and earth, just a single bow and a cup of tea. Jun Qinglin drank the tea, then took out two scrolls and said, ¡°Here are my ¡®Inquiry of Heaven¡¯ and ¡®Seven Tribulations Dao,¡¯ along with a lifetime of cultivation experiences. If the Sect Hierarch or An Jing wish to see them someday, you show them, perhaps it will help their cultivation.¡± Ouyang Quan carefully accepted the scrolls, ¡°Yes.¡± Jun Qinglin patted Ouyang Quan¡¯s shoulder, laughing, ¡°The old man also counts on having a successor now.¡± Ouyang Ping then seriously said, ¡°In the future, do not tarnish the Great Elder¡¯s reputation.¡± Ouyang Quan earnestly replied, ¡°Your disciple will definitely not tarnish Master¡¯s reputation.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Jun Qinglin laughed and waved his hand, saying, ¡°You¡¯re too serious¨Cwhat is reputation in this world? I simply hope that with these two martial arts, you can do some good for the Demon Sect or perhaps for the suffering common folk.¡± Outer Heaven, Outer Heaven, from the beginning, it was about finding a heaven beyond this one where everyone could live happily and joyfully. But hopes often run counter to reality, becoming increasingly distant. ¡°Great Elder.¡± Ouyang Ping looked at that aged face, took a deep sigh, then said, ¡°If the Great Yan Dynasty is coming to our aid, do we not have much hope of holding Dongluo Pass?¡± Jun Qinglin stood up and walked down from the great hall, ¡°The barbarians from the plains are wild at heart, their bloodlines brimming with wildness. It is this wildness that makes them terrifying, and also this wildness, that will lead to thousands of commoners facing terrible circumstances.¡± Moving south to graze horses, engraved in their blood, they not only herd horses but also slaughter sheep for meat. Just from the fact that dozens of cities on the Northern Wilderness Dao were taken, it¡¯s clear to see. Butchering cities, looting, continuously plundering, in their eyes humans are no different from livestock, and women are merely tools to satiate their desires. They believe themselves to be supreme, arrogant, and act wantonly. Having twice infiltrated Houjin, no one knew this better than Jun Qinglin. Which emperor rules over these beautiful rivers and mountains doesn¡¯t concern him; what he only knows is that Houjin¡¯s advance southward is a catastrophe of slaughter. The likelihood of Dongluo Pass holding back this long-desired tiger is almost slim. Zongzheng Huachun taking action himself shows his determination. Ouyang Ping, having been on the frontier for a long time, also knew the wild nature of Houjin. How terrible would a tiger released from its cage be? It would definitely bring disaster to the world. Jun Qinglin spoke solemnly, ¡°This tiger should be dealt with by another tiger. Only between these two clashing tigers can Outer Heaven continue to survive. We must preserve the vital forces of Outer Heaven, and not let it fall while in our hands.¡± The current strength of the Demon Sect makes it too difficult to oppose Houjin. Only dynasties like Yan Country could withstand them. Ouyang Ping sighed softly, ¡°Indeed.¡± If there was anyone who understood Jun Qinglin, it would definitely be Ouyang Ping. Ouyang Ping remembered that Jun Qinglin had once fallen in love with a woman who was a disciple of a sect in Yan Country. Later, as barbarians from the plains often moved south, she joined the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall to fight against the barbarians, but during a mission, she disappeared in the plains. Ouyang Ping didn¡¯t know what happened afterward, as Jun Qinglin never mentioned it again, and he never asked further. Jun Qinglin had twice ventured deep into Houjin, both times for that woman, even confronting Zongzheng Huachun for her. In the Demon Sect, perhaps no one wished more to fight against Houjin than Jun Qinglin. This was also one of the reasons why, despite Houjin¡¯s attempts to win him over, Ouyang Ping had always refused to let the Demon Sect lean towards Houjin. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± Just then, the ground shook. ¡°The Sealing Demon Well!?¡± Jun Qinglin¡¯s figure leaped up, vanishing from the great hall. Ouyang Ping and his son hurried out, and when they reached the entrance of the hall, they were shocked. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only They could see around the Sealing Demon Well, the earth strewn about, a scene of devastation rising with clouds of dust. Ouyang Quan exclaimed, ¡°What has happened here?¡± Not only Ouyang Quan, but Ouyang Ping also furrowed his brows, filled with confusion. Jun Qinglin looked at the scene before him, then looked up towards the distance, remaining silent. ¡­.. Chapter 271 - Chapter 271: Chapter 271: One Man, One Sword, Defends a City Chapter 271: Chapter 271: One Man, One Sword, Defends a City The next day, at noon. Billowing smoke engulfed the area outside Sanfeng Pass, the vanguard cavalry of Houjin had already commenced their deadly approach. This pass served as a vital thoroughfare between Houjin and Dongluo Pass, a route frequently traveled by merchants, bustling with activity. Now, with Houjin¡¯s ban on trade with Dongluo Pass, the area had grown desolate, especially after the previous grand battle where tens of thousands of soldiers perished, lending the site an even more eerie atmosphere. The Black Armored Army, having received news early on, also made preparations. Defensive fortifications had been laid all around the environs of Sanfeng Pass. It was an undisputed fact that Houjin¡¯s iron cavalry was the finest in the world. The most crucial aspect of a cavalry unit is horsemanship, and the people of Houjin, who grew up on the grasslands, were naturally expert horsemen adept in archery and horsemanship without the need for formal training. In contrast, average citizens of Yan Country could hardly afford horses, with some impoverished families never having the chance to mount a horse in their entire lives; naturally, they could not match the innate quality of the Houjin. Furthermore, bolstered by their absolute advantage in numbers, the troops of the Houjin army bore an air of arrogant invincibility. The leader of the Tianying Banner coldly and icily surveyed the terrain ahead, his eyes steeped in forbidding chill, and he barked, ¡°I¡¯ve heard the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect is stunningly beautiful, a national beauty. We¡¯ll capture this Sect Hierarch first, then head south to snatch the Empress of Great Yan.¡± ¡°Kill-!¡± ¡°Capture the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect alive!¡± Behind him, his deputy general upon hearing this, immediately bellowed deeply from his Dantian. ¡°Charge into Dongluo Pass! Capture the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect alive!¡± ¡°Charge into Dongluo Pass! Capture the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect alive!¡± ¡­.. One after another, the Houjin iron cavalry unsheathed their weapons and howled, then madly charged toward the defensive fortifications ahead. Meanwhile, the Tianying Banner leader withdrew to the rear, well aware that the fiercest among the Demon Sect were the martial experts from Jianghu. If he were killed, his troops would inevitably lose their composure. The thunderous pounding of horses¡¯ hooves shook the ground like muffled thunder, making the earth tremble and the sound deafening to the ears. ¡°There are traps-!¡± But just as the Houjin cavalry had charged a few dozen yards forward, the ground suddenly collapsed, and the foremost riders fell into traps that had been carefully prepared in advance, their horses impaled by the sharp cold glint of weapons, the Houjin riders atop them naturally not spared either. Ranks of Houjin cavalrymen fell, unable to rein in their steeds, and swiftly the traps filled with the blood of Houjin soldiers. The following Houjin soldiers practically treaded upon the corpses of their compatriots as they pressed forward. After the first wave of traps came the second¨Clines of caltrops¨Cand countless more Houjin riders fell victim, tumbling from their horses. Due to the narrow paths at Sanfeng Pass, even the Tianying Banner leader was powerless to outflank. ¡°Continue the attack for me. These are merely minor tricks,¡± the Tianying Banner leader ordered solemnly. ¡°After breaching Dongluo Pass, lay down your arms for three days. Wealth and women will be yours for the taking.¡± The Houjin cavalrymen pressed on with relentless assaults, but the Demon Sect¡¯s defensive fortifications were rapidly depleted. Qin Bin watched the encroaching Houjin cavalry with a calm demeanor, ¡°The vanguard of Houjin numbers tens of thousands. Holding Sanfeng Pass this time seems unlikely.¡± He was well aware that these defenses would be effective in balanced combat, but against the hundreds of thousands in the Houjin army, they were practically useless. By his side, Duanmu Xinghua frowned and said, ¡°Even if we cannot hold, we must stand our ground.¡± Behind them lay Dongluo Pass¨Cshould the Houjin army, fierce as wolves, breach it, the consequences would be dire. Qin Bin said nothing but waved his hand to signal the Black Armored soldiers, ¡°Fire the arrows!¡± Just as the Houjin cavalry nearly closed in, a volley of arrows rained down from the sky, striking the iron armor of the Houjin soldiers. No matter how thorough the armor¡¯s protection, there were always gaps where arrows could viciously penetrate, and while the men may have armored protection, their horses did not. ¡°It¡¯s poisoned-!¡± The Houjin soldiers who had been arrow-struck barely managed to pull them out before feeling their bodies weaken, collapsing to the ground¨Cas did countless horses. Without a single clash, Houjin already suffered significant losses. But there were far too many Houjin soldiers, and the ground was covered with blood and bodies, which they trampled upon, continuing their onslaught. Quickly, the road paved with corpses allowed the Houjin cavalry to nearly breach the defense line of the Black Armored soldiers. ¡°Kill-!¡± Following Qin Bin¡¯s command, both sides fully engaged in combat. Exhausted and fearful, the Houjin soldiers found themselves overwhelmed and at a disadvantage. Moreover, numerous Demon Sect experts fought alongside the Black Armored army, further decimating the ranks of Houjin officers. Duanmu Xinghua agilely weaved through the chaos, seizing the opportunity to attack the Tianying Banner leader. ¡°Stop her! Quick!¡± The Deputy General of the Heavenly Eagle Banner, seeing an old woman with white hair wave her palm and soldiers fall dead to the ground, knew she must be a high-ranking expert of the Demon Sect. He immediately ordered his experts to step forward and block her. The Houjin soldiers around them charged towards Duanmu Xinghua, suddenly putting tremendous pressure on her. The soldiers seemed nearly endless and impossible to kill off. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s True Qi surged, and with a leap, she charged towards the Deputy General. Run! Seeing the Grandmaster rushing towards him, the Heavenly Eagle Banner Deputy General hurried towards the distance without daring to linger for a moment. Soon, numerous Houjin soldiers surrounded Duanmu Xinghua again, and at that moment, all she could do was watch as the Deputy General disappeared from her sight. After all, he was riding a horse without any hindrance, while she was surrounded by Houjin soldiers, with high-ranking experts from Soul Seeker Mansion blocking her path from time to time. Seeing this, Qin Bin also sighed inwardly, thinking that if Sect Master Duanmu had been just a bit faster, she might have been able to kill that Deputy General. Time kept passing, and Sanfeng Pass was like a meat grinder, claiming countless lives every moment, including those of both the Houjin soldiers and the Black Armored Army. Blood ran like rivers, corpses scattered across the fields¨Cthis was the cruel reality of war. ¡°So what if they are Grandmaster experts?¡± The Deputy General who had fortuitously survived rode on with a hint of smugness, shouting commands to the Houjin soldiers as he went. ¡°Kill them all¨C!¡± Even Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s pupils shrank at seeing this, and the next moment her True Qi surged mightily within her, lashing out toward the enemy in front. Boom! Her True Qi torrented out like a tidal wave, instantly causing countless Houjin soldiers to fall to the ground. ¡°Not good!¡± The Deputy General hiding among the crowd suddenly found himself exposed in front of Duanmu Xinghua, his face showing a look of terror. Seizing this moment, she soared forward again, reaching out her palm toward him. The Deputy General¡¯s body instantly turned into a mist of blood, scattered between heaven and earth. The surrounding Houjin soldiers trembled in horror. Terrifying! It was too terrifying! Many soldiers witnessed the deterrence of a Grandmaster for the first time, as she took the enemy¡¯s head amidst thousands of troops. The morale of the Black Armored Army surged overwhelmingly, thoroughly overpowering the Houjin soldiers. ¡°Indeed a Grandmaster, as expected,¡± Qin Bin couldn¡¯t help but exclaim. He now understood why a nation¡¯s strength was not only determined by its army, for a Grandmaster expert could completely change the course of a battle. The last time the Demon Sect managed to hold back the Houjin at Sanfeng Pass was solely because Zhao Qingmei and Yi Daoyun cut down the leader of the Flying Horse Banner, ultimately leading the Black Armored Army of seventy thousand to rout nearly two hundred thousand of the Houjin forces. The Black Armored Army was now suppressing the Houjin, largely thanks to Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s extraordinary display of power. Meanwhile, at the Blade Pass, a tough battle was also underway. Fortunately, with high-ranking experts like Yi Daoyun and the White Tiger Sect present, and due to the rugged terrain which was unfavorable for Houjin cavalry, not many experts had been sent by the Houjin. ¡­¡­ Dongluo Pass. An Jing sat atop the Heavenly Demon Hall, with Li Fuzhou standing below. Having received news from the Sealing Demon Platform that an anomaly had occurred at the Sealing Demon Well, An Jing now knew that Zhao Qingmei had entered the well to cultivate. He was left in full charge of the Demon Sect¡¯s affairs. Li Fuzhou frowned deeply, saying, ¡°According to intelligence, the Yan Kingdom Court¡¯s troops did not come to the rescue of Dongluo Pass. They made no preparations for reinforcements but instead employed a direct strike at Heavenly Water City, drawing the fire from under the pot. This information was only uncovered recently, indicating a meticulous plan and arrangements. Even we were not notified. I presume this must be Li Qirong¡¯s strategy.¡± An Jing inhaled deeply. Wang Shiyi¡¯s tactic of drawing the fire from under the pot was indeed vicious. Currently, the central city of Heavenly Water City in North Field was vulnerable. If it could be taken, it could even threaten the Houjin¡¯s homeland. However, with no reinforcements arriving at Dongluo Pass, the Demon Sect was left mired in a quagmire, forced to resist the Houjin to the bitter end. If they persisted until the Houjin retreated, all would be well, but if they couldn¡¯t last until that happened, the Demon Sect would be entirely obliterated in this battle. An Jing revealed the news given by Mu Xiaoyun before his death, ¡°There is also a Houjin cavalry unit coming from a lesser-known path, heading straight for Dongluo Pass. If I¡¯m not mistaken, among them are the experts of the Great Snow Mountain, and Jiang Shang might even be among them¡­¡± Li Fuzhou felt a chill within upon hearing this. The pressure on the Demon Sect in this encounter was already immense, and this news only added insult to injury. Could they really hold Dongluo Pass? Doubt started to appear in Li Fuzhou¡¯s heart as well. An Jing pondered for a long while and said, ¡°You go with Lin Tianhai first, taking the sect¡¯s secret missives, the families of our followers, and all the valuables, and retreat towards Yan Country.¡± Make a decision and stick with it, to avoid being influenced by chaos. Hesitate and fail to act, and you¡¯ll surely face hardship. ¡°But what about you, son-in-law¡­¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyebrows knit together as he spoke. An Jing waved his hand and replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, as long as I have the Black Flood Dragon, even tens of thousands of troops won¡¯t be able to stop me.¡± Having heard this, Li Fuzhou nodded slightly. The Black Flood Dragon could fly, making it nearly impossible for ordinary people to stop one who wished to escape. Moreover, with An Jing¡¯s current strength, how many experts in the world would dare claim they could kill him? ¡°Okay.¡± Li Fuzhou did not hesitate any longer and hurriedly went towards the outside of the hall. Withdrawing to Yan Country was undoubtedly the best choice right now. Soon, Lin Tianhai also entered and asked in a hurry, ¡°An Tributor, are we really evacuating?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± An Jing said in a deep voice, ¡°Lin, send a secret letter to Sect Master Duanmu, Yi, the Great Elder, and the Second Elder right away. If we can¡¯t hold it, we must retreat. Better to preserve the green hills than to worry about not having firewood.¡± Lin Tianhai¡¯s lips parted as if he wanted to speak, but then he let out a long sigh. He could only helplessly accept this reality. Then, the whole of Dongluo Pass became noisy and chaotic. Many of the civilians living in Dongluo Pass were the families of the Demon Sect followers, plus the wealth accumulated over so many years. It would be virtually impossible to take everything away at once. Li Fuzhou was swift and resolute in his actions, allowing everyone only three hours¡¯ time. After three hours, they were to evacuate from the South Gate towards Yan Country. The once peaceful Dongluo Pass had become immensely chaotic, even leading to instances of looting. Lin Tianhai and the experts of the Azure Dragon Sect maintained order, executing on the spot those who deliberately caused disturbances. An Jing stood atop Dongluo Tower, observing the chaotic scene below at Dongluo Pass, then his gaze shifted to the distance, causing his brows to furrow involuntarily. ¡°Son-in-law.¡± At that moment, Yu Qiurong came over and asked, ¡°Are we really leaving Dongluo Pass?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± An Jing nodded. Marquis Wang Shiyi did not dispatch reinforcements, and there was virtually no possibility of defending Dongluo Pass. Even if they stubbornly held on, the probable outcome would be heavy casualties. Yu Qiurong, looking at the place where she had lived since she was young, suddenly felt a surge of reluctance. This was just a frontier city, but it bore countless memories and experiences for her. From now on, these would only live on in her mind. An Jing¡¯s eyes were slightly closed as he felt the sound of the breeze on his face, ¡°You go first with Li Fuzhou and the others. I will catch up with you all very quickly.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± There was a hint of unease in Yu Qiurong¡¯s eyes. An Jing said sternly, ¡°If you stay here, you will only distract me.¡± Hearing An Jing say this, Yu Qiurong could only nod helplessly. As An Jing had said, with her current strength, staying in Dongluo Pass would only be a burden to An Jing. ¡°Son-in-law, take care!¡± Yu Qiurong pursed her lips, glanced at the back of An Jing, then turned and headed towards the South Gate. An Jing leaped up to the walls of Dongluo Pass. Since the Black Armored Army had been dispatched elsewhere, the city walls were now deserted. An Jing calmly sat down, his left hand resting on the Evil Suppressing Sword as he stared quietly into the distance, waiting calmly. Behind him, Dongluo Pass was in turmoil, noisy and chaotic. Everyone seemed fearful and tense, emotions that were quickly spreading. The Houjin army was coming! Those fierce nomads from the grasslands were descending southward! Dongluo Pass was truly caught in a desperate situation! Under the weight of this oppressive mood, everyone was heading towards the wide-open Southern City Gate. The streets were in disarray, homes, and shops were all in turmoil. Some were dragging their families, others carried large and small bundles, some led horses and ox carts, and even more carried valuables, pots, chairs, as though they wanted to take everything with them. There were also fires being set, with the flames spreading unchecked to the surrounding areas. In such an atmosphere, there was no one to put out the fires. Leaving their homes behind, the people who were at a loss gradually disappeared into the distance. Dongluo Pass was left in a mess. This was the eve of a great battle. And An Jing¡¯s eyes gently closed, the noisy hustle and bustle behind him gradually dwindled, and the cries and shouts soon vanished completely, leaving only the rising flames licking the sky and the thick black smoke piercing the heavens. Time passed, and roughly an hour later, An Jing heard the thunderous sound of horse hooves approaching. They¡¯re here! The iron cavalry of Houjin had finally arrived! Soon, the ground trembled incessantly, yellow smoke swirling up as the rolling thunderous noise echoed in one¡¯s ears. Endless ranks of Houjin¡¯s cavalry appeared before Dongluo Pass, their dense formation emitting a tremendous oppressive force. These Houjin horsemen, each clad in armor and mounted on tall, strong horses, had evidently traveled hundreds of miles in haste, yet their expressions held no trace of panic or disorder. These were the true elite soldiers of Houjin, each with a wild and ruthless glint in their eyes, mixed with a hint of excitement. Leading them were none other than Jin Lv and Mu Yuan Great Dharma King. ¡°Hya!¡± Jin Lv waved his hand, signaling for the troops behind him to halt, his eyes fixating on An Jing atop the city walls. He had initially wanted to defend Heavenly Water City, but considering the assault on Dongluo Pass was a critical step for Houjin¡¯s southern campaign, he decided to come personally. Looking at the seemingly futile fortifications of Dongluo Pass, his heart was filled with puzzlement. ¡°Ghost Swordsman!?¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King furrowed his brows as well, gazing at the young man in white, a longsword planted into the ground beside him, his eyes calm to the point that it was unsettling. No one else stood by his side. One man. One sword. One city. Apart from the Ghost Swordsman, he couldn¡¯t think of any other top-tier expert from the Demon Sect. An Jing glanced at Jin Lv, committing his features to memory before turning to the prairie grandmaster beside him, ¡°Indeed, you must be Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, correct?¡± ¡°Correct.¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King replied loudly and firmly, his voice resonating from his dantian. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, dubbed the second greatest expert of Houjin, was a top-tier powerhouse recognized by various forces across the land. As their gazes met, it seemed as though sharp, cold radiance surged between them. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King spoke indifferently, ¡°We of Houjin have come with an army of a million strong. How can the insignificant Dongluo Pass stand against us? I offer you a chance to live: Bring the Demon Sect and submit to Houjin now. Even when we invade Yan Country, you could still be regarded as contributors.¡± An Jing looked at the arrogantly unfettered Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, ¡°What if I said no?¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s expression remained unchanged, ¡°Many will die.¡± ¡°Kill! Kill! Kill!¡± The countless Houjin cavalry behind him bellowed loudly. Their robust voices pierced the sky, while the boundless killing intent surged towards An Jing, as if forming tangible waves. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Seeing this, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King couldn¡¯t help but burst into triumphant laughter. The southward campaign of Houjin, and Dongluo Pass, was their first step. An Jing remained indifferent and composed, showing no change whatsoever. Whoosh! Just then, a golden light emerged from within his embrace, bringing with it a sweeping majesty. The white clouds were dispersed, revealing an ancient, vast black gate. Behind it, it seemed that something terrifying was brewing. The originally cheering Houjin soldiers suddenly fell silent, their knees trembling. A powerful voice seemed to come from the heavens themselves, resounding in all directions. ¡°Barbarians from all sides who dare to trespass, exterminate their lineage, eradicate their offspring!¡± ¡°Kill¨C!¡± As the sounds of killing echoed behind the black gate, they resounded like the morning bell and the evening drum in the ears of everyone, startling the warhorses of the Houjin cavalry. The entire Houjin army was caught off guard, sending men toppling over horses in chaos. Countless Houjin soldiers were trampled to death under the hooves of horses, blood flowing everywhere. ¡°What is this¡­.¡± Watching the sudden apparition, Jin Lv¡¯s face suddenly changed dramatically. But as quickly as the apparition had appeared, it vanished. An Jing touched the Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty in his bosom and felt a stirring in his heart. He could sense the countless military spirits from the seal. Could it be that those military spirits had not returned to Fengdu? Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s expression also darkened, and he felt something odd. Zeng Zhen should have succeeded. ¡°Great Dharma King, are you waiting for him?¡± An Jing lifted his hand, and a bloody head was thrown from atop the city walls, landing in front of Mu Yuan Great Dharma King. On closer inspection, it was the head of Zeng Zhen from the Soul Seeker Mansion. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s eyes suddenly narrowed sharply. Had the infiltration failed? What exactly was going on at Dongluo Pass now? Jin Lv spoke gravely, ¡°Great Dharma King, we can¡¯t wait any longer. There is no movement inside Dongluo Pass. The high-ranking experts of the Demon Sect might have already withdrawn. This Ghost Swordsman is just delaying our time.¡± ¡°No one else?¡± Upon hearing this, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King revealed a hint of surprise in his eyes. Could it be that this vast Dongluo Pass was left with only the Ghost Swordsman? One man guarding an entire city? How could the Ghost Swordsman dare to do so? What exactly was he relying on? Jin Lv looked at An Jing, who was sitting atop the city wall, his white garments fluttering, his demeanor calm and detached, and felt a greater sense of gravity in his heart. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King stared intently at An Jing above, ¡°Well, today this Dharma King shall see if your sword is truly as sharp as the rumors say.¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s body soared, rushing towards An Jing on the city head. His robust True Qi burst forth as he floated up, exploding outwards in all directions. Four Qi Grandmaster! Moreover, the robustness of his True Qi was even greater than Ye Ding¡¯s. Ye Ding, plagued by the Black Ice Profound Qi, found it extremely difficult to reach the rank of Four Qi Grandmaster, so his Cultivation within the Four Qi was not considered powerful. And Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, a peer of Ye Ding, similarly backed by the powerful forces of Great Snow Mountain, had access to plentiful resources as well. Boom! Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s body vibrated, and he sent a palm strike forward containing ferocious and fierce True Qi, which surged wildly towards An Jing. Whoosh! An Jing¡¯s body soared like a majestic eagle. His Evil Suppressing Sword slashed towards Mu Yuan Great Dharma King. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, seeing An Jing taking the initiative to strike, maintained his composure and stretched out his hand, intending to grab the Sword Radiance directly. The Body Refining Martial Arts cultivated by Great Snow Mountain endowed its practitioners with physical bodies as formidable as the top Buddhist experts. The moment Mu Yuan Great Dharma King touched the Sword Radiance from An Jing, sixty-four sword lights burst forth, heading straight for Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s internal organs. Forceful! Dominant! Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s palm strike was all about being unstoppable. Both men employed no fancy moves, clashing with each other in the most direct and toughest manner. An Jing¡¯s True Qi poured in relentlessly, the Sword Light flourished in an instant, and the full might of the Evil Suppressing Sword, with the chill of the Sixth Realm, swept past. ¡°Shii!¡± The Sword Light pierced through the True Qi palm print with no hesitation. A cold air inundated the area, engulfing Mu Yuan Great Dharma King. The sword was cold! The heart was even colder! Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s body rushed to evade, not daring to clash head-on with the sword light. The sword light whistled past, leaving a bloody mark on the arm of Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, and their bodies crossed paths. Without having crossed swords, he would never have known how terrifying the notorious Ghost Swordsman could be; the sharp Sword Qi directly pierced through his handprint, and had he not reacted extremely fast, that sword would have penetrated his throat. ¡°Indeed, one of the top swordsmen in the world.¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King touched the fresh blood on his arm, the chill intensifying, ¡°You must have reached the Three Qi Realm, haven¡¯t you?¡± He could hardly imagine that the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s cultivation had improved again, actually reaching the Three Qi Realm. But considering the deaths of many grandmasters such as Ye Ding of Blue Sky Island, Yu Ying, Feng Lingyue, Chu Yun, Qu Renlin, and the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence they left behind, it seemed somewhat acceptable. Such a person, if allowed to grow unchecked, would surely become a scourge to Houjin in the future. With this thought, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s desire to kill reached an extreme intensity. An Jing stood single-handedly with his sword atop the city wall, his white clothes flapping fiercely in the wild wind. ¡°Great Dharma King, what do you think of this place?¡± ¡°This place is very good.¡± ¡°It is good that the Great Dharma King is satisfied with his place of burial.¡± ¡°Do the dry bones in the tomb dare to speak so boldly?¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King laughed angrily, his True Qi spinning wildly, his body radiating red glows. The gigantic body of Mu Yuan Great Dharma King seemed to be within a golden sea of fire, with all the bloody air around him scattered by the terrifying flames. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King performed Great Snow Mountain¡¯s Golden Flame Technique, with the Golden Flame Body being the second most powerful body refining martial arts after the ancient Great Snow Mountain tower technique. Using millennium-old ice to temper the body, a flame nurtured by True Qi within the body maintained the balance of yin and yang. This body refining martial art was extremely brutal, with several disciples of Great Snow Mountain dying each year from cold poison, but all who succeeded later became top experts of Great Snow Mountain. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s face turned extremely solemn. Looking at An Jing below, surrounded by flames, he clenched his fist, and a golden sea of fire appeared in the sky, brightening the city wall in an instant. Golden Flame Burning Heaven! Mu Yuan Great Dharma King pressed down with one palm, the air around trembled, and the terrifying sea of fire in the sky bore down on An Jing. An Jing¡¯s eyes were filled with that red glow, not daring to be careless. In his hand, the Evil Suppressing Sword shone brightly, with lightning intertwining in the sky like writhing dragons. Four Symbols Sword Technique! Swift as lightning! An Jing thrust his sword forward, and the thunder in the sky crashed down. Boom! Boom! The palm print collided heavily with the lightning, and from the center, a wave of terrifying True Qi surged out, rolling outwards in waves. The ground beneath, centered around An Jing, saw the city wall begin to crack and collapse for dozens of yards. Humming! Humming! The Evil Suppressing Sword emitted a terrifying and moving sword chant, and An Jing¡¯s arm also trembled, it was clear that Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s full-strength strike was not so easily received. After all, he was a Four Qi Grandmaster, and moreover, a grandmaster who had entered the Four Qi many years ago, his True Qi forceful and domineering. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s heart chilled at the sight of An Jing catching his full-force strike. Such a young age to reach the realm of Three Qi Grandmaster, even more terrifying than Xiao Qianqiu, and to shoulder a Four Qi Grandmaster as a Three Qi Grandmaster, that was even more terrifying. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King sneered, his huge body surrounded by glazed flames. His palms came together, and the giant knife on his back was drawn, a ball of flame instantly appeared upon the blade. Swoosh! With the appearance of the flaming knife, it seemed as if the surrounding air had ignited, boiling over. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, holding the knife, swung it down at An Jing with a momentum like no other. This flaming knife, formed by the hallucination of True Qi, was one of the secret techniques of the Golden Flame Technique, only cultivable after refining the Golden Flame Technique to the tenth layer, capable of cleaving grandmasters and slicing vengeful ghosts. Wherever the flaming great knife passed, it brought with it roaring flames and fierce wind, as if it intended to split the Dongluo Pass¡¯s wall in two. An Jing saw the flaming great knife cleaving down, the Nameless Heart Scripture running, his True Qi surging forth, then the Evil Suppressing Sword he held up, its blade manifesting an aura of piercing cold. Clang! ¡°` The Evil Suppressing Sword and the flaming giant cleaver collided heavily, the sound of metal clashing echoed across the sky, and the frenzy of unrivaled True Qi swept out like a hurricane. Both figures were violently shaken at that moment and each was thrown back several yards. Whoosh! This clash showed that the two were evenly matched. An Jing executed the Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, holding the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, and with a shake of his arm, a blood-red Sword Radiance emerged from the cold blade like a dream, sweeping towards Mu Yuan Great Dharma King. The Nine-character Sword Technique! Lin Character Secret! The blood-colored Sword Radiance raged out, chilling the heavens and earth as if they were all enveloped in its piercing cold aura. The complete Evil Suppressing Sword, the third most famous sword in the world, inherently sharp and cold, became even more formidable in the hands of a peerless Swordsman like the Ghost Swordsman. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s expression was extremely grave, An Jing¡¯s swordsmanship skill and execution were impeccable. It was as if he had reached a high realm where no matter how one defended, it could not be blocked, as if trapped in a dead angle, different from any Swordsman he had encountered before. In Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s memory, only the Sword Demon Hao Tian could be considered on par with him. At this moment, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King regarded the Ghost Swordsman as a high-level expert of the same realm, being extremely cautious in his heart, and directly deployed one of the top three deadly moves from the Golden Flame Technique, his True Qi billowing out all around him. In the slightly blood-red sky, a golden flame wheel emerged, seeming to twist the surrounding air with its heat. Golden Flame Burning Sky Wheel! The flame wheel, about several yards in diameter, obscured the sky and was terrifying in its momentum. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King felt blood seeping through his skin, but he had too much on his line to care, slashing his cleaver towards An Jing. Boom! The giant red flame wheel pressed towards An Jing. In an instant, An Jing felt a heavy breath hit his face, as if a mountain had collapsed. Boom! With his body and sword radiance soaring, the coldness in An Jing¡¯s eyes seemed capable of freezing the air before him, and the sharp Sword Radiance caused the distant Houjin soldiers to tremble. Is this a Sword Immortal from Outer Heaven!? All from Houjin were shocked, never imagining such a fearsome Swordsman existed in the world. Hum! Hum! The sounds of the Sword Radiance and the roaring flame wheel formed a stark contrast, but both were heart-shaking and soul-stirring. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s face was frosty, and the flames on his flaming giant cleaver grew even more intense, even shining with brilliant golden light. The Nine-character Sword Technique! Dou Character Secret! An Jing turned the Evil Suppressing Sword, cutting down in the direction of the air flow, with the sword¡¯s edge honed to perfection. It was as if the surroundings turned into a hell, with countless mountains of blades appearing in everyone¡¯s eyes, sending a jolt through all present. At the moment when the Sword Light fell, the empty sky was torn apart by a faint trace, the dazzling Sword Radiance descended from the skies, enveloping the flame wheel. Boom! The flame wheel spun crazily, bursting forth with a killing intent, and collided head-on with the dazzling Sword Radiance. Upon contact, the flame wheel turned into a flame behemoth, swallowing An Jing¡¯s Sword Light in one gulp. ¡°Roar!¡± Then the flame beast roared at An Jing. ¡°Is that all?¡± A chilling smile appeared on the corner of Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s mouth, looking at the young man standing amidst the ruins. ¡°Is it?¡± Amidst the surrounding shock, An Jing coldly shouted, raised the Evil Suppressing Sword slightly, his left hand pushing rapidly towards his right arm which rested on his shoulder, all his True Qi seemingly channeling into his right arm and then into the sword. Clang! Clang! Clang! The surging True Qi infused into the Evil Suppressing Sword caused it to emit a series of agitated sounds, which seemed to turn into tangible waves, rippling towards the distant horizon. In the midst of the air waves, a black tide rose, with boundless sharpness sweeping through the black light. The sword in An Jing¡¯s hand became icy cold! An Jing¡¯s eyes also turned icy cold! ¡°` His entire being suddenly became icy cold! The frigid gleam spread hundreds of yards around him. From the Evil Suppressing Sword, an overwhelming sharpness permeated the air, darkening the sky and earth, even the flowing breeze seemed to slow down. Jin Lv looked on in astonishment at the tumultuous waves of black energy, feeling as if he were in Hell itself, the scene shockingly overwhelming. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Control Technique! Amidst the black waves, a gigantic longsword pierced through the heavens and earth, slashing mightily towards what lay ahead. Phut! The colossal sword cut across, the red giant beast roared in fury and then was cleaved in two by the blade¡¯s edge, turning into a vast expanse of red True Qi that dispersed into the sky. The remaining Qi Force scattered towards the Houjin soldiers about to charge, piercing the armor that even normal iron weapons could hardly penetrate, shredding countless Houjin cavalry into bloody mist sprayed on the land. A great upheaval ensued, sending men and horses into disarray. Jin Lv¡¯s face turned extremely ugly, never expecting a Ghost Swordsman to halt the Houjin attack on Dongluo Pass. Is this the power of a top Grandmaster? ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom!¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King took successive steps back, leaving deep footprints with every retreat. When he finally steadied himself, his arm holding the giant blade was drenched in blood. An Jing¡¯s sword-wielding hand was also trembling slightly, but his eyes were fixed on the Houjin army, saying, ¡°Jiang Shang, you too are a titan of the Demon Sect. Why hide in the shadows?¡± In the moment when the Qi Force had dissipated, he sensed an extremely strong presence within the Houjin camp. It was brief, but he still caught it. As An Jing¡¯s words fell, chaos erupted among the Houjin forces. Following that, an elderly man with white hair and a childlike face, with kind eyebrows and benevolent eyes, walked out from the crowd. No one could have imagined that such a benevolently-faced old man was the biggest devil in the world. Jiang Shang looked at that face and shook his head, ¡°I thought we¡¯d never see each other again.¡± With his Four Qi Cultivation, he had never sensed that the doctor in Yu State City was actually a martial arts expert; no one would believe it if he spoke of it. Was it his own failing eyesight, Jiang Shang wondered, or had this young doctor concealed himself too well? ¡°Indeed, life is so unpredictable,¡± An Jing replied, assessing Jiang Shang. He felt that Jiang Shang looked healthier than when they last met, his eyes brighter and more spirited. Could it be that this old fiend actually found the Undying Blood? An Jing was shocked inwardly. Jiang Shang smiled faintly, ¡°Let little Qingmei come out. I have some personal words to share with her.¡± An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword pointed directly at Jiang Shang, ¡°Personal words should stay forever in the heart.¡± Jiang Shang glanced at An Jing, a cold glint in his calm eyes. The howling wind swept through like blades, harshly scraping against people¡¯s faces. An Jing¡¯s grip on the Evil Suppressing Sword tightened; his presence surged towards Jiang Shang like a reversing tide. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King moved his arm, switching his giant blade to the other hand, a subtle detail that An Jing caught. Yet Jiang Shang stood immovable as a towering mountain, dissipating the surrounding Qi Force, saying, ¡°I could disregard what happened between you and my disciple, even pretend I don¡¯t know, and the Demon Sect could be left completely to you. But now, the southward march of the Houjin is an overwhelming tide. Do you really intend to go against it?¡± An Jing scoffed, ¡°Overwhelming tide? Who says so?¡± Jiang Shang said coldly, ¡°I say so.¡± An Jing responded, ¡°Merely saying it doesn¡¯t make it so.¡± Jiang Shang agreed with An Jing¡¯s statement, ¡°Correct, saying it is useless; it¡¯s about what one does.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing asked, ¡°So what do you intend to do?¡± ¡°To kill you once again,¡± Jiang Shang replied. An Jing laughed, yet the wind around them grew even fiercer, seeping through the gaps in the armor, giving everyone a piercingly cold sensation. Jiang Shang didn¡¯t laugh, because he was serious. ¡­¡­. Chapter 272 - Chapter 272: Chapter 272 Jiang Shang Recounts Secrets of the Past Chapter 272: Chapter 272 Jiang Shang Recounts Secrets of the Past ¡°` Who is Jiang Shang? People outside the Demon Sect say he¡¯s cruel, cold-hearted, and tyrannical, quick to fight and kill at the slightest disagreement, with countless masters having died by his hand. Those within the Demon Sect, however, see him as capricious, ungrateful but exceedingly calm in the face of major issues, often making the correct decisions. When the Demon Sect attacked Zhao Country, facing the formidable and terrifying Black Ice Platform, they suffered a setback with significant losses. Jiang Shang did not stubbornly engage in a futile struggle with the Black Ice Platform but rather directly ordered the Demon Sect masters to withdraw from Zhao Country. His decision was proven correct, as the Black Ice Platform was not a mere local snake in Zhao Country, and the Demon Sect was no match for them across the river; how could they possibly fight against the Black Ice Platform? Later, when the Demon Sect lost its influence in Yan Country, he quickly led the sect out of Yan Country. Although it was a damaging blow, it did not severely weaken the Demon Sect¡¯s vitality. Thus, Jiang Shang is not someone without brains; on the contrary, his ability to become the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect and his many years of influential presence in Jianghu must mean he¡¯s shrewd and strategic. With Jiang Shang¡¯s current cultivation and strength, he could go anywhere in the vast world, as long as he is not trapped by hundreds of thousands of troops. So why would he want to help Houjin? Keep in mind that twenty years ago, the Demon Sect was still in Yan Country, and ninety-nine percent of the masters there were Yan¡¯s own people. So deep down, the Demon Sect still feels a sense of belonging to Yan Country. The people of Yan Country loathe the barbarians of the grasslands and Zhao Country, with distinct hatreds for each. Their enmity with Zhao Country is a long-standing battle of kinship, filled with grievances. While the disdain for the grassland barbarians is intrinsic, an anger etched into their blood and bones. Both the Great Qin Dynasty and the Great Zhou Dynasty were deeply harmed by the grassland barbarians and had their encounters with them, but they failed to completely eradicate the barbarians due to geographical reasons and other factors. The barbarians of the grasslands, too, are full of ambition, yearning to move south whenever they¡¯re fed and watered. They see the people of the ancestral lands to the south as no different from the livestock they breed, believing that moving south is akin to slaughtering tamed lambs¨Ca mindset engraved in their blood and bones. However, since the establishment of Yan Country, they¡¯ve purged the grasslands several times, achieving impressive results that filled the Yan people with pride and disdain for the grasslands. But due to Zhao Country¡¯s containment, many had overlooked the rise of Houjin in recent years. Nevertheless, many insightful people later recognized the threat posed by Houjin from the north and started taking it seriously. Now a battle between Yan Country and Houjin is inevitable. As the foreign barbarians invade the borders, Jiang Shang chooses to collude with the barbarians, standing on their side. Why? Does he consider the country, kinship, friendship, the Demon Sect for which he¡¯s spilled so much essence blood, or everything else, as unimportant in his heart? What¡¯s the point of such a person living? An Jing couldn¡¯t fathom what lay behind those profound eyes, just as he couldn¡¯t see into the Seventh Realm of Sword Dao. Both had words they wanted to say, but neither spoke. Because they each sought dominance, and only one who had the stronger hand could truly take the initiative. Boom! A deep rumbling echoed around Dongluo Pass, seemingly darkening the originally blue sky. An Jing stood below Dongluo Pass, with True Qi flashing wildly on the surface of his body, sending out ripples in waves, stirring up a tempest. An Jing faintly knew that besides Qi Xuan Dao, this was one of the strongest two masters he¡¯d encountered. The last to press him this hard had been the Sword Demon. Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t look sinister; they were bright and lively, that amiable demeanor hardly suggesting that he was the dreaded demon once feared by countless masters in the world. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King said indifferently, ¡°Chief Wu, we two shall hold the fort for Sect Hierarch Jiang first.¡± Chief Wu? An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly as he looked toward the Houjin camp. At that moment, an elderly man with white hair leapt out, his body seemingly wrapped in bits of white frost, and then landed next to Mu Yuan Great Dharma King. A bone-chilling cold emanated from his body, giving off the sensation of an icy chill down to the bone. Four Qi! The ¡®Chief Wu¡¯ in front of An Jing was also at the Four Qi level, emitting fluctuations of energy similar to Ye Ding of Blue Sky Island but weaker than Mu Yuan Great Dharma King and Jiang Shang. But a Four Qi Grandmaster is still a Four Qi Grandmaster; if one has comprehended Heavenly Human Communication, Separating Heaven and Earth, or other methods, their strength might be even greater. Faced with the pressing force of three Four Qi Grandmasters, An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. If it weren¡¯t for Li Fuzhou, Lin Tianhai, and others still retreating, he wouldn¡¯t be engaging the three in front of him, but at this moment, he could only try his best to delay them. Snowy white True Qi continuously radiated from Jiang Shang¡¯s body. When high-level practitioners enter a showdown, sometimes it starts with a gaze. The moment their eyes met. Jiang Shang¡¯s foot stomped powerfully, and ripples spread through the air beneath him. His figure instantly disappeared. ¡°` Such incredible speed! Even the chieftain of the Snow Mountain tribe slightly changed his expression at the sight, for that speed was beyond what the naked eye of an ordinary person could perceive, faintly sensing just a glimmer of True Qi fluctuation. Even though they also possessed Four Qi Cultivation, the chieftain of the Snow Mountain tribe had to admit that Jiang Shang¡¯s strength was above theirs. Whoosh! Just as his eyes had locked onto An Jing, he saw the air ripple behind An Jing, and a white silhouette flashed into existence, that palm print covered in bone-chilling ice exuding a terrifying power, mercilessly striking towards An Jing¡¯s back. That speed was like thunderbolts. Boom! The terrifying palm print pierced directly through An Jing¡¯s body, but not a drop of blood was spilled. Quick! Jiang Shang¡¯s speed was fast, but An Jing¡¯s speed was also extremely fast. Jiang Shang¡¯s expression changed slightly, and then his right leg suddenly lashed out behind him with tremendous force, his True Qi swirling, creating a massive whirlwind. Thump! A red glow radiating off his fingertips also heavily struck from behind, colliding fiercely with the terrifying leg wind. Thud! A deep sound resonated as ripples of visible True Qi spread out, and the surrounding air, unable to withstand the shock, exploded with a bang, waves of energy rolling out. Both individuals¡¯ bodies trembled slightly, but in the next instant, they clashed again. Different glows erupted on both sides, which was difficult for anyone below the Grandmaster level to see, only seeing two spheres of light colliding again and again, every collision sending out vast waves of True Qi, forming tide after tide that spread outwards. ¡°Retreat thirty feet!¡± Jin Lv shouted urgently. ¡°Whish! Whish!¡± The army of Houjin hastily retreated, fearful of being caught in the aftermath of the Grandmasters¡¯ Force Qi, and incurring unnecessary casualties. Boom! Another thunderous noise rang out, and the terrifying surge of True Qi wave blasted apart, the two figures separating from each other. An Jing held the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, it emanated an eerily red glow, as if streams of fresh blood were flowing from the hilt to the tip of the blade, aiming straight at Jiang Shang¡¯s throat. The sharp Sword Qi cut through the air, the sound yet to arrive, but the sword reached first. Jiang Shang¡¯s body tilted to the side, flicking his fingers. ¡°Ting!¡± What seemed like a gentle flick was actually filled with an overwhelming and tyrannical force, traveling along the Evil Suppressing Sword, causing An Jing to wince from the pain in his tiger¡¯s mouth. ¡°Swish, swish!¡± At the next moment, Jiang Shang¡¯s left hand transformed into a white bone, his two fingers directly jabbing at An Jing¡¯s eyes. An Jing clenched tightly, the Evil Suppressing Sword whirling around into a sword flower, its cold edge alarming, chilling to the core. Jiang Shang had no choice but to withdraw his fingers, not daring to directly confront such chilling sharpness with his strength. Both men retreated backward, their minds as calm as still water. While the spectating Mu Yuan Great Dharma King and the chieftain of the Snow Mountain tribe were on edge, both fighters¡¯ moves were not only exquisite but also incredibly ruthless, each seemingly determined to place the other in mortal peril. The slightest misstep could lead to their demise. Jiang Shang eyed An Jing in front of him, his body stirred and the entire world around him seemed to tremble, the mountains and rivers violently shaking. Then with a movement of his arm, he struck out again with a palm. Roar! Roar! As the palm moved, the heavens and the earth shook violently. Though the world remained the same, the soldiers outside Dongluo Pass seemed to be unable to stand steady, their footsteps unnaturally retreating backward, their eyes revealing a look of horror. An Jing, facing the incoming palm, swept the Evil Suppressing Sword across. Hiss! The Sword Radiance was dark with a hint of purple. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! The exploding True Qi cleared a path, creating tumultuous waves that surged all around. ¡°` An Jing and Jiang Shang both retreated three steps backward. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Jiang Shang suddenly felt his heart skipping wildly, as if it was about to leap out of his mouth. With his composure as stable as solid ice, it had been many years since he¡¯d experienced such fluctuations. At this moment, his True Qi began to circulate, directly suppressing the strange palpitations. An Jing saw that his Sword Skill had not taken effect, and couldn¡¯t help but feel a shock in his heart; even when facing a Second Qi Grandmaster before, this move had been unbeatable, but now, facing Jiang Shang, it had been easily neutralized. This alone revealed how terrifying Jiang Shang was. Lou Xiangzhen, Luo Chongyang, Xiao Qianqiu, Jiang Shang, Ye Ding, Jun Qinglin, Qi Xuan Dao¨Cmany great experts all had their own life trajectories, and so whether it was in cultivation or life experiences, they had their unique interpretations of Martial Arts and even the Dao. Only masters who had reached such a realm were truly great experts in Jianghu. A great expert was not only someone with profound strength. More importantly, they had the heart of a great expert. Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes were indifferent, and his palm suddenly produced streams of red swirls, as if they were going to absorb all the True Qi in the world. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! In the blink of an eye, a wild wind arose. An Jing felt his body waver, and his footing became unstable, as if he could be swept away by the wind at any moment. Heavenly Demon Technique! Heavenly Demon Star Splitting Palm! Boom! This palm strike had the force of a small mountain falling, yet this formidable force was concentrated into an area the size of a palm. An Jing gently caressed the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword with his hand, suppressing the Qi Force coming with the wind. Hiss! Hiss! Pale golden Sword Qi burst forth from An Jing¡¯s palm and surged towards the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword. In an instant, the Evil Suppressing Sword was enveloped in a faint golden light. A golden longsword appeared before everyone¡¯s eyes, shining with a captivating brilliance as if it were the most beautiful firework in the world. The sound of a sword¡¯s hum emerged from the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword, causing everyone¡¯s hearts to tremble as if they were about to leap out. An Jing gripped the hilt and looked up at the palm print in the sky with its devastating power. With a flick of the Evil Suppressing Sword in hand, he charged forward. An Jing met the fierce wind head-on, his robe fluttering with its force. Finally, the tip of the sword and the palm print collided fiercely. Clang! Suddenly, a True Qi Storm spread out from the center, causing the heavens and the earth to tremble madly. But neither the palm print nor the sword tip moved back even half an inch. The next moment! The pale golden Evil Suppressing Sword suddenly burst forth with dazzling golden light. Crack! Crack! Crack! The palm print in front showed hairline fractures like a spiderweb, and then with a bang, shattered into pieces. Jiang Shang took several steps backward. Having gained the upper hand with his move, An Jing seized the moment and swiftly attacked Jiang Shang. How terrifying would it be for a Sixth Realm Swordsman possessing the third-ranked sword on the Famous Sword List?! At this moment, everyone became aware of it, feeling as if its chilling edge could level a high mountain. This was the terrifying combination of an exceptional swordsman and an exceptional sword! Jiang Shang remained extraordinarily calm. The Heavenly Demon Technique operated, and his True Qi erupted like lava that had not been released for many years. He channeled all his True Qi into his arm and jabbed into the void before him. The sky suddenly seemed to darken, and an oppressively oppressive atmosphere enveloped above. The black long spear, carrying a torrent of True Qi, charged toward An Jing. An Jing gripped his longsword and swept it forward. Invisible Sword! ¡°` At that moment, it was as if heaven and earth shook, followed by countless piercing cold currents surging in the environment. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! An Jing¡¯s footsteps slowly stepped forward, and countless cold auras also started revolving with him, and then he slashed with his sword toward the black tide ahead. The sword radiance seemed to fall from an insurmountable gap, pressing down heavily toward the black wave in front. The sword radiance and the black tide collided violently, the dazzling gold and black light reflecting off each other to the extreme. Boom! A piercing roar rose up, as if turning into tangible waves, spreading outward in circles, causing some of the soldiers in the front to start bleeding from their ears, their bodies retreating backward continuously. Thirty zhang of distance still seemed not enough! An Jing¡¯s arm shook, feeling a powerful force emanating from in front, and despite having practiced body refining martial arts like Brahma Heart Sees Me, his body still floated upwards, scraping out a long wave in the ground. Jiang Shang¡¯s originally ruddy face also turned pale. Jiang Shang, too, had practiced Heavenly Martial level body refining martial arts; otherwise, how could he have withstood a strike from Xiao Qianqiu in Zhenyi Mountain and lived to tell the tale? But facing the piercing cold True Qi, he felt an icy chill in his heart and immediately said without any hesitation, ¡°Great Dharma King, Chief Wu, let¡¯s act together.¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King and the chief of the Snow Mountain tribe exchanged glances, their hearts trembling, and then they nodded in acknowledgment. Both of them flanked An Jing from the left and the right. For a moment, a tremendous pressure assailed An Jing, the oppressive feeling silent and breathless like a mountain descending upon him. In this day and age, how many experts were there who could force three Four Qi Grandmasters to join hands? Only Five Qi Grandmasters would have this kind of scene and attention. An Jing glanced at the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand and then looked at the three people in front of him, his heart heavy. Jin Lv stood afar, his heart also churning, and then he motioned with his hand, ¡°Bring the war drums.¡± Following his order, the Houjin soldiers brought over the war drums. Jin Lv dismounted from his horse, picked up the war drum, and began to beat it. ¡°Dong!¡± The explosive sound reverberated through heaven and earth. ¡°Kill!¡± The Houjin soldiers also shouted with arms raised. ¡°Dong! Dong!¡± ¡°Kill! Kill!¡± The drumbeats accompanied by the killing shouts echoed across Dongluo Pass, shaking the heavens. ¡°Dong! Dong! Dong!¡± Jin Lv¡¯s drumming grew more urgent, and the combat noises of the Houjin soldiers grew louder. The tens of thousands of Houjin soldiers, seeing the Ghost Swordsman before them wielding a sword single-handedly, felt their hearts pounding wildly. One man defending an entire city. Facing three Four Qi Grandmasters and tens of thousands of troops with composure, what kind of valor was this? ¡­.. Northern Wilderness, Heavenly Water City. Heavenly Water City was an extremely important strategic location. Gazing out at the vast land, one couldn¡¯t help but feel their blood boiling and a poignant sense of heroism, pondering countless thoughts that inevitably stirred deep emotions. The vast desert, the boundless Snow Mountain, the brave and bold men¡­ One could almost see the countless defenders of the homeland, facing death without fear, singing and drinking heartily in the endless moonlight and boundless battlefield, their spirits high and free, generous and unrestrained. Throughout thousands of years of history, this place had changed hands several times, giving rise to countless figures, heroic warriors on the battlefield, chivalrous men who sang in the face of sorrow, poets of stunning talent, and far-sighted merchants¡­ However, now, there was more a sense of heaviness. Hundreds of years ago, a famous general of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Wen Xi, had killed hundreds of thousands of barbarians from the grasslands here, even beheading the so-called mightiest Khan of the grasslands, Hei Yu Khan, creating a mountain of skulls and rivers of blood. Therefore, it was known as the collar of the ancient wilderness, whoever controls the Northern Wilderness controls the ancestral lands. After the Great Zhou Dynasty disintegrated, the Northern Field fell into the hands of the steppe tribes. At the time, the steppe tribes raided southwards, kidnapping many women and looting wealth, and they began to vigorously develop Heavenly Water City and construct Beiping Pass. Over time, the Northern Field inadvertently became the territory of the steppe. Great Yan¡¯s hundreds of thousands of troops departed from the Northern Wilderness Dao, marching mightily towards the Northern Field. With the help of the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall, Beiping Pass only withstood the onslaught for half a day before it was breached. Following that, three hundred thousand troops split into three divisions, launching an attack on Heavenly Water City. Along the way, they were unstoppable, encountering no effective resistance from the Houjin, and soon arrived at Heavenly Water City. The three hundred thousand troops eventually regrouped at Heavenly Water City, and after resting for half a day, they directly commenced their offensive. Water Cloud Banner¡¯s leader had long known that Wang Shiyi would come, but he still underestimated Wang Shiyi¡¯s determination, sending three hundred thousand troops on a campaign that clearly aimed to swallow the entire Northern Field whole. His temperament was steady and seasoned, and he managed to avoid the many traps and plots laid by the experts of the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall and Li Qirong, despite their encirclement. Wang Shiyi had no choice but to launch the most primitive siege tactics, leading three hundred thousand troops to attack Heavenly Water City from dawn to dusk. The battle roared like thunder and was enormously brutal. The ground was strewn with corpses and soaked with blood, layer upon layer, while the soldiers¡¯ armor was drenched with a mixture of blood and sweat. Dark clouds thundered in the sky, slashing lightning across the heavens, and the blood-red scent of carnage spread across the momentarily silent, then raucous battlefield. The piled up remains were grotesque and terrifying, and the heavy atmosphere was nearly suffocating. At this moment, both sides had paid a heavy price; it was a dire calamity with rivers of blood. Great Yan¡¯s soldiers ceaselessly launched wave after wave of attacks, with blood and corpses everywhere under the city walls. Blood mist whirled in the air, and lamentations flowed across the land, creating a human ruin, fragmented like broken eaves and shattered walls. The fallen soldiers still had a glimmer of longing in their eyes, but it quickly turned to ashes of despair¨Ceach soldier represented the cornerstone of a family. And the fall of each soldier signified the collapse of a family. In the face of war, life is the cheapest commodity. Soldiers wildly swung their weapons to hack and slash, their cries of despair and the drumming thundering like roaring thunder. Wang Shiyi, under the protection of the experts from the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall, even took part in the battle himself, as several experts from Soul Seeker Mansion continuously launched assaults, all of whom were eventually slain by Wang Ningshui. This greatly boosted the morale of the Great Yan soldiers. All three gates of Heavenly Water City, except for the North Gate, were subjected to ferocious attacks by the Great Yan army¨Cthe attack near the North Gate was thunderous, but with few raindrops. However, the Houjin general in charge of defending the North Gate did not dare to reinforce the other three gates rashly; if this were a ruse by Great Yan and the North Gate fell, he would not have enough heads to roll. Even though he knew it was an open scheme, he could only swallow it. Inside the commander¡¯s tent, Li Qirong was looking at the sand table in front of him and couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something odd was happening, an uncomfortable premonition. Wang Chong, the son of Wang Shiyi, laughed, ¡°General Li, we should be able to recover the Northern Field soon, right?¡± Being the son of Wang Shiyi, Wang Chong was reckless and lacked steadiness and calmness. Yet, he possessed considerable strength, which is why Wang Shiyi dispatched him to ensure the safety of Li Qirong. ¡°To recover¡­¡± Li Qirong muttered to himself in a low voice and did not answer Wang Chong. Recovery of the Northern Field¨Cif truly successful¨Cwould surely be recorded in the annals of history. However, Li Qirong¡¯s heart was filled with escalating trepidations. ¡­¡­ Meanwhile, within Heavenly Water City, the face of the Water Cloud Banner¡¯s leader was furrowed with tight brows, he stared fixedly at the map in front him. ¡°Send an urgent report to General Jin, and also send an urgent report to the Royal Court, requesting reinforcements at the fastest speed.¡± He had originally thought that it wouldn¡¯t be difficult for Water Cloud Banner¡¯s hundred thousand troops to defend Heavenly Water City for ten days, but he never expected that Wang Shiyi would not even consider reinforcing the Demon Sect. Instead, he had sent all the Great Yan troops northward to invade Heavenly Water City. This was just too ruthless! Whether for the Demon Sect or for Houjin, this was an unanticipated move. Especially since the army formation was interspersed with many Jianghu experts, making the original plan to steadfastly defend the city much more complicated. After all, even for a Second Grade expert like the leader of the Water Cloud Banner, if confronted by top Jianghu martial artists, it was possible to be instantly killed. Should the Water Cloud Banner¡¯s leader perish, the battle situation could undergo a drastic change. Therefore, he must ensure his own safety. ¡°Report! General Chama has died in battle! The West Gate is requesting reinforcements!¡± Just then, a Houjin soldier hurriedly ran in. The flag-bearer of the Shuiyun Banner clenched his jaw and thought to himself, ¡°All of the City Lord Mansion¡¯s guards have been dispatched to the South Gate, where could there possibly be soldiers to send as reinforcements?¡± Another soldier came running in, ¡°Report! The East Gate is under fierce attack by experts from the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall, requesting reinforcements.¡± The rage of the Shuiyun Banner flag-bearer was uncontainable, ¡°Tell them reinforcements will arrive tonight, everyone must hold their ground, I¡¯ll chop off the head of anyone who dares retreat!¡± Hearing this, two soldiers turned and left quickly. The deputy general beside him, hearing this, whispered, ¡°Flag-bearer, the frontline situation is critical, and reinforcements from the rear need two days to arrive, where will the reinforcements come from tonight?¡± The flag-bearer of the Shuiyun Banner¡¯s eyes flashed with a hint of blood as he said coldly, ¡°There are no reinforcements, but they must hold their position. If Wang Shiyi breaches the gates, they will die, you will die, and I will too.¡± The deputy general couldn¡¯t help swallowing hard, feeling a chill overflow in his heart. Once Heavenly Water City falls, North Field will lay open like flat land, exposed to the onslaught of the Great Yan army, allowing Yan Country to strike deep into the hinterlands of Houjin. The flag-bearer of the Shuiyun Banner asked, ¡°At which gate is Wang Shiyi?¡± The deputy general replied, ¡°The South Gate.¡± The flag-bearer of the Shuiyun Banner adjusted his armor and said, ¡°Follow me to the South Gate.¡± The deputy general was momentarily stunned, but quickly responded, ¡°Flag-bearer, the South Gate is extremely dangerous right now. Wang Shiyi has many experts with him, if you¡¯re not careful¡­¡± The flag-bearer of the Shuiyun Banner gave the deputy general a look and said coldly, ¡°You can stay at the City Lord Mansion.¡± With that, the flag-bearer of the Shuiyun Banner marched towards the city walls. ¡­¡­ At the base of Dongluo Pass. The sound of war drums thundered, followed by even more deafening fighting. Moving south was something etched in their blood and bones. No one could stop them. The voices of the Houjin soldiers were fierce, excited, and cruel. Once they overran Dongluo Pass, they could head south without restraint. Three Four Qi Grandmasters launched attacks against An Jing at the base of Dongluo Pass, each one of them among the top in the present age, sparing no effort with every strike, exerting their full power. Jiang Shang stepped forward, and his back surged with True Qi. Nine Tower Exquisite Body Refining Technique! The Nine Tower Exquisite Body Refining Technique was a Heavenly Martial level Body Refining Martial Art. Once perfected, the practitioner¡¯s body became incredibly sturdy and powerful, surrounded by a pagoda which made it nearly impossible for True Qi of the same realm to break through. Jiang Shang had spent years to successfully cultivate the Nine Tower Exquisite Body Refining Technique. Before Jiang Shang could act, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s body shook, his True Qi pressure spreading towards the front. Faced with the wild and domineering attitude of the two, An Jing paid them no attention. He slightly clenched his five fingers, grasping the Evil Suppressing Sword tightly in his palm, readying his mind. Both Mu Yuan Great Dharma King and Jiang Shang were stronger than the chief of the Snow Mountain clan. Now, with the three joining forces, even An Jing had to be cautious. Whoosh, whoosh! A towering wave slowly swept up from behind An Jing, growing rapidly with the wind. In moments, it reached tens of meters high, obscuring the whole world with its True Qi surge. Standing in the midst of the giant wave, An Jing faced the wind, looking coldly at the three opponents before him. When Mu Yuan Great Dharma King saw the towering wave rise from the ground, his heart jolted, and the chief of the Snow Mountain clan, realizing An Jing¡¯s prowess, tensed up and quickly moved to Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s side. Sensing the earth-shattering momentum ahead, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King dared not take it lightly and nodded immediately. The two simultaneously drew True Qi from their dantians and started to perform their signature martial arts. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s arm trembled like a writhing dragon, veins bulging as his True Qi began to twist wildly. He slashed with the giant blade in his hand, unleashing a ferocious dragon-like Sword Light that charged at An Jing. Seeing Mu Yuan Great Dharma King take action, the chief of the Snow Mountain clan did not hold back his signature skill any longer. Snow Mountain Immortal Finger! Snow Cavalry in the Sky! Nine figures appeared in the sky, each seeming as real as the chief of the Snow Mountain clan himself. Then, all nine shadows extended their fingers, striking at An Jing from all directions. With two Four Qi Grandmasters working together, the terrifying assault was enough to take anyone¡¯s breath away. An Jing¡¯s foot stamped forward fiercely, and the air around him seemed to explode with his momentum, scattering in all directions. Nine-character Sword Technique! Lin Character Secret! The tens-of-meters-high wave crashed down with An Jing¡¯s sword strike, overwhelming the entire sky. The True Qi wave rolled out like an ocean, directly confronting the nine figures in the sky and the ferocious dragon. Boom! Boom! Boom! When the True Qi collided, it was like a volcanic eruption, countless dots of True Qi exploded into sparks, scattering across the sky. The sea-like True Qi dispersed instantly, and so did the nine Snow Mountain tribe chieftains. The violent tide of True Qi surged away, and the dragon figure was also blasted apart. An Jing¡¯s face suddenly turned pale, and he continuously retreated backward. Just at that moment, Jiang Shang charged over swiftly, his offensive surge like a high tide, striking towards An Jing¡¯s chest. But facing the combined effort of two Four Qi Grandmasters, he had already used all his strength, it was already too late for him to dodge. ¡°Thud!¡± This palm struck heavily on An Jing¡¯s Protective True Qi, but the next scene was somewhat unexpected to Jiang Shang. Eighty percent of the palm¡¯s force seemed to have passed through his body, striking the city wall of Dongluo Pass behind him. ¡°Boom!¡± The already damaged city wall could no longer bear the load and collapsed with a thunderous crash, raising a cloud of dust into the air. After retreating several steps backward, An Jing finally steadied himself. Clearly, ¡®taking¡¯ Jiang Shang¡¯s palm had not resulted in any severe injuries. ¡°What a powerful Heart Method Secret Technique, it actually shifted my force Qi away,¡± said Jiang Shang, his mind quickly piercing through the mystery. The next moment, the Snow Mountain tribe chieftains charged again, with one finger¡¯s light wavering between heaven and earth, turning the surrounding temperature bitterly cold, with even crystal-clear snow flakes falling. Snow Mountain Immortal Finger! Snow Kill Three Thousand! This move was the strongest assassination move within the Snow Mountain Immortal Finger, a technique seldom used by the tribe¡¯s chieftain. Just as An Jing had stabilized himself, his Evil Suppressing Sword pointed straight out. The sword tip and the finger light touched, the sharp Sword Qi and the cold True Qi intermingled, and instantly, force Qi crazily overflowed from the center of the collision. The complexion of the Snow Mountain tribe chieftain changed drastically, and his feet floated above the ground as he rapidly retreated backward, leaving a long trace. Seeing this, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King gripped his massive blade and ferociously cleaved forward. ¡°Thump!¡± A tremendous blade descended from the sky, bringing with it an extremely fierce might. This blade interrupted An Jing¡¯s offensive against the Snow Mountain tribe chieftain, and with a slap of the Evil Suppressing Sword, An Jing turned it into six Sword Lights that shot forward. As the six Sword Lights grew larger, they then transformed into six giant Flying Swords crossing through the air. In a fleeting moment, An Jing seemed to see something unusual in the trajectory of the six giant swords, where there seemed to be profoundly deep mysteries of Sword Dao hidden within. Sword Array!? But at this critical moment, he had no time to ponder. The six giant swords, carrying a mighty torrent of sharp cold air, rushed forward. The three opponents quickly used their Divine Skills in response, with the Snow Mountain tribe chieftain contributing the most effort, followed by Mu Yuan Great Dharma King. Jiang Shang, who had earlier attempted a deadly strike, was now exerting the least effort. Handprints, Blade Light, and Finger Light formed a tri-colored stream, clashing with the six giant swords ahead. ¡°Thud!¡± Instantly, a standoff formed, with the six giant swords visibly retreating at a speed visible to the naked eye, and shocking ripples manifested around them. With three Four Qi Grandmasters working together, only a Five Qi Grandmaster could withstand them in all the world. An Jing furrowed his brows as the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± began to circulate, the force being diverted and absorbed, instantly relieving the pressure. The six giant swords also stabilized the situation. The scene suddenly became deadlocked, with half of the sky occupied by the six giant swords and the other half by the True Qi of the three opponents. Glittering True Qi flowed, emitting a surreal and dazzling array of lights. A showdown between four of the world¡¯s top martial artists, such a spectacular scene is something seldom any Jianghu people could witness, otherwise, learning one or two moves from it would be incredibly beneficial. ¡°Thump! Thump! Thump!¡± Under the stalemate, the vast True Qi still spread outwards, causing continuous rumbling noises within several hundred yards, turning trees, city walls, and rocks into dust. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King and the Snow Mountain tribe chieftain looked at each other. Just now, the two of them had joined forces to drive the Ghost Swordsman into a continuous retreat, but now the three of them were evenly matched? ¡°Roar!¡± Just when both of them were filled with confusion and disbelief, a low roar came from afar. Before they could regain their senses, a black and gold light suddenly appeared in front of them, and a sharp and unmatched blade light came from the distant sky. This black and gold blade light heavily struck upon the trio¡¯s True Qi, completely altering the situation. The Snow Mountain clan chief was subjected to an overwhelming assault, immediately spewing out a jet of blood before stumbling backwards repeatedly. Even Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s complexion changed slightly, while only Jiang Shang waved his sleeve to block the oncoming True Qi storm, his expression remaining calm and unchanged. Who is it!? All the people between heaven and earth followed the blade light to see where it came from. They saw a huge black flood dragon appear on top of the city wall, a fierce and terrifying exotic beast that greatly astonished the soldiers of Houjin. This was a vicious exotic beast that could only be found in the accounts of books, yet now it was alive and before their very eyes. And on the back of the flood dragon stood a woman. She was wearing a black long robe, her stunning visage carrying a hint of chill, and in her hands were two blades, one long and the other short, shimmering with a heart-throbbing glow. The person was none other than Zhao Qingmei, and what she held in her hands were the renowned Mandarin Duck Blades. She landed lightly beside An Jing, and after exchanging a glance, they didn¡¯t say much more, having already understood each other. An Jing chuckled softly, gripping the Evil Suppressing Sword even tighter. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes, however, were looking toward Jiang Shang in the distance. She couldn¡¯t comprehend how Jiang Shang could help Houjin slaughter the people of Dongluo Pass, knowing that Jiang Shang was not only a person from Yan Country but also the former Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. Could it be merely because Jiang Renyi disappeared? Was Jiang Shang seeking revenge!? Jiang Shang saw Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation and couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Little Qingmei, you have never disappointed me.¡± That blade strike earlier had completely exposed Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation. Three Qi Grandmaster! How many people in the world could reach the Three Qi Grandmaster before the age of thirty? Mu Yuan Great Dharma King was extremely shocked inside; the Ghost Swordsman had reached the Three Qi, and this Demon Sect Sect Hierarch had also reached the Three Qi Realm. ¡°What a fearsome couple.¡± The Snow Mountain clan chief also felt a bit astonished, and then his expression turned solemn. Zhao Qingmei spoke calmly, ¡°But you keep disappointing me.¡± ¡°Disappointed?¡± Jiang Shang shook his head and said, ¡°Back then in Yu State City, when I wanted to kill this Doctor, it was because I didn¡¯t know his cultivation level. Now that his strength is so profound, naturally, I will not hinder you.¡± Zhao Qingmei let out a cold laugh and said, ¡°And now? Leading Houjin to attack Dongluo Pass?¡± ¡°It seems¡­¡± Jiang Shang looked at Zhao Qingmei and said, ¡°You seem to have forgotten what happened all those years ago.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brow raised slightly. ¡°With Houjin heading southward, the empire of the Human Emperor of Taiping is about to falter; everyone in this world could defend his empire, except you, because¡­¡± Looking directly at Zhao Qingmei, Jiang Shang transmitted his words carefully, ¡°Your parents died by his hand.¡± What!? Zhao Qingmei¡¯s pupils constricted sharply, and her hand gripping the blades trembled faintly. Her parents had died at the hands of the Human Emperor of Taiping? An Jing glanced at Zhao Qingmei, his eyebrows immediately furrowing. Since Jiang Shang¡¯s words were transmitted directly into her ears, none of those present knew what had happened. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Jiang Shang continued to question in quick succession, ¡°Why was my sect driven out of Yan Country all those years ago, and why did my sect organize a rebellion, choosing to act despite knowing it was impossible? Do you know why all this happened?¡± Zhao Qingmei asked subconsciously, ¡°Why?¡± Jiang Shang slowly said, ¡°Because of your father, his surname was Zhao.¡± ¡­¡­. Ps: Please give a Monthly Ticket, mates. Chapter 273 - Chapter 273: Chapter 273: The Five Qi Grandmaster Shakes the World Chapter 273: Chapter 273: The Five Qi Grandmaster Shakes the World Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Her surname was Zhao, and she was even pursued by the Taiping Human Emperor¡­ Looking into Jiang Shang¡¯s calm eyes, Zhao Qingmei let out a cold laugh and transmitted her voice, ¡°Speak your mind.¡± Jiang Shang was not one for beating around the bush, and neither was she. ¡°Very well, I shall tell you about the events that took place back then.¡± Jiang Shang did not hold back and straightforwardly said, ¡°Your father was called Zhao Shizai, the grandson of Li Ping, the Human Emperor. You are the orphan of the former Crown Prince¡¯s lineage.¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s words struck Zhao Qingmei like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky. Her father was the son of the former Crown Prince!? Jiang Shang continued, ¡°The temples and martial world of Yan Country were inseparable. The Crown Prince had his own followers within Jianghu, and Outer Heaven belonged to the Crown Prince¡¯s faction. Alas, the Crown Prince was weak, incompetent, and lacked the resolve. He did not heed my advice, resulting in Zhao Zhiwu collaborating with the Zhenyi Sect to launch a coup in the Heavenly Book Pavilion. In the end, it was stained with blood. The Crown Prince tragically died on the spot, and my master and Jun Qinglin arrived at the East Palace in time to rescue your father¡­¡± Even though Zhao Qingmei was very composed, at this moment, she couldn¡¯t help but step backwards, her eyes filled with disbelief. It was like a dream, surreal in its improbability. She, Zhao Qingmei, was actually a noble of the Yan Royal Family. And she was originally a princess, with the world of Yan Country rightfully hers? An Jing steadied Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body and whispered, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± Zhao Qingmei replied in a low voice and hastily looked at Jiang Shang, saying, ¡°What happened next?¡± Jiang Shang spoke indifferently, ¡°After that, Zhao Zhiwu ascended the throne. Knowing that there was no chance for revenge and no ability to contend for the throne, your father hid himself within Yu State City, intending to live out his life in obscurity. However, while your father gave up, I did not. I launched several coups in your father¡¯s name, but unfortunately, all ended in failure. Due to this, Zhao Zhiwu grew paranoid, continuously crushing Outer Heaven in retaliation. Eventually, Zhao Zhiwu discovered your father¡¯s hiding place.¡± He did not purposely avoid anything, as if recounting an insignificant matter that had nothing to do with himself. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes held a frosty chill as she clenched her fists and said, ¡°So in the end, you¡¯re also to blame?¡± If it wasn¡¯t for Jiang Shang¡¯s insistence on continuing the rebellion, perhaps the tragedies that followed wouldn¡¯t have happened? ¡°My disciple, why are you so naive?¡± Jiang Shang looked at Zhao Qingmei with amusement and said, ¡°Emperors are ruthless, especially Zhao Zhiwu, an emperor as cold-hearted and ambitious as they come. He would certainly eliminate any source of instability, and had he discovered the remnants of the Crown Prince¡¯s lineage, he would¡¯ve eradicated them sooner or later.¡± ¡°Now you have two choices. The first is to stand with us and head south. When we strike Yujing City, you can avenge the deep blood feud. The second choice is to perish alongside the Great Yan Dynasty, to become but a speck of dust in history.¡± Zhao Qingmei brandished her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades and said coldly, ¡°I don¡¯t need your choices. I only want my own.¡± Working with the barbarians from the plains was out of the question. Regardless of whether the Great Snow Mountain could accommodate the Demon Sect, even if it were possible, she would not make such a choice. ¡°It seems you¡¯re as stubborn as your father.¡± Jiang Shang looked at Zhao Qingmei, a chill rising in his eyes, ¡°They¡¯re still buying time. Let¡¯s take them down now.¡± As he spoke, Jiang Shang slowly raised his palm, and the eerie white True Qi also began to rise. Seeing Jiang Shang ready to make a move, An Jing transmitted, ¡°Li Fuzhou and the others must be close to the Great Yan Border by now. Let¡¯s hold them off for the time of an incense stick and then we leave.¡± The combined force of three Four Qi Grandmasters, with the current cultivation of An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, made it somewhat impossible to defeat them all, plus Jiang Shang¡¯s strength was unfathomable. He had not used all his strength, and no one knew how deep his abilities truly were. Now was not the time for a life-and-death struggle with him, especially given the tens of thousands of Houjin Army at his back. They were delaying on purpose, not only to buy time for Li Fuzhou and Lin Tianhai to retreat, but also to prevent the Black Armored Army at Sanfeng Pass and Dao Pass from being sandwiched by Houjin from both sides, giving them enough time to pull back. ¡°Alright, husband, I will follow your lead,¡± Zhao Qingmei responded. The two of them faced the three Four Qi Grandmasters and tightened their grip on their swords and blades. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King was the first to act, aiming not for An Jing, who wielded the Evil Suppressing Sword, but Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei raised her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades to meet the attack head-on. Beneath her feet, black lotuses appeared, and her movements were as fast as the wind. ¡°Clang!¡± At the moment of the collision between the huge blade and the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades, a terrifying metallic storm emanated from the blades. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King felt a force surging through the giant blade, nearly causing him to lose his grip. The Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, the Demon Sect¡¯s treasured cultivation, did not have its reputation for nothing. The vast Demonic Qi surged from the Dantian, incredibly fierce and violent. However, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King specialized in Body Refining Martial Arts, having explored the Body Refining Martial Arts of Xuanwu, True Martial, and Heavenly Martial Levels. He possessed a depth of body technique mastery rare in this world, and had he reached the step of Heavenly Human Communication, his power would rival the peak of the Four Qi Grandmasters. An Jing leaped into action, intercepting both Jiang Shang and the Snow Mountain tribe chieftain. The chieftain of the Snow Mountain relied on Finger Techniques but did not dare to meet An Jing¡¯s Sword Skill and the sharpness of the Evil Suppressing Sword head-on. His True Qi gathered at his fingertips, transforming into a sharp ray, and he shot it towards An Jing. Meteoric firebolt! Earth Splitting Heavens Smashing! This was the overwhelming power of the Snow Mountain tribe leader¡¯s single finger. An Jing¡¯s pupils reflected the brilliance of that finger, as the light grew larger within his eyes. Whoosh! The Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand angrily struck out, slicing through the air and leaving trails of light akin to flowing silk. Bang! Bang! Bang! Neither showed any intention of avoiding the sharp edge, as they fiercely collided. The Snow Mountain tribe leader took steps back again and again. Jiang Shang advanced a step forward, his wrist twisting, as surging True Qi flowed forth, and then he hurled a palm strike towards An Jing. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised, and the Evil Suppressing Sword in his grasp flickered with a powerful cold fierceness as it pierced through the oncoming handprint. Then, recalling the insight from just before, with a slap of the Evil Suppressing Sword, he saw six streams of Sword Light split off and heavily plunge downward. At this moment, Jiang Shang¡¯s heart began to beat uncontrollably. Around the whole of Dongluo Pass, True Qi rapidly circulated as though forming a colossal restraint. An Jing¡¯s wrist rotated, commanding the Heaven and Earth True Qi as if it were an extension of his arm. Boom, boom, boom! The raging True Qi flowed in the air as if some terribly fearsome entity was being nurtured into existence. It wasn¡¯t just Jiang Shang who felt it, but also many Houjin soldiers behind him sensed a despair-inducing oppression, retreating carefully toward the rear. The Snow Mountain tribe leader¡¯s heart pounded erratically, seemingly beyond his control. And this was only the beginning! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Heaven and Earth changed once more, numerous streams of True Qi converged again, forming an invisible Sword Net that enveloped dozens of yards in front of Dongluo Pass. The sun and moon changed color, and the sky roared with a fierce wind! Jiang Shang stood amidst the storm, with white strands of hair dancing in the turbulent air. That profound and mighty sword momentum was even vaster than the unfathomable sky. ¡°Hmm?¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s expression also grew solemn, before his palm rotated, channeling nearly all his True Qi into his arm, surging like a reversing torrent. Simultaneously, Jiang Shang¡¯s blood turned red and through the skin, one could faintly see the blood coursing through his veins. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! The surging True Qi spread in all directions, and behind Jiang Shang, an image with three heads and six arms emerged. The image, seemingly from an ancient vastness, bore crimson bloodlust in its eyes, and its hands wielded various ritual implements, emanating a cold killing intent that shook one¡¯s spirit. The ferocious manifestation stood behind Jiang Shang, its formidable might radiating outward. Heavenly Demon! Recorded within the Demon Sect scriptures, this was the human form manifested by a Heavenly Demon. The Heavenly Demon Phase after Unity. Only by cultivating the Heavenly Demon Technique to its highest realm, the Tenth Layer, could one conjure the Heavenly Demon Phase. To reach the Tenth Layer of Heavenly Martial-level martial arts before attaining the Five Qi Realm was the mark of a genius among geniuses, a monster among monsters. Xiao Qianqiu was one, and so was Jiang Shang. Instantly, Jiang Shang formed a seal with one hand, and a dazzling True Qi pillar as vast as dozens of yards rose to the sky, which was then devoured by the Heavenly Demon Phase in one gulp. Heavenly Demon Technique! Heavenly Demon Eye! Roar, roar! After devouring such vast True Qi, the phantom¡¯s body swelled further, eerie demonic patterns surfaced on its body, and a deafening roar echoed between heaven and earth. The forehead of the Heavenly Demon slowly split open, revealing a fissure that appeared to contain an eye, a Demonic Eye pulsing with a fearsome and shocking power, which shot out with a sizzle. Whiz, whiz, whiz, whiz! Several streaks of black light burst forth from the Demon Eye within the phantom¡¯s brow, merging and converging into a ray of profound dark light that pierced the air, aiming straight for An Jing. The pitch-black ultimate radiance descended from the sky, seemingly piercing through the air, and in almost the blink of an eye, the black beam had already appeared just above An Jing¡¯s head. Black light spread out, even True Qi was turned into annihilation, such destructive power was unimaginably terrifying. An Jing¡¯s expression also became extremely grave at this moment, the black light brought an intense sense of threat that made his skin ache all over. Whoosh! Boom boom boom! Between heaven and earth, the wind and clouds raged, terrifying might filled the air, and An Jing, caught in the midst of it all, felt an endless pressure, his face extremely solemn. Jiang Shang stood proudly between heaven and earth, the wind howled, and his gaze imperiously fixed on An Jing. Boom! Above Jiang Shang, vast clouds rolled and converged crazily, eventually forming a black tornado storm. Within the storm, destructive black lightning rampaged, turning everything it passed into obliteration. The ground below was torn apart at this moment. An Jing took a deep breath, focusing his whole heart and mind on controlling the six bodies of the Evil Suppressing Swords. The Heaven and Earth True Qi trembled wildly, and then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, a huge sword array emerged, with numerous sharp streams of Qi shooting through heaven and earth. Boom boom! Boom boom! The moment the sword array appeared, the surrounding area of Dongluo Pass trembled. An Jing¡¯s eyes held a hint of determination, and then with a move of his hand, he heavily struck down toward the front. The six giant swords within the sword array fiercely stabbed towards the black lightning in front. Splash splash! Splash splash! True Qi surged like waves, overwhelming and unstoppable. The six giant swords collided with the black lightning powerfully; the violent True Qi was like the water of the Four Seas, endlessly spreading outwards in all directions. Thud! Thud! Thud! The surrounding land was immediately engulfed by the tide of True Qi. The spreading True Qi battered the riddled land, and after who knows how long, the tide of True Qi finally slowed down a bit. Columns of dust rose into the sky, enveloping the entirety of Dongluo Pass. Jiang Shang¡¯s gaze suddenly narrowed, a chill running up his spine and straight to his heavenly spirit cover. Could there be such a terrifying sword technique in this world!? ¡°Great opportunity!¡± The leader of the Snow Mountain clan saw this, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes. Cold! Extreme cold! With a flick of his finger toward the front, a roaring white light shot through, seemingly freezing the dust in its tracks. Taking advantage of the clash between An Jing and Jiang Shang, he planned to directly slay the Ghost Swordsman, accomplish this world-shocking feat, and take the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence inside the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s body. Just as the Snow Mountain clan¡¯s leader dashed into the dust, his heart suddenly clenched, instinctively feeling a great crisis approaching. All they saw was the surging sword light coming from within the rising dust clouds. Cold! The extreme cold of ice! ¡°Not good!¡± The leader of the Snow Mountain clan did not expect there to be countless remaining waves of sword Qi within the dust, and a trace of astonishment appeared in his eyes, but it was already too late to retreat. The Snow Mountain clan was overwhelmed by the terrifying tide of sword Qi, the sky filled with snow and ice directly scattered, then flesh and blood seemed to be scoured away; the True Qi tide was like a bone-scraping knife, and in an instant, the leader of the Snow Mountain clan turned into a pile of white bones. The leader of the Snow Mountain clan was dead! As the leader of the Snow Mountain clan of a generation, and also a giant among the forces of the world, he died under the astonishing and horrifying tide of sword Qi. Even he, a master of such caliber, was annihilated under the overwhelming rolling trend. An Jing grabbed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence left on the body of the Snow Mountain clan¡¯s leader, and at that moment, a hand also reached out, each taking away two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. And the owner of this hand was none other than Jiang Shang. An Jing quickly absorbed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence into his own body. The sword array that the six bodies of the Evil Suppressing Sword had just formed had completely emptied the True Qi in his Dantian, and this was the first time it happened, proving how terrifying the sword array formed by the Evil Suppressing Sword truly was. Jiang Shang, although at the peak of the Four Qi Grandmaster realm, was also nearly depleted of his True Qi, which he then absorbed into his Dantian. This scene unfolded like lightning striking flint, in merely the span of a few blinks, the Snow Mountain Clan Chief, a Four Qi Grandmaster, completely vanished amidst the surging tide of Sword Qi. ¡°This¡­..¡± Jin Lu was stunned at this sight, as if struck by a thunderbolt. That was a Four Qi Grandmaster! A Four Qi Grandmaster had just died like that! The Ghost Swordsman was truly terrifying! ¡°Go!¡± An Jing brandished the Evil Suppressing Sword and slashed toward Mu Yuan Great Dharma King. Seeing the death of the Snow Mountain Clan Chief, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s mind was perturbed, and his steps receded continuously to avoid the streak of Sword Light. Zhao Qingmei glanced at Dongluo Pass and, clenching her silver teeth, stepped onto the back of the Black Flood Dragon. An Jing also executed the Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique and soared away. Time was almost up, and there was no need to continue the entanglement with Jiang Shang. ¡°Sect Hierarch Jiang, we can¡¯t let them go!¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King saw the two trying to leave and shouted. Jiang Shang was merely absorbing the two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence as if he hadn¡¯t heard Mu Yuan Great Dharma King at all. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King thought of the Snow Mountain Clan Chief¡¯s death, his face fluctuating between light and shadow, and did not make a move to stop them alone. With his power alone, it was uncertain whether he could overcome the Ghost Swordsman, not to mention the formidable female demon at his side. ¡°Kill!¡± Jin Lu saw this and immediately commanded. ¡°Kill¨C!¡± The Houjin soldiers charged toward Dongluo Pass, now in ruins and collapsed. Dongluo Pass had long been emptied, leaving behind only a ghost town. Thus, Dongluo Pass had completely fallen. After a while, the True Qi within Jiang Shang gradually recovered. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, somewhat displeased, said, ¡°Sect Hierarch Jiang, why didn¡¯t you pursue them earlier and let the Ghost Swordsman and Zhao Qingmei escape?¡± Jiang Shang glanced at Mu Yuan Great Dharma King and said, ¡°With the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s extremely high swordsmanship, are you his match?¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s eyebrows raised, ¡°With Sect Hierarch Jiang¡¯s profound and unfathomable strength, why hold back?¡± His intuition told him that this old fox Jiang Shang must still have cards up his sleeve. If pushed to the end, with the wrap of tens of thousands of troops, it was impossible for the Ghost Swordsman and Zhao Qingmei to escape even with wings. Jiang Shang indifferently said, ¡°Just now, I used the final move of the Heavenly Demon Technique and am completely drained. Where am I holding back?¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King did not speak, but his brow remained deeply furrowed. The corners of Jiang Shang¡¯s mouth lifted with a hint of a cold smile, ¡°I¡¯m confident that even if we had captured the two of them, one of us might have died in the fight, and the other would have been gravely injured and skinned. Who would want to end up dead or skinned?¡± ¡°Our goal is Yujing City. As long as we take Dongluo Pass, our army can head south. Besides, I¡¯ve planted a seed of vengeance in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart. Upon her return to Yan Country, she may not wholeheartedly aid Zhao Zhiwu and may even provoke internal strife among them.¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King took a deep sigh, always feeling that releasing the two today would lead to future troubles. Jiang Shang eyed the distant Snow Mountain direction and murmured, ¡°Now that the Snow Mountain Clan Chief is dead, the rear is stabilized, and we can use the Snow Mountain Clan¡¯s hatred to assist our southward advance. That is what needs to be done now.¡± Hearing this, a chill ran through Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, and he glanced at the kindly-looking old man before him. Was it Jiang Shang¡¯s intention to let the Snow Mountain Clan Chief die at the hands of the Ghost Swordsman? If that were true, it was truly terrifying. Meanwhile, Jiang Shang calmly absorbed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence left behind by the Snow Mountain Clan Chief. ¡­¡­ Sanfeng Pass. After a day and a night of bloody battle, Sanfeng Pass was now a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. From the original force of over forty thousand Black Armored Army, now reduced to less than ten thousand, and the Flying Horse Banner and the Heavenly Spirit Banner had also suffered heavy losses. But with the advantage in troop strength, Houjin could continue launching attacks, which was the most lethal aspect for the Demon Sect. Qin Bin, at this moment, was covered in a broken and bloodied armor, with even two wounds still oozing blood. He quickly approached Duanmu Xinghua and Jun Qinglin, ¡°Great Elder, Sect Master Duanmu.¡± Even for someone as fastidious about cleanliness as Jun Qinglin, his white clothes were stained with blood. Duanmu Xinghua took a deep breath and stated directly, ¡°We received a message from Dongluo Pass, it¡¯s time for us to retreat.¡± Qin Bin asked, ¡°Retreat to Dongluo Pass?¡± Duanmu Xinghua shook her head, ¡°Let¡¯s head back to Yan Country directly.¡± Yan Country!? Qin Bin understood without further inquiry and said in a grave voice, ¡°I understand. The Great Elder and Sect Master Duanmu should go first, I¡¯ll lead the remaining Black Armored Army to cover our rear.¡± With the Flying Horse Banner and the Heavenly English Banner forces still numbering in the hundreds of thousands and evidently holding the upper hand, a safe retreat clearly seemed impossible. Duanmu Xinghua said, ¡°After this bloody battle, the Black Armored Army has grown; they can become the elite within the sect in the future. You take the Great Elder and leave this place, I will hold the rear.¡± Qin Bin quickly objected, ¡°But that can¡¯t be¡­.¡± Duanmu Xinghua waved her hand and said, ¡°I, along with the Heavenly Sect experts, will create chaos. Once you have fully departed, we can then withdraw¡­.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for you two to argue.¡± Jun Qinglin, who had remained silent till now, cut off Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s words, his eyes fixed on the endless ranks of the Houjin army, and he spoke, ¡°I alone am enough.¡± ¡°Great Elder!¡± ¡°Great Elder!¡± Both were taken aback upon hearing this, Jun Qinglin intended to resist the tens of thousands of the Houjin army by himself? Even though the Flying Horse Banner and the Heavenly English Banner were heavily damaged, they still amounted to an army of two hundred thousand! ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Jun Qinglin was very calm. Duanmu Xinghua, sensing the firm resolution in Jun Qinglin¡¯s words, said, ¡°Great Elder, please do not take unnecessary risks. Outer Heaven still needs the Great Elder, and both the Sect Hierarch and An Tributor need the Great Elder¡¯s care.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Jun Qinglin burst into laughter, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, you seem to underestimate that young girl Qingmei and the lad.¡± After the battle at Blue Sky Island, An Jing had already witnessed the strength of a Five Qi Grandmaster like Qi Xuan Dao and had also obtained a large amount of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. His cultivation might have already reached the Three Qi Realm. They have grown up now; they no longer need this old bone of mine. Duanmu Xinghua saluted with a fist, ¡°In any case, Great Elder, please be cautious.¡± Given the urgency of the situation, there was no time for further delay. Jun Qinglin nodded slightly without speaking. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Duanmu Xinghua said to Qin Bin. Qin Bin took a deep breath and began directing the Black Armored Army to withdraw towards the rear. ¡­ Meanwhile, on a distant high ground, the flag bearers of the Heavenly English Banner and Flying Horse Banner were mounted on their warhorses, observing the battle situation. The sounds of the melee were still extremely fierce, the ground completely obscured from view, revealing only the bodies one after another, and the fresh blood that flowed like streams. The flag bearer of the Heavenly English Banner had a hint of solemnity in his brow as he said, ¡°This Black Armored Army is indeed the elite of the Demon Sect.¡± It must be acknowledged that Dongluo Pass, with its ability to train such soldiers on behalf of a city and a sect, is quite impressive. The Flying Horse Banner flag bearer sneered, ¡°Today, all these elites will die.¡± The Heavenly English Banner flag bearer nodded, ¡°Against our far greater numbers, these Black Armored soldiers are now undoubtedly fighting a losing battle.¡± The fall of Dongluo Pass was just a matter of time. Suddenly, the Black Armored Army and the Demon Sect experts, who had been fighting fiercely until now, began retreating to the rear. ¡°What¡¯s happening, why are the Demon Sect people retreating?¡± The Heavenly English Banner flag bearer said with surprise, ¡°Could it be that Jin Lv has succeeded?¡± Jin Lv, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, Jiang Shang, and the Snow Mountain tribe chief taking the side paths to assault Dongluo Pass was something they were well aware of. Seeing this, the Flying Horse Banner flag bearer urgently shouted, ¡°Kill them! Don¡¯t let a single member of the Demon Sect escape.¡± Just as the Houjin soldiers bravely surged forward, a mighty wave of True Qi erupted from the distance. Boom! Boom! The violent True Qi slammed down upon the mountain like a heavy hammer, instantly causing the mountain to crumble. Countless massive rocks tumbled down, striking the pursuing Houjin soldiers who cried out in agony. ¡°Kill-!¡± Seeing this, the ferocity in the Houjin soldiers¡¯ blood seemed to be ignited. Once the falling rocks had stabilized, they continued their charge forward. The dust settled to reveal an elderly figure with white hair. A master of the Demon Sect! Upon seeing this, the Houjin soldiers knew in their hearts that this was a master of the Demon Sect. In the rewards for military achievements offered by Houjin, killing a Demon Sect master was rewarded with ten sheep, and killing a top Demon Sect master could fetch a reward of a thousand sheep. If one could say that those in power sought the world and supreme authority, and the generals sought to loyally serve their king and leave their names in history, then the soldiers¡¯ objectives were simple: they were driven by money, women, and all the most basic human desires. At this moment, the Houjin soldiers roared lowly and surged forward. Jun Qinglin eyed the oncoming Houjin soldiers, a cold light flickering in his gaze, before stepping towards them. ¡°Boom!¡± With a palm strike, the tremendous True Qi repelled the frontmost Houjin soldiers, the force of the blow impacting several troops behind them as well. The sounds of bones cracking and cries of pain echoed around. He then picked up a long spear from the ground and hurled it forward. ¡°Pffft pffft pffft pffft pffft pffft!¡± The spear, thrown with fierce might, pierced through the bodies of seven or eight Houjin soldiers before it finally stopped. ¡°Kill! Kill! Kill!¡± Sighting only Jun Qinglin, the eyes of the Houjin soldiers turned bloodshot with murder, recklessly charging at him. If a Grandmaster was a leading expert of the age, then a Five Qi Grandmaster was an expert among experts, one who truly stood at the summit of the world. Each of Jun Qinglin¡¯s strikes felled several Houjin soldiers, leaving behind a mountain-like pile of corpses in no time. Blood ran like rivers; a mountain of bones was formed. Seeing this scene from afar, both the flag bearers of the Heavenly Elite Banner and the Flying Horse Banner went pale. The Heavenly Elite Banner¡¯s bearer pulled at the reins and said softly, ¡°Is that Jun Qinglin, the top expert of the Demon Sect, once feared throughout the world?¡± However, a cruel light danced in the eyes of the Flying Horse Banner¡¯s bearer, ¡°If we kill him¡­¡± A Five Qi Grandmaster, felling such an expert would not only potentially grant one access to the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence within their body to cultivate to a Grandmaster Realm but consider the tremendous military achievement it would represent. Even the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect couldn¡¯t compare to the Five Qi Grandmaster before them, could he? After all, how many Five Qi Grandmasters were there in the world? The Flying Horse Banner¡¯s bearer bellowed with a voice deep from his Dantian, ¡°Kill that man, and you will be rewarded ten thousand sheep, ten Yan Country women!¡± Boom! Upon hearing the words of the Flying Horse Banner¡¯s bearer, every soldier, as if injected with adrenaline, charged even more frenziedly towards Jun Qinglin. With the promise of such a reward, brave men would surely step forth. The allure of ten thousand sheep and ten Yan Country women simply ignited the innermost desires of the Houjin soldiers. All Houjin soldiers rushed forward, even as they watched their fellows fall in pools of blood, some even burst by True Qi into blood mist; yet they charged ahead with reckless abandon. What if, just what if this renowned expert of Jianghu were to fall by their hand? They would never have to worry for the rest of their lives. In just the time it takes two sticks of incense to burn. Jun Qinglin¡¯s hands, face, and clothes were drenched in blood, having claimed the lives of hundreds of Houjin soldiers. But what was this handful of men against an army of over two hundred thousand? What did it matter in the grand scheme of things? Gazing into the distance, there was still a ceaseless tide of humanity converging on this spot. With a palm strike from Jun Qinglin, his True Qi howled through the air, leaving behind nothing but a blood-soaked ground and scattered corpses. His body soared forward, rushing towards the frontline. ¡°So what if he¡¯s a Five Qi Grandmaster?¡± The Flying Horse Banner¡¯s bearer watched the god-like slaughterer Jun Qinglin and said coldly, ¡°Being enveloped by our vast Houjin army, Jun Qinglin will meet his death here.¡± The thought of taking the head of that world-famous Five Qi Grandmaster set his heart ablaze with excitement. He believed, this battle would be the one to make his name legendary. Tens of thousands of Houjin soldiers fought for Jun Qinglin¡¯s head and the rewards, but he did not have to compete, for the glory would undoubtedly be his. The flag bearer of the Heavenly Eagle Banner furrowed his brows tightly, his heart not as optimistic as the flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner. He was always filled with an inexplicable unease, but then he suddenly realized, ¡°He¡¯s coming towards us, quick, leave.¡± The battle horse beneath the flag bearer of the Heavenly Eagle Banner also leapt up high, then neighed loudly. Jun Qinglin was slaughtering his way out from the midst of tens of thousands of soldiers, steadily closing in on them. The flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner let out a sneer, ¡°What¡¯s there to fear, even if he is a Grandmaster, he¡¯s still human, and every human eventually runs out of energy. Today is the day we make a name for ourselves¡­¡± ¡°But that¡¯s a Five Qi Grandmaster! A master who¡¯s half a step into the Land Immortal Realm.¡± The flag bearer of the Heavenly Eagle Banner glanced at the flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner and then hurriedly shouted, ¡°Block him for me!¡± The soldiers of the Houjin swarmed over, and even though Jun Qinglin carved a path with blood and bodies, it was quickly blocked off. ¡°Boom!¡± Jun Qinglin suddenly kicked out, sending vigorous True Qi surging forward, and then leapt towards the two flag bearers. His movements were extremely fast; his body had already broken free from the constraints of heaven and earth. In the blink of an eye, he rushed forward several meters, and his True Qi continued to gather in his palms. Thin streams of black and white qi began to seep out from the pores in his palms. In just an instant, Jun Qinglin¡¯s hands radiated an ancient, vast aura. Jun Qinglin¡¯s hands seemed to turn into towering Blood Hands, as if they had just emerged from purgatory, a thick scent of blood emanating from his palms, turning the whole sky crimson. In a moment, Jun Qinglin began to call upon all of the True Qi within his body. Boom! Boom! Boom! With Jun Qinglin at the center, True Qi exploded, as if the entire air was twisting severely. The exploding True Qi surged violently, the terrifying waves of True Qi spreading far and wide. The moment the handprint fell! Boom! An explosive sound filled the sky; the normally dim Outer Heaven instantly brightened as if it were broad daylight, dazzling to the extreme. Boom! The air between heaven and earth crazily converged, and then a massive handprint, several meters in size, descended with a terrifying True Qi fluctuation that felt like a mountain crushing down from above. This single palm annihilated countless lives, and in an instant, the ground turned blood red. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s terrifying!¡± The Houjin soldiers, seeing this, seemed to have their minds instantly cleared by the shock, fear visible in their eyes. Is this old man in front of them human or ghost? Just one palm! With just a single palm, nearly eight hundred people died within it¨Cwhat kind of terrifying might was this? ¡°Run!¡± The flag bearer of the Heavenly Eagle Banner, seeing this, felt a cold shiver running from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, subconsciously tightening the reins and rushing into the distance. The flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner, seeing this, had his mind go blank, as if he lost all consciousness. When he came to his senses, the blood-soaked old man had already arrived before him. ¡°Block¡­ block him for me.¡± The flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner was quivering as if he saw a demon crawling out from hell, his lips trembling as he spoke. At this moment, he had awoken from the beautiful dream he¡¯d been in, his heart pounding in fear. ¡°Protect the flag bearer!¡± ¡°Protect the flag bearer!¡± ¡­.. The soldiers surrounding him hurriedly shielded the flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner behind them. The moment Jun Qinglin¡¯s True Qi surged, several soldiers were engulfed by its wave. He sped through their ranks, quickly reaching the flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner. ¡°You useless bunch, stop him for me!¡± The flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner was so frightened he lost all composure, screaming hysterically. He simply could not comprehend how tens of thousands of soldiers could not stop one man¨Cwhy on earth was this!? His personal guards and the other soldiers were no different, engulfed by the waves of True Qi. ¡°Swish!¡± The flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner quickly drew his long knife from his waist, but in the next moment, his movements came to a halt. ¡°Pfft!¡± As a spurt of blood shot out from the neck, a promising head flew into the air, and blood gushed out like a fountain. Then the corpse fell heavily to the ground. The man who had just boasted that he would take the heads of the Five Qi Sect and become famous throughout the world, the leader of the Flying Horse Banner, now lay dead in a pool of blood. His blood was still warm, as if his bold words were still echoing around. Whoosh! The surroundings instantly fell silent. The soldiers who had been charging at him were stunned, their hearts pounding so fiercely they almost leapt out of their mouths. This was the true act of taking the enemy general¡¯s head amidst millions! How terrifying was a Five Qi Grandmaster!? ¡°Stop him for me!¡± The leader of the Heavenly Eagle Banner urged his horse to run, turning his head back to see Jun Qinglin charging towards him, and cried out desperately. In his heart, he even regretted not heading towards the main camp when he first saw Jun Qinglin; however, in this world, regrets could not be revisited. If there were a chance for do-overs, Jun Qinglin would wish for it more than anyone else. Countless Houjin soldiers swarmed like ants, and Jun Qinglin¡¯s figure was completely engulfed by them. From midday to dusk, many would say it lasted three hours, but today it was just over five thousand Houjin soldiers who saw their lives snuffed out. The sun was bound to set into darkness. What used to be golden light now turned into dark red, like blood, and the clouds that drifted too close now glowed a fiery red. A hazy smoke rose from the ground, crows perched on withered branches, occasionally emitting a lonely cry. Under the orange glow, blood flowed like trickling streams. Sanfeng Pass was engulfed in silence, a silence as profound as death. Countless Houjin soldiers stood at the ready, their eyes long having lost the wildness and cruelty, only filled with an instinctive fear, numb. ¡°Rustle rustle! Rustle rustle!¡± Suddenly, Houjin soldiers up front saw something terrifying approaching, and they retreated desperately towards the back, even when the blades of their comrades pierced their bodies, they felt nothing. As the Houjin soldiers fell back, Jun Qinglin stepped out, unhurried. His hair and clothes were drenched in bright red blood. In each hand, he held a terrifying head, those of the leaders of the Heavenly Eagle Banner and Flying Horse Banner. Under the orange light, his pace was slow, accompanied only by the sound of his steps crushing through the blood-soaked ground. All the Houjin soldiers didn¡¯t dare to breathe, their eyes fixed on the figure that seemed to have stepped out from Fengdu Hell, people in the front madly pushing towards the back, and those in the back instinctively retreating even further. The scene was like the ebbing of a tide. Jun Qinglin¡¯s heart was at its most tranquil, the most peaceful day he had in decades. Even when his cultivation had advanced to Five Qi, his heart had never been as calm and light as now. Looking at the slowly setting sun, his mind unwittingly returned to a sunset from years past, with white sky-blue petals dancing in the air. A slight smile unfurled on his lips as he thought again of that chivalrous young woman, who seemed to be watching him from atop a steed. ¡°That year when the sky-blue flowers were in full bloom, how does this year compare?¡± He walked out of the encirclement of Houjin soldiers, his back facing tens of thousands of them, and then felt a wave of weakness, letting the heads in his hands slip to the ground, rolling in a pool of blood. His gall shuddered, his soul nearly scattering. The Houjin soldiers behind him madly retreated, looking at the blood-soaked figure, they had lost all their fighting spirit. Jun Qinglin gazed at the yellow light, feeling his eyelids growing heavier and heavier. Others could leave this land, but he couldn¡¯t. Alone in this world, he was too lonely. But this was the last time he would be lonely. In his dantian, the spiritual lamp flickered faintly, shimmering with a faint light, until it seemed as if a breeze passed by, and the lamp¡¯s flame extinguished completely. Jun Qinglin finally closed his eyes. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only After thirty thousand hours, the body would turn to dust, become part of the earth, and those who died would finally be together. All Houjin soldiers quietly watched that figure. Even as time passed, not a single one dared to come forward. In the fifteenth year of the Taiping era, on the fifth day of the first month, that was the day. Jun Qinglin took the heads of the leaders of the Heavenly Eagle Banner and Flying Horse Banner amidst two hundred thousand troops, killing five thousand three hundred armoured Houjin soldiers, shocking the world. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 274 - Chapter 274: 274 Chapter 274: 274 Heavenly Water City. After several days and nights of bloody battle, the area beneath the city walls was already paved with corpses, and now the battlements were the center of the fierce fighting. The soldiers of Yan Country had taken control of the battlements. A large number of soldiers climbed up the ladders, rushing toward the Houjin soldiers to kill. The clash of weapons, the unending wails, at this moment, whether it was Houjin or Yan soldiers had long become numb, only knowing to kill the enemy before them with different uniforms. The experts from the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall and the Soul Seeker Mansion were also fiercely fighting, but a great many of the Soul Seeker Mansion¡¯s experts had fallen at Dongluo Pass. There were not many experts left defending Heavenly Water City, hence in terms of both soldiers and Jianghu experts, Houjin was at an absolute disadvantage. Soon, no more Houjin soldiers could be seen on the battlements, and then the gates of Heavenly Water City were opened. The soldiers from Yan Country surged through the city gates, grandly entering the central city of North Field, Heavenly Water City. ¡°Kill¨C!¡± The war drums sounded, and Heavenly Water City fell. This southern stronghold of Houjin had been completely conquered in six days by Wang Shiyi leading an army of three hundred thousand. Countless soldiers of Yan Country, already frantic and bloodied in their eyes, were stepping over the corpses and blood of Houjin soldiers as they ferociously rushed into Heavenly Water City. Inside the City Lord Mansion. The ground was flowing with fresh blood, and several Yan women knelt on the floor, their faces pale as they trembled violently. The intense sounds of fighting outside, sounding right next to their ears, far from being the medicine that could rescue them from misery, were instead the Death Sentence pushing them towards death. ¡°It¡¯s all over, let¡¯s retreat from the North Gate.¡± The Deputy General of the Yunshui Banner, his face covered in blood, said, standing beside the Banner¡¯s leader. The Banner Leader of the Yunshui Banner, his face grim, walked with a sword toward the Yan woman, and brutally slaughtered her with one strike. The hearts of the other Yan women were pounding violently, filled with fear. They were Yan women quite favored for their beauty, plundered by the barbarians from the plains, and valued by the high-ranking leaders of Houjin, filling their ranks were even noble girls and family members of Yan officials, as well as female warriors, whose Cultivation had been ruined and who had become tools of pleasure for Houjin to torment and toy with. Though their hearts were filled with terror, they dared not resist, knowing that resisting meant death. With a swift movement of his hand, the Banner Leader of the Yunshui Banner left several Yan women dying in a pool of blood. ¡°Escape, where can we escape to?¡± The Banner Leader of the Yunshui Banner, his face full of rage, said, ¡°The North Gate is but a trap. Wang Shiyi must have already prepared tens of thousands of troops in ambush, and we won¡¯t even have intact corpses by then.¡± ¡°Then¡­ then¡­¡± The Deputy General turned pale upon hearing this, as fear of death overtook his heart. Are there people in this world who are not afraid of death? Yes, but he was definitely not one of them. The sounds of the slaughter outside the City Lord Mansion grew closer, so close they seemed to be right by his ear. They were coming! The breathing of the Yunshui Banner Leader became more rapid, and his grip on his longsword tightened. ¡°Thud!¡± As the sound of metal striking metal rang out, the large door was kicked open, and countless soldiers from Yan Country rushed in, led by a woman wielding a longsword. ¡°I¡¯ve come to take you away.¡± The person was none other than Wang Ningshui from the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall. Her longsword was still stained with fresh blood, and upon seeing the Yan women lying in pools of blood, her pupils shrank suddenly. Feeling cold inside, the Banner Leader of the Yunshui Banner guessed the identity of the woman before him and immediately shouted, ¡°Kill!¡± His bodyguards charged at Wang Ningshui. ¡°Puff puff puff puff!¡± Wang Ningshui, with her First Grade Heavenly Flower Cultivation and Fifth Realm swordsmanship, swung her longsword, and immediately, numerous bursts of blood sprinkled before her. Those bodyguards fell to the ground, twitching for a moment before lying still. ¡°I¡­. I surrender¡­¡± Seeing this scene, the Deputy General of the Yunshui Banner collapsed to his knees, pleading for mercy. A mocking light glinted in Wang Ningshui¡¯s eyes. ¡°Splat!¡± Just then, a blade pierced directly through the Deputy General¡¯s body. The Deputy General looked startled, lowering his head to gaze at the Houjin longsword that had pierced through his body. And the owner of this longsword was none other than the leader of the Water Cloud Banner, ¡°You¡¯ve been with me for eleven years, so just keep accompanying me.¡± The light in the Deputy General¡¯s eyes gradually faded, and he then heavily fell to the ground. ¡°It¡¯s your turn.¡± Wang Ningshui¡¯s eyes were filled with endless coldness, no nonsense spoken, he stepped forward and then slashed with his sword. ¡°Clang!¡± The leader of the Water Cloud Banner raised his longsword to block in front of him, a great force striking, causing his knees to buckle, and he couldn¡¯t help but kneel down. Wang Ningshui sneered coldly, his longsword swinging to slice off several fingers neatly. ¡°Ah¨C!¡± The longsword in the leader¡¯s hand fell, and he couldn¡¯t help but let out a ghastly wail. Wang Ningshui closed in with large strides, slashing again with his sword. ¡°Puh-chi!¡± The leader of the Water Cloud Banner felt a warmth in his throat, followed by a burst of blood spurting out; he could only stare with widened eyes in shock at Wang Ningshui. Ultimately, his body went limp and collapsed on the ground. Wang Ningshui glanced at the corpse on the ground, then strode purposefully towards the distance. Meanwhile, the soldiers of Yan Country quickly stepped forward behind him and severed the heads of two Houjin generals. After Heavenly Water City had been breached, the entire city plunged into a melee. Among them were Houjin soldiers stubbornly resisting, and quite a few Houjin experts were mixed in as well. Chaotic! Heavenly Water City was in total chaos! In the alleys, the sound of fighting was constant. Two soldiers of Yan Country rushed into a courtyard, where there was only one woman holding a child about seven or eight years old. ¡°Hm!?¡± At this moment, the two soldiers were stunned because from the woman¡¯s expression and attire, including her hairstyle, it was clear that she was a woman of Yan Country. At this moment, the child in the lady¡¯s arms also appeared a bit anxious and frightened. ¡°Please, your honor, let my child and I live.¡± The woman saw the soldiers who had rushed in, knelt down, and pleaded. ¡°Kill them!¡± One of the veteran Yan soldiers, seeing this, decided coldly. The rookie soldier, with his mouth agape, said, ¡°Brother Zhang, she¡¯s from Yan Country¡­.¡± The veteran soldier coldly said, ¡°I said, kill them.¡± The woman and the child continuously knelt down pleading, making pounding noises. The rookie soldier watched this, silent. ¡°Sigh.¡± The veteran soldier sighed, ¡°You two handle it then.¡± Saying this, the veteran soldier walked towards the distant alley. As soldiers, what were they risking their lives for? Protecting their homeland and family sounded grand but was too distant; in truth, it was for the sake of wealth and their families back home. The rookie soldier looked at the pleading lady, ¡°You can get up.¡± The woman quickly said, ¡°Thank you, sir, thank you, sir.¡± After asking around, the rookie soldier learned that this woman was a native of Yu City in the Northern Wilderness Dao of Yan Country. When the Southern Barbarians had moved northward, they had kidnapped her to Houjin, where she had lived for eleven years by now. Having lived here so long and even having borne a child, she had grown accustomed to everything here. ¡°Now that Heavenly Water City is in chaos, you should find a place to hide.¡± With no desire to snatch the possessions of the mother and child, the rookie soldier walked towards the courtyard exit. ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Suddenly the woman cried out desperately. In the blink of an eye, a sharp blade thrust through, piercing directly through the rookie soldier¡¯s abdomen. He struggled to turn around and saw a child, seven or eight years old, holding a dagger with cruelty, barbarism, and ferocity in his eyes. The new recruit stumbled a few steps backward, his forehead soaked with dense sweat. As he steadied himself, his spear thrust directly at the throat of the child. Despite being severely injured, the man was an adult male with Eighth Grade Cultivation, and his thrust was extremely fast. ¡°Puchi!¡± Just then, a body blocked in front of the child. It was the woman. Seeing this, the child did not care about the woman and continued to rush toward the new recruit. The new recruit tried to pull back his spear, but the woman clung to it tightly, bursting out with astonishing strength even in her dying moment. The new recruit dropped his spear. The woman, following her inertia, fell directly to the ground. The new recruit then grabbed the wrist of the child with one hand and clutched his neck with the other. The child¡¯s face turned pale, unable to breathe, and subconsciously dropped the dagger. The woman struggled to crawl towards the new recruit, her blood dyeing the ground red, her eyes filled with pleading, ¡°Please¡­ please¡­.¡± The child was also in extreme discomfort, constantly struggling, his fingers digging deeply into his flesh. This time, the new recruit did not hesitate at all, a trace of ferocity in his eyes as he exerted all his strength, his veins visibly spreading along his arm. ¡°Crack!¡± A crisp sound echoed, the child¡¯s struggles grew weaker, and his breathing became fainter. Eventually, the child stopped breathing altogether, and the new recruit sat on the ground, gasping for air heavily. An old soldier walked in, ¡°On the battlefield, put away your mercy.¡± The new recruit covered his wound, panting heavily. This scene was just a microcosm of Heavenly Water City. Blood and slaughter filled every street of Heavenly Water City. On the streets, Wang Shiyi looked at the chaotic and bloody Heavenly Water City, his expression calm as water. By occupying this city, one could advance to attack the hinterland of Houjin directly and threaten the Royal Court, or retreat back to look over the Northern Wilderness from Beihuang Dao. That¡¯s why Heavenly Water City was of strategic importance. Houjin lost Heavenly Water City in their effort to take Dongluo Pass, putting them at a strategic disadvantage. But if Yan Country did not have reinforcements, could Wang Shiyi hold onto Heavenly Water City? ¡­.. The turmoil at Dongluo Pass, Houjin, and North Field quickly spread to Yujing City. For Yan Country, this was naturally great news. After all, Dongluo Pass was not originally Yan Country¡¯s territory, whereas Heavenly Water City had effectively become part of Yan Country¡¯s lands. Most importantly, Houjin¡¯s push southward was temporarily stifled. They would need to reclaim North Field before they could consider moving south again, thus ensuring several more years of peace and stability. Beyond that, what astounded the ministers even more was the Demon Sect¡¯s top expert, Jun Qinglin. Among the army of two hundred thousand, he had slain two flag bearers and over five thousand three hundred Houjin troops died by his hand while many more were injured. His terrifying prowess had once again showcased the strength of a top Jianghu expert. ¡°The strength of these top Jianghu experts is truly formidable.¡± ¡°We must contain and guard against these Jianghu forces.¡± ¡°However, it¡¯s really a pity that Jun Qinglin died at Sanfeng Pass.¡± ¡­¡­ In the Golden Throne Hall, civil and military officials were buzzing with comments¨Csome astonished, some regretful, and some fearful. If a Five Qi Grandmaster was so fearsome, wouldn¡¯t a Great Grandmaster be capable of obliterating a dynasty outright? ¡°Gentlemen, please be quiet.¡± Zhao Tianyi glanced at the crowd and said, ¡°Wang Shiyi needs reinforcements, which of you gentlemen will send someone to assist?¡± Instantly, the great hall fell silent, everyone looking at each other. Even though Wang Shiyi had expanded the territory, North Field was still fraught with danger; after all, Dongluo Pass still had an army of several hundred thousand, and there was also a similar-sized army of Houjin to the north. Now, Wang Shiyi was actually caught between two forces, and it seemed likely that North Field could soon be reclaimed by Houjin. Minister of Ministry of Industry, Yue Tingchen, stood up and said, ¡°In my view, Qiu Lun, son of the Pingyang Marquis, who has shown military skill and extraordinary martial prowess in confrontation at Beihuang Dao, is fit for this task.¡± Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin glanced at Yue Tingchen but did not speak. At this time, to dispatch the Pingyang Guard, which defended Yujing City and was loyal to the Crown Prince¡¯s faction, was clearly an attempt to divide his strength in Yujing City. ¡°I agree!¡± ¡°I agree!¡± ¡­.. The ministers nodded in agreement upon hearing this. Zhao Tianyi looked at Qiu Heng, ¡°Minister Qiu, what is your opinion?¡± Qiu Heng was silent for a long while, then said, ¡°I agree.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Zhao Tianyi nodded, saying, ¡°Then it¡¯s settled. I will present it to His Majesty in due course.¡± At this moment, Zhao Chongyin stepped forward and said, ¡°Regarding Zhao Country to the south and the Southern Barbarians, we must also guard against them.¡± Upon mentioning this, all the civil and military officials furrowed their brows, growing anxious. The northern front was already critical, but they could not afford to underestimate the south, especially since Zhao Country¡¯s strength was no less than that of Yan Country. Yan Country was now trapped between major powers, and everyone wanted a piece of it, simply waiting to see who would strike first. Once any sign of weakening appeared, it would surely trigger a mass assault from all directions. ¡°With the Pingyang Marquis in the south, I believe in his abilities to handle it,¡± Zhao Mengtai calmly said, ¡°If you gentlemen are still worried, we could dispatch some soldiers.¡± Pingyang Marquis shook his head and said, ¡°At present, all sides are strained; there are no soldiers to send.¡± Zhao Tianyi said, ¡°Marquis Pingyang is prudent and calm. If Zhao Country makes any moves, he will report them in advance. Moreover, with a half-million strong army in his hands, Zhao Country may not be able to advance northward anytime soon.¡± Hearing Zhao Tianyi¡¯s words, the civil and military officials present let out a slight sigh of relief. Although Zhao Country was fierce, they couldn¡¯t possibly devour a half-million strong army in an instant, could they? After further discussion, the ministers dispersed. In the Golden Throne Hall, only Zhao Tianyi and the eunuch Bai Mei remained. ¡°Honorable Bai,¡± Zhao Tianyi looked down from the great hall and said, ¡°As for the death of Jun Qinglin, I think there¡¯s more to it.¡± How could the Demon Sect allow a Five Qi Grandmaster to die on the battlefield? Eunuch Bai Mei calmly said, ¡°It must have been Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s doing.¡± Up until now, no Great Grandmasters had emerged anywhere in the world, and anyone knew that a Great Grandmaster could change the geopolitical landscape. If a Great Grandmaster appeared in Yan Country, despite being surrounded by enemies, it still had the strength to resist. If Houjin, Zhao Country, or the Southern Barbarians were to produce a Great Grandmaster, then Yan Country would instantly be in grave danger. Thus, all those who were Five Qi Grandmasters tried every possible means to break their limits and reach the Great Grandmaster, or find ways to eliminate their adversaries. The battle on Blue Sky Island was also considered with this in mind. If Jun Qinglin and Qi Xuan Dao fought to their deaths, there¡¯s no doubt that Yan Country and Houjin would benefit most. And who would be the first severe challenge when Houjin moved south? Naturally, it was the Demon Sect, who did not wish to stand with them. The Demon Sect most feared Jun Qinglin, who might also break his limits. Given Jun Qinglin¡¯s age, his life span was close to an end, and just a few battles causing internal injuries could crush his hope of breaking through his limits. A Five Qi Grandmaster without any hope of breaking through would have significantly reduced deterrent capacity, especially one whose life span was drawing to a close. Zhao Tianyi nodded slightly, ¡°This shows that Zongzheng Huachun has also reached that crucial point.¡± Having said that, he walked towards the back of the hall. Bai Mei narrowed his eyes to slits, staring off into the distant sky, lost in thought. The current state of the world seemed to be waiting, waiting for a situation that was on the brink of eruption, much like waiting for the emergence of that Great Grandmaster. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only But who will it be? Who is the most suitable person? Who is the most deserving person? ¡­¡­ PS, I drank too much today¡­ Chapter 275 - Chapter 275: Chapter 275: Turbulence at the Dulu Sword Meeting Chapter 275: Chapter 275: Turbulence at the Dulu Sword Meeting Southern Barbarians, Holy City. Among all Southern Barbarian tribes, there is a sacred place that everyone yearns for, and that is this Southern Barbarian Holy City. The centralization of power in Zhao Country has become exceedingly severe, with almost all matters being handled by the Black Ice Platform, but there are still some existences within Zhao that can restrain its influence. With the suppression by the Black Ice Platform, they have become extremely weak, still rife with internal contradictions. However, the Southern Barbarians are different; their centralization is absolute, with all resources in the hands of the tribe¡¯s wizards and Great Wizards, who must be loyal to the leader of the Southern Barbarians. Moreover, the people of the Southern Barbarians are extremely fanatical and blind. In the Southern Barbarians, their leader is their only faith¨Csome zealous individuals even believe that dying for him is the highest honor. So, there are internal conflicts among the Southern Barbarian tribes as well, but these internal conflicts are absolutely controllable, even part of the unique way the Southern Barbarians raise Gu insects. In the dark, eerie Southern Witch Temple, a few dim candle flames flicker, casting ominous shadows on people¡¯s faces, revealing merely the eerie, attention-grabbing patterns and statues around the hall, which evoke an innate fear. In the center of the hall stand eight Southern Barbarian experts. These eight are the leading figures among the Southern Barbarians, the tribe¡¯s Great Wizards. In the Southern Barbarians, one who can be called a Great Wizard has the spirit of the Gu insect in their body fused with their Dantian, and their cultivation has also reached the Grandmaster Realm. At this moment, eight Grandmasters are gathered, each looking humble and submissive, kneeling on one knee. Among them, Cong Chu, the Great Wizard, is kneeling at the very front; the double-headed snake on his neck lacks its usual ferocity and liveliness, lying motionless on Cong Chu¡¯s neck, its triangular eyes not daring to look at the figure in front. Because the one seated at the head of the room is none other than the leader of the Southern Barbarians, Ha Cha. He appears to be in his forties, with a chin devoid of any facial hair¨Cutterly smooth¨Cgiving him a very youthful appearance, his brows exuding an air of austere dignity. His hair is styled in the unique topknot of the Southern Barbarians, dressed in ordinary clothes like those of a commoner. His garment is colorfully adorned with patterns of the sun, moon, stars, clouds and is so wide it looks like a cape. Cong Chu, the Great Wizard, said, ¡°Apart from those guarding the borders and those in seclusion, everyone has arrived.¡± The leader of the Southern Barbarians glanced around and said, ¡°Everyone should be aware of the war in the north, right?¡± ¡°We are.¡± All the Great Wizards present nodded. Nowadays, the conflict between Dongluo Pass, Houjin, and Yan Country had spread throughout the world. As Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians, except those in seclusion or on the borders, how could they not know of this great war? Overall, Yan Country is the only one to truly benefit from this conflict, having taken the strategically important city of Heavenly Water City in the North Field in the wake of Houjin¡¯s attack on Dongluo Pass. Meanwhile, the Demon Sect has completely lost Dongluo Pass and has been forced to retreat in disarray back to Yan Country. The leader of the Southern Barbarians continued, ¡°The Houjin armies are amassing to march into the North Field once more, while Yan Country¡¯s reinforcements are rushing to Heavenly Water City. The great battle between the two nations has begun, and not long ago, Qi Xuan Dao of Zhao Country¡¯s Black Ice Platform sent Lv Qiujian here to Southern Witch to propose a joint venture to conquer; yesterday, he came to the Holy City again, wishing for Southern Witch to deploy troops and annihilate Yan Country to divide the realm into three.¡± To annihilate Yan Country and divide the realm into three? As these words were spoken, a tremor went through the minds of the Great Wizards present, their eyes shining with a glint. They¡¯ve been confined to the southern border for far too long, yearning to cross that boundary and enter the rich, vast territory of Yan Country. Their opportunity had been thwarted by Yan Country¡¯s overwhelming power, leaving them no chance. Now, with Yan Country not only facing Zhao Country but also the glowering Houjin, and beset with internal strife, it seemed poised to topple, and the Southern Barbarians were already eagerly anticipating their chance. ¡°I think this is an excellent opportunity for our Southern Witch,¡± said Liang Su, the Great Wizard, earnestly. Liang Su, the Great Wizard, was responsible for supporting the Seven Evils Sect, and Liang Mo was his nephew. The rest of the Great Wizards agreed one after another. They had long been restless, their lips quivering with eagerness. Even though envoys from Yan Country had been sent to the Southern Barbarians, offering considerable benefits, and the Southern Barbarians had assured them they would not violate the border, what did such a vague verbal agreement amount to? Just then, one Great Wizard frowned and said, ¡°But the ancestral teachings once stated we should not set foot in the ancestral lands¡­ ¡± Ancestral teachings? This statement made everyone present frown with concern. Within the Southern Barbarians, there are ancestral teachings that have been passed down through the ages, dictating that Southern Barbarian forces must not expand into their ancestral lands. Initially, the people of the Southern Barbarians adhered strictly to these teachings, but as time passed and the world changed, these teachings gradually faded from memory, or rather, were deliberately no longer mentioned. After all, who would willingly give up a promising world to live in an inconsequential corner? Great Wizard Cong Chu sneered, ¡°As the Great Zhou Dynasty fell into decline, we still adhered to our ancestral teachings, missing the opportunity to return to our ancestral lands. Now, as the Yan Kingdom is on the verge of collapse, if we stubbornly refuse to adapt and continue to cling to the ancestral teachings, it will undoubtedly be another missed opportunity to vie for domination of the world.¡± The Great Wizard Gena agreed wholeheartedly, ¡°That¡¯s right, Great Wizard Cong Chu speaks sense.¡± Great Wizard Liang Su nodded as well, ¡°Indeed, blindly adhering to the ancestral teachings has caused us, the Southern Witches, to miss out on great opportunities.¡± Great Wizard Jine even glared at the questioning Great Wizard and said, ¡°We absolutely cannot miss this opportunity again.¡± The Great Wizard who brought up the ancestral teachings sighed in his heart, said nothing more, knowing that to continue would arouse public anger. ¡°This is indeed a rare opportunity that comes once in a thousand years. If we don¡¯t seize it now, who knows how long we¡¯ll have to wait, so¡­.¡± Ha Cha stood up, looked at everyone with fiery eyes, and said, ¡°I have already agreed to join forces with Lv Qiujian and Zhao Country to hunt Yan Kingdom. However, we still need to discuss how exactly we shall conduct the hunt, and how to ensure the greatest benefit for the Southern Witches. This is the reason I called you all here.¡± The people present remained composed upon hearing this, but inside, they were all delighted. To divide the world into three parts, if this becomes reality, they will be able to possess a rich and vast ancestral land. This would be a feat that the ancestors of the Southern Barbarians had not achieved in a thousand years! Great Wizard Cong Chu pondered for a moment and said, ¡°There¡¯s an old saying that a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. In my opinion, it would be best to act when Zhao Country and Houjin have drawn most of Yan Kingdom¡¯s firepower. However, we must not hesitate too much and miss the perfect opportunity, allowing Zhao Country and Houjin to pluck all the fruits of victory.¡± The other Great Wizards agreed with this sentiment. A snake is most dangerous when it lurks in the shadows. Afterward, everyone shared their views, discussing their perspectives on the upcoming great war, and even began a meticulous study and division of the territories within Yan Kingdom¡¯s nine domains. Ha Cha looked at the map of the world, remained silent, particularly when his gaze fixed on Zhao Country and Houjin. His brows furrowed, contemplating if the Yan Kingdom indeed perished, these two behemoths would border the Southern Barbarians. Would the Southern Barbarians truly be able to withstand these two mighty forces then? Therefore, it was now necessary to be wary of both Houjin and Zhao Country. Only the Great Wizard who mentioned the ancestral teachings heaved a long sigh in his heart. The world was truly about to be thrown into chaos. ¡­.. The battles of the north soon spread throughout the land. No one was surprised by the fall of Dongluo Pass; what was somewhat unbelievable, however, was the death of the Five Qi Grandmaster Jun Qinglin and that Yan Kingdom had actually captured Heavenly Water City. After all, a Five Qi Grandmaster was only a step away from becoming a Great Grandmaster, and most would not fight to the death but rather preserve a chance to break through their shackles. Once those shackles were broken, one could gain a lifespan of three hundred years and become the strongest in the world, changing the entire situation of the world. Now it seemed that not only had the Demon Sect lost Dongluo Pass, but it had also lost a Five Qi Grandmaster, suffering an unprecedented heavy blow. And Wang Shiyi¡¯s taking of Heavenly Water City was also a surprise, especially since Great Yan was under immense pressure. Most people thought that Yan Kingdom would adopt a defensive stance, and no one expected Wang Shiyi to dare to attack Houjin territory, turning defense into offense¨Ca bold move indeed. The battle between Houjin and Yan Kingdom had begun, naturally drawing the attention of all the powers in the world. Yan Kingdom, Northern Wilderness Dao, Mu City. Snow swirled in a flurry, and the cold wind was like a knife, blanketing the entire city. As a border city of Yan Kingdom, Mu City had never been considered prosperous or developed, particularly after the outbreak of the war between Yan Kingdom and Houjin. Although unbreached, it led to a large exodus of Mu City¡¯s civilians to the south, and now, the city seemed somewhat desolate. On a street to the south of the city, a young man and woman were walking side by side. The man was dressed in a white silk robe, with an antique longsword resting on his back. The woman beside him was of uncommon beauty, her delicate features as if painted, wearing a pink plum-colored cotton coat with a lotus auspicious cloud pleated skirt and draped in a light blue plum blossom shawl. Standing amid the vast snowflakes, she seemed to blend into the plum blossoms around her. These two were An Jing and Zhao Qingmei. After a long year, they once again set foot within the borders of Yan Country. Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, landing on the shoulders and in the hair of the two figures. An Jing looked up and let out a long sigh in his heart. Since Jun Qinglin had managed to kill the leaders of the Water Cloud Banner and Flying Horse Banner, he must have been able to leave unscathed, the only reason he wouldn¡¯t have left would be because his essence was entirely depleted. Now, looking back at the battle that took place beneath the sandy winds between Zongzheng Huachun and Jun Qinglin, he abruptly realized that Jun Qinglin¡¯s wounds weren¡¯t minor at all. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s intent wasn¡¯t just to spar with Jun Qinglin, by that time he must have already inflicted severe injuries on him. The Holy Master of Houjin was worried that Jun Qinglin might truly break through that barrier, even though he himself knew the chances were slim to none, but people like him prefer to nip any dangers in the bud. The battle between the two that day must have been even more perilous than Qi Xuan Dao had faced, or perhaps Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s strength even surpassed that of Qi Xuan Dao¡­ As for Jun Qinglin¡¯s return to the Sealing Demon Platform, he didn¡¯t even attempt to break through the barrier, which An Jing found strange at the time, but now everything became crystal clear. Because Jun Qinglin had already been grievously wounded by Zongzheng Huachun and simply lacked the strength to break the barrier, he just didn¡¯t want to share the grim reality with An Jing. Their last meeting was frozen in time at the New Year¡¯s banquet. From beginning to end, Jun Qinglin never said goodbye or left any last advice. Perhaps to him, it was just a trivial matter, not something he wanted to burden others with. Thinking back to that lonely silhouette under the setting sun, An Jing suddenly felt a pang of sadness and discomfort, as if something was stuck in his throat. Jun Qinglin was too lonely. Over the span of a hundred years, he witnessed the deaths of his parents, his elder brother, his beloved, and his younger disciple Feng Lingyue; loneliness became the most scorching poison in this world. All he saw were memories. If he couldn¡¯t reach the realm of a Great Grandmaster, dragging his wounded body and barely clinging to life was utterly pointless. ¡°Zongzheng Huachun¡­¡± An Jing muttered to himself in a low voice. This Five Qi Grandmaster capable of severely injuring Jun Qinglin, just how formidable was his power? Was he one of the highest-level Great Grandmasters in the world? Zhao Qingmei, too, was filled with melancholy thoughts, not only troubled by the grim situation the Demon Sect currently faced, but also unsettled by Jiang Shang¡¯s words. If Jiang Shang was right, being now in Yan Country meant they were surrounded by danger, and the most critical question was whether the Peaceful Human Emperor had already learned of this matter, and whether Jiang Shang would eventually reveal it? An Jing, looking at Zhao Qingmei in silence, asked, ¡°Still worried?¡± Zhao Qingmei shook her head, ¡°They have already retreated to Yan Country¡¯s territory, and Wang Shiyi¡¯s armies are still in North Field, the war between both sides is about to begin, I just feel a bit¡­¡± With that, she extended her delicate hand. The snowflake fell into her palm and melted into water. ¡°What are you thinking?¡± ¡°I¡¯m considering where to establish the new main hall for the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°That indeed needs careful thought.¡± With a large number of the Demon Sect¡¯s followers having migrated from Dongluo Pass, the sect needed to choose an appropriate location for its main hall. Just then, a commotion arose from afar. ¡°Hurry, run!¡± ¡°Houjin is attacking again.¡± A group of peasants could be seen carrying bundles and various items, moving en masse toward the outskirts of Mu City. This situation was no longer a rarity; ever since the news of the Dongluo Pass¡¯s fall spread, a massive wave of migration had begun among the common folk of the border towns along the Beihuang Dao. Countless people headed south, leaving behind only some frail elderly and forlorn orphans without support. The Houjin were preparing to move south. The thought of the fierce, barbaric nomads of the plains struck fear in everyone¡¯s hearts, a panic that was rapidly spreading. Zhao Qingmei watched these people, exhausted from trying to escape their fate, and muttered to herself, ¡°Where are they going?¡± The question seemed to be addressed to An Jing, yet also to herself. If the world were truly plunged into chaos, where would there still be a Pure Land? Even powers such as the Demon Sect couldn¡¯t withstand the colossal force of the Houjin, so what could ordinary folk do? In the face of the overwhelming tide, they were but insignificant droplets, swept along by the surging current. And when would it all come to a stop? An Jing watched the figures of the common folk, who were leaving their homes behind in the bitter cold and snowy landscape, and sighed without reason. Suddenly, Zhao Qingmei spoke up, ¡°Husband, I have something serious I need to discuss with you.¡± An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei and asked, ¡°What is it?¡± Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath, ¡°Jiang Shang said that I¡¯m a descendent of the Yan Imperial Family.¡± A descendant of the Yan Imperial Family!? An Jing¡¯s pupils dilated suddenly, and then he had an epiphany. He now finally understood the meaning of the words spoken by the Taiping Human Emperor in the Imperial Study Room that day and the promise he had been asked to make. Zhao Qingmei waved her hand in front of An Jing, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is it hard to believe?¡± ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s surprising,¡± An Jing chuckled upon hearing this. What could be more surprising than finding out that one¡¯s wife was the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect? If Zhao Qingmei were to tell An Jing now that she was the reincarnation of a fairy, he wouldn¡¯t feel any surprise at all. Zhao Qingmei blinked, frowning, ¡°I feel like you¡¯re just humoring me. Aren¡¯t you shocked at all?¡± She had thought that telling An Jing would leave him astonished, yet he seemed not to react much at all. An Jing held Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cheeks in his hands, ¡°Whether you are the Sect Hierarch or a descendant of the Yan Imperial Family, doesn¡¯t it all come down to the same thing? You are still my wife, aren¡¯t you?¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded, ¡°That is also true.¡± An Jing pinched Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cheeks, ¡°No matter who you are, you just take good care of me.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and she glared fiercely at An Jing. Seeing this expression, An Jing immediately felt a wave of joy inside him and couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. After a long while, Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Jiang Shang also mentioned that my parents were killed by the Taiping Human Emperor.¡± As she spoke, a sense of melancholy inevitably arose in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart. The internal situation within the Yan Country had already become exceedingly chaotic. The Second Prince and the Crown Prince were locked in a power struggle, and externally, the Zhao Country and the Houjin were eyeing them hungrily. An Jing gently brushed the snowflakes off Zhao Qingmei¡¯s head, asking, ¡°What would you like to do?¡± It was self-explanatory why Jiang Shang chose this time to reveal such information to Zhao Qingmei; naturally, he intended for Zhao Qingmei to lead the Demon Sect in defection. But between Jiang Shang and the Houjin, the Yan Country and the Taiping Human Emperor, if An Jing had to make a decision, he would still lean towards the Yan Country. Besides, Jiang Shang¡¯s words might not even be true; it could all be a deception from the very beginning. ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure, because I can¡¯t entirely trust Jiang Shang¡¯s words, and I don¡¯t want to delve into this matter for the time being,¡± said Zhao Qingmei, taking a deep breath, ¡°For now, let¡¯s choose You Mountain as the base for our main hall.¡± You Mountain lies within the boundaries of Beihuang Dao. Furthermore, when the Houjin army invaded Beihuang Dao, they made their way to the You Mountain range, which serves as the final barrier of the Capital Road. If the Houjin army were to march southward again, they would inevitably pass through You Mountain, and a great battle may be unavoidable then. Deep in her heart, Zhao Qingmei had already made up her mind to first resist Houjin, leaving the grudges from many years ago to rest within her for the time being. With Yan Country now rife with crises, the whole of Yan Country and even the Demon Sect would cease to exist should Houjin advance southward. What would those past enmities matter then? Moreover, she didn¡¯t want a repeat of the incident at Dongluo Pass, nor did she wish to see countless Yan Country citizens displaced and forced from their homes, and she definitely did not want more tragedies to occur on this already suffering land. ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing held that jade-like hand and looked into those pure eyes, free of any impurities. Although she was obstinate and even seemed indifferent at times to others¡­ Just like over the matter of the Demon Seed, An Jing and she had had their differences. Even knowing the potential great harm of the Demon Seed, Zhao Qingmei still chose to trust herself. Some people¡¯s inherent kindness cannot be changed. Her wife, too, held the righteousness of home and country in her heart. Zhao Qingmei looked into An Jing¡¯s eyes. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I was just thinking about the Demon Seed¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± Zhao Qingmei wrinkled her nose and huffed, ¡°As the Sect Hierarch of this Demon Sect, what would I have left if I lost all my strength?¡± Unless it were a last resort, she would definitely not shatter the Dantian within her body. An Jing added from the side, ¡°You still have me.¡± Zhao Qingmei felt sweet inside, but she retorted, ¡°Right, I have you, a big master waiting for me to serve you, a master who can¡¯t be chased away no matter what.¡± ¡­¡­ At the entrance of Jishi Hall in Yu State City, Ever since the Doctor of Jishi Hall mysteriously ¡®died,¡¯ the gates of Jishi Hall have been tightly shut, now even locked with a chain. Only a black mongrel dog, which had been roaming around Jishi Hall for years, lay languidly at the entrance, indifferent to passersby without so much as a bark. The people of Yu State City knew this dog belonged to the Doctor of Jishi Hall, and even after the Doctor¡¯s ¡®death,¡¯ the dog remained loyal, guarding the premises. Thus, passersby would feed it from time to time, and soon enough, the dog¡¯s reputation as a faithful hound spread among the neighbors. Even Lang Qi, Judge of Yu State City, praised its duty-bound and loyal nature when he visited. In the deep winter, the north wind is biting, with silver-gray clouds thundering across the sky, and a cold surge brings a howling snowstorm down upon us. On the river dock, Tan Yun, draped in a white fox fur, her jet-black hair coiled neatly into a bun, with a loose jade hairpin and a golden dangler inserted. Long strings of pearl decorations dangle tremblingly. She also carries an assortment of pastries bought from the street, occasionally picking up a piece to nibble on. Following Tan Yun are Jin Wuwang, the steward of Lv Mansion, and several adept members of the Lv Sect, encircling her like the stars around the moon. Looking at the familiar place before her, she fell into reminisce. She remembered clearly that no matter how cold it was, she used to get up to do laundry, and Xiao Heizi always followed by her side. How others perceive Zhao Qingmei, she doesn¡¯t know, but she thinks Zhao Qingmei is wonderful. As the saying goes, only the drinker knows whether the water is cold or warm. Back then, the meals served in Yu State City were made by none other than the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, who even encouraged Tan Yun to share in them. No matter how much Tan Yun ate, Zhao Qingmei never commented. Somehow, she felt that even the food prepared by the chefs at the Lv Mansion could not match what Zhao Qingmei made. At that time, she was not the granddaughter of Lv Guoyong, nor did she have a Grandmaster backing her. She didn¡¯t ponder over many things and the most she thought about was what to have for lunch and dinner. But those days were truly happy. Yu State City is still the same old Yu State City, but the people are no longer the same¡­ Just then, a figure hurried to Jin Wuwang¡¯s side and took out a secret letter. After Jin Wuwang opened the letter, he immediately said to Tan Yun, ¡°Miss, there have been updates regarding the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°Go on,¡± Tan Yun urged, her heart trembling upon hearing this. The Demon Sect had been attacked by Houjin¡¯s great army, which concerned her greatly since not only did it involve her childhood friends and the elders who had watched her grow up, but also her master. Most importantly, there was also that son-in-law¡­ Jin Wuwang spoke in a low voice, ¡°Most of the Demon Sect¡¯s followers have retreated to the Northern Wilderness Dao. Ouyang Ping and Houjin¡¯s Dharma King Mu Xuan both suffered internal injuries from their clash, but there are no reports of other Demon Sect experts sustaining major injuries. It seems there should be no further issues.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good, that¡¯s good¡­¡± Tan Yun sighed with relief upon hearing this. Jin Wuwang shook his head and said, ¡°Miss, you needn¡¯t worry. The Demon Sect losing a Five Qi Grandmaster is both a bad thing and a good thing.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, and she glared at Jin Wuwang, ¡°Why is it a good thing?¡± Jin Wuwang let out a light laugh and explained, ¡°Having a Five Qi Grandmaster is like having a sharp sword dangling over the heads of both Houjin and Yan Country. The Demon Sect naturally draws a lot of attention and will face covert resistance from the Yan royal family and sly tricks from Houjin. But now that Jun Qinglin is dead, Yan and Houjin will focus more on each other. Those two can use this time to further improve their cultivation.¡± In this world, everyone¡¯s eyes were on the moves of a Five Qi Grandmaster, not knowing when the Grandmaster might suddenly reach the Great Grandmaster level and change the course of the world¡¯s affairs. The Demon Sect has indeed suffered a monumental setback, losing their main hall and a Five Qi Grandmaster, which has reduced the attention from others. The most formidable within the Demon Sect are the couple An Jing. Both of them have incredibly high talent. Now that their cultivation has grown, just a bit more time, and their strength might not fall short of Jun Qinglin. If one were to calculate carefully, the death of Jun Qinglin is certainly more detrimental than beneficial, but Jin Wuwang only wanted to offer some comfort to Tan Yun. Thinking this, Jin Wuwang also felt a wave of emotion, wondering just how far the Ghost Swordsman could go with such talent at a young age. Tan Yun¡¯s face fell. After all, she didn¡¯t think this was a good thing at all, but being not very articulate, she didn¡¯t know how to argue with Jin Wuwang. Seeing Tan Yun¡¯s reaction, Jin Wuwang fell silent and spoke no more. ¡°The dog I raised is called Xiao Heizi.¡± Tan Yun mumbled as she walked towards Jishi Hall, ¡°I wonder if it¡¯s dead now.¡± With that, she hastened her steps towards Jishi Hall. Jin Wuwang shook his head and then followed after her. The cold wind howled and fewer people were drinking tea at the Datong Tea House. In the middle between Jishi Hall and Datong Tea House was a small wooden room stuffed with a large amount of cotton and silk. This doghouse was made by Fa Xi Temple¡¯s Monk Jie Se, who would check on it whenever he came down the mountain to do good deeds. ¡°Woof~! Woof!¡± Like always, Xiao Heizi lay resting in the doghouse when suddenly, it shuddered and hurriedly came out. It immediately spotted the figure in the snowstorm, the very person who had brought it here for the first time, allowing it to feel warmth. ¡°Woof woof!¡± ¡°Woof woof!¡± Xiao Heizi, with its short legs, ran frantically toward Tan Yun, and then circled around her excitedly. Tan Yun picked up Xiao Heizi, her face alight with joy, ¡°Uncle Jin, look, it still recognizes me.¡± ¡°Woof woof! Woof woof!¡± Xiao Heizi¡¯s tail wagged non-stop, and it kept yapping excitedly. Jin Wuwang remarked from the side, ¡°Sometimes dogs understand feelings better than humans.¡± ¡°Xiao Heizi, oh Xiao Heizi, you do have a conscience.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s hand caressed Xiao Heizi, and memories of the misty rain that year and the summer flooded back to her, along with a dog besides all the memories worth reminiscing over. Tan Yun turned to Jin Wuwang and asked, ¡°Uncle Jin, can I take it back with me?¡± Jin Wuwang could not help but smile, ¡°You are the young lady, we will listen to everything you say.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great.¡± Tan Yun was delighted, taking out the pastries she had prepared at all times and teasing the little black cub in front of her. Jin Wuwang glanced at Three Temple Mountain outside of Yu State City, saying, ¡°Take good care of the young lady here.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Everyone hurriedly responded in agreement. Tan Yun quickly asked, ¡°Uncle Jin, where are you going?¡± Jin Wuwang bent down and said, ¡°Young lady, I need to make a trip to Fa Xi Temple. Before Lv Gong arrived, he instructed me to deliver a letter to a disciple of the Buddhist sect.¡± ¡°Oh, I see, then go ahead.¡± Tan Yun nodded and turned her gaze to Jishi Hall in front of her, without asking further. Jin Wuwang signaled to several people, then turned and headed towards the outskirts of the city. ¡­¡­ In the Northern Wilderness Dao, You Mountain, early morning. For An Jing, You Mountain was not unfamiliar; it was here that he had once broken into the North Camp and killed that Qi Shu. You Mountain can be considered a notable mountain, but compared to Xuanqing Mountain, Nanhua Mountain, and Zhenyi Mountain, it naturally fell short. It lacked Xuanqing¡¯s wonders, Nanhua¡¯s height, and Zhenyi¡¯s elegance, but it possessed its own unique dangers. At this moment, deep in the winter season, the entire mountain range was covered in heavy snow, a picture of silver-wrapped splendor. The city of You next to You Mountain had changed its marching route due to An Jing¡¯s past actions, avoiding slaughter, and has become a somewhat populated city in the Northern Wilderness Dao. Inside a quiet and elegant three-section compound in the city, many experts of the Demon Sect had already gathered. Zhao Qingmei and An Jing were sitting at the top, with Ouyang Ping, Li Fuzhou, Lin Tianhai, Duanmu Xinghua, Yi Daoyun, Yu Qiurong from the Demon Sect, and many other experts sitting below them. The expressions of all the experts present were solemn, even carrying a hint of sorrow. Although many experts of the Demon Sect had retreated from Dongluo Pass, the Black Armored Army under their command had been mostly annihilated, and the Great Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform had died at Sanfeng Pass. This time, the Demon Sect had suffered a very severe loss. ¡°I did not consider everything beforehand,¡± Zhao Qingmei inhaled deeply and said, ¡°The war between Yan Country and Houjin was inevitable, and it was extremely difficult for us at Dongluo Pass to survive between these two forces.¡± She had also had Duanmu Xinghua send secret letters to Wang Shiyi and the Yan Kingdom Court before. Wang Shiyi had replied that he would send troops, but unexpectedly, he directly attacked and took down Heavenly Water City, completely disregarding the tens of thousands of Houjin troops in front of Dongluo Pass. However, through this battle, the Demon Sect had exerted all its strength, and with the Demon Sect¡¯s contributions to Wang Shiyi¡¯s conquest of Heavenly Water City, any opposition from the Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu and the Court to the Demon Sect¡¯s spread of teachings had been thoroughly quelled. Li Fuzhou shook his head and said, ¡°The Sect Hierarch is not to blame; Li Qirong is too venomous in his schemes.¡± Duanmu Xinghua also consoled, ¡°A setback may prove a blessing in disguise. Returning to Yan Country allows our Demon Sect to better absorb followers and strengthen ourselves.¡± A chill flashed in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes, ¡°Let¡¯s set the position of the Main Hall in You Mountain for now. Everyone, rest assured, we will eventually take back Dongluo Pass.¡± Li Fuzhou was completely bald and immediately understood the depth of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words, standing up and saying, ¡°We will definitely follow the Sect Hierarch and reclaim Dongluo Pass.¡± Following that, the other experts also stood up to express their stance, their demeanors filled with iron-blooded determination and cold resolve. The battle of Dongluo Pass had dealt the Demon Sect a heavy blow. However, the Demon Sect was at a significant military disadvantage, and the cultivation of many of its experts could hardly affect the outcome of the battle. But now, with Yan Country and Houjin at war, it was entirely different; they could interfere from the sidelines and enact revenge on Houjin. ¡°Houjin and Yan Country have not yet begun fighting; we will discuss this matter later,¡± Zhao Qingmei looked towards Li Fuzhou and said, ¡°How is the investigation of the forces along the Northern Wilderness Dao going?¡± ¡°It has been thoroughly investigated long ago.¡± Li Fuzhou replied, ¡°The primary forces in the Northern Wilderness¡¯ Jianghu are the Five Poison Sect and the Ma Family. There¡¯s no need to say much about the Five Poison Sect, it was originally a branch of our Demon Sect and is now one of the Seven Sects. The Ma Family, on the other hand, is the leading family in the Northern Wilderness Dao. They have a foot in both the underworld and the officialdom, with connections within the Court. As for other forces, they are also involved in this.¡± As he spoke, Li Fuzhou took out a piece of white paper from his bosom. Zhao Qingmei narrowed her beautiful eyes into slits and said, ¡°Send a greeting letter to Dai Danshu, and tell him that I will definitely visit the Five Poison Sect in half a month. He should prepare himself accordingly.¡± A glint of cold light flashed in Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes, ¡°Yes.¡± Yi Daoyun stood up and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, with the death of Feng Lingyue from the Five Poison Sect, there¡¯s no need for you to go personally; I can handle it.¡± The Five Poison Sect was superficial in depth, relying entirely on the great expert Feng Lingyue. With his death on Blue Sky Island, the Five Poison Sect was essentially not worth mentioning. Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°No, this time I must go there myself. Meanwhile, let¡¯s also invite that Ma Family and the many forces of the Northern Wilderness Dao to come along.¡± Upon hearing this, Yi Daoyun did not say any more. The Demon Sect experts then discussed the establishment of a main hall in You Mountain and branch halls in other locations before everyone slowly departed. Now, only An Jing and Zhao Qingmei were left in the grand hall. Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°My husband, you said you wanted to go to Beili Volcano?¡± An Jing said earnestly, ¡°I need to make a trip there. Inside Beili Volcano, there¡¯s Volcanic Essence, and there¡¯s also an Exotic Beast, Honghu. The Dulu Sword Meeting might attract who knows what kind of experts, so I must prepare.¡± The Dulu Sword was the number one famous sword in the world. An Jing was very interested in the Dulu Sword, as only it could sever the Nine Heavens Profound Iron beneath the Sealing Demon Well. Most importantly, Lin Yiyang would be attending the Dulu Sword Meeting, and the Sword God behind him might also appear. An Jing planned to resolve the old grievances between Lou Xiangzhen and the Sword God once and for all. As for the Sword Demon, An Jing found it difficult to fathom. This person had killed both Houjin¡¯s Zongzheng Yuan and the Mu Jin Dharma King and had sought to kill both him and the Exalted Vajra, making it impossible to guess his true intentions. However, with the Dulu Sword Meeting involving the top sword in the world, this mysterious supreme swordsman might very well appear, and so An Jing needed to be cautious. With many experts likely to be present, An Jing, with his current strength, was confident in dealing with ordinary Four Qi Grandmasters, but he could not guarantee victory against a supreme Four Qi Grandmaster. After all, others might also reside in the Sixth Realm or possess levels of Heavenly Human Communication. If An Jing¡¯s Dao was already a step weaker, and if someone else¡¯s Skill was also extremely high, he could not guarantee victory. Regarding Beili Volcano, it was a dangerous place in Yan Country. The Exotic Beast Honghu was also a major scourge, devouring countless people each year. This trip there to lure away Honghu¡¯s Divine Soul would also yield a beast even stronger than the Black Flood Dragon, making it a multi-beneficial endeavor. Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°I am confident in your strength, but still, be cautious.¡± ¡°You should go ahead with your work. I need to start preparing for my trip.¡± An Jing nodded slightly and then walked towards the outside of the hall. With the Demon Sect newly established, Zhao Qingmei had many matters to attend to, and he also needed to prepare for his trip to Beili Volcano. Just as An Jing stepped out of the courtyard, a figure appeared not far away, seemingly waiting for something. An Jing looked at the person in front of him and asked, ¡°Second Elder, weren¡¯t you going to inspect You Mountain?¡± The man was Ouyang Ping. Ouyang Ping took out a letter from his bosom and said, ¡°This is a letter from the Great Elder for you. He said I must personally deliver it to you.¡± An Jing took the letter and nodded solemnly. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Jun Qinglin had left him a letter, which meant that from the moment he emerged from the Sealing Demon Platform, he never thought they would meet again; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have left this letter. ¡°Now that the letter is delivered, I will take my leave.¡± Ouyang Ping waved his hand and headed in the direction of You Mountain. ¡­¡­. PS: Recommending a book, ¡°Accidentally Saved a Public Enemy of Jianghu¡±. Chapter 276 - Chapter 276: Chapter 276: The Ghost Swordsman in the Bloody Storm Chapter 276: Chapter 276: The Ghost Swordsman in the Bloody Storm Upon seeing the back of Ouyang Ping, An Jing subsequently broke the seal and unfolded the letter in his hands. The blank paper spread open, and the characters on it began to reveal themselves one by one. ¡°When you receive this letter, you may have already guessed a little. Zongzheng Huachun made his move, completely severing my longevity lock. His strength is immense, and from what he has shown, he is even above Qi Xuan Dao. This Holy Master of Houjin is indeed a martial arts prodigy. Although both of us are at the Heavenly Human Communication Realm, the power of heaven and earth that can be leveraged is different. Those who have just entered the Heavenly Human Communication can harness less of heaven and earth¡¯s power, but with deeper enlightenment of the Dao, the power one can draw from heaven and earth also increases. Zongzheng Huachun has reached the pinnacle in this aspect; I believe he is the person closest to the Unity of Heaven and Man Realm in this world. As for what realm exactly, I have not been able to discern.¡± ¡°He came specially from the Royal Court this time to strike against me¨Cfirstly because of the army moving south, and secondly, he feared my longevity lock, worried that I would step into the final realm. After all, the Demon Sect has had Great Grandmasters before and now, the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ has resurfaced. He is extremely wary of these things. However, Zongzheng Huachun also feared that I would fight to the death with him, so after shattering my longevity lock in the desert, he left. He is injured too, but not severely; considering the Great Snow Mountain has such healing holy medicine as the Snow Lotus, he might recover quite quickly.¡± ¡°The martial arts Zongzheng Huachun displayed is inherited from the Body Refining Skill of the Great Snow Mountain, which is second to none compared to Buddhism¡¯s practice and is one of the two strongest body refining sects in the world. From this encounter, I have seen Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s true strength. Apart from the body refining method, he has also cultivated a martial arts practice¨Cpossibly as powerful as the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯¨Cand this feeling is very familiar, as if it shares the same essence but in different forms with Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s practice. Houjin¡¯s swift rise is undoubtedly largely due to this Houjin Holy Master, but there must be many secrets and hidden cards on him. If you face him in the future, remember to be very cautious.¡± ¡°The situation in the world is changing, and the state of affairs is as precarious as a house of cards. Five Qi Grandmasters should be very careful to conceal themselves, wishing to break through those shackles, yet there¡¯s always a cage-like restriction in the dark, preventing the breaking of these chains. After researching ancient texts, I¡¯ve found that since the Great Qin Dynasty, the world has started to decline. At the height of the Great Qin Dynasty, there were three Great Grandmasters presiding over the world, with countless Grandmaster experts, while in the Great Zhou Dynasty, a Great Grandmaster appeared only once every hundred years. As for Yan Country, apart from the Grand Ancestor at the founding, no Great Grandmasters have appeared for centuries, and I even estimate that in a few hundred years, Grandmasters will become extremely rare.¡± ¡°As for the mystery of this, I am unclear, and I cannot comprehend it. Therefore, many Five Qi Grandmasters of the current age have gone into hiding, rarely showing themselves to the world. Once they do, it must be a time of great chaos. This period now should be sufficient for you and Qingmei to grow, but you mustn¡¯t let your guard down.¡± ¡°Speaking of places like Outer Heaven, the encirclement by Houjin and Zhao Country on Yan Country is already a done deal. The intentions of the barbarians are insidious. In my estimation, the Southern Barbarians will also take part in the time to come. Many heroes will pursue Yan, and the great battle for the division of ancestral lands will soon commence. Most of the barbarians are unruly by nature, savage, and cruel, and they won¡¯t tolerate so-called sects sharing their power. Therefore, relying on Yan Country and uniting with Yan Country to resist the barbarians from all directions is the way for Outer Heaven to survive. Inside Yan Country, the conflicts are numerous and dangers lurk everywhere. As for how to decide specifically, I¡¯ll leave it to you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve recorded my lifelong cultivation experiences in another piece of paper enclosed with this letter, including my understanding of heaven and earth, and my insights into my own Dao. Perhaps it can offer you some help.¡± ¡°The Jianghu now no longer suits me because I am too nostalgic, and I have already become indifferent to life and death. When a person dies, it is as if the water has vanished into the water.¡± ¡°Jun Qinglin, this is my final written word.¡± ¡­.. An Jing read to the end all in one breath and let out a long sigh. He could almost envision the expression on Jun Qinglin¡¯s face as he wrote that last word¨Ccertainly very relaxed, indifferent, and serene. People die, and it¡¯s just like water disappearing into water. An Jing murmured to himself softly, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s strength is indeed above that of the Great Elder.¡± Jun Qinglin had already reached the Five Qi Grandmaster level and could stand apart from heaven and earth; how terrifying then would be Zongzheng Huachun, who was above him? Moreover, Zongzheng Huachun had his own trump cards and secrets, and he definitely wouldn¡¯t be easy to deal with. Then there was Qi Xuan Dao, with whom he also had irreconcilable differences. The mysterious and powerful Black Ice Platform was the very hand behind the split of the Mystical Sect, hiding deep secrets behind them. Besides external forces, the current situation inside Yan Country was fraught with crises as well. The Crown Prince, who harbored murderous intent towards himself, was someone who could feel the killing intent from an elder like Su. Then there was the Second Prince, who tried his best to win over the Demon Sect, yet his ambition was too great, so great that even An Jing felt uneasy. Zhao Mengtai even colluded with Houjin for the sake of the throne¡­ Since ancient times, there has been only one outcome for those who failed in their power struggles, and that is death. Clearly, Zhao Mengtai already felt that he had reached a point of no return and could only fight to the death. And what about the emperor of Great Yan? What purpose and plans did he have after all? In short, every step had to be taken cautiously, for one wrong move could lead to an irreversible fate. ¡°First, I will make a trip to Beili Volcano to obtain the Honghu Divine Soul,¡± An Jing decided. An Jing put the letter away and placed it in his chest before heading out of the city. With the Honghu Divine Soul in hand, even when facing a Five Qi Grandmaster, he might stand a fighting chance. ¡­.. Five days later, at Lingnan Dao¡¯s White Cloud Temple. After the battle between Heavenly Martial Sect and Buddhism, although the Exalted Vajra of Buddhism was defeated by the Ghost Swordsman, and later seriously injured by the Sword Demon, he is still recuperating in the Pure Land. However, Buddhism has truly received the National Teaching Order. Suddenly, in all Buddhist temples within the territory of Yan Country, support from local government officials could be seen everywhere, whether for repairing the temples or posting declarations on bulletin boards. Lots of common folk went to the temples to light incense and pray for blessings, while some youths chose to join the Martial Arts Academies of various temples to learn Buddhist martial arts. To master the profound martial arts of Buddhism, one must delve into the Buddhist Law, and imperceptibly, many have shaved their heads to become monastic disciples. White Cloud Temple was among the countless temples in Yan Country. With Buddhism now the national religion, the number of pilgrims visiting this locale was ever-increasing, making it a famous local attraction. It was also frequented by many jianghu heroes who came to tour and admire the place. At this moment, two promising upstarts from the jianghu were discussing the great affairs of the world. ¡°Brother Tian, do you know how the conflict in the North Field is going?¡± ¡°I heard from a senior in my sect that there are Houjin experts infiltrating and engaging in skirmishes every day within Heavenly Water City, but they are quickly suppressed. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Houjin troops are amassing; a great battle seems inevitable.¡± ¡°The son of Pingyang Marquis, Qiu Lun, has also dispatched a hundred thousand troops for reinforcements¡­ ¡± ¡°What¡¯s a hundred thousand troops? Houjin has marshaled nearly half the nation¡¯s strength to lay siege to North Field, boasting an army of four hundred thousand,¡± someone said. ¡°In my view, this battle will last at least another year and half,¡± another chimed in. ¡°Right, that Dulu Sword is ranked number one on the Famous Sword List. What makes it so special?¡± ¡°It is said that the Dulu Sword¡¯s edge is peerlessly cold, and the blade itself can emit Sword Qi. Even an ordinary swordsman could instantly become a top-notch swordsman with it.¡± ¡°Terrifying! If a Sword Demon or a Ghost Swordsman, these kinds of top-notch swordsmen, were to obtain the Dulu Sword, just how fearsome would that be?¡± ¡°I once read in an ancient tome that during the Great Zhou Dynasty, a swordsman of the Sixth Realm used the Dulu Sword to tear the sky asunder, cleaving a two-hundred-zhang high mountain with a single stroke. But not long after, that swordsman perished and vanished from the dao.¡± ¡°Split a mountain with one stroke? Isn¡¯t that a feat of immortals?¡± ¡­ Many people around were attracted by the conversation. Someone recognized the youth and exclaimed, ¡°Isn¡¯t this gentleman from the Yijian Sect, Tian Wang?¡± The Yijian Sect, a sect in Lingnan, isn¡¯t comparable to the seven major sects of Yan Country, but its strength is not to be underestimated. In Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu, it¡¯s considered a first-rate sect. Its sect leader has Third Grade Realm cultivation and is a swordsman with quite a reputation in Jianghu. As the top disciple of the Yijian Sect, Tian Wang is the most outstanding youth in Great Yan Martial World in recent years. His cultivation is in Third Grade Realm, and he also holds considerable renown in Jianghu. ¡°Indeed.¡± The young man replied with a faint smile and a cupped fist. The surrounding Jianghu people all brightened up and came over to greet him. Now that Tian Wang had reached Third Grade Realm and considering his age, it was very likely he would reach First Grade Realm in the future. The matter of him becoming the sect leader of Yijian Sect was practically a foregone conclusion. ¡°The mere Yijian Sect, daring to speak so loftily of the Dulu Sword?¡± Just then, a cold voice rang out. Tian Wang frowned and looked towards the source of the voice. He saw a man in a black robe with a mask covering his face; his voice somewhat indistinct. Yet at his waist, he carried an ancient longsword. Tian Wang was filled with displeasure towards the person who suddenly appeared and reprimanded him. Wandering Jianghu, whether his peers or his seniors, everyone always treated him with courtesy. Who was this person who came up to him with such sarcastic remarks? Someone stepped forward and rebuked, ¡°Who are you? How dare you speak so insolently to young Master Tian?¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± As the words fell, the figure in the black robe unsheathed the ancient sword, and a shockingly beautiful burst of blood emerged. Fast! Incredibly fast! The speed with which the man in the black robe drew his sword was so fast that no one there could see how he did it. ¡°Thud!¡± The man, with fear in his eyes, then fell to the ground, his blood flowing from his neck onto the surface below. Hiss-! The surrounding Jianghu experts all drew in a sharp breath, fear rising in their hearts. To kill without a word, such ruthlessness was rare in Jianghu. Besides, could this even be considered a disagreement? The man in the black robe glanced at Tian Wang, his gaze as piercing as two sharp longswords. ¡°You!¡± Tian Wang took a slight step back, a bead of cold sweat appearing on his forehead, ¡°Who exactly are you, and why do you wantonly slay the innocent?¡± ¡°You dare to call yourself a swordsman?¡± The man in the black robe sneered and kept his hand on his waist. Run! Seeing this, Tian Wang¡¯s heart chilled and he immediately bolted towards the back. ¡°Pfft!¡± But his running speed was simply too slow. The streak of sword light came hurtling toward him, piercing directly through Tian Wang¡¯s back. Immediately after, the blood-covered longsword returned once again to the hands of the black-robed figure. ¡°I¡­ I¡­.¡± Tian Wang could only collapse powerlessly, his palm reaching out towards the front, as though he wanted to escape from this place. At this moment, a monk walked over, brought his palms together in front of his chest, and said, ¡°Amitabha, White Cloud Temple is a pure land of Buddhism; why must the benefactor wantonly create slaughter?¡± This man was the abbot of White Cloud Temple. The black-robed figure sneered, ¡°How do you know I am wantonly creating slaughter?¡± The abbot of White Cloud Temple said solemnly, ¡°Because I sensed the murderous intent in the benefactor¡¯s heart.¡± ¡°Big monk, you¡¯re right,¡± the black-robed figure laughed aloud, sweeping his ancient longsword towards the abbot of White Cloud Temple. The sword light was chilling to the bone, as if plunging one into an ice cellar. ¡°Pfft!¡± The abbot of White Cloud Temple was directly turned into a cloud of blood mist by the sword light, scattering across the pure land of the Buddhist temple. Unsheathe sword! Sheathe sword! The black-robed figure performed all his actions with a seamless flow, casual and unrestrained, as if he had done a trivial thing of no consequence. ¡°Is this¡­ the Evil Suppressing Sword!?¡± Someone recognized the provenance of the ancient longsword, and looking at the man¡¯s attire, they cried out in shock. There were not many who knew the appearance of the Evil Suppressing Sword, but as the name of the Ghost Swordsman became renowned all over the world, more became aware of it. Since its forging, the Evil Suppressing Sword had only ever had one master. Who the master of the Evil Suppressing Sword was, there was no one in the world who did not know; it was the famously distinguished Ghost Swordsman. A person¡¯s reputation is like the shadow of a tree! The martial experts present all retreated to the distance, not daring to provoke the slightest trouble, fearing that they too would be killed. ¡°A Demon Sect villain dares to kill the abbot of White Cloud Temple!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll fight you to the death!¡± Just as these words were spoken, the monks of White Cloud Temple, their eyes blood-red, charged toward the black-robed man. ¡°Since you all wish for death, I will grant it to you,¡± the black-robed figure said with a smile, his body rushing towards the monks from White Cloud Temple. ¡°Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft!¡± In a flash, some would inevitably perish beneath his sword. In less than a few dozen breaths, the entire White Cloud Temple had become a place of dead silence, its ground turned red with blood, covered with the corpses of White Cloud Temple¡¯s monks. By now, the common people and martial experts who were previously here had long since fled without a trace. ¡°This is only the beginning,¡± the black-robed man said, watching the scattering figures of the crowd before turning his gaze away and calmly walking down the mountain. ¡­.. Manduo Manor. Manduo Manor was also a significant force within Jianghu, and its lord, Wan Yuanchun, was of Second Grade Cultivation. He was known in Jianghu for his kindness and righteousness, holding a heroic reputation. In his youth, he and a few sworn brothers were called the Seven Heroes of Lingnan. Later, due to a grudge with a Pavilion Master of the Demon Sect, the Seven Heroes joined forces to kill the Pavilion Master, which led to being hunted down by the White Tiger Sect of the Demon Sect. In the end, several of his sworn brothers died to save him. Wan Yuanchun even fled to Zhao Country for refuge and did not return to Yan Country until the Demon Sect was expelled from Great Yan. At the battle of Blue Sky Island, he joined to avenge his former sworn brothers and died there, settling an age-old grudge. Now, Manduo Manor was led by his eldest son, Wan Xin. At this moment, inside the main hall, Wan Xin was reviewing the revenue and expenditures of the manor for the past year. ¡°Ma¡­ Manor Master¡­¡± Suddenly, a figure covered in blood rolled and crawled in. ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡± Upon seeing this, Wan Xin stood up abruptly. This person was a coach at Manduo Manor and also a Third Grade expert in the Jianghu, yet now was in such a disheveled state. ¡°Someone has broken in.¡± ¡°Who!?¡± Wan Xin¡¯s face turned extremely ugly. ¡°Thud!¡± A flying sword pierced through from outside the door, directly penetrating the body of the coach. It wasn¡¯t until the coach collapsed to the ground that a cold voice finally rang out. ¡°Me.¡± As the voice faded, a figure in a black robe, holding an ancient longsword, slowly walked in. Wan Xin recognized the sword, causing his pupils to dilate sharply, ¡°Ghost Swordsman!?¡± He and his father had personally witnessed the Grandmaster showdown between the Heavenly Martial Sect and the Demon Sect, immediately identifying the Evil Suppressing Sword. The man in the black robe said nothing, as if to acknowledge by his silence. Fear began to rise in Wan Xin¡¯s heart, but he still tried to remain composed, ¡°After the battle at Blue Sky Island, the grudge between Manduo Manor and the Demon Sect was already settled. Why have you now broken into Manduo Manor again?¡± Who was the Ghost Swordsman? That was a top Grandmaster, and even ten of him would be no match for the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°If you cut the grass without removing the roots, the spring breeze will bring it back to life.¡± The man in the black robe spoke indifferently, then raised his arm. ¡°Pfft!¡± Wan Xin only saw a flash of sword radiance, and then light turned to darkness as his life was extinguished along with it. ¡°Thump!¡± His body then heavily fell to the ground, the last traces of shock in his eyes not yet completely faded. The man in the black robe walked out of the main hall, heading towards the outside of Manduo Manor. By then, the entire Manduo Manor had turned into a sea of blood, with no one left alive. ¡­.. At the same time, Yujing City was also in turmoil. As the Crown Prince began to exert his influence secretly, large-scale purges of the Second Prince¡¯s party began. Imperial Censors and Imperial Censors began to write fervently, sending a large number of memorials to Zhao Tianyi daily, which were then forwarded to the Imperial Study Room. Every day in the Capital, officials were taken to the Heavenly Prison, subjected to severe torture. For a time, the entire court was in a state of alarm and everyone was in fear for their safety. Yujing City, the Second Prince¡¯s separate residence. The lamplight flickered, unsteady and uncertain. Zhao Mengtai sat on a soft couch, playing with a cage in his hands. Yue Tingchen spoke with an extremely grave expression, ¡°Second Prince, the Crown Prince has made his move.¡± Zhao Chongyin had moved too quickly, sweeping away the Second Prince¡¯s party with the speed of lightning, resulting in a large number of officials connected to Zhao Mengtai being imprisoned. Other officials who were originally close or neutral began to secretly lean towards Zhao Chongyin, leaving Zhao Mengtai completely on the defensive. Zhao Mengtai was also caught off guard. He knew this was his brother¡¯s way of warning him. After all, the Heaven Worship Ceremony was about to be conducted on Zhong Mountain, and the Crown Prince would represent the royal family of Yan Country in the ceremony. In Yujing City, he, Zhao Mengtai, was present. He was also afraid to move against the Crown Prince¡¯s party at this time, so he made a preemptive strike. ¡°Minister Yue, you simply need to remember those in the court who are close to Zhao Chongyin,¡± Zhao Mengtai said with a corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile. Yue Tingchen¡¯s eyelids twitched slightly. ¡°Does Your Highness have any brilliant strategies in response?¡± ¡°Success lies in meticulous planning; wealth is sought through danger; decisions determine the fate of heaven and earth.¡± Gazing at the dim candlelight before him, Zhao Mengtai spoke indifferently, ¡°To achieve something great and turn the tide of the current predicament, one must take a bold gamble. If successful, I will be the emperor of this human world; if I fail, I will be nothing more than a pile of dry bones.¡± Yue Tingchen¡¯s heart gave a slight lurch. ¡°Your Highness, you intend to¡­.¡± Zhao Mengtai asked, ¡°Tingchen, have you ever thought of becoming the Grand Secretary, to wield your own talents?¡± ¡°I think about it all the time,¡± Yue Tingchen replied. Zhao Mengtai put down the cage and continued, ¡°Now, the only opportunity of your life is before you. If you succeed, you will become the Grand Secretary. Will you do it or not?¡± Yue Tingchen honestly replied, ¡°I will consider it.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Zhao Mengtai laughed loudly, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t think too much about it. To do something significant, one either achieves greatness or faces utter defeat.¡± ¡°If Zhao Chongyin dies during the Heaven-Worshipping Ceremony, who else in the royal family will be my opponent then?¡± Upon hearing this, Yue Tingchen quickly bowed his head, seeming to hide the fearful expression on his face. To kill the Crown Prince! Even though Yue Tingchen knew that Zhao Mengtai had attempted such a thing during his time at the Four Symbols Sect, he couldn¡¯t help but shiver inwardly when hearing it now. Back then, Zhao Mengtai used his Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion to contact the Demon Sect, covertly trying to assassinate Zhao Chongyin, which did not succeed and was merely a probe. But now, the upcoming Heaven-Worshipping Ceremony was different¨Cany assassination attempt would surely shock the world. If successful, another Crown Prince would be established; if it failed, and the investigation traced back to him, it would mean irreversible doom¡­. Zhao Mengtai said indifferently, ¡°The one in charge of securing Zhong Mountain¡¯s safety this time is Wei Bangfu, who once served under Marquis Pingding and naturally is also my man. As long as I let in Houjin¡¯s experts, together with Wind and Rain Tower, the Sword Demon, Tianpeng Ancestor, and many other experts on my side, Zhao Chongyin will not be able to escape, even if he had wings.¡± Yue Tingchen swallowed hard and asked, ¡°Your Highness, the experts from Houjin are¡­.?¡± Zhao Mengtai really colluded with Houjin, intending to join forces with them to kill his own brother¨Cthat was audaciously bold. Those were barbarians!? This was no doubt making a deal with a tiger! Zhao Mengtai said faintly, ¡°Three Dharma Kings from the Great Snow Mountain will come.¡± ¡°But¡­.¡± Yue Tingchen¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°In that case, wouldn¡¯t it greatly magnify Houjin¡¯s influence, to the detriment of our Yan Country?¡± The Crown Prince being killed by Houjin¡¯s experts within the country was an utter disgrace. The morale of the soldiers fighting at the front would plummet, affecting the battle situation at the front line. With the nest overturned, no egg remains intact¨Ca simple truth that everyone understands. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have my contingency plans.¡± Zhao Mengtai patted Yue Tingchen¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°You will accompany my brother to Zhong Mountain this time. I will discuss the details with you later. Once the great event is accomplished, Yan Country will be under my command, and you will be my Prime Minister.¡± With his eyes closed, a faint smile crept on Zhao Mengtai¡¯s lips. ¡°Your servant will lay down his life for Your Highness¡­ no, for Your Majesty, without hesitation,¡± Yue Tingchen knelt down and said excitedly. Zhao Mengtai opened his eyes but remained calm as he said, ¡°It¡¯s still too early for that.¡± ¡°Your Highness.¡± Just then, Mo Yan¡¯s voice came from outside the door. ¡°Come in,¡± Zhao Mengtai said. Mo Yan entered, bowing with a fist in palm. ¡°There is an urgent report from Lingnan Dao.¡± Zhao Mengtai¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly. ¡°Lingnan, what¡¯s the matter?¡± With a grave expression, Mo Yan reported, ¡°White Cloud Temple, Manduo Manor, and Yijian Sect have all been slaughtered, leaving but a few survivors. And the culprit is none other than the Ghost Swordsman from the Demon Sect.¡± Zhao Mengtai was somewhat surprised at the news. ¡°Are you sure it was the Ghost Swordsman?¡± White Cloud Temple is a Buddhist power, and according to covert information, Buddhism and the Demon Sect have already formed an alliance. It¡¯s a big problem that the Demon Sect strikes against its own allies. As for Manduo Manor and Yijian Sect, they are powers within Jianghu. They indeed had grievances with the Demon Sect before, but those were completely settled after the battle at Blue Sky Island. At least at this time, there should be no more mention of it, especially since the Demon Sect has just returned to Yan Country and hasn¡¯t recovered its strength yet, starting a major conflict now seems somewhat unreasonable. Furthermore, in Zhao Mengtai¡¯s impression, the Ghost Swordsman has never been one to take the initiative to attack. Whether it was the old man Qingfeng or Qi Shu, they were the ones who provoked him first, and ended up being killed by him. Mo Yan said, ¡°The person was wearing a black robe, with an unclear face, and holding the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand. Many martial experts in Jianghu saw it with their own eyes, and moreover, that person¡¯s swordsmanship is extremely high; the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Sword Control Technique also comes naturally to him.¡± Zhao Mengtai chuckled lightly, ¡°What exactly is the purpose of this Ghost Swordsman?¡± The Demon Sect had just retreated from Dongluo Pass, a time when it should be recuperating. What then is the purpose of suddenly striking against various powers in Jianghu? Mo Yan took a deep breath and said, ¡°Rumors in Jianghu say that the Dulu Sword Meeting is imminent. The Ghost Swordsman wants to nourish the Evil Suppressing Sword with the blood of experts to combat the Sword Demon and incidentally eliminate the hidden threats of the Demon Sect, after all, this is very much in line with the Demon Sect¡¯s way of doing things.¡± Zhao Mengtai burst out laughing, ¡°Interesting, truly interesting. It seems this Dulu Sword Meeting is going to be even more intriguing than I imagined.¡± ¡­. As the ¡®Ghost Swordsman¡¯ caused a great slaughter in all directions, the Great Yan Martial World plunged into a huge upheaval, and the recently returned Demon Sect to Yan Country naturally got involved as well. Countless experts shivered with fear, their hearts filled with trepidation. The Ghost Swordsman defeated the Exalted Vajra and left the battle at Blue Sky Island with ease. This could already fully demonstrate his supreme, unmatched strength. How many experts in the Great Yan Martial World could stand against him? The Sect Leader of Yijian Sect, with his First Grade Cultivation, was pierced through by the Evil Suppressing Sword with a single strike, causing unprecedented shock. For a time, many experts were fraught with anxiety and fear, rushing to the Zhenyi Sect in the hope of inviting Xiao Qianqiu, like they did with Great Heavenly Yang in the past, to uphold justice in today¡¯s Great Yan Martial World. Resistance against the Demon Sect once again rose loudly in the Great Yan Martial World. And the ¡®instigator¡¯ of all this had, at this moment, arrived in front of Beili Volcano. Originally, it was with the help of Beili Volcano that he had recovered his primordial energy and completely stabilized his Cultivation in the Grandmaster Realm. After absorbing the volcanic essence last time, the primordial energy around Beili Volcano had drastically decreased, leading many martial experts who wanted to absorb volcanic essence to gradually dwindle. Also, considering that it was winter, Beili Volcano had entered hibernation, presenting a scene of deathly stillness. However, approaching Beili Volcano, one could still feel the scorching heat, so it also attracted many beggars, as well as commoners who had fled from the borderlands, to gather there for the only warmth available. An Jing, following the memory of the time Luo Chongyang led him here, arrived at the cave entrance of Beili Volcano via a small path. The scorching wind hit his face, instantly making the severe cold weather feel much warmer. ¡°Hint three: There is a blue opportunity within Beili Volcano.¡± Suddenly, a blue radiance transmitted from the Earth Book. An Jing¡¯s heart stirred, a blue opportunity was a rare treasure, and he had not expected that having come to Beili Volcano once before, there would still be an opportunity. Currently, besides the blue radiance, there was nothing else on the Earth Book. The last time he was at this cave entrance, the Earth Book revealed a clue about a black opportunity. Now, it was gone¨Cevidently, the Honghu no longer posed a threat to An Jing¡¯s life. Feeling the burning waves of heat, An Jing headed into the cave of Beili Volcano. The deeper into the cave, the hotter the blast of heat, and the concentration of volcanic essence in the air was also much lower than before. After all, the volcanic essence is brewed by the volcano itself; it needs constant time to evolve. The Nameless Heart Scripture began to operate, madly absorbing the thin volcanic essence around him. Cultivation needs to be accumulated over time, and at this moment, one should not waste volcanic essence. The hot waves were so intense that they even formed powerful impacts; they were also transformed into fine essence that merged into An Jing¡¯s body. Walking a few dozen metres further, he finally arrived at the mouth of the cave. The temperature around was extremely high, and the volcanic essence in the air was also at its peak concentration. Bright red lights flashed fiercely around, vaguely appearing to shoot upwards, along with devouring heat waves that felt like fierce beasts. ¡°Gulp!¡± ¡°Gulp!¡± Strands of hot waves swept over him, the magma pulsating continuously, while at the same time volcanic essence was slowly fermenting. An Jing looked at the magma, knowing that beneath the earth here lay an extremely fierce exotic beast. A Honghu with the strength comparable to a Four Qi Grandmaster. To know, the Black Flood Dragon only had the strength of a Third Qi Grandmaster, yet this Honghu was even above the Black Flood Dragon, and here in its territory, its strength might even rise further. The volcano pulsed continuously, and An Jing gazed into the fiery sea, seemingly lost in thought. From ancient times to the present, there has been but one great Dao, with countless lesser paths: the Dao of the heavens, the earth, humanity, ruler, subject, filial piety, and so on. It is said that, in the heavens, patterns form, and on the earth, shapes take hold. The meaning of this phrase is that everything that can be perceived is called shape. And the ¡®Dao¡¯ is above ¡®shape¡¯. That is to say, the ¡®Dao¡¯ is above all shapes, an intangible existence invisible to direct perception. People can only comprehend the ¡®Dao¡¯ through things that are tangible and perceptible. The volcano is born from the nurturing forces of heaven and earth¨Ca power of the world. Isn¡¯t the Honghu¡¯s substantial increase in strength, with the aid of this place, also a kind of unique ¡®Heavenly Human Communication¡¯? And human ¡®Heavenly Human Communication¡¯ is also about leveraging the ground beneath their feet, the sky above their heads, or even the blowing wind to enhance their own strength, ultimately merging with and understanding the world, connecting with heaven and earth. With these thoughts, An Jing¡¯s eyes closed slightly, feeling the pulsing of the volcanic essence and the caress of the heat waves. These are all the manifestations of the tangible. Time passed unknowably, seemingly just a moment, yet it felt like several hours had slipped away. An Jing seemed to feel the power within the volcano. The scorching air waves began to swirl around him as their center, gradually forming a fiery vortex. Within the vortex was volcanic essence, growing larger and larger, pulling in more and more of the surrounding essence, until eventually, it seemed to form a terrifying and formidable Qi Force. An Jing sensed the power of the natural world around him and was making use of it. The next moment, an alarming majesty surged forward. This completely interrupted An Jing¡¯s contemplation, and the surrounding vortex instantly dispersed, the volcanic essence becoming dots of red light filling the entire cavern. ¡°Boom Boom Boom!¡± With explosive sounds rising, the Honghu burst forth from beneath the lava, lifting a massive amount of volcanic essence and scalding magma. An Jing waved his sleeve, and the oncoming magma instantly turned into a white vapor. Honghu! This was the second time An Jing had seen the exotic beast; it seemed to recognize him, with a hint of ferocity in its eyes. ¡°Screech!¡± The Honghu let out a strange cry, then opened its jaws, and a red flame roared towards An Jing. Because of its intense heat, the flame had turned purple in color. An Jing leaped to avoid the flame. Seeing its fire ineffective, the Honghu flapped its wings, which could block out the sun, towards An Jing. The huge wings hadn¡¯t yet arrived when the rolling heat wave they carried, the powerful gusts, caused the underground lava to churn. An Jing drew the Evil Suppressing Sword from his side, then made a sweeping slash. A supreme cold energy surged forth, cleaving the oncoming heat wave in two. ¡°Puchi!¡± The rest of the sword light showed no mercy as it slashed onto the Honghu¡¯s wings. Even the exotic beast couldn¡¯t withstand the chill of the Evil Suppressing Sword and immediately sustained a wound on its wing, with blood flowing continuously. The blood only further incited the Honghu¡¯s ferocity. Its jaws opened again, and purple flames poured forth from its throat, like a sweeping tide, blocking all paths An Jing could take. An Jing could only grip the Evil Suppressing Sword tightly, as true Qi continually flowed into the sword. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword flew forth, its extreme chill splitting apart the air waves and flames on both sides. The moment the Evil Suppressing Sword touched the purple flame, it seemed to encounter a great resistance, making it difficult to part them any further. At that moment, An Jing noticed the volcanic essence at the bottom of the lava rushing frantically into the body of the Honghu. ¡°This Honghu, relying on magma, can continuously absorb volcanic essence. Its inner core will never run dry. It seems I must quickly resolve this fight,¡± An Jing thought, his eyes narrowing as his palm swiftly gathered true Qi. It was as if he had drawn all the true Qi of the surrounding heaven and earth to himself. Nine Yang Divine Finger! Pointing Qiankun! An Jing extended a finger, and before him, a red column seemed to appear, casting a vast shadow below before finally descending. Boom! Boom! With An Jing¡¯s spirit returning to its place and his cultivation reaching the Three Qi Realm, his strength was naturally enhanced by much. This finger strike, heavy as a mountain, fell mightily, and with the insights he had just gained, its power was nearly double that of when he was at the Second Qi Grandmaster level. Honghu didn¡¯t retreat an inch and met the attack with a direct claw strike. Thud! When the finger light collided with Honghu¡¯s sharp claws, a terrifying force transmitted through them, causing An Jing¡¯s internal organs to tremble. Exotic beasts are strongest in their physical body, and in that instant of collision, An Jing suffered a disadvantage. ¡°Shi!¡± At the same time, the Evil Suppressing Sword flew back into his hand. Even though An Jing wrapped it with a layer of true qi, and the sword¡¯s chill had cleared away most of the hot air streams, he could still feel the heat emanating from the hilt. ¡°Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!¡± Honghu¡¯s flames were still burning fiercely, scorching the surrounding air and creating strange noises. Profound Fire, the flames within Honghu were no ordinary flames but were of a higher temperature, even capable of burning the true qi within a grandmaster. An Jing continuously struck forward with the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, its cold energy surging forth and directly scattering the flames. Honghu clearly did not believe it and suddenly spat out several strong clusters of Profound Fire, covering An Jing¡¯s body. Facing the Profound Fire, An Jing neither dodged nor evaded, directly splitting the fire with the sword in his hand. Of course, An Jing naturally couldn¡¯t keep passively getting hit; this completely contradicted his purpose of coming to Beili Volcano. ¡°Shi!¡± An Jing¡¯s figure reflected in the sky, followed by what seemed like six An Jings appearing, each in a different posture, but all slicing forward with a sword strike. One of the sword strikes severely chopped onto Honghu¡¯s head, causing Honghu to emit a mournful howl as blood gushed out, and its body heavily crashed against the cave wall. Although Honghu was struck by the sword, it quickly flapped its wings and rose into the air again. After all, it was a beast comparable to a Four Qi Grandmaster in strength and wasn¡¯t severely injured by An Jing¡¯s strike. ¡°Boom!¡± As if it knew that Profound Fire was useless against this man, Honghu changed its attack method. Its thick wings flapped towards An Jing, coming with great force and power, causing a strong whirlwind within the cave. An Jing sneered. In the instant that Honghu¡¯s attack landed, his body had already disappeared from its place. Now in the Three Qi Realm and coupled with the Shrinking Land into Inches, it was a fool¡¯s dream for Honghu to hit him. ¡°Humming!¡± An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword suddenly let out a soft chant. Honghu¡¯s body violently trembled, the Profound Fire in its throat instantly extinguished, leaving only cries of pain. Controlling the heartbeat! An Jing had used this method to kill countless experts before. Seeing an opening, An Jing naturally wouldn¡¯t miss such an opportunity, stabbing towards Honghu¡¯s heart with his sword, the fierce sword radiance piercing through Honghu¡¯s tough skin and into its flesh. ¡°Pew!¡± Honghu let out a sharp roar and stared at An Jing with vicious eyes. Amidst its raging howls, it clawed toward An Jing. An Jing had no intention to clash with Honghu once more, hastily retreating backward, as the Evil Suppressing Sword split into six. ¡°Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!¡± Six sword lights surged forth, then transformed into six giant swords. Their speed was incredibly fast, like six surging waves rushing forward, eventually fiercely nailing Honghu¡¯s wings, feet, and neck. ¡°Thud!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The immense force from the Evil Suppressing Sword directly penetrated Honghu¡¯s body, pinning it against the cave wall, with blood flowing along the blade into the lava. At this point, Honghu let out a mournful howl, its vicious eyes showing a hint of pleading. Seeing this, An Jing, who was about to extract its divine soul, hesitated slightly with his hand. ¡­. PS: Asking for a guaranteed monthly ticket, double releases on Children¡¯s Day. Chapter 277 - Chapter 277: Chapter 277: Gaining Tremendous Strength like a Honghu Chapter 277: Chapter 277: Gaining Tremendous Strength like a Honghu Watching the Honghu in front of him, An Jing stretched out his hand. ¡°Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!¡± He saw the Evil Suppressing Sword, which had been embedded in the Honghu, all fly back, finally merging back into the sword scabbard. The Honghu¡¯s wings trembled slightly, and its massive head looked at An Jing, emitting a clear chime, then its head drooped slightly. Could it be that this Honghu was about to submit to me? An Jing felt a slight stir in his heart and approached the Honghu. He gently stroked the Honghu¡¯s feathers, and it behaved in an extremely submissive manner. Seeing this, his mind began to ponder. His main purpose in coming to the Beili Volcano was to obtain the divine soul of the Honghu, leaving himself a trump card, but now, if the Honghu submitted, how would he extract its divine soul? Moreover, exotic beasts are mostly ferocious and violent by nature. ¡°Chirp!¡± The Honghu¡¯s head bowed even lower, the sound carrying a bit of appeasement. ¡°You are also considered a rare treasure between heaven and earth, ceaselessly cultivating.¡± Seeing this, An Jing ultimately gave up on the idea of extracting the divine soul of the Honghu, after all, it was a rare creature in the world. His eyes then turned towards the magma below the ground, and the blue light of the Earth Book emerged from there. ¡°Boom!¡± The Honghu, noticing An Jing¡¯s gaze, let out a clear chime and hurled its body towards the magma below, splashing a large amount of magma. The entire cave quieted down slightly, and about half an incense stick of time later, the Honghu burst out and landed in front of An Jing. As it opened its mouth, a red bead was spat out. This red bead was imbued with the energy of extreme yang and ferocity, overwhelmingly domineering. At the same time, the blue glow from the Earth Book completely dissipated, clearly indicating that this red bead was the blue opportunity indicated on the Earth Book. ¡°The power of supreme yang within this bead is different from that within relics, it seems to harmonize with the Nine Yang Divine Finger that I cultivate.¡± An Jing picked up the bead and toyed with it in his hand, immediately feeling streams of scorching aura surging into his body. The Nine Yang Divine Finger was an ancient Heavenly Martial level martial art, and with An Jing¡¯s ¡°once in a thousand years¡± aptitude, he had managed to cultivate it to the ninth level and yet could advance no further, never reaching the tenth level. Now, with the arrival of the supreme yang energy, he suddenly felt as though he was about to break through his limits. An Jing hurriedly sat down cross-legged, the red bead in his hand. At that moment, a drop of red blood dripped from the Honghu¡¯s huge wings. Essence blood! This was indeed the essence blood from within the Honghu¡¯s body. This drop of essence blood contained an immense amount of essence and even the fierce and domineering presence of the Honghu could be felt. With a flick of his finger, An Jing directly absorbed the Honghu¡¯s essence blood into his Dantian, then began to absorb the power of supreme yang from the red bead. ¡°Hiss-hiss! Hiss-hiss!¡± It could clearly be seen that streams of golden radiance were being released from the red bead, surging towards An Jing¡¯s Dantian. The essence released by the red bead was unbearably hot, created by magma, supremely yang and rigid, ferociously unparalleled. The moment the essence surged, An Jing instantly felt as if his entire body was bathing in flames. As a massive amount of essence poured in, the Honghu¡¯s essence blood surged towards his Dantian even faster. At the same time, the resisting force within An Jing¡¯s Dantian also grew stronger by the moment, two entirely opposing formidable forces colliding with each other, causing An Jing¡¯s meridians to swell up. An Jing, feeling the resistance in his Dantian, was slightly alarmed. The essence blood of exotic beasts was naturally adverse to the human body, and absorbing it into the body would naturally be very difficult. With a slight frown, An Jing took a deep breath; his True Qi continuously protected the Honghu¡¯s essence blood, slowly moving it towards his Dantian. Hiss-hiss! Hiss-hiss! Inside the Dantian, within the meridians, a terrifying sound could be felt, which was the resistance emerging from An Jing¡¯s Dantian. Suddenly, at this moment, the Honghu¡¯s essence blood burst into an extreme radiance, a huge phantom surged out, rushing towards An Jing¡¯s Dantian. Honghu! This phantom was indeed that of the Honghu; at this moment, it spread its vast wings, rushing towards An Jing¡¯s Dantian. At this moment, An Jing suddenly realized what this red bead was ¡ª it was indeed an inner core of the Honghu. It could be the spouse of the Honghu or possibly its ancestor. Clearly, a remnant consciousness still lingered within the Honghu¡¯s inner core. The Honghu wanted to possess An Jing¡¯s Dantian in a bid for rebirth through his body. An Jing sneered, his true Qi furiously rushing towards his Dantian. Boom! Boom! Boom! True Qi and essence fiercely collided, immediately causing a terrifying surge of energy in An Jing¡¯s Dantian. An Jing frowned upon seeing this. This was his Dantian, and if he were to forcibly contend with the Honghu, it might be destroyed, potentially erasing his cultivation as well. However, doing nothing might result in the Honghu¡¯s core taking over his Dantian, possibly claiming his body entirely. Indeed, it was a dilemma with no easy way out. The Honghu seemed to know this and did not rush to annihilate An Jing¡¯s Dantian, instead using its own to occupy An Jing¡¯s Qi Sea. But the next moment, it discovered that An Jing¡¯s Dantian was exceedingly bizarre. Its inner core completely failed to merge with the Qi Sea. Seeing this, a fierce glint flashed in the Honghu¡¯s eyes as it transformed into a beam of golden light, launching a violent assault on An Jing¡¯s Dantian. Boom! When An Jing¡¯s Dantian was attacked, a wave of dizziness immediately swept over him. Instantly, the Qi Sea became incredibly chaotic. While there was some disorder in the Dantian due to the Honghu¡¯s impact, the cave itself remained eerily calm. The enormous Honghu¡¯s eyes also carried a hint of cunning as it intently watched An Jing¡¯s body. An Jing remained as still as a meditating monk, not moving an inch. Even the Qi exuding from his body was extremely thin, making him appear as though he was on the brink of death. The Honghu¡¯s assault had wreaked havoc inside the Dantian. Even though An Jing had reclaimed his Qi Sea, he had suffered substantial injuries. Within the Qi Sea, An Jing¡¯s Dantian and the Honghu¡¯s inner core were continuously entwined. ¡°You feathered beast, really think I have no way to deal with you?¡± An Jing sneered. As the Honghu couldn¡¯t secure An Jing¡¯s Dantian for a long time, it inevitably became increasingly irritable. For some reason, as time elapsed, it faintly sensed the Qi within its body weakening at an extremely slow pace. Moreover, what terrified it the most was that An Jing¡¯s Dantian was similarly expanding at a very slow rate, as though the True Qi from its body was being bizarrely transferred to An Jing. Boom boom boom! This unease made the Honghu exceptionally ferocious, desperately charging towards An Jing¡¯s Dantian, but the effect was only making it more agitated. An Jing gradually became aware of the reason behind the Honghu¡¯s increasing ferocity; the latter¡¯s power would gradually merge into his body over time, which was the wonderful utility of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture.¡± The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± not only allowed An Jing to absorb True Qi at an exceptionally fast rate but also enabled his Divine Soul, Primordial Spirit, and body to move towards the perfect integration. Time passed swiftly, like sand between fingers. An Jing couldn¡¯t gauge how much time had passed; all he could do was concentrate and remain tranquil. After about several hours, A fierce aura erupted from An Jing¡¯s Dantian like a storm, sweeping out in an instant! The Honghu, nestled in An Jing¡¯s Qi Sea and Dantian, showed a hint of panic in its eyes, a sense of unease quietly enveloping its heart. The golden Dantian expanded towards it like a mountain range. The Honghu also issued an angry roar, its huge mouth opening as a massive golden light beam sprayed towards An Jing¡¯s Dantian. Facing the Honghu¡¯s golden light beam, An Jing remained calm and indifferent. A surge of True Qi from his Dantian collided heavily with it. Boom! In a series of intense collision sounds, the golden light beam lasted only a moment before crumbling away, and the golden wave crashed directly upon the Honghu¡¯s Dantian, a scream distinctly audible. The inner core was becoming increasingly transparent above, as if it might disappear at any moment. The Honghu¡¯s furious roar exploded like thunder in the Dantian, and immediately, the pervasive golden light violently burst forth, transforming into numerous golden threads rushing towards An Jing¡¯s Dantian. Bang bang bang! The golden threads exploded on An Jing¡¯s Dantian, and the terrifying, scorching True Qi surged unceasingly, almost completely engulfing the Qi Sea. After such a massive assault, the luminance from the Honghu¡¯s inner core greatly diminished. A figure was slowly stepping out from within that golden light, highlighted by the golden glow like a deity descending. An Jing stood amid the purple-golden light, expressionless, calmly watching the Honghu before him. ¡°All beings between heaven and earth have their reasons for existence. Whether in life or death, there are no faults.¡± Watching the Honghu¡¯s phantom flash colors of panic and start to retreat, An Jing swung his hand vehemently. A terrifying golden tide surged forth, directly devouring the Honghu. The essence within the inner core was fully absorbed by An Jing¡¯s Dantian, and it started to circulate along the pathways of ¡°Brahma Heart Sees Me¡± and ¡°Nine Yang Divine Finger.¡± In just the blink of an eye, the Honghu¡¯s inner core was completely absorbed. An Jing¡¯s thoughts settled on the Earth Book. Cultivation: Grandmaster (Three Qi) Life Fate: Favorable Star Shining (Rising) Root Bone: Once in a Thousand Years Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword (Ninth Layer), Nine Yang Divine Finger (Perfection), Brahma Heart Sees Me (Perfection), Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique (Ninth Layer), Incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture (Seventh Layer), Nameless Sword Form. Prompt One: The host¡¯s Life Fate has taken root. Prompt Two: A black opportunity is approaching. ¡­.. Not only had ¡°Brahma Heart Sees Me¡± and Nine Yang Divine Finger been cultivated to Perfection, but the Nameless Heart Scripture had also reached the Seventh Layer. Such top-tier martial arts heart methods, every breakthrough to a new layer is extremely difficult. Each contains infinite wonderful uses within. However, the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± was created by An Jing by merging three martial arts, so it required him to explore and develop it on his own. His strength had gained enhancement once more. Although this enhancement was not as exaggerated as a formal promotion in the Dao, this visible growth was extremely rare. ¡°Huff¡­..¡± Exhaling a breath, An Jing slowly opened his eyes. The Honghu also looked over. When it felt the aura of the Honghu within An Jing start to fade, it sensed a hint of doom. The Honghu knew it was no match for An Jing. With a flap of its wings, it attempted to dive directly into the magma below. Its massive body obscured the sky, yet its speed was incredibly fast. ¡°Trying to flee?¡± An Jing chuckled coldly. The True Qi within his Dantian began to flow, and soon, ¡°Brahma Heart Sees Me¡± was executed, immediately creating a layer of golden light flowing around his body. Then, he pointed a finger towards the Honghu¡¯s body. A red beam pierced through the air, targeting the Honghu¡¯s body. Boom! After both major Heavenly Martial Arts had ascended to Perfection, both had received a significant boost. This strike was so powerful that even the Honghu couldn¡¯t bear it, crashing heavily against the wall. An Jing leaped forward, quickly arriving in front of the Honghu, then placed his palm against its head. ¡°Boom!¡± The next moment, the entire cave and the magma trembled. A fierce and brutal aura rushed towards An Jing¡¯s mind. Having prior experience absorbing the spirit of the Thousand-year-old Black Python, he was well-prepared for the backlash of the Honghu¡¯s divine soul. The searing pain assaulting his mind was so intense that it momentarily stunned him. The Honghu suffered even more than An Jing because its soul and body were continuously splitting. Its massive wings flapped wildly, creating a tremendous gale and the loud ¡®rumbling¡¯ sound. Both the creature and the man held on. Whoever could last longer would be the victor in this struggle. ¡°Boom!¡± After what seemed an eternity, the Honghu felt a moment of serenity in its mind before losing all consciousness. Even its fierce and brutal eyes suddenly cleared. Its soul and body were completely separated. Then, strands of black divine soul flowed towards An Jing¡¯s hand and entered into his Dantian. This was indeed the divine soul of the Honghu. Suddenly, the Honghu¡¯s body emitted a burst of wild aura and began to shake violently, like a dying beast making a last desperate counterattack. The entire cave trembled due to the Honghu¡¯s struggles, and numerous rock fragments fell from the ceiling into the magma, then sprouted white vapors. With an indifferent demeanor, An Jing¡¯s palm firmly pressed on the Honghu¡¯s body, tirelessly pulling off the Honghu¡¯s divine soul. The struggles of the Honghu grew weaker, but An Jing did not relax his vigilance because its soul was not yet fully detached. About several dozen breaths later, only after all signs of life had completely vanished from Honghu did An Jing finally let out a small sigh of relief. Right then, inside his Dantian was a red bird, the miniaturized Honghu. Success! This Divine Soul of Honghu, this spirit was much stronger than the Thousand-year-old Black Python from before, but weaker than the spirit used in the Blue Sky Island. In any case, he now had a trump card within his body. Most crucially, having tamed a Honghu comparable to a Four Qi Grandmaster, if he placed it and the Black Jiao in You Mountain, most forces would have to think twice before attempting an invasion. And creatures like Honghu and the Black Jiao were indeed great weapons against armies. ¡°It¡¯s time to craft the Living Puppet Technique.¡± After resting briefly, An Jing stood up and started to apply the technique of the Living Puppet, caressing Honghu¡¯s bones and meridians and imprinting his own mark. This included every part of the body, including the eyes, teeth¡­ Only after marking it could he command this vast puppet as if it were an extension of his own limb. Honghu¡¯s body was huge and complex, more troublesome than the Thousand-year-old Black Python, and soon it was covered in marks. ¡°When the time is ripe a little while from now, I will take out the Mechanical Puppet Technique from the Mo Family¡­¡± An Jing hadn¡¯t forgotten about the technique stored in Yu State City, but now was not the best time to reveal it, as such treasures weren¡¯t easy to protect. Once he had enough strength and resources, he would take out this mechanism technique and create an army of puppets. Only then would he truly have an army of one man. Having crafted the Living Puppet Technique, he could manipulate Honghu¡¯s massive body as easily as moving his own arm. An Jing was seated on Honghu¡¯s back, recalling the sensation of controlling the Volcanic Essence. Because he controlled Honghu¡¯s body, he felt even closer to the Volcanic Essence. ¡°It seems the Heavenly Human Communication is indeed no simple matter.¡± An hour later, An Jing shook his head, originally thinking he had touched the threshold of Heavenly Human Communication, now realizing he hadn¡¯t even stepped onto the threshold. Heavenly Human Communication first required establishing a connection with the heavens and earth, but how exactly one was supposed to do that? ¡°Chiu-!¡± Following a clear cry from Honghu, its arms transformed into a stream of red light and shot up towards the sky. ¡­.. Northern Wilderness Dao, Five Poison Sect. A few days ago, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect personally sent an invitation. This event stirred up a tumultuous wave throughout the entire northwest Jianghu. After all, a lean camel is bigger than a horse, and the Demon Sect was neither a camel nor a horse. At this time, the Great Hall of the Five Poison Sect gathered several prominent experts of the northwest Jianghu, aside from the host, Sect Leader Dai Danshu of the Five Poison Sect, there was also Yan Hongqing, a Guest Elder of the Golden Corner Alliance, Ma Yuting, the family head of the Ma Family, and many other great masters. Everyone knew that the five major gangs had now formed the Five Gangs Alliance, their prestige immense within Jianghu, subtly becoming the fourth major force after the Zhenyi Sect, the Buddhist Sect, and the Demon Sect, with the power of the five major gangs seeing a corresponding rise. And the Ma Family, as the foremost noble family of the Northern Wilderness Dao on the court, had intricate connections and their own escort agency with over a thousand death soldiers and countless clients, rightly claiming a dominant position. Although the Wind and Rain Tower¡¯s events where Feng Lingyue died had reduced the influence of the Five Poison Sect, Dai Danshu¡¯s cultivation as a Half-step Master could barely sustain the sect. Ma Yuting looked at Dai Danshu, his eyebrow arched, ¡°What does the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect mean by personally sending an invitation this time?¡± Dai Danshu shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Everyone has their own style, and Dai Danshu had never met the Demon Sect¡¯s Hierarch; how could he possibly know her thoughts? ¡°She isn¡¯t planning to unite the entire northwest Jianghu, is she?¡± Ma Yuting downed the tea in his cup and, casting a glance at the people present, spoke in a low voice. His words sent a chill down everyone¡¯s spine. Considering the ¡®Ghost Swordsman¡¯ slaughtering rampantly in the south and the various methods previously employed by the Demon Sect, how could they not be afraid? Seeing the reactions of the people around him, the corner of Ma Yuting¡¯s mouth curled into a cold sneer. If the Demon Sect really settled down in You Mountain, the Five Poison Sect would be most affected, followed by his Ma Family. The Ma Family had many dealings throughout the entire northwest Jianghu, many of which conflicted with the Demon Sect¡­ But if the Ma Family were to bow down to the Demon Sect, Ma Yuting would never agree. Just then, footsteps were heard from outside the hall, and a Five Poison Sect elder walked in briskly, ¡°The people from the Demon Sect have arrived.¡± Whoosh! As the voice fell, everyone in the hall felt a jolt. The very name of the Demon Sect carried immense deterrence. ¡°Has he arrived?¡± Dai Danshu¡¯s brows were tightly knotted, his heart also somewhat uneasy. Although Feng Lingyue had given instructions, the idea of leading the Five Poison Sect to pledge allegiance to the Demon Sect was still somewhat reluctant in his heart. Before long, a figure walked in from outside the hall. It was a woman, dressed in black, her attire enhancing her solitary and lofty demeanor. As everyone¡¯s gaze shifted upward, trying to glimpse her true face, it seemed as if they saw it yet simultaneously forgot it instantly. Following her were Lin Tianhai, the head of the Azure Dragon Sect, and several Demon Sect experts. The people present instinctively stood up. ¡°It seems everyone has arrived,¡± Zhao Qingmei scanned the room with a light smile. Ma Yuting said with a grin, ¡°When a summon from the Hierarch of Outer Heaven arrives, I suspect no one dares to be absent.¡± This statement seemed to be flattering the Demon Sect, but it secretly mocked its overbearing nature. ¡°Is that so?¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled lightly, ¡°It seems you are quite dissatisfied with my Outer Heaven?¡± Her speaking voice was not loud, but it felt chilling to the bone. Ma Yuting chuckled nervously, ¡°Hierarch Zhao overstates it; I speak frankly and hope not to be blamed.¡± At this moment, Dai Danshu acted as the peacemaker and stepped forward, ¡°Hierarch Zhao, please take your seat first.¡± Zhao Qingmei no longer spoke but sat down by herself. Only then did everyone else slowly take their seats, awaiting the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect to speak. ¡°The purpose of my invitation today is very simple,¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced over the attendees, ¡°My sect plans to establish our main hall in You Mountain and will henceforth be based in Northern Wilderness Dao. This meeting is mainly to inform everyone here; I hope we can coexist peacefully for mutual benefit.¡± ¡°As long as Dai, the head of the Five Poison Sect, hands over the ¡®Five Poison Technique¡¯ and the core martial arts of the thirteen branches before anything else, I am willing to let bygones be bygones and wipe the slate clean.¡± Upon hearing this, Dai Danshu showed a hint of hesitation, ¡°This¡­ ¡± Originally, he thought Zhao Qingmei¡¯s visit was to intimidate everyone, suppress the Five Poison Sect, and establish a say in the Northwest Martial World¡­ He hadn¡¯t expected Zhao Qingmei to actually demand the Five Poison Sect¡¯s core martial arts. These martial arts belonged to the core of the Five Poison Sect, without them, why would other people join the Five Poison Sect? They might as well join the Demon Sect. ¡°The Northwest Martial World is still everyone¡¯s Jianghu.¡± Zhao Qingmei ignored Dai Danshu and turned to the others, ¡°You still earn your money, gain your fame; I won¡¯t intervene. However, there is one condition: if anyone dares collude with the barbarians of Houjin, then don¡¯t blame me for dissociating myself from you.¡± As her words fell, everyone present looked at each other. ¡°Is what Hierarch Zhao says true?¡± An elder from a small sect, after hesitating a moment, asked. Zhao Qingmei replied, ¡°Indeed.¡± Wow! The entire hall was suddenly abuzz, and everyone began discussing loudly, unable to hide the delight in their eyes. After all, no one had expected the Demon Sect to invite everyone here today and be so ¡®friendly¡¯, ¡®polite¡¯. Previously, when Houjin invaded and slaughtered tens of thousands of civilians, many of the Jianghu people present were involved in that great battle. Without needing Zhao Qingmei to say it, they would naturally do their utmost to fight against Houjin. Ma Yuting smiled, ¡°Hierarch Zhao truly understands the greater good; we are all impressed.¡± ¡°You flatter me too much, Manager Ma,¡± Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°As I said before, this includes all of the Northwest Martial World, but expressly not your Ma Family.¡± Upon hearing this, Ma Yuting¡¯s brows furrowed deeply, ¡°Hierarch Zhao, what do you mean by this?¡± Tap tap tap tap¡­ Just then, sounds came from outside the door; a master from the White Tiger Sect walked in, holding two boxes in his hands. Being Jianghu experts, everyone smelled the scent of blood from those boxes. At Zhao Qingmei¡¯s signal, the White Tiger Sect master tipped the boxes upside down, and immediately two severed heads rolled out, their ferocious and horrifying expressions chilling everyone present. ¡°You!¡± After Ma Yuting saw those two people clearly, his entire face suddenly turned both green and purple. One of them was his eldest son, Ma Jue, and the other was an elder of the Ma family. The entire hall was as silent as death. Everyone was staring at the two heads on the ground, holding their breath and concentrating hard. At that moment, Lin Tianhai slowly stepped forward, ¡°Ma Yuting, it¡¯s time to hit the road.¡± Suppressing the anger in his heart, Ma Yuting roared low, ¡°Do you know the position my Ma family holds in the Court¡­¡± Lin Tianhai sneered coldly and thrust his spear forward directly. Bang! What seemed to be a plain and simple spear thrust was actually filled with fiercely violent Qi, sweeping forward. Ma Yuting, only being at the First Grade Earth Flower Realm, couldn¡¯t possibly withstand Lin Tianhai¡¯s spear. He immediately fell onto the desk like a kite with its string cut, smashing the desk to pieces. One spear! Just one spear thrust had defeated the master of the Ma family. Blood flowed freely from Ma Yuting¡¯s mouth as he looked at Zhao Qingmei and asked, ¡°Why? I have no grudges against you, why do you want to kill me?¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at Ma Yuting indifferently, ¡°My killing you has nothing to do with you.¡± Ma Yuting looked around and shouted, ¡°If the skin does not exist, how can the hair adhere to it? My Ma family today will be you tomorrow. If you do not eliminate the Demon Sect¡¯s traitors now, when the Demon Sect takes firm root later, you will regret it deeply.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression remained indifferent, calm as water. The rest of the people looked at the heads on the ground, swallowing hard, and were not moved by Ma Yuting¡¯s words. Seeing this, Ma Yuting scolded, ¡°Witch, even as a ghost, I will not let you go!¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Lin Tianhai¡¯s spear in his hand thrust forward, piercing directly through Ma Yuting¡¯s throat. ¡°Gurgle-!¡± Blood flowed down his neck, staining the beautiful carpet in the hall red. Ma Yuting was dead! Everyone also realized that the First Family of the Northern Wilderness, the Ma family, was completely finished! No one imagined that this great first family of the Northern Wilderness would be gone just like that. The hearts of everyone present tightened harshly; the Demon Sect indeed was ruthless and murdered as soon as they said. ¡°Could it be that the Ma family¡¯s dealings with Houjin were exposed?¡± Only Dai Danshu guessed something. Previously, Feng Lingyue had told him that the Ma family had some dealings with Houjin, and Houjin¡¯s rise was inseparable from the Ma family¡¯s internal betrayal. The Demon Sect must have known about these dealings, hence they annihilated the Ma family this time. After all, the Demon Sect had just had a major battle with Houjin, and both sides definitely bore deep blood hatred. Even if the Demon Sect did not destroy the Ma family, delivering this evidence to the Court would still doom the Ma family. Dai Danshu hurriedly bowed with his hands clasped and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch Zhao, regarding the martial arts of the Five Poison Sect, they will be sent to You Mountain tomorrow.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, ¡°Then I will not disturb everyone¡¯s pleasure here.¡± Having said this, Zhao Qingmei walked towards the exit of the hall. Even tens of breaths after the witch had left, the hall remained in utter silence. ¡°The Demon Sect really is domineering,¡± Dai Danshu swept his gaze over the expressions of the people present and couldn¡¯t help but think to himself. Somehow, he began to feel a bit of regret in his heart; perhaps it was indeed a good choice for the Five Poison Sect to return to the Demon Sect¡­ ¡­ Outside Beili Volcano, in the distant woods. ¡°Is someone impersonating me?¡± After An Jing came out from the volcano, he immediately received a secret letter from the Human Sect, furrowing his brows. While he was extracting Honghu in Beili Volcano, someone had impersonated him and bloodshed several martial world forces in Lingnan Dao and East Lin Road. This incident had caused a huge uproar, and many people had gone to the Zhenyi Sect, requesting Xiao Qianqiu to preside over justice. The Xuanyi Guard had also gone there to apprehend the murderer. ¡°Who exactly is this person?¡± An Jing frowned slightly. The Evil Suppressing Sword was definitely a fake, but that person¡¯s swordsmanship and cultivation were absolutely not low; otherwise, he couldn¡¯t have killed two grand masters of the First Grade. An Jing planned to let Honghu continue to hide in Beili Volcano, while he himself would head south to meet this ¡®Ghost Swordsman.¡¯ An Jing moved extremely fast, his body racing through the forest. The cold froze the earth, and continuous cold currents attacked but were all blocked by the protective true qi. Previously, even An Jing had to use true qi to protect himself from being disturbed by the cold currents, but for some unknown reasons, after absorbing the Honghu Inner Core, the cold currents seemed different. Or perhaps, it was because, at the bottom of the magma, after experiencing the Volcanic Essence, things had changed. Even his sense of the surroundings was continuously strengthening. ¡°Wind¡­..¡± Wind exists without a shadow, and the moment it blew, it seemed as if all things were endowed with life, that rich life aura allowing one to feel clearly. An Jing¡¯s eyes were slightly closed, and his protective true qi gradually dispersed. The cold wind was like a knife scraping against him. The wind was fast and slow, cold and hot, as if this corner of the world carried something, what it brought was what blew. An Jing seemed to enter a state of trance, sitting still without moving. Is this wind? He asked himself but heard no response. Is this what wind is? Questioning again with some confusion because he himself was unclear about what wind was. Is this wind? Constantly asking himself, over and over again, at one moment, An Jing finally found the answer. This is wind! Wind is omnipresent, pervading everywhere. The surrounding fierce wind swept in, forming one tornado after another, which then merged into one larger tornado. ¡°Sssss!¡± ¡°Sssss!¡± An Jing extended his palm, and the wild wind actually followed the movement of his hand. It should be known that at this moment, he was not using any true qi at all; the wind naturally followed his intentions. ¡°Is this the power of heaven and earth?¡± An Jing squinted his eyes, trying to integrate himself into this part of the world, feeling the changes in the Volcanic Essence and the changes in the wind. Eventually, the tornado gradually dissipated, and the surroundings returned to calm once more. An Jing felt he was getting closer to the heaven and earth. Two days later, Yun Hua Road, Zhu City. Yun Hua Road intersects with the Northern Wilderness Path, and because of the Houjin army¡¯s approach to the Northern Wilderness Path and a previous battle, a large number of people from the Northern Wilderness Path migrated south, most of whom came to Yun Hua Road. At this time, the border city of Zhu City on these two roads was very lively, with a large number of people arriving from the north every day. An Jing stepped out of the Human Sect¡¯s stronghold with slightly furrowed brows. From the Human Sect, he had obtained the latest intelligence that the ¡®Ghost Swordsman¡¯ impersonating him had disappeared. The experts of Human Sect mobilized the toothmen, the beggars in the city, and their own vast covert network, yet none of the intelligence networks could find any trace of him. He had vanished as if evaporated from the human world. This ¡®Ghost Swordsman¡¯ who was impersonating him obviously had no good intentions. ¡°Kind sir, please bestow some money.¡± Just as An Jing walked into the city, a crisp voice sounded. An Jing turned his head and immediately frowned. It was a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl with unkempt hair and a dirty face, yet her features were clear and elegant. However, her body was only as big as a vase, and her limbs were so shriveled they looked like cotton, making her appear extremely deformed. At that moment, her eyes were fixed on An Jing, carrying a bit of hope. ¡°What happened to your body?¡± An Jing frowned, his keen eyesight immediately recognizing that the girl¡¯s deformity was caused by external factors. Then, a man with a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks came forward and whispered, ¡°Sir, look at my sister here, she¡¯s pitiful, please bestow some silver.¡± An Jing glanced at the man, ¡°Is she your sister?¡± The man hurriedly nodded, ¡°Yes, my sister has always been quite pitiful¡­¡± An Jing cut off the man¡¯s words, saying, ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± ¡°If the master doesn¡¯t believe it, forget it.¡± The man glanced at An Jing and then walked toward the distance, with the deformed girl obediently following behind him. An Jing narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°Did I let you go?¡± The man turned his head, raised an eyebrow, and said, ¡°What, are you looking for trouble?¡± An Jing asked, ¡°What exactly is your relationship with this girl? Why has she become like this?¡± ¡°A hen hatching ducklings, really nosing into other¡¯s business.¡± The man¡¯s expression also turned a bit colder. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°There are some matters I just like to meddle in. If you don¡¯t explain clearly, don¡¯t think of leaving.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s see if you have the right to meddle.¡± The man¡¯s face darkened, and he clenched his fists tightly. After speaking, the man threw a punch at An Jing. An Jing didn¡¯t dodge or avoid; just as the fist was about to hit An Jing, a hand grabbed the man¡¯s fist tightly. ¡°Seeking death!¡± The owner of the hand said, then twisted his palm forcefully, and immediately, a crisp sound of bone cracking entered his ears. ¡°Ahhh¨C!¡± The sharp-faced man then let out a piercing scream, his forehead breaking out in dense sweat. Suddenly, quite a few people around them were attracted, and several men who looked similar to the sharp-faced man came forward and helped him up. The person who intervened was Liu Yongli, a high-level practitioner from Zhu City¡¯s Human Sect. The men looked with a hint of viciousness at Liu Yongli and An Jing, ¡°We are disciples of the Beggar Gang¡­¡± Liu Yongli shouted coldly, ¡°Scram!¡± Upon hearing Liu Yongli¡¯s word, the men hurriedly left, supporting the sharp-faced man. The bewildered malformed girl, left behind, watched their retreating figures, her mouth opening slightly. An Jing approached the girl and looked closely at her body, which was as soft as cotton. The girl said in a low voice, ¡°Master¡­¡± An Jing turned to Liu Yongli and asked, ¡°What was the deal with that group just now?¡± ¡°Responding to the tributor, those people are from the Zhu City Beggar Gang.¡± Liu Yongli glanced at the girl and said softly, ¡°This girl is nothing but a tool they use to trick money.¡± ¡°Beggar Gang?¡± An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed; he had heard of the five major factions, but this was his first time hearing about this Beggar Gang. Liu Yongli whispered, ¡°Fifty years ago, among today¡¯s five factions, only the Wind and Rain Tower existed, the other four factions had not yet emerged. During that time, the Beggar Gang was the world¡¯s largest faction. In Yan Country, it ranked among the top five influences, with its members spread across the country and numerous skilled fighters. Its power was so great that it could rival the national religion, the Zhenyi Sect. The roaming disciples of the Beggar Gang were among the top fighters in the world. Some were Grandmasters. However, due to suppression from the Court and the Zhenyi Sect, they declined very quickly. Many skilled fighters gradually disappeared from Jianghu. Recently, due to the Northern Wilderness Road¡¯s wars, there have been faint signs of the Beggar Gang¡¯s resurgence¡­¡± Liu Yongli naturally had heard of the roaming fighters, old masters who had rare encounters with Heavenly Human Communication; however, those persons had retreated from Jianghu, whereabouts unknown. An Jing continued to ask, ¡°Then this girl is?¡± ¡°The Beggar Gang¡¯s nature involves begging for money; they often kidnap children and then directly gouge out their eyes, cut off their tongues, and break their legs to beg on the streets.¡± An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed even more. He had not realized the Beggar Gang was so ruthless; no wonder they were suppressed by the Court and the Zhenyi Sect. Child trafficking was one thing, but to employ such measures to acquire wealth was another. Continuing, Liu Yongli looked at the girl, his voice even lower, ¡°If they encounter a more beautiful girl, they put her in a large jar and fatten her up. They knock a hole at the bottom of the jar for excretion. Several years later, the girl becomes grotesque¨Cwhen they break the jar, the girl¡¯s head will be large with a small body, limbs atrophied, and body soft like cotton, only able to be moved around by others. Yet her head will appear normal, allowing them to beg for more money. Generally, if others inquire, they will say she is a family member born this way. These are known as ¡®vase dolls¡¯. This is just one of the methods of the Beggar Gang; they have even more wicked techniques.¡± An Jing felt a chill rising in his heart upon hearing this. Such filth existed in the worldly Jianghu. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At the moment, the ¡®vase doll¡¯ looked around anxiously. If that man was still here, she would at least have some food to eat. ¡­. PS: Another chapter is coming, which might be late, asking for a guaranteed monthly ticket. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 278 - Chapter 278: Chapter 278: The Beggar Gangs Elder Comes Out of Retirement Again Chapter 278: Chapter 278: The Beggar Gang¡¯s Elder Comes Out of Retirement Again An Jing approached the ¡°vase doll¡± and asked in a low voice, ¡°What is your name?¡± ¡°I¡­I.¡± The ¡°vase doll¡± seemed at a loss and said, ¡°They all call me Jiu, because I was abducted on the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month.¡± ¡°Jiu¡­¡± An Jing glanced at Liu Yongli and said, ¡°Take her back, find someone to bathe her, and change her into clean clothes.¡± Liu Yongli responded, ¡°Yes.¡± Afterward, Liu Yongli changed Jiu¡¯s clothes as An Jing had instructed. Jiu looked neat and beautiful, but having been raised in a large urn for years, her body was severely deformed. She had a youth¡¯s head, yet she wore children¡¯s clothing, which looked extremely bizarre. Liu Yongli took out a letter and said softly, ¡°An Tributor, the Sect Hierarch has sent a secret letter.¡± The reason he had appeared behind An Jing was to deliver this urgent secret letter. An Jing opened it and saw its general content: the impersonating Ghost Swordsman had vanished, and Zhao Qingmei hoped An Jing would return to You Mountain and then discuss their strategy. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± An Jing said, holding Jiu¡¯s hand. Since the impersonating Ghost Swordsman had disappeared, there was no further point in heading to Lingnan Dao. Aimlessly searching, like a headless fly, would only waste time and energy, so he planned to return to You Mountain first. Jiu followed An Jing somewhat bewilderedly, her hand firmly grasped by someone for the first time in years, feeling warmth. The two exited the Human Sect¡¯s stronghold. The streets were being lashed by a fierce wind, and many famished, fleeing civilians shivered in their thin clothes, cowering at the base of walls. An Jing felt somewhat melancholic. How could one save them all? He couldn¡¯t help but think of his great-uncle, Luo Chongyang, who wanted to set up a Daoist temple in this barren land. The ways of heaven are heartless, though humans are not, but human efforts have their limits. At the city gate, An Jing looked at Jiu and said, ¡°Leaving here means you will have to come back with me to the Demon Sect Main Hall, are you willing?¡± Jiu looked back at Zhu City, and after a long while, she said, ¡°I am willing.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Once we¡¯re back at the Demon Sect Main Hall, someone will teach you to read and write.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiu¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up, ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Really.¡± An Jing smiled lightly, ¡°Even you will be scolded if you don¡¯t study hard.¡± Jiu pursed her lips and said, ¡°I will study hard.¡± What Jiu needed was not pity, but respect. An Jing held Jiu¡¯s hand and headed towards the city¡¯s outskirts. Just as they were about to leave Zhu City, An Jing suddenly halted. Dozens of men appeared ahead, including the sharp-faced man who had been with Jiu earlier, and leading them was a tall, strapping man with a whiskered face, wielding a large saber that made him look extremely formidable. The leading man glanced at Jiu and said coldly, ¡°You really have some nerve.¡± Seeing this, Jiu¡¯s heart began to race, and her eyes filled with immense tension. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°I¡¯ve always been bold.¡± ¡°Even daring to mess with my Beggar Gang.¡± The man wasted no further words and waved his hand, ¡°Attack!¡± The Beggar Gang disciples who saw the gesture madly charged towards An Jing. ¡°Close your eyes.¡± Upon hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Jiu hurriedly shut her eyes. While speaking, An Jing struck forward with a palm. This palm was plain and simple, without any flair. Boom! True Qi surged forward like a tidal wave. The air dispersed, and in an instant, dozens of Zhu City Beggar Gang members who had rushed forward were struck by a tremendous force. ¡°Ah~!¡± Even the whiskered man was hit by the True Qi, spat out blood, and fell to the ground. An Jing had not held back at all with this move, unleashing his full strength. When Jiu opened her eyes again, everyone was lying on the ground, lifeless. She knew they were dead because she had seen many similar scenes in the courtyard, even in her room, where other ¡°vase dolls¡± raised in large urns had also died several times. Each time someone died, she would be sad for a long time. So seeing the people lying in front of her now, her heart also felt a wave of sorrow. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± An Jing said softly. The whiskered man kept spewing blood from his mouth. Only now did he realize he had kicked an iron plate, but it was already too late for regrets. ¡°Gurgle-!¡± Ultimately, the burly man with whiskers failed to catch his breath and closed his eyes. ¡­. Yujing City, Imperial Study Room. Behind the pearl curtain, a purple mist enveloped the area, representing none other than the current Emperor of Yan Country. The eunuch with white eyebrows slowly walked in and said, ¡°Your Majesty, Lv Guoyong has arrived.¡± A voice came from behind the pearl curtain, ¡°Let Minister Lv come in.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The eunuch with white eyebrows turned and left. Soon, Lv Guoyong and the white-browed eunuch came in together. ¡°Greetings to Your Majesty.¡± Lv Guoyong bowed deeply before the throne. The Great Yan Emperor said, ¡°You may sit.¡± The eunuch with white eyebrows stood calmly to the side as usual. In the entire Great Yan, only Lv Guoyong was afforded the privilege of a seat in the Imperial Study Room. Hunched over, Lv Guoyong slowly took his seat. The Great Yan Emperor said, ¡°Minister Lv should be aware of the current changes above the court, I wonder if you have any thoughts on this.¡± Lv Guoyong asked with a smile, ¡°I wonder if Your Majesty wants to hear the truth or just pleasantries.¡± The Great Yan Emperor said, ¡°The truth.¡± Calmly, Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Since Your Majesty asks, this old servant will speak frankly. Your Majesty dislikes the Crown Prince and does not wish him to succeed the throne. The Second Prince prefers unorthodox swordsmanship, risks danger for great gains, and values his life when seeing profit. Should Yan Country fall into his hands, it would eventually lead to the downfall and extinction of the nation. The current chaos in the court is also a result of Your Majesty¡¯s deliberate indulgence. With Your Majesty¡¯s wisdom, you probably have already considered how to handle this situation.¡± In any dynasty, senior officials deeply avoided discussing succession struggles, but Lv Guoyong spoke openly about it, directly hitting the critical point. There was a long silence from behind the pearl curtain before the Great Yan Emperor finally sighed deeply and said, ¡°Minister Lv, it has been a long time since we had a heart-to-heart conversation.¡± Lv Guoyong chuckled softly, remaining silent. The Great Yan Emperor continued, ¡°I do not wish for the Crown Prince to succeed the throne. The events of that year are still vivid in my mind, and I am haunted by them to this day. But besides him, who else in this world is fit to ascend the great throne?¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°If Your Majesty could break through that shackle, you would be most suitable.¡± The Great Yan Emperor did not pick up on Lv Guoyong¡¯s suggestion, instead saying, ¡°I hope Minister Lv can suggest someone.¡± After a long silence, Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Your Majesty already has someone in mind, why bother asking this old servant?¡± The Great Yan Emperor asked in an inquiring tone, ¡°Minister Lv, do you agree?¡± He was seeking a commitment from Lv Guoyong, a commitment that would not change. Lv Guoyong stood up, and facing the throne, he clasped his fists and said, ¡°This old servant is willing to follow any decision Your Majesty makes.¡± ¡°Good.¡± The Great Yan Emperor gave a slight nod upon hearing this, feeling relieved, as his last trace of concern was fully erased. ¡­.. Yun Hua Dao, a small town. At this moment, at the end of the town, an old man with a black cloth tied around his head, holding a wine jug, was playing with several children. The old man laughed, ¡°Have you all hidden yet?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve hidden!¡± ¡°We¡¯ve hidden!¡± ¡­. The surrounding children quickly responded. ¡°Then I¡¯m coming.¡± Upon hearing this voice, the old man¡¯s mouth curled into a smile, but suddenly he heard footsteps in the distance, lifted the black cloth, and said, ¡°You play first.¡± ¡°Old You, you are cheating again.¡± ¡°Yeah, we won¡¯t include you next time.¡± The children began to complain upon seeing this. However, the old man, holding the wine jug, turned toward the noise, and saw a woman appearing ahead. The woman, around her fifties, already had crow¡¯s feet at the corners of her eyes, and her eyes looked weathered. Seeing the woman, the old man couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°I thought you had forgotten about this old fool.¡± The woman said softly, ¡°Dad, Qian Lin is dead.¡± The old man¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised as he asked, ¡°How did he die?¡± The woman clenched her teeth, ¡°He was killed by a master of the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°The Demon Sect¡­¡± The old man was momentarily stunned, then asked, ¡°Is Jun Qinglin dead?¡± This old man was none other than You Gai, once a top expert known across the world, and the woman was his daughter, You Fangyu. You Fangyu¡¯s eyes showed a hint of frost, ¡°Dead.¡± You Gai breathed out slowly, suddenly feeling a sense of solitude. Friends and rivals of the past had all turned to dust, evoking a rush of sentimentality in him. Of course, although You Gai was about a decade younger than Jun Qinglin, they had also crossed paths a few times. You Fangyu continued, ¡°Father, your grandson has been killed, can you really remain indifferent?¡± You Gai said self-mockingly, ¡°Only at times like this do you remember I am your father and he is my grandson.¡± You Fangyu looked directly at You Gai, ¡°Tell me, should we avenge this or not?¡± You Gai asked directly, ¡°If it were an ordinary member of the Demon Sect, you wouldn¡¯t come to me. Tell me, who from the Demon Sect killed him?¡± You Fangyu said, ¡°Ghost Swordsman An Jing.¡± ¡°Is he a newly risen expert in the Demon Sect?¡± ¡°Exactly, the hottest swordsman in the world right now, reaching Three Qi Cultivation in his early twenties.¡± ¡°Is that true?¡± Upon hearing this, a surprised look appeared in You Gai¡¯s eyes. To have reached Three Qi Cultivation in his early twenties, how terrifying was that? You Fangyu¡¯s expression darkened as he said, ¡°Absolutely true. If it weren¡¯t for this man killing Qian Lin, I would never have provoked him.¡± You Gai looked at You Fangyu, ¡°What was the cause?¡± You Fangyu replied, ¡°Nothing more than a porcelain doll.¡± You Gai fell silent and did not speak. As a former top expert of the Beggar Gang, he naturally understood what the Beggar Gang porcelain doll meant. Seeing this, You Fangyu quickly said, ¡°Once the Demon Sect returned to Great Yan, the Ghost Swordsman slaughtered widely, brutally killing countless martial arts experts. Father, it¡¯s the perfect opportunity for you to re-enter the Jianghu and rid the Great Yan¡¯s martial world of this scourge.¡± You Gai waved his hand and said, ¡°Old man has retired from the Jianghu and no longer involves himself in its affairs.¡± ¡°Father!¡± You Fangyu¡¯s eyes reddened as he said, ¡°Must you just watch as your own grandson dies a horrible death, while the once greatest gang in the world declines?¡± The Beggar Gang was once considered the greatest in the world, accumulating vast wealth and resources through various brutal means, thus creating countless experts. But their success was also their downfall, leading to their ruin amid infamy, eventually suppressed by both the Court and the Zhenyi Sect, with You Gai withdrawing from the Jianghu at that time. You Gai glanced at You Fangyu, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be a good thing if there were no more Beggar Gang in the world?¡± You Fangyu looked at You Gai and after a long while, he nodded, ¡°I understand.¡± Having said that, You Fangyu walked away towards the distance. ¡°Wait.¡± You Gai called out. You Fangyu asked, ¡°Father, have you changed your mind?¡± You Gai said, ¡°I want to ask about the death of Jun Qinglin and some information about the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Thinking You Gai had changed his mind, You Fangyu relayed all he knew at once. You Gai was slightly startled when he heard that Jun Qinglin had died amid the Houjin¡¯s army. ¡°The Houjin army is moving south¡­¡± You Gai furrowed his brows slightly, then seemed to realize something and said, ¡°Why would the Ghost Swordsman, who has been slaughtering across Lingnan, appear in Yun Hua Dao?¡± These two places were thousands of miles apart. Even a Three Qi Grandmaster couldn¡¯t traverse that distance so quickly. You Fangyu¡¯s gaze shifted evasively and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± You Gai, looking into his daughter¡¯s eyes, seemed to understand something. You Fangyu grabbed You Gai¡¯s arm, ¡°At this time, many are heading to the Zhenyi Sect, hoping for Sect Leader Xiao to take action, but he is still in seclusion. If you could act, our Beggar Gang¡¯s reputation would surely resound throughout the world.¡± You Gai pondered for a moment and then declared, ¡°Go spread the word across the world, I shall meet this Ghost Swordsman.¡± You Fangyu, overwhelmed with excitement, hastily said, ¡°Good, good, I will spread the word right now.¡± With that, You Fangyu walked off into the distance. You Gai tilted his head back, glanced at the sky, and muttered, ¡°That old geezer Jun Qinglin couldn¡¯t even come to see me before he died.¡± He then took a big gulp of his drink. ¡°Old You, are you playing or not? We won¡¯t wait for you if you keep stalling like this.¡± A young voice called out. ¡°Coming, coming.¡± You Gai scurried over. ¡­.. While countless experts gathered on Zhenyi Mountain, seeking Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s intervention to no avail, a significant piece of news echoed through the Jianghu. The once elder of the Beggar Gang, You Gai, had returned to the Jianghu, seeking justice from the Ghost Swordsman on behalf of the martial world of Yan Country. At that moment, the entire Great Yan Martial World was stirred into a frenzy by a single incident. No one had expected this matter to rouse this seemingly immortal figure because of the Beggar Gang, whose reputation within Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu was not very good. However, his strength was undoubtedly phenomenal, as he was the last alive among the several Beggar Gang experts who had once elevated it to the status of the top gang under heaven. Moreover, he was among the few who had reached the Heavenly Human Communication realm, following which Li Fuzhou once entered that realm on the Eight Feet Platform. It is no exaggeration to say that You Gai could be considered one of the most experienced experts in the Great Yan Martial World. Although You Gai¡¯s reputation had not been particularly good before, the moment he stood up to uphold Jianghu¡¯s justice, his public opinion in the martial arts community instantly reversed, and simultaneously, the prestige of the Beggar Gang once again surged. Previously, the Beggar Gang wasn¡¯t even counted among the top five gangs in the world, they were on a downward spiral, declining with age. Now, with You Gai emerging from seclusion, it suddenly became extraordinarily popular. Many then realized, obviously coming to an epiphany. You Gai was resuming activities to boost the Beggar Gang. No matter the various causes and effects, inviting a recluse of the martial world instead of the number one expert of the Great Yan Martial World now was acceptable to the people of Jianghu. Nearly everyone in Yan Country¡¯s martial circle hoped You Gai could crush the Ghost Swordsman, teaching the Demon Sect the ¡®rules¡¯ of the Great Yan Martial World. Northern Wilderness Dao, Lishan. After the fake ¡®Ghost Swordsman¡¯ vanished into thin air, An Jing returned to the Northern Wilderness Dao. Because he was traveling with Ah Jiu, the journey naturally took much longer. An Jing also had more time to admire Yan Country¡¯s cultural environment, looking for the connections between Heaven and Earth. Heavenly Human Communication had stumped countless experts, even An Jing was clueless about it. Ah Jiu sat on the horseback. An Jing pointed toward a majestic mountain range ahead, saying, ¡°Another hundred miles, and that will be You Mountain.¡± Ah Jiu also looked over, for the man before her had said that it would be her home from now on. Her eyes were filled with hope. Everyone has a flame burning in their hearts, but those who pass by can only see the smoke. An Jing secretly contemplated, gifting Honghu to Zhao Qingmei as a mount, surely that would be a surprise for his wife. Upon reflection, he realized he hadn¡¯t really given Zhao Qingmei any significant gifts over the years. Suddenly, An Jing sensed something and paused slightly. His eyes shifted toward the distance. The harsh winter, the north wind howled. Under the dry branches ahead sat an elder with disheveled hair and a dirty face, holding a wine jug and continuously pouring into his neck. With recent ripples across Jianghu, An Jing already knew who the newcomer was. You Gai wiped his mouth, stood up, and, looking at the youthful face, asked tentatively. ¡°Are you the Ghost Swordsman?¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have come.¡± ¡°Yet I still came.¡± You Gai glanced again at Ah Jiu who sat on the horse, then picked up a jar of wine and threw it at An Jing, saying, ¡°This is a jar of fine wine.¡± An Jing opened the seal and then downed it in one gulp. You Gai asked with a smile, ¡°Not afraid it¡¯s poisoned?¡± An Jing replied, ¡°Not afraid.¡± With his cultivation and medical skills, plus the Seventh Layer of the Nameless Heart Scripture, what poison in the world could bring him death? You Gai exclaimed, ¡°Impressive courage.¡± ¡°Clang.¡± An Jing again took a large gulp and then threw the wine jar away, ¡°The Beggar Gang shouldn¡¯t exist.¡± You Gai agreed, ¡°Indeed, it shouldn¡¯t.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Then why did you come?¡± You Gai nodded, ¡°It¡¯s precisely because it shouldn¡¯t exist that I must come, I am needed.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he said, ¡°You had already left this Jianghu.¡± You Gai replied, ¡°But I haven¡¯t left the world yet.¡± Listening to the rustling of the grass, An Jing knew many masters had already gathered around. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only No one could leave this Jianghu, including An Jing himself. An Jing¡¯s palm subconsciously touched the hilt of the Evil Suppressing Sword. ¡­¡­ PS: Asking for a Monthly Ticket wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 281 - Chapter 281: Chapter 281: The Mysterious and Unpredictable Corpse Driving Technique Chapter 281: Chapter 281: The Mysterious and Unpredictable Corpse Driving Technique North Field, Heavenly Water City. Now that the fifty-thousand-strong army of Houjin had launched an attack, North Field, which had just fallen into the hands of Yan Country, suddenly erupted into fierce flames of war, and traces of battles between soldiers of Yan and Houjin could be found in every city. The entire North Field seemed to have turned into multiple meat grinders, burying countless living lives, and the fresh red blood had stained this land scarlet. Because these cities had just changed hands, Yan Country had not yet fully assimilated or absorbed them, and moreover, Wang Shiyi had adopted a pacifying policy towards the city residents, which resulted in a ready response from the cities when the Houjin army attacked, coupled with frequent appearances of masters from the Great Snow Mountain, leading to a lopsided battle situation in which the Yan army was forced to retreat again and again. By now, most of the North Field had been reclaimed by Houjin, but as the pivotal city of the entire North Field, it remained in the hands of Wang Shiyi. Wang Shiyi squatted on the chair, looking at the current sand table of North Field, with a trace of solemnity between his brow. The massive, fifty-thousand-strong army of Houjin had now suffered a loss of more than ten thousand, and the fall of Ping City, which guarded Heavenly Water City, was only a matter of time. Once the Houjin army arrived from both sides, the Yan army in Heavenly Water City would find it hard to escape, even with wings. Meanwhile, Li Qirong sat across from him with a pale face. A closer look revealed that one of his arms had been chopped off by a master from the Great Snow Mountain the day before. If not for Wang Shiyi and Wang Ningshui arriving on time, this top scholar with seventeen years in office might have been dead by yesterday. This also made Wang Shiyi more vigilant, not only deploying a large number of masters to protect Li Qirong¡¯s safety but also setting up a deception around the camp to prevent another attack from Houjin masters. Wang Shiyi asked, ¡°When will Qiu Lun¡¯s reinforcements arrive?¡± A general below clasped his fist and replied, ¡°The scouts report that it will take fifteen more days.¡± ¡°Fifteen days is too long.¡± Li Qirong, enduring the pain, said in a low voice, ¡°With Grandmasters like Taiyin Kui appearing, we must be constantly vigilant. Plus, with our current disadvantage in terms of military strength, there¡¯s a good chance we won¡¯t be able to hold Heavenly Water City.¡± Upon hearing Li Qirong¡¯s words, everyone in the room felt a chill, and their faces turned very ugly. Wang Ningshui gnashed her teeth and said, ¡°Houjin has truly acted shamelessly this time.¡± It is a common understanding and an unwritten rule that Grandmasters are not allowed to participate in ordinary wars, but Houjin never intended to abide by such an agreement, mixing Grandmaster-level masters within their army. This signifies a determination to wage a national war, and even if Yan Country and Zhenyi Sect now dispatched masters, it would be too late. Wang Shiyi took a deep breath and said in a low voice, ¡°Once the White Tiger Banner and the Purple Banner attack from the north, we will have to face the encirclement of three Houjin armies¡­¡± The Houjin army, not only far outnumbering Yan¡¯s but mostly consisting of fierce cavalry, would mostly result in more losses than wins if they took the initiative to fight in the open. Defending the city meant facing the sieges of masters from the Great Snow Mountain. Even if Qiu Lun¡¯s hundred-thousand-strong army arrived as reinforcements, Yan¡¯s forces would still be at a slight disadvantage. In fact, the deployment of the White Tiger Banner and the Purple Banner left Houjin¡¯s Royal Court nearly empty. If given another three hundred thousand troops, Wang Shiyi would even dare to attack the Houjin Royal Court. Alas, the remaining five hundred thousand Yan troops must guard against Zhao Country and the Southern Barbarians. Li Qirong said, ¡°Let¡¯s retreat. Once the three armies surround us, Houjin will cut off support, and Qiu Lun¡¯s hundred thousand reinforcements might be wiped out by Houjin¡¯s cavalry on their way. Moreover, the Snow Mountain Tribe¡¯s hundred-thousand-strong army is also rushing to North Field. By the time we are isolated and disaster looms, it will be too late to retreat.¡± Wang Shiyi reluctantly said, ¡°Are we truly to forsake the vast North Field? Since it¡¯s winter, we could pour water on the walls to form an ice barrier to block Houjin.¡± In this land, while many from Houjin had died or been wounded, so too had countless soldiers from Yan. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Li Qirong shook his head and sighed, ¡°If not for Demon Sect delaying Houjin¡¯s three hundred thousand troops and killing many from the Soul Seeker Mansion, it would have been delusional for us to think of invading North Field. This time, I have completely underestimated Houjin¡¯s strength and resolve.¡± After all, Houjin¡¯s three hundred thousand troops and many Grandmasters are heading for Dongluo Pass. Otherwise, how could Yan Country have invaded Heavenly Water City in North Field and looked down upon Houjin¡¯s hinterland? Now having exterminated tens of thousands from the Shuiyun Banner and plundered Houjin¡¯s supplies in North Field, they had already gained some advantage. ¡°Alas.¡± Upon hearing this, Wang Shiyi let out a heavy sigh. He knew that what Li Qirong said was correct, and that now retreating to meet up with Qiu Lun was the best choice. The others remained silent, waiting for Wang Shiyi to give the order. After a long while, Wang Shiyi clenched his fists, ¡°Retreat.¡± ¡°Whew!¡± Many sighed in relief upon hearing this, but soon after, they felt a sense of unwillingness. A fierce light flickered in Li Qirong¡¯s eyes, ¡°Houjin has committed atrocities against our Great Yan, and naturally, we must repay them in full.¡± Previously, because Wang Shiyi wanted to occupy North Field, he treated the cities there relatively restrainedly. This allowed many Houjin masters and soldiers to hide among the civilians, causing a lot of trouble for Yan¡¯s soldiers. Now that Yan Country was about to leave this place, given Li Qirong¡¯s ruthless nature, naturally, he would not retreat from North Field so easily. Afterward, in the cities of North Field that remained under Yan¡¯s control, the civilians of Houjin suffered the consequences. They themselves experienced the humiliation and pain that the residents of Northern Wilderness Dao had once suffered. The brutality, slaughter, oppression, and ravaging, such as used in grassland pillaging, appeared in the cities of Houjin, especially since the Yan soldiers had been suppressed for far too long and now burst forth like a flood. Heavenly Water City became a complete hell on earth. And who was the butcher of all this? ¡­.. Outside You City, on the official road. Two living puppets made by An Jing, after the Black Flood Dragon developed a sense of consciousness, had remained in You Mountain. The other living puppet was given to Li Fuzhou and Yi Daoyun. The Black Flood Dragon was enormous and required concealment; moreover, it could draw the attention of others, so An Jing planned to walk to Yujing City. Considering carefully, this was already his third time going to Yujing City. Each time his visit was hurried, and this time was no different. As the celestial consecration ceremony of Yan Country was about to be held and Zhong Mountain called from all directions, after An Jing reached Yujing City, he needed to hurry to Donglin Dao¡¯s Zhong Mountain. This time heading to Yujing City, in addition to handling the matter of the Mountain Opening Order of Outer Heaven, I also planned to visit Wangjing Mountain and see what was there, as well as pay a visit to Lv Guoyong and Zhou Xianming. Ever since the last time An Jing went to Wangjing Mountain and did not see the Wang, his heart had been filled with worry, and there had been no news for such a long period. From the first time he met the Wang, there was a strange feeling about him, and now his unexplained disappearance added even more doubt and confusion to An Jing¡¯s heart. The reason for visiting Lv Guoyong was simple, although Lv appeared to be just an ordinary scholar, in his heart he encompassed the whole world and had his own unique understanding of the situation in Yan Country and the world at large. As for Zhou Xianming, ever since his success in the Imperial Examinations, he had been idly staying at home, doing nothing, and An Jing¡¯s visit this time was to see if he could also be drawn into the Demon Sect. After all, the old fellow still hadn¡¯t returned the silver he had borrowed¡­ If You Mountain is considered the last barrier of Capital Road, then Wangjing Mountain is the final barrier to the north of Yujing City. With An Jing¡¯s speed, he could reach Wangjing Mountain in half a day¡¯s time at full speed. The trees of Wangjing Mountain were tall, and their shade sinister and unpredictable. Now, in the cold winter season, the atmosphere remained eerily frightening. After a heavy snow, the world was uniform in color, everything seemed to be adorned with silver as though the entire world was decorated with it. The green pines stood in the pure white snow, swaying their bodies with the piercing northwest wind, producing a sharp and piercing howl. An Jing followed his memory and headed into the mountain. Before long, he came to the hidden cave entrance. After achieving the rank of a Master Cultivation with Three Qi, An Jing¡¯s sensitivity to Qi Mechanism had continuously improved. He hadn¡¯t even entered the cave but could already feel the cold air emanating from it. After entering the cave, the thick Corpse Qi slowly drifted over. The last time An Jing approached the depths here, there was an indication of a black opportunity. But this time, there was no such indication in the Earth Book. An Jing slowly walked deeper into the cave. The surging Corpse Qi assaulted him. Corpse Qi was a Qi Mechanism produced after human death, different from Yin Energy, it had less impact on the human Qi Sea but was more troublesome than Yin Energy. Once it invaded the body, getting rid of it was very difficult. Even if Corpse Qi remained in the body for too long, it could lead to a corpse transformation. In the Southern Barbarians, besides Gu Technique, another famed skill was the Corpse Driving Technique. It was rumored that the Southern Barbarians could refine a body into a chased corpse not long after death, which worked similarly to the Living Puppet Technique, but was superior to it. The Living Puppet Technique required constant control by a human, but the Corpse Driving Technique still retained a sliver of the person¡¯s will, capable of fulfilling a complete intention. The Corpse Qi here grew even denser, to the point where it felt extremely cold. Just as An Jing was about to run the Nameless Heart Scripture to resist the Corpse Qi, at that moment, the Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou Royal Family in his bosom released golden rays of light, forming a protective Light Shield. The surrounding Corpse Qi rolled and crashed against the golden Light Shield, letting out thunderous impacts. After dozens of steps further, An Jing¡¯s heart thumped wildly, and the space in front of him suddenly opened up. This hall was filled with multicolored Night Light Stones just like the cave where he encountered the Wang last time, under their bright illumination, one could clearly see the space filled with exquisitely made coffins, from which the intense Corpse Qi was emanating. ¡°Such dense Corpse Qi around these coffins!?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart was shaken, and he was slightly astonished. Could it be that there was something terrifying inside these coffins? As An Jing was deep in thought, a familiar figure appeared ahead, it was the Wang. At this moment, he was still dressed in the robe of the Xuanyi Guard of the Great Heavenly Gang, seated atop a coffin, with the Corpse Qi almost forming whirlpools as they surged towards him. It was too dense! The sheer density of the Corpse Qi was enough to make An Jing feel a hint of fear. An Jing frowned intently, standing at a distance and watching, his mind weighing his options. The next moment! Suddenly, the situation changed wildly, and the surrounding Corpse Qi surged like a tidal wave. ¡°Not good!¡± Seeing this, An Jing hurriedly retreated, but it was already too late. In front of him, the Corpse Qi engulfed everything like a vast ocean, heavily crashing into the golden Light Shield, causing An Jing to feel a shock in his organs. The savage assault continued, assaulting An Jing incessantly, but fortunately, he had the Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou for protection, which formed an impenetrable Light Shield, blocking the surging and overwhelming Corpse Qi. After what seemed like dozens of breaths, the Corpse Qi grew more and more violent. At that moment, the Wang abruptly opened his eyes, as if a sharp light emerged from them, he simply extended his palm and all the Corpse Qi that was like a vast ocean dispersed. Peace was restored once again. An Jing moved his limbs a bit and looked at the Wang in front of him, ¡°Wang?¡± ¡°Jing¡¯an, we meet again,¡± replied the Wang, a faint smile appearing on his pale face. Seeing the Wang calling him by his former alias, An Jing¡¯s heart slightly relaxed, then he couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± The Wang glanced at An Jing and then slowly said, ¡°It¡¯s a long story, let¡¯s sit down and talk about it.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, and the two of them sat down cross-legged. Because of the accumulation of a massive amount of Corpse Qi, an almost imperceptible chill incessantly eroded his body. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± began to circulate, driving away the coldness within him. It¡¯s not just the average masters who would find this place unbearable, even the average grandmasters would probably suffer immensely if they entered this location. Xuwang spoke in a deep voice, ¡°It was you who saved me back then, so you should know that there is no memory in my mind, only the thought of coming to Xuwang Mountain.¡± ¡°After I arrived at this cave on Xuwang Mountain, deep within my memory, I felt that only by delving deeper into this place could I find the memories I¡¯ve lost. So, after hesitating for a long time, I finally entered here.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Did you find them?¡± Inside, he was also curious about Xuwang¡¯s identity and origin. Xuwang did not answer An Jing¡¯s question but instead asked, ¡°Do you know what¡¯s inside these coffins?¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Xuwang took a deep breath and said, ¡°Inside are corpses, or rather, corpses that have been refined with special techniques. These are the driven corpses, produced by the unique Corpse Driving Technique of the Southern Barbarians.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed, looking at the coffins around him. The Corpse Driving Technique of the Southern Barbarians may be mysterious, but it¡¯s not as simple to refine as others imagine. It requires not just complete and intact corpses but also technique, materials, and often a martial art that has been lost to time. The more powerful the dead were in life, the harder it is to refine their corpses into driven corpses, and most driven corpses are very weak. Moreover, those who refine driven corpses are gradually tainted with Corpse Qi due to their constant contact with the corpses, and most of them do not have long to live. Therefore, over time, the Corpse Driving Technique also began to decline amongst the Southern Barbarians. Seeing so many driven corpses now, An Jing naturally felt a degree of surprise, but what Xuwang said next was like a thunderclap that stirred up a storm in An Jing¡¯s heart. Xuwang said, ¡°And I am one of these many driven corpses.¡± Xuwang is a driven corpse!? A grandmaster level expert is actually a driven corpse!? How absurd does that sound!? An Jing was greatly shocked and then asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t driven corpses mindless¡­¡± Like living puppets, driven corpses have neither divine souls nor consciousness. Aside from his strong Corpse Qi, Xuwang seemed just like any other person. Xuwang looked at the coffin in front of him, let out a long breath, and said, ¡°Yes, I am one of the driven corpses. I am, you could say, reborn with a new consciousness. As to why I was near Yu State City and who exactly refined me, I have no idea anymore.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart felt like a tumultuous sea. Xuwang¡¯s strength was incredibly high; he could gravely injure the Mu Jin Dharma King, who was a Second Qi Grandmaster, with a single punch. He must have at least the cultivation of a Four Qi Grandmaster or a Five Qi Grandmaster, yet he was a driven corpse refined by someone else. With this in mind, his gaze once again swept through their surroundings. There must be at least dozens of coffins in the vicinity. If each one contained a driven corpse with a cultivation similar to Xuwang¡¯s, wouldn¡¯t that be astonishing? An Jing asked subconsciously, ¡°Are these driven corpses not much different from you?¡± Standing beside him, Xuwang said, ¡°The strength of the driven corpses inside these coffins should not be as strong as mine.¡± An Jing glanced at Xuwang and asked, ¡°How do you know that?¡± Xuwang pondered for a moment and then explained, ¡°Based on the Corpse Qi, the richness of the Corpse Qi surrounding these coffins indicates their strength.¡± An Jing nodded slightly upon hearing this and then walked over to the coffins. The Corpse Qi was indeed varied around the coffins, some richer and some more diluted, each one different. But who could have refined these driven corpses? And how could Xuwang have developed a new divine soul? Somewhat unaccountably, An Jing recalled the Black Python; he too had extracted essence from the Thousand-year-old Black Boa to refine it into a living puppet, but in Dragon Hidden Creek, the Black Python seemed to have developed a new intelligence. Could there be some subtle connection between the two? An Jing said, ¡°Then what are your plans now?¡± Xuwang looked at the coffins and replied, ¡°I want to stay here a while longer to see if they will awaken. Moreover, I¡¯ve been feeling a sense of weakness in my body lately, a feeling that has been getting stronger, even making me feel like death is drawing closer. It wasn¡¯t until I came here and absorbed the surrounding Corpse Qi that I felt much better.¡± ¡°To sustain my life, I can only keep absorbing the Corpse Qi here.¡± An Jing nodded slightly. Xuwang¡¯s origin was too strange; a driven corpse had developed consciousness. If An Jing had not seen it with his own eyes, he would have found it hard to believe too. After all, he is not an ordinary person, and if he went outside, the uncontrollable Corpse Qi around him would definitely cause upheaval. After a long silence, An Jing finally exhaled and said with a firm voice, ¡°Then the person who refined these driven corpses, do you know who it is?¡± The fact that a top-tier grandmaster like Xuwang was turned into a driven corpse was enough to suggest that the refiner was also somebody of great significance. Who exactly could it be? Xuwang turned around, a glint flickering in his eyes, and then shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡± An Jing exhaled and said, ¡°Perhaps this person has already passed away long ago.¡± The ancient coffins of these driven corpses hinted it might be a Southern Barbarians¡¯s expert from long ago who had already turned to dust. After exchanging a few more words, the thick Corpse Qi made An Jing extremely uncomfortable, so he stood up, ready to leave. ¡°Jing¡¯an.¡± Just as An Jing walked towards the outside, Xuwang called out to him. An Jing turned his head and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Xu Wang sighed and said, ¡°It seems I can¡¯t help you anymore. I must stay here for a long time, or my flesh will continue to decay at any moment. If you urgently need my help, you can crush the remaining piece of broken jade anytime.¡± An Jing smiled lightly and replied, ¡°It¡¯s okay. You¡¯ve already repaid the favor of me saving you a long time ago.¡± Xu Wang¡¯s lips parted as he said, ¡°My body needs the familiar yin energy to sustain itself. If you find such heavenly materials and earthly treasures, I hope you can give them to me, and I will surely repay this kindness.¡± An Jing patted Xu Wang on the shoulder, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, if I have them, I will definitely bring them to you.¡± ¡°Then thank you very much.¡± A smile emerged on Xu Wang¡¯s lips. ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡± An Jing waved his hand and headed out of the cave. Watching the silhouette that vanished into the corpse qi, Xu Wang looked at his own hands, pale and withered, and his face couldn¡¯t help but darken. ¡­¡­. After stepping out of the cave, An Jing¡¯s brows were also deeply furrowed. He couldn¡¯t help but recall the two times he had encountered Xu Wang and vaguely felt that Xu Wang had been hiding something and had not told him everything. A corpse chasing spirit gaining intelligence was too incredible to believe. Just how dreadful was the corpse driving technique of the Southern Barbarians? After pondering for a moment with no particular insight, An Jing stopped dwelling on it. Having seen Xu Wang, he felt he had resolved one issue on his mind. He then hurried in the direction of Yujing City. The snowstorm grew heavier, and this winter seemed colder than usual, with the sun shrouded by somber clouds, making one feel suffocated. Another day and night passed, and An Jing arrived outside Yujing City at Wangjing Mountain. Wangjing Mountain was now covered in heavy snow, dressed in a blanket of white as far as the eye could see. An Jing, carrying two jars of wine, came to Jiang Sanjia¡¯s gravestone. Suddenly, he noticed two empty wine jars already placed in front of the gravestone. ¡°Has someone been here?¡± An Jing¡¯s brow lifted. Jiang Sanjia had a peculiar character and offended many; he had few friends in the court or Jianghu. Who could the visitor be? Nevertheless, An Jing did not dwell on it. Instead, he picked up the wine jars, sat down in the snow, and reminisced with Jiang Sanjia while drinking. ¡°Brother Sanjia, it¡¯s another winter.¡± ¡°Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s strength is at the level of Four Qi, and he has comprehended Heavenly Human Communication. If his strength is just as it appears on the surface, he might not be a match for me.¡± ¡°After I retrieve the Dulu Sword, it should be almost time to set foot on Zhenyi Mountain. But with Houjin and Yan Country at war, I don¡¯t know the situation. This matter may have to be postponed a year or two.¡± ¡°Now that great chaos is looming, everyone wants this land and reign. Who does this land and reign truly belong to? You were proficient in prediction, I wonder if you could have foreseen it.¡± ¡°And the Mystical Sect, can it still rise? When the time comes, who will be the Daoist Master of the Mystical Sect?¡± ¡°Also, Mu Xiaowan is dead, and so is Mu Xiaoyun.¡± ¡­. He talked for a long time until the sky grew dim. An Jing threw aside the now empty wine jars, ¡°I should go. Next time I have a chance, I¡¯ll chatter with you again.¡± With that, An Jing stood up. The howling wind and snow seemed like knives scraping against his face. At that moment, a figure in black appeared in the distance, moving so lightly over the snow that he made barely any sound. This man was Meng Zhaodou, the leader of the Heaven and Earth Net. An Jing spoke with a smile, ¡°Leader Meng, long time no see.¡± As Meng Zhaodou observed the young man in white before him, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly. The once Ghost Swordsman standing behind Lou Xiangzhen had now become one of the top elites in Jianghu, no, in the entire world. ¡°I¡¯ve come to tell you some information.¡± ¡°Please do.¡± ¡°The person from Lingnan Dao has been identified.¡± ¡°Oh? Who is it?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes flickered with a sharp light upon hearing this. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It was no wonder that Heaven and Earth Net, ranked first in Yan Country for information, managed to identify the imposter. Meng Zhaodou said indifferently, ¡°One of the Black Ice Platform¡¯s Eight Heavenly Slaughters, the Thousand-faced Asura, his strength should just be slightly above Qu Renlin¡¯s, ranking third or fourth among the Eight Heavenly Slaughters.¡± ¡­¡­. PS: There will be another chapter tonight, around 12-1 AM. Wishing everyone a safe Dragon Boat Festival, and I am seeking a monthly ticket. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 282 - Chapter 282: Chapter 282: Hidden Vipers in the Woods (Seeking Monthly Ticket) Chapter 282: Chapter 282: Hidden Vipers in the Woods (Seeking Monthly Ticket) ¡°Thousand-faced Asura!?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised. If one were to say that Yan Country had numerous and scattered experts, with top masters in Zhenyi Sect, Demon Sect, Buddhist, and Royal Family, and also some hidden Grandmasters scattered across Jianghu, then Zhao Country¡¯s Black Ice Platform was absolutely dominant. Whether in Jianghu or the imperial court, there existed no force that could match them directly. And Heavenly Slaughter was the top expert of Black Ice Platform, also the topmost expert in Zhao Country. In the battle at Blue Sky Island, two of the great Heavenly Slaughters died, namely Chu Yun and Qu Renlin. Among them, Qu Renlin was a fellow disciple of Qi Xuan Dao and his cultivation had just entered the Four Qi, while Chu Yun was the weakest among the Eight Great Heavenly Slaughters, at the realm of Three Qi. The strength of the remaining six also varied in cultivation, but essentially, all were at least at Three Qi Realm or above. This Thousand-faced Asura was also one of the Eight Great Heavenly Slaughters, but his level of mystery was the highest of them all. He was said to have a thousand faces and appearances, his Disguise Technique had reached the peak of perfection, plus, he learned a secret technique from the Great Qin Dynasty that allowed him to appear as male or female. Aside from Qi Xuan Dao, the master of Black Ice Platform, no one knew what he truly looked like. Moreover, his martial arts practice was of the Heavenly Martial Level, the ¡°Formless Divine Technique,¡± which could transform the external forms of other martial arts techniques, making his movements mysterious and elusive, untraceable by anyone. Therefore, among the Eight Great Heavenly Slaughters, he was the most mysterious expert. Meng Zhaodou sighed and said, ¡°This person is extraordinary in martial arts and very daring. His Disguise Technique is especially elusive, and decades ago he even infiltrated the Imperial Palace. Unfortunately, he still managed to escape, just a bit shy from being killed.¡± An Jing was somewhat surprised, ¡°Oh?¡± You should know, Bai Mei the eunuch is a Four Qi Grandmaster, and he is considered one of the top among those in Four Qi. Moreover, with many experts in Yan Country¡¯s Royal Family, and now the Martial Arts Emperor in the era of Taiping, how could they let this Thousand-faced Asura escape? ¡°This matter is a secret of the Royal Family, not convenient to tell others.¡± Meng Zhaodou glanced at An Jing and then continued, ¡°This person disguised as you in Lingnan Dao and committed killings. In my opinion, his motives are not simple. You¡¯d better be careful.¡± An Jing clasped his fist and said, ¡°Alright, thanks for letting me know.¡± ¡°No need for thanks. The Human Emperor sent me to inform you,¡± Meng Zhaodou replied. Meng Zhaodou took out a document and a token from his bosom, ¡°This is the Mountain Opening Order and documents for You Mountain, all prepared already.¡± Understanding the way of balance, when Dongluo Pass was attacked by Houjin, Yan Country¡¯s army did not provide assistance but instead attacked Houjin, leading to the fall of Dongluo Pass. Jun Qinglin of the Demon Sect died because of this and there was no interference from the Demon Sect entering Great Yan secretly. An Jing took the Mountain Opening Order and documents, nodded slightly, ¡°Good.¡± Meng Zhaodou finished the task given by the Taiping Human Emperor and was ready to leave, then suddenly remembered something, ¡°The last ambush involving the Sword Demon might also head to this Dulu Sword Meeting, and even some reclusive swordsmen might appear. This Dulu Sword Meeting could be very dangerous, so be very careful.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised as he looked at Meng Zhaodou, ¡°Why would Leader Meng tell me all this?¡± He and Meng Zhaodou were not even nodding acquaintances, yet Meng Zhaodou took the initiative to warn him. Meng Zhaodou gave a faint smile, ¡°The Peach Blossom Sword Immortal once greatly favored me, I guess this is also a way of repaying some of that favor through you.¡± With that, Meng Zhaodou walked towards the distance. In the blink of an eye, he had vanished amidst the snowy landscape. ¡°Could Meng Zhaodou possibly know something?¡± An Jing carefully stored away the Mountain Opening Order and the documents, and took one deep look at Meng Zhaodou¡¯s retreating figure before he started walking toward Yujing City. ¡­.. Capital Road, Heavenly Gate City. In the quiet Baihua Alley, a man in a long robe walked in. The man was around fifty, with a fair face and holding a dark red stick, about as tall as a person. There is a saying: ¡°A stick for a month, a knife for a year, a lifetime for a gun,¡± which means that stick technique is among the easiest of the martial arts weapons to master, but very few truly excel in it to the utmost level. There are many masters of stick technique in the world, but very few have trained to become masters. One is the Tianyi Bodhisattva from the Buddhist Sect, and another is Teng Xubing, one of the eight Heavenly Slaughters of the Black Ice Platform. And the dark red Sky-reaching Stick in hand was indeed Teng Xubing¡¯s signature. As he walked into the alley, soon a figure in a black robe landed. The person was handsome, with bright, spirited eyes, holding an ancient longsword in his hand; if An Jing were there, he would definitely recognize this person, as it was none other than himself. ¡°It seems your plan has failed,¡± Teng Xubing said indifferently, ¡°Now everyone in the world knows you¡¯re just a fake Ghost Swordsman.¡± The Thousand-faced Asura chuckled softly, ¡°I just wanted to test his ability.¡± Teng Xubing, his eyes as still as an ancient well, replied, ¡°You have seen it, so what now?¡± The Thousand-faced Asura touched the ancient longsword in his hand, ¡°You Gai didn¡¯t use his ultimate skill, but this battle is enough to prove one thing¨Chis ability is definitely not inferior to You Gai. With the two of us united, we might not be able to take him down.¡± Teng Xubing spoke gravely, ¡°From the intel at Dongluo Pass, his ability to slay the chieftain of the Snow Mountain tribe shows that the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s ability is definitely among the top of the Four Qi. If a Five Qi Grandmaster does not intervene, it would be very difficult to kill him.¡± The Thousand-faced Asura smiled lightly, ¡°Let¡¯s not hurry. Every person has a weakness. Fighting and killing are not the only ways to deal with an enemy.¡± Teng Xubing looked at the Thousand-faced Asura, his eyebrows rising slightly, ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°Why are the venomous snakes in the woods so feared?¡± The Thousand-faced Asura unsheathed his longsword, ¡°It¡¯s precisely because the venomous snake hides itself, striking the enemy with a fatal blow at the most critical moment.¡± As he swung his arm, a chilling light flashed forward, making the whole alley ice cold. Teng Xubing nodded without speaking. ¡­.. Yujing City, Lv Mansion¡¯s backyard. There was Tan Yun, wearing a pale green gown, sitting in the pavilion, watching from above as Zuo Zixin of the prominent and noble families acted coquettishly and spoke lavishly about romantic exploits. Her eyebrows were curved, her petite nose slightly upturned, her face like white jade, and her beauty radiant like morning glory. Her attire was not particularly luxurious, with only a string of Bright Pearls around her neck, emitting a soft halo that made her seem even more delicately beautiful. Little Hei yawned while lying on the ground, took a glance at Zuo Zixin, found him very noisy, stood up, switched his position, and turned his back towards him before lying down again to sleep. Zuo Zixin glared at Little Hei and then said with an apologetic smile, ¡°Miss Tan Yun, I heard you are particularly fond of Eight Treasures Cake. This is freshly made by the great chef of the Flying Yan Restaurant.¡± Hearing that the grand-daughter of the Lv family, who was fond of eating, he brought delicious pastries today hoping to win her heart, as becoming the son-in-law of the Lv Sect would put him in an extraordinary status. Moreover, the lady in front of him, while not a peerless beauty, was very attractive, especially her figure, which was incomparable to ordinary women. Recently, he had heard that people asking for her hand in marriage had almost worn out the threshold. How could Zuo Zixin miss such a great opportunity? Tan Yun glanced at the eight-treasure cake and said indifferently, ¡°I ate this eight-treasure cake yesterday.¡± Zuo Zixin hurriedly said, ¡°No problem, Miss Tan Yun, whatever you want to eat, I¡¯ll bring it tomorrow.¡± Tan Yun gave Zuo Zixin a look and said, ¡°Whatever I want to eat, I can buy myself.¡± Hearing this, Zuo Zixin chuckled awkwardly, but then his strong inner-self adjusted, ¡°Miss Tan Yun, the plum blossoms of Wangjing Mountain are looking great. How about we go appreciate them tomorrow?¡± Tan Yun pulled out a medical book and began to read, saying, ¡°What¡¯s so good about those plum blossoms, they can¡¯t be eaten, can they?¡± Zuo Zixin¡¯s smile stiffened slightly, ¡°It seems like you¡¯ve been in a bad mood recently, Miss Tan Yun. Have you encountered some troubles?¡± Tan Yun sighed deeply and nodded, ¡°Yes, I have encountered many unpleasant things.¡± Zuo Zixin¡¯s heart lifted, and he spiritedly said, ¡°If there¡¯s anything bothering you, Miss Tan Yun, feel free to tell me. I am willing to do anything to make you happy.¡± Tan Yun hesitated and looked at Zuo Zixin, asking, ¡°Are you serious?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Zuo Zixin patted his chest and then extended three fingers, showing off his jade ring, and said, ¡°I, Zuo Zixin, swear that everything I have said is absolutely true, there¡¯s no falsehood.¡± Based on his experience of interacting in high society, showing off his jade ring usually sealed the deal, as girls liked to see him making such promises. Tan Yun spoke seriously, ¡°There¡¯s no one here.¡± There¡¯s no one here¡­ Upon hearing this, Zuo Zixin¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Did the granddaughter of the Lv family mean that she was willing? Tan Yun looked serious and asked, ¡°Could you kneel a few times for me?¡± Zuo Zixin: ¡°¡­..¡± At this moment, he felt as though a thousand horses were galloping through his heart, leaving him completely dumbfounded. Swindler! Tan Yun just pursed her lips, turned her head, and continued reading her medical book. ¡°Then I shall not disturb Miss Tan Yun anymore.¡± In the end, Zuo Zixin could only run away in a flustered and shabby manner, but turned out to bump into Lv Jingchun. Lv Jingchun asked curiously, ¡°Brother Zuo, why such a hurry? I was planning to have a good drink with you.¡± Zuo Zixin, holding his chest and panting, said, ¡°I suddenly remembered, I still have some urgent matters to handle at home.¡± With that, he hurriedly walked away toward the distance. Watching Zuo Zixin¡¯s retreating figure, Lv Jingchun looked puzzledly at Tan Yun, ¡°Urgent matters, what urgent matters could Brother Zuo have?¡± Tan Yun, leaning on the table, weakly said, ¡°How would I know? He wouldn¡¯t even kneel a few times for me, even though he promised to work like a horse?¡± Lv Jingchun suddenly broke out into a cold sweat on his forehead. Who was Zuo Zixin? His father was the Valley Master of Youfeng Valley, his aunt was the Empress of Great Yan, and most importantly, he was the cousin of Zhao Xuening. Lv Jingchun said urgently, ¡°You¡­ you can¡¯t do this.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Tan Yun looked at Lv Jingchun, raising an eyebrow, ¡°Are you still thinking about that Zhao Xuening? A woman as scheming as her will definitely not fancy you, a useless bag. Take my advice and don¡¯t waste your energy.¡± She couldn¡¯t see through others¡¯ thoughts, but Tan Yun clearly understood what was on Lv Jingchun¡¯s mind. And Lv Jingchun¡¯s face turned crimson. Zhao Xuening was the woman he had admired for years, the one he thought about day and night, and the only thing he had persisted in for years¡­ The most important thing was that Tan Yun had called him a useless bag. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Tan Yun looked at Lv Jingchun, ¡°What are you thinking?¡± ¡°Creak! Creak!¡± As she spoke, Tan Yun clenched her fists tightly, producing a clear clicking sound. Lv Jingchun¡¯s whole body shivered, then he earnestly said, ¡°Dear sister, I think you¡¯re right.¡± Tan Yun nodded satisfactorily, ¡°Didn¡¯t grandfather say he was going to test your poetry today?¡± Lv Jingchun replied, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman has arrived, and grandfather told me to go out and play.¡± ¡°The son-in-law has arrived!?¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun suddenly stood up. ¡°Yes.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Lv Jingchun nodded and said, ¡°But I¡¯ve lost interest in swordsmanship now, such things are too tiring. I prefer lying down, the effortless kind¡­¡± Tan Yun did not even let Lv Jingchun finish speaking and hurriedly headed toward the living room. ¡­¡­ PS: Seeking a Monthly Ticket! wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 283 - Chapter 283: Chapter 283: Prelude to the Dulu Sword Meeting Chapter 283: Chapter 283: Prelude to the Dulu Sword Meeting The soldiers at the gate of Yujing City, even in the cold and freezing weather, were still as diligent as ever, keeping an eye on everyone to prevent any unusual activities. Meanwhile, the Pingyang Guard in charge of defending Yujing City heightened the alertness outside the city¡¯s encampment, and since the Emperor of Great Yan had been injured after breaking through his shackles, the palace guards had been maintaining an intensive watch round the clock. At this moment, the entire Yujing City was in a tense state. It had been over two years since the Great Yan Emperor sustained severe injuries, yet there was still no sign of improvement. Nowadays, the situation on the upper echelons was utterly turbid, and both Houjin and Zhao Country were glaring like tigers eyeing their prey, adding a heavy oppressive feeling to the atmosphere. Where lay the future of Yan Country? In the heated winter season, the tea houses were sparsely populated, yet there were still righteous individuals discussing the current global situation and the major trends. Besides the battles in the North Field, what most people discussed was the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven. The Emperor had the Crown Prince take his place in performing the rites, which raised the question, what did this imply? Could it be that the Emperor might¡­ thus making preparations in advance? Upon thinking this, many were shocked. If this were indeed the case, it would not be a bad thing for the present Yan Country but rather a good one. After all, Zhao Tianyi was now leading at the top echelons, but in the end, he was just a member of the Eunuch Party, which many viewed with great disdain. Moreover, the current Crown Prince had an excellent reputation for being generous and kind-hearted. Whether in Jianghu, the political spheres, or among the common folk, he had his own loyal supporters. However, some furrowed their brows with worry, thinking about the ambitious Second Prince and wondering if he would truly be content to be a leisurely prince after the Crown Prince ascended the throne. Neither the common people nor the officials in the court could foresee that a crisis was gradually unfolding. Yujing City, Lv Mansion¡¯s reception hall. Lv Guoyong was sitting at the head of the hall, hunched over with his graying temples and a face so dull and lined that it resembled the rough bark of a tree, his eyes full of the vicissitudes of life. In his hands, he held a cup of tea, each finger unbending like tiny branches made from twigs. Lv Guoyong glanced at An Jing sitting below him and smiled, ¡°The Sword Meeting of the Dulu Sword is approaching, yet you still have time to come to Yujing City. It must be more than just visiting me, right?¡± An Jing set down his teacup and responded, ¡°Elder Lv sees clearly, it seems my little trick cannot really be hidden.¡± Visiting an old friend in Yujing was secondary; the main purpose was to visit Lv Guoyong and pick up some clues. ¡°This is no small trick.¡± Lv Guoyong said indifferently, ¡°You must be wanting to ask about the Sword Meeting of the Dulu Sword, right?¡± ¡°I do have some doubts that I would like to discuss with Elder Lv,¡± An Jing was direct and straightforward. The Dulu Sword had been kept in the Imperial Palace for hundreds of years and had been preserved until now, but it was suddenly taken out to be used for offering to the heavens. An Jing always felt that with the Emperor¡¯s strategizing, it couldn¡¯t be so simple. Lv Guoyong also set down his teacup and slowly walked down, saying, ¡°With your current level of cultivation, you should know how difficult it is to break through that barrier.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°As hard as ascending to heaven.¡± Even a high master like Jun Qinglin, who had separated from the heavenly beings, had not reached this level, and what a challenge it would be to take that step? Lv Guoyong gave An Jing a look, A look that seemed to convey many meanings, Instantly, it plunged An Jing into deep thought. Reaching the Great Grandmaster, gaining a life span of three hundred years, what a difficult, unimaginable thing this is! It is what countless Jianghu masters and Martial Arts Emperors have striven for over the centuries¨Call to reach the realm of Great Grandmaster. But how many have reached this realm? Jun Qinglin, such a prodigy blessed by heaven, exhausted all he had by igniting the Spiritual Lamp. As for the even more challenging longevity lock, he himself said the chance was bleak, almost negligible. What about the Great Yan Emperor? Could he really break through the shackles and reach the realm of Great Grandmaster? Clearly, the probability of the Yan Emperor breaking through to the Great Grandmaster is also low. Therefore, it might truly be that the Yan Emperor was severely injured, and because of his failure to break through the shackles these past two years, the hearts of the people of Yan Country have scattered, the royal court has been turbulent, and there has been constant strife in Jianghu, creating many unstable elements. This competition for succession could be the perfect opportunity to lure out some big fish that have been lying dormant in Yan Country. In an instant, countless thoughts crossed An Jing¡¯s mind, and recalling what Lv Guoyong had said, An Jing suddenly seemed to understand something. He wasn¡¯t certain whether the Emperor had been severely injured, but this grand sacrificial ceremony might indeed be a long-planned strategy with an obvious purpose. Like that Second Prince, or others¡­ Lv Guoyong said indifferently, ¡°In any case, do not get involved in the battle for succession.¡± ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Elder Lv.¡± An Jing bowed his fists toward Lv Guoyong. As a person who had been influential in the courts of Yan Country for sixty years, he naturally understood much and knew much. His words clearly had their reasons. Lv Guoyong looked at An Jing, ¡°I hope you understand my meaning.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes were initially puzzled, but then he thought of something, and his heart suddenly shook. Could it be that what Lv Guoyong was talking about the battle for succession wasn¡¯t between the Second Prince and the Crown Prince, but his own wife, Zhao Qingmei!? Zhao Qingmei was of the former Crown Prince¡¯s bloodline, something Jiang Shang had once told her. When the current Taiping Emperor ascended the throne, it involved killing the former Crown Prince. In other words, Zhao Qingmei could also ascend to the grand throne. Even more rightfully, more justifiably. This was no longer just a reminder from Lv Guoyong, but a caution. It showed Lv Guoyong might know Zhao Qingmei¡¯s identity and origins. Recalling Li Fuzhou¡¯s allegiance to the Demon Sect and Lv Guoyong¡¯s suppression in the Yan Country court, could it be said that Elder Lv was once part of the former Crown Prince¡¯s faction? For a moment, An Jing¡¯s heart was filled with turbulent waves. Lv Guoyong smiled gently, patting An Jing on the shoulder. ¡°Son-in-law!¡± Just then, a clear voice came from outside the door. An Jing turned his head to look and saw Tan Yun walking in with a face full of joy. Seeing this scene, Lv Guoyong shook his head helplessly, thinking to himself, ¡°A girl can¡¯t be kept at home forever.¡± An Jing pinched Tan Yun¡¯s cheek, ¡°It seems you¡¯re doing quite well here, you¡¯ve gotten rounder.¡± ¡°How could that be?¡± Tan Yun heard this and quickly lowered her head, only to realize she couldn¡¯t even see her toes, and suddenly felt a bit guilty, ¡°Husband, it¡¯s been a very, very long time since we last met, isn¡¯t it normal to gain a bit of weight? Besides, it¡¯s winter now; stocking up some fat is good for the winter.¡± ¡°Has it? It¡¯s only been a month or two.¡± An Jing thought of something and asked, ¡°By the way, where is Mr. Zhou?¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Xianming has been at home reading books recently. Tan Yun, you take him to see him. I will go back to rest.¡± As he spoke, Lv Guoyong stooped and walked toward the house. Seeing her grandfather walk away, Tan Yun pursed her lips, her big watery eyes turning towards An Jing, ¡°Husband, did you come specially to see me?¡± An Jing let out a light laugh and said, ¡°Of course, this time coming to Yujing City was to see you all. Many people in the sect miss you, especially Third Uncle.¡± Hearing the word ¡®you all,¡¯ Tan Yun felt a sudden sense of loss but quickly covered it up and smiled, ¡°Then let¡¯s go see Mr. Zhou. Although he achieved the position of top scholar, he has been idling at home.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± An Jing nodded and then followed behind Tan Yun as they walked towards the yard. Since Zhou Xianming did not proactively cling to the royal family, the Human Emperor naturally was displeased, fearing another powerful official like Lv Guoyong would emerge. Keeping him suppressed at home was quite normal. Along the way, they encountered many servants who were all extremely respectful and careful around Tan Yun. An Jing said with a smile, ¡°It seems you¡¯re doing quite well here.¡± Tan Yun pouted, ¡°I¡¯m still not quite used to it, especially feeling uncomfortable at times.¡± An Jing comforted her, ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it.¡± Tan Yun looked into those bright eyes, her mouth opening slightly but in her heart she silently muttered: ¡®Smelly husband, bad husband¡­¡¯ Unknowingly, the two arrived at the courtyard where Zhou Xianming lived. At that moment, a fire stove was burning in the yard with a small pot on top. The snow in the pot had already turned into boiling water, and several pears were being poached inside it. Zhou Xianming was squatting down, continually fanning to increase the flame. ¡°Mr. Zhou.¡± An Jing called out. Upon hearing the voice, Zhou Xianming quickly got up and, seeing An Jing, a hint of delight appeared, ¡°Doctor An, your timing is perfect. This pear water will be ready soon, and then you can taste it.¡± ¡°The taste is indeed quite good.¡± At that moment, Tan Yun had already stretched out her hand, picked up a pear, and began to chomp away contentedly. ¡°The pears aren¡¯t ready yet¡­¡± Zhou Xianming, seeing such a heart-wrenching scene, hesitated to speak. An Jing patted Zhou Xianming on the shoulder and said softly, ¡°Mr. Zhou, you are a talented person. Why spend your days at home poaching pears in the snow?¡± Zhou Xianming was silent for a long while and said, ¡°Throughout history, many talented people have lived unfulfilled lives; it¡¯s quite common.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised, ¡°Then you don¡¯t plan to pursue your ambitions anymore?¡± Zhou Xianming took a deep breath and replied, ¡°Let¡¯s wait. These things shouldn¡¯t be rushed.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Mr. Zhou, what do you think of Outer Heaven?¡± Zhou Xianming glanced at An Jing, immediately grasping his implication, his eyes showing a hint of hesitation. He had gained fame at a young age and then traveled the world, covering great distances and reading voluminous books, naturally to serve his country and fulfill his lifelong ambitions. However, if he were to join the Demon Sect, his heart was somewhat unwilling. After all, the Demon Sect was just a sect, and broken down, it was just a Jianghu force. Just then, a servant from Lv Mansion came hurrying over. ¡°Miss, Princess An Le has arrived.¡± Tan Yun quickly swallowed a mouthful of pear, her eyebrows shooting up, ¡°Why has she come?¡± Princess An Le!? Zhou Xianming, hearing this, glanced at An Jing and then continued fanning the fire. The facial expression of the servant from the Lv Mansion turned grim, ¡°I¡¯m not sure either. The young master and the princess are walking over here.¡± As he spoke, two figures approached from a distance. One of them was stocky, with a well-fed look, his face full of humility and pleasantry; it was Lv Jingchun. The woman beside him was slim, her long hair draped over her vest, gently tied with a pink ribbon, dressed in white like snow, her skin fairer than snow, strikingly beautiful and radiant, almost too dazzling to look directly at. Any man who saw her would involuntarily marvel at her beauty. Zhou Xianming, also seeing Zhao Xuening up close for the first time, was taken aback by her beauty. ¡°Greetings, Princess!¡± An Jing and Zhou Xianming both politely clasped their hands, while Tan Yun huffed, and then with a look of disappointment towards her brother, Lv Jingchun, who couldn¡¯t live up to expectations. ¡°We meet again.¡± Zhao Xuening saw An Jing and her eyes lit up slightly, ¡°It seems we really do share a profound fate.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°Perhaps so.¡± At this moment, Tan Yun pulled at An Jing¡¯s arm and said, ¡°Husband, come, let¡¯s drink some pear water. I think it¡¯s almost ready.¡± Saying so, Tan Yun ladled a bowl of pear water and handed it to An Jing. She couldn¡¯t bear to see An Jing talking to that princess, as it was clear to anyone with eyes that the princess harbored ill intentions towards her husband. Zhou Xianming saw this and his face was full of black lines; he hadn¡¯t touched that pear water at all¡­ Meanwhile, Zhao Xuening snorted softly, then suppressed the flutter in her heart, turning to Zhou Xianming and said, ¡°Top Scholar, I came today specifically to tell you some good news.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianming looked surprised, ¡°Good news?¡± Zhao Xuening took out an appointment order from her bosom and handed it to Zhou Xianming, ¡°Congratulations, Top Scholar, on your assignment to work in the Imperial Study. Here¡¯s the appointment order.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Zhou Xianming, upon hearing the news, was greatly shocked and quickly accepted the transfer order. An Jing, who was drinking pear juice nearby, also looked over. A position in the Imperial Study was not too small an official post, most importantly, it frequently required presence in the Imperial Palace and near the Human Emperor, which easily led to promotion. Lv Jingchun said sourly, ¡°Xianming, you¡¯re going to make it big.¡± Zhou Xianming carefully examined the transfer order and then felt a great joy inside, yet he maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, ¡°Thank you, Princess, thank you, Your Majesty. Zhou will surely devote his life to his duties until death.¡± Throughout history, a position in the Imperial Study had always been a sign of important use. His long-held ambitions finally found a place to be realized. Zhao Xuening supported Zhou Xianming¡¯s arm, speaking earnestly, ¡°No need for such formality, I also hope that the top scholar can showcase his talents.¡± She had seen Zhou Xianming¡¯s examination papers and had to admit that the person before her was truly a great talent and not just a theorist. An Jing realized that Zhou Xianming was preparing to enter the court as an official, which meant that joining the Demon Sect was now out of the question. However, in his heart, he also felt a bit of joy for Zhou Xianming; if he could meet a wise ruler, to display all he had learned in his life, his years of hard study would not have been in vain. Zhao Xuening looked at An Jing with a bit of reproach, ¡°Last time, Master An left in a hurry and didn¡¯t have time to see the four sights of Yujing City. I wonder if you have some time today?¡± An Jing had not yet spoken when Tan Yun intervened, ¡°My lord, don¡¯t you still have to go to Zhong Mountain?¡± Lv Jingchun also nodded repeatedly, ¡°Zhong Mountain is quite far, you should head off early.¡± Zhao Xuening smiled at An Jing, her face unchanged, but inside she was quite irritated. This Tan Yun, always opposing her, was really infuriating, and what¡¯s more, this person was no ordinary woman, but the granddaughter of Lv Guoyong. Unable to do otherwise, An Jing could only cup his fists in resignation, ¡°I am indeed too busy, but thank you for the kind thought, Princess.¡± ¡°That¡¯s truly a pity,¡± she said. Zhao Xuening gave An Jing a lingering look and said, ¡°When does Master An depart? Tonight, I¡¯ll prepare some modest wine to see you off.¡± Tan Yun glared fiercely at Zhao Xuening and intoned guardedly, ¡°No need, tonight my lord will stay and drink with my grandfather.¡± An Jing did not speak, but merely smiled apologetically. Zhao Xuening chuckled lightly, ¡°Very well, then I won¡¯t impose on Master An any longer.¡± With that, Zhao Xuening rose and walked toward the yard entrance. Seeing this, Lv Jingchun quickly followed. An Jing turned to Zhou Xianming, sighing, ¡°Mr. Zhou, congratulations, you¡¯ve finally gotten what you wished for.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Zhou Xianming looked at the transfer order in his hand, which had turned his initial joy into a mix of emotions. Originally, it seemed that the Human Emperor had planned never to use him, but now there was a turnaround, not just using him but favoring him heavily. Although he didn¡¯t understand the thoughts of the high and mighty Emperor, Zhou Xianming clenched the transfer order tightly. An Jing sighed deeply in his heart and remained silent. Somehow, he always felt that the distance between him and Zhou Xianming was growing further apart, perhaps the days when they once raised glasses together in a tavern were never coming back. Tan Yun next to him asked curiously, ¡°My lord, when are you leaving?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll leave in a while,¡± An Jing mused for a moment. Zhong Mountain on East Lin Road was neither too far nor too near, but if something delayed him on the way, it would be troublesome. Tan Yun frowned and asked, ¡°Are you in such a rush?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll see next time.¡± An Jing touched Tan Yun¡¯s head and smiled softly. ¡°Alright then,¡± Tan Yun sighed resignedly upon hearing this. She had many things she wanted to say to An Jing, but knowing that he was hurried to attend the Dulu Sword Meeting, she refrained from speaking further. Afterward, An Jing bid farewell to Lv Guoyong, and Zhou Xianming along with Tan Yun saw An Jing off outside the city gates. The cold wind was biting, and there were few people around. An Jing looked at Zhou Xianming, ¡°Yan Country is now storm-stricken, a time when talents are needed the most. Brother Zhou, you will surely shine brightly.¡± Zhou Xianming forced a smile, ¡°Yan Country is beset on all sides, fraught with crises. Protecting the people of Yan Country is the most crucial task at the moment; in this regard, Doctor An, you are much stronger than me.¡± The Ghost Swordsman An Jing, who doesn¡¯t know of him? The famed White-clothed Sword Immortal, countless Grandmasters had died by his hand. ¡°Hahaha.¡± An Jing laughed heartily and then waved his hand as he walked away. ¡°My lord¡­.¡± Tan Yun waved her hand, with words she couldn¡¯t bring herself to say. Zhou Xianming watched An Jing¡¯s retreating figure, his heart filled with fervor. He didn¡¯t know if life was sweet, but the bitterness was real; having experienced all that should be experienced¨Cand that which shouldn¡¯t¨Cthe outcomes in life were just two, to be ridiculed or to prove one¡¯s worth. ¡­¡­ Inside the Imperial Palace, Princess An Le¡¯s sleeping quarters. There was the sound of jade shattering, ¡®crackling¡¯ from within, while outside, several palace maids stood cautiously, fear flickering in their eyes. This was evidently not the first time, and they knew better than anyone how terrifying Zhao Xuening could be at this moment. Inside, Zhao Xuening kept picking up porcelain and furniture decorations, smashing them to the floor to vent her inner rage. She hated that An Jing had openly refused her. She hated even more that Tan Yun had added to her frustration! She also hated the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect whom she had never met before. How wonderful would it be if this woman disappeared from the world? About several dozen breaths later, she arrived at the dressing table, gasping for breath. After searching carefully, her brow furrowed, ¡°Where is my Purple Jade Hairpin?¡± A palace maid spoke softly, ¡°Princess, this servant is also not sure.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not sure?¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuening narrowed her eyes, a trace of coldness appearing, ¡°Do you not know that this Purple Jade Hairpin is my favorite hairpin!?¡± ¡°Ser¡­servant¡­¡± The palace maid turned pale upon hearing this. ¡°Smack!¡± Zhao Xuening slapped her fiercely, ¡°Did you steal it?¡± A bright red handprint immediately appeared on the palace maid¡¯s face as she knelt on the ground in terror, ¡°This servant really doesn¡¯t know, even if this servant had ten times the courage, she would not dare take the Princess¡¯s hairpin, please forgive me, Princess.¡± Zhao Xuening suddenly became anxious, ¡°Find it for me, if you can¡¯t find it I will take all of your lives.¡± The other palace maids trembled when they heard Zhao Xuening¡¯s words and quickly began to search. Watching the palace maids¡¯ distressed figures, the rage in Zhao Xuening¡¯s heart gradually dissipated. After about several dozen breaths, she waved to the maid she had slapped, saying, ¡°Xiaoyu, come here.¡± The maid named Xiaoyu¡¯s heart trembled, and she walked over cautiously. Zhao Xuening sighed, ¡°Your face is injured, go apply something to it. It wouldn¡¯t be good for others to see.¡± Xiaoyu quickly responded, ¡°This servant understands, but finding the Princess¡¯s hairpin is more important.¡± ¡°Nevermind.¡± Zhao Xuening waved her hand, ¡°Perhaps I put it somewhere and didn¡¯t realize. It might be found soon, no need to search further.¡± The other palace maids all breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. They understood their master¡¯s temper well; it seemed that Princess An Le had calmed down for now. At this moment, Zhao Xuening also clenched her fists, silently admonishing herself to control her emotions more tightly and not to easily reveal her joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness. Just then, an eunuch briskly walked in, saying, ¡°This servant pays respect to the Princess.¡± Zhao Xuening glanced at the newcomer, ¡°Eunuch Li, what is it?¡± Eunuch Li replied, ¡°The Empress said she hasn¡¯t seen you for a long time and would like to have a meal with you.¡± ¡°Tell Mother I will be there now.¡± Zhao Xuening took a deep breath and walked out of her bedchamber. ¡­¡­.. Yujing City, Wangjing Mountain. Zhao Mengtai now stood on the summit, surrounded by the fierce wind and snow, admiring the blood plum blossoms in the distance. Amid the brown branches, blood-red plum blossoms dotted the scenery like twinkling stars or countless red butterflies resting on the branches. From a distance, the tree full of red plum blossoms clustered in groups and clumps. Behind him were the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Yue Tingchen, and Mo Yan from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Since the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had been murdered, Mo Yan had taken full control of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, responsible for the intelligence under Zhao Mengtai¡¯s subordinates. ¡°Has the Crown Prince arrived yet?¡± Zhao Mengtai turned his head again towards the direction of the Imperial City, the position he longed for in his dreams, the place he was madly eager to sit in. Mo Yan replied, ¡°Your Highness, Zhao Chongyin set out five days ago with the Minister of Rites, and should have already reached the borders of Capital Road. It will take ten more days to enter the territory of Zhong Mountain.¡± ¡°What about the others?¡± ¡°The Sword Demon and Tianpeng Ancestor have also gone, and many masters from the Wind and Rain Tower and Great Snow Mountain have secretly arrived at East Lin Road. Countless swordsmen from all over have also moved upon hearing the news, heading to Zhong Mountain, including some reclusive swordsmen, among whom are several top swordsmen from the Fifth Realm. Warriors from Zhao Country, Houjin, and the Southern Barbarians seemingly have left their seclusion as well, but there are few grandmasters, as this happens right before the upheaval.¡± Now, because of the emergence of the Dulu Sword, many masters have traveled to this Zhong Mountain, some wanting to witness the elegance of the World¡¯s First Sword, while others wish to observe the top swordsmen in the world competing. And because this Sword Meeting of the Dulu Sword was spread before the year¡¯s end, the area around East Lin Road in Zhong Mountain is already bustling with people from Jianghu, making this scene as lively as the struggle between Buddha and Demon at the Heavenly Martial Sect. Especially with the rumor that the Sword Demon is still alive, Jianghu was abuzz with discussions and lively debates. After all, the previous first swordsman was the Ghost Swordsman, but now, with the meteoric emergence of the Sword Demon, the title of the World¡¯s First Swordsman was put into question. Everyone wanted to know whose Sword Dao was stronger between the Sword Demon and the Ghost Swordsman. In everyone¡¯s eyes, the swordsman who now wields the World¡¯s First Sword at this Dulu Sword Meeting has firmly secured the title of the World¡¯s First Swordsman. ¡°It really is lively, what a pity I cannot witness this spectacular scene.¡± A cold sneer appeared on Zhao Mengtai¡¯s lips. He very much wanted to go to Zhong Mountain, but he knew there were more important matters waiting for him to attend to. Once the event at Zhong Mountain concludes, it will surely reach Yujing City. By then, his father, the Emperor, will surely be furious, and he will need to face the Great Yan Emperor, the most powerful man in Great Yan today. Yue Tingchen added, ¡°Yujing City still needs the Second Prince to hold fort.¡± Zhao Mengtai laughed heartily, ¡°After the Zhong Mountain Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony, it will be the perfect time for my ascension to the throne. I naturally won¡¯t leave.¡± A glint appeared in Mo Yan¡¯s eyes, and his voice grew slightly excited, ¡°Second Prince, your plan is flawless, and success is assured.¡± ¡°As long as Lv Guoyong does not make a move.¡± Zhao Mengtai squatted in the snow, scooping up a handful, and said, ¡°The Emperor suffered severe damage while breaking through to the Great Grandmaster level; his strength barely one-tenth of what it was. Bai Mei, the eunuch, is a key defender of the palace and is not allowed to move against the Yan Royal Family, and out of the three defensive forces of Yujing City, I control two¡­ ¡± Lv Guoyong was the only existence he was worried about. This old man, who had been in power for sixty years, not only had extensive connections but also had an immense amount of Cultivation in the Literary Palace. Li Fuzhou shattered the Literary Palace and directly ascended from One Qi to Second Qi. How much Cultivation could this lifelong scholar have in his Literary Palace? Zhao Mengtai shaped the snow in his hand into a ball and smiled faintly, ¡°However, I have already got a hint from that old man; he will not partake in these matters.¡± Saying so, Zhao Mengtai threw the snowball towards the Imperial Palace, but it fell to the ground halfway there. Mo Yan thought of something and said, ¡°It is heard that the Ghost Swordsman is also heading to the Dulu Sword Meeting. This person came from the Demon Sect, breaking the covenant¡­¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhao Mengtai replied indifferently, ¡°If he dares to obstruct my great cause, then let¡¯s kill them all.¡± Upon hearing this, a chill flashed in Mo Yan¡¯s eyes. Zhao Mengtai exhaled a breath of white air, looking into the distance and softly said, ¡°The dawn of heaven and earth, the rebirth of sun and moon, all is set for tomorrow.¡± ¡­.. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 285 - Chapter 285: Chapter 285: Sword Array Renowned in All Directions Chapter 285: Chapter 285: Sword Array Renowned in All Directions Hao Tian was known as the Sword Demon, but in this world, not many dared to call him by his name outright. Especially when the one who did so was such a young person. Dressed in flowing white robes, his sleeves flapping in the fierce wind, he was incredibly handsome, particularly his striking eyes which, once seen, were hard to forget. Soon after, the crowd noticed the ancient longsword in the hands of the young man in white. The Evil Suppressing Sword! At the sight of the ancient longsword, everyone knew they had guessed correctly. It was the Ghost Swordsman! He had finally appeared! That ancient longsword did not exude a shocking aura; it seemed like an ordinary longsword held in a slender yet powerful hand. All this seemed mundane, yet the martial artists present felt a chill running through them. The Ghost Swordsman was an extremely complex character in the Jianghu. His reputation truly shook when he killed the Grandmaster of the Zhenyi Sect on Xuanqing Mountain. At that time, people in the Jianghu only saw him as a unique, rebellious swordsman. Latter, the Ghost Swordsman rescued Princess An Ning, killed Qi Shu, and purged the Demon Sect; during that time his reputation peaked, and countless swordsmen held him in high esteem and admiration. But it all vanished like smoke at Dongluo Pass, with the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s supposed death. Everyone lamented the loss of such an extraordinary swordsman at Dongluo Pass. However, the Ghost Swordsman soon reappeared as a tributor of the Demon Sect. Not only that, he fought against the Exalted Vajra of the Buddhist sect above Heavenly Martial Sect, and the emergence of the White-clothed Sword Immortal made all swordsmen in the world fade in comparison. Many were furious when the Ghost Swordsman joined the Demon Sect, disappointed that such a top-notch swordsman would willingly ally with the Demon Sect and become their lackey. Then came the battle at Blue Sky Island, but due to almost total annihilation, very few knew about it. Now, as the Demon Sect retreated to Yan Country, the Ghost Swordsman had naturally followed to Yan Country. In short, the Ghost Swordsman even to this day remains a highly controversial figure. Some believe that with his exceptional talent, he would inevitably stand at the pinnacle of the world, possibly even reaching the Great Grandmaster realm. Others, disillusioned by his alignment with the Demon Sect, feel respect, admiration, ridicule, and scorn¡­.. But isn¡¯t that what people are like? In the eyes of others, everyone has hundreds of faces. The Sword Demon paused his steps, gazing at the Sword Qi beneath him that hadn¡¯t dissipated yet, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes as he turned to look at the young man in white. The Sword Demon did not speak. He merely watched the young man in white silently. Both faced each other, each holding a sword, one of which was still stained with blood. All around were blazing flames, and behind the Sword Demon, in a giant cauldron, was placed the World¡¯s First Sword. At that moment, the cauldron seemed to be hoisted ever higher, as if reaching the sky itself, and the Dulu Sword was the sword of the heavens. The Sword Demon chuckled lightly, ¡°I thought you were afraid.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Afraid of whom?¡± The Sword Demon glanced at An Jing and replied, ¡°Afraid of the Blood Tears Sword in my hand.¡± An Jing remarked, ¡°That¡¯s not a very funny joke.¡± The Sword Demon looked at the Blood Tears Sword in his hand and said, ¡°A sword has only one purpose: to kill. If it¡¯s not used for killing, it has no meaning whatsoever.¡± An Jing coolly replied, ¡°You¡¯re mistaken.¡± The Sword Demon looked toward An Jing, as if waiting for his words. An Jing declared, ¡°A truly fearsome swordsman isn¡¯t known for the sword in his hand, but for being the swordsman himself.¡± The Sword Demon paused, then said pensively, ¡°You¡¯re right, the most fearsome sword in the world is the swordsman himself. What in the world is more terrifying than the human heart?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Exactly, there¡¯s nothing more terrifying than the human heart.¡± The two top swordsmen of the age seemed to have reached an agreement. A person who can speak not only remembers what others have said but also says things that others will remember. Zhao Chongyin watched the two of them, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, then he waved his robe and sat down. He was curious today¨Cout of these two swordsmen, who was stronger? It wasn¡¯t only him; the Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry Yue Tingchen, the Great Commander of Xuanyi Guard Xu Qianyue, the Valley Master from Youfeng Valley, and the Sect Leader Jia Shiwu from the Four Symbols Sect, along with many other martial arts experts, were also very curious. And among the most shocked were indeed Jia Meixian and Yang Chong. At that moment, they were looking at his handsome expression, and couldn¡¯t imagine that the person they had once saved was now the famous Ghost Swordsman, a top expert under the heavens, whose strength was even far above that of the Sect Leader, Jia Shiwu. Yang Chong¡¯s face was somewhat pale as he said, ¡°Junior sister, is this true?¡± Jia Meixian murmured, ¡°It¡­ It should be true.¡± Her mind was somewhat blank, and it took a long time before she came to her senses. All eyes were now focused on the two of them. The two undoubtedly top swordsmen in the world today, one a top swordsman who had stirred an era, and the other one of the most talented swordsmen from ancient times to the present. Youth and twilight. The Ghost Swordsman and the Sword Demon. The Evil Suppressing Sword and the Blood Tears Sword. The eyes of the two top swordsmen met, and although they did not speak, everyone could feel the burgeoning momentum between them. It was like the eve of a volcanic eruption, oppressing the hearts of all present. The Sword Demon¡¯s hands were dry and wrinkled, aged like tree roots. No one knew how many masters had died under these hands, or how much blood the Blood Tears Sword had drunk. But it was certain that it was far more than the young man opposite him. The next moment, his cloudy eyes suddenly became sharp, like two incisive swords. Even being gazed at by these eyes was a tremendous pressure. Yet opposite, An Jing¡¯s eyes were soft like the sea, capable of melting any sharp sword within them. The Sword Demon said faintly, ¡°Thirty years ago, I had reached the Sixth Realm, where there is no sword in hand, nor sword in heart.¡± As the Sword Demon¡¯s voice fell, his Blood Tears Sword seemed almost invisible, as if it had vanished. In the minds of ordinary people, they could not understand how one could be a swordsman with no sword in hand, nor sword in heart. But in the eyes of true masters, this was already the peak of unity between man and sword. The next step, then, was the realm of the true immortals and Buddhists, no longer of human existence. The Sword Demon continued, ¡°Three years ago, I began to gradually forget the sword in my hands.¡± An Jing¡¯s pupils contracted slightly. Others might not understand, but he did. Seventh Realm of Sword Dao, Unity of Man and Sword, forgetting both the sword and the self. The Sword Demon had not yet reached this realm, but was gradually approaching it. An Jing said, ¡°Impressive.¡± The Sword Demon sighed, ¡°But, there are not many left in this world worthy of my drawing the sword with all my might.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Indeed, not many.¡± Those present exchanged glances, then slowly began to retreat to the back. The Sword Demon looked at the sword in An Jing¡¯s hand, ¡°And you are one of the few in this world.¡± An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword shimmered brilliant under the sunlight, ¡°My sword is in my hand, as well as in my heart.¡± The Sword Demon¡¯s sword became less noticeable, yet his sword became even more eye-catching. The Sword Demon¡¯s heart also shook! Sixth Realm, no sword in hand, no sword in heart. Yet the present Ghost Swordsman had found the sword in his hand again, found the sword in his heart again. It looked like a fall in the Sword Dao realm, but only truly great masters knew what was happening. The two swordsmen, though still standing quietly, seemed already to have entered a situation of life and death, with life and death merely a matter of breathing away. Although everyone had already retreated into a corner, they could still feel that terrifying murderous aura. Every heart was contracting violently! Even the blood in everyone¡¯s bodies was boiling! An Jing and the Sword Demon were still confronting each other, neither speaking nor making any movement in their hands. Everyone could only hear the sound of their own heartbeats, only feel cold sweat thickly emerging from their pores, flowing over their skin. Because everyone knew, that once either of the two top swordsmen made a move, it would certainly be an earth-shattering presence. A decisive battle could erupt at any moment, every second was filled with potential for explosion. Perhaps in the next breath, the next blink of an eye. Today, one of the two top swordsmen was bound to fall. But who would that fallen person be? The next moment. An Jing¡¯s sword skill swept forward first, the sword skill of the Sixth Realm of the Immortal Sword, which even the Sword Immortal of the Human Dao Sword from Lou Xiangzhen had once remarked on as terrifying and formidable. The Sword Demon¡¯s spine remained erect, a fierce sword skill that broke through the heavens surged upward, colliding with An Jing¡¯s sword skill. The merging of their powers was silent yet seemed to solidify into something tangible, spreading in all directions. Ah! Those nearby, their heads splitting with pain, rolled and scrambled backwards to flee from the assault of the sword skills. ¡°Retreat fast, this is the clash of the Sixth Realm sword skill,¡± Xu Qianyue shouted. The Sword Demon, unmoving like a mountain, then released a dark light from his Blood Tears Sword that swept out like a layer of icy flow. Boom! The surging and overwhelming aura pressed towards An Jing like mountains, as if heaven and earth paused, and everyone¡¯s expressions subtly changed, their breathing halted. In the blink of an eye, the Sword Demon¡¯s figure vanished. Where is he!? All the experts present were greatly shocked, with the Sword Demon¡¯s form disappearing without a trace in just the blink of an eye. When everyone regained their senses, the Sword Demon had already appeared in front of An Jing, his Blood Tears Sword raising forward. ¡°Shick!¡± An invisible cold sword radiance grazed An Jing¡¯s neck, carving a nearly several meters long crack on the ground. As for why it didn¡¯t hit, it wasn¡¯t because the Sword Demon had shown mercy, but because An Jing, at the critical moment, had tilted his head, narrowly and dangerously avoiding the attack. An Jing charged towards the Sword Demon, swinging the Evil Suppressing Sword to its limit, blocking another and another attack from the Blood Tears Sword. Not only that, although An Jing was in the midst of the adverse current, his counterattacks made even the current stagnate, holding his own. Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding¡­ The ear-piercing clash of metal rang out in all directions, painfully stabbing at everyone¡¯s eardrums. Because of their incredible speed and rapid sword strokes, their figures did not vanish but instead created a very bizarre scene. On top of Zhong Mountain, there were images of them everywhere. From ten, they multiplied to twenty, twenty to forty, forty to eighty, over a hundred An Jings and over a hundred Sword Demons contending, each in different postures¨Csome crossing swords, some pursuing each other, some competing in sword skill delicacy, and others dueling through the air with explosive Qi Force. All around, from a distance, the spectators were stunned, dumbfounded. If not for seeing it with their own eyes, they would never believe that someone could bring swordsmanship to such an absurd level, and not just one, but two. The Sword Demon¡¯s strength was beyond their imagination. An Jing¡¯s strength also shocked them once again. Ghost Swordsman battles the Sword Demon! This was a fight between Sixth Realm swordsmen, a rare contest to witness in this world. When the Evil Suppressing Sword and the Blood Tears Sword crossed, they sparked an unbearably sharp clash of metal, throwing their bodies to opposite sides. An Jing flicked his wrist, and the Evil Suppressing Sword also started to turn, slicing upward from below, the sword light blazing intensely. So fast! This sword was not only fast but also contained an astonishing biting coldness. With the Evil Suppressing Sword ranked as the third famed sword, at this moment under the impact of the sword skill, it was executed to its utmost limit. The moment this biting coldness surged, many people broke out in a cold sweat. The Sword Demon hastily waved his Blood Tears Sword, forming a dense sword Qi light shield around him. ¡°Thump! Thump!¡± The collision of sword lights caused the hard ground to start collapsing and cracking, and even the mountains affected by the sword Qi showed signs of splitting, while the Sword Demon himself, caught off guard, took three steps back before finally dissipating the impact of the sword light. With a wave of his hand, the Sword Demon glanced at his left shoulder, where his clothing had been shorn away, and tiny fragments of brocade fluttered in front of him. ¡°The Sword Dao of the Ghost Swordsman is truly terrifying.¡± Su Lao narrowed his eyes slightly when he saw this scene. Somehow, from the chill air, he felt a hint of unease. In the competition of swordsmanship, the Ghost Swordsman held a slight advantage¨Cthis was the advantage of skill. But Su Lao still did not favor the Ghost Swordsman because the Sword Demon had yet to wield his mastery of the Dao. The World¡¯s First Swordsman was not only about competing in swordsmanship but also about true strength. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s face showed no change¨Cseeming to not hear Su Lao¡¯s muttering¨Cas his eyes calmly watched the competition between the two great swordsmen. The Sword Demon leaped forward, raising his arm, and the Blood Tears Sword released streams of crimson light. The air in front of him was immediately swept away, and sword lights of true qi burst out like a storm, scattering wildly without any regularity. Clang clang clang! The sound of metal bursting echoed as An Jing struck down the sword lights in front of him, one after another. Due to the incredibly fast speed of his sword, it seemed like he made three or four strokes; in fact, he had made at least thirty-seven strikes, each cutting through a straight line of Sword Demon¡¯s sword light completely. The ground beneath his feet shook, and the altar seemed loose. With the air above Zhong Mountain filled with a myriad of killing intents and icy chills, the Sword Demon stepped forward. With this step, more blood-colored sword qi formed, revolving madly around a central point to create a horizontal tornado made of blood-colored sword light. The front of the tornado was cone-shaped, fiercely charging towards An Jing. Supreme Sword Scripture! Wind Meteor! The tornado of black sword light caused the scalp of countless experts to tingle. The sword technique from the ¡°Supreme Sword Scripture¡± was self-created. Before creating this technique, he had learned hundreds of sword techniques, regardless of their grades, and cultivated each to a state of perfection. Eventually, he gained insights from numerous swordsmanship practices and created the famous ¡°Supreme Sword Scripture¡± in the Jianghu. Together with his Heavenly Dao Sword, there are few rivals under the heavens. It was for this reason that he had once become one of the most formidable swordsmen in the world. Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind Unstoppable! An Jing held the Evil Suppressing Sword in both hands, driving out the sharpest blade of wind with the Evil Suppression Sword Dao. As he swung the sword, it seemed like the heavens and earth were split open, a streak of blue sword light, sharp and cold, pulling at everyone¡¯s divine soul. Rustle rustle! The black storm and the blue sword light collided directly without any gap, creating surges of waves that rolled towards the surrounding area. The two men clashed violently with this move then both retreated backwards simultaneously. No one won! It was an even match! An Jing steadied his steps. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± activated within him, continuously drawing the surrounding true qi into his Dantian. The Sword Demon gripped the handle of the Blood Tears Sword tightly; blood flowed from the handle to the tip and then retracted. As a magnificent sword qi emerged from one side of the blade, a sharp aura emerged, like a black long river, and then fiercely slashed towards An Jing. One move followed by another, ceaselessly, without giving An Jing any chance to catch his breath. Supreme Sword Scripture! Torrent! The black long river constantly shifted mid-air, resembling a black avalanche falling from the sky, an endless black torrent rushing forward. The Sword Demon¡¯s mastery in Sword Dao was among the top in the world, enhanced by his status as a Four Qi Grandmaster. With one of the world¡¯s top ten famous swords, the Blood Tears Sword, his attacks seemed sharp enough to tear everything apart. The endless black torrent almost enveloped the dark sky, leaving only its black light in everyone¡¯s pupils. Too terrifying! Many people gasped in cold air; this was the first time they had seen a top Grandmaster exerting full force. An Jing stepped forward, the azure green sword light in his hand seeming to emit a vast expanse of chill radiance, his white garment fluttering wildly in the ferocious wind. The Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand turned a crimson red, shimmering with a bloody light, countless sword radiance rotating around the sword body. An Jing¡¯s expression turned solemn; the strength and cultivation displayed by the Sword Demon were now not inferior to You Gai; in fact, the deterrence was even greater than that of You Gai. After all, when he had dueled with You Gai, You Gai had no killing intent in his heart, so his moves did not give a deep chill in the heart. But now it was different with the Sword Demon. His Blood Tears Sword was not only icy cold but also carried a killing intent that aimed to claim lives. This was indeed the most terrifying existence. Sword Control Technique! An Jing slapped his Evil Suppressing Sword, and six paths of sword light roared forth, meeting the surging black wave head-on. The Sword Demon¡¯s lips revealed a hint of cold smile. He waved his sleeves forward. The temperature between heaven and earth suddenly changed. The menacing wave that was still advancing, inch by inch, was gradually being frozen, including the Evil Suppressing Sword in the center and the ground around the Sword Demon. Crack! Crack! This scene was spectacular. The Sword Light of the Evil Suppressing Sword also burst forth with a blazing Sword Radiance, resolutely meeting the icy tidal wave. Blazing heat and cold ice! The moment they collided, a sound as loud as a mountain cry and sea roar erupted, reflecting countless strands of bizarre sword light that pierced the soul. A golden Buddhist radiance shone upon the world, and An Jing, in order to resist the incoming Qi force, directly used the ¡°Brahma Heart Sees Me,¡± a body-refining martial art. In the next instant, a white light also emerged. The Sword Demon¡¯s body surface flickered with white radiance, and then a vast and vague shadow appeared behind him, his imposing aura sweeping outwards, dissipating all the incoming Qi forces. ¡°Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique!?¡± Upon seeing this, Zuo Biwen immediately exclaimed in shock. ¡°What!? Is this the body-refining martial arts of Great Snow Mountain!?¡± ¡°Could it be the Sword Demon is a master from Great Snow Mountain!?¡± ¡°The Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique, this is indeed the foremost body-refining martial arts in the world.¡± ¡­¡­ Voices of discussion resounded among the crowd, everyone was stunned by the martial arts displayed by the Sword Demon. Because the martial arts displayed by the Sword Demon, Hao Tian, was not from Yan Country but the forbidden techniques of Great Snow Mountain of current Houjin. Zhao Chongyin suddenly realized in his heart, ¡°So it is Great Snow Mountain.¡± Originally, he was curious as to why the Sword Demon wanted to obstruct the Ghost Swordsman in Yujing City, and now he finally understood. After all, Zhao Mengtai had ardently wished to win over the Demon Sect, how could he possibly send someone to obstruct a swordsman from the Demon Sect, which he could never understand inside. The Sword Demon is indeed a person from Great Snow Mountain, and the reason for killing Zongzheng Yuan becomes clear after a careful thought, who benefits the most from Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s death. Apart from Zhao Country, it would be those competing with Zongzheng Yuan for leadership. And Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s greatest rival was none other than Zongzheng Yue. Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s death removed Zongzheng Yue¡¯s competition, and he could even directly launch an attack on Yan Country, killing two birds with one stone. The only miscalculation for Zongzheng Yue was the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Beihuang Dao, which also led to heavy losses for the Soul Seeker Mansion due to several maneuvers against the Demon Sect. Otherwise, Zongzheng Yue¡¯s plan could be considered perfect. ¡°This woman too is a decisive and ruthless character.¡± Thinking of this, Zhao Chongyin couldn¡¯t help but mutter to himself. The Minister of Rites, Zhu Yongfang, frowned deeply and said, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman cannot lose to the Sword Demon.¡± If the Sword Demon is a master from Great Snow Mountain, then they absolutely cannot allow him to claim the title of the World¡¯s First Swordsman, a title that has always belonged to Yan Country since ancient times. Not just Zhu Yongfang thought this way, all the martial arts masters from Great Yan Martial World present became righteously indignant and began to shout loudly. They all hoped that the Ghost Swordsman would overcome the Sword Demon, upholding the prestige of Yang Yan Country. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised, his face revealing an utmost gravity; he hadn¡¯t expected this world-famous swordsmanship expert to also have mastered the top martial arts of Great Snow Mountain. Without some relation to Great Snow Mountain, it was clearly impossible. A swordsman with the Sixth Realm of the Heavenly Dao Sword, a peak Four Qi cultivation, plus the forbidden techniques of Great Snow Mountain, the Blood Tears Sword in hand¡­ all these factors made the Sword Demon before him immensely powerful. In the past, An Jing had always relied on superior techniques to overcome his opponents, thereby compensating for his disadvantage in the Dao and winning, but today, although he also had an advantage in technique, this advantage was hard to compensate for his lack in the Dao. Surrounded by white mist, the Blood Tears Sword in the hands of the Sword Demon glowed with a brilliant red light, exerting an extreme sense of oppression. This swordsman, who had once slain countless experts, now fully displayed his fangs and towering presence to the world. This battle was bound to be even more brutal than the previous ones! Boom! The dazzling light of the Evil Suppressing Sword shattered the sky, carrying with it the massive sword radiance, swiftly striking towards the Sword Demon standing in mid-air amidst many astonished gazes, as fast as thunder. Under the sword radiance, even the air seemed to twist. However, facing An Jing¡¯s full-force attack, the Sword Demon¡¯s face remained largely unperturbed, only lifting the Blood Tears Sword lightly in his hand, glowing with a red blood light, then gently raising it, and in a flash, a sinister look flashed through his eyes. Whoosh! All one could see was a black spectral light tearing the sky, followed by a clear metallic sound echoing. The relentless sword radiance suddenly solidified at that moment, the massive force it contained seemingly completely neutralized. Countless gazes turned towards the sky, after the collision of sword tip and sword radiance, the Sword Demon remained motionless, even his expression unchanged. Experts of the martial arts world watched in secret awe; the strength of the Sword Demon was indeed too formidable. Boom! The Evil Suppressing Sword, carrying a terrifying force, continuously swung out, but no matter how fierce the Evil Suppressing Sword was, it always failed to shake the Blood Tears Sword in the hands of the Sword Demon. In the exchange between the two, An Jing appeared to be in a ferocious offensive stance, but it was apparent to everyone that he was at a disadvantage. However, An Jing was not worried. As a swordsman, he needed to remain calm at all times. Under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, amidst the raging True Qi, An Jing and the Sword Demon stood facing each other from afar. The latter, with an indifferent look and vast True Qi swirling around him, stared at the distant An Jing and muttered, ¡°So far, under my full force, only two people have survived.¡± The Sword Demon¡¯s lips moved, as if an ancient voice was transmitting invisibly. That voice, as if coming from the netherworld, carried endless chill, causing the temperature around to suddenly drop, mixed with the cold wind. Whish! Whish! An extremely powerful Qi Mechanism surged out, instantly filling the entire world. Boom! Boom! The Qi Mechanism around the Sword Demon gradually solidified, forming a gigantic blood-red sword amidst white smoke. This was the sword body formed by the Sword Demon embedding his Sword Dao and the Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique. The Sword Demon indifferently locked onto An Jing, his body¡¯s True Qi pumped into his arms, and he slashed at An Jing with a whoosh, unleashing a heaven-covering wave of True Qi. Simultaneously, the Blood Tears Sword also contained endless chill, sweeping across the world. Immediately afterward, a surge of rolling True Qi swept away from the air. Everyone¡¯s scalp tingled as they watched the True Qi streaking across the sky; that originally colorless True Qi was now flickering with black radiance. The black True Qi swept across, seemingly merging and cutting through anything in its path, eventually splitting it in two. ¡°What martial arts is this!?¡± ¡°Is this the Sword Demon¡¯s ultimate move?¡± ¡­¡­. In the world, there were not a few well-informed martial arts masters, who immediately began whispering in shock, seemingly astonished by the Sword Demon¡¯s moves. After the shock, people couldn¡¯t help but worry. Under such an attack from the Sword Demon, could the Ghost Swordsman really win? Master Su shook his head, saying, ¡°Your Highness, the Crown Prince, this Ghost Swordsman is going to lose.¡± ¡°I know, there¡¯s no need to rush.¡± Zhao Chongyin remained calm; whether An Jing won or lost, it would not affect his plans. Under the gazes of everyone in the world, An Jing, holding the Evil Suppressing Sword, did not panic; on the contrary, he was very calm, calmer than ever before. He raised the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, and a horrifying wave of Sword Qi came shaking through. Boom! Boom! With An Jing as the center, the surging True Qi was almost exploding, wildly vibrating toward the distance. At the same time, an ancient, profound breath also descended upon this part of the world. Selfless Dao! This was one of the two sword techniques An Jing had created. As the Evil Suppressing Sword vibrated, a sharp, unparalleled Sword Radiance burst forth, growing larger and larger, seemingly about to suppress the entire Zhong Mountain under its sword light. Sword Moves Mountains and Rivers! Countless martial arts masters watched this scene with trembling spirits, feeling an unusual fluctuation spreading, making their hearts tremble slightly for reasons unknown. In that sword light, it seemed as if an apocalyptic Qi Mechanism was brewing. The sky darkened, and even the air trembled at this moment, but An Jing¡¯s eyes became even sharper. Only then did the gloomy world completely darken, with only that path of sword light heading forward. Then, everyone saw that the radiance burst forth like a volcano. The black radiance did not carry an earth-shattering force, yet as it sliced through the air, everyone seemed to hear a crackling sound. Where the sword light swept through, it seemed as if all life was being obliterated, this dominance sending chills deep into everyone¡¯s heart. The Sword Demon, originally calm, also showed a hint of disbelief at this moment. Could An Jing really execute such a terrifying Sword Dao? As a top swordsman, the Sword Demon knew he must concentrate and calm his mind at this moment. Even if he were to die, his heart must remain swallowed within. At that moment, the Sword Demon directly funneled the scant remnants of his True Qi into his arms. Huge Sword Qi surged from within him, covering heaven and earth as it fiercely rolled towards An Jing. Boom! At the moment of collision, brilliant light soared into the sky, turning the initially dim sky dazzlingly bright in an instant, forcing countless people to squint involitively. Then followed a violent, volcano-like surge of True Qi blastwaves erupting crazily, causing ripples to spread over the entirety of Zhong Mountain. ¡°Quick, protect His Highness the Crown Prince!¡± Xu Qianyue urgently shouted. Everyone atop Zhong Mountain gathered their Inner Strength or True Qi, holding it in front of themselves to fend off the incoming surge of True Qi. The platform releasing the fireworks directly turned to dust, and then the great wave rushed towards the Giant Cauldron. The next moment, even more surging Sword Qi emerged from within the cauldron. The Sword Qi of the Dulu Sword! The Sword Qi of the world¡¯s foremost sword! ¡°Hiss!¡± That piercingly cold wave sliced through all the True Qi waves and then vanished. The terrifying shockwaves ravaged the area, and the blinding light gradually weakened. At the same time, all eyes almost instinctively turned to look at the sky. They were all anxious to know, after such a horrifying collision, who would be the last one standing? Was the Ghost Swordsman more formidable, or was the Sword Demon even more fearsome? The light in the sky completely dissipated, and the scene on Zhong Mountain became clear. As that scene unfolded, countless gasps of cold air reverberated continuously. A gigantic golden silhouette spiraled within the light, its Force Qi bursting out vigorously, ravaging the heavens and earth. Within that golden silhouette, a figure in white appeared before everyone¡¯s eyes. That figure in white had an extremely pale face, with fresh blood seeping from his mouth, yet his eyes were exceptionally bright. That was An Jing! Whoosh! A sound of disbelief erupted like a volcano, leaving countless onlookers staring agape in shock. An Jing had actually managed to block that fatal strike from the Sword Demon! Sprinkles of light gently fell from the sky, yet the whole world seemed engulfed in silence, everyone staring blankly ahead with their eyes wide open. In their gazes, thick shock and disbelief filled the air¨Cit was an outcome many had not anticipated. That was the Sword Demon! Once a top-level master who had scorned the world, and his current strength must have been even more terrifying than before. His full-powered strike, the Ghost Swordsman had truly withstood it. All eyes lingered dumbfounded on the white-robed figure in the sky. After a prolonged silence, it was finally shattered by sudden exclamations. Jia Shiwu whispered, ¡°Ghost Swordsman, could he really become the world¡¯s top swordsman now?¡± Zuo Biwen exclaimed, ¡°The world¡¯s top swordsman at just over twenty years old, how terrifying is that?¡± It was unimaginable that someone just over twenty years old could become the top master in the world, a rarity in all of history. And those who did not die all eventually reached the Grandmaster Realm without exception. Xu Qianyue took a deep breath, saying, ¡°Whether he¡¯s the best yet remains to be seen.¡± The duel between the two did not end with this move. At that moment, the Sword Demon continued his assault. The terrifying Sword Shadows enveloped An Jing, clearly aiming to crush him. An Jing, with nowhere to escape, bravely met the attack holding the Evil Suppressing Sword. Clang! The terrifying sound of metal clashed through heaven and earth. An Jing¡¯s feet scraped against the ground as he staggered back. Before he could regain his balance, the Sword Demon, wielding the Blood Tears Sword, charged at him again. Boom! A great Sword Light swirled through the heavens and earth, reflected in An Jing¡¯s pupils. An Jing felt a chill down his spine, his body tingling with a cold dread. Above the vast sky, a huge blood sword surged forward, its figure filling An Jing¡¯s vision, carrying an unbearably cruel and fierce aura in his heart¡¯s depths. Even An Jing trembled at the sight of the immense sword approaching. Supreme Sword Scripture! Annihilation! The Sword Demon along with the Blood Tears Sword and the massive blood sword behind him seemed to merge into one, the giant sword assail furiously, suffused with incessant blood essence and sword qi. This was the last move of the Supreme Sword Scripture, also a technique Hao Tian had only comprehended a year ago, originally meant for a past adversary. A ferocious qi swept across, echoing continuously, as everyone looked up in awe at the Sword Demon soaring into the sky. The Sword Demon¡¯s eyes, cold and aloof, were supremely domineering. He pointed the Blood Tears Sword towards An Jing. This single sword seemed to be capable of splitting Heaven and Earth! Boom! Behind him, the qi mechanism also shockingly shuddered along with the Sword Demon¡¯s pointing, like a vast and boundless river surge. An Jing¡¯s true qi madly infused into the Evil Suppressing Sword. The Evil Suppressing Sword transformed into six towering swords, spreading out and forming an ancient and simple formation, slashing towards the dark qi mechanism ahead. The ancient sword formation was profound and awe-inspiring. Whoosh! Under the watchful eyes of many, the blood-colored giant sword and that sword formation streaked across the sky, then with a scalp-numbing force, fiercely crashed into each other. Boom! At the moment of impact, it seemed as though heaven and earth themselves trembled, even the ground below vibrated, earnestly with cracks quietly spreading across it. Dazzling bright light, carrying fierce true qi fluctuations, raged from the sky, bringing with it a roaring sound. Countless eyes, despite the sting, stared fixedly at that fierce collision, where the violent qi fluctuations raged. Boom! Boom! Boom! The blood-colored giant sword relentlessly crashed, seemingly trying to completely shatter the sword formation ahead. Under the savage attacks from the blood-colored giant sword, the radiance of the sword formation dimmed and quickly extinguished. An Jing clenched his teeth until they bled, but he knew he couldn¡¯t retreat. Retreating even a step would likely mean being annihilated by the blood-colored giant sword. Everyone held their breath, aware that this strike would determine the winner. Boom! Boom! Watching the relentless collisions between the giant sword and the sword formation, the air exploded under the impact, even causing the ground below to collapse. Boom! Under the gazes of many, the blood-colored giant sword heavily fell, crashing fiercely upon An Jing¡¯s body, completely engulfing him. Billowing dust soared into the air, obscuring all sight. At that moment, the world gradually quieted down. Dust swirled and qi waves rolled away. Zhao Chongyin, Jia Shiwu, Zuo Biwen, Xu Qianyue, and all others looked towards the front. Distant experts also leaped up, eager to discern the outcome of this great battle. And under the unwavering gaze of the crowd, as the dust gradually cleared, a huge depression appeared, within which the rampaging fierce true qi also receded. The situation there finally became clear. All eyes instantly converged there, and soon, the atmosphere was filled with suppressed exclamations of shock spreading quietly. An Jing stood amidst the ruins, his palm holding the Evil Suppressing Sword, his clothes torn, his hair flying in the strong wind, his surrounding aura somewhat weak. Ghost Swordsman! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Everyone hurriedly looked towards the other side, their hearts seizing up, overwhelmed by shock. Sword Demon Hao Tian had turned into a bloodied figure. This time, the Blood Tears Sword was still covered in fresh blood, but it was his own. ¡­¡­. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 286 - Chapter 286: Chapter 286: The Changing Winds and Clouds Atop Zhong Mountain Chapter 286: Chapter 286: The Changing Winds and Clouds Atop Zhong Mountain Atop Zhong Mountain, countless gazes converged as if time itself had come to a standstill at this moment. An Jing¡¯s palm continued to tremble incessantly, the remaining ripples of the powerful force had not yet dissipated, and his arm was somewhat numb. How formidable was the Sword Demon¡¯s strength? The Sixth Realm¡¯s sword skill combined with the Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique, as well as the peak Four Qi Grandmaster¡¯s cultivation. Among the Four Qi Grandmasters in the world today, his strength could definitely rank in the top three. Unless a Five Qi Grandmaster intervened, it would be nearly impossible to kill this top swordsman. An Jing showed no mercy, nor would he hold back, and neither would the Sword Demon. The conflicts between swordsmen never involved sparing the opponent; the moment a sword was drawn, it was a matter of exerting full strength and disregarding life and death. It was precisely because there was no holding back and both sides went all out that this battle was so terrifying and astonishing. As both men fell silent, this peak duel also reached its conclusion in this very moment. The Sword Demon lowered his head to look at the enchanting and ferocious Blood Tears Sword in his hand, his mind still replaying the instant when the six sword lights had struck, leaving him blank. He had lost! The sword array formed by those six sword lights shredded the giant sword formed by the Blood Tears Sword and even penetrated his Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique. If not for the Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique, he might now be nothing more than a corpse. The Sword Demon looked up at the sky and slowly closed his eyes. After all, the title of the world¡¯s first sword was not destined for him. Even his stubbornness today had not earned him this empty title. Immediately, discussions erupted like a tidal wave, completely engulfing Zhong Mountain. ¡°So strong! Is this the swordsmanship of the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡°The Sword Demon has lost!¡± ¡°The Ghost Swordsman won, which is far better than if that Houjin¡¯s Sword Demon had won.¡± ¡°The top swordsman of the older generation has been defeated by the newer generation.¡± ¡°For the next fifty years in Jianghu, it¡¯s unlikely that anyone will be qualified to challenge the Ghost Swordsman again.¡± ¡­.. Everyone spoke with a hint of amazement, their eyes firmly fixed on the young man clad in white, holding a sword. Zuo Biwen clenched his fists tightly, excitedly saying, ¡°We won, we really won.¡± He had initially thought the Ghost Swordsman to be slightly inferior to the Sword Demon, only to witness the Ghost Swordsman turn the tables in an instant with the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s sword array. In a narrower sense, it was a struggle for the title of world¡¯s number one swordsman; in a broader sense, it was even a contest between two countries. The Ghost Swordsman, representing Yan Country, had undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to the Sword Demon representing Houjin today¨Chow could it not be exhilarating? ¡°Such a terrifying Evil Suppressing Sword, such a terrifying Ghost Swordsman.¡± Jia Shiwu murmured inwardly. Now the Ghost Swordsman was already terrifying, but how much more so would he be if he obtained the Dulu Sword? The world¡¯s number one sword partnered with the world¡¯s number one swordsman. Old Master Su also remarked with a sigh, ¡°I¡¯ve underestimated him, this Ghost Swordsman is truly a once-in-a-lifetime genius to be able to use the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s feature of releasing six swords from one scabbard to form this sword array.¡± The difficulty of the sword array is such that throughout history, it has typically required multiple people to form an array, the notion of a single person doing it is both unimaginable and incredible. Zhao Chongyin spoke softly, ¡°The more it is so, the more it makes one uneasy.¡± Those in power always feel unease towards beings they cannot control, even if the Zhenyi Sect had the power to ascend dragons, it was still suspected by the Human Emperor, who invited the Pure Land Buddhism from the Western Pure Land to balance things out. And what about the Demon Sect now? Not only do they have a monstrously terrifying Sect Hierarch, but now also such an astonishing swordsman has emerged. How could those seated in the court feel at ease? Old Master Su raised his eyebrow and asked, ¡°Does Your Highness intend to?¡± Now that the Ghost Swordsman had defeated the Sword Demon and was at the height of his fame, if one were to strike and kill the Ghost Swordsman at this moment, it would indeed be the best opportunity, but it would undoubtedly have a huge impact on the reputation of the Crown Prince and the Royal Family. After all, the Demon Sect now is a legitimate and official sect in Yan Country, and they had previously fought against Houjin, with one of their Five Qi Grandmasters dying at Sanfeng Pass. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Zhao Chongyin said indifferently, ¡°I, Zhao Chongyin, would not do such an absurd thing.¡± After he finished speaking, Zhao Chongyin looked ahead with an ever-calm expression. The wind atop the mountain was bitingly cold, piercing to the bone. An Jing¡¯s pupils contracted slightly as he said, ¡°So you¡¯ve finally come.¡± A staggering elder made his way forward without a sword in hand. His wide sleeves fluttered in the wind, and his gray-white hair flew about as well. In front of the assembled crowd, he slowly walked towards the center of the battle between the Ghost Swordsman and the Sword Demon. ¡°Who is he?¡± Jia Meixian frowned slightly as she watched the elder. Yang Chong also shook his head, full of confusion, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡± ¡°It¡¯s him!¡± With the elder¡¯s appearance, a buzzing of whispered discussions began to rise, and many noticed that some of the old-timers in Jianghu had drastically changed their expressions. Zuo Biwen stared at the elder, losing his composure as he exclaimed, ¡°Liu¡­ Elder Liu is actually not dead!?¡± ¡°Sword God!?¡± Jia Shiwu¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted, his heart giving a violent throb. Many who heard the whispered voices were shocked as they turned their eyes toward the white-clothed elder. ¡°What, this man is the Sword God!?¡± ¡°How is that possible? Wasn¡¯t it said that the Sword God had died long ago?¡± ¡­.. Liu Moyuan, one of the two most prominent swordsmen in the world, was known as the Sword God, while the other was called the Sword Demon. Decades ago, the legends of these two swordsmen were known throughout the land. Below them, all other swordsmen were no longer significant because none could compare to these two. It¡¯s lonely at the top, and the same goes for people. As time passed, the Sword God and the Sword Demon, both top swordsmen, gradually faded from visibility in Jianghu. It was suspected that the Sword Demon had died in meditation, and the Yu Heng Sword Sect also announced that the Sword God had reached the end of his days. After all, many masters in Jianghu suffered various injuries young, so when the news of the Sword God¡¯s end was announced by the Yu Heng Sword Sect, many chose to believe it. Some, however, remained skeptical, but as time went on, many began to accept it as truth. But now, the Sword God had reappeared before everyone, which was shocking to say the least. It was only at this moment that many realized something. It turned out that the Sword God, Liu Moyuan, wasn¡¯t dead after all and had been cultivating in seclusion in the Ancestor Hall of the Yu Heng Sword Sect the entire time. Clearly, everyone had been deceived by the Yu Heng Sword Sect. The Sword God and the Sword Demon had never battled each other in the past to determine the victor, which had remained a great regret for swordsmen across the world. Now that both top swordsmen, the Sword God and the Sword Demon, had appeared as if by their wishes, it seemed they wouldn¡¯t have to fight to claim the title of the World¡¯s First Swordsman. Elder Su glanced at Zhao Chongyin and suddenly understood; no wonder the Crown Prince had been so composed from beginning to end¨Che had a backup plan. A plan that could seal the deal and take down the Ghost Swordsman. Xu Qianyue couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°This is really interesting. A single Dulu Sword has attracted so many masters.¡± Although she was laughing, a chill was rising in her heart. Whether it was the Sword Demon, the Ghost Swordsman, or the Sword God, each was a top swordsman of an age. Now, with all three gathered in one era, especially with the Ghost Swordsman being so young, his future was immeasurable. Great masters are always proud, but facing a young and powerful master like the Ghost Swordsman, even Xu Qianyue couldn¡¯t help but fall silent. The Sword Demon Hao Tian opened his eyes slightly and, looking at this never-before-faced opponent, said, ¡°You truly have kept your sword well hidden.¡± Liu Moyuan faced the Sword Demon with his hands behind his back and replied, ¡°I haven¡¯t hidden as deeply as you. Back then, I entered Houjin twice, even going deep into the Royal Court the second time, and still I couldn¡¯t find a trace of you. Leaving the title of the World¡¯s First Swordsman vacant for a century has been a constant regret of mine.¡± The Sword Demon narrowed his eyes, not expecting that Liu Moyuan had once ventured deep into the Houjin Royal Court in search of him. ¡°Now, I no longer need to search,¡± Liu Moyuan looked at An Jing, his age-old eyes devoid of any emotion. A chill went down the spine of the masters atop Jianghu. It seemed the battle for ¡®The World¡¯s First Swordsman¡¯ had not yet ended. Liu Moyuan, returning to Jianghu, was clearly drawn by the Dulu Sword and was vying for the title of ¡®The World¡¯s First Swordsman.¡¯ The strife between the Ghost Swordsman and the Sword Demon had come to a close, but the struggle between the Ghost Swordsman and the Sword God had not yet begun. Upon witnessing this, Yang Chong immediately spoke out with righteous indignation, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman has just fought a grueling battle, now the Sword God stepping in to challenge him, what kind of Sword God is this?¡± Though he was not his ¡®Brother Han,¡¯ the bonds of the past were undeniably real. Several elders from the Four Symbols Sect hurriedly pulled aside this prominent disciple. ¡°Yang Chong, shut your mouth!¡± An elder¡¯s face turned pale as he reprimanded on the spot. What sort of person was the Sword God!? If the Court overlooked the matter, with his strength, it would be an easy feat to obliterate the entire Four Symbols Sect, not to mention that even without the Sword God¡¯s intervention, the Four Symbols Sect was no match for the Yu Heng Sword Sect; why provoke an enemy for a moment¡¯s rash words? Jia Meixian blinked and said, ¡°Brother Yang is not wrong.¡± Jia Shiwu spoke in a solemn voice, ¡°Listen more, talk less.¡± With Jia Shiwu speaking up, Jia Meixian too closed his mouth, though his heart was filled with disdain. The Sword Demon, however, retreated towards the back without drawing attention, then took out a Snow Lotus Seed from his sleeve and swallowed it. The Snow Lotus Seed, a healing holy medicine from Great Snow Mountain, was also one of the three greatest healing treasures in the world. The Sword Demon, having practiced the Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique, was badly injured; severe, yet not as catastrophic as one might imagine. Using such a miraculous medicine to heal, clearly, he wanted to recover quickly. Meanwhile, An Jing locked eyes with the Sword God. If the Sword Demon¡¯s eyes were as sharp as a blade, then the Sword God¡¯s eyes were a sword scabbard containing infinite Sword Intent. You couldn¡¯t see the sharpness or the edge, but the lethality and sharpness were hidden within. It seemed to be even more bone-chilling. Liu Moyuan said, ¡°Someone will always become ¡®The World¡¯s First Swordsman.''¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°It will happen today.¡± Liu Moyuan smiled, ¡°And why couldn¡¯t that person be me?¡± Since ancient times, no swordsman has been unaffected by the allure of being the number one in the world. Knowing that it¡¯s an endless abyss, still, they willingly jump into it. Such is the temptation of fame and fortune. An Jing said, ¡°Sometimes, for something elusive, one may pay a terrible price.¡± Liu Moyuan said, ¡°All I need is to grasp that fleeting beauty, eternal things are left to eternity, I really don¡¯t need to concern myself with them.¡± Hearing this, An Jing¡¯s eyes slightly narrowed, revealing a sliver of a gap. The Sword God did not exhibit the same edge as the Sword Demon, but he still made An Jing feel an even greater sense of danger, particularly after the battle with the Sword Demon, claiming there¡¯d been no impact was impossible. It was a danger that could threaten his life. Liu Moyuan said, ¡°I began practicing swordsmanship at the age of five, training through the harshness of summer and the cold of winter. For over eighty years, I have never stopped for a day, some things have become embedded in my very bones and blood.¡± An Jing said, ¡°That¡¯s incredible.¡± To do one thing for over eighty years, aside from eating, breathing, sleeping, was indeed admirable. This Sword God bore a unique devotion to the sword. Liu Moyuan stretched out his hand and asked, ¡°Do you see a sword in my hand, or not?¡± An Jing calmly replied, ¡°It may or may not be there.¡± Liu Moyuan nodded, ¡°The sword exists in the heart, as well as in the hand. If the sword is not in the heart, it is not in the hand either. As long as one is devout to the sword, the sword is ubiquitous.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°A swordsman doesn¡¯t need to be devout to the sword, he only needs to be devout to himself.¡± Liu Moyuan countered, ¡°No, a swordsman¡¯s radiance and life are often embodied in the sword he holds in his hand. The sword represents truth, life and death, it is everything.¡± The two of them spoke back and forth, akin to Buddhists contesting with sharp wit, but the true masters of Jianghu knew that both were merely expounding their respective Sword Dao. Both their Sword Daos stood at the pinnacle of the world, and perhaps throughout thousands of years of history, very few have surpassed their understanding of the Sword Dao. Both were at the Sixth Realm of swordsmanship, but their insights differed. One was devout to the sword, the other, to the person. But from beginning to end, neither merged their sword with their being to the point of forgetting both sword and self¨Cthus, they remained in the Sixth Realm. An Jing clenched the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, ¡°The grievances of the past should all be resolved today.¡± ¡°The grievances of the past, are you referring to Lou Xiangzhen?¡± Liu Moyuan scoffed before replying, ¡°I do not wish to take advantage of you. I¡¯ll give you an hour to recuperate.¡± An Jing said, ¡°There¡¯s no need, we can begin now.¡± From the moment Liu Moyuan appeared, An Jing had been channeling the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ to restore the True Qi in his body. In this short period equivalent to an incense stick¡¯s burning time, An Jing¡¯s True Qi had also recovered substantially. ¡°As you wish.¡± Liu Moyuan¡¯s eyebrows knitted slightly, but soon smoothed out. The end of the road is the horizon; the end of words is the sword. Hence, further talk is unnecessary, putting one¡¯s all into a fight is the greatest respect for a swordsman. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± With a gesture of Liu Moyuan¡¯s palm, the Phoenix Sword, which was once with Qiu Wanxia, landed in his hand. This, one of the ten famous swords that had once shocked the world, was now in the hands of its original master. Both men were holding their swords, silent. Everyone looked at An Jing with complex gazes, even with a touch of admiration¨Cfighting the Sword Demon and then the Sword God, who else in the world possesses such gallantry? Suddenly, An Jing felt an indescribable Sword Qi, like an invisible mountain pressing down on him. This pressure was even stronger than the Heavenly Dao Sword of the Sword Demon by three parts. The Holy Dao Sword! This is the Holy Dao Sword that very few swordsmen throughout history have managed to practice. To cultivate it to the Fifth Realm meant one was, without doubt, at the top echelon of swordsmen. The Sword God became famous at a young age precisely because of this Holy Dao Sword. However, as his cultivation deepened with time and fewer challengers approached him, the number of masters who could force him to use the Holy Dao Sword also dwindled. An Jing propelled his body forward, sliding his feet. Chii, chii, chii! Several streaks of Sword Radiance surged forth from the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword, as swift as thunder. So fast! Onlookers were shocked as they saw dozens of Sword Radiance beams emerge with just one thrust from An Jing. Liu Moyuan gave a faint smile as a pale moonlight-colored sword light appeared in his hand. The sword light seemed soft and slow, but when An Jing¡¯s Sword Radiance approached, it was completely blocked. Bang, bang, bang, bang! The sounds of Sword Radiance exploding could be heard as An Jing¡¯s feet slid across the ground, pushing him backward. Jia Shiwu murmured, ¡°The Sword Dao of the Sword God¡­¡± He had been present when the Sword God defeated Lou Xiangzhen with three strikes at the Sword Pavilion. He had personally witnessed Liu Moyuan defeat the prodigious Lou Xiangzhen with just three strokes. And he was confident that the Sword God had not used his full strength. Many years had passed since then, and surely the Sword God must have progressed further. The two had simply exchanged one simple strike, causing many in the audience to frown intensely. An Jing glanced at the imprints on the ground, his heart slightly stirred. The ancestor of the Yu Heng Sword Sect truly lived up to the name of Sword God, for his devout dedication to the Sword Dao was not something ordinary people could match. If one were to say the battle with the Sword Demon had no effect, it would be impossible, but there were advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage was the consumption of one¡¯s True Qi and sharpness. Although True Qi could be replenished through the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± a person¡¯s energy was not endless and would eventually fatigue. However, the advantage was that having defeated the Sword Demon, An Jing¡¯s Sword Dao became even more unstoppable and frosty sharp. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly, his Evil Suppressing Sword emanating a faint glow as he swung it forward. In that moment when the light circulated, a violent wind erupted in the sky, and four extreme lights from all around shone, reflecting off each other. These four lights represented the wind unstoppable, fire field bear, moving like thunder, and electricity like a flash of the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique. Four sword lights descended from the sky, falling from the heavens. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lightning! An Jing¡¯s brow was set in a firm line, as if chiseled from stone. Boom! In the sky above, the four extreme lights transformed into a tempest of wind, downpour, thunder, and lightning as Liu Moyuan fell with tumultuous force. With the advancement of his Sword Dao, the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique was cultivated by An Jing to the Transformation Realm, where all four moves of the sword art could be executed with ease. Seeing this, Liu Moyuan¡¯s brow furrowed, as he could naturally see An Jing¡¯s ability to turn decay into a miraculous unified sword move. Heavy Tower Sword Technique! Seven Floors! Liu Moyuan¡¯s longsword moved, that one strike like the brightest light in the darkness. Swoosh! With one strike, the mountains and rivers shook! Above the sky, light suddenly became bizarre and scattered, and the pupils of everyone present reflected the multicolored light. Liu Moyuan felt countless sword lights surging madly towards him; if struck by these lights, even a Four Qi Grandmaster would be grievously injured, if not killed. He hastened to gather his entire body¡¯s True Qi and formed a Sword Gang around himself. Thud! An Jing¡¯s body jolted, his foot stomping against the ground, deflecting the recoil of the force into the ground beneath, and all onlookers felt Zhong Mountain tremble. This control of True Qi and force was not a swordsmanship skill, but it still left witnesses astonished and astounded. This move from An Jing was enough to suppress all masters below the rank of Three Qi Grandmaster present. Liu Moyuan¡¯s heart chilled slightly, and he gripped the sword handle tightly. ¡°Go!¡± As Liu Moyuan¡¯s True Qi activated, the Phoenix Sword in his hand instantly transformed into a streak of light, rushing towards An Jing. Quick! Too quick! The Phoenix Sword, soaring in mid-air, became like a gigantic fire bird, flapping its wings as it flew forward, the raging wind howling past, cold air overflowing everywhere. Sword Control Technique! Liu Moyuan had also mastered the Sword Control Technique from the Unity Sword Technique. In the time it takes to speak, faster than a blink, An Jing waved his arm, and a light as clear as the wind and as misty as clouds penetrated through, the Evil Suppressing Sword around which points of light emerged, rushing forward at an extremely fast speed. Sword Control Technique! Clang! The tips of the two swords met in the air, and from the point of contact, ripples of True Qi emanated in all directions. Sword Control Technique against Sword Control Technique! Sixth Realm against Sixth Realm! Three Qi Cultivation versus Four Qi Cultivation! A mysterious, indescribable force vibrated from Liu Moyuan¡¯s Phoenix Sword, shaking An Jing, who hastily circulated the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± to neutralize the force. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The spectators only saw countless golden and gray glimmers burst forth from the tips of the two swords, reflecting off of each other beautifully. Both fighters displayed the sword skill of the Sixth Realm, with streams of sharp Sword Qi emerging all around, appearing even more exquisite and mysterious. Even a Grandmaster who wandered into their midst would be instantly shredded into a mist of blood, emphasizing the deadly nature of this duel. Suddenly, the Evil Suppressing Sword unleashed waves of Sword Light, and with the power of the sword, the might of An Jing¡¯s Immortal Sword surged once again. Liu Moyuan was forced back step after step, gradually being suppressed. Whoosh! The crowd was in an uproar, as no one had anticipated that Liu Moyuan would be driven back after just two exchanges. The scene was truly spectacular and heart-stopping. If An Jing were to defeat the Sword God again, his mastery in the way of the sword might well be the first in three hundred years, and even across history, he would be among the rarest of swordsmen. The other onlookers were also boiling with excitement. An Jing¡¯s displayed strength far exceeded their imagination, not only matching Liu Moyuan until now but also gradually seizing the initiative. Old Su pondered for a moment and thought, ¡°The Sword God has not yet fully driven the Holy Dao Sword. With his strength, if he drives the Holy Dao Sword, he might be even more formidable than the Sword Demon by a notch or two.¡± The ace of the Sword Demon was the Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique, a card so strong it was virtually unbeatable against adversaries of the same realm. Yet, in the ultimate clash of swordsmanship, it could only ensure that the Sword Demon wouldn¡¯t die. But Liu Moyuan was different. He dedicated himself to the sword, entrusted everything to it, and melded all his emotions into it. When the Holy Dao Sword was fully wielded, it was the pinnacle of the Sword Dao, an unstoppable force. Perhaps after the battle, his injuries would be even greater than those of the Sword Demon, but his Sword Dao was also sharper than that of the Sword Demon. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes narrowed to slits, and he said nothing. If even Liu Moyuan could not slay this Ghost Swordsman, who else in the world could suppress him in the martial path of the sword? Heavy Tower Sword Technique! Nine Heavy Towers! Finally, Liu Moyuan resorted to his killer move, a full-force deadly strike. A pale white Sword Qi condensed into a line, the air flashed. Every wisp of cloud and mist in front was dissipated and shattered by Liu Moyuan¡¯s sword. Stabilizing the situation, Liu Moyuan held his breath and concentrated, delivering a slanting sword strike that turned into a beam of polar light cutting through the gap, aiming to shave An Jing. If this sword hit its mark, even a Four Qi Grandmaster would suffer grievous, near-fatal injuries, such was the force and persistent effect of the strike. The Heavy Tower Sword Technique had eighteen tiers, each increasing in power. By the eighteenth tier, one could even transcend realms to slay a superior foe. Once, when Liu Moyuan was at the Second Qi Grandmaster level, he used the eighteenth-tier sword technique to slay a Grandmaster who had just stepped into the Three Qi realm. However, this left him with a long-term ailment, which was the reason why he had secluded himself in the Sword Pavilion for many years to heal. Selfless Dao! An Jing grasped the Evil Suppressing Sword and slashed fiercely forward. Boom! Boom! Boom! Waves of Sword Qi crashed toward the distance, causing a deafening blast that echoed throughout the heavens and earth, while An Jing¡¯s footsteps swiftly retreated backward. The onlookers were stunned as they watched the two fighters separate, their faces filled with disbelief. Their intense battle was every bit as riveting as the earlier fierce clash between the Sword Demon and the Ghost Swordsman, and even more thrilling. Liu Moyuan, having abandoned all defense, seemed to trust every sword stroke to his Phoenix Sword; each strike was a death blow intended to take the life of his opponent. Liu Moyuan looked deeply at An Jing and said, ¡°Your swordsmanship is neither the Heavenly Dao Sword nor the Human Dao Sword; indeed, it is unimaginable.¡± An Jing, gasping for air, replied, ¡°You¡¯re still holding back, aren¡¯t you?¡± Liu Moyuan stated indifferently, ¡°Thus, you are definitely not my match.¡± ¡°That remains to be seen,¡± An Jing retorted, his eyes slightly narrowed, his gaze flickering with razor-sharp luminosity like two beams of silver light. A gust of wind whipped up, causing his black hair to flutter and wave like ink, like clouds. Liu Moyuan¡¯s body leaned slightly forward, his right hand on the hilt of his sword, the sword skill concentrated but unreleased, quickly gathering strength. At the next moment, his longsword thrust forward once again. A sword radiance that seemed to tear the heavens and earth apart suddenly swept out from her sword blade, just like a moon in the night sky. Heavy Tower Sword Technique! The Twelfth Floor! After executing the tenth floor of the Heavy Tower Sword Technique, its power began to undergo a qualitative change, especially from the fourteenth sword onwards, which started burning the essence blood within one¡¯s body. Its power was terrifying and could be called the pinnacle within the same realm. An Jing took a deep breath, his Evil Suppressing Sword trembling in his hand as he swung it out. Supreme Sword Scripture! Invisible Sword! That sword stroke moved with a flowing light and directly melded into the air; the crowd could only see An Jing waving his arm, but they couldn¡¯t see the sword radiance hidden in the void. Without shape or shadow! One¡¯s eyes simply couldn¡¯t catch the sword light. Clang! The two sword lights collided fiercely, sending An Jing¡¯s figure flying backward, while Liu Moyuan also staggered back. The situation seemed to have undergone a drastic change in a moment. The Ghost Swordsman, who had been at an advantage just a moment ago, was now suppressed by the Sword God. At the same time, an unstoppable aura of dread began to brew on Liu Moyuan¡¯s body. Holy Dao Sword! That was the imposing power of the Holy Dao Sword! The Heavenly Dao Sword, the Human Dao Sword, the King Sword, and others were all superior sword daos, but these sword daos were slightly inferior to the Holy Dao Sword, which highlighted the power of the Holy Dao Sword. Both being of the Sixth Realm, Sword God Liu Moyuan was superior to the Sword Demon. The Sword Demon also understood this truth. He could ensure his own survival in a battle against the Sword God, but he did not have the means to defeat the Sword God, and so, despite his many years of roaming the Jianghu, he never challenged the Sword God at the Yu Heng Sword Sect, which was the biggest reason for his restraint. Indeed, the Immortal Sword had a slight advantage in a clash against the Holy Dao Sword, but how could one bridge the gap in their dao? An Jing¡¯s advantage in skill was further compressed, and for masters, a minor advantage could change the outcome of a battle. Just like how during his fight with the Sword Demon, An Jing only had a slight advantage, and thus he won, and the Sword Demon lost. Now, that slight advantage had vanished, even placing him at a slight overall disadvantage. Although it was extremely subtle, it was enough for him to hold on for a very long time. But at the end of it all, his fate would be like that of the Sword Demon. An Jing took a quiet breath and muttered to himself, ¡°The Sword God truly lives up to his name.¡± Today, to overpower the Sword God, seems to be not an easy task; on the contrary, it is extremely difficult, difficult among difficulties. Zhao Chongyin let out a deep breath and said, ¡°The might of the Holy Dao Sword exceeds even that of the King Sword, on what basis can the Ghost Swordsman block it?¡± Atop Zhong Mountain, wild winds raged and the sword qi crisscrossed. Anyone could see that the Sword God¡¯s Holy Dao Sword was even more fearsome than the Sword Demon¡¯s Heavenly Dao Sword, and the Ghost Swordsman had unwittingly found himself at a disadvantage. All onlookers were wide-eyed, not even daring to breathe out, as they stared intently at the two figures confronting each other. ¡­ At the foot of Zhong Mountain. Compared to the biting, razor-like winds up high, the cold below was intense but lacked the cutting quality of the gale. On every path, soldiers from Yan Country stood guard; these were elite troops from the among the Great Commander¡¯s army, responsible for maintaining order and defending during the Sky Worshiping Grand Ceremony. Though Zhong Mountain¡¯s summit was guarded by the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard and more than ten members of the Great Heavenly Gang, along with three hundred Forbidden Palace guards, manpower was still needed to keep peace and stand sentry. Five thousand soldiers might not be considered many, but neither were they few. At that moment, General Wei Bangfu stood at the base of the mountain, looking towards the overflowing sword qi above. Although he didn¡¯t know what exactly was happening on the summit, his heart was very clear that a ground-shaking battle was taking place. This battle could possibly decide the title of the top swordsman in the world, a title that had been absent from the Jianghu for decades. However, he didn¡¯t care about these concerns at the moment. As a military man, he naturally paid more attention to the state of the world, to the moments when he could bask in glory and riches, and to the times when he wouldn¡¯t have to sacrifice his life and blood, to the moments with a warm bed shared with a wife and concubines. ¡°General, more people are coming.¡± At this moment, a soldier beside him pointed toward the distance and spoke. Wei Bangfu turned to look into the distance where dozens of figures approached, each robust and towering over the average Yan Country woman, and all wore hats that obscured their faces. A thought flashed through Wei Bangfu¡¯s mind; the people he was waiting for had finally arrived. These individuals were experts from the Great Snow Mountain and assassins from Wind and Rain Tower, led by none other than the Mu Yuan Great Dharma King from Houjin. As these individuals approached, the inspecting soldiers were about to ask them to remove their hats and verify their identities when Wei Bangfu stepped forward and stopped the two soldiers. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King spoke softly, ¡°There are more coming from behind, and they will arrive soon.¡± A chill went through Wei Bangfu¡¯s heart; he knew the followers were from the remnants of the Five Gangs Alliance. Although their strength was not great, their numbers were vast, a crucial aspect in the current plan. ¡°Good,¡± Wei Bangfu nodded, suppressing the tremors in his heart. Then, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King led the group upward. The inspecting soldiers, although puzzled, for the celestial worship ceremony was no minor event and trouble would cost them their heads, said nothing as Wei Bangfu had allowed passage. Watching Mu Yuan Great Dharma King ascend the mountain with the experts, Wei Bangfu¡¯s heart surged with tension and excitement. He fully understood what this signified¨Cif the Crown Prince and the various experts of Jianghu were to die here, it would be a tremendous blow to Yan Country. It also meant that his day of soaring high was approaching, and he no longer had to live day to day on tenterhooks. Wei Bangfu looked toward the mountaintop, his hand subconsciously touching the longsword at his waist, and a smile broke across his face for the first time since he¡¯d entered the military¨Cit was a laugh that came from deep within his heart. Strangely enough, sometimes the fate of the world is changed by the most insignificant figures, perhaps just a subtle thought or an overlooked action. ¡°Clatter clatter clatter¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s happening!?¡± Just then, the ground began to rumble without warning, causing the surrounding soldiers to look around. In the distance, a host of iron cavalry surged forth, an unbroken line that seemed to have no end. Amidst the rising dust, the imposing steeds surged forward, all belonging to the elite of the elite. The leading flag bearer held a banner brilliant as blood with the character ¡®Xue¡¯ written on it. In the current Yan Country military, there was only one person who could be synonymous with such a flag and such elite cavalry, carrying the surname ¡®Xue¡¯. That person was the Great General of the Southern District, Governor Ping Ding. ¡°This¡­¡± Seeing this, Wei Bangfu was dumbstruck. Being a subordinate general of Governor Ping Ding, he naturally recognized Ping Ding¡¯s personal cavalry guard. But isn¡¯t Governor Ping Ding supposed to be fortifying Zhao Country? How could he have suddenly appeared at the foot of Zhong Mountain, and without any prior intelligence? This is bad! In an instant, Wei Bangfu felt a cold dread in his heart. He saw the iron cavalry, fierce as wolves, surging around, enveloping Zhong Mountain as if intending to seal it off without leaving a single gap, not even allowing a bird to escape. This military display was truly terrifying. Then, a middle-aged man astride a black steed, clad in armor, rode forth. With a square face, thick eyebrows, and a sharp, icy look in his eyes, he touched the long blade in his right hand; one could see his fingers were covered with calluses, evidently from frequent handling of the blade. Mere sight of this person stirred a sense of fear and unease. This man was none other than one of Yan Country¡¯s three Marquises, Governor Ping Ding. ¡°General¡­ why have you come here in person?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Wei Bangfu quickly knelt, although his voice trembled. Governor Ping Ding exuded an aura of blood from his many years on the battlefield. He rode up to Wei Bangfu and said indifferently, ¡°The celestial worship is a matter of state importance, grave and not taken lightly. Today, I will personally oversee this place to prevent the petty from causing trouble.¡± ¡­.. PS: Thank you to Toopipig and the chirping sounds for your support, thank you!! wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 287 - Chapter 287: Chapter 287: The Invincible Great Sword Immortal Chapter 287: Chapter 287: The Invincible Great Sword Immortal During the fifteenth year of the Xingping era¡¯s winter, the cold wind was sharp like a dagger, heartlessly chilling, and the endless snowflakes fluttered like willow catkins in spring, transforming the entire Yujing City into a beautifully serene world. The commoners on the streets, wrapped in thick cotton, continued their sales pitches incessantly, lively as ever, and a few children, laughing merrily, emerged from the alleyways and ran towards one of the four scenic spots of Yujing City, the Observatory. No matter the era, the entertainment for the impoverished was always simple and dull. Outside Yujing City, the Pingyang Guard, as usual, trained amidst the wind and snow, their powerful and robust voices deafening, reaching the skies. The three great military Marquis of Yan Country each commanded three independent armies; Marquis Wang Shiyi in northern Beihuang Dao, resisting Houjin, Marquis Pingding in the south confronting Zhao Country, and Marquis Pingyang¡¯s Pingyang Guard, which guarded Yujing City, constantly securing the city¡¯s safety. On the training ground, the soldiers of Pingyang Guard had shed their iron armor and were training bare-chested in the snow, their muscular bodies red-faced and flush. Qiu Heng, wearing loose clothing, rode a tall horse, moving among the various formations, his expression somewhat stern. Ever since the Crown Prince began to handle some state affairs, Qiu Heng had clearly and directly aligned himself with the Crown Prince, even orchestrating on behalf of His Highness during Qiu Lun¡¯s wedding banquet, and assassinated the Houjin prodigy, Yan Gang. After all, Qiu Heng¡¯s status and position were already considered national pillars, supporters of the court, only a great achievement from the dragon could further his progress. This strategy had indeed been very effective. In recent years, Qiu Heng¡¯s position in the court had become more stable, also allowing the Qiu family in Yujing City to rise, continuously elevating their status, with Qiu Lun¡¯s career flourishing smoothly. The matter of the Crown Prince replacing the Human Emperor in attending the grand ceremony at Zhong Mountain seemed to have confirmed his accession to the throne, only a matter of time now. As long as the Crown Prince ascended the throne, then naturally, Qiu Heng¡¯s position needed no further mention. But at this moment, his heart still felt somewhat uneasy. Qiu Lun, with a hundred thousand troops from Pingyang, had gone north to support Wang Shiyi. But the situation with Houjin was not optimistic. Should a defeat occur in the north, it would inevitably cause a chain reaction, and Zhao Country would definitely strike. In these turbulent times, the concern was most acute. Then, with a pincer attack from the north and south, the Pingyang Guard would also be deployed at any moment, entering the battlefield, so he also had to be ready for the upcoming battle. ¡°General, I have something I wish to discuss with you,¡± At that moment, a man clad in black armor, tall and burly, approached. He was Qiu Heng¡¯s deputy general, a confidant for many decades, Wang Dingshan. Qiu Heng glanced at the training soldiers and asked, ¡°What is it?¡± Wang Dingshan spoke in a deep voice, ¡°It¡¯s not convenient to talk here, would you please come to the tent?¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Qiu Heng nodded his head, and without giving it much thought, followed Wang Dingshan into the tent. Inside the tent, a stove burned, making it quite warm, but due to the tent¡¯s small size, it also felt rather cramped, giving a claustrophobic sensation. Qiu Heng asked, ¡°Dingshan, what exactly is it?¡± Wang Dingshan took a deep breath and said, ¡°What is your opinion, General, on the Crown Prince performing the grand ceremony on behalf of the Human Emperor?¡± Qiu Heng¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly, ¡°This matter has been decreed by the Human Emperor, we as ministers need only serve loyally and serve our country.¡± Upon hearing this, Wang Dingshan shook his head, ¡°I think His Majesty is confused by this action.¡± ¡°How dare you!¡± Qiu Heng, upon hearing this, immediately exclaimed, ¡°Wang Dingshan, considering our friendship, I will pretend I didn¡¯t hear that. You better stop spouting nonsense.¡± Wang Dingshan, looking serious, said, ¡°General, I¡¯m not talking nonsense. I think there¡¯s someone more suitable than Zhao Chongyin to ascend to the great throne.¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°The Second Prince.¡± Even Qiu Heng, who was slow to grasp the implications, now understood and slightly squinted his eyes, ¡°Do you realize what you are saying?¡± Wang Dingshan nodded, ¡°I¡¯m very clear.¡± As he spoke, numerous soldiers rushed in, suddenly surrounding Qiu Heng and his two trusted aides completely. Additionally, two individuals dressed in exotic attire, clearly from the Jianghu, joined them, their cultivation levels visibly high. Qiu Heng angrily exclaimed, ¡°Wang Dingshan, you dare rebel?¡± Wang Dingshan sneered, ¡°Rebel? Against whom?¡± Qiu Heng¡¯s eyes glinted with a cold light as his hand instinctively reached for his waist. ¡°Clank!¡± ¡°Clank!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± At that moment, dozens of sharp weapons simultaneously aimed at Qiu Heng. Indifferent to the gleaming blades, Qiu Heng nonchalantly said, ¡°If it¡¯s destined to rain, or if a woman is to be married, and Wang Dingshan, if you seek death, then don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless.¡± Wang Dingshan replied, ¡°General, if you defect to the right side now, I can assure you decades of glory and riches that you can¡¯t exhaust.¡± ¡°Surging Waves¨C!¡± Without another word, Qiu Heng drew his weapon. ¡­.. White Pavilion Manor. The manor was intricately elegant with its pavilions and towers, tranquil and beautiful with its pools and galleries, speaking volumes of its lavish elegance. In the study, Zhao Mengtai sat in a chair, furrowing his brows, holding a dark ink-colored ruler in his hand. At this moment, his youngest son, Zhao Yunfan, was standing with his hands behind his back, looking troubled as he faced his father, wondering if he was called here to be tested on his poetry skills again today. Zhao Mengtai asked, ¡°Tell me, how did my myna bird die?¡± As the Second Prince of Yan Country, Zhao Mengtai had a somewhat domineering, strong character; he enjoyed risking his life but also had many virtues such as respecting the talented, resoluteness, and strong loyalties. Moreover, he had no vices¨Call he loved was raising birds. All in all, he was a wise ruler. Zhao Yunfan¡¯s face paled instantly. ¡°Dead¡­ Dead? How did it die?¡± Zhao Mengtai stood up, ¡°Yes, how could a perfectly fine bird just die?¡± Zhao Yunfan kept retreating, his lips trembling uncontrollably. Zhao Mengtai said indifferently, ¡°Kneel here in the study, and you can stand up when I come back.¡± Having said that, Zhao Mengtai threw the ruler onto the table and picked up the Seven Stars Sword hung on the wall, a famous sword ranked eighth on the Famous Sword List. Upon hearing this, Zhao Yunfan breathed a sigh of relief; whether beaten sooner or later, he preferred later, especially since he wouldn¡¯t be beaten right now. Maybe, Zhao Mengtai would even forget about it. ¡°Today is indeed a good day.¡± Zhao Mengtai left the study, looking up at the sky. His expression turned gloomy. This was no ordinary day. For Zhao Mengtai, it was the second most important day of his life¨Cthe most important being his birth. A century is too long, success must be seized urgently. Zhao Mengtai¡¯s thoughts flashed by, and he soon arrived in the guest hall. At this moment, the hall was already filled with many people. Upon seeing Zhao Mengtai entering, everyone stood up, seemingly having waited for a very long time. Among them were not only famed gentry but also some ministers from the past, heavyweights of the country. A man dressed as a scholar saluted with his fist, ¡°Your Highness, the City Gate Department is already under control, the East Camp has lit the beacon, Wang Dingshan has made his move, as for the Imperial Guards¡­¡± Yujing City had four defensive forces¨Cthe City Gate Department, East Camp, Imperial Guards, and the Xuanyi Guard. Most of the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s elites had departed with Xu Qianyue, leaving them a non-factor now, while the City Gate Department and East Camp were now under Zhao Mengtai¡¯s control. Once the City Gate Department opened the gates, ten thousand Pingyang Guards could instantly flood into Yujing City and surround the entire Imperial Palace. Even if successful, Zhao Mengtai would inevitably be cursed forever. He couldn¡¯t care about that anymore. Zhao Mengtai smiled faintly, ¡°The head of the Imperial Guards, Gao Sheng, has also secretly pledged allegiance to me. Now only those eunuchs in the palace remain loyal to the Emperor. I want to see what storm these eunuchs can possibly stir up.¡± ¡°Now, accompany me to the eastern gate to open it.¡± This had been a long-planned conspiracy. Zhao Mengtai had everything prepared to seize the moment during the heavenly worship ceremony, when everyone¡¯s attention was on Zhong Mountain, to initiate this coup. Everyone exchanged glances, each showing a hint of brilliance. As long as Zhao Mengtai ascended to the throne, they all would have a part in this ascension, enjoying endless glory and wealth for the rest of their lives. Zhao Mengtai walked towards the outer hall, with the crowd rising to follow him. Just then, two figures rushed in hastily. One was Zhao Mengtai¡¯s steward, and the other was Mo Yan from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Previously, in order to avoid suspicion, Zhao Mengtai would have Mo Yan hide his presence to prevent others from noticing, given that the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had once conspired with the Demon Sect to assassinate the Crown Prince, but there was no need for such precautions now. The steward bowed and said, ¡°Your Highness, Eunuch Zhong has arrived with an edict from the Emperor, saying that His Majesty wishes to see you.¡± ¡°Father wants to see me!?¡± Zhao Mengtai felt a tremor in his heart but scoffed coldly on the surface. It had been a long time since he last saw the Emperor, and this sudden summons was definitely peculiar. The steward said, ¡°Yes.¡± Zhao Mengtai pondered for a moment, then said, ¡°Then I shall first make a trip to the Imperial Palace. Mo Yan, you go to the east, and as soon as the army enters Yujing City, immediately surround the Imperial Palace for me.¡± A strategist¡¯s face changed, prompting quickly, ¡°Your Highness, be careful!¡± Zhao Mengtai smiled faintly, confident, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Gao Sheng has already sided with me, and I¡¯ve got control over most of the Forbidden Palace. Let¡¯s not alert them prematurely. I¡¯ll stall them until the army fully enters Yujing City, then I¡¯ll go to the palace.¡± The world knew that the Martial Arts Emperor was a warrior, but many forgot that Zhao Mengtai was the one most like Zhao Zhiwu, not only in style but also in martial talent. As long as Gao Sheng and the Imperial Guards were in his hands, he could face even his father, the Emperor, and come out unscathed. Zhao Mengtai was accustomed to taking bold risks, but he had to be cautious this time because failure meant certain death without a place for burial. Mo Yan had been following Zhao Mengtai for a long time, and naturally knew his character. He bowed and said, ¡°I will head to the east of the city now and will certainly fulfill Your Highness¡¯s orders.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Zhao Mengtai nodded and then took a deep breath, following the sword-wielding eunuch Zhong Binru towards the Imperial City. Zhong Binru¡¯s demeanor had not changed, remaining very cold and not showing any goodwill towards Zhao Mengtai, perhaps not registering the changes in Yujing City or perhaps simply indifferent to them internally. Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Palace. Zhao Chongyin saw Gao Sheng standing at the gate and felt slightly relieved inside. Had he not seen Gao Sheng, he might have waited for the army to enter the city, but seeing Gao Sheng now, his mind was completely settled. ¡°Your Highness.¡± Gao Sheng came before Zhao Mengtai and bowed. Zhao Mengtai supported Gao Sheng¡¯s arm, and the two looked at each other, both silent. ¡°Please!¡± Zhong Binru said coldly. Zhao Mengtai smiled lightly and said, ¡°Wait a bit longer.¡± Zhong Binru furrowed his brow but did not speak, quietly waiting alongside Zhao Mengtai. Suddenly, a noisy sound came from afar, and then the noise grew louder. Here it comes! Zhao Mengtai stirred inside and let out a long breath. A hundred thousand troops surrounding the Imperial Palace along with the Forbidden Army¨Cthat was one of his capitals for today¡¯s coup. Zhong Binru¡¯s expression remained icy cold throughout, not even asking a single question, which might have unsettled the average person, but Zhong Binru was just that kind of person. Chaos! The entire Yujing City was in chaos! As the hundred-thousand-strong army entered Yujing City, it caused a huge stir, and all the citizens were taken aback by the sight of the dark mass of troops and did not even dare to speak in low voices. Wherever the army passed, it was as if thunder roared, and all the doors of the officials, nobles, and ancient wealthy families were tightly shut, though many did not understand what was happening. In the Lv Sect, Lv Guoyong also heard the noise outside. Lv Jingchun, who was ¡®burying his head in his studies¡¯, exclaimed in horror, ¡°Grandfather, something big has happened outside.¡± Lv Guoyong knew it was Zhao Mengtai¡¯s doing. This second prince had hinted at his intentions before making a move, and Lv Guoyong had not mentioned it to anyone to this day. The same scene had unfolded forty-two years earlier. The difference was, at that time, the protagonist was Zhao Mengtai¡¯s father, Zhao Zhiwu. Tan Yun also asked curiously, ¡°Grandpa, what¡¯s happening?¡± Lv Guoyong patted Tan Yun¡¯s head, ¡°Nothing, just some wind and snow.¡± Tan Yun looked at the snowflakes dancing outside the window and whispered, ¡°This year¡¯s snow is bigger than before, I wonder what my husband is doing now?¡± ¡­¡­ At the Imperial Palace gate. Zhao Mengtai said with a smile, ¡°Eunuch Zhong, let¡¯s go.¡± Zhong Binru did not speak but headed towards the Imperial Study Room inside the palace. The palace courtyard was splendid, with beautifully carved beams and painted rafters, and the exotic beasts on the eaves, clad in golden scales and armor, seemed almost ready to soar into the sky. Before long, the two arrived atop the Golden Throne Hall. By now, the morning court had passed, and the Golden Throne Hall appeared vast and desolate. At that moment, sitting atop the hall was a figure in a dragon robe, his eyes calm yet carrying an imposing aura, precisely the Emperor of Great Yan, Zhao Zhiwu. Zhao Mengtai frowned and stood at the entrance of the Golden Throne Hall. A robust voice echoed out, reaching beyond the great hall, ¡°Mengtai, why don¡¯t you come in?¡± Zhao Mengtai bowed and said, ¡°Your son dares not.¡± To know one¡¯s father is not as good as knowing one¡¯s son, and Zhao Zhiwu was a Five Qi Grandmaster in cultivation. Even though his breakthrough had brought injuries, he remained a Five Qi Grandmaster. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Seeing Zhao Mengtai speak so, Zhao Zhiwu burst into loud laughter. Zhao Mengtai¡¯s frown deepened. Zhao Zhiwu asked, ¡°Do you know what you are doing?¡± Zhao Mengtai responded, ¡°I know.¡± It seemed that his father, the Emperor, already knew, for now, Yujing City was in chaos, and he had no reason not to know. Zhao Zhiwu continued to inquire, ¡°Where did you get the courage?¡± Zhao Mengtai said, ¡°Since ancient times, the victor becomes king and the defeated the enemy; this unchanging truth was taught to me by Father himself.¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s pupils slightly narrowed, ¡°To succeed is to be king, to fail is to be the foe.¡± Zhao Mengtai replied, ¡°Exactly.¡± Zhao Zhiwu remained silent for a long while, then said, ¡°You wish to be king, to step onto this thorn-covered throne, but do you know what it will cost?¡± Zhao Mengtai smiled, ¡°Why does Father not ask what I will gain?¡± Zhao Zhiwu stood up, looking straight at Zhao Mengtai, ¡°What you will gain is nothing but endless solitude.¡± At this moment, a father and son, a sovereign and minister, one standing high above looking down, and the other standing below looking up. Zhao Mengtai squinted his eyes and said, ¡°I do not understand, but I only wish to, like Father, sit high upon that imperial throne, above tens of thousands, no longer beneath anyone.¡± Power seduces deep into ruin, and the power of an emperor is indeed the peak of all power; even the bonds of flesh and blood sometimes cannot withstand it. Those who rely on power, lament throughout eternity. Zhao Zhiwu looked at his most favored son, the son who resembled him most, despite having foreseen this day coming, his heart still grew more complicated at this moment. Zhao Mengtai took a deep breath and said, ¡°Father, abdicate to me and peacefully become the Supreme Emperor.¡± Zhao Zhiwu, looking at Zhao Mengtai, slowly began, ¡°In the twenty-first year of Li Ping, you and Qi Yuan established the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, and the following year you recruited Tianpeng Ancestor, the top swordsman of the world.¡± Zhao Mengtai¡¯s eyes suddenly widened. Zhao Zhiwu continued, ¡°In the twenty-fifth year of Li Ping, you encountered the Sword Demon at Nanping Dao; what you didn¡¯t know was that he was a master from the Great Snow Mountain of Houjin, and his appearance marked the beginning of a conspiracy.¡± ¡°In the second year of Xingping, the Minister of Public Works Yue Tingchen submitted a declaration of allegiance to you.¡± ¡°In the seventh year of Xingping, you secretly promoted Yue Tingchen to Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and he took on the major responsibility of constructing the Dragon Locking Well.¡± ¡°In the tenth year of Xingping, the head of the Sun Pavilion at the Wind and Rain Tower contacted you.¡± ¡°In the fourteenth year of Xingping, you colluded with the Demon Sect at the Four Symbols Sect to kill Chongyin and later sent the Sword Demon to kill Zongzheng Yuan and Mu Jin Dharma King.¡± ¡°In the fifteenth year of Xingping¡­..¡± Zhao Mengtai looked up at the Emperor in shock, his mind completely blank, unconsciously backing away, even failing to catch the rest of the words. His Father, the Emperor, knew everything, understanding it all clearly, word by word, even remembering the events more clearly than he did himself. ¡°Gao Sheng! Gao Sheng!¡± Zhao Mengtai cried out loudly. ¡°Thud!¡± Just then, two bloody heads were thrown from a distance. A man walked into the Golden Throne Hall and knelt before the Emperor above, ¡°Your Majesty, Gao Sheng and his son plotted to rebel, and now they have been executed!¡± Zhao Mengtai looked at the two familiar, fierce heads, slightly stunned. One of them was none other than Gao Sheng who had just greeted him earlier. Zhao Mengtai tried to remain calm and said, ¡°That means the East Camp and Zhong Mountain¡­.¡± Zhao Zhiwu knew everything about him, so today¡¯s scheme was naturally under his control, and now it seemed more like a joke. Zhao Zhiwu solemnly said, ¡°Actually, I just wanted to see if you would truly step into the Imperial Palace and whether you would regret it at the last moment.¡± ¡°Regret, I, Zhao Mengtai, have never regretted.¡± Zhao Mengtai¡¯s pupils dilated, a hint of crimson flashing in his eyes, ¡°Even if given a thousand times, ten thousand times, I would still do the same.¡± Zhao Zhiwu placed his hand on the Dragon Throne, gently caressing it, and while looking at the unrepentant Zhao Mengtai, he said, ¡°A thousand times, ten thousand times, your ending would be the same, because you are Zhao Mengtai, and I am Zhao Zhiwu.¡± Zhao Mengtai lifted his head, looking straight at Zhao Zhiwu and said, ¡°I am driven to this point.¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°You should not have such great ambition.¡± Zhao Mengtai roared, ¡°Why not? If Zhao Chongyin can become the Crown Prince, why can¡¯t I, especially since he is that¡­.¡± His words were cut off mid-sentence by an overwhelming pressure, as immense as a mountain, forcing him to swallow the rest of his words. The ground under Zhao Mengtai¡¯s feet cracked open, and if not for his cultivation reaching the Grandmaster Realm, he might have already fallen to the ground. The Golden Throne Hall was quiet, filled only with the sounds of Zhao Mengtai¡¯s breathing. After a long time, Zhao Mengtai spoke again, ¡°I am very curious as to how Father knew all this so clearly? I want to know where I lost?¡± Zhao Zhiwu spoke indifferently, ¡°You have an undercover agent by your side, placed there by my command.¡± An undercover agent!? Zhao Mengtai couldn¡¯t help but sneer, ¡°Father Emperor actually placed an undercover agent beside his own son.¡± Zhao Zhiwu coldly stated, ¡°You only have eyes for Yan Country, whereas my heart encompasses the entire world. A mere undercover agent means nothing; I might as well tell you now, there are four undercover agents in total across the world, who can play a crucial role at critical moments. The one beside you is just meant to root out the unrest in Yan Country, did you really think it was all for you?¡± Zhao Mengtai looked at his father, this Emperor of Great Yan. Although he had always known deep down about his father¡¯s profound and immeasurable thoughts, hearing him say it out loud still sent a chill through his heart. Just then, footsteps echoed towards them, followed by a head being thrown over, rolling to Zhao Mengtai¡¯s feet. It was Mo Yan¡¯s head. Seeing this, Zhao Mengtai¡¯s heart completely froze. All the calculations today seemed nothing but a joke. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Suddenly, Zhao Mengtai burst into wild laughter. The laughter echoed in the Golden Throne Hall. Zhao Zhiwu just watched, saying nothing. ¡­¡­. Atop Zhong Mountain, the wind was fiercely biting. The Sword God, holding the Phoenix Sword, exuded an indescribable great oppressive aura from within that made it difficult to breathe. Under this oppressive force, even skilled fighters like Jia Shiwu and Zuo Biwen felt as if they were carrying mountains on their shoulders, an exceptionally uncomfortable experience. This was the pressure of the Holy Dao Sword combined with the might of a Four Qi Grandmaster. An Jing furrowed his brows and thought, ¡°If the Sword God reaches the level of a Five Qi Grandmaster, even facing Jun Qinglin, he likely wouldn¡¯t be at a disadvantage.¡± The next moment, the Sword God raised his Phoenix Sword. Whizz whizz whizz whizz! Countless beams of sword light burst forth from the blade, each beam carrying an extremely domineering and powerful force. Then, these beams of sword light crazily rushed towards An Jing; if hit, he would undoubtedly be riddled with holes. An Jing swept his sword horizontally, a sword glow like the full moon meeting those countless beams of sword light. Bang bang bang bang bang! At the moment of impact, sharp explosions sounded, each collision rippling with True Qi, causing many onlookers¡¯ hearts to tremble. The Sword God put his fingers together, and suddenly the myriad beams of sword light merged into one even more formidable beam of sword light. Shi! The fierce sword light pierced through, striking directly on the Evil Suppressing Sword. Clang! The collision of the two caused True Qi to reverberate. An Jing¡¯s arm vibrated, a powerful force continuously transmitted from the sword body, then channeled into his viscera, but An Jing¡¯s physique was also extremely robust and directly withstood the aftershock. The Sword God leaped forward, then ferociously chopped down with a mountain-like heavy sword. The True Qi within An Jing¡¯s body surged like rivers within his meridians, eventually flooding into the Evil Suppressing Sword. Thump thump thump! The two figures constantly intersected, their sword lights clashing, generating terror-inducing shockwaves and destructive ripples, spreading out. All the experts kept retreating, already at the periphery, and as they watched the two entwined figures fighting fiercely, their faces showed signs of astonishment. Now everyone understood just how strong the fully-engaged Sword God was. And at that moment, An Jing also concentrated his gaze on the distant Sword God, feeling an oppressive force that indirectly showed that the Sword God was the most powerful opponent he had faced so far. Previously, Qi Xuan Daoist Master¡¯s main opponent was not An Jing but Jun Qinglin, so that oppressive sensation wasn¡¯t extensive. Now he was bearing all the pressure from the Sword God alone. Behind the Sword God, waves several meters high surged; his eyes suddenly sharpened and, holding his Phoenix Sword, a golden radiance was released, illuminating him like a god of this mortal world. As the Sword God lunged forward with his sword, a splendid burst of golden light surged forth, domineering and unparalleled. An Jing used all of his techniques, Brahma Heart Sees Me, his energy reaching its peak, and the Evil Suppressing Sword also being pushed to its limit. The sound of the sword¡¯s hum resonated throughout the earth. The surrounding True Qi violently stirred up, its terrifying momentum intimidating for miles around. An Jing stretched out his palm, and the Evil Suppressing Sword spewed forth a slash of sword light that ripped through the sky. Boom! Boom! Zhong Mountain trembled! It shook violently. Boom! It was as if heaven and earth themselves had vibrated, the terrifying impact dispersing the surrounding True Qi. The Sword God extended his hands, and the surrounding True Qi, as if attracted by some mysterious force, surged crazily toward the Sword God. An Jing, observing the Sword God¡¯s initial move, suddenly felt a chill in his heart. The Sword God slashed his sword towards An Jing in front, immediately raising a tidal wave of Sword Qi as if a trained sword light came crashing down with an overwhelming might. The sword light, carrying a golden radiance, trembled with awe-inspiring power. Common grandmasters upon seeing this fist force attack, daunted by the deterrence, felt utterly no desire to resist. An Jing¡¯s hand held the Evil Suppressing Sword, which flowed with a dazzling light. In an instant, the sword in his hand seemed to transform into a towering giant sword. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Control Flying Immortal! An Jing slashed down with his sword, the momentum like a roaring sea of Qi seemed to transform into a blazing inferno that surged forth with a rumble. Under the watchful eyes of all the experts present, the giant sword collided fiercely with the golden sword light, immediately creating a fierce confrontation. Boom! Boom! Boom! The surrounding True Qi started boiling, seemingly about to melt the golden sword light as well. The onlookers, holding their breath and not daring to even breathe, stared without blinking, fearful they might miss something. The Sword God, seeing the standoff before him, fiercely channeled True Qi into the Phoenix Sword with his left hand. The golden sword light, powered by the True Qi, instantly intensified its brilliance, directly scattering the giant sword in front, and after the golden sword light dissipated, the remaining force harshly rushed towards An Jing. Boom! Boom! An Jing was continuously bombarded by the remaining force, stepping back repeatedly. ¡°Try taking another one of my moves!¡± Heavy Tower Sword Technique! The Sixteenth Tower! The Sword God¡¯s Phoenix Sword burst forth with extreme brilliance, a destructive power spreading far and wide. An Jing again slapped the Evil Suppressing Sword, which instantly materialized six domineering and lonely giant swords descending from the sky towards the ground. Evil Suppressing Sword Formation! The six giant swords, methodically and from six different directions, fell, each containing Sword Control Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword, and many other mysterious sword techniques. Simultaneously, behind An Jing, a profoundly mysterious expanse of the night sky seemed to appear. Immortal Sword! The Immortal Dao is vast and immeasurable, and unpredictable. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! The six sword lights met the Sword God¡¯s sword light, their ultra-sharp aura directly piercing through the Sword God¡¯s sword light, and aiming at the opponent¡¯s throat. In the distance, Zhao Chongyin and others couldn¡¯t help but change their expressions; this scene was beyond their expectations, An Jing¡¯s sword formation actually tore through the Sword God¡¯s sword light?! Whoosh! In their astonished silence, the sharp golden radiance pierced through the air at a terrifying speed. Clang! However, just as the sword radiance was about to reach the Sword God¡¯s throat, the Phoenix Sword blocked in front of the Sword God. The Sword God, expressionless, watched as the sharp sword radiance shattered. Hiss! The many experts watching this scene inhaled sharply, their eyes filled with solemnity when they looked at An Jing. Their previous exchanges had been with full force, their attacks ferociously unmatched, enough to make all the experts feel a lethal threat. Yet, no one had anticipated that, facing the Sword God¡¯s domineering attack, An Jing¡¯s counterattack would also be incredibly fierce, and it had nearly slain the Sword God outright. The spectators sighed; today¡¯s battle between dragons and tigers was becoming increasingly intense. While the spectators were exclaiming, the Sword God¡¯s expression became ice-cold, a golden halo with an ancient aura slowly manifested behind him. And when the crowd saw those mysterious and ancient rings appear, they all sharply inhaled a breath of cold air. Because they knew, the appearance of those rings added a deeper sense of oppression. This ring is precisely the Holy Dao. The Sword God¡¯s eyes were cold and indifferent, a golden ring slowly appeared, emitting an ancient and mysterious fluctuation. At this moment, the Sword God, backed by the golden ring, seemed like a true Sword God, majestic and inviolable. An indescribable sense of oppression spread out. Jia Shiwu, Zuo Biwen, and others from afar looked at this scene, their faces completely changing with dense fear in their eyes. ¡°Is this the Sword God¡¯s Holy Dao Sword!?¡± the Sword Demon saw this, an indescribable dread on his aged face. If he had really fought with this Sword God initially, he might indeed have been defeated by this Holy Dao Sword. When the Sword God¡¯s Holy Dao Sword was fully unleashed for a moment, even the stars behind An Jing had to give way slightly. But upon closer inspection, Immortal Dao still held a slight advantage over Holy Dao. Although An Jing¡¯s skills didn¡¯t fall short, and even held a slight advantage, his Dao was completely overwhelmed. The gap between them was difficult to bridge. Under many wary gazes, the Sword God¡¯s majestic eyes turned towards An Jing. ¡°Holy Dao Sword! Main Punisher!¡± Heavy Tower Sword Technique! The Seventeenth Floor! The Sword God¡¯s voice was like millennia-old profound ice, the bone-chilling color making one¡¯s heart tremble; he swung his Phoenix Sword forward, coldly pressing toward the front. The Sword Light directly crushed forth, appearing in front of An Jing, then with a destructive force, it seemed to grind everything ahead into powder. The vast Sword Light, carrying an extremely shocking force. An Jing controlled the six Sword Radiance of the Evil Suppressing Sword to meet it. Around An Jing, a frightening Sword Radiance mingled with continuously flashing light. Bang bang bang bang! The collision of Sword Light immediately unleashed a True Qi tide from its center. But this time, An Jing¡¯s sword array did not pierce through the golden Sword Light; instead, it was fiercely shattered by the golden Sword Light, which did not slow down because of the Sword Radiance and continued to roll toward An Jing. A flash of cold light in An Jing¡¯s eyes, a Sword Finger met the rushing Qi Force. Dong! Dong! Like the sound of a morning bell echoing, at the moment of the collision between the finger light and the Sword Light, An Jing¡¯s body crashed heavily to the ground like a kite with a broken string. Bang! The ground was smashed into a huge crater, and subsequently, clouds of dust drifted out from it. Whoo! Seeing An Jing hit the ground, a buzz immediately ensued. ¡°Has the Sword God defeated the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡°Is the title of the world¡¯s first swordsman going to fall into the hands of the Sword God now?¡± ¡­.. All the experts present were startled by the Sword God¡¯s strength. Seeing this, Zhao Chongyin breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Everything today, it seems, didn¡¯t hold any surprises, the Ghost Swordsman not only would be defeated today but would also die. Afterwards, the Demon Sect¡¯s hatred wouldn¡¯t be directed at him, but rather at the Yu Heng Sword Sect. Zuo Biwen shook his head and sighed, ¡°The Sword God is bound to be recorded in history today.¡± The swordsman battle today is indeed rare in this era; such has not been seen in three hundred years past, and likely will not be seen in three hundred years to come. Jia Shiwu also somberly said, ¡°It looks like the winner has already been decided.¡± Everyone believed the Ghost Swordsman had already been defeated. After all, his sword array had been broken, all his trump cards had been played, and what other means could he have to contest the Sword God? However, as An Jing¡¯s body heavily hit the ground, his internal organs all pained, and in this moment of intense pain, his nerves were stimulated, making him incredibly calm, and his mind at that instant connected all the insights from this encounter. ¡°The principles of cultivating heart and nature, exploring the ways of spirit and transformation, the mechanism of heavenly human interaction, the moment of overlooking life and death, nothing escapes the books.¡± Whether it was Volcanic Essence, the past winds, or the vast snow, a blade of grass, a piece of wood¡­..everything in the world was suddenly connected in a new way. Boom! Boom! Lightning and thunder roared above in the sky, winds howled relentlessly, only to see a fierce wind sweeping over the land, the wind and snow on the ground, dead woods all fervently swaying, as if the wind was about to flip the land over. At the same time, a momentum suddenly surged, like a mountain covering the land. ¡°What is this!?¡± The Sword God Liu Moyuan was astounded by what he saw. It wasn¡¯t just Liu Moyuan, everyone¡¯s face was filled with horror, their eyes wide open staring ahead. ¡°Heavenly Human Communication!¡± Even Old Su was so shocked he couldn¡¯t close his mouth. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s face drastically changed, he had personally witnessed Li Fuzhou performing Heavenly Human Communication before, so he knew all too well the terrifying power of it. Since ancient times, masters have been loyal to the Dao and proficient in it, devoting their entire lives to cultivating one Dao; how could they cultivate two Dao simultaneously? At this moment, An Jing stood on the ground, fierce winds blowing, his clothes fluttering in the wind, lightning flashing overhead, and the heaven and earth merging; there he stood amidst it all, having achieved a subtle connection. Although it was just a subtle connection, it had greatly enhanced his strength. Boom! A muffled thunder echoed, illuminating the heaven and earth, and also lighting up An Jing¡¯s face. Whish, whish, whish, whish! An Jing slapped his hand on the Evil Suppressing Sword, then six rays of sword light began to operate again. ¡°Today I ascend to the Heavenly Human Communication, please Sword God, test my sword!¡± After speaking, An Jing¡¯s True Qi surged forth, and six enormous rays of sword light stood tall once more; this moment the Immortal Sword, empowered by the world¡¯s forces, fell with an unstoppable tremendous force. The oppressive force of the Holy Dao Sword was like a mountain approaching, but the oppressive force of the Immortal Sword was like the entire starry sky. Unstoppable! It could not be stopped! That immense oppressive force fell, and it seemed as if the air itself had solidified. The crowd felt as if a sky-shattering change had occurred before their eyes, as if the whole world was in awe. Everyone was momentarily dazed, losing their own will as if numb, raising their heads. ¡°Today, I¡¯ll fulfill your wish,¡± The Sword God clenched his teeth, and his Essence Blood began to burn inside him; around him, the raging True Qi violently surged towards him, subsequently tinted by a certain momentum into a gold-flecked color. Heavy Tower Sword Technique! The eighteenth tier! Boom! A sword strike cleaved through, turning the field ahead into a vast torrential sea, the gold-flecked waves rolling tumultuously, surging towards An Jing, shattering the ground wherever they passed. Even Grandmaster experts felt a chill in their hearts and tingles up their scalp upon seeing this scene. The terrifying True Qi violently swirled around, subsequently boiling up. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! From the center of the battle, explosions of apocalyptic magnitude erupted. The plain sound, like muffled thunder, exploded in everyone¡¯s hearts. Such a shocking scene was unprecedented even to the Grandmaster experts present, all of them showing looks of astonishment. The horrifying explosions continued to spread, scattering the Sword God¡¯s Sword Radiance as well. The Sword God and An Jing were both engulfed in the tidal wave of sword qi. Everyone watched, their hearts nearly leaping out of their throats; they didn¡¯t know how much time had passed before the dust gradually settled, and a figure slowly emerged. Who is it!? Who is the one still standing!? Everyone was curious. Who had won this great battle? Who was the supreme swordsman in the world? Zhao Chongyin, Old Su, Jia Shiwu, Zuo Biwen, everyone was holding their breath, their eyes unblinking, afraid of missing something. Sigh¡­ Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As the wind blew the dust away, everyone¡¯s eyes widened to see a scene they would never forget in their lifetime. An Jing stood in the middle of the altar, his body erect like a sharp sword plunged atop Zhong Mountain, his calm eyes looking at the Sword God who lay on the ground before him. The world, at that moment, fell utterly silent. ¡­¡­. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 288 - Chapter 288: Chapter 288 Houjin Attacks, Zhong Mountain Shakes Chapter 288: Chapter 288 Houjin Attacks, Zhong Mountain Shakes The once renowned Sword God who had made a name for himself across the world, now lay on the ground, his breathing becoming extremely weak. Compared to the Sword Demon, his Sword Dao was indeed sharper, but the sharper something is, the more painful it is when it breaks. The Sword Demon, protected by the Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique, could still stand, but at this moment, Sword God Liu Moyuan could only lie on the ground struggling against death. The entire Zhong Mountain was as silent as death, and it was unknown how long had passed before a faint sound emerged, which then resonated through heaven and earth, shaking the mountains and rivers. ¡°My God! Did the Ghost Swordsman really defeat the Sword God?¡± ¡°Another top swordsman has fallen to the Evil Suppressing Sword.¡± ¡°Looking back and forth over five hundred years, it¡¯s very difficult to find another swordsman as formidable as this one.¡± ¡­ Everyone¡¯s hearts were trembling, after all, this was the Ghost Swordsman who had fought two battles in succession. The Ghost Swordsman had first defeated the Sword Demon, already enough to make a name for himself in the world, and then he overpowered the Sword God. How many in the world could achieve such a remarkable record? Keep in mind that both the Sword God and the Sword Demon were the top swordsmen of their era, having reached the peak. Despite that, both were defeated by the Ghost Swordsman who was still young, and it seemed that his peak had not yet come. No one knew what the future held for the Ghost Swordsman, or what heights he would reach when he entered his peak, but for the next fifty years, there would be no swordsman capable of challenging him ¨C that was an unquestionable fact. Some even believed that the Ghost Swordsman had the potential to reach for the Seventh Realm of Sword Dao, that enigmatic and elusive realm no one had yet achieved. Jia Shiwu¡¯s expression was complex as he muttered to himself, ¡°So this is what the world¡¯s top swordsman amounts to.¡± Sword Dao is most prevalent in Yan Country, where there are the most swordsmen, so they hold in the highest esteem the title of the world¡¯s top swordsman. Yet, no one had taken on this title for over a hundred years, and those who did were but fleeting wonders. And with the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s current age, who could shake his status in the next fifty years? At such a young age, he had reached what many could not achieve despite a lifetime of effort; for everyone, this was another heavy blow. Zuo Biwen didn¡¯t even know what to say anymore and just looked at the young man in white before him. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s face, usually as calm as still water, couldn¡¯t maintain its composure as he frowned deeply. Master Su couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°This man is extraordinary.¡± Although his cultivation was still above An Jing¡¯s, even above many others in the world, his heart was still full of amazement at the achievements of the young man before him. Today, this Ghost Swordsman. Has officially become the world¡¯s top swordsman. Possibly the youngest world¡¯s top swordsman in the rolling history of time, with no precedent and likely no successors. An Jing also took a deep breath, his mind involuntarily recalling words once said by Lou Xiangzhen. Life is absurd and solitary, the Heavenly Dao is arduous and noble; with a palm as a sword, when the Heavenly Rainbow falls, severing the Sect Leader¡¯s pagoda, toppling the emperor¡¯s crown, be the great Sword Immortal who stands unmatched by anyone in the world just once. At this moment, numerous experts in Sword Dao had sparks flashing in their eyes, their hearts resounding with an inexplicable shock. Despite being from the Demon Sect, An Jing¡¯s prestige had now reached a pinnacle within the Jianghu. This prestige, within the Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu, was matched only by Xiao Qianqiu who sat atop Zhenyi Mountain, the State Preceptor of the Yan Kingdom Court, and the first master within the Great Yan Martial World. And the experts from Yu Heng Sword Sect also flew in, reaching the front of Sword God Liu Moyuan, and upon finding he was still breathing, they breathed a sigh of relief, gave An Jing a fist salute, and then supported the Sword God as they headed to where the Yu Heng Sword Sect was gathered. An Jing turned his head towards Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin and asked, ¡°Your Highness The Crown Prince, may I claim the Dulu Sword now?¡± Instantly, everyone turned their gaze in that direction. Zhao Chongyin had adjusted his emotions and said with a smile, ¡°Please.¡± A word that was brief and to the point, neither joyful nor sorrowful. But in his heart, Zhao Chongyin thought: An Jing, oh An Jing, this Dulu Sword is not so easily obtained. An Jing walked towards the giant cauldron on the altar, his heart also filled with curiosity about the Dulu Sword, renowned as the world¡¯s first sword. The Qi Force had just rushed towards the cauldron, only to be suppressed by the Sword Qi from the Dulu Sword within. A famed sword with spirit, naturally emanating Sword Qi, how fearsome could this sword be? An Jing¡¯s pace was neither fast nor slow. There was no trace of abnormality within the giant cauldron, but as An Jing approached within a significant range, the Evil Suppressing Sword suddenly started to emit a series of light humming sounds, and at the same time, a clear chirping sound emerged from within the cauldron. This seemed to carry a hint of warning. Swordsmen contend with swordsmen, and swords themselves also have contests. The Sword Demon slowly rose to his feet, murmuring, ¡°The Dulu Sword also chooses its master.¡± As he stood up, he suddenly noticed a pair of cold eyes staring at him¨Cthe owner of the gaze was none other than Master Su. The Sword Demon felt a chill in his heart: ¡°A true expert!¡± Although he had long known there was a powerful figure beside Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, his eyes still narrowed involuntarily. If he was not mistaken, this person was of the Five Qi Grandmaster Level. The Sword Demon, who had roamed the Jianghu for many years, had naturally encountered Five Qi Grandmasters. To exert such pressure on him, it could only be the cultivation level of a Five Qi Grandmaster. At this moment, as their gazes met, the Sword Demon dared not make any rash moves. ¡°Sh!¡± An Jing took another step forward, and the giant cauldron reflected a fierce Sword Qi. If the Sword Qi unleashed during the previous battle came from the swordsmen, the Sword Qi now was emitted by the sword itself, essentially even sharper. Right as this fierce Sword Qi was about to touch An Jing, stars once again appeared behind him. Immortal Dao! When the sky was filled with stars, the fierce sword qi dissipated into nothingness in an instant, as if winter snow met the warm sun. An Jing kept walking forward, as sword qi continuously refracted from the giant cauldron, getting faster and sharper, but without exception, it melted away as it neared him. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± The Dulu Sword within the giant cauldron kept releasing its own sword qi, as if it wanted to stop An Jing from getting closer. The hum of the Evil Suppressing Sword grew louder and more ear-piercing. Within the crowd, Tianpeng Ancestor wondered to himself, ¡°What kind of Sword Dao has this Ghost Swordsman cultivated, to be able to melt the Dulu Sword¡¯s sword qi?¡± Being one of the top swordsmen in the world, he was very familiar with blades. The Dulu Sword, known as the World¡¯s First Sword, ranked first not only on the lists made by Jianghu, but also in the annals of history, and its reputation was well deserved. The sword qi it unleashed was exceptionally powerful; any swordsman who wielded the Dulu Sword would undergo a qualitative transformation. Moreover, the sword qi emitted by the Dulu Sword would devour its master, so swordsmen who obtained the Dulu Sword either seldom used it or met an early death. This revealed the peculiar nature of the Dulu Sword¡¯s sword qi. That the Sword Dao of the Ghost Swordsman could directly melt the unique sword qi of the Dulu Sword was somewhat unbelievable. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s brows were knotted in puzzlement. He had thought that An Jing, after fighting two battles, would have no strength to resist the Dulu Sword¡¯s qi, but unexpectedly he had dispelled it so easily. Under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes, An Jing arrived in front of the giant cauldron. The cauldron was still shaking, releasing a large amount of sword qi. That was a longsword, its hilt made from the horn of a true dragon from ages past, and even after a thousand years, it still radiated a faint dragon might. The Dulu Sword¡¯s material was peculiar, like stone yet not stone, with a simple style, and on the blade that bore a fine crack, two characters prominently engraved¨CDulu. A resolve shone in An Jing¡¯s eyes as he reached for the hilt of the Dulu Sword. The moment he held the Dulu Sword, a surge of overwhelming sword qi rushed along his arm towards his body. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing hadn¡¯t expected the Dulu Sword¡¯s sword qi to invade his body directly. Such sharp sword qi could damage the internal organs, and even someone at the Master Realm might suffer a heavy blow. Just then, the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± began to circulate, drawing the sword qi into his dantian to dissipate. The next moment, the swords of all swordsmen present let out a clear tremble, shaking violently. Then swords flew up to the sky in droves, with sword qi crisscrossing in all directions. Such a wondrous scene was unprecedented. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Around the center of the giant cauldron, a succession of explosive sounds resonated. Until the noise gradually faded away, the swords all returned to their scabbards. People looked towards the giant cauldron and saw An Jing holding the world¡¯s first sword, Dulu Sword, and the formerly rampant and unrestrained sword qi also vanished in a flash. ¡°What a good sword!¡± An Jing gently caressed the blade of the Dulu Sword and, smiling at Zhao Chongyin, said, ¡°Thank you, Crown Prince, for the sword.¡± Zhao Chongyin replied indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s your own skill.¡± Unable to hold back, Yang Chong remarked, ¡°The World¡¯s First Swordsman deserves the World¡¯s First Sword.¡± Jia Meixian also looked at the unparalleled swordsman in white, feeling as if in a dream, thinking back to the man she once saved at the foot of the mountain¨Cwas he indeed this invincible Sword Immortal of today? Zuo Biwen said with emotion, ¡°There is now one more supreme expert in the world, and this expert is only in his early twenties.¡± Having defeated both the Sword God and Sword Demon, and now obtaining the Dulu Sword, once this feat spreads, even the Five Qi Grandmasters of various forces will need to be cautious. Jia Shiwu nodded slightly in agreement with Zuo Biwen¡¯s view. Everyone knew that with the current strength of the Ghost Swordsman, acquiring the Dulu Sword was like adding wings to a tiger. The Demon Sect had lost Jun Qinglin, their Five Qi Grandmaster, but this Ghost Swordsman had also fully matured. Zhao Chongyin also understood the reasoning behind this, but he could not backtrack or do anything self-destructive. The Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang whispered, ¡°Your Highness Crown Prince, the auspicious hour for the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony is almost upon us.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Zhao Chongyin took a deep breath and declared, ¡°Let it begin.¡± The Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang glanced at Xu Qianyue. Xu Qianyue stepped forward, voice deep from his dantian, and proclaimed to those around, ¡°On matters of state, in sacrifice and military, if there is anyone around the sacrificial platform who spits, coughs, talks, laughs, or makes noise, be it royalty, nobles, ministers, officials, or anyone else, they will be named and reported.¡± Because of the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony, the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, who carried out the sacrifice on behalf of the Human Emperor, had started fasting three days before, and a large number of animals, such as cattle and sheep, were slaughtered. The night before, Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang personally inspected the divine tablets, offering vessels, and sacrificial offerings; the music department was ready as well. Hearing Xu Qianyue¡¯s words, everyone from Yan Country wore solemn expressions, with no one speaking. When the appointed hour arrived, the clock rang out and Zhao Chongyin walked toward the center of the sacrificial platform, coming to a stop at the center as the bell ceased and music drummed. ¡°Dong!¡± The ceremony officially began, and at this moment, ritual acts like burning the southeast calf and hanging the heavenly lamp were performed. The misty smoke and flickering candlelights created a profound mystical atmosphere. The sequence of procedures was incredibly complex, involving the welcoming of divine spirits, the offering of jade and silk, the procession with offerings, the initial sacrifice, the intermediate sacrifice¡­ until the final step of ¡°looking at the burnings.¡± Zhao Chongyin burned the sacrificial offerings as lingering tones filled the air. At this moment, Zhao Chongyin was exercising the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s divine authority, performing the rite of Heaven Sacrifice. What is the Heaven Sacrifice? An Jing knew that all this was a charade played by feudal emperors to demonstrate the idea of ¡®the divine right of kings,¡¯ a method to show the Emperor¡¯s divine authority for the purpose of upholding and promoting the divine power to maintain imperial power. Perhaps there are Immortals in this world, but they must be exalted, beyond all understanding. The blazing flames rose high, and the black smoke shot straight into the sky, as if out of place against the surrounding clouds. Atop Zhong Mountain, almost all eyes were fixed on the burning of the sacrificial offerings and the thick black smoke. Zhao Chongyin stepped back slowly, coming to stand beside An Jing. Side by side, neither of them spoke, both calmly watching ahead. After a long while, Zhao Chongyin spoke, ¡°When we first met, I thought we could be good friends.¡± Their first encounter was in Bo City on Lingnan Dao. In An Jing¡¯s heart, the Crown Prince suited the throne better than the Second Prince; he was refined and affable, full of integrity yet with deep schemes, making him more suitable than Zhao Mengtai. An Jing asked, ¡°When did this ¡®thought¡¯ disappear?¡± Zhao Chongyin replied, ¡°The moment you joined the Demon Sect.¡± Could it be that Zhao Chongyin was already aware of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s true identity? Did the Great Yan Emperor also know? An Jing¡¯s heart stirred, but he maintained a calm demeanor, ¡°That truly is a pity.¡± Zhao Chongyin pointed at the Dulu Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand, and asked, ¡°Do you know why this Dulu Sword is named so?¡± An Jing countered, ¡°Why?¡± Zhao Chongyin, indifferent to whether An Jing was truly unaware or pretending not to know, calmly said, ¡°The Dulu Sword was forged by the famed craftsman Li Laojun at the behest of the Great Qin Emperor. Dulu, dulu, if the world were a deer, one man alone would claim it.¡± An Jing laughed, ¡°A fine Dulu Sword indeed.¡± Zhao Chongyin said, ¡°This Dulu Sword was originally prepared for myself.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°The Human Emperor has the Emperor¡¯s Sword in hand; Your Highness does not need this one.¡± Zhao Chongyin, with hands clasped behind his back, said indifferently, ¡°That is the Emperor¡¯s Sword of the Taiping Human Emperor, not mine.¡± An Jing ran his hands over the hilt of the Dulu Sword, feeling its iciness, ¡°It seems that the Crown Prince is also a master of the Sword Dao, only a Sword Dao master would cherish the World¡¯s First Sword.¡± Zhao Chongyin declared, ¡°I can see the Sword God, the Sword Demon, and your sword, but you cannot see my sword.¡± For top swordsmen, whether they can see the sword in their hands, the sword in their hearts seems to be a standard for a top swordsman. However, a sword is sometimes not a tangible object but an intangible presence. An Jing looked at Zhao Chongyin, ¡°It seems Your Highness¡¯s sword resides in your heart.¡± Zhao Chongyin coldly said, ¡°Since childhood, I have been practicing the sword of the Emperor, to pacify the world, bring peace to the people, strategizing behind the scenes, and securing victory from afar. If one were to embody the sword, and get blood spattered within five steps, it would be unbecoming of an Emperor.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°So you never intended to relinquish the Dulu Sword from the very beginning.¡± ¡°Correct.¡± ¡°What does Your Highness plan to do now?¡± Zhao Chongyin did not answer An Jing¡¯s question but pointed to the Sword Demon in the distance, ¡°That¡¯s a thief from Houjin. Today it would be fitting to kill him in sacrifice to the heavens.¡± All the martial arts masters present were shaken. The Sword Demon was a man from Houjin, and his arrival at Zhong Mountain with ill intent naturally warranted death! The Sword Demon¡¯s pupils shrank slightly, and he gripped his Blood Tears Sword tightly, ¡°The Yan Country¡¯s Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony indeed requires a sacrifice. Wouldn¡¯t it be even more touching to sacrifice the Crown Prince¡¯s head to the heavens?¡± ¡°Today I will take the Crown Prince¡¯s head and complete this sacrificial rite.¡± These words sparked shock and anger among the people of Yan Country. ¡°Audacity!¡± Xu Qianyue drew her longsword, looking coldly at the Sword Demon. As the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s imperial guard with a sword at hand, her strength was beyond question; even if she rarely made a move in the world and any traces of her actions were erased, no high-level expert dared to underestimate her. The three hundred Imperial Guards and the Xuanyi Guard of the Great Heavenly Gang all turned their gaze in this direction. ¡°Boom!¡± Just then, a sudden change occurred. From within the crowd surged a wave of True Qi, blasting several of Yan Country¡¯s martial arts experts into a mist of blood. The scene instantly became chaotic, and everyone was astounded and turned to look back. Had the forces of Houjin arrived!? An Jing narrowed his eyes, looking in the direction of the noise. A bald old man wielding a giant blade was seen standing on the blood-red earth. His giant blade dragged along the ground, making ¡®sizzling¡¯ noises that were harsh and shrill, as if something was grinding against a person¡¯s heart. Giant Blade! In the world, there were not many experts who used giant blades, and even fewer who had made a name for themselves. The man spoke indifferently, ¡°Killing the Crown Prince as a sacrifice to the heavens today would indeed immortalize His Highness in history.¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King! An Jing naturally recognized him; they had once had a fierce battle at Dongluo Pass. An absolute powerhouse seated atop Snow Mountain in Houjin, who had once left Snow Mountain to help Zongzheng Huachun conquer the world. That giant blade had once rescued Zongzheng Huachun from Jun Qinglin¡¯s hands, and it was no exaggeration to say that without Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, there would be no Houjin of today. Upon seeing the newcomer, Jia Shiwu¡¯s face drastically changed: ¡°Mu Yuan Great Dharma King!?¡± Who was Mu Yuan Great Dharma King? He was the second-highest expert in Houjin, beneath only Zongzheng Huachun, the strongest master of Snow Mountain. And now, he had infiltrated the territory of Yan Country. As Mu Yuan Dharma King stepped forward, a series of noises rang out among the crowd, as Mu Xuan, Mu Li, and numerous other Houjin experts also made their appearances. At this moment, the Sword Demon, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, and the other two Dharma Kings were all present on Zhong Mountain, making a total of four master-level experts from Houjin. Each of them had cultivation that was well beyond the initial entry to the Grandmaster realm; their strength was formidable. ¡°This is bad! The experts from Great Snow Mountain are attacking Zhong Mountain.¡± ¡°So many experts have come; it¡¯s clear they came fully prepared.¡± ¡­.. The swordsmen atop Zhong Mountain were all shocked and dismayed; they had come purely to attend the Dulu Sword Meeting and had not expected that the experts from Great Snow Mountain would have been lying in wait on Zhong Mountain. Their hearts trembled. With so many powerful experts, could the Crown Prince really withstand them? Especially since the Sword God was gravely injured and the Ghost Swordsman seemed to be on the edge of exhaustion, how could the situation be turned around today? ¡°Very well, I didn¡¯t expect so many people from Houjin to infiltrate here.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s face underwent a sudden change, indescribably dreadful. He was no fool and had sensed the conspiracy, but even now he could hardly believe it. An offering to the heavens was intended to sacrifice the Crown Prince! Who else could do such a thing, other than my heaven-defying second brother? Only he! Only Zhao Mengtai could commit such an audacious and ludicrous act! At the foot of the mountain, the guards were under Pingding Marquis, who sided with Zhao Mengtai during the party struggles, and furthermore, Zhao Mengtai himself had cultivated many experts. Anger surged in Zhao Chongyin¡¯s heart; he could have never imagined his own brother allying with the barbarians of Houjin to kill him. But soon, he regained his composure. Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang began to panic, ¡°What¡­ what on earth is going on?¡± As a court official and a high-ranking minister, he had never faced a Grandmaster-level expert in person; the overwhelming pressure made it nearly impossible for him to breathe. ¡°Relax your minds.¡± In contrast to Zhu Yongfang¡¯s slight panic, Yue Tingchen appeared to be completely calm, even unflustered. At this moment on Zhong Mountain, a stark confrontation had formed. On one side was Zhao Chongyin at the center, Xu Qianyue, and many other experts from Yan Country protecting him; on the other side were Mu Yuan Great Dharma King and the other Houjin experts as the core. The air was filled with the scent of blood, originating from the martial artists of Jianghu who had just died, now transformed into lonely wandering spirits. An Jing stood to the side, calmly watching the scene. While others were unaware of Zhao Chongyin¡¯s backing, he was well aware that the elderly man standing behind Zhao Chongyin could be considered the top expert on Zhong Mountain. Moreover, having fought two battles in a row, his essence, Qi, and spirit were all exhausted. Even if his True Qi could recover using the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± his energy was depleted. Besides, Zhao Chongyin harbored lethal intentions toward him, so why should he help Zhao Chongyin against the Houjin people? Given Zhao Chongyin¡¯s nature, even if he took action, Zhao Chongyin might not feel grateful for his aid. ¡°Shick!¡± Another sharp blade light swept through, and three guards were seen flying out heavily, followed by a figure appearing before everyone¡¯s eyes. It was a swordsman, his longsword cold and ruthless, imposing a nameless pressure, with silver-gray hair dancing in the wild wind. At just a glance, he gave off a terrifying impression. Xu Qianyue¡¯s eyebrows raised, ¡°The Tianpeng Ancestor?¡± ¡°Precisely.¡± The swordsman said with a smile. Though smiling, the temperature around him seemed to drop even further. One of the four most mysterious swordsmen in the world. His appearance undoubtedly made the situation more critical and caused Zhu Yongfang¡¯s complexion to turn even paler. Zuo Biwen¡¯s lips quivered, and his heart thudded erratically. ¡°Indeed, such a good brother I have.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s gaze was deep with a chilling cold; he knew his brother was resolute in his desire to see him dead, hence the many experts sent here. ¡°Since you all seek death, I, the Crown Prince, shall accommodate you today.¡± Having said that, Zhao Chongyin turned to look at the Old Su beside him. The hunched-back Old Su who had always seemed to be on the verge of death took two steps forward, positioning himself in front of Zhao Chongyin, and then stood up straight. The moment Old Su, who appeared to have been bent over his whole life, stood up straight, even though it was such a simple change of posture, it carried an indescribable aura that made Zhong Mountain tremble. Though not tall, especially when compared to the robust men from Houjin on horseback, the moment he stood straight, he gave off a peculiar illusion. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It was as if at that moment Old Su resembled a stone statue from a tributor hall, shining so brightly it was blinding, forcing one to avert their eyes. In that instant, the True Qi within him was like a vast ocean, unfathomable, having reached the human body¡¯s limits. An awe-inspiring aura surged forth; even the wind and snow that had paused earlier seemed to start dancing again, and the withered trees trembled and shook while other creatures within Zhong Mountain uttered their cries¡­ ¡­. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 289 - Chapter 289: Chapter 289: The Demon Sect Hierarch Ascends Zhong Mountain Chapter 289: Chapter 289: The Demon Sect Hierarch Ascends Zhong Mountain Great Grandmasters do not emerge into the world often, so the Five Qi Grandmasters are the most top-notch experts in existence. Five Qi Grandmasters can be said to have one foot in the realm of Demi Immortals, possessing karma that is elusive to mortals, and with a mere gesture, they can alter the political landscape. For just one step further, reaching the realm of the Great Grandmaster, is to be truly a Demi Immortal. The divide between mortals and Immortals is vast, and the existence of a Demi Immortal is also an unfathomable peak for humans. Therefore, a Five Qi Grandmaster is like a sharp sword stored within its scabbard¨Cthe most fearsome when not drawn, but causing a whirlwind of bloodshed once unsheathed. Everyone, including the Five Qi Grandmasters themselves, dreaded each other. Even though Jun Qinglin¡¯s life was nearing its end, he was still feared; they were fearful that this soon-to-perish old man would see through the essence of life and death at the last moment, break through the shackles, and take that crucial step. Though knowing the chance was slim, Zongzheng Huachun still made his move. As for the scheme of Blue Sky Island, Ye Ding must have communicated with the Great Yan Emperor, no doubt he was aware of it, and it did not lack the intent for Jun Qinglin and Qi Xuan Dao to perish together in battle. If that were the case, it would doubtlessly be joyous news for Yan Country. Firstly, it would eliminate a foreign threat, and secondly, it would stabilize internal affairs, as the presence of such a powerful expert from the Demon Sect in Yan Country would inevitably be unstoppable. But plans don¡¯t always go as the Great Yan Emperor and Ye Ding wished, Qi Xuan Dao and Jun Qinglin did not fight to the death, and the result was Zongzheng Huachun eliminating the dying breath of Jun Qinglin. This allowed one to see that among the Five Qi Grandmasters of the current era, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s strength was undoubtedly one of the most formidable. He was also one of the Five Qi Grandmasters in the world whom people dreaded the most. Today, atop Zhong Mountain, another Five Qi Grandmaster made his presence known. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, Sword Demon, Tianpeng Ancestor, Mu Xuan Dharma King, and Mu Li Dharma King all furrowed their brows, showing a trace of solemnity. It wasn¡¯t only the people of Houjin who were astounded, but the martial experts from Yan Country were equally amazed. Five Qi Grandmasters are definitely not nobodies, who was this person before them? Mu Yuan Great Dharma King said in a deep voice, ¡°Tianpeng Ancestor, you deal with Xu Qianyue. The rest of us will meet this Five Qi Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Tianpeng Ancestor¡¯s figure dashed out without drawing his Red Snow Saber. His right hand¡¯s index and middle fingers came together, pointing a ray of light towards Xu Qianyue¡¯s forehead, this move was precisely the Immortal Pointing the Way. Shh! A massive saber shadow extended forth. ¡°Don¡¯t bother with these petty tricks, use your saber.¡± Xu Qianyue drew his longsword, slashing downward, the pale white blade¡¯s light chilling to the bone. The ear-piercing roar resounded, the earth trembled, and incredibly, the pale white blade¡¯s light cleaved through the finger light, bringing with it a daunting force that barreled toward Tianpeng Ancestor, who quickly raised his Red Snow Saber in defense before his chest. Clang! Tianpeng Ancestor was sent flying out. ¡°Huh!¡± Taking a deep breath, Xu Qianyue¡¯s eyes turned even colder. This coldness was not like the frigidity of a snow mountain. It was a coldness that led to despair. He gripped his sword tightly, his knuckles protruding as he unleashed another mighty slash, the pale white light of the blade causing the whole world to seem bleached. Those directly in the path of the sword felt as if they were being assaulted by a force as heavy as a mountain. Raging Wave Saber Technique! Mountain Wave! Xu Qianyue¡¯s strength astonished Tianpeng Ancestor, who immediately performed his lethal move. The mountainous blade light fell down, sealing heaven and earth. ¡°Crack!¡± Xu Qianyue¡¯s blade light was unstoppable, shattering the saber shadow of Tianpeng Ancestor. ¡°How can he be this strong, could it be that Xu Qianyue has already reached the Sixth Realm?¡± In an instant, a shocking thought surfaced in Tianpeng Ancestor¡¯s mind. This close guard of the Great Yan Emperor, the confidant among confidants, rarely showed his hand, and because of that, not many were fully aware of his capabilities. Tianpeng Ancestor quickly banished his wandering thoughts and devoted himself entirely to the battle, unwittingly strengthening the potency of his saber moves. Many spectators widened their eyes, watching the clash between these two mighty swordsmen. Clang! Clang! Clang! The sky was filled with saber light and shadows, their battle raging like a stormy sea. At the same time, Mu Xuan Dharma King and Mu Li Dharma King charged against the martial experts and Xuanyi Guards from Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu around them. For a moment, the once tranquil Zhong Mountain became extraordinarily chaotic. Skirmish! Blood! In the crowd, the gaze of Old Su suddenly turned icy cold, that oppressive feeling piercing through the masses and landing on two of the top Houjin experts. Neither Mu Yuan Great Dharma King nor Sword Demon spoke, but simultaneously, as if by tacit agreement, they leaped up and charged towards Old Su. Both were not merely Fourth Grade Qi Grandmasters like the Snow Mountain clan chief; they were at the peak of the Fourth Qi Grandmaster level, especially the Sword Demon, who was a Sixth Realm swordsman. As the second highest expert of Houjin, the strength of Mu Yuan Great Dharma King naturally could not be underestimated either. Most importantly, knowing they were facing a Five Qi Grandmaster, neither of them dared to hold back and went all out as soon as they made their move. The first to charge over was the enchanting one with a blood-stained sword. The sword light was a chilly glint, flickering with a dangerous luster. To any expert under Five Qi in the world, this was an exceedingly perilous sword. But, the very tip of the Blood Tears Sword was pointing directly at a Five Qi Grandmaster. Old Su operated his mighty True Qi, and his fingers seemed to radiate a white brilliancy, then flicked towards the blade of the sword. ¡°Ding!¡± A seemingly casual flick, but it exploded with a frightening force, traveling from the blade straight to the hilt, causing the Sword Demon¡¯s arm to tingle with extreme numbness. In the next moment, the giant saber of Mu Yuan Great Dharma King fell, its Sword Qi cascading down like a waterfall. Old Su neither dodged nor retreated, his gaze unchanging, as the Qi Mechanism around him surged tumultuously, forming an incomparable Light Shield, directly withstanding the falling giant saber of Mu Yuan Great Dharma King. ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom!¡± When the giant saber struck the barrier, the sound of impact was earth-shattering. Since Mu Yuan Great Dharma King had never thought of testing the waters, his first move was a killer technique. Old Su remained stationary, his robes fluttering with the roaring wind, his True Qi Light Shield firmly catching a blow of Sword Qi. Powerful! Unrivaled strength! In this moment, the power displayed by the Five Qi Grandmaster left everyone present deeply shaken and bewildered. An Jing watched Old Su¡¯s figure and secretly thought, ¡°This elder¡¯s breath is continuous and his True Qi is powerful, but it still feels somewhat strange.¡± The expert beside the Crown Prince indeed showed the strength and cultivation of a Five Qi Grandmaster, with breath that was enduring and even more robust than Jun Qinglin and Qi Xuan Dao. However, when it came to strength, Jun Qinglin and Qi Xuan Dao were actually above this elder. Both men had profound insights into the Dao and could maximize their strengths, while the elder before them seemed to fall short. Old Su single-handedly combated two top Fourth Qi Grandmasters, appearing to do so with ease, boosting the confidence of the Yan people present. In the midst of the chaotic fight, numerous Grandmasters wove through, causing many Jianghu experts to suffer the consequences, ultimately dying miserably on the waves of True Qi. Some Jianghu experts who valued their lives began to retreat towards the back, no longer daring to step forward for fear of becoming collateral damage and senselessly losing their lives. Mu Xuan Dharma King and Mu Li Dharma King also joined the fray against Old Su, but their participation did not change the course of the battle. The Five Qi Grandmaster against four, still looking dispassionate and calm. After receiving another two moves from Sword Demon and Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, Old Su suddenly waved his sleeve. ¡°Gentlemen, now it¡¯s my turn to make a move,¡± he said. Old Su gave a faint smile, extended his palm, and a tremendous surge of True Qi suddenly erupted, clearly having reached the summit of the Master Realm. Infinite! That continuous True Qi was like an ocean. Without any fancy techniques or moves, with just a slap of Old Su¡¯s palm, the True Qi surged forward massively, unstoppable and tumultuous. And this time, An Jing truly felt the sharpness and the absolute advantage of the Dao. Sword Demon¡¯s Blood Tears Sword shone brightly, releasing several beams of Sword Qi, attempting to stop the raging True Qi waves, but as soon as the Sword Qi touched the True Qi surge, it was instantly crushed. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, Mu Xuan Dharma King, and Mu Li Dharma King also went all out, not daring to slacken in the slightest. Boom! Boom! Boom! Overwhelming True Qi surged forward, scattering everything in front of it, including the Qi Forces from the four experts. Thud, thud, thud, thud¡­. All four Grandmasters retreated repeatedly towards the back, their eyes filled with deep trepidation. Imposing! Overbearing! Was this the strength of a Five Qi Grandmaster!? An Jing touched the Dulu Sword in his hand, his heart somewhat surging, and he couldn¡¯t help but think silently, he wondered whether his current strength was enough to confront a Five Qi Grandmaster. However, even after repelling the four men, Su Lao¡¯s face did not reveal any relief. His profound gaze pierced through the crowd and the snowflakes in the sky, looking ahead. Between heaven and earth, there was a momentary stillness, as if blood was flowing, spreading beneath everyone¡¯s feet. No matter when, blood is always colder than snow and ice. Su Lao seemed indifferent to everything in front of him, and the only thing that could capture his attention lay in the distance. Soon after, a hoarse voice squeezed out from his throat, ¡°Come out.¡± ¡­.. At the foot of Zhong Mountain. Tens of thousands of soldiers had firmly besieged the entire Zhong Mountain, densely packed without any gaps, as if a flying bird could hardly pass through. Lord Pingding sat on horseback, looking towards the sounds emanating from Zhong Mountain. Wei Bangfu was careful and cautious at this moment, with his palms already full of cold sweat. He could distinctly feel death approaching closer and closer, but resistance meant death, and non-resistance also meant death; such an outcome was truly the most painful. Lord Pingding looked at Wei Bangfu and asked, ¡°With the weather so cold, why are you sweating?¡± Wei Bangfu¡¯s hand subconsciously moved towards his waist, hoping the object in his hand could provide him a semblance of safety, ¡°My heart is somewhat nervous.¡± As if Lord Pingding hadn¡¯t noticed Wei Bangfu¡¯s subtle action, he continued to ask, ¡°Nervous about what?¡± Wei Bangfu explained, ¡°Seeing the Qi Mechanisms crisscross inside the towering Zhong Mountain, thinking about the certain peril within, I can¡¯t help but feel nervous.¡± Wei Bangfu¡¯s explanation was full of holes, but Lord Pingding did not continue to question him, as there was a stir in the distance. Scores of experts flew towards them lightly as swallows, skimming over the surface like dragonflies, a testament to their profound cultivation, and these were all experts from Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu. Lord Pingding called out, ¡°Who are you?¡± One of the sword-bearing men coldly said, ¡°Those who are ascending the mountain.¡± ¡°Ascending the mountain!?¡± Upon hearing this, a cold smirk appeared on Lord Pingding¡¯s lips, ¡°Zhong Mountain is already under lockdown, did you know that?¡± Could they be the experts from the Five Gangs Alliance!? Wei Bangfu¡¯s heart thumped wildly. This was the time he should be allowing them through, but at the moment he stood frozen on the spot, not even daring to breathe heavily. In the Jianghu these days, the most powerful force that was active was precisely this Five Gangs Alliance. In comparison to the towering factions like the Demon Sect and Buddhist sects, it was very difficult for ordinary Jianghu experts to encounter them, and ever since the battle at Blue Sky Island, the Zhenyi Sect had also begun a major cleansing, causing many temples and convents to become much more subdued. The most frequent and active walkers in this vast Jianghu were unequivocally the people from the Five Gangs Alliance. The sword-bearing man¡¯s tone was still icy cold, ¡°I need to ascend the mountain.¡± A glint of icy intent flashed in Lord Pingding¡¯s eyes, ¡°There is only one way up the mountain, and that is to become a corpse.¡± ¡°I choose another path,¡± the swordsman said, coldly caressing the sword in his hand. Seeing the swordsman, Lord Pingding felt a chill in his heart. With tens of thousands of troops by his side, this swordsman actually dared to make a move? Lord Pingding did not take action himself, but the two guards by his side drew their longswords from their waists. At such a close distance, a Grandmaster could easily take the head of an enemy general, but whether one could get out alive was another matter. The swordsman sneered and then took out a token from his waist. The token seemed to be engraved with a red sun, appearing as if, in the light, one would launch a thousand arrows. The moment Lord Pingding saw the token, his breath hitched. As soon as the swordsman took out the token, he put it away again. Yet from just a brief glance, Lord Pingding recognized the token, or rather, in the entire Great Yan Martial World, in all the world, there was no one who wouldn¡¯t recognize this pattern. The swordsman said, ¡°May I ascend the mountain now?¡± Lord Pingding shouted, ¡°Please!¡± His attitude changed dramatically all at once. The words of Governor Pingding fell, and the surrounding soldiers all made way for a path. The swordsman did not speak, sheathed his longsword, and stood respectfully to one side as a figure emerged from behind him and walked towards the top of Zhong Mountain. The person was shrouded in black smoke, as if their true face could not be discerned clearly. When the footsteps stopped in front of Governor Pingding, his heart trembled violently. At that moment, he felt death was just a step away, and if he dared to utter a ¡®no¡¯ just now, he might have died at the foot of Zhong Mountain today. Pingding wasn¡¯t afraid to die, but he certainly didn¡¯t want to die like this. After a long while, once Governor Pingding had regained his senses, those dozens of experts had already disappeared into the trail. Seeing this, Wei Bangfu breathed a sigh of relief, then became curious¨Cdid Governor Pingding really let those from the Five Gangs Alliance go up? ¡°General, are you all right?¡± Seeing the swordsman depart, a deputy general quickly approached. Governor Pingding watched the figures of several people leaving, took a deep breath, and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± The deputy general asked in a low voice, ¡°General, what do we do now?¡± Governor Pingding inquired, ¡°Do you know who that swordsman is?¡± The deputy general shook his head, ¡°No idea.¡± Governor Pingding somberly said, ¡°The White Tiger Sword Immortal, Yi Daoyun.¡± How many in the Demon Sect could make Yi Daoyun clear the way? The identity of that person was almost self-evident. Wei Bangfu¡¯s complexion changed drastically upon hearing this. Weren¡¯t those people from the Five Gangs Alliance? How did they suddenly become masters of the Demon Sect? And what about the men from the Five Gangs Alliance!? At that moment, a bad premonition surged in his heart. ¡­. Upon the stone steps of Zhong Mountain, the guards from the Imperial Guard stood sentinel. These guards were experts of the palace, tasked with the safety of the Imperial City; the least amongst them had Fourth Grade cultivation, with quite a few at Third Grade and even some at Second Grade Cultivation. Faced with the sudden assault from the experts of Houjin, they did not panic. Although there were Grandmaster level masters among them, Yan Country had also dispatched a Five Qi Grandmaster. All they had to do was defend the key passages around them, preventing the Houjin experts from fleeing. Even if the Houjin masters caused a disturbance with their moves, they remained unflustered and did not act. Just then, a tremendous force assaulted them from behind. Boom! Boom! Several guards had no chance to react; their internal organs shattered by the oppressive force, and anyone touched by this Qi force was pulverized. Such a terrifying commotion immediately drew everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Grandmaster!?¡± As members of the Imperial Guard, they naturally knew that such force and strength could only be wielded by someone of Grandmaster level. At this point atop Zhong Mountain, experts were gathered en masse, with Houjin¡¯s Great Snow Mountain deploying so many masters. One Five Qi Grandmaster from Yan Country was enough to deter the Great Snow Mountain, and victory seemed to be within reach. But until the moment of actual victory, no one could truly know to whom it belonged. And now, an unsettling variable had appeared. Coming up the mountain was a young girl. And she was the one who had just made the attack. The girl looked to be only around four or five years old, with two small ponytails on her head and a very cute and charming face. Even though the Imperial Guards were not Jianghu masters, the sudden appearance of a little girl caused a trace of astonishment to emerge in their hearts. From the moment they joined the Imperial Guard, they were required to maintain unparalleled loyalty to the Royal Family. Even if it meant charging into mountains of blades and seas of flames, they had to forge ahead. That was their mission, as well as their faith. The Imperial Guards exchanged glances and rushed towards the young girl. In their view, even a ferocious tiger could be frightened by a pack of wolves, and even in death, they had to bite off a chunk of flesh. But they were hardly a pack of wolves, and the girl was much more than just a ferocious tiger. The girl¡¯s palms were a blur, and with each strike, several guards would die on the spot, reduced to a puddle of blood and muck on the stone paving. There were no screams, no cries¡­ only unceasing death and blood. To her, killing seemed as simple as eating and drinking. The path leading up the mountain was stained red with fresh blood. Above the whole of Zhong Mountain, there seemed to be a plunge into silence, a silence that was eerily unsettling. Following Elder Su¡¯s gaze, everyone else looked over as well. The girl appeared in everyone¡¯s field of vision, her face as delicate as carved jade, but her eyes possessed a hint of seductive charm. Her pace was neither fast nor slow, and even the act of killing did not seem to affect her stride. The moment they saw the girl, everyone¡¯s complexion turned pale. For the blood trailing behind her had already become a thin, trickling stream, slowly flowing until, due to the extreme cold, the scalding blood quickly solidified, as if the blood in their own veins had frozen in the chilling weather. An Jing¡¯s pupils constricted, feeling a sense of oppression deep inside. It seemed that the waters of the Jianghu were indeed deep, concealing who knows how many cunning old turtles; a slight misstep could drown even a grandmaster, leading to their demise, vanishing without a trace. Elder Su stared straight at the girl in front of him, and couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°I was wondering why only the experts from Houjin showed up. It turns out Black Ice Platform wants to profit from the chaos, reaping the fishermen¡¯s gains.¡± Black Ice Platform!? Hearing Elder Su¡¯s words, the whole of Zhong Mountain gasped in shock. What kind of power was Black Ice Platform? In front of the three major factions, it naturally didn¡¯t count as an ancient power, but it was undoubtedly one of the most mysterious. Originally, the power of Zhao Country in the south could not compare with the ancestral lands, but when Black Ice Platform emerged, the situation began to subtly change, and the reason for all this was Black Ice Platform. The people of Yan Country also seemed to have rejoiced too soon as their faces turned grave. At the same time, the cold wind atop Zhong Mountain grew even fiercer, and the sunlight that was still visible was completely obscured by dark clouds. A silence like death. Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang, seeing the endless emergence of masters, also knew that today there lurked a shocking, vast conspiracy. Normally, he would be chastising the foreign barbarians and nomads before him, standing in front of the Crown Prince. But at this moment, he shrank back, even retreating behind Zhao Chongyin. Not only the Minister of Rites, but all were motionless, their emotions churning. They were caught in the midst of this conspiracy, struggling powerlessly, with no one knowing whether the small boat that appeared next would capsize in a fiercer storm. Today¡¯s events on Zhong Mountain were far too complex and delicate, not only featuring a struggle between the world¡¯s foremost swordsmen but also the assassination of the Crown Prince and the appearance of two masters standing at the summit of the mountain. These were all figures beyond the ordinary person¡¯s sight. A Five Qi Grandmaster from Black Ice Platform had actually made her appearance. And the girl who could climb Zhong Mountain was naturally no ordinary child; she was the Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s senior sister from Black Ice Platform, the one whom even the proud Lv Qiujian could not ascertain her true identity, Granny Qin Shan. Great Yan¡¯s Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, however, looked at Qin Shan with a complex expression, as if he recognized the girl before him and shared a different kind of relationship with her. Qin Shan looked at Elder Su, her clear voice echoing in everyone¡¯s ears, ¡°I never thought that someone of your dull nature could become a Five Qi Grandmaster and glimpse the mysteries of being a demi-immortal. It seems nothing is impossible in this world.¡± Elder Su stretched out his palm and smiled, ¡°Since acquiring this cultivation, indeed I have not made the slightest progress, but compared to you, I feel that sometimes not advancing in cultivation can be a good thing.¡± The word ¡®acquired¡¯ sparked wild thoughts in many people¡¯s hearts¨Ccould it be that this Five Qi Grandmaster¡¯s cultivation had a special origin? Qin Shan¡¯s beautiful eyes lifted slightly, ¡°In this world, which Five Qi Grandmaster doesn¡¯t want to break through their shackles, reaching the true realm of a Great Grandmaster? Even Jun Qinglin, on the brink of death, still has a sliver of opportunity, but only you¡­¡± As she spoke, Qin Shan shook her head. To the Five Qi Grandmaster before her, it seemed she harbored pity, disdain¡­ Elder Su, indifferent to Qin Shan¡¯s continuous mockery, said coolly, ¡°In this vast world, being able to stand at the peak is already not easy, so why obsess over the unnecessary? Aren¡¯t you yourself confined within the realm of Five Qi?¡± ¡°Furthermore, don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know where you come from. In Black Ice Platform, there exists a skill called ¡®Innate Skill,¡¯ which absorbs the innate Qi of unborn children, expanding it within one¡¯s Qi Sea, transforming one¡¯s own Qi Sea into an Innate Qi Sea, nurturing an Innate Dantian. Your method, which must have killed countless infants to succeed, is truly malicious and brutal. In my view, everyone always says Outer Heaven is the Demon Sect, but on the contrary, I think Black Ice Platform is more like the heretical path.¡± Innate Skill!? It was the first time the masters present had heard of this Innate Skill, they couldn¡¯t help being greatly surprised. Elder Su, with his hands behind his back, continued, ¡°It is exactly this Innate Skill that has caused your body to wither and remain in the form of a child. Am I right?¡± ¡°Clap, clap, clap!¡± Qin Shan applauded, ¡°You are right, but that won¡¯t interfere with the outcome today.¡± Elder Su gave a faint smile, ¡°Outcome? Only things that have happened are called outcomes.¡± Qin Shan said, ¡°Then let it truly happen now and become an outcome that no one can change.¡± The two had no past friendship, so naturally, they didn¡¯t have old times to reminisce about. All of Houjin¡¯s experts eyed the scene with steely gazes. In the next moment, an exceptionally powerful Qi Force surged to the skies, just as strong as the Qi Mechanism Elder Su had released earlier, if not stronger by threefold. The cold wind surged even more violently, as if countless knives were scraping by. Two powerful Qi forces began to intertwine, each occupying one side of Zhong Mountain, standing off against each other, evenly matched in grandeur. The howling wind roared, accompanied by the thunderous booming sound that echoed through it, as Qi forces interweaved forming blades that shuttled through the wind, making one shiver uncontrollably and feel a chill down to their bones. The withered trees began to shake and tremble, and this was only the beginning. As Qin Shan¡¯s True Qi circulated, the milky white True Qi surged from behind her, connecting her to the sky above, as if at that moment, she was the sky above Zhong Mountain. The wild wind didn¡¯t stop! Just like the beating of a human heart! And opposite her, the elder Su stood rooted to the ground, projecting an unshakeable presence like Mount Tai, unmoving regardless of how the Qi force assailed him. Suddenly, a hint of astonishment appeared in his eyes, a divine light that shouldn¡¯t belong there. Then, Qin Shan opposite him moved. The sky over Zhong Mountain seemed to change as well. Her palms churned, and the milky white True Qi tumbled down, giving the impression that the Zhong Mountain was collapsing, and the Four Seas were surging down¨Can utterly pure True Qi, rumored to be the Innate True Qi, the essence of the world at its beginning. The gale struck, carving deep wrinkles on Elder Su¡¯s weathered cheeks. Immediately after, Elder Su¡¯s figure disappeared from sight. And thus, the two Five Qi Grandmasters finally clashed. With just one strike, it was as though a spark had ignited the entire prairie, setting off a furious wildfire. Zhong Mountain trembled, the Qi Force surged like tidal waves. One person¡¯s Qi stretched vast like the heavens, overwhelming, and the other¡¯s as dense and heavy as the earth. At the moment of heaven and earth¡¯s union, that heart-pounding sensation reappeared. An Jing had witnessed Five Qi Grandmasters in action, the most memorable being on Blue Sky Island. He hadn¡¯t just watched, but had also been part of it, while at Dongluo Pass he hadn¡¯t seen it. Although he had experienced the clash of Five Qi Grandmasters before, the sight still made his heart skip a beat. Especially, the display of milky white Innate True Qi by the Black Ice Platform expert seemed to provide him with a great revelation. The True Qi refined by the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± was indeed incomparably pure, but always felt lacking due to the absence of the ¡°Beidou Seven Stars Technique¡±, but now seeing this Innate True Qi, he finally understood. Perhaps the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± ultimately also aimed to absorb a breath of Innate True Qi, but due to its incompleteness, there was always a deviation. ¡°Kill¨C!¡± Sword Demon and Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, free from constraints, charged towards Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, together with An Jing. The Sword Demon¡¯s reason for wanting to kill was straightforward, naturally for the Dulu Sword, while Mu Yuan Great Dharma King also had a simple reason, to eliminate this threat for the Houjin Dynasty. Seeing Mu Yuan Great Dharma King coming at him, An Jing also felt a murderous intent rise within himself. Even though he knew that fighting consecutively had drained him, he still needed to kill. For the grudges of Dongluo Pass, for the grievances of Jun Qinglin. And the quickest way for a swordsman to settle a vendetta was with a sword. The Dulu Sword flashed out! A world-shaking sword light surged from the blade, drifting toward the front. The moment the world¡¯s first swordsman and the world¡¯s first sword appeared together, it was astonishing how profound that experience was, first felt by Mu Yuan Great Dharma King. That Sword Qi was unstoppable, bone-piercingly sharp, and he lacked the courage to meet that sword light head-on. He could only leap aside hastily, narrowly avoiding this astonishing sword light. ¡°Dulu Sword!¡± Seeing this, Sword Demon¡¯s eyes glinted with bright light. Swordsmen cherish treasure swords, and so no swordsman could ever resist desiring the world¡¯s first sword. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King¡¯s arms shook fiercely as if a dragon danced, veins pulsing, True Qi going wild, the long saber slashing down towards the ground, and then a menacing dragon surged forth, charging directly at Wen Qingye. Sword Demon, seeing Mu Yuan Great Dharma King unleash his skillful art, also decided not to hold back any longer. Supreme Sword Scripture! Heavenly Punishment! Nine dark shadows appeared in the sky, each one resembling the real Sword Demon, and then these nine shadows struck simultaneously with their swords from all directions towards Wen Qingye. When two Four Qi Grandmasters worked together, their terrifying offensive was enough to make one feel the suffocation. Wen Qingye stomped forward fiercely, and the air around seemed to explode from the momentum, fleeing in all directions. The massive wave, several zhang high, surged forth with Wen Qingye¡¯s sword, boundless and overwhelming, pressing in from all directions of the heavens. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the giant wave of True Qi, ocean-like, rolled out and directly met the nine Sword Demons in the sky along with that beam of Sword Light. Bang! Bang! Bang! When the True Qi collided, it was akin to an erupting volcano, with countless points of True Qi bursting apart, scattering across the sky. The sea-like True Qi dispersed instantly, as did the nine Sword Demons; the frenzy of the True Qi tide washed away, and the dragon shape was also blown apart. Mu Xuan and Mu Li Dharma King saw the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s valor and bravely charged into battle. Chaos! The whole of Zhong Mountain was completely thrown into disarray! With Qin Shan holding off Old Su, the masters from the Houjin Great Snow Mountain finally broke free, each charging into the fray like tigers entering a flock of sheep. The imperial guards protecting Zhao Chongyin also surged forward. At that moment, several black-clad assassins from Wind and Rain Tower rushed towards the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin. One of them, though her face was veiled, had eyes that revealed she was undoubtedly a stunning beauty. Her eyes were filled with icy coldness. All of Zhao Chongyin¡¯s experts had been called away, and the two Xuanyi Guards of Great Heavenly Gang were also engaged with the Wind and Rain Tower assassins, unable to spare attention elsewhere. Now was a perfect opportunity. Li Yue¡¯s figure leapt, her longsword thrusting straight out, aiming to claim the life of the Crown Prince. She wasn¡¯t doing this for fame or for the greater good of the world, but for a deep-seated personal grudge. ¡°Your Highness, be careful!¡± Bai Jing saw this and abandoned her own opponent, quickly rushing over. Li Yue shouted sharply, her sword radiating light as she aimed for Bai Jing¡¯s throat. A person explodes with potential at the moment they forget about life and death, when both life and death seem trivial, when there are no grand affairs in life, no constraints, no shackles. That moment for Li Yue was now. So her sword was fast! Far faster than her current level of cultivation! Bai Jing, seeing the icy tip of the sword aiming straight for her throat, instinctively tilted her body slightly aside, but this slight tilt exposed Zhao Chongyin to grave danger. ¡°Not good!¡± Bai Jing inwardly cursed, but it was already too late. Li Yue, merging body and sword as one, continued to charge towards Zhao Chongyin. It was common knowledge that although Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin was in his forties, his aptitude for martial arts was mediocre at best, and he seldom practiced, resulting in his low level of cultivation. With Li Yue being at the First Grade Heavenly Flower Realm and a swordsman to boot, once within close quarters, the death of Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin was certain. Zhao Chongyin stood at the peak of the mountain, his expression detached and calm, even a bit haughty. At this time, the ministers conducting the ritual stood at a distance, watching this heart-wrenching scene, and couldn¡¯t help but cry out, ¡°Your Highness!¡± Everyone thought Zhao Chongyin would surely die, after all, he was no Zhao Mengtai. If Zhao Chongyin died, would Yan Country¡¯s sky change? Perhaps for them, it would indeed change! After all, if the Crown Prince died, who would succeed to the great throne? Li Yue¡¯s heart also began to tremble; since that year, her mind and heart had been filled with the obsession of revenge. At this moment, she wanted nothing more than to fulfill it. Although her heart was trembling, her sword was extremely swift, accurate, and ruthless. In the next moment, Li Yue¡¯s sword suddenly paused as if it had stabbed into a mountain, and a look of shocked horror appeared in her eyes. Her sword was firmly clutched between a pair of fair hands, and those holding the sword were slender, clean fingers. The owner of those fingers was none other than Zhao Chongyin himself. How could this be!? Considering that Li Yue¡¯s cultivation was at the First Grade Heavenly Flower, and yet Zhao Chongyin managed to hold her sword immobile with just two fingers. ¡°Ding!¡± Zhao Congying flicked a finger. A surge of Hidden Force entered the blade and rushed towards Li Yue¡¯s body, the tiny yet powerful force directly shattered the organs within Li Yue¡¯s body. ¡°Wow!¡± Li Yue¡¯s body staggered backward repeatedly, fresh blood spurting from the corners of her mouth, while the light in her eyes dimmed. Soon, countless figures overwhelmed her. ¡­. And this was just a corner of Zhong Mountain; the most intense battle at the moment was where the two Five Qi Grandmasters, Old Su and Qin Shan, crossed swords¨Cno one else dared to approach. An Jing, holding the Dulu Sword, had just repelled four Masters when he was about to charge forward. Suddenly a sweeping flurry of stick shadows bombarded him. The sticks were like mountains, exuding a majestic aura! The comer was certainly a formidable expert! An Jing hurriedly retreated, swinging his sword in a sweeping motion. The master wielding the Sky-reaching Stick, aware of the Dulu Sword¡¯s cold edge, quickly dodged to avoid a direct confrontation. The comer was none other than Teng Xubing, one of the Eight Heavenly Slaughters of the Black Ice Platform. ¡°Today, indeed, many experts have come. An Jing couldn¡¯t help but laugh as he saw this, ¡°But isn¡¯t it a mistake that all of you come after me instead of dealing with Zhao Chongyin?¡± Looking around, both Great Snow Mountain and Black Ice Platform had dispatched their Masters; Great Snow Mountain had sent four Masters, while Black Ice Platform had sent two, one of whom was a Five Qi Grandmaster. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King said coldly, ¡°Zhao Chongyin is going to die, and so are you. On the road to the Yellow Springs, you won¡¯t be lonely.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Suddenly, an indifferent voice rang out. Then a massive burst of sword light descended from the sky, landing in front of them. ¡°Run!¡± Seeing the sudden descent of the sword light, knowing that the comer was an expert, they dared not hold their ground and scattered to avoid it. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!¡± The black sword light heavily struck down, creating a ravine that extended towards the distance. ¡°Who has come now!?¡± All the experts on Zhong Mountain changed their expressions, stopped fighting, and looked towards the far distance. They saw a woman clad in black standing in the distance. The woman, with her eyebrows slightly raised and eyes as deep as distant hills, had a gaze that was seductive and captivating, with a delicate nose and skin as white as snow. Her crimson lips stood out starkly, like a proud and bewitching red plum in the snow, as if a fairy had stepped out of an exquisite painting. But not a single person bothered to appreciate her beauty. Because in her hands, she held two blades¨Cone long and one short¨Cglinting with a frighteningly cold light. An Jing, upon seeing the newcomer, couldn¡¯t help but reveal a trace of a smile. The newcomer was Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei gently caressed her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades and said, ¡°Today, no one is allowed to leave Zhong Mountain without my command.¡± In an instant, demonic might surged overpoweringly across the entirety of Zhong Mountain. Her voice was colder than the chilling wind, piercing to the bone. Everyone¡¯s breath caught. ¡°So it¡¯s you, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect.¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, upon seeing the newcomer, narrowed his eyes slightly and revealed a cold sneer. Zhao Qingmei said coldly, ¡°Today is the day you die.¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± Mu Yuan Great Dharma King laughed uproariously, ¡°A stray dog also dares to spout such madness!? Do you still remember how Dongluo Pass was annihilated, how Jun Qinglin met his end? Dongluo Pass is now the territory of Houjin, while Jun Qinglin¡¯s head hangs in my Royal Court.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At these words, An Jing¡¯s expression also turned cold, and a boundless killing intent surged within him. Some people are dead the moment they utter certain words, yet it¡¯s only when they stop breathing that they leave this world. In An Jing¡¯s heart, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King was such a person. ¡­. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 291 - Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Buddhist Relics Intimidate Grandmaster Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Buddhist Relics Intimidate Grandmaster Everyone present understood the situation clearly when they saw this. Even among the Five Qi Grandmasters, there were disparities, and Elder Su¡¯s cultivation level was evidently inferior to that of Qin Shan, who had refined Innate True Qi. Many inside began to feel nervous again, fearing the consequences if the Five Qi Grandmaster beside the Crown Prince were to lose, which would inevitably lead to a major battle. Duanmu Xinghua raised her eyebrows and asked, ¡°Sect Hierarch, what now?¡± This time, the Demon Sect had come to the mountain firstly for the Dulu Sword and secondly to avenge the grievance of that arrow at Dongluo Pass by killing the masters of Great Snow Mountain. Now, with the Dulu Sword in possession and masters like Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, Mu Li Dharma King, and the Sword Demon of Great Snow Mountain dead, their mission was accomplished triumphantly. Zhao Qingmei glanced at Zhao Chongyin in the distance and said indifferently, ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see how things unfold.¡± Her words echoed Zhao Chongyin¡¯s earlier sentiment. She was not here to rescue Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin but merely to kill the masters of Houjin and seek revenge for past grievances. An Jing also came over and transmitted his voice, ¡°Just now, Zhao Chongyin displayed a strength that contradicts the rumors.¡± The rumor had it that Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin had mediocre martial arts aptitude and no time to cultivate martial arts, thus only possessing Third Grade cultivation. Yet he had easily caught Li Yue¡¯s sword, revealing there was surely some trickery involved. Li Yue was a top assassin raised by the Wind and Rain Tower, who also cultivated the Blood Spirit Technique. Her cultivation had reached the realm of Heavenly Flower, and ordinarily, even a Half-step Master could not handle her as easily as Zhao Chongyin did. A cold light flashed in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s beautiful eyes, ¡°Once Zhao Chongyin dies on Zhong Mountain, then it won¡¯t be too late for us to make a move.¡± An Jing nodded, aware of Zhao Chongyin¡¯s murderous intent towards himself and how he had coldly observed the events earlier, indicative of his malicious intentions. Thus, the Demon Sect had no obligation to protect him from Black Ice Platform¡¯s assassination. Although Qin Shan held the upper hand, it was not easy to kill the Five Qi Grandmaster by the Crown Prince¡¯s side; wouldn¡¯t it be better to reap the benefits after a bloody battle? Zhao Qingmei transmitted her voice to An Jing, ¡°When I arrived, Ping Ding had already surrounded Zhong Mountain. It seems the Great Yan Emperor had long insight into all this and had made his plans accordingly; information indicates the Buddhist disciples have also rushed here.¡± An Jing¡¯s mind stirred, ¡°Fa Wu?¡± He remembered the little monk who had been at Three Temple Mountain, following beside Fa Zhi ¡ª Han Wenxin¡¯s current master. From the first time he saw the little monk, An Jing knew there was nothing ordinary about him. A child around the age of eight or nine had already reached the realm of Perfection, which was incredibly exaggerated and clearly involved some trickery. Latter demon sect intelligence also revealed some details ¡ª Fa Wu had a unique constitution that allowed him to absorb Buddhist relics and gain insights into Buddhist teachings, enhancing his cultivation. Such constitution was known to Buddhists as a reincarnated spirit child, a Buddhist disciple. Though there were gaps between the Zen Sect and the Lotus Sect within Buddhism, they had joined forces for the Buddhist millennial plan, bringing out all their stored relics and giving them to Fa Wu to aid his cultivation. Thus, Fa Wu had reached the realm of Perfection at such a young age. And with the entire Buddhist sect¡¯s centuries-worth of collected relics, his cultivation would continue to surge rapidly until he reached the Grandmaster level or until all the relics were completely consumed. His current strength was probably already at the level of Grandmaster. Aside from the high-ranking monks, few were aware of the exact realm he had achieved. Obviously, Ping Ding and Fa Wu were the backup cards used by the Great Yan Emperor. Elder Su looked at his own palm, then smiled and shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know what your intention is in boasting so, but you haven¡¯t killed me yet.¡± Qin Shan stood with one hand behind his back, surrounded by milky-white mist, and said lightly, ¡°Killing you is just a matter of time.¡± Elder Su said, ¡°Look around you, the masters of Great Snow Mountain are all dead.¡± Qin Shan glanced around coldly and said, ¡°What does their death have to do with me?¡± Most high-ranking warriors present felt a chill down their spines as they were swept by those eyes, and instinctively retreated several steps. However, Zhao Chongyin stepped forward without any fear. The two stared at each other for a moment, and Qin Shan was the first to shift her gaze away. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked, ¡°Do you truly intend to kill me today?¡± Qin Shan did not respond, but the surrounding Innate True Qi grew denser, indicating she either did not want to answer or did not dare to answer Zhao Chongyin¡¯s question. Houjin had secretly colluded with the Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai, and wasn¡¯t Black Ice Platform thinking the same? However, their focus had shifted to Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, who had flatly refused any natural cooperation they might have had. Thus, Black Ice Platform could only stir the contradictions within Yan Country. Only in muddy waters could one fish more effectively. The death of the Crown Prince and the rebellion of the Second Prince Zhao Mengtai would indeed be a huge blow to Yan Country. Strategic warfare targets the enemy¡¯s plans first, aiming for their heart! As the Yan Royal Family declined, the cohesion of the entire nation would diminish. Zhao Chongyin took a deep breath, turned to An Jing, and said, ¡°Now is the best opportunity. With the masters of Outer Heaven and Elder Su working together, it¡¯s possible to kill that Five Qi Grandmaster from Black Ice Platform and enhance the prestige of our Yan Country.¡± An Jing looked at Zhao Chongyin and said calmly, ¡°After several continuous fights, my True Qi has been exhausted, and I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m powerless to assist you.¡± Hearing this, Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Clearly, Outer Heaven was not planning to make a move but rather wanted to sit back and reap the benefits of the fisherman, even wishing to see me dead. At this moment, the two Five Qi Grandmasters confronting each other had both expanded their aura to a peak. That surging and intense Qi Force was entangling in all directions and spreading out. This immense pressure even caused An Jing to furrow his brows deeply. The Five Qi within the Grandmasters, Divine Qi, Soul Qi, Will, Corporeal Qi, and Essence Qi were all in place, just a step away from igniting the Spiritual Lamp and attaching the longevity lock to reach the realm of Great Grandmaster. With the Five Qi completely in place, it was rare in the Grandmaster realm to seek to challenge across realms because crossing one level was akin to crossing a mountain, and having the Five Qi in place signified a qualitative transformation in strength. Elder Su¡¯s cultivation in body refining was not high, merely at the level of a Flawless Body, far from the Heavenly Human Communication, his only advantage being his profound True Qi, vast like a boundless swamp. But Qin Shan cultivated Innate True Qi through a malevolent secret technique, making it incomparable even to Elder Su¡¯s profound True Qi. Thus, under the intertwinement of their Qi Mechanism, the superior was immediately discernible. Atop Zhong Mountain, the cold wind grew even colder, and once again, snow began to fall, adding a bit of shivering coldness. Among the falling snow, the two standing amidst the wind and snow did not move. The duel between the two top experts had at this moment become a simplification of complexity, both continuously brewing their next move. Perhaps at the falling of the next snowflake. Or possibly in the next breath. Or maybe in the next blink of an eye. Elder Su¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted, and he knew his chances of victory over Qin Shan were slim, but having mingled in Jianghu, one could not always encounter weaker opponents; there would always be stronger ones. In his past, he started as a Five Qi Grandmaster and had never encountered such a scene until today. He wanted to prove himself, not in front of Zhao Chongyin, not in front of the Human Emperor, but to himself. Compared to Elder Su¡¯s adherence as solid as a mountain, Qin Shan¡¯s heart was like calm waters, without a ripple. Thus, she sought to control activity through stillness, responding to all changes by being unchanging. In this clash of Qi Mechanism, no matter how Elder Su ¡°changed,¡± he could not surpass Qin Shan¡¯s ¡°unchanging.¡± Sometimes ¡°unchanging¡± is a form of ¡°change,¡± more profound than ¡°change¡± itself. The next moment, Elder Su moved. The entire Zhong Mountain moved simultaneously. The majestic True Qi burst forth suddenly like a volcano, shooting crazily towards the sky, dispersing the snowflakes in the sky, forming a unique area. That vast and immense True Qi, as dense as an ocean, made one¡¯s heart tremble. Elder Su looked at Qin Shan, and then he stirred his hands, and at that moment, the ocean of True Qi also began to churn, seeming to brew something terrifying, emitting a fearsome fluctuation. Boom! Boom! Elder Su extended his palm and pressed forward forcefully, utilizing the Five Qi cultivation to its utmost, the surging and roiling Qi shockingly impressing all the experts present. Boom! The ocean of True Qi was suddenly torn apart, countless streams of True Qi soaring into the sky. A gigantic hand formed from gathered True Qi fiercely thrust out from the ocean of True Qi, then, as if piercing through the air, pressed down towards Qin Shan. The gigantic hand of True Qi seemed to cover all directions and every place in heaven and earth, leaving nowhere to escape. Especially around the giant hand, the entwining eerie red light was overwhelmingly powerful, captivating one¡¯s soul. Elder Su executed his move with all his might, holding nothing back. He was very clear that if he lost to Qin Shan, it was highly likely that he would become Five Paths of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Essence, used to replenish Qin Shan¡¯s Innate True Qi. Qin Shan¡¯s gaze remained ice cold, still not moving. That ¡°petite¡± body standing under the giant hand projected a disharmonious sight, yet her indifferent demeanor further tightened the hearts of those watching. The next moment, a milky white aurora emerged and rushed forward. The blinding white light made many of the experts present involuntarily close their eyes. The dominance of Innate True Qi was evident! The nature of this True Qi had overwhelmingly tipped the scale in his favor. In an instant, that very instant was fatally decisive. Su Lao saw the white radiance, his pupils also filled only with that white light, no longer seeing anything else. He could feel the cold onslaught, not just his heart; his hair, bones, and blood all turned ice-cold¨Ca sensation he had never experienced before. And this chilling sensation continued unabated, until even his blood and heart were frozen solid. Boom! Su Lao only felt darkness before his eyes; when he regained consciousness, his steps faltered backwards repeatedly as a sweet-tasting rush emerged in his mouth, followed by a jet of blood spraying out. The outcome was determined in just that instant. Qin Shan was surrounded by a wafting white smoke, quietly standing in his original spot. Seeing this, the Minister of Rites, Zhu Yongfang, felt a deep chill in his heart, his lips trembling slightly, ¡°Lost¡­ Have we lost?¡± The Five Qi Grandmaster must have been the Crown Prince¡¯s final card, but now collapsed in the hands of Black Ice Platform, if the Crown Prince should die, he could by no means survive; how could he not be panicked? The expressions of the experts present varied, but all were tremendously shaken, their hearts racing uncontrollably. Today, the Ghost Swordsman had fought against all sides, defeating both the Sword Demon and the Sword God, delighting everyone watching; the consecutive arrival of Houjin and the Demon Sect further added to the shock, and now the clash of the Five Qi Grandmasters had pushed it all to a climax. The Five Qi Grandmaster of Black Ice Platform, could he possibly slaughter all sides on Zhong Mountain today? An Jing furrowed his brows and whispered, ¡°They¡¯ve arrived.¡± Qin Shan also seemed to sense something and looked toward the steps of Zhong Mountain. ¡°Amitabha!¡± Just as everyone was still immersed in the fight between the Five Qi Grandmasters, a clear and crisp voice rang out. Suddenly, a ten thousand feet tall golden light manifested above Zhong Mountain, shining brightly like a sword. Buddha¡¯s Light!? Such pure Buddha¡¯s light could only be from a master of Pure Land Buddhism! Everyone¡¯s minds were greatly shocked, focusing their eyes towards the staircase. They saw a small monk clad in a red kasaya, with red lips and white teeth, walking up the mountain path. His pace was neither fast nor slow, like a devout Buddhist on a pilgrimage to worship the Buddha. And that sun-like Buddha¡¯s light was emitting from him. Monks, old men, children, the Jianghu¡¯s most dangerous four types of experts, three of which had now appeared on Zhong Mountain. ¡­.. Inside the Golden Throne Hall of Yujing City. Inside the vast Golden Throne Hall, there were only two people. One was seated high up, the other stood outside the Golden Throne Hall. At that moment, the two were like people from two different worlds. Right now, Zhao Mengtai¡¯s eyes were exceptionally cold, like a wolf challenging the wolf king within a pack. As if the one in front of him was not his own father, but a stranger, whom he dearly wished to tear to shreds. Zhao Zhiwu saw in those eyes just as he had seen his own over forty years ago¨Ccold, devoid of any emotion. Those eyes would kill anyone who stood in his way, anyone. Including parents, siblings, and even wife and children. Imperial authority, initially an elusive entity, was also the thing most relentlessly clung to; it could drive siblings to fight, father and son to injure each other, and even lead one to missteps that turn into eternal regrets. Zhao Zhiwu softly said, ¡°Do you know why I have always liked you?¡± Among all the princes, everyone knew that the Human Emperor of Taiping favored Zhao Mengtai the most, but unfortunately, Zhao Chongyin was the eldest son and was the Crown Prince thrust into position to stabilize the situation of Great Yan. Zhao Mengtai hardly hesitated, saying, ¡°Because I am very much like you.¡± ¡°Exactly, you are very much like me,¡± Zhao Zhiwu nodded, then continued to ask, ¡°Then do you know why you can¡¯t become the Crown Prince?¡± Zhao Mengtai spoke gravely, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± He was also very puzzled as to why Zhao Zhiwu was not fond of this Crown Prince, why he hadn¡¯t abolished the Crown Prince and established a new one? Could it be because of guilt!? But could a person like Zhao Zhiwu really feel guilt? This question had troubled him for many restless nights. Zhao Zhiwu said indifferently, ¡°Because you are too much like me.¡± ¡°Hahahahaha.¡± Having his years of doubts resolved, Zhao Mengtai could not help but burst into laughter, unable to understand that the reason he couldn¡¯t be the Crown Prince was simply because he was too much like Zhao Zhiwu. Looking at the somewhat crazed Zhao Mengtai, Zhao Zhiwu did not get angry, and even his heart did not fluctuate in the slightest. ¡°Father, I really didn¡¯t expect these words to come from your mouth. You know what? You have always been the person I admire the most.¡± Zhao Mengtai looked intently at Zhao Chongyin, ¡°From a young age, I liked to mimic your every word and action, even learning your style of handling affairs and managing people. I remember clearly when I was twelve, the day after the Empress passed away, I cried very hard, and my tears even wet the book. You were in the Imperial Study Room then, patting my shoulder. I have never forgotten the words you said, that an emperor should be ruthless and tearless.¡± ¡°I have remembered that sentence for more than thirty years, thirty years! That sentence turned my heart cold and made me stronger, and I worked hard for it.¡± After a long silence, Zhao Zhiwu, who had raised a emperor with his own hands, finally said, ¡°Before being an emperor, first you need to learn how to be human.¡± Zhao Mengtai sneered and shouted, ¡°What high and mighty principles of being human! You¡¯re talking to me about being human in the Golden Throne Hall? Didn¡¯t you obtain the throne in exactly the same way before? There¡¯s no one in the world who understands you better than I do. You are just scared, scared that I would be just like you were back then.¡± The voice of the Second Prince was powerful, echoing in the Golden Throne Hall, and also thundering like a storm in Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s heart, though his heart was as hard as rock, as still as an ancient well. And those words, of course, did not disturb his peace of mind. Zhao Zhiwu asked straightforwardly, ¡°Mengtai, are you thinking of making a move against me?¡± ¡°I would like to see Father Emperor¡¯s tactics.¡± Zhao Mengtai¡¯s gaze was piercing as he slowly walked into the Golden Throne Hall. He had finally overcome the fear in his heart and stepped inside. Perhaps he had no choice but to come. Their gazes began to intersect. In the silent muteness, the quietness felt somewhat terrifying. ¡°Good.¡± Zhao Zhiwu nodded slightly. Zhao Mengtai took a deep breath and then stamped his foot on the ground. Although Zhao Zhiwu was severely injured, being a Five Qi Grandmaster, his chances of winning were very slim, but even so, he needed to try today. If he lost, it meant death; winning, he could own this entire realm. In the face of death, everyone is equal, but in front of life, everyone is different. Some are peddlers and servants; some are emperors and generals. So why can some be emperors and generals, and why are some just peddlers and servants? Zhao Mengtai did not believe in fate; he believed in himself. He believed that his own hands could accomplish everything. For the throne, even if it meant patricide and rebellion. And all this was taught by this father before him. The Golden Throne Hall became very spacious, empty as if it was the realm of Yan itself, with only the two of them, father and son, beneath it. Zhao Mengtai knew he had only one chance. If the first strike didn¡¯t succeed, then there was only one outcome for him, an outcome where everyone is equal. But even if given ten thousand chances, he would still do the same. Zhao Mengtai was a man destined for great things, and those destined for great things either achieve greatly or fail terribly. He had sworn to himself that he must live a life full of vigor. He stared into Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s eyes, considering himself the person who understood Zhao Zhiwu the best, hoping to see something through those eyes, to find a flaw. But Zhao Mengtai was disappointed, those eyes were no different from before, nothing but aged and muddled, nothing more. It was as if he wasn¡¯t looking at eyes, but an abyss that was bottomless. At the same time he saw those eyes, for some unknown reason, the confidence in Zhao Mengtai¡¯s heart started to melt away like the snow in winter. Simultaneously, an inexplicable fear surged, instantly drenching his entire body. He was clearly not afraid of death. Yet at this moment, he was afraid of seeing those eyes. Afraid of seeing that endless abyss. The next moment, everything disappeared from Zhao Mengtai¡¯s eyes¨Cno fear, no confidence, as if these things had been illusory from the start. He thought the landscape he saw also completely vanished. He saw his father, Zhao Zhiwu. It was his father from forty years ago. Subsequently, these two figures gradually merged and vanished as well. After that, he saw nothing. Only darkness remained in his eyes, and his heart also fell into darkness. Loneliness. Struggle. The golden light above the Golden Throne Hall shone on Zhao Mengtai¡¯s pale face, as beads of sweat fell from it. Zhao Zhiwu looked at Zhao Mengtai before him. The next moment, the abyss disappeared. The darkness also disappeared. Zhao Mengtai¡¯s body collapsed heavily to the ground, gasping for air, as if he had narrowly survived a catastrophe. In that moment, like falling into an abyss, even now his hands and feet felt cold. No one in this world is unafraid of death because those who are unafraid are already dead. Zhao Mengtai once again saw the Golden Throne Hall. Once again, he saw his father, the Great Yan Emperor Zhao Zhiwu. But Zhao Mengtai could no longer see himself. Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s murky eyes suddenly became bright, outshining even the dazzling light of the Golden Throne Hall, but it was merely a fleeting moment. The emperor¡¯s mind is hard to predict, no one knows what the Great Yan Emperor is thinking at this moment. Like the starry sky above the night, you can see it, but you cannot see through it. And you cannot see through it either. Zhao Zhiwu looked at Zhao Mengtai as if he was looking at his younger self, ¡°I won¡¯t kill you because you cannot die at my hand.¡± In the Golden Throne Hall, Zhao Mengtai gasped for air, his heart now cold, numb, cruel, resolved, even his pride seemed stripped away. Facing his own father, he was completely defeated. If Zhao Zhiwu did not die, he was bound to die. Zhao Zhiwu would not kill him. So who would kill him!? ¡­.. On Zhong Mountain, myriad rays of Buddha light emerged. Attracting everyone¡¯s attention, including Qin Shan. Fa Wu ascended the mountain. This Buddhist child stepped onto this mountain of heavenly sacrifice. Everyone present felt astonished and confused by his appearance. They did not understand why the Buddhist disciple had come up the mountain. A glint flashed in Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes, as compared to the Demon Sect and the Zhenyi Sect, the Buddhist was undoubtedly his most favored partner, and the suddenly appearing Fa Wu was his lifeline. Fa Wu brought his hands together in a Buddhist salute to Qin Shan and said, ¡°The martial arts practiced by this benefactor are indeed somewhat cruel.¡± Qin Shan replied indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s natural selection, survival of the fittest, if you are not cruel, others will be cruel to you.¡± Fa Wu shook his head, ¡°The benefactor is too attached, the sea of suffering is boundless, turning back is the shore.¡± Qin Shan said lazily, ¡°Buddhist monk, spare me your sermons, do you think you can stop me with your power? Others may fear your Buddhist sect, but we of Black Ice Platform do not.¡± Fa Wu said, ¡°The Buddhist sect guides people towards goodness, not toward fear, it is normal for the benefactor¡¯s heart to be fearless.¡± The murderous intent in Qin Shan¡¯s heart surged, unabashedly, and her Qi force emerged like a tide. For her cultivation, killing the young monk before her was merely a wave of her hand. Even though he was a Grandmaster. Fa Wu extended his palm, and a beam of golden light appeared. It was like the dazzling sunlight in the night, compelling those below the Grandmaster realm to use their inner strength to block it. Feeling that emerging golden light, even the wind and snow seemed to pause. ¡°Relics!?¡± An Jing was all too familiar with that golden light. He had once asked a Buddhist expert for a Shariputra and even obtained half of the Concealing Qi Technique. The Shariputra was left by a Buddhist expert, imbued with the qi of Supreme Yang and purity, but he could not absorb it excessively, which was a great regret for An Jing. Following the golden light upward, halfway up the sky, a golden relic shone brilliantly. Qin Shan scoffed, ¡°With your cultivation, even with a Shariputra, you dream of stopping me.¡± Although this Buddhist disciple¡¯s physique was special and could harness the power of Supreme Yang from the Shariputra, it was a fool¡¯s dream to think that just one relic could make her retreat. ¡°Benefactor, do not be hasty.¡± After Fa Wu spoke, his robe fluttered again, and his red kasaya trembled. In an instant, Zhong Mountain was overflowing with golden light, as if the piercing brilliance could shatter the heavens. One. Two. Three. ¡­¡­. Among the golden rays, nothing but relics could be seen. As the relics appeared, the entire Zhong Mountain was enveloped in the golden light of Buddhism, dispelling the cold and warming the entire mountain. In three breaths¡¯ time, no less than nine relics circled around Fa Wu, forming dazzling golden radiance. Each relic was left by a high monk of the Buddhist sect, and not all high monks could leave behind a relic, indicating the preciousness of these relics. Wow! Seeing the nine relics floating midair, everyone on Zhong Mountain was astonished. Even Qin Shan¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly at that moment. The power of Supreme Yang contained in the nine relics was too pure, and even with her cultivation level, she feared she would lose half her life if injured by their force. Qin Shan said, ¡°These nine relics are treasures of the Buddhist sect.¡± Fa Wu nodded and said, ¡°Indeed.¡± Qin Shan, with her delicate appearance, looked at Fa Wu, ¡°To stop me, you expended nine relics at once?¡± The Buddhist sect giving all the relics to Fa Wu was intention clear, evidently focused on nurturing Fa Wu with hopes of using his special physique to reach the Great Grandmaster realm. In today¡¯s world, be it dynasties, sects, or tribes, having a Great Grandmaster emerge would undoubtedly seize the fortune of the world and affect the entire global structure. Therefore, the efforts and secret conflicts amongst the forces of the Five Qi Grandmasters to reach Great Grandmaster are not openly discussed. The greatest strength of the Buddhist sect was Xi Hafu, but this man was elusive, and not even other forces or the masters of Buddhism could locate him. Aside from him, the others at the Tianyi Bodhisattva realm had been stuck at the Four Qi Grandmaster peak for a long time and could not advance to Five Qi Grandmaster, posing no threat. And this Buddhist disciple, Fa Wu, was named the hope of Buddhism. His constitution was extremely unique, allowing him to continuously absorb the Power of Supreme Yang from the relics and comprehend the Buddhist principles left by high monks within the Shariputra. As long as he absorbed the Shariputra, he could reach the Five Qi Grandmaster rank, and given his age, he had a great potential to reach the Grandmaster Realm in the future. That was the move Buddhism had placed in this current age. However, if the Shariputra were completely used up, Fa Wu¡¯s cultivation would still not be close to Five Qi, and then Buddhism¡¯s strategy would collapse, utterly losing the possibility to contend with the forces around the world. ¡°Amitabha.¡± Fa Wu solemnly looked at Qin Shan, who was even ¡®younger¡¯ than himself, and said, ¡°Nine Shariputra, with your strength, it will also be very difficult to withstand. You will surely suffer severe injuries, and even if you can leave Zhong Mountain, it would be difficult to leave Yan Country.¡± Listening to Fa Wu¡¯s threat that didn¡¯t sound like a threat, Qin Shan¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but he tensed inwardly. Fa Wu was right, even if she could withstand the Power of Supreme Yang from the nine Shariputra, could she really leave Yan Country? After all, the masters of the Demon Sect were still covetously nearby, and the might displayed by the Ghost Swordsman was even daunting to her, arguably the strongest master under the Five Qi so far, whether a heavily wounded body could still withstand was yet another question. Yet in her heart, she didn¡¯t quite believe what Fa Wu had said. Would Buddhism really pay such a price to kill her with nine relics? Qin Shan¡¯s tone grew exceedingly icy, ¡°Does Buddhism really want to fight to the death for Yan Country?¡± Fa Wu nodded and said, ¡°The master has ordered that we must protect the Crown Prince¡¯s safety at all costs.¡± Instantly, the entire Zhong Mountain became quiet. Shariputra surged around Fa Wu¡¯s body, and the Power of Supreme Yang spread across Zhong Mountain like a tidal wave, creating intense heat. It was as if it had suddenly moved from the bitter cold of winter to the intense heat of summer. Fa Wu¡¯s expression was calm as water, clearly he did not want to use the Shariputra to block Qin Shan, and Qin Shan also greatly dreaded Fa Wu¡¯s Shariputra. But in a flash, Qin Shan made her decision and couldn¡¯t help but laugh aloud, ¡°The Great Yan Emperor really knows how to calculate.¡± If Buddhism intervened, she would never believe it wasn¡¯t the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s doing. If she were really stubborn, the Buddhist disciple would definitely not reach Five Qi soon and could still kill her, which would serve multiple purposes for the Emperor. And Buddhism had no choice but to do so because Buddhism was the national religion, and as the national religion of Great Yan, it had to pay some price. Hearing this, Zhao Chongyin felt somewhat regretful but still relaxed slightly. Clearly, Qin Shan had given up the idea of both parties suffering losses against Buddhism, and she was already contemplating retreat. Meanwhile, Teng Xubing was being forced to retreat continuously by You Gai, and within a few dozen moves, he would likely die at his hands. Noticing Qin Shan¡¯s gaze coming his way, You Gai started to retreat. After all, she was a Five Qi Grandmaster, and even defeated Elder Su, and currently, there was no one in the Demon Sect who could confront Qin Shan, and Fa Wu would not stop Qin Shan for the Demon Sect, so there was no need to provoke her. Seeing You Gai retreat, Teng Xubing gasped for air and felt secretly relieved, acknowledging You Gai as a former top master. If a few more moves had passed, he might have been defeated and killed. Teng Xubing caught his breath and quickly came to Qin Shan¡¯s side. Qin Shan glanced around and finally landed her gaze on Zhao Chongyin, ¡°Zhao Chongyin, this entire celestial sacrifice ceremony was Zhao Mengtai¡¯s doing. When you return to Yujing City, you should properly settle this account with him.¡± After speaking, Qin Shan propelled her body along with Teng Xubing toward the base of the mountain. Qin Shan¡¯s words stirred up a storm, causing an explosion of discussions across Zhong Mountain. ¡°What! This was all Zhao Mengtai¡¯s doing?¡± ¡°He actually colluded with Houjin?¡± ¡°No wonder those Houjin experts were allowed to come in.¡± ¡°Does that mean the soldiers at the bottom of the mountain have already rebelled?¡± ¡­¡­ Everyone was discussing animatedly, their faces dramatically changing. Nobody had expected that this upheaval on Zhong Mountain was actually orchestrated by Second Prince Zhao Mengtai. Zuo Biwen looked very troubled. He was on very good terms with Zhao Mengtai and even supported him wholeheartedly to ascend to the throne, being a peripheral figure in the Second Prince¡¯s faction. But now, the Second Prince had committed such an outrageously treasonous act, and the Zuo Family, along with Youfeng Valley, would inevitably be swept into this tumult. The most crucial issue was the strong relationship between the Second Prince and the Empress; could this impact his sister? For a moment, Zuo Biwen¡¯s heart sank to the bottom. From the moment Qin Shan appeared, Zhao Chongyin had vaguely guessed it, and now, upon hearing Qin Shan¡¯s final words, he was completely certain. He immediately fixed his gaze on Yue Tingchen like a sword, who was undoubtedly a confidant of the Second Prince. The Minister of Rites, Zhu Yongfang, and other officials hurriedly retreated to a distance, fearing they would involve themselves in this trouble. Yue Tingchen was not panicked; instead, he calmly said, ¡°Indeed, this was the doing of the Second Prince, but I had already reported it truthfully to His Majesty earlier.¡± Not only had Yue Tingchen reported the matter, but he had also handed over all the evidence to the Taiping Emperor. Upon hearing Yue Tingchen¡¯s words, An Jing immediately understood the situation, ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± The arrival of Fa Wu from the Buddhist sector could be seen as the Human Emperor being prepared; evidently, he was aware of all Zhao Mengtai¡¯s actions. It turned out that Zhao Mengtai¡¯s most trusted confidant was actually the Human Emperor¡¯s plant in Zhao Mengtai¡¯s camp. ¡°The Taiping Emperor really has profound stratagems.¡± Zhao Qingmei was also secretly shocked. To plant spies even among his own son¡¯s closest circles was truly disheartening. Zhao Chongyin looked at Yue Tingchen; rather than feeling joy, his heart grew colder. Yue Tingchen, who was by Zhao Mengtai¡¯s side, was actually his father¡¯s man?! Even he had believed Yue Tingchen was one of Zhao Mengtai¡¯s most trusted, tightly bound together. Little had he expected that he was actually a pawn of his father. With such a pawn in Zhao Mengtai¡¯s camp, then around him¡­. a chilling feeling surged in his heart. At that moment, a disturbance came from the staircase. A general clad in armor ascended the mountain, with a swaying figure moving forward by his side, closer inspection revealed a clean-cut eunuch, small in stature and meticulously dressed in eunuch¡¯s attire, his waist naturally bent slightly forwards with his fingers crossed in front of him tipping slightly in an orchid gesture. This person An Jing recognized; he was the famous Holy Hand Zhuo Yuchang in Jianghu, also known as the godson of Eunuch Bai Mei. Zhuo Yuchang came before them all and lifted a scroll of imperial decree, saying, ¡°An imperial decree from the Human Emperor.¡± ¡°By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees, order State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu, master of Outer Heaven Zhao Qingmei, tributor An Jing, Fa Wu from the Buddhist sector, Valley Master Zuo Biwen of Youfeng Valley, Jia Shiwu of Four Symbols Sect, Sect Master Wang Yue from the Blue River Sect, Liu Moyuan, the Supreme Elder of the Yu Heng Sword Sect, Dai Danshu from the Five Poison Sect, and many other heroes of Jianghu to converge in Yujing City to discuss the resistance against the Houjin and Zhao Country among other matters, arrive within a month, without error, hereby ordered.¡± The soft voice resounded in everyone¡¯s ears at Zhong Mountain, followed by whispers that spread all around. The Human Emperor was gathering many top experts from Yan Country¡¯s Jianghu; this was a significant move. An Jing and Zhao Qingmei exchanged glances. After the events at Zhong Mountain, it seemed the invasion by Houjin and Zhao Country against Yan Country had become a fixed plan. If the Southern Barbarians were added, it would inevitably lead to a war of all nations, bound to be a bloody battle. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s face, however, darkened considerably. It turned out that from the beginning to the end, he had been played like a puppet. That his own brother wished to kill him was one thing, but that his father knew about Zhao Mengtai¡¯s betrayal and yet told him nothing, even forcing out his only trump card, Elder Su, was clearly using him as bait. Bai Jing approached and said, ¡°Crown Prince, that assassin from the Wind and Rain Tower is still alive.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes overflowed with murderous intent, and he coldly ordered, ¡°Kill them all.¡± If not for him concealing his own cultivation, he might truly have died under that sword during this Heaven Worship Ceremony, when dozens of assassins from Wind and Rain Tower came to kill him. Bai Jing transmitted, ¡°This assassin cultivates the Blood Spirit Technique, and he had been hiding in Yu State City as an Oiran, and even had some connections with the top scholar.¡± ¡°Zhou Xianming?¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongyin pondered for a long while and then said, ¡°Don¡¯t kill him yet, capture him and keep an eye on him.¡± Zhou Xianming, now an aide in the Imperial Study Room, had been entrusted with significant responsibilities and was backed by Lv Guoyong. A person whom Zhao Mengtai had tried all means to win over but failed. Bai Jing nodded and moved over to the unconscious Li Yue. Zhao Chongyin then looked at Elder Su, who was sitting cross-legged. He had already exposed this card, but at the same time, he was free from Zhao Mengtai¡¯s entanglements. Logically, this should be a favorable situation, but his heart could not find joy. His father, the Emperor, clearly did not want to pass on the throne to him. What exactly was he thinking? An Jing also saw Bai Jing rescuing Li Yue, his eyes narrowed slightly. This Zhao Chongyin, who was just brimming with killing intent, suddenly ordered not to kill; evidently, he was contemplating making a move on Zhou Xianming. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Now that Zhou Xianming had been granted weighty responsibilities, and with the Second Prince Zhao Mengtai¡¯s faction thoroughly downed, it was his time to expand his grand designs. If Zhou truly sided with the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, they might become enemies in time. Just then, Yi Daoyun hurriedly came over, his expression extremely troubled, ¡°Sect Hierarch, we haven¡¯t found the Sword Demon¡¯s corpse¡­.¡± ¡­¡­. PS: It was a close call, but I managed to get it out before midnight. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 292 - Chapter 292: Chapter 292: Great Grandmaster Contends for Supremacy Across the World Chapter 292: Chapter 292: Great Grandmaster Contends for Supremacy Across the World An Jing raised an eyebrow, ¡°Gone?¡± His Evil Suppressing Sword had directly pierced through the Sword Demon¡¯s heart, a feat not even a Grandmaster, akin to a Land Immortal, could survive. Could it be that someone had intercepted the corpse along the way? After all, the body of a Four Qi Grandmaster contained four streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. Zhao Qingmei said in a grave tone, ¡°We must investigate thoroughly and not overlook any trace.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Upon hearing this, Yi Daoyun turned back down the mountain to continue the investigation. An Jing then approached the body of Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, directly harvesting the four streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence within. If he didn¡¯t retrieve them now, the Spirit Essence might disperse and dissipate into the world. Zhao Chongyin watched this scene, their gazes met, and then shifted away. A spark flared between the two of them. Master! At that moment, An Jing felt a surge of Qi Mechanism emanating from Zhao Chongyin, which greatly shocked him. This Zhao Chongyin was not just mediocre as the rumors claimed, but a rare genius, a true top-tier master. The Royal Family was essentially the pinnacle of power in Great Yan, rich with vast resources. If Zhao Chongyin truly was a genius, then at over forty years old, with the resources of the Royal Family at his disposal, how could his cultivation be poor? Such deep machinations! An Jing frowned deeply, no wonder Zhao Chongyin had remained calm and observed from the side, his strength was also very high. Zhao Chongyin shifted his gaze towards Zhao Qingmei and said, ¡°Sect Leader Zhao, this is our first meeting, isn¡¯t it?¡± If everything was correct, this granddaughter of the former Crown Prince, in terms of seniority, might even have to call him ¡®uncle.¡¯ Zhao Qingmei replied indifferently, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Zhao Chongyin then smiled, ¡°A woman does not fall short of a man, the strength of the master of Outer Heaven has indeed been an eye-opener for me today. I think in the future, reaching the realm of a Great Grandmaster should not be difficult for you and your spouse.¡± Two Great Grandmasters! The other masters around them were shaken upon hearing this. Till now, no Great Grandmaster had appeared in the world, and just one could immediately alter the major dynamics of the world. Now, given the age and cultivation of both the Ghost Swordsman and the Sect Leader of the Demon Sect, reaching the Great Grandmaster level seemed much easier for them than for others, and both achieving this status was not impossible. How could the others not react? But Zhao Chongyin¡¯s words, undoubtedly with a hint of flattery, made more powerful forces pay attention to the Demon Sect. A trace of coldness appeared in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes, it seemed very likely that this Prince knew her identity, treating her as a hidden opponent. An Jing looked deeply at Zhao Chongyin, ¡°Who knows what the future holds?¡± Zhao Chongyin smiled and said no more. Afterwards, the masters on Zhong Mountain dispersed one after another, as if they couldn¡¯t wait to share the news of the day with others, using it as a boast of their own capital. An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, accompanied by many masters, also descended the mountain, and on the way down, they discussed Zhao Qingmei¡¯s plans for this time. Upon hearing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s plan, An Jing looked at her somewhat surprisingly, ¡°So, you mean to say that the masters of the Five Gangs Alliance were all caught in your net upon arrival?¡± He had never expected that using this opportunity, she had arranged for Yi Daoyun to eliminate Liu Qingshan from the Cao Gang, Chen Wandou from Wangjing Sea, and Li Xiaowen from the Golden Corner Alliance, and in collaboration with He Yunkai from the Sanhu Gang, killed all the top masters from the Five Gangs Alliance. ¡°Exactly,¡± she said. A smug and slightly proud smile played around Zhao Qingmei¡¯s features, as if flaunting her achievement in front of An Jing magnified her sense of accomplishment. An Jing asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t He Yunkai known for playing both sides?¡± The leader of the Sanhu Gang, He Yunkai, was said to have low cultivation, but was very good at sailing with the wind. Some said he sided with the Demon Sect, others said he sided with the Second Prince, generally a classic fence-sitter depending on which way the wind was blowing. Duanmu Xinghua chimed in with a smile, ¡°Actually, the rumors in Jianghu are not false. This He Yunkai has been with our Outer Heaven from the beginning, and he¡¯s also a master of the Heavenly Sect.¡± So that¡¯s how it is! Upon hearing Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s explanation, An Jing suddenly understood. Everyone in power in this world was scheming and plotting. Standing in this position felt like there were invisible hands pushing you forward, and even if you didn¡¯t move forward, you had no choice. Zhao Qingmei smiled faintly and said, ¡°Among the five major factions, many assassins from Wind and Rain Tower suffered heavy casualties in this battle at Zhong Mountain. Ren Meng, the Pavilion Master of the Sun Pavilion, even died at the hands of the Xuanyi Guard. Ling Yuhua, the Pavilion Master of the Moon Pavilion, has sided with our Demon Sect. The leading figures from Cao Gang, Golden Corner Alliance, and Wangjing Sea are all dead. Since they are all tainted with the crime of treason, they wouldn¡¯t have survived anyway. Recruiting them under the command of the Demon Sect might even give them a chance to live, and it compensates for some of the previous losses at Dongluo Pass.¡± An Jing glanced at Li Fuzhou and said, ¡°So Uncle, following Yi to Jiangnan was meant to turn Ling Yuhua.¡± Li Fuzhou was nonchalantly said, ¡°Not entirely, my trip to Jiangnan also involved setting up a network of spies and absorbing top masters from the Five Gangs Alliance.¡± Laughing, An Jing said, ¡°There is still Liu Huiyun in Yujing City, Uncle, don¡¯t forget him.¡± ¡°Thanks for the reminder. Next time I visit Yujing City, it would be good to bring Huiyun into Outer Heaven, which will also enhance the strength of our Outer Heaven,¡± Li Fuzhou replied, with his hands clasped behind his back, his manner casually confident and suave. Stepping on two boats may one day cause a capsizing. But stepping on ten thousand boats will never tip. ¡­¡­ Ten days later, the upheaval on Zhong Mountain spread at a startling speed, first reaching all the forces around the world with the speed of a hawk or falcon, and then throughout the entire Yan Country, with the news still spreading. After all, too much had happened, with the return of the Sword Demon and Sword God to Jianghu, enough to cause a huge sensation since both were renowned swordsmen famous decades ago. But unexpectedly, this turned into a stepping stone for the Ghost Swordsman, who defeated both one after another, solidly establishing himself as the world¡¯s top swordsman. Everyone was greatly shaken, as no one expected that with both the Sword God and the Sword Demon present, the Ghost Swordsman in his twenties would be crowned the world¡¯s top swordsman. What followed was even more unbelievable: the Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai, rebelled and colluded with the Great Snow Mountain of Houjin to murder the Crown Prince during the Heaven-Worshipping Ceremony. The masters of the Great Snow Mountain suffered heavy casualties, with even the Mu Yuan Great Dharma King meeting his death on the scene, and ultimately, a battle among the Five Qi Grandmasters ensued on Zhong Mountain, nearly costing one of them his life. Although Jun Qinglin and Qi Xuan Dao had crossed swords with Zongzheng Huachun, this battle was unknown to others; many even believed that Jun Qinglin had perished at the hands of the Houjin army. In the eyes of ordinary people, a Five Qi Grandmaster is exalted, only one step away from becoming a Land Immortal with a lifespan of three hundred years. How could they easily decide life and death with their hands? In summary, the incident on Zhong Mountain was no less than a massive earthquake, with aftershocks still fermenting in Yan Country. In Houjin, within the royal court. Inside an ancient and elegant great hall, delicate censers burned fragrant sandalwood, which served to regulate Qi, warm the body, and relieve pain. Beyond that, this ethereal fragrance could also be used for Qi stagnation caused by cold congealment. When cold evil entered the body, it could stagnate the flow of Qi and blood, much like freezing. Zongzheng Huachun sat on a red cushion, his true Qi dense and on the verge of liquefying, much like a liquid state. Beyond his own cultivation level, this was also due to a white stone he held in his hand. Dozens of breaths later, Zongzheng Huachun began to absorb all the surrounding true Qi into his dantian, then exhaled deeply, tucking the white stone into his bosom. The battle at the border of Northern Wilderness and Dongluo Pass had left him, even though he had severed Jun Qinglin¡¯s last breath, slightly injured himself and in need of time to recuperate. He was the pillar of the entire Houjin, so he had to maintain his best condition at all times. He had been resting indoors. ¡°Father,¡± At that moment, an urgent voice came from outside the door. It was Zongzheng Yue. Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Come in.¡± Zongzheng Yue entered the hall, bowed to Zongzheng Huachun, and said, ¡°Father, there has been a change on Zhong Mountain.¡± Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°What change?¡± Zongzheng Yue, with her head bowed, said somberly, ¡°Zhao Mengtai¡¯s plans leaked, and the Human Emperor took the opportunity to set an ambush. Mu Yuan Great Dharma King and Mu Li Dharma King, along with the Sword Demon Hao Tian, were slain by the top experts of the Demon Sect on the spot. Mu Xuan Dharma King was captured.¡± Having said that, she paused in her breathing, not daring to look up and meet Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s gaze. The entire great hall fell silent. Zongzheng Yue did not see Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s face, but she felt an almost imperceptible chill in the air. She knew her father¡¯s temperament all too well, as well as the significant role Mu Yuan Great Dharma King held in his heart. After a long time, Zongzheng Huachun finally spoke, asking, ¡°Who killed them?¡± Zongzheng Yue quickly responded, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman; not only did he kill the Great Dharma King, but he had previously defeated both the Sword Demon and the Sword God, and also acquired the World¡¯s First Sword from the Dulu Sword Meeting.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Zongzheng Huachun did not speak any further nor show many emotions, but he then inquired about the battles in the Northern Wilderness, ¡°Has the Northern Wilderness returned to our hands in Houjin now?¡± Zongzheng Yue, clenching her teeth, said, ¡°Wang Shiyi has already withdrawn his troops, but they plundered the Northern Wilderness while retreating.¡± It was a disgrace for the invaders formerly raided by Yan Country to themselves be raided; a fundamental humiliation. Zongzheng Huachun remarked dispassionately, ¡°Wang Shiyi has finally become the person he hated and despised the most.¡± Perhaps from the beginning, some did not intend to act this way, but eventually, under the compulsion of their inner selves, they ultimately change their initial resolve. Become the person you most despise inside. After considering, Zongzheng Yue said, ¡°Father, from the incident on Zhong Mountain, it is evident how much control the Taiping Human Emperor has over Yan Country. If we want to conquer Yan Country now, we can only lead our troops directly to Yujing City. With Zhao Country and the Southern Barbarians pulling at the south, Yan Country will surely be defeated.¡± Any clear-sighted person could see that Houjin and Zhao Country were allies, and competing for dominance over Great Yan was only a matter of timing and resolve. Zongzheng Huachun stood up, looking out at the azure sky beyond the hall, and said softly, ¡°Send a letter to Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s eldest disciple. It¡¯s time to prepare.¡± Upon hearing this, Zongzheng Yue¡¯s heart raced, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go right now.¡± After saying that, Zongzheng Yue quickly exited the great hall. Only Zongzheng Huachun remained alone in the great hall. He took several deep breaths as if trying to suppress something, then suddenly clenched his fists tightly. The status of Mu Yuan Great Dharma King was akin to that of the State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu of Yan Country, but the relation between the Holy Master of Houjin and Mu Yuan Great Dharma King was even closer. It could be said that Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s successful unification of Houjin owed half its success to Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, especially since Mu Yuan Great Dharma King had risked his safety to rescue Zongzheng Huachun from Jun Qinglin¡¯s hands, a relationship beyond ordinary. Perhaps without Mu Yuan Great Dharma King back then, there might not be a Zongzheng Huachun today. From the shadows of the hall, a figure emerged, not tall and rather skinny, and indistinct in the dark. This person was Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s shadow, and previously the Mansion Master of the Soul Seeker Mansion, Taiyin Kui. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes showed a hint of chill as he whispered lowly, ¡°I did not expect that before Jun Qinglin¡¯s death, he would leave such a mess.¡± Such formidable strength at the age of twenty, it was only natural for others to dread him, even more so than the Buddhist Fa Wu. After all, Fa Wu relied on the support of Buddhism to reach the Five Qi Realm, and hence was no different from other Five Qi Grandmasters, but the momentum of the Ghost Swordsman was so fierce that without reaching the Four Qi, he could slay masters at the peak of the Four Qi Realm. What if he reached the Five Qi Grandmaster level? Then who would be his match? What if he broke through his constraints and reached the Great Grandmaster Realm!? Taiyin Kui¡¯s voice was dry, grating to the ear, ¡°With the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s current strength, and now possessing the World¡¯s First Sword, perhaps only a Five Qi Grandmaster could slay him. Moreover, he is now in Yan Country and cannot be attacked rashly.¡± Zongzheng Huachun extended his hand and whispered softly, ¡°Rest assured, before the unification of the world, what does personal enmity count for?¡± Unifying the world was the wild ambition in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s heart. Within the Four Seas, whether it was the Southern Barbarians, Houjin, Yan Country, Zhao Country, the Russell Clan, or Snow Mountain and other foreign tribes becoming a unified nation, what kind of grand era would that usher in? No dynasty had ever achieved this throughout history, and he, Zongzheng Huachun, intended to be the person of the ages who would do it. He wanted to make the world dance in the palm of his hand. Impatience would disrupt great plans, so for now, he could only hold off for a moment. Taiyin Kui, watching Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s silhouette, felt a surge of fervor within him as well. At the peak of tall mountains, one sees the rivers flowing fiercely, and above the mass of peaks, one feels the strong winds even more profoundly. In this world, there is no one who does not desire to stand at the summit of a mountain. And everyone¡¯s summit is both the same and different. ¡­¡­. Yan Country, Zhenyi Mountain. The people of Great Yan Martial World all knew that although Xiao Qianqiu was named the top expert of Great Yan Martial World, he rarely left the mountain, much like the ascetics of Mystical Sect before him. The last time he descended the mountain, in everyone¡¯s memory, was due to Lou Xiangzhen and Ghost Swordsman. At that time, Ghost Swordsman had killed many experts of Zhenyi Sect, and Lou Xiangzhen, too, had protected him. The multitude of Zhenyi Sect experts almost had no way to deal with them, forcing Xiao Qianqiu to leave the mountain for the sake of Zhenyi Sect. The battle at Abyss Lake still remains fresh in many people¡¯s minds to this day. Now, after more than a year since Lou Xiangzhen went missing, Xiao Qianqiu has also been in seclusion at Zhenyi Sect without leaving, and even for the battle at Blue Sky Island, it was Ye Ding who took action. However, after the battle at Blue Sky Island, the once-mighty Zhenyi Sect also welcomed a new round of restructuring. The previously domineering Zhenyi Sect began to refrain from aggression, and various Daoist temples started a cleanup. Many felt something fishy about it all; it seems that this decaying tree has not rotted to its core yet. Everyone also understands that as long as Xiao Qianqiu is there, Zhenyi Sect would still be the national sect of Great Yan. The Heavenly Venerate Hall remains as before, but the Hall Leader who served there steadily for decades was no longer seen, only a young Taoist often cleaned the Heavenly Venerate Hall. Today, the Heavenly Venerate Hall received a special ¡®guest¡¯. He was an older Taoist in his fifties, appearing aged at first glance. He wore a pale blue Daoist robe and cloth shoes, quietly standing in front of the Heavenly Venerate Hall looking at the Heavenly Venerate Statue. This person was none other than Luo Chongyang. He quietly looked at the Heavenly Venerate Statue, not uttering a word, deeply understanding Yu Ying¡¯s personality and habits, who would come daily to worship before the Heavenly Venerate Statue. At this moment, looking at the cushion in front of the Heavenly Venerate Statue, it seemed as if he almost saw Yu Ying defeating the Heavenly Venerate Statue, with that meticulous demeanor. Then, a voice came from outside the hall, ¡°Junior Uncle.¡± Luo Chongyang turned around and saw Xiao Qianqiu, the Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect, walk in, holding a teapot in his hand, he said, ¡°The Human Emperor has decreed that I make a trip to Yujing City.¡± Although Xiao Qianqiu was the State Preceptor of Yan Country, he seldom visited Yujing City, and this time, unable to refuse the Human Emperor¡¯s decree, he had to go. Upon hearing this, Luo Chongyang¡¯s expression turned solemn, and he said, ¡°It seems that the great trend of this world is like an arrow on the bowstring, ready to be shot.¡± Xiao Qianqiu nodded and said, ¡°Wang Shiyi has already retreated to Beihuang Dao, Houjin has nearly 600,000 troops eyeing aggressively, Jin Lv can hardly wait to lead his forces southward. Besides, Zhao Country in the south is also in its full military might, and, by my estimate, it will soon move northward.¡± Although Xiao Qianqiu rarely managed the affairs of Zhenyi Sect, it did not mean that he was oblivious to the current situation. The movements of various forces were as swift as a deer running through Great Yan, all happening within a flick of the fingers. Not only will the common people of Yan Country live in dire straits, but Great Yan Martial World will also face an immense catastrophe. The logic of ¡®no hide without skin¡¯ was something he understood. Luo Chongyang¡¯s expression was very grave as he said, ¡°Although the Great Snow Mountain lost many experts this time, it has not yet reached the point of severe vitality damage. Zongzheng Huachun and Taiyin Kui are top-notch experts, but what worries me the most is not Houjin¡­ ¡± Xiao Qianqiu asked, ¡°Are you worried about the Southern Barbarians, Junior Uncle?¡± Luo Chongyang nodded and said, ¡°Correct, that snake is lurking in the shadows, preparing its most lethal strike, the unnoticeable last straw that breaks the camel¡¯s back.¡± Sometimes the opponent you guard against all the time is not the scariest because you are prepared, but those you take lightly are the most terrifying. ¡°The Southern Barbarians will definitely make their move,¡± Xiao Qianqiu spoke with conviction, ¡°The Proud Frost Blade, Lv Qiujian, has gone to the Southern Barbarians numerous times already, and coupled with the ambitious leader of the Southern Barbarians, they will certainly not miss this great opportunity.¡± Luo Chongyang said, ¡°So we must be cautious.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°There¡¯s no need for me to mention that, the Human Emperor must have anticipated this already.¡± Luo Chongyang seemed to think of something, ¡°Ghost Swordsman will go too, right?¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s eyes gleamed slightly, ¡°He will.¡± Before Zhao Qingmei and Ghost Swordsman, Xiao Qianqiu was the martial genius with the best aptitude in the whole world, a demon among demons, feared even by Jin Lv of Black Ice Platform. But now, everyone in the world knows that Ghost Swordsman¡¯s talent exceeds that of Xiao Qianqiu. The two also have a deep-rooted enmity, one being the Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect, the other having intricate connections with Daluo Sect and Ghost Valley Sect. It was destined that a decisive battle between them would eventually take place. Luo Chongyang said somewhat sentimentally, ¡°I heard he defeated both the Sword God and Sword Demon, and even obtained the Dulu Sword.¡± I still remember the first time I met Ghost Swordsman; he was merely a First Grade, yet now he has defeated the Sword Demon and Sword God, whom even I might not be able to triumph over.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°Indeed, and now he is the World¡¯s First Swordsman.¡± Luo Chongyang looked at his nephew, asking, ¡°Now, do you still have full confidence in victory?¡± Xiao Qianqiu held the tea with one hand, gazing at the Heavenly Venerate Statue in the Heavenly Venerate Hall, smiling without speaking. Luo Chongyang did not ask further, but instead whispered, ¡°I hope Yan Country can hold out during this great war.¡± In the face of the world¡¯s great trends, even a Four Qi Grandmaster seemed somewhat helpless at this moment. How to save the common folk who were about to be trapped in dire straits? Luo Chongyang did not know. And in this world, whose word ultimately counts? The Holy Master of Houjin? The Great Yan Emperor or Qi Xuan Dao? Perhaps even they were not entirely sure at this moment. Perhaps, in this world, no one¡¯s word really counts. ¡­.. In the Demon Sect Main Hall in Ghost Valley, within a refined pavilion. Soft moonlight filtered through the window lattices, causing the dim candlelight to shimmer brightly. An Jing lay in a chair, meditating with his eyes closed. The issue with Zhong Mountain had come to an end, but the subsequent shocks were long-lasting. He continually pondered the recent events. Whether the Sword Demon was alive or dead, his sword had clearly pierced through the demon¡¯s heart. How could he possibly be alive? And if dead, who had abducted him? Moreover, with Li Yue in the hands of the Crown Prince, it was clear that this would be used as leverage to forge an alliance with Zhou Xianming; what then would be his relationship with Zhou Xianming? Plus, Jun Qinglin¡¯s body was still within the king¡¯s court in Houjin; regardless of anything, he must bring Jun Qinglin¡¯s body back. Last of all was the Imperial Decree from the Great Yan Emperor; both he and Zhao Qingmei had no choice but to go. After all, with the situation changing rapidly, Yan Country and the Demon Sect were now bound together by mutual interests. If Yan Country were to fall, the Demon Sect would struggle to resist the military might of Houjin and Zhao Country. Many issues caused him unease. ¡°My husband.¡± As the door opened, a delicate and picturesque face appeared before An Jing, her captivating eyes seemingly able to bewitch souls and draw one into their depth. Zhao Qingmei approached An Jing and sat on his lap, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve already sent Yi Daoyun and Li Fuzhou to Yujing City. If there¡¯s a chance, they¡¯ll rescue Li Yue, though the prospects are slim given that Zhao Chongyin has a Five Qi Grandmaster by his side.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Let¡¯s try.¡± If they could rescue Li Yue, that would naturally be for the best. Zhao Qingmei fidgeted restlessly, ¡°Thinking about the affairs in Yujing City?¡± An Jing sighed, ¡°It seems like Houjin and Zhao Country will jointly attack Yan, probably within a few months. The border has become very tense, and surely Yan Country is already mobilizing troops throughout the regions.¡± Zhao Qingmei also appeared grave, ¡°It was bound to come sooner or later. With the two countries joining forces, it won¡¯t be that simple. By that time, both Zongzheng Huachun and Qi Xuan Dao might take action.¡± Clearly, the alliance of the two countries was not a minor skirmish like Houjin¡¯s previous incursions into Beihuang Dao. This time, they would certainly deploy grandmasters, and even these Five Qi Grandmasters would not be spared in the true national war to come. An Jing couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°It seems the shackles of the Five Qi are not so easy to break through.¡± If these Five Qi Grandmasters had a chance to break the shackles, the war could potentially be postponed. After all, breaking through those shackles was currently the most crucial matter. ¡°Didn¡¯t the Great Elder mention it? It seems like there is an obstacle in the unknown, but you and I are still a distance from reaching the Five Qi, so it¡¯s not something to think too much about.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at her palm, ¡°What I am thinking about now is destroying Houjin and taking back the Dongluo Pass.¡± After all, Dongluo Pass was the real base for the Demon Sect, the Outer Heaven of the sect where freedom could be obtained. Currently, being in Yan Country was like living under someone else¡¯s roof. An Jing gently stroked Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hair, worrying, ¡°Your cultivation is increasing too fast, which always concerns me.¡± After Zhao Qingmei¡¯s breakthrough to the Three Qi, her cultivation had surged drastically and now she was almost at the peak of the Three Qi Grandmaster. The Demon Seed inside her continued to spawn True Qi. What exactly was the monster under the Sealing Demon Well planning? ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t quite understand it myself anymore.¡± Zhao Qingmei spoke softly, ¡°The True Qi nourished back by the Demon Seed is increasing, even inadvertently enhancing my strength. On Zhong Mountain, it even helped me defeat the Sword Demon.¡± In a contest of skills, Zhao Qingmei was no match for the Sword Demon, but on Zhong Mountain, she was able to overpower the Sword Demon and even forced him to flee, which was somewhat inexplicable. An Jing took a deep breath and said earnestly, ¡°With the Dulu Sword in hand, we can go find Nan Weiping for some clarity.¡± Zhao Qingmei leaned into An Jing¡¯s embrace and asked softly, ¡°When shall we depart?¡± An Jing pondered for a moment, ¡°Tonight. We should head to the Sealing Demon Platform now, and then proceed to Yujing City afterwards. Time may not be on our side.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips parted slightly, ¡°Okay, let¡¯s ride the Honghu there.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only She was also keen to return to Dongluo Pass for a visit. An Jing touched the Dulu Sword on the table. In this world, perhaps no one knew that there was a real Great Grandmaster under the Sealing Demon Well. Her appearance would likely give a big surprise to all the experts in the world. ¡­¡­. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 293 - Chapter 293: Chapter 293: The Land Immortal Finally Emerges Chapter 293: Chapter 293: The Land Immortal Finally Emerges Two days later. Through the endless northwestern wastelands, across boundless expanses of flat sand, devoid of human life, with withered grass and broken tumbleweeds, the mournful cries of wild geese pierced the desolation. A streak of red brilliance flitted by, heading straight for the border of Yan Country. It was a gigantic flying bird, its entire body pulsating with strands of red arc light, burning like flames, its wings spread so wide they seemed to eclipse the sun and intimidate the world. This was indeed the exotic beast, Honghu. An Jing sat cross-legged on the back of the Honghu, circulating his True Qi to shield against the fierce cold wind ahead. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s jade arms were tightly wrapped around An Jing¡¯s waist from behind; her fullness and softness rubbed against him incessantly, causing his mind to wander restlessly. An Jing said softly, ¡°Once we pass the border ahead, we will soon reach Dongluo Pass.¡± The speed of the Honghu was very fast, even three parts faster than the Black Flood Dragon, and most importantly, it could fly at a much higher altitude, meaning there was no concern about being detected or discovered. ¡°How soon is very soon?¡± Zhao Qingmei gently bit An Jing¡¯s ear, then exhaled a warm breath, causing a tickling sensation in his heart. An Jing said, ¡°About half a day, I guess.¡± Zhao Qingmei glanced at the sky and said, ¡°That long, huh?¡± Dongluo Pass was a very special place to her. Having spent ten years there, she inevitably harbored emotions for it. An Jing just smiled and did not engage in the conversation. Zhao Qingmei hugged An Jing even tighter and said, ¡°But being with brother, any amount of time doesn¡¯t feel too long.¡± An Jing said, ¡°You¡¯re squeezing me so tightly I can¡¯t breathe.¡± Zhao Qingmei became even more domineering upon hearing this, squeezing him harder as the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, ¡°Aren¡¯t you the head coach of eighty billion elite soldiers? Can¡¯t you withstand this much strength?¡± An Jing turned back and looked into her affectionate eyes and the slightly flushed cheeks, ¡°Don¡¯t think about anything naughty.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± she said. But Zhao Qingmei then bit down on An Jing¡¯s shoulder. An Jing asked in confusion, ¡°Why are you biting me?¡± ¡°Because I feel like it!¡± Zhao Qingmei huffed and pulled out a miscellaneous record book, no longer paying attention to him. An Jing looked at the bite mark on his shoulder, somewhat bewildered. With every flap of the Honghu¡¯s wings, it soared dozens of feet. Whenever the True Qi in its inner core was depleted, it would stop to absorb True Qi for recovery. The closer they got to the border of Yan Country and Houjin, the more panic-stricken the people became. The sharp edge of Houjin¡¯s military threat caused alarm to all the citizens of Yan Country, a panic that had spread to every corner. Noble families and wealthy merchants fled en masse, and the commoners too commenced a large-scale migration. Even in the cities along the Beihuang Dao, chaos had erupted on a grand scale, with many taking advantage of the confusion to loot and plunder. Many affluent and reputable families suffered calamities as a result. The Daoist Master of Beihuang Dao, Li Liang, actively maintained public order and even dispatched soldiers to block the fleeing crowds, but to little avail. For the more he did so, the greater the pressure and panic he inflicted on the populace, which only further convinced them that the barbarians from the great steppes were about to descend southward. Suddenly, a dark cloud hung over the entire region of Beihuang Dao. Soon, the Honghu arrived at the foot of Dongluo Pass. This fortress, once famous throughout the land, now lay desolate and lifeless, utterly lacking vitality. Standing on the back of the Honghu, Zhao Qingmei surveyed the walls of Dongluo Pass below, and a cold light suddenly flashed in her phoenix eyes. An Jing looked over as well, his brow deeply furrowing. In the moonlight, outside the walls of Dongluo Pass there was a mass grave constructed of bones. White skull mountains piled upon each other, surrounded by barren land and scattered, severed bones. A few black crows perched atop the dead trees, emitting eerie cries, casting a stark and formidable presence over Dongluo Pass, reminiscent of Fengdu Hell. It was harrowing! Shocking! When they evacuated Dongluo Pass back then, although many experts from the Demon Sect had retreated, there were still some who remained, mostly merchants who had established their roots in Dongluo Pass. These people clung to a shred of hope, wishing to continue surviving under the rule of Houjin, as they had invested half their lives here. Apparently, they had overestimated the humanity of the Houjin barbarians. After the Houjin army took over Dongluo Pass, they greedily drained the last vestiges of life from the city, and subsequently, this once-mighty fortress suffered a massacre, with its citizens¡¯ bodies built into a monument to flaunt the military achievements of Houjin. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart felt cold inside. An Jing thought of Jun Qinglin¡¯s corpse, his brow knitting into the shape of the character ¡®Chuan ¡®. The brutality of Houjin was clear for all to see. Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath, adjusted her emotions, and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll head to the Sealing Demon Well first.¡± Suddenly, the Honghu spread its wings and soared high, heading in the direction of the Sealing Demon Well. The yellow sand stretched endlessly, carrying a penetratingly cold wind. Gusts lifted whirls of yellow sand into the air, and sand dunes leaped with the wind-borne dust. Amid the howling, the lamentation of death reverberated, the air thick with the suffocation of oblivion. Before they knew it, the two had arrived at the former desert location of the Sealing Demon Platform. Now, the Sealing Demon Platform was also a ruin, scoured clean by the Houjin army. Anything of value had been taken, leaving only a few soldiers guarding near the Sealing Demon Well. It was said that the Sealing Demon Well was a top-secret location of the Demon Sect. Masters from the Great Snow Mountain would naturally not let it go unchecked. Many Grandmasters ventured deep inside to uncover its secrets, but the vast majority returned empty-handed. Because of the formations within the Sealing Demon Well, no one dared to enter it again. ¡°I¡¯ll go and kill them.¡± Zhao Qingmei stated indifferently, and without waiting for An Jing to speak, her figure leaped, as if black lotuses bloomed beneath her feet. Though Zhao Qingmei had not reached the Sixth Realm, her sword technique had attained the Fifth Realm, making her a rarity in the current age. At this moment, several Houjin soldiers were sitting around a campfire, drinking heavily, with smug expressions on their faces. ¡°The skin of Yan Country women is so tender, touching them feels like touching water.¡± ¡°Right, especially the servant girls and young ladies from the large clans in Yan Country, they¡¯re irresistibly alluring.¡± ¡°You must not have seen Yan Country women. That woman last night was tossed around until nearly dead, her cries kept me awake all night. She might as well be dead.¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of? When we march south, women like that will be everywhere. We can play with them however we like.¡± ¡­¡­ Their words were smug and presumptuous, treating women as mere toys to be played with at their whim. Just then, a soldier of the Sixth Grade Cultivation heard footsteps and looked in that direction. Amid the gravel, a cloud of black mist was approaching them, its contents unclear. ¡°Who goes there!?¡± The soldier called out loudly upon spotting it. The other soldiers were startled and turned to look. ¡°Your killer.¡± Zhao Qingmei said flatly. As she finished speaking, numerous cold sword lights surged around her, attacking like a tornado. ¡°Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft!¡± Wherever the sword light passed, sprays of blood surged forth. Several Houjin soldiers fell to the ground, turning into puddles of blood, clearly visible in the firelight. The black mist gradually dissipated, revealing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s exceedingly icy countenance. She was somewhat annoyed in her heart. If only she had managed to hold Dongluo Pass and resisted the Houjin army back then, perhaps the subsequent events wouldn¡¯t have occurred. But such are the helpless realities of the human world. An Jing approached and said, ¡°Delays may bring trouble, so let¡¯s go meet Nan Weiping first.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded, and the two walked towards the Sealing Demon Well. The Sealing Demon Well was still shrouded in darkness, bottomless to the eye. An Jing took Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand, and after exchanging a glance, they jumped into the Sealing Demon Well together. Upon entering, they felt a faint pressure, but as the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± activated, the pressure gradually disappeared. Surprised, Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Your heart method can neutralize the pressure beneath the Sealing Demon Well?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± An Jing nodded. ¡°This ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ is still missing the ¡®Beidou Seven Stars Technique¡¯ from Zhenyi Sect. Once I gather the complete scripture, I can transcribe it. Then you can cultivate it.¡± Zhao Qingmei shook her head. ¡°Forget it, I¡¯ll stick to cultivating the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡¯ The key to cultivating martial arts heart methods lies in concentration, not quantity. She had been cultivating the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ for years, and now that she had reached the Eighth Layer, she might reach the Ninth and Tenth Layers in the future. Reaching the highest level might not be inferior to An Jing¡¯s ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture.''¡± Moreover, cultivating the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ would require starting from scratch, consuming too much time and effort. An Jing said no more, and they continued into the Sealing Demon Well. As the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ dissolved all the pressure, they quickly arrived at the cave entrance. The dark cave was silent, with only the faint glow of a fire starter emitting light. This eerie quiet was somewhat frightening. The dim light revealed Nan Weiping tied up with Nine Heavens Profound Iron, sitting motionless on the ground. Nan Weiping opened her eyes and looked at the couple before her, speaking faintly, ¡°Roughly twenty-seven days ago, a Second Qi Grandmaster entered the Sealing Demon Well, cultivating a top-notch Body Refining Skill.¡± ¡°Thirteen days ago, a Five Qi Grandmaster also entered the Sealing Demon Well, just one step short of reaching the entrance to this cave. This person is steadfast in mind; in the end, I had to apply some pressure to force that Five Qi Grandmaster back.¡± ¡°It seems, the main temple of the Demon Sect has been breached.¡± After uttering that last sentence, Nan Weiping turned her murky gaze towards Zhao Qingmei. Five Qi Grandmaster!? An Jing frowned upon hearing this. A Five Qi Grandmaster from Houjin had come to this place, could it be Zongzheng Huachun? Zhao Qingmei¡¯s red lips parted slightly as she whispered softly, ¡°Three hundred thousand troops from Houjin, along with several Grandmaster experts, are advancing.¡± Nan Weiping indifferently responded, ¡°What of three hundred thousand troops? When Dongluo Pass was first established, five hundred thousand soldiers of the Great Qin Tiger Guards besieged the city, with a Great Grandmaster commanding the Central Army. What happened in the end?¡± Indeed, when the Demon Sect first set up the sect at Dongluo Pass, they faced oppression, especially from the Human Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty, who dispatched countless experts and a large army. Outer Heaven, how could there be a heaven above the Great Qin Dynasty¡¯s heaven? This was nothing short of a defiance of the Great Qin Dynasty¡¯s laws and authority! But in the end, the first Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect who established Outer Heaven, the renowned Great Grandmaster expert, single-handedly charged into the midst of three hundred thousand soldiers, driving back the Great Grandmaster and the three hundred thousand troops of the Great Qin Dynasty at that time. As a result, Outer Heaven¡¯s reputation thoroughly shook the world, attracting countless experts to Dongluo Pass, desiring to join Outer Heaven. That was the most glorious era of the Demon Sect, when they even overshadowed the Mystical Sect and the Buddhist sects, becoming the foremost sect in the world. Nan Weiping looked at Zhao Qingmei, her words cold, ¡°Trash! Among over thirty generations of Sect Hierarchs from Outer Heaven, only you have lost Dongluo Pass.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked back at Nan Weiping¡¯s icy gaze, her eyebrows rising slightly. She wanted to say something, but found that anything she could say would seem pale and powerless. It was under her watch that Dongluo Pass was lost. An Jing said calmly, ¡°There are limits to human effort.¡± Nan Weiping scoffed, ¡°Those are all just excuses.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, they are excuses.¡± An Jing didn¡¯t argue further, ¡°We, as a couple, did not come here today to argue with you.¡± As he spoke, the Dulu Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand stirred. A faint glimmer of firelight followed, and the Sword Light emerged, casting a piercing coldness in the cave. ¡°The Dulu Sword!?¡± Upon seeing that sword emanating Sword Qi, Nan Weiping¡¯s eyes lit up, and she promptly stood up. The iron chains clanged and jangled, producing a grating sound. Among all the famous swords in the world, only the Dulu Sword could generate Sword Qi, how could Nan Weiping not know this? The Dulu Sword, known as the number one sword in the world and the sharpest of them all, the only sword that can cut through Nine Heavens Profound Iron. Her heart began to throb chaotically at the revelation. An Jing held the Dulu Sword before him and stated, ¡°Now I can sever Nine Heavens Profound Iron and set you free, but you must agree to two conditions.¡± ¡°Two conditions?¡± Nan Weiping burst into laughter, suppressing the thrill in her heart, ¡°Speak then, let me hear them.¡± An Jing got straight to the point, ¡°First, remove the constraints upon my wife¡¯s Demon Seed, and second, do not become an enemy to Outer Heaven or to us as a couple.¡± Releasing this old monster, even if she wasn¡¯t at the peak of her power, would still represent an unbeatable force in the world today. If she turned against An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, it would be nearly impossible for the couple to fight back. ¡°I can agree to the second condition, but as for the first,¡± Nan Weiping glanced at Zhao Qingmei and said, ¡°Do you truly wish to erase the mark of the Demon Seed? Your current Cultivation reaching the peak of Third Qi Grandmaster is not solely due to your talent and Root Bone.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at Nan Weiping, remaining silent. It must be said, the Demon Seed not only advanced her Cultivation dramatically but also significantly increased her power. With the Demon Seed, she could nearly endlessly draw upon the Cultivation of Nan Weiping. This method of rapidly enhancing power was faster than any other in the world. Especially drawing from the Cultivation of the Great Grandmaster before her, once Nan Weiping¡¯s life and Dao ended, all her Cultivation would fall to her. What an opportunity this was! In an instant, a tumultuous wave surged in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart. But she also understood clearly that potential dangers lurked within, and when the Heart Demon took shape, she questioned whether she could control it. An Jing, who stood beside her, added, ¡°Without removing the Demon Seed, you will succumb to demonic possession.¡± ¡°Cultivating to the highest realm of the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ is to embrace demonhood, and that is the ultimate realm of the Demon Path.¡± Nan Weiping watched Zhao Qingmei with a cold sneer, ¡°Do you still remember what I told you? Without embracing demonhood, how can one see one¡¯s true self? One must be willing to walk the path of demons to attain the truth of the self.¡± ¡°The fear within you now will transform into the darkness that will devour you when you reach the highest realm of cultivation.¡± An Jing remained silent because he did not know how to refute her. Outer Heaven is known as the Demon Sect largely because cultivators of Outer Heaven increase their cultivation too rapidly, leading to a flawed mental state. Many experts ultimately perished due to succumbing to demonic madness. Only those true experts who have captured their Heart Demons and beheld their true selves are considered the real masters of the Demon Path. Therefore, it is said that there are many experts in the Demon Sect, but very few stand at the summit of the mountain. Although Jun Qinglin is a Five Qi Grandmaster, he did not cultivate the Demon Sect¡¯s techniques or martial arts, but instead his own creation, the ¡®Inquiry of Heaven¡¯ scripture. The Demon Sect itself is on the path of unorthodoxy. After a long while, Zhao Qingmei turned to Nan Weiping, ¡°If I completely embrace demonhood and lose my mind, at that time, all my cultivation will feed back to you. Then, not only could you recover your full cultivation, but there might even be a chance for you to progress further. Am I right?¡± Through her recent studies, Zhao Qingmei had begun to understand some mysteries of the Demon Seed. Nan Weiping tampering with her Demon Seed surely wasn¡¯t for no reason nor solely for Zhao Qingmei¡¯s benefit. There had to be some hidden tricks, some of which she had also discovered. The more she received Nan Weiping¡¯s cultivation, the faster her inner demon would materialize. Upon Nan Weiping¡¯s death, she would instantly acquire all of her cultivation¨Cthen, the Heart Demon would vastly amplify, becoming a fully-formed Heart Demon. With her current mentality and personal cultivation, she was simply incapable of controlling a fully-formed Heart Demon. However, slowly accepting Nan Weiping¡¯s cultivation presented a great chance to control her fully-formed Heart Demon. And without a doubt, that was a gamble against Nan Weiping. If she won, she would obtain all of Nan Weiping¡¯s cultivation; if she lost, then her own cultivation would entirely feed back into Nan Weiping. Nan Weiping did not deny it and indifferently said, ¡°It all depends on whether you can perceive your true self.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes. Initially, he had wanted to rescue Nan Weiping and remove the handiwork done on the Demon Seed. Initially, Zhao Qingmei had the same thought, but as time passed, her ideas subtly changed. She was a very self-confident woman, even to the point of being somewhat paranoid and self-absorbed. She would certainly believe that she could capture her own restlessness and control her own Heart Demon. And believing in oneself, at times, could be the greatest mistake. In this world, those who drown are often skilled swimmers, and those who are unafraid of death tend to die the fastest. ¡°Very well.¡± Zhao Qingmei regarded Nan Weiping with a smile, ¡°Senior truly has bestowed upon me a favorable turn of events.¡± ¡°Hahahahaha.¡± Upon hearing this, Nan Weiping couldn¡¯t help but laugh out loud, ¡°That¡¯s more like it¨Cone of us in the Demon Path, not like that boy, always looking before and behind, too timid to act even if a mountain of gold laid before him and he couldn¡¯t recognize it.¡± As she laughed heartily, even the iron chains shook. An Jing looked seriously into her eyes, ¡°Do you really want to do this?¡± Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and calmly said, ¡°Husband, I know you are worried about me, but please believe in me.¡± No one is untempted by the cultivation of the Great Grandmaster Realm. For hundreds of years, numerous Five Qi Grandmasters have failed in breaking through that barrier, and now this opportunity was before Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes. If she were to give up, she felt she would regret it. An Jing spoke gravely, ¡°With your aptitude and current cultivation, you also have a great chance of reaching the Great Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Time waits for no one.¡± Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°How much time do we have left now? With Houjin moving south, if Yan Country falls, it would spell another calamity for Outer Heaven. Moreover, the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ I am cultivating will lead me to embrace demonhood upon reaching the Tenth Layer, and Heart Demons will emerge in me too. It¡¯s just a matter of time before they become fully-formed. This is inevitable.¡± An Jing understood in his heart and heaved a deep sigh. Zhao Qingmei was no frail woman; she was not willing nor would she hide under his protective wings. After all, she was the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect! Seeing this, a smile appeared at the corner of Nan Weiping¡¯s lips. Having lived with Zhao Qingmei for months, she understood her temperament and had guessed that she would make such a decision. Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing, ¡°Husband, rescue Senior Nan. After all, I promised her once.¡± ¡°Alright then.¡± An Jing turned to Nan Weiping, ¡°I will use this Dulu Sword to sever these iron chains now. Don¡¯t forget what you¡¯ve said.¡± ¡°Rest assured,¡± Nan Weiping jangled the chains, reminding him. ¡°While your Dulu Sword can easily cut through the Nine Heavens Profound Iron chains, you must also sever the Heart Demon Seal layered upon the chains.¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow, ¡°Heart Demon Seal?¡± Nan Weiping glanced at An Jing and said, ¡°Of course it¡¯s not a fully-formed Heart Demon, just a wisp of your own Heart Demon, barely considered a small Heart Demon. Just make sure, boy, you don¡¯t capsize.¡± Although both were of Three Qi Cultivation, Nan Weiping held doubts about An Jing¡¯s mental resilience. Perhaps it was because they both practiced the Demon Path, or because she understood Zhao Qingmei¡¯s nature very well after living with her for months. She believed more in Zhao Qingmei than in An Jing. ¡°I¡¯ll give it a try.¡± An Jing¡¯s expression was as indifferent as water. Nan Weiping didn¡¯t say anything more, she sat down with her legs crossed, and the iron chains around her were pulled taut. Under the faint light of the fire, these chains shimmered with a ghostly light and formed a strange character. Demon! Upon closer inspection, that was indeed a ¡®Demon¡¯ character. An Jing¡¯s arm trembled, and behind him, a vast starry sky emerged¨Cdeep and boundless, grand and imposing. ¡°What kind of Sword Dao is this!?¡± When Nan Weiping caught a glimpse of his Sword Dao, her heart trembled violently. She could sense the extraordinary nature of that Sword Dao better than any Grandmaster could, which is why she was even more shaken. Could this young man possess the heritage of an ancient Sword Dao!? Before Nan Weiping could recover her senses, the Dulu Sword turned into a world-shaking glaze of light that appeared out of nowhere and slashed at the chains made of Nine Heavens Profound Iron in front of her. This sword carried both the Sword Qi of the Dulu Sword itself and the Sword Qi that An Jing had invoked. A single sword fell. The heavens and earth changed colors! The sun and the moon lost their light! It seemed as if the entire Sealing Demon Well was trembling. At that moment, Nan Weiping finally realized the terrifying aspect of the youth before her. A Three Qi Grandmaster with such formidable power!? Where was this merely a Swordsman? He was clearly a Sword Immortal. The Sword Light was brilliant and illuminated the pupils of Nan Weiping, then it heavily struck the chains. At the moment when the Sword Light collided with the chains, the entire cavern seemed to fall silent. At the same time, An Jing felt his brain sway, and everything before his eyes blurred. When he blinked again, it was darkness that greeted him. And within that darkness walked a figure, holding a sword in his hand¨Cif one looked closely, it was the Dulu Sword. The person was incredibly cold! Colder than the person was the sword! And colder than the sword was the heart! An Jing! It was indeed An Jing! Boom! Seeing that identical face, that identical sword, An Jing¡¯s heart was greatly shaken. This person was the real ¡®An Jing¡¯, who had always lived inside ¡®An Jing¡¯s¡¯ mind, and no one knew ¡®An Jing¡¯ better than he did. An Jing was both ¡®An Jing¡¯ and not. It was as if he stood right before you, just like you, possibly weathering the elements, possibly drifting from place to place, possibly experiencing pain and sorrow. There was even a moment when you¡¯d realize that he might just be you. ¡°A person¡¯s heart cannot be devoid of demons; he himself is the greatest Heart Demon.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but laugh at himself. Boom! The Heart Demon moved. Stepping forward with his right foot, the Heart Demon¡¯s right arm blurred into numerous afterimages, sending a barrage of Sword Light towards An Jing. This wind of punches contained the imposing pressure of the Sixth Realm of the Immortal Sword Dao, rushing toward him with a terrifying momentum. With the Dulu Sword in hand, An Jing slashed diagonally upwards, a crescent-like grey Sword Force ripping through the Sword Light in front of him, flowing upstream. With this sword, he used eighty percent of his strength. Because An Jing knew himself too well, he would never use all his strength from the get-go. Swish! A white phantom flashed, and the Heart Demon soared into the sky. Having lost its target, the grey Sword Force cut a straight line into the distance before finally dissipating. The Heart Demon steadied his figure. At that moment, the temperature between heaven and earth changed abruptly, as if the air itself was being frozen inch by inch, foot by foot, twinkling with ice crystals. Crack! Crack! The scene was extremely spectacular. The Heart Demon¡¯s gaze turned icy as he swung the Dulu Sword in his hand forward, the terrifying cold light bursting forth violently from his grasp. An Jing¡¯s Dulu Sword in his hand was also stirring with cold light as if a world of ice flowed forth from his palm. Crack crackle! Crack crackle! The two cold lights collided fiercely in mid-air. And in that moment the ice formed, the Heart Demon, holding the Dulu Sword, charged toward An Jing. An Jing shifted his palm, and the Dulu Sword reflected a series of cold and sharp beams of light. Clang clang clang! The dazzling light flickered continuously in the high sky as An Jing and the Heart Demon exchanged blows at a breakneck pace, their swordsmanship top-notch and battle-hardened, the intensity of the combat indescribable, as was the speed. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Fire Field Bear! A red Sword Radiance roared out as if a blazing flame was leaping forward, with the unstoppable momentum of endless wild fire sweeping all directions. The surroundings became scorchingly hot, as though one were suddenly standing near a flow of magma. A Sword Radiance came roaring like a torrent of flames! The red flame, carrying massive Sword Qi, reached An Jing¡¯s front in an instant. ¡°Break for me!¡± An Jing¡¯s Dulu Sword swung, thousands of Sword Radiance speeding towards the front. Their exchange of moves was extremely intense, shockingly so. The Heart Demon narrowed his eyes and began to rapidly gather True Qi in his palm, drawing the True Qi of the surrounding heaven and earth to him. Nine Yang Divine Finger! Pointing Qiankun! The Heart Demon extended a finger, and in the sky above, a colossal jade pillar appeared, casting giant shadows below, before finally crashing down. Facing the powerful finger of the Heart Demon, An Jing neither dodged nor avoided, slashing straight with the Dulu Sword, creating an astonishing grey crescent in the void. Crackling! An Jing¡¯s strength lay in swordsmanship, especially with the Dulu Sword in hand. Upon contact, the surging finger winds were immediately ripped apart layer by layer, completely unable to block it. The Heart Demon threw punch after punch to counter this Sword Radiance. But An Jing¡¯s follow-up moves were on their way. Swish! A flash of Sword Light in the void, and suddenly An Jing appeared in front of the Heart Demon, stabbing out with his sword so fast that it left no trace, only a hair-thin sword hole that flickered once on the Heart Demon¡¯s Protective True Qi. Clang! Sparks flew from the Heart Demon¡¯s chest as the entire person was sent flying several steps backwards, vomiting a mist of blood. ¡°What can you gain from fighting yourself?¡± Nan Weiping looked at the unmoving An Jing, the corners of his mouth revealing a faint smile. Zhao Qingmei watched this scene, her heart starting to grow anxious. She always felt this way for him, when An Jing went to the Russell Clan, when he was on a mission to Yan Country, during the Dulu Sword Meeting¡­. If only she were strong enough to withstand all adversities, might such situations never arise? Sometimes Zhao Qingmei would also fall into self-blame. She had promised to protect her husband, but it was also because of her that he had been drawn into even greater turmoil. Thinking this, her fists clenched even tighter. She longed for strength! Longed for the feeling of having the whole world under her feet! In the darkness. Looking down at his chest, the Heart Demon¡¯s pupils contracted; his robe was actually pierced with a small hole, barely three inches from being completely penetrated. An Jing moved, unleashing his full strength. Swish! This time! The sword seemed to pierce through the void, tracing a black line that passed straight through the Heart Demon¡¯s chest, piercing his body. Wow! The Heart Demon¡¯s Taoist body was directly severed by the Dulu Sword. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and could feel that much of his vitality had been taken away by that strike. It was as if there was a tiny sword hole in his spine, the terrifying sword qi invading his marrow. An Jing¡¯s strength had reached a maddening level. Crackle! A streak of white shadow flashed through the void as the Heart Demon appeared on An Jing¡¯s right side, but he didn¡¯t strike, because An Jing was facing him. Sparks flew again, and the Heart Demon instantly appeared behind An Jing, but An Jing still faced him, his gaze ice cold. The Heart Demon pushed his speed to the limit, consecutively appearing in front of, behind, to the left, to the right, and above An Jing. The five Heart Demons seemed so vivid that it was impossible to tell which was real; to be precise, all five were real to some degree. Selfless Dao! The Heart Demon instantly appeared in front of An Jing with a sweeping sword slash. The sword light pierced heaven and earth, unstoppable, without self, without sword! Gazing calmly into the void ahead, An Jing¡¯s right shoulder slightly moved as the Dulu Sword cut forward. Out of thin air, it left a long and narrow trail. Crackle, crackle, crackle! The intense sword light collided, and the reaction forced the Heart Demon¡¯s figure to be revealed. In an instant of advancement, An Jing¡¯s counterattack came. The Dulu Sword vibrated at an incredible frequency and slashed towards the Heart Demon, its sword light fuzzy and somewhat ethereal. Swish! An Jing struck empty air as the Heart Demon suddenly sidestepped, moving laterally at a speed indistinguishable from his forward momentum¨Cboth equally fast. The Heart Demon continuously launched attacks at An Jing, seemingly tireless. The two stood in confrontation for a moment. Suddenly, both of them charged forward simultaneously. Strike with the sword! Hissss hissss hissss hissss hissss¡­ It seemed both were intimately knowledgeable of each other, easily blocking each other¡¯s moves and sword strikes, as if familiar with the other¡¯s routines and habits. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind Unstoppable! Wielding the Dulu Sword, a streak of cold light shot towards the Heart Demon. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind Unstoppable! The Heart Demon had also foreseen this, his sword light surging powerfully and sweeping towards An Jing. Hisss! An Jing¡¯s sleeve was cut by the icy sword qi, a chill spreading everywhere, a trace of fresh blood appearing on his wrist. And on the Heart Demon¡¯s cheek, a faint line of blood surfaced, a droplet of blood gliding down. ¡°Could it be a contest of wills?¡± The wrinkles on An Jing¡¯s brow deepened as he felt at a loss against this ¡®opponent¡¯ before him. The two were identical, with the same moves, martial arts, Daoist skills, secret techniques, and even the same level of cultivation. It was pretty much himself. The only difference was their swords. An Jing snorted to himself as the true qi within his dantian began to rush crazily towards his arm. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! An endless surge of true qi danced wildly, and then suddenly rose amidst the darkness. An Jing became as bright as the sun. Boom! Boom! Boom! The frenzied true qi erupted completely, forming the sound of terrifying waves, and then that transparent qi suddenly transformed into a vast red sea of fire. A great expanse of flame-like true qi enveloped the heavens as if to burn through the firmament. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Fire Field Bear! Right hand holding the Dulu Sword and left hand an Evil Suppressing Sword, An Jing used both at once, simultaneously executing the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique¨Cdouble the sword radiance shot towards the Heart Demon, dense and innumerable. Two giant fiery red swords burst forth from the sea of fire, carrying the power to move mountains and obliterate the skies, like a Honghu spreading its vast wings. The oncoming wave of flames raced with reckless abandon, as if it intended to burn through the void itself. The Heart Demon grasped the Dulu Sword with both hands and with a flick of the left hand, the Evil Suppressing Sword appeared. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique, as swift as thunder! If An Jing¡¯s backdrop was a sky-covering flame, then behind the Heart Demon rolled thunderous light. The flame and that thunderous light fiercely collided, filling the darkness with white smoke. An Jing stood as if in the midst of a storm, his whole body numbed by the terrifying surge of force. The Heart Demon also rapidly retreated into the distance. Their figures blurred in the chaos, each move countering the other, intricate and profound, as if they were the same person. Fighting oneself, no matter how much effort exerted, always felt a sliver short of victory, and after every battle, there lingered a feeling that without going all out, defeat was imminent. It was a very strange feeling. An Jing battling An Jing! At that moment, the Heart Demon leaped forward, thrusting the Dulu Sword straight ahead. As the Dulu Sword thrust forward, waves of energy formed all around. An Jing then closed his eyes, his thoughts complete in the blink of an eye. To face one¡¯s Heart Demon is to search for one¡¯s own weakness. In an instant, An Jing abruptly awoke, but what was his weakness? ¡°I understand.¡± An Jing fiercely opened his eyes, facing the oncoming sword light, he did not dodge or evade, but instead thrust directly at the Heart Demon¡¯s throat. ¡­.. In the Sealing Demon Well, inside the cave. ¡°Boom!¡± An Jing opened his eyes, and the Heart Demon Seal on the chains completely shattered, as the Dulu Sword relentlessly slashed downward with force. The chilling light of the sword hacked heavily upon the Nine Heavens Profound Iron, so tough that even it could hardly resist. ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡­.. Under the cold sword light, the chains snapped with a clang, and at the same time, the array inside the cave was thoroughly broken, and all the shackles of the Sealing Demon Well disappeared all at once. Nan Weiping¡¯s eyes flashed with brilliance, and a huge vortex formed around her, frantically absorbing the heaven and earth true qi nearby. ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± Immediately, the whole cave seemed to fall into a massive tremor, shaking wildly, and then an explosive wave of energy radiated out with Nan Weiping at the center, turning everything to dust in its wake. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± An Jing and Zhao Qingmei exchanged glances, quickly activating their true qi to protect themselves from the blast, and then rushed toward the top of the Sealing Demon Well. But the Sealing Demon Well could not withstand such a terrifying tide of true qi, resulting in a massive explosion that destroyed everything below, leaving a vast expanse of emptiness. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± The land above the Sealing Demon Well also collapsed, floor by floor, endless dust rose, and the deafening noise echoed for miles. At that moment, it was as if heaven and earth had undergone a great change. The shaking continued, unceasing, and the thick dust obscured the moon above. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± A loud laugh rang out from within the smoke. An Jing and Zhao Qingmei stood atop the ruins of the Demon Platform, looking over. They saw an old figure with a hunched back, slowly walking out. Her laughter carried a mix of desolation, wildness, and only after a long time did it finally stop. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Perhaps she was tired from laughing. Then, two tears slid down her cheeks as she looked toward the moonlight above and murmured to herself, ¡°After more than eight hundred years, I, Nangong Weiping, have finally come out from the Sealing Demon Well.¡± ¡­¡­.. PS: Running out of time, will update now and edit later. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 294 - Chapter 294: Chapter 294 Qingmei Bewitches the Great Grandmaster Chapter 294: Chapter 294 Qingmei Bewitches the Great Grandmaster In the dim moonlight, the old monster that had been trapped under the Sealing Demon Well for over eight hundred years finally emerged. Those murky eyes sparkled with a bright light that drew attention. Two hundred years beneath the Sealing Demon Well was equivalent to more than eight hundred years in the outside world. And according to historical records, that period was the beginning of the establishment of the Great Zhou Dynasty, implying that this elderly woman was a Great Grandmaster from the early years of the Dynasty. Logically, every Great Grandmaster in history was a renowned figure, certainly not of lower status than an emperor, and in some cases, a Grandmaster¡¯s status was even higher. After all, a Great Grandmaster could live for nearly four hundred years, and their influence far surpassed that of ordinary emperors. However, there was no mention of Nan Weiping in the historical annals, which was clearly unusual. Zhao Qingmei murmured to herself, ¡°Nangong Weiping¡­¡± An Jing said with a somewhat smug smile, ¡°I told you, this old fellow was tricking us.¡± Zhao Qingmei gave An Jing a dismissive look and retorted, ¡°So, you¡¯re the smart one?¡± At this moment, Nangong Weiping was still immersed in the joy of being freed. Such intense emotion was beyond the grasp of ordinary people, like being suddenly overwhelmed by raging waves, even suffocating. More than two hundred years without a sense of time, spent in a dark cave where no light could reach, even a normal person would be devoured by the darkness and possibly driven mad. It took a long time for Nangong Weiping to come back to her senses, and her cloudy eyes suddenly sharpened, focusing on a notorious couple in the martial world of Great Yan, ¡°Aren¡¯t you two coming over?¡± The pair slowly approached, and An Jing said with a smile to Nangong Weiping, ¡°Congratulations to Elder Nangong on escaping the Sealing Demon Well.¡± Nangong Weiping looked at An Jing before her and asked, ¡°Is this a good thing or a bad thing?¡± An Jing replied, ¡°A great fortune indeed.¡± Nangong Weiping stretched out her palm, and the surging True Qi around her seemed to solidify, converging like a viscous liquid. The pressure was so immense that both An Jing and Zhao Qingmei felt as though they were shouldering a mountain. If the transformation from Inner Strength to True Qi was a qualitative change, then the liquid-formed True Qi in her hand signified another level of transformation. Nangong Weiping asked, ¡°Do you know who I am?¡± Zhao Qingmei answered, ¡°Nangong Weiping.¡± Nangong Weiping then asked, ¡°And who is Nangong Weiping?¡± Without hesitation, Zhao Qingmei responded, ¡°The wife of the seventh generation Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect.¡± Nangong Weiping looked at Zhao Qingmei with some surprise and said, ¡°You know? But that¡¯s to be expected.¡± The Demon Sect hadn¡¯t faced any major calamities before, so the ancient texts within the sect were well-preserved, and it was natural to find some clues regarding her identity. After all, Nangong Weiping had only concealed one character in her name. Zhao Qingmei smiled and said, ¡°Of course, I only know Elder Nangong¡¯s name and identity, I know nothing else.¡± Nangong Weiping¡¯s eyes narrowed, and the viscous liquid around her grew even heavier, ¡°So you came prepared.¡± They knew her identity, yet they had released her. ¡°Correct.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Junior hopes to reach a cooperation with Elder and naturally came prepared.¡± Nangong Weiping looked at An Jing with a tinge of hostility, ¡°Let¡¯s hear it then.¡± She was curious to see what tricks this young man was playing. An Jing pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Senior, your time seems short, and it would be a pity for all your cultivation to disperse. I hope Senior can transfer it slowly to my wife through the Demon Seed, and I also hope that Senior can help resolve some matters concerning Outer Heaven to your ability. Of course, my wife and I, even Outer Heaven, will help Senior find some heavenly materials and earthly treasures to extend your lifespan. What do you think?¡± There were two purposes in rescuing Nan Weiping, one was to constantly observe her condition, to prevent her from feeding back a large amount of Demonic Qi through the Demon Seed and accelerating the birth of her Heart Demon. The other was naturally to have her come out of her seclusion and stir the waters of the world. Nangong Weiping began to smile. ¡°You are very confident?¡± She didn¡¯t understand how a little fellow, a Three Qi Grandmaster, dared to seek cooperation with her, and it seemed like he was quite certain of himself. An Jing looked at the Dulu Sword in his hand and said indifferently, ¡°A swordsman with a sword in his hand is the most confident person.¡± Nangong Weiping coldly said, ¡°I¡¯ve killed more swordsmen than I can count on my hands.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Does the condition that Senior previously agreed to not count?¡± Nangong Weiping said, ¡°Whether it counts depends on my mood.¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°I trust in Senior¡¯s character.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Nangong Weiping mocked An Jing with her gaze, just as she was about to speak, her eyebrows suddenly furrowed, ¡°That sword just now?¡± She suddenly felt nine strands of Sword Qi within her body, these Sword Qi were strange and incomprehensible, swirling within her, seemingly not very lethal, but they were circling within her Dantian Qi Sea, possessing a significant deterrent force. The Sword Qi naturally generated by the Dulu Sword was already fearsome, and with the addition of the Sword Qi nurtured by the Immortal Sword, the combination of these two Sword Qis, invading a person¡¯s internal organs, would cause any ordinary grandmaster to explode under An Jing¡¯s command. This Sword Qi could be considered the sharpest in the world. If it had been her heyday, she wouldn¡¯t have cared at all, but now her Primordial Energy was greatly damaged, and in addition, she had fed back a large amount of Demonic Qi to Zhao Qingmei, which would mean drawing her life closer and closer if she further expended her essence now. It was very disadvantageous for her. Moreover, as Zhao Qingmei continued to draw out the Demonic Qi from her body, it would become more and more difficult to eliminate this Sword Qi later. It turned out. She had been unknowingly plotted against by this couple. The two of them had released her but left a backup plan within her body. An Jing nodded, ¡°That¡¯s right, this is the Sword Qi formed by the Dulu Sword itself and my Sword Dao.¡± When he cut the chains earlier, those nine strands of Sword Qi had entered Nan Weiping¡¯s body along the chains. With her strength and cultivation, she should have noticed quickly, but when she escaped from under the Sealing Demon Well, her mind was in turmoil, and she didn¡¯t realize the invasion of the Sword Qi. To deal with such an old monster, naturally, some tricks up the sleeve were necessary. Though it appeared like mere child¡¯s play, sometimes child¡¯s play was also a skill, and when used to perfection, it became an invaluable art. Nangong Weiping stared at An Jing again and said, ¡°Cunning child, but do you think these nine Sword Qis can trap me?¡± An Jing said, ¡°Senior, you have been trapped in the Sealing Demon Well for so long, your strength is no longer at its peak, and moreover, you have fed back a large amount of Demonic Qi with the Demon Seed, already at the end of your rope. If you forcefully expel the nine Sword Qis from your body, you might harm your foundation.¡± Nangong Weiping pointed at Zhao Qingmei and said coldly, ¡°When I die, all my cultivation will immediately feed back into her. In her current state having fully developed Heart Demon, can she withstand it?¡± An Jing earnestly said, ¡°Therefore, we need a win-win cooperation. My wife and I will do our utmost to help Senior find heavenly materials and earthly treasures to increase your lifespan, and Senior will merely be helping us with things within your ability.¡± Things within her ability? Nangong Weiping looked at the couple and laughed. These two not only regarded her as a seed for Zhao Qingmei to enhance her cultivation, but they also saw her as a problem solver. An Jing and Zhao Qingmei exchanged a glance, not understanding why Nangong Weiping was laughing. Nangong Weiping said, ¡°Were you two acting just now?¡± Zhao Qingmei shook her head, ¡°Not entirely, subduing the fully developed Heart Demon is a necessary path to take, the only difference is the standard procedure and taking a shortcut. I chose the shortcut.¡± Cultivating the final layer of the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± would also give rise to a fully-formed Heart Demon, and acquiring Nangong Weiping¡¯s cultivation would do the same; the difference being, the more of Nangong Weiping¡¯s cultivation one acquired, the quicker the fully-formed Heart Demon would grow. Once trapped by the Heart Demon, one¡¯s cultivation would be fed back to Nangong Weiping, allowing her to restore her powers to their heyday. But deep within, Zhao Qingmei believed in herself, convinced that while her powers increased rapidly, she could also capture this fully-formed Heart Demon. ¡°Considering the young lass Qingmei has been rather true to her word,¡± Nangong Weiping gave them a deep look and then nodded, ¡°This old one will cooperate with you.¡± Her time was running out, and more importantly, there was no one in the world she could trust; at least Zhao Qingmei had kept her initial promise to rescue her from the Sealing Demon Well. Others, perhaps, were even less worthy of trust and cooperation. Zhao Qingmei gave a charming smile and said, ¡°I hope the senior will pay more attention in the future, after all, whether I can reach the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster, or even the Great Grandmaster, requires the senior¡¯s help.¡± Nangong Weiping glanced at Zhao Qingmei and said, ¡°Becoming a Great Grandmaster is not as simple as you think.¡± Should Zhao Qingmei become a Great Grandmaster, she would lose all her cultivation; if Zhao Qingmei failed to become one, the cultivation fed back to her from Zhao Qingmei would be nearly as great as all of her original powers. By then, she might restore her cultivation to its peak, and possibly advance even further. In this era when no Great Grandmaster has emerged in the world, who could stop her? But at the moment, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Demon Seed was not yet mature, and the cultivation fed back from a peak Three Qi Grandmaster was almost negligible, so all she could do was wait. Waiting for the Demon Seed to mature, for Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation to reach the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster, at which point the fully-formed Heart Demon would surely invade Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body. And before that, she had to wait, as increasing her lifespan was also a matter of urgency. At the moment, the two were like gourds on the same vine; the vine¡¯s nutrients could only sustain one gourd, it was a matter of who would eventually get all the nutrients from the vine. The difference was, the two gourds had different levels of initiative. An Jing asked curiously, ¡°Senior, your True Qi just now liquefied, could that be the legendary True Yuan?¡± The tremendous pressure emanating from Nangong Weiping, even someone with An Jing¡¯s current level of cultivation, was moved by it¨Cto think that this was a severely weakened Nangong Weiping, how terrifying would a Great Grandmaster in her prime be? Nangong Weiping gave An Jing a sidelong glance and said indifferently, ¡°Kid, if you want to ask this old one questions, shouldn¡¯t you offer some fine wine and dishes first?¡± Zhao Qingmei laughed and said, ¡°Senior Nangong¡¯s favorite is roast duck, I have naturally prepared it well in advance.¡± With that, Zhao Qingmei took out the roast duck she had prepared from her bag, which she had bought on the road. However, due to time, the duck had cooled somewhat. Nangong Weiping looked at Zhao Qingmei and said with approval, ¡°You¡¯re a sensible girl after all. At the end of the day, women are always more meticulous than men.¡± As she spoke, Nangong Weiping took the roast duck and began to gobble it up, without a trace of a Great Grandmaster¡¯s demeanor, as if a beggar were spotted by the roadside. An Jing kept a wary mind as he watched Nangong Weiping. Zhao Qingmei was conversing with her, sentence after sentence. Logically, their relationship should have been like fire and water; if Zhao Qingmei overcame the fully-formed Heart Demon, Nangong Weiping would lose all her cultivation, but if Zhao Qingmei was immersed in the fully-formed Heart Demon, Nangong Weiping would regain her powers to their pinnacle, and perhaps even go further. Yet, their relationship seemed oddly harmonious. An Jing found it somewhat incomprehensible. Perhaps between women, a special empathy can be formed. During her time in the Sealing Demon Well, Zhao Qingmei experienced many highs and lows, and even with her resilient heart, she often fell into despair. That feeling of waiting, she still vividly remembers to this day. Nangong Weiping had been nearly eight hundred years in the Sealing Demon Well, and Zhao Qingmei was the only living person she had seen; if there were a happiest time in the darkness of the Sealing Demon Well, it was when the two were trapped together. That was the only light in the Sealing Demon Well where Nangong Weiping stayed. As they spoke, it was as if they returned to the time spent under the Sealing Demon Well. Zhao Qingmei picked up a comb and arranged Nangong Weiping¡¯s hair into an upright style. It¡¯s only when people¡¯s relationships are free of vested interests that they become most harmonious. ¡°The liquefied True Qi you just saw is, in fact, True Yuan,¡± she said. Perhaps in high spirits, Nangong Weiping glanced at An Jing and explained, ¡°The reason a Great Grandmaster can have a lifespan of three hundred years is simply because the True Qi within their body has been converted into the extraordinary True Yuan, which continuously refines the five viscera and six bowels, meridians, and flesh. Human lifespan is exhausted merely because organs and the body age. Once refined by True Yuan, it can rejuvenate organs, meridians, and flesh.¡± So that¡¯s how it is! An Jing suddenly understood. The reason Grandmasters increased their lifespan was due to that True Yuan. How difficult must it be to turn one¡¯s True Qi into a liquid state? No wonder the transition from a Five Qi Grandmaster to a Great Grandmaster is a qualitative change. Nangong Weiping continued, ¡°The difficulty of refinement increases with each attempt. Generally speaking, a Great Grandmaster can only undergo the process two or three times at most, making it extremely difficult to continue beyond that, equating to a lifespan increase of three hundred years. If you are exceptionally gifted, you might be able to live even longer.¡± An Jing kept asking, ¡°Senior, have you ever sensed the shackles within this world?¡± Jun Qinglin once wrote in a letter that there is a shackle in the world today, a shackle that stops a Five Qi Grandmaster from breaking through to become a Great Grandmaster. Nangong Weiping casually wiped her oily hands on An Jing, her tone indifferent, ¡°Shackles have always existed between heaven and earth, bounding everything since ancient times. Only now, these shackles have become heavier. It¡¯s no wonder no Great Grandmaster has emerged for hundreds of years. If I were in this era, perhaps I too would have failed to reach the Grandmaster Realm.¡± She even sighed towards the end. The shackles are getting heavier? An Jing murmured softly, reflecting on how the Great Qin Dynasty once had several Great Grandmasters at the same time. Yet, during the Great Zhou Dynasty, Grandmasters became exceedingly rare, emerging only once every few centuries. By the time of Yan Country, there were no Great Grandmasters left in the entire world. Logically speaking, with the continuous expansion of martial arts and the flourishing of sects, the world should have more and more experts. Could it really be due to the shackles of the world? Suddenly, he thought about the path Jun Qinglin had forged anew. While everyone else was cultivating through the understanding of ¡®Heavenly Human Communication,¡¯ Jun Qinglin was separating himself from heaven and earth. Could it be that his path was the only way to reach the Grandmaster Realm in the current times? Since attaining the Heavenly Human Communication Realm, An Jing had also been trying to separate from heaven and earth. However, this path, inherently difficult to cultivate, had become many times harder after An Jing achieved Heavenly Human Communication. He could not find the slightest clue on how to proceed. Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°Senior Nangong, are you aware of the sealing?¡± Nangong Weiping looked puzzled, ¡°Sealing?¡± Zhao Qingmei elucidated, ¡°I mean the reason for the downfall of the Great Qin Dynasty.¡± The sealing of the Evil Suppressing Sword was carried out by the Great Zhou Dynasty, by which time Nangong Weiping was already confined beneath the Sealing Demon Well. Speaking indifferently, Nangong Weiping said, ¡°The fall of the Great Qin Dynasty was very complex. I do not know the specifics, but one of the reasons I am aware of is that the Great Qin exhausted all its national fortune to slay a True Dragon. Even though they obtained the True Dragon Qi and prolonged their national fortune for centuries, they released the impurities of the earth veins, inviting an undeserved calamity.¡± An Jing¡¯s mind trembled; ¡°Slaying a True Dragon?¡± The Great Qin Dynasty indeed had slain a True Dragon, and the Royal Family obtained the True Dragon Essence Blood, resulting in several Martial Arts Emperors, among whom were Grandmaster Martial Arts Emperors. This allowed the Great Qin to persevere for centuries. Nangong Weiping¡¯s eyes held a trace of reminiscence. ¡°At the time of the True Dragon¡¯s slaying, not only the Great Qin Royal Family but also experts from the Buddhist and Mystical Sects participated. However, now that you¡¯ve mentioned the Mystical Sect has fragmented, many ancient texts and archives may have already been lost, leaving possibly few records remaining. The Buddhist establishment remains intact to this day; perhaps they know something more.¡± Nangong Weiping¡¯s memories had even become somewhat hazy after eight hundred years under the Sealing Demon Well. An Jing felt it was imperative to unravel these secrets; he was now a towering figure atop the martial world, and the movements of the great currents of the world were intimately linked to him. After the Great Qin Dynasty fell to ruins for slaying a True Dragon, the Great Zhou established a seal using the Evil Suppressing Sword, only to be destroyed as well. What exactly lies beneath that seal? Regarding the Dragon Locking Well erected by the present Great Yan, was it any use? If not used, might the filthy qi from the earth veins resurface once again? Suddenly, he seemed to have thought of something. The split within the Mystical Sect and the Buddhist¡¯s encounter with the war to extinguish Buddhism¨Ccould there be some connection between the two? The Mystical Sect split in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the mastermind behind it was the same person who had concocted the Golden Pills and established the Black Ice Platform. Subsequently, a fierce war to extinguish Buddhism broke out across the Nine Kingdoms. Although Buddhism narrowly escaped, it had to withdraw from its ancestral land, and had since been unable to emerge from the Pure Land. Only with the current chaotic situation in the world did Buddhism have the chance to cross eastward. Is there some kind of connection between these two events? Or perhaps, the instigator behind each is the same power. A series of doubts gradually turned into worries. Perhaps, a visit to the Buddhist sect was necessary this time. Zhao Qingmei said with a smile, ¡°Since Senior Nan has already agreed to work with us, why don¡¯t we talk about the details of our cooperation?¡± Nan Weiping said indifferently, ¡°If I am to make a move, it¡¯s impossible without benefit.¡± ¡°Rest assured, Senior Nan, we would not ask you to act in vain.¡± A hint of a smile appeared on Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips as she said, ¡°The Snow Lotus from the Great Snow Mountain of Houjin is a top-tier heavenly material and earthly treasure that can add years to one¡¯s life if obtained.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but twitch at the mention. It¡¯s known that the Great Snow Mountain is a holy land of Houjin, and the Snow Lotus from the mountain is a sacred object, growing above 800 zhang on slopes, in valleys, crevices, near water, and in meadows, extremely rare and a genuine heavenly material and earthly treasure in today¡¯s world. There are only three of these Snow Lotuses on the mountain¡¯s summit, and only nine Snow Lotus Seeds are born every thirteen years; these seeds are holy medicine for healing wounds. The Sword Demon was able to quickly restore his cultivation in Zhong Mountain by using these Snow Lotus Seeds. The Snow Lotus is even more precious than the seeds, not only for healing but also for cleansing the marrow and altering one¡¯s physique, strengthening a hundred years of cultivation, and, according to rumors, even extending one¡¯s lifespan. Of the entire Great Snow Mountain, only Zongzheng Huachun, the Holy Master of Houjin, had consumed a Snow Lotus. It must be said that Zhao Qingmei¡¯s strategy of diverting disaster eastward was particularly ruthless; Nan Weiping would undoubtedly head to the Great Snow Mountain to increase her lifespan. With Nan Weiping¡¯s strength, although not at her prime, even Zongzheng Huachun may not be her match. Zhao Qingmei intended not only for revenge but also for a punitive expedition on the soul. This was an outright overt plot. Indeed, without hesitation, Nan Weiping nodded and said, ¡°The Snow Lotus is indeed a fine thing.¡± She had been trapped in the Sealing Demon Well for more than eight hundred years, her will to live far exceeding that of emperors in the human world; otherwise, she would have long since hung herself within the well. So this Snow Lotus truly aligned with her wishes. A sly glint appeared in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes as she said, ¡°I also believe this item is most suitable for Senior Nangong at present. I know of an exotic beast called Chenghuang in the south, which looks like a fox with horns on its back. Riding it grants two thousand years of life, and though this may sound exaggerated, its essence blood has miraculous effects and can extend life. Senior Nan could capture it to drink a little of its essence blood daily, which might even be more effective than the Snow Lotus.¡± Chenghuang, a creature of good omen for Zhao Country, appeared shortly after the establishment of the Black Ice Platform. Guarding atop the Cloud Tower of the platform, it was one of the rarest and most sacred exotic beasts in the world. To think of killing it for its blood was sacrilege; to merely catch a glimpse was a tremendous fortune for the common folk. She was clearly plotting to have Nan Weiping ransack the Black Ice Platform. Nangong Weiping clapped her hands with sudden clarity shining in her murky eyes and said, ¡°Good. First, we¡¯ll get the Snow Lotus from the Great Snow Mountain, then we¡¯ll go south and kill this Chenghuang.¡± Brilliant! His wife truly was outstanding! An Jing¡¯s heartbeat raced with excitement. If there were three Snow Lotuses, perhaps he could also have a share, and there was also the essence blood of the Chenghuang; based on his experience, the effects of consuming essence blood diminish with excessive use. After Nangong Weiping killed it, she certainly wouldn¡¯t be able to finish all that essence blood, and at the least, the flesh would remain¨Ca tremendously valuable treasure. Nangong Weiping gave An Jing a look and said coldly, ¡°What are you thinking about, young man?¡± An Jing responded with a smile, ¡°I was thinking, once Senior Nangong obtains the Snow Lotus and essence blood of the Chenghuang, your lifespan will greatly increase, and perhaps even your cultivation could advance further. I was considering how to congratulate you.¡± Nangong Weiping said, ¡°The Dao Heart Demon Planting Method regards all things in the world as oscillations. Your heartbeat has quickened a fraction, I see you are harboring malicious intent, wanting a piece of the action from this old woman?¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­..¡± At this moment, Nangong Weiping was completely taken in by Zhao Qingmei¡¯s flowery words, and she would even dare to break into places like the Great Yan Palace and the Buddhist Holy Land. Nangong Weiping urged, ¡°You lad, quickly take out the map, so this old woman can study where to go first.¡± An Jing took out the map from his bosom. This was a current map of the world, including Houjin to the north, Zhao Country to the south, the Buddhist Pure Land to the west, the Southern Barbarians to the southwest, and the archipelagoes to the east. ¡°This map is missing Guishuang, the Qianyue nations, and the kingdom of Li beyond the islands of the East Sea¡­..¡± Nangong Weiping shook her head and then, with a fierce glint in her eyes, said, ¡°When do we set off? This place is closest to the Great Snow Mountain in Houjin; how about we start from there?¡± At this moment, she had been persuaded by Zhao Qingmei and had turned into a hot-tempered old lady, almost wishing she could immediately stand atop the Great Snow Mountain and stuff Snow Lotuses into her mouth. Such an impetuous woman! An Jing stood by, observing with his eyes on his nose, his nose on his mouth, his mouth on his heart. Of course, if he had the strength of Nangong Weiping, he would have long taken up his sword recklessly and pierced a hole through the world. Zhao Qingmei pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°Senior Nangong, how about we wait a little while longer before taking action?¡± There was an imperial edict from the Great Yan Emperor, requiring her to go to Yujing City. This trip was very likely to involve a great war that would engulf the world, and as the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, she could not shirk her obligations. Nangong Weiping insisted, ¡°No, the sooner the better. What if someone beats us to it?¡± Three black lines appeared on An Jing¡¯s forehead, as he stood by, wanting to speak but holding back. That was the Holy Land of Houjin, the Great Snow Mountain. Who would dare to rob the Great Snow Mountain? Even the Buddhist, Zhenyi Sect, or Demon Sect, with their might, wouldn¡¯t dare to go and plunder Snow Lotuses from the Great Snow Mountain. Inside a country with only one sect, how many masters would there be at the Great Snow Mountain? You should know that the eight Heavenly Slaughters of the Black Ice Platform are all Three Qi Grandmasters and Four Qi Grandmasters. Even if the Great Snow Mountain is somewhat inferior, it¡¯s only in comparison to the Black Ice Platform. Relative to the Zhenyi Sect or Demon Sect, it must be incredibly formidable, with undoubtedly even more masters. An Jing thought for a moment, then said: ¡°Then I shall accompany Senior Nangong on a trip to the Great Snow Mountain.¡± Nangong Weiping glanced at An Jing and said, ¡°No, you¡¯re dishonest, while the young girl Qingmei is a bit more naive.¡± At this point, An Jing felt like a stampede of horses was running through his mind. Damn it! He admitted to his own bad intentions, but Zhao Qingmei was clearly even worse than him; how could she seem more innocent to her!? Could it be that her eyes had been gnawed on by a dog? The old lady was obviously looking at him through tinted glasses. Of course, he naturally wouldn¡¯t say this out loud and could only sit sullenly to one side. After pondering for a moment, Zhao Qingmei looked towards An Jing and said, ¡°For the trip to Yujing City, you go in my place. I will proceed with Senior Nangong first; I haven¡¯t been to the Great Snow Mountain yet, after all.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Then be careful.¡± To raid the Great Snow Mountain sounded like a very interesting and high-profile affair, yet at this moment, An Jing couldn¡¯t join in. However, it was fortunate that he was not someone who liked to show off. Nangong Weiping, becoming very impatient, planned to set off for the Great Snow Mountain after resting for a short while. Perhaps it was the desire to go to Great Snow Mountain, or the wish to leave this cold desert behind. An Jing controlled the Honghu above the sky, directing it to descend. The huge wings flapped, stirring up a sky full of sand and dust. Nan Weiping raised her eyebrows upon seeing the Honghu, ¡°This exotic beast is somewhat strange¡­¡± Clearly, it was a powerful exotic beast, but there was no fluctuation of life force on its body, making it seem like a mechanical puppet of the Mo Family. However, the mechanical techniques of the Mo Family had been lost before the fall of the Great Qin Dynasty. An Jing said, ¡°The divine soul of this exotic beast has already been taken by me. Now, it is just a puppet that requires manual manipulation.¡± Nan Weiping¡¯s eyes flashed with a cold light, ¡°That¡¯s really miraculous. If a person dies, can they also be crafted into a puppet like this?¡± An Jing glanced at Nan Weiping and said, ¡°It is possible just before death.¡± This old lady¡¯s way of thinking was really different from others. When Li Fuzhou and Yi Daoyun were exposed to puppetry techniques, their initial thoughts were to create an army of exotic beasts, whereas Nan Weiping thought of living people. Zhao Qingmei knew how to control the Honghu, and with a leap, she jumped onto it, saying, ¡°Husband, then we shall leave.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing gave Nan Weiping a look and transmitted his voice, ¡°Be careful with this old lady, her mind might have some problems.¡± Someone who had been locked up for eight hundred years always gave off an extremely dangerous vibe. ¡°What do you mean her mind has problems? I have my own sense of measure.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s charming eyes were like silk, and she couldn¡¯t help but chuckle softly. Nangong Weiping also landed on the back of the Honghu, looking left and right as if searching for marks left by An Jing when he subdued the puppet. Unfortunately, she couldn¡¯t hear An Jing¡¯s voice transmission. If she had, it would be interesting to know what she would think. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± The Honghu took to the sky with a powerful stroke of its arms, kicking up a large swath of sand and dust, and then its body turned into a red light that disappeared into the horizon. Under the moonlight, watching the fading silhouette of the Honghu, An Jing looked at the Dulu Sword in his hands and fell into deep thought. Back at Xuanqing Mountain, his Sword Qi had severed the Heavenly Human Communication for Luo Chongyang and Xiao Qianqiu. He wondered if this Sword Qi could also sever the connection between Demon Seeds. When he struck Nangong Weiping with his Sword Qi, naturally, it was not meant to simply threaten her. Although these nine Sword Qi¡¯s were extraordinary, it wasn¡¯t certain that Nangong Weiping couldn¡¯t break them. An Jing¡¯s true purpose was to sever the connection between Demon Seeds after Zhao Qingmei absorbed a large amount of Nangong Weiping¡¯s Demonic Qi. In this way, Zhao Qingmei would not only obtain Cultivation but also temporarily free herself from the threat of the Heart Demon. The faster she reached the Grandmaster Realm, the quicker the Heart Demon would emerge. Although Zhao Qingmei was confident in resisting the Heart Demon, An Jing still felt somewhat uneasy. Even if Zhao Qingmei herself had said there was an eighty or ninety percent chance, he still felt it was too low. ¡°Forget it, there¡¯s still some time before she progresses from the Peak of Three Qi to Five Qi, not to mention other unforeseen changes may arise.¡± An Jing shook his head, standing amidst the whirlwind of sand, and looked toward the west, ¡°There¡¯s still half a month before the meeting arranged by the Great Yan Emperor, just enough time to pay a visit to the Pure Land first.¡± The Buddhist Pure Land is located in the west of Yan Country, where three thousand Buddha countries are built. It is the birthplace of Buddhism. During the global campaign to exterminate Buddhism, forces from all over the world participated, yet they were still unable to destroy Buddhism, which demonstrates the terrifying strength of the Buddhist sect. Although Buddhism has begun to decline in recent years, it remains one of the top sects in the world. And An Jing had always wanted to see what this Buddha Country was really like. With this thought, he stepped on the gravel and walked westward. ¡­.. Zhao Country, Lin¡¯an City. The Jianghu of Yan Country is diverse, with many factions vying for prominence, while the Jianghu of Zhao Country is much more uniform, with the Black Ice Platform holding absolute reverence. Other Jianghu forces can only proliferate in minor areas and dare not be too presumptuous. Since ancient times, it has been said that warriors break the law with martial arts, and scholars cause chaos with their writings. This is a truth that has never changed. In the Martial World of Yan Country, vendettas and brutal outlaws are rife, with people dying or disappearing all the time, often involving innocent civilians, but under the oppressive rule of the Black Ice Platform in Zhao Country, such occurrences are rare. Only the bureaucratic elite, those who support the Royal Family, resist the rule of the Black Ice Platform, while the common people steadfastly uphold it. Zhao Country doesn¡¯t need to establish a National Religion, for the Black Ice Platform¡¯s status in Zhao Country is even higher than that of a National Religion. Even ordinary people believe that Zhao Country could exist without the Zhao Royal Family, but not without the Black Ice Platform, which speaks volumes about the influence of the Black Ice Platform. The power of Zhao Country is subtly greater than that of Yan Country, and this is not without basis. Lin¡¯an City bustles with carriages and horses amidst blooming flowers, appearing no different than any ordinary city in Zhao Country, yet it compares favorably with Lijiang City in Jiangnan Dao. At this moment, inside a small courtyard, a man and a woman are sitting opposite each other, washing and picking vegetables, chatting about household matters, just like an ordinary couple. The man, dressed in plain clothes, has a strikingly handsome appearance that inspires involuntary admiration at a glance, while the woman, though not beautiful, is gentle, virtuous, and indeed very pleasant to look at. If someone from the Demon Sect were present, they would certainly recognize this man as none other than Jiang Renyi, the former leader of the Earth Sect of the Demon Sect. After he fled from Dongluo Pass, afraid that Zhao Qingmei would root him out completely, he headed south to Zhao Country, where he not only concealed his identity but also got married and had children. It seemed as if his past in the Jianghu and all its enmities had nothing to do with him anymore. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Jiang Renyi suddenly recalled something, ¡°I forgot my carrying pole at Old Li¡¯s place.¡± With that, he picked up a cloth next to him and wiped his hands. ¡°Look at your memory, always leaving things here and there. Go on then, but remember to come back early for the meal,¡± the woman chided playfully as she glanced at Jiang Renyi. ¡°I know, I¡¯ll be back before the hour of You,¡± Jiang Renyi replied with a smile, heading out of the courtyard. At this moment, he was very happy and relaxed, and his steps became light and brisk unwittingly. He even thought about how great it would be to have a good drink with Old Li when he got there, wouldn¡¯t that make him the happiest man in the world? ¡°It seems you¡¯ve been living quite comfortably these days.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As he approached an alleyway, a familiar voice suddenly rang out next to his ear. Jiang Renyi was thunderstruck. He turned around and saw an old man standing in the alley. The old man had a ruddy complexion and an air of immortal grace, with a faint smile on his lips. Even though he was smiling, Jiang Renyi felt a chill. ¡­¡­. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 295 - Chapter 295: Chapter 295: Mysterious Shadows in the Sandy Bottom, Ancient City Appears Chapter 295: Chapter 295: Mysterious Shadows in the Sandy Bottom, Ancient City Appears Jiang Renyi once harbored grand ambitions, and if not for the emergence of Zhao Qingmei, this demonic figure in the Demon Sect, he would have been the current Sect Hierarch of Outer Heaven. As a Half-step Master in his thirties and likely to reach the Grandmaster Realm by his forties, his martial arts aptitude was considered rare in Jianghu, almost a replica of Lin Yiyang. Furthermore, with his father being the former Sect Hierarch and the great demon Jiang Shang, his prestige in the Demon Sect was naturally unparalleled and admired by all. And within the Demon Sect, the only person who could incite a trace of fear in him was one individual. That person was none other than his own father, Jiang Shang. He had always felt an inexplicable fear toward Jiang Shang since childhood, especially when he saw those eyes, for some reason feeling like his father might strangle him to death the next moment. This feeling accompanied his growth. The person who suddenly appeared before him was the very Jiang Shang, the only person he truly feared in his heart. ¡°Father¡­ why have you come?¡± Jiang Renyi¡¯s voice trembled as he spoke upon seeing the newcomer. Jiang Shang, with a smiling demeanor and a benign appearance, made it difficult to imagine that he was once the great demon who had made countless experts in the world tremble in fear. Even though the world has seen numerous masters from the Demon Path, very few have left a lasting and deep impression, but Jiang Shang¡¯s eccentric personality was one of the most unforgettable in recent centuries. ¡°Life seems to be treating you rather well; you even look much plumper,¡± said Jiang Shang with a smile. Jiang Renyi forced a couple of laughs, then sighed, ¡°Your son lacks capability and is no match for Zhao Qingmei, thus losing the position of Sect Hierarch¡­¡± Deep down, he had a sliver of hope that upon Jiang Shang¡¯s return, perhaps there would be a chance to turn the tables. But a series of events that followed thoroughly dispelled this thought. With Jun Qinglin¡¯s death and various crises within the Demon Sect, even if he were to assume the role of Outer Heaven¡¯s master now, was he capable of carrying the Demon Sect¡¯s banner? Some things, once understood, turned out to be trivial. At this moment, Jiang Renyi had lost his previous attachment to the position of Sect Hierarch. Jiang Shang looked at Jiang Renyi and said, ¡°With little Qingmei there, you would definitely not become the Sect Hierarch, and I have never planned to pass on the position to you.¡± Jiang Renyi¡¯s rise to Sect Hierarch was facilitated by Yuan Feng, not Jiang Shang. Jiang Renyi breathed a sigh of relief internally, then hastily said, ¡°Father, I have already established a family and business here in Lin¡¯an City, and even have a wife. Liuniang is a good woman; let me take you to meet her.¡± No matter what, Jiang Shang was the only family he had in this world, and naturally, he wanted to introduce Jiang Shang to his wife. Jiang Shang indifferently said, ¡°I¡¯ve met her.¡± Jiang Renyi was taken aback, ¡°You¡¯ve met her?¡± Jiang Shang responded, ¡°But I don¡¯t think she¡¯s suitable for you.¡± Jiang Renyi frowned slightly, whispering, ¡°Actually, she¡¯s quite a good person.¡± Jiang Shang spoke lightly, ¡°That is merely an illusion created by others. The relationships between people are not as simple as you imagine.¡± Jiang Renyi was about to speak but suddenly thought of something, ¡°Father¡­¡± ¡°I know you are reluctant to act, so I¡¯ve already taken care of this worry for you.¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s expression was incredibly calm, as if he was discussing a matter of no importance. Boom! The moment Jiang Renyi heard this, it was like a bolt from the blue. Jiang Shang patted Jiang Renyi¡¯s shoulder, ¡°She was just a woman after all.¡± These words seemed to be said to Jiang Renyi, yet they appeared to be muttered to himself. Jiang Renyi abruptly snapped back to reality and frantically rushed toward the courtyard. Inside the quiet courtyard, the gentle and virtuous woman now lay in a pool of blood, lifeless. Jiang Renyi¡¯s mind went blank as he stared at the scene before him. Jiang Shang walked up behind Jiang Renyi and said calmly, ¡°She passed away peacefully.¡± Jiang Renyi murmured, ¡°Why¡­¡± Jiang Shang did not answer Jiang Renyi¡¯s words. ¡°Why!?¡± Jiang Renyi turned his head to look at Jiang Shang, with what seemed like flames surging in his eyes. He really couldn¡¯t understand why Jiang Shang wouldn¡¯t even spare his own wife. Did his father not have any humanity at all? Jiang Shang said indifferently, ¡°A woman¡¯s death is just that, a death.¡± Jiang Renyi felt as if there was something stuck in his throat, desperately trying to surge out, but he had to swallow it back down with difficulty. The one who made the move was Jiang Shang, his father Jiang Shang, that once world-renowned great demon, the person he feared the most. Looking at the person in front of him, Jiang Renyi suddenly felt all his strength vanish, and all the resistance in his heart dissipated in an instant. The fiery anger in his heart eventually died down, even transforming into panic and unease. Jiang Shang glanced at the sky and said, ¡°We should leave now, Zhao Country is always going to be unsafe for us.¡± With those words, Jiang Shang walked towards the distance. He had to continue on his journey to find the Undying Blood, feeling deep down that just one more trace of it would allow his cultivation to break through to the Five Qi Grandmaster Realm. And then, with his cultivation, combined with the might of the Undying Blood, how many in the world could stand against him? When truly at the pinnacle of the world, what would Yan Country or Houjin matter in stopping him? Then the cycle would begin anew, to find more Undying Blood, until he became a true Undying Body. Jiang Renyi glanced back at the mansion behind him and said, his lips quivering, ¡°I want to bury her.¡± His voice seemed to carry a hint of pleading. Jiang Shang paused slightly in his steps and said without turning back, ¡°As you wish.¡± ¡­ By evening, in the tavern of Lin¡¯an City. A white-clothed man stood by the window, around forty-odd years of age. His looks couldn¡¯t be described as handsome, only fairly ordinary, but he carried himself with a bit of scholarly grace and amiability. At this moment, his eyes were fixed on the bustling streets below. At this moment, a black-clothed woman walked upstairs and reported respectfully, ¡°Master Yu, the partridge is dead; its body was directly pierced through the heart by powerful True Qi.¡± Yu Sipei, one of the elite Hidden Guards of the Black Ice Platform. The Hidden Guards, a special organization within the Black Ice Platform, were relatively less known than the famed Eight Heavenly Slaughters, as this group operated in the shadows, hidden from public view, taking direct orders from Qi Xuan Dao. ¡°True Qi!? But Jiang Renyi¡¯s cultivation hasn¡¯t reached the Grandmaster realm.¡± Yu Sipei frowned, ¡°Could it be that Jiang Shang made the move?¡± In Yan Country, Jiang Shang was very well known, and his fame was equally resounding in Zhao Country, after all, Demon Sect had dared to cross the Thunder Pool into Zhao Country to expand their influence. Although they were severely injured and repelled by the formidable Black Ice Platform, it was enough to show Jiang Shang¡¯s audacity. According to the intelligence of the Hidden Guards, Jiang Shang seemed to have appeared in Zhao Country. But given his immense strength and high level of cultivation, it was extremely difficult to fully track his movements. The black-clothed woman continued, ¡°Jiang Renyi has disappeared, and the partridge was buried by him personally.¡± ¡°It looks like it was him,¡± Yu Sipei concluded. Yu Sipei¡¯s fingers lightly tapped the table. ¡°That old fox Jiang Shang, unpredictable and ruthless in his actions. The partridge must have been discovered showing signs of treachery. It¡¯s a pity that his whereabouts are so elusive; I was still hoping to make use of Jiang Renyi¡­¡± After all, Jiang Renyi was Jiang Shang¡¯s only son, vital at key moments. It was regrettable that this lead was now cut off. Yu Sipei waved dismissively, ¡°You may leave now.¡± The black-clothed woman bowed and then descended the stairs. ¡°What a pity.¡± Yu Sipei took out a white piece of paper from his sleeve, a paper he seemed to have read dozens of times, marked by creases from folding. ¡°Undying Blood, could it truly be so miraculous?¡± The white paper was a secret order passed to him by Qi Xuan Dao, with information about the Undying Blood. Undying Blood, not only can it significantly increase the strength of the person who consumes it, but it can also have the effect of True Yuan, cleansing the five organs and six viscera, reaching the point where it can increase lifespan. In addition to the introduction of Undying Blood, there is also information on the location of the Undying Blood. When necessary, this information about Undying Blood should be reported to Jiang Shang. Upon reading this, even Yu Sipei¡¯s heart couldn¡¯t help but thump wildly. With his talent, it was absolutely impossible for him to reach the realm of a Great Grandmaster, so he would have only the lifespan of an ordinary person, which is why he naturally yearned for the Undying Blood. However, he didn¡¯t understand why the information about Undying Blood should be given to Jiang Shang. Could it be that Stage Master Qi had no desire for the Undying Blood? ¡­.. To the west of Yunlin City lies a vast desert, boundless to the eye. Gale-force winds sweep through, with sand particles flying about, darkening the sky and blanketing the earth. In the middle of the endless desert, desolation and solitude are ever-present, with sandstorms haunting this bleak and forgotten land year-round, and the world filled with yellow sand. It seems that only a few withered trees in the desert add a trivial amount of vitality to the land, occasionally punctuated by the clear and loud cries of northbound wild geese piercing the quiet sky. Desolate and dilapidated, lonely and vast. The Pure Land refers to a pure world devoid of worldly vulgarity. This place, with its endless stretches of yellow sand, seems to have truly been forgotten by people. And it is in this ¡®poor mountain and evil water¡¯ that the Buddhist claim of Three Thousand Buddha Countries is established. An Jing stood amidst the vast sands, with nothing but yellow sand in sight for a long time until he finally came across a small town. Walking into the town, everywhere there were houses made of loess, with the flags of taverns fluttering and whistling in the wind. At the entrance, there were caravans with camels carrying goods, and besides them, a few monks in robes were surrounded in a circle, seemingly engaged in a discussion. Previously, when An Jing traveled through the Great Yan Martial World, the people of Jianghu spoke the official language of Yan Country, even the local dialects were somewhat similar, allowing for some guessing, but at this moment, he could not understand a word of what the crowd was saying. An Jing squeezed through the crowd, wanting to see what was happening. As he got closer, he saw three corpses lying in a pool of blood on the yellow earth. One of them was dressed in a Buddhist monk¡¯s robe, and the other two were oddly dressed, seemingly people of Jianghu. All three bodies, without exception, died from a single, fatal blow, and the look of shock and unease in their eyes indicated that the attacker was very fast. A few monks were examining the bodies, each with a very serious and solemn expression, as if trying to find any clues. The surrounding people pointed at the bodies, their expressions also carrying a sense of fear. ¡°Sword Qi?¡± An Jing muttered to himself as he looked at the corpses. There was still a residual Sword Qi on these three bodies, suggesting the work of a proficient wielder of the Sword Dao. In today¡¯s world, there are four great swordsmen and one Sword God. The four great swordsmen are Tang Taiyuan, Great Dharma King Mu Yuan, the proud frost swordsman Lv Qiujian, and Tianpeng Ancestor. Among these four, three have been defeated by An Jing. The Sword God is none other than the master of the Black Ice Platform, Qi Xuan Dao. However, he has rarely shown his hand before the people of the world, leaving behind only legend and myth. Beneath these five, there are many top-notch swordsmen, several of them at Master Level strength, lurking within the Jianghu of the world. Yet, An Jing was not interested in such matters. At this moment, he faced a dilemma; he initially wanted to ask these monks for directions to Lingtai Temple, but due to the language barrier, he wasn¡¯t sure how to approach and inquire. ¡°Hm!?¡± Just then, he spotted a caravan not far away, with members dressed in clothes from Yan Country, led by a middle-aged man holding a long sword, tall and well-built. An Jing noticed that the middle-aged man¡¯s fingertips and the base of his thumb were calloused, indicating he was someone who practiced martial arts year-round. Beside him was a girl with delicate features, wearing a warm hat, looking at the corpses not far away with a somewhat nervous expression. An Jing¡¯s heart stirred, and he approached with a slow step, cupping his fists and saying, ¡°Is this brother from Yan Country?¡± The middle-aged man, hearing the voice, looked over and saw a young man in white robes, with bright and spirited eyes and a light smile on his lips, giving an impression of a spring breeze. The middle-aged man nodded and looked at An Jing cautiously, ¡°Indeed.¡± An Jing chuckled and said, ¡°I am Han Wenxin, from Yu State City in Jiangnan Dao. This is my first visit to the Buddhist Pure Land, and I wish to go to Lingtai Temple. Due to the language barrier, I¡¯ve lost my direction and seek your guidance.¡± ¡°I see.¡± After hearing this, the middle-aged man also began to smile, ¡°I am Deng Jiuhai from Lin¡¯an City on Jinghai Road. It seems, young brother, that this is your first time arriving at the Buddhist Pure Land.¡± Having learned of An Jing¡¯s identity, Deng Jiuhai became very enthusiastic. As it turned out, Deng Jiuhai¡¯s family had been merchants for generations. Starting at the age of twelve, he followed his father on merchant trips, traveling everywhere from the southern seas to the northern lands, through Houjin, Zhao Country, the Southern Barbarians, the Buddhist Pure Land, and even to the border regions of Guishuang. This time on his merchant journey, he had brought along his eldest daughter, Deng Rujin, intending to pass through the Buddhist Pure Land all the way to Guishuang, to exchange silk and tobacco for precious goods like gold and jade. Although it seemed like a profitable venture, the journey was fraught with dangers, and a single misstep could lead to death. Owing to his frequent commercial travels, Deng Jiuhai was very warm and talkative. An Jing curiously asked, ¡°Brother Deng, what¡¯s going on in these streets?¡± Deng Jiuhai¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, ¡°It is said that a swordsman has appeared in the Pure Land. No one knows where they came from, but they have been continuously challenging the experts here, causing widespread panic.¡± ¡°Some say the swordsman came from Guishuang, others say from Yan Country, but no one knows for sure. The Buddhist experts have already begun to hunt down this swordsman. I didn¡¯t expect that today in this town, a few more people would be killed.¡± On hearing this, Deng Rujin¡¯s expression turned even more solemn, her eyes flickering towards the goods behind her from time to time. An Jing gave Deng Rujin an odd look, feeling that she was overly anxious. After all, the swordsman only seemed interested in challenging the experts and didn¡¯t seem to care about the merchant convoys. Perhaps this was due to it being her first time on a merchant trip. Such matters often happened in the Great Yan Martial World; there were always rising experts challenging the well-known ones, aiming to make a name for themselves. In Jianghu, the fastest way to fame is through killing. An Jing wasn¡¯t too interested in this swordsman and continued to ask, ¡°Brother Deng, which way to Lingtai Temple?¡± ¡°You leave from the west gate and continue straight west for about three hundred li, and you will see Lingtai Temple, one of the holy sites of Buddhism.¡± Deng Jiuhai pointed towards the west and then, reminding him of something, said, ¡°In the Buddhist Pure Land, the copper coins from Yan Country are worthless. Many people don¡¯t even want silver, but gold is highly valued.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°I understand, thank you for the reminder, Brother Deng.¡± The two chatted for a bit longer, and then An Jing took his leave. Watching his figure fade away, Deng Jiuhai¡¯s smile vanished, and he mused, ¡°The world will soon be plunged into chaos; surviving these times will be incredibly difficult.¡± As a merchant who roamed the world, he had a keener sense of global affairs than many. Deng Rujin asked with curiosity, ¡°Dad, what do you think that person is doing in the Pure Land? He looks like a fighter.¡± Despite An Jing¡¯s gentle appearance, the weapons wrapped in brocade on his back made him stand out and attract attention. Deng Jiuhai touched the long sword at his waist and replied, ¡°Whether he¡¯s here to kill or set fires, to pillage or plunder, it¡¯s none of our business. We just need to deliver the goods to the designated place.¡± Deng Rujin shrank her neck and then nodded, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡­.. After leaving the small town from the west, An Jing traveled straight toward the west. Before his eyes lay vast expanses of sand, seemingly endless, as if there was no limit in sight. This land was sparsely populated compared to the lands of Yan Country, with inhabited places only appearing every hundred li or so. An Jing ran at a high speed, moving through the sandstorm like a streak of light, when suddenly, a long-missed glow emanated from the Earth Book, emitting a purple brilliance this time. ¡°Hint Three: A purple opportunity is near the host.¡± An Jing¡¯s heart shook, knowing how rare it was for the Earth Book to emit a purple glow. The purple glow corresponded to heart methods surpassing the Heavenly Martial Level, such as the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡± ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture,¡± and ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture.¡± Such an opportunity was almost something that could be encountered but not sought after. Thinking of this, An Jing had no hesitation and, following the guidance of the Earth Book, darted towards the distance. After traveling another five or six li, the area was converging with wind and sand, and small tornadoes were forming all around. The purple radiance in the Earth Book grew increasingly intense. ¡°Hm!?¡± Suddenly, a black shadow appeared in front of him. The shadow flashed by, incredibly fast, and in the blink of an eye, it appeared and then vanished. ¡°An expert!?¡± An Jing also sensed the shadow and narrowed his eyes into slits. To give him such a sensation, the person¡¯s cultivation had to be at least at the Four Qi Grandmaster level, or even the Five Qi Grandmaster level. In the Buddhist Pure Land, only two individuals were above the Four Qi Grandmaster: one was the Tianyi Bodhisattva of the Buddhist faith, and the other was the mysterious and unpredictable Xi Hafu. Could it be that Xi Hafu!? ¡°No, Xi Hafu is a Buddhist expert. The figure that spread out just now didn¡¯t resemble a Buddhist expert. Could it be that swordsman from Gui Shuang?¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and continued to walk towards the front. The Buddhist Pure Land had little contact with Yan Country, and the Buddhist faith had always been a taboo sect in Yan Country, so in Yan Country, Buddhism was very mysterious, let alone the Pure Land itself. Gui Shuang actually has a swordsman with a cultivation above Four Qi!? Dozens of steps later, the violent winds grew more intense, forming into dust storms. Subsequently, these dust storms converged more and more until suddenly a yellow dragon rose into the air. Sha sha sha¡­ And this dust storm, like a yellow dragon, also placed immense pressure on An Jing, forcing him to circulate his True Qi to block the forceful qi in front of him. The wind and sand grew fiercer, and this whole world turned into a world of wind and sand. The swirling winds even created a force qi sharper than sword light. If an expert below the Grandmaster level were to be blown by this force qi without True Qi protection, their flesh would be torn apart, turning into bone instantly, which goes to show the strength of this wind and sand. An Jing was not only using True Qi as a shield but also began operating the Brahma Heart Sees Me. ¡°Whoosh!¡± At this moment, the purple radiance on the Earth Book emerged again. ¡°Could it be that the purple opportunity is beneath the sand?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but look down at his feet. Suddenly, the black shadow reemerged. An Jing¡¯s clothes flapped loudly in the fierce wind as he looked ahead. The man had a face covered in horizontal flesh, a prominent belly, and an appearance that seemed quite strange, with a faint layer of golden light around his body blocking the wild winds. Buddhist Protective Golden Light!? Upon seeing this, An Jing was shocked. It was rumoured that Xi Hafu had the appearance of a big-bellied, hanging-eared figure. Could this person be the elusive Buddhist expert? But if he was here, could it be for that purple opportunity? What exactly was this purple opportunity? The two stood in the midst of the wind and sand, their robes blown by the fierce winds, and their gazes began to intersect in the air. An Jing directly asked, ¡°Are you the renowned Xi Hafu, Master?¡± Xi Hafu said, ¡°Benefactor, the poor monk offers you a piece of good advice, leave this place quickly.¡± His expression was neither happy nor sad, and even carried a sense of authority and solemnity. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised, ¡°What if I refuse to leave?¡± The opposite Xi Hafu then brought his hands together, ¡°Since you are so persistent, this poor monk will have no choice but to crush your neck.¡± A powerful and robust Buddhist chant. This Buddhist chant seemed to be brewing with great compassion and universal salvation. Without another word to An Jing, Xi Hafu made his move. Suddenly, an even fiercer gale arose between heaven and earth¡­ Boom! A Buddhist mantra fiercely charged towards An Jing, as if to suppress him completely. An Jing quickly circulated his True Qi, pointing towards what was in front of him, as explosive Force Qi burst forth, carrying the power to split mountains and cleave rivers, to meet the incoming Buddhist mantra, shattering it with one finger. Buddhist chants resonated across the heaven and earth, shaking the mind and spirit. No sooner had one Buddhist mantra shattered than another charged towards him. That Buddhist mantra contained the pure power of the Buddha Dao, bringing with it an oppressive, suffocating sensation that bore down on An Jing in an instant. An Jing drew the Evil Suppressing Sword from behind and slashed forward. Rumble! Rumble! Countless Buddhist mantras, under the Evil Suppressing Sword, turned into True Qi and dissipated into the heaven and earth. An Jing struck out with his sword again, causing the Buddhist mantras in front to explode, and his eyes also swept towards Xi Hafu. By that time, Xi Hafu had already closed his eyes, standing calmly amidst the winds and sands, his inner self as still as an ancient well. Buddhist holy objects must certainly not fall into the hands of others. Especially this holy object, which is closely related to the Earth Veins of the world today, if taken by those with ulterior motives, would indeed bring greater disaster to this world. That this man suddenly appeared here, even if he was not a master from Guishuang, he must definitely be a person with ulterior motives. In an instant, Xi Hafu¡¯s thoughts turned rapidly, and he had already labeled An Jing as someone ¡®with ulterior motives¡¯. Seeing Xi Hafu like this, a cold glint flashed in An Jing¡¯s eyes, and with a raise of the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, the heaven and earth began to tremble violently. Whir! Whir! Countless True Qi swept in from afar, like a tide covering heaven and earth. An Jing stomped his foot, and like an arrow released from its string, he dashed onto the crest of the True Qi wave, slashing his sword towards Xi Hafu. Boom! Boom! Boom! The True Qi of heaven and earth boiled over, as a terrifying wave of Sword Qi charged towards Xi Hafu, who sat quietly amidst the winds and sands. ¡°Amitabha!¡± Xi Hafu softly chanted, as waves of golden radiance surged from his body, and underneath him, a golden lotus appeared. The golden lotus radiated a glaze-colored light, crystal clear, carrying an unsurpassed divine aura. Just as the wave of Sword Qi struck the golden lotus, the petals of the lotus suddenly closed up, forming a protective golden shield, enveloping Xi Hafu within. Thud! Thud! Thud! The Sword Qi wave fiercely crashed against the protective shield formed by the golden lotus, making a deafening noise. True Qi waves then cascaded outwards in all directions. An Jing slightly narrowed his eyes, observing the golden lotus at the center of the explosion. The golden lotus, despite being at the center of the blast, seemed completely unaffected, as steady as a rock. After several breaths, the True Qi wave gradually dissipated, and the golden lotus bloomed once again. Xi Hafu opened his right hand. The golden glazed radiance bloomed to its extreme in his palm, like a massive sun. Myriad Buddha¡¯s Thunderous Sound! As Xi Hafu flipped his right hand, the golden light surged like a terrifying mountain, ruthlessly crushing down. Boom! Boom! The heavy pressure of the golden light caused the True Qi in the air to compress extremely, emitting a piercing sound to the extreme. Within the seemingly endless golden light, there were threads of purple light. Although that purple light was only a filament, it felt more terrifying and suffocating than the vast expanse of golden light. An Jing moved the Evil Suppressing Sword, directly stimulating the Immortal Sword. The originally azure sky turned pitch black, with stars twinkling above, striking awe into one¡¯s heart. An Jing took a step forward and thrust his sword toward the approaching golden light. That sword strike was like a meteor flashing past, an asteroid plummeting to earth. Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang! The golden light collided with the meteor-like Sword Qi, causing the heavens and earth to tremble. A tremendous force passed through the sword, making An Jing¡¯s arm sour, his bones creaking, as his body rapidly retreated backward. The light around Xi Hafu rapidly weakened as well, but the golden lotus beneath him blocked all the residual force. Buddhist experts are inherently skilled at body refining, and despite An Jing¡¯s cultivation of Brahma Heart Sees Me, gaining an advantage over Xi Hafu in physical prowess was simply impossible. Moreover, Xi Hafu had been at the peak of the Four Qi more than a decade ago, and by now, he might have reached the Five Qi Realm, standing as a master at the summit of the mountains. Boom! Golden light surged from behind Xi Hafu, resisting the oncoming tidal waves of impact. Watching Xi Hafu step out calmly, An Jing¡¯s gaze became as sharp as a torch, growing increasingly cold. Boom! An Jing¡¯s figure suddenly burst forth, the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand bringing with it a terrifying, dreadful surge of Sword Qi. Swish! Thousands of Sword Radiance streaks hurled directly towards Xi Hafu at high speed. Xi Hafu looked undisturbed as he watched the fearsome An Jing, his finger pointing into the void. Immediately, True Qi raged between heaven and earth, and a massive True Qi rainbow, nearly ten feet in size, burst forth from his fingertip. The sheer magnitude of the True Qi made An Jing frown; he couldn¡¯t compare to Xi Hafu¡¯s profound True Qi at all. Could it be that Xi Hafu had already reached the Five Qi Realm? If that were indeed the case, he might not necessarily be his match. ¡°Bang!¡± An Jing looked at the True Qi rainbow with no sign of dodging. With one hand on the Evil Suppressing Sword, Sword Qi wrapped around him as he swept the sword towards Xi Hafu. Thud! It was as if a deep, hair-raising sound reverberated through the sky¨C the Evil Suppressing Sword directly shattered the True Qi rainbow into pieces. Swish! Amidst the scattered sparks of light, An Jing shot out like lightning, and in the blink of an eye, he was above Xi Hafu, with the Evil Suppressing Sword carrying a rolling wave of ferocity as it swept across. Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes remained serene as he stretched out his palm. He slapped it against the sweeping Evil Suppressing Sword. Boom¨C! The next moment, an unexpected change occurred. A dull sound arose, and visible ripples emanated from the point of contact, causing the sandy ground beneath Xi Hafu¡¯s feet to suddenly collapse and cave in, yard by yard. Boom! Boom! Boom! Such a change caught even masters like An Jing and Xi Hafu off guard, and by the time they regained their composure and thought to escape, it was already too late. After all, even grandmasters cannot fly, and with nothing under their feet, the two fell directly into the dark abyss along with the rolling sand. ¡°What place is this!?¡± An Jing felt his body uncontrollably falling, but soon he thudded onto the sandy soil, surrounded by pitch blackness, unable to see his own fingers when he stretched out his hand. Suddenly, he sensed Xi Hafu¡¯s presence nearby and his heart chilled slightly, so he immediately pulled out the Dulu Sword and swept it across. How sharp was the Dulu Sword? With one sweep, it carried an incomparable bitter chill, causing even Xi Hafu to feel a prickling pain on his skin. Majestic True Qi surged like a storm, Xi Hafu clenched his hand, and the surrounding True Qi vibrated violently, forming a massive tidal wave that roared towards An Jing. Great Vajra Fist! Dragon Subduing and Tiger Suppressing! The ground beneath An Jing¡¯s feet suddenly trembled violently, with True Qi around him exploding and converging incessantly. Simultaneously, he swept the Dulu Sword in his hand across. Invisible Sword! Sword Light shot through, unseen and formless! Boom! Even the invisible Sword Qi could not bypass the wave of True Qi. Rumbling! Two massive tidal waves raced across the sky and ultimately collided head-on, freezing the entire land in that moment of impact. All True Qi raged madly in all directions, creating waves so fierce that even an ordinary grandmaster would be instantly obliterated. Xi Hafu¡¯s palm abruptly opened, and the rumbling True Qi gathered again, after which he struck out a palm towards An Jing. The surging True Qi was like wave after wave, with each move succeeding the previous one, growing more and more powerful. A countless number of True Qi streams converged, forming a gigantic handprint. An Jing remained calm, watching the scene ahead with a placid heart as if untouched by the gentle breeze, silent and unmoving. An Jing waved the Dulu Sword in his hand, and behind him, a vast starry sky emerged once more. Boom! A sharp and unrestrained Sword Qi collided with Xi Hafu¡¯s handprint. The collision created a tremendous force. Even though both tried to contain it, especially Xi Hafu who was extremely careful, stepping lightly, they still unleashed a shocking force. An Jing fiercely stamped his foot on the ground, attempting to dissipate the impact. This stomp pierced straight through the ground. Rumbling! Rumbling! But following this stomp, suddenly the ground beneath the two crumbled once again. This time, An Jing¡¯s body heavily crashed onto the ground, a great pain sweeping over him, and it took several moments before he slowly pushed himself up. Then, he suddenly smelled a strange odor. ¡°What is this smell!?¡± An Jing pulled out the fire-starter he carried in his robe and looked around; by the faint glow, he saw streams of flammable oil on the ground. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just a single spark falling upon it would lead to unimaginable consequences. Drawing a deep breath, An Jing surveyed his surroundings. With one look, his heart was immensely shaken. ¡°Could this place be¡­ the ancient city mentioned in legends!?¡± ¡­ wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 296 - Chapter 296: Chapter 296: Resurrection of the Great Grandmasters Remains Chapter 296: Chapter 296: Resurrection of the Great Grandmaster¡¯s Remains An Jing¡¯s eyes were greeted by the sight of the hard yellow stone walls in front of him, covered with the marks of years gone by, with roads stretching out ahead in all directions, crisscrossing and extending towards various locales. From the sight before him, it was known that this was once an ancient city. From the buildings and walls still standing, one could imagine that there once were glorious and incomparable palaces, beautiful towers, and a populace living in peace and contentment, free from worries. Time passed, and the years went by, yet it was all gone in a blink of an eye. However, An Jing was somewhat puzzled whether this ancient city belonged to the Great Zhou Dynasty or the Great Qin Dynasty. The capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty was in the south, and it was never said to have ruled over the Pure Land, whereas the capital of the Great Qin Dynasty was in the north; could this be an ancient city of the Great Qin Dynasty? The Great Qin Dynasty¡­ that was a dynasty from a thousand years ago. An Jing naturally had not seen the Great Qin Dynasty, but in the historical records of several dynasties, the Great Qin Dynasty was the strongest, without equal, from the top experts within the dynasty to the troops guarding the border, and even its vast territories. Three Great Grandmasters in one country, what a splendid era that was! Yet, even such a dynasty could not escape destruction ultimately. And what exactly was the reason for this destruction? Was this ancient city truly from the Great Qin Dynasty? An Jing took a deep breath and looked around. Because of the fall earlier, the ground was covered with some mud and sand, and Xi Hafu had disappeared from view, nowhere to be seen. At the same time, the purple glow of the Earth Book in An Jing¡¯s mind grew increasingly intense. Following the guidance from the Earth Book, An Jing took a tinderbox and walked forward. With the dim light, one could see various exotic beast sculptures carved on the stone walls on either side, exquisitely crafted and lifelike. ¡°Czzt! Czzt!¡± At that moment, a strange noise suddenly resounded. An Jing pointed his finger, and a stream of firelight split from the tinderbox, only to see a gray rat the size of a wild cat appearing in front. This gray-haired rat had fur that seemed very tough, and its eyes even bore a strange red color. Discovering An Jing, it seemed very frightened and hurriedly ran away towards the distance. ¡°There¡¯s still something alive here, let¡¯s follow it and see.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes shifted, and he quickly followed. ¡°Czzt! Czzt!¡± The gray-haired rat was very fast, even faster than an average cat, making it difficult for ordinary people to keep up with its speed. Soon, they arrived in front of a stone door. The stone door was made of two giant boulders, without any decorative patterns, only a seam visible to the naked eye in the middle, giving it an indestructible appearance. Besides, there was a small hole next to it, too small for ordinary people to squeeze through. The gray-haired rat swiftly squeezed into the little hole beside the door, smoothly entering inside the stone gate. ¡°There¡¯s another stone door here; it seems that the purple opportunity lies behind this stone door.¡± An Jing circulated the true Qi within his body and then struck forward with his left palm. ¡°Boom!¡± This palm, using only a third of his full power, still possessed the force of thousands of pounds, causing the stone door to shake and a large amount of rubble to fall down, nearly extinguishing the tinderbox in his hand. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing looked at the immovable stone door, frowning slightly. To think that his palm, although only using a third of his strength, compared to a full-powered strike from a Second Qi Grandmaster, yet the stone door showed no signs of change. At that moment, a voice sounded from behind An Jing, ¡°This stone door is made from ten-thousand-pound rocks; it must be opened using a special technique. If you try to smash this stone door by brute force, this place will collapse, turning into nothingness, and both of us will surely die.¡± An Jing turned his head and saw Xi Hafu with hands joined in prayer; half of his face emerged in the light while the other half lurked in the darkness, giving him a rather strange appearance. At this moment, his whole body¡¯s Qi began to converge, but the leaking Qi was still detected by An Jing. Five Qi Grandmaster! The cultivation Xi Hafu was demonstrating right now was exactly that of a Five Qi Grandmaster. An Jing was greatly shocked inwardly. No wonder he struggled to get close to Xi Hafu¡¯s body despite his full effort; the man had already reached the cultivation level of a Five Qi Grandmaster. Xi Hafu looked at An Jing with an expressionless face and said, ¡°Amitabha, I originally thought the donor was an expert from the Gui Shuang, but from the techniques and the sword in your hand, you must be the Ghost Swordsman whose name has recently shaken the world.¡± The swift exchange had not allowed him to see the Evil Suppressing Sword; now that they had ceased fighting and were speaking, he had a clear view of that sharp sword, and thus he recognized An Jing¡¯s identity. What a peculiar Xi Hafu! Whether it was the Exalted Vajra, Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, Universal Literary Vajra, or many other Buddhist experts, they all gave An Jing a sense of tranquility. Only the current Xi Hafu gave him a chilling impression. It felt as if just standing by his side was akin to entering an ice cavern. An Jing stroked the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword and glanced at Xi Hafu, saying, ¡°Master, you must know what this place is.¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes on the stone door, he replied, ¡°This is the ancient city of Great Qin.¡± An Jing raised an eyebrow and mused, ¡°Great Qin ancient city?¡± Xi Hafu nodded slightly and continued, ¡°Yes, precisely the ancient city of Great Qin Dynasty, and behind this stone gate lies a holy object of our Buddhist sect. If the donor is here for the Buddhist holy object, then forgive this humble monk for not being hospitable.¡± As he said this, he glanced intentionally or unintentionally at An Jing¡¯s neck. An Jing looked at the stone door, sensing the changes in the purple radiance from the Earth Book, his mind also filled with uncertainty; whether this purple opportunity truly was the Buddhist holy object. Xi Hafu joined his hands at his chest and said, ¡°The Buddhist holy object must not be transferred to others. Before this, experts from Gui Shuang came to the Pure Land several times for this object, and all were repelled by this humble monk.¡± An Jing could not help but ask, ¡°What exactly is this Buddhist holy object?¡± People from Gui Shuang coming to the Pure Land, all for a Buddhist holy object¨Cwhat sort of power does this holy object possess? Why has there never been any whisper of it in the Great Yan Martial World? ¡°You dare to come here without knowing what the holy object is?¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s expression turned extremely solemn. ¡°The holy object not only pertains to the Buddhist sect but also concerns the safety of the entire world. This humble monk will absolutely not let it fall into the hands of others.¡± These words were spoken for An Jing¡¯s benefit. An Jing grew even more curious about the holy object mentioned by Xi Hafu; what exactly could it be, that it also concerned the safety of the entire world. However, judging by Xi Hafu¡¯s demeanor, it seemed he would stop at nothing to retrieve the Buddhist holy object, potentially going as far as to pursue and kill him. If it really was that purple opportunity, he would have to consider it carefully. After pondering for a moment, An Jing asked, ¡°Does Master know how to open this stone gate?¡± Xi Hafu looked at the stone gate, ¡°This stone gate is made from ten thousand jin rocks; its weight is more than ten thousand jin. Originally, the Great Qin Dynasty had used mechanical beasts to transport this gate here. To push it open, it must be done simultaneously from both sides by two people; otherwise, even a Great Grandmaster would have difficulty moving it.¡± An Jing remarked, ¡°I see.¡± Xi Hafu said deeply, ¡°You on the left, and I on the right. Together we shall push and open this stone gate.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± An Jing did not hesitate; his curiosity about what lay beyond the stone gate and the Buddhist holy object was strong. He did not mind cooperating with Xi Hafu. Immediately, they both positioned themselves on each side of the gate and exchanged glances. Then, their True Qi surged, gathering in their arms. Underneath An Jing¡¯s robes, his arms bulged with veins, resembling dragon tendons. With full force applied, it was far beyond ten thousand jin of force. Golden light surged around Xi Hafu as well, and a fearsome force followed his arms pushing toward the stone gate. ¡°Click. Click!¡± The stone gate began to loosen, its crack widening more and more. As the two continually exerted their strength, the stone door was fully opened. An Jing¡¯s heart stirred, and he hurriedly looked over. Looking around, he saw several exquisitely luminous pearls hanging, and beyond that, there were lifelike stone statues, each depicting a person, as realistic as actual humans. Meanwhile, the purple luminescence in An Jing¡¯s Earth Book shone to an extreme degree, clearly indicating that the Purple Opportunity was right before him. Xi Hafu was the first to enter, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings as if searching for something. Not far away, only a few gray-haired large rats were hopping around, and beyond that, there was nothing else. ¡°Purple Opportunity?¡± An Jing¡¯s brow slightly furrowed as he walked towards the statues, noticing that each statue depicted a different pose, all of which were quite bizarre, and each forehead was inscribed with the character ¡®Sheng ¡®. This character might be unrecognizable to ordinary people, but An Jing recognized it as an ancient script from the Great Qin Dynasty. Previously, having studied a great deal of medicine, An Jing was also well-versed in the scripts of not only the Great Zhou Dynasty but the Great Qin Dynasty as well, recognizing the character on the statue instantly. Next, he looked at the statue next to it, which had the character ¡®Si ¡® inscribed on it. Scanning the area, there were hundreds of vivid stone statues, each human-shaped statue having its unique pose, and on the forehead of each, there was an inscribed character. These characters formed several profound and mysterious mantras. ¡°Could these combined be a form of martial arts?¡± An idea sparked in An Jing¡¯s mind as he observed the countless human-shaped stone statues before him. While Xi Hafu glanced at them once and continued searching further away, as if what truly interested him wasn¡¯t the stone statues but something else. An Jing carefully observed the human-shaped stone statues in front of him, using his remarkable memory to note down each statue¡¯s pose and characters. Until he reached the last human-shaped statue. All of a sudden, all the characters linked together, and everything instantly became clear; a heart method mantra for a body-refining martial arts formed in his mind. The movements of the human-shaped statues also linked up, as if shadows were moving through his mind. This was a body-refining martial art, far more profound than the Brahma Heart Sees Me, which allowed the body¡¯s vacuities to correspond as if to the stars in the sky, creating an astounding suction within the vacuities that continuously absorbed the power of the stars. This true incorporation of oneself with the celestial stars, more mystifying and unpredictable than the Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique of the Great Snow Mountain, contained the transformations of the universe and all things within, and even enhanced the understanding of heaven and earth. After pondering for a while, An Jing¡¯s mind stirred. This body refining martial art was as profound as the ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture¡± and ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡± surpassing the Heavenly Martial Level. As this body-refining martial art began operating, An Jing¡¯s body started to be tempered; his body was already covered with a jade-colored radiance, and now that jade color flourished even more, seemingly moving toward the Perfection of Jade Bone. Time slipped by like sand between fingers, and two days had passed in the blink of an eye. The starlight gradually dispersed, and the vacuities began to close gradually. An Jing slowly opened his eyes, feeling his qi and blood fully replenished, his physique having grown stronger by more than thirty percent than before. At that moment, there was a new change in the Earth Book, and An Jing¡¯s thoughts also focused on it. Cultivation: Master Three Qi Life Fate: Favorable Star Shining (on the rise) Root Bone: Once in a Thousand Years Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Movement Technique, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword Ninth Layer, Nine Yang Divine Finger Perfection, Brahma Heart Sees Me Perfection, Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique Ninth Layer, Incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture Seventh Layer, Nameless Sword Form, Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique (Sixth Layer). Prompt One: The host¡¯s Life Fate has taken root. Prompt Two: A black opportunity is approaching. ¡­.. ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique.¡± An Jing muttered to himself. Because the foundation laid by the ¡°Brahma Heart Sees Me¡±, his progress in cultivating the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± was extremely fast. At that moment, a strange voice echoed by his ear. In the distant, shadowy darkness, Xi Hafu sat cross-legged on the ground, his mouth dripping with fresh blood, pinching the neck of a gray-haired mouse that looked like a cat. As the master tightened his grip, a burst of crimson blood exploded from the gray-haired mouse and fell into the master¡¯s mouth. This scene looked bizarre and chilling. An Jing furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°Master, what are you doing?¡± Xi Hafu replied, ¡°This poor monk is a bit thirsty.¡± An Jing clearly could not accept such a plain and unadorned answer, ¡°Aren¡¯t monks supposed to abstain from taking life?¡± Drinking mouse blood for thirst was indeed rare. With blood still on his lips, Xi Hafu placed his hands in front of his chest solemnly, and said, ¡°In our Buddhist sect, there is Vajra, the Bodhisattva Fruit Position, which implies practicing Buddhism in the temple and taking life in times of chaos.¡± An Jing¡¯s mouth twitched as he remembered the master¡¯s previous threat to crush his neck; it seemed he was not merely boasting, as he indeed had a penchant for neck twisting. Xi Hafu stood up and approached a stone wall, saying, ¡°During your two days of cultivation, this poor monk has found the location of the Buddhist Holy Object, right behind this stone wall.¡± ¡°Oh?!¡± An Jing followed Xi Hafu to the stone wall, his curiosity about the Buddhist Holy Object growing. The stone wall seemed to be engraved with a sky full of stars, shining brightly, and twinkling with bright light, corresponding to the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± An Jing was cultivating. ¡°There¡¯s something odd!¡± Just one glance, and An Jing was drawn into it; the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± began to circulate. ¡°Whirr, whirr, whirr, whirr!¡± Streams of starlight surged from within the stone gate, casting over An Jing¡¯s body and forming a torrent of scorching airflow. An Jing sat down cross-legged and began to forge his flesh body. Boom! The light of stars within An Jing¡¯s body roamed about, refining his veins and bones. Refining the body was extremely painful, especially after several temperings. The light of stars entered into An Jing¡¯s body and, accompanied by flames, began to burn. An Jing¡¯s back and forehead, his entire body, was drenched in sweat. If one could endure this kind of pain, the benefits that came were indisputable. Simultaneously, his Dantian began to rotate like a silver vortex, incessantly devouring everything around it. Meanwhile, his body was undergoing a transformation, bones and blood transforming from golden to jade. Jade Bone! Being of jade bone was a symbol of a Great Grandmaster, and throughout history, very few masters had reached this realm. Seeing this, Xi Hafu could not help but raise an eyebrow, ¡°It seems that this lad is getting far more benefits than I imagined.¡± Initially, when he saw An Jing cultivating a human-shaped stone sculpture martial arts, he guessed it was a kind of Body Refining Martial Arts, but coming from a Buddhist background¨Cone of the top two sacred places for body refining in the world, he naturally had no interest in other body refining martial arts. Moreover, his mind was only set on finding that holy object, so he disregarded it. Now seeing the jade light swirling around An Jing, he came back to his senses, realizing the terrifying potential of this body refining martial arts. The refining was still ongoing; the starlight traveling along the meridians seemed intent on completely transforming An Jing. The golden light gradually faded, and the jade light overwhelmed everything in its path. Whether it was flesh, bones, or strength, all were experiencing rapid and immense growth. Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, another day had passed. ¡®Hiss!¡¯ As the last sound echoed, An Jing felt the air through his nose and mouth become much fresher, his entire body felt lighter, almost as if he were about to float. Jade Bone! At this moment, his bone structure had completely transformed into the realm of Jade Bone. ¡°Huff!¡± An Jing heaved a deep breath, his clothes now thoroughly soaked. His thoughts fell upon the Earth Book, which showed that the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique had reached the Eighth Layer. The Eighth Layer! The eighth layer of martial arts surpassing the Heavenly Martial level! Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation of the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture had also reached the eighth layer realm. In this world, only Nangong Weiping had cultivated the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture to the tenth layer. As An Jing stood up, a robust Qi Mechanism dispersed in all directions. ¡°Jade Bone! He actually refined into Jade Bone!?¡± This Qi Mechanism even brought a sense of pressure to Xi Hafu. One must know that Jade Bone is one of the symbols of a Great Grandmaster, and it also requires the cultivation of a Heart Method surpassing Heavenly Martial Arts, yet this young man in the Master Realm had cultivated Jade Bone, definitely a result of the Body Refining Martial Arts. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± As the starlight was completely absorbed, the stone wall in front of him started to shake, then ascended upwards. ¡°Great opportunity!¡± Before the situation behind the stone wall revealed itself, Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes flashed brightly, and he hurriedly rushed behind the wall. Eager! Impatient! And the moment Xi Hafu rushed in, a sea of poisonous insects surged toward him. These poisonous insects were diverse, including palm-sized spiders and brightly colored thin snakes, merely a glance at which was enough to send chills down someone¡¯s spine. As Xi Hafu operated the True Qi in his Dantian, streaks of golden light surged forward, blocking the swarming poisonous insects. The insects charged fiercely and were violently bounced off upon impacting the golden light. However, many of the insects left behind intense toxins, these colorful toxins emitting a strange fragrance as the golden light around Xi Hafu slowly dimmed. ¡°Whirl! Whirl!¡± Seeing this, Xi Hafu stretched out his hands, and vast True Qi surged forward, forming a golden ocean that instantly slew a large swath of the surrounding insects. But there were many more insects, and as soon as one group was wiped out, another would surge forward, seemingly endless. Just then, a bright light emerged. Xi Hafu pointed towards the distant light, exclaiming in his mind, ¡°The Buddhist Holy Object is right ahead!¡± His heart trembled, and he rushed fearlessly toward the light. An Jing also quickly followed, and as the poisonous insects desperately charged, the Evil Suppressing Sword, Dulu Sword, and Blood Tears Sword were each drawn from their scabbards. Several streaks of sword light surrounded him, forming a barrier, turning the insects that came too close into pools of blood foam. The insects could release toxins, but one of them was currently the top Five Qi Grandmaster of the world, and the other was the world¡¯s foremost Swordsman, wielding three of the top ten famous swords. Clearly, these insects could not stop their progress. The two of them, one leading and the other following, quickly arrived at the source of the light. There, they saw a towering circular stone platform which resembled an execution ground. In the center of the platform lay a set of white bones. The bones were deformed, somewhat human, somewhat beastly, and it was impossible to discern their appearance in life. The light was being emitted from those very bones. Upon seeing these bones, An Jing¡¯s heart slightly trembled. The dried corpse on Three Temple Mountain and the bizarre visions that had surfaced in his mind on Pingyun Mountain seemed to be extremely similar to this skeleton. What in the world were these things!? Besides this, next to the eerie remains were several odd corpses. At a glance, one could tell they were human. Having preserved for thousands of years was enough to prove that these individuals were certainly great masters in life. An Jing¡¯s heart was filled with doubts. What exactly was this place for? Xi Hafu burst into laughter upon seeing these bones. ¡°The Buddha¡¯s relics, indeed, are right here, hahahaha!¡± The divisions within the Buddhist realm differ from the rest of the world. A Grandmaster holds the position of a Bodhisattva or a Vajra, while being called a Buddha Master at a higher level, and naturally, the founder of the Buddhist sect is revered as the Buddha. The Buddha¡¯s relics!? The words of Xi Hafu deepened An Jing¡¯s frown even further. Could these bones actually be the Buddha¡¯s relics!? ¡°Hum! Hum!¡± As venomous bugs swarmed around, the Evil Suppressing Sword suddenly emitted a series of crisp trembling sounds and began to quiver uncontrollably. The blood flowing over its blade seemed to be struggling to break free. The blood on the Evil Suppressing Sword had been there since An Jing acquired it at Three Temple Mountain, where he attempted to remove it. The blood contained a terrifying force; not only did he fail to remove it, but it also left An Jing with lingering fears. After a conversation with Jiang Shang, An Jing had speculated that the blood on the Evil Suppressing Sword could be the Undying Blood that Jiang Shang was searching for. However, he had been unable to force the blood out of the sword ever since, leaving him in doubt whether it was the legendary Undying Blood or not. Today, the blood in the sword seeming to voluntarily emerge was enough to astonish An Jing. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Upon sensing this situation, An Jing quickly gripped the hilt of the Evil Suppressing Sword, trying to suppress the restless blood. But the more he suppressed it, the more violent the blood within the Evil Suppressing Sword became, akin to a ferocious and roaring beast. Simultaneously, the bones emitted an even brighter light. In a trance, An Jing heard a piercing howl by his ear, causing a sharp pain in his eardrums. Subsequently, the Evil Suppressing Sword broke free from his hand. ¡°Not good!¡± An Jing cursed inwardly, but it was already too late. He watched as the Evil Suppressing Sword transformed into a streak of light, shooting straight towards the bones with a sound that tore through the air. ¡°No!¡± As Xi Hafu saw this, his body surged with golden light to its peak, amidst which a black and purple light mingled, blocking in front of the bones. ¡°Hum! Hum!¡± The Evil Suppressing Sword struck the golden light and instantly halted. Xi Hafu breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Hiss! Hiss!¡± But in the next moment, the blood from the Evil Suppressing Sword surged from the blade and spilled directly onto the bones. The eerie red blood dripped onto the bones, causing their light to contract back spasmodically. An Jing also leaped through the air and grabbed the Evil Suppressing Sword that was about to fall. At that moment, the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword flickered with a ghostly light, not a single drop of blood remained, and it had returned to its original appearance. ¡°How can this be?¡± Xin Haifu, however, stared intently at the white bones in front of him, not even daring to breathe. An Jing also looked over. The blood spilled over the white bones caused an abrupt, drastic change after about three or four breaths. This transformation left An Jing wide-eyed with shock and disbelief. After absorbing the crimson blood, those stark white bones began to sprout flesh, and on that flesh rapidly grew black hair¡­¡­ Furthermore, this process continued unabated. Such a bizarre sight stunned An Jing. ¡°Good, very good!¡± Seeing this, Xi Hafu was overjoyed, ¡°The Buddha has shown his spirit, it really is the Buddha showing his spirit!¡± An Jing, puzzled, asked, ¡°Master, what is happening?¡± The Buddha has shown his spirit, what Buddha has shown his spirit. Xin Haifu took a deep breath to steady his trembling heart and smiled, ¡°Do you know what this is?¡± An Jing blinked and responded, ¡°Buddha¡¯s relics?¡± Xin Haifu looked at the eerie corpse and said, ¡°Exactly, these are the Buddha¡¯s relics. Now that these relics have begun to sprout flesh, do you know what that means?¡± An Jing asked with a grave tone, ¡°What does it mean?¡± Xin Haifu said, ¡°It means the Buddha has not passed into Nirvana. It means that as soon as the flesh is fully grown, the Buddha could be resurrected.¡± The Buddha resurrected!? Upon hearing Xin Haifu¡¯s words, An Jing was even more shockingly astounded. Life and death seemed to be a mere joking matter in the mouth of Xin Haifu. A person could be resurrected after death? Even though the Buddha was certainly a Great Grandmaster-level master, a Great Grandmaster was only a Land Immortal and had not reached the level of a Heavenly Immortal. Even if Heavenly Immortals died, was there still a rationale for resurrection? It was absolutely absurd! At this moment, Xin Haifu seemed more like a religious fanatic, not quite like a high monk well-versed in Buddhist law. And what exactly was the relationship between the blood on this Evil Suppressing Sword and those white bones? Why did the two react so intensely? Could it be that the blood on the Evil Suppressing Sword was the Buddha¡¯s blood? But how could the Buddha¡¯s blood possibly be on the Evil Suppressing Sword? If it really was as Xin Haifu said, could it be that a Great Grandmaster-level master was about to die and then be reborn? Suddenly, a beam of blood light appeared in the eyes of the Buddha¡¯s relics as the nearby corpses began to move. An Jing quickly asked, ¡°Why are these corpses moving?¡± Xin Haifu shouted, ¡°These corpses must have had great obsessions in life, which then became tainted by the poison here, possibly preserving some fragmented consciousness. We need to suppress them first.¡± As he spoke, Xin Haifu¡¯s clothes moved without any wind, and he ferociously slammed out with a palm behind which a golden Buddha appeared, pressing towards one of the corpses in the middle. Clang! This palm was heavier than a thousand kilos, directly pressing the Buddha¡¯s relics into the ground. The next moment, the Buddha¡¯s relics burst forth again, sweeping away the golden light surrounding Xin Haifu. An Jing¡¯s True Qi was concealed, not released. He lifted the Dulu Sword in his hand, his body as fast as lightning, and slashed fiercely at the neck of another corpse. The sword was so sharp and domineering that it sent the corpse flying, crashing heavily against the wall. However, these corpses were incredibly tough, as if they had great obsessions in life. The corpse that was suppressed charged at him again. An Jing raised the Dulu Sword with his right hand, waves of True Qi poured into the blade, the intense Sword Skill causing the surrounding airflow to spin rapidly, surging ceaselessly. Slash! With one sword strike, a massive Sword Qi, like enormous scissors, cut through the air, striking precisely at the corpse from the chest to the neck. Puchi! The corpse¡¯s chest was gashed deep to the bone, and its tough body was suddenly lifted off the ground, slamming heavily against a stone pillar. The pillar collapsed, and the corpse¡¯s body was crushed under the massive stone. The surrounding poisonous insects, witnessing this scene, swarmed over, instantly engulfing the corpse. In the blink of an eye, the corpse completely disappeared. Although these corpses were incredibly tough, they merely held onto a trace of obsession. They were no match for An Jing and Xi Hafu, quickly suppressed here, unable to rise, their bones soon becoming nourishment for the insects. ¡°Finally, I have obtained the Buddhist holy object. The revival of Buddhism is hopeful,¡± Xi Hafu excitedly watched this scene, his expression filled with immense excitement, then quickly lifted the relics of the Buddha, saying, ¡°Quick, let¡¯s leave this place first.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing also felt that this place was quite eerie. The Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique within his body began to operate, and his Dulu Sword exuded supreme sharp coldness. ¡°Pupupupu!¡± The Dulu Sword swept across, and instantly only blood remained in front of him. Somehow, the poisonous insects that were swarming in all retreated, not daring to come any closer. A wide path appeared ahead. ¡°Could it be because of the Buddha¡¯s relics that Xi Hafu is holding?¡± An Jing saw this scene and silently speculated. Just now, the insects had rushed in as if in desperation, but now they seemed extremely fearful, which was somewhat strange, and the only change was the Buddha¡¯s relics in Xi Hafu¡¯s arms. As the two continued forward, after walking about a few hundred steps, they could see the dazzling light. Sunlight! An Jing knew that the exit must be just ahead. Xi Hafu also suppressed the excitement in his heart, but the excited light in his eyes was unstoppable. After walking forward for a time as long as a stick of incense could burn, the two finally stepped out. The wind and sand swept through as the sunlight dazzled, and all around was an endless desert. ¡°Huh!¡± An Jing felt the sunlight and couldn¡¯t help but take a deep breath. After exiting the desert, Xi Hafu, with one hand holding the relics and the other gesturing a Buddhist salute to An Jing, said, ¡°Benefactor, the Buddhist holy object pertains to the safety of the world. This monk must leave now.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Having said that, without waiting for An Jing to speak, Xi Hafu hurriedly left with the relics, disappearing into the sandstorm. An Jing watched the disappearing figure, his suspicions deepening. He always felt that there was something odd about Xi Hafu, inside and out. ¡­. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 298 - Chapter 298: Chapter 298 The Evil Spirits Contaminate the Earth Veins Chapter 298: Chapter 298 The Evil Spirits Contaminate the Earth Veins Above the Lingtai Temple, everyone was inexplicably shocked. Because no one had expected the Guiyun genius swordsman who killed Fa Ming with one stroke and Fa Du with two strokes would be killed with a single sword strike. He died so easily. He died so casually. To think that the youth looked so young, young enough to not exude any threat at all, giving people an extremely surreal feeling of citrus. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ He¡¯s too strong,¡± someone murmured in a low voice. Only then did everyone come to their senses, all looking towards the figure in white, fluttering in the breeze. ¡°Good heavens, he killed the Guiyun genius swordsman with a single sword strike.¡± ¡°Who exactly is he, and why does he look so young?¡± ¡°Since when did Pure Land have such a formidable swordsman?¡± ¡­ The people from Pure Land were all holding their breath, their voices of discussion extremely soft. When Exalted Vajra saw An Jing draw his sword, he also felt his hairs stand on end, and a stabbing pain in his heart, the more profound one¡¯s cultivation, the more one could feel the terror of that sword strike. The strength of Ghost Swordsman had improved once again. How long had it been, and yet his power had made such a boundless leap? About a few breaths later, Exalted Vajra finally came back to his senses and relayed An Jing¡¯s words to the stunned Guiyun experts. And upon hearing Exalted Vajra¡¯s words, their faces turned even paler. Not to mention that their strength was originally not as good as that of Chamo, even if they were stronger than Chamo, they were chilled to the bone in fear. A single sword! Chamo had perished under that person¡¯s sword in the blink of an eye, how horrifying was that? Were the experts from the ancestral lands of the Great Qin Dynasty really so terrifying? Several people¡¯s throats moved, swallowing saliva cautiously, with none daring to answer the call. Invite the next genius swordsman? This was clearly inviting the next person to their death! They weren¡¯t fools, naturally, they wouldn¡¯t step forward to seek their own demise. After a while, the few of them came back to their senses, carrying Chamo¡¯s corpse as they ran towards the foot of the mountain. ¡°They¡¯re running away just like that!?¡± The people of Pure Land all cried out in relief, mocking the corpses of the Guiyun swordsmen. An Jing walked over to Exalted Vajra and asked, ¡°Master, how come the Guiyun swordsman came to Pure Land?¡± Exalted Vajra narrated gently, ¡°Guiyun is to the west of Pure Land, and although it borders our Pure Land, the interaction between the two places is minimal due to a natural rift mountain range that lies between. However, there are caravans that travel through the mountains for trade and profit, and they serve as a bridge of sorts.¡± ¡°Guiyun is a vast dynasty, once not weaker than the Great Qin Dynasty, but now it is gradually declining. That Heavenly Blade is an organization from Guiyun, comprising of master swordsman practitioners of Guiyun. According to news passed by the caravans, there might be Sixth Realm swordsman grandmasters among them.¡± ¡°This nation has always wanted to invade the ancestral lands, harbouring ambitions for thousands of years. Decades ago, they sent several masters to challenge Lingtai Temple. But at that time, our Buddhist faith had Master Hongyi to preside over, who suppressed all the Guiyun experts with his own power, forcing them to retreat in defeat and not daring to enter Pure Land for a hundred years.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing was quite astonished. In the maps currently sanctioned by Yan Country, the Extreme Western Land was not defined beyond Pure Land. He hadn¡¯t expected that there was such a powerful country to the west; it was indeed an incredible realization. But due to geographical and natural conditions, they could only look at each other from a distance. After pondering for a moment, An Jing asked, ¡°What was Master Hongyi¡¯s level of cultivation?¡± Exalted Vajra pressed his palms together before his chest and replied, ¡°Master Hongyi was the strongest expert in our Buddhist faith in nearly two hundred years, having reached the Five Qi Grandmaster level. At that time, the Guiyun expert was also a Five Qi Grandmaster named Naluo, but he was defeated by Master Hongyi. Unfortunately, Master Hongyi could not break through the shackles to attain the Buddha Master Fruit Position and passed away fifty years ago.¡± An Jing nodded slightly. Master Hongyi, as a Five Qi Grandmaster, had suppressed the Guiyun expert, indicating that Guiyun likely had no Great Grandmasters. This was indeed a fortunate thing. Without a Great Grandmaster, it was the era of the Five Qi Grandmasters. With that said, Nangong Weiping in the hands of the Demon Sect was definitely a trump card, something no power in the world could withstand. At this moment, Exalted Vajra received a transmission by his ear, and coming to a realization, he then said to An Jing, ¡°Tianyi Junior Brother has asked for you to go to the Grand Hall.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing bowed his hands in salute to Exalted Vajra and then headed towards the Grand Hall of Lingtai Temple. ¡°Exalted Uncle,¡± The head of the Precepts Courtyard stepped forward two steps, watching An Jing¡¯s receding figure, and curiously asked, ¡°Who exactly is this youth?¡± Not just the head of the Precepts Courtyard, all the Pure Land experts on site looked towards Exalted Vajra, equally curious about the identity of this youth. He killed Chamo with a single sword stroke, appearing so young. Exalted Vajra said, ¡°Have you heard of the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡°It was him?!¡± Hearing the name ¡®Ghost Swordsman,¡¯ all present exchanged looks of disbelief. Although Pure Land was some distance away from the ancestral lands and communication between the two was difficult, mainly maintained through Dongluo Pass trade routes, the reputation of the Ghost Swordsman from the Demon Sect was thunderous even to the ears of those in Pure Land. After all, above the Heavenly Martial Sect, the Ghost Swordsman had defeated the Exalted Vajra, nearly dashing the hopes of Buddhism¡¯s eastward journey, and just this alone was enough to make the name unforgettable to the denizens of Pure Land. Not only that, but he wielded The World¡¯s First Sword, the Dulu Sword, as well as the third greatest sword of the Great Zhou, Yulong. Moreover, he had defeated the unprecedented Sword Demon and Sword God, claiming the title of The World¡¯s First Swordsman. Rumors said he was incredibly young, barely in his early twenties. Many were still skeptical, how could a man in his twenties become The World¡¯s First Swordsman? Even if he had been cultivating in his mother¡¯s womb, it would be impossible to attain such heights. But now the people of Pure Land have seen with their own eyes and were deeply shaken. The head of the Precepts Courtyard murmured to himself, ¡°Such a young age, yet possessing such cultivation, truly a god among men.¡± It was unimaginable what heights his youth might lead to in the future. Exalted Vajra also felt a wave of emotion and then thought of the alliance that had been formed between Buddhism and the Demon Sect, deeming it the best decision he had made. ¡­. Inside the Grand Hall, the scene was resplendent with gold, and the large-bellied laughing Buddha Maitreya was holding his belly in mirth. On both sides, the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings were imposing and lifelike, each holding a sword, a lute, an umbrella, and a rope, symbolizing the harmony of nature. What caught the eye the most was the Arhat Hall of Buddhism, housing hundreds of Golden Arhats, each with a different expression, a marvel of craftsmanship. At the moment, Xi Hafu and Tianyi Bodhisattva were sitting cross-legged on the right side of the Grand Hall. Seeing An Jing walking in, Tianyi Bodhisattva said, ¡°Benefactor¡¯s reputation is indeed well-deserved, the title of The World¡¯s First Sword is fitting.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°Master flatters me.¡± Tianyi Bodhisattva¡¯s words were clearly laced with some flattery, after all, Chamo¡¯s strength was not enough to make An Jing exert his full power. It was just the elegance of that one sword stroke. Tianyi Bodhisattva took out a delicate, ancient-looking box. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The moment this box appeared, the Earth Book in An Jing¡¯s mind began to surface with streams of blue radiance. Tianyi Bodhisattva said, ¡°This box contains the Bodhi Seed from the thousand-year-old Bodhi tree, which is the reward for the donor¡¯s assistance in relieving our Buddhist sect from siege.¡± Chamo was not a significant threat, but if the top Buddhist masters dealt with him, it would undoubtedly damage their reputation, and for Buddhism, it was also a favor neither too big nor too small. ¡°Thank you, Master.¡± An Jing did not stand on ceremony and directly placed the box into his bosom, ¡°The younger generation has several doubts in my heart that I wish to ask the two masters.¡± Tianyi Bodhisattva said, ¡°Please, donor, speak your questions.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and said, ¡°When the Great Qin Dynasty fell, it was said that it was due to the slaying of a dragon, causing the Earth Veins¡¯ spiritual energy to be corrupted, eventually leading to the downfall of the entire Qin Dynasty. I want to know the specific reasons.¡± The sudden collapse of such a powerful dynasty, with no record even in the historical texts, had always troubled An Jing. The downfall of the Qin Dynasty was not as simple as imagined and might be related to future events. Tianyi Bodhisattva and Xi Hafu exchanged glances, and then their expressions both became somewhat grave. ¡°It turns out the donor wishes to inquire about this matter. Indeed, nowadays, few in the world know this secret. Then, this poor monk will unravel this mystery for the donor,¡± said Tianyi Bodhisattva. After a long while, Xi Hafu took a deep breath and said: ¡°Originally, the Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty¡¯s cultivation was stuck at the Five Qi Grandmaster level; with his talent, it was tough to reach the Great Grandmaster realm. Therefore, this Emperor wanted to extract the True Dragon Essence Blood to achieve the Great Grandmaster realm. At that time, he invited the Buddhist Great Grandmaster, the Mystical Sect¡¯s Great Grandmaster, the Royal Family¡¯s own Great Grandmaster, and countless Grandmasters to go to the True Dragon¡¯s resting place, Beili Volcano, to slay that True Dragon. The True Dragon had been guarding the Earth Veins from ancient times and had merged its own being with the Earth Veins¡¯ spiritual energy, becoming incredibly powerful. Even with three Great Grandmasters and hundreds of thousands of soldiers fighting bloodily for a long time, they still could not defeat the True Dragon; instead, due to the True Dragon¡¯s formidable strength, they suffered heavy losses.¡± An Jing¡¯s brows knit slightly upon hearing this; he had not expected the True Dragon to be so terrifying. Three Great Grandmasters, countless other masters, and an army of hundreds of thousands had all failed to defeat it. How, then, did the True Dragon ultimately die? Xi Hafu continued, ¡°Just then, the Mystical Sect¡¯s Great Grandmaster realized the connection between the True Dragon and the Earth Veins, and proposed severing the bond between the Earth Veins and the True Dragon, which would greatly reduce the dragon¡¯s strength, allowing them to slay the True Dragon.¡± ¡°At that time, the other two Great Grandmasters realized that if the battle dragged on, not only could they not kill the True Dragon, but they would also likely become prey to the dragon. They agreed to the Mystical Sect Great Grandmaster¡¯s proposal. Subsequently, the three Great Grandmasters joined forces and severed the connection between the True Dragon and the Earth Veins. Without the Earth Veins to rely on, the True Dragon¡¯s strength was greatly reduced. Although it was still not to be underestimated, it was no longer a match for the three Great Grandmasters and the countless other masters. In the end, with a mournful cry, the True Dragon died atop Beili Volcano, its blood dyeing the earth red.¡± ¡°The Emperor of the Qin Dynasty was overjoyed. Not only did he obtain the True Dragon Essence Blood but also the deer horns, dragon sinews, dragon scales, and all other precious items. The True Dragon Essence Blood, as the most valuable of these, directly helped the Qin Emperor reach the Great Grandmaster realm, while the deer horns were used to forge the Dulu Sword. The remaining essence blood was also placed in the Qin Dynasty¡¯s treasury to nurture highly talented successors.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, as he was also aware of these events. With the True Dragon Essence Blood, the Qin Dynasty had gone on to produce two Martial Arts Emperors, sustaining the dynasty for hundreds of years. It was evident just how precious the True Dragon Essence Blood was. Xi Hafu¡¯s expression became somewhat more solemn as he spoke, ¡°But what happened next is not recorded in the history books. Only the Buddhist and Mystical Sect¡¯s archives have some descriptions of it. Shortly after the Mystical Sect Great Grandmaster and the Buddhist Great Grandmaster returned, they passed away ¨C one ascending to immortality and the other entering nirvana. The public believed that both perished due to injuries to their Root Essence from battling the True Dragon, but that was not the case. The primary reason for their departure was the Earth Veins.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes sparkled with a sharp light, ¡°The Earth Veins!?¡± Xi Hafu nodded, ¡°Yes, the death of the two Great Grandmasters was not due to Root Essence injuries as recorded in the history books but because of the Earth Veins. After the severance between the True Dragon and the Earth Veins, it seemed as though the Earth Veins had been tainted by some corrupt Qi Mechanism. A surge of evil spirits emerged from within, directly invading the bodies of the two Great Grandmasters. In a short period, both masters¡¯ cultivation levels increased, but they were soon overwhelmed by the backlash of the evil spirits.¡± ¡°Nobody knows where these evil spirits came from. With the True Dragon slain, the Earth Veins filled with the evil spirits, the world began to undergo silent changes. The restraints of heaven and earth grew increasingly severe, and the difficulty of refining spiritual energy for masters increased. Hence, the number of masters began to dwindle rapidly. As time went on, this change became more and more pronounced; the situation of having three or four Great Grandmasters coexist in one era came to a complete end. Even until now, it has become difficult for even a single Great Grandmaster to emerge. This is the tremendous impact of the Earth Veins being tainted.¡± An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed deeply. So, the reason why there were no new Great Grandmasters was because the spiritual energy of heaven and earth had become increasingly difficult to refine, and the reason for that was the contamination of the Earth Veins by the corrupting spirits. An Jing pondered for a moment and asked, ¡°What does this have to do with the destruction of the Great Qin Dynasty?¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s expression became incredibly solemn as he said, ¡°This evil spirit qi can not only pollute the earth veins, but it is also the most wonderful poison in this world because it can completely replace nature¡¯s spiritual energy, continuously enhancing one¡¯s cultivation. But the only side effect is that it amplifies inner desires and disturbs thoughts in the human brain.¡± ¡°At that time, some grandmasters absorbed this evil spirit qi, and their cultivation greatly increased. One of them even stepped into the Great Grandmaster Realm. It was precisely because of this that his inner desires began to expand rapidly, even to a twisted extent. Our Buddhist calls it obsession, and Outer Heaven calls it Heart Demon.¡± ¡°If this poor monk¡¯s deductions are correct, the Great Qin Dynasty perished because of the leakage of this evil spirit qi, but as for the details, no one knows, as they were not written down. After this, the Great Qin Dynasty officially ended and the Great Zhou Dynasty began.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a sudden shock went through his heart. Could it be that the Grand Ancestor who founded the Great Zhou Dynasty was a master tainted by evil spirit qi, who killed all the experts of the Great Qin Dynasty, erased all history, and established the Great Zhou Dynasty? And then, fearing others would obtain this evil spirit qi, he used the Evil Suppressing Sword to suppress all the evil spirit qi. Evil spirit qi can allow one¡¯s cultivation to increase rapidly¨Cno wonder the Demon Sect¡¯s scriptures once said that the seal¡¯s base was a tremendous opportunity and blessing. The Buddhist were concerned about the harm produced by the evil spirit qi, so they actively suppressed the evil spirit qi. An Jing thought for a while and said, ¡°Nowadays, it¡¯s becoming increasingly difficult to refine nature¡¯s spiritual energy, and the shackles of heaven and earth are becoming heavier. Could it be that means the pollution of the earth veins is becoming more severe, and one day maybe¡­¡± Xi Hafu placed his hands together in front of his chest and sighed, ¡°Let¡¯s hope that day never comes.¡± If evil spirit qi replaced nature¡¯s spiritual energy in this world, what kind of spectacle would this part of the world become? At this moment, An Jing still had many doubts in his mind, but he also unraveled much of the confusion in his heart. Who exactly was the Emperor who created the Great Zhou Dynasty, and what was his origin? The shackles of heaven and earth are indeed getting heavier, and the fundamental reason turns out to be the increasingly severe erosion of the earth veins by the evil spirit qi. Once the earth veins are completely eroded, extremely terrifying events will surely occur. And now, the only thing suppressing the evil spirit qi in the earth veins is the Dragon Locking Well at Yujing City of Yan Country. Could there be someone who wishes to break this seal, fully releasing the evil spirit qi of the Dragon Locking Well and allowing the evil spirit qi to completely replace nature¡¯s spiritual energy? After all, refining nature¡¯s spiritual energy is becoming more difficult, while evil spirit qi can completely replace it¡­ then, whether it¡¯s breaking through to the Grandmaster or even the Great Grandmaster Realm, it shall be much easier than now. But at the same time, this evil spirit qi also has significant side effects. Whether the emergence of this evil spirit qi is a good or bad thing remains to be seen! And what exactly is this evil spirit qi? Why has this evil spirit qi emerged in the first place? An Jing¡¯s brows were slightly furrowed as he asked, ¡°Does the master know how the Great Zhou Dynasty perished?¡± ¡°It was a combination of human actions and heavenly causes.¡± Xi Hafu shook his head and said, ¡°The specific reason is not clear to our Buddhist, but it has to do with the seal. It must have been someone trying to break the seal to release this evil spirit qi, but ultimately it¡¯s unknown why they failed.¡± An Jing contemplated for a moment and said, ¡°Does this mean, then, that the Dragon Locking Well in Yujing City is also extremely dangerous, with someone trying to break the seal of the Dragon Locking Well at every moment?¡± The person who would think of releasing the seal is undoubtedly among the world¡¯s top experts. They¡¯ve reached the pinnacle of this world and due to the shackles of heaven and earth, it¡¯s become very difficult for them to break through to the next realm. Hence, they wish to take a desperate gamble by releasing this evil spirit qi, perhaps to break through those shackles. Xi Hafu nodded and said, ¡°That¡¯s correct. This is also why the Great Yan Emperor invited Buddhism to propagate eastward and become the national religion, and it¡¯s the biggest reason Zhenyi Sect did not refuse.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes, silently marvelling to himself. The waters of this world were deeper than he had imagined and even more dangerous than he had desired. It wasn¡¯t only a match of wits between game masters, a contest among nations, but also a struggle of power against power. ¡°Thank you, master, for resolving my doubts.¡± An Jing gave a fist salute to Xi Hafu and said, ¡°I still have one last question, regarding the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯ beneath that ancient city.¡± ¡°That is certainly not the Buddha¡¯s relics.¡± The always silent Tianyi Bodhisattva said with a heavy voice, ¡°Benefactor, please describe what that evil thought called ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯.¡± An Jing noticed something odd: Tianyi Bodhisattva referred to Xi Hafu from beneath the ancient city as evil thought, but Xi Hafu called it obsession. Following that, An Jing described the appearance of the corpse. Xi Hafu and Tianyi Bodhisattva exchanged glances and then shook their heads, indicating they hadn¡¯t seen these remains. Xi Hafu said gravely, ¡°However, this object could regrow flesh and fur instantly, which is far from ordinary.¡± An Jing also nodded, conceding that even if the corpse was not the Buddha¡¯s relics, it was certainly no ordinary existence. Firstly, it was located within the ancient city and could disperse ten thousand poisonous insects. Secondly, it could absorb the blood that seemed like Undying Blood from the Evil Suppressing Sword and instantly regenerate flesh, which was somewhat abnormal. After further discussion, An Jing prepared to stand and leave. ¡°The Great Yan Emperor has decreed that I go to Yujing City, so I must take my leave now.¡± Tianyi Bodhisattva smiled and said, ¡°The journey to Yujing City covers thousands of miles, but with the benefactor¡¯s swift steps, there¡¯s no need to worry about this little time. Why not have some vegetarian food and simultaneously discuss martial arts?¡± Xi Hafu too smiled without saying a word. Eventually, persuaded by Tianyi Bodhisattva, An Jing agreed. He had just obtained the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique,¡± and currently, these two from the Buddhist were body refining experts. A discussion might help to enhance his understanding of the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique,¡± and could also deepen his Heavenly Human Communication. ¡­.. At the foot of Lingtai Temple. A few Gui Shuang swordsmen were carrying Chamo¡¯s corpse, hurrying towards the Extreme Western Land. Roughly two hours later, the group arrived at a desolate mountain and finally took a breath of relief. One of them said with a particularly unsightly expression, ¡°Chamo is really dead. What should we do now?¡± They originally thought that with Chamo¡¯s skills and status, it was impossible for him to die at Lingtai Temple. After all, back in the day, Naluo had led a group of experts and directly attacked the Pure Land, and ultimately Pure Land Buddhism still provided a glimmer of survival. However, they did not expect a swordsman to appear en route and pierce Chamo through with a single sword strike. Another said, ¡°Chamo was one of the most talented swordsmen in Heavenly Blade, highly regarded by several Sword Masters. We must send this news back quickly.¡± As this was said, everyone nodded in agreement. The most urgent matter was to convey this news back within the Heavenly Blade. ¡°No, if Chamo has died and we are unscathed, we will definitely be punished.¡± The first speaker said solemnly, ¡°The one who acted is very young, definitely not a nobody. Instead of returning to report, why don¡¯t we investigate this person thoroughly and then go back with the information? That way, we can redeem ourselves.¡± Chamo was a talent carefully nurtured by the Heavenly Blade. Now that he had died in this Pure Land, it would surely cause turmoil within the Heavenly Blade. As they had followed Chamo here, it was naturally impossible to clear themselves of any relation. ¡°Good.¡± The men looked at each other. ¡°Was it the Lingtai Temple that the charitable ones visited?¡± Just then, a chilling voice sounded. ¡°Who!¡± The men quickly looked towards the source of the voice, only to see a monk with hanging ears and a big belly approaching them. His complexion was somewhat gloomy and cold, indicating that he was not likely to be a kind-hearted person. This was none other than Xi Hafu, who had appeared in the ancient city. ¡°A Buddhist!¡± The Gui Shuang experts frowned at the sight. Xi Hafu, showing neither happiness nor sorrow, said, ¡°Why do you not answer when this humble monk asks you a question?¡± One of them replied with a cold sneer, ¡°What if it¡¯s yes? And what if it¡¯s not?¡± Clearly, the sudden appearance of the monk did not frighten him; on the contrary, it sparked a killing intent in his heart. After all, the monk before them showed no signs of qi mechanism fluctuations¨Cit meant he was either not an expert or simply an average person. But how many experts are there in this world, and how many average people? Xi Hafu said coldly, ¡°if that¡¯s the case, this humble monk will have to crush your necks.¡± ¡°Arrogance!¡± A Gui Shuang expert was incensed and charged at Xi Hafu. In the next moment, Xi Hafu suddenly vanished. Whoosh whoosh whoosh! In the blink of an eye, Xi Hafu appeared in front of the Gui Shuang expert, his thumb, index, and middle fingers gripping fiercely around the man¡¯s neck. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± The Gui Shuang expert felt an intense pain in his neck, followed by his neck being crushed immediately; a tremendous force surged, nearly separating his head from his body. ¡°Who on earth are you?!¡± The Gui Shuang people had not expected that the monk in front of them was not only an expert but also extremely skilled and cruel in his actions. While they were still shocked, Xi Hafu¡¯s mouth curved into a cold smile, and with swift, rabbit-like leaps, several sounds of exploding blood rang out. The necks of several men were snapped just as if they were the grey-haired rats in the ancient city. The movements were as smooth as flowing clouds and water, effortlessly pleasant. In just a few breaths, the ground was already covered with corpses, their flesh blurred. Without exception, all of them had been killed by having their necks snapped. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Xi Hafu¡¯s face was still splattered with blood as he pressed his palms together in front of his chest, earnestly speaking to the bodies before him: ¡°This humble monk never deceives others; when I say I will snap your necks, I will surely snap your necks.¡± There are two types of people who cannot hear others speak: one is the deaf, and the other is the dead. Now that the Gui Shuang experts lay lifeless, naturally, they could not hear Xi Hafu¡¯s words. Xi Hafu looked towards Lingtai Temple and then wiped the blood off his face. ¡°To sever an obsession has not only been useless but has also significantly weakened this humble monk¡¯s strength. It really wasn¡¯t worth the loss.¡± wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 299 - Chapter 299: Chapter 298 Doubts Arise beneath the Dragon Locking Well Chapter 299: Chapter 298 Doubts Arise beneath the Dragon Locking Well Pure Land, Lingtai Temple. Moonlight like water, stars scattered across the sky. In the side room, An Jing circulated the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique,¡± his acupoints shining like starlight, continuously accelerating the refining of nature¡¯s spiritual energy into his body. This sort of body refining martial arts that transcended the Heavenly Martial Level had its unique features. As the starlight circulated, An Jing felt an even closer connection to heaven and earth, and his comprehension of the cosmic way deepened. Historically, martial arts experts who reached the Heavenly Human Communication stage had to explore and comprehend on their own, without a complete system. However, the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± could connect heaven and earth, the cosmos, and the individual through the stars. If such martial arts were to be disseminated, countless masters would surely be envious. As he continued to cultivate, An Jing felt his understanding of heaven and earth gradually increasing. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± Just then, an immense qi force surged in. Suddenly, a golden light soared from the Ancestor Master Hall straight into the sky. This golden light dispersed the dark clouds, covering the entire sky of Lingtai Temple with a layer of golden light. Afterward, a huge golden Buddha appeared within the golden clouds. This golden Buddha was majestic, serene, and tranquil. At the same time, a terrifying pressure emerged, as if a mountain was pressing down on An Jing. It was like the descent of a divine being, inviolable. The higher one¡¯s cultivation was, the more they could feel the powerful pressure. Ordinary people, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t grasp the subtleties involved. ¡°What is this?!¡± An Jing fully activated the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± to resist this pressure and then leaped towards the direction of the Ancestor Master Hall. Before long, he arrived at Lingtai Temple¡¯s Ancestor Master Hall. At that moment, the Ancestor Master Hall was enveloped in golden light, shining brightly. The Buddhist Xi Hafu, Tianyi Bodhisattva, Exalted Vajra, and many other high-ranking Buddhist practitioners had all hurried over upon hearing the news. They looked forward in shock and devotion because the source of the golden light was the Buddha¡¯s relics that Xi Hafu had spoken of. A few breaths later, Xi Hafu, holding a wooden fish and a mallet, looked in the direction of Yujing City with a solemn expression in his eyes. An Jing couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Master, what happened?¡± Why would the Buddha¡¯s relics release golden light? Xi Hafu said, ¡°It might be some kind of cosmic change.¡± An Jing inquired, ¡°What kind of change?!¡± ¡°Not sure what change exactly.¡± Xi Hafu fell silent for a moment, then said, ¡°But this change might trigger a great upheaval, and even Buddhism won¡¯t be spared. It¡¯s a warning.¡± Hearing this, An Jing¡¯s heart sank, ¡°Could it be the Dragon Locking Well?¡± The Xi Hafu in front of him was a Five Qi Grandmaster of Buddhism, certainly possessing an intuition and measure of the qi mechanism¡¯s fluctuations. Given the changes happening in the world now, only the Dragon Locking Well came to mind. ¡°The monk only has a hunch, it may not be accurate.¡± Xi Hafu set down his wooden fish, saying, ¡°Recently, there have been many strange events causing unease. You should be careful when you return to Yujing City.¡± An Jing¡¯s frown deepened!? What did Xi Hafu mean by that? Be careful returning to Yujing City, could there be other intentions behind the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s decree? Xi Hafu then sat cross-legged in the Ancestor Master Hall, eyes closed, silently reciting the Buddhist scripture. Seeing this, the other high-ranking Buddhist practitioners also took their seats on the meditation cushions. An Jing glanced once more at the Buddha¡¯s relics, then at Xi Hafu and the other Buddhist practitioners, before slowly exiting the Ancestor Master Hall. After An Jing had left, Xi Hafu opened his eyes, which flickered with an indescribable complexity. ¡°Uncle Master.¡± Tianyi Bodhisattva asked in confusion, ¡°Why did you look towards Yujing City just now? What was it for?¡± Xi Hafu with a solemn face said, ¡°The monk saw a blood light soaring over Yujing City. The world will change because of it, whether for better or worse, I do not know.¡± Tianyi Bodhisattva was shaken. What kind of blood light would make Xi Hafu so concerned!? Tianyi Bodhisattva asked, ¡°Then why didn¡¯t Uncle Master tell Mr. An? Isn¡¯t he rushing to Yujing City?¡± Xi Hafu gazed at the golden statue and said with a heavy tone, ¡°The Buddha said, ¡®Do not speak.¡¯ ¡­ After several twists and turns, the rising sun illuminated the base of Snow Mountain. The peak of Snow Mountain was framed by the clear blue sky, and the distant azure seemed almost within reach. The crystalline Snow Mountain shone with a blush of light, like a newly awakened maiden draped in a layer of transparent gauze, her jade-like icy features now adorned with a light touch of rosy clouds gently covering the mountaintop. This was the Houjin Holy Land, the most sacred place in the hearts of hundreds of Houjin tribes, a place yearned for by many. This place not only hid many experts of the Great Snow Mountain, but it was also close to the Royal Court of Houjin. The two were like horns on a head, mutually guarding each other. The two great body refining sects in the world, one was the Buddhist Sect, and the other was the Great Snow Mountain. With the rise of Houjin, the Great Snow Mountain also enjoyed unlimited glory. It absorbed not only all the resources of Houjin but also all the talented youths, resulting in an endless stream of experts from the Great Snow Mountain. A red streak of light flew in from afar, appearing somewhat out of place in this white world. This was indeed the exotic beast, Honghu. At this moment, Zhao Qingmei and Nan Weiping were sitting on the back of Honghu. After freshening up and changing into a new set of clothes, Nan Weiping¡¯s head was full of luxurious hair. Her face looked very old, her eyes were extremely gloomy, and her whole body carried an aura of death. Yes, it was indeed the aura of death. Zhao Qingmei pointed to the Great Snow Mountain below that stretched endlessly and said, ¡°Senior Nan, that ahead is the Great Snow Mountain.¡± Nan Weiping nodded slightly, ¡°This place should have quite a few master experts?¡± Zhao Qingmei nonchalantly said, ¡°Yes.¡± Having been trapped in the Sealing Demon Well for so long, and unable to refine nature¡¯s spiritual energy in the cave, Nan Weiping¡¯s root essence had also diminished significantly. Coupled with the large amount of demonic qi absorbed by Zhao Qingmei earlier, her cultivation was no longer at its prime. At the moment, besides looking for heavenly materials and earthly treasures that could increase her lifespan, she naturally needed some that could restore her primordial energy. And what kind of treasures were the fastest at restoring root essence? Naturally, it was the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence within the bodies of Grandmasters. Nan Weiping¡¯s purpose in coming here was very simple, and very pure. It was to plunder the holy land of Houjin. Talking about the great trends of the world to someone who has been imprisoned in the Abyss for hundreds of years was almost like telling a joke. She only cared about herself, or rather, she only cared about what she wanted to care about. Beyond that, there was nothing else. Honghu was an exotic beast, a treasure of heaven and earth, and with a flap of its wings turning into a red arc of light, it arrived at the summit of the Snow Mountain. Within the misty clouds, there were rows of exquisitely elegant and magnificent palaces and towers. The mountain gate stood tall in the sky, grand and imposing. Nan Weiping¡¯s figure flashed, and she landed in front of the mountain gate. ¡°Who goes there?!¡± The disciples guarding the entrance of the Great Snow Mountain saw a person descending from the sky and immediately called out loudly. With a wave of her hand, Nan Weiping unleashed a surge of Qi force. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± The Qi force was like mountains and tsunamis. How could the two guards withstand it? They were instantly shattered into blood mist by the Qi force and scattered in the midst of the mountain gate. ¡°Someone is storming the mountain?!¡± One of the Great Snow Mountain¡¯s disciples, seeing this scene, was both shocked and horrified. ¡°Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!¡± Sounds echoed loudly, and soon from around the Jade Towers of the Great Snow Mountain, countless experts emerged. These were the deacons and elite disciples responsible for the protection and security of the Great Snow Mountain, each with at least the cultivation of the Second Grade Realm. ¡°How audacious! You dare to intrude into our Great Snow Mountain?¡± One of them, seeing the scene of bloodshed, shot a piercing cold light from his eyes, ¡°Who on earth are you?¡± Nan Weiping said indifferently, ¡°Hand over the Snow Lotus.¡± Her words were calm, but they carried an undeniable authority. ¡°Truly presumptuous!¡± ¡°Where did this clueless thing come from, seeking death so recklessly?¡± ¡­. The crowd nearly burst into laughter upon hearing this. What was Snow Lotus? It was a treasure of the Great Snow Mountain. And now, this old woman, close to death¡¯s door, actually wanted the Great Snow Mountain to hand over its treasure, which was simply ridiculous. Nan Weiping glanced at the people and then waved her sleeve. ¡°Boom!¡± Without any fanfare, just a plain sweep, several Great Snow Mountain experts in front of her instantly turned into blood mist, devoid of any signs of life. To her, killing seemed like the simplest thing to do. A Grandmaster!? The experts of the Great Snow Mountain present were all taken by surprise, they hadn¡¯t expected this seemingly ordinary old woman to be so powerful. Even those who had been laughing loudly just moments before now wore serious expressions on their faces. ¡°So it turns out to be a Grandmaster!?¡± At this moment, a hard voice sounded. As the crowd of the Great Snow Mountain parted, an old man clad in a golden fur coat emerged. His eyes carried a trace of coldness and a touch of solemnness. Mu Chun Dharma King! Within the Great Snow Mountain, obtaining the title of Dharma King meant that one must at least be a master of the Grandmaster Realm. With Houjin¡¯s prosperity, the strength and status of the Dharma Kings of the Great Snow Mountain had risen along with the tide, and all who became Dharma Kings were Second Qi Grandmasters. Mu Chun Dharma King looked at the old crone before him, his heart filled with confusion, as he found himself completely unable to fathom her depth. Nangong Weiping glanced at Mu Chun Dharma King and said, ¡°Have your Holy Master come out and speak with me.¡± Mu Chun Dharma King¡¯s brow furrowed and he responded, ¡°Our Great Snow Mountain Holy Master is not someone you can simply demand to see.¡± Zhao Qingmei bluntly said, ¡°Senior Nan, unless you kill a few more people, they won¡¯t willingly hand over the Snow Lotus.¡± ¡°What this young lady says is very true.¡± Nangong Weiping smiled, yet despite the smile, there was a sense of coldness and gloominess about her. Then, she extended her palm. The concentrated True Yuan gathered at her fingertips, appearing as fine as droplets, but they contained a terrifying force within. ¡°Boom!¡± In the next moment, with a tap of Nangong Weiping¡¯s fingertips, the droplet surged forward, piercing through Mu Chun Dharma King¡¯s throat, leaving a hole the size of two fingers on his neck. ¡°Gurgling¨C!¡± The light in Mu Chun Dharma King¡¯s eyes faded away, and then blood continuously flowed from his neck as his body heavily fell to the ground. Silence! The entire Great Snow Mountain was as silent as death! All the disciples of the Great Snow Mountain stood as if stupefied, unable to believe that Mu Chun Dharma King, the Second Qi Grandmaster, had been killed in a single move. That was a Second Qi Grandmaster, after all! The scene before them brought an unparalleled shock, with only Zhao Qingmei revealing a faint smile at a distance. He was merely a Second Qi Grandmaster after all. Although Nangong Weiping¡¯s Primordial Energy was injured, with her current strength, as long as it was not a Grandmaster, even a Five Qi Grandmaster would not be her match. Nangong Weiping directly absorbed the two streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence that surged out, immediately channeling them into her Dantian. The Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture began to operate, refining them. ¡°Senior Nan, I will lend you a hand,¡± Zhao Qingmei stood on the honghu¡¯s back, stretching out her pair of jade hands, and with a flash of silver light, the sharp Mandarin Duck Twin Blades appeared in her palms. ¡°Swish!¡± Both blades simultaneously refracted a frightening cold light, slashing forward. Boom! Boom! Where the blade light passed, everything before it dissolved into nothingness, and several jade towers collapsed into ruins. Everyone looked up. Under the faint sunlight, a woman dressed in black stood atop the red bird, her face unclear, exuding a cold and suffocating presence. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s red lips parted lightly, and she said calmly, ¡°If Zongzheng Huachun does not come out, I¡¯m afraid the Great Snow Mountain will run red with blood today.¡± The clear, icy voice reverberated between heaven and earth. After speaking, Zhao Qingmei raised the Yuan Blade in her hands and heavily hacked toward the central palace of the Great Snow Mountain. The blade light whistled past, splitting the air on both sides. Now at the peak of the Three Qi Cultivation, if this strike landed, even the central palace of the Great Snow Mountain would become nothing but ruins and rubble. Boom! Just as the blade light was about to touch the central palace, ripples spread through the air, followed by a pair of enormous palms emerging from the ripples and directly clamping down on the blade light. ¡°Bang bang bang bang!¡± Qi Force churned, a tremendous force emanated, and Zhao Qingmei quickly retreated backward. Here he comes! There weren¡¯t three people in all of Houjin who could easily repel Zhao Qingmei. A figure stood atop the central palace, his robe billowing with the wind, making a rustling sound, his body seemingly merging with the palace beneath him, or perhaps it was more accurate to say he merged with this domain of heaven and earth. If one were to classify the levels of Heavenly Human Communication, what Li Fuzhou achieved on the Eight Feet Platform should be considered the most superficial, as he had not practiced Martial Arts for long. An Jing¡¯s comprehension of this was but a fraction better than Li Fuzhou¡¯s. However, You Gai¡¯s comprehension of Heavenly Human Communication was profound, having entered this state for decades already. Yet, even You Gai¡¯s understanding of Heavenly Human Communication paled in comparison to the man before them. His body gradually merged with heaven and earth, and it was difficult to tell whether he had become one with heaven and earth, or heaven and earth had become one with him. Because this man was none other than Zongzheng Huachun, the Houjin Holy Master who had severed Jun Qinglin¡¯s last thread of life. ¡°Playing with the mysterious and profound.¡± Nangong Weiping looked up at Zongzheng Huachun above and said flatly, ¡°Are you the Holy Master of the Great Snow Mountain?¡± Zongzheng Huachun looked at the old crone below without any change in his expression, but his heart could not help but hold a trace of solemnity. How could it be possible? Even with his cultivation as a Five Qi Grandmaster, he was unable to discern the old crone¡¯s level of cultivation. The one who killed Mu Chun Dharma King with a single move was definitely a top-notch expert. Could this person be above my own cultivation? Could it be a grandmaster level expert!? Impossible, how could a grandmaster possibly appear in this world? Nangong Weiping had no ability to see through people¡¯s hearts, naturally unaware of the drastic changes occurring within Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s mind at this moment. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes grew slightly cold as the true qi within his dantian began to circulate, ¡°Exactly.¡± Nangong Weiping said, ¡°Either hand over the Snow Lotus, or die and then hand over the Snow Lotus.¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°In this world, you are the first to speak to me like this.¡± Although Nangong Weiping¡¯s voice was indifferent, it carried a hint of domineering, ¡°In front of this old body, there is no difference between emperors, holy masters, and the ants of heaven and earth.¡± Zongzheng Huachun began to laugh, then fell silent without saying another word. Sometimes, when a situation has reached such a point, speaking further is no longer necessary. The two opposing figures, their true qi clashing more and more violently, although neither had made an actual move yet, their aura alone enveloped the entire Great Snow Mountain. Boom! Another clash of true qi, a muffled sound echoed, and in the eyes of Zongzheng Huachun and Nangong Weiping, a cold gleam simultaneously flashed. Whoosh! Almost simultaneously, their figures moved, two silhouettes streaked across the sky like lightning, and in the next instant, collided thunderously over the central palace of the Great Snow Mountain. Nangong Weiping¡¯s eyes were cold as she faced the oncoming Zongzheng Huachun, her fist roaring out, her true qi rolling like waves, the momentum as if intending to split mountains. In the face of Nangong Weiping¡¯s powerful onslaught, Zongzheng Huachun made no attempt to dodge. He too wanted to see what this suddenly appeared expert was capable of. Thud! The two forces, imbued with extremely powerful true qi, smashed into each other fiercely, the low sound instantaneously spreading thunderously, a visible wave of qi surged out from between the two, and all the surrounding buildings of the Great Snow Mountain¡¯s central palace were shattered to dust. ¡°Rumble!¡± ¡°Rumble!¡± At once the sky darkened, clouds churned, and thunder rolled, enveloping the entirety of the Great Snow Mountain. Zongzheng Huachun stood amidst the destruction, his expression neither happy nor sad. The power of heaven and earth vested in him at that moment. ¡°Heavenly Human Communication!?¡± The sound of thunderous lightning even caused Zhao Qingmei to frown deeply. Jun Qinglin had once said, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s understanding of Heavenly Human Communication might be the best in the world. The deeper the understanding of Heavenly Human Communication, the stronger the force of heaven and earth one could borrow. And right now, Zongzheng Huachun had reached a profound depth, his communication with the force of heaven and earth was exceedingly high too. Zongzheng Huachun stepped back dozens of paces, and in Nangong Weiping¡¯s gaze toward Zongzheng Huachun, a hint of surprise emerged. Clearly, the realm of Heavenly Human Communication reached by this Holy Master of Houjin had taken her by surprise. ¡°So what if it¡¯s Heavenly Human Communication?¡± Nangong Weiping¡¯s true qi of heaven and earth surged towards her, its robust and powerful essence causing even the masters of Great Snow Mountain to be somewhat taken aback. Who exactly was this old lady, and how could her strength be so formidable? Nangong Weiping took a step, and it seemed as if the very sky trembled slightly. She clenched her palms into fists, shouted ferociously, and her fists hammered out vehemently. Waves of true qi! Charging crazily! Woo woo! Each time Nangong Weiping¡¯s punches whistled through the air, they turned into a true yuan energy orb. Within just a few breaths, the sky was filled with those violent true yuan energy orbs, then they blanketed towards Zongzheng Huachun in overwhelming swarms. Each orb, containing Nangong Weiping¡¯s fierce fist wind, held enough power to severely damage a Five Qi Grandmaster. With such an amount gathering together, it was terrifying. True Yuan!? Zongzheng Huachun watched the ferocious attack that surrounded him within a few yards, a glimmer flashed in his dark pupils, then with a tap of his toe, he exploded forward. Whoosh whoosh! As the true qi orbs howled through the air, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s figure became extremely blurry. Those phantom afterimages appeared behind him, and with ghost-like speed, he weaved directly through the fierce orbs of fist wind. He knew, even though he had practiced body refining martial arts, being hit by this attack would still be highly unpleasant. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s figure, passing through the myriad of true yuan orbs. Then his fingers curved, his gaze icy, between his fingers, a dazzling golden light burst forth. ¡°Take this move of mine and see!¡± Zongzheng Huachun shouted coldly, pointing out into the void, an extremely fierce and domineering black rainbow light erupted from his finger tips, tearing through the sky, and charged violently towards Nangong Weiping. The power of heaven and earth bolstered his physique, along with the Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique, plus this unparalleled finger technique. At this moment, he unleashed his strength to its utmost extent. Even knowing the opponent was a very high-level expert. Zongzheng Huachun had to make a move! Not making a move was even more unacceptable than a defeat. Nangong Weiping looked at the black rainbow light piercing through the air, the overbearing and vigorous fluctuations within it not causing her expression to change in the slightest. Her arm slowly rose, and then she threw a punch with an immensely heavy demeanor. ¡°Buzzing!¡± As Nangong Weiping¡¯s slow and peculiar punch burst forth, the air in front of her vibrated, seemingly turning into a mountain approximately ten thousand feet tall. Boom! Nangong Weiping¡¯s heavy punch landed on that ten-thousand-foot mountain. Zongzheng Huachun also trembled, and immediately turned into a black rainbow light that howled forth, borrowing the power of heaven and earth, colliding head-on with the mountain that pierced through the sky. Bang! The collision of the two unleashed a shocking wave of True Qi, sweeping across the land and stirring up a fierce storm. ¡°You¡¯ve got some skills. I want to see just how many punches you can take today!¡± Nangong Weiping¡¯s cold shout resonated, and then her fists exploded, each wave of True Qi blasting out and rushing toward Zongzheng Huachun. ¡°Bring as many as you like, I¡¯ll take as many as you bring!¡± Facing Nangong Weiping¡¯s formidable offensive, Zongzheng Huachun did not retreat in the slightest. True Qi burst forth violently, the air in front becoming agitated, with faintly visible arcs of Qi taking shape. Woooo! Everyone on Great Snow Mountain raised their heads at that moment, looking with shock at the roaring Qi wave. This level of combat was simply grand and majestic. Boom, boom! The overwhelming offensive in the sky collided fiercely, and the powerful forces clashed together. Then, wave after wave of astonishing True Qi explosions followed. The storm of True Qi created a whirlwind in the sky, raging and spreading. Cracks spread one after another across the great hall below, and some buildings collapsed outright. Everyone was frantically dodging the overwhelmingly powerful True Qi impacts. Zongzheng Huachun took several steps back, each step leaving a deep crack in the ground, clearly overpowered by the absolute path, even with the aid of heaven and earth¡¯s power, he was no match for the old woman opposite him. ¡°Impudence!¡± Just then, an explosive shout came from the distance. ¡°The impudent one is you!¡± Nangong Weiping sneered, and continued to throw punches forward. ¡°Rumble!¡± The air in front shattered, and massive Fist Force collapsed like a falling mountain. The approaching expert was instantly repelled, turning pale as a sheet. The person was none other than Taiyin Kui, the shadow of Zongzheng Huachun. Atop Great Snow Mountain. Nangong Weiping looked ahead at the two Five Qi Grandmasters, with a dominating and arrogant demeanor. Truly befitting of a Grandmaster Realm expert. Zhao Qingmei also gasped in her heart, one punch had repelled the charging Taiyin Kui, even when Nangong Weiping was greatly injured, it was somewhat terrifying. Taiyin Kui whispered, ¡°Holy Master, we should join forces.¡± Zongzheng Huachun took a deep breath and looked towards Nangong Weiping, ¡°You only want one snow lotus?¡± Nangong Weiping shook her head, ¡°The old lady wants three.¡± Three! Currently, there were only three snow lotuses on the entire Great Snow Mountain. By requesting three, Nangong Weiping was practically uprooting Houjin¡¯s foundation. Zongzheng Huachun took a deep breath, ¡°Two.¡± Nangong Weiping¡¯s mouth cornered up into a cold smile, silent. Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°You are injured, and this place is Great Snow Mountain territory, with many strong hands. If we were to fight desperately, it may not go well for you.¡± His words made sense, but he didn¡¯t know exactly who he was facing. Nangong Weiping began to gather her True Yuan, she was never one for many words. The fist is the hardest truth in the world. She said she wanted three, and she would have three! That¡¯s because Nangong Weiping hated those who break their promises the most, whereas she herself was a woman of her word. Zongzheng Huachun declared in a deep voice, ¡°You can have three.¡± Zhao Qingmei felt somewhat disappointed, having not expected Zongzheng Huachun to keep such composure and really bring out all the snow lotuses. If he hadn¡¯t agreed, there would have been an earth-shattering battle at Great Snow Mountain today. Nangong Weiping nodded, ¡°If they are not in my hands within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, I shall ensure that blood flows like a river in Great Snow Mountain today.¡± Zongzheng Huachun glanced at Taiyin Kui, whose face bore a somewhat somber expression as he walked toward the back mountain. Taiyin Kui moved swiftly, and it wasn¡¯t long before he returned with three boxes in his arms. A flash of cold light flickered in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes, then he enveloped the boxes containing the three Snow Lotuses with his sleeve and passed them to Nangong Weiping, saying, ¡°Today, my Great Snow Mountain has built a good relationship with you. May I know your name?¡± ¡°If you want to know my name, wait until you become a grandmaster,¡± replied the figure. Nangong Weiping took the boxes and after verifying their contents, leaped onto the back of the Honghu, ignoring Zongzheng Huachun completely. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Nangong Weiping said to Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, then spurred the Honghu into the distance. Watching the receding figure of the Honghu vanish, Taiyin Kui clenched his fists, which creaked audibly. Since when had the Great Snow Mountain suffered such humiliation, being robbed of three Snow Lotuses? The cold light surged in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes as well, but he concealed it extremely well, vanishing almost instantly. At that moment, a Dharma King stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, ¡°Holy Master, that person who wielded the sword must be Zhao Qingmei, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°Demon Sect!?¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. ¡°No wonder I felt that the person¡¯s martial arts qi mechanism was so familiar; it turns out they were from the Demon Sect.¡± After thinking for a moment, Taiyin Kui said, ¡°The Demon Sect has not produced a grandmaster in the last three hundred years.¡± That person was too strong, even surpassing Jun Qinglin. When had the Demon Sect nurtured such a terrifyingly powerful individual? Zongzheng Huachun remained silent, moving towards the rear hall. He too was filled with doubts about the sudden appearance of Nangong Weiping. The unexpected arrival of this powerful figure had disrupted all his plans, but could she become a variable in the world of today? ¡°There must be no variables with the Dragon Locking Well, absolutely none.¡± Thinking of something, Zongzheng Huachun clenched his hand tightly, then picked up brush, ink, paper, and inkstone to write furiously. He recorded everything that had just happened, sealed it with utmost secrecy, and lastly wrote on the envelope: To be opened by my teacher only. ¡­ Clear skies and fresh air. Only a few days remained before the final month decreed by the Great Yan Emperor, and An Jing had not stayed at Lingtai Temple, but rather set off toward Yujing City. Thinking back to what happened the previous night, he still had his doubts. Why had Buddha¡¯s relics released golden light, and what exactly did Xi Hafu mean by his words? After pondering for a while, An Jing was still unclear about the connections. Vast stretches of golden sand stretched as far as the eye could see. An Jing, clad in white, shouldered a sword box that stored the Evil Suppressing Sword, Dulu Sword, and Blood Tears Sword, his figure vanishing into the distant north. His pace was not fast, yet it seemed to merge with the wind and sand. Somehow, An Jing¡¯s thoughts drifted to the days when he had journeyed to Yujing City with Lou Xiangzhen in search of Zhao Qingmei. Back then, though he had the Cultivation of the First Grade, he didn¡¯t understand the Jianghu that well and was only somewhat famous as a Swordsman. He had no idea the waters of Jianghu were so vast and turbulent. Times had changed, and now he was the world¡¯s foremost swordsman. There were few left in the world who could cross swords with him, having become an invincible Sword Immortal. Lou Xiangzhen once said a Swordsman carries his sword, travels thousands of miles, does thousands of things, and then the Sword Dao can be established. For An Jing now, he had been to many places, traveled to most parts of Yan Country, even to the Pure Land, but there were still many places in the world he had not reached, such as Houjin, Zhao Country, and the faraway Guishuang. ¡°Perhaps when my Cultivation reached a standstill,¡± An Jing murmured, ¡°I will really need to travel far and wide to find my Dao.¡± His figure disappeared into the sands, moving toward the distance. The Pure Land was vast and sparsely populated, with the desert occupying much of the land, and it could be a long while before seeing any human habitation. Suddenly, An Jing sensed something. His expression remained calm, without the slightest change. ¡°Whoosh!¡± ¡°Whoosh!¡± ¡°Whoosh!¡± ¡°Whoosh!¡± Just then, four swordsmen wielding longswords emerged from the surrounding sands and launched an attack. The four swordsmen attacked from different directions, their Sword Wind sweeping up the sand and creating an extremely mysterious sword formation that filled every gap in the space before them. An Jing¡¯s eyes remained undisturbed, his body motionless. ¡°Clang!¡± At the moment when those four blades landed, An Jing¡¯s hand reached behind to the sword box, drawing out an ancient longsword. The sword was still stained with blood. The moment the Blood Tears Sword was unsheathed, the blood flowed from the hilt to the tip, eerie and somewhat beautiful. A sword¡¯s duty covers family, country, and all under heaven. With the unsheathing of the sword, the entire world seemed to become instantly clear. All the surrounding sand seemed to freeze in place, each grain sparkling in the golden radiance. The vast Sword Qi soared directly to the heavens! The four swordsmen exploded on the spot, forming a terrestrial tornado that connected heaven and earth, several times fiercer than the previous storm. It swept up countless sands and stones, making the world seem ready to crumble. This earth-shattering terrestrial tornado was split in two from the center and slowly dissipated into the atmosphere before it could wreak havoc. Regrettably, there were few to witness this scene. ¡°What a fierce sword.¡± At that moment, a rough ancestral accent suddenly rang out. It belonged to a Guishuang expert, who was dressed just like Chamo, except he appeared much older. In his hand was also a blade, with its back curving along the edge, two blood grooves on either side, and wave-like nail print patterns. The blade was exceedingly sharp, and the handle extended three to four inches, made from two pieces of wood, ox horn, or animal bone, clamped together and fixed with rivets. The blood of the four painted the sandstorm red, stirring up a whirlwind of crimson grains. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Are you here for revenge?¡± The swordsman replied, ¡°Yemo Tai from Guishuang.¡± Touching the Blood Tears Sword in his hands, An Jing said, ¡°I don¡¯t care who the dead are.¡± Yemo Tai nodded and said, ¡°The dead naturally need not concern themselves with the affairs of the world.¡± When narrow paths meet, courage makes the victor! In the midst of this yellow sand-filled sky, the swordsman and the bladesman encountered each other. Both had reasons to wish the other dead. Sometimes it has nothing to do with right or wrong. From the beginning, one¡¯s stance determines their identity, status, and ultimately, their fate. If you had been to Guishuang, you would know that Yemo Tai was the third swordsman of Guishuang. And if Yemo Tai had been to Yan Country, he would know that An Jing was the top swordsman of this world. What does it mean to be the top swordsman? It means there is no other swordsman more formidable than him. Regrettably, both were unaware of this, yet they met each other. What happens when two wild beasts meet in the jungle? Exactly, there will be bloodshed, there will be death. A bladesman with a heart set on killing is like a wild beast. Yemo Tai looked at the young swordsman before him, his eyes filled with undisguised ferocity and killing intent. His way of the blade was just so, which was why his disciple, Chamo, was the same. Whoosh! A bloody gleam of the blade attacked, carrying an exceptionally fierce aura of slaughter. An Jing neither dodged nor retreated, his Blood Tears Sword directly meeting the onslaught. Clang clang clang clang clang! The sword and the blade collided fiercely in the air, erupting with a sharp clash of metal, grating to the ear. After that, the two rapidly separated. Clang! Yemo Tai¡¯s blood blade flashed by, an invisible pressure surged toward An Jing, and the still air suddenly rippled like water being stretched to its limit. With a pop! Yemo Tai¡¯s pressure was crushed by the might of An Jing¡¯s sword skill. The oppressive force was merely a prelude. Yemo Tai immediately displayed his signature technique as he began his attack, the blade¡¯s wind howling fiercely with a chilling blood aura. Pop! Another sharp sound as the blade¡¯s wind and the Sword Qi shattered, and on the tip of the Blood Tears Sword flickered a deep, star-like sword light. Yemo Tai¡¯s blade skill was incredibly concentrated, indestructible, and nothing external could shake it, including An Jing¡¯s Sword Skill. The next moment, Yemo Tai instantly appeared in front of An Jing. Immediately, the sound of clashing metal rang out along with sparks flying wildly, flickering crazily. Yemo Tai¡¯s pupils dilated as he harmonized with the surging Qi mechanism, and above in the sky, thunder rumbled as though it was connected to the long blade in his hand. In Guishuang, once his Thunder Blade was unsheathed, it was unmatched; with heavenly thunder pressing down, no matter how skilled an expert one was, they would have to submit. Even a Grandmaster of the ancestral land would be instantly slain by him. Above in the sky, thunder roared, and clouds moved from all directions. If gods block the way, kill the gods; if Buddha blocks the way, kill Buddha. But now, what he was facing was an immortal! It was a peerless Great Sword Immortal. Instead of retreating, An Jing advanced, meeting the sweeping heavenly lightning with an outstretched palm. The vast Star River emerged. The Blood Tears Sword in his hand casually traced a long arc of a rainbow. The magnificent Sword Qi was unstoppable, cleaving through everything ahead, and the surging lightning was directly cut off by the sword light. The thunder lost its voice, the dark clouds turned pale. A sword shattered the lightning! It was as effortless as breaking dead branches and pulling up rotten wood! Yemo Tai¡¯s face changed dramatically under the intimidation of the sword light; by the time he realized what was happening, his whole body was already covered by the pervasive sword light. His clothes were dyed red with blood. At this moment, he had become a blood-soaked man. Such a fast sword! Such a formidable swordsman! ¡°Run!¡± In a moment of sheer terror, Yemo Tai didn¡¯t hesitate to sprint away into the distance. Suddenly, he felt his body suspended in midair, his neck fiercely grasped, making it incredibly difficult to breathe. Looking up the arm that was clutching his neck, it belonged to a Buddhist monk expert, who stood with his chest out and belly prominent, earlobes hanging down to his shoulders, yet his face was extraordinarily grim and icy. Yemo Tai didn¡¯t know who the person before him was, but he had lost all strength in his body and couldn¡¯t resist at all. ¡°Bang!¡± The newcomer was Xi Hafu; currently, he exerted great force with his palm, twisting Yemo Tai¡¯s neck and turning him into a mist of blood, as his body¡¯s Spiritual Essence was entirely absorbed by the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯ behind Xi Hafu. An Jing, observing the sudden appearance of Xi Hafu, frowned and said, ¡°We meet again.¡± This Xi Hafu was the very same one seen at the bottom of the ancient city. Because only he had the peculiar habit of snapping other people¡¯s necks. Xi Hafu glanced at An Jing and said, ¡°It seems that the poor monk and the benefactor are quite fated.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Why isn¡¯t the master at Lingtai Temple?¡± Xi Hafu countered, ¡°Why should I be at Lingtai Temple?¡± An Jing continued, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be there?¡± Xi Hafu indifferently replied, ¡°Is the one put on a high pedestal at Lingtai Temple and revered by people truly a Buddha?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s pupils contracted. Xi Hafu seemed to be questioning as well as self-reflecting, ¡°What exactly is a Buddha, and where is a Buddha?¡± This string of words made An Jing¡¯s brow furrow. In the profound silence, Xi Hafu¡¯s words carried a Zen riddle, causing one to fall into deep contemplation and thought. The wind swept the sand, and the world fell silent. Thinking of something, Xi Hafu opened his mouth to ask, ¡°The benefactor mentioned earlier that you came for the matter of the Dragon Locking Well; do you now have some clues?¡± An Jing nodded slightly and said, ¡°I was not clear on it before, but now I have some understanding. The master said the Dragon Locking Well was built to suppress the qi of evil spirits.¡± Xi Hafu responded, ¡°Qi of evil spirits? What is the qi of evil spirits they talk about, and if I say it isn¡¯t, does it become not so?¡± An Jing asked, ¡°If not the qi of evil spirits, what exactly does the Dragon Locking Well suppress?¡± Xi Hafu sneered, ¡°That is clearly the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.¡± Spiritual energy of heaven and earth!? An Jing felt even more shaken inside. The Xi Hafu in Lingtai Temple said the Dragon Locking Well suppressed the qi of evil spirits; why does the Xi Hafu before him say it is the spiritual energy of heaven and earth? Who is telling the truth? Xi Hafu continued, ¡°It is precisely because the sealing becomes more stable that the world¡¯s shackles have grown increasingly severe; thus, it has become a shackle and fetter to the world.¡± Mystified, An Jing said, ¡°Then why would the Great Yan Dynasty seal the earth veins and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth?¡± With a hint of mockery on his lips, Xi Hafu said, ¡°If the world were full of Masters everywhere and countless Great Grandmasters, where would the royal authority be? Where would the oppression of the royal family and nobility be? When a person possesses superhuman powers, who calls the shots in the end¨Cis it the human emperors or the exalted land immortals?¡± ¡°The Dragon Locking Well is merely a shackle the dynasty uses to inherit the power of the royal family and imprison the capabilities of people worldwide.¡± Boom! Struck by this revelation, An Jing felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Two Xi Hafus with two entirely different, even contradictory, statements. What then lies beneath the Dragon Locking Well? Is it the qi of evil spirits or the spiritual energy of heaven and earth? Xi Hafu said, ¡°Benefactor, are you intending to return to Yujing City?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Exactly.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°I told you, you and this poor monk truly have a connection,¡± Xi Hafu remarked. He pulled out a sealed letter from his sleeve and said, ¡°The poor monk has received a letter, and he happens to be going to Yujing City, too.¡± The white sheet of paper flapped in the wind, displaying five large words: Hunting Meet in Yujing City. ¡­. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 300 - Chapter 300: Chapter 300: Dragon Locking Well Triggers Changes in the World Chapter 300: Chapter 300: Dragon Locking Well Triggers Changes in the World Hunting at Yujing City!? Seeing the five characters that emerged, An Jing could not help but ask in a grave voice, ¡°Master, who gave you this note?¡± Hunting at Yujing City, was someone plotting turmoil within Yujing City? One must know that Yujing City was the capital of Yan Country, not only housing the Great Yan Emperor, Royal Family experts, Imperial Forbidden Army, but also the headquarters of the Xuanyi Guard. On top of that, it was under the watch of the leading sage of Confucianism of the age. Moreover, tens of thousands of Pingyang Guard soldiers were stationed there. In the Heavenly Prison, the nine layers held countless experts and old monsters. Before this, countless peerless martial artists had attempted prison breaks, only to fail to rescue those detained within and, instead, meet their own demise. It could be said, for many martial artists of Jianghu, Yujing City was indeed the most perilous place in the Great Yan Martial World, and yet now, someone was planning to strike at Yujing City? Who was this person, or rather, who was this faction? Xi Hafu shook his head, expressionless as he said, ¡°This monk does not know who this person is.¡± Does not know!? An Jing looked at Xi Hafu¡¯s expression, unsure whether the master in front of him truly did not know, or if he knew but was unwilling to say. Xi Hafu walked over to the corpse on Yemo Tai and gently wiped over the clothing, subsequently cleaning the fresh blood from his hand, ¡°There are three feng shui treasures in Yujing City. The first is the Great Yan Palace, within it lies the dynastic dragon qi of the Great Yan Dynasty, and right now, it is at the peak of uniting the land under heaven, hence the True Dragon Qi is extraordinarily rich. The second is the Heavenly Prison, holding countless capable and extraordinary individuals, Grandmaster-level experts. The third is the Dragon Locking Well forged by the Great Yan Dynasty, sealing within it the Earth Veins, where vast amounts of nature¡¯s spiritual energy reside.¡± ¡°To me, the Dragon Locking Well is much more critical than the other two combined,¡± he continued. Upon hearing this, An Jing said, ¡°So for this hunting at Yujing City, Master plans to go?¡± Among all the masters of the Five Qi he had seen, Old Su beside the Crown Prince had the most average cultivation among the Five Qi Grandmasters. He possessed the ways of the Five Qi Grandmasters, but nothing beyond that. Aside from Old Su, there was Xi Hafu before him, whose strength was inferior to that of Qin Shan, Jun Qinglin, and Qi Xuan Dao. The most formidable among the current Five Qi Grandmaster-level experts was undoubtedly Zongzheng Huachun of Houjin, for he severed Jun Qinglin¡¯s last breath. The evidence spoke for itself. Though Xi Hafu may not be considered formidable among the many of the Five Qi, he was still an apex expert among the Five Qi Grandmaster-level experts, standing at the pinnacle in the world. If he were to go to Yujing City, it would inevitably cause a profound earthquake. After all, during this hunt, how many experts would come? Was their target the Dragon Locking Well? No one knew. The Human Emperor¡¯s intention had previously seemed to An Jing to be a countermeasure to the pincer attack by Houjin and Zhao Country, but now it appeared not as simple as An Jing had thought. Xi Hafu nodded slightly, ¡°The resurrection of Buddha¡¯s relics requires a vast amount of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, or even purer Innate Qi; naturally, this monk has to go.¡± An Jing also looked at the inhuman remains behind Xi Hafu, ¡°Can a person really come back from the dead?¡± Xi Hafu said, ¡°Naturally, people cannot, but a Buddha can.¡± An Jing further inquired, ¡°Aren¡¯t people Buddhas too?¡± Xi Hafu counter-questioned, ¡°If people were Buddhas, why would people worship Buddhas instead of Buddhas worshipping people?¡± ¡°Be it Buddha or man,¡± he continued, ¡°is like life and death in the mortal world, merely resting on a single sword.¡± An Jing looked at the expanse of yellow sand before him, slowly sheathing the Blood Tears Sword back into its box. All matters under heaven are but a matter of a sword. All beings under heaven are also within a single sword. Xi Hafu said, ¡°You are disrespectful to Buddha.¡± An Jing retorted, ¡°Does Buddha need respect?¡± Xi Hafu paused for a moment, then said, ¡°Buddha does not need it.¡± An Jing smiled and asked, ¡°What does Buddha need?¡± Xi Hafu also smiled, ¡°Buddha needs nothing at all.¡± One man and one monk stood amidst the swirling sands, both gazing into the distance, neither speaking further. ¡­.. In Jiangnan Dao, among a bamboo forest, a man dressed in plain clothes walked through the bamboo like a walking corpse, his eyes almost entirely devoid of color, showing only a hint of lifelessness. Following him was an old man dressed in gorgeous clothes with ruddy cheeks and the appearance of a child, despite his white hair. The old man, filled with life, contrasted sharply with the younger man exuding an aura of death. These were Jiang Renyi and Jiang Shang. The two had traveled from the border of Zhao Country to the territory of Yan Country. Jiang Shang looked around at the surrounding bamboo sea and said, ¡°Yu State City is truly a fine place.¡± He seemed to fall into reminiscing about life in Yu State City. At that time, he was just an ordinary old man, doing odd jobs at the horse track every day, and in his leisure time, fishing and drinking. But such an easy and comfortable life did not make him happy. It was then Jiang Shang understood that some people were suited for this kind of ordinary and quiet life, while others were inherently unsuited, and he was one of those unsuited people. Jiang Renyi did not speak, as if he hadn¡¯t heard Jiang Shang¡¯s words, or as if he was unwilling to continue the conversation. Jiang Shang went on speaking regardless, not caring whether Jiang Renyi was listening. He spoke of the joy when he was fishing, the amusing incidents when watching over the horse track, and even the cruel scene when he killed the little maid¡­. All his thoughts, whether worries or troubles, he just talked on. ¡°Back then, after I killed that young doctor, I left; I just didn¡¯t expect that he would turn out to be a top swordsman¡­¡­..¡± Jiang Shang got to that point when suddenly he halted his words, looking towards the deep bamboo forest. The deep part of the bamboo forest was hit by a wild wind that swept through, forming waves of green, with countless fallen leaves twinkling with a terrifying cold light. ¡°Hiss! Hiss!¡± And these leaves, carrying a chilling sharpness, were all blocked by the Protective True Qi as they came close to Jiang Shang. The wild wind gradually subsided, and an eight-bearer palanquin appeared in the midst of the bamboo. Carrying the palanquin were four pale-faced young women with no blood color on their faces, looking like lonely souls and wild ghosts crawling out of the Underworld, which was extremely unsettling. There were curtains in the palanquin that obstructed the view, so it was impossible to see clearly who was inside. But Jiang Shang scanned the walking steps of the four women and the shaking of the palanquin, guessing that there should be a woman inside. Jiang Shang raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°Black Ice Platform!?¡± A crisp voice came from inside the palanquin, ¡°I have long heard the great name of Sect Hierarch Jiang; today, I finally have the chance to meet.¡± This voice was shrill and piercing, like the cry of ghosts and the howl of wolves, inexplicably making one feel a chill. Jiang Renyi¡¯s heart clenched, unable to help but look over. ¡°I do not like those who hide their faces and show their tails.¡± Having said that, Jiang Shang¡¯s Qi Force surged majestically from his body, like a tornado rushing towards the front. The four women quickly circulated the Qi in their Dantian to block the incoming Qi Force, but as soon as they touched it, their bodies shook and they rapidly retreated backward. At this moment, a milky white True Qi surged from within the palanquin, directly dissolving Jiang Shang¡¯s Qi Force. Innate True Qi! Jiang Shang narrowed his eyes, ¡°Qin Shan?¡± At the battle of Zhong Mountain, Qin Shan of the Black Ice Platform overpowered Crown Prince Su Tianze, a Five Qi Grandmaster, and this battle made Qin Shan¡¯s name, along with the title of the World¡¯s First Sword of the Ghost Swordsman, resound throughout the world. Now, almost no one in the world does not know of Qin Shan¡¯s name. The exceptional Innate True Qi in hand, even among Five Qi Grandmasters, is a top existence, and whether full strength was truly used on Zhong Mountain is still debatable. The frightening strength of the Black Ice Platform once more sent shockwaves throughout the masses. ¡°Indeed.¡± Sitting inside the palanquin, Qin Shan said, ¡°That day atop Dongluo Pass, Sect Hierarch Jiang exhibited great righteousness in exterminating your kin; and yet atop Zhong Mountain, why do you suddenly shrink back in fear?¡± In the battle of Zhong Mountain, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King naturally wanted to rely on Jiang Shang to jointly kill the Crown Prince, but Jiang Shang outright refused, leaving Mu Yuan Great Dharma King with no choice but to let the matter go. After all, Jiang Shang¡¯s Cultivation seemed to be slightly above his, and he couldn¡¯t be forceful. Jiang Shang said indifferently, ¡°I do not wish to become someone else¡¯s knife.¡± Qin Shan shook her head and said, ¡°You are afraid.¡± Jiang Shang asked, ¡°Afraid of what?¡± Qin Shan said, ¡°Afraid of the Dulu Sword.¡± Jiang Shang said, ¡°Why should I fear the Dulu Sword?¡± Qin Shan said, ¡°After all, the sharpest knife in the world is made merely from leftover materials.¡± The strongest person in the Sword Dao of the world today is none other than Qi Xuan Dao, and the Minghong Blade in his hand was formed naturally from the leftover materials of the Dulu Sword. Jiang Shang just smiled and remained silent. Because there was no point in arguing with someone about something that didn¡¯t happen. Qin Shan continued, ¡°The knife of Sect Hierarch Jiang is sharp and cold, most suitable for killing, and I am precisely in need of such a knife.¡± Jiang Shang said calmly, ¡°You are one of the rare Five Qi Grandmasters in the world, and indeed I cannot match you face-to-face, but if I wish to escape, you might not be able to stop me.¡± Qin Shan¡¯s voice suddenly became extremely cold, ¡°You can escape, but can he?¡± ¡°Whoosh, whoosh!¡± Following that, a stream of milky white True Qi surged out from the palanquin, heading straight for Jiang Renyi. Jiang Renyi was a Half-step Master, among the top experts in the Great Yan Martial World, yet in the world at large he could only be considered average, and what¡¯s more when facing the highest level of experts, a Five Qi Grandmaster? He could see the milky-white True Qi rushing toward him, but he simply couldn¡¯t dodge it. ¡°Thud!¡± The milky-white True Qi directly pierced through his shoulder, and blood immediately ¡®gurgled¡¯ out. Jiang Renyi let out a stifled grunt, and large beads of sweat poured down in an instant. Meanwhile, Jiang Shang stood still, not moving in the slightest as if he hadn¡¯t seen anything. He clearly could¡¯ve intervened, but he did not. Upon witnessing this scene, Qin Shan inwardly exclaimed as expected. Everyone in the world knew Jiang Shang¡¯s emotions were not apparent on his face, utterly unfeeling and heartless, with not a single trace of emotion deep within him, which meant he had no weaknesses other than himself. Even as Jiang Renyi was nearly killed before his eyes, he didn¡¯t even twitch an eyelid. As if the one about to die wasn¡¯t his son, but just an ant on the ground, a mayfly in the world. Such a state of mind was truly terrifying. Jiang Renyi¡¯s heart completely chilled. Faced with such murderous intent from Qin Shan, Jiang Shang actually turned a blind eye, not moving an inch!? Jiang Shang¡¯s face was expressionless, his eyes carrying a trace of a strange smile, ¡°It seems that your skill in the Finger Technique is not profound, that finger missed the heart by two inches.¡± Qin Shan said, ¡°I am impressed by Elder Sect Hierarch Jiang. This blade not only injures others but also oneself; I am unable to handle your blade.¡± Jiang Shang replied indifferently, ¡°If this is the extent of your abilities, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ve got the wrong person.¡± His heart was ice-cold, long devoid of any place for others, so he had no armor to protect himself, and likewise, he had no vulnerabilities. Even if facing a Five Qi Grandmaster, so what? He, Jiang Shang, would not submit to anyone¡¯s hand. Jiang Shang was simply Jiang Shang. Jiang Shang was exactly Jiang Shang. Qin Shan peered through the curtain, as if trying to see the old man with kind eyes and a benevolent gaze ahead, while Jiang Shang also looked toward the interior of the sedan chair. It seemed as if the two were making eye contact. Qin Shan couldn¡¯t see anything, maybe because of the layer of cloth, or perhaps because Jiang Shang¡¯s heart was already in the depths of an abyss, beyond her sight. ¡°Then I shall speak frankly,¡± she said. Several breaths later, Qin Shan took a deep breath and said, ¡°Elder Sect Hierarch Jiang once dedicated himself to overthrowing the Great Yan Dynasty. Now that the world is hunting Yan, it¡¯s a perfect opportunity, and breaking the powerful Yan artifact, Dragon Locking Well, is of utmost importance. Once the Dragon Locking Well is broken, the world will be clear, and Great Yan will surely fall.¡± Dragon Locking Well!? Upon hearing these three words, Jiang Shang¡¯s expression remained unchanged, but inside, he felt as if struck by thunder. Why did he collaborate with Mu Yuan Great Dharma King in the past, if not for this Dragon Locking Well? In the ancient texts he obtained, it was said that there were two places in the world with a vast amount of Undying Blood. One of them was still beyond reach, but the other was the Dragon Locking Well in Great Yan. As long as he entered the Dragon Locking Well and obtained the Undying Blood, his Cultivation would directly reach the Five Qi Realm, and with the reinforcement of the Undying Blood, who in this world, where no Great Grandmaster emerges, could be his opponent? Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes narrowed as he said, ¡°Does the Black Ice Platform have plans for the Dragon Locking Well?¡± He had been waiting for Zhao Country and Houjin to join forces in attacking Yan Country, and when Yan Country was internally vulnerable, he planned to sneak into the Dragon Locking Well and obtain the Undying Blood. Now that the Black Ice Platform intended to make a move on the Dragon Locking Well, naturally, it was good news for Jiang Shang. Qin Shan said, ¡°The world has long suffered because of the Dragon Locking Well, and my Black Ice Platform is willing to give it a try on behalf of all. I wonder if Elder Sect Hierarch Jiang is willing to lend a helping hand?¡± Jiang Shang calmly said, ¡°My skills are not yet able to stir the winds and clouds of the world, but I will watch with interest your schemes.¡± Having said that, Jiang Shang began walking away with Jiang Renyi¡¯s arm in tow. Jiang Renyi, enduring the severe pain, felt a surge of towering hatred welling up within him. It wasn¡¯t until their figures disappeared into the bamboo forest that Qin Shan slowly emerged. A woman beside her spoke, ¡°Granny, will Jiang Shang go to Yujing City?¡± ¡°He will, definitely.¡± Qin Shan¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile, ¡°There¡¯s something beneath the Dragon Locking Well that he desires most. If I¡¯m not wrong, he is the sharpest blade in the world, even more fearsome than the Minghong Blade. But one day, he will become a blade in my hand.¡± Qin Shan¡¯s words were filled with immense confidence, as if she were already witnessing Jiang Shang¡¯s submission before her. Everyone has weaknesses. The same goes for blades. ¡­¡­ The Imperial Decree of the Great Yan Emperor spread throughout the lands, and at this time, many experts who received the decree made their way to Yujing City. After all, on the lands of the Great Yan Dynasty, the Emperor¡¯s Imperial Decree was the heavens¨Can irrefutable existence. And with the appearance of Houjin experts from the Great Snow Mountain and high-ranking masters from Zhao Country atop Zhong Mountain, the people of Yan Country felt the crisis drawing ever nearer. The upheaval in the world was on the verge of breaking out. Perhaps it would happen tomorrow, perhaps today, or even at this very moment. The great shifts in the world, whether for masters or ordinary citizens, made them all part of the grand tides of the world. They moved with these tides and were swayed by them. In this world, how many truly had the power to influence the course of these grand tides? Even some legendary old figures from Jianghu emerged one after another, pouring into Yujing City. For a time, within Yujing City, the winds rose, and undercurrents surged. From all directions, the clouds stirred, On the thirteenth of March, inside the eastern gate of Yujing City. An ordinary day could not get more ordinary, as Zhu Yongfang, the Minister of Rites stood outside the city gate to wait. Before long, two Taoists dressed in Daoist robes appeared in the distance. The one leading wore a white long robe, donned a Daoist crown, and had his hair tied up in a Daoist bun. His appearance was that of being in his early thirties, with a face sharp as a blade. His eyes, capable of reflecting the spiritual beauty of heaven and earth, were pure and seemingly bottomless, and his skin was as clear and radiant as jade. Simply by standing there, he could attract everyone¡¯s gaze. He was the State Preceptor of Great Yan, Xiao Qianqiu. Beside Xiao Qianqiu stood an old Taoist who appeared to be in his fifties, with an ordinary face and tattered clothes that didn¡¯t strike any attention. This Taoist was Luo Chongyang. Xiao Qianqiu, looking at the city gate before him, couldn¡¯t help smiling, ¡°Uncle Master, it¡¯s been more than ten years since I last came to Yujing City.¡± Luo Chongyang said, ¡°Your master comes every year, and your second uncle can hardly wait to move Zhenyi Mountain here. But in my view, not coming here is better than coming.¡± Xiao Qianqiu asked, ¡°And you, Uncle Master?¡± Luo Chongyang looked at the unfamiliar city gate and said, ¡°This is my second visit.¡± Xiao Qianqiu stroked the Daoist robe in his hand and remained silent. Ye Ding, Yu Ying, and Luo Chongyang, the three senior brothers, seemed to represent three extremes. In their hearts, their focus on the Dao, power, and interest all varied. Luo Chongyang was the one who most resembled a Taoist dedicated to cultivating the Dao, while Yu Ying and Ye Ding came next, appearing more like opportunistic Taoists who discussed the Dao in terms of power and influence. Therefore, back on Zhenyi Mountain, Luo Chongyang had some grievances towards Ye Ding and Yu Ying in his heart. Why was he so fond of the Ghost Swordsman An Jing? Because in addition to An Jing¡¯s unparalleled talents, his personality was independent, unburdened by power, and he valued friendship over personal gain. In the Ghost Swordsman, Luo Chongyang seemed to see some of his own reflection. At this time, Zhu Yongfang stepped forward, respectfully saying, ¡°State Preceptor!¡± ¡°Minister Zhu, you flatter me.¡± Xiao Qianqiu smiled as he glanced at Zhu Yongfang. Zhu Yongfang asked with some surprise, ¡°Does the State Preceptor still remember me?¡± Xiao Qianqiu nodded, ¡°I remember. The last time I came here, Minister Zhu also hosted me, standing just to the rear left of Minister Mao.¡± Zhu Yongfang exclaimed, ¡°The State Preceptor is truly remarkable, to remember so clearly after all these years.¡± When Xiao Qianqiu last visited, Zhu Yongfang had been the Assistant Minister of Rites and had hosted Xiao Qianqiu alongside the former Minister of Rites, Mao Zixiao. He didn¡¯t expect that after so many years, Xiao Qianqiu would still remember that scene so vividly. Once Zhu Yongfang realized this, he quickly said, ¡°Please, the State Preceptor, this way inside.¡± Xiao Qianqiu and Luo Chongyang entered one of the most bustling cities in the world. At that time, the streets were thriving, the shops on both sides were open, and pedestrians were coming and going ceaselessly. The bustling scene was a stark contrast to that in a remote countryside. Luo Chongyang couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°How good would it be if every place in the world were like this?¡± In the next moment, Luo Chongyang¡¯s body merged with this part of the world¨Cthe streets, the people¨Cas if he was the streets, the people, the pebble on the ground. After a long silence, Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°The world cannot become the world in Uncle Master¡¯s mind.¡± Luo Chongyang looked at his nephew, ¡°Why can¡¯t it?¡± Xiao Qianqiu swept a glance over the bustling street and whispered, ¡°I¡¯ve contemplated this question as well and have gathered some insights from my master, Uncle Master, and junior uncle.¡± Luo Chongyang couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°What is it?¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s eyes were clear, and he spoke calmly, ¡°Cultivating the great Dao cannot save the millions in this world, it can only save oneself.¡± With that, Xiao Qianqiu headed towards the direction of the Imperial Palace. Cultivating the great Dao cannot save the masses? Luo Chongyang looked at his nephew. In a daze, a faint white light emerged behind Xiao Qianqiu. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At that moment, a tremendous Qi Force surged into the boundless azure sky, causing the sea of clouds to churn. Then, a vast shadow seemed to appear above the sky, standing over Yujing City, its calm eyes looking down upon the world. Today, the State Preceptor of Great Yan entered Yujing City to have an audience with the Great Yan Emperor. ¡­¡­.. PS: The plot surrounding the Dragon Locking Well is slowly transitioning towards its climax. It¡¯s quite challenging to write, and my state wavers; I¡¯ll update as much as I can manage. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 301 - Chapter 301: Chapter 301 Chapter 301: Chapter 301 The desert sands were as white as snow, Yan Mountain¡¯s moon like a hook. After crossing the desolate, lonely, and vast Pure Land, they reached the Northern Wilderness Road bordering Yan Country. Here, the sandstorms gradually became lighter, but due to the slaughter by Houjin, the loss of Dongluo Pass, and Wang Shiyi¡¯s retreat to Heavenly Gate Pass, with now the tens of thousands of Houjin troops pointing their blades this way, all these factors caused the people of the Northern Wilderness Road to migrate southward. After all, with Houjin¡¯s invasion southward, despite Wang Shiyi¡¯s killing of nearly two hundred thousand Houjin troops, Houjin slaughtered tens of cities, and beneath these brilliant military achievements lay the bloody corpses of the common people. On the official road leading to Yuan City, there were people fleeing to other lands, escaping the imminent chaos of war. These folks, one by one, had sallow and emaciated faces, their thin bones protruding, and in the dim world, they were like wandering spirits on the official road. Those noble families and powerful clans fled early when Wang Shiyi retreated to Heavenly Gate Pass, followed by the gradual departure of wealthy merchants and powerful gentry, and only then did the ordinary people begin to escape. This is the natural law of survival in the world, an unchanging truth. Before the coming of war and disaster, those at the very bottom are always the first to be abandoned. They are the cornerstone of the world, the wild grass among the vast lands, yet they have no choice in their hands. On the official road, there walked a monk and a young man in white. Xi Hafu calmly said, ¡°If Buddha were in this world, he would surely be able to restore peace to this chaotic world.¡± His words carried a certainty, for he believed that when Buddha reappeared, it would be the start of an era of great peace. Under the illumination of Buddha¡¯s light, the whole world would be a Pure Land. ¡°Whose peace is it?¡± An Jing looked at the people in front of him and said, ¡°Is it Buddha¡¯s peace, or theirs?¡± ¡°Amitabha.¡± Xi Hafu pressed his palms together in front of his chest and replied, ¡°The peace of Buddha is their peace.¡± Why must Buddha¡¯s peace be their peace, and not their peace be Buddha¡¯s peace? An Jing did not continue to question. Xi Hafu was a man with utmost sincerity towards Buddha, but only towards Buddha. The two continued on the official road, encountering people who had prepared their luggage for escape along the way. Suddenly, there came a bustling noise from up ahead. Looking towards the commotion, they saw several soldiers inspecting the passing civilians, shamelessly extorting the last bit of resources from these poor people. These soldiers were not strong in physique, mere country bumpkins from the villages months ago, but now they had become weak-hearted with a veil of authority. The ones who bully the poor the most viciously are not those high and mighty noble clans, but rather the humble underworld minions from the same lower echelons. ¡°My lord, these two taels of silver are all I have to save my life¡­¡± ¡°So these two taels of silver have saved your life.¡± ¡°Please have mercy, my lords, I beg you,¡± the civilian pleaded, kowtowing before the officers. ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± The collision of the ground and a skull emitted a piercing sound. One of the soldiers with a fierce glint in his eyes snatched away the silver and then delivered a brutal kick, followed by a shriek that echoed through the air. ¡°F**k your grandma, either give up your silver or die now,¡± he spat. Hearing the cries, many of the civilians on the scene couldn¡¯t help but shudder. They had seen far too many similar scenes before. ¡°Two taels of silver? That¡¯s not even enough for Grandpa¡¯s drink money,¡± muttered the soldier as he weighed the blood-stained silver in his hand. ¡°Impudence-!¡± Just then, a cold voice sounded. A freezing aura rushed from afar, heading directly towards the soldiers. This aura was extremely cold, containing immense inner strength. While it was nothing to a grandmaster, to these soldiers, it was like the sky collapsing. ¡°Boom!¡± The soldiers smashed heavily into the trees in the distance, then collapsed on the ground, coughing up blood. Following the sound, they saw a breathtakingly beautiful woman walk out. Her beauty was extraordinarily radiant, like a bright pearl against a rosy dawn or a lustrous piece of jade. This person was Dai Ling. Her icy gaze fell upon the soldiers sprawled on the ground, ¡°The Marquis tasked you to inspect the Houjin spies, not to commit atrocities and exploit the people.¡± People from the martial world!? The soldiers exchanged glances, fear evident in their eyes. They were not fools; it was clear that the stunning woman before them was a martial arts expert, and with their abilities, they stood no chance against her. ¡°People like them should die!¡± As several men were retreating backward, another wave of icy aura swept over them. If Dai Ling had shown any mercy, the person who took action was filled with an intimidating intent to kill. ¡°Bang, bang, bang!¡± In the blink of an eye, the soldiers who had been strutting about turned into a fog of blood. The surrounding commoners, witnessing the scene, fled in terror. Even though they knew the newcomers might be here to avenge them, they couldn¡¯t help but feel fear in their hearts. Only An Jing and Xi Hafu stood calmly at a distance. One was the unmatched Great Sword Immortal of the land, and the other was one of the rare Five Qi Grandmasters in the world; naturally, they had nothing to fear. At this time, a handsome and scholarly middle-aged man walked out from the midst of the blood fog. ¡°Father!¡± Dai Ling called out to the man. Dai Danshu said indifferently, ¡°Remember, if these people go back, they won¡¯t rein themselves in. Instead, they¡¯ll double their exploitation of the people¡¯s hard-earned wealth. They are the root of the chaos, even crueller and more venomous than the Houjin barbarians. If you encounter them, kill them without hesitation.¡± Dai Ling nodded, ¡°Ling¡¯er will remember.¡± Dai Danshu looked around, his eyes settling on a familiar figure. Ghost Swordsman! Since the battle at Zhong Mountain, An Jing, having fought against the Sword Demon and old generation Sword Gods, became renowned as The World¡¯s First Sword, causing a sensation across the land. Some even claimed he was the foremost under the Five Qi in the present Jianghu, surpassing even the State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu in strength, truly the number one figure in the Great Yan Martial World. However, some still supported Xiao Qianqiu, believing that the State Preceptor, who had emerged stronger after the battle against Lou Xiangzhen, was the true number one of the Great Yan Martial World. The Five Poison Sect had old grudges not only with the Demon Sect but also a personal vendetta with the Ghost Swordsman. For various reasons, past animosities were severed, yet meeting now was somewhat awkward. An Jing also looked over, and their eyes met. ¡°Never expected to meet the World¡¯s First Swordsman in this place today, it¡¯s an honor,¡± Dai Danshu said with a deep breath, clasping his fists. Dai Ling also looked over, her eyes filled with an extremely complex light. The swordsman she once wanted to kill had now become one of the top experts in the world, standing at the pinnacle of all under heaven. The flame of her desire for revenge for Zhang Zhixing was also gradually extinguishing, especially now when Great Yan was fraught with crisis and the situation under heaven was turbulent. What did personal grievances and hatred really amount to in the face of the world¡¯s grand scheme? An Jing clasped his hands together and asked, ¡°Is Sect Leader Dai headed to Yujing City?¡± Dai Danshu nodded seriously, ¡°With crisis lurking everywhere and undercurrents surging, both Houjin and Zhao Country are like hungry wolves, restless and ready to move. As a sect of Yan Country, we would have no place to stand if our nest fell, and naturally, we swear to protect Yan Country to our death.¡± In Jianghu, aside from being a man of deep loyalty, Dai Danshu was also a deeply patriotic person. During the wars between Zhao Country and Yan Country when he was young, he bravely ventured into the borderlands alone to slay the soldiers of Zhao Country. Actually, Wang Ningshui was not the most famous or the strongest expert in the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall; Dai Danshu was. However, Dai Danshu was not enthusiastic about expanding the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall. He preferred to work quietly and focused more on managing the Five Poison Sect, while Wang Ningshui was active in expanding the Hall. When Qi Shu took Zhao Xuening away, although the seven sects of the Great Yan Martial World responded, the real experts they sent were few. Dai Danshu not only dispatched all the spies of the Five Poison Sect but personally took action as well. In the battle of the Northern Wilderness Dao, both the old master Feng Lingyue of the Five Poison Sect and Dai Danshu were present, and both of them slaughtered countless soldiers of Houjin. ¡°What Sect Leader Dai says is very true,¡± An Jing concurred. ¡°Houjin¡¯s barbarians are ambitious, cruel, and evil, and Zhao Country also intends to move north. For decades, they have waged wars, and now with Houjin and Zhao Country joining hands, they will surely bring a disaster that sweeps across the world,¡± An Jing said. Whether it was Zongzheng Huachun of Houjin or Qi Xuan Dao of the Black Ice Platform in Zhao Country, both were men who aspired to ¡®swallow the land and rivers,¡¯ and besides, they both had irreconcilable grudges with An Jing. One had not only destroyed Dongluo Pass but also murdered Jun Qinglin, while the other had his only son killed by An Jing. If Yan Country were to fall, it would be difficult for the Demon Sect and An Jing to remain safe under the shadow of these two behemoths. And a battle between An Jing, Zongzheng Huachun, and the Black Ice Platform was inevitable eventually. Dai Danshu looked at the young man before him, filled with emotion. If back then during the suitor event at Poison Mountain, he could have become his son-in-law, things would be different now; how splendid would the Five Poison Sect be? It¡¯s just a pity that there are too many twists of fate in this world. After exchanging courtesies again, An Jing suggested, ¡°I¡¯m also heading to Yujing City. How about we go together?¡± After a moment of thought, Dai Danshu still refused, ¡°Never mind, my daughter and I might need to visit an old friend.¡± Even though previous grudges had been resolved, seeing An Jing made him feel somewhat uncomfortable. ¡°Very well.¡± An Jing didn¡¯t say anything more; his offer was just a polite gesture. Xi Hafu was at his side, which made some things less convenient. Afterward, Dai Danshu and Dai Ling continued toward the direction of Yujing City. An Jing watched their departing figures in silence. At this moment, Xi Hafu looked at the dead soldiers before him and said, ¡°Such things would never happen in the Pure Land, where faith has more restraining power than law.¡± An Jing was noncommittal, ¡°Some people are born without faith, and besides, even if people can abandon their parents, spouses, and children, would there come a day when they abandon their own faith?¡± ¡°No one under heaven can abandon the illumination of the Buddha¡¯s light,¡± Xi Hafu replied. Boom! Boom! An Jing was about to speak when he suddenly felt a thunderous rumbling beneath his feet, and a large cloud of gray dust arose in the distance. Xi Hafu also turned to look in the direction of the north and said softly, ¡°An army is coming.¡± In no time, several elite cavalry clad in black armor, wielding sabers for slashing horses, came charging fiercely. At a glance, one could tell they were elite soldiers. And within that cloud of dust fluttered a large banner, upon which was inscribed a vigorous and forceful ¡®Wang¡¯ character. In the Northern Wilderness Dao, the only one with such a majestic presence was none other. Soon, the dense ranks of iron cavalry rushed over, among them an old general clad in armor. He was not particularly tall, even somewhat short, but his very small eyes gleamed with a faint light. Marquis Wang Shiyi. An Jing did not recognize the man before him, but he did recognize the strategist beside him, Li Qirong. By now, Li Qirong no longer looked like a beggar from Yuan City; instead, he was dressed in a white robe, exuding a refined and amiable elegance. In the battle of Beihuang Dao, several Yan cities were slaughtered, yet nearly two hundred thousand Houjin troops were annihilated, and although Dongluo Pass was eventually lost, the Great Yan army had penetrated into Houjin¡¯s hinterland, plundering numerous resources and supplies. Had it not been for the lack of reserve forces, their blades might now be pointing towards the Houjin royal court. Li Qirong¡¯s strategies were exceedingly vicious and ruthless; his own men feared him, worried they might become his next sacrifice, while the enemy feared him even more, uncertain of the extent of his audacity and what he might do next. Li Qirong also gazed at the white-clad youth; who would have thought that the Ghost Swordsman, who once stood beside Lou Xiangzhen in Yuan City, with a dark mask covering his face, would have such a young face, and now, even more, is the World¡¯s First Swordsman? The World¡¯s First Swordsman¨Chow weighty are these six words? Wang Shiyi pulled tight on the reins and said from horseback, ¡°Are you the Ghost Swordsman, An Jing?¡± An Jing replied, ¡°Indeed.¡± Wang Shiyi took a deep breath and earnestly said, ¡°Regarding the matter of Dongluo Pass, I have always felt some shame.¡± Initially, Duanmu Xinghua and Li Fuzhou had both sent letters pleading for Wang Shiyi¡¯s aid, promising he would support the Demon Sect at Dongluo Pass. But in the end, Wang Shiyi changed his strategy at the last moment, seeking to seize the northern plains of Houjin, which ultimately led to the Demon Sect¡¯s loss of Dongluo Pass and the death of Jun Qinglin at Sanfeng Pass. Looking back now, perhaps his choice was mistaken. If Dongluo Pass were still standing, it might hinder Houjin¡¯s army from advancing south. An Jing indifferently said, ¡°That matter is in the past. I only hope that Lord Wang and Scholar Li can devote more energy to resisting Houjin, better protecting Yan Country.¡± Li Qirong said solemnly, ¡°Rest assured, this is our inescapable responsibility and obligation.¡± ¡°No, Scholar Li, you have not understood my meaning,¡± An Jing shook his head and said. ¡°What I mean is to protect the people of Yan Country, the common folk, not those noble families, magnates, or the emperor, or even the high and mighty Great Yan Royal Family.¡± Li Qirong¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted. The Confucian teachings he studied were meant to serve the emperor from birth. Loyalty to the emperor and love for the country were inseparable; to love the country was to be loyal to the emperor. The emperor was everything. If the emperor demanded death, a subject had to die; if a father willed his son¡¯s end, the son dared not do otherwise. After a long silence, Li Qirong said, ¡°If the Great Yan Royal Family falls, then Yan Country suffers. If Yan Country suffers, then what should become of Yan¡¯s people and commoners?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing glanced at Li Qirong, then turned his gaze to Xi Hafu and said coldly, ¡°All those who speak such lofty and sanctimonious words are people who have never experienced the anguish of hell. All this talk of dynasties, emperors, responsibilities, beliefs, it¡¯s all bullshit, all too far removed from the suffering commoners. To them, these are all nothing but dog fart, pure dog fart.¡± ¡°No matter what country they¡¯re from or what they believe in, remember first and foremost that they must be human.¡± ¡­.. PS: I will strive to update diligently starting tomorrow, aiming to maintain updates of ten thousand words each day until the end of the month!!! wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 302 - Chapter 302: Chapter 302: Five Qi Grandmasters Gather at Yujing Chapter 302: Chapter 302: Five Qi Grandmasters Gather at Yujing An Jing¡¯s words had plunged Marquis Wang Shiyi into deep contemplation. Protecting the home and defending the country, but what¡¯s more important, the country or the sovereign? The more Wang Shiyi thought about it, the deeper his frown became, as if a seed had been planted in his heart. Li Qirong glanced at An Jing. Although the words were impactful, echoing like thunder beside Li Qirong¡¯s ear, the feeling vanished in a flash. As a scholar, his resolve was incredibly firm, and he was hardly moved by a few words from An Jing. Without the royal family, the citizens of Yan Country would be nothing but livestock under the hooves of Houjin. The road suddenly became very quiet. ¡°With that said, I will take my leave.¡± An Jing bowed his fists towards Wang Shiyi and Li Qirong before heading off into the distance. Xi Hafu calmly followed behind An Jing, walking neither too fast nor too slow. Wang Shiyi and Li Qirong rode on horseback, behind them a dense mass of elite cavalry, and ahead, a gruesome trail of corpses. Both watched the figure disappear into the distance, remaining silent. After a long while, Wang Shiyi said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. This Ghost Swordsman is also a man of great principle; he won¡¯t hold a grudge against us for not sending reinforcements to Dongluo Pass.¡± Li Qirong nodded and replied, ¡°It¡¯s rare to find someone concerned about the national grain in Jianghu¡¯s wilderness.¡± Although An Jing disagreed with some things, he knew these words were spoken for the benefit of the common people. Everyone has different thoughts and stands, hence they act differently. A person should do as much as their capabilities allow. Li Qirong often asked himself if he was capable, but not yet to the extent of helping everyone under heaven, so sometimes he had to sacrifice the lesser self to fulfill the greater self. And he, Li Qirong, could only do what was within his power. ¡­.. Three days later, Houjin, a small tribe at the base of Snow Mountain. In the tent, Nangong Weiping sat cross-legged on the ground, the spiritual energy of a thousand-year-old Snow Lotus from Houjin¡¯s holy relics being fully absorbed into her body, robustly refining her flesh and bones. With her current realm having already undergone two refinements and aiming for a third being extremely difficult, it would take at least thirty years of hard cultivation. Now, the Snow Lotus¡¯s effect was far less than her own True Yuan refinement, but it still offered her more vitality. About a dozen breaths later, Nangong Weiping began to collect her Qi. Zhao Qingmei pointed to the two boxes of Snow Lotus on the table, saying with a smile, ¡°Senior Nangong, since these aren¡¯t very effective for you, how about I keep them for you?¡± Nangong Weiping glanced at Zhao Qingmei, ¡°You are quite cunning. Since the Snow Lotus is useless to me, you can take it.¡± The enhancing effect of Snow Lotus on cultivation diminishes(gradually decreases) over time, and its ability to refine the organs and flesh is a one-time benefit. A Great Grandmaster needing elevation in cultivation requires divine items, and though the Snow Lotus is a sacred object of the Great Snow Mountain, it is still a mortal item. But do divine items really exist in this world? Probably not, as no one has truly reached beyond the realm of Great Grandmasters. ¡°Thank you, senior,¡± Zhao Qingmei happily clasped the two boxes of Snow Lotus in her arms, thinking maybe she could use one to reach the Four Qi cultivation, and An Jing could ascend to the peak of Three Qi. Nangong Weiping took out a map and pointed to Zhao Country, saying, ¡°Next, shall we head to that Cloud Tower you mentioned?¡± Zhao Qingmei frowned slightly, ¡°Senior Nangong, I¡¯m afraid we cannot go to Black Ice Platform just yet.¡± Nangong Weiping asked, ¡°Why not?¡± Zhao Qingmei replied, ¡°According to the intelligence, the Human Emperor is gathering the masters of the Great Yan Martial World, possibly related to the Dragon Locking Well of Great Yan. Other factions¡¯ masters will also be there. Yujing City is currently rife with undercurrents, and I worry¡­¡± Through the Human Sect¡¯s intelligence network, An Jing had passed the news of Xi Hafu heading to Yujing City to Zhao Qingmei, so she knew it was very dangerous in Yujing City at the moment. Nangong Weiping asked, ¡°Are the masters from Black Ice Platform also going?¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded, ¡°Very likely.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that even better?¡± Nangong Weiping said indifferently, ¡°I am going to Cloud Tower for the blood of the yellow phoenix. What happens in Yujing City, the Great Yan Royal Family, or the world, has nothing to do with me.¡± Zhao Qingmei spoke expressionlessly, ¡°But my husband is still in Yujing City.¡± Nangong Weiping gave a faint smile and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, there are very few people in the world who can kill him. That kid is tough, he won¡¯t die easily.¡± Now, An Jing had reached the cultivation of Three Qi, and his swordsmanship was considered the best in the world. With his current strength and cultivation, only a Five Qi Grandmaster could compete with him. However, within Yujing City, there was precisely the existence of a Five Qi Grandmaster, and due to Xi Hafu¡¯s arrival, there might not be just one. How could Zhao Qingmei not worry? Besides, her curiosity about the seal beneath the Dragon Locking Well was also quite strong. However, thinking of An Jing¡¯s temperament and his capabilities, she felt slightly relieved, yet she still planned to secretly send experts like Li Fuzhou and You Gai to Yujing City. Zhao Qingmei thought of something and asked, ¡°Elder, what is your view on this seal?¡± Nangong Weiping said, ¡°What everyone in the world is after is merely benefit. The Great Yan Dynasty sealed the Dragon Locking Well also for benefit, so the nature of it isn¡¯t important. What matters is whether one can profit from it.¡± As she said this, Nangong Weiping stood up and added, ¡°I feel that this world¡¯s restraints are greatly related to that seal. The chains of the world are becoming heavier, making it increasingly difficult for you to ascend to Great Grandmaster. Don¡¯t think you and that kid are still young, but if the world¡¯s chains grow heavier, it will be difficult for both of you to reach the Great Grandmaster level.¡± ¡°People often say man will conquer nature, but when truly facing nature, do you realize how insignificant humans are?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyebrows knotted in concern. If the Qi under the seal of the Dragon Locking Well was of evil spirits, then it must not be released, as it concerned the entire world, and no one could shirk responsibility. If the Dragon Locking Well was a shackle that prevented her from breaking through to Great Grandmaster Realm, then she would have to break this shackle no matter what. Nangong Weiping and Zhao Qingmei had many similarities, the difference being one was the wife of a Sect Hierarch, the other was the current Hierarch of the Demon Sect. What Great Yan Royal Family, global patterns, to such people, sometimes they are worth less than nonsense. Anyone who blocked Nangong Weiping¡¯s path forward, she would kill them. Nangong Weiping said indifferently, ¡°So if there are people going to Yujing City to break the ban, that¡¯s good too. It will help me scout the path in advance.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded silently, but in her heart, she thought: How many forces daring to hunt in Yujing City, and how formidable must their strength be? This time, it would definitely be a disturbance that sweeps across the world. And this disturbance might very well be the beginning of a great chaos across the world. ¡°Let¡¯s go, to the Cloud Tower.¡± Nangong Weiping stepped out of the tent. ¡°Alright.¡± A cold smile appeared on the corners of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mouth. The rise of the Black Ice Platform was unannounced and undisputed in Zhao Country, not only visibly powerful but also unfathomably deep, seemingly never at a disadvantage, and today was the day Nangong Weiping would unveil this world¡¯s most mysterious power. ¡­¡­ Great Yan, Heavenly Gate City. Heavenly Gate City was the gateway to Yujing City, with Yujing City just beyond it. At this moment, outside Heavenly Gate City, An Jing and Xi Hafu had also arrived here, planning to part ways. After all, Outer Heaven and Yan Country were allies, and since Xi Hafu came to Yujing City aiming to disrupt the Dragon Locking Well, he would inevitably clash with the experts of the Great Yan Royal Family. It was not appropriate for the two to appear together in Yujing City. An Jing clasped his fists and said, ¡°Master, I take my leave.¡± Xi Hafu placed his hands together in front of his chest, ¡°Paths cross in the rivers and mountains, see you again in Jianghu.¡± With that, Xi Hafu walked away without looking back. Watching his figure gradually moving away, An Jing could not help but fall deep into thought. Afterward, his thoughts inevitably settled on the Earth Book. Cultivation: Master Three Qi Life Fate: Favorable Star Shining (on the rise) Root Bone: Once in a Thousand Years Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword Ninth Layer, Nine Yang Divine Finger Perfection, Brahma Heart Sees Me Perfection, Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique Ninth Layer, Incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture Seventh Layer, Nameless Sword Form, Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique (Eighth Layer). Prompt One: Host¡¯s Life Fate has taken root. Prompt Two: A black chance is approaching. ¡­.. An Jing remembered clearly, it was then, atop Three Temple Mountain, after he had broken the seals of Fa Xi Temple and slain many experts. An Jing thought to himself, as his Life Fate kept improving, which meant breaking the seal was a good thing. Could it truly be that beneath the Dragon Locking Well lay nature¡¯s spiritual energy? Was it really as the front of this cheerful monk had claimed, that nature¡¯s spiritual energy was a means for the dynasty to consolidate its rule through suppression and shackles? But what did the approaching dark opportunity mean then? Could it also be related to this Dragon Locking Well? An Jing¡¯s doubts grew deeper and deeper in his heart. ¡°Son-in-law!¡± Just then, a figure leisurely approached from not far away. The person was none other than Li Fuzhou, the leader of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect. ¡°The Sect Master said that Yujing City might be dangerous, so he sent me here to accompany you, Mister You, Sect Master Duanmu, Elder Ouyang, and others are still in You Mountain, but they will also arrive soon.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Have all the forces from the Great Yan Martial World arrived by now?¡± Li Fuzhou clasped his fists in reply, ¡°Everyone has arrived; the Buddhist Fa Wu and Xiao Qianqiu from the Zhenyi Sect are both here. Only we from Outer Heaven have not yet arrived. However, there are still two days left, and we should definitely make it in time.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°Good, then let¡¯s prepare to go and try to reach Yujing City as early as possible.¡± Nowadays, prominent masters from the Great Yan Martial World were pouring into Yujing City, which had already gathered a considerable number of experts. Heavenly Gate City, near Yujing, was already showing signs, and the streets were filled with martial artists of various strange attires, each holding weapons like knives, guns, swords, and staves. An Jing rode the horse that Li Fuzhou had prepared early and headed toward Yujing City along the official road. Several fine horses galloped on the official road. Li Fuzhou said, ¡°Houjin¡¯s spies were previously exposed by Mu Xiaoyun and have all died. For now, their network hasn¡¯t been reestablished, so Houjin¡¯s intelligence isn¡¯t clear, while everything in Zhao Country seems normal, as if there¡¯s no abnormal movement.¡± An Jing spoke softly, ¡°The less movement, the more suspicious it is.¡± Great Yan Emperor had summoned many experts from the Great Yan Martial World, clearly to deal with a joint threat from Houjin and Zhao Country. But Qi Xuan Dao not making any move is simply impossible.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded and said, ¡°Li also thinks so. Perhaps, there is a major upheaval brewing at the Black Ice Platform.¡± A stream of green water is all spring rain, half the hillside is green mountains and half is sunset. Hours later, under the orange halo, An Jing and Li Fuzhou entered Yujing City on horseback. The bustling streets were bubbling with noise, and the street beside them was filled with an array of goods. ¡°Candied haw, get your candied haw here, five copper coins a skewer.¡± ¡°Pancakes, pancakes!¡± ¡°Pears, fragrant and crisp large duck pears.¡± ¡­¡­.. Compared to Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s ostentation, An Jing was much more reserved. Moreover, by intentionally concealing his Qi mechanism, even the commoners who had seen him before could not recognize him. Li Fuzhou followed behind An Jing, looking at the familiar yet strange streets, filled with emotion. ¡°Would this young man like to have his fortune told?¡± Just at that moment, an aged voice rang out. An Jing followed the voice, and saw an elderly man with a head full of gray hair, his eyes filled with the vicissitudes of time, and his skin wrinkled with the traces of years. He was holding a sign in his dry palms, which read: ¡°He who knows his destiny is never worried.¡± An Jing laughed, glanced around the crowd and said, ¡°With so many people on this street, why choose me?¡± This fortune teller had been here for a while, meditating at a nearby stall until An Jing appeared before he stood up and approached. Looking at An Jing earnestly, the fortune teller replied, ¡°Old man¡¯s fortune-telling is very expensive, and ordinary people can¡¯t afford it. I see that you, sir, are well-dressed and have a thriving appearance, capable of affording the fee.¡± ¡°Hahahahaha.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but laugh heartily, ¡°There is no one in this world who doesn¡¯t like to hear others speak well of them.¡± The fortune teller shook his head, ¡°Old man never flatters nor fawns, I only say what I believe is right.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the fortune teller before him, ¡°Interesting, you truly are interesting.¡± On this person, he couldn¡¯t sense any Qi mechanism at all; there were only three possibilities, the first was that the person before him was an ordinary person, the second meant that this fortune teller possessed a secret martial arts technique of extremely high concealment, and the third was that this person¡¯s cultivation was extremely profound, even surpassing that of An Jing. Li Fuzhou also glanced at the fortune teller before him; initially, he was somewhat cautious, but after a few more looks, he detected nothing unusual. The fortune teller smiled and said, ¡°Old man¡¯s fortune telling is extremely accurate; hardly anyone in this world can match the precision of my predictions. Would the young master like to have his fortune told?¡± ¡°I never have my fortune told.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°Because I believe even ¡®heaven¡¯ does not determine my fate, the only one who can determine my fate is myself.¡± The fortune teller said, ¡°There are limits to human efforts.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°When efforts are exhausted, why bother to consult further?¡± The fortune teller said, ¡°However, it¡¯s merely about knowing in advance to drive away evil and avoid danger.¡± An Jing took out some silver, saying, ¡°I have fifty taels of silver here, I would like to ask the master to calculate someone else¡¯s fate for me.¡± Fifty taels of silver, in the eyes of ordinary people, that is a colossal sum. The fortune teller shook his head and said, ¡°The old man only tells fortune for those who are fated.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Do you consider me as your fated person?¡± The fortune teller nodded and said, ¡°Very much so.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Then that¡¯s a pity, for I never believe in fate.¡± The fortune teller said, ¡°It is indeed a pity.¡± An Jing stared intently at the fortune teller before him and said, ¡°I think we will meet again.¡± The fortune teller said, ¡°Because I said, we are very much fated.¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± The two looked at each other and burst into laughter. Ultimately, An Jing bowed his hands and said, ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave!¡± ¡°Please.¡± The fortune teller made a ¡®please¡¯ gesture with his hand as well. An Jing and Li Fuzhou walked along Flying Flowers Lane towards the deeper parts of the city. Li Fuzhou laughed and said, ¡°That fortune teller is quite interesting indeed.¡± An Jing frowned and said, ¡°I always feel this man is very familiar, as if I¡¯ve seen him somewhere before.¡± From that fortune telling man earlier, he always had this familiar feeling, but he couldn¡¯t remember exactly where he had seen him. Who exactly is he? In the Great Yan Martial World, which other expert has come to Yujing City? Li Fuzhou solemnly said, ¡°There was no fluctuation in that person¡¯s Qi mechanism. My lord, if you didn¡¯t sense it, then he must be an unrivaled expert, perhaps even surpassing you, and there are only a few such experts in the world.¡± Actually, without An Jing mentioning it, Li Fuzhou, being such a shrewd person, could also tell that the fortune teller was not as simple as he appeared on the surface; however, among the countless experts in the world, he couldn¡¯t immediately provide an accurate answer. ¡°Could it be him!?¡± An Jing suddenly thought of something, and his pupils abruptly constricted. Having said that, An Jing quickly walked towards the street behind, seemingly wanting to find that fortune teller from before. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The street was bustling and lively, and the fortune teller who had been sitting at the end of the street had already disappeared into the crowd, his whereabouts unknown. Li Fuzhou quickly followed, asking, ¡°My lord, who is that man?¡± ¡­¡­. PS: There will be another chapter tonight, but it will be very late. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 303 - Chapter 303: Chapter 303: An Jing Meets the Five Qi Grandmaster Chapter 303: Chapter 303: An Jing Meets the Five Qi Grandmaster ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken,¡± An Jing said in a deep voice, ¡°that person should be Qi Xuan Dao.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s face was full of shock, his heart raging like a storm. Who was Qi Xuan Dao!? He was the master of the Black Ice Platform, the unparalleled figure of Zhao Country, and it was no exaggeration to say that his status and position were almost equivalent to that of the Great Yan Emperor of Yan Country, the most powerful and highest-ranking person in Zhao Country. But now, he had suddenly appeared in Yujing City of Yan Country, and moreover, as an unremarkable fortune teller. Who could have thought of that? Li Fuzhou asked, ¡°Son-in-law, are you sure that fortune teller is Qi Xuan Dao?¡± This is Yujing City, the place in the territory of Great Yan with the most martial experts. Would Qi Xuan Dao really take such a risk? Li Fuzhou¡¯s heart was still exceptionally shaken, and it took a long while for it to settle. ¡°It¡¯s ninety percent certain it¡¯s him, Qi Xuan Dao and his son really are cut from the same cloth,¡± An Jing said quietly, ¡°When I encountered Qi Shu in Ping County, he was also setting up a stall, wanting to tell my fortune.¡± Qi Shu, in Ping County, was preparing to kidnap Zhao Xuening, using a fortune teller¡¯s guise as a cover. Li Fuzhou narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°Son-in-law, what do you think is Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s purpose for appearing in Yujing City?¡± An Jing sighed softly, ¡°It seems he¡¯s also here for the Dragon Locking Well, but I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s the instigator or just someone who received the letter¡­¡± If he was the instigator, then there should be other experts from the Black Ice Platform, including Heavenly Slaughter level experts like Qin Shan, and even experts from Houjin, since it¡¯s no secret that Houjin and Zhao Country are allies now. In terms of status, who would correspond to Qi Xuan Dao in Houjin? It would be either Zongzheng Huachun or Taiyin Kui, these two Five Qi Grandmasters. If not him, then who would be the instigator? How terrifying would that person be? An Jing felt a slight chill in his heart. Now that he knew the gathering included Five Qi Grandmasters like Xi Hafu, Qi Xuan Dao, the Human Emperor in Yujing City, and Su Tianze who stayed close to the Crown Prince, the complexity of the situation made even An Jing feel alarmed. It could be that more Five Qi Grandmasters would appear. And all of this was because of the Dragon Locking Well, or perhaps it was due to some invisible dark hand stirring the storm, flipping clouds and covering rains. Li Fuzhou, with a puzzled look, said, ¡°Son-in-law, logically speaking, given your prowess, you¡¯re among the top in the world. Why didn¡¯t this person send you a letter?¡± An Jing had defeated both the Sword God and Sword Demon, placing him nearly at the peak of the Four Qi Grandmasters. Ordinary Four Qi Grandmasters were simply no match for him, and among the Four Qi Grandmasters of the entire world, only the Great Yan State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu could contend against him by leveraging exotic treasures and heritage. It was no exaggeration to say that although young, An Jing¡¯s status as the World¡¯s First Swordsman solidly placed him among the ranks of top experts in the world, possibly the least experienced but, given his age, he was bound to rise higher in the future. If the person behind all this really wanted to cause a big scene, it made no sense not to send An Jing a letter. An Jing raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°How would I know?¡± Li Fuzhou looked deeply at An Jing and raised a thumb, ¡°Son-in-law, you¡¯re really crafty!¡± The depths of the son-in-law¡¯s mind are truly unfathomable. Seeing Li Fuzhou¡¯s expression, An Jing said solemnly, ¡°You don¡¯t suspect it¡¯s me, do you?¡± Li Fuzhou asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± An Jing laughed, ¡°How could it possibly be me?¡± Li Fuzhou insisted, ¡°Exactly, I didn¡¯t expect initially that the son-in-law was actually the Ghost Swordsman.¡± He then leaned in and whispered, ¡°Son-in-law, it¡¯s just the two of us here, you can confidently tell me, I, Li, will remain absolutely loyal to you. Is that person really you?¡± ¡°I have never mentioned the brothel hearing from back then, so you can trust my character.¡± Soft persistence mixed with threats! An Jing looked up at the clear blue sky, and then sighed deeply. Sometimes being too clever is not good. What¡¯s clearly a simple matter is overcomplicated by such thoughts. ¡­¡­ In an alley of Yujing City. The fortune teller walked to the end of the alley. His pace was steady, but with each step he took, his face changed dramatically. By the time he took a few steps, the face had changed entirely. Qi Xuan Dao! The master of the Black Ice Platform, Qi Wushuang of Zhao Country! An Jing was right; this man was indeed Qi Wushuang, the master of the Black Ice Platform from Zhao Country. As the greatest enemy of Yan Country, he was now in the capital of Yan Country, the place with the most experts in Yan Country, also the most dangerous place. In the Great Yan Martial World, there was a master known as Thousand-faced Ghost Shadow, who was considered a top-tier master. Later, he was recruited by Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin and impersonated Liu Qingshan. Meanwhile, at the Black Ice Platform in Zhao Country, there was a master known as Thousand-faced Asura who had been impersonating An Jing and wreaking havoc, causing significant unrest. Both were skilled at disguise, but compared to Thousand-faced Asura, Thousand-faced Ghost Shadow wasn¡¯t even worthy to carry his shoes, both in terms of cultivation and disguise skills. Thousand-faced Asura had once disguised himself to infiltrate the Great Yan Palace, and although eventually discovered, he managed to escape, which showed just how formidable he was. After all, not everyone could sneak into the Great Yan Palace and escape from there. Qi Xuan Dao was called unmatched not only because of his formidable strength but also because of his terrifying talent. Before Xiao Qianqiu, the late bloomer Qi Wushuang rose above all his peers and became the most talented individual in the world, known as the material of a banished immortal, which naturally meant he had high hopes of becoming a Great Grandmaster. Later, Xiao Qianqiu came into the scene, deemed the material of a great banished immortal, and now An Jing has surpassed Xiao Qianqiu in talent. But as the original banished immortal material of the world, it clearly spoke of Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s qualifications. Qi Xuan Dao was a genius among geniuses, a freak among freaks. As the leader of the Eight Heavenly Slaughters, he mastered almost every skill of the Eight Heavenly Slaughters, even refining his techniques to a more exquisite degree. He not only knew the Disguise Technique of Thousand-faced Asura but was even more proficient in it. ¡°Whoooosh! Whoooosh!¡± Suddenly, the sound of a robe fluttering in the strong wind arose as a figure in a black robe holding an ancient longsword appeared from the shadows. ¡°Stage Master!¡± The man respectfully greeted Qi Xuan Dao with a fist salute. This man was Thousand-faced Asura himself, who had been waiting for the opportunity to kill An Jing and then usurp his position. However, he had abandoned this idea since the battle at Zhong Mountain. He also practiced the Sword Dao. Although he hadn¡¯t fully focused on it, his accomplishments in the Sword Dao were no trivial matter. Naturally, he knew that although he had Four Qi cultivation, either the Sword God or the Sword Demon could easily kill him, so his plan was almost impossible to execute. This was also why he had remained hidden. Qi Xuan Dao said indifferently, ¡°I just saw the Ghost Swordsman. His strength has improved by three points since Blue Sky Island.¡± Thousand-faced Asura frowned and said, ¡°There is no doubt about the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength. In my view, if neither the Stage Master nor Granny Qin Shan takes action, it will be very difficult to kill him.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Qi Xuan Dao looked at his own palm and said, ¡°His power has grown to this extent. It is truly astonishing.¡± Back then on Blue Sky Island, he only saw An Jing as a future threat, but he hadn¡¯t expected him to grow so much in such a short time. Fast! Too fast! So fast that it caught him off guard. Thousand-faced Asura asked, ¡°Stage Master, what should we do now?¡± ¡°If there is an opportunity this time, I will personally take action and ensure to cut him down.¡± Qi Xuan Dao pondered for a moment and said, ¡°You are no match for him, so don¡¯t bother searching for him. Tonight, go to Dragon Locking Well and scout it, and make some noise while you¡¯re there. Add some fuel to the fires in Demon Sect and Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s hearts, and see how they react.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Thousand-faced Asura was a clever man. Upon hearing Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s words, he immediately understood the intention and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. Since the completion of Dragon Locking Well, it had become the most heavily guarded place in Yan Country, reflecting its importance. If the Ghost Swordsman caused trouble at Dragon Locking Well today, it would surely lead to significant uproar. The Demon Sect and the Great Yan Court were already in a strained relationship, so this could produce some unusual results. ¡­¡­. In Lv Mansion, under the cold moonlight, Tan Yun, dressed in red, looked up at the moon in the backyard. She couldn¡¯t help but reminisce about the days in Yu State City when An Jing and Zhao Qingmei used to enjoy moon-gazing on the rooftop, while she and Little Black sat on the stone steps. Time passed slowly in those days. Back then, she didn¡¯t understand what was so captivating about the moon. Now she knew that one could sense the poetry in life even in just quietly listening to the wind. Just then, footsteps approached from the distance. ¡°Grandfather.¡± Tan Yun came back to reality and saw Lv Guoyong with a stooped back, reluctantly pulling Lv Jingchun along. ¡°Guess what this is?¡± Lv Guoyong took out a box of pastries from behind and shook it with a grin. ¡°Eight Treasure Cake!¡± Tan Yun¡¯s eyes lit up as she took the box of pastries from Lv Guoyong¡¯s hands. ¡°Grandfather, you are the best.¡± Seeing the smile that spread across her lips, Lv Guoyong couldn¡¯t help but smile as well. Lv Jingchun muttered, ¡°Always thinking about eating, and yet a master of the Demon Sect¡­¡± As a Second Grade Peak cultivator, Tan Yun clearly heard Lv Jingchun¡¯s muttering and swung her fist playfully, ¡°You little fatty, asking for a beating again?¡± Seeing this, Lv Jingchun exclaimed joyfully, ¡°Grandfather, did you see that? She¡¯s going to hit me again! Last time she beat me so bad I couldn¡¯t get out of bed for two days. You didn¡¯t believe me before, do you believe it now?¡± Some time ago, because Zhou Xianming had become an attendant of the Imperial Study Room, he and Zhao Xuening had grown quite close, causing Lv Jingchun to rely on Zhou Xianming¡¯s relationship to visit Zhao Xuening daily. After Tan Yun found out, she mocked him a few times by the side. Unexpectedly, Lv Jingchun couldn¡¯t take it and retorted a few words back, which eventually led to him being beaten up by men in black late at night until his face was swollen and bruised. The key point was that Tan Yun never hit anyone face to face. Lv Jingchun knew it was Tan Yun who had hit him, but he was frustrated by the lack of evidence, until he finally found some. Lv Guoyong blinked and said, ¡°Grandfather didn¡¯t hear that.¡± Lv Jingchun: ¡°¡­.¡± Tan Yun huffed lightly, proudly taking a pastry from the box and gobbling it up. Lv Jingchun looked like a defeated rooster, head drooping, and couldn¡¯t help but sigh deeply in his heart. Lv Guoyong said indifferently, ¡°Jingchun, from today onwards you should stop seeking out Princess An Le.¡± Lv Jingchun hurriedly asked, ¡°Grandfather, why?¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Because the two of you are not suitable.¡± Lv Jingchun, biting his lip, stubbornly said, ¡°But I genuinely like her.¡± Lv Guoyong calmly replied, ¡°Then bury that genuine feeling.¡± Lv Jingchun took a deep breath, for the first time resisting Lv Guoyong, and said, ¡°Without her, how can I live!?¡± Lv Guoyong glanced at Lv Jingchun and said, ¡°If you can¡¯t live, then go ahead and die.¡± Lv Jingchun opened his mouth, then shrank his neck back. As the saying goes, it¡¯s better to live badly than to die well. Lv Guoyong said with profound seriousness, ¡°I don¡¯t ask you to become a remarkable man, but you must always be aware of your position, protect yourself, and in doing so also protect the Lv Sect. Do not take what isn¡¯t yours, and always remember, ¡®A wise man adapts to circumstances.''¡± Lv Jingchun sighed, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡°A wise man eats!?¡± Tan Yun, swallowing a mouthful of an eight-treasure cake, her eyes suddenly lit up, and said, ¡°Exactly, exactly, that¡¯s what I think too, Grandfather.¡± Lv Guoyong smiled and stroked Tan Yun¡¯s hair, saying, ¡°My granddaughter is truly clever and quick-witted.¡± This was the first time Tan Yun was praised as clever and quick-witted, and her heart was bursting with joy. Just then, Lv Fang approached, ¡°Father, someone has come to visit.¡± Lv Guoyong smiled and said, ¡°Let me guess, it must be Fuzhou and An Jing.¡± ¡°Son-in-law and master!?¡± Hearing this, Tan Yun almost jumped up. Lv Fang said with admiration, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s the two of them.¡± ¡°That young man likes to visit at night.¡± Lv Guoyong shook his head and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go take a look.¡± He then walked slowly towards the reception hall, hunching his back. Tan Yun quickly followed, saying, ¡°Grandfather, I want to come too.¡± ¡­¡­ The reception hall. An Jing and Li Fuzhou were sitting in the guest seats. Seeing Lv Guoyong with his hunched back walking in, both men stood up at once. ¡°Mr. Lv!¡± ¡°Teacher!¡± Lv Guoyong smiled and said, ¡°Sit down, there¡¯s no need for such formality here.¡± ¡°Son-in-law, master.¡± At that moment, a cute head popped out, her face full of surprise as she looked at An Jing and Li Fuzhou, then she stuck out her little pink tongue. Seeing this, both men laughed. An Jing clasped his fists and said, ¡°It¡¯s quite late, and I regret disturbing Mr. Lv so.¡± Lv Guoyong walked slowly to a chair and said, ¡°The day after tomorrow, the Emperor will host a banquet in the Golden Throne Hall. You coming to me at this time must mean you have something you want to ask me, right?¡± ¡°Mr. Lv is indeed wise.¡± An Jing nodded and straightforwardly said, ¡°I¡¯ve received news that someone is going to make a move on the Dragon Locking Well.¡± ¡°The Dragon Locking Well!?¡± Lv Guoyong chuckled lightly, seemingly not surprised, ¡°You came to ask about the Dragon Locking Well?¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°Yes, I want to inquire what exactly is sealed inside the Dragon Locking Well¨Cdisaster, shackles, prison, or blessing¡­¡± Lv Guoyong reflected for a moment and said, ¡°For some people it¡¯s a blessing, for others, a prison.¡± An Jing slightly raised his eyebrows upon hearing this answer. The talk of nature¡¯s Spiritual Energy should be beneficial to everyone in the world, only Evil Spirits would be a blessing to some and a disaster to others. Could it be that Xi Hafu at Lingtai Temple was indeed real? ¡°You¡¯ll know what it is soon, and you should know as well,¡± Lv Guoyong looked at An Jing and Li Fuzhou, speaking solemnly, ¡°Because the future of this world rests on you, not on this old man, nor on the Human Emperor, so the choice is also in your hands.¡± An Jing and Li Fuzhou exchanged glances, and Li Fuzhou broke the silence, ¡°Teacher, I remember that you were very supportive of building the Dragon Locking Well initially.¡± When the Great Yan Royal Family built the Dragon Locking Well, Lv Guoyong not only agreed but also took on the task of suppressing the Dragon Locking Well. ¡°It was an inescapable responsibility.¡± Lv Guoyong calmly looked at the two, ¡°Everyone has their own choices to make, Fuzhou, you are my disciple, but you have learned all I could teach, and have even surpassed me. If you really want to know, why not go and see for yourself?¡± An Jing was struck by this. With the Earth Book on him, he could avoid some risks, and combining his current strengths, he indeed had the capability to personally check out the Dragon Locking Well. Lv Guoyong said in a deep voice, ¡°Since you know that someone has tampered with the Dragon Locking Well, you should also know that there may be turmoil in Yujing City, so you must be careful.¡± This was the first time An Jing saw Lv Guoyong with a somewhat solemn expression, even when he had rescued Li Fuzhou and Tan Yun under the hand of Bai Mei at the Eight Feet Platform before, he had remained calm and composed. ¡°I understand.¡± An Jing and Li Fuzhou both nodded in agreement. Subsequently, Lv Guoyong chatted leisurely with them for a while before he slowly departed. ¡°If you wish to stay here, stay; if not, I won¡¯t keep you,¡± he said. The two bowed to the retreating figure of the old man. Tan Yun excitedly said, ¡°Brother-in-law, Teacher, I¡¯ve missed you so much.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s face twitched for a moment. Tan Yun was calling him ¡°Teacher,¡± but her eyes never strayed from An Jing. An Jing pinched Tan Yun¡¯s cheek and said, ¡°You¡¯ve gotten fatter.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s face turned red as she defended, ¡°No, I¡¯ve been eating less lately. I used to eat three bowls of rice, and now I only eat two and a half. That¡¯s already very little.¡± Li Fuzhou murmured to himself, ¡°If the members of the Demon Sect were all like Tan Yun, they probably couldn¡¯t afford to feed them.¡± Two and a half¡­ Upon hearing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes. This chubby girl was beyond help. An Jing pondered for a moment and then said to Li Fuzhou, ¡°Uncle, stay here. Tonight is a good opportunity. I plan to go check out the Dragon Locking Well.¡± Li Fuzhou thought for a moment and said, ¡°Alright, if something seems off, improvise on the spot, and remember, your life is more precious than anything.¡± For there would surely be many experts in the Dragon Locking Well, and more people might just cause unnecessary trouble. An Jing was already in danger, and his own presence would be useless, potentially even a hindrance. It would be better to stand by outside the Dragon Locking Well. ¡°Brother-in-law, are you going to the Dragon Locking Well?¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun expressed some concern. An Jing patted Tan Yun¡¯s head and smiled, ¡°Have a good chat with your teacher. He¡¯s missed you too.¡± With that, An Jing walked towards the hall exit. Tan Yun looked at the receding figure of An Jing, hesitating as if wanting to speak, but as the figure moved farther away, she ultimately kept her words unsaid. ¡°Ah!¡± Li Fuzhou let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Teacher.¡± Hearing his melancholic sigh, Tan Yun turned around and said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d buy me a lot of pastries the next time you saw me?¡± Li Fuzhou said irritably, ¡°I forgot, do you only remember me when you want to eat?¡± Tan Yun pretended to be disappointed, ¡°I¡¯ve always kept my teacher¡¯s words close to my heart, but I can¡¯t believe Teacher would forget something so important.¡± The word ¡®important¡¯ was heavily emphasized, as if it truly mattered a great deal. Li Fuzhou raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°What words of mine do you remember?¡± He didn¡¯t believe that Tan Yun would keep his instructions in mind, unless the sun rose from the west. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Tan Yun seriously said, ¡°You told me to take good care of myself, and I¡¯ve always kept Teacher¡¯s teachings in mind, not daring to forget for even a moment.¡± What a way to take care! Li Fuzhou¡¯s entire face sank, darker than the night sky above. ¡­¡­¡­. wuxiaworld.site .co Chapter 304 - Chapter 304 Chapter 304 The Golden Opportunity Finally Appears Chapter 304: Chapter 304: The Golden Opportunity Finally Appears Chapter 304: Chapter 304: The Golden Opportunity Finally Appears Late at night. Under the moon. In the streets, An Jing stepped out of the Lv Mansion, changed into a new set of clothes, and headed towards the Dragon Locking Well. The Dragon Locking Well is a forbidden area of the Great Yan Dynasty, and it must surely be guarded by the Great Yan Royal Family¡¯s elite, for at this critical juncture, it would be best not to invite any unnecessary trouble. The location of the Dragon Locking Well is especially peculiar, as it is built within the Dragon Spring Temple. Originally, Great Yan protected the six seals left by the Zhou Dynasty, but as guarding all six with scattered experts was consuming a significant amount of manpower and resources, the Taiping Human Emperor constructed the Dragon Locking Well in Yujing City, which put the plans regarding the six seals of the Zhou Dynasty on hold. This was also one of the reasons why An Jing could easily obtain the six Evil Suppressing Swords. As night fell, Yujing City remained bustling and lively. Compared to the noisy Yujing City, the Dragon Spring Temple sank into tranquility; its majestic temples stood in the darkness like the fleeting shadows of giants. So quiet it seemed almost terrifying. An Jing¡¯s figure blended into the darkness as he entered the Dragon Spring Temple. ¡°Hint three: There is a golden opportunity nearby the host.¡± At that moment, a brilliant golden light emerged from the Earth Book, nearly filling An Jing¡¯s mind. ¡°Golden!?¡± An Jing, startled by this, paused for a moment. Since obtaining the Earth Book, the most precious opportunity it had revealed was the purple one, and now a golden opportunity had appeared for the first time, seemingly surpassing the purple opportunity. A purple opportunity was a Martial Arts Heart Method that exceeded the Heavenly Martial Level, a rare existence in the world; what, then, could this golden opportunity be!? In an instant, An Jing¡¯s heart trembled slightly. Immediately after, he focused on the Earth Book, confirming there were no black opportunities before heading deeper into the Dragon Spring Temple. Soon, passing through the silent corridors, he arrived at the Precepts Platform of the Dragon Spring Temple. The Precepts Platform is where monks transmit precepts. Standing atop the Precepts Platform, one could also see the bright moon in the sky above. Behind the Precepts Platform, the golden radiance in the Earth Book was dazzlingly bright, clearly indicating that he was nearing the golden opportunity. ¡­¡­. In the dark of night, a man dressed in black robes stepped on the temple roofs, passed through a forest, and arrived at the Great Yan Forbidden Land, in front of the Dragon Locking Well. His eyes held a trace of iciness and menace. This man in black robes was none other than the Thousand-faced Asura. He now concealed his Qi mechanism, treading carefully on the rubble while looking towards the distance. In an open area ahead, there was a giant well with a diameter of nearly thirty feet; it looked ordinary and unremarkable, without any special features, except for the tough, dark iron chains that bound it. There was also a pond beside the well; under the moonlight, it sparkled with a peaceful, serene glimmer. At the same time, within several feet around there were five iron houses, each occupying one of the five positions. Inside these five iron houses were seated five experts, their cultivation levels spanning between Second Qi and Third Qi, but the five Qi Mechanisms were connected through iron chains, allowing their internal Qi Mechanism to blend smoothly. These five Qi Mechanism cultivations were extremely profound, obviously indicating they were Grandmaster level experts. Five Grandmaster level experts! All these were the top guards tasked by the Royal Family to protect the Dragon Locking Well, a testament to the formidable strength of the Great Yan Royal Family. In the entire Great Yan Martial World, there were barely dozens of Grandmasters, yet here at the Dragon Locking Well stood five of such Grandmaster level experts. The average person, if not paying close attention, would not notice these five special positions, nor discover these five Grandmaster level experts. ¡°It seems the Great Yan Royal Family has put in quite some effort in guarding this Dragon Locking Well,¡± whispered the Thousand-faced Asura with a sneer at the corner of his mouth. Then, he activated a unique method to conceal his aura and approached the Dragon Locking Well. In the Jianghu of the world, the Asura¡¯s methods for concealment and breath-holding were second to none, almost on par with the Acupoint Locking Technique of the Demon Sect. It was with this method that he managed to infiltrate the Great Yan Palace, instilling in him a certain confidence. For him, even the Great Yan Forbidden Land was a place he could enter and exit at will. The Asura¡¯s body leaped, dropping silently to the ground like a falling leaf. Though his steps seemed slow, he crossed several yards in an instant. True Qi and Shrinking Land into Inches were the marks of a Grandmaster, while the genuine Immortals were rumored to reach the realm of ¡°inches as leagues¡±. Of course, these were merely people¡¯s speculations, as no one had truly seen a real Immortal and did not know whether Immortals really existed in this world. The Asura, with his Four Qi Cultivation, naturally had a proficient mastery of Shrinking Land into Inches. After just two or three steps, he arrived in front of the Dragon Locking Well. At this moment, a cold smile appeared at the corner of the Asura¡¯s mouth. ¡°Hiss hiss!¡± Just as he was about to take another step, he suddenly felt his hairs stand on end; an icy glint of light attacked from afar, piercing towards his neck. The Asura¡¯s brow furrowed as he drew the ¡®Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯ from his waist and cleaved towards the cold light. ¡°Clang!¡± A crisp sound of metal clashing rang out as the Sword struck the cold light and shattered it instantly. This cold light had come from an iron house not far away. The Asura said indifferently, ¡°A mere Third Qi Grandmaster dares to obstruct An?!¡± After bellowing, the Sword in his hand swept fiercely towards the iron house in the distance. An unsettling cold light surged from the frigid blade, tearing through the air with a biting chill as it rushed forward. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± Within the cold gleam of the blade, even the exceptionally hard iron house burst apart in an instant. A red-clothed, white-haired elder enveloped in an aura rushed out. ¡°How daring, to intrude into the Forbidden Land of Great Yan without authorization.¡± The Thousand-faced Asura looked at the white-haired elder charging towards him and sneered, ¡°An Jing has always been very bold.¡± ¡°Then let us see just how great your courage is!¡± A cold shout sounded, and several iron houses exploded one after another, soon followed by four Masters surging out, each clad in clothes whose colors corresponded to the other four elements of yellow, green, blue, and gold. The Thousand-faced Asura frowned instantly upon seeing this; he was not a top Four Qi Master, so facing five Three Qi Masters he was bound to be defeated without a doubt, and even a top Four Qi Master might not be able to take down these five Three Qi Masters. ¡°Join forces and cut him down!¡± one of the men in golden clothing said. ¡°Alright.¡± The others nodded in agreement. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± The next moment, the five Three Qi Masters struck together, and suddenly their Qi Mechanisms combined to form a vast True Qi palm that pressed down from above. Boom! Boom! Amidst the surging winds, trees broke and leaves shattered, the giant True Qi palm descending like a mountain. The combined True Qi of these five Three Qi Masters was so magnificent that it instantly matched a Five Qi Master in might; it was truly terrifying. ¡°This¡­¡± The moment the Thousand-faced Asura saw that palm descending, his heart clenched. He might have a chance against five Three Qi Masters, but facing a Five Qi Master, he would have almost no chance of victory. ¡°Run!¡± The Thousand-faced Asura didn¡¯t hesitate at all and immediately executed his secret technique, the Spiritual Escape Technique. ¡°Whoosh!¡± His figure turned into a stream of white Spiritual Light, its speed more than tripling in an instant, rushing toward the distance at high speed. Fast! So incredibly fast! The True Qi palm struck the ground and abruptly dissipated into nothingness. The red-clothed elder watching the retreating back of the Thousand-faced Asura puzzled, ¡°Is this the Ghost Swordsman who has been causing such a stir recently? He sure runs fast.¡± These five were the top experts of the Great Yan Royal Family, each representing the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The one clad in red and speaking was Fire Element. They recognized the Evil Suppressing Sword, and since the swordsman had named himself An Jing, his identity was almost self-evident. The Wood Element master shook his head and sighed, ¡°The World¡¯s First Swordsman is just this; it seems the Great Yan Martial World is steadily declining.¡± The Water Element master sneered, ¡°What World¡¯s First Swordsman? He is nothing but a rat who shows his head and hides his tail.¡± ¡°Let him go.¡± The Metal Element master said indifferently, ¡°The Human Emperor mentioned a few days ago that there might be other masters coming to explore the Dragon Locking Well at night. We must be cautious and vigilant.¡± The others nodded upon hearing this, their expressions filled with a bit of tension. ¡­¡­ Under the moonlight, the Thousand-faced Asura, dressed in a black robe, was rushing frantically towards the distance. At this moment, he still felt a sense of relief, as if he had narrowly escaped death. Who would have thought that five Three Qi Masters could combine their Qi mechanisms to form a force comparable to a Five Qi Master? If he hadn¡¯t reacted quickly and decisively, that one palm might have seriously injured him. ¡°I must report such news to the Stage Master, considering those five together are equivalent to the power of a Five Qi Master, they cannot be ignored.¡± A Five Qi Master stood at the pinnacle of this world, and the appearance of any one of them could potentially alter the current situation. The Thousand-faced Asura¡¯s speed was extremely fast, and in the blink of an eye, he was about to rush out of the forest. Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him. The person was clad in a dark green robe and carried a Sword Box on his back, his face not clearly visible. This person was none other than An Jing. ¡°Like a bad penny.¡± A touch of cold ridicule appeared on the corner of the Thousand-faced Asura¡¯s mouth as he looked at An Jing who had suddenly appeared before him. He might not be a match for five Three Qi Master experts, but did a single Three Qi Master expert hope to stop him? An Jing, expressionless, asked, ¡°Who might you be?¡± The Thousand-faced Asura drew the Evil Suppressing Sword from his waist and said, ¡°Have you heard of the Ghost Swordsman?¡± An Jing nodded and asked, ¡°You are the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡°A name not changed, a seat not replaced,¡± the Thousand-faced Asura replied coldly, ¡°Under the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s sword, the nameless do not die. State your name.¡± ¡°No need.¡± An Jing¡¯s hand brightened as the Evil Suppressing Sword transformed into a heaven-reaching giant sword that cleaved towards the Thousand-faced Asura in front of him. The Thousand-faced Asura extended his hand and grabbed the giant sword from the sky above. Suddenly, the colossal Evil Suppressing Sword didn¡¯t move an inch, as if it were wedged by a boulder. The True Qi-formed giant hand had grasped that immense Evil Suppressing Sword firmly. ¡°` Clang! An Jing¡¯s mind was set in motion, and the giant sword, like a saw cutting open a mountain, fiercely slashed forward. The huge hand formed by True Qi was instantly cut in half, losing control over the giant sword. ¡°Not good!¡± After the True Qi giant hand was split, the remaining might of the Evil Suppressing Sword was still not to be underestimated. It furiously chopped towards Thousand-faced Asura, its terrifying sharpness combined, almost capable of cleaving the soul and crushing the enemy¡¯s gall. However, Thousand-faced Asura did have the cultivation of a Four Qi Grandmaster. His right hand flickered with Sword Light, dispersing the remaining force entirely. Clang! The Evil Suppressing Sword was sent flying, and Thousand-faced Asura himself, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, staggered back ten steps. Seeing this, An Jing thought to himself, ¡°It seems that this Thousand-faced Asura is also a Four Qi Grandmaster, his strength above Qu Renlin but below the Sword Demon and Sword God.¡± ¡°Evil Suppressing Sword, you are¡­¡­¡± Thousand-faced Asura, looking at the Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand, showed a look of shock. He had not expected that the person before him was indeed the real Ghost Swordsman, An Jing. An Jing, looking indifferently at Thousand-faced Asura, said, ¡°The sword in your hand must be one of the top ten famous swords, the Chengying Sword, right?¡± The Chengying Sword, known for its unpredictability and changeability, could create a unique Sword Qi based on changes in light and darkness, and could even mimic the shapes of other famous swords. A massive current of True Qi surged up, and the Chengying Sword in Thousand-faced Asura¡¯s hands also emanated a chilling sharpness. It was indeed the real Ghost Swordsman! Defeating An Jing would not only allow him to replace the latter¡¯s identity but would also make him the World¡¯s First Swordsman. It was virtually impossible for Thousand-faced Asura not to entertain some thoughts in his heart. In the Jianghu, who doesn¡¯t want to become famous!? Right now, a tremendous opportunity lay in front of him; it all depended on whether he could seize it. Thousand-faced Asura burst forth with an extremely domineering Sword Skill, and under the influence of this Sword Skill, he seemed to transform into a sword, a demonic blade capable of severing souls. Swish! Under An Jing¡¯s urging, the Evil Suppressing Sword moved as fast as an aurora, so fast that even Thousand-faced Asura¡¯s Sensing Power couldn¡¯t dodge it in an instant. Thousand-faced Asura was a mixture of surprise and anger. Although he had grabbed the Evil Suppressing Sword before, An Jing had yet to fully unleash his power. Now, as the True Force and Sword Skill arose, it was even more difficult to deal with. Thousand-faced Asura let out a fierce shout, his hands swinging the Chengying Sword to chop towards the sweeping Evil Suppressing Sword. Its Sword Force seemed incomplete, yet it was ferociously unstoppable. Clang!! Chengying Sword and Evil Suppressing Sword collided with each other in their most ferocious states. Sparks flew in a continuous line, erupting in the most uncanny manner. The air filled with diffusing True Qi, becoming bizarre and varied. Puh! A mouthful of cold blood spurted out as Thousand-faced Asura was sent flying by the blow of the Evil Suppressing Sword. Hundred-step Flying Sword! The Evil Suppressing Sword paused slightly before chopping down with incredible speed. Everywhere it went, the ground cracked open a wide sword mark, and the void was torn apart, any substance blocking this sword was subjected to a destructive tearing force. Although Thousand-faced Asura was sent flying, the moment he landed, he immediately raised his sword to strike again. This time, though the Sword Force was not as fierce as before, it grew more violent, like an unending angry wave. As one of the Eight Heavenly Slaughters, Thousand-faced Asura¡¯s swordsmanship was also extremely skilled. While the power of the Evil Suppressing Sword seemed invincible, it had been partially neutralized by his earlier offensive. The remaining might was not as powerful as before, which he countered with an unending and surging Sword Force, wave after wave, like an angry sea. Since one move could not stop An Jing, he would use two moves, three moves, or even more¡­. Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang! Hitting the Evil Suppressing Sword with one strike, Thousand-faced Asura immediately followed with a second, third, and even faster subsequent strikes, endlessly, with thirty-six strikes hitting the Evil Suppressing Sword in an instant. Bang! With the thirty-sixth strike, the Evil Suppressing Sword was sent flying, but Thousand-faced Asura was also in bad shape. The first seventeen strikes had not left him unharmed; he just knew that he couldn¡¯t retreat now. Retreating would break his Sword Skill momentum, and he would no longer be able to stop the advance of the Evil Suppressing Sword. He would inevitably be pierced through the heart. Having sent the Evil Suppressing Sword flying, Thousand-faced Asura finally couldn¡¯t contain his injuries anymore. His arms burst apart inch by inch, and a bloody hole appeared in his chest. ¡°Truly deserving of being the World¡¯s First Swordsman.¡± Thousand-faced Asura¡¯s face was pale, his eyes bursting with intense light. An Jing¡¯s expression remained incredibly calm, but he did not take the situation lightly. With a fierce scream, Thousand-faced Asura morphed into a Sword Light, moving with the sword. A ghastly grey Sword Radiance sprouted between them, forming a crescent moon with the missing piece directly facing An Jing¡¯s position. He faced Thousand-faced Asura¡¯s ferocious strike head-on. Yet An Jing¡¯s response was faster than his. That speed had reached its limit. Though Thousand-faced Asura struck first, as the Sword Light swept over, it turned out that An Jing, starting later, actually moved faster, piercing with the Evil Suppressing Sword first. Clang! As the swords clashed, green firelight burst forth, accompanied by an extremely yin and sharp Qi Force, which was ground into threads by the opposing Sword Light, unable to advance. Thousand-faced Asura bled from the corner of his mouth, stepping back eight steps before unloading the Sword Force. One sword! One sword! Thousand-faced Asura looked at his trembling sword blade and inwardly marveled at An Jing¡¯s comprehension of the Sword Dao. It was clear he struck first, but somehow, it turned out he exposed his own weakness to the opponent. Thousand-faced Asura knew that to defeat An Jing, he had to give his all. Boundless Sword Radiance burst forth from his Chengying Sword, slashing towards An Jing. Throughout the heavens and earth, there was nothing but that oceanic wave-like Sword Radiance. Wild and cutting through all under the heavens, the Sword Light swept over, yet An Jing¡¯s expression remained unchanged. His heart had long become as cold as the sword in his hand. The vast stars behind him emerged. Immortal Sword! Swish! ¡°` The Evil Suppressing Sword struck out, and then an astonishing scene unfolded. An Jing¡¯s body shimmered like an illusion, and as he swung his sword, countless silhouettes emerged. Every An Jing moved differently in his swordplay; some leapt up, some twisted their bodies, some lowered their center of gravity, and some flitted about like shadows. In an instant, countless sword lights charged into the sea of angry sword light. It was as if a scroll painting had come to life. Crash! The endless sword light shattered, and the many An Jings merged back into one. ¡°How is this possible?¡± The Thousand-faced Asura forgot to continue his assault, stunned by the sword art before him that shook his very soul. Boom! With a world-shattering momentum, a piercing sword radiance extended out, slashing towards An Jing. As the Evil Suppressing Sword swung rhythmically, the ground trembled with each movement of the blade. The Evil Suppressing Sword suddenly plunged into the ground, and it seemed to fuse with the entire earth. The next moment, a violent sword radiance erupted from An Jing as the epicenter, spraying upwards. As it ascended too quickly, the speed decreased upon reaching a higher point, causing a mass of sword lights to overlap, compress, and solidify, eventually forming the phantom of a towering mountain peak with sword qi pulsating along its cliff faces. As An Jing¡¯s epiphany of swordsmanship deepened, he wielded various sword moves naturally and effortlessly. Crack! The chilling sword radiance fiercely struck the phantom of the sword light mountain peak, scattering innumerable fragments of ghostly rubble, which were many times harder than real rubble. ¡°He¡¯s actually created a barrier in the form of a mountain peak with sword qi!¡± The Thousand-faced Asura¡¯s eyes revealed a flash of shock upon seeing this. But ¡°Shatter!¡± Just as the mountain phantom was about to collapse, the Thousand-faced Asura¡¯s true qi surged, unleashing his killing strike. In silence, the mountain phantom split in two, and the bone-chilling sword radiance swept towards An Jing like a slashing gang wind above the ocean. Hisss! An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword slowly thrust towards the Thousand-faced Asura, the light bursting forth in a distorted trajectory, as if entering a realm of bewildering illusions. That sword radiance suddenly dissipated into nothingness. Invisible Sword! The Thousand-faced Asura could clearly feel that the closer he was to the tip of An Jing¡¯s sword, the colder and more vicious the chill became. This bone-piercing chill seemed to freeze his true qi, rendering him immobile. It felt like a year had passed, yet it seemed to be just a blink of an eye. He saw darkness. He saw fear. He saw blood. And because of the incredible speed of that sword, he saw what was about to happen. His death! An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword slowly pierced into the heart of the Thousand-faced Asura. The next moment, everything returned to normal. An Jing¡¯s movements were freed, and the sword tip protruded from the Thousand-faced Asura¡¯s back, blasting a hole through his chest. Standing still, the Thousand-faced Asura tried to spew blood, but found he could not expel anything. His internal organs and bones were devoured by that single strike. That sword was too fast! In the moonlight, the Thousand-faced Asura collapsed to the ground, his blood staining the earth red. Another one of the eight Heavenly Slaughters of the Black Ice Platform had fallen at An Jing¡¯s hand. An Jing collected the four Heaven and Earth Spirit Essences and picked up the Chengying Sword from the ground, slowly walking into the depths of the forest. By killing this Thousand-faced Asura, he had eliminated a threat. After all, this man was adept at disguising himself, making him unpredictable. An Jing narrowed his eyes slightly and said, ¡°Moreover, if exposed, all the blame can be pushed onto this Thousand-faced Asura, who has broken into the Great Yan Palace and is a notorious fugitive wanted by Great Yan.¡± How interesting the affairs of this world can be. The Thousand-faced Asura probably never imagined that he could not only be framed but also take the fall for the Ghost Swordsman. Bathed in the moonlight, it wasn¡¯t long before he saw the Dragon Locking Well and the dense mass of chains surrounding it. At that moment, the luminosity of the Earth Book in his mind flashed intensely. ¡°Could it be that this golden opportunity lies beneath the Dragon Locking Well?¡± Moved by the thought, An Jing began to approach the Dragon Locking Well, concealing his breath. The Concealing Qi Technique was among the most superior methods for restraining one¡¯s breath in the current age. When An Jing was First Grade, not even a Grandmaster could detect him. Now, with his Three Qi Master Cultivation, even a Five Qi Grandmaster would be unable to discern his whereabouts. Besides, with the recent visit from the Thousand-faced Asura, would the five of them suspect the ¡®Ghost Swordsman¡¯ of returning? An Jing moved, stepping up to the Dragon Locking Well, prepared to probe its depths. He wanted to see what secrets were hidden within the Dragon Locking Well. Just as An Jing crossed the chains, a glaring red light emanated from the stupa of the Dragon Spring Temple in the distance, shining brilliantly in the dark night. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°No good, someone has broken into the Dragon Locking Well!¡± Huo Xing, who was not far away, saw the dazzling red light and his complexion drastically changed, ¡°Quick, stop that person.¡± The other four hurried towards the Dragon Locking Well and frowned at seeing the figure. ¡°You narrowly escaped death and fled for your life just now, yet you dare to return?¡± said Shui Xing coldly. ¡­¡­. Chapter 305 - Chapter 305 Chapter 305 Dragon Locking Wells Dragon Roars Chapter 305: Chapter 305: Dragon Locking Well¡¯s Dragon Roar¡¯s Astonishing Change Chapter 305: Chapter 305: Dragon Locking Well¡¯s Dragon Roar¡¯s Astonishing Change An Jing raised his eyebrows, not expecting the experts guarding Dragon Locking Well to arrive so quickly. Despite using the Concealing Qi Technique to hide his Qi mechanism, he was still discovered, indicating there must be some kind of mechanism within Dragon Locking Well. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to be detected. Resolved in his heart, An Jing glanced in the direction of the voices. The cultivation of the people before him was all around the level of a Three Qi Grandmaster. Five Three Qi Grandmasters were very tricky to deal with, making it extremely difficult to kill them all; however, if he wanted to escape, they might not be able to stop him. From their conversation, it was clear that the five had already clashed with the Thousand-faced Asura. Therefore, things were going to be much easier from now on. After all, this matter was the doing of the Thousand-faced Asura. What did it have to do with me, the Ghost Swordsman An Jing? With this thought, a cold smile couldn¡¯t help but appear at the corner of An Jing¡¯s mouth. Earth Element Path said, ¡°This time, let¡¯s not give him any chance to escape.¡± Huo Xing eyed An Jing sharply and said, ¡°We five have not stretched our limbs for a long time; today, let¡¯s have a good game with him.¡± The several people obviously mistook An Jing for the just-escaped Thousand-faced Asura, and their expressions carried a bit of cold light, thick with killing intent that could hardly be concealed. ¡°I give you five a chance to live, otherwise do not blame me for being merciless beneath my sword.¡± Having said this, An Jing ignored the five and directly jumped down towards Dragon Locking Well. ¡°I want you dead!¡± Water Element¡¯s words dripped with killing intent, and in the next instant, with a thunderous sound, his figure turned into a blue light and burst forth. With the speed of lightning, he instantly appeared above An Jing. Boom! Water Element looked down coldly at An Jing, then slammed down with his palm. In his palm, endless blue light converged, his seemingly light palm contained almost explosive force. The martial arts they practiced were collected by the Great Yan Dynasty and were very special, called the Great Five Elements Technique. This Great Five Elements Technique was not just one martial art but consisted of five branches: Gold Element Technique, Wood Element Technique, Water Element Technique, Fire Element Technique, and Earth Element Technique. All five were geniuses unearthed by the Great Yan Dynasty from a young age, having trained in this Great Five Elements Technique since childhood. Each individual had unique cultivation, possessing the cultivation of the Three Qi Grandmaster, and their Qi mechanisms could even merge as one. Water Element Technique! Three Thousand Layered Waves! The force of a single palm strike seemed to gather thousands of rivers, and the gloomy sky seemed to brighten. The blue light reflected in An Jing¡¯s pupils; he watched as Water Element, carrying the ferocious blue light, roared downwards. His eyes flickered slightly. An Jing¡¯s expression was indifferent and calm; the bright light of stars burst forth from within him at this moment. His bones seemed to vibrate, emitting a peculiar sound, resonating and spreading out. The Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique was being executed by An Jing to the extreme. His internal energy boiled, and the True Qi was uncontrollable. In an instant, his foot stomped fiercely, and An Jing¡¯s figure surged upward explosively, his momentum majestic as if a meteor had erupted from the ground. Thunderous boom! An Jing didn¡¯t evade but directly punched towards Water Element. As An Jing¡¯s punch was thrown, the surging True Qi, accompanied by the crackling of his bones, emitted strands of starlight. ¡°Draw your sword!¡± Seeing that An Jing dared to charge head-on, Water Element shouted coldly. This palm strike from Water Element, supported by his four brothers, was at full strength, leaving almost no room for restraint. Boom! The formidable punch and the giant blue hand collided, immediately creating a thunderous sound, resonating throughout the area, with ripples like those on water spreading far and wide. Boom! Boom! Boom! The fist force and the giant blue hand held each other in the air, the collision of True Qi trembling in the surrounding air, emitting a deafening noise. Suddenly, Water Element, like a cut kite, drifted rapidly backward, his face under the moonlight appearing utterly pale. One punch! Just one punch had repelled a Three Qi Grandmaster! The surrounding four were visibly shaken and bewildered by this scene. It should be noted that the Ghost Swordsman had always been famous in Jianghu for his Sword Dao, and swordsmen typically specialize in Sword Dao, and rarely train in Body Refining Technique, as human energy is limited, and it is rare for someone to excel in two distinct paths simultaneously. The strength of the Sword Demon was not just about cultivating the Heavenly Dao Sword to the Sixth Realm but also that Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique, which was also formidable. ¡°This Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique is really powerful.¡± An Jing looked at his own palm; in the past facing experts, he could only fight with Sword Dao. After all, as the cultivation deepens, the opponents he encounters are equally formidable. Now, this Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique was already sufficient for him to sweep through experts of the same realm. If he were to cultivate to the Ninth or Tenth Layer, his physical body alone might be strong enough to face a Four Qi expert with just the power of Three Qi. Starlight surged behind An Jing, his internal energy roiled and surged; with one punch, he had severely injured Water Element, one of the Five Elements, immediately shocking all five of them. This ¡®Ghost Swordsman¡¯ seemed to be quite different from the Ghost Swordsman just now! The group exchanged glances, and then Gold Element said, ¡°Stop wasting time, let¡¯s deal with him together.¡± Subsequently, the Five Elements True Qi surged and converged, five radiant lights blossoming in midair under the moonlight. Immediately a vast imposing force swept in, heavily landing on An Jing¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Hm!?¡± An Jing felt as if a mountain had heavily smashed onto his shoulders. Subsequently, the bluestone floor beneath his feet cracked due to the terrifying force. The Qi mechanisms of the five had somehow merged, and this merging was not a simple intertwining of Qi mechanisms. Their bonds were extremely deep, reaching a complementary level on various aspects. This sensation was just like back at Zhong Mountain, with Su Tianze. ¡°As expected, guarding this Dragon Locking Well is not simple,¡± An Jing furrowed his brows. The emanating Qi of these five people, when combined, seemed as robust as that of a Five Qi Grandmaster. Under the intermingling of five-colored True Qi, the entire night sky became exceedingly transparent. The True Qi surged like a flood, and the air nearby seemed to explode at that moment. The five individuals positioned themselves in five directions, then started forming seals with their palms, their techniques mysterious and unfathomable, profound and cryptic. Boom! Boom! Dark clouds covered the night sky, and fierce winds swept across, with lightning interweaving within the five-colored True Qi, a formidable aura brewing. An Jing felt as though he had been locked in place; his heart started racing, and his expression grew extremely solemn. Then, a huge palm stretched out from the midst of the five-colored True Qi and plunged down like a mountain. As the palm descended, the air around the Dragon Locking Well burst outward, forming streams of air that emitted a roaring sound; the nearby tree branches began to snap, and the iron chains of the Dragon Locking Well clanged loudly. With one palm strike, everything trembled! Below, An Jing was like a small boat in a violent storm, his hair whipping wildly and his clothes flapping loudly. ¡°Huff!¡± An Jing extended his palm, and the Evil Suppressing Sword from his sword box landed in his hand. Stars emerged behind him as he directly executed the sword skill of the Immortal Sword. The Evil Suppressing Sword, upon exposure to light, transformed into a massive sword that slashed the heavens, carrying an endless imposing manner, overwhelming from above as his body seemed to elongate, towering between the heavens and the earth. Selfless Dao! A sword radiance resonated with thousands of cries, heavily slicing down towards the giant hand falling from the night sky, domineering and imposing, awe-inspiring ¨C yet on closer look, the sword appeared mysterious and illusory, hidden within the unreal. The Selfless Dao was An Jing¡¯s second move derived from his personal enlightenment on the Sword Dao, unlike the first move, the Shadowless Path which focused on formlessness and invisibility. Selfless Dao emphasized Unity of Man and Sword, the realm of no-self and no-sword. Of course, An Jing had not yet reached that realm, so the power of the Selfless Dao could not be fully unleashed at this moment. Yet, the Selfless Dao still merged An Jing¡¯s own sharpness with the sharpness of the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, reaching an incredibly terrifying level. Sword, cold! Heart, cold! Both were at their extreme! Boom! The moment the giant hand and the sword light collided, a dazzling flash erupted, almost lighting up the entire night sky. Immediately, the wave of True Qi transformed into a terrifying shockwave, spreading wildly to both sides. The archway, stone pillars, trees, metal huts¨Call seemed to crumble into dust and dissipate. An Jing felt the tremendous force coming and continuously retreated backward. The robust extent of a Five Qi Grandmaster¡¯s True Qi, An Jing had seen it clearly on Blue Sky Island and atop Zhong Mountain. In the realms of Grandmasters, each level is a mountain, and the rise from Four Qi to Five Qi is like a mountain so high it¡¯s impossible to see the top. That mountain¡¯s peak is unreachable. A Five Qi Grandmaster¡¯s body has Divine Qi, Soul Qi, Will, Vitality, and Essence in place, reaching the physical limit, the peak that the human body can attain. Ordinarily, even a union of five Three Qi Grandmasters would be highly powerful, but definitely not to the extent of these five individuals. The Earth Element, seeing that a single move didn¡¯t crush An Jing, said, ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is really something!¡± The Fire Element also furrowed his brow in surprise, ¡°How could he have increased his strength so much in such short time?¡± Previously, that ¡®Ghost Swordsman¡¯ stood no chance against their combined efforts, thinking only of escaping, yet now, he could fend off their strike. They were clearly aware of their own strength; this strike would seriously injure or even critically endanger any ordinary Four Qi master right away, yet this Ghost Swordsman managed to withstand it. This significantly alarmed the five, thinking perhaps the Ghost Swordsman had consumed some Elixir during his time out of sight? The Water Element whispered softly, ¡°It seems this Ghost Swordsman truly lives up to his reputation, we must tread carefully now.¡± With a hardened expression, they continued to stimulate the Dantian within their bodies. True Qi in the night sky suddenly surged, with five streams of True Qi spiraling wildly and then merging into a single stream that shot out towards An Jing. With his feet on the air, An Jing retreated with the help of his sword box, manipulating his right hand to deliver a sword strike that cleaved through the air, and dozens of sword shadows appeared to everyone¡¯s vision. Boom! With sword shadows dancing wildly across the sky, and after a fierce explosion of Qi, the shockwave cleared the five-colored True Qi, and the ferocious sword shadows quickly spread towards the intersection of the five individuals. The five remained unmoved as the sword shadows approached; a bizarre scene unfolded¨Cthe incredibly fast and fiercely cold sword shadows abruptly shattered as they neared their intersection point. An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed, initially thinking that breaking through that intersection point would allow him to easily defeat the combined force of the five, but it seemed things were not as simple as he had imagined. It was clear these five were practicing an extremely formidable martial art, allowing their True Qi to stack up and form an indivisible whole. More streams of five-colored True Qi shot out, not approaching An Jing but blocking the space outside the two, weaving a Heaven and Earth Net with nowhere to escape. An Jing could not afford to be careless, his sword flashing forth ripples like moonlight, disrupting the surrounding streams of True Qi. Crack! Crack! Clang Clang Clang Clang Clang¡­ The hardness of the True Qi streams exceeded An Jing¡¯s imagination; his sword Qi formed an edge but soon ran out of force, severing only a dozen streams. But An Jing¡¯s Sword Dao was not to be underestimated either, and the sword in his hand was the Evil Suppressing Sword, ranked third on the Famous Sword List, which further increased its power as he had entered the Heavenly Human Communication realm. ¡°Break!¡± When one move failed to break through, An Jing¡¯s sword skill changed, and more Sword Qi ripples burst forth, transforming the area within several meters into a domain of Sword Qi. The five-colored True Qi currents began to collapse and disintegrate under successive impacts, and then shattered. At that moment, a massive Fist Force fiercely struck from where the True Qi of the five people converged. This enormous fist was formed of five-colored True Qi. With the emergence of the fist, the whistling sound intensified, causing irritability and turmoil, boiling blood and distracting the concentration. Those whose minds were not steadfast enough would immediately suffer defeat and their condition would plummet. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind Unstoppable! Cycling True Qi to its limit, An Jing confronted it with his sword. Suddenly, ferocious winds roared between heaven and earth, each fierce gust ripping a massive gap in the air. Boom! A large burst of Qi Force erupted, tensing the True Qi currents encircling the surroundings, yet showing no sign of breaking. ¡°Hmm?¡± An Jing gave a muffled grunt as the collaborative strike of the five, containing a life-extinguishing Qi Mechanism, breezed through the True Qi defense, only weakened partially, and began to damage his vitality within. It was fortunate that An Jing had practiced the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, otherwise he would have suffered significantly this time. The joint effort of these five, although not comparable to the top Five Qi Grandmasters or even Su Tianze, exerted immense pressure on An Jing simply because their True Qi was robust, around the level of Five Qi, combined with their peculiar martial arts training. Ultimately, the distinction lay in the Dao. Just then, a resounding roar echoed between heaven and earth, its deafening sound reverberated next to An Jing¡¯s ears, almost shattering his eardrums. And this sound was peculiar as if intentionally directed at him alone. At the same time, from the point where the five¡¯s True Qi converged, a cloud of five-colored mist emerged, seemingly about to engulf An Jing. The five-colored mist was ethereal, not belonging to this human world. It was like the difference between a Five Qi Grandmaster and a Great Grandmaster, as well as the distance between the human realm and the realm of immortals. Man and Immortal! Heaven and Earth! The Immortal is heartless, Heaven is heartless, and the Sword is equally heartless. What of Man? When man wields a sword, should he also, like Heaven, Earth, Immortals, and the Sword, be devoid of all sentiment? And when man sheds all emotions, he too becomes the sharpest sword in this world. This profound and arcane state left An Jing slightly stunned, as if the starry sky behind him trembled in that instant. Grasping the Evil Suppressing Sword tightly in hand, he brought the Immortal Sword technique to its utmost, while his True Qi surged forth like a gushing fountain. ¡°Heartless Path!¡± An Jing swung the Evil Suppressing Sword, and his voice boomed like thunder, echoing through heaven and earth. This was another sword technique An Jing had developed following the Invisible Sword and the Selfless Dao. This swordcraft exceeded the Invisible Sword and was on par with the Selfless Dao, yet distinctly different, maximizing the potential of the peerless divine weapon in his hand. An Jing¡¯s feet hovered in mid-air as he swung the Evil Suppressing Sword forward, unleashing a heartless Sword Radiance from the blade¡¯s edge. Rustling! Rustling! The terrifying Sword Radiance raged out, filled with sharp coldness and ruthlessness. The sword cut swiftly through the air towards the five-colored mist, its speed intense as lightning. The Sword Radiance split the five-colored True Qi, though its speed slowed considerably, but the simplicity and naturalness of its Dao left everyone trembling in awe. Then that sword continued to charge forward boldly, aiming directly for the head of the Fire Element. ¡°Be careful!¡± The others exclaimed in alarm. The Fire Element quickly dodged to the side, barely avoiding the sword. Rustle! Yet that fierce Sword Radiance still cut through a few strands of hair on Fire Element¡¯s forehead. Seeing the Sword Radiance slice past his face, Fire Element had a near-death sensation, just a fraction away from potentially dying under that strike. How terrifying the Ghost Swordsman! How terrifying the Sword Dao! ¡°Full force now, no more delays,¡± said the Gold Element gravely. All five simultaneously operated their spell, surging True Qi from their Dantians. ¡°Hiss! Hiss!¡± The Sword Light cleaved through the five-colored mist in front, and the next moment, a massive phantom emerged from within the mist, suddenly filling An Jing¡¯s vision. This phantom, towering dozens of meters high and radiating five-colored light from head to toe, exuded a domineering and defiant aura, almost like a god descending from heaven, emanating a sacred and inviolable aura. In the beginning, the arm that burst forth was as if it was the arm of this phantom itself. The phantom stood between heaven and earth, taller than the Buddhist stupa of the Dragon Spring Temple in the distance. ¡°What is this!?¡± An Jing was greatly shocked to see that where the five men¡¯s Qi mechanisms intersected, they could actually brew such a terrifying monster. Boom! With one punch from the phantom, the winds and clouds surged, and True Qi burst forth. This punch was grand and overwhelming, resembling a small mountain, completely blocking all An Jing¡¯s paths of retreat. An Jing took a deep breath, stepped forward, and turned the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, drawing a huge circle around him. A surge of powerful Qi vibrated outward, vast and majestic. An Jing, like a brisk breeze, advanced with the Evil Suppressing Sword that carried the grand wave of Qi and slashed towards the enormous fist ahead. This was a direct collision between sword and fist! Clang! The next instant, a wild sound echoed in all directions, shaking the world. The immense force that came with the hit traveled from the sword into his hand, causing An Jing¡¯s palm to tremble, and blood to run down the hilt onto the blade. Then another punch came from the phantom. The force of the punch was enormous, like a tsunami rushing forward, and the speed was also extremely fast. An Jing, holding the Evil Suppressing Sword, met it head-on; at the moment of the collision, Qi burst forth, and his body rapidly drifted backward. Boom, boom, boom, boom! In an instant, several punches thundered down, the earth endlessly trembling, and cracks spread out into the distance. The fist force contained no flourish, the True Qi robust and overwhelmingly dominant, forcing An Jing to continually retreat. Had he not used the Nine Heavens Soaring Body Technique to dodge two punches, he might have been injured by now. With his current strength, coping with a Five Qi Grandmaster still proved difficult. Although this phantom only possessed the robust True Qi of a Five Qi Grandmaster, it was still formidable, surpassing both the Sword God and the Sword Demon by a lot. Boom! Another fierce punch came surging forward. An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed deeply, and he stretched his left hand behind him, directly pulling out the Dulu Sword from the sword box. ¡°Shi!¡± The moment the Dulu Sword was drawn, a chilling breeze exhaled from the blade, covering several miles around in icy coldness. Dulu Sword! This was the number one Dulu Sword in the world! A sword with innate Sword Qi! Sword light swept forward, meeting the terrifying punch force. When the sword light collided with the phantom¡¯s punch force, the world seemed to pause, as if frozen in time. ¡°Kaka kaka!¡± The next moment, visible cracks appeared in that punch force. ¡°What a formidable sword!¡± Seeing this, all five men¡¯s brows furrowed deeply. The chill of this sword made one¡¯s hairs stand on end, evoking a tremendous sense of cold in the heart. The Supreme Sword! Naturally endowed with supreme chill! An Jing¡¯s body floated down, landing on the mouth of the Dragon Locking Well. His right hand, not yet free of blood, held the Evil Suppressing Sword, while his left held the world¡¯s number one, Dulu Sword. His expression was utterly calm. Just then, the blood on the Evil Suppressing Sword flowed down the blade to the tip. Eventually, the blood even fell into the boundless depths of the Dragon Locking Well. An Jing¡¯s eyes were firmly fixed on the phantom above, ready to rush down towards the bottom of the Dragon Locking Well. Suddenly, a violent change occurred; everything in the world began to shake intensely. ¡°What¡¯s happening!? Is the earth dragon turning over?¡± An Jing and the practitioners of the Five Elements all swayed, their eyes showing alarm. The next moment, golden light swept out from the mouth of the well, like thousands of arrows being fired, more dazzling and blinding than the midday sun. ¡°Roar-!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Following that, an earth-shattering roar of a dragon burst from the Dragon Locking Well, deafening and echoing through the heavens and earth. ¡°Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!¡± This sound seemed to transform into tangible shockwaves, explosively tearing apart the surroundings of the Dragon Locking Well, causing the land to split and the mountains to shake. Then this continued to surge through the night sky, dispersing the clouds and echoing throughout the entire Yujing City. ¡­¡­ Chapter 306 - Chapter 306 Chapter 306 Five Qi Grandmasters Astonishing Chapter 306: Chapter 306 Five Qi Grandmaster¡¯s Astonishing Transformation Chapter 306: Chapter 306 Five Qi Grandmaster¡¯s Astonishing Transformation Great Yan Palace, Imperial Study Room. The dense purple Qi was still ascending, drifting throughout the great hall. Behind the beaded curtain, Emperor Yan Zhao Zhiwu was sitting cross-legged on the dragon throne, his expression indifferent and calm. Suddenly, as if sensing something, his eyes slowly opened. Subsequently, the purple Qi within the entire Imperial Study Room began to surge violently, transforming into a purple True Dragon that tumbled and roared repeatedly. This was indeed the True Dragon Qi of the Great Yan Dynasty. The next moment, a golden light pierced from afar, breaking through the dark sky. A dragon roar sounded, and the sound wave seemed to turn into tangible Qi Force, surging towards the Great Yan Palace. This sound seemed to express its dissatisfaction, its anger. ¡°Whoosh whoosh!¡± ¡°Whoosh whoosh!¡± As the golden light struck the Great Yan Palace, a surge of purple light emerged, blocking the golden light. Instantly, above the palace, golden and purple lights collided, creating ripples. ¡°Hmph!¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s expression was cold as he snorted loudly, then stood up and walked to the railing. At this moment, the night was misty, with the purple and gold light shining brilliantly in the darkness. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Just then, the white-browed eunuch approached. Zhao Zhiwu said without expression, ¡°Someone is breaking into the Dragon Locking Well, seemingly provoking the Earth Vein Spirit. It is expressing its anger and dissatisfaction.¡±¡± The white-browed eunuch spoke seriously, ¡°The Five Elements, together, are not weaker than Su Tianze. Clearly, the visitor not only has great destiny but also possesses immense strength.¡± The Five Elements were the Great Yan Royal Family¡¯s trump card for guarding the Dragon Locking Well, a card that had never been deployed before. Even when Zhao Zhiwu launched a coup in the Heavenly Book Pavilion, this card had not surfaced. Separated, they were individual Three Qi Grandmasters, but together, they were a Five Qi Grandmaster, not much weaker than Su Tianze. With them guarding the Dragon Locking Well, there were few in the world bold enough to attempt a forceful entry, especially given the adjacent Buddhist experts from Dragon Spring Temple. Zhao Zhiwu asked, ¡°Who do you think this person could be?¡± ¡°Qi Xuan Dao.¡± The white-browed eunuch thought for a moment and said, ¡°He¡¯s always been bold; Qi Shu inherited that boldness from him, eventually dying by the hand of the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Figuring out such a highly skilled expert wasn¡¯t difficult; each person¡¯s characters are different, as are their methods. Undoubtedly, Qi Xuan Dao was one of the top experts in the world, with the boldest among them. Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Although Qi Xuan Dao acts courageously, he prefers to plan before acting. He would not make a move without thorough investigation.¡± The white-browed eunuch furrowed his brows and said, ¡°Could it be an expert from the Southern Barbarians?¡± The Southern Barbarians, backed by the hundred thousand great mountains, have always had some hidden experts. Perhaps even now, there exist unknown top masters. Zhao Zhiwu lightly said, ¡°Go and see who this person is.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The white-browed eunuch nodded and said. After speaking, the white-browed eunuch walked toward the Imperial Study Room. Zhao Zhiwu continued to look at the purple and gold Qi above in the sky, expressionless, ¡°I want to see what tricks you all have.¡± ¡­. Lv Mansion. The study room of Lv Guoyong, lights flickering. At this moment, this elderly man who had held the reins of power in the Great Yan Dynasty for sixty years was hunched over, holding a brush over the character paintings on the table. His cloudy eyes seemed half-closed, as if he were asleep. Lv Fang stood by his side, carefully grinding the ink, fearing to disturb Lv Guoyong as he dozed off. After several breaths, the pen in Lv Guoyong¡¯s hand dropped, making a sound. Only then did he regain his bearings and, seeing the mess of ink on the paper, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°I¡¯m old, I can barely hold the pen¡± ¡°Father, you¡¯re tired.¡± Lv Fang frowned and said, ¡°Perhaps you should rest.¡± Lv Guoyong responded, ¡°After death, there will be plenty of time to rest.¡± Lv Fang shivered inside and said, ¡°Father, your body can definitely live a hundred years.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the use of living a hundred years?¡± Lv Guoyong shook his head and said, ¡°In a lifetime, like grass for a season, living with value is what matters. Living without value is worse than being dead.¡± Saying this, Lv Guoyong slowly stood up and looked out the window at the bright moon. At that moment, a burst of golden light surged in the night sky, followed by a resounding dragon roar. ¡°This¡­this is¡­¡± Lv Fang felt as though his ears were overwhelmed by the sound of thunder, his eardrums severely trembling, his face showing a hint of shock. Lv Guoyong remained calm, ¡°What is bound to come will eventually come.¡± Lv Fang thought of something, his expression suddenly becoming very grave, ¡°Father, you mentioned that Yujing City might change; could it be¡­¡± Lv Guoyong smiled and said, ¡°They¡¯ve been biding their time for so long, they can no longer restrain themselves from acting.¡± Lv Fang pondered for a long while and asked, ¡°Father, can you prevent all this?¡± In his mind, since he was a child, his father had been an all-powerful figure, skilled in strategy, governance, and military tactics. Lv Guoyong was virtually capable in every area. The prosperity and splendor of Yan Country were largely attributed to his sixty years of leadership. He was like a mountain, a mountain of the Great Yan Dynasty. With him, the Great Yan Dynasty could stand unshakable. Lv Fang could hardly imagine what turmoil the Great Yan Dynasty would face without Lv Guoyong at the helm. How could the Great Yan Emperor alone keep in check the voracious Houjin and Zhao Country, the two super dynasties? Lv Guoyong took a deep breath and said, ¡°There is no one in this world who is all-capable, just as there is no one who is utterly useless.¡± The moonlight, like silken fabric, poured down across the ground. Lv Fang fell silent, his heart becoming exceptionally heavy. Lv Guoyong¡¯s eyes reflected the moonlight and gradually deepened. ¡°That young man bears great destiny. Perhaps there will come a chance to one day change this world¡¯s situation.¡± Lv Fang¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted. ¡°Father, that hope is too slim.¡± Lv Guoyong, with his hands behind his back, said, ¡°People, sometimes, need to leave themselves some hope, adding a bit of sugar to the bitterness of life.¡± Lv Fang sighed. Being a very rational person, he knew even better that if people like Lv Guoyong hadn¡¯t accomplished it, could anyone truly succeeds? He didn¡¯t believe it! ¡­.. In Yujing City, during a bustling banquet. Jia Shiwu was drinking heartily with Xi Yuanjun. Xi Yuanjun, who had experienced the pain of losing his child, had become much quieter, spending most of his time either cultivating or being alone. The Demon Sect had grown stronger, and with Xi Jikui killed by Li Fuzhou, who was now at the Second Qi Grandmaster realm, he almost had no chance of revenge. That suppressed emotion was like a volcano submerged for a long time, seeming just to wait for a moment to erupt. Only in front of his old friend was he able to ease his mood significantly. Jia Shiwu sighed deeply and said, ¡°Brother Xi, Jikui truly died in vain.¡± Upon hearing this, Xi Yuanjun¡¯s eyes suddenly reddened and his hand holding the cup trembled, but he still said solemnly, ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this matter again.¡± Jia Shiwu took a deep breath, yet continued, ¡°The Demon Sect is powerful and the Sect Hierarch and the Ghost Swordsman are as prestigious as the midday sun. Though Li Fuzhou and others haven¡¯t settled old scores yet, if the Demon Sect really gets a foothold, will they still be content with the status quo?¡± ¡°Moreover, back then, how mighty and free you were. Li Fuzhou could only flee from your Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings, but now he has become a high and mighty Grandmaster, while you are still just the deputy governor of the Xuanyi Guard.¡± Xi Yuanjun remained silent, his expression growing darker, ¡°Li Fuzhou is indeed a genius with extraordinary talent. If it hadn¡¯t been for his previous practice in Confucianism, he might already be on par with the Sect Leader of Demon Sect.¡± Jia Shiwu said with emotion, ¡°Li Fuzhou is truly a genius, it is indeed very difficult to surpass him, but there is still a chance.¡± Xi Yuanjun glanced at Jia Shiwu and said, ¡°Oh?¡± Jia Shiwu pondered for a long moment before saying, ¡°Brother Xi, do you still remember the Blood-Loathing Pill from Black Ice Platform I once mentioned to you?¡± With a hint of disdain, Xi Yuanjun said, ¡°The Blood-Loathing Pill is merely an elixir used by the Black Ice Platform to control puppets. I, Xi Yuanjun, would rather die than be manipulated as a puppet by others, let alone be a puppet of Zhao Country.¡± Jia Shiwu sighed and said, ¡°But the Blood-Loathing Pill can easily help one breakthrough to the Grandmaster realm, and the Black Ice Platform has elixirs even more advanced than the Blood-Loathing Pill. Chu Yun reached the Four Qi Realm relying on the elixirs of Black Ice Platform.¡± ¡°She has reached the Four Qi Grandmaster level, how many in Yan Country value the Four Qi, and how many Four Qi Grandmasters are there in the world?¡± Xi Yuanjun waved his hand, his expression serious, ¡°Brother Jia, let¡¯s not talk about this anymore. My issue with Demon Sect¡¯s Li Fuzhou is personal, but the issue with Zhao Country¡¯s Black Ice Platform is a national enmity. In front of national enmity, what does personal enmity count for?¡± Jia Shiwu sighed deeply in his heart, but outwardly agreed, ¡°Brother Xi is right, what does personal enmity count for in the face of national enmity?¡± ¡°Come, let¡¯s drink!¡± As the two were exchanging cups, a huge roar of dragon¡¯s roar and tiger¡¯s bellow resonated through the night sky, causing the wine cups on the table to tremble. ¡°What is this!?¡± Both looked up into the sky to see a golden light rising from the Dragon Spring Temple. Exploding in their ears. ¡­¡­. The sound of the dragon chant echoed between heaven and earth, captivating countless masters throughout Yujing City. The sky was filled with golden radiance, which only gradually dissipated after about dozens of breaths. Standing above the Dragon Locking Well, An Jing frowned deeply at the golden light refracting across the sky. Such splendid golden light, coupled with the dragon chant, had surely alerted not just the masters of the Emperor Yan¡¯s family but also other masters in Yujing City. ¡°It seems I won¡¯t be able to explore this Dragon Locking Well today, better leave first,¡± An Jing thought. With this thought, An Jing put the Dulu Sword and the Evil Suppressing Sword into the sword box and then soared towards the distance with a leap. ¡°Don¡¯t let him get away!¡± Filled with momentum and relentless, seeing An Jing attempting to leave, they quickly shouted. Having let An Jing go initially and now allowing him to leave at his ease was unthinkable; where would they put their face? A gigantic fist vigorously smashed towards An Jing¡¯s back, as the energy around that shadow condensed again. Whoosh whoosh whoosh¡­ The wind from the fist howled through the air, stirring up a turbulent flow of True Qi. An Jing activated the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, and True Qi surged like a vast river, meeting the blow with his own punch. Under the shadow¡¯s immense fist force, An Jing¡¯s appeared significantly smaller. Yet so, the two fists collided fiercely. Boom! At the moment of the collision, the earth trembled, and a violent force surged from his arm, spreading towards his organs. With a grunt, An Jing used the recoil force to fly away into the distance. His speed was extremely fast. Although Five Elements had a Qi mechanism comparable to a Five Qi Grandmaster, they were still three Second Qi Grandmasters; their speed couldn¡¯t compare with An Jing, who disappeared under the moonlit night in his black robe. ¡°This Ghost Swordsman has escaped again!¡± Water Element frowned heavily. Having the same person escape from their clutches twice was inevitably infuriating. The faces of the others turned rather grim. Earth Element thought of something and looked towards the now calm Dragon Locking Well and said, ¡°What was the matter with the Dragon Locking Well just now?¡± Since they had been stationed here to guard the Dragon Locking Well, such an incident had almost never happened. Water Element spoke in a low voice, ¡°The earth dragon turns, could it be that the earth veins are about to be unsealed?¡± Gold Element squinted his eyes slightly and spoke coldly, ¡°The earth veins must not be unsealed, it would inevitably bring disaster to the world.¡± ¡°Exactly, we absolutely must not allow the earth veins to be unsealed,¡± said Wood Element in a stern voice, clenching his fists. Although others did not know what was locked under the Dragon Locking Well, as its guardians, they were very clear. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± Just then, a figure drifted from a distance. An elder with a head of graying hair and white eyebrows approached like an eagle snatching a chick, clutching a corpse clad in black robes. This person was indeed the white-browed eunuch, Fan Daoji. Fan Daoji glanced at the five individuals and asked, ¡°What just happened here?¡± Jin approached a step forward, cupped his fists, and said, ¡°Your Excellency, the Ghost Swordsman of the Demon Sect suddenly appeared earlier, attempting to force his way into the Dragon Locking Well, and we five joined hands to repel him.¡± Despite their profound collective strength, which made them distinguished within the Great Yan Royal Family, they dared not act rashly in front of this old eunuch. The white-browed eunuch was not only profoundly skilled, but had also been managing the Inner Forbidden Palace for countless years and was a truly trusted aide of the Great Yan Emperor. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman!?¡± The white-browed eunuch tossed the corpse he was holding onto the ground and said, ¡°Is this him?¡± ¡°It is him!¡± Shui glanced at the dead body on the ground and said, ¡°The one we fought earlier was indeed this Ghost Swordsman, it¡¯s surprising that he ended up dead by your hand, Excellency, but the Evil Suppressing Sword¡­..¡± The other four from the Jin Sect were also filled with doubts. It was known that although the Ghost Swordsman had fought back and forth against them, for the white-browed eunuch, who was indeed a top Four Qi Grandmaster, it¡¯d be unlikely to easily kill the Ghost Swordsman. Furthermore, the Demon Sect was currently considered a legitimate sect of the Great Yan, and killing the Ghost Swordsman might trigger a rebellion from the Demon Sect at this critical juncture, which seemed somewhat detrimental. The white-browed eunuch noticed their confusion and said coolly, ¡°This man is not the Ghost Swordsman, nor did he die by my hand.¡± Jin was briefly stunned and asked, ¡°If not the Ghost Swordsman, then who is this man?¡± After a fierce battle, they still didn¡¯t know who the person was? ¡°This man is the Thousand-faced Asura from Black Ice Platform.¡± The white-browed eunuch said gravely, ¡°From the fighting scene near the corpse, he seems to have been slain by a master of the Sword Dao.¡± The Thousand-faced Asura was killed by a master of the Sword Dao!? The members of the group exchanged glances. They had vaguely guessed something. ¡­¡­ The next day. The sky was clear, and the sun shone brightly. In Yujing City, within the stronghold of the Demon Sect. You Gai, Duanmu Xinghua, Yi Daoyun, Ouyang Ping, and many other experts of the Demon Sect had rushed over from You Mountain, gathering a substantial number of masters in one hall, with An Jing seated at the head place. At this time, without Zhao Qingmei, An Jing naturally presided over the situation. Li Fuzhou curiously asked, ¡°Son-in-law, what was that golden light last night?¡± The sound of the dragon¡¯s roar and the flashing golden light had already spread throughout Yujing City by now. ¡°It¡¯s the Dragon Locking Well, I¡¯m not very clear about the specifics.¡± An Jing shook his head, then turned to You Gai and Ouyang Ping, ¡°Senior You, Second Elder, do you know the secrets of the Dragon Locking Well?¡± Regarding last night¡¯s golden light, he too was unclear about what exactly had happened. Ouyang Ping spoke gravely: ¡°The Dragon Locking Well is related to the sealing of the Great Zhou Dynasty. According to the ancient records in our sect, there are uniquely blessed Earth Vein Spirits at the bottom of the seal, representing a tremendous opportunity.¡± The records in the ancient scrolls of the Demon Sect matched what Xi Hafu said beneath the ancient city. You Gai then spoke seriously, ¡°According to what I know, the Dragon Locking Well doesn¡¯t represent a great opportunity but a tremendous catastrophe that even concerns the safety of the world.¡± Now not only An Jing was puzzled. Yu Qiurong, Duanmu Xinghua, and Yi Daoyun all frowned deeply. Li Fuzhou pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°The Great Yan Dynasty created the Dragon Locking Well, which surely benefits their rule, so the Great Yan Emperor must be very familiar with what¡¯s beneath it. Tomorrow, a banquet will be held in the Golden Throne Hall. Based on the information you mentioned, Son-in-law, recent disturbances at the Dragon Locking Well are likely. You could directly ask the Great Yan Emperor about it.¡± Guessing blindly was akin to a headless fly, utterly clueless, it might be simpler to directly ask the Great Yan Emperor. Ouyang Ping shook his head and said, ¡°But given the position of the Great Yan Emperor, whatever he says will only benefit himself, and may not necessarily be the truth.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Regarding what exactly the Dragon Locking Well is, I think we will find out very soon.¡± You Gai, curious about An Jing¡¯s certainty, asked, ¡°Oh? What do you mean by that?¡± An Jing explained, ¡°Yesterday I encountered Qi Xuan Dao. Given his stature, showing up suddenly in Yujing City couldn¡¯t have been for a simple reason. I suspect his goal is the same as Xi Hafu¡¯s, both aimed at the Dragon Locking Well.¡± ¡°Qi Xuan Dao!?¡± When these three words resounded, everyone present showed shocked expressions. Qi Xuan Dao, the undisputed number one master of Zhao Country, the master of Black Ice Platform. He appeared in Yujing City!? Ouyang Ping¡¯s eyebrows knotted, ¡°I hadn¡¯t thought¡­ really hadn¡¯t thought that Qi Xuan Dao, after becoming the master of the Black Ice Platform, rarely left Zhao Country.¡± You Gai slowly said, ¡°His cultivation has reached the Five Qi Realm, and together with the world¡¯s premier blade in hand, even the masters on the mountain peaks are not to be underestimated.¡± The Five Qi Grandmasters had reached the peak of the current world, just one step away from advancing to Great Grandmaster. In an era without Great Grandmasters, they were the top masters of the world. Even without exaggeration, these Five Qi Grandmasters would possibly have been Great Grandmasters even in the era of the Great Qin Dynasty. Unfortunately, they were born in this era; it was the era that had forged them. Throughout history, whether heroes shape the times or times shape heroes has always been a topic of endless debate. As for how heroes shape the times, the so-called heroes are merely products of the times. In today¡¯s world, none of the Five Qi Grandmaster-level experts are simple beings. Ouyang Ping thought of something and said, ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, Su Tianze by the Crown Prince¡¯s side should be practicing the ancient Martial Arts of ¡®Shifting Flower and Wood¡¯.¡± ¡°Shifting Flower and Wood?¡± An Jing muttered to himself. Jun Qinglin had once told him about some exceptionally unique Martial Arts, their effects no less significant than ordinary Heavenly Martial Level Martial Arts. Su Lian and Su Yue practiced the ¡°Heavenly Heart Tribulation¡±; besides that, there was also the ¡°Heavenly Silkworm Technique¡±, and ¡°Shifting Flower and Wood¡± was one of them as well. A thought occurred to Duanmu Xinghua, ¡°So it is this kind of martial arts? No wonder Su Tianze¡¯s True Qi is robust, but his understanding of the Dao is extremely low.¡± Yu Qiurong curiously asked, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, what martial arts is ¡®Shifting Flower and Wood¡¯?¡± ¡°¡®Shifting Flower and Wood¡¯ is a peerless martial arts heart method that can transfer one¡¯s entire cultivation to another person, allowing an ordinary person to instantly become a top-notch expert,¡± explained Duanmu Xinghua. Duanmu Xinghua elaborated, ¡°However, this ¡®Shifting Flower and Wood¡¯ also has certain restrictions. The recipient of the cultivation must be extremely poor in aptitude and Root Bone, and only in such cases can they inherit this cultivation. And having gained such immense cultivation, how could someone with poor Root Bone and aptitude ride the winds and waves, outshining their predecessor? Besides, on the night of a full moon, the cultivation would be greatly reduced, making it very easy for enemies to kill them if exposed.¡± Yi Daoyun¡¯s eyebrows rose as he said, ¡°So you mean to say that Su Tianze¡¯s Five Qi Cultivation is not his own but inherited?¡± Duanmu Xinghua nodded, ¡°Correct, with his aptitude and Root Bone, it¡¯s definitely impossible for him to break through to the Great Grandmaster realm. When his time comes, he might pass on his cultivation to another, also to someone with poor aptitude. Generation after generation, as long as the lineage of ¡®Shifting Flower and Wood¡¯ continues, there will always be a Five Qi Grandmaster overseeing it.¡± Ouyang Ping remarked emotionally, ¡°The creator of this martial arts is truly a remarkable figure.¡± The members of the Demon Sect present were all sighing. They had practiced martial arts their whole lives, yet others could achieve heights they could never reach in just a few months, and they didn¡¯t even have such an opportunity. Yi Daoyun smirked and said, ¡°Inheriting someone else¡¯s cultivation, the strength must definitely be the lowest among the same realm. And not being able to break through the current realm for a lifetime, isn¡¯t that like foreseeing its dead end? Such cultivation, I reckon, is better off rejected.¡± ¡°Regardless, Su Tianze is still a Five Qi Grandmaster, which is a tremendous opportunity in itself.¡± An Jing¡¯s expression became very solemn, ¡°And in Yujing City, both Xi Hafu and Qi Xuan Dao, two Five Qi Grandmasters, have appeared. Yet in my opinion, even with Qin Shan joining them, they might not be fully capable of shaking Yujing City. Thus, I speculate that Houjin might also send masters here, and it is possible that the mastermind behind this will personally take action.¡± Ouyang Ping promptly asked, ¡°Who is coming from Houjin, Taiyin Kui or Zongzheng Huachun?¡± In the past, Jun Qinglin wanted to execute Zongzheng Huachun, but Mu Yuan Great Dharma King and Taiyin Kui together rescued Zongzheng Huachun. Years later, Zongzheng Huachun personally took action, severing Jun Qinglin¡¯s lifeline, and even hung his head on the royal court. Moreover, following the capture of the Dongluo Pass by Houjin, which triggered a series of brutal massacres, the Demon Sect and Houjin indeed had deep-seated enmity akin to a sea of blood. An Jing earnestly said, ¡°Houjin will definitely send masters here, but it¡¯s unclear who they will be.¡± You Gai felt a chill in his heart, ¡°Today, there are hardly any in the world who could stand against Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s power, and if he and Taiyin Kui were to appear together¡­¡± If Houjin gives it their all, by then Yujing City would become terribly frightening, with nearly eighty percent of the world¡¯s Five Qi Grandmasters gathered here. As You Gai¡¯s words fell, everyone¡¯s heart shuddered. A storm is brewing, overwhelming the building! This oppressive atmosphere had imperceptibly surged forth, intertwining with everyone¡¯s hearts. These were the top experts of the current age, and with so many gathered here, just how monumental would the resultant shock be? An Jing¡¯s pupils slightly contracted, and he remained silent. Everything hinged on tomorrow¡¯s banquet at the Golden Throne Hall. The Great Yan Emperor must have sensed it as well, just waiting to see how he would respond. ¡­¡­. The morning was clear and sunny, but by afternoon it had become overcast. Under the gloomy skies of Yujing City, although it wasn¡¯t very cold, the gentle and incessant spring rain drifted down from the sky, gradually dampening the long-constrained souls with the arrival of spring. Now it was the wind, and then it was the rain. Soon, passersby were enveloped in a misty rain; on the newly budding cypress and willow trees, a thin layer of white fog formed, almost as if wrapped in a light gauze, making for a very captivating scene from afar. The common folk on the streets were all discussing yesterday¡¯s dragon revolving and the strange phenomenon of the dragon¡¯s roar. Concerning the undercurrents stirring in Yujing City, they were completely unaware, and the sound of the dragon¡¯s roar seemed to correspond with the recent Heaven Worshiping Grand Ceremony, which excited them even more. Yujing City was the capital of the Great Yan Dynasty, and now such an anomaly suggested that the Great Yan was destined to rise. Indeed, even some people from Jianghu couldn¡¯t sense it, a tremendous world-shaking storm was brewing. Inside Cuiyun Tower, with the recent confluence of Jianghu martial experts, it had become even more lively. In a private room on the second floor, Shui Rou, the top courtesan of Cuiyun Tower, was engaged in painting. The painting depicted a man in white, whose handsome features were extraordinary and eyes shone bright like the stars. He stood atop an ancient longsword, as if he had arrived riding the air. Anyone who saw it would inevitably exclaim, ¡°What a peerless Sword Immortal.¡± By Shui Rou¡¯s side was an old man with a gloomy face, his facial features were so wrinkled, it seemed half his body was buried in the soil, stirring a sense of fear in anyone who saw him. This man was the former Mansion Master of Soul Seeker Mansion, who had withdrawn from the power centre of Houjin, Taiyin Kui. His eyes swept over the scene and he said indifferently, ¡°Is this the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Shui Rou, somewhat infatuated, looked at the man in front of her and replied, ¡°Indeed, it is.¡± Taiyin Kui snorted dismissively, ¡°He does have a good look about him, no wonder so many women are smitten.¡± Shui Rou said with some regret, ¡°Sadly, I¡¯ve never had the chance to see the Sword Immortal demonstrate his prowess.¡± During the great battle of Heavenly Martial Sect, she had stayed away to avoid suspicion and missed the combat between the Sword Immortal and the Buddhist Vajra, which she always regretted. Taiyin Kui spoke lightly, ¡°You may never have the chance to witness his grace.¡± There is no shortage of geniuses in this world, but what is scarce are masters. The Ghost Swordsman indeed was a significant danger, so they must take this opportunity to eliminate him, otherwise, if he were to continue growing, he would undoubtedly bring great calamity to Houjin. ¡°I want his body. I will freeze it in the Snow Pond,¡± he declared. Shui Rou caressed the face of the man in the painting, earnestly asking, ¡°Are we certain to act tomorrow?¡± Taiyin Kui slightly nodded without speaking. He had been waiting for this opportunity for far too long. The Great Yan Emperor knew they were going to act, and they also knew that the Great Yan Emperor knew they were going to act. The confrontation had already been laid out in the open. Now, what was it about? It was about the willpower of the pawns, to see who still had hidden moves, and to see whose strategies were deeper. Finally, they had to see whether there was someone who could break the stalemate. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°The people of the world have been waiting for this day as well,¡± he stated. A spark of brilliance flashed in Shui Rou¡¯s eyes as she spoke, ¡°We¡¯re finally going to break the shackles that imprison the people of this world, and restore this grand universe to its rightful state.¡± Taiyin Kui walked to the railing, looking out at the gloomy sky, and sighed profoundly, ¡°The sky over Yujing City has changed.¡± ¡­¡­ PS: Looking for a monthly ticket at month¡¯s end. Chapter 307 - Chapter 307 307 Chapter 307: 307 Chapter 307: 307 The next day, drizzle continued to fall. Fine and dense as silver threads, the rain shrouded the land like a light gauze. A bend of green water, like a jade belt, wound around the forest, while distant mountains veiled their forms in faint shadowy outlines. In the misty rain, everything in heaven and earth appeared somewhat blurred. Gentle rain gathered into beads, slipping down the elegantly unique roof corners like broken crystal strands, tapping intermittently upon the oil-paper umbrella, clear and melodious, like a lady delicately striking a bell chime. At this time, the Meridian Gate of the Imperial Palace was bustling. Luxurious carriages continuously came and went, and masters from various factions also entered in succession. Today, the Imperial Palace was extraordinarily lively, gathering the top dignitaries of the Great Yan Dynasty, as well as the top masters within the Great Yan Martial World. These were the important figures of the common folk, but also paramount figures in the eyes of dignitaries, and even rare or unmentioned entities in the marketplaces and Jianghu. An Jing and his companions headed toward the Imperial Palace. Yu Qiurong stood by holding an umbrella, while Li Fuzhou, You Gai, Ouyang Ping, Duanmu Xinghua, Yi Daoyun, and many other masters followed behind. Apart from the chief of the Azure Dragon Sect and the chief of the Xuanwu Sect, the Demon Sect had virtually come out in full force. After all, Xi Hafu and Qi Xuan Dao had appeared in Yujing City one after another, which sufficiently demonstrated the enormity and danger of the scheming behind this event. Soon, An Jing and his companions arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Palace. At that moment, the high walls were filled with Imperial Guards. Xi Yuanjun was standing at the gate, with the Xuanyi Guard experts personally checking those attending the banquet. An Jing smiled faintly and said, ¡°Governor Xi, do we still need to show our invitations?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Xi Yuanjun¡¯s expression was indifferent. ¡°Although I recognize you, there are always those in the world who muddy the waters. For instance, the Thousand-faced Asura from the Black Ice Platform once impersonated you to wreak havoc in the Great Yan Martial World. We must be cautious.¡± ¡°Today¡¯s banquet is a major national event. We cannot afford any carelessness.¡± As he said this, Xi Yuanjun¡¯s gaze turned to An Jing. The Thousand-faced Asura had already perished, but this news had not been circulated. From last night¡¯s great battle, it was possible that the person who took his place was the actual Ghost Swordsman. This member of the Demon Sect, the Ghost Swordsman, had illegally trespassed into the Great Yan Forbidden Land and thus had violated the golden laws of Yan Country. Xi Yuanjun also wanted to see the reaction of this man known as the World¡¯s First Swordsman. An Jing smiled and waved his hand. Yu Qiurong took out an invitation and handed it to Xi Yuanjun, ¡°Governor Xi, please check it.¡± Xi Yuanjun, looking into those unfathomable eyes and feeling somewhat disappointed since he could see nothing¨Cno sharpness, no calmness, just like an unfathomably deep abyss. After taking the invitation from Yu Qiurong¡¯s hand, Xi Yuanjun glanced at it a few times and then said, ¡°No weapons are allowed inside the Golden Throne Hall, including the sword box on your back.¡± Yi Daoyun coldly said, ¡°Impossible!¡± For him, his sword was his life; even when sleeping, he kept it beside his pillow. Now, to ask him to put down his sword?! Xi Yuanjun¡¯s lips curled into a cold smirk. ¡°Those are the rules.¡± Yi Daoyun stared at Xi Yuanjun. ¡°What kind of rules?¡± Xi Yuanjun did not yield an inch and said, ¡°The Human Emperor¡¯s rules.¡± A cold murderous intent flashed in Yi Daoyun¡¯s eyes as he stepped forward, ¡°What about the Human Emperor¡¯s rules?!¡± ¡°You¡¯re seeking death!¡± Feeling Yi Daoyun¡¯s threat, a surge of anger rose in Xi Yuanjun¡¯s heart. He stretched out his hands, and a cold light appeared, revealing the Dragon and Phoenix Golden Rings in his palms. ¡°I will discuss this matter personally with the Human Emperor.¡± After giving Xi Yuanjun a look, An Jing then walked briskly towards the inner part of the Imperial Palace. ¡°No¡­¡± Xi Yuanjun stretched out the Dragon and Phoenix Double Rings in his hands, and the blade light barred in front of An Jing, seemingly just half an inch away from piercing his body. An Jing did not speak, but his eyes swept over Xi Yuanjun. Cold! Extremely cold! It was like moving from the hot summer directly into the harsh winter. These were not just a pair of sharp eyes; they were like two extremely sharp longswords, piercing directly into his heart. A man¡¯s reputation, a tree¡¯s shadow. Countless grandmasters had died under the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s blade. Facing those eyes, how many in the world could keep from trembling? Thud thud thud¡­ Xi Yuanjun unconsciously stepped backward. An Jing continued towards the Imperial Palace, and the elite experts of the Demon Sect quickly followed. ¡°Governor! What should we do now?¡± One of Xi Yuanjun¡¯s confidants asked in a low voice nearby. The elite experts of the Demon Sect, along with their weapons, had ¡®barged¡¯ into the Golden Throne Hall, especially that Ghost Swordsman. He was renowned as the world¡¯s greatest swordsman, and armed with the world¡¯s finest blade, the Dulu Sword¨Cwhat a dangerous and formidable person he was? But even Xi Yuanjun did not dare to stop him; how could he dare to act? Xi Yuanjun took a deep breath, as the pressure from An Jing was too immense. After several moments, he looked at his trembling hand and said with a wry smile, ¡°Who in the world can stop the Ghost Swordsman? Let him speak with the Human Emperor.¡± ¡­¡­. Witnessing the majesty of the Imperial Palace, one knows the nobility of the Emperor. The Imperial Palace¡¯s perpetuity of dignity, magnificence, grandeur, and reverence. Every five steps a pavilion, every ten steps a tower, all strategically placed, interlocked in competition. Following the solid bluestone path, guided by the eunuchs within, they proceeded towards the Golden Throne Hall, surrounded by towering ancient trees, shaded by greenery, red walls and yellow tiles, splendid and glittering. The railings sculpted in jade, imposing in aura. This was the pinnacle of worldly power, home to the ruler of the Great Yan Dynasty¡¯s realms. The hall¡¯s inner columns were supported by numerous large red pillars, each carved with a lifelike, spiraling golden dragon, particularly magnificent. Above the hall was the golden lacquered Dragon Throne, below which there were dances of peace, fluttering sleeves; clinking bells and ringing chimes, sounds melodious and lingering. Incense of sandalwood was lit on the platform, with smoke curling up in spirals. Crystal bead curtains meanderingly spilled, behind them, someone draped in gauze played the zither. Through a shaft of light and shadow, one could vaguely see a stunningly beautiful woman. Between her finger movements, the sound of the zither flowed through, both elusive and real, ever-changing¨Clike a secluded brook¡¯s clear, ethereal dripping springs, transparent and lucid, then gathering into a robust stream, forcefully threading through complex ridges and perilous shoals, merging into the rolling waves of the river and sea, eventually calming down to a mere lingering resonance, like a fish leaping sporadically upon the water. At this time, all the civil and military officials of the court and the martial experts of Great Yan Martial World had arrived. The civil and military officials, led by Zhao Chongyin, were on the left side, and the martial world of Great Yan, led by State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu, sat on the right. Yu Heng Sword Sect¡¯s Sword God Liu Moyuan, whose injuries had healed, placidly sat to one side with his eyes closed in meditation, seemingly uninterested in everything. Yet no one present dared to underestimate the elder; although Sword God Liu Moyuan was defeated by Ghost Swordsman An Jing, his strength remained at the very pinnacle of the world. Zhao Chongyin asked, ¡°State Preceptor, how do you find the music?¡± ¡°Good.¡± Xiao Qianqiu replied. Even if it was only one word, it was a remarkably high evaluation, considering that even though some words have the same meaning, it matters who they come from. The Crown Prince, Zhao Chongyin, smiled and said, ¡°This was performed by my sister Xuening.¡± The two of them chatted and laughed merrily, betraying no hint of past conflicts between the Zhenyi Sect and the Crown Prince. Strictly speaking, the Zhenyi Sect was truly loyal to the Second Prince¡¯s faction. When Zhao Mengtai was still alive, Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Yu Ying had colluded with him, utilising the great momentum of the Zhenyi Sect. It enabled Zhao Mengtai to stir up storms both in the court and in the Jianghu, becoming increasingly influential. After all, it was capable of instigating a coup in the Heavenly Book Pavilion; the Zhenyi Sect played a crucial role. Now that the Second Prince had gained the support of the Zhenyi Sect, the situation seemed not much different from the past, which naturally led people to think more deeply about it. Xiao Qianqiu gently lifted a cup of tea and said, ¡°I heard that a master from the Houjin Great Snow Mountain appeared in the battles at North Field, putting great pressure on the Yan Country¡¯s army.¡± As these words were spoken, everyone present furrowed their brows. With the formidable advance of the Houjin troops already difficult to resist, the involvement of a master from the Great Snow Mountain made the battle in North Field extremely tough. This was a major reason for Wang Shiyi¡¯s withdrawal from North Field. Moreover, the ceremonial confrontation between Houjin and Yan Country revealed the ambition of both nations, which had long been simmering. An attack by the allied forces of the two countries was only a matter of time. Today, the Human Emperor had summoned everyone to the Golden Throne Hall, most likely to address this issue. Zhao Chongyin said indifferently, ¡°Those barbarians from the grasslands accuse us of first sending Grandmaster-level experts to initiate a national war, so they could only send a master from the Great Snow Mountain to join the battle.¡± The Pingyang Marquis coldly said, ¡°Sheer nonsense! Our Yan Country has never sent any Grandmaster-level expert to North Field from the beginning to the end.¡± Zhao Chongyin said, ¡°They are referring to the Demon Sect.¡± At this mention, many in the room felt a chill in their hearts. The Demon Sect was now considered a sect of the Yan Country. If the previous battle counted, then not only did Yan Country have Grandmaster-level experts in the fight, but it also lost a Five Qi Grandmaster. After the Demon Sect returned to Yan Country, under Zhao Qingmei¡¯s leadership, it had grown extraordinarily, first establishing its headquarters in You Mountain and eliminating the Ma Family, the largest family in the Northern Wilderness Dao. The Ma Family had been colluding with officials, selling ironware to Houjin¨Ca capital offense that no one could refute. Then, after a battle in Zhong Mountain, Zhao Qingmei swiftly brought under control forces such as the Golden Corner Alliance, Sanhu Gang, Cao Gang, and Wangjing Sea, with the speed and force of thunder. Besides Wind and Rain Tower, these four gangs were the largest factions in Yan Country. With numerous members in each gang, the Demon Sect, rooted in these four, plus its own experts and the reorganization of various Daoist temples of the Zhenyi Sect, quickly became one of the most sought-after forces in the Great Yan Martial World. Even many believed that the current power of the Demon Sect surpassed that of the Zhenyi Sect. Zhenyi Sect was the National Religion, while the Demon Sect, in many people¡¯s eyes, was still just a sect known for bullying, reckless behavior, and doing as it pleased. Now that the Demon Sect had surpassed the Zhenyi Sect, wasn¡¯t this overstepping its bounds? Originally, it was thought that the Buddhist faction would be the greatest enemy of the Zhenyi Sect, but who would have thought that the Demon Sect would rise so quickly and dramatically, seemingly poised to surpass the Zhenyi Sect? Moreover, it was rumored that the Ghost Swordsman of the Demon Sect was originally a successor of the Daluo Sect, and also one of the factions of the Mystical Sect. He and Xiao Qianqiu also had a dispute over their Daoist lineage. After all, the Great Yan Martial World was only so vast, its waters only so deep; it could not accommodate too many flood dragons capable of churning seas. If the Zhenyi Sect wanted to firmly secure its position as the National Religion, it needed to be the unique existence. Both the Buddhist and Demon Sects were obstacles, and the same was true for them as well. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes turned towards Xiao Qianqiu as if trying to see lightning in his eyes. But to his disappointment, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s expression was as calm as stagnant water, showing no change. What was going through the mind of this State Preceptor? Just then, a sharp voice came from outside the door. ¡°Outer Heaven has arrived!¡± In an instant, the entire hall became even quieter. The first to walk in was a young man in white, elegant and poised, with a sword box on his back. His eyes shone bright like stars, flickering with a faint glow. The moment An Jing stepped in, everyone present slightly turned their heads. This included the experts of the Great Yan Martial World and the high-ranking officials in the Court. Naturally, this also included Zhao Xuening, who was playing the qin behind the bead curtain. Yufeng Valley¡¯s Zuo Biwen, Blue River Sect¡¯s Wang Yue, Four Symbols Sect¡¯s Jia Shiwu, Five Poison Sect¡¯s Dai Danshu, and many other martial arts masters stood up and greeted him. The Demon Sect had a significant reputation, but the prestige of the person presently before them was even more earth-shattering. Without waiting for the future, he was already one of the top masters in the world. If given a few more years, how terrifying would his growth be? Liu Moyuan, who had been closing his eyes in meditation, also opened his eyes, his expression somewhat complex. If it were not for this young man, the title of the World¡¯s First Swordsman would have been his, the Dulu Sword would have been his, and who in the current Great Yan Martial World would be able to compete against him wielding the Dulu Sword? Perhaps Xiao Qianqiu could be one, but Liu Moyuan believed that with the Dulu Sword, Xiao Qianqiu might not necessarily be his match. It was just a pity that all he had imagined had turned into an illusion. An Jing gave a slight nod and looked towards Zhao Chongyin, ¡°Your Highness, Crown Prince, we meet again.¡± Zhao Chongyin smiled, ¡°It seems we are fated to meet.¡± An Jing sat down and said, ¡°I just don¡¯t know if Your Highness, the Crown Prince, likes this fate.¡± There was a smile on Zhao Chongyin¡¯s face, but no one knew what he was thinking at this moment. An Jing turned to look at Xiao Qianqiu, who was in a Daoist robe, and he too looked over, their gazes meeting. Xiao Qianqiu was the first to speak, ¡°Your sword has become even sharper.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°Compared to the State Preceptor¡¯s Dao, whether my sword is sharp is still to be determined.¡± Compared to the last time they met at Xuanqing Mountain, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s strength had grown stronger; he had ascended to the Heavenly Human Communication, and he was cultivating the ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture¡± in addition to possessing a Mystical Sect¡¯s exotic treasure, undeniably making him a top Four Qi Grandmaster. Hearing these pointed words, many people were shocked. Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°I¡¯m waiting for you.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°Good.¡± In a succinct exchange that seemed sharp, both men¡¯s hearts were as calm as river water, without a single wrinkle. Neither of them spoke further, as they both knew that a battle between them was inevitable. ¡°The Buddhist have arrived!¡± Once again, a clear call rang out, and Fa Wu along with several Buddhist experts walked in. Although Fa Wu appeared to be just a child around ten years old, no one present dared to underestimate him. Atop Zhong Mountain, Fa Wu had used several Shariputras inside his body to repel the Black Ice Platform¡¯s top Five Qi Grandmaster, Qin Shan. From then on, no one ever underestimated this Buddhist child. Even though Qin Shan was not well-known before, his defeat of the Five Qi Grandmaster by the Crown Prince¡¯s side made his name resonate across the world. Such an expert was still repulsed by Fa Wu. At this moment, Fa Wu looked extremely serene. He bowed to Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, Xiao Qianqiu, An Jing, and many other masters before slowly taking his seat. No one would have guessed he was capable of repelling that Five Qi Grandmaster. An Jing glanced at the Buddhist child and thought to himself, ¡°This Buddhist child¡¯s strength is increasing rapidly. Together with that Xi Hafu, the power of the Buddhist might indeed be the most formidable.¡± Who could have imagined that the seemingly inconspicuous Buddhist, would actually have two Five Qi Grandmasters, and given Fa Wu¡¯s pace, he was bound to reach the Grandmaster Realm? By then the Buddhist would have three Five Qi Grandmasters in place, how terrifying would that be? The rise of the Buddhist was almost unstoppable. Although Xiao Qianqiu from the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s cultivation was only at the Four Qi level, there seemed to be a layer of fog around him, making him inscrutable. What exactly had happened to this Grand State Preceptor of the Great Yan after his battle with Lou Xiangzhen, and to what extent was his strength? An Jing was also very curious about him. ¡°It seems that the most important thing right now is to enhance my own cultivation,¡± An Jing took a deep breath and thought to himself. Once his cultivation reached the Three Qi level, it was as if he touched some sort of profound barrier, and the improvement of his cultivation had slowed down significantly. With his current cultivation and strength, he could contend with those at the Four Qi level, but facing a Five Qi Grandmaster was much more difficult, especially last night at the Dragon Locking Well when facing the Five Elements. The amalgamation of these Five Elements Qi Mechanism possessed the robust True Qi of a Five Qi Grandmaster; his real strength was at most equivalent to someone who had just entered the Grandmaster Realm. But An Jing had been entangled with the five for a long time, and ultimately, he still was unable to show a winning position, showing that he still had a significant gap with a Five Qi Grandmaster. And this gap must be filled by the Dao, that is, his cultivation reaching the Four Qi Grandmaster level. With the arrival of Fa Wu, the Golden Throne Hall had become somewhat quieter, as everyone silently awaited. Jia Shiwu from the Four Symbols Sect watched the scene unfold before him and then sighed deeply. Wang Yue asked with a smile, ¡°Brother Jia, why the sigh?¡± Jia Shiwu looked at Wang Yue and said, ¡°Why I sigh, others may not know, but Brother Wang should be most aware, shouldn¡¯t you?¡± Among the Seven Sects and Five Gangs of the Great Yan Martial World, the seven sects were Youfeng Valley, Blue River Sect, Ghost Valley Sect, Zhenyi Sect, Yu Heng Sword Sect, Five Poison Sect, and Four Symbols Sect. The Ghost Valley Sect was in name only, and among them, the cultivation of Blue River Sect and Four Symbols Sect was the weakest. Because Feng Lingyue died on Blue Sky Island, the strength of the Five Poison Sect had also rapidly declined and was now among the weakest. In the Great Yan Martial World, apart from having their own livelihood, the sects also received support and assistance from the Court. As the weakest sects, not only was their resource acquisition continuously decreasing, but their status in the Great Yan Martial World was also precarious, at any time they could be replaced by other emerging sects. Wang Yue chuckled lightly, ¡°My Blue River Sect has already sealed the mountain and no longer interferes in the affairs of Jianghu. If it weren¡¯t for the Human Emperor¡¯s decree, I wouldn¡¯t have come here.¡± Jia Shiwu said: ¡°Sect Master Wang is indeed carefree.¡± Wang Yue said, ¡°Thinking too much will ultimately turn everything into worry, it¡¯s better not to think at all.¡± ¡°Once you¡¯re in this position, it¡¯s not about whether you want to think or not, but that you have to think,¡± Jia Shiwu replied. Jia Shiwu looked at Wang Yue and said, ¡°People are pushed forward.¡± Wang Yue also nodded and said, ¡°Yes, in the torrent of the times, people are pushed forward, whether they are nobles in the court, experts in the Jianghu, or the common folk.¡± Jia Shiwu sighed deeply and said no more. Wang Yue looked at the resplendent Golden Throne Hall and thought to himself, ¡°What¡¯s meant to come will eventually come.¡± He was still waiting. Just as he had lain dormant in the Blue River Sect, he was now lying dormant under the watchful eyes of the world, perhaps for him, this was his destiny in life. ¡°The Emperor arrives!¡± Accompanied by a resonant voice, all present shivered in their hearts and stood up to look towards the golden dragon-embossed throne. At last! Hearing this, everyone was shaken and stood up one after another. ¡­¡­. Over the Dragon Locking Well. Amidst the intertwining lightning, there was a light rain falling. Because of a great battle yesterday, the area around the Dragon Locking Well was a complete mess. At the moment, the Five Elements were sitting cross-legged at the five innate directions of the Dragon Locking Well. These positions were also of great significance as they could quickly merge their vital energies and unleash the Great Five Elements Technique. The surroundings were tranquil, and the five of them sat in the midst of the rain. The rain from the sky fell around their bodies, immediately turned into white vapor by the Protective True Qi, and vanished into nothingness. ¡°Boom!¡± Just then, a lightning bolt like a sharp sword fiercely slashed down, apparently targeting the Dragon Locking Well itself, the roaring sound echoing through heaven and earth. All five were startled and looked up, only to see the sky dense with dark clouds and lightning twisting like serpentine dragons among them. The next moment, a torrential downpour suddenly fell, even blurring the line of sight in front of them. ¡°Someone is here!¡± Water Element, because of his practice in the Water Element Skill, was not much affected by the rain and vaguely felt someone approaching the Dragon Locking Well from not far away. ¡°Who is it!?¡± Fire Element¡¯s True Qi surged, and as he waved his sleeves, the scorching True Qi instantly dried up the rain within several meters in front of him. The area ahead cleared up suddenly, revealing an elderly figure not far away, surrounded by a space where no rain fell, as if a special zone had formed. It was as if the rain was afraid, afraid of that extremely sharp aura. His steps were not quick, but every footfall on the ground could stir up ripples that spread continuously, reaching into their hearts. Qi Xuan Dao! The master of the Black Ice Platform, the number one expert of Zhao Country! The five naturally recognized Qi Xuan Dao, their eyes filled with shock, as terrifying as a bolt from the blue. Who could have imagined that Qi Xuan Dao would appear in Yan Country¡¯s Yujing City? ¡°Quick!¡± Metal Element urgently shouted. The five exchanged glances, and then their True Qi frantically merged together, and a phantom emerged in the rain. The vigorous and passionate True Qi operated to the extreme, and a gigantic shadow emerged in the midst of the five-colored brilliance. Tear! Tear! The phantom pointed a finger, and a beam of True Qi shot out, causing the air around it to scatter, forming giant black holes in the sky. Through these dark holes, one could see five ultimate lights. Qi Xuan Dao extended his hand, and the World¡¯s First Sword, Minghong Blade, appeared in his palm, and then he made a cut toward the front. It was just an ordinary slash, but it directly penetrated the pointed light in front. ¡°So strong!¡± All five were greatly shaken in their hearts. Qi Xuan Dao, also known as Qi Wushuang, held the World¡¯s First Blade, Minghong Blade. With an undefeated record for decades, he was extremely formidable among the Five Qi Grandmasters. Without having fought him, one would never know how sharp his blade could be. Above Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s head, a series of apocalyptic True Qi waves appeared, bursting with profound brilliance. The five sensed Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s gathering momentum and felt a surge of True Qi within them, and a magnificent aura rolled towards them. The phantom waved a hand, and an immensely large, sky-covering palm shadow blasted towards Qi Xuan Dao, bearing waves of extremely powerful True Qi, one layer after another, endlessly. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s True Qi atop his head had finally amassed successfully, manifesting as a colossal blazing sun. This blazing sun seemed to dry up all the surrounding rain, transforming it into streams of white vapor that surged towards the sky. With a swing of his blade, the fierce sun trembled, emitting a world-shaking brilliance. Boom! A massive, earth-shaking explosion occurred. However, an astonishing scene unfolded as five figures turned into specters, unexpectedly blown back several steps by a punch from Qi Xuan Dao, their light gradually dimming. A single strike! Just one strike! This Sword God, the top expert of Zhao Country, had displayed unparalleled strength. Water Element wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, saying, ¡°This Qi Xuan Dao is too strong.¡± With a trace of determination in his eyes, Gold Element said, ¡°Today, even if we die, we must stop him.¡± Without a hint of hesitation, they ignited their Essence Blood, and as the Essence Blood burned, their surging True Qi wildly rushed towards the specters. The higher the cultivation, the more precious the Essence Blood. For them, Grandmasters of the Three Qi, the consumption of too much Essence Blood meant that even if the Great Yan Royal Family provided endless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, it would take many years to recover. Unless one could acquire the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± or Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that restore Essence Blood. Obtaining the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± was absolutely impossible for them, as even An Jing had only incomplete pieces, and treasures capable of restoring Essence Blood were even rarer ¨C the Great Yan Royal Family might only have one or two, reserved for emergencies. Yet facing a Grandmaster like Qi Xuan Dao, they ignited their Essence Blood almost without any hesitation. In mid-air, the specters seemed to be surrounded by flames burning brightly, and their aura was also intensifying continuously; even the surrounding rain was entirely evaporated. Three massive columns of light rose from behind the specters, resembling three ferocious, domineering dragons. Eventually, the three columns of water merged into one, forming a gigantic pillar of light, striking towards Qi Xuan Dao like a fierce True Dragon. By the Dragon Locking Well, countless beams of Qi emerged, thin as threads, pulling through the heavens and earth. Rustle! Rustle! Countless beams of Qi tore the rain apart. Qi Xuan Dao stepped forward and swung the Minghong Blade in his hand. Countless beams of Qi fused into the Minghong Blade, as if uniting with it. A chilling aura permeated the entire world. The immense column of light was instantly cleaved in two by the Minghong Blade, dissipating amidst the heavens and earth. Pu! The specter was hurled back again, this time even further and faster. Yet, although it was repelled, it did not show any signs of shattering; instead, it exhibited a powerful drawing force. The surrounding True Qi experienced a strong pull and madly rushed towards the specter, making the flames around it grow even fiercer. From afar, within the True Qi, the specter reached out a palm towards Qi Xuan Dao. ¡°Merely a trifling trick!¡± Qi Xuan Dao sneered coldly with a swing of the Minghong Blade in his hand, facing it head-on with an overwhelming momentum. Whoosh! Whoosh! The Minghong Blade suddenly burst forth with an ancient and simple brilliance, shimmering across the world. He was not only a Sixth Realm Swordsman, but he also wielded the Minghong Blade, the world¡¯s first blade. Boom! The specter¡¯s flames dimmed momentarily but then returned to normal. Boom! Boom! Boom! The next moment, a vast aura of slaughter burst forth from Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s body like beacon smoke. All five were exceedingly solemn, their True Qi continuously converging towards the junction point within their Dantians, and as their inner True Qi was depleted, they burned their Essence Blood. At this life-and-death moment, a True Qi Light Shield formed in front of the specter, attempting to block the sword light of Qi Xuan Dao, the Sword God. Boom! Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s sword light fiercely slammed into the light shield. This light shield was not merely for defense; it could not only withstand fierce impacts but also rebound the force back to the enemy. Due to the strong recoil force, fresh blood splattered from Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s grip, but he disregarded it entirely, his expression cold as he continued to wield the Minghong Blade. Boom! Boom! Burst after burst of chilling sword light furiously hammered at the light shield barrier. He was indifferent to the splattering blood, merely looking calmly ahead. ¡°Has Qi Xuan Dao gone mad!?¡± ¡°Could it be that he¡¯s planning on both sides suffering losses?¡± The five were shocked by Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s terrifying assault. Boom! Boom! Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s expression remained unchanged, each strike of his blade hammering at the light shield. ¡°Not good, he¡¯s gathering momentum!¡± Gold Element realized something and couldn¡¯t help exclaiming. They thought Qi Xuan Dao was planning for both sides to incur losses, but how could Qi Xuan Dao be so foolish? He was gathering momentum! Bang! As the momentum reached its peak, the Minghong Blade in Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s hand seemed to turn red hot too. Qi Xuan Dao stepped on the air, and with a flick of the Minghong Blade, it was like an Immortal Pointing the Way. Chich! Chich! Chich! The Dragon Locking Well was filled with an unparalleled sword Qi pressure, as if even the air itself was being crushed. Bang! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Confronted with Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s strike, the light shield could no longer hold and finally burst apart with a bang. Puchi! As the light shield shattered, the Five Elements spewed out mouthfuls of blood, their faces deathly pale. Then, horrified, they saw Qi Xuan Dao once again expressionlessly raise the Minghong Blade in his hand. That world¡¯s first blade was now directly pointed at them. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 308 - Chapter 308 Chapter 308 A Fight Breaks Out in the Golden Chapter 308: Chapter 308: A Fight Breaks Out in the Golden Throne Hall Chapter 308: Chapter 308: A Fight Breaks Out in the Golden Throne Hall ¡°` Imperial Palace, Golden Throne Hall. The Great Hall was completely silent, not a sound to be heard. A man dressed in a dragon robe entered, accompanied by the eunuch with white eyebrows. At the same time, a silent pressure swept in, weighing heavily on everyone¡¯s hearts, a feeling that was indescribable. The man above was indeed the Emperor of Great Yan, who had ruled for forty-two years, the Taiping Human Emperor. Since suffering a serious injury, this was his first appearance in the court. At this moment, his expression was calm, his appearance as ordinary as Zhao Mengtai¡¯s, but his dragon robe carried an inherent dignity, and there was a distinct valiance between his brows that commanded involuntary awe. ¡°Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!¡± All present shouted their salutations. Zhao Zhiwu sat upon the Dragon Throne and said indifferently, ¡°Rise.¡± His voice was strong and resonant, echoing throughout the Great Hall. Only then did everyone slowly take their seats. An Jing lifted his head to look; he saw an old man in his fifties or sixties, with a mix of white and grey hair, bright and spirited eyes, and an undeniable aura of quiet authority. The Taiping Human Emperor Zhao Zhiwu! The Emperor who had sat on the throne for forty years! Today¡¯s Emperor had mixed public opinion in both the markets and Jianghu. Even though he was another Martial Arts Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty after the Grand Ancestor and his administrative achievements were impressive¨Chaving led the army in a years-long fierce battle against Zhao Country, withstanding attacks from the then-rising Zhao Country, who saw him as a real thorn in their side. But still, there were many criticisms of the Emperor, the greatest being his seizure of the throne, manipulation of power, followed by the expansion and rampant use of the Xuanyi Guard to increase control over Jianghu, almost turning Jianghu into a vassal of the Great Yan Royal Family, filling it with dark and poisonous miasma. One after another, Jianghu experts were recruited and became the talons of the court. Moreover, the Taiping Human Emperor not only killed his own brother but also his own son, showing cruelty and ruthlessness, decisiveness without compassion¨Cmaking him a rare tyrant that filled people with terror. Fortunately, there was a difference between a tyrant and a incompetent ruler. Delving into history, it can be found that every truly capable Emperor could not escape playing with power; or perhaps, the manipulation of power is the true art of an Emperor. Throughout the ages, how many dynasties have there been, and how many emperors? Every Emperor wants to be the one everlasting Emperor, but who can truly become that one? In An Jing¡¯s view, Zhao Zhiwu was definitely a very capable and calculating Emperor, whether it was the Heavenly Book Pavilion coup, the eastward movement of the Buddhist factions, the suppression of the Zhenyi Sect, or the handling of the Second Prince¡¯s rebellion, all were iron-blooded and resolute. As for being ruthless, this was a natural advantage for an Emperor. Emperor without compassion, hence he stands alone. The Taiping Human Emperor scanned the room with a glance, and there were few who could meet his gaze. Even Zhao Xuening, who had been playing the zither, stopped and walked out from behind the bead curtain. Her stunning beauty surprised many. However, her eyes were fixed intently on the young man in white below, never straying for a moment, her lips revealing a faint smile. Such is a woman¡¯s way with a man. When someone tells a woman she can never win a man¡¯s heart, she will love that man even more desperately. Perhaps it seems incredible to onlookers, but such is the incredible nature of women. ¡°Today I summoned you all with a simple purpose, to discuss state affairs.¡± Zhao Zhiwu didn¡¯t waste words and went straight to the point, ¡°Now, Great Yan is surrounded by enemies on all sides. Zhao Country and Houjin have formed an alliance. It¡¯s only a matter of time before they join forces to attack Great Yan. As Great Yan¡¯s Emperor, it is my inescapable duty to defend Yan Country.¡± ¡°But the two countries are aggressive, and the sheer power of the Royal Family may not be enough to withstand these fierce rivals. We need to unite and work together to repel the foreign enemies.¡± The current state of the world was fraught with undercurrents, Yan Country was surrounded by crises, and at the center of the storm were the Sects and martial experts within Yan Country¡¯s borders, all of which affected them intimately. Xiao Qianqiu cupped his fists and said earnestly, ¡°I shall do my utmost to hold back the foreign enemies.¡± An Jing also stood up and declared, ¡°Houjin is the sworn enemy of my Outer Heaven; we will not rest until we are victorious.¡± ¡°` Fa Wu also rose to declare his position, ¡°Buddhism is the national religion, and everything adheres to Your Majesty¡¯s wishes.¡± After the top forces like the Zhenyi Sect, the Demon Sect, and Buddhism voiced their opinion, the others also stood up one after another. Everyone knew that the war among the three countries was on the brink of ignition, and when the time came, Yan Country, Houjin, and Zhao Country would face a scenario like the chaos of the Nine Kingdoms. It was not just a war between nations but also a dispute within the martial world of the three countries. People gathered into the Martial World, and the Martial World gathered into the world. When the world¡¯s great trends formed vast oceans, no one could escape the deluge. No one! Zhao Zhiwu stood with his hands behind his back and continued, ¡°Your fates are now tied with Yan Country¡¯s. You¡¯re not solely serving Great Yan but also its tens of millions of citizens, and at the same time, yourselves.¡± ¡°From today onwards, you are all national heroes, so I ask you all to drink this cup in full.¡± The moment he finished speaking, Zhao Zhiwu rose and held up his cup. All others also raised their cups. ¡°Gulp!¡± Zhao Zhiwu did not hesitate at all and drained his cup in one gulp, and the crowd poured the wine into their throats as well. Zhao Zhiwu did not sit down, and neither did the rest. The great hall was very quiet. Zhao Zhiwu slowly walked down the steps and said, ¡°Before we confront formidable enemies, we must first purge the corruption and decay within. If anyone dares to collude with Houjin or the Black Ice Platform, I will absolutely not tolerate it, nor will I ever.¡± Minister Fang, do you think I am correct?¡± At this, his gaze turned to Minister of Revenue Fang Shaohan. Fang Shaohan quickly clasped his hands and said, ¡°Your Majesty is wise. To expel the external, we must first secure the internal. If the inside is not cleansed, how can we defend against the outside?¡± Zhao Zhiwu asked, ¡°What do you think I should do with traitors who bite the hand that feeds them?¡± Fang Shaohan said indignantly, ¡°They should be killed!¡± ¡°Right, they should be killed!¡± Zhao Zhiwu shouted, ¡°Bring someone in!¡± Following Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s command, several Imperial Palace Guards entered from outside the hall, roughly seizing Minister of Revenue Fang Shaohan. This scene shocked everyone in the great hall. Fang Shaohan exclaimed in horror, ¡°Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?¡± Zhao Zhiwu said lightly, ¡°I am doing as you suggested, executing all those who betray and undermine us from within.¡± Fang Shaohan, struggling against his restraints, shouted, ¡°I have been utterly loyal to Great Yan and Your Majesty, without any second thoughts; how could I be one of those betrayers?¡± Zhao Zhiwu asked, ¡°Do you want proof of your crime?¡± Fang Shaohan said, ¡°I need evidence, not proof of a crime.¡± Zhao Zhiwu nodded and said, ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll give it to you!¡± Then the Grandmaster Zhao Tianyi stepped forward and threw a letter to Fang Shaohan. The color drained from Fang Shaohan¡¯s face as he saw the letter, looking ashen as death. The letter detailed collusion with the Ma Family, specifically the trafficking of iron implements to Houjin. Zhao Zhiwu looked at Fang Shaohan and said, ¡°Minister Fang, some say I am a tyrant, and I think they are not wrong. After all, they only say I am a tyrant but have never accused me of being a foolish ruler.¡± Fang Shaohan¡¯s entire body seemed to collapse, slumping to the floor. Zhao Zhiwu waved his hand and commanded, ¡°Take him out and execute him.¡± Two Imperial Palace Guards immediately dragged Fang Shaohan toward the palace exterior. ¡°Spare me, Your Majesty!¡± ¡°Your Majesty! For all the hard work I¡¯ve done over the years¡­¡­¡± Fang Shaohan¡¯s voice grew quieter and quieter, until it vanished altogether. A First Grade official being dragged directly out from the Golden Throne Hall, and within a breath¡¯s time, his head would be chopped off, his blood spilling onto the earth. This scene left everyone in shocked silence. ¡°We do not concern ourselves with court affairs, but that does not mean We are unaware.¡± Zhao Zhiwu swept his gaze over everyone present and said with his hands behind his back, ¡°We used to not understand why, having been granted such a high position, he still coveted copper coins and wealth; of what use would more money be to him?¡± ¡°Later, We understood that human desires are endless. Give him a single copper coin, and he will think of ten; give him ten, and he will think of a hundred.¡± ¡°In truth, this is the baser nature of humankind.¡± As Zhao Zhiwu spoke, he walked until he came to a stop in front of An Jing¡¯s desk. ¡°Do you think We are wrong in saying so?¡± An Jing slowly said, ¡°What Your Majesty says is very true.¡± Zhao Zhiwu looked at An Jing, ¡°Some people have such great desires, they wish to swallow Heaven itself. What do you think should be done with such people?¡± Seeing this scene, subtle changes flickered across the faces of those present. Could it be that Zhao Zhiwu is warning me because the Human Emperor knows of my venture last night to the Dragon Locking Well? An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, yet his expression remained calm as he said, ¡°There is no need to bother with such people. The heavens are so vast, who can possibly swallow them?¡± Zhao Zhiwu ascended the steps, then turned around and said, ¡°Yet, there is!¡± ¡°Among those present, there are those who wish to turn the world upside down with their own power, who wish to overturn the heavens of Great Yan.¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s voice, though not loud, exploded in everyone¡¯s hearts. Overturn the heavens?! Who wishes to overturn the heavens?! An Jing, Xiao Qianqiu, and Zhao Tianyi remained utterly indifferent, showing no change in expression. The rest had various expressions, becoming extremely vivid and colorful. ¡°Jia Shiwu!¡± Zhao Zhiwu turned towards the Sect Leader of the Four Symbols Sect, Jia Shiwu. Factions divided the ministers, and the vast Jianghu naturally also had its factions. The Four Symbols Sect had become the faction of the Crown Prince in the Jianghu, due to their previous assistance to the Crown Prince in ambushing the experts from the Demon Sect and Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Jia Shiwu hurriedly stood up with his hands clasped, ¡°Your subject is here.¡± Zhao Zhiwu bluntly asked, ¡°How do you wish to die?¡± A chill ran through Jia Shiwu¡¯s heart, but he still maintained a calm demeanor, ¡°Your subject does not understand.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s pupils suddenly constricted, a bad premonition rising in his heart. Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°You understand, everyone here understands.¡± ¡°Shhh!¡± A cold flash came, and a bright blade rested upon Jia Shiwu¡¯s shoulder. The owner of this blade was none other than Xu Qianyue. The two high-level experts from the Four Symbols Sect behind Jia Shiwu¡¯s face changed drastically. Jia Shiwu, watching the glinting cold light before his neck, remained with a tranquil face, ¡°Fang Shaohan was executed for trading in ironware, and there is no denying His Majesty¡¯s decision, but your subject wishes to know why His Majesty wants to kill your subject.¡± Zhao Zhiwu turned to Liu Moyuan, who had been closing his eyes and resting, ¡°The old Sect Master Liu should be well aware, perhaps he could explain.¡± All eyes turned to the Sword God Liu Moyuan, filled with confusion. Liu Moyuan merely smiled lightly, saying, ¡°Because Jia Shiwu colluded with the Black Ice Platform.¡± Huah! At this declaration, the entire Golden Throne Hall erupted into a huge uproar. Jia Shiwu colluded with the Black Ice Platform?! One should know that the Four Symbols Sect was one of the seven sects of Great Yan, itself a top sect in the Great Yan Martial World; they had actually colluded with the Black Ice Platform? ¡°Jia Shiwu!¡± Anger flashed in Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes. If this was true, would it not inevitably drag him down as well, especially since Zhao Zhiwu seemed very wary of him, seemingly vigilant against him at every moment? ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Jia Shiwu threw his head back in loud laughter. ¡°Insolent!¡± ¡°How dare you!¡± ¡­¡­ Seeing this, the civil and military officials around were all greatly angered. How could the Golden Throne Hall tolerate such a commotion from this man!? Jia Shiwu laughed loudly, ¡°His Majesty may be a tyrant, but his heart is clear, clearer than that of a sage ruler.¡± Simultaneously, a surge of power emanated from Jia Shiwu. Grandmaster! Though in the current Golden Throne Hall a Grandmaster might not be much, in the Jianghu, a Grandmaster was indeed quite remarkable. What was key was that Jia Shiwu¡¯s talent could never have broken through to the Grandmaster realm; how could he suddenly have advanced to the Master Realm? The blade in Xu Qianyue¡¯s hand rested upon Jia Shiwu¡¯s neck, the sharp blade aura spilling out, making the blood continuously stream from his neck. Zhao Zhiwu asked, ¡°Are you not afraid?¡± Jia Shiwu shook his head, ¡°Afraid?¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Why are you not afraid?¡± Jia Shiwu gazed directly at the Great Yan Emperor with no trace of fear or timidity, ¡°Pleading for the sake of the world¡¯s people, why should one be afraid?¡± Consider that the person in front of him was not only the most powerful sovereign of Great Yan but also the Five Qi Grandmaster standing at the peak in the world today¨Chow many would not fear him? Zhao Zhiwu laughed, ¡°Pleading for the people of the world?¡± Jia Shiwu spoke with conviction, ¡°Your Majesty has sealed the Dragon Locking Well, imprisoning the Earth Vein Spirit, making it increasingly difficult for the people of the world to cultivate; should not Jia here plead for them?¡± As Jia Shiwu¡¯s voice fell, the entire hall was in an uproar. The Dragon Locking Well held captive an Earth Vein Spirit?! Everyone stirred slightly, including An Jing and Xiao Qianqiu. Some were greatly shocked in their hearts; this was the first time they had heard mention of an Earth Vein Spirit beneath the Dragon Locking Well and a possible reason for the scarce number of top experts in the world. Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s gaze grew colder, ¡°Do you even have the right to plead?¡± Jia Shiwu¡¯s words were resolute, ¡°This matter concerns all the people in the world, and although Jia is but an insignificant being, I am also a part of the myriad creatures in the world. Why would I not have the right to plead?¡± At this moment, Zhao Zhiwu appeared as a ruthless and brutal tyrant, while Jia Shiwu seemed more like a benevolent individual petitioning on behalf of the people. ¡°Dead men don¡¯t have the right.¡± Zhao Zhiwu narrowed his eyes, the Qi Mechanism within his body bursting forth, surging towards Jia Shiwu. The roaring Qi was like the vast ocean and Jia Shiwu¡¯s stature was unsteady, standing as if about to fall; and just then, a figure stood behind him, blocking the surging onslaught to come. Although it was merely Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s Qi Mechanism, the number of people in the world who could block it was indeed limited. The person was none other than Sword God Liu Moyuan. Xu Qianyue said coldly, ¡°Could it be that the Yu Heng Sword Sect also wishes to rebel!?¡± With not a trace of emotion on his withered face, Liu Moyuan stated, ¡°This old man isn¡¯t pleading for the world, nor does he represent the Yu Heng Sword Sect today. I only wish to plead for my own life.¡± With the succession of unexpected events, the great hall had already become somewhat noisy. Even many people¡¯s minds were thrown into chaos. Fa Wu placed his palms together before his chest and said softly, ¡°Amitabha.¡± Liu Moyuan looked at Zhao Zhiwu and asked, ¡°Your Majesty, why have you imprisoned the Earth Vein Spirit?¡± ¡°Today, you all feel emboldened to defy me, it seems certain someone has infiltrated this Golden Throne Hall.¡± Zhao Zhiwu made his way to the Dragon Throne and slowly sat down, ¡°Then come out.¡± As he sat high upon the Dragon Throne, his expression was commanding and overbearing, his gaze sweeping over everything below. ¡°Worthy of being Zhao Zhiwu!¡± Just then, a voice came from amongst the experts of the Four Symbols Sect. A man dressed in black slowly walked forward, his steps firm and powerful, each one seeming to press down on the hearts of everyone present like a mountain. ¡°A Five Qi Grandmaster!?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart shook, and his brow furrowed immediately. Not just An Jing, but everyone except Zhao Zhiwu felt a tremendous pressure. Zhao Zhiwu looked at the man below and said calmly, ¡°You have finally come, Zongzheng Huachun!¡± At that moment the words of the Taiping Human Emperor were spoken, the entire Golden Throne Hall fell into respectful silence. All eyes turned towards Zongzheng Huachun, filled with astonishment and disbelief. Zongzheng Huachun! No one in the world was unfamiliar with these four characters, they resonated like thunder, stunning the ears, for this was the name of the Holy Master of the Great Snow Mountain, the Emperor of Houjin. However, no one would have thought that the Emperor of Houjin would appear in the Great Yan Palace at this moment. Zuo Biwen exclaimed, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun, he actually dared to come to Yujing City?¡± Indeed, as one of the greatest enemies of the Yan Country at present, Zongzheng Huachun actually dared to come to Yujing City. This was not just stepping into a tiger¡¯s den; this was the dragon¡¯s lair. Xiao Qianqiu murmured to himself, ¡°He really came?¡± Yu Qiurong inwardly exclaimed, her eyes full of disbelief. You Gai and Li Fuzhou both stared intently at one of the topmost experts in the world at present. All present felt a tremor in their hearts, struck by astonishment beyond words. Taking a deep breath, An Jing thought, ¡°Sure enough, Zongzheng Huachun has come, and there must be other masters too. It seems that the person behind the scenes is truly extraordinary.¡± It wasn¡¯t just Xi Hafu and Qi Xuan Dao who were summoned, but even Zongzheng Huachun. Today, Yujing City will undoubtedly be enveloped by a tremendous storm. Zongzheng Huachun met Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s gaze, ¡°This king has come.¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°You should not have come.¡± Zongzheng Huachun replied, ¡°Yet this king has still come.¡± One was an Emperor of Great Yan, the other, the Holy Master of the Great Snow Mountain¨Cboth standing in the Golden Throne Hall, one in a position of authority and the other below, as if they were splitting the entire hall in two. Sparks flew, not just in their eyes, but also in the air between them. After a long pause Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Have you also come for the Dragon Locking Well?¡± Zongzheng Huachun responded, ¡°That¡¯s just one of the reasons.¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°They say you can become a once-in-a-millennium Emperor.¡± Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°Who are they?¡± Zhao Zhiwu nodded, ¡°Right, what they say doesn¡¯t count.¡± Zongzheng Huachun asked again, ¡°Whose words do count?¡± Zhao Zhiwu replied, ¡°Those who are alive.¡± Zongzheng Huachun seemed to agree strongly with Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s words, ¡°Exactly, only the words of the living matter. Who do you think can survive today?¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°No one in the world can kill me.¡± Zongzheng Huachun sneered, ¡°No matter how great this world is, it is not greater than royal power.¡± Zhao Zhiwu started to laugh, ¡°You¡¯re talking to me about royal power?¡± ¡°Clatter! Clatter!¡± Surrounding imperial guards swarmed in, quickly filling the entire Golden Throne Hall. Great Yan¡¯s martial arts experts were also ready to strike, firmly watching the Holy Master from Houjin in front of them. Just then, an incredibly powerful presence blasted from afar. This presence arrived with such speed, like a cannonball smashing down heavily on the Golden Throne Hall. Countless arrows shot toward the speeding shadow, but were all melted cleanly by the qi mechanism surrounding it. ¡°Boom!¡± The shadow crashed onto the roof tiles, then surged into the Golden Throne Hall, and viciously hit the ground, causing the entire Golden Throne Hall to tremble violently. It was an old man with somewhat grim eyes, but he was an acquaintance of Zhao Zhiwu, even more familiar than Zongzheng Huachun before him. The grim-eyed old man let out a strange laugh, saying, ¡°Zhao Zhiwu, we meet again.¡± This person was none other than Taiyin Kui, the highest-ranked expert from Houjin. And he was also one of the rare Five Qi Grandmasters in the world today. ¡­¡­. Imperial Palace, West Gate. Today was the day when Emperor Yan held a banquet in the Golden Throne Hall, inviting experts from everywhere to discuss state affairs, so the palace guards were all mobilized, even including the Great Heavenly Gang of the Xuanyi Guard, to ensure nothing went amiss. As one of the top experts of the imperial guards, Cheng Feng was currently stationed at the West Gate. The imperial guards were the elite of the elite within the army, and they also had to be absolutely loyal to the royal family. With his First Grade cultivation, Cheng Feng was a top expert in the Jianghu, and a precious asset among the imperial guards. The continuous drizzle made the ground wet, affecting the mood of people to some extent. He raised his head, cursing this damn weather. At that moment, he saw two figures appearing on the distant horizon. The two people walked slowly towards the Imperial City. Logically, the Imperial City was clearly marked, and no ordinary person dared to get close to it for fear of inadvertently angering some important person and bringing disaster upon themselves. But those two, walking in the rain, seemed to be heading straight for the Imperial City. Soon the two drew near, both wearing cloaks and plain clothes, like ordinary ascetics, their waists each hung with a longsword. An imperial guard shouted coldly, ¡°The Imperial City is a forbidden area, those who trespass shall be killed without mercy!¡± ¡°Shh!¡± The one wearing the cloak glanced at the Imperial City in front of him, shrouded in misty rain, his eyes even more hazy. ¡°Do you want to die?! Get lost now!¡± the imperial guard said impatiently. A flash of cold light streaked across, and blood mixed with rain sprayed out. The imperial guard lay in the rain, becoming a corpse. Someone dares to barge into the Imperial City!? The surrounding Imperial Guards were all taken aback, and they swiftly drew their weapons to confront the intruders. Cheng Feng also pulled out the long knife from his waist and charged at one of the men wearing a bamboo hat. His blade was swift, as if it could split the rain in the air in two. Unfortunately, the swordsmanship of the man in the bamboo hat was even faster. With a sweep of his sword, Cheng Feng could see his lower and upper body parting ways, and because the cut was so rapid, he didn¡¯t feel the intense pain. A master of the First Grade realm, bisected at the waist with a single stroke¨Cwhat terrifying strength was that? The Imperial Guards, holding their loyalty to the Royal Family, still charged forth, heedless of their own safety. The rain mingled with sword light and blood, dyeing the west gate of the Imperial City red. Every step taken by the two men in bamboo hats resulted in spurting blood, diminishing the world by a person, leaving behind a lonely ghost. At the same time, the same scenes unfolded at both the north and south gates of the Imperial City. ¡­¡­. Outside the Golden Throne Hall, the rain fell heavier. And where Taiyin Kui had scattered the rain, it grew even more intense, to the point of becoming ear-piercing. Zhao Zhiwu heard the commotion from afar and could not help but look into the distance. Just then, two drenched Imperial Guards hurried in. ¡°Report, the Twin Devils of Outer Heaven Island have killed their way in through the west gate.¡± ¡°Report, the great wizard Cong Chu from the Southern Barbarians has led several masters straight toward the south gate of the Imperial City.¡± As the reports came in, the atmosphere inside the Golden Throne Hall became very quiet, save for the sound of the rain. The faces of the people of Yan Country all turned ugly. Outer Heaven Island is a mysterious island among the eastern islets, rumored in the martial world to have many masters who, ¡®tired¡¯ of the strife in the world, chose to seclude themselves on Outer Heaven Island in the East Sea. This also made Outer Heaven Island one of the most top-tier forces in the world, with many masters residing there; however, it was not located within the territories of Zhao Country or Yan Country. Both countries had attempted to recruit Outer Heaven Island, only to be rejected. The Twin Devils of Outer Heaven Island were among the top masters of the island, who had personally turned down the recruitment offer from Yan Country. The Southern Barbarians, of course, need no further explanation. Their national power may not match that of Zhao Country, but within their Holy City are ten Great Wizards, and the territory of the Southern Barbarians is also protected by Five Qi Grandmasters, making them another top-tier force in the world. With the arrival of masters from Outer Heaven Island and the Southern Barbarians, what about the masters from Black Ice Platform? Zhao Zhiwu smiled, ¡°People from Outer Heaven Island and the Southern Barbarians have come, it seems you¡¯ve come well-prepared.¡± Sword God Liu Moyuan said, ¡°Breaking the seal of the Dragon Locking Well is a trend of the world. If Your Majesty agrees now, this old man will stand by Your Majesty¡¯s side.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need it.¡± Zhao Zhiwu glanced at Sword God Liu Moyuan and turned his head to the crowd, ¡°Who else wants to stand against me?¡± No one spoke in the Great Hall. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s face darkened, and he looked very displeased; he wished he had kept Elder Su by his side today. But now, it was all too late. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, then let us unite to confront the oncoming onslaught.¡± Zhao Zhiwu nodded slightly, ¡°State Preceptor, leave the Twin Devils of Outer Heaven Island to your Zhenyi Sect.¡± ¡°Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will surely hold them off outside the Golden Throne Hall.¡± Xiao Qianqiu gave Zhao Zhiwu a Daoist salute and slowly made his way out of the Golden Throne Hall. Taiyin Kui narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t manage to kill you back then, and now it seems you¡¯ve truly become a thorn in my side.¡± ¡°Hahahahaha.¡± Last Xiao Qianqiu paused for a moment and then burst into laughter, seemingly indifferent to the words of Taiyin Kui, or perhaps taking them as a form of compliment. His Daoist robe disappeared into the misty rain. An Jing looked at that figure, and he knew in his heart that someone would die, and that it had to be the infamous duo from Outer Heaven Island. Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Xu Qianyue, you go to the North Gate.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Xu Qianyue nodded and replied. At that moment, You Gai stepped forward and smirked, ¡°I had a grudge with Cong Chu back in the day, I might as well see for myself.¡± An Jing nodded his head but said nothing. Zhao Zhiwu spoke calmly, ¡°As you wish.¡± You Gai and Xu Qianyue both left the Golden Throne Hall. Taiyin Kui said in a chilly voice, ¡°Zhao Zhiwu, now that all the experts are away from your side, how will you stop the onslaught of Great Snow Mountain?¡± Zhao Zhiwu replied indifferently, ¡°Nature will hold up, just make your move.¡± Taiyin Kui felt a sense of dread. The man before him was Zhao Zhiwu; he couldn¡¯t afford not to take him seriously. Zongzheng Huachun glanced at An Jing and said, ¡°You go and kill the Ghost Swordsman.¡± The battle at Dongluo Pass and the lingering grudge over the Snow Lotus, the resentment had long become irreconcilable. If the Ghost Swordsman, whose power is already so terrifying, continues to grow, how dreadful would he become? ¡°Alright.¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s eyes suddenly turned frosty, his killing intent reaching its pinnacle. Not only did the Ghost Swordsman have a vendetta with Houjin, but he also harbored an unresolved personal grudge with him, Taiyin Kui. An Jing met Taiyin Kui¡¯s gaze without any intention of backing down. ¡°Son-in-law!¡± Yu Qiurong spoke anxiously. ¡°Step back later.¡± An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Today I shall witness firsthand the skills of a Five Qi Grandmaster.¡± The other experts of the Demon Sect exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. The white-browed eunuch looked at Liu Moyuan and sighed, ¡°Once a person of integrity, how did you fall into thievery?¡± Liu Moyuan replied indifferently, ¡°I don¡¯t care for these lofty maxims, I just want to break the seal on the Dragon Locking Well.¡± The two stopped talking, becoming a form of mutual deterrence. Zhao Zhiwu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching Zongzheng Huachun, ¡°Rest assured, I guarantee that none of the tens of thousands of soldiers around us will take action, giving you a fair chance to duel with me.¡± Zongzheng Huachun replied coldly, ¡°You¡¯re very confident.¡± ¡°This is atop my Golden Throne Hall, standing on my land, how could I not be confident?¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°I just really don¡¯t understand, why you barbarians from Houjin don¡¯t stay on the grasslands and keep trying to move south. What is it that you truly want?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°I want this world.¡± A potent and domineering aura spread out, engulfing everything, like a deluge about to overturn the world, coming down from the sky. Zongzheng Huachun looked at Zhao Zhiwu atop the Golden Throne Hall: ¡°I also want you dead!¡± ¡­¡­.. PS: Ask for a vote. Chapter 309 - Chapter 309 Chapter 309 Yujing City Changes in the Storm Chapter 309: Chapter 309: Yujing City Changes in the Storm Chapter 309: Chapter 309: Yujing City Changes in the Storm Yujing City, Dragon Locking Well. The torrential rain began to wreak havoc in the city, with columns of rain flying across the sky like thousands of sharp arrows falling at a rapid pace, unstoppable and infinitely powerful. Trees and flowers struggled, desperately clinging to the earth in their final efforts. Pedestrians and citizens ran through the rain, fleeing from the assault of the heavy downpour. Above the sky, the rain seemed endless, tirelessly falling, gathering into puddles on the ground, rapidly expanding, and setting up waterfalls between the eaves, cascading straight down. Above Yujing City, beneath the curtain of the stormy wind and rain, with lightning intersecting like dancing golden snakes, under the pressure of thunderous booms, the rain became even sharper, even more merciless. And beneath this curtain of rain, the world turned blurry. A sharp sword lay across the rain, seemingly splitting everything before it into two halves, one half belonging to the world of rain, the other to the world of the sword. As the sword energy contracted, the sword merged into the rain. The rain turned into the sword, and the sword also turned into rain. The Five Elements fellows all lay in the muddy ground, blood continuously flowing from their mouths, in front of them stood the sword merged with the heavy rain. Qi Xuan Dao glanced at the five men and said, ¡°The Great Yan Dynasty indeed occupies the ancestral land, capable of acquiring such uniquely favorable martial arts, it¡¯s astonishing.¡± Five Elements cycling through, producing one another, if cycled forward, the Five Elements generate each other, if reversed, the Elements inhibit each other. Ancient texts describe the interconnection between all things based on the generative and inhibitive relationships of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, explaining the mutual actions of the Heavenly Earthly Yin Yang producing the Five Elements; the Five Elements in turn causing endless changes in everything. This martial art was not as simple as it appeared on the surface. What if these four were Four Qi Grandmasters? What if these five were Five Qi Grandmasters? What if Yin and Yang were added? This must be a martial art that has been passed down from ancient times, even capable of contending against a Great Grandmaster. Huo Xing whispered, ¡°Qi Xuan Dao from Zhao Country has arrived, and yet the Imperial Palace has made no move till now, clearly this is a premeditated action.¡± Just now, during their fierce battle with Qi Xuan Dao, the commotion was enormous. Logically, it¡¯s impossible for the Imperial Palace not to notice. Yet, there still hasn¡¯t been any support; this indicates some strangeness. Each person¡¯s heart sank. Jin Xing wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, ¡°Qi Xuan Dao, do you intend to break the seal of the Dragon Locking Well?¡± Qi Xuan Dao responded indifferently, ¡°It must be broken.¡± Jin Xing coldly said, ¡°Do you know what will happen after breaking the seal?¡± Qi Xuan Dao asked, ¡°Do you know what will happen if the seal isn¡¯t broken?¡± Jin Xing frowned deeply, hesitated, then fell silent. Qi Xuan Dao calmly said, ¡°The decline of humanity¡¯s living conditions, the thinning of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, increasing difficulties for Grandmasters in extracting spiritual energy, not to mention Great Grandmasters, even Grandmasters are rapidly declining.¡± ¡°After breaking the seal, we can return to the prosperous era of the Great Qin Dynasty, the number of masters in the Master Realm will increase, and Great Grandmasters will emerge. This is beneficial for everyone in the world, why would you stubbornly cling to that royal power?¡± Jin Xing¡¯s eyebrows twisted into a ¡®Chuan¡¯ character, ¡°The more Grandmasters, the more disasters arise. You are leading the world to an irreversible catastrophe.¡± Qi Xuan Dao sneered, ¡°You are wrong, profoundly wrong.¡± Jin Xing raised an eyebrow, ¡°What?¡± Qi Xuan Dao raised his long sword and said, ¡°Man is the source of disasters, not the Great Grandmasters.¡± The next moment, an unmatched sharpness gathered at the blade of the sword. Boom! A thunderbolt roared powerfully as if it struck upon the Minghong Blade directly. The lightning illuminated Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s cheek, his pupils. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The Minghong Blade seemed to morph into a gigantic sword tens of meters long, aiming to split the earth ahead into two halves. The rainwater halted at that moment. The Minghong Blade heavily slashed towards the Dragon Locking Well, sword light sprawling out, sending forth a chill colder than bone-piercing sword Qi. ¡°No!¡± The Five Elements and the others, upon seeing this, all changed color dramatically. They wanted to intervene, but they had already been injured by Qi Xuan Dao, and now the bone-chilling sword qi made it impossible for them to advance a single inch, leaving them powerless to do anything but watch helplessly. The sword light flickered, causing the rainwater and air on both sides to overflow wildly; it cleaved through the curtain of rain, creating a bizarre and unforgettable scene. ¡°Bang!¡± What happened next was too late, yet it happened so fast. Just when the sword light struck the iron chains of the Dragon Locking Well, a jade-colored light surged forth, completely dissolving the domineering and sharp sword light. Qi Xuan Dao had reached the Five Qi Realm; his mastery of the sword dao was acclaimed as the best in the world, and his sword was even known as the world¡¯s foremost sword. Yet his strike was easily dissolved by the jade-colored light. What kind of light was this jade-colored light? ¡°Great Grandmaster!?¡± Seeing that jade-colored light, Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s brows furrowed tightly. Practicing a mental method of the Heavenly Martial level allows one to forge Golden Bone once reaching the Master Realm. Practicing one beyond that level to reach the Great Grandmaster allows the forging of Jade Bone. The light that blocked Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s blade was precisely the luster of Jade Bone emerging. Could there be a Great Grandmaster under this Dragon Locking Well!? How could that be possible!? How could the Yan Country have a Great Grandmaster! The Five Elements and the others, seeing Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s attack had failed, breathed a sigh of relief. Yet their hearts were filled with shock and confusion: who was the person that intervened? Qi Xuan Dao looked coldly at the Dragon Locking Well in front of him, suddenly sensing something, and looked into the distance. A person was coming through the rain curtain; perhaps, this person had been there all along; It was just that Qi Xuan Dao noticed only now. It was an elderly man with a hunched back, his hair fully gray; his eyes lacked brilliance, even appearing somewhat muddled. Had he not appeared here, he would seem like nothing more than an ordinary old man from the street. ¡°Lv Guoyong!?¡± Upon seeing the newcomer, Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s pupils shrank abruptly. Before coming here, he had been informed to pay special attention to this person in Yujing City, who was known as the foremost scholar of Confucianism in the current era. Unlike the Mystical Sect, Buddhist Sect, or Demon Sect, the scholars depended on imperial power for their existence, or one could say, they were born from the realm; their peak era was during the Great Zhou Dynasty. When the Great Zhou Emperor crafted the Evil Suppressing Sword and perished, it was the scholars who upheld the Great Zhou Dynasty. The scholars have always been a part of the world, specifically within the Yan Country¡¯s court. They are prominent but confined within the boundaries of Yan Country, and Lv Guoyong is not just a pillar of Yan Country, but also the leader of the scholarly community. Lv Guoyong, with a smile, looked at the elderly man holding the Minghong Blade, ¡°Should I address you as Qi Xuan Dao or Qiu Fengsheng?¡± What!? The storm continued to pour down wildly, but in the hearts of the Five Elements and the others, it was utterly still. Qi Xuan Dao or Qiu Fengsheng? What did this mean? Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s eyes sharply narrowed, not speaking a word. For he did not know whether to refute or defend himself, but then again, what was the point of refuting or defending? So, he said nothing. Sometimes, it¡¯s much better to remain silent than to speak. Lv Guoyong continued, ¡°The old master of the Ten Directions once accepted several disciples, among whom Qiu Fengsheng was the most talented. He showed extraordinary abilities from a young age, branded a monster of his era; he reached the Grandmaster Realm at the age of thirty-three. But just when he was most celebrated, disgraceful and absurd rumors spread about him having an affair with his master¡¯s wife. Ultimately, the affair was exposed. In a rush, he fled Black Ice Platform and was brutally pursued, thereafter Qiu Fengsheng drifted like a floating weed without a place to call home. He once held an official position in the Great Yan Court, even becoming the Deputy Governor of the Xuanyi Guard, but ultimately left Great Yan due to deep-seated distrust, then disappeared and several years later, he went to Buddhist Sects and visited Kusana, finally ending up in the vast grasslands of Houjin.¡± ¡°When Qiu Fengsheng left, a late-blooming figure rose within the Black Ice Platform, and this person¡¯s name was Qi Xuan Dao.¡± Qi Xuan Dao maintained a blank expression, as if the story narrated by Lv Guoyong was not about him. With his hands behind his back, Lv Guoyong continued, ¡°His emergence shocked and astonished everyone. His cultivation speed was incredibly fast, unimaginably fast, astonishingly fast. Instead of saying he was a late bloomer, it would be better to say he was a genius, a latent genius who truly awakened after Qiu Fengsheng left the Black Ice Platform.¡± ¡°No one would know, the person who left that day was actually Qi Xuan Dao, and the person who should have stayed was Qiu Fengsheng. Such a meticulous scheme you laid out, perhaps all this was done out of fear of Yan Country¡¯s retaliation, right?¡± As Lv Guoyong¡¯s words fell, there was a serene silence. The rain continued to flow, and still, Qi Xuan Dao showed no expression, ¡°Mr. Lv is right, the one who left the Black Ice Platform was my elder disciple brother, Qi Xuan Dao.¡± ¡°It¡¯s Qi Xuan Dao!?¡± ¡°Could the person before me truly be Qiu Fengsheng!?¡± The members of the Five Elements exchanged glances, their hearts shaken to an indescribable degree. Who could have imagined that the master of the Black Ice Platform, Qi Xuan Dao, was not a late bloomer, but in fact the top genius demon of the Black Ice Platform, Qiu Fengsheng. If this news were to spread, it would undoubtedly cause an uproar across the world, stirring up a storm. If An Jing were aware of this, he would also come to a sudden realization. The Qiu Fengsheng who died at his hands in the Russell Clan, his body softening, then everything would make sense. And also why Qi Xuan Dao was so insistent on killing him, even personally making a move on Blue Sky Island. It wasn¡¯t just for Qi Shu, but another reason was indeed for Qiu Fengsheng. Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Actually, who you are doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Qi Xuan Dao asked, ¡°Then what is important?¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°The most important thing is why you came here.¡± Qi Xuan Dao glanced at Lv Guoyong and said, ¡°To break open the seal of the Dragon Locking Well, to break the shackles of this world, only then can the world welcome a flourishing age.¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°I¡¯m afraid that breaking the seal might not necessarily lead to a flourishing age.¡± Qi Xuan Dao said, ¡°Without breaking the seal, the world will definitely have no vitality or hope. The time to stick to the old rules has passed. Mr. Lv, have you ever heard a saying?¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Please tell me.¡± Qi Xuan Dao gripped the Minghong Blade in his hand tightly and said, ¡°Without destruction, there can be no establishment.¡± Lv Guoyong indifferently said, ¡°Perhaps you¡¯re not wrong, but that¡¯s just a perhaps.¡± The two men stood within the curtain of rain, all the raindrops quietly avoiding them, as if they were afraid of disturbing them. One wished to break the shackles to usher in a flourishing age, while the other aimed to guard the seal, suppressing the evil spirits to protect the world¡¯s people. Each had their own thoughts, and at their level of status and identity, it was not likely that they could be easily persuaded by others. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s Minghong Blade emitted a faint humming sound, ¡°It¡¯s impossible that there¡¯s a Great Grandmaster beneath the Dragon Locking Well, so what exactly is inside?¡± As an old rival of Zhao Zhiwu, having contested covertly and overtly with his nation for many years, he was very aware of Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s schemes and strength. The Dragon Locking Well was of utmost importance, definitely holding a trump card. And that jade-colored light from before must be Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s trump card. Lv Guoyong chuckled, ¡°Do you think I would tell you?¡± Qi Xuan Dao nodded and said, ¡°Yes.¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Why?¡± Qi Xuan Dao said, ¡°Because Mr. Lv is a gentleman.¡± Lv Guoyong, with his hands clasped behind his back, looked towards the Dragon Locking Well, sealed tightly with chains, and said, ¡°This Dragon Locking Well is built from the piled corpses of the Great Yan Taizu. Taizu¡¯s cultivation had reached the realm of the Great Grandmaster. To break these shackles, one must possess the cultivation of a Great Grandmaster.¡± The Great Yan Taizu!? Qi Xuan Dao, upon hearing this, suddenly came to a realization and then fiercely furrowed his brows. The Great Yan Taizu was the founder of the Great Yan Dynasty, the one who ended the chaos of the Nine Kingdoms. Moreover, he was a famously powerful Martial Arts Emperor among the Nine Kingdoms, a real emperor of his era and the last Great Grandmaster. That his remains were turned into the final seal of the Dragon Locking Well by a secret technique was something astonishing. Only a Great Grandmaster could break this seal, but if this seal isn¡¯t broken, would there be any Great Grandmasters left in the world? This almost formed a paradox. It must be acknowledged that Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s trump card indeed seemed to leave Qi Xuan Dao without a solution, without the slightest way to resolve it. But that was merely what it seemed, he did not believe. He did not believe that the Dragon Locking Well¡¯s seal could not be broken because he believed in his blade, he believed that man could conquer heaven. His faith was unbreakable! Qi Xuan Dao said gravely, ¡°So are you saying that no one in this world can break the seal of the Dragon Locking Well?¡± Lv Guoyong nodded and said, ¡°Indeed.¡± Qi Xuan Dao narrowed his eyes, ¡°And Mr. Lv¡¯s purpose for appearing?¡± Lv Guoyong, with his cloudy eyes reflecting a bright light, said, ¡°To send Stage Master Qi to his death.¡± ¡°Who lives and who dies today is still uncertain.¡± Just then, a voice came from afar. The robust True Qi surged like a tide, displacing the rain around it, and a young girl approached. The girl was cute and delicately featured, but her eyes were somewhat cold. This person was Qin Shan. As a top-notch and mysteriously powerful expert of the Black Ice Platform, Qin Shan had only taken action once before, atop Zhong Mountain. Unfortunately, she was finally repelled by Fa Wu using the Buddhist Relics. Yet, no one in the world dared to underestimate her, for she had previously defeated Su Tianze, who was also a Five Qi Grandmaster. Lv Guoyong looked at Qin Shan and said indifferently, ¡°The martial arts you practice are too harmful to nature, an early death is what they indicate.¡± Qin Shan replied disdainfully, ¡°Who in this world can kill me?¡± As a Five Qi Grandmaster who had cultivated Innate True Qi, she naturally had her own pride. Moreover, today was not just about the two of them. Lv Guoyong said indifferently, ¡°Great Master, since you are here, please come out.¡± ¡°May Buddha¡¯s compassion prevail!¡± Accompanied by a purple-golden light moving through the curtain of rain, Xi Hafu walked forward, his back carrying the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯. ¡°Another Five Qi Grandmaster!?¡± Upon seeing this, a tremor ran through the hearts of the Five Elements sect members. Who could have anticipated that today¡¯s Dragon Locking Well would bring together three Five Qi Grandmasters? It was astonishing! Upon spotting this newcomer, Lv Guoyong couldn¡¯t help but remark, ¡°Great Master, you¡¯ve indeed reached the Five Qi Realm.¡± ¡°Amitabha Buddha.¡± Xi Hafu placed his palms together at his chest. ¡°It has been thirty-three years since our last discussion. If not for your words, Mr. Lv, this old monk might not have achieved this realm.¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Great Master, you¡¯ve severed your attachments, but I fear you can no longer distinguish between what are attachments and what is your true self.¡± Xi Hafu said, ¡°These concerns are unimportant, and unimportant matters should not be pondered upon when it¡¯s time to make important decisions.¡± Lv Guoyong took a couple of steps forward and said, ¡°Others may not know or understand, but why is the Great Master so fixated on the Dragon Locking Well?¡± Xi Hafu countered, ¡°If this monk is fixated, aren¡¯t you just as fixated, Mr. Lv?¡± Lv Guoyong nodded, ¡°Yes, we are all fixated.¡± Xi Hafu raised his eyes, a hint of cold light in his eyes, ¡°Today, this monk will help you bring an end to your fixation forever.¡± As a chilling intent appeared in his eyes, the surroundings turned bitterly cold. The oppressive sky began to rain heavily, the raindrops, influenced by the cold temperature, slowly starting to solidify. Ice droplets! The rain around the Dragon Locking Well turned into ice droplets! Behind him, the Buddha¡¯s relics also emitted specks of scarlet light that danced around and transformed into dazzling golden rays. It was as if a great Buddha had manifested behind him. Lv Guoyong, with an expressionless face, said, ¡°Great Master, what you carry on your back is an ominous object. I offer you a piece of Buddhist advice, ¡®the sea of suffering is boundless; turn back, the shore is at hand.¡¯ ¡°Xi Hafu¡¯s robe billowed with the wind as he loudly declared, ¡°This monk carries the Buddha on his back to save the world, even if it means entering a sea of suffering, so what?¡± Meanwhile, Qin Shan also stepped forward. Her Innate True Qi formed a unique and domineering force. The Three Qi Grandmasters from the Five Elements sect felt a sudden chill in their hearts and couldn¡¯t help but step back. It wasn¡¯t their intention, but rather an instinctive reaction from their hearts. It was like suddenly encountering a fierce tiger with bared teeth in the jungle; even the most vigilant hunter would secretly break out in a cold sweat. On the other side, Qi Xuan Dao also tightened his grip on the Minghong Blade. He did not need to speak, because the blade had already said everything. In silence, an overwhelming pressure surged into their hearts, making it hard to breathe, as if their hearts had stopped beating. The earth split and shattered, seemingly in a brief moment! The three individuals before him were all Five Qi Grandmasters, and those standing atop the mountain peak had come together, encircling him. Who else in this world could claim such an extraordinary honor? The rain continued to grow heavier and heavier. So heavy that heaven and earth fell silent, with only the sound of rain remaining. One¡¯s vision could no longer clearly see the things two yards away; everything in heaven and earth grew blurry. Distant walls, trees, iron chains¨Ceverything became obscure. And that included people. Sometimes when the eyes see no more, they see even clearer. Qin Shan was the first to take action. In but a blink, no, in less than the time it takes to blink, her figure had vanished from its place. When she reappeared, she was already two yards away from Lv Guoyong. ¡°Boom!¡± Above the sky, a terrifying thunderbolt fell, striking where Qin Shan stood. The sound of thunder rolled, carrying the supreme might of heaven. Even Qin Shan dared not face the might of Heavenly Dao head-on, and she quickly retreated two steps backward. The elderly man hunched over, his expression utterly calm, ¡°In youth, I studied to reach places I couldn¡¯t reach. Later, I studied to experience the life paths which I could no longer encounter.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t until the day of great enlightenment that I finally understood the purpose of reading.¡± Saying this, Lv Guoyong lifted his head to look at the sky. Above the horizon, thunder rolled like surging waves, emitting a trembling sound. ¡°One studies to set their heart for heaven and earth, to set a path for the living, to continue the lost teachings of the holy, and to establish peace for all ages.¡± As the last sentence was spoken, it seemed as if ten thousand thunders fell from the sky, and the originally dim sky suddenly brightened up immensely. The Literary Palace within Lv Guoyong shone brightly, resplendent and dazzling. Then that Literary Palace seemed to shatter, releasing streams of majestic essence that began to ascend continuously. Lighting up his wrinkled, bark-like face clearly, an unsurpassed aura rose, reaching up to the blue heavens. In that moment, his body and the heaven and earth reflected each other, merging into one. If reaching Heavenly Human Communication meant using a trace of nature¡¯s power, then the Lv Guoyong before them had merged wholly with nature, blending into this slice of the universe. In that moment, he momentarily stepped into the final realm. Heaven and Man as One! At this instant, he was heaven and earth, and heaven and earth were him, Lv Guoyong. As the first scholar of the shattered Literary Palace, how much of nature¡¯s power could he borrow? The three Five Qi Grandmasters also trembled uncontrollably. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s pupils suddenly constricted. Xi Hafu¡¯s expression was extremely grave, his hands pressed together in front of his chest. ¡°Let¡¯s attack together!¡± Qin Shan called out loudly. Qi Xuan Dao and Xi Hafu said nothing, but it was clear they were in agreement. Three vast auras shot towards the sky, dispersing the rainwater and the dense heavenly might of that part of the universe. Xi Hafu¡¯s body surged with golden light, yet the cold around him reached extreme levels, as if the golden light was colder and more penetrating than the ice itself. The rain that fell around him turned into icy droplets, scattering onto the ground with crystal clarity. The air was cold! The heart, even colder! Qin Shan also stimulated the Innate True Qi within her dantian, her authoritative might rushing towards the heavens, as if even the dark clouds were about to be scattered. Compared to the restraint of others, Qin Shan¡¯s moves to release his own aura were fierce and overbearing, and he acted without any hesitation, as if he wanted to pierce a hole through the sky. Innate True Qi, several times more pure than the True Qi in the bodies of ordinary Grandmasters, was also the most important reason why Qin Shan could defeat Su Tianze. The ever-silent Qi Xuan Dao was the first to move, his body transforming into a black streak among the torrential rain, aimed directly at Lv Guoyong¡¯s throat. Qin Shan and Xi Hafu also did not hesitate, charging toward Lv Guoyong. The immense Qi was fully released, truly enough to move mountains and shake the earth! Three top Five Qi Grandmasters joined forces to strike, aiming to kill the foremost Confucian Scholar of the era in one go. For the prosperous era they spoke of. ¡­¡­. Inside the Imperial Palace, atop the Golden Throne Hall. Despite the rain pouring outside, the hall seemed like a sealed space, somewhat desolate. ¡°Many in this world want to kill me, but they all have failed, and all those whom I wanted to kill have eventually been killed,¡± Zhao Zhiwu stood with one hand behind his back, his dragon robe fluttering slightly. It was hard to see any expression on the face of this Emperor, even now when crises surrounded him, and the Imperial Palace was filled with enemies. ¡°Such words, I fear, might be heard for the last time today,¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes were calm, but his pupils seemed to surge with thunder and fire, and the Qi around him was also rising constantly. Heavenly Human Communication! From the letter of Jun Qinglin, one could know that Zongzheng Huachun was also a master who had reached the Heavenly Human Communication, and he had far surpassed ordinary experts of this realm, which was why he could harness more power from nature and earth. And this was why he was able to sever Jun Qinglin¡¯s last breath in the desert. Zongzheng Huachun was a master, and even among the Five Qi Grandmasters, he was top-tier. Zhao Zhiwu was a Martial Arts Emperor, but very few had seen him in action, not even during the great battle between Yan and Zhao, where he and Qi Xuan Dao had never directly fought. Everyone was curious about Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s strength, including the experts in the Great Yan Martial World. Throughout history, renowned Martial Arts Emperors were few, as a Martial Arts Emperor needed not only intellect and deep strategy but also exceptional Martial Arts qualifications, and while Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s strategizing need not be mentioned, were his Martial Arts qualifications truly sufficient for him to be deemed a Martial Arts Emperor? Zhao Chongyin also intently watched his father, as Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s current eldest son, he was more eager than anyone to know how far he still was from his father. Heavenly thunder stirred the earth¡¯s fire in merely an instant! Zhao Zhiwu extended his hand, his wide robe billowing. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± One could see that the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s Sword in Zhong Binru¡¯s hand began to move uncontrollably, and then, with a ¡®swoosh¡¯, it landed directly into Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s palm. ¡°A Sword Dao master!?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, surprised that the Great Yan Emperor was also a top Sword Dao master. Based on the Sword Dao pressure that leaked out, it was clear he practiced the King Sword. The King Sword, a superior Sword Dao, had always been exclusive to Emperors and those in power, as cultivating the King Sword not only required skill but also a sort of unseen fortune. As their gazes met, everyone could feel the sparks flying between them. The next moment, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s mountain-shifting, sea-overturning aura came crashing down. ¡°Quickly, retreat!¡± All the experts almost simultaneously retreated towards the sides of the hall, and if not for the hall¡¯s shelter, they would have even wanted to exit the hall altogether. A clash between Five Qi Grandmasters was always an earth-shattering presence. Especially this top-tier Five Qi Grandmaster, Zongzheng Huachun. Using the power of nature and earth, his body shook, and the air around trembled, not as simple and unadorned as Returning to Truth, he struck with the force of a landslide and earthquake. Swish! An astonishing Qi burst forth suddenly, only to see Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s figure instantaneously transform into a lingering shadow, extending his index finger, and striking at Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s brow like a swift goose. And the moment Zongzheng Huachun made his move, Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s gaze also sharpened, his foot stomped the ground, as a mighty golden light swept out from his body. ¡°Clang!¡± The Emperor¡¯s Sword and Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s index finger collided with a loud crash in the next instant, sweeping up a fierce gale. Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s body was crazily flashing with golden light, resisting the invading force qi. The next moment, his eyes turned cold, and his right arm seemed to transform into a devouring golden dragon, charging towards Zongzheng Huachun. Bang! The power behind Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s punch was extremely terrifying, even somewhat frightening. Wherever it passed, the air exploded with a piercing booming sound. The present Grandmasters saw Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s casual punch was so terrifying, they couldn¡¯t help but feel their scalps tingle. In Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes, a fierce light gathered. He was also aware of the severity of Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s punch, and he did not underestimate him. For a practitioner like him with such cultivation, if he always carried underestimating thoughts in his heart, he probably would have died countless times long ago. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s index finger resisted the Emperor¡¯s Sword, and his other hand turned into a fist, then a burst of black light suddenly erupted from his arm, and he launched a punch! Hiss! Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s punch wasn¡¯t overly grand, but the murderous intent in the punch seemed to fill the heavens, cold as reality and overwhelming. Bang! The black force qi heavily collided with the golden force qi, and both gold and black lights swept out almost simultaneously. Bang! Bang! Bang! Both fighters¡¯ standing ground directly shattered, a huge web of cracks spreading wildly beneath their feet; the entire Golden Throne Hall collapsed in an instant. All the masters frantically fled the Golden Throne Hall, plunging into the heavy rain. Being in the heavy rain would soak them, but being under the intertwining qi of these two would cost them their lives. All three city gates of the Imperial City resounded with battle cries, but the surroundings of the Golden Throne Hall seemed very calm; after these Imperial Guards retreated, they formed a circle, letting the raindrops continuously fall, remaining immovable. The two who rushed into the rain did not stop at all due to the storm; instead, their qi grew stronger, as if they were about to scatter the great rain in the sky. Swoosh! Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s eyes turned ice-cold. Seeing his strong attack still blocked by Zongzheng Huachun, a cold light flashed in his eyes, and in the next instant, his fist surged with golden light and roared out again. As the True Qi circulated, it brought up traces of afterimages and ear-piercing sonic booms, striking towards Zongzheng Huachun as fast as lightning. The terrifyingly powerful force qi of the punch rapidly enlarged in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s pupils, and Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s fierce attack also made Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes grow extremely serious, his right fist clenched and then suddenly striking out. Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! A sky full of fist shadows also enveloped Zongzheng Huachun, each fist shadow filling with surging black light and astonishing fluctuations. Bang! Bang! Bang! Leg wind and fist shadows finally collided, covering the sky, undoubtedly shaking heaven and earth. The area around the Golden Throne Hall seemed to tremble violently at this moment. All the Grandmasters watched the two fighters in battle, dumbfounded, clearly not anticipating that the clash between the two would be so fierce. The eyes of the crowd, filled with intense shock, looked towards the rain-drenched area, where the great hall had already collapsed. A gust of wind blew, mixed with rain, followed by the rapid sounds of wind breaking. At this time, a figure raced through the rainwater, targeting An Jing in the crowd. Fast! Too fast! The figure, like an arrow traversing the void, was clear to only a few among the spectators. The white-browed eunuch¡¯s brows slightly raised, and the Sword God beside him stared at Bai Mei, ready to strike with his hands turning into swords at any slight movement. Even though An Jing¡¯s Immortal Sword was at the Sixth Realm of Heavenly Human Communication, he was only slightly better than the Sword God. Among the Four Qi Grandmasters, the Sword God was also a top-notch presence, even without a sword in his hands right now. But the white-browed eunuch dared not act rashly; he was too aware of Liu Moyuan¡¯s speed. As Xiao Qianqiu left, the white-browed eunuch was restrained by the Sword God, so the highest present strength undoubtedly belonged to An Jing. Therefore, facing the Five Qi Grandmaster Taiyin Kui, he definitely could not allow his Demon Sect elites to court death; he stamped his foot and moved forward instead of retreating, meeting Taiyin Kui head-on. This Five Qi Grandmaster was very confident in his own strength. His palm moved forward as though an incessant cold wind was invading, seeping into the crevices of bones. An Jing stretched his hand towards his back and directly pulled out the Dulu Sword from the sheath. The ceaseless rain seemed as if it wanted to swallow him whole, yet even the heaviest rainfall could not engulf the sword in his hand. Hiss! The moment the Dulu Sword burst forth from its sheath, a supremely sharp Sword Qi surged from the blade, directly targeting the tumultuous and surging palm winds ahead. In the storm, the Dulu Sword dimmed for a moment, its flashing blade also carrying with it those copious raindrops. This made the raindrops at that moment become the sharpest of blades. Heavenly Human Communication! Utilizing the power of this area¡¯s heavens and earth, the power of the land, the power of the rain. And that sword seemed to sever everything ahead, including vitalities. Sword drawn! Rain startled! The grace of this sword strike truly displayed the style of the world¡¯s foremost swordsman. The sword light and palm winds intermingled amidst the rain, instantly piercing through the chill wind, while the robust palm winds assaulted like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami surging. This clash also drew the attention of the distant crowd. It was only then that they saw two top experts clashing atop the ruins of the Golden Throne Hall; similarly, below there were two other peerless experts engaging in combat. ¡°Taiyin Kui¡­¡± Zhao Chongyin murmured softly. Who was Taiyin Kui? Twenty years before Zongzheng Huachun made a name, Houjin wasn¡¯t yet Houjin, but was a vast grassland composed of countless tribes, and the most formidable among them was Taiyin Kui. Back then, he was heralded as the guardian deity of the grasslands for single-handedly killing a major general in the Great Yan¡¯s army and escaping unscathed, even several tribes advocated for him to become their chieftain. Regrettably, Taiyin Kui, although possessing the caliber of a Martial Arts Emperor, lacked the nature of one. Ultimately, several tribes declined under his leadership, and even many of his people didn¡¯t survive that harsh winter. Since then, Taiyin Kui vowed in his heart to find a true Holy Master of the grasslands, to assist him in becoming the king of the grasslands and lead the tribes out of their confines. They, the grassland tribes, were not barbarians without ancestry; they too desired fertile lands, they too wanted infinite food, they too didn¡¯t want to turn into a pile of bones in the freezing winters. Until the emergence of Zongzheng Huachun, the true mighty lord of the grasslands. He not only surpassed Taiyin Kui in martial prowess but was also level-headed, bold, and strategic, understanding the bigger picture. Dai Danshu let out a long breath, ¡°Taiyin Kui, once the guardian deity of the grasslands, the Five Qi Grandmaster.¡± At that moment, his heart intensely hoped for An Jing¡¯s victory, but he knew the chances were incredibly slim, as this was a genuine Five Qi Grandmaster, a top expert whose presence resonated through Jianghu after years of absence. Zuo Biwen, watching the Imperial Guards being washed away by the rain from a distance, and then glancing at An Jing confronting Taiyin Kui, could not help but clench his fists tightly. ¡°Let¡¯s kill the traitor first!¡± ¡°Right!¡± Dai Danshu didn¡¯t hesitate. The two of them charged towards Jia Shiwu, the Sect Leader of the Four Symbols Sect, not far away. Although both were Half-step Masters, they were among the pinnacle of Half-step Masters, especially Dai Danshu, who was only a step away from the Master Realm, whereas Jia Shiwu was a Master only due to his reliance on elixirs, which somewhat could be inferior. In the pouring rain, Demon Sect experts also charged towards Jia Shiwu and the several masters behind him. The heavy rain continued chaotically. No one was detached from the situation, nor could anyone stay detached. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing stood in the driving rain, letting the rain drench him, feeling the power of the heavens and the earth. ¡°Tick-tock!¡± Taiyin Kui looked at his fingertip, a drop of fresh blood slowly falling, its vivid red merging into the rainwater. ¡­¡­. ps: Asking for votes. Chapter 310 - Chapter 310 Chapter 310 The Invincible Great Sword Immortal Chapter 310: Chapter 310: The Invincible Great Sword Immortal Through the Ages Chapter 310: Chapter 310: The Invincible Great Sword Immortal Through the Ages Under the torrential downpour, chaos reigned within the Imperial Palace. In particular, the stand-off between the Great Yan Emperor, holding the Emperor¡¯s Sword, and the Holy Master of Houjin, Zongzheng Huachun, caused True Qi to crisscross in bewildering complexity, casting bizarre lights all around. On another front, the duel between An Jing and Taiyin Kui was remarkably quiet. Regardless of the raging storm or the noise surrounding them. The two seemed to exist in a separate world, unaffected by anything. Taiyin Kui said, ¡°It is rare to find such a talent like you in the world, but it¡¯s a pity¡­¡± An Jing asked, ¡°A pity about what?¡± Taiyin Kui replied with a tone of regret, ¡°A pity that a prodigy like you must die young.¡± He truly felt regret. A genius like An Jing would undoubtedly achieve even greater heights in the future, possibly reaching realms he himself could not fathom. Jun Qinglin died at the hands of Houjin, the Demon Sect¡¯s Dongluo Pass was breached, and the cityfolk were turned into sculptures. The deep-seated enmity with Houjin and the Demon Sect was beyond resolution now. Taiyin Kui had no intention of seeking resolution either. The previous exchange of blows had made him aware of the young swordsman¡¯s prowess. Even though he was of Three Qi Grandmaster cultivation, he was able to defeat exponents close to the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster like the Sword God and Sword Demon, thanks to various means. How could he be an ordinary Three Qi Grandmaster? Since then, he had set aside any underestimation and casualness, treating his opponent as if he were facing a peer of the same realm. Among the rain, An Jing touched the Dulu Sword and calmly stated, ¡°It seems someone is definitely going to die here today.¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s eyes overflowed with cold light as he countered, ¡°No, it¡¯s you who will die!¡± Crack! As he stomped fiercely on the ground, the rainwater sprayed in all directions. Taiyin Kui leaned forward, his right hand open and clawing towards An Jing. A huge ghost hand, black with a tinge of green, materialized out of thin air, overshadowing the sky and enveloping An Jing and the surrounding area. The Senluo Ghost Curse, one of the top-tier heart method martial arts of the age. Although it wasn¡¯t on the same level as the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture or the Jade Emperor Scripture, which surpassed the Heavenly Martial arts, it was still a first-class Heavenly Martial Level Heart Method. As the ghost hand closed, the air around it fractured. An Jing was submerged in complete darkness, seemingly about to be crushed into a pulp. It appeared that in the blink of an eye, the ghost hand could pulverize everything within its grip into dust. An Jing extended his palm, and the Dulu Sword swept forward with an incomparably sharp Sword Light, faster even than the wind. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind Unstoppable! A muffled sound came from within the giant ghost hand, infused with a surging Sword Intent that penetrated the heavens and earth. In the next moment, a cyan Sword Radiance directly cleaved through the ghost hand. An Jing soared straight up, piercing towards the sky, and then merged with the torrential downpour. Heavenly Human Communication! The Dulu Sword split the rainwater ahead, turning it into extremely fierce Sword Light that plummeted down towards Taiyin Kui. What did it matter if his opponent was a Five Qi Grandmaster? The Sword Qi of the Dulu Sword merged with his own, sharpening to a peerless edge!? ¡°Hmm!?¡± Above Taiyin Kui, Qi Mechanism overflowed, his hairs stood on end, and his heart throbbed erratically. A surge of True Qi burst forth, suppressing the terrifying palpitations. ¡°Clang!¡± He stretched out his hand, and Yin Evil Qi surged, deftly catching the unparalleled sharp Sword Light. The Dulu Sword was exceedingly sharp, and combined with An Jing¡¯s own Sword Qi, even a Five Qi Grandmaster like Taiyin Kui did not dare to parry with his bare hands. The fact he could catch the sword was due to the pitch-black gloves on his palms. These gloves were made from the silk of hundred-year snow silkworms, which spun very little silk in their lifetime, producing only three meters of silk thread in a hundred years. The amount of silk needed to craft a pair of these gloves was substantial. The snow silkworm silk was impervious to water and fire, and resistant to blades and spears, extremely tough. Taiyin Kui had these gloves made from the silk, and then spent sixteen years in the Great Snow Mountain constantly tempering them with evil Qi, ultimately creating the Xuanyin Gloves he wore on his hands. Even the Sword Demon with the Blood Tears Sword had been blocked by these Xuanyin Gloves, unable to get a scratch on Taiyin Kui. His mighty cultivation, combined with the resilience of the Xuanyin Gloves, held strong. Any one of the Five Qi Grandmasters was a peak expert in the world, each with their own unique strengths. Taiyin Kui was an expert from roughly the same era as Jun Qinglin. Although previously overshadowed by Jun Qinglin¡¯s strength, it didn¡¯t indicate weakness on his part, since he too was a respected Five Qi Grandmaster. An Jing¡¯s Dulu Sword was blocked, and he took several steps back. But for Taiyin Kui, the advantage was not to be relinquished. The pitch-black palm exploded with a black light that captured the soul, and with a wave of his hand, countless claw shadows danced in the sky, each swarming towards An Jing. The air vibrated violently wherever they passed, blurring the very scenery. Spurt! The storm was inclement, creating sprays of splashing rainwater. Caught in the storm, An Jing¡¯s expression unchanged, slid the Dulu Sword back into its scabbard. Opening his palm, he grabbed the handle of the Evil Suppressing Sword, and True Qi from the Nameless Heart Scripture flowed from his palm into the scabbard, linking the Evil Suppressing Sword in a unique pattern. Hum! A sword cry that pierced the heavens rang out, echoing throughout the Imperial City. At that moment, the Sword Skill emitted by An Jing merged perfectly with the sword in his hand, and the whole world seemed to transform into one giant sword¨Cmountains were swords, trees were swords, grass was swords, and water was swords, too. Then, a dazzling Sword Light appeared, dimming the heavens and the earth. The Evil Suppressing Sword, six swords merged into one! An Jing directly pulled out all six sword blades, connecting all the True Qi, which resulted in a manifestation of incredibly sharp Force Qi. Of all the swords, the Evil Suppressing Sword and An Jing¡¯s Sword Skill were the most compatible. At this moment, the two naturally blended like water and milk, even affecting the surrounding environment, making it extremely fierce. Even the raindrops became exceedingly sharp, able to easily kill a person. Under the continuous condensation of Sword Skill, these raindrops transformed into a crystal-clear giant sword, floating behind and above An Jing¡¯s head. With one swing of the sword, the overwhelming shadow of claws directly exploded, and at the same time, the giant sword formed from rain furiously struck down towards Taiyin Kui. ¡°A Three Qi Grandmaster, to possess such strength!¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s pupils abruptly contracted as he watched the giant sword, transformed from rain, hurtling towards him. ¡°In this world, there¡¯s nothing impossible.¡± The six Evil Suppressing Swords combined into one, and An Jing followed through with a second strike, the icy Sword Qi piercing through the air with a whistling sound. Behind Taiyin Kui, a black phantom shadow emerged, as if a fierce ghost had stepped out from the Nine Nether, his complexion extremely ugly, pale with a tinge of green and black, his narrow eyes bleeding with bloodshot, as a terrifyingly eerie aura soared to the heavens. This oppressive atmosphere was enough to send shivers down one¡¯s spine. Just one step away, a Five Qi Grandmaster would reach the realm of Land Immortal, having achieved the human body¡¯s peak. Taiyin Kui ignited pale white Ghost Fire around his body, which coalesced into a skull-like shape, turning the rain around him black, emanating from him an endless bone-chilling coldness and a terrifying heat that burnt everything to ashes. Boom! With a palm strike, the pale white Ghost Fire flooded the sky, and countless skulls could be faintly seen reflected on the surface of the Ghost Fire, opening their mouths in roars. Sword God Liu Moyuan watched the great battle before him and said, ¡°Is Taiyin Kui going all out now?¡± Bai Mei, the eunuch, wore a grave expression; his attention was more focused on the battle between Zongzheng Huachun and the Great Yan Emperor. After all, the result of their clash would be key in shaping the outcome of today¡¯s battle. In the midst of the torrential rainstorm, chaos reigned, with the duel between the two Five Qi Grandmasters naturally drawing the most attention, followed by the confrontation between Taiyin Kui and An Jing. As the Evil Suppressing Sword cleaved forward in an instant, a surging cold stream roiled forth. Boom! The next moment, they collided fiercely with each other, immediately causing visible ripples to sweep outwards, tearing up the ground around them. Stones flew, and An Jing¡¯s body quivered violently, only to be propelled backwards, his feet leaving a deep gouge several yards long in the ground. Once he stabilized his form, An Jing¡¯s face flushed slightly, then settled down as he glanced at his trembling arm. Taiyin Kui also retreated dozens of steps, yet compared to An Jing, he appeared much more composed. However, his eyes now held a trace more seriousness. Even though An Jing was blasted dozens of yards away by his palm strike, the former sustained no injuries. Having intended to crush An Jing with a single palm strike but only managing to make An Jing retreat, Taiyin Kui was clearly not satisfied. ¡°This fellow¡¯s Sword Dao is so bizarre that it can harm my internal organs. Fortunately, I was prepared,¡± Taiyin Kui slightly furrowed his brow. Taiyin Kui had already thoroughly investigated An Jing and, while he might not be the most familiar with An Jing¡¯s methods, he was close to it. Woo woo! Taiyin Kui stood suspended in the air, and as more and more Ghost Fire appeared on his arms, the wind and rain grew more violent. At the moment his aura reached its peak, a fierce light burst from his eyes. His palm slowly lifted, and as it did, it began to swell at a speed visible to the naked eye. In just a few breaths, it had transformed into a giant hand that blotted out the sun and sky. At the same time, Taiyin Kui¡¯s fearsome attack had drawn the attention of many at the Golden Throne Hall. Engraved with countless black flames on that giant hand, titanic battle intent converged, and in that moment, the hand seemed like the hand of a war god, descending from the heavens. All the True Qi in the world boiled at this instant. Plucking Stars and Grasping the Moon! Taiyin Kui¡¯s cold gaze was fixed on An Jing, followed by his giant hand¡¯s swift plummet, his chilling voice carrying a terrifying murderous intent, echoing between heaven and earth. And as Taiyin Kui¡¯s giant hand cast its shadow, a chorus of discussion reverberated through the downpour. ¡°Taiyin Kui is so ruthless; he¡¯s really pulling no punches!¡± ¡°Looks like that Ghost Swordsman is in danger!¡± ¡­¡­ Countless experts looked on with startling expressions at the glowing screen. Facing Taiyin Kui¡¯s fierce attack, even many of the experts, despite being far away, felt a tingling sensation on their scalps. Their hearts trembled uncontrollably. After all, Taiyin Kui was a Five Qi Grandmaster, and the Ghost Swordsman was rumored to be just a Three Qi Grandmaster. Could he really withstand Taiyin Kui? Zhao Xuening was a bit tense, especially upon seeing her own Zhao Zhiwu clashing with Zongzheng Huachun, feeling as though the sky was collapsing. Great Yan was truly besieged with crises, even the Imperial Palace was extremely unsafe. ¡°Xuening, don¡¯t be nervous.¡± Just then, Zuo Linglong quietly appeared beside her. ¡°Mother.¡± Seeing the arrival, Zhao Xuening breathed a slight sigh of relief. Zuo Linglong said calmly, ¡°This is but a raid by a bunch of petty people; your father, the Emperor, can withstand them. You must learn to remain unflustered when the mountains collapse before you and feel at peace despite the tsunami behind you.¡± In the midst of the torrential rain, chaos reigned, with occasional spurts of blood spraying out, soon washed away clean by the rainwater. Life and death were extinguished in that instant. ¡°To face a mountain¡¯s collapse without changing color, to maintain a tranquil heart in the face of a tsunami behind.¡± Zhao Xuening clenched her fists tightly, murmuring to herself. Everyone could be nervous, but not her, she was of the Royal Family, the mainstay of the Great Yan citizens. The great battle was still ongoing. In mid-air, Taiyin Kui displayed an indifferent expression. Cold light converged in his eyes, and without uttering a single word, his giant palm descended from the sky and slammed down mercilessly onto the area where An Jing was located. Boom! As the giant palm fell, the ground beneath An Jing collapsed directly. A vast shadow enveloped the area, and An Jing looked up, observing the giant hand that covered the heavens and earth. He exhaled deeply and the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hands burst forth with a powerful radiance. Hum! Powerful True Qi burst forth from his body, covering the sky and, in the next moment, a vast starry space formed behind him. The starry expanse, mysterious and inscrutable, scattered throughout the rainy night. Clearly, faced with Taiyin Kui¡¯s powerful offensive, An Jing did not relent, unleashing all his techniques. Whoosh! Whoosh! Terrible force Qi erupted from the edge of the Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hands, bombarding toward Taiyin Kui¡¯s handprint. Thunderous booming sounds erupted as their force Qi clashed, causing the sky to roll with terrifying waves. An Jing stepped back swiftly in mid-air. ¡°This is more like it.¡± Taiyin Kui let out a great laugh, and with a movement of his hand, a black and sinister beam appeared amidst the heavy rain. Pu-chi! A glint flashed in An Jing¡¯s eyes and his body disappeared from the earth, avoiding Taiyin Kui¡¯s terrifying beam. Bang! The beam was too fast, grazing An Jing¡¯s neck and obliterating a distant palace. An Jing¡¯s wrist moved, and the Evil Suppressing Sword also began to spin, slicing upward from below with an intensified shine of Sword Light. So fast! Taiyin Kui didn¡¯t dodge but had to set up an impenetrable True Qi Barrier in front of him, quickly thickening and widening it. This sword wasn¡¯t only as fast as thunder but also carried an overwhelmingly strong force. Taiyin Kui¡¯s Five Qi Returning to Origin made his True Qi as vast as the ocean. His True Qi Barrier and An Jing¡¯s Sword Radiance collided, causing the ground to crack and sink. The surrounding broken palaces split into pieces and turned into ash. Caught off guard, Taiyin Kui retreated three steps to dissipate the impact of the Sword Radiance. With a flick of his wrist, Taiyin Kui glanced at his left shoulder where a piece of his clothing had been sheared off; tiny fragments of brocade fluttered in front of him, and his brow furrowed slightly. ¡°What a terrifying swordsmanship.¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s expression became slightly solemn. An Jing was not as easy to deal with as he had imagined; the potential of this junior seemed not yet fully tapped, and where was his limit exactly? In a duel between masters, decisions were made in the blink of an eye, leaving no room for excessive thought. Taiyin Kui¡¯s True Qi vibrated, instantly dispersing the air in front of him as numerous ghastly beams, like a fierce storm, swept out erratically. Clang! Clang! The sound of metal clashing erupted as An Jing demolished the oncoming Qi beams with his sword, one after another. Because of the sword¡¯s incredible speed, it appeared as though only three or four strikes were made, but in fact, he had swung at least a hundred times, each slice severing Taiyin Kui¡¯s beams in neat lines. The ground beneath their feet crumbled, and the area around the Golden Throne Hall was filled with innumerable killing intents and cold surges. As countless Sword Radiance surged, numerous onlookers¡¯ scalps tingled, and their bodies instinctively moved back, including great masters like the Sword God Liu Moyuan and the eunuch Bai Mei. With both hands on the Evil Suppressing Sword, An Jing drove the most fierce Sword Skill forward, cleaving down as if splitting heaven and earth. Whoosh! The sinister cold current from Taiyin Kui¡¯s storm met head-on with the seamless, bold charge of the Evil Suppressing Sword, creating surging waves that rolled continuously around them. The battle between An Jing and Taiyin Kui left everyone in shock and astonishment. Taiyin Kui was a Five Qi Grandmaster, one of the strongest masters in the world. Yet An Jing, having appeared in everyone¡¯s field of vision for only a few short years, was able to fight Taiyin Kui to a standstill¨Can outright miracle. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is truly terrifying.¡± ¡°He has an unlimited future.¡± ¡°The future is the future, but the present is not his.¡± ¡­¡­ Even with the fierce battle raging on, the onlookers still found themselves discussing, so great was the shock An Jing had given them. Zuo Biwen¡¯s heart was shaken to its core! Dai Danshu also let out a profound sigh! No one had expected An Jing¡¯s strength to be comparable to that of Taiyin Kui, especially since he was just in his early twenties. As the Ghost Swordsman himself said, ¡°The world is full of wonders.¡± And he is now the greatest wonder of this world. Zuo Linglong looked at the young man in white under the torrential rain and whispered, ¡°He is a sword dao prodigy with the potential to become the greatest of all time.¡± The greatest of all time! These four words had not appeared in history books except for the Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty and the founder of the Mystical Sect, not even the founders of the Buddhist and Demon Sects had been accorded this honor. Throughout history, countless swordsmen have strived and worked hard for this, aiming to become the number one in the world. Compared to the greatest of all time, what does the number one swordsman of an era amount to? There have been and will continue to be unparalleled Great Sword Immortals, but there will only be one Great Sword Immortal known as the greatest of all time. Zhao Xuening tried to peer through the rain to see clearly into the heart of that young man. But while rain is easy to see through, his heart remained inscrutable. ¡°The greatest of all time?¡± Sword God Liu Moyuan looked at his own palm, and then fell into silence. Perhaps living in the same era as such a top swordsman was both his fortune and his misfortune. In this era, swordsmen might witness a peerless swordsman that one would only read about in history books, and compared to such a swordsman, they are all but swordsmen hardly worth a mention in the vast river of history, including Liu Moyuan himself. Even though he cultivated the Holy Dao Sword. ¡°Bang!¡± Under the converging gaze of many, An Jing¡¯s palm struck against the sword box behind him, and with a single heavy slap, a surge of force qi spewed forth from the sword box. Even though he faced a Five Qi Grandmaster, even though he knew that his chances of winning were slim, he was a swordsman. And a true swordsman, at the moment when they strike with their sword, believes in their heart that they are destined to win. Go all out, without holding back in the slightest! ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± The Dulu Sword and the Blood Tears Sword turned into streaks of light and surged forth, both swords ranking in the top ten of the Famous Sword List, especially the Dulu Sword, which was acknowledged as the number one sword in the world. The instant these two swords flew into the sky, a sharp aura manifested above the Golden Throne Hall. Then, the Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand also split into six and soared into the sky. In the instant that the heavy rain fell, nine sword lights were dancing in the sky. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± The nine swords flew midair, forming a vast and mighty Sword Qi Long River, with endless biting cold qi sweeping forth, nearly enveloping the entire Imperial Palace. This was the move An Jing had comprehended from the Sword Array of the Evil Suppressing Sword, but formerly it was formed by six Evil Suppressing Swords, whereas now, it was constituted from innumerable famous swords completing the array. The swords stimulated each other, creating a fierce qi mechanism, becoming more and more fierce, almost as if they would shatter this part of the world. Nine swords hovered in the void! Killing intent shook the world! Everyone was astonished as they looked up, their expressions turning extremely grave. Taiyin Kui, enveloped by this fierce qi, had already surged the True Qi from within his Dantian, knowing that this was An Jing¡¯s strongest move. As long as he blocked this move, the Ghost Swordsman would have no other means left. For him, blocking a single sword from a Three Qi Grandmaster was not difficult. Under the absolute suppression of Dao, he did not believe that he would lose to a Three Qi Grandmaster. As True Qi covered him, the surroundings turned into a sea of red, resembling a vast Blood Sea carrying endless dreary dead qi, and the ghostly shadow behind Taiyin Kui became even more fervent and surging, cruel and vicious. Sharp coldness flickered between the black streams of qi, so chilling and horrifying. The frost sharpened Taiyin Kui¡¯s features, and countless killing intents seemed to be suppressing their urge to burst forth, hiding within the vast Blood Sea. In that moment, it was as if a deity of slaughter appeared in everyone¡¯s eyes¨Cthe man in black, accompanied by the overwhelming destructive killing intent, came charging forth. Corpses were everywhere, the Blood Sea was raging! It was as if reality itself had transformed! Taiyin Kui also held nothing back, continuously sealing with his Xuanyin Gloves, and the Blood Sea around him boiled and trembled. As his Seal Technique descended, there was a ¡°boom.¡± The red blood Sea transformed into vast, boundless waters, heralding a nine heavens¡¯ falling posture. If this torrential Blood Sea was to surge downward, all the trees, earth, and flesh below would be dissolved into nothingness by it. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only On one side, the raging mighty Blood Sea; on the other, nine sharp swords forming an array. Both competitors matched equally, almost occupying half the land below at that moment. Just as the situation was on a knife¡¯s edge, an even more formidable presence swept in from afar, causing both their bodies to wobble as if on the verge of collapsing. This caused both participants to instinctively pause their actions, or rather, they had to stop. ¡­¡­. PS: The updates at the end of this month have been a bit lacking, I strive to adjust them next month. This plot is a transition towards the later stage. In July and August, the tail will be wrapped up. I hope for a perfect ending. At the beginning of the month, I humbly request votes. Chapter 311 - Chapter 311 Chapter 311 Chapter 311: Chapter 311 Chapter 311: Chapter 311 Yujing City, outside the Dragon Locking Well. The storm raged, and three incomparably powerful auras shot straight into the sky, intertwining with one another as if they were about to pierce through this heavenly might. Aside from the falling rain, the world seemed to have lost its voice. Who could withstand the combined forces of three Five Qi Grandmasters in this world? With her special and profound mental method, Qin Shan possessed innate true qi that was overwhelmingly domineering. Despite the torrential rain, her figure remained as unyielding as Mount Wangjing that stood outside Yujing City. Although her body appeared young, it was exceptionally firm and heavy, as if it had taken root in the earth. It was a feeling that made it hard for one to breathe. On the other side, Xi Hafu was radiant with golden light, his face icily cold to the point of causing the surrounding raindrops to freeze. Behind him were the relics of the Buddha and a resplendent golden statue of the Buddha. The golden Buddha was brilliant, and above its head shone a halo characteristic of Buddha¡¯s wisdom, compassion, and perseverance. This Buddha overlooked the human world, with a face neither happy nor sad, devoid of any emotion. The last one held the number one blade in the world; the foremost swordsman. Compared to the other two, his qi mechanism was even sharper and more ferocious. For a swordsman is, in essence, a supreme blade. Therefore, Qi Xuan Dao was the first to strike, and rightly so. At the very moment the Minghong Blade moved, cold light flashed in all directions. The rain shattered! The blade light aimed directly at the hunched, skeleton-like old man before them. Often, the simplest moves carried the deadliest killing intent, and that was exactly the case now. There was no other purpose to this strike ¨C it was meant to take Lv Guoyong¡¯s life. The icy rain seemed to have arrested the growth of weeds on the ground, causing them to contract frantically. The iron chains of the Dragon Locking Well clanged loudly. In an instant, it arrived in front of Lv Guoyong¡¯s extremely aged face. The blade light was incredibly fast, yet it struck nothing, as if cleaving through water, forming towering waves and frightful surges, all in vain. Boom! A bolt of thunder descended, smashing down like a sharp sword. Qi Xuan Dao did not retreat; the Minghong Blade in his hand emitted a crisp trembling sound. If Lv Guoyong represented the heaven of this realm, then today he intended to contend with heaven and earth. He did not believe in fate, and naturally, he would not believe in heaven either! The blade light danced like a crescent moon, charging towards the thunder. The thunder roared, shaking the surroundings. Clearly, Qi Xuan Dao had underestimated the heavens and earth, or perhaps overestimated himself, as the thunder directly scattered the blade light, striking the Minghong Blade. In an instant, countless bolts of lightning turned into strings of electricity, traveling along the blade¡¯s handle towards Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s body. Qi Xuan Dao had never practiced body-refining martial arts, so naturally, his flesh could not compare with the likes of An Jing, Sword Demon, Great Snow Mountain, or Buddhist experts. At that moment, washed over by the lightning, he felt a tingling numbness in his flesh, and his hand holding the Minghong Blade trembled. Qin Shan also charged through the rain at this time. She stomped, causing water to splash, leaving a delicate and small footprint on the ground. Boom! A punch was thrown, the howling wind spread, and the surrounding air overflowed, frantically fleeing into the distance, scattering the rain in front of it. Qin Shan¡¯s innate true qi was incredibly domineering, more than fifty percent more powerful than ordinary true qi. At this moment, she made her move with full force, without the slightest intention of holding back. It was profound and utterly without ripple! Lv Guoyong¡¯s eyes were tranquil as water, his pupils even reflecting the Innate True Qi. ¡°Bang!¡± He stretched out his palm and firmly caught the overbearing punch wrapped with Innate True Qi. Qin Shan¡¯s fist by itself was like mountains colliding, but now, enveloped by that withered palm, it couldn¡¯t move at all. How terrifying was that? Then, with a shake of Lv Guoyong¡¯s Qi mechanism, the overwhelming power of heaven and earth flowed along his arm into Qin Shan¡¯s arm, directly sending her flying three zhang away. Just as Qin Shan was retreating, a heavy golden light fell. ¡°Venerable Lv, don¡¯t be so obstinate in your wrong ways,¡± the last to arrive was Xi Hafu. Three Five Qi Grandmasters followed one after another, not giving Lv Guoyong a chance to catch his breath. Buddha¡¯s Light! The surging golden light was intense and violent, representing the giant palm of an enormous Buddha, crazily falling, intent on crushing everything in front of it into powder. Lv Guoyong, watching the falling golden giant palm, calmly said, ¡°The master is indulging in some fanciful tales, overestimating his own abilities, and speaking nonsense.¡± After speaking, he extended one hand. As his palm emerged, the sky filled with dark clouds and rolling thunder, tumultuous and violent, forming a Thunder Pool. Who dares to take half a step across the Thunder Pool! Even if it¡¯s the Buddha! No one can cross this boundary. Those who do shall perish! Inside the Thunder Pool, a storm brewed rapidly, and from within emerged a searing bolt of lightning, falling straight down like a mighty dragon charging forth. Boom! In an instant, the sky lit up, reflecting on that aged, wrinkled face devoid of any expression, as it fiercely struck down upon the golden Buddha. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± The golden Buddha paused, and then it dissipated into smoke. Xi Hafu, as if heavily struck, turned exceedingly pale and retreated continuously, his Qi mechanism much weaker. The downpour was torrential, along with the sound of gasping breaths. For a moment, the three great Five Qi Grandmasters were all repelled. The scene before them was undoubtedly astonishing, enough to move heaven and earth, and to bring ghosts and gods to tears. Who would have thought that there was someone in this world who could repel three Five Qi Grandmasters with his own strength? Lv Guoyong could. This prominent scholar of the current age could. Having shattered the Literary Palace within his body, today he stepped into unity with heaven and man, merging with this world, completely drawing upon the power of this heaven and earth to surpass the top experts of this world, and even becoming a saint of this era. This world was him, and he was this world. The words he uttered were naturally the maxims of the Dao, naturally encompassing his own rules. The rain poured down, the three of them surrounding Lv Guoyong in the middle, their expressions growing extremely solemn. No one spoke, only the sound of the raindrops falling. The next moment, all three simultaneously surged forward from three directions. Each one brought a fierce, scorching aura, not intending to leave any leeway for Lv Guoyong. Qi Xuan Dao grasped the hilt of his blade with both hands. He could not remember the last time he had held a blade with both hands. His fingers began to exert strength, as if the hilt had already fused with his palm. At this moment, his hand was the blade, and he was the blade. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°`The blade¡¯s radiance rampaged across heaven and earth, a rainbow of light reflecting between, imperious and peerless, shocking the contemporary world! The number one blade of the present era! Everything in the world seemed to pale under the might of this blade. No one could face this blade without feeling a chill in their heart. And after the gleam of the blade was that Brahma-like Innate True Qi, descending from the sky above, as if evaporating all the rain in the air, forming trails of white vapor. From this, one could see the overbearing nature of this Innate True Qi. Two Five Qi Grandmasters made their move, and now it was Xi Hafu¡¯s turn to act. He knew that if he wanted to break the seal of the Dragon Locking Well today, he must defeat this ¡®Saint¡¯ of Confucianism before his eyes. As Xi Hafu clasped his hands together, two golden palms appeared in the air, as colossal as mountains, carrying an aura both majestic and vast, and then these two golden palms closed together as well. Boom! Boom! Boom! The enormous golden Buddha Palms clapped together, with Lv Guoyong in the torrential rain as their target, and under these colossal golden palms, he looked like a small boat in a storm, tottering, his robes flapping wildly in the fierce wind. The three Five Qi Grandmasters unleashed their ultimate insights, their full force strikes shaking heaven and earth, overturning rivers and mountains. Yet, amidst it all, Lv Guoyong stood unwavering like a boulder, his body not moving in the slightest. ¡°Today, I invite the heavenly mandate upon myself; even if it¡¯s the heavens, even if it¡¯s the earth, you¡¯re nothing but bodies of mortal flesh. Could you really aspire to battle against heaven for your fates?¡± Lv Guoyong gave a faint smile as white Qi Mechanism surged around his entire body. He showed not the slightest fear or retreat, not even fright. If one considers the Qi Mechanism of the Five Qi Grandmasters to be like a vast ocean, then Lv Guoyong at this moment is the infinite abyss. Thunder rumbled! Thunder rumbled! Thunder rumbled! Lightning flashed across the sky, growing more intense, like dragon-like thunders rampaging ceaselessly, containing a Qi Mechanism capable of annihilating heaven and earth. ¡°Summon the thunder!¡± Lv Guoyong¡¯s expression suddenly turned extremely serious; with his command, the forces of the thunder from the Thunder Pool furiously converged, and in the moment that mighty thunder gathered, the entire world turned clear and bright. That intense oppressive feeling made even the present Three Qi Grandmasters¡¯ hearts tremble. Boom! The fierce thunder formed a vortex and then crashed down heavily. In an instant, the sky brightened! The Thunder Pool surged, and thunder swept down¨Cit was heavenly might! This was not a conflict against a person; it was heaven itself they were challenging, and the three were defying the heavens. Is there anyone in this world who can defy heaven? Perhaps some could defy heaven, but the three here were still lacking somewhat, even if they were Five Qi Grandmasters; they were still mortals, fundamentally unable to contend with heaven. As the thunder struck, the rainwater in the sky became charged with the force of thunder, and within a radius of a mile centered on Lv Guoyong, everything turned into a seething sea of thunder. Boom boom boom¨C! All the Qi Force vanished in that instant. No matter the blade light, Buddha Palms, or that supreme Innate True Qi, at this moment, all were dissipated into nothingness. The thunder still raged in the rainwater, while Qi Xuan Dao, Qin Shan, and Xi Hafu were using all their strength to operate their True Qi as a defense in front of them; but the power of the thunder grew too much, quickly exhausting their True Qi, which the thunder force then furiously rushed into their bodies. At that moment, a bizarre aura suddenly released from behind Xi Hafu, from the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics,¡¯ and a purple light whizzed through, directly swallowing all the remaining thunder force.¡±` However, Qi Xuan Dao and Qin Shan were not so lucky. The power of thunder directly invaded their bodies and then extended into their Dantian Qi Sea, and even reached their organs. That Qi mechanism rampaged within their bodies and even the Five Qi Grandmasters found it difficult to resist, turning their faces deathly pale. Standing amidst the thunder, Lv Guoyong no longer resembled the hunched old man but appeared more like a saint from the scholarly world who had walked out of the vicissitudes of time. At this moment, his eyes were looking towards the distant trio and he said indifferently, ¡°With your deaths, peace will return to this world.¡± Qi Xuan Dao, struggling to hold onto his longsword, had a somber expression. Even though he had expected Lv Guoyong to be extraordinary, he never imagined that he would achieve unity of heaven and man and defeat the combined force of three Five Qi Grandmasters. As Lv Guoyong said, by killing him and Qin Shan, the Black Ice Platform would inevitably be dealt a massive blow, and it was possible that Zhao Country would fall into chaos. Then the threat to the south of Yan Country would be completely resolved, and it would be extremely difficult for Houjin to advance southward alone. People had always wondered whether Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s injury was real or fake, but they did not realize that the most terrifying person in Yan Country was not the high and mighty Human Emperor but this seemingly ordinary old man, Lv Guoyong. But who could have expected this? In their plan, breaking the seal of the Dragon Locking Well was almost trivial for the trio, despite the presence of a Great Grandmaster¡¯s corpse. With the cooperation of the Earth Vein Spirit both inside and out, there was a chance. In the trap set by the Great Yan Emperor and Lv Guoyong, however, they were like turtles in a jar. The Human Emperor didn¡¯t matter at all! With a step forward, Lv Guoyong caused the Thunder Pool above in the sky to erupt with a piercing roar. The end of the world by Heavenly Thunder was only a moment away. But suddenly, numerous golden rays of light refracted from the Dragon Locking Well followed by a massive dragon roar piercing through the air. The rain in the sky began to diminish abruptly; the earth started to tremble violently. And then it spread continuously; the entire earth trembled wildly. With the Dragon Locking Well as the center, the earth started to crack open yard by yard, extending towards the distance, while a terrifying Qi mechanism was condensing within. When Qin Shan saw this, a glimmer of joy appeared in his eyes, ¡°The Earth Veins!?¡± Xi Hafu brought his hands together in front of his chest and said, ¡°It is said that the Earth Veins possess a spirit, indeed it is so.¡± And just as everyone was looking towards the Dragon Locking Well, the Buddha¡¯s relics suddenly opened their eyes behind Xi Hafu, revealing a pair of deep and dark pupils glowing with a hint of blood-red light. Within them lay the most evil, cruel, savage, and bloody¡­ all the negative energy in the world. And obstructing the next moment, the Dragon Locking Well gushed out. Whoosh! A golden dragon surged from the Dragon Locking Well, emitting a deafening sound. With an indifferent tone, Lv Guoyong said, ¡°It¡¯s merely a wisp of the Earth Veins¡¯ will.¡± The real Earth Veins were still below the Dragon Locking Well, and with the Yan Taizu¡¯s corpse suppressing it, breaking the seal was harder than ever. Though his tone was very calm, Lv Guoyong¡¯s actions were extremely serious. The Thunder Pool in the sky surged, aiming to cover the golden dragon. ¡°Roar!¡± The will of the Earth Veins roared angrily, filled with rage and ferocity. It was not afraid of Lv Guoyong¡¯s mighty power of heaven and earth, and even bathed in the power of thunder as it charged towards the high skies. In an instant, an overwhelming surge of nature¡¯s spiritual energy emerged from the Earth Veins¡¯ will, the clouds dissipated in a flash, and a golden glow covered the entire Yujing City. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, the Imperial Palace¡¯s western gate. In the heavy rain, someone followed the white jade stone bricks of the Forbidden Palace¡¯s gate, from Taiqing Hall all the way to Ji Huang Palace. Passing through the gate of Ji Huang Palace would lead directly to the Golden Throne Hall. It was a man and a woman. The man was dressed in coarse hemp cloth and shoes, so ordinary that he would not stand out at all if placed in a market. He held a sword in his hand, a blade so sharp it was usually gleaming white but was now stained red with blood. Every time he swung his sword, blood sprayed out and a member of the Imperial Guard would inevitably fall in the rainwater. This person was none other than Xing Wenliang, one of the infamous Twin Devils from Outer Heaven Island. ¡°` At the outset, he was also one of the renowned martial artists of Zhao Country, but he later secluded himself on Outer Heaven Island and has not ventured into Jianghu for forty years. Before going to Sword Tomb, Tianjian studied the Sword Dao from him. It could be said that this person was half a teacher to Tianjian. The other, a white-haired woman, held a slender, curved blade in her hand. She struck faster and more ruthlessly than Xing Wenliang, and she had killed even more people. This person was none other than Xing Wenliang¡¯s sworn wife, the white-haired, black fiend Mo Danning, who was also an extremely famous top-level martial artist in the Zhao Country¡¯s Jianghu. Later, she, along with Xing Wenliang, retired to live on Outer Heaven Island, paying no heed to the affairs of Jianghu. At this moment, the pair resembled two peerless gods of death in a realm devoid of others, the Imperial Guards were utterly no match for them, and blood thoroughly soaked the rain on the ground. Xing Wenliang suddenly felt uneasy and looked forward into the hazy distance. Amid the pitter-patter of heavy rain, a figure appeared. It was a plainly dressed Taoist Priest walking in the rain, seemingly merging with the downpour. Xing Wenliang¡¯s movements halted, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu?¡± His partner Mo Danning also looked over; few in the world were unaware of the name Xiao Qianqiu. The Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect, the State Preceptor of the Great Yan Dynasty. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s eyes were profound, ¡°The two of you should be in seclusion on Outer Heaven Island, not stained by this chaotic secular world.¡± Xing Wenliang sneered, ¡°Isn¡¯t Taoist Xiao also stepping into this mundane world?¡± Xiao Qianqiu spoke earnestly, ¡°Poor Daoist is different from you two.¡± ¡°We all wander in the secular world, how are we different?¡± Xing Wenliang¡¯s expression grew colder, ¡°I have always had some admiration for Taoist Xiao, but today¡¯s actions are somewhat disappointing. I did not expect that you would actually help a tyrant to be oppressive, willingly becoming Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s lackey.¡± His words were laced with both mockery and chilliness, showing no mercy to the State Preceptor of Great Yan. Xiao Qianqiu, neither pleased nor sorrowful, didn¡¯t get angry over his words, ¡°Sometimes what you see is only what others want you to see, so you are kept in the dark.¡± Xing Wenliang said, ¡°I deliver the same words back to the Taoist Priest.¡± Xiao Qianqiu nodded slightly, ¡°It seems that your minds are already made up for this visit.¡± Xing Wenliang¡¯s fingers trembled, shaking off the fresh blood from his sword into the rain where it dissolved. Then the only sound heard was the pelting of rainwater, nothing else. The next moment, the sword lights in the rain disappeared, as did the silhouettes of Xing Wenliang and Mo Danning. By the time they reappeared, they had already reached in front of Xiao Qianqiu. Their sword and blade sang together, tumbling through the torrential rain like two ferocious beasts charging straight for their target. Xiao Qianqiu maintained an unruffled demeanor, his expression unchanging as he merely shifted his body to the side, evading the seemingly unmatched force. Then the ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture¡± activated, and a robust Qi mechanism exploded around him. Boom! Like a volcano that had been dormant for years suddenly erupting, it charged toward them. The couple were both shaken by this Qi mechanism. Their footsteps slid on the rain-soaked ground as they backed away. The moment Xing Wenliang steadied himself, a chill coursed through his heart. In the sky heavy with rain, several streaks of starlight appeared. Then, these lights began to move, forming a mysterious and unknowable milky way. The milky way scattered, falling upon this patch of heaven and earth. ¡°Infinite Venerable!¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s True Qi surged, his starlight so dazzling that it seemed to distort the downpour. In the next instant, an awe-inspiring might surged and swelled, approaching them. That ancient breath seemed to come from the depths of time. And Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s own figure began to blur. ¡°` He wore a white robe, his head adorned with a Taoist headpiece, holding a whisk in his hand, with a treasured sword on his back. He was no longer Xiao Qianqiu, no longer the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect, no longer the State Preceptor of Great Yan, but the ancestral master of the Mystical Sect, once the most formidable expert in the world, a legendary figure recorded in history books who could make emperors of the human world bow their heads. ¡°This¡­ What is this!?¡± Xing Wenliang and Mo Danning both showed colors of shock on their faces, The Heavenly Venerate had not been seen in the human world for a thousand years, yet today the Heavenly Venerate descended to observe all beings! Xiao Qianqiu simply extended his palm and the vast and immense Qi Mechanism suddenly exploded forth, and a huge handprint descended from the sky, pressing down fiercely. Boom! Boom! The handprint, as majestic as ancient mountains, struck down, causing the torrential rain to abruptly halt and the earth to start cracking open one zhang after another. ¡°What a great Mystical Sect Heavenly Venerate! Today, I shall see how extraordinary the Mystical Sect really is!¡± Xing Wenliang let out an angry roar as his longsword transformed into a giant sword, rushing towards the handprint. At the moment of contact, the handprint crushed the giant sword effortlessly, and the True Qi Barrier erected by Mo Danning also crumbled instantaneously. When the handprint touched the ground, the heaven and earth trembled, violently shaking. As the handprint continued to dissipate, the rain began to fall once again, gently and steadily. On that ravaged land, there lay two bodies with twisted flesh and bones. Xing Wenliang and Mo Danning were dead! The Imperial Guards surrounding the area were all startled into silence, their faces filled with nameless horror. The two who were like killing gods just moments ago were now slain by the State Preceptor with one palm strike. These two were top-tier Grandmasters! Xiao Qianqiu held one hand behind his back, a pot of tea materializing in his palm, with not a single drop of rain daring to approach. To him, killing these two men was not a particularly remarkable feat, similar to drinking the tea from the pot in his hand at the moment. Three cups of wine for the world¡¯s vast red dust, one pot of tea for a thousand years of great cause. ¡°What is destined to come will eventually come.¡± Xiao Qianqiu sipped his tea and then heaved a light sigh. Just then, in the hazy sky, a flash of golden light appeared, and from it, a Golden Dragon surged forth. The moment he saw that Golden Dragon, his pupils suddenly shrank sharply, feeling his internal Qi Mechanism soaring uncontrollably, almost as if the shackles that had troubled him were starting to loosen at once. It was as if the mysterious barrier that had plagued him could be opened in an instant. ¡­.. Above the ruins of the Golden Throne Hall. Zongzheng Huachun and Zhao Zhiwu stood in the torrential rain, their presence at the center surging and intensely overwhelming, boundless and vast. Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s body shook, his masculine and domineering Fist Force overflowing, as vast as mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas. Boom! Boom! Zhao Zhiwu channeled his True Qi to his palm, stretching a palm towards the sky above. Purgatory Supreme Palm! Thud! Thud! The sky above trembled incessantly, and then a rift formed, through which a gigantic handprint reached down from the crack in the sky, immediately unleashing a terrifying Qi Force that seemed to swallow one whole. Seeing this, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s immense True Qi flowed along his palm. Whirl! Whirl! Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s surrounding True Qi seemed to boil at that moment, and a white pattern quickly emerged from his shoulders, then rushed down his right arm, circling around his arm. Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique! Whoosh! All that true qi began to surge violently and started to condense. Boom! Suddenly, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s arm swung towards the sky. Crack crack crack! The wild burst of true qi immediately exploded, spreading crazily in all directions. Under the astonished eyes of the onlookers, Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s handprint was directly crushed by Zongzheng Huachun. Just as the handprint was crushed, a giant sword suddenly appeared from within it. Whoosh! The giant sword fiercely slashed towards the sky! The overbearing handprint in the sky was directly split in two, and the giant sword, with an unstoppable momentum, rushed towards Zongzheng Huachun. Zongzheng Huachun felt a chill in his heart and almost reflexively retreated into the distance. Shhh! A strand of long hair floated in mid-air, and the giant sword brushed past Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s face. What a terrifying sword! Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes were wide open, knowing if he had been a tad slower, he would have become a lost soul under Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s sword, so he struck back with a handprint. With his left hand pressed on the end of the sword hilt, Zhao Zhiwu stood tall. As a light humming sound rose, a cool chill imprinted the hearts of the crowd with ice, causing some to nearly fall to their knees. King Sword! Among the superior Sword Daos, it was the least practiced because it required a person with great destiny, and throughout the ages, those who carried great destiny were either emperors or feudal lords. Subsequently, King Sword gradually became taboo for emperors; anyone who dared to cultivate it would be hunted and besieged by the dynasty, leading to fewer and fewer King Sword swordsmen, to the point of vanishing from Jianghu. Only to see a sharp and piercing Qi bursting through the skies and flowing in reverse, colliding with Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s handprint, and the air was suddenly filled with endless sounds of minute explosions; chaotic force qi materialized from nothing and spread in all directions. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± True qi poured out from Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s body, all of it channeled into the longsword in his hand, which emitted a resounding clangor like the deep white waves of the ocean¨Ca sword slashed toward Zongzheng Huachun. Transforming into a glare of light and a long rainbow, he arrived in an instant¨Cstriking with several hundred swords at Zongzheng Huachun consecutively. Whoosh! The sword radiance continuously split through the air, charging directly at the distant Zongzheng Huachun¨Crelentlessly advancing. Zongzheng Huachun blocked the sharp sword light with a palm. Every sword was unimaginably fast, as if one person turned into tens of thousands, all swinging a sword simultaneously, directing each one at Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s vital points¨Cevery strike was deadly. Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s Emperor¡¯s Sword in hand reached its utmost limit, blocking Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s attacks with sword after sword. ¡°Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding!¡± In the air, only a series of sparks and the sound of metal clashing could be heard. Both were top-notch experts, each move almost seemed like they were exerting their full strength, as if they did not know fatigue, endless as always. Because the speed was too fast, and the sword swings too quick, their figures did not disappear¨Cthey seemed to be frozen in mid-air. High in the sky, figures of two people were everywhere, multiplying from ten to twenty, from twenty to forty, and from forty to eighty, as if hundreds of Zongzheng Huachun and hundreds of Zhao Zhiwu were clashing. Zhao Zhiwu battled against Zongzheng Huachun! This was the combat of top Five Qi Grandmasters, truly a rare spectacle in the world. Suddenly, both men ceased their attacks and looked up at the sky. A glint appeared in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes as he took a deep breath, ¡°Is this what it feels like when the Earth Veins break their seal?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, his eyes flashing with an intense seriousness. ¡°Roar!¡± A golden light surged forth, enveloping Yujing City. This feeling of being filled with nature¡¯s spiritual energy made all the experts present lift their heads to witness the golden dragon soaring through the sky, their hearts greatly shaken. ¡°What¡¯s happening!?¡± ¡°Such rich nature¡¯s spiritual energy!?¡± ¡°My God, I feel the shackles that have kept me stagnated for years starting to loosen.¡± ¡­¡­ Sword God Liu Moyuan looked at his own palm, his heart beginning to tremble. To know that his cultivation had been stagnant at Four Qi for who knows how many years, yet he had not been able to reach Five Qi Returning to Origin. If he could reach the Five Qi Realm, he would only be one step away from the Great Grandmaster Realm. To reach the Great Grandmaster Realm would grant you three hundred years of life span, to roam freely and pursue the utmost limit of the Sword Dao. ¡°This is¡­..?¡± Bai Mei, the eunuch, also felt the same sensation, but unlike the joy in Liu Moyuan¡¯s heart, his was filled with worry and fear. That¡¯s right, the heart of this Four Qi Grandmaster was filled with fear. And for Dai Danshu, Zuo Biwen, and other Half-step Masters, the sensation was even more distinct. That exhilarating freedom made them feel that it wouldn¡¯t be long before they could reach the Grandmaster Realm. Ouyang Ping looked up and muttered to himself, ¡°The world has truly changed, could the Dragon Locking Well really be unsealing? Is the blessing of heaven and earth truly upon us¡­..¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyebrows were tightly knit, ¡°It¡¯s just that I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s a good or a bad thing.¡± At this moment, everyone¡¯s hearts were different, but for this sudden ¡®surprise,¡¯ joy still dominated the majority. An Jing watched the Golden Dragon. After obtaining the Bodhi Seed in the Buddhist sect, his cultivation had always been at the Three Qi Realm, without any progress. However, at this moment, as if some restraint was lifted, his cultivation soared dramatically. In this manner, it wouldn¡¯t take long for him to reach the Four Qi Realm. At that moment, the Earth Book displayed the most severe changes it had ever encountered. Golden and black brilliance intertwined, shining brightly in his mind. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing¡¯s thoughts quickly fell upon the Earth Book. Cultivation: Master Three Qi Life Fate: Vast Fortune Root Bone: Once in a Millennium Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Concealing Qi Technique, Ninth Layer of Hundred-step Flying Sword, Perfection of Nine Yang Divine Finger, Perfection of Brahma Heart Sees Me, Ninth Layer of Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique, Seventh Layer of Incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture, Nameless Sword Form, Eighth Layer of Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique. Prompt One: The host¡¯s Life Fate has taken root, and the spirit of the Earth Veins has already sensed the host¡¯s anomaly. Slaying the Earth Vein Spirit will yield the golden opportunity; otherwise, the black opportunity will be obtained. Prompt Two: There is a black opportunity near the host. ¡­.. Chapter 312 - Chapter 312 Chapter 312 The Revival of the Emperors of the Chapter 312: Chapter 312: The Revival of the Emperors of the Great Zhou Dynasty Chapter 312: Chapter 312: The Revival of the Emperors of the Great Zhou Dynasty An Jing saw the changes in the Earth Book, and his brows instantly furrowed deeply. Earth Vein Spirit!? Could it be referring to that golden dragon in mid-air? And that black opportunity was initially approaching but now it¡¯s right beside him, this naturally speaks volumes, clearly indicating the black opportunity had arrived. It¡¯s known that black opportunities generally pose a threat to life, meaning he might now have two black opportunities close at hand, one concerning the Earth Vein Spirit and another being the black opportunity right beside him. But what was this black opportunity beside him? This Earth Vein was sealed in the Dragon Locking Well, but was there another reason for this, and how could the Earth Vein Spirit have detected his anomaly? A series of questions emerged in An Jing¡¯s mind. At that moment, the golden dragon seemed to soar toward the nine heavens, gliding across the sky. During this brief period, all the masters in Yujing City felt the ¡®blessing¡¯ emanating from the Golden Dragon. In this brief moment, An Jing instantly regained his senses, his True Qi surged upwards continually, forming nine sword lights that exuded a fiercely cold aura, as if becoming nine giant swords piercing through the heavens. This sharp Qi caused a chill in the hearts of everyone present. Zongzheng Huachun, feeling the chill, looked over and couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Interesting.¡± Zhao Zhiwu, observing the nine fierce sword lights, was also somewhat astounded. The Ghost Swordsman truly deserved his reputation as the world¡¯s foremost swordsman, successfully forming a unique sword array with so many swords, not only maximizing their sharpness but also pushing his Sword Dao to its limit. But the disparity between Three Qi and Five Qi was simply too great. Could he really defeat Taiyin Kui, the Five Qi Grandmaster? An Jing exerted his full power. The ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ operated, and his vast surging True Qi flooded upwards, the starry sky behind him also covering an ever-greater area. The nine giant swords hovered in midair, then began spinning rapidly, releasing a fiercely cold Sword Qi. The swords¡¯ speed increased, the fierce Sword Qi almost forming an extremely terrifying storm. This Sword Qi storm swept forward, silver light abruptly blazing forth, agile as a flying dragon, rippling like water, radiant as fiery trees and silver blossoms, even lifting the green stone floor of the Imperial Palace, with rocks and trees turning into debris. As An Jing¡¯s True Qi surged, the crazily spreading white Sword Qi storm also burst forth with a swoosh. Squeak! The speed of that Sword Qi storm was indescribable, as if piercing through the air¡¯s resistance. As soon as its sound arose, Taiyin Kui¡¯s pupils contracted, feeling a stabbing pain in his brow; immediately, white brilliance also swept out from within him like a tide. The Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique automatically activated. His body seemed to be fixed in place, unable to dodge the Sword Qi storm. A dawn, that moment when dark meets light, filled only with boundless Sword Qi. Taiyin Kui¡¯s eyes were icily cold, gleaming with a trace of blood, standing amidst a blood sea, appearing not as a being of this world but rather like a blood-soaked demon, devoid of any emotion. His hands formed seals, mysterious and utterly inscrutable. Simultaneously, the blood sea behind him became turbulent, churning like inverted river waters of the nine heavens. Boom! Finally, the Seal Technique materialized, an ancient ghost curse emerging from behind Taiyin Kui, blending into the blood sea, its roiling waves charging forward. The Sword Qi storm also swept in, merging into the blood sea. Clang! The moment of collision, a heaven-shattering sound, shocking the heavens! The raging Blood River surged furiously, violently colliding with the Sword Qi storm; amidst that intense light, everyone could feel an almost annihilating terrifying Qi fluctuation. Boom boom! The boundless sky, at this moment, seemed forcibly opened by a tremendous force, the ground of the Imperial Palace spreading out in waves of soil; the entire land was almost completely shattered. Serious gazes watched the terrifying impact spreading out; some cautious individuals quickly moved back to avoid being affected by that impact. ¡°Could this really be the strength displayed by a Three Qi Grandmaster?¡± All the Grandmasters present were stunned, eyes fixed on the source of the dazzling light, the astonishing fluctuations emanating from there shocked even them, and were incredibly thrilling. ¡°Who won?¡± All the masters were tensely watching the shattered land, everyone knew that both had played their final cards; this should be their ultimate decisive move. Zhao Xuening¡¯s jade hands were clenched tightly, her eyes filled with anxiety, and her heart trembled. Subconsciously, she looked towards her mother, Zuo Linglong, beside her. At that moment, Zuo Linglong also furrowed her brows and held her breath. Bai Mei, the eunuch, and the Sword God Liu Moyuan were both tightly frowning; the True Qi in the arena was too violent. Under such ferocity, even they were unable to sense the exact situation therein. Li Fuzhou, Yu Qiurong, Duanmu Xinghua, Ouyang Ping, Dai Danshu, and Zuo Biwen stared intently at the explosive site of True Qi. Moments later, their pupils suddenly constricted slightly. Bang! In that instant, the Blood River in the center released an incredibly stimulating light, suddenly rushing towards the sky before the light faded, and the blood-colored scene once again became blurry. Whoosh! At that moment, all gazes suddenly shifted, and under the scrutiny of those gazes, the bloody radiance gradually dissipated. As the massive smoke cleared, two vague figures appeared. Everyone focused and saw that the storm of Qi Mechanism inside consisted of An Jing and Taiyin Kui. ¡°Who ultimately won?¡± Everyone looked at the stalemate in the arena, their hearts suddenly racing, especially the masters from the Demon Sect, whose eyes were the widest. Crack! Crack! This silence did not last long; however, there soon came faint cracking sounds from midair, and everyone¡¯s gaze sharply turned. One could see cracks spurting out from behind Taiyin Kui, Snow Mountain Sacred Body, which then grew larger and continued to spread far into the distance. ¡°Taiyin Kui¡¯s Sacred Body Technique has been broken!¡± A somewhat sharp cry of alarm also suddenly rang out shrilly at this moment. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s pupils dilated sharply. An Jing slowly raised his head; drops of blood dripped down from his wrist onto the ground, clearly having suffered severe injuries from the earlier clash. He knew he had not yet won. Taiyin Kui¡¯s aged face looked extremely ugly at this moment; he could feel that his Sacred Body was completely out of his control and cracks were starting to appear. ¡°The outcome is still unknown¡­¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s eyes wildly flickered, and soon he fiercely flashed a fierce light, biting his tongue tip, and a stream of Essence Blood containing immense True Qi sprayed out. Hum! Hum! With the support of this Essence Blood, Taiyin Kui¡¯s Sacred Body suddenly erupted in the most intense light, and then the cracks visibly started to heal. ¡°Thinking of defeating me, it won¡¯t be that easy!¡± Taiyin Kui growled; his breathing began to grow ragged, evidently, his methods were also pushed to the limit. An Jing looked at the severely disdainful Taiyin Kui; the traces of blood at the corner of his mouth made his face appear somewhat fierce. Subsequently, True Qi surged like tidal waves, immensely powerful energy continuously flowing from within, ultimately pouring into An Jing¡¯s limbs and body. Under the infusion of such mighty True Qi, he felt his body filled with strength. ¡°Break!¡± An Jing infused the True Qi into the nine Sword Lights above, and his deep shout also fiercely echoed out. Boom! As his shout fell, starlight surged behind him, and an ancient hum of a sword thunderously resounded in the heavens and the earth. The originally desolate Blood River surged out violently, this time forming even more tumultuous and mighty waves. Boom! A tremendous explosion sound suddenly echoed from where the Sword Qi spread, a terrifying blood light and deadly aura madly gushing forth, instantly shattering the ground. Only to see this time, as the blood swept over, the myriad Sword Qi suddenly dissolved, and An Jing¡¯s body, like a leaf in the wind, gradually became enveloped by that bloody aura. ¡°It¡¯s over¡­¡± A sigh-like voice also came out at this moment from the mouth of the Sword God, Liu Moyuan; his eyes intensely watched the field, and at that moment, he distinctly felt Taiyin Kui¡¯s attack land on An Jing. The robust True Qi of the Five Qi Grandmaster, no matter how strong An Jing¡¯s body was, would surely cause severe damage or even death; this battle had reached its conclusion. The Ghost Swordsman was simply too powerful! So powerful that it made the Grandmasters present feel suffocated! Only with Taiyin Kui, an old monster of Houjin, exerting his full strength could he barely defeat him. As Liu Moyuan uttered that sentence, on another side of the Imperial Palace, Yu Qiurong¡¯s expression also darkened. ¡°An Tributor!¡± ¡°Son-in-law!¡± Ouyang Ping and the other Demon Sect experts all had their eyes wide open with ugly expressions on their faces. ¡°It seems it¡¯s still not possible¡­¡± Zuo Biwen bitterly smiled. Taiyin Kui, truly a Five Qi Grandmaster, proving that even the strength of the world¡¯s first swordsman is hard to overcome him. ¡°He¡¯s still lacking somewhat.¡± Zuo Linglong shook her head, feeling somewhat regretful. Her heart was also very curious; if the Ghost Swordsman had enough time, what kind of existence would such a swordsman eventually become? ¡°World¡¯s first swordsman, tomorrow this day next year will be your death anniversary.¡± Amidst the blood light, Taiyin Kui, wearing a smile, looked towards that malevolent area, then shook his head, turned around, and left, confident in his strike. The pool of blood light continually shrank, while An Jing¡¯s figure kept disappearing from everyone¡¯s sight, and, subsequently, even his Qi Mechanism was slowly dissipating. When a master¡¯s Qi Mechanism continuously disappears, there are only two possibilities: one is that he willingly begins to gather Qi Mechanism, hiding himself, but in this case, since An Jing was exerting all his power, it was naturally impossible for him to be gathering his own Qi Mechanism. Therefore, the only other possibility was that his life was gradually fading away, leading to the gradual dissipation of his Qi Mechanism. Zongzheng Huachun looked straight at the Great Yan Emperor and said, ¡°Zhao Zhiwu, how will you resist if we join hands?¡± Meanwhile, in the sky above, the Golden Dragon roared, its eyes firmly fixed on Zhao Zhiwu, the Earth Vein Spirit with a sliver of awakened consciousness, still able to sense who was sealing it and who its true enemy was. Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s face showed no emotion, but his heart was extremely solemn. The Earth Vein Spirit, despite only a fleeting thought escaping, could stir up the power between heaven and earth, thereby limiting Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s strength and continuously increasing Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s strength. And now, Taiyin Kui also made his move; facing these two men along with a sliver of intent from the Earth Vein Spirit, how tremendous was the pressure! Having said that, Zongzheng Huachun stretched out his palm and struck fiercely like a mountain shifting and sea overturning, causing explosions that made the ground tremble. With the assistance of the Earth Vein Spirit, Zongzheng Huachun, borrowing the force of the heavens and earth, became even stronger, making this palm strike two to three times stronger than before. In Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s Qi Sea, True Qi surged, and soon a red glow rose, dispelling the exploding palm¡¯s Handprint. It was a lamp! And on the lamp, vaguely, there was an ancient lock, which was not yet fully closed at this moment. ¡°Longevity lock!?¡± Seeing this, Zongzheng Huachun was greatly shocked; Zhao Zhiwu was only a hair¡¯s breadth away from securing the longevity lock, about to ascend to the Great Grandmaster Realm. At this moment, he intended to leverage this immense pressure and the blessing given by the Earth Vein Spirit to ascend to the Great Grandmaster Realm. Zongzheng Huachun coldly said, ¡°You¡¯ve truly gone mad!¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Hearing Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s words, Zhao Zhiwu was not angered but instead burst into laughter. Because he knew that Zongzheng Huachun was scared! ¡°Kill Zhao Zhiwu!¡± At this moment, Zhao Zhiwu was exceedingly calm, and so was Zongzheng Huachun. Once the Great Yan Emperor truly broke free from his limitations, the situation would become uncontrollable today. Taiyin Kui stomped his foot and charged towards Zhao Zhiwu. A common master would definitely struggle to withstand Zhao Zhiwu, but Taiyin Kui was also a Five Qi Grandmaster, and though not the top amongst the Five Qi Grandmasters, he was still of a Five Qi Grandmaster¡¯s cultivation. Zongzheng Huachun struck again with his palm, and the explosive momentum was like the sky crumbling and the earth splitting. With the Earth Vein Spirit helping him manipulate the force of the heavens and the earth, Zongzheng Huachun at this moment was the strongest Five Qi Grandmaster in the world. The might contained in this palm strike was ferocious! Even though Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s Emperor¡¯s Sword was dominatingly invincible, he dared not touch its edge lightly; his body and the Emperor¡¯s Sword merged into one, trying to find a breakpoint to penetrate this explosive Handprint. Boom! At the moment of collision, Zhao Zhiwu instantly felt that he had underestimated the force unleashed, feeling all his internal organs tremble, his Qi Sea constantly churning. If it weren¡¯t for his practice in Body Refining Martial Arts, he might have already suffered severe damage. The strong wind from Zhao Zhiwu directly swept the distant Jade Tower, knocking it down in the rain. At this moment, Taiyin Kui also charged forward, deploying his Seal Technique, sending the surging Blood River rushing forth. Zhao Zhiwu concentrated all his power into the Emperor¡¯s Sword, slicing open the Blood River and staggeringly landed on the eaves of the Taiqing Hall. Two Five Qi Grandmasters joined forces, especially as Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s strength was enhanced once again, forcing Zhao Zhiwu to continuously retreat. Although the rain was gradually dissipating, the sky remained extremely dim. Seeing this scene, some officials looked as if they had lost their ancestors and hastily cried out, ¡°Your Majesty¨C!¡± ¡­¡­ By the Dragon Locking Well. Qin Shan and Qi Xuan Dao were both seated cross-legged, recovering from the erosion of the thunderous force within their bodies. Though the thunderous power of Xi Hafu was absorbed by the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯ behind him, his injuries were also extremely severe, naturally he dared not act rashly. Meanwhile, Lv Guoyong looked at the sky with a solemn expression, ¡°It¡¯s indeed worthy of being an Earth Vein Spirit, even with the Dynasty¡¯s sealing and the great grandmaster¡¯s remains suppressing it, you still managed to release a sliver of your will.¡± Most of his strength was borrowed from the power of nature, and since the Earth Vein Spirit could also control this power, it was extremely difficult, if not impossible, for Lv Guoyong to suppress this Earth Vein Spirit. Moreover, due to the emergence of the Earth Vein Spirit, the Qi Mechanism inside his body was completely depleted, making it immensely difficult to kill the three individuals before him now. Truly, man¡¯s plans cannot match those of heaven, who would have thought that at this critical moment, the Earth Vein Spirit would spontaneously emerge. A sliver of will from the Earth Vein Spirit was enough to cause a huge upheaval. Just then, a figure sped from afar, rushing towards the Dragon Locking Well. Lv Guoyong watched the incoming person and said lightly, ¡°I told you, this Dragon Locking Well is guarded by a great grandmaster¡¯s remains, why bother going there?¡± The newcomer was none other than the former Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, Jiang Shang. Jiang Shang smiled, ¡°I¡¯m not here for the Earth Vein Spirit.¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of dying?¡± As they spoke, the sky rumbled with ominous thunder, as if a thunder pool might surge down at any moment. Jiang Shang¡¯s smile gradually turned icy, ignoring Lv Guoyong¡¯s threat, he leapt directly into the Dragon Locking Well. Lv Guoyong shook his head, ¡°This Jiang Shang¡­¡± Because of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s instigation, his internal Qi Mechanism was nearly depleted; at this moment, he still needed to intimidate the other three Five Qi Grandmasters, as compared to Jiang Shang, these two among them were his real concerns. ¡­¡­. In Yujing City, inside the Golden Throne Hall. The Blood River gradually enveloped An Jing, shrinking more and more. The Demon Sect experts who tried to get closer were all blocked by the Blood River; their internal Qi Mechanisms began to churn, even Yu Qiurong¡¯s Qi Sea was dyed bright red, evidently stained by the Blood Sea. Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s complexion was extremely unsightly, she murmured softly, ¡°What do we do now?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡± The usually resourceful Li Fuzhou, upon seeing this scene, was also rendered helpless. They could not approach the Blood River, and An Jing, who was in the center of the Blood River, was being continuously cleansed, devoured, and the only outcome left was to become a mere skeleton. Within the unseen dynamics of the Blood River, An Jing was surrounded by a layer of light as the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± began to operate, blocking the Blood River, while the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand continually trembled, as if beams of golden light were emerging, striving to break through the Blood River. ¡°What exactly is going on?¡± An Jing felt the anomaly in the Evil Suppressing Sword, his brows tightly furrowed. The last time the Evil Suppressing Sword underwent this change was back in Huang Tao Town when An Jing and the Zhao Country Heavenly Sword sparred, and at the most critical moment, the majestic aura of the Evil Suppressing Sword unfolded easily defeating the Heavenly Sword. An Jing had also sought the reason behind it, but had never found it, only knowing that the Evil Suppressing Sword seemed to carry the will of a mighty figure from the Great Zhou Dynasty, whose exact identity remained unknown to him. This time, the Evil Suppressing Sword showed an even more apparent and direct anomaly. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± As the sword¡¯s hums grew louder, An Jing¡¯s vision blurred, and once again he saw the figure in the dragon robe approaching him. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The difference was, this time the Emperor directly passed through his body. Or rather, directly entered into his body. At this moment, infinite golden light surged around An Jing, the Emperor¡¯s aura swept across the Four Seas, pressuring all directions. ¡­¡­. PS: I¡¯m on a business trip these two days; the trashy author has written something both short and sloppy. Chapter 313 - Chapter 313 Chapter 313 The Emperors Overwhelming Majesty Chapter 313: Chapter 313: The Emperor¡¯s Overwhelming Majesty Returns to the World Chapter 313: Chapter 313: The Emperor¡¯s Overwhelming Majesty Returns to the World An Jing¡¯s mind was crystal clear as he vaguely heard a majestic voice rising from the depths of his heart. ¡°As the sole ruler of all under heaven, uniting the Four Seas into one, I shall guard the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s rivers and mountains. Should I die, I shall become a remnant soul to protect my people of the Great Zhou Dynasty for eternity.¡± Originally, after the Evil Suppressing Sword was successfully forged, an Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty had died under the Evil Suppressing Sword. In fact, it was not that the Evil Suppressing Sword had killed the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but rather that the Emperor had reached the end of his life and voluntarily merged with the Evil Suppressing Sword, aiming to suppress the seal within it. At this moment, the emergence of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness awakened the remnant soul of the Great Zhou Dynasty Emperor that lay dormant within the Evil Suppressing Sword. In this moment of murky consciousness, the Ghost God Transformation within An Jing activated and directly assimilated the soul of the Great Zhou Dynasty Emperor, or rather, the Great Zhou Dynasty Emperor himself burned his Divine Soul. This was his obsession. Why did the Great Zhou Dynasty also suppress this seal? Could the seal be an aura of evil spirits? Then why did everyone receive blessings after the Earth Vein Spirit appeared? What exactly was hidden within? An Jing didn¡¯t have time to think further as a surging, vigorous force emerged. This power was even stronger than that of the Thousand-year-old Black Boa and Honghu, hence the strength he obtained was much more formidable. Back then, the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty was a Five Qi Peak Grandmaster, the strongest expert in the world, naturally his divine soul was much more powerful than that of Honghu and the Thousand-year-old Black Boa. In Yujing City, above the Imperial Palace, Zongzheng Huachun and Taiyin Kui, working together, continuously attacked the Great Yan Emperor, even though they knew the chances of the Great Yan Emperor breaking through his shackles were slim, they still gave their all, fearing that the Great Yan Emperor might ¡®luckily¡¯ break through and reach the realm of Great Grandmaster. Jia Shiwu of the Four Symbols Sect was caught by Dai Danshu, but at this moment, his expression was one of immense excitement, and he shouted, ¡°Do you see it? This is the Earth Vein, this is the Earth Vein!¡± Without his explanation, many masters present felt the heavenly and earthly blessings, their hearts filled with shock and uncertainty. Could it be that the Dragon Locking Well was merely a shackle laid down by the Great Yan Royal Family to consolidate their power over the world? Once this seed was planted, the resultant turmoil would undoubtedly be enormous. ¡°Be silent!¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as she coldly shouted. Jia Shiwu glanced at Zhao Xuening and said, ¡°Your Highness the Princess, please open your eyes and look at the current situation.¡± A hint of killing intent appeared in Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes, ¡°The current situation is not yet clear, but your life and death are crystal clear to us.¡± Jia Shiwu laughed, ¡°Does the Princess want to kill me?¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s beautiful eyes narrowed to a slit, ¡°You think I dare not?¡± ¡°Swoosh, swoosh!¡± At that moment, a figure flew from afar, a Swordsman with a long sword in hand, mercilessly cleaving towards Jia Shiwu¡¯s head. ¡°Puff!¡± As the grotesque head rolled, blood gushed out instantly. Jia Shiwu, the Sect Leader of the Four Symbols Sect, was instantly killed! This scene happened so fast that few of the masters present could react in time. Jia Shiwu¡¯s head rolled in the rain, still showing a trace of horror and bewilderment in his eyes. ¡°A mere One Qi Grandmaster dares to speak recklessly!?¡± The attacker landed, none other than Tianpeng Ancestor, who had been captured alive by Xu Qianyue in Zhong Mountain. Originally a servant of Zhao Mengtai, after Zhao Mengtai¡¯s death, he had turned to serve the Royal Family. Though defeated by Xu Qianyue at Zhong Mountain, Tianpeng Ancestor¡¯s strength was certainly not weak. Xu Qianyue¡¯s victory was mostly due to exploiting his momentary distraction. As many masters were engaged in battle, the sudden appearance of such a master as Tianpeng Ancestor immediately subdued all the masters present. ¡°Roar-!¡± The Golden Dragon above the sky roared with a deafening bellow. Zongzheng Huachun, with the ever-increasing power of the heaven and earth, grew stronger, and his every move could cause great upheaval. Zhao Zhiwu was pushed back repeatedly by Zongzheng Huachun, and with Taiyin Kui¡¯s ruthless attacks, the situation looked increasingly perilous. The sky was utterly gloomy as a dark cloud filled the hearts of everyone present. ¡°Look!¡± Just then, the Minister of Rites Zhu Yongfang pointed towards the still closing Blood River. Everyone, following the sound, looked over to see the shrinking Blood River suddenly stopped, and then, as if struck by a heavy blow, a small crack appeared. ¡°This is¡­¡­¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s eyes widened, a hint of surprise in her gaze. ¡°Could it be that kid?¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s heart also started thumping wildly. The next moment, a golden light emerged from the crack, extremely dazzling. Then, the crack in the Blood River grew larger and the golden light became more intense, so bright that it was hard to keep one¡¯s eyes open. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± Eventually, the Blood River suddenly burst open, and a powerful and domineering aura surged out, forming waves that dashed in all directions. In the center of that Blood River, there was a mass of golden light, it felt as if thousands of arrows were being fired simultaneously. The Blood River collapsed, and a figure slowly walked out from within. ¡°Son-in-law!¡± Yu Qiurong, seeing the person, exclaimed with great joy. Li Fuzhou, Duanmu Xinghua, Ouyang Ping, and other high-ranking experts from the Demon Sect were also greatly delighted. Sword God Liu Moyuan was somewhat astonished: ¡°This Ghost Swordsman actually didn¡¯t die!?¡± Zuo Linglong was also deeply shaken inside, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The Taiyin Kui¡¯s killing move had been continuously melting An Jing, and his demise seemed just a moment away. Zhao Xuening, looking at that calm and indifferent face, felt her heart pounding faster and faster. At the sight of the Ghost Swordsman, everyone was greatly shaken, including the three Five Qi Grandmasters who were still in battle. Upon close inspection, it was evident that An Jing now looked completely different from before. At this moment, he bore an emperor-like majesty, his eyes filled with an unusual air of dominance and disdain. This was an aura difficult to find on an ordinary person. ¡°How is this possible!?¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s eyes narrowed, his strongest move, which even Five Qi Grandmasters struggled to handle at great cost, seemed to have left the Ghost Swordsman unharmed. Zongzheng Huachun was also inwardly shaken, ¡°Be careful, his qi mechanism is climbing rapidly.¡± The surging golden light gave him a very dangerous feeling. An Jing stepped forward slowly, the surrounding Blood River also completely dispersing, his hand grasping the hilt of the Evil Suppressing Sword, his eyes fixed on the Golden Dragon above in the sky. Could this be the Earth Vein Spirit? According to the Earth Book, he must slay this Earth Vein Spirit, otherwise he would obtain a black destiny. ¡°Roar!¡± At this moment, a wisp of consciousness from the Earth Vein Spirit also sensed something familiar and, looking down at An Jing, immediately became furious, roaring wildly. The accumulated negative emotions were very intense, filling it with resentment! At this moment, An Jing, burning the remnant soul of the Great Zhou Emperor, saw his cultivation continuously rising, his back shining with golden light, as if an emperor was manifesting behind him. Just then, a voice transmitted from Zhao Zhiwu echoed in An Jing¡¯s mind, ¡°Give me the time of one incense stick.¡± ¡°Good.¡± An Jing, without any hesitation, looked directly at Taiyin Kui. ¡°Holy Master, I¡¯ll go kill this boy.¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s face darkened to the extreme, murderous intent surging in his heart. Having said that, Taiyin Kui once again pounced towards An Jing. He had failed earlier, and this time he was determined to personally slay the Ghost Swordsman. Taiyin Kui¡¯s vast True Qi had erupted from within him like a volcano at that moment, rolling incessantly and forming a vast area under its powerful potential. ¡°Step back,¡± An Jing said indifferently. The oppressive might of the powerful True Qi radiated outward, and the experts of the Demon Sect quickly retreated into the distance. Taiyin Kui¡¯s expression was indifferent; then, with a single palm, he sliced directly and fiercely toward An Jing from afar. Boom! The moment his palm fell, vast True Qi converged from all directions, directly transforming into a giant ghost face beneath the palm, sinister and bizarre, extremely formidable. With one strike, Taiyin Kui¡¯s palm was dominating and unmatched in its awe, so much so that even an ordinary Three Qi Grandmaster would probably shatter their courage and dare not confront it. With this move, Taiyin Kui also demonstrated his incredibly powerful strength, pushing the capabilities of a Five Qi Grandmaster to their limits. Boom, boom! An Jing looked up; Taiyin Kui¡¯s palm seemed casual but was extremely perilous. An Jing¡¯s expression remained calm, and he lifted the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, with the golden light of an Emperor shimmering behind him. Then flames surged out of the sword, instantly covering the entire blade and sweeping downwards. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Fire Field Bear! The sword light surged, and rolling waves of flame spread out, incinerating heaven and earth, covering the skies. Boom! The two terrifying qi mechanisms collided. Boom, boom, boom! The True Qi shock waves spread out, and the surrounding wooden pillars were scattered by the powerful waves of True Qi, turning into piles of wood chips. ¡°This Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength has actually increased!?¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s eyes surged with killing intent, rich and intense, and then he violently waved his sleeve, stomping fiercely with his foot. Behind him, a several zhang-long blood-colored light burst forth. With a magnificent roar, starting from the ruins of the Golden Throne Hall, he swept up layers of blood-colored waves that inhaled and exhaled, heavy as mountains, and the Blood River was coming towards An Jing. In that blood-colored light, a scalp-numbing oppressive force was released. Taiyin Kui¡¯s gaze was indifferent, but he refrained from any idle talk, simply stomping his foot and the vast blood qi engulfed the land above as well. Boom! Taiyin Kui¡¯s huge palm stretched out, instantly covering the skies, sweeping horizontally towards An Jing. This palm strike lacked any cunning; under such terrifying force, all clever techniques appeared powerless. The enormous palm covered the sky, compressing vast amounts of True Qi and creating wave after wave. An Jing looked up; the palm covered all the heavens, almost sealing all his paths of retreat, yet his expression remained calm, showing no signs of panic. ¡°Huh!¡± He took a deep breath, an Emperor emerging behind him, then, amidst many astonished gazes, he didn¡¯t retreat but advanced, taking a step forward. Boom! An Jing¡¯s Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand slashed directly, a supreme sword light vibrated forth, straight cleaving the palm print ahead into two halves, then dissipating into the heaven and earth. If Taiyin Kui¡¯s movement seemed casual, An Jing¡¯s was truly a casual sword strike. ¡°How is this possible!? Has his strength really increased this much!?¡± Seeing this, Taiyin Kui was furiously shocked, his body surged upward and transformed into a streak of light that shot violently towards An Jing, leaving behind continuous afterimages, the speed bringing an extremely piercing sonic boom. He couldn¡¯t believe that the Ghost Swordsman had not only escaped grave injury but had actually increased in strength; this was too inconceivable. Boom! Boom! Taiyin Kui threw a punch, and immediately vast True Qi burst forth; at this moment, his surroundings also had blood-colored waves surging toward him. An Jing stepped forward, instantly causing the surroundings to shake wildly, the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand glowing with a brilliant golden light. The golden radiance exuded an extremely domineering aura, even causing one¡¯s knees to weaken, nearly causing them to kneel on the ground. ¡°Sh!¡± An Jing swept his Evil Suppressing Sword, and instantly a fierce golden Sword Light burst from the blade. The imperial might behind him surged forth, sweeping across all directions. When a commoner is enraged, blood splatters five steps away! When an emperor is enraged, corpses lay across a million steps! Taiyin Kui repeated his old tricks, the vast Blood Sea attacked once more, covering the sky and sealing off all directions as if to swallow An Jing again. A cold smile appeared on the corner of An Jing¡¯s mouth. Between heaven and earth, the golden light and the crimson river each occupied half of the landscape, ultimately colliding with each other. The unimaginable scene didn¡¯t occur; instead, the golden Sword Light effortlessly pierced through the Blood River, carving a massive gash in it, and the golden Sword Light continued charging forward, targeting the guardian deity of the great plains, Taiyin Kui. At this moment, his pupils were filled with golden light, his brain trying to control his body to move, but he couldn¡¯t stir at all, only able to watch helplessly as the golden light rushed towards him. ¡°Sh!¡± The Sword Light directly shattered Taiyin Kui¡¯s Great Snow Mountain Secret Technique, striking heavily onto his chest, instantly shredding his clothes and revealing a long, narrow trail of blood, and his body smashed heavily onto the ground, forming a web of cracks like a spiderweb. Wow! There was a stir everywhere! Everyone¡¯s eyes converged in shock. ¡°My God! Did the Ghost Swordsman defeat Taiyin Kui?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a Five Qi Grandmaster!¡± ¡°How is this possible!?¡± ¡­¡­. No one had expected Taiyin Kui, who had just held the upper hand, to be defeated by the Ghost Swordsman with just two strikes. Everyone was deeply shocked. This was a Five Qi Grandmaster, just one step away from reaching the realm of a Land Immortal. ¡°What happened? What exactly happened?¡± Liu Moyuan¡¯s heart trembled. He was quite familiar with An Jing¡¯s strength, definitely one of the top experts in the world today, even calling him the strongest Four Qi Grandmaster wasn¡¯t an exaggeration. But facing a Five Qi, there was still some difference. Bai Mei, the eunuch, muttered as if realizing something, ¡°Could this be the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s secret technique?¡± There are no walls in the world that do not leak; An Jing¡¯s Ghost Transformation Secret Technique was a secret to many, but not to some. Taiyin Kui¡¯s body crashed onto the ground, life and death unknown, but the Sword Qi of the Evil Suppressing Sword ferociously surged into his body. After a few moments, he staggered to his feet, his body swaying, his mouth stained with fresh blood. Although he didn¡¯t die, that strike was truly severe. An Jing¡¯s eyes showed unrestrained murderous intent; Houjin was his greatest enemy at the moment, and slaying Taiyin Kui here would undoubtedly deal a heavy blow to Houjin. An emperor¡¯s imposing phantom emerged behind him, revealing his imperial might unequivocally. The Earth Vein Spirit seemed to think of something, growling incessantly, as if venting the fear within. Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s face did not change, but his heart inwardly frowned. But just then, a daunting gaze swept over, and the owner of that gaze was none other than the current Holy Master of Houjin, Zongzheng Huachun. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Now that he had the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s help, he could harness more power from heaven and earth, greatly advancing his capabilities compared to before. If he was already amongst the top Five Qi Grandmasters, now he could almost claim to be the strongest Five Qi Grandmaster in the world. An Jing also looked back, their gazes locking. Everyone could see the sparks flying between them, ready to explode at any moment. ¡­.. PS: Just got home today, typed this on the high-speed train, the 10,000 words update is coming tomorrow, striving to end this segment of the plot. Chapter 314 - Chapter 314 Chapter 314 The Top Battle in Yujing City Chapter 314: Chapter 314: The Top Battle in Yujing City (10,000-word update, please subscribe) Chapter 314: Chapter 314: The Top Battle in Yujing City (10,000-word update, please subscribe) Zongzheng Huachun looked at the Ghost Swordsman before him, never expecting that in Yujing City, the one who could finally stop him would be him. If he had known that it would come to this today, he would have killed the Ghost Swordsman without hesitation back at Dongluo Pass, even if Jun Qinglin tried to stop him, and there would not be today¡¯s disaster. But in this world, there are no ifs. Somewhat unexpectedly, Zongzheng Huachun started to laugh, ¡°Jun Qinglin is not my opponent, nor is Zhao Zhiwu my opponent. Do you think you would be my opponent?¡± An Jing gripped the sword hilt, the blade swiveled resolutely, and the formidable sword edge pointed at Zongzheng Huachun, ¡°Do you think I could be your opponent?¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°You are merely following in Jun Qinglin¡¯s footsteps.¡± An Jing¡¯s expression did not change, but inside his heart, a stormy sea of rage stirred, giving rise to endless murderous intent. Although it was subtle, Zongzheng Huachun still captured it. An Jing¡¯s resistance was not for the Dragon Locking Well or for the Great Yan Royal Family. His motive was pure and simple, solely for avenging Jun Qinglin. The great trends of the world, a burden he has yet to shoulder, clearly he had not reached that realm and step. At this moment, as the two top experts confronted each other, the air around them seemed to have solidified. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s mouth twitched slightly upward, revealing a trace of a smile, ¡°You are the junior, I will give you the chance to make the first move.¡± ¡°As you wish.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes were cold, like sharp swords, he raised the Evil Suppressing Sword, and his body disappeared from its spot, the sword radiance piercing forward at a speed hard to detect. A burst of golden light shot out, the might of an Emperor unstoppable. Fast! There were very few among the crowd who could see An Jing¡¯s sword strike, and those who did see the strike could not make out the trajectory of the sword, and those who could see the trajectory could not see clearly how many strikes were made. The sword radiance was exceedingly fast, carrying a whistling sound as it broke through the air. Others could not ascertain the total number of sword strikes, but Zongzheng Huachun could see. A total of seventeen sword strikes, among them thirteen targeted his vital points, clearly showing that in his heart, this top swordsman in the world harbored boundless murderous intent towards him. Zongzheng Huachun was a genius. He had not only cultivated the Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique to perfection, but he had also perfected the Great Snow Mountain Sky-reaching Earth-penetrating Heart Method. And that was not why he could overpower Jun Qinglin; on his body, there was also a distinctive martial arts, which was the reason he had made rapid progress so far and why his strength was far higher than that of other masters of the same realm. However, given his current strength and status, there were few people who could force him to use this martial arts heart method. When he was confronting Nangong Weiping, he had used it briefly before immediately stopping. For he knew that even if he gave it his all, he wouldn¡¯t be a match for that Nangong Weiping, so why expose his trump card? Zongzheng Huachun remained motionless. In the realm of highly accomplished martial arts, not moving is more daunting than moving. Not moving is moving! This profundity was beyond the reach of ordinary people, much like the mysteries of the Sixth Realm and Seventh Realm of Sword Dao, always possessing a mysteriousness that was hard to articulate and explain clearly. All seventeen sword strikes hit Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body, but there was no blood, no sensation of a sword blade touching flesh. It seemed as if they hit, but they did not. An Jing frowned, feeling a sense of foreboding when five fingers came crashing down on his Heavenly Spirit, forming a world of their own below. ¡°Buzz, buzz!¡± True Qi surged forward, directly piercing An Jing¡¯s Protective True Qi, then slammed harshly against the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique. Although the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique was a martial art that surpassed the Heavenly Martial level, An Jing had not yet reached the topmost levels like the Ninth Layer or the Tenth Layer. At that moment, the immense True Qi pressed down, creating visibly noticeable cracks instantly. An Jing also felt a tremendous force coming at him, and in an instant, his legs were buried in the ground up to his knees before he managed to stop the downward momentum. This astonishing force was impossible for an ordinary Five Qi Grandmaster to withstand. After undergoing Ghost Transformation, the Qi mechanism inside An Jing¡¯s body began climbing wildly, already comparable to a Five Qi Grandmaster¡¯s Qi mechanism. It wasn¡¯t that he couldn¡¯t block this strike, but he wanted to see just how strong Zongzheng Huachun really was. Zongzheng Huachun moved backward, saying, ¡°Bring out all your strength.¡± ¡°When it¡¯s time to go all out, I naturally will.¡± An Jing leapt up, pulling his legs free, his eyes carrying a hint of coldness, and the radiance from the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand became even more intense. This was the brilliance left by the Great Zhou Emperor Yan, domineering and peerless. Whoosh! The next moment, An Jing¡¯s hand thrust the Evil Suppressing Sword forward. Hundred-step Flying Sword! The sword light was extremely clear and simple, piercing the air around it and causing currents to spread out to both sides. Zongzheng Huachun stood with one hand behind his back, a white radiance emerging around him, enveloping his body. The sword light was cold and sharp, unmatched, and it touched the white radiance. Immediately at the point where the sword tip met the white radiance, ripples like those on water emerged, and these ripples dissolved all of An Jing¡¯s sword radiance. Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique! An Jing slightly furrowed his brows. From the exchange with Zongzheng Huachun, he felt an extremely special and familiar sensation. Indeed, it was a familiar feeling. The True Qi continued to surge, fully channeling into the Evil Suppressing Sword. At the same time, the starlight appeared again behind An Jing, forming a vast expanse of starry sky. This starry sky was boundless, spreading over the entire Yujing City. Sword God Liu Moyuan, looking at the starry sky in front of him, couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°What kind of sword dao is this!?¡± Historically, the Holy Dao Sword had been among the top in all sword daos, but at this moment it seemed slightly inferior to the sword dao before him. So, what exactly was this sword dao? As An Jing exerted his full power, the sharpness of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s tip was fully revealed. Even the watery ripples seemed to be shattered, and the white light shield also started showing cracks. This scene shocked everyone present. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique had never been broken even by Great Yan Emperor Zhao Zhiwu, but now it seemed that An Jing¡¯s sword light was about to break it. This truly was a swordsman of extreme sharpness. During the confrontations between Great Yan Emperor Zhao Zhiwu and Zongzheng Huachun, their exchanges were more about power. Zongzheng Huachun felt a chill emerging in his arms, and he continuously stepped back. The Evil Suppressing Sword, seizing the advantage, continued to thrust forward. Step-step-step-step¡­ Zongzheng Huachun continued to retreat until he stopped within the ruins of the Golden Throne Hall. Then he waved his sleeve, dispelling all the qi force around him. If previously An Jing controlled eighty percent of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s sharp energy, now the sword could be considered fully at his command, effortlessly handling it whether the task was heavy or light. After all, the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s sharpness made it an exotic treasure, beyond comparison with ordinary weapons. Even a recognized master couldn¡¯t easily control it, not without high skill. With the increase in cultivation, he could maneuver such a divine weapon as if it were an extension of his arm. Zongzheng Huachun dispelled the surrounding qi force and stretched out his hand, revealing a white pearl in front of him. This was precisely the Great Snow Mountain¡¯s national treasure, the Thousand-Year Ice Pearl. Earlier, when he faced Zhao Zhiwu, the Thousand-Year Ice Pearl had activated, unlike Zhao Zhiwu whose King Sword wasn¡¯t sharp, so he hadn¡¯t revealed the Thousand-Year Ice Pearl. Now, facing An Jing, a swordsman with unmatched sharpness, he had to expose the Thousand-Year Ice Pearl outside his body to block the peerless sharpness. With more of nature¡¯s spiritual energy supporting him, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s control over the Thousand-Year Ice Pearl matured instantly; a stream of ice covered his body, not only repairing the Holy Body Technique but also seeming impenetrable due to the overlay of the Cold Ice Stream. Suddenly, a broad and august sound erupted between heaven and earth, accompanied by countless qi mechanisms exploding violently, creating visible waves of qi that swept up dust into the air and spread throughout the Imperial Palace. Except for Zhao Zhiwu, who was sitting cross-legged, it greatly affected everyone else present. The two current top masters formed a deadlock, which seemed to enter a state of stillness at that moment. Then the next moment, the skies above the Golden Throne Hall shook tremendously, and the rolling cloud sea above plummeted, enveloping the area in fog, turning day into night. Zongzheng Huachun made the first move. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body emitted extreme red light, reflecting a blazing red light like the extremely bright sun on the horizon. Heavenly Human Communication! Both An Jing and Li Fuzhou¡¯s ability to connect with the heavenly and the earthly paled in comparison to Zongzheng Huachun, who, with the help of the Earth Vein Spirit, had nearly reached the realm of unity with heaven and earth. The next moment, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s momentum surged violently upward. An Jing¡¯s hand swung the Evil Suppressing Sword crazily. With each swing, another sharp sword radiance emerged from the sword, sending dozens of sword radiance slashes toward Zongzheng Huachun. Snow Mountain Covering Sea Hand! Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s True Qi whirled, and a massive palm emerged mightily, sweeping across heaven and earth, striking toward An Jing¡¯s Sword Radiance. Thud! Thud! A fearsome True Qi storm unceasingly swept forth, and under the suppression of the wild True Qi handprint, An Jing¡¯s Sword Radiance was directly annihilated into obliteration. Effortlessly! With the aid of the Earth Vein Spirit, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s strength had evidently reached a zenith. His gaze calm, his hand transformed into a huge handprint, madly striking toward An Jing. Giant palm prints that obscured the sun and moaned ominously, reflected in An Jing¡¯s pupils, resembled an oncoming mountain collapse and tsunami; yet his expression remained unafraid, his eyes serene as still water, unfazed. The Selfless Path! Dazzling Sword Light emerged, sweeping forth almost at the instant that palm print thunderously fell, instantly overflowing with light that enveloped this stretch of heaven and earth. Boom! Boom! Boom! The accumulated rainwater on the ground splashed in all directions, kicking up mud. A thunderous sound reverberated through the air, and the ground itself trembled wildly as various buildings, walls, and jade towers collapsed, massive cracks continuously spreading toward the horizon. ¡°Run, these two are too strong.¡± ¡°Leave quickly, the True Qi fluctuations are so strong, we¡¯ll be killed if we don¡¯t flee.¡± ¡­ The Imperial Guards frantically roared, escorting the officials as they fled in all directions. Many experts stood in the distance, grim-faced, watching intently. At that moment, Zhao Tianyi said, ¡°Empress, please leave here quickly.¡± Zuo Linglong coldly replied, ¡°I will not leave; I wish to share life and death with His Majesty and the fate of Great Yan.¡± Zhao Tianyi said nothing, but his steps moved slightly forward¨Cif the Ghost Swordsman were to fail, he must fulfill the duty of a minister. Within the rising dust and smoke, an extreme chill pierced through, locking onto Zongzheng Huachun who stood at the peak of the jade tower, his brows tightly furrowed, silent. He waved his sleeve, a gust swept the smoke and dust away, and as the dust cleared, his pupils sharply constricted, feeling an indescribable sense of oppression emanating from the collapsed ruins. An Jing stood silently, his face expressionless as he looked at Zongzheng Huachun; as their gazes met, sparks flew and the surrounding air seemed to twist. ¡°Bang!¡± A strong blast of True Qi exploded behind Zongzheng Huachun, and his figure transformed into a series of afterimages, appearing almost instantaneously in front of An Jing, unleashing a punch. This punch, without any fanciness, was however charged with extremely violent True Qi force, and as he swung the punch, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body was cloaked in surging blood energy. The blood energy, entwining around his fist, seemed alive with the sounds of violent strife, stirring the soul. The Martial Arts of Black Ice Platform!? An Jing realized something, but in this lightning-fast moment, he had no time to ponder. A tremendous surge of blood energy with a heavy aura of slaughter assaulted him, giving An Jing the illusion of a blood sea surging toward him; however, this disturbance did not substantially affect him. His mind was like still water, and the True Qi driven by the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± burst forth powerfully at this moment. An Jing looked silently determined, punching out as well. In that moment, stars aligned behind him, showcasing the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique. Beyond that, there appeared an Emperor, looking down at Zongzheng Huachun in front. Boom! Two fists imbued with fearsome force collided under the intense gazes, with a resounding explosion that echoed through the heavens, sending visible shockwaves all around. The ground underneath them, unable to withstand that force, cracked open with numerous fissures. Countless people stood in the distance, their eyes unblinking, soon followed by astonishment among the experts present as they watched An Jing. For they saw that An Jing, who had just clashed head-on with Zongzheng Huachun, merely trembled slightly and retreated five steps backward. It must be known that the Ghost Swordsman, although a practitioner of Body Refining Martial Arts, was up against the Holy Master of the Great Snow Mountain, one of the strongest Five Qi Grandmasters of the current era. The Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique was executed by An Jing to the utmost, but the primary reason was his transformation into a ghostly figure, an enhancement in Qi Mechanism that instantly took him to the brink between a Five Qi Grandmaster and a Great Grandmaster. In terms of Qi confrontation, he was not at all inferior to Zongzheng Huachun. ¡°How could the Ghost Swordsman suddenly become so formidable!?¡± The crowd murmured in astonishment as An Jing, in his battle with Zongzheng Huachun, held only a slight disadvantage, something they could never have anticipated. And in the midst of that low uproar of stunned voices, astonishment also flickered across Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes; the cultivation level An Jing displayed after deploying the secret technique greatly exceeded his expectations. At that moment, all eyes between heaven and earth were converging upon An Jing and Zongzheng Huachun. If the Ghost Swordsman could not buy some time for the Great Yan Emperor, the consequences were almost unpredictable. A tremendous Qi Force burst forth from Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body. With a stomp of his foot, the ground shattered, and his figure transformed into countless afterimages that flew out, circling high around An Jing. Then, those palm prints filled with murderous intent overwhelmed An Jing like a blanket covering the sky. Such an attack was so fierce it was almost impossible to dodge. An Jing, with an expressionless face, watched the countless Zongzheng Huachuns around him, clutching tightly the hilt of the Evil Suppressing Sword. The next moment, it seemed as if countless golden Qi streams surged up around him. All the experts in the imperial palace felt a twitch in their hearts, a strange chill emerging from nowhere. The Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand began to crazily devour the surrounding True Qi, with countless streams of True Qi swirling around the sword blade, forming a massive golden Sword Qi vortex. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Control Flying Immortal! Whoosh! All that True Qi began to violently shift, gradually condensing, slowly merging to form a giant golden sword. Simultaneously, an Emperor¡¯s figure emerged behind An Jing, a domineering aura that reigned over the world enveloped everything below. Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack, crack! The giant golden sword, gleaming with a fierce light, surged forward boldly. So-called Heaven has no two saints; now, within this imperial palace, it seemed as though three emperors had descended. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body was encircled by thousand-year-old ice pearls, his True Qi after refining turned clear and shiny, even glowing with a faint white brilliance. The ¡®Ten Directions Technique¡¯ inside his body activated, causing that True Qi to bathe once more in a purple glow. In an instant, a palm struck out. Heaven and earth shattered, mountains moved and seas overturned! ¡°This Heart Technique doesn¡¯t seem like it¡¯s from the Great Snow Mountain¡¯s Martial Arts Heart Method?¡± ¡°There¡¯s something odd about it!¡± ¡­¡­.. The violent True Qi storm immediately exploded, eliciting cries of alarm from the crowd. It indeed had some connection with Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s Heart Method! An Jing, seeing the palm prints attacking from all directions, took a deep breath as a golden arc cleaved through the sky. The giant golden sword, with the terrifying speed of an arc of light, charged toward those palm prints. Bang! In the sky above, purple and golden lights collided first, followed by the clash between the giant golden sword and the enveloping palm prints. The ground below them cracked, and two figures were shaken and shot backwards, their feet creating long traces of Qi waves in the sky before they finally came to a gradual halt. An Jing¡¯s hand was covered in fresh blood, and his heart couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the strength of this Holy Master, which was indeed too formidable. The Martial Arts that Zongzheng Huachun practiced seemed no weaker than the ¡®Nine Nether Body Refining Martial Arts¡¯ or ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture,¡¯ such powerful techniques that surpassed the Heavenly Martial Level. Moreover, by tapping into the robust power of nature, he had already reached the pinnacle of a Five Qi Grandmaster. Now that he had used Ghost Transformation, he was just able to fight Zongzheng Huachun to a draw, but defeating him seemed extremely difficult, unless his own strength could grow once more. Zongzheng Huachun, too, narrowed slightly. Originally the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Dao cultivation was slightly inferior, but now this secret technique provided a vast amount of Qi Mechanism, allowing him to dramatically increase his realm in Dao. Even with the help of the Earth Vein Spirit, defeating him quickly still seemed very difficult. As the two stood face to face, Zhao Zhiwu was sitting cross-legged in the distance, a golden Light Shield rising around him, blocking all surrounding Qi Mechanisms, as he worked on breaking through the Grandmaster Realm. Once he truly reached the Grandmaster Level, it would inevitably completely change the current situation. Zongzheng Huachun looked complicatedly at An Jing before him, and did not gloat despite having a slight advantage. Because he knew that this slight advantage was truly insignificant. In the fifteenth year of Xingping, this Ghost Swordsman before him seemed to be only about twenty-two years old. Over twenty years ago, he had nearly unified the entire Houjin and became the Emperor and Holy Master of the Great Snow Mountain. Meanwhile, this Ghost Swordsman had just been born. Compared to old men like Jun Qinglin, Zongzheng Huachun might appear young, but his real age wasn¡¯t young at all, even old enough to be the grandfather of the Ghost Swordsman. This young man wanted to overturn an old man like him, and yet this old body had to strive against this young man desperately. ¡°We can¡¯t keep delaying.¡± Zongzheng Huachun took a deep breath. With that thought, he immediately took another deep breath, and his withered palms suddenly came together, forming an exceedingly strange Seal Technique. Boom! With the commencement of Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s seal technique, a mighty rush of True Qi burst forth, rapidly condensing in front of Zongzheng Huachun. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s expression was blank, his eyes radiating endless purple light, his palms formed seals, beginning to change into various sealing forms which faintly, seemed to carry a red, sinister aura. The Heavenly Human Communication was pushed to its extreme! The Five Qi Cultivation was also pushed to its extreme! A vast Qi Mechanism erupted, covering the sky, and then Zongzheng Huachun launched a punch, with the punch light surging with a purple glow imprinting into the air. A gigantic seal technique appeared in the air, ferocious and overwhelming, suppressing eternity. At the same time, a chill arose, causing many people to involuntarily shiver, subconsciously looking towards the source of the trembling. They saw An Jing standing on the ruins, with a cold aura streaming around the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword, and a wisp of white vapor emerging around it. Between heaven and earth, the pupils of various masters narrowed. This white vapor was produced from the utmost cold! And the sharp aura of the ghost swordsman had actually materialized, which was truly terrifying. Innumerable gazes converged on that blade at that moment, and soon after, they all gasped in shock, as the sharp airflow appeared like a river, rushing violently around. An Jing¡¯s expression was cold, and True Qi continuously flowed into the blade. His robe fluttered with the Qing Feng, and alongside his indifferent, outstanding expression, he appeared like an immortal fallen to the human world, making people marvel. The sword in his hand also seemed like an immortal sword lost from heaven, devoid of any emotion, cold to the extreme. The Heartless Path! As the Evil Suppressing Sword moved, that materialized sharp, cold Qi surged forward. A sword radiance, like an icy river, charged towards Zongzheng Huachun. Wherever it passed, the air solidified into a golden cold stream, even covering the sky with an ice layer cloud-like, blocking the horizon, extraordinarily beautiful and heart-stopping. One sword divides yin and yang! A huge Sword Qi flow surged upward, astonishingly moving from the bottom up, topping the opposing Qi Mechanism upstream. From afar, it seemed as though that sword light split everything ahead in two. One side was dark as lacquer, deep black night, the other was white gold, early dawn rising. Innumerable yellow halos burst forth from within, the oldest of halos, soft yet one of the sharpest lights in the world. Under shocked, astonished gazes, a streak of purplish-golden light above the sky collided directly with that seal technique. Boom! At the moment of impact, the whole world seemed to freeze for an instant, and then, a wildly savage True Qi shockwave swept out, tearing vicious, deep ravines into the ground below, extending far into the distance. The entire area around the Golden Throne Hall including several Jade Towers, pavilions, was essentially ruined in one fell swoop. Crack! Crack! Everyone was astonished as they watched everything before them, a scene they would never forget in their lifetimes. They witnessed the gigantic seal technique in the sky directly swept by the sword radiance, then it actually melted away, just like millennia-old glaciers meeting erupting magma. Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh! Countless true seal auras burned continuously, gradually disappearing between heaven and earth. This extraordinary scene, earth-shaking, moved people¡¯s hearts. All around, everyone looked up, stunned, watching this scene. Zongzheng Huachun is the strongest Five Qi Grandmaster of the current day, hence An Jing is a challenger, and their duel could almost be considered a battle at the peak. If Nan Weiping did not appear, or if there weren¡¯t other masters, then this battle could really be considered the strongest battle in the world. The force of that seal technique overflowed wildly, directly piercing through his Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, and then the remaining penetrated into An Jing¡¯s body, causing his Qi Sea to churn violently. ¡°Wow!¡± An Jing spurted a mouthful of blood, as the golden light behind him dimmed down. The top Five Qi Grandmaster¡¯s strength was already incredibly strong, coupled with the assistance of the Earth Vein Spirit, making Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s power even more formidable, having reached a critical point. ¡°Thump!¡± Zongzheng Huachun was also not feeling well, the surging Force Qi washing over, directly shredding his robe sleeves, then he forcefully stomped his right foot on the ground, discharging the surging Qi Force directly into the ground below. However, from subtle aspects it could still be felt that Zongzheng Huachun, with the support of the Earth Vein Spirit, still held a slight upper hand. Everyone¡¯s expressions became incredibly tense. Just then, a strange phenomenon occurred in the heavens and the earth. ¡°Roar!¡± The Earth Vein Spirit let out a low growl, and in the sky above, lightning interweaved in a bizarre, dazzling display. Subsequently, the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s body shuddered as it rushed towards Zongzheng Huachun. It was filled with resentment, wanting to escape from the Dragon Locking Well. And the only person who could help it was Zongzheng Huachun. ¡°This is¡­.¡± An Jing was startled when he saw this. He saw the Earth Vein Spirit surge directly into Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body, drilling into his Qi Sea and Dantian. Instantly, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s aura began to skyrocket, rapidly increasing. ¡°Not good!¡± Zhao Tianyi¡¯s eyes gleamed as he said, ¡°A wisp of intent from the Earth Vein Spirit is trying to use Zongzheng Huachun to open the Dragon Locking Well. Now that the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent has fused with his body, his strength will likely surge greatly, and he will be able to better utilize the power of nature.¡± Hearing Zhao Tianyi¡¯s words, Zuo Linglong couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°Doesn¡¯t this mean that Zongzheng Huachun has received an incredible opportunity?¡± Zhao Tianyi shook his head, his face grave as he said, ¡°From the help of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent, he has already received a tremendous opportunity, which has dramatically accelerated his connection with nature. Now with the integration of the Earth Vein Spirit, he even has the chance to reach the legendary realm of unity between heaven and man.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Zuo Linglong frowned deeply, suddenly feeling a sense of foreboding. From the moment the Earth Vein Spirit manipulated the forces of nature, Zongzheng Huachun had already gained immense benefits. Although the influence of the Earth Vein Spirit would eventually end, the enlightenment gained was deeply imprinted in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s mind. And now, with the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent directly merging into Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body, this was indeed the greatest opportunity and blessing. Taiyin Kui¡¯s eyes gleamed with ecstasy; the Earth Vein Spirit represented the major channels of natural energy, spontaneously created from nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Now that it had integrated into Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body, the benefits were too complex to be simply stated. In this realm, all the masters turned their attention to Zongzheng Huachun. Only the Great Yan Emperor Zhao Zhiwu, sitting cross-legged, had his Qi Mechanism also climbing rapidly, soaring as if it would soon break the shackles and reach the realm of a Land Immortal. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± An Jing patted the sword box, and immediately several sword artifacts surged out. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes flashed with a golden light. If just before he had been an unyielding rock, now he was more like a towering mountain, giving An Jing a sense of overwhelming momentum. At the same time, it felt as if a mountain had been added to An Jing¡¯s shoulders. At this moment, not only could Zongzheng Huachun draw more power from heaven and earth, he could also impose a shackle on An Jing. Zongzheng Huachun laughed and said, ¡°It seems, destiny favors me.¡± With such an opportunity at his side, no one could remain unexcited. An Jing retorted, ¡°What is destiny?¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Destiny is the sharpest blade in this world.¡± Surrounded by sword light, An Jing brandished the Evil Suppressing Sword and asked, ¡°Sharper than my sword?¡± Zongzheng Huachun calmly said, ¡°You could try.¡± As the intent of the Earth Vein Spirit faded, dark clouds gathered again, and it seemed as if something terrifying was brewing, creating an extremely oppressive atmosphere. An Jing coldly said, ¡°I never believe in fate!¡± He was a swordsman. In that moment, there was nothing else in An Jing¡¯s heart. Even if facing a Land Immortal, he would still draw his sword. Even if facing a Heavenly Immortal, he would still draw his sword. The life of a swordsman, the brilliance of a swordsman, lies in the sword in his hands. His heart was like ice, yet simultaneously like fire. These traits should not exist in the same person, but at this moment, they did, and An Jing felt as if his chest might explode. Darkness began to devour him. In that moment, he forgot himself, forgot the sword in his hand. In a trance, he was the sword, and the sword was him. He couldn¡¯t tell how long had passed¨Cit seemed like a breath, yet it felt as though centuries had gone by. The sky was still the same sky. The clouds were still the same clouds. The people were still the same people. A white seal emerged, and An Jing finally made his move. It was a moment that captured the soul, as well as a moment that shook the heavens and earth, just as if the overcast world suddenly burst into brightness. If the sword just now was one of unmatched edge, then the sword now was more like a gentle breeze, not only devoid of pain but also exceptionally mild. There was no chilling shock of heaven and earth, no crossing and intertwining qi mechanisms. There was only an unremarkable flash of the sword. Zongzheng Huachun saw An Jing approaching. He saw the flash of the sword as well. But his mind was very calm, like an ancient well that hadn¡¯t rippled for thousands of years, its depths like a mirror. At that moment, he saw into An Jing¡¯s heart, and also saw flames and ice. But the next moment, both the flames and the ice vanished as if they had never existed. The figure of An Jing ahead of him disappeared, suddenly. The sword light before him also vanished, without a trace. Zongzheng Huachun couldn¡¯t see anything, or perhaps it¡¯s better to say he could no longer see anything about An Jing, as if everything had disappeared into this world. At the same time, he himself also disappeared. To the onlookers, however, it appeared that An Jing had drawn his sword, thrusting towards Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s throat, not quickly, but Zongzheng Huachun did not move. Yes, he did not move. A hint of surprise appeared in Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes¨Ccould it be that Zongzheng Huachun was to be splattered with blood here today? Not just Zhao Xuening thought so, other experts present also doubted, wondering why Zongzheng Huachun did not dodge when the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s sword was assaulting him. Everyone couldn¡¯t help but tremble, their eyes widened as they looked on, their breath seemingly held at this moment. The sword tip drew nearer and nearer, ultimately aiming straight for Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s throat. But the scene of blood spurting did not happen, and upon closer inspection, the sword light had merely passed through Zongzheng Huachun. The sword light soared into the sky, as if it wanted to pierce the clouds. ¡°Magnificent, what a splendid sword! Zongzheng Huachun suddenly burst out laughing. An Jing held the sword in one hand, standing in the distance, as if he had never moved, nor had any sword light charged towards Zongzheng Huachun. The sky was still the sky. The clouds were still the clouds. The people were still the people. No one could have expected, nor would anyone think. In that flash of lightning, the two exchanged a move, the most dangerous and mysterious move thus far. And the time for an incense stick to burn had also passed. Now, with Zhao Zhiwu at the center, surrounding true qi surged forth, forming a vast and mighty vortex. ¡°Your Majesty¨C!¡± The sudden scene once again shifted everyone¡¯s attention. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes narrowed as he whispered, ¡°It seems, today cannot determine the victor. An Jing said, ¡°If you desire it, it¡¯s not impossible.¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s expression remained calm as water, silent, because he was uncertain whether Zhao Zhiwu had truly advanced to the Great Grandmaster level, or if it was just a bluff. If Zhao Zhiwu had truly reached the Great Grandmaster level, even with the intent of the Earth Vein Spirit by his side, he would not be a match for a Land Immortal. Indeed, today he had grasped a strand of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit. Once he returned, he would cultivate well. If Zhao Zhiwu could break through his shackles, then it was natural for Zongzheng Huachun, having garnered the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s thought as well. An Jing said, smiling, ¡°Are you afraid?¡± Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°Is there anyone in the world who is not afraid of death?¡± An Jing replied, ¡°Perhaps there are.¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Or perhaps there are none.¡± An Jing had long understood a principle: those who are not afraid of death are most likely to die. Thus, those in this world who were unafraid of death were already buried in the ground. Just like Jiang Sanjia, he was not afraid of death, so he died. After Zongzheng Huachun finished speaking, he stepped forward. Boom! Merely stepping forward once caused the entire imperial palace to shake violently. Hurry! Liu Moyuan also saw Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s intent to retreat. He leaped forward, being the first to flee into the distance. The eunuch Bai Mei watched his figure, not pursuing him. For him, guarding this imperial palace was far more important than catching up to Liu Moyuan. Moreover, with his strength, he might not be Liu Moyuan¡¯s match. Many experts were shaking, trying hard to control their bodies. They saw Zongzheng Huachun and Taiyin Kui walking towards the distance. Their steps were not fast, but in an instant, their figures disappeared from everyone¡¯s sight. Nobody dared to stop these two people, not even the eunuch Bai Mei. To those two, the massive army outside the city was almost akin to nothing. Especially the now Zongzheng Huachun. An Jing did not speak, merely quietly watching that figure. As Zongzheng Huachun disappeared, the golden light behind him gradually became extremely weak, like a flame about to extinguish, and the tip of the Evil Suppressing Sword was also dripping a drop of fresh blood. Clearly, the battle just now had not left him lightly wounded. Moreover, after the Earth Vein Spirit fully entered Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body, he no longer had any chance of winning. This Holy Master of Houjin feared that very person who might break through the shackles, the Human Emperor. ¡°Quick, protect the Emperor!¡± Zuo Linglong hurriedly shouted. Zhao Tianyi, the eunuch Bai Mei, and the sword-controlling eunuch Zhong Binru quickly surrounded and protected the Great Yan Emperor. The aura of the Great Yan Emperor was still rising, seemingly reaching a critical point. ¡°Son-in-law!¡± ¡°An Tributor!¡± The experts of the Demon Sect also came forth, protecting An Jing at their center. It was then that Xiao Qianqiu arrived ¡®belatedly¡¯. He looked at An Jing, ¡°A strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s thought escaping from Dragon Locking Well has changed the heavens and the earth.¡± An Jing looked to the State Preceptor and said, ¡°Is this ultimately a good or bad thing?¡± He could feel the richness of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, his cultivation was continuously improving, clearly a good thing. But why did both the Great Yan Emperor and Lv Guoyong strictly guard the sealing of Dragon Locking Well? Xiao Qianqiu, the state preceptor of Great Yan and the sect leader of Zhenyi Sect, should know these secrets. The leaders of several sects all looked over, their eyes filled with confusion and doubt. In their view, the breaking of the seal at Dragon Locking Well was obviously a good thing. But then why did the Great Yan Dynasty lay down this seal? Could it really be to stabilize the dynasty¡¯s rule? ¡°It is both good and bad,¡± Xiao Qianqiu, with one hand behind his back, looked at the gradually dispersing clouds in the sky and said solemnly, ¡°The release of a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s thought has caused the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to thicken. But the Earth Vein Spirit had been invaded a thousand years ago, and the spiritual energy it releases contains a massive amount of evil spirits. If I¡¯m not wrong, everyone¡¯s bodies have already been invaded by evil spirits, although the amount is still small. However, as it subtly accumulates, unimaginable changes will happen sooner or later.¡± The words of Xiao Qianqiu stirred up a thousand waves! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Suddenly, everyone looked at their palms in astonishment. Were they now invaded by evil spirits? What would happen if they truly were invaded by evil spirits? Moreover, where did these evil spirits come from and how did they contaminate the Earth Vein? ¡­¡­ Chapter 315 - Chapter 315 Chapter 315 Method to Breakthrough to Great Chapter 315: Chapter 315: Method to Breakthrough to Great Grandmaster Chapter 315: Chapter 315: Method to Breakthrough to Great Grandmaster An Jing looked at his own palm, wondering if he had unknowingly been infiltrated by the evil spirit¡¯s energy. Xiao Qianqiu looked toward An Jing and said, ¡°You have done what I originally intended to do.¡± Ultimately, Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s last desperate attempt to break through to the Great Grandmaster level was supposed to involve Xiao Qianqiu buying him time, but in reality, it was An Jing who defeated Taiyin Kui and held back Zongzheng Huachun. Xiao Qianqiu was indeed the backup, as he was the State Preceptor after all. An Jing pondered for a long while and then asked, ¡°What about that Golden Dragon?¡± ¡°A wisp of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit, it wanted to escape from the seal of the Dragon Locking Well,¡± explained Xiao Qianqiu slowly. Xiao Qianqiu continued, ¡°Because the evil spirit¡¯s energy has contaminated the spiritual energy of nature, sealing the Dragon Locking Well means not only sealing the spiritual energy but also the evil spirit¡¯s energy. Currently, what escaped from the seal is merely a wisp of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit, but it still poses a great danger.¡± Dai Danshu couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°State Preceptor, what dangers does the entry of this evil spirit¡¯s energy into the body pose?¡± Xiao Qianqiu, with a chill in his eyes, replied, ¡°Mild exposure to the evil spirit¡¯s energy can cause one to lose their mind, turning into a walking corpse. In severe cases, it can even turn a person into an evil spirit, which is neither human, ghost, demon, nor devil.¡± Hiss¨C! Everyone gasped in shock; the evil spirit¡¯s energy could actually turn a person into an evil spirit? Hearing this sent shivers down one¡¯s spine. ¡°I see.¡± Now, understanding that the spiritual energy of nature coexists with the evil spirit¡¯s energy, An Jing fully realized why the statements of the two Xi Hafus were different. They were both right, but not entirely. The spiritual energy had been contaminated by the evil spirit¡¯s energy. By sealing the spiritual energy to prevent the leakage of the evil spirit¡¯s energy, it caused the spiritual energy to become increasingly rare, making cultivation harder and the number of masters fewer. An Jing looked at Xiao Qianqiu and said, ¡°Although the Earth Veins are sealed, a wisp of their thought has emerged. This world is still going to be affected, with both the spiritual energy and the evil spirit¡¯s energy overflowing. Hence, we must immediately eliminate that wisp of the Earth Vein¡¯s thought.¡± Upon hearing this, Xiao Qianqiu looked in the direction where Zongzheng Huachun had departed and said, ¡°How difficult it is to kill Zongzheng Huachun?¡± Zongzheng Huachun, originally a top Five Qi Grandmaster, now emboldened by a wisp of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit, was even more formidable. His power had reached a terrifying level. If it were possible to kill Zongzheng Huachun, An Jing would definitely be the most eager person present to execute him, without a doubt. Youfeng Valley¡¯s Valley Master Zuo Biwen looked toward the Great Yan Emperor and asked, ¡°If His Majesty reaches the Grandmaster realm, would he stand a chance to kill Zongzheng Huachun?¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes lit up as she said, ¡°If Father reaches the Grandmaster level, then surely the Holy Master of Houjin wouldn¡¯t be his opponent.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said nothing. An Jing glanced at the Great Yan Emperor; he noticed that the emperor¡¯s breakthrough this time and his own initial breakthrough to the Grandmaster realm were very similar, both seemingly relying on consuming essence blood to advance. This was a desperate, all-or-nothing tactic, but inevitably a temporary solution, not a long-term plan. Xiao Qianqiu took a deep breath and said, ¡°The seal of the Dragon Locking Well hasn¡¯t been completely broken. The armies of Houjin and Zhao Country are likely to attack, and not only that, the armies from the Southern Barbarians will also take advantage of the chaos. Let¡¯s prepare ourselves.¡± As his words fell, everyone present fell into deep concern. Today, masters from various forces gathered in Yujing City, marking the beginning of the first battle. The upcoming confrontations with millions of troops would indeed be the true test and battle. ¡°Dragon Locking Well.¡± An Jing thought of something and said to the masters of the Demon Sect, ¡°Wait here, I will check the Dragon Locking Well first.¡± With high-level fighters like Zongzheng Huachun, Taiyin Kui, warriors from Outer Heaven Island, and the Southern Barbarians daring to approach the Imperial Palace, there must also be other masters at the Dragon Locking Well, such as Qi Xuan Dao, the Five Qi Grandmaster who hadn¡¯t appeared yet. Thinking this, An Jing hurried toward the Dragon Locking Well. Xiao Qianqiu watched An Jing¡¯s departing figure in silence. ¡­¡­ Dragon Locking Well. The dark clouds above gradually dispersed, and the bright sunshine poured onto the land, bringing a touch of warmth to the atmosphere. Lv Guoyong raised his head with a frown and said, ¡°Was that wisp of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit taken by someone?¡± He felt the force that fettered him diminish. Qi Xuan Dao and Qin Shan exchanged glances, both revealing a sense of foreboding. Both men¡¯s Qi Seas were still filled with massive amounts of thunderous power, greatly reducing their cultivation, making it extremely difficult to confront Lv Guoyong. Now, with the disappearance of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s thought, whether it was good or bad, both harbored thoughts of retreat. Naturally, Lv Guoyong wouldn¡¯t let them leave easily; he stretched out his palm, and thunder roared in the sky. Boom! Boom! Qi Xuan Dao moved quickly, holding the Minghong Blade, and a curved blade light cleaved toward the sky. As thunder rolled and sparks flew, Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s body faltered, and lightning raced toward him, slowing his steps by a significant margin. Clearly, Lv Guoyong focused his attack on Qi Xuan Dao. After all, he was the master of the Black Ice Platform, and he definitely posed a greater threat than Qin Shan. ¡°You go first.¡± Qin Shan¡¯s body surged with domineering innate true qi, barely blocking the thunder from the sky. Usually, she was quite distant towards people like ¡°Qi Xuan Dao¡±, but in her heart, she regarded them as her family. Now, at this life-and-death moment, she was determined to cover their retreat. Seeing this, Qi Xuan Dao said in a low voice, ¡°Senior Sister Qin!¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± Qin Shan said coldly. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s heart sank, and without saying more, he quickly flew towards the distance. ¡°Thinking of leaving!?¡± Lv Guoyong bellowed, and thunderbolts continued to slash down like swords. Qin Shan¡¯s dantian surged, all her true qi gathering to form a white barrier. Then, she stomped her foot and charged towards the thunder in the sky. ¡°Booming¨C!¡± The thunder and the white innate true qi collided, immediately bursting forth with a piercing roaring sound. Despite the true qi¡¯s dominance, it was dissipating at a speed visible to the naked eye. During this time, Qi Xuan Dao had already disappeared around the Dragon Locking Well. ¡°This is no place to stay for long!¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s brow furrowed deeply, and then the Buddha¡¯s relics on his back became burning hot. He too hastily followed Qi Xuan Dao and vanished. Qin Shan¡¯s face turned pale as she said coldly, ¡°You¡¯re too conservative. The breaking of the Dragon Locking Well¡¯s seal is a great benefit to the world. Do you know how many people are trapped by the shackles of heaven and earth?¡± Lv Guoyong replied indifferently, ¡°This old man only knows that if the Dragon Locking Well¡¯s seal is broken, the world will be filled with evil spirits, and ancient evils will be resurrected.¡± Qin Shan asked, ¡°Continuing this way, we¡¯re merely slowly dying, so why not fight for a future for the world?¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°You don¡¯t represent the world.¡± Qin Shan then asked, ¡°Then who can represent the world?¡± Lv Guoyong fell silent. If Qin Shan couldn¡¯t represent the world, could he? Who can represent the world? Who isn¡¯t using the pretense of representing the world to do what they want? ¡°Let the matters of a hundred years later be handled by the people a hundred years later.¡± Lv Guoyong¡¯s gaze grew profoundly deep as he said, ¡°Summon the thunder!¡± The Thunder Pool above gathered thunder, and the booming sound rose, poised and giving off a sensation that the sky could collapse and the earth could split. Qin Shan looked up, her pupils reflecting the fervent yellow glow of the gathering Thunder Pool. Boom! All the thunder in the Thunder Pool converged, transforming into a fierce roaring dragon that descended. Suddenly, the entire earth became a golden Thunder Pool. The celestial might fell to the ground. The celestial might fell upon the human world. Qin Shan had no escape and nowhere to hide; she could only raise her innate true qi to block the overpowering celestial might of the Thunder Pool. In the human world, who can cross the Thunder Pool? ¡°What of the Thunder Pool?¡± Qin Shan clenched her fists tightly and stepped onto the Thunder Pool, walking forward. If no one in the human world had walked out of the Thunder Pool, she would be the first. The thunder continued to entwine, forming dragons that wrapped around Qin Shan, with even a faint smell of scorching in the air. Yet, her steps continued forward, determined to walk out of this Thunder Pool. Lv Guoyong watched Qin Shan, his brow deeply furrowed. The pain of Myriad Thunders Devouring Bones was not something ordinary people could endure. Qin Shan took steps one by one, her face twisted with immense pain as she struggled to walk out of the Thunder Pool before her. She didn¡¯t believe she couldn¡¯t walk out of this Thunder Pool. Was it fate that was insurmountable, or could human determination overcome heaven? Lv Guoyong said, ¡°People may plan in thousands of ways, but heaven has only one plan, so you cannot fight against it.¡± Qin Shan¡¯s Golden Bone and flesh could not withstand this thunderous power, softening to the point where even lifting her feet became an effort, and ultimately, her body heavily fell to the ground. But despite this, Qin Shan still stretched out her hand and crawled forward. Even if she had to crawl, she was determined to crawl out of the Thunder Pool. This moment was shocking to behold! In her eyes was a resilience, through her long life she had not been particularly glorious, nor had she experienced many ups and downs. Her life had changed twice; the first was at birth, being the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and the second when she was adopted by the Elder of Ten Directions at age nine after her family¡¯s fortune had declined. From that point on, she began to cultivate the Innate Skill. Cultivating the Innate Skill was incredibly cruel, requiring the breath of an infant still in the womb to forge the Qi Sea, and this breath was the Innate Qi. To cultivate this Innate Skill, Qin Shan had absorbed the Innate Qi from hundreds of infants, and she had maintained the appearance of a child throughout these decades, never changing. The sole obsession of her life was continuous cultivation. Like ¡®Qi Xuan Dao¡¯, she was a person who did not believe in fate. The arcs of lightning continuously rolled over her body, each arc causing pain sharper than a blade piercing the heart. Qin Shan was numb, merely crawling forward¨Cshe intended to pass through the Thunder Pool. About several dozens of breaths later, the lightning disappeared, and the land ahead was a complete mess. Qin Shan lay on the ground, her body emitting black smoke, completely devoid of any Qi Mechanism. At this moment, she had crossed the legendary Thunder Pool, said to be insurmountable by the people of this world. Lv Guoyong remained silent, his expression somber. ¡°The¡­ Thunder Pool is just that¡­.¡± As Qin Shan raised her head, her eyes met Lv Guoyong¡¯s murky ones, and she finally lost all her strength, her head tilted, and she collapsed heavily onto the ground. This senior sister of the Black Ice Platform, who had crossed the Thunder Pool, ultimately also died upon it. Can a person actually prevail over heaven? No one can answer this question, for everyone¡¯s answer could be right, and yet, it could also be wrong. Just then, An Jing walked over and immediately saw Qin Shan, his pupils dilating, he exclaimed, ¡°Lv Lao, is Qin Shan dead?¡± Who was Qin Shan!? She was the Five Qi Grandmaster of the Black Ice Platform, harboring a breath of Innate True Qi inside her body and was far superior to her fellow Five Qi Grandmaster, Su Tianze. Such a top-tier expert had now died here. With his hands behind his back, Lv Guoyong said, ¡°There are still five streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in her body, all formed from special Innate True Qi, much more precious than ordinary Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. You take it. ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing nodded, then extended his hand, and the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence left in Qin Shan¡¯s body fell into his palm, these being over 50% more refined than those found in an ordinary Grandmaster¡¯s body. The five pure streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence gathered in his Dantian became active immediately. Combined with his previous accumulations, they were sufficient to break An Jing through to the Four Qi Realm. After securing the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, An Jing asked, ¡°Lv Lao, your Literary Palace?¡± Scholars harbor a Cultivation bred from studying, and once this Cultivation materializes, it propels the scholar to an unimaginably profound state. Moreover, shattering the Literary Palace could also instantly propel a scholar into this mystical state. Evidently, Lv Guoyong had shattered his Literary Palace, thus driving back Qi Xuan Dao and Xi Hafu, and killing Qin Shan. With the shattering of the Literary Palace, Lv Guoyong was now truly a common man. With the Literary Palace within him, the Great Yan Emperor feared him and he could intimidate the world; what about now that Lv Guoyong no longer had the Literary Palace? ¡°I am a minister of Great Yan, repaying the Emperor¡¯s grace of recognition,¡± Lv Guoyong, aware of what An Jing was thinking, waved his hands and said, ¡°Who took the Earth Vein Spirit?¡± To serve the emperor in the golden court, to support the jade dragon till death. In Lv Guoyong¡¯s heart, loyalty to the emperor and country remained paramount. An Jing said gravely, ¡°The Earth Vein Spirit has already merged into Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s Qi Sea, Dantian. His strength will likely increase greatly because of this.¡± With his hands behind his back, Lv Guoyong said, ¡°That was a thought of the Earth Vein Spirit. With this opportunity, Zongzheng Huachun is likely to have a great chance to break through to the Great Grandmaster level.¡± ¡°The Dragon Locking Well here seals the Earth Veins of the world, and once it¡¯s unlocked, the Earth Vein Spirit will be freed, and the Spiritual Energy will multiply several fold. However, the Earth Vein Spirit has been contaminated, and a large amount of Evil Spirits will also surge out, which is why it needs to be sealed.¡± An Jing, having heard all this from Xiao Qianqiu, then asked, ¡°Lv Lao, where did these Evil Spirits come from exactly?¡± Lv Guoyong, as the foremost scholar of the current age, surely knew secrets unknown to others. ¡°This matter is a long story.¡± Looking at the Dragon Locking Well, Lv Guoyong said, ¡°During the Great Qin Dynasty, there appeared some beings that were neither human nor demon; fierce and terrible, they survived on the flesh and Essence Qi of humans. Not only were they immensely powerful, but they also bore an eerie aura that could infect any living being. The Great Qin Dynasty referred to these beings as Evil Spirits.¡± An Jing felt a chill, ¡°Then what about these Evil Spirits?¡± The thought of the mummies he saw on Three Temple Mountain and the bizarre figure that had appeared in his mind, even the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯ behind Xi Hafu, crossed his mind. Could these all be Evil Spirits!? With a somber tone, Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Some died, others went into hiding.¡± An Jing muttered softly, ¡°Went into hiding?¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Their power was unfathomable, extremely hard to kill. Initially, the experts of the Great Qin Dynasty fought with these Evil Spirits until almost all were decimated, and although some Evil Spirits were killed, a few managed to hide.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes flashed with a cold light, ¡°Where could they possibly be hiding?¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°I¡¯m afraid they are hiding among the people.¡± Who would have thought that this world still harbored some evil spirits among its midst? ¡°The breaking of the seals at the Dragon Locking Well is both a great opportunity and also a great crisis.¡± Lv Guoyong continued, ¡°As for the Earth Vein Spirit of the Dragon Locking Well, having been tainted by the aura of evil spirits, it has subtly undergone a transformation. It has harbored resentment in its heart, which is why it has merged into the body of Zongzheng Huachun. This is an ill omen.¡± ¡°Throughout history, there have been Great Grandmasters, referred to as Land Immortals, but even becoming a Land Immortal only adds three hundred years to one¡¯s life span. In the end, they all cannot escape death, and no one has been able to break through this realm. Do you know how one might break these shackles?¡± A realm above Great Grandmaster? Indeed, throughout history, there have been some Grandmasters. Nangong Weiping, whom An Jing saw, is a Grandmaster, and there are those he did not see, like Yan Taizu, the founder of the Mystical Sect, and the Buddha, who are all Grandmasters of this world¡¯s mountain, with only Nangong Weiping, relying on the Demon Sect¡¯s secret, the Sealing Demon Well, ¡®lingering on the verge of death.¡¯ An Jing¡¯s heart trembled, and he asked, ¡°Master Lv, how can one break through these shackles?¡± The old man integrated some of the enlightenments and experiences left by several Grandmasters before their deaths, and obtained two methods.¡± Lv Guoyong walked up to An Jing, transmitting his voice, ¡°The first method is to completely merge the Earth Vein Spirit into oneself. By assimilating the Earth Vein, one can break through the Grandmaster shackles and reach a state where the flesh does not age and the essence blood does not die.¡± ¡°The second method is to sever the Earth Vein Spirit and directly absorb all the essence of the Earth Vein Spirit, which can also break the shackles and attain a realm above the Grandmaster. However, all this is derived from the old man¡¯s insights; the specifics still require your own comprehension.¡± An Jing looked at the Dragon Locking Well and said solemnly, ¡°The Human Emperor built the Dragon Locking Well probably for this reason as well.¡± The destruction of the Earth Vein Spirit could break the Grandmaster shackles. Now that only people from the Great Yan Royal Family can enter the Dragon Locking Well, does this mean only they can seize this opportunity in the future? Lv Guoyong stroked his beard, ¡°Humans always have a purpose for their actions, especially someone of the Human Emperor¡¯s status and identity. Their considerations are naturally extraordinary.¡± An Jing pondered for a long while and then asked, ¡°Master Lv, why tell me about this?¡± This deep secret, if not for Lv Guoyong revealing it, An Jing would never have known regardless of his efforts. Lv Guoyong sincerely said, ¡°I hope you can do something for the countless common folk, for the world, to cleanse the hidden evil spirits in the world and slay the tainted Earth Vein Spirit.¡± Looking into Lv Guoyong¡¯s eyes, An Jing let out a wry smile, ¡°This heavy burden, I, a junior¡­¡± ¡°If not you, who else in this world can take up this responsibility?¡± Lv Guoyong shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m now broken and useless at the Literary Palace, merely a man of no use. Now, His Majesty has his schemes, the Buddhist sect has their plots, and as for the Zhenyi Sect, you need to be very wary of Xiao Qianqiu. He has an aura even I cannot fathom fully. After Houjin Zongzheng Huachun received this strand of consciousness, his power will greatly increase, while the Black Ice Platform suffered severe losses this time, with Qin Shan dead and Qi Xuan Dao also severely damaged. But the Black Ice Platform is mysterious and unpredictable¡­¡± At this, Lv Guoyong sighed deeply. How many in this world act for the people, for the peace of the world? It¡¯s all for their own interests. ¡°Master Lv, if His Majesty could breakthrough to Great Grandmaster¡­¡± An Jing was never one to eagerly take on heavy burdens. Now, looking at Lv Guoyong in front of him, he couldn¡¯t help but let out a long sigh. Zhao Zhiwu was on the verge of breaking through to Great Grandmaster, and with a strand of consciousness from the Earth Vein Spirit escaping, it was rejuvenating vast amounts of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, making it the best time to break through the shackles. Lv Guoyong¡¯s eyes gleamed as he said, ¡°For His Majesty to break through to Great Grandmaster is extremely difficult. The only way is to consume a vast amount of his essence blood, and since essence blood is closely linked to lifespan, once he breaks through to Great Grandmaster, his time will quickly come to an end. He could buy some time for Yan Country, but as long as Houjin and Zhao Country exist, Yan Country is bound to enter a turbulent era.¡± Hearing this, An Jing began to think rapidly. No wonder the Great Yan Emperor had assigned Lv Guoyong to guard the Dragon Locking Well. If something were to happen to him, who else in all of Great Yan could manage Lv Guoyong? Even with Zhao Zhiwu around, he would have to give Lv Guoyong a considerable amount of respect. A veteran of four dynasties, a Grand Secretary through four generations, how terrifying would Lv Guoyong¡¯s power be? Therefore, before this, he also had to ¡®take with him¡¯ this old minister. An Jing thought of something, his heart chilling, and he couldn¡¯t help but transmit his voice, ¡°Master Lv, do you think His Majesty might harbor intentions to kill me?¡± Zhao Qingmei was the abandoned child of the former Crown Prince, and with the Demon Sect¡¯s history of rebellion, combined with his current potential, how could His Majesty not be afraid? Lv Guoyong said, ¡°His Majesty will use you while also restraining you. The art of an Emperor lies in balance¨Cthey are not afraid of their tools not being sharp enough but of them lacking balance.¡± Although Lv Guoyong said this, An Jing¡¯s brow still furrowed deeply. After all, the mind of the sovereign is unfathomable. Especially Zhao Zhiwu, a ruler with an extremely strong desire for control. Thus, holding everything in one¡¯s own hands is the most correct approach. Power¨Che still needed to continually increase his own power. Lv Guoyong looked at the sky and transmitted, ¡°We are running out of time. Jiang Shang is also below the Dragon Locking Well. You can take this opportunity to enter the Dragon Locking Well and investigate, preparing for the future when the Earth Vein Spirit will be cut down.¡± ¡°Jiang Shang!?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Upon hearing these two words, An Jing¡¯s brow raised, ¡°Good, I will go meet this old man now.¡± He had not seen him since the battle at Dongluo Pass, and to think he was daring enough to venture alone into the Dragon Locking Well. Saying this, An Jing walked towards the Dragon Locking Well. In the distance, the man meditating cross-legged continued to focus inwardly, seemingly unaware of An Jing¡¯s leaping movement into the Dragon Locking Well. ¡­¡­. Chapter 316 - Chapter 316 Chapter 316 Dragon Locking Well Ascends to Four Qi Chapter 316: Chapter 316 Dragon Locking Well Ascends to Four Qi Chapter 316: Chapter 316 Dragon Locking Well Ascends to Four Qi Veins, in their basic meaning, refer to blood vessels, and as stated in ¡°Essential Discourse on Pulse,¡± ¡°The pulse is the storage house of blood.¡± It extends to mean the coherence of things, while the terrain has order and connection, and the Qi Vein of the terrain refers to whether the mountain range undulates purposefully, and whether the mountain ridges merging and branching have an aura halo¨Chaving an aura and halo is auspicious, otherwise, it is inauspicious. According to Feng Shui, the undulations and shapes of the mountain ranges are assessed based on different states. Moreover, the Earth Vein is the ancestor of all mountains, the source of vein momentum. An Jing¡¯s body floated in the Dragon Locking Well, surrounded by huge breaths of air that surged and formed an immense impact, as the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± involuntarily began to operate. The Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, using one¡¯s own acupoints as stars, introduces True Qi into the body to temper the flesh. Upon reaching the Perfection realm, one¡¯s body will naturally form its own world. That heavy, mountain-like breath was continuously diluted, gradually subsiding to calm. After about several dozen breaths, An Jing finally landed steadily on the ground, surrounded by pitch-black darkness. Only faint rays of light emerged in the distance, and the breath was coming from afar. At the same time, An Jing could feel that the surrounding nature¡¯s spiritual energy was extremely rich. Especially since he was cultivating the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± a peerless mental method that allowed him to forgo the refinement of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, his cultivation speed increased by dozens of times or more. However, as the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± began operating, a wisp of black smoke wound its way into the meridians along with nature¡¯s spiritual energy. This black smoke was extremely subtle, very sly, clinging to the nature¡¯s spiritual energy while hiding within it, scarcely noticeable unless one looked closely. ¡°Could this be the Qi of evil spirits!?¡± An Jing gathered True Qi, striving to expel the black smoke. This black smoke was highly adhesive, once it tainted the body, it clung like dog skin plasters. Even though vigorously flushing it with robust True Qi would weaken any malignant spirit by a third, the Qi of evil spirits did not budge at all. An Jing narrowed his eyes and continued to channel True Qi towards the evil spirits¡¯ Qi. Once! Twice! ¡­.. Even with the extraordinary ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± it wasn¡¯t until the eighteenth time that traces of the Qi of evil spirits were expelled. Seeing the effect, An Jing continued to operate the True Qi within his body, flushing out the Qi of evil spirits. Under the relentless assault of True Qi, the Qi of evil spirits was gradually disappearing. Fortunately, An Jing had absorbed only a little: just a slight wisp which was quickly cleared away completely. ¡°Huh¡­¡± An Jing exhaled a breath, as cleansing this wisp of evil spirits¡¯ Qi took him nearly an hour with his current cultivation and strength. From this one could see how formidable this wisp of evil spirits¡¯ Qi was. If he had inhaled too much of it, even with the operation of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± it would be quite difficult for An Jing to completely clear it. It seemed he would have to be cautious in the future to prevent this evil spirits¡¯ Qi from entering his body. Afterwards, he did not continue to absorb the spiritual energy from beneath the Dragon Locking Well, but instead walked towards the light in front. The closer he walked towards the light, the thicker the surrounding Qi of evil spirits became. Although he did not absorb this Qi into his body, it still made one feel extremely uncomfortable, as if a huge stone was pressing on one¡¯s chest, making breathing difficult. This Dragon Locking Well hid an Underground Palace beneath it, following the faint light, the face of the palace could vaguely be seen, which greatly resembled an Emperor¡¯s Sacrificial Array. On the outside, eighty-one Blood Bronze Ancient Pillars stood erect, crisscrossing neatly around. Gathering together, they delved deep into a patch of misty darkness, where all the light congealed. Inside, cross-patterned threads extended out, intermittently adorned with four Sun God Patterns, corresponding to the Qian, Dui, Li, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Gen, Kun eight directions. Atop each Blood Bronze Ancient Pillar, thick iron chains were bound, making ¡®clanging¡¯ noises as they swayed, with all the chains converging at the center. An Jing had seen this scene somewhere before. Soon, he arrived in front of that light, under the dim fluorescence. Suddenly, the Earth Book began to burst out with extreme brilliance. ¡°Alert: Golden opportunity detected nearby the host!¡± ¡°Alert: Black opportunity detected nearby the host!¡± ¡°Alert: Purple opportunity detected nearby the host!¡± ¡­.. ¡°Black opportunity!?¡± An Jing paused in his breathing and hurriedly looked ahead. In the center of the Blood Bronze Ancient Pillar was a giant dragon with bright eyes, a Dragon Ball reflecting its gaze, erect horns, protruding Dragon Armor, and powerful claws. It seemed to sense the arrival of someone, turning its head back to look, which was intimidating. Around it was dense golden light, and in addition, there was a rich black light, forming a unique black and gold light. Upon closer inspection, An Jing found that some of the dragon scales on the giant dragon seemed to be corroded, even falling off, revealing the rotten flesh beneath. Seeing An Jing, the Divine Dragon¡¯s eyes shone with a hint of red light from its anger. Its body furiously charged toward him, but the iron chains surrounding it tightly bound the dragon, rendering it immobile. ¡°Roar!¡± Four Seas submit, Eight Wastes bow down; the giant dragon howls in the night, shaking heaven and earth. With the dragon¡¯s roar, the whole world began to shake. Earth Vein Spirit! This is the ancestor of all mountains, the Earth Veins of the entire world. An Jing looked at the Earth Vein Spirit, his eyes revealing a trace of chill. By slaying the Earth Vein Spirit before him, he could not only remove the black opportunity upon him but also obtain the Blessing of breaking through to the Great Grandmaster level. With this thought, An Jing unsheathed the Evil Suppressing Sword and slashed towards the Earth Vein Spirit ahead. The blade was peerlessly sharp, carrying an unparalleled, piercing chill, before it slashed towards the Earth Vein Spirit in front. ¡°Boom!¡± The Earth Vein Spirit did not dodge, and the Sword Light passed through its body, striking heavily upon the ground, making the entire land tremble. Then, an even stronger force came rushing in, causing An Jing¡¯s arm to go numb. Great Grandmaster Qi Mechanism!? ¡°Hmm!?¡± Seeing this, An Jing slightly furrowed his brow. This sword had clearly cut through empty space, suggesting that the Earth Vein Spirit before him was not truly existent but an illusory being without a physical form. Moreover, from the rebounding force, he actually felt a strand of Great Grandmaster Qi Mechanism. The Great Yan Royal Family certainly did not have a Great Grandmaster, so this Great Grandmaster Qi Mechanism must be a method left by the Great Yan Royal Family. It seems that killing the Earth Vein Spirit is not as simple as I imagined. Boom! Just then, a booming sound suddenly erupted not far away. Hearing this, An Jing¡¯s steps lunged forward. Beneath the faint light before him appeared a mass of red ice, lurid to the extreme, resembling fresh blood. Sitting cross-legged atop the block of ice was Jiang Shang. The booming sound from moments earlier had originated from there. Behind Jiang Shang was an extremely rich yellow Essence, giving off the impression of the Earth¡¯s profound weightiness. This was clearly the exceptional Earth Essence, which had not yet been absorbed by the evil spirits. The moment An Jing saw the yellow Essence, the purple radiance of the Earth Book in his mind reached its apex, indicating that this was indeed the ¡°purple opportunity¡± hinted at by the Earth Book. Earth Essence! This was a treasure left by the Earth Veins, but because the Dragon Locking Well was controlled by the Great Yan Royal Family, the Earth Essence had always been in their hands. Such a vast amount of Earth Essence could even be considered a purple opportunity, showing how powerful the Earth Essence was. The Earth Essence was at least ten times more precious than the Thunder Essence of the Five Poison Sect¡¯s Thunder Pool or the Volcanic Essence of Beili Volcano. It was also a key reason why masters from the Royal Family frequently emerged despite the scarcity of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. The blood energy within the red ice block surged continuously toward Jiang Shang, whose Qi Mechanism was also climbing rapidly. Bloodthirsty, evil, and cruel¡­ An Jing furrowed his brows and muttered to himself, ¡°Could this be Undying Blood!?¡± Jiang Shang also opened his eyes and said, ¡°We meet again.¡± An Jing replied coldly, ¡°Is this Undying Blood?¡± ¡°Precisely.¡± Jiang Shang leaped up, stepping down from the top of the ice block, and his hand caressed the surface, ¡°The promise I made to you years ago has now been fulfilled. Today, I have glimpsed the secrets of immortality.¡± His eyes held a hint of obsession, as if what lay before him was not emotionless solid ice but a peerless beauty. An Jing inquired, ¡°The secrets of immortality?¡± Jiang Shang nodded slightly, his eyes filled with unparalleled excitement, ¡°With Undying Blood, one can continuously refine the internal organs, like the True Yuan does within a Great Grandmaster¡¯s body, thus extending one¡¯s Life Span.¡± Longevity! For these two characters, he had pursued for most of his life! Many Great Grandmasters had perished in this pursuit, yet Jiang Shang had not only glimpsed the secrets of longevity but also obtained it. What were power, wealth, and beauties compared to longevity? Among all doctrines in this world, he only sought immortality! An Jing replied indifferently, ¡°Knowing it will serve you no purpose.¡± Jiang Shang asked puzzledly, ¡°Why?¡± An Jing raised the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand, ¡°Because today, your path to immortality will be severed.¡± Shii! The icy Sword Light rushed toward Jiang Shang. The effects of the Ghost Transformation were fading, and although An Jing¡¯s current state could not be compared with the battle against Zongzheng Huachun, his Qi Mechanism was still robust. This Sword Light connected the darkness, surging forward majestically. Jiang Shang had no choice but to face it head-on; if he dodged, the Undying Blood behind him would be scattered by An Jing. His pupils flashed with red blood light, and his Dantian Qi Sea was tinged with scarlet. As the blood light emerged, Jiang Shang¡¯s Qi Mechanism climbed once more, transforming him into a bloodthirsty, ferocious beast. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± Jiang Shang caught the Sword Light directly between his palms, where it gradually dissipated. The next moment, An Jing¡¯s sword thrust forward. ¡°What a sharp sword!¡± Jiang Shang hastily dodged the thrust, and as the Sword Light swept toward his throat again, Jiang Shang dipped and dodged once more. The two exchanged moves swiftly, clashing dozens of times in quick succession. The Sword Light emanated an extreme chill, causing the temperature of the surroundings to plummet abruptly. In the next instant, with a thunderous boom, Jiang Shang¡¯s figure turned into a blood light and shot out at an electrifying speed. In the blink of an eye, he appeared right in front of An Jing. Boom! Jiang Shang¡¯s face was devoid of emotion as he looked down at An Jing and fiercely slapped down. Within his palm was an endless accumulation of force, light as a feather, yet it bore the potential for an explosive impact. Blood Light Floating City! His palm strike seemed to gather thousands of blood lights. The blood light reflected in An Jing¡¯s pupils as he watched Jiang Shang, enveloped in raging blood light, descending upon him, his own eyes flickering slightly. At that moment, dazzling starlight erupted from within An Jing, and his bones seemed to tremble, emitting a strange resonance that spread out. The Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique was being pushed to its limits by An Jing. His blood boiled within him, and the True Qi that he could no longer contain erupted as he suddenly stomped his foot, shooting upward. The sword in his hand shone with an intensely bright golden glow. In the void, a colossal sword, as if it was about to split the heavens, descended with great weight, resonating with the Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing¡¯s grasp. Boom! The gargantuan sword clashed with the giant hand of blood light, causing a resonant din that echoed far and wide, with ripples spreading across the contact point as if water had been disturbed. Neither stepped back, with the golden sword in the sky locked in a stalemate with the enormous hand. Jiang Shang¡¯s face twisted in rage as he stared at the scene before him, fury churning in his eyes. True Qi surged out of his body like a flood, the blood light in his palm erupting violently, as if the very air nearby were ignited. The palm wind, now infused with blood light, suddenly surged in power, threatening to shatter the giant sword in one fell swoop. An Jing felt the intensified force from the sword, his arms trembling slightly. Jiang Shang looked at An Jing and sneered, ¡°Boy, do you really want to stand against me?¡± An Jing¡¯s heart was as calm as still water. The sword in his hand displayed an endlessly domineering stance as it swooped down from the sky. His figure seemed to stretch continuously, standing tall between heaven and earth. A heavy sword light slashed towards Jiang Shang with unmatched domineering force, intimidating and shocking to the soul. Boom! Boom! Jiang Shang¡¯s eyebrows raised as he reached forward with his enormous hand. Vast True Qi madly converged towards his hand, emitting a piercingly bright blood-colored light. Waves of blood light spread from Jiang Shang¡¯s hand, each ripple trembling through the air, twisting it out of shape. The blood light shone brightly, vast and unbounded. A series of dazzling blood lights merged together to form a massive blood-red seal, which then floated in the sky. That blood-red seal absorbed the surrounding True Qi, its light trembling greatly, and then it surged madly towards An Jing¡¯s Sword Radiance. An Jing looked up at the blood-red seal pressing down and cleaved directly at it with his sword. Boom! And at the moment of collision, Jiang Shang¡¯s face drastically changed, for he saw the blood-red seal that was pressing down had suddenly slowed its speed and gradually became stagnant. Jiang Shang felt extremely solemn and thought, ¡°This boy¡¯s growth is too fast.¡± After obtaining the Undying Blood, Jiang Shang¡¯s cultivation had greatly increased; he originally thought he was invincible under the Five Qi, but now it seemed like a complete joke. The An Jing in front of him was not someone he could match. At this moment, An Jing felt an immense pressure surging through the sword, as if all the True Qi in his body, like a dormant volcano silent for years, began to erupt tumultuously. ¡°Boy, I shall grant you a ¡®creation¡¯!¡± Seeing this, Jiang Shang did not hesitate any longer. He reached out his palm and absorbed all the Earth Essence behind him into his hand, then slammed it forward. An Jing felt the Essence attacking and the sword in his hand paused slightly. After all, this was a purple opportunity close at hand, one that could directly enable him from the Three Qi Peak to reach the realm of Four Qi. As the Earth Essence approached, the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± and the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± within him operated simultaneously. The Earth Essence was directly absorbed into his body. In that interval, Jiang Shang struck the blood-colored ice block and fled towards the outside of the Dragon Locking Well. The surging Essence flooded An Jing¡¯s Qi Sea in an instant. By the time he came to his senses, Jiang Shang had already rushed dozens of feet away. ¡°Lv Guoyong is still outside the well; if he makes a move, Jiang Shang might not be able to escape.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and began to process the Earth Essence that had entered his body. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The Earth Essence that flooded into his body seemed to transform into streams of golden flames. This Earth Essence was vastly different from nature¡¯s spiritual energy, its energy so pure that it was many times more concentrated than the Heaven and Earth Essence. In the chilly Dragon Locking Well, where the Earth Essence¡¯s powerful Qi mechanism vibrated, even the Qi Sea trembled. If it were not for the remains of the Grand Ancestor suppressing it, perhaps these Earth Essence flames, like magma compressed beneath the earth¡¯s crust, would violently erupt, scattering the Dragon Locking Well to smithereens. At the center of the area filled with Earth Essence, there was an empty zone where not a trace of evil spirits flowed. Any of the evil spirits that swept to this place would automatically divert around it. A gaunt figure sat cross-legged; on his body, a terrifying aura swirled faintly. ¡°` Upon a closer look, there seemed to be a vast expanse of stars emerging behind him, and with each twinkle of the stars, the Earth Essence would be thoroughly smelted. Within An Jing¡¯s Qi Sea, the five strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from Qin Shan trembled and followed the Earth Essence as it flooded into every part of his body. Unaware of the changes around him, An Jing¡¯s body remained motionless, his breathing so faint as to be nearly imperceptible. Had it not been for a trace of vitality still encircling his body, anyone might have mistaken him for a lifeless corpse. As he sat still as if in a meditative state akin to the perfect tranquility of an old monk, strands of golden Qi began to seep quietly through the pores of his skin, then wound around his body like tendrils. Even An Jing¡¯s body, upon receiving too much Earth Essence, struggled to refine it. As he entered a state of Unity, it seemed as if all the Earth Essence within the Dragon Locking Well merged with An Jing; every time his breath deepened, the robust Earth Essence within the well would stir up waves of its energy, surging vigorously into his body. But when his breath steadied, the waves would quietly subside, and the Dragon Locking Well would once again become silent. With each inhalation and exhalation, Earth Essence was continuously reforged. Time passed by, minute by minute, second by second. The Dragon Locking Well remained as deathly still as ever, devoid of any sign of life in this isolated place. Occasionally, the sound of the Earth Essence sweeping could be heard, but it carried a breath of death, making the area seem even more desolate. The enraged eyes of the Earth Vein Spirit were fixed intently on An Jing. Similarly, due to the sealing, it seemed powerless against An Jing. Amidst the stillness of the Dragon Locking Well, a sudden disturbance rippled through, traced back to the direction of an empty area within the well. At that moment, An Jing¡¯s body, still as if in deep meditation, began to emit a continuous flow of True Qi. As the True Qi circulated, a vast expanse of light like a starry sky enshrouded An Jing, his orifices shining brightly as if they were stars hanging in the high sky or like wildly spinning vortexes. When the star-like orifices emerged, they began to frantically absorb the Earth Essence from the surroundings. ¡°Huff¡­.¡± A breath of wild and violent essence slowly expelled from An Jing¡¯s throat, and with this exhalation, the streams of True Qi around him began to converge quietly. Such a vast amount of essence would be difficult for even top Grandmasters to fully consume; only with the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique fully activated and combined with his incredibly strong physique, was he able to absorb such a large amount of essences quickly. As time kept flowing, An Jing¡¯s aura increased at breakneck speed. One of the Five Qi within him, the Po Qi, started to rise. As soon as it reached above the Heavenly Spirit, it would return to its rightful place, reaching the realm of the Four Qi Grandmaster, just one step away from being amongst the present-day pinnacle. At the same time, An Jing¡¯s aura soared at an astonishing speed. With An Jing¡¯s aura rapidly increasing, the Dragon Locking Well responded with violent fluctuations; in the distance, the evil qi roared like the waves of the sea, creating several towering tornadoes. An Jing¡¯s current aura, which was skyrocketing, would leave anyone dumbfounded. If there were others present, they would likely be scared senseless by such a terrifying rate of advancement. Where others needed years or even decades to achieve such goals, at this moment, it rapidly soared within the span of just one or two sticks of incense. Such a scene would likely cause even someone with the strongest will to break down on the spot; the speed of such a promotion was too terrifying to believe. Who knows how much time had passed? An Jing felt a sudden clarity in his head, his breathing growing longer and steadier. His body trembled, but his eyes were extremely bright. The surrounding Qi Mechanism seemed to form a vortex, with every absorbable thing seeming to be drawn into his body. With a massive amount of Earth Essence converging upon An Jing¡¯s body, his aura grew even stronger. Before long, the pure Earth Essence Origin ignited within An Jing¡¯s body, turning his skin suddenly red. An Jing¡¯s skin stretched open its pores, which seeped in synchronization. Boom¡­ With a sound, the Earth Essence surged toward An Jing¡¯s body from all sides, his entire body lightening as various pressures and anomalies vanished. ¡°` In a daze, An Jing¡¯s thoughts suddenly emptied, and his entire body became soft and limp. At the same time, his soul energy also surged, reaching a climax. When the soul energy settled, it was the realm of a Four Qi Grandmaster! At this moment, after consuming the Bodhi Seed, refining the Earth Essence, and absorbing the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence bestowed by Qin Shan, An Jing easily reached the realm of a Four Qi Grandmaster. Yet this surge seemed far from over, as boundless Essence continued to brew within him. The Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique began to operate, absorbing the Earth Essence with a force as powerful as a typhoon, purifying his body. You should know that the strength of An Jing¡¯s body was already extremely high among grandmasters, and now, after being refined by the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, he had long achieved the Jade Bone Realm. However, the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique is a martial art that surpasses the Heavenly Martial Level, on par with martial arts like the Jade Emperor Scripture and the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture. Even a Great Grandmaster might not be able to cultivate such transcendent martial arts to the tenth layer and reach the realm of Perfection in a mere hundred years. And how terrifying would it be to completely cultivate such a Body Refining martial art to Perfection? According to the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, reaching the Ninth Layer would grant one the power to move mountains and shift seas, while the Tenth Layer of Perfection was rumored to allow one to rest one¡¯s head upon the sun and moon and step upon the heavens and the earth. Though it may sound exaggerated, if one were to cultivate to Perfection, it would undoubtedly lead to a qualitative improvement in An Jing¡¯s strength. The Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique transforms the body¡¯s meridian points into stars. The most lacking component to reach Perfection was Essence, and right now, the vast ocean of Earth Essence lay before him. If he could digest and absorb it all, there might be a chance to break through the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique. An Jing¡¯s heart sank as he immediately began to operate the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique without restraint, absorbing all of the Earth Essence from the Dragon Locking Well. Boom boom boom! Subsequently, the light emanating from the meridian points around An Jing¡¯s body became even more intense. The Earth Essence, even more infernal and wild than before, converged into his meridian points like the stars. The Earth Essence was absorbed, and a scorching sensation surged through An Jing¡¯s body. Body Refining, in itself, is an extremely arduous process. Especially when reaching a high level of cultivation, each refinement of flesh and blood is a tremendous agony. In an instant, sweat covered An Jing¡¯s forehead. And he knew that this was just the beginning. ¡­¡­ The Dragon Locking Well. Jiang Shang rose gracefully, holding the Undying Blood with one hand. Lv Guoyong looked at the ice block and said, ¡°This object bodes ill.¡± But Jiang Shang simply replied indifferently, ¡°In the hands of the auspicious, it shall be auspicious.¡± Lv Guoyong knew better than anyone the obsession Jiang Shang had for the Undying Blood because it was he who personally told Jiang Shang its secrets many years ago. In fact, many hidden matters are not known to the public, nor could they be. It turns out the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect had colluded with Lv Guoyong, the Grand Secretary of the royal court. The reason why Jiang Shang appeared in Jiangnan Dao years ago, why he found Zhao Qingmei and took her to the Demon Sect, had the shadow of this Grand Secretary behind it all. This was also one of the reasons why the Great Yan Emperor, Zhao Zhiwu, had been discontent with Lv Guoyong. Though many things later took an unexpected turn and went against their wishes. Everything began when Jiang Shang killed the Crown Prince¡¯s descendant, attempting to conspire a complete rebellion. Indeed, it was not Emperor Yan who had orchestrated the assassination of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s parents, the Crown Prince¡¯s descendants. The real perpetrator of that year¡¯s killings was Jiang Shang standing before him now. Lv Guoyong¡¯s original intention was to protect the Crown Prince¡¯s descendants. Preserving the bloodline was a message to the current Crown Prince. But Jiang Shang, ambitious as he was, sought rebellion. The two split from that point, parting on bad terms. After murdering the Crown Prince¡¯s descendants, Zhao Shizai, and his wife, Lady Mao, Jiang Shang took Zhao Qingmei with him into the Demon Sect, rashly hoping to support the Crown Prince¡¯s descendant in claiming the throne someday. Obviously, things did not go as he planned. Jiang Shang¡¯s desire for control was overwhelming, as was Zhao Qingmei¡¯s. Although Lv Guoyong did not wish to speak of this painful history, it was an undeniable ¡®stain¡¯ that truly existed. The initial betrayal by Jiang Shang indeed caused him shock and anger, yet Jiang Shang still held Zhao Qingmei in his hand, forcing Lv Guoyong to play cautiously. Fortunately, Jiang Shang still cultivated Zhao Qingmei successfully. This brought some solace to Lv Guoyong. Jiang Shang also glanced at Lv Guoyong, a man he sometimes found incomprehensible. For the sake of Yan Country, for the sake of the world, Lv Guoyong abandoned the Literary Palace he had nurtured all his life and became an ordinary man overnight. For someone like Lv Guoyong, the sacrifice was enormous. If it were up to him, the one seated on the Emperor¡¯s throne would certainly not be Zhao Zhiwu but a puppet whom he could control at any time, such as Zhao Shizai. Both men carried different ideologies and aspirations, yet were equally incurably obstinate¨Cperhaps that was the common ground they shared. But now, one was cast to the ends of the earth, seeking the Undying Blood, setting aside power and kinship, no longer considering lifting Zhao Qingmei to the throne. While the other, with the Literary Palace destroyed, though having slain a Five Qi Grandmaster, now had no Literary Palace and was just an ordinary old man. Their paths had no intersection and likely never would again. All was silent, as if bidding a final farewell. Lv Guoyong spoke, ¡°The Jianghu is vast; we shall meet again someday.¡± ¡°Wandering the Jianghu for a decade, a hero defeated by youth; looking back from the distant horizon, the resolution to unsheathe the sword remains unyielding.¡± Jiang Shang let out a hearty laugh, dragging the Undying Blood as he walked into the distance, his figure gradually disappearing from Lv Guoyong¡¯s sight. Both men knew that this was their last meeting in this lifetime. Jiang Shang believed Lv Guoyong had taken the wrong path. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Lv Guoyong believed Jiang Shang had taken the wrong path. And yet, they each believed they had not erred. So, who truly walked the wrong path? It must be said, life always presents such a scene; people who once walked side by side ultimately diverge further and further until their paths are entirely separate. This has become the norm of life. ¡­¡­. Chapter 317 - Chapter 317 Chapter 317 The Ghost Swordsmans Great Increase in Chapter 317: Chapter 317: The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Great Increase in Strength Chapter 317: Chapter 317: The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Great Increase in Strength Yujing City, Imperial Palace. The aura around Zhao Zhiwu was dense, and True Qi formed a vortex. The royal experts surrounded him, firmly protecting him in the center. Everyone was incredibly tense, even more so than just a moment ago. It was known that Zhao Zhiwu was attempting a breakthrough to the Great Grandmaster level, an unprecedented event. The world had not seen the emergence of a Great Grandmaster for a long time. If Zhao Zhiwu could break through, it would undoubtedly be a reassurance for everyone. After all, the various countries of the world were currently aggressing against Yan Country, watching like tigers ready to pounce, especially after today¡¯s battle in Yujing City, where the Southern Barbarians had openly broken with Great Yan. Perhaps as soon as tomorrow, an army of several million could launch an attack against Yan Country, which wasn¡¯t impossible. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s face remained impassive, but inwardly he frowned deeply. If his father were to break through to the Great Grandmaster realm, wouldn¡¯t that mean his father could manage the court for another three hundred years? With the power he held now, his fate would only lead to one outcome ¨C being stripped of all his power and banished from the court. ¡°However, it doesn¡¯t look like things are that simple. My father seems to be burning his Essence Blood to break through to the Great Grandmaster. This type of breakthrough won¡¯t last¡­¡± Zhao Chongyin carefully observed, thinking of excuses to use. After all, during the battle for Yujing City, Su Tianze, as a Five Qi Grandmaster, failed to appear, which undoubtedly weakened the power of the royal family by a third. Otherwise, many things would not have happened this way. Compared to the anxiety of the many people surrounding her, Zhao Xuening seemed extremely composed at this moment. Perhaps it was because of the words Zhao Zhiwu had previously said to her. Even her gaze could not help but drift toward her Crown Prince brother, watching his every move. In comparison to Zhao Mengtai, her relationship with the Crown Prince was not close. Zhao Mengtai had a somewhat violent nature and was reckless, but he was someone who valued familial affection greatly. Zhao Chongyin appeared gentle and calm, but those who knew him understood that he spoke with a measure of courtesy, or rather, indifference, to everyone. Thus, Zhao Xuening liked her brother Zhao Mengtai more. Just then, Zhou Xianming approached Zhao Xuening and whispered, ¡°Your Highness, the experts at the Dragon Locking Well have withdrawn, and Master is waiting by the side of the well.¡± Zhao Xuening promptly asked, ¡°Where is An Jing?¡± Zhou Xianming replied, ¡°He is below the Dragon Locking Well.¡± Bai Mei, the eunuch, frowned deeply. ¡°He actually dared to enter the Dragon Locking Well on his own?¡± It was known that not only was the Earth Vein Spirit imprisoned beneath the Dragon Locking Well, but there was also a vast amount of Earth Essence, precious assets of the royal family used to create top-notch experts. ¡°Forget it,¡± Zhao Xuening said, waving her hand. ¡°He held off two elite warriors of Houjin this time, it¡¯s a minor issue. Elder Ming, let us not dwell on it.¡± The eunuch Bai Mei seemed to want to say something but eventually did not. After all, the person speaking was Zhao Xuening. Li Fuzhou glanced at Zhao Xuening, his brows knitted tightly. Suddenly, thunder rumbled in the sky, with lightning and thunder making it seem as though the entire Imperial Palace was shaking. Everyone looked up at the Great Yan Emperor, and saw that Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s aura was beginning to retract intensely, shrinking inward. The Five Qi surged wildly, reaching a climax. Then a robust and domineering Qi emerged, forming raging waves that suddenly spread out, sweeping across most of Yujing City. Whether it was members of Jianghu or ordinary citizens, at this moment they all looked up at the sky. ¡°Great Grandmaster?!¡± Upon seeing this, Xu Qianyue¡¯s eyes showed a hint of ecstasy. If Zhao Zhiwu made a breakthrough to the Great Grandmaster, then the crisis of Yan Country could be easily resolved. With him presiding, he could ensure the peace of Yan Country for three hundred years. The eunuch Bai Mei sighed inwardly. Much later, Zhao Zhiwu opened his eyes and stood up. His pale yellow dragon robe fluttered in the breeze, creating waves of gold. ¡°Congratulations to Your Majesty on breaking through the shackles!¡± Xiao Qianqiu was the first to give a salute. The rest of the many experts, having recovered from their shock, bowed their hands to Zhao Zhiwu. Great Grandmaster! Since the time of Yan Taizu, a Great Grandmaster had once again emerged in the world of men. Compared to the shock of others, the Demon Sect¡¯s experts were relatively more composed, as there was already a Great Grandmaster among them beneath the Sealing Demon Well. Zhao Zhiwu glanced around and nodded slightly, then asked, ¡°Where is the Ghost Swordsman An Jing?¡± Zhou Xianming hurried forward to reply, ¡°Your Majesty, he went to the Dragon Locking Well.¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s eyebrows raised, ¡°He went in?¡± Upon these words, the air suddenly seemed to freeze, especially for the Demon Sect¡¯s experts whose hearts chilled ¨C only members of the royal family were allowed to enter the Dragon Locking Well, with any others trespassing treated as rebels. Zhou Xianming replied, ¡°He went in.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother with him anymore; actually, he can be considered a member of the Great Yan royal family.¡± Zhao Zhiwu glanced over the crowd and took a deep breath, ¡°There is something that I must announce today, actually, the master of Outer Heaven, Zhao Qingmei, is a lost orphan of the royal family.¡± Boom! As the words of Emperor Yan fell, everyone present was struck as if by a thunderclap from clear skies. Zuo Biwen¡¯s mouth fell open, ¡°Zhao Qingmei is a member of the royal family?¡± Wang Yue was also shocked beyond measure, ¡°How is this possible!?¡± Everyone was greatly astonished; this was simply too incredible to believe! The Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect is also a member of the royal family!? If it had not been said by Zhao Zhiwu himself, no one would have believed it to be true. And the members of the Demon Sect were also greatly shocked, as evidently, they had not expected their Sect Hierarch to have such an identity. ¡°The empire the Sect Hierarch spoke of¡­?¡± Duanmu Xinghua thought of something, and her complexion changed slightly. Zhao Qingmei had almost become a princess of the current dynasty. Outer Heaven, no matter how strong, was still inferior compared to a dynasty. If Zhao Qingmei could become the ruler of the Great Yan Dynasty¡­ In an instant, Duanmu Xinghua and Ouyang Ping exchanged a glance, both eyes carrying a trace of eagerness. They quickly withdrew their gazes, fearing being noticed by Zhao Zhiwu. ¡°What!?¡± Zhao Xuening also widened her eyes, her lifelong nemesis turned out to be related by blood and could even be her sister; this was practically absurd. Only Zhao Chongyin was aware of this matter beforehand and now frowned deeply. ¡°This matter is absolutely true.¡± Zhao Zhiwu continued, ¡°Moved by her years of wandering outside, I hereby confer Zhao Qingmei as Princess Pingyang, and as for An Jing, who previously saved Xuening and killed the Houjin genius swordsman, Yan Gang, in this battle his contributions were outstanding; he is hereby appointed as Daoist Master of Beihuang Dao, overseeing all the affairs within the Beihuang Dao.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡± Upon hearing this, the high-ranking members of the Demon Sect all knelt to express their thanks on behalf of the two. What was Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s intention in giving such generous rewards? Li Fuzhou pondered deeply and understood the deeper meaning; the Emperor of Great Yan was not afraid of Zhao Qingmei and An Jing harboring rebellious thoughts. Instead, he greatly rewarded them, which seemed like a form of setting them up for failure. After all, the events of forty years ago had been forgotten by many people, and now all that remained was the grace of the Emperor of Great Yan. Moreover, An Jing was put in charge of Beihuang Dao, which was right under the swords of the Houjin forces; it seemed he wanted An Jing and the Demon Sect to resist Houjin. This move was killing two birds with one stone. But why wasn¡¯t he afraid of An Jing planning a rebellion? Could it be he truly understood An Jing that well? Zhao Zhiwu turned to Zhao Tianyi, ¡°In light of the recent joint assault by Houjin, Zhao Country, Southern Barbarians, and many other forces, I am pleased that you were able to defend Yujing City. You shall not be stingy with the rewards, Zhao Aiqing, I leave this matter to you.¡± ¡°As you command.¡± Zhao Tianyi bowed and answered. ¡°Next is the matter of the traitors.¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s eyes were calm as water, ¡°Considering the rest of the Yu Heng Sword Sect is unrelated to this matter, their Mountain Gate Order shall be revoked, and the sect shall dispatch fifty experts to the front line in Jiangnan Dao to resist the forces of Zhao Country.¡± ¡°Jia Shiwu of the Four Symbols Sect has committed heinous crimes, deceiving superiors and subordinates alike. The entire Four Symbols Sect shall be executed!¡± One of the seven major sects, the Four Symbols Sect, was to be exterminated just like that¨Ca matter seemingly as trivial and inconsequential as could be. Such was supreme power, such was the consequence of enraging imperial authority. Zuo Biwen and Wang Yue exchanged a glance, both feeling a chill run down their spines. Zhao Chongyin kept his head bowed, his eyes hidden from view. Everyone knew that Jia Shiwu of the Four Symbols Sect was part of Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin¡¯s faction and was considered a solid supporter in Jianghu. This seemed like a warning shot at others. ¡°Yes!¡± Xu Qianyue glanced at the Crown Prince, subtly, and then bowed in response. Zhao Country¡¯s imperial capital, Cloud Tower. The towering pagoda pierced the clouds, its appearance splendid and magnificent, bearing traces of ancient history. Surrounding it were eight major halls, with the sacred site of Cloud Tower firmly guarded at the center. In Zhao Country, the place with the strictest defense and greatest power was never the imperial palace, but the Cloud Tower. At this moment, outside the eight major halls, two figures appeared. These two were none other than Zhao Qingmei and Nangong Weiping. Zhao Qingmei pointed at the tower in front of her and said, ¡°Nangong senior, this is Cloud Tower.¡± Nangong Weiping¡¯s eyes slightly closed, she spoke softly, ¡°I can feel Cheng Huang¡¯s aura; indeed, it is an ancient exotic beast.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips slightly curled up, ¡°Nangong senior, what shall we do now?¡± ¡°Kill our way in.¡± Nangong Weiping said indifferently. Zhao Qingmei, feigning consideration for Nangong Weiping, said, ¡°Senior, by killing a few more grandmasters and extracting several strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, you can recover your cultivation faster.¡± Nangong Weiping responded, ¡°I never hold back when it comes to killing.¡± In Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart, too, the intent to kill overflowed. Back on Blue Sky Island, Qi Xuan Dao himself made a move and killed her husband; she had always kept this memory in her heart. Today, she would avenge An Jing for that arrow! She, Zhao Qingmei, wanted to tell the world that An was under her protection. ¡°It is a pleasure to have friends come from afar.¡± Just then, a voice floated over from a distance. Who is it? A chill went through Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart, as she, with her cultivation, failed to notice the approach of an expert? Nangong Weiping¡¯s brow furrowed sharply as she looked in the direction of the voice. They saw an old man in tattered clothes with a carrying pole on his back approach from afar. The old man¡¯s eyes were calm, resembling a deep blue sea capable of engulfing everything in the world. An expert! With just one glance, Zhao Qingmei could tell that the person before her was definitely a top-notch expert. Apart from Qi Xuan Dao and Qin Shan, Cloud Tower contained another extraordinary figure. Nangong Weiping¡¯s gaze darkened, ¡°Who are you?¡± The old man didn¡¯t answer Nangong Weiping¡¯s question, but instead smiled and said, ¡°In the seventh year of the Ze Yuan era of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the then master of Outer Heaven was named Xue Gajian. His wife was Nangong Weiping. The couple was known in Jianghu for their loving relationship. Later, due to Xue Gajian¡¯s change of heart and because Nangong Weiping was still stronger than him, he used tricks and schemes to imprison her under the Sealing Demon Well in the forbidden land of the Demon Sect.¡± ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, you are Nangong Weiping, right?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hands on her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades brightened as a cold chill settled in her heart. This person in front of her actually knew Nangong Weiping¡¯s background. Nangong Weiping had previously taken action on Great Snow Mountain, and causing a great disturbance when she broke out of the Sealing Demon Well. If one were to investigate, they indeed could uncover some secrets, but they should not know such detailed information. Who exactly is he? Could he be the teacher of Qi Xuan Dao, Qin Shan, and others, the Ten Directions elder? But the rumors said that the Ten Directions elder had long vanished from Jianghu, and by his age, he should have been dead by now, so how could he appear before them? Nangong Weiping clapped her hands, a cold light in her eyes, ¡°Who exactly are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just an old man.¡± The old man said, ¡°I presume you¡¯re here for Cheng Huang¡¯s blood. I can give you Cheng Huang¡¯s blood, I can even give you Cheng Huang itself, but only if you agree to one condition.¡± Nangong Weiping looked at the old man and said, ¡°I¡¯ve never liked things given by others. I prefer to take them myself.¡± The old man laughed, ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound very pleasant.¡± Nangong Weiping said, ¡°The truth is often unpleasant, and those who dislike hearing the truth always end up with one outcome.¡± The old man asked, ¡°What outcome?¡± Nangong Weiping said, ¡°Death.¡± The old man said, ¡°Do you think you can certainly defeat me?¡± Nangong Weiping said, ¡°Everyone dies eventually; it¡¯s just a matter of sooner or later.¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± The elder burst out laughing and then said, ¡°You¡¯re wrong.¡± Nangong Weiping asked, ¡°Where is the mistake?¡± ¡°On every inch of land in this world, at every moment, there are people being born and people dying.¡± The elder shook his head, hands clasped behind his back, and said, ¡°But some wish to die and cannot.¡± The Ten Directions elder!? Zhao Qingmei¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted. Could the person before her be the Ten Directions elder, who, according to rumors, had shown signs of old age decades ago and had been living in seclusion in the Cloud Tower? Qi Xuan Dao and Qiu Fengsheng were his disciples, which was indicative of his stature. Nangong Weiping said indifferently, ¡°This old body will fulfill your wish today.¡± ¡°Considering the difficulty of your advancement to the Great Grandmaster, I wanted to give you a chance, but it seems your mind has been corroded from spending too much time in the Sealing Demon Well, what a pity.¡± The Ten Directions elder shook his head. Without further ado, the two masters commenced combat directly. One could only see the Ten Directions elder reach out with his palm, and an overwhelming True Yuan burst forth, annihilating everything in its path, unstoppable. The very air around them couldn¡¯t withstand the terrifying force, emitting a sharp, whistling sound. Nangong Weiping mobilized the True Yuan throughout her body, as black Demonic Qi swirled around her arms, and an earth-shattering force surged forth as if on the verge of collapse. ¡°Bang!¡± With every reach of the Ten Directions elder¡¯s palm, a massive handprint would emerge, as if the sky itself were about to explode. ¡°Boom!¡± The fierce collision triggered a violent surge of Qi mechanism, prompting Nangong Weiping to take a step back, retreating for the first time. ¡°What a strange Qi mechanism!¡± Nangong Weiping narrowed her eyes, feeling a chill emerge in her heart. The Ten Directions elder stepped forward, shooting up like an arrow released from a bow, channeling the violent Qi mechanism inside him continuously into his arm. ¡°Hum!¡± On the other side, facing the Ten Directions elder¡¯s unrelenting assault, Nangong Weiping finally made up her mind. The seal techniques in her hands changed rapidly, and the Heavenly Demon Seal surged forth with force. Whish, whish, whish! The final level of the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture allowed the Heavenly Demon Seal to be cast upon oneself, granting the power of a Heavenly Demon. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! An icy, bone-chilling blizzard spread across heaven and earth as if to envelop the entire Cloud Tower. The Wind Snow Six Techniques! The Arrogant Cold Palm! Nangong Weiping, standing in the midst of the blizzard, struck forward with her palm. The cold palm print drifted through the snowstorm, slamming towards the Ten Directions elder. ¡°Boom!¡± In the midst of the intense quake, the two were evenly matched, neither gaining the upper hand. The Ten Directions elder seemed unconcerned with whether Nangong Weiping could block his strike. The enormous flow of Qi, like rivers and lakes, cascaded down, nearly engulfing Nangong Weiping. Thunderous booms! Thunder and lightning flashed across the sky, accompanied by resounding roars. Nangong Weiping¡¯s heart was pounding wildly. The Ten Directions World Suppressing Fist! A domineering voice echoed in Nangong Weiping¡¯s ears, and at the same time, resonated throughout the heavens and earth, sounding like a death knell. The aura of the Ten Directions elder transformed; his body seemed purified, radiating a torrent of imposing energy. Behind him, a form emerged that looked neither human nor monster. If An Jing were present, he would certainly recognize the sinister entity at the elder¡¯s back. ¡°Who exactly are you!?¡± Upon seeing this, a sharp light glinted in Nangong Weiping¡¯s eyes. The shadow behind the Ten Directions elder transitioned from ethereal to physical, manifesting solidly. In that moment, a great power infused the elder¡¯s being. Nangong Weiping seemed to be under enormous pressure, finding it extremely difficult to even lift her head. It was an ultimate control over the power of heaven and earth, something ordinary experts could not compare with. Above the sky, a fist force as massive as a mountain tore a crack in the horizon and smashed down fiercely. At that moment! Nangong Weiping felt as if the sky had shattered and the earth had split asunder, and she was like a tiny boat in the midst of a storm, with nowhere to escape, nowhere to go. She looked up as if facing a distant, insurmountable mountain range and then took a deep breath, her True Yuan coursing wildly, summoning seal techniques in the heavens and earth. A vast and magnificent aura surged up behind Nangong Weiping, causing the world itself to tremble slightly. The black radiance shone out like a thousand arrows launched, enveloping the entire Cloud Tower. The Heavenly Demon Qi Mechanism emerged, almost tearing apart the heaven and earth. Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture! Azure Seal! Nangong Weiping pushed forward with a palm toward the front. The huge seal collided fiercely with the fist force, causing the sky and the earth to pause slightly at the same time. This hesitation was almost negligible, but in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s pupils, it seemed like an eternity had passed. Boom! Boom! Boom! With Nangong Weiping and the Elder of the Ten Directions as the center, terrifying waves spread outwards, and around the Cloud Tower, rows of white light shields appeared. Thump thump! The world-shaking True Yuan shockwave hit the Cloud Tower¡¯s barrier formation, immediately reverberating a sound that shook the heavens and earth. Nangong Weiping, bearing the brunt of that extremely powerful recoil, kept retreating backward whilst skimming the ground, carving a long trace on the surface. Nangong Weiping steadied herself, her expression incredibly solemn. She had not anticipated that upon leaving seclusion, she would face such an expert. She transmitted a message, ¡°Leave, this person¡¯s Qi Mechanism is too tricky, I¡¯m not certain of victory.¡± Zhao Qingmei, upon hearing Nangong Weiping¡¯s words, felt her heart turn utterly cold. Who was Nangong Weiping? Although she had not fully recovered, she still possessed the cultivation of a Great Grandmaster, definitely an existence who could walk sideways among Grandmasters. Yet now, she said she was unsure of defeating this person ¨C could the man before them also be a Great Grandmaster? But at the Black Ice Platform, how could there possibly be a Great Grandmaster? Zhao Qingmei, upon hearing Nangong Weiping¡¯s words, did not dare to hesitate at all, and the moment her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades appeared in her hands, she bolted towards the distance. Just then, a figure rushed over from afar. That person was holding a red staff-it was Teng Xubing, one of the Black Ice Platform¡¯s eight Heavenly Slaughters. Having met on Zhong Mountain, now seeing Zhao Qingmei, a crimson light flashed in his eyes. A sky-full of staff shadows attacked, each carrying a weight of a thousand jin. ¡°Thump!¡± Zhao Qingmei raised her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades to block the mountainous blow. Suddenly, the heavens and earth roared and exploded into a deafening sound. ¡°Chiu¨C!¡± A clear cry echoed from the sky, and it seemed even the sun above was about to be obscured. A Honghu bird soared with spread wings, charging over. The Arrogant Cold Swordsman Lv Qiujian, upon seeing this, aimed a blow at the Honghu¡¯s wings. A pillar of red flame burst from the Honghu¡¯s sharp beak. The scorching flame appeared, immediately causing the temperature of the surroundings to rise rapidly. Lv Qiujian furrowed his brow and quickly dodged away, avoiding the Honghu¡¯s flames. ¡°Don¡¯t let the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect escape!¡± Teng Xubing shouted. Afterward, the two men attacked Zhao Qingmei from the left and the right, their staff shadows whirlwind and their sword energy icy cold, both exhibiting their utmost power without any reservation. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Mandarin Duck Twin Blades danced in her hands, lacking the Demonic Qi of Nangong Weiping as a source. Her cultivation was at the peak of Three Qi; facing a Four Qi Teng Xubing was already extremely difficult, not to mention another Three Qi Realm swordsman, Lv Qiujian. Naturally, she appeared to be in a tight spot. Fortunately, the Honghu was there to divert attention. ¡°The strength of this Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect is so formidable too!¡± Lv Qiujian thought to himself. Originally, he thought that the presence of the Ghost Swordsman was already astonishing enough. He hadn¡¯t expected the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect to be just as peerless. As for the confrontation between Nangong Weiping and the Elder of the Ten Directions, which could be called the prime duel of the times, it was a pity that not many masters were fortunate enough to witness it. Nangong Weiping¡¯s eyes, sharp like an eagle¡¯s, were locked onto the Elder in the distance, standing calmly with his hands behind his back. In the next instant, a gentle tap of her toes and her figure instantly turned into a streak of light that burst forth furiously. Boom! The moment Nangong Weiping¡¯s figure surged forward, the air exploded in front of her, such was her speed that even the air couldn¡¯t withstand it, leaving a wave of air turbulence in her wake. It took merely a breath for a dark light to explode before the Elder, and at the same time, a palm wrapped in black demonic energy was fiercely slammed towards him. There was nothing fancy about it, just a plain punch, but under the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, it possessed the tremendous power to destroy both heaven and earth. After all, Nangong Weiping had cultivated the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture to the perfection of Great Grandmaster level. ¡°Perfection?¡± The terrifying strength that swept over from in front made the Elder¡¯s eyes flash. He commented with a note of amazement and then flicked his sleeves. Whoosh! Two gloomy, icy auras shot out like two giant dragons intertwining with each other, bursting from the Elder¡¯s sleeves with a roar that seemed to echo, clashing heavily with Nangong Weiping¡¯s punch. Thud! At the moment of impact, a thunderous noise rattled heaven and earth. The ground collapsed at the point of collision and rapidly spread dozens of feet. An indescribable physical strength exploded. Nangong Weiping¡¯s demonic energy was shattered, turning into black specks that drifted away. Hiss! However, as soon as the black demonic energy shattered, it condensed again in the next instant, even thicker and firmer than before, and then exploded out at a terrifying rate. Boom boom boom! In just a few moments, the black demonic energy struck the Elder¡¯s defenses hundreds of times, each strike unleashing a horrific shockwave. ¡°Senior, let¡¯s go!¡± Zhao Qingmei, blocking Teng Xubing and Lv Qiujian with her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades and riding on Honghu¡¯s back, now dove down with Honghu towards Nangong Weiping. If Nangong Weiping wasn¡¯t assured of victory, it was better to flee first. ¡°Seeking death!¡± A murderous light flashed in the Elder¡¯s eyes as he reached out to grab Zhao Qingmei. Fast! Too fast! Zhao Qingmei could only see a flash of black light, her body completely incapable of avoidance or defense. Thump! In the blink of an eye, she was engulfed by the black light. The cold light penetrated Zhao Qingmei¡¯s protective demonic energy, entering her body. Her eyes wide, Zhao Qingmei could only watch as the cold light invaded her flesh, afterward feeling a weakness throughout her body as she collapsed onto Honghu¡¯s back. Cold! A bone-chilling coldness instantly surged through her body! Her blood, bones, and breath all became extremely cold, as if even her mind was frozen at that moment. In that instant, the image of An Jing appeared in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mind, her lips parting slightly, ¡°Husband¡­.¡± At the same time, Honghu¡¯s giant body shuddered, maintaining just enough consciousness to prevent themselves from crashing to the ground. ¡°You are dealing with me!¡± Nangong Weiping shouted coldly, her body overflowing with a destructive power that seemed about to burst her. She stared at the Elder, her eyes shining with a black light, and smirked coldly. The Elder felt a chill as hairs stood on end and dared not attack Zhao Qingmei any further, quickly retracting his palm strike. Behind Nangong Weiping suddenly appeared an immense Heavenly Demon. She slowly raised her hand, dark light swirling around her palm from which ancient patterns spread, and then, with a gentle push, it descended towards the Elder. Boom! It was as if the world itself trembled violently at that moment. The Elder looked up with force, only to see the clouds above ripped apart, an eclipse of black light, with its shadow, enveloping everything below. Before the black light had even fallen, the buildings around Cloud Tower had collapsed a level. But upon closer inspection, the black light was clearly a hand, vast like a tidal wave. The black hand came crashing down toward the Elder. ¡°` Boom! The black hand did not stop at all, and with an overwhelmingly tyrannical posture, it came crashing down. Finally, under the gaze of numerous terrified onlookers, it landed on the old man of the Ten Directions. As the giant black hand descended from the sky, it was like the palm of a Heavenly Demon, filled with a sense of destruction. It seemed that anything in its path would be turned to dust. Whoosh whoosh whoosh! Black spiritual light flowed from the body of the Ten Directions Elder, forming an indestructible light shield. Seeing the Ten Directions Elder stand tall like mountains and rivers, all those present couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in awe. Boom! In the sky above, the massive hand covered everything as it came down. In the moment it struck the phantom image, the heavens and earth seemed to fall silent under the gaze of countless eyes. The Jade Tower around the Cloud Tower shattered to pieces. Crack! Crack! The Dharma Body of the Ten Directions Elder directly fractured, appearing cracked and fragile before the Ten Directions Elder¡¯s body plummeted downwards like a cannonball. Rumble! The Cloud Tower and the great hall began to collapse at this moment. The destructive shockwave spread, destroying the surrounding buildings. In just a few breaths¡¯ time, the Thunder Sound Hall had turned into ruins. The only thing remaining was a massive pit at the center of the Cloud Tower. Nangong Weiping leaped onto the back of the Honghu and began to control it. With a clear chirp, the Honghu soared into the sky, flying towards the distance. In the blink of an eye, it disappeared from everyone¡¯s view. Lv Qiujian and Teng Xubing naturally couldn¡¯t catch up with the Honghu and could only rush towards the giant pit. As the dust gradually dispersed, the Ten Directions Elder could be seen standing in the pit, his clothes fluttering in the breeze, unscathed. Lv Qiujian and Teng Xubing cautiously approached him, not daring to breathe too loudly. A smile emerged on the lips of the Ten Directions Elder, ¡°No need to chase. The Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect was struck by my primordial palm.¡± Although he was smiling, the two beside him felt as if they had entered a freezing summer or scorching winter. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Dragon Locking Well. Three days have passed since the incident in Yujing City. By now, Yujing City had returned to its usual tranquility, but the aftermath had not faded. The atmosphere became even more tense and solidified. The entire border of Yan Country went into alert. An attack from Zhao Country and Houjin was now certain. But compared to before, the people of Yan Country had more confidence in the impending battle because the Great Yan Emperor had reached the Grandmaster Realm. Great Grandmaster! This was the realm of land immortals, rumored to allow one to borrow three hundred years of life from heaven¨Cmeaning Zhao Zhiwu could preside over the court for another three hundred years. A Great Grandmaster was like a stabilizer. Even with Zhao Country, Houjin, and the Southern Barbarians joined forces, they still had confidence. The whole world knew the era of the nations attacking Yan had come, and the people of Yan Country were also aware. They had begun preparing for war half a year ago. Everyone was waiting for that moment to come. As a thread of consciousness from the Earth Vein Spirit escaped, violent changes occurred in the world. Everyone found that cultivation had become much easier than before and breaking through the shackles was simpler. Many experts who had been stuck for years were suddenly breaking through critical barriers, significantly advancing their cultivation. This phenomenon occurred everywhere¨Cin Yan Country, Zhao Country, the Southern Barbarians, Houjin¨Cany place in the world. This change brought joy to everyone, and this was just an inkling of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness. If the true Earth Vein Spirit were to surge forth, how terrifying would that be? At the unfathomable depths of the Dragon Locking Well, a gigantic vortex frenziedly spun, drawing in the Earth Essence from the surroundings toward its center. This vortex was incredibly large, almost stirring all the Earth Essence in the Dragon Locking Well. Upon closer inspection, at the center of the vortex, one could see a figure in a meditative pose. It was An Jing. At this moment, inside An Jing¡¯s body, the True Qi surged. The ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± operated on its own, continuously resisting the evil spirits within the Dragon Locking Well. The oppressive force inside the Dragon Locking Well was immense. Despite An Jing¡¯s sturdy physique, one could still see blood oozing from him. Enveloped by the pure and abundant Earth Essence, streams of pure essence were constantly pouring into An Jing¡¯s body through his mouth, nose, and the pores all over his body. ¡°` An Jing¡¯s skin turned a bright red at this moment, but the true qi within his body became incredibly vigorous and scorching at an astonishing speed! A starlight suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It vibrated into existence, with the Dragon Locking Well stirring up an overwhelming qi mechanism. That starlight, as if transmitting from the depths of space, traversed the vast expanse, and the eons passed, ultimately emerged. Then, in An Jing¡¯s mind, streaks of starlight suddenly appeared, converging into a galaxy. Boom boom boom!! The vast Earth Essence poured into his body unceasingly, and the dragon circling An Jing became more and more luminous. After dozens of days, which felt like years had passed, the entire Dragon Locking Well was shrouded in starlight. Whoosh whoosh whoosh!! Suddenly, as the starlight of the Dragon Locking Well shone, the entire well burst forth with unprecedentedly radiant divine light, endlessly spreading out in all directions. At that moment, heaven and earth trembled simultaneously!! Within the Dragon Locking Well, every wisp of qi mechanism weirdly exuded a terrifying might, so powerful that it could cause Grandmasters to explode and die on the spot within this atmosphere. It was clear to see that An Jing¡¯s true qi instantly converged, bursting forth with dazzling divine light. In an instant, the orbiting starlight around An Jing solidified as if it were tangible, emitting a halo like glazed glass, and on the surface of his body, numerous mysterious patterns emerged, each one exuding a breathtakingly domineering aura. Boom! An Jing¡¯s body, in the moment the phantom vision condensed, underwent a complete transformation; his bones and flesh became as splendidly bizarre and brilliantly eye-catching as glazed glass. The Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique was about to break through its shackles! Bang!! The ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± began to rotate at an unimaginable speed, a stark contrast to its previous sluggish pace. This rotation, swift to its peak, instantly caused An Jing¡¯s entire body to collapse. Flesh merged with bone, and true qi incessantly blended into it. An Jing could nearly feel every part of his body strengthening, as if mountains and rivers were no longer the same in his eyes. This was a brand-new realm. An Jing¡¯s true qi integrated into every drop of his essence blood. The essence blood, accumulating powerful strength, began to circulate quickly, and spread throughout An Jing¡¯s body. The vast Earth Essence poured in like tidal waters. Boom boom boom!! What was once a somewhat shattered body, now regathered in a burst of divine light and, at the same time, visibly expanded and grew at an insane pace. The changes brought about by the promotion were earth-shattering. At this moment, An Jing¡¯s body already compared to the physical strength of a Great Grandmaster, which not only brought an increase in strength but also extended his lifespan. Operating the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique,¡± the domineering might swept across heaven and earth, filling the entire Dragon Locking Well. Boom! Boom! Boom! The ferocious qi mechanism caused the heavens and the earth to tremble. Meanwhile, the Earth Vein Spirit in the distance also emitted a series of low roars. After absorbing all the Earth Essence, the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± directly broke through to the Tenth Level, which is also the Perfect Realm of the technique. Advancing the heart method to the Perfect Realm, which surpasses the Heavenly Martial level, the tremendous improvement was almost visible to the naked eye. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing slowly opened his eyes, his thoughts falling upon the Earth Book. Cultivation: Grandmaster Four Qi Life Fate: Boundless Fortune Root Bone: Once in a Millennium Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Skill, Hidden Sword Skill, Sword Control Technique, Nine-character Sword Technique, Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique, Concealing Qi Technique, Hundred-step Flying Sword Ninth Layer, Nine Yang Divine Finger Perfection, Brahma Heart Sees Me Perfection, Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique Ninth Layer, Incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture Eighth Layer, Nameless Sword Form, Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique Tenth Layer (Perfection). Prompt One: The host¡¯s Life Fate has taken root, and the Earth Vein Spirit has detected the host¡¯s anomaly. Slaying the Earth Vein Spirit may yield a golden opportunity; otherwise, a black opportunity will arise. Prompt Two: There¡¯s a black opportunity near the host. ¡­.. Chapter 318 - Chapter 318 Chapter 318 Entangled by Earth Veins Spirit and Chapter 318: Chapter 318: Entangled by Earth Veins Spirit and Evil Spirits Chapter 318: Chapter 318: Entangled by Earth Veins Spirit and Evil Spirits An Jing looked around and saw that all the Earth Essence surrounding the Dragon Locking Well had been absorbed clean, leaving only copious amounts of evil spirits floating about. These evil spirits were extremely troublesome, sticky as they were, even a small touch made them incredibly difficult to cleanse. At this moment, the Earth Vein Spirit was constantly being corroded by the evil spirits, showing signs of ¡®decay; in its ¡®body.¡¯ As time fermented further, the concentration of the evil spirits thickened and the corruption of the Earth Vein Spirit worsened. What would the Earth Vein Spirit transform into after being fully corrupted by the evil spirits? An Jing muttered softly while observing the Earth Vein Spirit, ¡°Sealing this Earth Vein Spirit has also sealed the spiritual energy of nature, and similarly suppressed the evil spirits. Once the Earth Vein Spirit erupts, these evil spirits will also burst out¡­.¡± ¡°Roar!¡± The Ancient Bronze Pillars bound by iron chains as the Earth Vein Spirit let out an angry growl. An Jing paid it no heed and prepared to run towards the Dragon Locking Well. Feeling empty and somewhat hungry, he knew that he must have stayed in the Dragon Locking Well for several days. ¡°You outsiders, don¡¯t even think about waiting until¡­¡­you will all die!¡± Suddenly, a voice emerged from the depths of his heart, the middle of the voice somewhat fuzzy. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing frowned deeply upon hearing this and turned his head towards the Earth Vein Spirit. At this moment, the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s blood-red eyes were fixed on him. You outsiders¡­ An Jing was not part of this world, this and the Earth Book were his biggest secrets. Moreover, the Earth Vein Spirit mentioned ¡®you all,¡¯ which was quite thought-provoking. An Jing asked, ¡°Who else besides me?¡± ¡°You will all die!¡± The Earth Vein Spirit did not respond to An Jing¡¯s question, just coldly stared at him. You will all die! You will all die! ¡­.. The phrase echoed in An Jing¡¯s mind like a curse, resonating continuously. The Earth Vein Spirit, its eyes now blood-red from the torment of the evil spirits, prompted An Jing to glance at it once before fiercely sprinting toward the surface of the Dragon Locking Well. The outsiders mentioned by the Earth Vein Spirit might be related to the evil spirits, possibly even the main culprits, and the ¡®you all¡¯ obviously referred to more than one individual. An Jing suddenly thought of something, slightly startled, ¡°Could the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯ behind Xi Hafu be one of these evil spirits?¡± The ¡®corpse¡¯ behind Xi Hafu appeared neither fully human nor demonic, perhaps it was one of ¡®them¡¯ as mentioned by the Earth Vein Spirit, but Xi Hafu had mentioned this ¡®corpse¡¯ could revive. Instantly, An Jing¡¯s spine was covered with a cold sweat. Is the remnant behind Xi Hafu really the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics,¡¯ and what is that Golden Body inside Temple Lingtai? Can this ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯ still revive?! Aside from this ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics,¡¯ are there others¡­. Waiting for¡­. what? Could it be the complete corruption of the Earth Vein Spirit by the evil spirits? The evil spirits are still constantly polluting the spiritual energy of nature and the Earth Vein Spirit, but once the Earth Vein Spirit is completely corrupted, what will it become? For a time, An Jing¡¯s mind was filled with doubts. Meanwhile, he stepped out of the Dragon Locking Well. At this moment, the five iron houses around the Dragon Locking Well had been fully reconstructed, and beside them sat a figure. The person, dressed in white, was none other than Duanmu Xinghua, the master of the Demon Sect Heavenly Sect. ¡°An Tributor!¡± Upon seeing An Jing emerge, Duanmu Xinghua approached him. An Jing asked, ¡°How many days has it been?¡± ¡°Nine days.¡± Duanmu Xinghua looked at An Jing, expressing delight, ¡°An Tributor, has your strength improved tremendously again?¡± At this moment, An Jing¡¯s Qi mechanism was not concealed, much stronger than before by several times over. This was naturally great news for the Demon Sect. An Jing nodded slightly, ¡°This isn¡¯t the place to talk.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go back and discuss further.¡± Duanmu Xinghua glanced towards the Five Qi individuals in the distance. The two left the Dragon Locking Well and headed for the Demon Sect¡¯s stronghold in Yujing City. As the two departed, the Five Qi individuals also slowly emerged. Fire Qi incredulously said, ¡°Has the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength really improved again?¡± One should note that An Jing, barely over twenty, could combat a Five Qi Grandmaster by performing a secret technique, and now his strength had improved again, how astonishing would that be? Water Qi said gravely, ¡°That is truly terrifying.¡± Metal Qi whispered, ¡°Report this matter to the Human Emperor.¡± Everyone nodded in agreement. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Demon Sect stronghold. The top experts of the Demon Sect gathered, including Li Fuzhou, Yu Qiurong, Duanmu Xinghua, Ouyang Ping, and other top experts of the Demon Sect. An Jing also learned from Li Fuzhou about his enfeoffment, to which he was not surprised. Great Yan Emperor wanted him to exert himself against Houjin, and An Jing also had a deep-seated enmity with Zongzheng Huachun of Houjin, so leveraging Great Yan¡¯s power was excellent, marking mutual use and cooperation. However, the news of Zhao Zhiwu breaking through to Grandmaster did surprise him. Ouyang Ping whispered, ¡°The Great Yan Emperor has broken his shackles by consuming a lot of essence blood, which I don¡¯t think is a good thing.¡± Essence blood, which requires much time to nourish, if overconsumed, could harm life, using one¡¯s own essence blood to break through to Grandmaster was nearly akin to burning one¡¯s life to improve one¡¯s realm. It¡¯s likely that Zhao Zhiwu did not desire the same 300-year lifespan as other Great Grandmasters. Without a 300-year lifespan, Zhao Zhiwu, despite his cultivation as a Great Grandmaster, only temporarily stabilized the situation in the Great Yan Dynasty, which was not a viable long-term plan. The increasingly dominant Zhao Zhiwu might not necessarily be a good thing for the Outer Heaven. After all, emperors have a very strong desire to control power, especially this emperor. Duanmu Xinghua said, ¡°We need to observe this matter further, I also feel it is not simple.¡± For centuries there had been no Great Grandmaster, and now the Great Yan Emperor had suddenly made a breakthrough. Although the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s idea broke the ban and reduced the world¡¯s restraints, bringing ¡®blessing¡¯ to the world. But breaking through to a Great Grandmaster was still extremely difficult. Moreover, this breakthrough did not deal a significant blow to Houjin; instead, it somewhat seemed like ¡®acting,¡¯ deliberately put on for the world to see. An Jing nodded and asked, ¡°What about the senior You Gai?¡± He remembered very clearly that at the Imperial Palace, You Gai had volunteered to stop the Southern Barbarian witch doctor, Cong Chu. ¡°The senior really hates evil, and he has a fiery temperament.¡± Li Fuzhou started laughing, ¡°These Southern Barbarians are very cunning. During the attack by Outer Heaven Island and Houjin masters, they were just watching. But senior You Gai didn¡¯t think too much. As soon as he saw the Great Wizard Cong Chu, he rushed out and fought alone against both Cong Chu and the Great Wizard Chang Yu. The two great wizards of the Southern Barbarians then fled the Imperial Palace, and senior You Gai directly chased after them. Now the chase has extended beyond East Lin Road, almost reaching Nanping Dao, and countless Great Yan martial arts masters are going after hearing the news, even providing senior You Gai with information on the positions of the Southern Barbarian masters.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but smirk upon hearing this, as You Gai¡¯s temperament was indeed straightforward and explosive. Initially, when he wanted to join the Demon Sect, he had a contest with An Jing, and his reason for joining was nothing other than wanting to fight against the Houjin barbarians. Given his detestation of evil, his conduct with the Southern Barbarians was expected. An Jing thought for a moment and said, ¡°Send a secret letter to senior You Gai through the spies of the Human Sect, asking him to come back.¡± After all, with ten great witch doctors and the extremely powerful Southern Barbarian leader, You Gai might suffer if he really entered the Southern Barbarians¡¯ territory. Li Fuzhou, cheerfully said, ¡°Son-in-law, rest assured, I have already made preparations.¡± Li Fuzhou was shrewd and capable, a real old fox, naturally he had made ample preparations. An Jing, upon hearing this, nodded and said, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun obtained a strand of consciousness from the Earth Vein Spirit and received a tremendous benefit. The Southern Barbarians are only superficially united, just wanting to pick up benefits. Only the Black Ice Platform has suffered significant losses, not only did Qin Shan die, but Qi Xuan Dao also suffered heavy damage. It seems this is not necessarily a bad thing.¡± Although it was a struggle for power, it appeared that the contenders were not entirely in agreement, which was also a good thing for Yan Country. ¡°Although this time only Zongzheng Huachun of Yujing City profited in Houjin, their alliance did not break because of this; it seems to have grown even tighter.¡± Li Fuzhou said gravely, ¡°Now, the chief disciple of Qi Xuan Dao has gathered an army of 500,000 at the Yan-Zhao border, including 200,000 naval troops. Their forces directly threaten Jiangnan Dao, and Lord Pingding¡¯s army of over 400,000 might not be able to withstand them. Previously, when Zhao Country invaded, the Pingyang Guard would move south to assist Lord Pingding¡¯s army, but now most of Pingyang Guard are in the north, a small part guarding Yujing City, thus unable to spare troops. The tide of the Yan-Zhao battle still tilts towards Zhao Country, and the Southern Barbarian army is also gathering, a total of 300,000 troops could still be assembled. Soon, the south will be another huge vortex, only relying on the Zhen Nan army, which is mixed, mostly comprising new recruits, and considering the numerous masters among the Southern Barbarians, it is also very difficult to resist.¡± ¡°As for the Houjin army, they had already gathered in the Northern Wilderness. If it wasn¡¯t for the last battle at Dongluo Pass where Li Qirong abducted a large number of resources from the Northern Wilderness, the Houjin army might have already moved south.¡± In fact, the soldiers of Great Yan faced disadvantages against both Houjin and Zhao Country. The ordinary soldiers of Zhao Country had cultivations of Eighth and Seventh Grades, and some elite troops even reached the Sixth Grade. Moreover, the natural physique of Houjin soldiers was stronger than that of Yan Country¡¯s soldiers, and they are incredibly fierce and ruthless, so Great Yan also had no big advantage when facing Houjin. As Li Fuzhou¡¯s words ended, the expressions of everyone present became extremely grave. An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°It seems the Houjin army will soon be moving south, we need to quickly return to Beihuang Dao.¡± He was now in charge of all the military operations in Beihuang Dao, meaning Wang Shiyi and Qiu Lun of Pingyang Guard both had to follow his orders. Whether they could withstand Houjin fell entirely on his shoulders. Qiu Lun was manageable, but Wang Shiyi and Li Qirong might not obey his commands, so he needed to go to Beihuang Dao to reorganize. Li Fuzhou said, ¡°Son-in-law, before leaving Yujing City, there might still be one more thing to do.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°What is it?¡± Li Fuzhou pondered for a moment and said, ¡°After His Majesty broke through to become a Great Grandmaster and started to deal with politics personally, some power still lay in the hands of the Crown Prince. Previously, Marquis Wang Shiyi was a direct confidant of the Crown Prince, but now he must obey his son-in-law. In my view, His Highness the Crown Prince will definitely not sit back and relax, and he is very likely to meddle. The hundreds of thousands of troops under Wang Shiyi¡¯s command cannot be maintained by the scant tax revenue from Beihuang Dao alone. If there is any error with the supplies from the rear, then there will be major trouble.¡± Present at the scene were Duanmu Xinghua and Ouyang Ping, both from the Jianghu. It was natural for them to fight and kill, but they were no match for the current Li Fuzhou in political conspiracies and court struggles even if they joined forces. At this moment, Li Fuzhou briefly pointed out the difficulties in An Jing overseeing the military affairs of the north. Besides whether Wang Shiyi and Li Qirong were willing to obey, the biggest obstacle was His Highness the Crown Prince, especially since Wang Shiyi was a direct follower of His Highness. An Jing could also feel the hostility from His Highness the Crown Prince. He was like a wolf guarding its food, wanting to eliminate any enemies that posed a threat to him, except that An Jing, this enemy, was too strong, which made him even more wary of An Jing. Although the chances of this astute Crown Prince making a blunder in dealing with the major issue against Houjin were not high, it did not eliminate the possibility of him creating obstacles for An Jing. It was always good to plan ahead. An Jing asked, ¡°Then what does Master Li think we should do?¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s lips curved into a cold smile, ¡°His Majesty currently enjoys playing with power and even for the Crown Prince, he likes to maintain control and balance. Hence, Zhao Mengtai appeared. Now that Zhao Mengtai has fallen, the Crown Prince¡¯s family dominates alone, and almost everyone can only support him. Although His Majesty does not show it, he is certainly not pleased deep down. His Majesty promoted Zhou Xianming, and Zhou Xianming has recently been quite close to Princess An Le. This is very intriguing. I suspect His Majesty might consider Princess An Le as an alternative heir. We might as well start from her, to have her stand against the Crown Prince, so we aren¡¯t isolated in the court.¡± As soon as Li Fuzhou finished speaking, Duanmu Xinghua shook her head and said, ¡°How could that be possible? Zhao Xuening is just a woman, and it¡¯s rumored that her martial arts talents are very poor. Even if the Emperor doesn¡¯t favor the Crown Prince, he wouldn¡¯t favor her, right?¡± Clearly, she didn¡¯t find the Princess convincing. Yu Qiurong also nodded repeatedly; she had also met the Princess, who only indulged in ¡®romance¡¯. How could she possibly be a Crown Prince? Thinking about this, she couldn¡¯t help but raise her head to glance at An Jing¡¯s face, then felt her heart start pounding wildly and quickly turned her head away to look into the distance. ¡°This is where you misunderstand the Princess.¡± Li Fuzhou smiled, picked up a teacup on the table, took a sip, and said, ¡°Although Her Highness the Princess lacks martial arts talent, her character and wisdom should not be underestimated. After Tianpeng Ancestor was captured alive, he was detained in the Xuanyi Guard office for several days. Despite Xu Qianyue¡¯s persuasions, he refused to pledge loyalty to the Royal Family. Ultimately, it was she who persuaded Tianpeng Ancestor, leading this top expert to ally with the Great Yan Royal Family.¡± ¡°Moreover, according to top-secret information, His Majesty has summoned Her Highness the Princess multiple times recently. This seems to be a signal.¡± ¡°Plus, with the Empress Zuo Linglong¡¯s excessive favor and boundless prestige, and with the support of the Zuo Family, if His Majesty intends, it¡¯s not impossible. After all, the essence of politics is about exchange.¡± With his keen sensitivity to court changes and information, Li Fuzhou¡¯s words were not without aim. Previously, Zhao Mengtai and the Zuo Family, along with the Empress, were very close. The Empress and Zhao Xuening could still rely on the Second Prince. Now that Zhao Mengtai is gone, the interest group led by the Empress naturally wants to find a new pillar of support. But looking around the entire court, there are hardly any reliable figures. Consequently, it¡¯s justifiable for the Empress to support her own daughter, Zhao Xuening. If this gamble succeeds, the rewards would be several hundredfold. After hearing this, An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed tightly, ¡°That being said, it really is possible.¡± It¡¯s not impossible for a woman to become the Empress, it all depends on whether the current Great Yan Emperor has the courage. Li Fuzhou continued, ¡°I have already found out where Li Yue of Wind and Rain Tower is detained. As long as we rescue Li Yue and eliminate Zhou Xianming¡¯s concerns to secure his rear, and then the son-in-law explains the situation with the Princess, with her and the Empress holding down the fort in Yujing City, even if the Crown Prince wants to meddle, it won¡¯t be so easy.¡± An Jing glanced at Li Fuzhou, ¡°The idea to rescue Li Yue must have been Ling Yuhua¡¯s pillow talk, right?¡± Ling Yuhua had joined the Demon Sect, but she was previously the Pavilion Master of the Moon Pavilion, and Li Yue was previously a hitman from the Moon Pavilion, likely sharing a bond. Li Fuzhou¡¯s expression turned solemn, and he saluted with a fist, ¡°All my words are for the son-in-law and Outer Heaven¡¯s consideration.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing waved his hand, ¡°Rescuing Li Yue was already part of the plan, I will leave this task to you and Yi. Remember to be cautious, it must not be exposed under any circumstances.¡± Previously, Li Yue had been convicted of treason for attempting to assassinate the Crown Prince, and if the rescue by the Demon Sect were exposed, it would implicate the entire sect. ¡°Rest assured, son-in-law.¡± Li Fuzhou chuckled lightly, ¡°A bird in a cage, even if it breaks its head, cannot fly out of this iron cage.¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 319 - Chapter 319 Chapter 319 True Dragon Essence Blood of the Qin Chapter 319: Chapter 319: True Dragon Essence Blood of the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum Chapter 319: Chapter 319: True Dragon Essence Blood of the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum Great Yan, Yujing City, Cang County. Cang County wasn¡¯t a large county, but due to its proximity to the capital of Great Yan, the area was teeming with a large population, bustling and lively. During the Great Zhou Dynasty, this place became famous throughout the world because a Great Grandmaster appeared here; thus, many sects gathered and left behind their legacies, making the local customs here quite valiant. Ordinary people mostly possessed some level of cultivation. Rangers and people from the Jianghu were countless. In a secluded courtyard, security was strict, with numerous experts present. A short man whispered, ¡°Old He, that heavenly assassin from the Wind and Rain Tower is truly a national beauty, beyond compare.¡± This man was called Zhang Ming, known in the Jianghu as the River Overturning Tiger, a Second Grade Peak cultivator, and also one of the well-known experts in the Great Yan Martial World. The burly man beside him with a face full of horizontal meat was not an ordinary person either; he was called He Yunfeng, known in the Jianghu as the Four Directions Soul Seeker. With a hand technique of Heavenly Cold Palm that shook the Jianghu, he had originally been a master on Jiangnan Dao but disappeared from the Jianghu without a trace after being defeated by Liu Qingshan. He Yunfeng gave a cold laugh, ¡°If His Highness hadn¡¯t spoken, I would have already devoured her to the bones.¡± ¡°This woman is fierce, the taste must be extraordinary.¡± Zhang Ming¡¯s eyes shone with a glint as he said, ¡°It¡¯s a pity indeed. I¡¯ll go to the Red Moon House tonight to vent my frustrations.¡± He Yunfeng took a deep breath, suppressing the restlessness in his heart, and just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard a noise from afar and immediately shouted, ¡°Who¡¯s there!?¡± Zhang Ming was also alert and quickly looked in that direction. ¡°The one who¡¯s here for your life.¡± A cold voice rang in their ears, followed by a surge of chilling sword light. The sword light was cold and fast; by the time they saw it, it felt as though their blood had already frozen. ¡°Puff!¡± ¡°Puff!¡± The sharp cold effortlessly slit both their throats, and blood spurted out like a gushing spring. ¡°Thud!¡± ¡°Thud!¡± Zhang Ming and He Yunfeng¡¯s pupils widened dramatically with unbearable terror in their eyes, and they eventually fell heavily to the ground. A figure emerged, none other than Yi Daoyun, the chief of the White Tiger Seat from Outer Heaven. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± The next moment, several experts from the White Tiger Seat stormed the courtyard, slaughtering all the guards within, instantly staining the ground red with blood. These people moved uniformly and killed swiftly. They were all experts of the White Tiger Seat. The Azure Dragon Seat guarded the safety of the Sect Leader of Outer Heaven, the Vermilion Bird Seat managed the properties, assets, resources, the Xuanwu Seat controlled the Black Armored army, and the White Tiger Seat specialized in assassination, being the sharpest blade of the Demon Sect. The White Tiger Sword in Yi Daoyun¡¯s hand still dripped with blood as he approached the house. ¡°Creak¨C!¡± ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± The moment the door opened, a black nail shot out from inside, stabbing towards his face. The black nail was incredibly fast, like a streak of black lightning. Fortunately, Yi Daoyun was already on guard and lifted his White Tiger Sword to block in front of him. ¡°Ding!¡± Carrying an overbearing force, the black nail struck the blade of the White Tiger Sword, causing a spiral pattern to appear on the blade, forcing Yi Daoyun to step back repeatedly. As the shadow inside the house pressed its advantage, it stomped on the floor and charged at Yi Daoyun. The shadow was extremely fast, reaching Yi Daoyun in an instant, with a palm thrusting toward his throat. Just then, a palm strike from behind Yi Daoyun surged forward, aiming directly at the shadow¡¯s heart. The shadow was forced to convert its claw into a palm and met the attack head-on. ¡°Bang!¡± Upon the collision of the palms, a powerful sound erupted. As one individual slowly walked in, his aura, though projecting outward and standing right in front, was completely indecipherable. The shadow spoke in a deep voice, ¡°Li Fuzhou?¡± Li Fuzhou said, ¡°The Hermit of the Nine Yin, Zuo Zihua.¡± Zuo Zihua challenged, ¡°Your Demon Sect really has some nerve. Do you know who is imprisoned here?¡± Li Fuzhou counter-questioned, ¡°Who?¡± Zuo Zihua replied, ¡°The rebels who plotted to kill the Crown Prince.¡± ¡°Rebels should be in the Heavenly Prison, not here.¡± Li Fuzhou sneered, ¡°Yi, you go save people; I¡¯ll kill him.¡± Yi Daoyun nodded slightly and dashed towards the house. Zuo Zihua¡¯s eyebrows raised, and his palm attacked Yi Daoyun once again, but just then, Li Fuzhou met his attack head-on. Zuo Zihua had once been a top fighter in Jianghu, a contemporary of You Gai, with strength even surpassing the elderly Qingfeng. Later, after aligning himself with Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, his cultivation had once again advanced. Although he also possessed Second Qi Cultivation, he was no match for Li Fuzhou. Especially when Li Fuzhou utilized the Heavenly Human Communication, combining the force of Heaven and Earth with the Heavenly Demon Qi, Zuo Zihua was forced to continually retreat after merely three moves. ¡°This Li Fuzhou is truly formidable.¡± Zuo Zihua retreated step by step, his internal organs trembling, greatly shocked within his heart. He had long heard that Li Fuzhou had killed Tang Taiyuan, the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, on the Eight Feet Platform; seeing it today, his reputation as a formidable expert was indeed not unfounded. Zuo Zihua was no fool; knowing he was no match for Li Fuzhou, he had already thought of retreating, realizing the urgent need to inform the Crown Prince about this matter. Seeing Zuo Zihua attempting to flee, a hint of murderous intent flashed in Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes. Since his identity had been exposed, it was better to put an end to everything and eliminate Zuo Zihua completely. With this thought, Li Fuzhou¡¯s movements shifted, his body charging forward like thunder, while the Heavenly Demon Qi surged from behind him like a tidal wave. The Heavenly Demon Qi itself was an incredibly formidable Qi Mechanism, and after reaching the Grandmaster Realm, it highlighted its terrifying power even more. Moreover, Li Fuzhou, utilizing the force of Heaven and Earth, made this palm strike thunderous and overwhelming. ¡°Bang!¡± Zuo Zihua had no desire for battle, but feeling that palm strike approaching, and already pressed to his limits, he had no choice but to counter with a palm strike of his own. When they connected, Li Fuzhou didn¡¯t hesitate and exerted his full strength. Zuo Zihua¡¯s forearm bones broke through his skin, his steps retreating backward continuously, his forehead beaded with large sweat droplets. Such pain struck him; he couldn¡¯t utter a single word. ¡°Say goodbye to this world.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s calm voice resonated as he struck another palm, the domineering Heavenly Demon Qi completely swallowing the figure of Zuo Zihua before him. A master of the Second Qi Grandmaster Realm, ended within a few moves. Simultaneously, two streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence landed in his palm. Before long, Yi Daoyun also hurried out, holding an extremely weak woman in his arms, who was indeed Li Yue, the Heaven-ranked assassin from the Wind and Rain Tower. Yi Daoyun spoke softly, ¡°Sect Master Li, she is unconscious but not in mortal danger.¡± ¡°We shouldn¡¯t stay here long.¡± Li Fuzhou saw that Li Yue had been rescued and immediately said. ¡°Alright.¡± Yi Daoyun also nodded. Suddenly, the Demon Sect¡¯s experts vanished from the courtyard. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Rain Flowers Courtyard. Today, the Crown Prince¡¯s courtyard received a distinguished guest, Sect Leader Xiao Qianqiu of the Zhenyi Sect. At this moment, Zhao Chongyin sat in the seat of honor, while Xiao Qianqiu, with a light smile, sat beside him. Zhao Chongyin remarked, ¡°State Preceptor, you seem even more imposing than when we last met.¡± These words were not mere flattery; the two were not much different in age, and they had met decades ago. At that time, Xiao Qianqiu had already ascended to the position of Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect; his genius was already renowned throughout the lands. Back then, Xiao Qianqiu had given him a rather composed impression, far from the breezy and unfathomable demeanor he possessed now. If previously he was just a cultivator painstakingly pursuing the Dao, now he was like an Immortal sitting atop the mountain, overlooking the multitude with an extraordinary air. This feeling was strange, yet it undeniably existed. Lifting a cup of tea, Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°The Crown Prince joked. As the heavens increase the years, people¡¯s lifespans increase, but the more one sees, the heavier the heart becomes.¡± Some people are strange, some drink only wine their whole lives, never tea, while others drink only tea, never wine, and Xiao Qianqiu belonged to the latter. ¡°Youth always tends to engage in somewhat semblance-actions.¡± Zhao Chongyin gulped down his wine and laughed, ¡°The national advisor¡¯s belly can hold a boat, presumably small matters like these wouldn¡¯t bother him?¡± In the past, Zhao Chongyin had deep conflicts with the Zhenyi Sect, but times had changed now. The Demon Sect and the Buddhist sects were flowing into the Great Yan Martial World, and the world¡¯s structure was also quietly changing. People needed to change too. For the Crown Prince to lower himself so, this was no trivial ability. Xiao Qianqiu didn¡¯t seize the opportunity to climb higher and instead replied, ¡°Your Highness is too serious, if Your Highness does not mind the small things, how dare I keep them in my heart?¡± Hearing this, Zhao Chongyin¡¯s smile deepened. As the saying goes, it is better to resolve enmities than to hold on to them, and if he could reconcile with the Zhenyi Sect, that would indeed be a fortunate event. Just then, Bai Jing hurried in and whispered in Zhao Chongyin¡¯s ear, ¡°Li Yue has been rescued by someone.¡± Zhao Chongyin frowned deeply and glanced at Bai Jing. Li Yue was an important chess piece in his hand, a tool to control Zhou Xianming. Anyone could see that Lv Guoyong was gradually stepping back. Even if the Great Yan Emperor was dissatisfied with Lv Guoyong, his significance to Great Yan could not be denied. Now, as this pillar was retiring, Zhou Xianming, as Lv Guoyong¡¯s disciple, naturally inherited the Lv Sect traditions and would somewhat be heavily used. This was a long-term arrangement. But now, with Li Yue being rescued, it totally disrupted Zhao Chongyin¡¯s layout. Zhao Chongyin thought for a moment, then whispered softly, ¡°Let Gou Wen mobilize the spies of the Heaven and Earth Net to investigate.¡± Gou Wen, the second-in-command of the Heaven and Earth Net and a confidant of this prince. ¡°Yes.¡± Bai Jing nodded and withdrew. Zhao Chongyin raised his cup and smiled, ¡°National advisor, let¡¯s continue our drink.¡± ¡°Please.¡± Xiao Qianqiu raised his cup. The two, one drinking tea and the other wine, Zhao Chongyin added, ¡°I hear the national advisor has a competition with the Ghost Swordsman, is that true or false?¡± Xiao Qianqiu didn¡¯t shy away from the topic, ¡°He wants the Beidou Seven Stars Technique from me, and the technique is only for the Zhenyi Sect leader or potential leaders to cultivate. Naturally, I cannot simply hand it over to others. Besides, both he and I are disciples of the Mystical Sect lineage, eventually we have to determine a winner.¡± Without a change in expression, Zhao Chongyin said, ¡°According to the information I¡¯ve got, he gained an opportunity at the Dragon Locking Well and his cultivation has improved again. Does the national advisor have confidence?¡± The power of the Ghost Swordsman was too elusive, especially since Zhao Chongyin had twice witnessed his capability, and now his strength had increased considerably. Perhaps at this moment, even without using any secret techniques, he could fight a Five Qi Grandmaster. How terrifying was that? Could Xiao Qianqiu hold his ground against the World¡¯s First Swordsman? ¡°Confidence lies in our respective hands, depending on whether the moves are bright enough.¡± Xiao Qianqiu gazed at the teapot and said, ¡°However, the most pressing issue is not the dispute of our sects¡¯ succession but the crisis facing Yan Country. Tomorrow I must return to Zhenyi Mountain, and then set off for Nanping Dao. This battle, I fear, we won¡¯t know when it could take place.¡± The Southern Barbarians had the weakest military strength, so Zhao Zhiwu had arranged for Xiao Qianqiu to confront the Southern Barbarians¡¯ experts, hence he was leaving for Nanping Dao the next day. Zhao Chongyin secretly frowned, but nodded and said, ¡°What the national advisor says is very true. In fact, the reason I invited the national advisor today was to give him a gift.¡± Xiao Qianqiu asked, ¡°What gift?¡± ¡°Clap, clap, clap!¡± Zhao Chongyin clapped his hands, and a beautiful maid entered, holding a finely crafted box, which she then placed before Xiao Qianqiu. Zhao Chongyin smiled, ¡°National advisor, please take a look.¡± Xiao Qianqiu looked at Zhao Chongyin, then opened the box. Inside was a purple bitter lotus with long-stemmed basal leaves and sparse stem leaves near the bottom; the leaf blades were nearly circular. Xiao Qianqiu couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Is this a hundred-year purple bitter lotus?¡± The preciousness of the item before him was naturally beyond words, no longer measurable by mere money, a heavenly material and earthly treasure. Zhao Chongyin confirmed, ¡°Correct, this hundred-year purple bitter lotus took me several years to find. It can dispel the cold poison in the meridians, nourish the heart channels, and has many other wonderful uses.¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s expression turned solemn, ¡°If it were something else, it would be of no use to me, but I must accept this one; consider it an obligation I owe to the Crown Prince.¡± The number of masters in the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Hidden Mountain was dwindling, among them was a secretive Grandmaster known for his mysterious disappearances. He suffered from Yin Poison in his meridians, and the century-old Purple Bitter Lotus was precisely the rare treasure needed to cure it. Not only did it cure the Yin Poison within the Grandmaster, but it could also add a top master to the Zhenyi Sect, which Xiao Qianqiu could not but accept. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s smile deepened, ¡°The State Preceptor truly exaggerates.¡± ¡­.. Yujing City, Riverside Restaurant. Outside the restaurant, the noise of people was deafening, the cries of the small vendors overlapping one another. Inside, the building was filled with beautiful women playing zithers and dancing gracefully, attracting many admirers. In an elegant and antiquely decorated room. The Riverside Restaurant, located beside the Linyun Canal, was the largest restaurant around, not only because it was by the canal but also because it housed seven top chefs from around the world. Normally, nobles and dignitaries from the capital enjoyed gathering here to reminisce and talk, where they could taste delicacies from all over the world while enjoying the bustling canal. And in the most luxurious private room at the top, an exorbitant fee of several hundred taels of silver was charged for just the room¡¯s use, a testament to its luxury. At that moment, in that room, a stunningly beautiful woman in a light green palace dress was sitting by the window. Her gaze was elegant and serene, her eyes swimming softly like a lovely Jiangnan woman¡¯s, yet she carried a hint of stubbornness, touched with the charm of a northern maiden. She was none other than Zhao Xuening, the daughter of once celebrated Yan Country¡¯s most beautiful woman, Zuo Linglong. As time flowed, she had gradually blossomed, her devastating beauty beginning to show. Opposite her was a man dressed in white, his features handsome and refined, with especially captivating eyes that seemed as if they could speak. With eyes curved like crescent moons, Zhao Xuening chuckled, ¡°Previously, whenever I asked you out to eat, you would never agree. I didn¡¯t expect you would actually invite me to dine.¡± Princess An Le, having received the news that An Jing was inviting her to dinner, had been excitedly preparing since last night, spending an entire sleepless night in anticipation. At this moment, as she looked into those eyes, her heart thrummed like a deer¡¯s. After all, it had always been her taking the initiative, perhaps today the sun had risen from the west, as An Jing had taken the initiative. An Jing chuckled softly, ¡°The Princess jests, but An is merely a crude man from Jianghu, afraid of being presumptuous towards a beauty.¡± Zhao Xuening rolled her eyes at An Jing, her voice coquettish, ¡°I particularly like ¡®crude men¡¯ like Brother An.¡± An Jing coughed lightly. He had met many women, but none as ¡®blunt and direct¡¯ as Zhao Xuening, nearly without any pretense. An Jing quickly pointed to the dishes on the table, ¡°Princess, I hear the food here is quite good, please have a taste.¡± ¡°I often eat dishes like these.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s gaze, devoid of any inhibition, was fixed on An Jing, ¡°I prefer trying different kinds of delicacies.¡± Faced with Zhao Xuening¡¯s fiery look, An Jing¡¯s face inexplicably reddened slightly, feeling as if he were a lamb in a tiger¡¯s clutches. A man should turn passivity into activeness to control the pace. Thinking this, An Jing¡¯s expression became serious, ¡°Your Highness, since that¡¯s the case, let us discuss serious matters.¡± Zhao Xuening placed a piece of flank steak into An Jing¡¯s bowl, ¡°How many times have I told you, just call me Xuening.¡± An Jing¡¯s lips parted slightly, ¡°Princess Xuening, then let us discuss serious matters.¡± Seeing this, Zhao Xuening did not insist, ¡°What serious matter do you have for me?¡± An Jing pondered for a moment then spoke plainly, ¡°I will soon be heading to Beihuang Dao, and now with the Houjin troops poised and ready, as someone born from the commoners of Jianghu without any firm foundation in the imperial court, I hope Princess Xuening could help.¡± Zhao Xuening, intelligent as she was, instantly sensed An Jing¡¯s concerns. Although nominally An Jing held the highest authority in Beihuang Dao, and could even exaggeratedly be referred to as the local emperor, whether the officials of Beihuang Dao would obey him was yet to be determined. After all, the roots of these officials from Beihuang Dao extend beyond merely Beihuang Dao. For example, Wang Shiyi had the backing of the Crown Prince. Moreover, unlike the Zhenyi Sect, which had a certain foundation in the temples, and could sense every little movement within Jianghu, it was very difficult to detect the movements within the imperial court. Hence, they would be very passive, and what was most needed now was an ally or a partner in the court. ¡°Alright.¡± Zhao Xuening agreed without hesitation, ¡°Now we can enjoy the meal and talk about other things.¡± ¡°Princess, do you really agree?¡± An Jing did not expect Zhao Xuening to agree so straightforwardly. After all, if Zhao Chongyin really wanted to set obstacles, then Zhao Xuening would be directly confronting the Crown Prince. ¡°I thought it was something difficult, I would help you regardless of what you had said, since you are now defending against Houjin,¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s beautiful eyes fixed on An Jing, ¡°You are protecting Great Yan and safeguarding tens of thousands of our people, and by extension, you are also protecting me in the rear. Naturally, I will support you wholeheartedly; anyone who obstructs you is undermining our Yan Country, and I certainly will not allow it.¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°Princess Xuening is right.¡± Zhao Xuening seemed more sensible and easier to talk to than he had expected. The two then chatted casually about various trivial matters, and it appeared from the conversation that Princess An Le was very keen on making connections with Outer Heaven, hitting it off instantly with him. Or rather, the princess was particularly eager to connect with him. Zhao Xuening gently said, ¡°You invited me for a meal, so I shall invite you for a boat ride this evening to see the night market in Yujing City, which is also quite bustling.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing chuckled dryly, about to find a way to refuse, when a crisp voice came from outside the door. ¡°Son-in-law, you came to Linjiang Restaurant to eat all by yourself without calling me.¡± The person wasn¡¯t there yet, but her voice arrived first. Soon after, a figure ran to the table like a gust of wind, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the dishes spread out on the table. Zhao Xuening felt annoyed inwardly, but her face broke into a smile, ¡°Miss Tan, what a coincidence.¡± The newcomer was none other than Tan Yun. Tan Yun feigned surprise, ¡°It truly is a coincidence. I didn¡¯t expect to see Your Highness here; I thought you never left your golden mansion.¡± Zhao Xuening smiled and said, ¡°Miss Tan is mistaken, a princess is human too, just like you and me.¡± Tan Yun wrinkled her nose and responded, ¡°So that¡¯s how it is, but my brother often says that Your Highness is very busy. It seems he must be mistaken as well.¡± Lv Jingchun, just a good-for-nothing sycophant after all. Zhao Xuening frowned slightly but said nothing aloud. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you eating? You¡¯re hardly touching your chopsticks.¡± Tan Yun sat down, licked her rosy lips, and said, ¡°Son-in-law, Princess, if you¡¯re not going to eat, then I won¡¯t be polite.¡± An Jing quickly picked up his chopsticks. Others might not know Tan Yun¡¯s prowess, but he was well aware. He reached for the stir-fried kidneys ¨C while other dishes could be skipped, this one he had to have more of. ¡°Son-in-law, you¡¯re being cunning!¡± Seeing this, Tan Yun began to eat heartily. Zhao Xuening sat aside, her face a picture of astonishment as she watched the two devour all six dishes on the table without leaving a bite. Wasn¡¯t this supposed to be my treat? Zhao Xuening observed their actions, not daring to speak or ask further. Tan Yun took out a handkerchief, wiped her mouth, touched her slightly bulging belly, and then revealed a look of complete satisfaction. ¡°The taste of these kidneys is indeed excellent.¡± An Jing then looked apologetically towards Zhao Xuening, ¡°Princess Xuening, we¡¯ve finished everything, and you haven¡¯t eaten yet; shall I order another serving for you?¡± Zhao Xuening waved her hand, ¡°No need, actually, I¡¯m not very hungry; I get full easily.¡± ¡°Eating too little isn¡¯t good for your health.¡± Tan Yun glanced at Zhao Xuening¡¯s chest and muttered. Zhao Xuening noticed Tan Yun¡¯s gaze and then saw Tan Yun¡¯s ample bosom, her face flushed with embarrassment. Although hers was not small, it was far from comparing to Tan Yun¡¯s. Maybe I really should eat more? An Jing coughed dryly and asked Tan Yun, ¡°What brings you here all of a sudden?¡± Tan Yun pursed her lips, ¡°Son-in-law, I heard from my master that you were leaving Yujing City, and I feared I wouldn¡¯t see you again, so I came to check on you.¡± An Jing replied somewhat irritably, ¡°I am not leaving until tomorrow.¡± According to plan, he intended to visit the Lv Mansion tomorrow to present his resignation, then return to the Demon Sect Main Hall in You Mountain. Tan Yun stuck out her tongue, ¡°How would I know? I was just afraid you¡¯d leave quietly.¡± Zhao Xuening watched the two start chatting and interjected, ¡°Mr. An, about tonight¡­¡± Tan Yun quickly interrupted Zhao Xuening, ¡°Son-in-law, I have something to tell you.¡± At that moment, Zhao Xuening looked furiously at Tan Yun, but because An Jing was present, she held back her anger. An Jing took out his handkerchief and wiped the grease from the corner of Tan Yun¡¯s mouth, asking, ¡°What is it?¡± Tan Yun clenched her fists tightly, her heart seemed ready to burst out of her throat. Gathering her courage, she said, ¡°An Jing, I¡­ I want to go boating with you tonight, just the two of us.¡± Hearing this, Zhao Xuening almost jumped up. Shameless! So shameless! Tan Yun had said what she wanted to say. An Jing blinked, ¡°Tan Yun, do you really want to go boating with me?¡± ¡°Of course, didn¡¯t you promise me before?¡± As Tan Yun spoke, her face turned completely red. ¡°Oh right, I did promise you, I almost forgot.¡± An Jing looked at Zhao Xuening, saying helplessly, ¡°Princess Xuening, it seems we will have to talk about tonight¡¯s matter some other time.¡± ¡°Alright then.¡± Zhao Xuening looked somewhat dazed and could only nod. An Jing then walked outside the restaurant with Tan Yun. It took several moments after they left for Zhao Xuening to come back to her senses. She had thought she would be able to roam the night market with An Jing tonight, hoping to deepen their feelings, but unexpectedly, Tan Yun had burst in halfway through. ¡°Huff¡­.¡± Zhao Xuening took a deep breath, annoyed, and headed towards the exit. The two old maids waiting at the door followed her, one on each side, protecting the princess¡¯s safety. Just as Zhao Xuening was about to leave the restaurant, a maid from the restaurant quickly approached her with a slightly red face and said, ¡°Honored guest, the bill has not been settled yet.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes widened slightly. An Jing had invited her for a meal, she didn¡¯t get to eat, and now she had to pay the bill too? Did she just become the scapegoat today? ¡­.. An Jing walked out of the restaurant with Tan Yun, who followed behind him like a puppet. They crossed the bustling street and finally stopped. An Jing asked, ¡°Was it Yu Qiurong who told you I was here?¡± Tan Yun kept her head down and replied, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Right.¡± An Jing laughed heartily, ¡°It¡¯s a good thing you showed up, or who knows what trouble might have happened.¡± Zhao Qingmei was a woman with strong jealousy and prone to wild thoughts. If she knew about An Jing and Zhao Xuening going boating, she would definitely have created a huge fuss. Tan Yun raised her head, blinking her eyes, ¡°Right, I am here to help you.¡± An Jing sighed with relief and said, ¡°No wonder you said those things earlier, it seems you were deceiving that princess.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Tan Yun said proudly, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for me today, you might have been fooled by that princess tonight.¡± An Jing tapped Tan Yun¡¯s head, ¡°You understand then?¡± Tan Yun hummed, ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I?¡± It then occurred to An Jing that Tan Yun had read three hundred comic books and was no longer the innocent Tan Yun from before. ¡°Do you still read comic books now?¡± Tan Yun pursed her lips and responded, ¡°I stopped reading them a long time ago, it¡¯s the same few tricks over and over, not very interesting or creative.¡± An Jing somewhat laughed, ¡°Impressive.¡± Seeing this, Tan Yun¡¯s face suddenly turned bright red, ¡°An Jing, you must not speak recklessly.¡± An Jing said irritably, ¡°How could I possibly talk about this to others?¡± Tan Yun pursed her lips and said, ¡°That includes what happened today, it must not be spoken of.¡± An Jing shook his head and burst into laughter, ¡°Today you ate so much, I don¡¯t need to say it, the princess already knows you¡¯re a glutton, do you think this is a secret?¡± Saying this, An Jing walked towards the distance. Tan Yun watched An Jing¡¯s receding figure and whispered softly, ¡°Everything I said just now was true, I wanted to row on the lake with you, just the two of us.¡± ¡°Why aren¡¯t you hurrying up? What are you dawdling for?¡± At this moment, An Jing¡¯s voice came from ahead. ¡°Coming, coming.¡± With a smile in his eyes, Tan Yun quickened his pace to catch up, ¡°Son-in-law, wait for me.¡± ¡°Told you to eat less, look how you¡¯ve become too fat to walk now.¡± ¡°Son-in-law, you¡¯re talking nonsense, I already ate very little just now, I even skipped several slices of that kidney dish.¡± ¡­. Houjin, Royal Court. In a quiet room. Ever since Zongzheng Huachun returned from Yujing City, he had started a seclusion. Inside the quiet room, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was so dense it ultimately turned a vast swath of white smoke into a liquid form. The transformation of the spiritual energy into Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was already incredibly precious, and above that was the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, an even rarer treasure. At this moment what surrounded Zongzheng Huachun was the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. As Zongzheng Huachun circulated his spell, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence continuously surged into his body, at the same time exuding an aura that seemed to swallow rivers and mountains. ¡°Roar!¡± A Golden Dragon suddenly appeared, its roar powerful enough to make heaven and earth lose their colors. This was a thread of spiritual intent from the Earth Vein, but now it had merged with Zongzheng Huachun, absorbing the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence which looked delectable to the eye, but the unseen benefits were even greater, the greatest being the deepened insight into heaven and earth. The deeper one¡¯s insight into heaven and earth, the more one could harness the power of heaven and earth. Jun Qinglin once stated Zongzheng Huachun was among the deepest practitioners of Heavenly Human Communication, yet he too was nearly incapable of reaching the realm of becoming one with heaven and man. Lv Guoyong shattered the Literary Palace, achieving only a momentary state of oneness with heaven and man, which illustrated the difficulty of such a feat. Now, the merging with the Earth Vein Spirit gave Zongzheng Huachun a glimpse of opportunity. His control over the power of heaven and earth plunged Zongzheng Huachun deep into contemplation, deeply refining his understanding of Heavenly Human Communication, appearing to swiftly approach a state of perfection. It also allowed him to harness more of heaven and earth¡¯s power, even more than when he initially merged with the Earth Vein Spirit in Yujing City, which meant that Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s strength had also significantly improved. ¡°Huff!¡± Exhaling a breath, Zongzheng Huachun slowly opened his eyes and looking at his hands said, ¡°Merging with a thread of the Earth Vein¡¯s spirit intent already brings such benefits, could a complete merge with the Earth Vein Spirit truly break the shackle of the Great Grandmaster?¡± Even Zongzheng Huachun felt a tremor in his heart at this moment. The shackle of the Great Grandmaster, through the ages nearly dozens of Great Grandmasters existed, but not one had broken this shackle, especially now in a time of scarce spiritual energy, making it exceedingly difficult for ordinary people to break through the Great Grandmaster level. ¡°Holy Master!¡± ¡°Father!¡± Just then, voices of Taiyin Kui and Zongzheng Yue came from outside the quiet room. Zongzheng Huachun adjusted his emotions and said softly, ¡°Come in.¡± Following that, the stone door opened, and the two of them walked in slowly. Seeing Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s aura, Zongzheng Yue couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Father, have you merged with the Earth Vein Spirit?¡± At this moment, Zongzheng Huachun appeared like a mountain, like an ocean, seemingly having completely connected with heaven and earth, a state he previously only achieved while harnessing the power of heaven and earth, but now without the aid of the power of heaven and earth, he still felt this way, a power that had advanced in leaps and bounds. ¡°The spirit intent of the Earth Vein has already merged into my body, indeed, my strength has greatly advanced.¡± Zongzheng Huachun nodded slightly, then he inquired, ¡°By the way, has Zhao Zhiwu broken through to the Great Grandmaster?¡± Taiyin Kui replied from the side, ¡°He has broken through, but it is said he did so by consuming a large amount of his essence blood to reach Great Grandmaster level, so he probably won¡¯t have a chance to use True Yuan to refine his organs.¡± Without the ability to refine the organs with True Yuan, one could not attain three hundred years of lifespan. Thus, this breakthrough to Great Grandmaster only brought him fleeting strength, and naturally couldn¡¯t compare to a true Great Grandmaster who possessed three hundred years of lifespan. Zongzheng Huachun said in a deep voice, ¡°Is this matter true?¡± Taiyin Kui replied, ¡°It is true, but further investigation is needed.¡± ¡°We must thoroughly investigate this.¡± Zongzheng Huachun took a deep breath and said, ¡°This is a matter of great importance, absolutely nothing can be overlooked.¡± The realm of a Great Grandmaster, after all, has been the strongest throughout the ages. In any era, they are considered top-tier experts. ¡°Holy Master, rest assured, I will personally investigate this matter.¡± Taiyin Kui nodded and added, ¡°A secret letter has come from the south, asking when we will dispatch troops?¡± Houjin and Black Ice Platform had already agreed to unite and attack Yan Country, and now the Southern Barbarians are showing unrest, clearly planning to join in this hunt. Now, everything is ready; we just need an east wind.¡± Zongzheng Yue, somewhat worried, said, ¡°Zhao Zhiwu has already broken through to Great Grandmaster, and the Demon Sect is suspected to also have a superb expert¡­¡± Carefully considering, Yan Country¡¯s strength should not be underestimated, with numerous masters. If not handled properly, we might end up bitten by this fierce tiger, resulting in more loss than gain. ¡°Zhao Zhiwu will not take action lightly. The Great Grandmaster of the Demon Sect must have been severely injured, and we have Black Ice Platform and the Southern Barbarians to share the pressure. Our three countries¡¯ armies, numbering a million, will surround Yan Country. How can Yan Country resist? This is a golden opportunity that should not be missed.¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes flashed coldly, ¡°But before this, I must enter seclusion for a while longer.¡± Although the Earth Vein Spirit cannot allow him to immediately break through to Great Grandmaster, it can greatly enhance his strength. When facing a Great Grandmaster like Zhao Zhiwu again, he might have the power to fight, or at least, to hold him off. The opportunity to hunt Yan Country must not be missed. ¡°I understand.¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s eyes also narrowed. Zongzheng Yue said, ¡°Father, there is another urgent matter to discuss.¡± Zongzheng Huachun indifferently said, ¡°Speak.¡± Zongzheng Yue took a deep breath and announced, ¡°The Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum has been located.¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°Where?¡± Before obtaining the Earth Vein Spirit, this was his grandest scheme¨Cto find the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum and obtain the True Dragon Essence Blood, breakthrough to the realm of Great Grandmaster, and then merge with the Earth Vein Spirit to push through the mysterious gateway of the Great Grandmaster. All was already calculated. Zongzheng Yue smiled and said, ¡°The Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum is not in any other place but behind Dongluo Pass, in that desert.¡± Zongzheng Huachun thought of something, ¡°The Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum requires the Purple Sun Token, have the tokens been gathered now?¡± According to ancient Qin Dynasty texts, entering the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum requires a Purple Sun Token. Thus, while secretly sending people to look for the mausoleum, Zongzheng Huachun also had people searching for the Purple Sun Token. Zongzheng Yue saluted and said, ¡°We have one token, Jiang Shang holds another, and we can obtain the one Jiang Shang holds at any time. However, another was found by Ren Meng but then lost.¡± ¡°Lost?¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s brow furrowed. Zongzheng Yue hurriedly said, ¡°Father, rest assured, I will find it back as soon as possible.¡± ¡°You must find it as soon as possible.¡± Zongzheng Huachun pondered for a moment, then turned to Taiyin Kui and said, ¡°You take the Purple Sun Token and go investigate first. The ancient texts are not necessarily completely accurate, and after so many years, the Emperor Mausoleum¡¯s array might have loosened. Investigate the situation first.¡± Taiyin Kui nodded and replied, ¡°Understood.¡± Zongzheng Huachun waved his hand and said, ¡°If there is nothing else, you may leave.¡± Both men saluted and then withdrew. Zongzheng Huachun looked at his own palm, then clenched it slightly with force. With the True Dragon Essence Blood and the assistance of the Earth Vein Spirit, breaking through to Great Grandmaster would be almost effortlessly easy. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Having obtained a strand of Earth Vein Spirit had already greatly increased his strength. If he obtained the complete Earth Vein Spirit, who in this world could stop him? Unifying the world! An emperor for the ages! This world has never been completely unified; since that¡¯s the case, let him be the first to do it. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s heart burned with immense fervor, whispering in a voice only he could hear, ¡°An emperor for the ages, truly the first of all ages.¡± ¡­¡­.. Chapter 320 - Chapter 320 Chapter 320 Before the Great Calamity I Was the Chapter 320: Chapter 320: Before the Great Calamity, I Was the Buddha Chapter 320: Chapter 320: Before the Great Calamity, I Was the Buddha Pure Land, Border. In the Gobi of May, there was heavy rain in the morning, and as the dusk cleared, a ground fog arose. Wisp after wisp of ground fog, while the pure white clouds above constantly drifted higher. Before their eyes, the desert was a golden expanse, with countless sand and stone ripples rising like petrified waves, stretching all the way to the golden horizon in the distance. It was as though the entire gravel was in motion, and the distant mountains seemed to move as well. The gravel danced in the air, constantly spinning, forming a yellow vortex. The vortex grew larger and larger, seemingly turning into a massive sandstorm. Upon a closer look, within the sandstorm was a figure. It was none other than Xi Hafu, who delighted in crushing others¡¯ necks. At this moment, his entire qi mechanism was released, and the surrounding gravel was entirely stirred up by the qi mechanism. And opposite him was the ¡°Buddha¡¯s relics¡± that Xi Hafu longed for. At this moment, in the eyes of the ¡°Buddha¡¯s relics¡± surged a red light, giving off an extremely evil, fierce, and violent feeling. Xi Hafu¡¯s surging qi mechanism flowed towards the ¡°Buddha¡¯s relics,¡± and, receiving a vast amount of qi mechanism, the ¡°Buddha¡¯s relics¡± seemed to come alive, continuously rotating around Xi Hafu. A thread of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit escaped the sealing, bringing not only the breaking of the ban on nature¡¯s spiritual energy but also the breaking of the ban on evil spirits. The ¡°Buddha¡¯s relics¡± seemed to be very sensitive to the evil spirits, continuously gathering the evil spirits from the world around them. As Xi Hafu said, they seemed to show a trend of coming back to life. But it was only a trend, for true resurrection was not as simple as imagined. ¡°It definitely can, the Buddha can surely reappear in the human world,¡± Xi Hafu said, his eyes filled with fanatical obsession as he looked at the ¡°Buddha¡¯s relics¡± before him. This chaotic world needs the Buddha for salvation, and only the Buddha can provide it. Thus, the Buddha must come back to life, even if it means burning oneself up, it¡¯s all justified. Thinking this, Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes grew colder. Then he brought his hands together and silently recited scriptures. In the Lingtai Temple, Xi Hafu recited scriptures, surrounded by a golden glow, while the Xi Hafu who was reciting scriptures before him was surrounded by a black light. This black light, precisely the evil spirits from the surrounding natural world. The evil spirits that ordinary people dread like tigers were now crazily converging by Xi Hafu¡¯s side. The black light was as if it had a powerful attractant, continuously pulling the ¡°Buddha¡¯s relics¡± across from it. A shocking scene appeared. Under the illumination of the black light, the ¡°Buddha¡¯s relics¡± began to merge with Xi Hafu¡¯s body. ¡°All beings suffer. What¡¯s this in comparison?¡± This process was extremely painful, causing Xi Hafu¡¯s facial features to twist severely from the agony. At a speed visible to the naked eye, the bones of the ¡°Buddha¡¯s relics¡± little by little entered his flesh and blood. Rustle¡­ Time flew by, and the fierce sand danced around. Several hours passed, and the ¡°Buddha¡¯s relics¡± had completely disappeared, completely merging into Xi Hafu¡¯s body. At the same time, Xi Hafu¡¯s aura began to be greatly concealed, seemingly not as strong as before. The black light also disappeared, and the vortex formed by the gravel gradually returned to calm. The world became quiet again, as if nothing had happened at all. Xi Hafu slowly opened his eyes, a flash of crimson light fleeting. Looking at his hands, he muttered to himself, ¡°From today on, I am the Buddha.¡± ¡­¡­ Lingtai Temple, within the sanctuary. Clothed in a golden kasaya and seated on a meditation cushion, Xi Hafu opened his eyes, raised his head in surprise, and looked behind at the Buddha¡¯s golden body. At this moment, the Buddha¡¯s golden body was surrounded by flickering black light, as if threatening to devour all of the golden light. ¡°No good!¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s face turned pale with shock. Tianyi Bodhisattva, hearing the commotion, hurried in and, seeing Xi Hafu¡¯s shocked expression, asked, ¡°Junior uncle, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Xi Hafu, looking up at the Buddha¡¯s golden body before him, said, ¡°The Buddha¡¯s golden body has been tainted by evil spirits. It seems that the great calamity sweeping across the world is upon us.¡± Tianyi Bodhisattva also looked over and was immediately shocked, ¡°Have the chaotic era and the great catastrophe arrived together?¡± Now that various countries are attacking Great Yan, with troops at the city gates, it looks very much like a time of chaos. If chaos and the great catastrophe arrive together, how terrifying would that be? Xi Hafu took a deep breath and asked, ¡°How prepared are the monk soldiers?¡± The Buddhist Pure Land exclusively held a piece of land, although barren, it is the key to communicating with Guishuang, making its geographical location very important. How could it not have its defenses and troops? And the defenders of the Pure Land were the monk soldiers. The Buddhist faction had already submitted to the Yan Dynasty, receiving resources from Great Yan and the opportunity to spread their teachings. Naturally, they also needed to obey the orders of the Great Yan Emperor. After the battle in Yujing City, Fa Wu received the orders from the Great Yan Emperor to lead the Buddhist experts and monk soldiers to Jiangnan Dao to assist the Yan army in resisting Zhao Country. Tianyi Bodhisattva said, ¡°The fifty thousand monk soldiers have already been assembled.¡± Xi Hafu walked to the entrance of the Great Hall and looked up at the vast, endless sky, his hands joined together in front of his chest. ¡°Amitabha!¡± The Buddhist sect was now tied to the fate of Yan, and these fifty thousand monk soldiers were soon to be dispatched to the southern region of Yan. How many of them would return alive? This answer, no one could know. ¡­.. Conflict with Yan was imminent, about to erupt, and before this oppressive pre-storm atmosphere enveloped everything, the Yu Heng Sword Sect and the Four Symbols Sect, labeled traitors in the battle at Yujing City, became the first to face the punishment of the Human Emperor. Since Liu Moyuan was only an expert of the Yu Heng Sword Sect¡¯s Ancestor Hall and not the Sect Leader, and since he did not take part in the affairs of the Yu Heng Sword Sect, the sect itself was not implicated much. However, Jia Shiwu of the Four Symbols Sect was the Sect Leader, and with the failure of their coup, the entire Four Symbols Sect faced the consequences. With a single imperial decree from the Human Emperor, the Four Symbols Sect became a forbidden sect. The Demon Sect once had several grandmaster-level experts, and during its heyday, the three zaohuangs of heaven, earth, and man, along with the four chief seats, the Sect Hierarch Jiang Shang was a gargantuan figure in Jianghu, and the Sealing Demon Platform even had a top expert like Jun Qinglin. Even so, it became a forbidden sect and ultimately had to withdraw from Great Yan. The Four Symbols Sect, naturally, could not compare to the Demon Sect, and their fate was sealed. As the Xuanyi Guard and the court¡¯s army began their encirclement and suppression, the whole Four Symbols Mountain became a scene of chaos. At the same time, the court issued an order to recruit heroes from all over to join in the suppression of the rebellious Four Symbols Sect. The Four Symbols Sect, having dominated the Great Yan martial world for hundreds of years, now became fat prey in the eyes of many, who crazily cried out and pounced upon it. Chaos! The entire Four Symbols Mountain seemed to descend into madness. The sounds of roaring, enraged shouting, and fighting echoed from morning to night without cease. The experts of the Four Symbols Sect fought desperately, which allowed the sect¡¯s top disciple Yang Chong and Jia Shiwu¡¯s granddaughter, Jia Meixian, to escape with their lives. At this moment, the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s experts were still in pursuit of the two. In a dense forest, all was deathly silent. Yang Chong was covered in blood, breathing heavily, and from time to time his eyes would dart around, fearful of the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s Great Heavenly Gang bursting through. Jia Meixian, on the other hand, seemed somewhat numb. In just a few days, the Four Symbols Sect, once one of the seven great sects of the Great Yan Dynasty, had become taboo. Many of her fellow disciples had died tragically on Four Symbols Mountain. If it weren¡¯t for several elders who had arranged a secret passage for their escape earlier, they too would now be lonely ghosts on Four Symbols Mountain. After noticing no movement around, Yang Chong turned his head to look at Jia Meixian and asked, ¡°Junior Sister, are you alright?¡± Jia Meixian choked up, ¡°Senior Brother, what do we do now?¡± By nature kind and innocent, she had grown up under the protection of Jia Shiwu. The complete upheaval of the Four Symbols Sect was as if the sky had suddenly fallen for her. Yang Chong sighed deeply, ¡°The land of Yan is vast, but I fear there will be no place for us to stay from now on.¡± In the Great Yan Dynasty, being labeled as taboo was essentially a death sentence. Only by fleeing far away and living in obscurity was there a sliver of hope for survival. Hearing this, Jia Meixian was overwhelmed with sorrow, and tears streamed down her face like rain. Yang Chong thought carefully. The country of Yan was about to fall into chaos; leaving this place might be a blessing in disguise. But where should they go? Houjin, Zhao Country, the Southern Barbarians, or the Overseas Immortal Island? It was rumored that there were many hidden experts on the countless islands to the east, and Outer Heaven Island was one of the most renowned among them. There was also the Pure Land, and to the west of Pure Land, the mysterious and noble Guishuang? After a long while, Yang Chong clenched his fists decisively and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go to Zhao Country.¡± ¡°Zhao Country!?¡± Jia Meixian lifted her head to look at Yang Chong upon hearing this. Yang Chong spoke earnestly, ¡°Yes, we¡¯re going to Zhao Country.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s no chance for that now.¡± Just then, a sinister voice echoed through the air. ¡°Not good!¡± Yang Chong¡¯s heart squeezed, and he quickly looked in the direction of the voice. He saw two figures burst out from the shadowy woods. They were dressed in large cloaks and armed with longswords at their waists, unmistakably the Great Heavenly Gang of the Xuanyi Guard. Upon seeing this, Yang Chong¡¯s face turned ashen. The Great Heavenly Gang of the Xuanyi Guard were typically First Grade experts. With his present strength, not to mention facing two such experts from the First Grade realm, he was not even certain he could handle one. ¡°One is the top disciple of the Four Symbols Sect, the other is the direct granddaughter of Jia Shiwu. This looks to be a grand accomplishment indeed,¡± one of the Great Heavenly Gang said with a cold smirk, and then he drew his longsword. The sword¡¯s chilling light whistled through the air, slashing towards them. ¡°Junior Sister, go first!¡± Yang Chong¡¯s longsword flashed, emitting an icy sword light as he thrust it directly in front of him, shooting forward like a streak of lightning. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! As swift as thunder! When An Jing had left the Four Symbols Sect, he had imparted the Four Symbols Sword Technique to Yang Chong. Afterwards, as Yang Chong became the top disciple and the Sect Leader candidate, he naturally learned the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique. ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± Sword light and blade light swept in, and in an instant, a wave of energy radiated fiercely in all directions. Jia Meixian had just thought about leaving, but it was as if a primordial beast was staring at her. She saw one of the Great Heavenly Gang holding a longbow, gazing at her with a chilling look. Although Yang Chong was exceptional among the youth, he paled in comparison to the Great Heavenly Gang before him. The simultaneous cry of swords and blades formed a terrifying metal storm. Yang Chong slammed to the ground like a kite with a broken string, his body already covered with numerous bloody marks. ¡°Senior brother!¡± Jia Meixian hurried over upon seeing this. ¡°Damn it!¡± Yang Chong, holding his longsword, glared furiously at the two Xuanyi Guard Great Heavenly Gang ahead of him. The Great Heavenly Gang holding the long blade revealed a cold smirk, ¡°Two people, just nice for one each.¡± With that, he leapt forward, his blade light sweeping in, aiming for the necks of Jia Meixian and Yang Chong. The blade light was etched in Jia Meixian¡¯s pupils, bone-chillingly cold. She involuntarily closed her eyes tightly, not daring to witness the fierce blade light. Her parents had died early, and now her grandfather and senior brothers were all dead. She was merely living alone in this world. Perhaps dying would be a blessing. Yang Chong¡¯s eyes too were filled with unwillingness. He did not want to die here like this, but at this moment, he was powerless against a First Grade Expert. ¡°Hum! Hum!¡± Just then, the wooden sword at her waist suddenly released a piercing Sword Intent. ¡°Hmm!?¡± The Xuanyi Guard Great Heavenly Gang furrowed his brows sharply, feeling the hair on his body stand on end, followed by his heart starting to pound wildly. ¡°This¡­.¡± The Great Heavenly Gang felt a chill up his spine and hastily retreated backwards, but it was too late. ¡°Whoosh!¡± A wooden sword pierced through the air, creating a white sea of qi that surged forward mightily. Fast! So fast it reached the extreme! The wooden sword was like a ray of light piercing through the darkness. ¡°Pfft!¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± The wooden sword directly pierced through the hearts of the two Great Heavenly Gangs. Their bodies stiffened, their eyes filled with a bewildered and perplexed expression before they collapsed heavily onto the ground. The two Xuanyi Guard Great Heavenly Gangs, experts of the First Grade Realm, had now surprisingly perished at the hands of an extremely ordinary wooden sword. ¡°Huff¡­¡± Yang Chong panted heavily, his heart racing as he gazed at the wooden sword nailed to the tree trunk. Had it not been for this wooden sword, they would have already perished under that blade light. Jia Meixian, hearing no sound for a long while, opened her eyes and was shocked to find both men lying in pools of blood, ¡°Senior brother, this is¡­.¡± Yang Chong picked up the blood-stained wooden sword from the tree, with a complex expression, he said, ¡°It was Brother Han, no, the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s wooden sword that saved us.¡± ¡°It was him.¡± Jia Meixian took the wooden sword, the image of that face coming to mind. Her hand involuntarily tightened around the wooden sword, ¡°It seems he has saved me again.¡± Yang Chong took a deep breath and then looked at Jia Meixian earnestly, ¡°Junior sister, let¡¯s go to You Mountain.¡± Jia Meixian hesitated, ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit improper¡­¡± After all, they were now fugitives of the Court, would going to You Mountain bring trouble to him? Yang Chong said, ¡°Heading south to Zhao Country now is also a road to death. Even if we don¡¯t seek refuge with him, we can still help him resist the Houjin army.¡± Nowadays, the official roads to Zhao Country were probably filled with Xuanyi Guard experts. The two of them simply did not have the strength to resist. Jia Meixian was persuaded by Yang Chong and finally nodded, ¡°Alright then, resisting Houjin is also good.¡± The two of them quickly gathered their things and headed in the direction of Beihuang Dao. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Lv Mansion¡¯s guest hall. Lv Guoyong sat at the head, having resigned from all his positions in the court. He was now a first-level commoner and had lost the Literary Palace, truly becoming an ordinary old man, yet his complexion was very rosy. An Jing said with considerable satisfaction, ¡°Elder Lv seems to be getting healthier.¡± Lv Guoyong waved his hand and said, ¡°I¡¯m just old bones now, with one foot already in the coffin. You must be here to bid farewell today, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Firstly, to thank Elder Lv for your advice at the Dragon Locking Well, and secondly, indeed, to say goodbye.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°Since His Majesty has entrusted me with the campaign in Beihuang Dao, and with Houjin¡¯s forces pointing south, there¡¯s no telling when they will move down. I should return and prepare as soon as possible.¡± Lv Guoyong cautioned, ¡°Houjin¡¯s soldiers are naturally stronger than those of our Yan Country. Coupled with the many experts from the Great Snow Mountain, you must be extremely cautious on your mission to Beihuang Dao, especially with Zongzheng Huachun. He is someone who doesn¡¯t like to play by the rules, and his nature is somewhat similar to Zhao Mengtai. Both enjoy taking risks with their troops, which can sometimes be incredibly effective, delivering a fatal blow to the enemy.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, then pondered for a moment before saying, ¡°Thank you for the warning, Elder Lv. Actually, there¡¯s one more thing I¡¯d like to ask.¡± Lv Guoyong responded, ¡°Ask.¡± Without hesitation, An Jing went straight to the point and asked, ¡°Zhou Xianming has been getting very close to Princess An Le recently. Is this at your suggestion, Elder Lv?¡± As Lv Guoyong had retired from active affairs, Zhou Xianming had naturally taken up the mantle of the Lv Sect¡¯s influence at court. His closeness with Princess An Le spoke volumes without saying a word. The Confucian Sect, unlike other sects, depends on royal power. If the royal power stands, so does the Confucian Sect; if the royal power declines, so too does the Confucian Sect. Now, Zhou Xianming¡¯s choice of Princess An Le effectively meant that the Confucian Sect had chosen Princess An Le. Lv Guoyong shook his head and stood up, saying, ¡°Each person has their own choices to make. You have yours, and so does Xianming. I can¡¯t make decisions for everyone, but I respect each person¡¯s choice.¡± ¡°Having retired, I only concern myself with the affairs of the state and the world, not with the matters of the court anymore.¡± With that, he walked to the railing with his hands clasped behind his back. An Jing bowed with his fists closed and thanked him, ¡°I appreciate your clarification, Elder Lv.¡± Lv Guoyong¡¯s remarks were indirect, but with careful thought, An Jing could glean the answer he needed. Lv Guoyong let out a sigh and said, ¡°Alright, I don¡¯t want to preach to you youngsters anymore. Many people understand the principles, but putting them into practice is the hardest part. I need to visit the Imperial Palace one last time for an audience with His Majesty.¡± With those words, Lv Guoyong headed toward the door. ¡°Elder Lv, take care.¡± An Jing rose and bowed. Once Lv Guoyong had left, he sat back in his chair and gently sipped the fragrance of the tea on the table. Just then, Yu Qiurong hurried in, ¡°My lord, there¡¯s news of the Sect Hierarch.¡± An Jing set down his teacup and promptly said, ¡°Tell me.¡± Yu Qiurong didn¡¯t delay and quickly reported, ¡°Several days ago, the Sect Hierarch and Nangong Weiping went to Cloud Tower, but there was a mysterious expert inside, suspected to be Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s master, the Elder of the Ten Directions. This person¡¯s strength is unpredictable and enigmatic, and he even managed to stop Nangong Weiping. Later, it seemed that the Sect Hierarch and Nangong Weiping couldn¡¯t defeat the numerous experts within Cloud Tower and retreated from the tower riding on the back of Honghu. The experts of Black Ice Platform didn¡¯t pursue, and the two of them are now on their way back to Yan Country.¡± What!? Upon hearing Yu Qiurong¡¯s words, An Jing was greatly shaken, ¡°A mysterious expert stopped Nangong Weiping?¡± Nangong Weiping was an incredibly powerful figure, and although she might not be at her peak due to severe injuries, not even a Five Qi Grandmaster should be her match. Yet now someone had managed to stop her!? Yu Qiurong nodded and confirmed, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°What¡¯s the background of this Elder of the Ten Directions?¡± Yu Qiurong slowly explained, ¡°The Elder of the Ten Directions was originally a mysterious expert in Zhao Country. His origins are unknown to many, and not many are aware of his cultivation level either. The first time he appeared was within the Cloud Tower on Black Ice Platform. Qin Shan, Qi Xuan Dao, Qu Renlin, and other such top-level Grandmasters are his disciples.¡± An Jing furrowed his brow, seeing that the Elder of the Ten Directions was clearly another unfathomable expert. To have stopped Nangong Weiping, he must be at least a top-level Five Qi Grandmaster, and perhaps even a Great Grandmaster. But if he really was at the level of a Great Grandmaster, why would he have hidden himself all this time? With such an expert at Black Ice Platform, in a showdown between Yan and Zhao, it would undoubtedly be an overwhelming presence, holding a comprehensive advantage. There seemed to be many secrets hidden within the Elder of the Ten Directions. ¡°Based on Honghu¡¯s speed, Lady should be back in Yan Country soon.¡± Something occurred to An Jing, and he asked, ¡°By the way, has there been any turmoil in Jianghu recently?¡± Yu Qiurong responded, ¡°After the battle at Yujing City, all has been very calm. Only the Four Symbols Sect was destroyed, but Jia Meixian, the granddaughter of Jia Shiwu, and the prime disciple of the Four Symbols Sect, Yang Chong, managed to escape and their whereabouts are unknown.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, ¡°It¡¯s good that they escaped.¡± He had imbued his full-strength Sword Intent into that wooden sword, which could protect Jia Meixian¡¯s life at a critical moment. Although it could be used only once and was difficult to make, requiring a person with Inner Strength to activate it, it was still a treasure. Yu Qiurong continued, ¡°Since a shred of Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness has escaped, cultivation in the world has become somewhat simpler. Many experts stuck at First and Second Grade, as well as Half-step Masters in Jianghu, have been breaking through their fetters. High-level masters have started to increase, and even two reclusive Half-step Masters have broken through their shackles to reach the Grandmaster level.¡± An Jing furrowed his brow and asked, ¡°As of now, has there been anything unusual?¡± The escape of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness brought with it not only nature¡¯s spiritual energy but also the aura of evil spirits. Although it seemed that the shackles of the world had loosened, bringing significant benefits to everyone, there was also a great danger lurking within. Yu Qiurong shook her head and said, ¡°As of now, there have been no abnormalities.¡± Just as An Jing was about to speak, another figure rushed in urgently. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The visitor was neither stranger nor insignificant; it was Li Fuzhou, the Sect Leader of the Human Sect. Given Li Fuzhou¡¯s temperament, he would not show such a grave expression unless it was a matter of great importance. Li Fuzhou bowed and said, ¡°My lord, a combined force of six hundred thousand troops from Houjin¡¯s four banners has already assembled in North Field, advancing towards the Heavenly Gate Pass. Among them are experts from various tribes, several Dharma Kings from the Great Snow Mountain, and the experts of Soul Seeker Mansion have also disappeared, seemingly gone to ground early.¡± ¡°It seems the campaign of the kingdoms against Yan has begun.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 321 - Chapter 321 Chapter 321 Reminiscing about the Innocence of Chapter 321: Chapter 321: Reminiscing about the Innocence of Youth Chapter 321: Chapter 321: Reminiscing about the Innocence of Youth The Houjin army, six hundred thousand strong, converged and marched forth mightily. Before they even reached the border between Yan Country and Houjin, news of their approach had spread throughout the world. In an instant, Great Yan trembled, and every region was swept up in turmoil. On the frontier, there was panic in the air, and a large number of civilians began to flee southward. No one believed that Outer Heaven and the newly appointed Daoist of the Northern Wilderness, Ghost Swordsman, could stop this six hundred thousand strong army that was as ferocious as wolves and tigers. Upon receiving the news, An Jing set out for the Northern Wilderness immediately, traveling through the night. Two days later, he arrived in You City. Seated at the head of an antique room, An Jing looked down at the sand table before him. Qiu Lun stood below, joyfully saying, ¡°Big brother, I knew we would have a day when we¡¯d fight side by side.¡± As soon as An Jing arrived in You City, Qiu Lun had hurried over, but Wang Shiyi, who commanded the main forces of the north, showed no sign of movement, and not even a messenger soldier was sent. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Why haven¡¯t Wang Shiyi and Li Qirong come?¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Qiu Lun¡¯s face showed difficulty, hesitant to speak further. Who was Wang Shiyi? He was one of the three great princes of the Great Yan Dynasty, stationed in the north to defend against Houjin for many years. How could he be willing to subordinate himself to An Jing, an upstart from Jianghu? An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°Never mind, you needn¡¯t say more. What¡¯s most important now is how to deal with the Houjin army. Where is Jin Lv?¡± This time, the general leading the southward Houjin campaign was none other than Jin Lv, who captured Dongluo Pass. Qiu Lun¡¯s face was grave as he said, ¡°Heavenly Gate City is the gateway to the Northern Wilderness, and the Houjin army will surely launch an all-out attack on it. Although Heavenly Gate City is easy to defend but hard to attack, it¡¯s still unlikely that it can withstand such a vast Houjin force.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°The Houjin soldiers are skilled in archery and horsemanship, strong in body. If we meet them in conventional battle, the Great Yan troops will surely be at a disadvantage.¡± As he spoke, An Jing turned to look at Li Fuzhou and asked, ¡°Third Master, how is the manufacturing of mechanical puppet beasts going?¡± Ever since the Demon Sect retreated to You Mountain, An Jing had handed over the mechanical techniques of the Mo Family to Li Fuzhou and had people vigorously manufacture mechanical puppet beasts. Fortunately, the cleaning up of the Ma Family had yielded plenty of wealth, enough to support the Demon Sect in creating some mechanical puppet beasts. Moreover, the work on mechanical puppet beasts was carried out in secrecy within You Mountain, waiting to give Houjin a surprise. Li Fuzhou stroked his beard and smiled, ¡°Reporting to the young lord, a total of thirty-nine skilled craftsmen and two hundred and twenty-nine apprentices have been working for several months, producing three large mechanical puppet beasts, thirty-seven of medium size, and one hundred and seven small ones. If mixed into the ranks of the army, their power can be greatly magnified, even capable of catching the enemy by surprise.¡± Qiu Lun¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, ¡°Big brother, are the mechanical puppet beasts you¡¯re talking about the ones from the Mo Family of the Great Qin Dynasty?¡± The mechanical techniques of the Mo Family of the Great Qin Dynasty were quite famous. However, like the downfall of the Qin Dynasty, the Mo Family faded away suddenly, quietly vanishing without a trace. ¡°Yes, they are the Mo Family¡¯s mechanical puppet beasts,¡± confirmed An Jing. ¡°With these mechanical puppet beasts, there is now a better chance of holding the Northern Wilderness,¡± Qiu Lun exclaimed excitedly. ¡°Hold the Northern Wilderness?¡± A cold smile crossed An Jing¡¯s lips, ¡°If it were just about holding the Northern Wilderness, I wouldn¡¯t need to bring out these puppet mechanism beasts.¡± Confused by An Jing¡¯s words, Qiu Lun asked, ¡°What do you mean, big brother?¡± Pointing at the map of Houjin, An Jing declared, ¡°The North Field that Wang Shiyi couldn¡¯t capture, I will take it for him. The Royal Court that Wang Shiyi couldn¡¯t breach, I will take it down.¡± Capture the Royal Court of Houjin!? Qiu Lun blinked in disbelief. You should know that right now, the 600,000-strong army of Houjin is attacking, their blades aimed directly at Beihuang Dao, and it¡¯s not even certain whether the tens of thousands of soldiers under Wang Shiyi¡¯s command will obey the orders. In such a situation, if we can hold onto Beihuang Dao, we would be extremely lucky. Now An Jing actually still wants to seize the Royal Court of Houjin? ¡°If we keep defending passively, how can we possibly resist the Houjin army?¡± An Jing pointed to the sand table and said, ¡°You should know that the Southern Barbarians and Zhao Country will attack Yan Country at the same time. By then, Yan Country will be surrounded by enemies on all sides. If we continue to defend without reinforcements, we will eventually be eaten away little by little. It¡¯s better to attack in defense.¡± An Jing¡¯s goal is the Holy Master of Great Snow Mountain, that Emperor of Houjin, how could he be confined to just Beihuang Dao? Qiu Lun was still somewhat hesitant, ¡°Since the people of Houjin have been raised on horseback since childhood, if we encounter them on the field¡­¡± After all, what An Jing said was too astonishing. It was something ordinary people wouldn¡¯t dare to think about. A glint of brilliance flashed in Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes. Counterattack instead of defense, that was indeed the idea he had discussed with An Jing over these past two days. Initially, he was also stunned by An Jing¡¯s bold move. After all, this was too bold, too risky. If it really succeeded, what a shock would that be? An Jing looked calmly at the sand table and said, ¡°If Houjin insists on taking Heaven Gate Pass, then we shall head north from Tianyin Dao and strike directly at North Field before storming the Royal Court to secure the fate of the Northern Qian Kun.¡± If Qiu Lun were a green young man just starting out, he would have been fired up by An Jing¡¯s words, but he was no greenhorn. Qiu Lun thought for a moment and said, ¡°Big brother, do you mean that we leave Wang Shiyi to defend Beihuang Dao while we attack Houjin?¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Correct. Are you unwilling?¡± Qiu Lun had tens of thousands of Pingyang Guard under him, and the Demon Sect had countless experts. If the two joined forces, they would become a sharp dagger, which might play a crucial role at the most critical moment. Qiu Lun slapped his chest and said, ¡°Let¡¯s not mention your identity now, big brother. Even if you were just a first-rank white-clothed brother, I, Qiu Lun, would still offer my full support.¡± ¡°Good.¡± An Jing patted Qiu Lun¡¯s shoulder and also burst into laughter. Just at this moment, gusts of wind arose above You City, and a massive shadow that blotted out the sky appeared high above, followed by a clear, piercing cry that resounded through the air. Everyone looked up to see it was the Honghu. ¡°The mistress has returned.¡± A hint of a smile appeared in An Jing¡¯s eyes as he quickly headed outside the great hall. They saw two figures jump down from the back of the Honghu; it was Zhao Qingmei and Nangong Weiping. Nangong Weiping had tidied her hair, looking like an ordinary old woman, while Zhao Qingmei, beside her in a light purple dress, was breathtakingly beautiful, her exquisite features unforgettable at a glance. When Zhao Qingmei saw An Jing, a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± The high-ranking members of the Demon Sect knelt down reverently upon seeing this. Qiu Lun hurriedly cupped his fists and said, ¡°So it was sister-in-law.¡± Sister-in-law!? Zhao Qingmei glanced at Qiu Lun, and he instantly felt a slight chill run through his body. Subconsciously, he retreated two steps backward and wondered to himself: Did I say something wrong? Zhao Qingmei waved her hand and said, ¡°You all may step back now.¡± Nangong Weiping¡¯s identity was special, after all. Even within the ranks of the Demon Sect, few knew of her real strength and identity, let alone Qiu Lun in front of her. ¡°Your subordinate shall take his leave.¡± Li Fuzhou and what shrewdness he had, upon seeing this, immediately stood up to take his leave, and Qiu Lun also hesitated, wondering where he had offended his younger sister-in-law? He could only follow the Demon Sect experts and retreat. Suddenly, only An Jing, Zhao Qingmei, and Nangong Weiping were left. ¡°Let¡¯s go inside and talk.¡± An Jing was holding Zhao Qingmei¡¯s soft jade-like hand when he couldn¡¯t help but feel a coldness. His True Qi spontaneously flowed into her body as he asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± An Jing¡¯s True Qi, having been refined through the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± was mighty, though it could not compare to Qin Shan¡¯s Innate True Qi, it was still much more robust than ordinary True Qi. But at this moment, as it entered Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body, it seemed to disappear into the sea without a trace. By his side, Nangong Weiping said, ¡°On the way to Cloud Tower, we encountered an elder of the tower, and the little girl received a palm strike. She has accumulated a large amount of cold and sinister Qi Mechanism in her body, which even with my level of cultivation is very hard to remove.¡± An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei and said, ¡°You were hit by a palm strike from the old man of the ten directions? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± Zhao Qingmei had never mentioned being struck by the elder of the ten directions in the intelligence reports she received through the Human Sect, and evidently, even Nangong Weiping had been unable to remove the palm energy from her body; it clearly wasn¡¯t that simple. Zhao Qingmei shook her head, ¡°I didn¡¯t know that this Qi Mechanism would be so difficult to remove.¡± An Jing said gravely, ¡°Come inside first, and I¡¯ll take your pulse.¡± Afterward, the three of them walked into the hall. An Jing placed his fingers on Zhao Qingmei¡¯s pulse, and waves of cold energy continuously traveled along his fingertips into his hand. Nangong Weiping also looked on, she had heard Zhao Qingmei mention that An Jing was a famed physician, but she wasn¡¯t clear on the extent of his medical skills. After a long while, An Jing¡¯s expression became extremely grave and he said, ¡°This Qi Mechanism should be Evil Spirits.¡± ¡°Evil Spirits!?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brow also furrowed deeply. She had also learned from the information transmitted by An Jing about the impacts before and after the battle at Dragon Locking Well and knew that with the sudden increase of nature¡¯s spiritual energy in the world, a large amount of Evil Spirits would also arise. Evil Spirits lurk within the human body, initially causing no discomfort or sensation of their presence, but once they erupt, they will come pouring out like a flood. The consequences were difficult to imagine or predict. Nangong Weiping¡¯s heart trembled, and she asked, ¡°Are you saying that the elder of the ten directions infused Evil Spirits into Little Qingmei with a palm strike?¡± Evil Spirits, such a Qi Mechanism that can only contaminate spiritual energy and the human body, could it also be used differently? An Jing nodded and said in a deep voice, ¡°Have you been feeling extremely cold lately?¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly. On her way back, she often felt a chill, and as time went on, that feeling became stronger and stronger. At times, it was even so intense that it caused her a painful discomfort. Nangong Weiping asked, ¡°Then is there a way to remove this Evil Spirits?¡± ¡°Currently, there is only one method.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°That is to use the Supreme Yang Qi of an item of Supreme Yang to dissolve the Evil Spirits.¡± The most direct and swift way to eliminate these Evil Spirits is based on the opposition of Yin and Yang. Given that Evil Spirits are considered cold and Yin, naturally, the Qi of Supreme Yang is the bane of Yin and cold entities. But an item of Supreme Yang is incredibly precious, and it must contain a large amount of Supreme Yang Qi to be effective. Nangong Weiping said, ¡°Such a thing is extremely precious, and it won¡¯t be easy to find one in a short period.¡± An Jing¡¯s expression was extremely solemn, and he remained silent. Within Dragon Locking Well, he was acutely aware of the difficulty of removing these Evil Spirits. At present, the Evil Spirits within Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body were multitudes greater than those within his own, and the incomplete ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± was powerless against it. Zhao Qingmei tightly held An Jing¡¯s hand, tenderly saying, ¡°It¡¯s just Evil Spirits, there will always be a way to remove them.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°In my opinion, this evil spirit energy will still need some time to erupt; there shouldn¡¯t be any major issues for now.¡± ¡°I shall go back and study it.¡± Nangong Weiping furrowed her brow and walked towards the back hall. She was also very curious about the evil spirit energy. ¡­.. The night was indifferent like water, and the moon, clear as a mirror, hung high in the sky, casting a pure, flowing radiance upon the luminous earth. It was now May, and the evening breeze still carried a hint of coolness. The red candles flickered, casting shifting shadows. Zhao Qingmei at the moment was like a child, excitedly talking about her recent travels with Nangong Weiping. ¡°¡­..And then, I and Senior Nangong went to Tianjiang Prefecture, which is right next to Jiangnan Dao. The customs of the two places are vastly different; for instance, they prefer sweeter foods there, as well as the unique theatrical artistry of Zhao Country, some pieces of which have been passed down from the Great Zhou Dynasty. Despite the Ban Martial Order and the interference of the Black Ice Platform, which controls the Court, Zhao Country¡¯s strength is indeed much greater than that of Yan Country,¡± she said. An Jing had never been to Zhao Country and what he knew was hearsay; in Yan Country, the general consensus was very poor about Zhao Country, believing that the Black Ice Platform dominated the royal authority and meddled with internal affairs, and the people of Zhao Country lived in dire straits. However, from what Zhao Qingmei explained today, it wasn¡¯t simply because of reliance on elixirs that made Zhao Country stronger than Yan Country, but their superiority was in all aspects, including economy and military. Under the rule of the Black Ice Platform, the citizens of Zhao Country were not only affluent but also very happy. The current world was in chaos, with the Southern Barbarians, Zhao Country, and Houjin attacking Great Yan. Now that the Black Ice Platform had suffered heavy losses in Yujing City, it seemed that Houjin had the most formidable strength, followed by Zhao Country, with the Southern Barbarians being the weakest. Upon close consideration, if Zhao Country really launched a full-scale attack, their national strength was actually not much weaker than Houjin, especially with the Black Ice Platform harboring that extremely mysterious old monster. A glint of murderous intent flashed in An Jing¡¯s eyes, ¡°When I have the time in the future, I must visit Zhao Country.¡± Zhao Qingmei seemed to have an endless amount of things to say, ¡°There¡¯s also the pastries and delicacies of Zhao Country. I¡¯ve specially learned a few signature dishes. The taste of Tianjiang Smoked Goose is absolutely unique. I understood the trick after just one glance,¡± she said. At the moment, Zhao Qingmei didn¡¯t seem like the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, but just a chatty girl next door. An Jing held her somewhat cold hand and smiled, ¡°Good, if it doesn¡¯t taste good¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei glared at An Jing fiercely and said, ¡°Even if it doesn¡¯t taste good, you¡¯ll have to finish it all.¡± ¡°How could it not taste good?¡± An Jing hastily replied, ¡°Everything the lady makes is delicious.¡± Zhao Qingmei gently leaned into An Jing¡¯s embrace, her lips naturally curving into a faint smile, and then said, ¡°Do you know? Actually, along the way, Senior Nangong has been quite nice. She even explained her insights into the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ to me, and she gave me two Snow Lotuses.¡± An Jing was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. After all, Zhao Qingmei and Nangong Weiping had a fierce competitive relationship, and in the end, either Zhao Qingmei would inherit all of Nangong Weiping¡¯s cultivation, or Nangong Weiping would absorb all of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation, returning to be a Great Grandmaster, or perhaps even reaching the pinnacle of the Great Grandmaster realm. An Jing still said, ¡°Regardless, we must be cautious of this Nangong Weiping.¡± Zhao Qingmei responded, ¡°Mm, I am aware.¡± ¡°By the way.¡± An Jing thought of something and said, ¡°General Lu told me about the past; your father didn¡¯t die by the hands of the Human Emperor.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s parents did not meet their end at the hands of the Great Yan Emperor, as Jiang Shang had said, but were killed by Jiang Shang himself. Jiang Shang had discovered that Zhao Qingmei was a once-in-a-millennium martial arts prodigy and seized the opportunity during a flood to kill Zhao Shizai and his wife. Afterward, he took Zhao Qingmei away when the flood subsided. A cold light flashed in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes as she said in a low voice, ¡°I have long known that my father was killed by Jiang Shang.¡± An Jing looked at the stunningly beautiful face in front of him and said, ¡°Did you know about this all along?¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded vigorously. ¡°After returning to Yan Country, Third Master told me.¡± An Jing thought for a moment and asked, ¡°So, what are your plans?¡± Zhao Qingmei said coldly, ¡°First, I¡¯ll find Jiang Shang and then decide.¡± An Jing nodded, thinking back to the last time he saw Jiang Shang. Having obtained that mass of Undying Blood, Jiang Shang might have improved his cultivation, perhaps even advancing to the Five Qi Realm. Zhao Qingmei looked towards An Jing and asked, ¡°Does that mean you know everything already?¡± An Jing snorted lightly, proudly saying, ¡°With my intelligence and wisdom, of course, I knew long ago.¡± In fact, he had many times been unable to understand why Zhao Qingmei would have taken a liking to him in the past. It was not until Old Master Lu revealed Zhao Qingmei¡¯s father that An Jing¡¯s memories rushed in like the tide. Zhao Qingmei turned her head away, saying without good cheer, ¡°If Old Master Lu hadn¡¯t mentioned it, you definitely wouldn¡¯t have known. Maybe you would have forgotten about me long ago.¡± ¡°How could I possibly forget?¡± An Jing, holding the woman in his arms, couldn¡¯t help but fall into his memories. If there were moments in life one could never forget, An Jing would never forget the events of ten years past. ¡­¡­ Twelve years earlier, in the third year of Xingping, spring. The Daoist Master of Jiangnan Dao imposed crushing levies, and the livelihoods of the people withered away. The commoners¡¯ lives were immersed in deep misery, an unspeakable suffering. It rained in Jiangnan Dao for more than thirty days, and the water levels of the Yu State River surged violently. Eventually, the floodwaters burst the riverbanks and spread out over a thousand miles, flooding Yu State City, Lijiang City, and areas around Zuo City, affecting over forty thousand families, drowning more than three thousand people, with countless more missing. It is said that after a great disaster, there must come a great epidemic; following the flood came plagues and cholera outbreaks galore. Some households lost eight or nine of their members, some six or seven, families died in the same day by threes and fours, or entire households lay fallen with no one to aid them, with contagions spreading endlessly and the sick in vast numbers, filled with lamentation and bitter crying, a truly pitiable sight. What¡¯s worse, villages were entirely wiped out, deserted for thousands of miles, with only floating corpses and exposed bones, resembling a descent of ghost towns into the human world. The dead lined the roads, while the living filled the markets with their wailing. Homes and property were abandoned, spouses and children were sold¨Csuch sights were everywhere. The Court dispatched officials to Jiangnan Dao. The Inspection Department and local authorities of the Dao, cities, and counties were supposed to provide relief to the victims, but the relief funds and grain were all embezzled, giving the corrupt the full enjoyment of their pleasures. The reports delivered to the Court were brief, descriptions of the disaster vague and unclear, with just a few words like ¡®untold deaths of people and livestock¡¯ to describe it. In Yu State City, amid the cracked and barren fields, a group of disaster victims wandered, looking as lifeless as a group of walking corpses. Fleeing the onslaught of the flood, An Jing had been separated from his parents for several dozen days. At this moment, his thin body sat next to a rock, his face ashen. He tried forcefully to swallow a few mouthfuls of tree root. No matter how he swallowed, the root was hard to digest and even caused stomach acid to reflux, almost making him vomit last night¡¯s undigested root and cotton plant. Tree bark, leaves, grass roots, rotten grass, white soil¨Cat times of hunger, these could all be consumed. But in the end, most who swallowed these things would bind up their guts and die without exception. ¡°Someone¡¯s dead over there, hurry and go!¡± At some point, a sharp voice rang out, and the surrounding disaster victims swarmed like bloodthirsty beasts. An Jing saw with his own eyes how a gaunt man instinctively swallowed and dashed over at great speed. Someone had died¡­ At night, under a clear moon and sparse stars. ¡°Shit, am I really going to starve to death just after time-traveling?¡± An Jing leaned against a large rock, dizzy with hunger, with not even a little bit of strength in his limbs. Just at that moment, there seemed to be some noise in the darkness of the night. Not far away, dozens of husky men in coarse clothes were moving through the woods. ¡°Shit! Weren¡¯t we told there would be rich merchants from Lijiang City here?¡± one of the brawny men grabbed a famine-stricken villager and demanded, ¡°Have you seen any of Lijiang City¡¯s rich merchants?¡± The villager spoke in terror, ¡°Rich¡­ rich merchants, there are none here.¡± ¡°Motherfucker! Could they have run off?¡± The brawny man flung the villager more than two yards away, his head striking precisely against the rock An Jing was leaning on. There was a ¡®thud,¡¯ blood spurted out, and he died on the spot. Someone whispered to the side, ¡°Brother Liutang, forget about these people. It¡¯s not easy for us to get out. We have to squeeze every last drop we can, and that woman over there has a nice figure.¡± The leader angrily ordered, ¡°Shit, rob her!¡± ¡°Hurry, grab a few women to take back.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t take too many, we don¡¯t have enough food!¡± ¡­¡­. These were bandits from the Horse Gang in Jiangnan Dao. They had received information that rich merchants from Lijiang City would be in the area, so they prepared to loot the place. The brawny men went straight up to rob the villagers. Whether the villagers had food or not, any resistance meant a swift death. ¡°Run, run for your life!¡± The villagers thought these were ghostly Rash from the Underworld and, terrified out of their wits, fled frantically into the distance. The more the villagers ran, the more excited the Horse Gang members got, their knives getting sharper and their killing swifter, which only made the villagers run faster. An Jing leaned against the rock, too weak from hunger to do anything. A few of the Horse Gang¡¯s brawny men passed by without even glancing at the emaciated figures on the ground; they simply turned and chased after the fleeing villagers. Hundreds, no, thousands of famine-stricken villagers were being chased by dozens of bandits, triggering massive waves of human panic, and some were even trampled to death. An Jing¡¯s stomach was empty, as if it were sticking together. He found some Guanyin soil on the ground and swallowed it with difficulty, his stomach churning, which finally brought him some relief. ¡°Mother, wake up¡­ I¡¯m so hungry¡­¡± Not far away, a little girl about eight or nine years old was crying her heart out beside a corpse, her voice hoarse from sobbing. She was Zhao Qingmei, the daughter of ¡®the poor scholar¡¯ Zhao Shizai from Yu State City. Just the night before, her mother had said she was going to take a nap and had not woken up since. Zhao Qingmei didn¡¯t know how long it had been since she last had anything to eat, her frail body showing ribs protruding one by one. After a while, Zhao Qingmei propped herself up and made her way to a nearby pile of grass next to a grindstone and a broken porcelain bowl. Zhao Qingmei carefully took some rotten grass out of the pile, then put it into the porcelain bowl and started grinding the rotten grass against the stone, imitating her mother¡¯s movements. The rotten grass turned into a mushy mess, not anywhere close to becoming flour. Zhao Qingmei wept while pressing hard to grind the grass. ¡°¡­Ah, it hurts so much!¡± Because she exerted too much force, the grinding stone went askew, and her delicate arm was directly cut by the broken porcelain bowl, blood mixed with the crushed grass into the bowl. ¡°Mom¡­it hurts¡­ woohoo.¡± Zhao Qingmei put down the grinding stone in her hand and crawled in front of her mother, ¡°Mom, blow on it, it hurts so much.¡± Her mother remained completely motionless, offering no response. Zhao Qingmei cried until she had no strength left, stunned in place for a long time before she returned to the bowl to continue grinding the crushed grass forcefully. As the wound hadn¡¯t stopped bleeding, the blood kept mixing into the bowl. When she became tired from grinding, Zhao Qingmei, panting, brought the bowl over to her mother¡¯s corpse. ¡°Mom, look, this is the dried grass ground by Zhao Qingmei, after eating this grass, you won¡¯t be hungry or sleepy anymore.¡± Her mother¡¯s body remained still. ¡°Mom, eat the white porridge, wake up please.¡± ¡°Woohoo¡­Zhao Qingmei won¡¯t clamor for porridge anymore, won¡¯t clamor for meat anymore, Mom!¡± Zhao Qingmei started to wail loudly in front of the corpse, then, exhausted from crying, she kept sobbing and lay motionless on her mother¡¯s body. ¡°Your wound needs to be stopped.¡± ¡°An Jing, my mom is asleep, help me wake her, I won¡¯t act up anymore.¡± When Zhao Qingmei turned her head, she saw the pale-faced An Jing and a look of joy appeared in her eyes. ¡°Let me stop the bleeding first. Without disinfectant alcohol, we¡¯ll just have to make do, hoping it won¡¯t get infected.¡± An Jing stepped forward, picked up a piece of torn cloth from the ground, and began to wrap it around Zhao Qingmei¡¯s small hand. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± An Jing glanced at the girl in front of him. ¡°No¡­ It doesn¡¯t hurt.¡± Tears flowed from Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes from the pain, but she still bravely shook her head. After An Jing finished bandaging the wound, he reached out to pat Zhao Qingmei¡¯s small head, deeply sighing. ¡°An Jing, there¡¯s food here, all ground by me.¡± Zhao Qingmei picked up the small broken bowl from the ground, her eyes sparkling as she said, ¡°My mom is sleeping, let me feed you a bit first.¡± Looking at the crushed grass mixed with blood, An Jing picked up some of the powdered grass that had been ground in the middle with his finger and gently placed it in his mouth. The taste of the crushed grass was bad enough, but with the faint trace of blood, it had a strange, fishy taste. ¡°Are you hungry?¡± An Jing took a deep breath and asked. ¡°An Jing, I¡¯m not hungry, you eat.¡± Zhao Qingmei lowered her head, though her stomach was already unbearably hungry. ¡°An Jing will take you to eat meat.¡± A dark glint flickered in An Jing¡¯s eyes. ¡°Meat!?¡± Upon hearing this word, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s stomach churned, as if wanting to bite her own tongue. ¡°First go pick up some dry branches from afar, the more the better.¡± ¡°An Jing, I¡¯ll go right now.¡± Zhao Qingmei hurried towards the distant woods. An Jing swallowed the crushed grass from the broken porcelain bowl into his stomach, then picked up the bowl and headed towards the corpses of the disaster-stricken people killed by the horse gang. When you find yourself on a dark path with no way back, and the last of your breath is not enough to return you the way you came, your only choice is to keep moving forward. ¡­¡­. ¡°An Jing!¡± Just then, a clear voice interrupted An Jing¡¯s memories. An Jing turned around to see Zhao Qingmei, her face somewhat pale as she clutched the corner of her clothes and spoke softly, ¡°I¡¯m a bit cold.¡± ¡°Cold!?¡± Frowning deeply, An Jing was surprised to hear this. Not to mention that the weather wasn¡¯t that cold now, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation level meant she shouldn¡¯t be afraid of the cold. Could it be the evil spirit¡¯s energy!? A thought crossed An Jing¡¯s mind, and the True Qi within his body began to circulate, pouring into Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body. But that vast True Qi vanished instantly, like a clay ox entering the sea, as soon as it entered Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body. ¡°So cold!¡± Instinctively clutching An Jing tightly, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s red lips trembled continuously. ¡°The energy of the evil spirit, it must be the energy of the evil spirit causing trouble.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes showed a trace of seriousness. The energy of the evil spirit could pollute even the Earth Veins, let alone a person. Once completely contaminated by the energy of the evil spirit, a person could turn into an evil spirit. Zhao Qingmei had been struck by the palm of the Ten Directions Elder and had accumulated a lot of the energy of the evil spirit in her body. If it wasn¡¯t for her high cultivation level in the Three Qi Grandmaster Realm, she would have long been completely corrupted by the energy of the evil spirit. ¡°Cold, so very cold¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei clung to An Jing, murmuring continuously, with large beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead. An Jing, also very anxious, immediately used silver needles to channel True Qi into Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body. Suddenly, a scorching flow entered her body, and her complexion gradually recovered, from the previous pallor to a gradual flush. Hurriedly, An Jing asked, ¡°Still cold?¡± Zhao Qingmei breathed heavily, weakly saying, ¡°Not¡­ not cold anymore, it felt like my heart was about to freeze just now.¡± An Jing took a deep breath, ¡°We still need to find the Supreme Yang Object quickly and absorb the energy of the evil spirit in your body.¡± The Supreme Yang Object! The most important thing right now was to find the Supreme Yang Object. Only the Supreme Yang Qi coming from the Supreme Yang Object could thoroughly clear the energy of the evil spirit from Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body. Zhao Qingmei whispered, ¡°But the Supreme Yang Object isn¡¯t that easy to find.¡± ¡°How could I forget that thing!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Suddenly An Jing thought of something and said to himself, ¡°Back then in the Russell Clan¡¯s purple opportunity, there was a stone that could create Sun Essence, definitely a Supreme Yang Object.¡± When entering the Russell Clan, the Earth Book had hinted at the purple opportunity, namely, that stone which could create Sun Essence. But since the stone was rooted deep underground, An Jing couldn¡¯t carry it away and had to leave it in the end. The stone capable of creating Sun Essence definitely contained Supreme Yang Qi. Both the Russell Clan and Dongluo Pass were now under the jurisdiction of Houjin, so he could only infiltrate deep into the Houjin army. ¡­¡­. Chapter 322 - Chapter 322 Chapter 322 The Qin Emperors Mausoleum Finally Chapter 322: Chapter 322 The Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum Finally Appears Chapter 322: Chapter 322 The Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum Finally Appears Time flew by, and in a mere three days, the situation across the world had undergone tumultuous and cunning changes, fluctuating dramatically. Tens of thousands of Zhao Country¡¯s troops set out, encircling Jiangnan Dao of Yan Country with the intent to strike, ready and waiting. Only the Southern Barbarians of Nanping Dao showed no sign of movement, giving off the impression that they had no intention of participating in this epoch-making war against Yan Country. But no one would underestimate the Southern Barbarians, for if Houjin were likened to a fierce tiger and Zhao Country to a hungry wolf, then the Southern Barbarians were as a venomous snake lurking in the dark, ready to bite at any moment. In Great Yan, the situation in Beihuang Dao attracted the most attention. After all, Houjin had been the first to make a move, and their cavalry was extremely fast. They had already invaded Beihuang Dao previously, and now an army of six hundred thousand was sweeping in. You City, City Guard Mansion. An Jing sat at the head, holding in his hands the distribution map of Houjin¡¯s six hundred thousand troops, as well as frontline intelligence. Duanmu Xinghua said gravely, ¡°An Tributor, are you really planning to lead the army straight to North Field?¡± When she learned that An Jing intended to lead tens of thousands of troops into the heartland of Houjin, her heart was filled with astonishment. This move was daring indeed. ¡°Indeed,¡± he acknowledged. An Jing looked towards Zhao Qingmei, ¡°I¡¯m worried that Wang Shiyi might not be able to hold Beihuang Dao. If necessary, you can lend him a hand.¡± Although Li Qirong was cunning and ruthless, often gaining the upper hand against Houjin, the absolute strength of six hundred thousand troops from Houjin now moving south meant that cunning and schemes were of no use. If Wang Shiyi¡¯s army were to fall, it would be difficult for You Mountain to stand alone. ¡°Understood. I will take action when needed,¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded. ¡°I will not allow the Demon Sect Main Hall to be breached again this time.¡± If An Jing was the sword to strike at Houjin, then Zhao Qingmei was the lock to defend against Houjin, the final barrier. ¡°Big brother!¡± At that moment, the corpulent Qiu Lun, dressed in black armor, strode in and announced, ¡°The ninety thousand troops have fully assembled. They are waiting for your command.¡± ¡°Good,¡± An Jing replied. He took a deep breath, ¡°Let¡¯s prepare to set out.¡± Suddenly, Yu Qiurong ran in hurriedly, ¡°Sect Hierarch, sir, he has returned.¡± ¡°Who has returned?¡± Zhao Qingmei inquired. Yu Qiurong quickly replied, ¡°Jiang Renyi is here!¡± ¡°Jiang Renyi?¡± A cold smile appeared on the corner of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mouth when she heard this, ¡°He¡¯s got some nerve to return. Who else is with him?¡± The members of the Demon Sect looked on with varying expressions. Ouyang Ping¡¯s eyelids twitched, and he stopped himself from speaking. Duanmu Xinghua, too, remained silent. She had once advocated for Jiang Renyi to be the Sect Hierarch when Zhao Qingmei was trapped in the Sealing Demon Well. Jiang Renyi had always been very courteous and respectful to her. It was impossible to say that she harbored hatred towards him. ¡°Just him alone,¡± Yu Qiurong stated. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows raised slightly, ¡°Alone!?¡± It was not just Zhao Qingmei who was slightly frowning, An Jing also felt a bit of strangeness in his heart. Jiang Renyi was not only the sole son of Jiang Shang but had also contended with Zhao Qingmei for the position of Sect Hierarch, resulting in the severing of one of his arms. The grievances between them were deep. Now he dared to appear directly at the Demon Sect Main Hall. What exactly was he plotting? Yu Qiurong bowed, ¡°He says he has important matters to discuss with the sir and the Sect Hierarch.¡± An Jing and Zhao Qingmei exchanged glances before An Jing said, ¡°Let him in.¡± Even if Jiang Shang himself had arrived, with An Jing¡¯s current strength and cultivation, he could hold his ground, not needing to worry about Jiang Renyi, who had yet to reach the Grandmaster Realm. Before long, Yu Qiurong led a man clad in black and wearing a bamboo hat inside. The man stretched out his weathered palm and slowly removed his bamboo hat, revealing a bearded face. It was Jiang Renyi, the former Earth Sect Master of the Demon Sect and son of Jiang Shang. Qiu Lun stood to one side without speaking, as this was ultimately a matter within the Demon Sect. ¡°Elder Ouyang.¡± Jiang Renyi first nodded to Ouyang Ping, then turned his head towards Zhao Qingmei, seated at the head, and couldn¡¯t help but let out a wry smile, ¡°Junior Sister, we meet again.¡± Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°The Human Sect searched for you for a whole year and couldn¡¯t find you. I didn¡¯t expect you to deliver yourself to our doorstep today.¡± ¡°Junior Sister misunderstands.¡± Jiang Renyi took a deep breath and said, ¡°I did not come here today to seek revenge against Junior Sister. I am no match for Junior Sister, nor am I a match for this Ghost Swordsman.¡± Zhao Qingmei said coldly, ¡°Then what are you here for? To court death?¡± Jiang Renyi shook his head and said, ¡°I know Junior Sister really wants to kill Jiang Shang, and so do I. Clearly, we have a common enemy. I have come this time to seek cooperation.¡± Whoosh! Jiang Renyi¡¯s words were tantamount to a bombshell! Who was Jiang Shang? That was Jiang Renyi¡¯s own father, and now Jiang Renyi was saying he wanted to kill Jiang Shang. The whole hall was in utter shock. Qiu Lun rubbed his ears, wondering if he had heard wrong. Was Jiang Renyi actually going after his own father, Jiang Shang, and not Zhao Qingmei? Zhao Qingmei narrowed her eyes and slowly stood up, ¡°What did you say?¡± Jiang Renyi repeated, ¡°I want to kill Jiang Shang, and you also want to kill Jiang Shang. I wish to cooperate with Junior Sister.¡± Zhao Qingmei said coldly, ¡°Is that the ¡®medicine¡¯ you¡¯re peddling?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m sincerely genuine.¡± Jiang Renyi clenched his fists, his eyes tinged with a hint of scarlet, and said, ¡°I had planned to retire from Jianghu and stay away from all these disputes. But Jiang Shang found me, and he cruelly murdered my wife¡­ ¡± Zhao Qingmei scoffed, ¡°How do I know if what you¡¯re saying is true or false?¡± Jiang Renyi said, ¡°Junior Sister can take out the Red Beauty Drunk. I can take it on the spot.¡± The Red Beauty Drunk was a strange poison concocted by the Poison King. Even a Grandmaster who ingested too much would be afflicted, with an antidote needed constantly to preserve life. It was precisely this strange poison that Jiang Renyi had previously administered to Yu Qiurong. Zhao Qingmei gestured to Yu Qiurong, who took out the Red Beauty Drunk previously developed by the Poison King from within her sleeve. Jiang Renyi took the Red Beauty Drunk, and under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes, swallowed it without hesitation, saying, ¡°Can Junior Sister rest assured now?¡± Duanmu Xinghua frowned tightly, asking disbelievingly, ¡°Did the old Sect Hierarch really do such a thing?¡± Even though they were well aware of Jiang Shang¡¯s cruelty and ruthlessness, hearing now that Jiang Shang had even killed his own daughter-in-law was just too incomprehensible. It was nothing short of inhumane madness! Jiang Renyi, his teeth clenched in fury, said, ¡°Jiang Shang has long lost any shred of humanity in his heart. He has completely turned into a bloodthirsty beast, not giving a damn about kinship, father-son bonds¨Cnothing! No, not even worth a damn. Apart from the elusive Path of Immortality, nothing else matters to him. Such a man shouldn¡¯t be allowed to live in this world.¡± The look on Jiang Renyi¡¯s face was filled with immense hatred, as if he wished he could kill his father, Jiang Shang, right then and there. Qiu Lun murmured softly, ¡°The Path of Immortality¡­ Can people really attain everlasting life?¡± An Jing pondered for a while before asking, ¡°Down in the Dragon Locking Well, did Jiang Shang obtain a mass of Undying Blood, and has his cultivation increased?¡± Jiang Renyi¡¯s face was somber as he said, ¡°This isn¡¯t the first time he has acquired Undying Blood. Back in the Snow Mountain¡¯s Forbidden Land, he obtained a cluster of Undying Blood and made tremendous progress in his cultivation. This time, he has gotten an even larger cluster of Undying Blood, and his cultivation has skyrocketed, reaching the realm of a Five Qi Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Five Qi Grandmaster!?¡± The Demon Sect experts present all felt a shock in their hearts, exchanging looks of astonishment. It should be noted that the last Five Qi expert of the Demon Sect was the Great Elder Jun Qinglin of the Sealing Demon Platform. Unexpectedly, Jiang Shang had also reached the realm of a Five Qi Grandmaster. Ouyang Ping couldn¡¯t help but let out a long sigh, ¡°How wonderful it would be if Elder Jiang were still with the Demon Sect?¡± If Jiang Shang were still within the Demon Sect, coupled with the Ghost Swordsman and Zhao Qingmei, You Gai, and other masters, just how terrifying would the Demon Sect¡¯s power be by now? Alas, there were no such ifs. ¡°A Five Qi Grandmaster, it¡¯s truly unbelievable,¡± Li Fuzhou also felt quite emotional, ¡°It seems that the Undying Blood really is a wonder of the world, no wonder the old Sect Hierarch pursued it so earnestly.¡± An Jing, however, was not too surprised; after all, during his last encounter with Jiang Shang, he had already reached the peak of the Four Qi Grandmaster Realm. Moreover, with the loosening of the world¡¯s constraints nowadays, many people¡¯s cultivation had begun to increase significantly. It was within reason for Jiang Shang to reach the Five Qi Grandmaster level with the aid of Undying Blood. Zhao Qingmei then asked, ¡°What exactly is this Undying Blood?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not too sure what it specifically is, but it can indeed boost Jiang Shang¡¯s cultivation, and it even seems to have made him younger.¡± Jiang Renyi slowly said, ¡°Now that he has reached the Five Qi Realm, I know I could never be his match in this lifetime, and yet he continues to search for more Undying Blood, his power rapidly ascending¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei asked with a focused voice, ¡°He¡¯s still searching for Undying Blood?¡± Jiang Renyi nodded, ¡°Taiyin Kui has contacted Jiang Shang, telling him that there is a large amount of Undying Blood inside the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. However, it is said that opening the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum is extremely troublesome, and they have already gone to investigate the mausoleum.¡± As the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum echoed in everyone¡¯s ears, the hall immediately buzzed with discussion. ¡°The Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, is it the tomb of the emperors of the Great Qin Dynasty?¡± ¡°It¡¯s said that the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum also contains True Dragon Essence Blood, a supreme rarity!¡± ¡°But didn¡¯t the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum disappear without a trace a thousand years ago?¡± ¡°The tombs of several emperors of the Great Qin, filled with countless treasures and secrets.¡± ¡­¡­ The Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum!? An Jing¡¯s heart stirred, and he couldn¡¯t help thinking of the Purple Sun Token in his possession, ¡°Houjin has found the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum?¡± He was also full of curiosity about the mysterious and unpredictable Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. One drop of True Dragon Treasure Blood had once caused a heaven and earth upheaval in his talent; what kind of change would this True Dragon Essence Blood bring now? ¡°Found it.¡± Jiang Renyi took a deep breath, his tone grave, ¡°The Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum is located in the desert beyond Dongluo Pass. This is an excellent opportunity. If Jiang Shang gains more Undying Blood, his strength will rise again, possibly even reaching the realm of a Great Grandmaster.¡± Great Grandmaster Realm!? The crowd looked at each other in dismay. What kind of thing was this Undying Blood, to be so miraculous? It could actually elevate Jiang Shang to the realm of a Great Grandmaster? Zhao Qingmei¡¯s beautiful eyes turned to An Jing. An Jing looked at Li Fuzhou and asked, ¡°Is the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum on our route northward?¡± Li Fuzhou took out a map and examined it carefully before saying, ¡°It is.¡± A slight smile played on An Jing¡¯s lips as he said, ¡°Then I shall take this opportunity to meet with Taiyin Kui and Jiang Shang.¡± Upon hearing this, Qiu Lun immediately said, ¡°Big brother, both of those men are Five Qi Grandmasters!¡± Taiyin Kui was a Five Qi Grandmaster, and although An Jing defeated him in the Imperial Palace, everyone knew that An Jing had used a secret technique, and might not necessarily be Taiyin Kui¡¯s match otherwise. As for Jiang Shang, having obtained that miraculous Undying Blood, his strength seemed to even surpass Taiyin Kui¡¯s. With these two great Five Qi Grandmaster experts converging, An Jing¡¯s entry was undoubtedly into the tiger¡¯s den, and he might even put himself into a crisis. Not just Qiu Lun, but the faces of the Demon Sect experts also showed a slight change. Clearly, they too were deeply aware of the dangers. After all, these were two Five Qi Grandmasters, and An Jing also led a lone army. If they were to be encircled by the Houjin army and attacked by these two Five Qi Grandmasters, An Jing would then find himself in an irretrievable predicament. An Jing said calmly, ¡°Since we need to delve deep into the Royal Court and directly strike at Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s lair, then it¡¯s only a matter of time before I confront Taiyin Kui and Jiang Shang.¡± His words were casual, but they carried a hint of killing intent. Under the Dragon Locking Well, his cultivation had made a huge leap, not only reaching the Four Qi but also achieving Perfection in the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡±. An Jing was also eager to know whether these two Five Qi Grandmasters were his match. Seeing the expression on An Jing¡¯s face, Qiu Lun realized that he was dead serious. Everyone watching his visage felt a shock in their hearts. Zhao Qingmei turned to Jiang Renyi and said, ¡°You must also go north with us this time.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for Junior Sister to say that, I would go north as well,¡± Jiang Renyi replied, with anger in his eyes and a low voice, ¡°Only with me acting from the inside can you have a sliver of chance.¡± The always silent Ouyang Ping said, ¡°Old man shall also follow An Tributor northward.¡± ¡°Good.¡± An Jing nodded his head and said, ¡°In that case, let¡¯s set out as soon as possible.¡± Then Li Fuzhou, Qiu Lun, and others began to prepare. Outside the camp, the Black Flood Dragon lay on the ground, its large eyes continuously looking into the distance. Zhao Qingmei approached An Jing and took out the Exotic Treasure Heavenly Flipping Seal of the Demon Sect, ¡°You should keep this with you.¡± ¡°You keep it,¡± An Jing replied after looking at the Heavenly Flipping Seal, aware of the treasure¡¯s significance. Zhao Qingmei shook her head and said, ¡°With Senior Nan by my side, and a large group of Mechanical Puppet Beasts, I¡¯ll be fine. You can go without worry; nothing will happen to the rear.¡± An Jing felt the warmth of the Heavenly Flipping Seal and nodded, ¡°Wait for my return.¡± ¡°Waiting for your return,¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded firmly, speaking softly, ¡°My Lord, once you have dealt with the trouble of the barbarians in the north, we shall return to Yu State City.¡± Yu State City, that place of warm memories from the past. Yu Qiurong, Duanmu Xinghua, Yi Daoyun, and many other experts stood in the distance, the fate of the battle between Houjin and Yan Country now entirely in their hands. Could they withstand the ferocious Houjin? They too harbored the unknown in their hearts; if they failed to withstand the iron cavalry of the Houjin barbarians, and Beihuang Dao fell, Yan Country¡¯s gates would be completely open, leaving countless people as sheep awaiting slaughter at the hands of Houjin, inevitably leading the world into a living hell. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing leaped onto the back of the Black Flood Dragon. ¡°Roar!¡± Following a roar, the ninety thousand Pingyang Guards also set out, marching majestically toward the Northern Wilderness. Counteracting the tide, as the wolf-like Houjin army approached, a quiet army began its march into the heartland of the Houjin. ¡­.. Chapter 323 - Chapter 323 Chapter 323 Two Nations Attack World in Chaos Chapter 323: Chapter 323: Two Nations Attack, World in Chaos Chapter 323: Chapter 323: Two Nations Attack, World in Chaos Yuan City, Eastern Camp, inside the Central Army¡¯s tent. Wang Shiyi crouched in front of the sand table as usual, his brows tightly furrowed. Every time a great battle loomed, he liked to gaze at the sand table, often sitting there for the entire day. Dressed in a black robe, Li Qirong entered the tent slowly, fan in hand, and said, ¡°Great Commander, I feel that both the Ghost Swordsman and the Demon Sect possess remarkable strength. Why don¡¯t we join forces with them to resist Houjin¡¯s advances?¡± ¡°Collaboration is not something I would reject, but to follow his orders is utterly out of the question,¡± replied Wang Shiyi, shaking his head seriously. ¡°He is merely a hooligan from Jianghu. How could he understand how to command troops? I¡¯m responsible for hundreds of thousands of soldiers and the tens of millions of Great Yan citizens behind me.¡± Li Qirong sighed internally, remaining silent. Although he, too, was quite discontent with a ¡®greenhorn¡¯ commanding the Northern Wilderness campaigns, the Ghost Swordsman was a top martial artist in the world, and behind him stood the Demon Sect, a supreme sect. With their help, they could fend off the assaults from the experts of Great Snow Mountain, giving him an added measure of confidence. Top Jianghu experts held significant deterrence in battles between armies, especially towards vitally important figures like the commander and generals, posing great danger. The Demon Sect had initially managed to hold off Houjin¡¯s forces at Sanfeng Pass due to the Sect Hierarch, Zhao Qingmei, personally taking action to slay Houjin¡¯s commander. Later, when Houjin¡¯s forces battled the Demon Sect, they took extra precautions and even deployed top experts to protect their generals, which led to their capture of the Demon Sect Main Hall at Dongluo Pass. ¡°Heavenly Gate Pass won¡¯t last much longer,¡± said Wang Shiyi, pointing at the sand table. ¡°Once Houjin¡¯s army moves south, their next target will be Yuan City. Yuan City is the core of the Northern Wilderness Road. If Yuan City falls, then the Northern Wilderness Road falls.¡± Li Qirong followed Wang Shiyi¡¯s pointing finger, then said, ¡°Following our original plan, we have set ambushes along the way at places like Tinghu Road and Bai Xiang Valley. It will not only slow down Houjin¡¯s advance but also effectively wipe out their cavalry.¡± ¡°Besides that, we must clear the fields and send a large number of light cavalry to raid their supply trains from behind.¡± Facing such a formidable Houjin army, Li Qirong was momentarily at a loss for a better strategy, left with nothing but to wait for Houjin to make mistakes, build defensive fortifications, and systematically withstand their assaults. This was going to be a prolonged war, with victory only possible for those who managed to endure until the end. ¡°Report!¡± Wang Shiyi nodded and was about to speak when a messenger soldier charged in frantically, ¡°Houjin¡¯s vanguard, the Green Wind Banner, has arrived at Heavenly Gate Pass. After resting for a night, they directly launched an attack on the pass. General Guan Chaoyang was slain by Mu Yi Dharma King from Great Snow Mountain while supervising the battle on the city walls. Then, Heavenly Gate Pass was breached.¡± Heavenly Gate Pass was breached!? Li Qirong and Wang Shiyi exchanged glances. Although they had anticipated that the pass could not hold for long, they hadn¡¯t expected it to fall so quickly. Heavenly Gate Pass was the gateway to the Northern Wilderness Road. Once opened, the entire Northern Wilderness Road lay exposed to the jaws of Houjin¡¯s massive army. Wang Shiyi remarked, ¡°Guan Chaoyang was careless.¡± ¡°Watch out!¡± ¡°Thmp!¡± Wang Shiyi¡¯s brows were knitted in concentration when suddenly, a sharp arrow shot from afar pierced through the messenger soldier right inside the tent. The arrow¡¯s force was immense, and after going through the body, it continued flying towards its target ¡ª Wang Shiyi¡¯s heart. ¡°Shii!¡± Wang Shiyi hastily drew his long blade from his waist to shield himself; the arrow pierced the blade and continued forward, forcing Wang Shiyi to retreat repeatedly until it finally came to a halt against the Heart Protector. ¡°Enemy attack!¡± Chaos and shouting erupted outside the central army tent. Li Qirong hurriedly stepped forward, asking, ¡°Great Commander Wang, are you alright?¡± ¡°Quick, protect the Great Commander!¡± ¡°Protect the Great Commander!¡± The close guards also rushed forward frantically, shielding the two of them behind themselves with extremely panicked expressions. Wang Shiyi¡¯s forehead was covered in cold sweat as he looked at the arrow in front of his chest, gasping heavily, ¡°I¡¯m fine, thankfully the Heart Protector stopped this arrow. It must be an expert, very likely the Dharma King from the Great Snow Mountain.¡± Li Qirong¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and an undercurrent of chill couldn¡¯t help but rise in his heart. After the previous assassination attempt on Li Qirong by Houjin failed, they had now directly sent a Grandmaster-level expert to attack Wang Shiyi. Outside the grand camp, chaos reigned, with sounds of combat and shouting echoing continuously. It took about half an incense stick¡¯s worth of time before calm was restored outside. A Deputy General rushed in and reported, ¡°Reporting to the Great Commander, a total of seven intruders came, of which five have been slain. However, two escaped due to their highly skilled martial arts before we could encircle them. Should we pursue?¡± Wang Shiyi waved his hand, speaking with a grave face, ¡°The two that escaped must be experts from Jianghu. Have the high-level experts from the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall go after them. The urgent task at hand is to hold off the fierce incoming Houjin army.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The Deputy General responded, bowing with a clenched fist. Wang Shiyi turned to Li Qirong and said, ¡°It seems we need to be cautious.¡± Li Qirong spoke in a low voice, ¡°We can use their plan against them, ¡®lure the tiger out of the mountains¡¯, set up ten central army tents, lay an ambush, and if they dare to come again, even a Grandmaster-level expert will die here.¡± Upon hearing this, Wang Shiyi nodded slightly, ¡°Good, let¡¯s ¡®lure the tiger out of the mountains¡¯.¡± ¡­¡­. In Yan Country, on Jiangnan Dao, at the abundant ferry crossing. The river was dyed red with blood, and countless corpses were drifting away with the current, far into the distance. The ground was covered with signals of war, dismembered limbs, and tattered robes, accompanied by continuous wailing from Yan Country¡¯s soldiers. Clearly, a great battle had taken place here, and the defeated side was none other than Yan Country. Zhang Qishan, the commander for defending the abundant ferry crossing, was pinned firmly to the ground by two Zhao Country soldiers, a long knife resting on his neck. His body was also covered with wounds, like a wild beast struggling relentlessly. Zhao Country¡¯s warships had taken the ferry crossing and the large army had successfully landed, with its blades pointed directly at Lijiang City, the metropolitan city of Jiangnan Dao. At that moment, a man in armor stepped down from a large warship, carrying a long spear. The man was about forty years old, with a firm complexion and a cold demeanor, tinged with a sense of grim determination. This man was the eldest disciple of Qi Xuan Dao, Sui Xin, the Great Marshal commanding all of Zhao Country¡¯s armed forces. He was a well-known figure in both Yan Country and Zhao Country, a man under whom each of the three great Military Marquises of Yan Country had suffered significant defeats, most often emerging with more losses than victories. This man was ruthless, decisive in killing, extremely brutal, cool-headed and sagacious, and his cultivation was also at the Half-step Grandmaster realm, virtually without any weaknesses. Zhang Qishan lifted his head, his eyes tinged with crimson as he glared defiantly at the man before him. Sui Xin mockingly looked at Zhang Qishan and said, ¡°Will you surrender?¡± ¡°Pah!¡± Zhang Qishan¡¯s throat moved convulsively as he spat at Sui Xin, but the saliva was blocked by Sui Xin¡¯s robe. With a sneer, Sui Xin said, ¡°Bring them up.¡± Following his order, several soldiers quickly approached, and soon, a woman and a child were brought forth. Upon seeing Zhang Qishan, both were visibly shaken with excitement. ¡°Qishan!¡± ¡°Daddy!¡± Seeing this, Zhang Qishan¡¯s eyes blazed with fury, ¡°What do you want to do!?¡± Sui Xin said coldly, ¡°First, chop off their ears for me.¡± ¡°No!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Upon hearing the command, the soldiers swiftly cut off four ears, which fell to the ground accompanied by a spray of blood. ¡°Ah!¡± The woman and child cried out in unendurable pain, the sounds piercing Zhang Qishan¡¯s heart like steel needles. Zhang Qishan¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot, and he struggled furiously, ¡°You are so cruel! If you have the guts, come at me!¡± Sui Xin continued to inquire, ¡°Will you surrender?¡± Zhang Qishan roared, ¡°I won¡¯t surrender!¡± Sui Xin said indifferently, ¡°Gouge out their eyeballs for me.¡± Zhang Qishan going utterly mad, shouted, ¡°You beast! Don¡¯t you have a family of your own?¡± ¡°Ah¨C!¡± With two flashes of cold light, four eyeballs were gouged out, two rolling to a stop in front of Zhang Qishan. Zhang Qishan¡¯s lips trembled, and for a moment he stared in disbelief at the eyeballs in front of him; the next moment a scream brought him back to the grim reality. However, the cries abruptly stopped, for their tongues had also been cut out. ¡°Sui Xin¨C!¡± Zhang Qishan bellowed, howling, but no amount of struggling was of any use. And his wife and child now lay in a pool of blood. Shaking his head, Sui Xin ordered, ¡°Kill him.¡± The icy blade pierced through Zhang Qishan¡¯s heart, and then a gush of blood surged from his chest, signaling the end of all life within him. In a somber tone, Sui Xin remarked, ¡°People of Yan Country, they do have some backbone. This war isn¡¯t as easy to win as I had thought.¡± A nearby soldier inquired in a low voice, ¡°Great Commander, what shall we do with Zhang Qishan¡¯s body?¡± ¡°Bury them together.¡± Having given the order, Sui Xin walked away, his stride firm and steady, his silhouette like a mountain, conveying a sense of solidity. ¡­¡­. Houjin and the armies of Zhao Country advanced from north and south, igniting the fierce battle against Yan. Houjin¡¯s six-hundred-thousand-strong army swept southward from Heaven Gate Pass, dividing into three forces that shattered all resistance in their path, only slowing at Licheng. The nautical and land forces of Zhao Country launched simultaneously, totaling seven hundred thousand men, though they proclaimed a million, majestically crossing the border rivers and marching toward Jiangnan Dao. In less than three days, the Garrison Commander Zhang Qishan at Fengyu Crossing was killed. Two days later, Tianfang City also fell. With a momentum even more formidable than Houjin, the resolute spirit of Zhao Country was unmatched. In an instant, a million soldiers converged on Yan Country¡¯s southern and northern fronts, drawing the attention of all to this epoch-making battleground. Unbeknownst to them, everyone was swept into this conflict, a war that, regardless of the outcome, determined the fate of every individual involved. Yan Country was now mired in a profound crisis, besieged by two nations scarcely inferior to its own strength. The suffocating pressure was palpable. The frontier dispatches reached Yujing City, sending shockwaves through the court and marketplace alike¨Cno one had anticipated such a ferocious and swift assault by Zhao Country and Houjin. Could Yan Country really withstand the full onslaught of these two nations? Even the officials in the royal court harbored doubts, but fortunately, the return of the Great Yan Emperor to govern restored a great deal of confidence, preventing panic from spreading further. In this existential moment for Yan Country, righteous men and heroes within the Great Yan Martial World flooded to the frontiers, rallying under the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall to resist the barbarians of Houjin and the formidable armies of Zhao Country. All at once, heroes from every direction ascended, creating a storm of change. Chaos ensued! The world was thrown into complete turmoil! At the Blue River Sect, Chenxin Lake. Ever since the previous Sect Master Bai Qun was killed by Lou Xiangzhen with two sword strikes, the Blue River Sect had sealed its gates, and even now, as Houjin and Zhao Country launched their assaults, it remained in seclusion. The lake was serene, reflecting the glistening light like a great mirror. At this moment, around Chenxin Lake, dozens of mysterious figures dressed in black, wearing cloaks and veils that obscured their faces, gathered. Wang Yue, as usual, sat on the ancient bridge, gazing at the shimmering lake below and said softly, ¡°The great fates of this world are like the cultivation of martial arts; without destruction, there can be no construction. Only through breaking and shattering can it stand anew.¡± With that, he cast his fishing line into the water. Ripples spread across the glittering lake. Before long, two figures approached from the distance. It was Zhao Liangdong, accompanied by Bai Lin¡¯er. At this point, Bai Lin¡¯er wore a puzzled look; she didn¡¯t understand why her elder wanted to see her¨Cafter all, he had scarcely summoned her over the past year. ¡°Sect Master.¡± Zhao Liangdong saluted, ¡°I have brought the person you asked for.¡± Wang Yue chuckled lightly, then waved her over, ¡°Come, Lin¡¯er, come to me.¡± Bai Lin¡¯er, her temperament vastly changed, still felt a bit suspicious of her elder¡¯s intentions but obediently approached, ¡°Elder.¡± Wang Yue patted Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s head and smiled, ¡°Little Lin¡¯er has grown up.¡± Bai Lin¡¯er blinked her large eyes and said nothing. Wang Yue pointed to the shimmering lake water and said, ¡°Lin¡¯er, do you know what¡¯s in Chenxin Lake?¡± Bai Lin¡¯er looked towards the lake and then shook her head, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Wang Yue stroked his beard and smiled, ¡°Inside it contains a world.¡± A look of confusion flashed in Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s eyes, ¡°A world?¡± Certainly, she was still unable to comprehend such a statement. Wang Yue nodded his head, his eyes suddenly growing deep as he said, ¡°The world of my Wang Family, the world of the Great Qin Dynasty.¡± Bai Lin¡¯er reminded him, ¡°The Great Qin Dynasty? It¡¯s the Great Yan Dynasty now, granduncle.¡± Wang Yue looked at Bai Lin¡¯er and said, ¡°I have waited for over fifty years, and finally, the day has come. Are you willing to help your granduncle restore the world of the Great Qin Dynasty?¡± ¡°Granduncle, I¡­¡± Bai Lin¡¯er, under such a gaze from Wang Yue, felt exceedingly uncomfortable and subconsciously retreated, but her arms felt as though they were firmly clamped by iron pincers, utterly unable to move. ¡°Release Lin¡¯er.¡± Just at that moment, a clear reprimand sounded. Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s figure leapt forward, her hand reaching out towards Bai Lin¡¯er. With a wave of Wang Yue¡¯s sleeve, his inner strength struck out fiercely like it was forged from iron. Bang! Wang Xiaoxi felt a sharp pain in all her organs and stumbled backward on the ground, retreating repeatedly. ¡°Mother!¡± Bai Lin¡¯er could not help but cry out upon seeing this. Wang Xiaoxi steadied herself, ¡°Quickly let go of Lin¡¯er.¡± Wang Yue fondly touched Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s head and said, ¡°She has the richest essence blood of our Wang Family¡¯s lineage, bearing the hopes of our ancestors.¡± Wang Xiaoxi rebuked angrily, ¡°You madman!¡± Wang Yue ignored Wang Xiaoxi and simply said, ¡°Watch over her.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Zhao Liangdong nodded upon hearing the order, then turned to Wang Xiaoxi with a cupped fist and said, ¡°My apologies.¡± After speaking, Zhao Liangdong¡¯s figure flashed, moving beside Wang Xiaoxi and grabbing her wrist. ¡°Zhao Liangdong, do you realize what he¡¯s doing? Do you want to become a madman along with him?¡± Wang Xiaoxi glared at Zhao Liangdong in front of her. Wang Yue, carrying Bai Lin¡¯er, came before Chenxin Lake, then extended his hand, and a sharp dagger appeared. The surrounding men in black all had solemn expressions, bowing their heads. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Zhao Liangdong took a deep breath and whispered softly, ¡°Miss Wang, I am well aware of what I¡¯m doing.¡± ¡°Mother!¡± Bai Lin¡¯er, with a trace of fear in her eyes, cried out desperately. With an expressionless face, Wang Yue made a single motion, and suddenly, a trail of blood appeared on Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s wrist, red blood continuously flowed into Chenxin Lake, and then that red blood gradually turned to gold. A glint of light appeared in Wang Yue¡¯s eyes as he whispered, ¡°Truly, she has the richest bloodline in our Wang Family, and the closest to our ancestors.¡± The golden blood gradually merged into the lake, and afterwards, a stream of white mist emerged on the surface of the lake, enveloping the entire Chenxin Lake. Wang Xiaoxi shouted, ¡°Wang Yue, you lunatic, stop it! Isn¡¯t killing my father and mother enough for you?¡± Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s parents, who were also Wang Yue¡¯s son and daughter-in-law, were commonly thought to have been killed by Bai Qun, but in reality, they were not, having been personally killed by Wang Yue. His reason was very simple: for the essence blood of his own progeny. ¡°Mother¡­.¡± As the essence blood on Bai Lin¡¯er¡¯s body grew less and less, she also became weaker and eventually passed out entirely. Wang Yue, oblivious to Wang Xiaoxi¡¯s angry shouts, simply watched Chenxin Lake, feeling as if his heart was boiling. Zhao Liangdong, witnessing the miraculous scene, was also filled with indescribable shock. ¡°Boom!¡± At the next moment, the whole Chenxin Lake began to shake violently as though something terrifying was about to emerge. Seeing this, Wang Yue couldn¡¯t help but kneel, his tears flowing freely as he watched the trembling Chenxin Lake. The men in black around him knelt down as well, their expressions extremely devout. Zhao Liangdong also subconsciously bent his knee and lowered his head. ¡°Lin¡¯er.¡± Wang Xiaoxi, as if mad, ran towards the pale-faced Bai Lin¡¯er. ¡­. Beihuang Dao, Tiny Yin Path. Apart from Heavenly Gate Pass, there is another small path that can cross Beihuang Dao to reach the domain of Houjin. However, this path was remote and not many knew of it; it was also extremely dangerous. Not even caravans, let alone large armies, were willing to take this small path. At this moment, on the cold and damp path, an army marched on the edges of precipitous cliffs, advancing towards the Northern Wilderness of Houjin. Every now and then, a soldier would miss his step and plunge into the unfathomable chasm below, where a huge Black Flood Dragon passed by, catching the fallen soldier on its back. Even so, other soldiers who saw this felt a chill down their spines. ¡°All of you, focus! Don¡¯t get distracted, for distraction means death,¡± Qiu Lun warned, shouting from the rear. An Jing was taking a risk by leading ninety thousand Pingyang Guards through this path on a treacherous journey. ¡°` In the eyes of ordinary people, this was seen as a life-threatening endeavor, and the time it took was extremely long. Even if they made it through the narrow Taiyin Path, the Northern Wilderness was defended by tens of thousands of Houjin troops, so conquering the vast area would be very difficult. An Jing and Li Fuzhou walked at the front of the army, ¡°How many more days will it take to get through this path?¡± Li Fuzhou replied, ¡°About two more days. After all, moving through a narrow path greatly slows down the march.¡± An Jing nodded and said nothing. Although the Black Flood Dragon was with them these past few days, there were still many soldiers who died, totaling nearly a thousand. Additionally, some were unwell. If 80,000 of the originally 90,000 Pingyang Guards made it through the Taiyin Path, that would be considered good. ¡°Once we get through the Taiyin Path, we will reach Dongluo Pass to the west and the Northern Wilderness to the north.¡± Li Fuzhou, holding a map, said, ¡°According to the intelligence reports, Taiyin Kui is supposed to be in the Northern Wilderness, but it seems that he might have already stealthily headed for the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum.¡± An Jing turned to Jiang Renyi and asked, ¡°Do you know the exact location of the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum?¡± Jiang Renyi replied gravely, ¡°I¡¯m not sure of the exact location, but it¡¯s in the desert bordering Houjin right behind Dongluo Pass.¡± An Jing said, ¡°It seems we need to move through the Taiyin Path as quickly as possible.¡± The group continued along, surrounded by the narrow path, with poisonous insects occasionally emerging. Even with An Jing clearing out a significant number of poisonous insects in the front, many were still hidden in inconspicuous corners, leading to the death of many soldiers. ¡°Separating Heaven and Earth, what kind of realm is that exactly?¡± While walking forward, An Jing held the insights left by Jun Qinglin, trying to comprehend the state of Separating Heaven and Earth. The insights from Jun Qinglin suggested that once someone accessed Heavenly Human Communication, they would almost certainly be unable to enter the state of Separating Heaven and Earth, and vice versa. These two paths were in complete opposition. Once one embarked on one, the chance of stepping onto the other was practically impossible. At this moment, An Jing was indeed feeling the difficulty. Having realized Heavenly Human Communication, he found it seemingly impossible to find any thread that would lead him into the realm of Separating Heaven and Earth. An Jing muttered to himself, ¡°To Separate Heaven and Earth is to completely extricate oneself from this world, to no longer be bound by it¡­¡± Time passed, and before he knew it, two days had gone by. In a desolate and barren land beyond the border, sandstorms raged, and all that could be seen was a blanket of yellow, with no other features in sight. This was the exact border between the Houjin Northern Wilderness and Dongluo Pass, where one could even spot the battle at Sanfeng Pass between the Demon Sect¡¯s Black Armored Army and the Houjin troops not too far away. ¡°We¡¯ve finally walked out of the Taiyin Path,¡± An Jing surveyed his surroundings before exhaling deeply. Li Fuzhou, Ouyang Ping, and Jiang Renyi emerged behind him, their eyes filled with joy. After many days, they had finally made it from the Beihuang Path to the edge of the Houjin Territory. ¡°We¡¯re out! We¡¯re alive and we¡¯ve made it out!¡± ¡°That¡¯s great, we¡¯ve finally come out!¡± ¡­¡­. Then the Pingyang Guards also braved the sandstorm and emerged, each one beside themselves with joy, and some soldiers were so overwhelmed with relief that they burst into tears. During the short span of a few days, they had all been living in constant fear, almost skirting the edge of death. Seeing their own comrades die right before their eyes had been incredibly crushing, almost suffocating, and leaving them gasping for breath. ¡°` Qiu Lun also walked over with a smile, ¡°Big brother, we have finally arrived in the heartland of Houjin.¡± ¡°The army will rest for a day, investigate the situation in North Field, and then prepare to take down North Field, to give Houjin a surprise.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°Elder Ouyang, Jiang Renyi, the two of you will accompany me into the desert to search for the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum and, incidentally, find Taiyin Kui.¡± At the end of his statement, a hint of killing intent surfaced in An Jing¡¯s eyes. For the grudge against Jun Qinglin at Dongluo Pass, let¡¯s start by killing a Taiyin Kui in retaliation. ¡°Alright.¡± Ouyang Ping answered, while Jiang Renyi also nodded his head. Qiu Lun patted his chest and said, ¡°Big brother, go ahead without worries, I won¡¯t act rashly.¡± He was very clear that this army had stealthily rushed out from the Yin path and now had maneuvered to the rear of Houjin¡¯s 600,000-strong force; whether they attacked the 600,000 troops or cut off their supplies, or headed directly for North Field, each action carried significant strategic weight. An Jing nodded slightly, then mounted the Black Flood Dragon, with Ouyang Ping and Jiang Renyi also sitting atop the Black Flood Dragon, racing towards the desert behind Dongluo Pass. ¡°Roar!¡± The Black Flood Dragon, very familiar with that stretch of desert, charged at full speed into the sands upon hearing An Jing¡¯s command. The sky was blue, the ground yellow; apart from these two colors, no other hues were to be seen in this place. It wasn¡¯t long before the Black Flood Dragon carried everyone to the Sealing Demon Platform, which now looked like a desert mirage, had been plundered empty by the Houjin army and turned into ruins. The Sealing Demon Well had also collapsed, and the corpses of many forebears of the Demon Sect were buried beneath. Standing on the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s back, Ouyang Ping looked at this scene and couldn¡¯t help recalling the old man who liked to stand atop the roofs of great halls. A wave of grief arose in his heart as he sighed softly, ¡°Great Elder, we have returned.¡± They had returned, but all was changed now. An Jing subconsciously touched his sword box. There was no expression on his face, but the killing intent in his heart was bursting forth like a mountain flood. The Great Elder had his life cut short by Zongzheng Huachun, a fact An Jing would never forget for the rest of his life. This time, leading the Pingyang Guard to strike directly at the Royal Court was not only to retrieve Jun Qinglin¡¯s corpse for a homecoming burial but also to cut off Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s head as an offering to his spirit in heaven. The enmity of country and family, each and every one, was taken into account. Jiang Renyi looked at the Sealing Demon Platform. He did not feel much about the death of Jun Qinglin, but the sight of the palaces and observatories along the way to Dongluo Pass had filled him with an inexplicable shock. Each of those observatories represented countless lives lost; but how many had perished? No one knew, yet Dongluo Pass used to be a bustling city but was now eerily silent. The barbarians of Houjin slaughtered cities; they killed men outright and reduced women to prisoners and playthings, a typical display of their savagery. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Roar!¡± Just then, the Black Flood Dragon roared fiercely, the sound deafening and full of vigor, with a mix of excitement and fear. Ouyang Ping and Jiang Renyi were startled and hurriedly looked toward the distance. Meanwhile, An Jing¡¯s Earth Book emitted beams of light, among which there was even the brilliance of purple light. ¡­¡­ Chapter 324 - Chapter 324 Chapter 324 Chapter 324: Chapter 324 Chapter 324: Chapter 324 The desert stretched boundlessly, vast and hazy. The flat expanse of yellow sand spread all the way to the horizon, where it met the sky in an undulating line of saw-toothed dunes. Within it, a person seemed so insignificant. The merciless sun blazed like flames, unobstructedly scorching the earth. The vast desert was baked like a steamer, its heat oppressive. At this time, a team of riders emerged from the sandstorm, led by an elder with sinister eyes that gave off a cold and eerie air, and beside him was a kindly-looking old man dressed in a purple robe, his demeanor gentle. These two were none other than Taiyin Kui, one of Houjin¡¯s top experts, and Jiang Shang, the former Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. Following them were two Dharma Kings from the Great Snow Mountain, whose cultivation was at the realm of the Second Qi Grandmaster. Taiyin Kui swept a gaze around and said, ¡°This is the place.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Jiang Shang looked around only to see more of the same yellow sand everywhere. There was nothing special to be found, not even a trace of a spirit, let alone the Qin Dynasty Imperial Mausoleum. Where exactly was the Qin Dynasty Imperial Mausoleum? Suddenly, Jiang Shang felt the Purple Sun Token at his waist tremble. It wasn¡¯t just Jiang Shang¡¯s Purple Sun Token that was shaking; the one in Taiyin Kui¡¯s hand was also trembling. Just then, the wind began to surge, and extraordinary phenomena arose. In the sky, layers of black clouds rushed up like a tidal wave, then retreated in all directions, leaving behind a patch of azure sky and a slowly rising purple sun. As the clouds parted and the sun shone through, the yellow sand gleamed brilliantly under the purple sunlight. Then, a tremendous voice roared as a massive column of light descended from the ninth heaven, shaking violently. The beam of light happened to envelop all present within it. Jiang Shang¡¯s brows raised; his True Qi surged out like a tide, attempting to withstand the formidable light column. Yet the mighty light column was so overpowering it dissolved Jiang Shang¡¯s True Qi into wisp after wisp of white smoke. ¡°What a domineering Qi Mechanism,¡± Taiyin Kui said with a slight frown upon seeing this. Both men, as Five Qi Grandmasters, were only one step away from becoming Land Immortals. Once the Five Qi Returning to Origin occurred in the subtle realms, a Spiritual Lamp would form within their bodies, and from this lamp, a Spiritual Fire would emerge. They had an increased sensitivity to so-called destiny. At this moment, the descent of the light column gave them a tremendous sense of oppression, as if a mountain had fallen on them. It seemed as though a raging wind swept through, and from a distance, the yellow sand looked like a giant yellow dragon. The wind grew stronger, nearly lifting the sand skin of the desert. Taiyin Kui¡¯s gaze was calm as he watched the approaching sandstorm. ¡°You and I are both Five Qi Grandmasters, with our cultivation already at the pinnacle of this world. With the shackles of the current era growing heavier, it is as difficult as ascending to heaven to advance further,¡± he said lightly. Jiang Shang responded noncommittally, ¡°I¡¯ve always enjoyed rising to a challenge; leave the simple tasks to others. Moreover, this Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum possesses the Qi Mechanism that could enable me to advance further.¡± A Great Grandmaster could gain a lifespan of three hundred years, and no one would not desire it. To roam the world freely for three hundred years, power and beauty would be just things within grasp. With a flick of his finger, Taiyin Kui¡¯s Purple Sun Token transformed into a ray of light that shot downward. The Purple Sun Token, a special token cast by the craftsmen of the Qin Dynasty, was controlled by the Qin Royal Family to allow the people of the later Qin Royal Family to enter this burial place. The Great Qin Dynasty, the first and foremost dynasty from ancient times. The Great Qin Grand Ancestor Emperor had a formidable presence that unified the Four Seas, subdued the Southern Barbarians, invaded the Northern Grasslands, held off the Kushan Empire, and established the most supreme dynasty. With three Grandmasters in one dynasty, it accomplished what no one in the past or future could. And then the fourth generation of the Great Qin, also a Martial Arts Emperor, slaughtered a True Dragon, obtaining the True Dragon Essence Blood, thus prolonging the fortune of the Great Qin Dynasty for several hundred years. Until the last generation of the Great Qin, the Emperor¡¯s fortune was exhausted. The experts of the Great Qin Royal Family died unexpectedly, throwing the world into chaos, and the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s Human Emperor rose to power. Sshh¡­ Sshh¡­ Sshh¡­ The sandstorm became larger and wilder; soon an entrance to a mausoleum appeared before the two men. The Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum! After the third generation of the Great Qin Dynasty, everyone was buried here. The purple True Dragon Qi surged out mightily, almost tearing through the sky. This was because several emperors of the Great Qin Dynasty were buried here. ¡­ In Zhao Country, Cloud Tower. The elder known as the Ten Directions, who was meditating on a cushion, seemed to sense something and lifted his head to look at the sky, ¡°Such rich True Dragon Qi, it seems that Third Brother has already found the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum.¡± By his side, Qi Xuan Dao asked with a solemn voice, ¡°Is there really True Dragon Essence Blood in the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum?¡± True Dragon Essence Blood is truly a heavenly material and earthly treasure, and in the current age, there is only one True Dragon, which created two Great Grandmasters and also the several hundred years of prosperity for the Great Qin Dynasty. ¡°There is, but it¡¯s extremely diluted.¡± The Ten Directions elder slowly said, ¡°Inside the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum are the remains of the Great Qin Emperors. These remains have the essence blood of the once emperors, and within this essence blood lies a faint trace of True Dragon Essence Blood.¡± Qi Xuan Dao said, ¡°I see, so along with the True Dragon Essence Blood, this Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum must also have other treasures, and perhaps even the secrets of the Great Qin Dynasty.¡± The Ten Directions elder nodded and said, ¡°But that mausoleum is not a brothel or a pleasure house that you can simply enter or leave at will. Anyone who dares to step inside more often than not will not escape a bloody disaster.¡± Qi Xuan Dao heard this and remained silent. The Ten Directions elder looked towards the distant horizon, as if trying to see through the azure sky to glimpse the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, ¡°That mausoleum may be without the Great Ancestor of Qin, but at the time of their deaths, the Dragon Guards of the Great Qin Dynasty brought the last Great Qin Emperor into the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum.¡± ¡°And the last Great Qin Emperor, he had a different kind of secret.¡± Qi Xuan Dao heard this and a hint of confusion appeared in his eyes, he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What secret?¡± The Ten Directions elder said, ¡°He is the first Great Grandmaster in the world to have his mind invaded by evil spirits, and so far, the only one.¡± Qi Xuan Dao said with surprise, ¡°Does the teacher mean, he might still be alive?¡± The Ten Directions elder shook his head, ¡°Worse than being alive.¡± ¡­¡­ Yujing City, outside the Imperial Study Room¡¯s balustrade. Great Yan Emperor Zhao Zhiwu looked up at the sky, while behind him in the Imperial Study Room, the purple Qi was boiling, as if it transformed into a dragon shape, roaring at the True Dragon Qi that emerged in the Northern direction. Every era has its master, and every era has its emperor. A single mountain cannot harbor two tigers, and the world does not have two saints; this is an unchanging truth throughout the ages. At this moment, the old eunuch who had been stationed in the Imperial Palace for decades was filled with immense shock, ¡°Such powerful True Dragon Qi, to think it would appear in the North, could it be that Zongzheng Huachun really has the life chart of a True Dragon Emperor?¡± By his side, Lv Guoyong shook his head and said, ¡°This True Dragon Qi comes from the Great Qin.¡± ¡°Great Qin!?¡± Bai Mei the eunuch raised his eyebrows, a dynasty that had long perished still had such rich True Dragon Qi? Lv Guoyong said, ¡°The Great Qin Dynasty has an Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, in which nearly all the emperors of the Great Qin Dynasty are buried. Such a massive gathering of True Dragon Qi, spilling out, is what causes such an astonishing phenomenon.¡± Zhao Zhiwu took a deep breath and said, ¡°It seems Zongzheng Huachun has found the Great Qin royal tomb.¡± Zongzheng Huachun had already obtained a fragment of the Earth Veins¡¯ consciousness, and now, if he were to obtain the treasure of this Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, then Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s advancement to Great Grandmaster would be as certain as a nail hammered into a board. ¡°Lv Gong!¡± Zhao Zhiwu turned to Lv Guoyong and said, ¡°What do you think, if I make a move now, would Zongzheng Huachun have any chance of survival?¡± Bai Mei the eunuch heard this and couldn¡¯t help but his hair stand on end. Lv Guoyong bowed and said, ¡°If Your Majesty were to personally take action, Zongzheng Huachun would certainly have no chance of survival, but it¡¯s not certain that Your Majesty would be able to leave the Houjin Royal Court, and moreover, the current situation at court still requires Your Majesty to remain in control. Please think three times before acting.¡± Zhao Zhiwu laughed and said, ¡°Of course, I have no intention of personally going to Houjin to take such risks.¡± Bai Mei the eunuch breathed a sigh of relief. Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Lv Gong, do you know what I am most worried about now?¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°I do not know.¡± ¡°You know, you simply won¡¯t say it.¡± Zhao Zhiwu rested his palm on the balustrade and said pensively, ¡°What empire can prosper for thousands of generations? To be able to keep the dynasty intact in my hands during these turbulent times is already a rare feat.¡± Lv Guoyong nodded and said, ¡°Your Majesty speaks very truly, and all that we are doing now will be left for future generations to judge.¡± Zhao Zhiwu said indifferently, ¡°Regardless, this Zhao dynasty cannot be lost in my hands.¡± ¡­¡­. A round sunset clung to the edge of the desert, darkening the earth with a deep red hue, as if the desert waves holding up the sun had solidified, becoming like a sea that had fallen asleep, sparkling with countless points of light. Following the disturbance, one could see that a sandstorm was striking the desert, with sand flying and the sky and earth darkening. There were whirlwinds on the desert, swirling and lifting the yellow sand high into the air like plumes of smoke rising from the ground, twisting and running across the desert. Waves of sand howled onward like an invisible giant hand had peeled off layer after layer of the desert. Under the baking of the scorching sun, waves of heat were rising from the desert, making even breathing feel difficult. Ouyang Ping¡¯s face was solemn as he said, ¡°Such a powerful Qi Mechanism.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Let¡¯s go have a look.¡± With the roar of the Black Flood Dragon, it turned into a black arc of light and flew towards the direction where the wind and sand were sweeping. Soon, the Black Flood Dragon arrived at the convergence of the wind and sand. Within the swirling storm, two figures stood. An Jing focused his gaze and immediately, a cold light flashed between his brows. Judging by their attire, they were senior practitioners from the Great Snow Mountain Dharma King. ¡°Black Flood Dragon!? Could it be the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Upon hearing the roar of the Black Flood Dragon, both the Dharma Kings from the Great Snow Mountain showed a change in their expressions. Who in the world didn¡¯t know that the Black Flood Dragon was the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s mount? ¡°An Tributor, we must not allow these two to escape today.¡± Ouyang Ping¡¯s eyes turned icy, and with a swift leap of his body, he charged towards the two Dharma Kings of the Great Snow Mountain. Ouyang Ping directly unleashed a palm strike. The Handprint illuminated the surroundings, stirring up the wind and sand. Boom! The bald Dharma King on the left reached towards his waist and then a longsword materialized in his hand, slashing towards the oncoming Handprint. The Sword Radiance and Handprint clashed midair, the extreme brightness scattering around like thousands of arrows shooting in all directions. Ouyang Ping flipped his palm, and his True Qi surged forward like the tides, before congregating in front of him, forming a red Seal Technique. ¡°The barbarians from Houjin should all die.¡± Ouyang Ping¡¯s True Qi gathered into the Seal Technique, and as it was nourished by the True Qi of Yan Xu, it became even more formidable. Roar! Suddenly, a bestial roar came from within the Seal Technique, sounding deafeningly loud, as if terrifying waves of sound were spreading out. Ouyang Ping¡¯s gaze was as cold as a blade, and he slapped his hand down. The bald Dharma King¡¯s face was grave, both hands gripping the hilt tightly, as True Qi surged into the blade like a tumultuous sea, with terrifying phantasms gradually emerging from the sword. With a swing of the longsword forward, a blade of light roughly dozens of feet long appeared before their eyes, charging towards the giant beast. Boom boom boom! The dozens of feet of Sword Radiance collided with the red giant beast, and then explosion after explosion was heard, with a burst of light shining dozens of feet outward from the center, like an exploding sun. ¡°Aah!¡± The bald Dharma King felt as though his chest had been struck by a heavy blow, a mouthful of blood spraying forth as his feet skimmed the ground, quickly drifting backward as he yelled, ¡°Mo Yu, come quickly and lend me a hand!¡± Seeing this, the Dharma King named Mo Yu leaped forward with a surge of vast True Qi gathering around him. ¡°Second Elder, you step back first,¡± An Jing said indifferently. Hearing this, Elder Ouyang retreated several steps backward. ¡°Join forces to repel the Ghost Swordsman first.¡± Mo Yu, the Dharma King, towered high in the air, spreading his hands apart, with golden light continuously circling between his fingers, emanating a Vajra¡¯s domineering and indestructible might. Heavenly Splitting Finger! The index finger of Mo Yu Dharma King¡¯s right hand pointed forward first, but then his middle finger, ring finger, and little finger each released a beam of radiant light, with his left hand also pointing out four radiant beams. The eight beams converged in the same direction, forming a terrifying streak of light that charged towards An Jing. An Jing¡¯s True Qi gathered in the Evil Suppressing Sword, vibrating and releasing an ancient aura, and a world-shattering intent to kill emerged from the Evil Suppressing Sword. Whoom! The aura was like a catastrophic flood, magnificent and overwhelming. Originally, An Jing¡¯s Cultivation was not high, and he could not unleash much of the Evil Suppressing Sword¡¯s power, but at this moment his Cultivation had reached the Four Qi Grandmaster level, and it was no longer ordinary. The sharpness of the Evil Suppressing Sword was gradually being revealed once again. An Jing faced the golden light and slashed directly through it. ¡°` Whoosh! A streak of Sword Qi slashed down, and the originally terrifying golden light instantly shattered and dissipated. Mo Yu Dharma King staggered backward, shock apparent in his eyes; his full-powered attack had actually been broken by the Ghost Swordsman with a single sword strike. Seeing Mo Yu Dharma King forced into retreat, and seizing the moment when An Jing was inconveniently adjusting his breath, the bald Dharma King¡¯s longsword suddenly thrust forward. Boom! What seemed like a simple thrust immediately filled the surroundings with countless rings of light, each wrapping around surging True Qi, as if guided, charging towards An Jing. An Jing watched the rings of light coming at him from all sides, his pupils subtly moving, but his feet remained firmly in place. In the eyes of the onlookers, he seemed to have gone insane, motionless. The next moment, An Jing¡¯s pupils reflected the light of the rings, but just as they were about to reach him, he suddenly extended his left fist. Bang! With the release of his fist, the terrifying Starlight turned into rolling tides, bursting forth in an instant, sweeping through the countless rings of light ahead. The terror of the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡±, cultivated to Great Perfection, was nearly fully manifested in this single punch. Bang bang bang bang bang! The tide of starlight rolled past, the air erupted with shrill noises, and all the light rings were extinguished. The bald Dharma King¡¯s figure suddenly burst into a cloud of blood that filled the sky. With just one punch, a Second Qi Grandmaster exploded into a mist of blood. ¡°Is this the strength of the Ghost Swordsman!?¡± Jiang Renyi¡¯s face wore an expression of astonishment, his heart quivering uncontrollably. Such a terrifying being, Mo Yu Dharma King¡¯s heart violently shook, his breath seemingly stopping. ¡°Think you can leave? Too late.¡± An Jing turned around to see Mo Yu Dharma King attempting to retreat, a cold smile hooking at the corner of his mouth, his Evil Suppressing Sword slashing down once again. ¡°Pfft!¡± Mo Yu Dharma King¡¯s heart sank with alarm, knowing the weapon in An Jing¡¯s hand was an unparalleled evil artifact, he hurriedly spat out a mouthful of Essence Blood. The Essence Blood seemed to merge with the True Qi, forming a golden Light Shield. On that Light Shield, both gold and blood colors flowed, exuding a sense of indestructibility. Clang! An Jing¡¯s sword struck upon the golden Light Shield, immediately issuing a clang as if gold and iron collided, even unleashing terrifying storms. Crack! Crack! The golden Light Shield seemed to crack, but never shattered. It held! Mo Yu Dharma King, having narrowly escaped death, was filled with immense joy; the next moment, his face paled as if drained of all blood, both hands tightly clutching his chest, eyes wide open with rage, staring fixedly at An Jing. Thump thump thump! Mo Yu Dharma King felt his heart frantically beating, as if it was about to jump out of his mouth, and the more he activated his True Qi to suppress it, the faster it beat. And in his entire body, the blood coursed rapidly due to the frantic beating of his heart. Thump! Mo Yu Dharma King could no longer endure the anomaly within his body, and he collapsed to his knees. At the same time, the beating of his heart became more and more intense, as though it was about to burst out in the next instant. ¡°Pfft¡ª¡ª!¡± The next second, a fountain of blood sprayed from Mo Yu Dharma King¡¯s mouth, reaching over two zhang high. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only In the end, Mo Yu Dharma King fell lifeless. ¡°Gulp!¡± ¡°Gulp!¡± In just two moves, both Dharma Kings of the Great Snow Mountain had died and their paths vanished, turning into wandering spirits. ¡­¡­. ¡°` Chapter 325 - Chapter 325 Chapter 325 The Path to the Yellow Springs Appears Chapter 325: Chapter 325: The Path to the Yellow Springs Appears in the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum Chapter 325: Chapter 325: The Path to the Yellow Springs Appears in the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum Ouyang Ping murmured, ¡°Is this the strength of the world¡¯s finest swordsman?¡± Unbeknownst to them, the young man before them had become a great sword immortal wielding an unparalleled sword. He was now capable of holding up the Demon Sect and ruling over a realm, a true master standing at the summit of the mountain. An Jing collected four streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from the two men and said, ¡°Second Elder, your cultivation has reached the peak of the Second Qi Grandmaster. If you can absorb these four streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, you should be able to reach the Three Qi Realm.¡± Ouyang Ping took the four strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence and said indifferently, ¡°Forget it, these Heaven and Earth Spirit Essences aren¡¯t of much use to me anymore. It¡¯s better to give them to Li Fuzhou and Yi Daoyun.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he sighed inwardly. Jun Qinglin was over a hundred and ten years old, and Ouyang Ping wasn¡¯t much younger than him. Although he wasn¡¯t like Jun Qinglin who had one foot in the Land Immortal Realm and could sense the mandate of Heaven, he also had some understanding of it. Clearly, the Second Elder also knew that his end was near. If one couldn¡¯t become a great grandmaster and step into the Land Immortal Realm, they would ultimately remain a mortal, with no more than a hundred years of life. But even if one reached the Land Immortal Realm, they would only have three hundred more years to live; in the end, death was inescapable. Jiang Renyi pointed to the entrance ahead of them and said, ¡°That should be the entrance to the Qin Dynasty Imperial Mausoleum.¡± An Jing also looked in that direction, his eyes narrowing slightly. The wind and sand swept past in front, revealing a deep and secluded path leading downward, from which a rolling Yin chill emanated, involuntarily sending a shiver down one¡¯s spine. Yin Evil Qi!? An Jing subconsciously felt the Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty in his chest. The last time he felt such intense Yin Evil Qi was when he obtained the National Seal at White Bone Mountain. Ouyang Ping solemnly said, ¡°These two are top experts of Great Snow Mountain. Their presence here indicates that Taiyin Kui has indeed come.¡± Taiyin Kui was considered a supreme expert among the older generation, the guardian deity of the great plain, once the Mansion Master of Soul Seeker Mansion. One could say he played a significant role in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s unification of the great plain. Moreover, this man had been living a secluded life, secretly cultivating in the Houjin Royal Court, with the immense resources of Houjin supporting him. His cultivation had reached the realm of a Five Qi Grandmaster, his power unfathomably deep, one step away from the Land Immortal Realm. He was definitely one of the top masters in the world. Not only that, according to Jiang Renyi, Jiang Shang had also reached the realm of a Five Qi Grandmaster and was together with Taiyin Kui. Two Five Qi Grandmasters were now within this Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. An Jing glanced at the Qin Dynasty Imperial Mausoleum and said, ¡°Second Elder, you and Jiang Renyi wait up here, I¡¯ll go down and see for myself.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Jiang Renyi nodded without hesitation. Ouyang Ping¡¯s lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but then he stopped himself. ¡°An Tributor, be careful. If there¡¯s danger, making a full retreat is what¡¯s most important.¡± An Jing nodded and headed toward the Qin Dynasty Imperial Mausoleum. Even before he entered the Imperial Mausoleum, a chill bore down on him as if it would freeze his blood and bones solid. If this had been before, An Jing would have needed to circulate his True Qi to resist. But after achieving perfection in the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique,¡± his body had undergone a complete transformation. It was no exaggeration to say that his body had reached the Land Immortal Realm. The Yin Evil Qi at the periphery of the Qin Dynasty Imperial Mausoleum couldn¡¯t affect An Jing in the slightest. Watching An Jing gradually disappear, Ouyang Ping then turned to Jiang Renyi and asked, ¡°Do you really hate your father so much?¡± ¡°Do you know what he has done, Second Elder?¡± A hint of sorrow flashed in Jiang Renyi¡¯s eyes as he said, ¡°He killed my wife. Did you know that she was with child? With his cultivation, it¡¯s impossible for him not to have noticed. Jiang Shang took the lives of my wife and unborn child.¡± ¡°How could I not hate him? I hate him so much I could drink his blood and eat his flesh.¡± Ouyang Ping looked at the distant sandstorm and sighed deeply. In fact, amidst the wind, neither gatherings nor partings are within one¡¯s control. Every person has truly set foot in this territory. ¡­. Entering the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, darkness surrounded him, like an ice cellar or an unknown abyss. An Jing could not sense any qi mechanism nor see anything, and the path ahead had transformed from stairs into a wide road. Darkness was all around him, and he could only keep moving forward without knowing how long he had walked, when a green light suddenly appeared in the distance. Boom! Then the green light burst into flames, igniting a blaze of green fire. Yin Fire! This was a flame that could form only when the concentration of Yin Energy reached an extreme level. Even on White Bone Mountain, where Yin Evil Qi was exceedingly dense, such terrifying Yin Fire had never appeared. Suddenly, the Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty that An Jing was carrying emitted a scorching light, illuminating the darkness around him. And in the distance, the darkness seemed to tremble, and a rumbling sound reached An Jing¡¯s ears. In front of him was an endless array of soldiers clad in black armor. Of course, there could not be any living people here. The armor was of an ancient style, and an icy chill of Yin Energy emanated from the soldiers. Yin Soldiers! These Yin Soldiers exuded a majestic and awe-inspiring presence. Upon closer inspection, there were far more than tens of thousands, extending endlessly, like the darkness itself, with no end in sight. Based solely on its scale, the mausoleum of the Great Qin Dynasty could be deemed the largest in the world. After all, the Qin Dynasty was truly a united dynasty with ancestral lands. As the saying goes, the ancestral dragon sweeps across the six directions, what other figure commands such respect? With seventy thousand convicts, construction began on the slopes of Lishan. Then, just as suddenly as they had appeared, the formidable forces of Yin Soldiers dissolved into nothingness as if they had never been there at all. It was said that the construction of this tomb involved conscripting more than seven hundred thousand civilians and a hundred thousand soldiers ¨C unmatched in ancient and modern times. The Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum was constructed to mirror the layout of the Imperial City of the Great Qin Dynasty, with an inner and outer city, including a main hall, resting quarters, side halls, the Imperial Study Room, and the Golden Throne Hall. Rumors say that the Great Qin Dynasty reversed Qian and Kun, turning Yin to Yang and Yang to Yin, with heaven below and earth above, out of sight from the sun, where ghosts appear and men hide, potentially connecting to the rumored Fengdu Hell. One day, the emperors of the Great Qin Dynasty could return to the human world from Fengdu. Further rumors suggest that countless Sect experts and rebels were killed and buried within the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. It contains the Mystical Sect¡¯s supreme secret techniques, which could turn these people into guards of the mausoleum, serving as ghostly generals forever, unable to transcend afterlife for eternity. The tales of the Great Qin Dynasty¡¯s Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum are numerous. Inside, there are several tombs of the Great Qin Dynasty¡¯s emperors, especially those of two Martial Arts Emperors who consumed True Dragon Essence Blood. It was precisely because of this that the Great Qin Dynasty could endure for so long. ¡°There is actually a Mysterious Sect Array here.¡± An Jing, sensing the qi mechanism around him, furrowed his brows. He had cultivated the Daluo Heart Method and the Ghost Valley Heart Method, making him a high-level expert of the Mystical Sect lineage and thus very sensitive to the Mystical Sect Array around him. In the Great Qin Dynasty and during the middle period of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Mystical Sect was the foremost Daoist sect. And now, the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum of the Great Qin Dynasty actually contained a Mystical Sect¡¯s array¨Cwhat was the connection between the two? As An Jing¡¯s cultivation grew higher and his perception of Heavenly Human Communication deepened, he could not only probe the qi mechanism but also understand the causes and consequences of events more clearly. The formations of the Mystical Sect contain vast mysteries and grand maneuvers, stealing the creation forces of heaven and earth for their own use. Although from the outside these emperor¡¯s mausoleums appear utterly ordinary, without the slightest similarity, the inside hides a Mount Sumeru within a mustard seed, reshaping the Five Elements and yin and yang, forming an independent world of Qian and Kun. They not only confuse the will of heaven but can also reverse yin and yang, turning death into life, a method befitting of an Immortal. An Jing continued to walk forward when suddenly he heard the sound of gurgling water nearby, crisp and pleasing to the ear. However, if one followed the sound, there was no sign of it, as if it were both close at hand and in a distant place. Soon, the sound of the water gradually faded, and then the world turned a hazy yellow as a large amount of white smoke emerged from all around. ¡°Could this place be Huangquan Road?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows knit together as he looked around. Just when he was about to look back, his heart suddenly contracted and began to thump wildly. On Huangquan Road, one must never look back. How could Huangquan Road, which leads to Fengdu Hell, possibly appear in the human world? Everyone knows Huangquan Road is the path to Fengdu, but now such a path had appeared beneath An Jing¡¯s feet. Reversing Qiankun, disturbing the order of yin and yang. ¡°What a grand maneuver.¡± An Jing muttered to himself quietly, realizing that he hadn¡¯t even fully entered the tomb, yet he could already sense the unfathomable mysteries within. It was as if intimating to An Jing that all he had seen so far were petty tricks, and the true techniques were still to come. ¡­.. North Field, Heavenly Water City. At this moment, Zongzheng Yue, the princess of the Houjin royal family, stood on top of the city wall gazing southward, with Wanyan Lin, a handsome man with fair complexion and elegant demeanour, beside her. All of Houjin, including Zongzheng Huachun, knew of Zongzheng Yue¡¯s favor for her exotic pet Wanyan Lin. But since he was not only handsome but also cunning and without the slightest bit of ambition, even though Zongzheng Yue kept him close, Zongzheng Huachun had no reason to intervene. Just then, a messenger soldier rushed over in haste, ¡°Princess, urgent news from the front line. We have captured Tianfeng Pass and Bai Xiang Valley on the Beihuang Dao line. Now General Jin is leading a large army toward the source city of Beihuang Dao.¡± Upon hearing this, a smile appeared at the corner of Zongzheng Yue¡¯s mouth, ¡°Tianfeng Pass is the heart of the northern defense line of Beihuang Dao. Now that Tianfeng Pass has fallen, our military blades can point directly at Yuan City.¡± Yuan City, that is the central city of Beihuang Dao. Once Yuan City is captured, crossing You Mountain and Xuwang Mountain will allow direct attacks into the central Capital Road of Great Yan. How could Wang Shiyi and Ghost Swordsman, who are at odds with each other, possibly withstand the assault of Houjin¡¯s great army and the experts from Great Snow Mountain? Wanyan Lin immediately stepped forward with a bow, ¡°Congratulations, Princess.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not time yet.¡± Zongzheng Yue stretched out her hand to interrupt Wanyan Lin, calmly saying, ¡°Herding the southern livestock, Houjin has waited for over twenty years. This time, we must strike into the capital of Great Yan. The momentary gains or losses of one city or another are trivial. What¡¯s most important is capturing the entire Yan Country and expanding it into the map of Houjin.¡± Wanyan Lin earnestly said, ¡°Now that Great Yan faces Zhao Country to the south, plus the watchful eyes of the Southern Barbarians, their southern war situation is already at a disadvantage, teetering on the brink of collapse. Behind Wang Shiyi, there are no reinforcements, and Beihuang Dao will eventually fall into the hands of Houjin.¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± Zongzheng Yue couldn¡¯t help laughing upon hearing this. The situation for Houjin is indeed exceptionally favorable at present. Zongzheng Huachun has acquired a strand of Earth Vein Spirit, advancing his cultivation greatly, and with the tides of Houjin¡¯s offense bring continuous victory reports from the front, if Zongzheng Huachun can reach the Great Grandmaster status in this opportunity, he might achieve what ancient and present emperors have not, becoming the sole ruler of this world. A few moments after, Zongzheng Yue looked into the distance and spoke softly, ¡°Now it all depends on whether Grandfather Gan can bring back that True Dragon Essence Blood. This time, I am at fault for losing a Purple Sun Token. I hope it doesn¡¯t lead to any mishaps.¡± Zongzheng Yue¡¯s Grandfather Gan was none other than Taiyin Kui, the guardian god of the great grasslands. Wanyan Lin said, ¡°Taiyin Kui is a Grandmaster of Five Qi Returning to Origin, who can already sense the heavenly mandate and is half a step into the realm of Immortals. The princess can rest assured.¡± Zongzheng Yue¡¯s smile deepened. ¡°I just like the words you speak, listening to them is comforting.¡± Wanyan Lin promptly replied, ¡°Every word I spoke is the truth.¡± Zongzheng Yue glanced at Wanyan Lin and then said, ¡°I shall go back to take a bath first, you may come directly to the sleeping hall later.¡± With that, Zongzheng Yue made her way down towards the city. ¡°Yes!¡± Wanyan Lin bowed his head, not raising it until Zongzheng Yue had disappeared. ¡°Heading south to herd horses?¡± A cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he took a secret letter from his sleeve, written in the official script of Houjin: A large army is coming from the shadowy path of Tianyin, suspected to be the Pingyang Guard of Great Yan. Wanyan Lin clenched his palm fiercely and the secret letter instantly turned to scraps, fading into the wind with a flick of his hand. ¡­¡­ The Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum was shrouded in darkness. An Jing carried his sword box on his back, walking on the path of the yellow springs as gusts of Yin Evil Qi continually assaulted him, stirring up chilling bone-piercing winds. Here, the division between heaven and earth was clear cut: the earth was permeated with black Yin Evil Qi, and white vapor floated around, with the only difference being the dead gray sky and the earthy yellow road. An Jing walked calmly on this earthy yellow path, with boundless plains stretching out on both sides, enshrouded in white fog that obscured whatever secrets they held. After an indeterminate distance, the earthy yellow path began to widen, and at twenty feet across, the seemingly endless path finally came to an end. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing paused and looked up, only to see a huge archway at the end of the road, seemingly leading directly to the heart of the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, the underground palace of the Great Qin Dynasty, and the burial place of the Qin emperors. At that moment, flames were resplendently flickering with light. Without hesitation, An Jing quickened his pace and passed through the archway, and the scene before him completely took him by surprise. There were cauldrons of fire, inexplicably burning for thousands of years without ceasing, yet the flames emitted a spine-chilling pale green hue. And at the center of the firelight was a small mountain, several dozens of feet high, built entirely of gold. Under the faint firelight, the glare of gold seemed almost piercing to the eyes. This was a genuinely solid mountain of gold! Who could have imagined that in this place, at the guarding site of the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, there would be a mountain of gold? Merely moving this mountain of gold out would be an inestimable fortune. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing stood beneath the mountain of gold, appearing utterly insignificant. ¡°Who dares disturb the Emperor¡¯s rest?!¡± At that moment, an utterly cold voice surged forth, as if it had turned into tangible sound waves that struck out. ¡­.. PS: I will pull myself together tomorrow, aiming to resume updating with ten thousand words. Chapter 326 - Chapter 326 Chapter 326 The Object of Undying Blood and Evil Chapter 326: Chapter 326: The Object of Undying Blood and Evil Spirits Chapter 326: Chapter 326: The Object of Undying Blood and Evil Spirits An Jing looked towards the direction of the voice and saw a figure in the gloomy distance, completely enveloped in a tightly-sealed battle armor, leaving no gaps from top to bottom. The helmet was fitted with a face armor, and the wrist guard was equipped with hand armor. The buckles at the waist and the shoulders were adorned with tiger heads, and the combat boots were embedded with black gold teeth. Such standard armors were extremely rare in the present world. An Jing had seen them in ancient texts before; most of these armors were standard issue of the Great Qin Dynasty. Clearly, this ¡®General¡¯ in front of him hailed from the Great Qin Dynasty. Moreover, because the battle armor was steeped in an excessively strong Yin Energy, it didn¡¯t possess the overwhelming blood energy produced by battlefield slaughters. Instead, it exuded a deathly aura. A thick black mist emanated from it, making the Martial General appear blurry from afar, with only the scarlet light in his eyes visible. The Martial General, holding a long spear, looked down from above and demanded, ¡°Who are you? How dare you disturb the Emperor¡¯s tomb?¡± An Jing¡¯s hand reached into his sword box and he responded indifferently, ¡°And who might you be?¡± ¡°How dare you!¡± The Martial General¡¯s voice turned exceedingly cold. ¡°My family name is Bai, my given name Yue. Have you heard of it?¡± Bai Yue!? An Jing frowned. There was a famous general named Bai Yue in the Great Qin Dynasty, known for his outstanding military achievements and ferocity, famous even for slaughtering hundreds of thousands of soldiers. He became very well-known in history and was even given the title of faithful marquis. Could this person be the one before him? But wasn¡¯t this general from the Great Qin Dynasty supposed to have died long ago? Could it really be as the rumors suggested, that the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum granted rebirth to the dead, turning them into ghost generals who guarded around the Qin Human Emperor? The ambition of the emperor from the Great Qin Dynasty was immense; he aimed to be the emperor of the Human World in life and even the emperor of the Underworld in death. Seeing An Jing¡¯s reaction, the corner of Bai Yue¡¯s mouth couldn¡¯t help but reveal a cold smile. ¡°It seems you have indeed heard of my name.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°You didn¡¯t die?¡± Bai Yue laughed heartily, ¡°With the Great Formation protecting this place, my divine soul is indestructible and can exist forever, guarding by His Majesty¡¯s side.¡± An Jing looked at the Bai Yue in front of him, also quite surprised. In his view, there were only two states for a person: alive or dead. Alive meant having a body of flesh and blood, and dead meant the soul dispersing and the body decaying. He had never thought that there was another way to exist in this world. This way transcended life and death; by preserving the divine soul, one could live eternally. However, this also meant being neither human nor ghost, likely to dissipate in an instant once leaving this Great Formation. Seeing An Jing deep in thought, Bai Yue questioned him, ¡°I see that your body does not carry the blood of the Great Qin royal family. Are you aware of the consequences of trespassing in the mausoleum without authorization?¡± An Jing responded, ¡°What consequences?¡± ¡°Death!¡± Bai Yue¡¯s voice erupted like thunder, the surrounding Yin Evil Qi seemingly stirred by his fury and surged towards An Jing like a tsunami. If an ordinary person were attacked by this Yin Evil Qi, their flesh and blood would dissolve instantly, but An Jing had cultivated the ¡®Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡¯ to Perfection. He was far from ordinary. When that Yin Evil Qi swept across, it was like a mild breeze blowing by, not having any substantial effect on An Jing. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Bai Yue coldly shouted, ¡°Such a formidable body is indeed rare, but to dare breach the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum with just this is courting death!¡± ¡°By the Emperor¡¯s decree, those who trespass in the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum shall be killed without mercy!¡± Bai Yue roared, and a thick, icy Yin Evil Qi burst forth from his body like a storm. The immense pressure, like huge waves, surged towards An Jing wave after wave. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! The surrounding area was like violent air waves exploding, and the very ground trembled fiercely. An Jing¡¯s body transformed into a breeze and quickly retreated toward the back. Ordinary grandmasters encountering the oppressive force of Bai Yue might need to fend off the Yin Evil Qi, and their strength could be greatly reduced, but in An Jing¡¯s black eyes there was always a calmness like still water, evidently unaffected by any influence. Then his eyes sparkled slightly, and in an instant, a boundless stream of True Qi surged forth, dispersing Bai Yue¡¯s Yin Evil Qi backwards in one swift motion. Red Yang Energy enveloped An Jing¡¯s body, completely blocking the surrounding Yin Evil Qi. ¡°Within this Great Formation, my strength has increased not just tenfold, but a hundredfold,¡± Bai Yue sneered coldly, then without hesitation, his palm flipped, and a wave-like surge of Yin Evil Qi charged towards An Jing. During that moment of assault, an icy chill penetrated to the bone. An Jing¡¯s hair and clothing fluttered in the wild wind, and then his fingers pointed forward deliberately and unhurriedly. Crack! Crack! The Yin Evil Qi directly before him shattered into pieces. Seeing his move easily countered by An Jing, Bai Yue did not show a panicked expression. He stepped forward, and chilling white bones materialized out of thin air. The previously dispersed Yin Evil Qi suddenly solidified, turning into cold, bony arrows, like numerous flying projectiles, with a piercing cold and dazzling light, veiling the sky as they stabbed towards An Jing. Facing this terrifying attack, An Jing did not retreat in the slightest. The countless white bones pierced directly into An Jing¡¯s flesh, and the intense chill of Yin Evil Qi surged into his body. Bai Yue, seeing this, sneered coldly, ¡°If the Yin Evil Qi rushes into your Dantian, even if you are a Land Immortal, you will have no way to survive.¡± However, the Yin Evil Qi that surged into An Jing¡¯s body was almost instantly melted and eradicated by the massive Essence Blood within him, disappearing without a trace. Bai Yue, feeling the disappearance of the Yin Evil Qi, was extremely surprised. ¡°Merely a strand of Divine Soul, borrowing the power of this Great Formation, yet you dare to be reckless!?¡± An Jing squinted at Bai Yue before him, his palm slightly lifting as if a heavy mountain pressed down, the oppressive air suffocating. Even Bai Yue, having only his Divine Soul, retreated two steps backward. Boom! An Jing stamped his foot, and the earth around him began to crack madly, and soon numerous Hidden Forces rushed through the land towards Bai Yue. Invisible beneath the surface, several streaks of Hidden Force roared forward like swift, fierce dragons. Bai Yue was about to rise and launch another attack when, at that moment, dozens of Hidden Forces transmitted from under his feet, directly shattering all the Yin Evil Qi around his body. The next moment, An Jing¡¯s body transformed into a streak of flowing light, and he hurled a punch right at Bai Yue. Hum! Hum! As An Jing¡¯s punch sailed through, the True Qi in mid-air trembled with the sound, unable to bear the brutal force, and rippled into wave upon wave of folds. Training the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique to Perfection, throughout the ages, only two or three people had achieved this, so the power of his full force was astonishingly terrifying? Bai Yue¡¯s body, belonging to this part of the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, could easily activate the Emperor Mausoleum Array, then his body transformed into a stream of black smoke and disappeared from the spot. Latterly, the black smoke appeared behind An Jing, a cold gleam flashing in Bai Yue¡¯s eyes as he struck a palm towards An Jing¡¯s back. An Jing¡¯s reaction was incredibly fast; he spun his body around and threw a punch to meet the attack. Bang! At the moment when the Yin Evil Qi clashed with the Yang Energy, the air trembled, and the ground seemed to shake violently as the distant mountains quivered intensely. An Jing furrowed his brows in deep thought, ¡°This Bai Yue is a Divine Soul, completely dependent on the grand array surrounding the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. One might say he is a manifestation of the array itself. Without breaking the grand array, it¡¯s difficult to entirely kill him.¡± The grand array surrounding the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum was set up by the Mystical Sect, and breaking it was no simple task. ¡°My duty is to guard the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. No matter who it is, anyone who intrudes meets the same fate!¡± At this moment, the Yin Evil Qi around Bai Yue was extremely dense, and Bai Yue at the center seemed to melt, forming a mighty Blood River that surged downwards. This Blood River was even more intense and aggressive than the Yin Evil Qi. In the instant that the Blood River surged, it continued to grow in size, like the Heavenly River spilling from the heavens above. An Jing stretched his hand towards the Sword Box, and then touched the number one sword in the world, the Dulu Sword. The moment the sword blade emerged, a chilling sharpness dispelled the approaching Yin Evil Qi. At the same time, the Blood River roared toward him. An Jing swung the Dulu Sword in his hand forward. A cold sword light emanated from the blade, then the sword light charged toward the Blood River ahead. ¡°Shh!¡± The sword light was unstoppable; the mighty Blood River was instantly split into two halves by the sword light, with blood scattering in all directions, turning into a vast amount of white smoke. And within the Blood River, Bai Yue¡¯s Divine Soul completely dissipated. One sword split the Blood River! One sword destroyed the Divine Soul! The surroundings returned to calm, as if nothing had happened. An Jing held the sword in one hand, his expression exceedingly calm, and glanced at the resplendent mountain of gold. Having such a mountain of gold, one could easily become one of the wealthiest people under the heavens. An Jing took a deep breath and continued walking deeper into the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. ¡­.. Taiyin Kui and Jiang Shang walked towards the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, their True Qi forming a barrier that blocked the dense Yin Evil Qi surrounding them. Taiyin Kui exclaimed in admiration, ¡°This Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum overturns the Five Elements and disrupts Yin and Yang, even allowing Divine Souls to remain undisturbed. Truly, it seizes the creation of heaven and earth.¡± Although both were Grandmasters of the Five Qi Returning to Origin, there were still many differences among them. As a practitioner of Body Refining Martial Arts from the ancient Great Qin Dynasty known as a Martial Artist, Taiyin Kui did not delve into profundity or partake in creation, and his sensitivity to the forces of nature was extremely weak. Thus, in the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, he felt mystically lost, like a headless fly, only able to follow Jiang Shang. The Outer Heaven Heart Method ¡°Heavenly Demon Technique¡± itself had a method to gauge the secrets of heaven. Coupled with Jiang Shang¡¯s decades of experience across the Jianghu and his practice of countless Martial Arts, his sensitivity to heavenly secrets had long surpassed that of ordinary Jianghu masters. Furthermore, having absorbed the Undying Blood, Jiang Shang¡¯s understanding of the laws of the world had increased by threefold, and it might not be long before he could reach the realm of Heavenly Human Communication, at which point his strength would certainly improve by another threefold. At this moment, the two reached the core of the mausoleum, which almost exactly resembled the capital of the Great Qin Dynasty, except enshrouded in a thin layer of black mist. Instead of looking like the Emperor Palace, it more closely resembled the Ghostly Underworld. As Jiang Shang waved his sleeve, the surrounding Yin Evil Qi dissipated continuously. It appeared as though many springs were erupting with vast amounts of Yin Evil Qi. This Yin Evil Qi, once it invaded the bodies of ordinary people, could directly cleanse their flesh, bones, and tendons, and also affect their divine souls. If touched by the wind formed by this concentrated Yin Evil Qi, a person¡¯s three souls and seven spirits would disperse, turning them into walking corpses. Jiang Shang pointed toward the distant Imperial Palace and said, ¡°This place is overwhelmed with Yin Evil Qi, just as I suspected. The ruler of Great Qin used this tomb and the Mystical Sect Formation as a medium to connect with the Underworld Fengdu below the nine lands, turning this place into an Underworld. Thus, the divine souls here are preserved, creating this Undying Land where they escape the cycles of the cosmos, being neither alive nor dead.¡± ¡°They wish to continue living here, replicating the Imperial City of the Great Qin Dynasty to rule over this place, becoming the emperors of this realm.¡± Taishan Kui frowned deeply; perhaps ordinary people couldn¡¯t understand why the emperors of the Great Qin Dynasty would do this, but he knew all too well. Who, since ancient times, does not fear death? The more powerful one is, the more they fear death. But who, since ancient times, can truly escape death? The emperors of the Great Qin Dynasty actually thought of such a method, building an underground dynasty here and using the Mystical Sect Formation to manipulate the destiny, thus preserving their divine souls to rule this place. To be exalted emperors in the Human World and then to rule as emperors even after death in the Underworld.¡± Jiang Shang looked toward the distance with a deep gaze, ¡°At the heart of this Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, the concentration of Yin Evil Qi has reached its peak, almost indistinguishable from the real Underworld itself, or perhaps it already truly connects to the Underworld Fengdu. If one carelessly steps into Fengdu¡¯s realm, even a Land Immortal might find it hard to return. This is truly a method of defying the heavens and changing fate.¡± Fengdu!? With those words from Jiang Shang, a chill went down Taishan Kui¡¯s spine. Fengdu is the Underworld Yama Hall, a place only the dead can enter. Jiang Shang spoke no falsehoods; even a Great Grandmaster or higher, reaching the realm of a Land Immortal, would suffer greatly if they stepped into Fengdu. ¡°It seems the ambitions of the Great Qin emperors are indeed grand, truly wishing to become the emperors of the Underworld. Yet, their thinking is too simplistic,¡± Jiang Shang surveyed the surroundings, ¡°Even a Great Grandmaster, what avail? Entering Fengdu means no return, let alone a dead person. Moreover, how would the Taishan Lord in Fengdu tolerate these human emperors flaunting their power over him?¡± Taishan Kui gave Jiang Shang a glance, his belief uncertain, ¡°Are there really Immortals in this world?¡± Jiang Shang smiled, ¡°Perhaps there are, perhaps not. Who knows?¡± Taishan Kui was about to speak when suddenly, numerous vague figures began to appear around the Imperial City, turning from ethereal to solid. These figures exuded a sinister ghostly aura, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine. Ghost Soldiers! These were indeed the Ghost Soldiers of this land! Jiang Shang said indifferently, ¡°Let¡¯s go quickly. We are living beings, and the Yang Energy around us has already attracted the Ghost Soldiers guarding this place. If entangled by tens of thousands of Ghost Soldiers, even we shall face some trouble.¡± Even for a Grandmaster at the Perfection stage, facing tens of thousands of soldiers was extremely troublesome, not to mention even more troubling Ghost Soldiers. With that, Jiang Shang stepped towards the distance, and Taishan Kui quickly followed. Just then, a large city wall appeared ahead, the main gate of the Imperial Palace. Unlike the grand and majestic real gate of the Imperial Palace, this gate was immensely eerie, like something out of a ghostly realm. Moreover, inside this gate of the Imperial Palace, there were no soldiers guarding it, nor any generals. The two entered the Imperial Palace and stepped into a great hall. The hall was empty except for a shadow at the far end, its face indistinct, as if shrouded in a layer of black mist. Looking closely, this shadow was neither human nor demon¨Ceerily similar to the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯ carried on the back of Xi Hafu, except this shadow seemed to be alive. Taishan Kui looked at the emerging figure, furrowing his brows deeply, ¡°What is this thing!?¡± ¡°Evil Spirits!¡± Jiang Shang pointed his finger, and a vast surge of True Qi rushed towards the shadow in front, but as soon as the surging True Qi touched the shadow, it was blocked by a powerful Qi Mechanism and sent ripples spreading out in waves. Evil Spirits! Could this bizarre entity in front of him really be an Evil Spirit? Taiyin Kui¡¯s expression became extremely solemn, ¡°Could this be the origin of the Yin Evil Qi?¡± Throughout history, both Yin Evil Qi and nature¡¯s spiritual energy had been suppressed under the Dragon Locking Well, unknown to the world, but someone of Taiyin Kui¡¯s status and position knew a thing or two about its mysteries. The Yin Evil Qi was produced by Evil Spirits, but until now, no one knew exactly what these Evil Spirits were or where they came from. At that moment, the seated Evil Spirit opened its black and red eyes and said, ¡°How about I make a deal with the two of you?¡± Jiang Shang sneered, ¡°You are now nothing but a divine soul; your body has long been destroyed and you have been confined here to guard the Imperial Palace by the Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty. Do you still wish to cheat death and be reborn?¡± The Evil Spirit said, ¡°Yes, as long as a sliver of intent exists, I can be reborn.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Shang¡¯s expression grew even colder. Taiyin Kui spoke up, ¡°What sort of deal are you proposing?¡± The Evil Spirit said, ¡°I help you two obtain the ultimate treasure of the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, and in return, you two help me break free from this formation. How about that?¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly, clearly intrigued. With the help of the Evil Spirit, he might be able to obtain the True Dragon Essence Blood more easily. After all, his only goal was the True Dragon Essence Blood. As for the consequences of the Evil Spirit¡¯s escape, that was none of his concern. ¡°Impossible.¡± Jiang Shang said expressionlessly, ¡°Once you are free from the formation, you will likely try to possess our bodies first. We can kill you and still obtain the treasures of the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum.¡± The voice of the Evil Spirit also became somewhat cold, and its inhuman face contorted into a snarl, ¡°Ridiculous! I am one with the Great Formation, guarding the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. You two may be strong, but if I harness the power of the formation, do you think you can defeat me?¡± Then, the body of the Evil Spirit gradually merged with the surroundings, tapping into the power of the Mystical Sect Formation. It seemed to enter a state of ¡®Heavenly Human Communication,¡¯ and its Qi Mechanism was skyrocketing. Suddenly, the shadow of the Evil Spirit grew larger and larger, as if enveloping the entire Great Hall. Jiang Shang¡¯s face showed no panic; perhaps from the beginning, he had never intended to ¡®negotiate¡¯ with the Evil Spirit. ¡°It¡¯s just an Evil Spirit, single-minded and wicked at heart; such a thing is even less than insects and ephemeral flies, to be exterminated is the only way.¡± With that, he slapped his hand forward. Suddenly, an indescribable Yin coldness filled the air, almost devouring the heart, and from within that coldness, several shadowy figures burst forth. The Evil Spirit spread its four arms, and vast amounts of Yin Evil Qi surged out like wild snakes, rushing towards the surroundings. Boom! Boom! A mighty momentum exploded, and suddenly countless figures moved even faster. The damage of the Yin Evil Qi to the human body was even far greater than that of the Yin Evil Qi, coupled with the Qi Mechanism of the Evil Spirit, which was comparable to a Five Qi Grandmaster, and the power of the formation. Such terrifying strength was now fully unleashed; how could an ordinary Five Qi Grandmaster possibly contest it? The Evil Spirit took a fierce step forward, and immediately, ripples of Yin Evil Qi spread out like a giant tidal wave, furiously sweeping out from under its feet. The ground there began rapidly transforming into a strange airflow, which kept spinning and seemed to form horrifying, shocking vortices. It was clearly felt that even the True Qi was being pulled and tethered at that moment. Even the True Qi inside Jiang Shang and Taiyin Kui was involuntarily drawn by that violent pulling force. Facing the ever-expanding vortex, Jiang Shang merely smiled and then stretched out his finger, pointing into the air. Whooosh! With that pointing of his finger, one could see that in the heaven and earth, endless currents of True Qi roared forth, carrying a brilliant and stirring color that even invigorated Taiyin Kui. ¡°How could Jiang Shang, who has just entered the rank of Five Qi Grandmaster, have such terrifying and frightening power?¡± Hisss! The beautiful currents of True Qi swept through, and wherever they passed, the True Qi vortexes left by Jiang Shang emitted a piercing noise, with faint shrieks spreading out, and as the streams of True Qi passed, those vortices of Evil Blood were instantly shattered. In just a short span of a dozen breaths, the vortex formed by the Evil Spirits was almost entirely destroyed under Jiang Shang¡¯s nonchalant pointing. The evil spirit couldn¡¯t help but twitch at this sight. Why did the aura of this ancestral land person give him a very familiar feeling? Seeing the great vortex being largely destroyed, the evil spirit did not panic much but instead took a deep breath and once again stomped down fiercely on the ground. Boom! The air in front suddenly shattered and numerous violent emissions of evil spirit energy soared into the sky, and within that rolling evil spirit energy, an indescribable ghost face seemed to tear open a gap in the sky. The black ghost face, glowing with a faint golden light, shone brilliantly enough to cover the sun and moon. At a rough glance, it was about tens of thousands of feet in size, and with one palm, it seemed to cover the whole great hall. Under the shadow of this enormous hand, the bodies of Jiang Shang and Taiyin Kui appeared incredibly tiny. The boundless black ghost face passed through, the air completely shattered, turning into a dark expanse, and upon closer inspection, a huge vortex was found amidst the black ghost face. The vortex carried an extremely strong pulling force, as if it wanted to devour everything between heaven and earth, and anyone who fell into it, even a Five Qi Grandmaster, would be forcefully reduced to nothingness in an instant. Jiang Shang looked at the ghost face in front and said lightly, ¡°We both will make our move together, directly suppress the evil spirit, and then take away the treasures from the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum.¡± Taiyin Kui stretched out his palm, which emerged with a glint of pitch-black cold light, and slapped toward the ghost face above. Boom! The palm imprint shot out toward the ghost face, immediately erupting with an earth-shattering noise. Tap tap tap¡­ Although Taiyin Kui was a Five Qi Grandmaster, he was still somewhat inferior to the top Five Qi Grandmasters. The moment the two Qi Mechanisms collided, his steps repeatedly moved back. Jiang Shang¡¯s gaze grew cold, and behind him emerged the phantom of the Heavenly Demon. By borrowing a trace of the Heavenly Demon¡¯s power, his Qi Mechanism expanded once again. ¡°You two are simply no match for me. Within this great formation, I am an undying and invincible existence,¡± the evil spirit bellowed, its Qi Mechanism even more wildly rampant. The Qi of the evil spirit transformed into an overwhelming oppression, forming a terrifying palm imprint that fell towards the two men. Taiyin Kui used Shrinking Land into Inches, and delivered a palm strike toward the Dragon Throne of the great hall. ¡°How audacious!¡± Immediately, the evil spirit withdrew its Qi Mechanism and focused entirely on facing the Taiyin Kui charging towards it. A colder intent appeared in Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes, ¡°You are not merely relying on this great formation; your very essence is the Array Eye of this formation, providing an endless supply of energy. If both of us were to kill you, we would also break this formation. Not only would you not die, but you would also be free from this formation.¡± The Mystical Sect Formation had been maintained for thousands of years and was not as simple as one might imagine. The Array Eye was indeed the evil spirit before them, whose Divine Soul¡¯s power had been continually burning, maintaining the formation ceaselessly. The evil spirit before them was merely a Divine Soul, which had been burning for thousands of years, yet still possessed such terrifying strength. How horrifying must this spirit have been at its peak? How had the Great Qin Dynasty slain this evil spirit? Could it be that the three Great Grandmasters of the Great Qin Dynasty had actually aimed to slay not a True Dragon but this evil spirit before them? For a moment, Jiang Shang¡¯s mind was filled with doubts, but he quickly suppressed them and focused all his efforts. ¡°Since killing you is impossible, I can only trap you here for now.¡± A sharp moan rose within Jiang Shang¡¯s body, followed by a terrifying aura. ¡°You¡­¡­¡± The evil spirit sensed something and turned its head in shock to look at Jiang Shang, as if there was something about him that even the spirit found terrifying. Then, it converged its four arms into one palm and swatted forward. A sneering smile appeared on Jiang Shang¡¯s lips, and he quickly clasped his hands together, beginning to rapidly form seals. Blood-colored True Qi emerged all around, enveloping Jiang Shang and began to spin rapidly. Swishing loudly! Jiang Shang calmly extended his palm, and within it, a perfectly beautiful blood-colored lotus flower appeared. The lotus was entirely blood-red, exquisitely beautiful and exceptionally moving. ¡°Go!¡± Jiang Shang twisted his wrist, and the blood-colored lotus shot directly towards the massive palm. Underneath that enormous, seemingly overwhelming palm, the blood-red lotus seemed extremely small, like mere dust. But at the moment the blood-red lotus clashed with the massive palm, the terrifying attraction in the surrounding air seemed to completely disappear. ¡°You have absorbed¡­¡­¡± Meanwhile, the color drained from the evil spirit¡¯s face, a flash of shock passing through its eyes. Then, without hesitating, it promptly shot backwards as boundless evil Qi converged in front of it, forming a stable barrier. Boom! The blood-colored lotus collided with the giant hand, and an indescribably massive burst of True Qi erupted, causing the entire world to tremble at that moment. The rolling evil Qi was almost instantly vaporized by the shockwave, and the black giant hand was shattered by the terrifying True Qi. Boom boom! Boundless True Qi surged past, crazily destroying the barrier in front of the evil spirit, and the shockwave enveloped the retreating spirit as well. Boom! Suddenly, the earth trembled, and the air around the evil spirit was forcefully shattered into thousands of pieces. The towering evil Qi was completely absorbed at that moment. Jiang Shang looked at the evil spirit and smiled slightly, saying, ¡°Perhaps for others, your evil Qi is extremely poisonous, but for an old man with Undying Blood like me, it¡¯s merely nourishment.¡± Then, the blood-red lotus formed a cage, trapping the evil spirit within. Imprisoning the Divine Soul! Drawing a prison on the ground! Taiyin Kui, watching from the side, was shocked at Jiang Shang¡¯s methods. He was unafraid of the evil Qi and even possessed a secret technique for imprisoning the Divine Soul. This old man¡¯s depth was hidden too deeply. The horror of the evil Qi need hardly be mentioned; otherwise, both the Great Zhou and Great Qin Dynasties would not have almost been destroyed by this evil Qi. The evil spirit, watching Jiang Shang, gradually lost its surprise and even revealed a sinister smile. ¡°Undying Blood? It¡¯s just evil spirit blood that you have absorbed. Eventually, you will end up just like me.¡± ¡°It seems that this world is about to welcome a complete renewal, hahaha!¡± However, due to the sealing by the blood lotus, neither Jiang Shang nor Taiyin Kui heard the evil spirit¡¯s laughter. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± At this moment, the blood in Jiang Shang¡¯s body was racing, and he could feel that what he had desperately sought lay beyond the great hall. Taiyin Kui nodded, as he had come to the Emperor¡¯s Tomb specifically to find True Dragon Essence Blood. The two hurried through the great hall, heading towards the Golden Throne Hall of the Great Qin Dynasty. They knew that within the Golden Throne Hall lay what they were seeking. Within the palace, the Yin Evil Qi was exceedingly thick, shadows appeared but were quickly scattered by two experts of Five Qi Returning to Origin. The two quickly arrived at the steps of the Golden Throne Hall, stepping up towards it. One step. Two steps. ¡­.. Jiang Shang¡¯s heart was pounding wildly; with his current cultivation level, if he could obtain the Undying Blood, he could at least reach the pinnacle of the Five Qi Grandmasters. Apart from Zhao Zhiwu, who else could stand as his rival? Someday, becoming a Great Grandmaster was also within his reach; if he could completely break the seal of the Dragon Locking Well, he could absorb both the spiritual energy of nature and the evil Qi, and his cultivation could advance by leaps and bounds daily. ¡°Hmm, who is it!?¡± Suddenly, the two saw a figure standing at the entrance of the Golden Throne Hall. It was a young man in white, exceptionally handsome, especially his eyes which shone brighter than the stars, carrying a hint of transcendence as if he were a banished immortal, with a broad sword box on his back. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This person was An Jing, who had also sensed the Qi Mechanism behind him and turned around. ¡°Ghost Swordsman!?¡± Taiyin Kui, seeing the person standing at the entrance to the Golden Throne Hall, instantly felt a shiver in his heart. Jiang Shang was also surprised; how could An Jing possibly appear in the Emperor¡¯s Tomb of the Great Qin!? ¡­¡­.. Chapter 327 - Chapter 327 Chapter 327 An Jing Beheads the Five Qi Chapter 327: Chapter 327: An Jing Beheads the Five Qi Grandmaster Chapter 327: Chapter 327: An Jing Beheads the Five Qi Grandmaster An Jing looked at the two without speaking, his palm extending as the Dulu Sword appeared in his grasp. The Dulu Sword was the world¡¯s first sword, undoubtedly considered a national treasure. The moment the Dulu Sword appeared, it seemed as though the very earth sank, pressing down so much that both Taiyin Kui and Jiang Shang caught their breath. ¡°What a formidable Dulu Sword.¡± Seeing this, Jiang Shang thought to himself, ¡°As the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s cultivation has improved, it seems he can now fully control the world¡¯s first sword.¡± The Dulu Sword, being the world¡¯s first sword, was among the top exotic treasures, so much so that even a top Grandmaster might not be able to unleash its full power. Previously on Zhong Mountain, relying on his cultivation and understanding of the Sword Dao, An Jing had been able to unleash sixty to seventy percent of the Dulu Sword¡¯s sharpness. Now, with his improved cultivation, he could almost fully utilize its sharpness. This sword, immersed who knows how long as the world¡¯s first, was finally ready to reveal its edge to the world. Taiyin Kui, regaining his composure, asked sternly, ¡°How did you enter this Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum?¡± An Jing answered indifferently, ¡°If you can enter, why can¡¯t I?¡± After slaughtering Bai Yue¡¯s Divine Soul, he proceeded forward and directly entered the Imperial Palace, where the path¡¯s ghost soldiers had not troubled him. It was unexpected that he had entered the core of the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum even earlier than the two, suggesting that the great formation of the mausoleum was not as simple as it appeared. Taiyin Kui¡¯s brow furrowed deeply, his instincts telling him that the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength had increased. This greatly surprised him, considering that it had only been a little over a month since the battle in Yujing City, and the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s power had already improved. ¡°Things are getting interesting.¡± Jiang Shang, meanwhile, looked towards the Golden Throne Hall behind An Jing. The hall, which should appear resplendently golden and majestic, was now enveloped in a dark, murky mist. Whoosh! Whoosh! The True Qi inside Jiang Shang surged, subsequently dispersing the dark fog around him, revealing an empty Golden Throne Hall surrounded by piles of jewels, gold, and jade, among which lay a huge bronze ancient coffin. The bronze coffin was surrounded by a densely thick Yin Evil Qi, oddly forming dragon shapes. Upon seeing the bronze coffin, Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes narrowed. Taiyin Kui, with cold light flickering in his shadowy eyes, said, ¡°This place is a feng shui treasure chosen by the Human Emperor of Great Qin, and as such, it¡¯s a fitting burial site for you.¡± An Jing looked at Taiyin Kui and said calmly, ¡°The two of you are traveling together; you might as well explore the path to the Underworld for Zongzheng Huachun.¡± ¡°Hahahahaha!¡± Upon hearing this, Taiyin Kui burst out laughing, ¡°Do you think you can kill both of us?¡± When two Five Qi Grandmasters join forces, how many in the world could withstand them? An Jing stated concisely, ¡°Yes.¡± Jiang Shang added from the side, ¡°He is a true Swordsman who only believes in his sword.¡± Taiyin Kui said coldly, ¡°True Swordsmen are foolish and ignorant, believing only in the dead objects in their hands.¡± An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°It seems you do not understand what a Swordsman is.¡± Taiyin Kui asked, ¡°Then what is a true Swordsman?¡± An Jing replied, ¡°A true Swordsman is, in himself, the sharpest sword.¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s pupils contracted abruptly, as if An Jing before him had turned into a sword, his eyes were swords, his hands were swords, and his words became swords. Jiang Shang said, ¡°Since ancient times, there has been only one end for true Swordsmen.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°What end?¡± Jiang Shang answered indifferently, ¡°Death.¡± His words were very calm, as if genuinely advising An Jing. An Jing laughed, ¡°Death?¡± Jiang Shang said earnestly, ¡°That¡¯s right, the only path for a true swordsman is death.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Is there no other way?¡± Jiang Shang countered, ¡°Isn¡¯t this the best outcome?¡± An Jing fell silent for a moment, then nodded, ¡°You¡¯re right, the end for a true swordsman is indeed death.¡± Jiang Shang said, ¡°So do you want to die?¡± An Jing responded, ¡°I want you all to die.¡± As the words fell, an icy chill grasped Jiang Shang¡¯s heart, as if it had been stabbed by a sword. The three of them said nothing further, for there was no need for words anymore. The atmosphere suddenly froze, the surrounding Yin Evil Qi swirling rapidly, stirring their garments and making a rustling sound. Although Taiyin Kui and Jiang Shang had both reached the Five Qi Grandmaster realm, at this moment, neither of them dared to underestimate the Ghost Swordsman in front of them. Taiyin Kui, in particular, felt an extreme heaviness in his heart. Back in Yujing City, the Ghost Swordsman, using a secret technique, had directly defeated him, displaying a strength that he still hadn¡¯t forgotten. The standoff between the three did not last long before Taiyin Kui made the first move. With a flash, his body appeared in front of An Jing, his black palm reaching for An Jing¡¯s heart. The speed was as fast as lightning, with the momentum of thunder. Taiyin Kui practiced the ¡°Senluo Ghost Curse,¡± a Martial Art with Yin attributes, and the surrounding Yin Evil Qi only enhanced his prestige at the moment. An Jing shifted his body to the side, dodging the fierce claw, then his Dulu Sword moved towards Taiyin Kui¡¯s throat. The sharp Sword Light passed, freezing the surrounding Yin Evil Qi in place. Taiyin Kui dared not meet this terrifying sword directly and hastily dodged it as well. Their figures interweaved, fast as lightning. In just a few blinks of an eye, they had exchanged several moves, and Jiang Shang could clearly feel that An Jing, with the Dulu Sword in hand, was completely overpowering Taiyin Kui. Whoosh! Another intense flash of cold light came, overwhelming and unstoppable, and Taiyin Kui hurriedly retreated further away. The moment Taiyin Kui¡¯s body moved back, his foot stomped down, harnessing the Yin Evil Qi beneath him. His cultivation had already reached the Five Qi Grandmaster level, and his True Qi, after a long period of refining and condensing, had become incredibly potent. A palm strike came, the wind gushing out in all directions, and steadying everything around. An Jing no longer used the Dulu Sword. Watching the murderous Taiyin Kui, his figure expanded, seemingly disappearing into the void. ¡°Bang!¡± A loud collision sounded, only to reveal that An Jing had already appeared in front of Taiyin Kui, his fist meeting Taiyin Kui¡¯s palm. As their fist and palm collided, Taiyin Kui staggered back three steps, while An Jing stood immovable as a boulder. Taiyin Kui immediately employed the Great Snow Mountain Body Refining Technique, and a white mountain-like phantom appeared behind his back. He stomped his foot and then delivered another palm strike towards An Jing. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! True Qi crisscrossed wildly, with fearsome sonic booms echoing in all directions. An Jing also hesitated not, directly executing the perfected Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, combined with the power of heaven and earth borrowed by Heavenly Human Communication, then delivered a heavy punch. Boom! With one punch, waves of True Qi surged forward, causing the air itself to ripple. Reliant on the Great Snow Mountain Body Refining Technique, Taiyin Kui delivered a straightforward palm strike. Without any fancy tricks, the impact caused the entire underground mausoleum to shake. Thud! Suddenly, a black shadow fiercely fell from the sky and pierced through the Great Hall, then its body landed heavily on the floor, grinding the ground into powder. Upon a closer look, the shadow was none other than Taiyin Kui. Above the hall, a white figure loomed like a rifle barrel, watching indifferently below. If outsiders witnessed this scene, they would be greatly shocked. Who could have imagined that a Five Qi Grandmaster from Great Snow Mountain would be suppressed by Ghost Swordsman¡¯s hand-to-hand combat skills? This completely overturned everyone¡¯s understanding. Taiyin Kui slowly stood up, coughing up several mouthfuls of blood, and said to An Jing, ¡°It seems I underestimated you. I didn¡¯t expect your strength to have increased so rapidly.¡± That punch had allowed him to truly realize the formidable nature of the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s body. Clearly, this world¡¯s first swordsman, just like the Sword Demon, had practiced a highly profound Body Refining Martial Art and had cultivated it to a very high level. ¡°I will make you die by the Body Refining you pride yourself on.¡± An Jing extended his hand, and behind him, it seemed as though stars had appeared, causing the surrounding Yin Evil Qi to start receding. ¡°Huh!?¡± Seeing this, Taiyin Kui felt even more shocked. From An Jing¡¯s body at this moment, one could feel an ancient breath, as if an ancient mountain was shielding the mountains and crashing down heavily. The ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± is a martial art that surpasses the Heavenly Martial level. How many secret techniques surpass the Heavenly Martial level in this world, and how many people have cultivated them to Perfection? Taiyin Kui took a deep breath and said, ¡°Brother Jiang, only by joining forces can we possibly match him.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be dishonorable for two to fight against one?¡± Jiang Shang said expressionlessly, ¡°How could I, an old man, be such a villain?¡± Hearing this, Taiyin Kui sneered, ¡°Old thing, do you want to play the fisherman?¡± Jiang Shang shook his head, ¡°I had no choice before, but now I just want to be a good person.¡± ¡°Why put on such an act?¡± Taiyin Kui said. ¡°Then let¡¯s see whether he kills you or kills me,¡± Jiang Shang replied. Having said that, Jiang Shang leaped toward the Golden Throne Hall above. Their ¡°Blood Oath¡± alliance instantly shattered. With Undying Blood right in front of them and Taiyin Kui and Ghost Swordsman fighting desperately, it was a perfect opportunity for him, one he could not possibly miss. Taiyin Kui raised his eyebrows and then looked at Ghost Swordsman, ¡°Both of us fighting would only lead to mutual destruction. Why make things easy for Jiang Shang?¡± He had come to explore the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum for the True Dragon Essence Blood and naturally didn¡¯t want to fight to the death with Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Mutual destruction?¡± An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°It seems you still haven¡¯t understood the situation at hand.¡± ¡°What situation?¡± Taiyin Kui asked. An Jing¡¯s tone suddenly turned ice-cold, ¡°You will die, and so will Jiang Shang.¡± The moment he finished speaking, An Jing¡¯s body soared high into the air, his palm carrying his body forward before he extended his index finger toward the front. Nine Yang Divine Finger! Heavenly Mechanism Cross! A fiery red column of light fell, shaking the surroundings, and the Qi Force around went into a frenzy. ¡°Since you insist on pressing me, this old man will hold back no longer.¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s hands gathered the Seal Technique, with Yin Evil Qi surging around him, but it did not invade his body. Then he struck forward with a palm. Boom! Boom! The air in front of them trembled, and then a massive hand pierced through the Yin Evil Qi and charged forward, striking towards the red pillar. As a Five Qi Grandmaster, Taiyin Kui had summoned the essence qi, divine qi, soul qi, po qi, and will from within himself to the apex, further aided by the intentions of the Earth Vein Spirit breaking the prohibitions, his cultivation had once again improved. Although he was still some distance from the Grandmaster Realm, he was far beyond someone who had just entered the Five Qi Grandmaster level. Now exerting his full power, he was also shaking the mountains and rivers. At the moment of their collision, both retreated several steps backwards. The two ferocious and domineering forces struck heavily against each other. Boom! Black light and starlight swept across heaven and earth, like a ferocious sun rising from the point of impact, terrible streams of True Qi blasting violently, causing the ground below to collapse in layers under the impact. At the source of this rampant True Qi, there, with the surge of True Qi, a terrifying light burst forth once again. Bang! True Qi swept through, and two figures were violently thrown backward. Taiyin Kui¡¯s feet stamped on the ground, and every step he took deeply embedded his foot into the earth. After retreating dozens of steps, he finally managed to stabilize his body, with the rich black light surging around him, already covering the Blood River. Taiyin Kui¡¯s eyes showed a terrified and desperate expression. His punch before had almost driven his physical strength to the limit, but even so, he had not managed to gain an absolute advantage. How could the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength increase so drastically in such a short time? An Jing¡¯s strength had increased, and it seemed that his body had also broken through a bottleneck, reaching the highest realm of Body Refining. Body Sanctification! His bones had reached an undying state, Buddha called this remnant a Golden Body. Although An Jing¡¯s punch had not caused him any injury, he realized that in the previous physical clash, he had in fact been somewhat at a disadvantage, which meant that in terms of sheer physical dominance, An Jing before him was actually stronger by a slight margin. ¡­¡­ Jiang Shang walked into the Golden Throne Hall, the center of the tomb where the Yin Evil Qi was at its most intense, forming gusts of Yin Wind. The scariest part was not that these Yin Winds could corrode flesh and blood, but that they could erode the divine soul. Jiang Shang also dared not underestimate these winds; the Qi Sea inside his body stirred, and the blood-colored True Qi surged forward mightily, dispersing the Yin Winds as he made his way towards the Bronze Ancient Coffin. The Yin Evil Qi around the Bronze Ancient Coffin was so intense that it seemed as if he was standing in the center of Yin Evil Qi, and the surrounding Yin Evil Qi was continuously gathering toward the antique coffin. Jiang Shang took a deep breath, and his palm struck down on the Bronze Ancient Coffin, intending to open the lid. ¡°Ka ka! Ka ka!¡± With Jiang Shang¡¯s effort, the Bronze Ancient Coffin was slowly opened, making a loud noise. The moment the lid was completely opened, it was as if time stood still. ¡°Not good!¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s heart beat wildly, and then the hairs on his arm stood on end; at this moment, he sensed an unprecedented danger, continuously stepping back. ¡°Who dares disturb my eternal slumber!?¡± A powerful voice surged from inside the coffin, and then a domineering qi spread out, covering the entire Golden Throne Hall and spreading throughout the tomb. The entire Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum was trembling, and the great formation beneath the ground also started running wildly, with the dark fog gushing out like a spring, enveloping the whole tomb, and at the same time, the ground shook violently. Jiang Shang looked around, and within the pitch-black fog, there was a faint green light. It was the Yin Soldiers. All around the Golden Throne Hall, through the corridors of the palace, the square, densely packed with Yin Soldiers, as far as the eye could see, not just tens of thousands but even reaching millions. Even Jiang Shang himself was deeply furrowed, a million Yin Soldiers, let alone him, even a real Land Immortal would struggle to withstand them. The Great Qin Human Emperor really gathered a million Yin soldiers here, desperately trying to rule the underworld as the Emperor of the Underworld. At that moment, a shadow emerged from the coffin and a dominant ¡°True Dragon Qi¡± dispersed, revealing the identity of the shadow. It was indeed the Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty. When Jiang Shang saw the Great Qin Human Emperor coming out of the coffin, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart was immensely shaken. ¡­.. Boom! A black True Qi storm burst forth explosively, the dark storm seeming to pierce through heaven and earth, spectacular in appearance. A powerful Qi pressure spread from within it. Taiyin Kui stood amid the storm, resembling a deity, and once again struck out with his palm. This time, as his palm print whistled out, it was not only the force of his body but also the massive True Qi rushing out like a mountain torrent. The combination of body and True Qi was precisely the strength of the Great Snow Mountain lineage. It was like a black torrent that pierced through heaven and earth, destroying everything in its path completely. A black rainbow traversed the sky, reflecting in An Jing¡¯s pupils, his expression calm as water at that moment. Taiyin Kui¡¯s strength was indeed formidable, but he was no longer the An Jing he had been in Yujing City. The dazzling light of the stars enveloped An Jing¡¯s body, revealing a vast aura within him, like an ancient star descending, giving an extreme sense of oppression. Facing Taiyin Kui¡¯s overwhelmingly domineering assault, he chose to confront it head-on. Boom! Boom! Two figures crossed in the sky crazily, clashing fist to palm, each collision like thunder, shaking heaven and earth. This hard encounter, the resultant shockwave, scattered all the Yin Evil Qi within several yards. Both sides took a completely head-on stance, with no evasion, punching flesh to flesh; such a terrifying clash would make even a Grandmaster¡¯s scalp tingle. Great Snow Mountain was renowned for its physical prowess, their strength among the top in the same realm, primarily due to their bodies. Boom! In midair, another earth-shattering clash occurred, both figures were blasted backward, Taiyin Kui¡¯s clothes were torn, looking somewhat disheveled. Around his body, not a trace of Yin Evil Qi could be seen, having endured An Jing¡¯s terrifyingly powerful impact. Lucky for him, his body was strong, otherwise, had it been a common Master, his body might have already collapsed into a mist of blood. ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is too terrifying, such a person should not be allowed to live in this world, if he does not die, he will surely become the greatest calamity of Houjin.¡± Taiyin Kui¡¯s breathing was a bit heavy, his eyes bloodthirsty as he stared at An Jing, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. Then, without any nonsense, True Qi within his body surged wildly. He had already developed boundless killing intent in his heart, even if it cost him his life today, he would kill this Ghost Swordsman in front of him. Boom! A tremendous sound suddenly resounded, as dazzling black light swept out from behind Taiyin Kui. That shadow was hulking and massive, reaching heaven and earth, a tiger-headed human body holding two large yellow snakes, emanating a wild, vast aura. ¡°Is this Qiang Liang!?¡± An Jing was also shocked as he looked at the shadow. Thousands of years ago on the great plains, there was a Great Grandmaster level expert named Qiang Liang. This Qiang Liang, also the founding master of Great Snow Mountain, reportedly reached the Land Immortal Realm, could control thunder and command the rain, being omnipotent. Moreover, he had transcended what was known to man. The Qiang Liang people saw was a tiger-headed human, holding two large snakes, a being of extraordinary talents. As the Qiang Liang shadow appeared, the surrounding Yin Evil Qi twisted, and black cracks like dragons engraved themselves on the sky. Even though it was only a shadow, the earth couldn¡¯t help but tremble. Boom! Boom! Boom! Spirit Summoning Technique! The martial art Taiyin Kui was displaying at this moment was precisely the Great Snow Mountain¡¯s Spirit Summoning Technique. The Great Snow Mountain Spirit Summoning Technique, a secret martial art technique of Great Snow Mountain, was accessible only to the Holy Masters within the mountain, and Taiyin Kui had another identity, the Proxy Holy Master of Great Snow Mountain. Great Snow Mountain believed that all things had a spirit and that ancestors could be summoned through spiritual invocation to aid in battles with various beings. The figure of Qiang Liang before him was no illusion but a genuine concentration of will. Whoosh! An Jing watched the imposing Qiang Liang standing between heaven and earth and took a deep breath, his boundless True Qi bursting forth suddenly. Taiyin Kui stood between heaven and earth, with limitless fluctuations of True Qi swirling around him like a storm had been unleashed between heaven and earth. In the space before him, a surge of starlight also stirred, causing the heavens to tremble. An Jing looked at his palm, where a red mark had appeared on his wrist and was now spreading towards his body. The so-called great moves undermine oneself; An Jing had used Ghost Transformation three times, and each use had pushed his body beyond its limits, the red mark on his wrist growing more dense and spreading towards his heart with each use. The Spirit Summoning Technique deployed by Taiyin Kui was naturally a powerful move. At this moment, the look in his eyes as he gazed at An Jing was void of any underestimation; he truly understood that An Jing¡¯s strength might already surpass his own. An Jing¡¯s gaze was similarly solemn as he stared at Taiyin Kui, feeling the oppressive might brought on by the fierce determination of a Five Qi Grandmaster, not something the ordinary could sense. With this thought, An Jing¡¯s fingers slowly closed together, with starlight dazzling behind him. A punch was thrown! Starlight shot out! In that moment, it seemed as if a domineering force capable of swallowing heaven and earth swept forth, like the arrival of a conqueror. Though the punch was slow, when it was thrown, heaven and earth seemed to freeze, dominated by that tyrannical Fist Force. The whole world seemed to acknowledge it as the supreme ruler. When Taiyin Kui saw An Jing¡¯s punch, his eyebrows instantly furrowed. Behind him, Qiang Liang, who was grasping two giant snakes, glared dominantly. Qiang Liang opened his mouth, and the deep, domineering voice echoed, sending an intimidating Qi Mechanism scattering in all directions. A punch was thrown, and immediately, a black light erupted. That punch carried a shockingly terrifying power, and the Qi Mechanism of the world seemed to boil. The ground below was continuously collapsing; massive cracks spread rapidly through this Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. The gathering Yin soldiers also dispersed into the ground. The two tyrannical Fist Forces collided fiercely in the air, neither intending to yield. Bang! At the moment of impact, heaven and earth seemed to tremble, and fierce shockwaves rampaged, tearing the air itself into terrifying marks. An Jing stood immovable as a mountain. His gaze pierced through the overwhelming tide of True Qi to look at Taiyin Kui in the distance, noticing a hint of mockery at the corner of the latter¡¯s mouth. Taiyin Kui¡¯s fist, once again thrown out. With this punch, the world instantly dimmed, and the giant yellow snake in his hand burst forth, its bizarre cry echoing through the heavens. With the punch out, a terrifying domineering aura swept across the land, the surging giant snake opening its vast maw as if to swallow heaven and earth. As the shadow of the fist shot out, it directly crashed into that black light, and instantly, the domineering black light surged, the giant snake bathed in a purple glow becoming even more fierce and unrivaled. When this punch was thrown, even An Jing felt a violent shock in his heart, and his skin prickled with pain, his body sensing an extreme threat. Boom! The Protective True Qi around An Jing shattered in an instant, obviously intimidated by the surging behemoth of a serpent. Taiyin Kui stared at An Jing indifferently, his gaze as if looking at someone on the brink of death. This was one of Qiang Liang¡¯s most powerful techniques. When he executed this move, not only An Jing but even other Five Qi Grandmasters of equal standing would inevitably face defeat! Boom! Taiyin Kui, expressionless, threw a punch, and a cold chill echoed all around. Boom! Boom! In that surging black light, there was a deafening sound spreading everywhere, and a fierce wind howled as if it were an apocalypse. Within that black light, one could see a giant serpent¡¯s head, several meters tall, slowly opening its fearsome maw, locking onto An Jing from afar. Buzz! Buzz! Within its gaping mouth, two large fangs were exposed. However, at that moment, a chilling black liquid gathered there, each drop containing a breath-stopping venom. Boom! The serpent transformed into a torrent that swept out violently, showing destructive power along its path, directly leaving a pitch-black trace in the void, as if anything it passed over, any object, would be utterly dissolved. It was incredibly shocking and terrifying! The giant serpent cut through the void, and An Jing slightly arched his eyebrows, knowing that if he allowed the serpent to come at him, even with his currently strong physical body, he would likely suffer severe injuries in an instant. Thinking this, he quickly gathered True Qi into his arms. It seemed as though a directive passed over the emperor¡¯s mausoleum, and the stars of this land unleashed their ancient light, which then shone forth. A punch blasted out, and the starlight penetrated the thick land, illuminating the inside of the emperor¡¯s mausoleum. It was as if the starlight and the giant serpent harshly collided in mid-air. The next moment, it seemed as if heaven and earth had frozen. The two terrifying forces crazily eroded and destroyed each other. Boom! Boom! The terrifying sounds exploded, and the waves of Qi spread wildly in all directions like a tide. Boom! The storm raged, instantly affecting the entire emperor¡¯s mausoleum. Taiyin Kui was violently blasted away, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood. The Qiang Liang phantom swiftly dimmed, clearly unable to withstand that horrific impact. Atop the Golden Throne Hall, the two stood opposite each other, the raging True Qi seemingly divided by them, each dominating half the sky, an equal match. An Jing looked at his own palm, at this moment his body surrounded by dazzling starlight, as if he had entered an unfathomably profound realm. Roaming outside of heaven and earth! Now the Heavenly Human Communication had faded, and An Jing was not relying on the power of this realm, but rather using the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique to draw on the power of stars beyond this domain. This was the terrifying Perfection of the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique! This power from beyond the domain was more domineering, even more shockingly supreme. Taiyin Kui struggled to maintain an equal standing, but he knew he was already at a clear disadvantage. Numerous streams of Yin Evil Qi surged around him with phantom soldiers emerging from within, while An Jing opposite him had yet to make a move, ¡°Why haven¡¯t you made a move yet?¡± An Jing indifferently said, ¡°I am waiting for you to make a move.¡± Taiyin Kui wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, ¡°Waiting for me to make a move?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Yes.¡± Taiyin Kui furrowed his brow and asked, ¡°Why?¡± An Jing spoke calmly, ¡°I¡¯m giving you a chance to say goodbye to this world.¡± I didn¡¯t strike because the next time I do, it will be your time to die. Taiyin Kui¡¯s gaze was as steady as water, a hint of anger emerging in his heart. Who was he? Once the guardian deity of the great plains, a famously known Five Qi Grandmaster, but now, in An Jing¡¯s words, he had become someone who could be executed at any moment. However, his anger quickly dissipated, and his heart completely calmed down. His eyes harbored only the enemy before him, and it seemed as though a fire was born in his chest. The flames burned continuously, consuming the True Qi inside his body. In that instant, Taiyin Kui felt his body become lighter. With a leap, he found his sensations were not mistaken. His figure reflected in the universe, and in that moment, he seemed to have received an immense power, as if possessing this power could allow him to kill An Jing before him. Even he himself was shocked by this power. There was no sunlight in the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, not even a glimmer of firelight; the surroundings were gloomy, the killing intent had begun, and even gods and ghosts could not salvage the situation. Taiyin Kui recalled the martial arts he had cultivated all his life; every move and form were etched in his mind. He then remembered every enemy, friend, relative, and those who deeply admired him. As the guardian deity of the great plains, a witness and creator of the Houjin Royal Court, he had no regrets, but rather felt greatly honored. Just as he had vowed years ago in the mire, if he didn¡¯t die today, it would be a life lived spectacularly, and indeed, his life had been just that. When does a swordsman die? It is when one truly becomes a swordsman. When does a person die? It is when the killing intent inside can no longer be suppressed. Because what truly puts you in danger is never others, but yourself. Taiyin Kui¡¯s eyes brightened, his body seeming to turn into a beam of black light. Shocking Annihilation! Without any luster, it merged into the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. There appeared nothing in An Jing¡¯s pupils; in that moment, Taiyin Kui seemed to have completely vanished, as if he no longer existed in this world. He merely stepped forward! That step, as if stars had fell upon the earth. The starlight illuminated the darkness, making the blackness visible. Taiyin Kui too, was revealed. In that instant, heaven and earth shattered, mountains and rivers broke apart! But the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum remained unharmed, the ground above remained unharmed, and everything was unharmed without the slightest disturbance or fluctuation. It was as if nothing had happened, just a step forward. All returned to calm. ¡°Gurgle-!¡± Taiyin Kui reappeared, his pupils violently constricted as blood spurted continuously from his mouth. Although his body seemed intact, his internal organs had turned to mush, his limbs and meridians had shattered, and the inside of his body was completely destroyed, leaving only an empty shell. In that moment, he believed the words An Jing had said. An Jing was waiting for him to strike, because as soon as he did, it would be his time to die. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Without any chance. And all he could do was choose to die himself. ¡°Thump!¡± Following that, Taiyin Kui lost all divine light, his body heavily falling to the ground. ¡­¡­ Chapter 328 - Chapter 328 Chapter 328 A Million Ghostly Soldiers Present the Chapter 328: Chapter 328: A Million Ghostly Soldiers Present the Jade Seal Chapter 328: Chapter 328: A Million Ghostly Soldiers Present the Jade Seal Taiyin Kui is dead. This guardian spirit of the great plain, one of the only two Five Qi Grandmasters of Houjin, died within the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. There are not many Five Qi Grandmasters in the world, enough to count on one hand: Qi Xuan Dao and Qin Shan from the Black Ice Platform, Taiyin Kui and Zongzheng Huachun from Houjin, Xi Hafu from the Buddhist sect, Jun Qinglin from the Demon Sect, and of course, Zhao Zhiwu and Old Su from the Great Yan Court, along with the newly promoted Jiang Shang. Jun Qinglin was cut down by Zongzheng Huachun, and, with his end approaching, he held back the Houjin army, winning a slim chance of survival for the members of the Demon Sect, ultimately dying amidst the Houjin forces. And Qin Shan died in Yujing City during the great battle, while Qi Xuan Dao narrowly escaped with severe injuries. Now, Taiyin Kui has also met his death within the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. One by one, the Grandmasters of the Five Qi Returning to Origin began to fall, and many ordinary martial artists from Jianghu were also disappearing among the transient smoke and waves of this world. In chaotic times, human lives are like weeds, utterly worthless. An Jing knew that this was just the beginning and that many more would die. Taiyin Kui¡¯s body fell, afterward, five strands of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Essence floated out. An Jing reached out his palm and caught the five strands of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Essence, which then entered his Qi Sea Dantian. The surrounding Yin Evil Qi had already fully converged, almost forming a million Yin soldiers, which then encircled the entire dilapidated Golden Throne Hall. Upon closer inspection, in the front ranks of those million Yin soldiers were dozens of generals riding tall horses, their Yin energy chilling, which if released to the outside world would surely cause a howling Yin wind and change the color of the sky and earth. An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed, and his heart sank. It was already quite troublesome to deal with tens of thousands of Yin soldiers, but under the boundless heavens, there was far more than just tens of thousands¨Cthere were at least a million of them. How could he possibly defend against them? The surging Yin Evil Qi filled the entire Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, affecting everything except for An Jing and Jiang Shang within the Golden Throne Hall. An Jing¡¯s Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique had already been cultivated to perfection, the Yin Evil Qi could not invade his body, and Jiang Shang was surrounded by his essence blood, making the surrounding Yin Evil Qi dissipate. But what exactly had happened here? The Yin Evil Qi in the Golden Throne Hall was so concentrated it had reached its peak, the black Yin Evil Qi seeming to have come alive, turning purple, and forming a dragon. ¡°Bang!¡± Suddenly, a shadow burst through the roof of the Golden Throne Hall. It was Jiang Shang. At this moment, his body surged with a crimson essence blood, which carried a ferocity, brutality, and terror¡­ no less intense than the Yin Evil Qi, even causing the thinner Yin Evil Qi to melt upon contact. With the overwhelming imperial aura dispersing, accompanied by the flying out of the Bronze Ancient Coffin, An Jing also saw the so-called ¡®Great Qin Emperor.¡¯ That ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ was neither human nor demon, with four arms, crimson eyes shining with a cold light, dressed in the official Qin Dynasty Dragon Robe, his entire body saturated with evil spirits. An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed even deeper, ¡°Who are you?¡± This didn¡¯t resemble the Great Qin Emperor at all, but rather some kind of evil spirit. The ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ said coldly, ¡°I am the supreme ruler.¡± ¡°The supreme ruler?¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s mouth curled into a mocking smile, ¡°I think you¡¯re nothing more than a monster that¡¯s lost its humanity.¡± ¡°Insolence!¡± The ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ roared in anger. Afterward, the surrounding Yin Evil Qi surged up as if transforming into a tsunami. Jiang Shang looked at the ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ before him and said coldly, ¡°The divine soul of the Great Qin Emperor has been tainted by the evil spirits, completely transformed into an evil spirit, and you still aspire to be unrivaled in the world of the living?¡± Hearing this, An Jing said thoughtfully to himself, ¡°Can evil spirits even taint the divine soul?¡± He had heard about the tainting by evil spirits, turning them into more evil spirits, but this was the first time he had seen such a creature, so un-human-like and demon-like. And the fact that evil spirits could taint the divine soul and the body, leaving no place untouched, how terrifying was that? Even the former Great Qin Emperor had been tainted into an evil spirit. Jiang Shang said, ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, you must be the last Great Qin Emperor, who drew out all the essence blood from the bodies of the Qin Emperor¡¯s mausoleum, absorbing it into your own body and thus reaching the Grandmaster Realm. But you were not satisfied, because even a Grandmaster will have a moment of demise. Therefore, you yearned for longevity.¡± The ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ said, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Jiang Shang stared directly at the ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ and asked, ¡°To yearn for longevity, you didn¡¯t hesitate to become an evil spirit. Was it really worth it?¡± Jiang Shang and the Great Qin Emperor before him alike, he had spent most of his life searching for immortality, seeking the undying. ¡°What do you understand?¡± The ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ glanced at Jiang Shang and said icily, ¡°The restraints of the heavens and the earth are getting heavier, and the Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth is becoming tainted. To survive, to improve one¡¯s cultivation further, one can only absorb this evil spirit qi. It is destiny.¡± Destiny! An Jing looked at the ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ as if suddenly enlightened. There were no such things as evil spirits, only people corrupted by the energy of evil spirits. The withered corpses seen at Three Temple Mountain, as well as the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯ carried on the back of Xi Hafu, they were evil spirits, but they were originally just people who became tainted by the Yin Evil Qi and turned into evil spirits. Throughout the lengthy history, dynasties suppressed the Earth Veins and sealed away the contaminated Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy within them, but there were also those who chose to absorb this tainted spiritual essence into their bodies, becoming the evil spirits spoken of by the people. After all, the Qi of evil spirits is pervasive, corrupting the spiritual energy of nature, and it can also corrode the flesh and erode a person¡¯s Divine Soul. It¡¯s only a matter of time before a person gets corrupted. In an instant, a chill surfaced in An Jing¡¯s heart. If the Earth Veins were to break their seals, then would everyone in the world eventually become like the ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ before them? Turning into an army of evil spirits? Jiang Shang said coldly, ¡°Fate? If fate means turning into this ghastly specter, then it might be better for all the people in the world to just perish.¡± If you¡¯re no longer human, then what¡¯s the point of seeking immortality and carefree freedom when it will all end up being in vain? The ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ declared, ¡°Do you know that as long as my Divine Soul is not extinguished, I can reshape a physical body? This is the realm of an Immortal. In other words, I am a true Immortal of this world.¡± ¡°And absorbing this Qi of evil spirits is the only path to transcend the Great Grandmaster and reach the realm of transcendence.¡± The voice of the ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ boomed like thunder in all directions. Since ancient times, whether it was the Great Qin Dynasty, Great Zhou Dynasty, or even Great Yan, there have been Grandmaster Realm experts. And those in the Grandmaster Realm have also been known as Land Immortals, but Land Immortals are still just that and are not true Immortals. All masters who reach the Grandmaster Realm are seeking a way to break through the Grandmaster level. Throughout the long history, they¡¯ve searched for countless methods, whether it¡¯s absorbing massive amounts of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence or consuming rumored Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, they¡¯ve all tried to break through these shackles. This is the most difficult mystery in the world, and some even say that the Grandmaster level is the ultimate limit for humans, and that it¡¯s absolutely impossible to break this barrier and reach the so-called realm of Immortals. There has never been a true Immortal in history, and perhaps there are no such beings who can achieve eternal life. But at this moment, the ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ seems to have revealed a shocking secret¨Cthat by absorbing the Qi of evil spirits, one can surpass that realm and reach the state of an Immortal, transcending the mundane world. If word of this got out, it would surely shock the entire world. This isn¡¯t the Qi of evil spirits, this is clearly the Qi of immortality. Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes narrowed, clearly unmoved by the words of the ¡®Great Qin Emperor.¡¯ The ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ looked down haughtily and declared, ¡°When the Qi of evil spirits truly erupts, by that time everyone can become an Immortal, everyone can achieve immortality. That will be the true golden age!¡± ¡°By then, I can reshape my physical body, reign over the world, and command awe over the Four Seas.¡± Jiang Shang said nothing. An Jing¡¯s gaze turned icy, ¡°Bullshit golden age!¡± ¡°You still don¡¯t understand.¡± The ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ said, ¡°This is the Qi of Immortals, the Qi that can bring immortality and revelatory truth to people, the existence that everyone dreams of. I have been slumbering here, sensing your efforts to suppress the immortal Qi, but you can¡¯t hold it back. Under the relentless flow of the ages, what do you count for?¡± ¡°A grain of sand in the age is a mountain atop your heads, no single individual can stop it, can truly block it.¡± A grain of sand in the age is indeed a mountain above an individual¡¯s head. Seeing that neither of them spoke any further, the ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ said coldly, ¡°You two have trespassed in the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, but I can spare you from death, as long as you follow me. When the day comes for me to reshape my flesh, you too can attain great power and status.¡± If the Great Yan Emperor was a reserved ruler, then the ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ before them was an unrestrained, wildly arrogant ruler. With no restraint, only defiance and tyranny. This last emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty, even in death, planned everything, aspiring to continue dreaming his lofty dreams, hoping that one day he could return to the world above and reclaim everything that belonged to him. An Jing said, ¡°What if I refuse?¡± The ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ responded, ¡°Then there¡¯s only one path for you¨Cdeath, though I will leave your body behind.¡± Saying this, the surrounding million ghost soldiers surged forward, their oppressive presence coming in waves, as if they were about to devour everything. The ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ turned to Jiang Shang, ¡°And you?¡± Jiang Shang straightforwardly rejected, ¡°In my life, I, Jiang Shang, will not yield to anyone.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± The ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ waved his robe dismissively and said indifferently, ¡°Kill them all!¡± Thunderous roars erupted as the endless ghost soldiers stormed in, their dense Yin Evil Qi turning into a vast ocean-like onslaught. Jiang Shang looked at An Jing and said, ¡°If we want to leave this Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum now, we can only join forces.¡± As he spoke, a halo of blood qi emerged around him, and the approaching ghost soldiers emitted piercing shrieks before dissolving away. An Jing paid no heed to Jiang Shang, with a clap of his hand, the famous swords on his back all flew out. They formed a storm of Sword Qi around him, shredding the nearby ghost soldiers into fragments, but the endless ghost soldiers around kept rushing forward again and again. Among these ghost soldiers were war chariots, and they were all clad in hard, heavy armor, conveying an indestructible presence. One batch of ghost soldiers fell only for another to swiftly take their place. Just then, An Jing felt a series of scorching breaths emanate from the Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty in his arms. In the past, atop White Bone Mountain, it was this very Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty that seemed to open the gates of Fengdu, allowing legions of souls from the massacred victims of the Great Zhou Dynasty to return to Fengdu. With this thought, An Jing took out the Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Instantly, an extreme radiance surged and appeared, as if lighting up the entire emperor¡¯s mausoleum. ¡°The Imperial Jade Seal!?¡± When the ¡®Great Qin Emperor¡¯ saw the jade seal in An Jing¡¯s hand, his voice also carried a hint of shock. No one understood better than him what this object before their eyes was. It was the National Seal, a treasure known throughout the world. Jiang Shang also furrowed his brows deeply. At this moment, the movements of the ghost soldiers around them all halted, each of them looking at the jade seal that was glowing with light, their expressions filled with the utmost humility and respect. Especially the generals commanding the battle, who then dismounted from their warhorses one after another. ¡°Long live, long live, long live our emperor!¡± Upon seeing this, the millions of ghost soldiers behind them also knelt down one after another, their voices thunderous and earth-shaking, echoing in all directions. ¡°Long live, long live, long live our emperor!¡± ¡°Long live, long live, long live our emperor!¡± ¡­¡­ The warfare on Beihuang Dao was fierce. After the Houjin army broke through Heavenly Gate Pass, the Houjin Great Commander Jin Lv divided his forces in two, advancing in the direction of the Yuan City on Beihuang Dao. The Houjin left-wing army fought valiantly, unstoppable like a bamboo-splitting force. Moreover, with the Houjin army using every possible means, combined with the assassins from Great Snow Mountain and Soul Seeker Mansion, the Yan army was forced into continuous retreat, having already fallen back to the Red Maple Forest. Once they crossed the Red Maple Forest, they would arrive directly at the doorstep of Yuan City. As the sun rose and the fog had yet to clear, the Houjin army that had been silent for several days mobilized. The central infantry army of one hundred thousand, with fifty thousand cavalry on each wing, amounted to a total of two hundred thousand in red Hu attire. They were like the red leaves of autumn, fiery red. A sharp, urgent bugle call went up. In response, the Yan army stationed in the camp started to mobilize, stretching out like a vast forest of dark pines, seemingly having roughly the same number of troops as the Houjin army. This was a clash between two armies with equal strength but vastly different styles. Not to mention the Yan army wielding broad longswords, and the Houjin army wielding crescent scimitars, the cavalry on both flanks were also different. The Houjin cavalry were skilled with horse and bow, each of them tall and strong, with individual fighting capabilities surpassing that of the Yan army. Almost instantly, the drums and bugles of the Liang army boomed, and battle flags fluttered fiercely in the wind. The flanking cavalry of the Houjin army took the lead, while the foot soldiers of the central army marched in neat steps, advancing like mountain walls, shouting ¡°kill¡± every three steps, pressing forward with a thunderous, unhurried advance. At the same time, the shrill sounds of ox-horn bugles echoed through the valleys, as the flanking cavalry charged to meet them with a howl, and the heavy infantry marched forward with arrogant strides, sweeping across the land like a black tidal wave. Finally, the two armies collided like a mountain shifting and sea overturning, the sound thunderous in the valleys, like countless angry waves striking the mountains. Longswords clanged and danced with crescent blades, long spears and throwing spears whistled through the air, dense arrow storms swept through like locusts, and the dull battle cries and abrupt screams shook the earth and heavens! These were two extremely elite armies, both with a record of constant victories, both with warriors ready to lay down their lives bravely. Iron men clashed, unwilling to die just yet, with ferocious faces, blood-stained swords, low howls, and pervasive dust, the entire valley engulfed and obliterated by the brutal atmosphere of primal combat¡­ The dense smoke from the fierce flames of battle billowed and spread throughout the forest. The battle flag with the ¡®Wang¡¯ character, fluttering in the wind, was already torn and ragged, seemingly on the verge of falling any second. Afar on the city tower, corpses lay unstirred, with blood flowing incessantly, yet no one came forward to clean up, the thick stench of blood mixing with the smell of sweat in the air, offensive and pungent. Yet the war persisted. The loud screams and yells were heart-stirring. The strong silhouettes of the Houjin army soldiers below the city undulated like waves. From their mouths emanated earth-shaking cries which spread and encouraged one another, dissipating much of the inexplicable fear in their hearts. Arrows flew wildly through the sky, and the droning arrow rain cut through the clear heavens like locust swarms, with soldiers falling consistently after being struck. The Jingzhou soldiers had just ascended the city wall when they were immediately swarmed by a group of Sichuan soldiers wielding blades, hopelessly outnumbered. ¡°Houjin barbarians, get the hell down from here!¡± ¡°Kill these mongrels!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Piercing shrieks, frenzied killing, the blistering flames of war, all made the soldiers of both armies even more furious, intensifying the battle. This battle also seemed to become the most challenging one for the current Houjin army. The setting sun was like blood, its lingering glow scattered over the city tower. General Lv Ping, under Wang Shiyi¡¯s command, clenched his fists tightly as he looked ahead. The deputy general beside him said, ¡°General, Jin Lv has led the right-wing army and they¡¯re already attacking. Let¡¯s retreat.¡± Lv Ping looked coldly at the deputy general and said, ¡°Retreat? To where should we retreat?¡± The Deputy General spoke solemnly, ¡°We can¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say anymore. Heavenly Gate Pass has fallen, I retreated. The North City has fallen, I still retreated. If I retreat again now, it will be to Yuan City. I will not retreat again.¡± Lv Ping cut off the Deputy General¡¯s words, drew the knife in his hand, and said, ¡°I will fight to the death. I can confront my conscience in peace, having done no wrong to my country, my people, and Your Majesty!¡± After speaking, Lv Ping, with his personal soldiers behind him, charged towards Houjin¡¯s overwhelming army. ¡°General!¡± Seeing this, the Deputy General hurriedly rushed forward to protect him. Assassins from Soul Seeker Mansion and experts from Great Snow Mountain were amongst them, which is why a general would not charge to the forefront until the very last moment. Evidently, at this moment, the Great Yan army was on the verge of collapse under the offensive of Houjin¡¯s army. A first-grade expert from Great Snow Mountain was brutally slaughtering Great Yan soldiers when his eyes suddenly lit up at the sight of Lv Ping in armor. It wasn¡¯t just him; several other experts from Great Snow Mountain were deeply shaken. ¡°Protect General Lv!¡± Meanwhile, the Great Yan Martial World experts who were mixed in among them rushed forward, trying to protect Lv Ping. The two sides engaged in a fight to the death. These high-level martial artists of the Great Yan Martial World were extremely skilled, including two Elders from the Five Poison Sect¨Cone in the First Grade realm, the other also of Second Grade cultivation. The clash of battle rang out piercingly, and people continuously fell into pools of blood, including Great Yan soldiers and martial artists from Great Yan. Soon, the experts from Great Snow Mountain had no more opponents, and they directed their charge toward Lv Ping. ¡°General, run!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± Three personal soldiers were simply no match for the inner strength of the Great Snow Mountain experts and were directly turned into a mist of blood. The eyes of the Great Snow Mountain expert were icily cold as he looked at Lv Ping as if he were nothing more than prey. By this point, the complete defeat of Great Yan had become an inevitability, but not a single soldier from this army surrendered. Blood dyed the ground red, forming a rivulet. ¡°Kill!¡± Lv Ping¡¯s eyes were bloodshot as he charged at the Great Snow Mountain expert with his bloodied long knife. Even though he knew he stood no chance against the first-grade expert from Great Snow Mountain. The curved blade of the Great Snow Mountain expert rotated, swift as lightning. ¡°Pu!¡± The blade flashed, instantly piercing through Lv Ping¡¯s throat. Blood gushed like a fountain, and he lost all signs of life. The surrounding Houjin soldiers finished off dying Great Yan soldiers without hesitation, cruelly and mercilessly. The land was a picture of desolation! With the city broken and its defenders dead, the civilians became prey for Houjin¡¯s army. The slaughter had not ended. No, it had become a massacre. In the eyes of Houjin¡¯s army, the people of Great Yan were just like the sheep they herded, except these ¡®sheep¡¯ had two legs, so they called them two-legged sheep. Countless civilians fell into blood pools, their pitiful screams not ceasing from dawn till dusk. Even children under ten were cruelly slaughtered, while the women were dragged into the military camps for entertainment; some who could not endure the humiliation and were of strong character took their own lives. Houjin¡¯s invasion southward was a disaster wherever it went. They constantly displayed their barbarity, their ruthlessness. At that moment, a Houjin general approached Mu Xin Dharma King of Great Snow Mountain and bowed, ¡°Dharma King, the battle is over; Wang Shiyi¡¯s thirty thousand elite troops are all dead, and the young tiger, Lv Ping, is also dead.¡± In Houjin, the status of Great Snow Mountain was beyond doubt, and the status of a Dharma King was second only to the Holy Master. Even generals, when necessary, had to follow the orders of a Dharma King. Mu Xin Dharma King took a deep breath and replied, ¡°Lv Ping was indeed a talent. Give him a proper burial.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± replied the Houjin general. Mu Xin Dharma King¡¯s eyes reflected a glint of cold light. ¡°Rest for two days, then take Yuan City directly. Within half a month, I want to sit atop the city walls of Yuan City with Jin Lv, the Great Commander.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At this moment, the city behind them had turned into a frenzied feast; the only difference was that it was a celebration for Houjin¡¯s army but a disaster for the people of Great Yan. News of Northern Wilderness Dao¡¯s adverse war situation spread to Yujing City like snowflakes, ceaselessly arriving. The Court was shaken from top to bottom, as no one had anticipated that Houjin¡¯s army would be so ferocious or, perhaps, that Northern Wilderness Dao¡¯s Wang Shiyi and Ghost Swordsman would be ¡®so easily defeated.¡¯ In just half a month, most of Northern Wilderness Dao had fallen, even pressing close to Yuan City. If Yuan City were lost, then Houjin¡¯s army would head straight for Capital Road, and Yujing City itself would be exposed to the eyes of Houjin¡¯s army. ¡­¡­. Chapter 329 - Chapter 329 Chapter 329 The Immortal of the World Must Not Be Chapter 329: Chapter 329: The Immortal of the World Must Not Be Seen Chapter 329: Chapter 329: The Immortal of the World Must Not Be Seen All the dark soldiers within the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum knelt on the ground, a dense mass that stretched out, boundless and endless. Earth-shattering voices echoed in all directions, and the overwhelming Yin Evil Qi roared in. The one they knelt before was none other than An Jing, who held the Jade Seal in his hand. The Jade Seal had nine dragons intertwined on it, with the words ¡°Commissioned by Heaven, eternal longevity¡± inscribed below, signifying the Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Qin Dynasty. This Jade Seal was forged from a meteorite, a celestial essence from beyond this world. Each emperor regarded securing this seal as a divine endorsement, treasuring it as a national relic, embodying the symbol ¡°commissioned by heaven¡±; its loss signified ¡°the end of a ruler¡¯s destined time.¡± Then, the Jade Seal vanished during the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the Yan Dynasty was established and cast a new Great Yan Imperial Seal. Although the Great Yan Imperial Seal also had an extraordinary origin, how could it compare with the legitimate succession of the Imperial Jade Seal? At this moment, the Jade Seal¡¯s radiance shone brilliantly, the entire seal appeared translucent and polished, with nine strands of imperial yellow Qi intertwined above the dragon knot. Jiang Shang furrowed his brows as he watched the scene unfold before him, and muttered under his breath, ¡°Could it be that what he holds in his hand is the legitimate Imperial Jade Seal?¡± The Imperial Jade Seal had been missing for a long time, yet now it appeared in the hands of the Ghost Swordsman, could there be other secrets behind this? The ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± was the most enraged, especially seeing his million dark soldiers submit under An Jing¡¯s feet, the surrounding Qi trembling, the entire mausoleum quivering. Although these dark soldiers no longer served him, he still had control over the mausoleum¡¯s Great Formation; as long as the Great Formation was under his command, he could utilize it to draw Yin Evil Qi. ¡°Seize him for me.¡± An Jing pointed coldly at the distant Jiang Shang and commanded. ¡°Kill¨C!¡± A million dark soldiers madly surged toward Jiang Shang, like a relentless, black tide. Even a Land Immortal Realm expert would struggle against a million dark soldiers, let alone Jiang Shang who was in the Five Qi Realm. Numerous dark soldiers rushed forward and were instantly dissolved by the blood-red True Qi around Jiang Shang, yet the million dark soldiers were unceasing, and Jiang Shang¡¯s True Qi was limited. Jiang Shang said, ¡°An Jing, you may not be his match¡­..¡± An Jing let out a cold laugh and looked toward the ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡±. At this moment, the ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡±, dressed in a Dragon Robe and no longer in human form, stood atop the Golden Throne Hall, his eyes emitting a blood-red light. The ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± said, ¡°This isn¡¯t just defying me, but defying all the people under the heavens.¡± His heart was filled with lofty ambitions and ideals. For everyone to become immortals! For everyone to achieve longevity! Anyone blocking his path was not just his enemy but an enemy to all people. An Jing spoke slowly, ¡°Some people wish to be heroic, some desire high ranks and riches, some seek fame, some seek profit, I have seen them all.¡± ¡°But someone who wants everyone to seek immortality, that I have never seen before.¡± He was encountering someone like the ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± for the first time. The ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± replied indifferently, ¡°I am the honored One of Nine-Five, history has seen plenty of ¡®heroic figures¡¯, and there should also be a few people like me who do what others do not wish to, or dare to do.¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°It seems the Emperor seeks immortality, not just for himself,¡± The ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± replied, ¡°Living in this world, doing what one desires, isn¡¯t that joyful?¡± An Jing said, ¡°There are two regrets in the world of men.¡± The ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± asked, ¡°Which two?¡± An Jing answered, ¡°The wrong persistence and the easy surrender.¡± The ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± burst into laughter, ¡°How do you know if I am wrongly persistent or easily surrendering?¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°I do not know.¡± The ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± narrowed his eyes, ¡°You do not know? So you choose to be my enemy?¡± An Jing replied indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s not that I want to be your enemy, but you choose to be my enemy, and I am forced to be yours.¡± The ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± suddenly turned icy, ¡°Those who follow me prosper; those against me perish. Anyone who does not conform is my enemy.¡± This ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± not only had lofty ambitions, but he was also extremely paranoid; perhaps people like him are inherently that way. At a distance, the dark soldiers continued to besiege Jiang Shang. As a practitioner halfway into the Land Immortal Realm and a member of the Five Qi Sect, with Jiang Shang¡¯s cunning and calculation, it would not be easy to kill him quickly. ¡°Crackling! Crackling!¡± The ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± moved his hand, and a series of thunderous noises, as sudden as Heavenly Thunder, erupted, blood light soared to the sky, the stench was pungent, and blood swirled continuously, while the ground violently shook, as if it was about to overturn. A vast surge of Yin Evil Qi gushed out from that fissure in the ground. With such a massive influx of Yin Evil Qi, it was as if this place had completely transformed into a realm of ghastly apparitions. Chilling! Terrible! The Qi of Yin Evil concentrated to an extreme, the white mist around vanished completely, and a cold wind howled in. As a living being, even though An Jing had practiced the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± to Great Perfection, he still felt uneasy, and he leaped to a distant palace archway. ¡°Whirrrr!¡± ¡°Whirrrr!¡± As the ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± extended his hand, the surrounding Yin Evil Qi began to converge toward him, causing his Qi Mechanism to surge once more, resonating with heaven and earth. The location of this Mystical Sect Formation was indeed a channel to Fengdu. Fengdu has always been the place for the dead, and how could the living possibly return there? Thus, the emperors of the Great Qin aimed to use this formation to enter the mysterious Fengdu, to rule all of the Underworld, and become the eternal sovereign of the netherworld. An Jing looked at the coffin beneath the ¡°Great Qin Human Emperor¡± where the purple radiance from the Earth Book emerged incessantly, and simultaneously, a black opportunity also revealed itself. ¡°Alert: a purple opportunity (dilute True Dragon Essence Blood) is nearby the host.¡± ¡°Alert: a black opportunity is nearby the host!¡± ¡­¡­ An Jing¡¯s heart jolted, could there actually be a black opportunity? ¡°Only by killing you and taking back my Jade Seal can I regain control of this realm,¡± the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ said as he slowly walked forward, a pitch-black longsword materializing in his hand, emanating beams of light. King¡¯s Sword! The radiance reflected on the surface of the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, causing the surrounding Yin Evil Qi to rapidly swirl into a series of scorching whirlwinds. The ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ seemed to step out from the myriad of crimson radiance, the pervasive sword light amplifying his might. The aura of the True Dragon Qi combined with the Yin Evil Qi, converging on one person at this moment. He truly appeared as the Emperor of the Underworld. Anyone observing the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ at this moment would feel as though a storm had turned their hearts upside down. Whoosh! A black blade edge abruptly emerged, the surrounding brilliance instantly fading, the blade merging with the local Yin Evil Qi as if its sharpness originated from here, restoring calm once again. Whoosh! An Jing unsheathed the Dulu Sword from his back, its icy edge nearly splitting the sky, its overwhelming presence melding with An Jing¡¯s figure. If the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ was leveraging the might of the Great Formation, then An Jing was the heavens and earth personified, wielding the authority over Qian and Kun, decreeing all creation! Crack! Crack! Crack! Fragments scattered, the black sword light being released fiercely, carrying a chilling murderous aura and raising a storm wherever it passed. King¡¯s Sword!? This was not just the King¡¯s Sword, there seemed to be an aura of death as well. A hint of surprise flickered in An Jing¡¯s eyes, and he promptly propelled himself forward, transforming into a streak of light and avoiding the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯s¡¯ sword radiance. Boom! Boom! As An Jing dodged those two strikes, two more black sword lights burst forth, their ferocity sweeping up harrowing black tornadoes, converging on An Jing from both sides. The rustling of his clothes and the fluttering of his black robes, An Jing gripped the Dulu Sword, sweeping it sideways. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! A tremendous roar erupted, with the two combatants at the epicenter, the Yin Evil Qi trapped within, unable to escape, while the sword lights that had conjured the black tornadoes shattered abruptly, ravaging the surrounding Imperial Palace without leaving any spot untouched. The ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ stretched out all four of his arms at once, as if four sharp swords had surfaced, ¡°Your swordsmanship is quite extraordinary.¡± The swords in his hands were formed of Yin Evil Qi, and if struck, a vast amount of Yin Evil Qi would flood into one¡¯s body, destroying their Dantian and Qi Sea. By that point, not even a Daluo Immortal could save the afflicted. An Jing rested his palm on the hilt of the Dulu Sword and smiled, ¡°Your Sword Dao is the same.¡± Although An Jing was smiling, his expression was not stern, yet one could clearly feel a bracing will rushing forth. ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ slowly said, ¡°My Sword Dao is led by the King¡¯s Sword. In this emperor¡¯s mausoleum, I have comprehended death energy for a thousand years. Combining the two has led to its formation.¡± The ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ continued, ¡°Sword Dao itself should have no limits; Sword Dao is indeed just Sword Dao. What are the Holy Dao Sword, King¡¯s Sword, Heavenly Dao Sword, and Human Dao Sword after all but swords in one¡¯s heart?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing nodded and replied, ¡°Right, it¡¯s just a sword in one¡¯s heart.¡± The Sword Dao attainment of the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ was undoubtedly the most top-notch An Jing had seen so far. After all, a thousand years of comprehension of Sword Dao brought him a unique understanding. The ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ shifted his right foot slightly, and his black longsword cleaved down fiercely. The violent black Sword Light, like bamboo breaking in its path, carried the howling of a hurricane as it slashed toward An Jing. Instead of retreating, An Jing advanced, and his Dulu Sword slashed directly along with the motion. Sword Radiance swept out, and the black light was directly cleaved away. Then, with a flourish of his sword, several beams of Sword Light shot out in reverse, charging toward the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor.¡¯ ¡°Come, let me see your Sword Dao,¡± said the Human Emperor. The ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ also reached out with his left hand, with his index and middle fingers tucked onto his thumb, flicking out two streams of black Qi Force. These forces, like a knife and a sword, intercepted An Jing¡¯s Sword Radiance in the air. But he had underestimated An Jing¡¯s Sword Dao. Boom! The moment the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ caught An Jing¡¯s Sword Radiance, his inner world began to violently shake. An outburst of Yin Evil Qi surged forth, forming tornadoes. Had it not been for the strength of his Divine Soul, coupled with the aid of a Great Formation, the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ would have been severely injured and lost the ability to move. Even so, he still felt his Divine Soul weaken somewhat. Just when he was still coming to terms with the shock, a Sword Qi, unrestrained and impetuous, collided against him. The ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ wanted to extinguish that Sword Qi, and only moments later did he realize the potency of this strand of Sword Qi that had penetrated his body. With no choice left, he sealed off that strand of Sword Qi before he could finally breathe a slight sigh of relief. Then, with a shock in his heart, he looked at An Jing in front of him, and his expression turned somewhat grave. He knew that today he would need to exert all his strength, even if it might damage this Great Formation. Immediately, a staggering aura burst forth from the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯s¡¯ body. Boom! The majesty of the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ erupted, sweeping across the heavens in a storm-like frenzy, like a mountain collapsing and the sea roaring. An Jing looked calmly at the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ ahead of him, completely unaffected by the spreading aura. His body trembled, his arm stretched out, and a thousand zhang long Sword Radiance, as if descending from the heavens, resolutely chopped down. If an ordinary Four Qi Grandmaster or even a Five Qi Grandmaster saw An Jing¡¯s fierce attack, they would definitely flee at full strength, avoiding a direct confrontation, or defend with all their might. But the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ wasn¡¯t like that; he was gathering even more Yin Evil Qi while blocking the invasion of that strand of Sword Qi. The air around him twisted into swirls. The dark black Qi Force surged upwards, accompanied by his sharp longsword as it clashed against the Sword Radiance. Boom! The moment the two swords collided, countless Qi Mechanisms surged from the cut surface, forming a ring of razor-sharp Qi waves that spread out into the surroundings. The explosive remnants of countless Qi Mechanisms rose to the sky, turning into a two-li thick column of Qi Mechanism light that shot into the clouds, tearing through the Yin Evil Qi. The nearby Yin soldiers were also affected, turning into black mist. As the column of Qi Mechanism light dissipated, a thunderous noise finally spread in all directions, the Imperial Palace crumbled open, and the entire Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum was thrown into chaos. Yet the scene was eerily empty, with both An Jing and the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ nowhere to be seen. Sword Light shot out from the surroundings, and the Yin Evil Qi around it was cleared out entirely. The sharp Qi spread continuously in all directions, almost as if the sound of metal clashing could be heard. About three breaths later, two shadows reappeared. One stood atop the ruins, leaving a trail of footprints, while the other was indistinct, seemingly stepping on the broken eaves but without substance. An Jing¡¯s tiger¡¯s mouth dripped blood along the sword blade, and the powerful Yin Evil Qi relentlessly assaulted his body from within. The ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ leaped again, eyeing the retreating An Jing, and the sword in his hand exploded with a brilliant black radiance. A sword radiance appeared almost abruptly, filled with the aura of death. This fierce intent swept in, capable of disturbing the opponent¡¯s mind, but this move was futile against An Jing. For his heart had become as solid as a rock the moment he struck with his sword. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly, his eyes like rushing firelight, and he fiercely slashed with the Dulu Sword in his hand, spewing countless sword radiances from the blade, rampaging towards the front. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique, Wind Unstoppable! The Dulu Sword, being The World¡¯s First Sword, unleashed its full terrifying power at this moment. Hisss! Hisss! Hisss! Hundreds of sword radiances swept through, dispersing the black sword light into mere dissipating True Qi, but those spreading black radiances suddenly turned and glided towards An Jing. With a turn of his sword, An Jing instantly annihilated countless black sword radiances, but the oppressive force of the black sword radiance was exceptionally tyrannical, forcing An Jing to retreat continuously until his arms began to feel numb as the black sword radiance finally dissipated. Had he not cultivated the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique to Perfection, An Jing might have been injured by now. Dozens of moves passed, and the two fought from the sky to the ground, with sword Qi enough to tear apart mountains, cutting across above the Imperial Palace. An Jing seemed to be completely suppressed by the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor,¡¯ but at this moment he had not yet used all his strength. Although the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor,¡¯ backed by the Great Formation, was teeming with Yin Evil Qi, he ultimately lacked a physical body, and his strength was still severely affected. Meanwhile, An Jing was quickly observing the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯s¡¯ Sword Dao, comprehending its essence, and nobody knew that An Jing¡¯s own Sword Dao was also growing rapidly. On the other side, the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ felt the sword Qi in his body become more and more fierce, and a chill appeared in his eyes as he thrust his sword ferociously forward. Just as the ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ manipulated his sword, his eyes flashed with a tinge of red, as if forming a dense net, tightly ensnaring An Jing within it. The black sword shot straight like a spear of darkness, and the surrounding murderous aura surged like a wild wind. An Jing¡¯s spirit and power became one, his strength reaching its peak as a glaze-like brilliance shimmered between heaven and earth, the countless lights flowing like the cosmic river, falling all over the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. His Cultivation had reached the Four Qi Realm, the Immortal Sword had reached the Sixth Realm, his practices included the Nameless Heart Scripture, the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, and in hand, he wielded the terrifying World¡¯s First Sword¨Cwho in this world could be his opponent? The ¡®Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯ felt an icy sensation in his heart, with a reflection of the sharp Sword Light in his crimson eyes. An Jing launched a sword strike, and the heavens and earth trembled; he stood against the wind¨Cthis time An Jing held nothing back. The gleaming Sword Radiance surged through the sky, directly slashing towards the oncoming black sword radiance. The two sword radiances had thus collided fiercely. Boom! Suddenly, a violent blast of air tore open from the center of the collision of the two sword radiances, forming a Sword Qi Storm. ¡°` In a daze, a true dragon aura appeared amidst the sword qi storm. It was the Human Emperor of Great Qin, now clad in a dragon robe, with the king¡¯s sword in his hand emanating dazzling light. His eyes, domineering and contemptuous, were like mountains themselves. In this world, some practice the Fast Sword, the Human Dao Sword, the Heavenly Dao Sword, but the least practiced are the Holy Dao Sword and the King¡¯s Sword. What is the King¡¯s Sword? When the emperor¡¯s wrath kills a million, that is the King¡¯s Sword. At this moment, the Human Emperor of Great Qin truly appeared before An Jing, the sword in his hand the King¡¯s Sword. The Human Emperor of Great Qin said, ¡°The ultimate destination of this world is this.¡± An Jing said coldly, ¡°No one will take this path.¡± The Human Emperor of Great Qin exclaimed loudly, ¡°I am willing!¡± An Jing said, ¡°Your Majesty has taken the wrong path.¡± The Human Emperor of Great Qin asked, ¡°Have you heard? Even the wrong path is still a path?¡± When there are no paths left in this world, what does it matter if it¡¯s a wrong path? I am willing to take it for the people of the world. The surrounding yin evil qi grew even denser, as if the real Fengdu was about to descend. An Jing remained silent for a long moment before saying, ¡°I will not allow this world to take the wrong path.¡± Upon hearing this, the Human Emperor of Great Qin laughed, ¡°You are unwilling?¡± An Jing lifted his head, his expression earnest, ¡°Unwilling.¡± He would not take this wrong path. Who in this world would willingly take the wrong path? Sword light filled the entire emperor¡¯s mausoleum. This sword light was unparalleled in sharpness, and even the yin evil qi drew back, not willing to associate with it. ¡­¡­ At that moment, Jiang Shang¡¯s body surged with blood qi. After absorbing the Undying Blood, his strength had been enhanced to an unprecedented level. Although he had just entered the Four Qi Realm, his power was already on par with, if not slightly superior to, a seasoned Five Qi Grandmaster. This was also why Taiyin Kui felt that Jiang Shang¡¯s strength was above his own. Amidst the surge of bloody light, the yin evil qi seemed to retreat, and a large number of ghost soldiers were dispersed by the blood qi, leaving a clear space of three zhang around Jiang Shang. Seeing An Jing and the ¡®Human Emperor of Great Qin¡¯ in their most intense battle, a light flashed in Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes. His body lunged towards the bronze ancient coffin. Although ghost soldiers rapidly regrouped and closed in, they could not catch up with Jiang Shang¡¯s pace. He pressed his palm against the bronze ancient coffin. ¡°Bang!¡± A violent sound was heard as the bronze ancient coffin shook violently, then split apart, spraying forth two streams of blood. One was blackish-red, sinister and terrifying, even more dreadful than the yin evil qi, while the other was a pale golden color, this blood carried a domineering dragon might, seemingly suppressing the blackish-red blood. ¡°Undying Blood!¡± Upon seeing the Undying Blood, Jiang Shang reached out his palm. ¡°` The black and red blood seemed to be guided toward Jiang Shang, rushing over and directly landing in the palm of his hand. Jiang Shang burst into laughter, ¡°Such pure Undying Blood!¡± Having obtained Undying Blood three times, this batch was definitely the purest he had ever received. With this Undying Blood, his strength was bound to leap forward dramatically, and it might even add decades to his lifespan, making reaching the Great Grandmaster Realm almost within reach. ¡­¡­ In the midst of the Sword Qi Storm, the confrontation between An Jing and the Great Qin Human Emperor had also reached a fever pitch. To die for a just cause, to sacrifice one¡¯s life for righteousness, whenever the world was in need, there would always be noble individuals who would rise to the occasion, willing to lay down their lives without regret, a sign that the spirit of the nation had not yet declined. The Great Qin Human Emperor fought with all his might, holding nothing back. His eyes, originally bright, turned dull, and his Divine Soul began to flicker in and out of existence. An Jing said, ¡°You were not supposed to be alive.¡± The Great Qin Human Emperor responded indifferently, ¡°In this world, there is no ¡®supposed to be¡¯ for living or dying. I long to live on, so that the people of Great Qin may have better lives.¡± ¡°They will.¡± An Jing thrust his Dulu Sword forward, ¡°It¡¯s just that Your Majesty will no longer be able to see it.¡± Because His Majesty would be dead. The Sword Light was swift, turning into a streak of light that carried an unfathomably cold aura, piercing through the Divine Soul of the Great Qin Human Emperor. ¡°Pfft!¡± The Great Qin Human Emperor could not feel pain, but he could feel his Divine Soul continuously disappearing, completely vanishing from this world. And his vast empire, in the end, turned into nothing but a bubble. The Great Qin Human Emperor murmured to himself, ¡°It¡¯s a pity, I will not witness this moment.¡± A world where everyone is like a dragon, where everyone can achieve Dao and gain immortality, does it really exist? His body stood tall in the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, becoming increasingly frail. The surrounding ghostly soldiers paused in action; for a moment, they seemed to remember something as they looked blankly at the once Great Qin Human Emperor, then snapped back to reality. An Jing watched this scene without a word. The Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯s ideas were not wrong, but the fundamental truth remained unchangeable. When a person was no longer human and became an evil spirit, what good was immortality? Besides, could people really achieve immortality? That was unrealistic. As the Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯s Divine Soul vanished, the surrounding Yin Evil Qi not only did not dissipate but instead grew even more ferocious. Like a flood bursting through a dam, it surged tumultuously. The Yin Evil Qi was extremely dense, undergoing constant qualitative changes. At that moment, An Jing¡¯s gaze turned to Jiang Shang, who was holding the Undying Blood in his hands, and with a leap, he directly seized the True Dragon Essence Blood from the other side. When he held the True Dragon Essence Blood in his hands, An Jing felt a searing breath transmit from his palm to his heart. True Dragon Essence Blood! This was an existence even more precious than True Dragon Treasure Blood! The True Dragon Treasure Blood had changed An Jing¡¯s aptitude, what kind of transformation the True Dragon Essence Blood would bring about was yet to be seen. Jiang Shang, seeing the Great Qin Human Emperor¡¯s Divine Soul dissipate and the surrounding Yin Evil Qi still swirling, felt a chill in his heart and immediately rushed toward the top of the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, leaving the Undying Blood behind. ¡°Jiang Shang, where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± An Jing stretched out his hand and the Sword Light of the Dulu Sword swept toward Jiang Shang¡¯s back. ¡°Shick!¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s spine turned ice cold as he hurriedly dodged the chilling Sword Light, ¡°You¡¯ve obtained the True Dragon Essence Blood, and there is no conflict of interest between us. Why must we fight to the death?¡± An Jing said indifferently, ¡°You should die.¡± Jiang Shang had killed Zhao Qingmei¡¯s parents, his parents-in-law; moreover, he had once killed him. How could he let Jiang Shang leave unscathed today? Jiang Shang sneered, ¡°It seems you still don¡¯t understand this world well enough. There is no one who ¡®should¡¯ die in this world, no matter what they have done.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°Very well, you ¡®shouldn¡¯t¡¯ die, but I want to kill you.¡± You ¡®shouldn¡¯t¡¯ die, but I want to kill you. Jiang Shang narrowed his eyes, realizing that a battle between them was inevitable today. ¡°Not good!¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on!?¡± And just as the Dulu Sword was raised, the entire Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum began to tremble violently, the ground underfoot cracking open yard by yard. It¡¯s collapsing! This Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum built by the Great Qin Dynasty was collapsing! And the Yin Evil Qi within the mausoleum had imperceptibly transformed into black and red mist, morphing into ghostly black Qi, more troublesome than the Yin Evil Qi. Under the influence of this ghostly Qi, the million ghostly soldiers grew even more powerful, and if they were a mighty army a moment ago, now they became battle-hardened and more ferocious, their presence suffused with a deadly intent. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Even An Jing frowned, taken aback by the formidable changed state of this Yin Evil Qi. The next moment, both An Jing and Jiang Shang witnessed a shocking scene. A river of blood ascended to the heavens; endless blood mist twined while nauseating gusts blowing made one want to vomit, and crimson blood pooled into rivers. An ancient city stood within the bloody mist. ¡­¡­. Chapter 330 - Chapter 330 Chapter 330 Yin Department Fengdu Appears in the Chapter 330: Chapter 330: Yin Department Fengdu Appears in the World Chapter 330: Chapter 330: Yin Department Fengdu Appears in the World Wavering and drifting into the Ghost City, the Emperor sits high while ghosts guard the gate. At that moment, the suddenly appearing ancient city looked exactly like the apparition of Fengdu on White Bone Mountain that he had seen before, the difference being that what he had seen previously was an apparition, and what he saw this time seemed to be truly existing. The grim ghostly aura descended, as if it were an ice cellar. The jade seal in An Jing¡¯s palm shone even more fiercely, like the sun, refracting numerous rays of light. Jiang Shang raised his head, whispering to himself, ¡°Fengdu, this is the Underworld¡¯s Fengdu.¡± Would any living person ever see Fengdu? And in ancient texts, the records about Fengdu were but a few sparse sentences: in the northern Gui Land, spanning thirty thousand miles, two thousand six hundred miles high, the Heavenly Palace has six palaces, around ten thousand miles around, two thousand six hundred miles high, known as the palaces of the Six Heaven ghosts and gods¡­ all the dead arrive there. An Jing also frowned deeply, while the black brilliance in the Earth Book kept blooming, seemingly sensing some unpredictable danger emanating from within this Ghost City of Fengdu, a danger he might not even be able to withstand with his current strength. Under the overwhelming force of circumstances, humans are insignificant and trivial, not worth mentioning; they can only drift along with the tide, for even more so is the vast sea within the universe. The next moment, a purple light appeared above Taiyin Kui¡¯s corpse, flying towards the center of the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum Great Formation. An Jing and Jiang Shang¡¯s Purple Sun Tokens also uncontrollably moved toward the Mystical Sect Formation, as if absorbed by the formation¡¯s Array Eye. After absorbing three Purple Sun Tokens, the Mystical Sect Formation unexpectedly began to crack. Seeing this, An Jing muttered to himself in a low voice, ¡°Huh!? Aren¡¯t these Purple Sun Tokens meant to activate the objects within the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum?¡± Immediately afterwards, Fengdu began to rise, the entire Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum started to shake, and the ground above began to collapse, countless rocks and debris falling down. The Mystical Sect Formation had broken, and this Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum would no longer exist, soon to be completely buried in the desert. ¡°This is bad!¡± Jiang Shang felt a chill in his heart, knowing that if he did not hurry to leave, he would certainly be buried here. He quickly rushed upward. ¡°Best to leave first.¡± Watching Jiang Shang¡¯s retreating figure, An Jing tightened his brows. After all, it was unwise to engage with Jiang Shang now, given the Black Qi opportunity emanating from Fengdu. ¡°These spectral soldiers¡­¡± An Jing looked at that million spectral soldiers, and with a thought, these million spectral soldiers coalesced into a massive swath of black light, which then surged into the Imperial Jade Seal. ¡°This Imperial Jade Seal is indeed miraculous.¡± An Jing glanced at the jade seal in his hand and without hesitation, immediately executed the Nine Heavens Soaring Body Technique to dash upwards. Stones kept falling, including some weighing thousands of pounds. If one was hit by these massive stones, even ordinary Grandmasters would face instant death. Most critically, among these giant rocks were large amounts of debris, rendering the view above pitch black, leaving one to rely solely on their Qi mechanism for protection. ¡­¡­ Above the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, Ouyang Ping was currently sitting cross-legged while Jiang Renyi was lying not far away on a rock, drinking from a water bag, his mind incessantly recalling moments with his wife, feeling an inexplicable wrenching pain. Just then, the sand and gravel on the ground began to tremble. Ouyang Ping, being a Peak Second Qi Grandmaster, distinctly felt something was amiss and subsequently opened his eyes. The next moment, the desert shook, as if a earth dragon was turning over. ¡°What¡¯s happening!?¡± Jiang Renyi¡¯s body swayed as he stood up. Boom! Boom! Within the rising sand and rocks, an ancient city surged out, continuing to rise into midair, as a vast expanse of sinister ghostly aura swept over, while at the same time, sand, air, and the sky all turned black. Ouyang Ping and Jiang Renyi both looked up, watching the sinister, ghostly-filled ancient city, their hearts overwhelmed with shock. The entire area for several miles was dimly lit, the sun obscured, resembling the road to the Yellow Springs. What on earth happened!? ¡®Thump!¡¯ ¡®Thump!¡¯ At that moment, two figures burst out from the rubble. It was An Jing and Jiang Shang. At this time, both were enveloped in a strong Qi Force, scattering the surrounding sand and stones. ¡°An Tributor!¡± Ouyang Ping quickly approached An Jing and asked, ¡°What exactly is going on?¡± An Jing, looking at Fengdu in front of him, said, ¡°Could it be that Mystical Sect Array?¡± That Mystical Sect Array itself is used to communicate with the Underworld Department, to switch heaven and earth, to confuse the heavenly secrets, allowing the Divine Soul of the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum to be preserved, but now the formation has broken¡­ ¡°It turns out it was you.¡± Jiang Shang also saw Jiang Renyi in the distance, and his eyes suddenly narrowed. So that was it. No wonder the Ghost Swordsman knew about the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum and even entered it; it was all because of his ¡®good son¡¯. Jiang Renyi, seeing Jiang Shang, swallowed nervously and retreated three or four steps backward. Ouyang Ping lamented, ¡°Grand Sect Hierarch Jiang, we meet again.¡± Jiang Shang said indifferently, ¡°Yes, we meet again, but I think no one in Outer Heaven wants to see me.¡± Ouyang Ping sighed, ¡°Sometimes, I really cannot understand the Grand Sect Hierarch, why did you put our sect in a desperate situation?¡± Houjin attacked Dongluo Pass, why did Jiang Shang stand against the Demon Sect? He is Jiang Shang, the former Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, under whom the Demon Sect once flourished. Jiang Shang, with his hands behind his back, said, ¡°Thirsting for the Immortal¡¯s blood, hungering for the flesh of a Heavenly God, without practising the Three Pure Ones Technique, yet achieving Immortality; to me in this world, power, money, everything is unimportant, only Immortality is my sole pursuit.¡± Jiang Renyi clenched his fists tightly, glaring at Jiang Shang and said, ¡°Doesn¡¯t even your own biological son matter to you?¡± Jiang Shang looked at Jiang Renyi and burst into laughter, ¡°If Immortality is long-lasting, what use are descendants?¡± To him, nothing in the world was useful, only Immortality. All the emperors, Grandmasters in this world ultimately pursue Immortality, and now in this world, only he, Jiang Shang, is so close to Immortality. Only he, Jiang Shang, is most likely to live as long as the heavens and enjoy everlasting Immortality. Ruthless! Cold! Hearing Jiang Shang speak this way, Jiang Renyi¡¯s heart turned cold, even though he had known about Jiang Shang¡¯s ruthless and relentless nature, still, hearing it now was unbearably painful. His own father actually disregarded him so much, his words cold without a trace of warmth. It was at this moment that Jiang Renyi¡¯s affection for Jiang Shang completely dissipated. Ouyang Ping¡¯s lips parted slightly, hesitating to speak. An Jing, however, sneered beside him, such words are indeed worthy of being Jiang Shang¡¯s. What kinship, power, wealth, in the face of the Path of Immortality, these things are simply not worth mentioning. A cold wind howled fiercely, the ghostly air was terrifying, as if sharp knives were slashing through the air. ¡°We shall meet again.¡± Without any Qi Mechanism surging around him, Jiang Shang leapt and flew into the distance. ¡°Plan to leave?¡± ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± An Jing slapped his palm, and the swords from the sword box flew out, their fierce sword qi overflowing and dispersing the gloomy ghostly air around them, then collectively charging towards the distant Jiang Shang. In the heavens and the earth, a wild wind arose, howling into being, causing the gloomy ghostly air to drift to both sides. The several flying swords attacked, flashing an extremely blinding light, overwhelming and unstoppable. An Jing had pushed his cultivation to the limit, and behind him, a vast starglow also emerged. Jiang Shang only felt a surge of icy chill approaching, carrying the terrifying sword intent. At that moment, the qi mechanism surged tremendously, the heavens and the earth shook, as if everything converged into those flying swords. Sword Control Flying Immortal! Each sword transformed into a gigantic flying sword, their sharp sword qi unparalleled and fierce, enveloping the sword intent of the Immortal Sword, heading towards Jiang Shang, and these swords also had some connections among themselves, forming a certain mysterious and unfathomable formation. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± The air vibrated, giving rise to layers of ripples that spread out into the distance. Jiang Shang¡¯s true qi also operated to its zenith, as if a sharp howl erupted from his dantian, forming an indestructible scarlet light shield on his surface, firmly protecting him in front. ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± The ultimate sword intent surged, striking directly on Jiang Shang¡¯s scarlet light shield. An Jing had underestimated Jiang Shang¡¯s strength, and Jiang Shang had also underestimated An Jing¡¯s strength. The piercing cold sword light forcefully collided with the scarlet light shield, momentarily creating a deadlock, but soon enough, cracks appeared in the scarlet light shield. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± In a flash, the sword light surged forward, continuing to charge towards Jiang Shang with a sense that it would put him in a deadly situation. An Jing coldly said, ¡°You will not achieve longevity. Today is the day you die.¡± Heavenly Demon Secret! Jiang Shang¡¯s true qi madly circulated, like a broad river, flowing towards his meridians. Shortly after, a Heavenly Demon emerged behind him, directly employing the secret technique of the Heavenly Demon Secret, borrowing a trace of the Heavenly Demon¡¯s power into his body, and the scarlet light shield seemed to gain some vitality. But An Jing also exerted his full strength, his qi force surging towards the front. Bang! The scarlet light shield instantly shattered, turning into streaks of blood mist. The cold sword tip then pierced towards Jiang Shang¡¯s heart, the chilling sword intent even forcing the surrounding sinister ghostly air to continuously overflow. ¡°Pfft!¡± This sword, without any surprises or deviation, pierced into Jiang Shang¡¯s body. ¡°No!¡± An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Mountains high and roads long, we shall meet again.¡± Only then did Jiang Shang¡¯s body suddenly turn into a wisp of black smoke while his actual body had already sprung far away, at an incredibly high speed. Ouyang Ping stepped forward and said, ¡°Forget it, An Tributor, we have other purposes for venturing deep into Houjin, don¡¯t let chasing Jiang Shang delay the major matters.¡± A Five Qi Grandmaster rushing at full strength naturally moved extremely fast, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye. An Jing watched the departing figure of Jiang Shang. Venturing deep into Houjin this time, not only to obtain the Supreme Yang Object from the Russell Clan but also to attack the Houjin Royal Court, pursuing Jiang Shang now would definitely attract the attention of Houjin. Given Jiang Shang¡¯s nature, having obtained even more refined Undying Blood, he would definitely think of hiding to cultivate immediately, naturally not considering informing Houjin. An Jing said, ¡°It¡¯s just a pity, he got away again.¡± The last time at the Dragon Locking Well, An Jing allowed him to escape, and this time he escaped again. It must be said that this old, cunning, and deep Jiang Shang is very difficult to kill. Ouyang Ping thought of something and asked, ¡°By the way, was Taiyin Kui also inside the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum?¡± An Jing responded indifferently, ¡°Dead.¡± As he spoke, he extended his palm, and five streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence appeared in his hand. Ouyang Ping saw the five streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence and his breath faltered slightly, somewhat astonished. Who was Taiyin Kui? That was considered the guardian deity of the great plains, a Five Qi Grandmaster from Houjin, whose power was not much less than Jun Qinglin¡¯s, just a step away from becoming a Land Immortal. Yet now he had died inside the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. Ouyang Ping laughed loudly, ¡°Good, well killed.¡± When Houjin occupied the Dongluo Pass, not only did they massacre many civilians, but many Demon Sect experts also died in the confrontation with Houjin¡¯s army, with the Great Elder Jun Qinglin dying tragically. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°This is just the beginning, I will personally use Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s head to pay tribute to the Great Elder.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Ouyang Ping nodded heavily, then looked towards the dark sky in the distance. He was very clear in his heart that capturing Houjin¡¯s Royal Court was almost impossible, but the moment he set foot on Houjin territory, he had resolved to die. An Jing raised his head to glance at the ancient city and whispered, ¡°It¡¯s unclear what exactly is going on, we should leave this place first.¡± It had been recorded in ancient books that before a great disaster, there would certainly be signs. Could this be a sign of a great disaster right now? An Jing didn¡¯t know, but he had a vague premonition that something was not right. Ouyang Ping nodded, while Jiang Renyi was like a walking corpse, not speaking. Immediately, the three of them stood on the back of the Black Flood Dragon and rushed towards the direction of the Russell Clan. The Russell Clan was not far from here, and with the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s extremely fast speed, it didn¡¯t take long for tOPhe group to arrive within the territory of the Russell Clan. After the Russell Clan¡¯s betrayal last time, the Demon Sect had sent people to take control of the Russell Clan, but after the fall of the Dongluo Pass, the Demon Sect¡¯s experts had also hastily left, and the Houjin army took over the entire Russell Clan territory directly. The Houjin barbarians were extremely brutal, directly annihilating the small clan of the Russell Clan, and all valuables within the clan were plundered, leaving only the white bones under the houses enveloped by yellow sand. Jiang Renyi whispered, ¡°This is cruel.¡± Ouyang Ping said, ¡°If the Houjin barbarians moved south, there¡¯s no telling how many civilians in Yan Country would suffer their cruelty.¡± An Jing did not speak, but drove the Black Flood Dragon towards the Forbidden Land of the Russell Clan. The Forbidden Land of the Russell Clan was enveloped in red smoke, and the temperature was also continuously rising. The Earth Book in An Jing¡¯s mind also emerged with a purple glow. ¡°It seems that this treasure was not taken by Houjin.¡± An Jing took a deep breath. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Due to the rising temperatures, Jiang Renyi was the first to be unable to endure and fell from the back of the Black Flood Dragon. With the guidance of the Earth Book, An Jing and Ouyang Ping quickly arrived in front of that stone, around which a large amount of Sun Essence had gathered, making the surrounding temperature extremely high. Ouyang Ping saw the stone and exclaimed, ¡°Is this the Heavenly Yang Stone?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing was also quite surprised, ¡°Is this the ancient strange stone, the Heavenly Yang Stone?¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 331 - Chapter 331 Chapter 231 The Great Grandmaster Arrives in the Chapter 331: Chapter 231 The Great Grandmaster Arrives in the Capital Chapter 331: Chapter 231 The Great Grandmaster Arrives in the Capital The Heavenly Yang Stone is an exceedingly rare stone, its rarity reaching to the extent that many people have almost forgotten its existence. This stone is purely and supremely yang, ranking alongside the True Dragon Inner Core, the Green Blood Vermilion from Xuanqing Mountain, and the Nine Heavens Grass as the four great supremely yang objects in the world. The value of the True Dragon Inner Core goes without saying, at the time the Great Qin Dynasty obtained this inner core, nobody knew what the Qin Human Emperor did with it, and in the end, the matter simply faded away. There has only been one True Dragon in this world, making its inner core incomparably precious, ranking as the first among the four great supremely yang objects. Meanwhile, the refinement of the Green Blood Vermilion from Xuanqing Mountain is extremely difficult, requiring not only a special secret technique but also the precious Blood Cinnabar, with one hundred jin of Blood Cinnabar needed to produce but a single tael of Green Blood Vermilion. As the Mystical Sect divided, the secret technique to refine Green Blood Vermilion was lost, making it a masterpiece that would never be repeated. The Nine Heavens Grass is incomparably precious as well, with its last sighting over five hundred years ago by Yan Taizu, the founder of the current Great Yan Dynasty. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Yan Taizu¡¯s strength greatly increased, paving the way for his later unification of the world. Although the Nine Heavens Grass did not play a decisive role, it was an important link in Yan Taizu reaching the Great Grandmaster realm. The last of these items is the Heavenly Yang Stone. Legend has it that this stone formed from the falling of the sun from the sky; thus, it was originally the sun itself and not an inherent part of this world, with the stone containing the purest yang qi within. From the above, one can understand the preciousness of this Heavenly Yang Stone in front of us, and moreover, this is such a large piece. Ouyang Ping stepped forward, continually caressing the Heavenly Yang Stone, murmuring, ¡°This is a treasure, the supreme treasure. If it could be removed, one could forge an entire bed out of it, and cultivating on this bed would not even warrant the worry of a Heart Demon invasion.¡± The cultivation techniques of the Demon Cult are tricky, with the biggest challenge being the risk of deviating into madness during practice, especially with more profound Demon Cult techniques, which are more likely to rouse the deepest Heart Demons. But now with this Heavenly Yang Stone, there is no need to worry about deviating into madness or Heart Demons. An Jing pondered for a long time before saying, ¡°This piece of Heavenly Yang Stone has already taken root in the ground and is connected to the Earth Veins, making this piece of land a scorching hot place.¡± Ouyang Ping nodded, ¡°It won¡¯t be easy to remove this Heavenly Yang Stone, we can only take it by severing the qi mechanism that connects it with the ground below.¡± An Jing gripped the Dulu Sword tightly, ¡°Elder Ouyang, step back, I will sever this connected qi mechanism.¡± He ventured deep into Houjin, in large part willing to take away this Supreme Yang Stone of the Russell Clan to eradicate the evil spirits within Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body. Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ping retreated further back, ¡°This land has been connected with the Heavenly Yang Stone for a long time, and it contains a vast amount of Supreme Yang Qi. Tributor An, be cautious.¡± ¡°Ssch!¡± An Jing immediately drew out the Dulu Sword, its keen cold qi clearing the surrounding scorching qi, forming twisting waves of air. A torrent of True Qi surged toward the sword¡¯s body, and the sun essence around the Heavenly Yang Stone began to stir violently. Ouyang Ping felt a shiver down his spine; knowing that this momentum was not aimed at him, it still made him feel so uncomfortable. What kind of terrifying power would he be subjected to if he faced this directly in combat? ¡°Shick!¡± The Dulu Sword swept out, and its icy sword qi cleaved directly onto the Heavenly Yang Stone. ¡°Hum! Hum!¡± And the force of the sword qi continued to transmit, burrowing into the Heavenly Yang Stone. The unparalleled sword qi continued to rush below, spreading throughout the entire Heavenly Yang Stone. Others might not feel it, but An Jing could feel that his sword qi was being scorched by the blazing airflow within the Heavenly Yang Stone. The blazing airflow inside the Heavenly Yang Stone was the Supreme Yang Qi, which held an extremely high temperature, even An Jing¡¯s sword qi was continuously being eroded. An Jing gently retracted the Dulu Sword. The sword qi and the scorching qi were still entwined with each other. The whole Heavenly Yang Stone turned red, resembling a red-hot branding iron. Seeing this, Ouyang Ping couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly, ¡°As expected of the Heavenly Yang Stone, even Tributor An¡¯s Sword Dao struggles to sever its connection with the Earth Veins¡¯ qi mechanism.¡± All the while, An Jing had not shown the slightest change, instead, he quietly watched the Heavenly Yang Stone in front of him. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± Just then, the sword qi within the Heavenly Yang Stone surged, completely piercing through the stone and severing the qi mechanism connecting the Heavenly Yang Stone and Earth Veins. The next moment, the scorching hot Heavenly Yang Stone returned to normal, appearing like an ordinary stone. Seeing this, Ouyang Ping was shocked, ¡°Severed?¡± Initially thinking it would be very difficult for An Jing to sever the qi mechanism between the Heavenly Yang Stone and the Earth Veins, he was surprised to see An Jing do it without any apparent effort. It¡¯s important to note that severing the qi mechanism connecting the Earth Veins and the Heavenly Yang Stone does not solely rely on the strength of one¡¯s cultivation but rather on the power of their Sword Dao. After all, as soon as True Qi is injected into the Heavenly Yang Stone, it is combusted by the Supreme Yang Power within it, and not even a Five Qi Grandmaster would be an exception. And what truly can cut through Qi Mechanism is Sword Intent. An Jing cultivated the Immortal Sword, which encompasses vastness, including the enlightenment of Human Dao Sword on life and the application of Heavenly Dao Laws, profound and extensive, thus reaching the Sixth Realm was extremely difficult. With the guidance from Lou Xiangzhen and the enlightenment from the Four Symbols Sword Sticker, An Jing finally reached the Sixth Realm, after which his progress in the Sword Dao became exceedingly slow. But with the passage of time, he still progressed bit by bit, especially after the battle with the Great Qin Human Emperor, where he experienced a Sword Dao he had never felt before, deepening his understanding of the Sword Dao path. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°This Heavenly Yang Stone has its Qi Mechanism severed and can now be taken away.¡± Ouyang Ping remarked with admiration, ¡°An Tributor¡¯s ability to sever this Qi Mechanism is absolutely unrivaled in this world.¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s thanks to the Dulu Sword. Otherwise, with just me alone, it would be very hard to sever this Qi Mechanism.¡± Bang! Ouyang Ping slapped his palm down, and the Heavenly Yang Stone that weighed thousands of pounds suddenly flew up and landed in his palm. The scorching temperature traveled through his palm into his meridians, and then he set the Heavenly Yang Stone down, ¡°I wonder what An Tributor plans to do next?¡± An Jing gazed into the distance and said, ¡°You can take this Heavenly Yang Stone back to your lady. With the Heavenly Yang Stone, it should not be difficult to clear the evil spirit Qi from her body. Since I¡¯ve ventured deep into Houjin, I do not plan to leave without killing Zongzheng Huachun.¡± The Second Elder took a deep breath and said, ¡°Let Sect Leader Li take this Heavenly Yang Stone back instead, I will accompany An Tributor to directly target the Houjin Royal Court.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Is the Second Elder concerned about Jiang Shang?¡± Ouyang Ping nodded and said candidly, ¡°After all, he is a Five Qi Grandmaster, and if he joined forces with Zongzheng Huachun, it would be quite troublesome. With me present, Jiang Shang would have some reservations, and I also wish to retrieve the Great Elder¡¯s corpse¡­¡± Jiang Shang was originally a Five Qi Grandmaster, and now he had gained Undying Blood, so his strength must have increased again. An Jing, being so young, might be the target of Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s schemes. ¡°Since the Second Elder has said so, then please accompany An through the doors of the Houjin Royal Court.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°I need to refine the True Dragon Essence Blood obtained in the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, and I will need the Second Elder to protect me.¡± Initially, the True Dragon Treasure Blood significantly enhanced An Jing¡¯s talents, and now this True Dragon Essence Blood was several times more precious than the True Dragon Treasure Blood, naturally, he wanted to fully absorb the True Dragon Essence Blood. Ouyang Ping pointed to the Heavenly Yang Stone, ¡°An Tributor can make use of the Supreme Yang Qi within the Heavenly Yang Stone to absorb the True Dragon Essence Blood more quickly, after all, this object has part of the effect of a True Dragon Inner Core.¡± ¡°Good.¡± An Jing nodded, then leaped up, directly sitting cross-legged on the Heavenly Yang Stone. Instantly, a blazing Qi flow surged into his body, spreading throughout his entire Qi Sea, making even his Dantian turn scorching hot. Boom! A trace of True Dragon Essence Blood rushed straight into An Jing¡¯s body, and it felt as if his sight blurred for a moment. It was as if he entered his own consciousness; in front of him, a huge True Dragon with eyes as large as lanterns was staring at him. ¡°Roar!¡± From the eyes of the True Dragon, a cold and fierce light burst forth, and the dragon¡¯s might on its body also grew stronger and stronger. A True Dragon is a rare treasure between heaven and earth, and its Essence Blood and Inner Core are where its entire essence lies. The fact that it remained undecayed in the ancient coffin for a thousand years shows the extraordinaryness of the True Dragon Essence Blood. Its Essence Blood also contains a tyrannical Dragon¡¯s might, indestructible even after a millennium. Facing the Dragon¡¯s might manifested from a trace of True Dragon Essence Blood and those eyes filled with fierce light, An Jing felt a chill in his heart, knowing that he must completely subdue this Dragon¡¯s might within his consciousness. The manifest True Dragon¡¯s body shone brightly, akin to a sun, and in the next instant, its surging Dragon¡¯s might exploded fiercely, overwhelming An Jing with a horrifying momentum, as if it intended to burn everything to ashes. An Jing¡¯s hand produced a sword, with one strike the clouds in all directions roiled, and the Dragon¡¯s might was split by the sword, slowly dissipating to both sides. ¡°Thud! Thud!¡± Gigantic golden fire columns burst forth from the manifested True Dragon¡¯s mouth, and where the purple-gold fire passed in the sea of consciousness, ripples surged. ¡°Roar!¡± The manifested True Dragon, seeing that its attack couldn¡¯t incinerate An Jing, became extremely restless and anxious. Opening its massive maw, it roared with rage. ¡°Now it¡¯s my turn!¡± An Jing leapt up, his sword pointing sharply, and a fierce breath, like a storm, swept out at that moment! ¡°Roar¡± The true dragon, formed of a wisp of True Dragon Essence Blood, seeing An Jing charging at it, had its eyes turn completely red with rage, roaring furiously like thunder exploding within the sea of consciousness. Immediately, the spreading golden flames suddenly surged violently, transforming into countless fierce strands of flame, roaring as they ferociously charged towards An Jing. The terrifying waves of scorching heat spread unceasingly, nearly engulfing the spot where An Jing had previously stood. ¡°Ao!¡± Seeing its own fierce assault, the true dragon, formed from a wisp of True Dragon Essence Blood, let out a fierce roar, its eyes intently fixed on the sea of flames ahead. But before it could relax, it was shocked to see a figure, slowly walking out of the midst of the flames; against the backdrop of the surrounding fire, he appeared like the descent of a fire god. An Jing raised the sword in his hand sharply, and the countless surrounding flames, as if facing an extremely terrifying force, rushed crazily to the sides, daring not to block it in the slightest. Boom! With one slash of the sword, his robes danced with the wild wind, and the entire sea of consciousness shook violently, boundless and endless. The phantom of the true dragon, formed from a wisp of True Dragon Essence Blood, had its eyes wide open, staring in astonishment at the sword radiance tearing through the sky in front of it. At that moment, it realized it could no longer stop any of An Jing¡¯s attacks. Boom! Then there was a crack, and the wisp of True Dragon turned into countless tiny fragments, exploding on the spot. The wisp of True Dragon was exterminated by the sword radiance, dissipating into nothingness, and where it had lingered, a strand of golden flame was burning persistently. That strand of golden flame was so dazzling and captivating, flickering deep within An Jing¡¯s sea of consciousness. This was the True Dragon Essence Blood. An Jing¡¯s ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± began to run, guiding the True Dragon Essence Blood to surge into the meridians, while the Heavenly Yang Stone he sat on also released a vast amount of Supreme Yang Qi. In an instant, the Qi mechanism within his Dantian erupted like a flood bursting forth. ¡­¡­ In Yujing City, within the Imperial Palace, night fell softly. Zhao Zhiwu sat upright in the Imperial Study Room, faced with battle reports from the borders. His brows were tightly furrowed, as not only was the situation dire on Beihuang Dao, but Jiangnan Dao was also in urgent trouble. It could be said that both the southern and northern frontiers were under pressure, with Great Yan tottering on the brink of collapse. The only troops that Great Yan could still mobilize were the tens of thousands of soldiers guarding Yujing City. The recently recruited army of 300,000 had all been dispatched to Nanping Dao. After all, the Southern Barbarians¡¯ army had been very active recently, and no one knew when they might launch a surprise attack. If they were not prepared, a venomous snake¡¯s bite could be inevitable. The Pingyang Marquis stood below, his eyebrows furrowed, and said, ¡°Your Majesty, according to the intelligence, the battles in the north are even more critical than those in the south, especially with Zongzheng Huachun and Taiyin Kui, the two Five Qi Grandmasters, in command. It is too difficult for Wang Shiyi to hold on.¡± In comparison to Zhao Country, the offensive from Houjin was more fierce, and during the last battle of Yujing City, Zhao Country also suffered heavy losses. The Five Qi Grandmaster Qin Shan met his end, his Dao vanishing into thin air, and Qi Xuan Dao was seriously injured as well. In addition, with the support of high-level forces such as the Buddhist monk soldiers, the situation in the south would be much better than in the north. The situation in the north was now a series of defeats, especially since there seemed to be a sense of discord between Wang Shiyi and the Demon Sect. Zhao Zhiwu slowly rose to his feet and looked out the window, saying indifferently, ¡°Houjin is of no concern for the time being.¡± Qiu Heng sighed and hastened to say, ¡°Your Majesty, although Wang Shiyi is exceptionally capable and experienced in battle, it is nearly impossible for him to hold Beihuang Dao without the Demon Sect taking action.¡± In fact, he had already guessed that there were conflicts between Wang Shiyi and An Jing. Still, that was not the reason why the Demon Sect wasn¡¯t acting. Therefore, at this moment, Qiu Heng had his qualms about the Ghost Swordsman, An Jing, and Wang Shiyi. In such a vitally important situation, everyone should set aside personal grudges and power disputes in favor of the greater good, rather than vying for personal authority. At this moment, the originally clear, azure sky became shrouded in dark clouds as if a tremendous breath was sweeping over everything, something beyond the detection of even an ordinary Grandmaster, let alone an average person. ¡°Has it come?¡± Seeing this, a cold glint appeared in Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s eyes. Bai Mei, the eunuch, said with deep seriousness, ¡°Your Majesty, he has come.¡± Even when Zongzheng Huachun came before, Bai Mei¡¯s expression wasn¡¯t as tense as it was today. Zhao Zhiwu walked towards the Imperial Study Room, and the moment his foot stepped out, he disappeared without a trace. If shrinking land into inches is a marker of the Master Realm, then heaven being just an inch away is the mark of a Great Grandmaster. Heaven is but an inch away. At this moment, Yujing City had fallen into darkness, with only the full moon hanging high above in the sky. Now, an old man in white stood with his hands clasped behind his back on the flying eaves of a pavilion, overlooking the silent Yujing City below. His gaze was serene as the abyss, vast as the ocean, naturally exuding a sense of superiority. If Nangong Weiping were here, he would surely recognize this elder as the Ten Directions Elder. Just then, Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s voice slowly rose, ¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯t come.¡± The Ten Directions Elder replied with a smile, ¡°It seems you have been waiting for me for some time.¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s eyes were sharp as he stared at the Ten Directions Elder before him, ¡°Indeed, I have been waiting for you.¡± It is no exaggeration to say that the two of them were among the top masters in the world, truly influencing the state of affairs with every move. The Ten Directions Elder said, ¡°You and your grandfather are alike, both possessing a certain confidence.¡± Zhao Zhiwu replied coldly, ¡°I am the Emperor of Great Yan, the majestic sovereign of this land, why should I not be confident?¡± The Ten Directions Elder smiled, ¡°Confidence is good, but remember not to be arrogant.¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°I don¡¯t need you to preach to me.¡± The Ten Directions Elder spoke leisurely, ¡°The words of an elder should still be heeded by the younger.¡± Zhao Zhiwu sneered, ¡°Elder?¡± The Ten Directions Elder asked, ¡°Do you know who I am?¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s eyes grew stern, ¡°It was you who concocted the Golden Pills for the Great Zhou Dynasty, divided the Mystical Sect, founded the Black Ice Platform, and buried the Great Zhou Royal Family single-handedly.¡± ¡°The person who has lived for a thousand autumns, undying, is indeed you, the Ten Directions Elder.¡± A thousand autumns undying! Anyone hearing Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s words at this moment would be greatly shocked. The extraordinary person who crafted Golden Pills for the Great Zhou Dynasty had passed away over a millennium ago, and even a Great Grandmaster should have returned to dust long since; not to mention the one who caused the divide within the Mystical Sect being so formidable. The Mystical Sect used to be renowned as the number one sect in the world, and its Sect Leader, who cultivated the Jade Emperor Scripture, reputed as the top master in the world, died suddenly, leaving behind an unsolved case of who killed him. The founder of the Black Ice Platform was shrouded in mystery and later controlled the entire Zhao Country, becoming the de facto ruler. The ultimate fall of the Great Zhou Dynasty was even more enigmatic, with no one aware of the real reasons, as historical records were eradicated at once, causing chaos throughout the land and discord among the Nine Kingdoms for hundreds of years. And all of this was the doing of the person before them?! Does someone who can live undying for millennia truly exist in this world? In the rolling river of history, every individual is but a drop of water, a grain of sand on the ground, unable to stir up waves or cause turbulence, yet the person before them had stirred up mountains of waves, a series of storms. How could this not shake someone to their core? The Ten Directions Elder nodded slightly, smiling as he said, ¡°It seems the Great Yan Royal Family has been investigating me, to know some of my secrets.¡± Zhao Zhiwu, with one hand behind his back, said, ¡°Some secrets? What other secrets do you hold?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The Ten Directions Elder asked with a smile, ¡°Do you want to know?¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Yes.¡± He wanted to know why this person, who has lived for a thousand autumns undying, stirred up the affairs of the world over these many years, and for what purpose. Whether the ultimate goal of the Ten Directions Elder is related to what lies beneath the Dragon Locking Well. ¡­¡­. Chapter 332 - Chapter 332 Chapter 332 Land Immortal Battles the Capital Chapter 332: Chapter 332 Land Immortal Battles the Capital Chapter 332: Chapter 332 Land Immortal Battles the Capital The old man from the ten directions chuckled lightly, looking up at the moonlight above, ¡°Sometimes, knowing too much is not necessarily a good thing.¡± Zhao Zhiwu asked, ¡°Why is that?¡± The old man from the ten directions said indifferently, ¡°Because the bloody truth is always cruel.¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Do you think I would be afraid?¡± The old man from the ten directions did not answer Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s question, but looked toward the distant Dragon Locking Well and said, ¡°Everything you¡¯re doing is just too ridiculous.¡± Zhao Zhiwu asked, ¡°What¡¯s ridiculous about it?¡± The old man from the ten directions bluntly stated, ¡°You built the Dragon Locking Well to lock down the Earth Vein Spirit, but you cannot seal away the evil spirits¡¯ qi, failing to realize that it continues to pollute the Earth Vein Spirit.¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s heart chilled slightly, and his eyes narrowed to slits. The evil spirits¡¯ qi was continuously contaminating the Earth Vein Spirit. Thousands of years had passed, and the Earth Vein Spirit had long been thoroughly tainted. And so, when the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness broke free from its shackles, the world was filled with a massive amount of evil spirits¡¯ qi together with nature¡¯s spiritual energy. On the surface, it seemed to be a dispute between Yan Country and Houjin, and Zhao Country, but it was also mixed with the conflict over the Earth Vein Spirit. Houjin and Zhao Country hoped to break open the Dragon Locking Well and completely release the Earth Vein Spirit. After all, with the binding of the Earth Vein Spirit, the shackles of the world were becoming heavier, and in the future, not to mention Great Grandmasters, even experts at the Master Realm would become exceedingly rare. Yan Country¡¯s idea, on the other hand, was relatively conservative, hoping to keep the Earth Vein Spirit sealed indefinitely, making the world very safe. The old man from the ten directions said indifferently, ¡°This has been an issue since ancient times, some wish to break the seal, and others want to keep it.¡± Zhao Zhiwu asked, ¡°What are your thoughts then?¡± The old man from the ten directions waved his sleeve and said, ¡°I am different from all of you.¡± Zhao Zhiwu continued to ask, ¡°How are you different?¡± The old man from the ten directions said solemnly, ¡°I am waiting.¡± Zhao Zhiwu realized, ¡°Waiting for the evil spirits¡¯ qi to completely corrupt the Earth Vein Spirit?¡± The old man from the ten directions said, ¡°Exactly, so before that, I must kill everyone in the world who can pose a threat to me.¡± Zhao Zhiwu asked, ¡°How does that benefit you?¡± If the Earth Vein Spirit were to be tainted, then the qi released in this world would not be nature¡¯s spiritual energy, but the qi of evil spirits. By then, people would start to absorb the evil spirits¡¯ qi into their bodies. The evil spirits¡¯ qi has many dangers. A small amount of it could make people lose their sanity, become irritable, bloodthirsty, while a large amount of the evil spirits¡¯ qi entering the body could completely transform a person into an evil spirit. The world filled with the qi of evil spirits, and everyone turning into evil spirits, seems to have no benefit at all, right? Zhao Zhiwu was very clear about this. The old man from the ten directions smiled without speaking, saying no more. Zhao Zhiwu knew he did not wish to talk anymore, and immediately extended his hand. ¡°Swish, swish!¡± Within the Imperial City, the eunuch Zhong Binru who mastered the sword, slapped his hand, instantly sending the Emperor¡¯s Sword into the night sky, landing in the hands of the Emperor of Great Yan. Zhao Zhiwu sneered, ¡°Then let me have a look at your strength.¡± The old man from the ten directions spoke earnestly, ¡°Among so many Great Grandmasters, you are the first one who dares to make a move against me.¡± Zhao Zhiwu looked at the old man in front of him, suddenly feeling an enormous pressure, even as a Great Grandmaster himself, he still felt an immense force. Being in the same Land Immortal Realm, the old man from the ten directions was nonetheless one of the strongest Great Grandmasters of all time, precisely because he had indeed killed Great Grandmasters before. Zhao Zhiwu lifted his arm, and the Emperor¡¯s Sword headed for the old man¡¯s throat. His yellow dragon robe whipped about in the wild wind, making a rustling sound. There wasn¡¯t the flow of astonishing True Yuan, nor the might that shakes mountains and rivers. It was like an ordinary strike, neither fast nor slow. But to onlookers, the two of them stood still, as if they hadn¡¯t moved at all. The old man from the ten directions saw the incoming strike as a bolt of lightning in the dark night. That wasn¡¯t lightning; it was sword light, and within the sword light was a figure. Sword light, a figure, moonlight¨Cit seemed as if everything intertwined at that moment. The old man from the ten directions pointed forward. Immortal Pointing the Way! A most typical move within the martial arts of Jianghu, evidencing that his Martial Arts had reached the realm of Returning to Truth. His fingertip collided with the tip of the sword as if Heavenly Thunder had struck Earth¡¯s fire. ¡°Clang!¡± The vigorous power along the sword¡¯s blade transferred to Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s meridians, causing his arm to feel numb, and he almost dropped the Emperor¡¯s Sword from his hand. But he was after all the Emperor of Great Yan, the Great Grandmaster known to the world. He twisted his body and continued his assault on the old man from the ten directions. This strike, with no devious changes in its sword skill, was pure King Sword technique. The tip of the sword vibrated with cold light, twitching over twenty times in the blink of an eye. The old man from the ten directions had his chest, sides, lower abdomen, and around the throat¨Cover twenty vital points¨Call under the threat of this sword¡¯s strike, filled with killing intent. Everyone knew Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s high cultivation, who, with the support of Zhenyi Sect and his own powerful strength, staged a coup to become the sovereign of the world, but his Sword Dao too was top-notch. His King Sword had reached the Sixth Realm level. However, there were very few in this world whom this Emperor would personally engage. The moment the old man from the ten directions raised his hand, it was as if a black solid ice surged forth, turning into a roaring tidal wave rushing forward. The mighty black ice stream pierced directly through the Sword Skill and continued pressing forward. ¡°Roar!¡± Above the Imperial Palace, purple energy surged, blanketed by the True Dragon Qi. Zhao Zhiwu breathed in and out, his entire being enveloped in a mist of swirling purple clouds, The purple talisman mark on his forehead shone brightly, with streams of purple qi flowing freely within his eyes, eventually shrouding his entire body as though wrapped in auspicious clouds. Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s sleeves and hair fluttered without any wind, his Cultivation performing at its peak. At this moment, with the aid of the True Dragon Qi, the Great Grandmaster was unstoppable. Boom! Boom! Boom! Two experts of the Land Immortal Realm unleashed their Divine Skills, with black and purple glows intertwining in the sky, even leading to a momentary stalemate. Above the Imperial Palace, Zhao Zhiwu could rely on the Great Yan¡¯s True Dragon Qi, taking his Cultivation a step further. Meanwhile, the Elder from afar stood calm and indifferent, his pupils reflecting the light without a hint of disturbance. Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°It seems your injuries haven¡¯t healed.¡± The Elder didn¡¯t hide anything, ¡°That¡¯s right, and they¡¯re quite severe.¡± Zhao Zhiwu narrowed his eyes and gripped the Emperor¡¯s Sword tightly, ¡°Then you still dare to come to Yujing City?¡± At that moment, a tremendous murderous intent emerged in his heart. If he killed the man before him, he would be able to thoroughly stabilize the situation throughout the land, far more useful than killing Qin Shan. ¡°I have come today precisely to cut down the fortunes of Yan Country,¡± the Elder replied calmly. His gentle eyes became profound as he continued, ¡°Before the Earth Vein Spirit is utterly corrupted, I will not allow the existence of any Grandmasters in this world.¡± Nangong Weiping¡¯s strength had fallen below the Grandmaster level, and back at the Cloud Tower, the Elder didn¡¯t want to exert his full power, risking aggravating his injuries, so he let Nangong Weiping leave. But now it was different; Zhao Zhiwu had broken through to the Master Realm and was the Great Yan Emperor, posing a significant threat to him. The aura around the Elder grew immensely vast, akin to an unfathomable abyss. His Qi Mechanism completely vanished from this realm, making him seem as if he had disappeared, breaking free from all restraints. Separating Heaven and Earth! If Jun Qinglin¡¯s Separating Heaven and Earth was just a sliver, the Elder had thoroughly broken free of the restraints of this world, free of any fetters of heaven and earth. A complete Separation from Heaven and Earth, almost equivalent to the realm of merging with the heavens. How terrifying was that? Zhao Zhiwu was deeply shaken as he beheld the Elder before him. There were many methods to enhance one¡¯s skills, and Separating Heaven and Earth was not the most difficult, but it was the least practiced, with too few inheritances to learn from. Many didn¡¯t even know how to begin and lacked any leads, leading to many not even being aware of the existence of this method over time. The Elder before him had not only cultivated Separating Heaven and Earth but was almost entirely free from the fetters of this world. At this moment, the Great Yan Emperor finally grasped the full extent of the terrifying power of this undying Elder, a Grandmaster who had been invincible since ancient times, even with injuries riddling his body. The Elder spoke, ¡°It has been many years since I¡¯ve fought in earnest.¡± With that, he stretched out his hand towards the front. As the Elder reached out towards the sky, cracks began to appear in the air. Shattering the Void! Ancient texts recorded that when power reached its apex, one could pierce through the air, known as Shattering the Void, even reaching beyond this realm. And the Heavenly Demons came from beyond the realm. However, throughout history, very few have truly shattered the void, yet it seemed the Elder before him did so with ease. A massive demonic hand surged down from the sky, as if carrying the power to scorch the heavens and shatter the cosmos. Rumble! Rumble! As the massive demonic hand descended, the air trembled and shattered, and from the broken void, a powerful suction seemed to pull relentlessly at Zhao Zhiwu. Zhao Zhiwu looked up, leveraging the True Dragon fortune of the Great Yan Dynasty, then raised the Emperor¡¯s Sword. Whoosh! Whoosh! The blade of the Emperor¡¯s Sword burst forth with supreme light, followed by beams of Sword Radiance shooting out. The Elder¡¯s expression remained serenely calm. Rumble! Rumble! In the skies above, violent waves of energy suddenly exploded, and behind the Elder, a huge phantom seemed to emerge. The phantom appeared humanoid but was enigmatic and eerie. ¡°Hm!?¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s expression chilled slightly. With a hint of age-old weariness, the Elder, having witnessed much through the centuries, continued to reach forward with his hand. At that moment, the whole world seemed to tremble. This palm struck with world-shattering force, altering mountains and rivers! Zhao Zhiwu raised the Emperor¡¯s Sword high and slashed down fiercely, wielding boundless ferocity and brutality, along with the King Sword¡¯s momentum. When the Emperor is enraged, a million corpses lay dead! He knew that even if he couldn¡¯t kill the old immortal before him, he had to do his utmost to inflict severe injuries. He wanted to make Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s wounds so grave that they would give the Great Yan Royal Family a chance to breathe for ten more years. Boom, boom, boom, boom! The sound of explosions thundered across the heavens and earth, shaking everything in all directions. The old immortal from all directions saw the sword radiance falling from the sky, and all the Qi mechanisms in his body crazily converged in front of him into a mass. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Countless Qi mechanisms formed a giant ghost face. At this moment, the ghost face opened up and swallowed the falling sword radiance as if it were devouring it. The vast Qi mechanisms dissolved, and the demonic Qi above the sky vanished as if it had never appeared. The vast sky returned to its original state. Revealing a new crescent moon. Boom, boom, boom! Just after this brief moment of calm, huge patches of blood mist suddenly appeared in the sky. Above Yujing City, the evening breeze fluttered by. Xiao Qianqiu and Zhao Zhiwu stood on opposite sides, with no one aware that these two Land Immortals seemed to have erupted in a terrifyingly intense battle. This is the way of immortals, immeasurable. Suddenly, the front of Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s clothing burst open, revealing his upper body scarred with dense wounds, two of which were so deep that bone was visible, a blur of flesh and blood. It was hard to imagine how someone with such severe injuries could still be alive, and what kind of master could inflict such heavy injuries on a Land Immortal like Xiao Qianqiu, who had entirely separated himself from heaven and earth? Xiao Qianqiu calmly asked Zhao Zhiwu, ¡°Was it worth it?¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°I never ask whether it¡¯s worth it or not. Judgement by later generations has no meaning for me, I just do what I want to do.¡± ¡°Whether a foolish ruler or a wise one, there will be no future generations to judge you, because this decrepit world will disappear, and it will be a brand-new world at that time.¡± Xiao Qianqiu glanced into the distance, then his body turned into an afterimage, vanishing above the eaves of Yujing City in an instant. After Xiao Qianqiu departed, Zhao Zhiwu suddenly tasted sweetness in his mouth as a mouthful of fresh blood surged up, and then he swallowed it down into his stomach with a gulp. ¡°Drip-drip!¡± ¡°Drip-drip!¡± A drop of blood still flowed down the blade, and upon closer inspection, Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s palm and sleeve were already dyed red. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Bai Mei, the eunuch, came rushing in, supporting the arm of the Great Yan Emperor. And below, Lv Guoyong also walked over, looking at the departing figure of the immortal who lived through a thousand autumns. Zhao Zhiwu, looking at the Emperor¡¯s Sword already stained red with blood, said, ¡°It is my honor to have crossed swords with such a person.¡± Who is Xiao Qianqiu? Even with injuries, his strength could still be ranked among the top three Grandmasters through ancient and modern times. How terrifying would he be if he recovered from his injuries? Bai Mei, the eunuch, sighed deeply in his heart. Zhao Zhiwu was someone who had forcefully broken through to the Grandmaster Realm, and now after his confrontation with Xiao Qianqiu, his injuries were undoubtedly more serious than Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s. Zhao Zhiwu, looking at Lv Guoyong, asked, ¡°Sir Lv, why do you think this man cannot die, and what is his purpose?¡± ¡°As to why this man cannot die, I cannot tell,¡± said Lv Guoyong, shaking his head. ¡°However, his goal is the Earth Vein Spirit, and one that has been completely corrupted by the evil spirits.¡± From ancient to modern times, there are two methods that are rumored to break through the shackles of the Grandmaster Realm; one is to merge with the Earth Vein Spirit, and the other is to slay the Earth Vein Spirit. Zhao Zhiwu murmured to himself, ¡°The Earth Vein Spirit, huh?¡± ¡°He wants to wait until the Earth Vein Spirit is completely polluted by the evil spirits, and I suspect he knows the source of these evil spirits,¡± mused Lv Guoyong. ¡°This person is quite extraordinary, being able to completely disengage from this world; it¡¯s far too eerie.¡± Immortal of a thousand autumns who never dies! This person was shrouded in too much mystery. Why could he live for a thousand years without dying, and what was his purpose in lying dormant in Zhao Country, continuously slaying masters of the Grandmaster Realm? At this moment, Xiao Qianqiu was like a mountain, constantly pressing down on Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s heart. Just as Xiao Qianqiu had said earlier, the more he knew, the heavier the overwhelming pressure felt in his heart. Zhao Zhiwu spoke softly, ¡°Foster father, help me back.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Bai Mei, the eunuch, felt a chill in his heart. Zhao Zhiwu was a very prideful man, yet now he was asking to be helped. The two returned to the Imperial Study Room, where lights blazed brightly, red candles burning all around. Zhao Zhiwu remained silent, gazing at the flames. Lv Guoyong walked in slowly, not saying a word. Bai Mei stood behind Zhao Zhiwu, unable to see the Emperor¡¯s eyes, but he saw the hot dripping wax falling from the candles, drop by drop, landing on that bloodstained hand, slowly solidifying there. The red palm seemed to tremble ever so slightly. In the depths of the shadows, from far away, there seemed to come a faint sigh¡­ ¡­.. On Nanping Dao, Nanhua Mountain. The verdant overlapping mountains were like surging waves upon the sea, tumultuous and majestic. As the State Preceptor of Great Yan, Xiao Qianqiu was standing on the summit of this highest mountain in the world, holding a pot of tea in his hand, gazing toward the south. His eyes were clear as crystal, deep as the oceanic abyss. Luo Chongyang said, ¡°This ruler of the Southern Barbarians is not an ordinary person.¡± Xiao Qianqiu nodded and said, ¡°In the current world, those who can make their stand are no simple figures.¡± Zhao Country and Yan Country had been at a stalemate for a hundred years, and when Qi Xuan Dao turned to annex the Southern Barbarians, a series of open and covert struggles ensued. After the Southern Barbarians sought help from Yan Country, the matter eventually came to nothing. Afterward, Zhao Country changed its strategy, abandoning designs on the Southern Barbarians and instead seeking to ally with them against Yan Country. Between countries, interests are what matter. The goodwill between the Southern Barbarians and Yan Country is not worth mentioning under the drive of interests. Eventually, the Southern Barbarians managed to prosper by playing both sides against each other. Nowadays, Zhao Country and Houjin have launched their attacks on Great Yan one after another, and both have achieved remarkable results, especially Houjin, which has won continuous victories and has already taken over most of the Beihuang Dao, with its sword pointed directly at the heartland of Great Yan, Capital Road. With a million-strong army attacking from both the north and the south, a sense of panic had imperceptibly spread throughout Great Yan. Not to mention the commoners of Yan Country, even the soldiers on the front lines and the experts of Jianghu felt like the sky was about to collapse. No one had the confidence or assurance to confront the invasion of a million-strong army from the north and the south, especially as bad news kept coming in and front-line territories were being lost one after another. To others, it seemed that Great Yan was on the brink of destruction, its days were numbered, and this ancient dynasty that had lasted for hundreds of years was at the end of its path. And the last straw to break the camel¡¯s back was these Southern Barbarians. How could this ambitious Southern Barbarian ruler, who has been fickle and duplicitous towards Yan Country, possibly pass up this godsend opportunity? Luo Chongyang sighed deeply, ¡°Alas.¡± In the face of the great trends of the world, even as a Four Qi Grandmaster, he was powerless to alter the situation, let alone protect the safety of the common people behind him. How could this Daoist observatory have been established? ¡°State Preceptor!¡± Just then, a Yan Country general clad in armor hurried over, ¡°Something terrible has happened, the Southern Barbarians have deployed their army.¡± This was Xiao Fang, who was responsible for defending Nanping Dao. Xiao Qianqiu asked, ¡°How many have come?¡± Xiao Fang replied with a trembling voice, ¡°The Southern Barbarians have sent an army of two hundred thousand, and ten Great Wizards have emerged, already pressing from deep within Southern Barbarian territory.¡± Two hundred thousand troops might not be a lot compared to the forces of Houjin and Zhao Country, but it¡¯s still a considerable number. But these ten Great Wizards were no trivial matter. Only those in the Master Realm could become Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians, and now, with ten Masters following the army of two hundred thousand moving northward, this was truly terrifying, which explains why the general defending Nanping Dao was trembling. Luo Chongyang glanced at Xiao Qianqiu and said, ¡°It seems that the ruler of the Southern Barbarians is making a desperate gamble.¡± Xiao Qianqiu started to smile, ¡°Ten Great Wizards coming out en masse, what audacity.¡± Xiao Fang furrowed his brows beside them, unable to understand how Xiao Qianqiu could find amusement in the situation. He knew the army under his command consisted of raw recruits; up against the fully prepared two hundred thousand elite Southern Barbarians, the chances of victory were slim. They had originally relied on the strength of the Zhenyi Sect experts to gain an advantage, but this time the Southern Barbarians had even dispatched ten Great Wizards. The situation looked utterly one-sided. Luo Chongyang said gravely, ¡°Clearly the ruler of the Southern Barbarians believes Great Yan is bound to fail. If they are late, they won¡¯t even get the leftovers. The Southern Barbarians are no less fierce than Houjin, and even more cunning.¡± ¡°Once they enter Great Yan¡¯s territory, it will inevitably lead to a catastrophe for the living.¡± Xiao Qianqiu nodded without speaking. At that moment, dozens of Zhenyi Sect Daoists came over, led by the Daoist Qian Ji. However, these Daoists from the Zhenyi Sect had already set down their horsetail whisks, now each holding a sharp treasure sword, their eyes showing firm determination. Daoist Qian Ji took a deep breath and bowed, ¡°Sect Leader, your disciples are ready to await your command, please give your instruction.¡± Xiao Qianqiu took a sip of tea and touched his Beidou Seven Stars Sword at his waist, ¡°Once the battle begins, there is no south or north, no old or young. Everyone has the responsibility to defend their land and resist the enemy, and we who pursue the Dao cannot shirk our duty.¡± With that, Xiao Qianqiu strode down the mountain. The wind was howling, and the frost-covered trees swayed with the cold gust, settling on Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s shoulders and head, as if they weighed a thousand pounds. Upon reaching Nanping Dao, Xiao Qianqiu had said that he would share the fate of Nanhua Mountain. If Nanhua Mountain fell, then he would perish along with his Tao. Watching the figure of his nephew, Luo Chongyang paused slightly. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only If Ye Ding and Yu Ying were Daoist disciples tainted by fame and fortune, and he himself was a hermit cultivator, somewhat detached from worldly concerns, then Xiao Qianqiu was more like a monk enduring hardships in the mortal world. Why should cultivating require one to retreat from the world? Since people come from the dust, they must ultimately return to it. In the world, the Dao is great, and so are human beings. ¡­.. Chapter 333 - Chapter 333 Chapter 233 The Ghost Swordsman Becomes an Army by Chapter 333: Chapter 233: The Ghost Swordsman Becomes an Army by Himself Chapter 333: Chapter 233: The Ghost Swordsman Becomes an Army by Himself Hiss! The True Dragon Essence Blood merged into An Jing¡¯s body, and at the same time, ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± was activated, absorbing the True Dragon Essence Blood. Boom! Boom! Boom! The entire Russell Clan¡¯s secret ground boiled over. Roar! A huge dragon roar sounded, and the entire sandy ground burst open and raged as if in an upheaval, with the Qi Mechanism rolling into waves of Qi that began to rampage wildly. The Royal Family of Great Qin was extremely cautious when absorbing the True Dragon Essence Blood, even needing a great amount of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to neutralize before daring to absorb the domineering True Dragon Essence Blood. If it wasn¡¯t for An Jing¡¯s strong physique, having cultivated ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique,¡± and having reached the Realm of the Four Qi, he might have been incinerated by the True Dragon Essence Blood by now. At this moment, he felt his blood and Qi surging, and couldn¡¯t help but sit cross-legged, as serene as an old monk entering nirvana. The True Dragon Essence Blood penetrated into the blood and bones, and then merged with An Jing¡¯s body. The originally calm Qi Sea also began to stir, and one could clearly feel the color of the Qi Sea changing constantly, gradually turning into a golden yellow. The Dantian within the Qi Sea shone brightly, like a luminous pearl in the midst of the sea. At the same time, the True Qi also underwent earth-shattering changes. Cultivating the incomplete ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± could enhance the quality of True Qi, but it still fell short of Qin Shan¡¯s Innate True Qi. Now, as the True Dragon Essence Blood merged into his bloodline, his True Qi quality was no longer inferior to Qin Shan¡¯s Innate True Qi. If he could obtain ¡°Beidou Seven Stars Technique,¡± the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± would be considered complete, and by then, his True Qi might transform once again. As the True Dragon Essence Blood continuously merged into his body and bloodline, An Jing underwent tremendous changes from inside out. Suddenly, within An Jing¡¯s Qi Sea, a burst of starlight surged. Then, the entire Qi Sea seemed to transform into a galaxy, with the starlight dazzling and captivating. The sky above the Russell Clan¡¯s territory dyed pitch black. Ouyang Ping watched quietly at the side, and suddenly noticed that An Jing, who was sitting on the Heavenly Yang Stone, had seemingly disappeared, his Qi Mechanism vanished, and so had he. Upon closer inspection, he seemed to be one with the stars above. ¡°Separating Heaven and Earth?¡± At this moment, Ouyang Ping saw the shadow of Jun Qinglin in An Jing. After the Heavenly Human Communication, An Jing used ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique,¡± along with the aid of the True Dragon Essence Blood and the Heavenly Yang Stone, to cultivate this technique of Separating Heaven and Earth, which was completely contrary to Heavenly Human Communication. Heavenly Human Communication borrowed the power of this realm, while Separating Heaven and Earth was to extract oneself from this world, no longer bound by the shackles of heaven and earth. Throughout the ages, An Jing has been the only master who has simultaneously mastered these two techniques. At this moment, he began to fade from this world, and the shackles and rules of this world on him were continuously diminishing. Several hours passed before An Jing slowly opened his eyes and looked at his palm. Heavenly Human Communication and Separating Heaven and Earth were two different sensations, or rather, completely opposed paths. If it wasn¡¯t for ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± stirring the stars beyond the domain, he could never have reached this realm. Moreover, with the help of the True Dragon Essence Blood, his cultivation had now reached the peak of Four Qi Grandmaster, just one step away from the Five Qi Returning to Origin. Although Four Qi and Five Qi are only a step apart, a Five Qi Grandmaster is truly a union of the Five Qi and represents a complete qualitative transformation. Having reached the peak of Four Qi, reaching Five Qi might just be a matter of time. Upon reaching Five Qi Fusion with the Origin, his strength would most likely undergo a tremendous improvement. Ouyang Ping smiled and said, ¡°An Tributor, your strength has increased again.¡± It was evident that An Jing¡¯s Qi Mechanism had grown stronger. An Jing nodded slightly, and then looked towards the direction of the North Field, saying, ¡°Next, we need to take down Houjin¡¯s stronghold of North Field. I¡¯ve heard that Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s daughter, Zongzheng Yue, is within North Field.¡± After the death of Zongzheng Yuan, Zongzheng Yue became the biggest successor of Houjin. Back when Soul Seeker Mansion colluded with the Russell Clan to deal with the Demon Sect, Zongzheng Yue was one of the shadows behind it. Ouyang Ping nodded and said, ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± After all, in the eyes of the world, North Field seemed extremely secure at the moment. Then, An Jing moved the Heavenly Yang Stone to the back of the Black Flood Dragon and found Jiang Renyi on the outskirts of the Russell Clan. An Jing asked, ¡°What do you plan to do now?¡± ¡°Where else can I go?¡± Jiang Renyi gave a wry smile, ¡°I¡¯ll follow the Great Yan army for now.¡± With his wife killed by Jiang Shang and upon hearing Jiang Shang¡¯s heartless words, Jiang Renyi had become somewhat despondent and thought it might be better to die along with this army of tens of thousands on the land of Houjin. In his view, the ultimate outcome of this great campaign against Yan would be extremely grim, and it was highly likely that the ninety thousand Pingyang Guard would eternally sleep here, which might be the best ending for him. An Jing glanced at Jiang Renyi without saying anything, after all, Jiang Renyi was also a Half-step Master and could be somewhat helpful. The Black Flood Dragon let out a low roar and headed towards the encampment of the Pingyang Guard. The sandstorm roared in, enveloping everything. Qiu Lun, Li Fuzhou, and other masters who had sensed the roar of the Black Flood Dragon, had been waiting in the midst of the sandstorm. Li Fuzhou, sensing the stone on the dragon¡¯s back, said, ¡°Son-in-law, is that the Supreme Yang Stone?¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°Yes, this is the Heavenly Yang Stone. It has a rich Supreme Yang Qi inside. Take it to You Mountain now. Elder Ouyang will follow me into the Royal Court of Houjin.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Li Fuzhou glanced at Ouyang Ping without saying anything further. Qiu Lun then said excitedly, ¡°Big brother, the city of Heavenly Water City is just three hundred miles ahead. With no defenses, we can take the city in one battle.¡± Others might not be aware of the strategic importance of North Field¡¯s Heavenly Water City, but Qiu Lun was acutely aware. North Field was the gateway of Houjin, even more critical than the Northern Wilderness path. As long as they took Heavenly Water City, they could directly threaten the Royal Court of Houjin. This was also why Wang Shiyi previously wanted to capture Heavenly Water City so badly. Unfortunately, there was no follow-up reinforcement, and coupled with the powerful counterattack from Houjin¡¯s army, the city slipped away quickly. An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°Then let¡¯s strike with all our might and take down Heavenly Water City in North Field.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Upon hearing this, Qiu Lun¡¯s spirits were greatly lifted, and he hastily began to mobilize the Pingyang Guard¡¯s army to march towards Heavenly Water City. At that moment, An Jing sensed something and looked into the distance. A figure appeared amidst the sand and wind. ¡­¡­ Heavenly Water City, Commandant¡¯s Office, under the dim light of the lamps. Zongzheng Yue looked at the map in front of her, next to her was the handsome and fair Wanyan Lin. Currently, several of Zongzheng Yue¡¯s trusted advisors and staff were present, among them was Mu Tong Dharma King from Great Snow Mountain. Mu Tong Dharma King coveted power and indulged in pleasures of the flesh, but his strength stood out among the many Dharma Kings; he was originally a close confidant of Zongzheng Yuan, but following Zongzheng Yuan¡¯s tragic death, he eventually aligned himself with Zongzheng Yue. Such a person, with clear flaws and exceptional competence, was favored by those in power. Zongzheng Yue said, ¡°If we continue at this speed, we should be able to conquer Northern Wilderness Road within a month, and take Yujing City of Great Yan within half a year.¡± A staff member beside her laughed and said, ¡°Princess is being conservative. In my opinion, it will take only three months to capture Yujing City. The only variable is the Great Yan Emperor. It is said that he has reached the realm of a Land Immortal, which is indeed quite troublesome.¡± Mu Tong Dharma King coldly said, ¡°What of a Land Immortal? Can he resist an army of a million? Moreover, with the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intention within the Holy Master, even facing Zhao Zhiwu does not guarantee defeat.¡± Although Mu Tong Dharma King was well aware of the gap between Land Immortal and the Grandmaster realm, he could not directly voice it out at this moment as it would dampen the morale of Houjin. The staff member thought of something and expressed his doubt, ¡°Right, the Demon Sect¡¯s people have yet to take action up to now, which is quite strange, isn¡¯t it?¡± It had been several tens of days since the battle of Northern Wilderness Road had started, but there had been no sightings of the Demon Sect¡¯s members, as if they had vanished from the human world. Wanyan Lin said, ¡°Wang Shiyi is arrogant and self-opinionated, stubborn, and autocratic. Given that the Ghost Swordsman is only in his early twenties, how could he willingly obey the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s commands?¡± Zongzheng Yue waved her hand and said, ¡°Wang Shiyi is certainly arrogant, but not to the extent of being stubborn and self-opinionated. As one of the top three Military Marquises of Great Yan, he does have the capabilities. It¡¯s normal that he would not follow the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s orders due to his seniority.¡± Who was Wang Shiyi? One of the top three Military Marquises of Great Yan, and with age on his side. Even if Qiu Heng, the Military Marquis, took on the role of Minister of War, it would be difficult to mobilize him. The staff member confidently said, ¡°Their internal conflict is good for us. When the Commander conquers Northern Wilderness Road, it will be the perfect time to catch the Ghost Swordsman and the Demon Sect in one fell swoop. Even if the Ghost Swordsman is strong, he cannot match the Guardian Envoy and our five hundred thousand Houjin troops.¡± The Guardian Envoy was none other than Taiyin Kui. If Great Yan was considered the primary enemy of Houjin, then the Demon Sect and the Ghost Swordsman were the current primary enemies of Great Snow Mountain. Therefore, targeting the Demon Sect was also one of Houjin¡¯s main strategies. Zongzheng Yue nodded slightly. Taiyin Kui, being a Five Qi Grandmaster, should have no problem dealing with the Ghost Swordsman. With the assistance of the Houjin army, they were set to capture the Demon Sect and the Ghost Swordsman, ensuring they would not escape again. ¡°Trot trot trot¡­¡± Just then, a soldier stumbled in, gasping, ¡°Bad news, the Great Yan army has attacked the city gates.¡± The people exchanged glances as if they had heard wrong. This was Heavenly Water City in North Field? How could there be a Great Yan army?! Approximately a few breaths later, Zongzheng Yue exclaimed, ¡°How is that possible? Are you sure you saw clearly?¡± At this point, Northern Wilderness Road was almost in the hands of Houjin, and the Great Yan army was like a turtle trapped in a jar, utterly without the strength to resist. And from where had this army emerged?! The soldier, panting heavily, said, ¡°It¡¯s the banner of the Pingyang Guard; they launched a surprise attack on the North Gate, and the flag bearer is currently battling the army.¡± Mu Tong Dharma King¡¯s brows lifted as he said, ¡°I will go and see for myself.¡± With that, he quickly walked toward the North City Gate. The staff member wondered aloud, ¡°Where did this Pingyang Guard pop up from?¡± Zongzheng Yue frowned, her eyes also filled with confusion. ¡°Assassins! There are assassins!¡± At that moment, a commotion and noise came from outside the room. ¡°Be careful!¡± Just then, a cold light shot in from afar, tearing through the window screen and the doors, one of the cold beams heading straight for Zongzheng Yue. Wanyan Lin reacted swiftly, shielding Zongzheng Yue, only to be pierced in the arm by the cold light, and blood immediately gushed out. Zongzheng Yue quickly reached out her arm and embraced Wanyan Lin, ¡°Wanyan, are you alright?¡± Cold sweat beaded on Wanyan Lin¡¯s forehead as he whispered, ¡°Princess, there are assassins¡­¡± Zongzheng Yue coldly said, ¡°With my Grandmaster realm cultivation, I¡¯d like to see that assassin dare to come in.¡± Very few people knew that Zongzheng Yue was also quite powerful, having reached the Grandmaster realm with the resources of Houjin. ¡°I dare!¡± A cold shout rang out, and a vast surge of force came at her. Zongzheng Yue¡¯s Qi Mechanism shifted within her body as she struck out a palm towards the attacker. ¡°Bang!¡± There was a violent explosion of sound, and Zongzheng Yue felt a powerful force hit her, causing her steps to stagger backward. When she finally steadied herself, she could see that the newcomer was an elder dressed in black, adorned with the symbol of the Demon Sect. ¡°You Gai!?¡± Zongzheng Yue¡¯s heart sank upon seeing the skilled fighter before her, as though she had plummeted to the bottom of a valley. ¡°` The person who arrived was none other than You Gai, a top expert of the Demon Sect. And the person outside attempting assassination was, without doubt, another expert of the Demon Sect. It was likely that Mu Tong Dharma King was also being intercepted at that moment. After failing to kill the Great Wizard of the Southern Barbarians, You Gai returned to You Mountain. Upon hearing from Zhao Qingmei that An Jing, Li Fuzhou, Ouyang Ping, and other experts had headed for Houjin, he hurriedly rushed over. It was indeed You Gai that An Jing had sensed in the desert. Wanyan Lin¡¯s eyes flashed with a sharp light as he said, ¡°Princess, you should go first.¡± Zongzheng Yue took a deep breath and asked, ¡°Can we really escape?¡± ¡°Do you want to wait for that old fellow, Taiyin Kui?¡± You Gai let out a cold laugh and said, ¡°Unfortunately, I have to inform you that the old guy is dead.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Zongzheng Yue was struck as if by a bolt from the blue upon hearing You Gai¡¯s words, her eyes filled with disbelief. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you, you¡¯re spouting nonsense!¡± Five Qi Grandmaster! That was one of the most top-notch masters in the world; how could he just be declared dead like that? Moreover, Taiyin Kui was not only the guardian deity of the great plains but also her godfather. Wanyan Lin pushed Zongzheng Yue away and shouted, ¡°Princess, hurry up and go!¡± After speaking, Wanyan Lin charged toward You Gai. The other experts also positioned themselves in front of Zongzheng Yue. ¡°You Gai is extremely powerful and specializes in movement techniques; if you don¡¯t leave now, it will be too late later.¡± Zongzheng Yue saw Wanyan Lin standing in front of her, her eyes reddening, then with a clenched fist, she walked away towards the distance. Although You Gai was a Four Qi Grandmaster, he was temporarily held back by the surrounding experts and didn¡¯t find a good opportunity to chase Zongzheng Yue, so he had to first deal with the experts in front of him. ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± His figure moved like a wandering dragon, and with every strike, an expert would fall dead at his hands. These were all top-notch experts from Houjin, including elite warriors from the Great Snow Mountain. But at that moment, they had absolutely no power to resist You Gai and were merely at his mercy. Wanyan Lin calmly watched from the side, observing You Gai as he killed one expert after another, until finally only two experts from the Soul Seeker Mansion remained. Just then, Wanyan Lin suddenly made his move, his arms shaking as two short swords appeared in his palms. ¡°Pfft!¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Two streams of blood burst forth, and the two experts from the Soul Seeker Mansion were slain on the spot. You Gai looked at Wanyan Lin, who had taken action, and his eyebrows slightly rose. This handsome young man had impressive skills; it seemed he was in his early thirties yet already at the Half-step Master Realm. Of course, he couldn¡¯t be compared with the young genius An Jing, but he was a talent nonetheless. Wanyan Lin bowed with his fists and said, ¡°Elder You¡¯s prowess is unparalleled in this world; the younger generation admires it greatly.¡± You Gai coldly asked, ¡°Who are you?¡± Wanyan Lin replied, ¡°Heaven and Earth Net, ¡®A¡¯ ranked secret agent Wanyan Lin.¡± ¡°Heaven and Earth Net?¡± Upon hearing this, You Gai was somewhat surprised. He was well aware of the fame of Heaven and Earth Net and was very familiar with it, but he had not expected Zongzheng Yue¡¯s confidant to be an agent of Heaven and Earth Net. Given that Zongzheng Yue¡¯s current status was akin to that of the Crown Prince of Great Yan, effectively in control of all of Houjin¡¯s secrets, having her confidant be a spy of the Heaven and Earth Net meant that all of Houjin¡¯s movements were actually in the hands of the Great Yan Court. To convince You Gai, Wanyan Lin continued, ¡°The news of Ghost Swordsman leading troops into North Field was intercepted by me.¡± You Gai asked, ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you kill Zongzheng Yue just now?¡± Wanyan Lin replied, ¡°She can¡¯t die yet, at least not now.¡± You Gai frowned, ¡°What are you planning to do now?¡± Wanyan Lin answered earnestly, ¡°Wanyan Lin still needs to continue his infiltration, so I ask Elder You to strike me with your palm.¡± Martial arts masters each have a distinct Qi mechanism, and Wanyan Lin needed to withstand a palm strike from You Gai to win Zongzheng Yue¡¯s trust. ¡°Good!¡± You Gai gazed deeply at Wanyan Lin, then his palm shot towards Wanyan Lin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Bang!¡± With a clear sound, Wanyan Lin felt several bones breaking, as intense pain surged through him instantly, causing cold sweat to fall like rainwater. However, he did not make a single sound. ¡°Elder You, as long as you kill Mu Tong Dharma King and the chief of the Purple Deer Banner who is defending this place, you can easily take over the entire North Field. Then, you can threaten Houjin¡¯s hinterland or unite with Jin Lv to alleviate the crisis in Beihuang Dao.¡± After dropping this piece of advice, Wanyan Lin hastily left the scene. You Gai watched Wanyan Lin¡¯s retreating back and remained silent for a long time. Who would have thought that Zongzheng Yue¡¯s confidant was a secret agent of Great Yan? Perhaps it is precisely because of such a variety of people in this world that it becomes even more dangerous, elusive, and unpredictable. ¡­¡­.. Heavenly Water City, North Gate. Tens of thousands of Pingyang Guards surged forward, while on the city tower, the chief of the Purple Deer Banner furrowed his brow and softly ordered, ¡°Kill!¡± ¡°` As the word fell, myriad arrows shot out like meteors, immediately striking down those in the front ranks of the Pingyang Guard amid their struggles. Fear flashed through the eyes of the Pingyang Guard. They instinctively wanted to retreat, but the mob surged forward like a tide. How could they turn back? In an instant, the fallen bodies were swallowed up by the flood-like tide of people, which couldn¡¯t be stopped from rushing towards the city gate. Arrows descended like locusts from the city walls, while the mob below was like ants. A downpour of arrows resulted in hundreds of people struggling and falling to the ground, their eyes filled with reluctance, only to be trampled into dust. The siege of Heavenly Water City resembled a Shura slaughter field. The eyes of Lie Huo Guan grew wide with terror, and his grip on his long knife loosened, dropping it with a clang. An Jing stood in the distance and let out a long sigh. These Pingyang Guards were indeed long removed from battle formations, and could no longer be considered a seasoned elite force. It would be very difficult to conquer Heavenly Water City, defended by tens of thousands of troops. Qiu Lun strode over and said, ¡°Big brother, that¡¯s the banner lord of the Purple Deer Banner! We must kill him.¡± To capture the thieves, first capture the king! This truth remained unchanged since ancient times. An Jing nodded, then slapped his palm down, and the Evil Suppressing Sword flew out from its sword box. The unmatched sharpness of the Evil Suppressing Sword caused the temperature around it to continually drop. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Standing atop the city walls, the banner lord of the Purple Deer Banner felt like prey under the gaze of a wild beast, his body breaking out in goosebumps and his feet instinctively retreating two steps. ¡°Banner Lord!¡± The guards around him instinctively protected the banner lord the Purple Deer Banner behind them. The next moment, he saw a flash of cold light coming from afar, consuming his entire pupil. Fast! Too fast! It was a sword, and by the time you saw it, it had already reached your face. ¡°Pfft!¡± The sword light penetrated directly through the heart of the banner lord of the Purple Deer Banner, his body heavily falling to the ground. ¡°Banner Lord!?¡± All those around surged forward, their expressions anxious. The banner lord of the Purple Deer Banner, clutching his bleeding chest, said, ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ make a fuss, and don¡¯t scream.¡± Everyone quickly came to their senses. Should news of the banner lord of the Purple Deer Banner¡¯s severe injury spread at this time, it would definitely shake the military¡¯s morale. ¡°Banner lord of the Purple Deer Banner, rest assured, as long as I¡¯m here, who can step foot on the city wall?¡± At that moment, a clear shout rang out. ¡°Mu Tong Dharma King!¡± ¡°It¡¯s Mu Tong Dharma King!¡± ¡­¡­. Seeing the person who came, the soldiers of Houjin felt their spirits greatly lifted. An Jing stood below the city, holding the blood-covered Evil Suppressing Sword, and looked towards Mu Tong Dharma King, who was in a realm all his own. ¡°A Dharma King from Great Snow Mountain?¡± Mu Tong Dharma King also sensed the crisis and looked towards An Jing, asking, ¡°Who are you?¡± Never before had such a young man been able to exert this much pressure on him. Before An Jing could speak, it seemed as if he had thought of something and exclaimed in disbelief, ¡°Ghost Swordsman!?¡± A name known by account. These days, there was hardly anyone in the world who did not know the famous name of the Ghost Swordsman, especially the experts from the Great Snow Mountain of Houjin. Many grandmasters had perished at his hand, and combined with the reputation of the World¡¯s First Swordsman, it was enough to make most experts in the world pale at the mere mention. ¡°Indeed.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, then raised his arm. True Qi around him surged wildly, and the blade of the Evil Suppressing Sword flickered with supreme cold sharpness. This was the Evil Suppressing Sword of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a heavy seal used to suppress evil. ¡°Not good!¡± Mu Tong Dharma King, seeing this, hastily made to leap away, but it was already too late. The sword light rushed over with great speed, a sweep of the blade bifurcated Mu Tong Dharma King¡¯s body, turning him into a cloud blood mist, after which the sword light continued to surge toward the rear city wall. The moment of impact was like an earthquake. The earth split, heaven startled! ¡°Bang bang bang bang bang!¡± And the remaining soldiers witnessed what was arguably the most shocking scene they had ever seen. The sword light swept through, and the towering, seemingly impregnable walls of the Heavenly Water City collapsed with a thunderous sound, the sky filled with dust that rose meters into the air. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At the same time, the soldiers of Houjin atop the wall were also engulfed in it, their cries unceasing, their haunting screams relentless. Qiu Lun, witnessing the scene before him, stood dumbfounded in place. A single sword destroyed the city! One man became an army! ¡­¡­ Chapter 334 - Chapter 334 Chapter 334 Celestial Beings Banished to the Chapter 334: Chapter 334: Celestial Beings Banished to the Mortal World Chapter 334: Chapter 334: Celestial Beings Banished to the Mortal World ¡°My God! The city has fallen!¡± ¡°A single strike broke through Heavenly Water City!¡± ¡°He is the Ghost Swordsman, the world¡¯s foremost swordsman!¡± ¡°It¡¯s terrifying!¡± ¡­. Experts from Great Snow Mountain and Soul Seeker Mansion lost their voices in shock, their lips trembling. With one sword strike, he not only killed Mu Tong Dharma King but also shattered the soaring, indestructible walls. It was simply beyond human capability. At this moment, in everyone¡¯s eyes, the Ghost Swordsman before them was no longer a mere mortal swordsman, but a Great Sword Immortal unmatched in this world. Heavenly Water City had fallen! ¡°Kill!¡± ¡°Charge into Heavenly Water City!¡± Seeing the crumbling walls, even the Pingyang Guard was momentarily stunned before madly rushing into Heavenly Water City. An Jing casually sheathed the Evil Suppressing Sword, considering it a trivial matter hardly worth mentioning. ¡°Kill!¡± Qiu Lun led the Pingyang Guard bravely forward. Ouyang Ping collected all the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essences from Mu Tong Dharma King¡¯s body, saying, ¡°An Tributor, I now possess several Heaven and Earth Spirit Essences. Perhaps this opportunity will allow you to reach the realm of a Five Qi Grandmaster.¡± Currently, An Jing, still a Four Qi Grandmaster, was able to contend with Taiyin Kui and Jiang Shang. Once he truly reached the level of a Five Qi Grandmaster, who in the world could stand against him? An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°Achieving Five Qi Returning to Origin is no longer just about having enough Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence.¡± Five Qi Returning to Origin could lead to a miraculous state where one could observe the internal structure of the human body. People have a subconscious, so during Five Qi Returning to Origin, one can see a person looking at ¡°me.¡± If you delve deeper, you might see a person looking at the middle ¡°me,¡± someone looking at the lower ¡°me,¡± a physical ¡°me,¡± with a shadow lingering in the middle. Above the shadow are others looking downward. Some are higher, some are lateral, some to the left, some to the right, some in front, and some behind¡­ Human consciousness has no direction, thus a second, third, fourth ¡°me¡±¡­ may appear in front, back, to the left, to the right, or above¡­ If you completely relax, you can reach the realm of Five Qi Returning to Origin. When the Five Qi are balanced, the Qi mechanism ascends. However, this is just an initial phase of Five Qi Returning to Origin. After this phase, no more manifestations occur, only a clear awareness remains. When this clear awareness arises, no matter how many people are speaking at once, you can hear each person¡¯s words clearly. Therefore, Five Qi Returning to Origin is a boundary where humans transcend towards being an Immortal. This realm is deeply mysterious. It requires a sudden insight, a moment of profound realization about the mysteries of the human body. Ouyang Ping nodded and said, ¡°Alright, I will keep these Heaven and Earth Spirit Essences for now, and let the Sect Hierarch decide once we return to the sect.¡± Following that, Ouyang Ping also joined the battlefield, storming towards Great Snow Mountain. With his cultivation, he was undoubtedly like a tiger entering a flock of sheep; none of the Houjin experts could withstand a single move from him. With the city gates broken, and the Purple Deer Banner leader severely injured, both Soul Seeker Mansion and Great Snow Mountain experts had mostly died at the hands of the Demon Sect¡¯s experts. Naturally, the sixty thousand ordinary soldiers of Houjin could hardly compete with the Pingyang Guard, and within just a few hours, the entire Heavenly Water City had fallen. As a crucial stronghold of the Northern Wilderness, once Heavenly Water City was taken, the whole Northern Wilderness would be easily accessible. Further north from the Northern Wilderness lay vast grasslands, flat and open without any natural barriers, allowing direct access to the Houjin Royal Court. To the south was the Northern Wilderness Road of Great Yan. Qiu Lun, wiping the blood off his face, said, ¡°Big brother, we can now head south to encircle Jin Lv¡¯s six hundred thousand strong army, or we could directly target the Royal Court. However, the Houjin Royal Court still has a hundred to two hundred thousand troops, making it almost impossible to conquer.¡± Although Houjin had suffered losses in several battles, as a nation where everyone was a soldier, raising a new army was still relatively easy as long as they had sufficient supplies. So, two paths lay before them, supporting the south, which was less risky yet not without benefits, or heading north, where the risks were greater but so were the potential gains. Conquering the grassland people¡¯s Royal Court was a feat many generals throughout history had dreamt of but never achieved. Especially now, when they were at a disadvantage against a strong enemy, the possibility of storming the Royal Court was almost negligible. An Jing faintly smiled and asked, ¡°What do you suggest?¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± Qiu Lun looked towards the north, curiosity also arising in his heart, and said, ¡°Having come this far north, naturally we¡¯ll follow big brother and take down the Houjin Royal Court.¡± Having witnessed An Jing breaking the city with a single strike, he had come to completely believe An Jing¡¯s words. If An Jing claimed he was a heavenly immortal at that moment, Qiu Lun would believe it without hesitation. Dust and sand pervaded the air; at that moment, Heavenly Water City lay in ruins, blood and corpses everywhere. An Jing put away his smile, and his gaze turned profound as he looked into the distance. ¡­¡­. North Field Road, Yuan City. News from Heavenly Water City spread quickly, and the first place it reached was the Houjin army engaged in a fierce battle on the North Field Road. In the camp of the Houjin army, the Great Commander, who was leading the attack on the Great Yan, now looked at the battle report in front of him with a face ashen as iron. Heavenly Water City had fallen?! Heavenly Water City was a major stronghold of the North Field, a central area connecting North Field Road and the Houjin Royal Court, but now it had been occupied by the Great Yan army. Where did this force from Great Yan come from?! The Houjin generals beside him also had grave expressions; they were all too aware of the current situation. Now that their retreat was cut off, they could say they were an isolated force. Jin Lv took a deep breath and said, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, our greatest strength is sustaining war through fighting. After all, it¡¯s just an army of tens of thousands.¡± If they were to mobilize a large army to attack the North Field now, it would mean fighting on two fronts and all the blood spilled before might be in vain. By the side, Mu Xin Dharma King said indifferently, ¡°Since there¡¯s no way back, just keep killing our way into the Yan Capital, Yujing City.¡± For him, having no retreat was a godsend opportunity, using this to take the whole of North Field Road in one fell swoop and direct capture Yujing City. As long as Yujing City falls, the Great Yan Dynasty would be completely destroyed. As for that army of tens of thousands behind them, what waves could they possibly make? Besides, the idea that just tens of thousands of troops alone could take down the Houjin Royal Court was simply delusional. At that moment, a Houjin general whispered, ¡°Great Commander, because Zhao Chongyin wants to trouble the Ghost Swordsman, the supplies configured within Yuan City are insufficient. This is an excellent opportunity for us.¡± Since ancient times, supplies have always been of utmost importance in warfare. Jin Lv pondered for a moment while looking at the sand table in front of him, then steeled his heart and forcefully said, ¡°We have no choice but to go all out and take Yuan City at all costs.¡± ¡°I want Yuan City taken at full force! Cease fighting after three days.¡± The surrounding Houjin generals all clenched their fists, each becoming incredibly excited. ¡­.. Upon the battlements of Yuan City, with the Houjin army approaching, a great battle was imminent, and numerous Great Yan soldiers were vigilantly on guard. Just then, a dense shadow swept over from the distant horizon. Some Great Yan soldiers caught sight of the approaching dark shadow and couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°It¡¯s our people from Great Yan.¡± The surrounding soldiers all looked over, their spirits greatly uplifted. For the mass that was flocking towards them, dense and dark, were indeed the displaced people of Great Yan. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Li Qirong walked over and shouted. With the Houjin army not far away, the fact that these displaced individuals were rushing toward Yuan City seemed somewhat illogical. Soon, these displaced individuals rushed to the base of Yuan City¡¯s walls. Disheveled and dirty, they cried and howled at the battlements, seemingly begging for the drawbridge to be lowered to let them in. Wang Ningshui hurriedly said, ¡°Master Li, these are undoubtedly citizens of Yan Country, please open the gates and let them in.¡± By his side, Dai Danshu furrowed his brows, seemingly wanting to say something. ¡°No, what if Houjin cavalry launched a surprise attack at this moment?¡± Li Qirong coldly refused, ¡°Besides, what if these people are Houjin experts in disguise? If Yuan City falls because of this, wouldn¡¯t that lead to even more deaths?¡± Wang Ningshui opened his mouth, then sighed. After all, what Li Qirong said made sense: a small act of kindness now could lead to a greater disaster. ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± Suddenly, the ground shook violently, and smoke billowed from afar. The Houjin battle flags were the first to come into view. ¡°Not good, the Houjin army is attacking!¡± shouted the Great Yan soldiers. Seeing this, the displaced people of Great Yan became even more panicked, even rushing towards the moat, but the drawbridge had already been pulled up. Unprepared with river-crossing equipment, the front hundreds of people couldn¡¯t stop, pushed by the crowd behind into the river. The Houjin vanguard drew bows and loosed arrows, launching an arrow storm at the refugees and the city walls. After two volleys of arrows, the ten-foot-wide moat was packed with drowned displaced individuals, struggling like drowning ants, and gradually sinking, lifeless. Some experts from the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall, having never been exposed to such a hellish scene, felt their eyes split and their throats seized. After watching for a moment, many were overwhelmed with grief, forced to close their eyes and weep, soon their faces streaked with tears. For a moment, the air was filled with the cries of arrows and heartrending wails. The mournful cries of tens of thousands of displaced people struck directly at the hearts of the people of Great Yan, shaking their spirits deeply. Suddenly, the ten-breadth and several-breath deep moat was filled in an instant by thousands of drowning displaced individuals. The turbulent crowd trampled over thousands of heads and swarmed to the base of the city walls. Seeing this, Li Qirong coolly ordered, ¡°Archers, shoot.¡± At the same time, the Houjin army charged forward, their archers targeting the Great Yan soldiers on the city walls. In a moment, arrows flew back and forth between the two sides, harvesting precious lives. In just a few moments, corpses were piled several feet thick beneath the city walls, with soldiers occasionally falling from above. Soon, the Houjin forces gained momentum and even managed to suppress Yujing City¡¯s arrow fire. After gaining the upper hand, Houjin began to assault the city using siege ladders and grappling hooks. ¡°Li Qirong, this is wonderful news!¡± Just then, Wang Shiyi hurried over. Seeing Wang Shiyi, Li Qirong exclaimed in surprise, ¡°General Wang, why have you come here? It¡¯s not safe.¡± You should know that Mu Xin Dharma King was still among the army. If he were to suddenly make a move, Wang Shiyi would definitely be in danger. He was the commander of Yuan City, and if anything happened to him, Yuan City would be in jeopardy. Holding a victory report, Wang Shiyi laughed heartily, ¡°Did you know? The Ghost Swordsman and Qiu Lun have taken North Field.¡± Li Qirong was startled. ¡°They took North Field?¡± He well understood how crucial North Field was, but how the Ghost Swordsman and Qiu Lun had managed to take it was beyond him, filling his head briefly with speculation. Wang Shiyi sighed emotionally, ¡°With North Field in the hands of Great Yan, Jin Lv will just be an isolated force. As long as we hold Yuan City, the Houjin forces will eventually fall apart by themselves. I was narrow-minded before.¡± Li Qirong took a deep breath and said, ¡°Currently, there are only about one hundred thousand soldiers within the city, facing five hundred thousand Houjin soldiers outside. Holding the city will be extremely difficult.¡± Largely because of Great Snow Mountain and Soul Seeker Mansion¡¯s help, Great Yan had been forced to retreat step by step in the battle at Northern Wilderness Road, losing many from their hundreds of thousands strong army. Wang Shiyi, gripping a long spear, declared powerfully, ¡°We must hold it, even if it costs us our lives, we must protect Yuan City.¡± Arrows showered down like locusts below the city, falling chaotically as if in a rain of arrows, with continuous injuries from the arrows at the city¡¯s edge. For a moment, Wang Shiyi¡¯s expression was fraught with turmoil; he gripped a stone pillar of the city tower tightly, his hands forcefully causing stone dust to scatter down. Just then, a siege ladder reached up to him, and with a slap of his hands, Wang Shiyi broke the lengthy ladder from the middle, sending Houjin soldiers who had not yet reached the halfway mark plummeting down, quickly swallowed by the surge of troops. Alas, with hundreds of siege ladders and grappling hooks, and arrows and long spears raining down from the Houjin forces below like rain, the attackers surged forwards chaotically towards the soldiers at the top of the city. Although equipped with blades and arms, the soldiers at the top were outnumbered and struggling to hold back the tide. The city¡¯s soldiers, desperately enduring for half an hour, saw several breaches made by the overwhelming force of the Houjin army, who climbed up and drew their long blades from their backs to slaughter indiscriminately. The city ramparts turned chaotic like a disturbed ants¡¯ nest, almost losing control. At this moment, all four gates of Yuan City were under fierce assault from Houjin forces. With every passing moment, lives were brutally lost, and the blood pooled together, forming almost a river. No one would have known that a shockingly fierce siege battle was about to commence at Yuan City. ¡­¡­ On East Lin Road, on the official road. Summer was fast approaching, and the air had begun to heat up. At the teahouse, the number of folks from Jianghu had dwindled considerably, with a few gathered around discussing the current battle situations in both the northern and southern parts of Great Yan. ¡°The Southern Barbarians have sent troops, now our Great Yan is truly in a dire plight.¡± ¡°This is a matter of life and death for Great Yan.¡± ¡°Those Southern Barbarians are extremely cunning; now with the southern battlefront strained and the north continuously retreating, if the Southern Barbarians attack now, it would be a catastrophe for current Great Yan.¡± ¡°Could Great Yan really be doomed?¡± ¡°If it comes to it, we¡¯ll fight them head-on!¡± ¡­¡­ The voices of debate were filled with sighs, even carrying a hint of despair. Everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of their country; in times of national and familial ruin, no one can avoid their duty. ¡°Victory in North Field! Urgent news from eight hundred li!¡± a mounted soldier of Great Yan shouted loudly. The horse, which seemed to have been running day and night for a long time, finally couldn¡¯t hold on any longer and collapsed heavily onto the ground. The quick-reacting soldier of Great Yan immediately leapt off the horse¡¯s back, looking very anxious as he saw the fallen horse. ¡°Victory in North Field!?¡± Hearing this, the crowd exchanged glances, some feeling familiar with this place, while others seemed to hear of it for the first time. ¡°Isn¡¯t North Field a key town for Houjin?¡± a merchant exclaimed in shock. ¡°Could it be that Wang Shiyi has counterattacked up to North Field?¡± Wasn¡¯t the northern battlefront losing? The inn¡¯s waiter, curious, asked, ¡°What victory exactly, officer?¡± The soldier of Great Yan briefly described the great victory, then anxiously looked at the merchant¡¯s horse. The crowd around was shocked; no one expected that in this critical moment, the Demon Sect¡¯s Ghost Swordsman, leading the Pingyang Guard, had penetrated deep into Houjin territory. The merchant quickly handed over the reins of his horse to the soldier, saying, ¡°Quick, send this news back to the capital.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± The soldier of Great Yan didn¡¯t hesitate to mount the fast horse and immediately sped towards the direction of Yujing City. The inn¡¯s waiter murmured, ¡°To think we have struck into Houjin¡¯s North Field, truly bolstering the prestige of our Great Yan.¡± ¡°This is not just about enhancing the prestige of Great Yan; it¡¯s practically changing the situation of the northern battlefield. The Holy Master of Houjin probably can¡¯t even sleep now,¡± the merchant said tremblingly, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman, An Jing, is truly the world¡¯s first swordsman. With a single stroke, he breached the walls of Heavenly Water City. He truly is a Sword Immortal descended from the heavens.¡± Someone slammed the table and stood up, exclaiming, ¡°With such an unparalleled Sword Immortal, why should Great Yan worry about not being able to stop the Houjin barbarians?¡± A city broken by one sword! What a grand style this is, merely thinking about it gives one goosebumps. Everyone present was extremely excited. In the distance, an old man, his heart hanging in suspense, also slightly relaxed, and a smile inadvertently appeared at the corner of his mouth. ¡­¡­ An Jing led tens of thousands of troops into North Field. As the army rested, news of this event spread far and wide, causing a sensation all over. At a time when Great Yan was continuously facing defeat against the Houjin forces and the Beihuang Dao seemed on the brink of being lost, the appearance of the Ghost Swordsman with divine troops captured the critical town of North Field and pointed directly at the royal court of Houjin. This news undoubtedly thrilled the people of Great Yan, greatly boosting the morale of everyone in Yan Country. Moreover, it had tremendous strategic significance for the northern battles, and at this moment, everyone saw a turning point in the northern conflict. Suddenly, the Ghost Swordsman became very famous in Great Yan; his name was even widely known among the common folk. However, news soon broke out that the guardian god of the great steppes, Taiyin Kui, was slain by the Ghost Swordsman in North Field. This caused the entire world to be shaken to its core, from the courts of various countries down to the common street vendors, all were stupendously shocked. Taiyin Kui, the guardian god of the great steppes and a famous Five Qi Grandmaster, if it wasn¡¯t for Zhao Zhiwu who, aided by the thoughts of the Earth Vein Spirit, reached the Great Grandmaster realm, then there would be no Great Grandmasters in this world, and the highest level would be those of the Five Qi Grandmasters. Each Five Qi Grandmaster was a pinnacle expert in the world, but now, a Five Qi Grandmaster of Houjin, Taiyin Kui, had been killed by An Jing, making the war between Houjin and Great Yan carry a different weight now. The name of the Ghost Swordsman even spread to Zhao Country and the land of the Southern Barbarians, his fame this time ringing louder and more shockingly, for he had slain a Five Qi Grandmaster. Great Yan was indeed in national celebration, while Houjin was wailing in loss. Royal Court of Houjin. Zongzheng Huachun walked out from his quiet room, looking at Zongzheng Yue who had a pale face kneeling on the ground. ¡°Father,¡± Zongzheng Huachun took a deep breath, ¡°Is Taiyin Kui truly dead?¡± Zongzheng Yue bowed his head, ¡°According to the intelligence, the land of the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum has collapsed, prodigious phenomena have occurred there, Fengdu has appeared, and Taiyin Kui¡¯s remains were not found. However, our Houjin spies discovered that Jiang Shang has disappeared in the territory of the Snow Mountain tribe.¡± Upon hearing this, Zongzheng Huachun was silent for a while before saying, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman truly has the strength to slay a Five Qi Grandmaster.¡± He started feeling uneasy. The last time he felt this way was when Jun Qinglin stormed into the great steppes to kill him. At that time, Jun Qinglin already possessed the cultivation of a Five Qi Grandmaster, and after Separating Heaven and Earth, without the constraints of heaven and earth, his strength was extremely fearsome. If not for the Great Dharma King, Taiyin Kui, and himself joining hands, he might really have struggled to survive. Latter, he also avenged the great vengeance and cut off Jun Qinglin¡¯s last breath. But now, the Ghost Swordsman once again made him feel that unease. The Ghost Swordsman had grown too quickly. Last time in Yujing City, he was no match for Taiyin Kui and had only narrowly defeated Taiyin Kui by using some unknown secret technique. Now, he killed Taiyin Kui outright. He led an army that had already taken over Heavenly Water City in North Field. Although his army was not large, merely tens of thousands, it seemed utterly impossible for them to pose a threat to the royal court of Houjin. But Zongzheng Huachun still felt threatened, as if a ferocious tiger was baring its teeth at him, ready to swallow him whole with just one bite. Zongzheng Huachun took a deep breath and said, ¡°He is definitely coming.¡± Zongzheng Huachun had not had much contact with An Jing, but he knew An Jing would definitely come, because the corpse of Jun Qinglin was still in the royal court of Houjin. Zongzheng Yue, with a slight frown, puzzled, ¡°With 200,000 elite forces of Houjin and Father presiding, isn¡¯t he seeking death coming here?¡± ¡°If you study his life, you can see his style of doing things. The Ghost Swordsman must be eager to storm into the royal court and kill me now. Rather than waiting to strike, I prefer to take the initiative,¡± Zongzheng Huachun said coolly. ¡°I guess the Ghost Swordsman wouldn¡¯t expect me to launch a lightning strike first.¡± Zongzheng Yue, shocked, stood up straight, ¡°Father wishes to take action personally?¡± Zongzheng Huachun, originally possessing extreme strength with deep Heavenly Human Communication and further enhanced by absorbing a thread of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s thought, was incomparably powerful, absolutely the strongest with Five Qi Grandmaster cultivation below a Great Grandmaster. In the eyes of Zongzheng Yue, unless the Ghost Swordsman reached the level of a Great Grandmaster, he would definitely not be Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s opponent. Zongzheng Huachun pondered for a long while, a flicker of sharp light in his eyes, ¡°To be absolutely safe, I need to invite two more people.¡± This time, he must kill the Ghost Swordsman, there absolutely must be no room for escape. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Releasing the tiger back into the mountain spells endless trouble, especially when it¡¯s a fierce tiger! Zongzheng Yue curiously asked, ¡°Father, who are these two people?¡± Those who have the strength and the courage to besiege a high-level swordsman like the Ghost Swordsman are basically few and far between. After all, the Ghost Swordsman has been journeying through slaughter, his hands drenched in countless blood, establishing his formidable name as a Great Sword Immortal. ¡­¡­ Chapter 335 - Chapter 335 Chapter 235 Masters from All over the World Enter Chapter 335: Chapter 235: Masters from All over the World Enter the List Chapter 335: Chapter 235: Masters from All over the World Enter the List Zongzheng Huachun began, ¡°The current strength of the Ghost Swordsman is such that the average Five Qi Grandmasters cannot match him. My teacher once told me that Xi Hafu is a top-notch expert of our time, and even Qin Shan might not be his match. Therefore, he is one of the experts who can handle the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Zongzheng Yue raised her eyebrows and said, ¡°Xi Hafu? His strength is indeed high, probably no weaker than the Sword God, Qi Xuan Dao. During the battle at Yujing City, of the three great experts who rushed towards the Dragon Locking Well, only he emerged unscathed. However, getting him to help us against the Ghost Swordsman might be very difficult.¡± After the battle at Yujing City, most of the Five Qi Grandmasters in the world emerged. Qin Shan died, Qi Xuan Dao was gravely wounded, and only Xi Hafu left composedly, making his name resonate across the world. ¡°He will certainly do it.¡± A cold smile appeared on Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s lips. ¡°Xi Hafu once cleaved one of his own thoughts to try and bring about the reincarnation of the Buddha. But this Buddha is not as simple as imagined.¡± Upon hearing this, Zongzheng Yue nodded and said, ¡°It is said that the Buddha was the son of a feudal lord from the Great Qin Dynasty, who later fell on hard times and became destitute, suffering the hardships of the human world. That was until the day he had a profound realization under the Bodhi tree, becoming a Great Grandmaster overnight, with cultivation so divine he later founded the Buddhist sect and vowed to save all beings. This seems quite similar to Confucian cultivation; such a person is truly no ordinary man.¡± Zongzheng Huachun shook his head and said, ¡°All these are just appearances. To reach the Land Immortal Realm overnight, have you seen those Confucian scholars spew their heart and soul into reading how many books, grappling with so much of the great truths, to reach the Land Immortal Realm overnight? And how many Confucian scholars have reached this realm overnight through the ages? Although there are few, there are still some. But what about the Buddhist sect? Besides the Buddha, who else has stepped into the Land Immortal Realm in one go?¡± Zongzheng Yue¡¯s eyebrows knitted, and she fell into deep thought. In the historical records and ancient texts, indeed, only the Buddha reached the Land Immortal Realm overnight. Apart from him, there were no others in the Buddhist sect. Zongzheng Huachun continued, ¡°The Buddha was able to reach the Land Immortal Realm overnight, not just because he had a sudden comprehension of the Buddhist Law; it is merely a means to fool the world. The Buddha became a Land Immortal overnight simply because he was tainted with the aura of evil spirits, turning into one himself.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Zongzheng Yue was thunderstruck by Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s words, ¡°Father, what you¡¯re saying¡­ is it true¡­?¡± Zongzheng Huachun calmly stated, ¡°Of course, it¡¯s true.¡± Zongzheng Yue¡¯s eyes widened. Even though she considered herself unflappable in the face of danger, the revelation still left her deeply shocked. Who could have imagined that the Buddha of the Buddhist sect was not human, but an evil spirit!? It completely overturned all her previous beliefs. If this news were to spread, it would create a massive upheaval. The Buddha of the Buddhist sect, one of the three ancient sects, was actually an evil spirit. Zongzheng Huachun glanced at Zongzheng Yue and said slowly, ¡°I was equally shocked when I first learned of this from my master.¡± Zongzheng Yue, incredulous, said, ¡°The aura of evil spirits can seep into one¡¯s body and allow them to ascend to the Great Grandmaster realm in one step?¡± Zongzheng Huachun answered, ¡°It depends on the person. Some can accept the aura of evil spirits, allowing them to ascend effortlessly to the Great Grandmaster level, while others who are resistant to it ultimately lose their sanity, becoming mindless beasts that only seek to kill.¡± ¡°Obviously, the Buddha was a very lucky individual who was quite compatible with the aura of evil spirits.¡± Zongzheng Yue hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°But even if one accepts the aura of evil spirits, they¡¯re no longer human, right?¡± Zongzheng Huachun slightly nodded, ¡°Evil spirits are evil spirits, naturally they cannot be considered human. Xi Hafu is set on reviving the Buddha, an almost impossible task. Life, once ended, cannot be reborn; even if one becomes an evil spirit, unless one achieves the state of the Heavenly Immortals, that is, transcendence, they will still die.¡± ¡°The only chance for the Buddha to be revived would be for Xi Hafu to absorb the aura of evil spirits and become the Buddha himself.¡± Zongzheng Yue remained silent, as the implications of Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s revelations were indeed too astonishing, almost beyond belief. The Buddha is an evil spirit; so could there be other people who are evil spirits? Is becoming an evil spirit really so advantageous? Zongzheng Huachun continued, ¡°For Xi Hafu, breaking the seal on the Dragon Locking Well is the top priority. Right now, his biggest enemies are the Ghost Swordsman and Zhao Zhiwu, so he will certainly help us.¡± Zongzheng Yue seemed to be on the verge of saying something else but hesitated. Zongzheng Huachun glanced at Zongzheng Yue and said, ¡°Speak your mind.¡± Zongzheng Yue took a deep breath and asked, ¡°Father, who exactly is your teacher?¡± In his youth, Zongzheng Huachun was but an unremarkable young man from the tribes of the great plains, yet he vowed to unify the plains. At that time, the plains were in chaos, with the Great Yan Court stirring up strife and causing continuous internal fighting among the great tribes. Zongzheng Huachun decided to travel to different countries to learn, and he was gone for ten years. When he returned after ten years, he was completely transformed, as if he had undergone a rebirth. Not only did he possess cultivation, but his entire thought process had also undergone earth-shaking changes. He later directly joined the holy ground of the great plains, the Great Snow Mountain, and within a mere three years became the Holy Master of the Great Snow Mountain. Then, in barely over a decade, he managed to unify Houjin and become a dominant ruler over the lands. No one knew where Zongzheng Huachun had been or what had happened during those ten years, but those familiar with him knew of the drastic changes he underwent in this period of learning. Furthermore, Houjin received ¡®tremendous help¡¯. In a matter of twenty years, it became a powerful nation standing alongside the great dynasties such as Great Yan, not inferior to such flourishing dynasties. This was partly due to Houjin¡¯s rich resources and Zongzheng Huachun adopting the state policies of Great Yan and Zhao Country, taking the best and discarding the worst. Another part was due to the support and assistance from behind the scenes. Naturally, such secrets were only known to core members of Houjin like Zongzheng Yue. Moreover, Zongzheng Yue knew that Zongzheng Huachun had taken a teacher, and the great changes in him were precisely because of this teacher. ¡°My teacher is a true hermit of the world.¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyebrows twitched slightly, as if falling into a recollection, ¡°If there are immortals in this world, then my teacher definitely is one.¡± Zongzheng Yue also heard about Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s teacher for the first time and continued to ask, ¡°Then does father¡¯s teacher know the true origin of this malevolent energy?¡± Zongzheng Huachun pondered for a long time before saying, ¡°He was very secretive about it, and I did not inquire further.¡± Zongzheng Yue nodded and said, ¡°Xi Hafu is one, who is the other?¡± ¡°Jiang Shang.¡± Zongzheng Huachun said indifferently, ¡°Not long ago, my teacher sent me a secret letter, Jiang Shang has been absorbing Undying Blood and his cultivation has been constantly improving, reaching the realm of a Five Qi Grandmaster. In fact, he does not know that the Undying Blood is the blood within an evil spirit¡¯s body, and by absorbing an excessive amount of fresh blood, eventually, he will become an evil spirit just like the Buddha from the Buddhist sect. What the evil spirit needs is this malevolent energy. Since he has deep enmity with the Ghost Swordsman and even his son has been swayed by the Ghost Swordsman to confront him, why wouldn¡¯t he go and kill the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡°With the two of them and myself, the Ghost Swordsman would have no escape unless he possesses the strength of a Land Immortal,¡± Zongzheng Huachun spoke with confidence. Xi Hafu and Jiang Shang were both high-ranking Five Qi Grandmasters, and he himself was unquestionably the second greatest master in the world after Zhao Zhiwu. With the three of them working together, how could the Ghost Swordsman escape? This time, there absolutely must be no accidents. If the Ghost Swordsman were allowed to escape again and cultivate for another ten or eight years, by then he might reach the realm of a Land Immortal, which would become a huge problem. With determination in his heart, Zongzheng Yue¡¯s eyes shone with a keen light, ¡°Father, before that, I have a plan that can make the Ghost Swordsman jump into the trap we have set for him.¡± ¡­¡­ Several days later, North Field, Heavenly Water City. With the world in chaos and the winds of change stirring, numerous Grandmasters were involved in the battles, and the masters from the various countries and Jianghu suffered casualties. Especially the masters from Yan Country, engaged in the war between the north and the south, suffered terribly. Recently, a remarkable person from Zhao Country compiled a power ranking of the world¡¯s masters. The Great Yan Emperor, Zhao Zhiwu, was ranked first, followed by Zongzheng Huachun in second place, and Xi Hafu in third because of his reputation after escaping unscathed in the Battle of Yujing City. The fourth place went to Qi Xuan Dao, who was defeated in Yujing City, the first Grandmaster of Zhao Country and the contemporary Sword God. The fifth place was the lord of the Southern Barbarians, while An Jing, after killing Taiyin Kui, was only ranked sixth. Following them were Jiang Shang, Su Tianze, Hua Lian, Xiao Qianqiu, and many other masters. There were definitely omissions in the ranking, but this list was not widely disputed. Zhao Zhiwu, who had reached the realm of a Great Grandmaster, was undoubtedly the foremost among the world¡¯s masters at that time. Therefore, Zongzheng Huachun, who obtained a great opportunity in Yujing City, was unquestionably the second strongest in the world and the one with the best chance of surpassing Zhao Zhiwu. The rankings of the other masters were also noteworthy and followed the inherent logic of the list itself. This ranking spread throughout the world and naturally made its way to the North Field as well. An Jing stood atop the city walls of Heavenly Water City, looking out at the vast expanse of the grasslands. The bushes became increasingly dense, and the ground looked as if it had just been rained upon; the air was very fresh. Looking far into the distance, one could see a hazy layer of blue-green. In front of him was a grassy field, with the azure surface of the water sparkling under the sunlight, a flock of nimble birds either skimming the water¡¯s surface, soaring into the sky, or standing quietly with bowed heads. Situated amidst such vast and boundless expanse, it felt as if there were no boundaries, and one¡¯s entire being seemed to open up all at once. In this moment, An Jing finally understood what Lou Xiangzhen once said, ¡°Travel thousands of miles, cultivate a sword that transcends this world.¡± Allowing one¡¯s heart to roam freely between heaven and earth, in an instant, all confusions can be desolated. The ancient swords in the sword box on An Jing¡¯s back vibrated, bearing the marks of the years, all being renowned swords of extraordinary origin. They now emitted a faint humming sound, as if responding to the serene and indifferent state of his heart. Observing all life with a smile, asking not about its desolation; looking down on all heroes, caring not for the danger or fortune on the road. In this vast world, one floats in solitude within it. An Jing¡¯s heart merged with the heavens and the earth, and not only did he gain new insights into his Sword Dao, but he also made significant progress in Heavenly Human Communication. ¡°Unity of Man and Sword, both sword and self-forgotten,¡± An Jing murmured to himself. The Seventh Realm mentioned in the ¡°Sword Dao Tao General Outline¡± speaks of Unity of Man and Sword, with both sword and self forgotten. Unity of Man and Sword is an extremely profound level, and both sword and self-forgotten are mysterious and unfathomable. Throughout history, the most top-notch swordsmen have all reached the Sixth Realm and have hoped to break through to the Seventh Realm, but very few have touched the threshold of the Seventh Realm, and no one has truly reached the Seventh Realm. Some even say the Seventh Realm does not truly exist. Because swordsmen are human, and the sword is a sword, how can the two become one, and how can a swordsman forget his sword, or a person forget themselves? An Jing stood quietly in place, gazing at the vast and boundless horizon. Ouyang Ping stood far away, commanding the Demon Sect masters to guard, without approaching to disturb. As time passed, a whole night went by unknowingly. Only then did An Jing come back to his senses and took out the Imperial Jade Seal from his bosom. This was the Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and also that of the Great Qin Dynasty, and within the seal still resided the million Yin soldiers of the Great Qin Dynasty. An Jing muttered to himself, ¡°With these million Yin soldiers, what do I have to fear even in the face of the Houjin army?¡± If the Yin soldiers were to charge out from the Imperial Jade Seal, their combat strength would not be inferior to the Houjin soldiers, let alone having a million of them, storming into the Houjin Royal Court would be as easy as turning one¡¯s hand over. However, borrowing the Yin soldiers was always an undesirable act, and the anomalies in Fengdu had also served as a warning to An Jing, so he did not rashly venture into the Houjin Royal Court. Just then, Ouyang Ping came over and whispered, ¡°An Tributor, the Buddhist Xi Hafu has arrived.¡± ¡°Xi Hafu?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised as he asked, ¡°Which Xi Hafu is it?¡± There were two Xi Hafus. Ouyang Ping replied, ¡°He claims to be from Lingtai Temple, and he is wearing a red Kasaya.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go meet him.¡± Afterwards, An Jing descended from the city walls to an ancient guest hall. The Xi Hafu dressed in a red Kasaya was sitting there, looking serene and peaceful. An Jing chuckled and said, ¡°Master, I greet you with respect.¡± The Xi Hafu folded his hands together and said, ¡°An patron needs not be so courteous.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Master has traveled a great distance to come here, I presume there must be something important?¡± The Xi Hafu¡¯s expression turned somewhat grave as he said, ¡°Indeed, this poor monk has come here on an important matter, seeking patron An. My obsessional incarnation has arrived in Houjin.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but recall the Xi Hafu with the icy demeanor, who enjoyed crushing the necks of others and vowed to resurrect the Buddha. He had a very deep impression of this ¡®Xi Hafu.¡¯ But wasn¡¯t he supposed to be resurrecting the Buddha? Why come to Houjin? Xi Hafu slowly said, ¡°He has been invited by Zongzheng Huachun, with the purpose of dealing with you.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised as he said, ¡°To deal with me?¡± Xi Hafu placed his hands over his chest and said, ¡°Indeed, because to resurrect that ¡®Buddha,¡¯ it is necessary to wait for an opportunity, which is to break the seal of the Dragon Locking Well, letting the evil spirits pervade the world, and thus the Great Yan Dynasty must be overthrown¡­¡± An Jing¡¯s thoughts stirred; so his guess was correct, the entity that the Xi Hafu was carrying on his back wasn¡¯t the Buddha, but an evil spirit. Xi Hafu continued, ¡°This poor monk can¡¯t bear to see my own shard of obsession commit evil. Upon receiving the news, I¡¯ve come here, planning to assist An patron in resisting Houjin, and at the same time, to resolve this shard of obsession.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and asked, ¡°Does Master know what Zongzheng Huachun plans to do?¡± Having taken North Field, he already posed a threat to the Houjin Royal Court. It would be abnormal if Houjin had no reaction. Xi Hafu shook his head and sighed, ¡°This poor monk does not know, but my mental strength has recently increased greatly. I think An patron has already learned about that list. If he joins forces with Zongzheng Huachun, unless An patron can reach the Land Immortal Realm¡­¡± An Jing showed no change of expression on his face, but his eyebrows frowned inwardly. He was, of course, aware of that list, and he had looked at it. To him, the list also represented considerable effort. It might not be completely accurate, but it was very much on the mark. In the eyes of others, the second strongest person in the world teaming up with the third to target the sixth strongest was almost certain of success without fail. Xi Hafu folded his hands together and said, ¡°This poor monk has come from Lingtai Temple to assist you, patron. I can block a mental attack for patron An.¡± An Jing touched the sword box on his back and said indifferently, ¡°Master, you only need to block one mental attack from yourself for me. As for Zongzheng Huachun, I will kill him personally.¡± At this moment, having absorbed the True Dragon Essence Blood, his strength had greatly increased, and he also wanted to see how much Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s strength would improve after obtaining a wisp of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intention. ¡°Amitabha.¡± Xi Hafu pressed his hands together in front of his chest and bowed his head. Just as he bowed his head for a moment, a subtle flash of red light passed in a flash. ¡­¡­. In You Mountain, a secret chamber. Zhao Qingmei was seated upon the Heavenly Yang Stone, as the Supreme Yang Qi continuously flowed into her body, coursing through her limbs and banishing the evil spirits from within her. The energy of the evil spirits was tenacious, but the Supreme Yang Qi was its natural nemesis, practically dissolving the evil spirits in plain sight. After the evil spirits¡¯ energy and the Power of Supreme Yang fused, massive essences were formed, lingering inside Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body. These essences were unbelievably pure, vast like the boundless sea, yet Zhao Qingmei was not in a hurry to absorb them. Approximately several hours later, Zhao Qingmei slowly opened her eyes. Nangong Weiping beside her clicked her tongue and said, ¡°This Heavenly Yang Stone truly lives up to its name as a Supreme Yang Object, and such a large piece at that. If the Great Yan Emperor knew about this, even he might be tempted.¡± Zhao Qingmei replied with a smile, ¡°Is Senior Nangong also tempted?¡± Nangong Weiping¡¯s tone shifted as she countered, ¡°If I were tempted, would you give it to me?¡± Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°If Senior Nangong wishes, please feel free to take it.¡± Nangong Weiping looked at Zhao Qingmei and asked, ¡°Are you serious?¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded and said, ¡°Of course.¡± Nangong Weiping inquired, ¡°Do you know what this is?¡± Zhao Qingmei replied, ¡°I know.¡± Nangong Weiping asked, ¡°You know and you would still give it to me?¡± Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Senior Nangong is willing to give me all her lifelong cultivation, so what is this Heavenly Yang Stone in comparison?¡± Nangong Weiping, looking into Zhao Qingmei¡¯s bright eyes, suddenly burst into laughter. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± An Jing practiced was indeed part of the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡± but he was completely unaware of some deep secret techniques within the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture.¡± The Heart Demon Method by Nangong Weiping was not so simple; the Demon Seed was divided into Child Demon Seed and Mother Demon Seed. Generally, masters of the Demon Sect would coalesce a Mother Demon Seed within themselves. When using the Mother-child Bell, even during the time of cultivation returning, there would be no harm, and it wouldn¡¯t even cause a loss of one¡¯s own cultivation. But the Demon Seed Nangong Weiping had initiated in Zhao Qingmei was actually transferring a great amount of her cultivation. Although this would intensify Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Heart Demon crisis, the cultivation techniques of the Demon Sect always took unconventional paths, and the faster the cultivation speed, the better it actually was. The Heart Demons rapidly proliferated, yet they had not taken complete root within one¡¯s heart. On the contrary, it was the fastest method to eliminate Heart Demons. This meant that on Nangong Weiping was a Child Demon Seed, whereas Zhao Qingmei had a Mother Demon Seed. In the end, Zhao Qingmei would completely acquire Nangong Weiping¡¯s cultivation, and Nangong Weiping would lose all her cultivation, turning into a skeleton instantly. It could be said that from beginning to end, Nangong Weiping harbored little malice towards Zhao Qingmei. Only she did not wish to explain too much, nor did she want to explain at all. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation realm in the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± was getting higher and higher, she wouldn¡¯t know about the differentiation between Child Demon Seed and Mother Demon Seed, nor would she know that she carried the Mother Demon Seed. ¡°This Heavenly Yang Stone is useless to me.¡± Nangong Weiping shook her head, ¡°No one in this world is capable of reaching the Transcendence Realm, so it¡¯s inevitable that my time is up and I will surely die. Keeping this cultivation within me is a waste. Now that you have the Heavenly Yang Stone, your grip over suppressing the Heart Demon is stronger, and I can now transfer my cultivation to you quickly and be at ease.¡± Zhao Qingmei solemnly said, ¡°Senior, if you transfer too quickly, your vitality and life span will also diminish faster.¡± Nangong Weiping laughed heartily, ¡°I don¡¯t have much time left to live anyway, but I have lived quite merrily during this period. Traveling to the Great Snow Mountain in the north and to Zhao Country in the south, I¡¯ve toured the entire world.¡± In these days, Zhao Qingmei had accompanied her from the southernmost waters to the northern borders, witnessing the sunrises and sunsets at the ends of the earth, thus resolving her last life regrets. When it comes to death, very few in this world can face it calmly. Initially, Nangong Weiping believed that living had no meaning, merely a process of constant suffering, torment, and injuries that left one battered and exhausted. Later, upon meeting Zhao Qingmei, she gained a new insight. Living is about making a seemingly meaningless life have meaning. Zhao Qingmei earnestly said, ¡°Senior, once the world is settled, I will accompany you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Great Yan.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Nangong Weiping chuckled lightly, then seemed to recall something, ¡°The master we encountered at the Cloud Tower in Zhao Country, I feel the matter is not so simple, that person seemed to hesitate and did not give it his all.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes narrowed as she said, ¡°It¡¯s indeed no simple matter that a Great Grandmaster is hiding at the Black Ice Platform.¡± The deterrent power of a Great Grandmaster could grant Zhao Country an overwhelming advantage against Yan Country. If used properly, it could completely annihilate Yan Country, yet the Black Ice Platform had always kept silent. If it wasn¡¯t for this time when Nangong Weiping wanted to go to the Cloud Tower to get that riding yellow, they might not have discovered that master. Nangong Weiping pondered for a long while, ¡°Aside from that master, I feel there ought to be other Great Grandmaster experts in this world.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 336 - Chapter 336 Chapter 336 Who Will Succeed the Throne of the Chapter 336: Chapter 336 Who Will Succeed the Throne of the Great Yan Emperor Chapter 336: Chapter 336 Who Will Succeed the Throne of the Great Yan Emperor Great Grandmasters, since ancient times, have been the world¡¯s apex experts. Even in the Great Qin Dynasty, they wielded power to turn clouds with a flip of the hand and rain with a cover of the hand. Not to mention under such harsh conditions nowadays, in the past few centuries, only the current Great Yan Emperor Zhao Zhiwu has broken through to the Great Grandmaster Realm. Furthermore, Zhao Zhiwu not only relied on the inspiration from the Earth Vein Spirit to break prohibitions, reducing the shackles of heaven and earth relatively, but also consumed a great amount of Essence Blood, which barely allowed him to reach the Grandmaster Realm. However, from Nangong Weiping¡¯s words, it seems there is still an expert in the Grandmaster Realm. Nangong Weiping spoke in a grave tone, ¡°Throughout ancient and modern times, Great Grandmasters have been known as Land Immortals, granted a lifespan of three hundred years, yet not one of them did not vainly yearn to become a true Immortal, to obtain longevity. However, without exception, they all failed, one after the other. People continuously studied, delving into the realms above that of a Great Grandmaster. Later, no one knew where it came from, but a secret lore emerged that once in this world, there would be a calamity. And when the calamity arrived, a true Immortal could appear in this world.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s brows knitted tightly, ¡°Secret lore? A calamity?¡± She had never heard of the secret lore that Nangong Weiping mentioned. It¡¯s known that the ancient texts of Outer Heaven recorded many secrets and important news, but there was no record whatsoever of this astonishing secret lore. ¡°Some Sect Hierarchs have their own agendas, and such matters are of great concern, even within the sect, such secret lores would not be passed down,¡± she said. Nangong Weiping said with a solemn voice, ¡°The secret lore only mentioned that when the calamity arrives, there will be an opportunity. However, what the true calamity is, when it will come, no one knows. With the recent changes in the aura of evil spirits at the Sealing Demon Well, I feel that the calamity seems to be coming.¡± ¡°Perhaps this is an opportunity for a Great Grandmaster to break through to a higher realm, but it could also bring unimaginable disasters.¡± Zhao Qingmei, listening to Nangong Weiping¡¯s words, speculated, ¡°Could this calamity be the time when the aura of evil spirits pervades heaven and earth?¡± The aura of evil spirits continues to infiltrate the Earth Vein Spirit, causing it to simultaneously release nature¡¯s spiritual energy and the aura of evil spirits. Once the Earth Vein Spirit is completely tainted, if it were to break the prohibition then, it would release pure evil spirits. ¡°It¡¯s very possible.¡± Nangong Weiping nodded her head and then asked, ¡°By the way, do you know why the cave imprisoned under the Sealing Demon Well exists, and what it is for?¡± The cave of the Sealing Demon Well has an unusual construction; time inside passes differently from the outside world: one day inside equates to three days outside. Although the Sealing Demon Well contains the Demon Sect leaders¡¯ understanding of the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, it is somewhat peculiar. Shouldn¡¯t it be three days inside while only one day passes outside, so one can swiftly cultivate martial arts and advance in strength by leaps and bounds? Zhao Qingmei¡¯s mind sharpened, and she said, ¡°Could it be for the sake of living a bit longer?¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct, the initial purpose of the cave in the Sealing Demon Well was indeed that,¡± confirmed Nangong Weiping. A cold smile crept onto Nangong Weiping¡¯s lips as she continued, ¡°When the third-generation Demon Sect Hierarch learned of this secret lore, he tried everything to live until the calamity arrived. Thus, he created the cave, hoping to retreat inside and wait for the calamity. However, before the calamity could arrive, he died at the hands of Heart Demons.¡± Zhao Qingmei listened without surprise; she had already felt something odd when she first entered the cave. Why the passage of time was so strange, with three days outside equating to just one day inside. Now that Nangong Weiping mentioned it, she understood. It turns out that the cave was merely a means for the Demon Sect¡¯s experts to ¡®extend¡¯ their own lifespans. Nangong Weiping said in a low voice, ¡°It¡¯s not just the experts from the Demon Sect; I know that many Great Grandmasters have also mysteriously disappeared. They haven¡¯t reached the end of their lifespans. I suspect they have used some method to extend their lives.¡± ¡°They are all waiting for that great calamity, or rather, an opportunity. When that opportunity arises, these Great Grandmasters who have not died will reappear.¡± Hearing this, Zhao Qingmei felt as though a storm had risen in her heart. Could it be that other Great Grandmasters have used some method to keep themselves alive, including the Xu King that her husband once spoke of? If that¡¯s true, then it¡¯s truly terrifying. Nangong Weiping cautioned, ¡°Although the evil spirits inside you have been cleared, you must still be wary of the Heart Demon, which is your biggest obstacle.¡± Zhao Qingmei clasped her fists, saying, ¡°Junior understands.¡± ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Just then, Yu Qiurong¡¯s voice came from outside the secret chamber. Zhao Qingmei walked out slowly and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Yu Qiurong took a deep breath and said, ¡°Yuan City is under fierce attack by the Houjin army. Chief Lin and Chief Yi have both gone to support them, but since Yuan City is running short of provisions, it will be difficult to hold out. Chief Lin suggested a retreat, but Wang Shiyi and Li Qirong swear to stand or fall with Yuan City.¡± The Houjin army of six hundred thousand had attacked, previously gaining a huge advantage, their momentum unstoppable, and their morale high. Meanwhile, the Great Yan army suffered from successive defeats and, in addition to the constant assassinations from experts of the Great Snow Mountain, a significant disparity had formed. Under such an overwhelming difference in strength, even defending the city for Great Yan was extremely difficult, not to mention that Yuan City was now lacking provisions. Considering that there were as many as two hundred to three hundred thousand troops inside, the daily consumption of food was immense. Although Zhao Qingmei had not gone in person, she had dispatched elite forces from the Demon Sect, even experts from the Heavenly Sect. After all, with the Houjin army¡¯s fierce and unstoppable advance, having reached Yuan City, if the city fell, the Demon Sect¡¯s Main Hall at You Mountain would be next in line. Zhao Qingmei frowned slightly and instructed, ¡°Tell Wang Shiyi that if they cannot hold out, they should retreat first. I have already set up a Heaven and Earth Net in You Mountain; this time, Jin Lv will come but not return.¡± Jin Lv was the chief culprit who had captured Dongluo Pass in the past and brutally killed the people there. Naturally, Zhao Qingmei intended to kill him personally. Thus, relying on her puppet mechanisms and the treacherous terrain of You Mountain, she had long been prepared for an ambush, ready to spring a surprise on Jin Lv. If the Houjin army dared to come, they would be annihilated. At this moment, with Wang Shiyi and Li Qirong insisting on defending Yuan City, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s plans were disrupted. ¡°Yes.¡± Upon hearing this, Yu Qiurong nodded gravely, then suddenly thought of something, ¡°Recently, there are more and more orphans, and our sect can no longer accommodate all of them¡­¡± The Demon Sect had previously cultivated talents from orphans or by abducting promising youths with potential found by Human Sect spies from various places. That¡¯s right, it¡¯s abduction. This method has been used by many sects, and it has never failed. It includes the so-called reputable and righteous sects, such as Zhenyi Sect. When faced with children of excellent aptitude, they directly abduct them by force. Now, with the chaos in the Northern Wilderness Dao of Great Yan, millions of commoners are displaced and homeless. Moreover, with the Demon Sect having lost Dongluo Pass and their economic source, it¡¯s become extremely difficult to gather the many orphans from the Northern Wilderness Dao. Many experts within the Demon Sect were orphans themselves, including Yu Qiurong. She, seeing the large number of orphans, naturally couldn¡¯t bear it. Zhao Qingmei exhaled softly, ¡°Do one¡¯s best and leave the rest to fate.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Yu Qiurong clasped her hands together and left. Zhao Qingmei looked at You Mountain. At this moment, the perilous ravines were shrouded in a dim and obscure mist, like a road ahead without visible end. It seemed inevitable that the Houjin army would break through Yuan City; the question was whether she could take advantage of You Mountain¡¯s terrain to swallow up the several hundred thousand Houjin soldiers and avenge the grudge from Dongluo Pass. With landscapes stretching for thousands of miles in her eyes, what is there to fear from a bit of autumn chill? ¡­¡­. Yujing City, Imperial Palace. At this moment, Zhao Chongyin stood at the entrance of the Human Emperor¡¯s sleeping chamber with a furrowed brow, saying, ¡°Governor Xu, am I not allowed to see the emperor, my father, even now?¡± Since the great victory in North Field, the Great Yan Emperor had ceased to attend court and disappeared completely from public view. How could people not worry at such a critical juncture? No secret can be kept forever. Zhao Chongyin eventually learned about the news that the Great Yan Emperor had been seriously injured by the experts from the Black Ice Platform. Regarding this news, he was terrified but also felt a glimmer of elation. His fear stemmed from the fact that Zhao Country actually had such an expert; after all, Zhao Zhiwu was already at Grandmaster Realm. Even with severe essence blood loss, his strength was still that of a Grandmaster. What entity could inflict such heavy damage on Zhao Zhiwu? The slight joy, of course, needs no explanation; if Zhao Zhiwu truly remained unscathed, he could govern for another three hundred years. To Zhao Chongyin, three hundred years meant he might be only bones by then. Xu Qianyue stated coldly, ¡°The Human Emperor has ordered, no one is allowed.¡± Zhao Chongyin, looking at the person before him, frowned even more. Who was this person in front of him? That was Xu Qianyue, the personal guard of the Great Yan Emperor. Even now, if the Great Yan Emperor ordered Xu Qianyue to kill his own parents, he would not hesitate to draw his sword. He was such a person¨Cutterly loyal and without regard for reason. In the sleeping chamber at this moment was also Bai Mei, the eunuch. This old man, who had safeguarded the Imperial Palace for decades, was also like a second father to the Great Yan Emperor. Zhao Chongyin stood at the doorway, hesitated for a moment, then prepared to leave. Just then, a lovely figure approached from afar. The surrounding flowers seemed to lose their color compared to that gorgeous face. It was his sister, Princess An Le, Zhao Xueling. ¡°Your Highness the Crown Prince.¡± Zhao Xuening gave Zhao Chongyin a curtsy. Zhao Chongyin asked, ¡°Xuening, are you also here to visit our father?¡± Zhao Xuening nodded, ¡°Yes.¡± Zhao Chongyin nonchalantly said, ¡°Then go ahead.¡± Zhao Xuening bowed slightly and headed towards the Human Emperor¡¯s sleeping chamber. What sent a chill through Zhao Chongyin¡¯s heart was that Xu Qianyue did not stop her but instead opened the door for her. The identity of Zhao Chongyin was none other than the Crown Prince, designated by Zhao Zhiwu himself. But at this moment, the Crown Prince was barred from entering the Human Emperor¡¯s sleeping chamber, whereas Princess An Le, Zhao Xuening, was permitted. The suspicious and wary Zhao Chongyin¡¯s heart now harbored a seed of doubt. When he first learned that Zhao Qingmei was a descendant of the Royal Family, murderous intent had arisen in his heart, and at this moment, Zhao Xuening¡¯s threat seemed even greater than Zhao Qingmei¡¯s, even posing a direct threat to his position as Prince. Inside the sleeping chamber, Zhao Xuening walked to the side of the dragon couch and said, ¡°Father.¡± At that moment, Zhao Zhiwu looked pale, sitting cross-legged. Even Zhao Xuening could sense that something was unusual. Zhao Zhiwu slowly opened his eyes and said, ¡°You have come.¡± Zhao Xuening was startled and hurriedly asked, ¡°Father, have you truly been gravely injured by an expert?¡± ¡°Indeed, Black Ice Platform conceals an extraordinary and unparalleled talent.¡± Zhao Zhiwu took a deep breath and said, ¡°This person¡¯s strength is profound and unfathomable, and their background is a mystery. If you ever encounter them, remember to be cautious.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuening shuddered, ¡°Father, you say if I meet¡­?¡± Was she capable of contending with such an extraordinary individual? If a Grandmaster like Zhao Zhiwu had been secretly dealt such a blow, could she resist such a person? Zhao Zhiwu looked earnestly at Zhao Xuening and said, ¡°This person¡¯s target is the Sealing of the Dragon Locking Well. Once the seal is broken, the world will inevitably fall into misery and suffering. As members of the Great Yan Royal Family, it is our inescapable responsibility to protect the people from all directions.¡± ¡°You must be able to deal with him, and I¡¯m sure you will. If you fall, the Great Yan Royal Family will face an extinction-level disaster. Not only that, but the people of Great Yan will never have peace again.¡± The white-browed eunuch beside them didn¡¯t speak, standing silently like a wooden figure. Zhao Xuening looked at her palms, her clear and watery eyes gradually becoming sharp, as if emanating a cold aura. It¡¯s easy to deal with a thief hidden in the mountains but difficult to confront the thief within one¡¯s heart. One¡¯s greatest opponent is oneself. If one can overcome oneself, then what is there that cannot be conquered? Zhao Xuening exhaled, her heart becoming more tranquil. Zhao Zhiwu looked at Zhao Xuening and asked, ¡°Xuening, do you know why I ultimately chose you?¡± Zhao Xuening shook her head, ¡°I do not.¡± ¡°I have eight princes. Among them, Mengtai has too much ambition, so great that it could swallow heaven, which even terrifies me. If Yan Country ends up in his hands, it will surely come to no good end. Chongyin, on the other hand, is patient and diligent, and also quite cunning, but he is cold-hearted. Most importantly, his bloodline is impure; perhaps twenty years ago, I would have chosen him to succeed the throne.¡± Zhao Zhiwu shook his head and continued, ¡°Although you are weaker than Chongyin in terms of scheming and astuteness, you possess great tolerance, and you understand reflection and contemplation. Most importantly, your aptitude for martial arts is very poor.¡± Zhao Xuening was taken aback upon hearing the last few words, wondering if she had heard wrong, ¡°My martial arts aptitude is very poor?¡± She couldn¡¯t understand why having a poor martial arts aptitude would be a reason for Zhao Zhiwu to approve of her. Zhao Zhiwu took a deep breath and said, ¡°I once told you I had several hidden pieces. Today, let me show you one of them. Come out.¡± As Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s words fell, a figure slowly emerged. Upon seeing that person, a hint of disbelief appeared in Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes. Could it be him!? ¡­. In the dense forests of Jiangnan Dao. As the Zhao Country¡¯s army invaded, the entire Jiangnan Dao was thrown into the flames of war. Even though the top experts from the Black Ice Platform were injured or dead, the combat strength of the ordinary soldiers of Zhao Country remained formidable. Hence, the Governor was no match for the Great Marshal Sui Xin of Zhao Country. In the battles with them, Yan Country was almost at a complete disadvantage. Moreover, Zhao Country this time was resolute, having fully prepared for the invasion with an army of 700,000 marching north, intent on swallowing Jiangnan Dao whole. Just then, Buddhist monk soldiers came to support, temporarily slowing down the advance of Zhao Country¡¯s army, but many cities still fell. At this moment in the forest, a bloodied monk was fleeing towards the distance. His head was bloody, his clothes were bloody, and the knife in his hand was bloody as well. This man was none other than the monk Jie Se. Accompanied by Jie Se, Fa Wu came to support Beihuang Dao and, having absorbed several relics, his cultivation had reached the Four Qi Grandmaster Realm, not far from ascending to the Five Qi Grandmaster Realm. During the great battle in Lijiang City, Fa Wu charged directly at Sui Xin and then clashed with the experts from the Black Ice Platform. Jie Se had to flee in a panic to avoid the pursuit of Zhao Country¡¯s soldiers. ¡°These soldiers of Zhao Country are really formidable. Even a hundred-man commander has the cultivation of the Fifth Grade,¡± Jie Se said, wiping the blood off his body with his clothes, his voice tinged with lingering fear. Over the past year, aside from eating his three meals a day, Jie Se had not focused on his cultivation, so there was hardly any improvement in his strength, and he remained at the Sixth Rank. Not everyone is earnestly striving to enhance their cultivation. A true master must endure loneliness and solitude that ordinary people cannot imagine. Just then, several elite soldiers of Zhao Country caught up with him. Jie Se¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he halted his breath. ¡°Where did that bald head run off to?¡± ¡°We must catch that sleazy bald head; his head is worth a hundred gold!¡± ¡°If we catch him, we would be set for life with wealth and honor beyond measure.¡± ¡­.. The Zhao Country soldiers continued their search, cursing under their breath. ¡°I¡¯m as elegant as a fine tree in the breeze, a single pear blossom outshining the begonia; how am I sleazy?¡± Hearing this made Jie Se somewhat dissatisfied. Then, touching his bald head, he thought proudly to himself, ¡°My goodness, my head is actually worth a hundred gold. That¡¯s enough for countless visits to the brothels, to enjoy so many flutes¡­¡± Just then, a familiar figure appeared in the distance. This is exactly his good junior brother, Jie Lu! At this moment, Jie Lu had also been dispersed. When he saw his good senior brother, Jie Se, his eyes lit up with joy, but just as he was about to speak, Jie Se motioned for him to keep silent. Jie Lu¡¯s eyebrows raised as he carefully approached, then following Jie Se¡¯s gaze, he too saw the Zhao Country soldiers and immediately went pale. Although Jie Lu always boasted that he was a pirate, he was merely a minor bandit of the hills, never having killed even a chicken. His greatest wish in joining Fa Xi Temple was to learn superior martial arts, then return to banditry and take a village wife to enjoy his days. ¡°Gulp-!¡± As he watched the fierce Zhao Country soldiers, Jie Se, though nervous, was still rational, but Jie Lu was frightened to the extreme and couldn¡¯t help swallowing his saliva. Even though the sound was very faint, it was still detected by the keen Zhao Country elite soldiers. ¡°Not good!¡± Jie Se also reacted very fast, his long knife slashing forward. The blade was extremely fast; after all, Jie Se was an arrest officer of Yu State City. Even if he was the son of a minor official, lacking major talents, he still had some skills. ¡°Pffft!¡± A soldier¡¯s head was directly chopped off, and blood sprayed out instantly. Jie Se shouted, ¡°That¡¯s for calling me a pervert, you¡¯re the first I¡¯ll chop down.¡± ¡°Baldy is over here!¡± A few Zhao Country soldiers also reacted and charged toward Jie Se. The sound of metal clashing erupted, sparks flying everywhere, and soon they were all engaged in combat. After a few moves, Han Wenxin was somewhat overwhelmed and shouted quickly, ¡°Junior brother, come and kill a few of them!¡± ¡°Coming¡­ here I come, hold on, senior brother.¡± Jie Lu hurriedly rushed up. His strength wasn¡¯t high, and he lacked real combat experience, quickly receiving a wound from a blade and immediately crying out like a ghost howling. A good opportunity! Seizing this moment, a sharp light flashed in Jie Se¡¯s eyes and a golden glow appeared on the palm that wielded the long knife. ¡°Puff puff puff!¡± With one slash, three sprays of blood gushed out, and the three elite Zhao Country soldiers fell to the ground unwillingly. Jie Se looked toward the still howling Jie Lu and said irritably, ¡°What are you howling for? They¡¯re all dead.¡± With cold sweat streaming down his face and tears pouring from the pain, Jie Lu said in a low voice, ¡°Senior brother, what should we do now?¡± Wiping the blood off his knife, Jie Se said indifferently, ¡°Didn¡¯t you always want to return to Azure Dragon Mountain to continue being a bandit? Now¡¯s a great opportunity. The master won¡¯t find you, and you can go back.¡± Fa Wu had always taught Jie Lu and Jie Se Buddhist Law, but had never passed on Buddhist martial arts, so Jie Lu had long harbored the idea of leaving Fa Xi Temple to return to the hills and resume banditry. However, after Han Wenxin¡¯s ¡®earnest teachings¡¯ later on, he had abandoned the idea. Bearing the pain, Jie Lu hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve thought about it, and I think it¡¯s better to return to the temple with senior brother.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Jie Se gave his junior brother a look, puzzled, ¡°That¡¯s not what you were saying a while back.¡± With a dry laugh, Jie Lu said, ¡°Mainly because being together with senior brother, I can feel the true warmth and beauty of this world.¡± Jie Se saw right through Jie Lu¡¯s thoughts and sneered at the corner of his mouth, ¡°While senior brother is considering your future, you¡¯re only thinking about your lower half.¡± Rubbing his hands together, Jie Lu said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you once say, senior brother, that the lower half is much more important than the latter half of life?¡± ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± Just as Jie Se was about to speak, a dark shadow came flying rapidly. ¡°Thump! Thump!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The shadow struck both Jie Se and Jie Lu on the neck, and before they could react, they fell unconscious. The figure landed and looked at the two shiny bald heads on the ground, then became confused, ¡°Which one of these monks is Han Wenxin?¡± After a careful look and still unable to discern, the shadow huffed lightly, ¡°Never mind, better to catch the wrong one than to let go. I¡¯ll just take both of them back.¡± With that, the figure picked up one in each hand as if they were two small chicken chicks and, like a nimble swallow, leaped and flew off into the distance. ¡­¡­. Chapter 337 - Chapter 337 Chapter 337 The Mystical Sects Heavenly Venerate Chapter 337: Chapter 337 The Mystical Sect¡¯s Heavenly Venerate Finally Appears in the World Chapter 337: Chapter 337 The Mystical Sect¡¯s Heavenly Venerate Finally Appears in the World The moon shone bright, a gentle breeze blew, and in the distance, lanterns flickered amid the chirping of insects and the faint scent of grass. The summer night on the grasslands conveyed a serene and pleasant tranquility. The full moon hung high in the sky, spilling silver light in all directions, making the stars above seem dull in comparison. Unlike the moon seen in the south, which, although full, seemed pitifully small and lackluster with a pale yellow glow, the moon here was large and round, bright and white like a silver platter suspended in the sky. Its clear moonlight draped over the grass like a thin veil, or like a gentle stream flowing softly, possessing a different kind of broad sanctity. An Jing was sitting cross-legged on a mountain not far from Heavenly Water City, drawing in nature¡¯s spiritual energy from the world around him. Due to the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± he could even directly absorb the spiritual energy from the world. It was also because of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± that he acutely felt something was different in the world. The aura of evil spirits pervaded, merging continuously with the spiritual energy entering people¡¯s bodies. In the short term, there were no abnormalities, but should it continue for long, chaos would surely erupt around the world. An Jing murmured gravely, ¡°To solve this problem, we must cut off the strand of Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent fused within Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body. That is the only way to eradicate the root cause.¡± As the aura of evil spirits in the world increased, it became a tremendous pressure for him, since absorbing the evil spirits unknowingly could have terrifying consequences. Could he end up being assimilated by the evil spirits and become one of them? Additionally, others were quietly absorbing the aura of evil spirits, and nobody knew what the end result might be. At that moment, Ouyang Ping, Qiu Lun, and Jiang Renyi approached. An Jing asked, ¡°Have you found out Jiang Shang¡¯s whereabouts yet?¡± Ouyang Ping said solemnly, ¡°No, it¡¯s like he vanished into thin air.¡± An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed, ¡°No, he hasn¡¯t disappeared. He¡¯s definitely hiding somewhere, absorbing Undying Blood. We can¡¯t let Jiang Shang continue to take in Undying Blood.¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s strength was skyrocketing, from the initial Four Qi Realm to the current Five Qi Realm, and even during the battle at the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, his prowess surpassed Taiyin Kui¡¯s. Now that he has acquired Undying Blood, his strength must have increased further. His power climbed one step at a time, and no one knew if he might suddenly reach the Grandmaster Realm. Jiang Shang was unpredictable, with unfathomable thoughts. Such a person could only be truly trusted once dead. ¡°Keep investigating. We must pursue his whereabouts with all our resources.¡± An Jing waved his hand dismissively and turned towards the north, ¡°The urgent matter at hand is the Houjin Royal Court. We¡¯ll take Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s head first.¡± Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Qiu Lun and Jiang Renyi were both profoundly shaken. After all, Zongzheng Huachun had been a figure to tremble the world for thirty years, the Holy Master of Great Snow Mountain, the preeminent person of the entire Houjin, and the first emperor to unify the grasslands. Jun Qinglin died by his hand, and the knowledgeable people of the world understood that Jun Qinglin was undoubtedly severely wounded by Zongzheng Huachun and chose to die amidst the Houjin army to protect fellow Demon Sect experts. As one of the Five Qi Grandmasters, Zongzheng Huachun was absolutely among the pinnacle of his time. The battle at Yujing City not only boosted Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s renown but also led him to acquire a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent, enhancing his strength further and propelling his fame to its zenith. Even the world¡¯s mightiest martial artists shuddered at the mention of ¡®Zongzheng Huachun¡¯. With the Houjin army marching south and claiming horses, they even openly declared their intent to unify the world. If it weren¡¯t for Zhao Zhiwu reaching the Grandmaster Realm, then the title of the world¡¯s number one martial artist might well belong to Zongzheng Huachun. Such was a person who, if placed in the annals of history, would be a famously powerful Martial Arts Emperor. Throughout history, very few have ever become Martial Arts Emperors, and even fewer have ever managed to kill one. Yet at this moment, An Jing was planning to eliminate this world-renowned Martial Arts Emperor. Even if defeated, such an attempt would earn him a place in the annals of history. Ouyang Ping¡¯s expression was extremely grave as he said, ¡°Houjin Royal Court has been quiet lately, with no signs of advancing toward the North Field either.¡± An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun is waiting for me. He knows I will come, so he plans to wait like guarding a tree stump, waiting for the rabbit¨Cto wait for my move.¡± ¡°Big brother, why don¡¯t we turn our attention to attacking Jin Lv instead?¡± Qiu Lun hastened to say, ¡°Yuan City is running out of supplies, and I fear it cannot hold out much longer.¡± The Great Yan is wreathed in smoke and flame, besieged by many factions; where could reinforcements come from for Great Yan now? Yuan City is in imminent danger, and without immediate help, it will definitely face a major crisis. An Jing turned to Qiu Lun and inquired, ¡°Knowing a tiger lurks in the mountain yet still walking towards it, what kind of person does that?¡± After pondering, Qiu Lun replied, ¡°If it were an ordinary person, I would think them a fool, but if it were you, big brother, I¡¯d consider them a master.¡± An Jing looked in the direction of the Houjin Royal Court, ¡°I want to see for myself just how fierce this tiger is.¡± He knew that Zongzheng Huachun was powerful and had tricks up his sleeve, but since he had come to the North Field, he had compelling reasons to advance. Ouyang Ping took a deep breath, also looking in the same direction. Just then, a Human Sect spy dashed forth, ¡°Tributor, a secret letter from Houjin is to be delivered to you.¡± ¡°A secret letter from Houjin?¡± Qiu Lun and the others exchanged glances, curious about what this could mean. What could be the reason for Houjin sending a secret letter at this time? An Jing took the secret letter and opened it, his pupils suddenly narrowing before his eyes squinted into thin slits. Qiu Lun, knowing An Jing to be a man who stayed calm in the face of anything, quickly asked, ¡°Big brother, what is it?¡± An Jing said evenly, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun has challenged me to a battle.¡± ¡°A challenge!?¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Renyi said, ¡°This must be some kind of scheme, right?¡± Regardless of Zongzheng Huachun being the world¡¯s second greatest master, with two hundred thousand elite Houjin troops at his disposal, there was absolutely no need for him to challenge An Jing. ¡°` Or perhaps, he was absolutely confident that he could kill the Ghost Swordsman directly, as the core of the army occupying North Field was the Ghost Swordsman. Once the Ghost Swordsman was killed, this army would dissolve immediately, avoiding the warfare of the Houjin army. Qiu Lun hurriedly said, ¡°Big brother, this is definitely a conspiracy.¡± An Jing stated emotionlessly, ¡°I must go this time.¡± To make him go, Houjin had indeed prepared a good move. Qiu Lun¡¯s eyebrows raised, surprised at how determined An Jing was after all. Ouyang Ping asked, ¡°An Tributor, where is the location of the duel?¡± An Jing answered, ¡°Yulong Snow Mountain.¡± ¡­.. Thirteen beautiful snow peaks stretched like a vigorous silver dragon, leaping among the white clouds. Even in summer, snowflakes still fell on the extremely high peaks. When it first began to snow, the flakes were usually not large or dense, floating lightly with the wind like willow catkins. As the wind grew stronger, the snow fell thicker, and the snowflakes became larger, weaving a white net where nothing could be seen just a few meters away, like a continuous curtain falling straight to the ground. Atop the proud Snow Mountain, a figure sat cross-legged, surrounded by howling wind and snow, gradually being buried. Suddenly, his body glowed with a blood-hued brilliance, melting all the drifting snowflakes and revealing his figure once more. This person was none other than Jiang Shang, who had escaped from the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. If An Jing and the Demon Sect¡¯s masters saw Jiang Shang at that moment, they would be greatly shocked. Because his once aged face had completely disappeared, and he had become much younger, looking to be in his forties. His appearance was not far behind that of Jiang Renyi, even with a few more traces of wild arrogance and rebelliousness. The steep rocky mountains towered into the distant sky, with milky clouds floating by. The deep valleys were filled with boundless primitive mountains and rivers, and the majestic mountain ranges were capped with eternal snow accumulations. Boom! Boom! Jiang Shang emitted a powerful surge of blood essence in all directions, causing the entire mountain range to tremble, triggering an avalanche. The sky roared with angry winds, and the violent snow surged down as if to consume everything in its path. Below the avalanche, a barrier of True Qi formed against it, melting the snow into water under the heat of the True Qi as it moved upward towards the peak. Even for a Grandmaster who is human, facing the overwhelming force of an avalanche proved to be too much, and as the mountains seemed to collapse, their True Qi gradually depleted. Only then the newcomer could be seen, a woman dressed in the yellow robe of Houjin. The newcomer was the Houjin Princess, Zongzheng Yue. Zongzheng Yue was struggling to withstand the snow avalanche and shouted urgently, ¡°Sect Hierarch Jiang, I am Zongzheng Yue, sent by my father¡¯s command to visit you, Senior.¡± Hearing this, a cold smile flickered on Jiang Shang¡¯s lips, and with a wave of his sleeve, Bang bang bang bang! The surging Force Qi swept out, instantly causing the incoming heavy snow to explode apart. Zongzheng Yue was drenched in sweat, gasping for breath, and as she raised her head to look at Jiang Shang, she was greatly shocked. ¡°Is Senior Jiang Shang?¡± Jiang Shang casually said, ¡°Indeed.¡± Zongzheng Yue hurriedly said, ¡°Congratulations, Senior, your cultivation has greatly improved, and your lifespan has greatly increased.¡± At that moment, Zongzheng Yue¡¯s heart was filled with shock. The last time she saw Jiang Shang, he was an old man, but he had now become a middle-aged man. Such skill was nothing short of turning decay into magic. Furthermore, Jiang Shang¡¯s cultivation had also increased tremendously. With the casual gestures just now, he managed to stop the momentum of the avalanche, even Taiyin Kui would not compare. The strength seemed completely different from that of her father, could it be Separating Heaven and Earth? Could the Undying Blood really be so miraculous? What level had Jiang Shang reached now? For a moment, Zongzheng Yue¡¯s heart was filled with doubt and uncertainty. ¡°No need.¡± Jiang Shang dismissed her with a wave of his hand, stating flatly, ¡°What is the purpose of your visit?¡± In the distance, he had already guessed the specific reason for Zongzheng Yue¡¯s visit. Zongzheng Yue bowed and said, ¡°I¡¯m here to inform you, Senior, that the Demon Sect and the Ghost Swordsman are searching for your whereabouts.¡± Jiang Shang, with his hands behind his back, looking down from above, said, ¡°If I wish to leave, who in this world could stop me? Besides, do you think I¡¯m not a match for that Ghost Swordsman?¡± Zongzheng Yue quickly replied, ¡°Of course not, Senior. Now that you have acquired a divine object, your strength has increased greatly. Apart from not having the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯, how many in the world could be your match?¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes narrowed as he spoke, ¡°Do you think Zongzheng Huachun is my match?¡± Zongzheng Yue let out a dry laugh, not answering. Jiang Shang stared intently at Zongzheng Yue, asking, ¡°What does your silence mean?¡± Zongzheng Yue felt a chill under his gaze, ¡°Perhaps you are a bit stronger, Senior.¡± Jiang Shang smiled, ¡°Was this visit your idea, Zongzheng Huachun?¡± Zongzheng Yue honestly answered, ¡°Yes.¡± At that moment, she was completely led by Jiang Shang. ¡°` Jiang Shang continued, ¡°Did he send you here because he wants this old man to deal with the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Zongzheng Yue earnestly replied, ¡°Releasing a tiger back into the mountains will lead to endless troubles. The Ghost Swordsman is so young, and his growth is shockingly rapid. If we give him a few more years, he will surely stir unrest across the world.¡± ¡°Senior, your deep grudge with him is irreconcilable. You should take this opportunity to eradicate the problem at its root.¡± Throughout history, there has never been a Five Qi Grandmaster under the age of thirty. Yet the Ghost Swordsman is about to reach the Five Qi Grandmaster level, and he is also a swordsman. A swordsman, primarily focused on killing, possesses strength that surpasses other experts of the same realm. Jiang Shang nodded slightly, ¡°You are right. The growth of the Ghost Swordsman is rapid, and he will soon reach the Five Qi Grandmaster level. When that time comes, without the Great Grandmaster stepping in, there will be no one in this world who can be his match.¡± Relieved by the words, Zongzheng Yue said, ¡°That¡¯s why my father wishes to cooperate with Senior Jiang.¡± A cold smile appeared on Jiang Shang¡¯s lips, ¡°But why should this old man cooperate with you?¡± As Zongzheng Yue looked at Jiang Shang, who changed his face faster than flipping a page, he took a deep breath and said, ¡°Senior Jiang, we are allies and share the same goal.¡± Jiang Shang replied, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is highly skilled, and with the True Dragon Essence Blood he may have improved even further. He is not easy to kill. Furthermore, he cannot find this old man now, and will surely go to Houjin Royal Court seeking Zongzheng Huachun, who killed Jun Qinglin. Why should I go out and engage with him in a life-or-death battle?¡± Grinding his teeth, Zongzheng Yue said, ¡°Senior Jiang, the Ghost Swordsman won¡¯t be unable to find you forever.¡± As the words fell, the world turned cold as ice. Zongzheng Yue felt as though he had plummeted into an abyss, not even daring to take a deep breath. A cruel glint appeared in Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes, ¡°Are you threatening this old man?¡± After saying that, he reached out with his hand. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± Zongzheng Yue¡¯s arm was instantly grabbed and then violently twisted, eliciting a crisp sound of breaking bones. Zongzheng Yue didn¡¯t expect Jiang Shang to strike without warning, and a scream of agony escaped him as large beads of sweat streamed down his face, ¡°Senior, I meant no threat¨Cjust stating the facts. Working together to kill the Ghost Swordsman is beneficial to us both. What¡¯s more, Houjin has more information about the Undying Blood¡­¡± Hearing this, Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up, and he asked, ¡°Where does Houjin know there is Undying Blood?¡± Longevity was the only thing Jiang Shang pursued in his life. For the sake of longevity, he had killed his wife, abandoned his offspring, and left behind the Demon Sect that he had devoted most of his life to. Undying Blood was the key to his pursuit of longevity. Although he had already reached the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster, it was still extremely difficult for him to advance to the level of Great Grandmaster. After all, there have been several Five Qi Grandmasters in each era throughout history, but Great Grandmasters were very rare, and sometimes none existed at all, showing the difficulty in reaching the Great Grandmaster realm. However, having previously absorbed Undying Blood, Jiang Shang found that with it, his cultivation could keep improving without any hindrance or shackles, and he might even reach the realm of the Great Grandmaster. He had now scavenged all the known places with Undying Blood, so the only choice left was to look elsewhere for it. Zongzheng Yue continued, ¡°Senior must work with me¡­¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s hand directly seized Zongzheng Yue¡¯s throat, cutting off his words, ¡°Where is the Undying Blood?¡± Zongzheng Yue, taken aback by Jiang Shang¡¯s action, struggled with his only free arm, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ in the hands of my father¡¯s teacher.¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s eyebrows raised as he released Zongzheng Yue, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s teacher?¡± Could it be the Holy Master of the previous generation from the Great Snow Mountain? But the last Holy Master was only at the pinnacle of the Four Qi Realm, and rumors claimed he had long since died. It was unexpected that he was still alive. Zongzheng Yue gasped for air, saying, ¡°If you are willing to join forces with Houjin to kill the Ghost Swordsman, then my father¡¯s teacher will directly give the Undying Blood to you, Senior Jiang.¡± Jiang Shang didn¡¯t speak, and seeing his expressionless face, Zongzheng Yue dared not say another word. She feared that saying the wrong thing might provoke the erratic Jiang Shang to kill her. Because Jiang Shang was a madman, truly capable of anything. After a long while, Jiang Shang finally asked, ¡°Jiang Renyi is still with that Ghost Swordsman, right?¡± In fear of misspeaking, Zongzheng Yue nodded, ¡°Yes.¡± Jiang Shang coldly said, ¡°Good, this time this old man will kill them both.¡± Zongzheng Yue shuddered. When discussing killing the Ghost Swordsman, Jiang Shang didn¡¯t change at all. But the moment he talked about killing Jiang Renyi, a chilling murderous intent overflowed, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine. One must know that Jiang Renyi was his offspring. They say even a tiger won¡¯t eat its cubs, but Jiang Shang seemed to be the very opposite. How could it not chill someone to the bone? ¡­¡­. Nanping Dao, at the base of Nanhua Mountain. Nanhua Mountain, being the highest mountain in the world and once the site of the Nanhua Sect, had an extraordinary presence. Hundreds of thousands of Southern Barbarian troops had attacked, seizing three cities and slaughtering their inhabitants, aiming to deter the people and soldiers of Great Yan. However, they found that the resistance of Great Yan¡¯s soldiers grew fiercer. They then gave up attacking ordinary cities and targeted Nanhua Mountain, where the State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu resided. With all their forces mobilized, they were determined to conquer Nanhua Mountain and slay the State Preceptor of Great Yan. At this moment, the battle had been raging for a day and a night. At the foot of the mountain, flames of war and clouds of smoke arose, and the sounds of fierce combat deafened the heavens and earth. Different from other soldiers, the Southern Barbarians nurtured bizarre Gu insects that often killed silently and unnoticed. The battle was ferocious, and with each passing moment, numerous soldiers fell dead. Experts from the Zhenyi Sect engaged in combat with the Southern Barbarian elites, each side suffering casualties. Bloodstained, the entire Nanhua Mountain turned red as soldiers stepped over corpses and charged toward the mountain. On Nanhua Mountain, Luo Chongyang currently faced three Great Wizards united against him. Each of these three wielded the cultivation of Three Qi Grandmasters, putting great pressure on Luo Chongyang. The remaining seven Great Wizards watched eagerly from the sidelines, their eyes gleaming coldly. With ten Great Wizards present ¨C that is, ten Grandmaster-level experts ¨C and including Luo Chongyang and Xiao Qianqiu, twelve Grandmasters were gathered atop Nanhua Mountain. Just then, a distant Taoist chuckled lightly and said, ¡°Little Junior Uncle, step back and behold the way of your nephew.¡± Boom! Luo Chongyang pushed back three Great Wizards with a single palm strike and retreated next to Xiao Qianqiu, remaining silent. The Zhenyi Sect had brought eighty percent of its experts this time, but they had left behind one top Grandmaster, the ¡®Hua¡¯ generation master Hua Lian. Despite knowing the dangers, Xiao Qianqiu had still chosen not to bring this powerful master along. Initially, Luo Chongyang thought Xiao Qianqiu wanted to leave behind some heritage and strength for the Zhenyi Sect, but he later realized Xiao Qianqiu had another purpose for not bringing Hua Lian. He wasn¡¯t concerned about Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s purpose, but he was very curious to see Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s way. When Xiao Qianqiu spoke, the remaining Great Wizards circled around. At this moment, Xiao Qianqiu was dressed in a simple Daoist robe and cloth shoes, slowly standing up as he looked towards the ten Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians, smiling, ¡°Why hasn¡¯t your Southern Barbarian lord come?¡± Great Wizard Liang Su sneered, ¡°To kill you, why would our Southern Barbarian lord need to come personally?¡± Xiao Qianqiu, the top expert who had dominated the Great Yan Martial World for decades, was the most talented expert in the world in the absence of the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect and the Ghost Swordsman. Xiao Qianqiu laughed lightly, ¡°You wish to kill this poor Daoist? Do you know who I am?¡± Great Wizard Gena answered very earnestly, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu, stop playing tricks. The Great Yan Dynasty is on the brink of collapse, why bother dying for Great Yan? If you wish to preserve a sliver of the Mystical Sect¡¯s lineage, swallow the Heart Hook Gu and swear loyalty to our Southern Barbarians, there might still be a slim chance.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, surrender.¡± ¡°Today, if you do not surrender, you¡¯re on a path to certain death.¡± ¡­. The ten Great Wizards had icy gazes, carrying a hint of threat. Xiao Qianqiu was one of the rare geniuses in the world who could potentially become a Great Grandmaster. If they could make him swear absolute loyalty to the Southern Barbarians, it would be a tremendous boost. Moreover, Xiao Qianqiu was the State Preceptor of Great Yan, and if he surrendered to the Southern Barbarians, it would be a devastating blow to Great Yan, killing the spirit as well as the body. Xiao Qianqiu calmly faced the ten, ¡°I represent the will of Heaven. Is this how you speak to the will of Heaven?¡± ¡°The will of Heaven?¡± Great Wizard Cong Chu said, ¡°You dare to frivolously speak of the will of Heaven? Do you even know what the will of Heaven is?¡± Xiao Qianqiu looked at Great Wizard Cong Chu and then stretched out his hand. As the supreme expert of the world, Xiao Qianqiu reached out from above the clouds, where the rolling dark clouds approached with thunderclouds tumbling within, lightning streaking like coiling dragons. ¡°I will now tell you what the will of Heaven is.¡± Xiao Qianqiu stood erect on the mountain, his robe flapping wildly in the wind. At this moment, he was standing at the juncture between Heaven and Earth, the intermediary between them. Luo Chongyang watched this scene, his heart inexplicably filled with awe, and a vague sense of familiarity. Somehow, watching this figure, he felt as though he had seen it somewhere before. Thunder rumbled! As Xiao Qianqiu pointed his finger, a bolt of thunder descended from the sky, striking Great Wizard Cong Chu with a flash that illuminated the sky, who vanished in a blink as though he had never existed in this world. Atop Nanhua Mountain, everyone was struck with horror. The Great Wizard Cong Chu, who had just been talking a moment ago, had been struck dead by a thunderbolt. This was a Grandmaster, an ultimate expert who had not died even when pursued by You Gai for thousands of miles. But now, in the blink of an eye, he had perished at the hands of Xiao Qianqiu. ¡°It was Xiao Qianqiu!¡± All eyes turned to Xiao Qianqiu. At this moment, the Taoist priest stood at the center of Heaven and Earth, his expression still indifferent, as if the event that had just transpired had nothing to do with him. His bearing and demeanor were like that of an exiled immortal from the heavens. Xiao Qianqiu looked at the nine Great Wizards and calmly said, ¡°Today, this poor Daoist will send you all to transcendence!¡± After speaking, he pointed his finger towards the sky. Instantly, the wind surged, lightning flashed, thunder roared, dark clouds churned, and thunder reverberated throughout Heaven and Earth, echoing in all directions. ¡°Run, run!¡± ¡°This is bad!¡± The Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians, who just moments ago were full of vigor, now scattered frantically like madmen trying to escape, but their speed could not outpace the bolts of lightning. Boom! Boom! Boom! Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Nine bolts of divine thunder struck down, and the nine Great Wizards vanished from this world, leaving behind a deathly silent Heaven and Earth. Even the soldiers who were still fighting looked bewilderedly at the Taoist on the mountain. Especially the blood-soaked soldiers of Great Yan, each with eyes full of reverence, akin to that of devout followers. Luo Chongyang gazed at that figure, feeling as if his soul had been drawn out, ¡°Not for a thousand years of Dao in the deep mountains, but for a perpetual spring in the mortal realm¡­¡± Today, he had finally seen the Chaos World Venerable descend the mountain to save the world. ¡­¡­ Chapter 338 - Chapter 338 Chapter 338 Great Yans Reforms Shock the World Chapter 338: Chapter 338: Great Yan¡¯s Reforms Shock the World Chapter 338: Chapter 338: Great Yan¡¯s Reforms Shock the World ¡°` The battle at Nanhua Mountain raged, tumultuous and unpredictable. Soon, the result of this great battle spread throughout the world. Atop Nanhua Mountain, Xiao Qianqiu fought against ten, and all the Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians perished, their souls severed atop the mountain. This forced the Southern Barbarians¡¯ army to retreat a hundred miles, not daring to cross the Thunder Pool boundary. The news spread as if it had grown wings, zooming throughout the land. Those Great Wizards from the Southern Barbarians were all Grandmasters, and among them were no lack of Three Qi and even Four Qi Grandmasters¨Ca handful were top-tier experts. But now, all had fallen to Xiao Qianqiu, which dealt a heavy blow to the vital energy of the Southern Barbarians, shaking them to their core. The ruler of the Southern Barbarians was greatly enraged, and the nation grieved as a whole. However, someone who could slay ten Grandmasters, even a Five Qi Grandmaster would rarely possess such strength. Through this, one could perceive the terrifying power of Xiao Qianqiu. The name of Xiao Qianqiu, the Great Yan State Preceptor, instantaneously spread across the world, making everyone realize they had underestimated the Great Yan State Preceptor. Because of this battle, both the military¡¯s and the civilians¡¯ spirits were greatly boosted in Great Yan. In Yujing City, at the Lv Mansion. Since the battle of Yujing City, Lv Guoyong had resigned from all official duties at Court and had relinquished all power, rarely leaving his home and spending his days gardening and tending to vegetables. At this time, Lv Jingchun rushed over in a flurry, panting, ¡°Grandfather, it¡¯s not good.¡± Lv Guoyong put down his watering can and stood upright, ¡°You¡¯re panting after just a few steps?¡± Lv Jingchun caught his breath and said, ¡°There¡¯s trouble, first thing this morning I saw Tan Yun packing up her belongings, and it seems she¡¯s prepared to leave.¡± Lv Guoyong looked at Lv Jingchun and said, ¡°If she wants to leave, isn¡¯t that good news for you? Haven¡¯t you always wanted her gone?¡± Lv Jingchun hastily replied, ¡°Grandfather, she said she¡¯s going to the Northern Wilderness Dao to fight against Houjin; she¡¯s going to her death.¡± Lv Guoyong fell silent for a long while, then lifted his head to the sky and said indifferently, ¡°She came to me last night and mentioned this, but I did not expect her to truly be resolute about it, so be it.¡± Lv Jingchun touched his head cautiously and said, ¡°So you¡¯re really going to let her leave, Grandfather?¡± Even in his voice, a hint of reluctance could be heard. Lv Guoyong said, ¡°She¡¯s no longer a child, she can distinguish right from wrong and has the right to make her own choices. I won¡¯t force her to do anything.¡± Still concerned, Lv Jingchun voiced, ¡°But¡­¡± One should know that the battlefields of the Northern Wilderness Dao were relentless, with a great number of people perishing daily. Especially since food supplies within Yuan City were reportedly scarce, not just the defending army but also the civilians were in need. How could a city be defended if hundreds of thousands of troops had no food to eat? The fall of Yuan City seemed inevitable, and now Tan Yun was marching to her death, right? Lv Guoyong looked weary as he slowly sat down on the stone bench in the pavilion, ¡°That child does not belong here, the Lv Mansion is but a cage to her after all. Perhaps the Jianghu is where she truly belongs. With her strength at the Second Grade Realm, you need not worry about her.¡± Lv Jingchun shook his head and said, ¡°I know Tan Yun likes An Jing; she must be going to find that lad.¡± Lv Guoyong glanced at his grandson, ¡°How do you know that?¡± Reflecting, Lv Jingchun said, ¡°A while back, I noticed she wasn¡¯t happy, but the day An Jing came, she smiled like a flower. Yet once An Jing left, she became even more melancholic. She didn¡¯t even eat her dinner that night.¡± ¡°Ultimately, it was to my disadvantage, taking care of that night¡¯s dinner. It was the only time since she arrived that I¡¯ve had my fill,¡± he said, and then patted his stomach and sighed deeply. Lv Guoyong laughed heartily at Lv Jingchun¡¯s words. Discipline in the Lv household was strict, and most of the fruits and vegetables were personally grown by Lv Guoyong. Daily meal portions were precisely measured, with Lv Jingchun and Tan Yun often fighting over scraps to fill their stomachs. Something occurred to Lv Jingchun, and he sulkily said, ¡°It¡¯s probably for the best that Tan Yun is gone, saving me the irritation and trouble every day.¡± While Tan Yun was around, not only did she often hit and kick Lv Jingchun, but she also frequently snitched on him, causing him much suffering. Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Don¡¯t think that just because she¡¯s gone, you can do whatever you want.¡± ¡°Grandfather, aren¡¯t I your obedient grandson? When have I ever angered you?¡± Lv Jingchun quickly flashed a smile and said, ¡°Actually, I came here because there¡¯s something I wish to discuss with you.¡± Lv Guoyong raised an eyebrow, ¡°What is it?¡± Lv Jingchun rubbed his hands together and said, ¡°Grandfather, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time I found a wife?¡± Lv Guoyong¡¯s eyes widened, looking at Lv Jingchun without speaking. That was a request that he should be making, right? Who asks their elder to find them a bride? Lv Jingchun hastily continued, ¡°Grandfather, don¡¯t you want to see your great-grandchildren? I¡¯m at such an age now, it¡¯s time I got married. Just imagine how wonderful it would be to have me and my wife taking care of you.¡± Lv Guoyong said gravely, ¡°That¡¯s up to you.¡± Lv Jingchun became anxious, ¡°Grandfather, how can I find a wife if you don¡¯t help me?¡± Lv Guoyong, annoyed, said, ¡°Can¡¯t you find one on your own? If you fancy a lady, go and talk to her family.¡± Lv Jingchun sat on the ground, turning petulant, ¡°I¡¯m already twenty-two in actual age, twenty-three by traditional calculation, swaying towards twenty-four, nearly a hair away from twenty-five. Which other Second Grade official¡¯s son in his right senses is still unwed at this age?¡± Even Lv Guoyong was flabbergasted by his grandson. This is truly my grandson? Lv Jingchun called out, ¡°Grandfather, I don¡¯t care, I want a wife!¡± As Lv Guoyong withdrew from the Court, the position of the Lv family plummeted, and although there was still Lv Fang, Zhou Xianming, the indispensable Lv Guoyong had completely stepped down. Moreover, Zhou Xianming had opened his own mansion, prompting many to rethink their loyalties. Those who once leaned towards the Lv Sect now defected elsewhere, and it was difficult to imagine that as the direct grandson of the Lv family, Lv Jingchun remained carefree, living his effortless days. Previously, there were many suitors, but Lv Guoyong declined them all, and now there were none whatsoever. Lv Guoyong, looking down at Lv Jingchun who was now throwing a tantrum on the ground, subsequently shook his head in resignation. ¡°` ¡­.. Outside the Lv Mansion, Tan Yun was dressed in a pale blue palace attire, holding the Futu Sword in her left hand, and leading a white steed with her right. The horse was laden with bags, large and small, all filled with cakes and dry provisions. When she reached the gate, Tan Yun seemed to recall something and leaned over the horse¡¯s back to search for something, ¡°Sugar steamed cheesy puffs, Ruyi Cake, Lucky Fruit, Plum Blossom Cakes, Rose Pastry, Seven Skillful Dessert¡­ pretty much got everything.¡± After taking inventory, Tan Yun breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to mount her horse and set off. Lately, she had been reading numerous books, and notably in military strategy, there was one most important line: ¡°Before troops move, provisions must go first.¡± This line resonated with her deeply, and she adopted it as a lifelong maxim. ¡°Ahem¡­¡± At that moment, a gentle cough sounded. Tan Yun followed the sound and couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Uncle.¡± The person who came was none other than the son of Lv Guoyong, Lv Fang. Lv Fang asked, ¡°Are you really leaving?¡± Tan Yun earnestly replied, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve made up my mind.¡± Lv Fang pondered for a long moment before saying, ¡°Stay for a bit longer.¡± Tan Yun said, ¡°I would like to stay here, but I want to fight against Houjin even more.¡± She no longer wanted to stay at the Lv Mansion, even if it meant becoming a maid, even if she might be driven out by Zhao Qingmei, she still wanted to leave. Lv Fang watched Tan Yun, and with a sense of resignation, said, ¡°As a disciple of Fuzhou, you should understand the importance of the Literary Palace. Fuzhou abandoned his cultivation decades ago, choosing martial arts over scholarship. This allowed him to break through to a higher level of cultivation, while my father has only ever cultivated a single Literary Palace in his lifetime.¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun¡¯s heart trembled, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Lv Fang nodded, ¡°That¡¯s why I hope you will stay.¡± Tan Yun bit her lip, recalling the image of that elderly man, she sighed and said, ¡°Alright, then I will stay.¡± In the end, she couldn¡¯t bear to leave. Lv Fang immediately smiled and took hold of Tan Yun¡¯s white horse, ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ve asked the kitchen to prepare a meal with all your favorites.¡± Tan Yun looked at Lv Fang¡¯s expression and immediately questioned suspiciously, ¡°Uncle, is what you said true or not?¡± Lv Fang promptly responded with utmost seriousness, ¡°Of course it¡¯s true. Why would I deceive you? Do you not know about grandfather¡¯s health?¡± Tan Yun nodded slightly. Lv Guoyong was in his nineties, and needed assistance just to climb up and down the stairs¡­ Thinking this, Tan Yun said no more. The steed was handed over to the servants, and Tan Yun herself carried the large and small bags as the two of them made their way to the backyard. Upon entering the backyard, they saw Lv Jingchun sitting on the ground, and both Lv Fang and Tan Yun were startled, especially upon hearing his audacious words. ¡°Although I¡¯m really twenty-two, in terms of maturity I feel twenty-three, wobble like I¡¯m twenty-four, and have the sparseness of a twenty-five-year-old. I feel like I¡¯m getting old¡­¡± Lv Fang burst into anger, ¡°Jing Chun, what nonsense are you spouting?¡± Lv Jingchun sat on the ground and looked at Tan Yun in surprise, ¡°How come you haven¡¯t left?¡± Tan Yun crossed her arms and retorted coldly, ¡°That¡¯s none of your business. I don¡¯t want to leave.¡± Lv Guoyong saw Lv Fang and stealthily nodded, signaling a job well done. Lv Fang coughed lightly, then interrogated, ¡°I ask you, what were you saying just now?¡± Lv Jingchun put up a defiant attitude like a cornered pig not afraid of boiling water, ¡°Dad, anyway I¡¯m like this, I¡¯ve got no shame left, I just want a wife; it¡¯s up to you to arrange it.¡± Just want a wife¡­ Lv Fang¡¯s face darkened, and he walked over to a tree, preparing to break off a branch, ¡°You shameless wretch, I¡¯ll see if you still want to be shameless today.¡± Seeing this, Lv Jingchun¡¯s heart chilled, and he quickly ran off into the distance, shouting as he fled, ¡°Grandfather, Dad, you take care of it! If you don¡¯t find me a wife, I¡¯ll come and make a scene every day.¡± Lv Fang watched his burly figure, and couldn¡¯t help but sigh deeply, ¡°Truly a misfortune for the family, a misfortune indeed. How did we raise this creature?¡± Lv Guoyong looked up at the sky, then glanced at Tan Yun, and burst into laughter. ¡­.. In Yujing City, the Imperial Palace, the Palace of Peace and Happiness. Everyone in the Imperial Palace knew that this was the residence of the princess most beloved by the Human Emperor. At this moment, Zhao Xuening stood in front of the railing, placing her jade hands on the finely carved balustrades, her beautiful eyes gazing at the courtyard. The old nursemaid who had accompanied Zhao Xuening for a long time looked at this scene and inexplicably felt something strange. Zhao Xuening had changed! It was an inside-out transformation. In just a few months, she seemed to have changed entirely, becoming a stranger. This kind of change could only be sensed by someone who had cared for her for many years. Perhaps this was her true self all along. Gazing at the clouds in the sky that seemed to morph into the shape of a person, the corners of Zhao Xuening¡¯s mouth involuntarily revealed a faint smile. ¡°Your Highness the Princess, this subordinate has arrived.¡± Just then, a voice called out to her, bringing her back to reality. Raising her head, the person approaching was none other than Zhou Xianming, who had just been promoted to Cabinet Scholar. Zhao Xuening waved her hand, ¡°All of you, leave us.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The palace maids and old nannies all walked out. Zhao Xuening stared straight down at Zhou Xianming, ¡°Lord Zhou, I am very interested in the reforms you spoke of last time.¡± Zhou Xianming chuckled, ¡°What I have is but a humble opinion, unworthy of any grand attention.¡± Zhao Xuening earnestly said, ¡°No, it is a strategy for all eternity. Please, assist me.¡± With that, Zhao Xuening gave Zhou Xianming a serious bow. Zhou Xianming quickly said, ¡°Your Highness is too kind to this official.¡± Zhao Xuening asked, ¡°Does that mean you agree?¡± Zhou Xianming took a deep breath and said solemnly, ¡°As an official of Great Yan, I naturally have the interests of Great Yan and its people at heart. This strategy concerns a thousand, even ten thousand generations; if Your Highness wishes to implement it, Zhou would spare no effort, even if it meant shattering my body and bones.¡± Zhao Xuening laughed out loud, ¡°Rest assured, Lord Zhou. As long as this princess is here, no one can shatter your body and bones.¡± Zhou Xianming, with a meaningful tone, asked, ¡°Not even An Jing?¡± Zhao Xuening glanced at Zhou Xianming and, after pondering for a long while, finally said, ¡°Lord Zhou, please share your thoughts on reform with this princess.¡± ¡°Very well, Your Highness, please listen carefully.¡± Zhou Xianming also realized Zhao Xuening¡¯s evasion but instead bowed and said, ¡°Since ancient times, heroes have been breaking the law with martial power. Within these vast lands, countless sects have emerged, from which countless martial artists have arisen; some are loyal and righteous, but others harbor wild ambitions, seeking to stir up strife. They all represent unstable elements. I have a strategy that can resolve these issues and even greatly enhance the national strength of Great Yan.¡± ¡°It is to abolish the sects and gather all martial arts under the state, to establish martial arts academies on royal land, and to create a martial arts examination system. Each year, a group of top-notch masters will be selected to ensure that all who practice martial arts are loyal to the Great Yan Court and to the Human Emperor.¡± Even Zhao Xuening was shocked by Zhou Xianming¡¯s words. Abolish the sects? Establish martial arts academies? Create a martial arts examination system? The latter two are already digging at the roots of the sects, and the first one is effectively killing all sects outright. If these views were to spread, Zhou Xianming would likely not survive leaving the Imperial Palace. After all, this would affect the interests of all sects in the world. Who would have thought that this scholar could come up with such a ruthless plan? Zhou Xianming continued, ¡°In this way, all martial artists would be in the hands of the Royal Family. Great Yan will undoubtedly prosper and become powerful, feared in all directions. Moreover, with the martial arts examination system intact, no one in the world would be able to oppose the Court.¡± Zhao Xuening clenched her fists tightly and said seriously, ¡°I¡¯m afraid this will not be easy to do, will it?¡± If Zhou Xianming¡¯s strategy could indeed be implemented, then imperial power could truly reach its pinnacle, and the world would listen to her without question. This indeed is a strategy for all eternity, one that could even make her, Zhao Xuening, an eternal figure in history. ¡°It¡¯s not just difficult, it¡¯s extremely challenging.¡± Zhou Xianming said gravely, ¡°Not to mention the myriad of crises Great Yan faces right now. Once the crises are fully resolved, then this could be achieved. But there are two great mountains in front of this issue; only by dealing with these two great mountains is there a chance of implementing it.¡± Zhao Xuening frowned and asked, ¡°Which two great mountains?¡± Zhou Xianming said indifferently, ¡°State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu and the Ghost Swordsman from Outer Heaven.¡± Upon hearing the second name, Zhao Xuening fell into silent contemplation. The State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu solidified the southwest battle situation in the battle of Nanhua Mountain, not only severely damaging the Southern Barbarians but also ensuring they could not disturb Great Yan¡¯s southwestern foundations for the foreseeable future. Xiao Qianqiu had definitely reached the Five Qi Realm, and not just an ordinary Five Qi Realm at that. It was said that at that time, lightning flashed over Nanhua Mountain, and State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu, as if incarnated as destiny, called down ten thunderbolts from heaven, instantly killing ten Great Wizards. The Zhenyi Sect, meanwhile, despite its decline during the battle of Blue Sky Island, still has deep roots in Jianghu and enjoys extraordinary prestige among the populace. Especially after the battle of Nanhua Mountain, it returned to its heyday. If the State Preceptor disapproves, forcing the reform could shake the foundation of Great Yan. Although Outer Heaven¡¯s foundation is not as deep as Great Yan¡¯s, it currently boasts the most masters among all the sects. Looking around, it¡¯s fair to say that it¡¯s now the world¡¯s top sect, especially with the Sect Hierarch and the Ghost Swordsman, two potential-laden masters, who will worry any emperor if left unchecked in the future? Zhao Qingmei¡¯s unique identity especially poses a great threat. Of late, Outer Heaven has been attacking North Field, pushing towards the Houjin Royal Court, and the Ghost Swordsman even killed the Houjin Five Qi Grandmaster Taiyin Kui, causing an uproar. His fame cannot be underestimated. These two are indeed the two great mountains in the way of the reform. Would Zhao Xuening want to push for reforms ¡ª would they agree? The Zhenyi Sect¡¯s predecessor, the Mystical Sect, is one of the world¡¯s most ancient sects, with a thousand years of heritage. And what of Outer Heaven? With a thousand years of heritage as well, are they to simply vanish just like that? Zhou Xianming understood An Jing ¡ª although he was not covetous of power, Zhao Qingmei seemed to be the complete opposite of him. She cared deeply about power and was also a woman plagued by immense jealousy. Zhao Xuening took a deep breath, ¡°Besides these two individuals, there are many other difficulties.¡± Great Yan¡¯s sects are already tied to the Court, and countless officials are linked with martial artists in Jianghu. Without going too far, even Zhao Xuening¡¯s uncle, Zuo Biwen, happens to be the Valley Master of Youfeng Valley. Would they have to sever family ties? Zhou Xianming¡¯s body bent slightly as he said, ¡°The sin belongs to the present, the merit to posterity.¡± The sin belongs to the present, the merit to posterity! Zhao Xuening said nothing, then lifted her head to look up at the sky. When you hesitate about whether or not to do something, in reality, your heart has already made a choice, just lacking enough reason to persuade yourself. ¡­.. In the Northern Wilderness, Heavenly Water City, within a courtyard. The sky was lonely with stars scattered across it, and the nights on the vast grasslands were so serene, with the moon hanging like a high dish above in the sky. An Jing¡¯s body and mind were completely relaxed as he enjoyed the moonlight above, and couldn¡¯t help but think back to the time he and Zhao Qingmei watched the moon together in Yu State City. Back then, neither of them had revealed their identities, both of them being extremely cautious for fear of exposing themselves, climbing up ladders onto the roof to enjoy the moon. The candied hawthorns were still sweet. I wonder what Madam is doing now? ¡°Benefactor An, are you going to Yulong Snow Mountain tomorrow?¡± At that moment, a voice sounded from behind him. It was Xi Hafu. An Jing nodded and said, ¡°Since Zongzheng Huachun invited me, I shall meet him then.¡± Xi Hafu pressed his palms together and said, ¡°Yulong Snow Mountain is very famous in Houjin, and it is not a place to hide a large army. It seems that Zongzheng Huachun is very confident in defeating you with strength.¡± An Jing¡¯s gaze turned slightly cold. ¡°His confidence is nothing more than that Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intention. This time, I will sever it all.¡± Zongzheng Huachun was very powerful, and even without the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intention entering his body, he was a top Five Qi Grandmaster in the world. Now with the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intention invading his body, his power must be even greater. However, An Jing had a vague feeling that he must have another trump card, for back in Yujing City, he had felt a similar aura to that of Qi Xuan Dao on Zongzheng Huachun, so tomorrow at Yulong Snow Mountain was bound to be extremely fierce. But he had the Earth Book, and if he sensed anything amiss, he would retreat immediately. Xi Hafu said, ¡°Rest assured, benefactor, the monk will help block the obsessions for you.¡± An Jing squinted and smiled, ¡°If the obsessions return to oneself, will the master also benefit?¡± During these past few days, he had read quite a few Buddhist scriptures; indeed, severing obsessions was a method of high-ranking Buddhist monks, and eventually, when the obsessions reunite, one¡¯s strength can make a great leap forward. Xi Hafu was a Five Qi Grandmaster, as were the obsessions. If the two were to unite, it¡¯s possible that Xi Hafu could become a Great Grandmaster, and even if not a Great Grandmaster, he would still be a top master in the world. Yet, Xi Hafu seriously said, ¡°Amitabha. The obsessions have done much evil and caused chaos in the world for a long time¨Cthese are my faults. Naturally, I must completely eliminate these obsessions, to atone for my past sins.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Then I will have to trouble the master tomorrow.¡± No matter what, the current Xi Hafu was a Five Qi Grandmaster, a valuable ally. Xi Hafu nodded, and just then he saw Ouyang Ping approaching. He turned to An Jing and bowed, ¡°The monk shall not disturb you two, I will take my leave first.¡± ¡°Take care, master.¡± The two watched Xi Hafu walk away. Ouyang Ping transmitted his voice, ¡°This master¡¯s spirit is pure, indeed rare in this world.¡± An Jing, looking at the back of Xi Hafu, said, ¡°It¡¯s terrifying when one¡¯s spirit is too pure, because people are multifaceted. Extreme individuals are the most terrifying, whether it¡¯s extreme good or extreme evil.¡± Even extreme goodness is terrifying. Because such extreme goodness cannot possibly exist in this world. Ouyang Ping looked at Xi Hafu¡¯s retreating figure and felt a sudden chill in his heart. An Jing asked, ¡°Elder Ouyang, to seek me out so late, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Ouyang Ping said, ¡°Jiang Renyi has disappeared.¡± ¡°Disappeared?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised as he quickly asked, ¡°How did he disappear? Did he leave on his own, or was he kidnapped?¡± Ouyang Ping said gravely, ¡°This morning he said he was going to scout the Houjin tribes, and he hasn¡¯t returned since the evening. I fear he won¡¯t be coming back.¡± An Jing pondered, through his observations over the past few days, he realized that Jiang Renyi indeed harbored deep hatred for Jiang Shang and seemed very eager to kill Jiang Shang for revenge. Moreover, neither he nor Ouyang Ping had any intention to kill him, so it was unlikely he ran away. Therefore, it was very likely that he was captured. Knowing that Jiang Renyi was at the level of a Half-step Master, it would take a Grandmaster to capture him, and in the territory of the Northern Wilderness, there weren¡¯t many forces with Grandmasters. An Jing said sternly, ¡°Could it be Houjin? But why would Houjin want to capture Jiang Renyi?¡± Ouyang Ping glanced at An Jing and said, ¡°Could it be that Zongzheng Huachun wants to use it as leverage to force Jiang Shang to act against you?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing laughed coldly, ¡°Jiang Shang is heartless and ruthless, without compassion or righteousness, killing wife and grandchild. He is shameless in his willingness to do anything to survive, having lost his humanity. Moreover, Jiang Renyi betrayed him, Jiang Shang¡¯s character will surely lead him to kill Jiang Renyi first. How could he possibly be threatened by Houjin?¡± Houjin¡¯s idea of using Jiang Renyi to threaten Jiang Shang was simply a fool¡¯s dream. Ouyang Ping hesitated for a moment, then said, ¡°In fact, there is a secret on the old Sect Hierarch, a secret known only to me and the Great Elder. Even Yuan Feng does not know. With the Great Elder gone, only I and the old Sect Hierarch are left in the world who know of it.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing instinctively asked, ¡°A secret? What secret?¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 339 - Chapter 339 Chapter 339 The Final Battle at Yulong Snow Chapter 339: Chapter 339: The Final Battle at Yulong Snow Mountain Chapter 339: Chapter 339: The Final Battle at Yulong Snow Mountain The Royal Court of Houjin, beneath a towering snow mountain, inside an ancient and aromatic tent. Zongzheng Huachun sat cross-legged on a cushion, his eyes half-closed, while the qi mechanism around him surged like tides, converging into his dantian. Even An Jing¡¯s ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± paled in comparison to Zongzheng Huachun at this moment. Such was the benefit of absorbing the Earth Vein Spirit with a single thought. It not only enhanced Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s comprehension of Heavenly Human Communication but also allowed him to absorb nature¡¯s spiritual energy at a rate far surpassing that of ordinary people. The magnitude of this advantage was self-evident. About half an hour later, Zongzheng Huachun exhaled a breath of foul air, and the surrounding qi mechanism gradually dispersed. Zongzheng Huachun looked at his palm and thought to himself, ¡°If I could fully integrate the Earth Vein Spirit into my body, I could break through to the Grandmaster Realm with a snap of my fingers, and even reaching the Transcendence Realm wouldn¡¯t be impossible.¡± Merely a wisp of thought had brought about such a transformation, akin to shedding one¡¯s old self and being reborn. How astonishing would the complete Earth Vein Spirit be? However, now that the Earth Vein Spirit had been tainted by evil spirits, whether it was a good idea to incorporate it into oneself was something Zongzheng Huachun was uncertain about. ¡°Father!¡± At this moment, Zongzheng Yue¡¯s voice came from outside the door. Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Come in.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Zongzheng Yue, dragging his injured arm, walked in, ¡°Father, according to the news, the Ghost Swordsman has already headed to Yulong Snow Mountain, accompanied by Ouyang Ping and the persistent zeal of Xi Hafu.¡± Zongzheng Huachun nodded slowly, ¡°Jiang Shang has absorbed the Undying Blood and his strength has already peaked at the Five Qi Grandmaster level. That Xi Hafu has merged with the remnants of evil spirits, and his strength is also extremely formidable, no less than Jiang Shang¡¯s. Should he completely sever or integrate his obsessions into himself, his power is likely to reach the threshold of the Grandmaster Realm.¡± Zongzheng Yue said seriously, ¡°Jiang Shang is fickle in his emotions. If Father King were to give him more Undying Blood, his power will reach an extremely terrifying level, and I fear he would then slip beyond our control.¡± Zongzheng Huachun shook his head, ¡°Qi Xuan Dao once said that Jiang Shang is the sharpest knife in the world, uncontrollable by anyone, and I have no intention of controlling him.¡± ¡°Jiang Shang¡¯s body is already rich with Undying Blood. With this blood, he can fully transform into an evil spirit, and once his power soars, he will crave the aura of evil spirits, becoming our sharpest sword to wield against Houjin.¡± As he said this, a gleam of light flashed in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes. Zongzheng Yue swallowed hard, ¡°Will Jiang Shang completely become an evil spirit? Just like the Buddha of old? No longer human?¡± Evil spirits were monstrous beings, not human nor ghost. Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Does it matter to us what he becomes?¡± ¡°It does not, as long as he can clear the obstacles for our Houjin,¡± Zongzheng Yue replied. Zongzheng Yue pondered and added, ¡°Jiang Shang is unfeeling and unpredictable, he has even created the Heaven and Earth Extinguishing Seven Palm technique. He is no different from an evil spirit.¡± Zongzheng Huachun took a deep breath, ¡°The two of them going there is enough. This king must reach the Grandmaster Realm as soon as possible, and then upon arriving at Yujing City, the time will come to strike off Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s head.¡± For Zongzheng Huachun, the most pressing issue was to reach the Grandmaster Realm. After all, his enemy was that person sitting in Yujing City, who had broken through to the Grandmaster Realm¨CGreat Yan Emperor Zhao Zhiwu. Zongzheng Yue said, ¡°Rest assured, Father King, the plan this time is meticulous. The Ghost Swordsman has no chance of escape, and the ninety-thousand-strong Pingyang Guard is paper-thin. In an instant, we can reclaim the Northern Wilderness of our Houjin.¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s voice carried a hint of a gloomy tone, ¡°This king must seize Great Yan swiftly. No one can stop my determination to unify the world.¡± Zongzheng Yue¡¯s heart also burned with fervor. ¡­¡­ The war of the Three Kingdoms against Yan was in full swing. Though Nanping Dao had become restrained due to Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s slaying of ten Great Wizards, soon even more astounding news spread. It was said that the chieftain of the Southern Barbarians intended to confront Xiao Qianqiu in person. In an instant, the situation in Nanping Dao became turbulent once again. The chieftain of the Southern Barbarians, ranked fifth among the experts, had long reached the Five Qi Realm, and his body inherited the King Gu of the Southern Barbarians for generations. ¡°` It is said that the King Gu is the very first gu insect from the creation of the heavens and the earth, and it is also the progenitor of all gu. Mysterious and arcane it is. Meanwhile, in Houjin, another piece of news spread out: Zongzheng Huachun has challenged the Ghost Swordsman to a duel on Yulong Snow Mountain, instantly causing a great stir across the land. Martial artists from Jianghu of the Great Yan-Houjin border flooded in from all directions, rushing towards Yulong Snow Mountain. Jiangnan Dao, Beihuang Dao Yulong Snow Mountain, looking toward the main peak, a silver celestial dragon spanned the horizon, majestic and brilliant with silver radiance. At this moment, as the sun rose in the east, amidst the vast expanse of cloud sea, a red orb slowly ascended, with rays of dawn extending thousandfold. In a moment, golden light radiated in all directions, bathing the mountain peaks. This was one of the four great marvels of Houjin, the ¡®Sun Illuminating the Golden Mountain¡¯. At this time, around the Snow Mountain, many masters had gathered, now hidden in its vicinity. ¡°Zongzheng Huachun has issued a challenge to the Ghost Swordsman; he must be confident of victory,¡± one said. ¡°Having absorbed the intent of the Earth Vein Spirit, Zongzheng Huachun is perhaps an invincible fighter under the Grandmaster Realm, and the Ghost Swordsman may not be a match for him,¡± another speculated. ¡°I bet that Demon Sect rascal wouldn¡¯t dare to accept the challenge and send himself to his death, hahahaha.¡± ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is just a green youth; how could he possibly contend with our Holy Master of Great Snow Mountain?¡± ¡°The corpse of Jun Qinglin is still in our Houjin Royal Court. If the Ghost Swordsman truly has strength, why doesn¡¯t he directly seize the Royal Court?¡± ¡­¡­. Master martial artists of Great Yan and Houjin appeared one after another, and their discussions were still audible here and there. The Great Yan masters were all frowning deeply, with great anxiety in their hearts, after all, Zongzheng Huachun was the strongest master second only to Zhao Zhiwu, while the Ghost Swordsman was only ranked sixth. Although the Ghost Swordsman had killed Taiyin Kui not long ago, the crowd still felt the odds of victory in this battle were slim. After all, his opponent was Zongzheng Huachun, first in Houjin and second in the world. The high-ranking experts of Houjin, however, appeared complacent, with mocking looks in their eyes. This filled the Great Yan masters with rage, wishing they could immediately rush forward and fight the Houjin masters to the death. In the distant Snow Mountain, a young man and woman appeared. The man looked ordinary but carried a treasure sword on his back, while the woman was charmingly beautiful, with an air of vivacity. These two were Yang Chong and Jia Meixian, who had managed to escape the annihilation of the Four Symbols Sect by the Xuanyi Guard. Jia Meixian asked with furrowed brows, ¡°Senior brother, do you think he will come?¡± Yang Chong took a deep breath and said, ¡°According to his usual way of doing things, he will definitely come.¡± Jia Meixian looked around, seeing the Houjin experts lurking within the Snow Mountain, and said with concern, ¡°I actually hope he doesn¡¯t come.¡± Yang Chong said slowly, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is a master standing at the pinnacle of the world; he¡¯s not someone we can judge.¡± Jia Meixian gazed into the distance, silent. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman has arrived!¡± At that moment, a voice whispered, and the previously boastful Houjin experts changed color, retreating behind and instantly hiding. In the far end, a black figure appeared, led by a young man in white clothes carrying a sword box on his back. His white clothes remained dazzlingly bright under the sunlight, his loose black hair shiny, and he stood as straight as an arrow. The Ghost Swordsman! For many in the Jianghu, this was not their first encounter with the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°` ¡°` If he had changed at all, it was that his gaze had become sharper, and his face more resolute. The sword box on his back, in the eyes of the onlookers, seemed to have grown heavier, as if it were not a mere sword box, but a mountain. Following behind him were two others, one a black-clad elder, and the other a kind-faced monk in a red kasaya. It was Ouyang Ping and Xi Hafu. Ouyang Ping looked at the spectacular scene before him and sighed, ¡°It¡¯s indeed one of the four great wonders of Houjin.¡± Xi Hafu placed his hands in front of his chest and said, ¡°The monk senses it.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°What does the master sense?¡± A sharp light appeared in Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes as he spoke in a low voice, ¡°A rich aura of evil spirits.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve finally arrived.¡± As the voice fell, a figure appeared in the sunlight ahead. It was another monk, but this one had a cold expression and was cloaked in a black kasaya. Xi Hafu! The two Xi Hafus had finally met face to face! The two looked exactly alike, the only difference being their expressions and the kasayas they wore. Many masters hiding in the distance were startled by this scene. ¡°Rumors said that Xi Hafu practiced the great divine skills of Buddhism and had severed his own obsession. It turns out to be true.¡± ¡°The strengths of the two appear indistinguishable, only their auras differ. Which one is the obsession?¡± ¡°Two Five Qi Grandmasters, plus Fa Wu, it seems Buddhist strength is no less formidable than that of the Demon Sect.¡± ¡­¡­. Clearly, everyone present was shocked to see two Xi Hafus. An Jing raised his eyebrows, not knowing why, but he felt an oppressive sensation from the Xi Hafu opposite him, and the Buddha¡¯s relics he had been carrying on his back were gone. The Xi Hafu in the black kasaya coldly said, ¡°Today, the monk will completely sever the obsession and ascend to the realm of selflessness.¡± The Xi Hafu in the red kasaya replied calmly, ¡°Amitabha, the donor is attached.¡± The Xi Hafu in the black kasaya sneered, ¡°Donor? I am not your donor, and there¡¯s no need for you to pretend to be righteous and compassionate.¡± The Xi Hafu in the red kasaya shook his head and said solemnly, ¡°Pretend to be righteous and compassionate? The monk¡¯s heart is full of compassion. You should know that the pervasive evil spirit in the world will inevitably cause chaos.¡± His voice was heavy, resounding through the heavens and earth like muffled thunder. By now, rumors about the Dragon Locking Well had spread throughout the world. These words churned up even greater turmoil. As for what the pervasive evil spirit would mean for the world, those present did not know, nor did anyone else. Yet the notion of the Earth Vein Spirit breaking free from the constraints beneath the Dragon Locking Well meant benefits for everyone. The Xi Hafu in the black kasaya looked at his obsession and said, ¡°But you must also be clear, that the arrival of the evil spirit to replace nature¡¯s spiritual energy in the world is an unchangeable matter.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t truly care whether it¡¯s nature¡¯s spiritual energy or the evil spirit. You merely want to usurp what doesn¡¯t belong to you.¡± The Xi Hafu in the red kasaya smiled and said, ¡°Yet, am I not you?¡± The Xi Hafu in the black kasaya shook his head, ¡°You are no longer me.¡± The Xi Hafu in the red kasaya shook his head, ¡°No, the monk has always been in your heart. You are me, and I am you.¡± ¡°Today, I will completely sever the obsession.¡± Having said this, the Xi Hafu in the black kasaya stretched out his hands. A black qi mechanism materialized in his palms. Behind him, there seemed to be black flames burning, and an evil spirit that was neither human nor ghost appeared behind him. A strong, domineering, and chilling evil energy rolled in, giving off an extreme cold that was even icier than the Snow Mountain. The Xi Hafu in the red kasaya, however, brought his hands together in prayer, and behind him appeared a golden Buddha, radiating great wisdom and compassion, starkly different from the chilling evil spirit. An Jing, witnessing the standoff between the two, turned his gaze towards the summit of Yulong Snow Mountain. At this moment, the rising sun reached 45 degrees above the horizon, perfectly aligned with the peak of Yulong Snow Mountain. A man was standing on the peak, back to the sunrise, overlooking the mortal world, his clothes fluttering in the cold wind. He moved his hands, and a surge of scarlet blood energy rushed forth, instantly turning several Houjin masters who came into contact with it into skeletal remains. In just a few breaths, several people died at his hand. ¡°Jiang Shang! It¡¯s that great demon!¡± ¡°What!? Why is it him?¡± ¡°Run! He¡¯s gone mad!?¡± ¡°Why hasn¡¯t he died yet?¡± ¡­¡­. Everyone present was greatly shaken at the sight of Jiang Shang. It was rumored that the previous Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect had defected, continually seeking the Undying Blood to greatly advance his cultivation, even reaching the level of a Five Qi Grandmaster. Yet his whereabouts had been elusive and had remained unknown, until today when he appeared at Yulong Snow Mountain. The assembly stirred restlessly, scrambling to flee in all directions. With his hands clasped behind his back, Jiang Shang spoke indifferently, ¡°In this world, there are fewer and fewer people capable of making me use my full strength.¡± His tone carried a hint of regret, of solitude, and Zongzheng Yue, who stood among the crowd, felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this. Killing willfully without reason or cause, such was seemingly the way of Jiang Shang. Ouyang Ping looked up at Jiang Shang above and said, ¡°Old Sect Hierarch Jiang, turn back. Don¡¯t keep erring.¡± An Jing did not speak, merely quietly watched the old man above. Jiang Shang looked at his own palm, ¡°Keep erring? How do you know what I¡¯m doing is wrong?¡± Ouyang Ping spoke with depth, ¡°Look at your side, it is empty now.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Jiang Shang laughed loudly, ¡°Rational to the extreme, heartless to the point of cruelty, some call it enlightenment, I think it¡¯s heartlessness.¡± Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ping murmured to himself, ¡°Heartlessness¡­¡± As the sun rose, the whistling cold wind seemed to chill everyone¡¯s heart to the bone. Being unfeeling and being heartless are different things. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Ouyang Ping sighed deeply and spoke no more. ¡°Great Elder, no need to say more.¡± As An Jing reached for the sword box and looked up towards Jiang Shang on the mountain peak, he said, ¡°It seems Zongzheng Huachun did not come today, but sent you to meet your end.¡± ¡­¡­ ¡°` Chapter 340 - Chapter 340 Chapter 340 The Only Sword Between Heaven and Chapter 340: Chapter 340: The Only Sword Between Heaven and Earth Chapter 340: Chapter 340: The Only Sword Between Heaven and Earth Jiang Shang stood on the mountain summit, looking down at An Jing below. So young, he remembered when he, too, had been that young, but all that was many years ago. Back then, he was just like this, challenging the man standing on the mountain summit, declaring he would slay that ¡®lofty¡¯ person. This is what Jianghu is like. Filled with fame and profit, desires, money, and beauty. Mesmerizing, immersing oneself within it. Entering this fray, no one is innocent, nor are their hands unstained by blood. Jiang Shang had long seen through everything, thus his goal was no longer fame or profit, but the tangible longevity. Only with longevity does one surpass the power of emperors and the authority of Sect Leaders. There was a time of youthful vigor and fine horses, undaunted by the vicissitudes of Jianghu that hasten white hair, a world ever-changing, destined to brave it alone through endless deceits and betrayals. Jiang Shang calmly said, ¡°This old man has roamed Jianghu for decades, there have been many who wanted to kill me, but in the end, they all became a handful of yellow earth.¡± His voice, not loud, yet echoed in An Jing¡¯s ears. Be it his fearsome reputation or his notoriety, Jiang Shang¡¯s deterrent power in the world was immense; when ordinary Jianghu experts discussed his name, they did so with fearful respect. An Jing laughed, ¡°Roaming Jianghu for decades, and in the end, you became a lackey for Houjin?¡± Jiang Shang did not speak; he glanced at several Houjin experts in the distance, before his figure flashed, and he extended his palm. Boom! A vigorous surge of blood qi swept out, instantly enveloping the Houjin experts, causing even the snow behind them to emit white vapor. Zongzheng Yue¡¯s figure was also revealed. At this moment, her face showed a look of shock, her breathing even coming to a halt. In an instant, several more Houjin experts died, which made everyone¡¯s hearts tense, especially those hidden away in the distance. Jiang Shang indifferently said, ¡°Whomever I want to kill, I will kill, even if it¡¯s heaven itself, I could poke a hole through it.¡± An Jing¡¯s palm touched the sword box on his back, ¡°That¡¯s quite a boast.¡± Jiang Shang looked at An Jing, ¡°This old man has always been bold with his words.¡± An Jing drew the Dulu Sword from the sword box, ¡°Those who brag tend to not be that strong.¡± Swoosh! The sword light of the Dulu Sword flashed across heaven and earth, a world-shaking cold brilliance emerged. Jiang Shang extended his hand, even savoring the cold sharpness, ¡°There are many things in this world that seem like coincidences at first glance, but if you ponder carefully, you¡¯d realize that the cause must have been planted long ago.¡± An Jing seriously said, ¡°Like you and me, for example.¡± Jiang Shang shook his head, ¡°I was careless back then.¡± An Jing said, ¡°As an old-timer in Jianghu, you should not have been careless.¡± Jiang Shang said, ¡°My carelessness allowed a peerless and rare swordsman to appear in this world.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Do you not regret it?¡± Jiang Shang said, ¡°This old man never regrets what has happened. Isn¡¯t life just like a game of chess, why take winning or losing too seriously?¡± An Jing said, ¡°What if this win or lose concerns life and death?¡± Jiang Shang said, ¡°Then this old man must take it seriously.¡± An Jing said, ¡°You do not wish to die; you merely wish to live.¡± Jiang Shang said, ¡°There is no one in this world who can make this old man die.¡± An Jing said, ¡°There is nothing absolute in this world.¡± As he spoke, he slightly lifted the Dulu Sword in his hand, as if a mountain descended from the sky, heavily landing atop Yulong Snow Mountain. The Dulu Sword is known as the World¡¯s First Sword! Truly a national treasure! The overwhelming force of its momentum bore down, and many faces turned ashen. Could this be the terrifying prowess of the World¡¯s First Sword in the hands of an invincible Great Sword Immortal? Jiang Shang¡¯s complexion was like a still lake, ¡°This old man is the absolute.¡± With extreme concentration, Jiang Shang stepped forth; his figure instantly appeared in front of An Jing, and he swung his palm down. Boom! The snow around Yulong Snow Mountain shattered, resulting in a sky full of snowflakes. From the outset, Jiang Shang escalated his combat power to a peak, still as calm waters, but once moved, like turbulent waves and collapsing heaven. An Jing, holding the Dulu Sword with one finger, met Jiang Shang¡¯s handprint. The instant they touched, the entire Yulong Snow Mountain shook violently. Crack! Crack! A massive crack appeared suddenly between them, spreading rapidly on both sides, quickly forming a dark chasm ten feet wide and dozens of feet long. The snowflakes on the mountain also trembled down, forming an avalanche. ¡°An avalanche! Run!¡± ¡°Run for it!¡± Numerous experts present had never seen such a terrifying battle; the earth trembled, the mountain shook, and an avalanche ensued, scattering like wild animals in a frantic escape. Heavenly Demon Palm! Heavenly Demon Star-plucking Hand! Jiang Shang¡¯s gaze was powerful, his figure vibrated, connecting with heaven and earth, radiating a light like that of the moon. His True Qi spread out, blanketing half the mountain peak in an astonishing sight¨Ca split section of the peak actually hurtled towards An Jing. Nameless Sword Technique! Selfless Dao! An Jing neither dodged nor retreated, raising the Dulu Sword in his hand, a belt-like Sword Qi burst out, splitting the peak Jiang Shang stood on in two, with debris flying everywhere. Boom boom! The other half of the peak completely exploded, large boulders flung into the air like scattering blossoms, flying in all directions. Jiang Shang struck again with a palm, as if stars were falling, heavily smashing towards the sweeping Sword Qi. The largest of these boulders weighed tens of thousands of pounds, equivalent to a hillside; the experts present dared not confront them alone. A group of more than a dozen joined forces to propel away the flying boulders. ¡°` At this moment, everyone¡¯s hearts were greatly shaken. Is this the strength of a Five Qi Grandmaster? A master who has half-stepped into the Land Immortal Realm? It¡¯s truly terrifying! An Jing looked at his opponent, Jiang Shang, and could feel that Jiang Shang¡¯s cultivation had improved again. It seemed to have reached the pinnacle of the Five Qi Grandmasters. But merely reaching the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster was not sufficient to be his match. After all, An Jing was now at the Sixth Realm of the Sword Dao, his understanding of Heavenly Human Communication growing ever deeper, borrowing more and more of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, coupled with the perfection of ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± and True Qi refined with True Dragon Essence Blood. That was not something a Five Qi Grandmaster could compare with. Now, Jiang Shang also narrowed his eyes. The strength An Jing had shown was more troublesome than he expected. However, the Undying Blood not only increased his cultivation but also allowed him to naturally comprehend Separating Heaven and Earth, one of his trump cards. Jiang Shang¡¯s gaze grew colder and colder. Boom! In the next instant! It was as if a volcano suddenly erupted at that moment. A terrifying wave of True Qi shot straight into the sky, turning the sky an extremely blood-red color. That blood-red aura carried with it cruelty, ferocity, savageness¡­ all kinds of negative emotions. ¡°Senior brother, it feels terrible!¡± Jia Meixian clutched her head and complained. Yang Chong also felt a cold sweat on his forehead, gripping his sword tightly with both hands. He knew in his heart that he must not let go of the sword in his hands; if he did, death would surely be waiting for him. This moment felt as if one had arrived at the hell of the King of Death. All the experts watching the battle felt extremely uncomfortable, even Ouyang Ping, who had reached the Second Qi Peak, was gasping for air and looked up in astonishment at the blood-red sky. ¡°Is this the Undying Blood!? It turns out to be such an evil thing.¡± Ouyang Ping knew that Jiang Shang had been searching for Undying Blood, but he didn¡¯t expect the Undying Blood he desperately sought to be such an evil thing. Jiang Shang stood aloft in the air, looking down at An Jing from a high position, his expression cold and indifferent. That powerful True Qi pressure bore down heavily toward An Jing. The majestic True Qi raged like a storm across the sky. Jiang Shang clasped his hand, and a surge of blood-colored True Qi roared out from his palm like a tidal wave. Heaven and Earth Extinguishing Seven Palm! Earth Destruction! In an instant, where the handprint passed, it seemed to coalesce into a layer of blood-red waves. Those blood-red waves dramatically expanded in An Jing¡¯s pupils. He took a deep breath abruptly, his expression growing slightly solemn. The ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± operated to its limit, and Heavenly Human Communication was unfolded. Boom! At that moment, an overwhelming True Qi burst forth from An Jing¡¯s body like a flood. The degree of strength of that True Qi was even stronger than when he was at the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. Majestic True Qi surged around him, and An Jing¡¯s eyes sparkled. He lifted the Dulu Sword in his hand, and the energy of the sword shattered, with starlight shining from the depths. A great oppressive force seemed to emanate from within. Buzzing! Buzzing! The sharp Sword Light on the Dulu Sword began to contract, creating ripples of Sword Qi that surged out. The already cold Snow Mountain became even colder, as if reaching an extreme. Some experts who had not yet reacted felt as if their blood had been frozen. ¡°` A blade of Sword Radiance burst forth from the Dulu Sword, charging forward with astonishing speed. Wherever the piercingly cold Sword Radiance passed, the air itself was cleaved in two. Heartless Path! The Sword Radiance spilled across the sky before violently colliding with the layer of blood-red waves. Boom! It was like two massive glaciers slamming into each other. In the next moment, everyone felt the ground shake and the air was filled with an extreme cold that appeared as white mist. The icy blue waves turned into countless ice particles, scattering and fading away. The chill gradually dissipated, and everyone¡¯s eyes showed a look of surprise as they hadn¡¯t expected what seemed to be a one-sided situation to be so evenly matched. ¡°Seriously¡­ they¡¯re too strong.¡± ¡°Both of their strengths are definitely not something ordinary Five Qi Grandmasters can match.¡± ¡°Jiang Shang got the Undying Blood and his strength greatly increased, but the Ghost Swordsman is not falling behind at all.¡± ¡­¡­ All those who could rush to the scene were knowledgeable experts, and at this moment, they were all astounded watching An Jing and Jiang Shang fight, clearly seeing that their battle had surpassed the realm of ordinary Five Qi Grandmaster combat. An Jing looked emotionlessly ahead, the Dulu Sword still trembling incessantly, emitting white mist all around. Jiang Shang¡¯s figure also appeared from within the white mist, his eyes intently focused on An Jing, ¡°It seems the True Dragon Essence Blood has greatly enhanced your strength.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°Haven¡¯t you noticed yet?¡± Jiang Shang asked, ¡°Noticed what?¡± An Jing said, ¡°The Undying Blood is not really Undying Blood.¡± Jiang Shang scoffed, ¡°Then what is it?¡± An Jing said, ¡°It¡¯s clearly Evil Blood. You have absorbed so much Evil Blood that the human blood within you has become diluted, and in the end, the human blood will vanish, replaced entirely by Evil Blood, turning you into an Evil Spirit.¡± ¡°Turning into a monster that is neither human nor ghost, neither demon nor fiend.¡± Whoosh! An Jing¡¯s words resounded like thunder, leaving many listeners exchanging puzzled glances. After all, it is widely known in Jianghu that Jiang Shang¡¯s strength has greatly increased after obtaining the Undying Blood. Many in Jianghu have even followed in Jiang Shang¡¯s footsteps, longing to obtain the Undying Blood for a great increase in their lifespan and power, to roam unfettered. But now, from the mouth of the Ghost Swordsman, the Undying Blood turns out to be Evil Blood? Jiang Shang looked at An Jing, and though a normal person would surely be wrinkled with worry from An Jing¡¯s words, Jiang Shang¡¯s heart was already extremely cold, and he wouldn¡¯t be disturbed in the slightest by what An Jing said. He firmly believed in himself, convinced that as long as he possessed the Undying Blood he could achieve eternal life. Jiang Shang let out a cold laugh, ¡°Undying Blood is the blood of eternal life; how could it possibly be Evil Blood?¡± ¡°Utterly oblivious.¡± Boom! And just as Jiang Shang¡¯s gaze flickered, An Jing¡¯s body suddenly stretched out, transforming into a beam of light shooting up towards the sky, charging straight towards Jiang Shang. Whoosh! An Jing appeared above Jiang Shang like a ghost, his hands gripping the Dulu Sword tightly as the boundless True Qi burst forth. The endless darkness spread far and wide, and An Jing¡¯s figure seemed to merge with the sky, a fearsome might emanating from his body. Subsequently, Heaven and Earth¡¯s True Qi gathered incessantly, with stars continuously condensing behind him. Heavenly Human Communication and Immortal Sword! The power of Heaven and Earth bolstered An Jing¡¯s frame, making his aura even more profound, especially the vast and boundless Immortal Sword, which fell like stars. An Jing¡¯s sword emitted a bone-chilling aura as he thrust it towards Jiang Shang below. Sword Light swept through, and sensing the terrifying force, Jiang Shang bellowed, his scarlet True Qi swirling together like a vortex before he struck out with a palm. The clash between the Sword Light and the Handprint was fierce in the air, and the violent True Qi surged wildly to the surroundings. The mountains shattered, shaking Heaven and Earth. An Jing snorted coldly, and then his left hand clenched fiercely, as a flash of starlight emerged within his arm. Boom! An Jing unleashed his punch with full force, the raging True Qi rolling boundlessly as if it pierced through the air itself, emitting a series of trembling sounds. Jiang Shang¡¯s expression became stern, and at such close proximity, he couldn¡¯t help but feel the chilling intent; immediately, his True Qi surged forth, as a crimson glow appeared in front of him. That rich scent of blood carried an alarming presence of Evil Spirits, which if tainted could instantly invade the body. Bang! Bang! The forceful Fist Force struck heavily against the crimson radiance. The next moment, he felt as if a severe impact had hit his internal organs, turning his complexion deathly pale. ¡°Wah!¡± Jiang Shang¡¯s body retreated several steps violently, then he spat out a mouthful of red blood. At this moment, he was severely wounded. With the snowstorm howling past, An Jing stood in the snow holding his sword with one hand, the snowflakes landing on his head and shoulders. An Jing, exerting his full strength, quickly inflicted a heavy blow on Jiang Shang. And this was also the first time he had gone all out since leaving the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. Even Jiang Shang, at the peak of a Five Qi Grandmaster, was no match and was easily overthrown. ¡°How could he be this strong!?¡± Zongzheng Yue was greatly shocked upon seeing this, knowing that Jiang Shang was already a Five Qi Grandmaster who had absorbed the Evil Spirits¡¯ Blood, attaining the pinnacle of a Five Qi Grandmaster. Without the abilities of Heavenly Human Communication and Separating Heaven and Earth, his Dao realm was already one of the best in the world, second only to Zhao Zhiwu and Zongzheng Huachun. But now, he was defeated by An Jing in an instant. Elsewhere, the two Xi Hafu continued their standoff. The black and golden glows intertwined, both figures seated in meditation without moving. No one dared to approach them. Who is the clinging ghost? Who is the Buddha? Proper understanding and proper view is Buddha, while deluded understanding and deluded view is the clinging ghost? But what exactly are the standards for such judgments? Under the intertwining of black and golden glows, a hint of fusion appeared. Seeing this, An Jing furrowed his brow deeply, a bad premonition rising in his heart. Jiang Shang wiped the blood from his mouth, saying, ¡°It seems that today, I must exert my full strength.¡± An Jing indifferently replied, ¡°You should have exerted your full strength earlier.¡± Jiang Shang raised his head to look at the crimson sky above. The next moment, the blood that once filled the sky disappeared and the sun was once again visible to everyone. Furthermore, at that moment, Jiang Shang¡¯s Qi Mechanism also disappeared as if it had never existed. Separating Heaven and Earth! Due to the Undying Blood, Jiang Shang easily reached the realm of Separating Heaven and Earth, which was even more profound than that of Jun Qinglin, meaning he faced much less restraint from Heaven and Earth. ¡°This is the effect of the Evil Spirits¡¯ Blood?¡± Upon seeing this, An Jing raised his brow slightly. Jiang Shang stepped forward and fiercely chopped his hand downwards. Boom! Boom! This palm from Jiang Shang was terrifyingly frightening, with a large Handprint phantom shooting out from above the sky. It seemed as if the air itself was parted by the strike, retreating to both sides. An Jing¡¯s eyes flashed with a cold light as his mighty True Qi was also channeled into the Dulu Sword. The fierce collision of Sword Light caused a huge tremor, the immense True Qi spreading to the surroundings like an ocean. The True Qi waves crashed heavily on the mountain, causing weaker slopes to collapse directly. An Jing was astonished internally, well aware of how much his strength had increased, yet Jiang Shang¡¯s power seemed to grow even more after he had separated from Heaven and Earth. Cling clang cling clang cling! The sound of metal clashing, comparable to mountains colliding, echoed through the heavens, leaving everyone unable to see the figures in the sky clearly. They could only observe the sparks flying ferociously. For an expert like Ouyang Ping, this battle was indeed a fight of the ages. He couldn¡¯t catch the speed of the figures in the sky, not even their afterimages seemed visible anymore. ¡°It¡¯s too powerful, these two are simply too powerful,¡± A few grandmasters watched in silence, feeling a storm surge within their hearts. Clang! Above in the sky, the True Qi Storm exploded, separating the two figures. An Jing extended his arm, with vast True Qi surging wildly. Whoosh whoosh whoosh! The True Qi flowed like a tide, filling the void of Heaven and Earth, mighty and boundless. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind Unstoppable! An Jing struck with his sword, the cyan light carrying the Dulu Sword rushing towards Jiang Shang in front of him. In the next moment, An Jing unsheathed the Evil Suppressing Sword with his left hand. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Fire Field Bear! With one swing of his sword, An Jing¡¯s Sword Radiance burst forth, as if it might set the air on fire. Wind and fire at this moment seemed to have some mysterious connection, morphing into an overwhelming momentum, charging towards Jiang Shang in front. The wind aided the fire¡¯s momentum in its vast, boundless surge, raging towards Jiang Shang ahead. What was even more shocking was that, as the two beams of sword light charged towards Jiang Shang, they faintly merged into one. Boom! Boom! Jiang Shang took a deep breath, his True Qi flowing like expansive rivers and lakes, surging into his palms. Heaven and Earth Extinguishing Seven Palm! Heavenshock! An extremely dazzling light burst out from behind Jiang Shang, ancient and filled with a sense of vicissitude, and an extremely cold Heavenly Demon appeared behind him. The Heavenly Demon¡¯s phantom towered dozens of feet high, almost equal to a small mountain assaulting his way. Crash! Crash! With a palm strike, he fearlessly met the grand momentum of wind and fire. Bang bang bang bang! When the handprint collided with the grand momentum of wind and fire, heaven and earth trembled, as if time itself had stopped. No one knew how long had passed, visible shockwaves spread towards the surroundings, the dreadful True Qi waves were the result of the extreme collision between the two, instantly shattering the void. Crash! Crash! Subsequently, everyone witnessed an extremely astonishing scene, only to see that the normal sky above had now appeared a ring of black starry sky. An Jing retreated several steps backward, while Jiang Shang slid against the snowy ground, leaving a long trace behind him. Jiang Shang steadied himself, his tiger¡¯s mouth throbbing with intense pain, but it seemed as though he had no perception of the pain at all. His True Qi wildly spread throughout his body and then, taking him as the center, formed into blood-red whirlpools. These blood-red whirlpools were filled with an abundance of evil spirits. At the same time, the Heavenly Demon behind Jiang Shang also turned into a blood color. Under the cruel blood-red light, the Heavenly Demon underwent drastic changes. Boom! Boom! Boom! The blood-red whirlpools continued to spread around, seemingly about to envelop An Jing. Not only that, Jiang Shang recited some kind of indescribable spell, as the surrounding spiritual energy of the world and the evil Qi frantically rushed into the blood-red whirlpool. An Jing could sense that within the whirlpool, there was a stunning power that could likely shatter him if he came into contact with it. ¡°How formidable Jiang Shang is!¡± An Jing¡¯s expression was extremely solemn. Jiang Shang, truly worthy of being the former Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, was one of the top experts in the world today, not only powerful but also having endless methods at his disposal. The sky suddenly disappeared as if into nothingness, turning pitch black and endless, becoming a vast and profound expanse dotted with stars. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± An Jing slapped his palm, and immediately the Dulu Sword and the Evil Suppressing Sword turned into two giant swords, charging towards the blood-red whirlpool in front. The sharp Sword Light rushed forward, the air currents on both sides desperately fleeing. The blood-red whirlpool was mysterious, giving off a suffocating sensation. Sss! Sss! The two swords pierced through the air, fiercely penetrating the golden whirlpool. Boom! Suddenly, a thunderous noise echoed through heaven and earth, causing even the Immortal Emperors present to tremble in their hearts, their complexions pale as a True Qi storm spread wildly around them. ¡°Do you think this is enough to defeat me?¡± A sharp light flashed across Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes as he pushed forward with both hands, dispersing the True Qi storm that was dozens of feet in front of him. Swish swish swish swish! The blood-red whirlpool was almost unaffected and continued to spread towards An Jing, centering around Jiang Shang, like a colossal beast trying to swallow An Jing whole. Underneath the whirlpool, An Jing appeared tiny and powerless, the surrounding experts all held their breath and did not dare to breathe heavily. And as An Jing saw the blood-red whirlpool spreading towards him, there was not the slightest expression on his face. The Snow Mountain was nearly collapsing, the surroundings were devastated, a complete mess. At this moment, immersed in darkness, his mind was blank, An Jing had actually forgotten about the Dulu Sword and the Evil Suppressing Sword. As a Swordsman, he himself was a sword, the sharpest sword in the world. In Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes, An Jing seemed to have disappeared. If it were peeling heaven and earth apart, one could still sense it, but now the figure and the Qi had thoroughly vanished. As if this world itself never had this person at all. For an instant, he was slightly astonished, wondering how a person could suddenly disappear, but this astonishment was fleeting, not even lasting the duration of a blink. Because in Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes, there appeared a sword. It was a sword he had never seen before, yet this sword was even more formidable than the Dulu Sword, even more terrifying, making him, a heartless person, feel the chill. There was nothing else in Jiang Shang¡¯s pupils except the chill of that sword. He had no fear, no dread in his heart anymore. At this moment, he was void of all emotions. Nothing could stop that sword! His confidence began to collapse, his belief started to wane. And when a person shifts from belief to disbelief, that is the most vulnerable time, especially for the strong. The stronger a person is, the more vulnerable they are at such times. Rumble! Rumble! The Yulong Snow Mountain, the great snow-covered mountain, astonishingly began to collapse, with clouds of dust rising and snowflakes fluttering down. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only All those present couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in amazement! The sunlight shone upon this land, which rather than bringing warmth, only added to the coldness. ¡°Puchi!¡± Just then, that sword swept across the world and then heavily pierced through Jiang Shang¡¯s body. ¡­.. Chapter 341 - Chapter 341 Chapter 341 Shocking Secrets Finally Revealed Chapter 341: Chapter 341 Shocking Secrets Finally Revealed Chapter 341: Chapter 341 Shocking Secrets Finally Revealed Jiang Shang¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted; he lowered his head only to see a sword piercing directly through his Qi Sea, penetrating his Dantian. ¡°Gurgling¨C!¡± Crimson blood continuously flowed from Jiang Shang¡¯s mouth. But upon closer inspection, there clearly was no sword. Perhaps the sword was in front of him. An Jing stood not far away, his eyes devoid of any expression. He was still reminiscing about the elegance of that strike, sensing the fleeting essence within it. In the depths of his mind, An Jing had already touched the edge of the Seventh Realm. The wind howled, and the ground was a complete mess. Time seemed to stop at this moment. Jiang Shang placed his palm over his Dantian, seemingly trying to stem the gushing blood like a spring, which immediately stained his hand red. ¡°I possess the Undying Blood, I will not die.¡± He had always believed that his body harbored the miraculous Undying Blood. Upon hearing Jiang Shang¡¯s words, An Jing said, ¡°Are you still deluded now?¡± ¡°Deluded?¡± Jiang Shang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his complexion deathly pale, his body swaying as though about to fall, ¡°I was just one step away, just one step from fully integrating the Undying Blood into my body, reaching the realm of a Great Grandmaster. With more Undying Blood, I could truly achieve immortality.¡± An Jing said nothing more; he did not find Jiang Shang pitiable. Some people are immersed in their own worlds, unaware of the true nature of the world even as they die. They are not pitiable; what¡¯s pitiable are those who know the truth and still live. An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°Undying Blood, Undying Blood, what is Undying Blood? It seems you won¡¯t shed tears until you see the coffin.¡± Jiang Shang, clutching his wound, fell silent. ¡°Rustle!¡± ¡°Rustle!¡± At that moment, several experts from the Great Snow Mountain rushed out, charging towards Ouyang Ping. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing frowned, noticing that among them were two Grandmasters. Ouyang Ping, fully focused on watching the battle but not negligent of his surroundings, sensed the Grandmasters approaching and instantly concentrated his True Qi into his arms to meet the attack. Compared to the standoff between the two Xi Hafu and the battle between An Jing and Jiang Shang, this fight naturally seemed trivial. ¡°Bang!¡± In that instant, a shadow burst out from behind Zongzheng Yue, striking her on the back with a palm. Zongzheng Yue, caught off guard, stumbled, and a porcelain vial from her bosom ¡®suddenly¡¯ fell. The shadow grabbed the vial, shouting loudly, ¡°Dad, I¡¯ve got the Undying Blood that Zongzheng Yue had!¡± The sudden appearance was none other than Jiang Renyi. ¡°Quick, give it to me!¡± Jiang Shang, seeing the Undying Blood in Jiang Renyi¡¯s hand, grasped at it like a lifeline. Zongzheng Yue, clutching her chest, angrily said, ¡°How despicable, Jiang Renyi!¡± ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing, seeing Jiang Renyi, who had disappeared and reappeared, instantly realized that Jiang Renyi was forcing Jiang Shang into a corner. At this moment, Jiang Shang was not far from becoming an Evil Spirit. Just by absorbing the Evil Blood in the vial, there was a high chance he would turn into one. If Zongzheng Yue had taken it out, Jiang Shang would surely have been suspicious, but now with Jiang Renyi suddenly attacking Zongzheng Yue, everything seemed far more plausible. An Jing had once told about the true origin of this Undying Blood to Jiang Renyi, Ouyang Ping, and others, so Jiang Renyi was very clear about what the Undying Blood really was. If Jiang Shang absorbed this Undying Blood, he would undoubtedly transform into an Evil Spirit, becoming neither human nor ghost, neither demon nor monster, without a shred of consciousness, and he would be hunted by all the experts in the world. This was truly a death without a resting place! ¡°Dad, catch.¡±¡ª¡ª¡ª Jiang Renyi¡¯s eyes flashed briefly before he threw the porcelain vial over. Boom! The remaining blood in Jiang Shang surged wildly, resisting to the last, An Jing stepped back two steps, and in the blink of an eye, Jiang Shang grasped the porcelain vial in his hand. ¡°Not good!¡±¡ª¡ª¡ª Seeing this from afar, Jia Meixian and Yang Chong felt a chilling surge from their spines to their crowns. After all, the great demon¡¯s power was already frighteningly strong at this moment; if he obtained the Undying Blood, could he possibly break through to the Great Grandmaster level? Jiang Shang, holding the vial in his hand, feeling the heat emanating from it, his eyes revealed a hint of madness, then he looked up at An Jing, ¡°This is your death sentence.¡± An Jing calmly said, ¡°It¡¯s not my death sentence; it¡¯s yours.¡± Jiang Shang opened the vial and said, ¡°After absorbing the Undying Blood, my body is rejuvenating. Who would believe now that I am already eighty-three? You say this isn¡¯t Undying Blood, you tell me this is Evil Blood?¡± ¡°What a big joke!¡± Originally, Jiang Shang¡¯s complexion was rosy and he looked decent, with the air of an immortal about him. Now after absorbing the Undying Blood, he looked even younger, almost not much different from Jiang Renyi. ¡°Undying Blood!?¡± ¡°After Jiang Shang absorbs the Undying Blood, his strength is likely to increase greatly!¡± ¡­¡­. Not just Jiang Shang, everyone around watching the Undying Blood in his hand showed a hint of hysteria; no one believed An Jing¡¯s words, they only believed that the great demon¡¯s strength was increasing and his appearance was becoming youthful. Jiang Shang, enduring the pain, directly poured the blood from the vial into his throat. The Undying Blood he acquired was different; the Undying Blood he obtained from the Snow Mountain tribe and the Dragon Locking Well was the thinnest, while the Undying Blood from the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum was relatively pure. But even the Undying Blood from the Great Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum could not compare to the Undying Blood given to him by Zongzheng Yue; the blood was still scalding, seeming like boiling hot water, and instantly Jiang Shang¡¯s throat became extremely hot, his entire body¡¯s blood burning wildly. In a flash, a fierce Qi Mechanism surged out from Jiang Shang¡¯s body. Even An Jing felt a chill in his heart, pushed back dozens of steps by the tsunami-like Qi Mechanism. Boom! Boom! Thunder rolled across the sky, as if a mountain was pressing down, making it hard for everyone present to breathe. Even some with lesser cultivation and weaker minds had their eyes emitting a red glow. At this moment, Jiang Shang had become terrifyingly fearsome, surrounded by an intense aura of blood to the extreme. Behind him appeared a horrifying phantom, looking very much like the Human Emperor of the Great Qin from the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum. An Jing became incredibly solemn. After all, the Human Emperor of the Great Qin in the Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum had no physical body and couldn¡¯t exert such immense pressure, but the current Jiang Shang was different, as he possessed his own body. Having repelled the two Great Snow Mountain Dharma Kings, Ouyang Ping also looked over, frowning deeply. The two Dharma Kings of the Great Snow Mountain were also greatly shaken. All eyes in Yulong Snow Mountain were now focused on Jiang Shang. Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes looked somewhat muddled; his brain felt light and airy, and his body was filled with strength, almost able to break through the great grandmaster¡¯s barrier in a snap. ¡°Hahahahaha!¡± Jiang Shang burst out laughing, ¡°Today, I, Jiang Shang, am finally immortal and indestructible.¡± An Jing coldly said, ¡°You have merely become an evil spirit, and once the evil spirit completely overtakes your body, you will be thoroughly dead.¡± At this moment, Jiang Shang couldn¡¯t listen to any words at all. His mind was filled with violence, bloodshed, and a spreading madness for slaughter. He firmly believed that he was absorbing the Undying Blood, and once this Undying Blood spread throughout his body, he would be truly immortal and indestructible. Jiang Shang dived downwards, charging towards An Jing below. Boom! Boom! With Jiang Shang rushing rapidly, the surging blood energy shook heaven and earth, causing the surrounding air to boil. ¡°Boom!¡± The sound was deafening, nearly rupturing one¡¯s eardrums. An Jing¡¯s eyebrows lifted as he moved his hand, the Dulu Sword slashing towards Jiang Shang. Sssss! The Dulu Sword collided with Jiang Shang¡¯s handprint, immediately erupting into a grating thunderous noise. The unstoppable chill air tore through the handprint once more, but the blood energy felt tougher than ever before. Jiang Shang extended his palm and the true Qi around several miles all gathered into his palm at that moment. The countless true Qi kept compressing together, forming a massive blood-colored force Qi. From that continuously compressing blood-colored force Qi, one could distinctly feel an ominously trembling power. In just a few blinks, the blood-colored force Qi was already fully condensed, the surging bright sphere viciously tore through the air, charging towards An Jing. An Jing was already prepared. He lifted the Dulu Sword in his hand, a terrifying red sword radiance instantly filled the sky, and behind him, it seemed to transform into a vast flow of molten lava. Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Fire Field Bear! The sky was filled with red light, seeming to merge into one at that moment, finally all flowing into the blade of the Dulu Sword, transforming into a sword radiance that connected heaven and earth. Boom! Boom! Boom! The dominant blood-colored light sphere finally collided fiercely with the sword radiance that connected heaven and earth, making the whole world tremble wildly. Whoosh! Whoosh! Countless waves of true Qi, like incessant tidal waves, caused the surrounding boulders to shatter into pieces. An Jing¡¯s body was like a lone boat in the surging waves of Wang Yang, engulfed in the endless true Qi tsunami. Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes shimmered with a cold light, his blood-red body rushing towards An Jing, his silhouette shadowing the sun. ¡°Jiang Shang has transformed into an evil spirit, the Ghost Swordsman is doomed¡­¡± Onlookers in the distance, stunned by Jiang Shang¡¯s ferocious momentum, stood frozen. Just then, amidst the distant surge of True Qi, a burst of starlight erupted. An Jing stood within the True Qi, his white robe unscathed, and all the swords from his sword box had burst out. Whoosh, whoosh! Swords swirled in the air, forming terrifying cold lights of Sword Qi, instantly severing the surrounding blood Qi. The two formed a standoff, brewing an intensely terrifying pressure, especially with the blood Qi around Jiang Shang, which made one¡¯s hair stand on end. ¡°Quick, run!¡± ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is surely no match for Jiang Shang, we must run now.¡± ¡­¡­ Seeing this, many people fled towards the distance as if they had gone mad. Behind An Jing lay the vast Star River. With a slap of his hand, the swords floating by his side arranged into a Sword Array, filling the heavens with sweeping sword light. Each sword transformed into a massive sword, rushing forward majestically. At this moment, Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes began to blur, feeling his Qi Mechanism growing stronger, yet his body seemed out of control. He struggled to control his palms, sending all the Force Qi in his body surging towards his arms. Faintly, the silhouette of a Heavenly Demon appeared behind him, which was quickly overtaken completely by the evil spirit. ¡°Who in this world can kill me?¡± Jiang Shang roared furiously, slamming forward. Boom! The moment his domineering True Qi flowed into his arms, it burst out like a mountain crashing down. The snow and rocks of Yulong Snow Mountain crumbled to pieces. The entire world dimmed. ¡°An Tributor¡­¡± Ouyang Ping instantly tensed up. Zongzheng Yue, too, watched unblinkingly. Jiang Shang had absorbed the Undying Blood, greatly increasing his strength and completely breaking free from Houjin¡¯s control. If even this could not kill the Ghost Swordsman, then who in the world could? An Jing also unleashed all his power, pushing the Sword Array to its extreme. Columns of Sword Qi erupted from the blades, as if to slice through the darkened skies. The Immortal Sword had been pushed to its limits, the ground beneath disappearing, transforming into a vast starry galaxy. Sword light and handprints collided, causing the earth to tremble and the already fractured land to crack further, as if locked in a standoff. The next moment, the sword light unleashed an astonishing chill. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± The handprint instantly shattered, bursting apart with a loud bang. An Jing¡¯s hair danced wildly, and his clothes fluttered with the wind, yet the fierce tide of True Qi did not cause him any fluctuation. In the distance, Jiang Shang¡¯s consciousness was gradually fading, dominated by a crimson light above. A horrifying scene unfolded, as Jiang Shang¡¯s clothes were torn apart, revealing a pair of hands growing out of his back¨Cexcept these were more like a pair of white bones than hands. Evil Spirits! This now bore a six to seven parts resemblance to the phantom that had appeared just before, and Jiang Shang was still transforming, gradually morphing towards the direction of an Evil Spirit. This infamous demon was really on the verge of becoming undying! If he turned into an Evil Spirit, his strength might even increase, and I might not be his match anymore. An Jing also had a bad premonition, and at that moment, the Earth Book sent out a black radiance. ¡°Alert: There is a black opportunity nearby.¡± This alert from the Earth Book made An Jing more nervous. Black opportunity always involved a danger serious enough to kill him; could it be that Jiang Shang had completely transformed into an Evil Spirit, which would spell fatal disaster for him? Zongzheng Yue was also staring fixedly at Jiang Shang, murmuring, ¡°Is Jiang Shang about to completely turn into an Evil Spirit?¡± Her heart slightly relaxed, yet tension also began to rise. Once Jiang Shang became an Evil Spirit, then the Ghost Swordsman today was undoubtedly doomed, but Jiang Shang had become an uncontrollable factor. At this moment, Jiang Renyi looked at his own father, shaking with excitement, ¡°A person like you deserves to die!¡± Ouyang Ping continued, ¡°Jiang Shang, take a clear look at yourself?¡± Upon hearing Ouyang Ping¡¯s words, the crimson light in Jiang Shang¡¯s eyes trembled, and then a sliver of consciousness gradually returned. He looked at his own palm. It could no longer be called a palm; it had turned into white bones. ¡°How¡­ how could this be!?¡± At this moment, Jiang Shang was struck as if by lightning, his mind in a state of half stupor. Having seen the Great Qin Human Emperor in the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum, he naturally knew what an Evil Spirit looked like, and his current form was very close to that of an Evil Spirit. The Undying Blood he had desperately sought for most of his life, could it really be Evil Blood? For this Undying Blood, he had exhausted all his strength, even forsaking the Demon Sect, but in the end, it was all for naught. In an instant, Jiang Shang¡¯s heart completely collapsed. ¡°No! I don¡¯t believe it!¡± Jiang Shang struggled to stand up, looking at his own palm, ¡°I don¡¯t believe this is Evil Blood; this is the Undying Blood¡­¡± The truth gradually became clear, and he had to believe it. An Jing coldly said, ¡°If it wasn¡¯t Evil Blood, why would Zongzheng Huachun not absorb it himself and instead create such a drama with Jiang Renyi? You should know that with Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s current strength, probably at the peak of the Five Qi, he could have broken through to Great Grandmaster by absorbing the Evil Blood.¡± ¡°You have absorbed so much Evil Blood that there is barely any human blood left in you, and even your body has changed; if you really want to turn into an Evil Spirit, then just give up completely.¡± An Jing¡¯s voice boomed like rolling thunder, echoing between heaven and earth. At this moment, Jiang Shang looked at his own palm, with even a trace of emptiness in his eyes. To obtain the Undying Blood, he had given up everything he could, even betraying the Demon Sect. If An Jing were to give up his last trace of sanity at this moment, the Evil Blood would pervade his entire body. Not only would his strength greatly increase, but he might also have the chance to break through to the Great Grandmaster Realm and transform completely into an Evil Spirit, achieving true longevity. Darkness! Abyss! At this moment, he was continually falling into the deepest depths of the abyss, surrounded by darkness without a speck of light. His convictions were gradually shattering into pieces. Seeing this, Zongzheng Yue urgently shouted, ¡°Senior Jiang, do not listen to the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s nonsense¨Cabsorb the Undying Blood completely, and then the Ghost Swordsman will not be a match for you at all!¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Shang burst into laughter, blood streaming from the corners of his mouth. An Jing, Zongzheng Yue, Ouyang Ping, and many other experts who hadn¡¯t escaped were all watching this formidable demon, feeling enormously tense inside. If Jiang Shang were to become an Evil Spirit, it would be more terrifying than another demon appearing in the world. After all, demons kill based on whims, whereas an Evil Spirit seems to only kill non-stop. With Jiang Shang¡¯s power, he would inevitably cause a bloodbath across the lands. The sunlight of yesteryears would dry up before dawn arrives. Jiang Shang restrained his smile and looked at Jiang Renyi, asking, ¡°Renyi, is this not Undying Blood?¡± Ouyang Ping inwardly cursed, sensing trouble. At this moment, Jiang Renyi wished he could brutally kill Jiang Shang; he would never tell the truth. Even if Jiang Shang transformed into an Evil Spirit and killed everyone present, Jiang Renyi would still deceive Jiang Shang. There was a trace of Jiang Shang¡¯s madness in his very bones. An Jing narrowed his eyes and quietly watched the scene unfold. Jiang Renyi took a deep breath and earnestly said, ¡°Father, this is the Undying Blood. Haven¡¯t you seen your own face? With this Undying Blood, you can step into the Great Grandmaster level, and I can continue to take over the Demon Sect. From now on, I will be at your command. Wouldn¡¯t it be joyful for us, father and son, to traverse this world together?¡± Jiang Renyi¡¯s words echoed clearly amidst the chaotic Yulong Snow Mountain. His tone was sincere, as if he was indeed considering the best for Jiang Shang and himself. As long as Jiang Shang reached the Great Grandmaster level and killed the Ghost Swordsman, how could the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect withstand, and by then, the throne of the Demon Sect would still be held by the Jiang surname. Jiang Shang did not speak, just looked up at the dark sky. The air seemed to solidify, An Jing held his sword, waiting for the best moment to act. Jiang Renyi shouted anxiously, ¡°Father!¡± ¡°This world is too small for my vast ambition.¡± Jiang Shang then fiercely reached towards his Dantian. Silence! All was quiet between heaven and earth! No one had anticipated that Jiang Shang would directly reach for his own Dantian. In such agony, Jiang Shang still had no expression. With one scoop of his hand, his Dantian burst open, and at the same time, his Qi Sea also completely shattered. Jia Meixian¡¯s eyes widened, exclaiming in shock, ¡°Jiang Shang is crippling his own cultivation?¡± Yang Chong whispered, ¡°Is this a plot?¡± Jia Meixian shook her head. How could this possibly be a plot? At this moment, in the face of absolute power, all schemes and plots had become useless. ¡°You!¡± Zongzheng Yue saw this scene and was both shocked and enraged. A person without a Dantian and Qi Sea, what difference is there from a cripple? Had Jiang Shang actually crippled himself? Didn¡¯t he want longevity? Hadn¡¯t he been willing to give up everything for the sake of longevity? But now, he had actually crippled himself? Even An Jing, at this moment, was greatly shaken; he had never expected Jiang Shang to directly shatter his own Dantian and sever all hope. Jiang Shang¡¯s face was as pale as paper, ¡°If this longevity won¡¯t allow me to act recklessly and enjoy life, then I would rather not have this longevity.¡± This kind of longevity, I¡¯d rather not have. An Jing looked at the crumbling Jiang Shang, never expecting that Jiang Shang, who had pursued longevity so bitterly for most of his life, would eventually give it up. Jiang Shang looked at An Jing, their eyes meeting. At this moment, he suddenly wondered, if he hadn¡¯t sought the Undying Blood initially, would his life have turned out differently, and would his relationship with An Jing have undergone earth-shaking changes? Jiang Shang¡¯s voice was as thin as a thread when he said, ¡°You won.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°I haven¡¯t won.¡± Jiang Shang asked, ¡°Then who has won?¡± An Jing said, ¡°Perhaps the moment the sword was drawn, there was no one victorious under heaven.¡± Jiang Shang gave a bitter laugh, ¡°You still won.¡± The two fell into a brief silence, becoming quieter. ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Ouyang Ping hurriedly shouted, but it was too late, a figure rushed toward Jiang Shang like a swift wind. ¡°Bang!¡± This palm strike was merciless, harshly landing on Jiang Shang¡¯s chest. Jiang Shang¡¯s body fell heavily onto a giant rock like a kite with its string cut, his blood coloring the ground red; he was already severely injured, and with his Dantian shattered, this palm strike directly severed all his vitality as he looked up at the figure. Jiang Renyi! The one who had struck him down was none other than Jiang Renyi! Jiang Renyi looked down at Jiang Shang lying on the ground and burst into loud laughter, ¡°Jiang Shang, a madman like you should have never lived in this world. You killed my mother, killed my wife and children, today I finally have my revenge.¡± He had long known that his mother had died at the hands of Jiang Shang, which was one of the reasons he had always been so terrified of Jiang Shang. He had lived in a constant state of trembling, Jiang Shang being his greatest heart demon. And today was the day he overcame his heart demon. Jiang Shang looked at the triumphant Jiang Renyi before him, his lips slightly curling into a smile, ¡°Being able¡­ to die at your hands is indeed fitting.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Jiang Renyi erupted into laughter, even tears streaming down his face at the end. Jiang Shang looked at Jiang Renyi, ¡°Thank you.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Renyi wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, stunned, ¡°I killed you, why are you thanking me?¡± ¡°You will never know, someone like me, living in this world, just how lonely it is¡­¡­¡± Jiang Shang looked up at the clouds gradually forming in the sky, then finally closed his eyes for good. Jiang Shang was dead! This former demon had died at the hands of his own son, Jiang Renyi. Under Jiang Shang, the Demon Sect had once been immensely brilliant, a famous sect under heaven, and Jiang Shang himself had been a notorious expert, even considering entering the Jianghu of Zhao Country. Alas, he had later chosen the wrong side in a struggle for succession and was eventually driven out of the Great Yan Martial World, beginning his decline. Thereafter, Jiang Shang began to conceal himself, seeking the Undying Blood, stirring up waves in the Jianghu, and later even collaborating with Houjin in their attack on Dongluo Pass, ultimately becoming a traitor to the Demon Sect. This great demon cut a figure of notoriety that even now many shuddered at the mere mention of his name. In the whole Jianghu, he had no friends, no family left, not even a rival. His killings were purely for profit, for pleasure. Today, he was just one step away from completely transforming his blood into Evil Blood, becoming an Evil Spirit himself. But at the crucial moment, he chose to give up, dying by his son¡¯s hand. He had buried all past brilliance and misery deep within his heart. Only Jiang Shang himself knew that aside from loneliness and solitude, he had nothing else. Some saw him as a dire threat, others saw him as a legendary figure; eighty years of tumult in the Jianghu, and yet he could dismiss it all with a casual laugh. Some say the world is a game of chess, while others say life is a play. The stage is set high, every person merely an actor upon it. On this stage, he had once stood at the center and also lingered in the corners, had moments of glory and times of utter disgrace. After all, life is but a play, and now everything disperses like a fleeting light. It took a while for everyone to come back to their senses. Zongzheng Yue looked at this bizarre scene, still unable to recover. ¡°Ah!¡± At that moment, Ouyang Ping sighed deeply, ruefully saying, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have killed him. He was your father, after all.¡± ¡°Father?¡± Menace flashed in Jiang Renyi¡¯s eyes, ¡°Would my father kill my mother? You may not know of this matter, but I don¡¯t believe you are unaware of it.¡± Ouyang Ping remained silent for a long time before saying, ¡°Since Jiang Shang is already dead, and only I know of this matter, I might as well tell you.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Upon hearing this, Jiang Renyi¡¯s heart skipped a beat, ¡°What matter?¡± Ouyang Ping hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, ¡°The truth of the matter is that your mother was discovered having an affair with another man in the secret tunnels of Dongluo Pass by the then-cloistered Sect Hierarch. Your father flew into a rage, wanting to kill the adulterer but your mother desperately intervened. Ultimately, your father spared the man¡¯s life. Who would have thought that ten months later your mother would give birth to you? Knowing the Sect Hierarch had been in seclusion and had never been intimate with your mother, your own birth left your mother in utter shame, eventually leading her to take her own life in their chamber by slitting her throat. The Sect Hierarch, fearing it would tarnish your mother¡¯s reputation, claimed to be the killer, leading to a drastic change in his temperament after¡­.¡± Boom! Ouyang Ping¡¯s words hit Jiang Renyi like a thunderbolt, crashing fiercely onto his head. ¡­.. Chapter 342 - Chapter 342 Chapter 342 The Great Sun Tathagata Finally Chapter 342: Chapter 342 The Great Sun Tathagata Finally Appears Chapter 342: Chapter 342 The Great Sun Tathagata Finally Appears ¡°Impossible!¡± Jiang Renyi staggered back in utter disbelief, his face a portrait of incredulity, ¡°You¡¯re lying to me, you must be lying.¡± Could it be that he was not actually Jiang Shang¡¯s biological child, but a bastard borne from his mother¡¯s secret affair? If that were the case, then not only was Jiang Shang not his enemy, but he owed him an enormous debt of gratitude instead. Ouyang Ping said, ¡°Jiang Shang is already dead, why would I deceive you? This matter is absolutely true, if I utter a single lie, may I be struck down by the heavens with thunderous fury.¡± Jiang Renyi burst into laughter, ¡°Yes, Jiang Shang is dead, you can say whatever you want. I am Jiang Renyi; how could I possibly be a bastard child?¡± Ouyang Ping looked at the somewhat frenzied Jiang Renyi and remained silent. After all, the news was indeed too shocking. Who could have imagined that the one claiming to be ruthless and heartless, the cold and emotionless Jiang Shang, was also once a lovesick fool? When An Jing first heard this secret, he too was very astonished. However, Jiang Shang was indeed a villain through and through, drenched in blood. The deaths of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s husband and wife were on his hands, and today, dying at Jiang Renyi¡¯s hands, could be considered as getting his just deserts, just as he said. So it is said, in this world there are no absolute saints nor absolute sinners, it¡¯s just a matter of different perspectives, leading to different views. After a long while, Ouyang Ping said, ¡°How can the affairs of life always go as one wishes? One can only hope to remain true to one¡¯s conscience.¡± By this time, Jiang Renyi could no longer hear what Ouyang Ping was saying, muttering to himself, ¡°I don¡¯t believe it¡­¡± In the blink of an eye, there were two more corpses in the Yulong Snow Mountain; Jiang Shang had died, and so had Jiang Renyi. The onlookers in the distance exchanged looks, their hearts greatly shaken as well. ¡°I am not a bastard, I am definitely not a bastard.¡± Jiang Renyi mumbled to himself, stumbling towards the distance, ¡°I am Jiang Renyi, I am the meritorious servant who killed the great demon Jiang Shang, the hero who eradicated the evil spirits, I am Jiang Renyi.¡± He would rather be the biological son of Jiang Shang, rather believe Jiang Shang was a merciless and ruthless cold-blooded person, than believe he was a bastard born of an affair. Ouyang Ping watched Jiang Renyi¡¯s departing figure and sighed, ¡°Perhaps, I should have kept this secret to myself.¡± An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Life is like a long river, with thousands of ferries. Only when one ferries oneself, it is the true crossing.¡± Flowers bloom towards the sun, and in the end, people must move forward. Zongzheng Yue¡¯s face turned extremely ugly, who could have thought that in the end Jiang Shang had given up the Undying Blood, cutting off his own lifeline. This completely disrupted all of her plans. Her feet involuntarily stepped backward; the next moment, a chilling force surged towards her, pinning her feet in place. It was a pair of eyes. They resembled the stars in the sky, dazzling and bright, yet they exuded a mountainous pressure upon her. An Jing asked mockingly, ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Zongzheng Yue wanted to say something defiant but realized that none of her words could stand firm in front of this person. This man before her was the World¡¯s First Swordsman! Taiyin Kui died by his hand, and Jiang Shang also faced a crushing defeat; how many people in the world could stand against him? That extreme oppressive feeling was something Zongzheng Yue had never felt before, an immensity that ordinary people could hardly imagine. Boom! At this moment, in the distance, the red kasaya and the black kasaya of Xi Hafu began to blend, their black and red brilliance erupting like a volley of thousands of arrows, their grand momentum sweeping outwards. ¡°Retreat quickly!¡± An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed as he gave a light shout, retreating backward. Ouyang Ping had already sensed the bursting Qi Mechanism and leapt away without hesitation. ¡°What is this¡­¡± An Jing stood in the distance, his brows locked as he observed the tumultuous Qi Mechanism. Others might not sense anything unusual in the mingling of the Qi, but he could sense the astonishing evil spirits within. Whoosh whoosh! That robust Qi Mechanism surged forth, directly sweeping away Jiang Shang¡¯s corpse. Although the Spiritual Essence within Jiang Shang¡¯s body had been absorbed by An Jing, there was still a large amount of Undying Blood within him. ¡°This is bad!¡± An Jing thought of the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯ behind Xi Hafu before. If that was really the corpse of Evil Spirits, then with the addition of this Undying Blood, does that mean the Evil Spirits might make a comeback? The Undying Blood within Jiang Shang¡¯s corpse flowed incessantly, surging towards the fusion of black and red radiance. Amidst it, Zen chants were rippling through with increasing intensity. Ouyang Ping whispered, ¡°Can this Xi Hafu truly sever his obsessions completely?¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± In his opinion, no matter who wins or loses between these two Xi Hafus, it might not be good news. What is Buddha? The true Buddha stands for great kindness and compassion, severing the seven emotions, cutting off the six desires, possessing great wisdom and broad love, saving all living beings¨Cthat is Buddha. Those who falsely claim to have attained Buddhahood are engaged in great lies! Therefore, there is no Buddha in this world, only those who adhere to righteousness. What is a demon? A demon is one who dares to love and hate, acting for personal gain and desire, indulging in love for oneself, living for desire¨Cthat is a demon. So in this world, every person is a demon. All things in the world are unpredictable and are born from the heart. Those with a kind heart see goodness, while those with an evil heart see wickedness. Buddha and demon are just a thought away. A Buddha¡¯s thought turns to a demon, a demon¡¯s thought turns to a Buddha¨CBuddha comes from the heart, and demon arises from the heart. Just like An Jing once said, Buddha and demon are one and the same, the difference lies in one thought. Buddha and demon are none other than people. And people are the true beings of this world and nature. ¡­¡­.. At this moment, within the endless radiance, two figures sat cross-legged. The Xi Hafu in a black kasaya said to the one in a red kasaya, ¡°I am going to destroy your teachings.¡± The Xi Hafu in the red kasaya replied, ¡°How will you destroy my teachings? My temples are all over the world, and disciples clad in Buddhist kasayas stand like trees in a forest, everywhere to be found.¡± The Xi Hafu in the black kasaya responded, ¡°Destroying you is merely a worldly issue. If someone wears your kasaya, enters your temples, and proclaims my Four Symbols, corrupting your monks, wherever you are, I am there, until my followers are everywhere.¡± The voice of the Xi Hafu in the black kasaya echoed in the void, loud and clear. Then, as if indeed countless monks clad in black entered the temples, propagating heretical teachings and mixing with the monks, countless monks were defiled. The Xi Hafu in red kasaya answered, ¡°But you can¡¯t do anything to me. By that time, my true disciples will cast off their kasayas, put on plain clothes, and go into the world. Then the mundane world will become temples, and the world a place of the Dao, your temples becoming your prison.¡± And those disciples of the Buddhist sect in red kasayas shed their garments and stepped into the world. The Xi Hafu in the black kasaya said, ¡°So it goes in this world. It¡¯s either you or the poor monk high in the Buddhist temple, but who walks in the mortal realm?¡± The Xi Hafu in red kasaya said, ¡°The one high in the temple hall is the poor monk, the one walking in the mortal realm is also the poor monk, and yet they are both not the poor monk.¡± The world itself is truly a great temple; the temple, a prison without form for the demon¡¯s descendants. The Xi Hafu in the black kasaya said, ¡°Where you are, I am there.¡± The Xi Hafu in the red kasaya said, ¡°Where you aren¡¯t, I am there.¡± Below that ultimate radiance, the figures of both started becoming ethereal. The utmost good and the utmost evil are human obsessions, and at this moment, these obsessions were merging, seemingly forming an even more terrifying obsession. An Jing, watching the two figures merging, did not feel that the aura of the Evil Spirits was malevolent. In fact, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of piety arising within him. As for the others around him, they all had calm expressions, heads bowed in silence. ¡°What exactly is going on?¡± An Jing frowned, his mind and spirit becoming one. He clearly sensed the aura of Evil Spirits, but why could it evoke a sentiment of piety in people? A golden radiance pierced through like the dawn¡¯s first light, followed by a barrage akin to thousands of arrows being launched simultaneously. The golden light shot straight up into the sky, turning the clouds above into a canvas of gold, spreading several miles around, and then Zen sounds echoed, immersing everyone except An Jing in their resonance. Even Ouyang Ping¡¯s expression turned serene, as he couldn¡¯t help but lower his head slightly. Only An Jing stood erect like a spear, gazing intently at the golden light ahead. A few breaths later, a colossal golden Buddha emerged from within the light. This Buddha was unlike any before, for although its body exuded a golden hue, its eyes glinted red, and behind it were six arms, resembling an Evil Spirit, yet at this moment, it seemed surprisingly fitting. Beneath this golden Buddha stood a figure, Xi Hafu. At this moment, Xi Hafu¡¯s visage was tranquil, neither joyous nor sorrowful, devoid of coldness or warmth, devoid of any detectable emotion. His hands rested before his chest, scattering Buddha Light from his palms all around. The Buddha Light shone in seven colors, dazzling like sunrise glow, casting the entire Yulong Snow Mountain in an otherworldly, transcendental beauty, brimming with immortal energy. Two Xi Hafus merged into one; perhaps this was his true form. The one with kind eyes and a gentle, humble demeanor, caring for the world, was him. The one cold and ruthless, decisive in slaughter, bringing disaster to the world, was him too. They were both Xi Hafu. Xi Hafu¡¯s lips parted slightly, whispering, ¡°Today, this humble monk attains Buddhahood, and hereafter, all sentient beings shall become Buddhas.¡± An Jing looked up and said solemnly, ¡°Have you attained Buddhahood or have you become an Evil Spirit?¡± Within the Buddhist realm, both Bodhisattvas and Vajras were masters at the Grandmaster Level, whereas a Buddha Master was at the Great Grandmaster Level. Historically, the Buddhist sect has produced three Great Grandmasters, all invariably becoming renowned masters of their time. At this moment, Xi Hafu¡¯s aura was incredibly restrained, and just before, he was surrounded by an immense abundance of Evil Energy and had absorbed Evil Blood. Jiang Shang had absorbed so much Evil Blood that he nearly transformed into an Evil Spirit, yet now all the Undying Blood had been transferred to Xi Hafu, and he was unscathed? Xi Hafu looked at An Jing and asked, ¡°What do you think, benefactor?¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes slightly; the Xi Hafu before him gave off a dangerously unsettling vibe. If it was an Evil Spirit, why would it possess intelligence? But if it wasn¡¯t an Evil Spirit, why absorb the Undying Blood from Jiang Shang? An Jing said, ¡°It seems the Master has truly severed his attachments.¡± Xi Hafu brought his hands together in prayer and responded, ¡°My wishes have been fulfilled.¡± Zongzheng Yue exclaimed, ¡°Master, the Ghost Swordsman is Great Yan Court¡¯s faithful henchman; he will certainly obstruct the Master¡¯s heartfelt vow that all beings shall become Buddhas.¡± Neither of them spoke, seemingly unswayed by Zongzheng Yue¡¯s words. All sentient beings becoming Buddhas!? Only then did the people present reconsider the significance behind Xi Hafu¡¯s earlier statement. What exactly did it mean? Only An Jing began to understand a fraction of it; the influx of Evil Energy into the human body might just be the true meaning behind Xi Hafu¡¯s words of all sentient beings becoming Buddhas. Should Evil Energy pervade the human body, even a mentally steadfast master like Jiang Shang lost his consciousness. Once Evil Energy completely replaced nature¡¯s spiritual energy, the world would undoubtedly plunge into chaos. Is this really all beings becoming Buddhas or all becoming Evil Spirits? Xi Hafu said, ¡°All sentient beings becoming Buddhas is the inevitable trend; the benefactor should make his choice soon.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°The trend? What is the trend?¡± Xi Hafu replied, ¡°I, the Buddha, am the trend.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Master, you are attached.¡± Xi Hafu responded, ¡°The monk is attached for the sake of all sentient beings.¡± An Jing said coldly, ¡°But does the Master know if the sentient beings need it?¡± Xi Hafu said, ¡°The sentient beings need it.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Who says so?¡± Xi Hafu answered, ¡°The Buddha says so.¡± An Jing questioned, ¡°Does the Buddha make all the decisions?¡± Xi Hafu declared, ¡°The Buddha came to deliver all sentient beings; naturally, he must make decisions for them.¡± An Jing resolved, ¡°Then today, An here will strike down this Buddha!¡± At that moment, the Dulu Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand shone brightly. A silver radiance flared up, suppressing the pervasive golden glow. ¡°Blinded by a single leaf, they fail to see the divine mountains; captivated by a fleeting moment of glory, they understand not the eternity of the skies.¡± Xi Hafu shook his head and then pointed towards the sky. Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh! Countless golden lights, like raindrops, suddenly burst forth, each drop carrying an incredibly domineering and powerful force. These golden lights then crazily rushed towards An Jing¨Cif he were struck, he would be riddled with countless holes. An Jing swept his sword horizontally, and a sword light like the Full Moon met the endless golden luminescence. Bang bang bang bang bang! The moment the sword light and the golden glow collided, sharp explosions sounded, revealing turbulent True Qi with a hint of distortion. Xi Hafu looked at the scene with a faint smile and said, ¡°Your True Qi is very strong; it seems you have fully absorbed the True Dragon Essence Blood.¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s piercing eyesight allowed him to discern at a glance the robustness of An Jing¡¯s True Qi. After speaking, Xi Hafu brought his hands together, and the countless golden qi frantically converged, forming a massive golden palm. Che! The enormous golden palm descended from the sky like a huge mountain crashing down onto An Jing¡¯s sword. Clang! When the two collided, True Qi vibrated, and the air collapsed. An Jing¡¯s arm shook as a powerful force transmitted from the blade to his internal organs; however, An Jing¡¯s physique was incredibly resilient and directly withstood the shock. Boom! Boom! Boom! Suddenly, as Xi Hafu clenched his five fingers, the terrifying Force Qi seemed to explode in his grasp, producing a distinct sound. Xi Hafu cried out sharply, stepping on the void, then slammed down a palm as heavy as a mountain, his body erupting in golden light, making him resemble a supreme Buddha. Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture! Tathagata Heavenly Thunder Palm! As Xi Hafu¡¯s palm struck down, a dazzling golden thunderbolt appeared, its overbearing power echoing through heaven and earth. This golden thunderbolt seemed to carry with it the light of Zen, immensely powerful and profoundly mystical. The air where the thunder passed was filled with a scorching smell. An Jing¡¯s True Qi was directly penetrated by the lightning, which surged into his body, melting his flesh and True Qi, while at the same time, the golden Qi Mechanism rushed towards his Dantian. ¡°Tap tap tap tap¡­¡± An Jing¡¯s steps repeatedly retreated backward as his Dulu Sword made ¡®crackling popping¡¯ noises. Strong! Too formidable! In this moment, the might Xi Hafu displayed simply with gestures was overwhelmingly strong. After fully integrating the Cultivation of two Five Qi Grandmasters and absorbing Jiang Shang¡¯s Undying Blood, Xi Hafu¡¯s displayed strength was incredibly formidable. Even now, the strength he displayed seemed to be just the tip of the iceberg. Only at a distance did Zongzheng Yue¡¯s lips curl into a cold smile: Ghost Swordsman, you probably have no idea whom you are facing, do you? Xi Hafu has merged with the ¡®Buddha¡¯s relics¡¯ and absorbed the Undying Blood; this Buddhist expert¡¯s strength now rivals that of a true Buddha incarnate. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Buddha! That is a truly top-notch expert in the world. It is no longer simply a Grandmaster Level expert, but rather, a pinnacle Great Grandmaster. Even Zhao Zhiwu, were he to appear, would certainly not be his match. ¡­¡­ Chapter 343 - Chapter 343 Chapter 343 Million Underworld Soldiers Battle the Chapter 343: Chapter 343: Million Underworld Soldiers Battle the Buddha Chapter 343: Chapter 343: Million Underworld Soldiers Battle the Buddha An Jing looked at his own palm, at this moment golden lightning surged through his arm, as if there were filaments of electricity swimming through his flesh and meridians. It seemed as though his arms were as heavy as a thousand pounds, as if it was difficult to lift them again. Just a single move was enough to know the frightening strength of Xi Hafu before him. Xi Hafu¡¯s hands began to intertwine incessantly, one after another mysterious and incomparable golden light emerged. As the Buddhist chants echoed, a huge seal technique appeared in the palms of his hands. That golden spell seal floated in mid-air, the surrounding True Qi exploded into motion, the terrifying momentum intimidating for miles around. Great Sun Tathagata Seal! Flame Wheel Stopping Seal! Xi Hafu stretched out his palm and the golden spell seal seemed to turn into a vast sea of fire, surging forward. Boom! Boom! The enormous golden spell seal surged forward, and heaven and earth seemed to burst open. Heaven collapsing and earth shattering! The void trembled! It was as if everything in the world was suddenly engulfed by this raging power. Thud! As if heaven and earth both shook, the terrible impact dissipated the True Qi around, and cracks of the shattered void appeared before everyone¡¯s eyes. ¡°That¡¯s the Shattering Void! These are the methods of Immortals!¡± ¡°Xi Hafu has actually reached such a level?!¡± ¡°The Buddha has descended! This is the Buddha descending!¡± ¡­¡­ The voices of discussion and horror struck like thunder on a clear day, such great divine power had long surpassed their understanding. In today¡¯s world, is there truly such a method as the Shattering Void? An Jing¡¯s Dulu Sword flowed with dazzling light, and in an instant, the Dulu Sword in his hand seemed to transform into a towering giant sword. The sharp Sword Light pierced through the sky, surging towards the sea of fire in front. That sea of fire burned the heavens and boiled the sea, all-powerful, directly enveloping the sharp Sword Light within, and the sound of its chants rumbled like thunder. An Jing was also full of trepidation at this moment, he knew that Xi Hafu before him might be the strongest opponent he had encountered so far, a true Great Grandmaster. ¡°Shh! Shh!¡± At that moment, the Dulu Sword erupted with astonishing might, sweeping magnificently toward the front. The World¡¯s First Sword, naturally carrying a chill in its sharpness! All under heaven are prey, but this sword alone is peerless! This one sword directly pierced through the flames in front, causing them to split and form two sides of a flaming tidal wave, rolling and attacking. Xi Hafu, bathed in the golden flames, looked at the flashing cold light of the Dulu Sword and sighed, ¡°Indeed, it is The World¡¯s First Sword.¡± An Jing gently touched the blade of the Dulu Sword, knowing that if it wasn¡¯t for relying on this Dulu Sword, he would have probably found it really difficult to split the flames. Jia Meixian poked her head out anxiously and asked, ¡°What should we do now?¡± Anyone could see that the current Xi Hafu, having united his obsession with his original body and added to that the absorption of Jiang Shang¡¯s Undying Blood, had undergone an earth-shattering transformation in strength. Xi Hafu had become the second person to reach the Grandmaster Realm after Zhao Zhiwu. Yang Chong looked at the two people fighting and began to ponder in his heart, ¡°This top Buddhist expert seems to have the same goal as Zongzheng Huachun, but why do they both want to break the sealing of the Dragon Locking Well?¡± ¡°Also, why is there no change in Xi Hafu after absorbing Jiang Shang¡¯s Undying Blood?¡± It wasn¡¯t just Yang Chong who was puzzled; many people were also very confused. What exactly had happened that allowed Xi Hafu¡¯s strength to suddenly improve to such an extent? If it were simply the obsession returning to the body to become one, such an explanation would be too simple. Xi Hafu¡¯s momentum continued to climb, that heavy as a mountain momentum endlessly oppressed those around. Boom! The next moment, the ground beneath his feet began to crack open. As Xi Hafu brought his hands together, the huge golden Buddha stood tall, towering several dozen feet high, standing on a pile of ruins, reflecting a vast golden light. It was as if the golden Buddha truly came to life, its majestic momentum covering everything, with An Jing like a small boat in a storm, tossed by the wind and rain, and liable to break at any moment. Just then, a torrent of Demonic Qi surged from afar. If the golden Buddha were a mountain, then the surging Demonic Qi was a vast lake. Clang! At the moment of collision, a deafening noise resounded. The collision of Demonic Qi and Buddhist Light formed lines of scorching light, and everyone could feel the terrifying fluctuations that could destroy heaven and earth. Boom! Boom! The boundless sky, at this moment, seemed to be twisted by a tremendous force, and on the vast ground, circles of earth waves spread out, the entire earth almost crumbled away. Eyes filled with solemnity looked at the terrifying impact that was spreading out, Ouyang Ping, Zongzheng Yue, and other experts from Great Snow Mountain feared being affected by that kind of shock, and flew towards the distance. In the midst of the energy waves, a figure emerged, an old woman with a head full of silvery hair. And the one who had suddenly arrived and was able to withstand Xi Hafu¡¯s power was none other than Nangong Weiping. An Jing¡¯s heart shook upon seeing who it was, obviously, it was Zhao Qingmei who was worried, so she had secretly sent Nangong Weiping to Yulong Snow Mountain. Zongzheng Yue breathed a sigh of relief seeing Xi Hafu gaining the upper hand, but then the mysterious and powerful master from the Demon Sect suddenly made their move. Others might not know the strength of this person, but Zongzheng Yue was very clear. This person had defeated her father, Zongzheng Huachun, and had left Cloud Tower unharmed. Although she didn¡¯t know why he was heavily injured and his primordial energy was badly damaged, he definitely possessed Great Grandmaster strength. Xi Hafu said, ¡°I never expected there to be such a master within the Demon Sect.¡± Nangong Weiping said, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect there to be someone in the Buddhist sect who could retrace the path of the Buddha himself.¡± Xi Hafu said, ¡°Since you already know, you understand all the more that no one can stop this poor monk, not even a Land Immortal.¡± Nangong Weiping sneered, ¡°Old monk, do you really think that by becoming a Buddha you can do whatever you want? You¡¯re nothing but an evil spirit. All this talk of enlightening beings is complete nonsense. Why impose your will on others?¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s pupils abruptly constricted, ¡°If the benefactor wishes to die, then this poor monk shall fulfill that wish.¡± A palm strike surged toward her like a falling meteor, carrying terrifying strength and speed. Nangong Weiping had no intention of backing down, her body surged with Demonic Qi as she met the attack head-on. The two top masters of the era clashed in an instant. Boom! Boom! Their palms collided fiercely in the air, like two ancient glaciers crashing into each other, the earth-shaking noise reverberated through each corner of the world. Although Nangong Weiping was also at the Great Grandmaster level, her vital energy was greatly damaged, so there was a significant gap between her and Xi Hafu, and she was immediately forced several steps back after the clash. Fierce and majestic waves of True Yuan rolled out from Xi Hafu¡¯s body. Xi Hafu¡¯s strength had truly reached the Grandmaster Realm, his vitality swelled to the extreme, an overpowering presence crushing down like mountains. ¡®Crack¡¯ ¡®Crack¡¯ Nangong Weiping¡¯s fingers clenched, the sound of friction from the True Yuan within her palm emitted subtle, yet powerful sounds. She stepped forward, and the black demonic light also slowly diffused from her body. Under the heavens, how many people have cultivated the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture to perfection? Nangong Weiping was one of them. Boom! A glint of gold shot across Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes, and then his arm shook violently, releasing a piercing shriek. In response to that sound, a domineering and potent force spread out. ¡°Swoosh!¡± And in the moment that shrill sound was heard, Xi Hafu¡¯s figure finally burst into motion. The True Yuan in front of him was torn apart right there and then, and a figure, as fast as a specter, darted towards Nangong Weiping. Xi Hafu¡¯s palms turned into countless afterimages, pouring down like torrential rain, instantly enveloping Nangong Weiping from all sides. Xi Hafu had utilized nearly eighty percent of his strength, far fiercer than when he had fought An Jing, the palm imprints distorted the air as they passed through. Nangong Weiping moved through the sky, her Demonic Qi surging within her, casting dozens of palms to meet the onslaught. Bang! Bang! Bang! As their palms clashed, a terrifying aura burst forth. ¡°Today, as the monk achieves Buddhahood, I shall kill a Land Immortal to celebrate.¡± A golden light in Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes vanished, followed by the appearance of a red glow. His hands came together, and within his palms, a golden lotus emerged. Boom! An ocean-like True Yuan gushed from his body, and the golden lotus in his hands also began to swell. Killing a Land Immortal to celebrate, such arrogant words! Even in the Great Qin Dynasty, where Great Grandmasters have fallen from history, such words were shocking. An Jing fondled the Dulu Sword in his hand and said, ¡°Senior Nangong, let¡¯s join forces.¡± ¡°No need, I want to see for myself what this Buddhist ¡®Buddha¡¯ is made of.¡± Nangong Weiping looked at Xi Hafu, whose momentum was suddenly growing stronger, a hint of a cold smile appeared on her face, then it grew colder, sharp as a blade¡¯s edge. Nangong Weiping stepped forward, and the Demonic Qi surged; behind her, it seemed as though a vast black crack materialized, expanding continuously. A formidable shadow of the Heavenly Demon emerged! The sounds of the Heavenly Demon shattering heaven and earth resonated, spreading far and wide, the air around seemed to crack from the vibrations. Stones from the distant mountains fell like snowflakes to the ground below. This Heavenly Demon, unlike the previous ones, merely a shadow, was filled with immense pressure, one that made Zongzheng Yue¡¯s face drastically change. The Heavenly Demon Technique borrowed a strand of power from an extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon, while the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture opened a gap to a realm outside, borrowing even more colossal Heavenly Demon power. This was the terrifying aspect of the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture. Even though Nangong Weiping was no longer in her prime, her strength remained at the pinnacle of the current era. Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes remained calm as he slowly channeled the True Yuan into the golden lotus. The aura around Nangong Weiping also gathered to a crucial peak. Xi Hafu suddenly let go of his palms, the golden lotus shooting out and enlarging as it flew. In a flash, it turned into a giant bolt of golden lightning tens of feet long, an intensely sharp fluctuation crazily radiating from it. Boom! Boom! Boom! Golden thunder streaked across the sky, mixed with surging and torrential blood qi, dimming the heavens and earth. Dark clouds amassed, and the furious thunder roared violently, as if the end of days had arrived. ¡°Go!¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s fingers abruptly pointed towards Nangong Weiping, his command thunderous, his robust voice echoing in everyone¡¯s ears. Boom! As his shout spread, the immense golden lightning paused for an instant, then furiously shot out. In the blink of an eye, the golden lightning descended before Nangong Weiping, and without a moment¡¯s delay, it struck down with a devastating force. The vast gold expanded rapidly within Nangong Weiping¡¯s pupils, and the Heavenly Demon behind her seemed to sense the imminent danger, letting out a skyward howl. Nangong Weiping¡¯s eyes were serene to the extreme as her palms interlocked her ten fingers into a series of delicate, intricate seal techniques. All of a sudden, True Yuan burst forth like fireworks, exploding in the sky. Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture! Heavenly Demon Seal! The Heavenly Demon behind Nangong Weiping also formed seals, with the Demonic Qi turning into black demon seals that descended like insurmountable mountains upon what lay ahead. Hum! In an instant, the black demon seals brutally slammed into the colossal golden lightning. Boom! A thundering roar, deafening as it could be, suddenly resounded, and An Jing felt a terrifying wave sweep over everything. At this moment, An Jing had no time to pay attention to such matters. Stabilizing himself, he immediately looked towards where the demon seals and the green lightning collided, his eyes filled with shock. He saw the golden lightning, like an apocalypse-ending thunder, illuminating the whole world, and then, like a sharp sword, it brutally plunged downward. Rumble! Rumble! The golden lightning seemed to penetrate through Nangong Weiping, eventually crashing heavily onto the earth. Boom! The earth trembled and continuously crumbled away, and within mere moments, a vast, gaping black hole many meters wide appeared below, with huge cracks spreading out like a spider¡¯s web from its edges. Everyone watched this scene unfold, their heartbeats suddenly quickening. Xi Hafu¡¯s brows were tightly knit, his hands placed before his chest, his kasaya fluttering and rustling in the wild wind. At this time, Nangong Weiping¡¯s appearance was extremely wretched; the flesh on both of her arms had dissolved away, leaving only bare bones behind, and patches of white bone were exposed all over her body. If it were not for her cultivation of a Great Grandmaster supporting her, she might have already perished. Huff! Huff! Huff! Heavy and irregular breaths came from Nangong Weiping¡¯s mouth. Her body shivered slightly from the excruciating pain of her flesh dissolving, and her once sharp aura had become extremely feeble at this moment. Clearly, she had been overpowered in this exchange of moves. ¡°Elder Nangong.¡± An Jing walked over to Nangong Weiping, frowning deeply at the sight of the ghastly wounds, twisting his brow into a ¡®Chuan ¡® shape. After all, Nangong Weiping had suffered a severe loss of vitality, her strength nowhere close to what it once was, and she was no match for Xi Hafu, this recently emerged Great Grandmaster. Furthermore, Xi Hafu was not merely a simple Great Grandmaster; his strength appeared to exceed that of an average one. Xi Hafu said, ¡°You saw benevolence and received it. This humble monk has fulfilled your wish.¡± With those words, dazzling golden light shone over the earth once more, seeking to end Nangong Weiping and An Jing in one fell swoop. ¡°Is that so?¡± An Jing¡¯s hand reached into his bosom, withdrawing the Imperial Jade Seal. Upon seeing what was in An Jing¡¯s hands, Zongzheng Yue was greatly shaken inside, ¡°The Imperial Jade Seal!?¡± She was naturally familiar with the Imperial Jade Seal. The Great Yan Dynasty had been without it, as Yan Taizu had exhausted every effort to search for this Imperial Jade Seal, spending a great deal of resources, manpower, and effort, ultimately without finding a trace and having to recast a new Great Yan National Seal. Zongzheng Huachun also sent many experts in the search for this Imperial Jade Seal, but not even a shadow was found. And now, the Imperial Jade Seal, lost for hundreds of years, appeared in the hands of the Ghost Swordsman¨Chow could one not be astonished? Upon seeing the Imperial Jade Seal, Xi Hafu¡¯s brow furrowed sternly. A treasure of the nation! The weight of it was not something just anyone could bear, and even though his cultivation had reached the pinnacle of Great Grandmaster, facing this true treasure of the nation still made his heart tremble. An Jing¡¯s face was indifferent, his thoughts lingering on the Imperial Jade Seal. Rumble! Rumble! All of a sudden, the sky and the earth started to shake, the trembling as if a dragon beneath the earth had turned over. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Zongzheng Yue hurriedly looked around. Just then, a fierce black light burst forth from the Imperial Jade Seal, dense Yin Evil Qi spreading through the air, and subsequently, countless spectral soldiers charged out. ¡°Kill¨C!¡± Hundreds of soldiers lined up in a dark streak. The sight of a million spectral soldiers was awe-inspiring, with the world seemingly merging into an endless black that occupied the entire heavens and earth. The torrent was vast and boundless. The sound of fighting was deafening and shook the heavens and earth. Beneath the pitch-black Yin Evil Qi, those ghostly figures carried a relentless killing aura, giving off an overwhelming sense of oppression. Heaven and earth were suddenly surrounded by countless armies of the undead. ¡°This¡­ this¡­ these are the undead soldiers!?¡± ¡°Such dense Yin Evil Qi!¡± ¡°A million undead soldiers? Has the Underworld been breached?¡± ¡­¡­ The pressure from the Yin Evil Qi alone was enough to intimidate, not to mention the million undead soldiers at this moment. The Great Yan Emperor from the Qin Emperor¡¯s Mausoleum relied on these million undead soldiers to guard the mausoleum, harboring the delusion of ruling over the Underworld with these undead soldiers until the day he could rebuild his flesh body. In the end, these million undead soldiers fell into An Jing¡¯s hands, becoming his magic treasure. Even the top Grandmaster felt immense pressure faced with the endless army of a million undead. An Jing pointed with the Dulu Sword in his hand. The million undead soldiers immediately surged up, converging on Xi Hafu from all directions. Although the harm from the Yin Evil Qi was weaker than that of Evil Spirits, the Yin Evil Qi symbolized death itself. Even though Xi Hafu could control the Qi of Evil Spirits, he was still a living being, not yet at the stage of transcending the Three Realms and not being constrained by the Five Elements. Moreover, such dense Yin Evil Qi was sufficient to cause a qualitative change through sheer quantity. ¡°Kill¨C!¡± The million undead soldiers charged forward, and even though Xi Hafu¡¯s protective golden light blocked most of the assault, the tide-like army of the undead still surrounded him. ¡°Amitabha Buddha!¡± Xi Hafu took a deep breath, knowing he might not be able to withstand the million undead soldiers, and a retreat began to form in his mind. All he saw was his True Yuan in motion, a golden radiance of great wisdom, compassion, and resolve appearing behind him. The golden light formed three barriers and repelled the charging undead soldiers. ¡°Master!¡± Zongzheng Yue and the experts from the Great Snow Mountain at this moment were also surrounded by the undead soldiers. With their strength, they could hold off the undead for a short while, but the ceaseless assault would ultimately lead to their inevitable demise. Death awaits princesses no less than monks. Xi Hafu glanced at Zongzheng Yue and almost without hesitation fled into the distance. A dense explosion of golden light burst forth, dissolving all surrounding undead soldiers and retreating from the Yin Evil Qi. An Jing knew that it was almost impossible to stop this top Grandmaster from leaving, as his strength stood at the pinnacle of all history. Grandmasters have always been the undisputed masters of their era, and a master of the Buddha¡¯s level is among the elite of Grandmasters. Today, Xi Hafu, having integrated his obsessions to become one with the Grandmaster Realm, and with the Undying Blood and the remnants of Evil Spirits fully merged into his body, had actualized all previous calculations. He descended like a true Buddha incarnate, yet he was not completely able to exert his full strength and had to retreat before the million undead soldiers. An Jing retracted the Imperial Jade Seal, and thereafter, the million undead soldiers all returned into the jade seal. ¡°Quick, let¡¯s go!¡± Seeing this, Zongzheng Yue hurriedly fled into the distance. The two Great Snow Mountain experts scattered and escaped as well. ¡°You want to flee!?¡± A cold smile appeared at the corner of An Jing¡¯s mouth as the Evil Suppressing Sword transformed into six cold lights aimed at the three fleeing figures. Fast! Too fast! Ordinary people couldn¡¯t even see the shadow before the sword had flown out. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± The sword light pierced through the air, parting the surrounding air currents, and two of the Evil Suppressing Swords directly penetrated the throats of two Great Snow Mountain experts. The other four Evil Suppressing Swords nailed Zongzheng Yue¡¯s wrists and ankles. A piercing scream from Zongzheng Yue echoed as she heavily fell to the ground. ¡°Nangong senior¡­¡± An Jing approached Nangong Weiping, observing her bones, now stark white. Nangong Weiping said somewhat despondently, ¡°That old monk is truly formidable, possessing the strength of a living Buddha.¡± She wasn¡¯t lamenting her own injuries but was saddened by the emergence of another top figure in Buddhism. In the current state of affairs, how terrifying would such a master be? Nangong Weiping was severely wounded, her arms now useless. Even if she were to return to her prime, she likely wouldn¡¯t be a match for Xi Hafu anymore. What will become of the Demon Sect? What will they become? What will become of this world? At that moment, Ouyang Ping, holding Zongzheng Yue, came over and said, ¡°An Tributor, Zongzheng Yue is not dead yet.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zongzheng Yue¡¯s complexion was ashen, with the Evil Suppressing Swords embedded in her limbs, blood continuously flowing onto the ground. An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°We still have use for her.¡± You Gai had once told him that Zongzheng Yue had a secret agent by her side and that the agent had once rescued her. This indicated that the Great Yan Emperor had significant use for Zongzheng Yue. If she were to die, it could ruin the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s plans. Furthermore, there was another reason he could not kill Zongzheng Yue: he needed to go to the Houjin Royal Court to exchange Zongzheng Yue for someone else. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 344 - Chapter 344 Chapter 344 Hearing Thunder in Silence Chapter 344: Chapter 344: Hearing Thunder in Silence Chapter 344: Chapter 344: Hearing Thunder in Silence Yujing City, Great Yan Emperor¡¯s bedchamber. At this time, Zhao Zhiwu had not attended court for over a month. No one in the world knew that this grandmaster realm master was currently lying on the dragon couch, looking extremely weak. The white-browed eunuch whispered, ¡°Your Majesty, Princess An Le has arrived.¡± Zhao Zhiwu coughed lightly, ¡°Cough cough cough¡­ Let her come in.¡± Before long, Zhao Xuening hurried in, ¡°Father Emperor!¡± ¡°Has there been another incident?¡± Zhao Zhiwu, struggling to sit up, said, ¡°I have told you, even if the sky falls, you must remain calm and composed. That is the demeanor a ruler should maintain.¡± Zhao Xuening suppressed the tremor in her heart and said, ¡°An Jing went to Yulong Snow Mountain. As expected, Zongzheng Huachun from Houjin did not appear. Jiang Shang and the Ghost Swordsman had a battle. Jiang abandoned absorbing the Evil Blood and became an evil spirit, his life and Dao perished.¡± Zhao Zhiwu nodded slightly, and said sentimentally, ¡°Jiang Shang? He too was a personage, it¡¯s a pity he chose the wrong path.¡± During the initial succession struggle of the Great Yan Dynasty, the Demon Sect was firmly a part of the Crown Prince Faction, because the crown prince, not being a martial arts emperor, would be controlled by the Demon Sect. If the crown prince had ascended to the throne, the Demon Sect¡¯s influence would have been unparalleled for a time, and by then, the Demon Sect would have become more troublesome than the current Zhenyi Sect. Zhao Xuening continued, ¡°And that mysterious Xi Hafu from the Buddhist sect has unified his obsessions, and after absorbing a large amount of Undying Blood, his cultivation is suspected to have advanced to the Grandmaster Realm. Even the mysterious masters of the Demon Sect have been severely injured by him.¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s expression became serious, ¡°Xi Hafu has advanced to the Grandmaster Realm?¡± Zhao Xuening asked, ¡°Father Emperor, what should we do now?¡± Zhao Zhiwu fell into reminiscence, then slowly said, ¡°This Xi Hafu is a once-in-a-generation genius from the Buddhist sect. If Fa Wu is considered a gifted individual, then this person named Fan Wo, dharma name Xi Hafu, is indeed the first true genius of the Buddhist sect. It is said that before he turned thirty, he had already reached the Master Realm. However, after he joined the Lingtai Temple and reached the Master Realm, he quickly disappeared from public view. It is said he traveled everywhere. So, when Xi Hafu appeared, I guessed it might be him.¡± ¡°Originally, with great divine power, he cut out his own obsessions. It can be said that both bodies were his obsessions and yet also his true self, only different in their obsessions. Now, as his thoughts have unified and he has reached the state of selflessness, combined with the remnants and blood of the Evil Spirits, this person has fully reached the realm of Buddha. Xi Hafu¡¯s strength is even more formidable than that of the undying Qian Qiu. After all, Qian Qiu, being severely injured, has not regained his full strength.¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s tone also carried a measure of gravity. Currently, the Great Yan Dynasty is surrounded by enemies on all sides. Ordinary people see the million soldiers, but the Emperor, sitting at the top, sees those top masters who truly shake the foundation. Zhao Xuening exclaimed, ¡°Father Emperor, is Xi Hafu now a Buddha reincarnated?¡± Zhao Zhiwu said gravely, ¡°It¡¯s not incorrect to say that. Given his strength, it isn¡¯t an exaggeration to say that he is the Buddha reincarnated.¡± Zhao Xuening couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Then, whose strength is greater between the undying Qian Qiu and Xi Hafu?¡± Zhao Zhiwu pondered for a long time and then replied, ¡°If the undying Qian Qiu¡¯s injuries were healed, he might be slightly stronger. But his injuries, left by numerous grandmasters, and having flared up anew in our battle, need not be overly worried about. But as for Xi Hafu¡­ by the way, what happened after Xi Hafu ascended to the Grandmaster?¡± Zhao Xuening took a deep breath and said, ¡°In the end, the Ghost Swordsman brought out the Imperial Jade Seal, summoned a million Yin soldiers and forced Xi Hafu to retreat.¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s expression changed, ¡°You said the Ghost Swordsman took out the Imperial Jade Seal!?¡± The Imperial Jade Seal, which the Great Yan Royal Family had sought for many years, was unexpectedly in the hands of the Ghost Swordsman¨Ca national treasure and the true symbol of inheriting the great mandate. Moreover, considering his wife¡¯s special status, how could people not speculate? How could they refrain from thinking? Especially since the Imperial Jade Seal can summon a million Yin soldiers, even a high-level expert like Xi Hafu was forced to retreat. How terrifying is that? Zhao Xuening nodded her head and said no more. Zhao Zhiwu took a deep breath, his face returning to normal, hiding his thoughts from those around him. Zhao Xuening asked in a low voice, ¡°Father, what should we do now?¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Let An Jing handle the matters of Houjin, and the Southern Barbarians have their State Preceptor. As for Zhao Country, it has been at war with our Great Yan for a long time, and it is nearly impossible for them to overthrow Great Yan.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s brows furrowed as she said, ¡°But I am worried about the Buddhist forces¡­¡± It seemed that the Buddhist top experts had now sided with Houjin, and the Buddhist experts and tens of thousands of Monk Soldiers in the south had become a sharp sword hanging over the neck of the Great Yan Dynasty, ready to strike at any moment. Once activated, the impact on the Great Yan Dynasty would surely be unimaginable. Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Tianyi Bodhisattva will know how to handle it.¡± Zhao Xuening nodded slightly, but her heart still seemed uneasy, her mouth opened slightly as if she wanted to say something but stopped. Zhao Zhiwu smiled and asked, ¡°Are you thinking that the world is now completely out of the control of our Great Yan Royal Family?¡± Zhao Xuening nodded and said, ¡°Yes.¡± Nowadays, it seemed that both Xiao Qianqiu and the Buddhist forces suddenly held more power than the Great Yan Royal Family. They possessed the power to turn the tide of the battle, while the Great Yan Royal Family was completely protected by them, having lost the ability to control them. Zhao Zhiwu slowly stood up, and Zhao Xuening quickly stepped forward to support him. Zhao Zhiwu walked to the railing, looking at the thick, lush leaves and the elegant, moving flowers. ¡°Xuening, you must understand to listen for thunder in silence, and to see blooming flowers in colorlessness,¡± he said. ¡­¡­ In Beihuang Dao, Yuan City. After the North Field was sneak-attacked successfully by Pingyang Guard, the Houjin army did not retreat. It seemed they were resolved and launched an all-out attack, vowing to capture Yuan City. Since the Three Kingdoms Alliance began their campaign against Yan Country, compared to the Southern Barbarians¡¯ disastrous and heavily detrimental outcomes, Houjin and Zhao Country had an overwhelming momentum, devastating and unstoppable. But when Houjin faced Yuan City, personally defended by Wang Shiyi, they met a tough nut to crack. After a month and a half of fierce attacks, they had still not captured Yuan City. On one hand, Yuan City¡¯s defenses were indeed strong, and on the other hand, it was because Wang Shiyi¡¯s command was well-organized, leading the army multiple times in person, resisting the invasions of the Houjin armies. After several days of relentless day and night assaults, Jin Lv discovered a significant problem in Yuan City¨Cthe supply of grain for Wang Shiyi was running dangerously low. You should know that prior to this siege, there were hundreds of thousands of Great Yan soldiers in the city, and their daily consumption of grain was both enormous and astonishing. Grain is the lifeblood of an army, and once it ran out, the morale of Yuan City¡¯s troops would be gone as well. Upon discovering this, Jin Lv did not rush to attack the city. Instead, he ordered his troops to completely surround Yuan City and sent arrows with messages into the city every day, spreading news of the grain shortage and trying to persuade the soldiers and civilians to surrender. Half a month of siege without attacking did not produce any effect. Life on Yuan City¡¯s defenses went on as usual, as if nothing was amiss. This made Houjin¡¯s Great Commander, Jin Lv, unable to sit still any longer. Believing he had fallen into one of Wang Shiyi¡¯s traps, he was consumed by anger and led a fierce attack on Yuan City, seemingly trying to vent all the frustration accumulated over the past half-month. Yuan City then witnessed the most intense siege battle in its history, the brutality of which was rarely seen before. Atop the city walls, amid the shouts of charging soldiers, arrows whistled past one¡¯s ears, swords clashed, and screams arose from all directions. Blood and flesh flew everywhere, a torrential downpour of arrows pierced through battle armor and uniforms, spattering blood tossed into the air as soldiers¡¯ heads rolled on the ground. Unyielding spirits seemed to howl in the shadow-filled sky while pairs of blood-red eyes glinted with hatred on ferocious faces. The air grew increasingly thick with the stench of blood, smoke filled the sky, and the earth was littered with corpses, streams of blood flowing everywhere. The area outside Yuan City was packed with a dense mass of soldiers, rushing forward like a tide along with exhausted shouts. Stones fell like rain from the sky, arrows flew chaotically, and the blood-smeared faces of Houjin soldiers showed fierce and brutal expressions as they ceaselessly swung their bloody weapons. Large numbers of soldiers fell dead in pools of streaming blood, but more took up their swords and rushed forward, their cries and the clashing of armor resounding through heaven and earth, creating a horrifying scene of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. The boundless battlefield seemed like a human version of hell, the air filled with the nauseating smell of blood, black smoke drifting across the sky, and fierce flames tinting the horizon blood-red. Blood-covered Great Yan soldiers fought desperately to the end, slashing fiercely while letting out beast-like roars from their throats. This battle of attack and slaughter lasted three days and nights, with corpses filling every corner. At that moment, Mu Xin Dharma King, surrounded by True Qi, took the lead and reached the city gates, immediately spotting Wang Shiyi who was commanding his troops. ¡°Truly worthy of being a Marquis.¡± Mu Xin Dharma King leaped forward, charging directly at Wang Shiyi. ¡°Protect the Marquis!¡± The surrounding Great Yan soldiers saw Mu Xin Dharma King charging and, even knowing death was certain, many positioned themselves in front of Wang Shiyi. ¡°Marquis, flee quickly!¡± ¡°Great Commander, flee quickly!¡± Wang Shiyi¡¯s personal guards also shouted anxiously. Mu Xin Dharma King, highly skilled, closed the distance with several quick moves, and with a sweep of his hand, killed several personal guards before his palm, sharp as a claw, viciously grabbed at Wang Shiyi¡¯s throat. Wang Shiyi vibrated his long spear, his Inner Strength surging like a tide to meet the attack head-on. ¡°Crack, crack, crack!¡± With one palm strike, Wang Shiyi¡¯s wrought iron spear instantly shattered, and he was heavily slammed to the ground, blood pouring from his mouth. ¡°You¡¯re too arrogant,¡± Mu Xin Dharma King, looking at Wang Shiyi lying before him, coldly said, ¡°You didn¡¯t trust the Demon Sect¡¯s experts and sent them all to attack our camp. That was your biggest mistake.¡± Duanmu Xinghua, Lin Tianhai, and Yi Daoyun, Demon Sect experts, came to support, but Wang Shiyi remained wary of them, especially since Duanmu Xinghua brought Zhao Qingmei¡¯s ¡°order¡± for him to retreat to You Mountain, which only increased his displeasure. As a Marquis of the Great Yan Dynasty, even if he was outmatched by Houjin¡¯s forces, how could he seek refuge? Such news would be a great disgrace if spread. Therefore, Wang Shiyi decisively refused Zhao Qingmei¡¯s ¡°order,¡± leading the army himself to resist the Houjin assault, leaving him trapped amidst their ranks. He was also deeply distrustful of the Demon Sect experts, so when Houjin launched their fierce attack, he directed the Demon Sect experts to hinder Jin Lv. Clearly, the Houjin army was well-prepared, and it was unlikely that the Demon Sect experts would succeed as planned and might even fall into jeopardy. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Wang Shiyi said, ¡°This place is filled with my Great Yan soldiers, do you think you can escape?¡± ¡°Hahaha,¡± Mu Xin Great Dharma King laughed triumphantly and then said, ¡°As a Second Qi Grandmaster, where in this vast world can¡¯t I go?¡± Mu Xin Great Dharma King was unwilling to waste words with Wang Shiyi and charged at him. ¡°Kill him¨C!¡± The surrounding Great Yan soldiers also bravely rushed forward, trying to stop Mu Xin Dharma King, but these ordinary soldiers were no match for him and could not hold back his charge. Just in the nick of time, two figures rushed forward from a distance, blocking Mu Xin Great Dharma King¡¯s attack with a palm and a sword. The newcomers were Wang Ningshui and Dai Danshu. ¡°Well done!¡± Mu Xin Great Dharma King sneered, his True Qi surging and performing the Shrinking Land into Inches, the Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique unleashed, and his powerful Fist Force struck at Wang Ningshui. Whoosh! Wang Ningshui, with the Triple Blossoms appearing behind him, also displayed his utmost strength, his Cold Moon Sword Light slashing toward Mu Xin Great Dharma King. Bang! At the moment Fist Force and Sword Light collided, like tearing through decay, the Sword Light completely shattered, and Wang Ningshui¡¯s body heavily fell, crashing below the city walls. Taking advantage of this moment, Dai Danshu rushed forward. His cultivation had reached the peak of Half-step Master thanks to the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s breakthrough notion, nearly touching the Grandmaster Realm. He suddenly appeared above Mu Xin Great Dharma King, raising his hand, his ordinary palm glowing with a golden halo. Boom! Boom! The air above emitted a piercing roar. Five Poison Soul-breaking Hand! A massive handprint thundered down, and within it, strange howling sounds continuously emerged, with a faint purple Poison Beast appearing. Mu Xin Great Dharma King, seeing the handprint falling, smiled faintly. ¡°If Feng Lingyue were alive, I might have given way a little ¡ª but just you?¡± He extended a finger, and a stream of True Qi burst out from the tip, rushing towards the colossal beast above. ¡°Bang!¡± Under the impact of this True Qi, the tyrannical beast instantly shattered and dissipated into nothingness. Dai Danshu also retreated continuously, his feet stomping on the ground. ¡°This Dharma King doesn¡¯t even consider the Demon Sect worth noticing, what¡¯s the Sect Leader of Five Poison Sect?¡± Mu Xin Great Dharma King barked softly, pushing out his palm, and the True Qi surged forward like tidal water. Bang! Bang! Dai Danshu, like a small boat in a storm, was buffetted apart by the True Qi waves, his body submerged within them. Once the waves dissipated, Dai Danshu stood still, his complexion as pale as paper, blood continuously gurgling from his mouth. By now, all the meridians in his body were severed, and his internal organs were also shaken apart. Although Dai Danshu was only a step away from Grandmaster, even needing just a bit more time to reach it, the gap between a Grandmaster and an ordinary expert is like that between heaven and earth. Dai Danshu¡¯s eyes bulged, his pupils violently contracting, then with a ¡®thump,¡¯ he fell to the ground. In an instant, two great experts of the Five Lakes and Four Seas Hall were dead at the hands of Mu Xin Great Dharma King. Seeing this, Wang Shiyi felt a chill in his heart. Wang Ningshui and Dai Danshu were also famous experts in Jianghu, but now they were killed instantly by Mu Xin Great Dharma King. How terrifying was that? Pots always break at the well, and generals often die in battle. Wang Shiyi¡¯ s eyes became sharp, his five fingers clenched suddenly, then he thrust a spear forward. ¡°Hiss! Hiss!¡± The spear¡¯s light was cold, like a Flood Dragon emerging from a cave. However, Wang Shiyi was facing a Grandmaster of Great Snow Mountain, Mu Xin Great Dharma King, whose expression remained unchanged. He grabbed the spear with one hand and fiercely slapped with the other. ¡°Bang!¡± Wang Shiyi immediately felt a jolt and then sprayed out a mouthful of blood. This slap nearly shattered all the bones in Wang Shiyi¡¯s chest. ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± Mu Xin Great Dharma King swung tens of palms continuously, each heavily hitting Wang Shiyi¡¯s chest, causing a huge sound. Wang Shiyi¡¯s chest had completely sunk in, and he was already breathless. The hands of Mu Xin Great Dharma King were also covered in fresh blood. This one of the three Great Marquises of Great Yan, Wang Shiyi, ultimately died on the parapet of Yuan City. Some said he was stubborn and arrogant, others said he was brave and had made great military achievements. Some said he lacked strategy, bringing disaster to the country and the people, while others said his blood was hot with great ambition¡­ At this moment, this controversial general died on the parapet. ¡°Sigh!¡± Mu Xin Great Dharma King exhaled deeply, casually throwing Wang Shiyi¡¯s body aside, ¡°What difference is there between the people of Great Yan and livestock?¡± The surrounding soldiers of Great Yan were astonished, watching as Mu Xin Great Dharma King continued to pound on the corpse of the Marquis, their hearts filled with anger and outrage. Upon hearing Mu Xin Great Dharma King¡¯s words, they were enraged. After a long while, Mu Xin Great Dharma King, gasping for breath, said, ¡°Wang Shiyi is dead. Are you not yet willing to surrender?¡± A few soldiers in front exchanged glances, hatred flickering in their eyes, then bravely charged towards Mu Xin Great Dharma King. ¡°Kill¨C!¡± ¡°Avenge the Marquis!¡± Seeing this, Mu Xin Great Dharma King immediately shouted angrily, ¡°Since you all wish to die, I will grant your wish.¡± With his palms striking repeatedly, soldiers fell one after another, yet the soldiers of Great Yan kept rushing forward relentlessly. Although Mu Xin Dharma King was a Grandmaster, facing the fearless and relentless soldiers of Great Yan, he eventually became overwhelmed, his True Qi gradually being worn down, and he was completely surrounded by a flood of soldiers. The battle for the defense of Yuan City continued, and after the death of Wang Shiyi, command of the battle shifted to Li Qirong. But Wang Shiyi had died, and with the Great Yan soldiers exhausted, the tide had turned against Great Yan as Houjin soldiers swarmed in. Jin Lv rode into Yuan City, his expression grim. He not only wasted a lot of time in Yuan City but also suffered heavy casualties among his troops, although he had achieved a strategic position, at a great loss. Inside Yuan City, the air was thick with the smoke of signal fires; cries and screams echoed everywhere from the streets to inside the houses, and blood even gathered into trickling streams. Houjin began a massacre, even more ferocious and ruthless than before. Jin Lv said to the deputy general beside him, ¡°Have they figured out how they held out for so long?¡± The city had long run out of provisions, and the civilians had fled before the great battle began; only the weak and sick remained, leaving very little food. How did Wang Shiyi and the others hold out this long? This was Jin Lv¡¯s query. What method had Wang Shiyi used? The deputy general said gravely, ¡°It¡¯s been thoroughly investigated. Li Qirong had the soldiers slaughter the city¡¯s civilians to make dried meat to stave off the hunger of the Great Yan soldiers.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Even some of the Houjin generals were shocked to hear this news. Human flesh turned into dried meat!? It turned out that Wang Shiyi had held out without supplies for so long by using civilians as food. Anyone hearing this would shudder. Someone couldn¡¯t help but gasp, ¡°Li Qirong is so sinister! And those were Great Yan¡¯s own civilians.¡± A cold smile emerged on Jin Lv¡¯s lips. ¡°True to his reputation, Li Qirong¡¯s strategies are always so ruthless.¡± Li Qirong had devised many strategies for Wang Shiyi, the most grating for Houjin being the first attack on the Northern Wilderness Road. Over two hundred thousand Houjin soldiers were annihilated, at the cost of tens of thousands of Great Yan civilians; strategically, it was undoubtedly commendable. The Great Yan army suffered no casualties, whereas the Houjin army lost two hundred thousand troops. This revealed Li Qirong¡¯s methods and mindset. ¡°Great Commander!¡± At this moment, a Houjin soldier hurried over, ¡°The mansion where Li Qirong is staying has been surrounded.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Jin Lv rode towards Li Qirong¡¯s mansion, and by the time he arrived, Li Qirong had already been captured by Houjin soldiers and was being pinned to the ground. Riding atop his horse, Jin Lv looked down at the disheveled Li Qirong and said, ¡°Li Qirong, we meet at last.¡± Li Qirong glanced at Jin Lv but said nothing. ¡°Spirited!¡± Jin Lv said, ¡°If you hadn¡¯t let the top masters of the Demon Sect sneak into the empty camp at night, perhaps Yuan City wouldn¡¯t have fallen so easily.¡± Li Qirong simply said, ¡°It¡¯s just a matter of winners and losers.¡± He had advised Wang Shiyi to keep a few Demon Sect masters in the city, but Wang Shiyi had grown skeptical and lost faith in the Demon Sect. ¡°Ha ha ha ha, well said, a matter of winners and losers.¡± Jin Lv laughed out loud. ¡°Li Qirong, I admire your talents. Are you willing to surrender?¡± Li Qirong disdainfully said, ¡°Surrender to you? I, Li Qirong, live as a man of Great Yan, and I will die protecting the Great Yan civilians. To surrender to you, the barbarians of Houjin, is wishful thinking.¡± ¡°Protecting the Great Yan civilians!?¡± Jin Lv¡¯s eyes sparkled as he said, ¡°You tell me, where are the civilians of Great Yan that you are protecting?¡± Li Qirong scoffed and remained silent. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you then,¡± Jin Lv said coldly, ¡°These civilians are now in your stomach.¡± Li Qirong opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. Jin Lv continued, ¡°I¡¯ll ask one last time, surrender or die?¡± Li Qirong tersely said, ¡°Death.¡± Jin Lv said, ¡°Drag him away and behead him.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Yes!¡± Two Houjin soldiers immediately escorted Li Qirong out, and soon news of his execution arrived. This ruthless and venomous strategist had chosen to die rather than bow his head. Upon hearing this news, Jin Lv fell silent for a long time without a word. ¡­.. Chapter 345 - Chapter 345 Chapter 345 The Majestic Qian Qiu the Undying Man Chapter 345: Chapter 345: The Majestic Qian Qiu, the Undying Man Chapter 345: Chapter 345: The Majestic Qian Qiu, the Undying Man The gentle breeze blew, scattering sunlight across the vast, unending grassland like shards of gold. But at this moment, dark clouds hung ominously over the Royal Court of Houjin. In the battle at Yulong Snow Mountain, Jiang Shang met his end¨Chis path snuffed out. Houjin lost two Grandmasters, and most importantly, the heir of Houjin, Zongzheng Yue, fell into the hands of the Ghost Swordsman. One could say that Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s entire scheme had come to naught. Moreover, with the Ghost Swordsman wielding the Imperial Jade Seal capable of unleashing a million spectral soldiers, the threat to the Royal Court of Houjin was immense. The tribes of Houjin were seized with panic, rallying vast military forces towards the Royal Court, vowing to defend it. Houjin was in turmoil, the situation suddenly growing tense. Not only were all under heaven shaken, but even the people of Houjin were exchanging looks of astonishment and disbelief. Wasn¡¯t the plan to attack Great Yan? Why had it now turned into a battle to defend the Houjin Royal Court? In the Royal Court, the Great Hall. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyebrows were furrowed in worry, while the Left Minister of Houjin, Jiren Tai, stood respectfully below. The current state of affairs in Houjin had spiraled beyond their control. No one could have foreseen that the Ghost Swordsman of the Demon Sect would be so difficult to deal with, possessing such formidable strength and terrifying trump cards that even the Royal Court of Houjin felt greatly threatened. Especially Zongzheng Huachun¨Chis two calculated moves on Yulong Snow Mountain had both been dissolved by the Ghost Swordsman. Jiang Shang, unable to control the Evil Blood, would definitely possess strength in the realm of a Great Grandmaster once transformed. Such dreadful power was something even Zhao Zhiwu had to carefully consider, yet Jiang Shang, who sought Longevity his whole life, chose to cripple his own cultivation at the last moment, missing the prime opportunity to kill the Ghost Swordsman. Xi Hafu, although he managed to defeat the Demon Sect¡¯s top expert, Nangong Weiping, was ultimately driven back by the million spectral soldiers summoned from the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Imperial Jade Seal¨Cthis second deadly move also turned to naught. His strategies were flawlessly devised, but in the end, they were all unraveled by the Ghost Swordsman, resulting in both the loss of Zongzheng Yue and significant casualties¨Ca double loss. After much contemplation, Jiren Tai said, ¡°Holy Master, Yuan City has been completely conquered, and Jin Lv still has hundreds of thousands of troops ready for battle. We can order him to advance northward to execute a pincer attack on this Ghost Swordsman.¡± Zongzheng Huachun took a deep breath and said, ¡°Once Jin Lv returns with the hundreds of thousands of troops, all our previous efforts will have gone to waste.¡± Now, with Houjin¡¯s forces having penetrated Beihuang Dao, not only did they slay Wang Shiyi, one of the three great Military Marquises of Great Yan, annihilating hundreds of thousands of Great Yan¡¯s troops, but they also captured nine-tenths of Beihuang Dao¡¯s territory. To retreat now would mean all previous efforts were in vain, an outcome Zongzheng Huachun could not accept. Jiren Tai showed a hint of difficulty, ¡°But¡­¡± Zongzheng Huachun extended his hand, revealing a black and red bead, and said, ¡°Ghost Swordsman, it¡¯s time for me to meet him myself. Given his nature, he will certainly not refuse to fight with me.¡± The one who understands you best might not be your friend, but your enemy. Jun Qinglin could be said to have died by his hand. An Jing, known as The World¡¯s First Sword, would not forgo this opportunity. Even with a million spectral soldiers at his command, he would still face Zongzheng Huachun in battle. Because from the moment the Ghost Swordsman invaded the Northern Wilderness, it represented his determination and confidence. The black and red bead contained blood streaks that seemed to be continuously flowing, much like the meridians in a human body or as if a heart were pulsating endlessly. Jiren Tai, observing the red bead, inquired, ¡°Holy Master, is this¡­?¡± Zongzheng Huachun replied indifferently, ¡°A magic treasure to achieve victory over the enemy, it is also our Houjin¡¯s Exotic Treasure, the Mudra Bead.¡± Jiren Tai, upon hearing this, suddenly felt a jolt, ¡°Is that the Mudra Bead?¡± According to historical records, the Mudra Bead was found by the second Human Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty amidst a collapsed mountain. At the time, he discovered an enormous eye of jade steeped in gold, along with a Red Robe. The Human Emperor believed that this Ancient Jade Eye, left behind after an Immortal¡¯s ascension, was exceedingly precious. Hence, he named it the ¡°Mudra Bead,¡± had a cauldron cast in its honor, naming it the foremost wonder of the world, and it became the national treasure of the Great Qin Dynasty. ¡°` After the fall of the Great Qin Dynasty, this exotic treasure also vanished without a trace. Zongzheng Huachun pondered for a moment, then said, ¡°However, if I am given two more months, I can attempt to break through to the Great Grandmaster realm.¡± Due to the influence of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness, he was now only a half step away from the Great Grandmaster realm. If he reached the Master Cultivation level, he would then be able to catch the Ghost Swordsman by surprise and kill him in one fell swoop. After all, even Xi Hafu, such an expert, kept his distance from a million dark soldiers, so Zongzheng Huachun, despite relying on a wisp of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness, knew in his heart that he couldn¡¯t handle a million dark soldiers¨Cthis was why he wanted to challenge the Ghost Swordsman one-on-one. Jiren Tai exclaimed joyfully, ¡°The Holy Master is going to break through to the Great Grandmaster?¡± A Great Grandmaster is called a Land Immortal and can add three hundred years to one¡¯s lifespan. It is the stabilizer that can ensure the prosperity of a dynasty. If Houjin gained another Land Immortal, then both Houjin¡¯s situation and the situation of the entire world could undergo earth-shattering changes. Zongzheng Huachun took a deep breath and said, ¡°It¡¯s just uncertain whether the Ghost Swordsman will oblige us as we wish.¡± Jiren Tai¡¯s eyes gleamed with resolution, ¡°Your Excellency, rest assured, I will do everything in my power to stop the Ghost Swordsman.¡± He was the Left Minister of Houjin, in charge of intelligence, espionage, and commanded a group of elite experts. These experts might not match the top experts of the Jianghu. But intelligence is the greatest weapon in this world. Zongzheng Huachun nodded slightly, then asked after thinking of something, ¡°What about Xi Hafu?¡± Jiren Tai replied, ¡°He disappeared after leaving Yulong Snow Mountain. He has just broken through his shackles and should be looking for a place to stabilize his current cultivation.¡± After the battle at Yulong Snow Mountain, Xi Hafu had completely disappeared without a trace. No one knew where he went, and what Jiren Tai said was just speculation. After all, having just broken through the shackles of the Great Grandmaster and having fought with top experts of the Demon Sect, it made sense that he would find a place to retreat and consolidate for a while. ¡°No, perhaps he has already gone to Yujing City.¡± A cold smile appeared on Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s lips, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then Yujing City will indeed be lively. Order Jin Lv to rest for a few days, immediately take down the Demon Sect Main Hall, and invade Capital Road. By then, we might be able to take down the entire Great Yan directly.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Upon hearing this, Jiren Tai¡¯s expression became solemn. If Xi Hafu went to Yujing City, that would be a piece of news that could shock the whole world. Zhao Zhiwu and Xi Hafu, both renowned Great Grandmasters of the present world, if a battle between them were to happen, it would certainly be an eye-catching event, even capable of drawing the attention of the entire world. ¡­¡­ In the Northern Wilderness, Heavenly Water City, a teahouse. After suffering the brutal ravaging of Wang Shiyi and the attack of the Pingyang Guard, Heavenly Water City had now lost its former prosperity. The streets were sparsely populated, giving off a sense of desolation. An Jing sat in the teahouse, with intelligence from the Human Sect on the table, which included the movements of the Great Yan Emperor in Yujing City, as well as war reports from Beihuang Dao, Nanping Dao, and Jiangnan Dao. An Jing murmured to himself, ¡°The Great Yan Emperor is suspected to have been seriously injured. What exactly happened?¡± According to Human Sect intelligence, the Great Yan Emperor may have been assassinated by a mysterious expert, suffering grave injuries. Meanwhile, Su Tianze, the Five Qi Grandmaster by the Crown Prince¡¯s side, had also disappeared for more than a month. Wars were raging incessantly across Great Yan, with Yujing City also experiencing turbulence and undercurrents stirring. One should know that Zhao Zhiwu is the first Great Grandmaster of the current world to be promoted. Although it is well known that his breakthrough to Grandmaster must have depleted a great deal of essence blood and left him with severe internal injuries, how many people in the world could seriously injure Zhao Zhiwu? ¡°` The waters of this world are so deep that even An Jing has some trouble fathoming them, never knowing when a few ¡°bastards¡± might leap out from where. Suddenly, his heart was filled with unease, especially when he thought of Zhao Qingmei facing the tens of thousands of Houjin troops on You Mountain. At that moment, Ouyang Ping approached, ¡°An Tributor, we found Jiang Renyi among a tribe in Houjin.¡± An Jing inquired upon hearing this, ¡°Oh? How is he now?¡± Ouyang Ping clapped his hands and said, ¡°Bring him in.¡± Before long, two Demon Sect experts brought in a man raving mad, disheveled and dirty, constantly shouting gibberish, ¡°I am Jiang Renyi, I am the master of Outer Heaven, how dare you capture me? Do you believe my father will kill you all?¡± An Jing could still make out Jiang Renyi¡¯s face clearly through his messy hair. Ouyang Ping sighed and said, ¡°He¡¯s gone mad.¡± Jiang Renyi, the son of Jiang Shang, originally the leader of the Earth Sect, was also a man of ambition and talent compared to ordinary people. Who could have imagined that he would end up a madman? An Jing also shook his head, ¡°Send him back to You Mountain to enjoy his old age.¡± No matter whether Jiang Renyi was truly mad or feigning madness, he posed no threat at all now, and there was no need to trouble oneself with a madman. ¡°Alright.¡± Ouyang Ping nodded in agreement, his brows furrowed, ¡°By the way, there have been some unfavorable rumors in the streets of Great Yan lately, seemingly targeting our Outer Heaven.¡± Since the battle at Yulong Snow Mountain, everyone in the world knew that An Jing held the Imperial Jade Seal, and combined with Zhao Qingmei¡¯s identity, rumors of the Demon Sect plotting rebellion and sedition started to spread in the streets. The rumors were logical and coupled with the Demon Sect¡¯s great momentum, as well as the current strength of Zhao Qingmei and An Jing, some Court officials also began to harbor suspicions. After all, it was the imperial throne at stake, where throughout history, familial bloodshed for the throne¨Cof fathers and sons, brothers behind walls¨Cwas not uncommon. Fortunately, at this time, Zhao Xuening and Zhou Xianming stepped forward one after another, stabilizing the current situation, but it was something that could not be ignored. An Jing waved his hand, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, it¡¯s merely Houjin¡¯s petty tricks.¡± Ouyang Ping was still somewhat anxious, ¡°Better safe than sorry.¡± An Jing chuckled, ¡°Elder Ouyang, with the Imperial Jade Seal in my hands, even Xi Hafu who has reached the Great Grandmaster realm is wary of it. Right now, Great Yan is troubled both at home and abroad. Even if they really have suspicions, they will wait until I deal with Houjin because, after all, Houjin is the true enemy.¡± Realization dawned on Ouyang Ping, ¡°An Tributor is right, even if the Great Yan Court truly harbors suspicions, they would inevitably be apprehensive to act, given such a national treasure in your possession.¡± An Jing sipped his tea gently, gazing out the window, ¡°Let¡¯s first take this Royal Court.¡± ¡°I understand, I¡¯ll take my leave then.¡± Ouyang Ping saluted with his hands and departed. An Jing turned back to look out the window, and after a long time, seemed to sense something, ¡°Sir, since you¡¯re here, come out.¡± ¡°A cup of wine in the spring breeze of peach and plum trees, a lamp for ten years in the rain of Jianghu.¡± A light chuckling voice arose, and an elderly man in golden clothes with a carefree face came walking out, his head full of silvery hair and his face etched with the traces of years, his eyes slightly turbid. This man was the very antithesis of You Gai; just one look was enough to tell he was extraordinary and came from wealth. This person was none other than Jin Deng from Tian Yin. The purpose of Tian Yin was to protect the Great Zhou royal family against the Black Ice Platform. Originally, Jin Deng sought An Jing to become the new emperor of Zhao Country, but An Jing had refused. Jin Deng said with a smiling face, ¡°We meet again.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Is this good news or bad news?¡± ¡°It might be good news, or it might be bad news, depending on how you see it.¡± Jin Deng said, ¡°Some see flowers blooming and marvel at the beauty of the flowers, while others think of the fading of the blossoms.¡± An Jing indifferently said, ¡°Whether one looks or not, a flower is just a flower.¡± Jin Deng replied, ¡°Friend An¡¯s realm is high and mighty, truly exceptional.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°What is the purpose of Elder Jin¡¯s visit? I don¡¯t like playing guessing games.¡± Jin Deng slowly said, ¡°Today, I¡¯ve come to reveal a secret about the Black Ice Platform.¡± Black Ice Platform!? An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, among the powers of the day, the Black Ice Platform was certainly the most mysterious. That Qin Shan had previously been an obscure expert from the Black Ice Platform who suddenly appeared and defeated the Five Qi Grandmaster Su Tianze of the time. Moreover, Nangong Weiping had said he had fought with a Great Grandmaster at Cloud Tower, and with the strength of Zhao Country around Cloud Tower, their power far surpassed that of Great Yan. Why then had they not revealed themselves? What exactly was the purpose of that Great Grandmaster? An Jing was very curious about the Black Ice Platform. ¡°Black Ice Platform has a terrifying existence,¡± Jin Deng¡¯s smile vanished, turning serious. An Jing asked, ¡°A Great Grandmaster?¡± Jin Deng took a deep breath, ¡°He is far more terrifying than a Great Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing flashed a brief glint of sharpness in his eyes, ¡°More terrifying than a Great Grandmaster?¡± In this world, if it were not for the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s wisp of consciousness lifting the ban, not even Zhao Zhiwu would have been able to break through to the Great Grandmaster realm, a testament to the difficulty of reaching such a status. Yet now, Jin Deng was saying that a figure in the Black Ice Platform was even more terrifying than a Great Grandmaster. Could it be that this person had reached a realm even above that of a Great Grandmaster? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This thought made An Jing¡¯s heart tremble slightly. Looking intently at An Jing, Jin Deng said, ¡°His cultivation is still within the Great Grandmaster realm, but he possesses an Undying Body.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly, ¡°An Undying Body!?¡± ¡°Correct. This person has lived for more than two thousand years. There are no records of him in the world, only sporadic oral accounts.¡± Jin Deng enunciated each word, ¡°He is known as the ¡®immortal Qian Qiu.''¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 346 - Chapter 346 346 Chapter 346: 346 Chapter 346: 346 An Jing¡¯s eyelids twitched slightly at these words, ¡°Qian Qiu the Immortal?¡± In just five short words, no one could misunderstand their meaning. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right, Qian Qiu the Immortal.¡± Jin Deng breathed out softly and said, ¡°No one knows how long he has lived, nor where he comes from, but he has indeed lived for thousands of years without dying, and he is a genuine Great Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Many major events in history involve him, and the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s history has been known to all in the past, but within the Great Zhou, I am aware of quite a bit.¡± The words of Jin Deng echoed in An Jing¡¯s ears, and in his heart, they stirred up a storm of shock. Could someone really live for a thousand years without dying? Why could he live for a thousand years? Why was this Qian Qiu the Immortal able to survive for a thousand years without dying? What had he done? And for what purpose? A series of doubts emerged in An Jing¡¯s mind, and he couldn¡¯t help thinking to himself: Tian Yin, as the organization established by the Great Zhou Dynasty, must know many secrets of the world for having concealed its presence for so many years. They might even know one or two things about the parts missing from history. Thinking of this, An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°I wish to hear the details.¡± ¡°Listen to my slow recounting.¡± Jin Deng, seeing the doubt in An Jing¡¯s eyes, continued, ¡°The last Daoist Master of the Mystical Sect died at his hands, and that Daoist Master was the only Great Grandmaster expert of his time. It was precisely because of his death that the Mystical Sect eventually fragmented.¡± An Jing asked in a focused voice, ¡°The one who killed the Daoist Master of the Mystical Sect, wasn¡¯t it the founder of the Black Ice Platform, the bizarre man from the Great Zhou who concocted the Golden Pill?¡± Jin Deng replied slowly, ¡°It was him.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing took in a sharp breath, ¡°This person actually had such an identity? What was his true purpose behind fragmenting the Mystical Sect back then?¡± ¡°He was not after the fragmentation of the Mystical Sect, rather specifically targeting the Daoist Master of that time.¡± Jin Deng shook his head and said, ¡°Not only that, but the downfall of the Great Zhou Dynasty is greatly related to him. Now that your strength has reached such a level, it¡¯s time for you to know.¡± ¡°Back then, the Great Zhou Emperor was in the Grandmaster Realm, and knowing that the restraints of heaven and earth were becoming more severe, he desperately sought a higher realm. When he learned that the Earth Vein Spirit might advance to a realm beyond the Grandmaster Realm, he took the top several Grandmasters of the Great Zhou Dynasty from beneath the central seal to search for the Earth Vein Spirit.¡± ¡°It was at this time that Qian Qiu the Immortal suddenly appeared.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, and he listened quietly. Had it not been for Jin Deng speaking, there would be scarcely anyone who would know this, as there were no records of it in history books. Jin Deng took a deep breath and said, ¡°It cannot be denied that his strength is unparalleled in history. He not only killed the Great Zhou Emperor, but also secretly killed nearly all the top experts of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Only one expert managed to escape.¡± An Jing, puzzled, said, ¡°With such formidable strength, he actually killed the Great Zhou Emperor and so many experts by his side?¡± The Great Zhou Emperor was in the Grandmaster Realm, and the experts with him were either Five Qi Grandmasters or Four Qi Grandmasters. All of these masters were actually killed by Qian Qiu the Immortal? One must know that every Great Grandmaster is a rare genius, and having killed the Daoist Master of the Mystical Sect and then the Great Zhou Emperor, two Great Grandmasters meeting their end at his hands, his strength is truly terrifying. Jin Deng nodded and said, ¡°He killed all of them, and it was precisely due to this that the Great Zhou Dynasty overnight lost the Emperor and the loyal experts of the Royal Family. From then on, it ushered in the turmoil of the Nine Kingdoms. Afterwards, Yan Taizu established the Great Yan Dynasty. I believe you are quite familiar with Yan Taizu, right?¡± An Jing said, ¡°Of course, he was also a Great Grandmaster, and his corpse is still suppressing the Earth Vein Spirit in the Dragon Locking Well.¡± The founding Emperor of Great Yan is a name now unknown to none under the heavens. Jin Deng then revealed another shocking secret, ¡°Yan Taizu, like the current Zhao Zhiwu, was also attacked by a mysterious Great Grandmaster, ultimately gravely injured. Publicly claimed to be in seclusion, he had actually died within the Imperial Palace long ago.¡± An Jing had an ominous feeling and asked, ¡°Could all of this have been the work of this undying Qian Qiu?¡± From the actions of this undying Qian Qiu, who was specifically targeting top Great Grandmasters of the time, what was his true purpose? ¡°That¡¯s right, you guessed correctly, it was all him.¡± Jin Deng sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and said, ¡°I¡¯ve come here this time to tell you news that Houjin¡¯s Emperor, Zongzheng Huachun, once traveled the world and had a teacher, who is this undying Qian Qiu.¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s teacher!? An Jing¡¯s heart sank slightly upon hearing this. If what Jin Deng said was true, then the strength of this undying Qian Qiu was not only profound but truly peerless. If he was the teacher of the Holy Master of Houjin, that could spell trouble. ¡°It seems the Great Yan Emperor really was seriously injured.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and asked, ¡°Now that Xi Hafu has reached the Great Grandmaster level, do you think this undying Qian Qiu will make a move on him?¡± Jin Deng took a sip of tea and replied, ¡°I¡¯m not too sure, but there¡¯s also good news for you. Although the undying Qian Qiu has killed many Great Grandmasters, these masters were not easy targets. Each time he killed a Great Grandmaster, they would leave injuries within his body that are difficult to heal. That¡¯s why over these hundreds of years, his injuries have also become extremely severe. This is also the reason why in his recent move against Zhao Zhiwu, he didn¡¯t kill him.¡± An Jing frowned deeply. Hearing Jin Deng¡¯s words felt like a heavy mountain pressing down on his shoulders. He had not expected that such a formidable person existed in the world, someone who could not only live for a thousand years but also remain so hidden. An Jing, still confused, asked, ¡°What exactly is his purpose? If it¡¯s for the sake of ruling the world, I think he has had many opportunities to unify it long ago.¡± Jin Deng set down his teacup and said, ¡°I suspect his goal is the Earth Vein Spirit beneath the Dragon Locking Well.¡± An Jing inquired, ¡°The Earth Vein Spirit? To break through to the Grandmaster Realm?¡± Jin Deng explained, ¡°Although it¡¯s unclear why he is undying, and his cultivation has stalled at the Grandmaster Realm without reaching the Transcendence Realm, you should be aware of the rumors. To reach the Transcendence Realm, one either has to eradicate the Earth Vein Spirit or merge it into oneself. Although this has not been verified, many masters choose to believe it is the only way to ascend.¡± An Jing, puzzled, asked, ¡°But why has he not made his move yet?¡± With the cultivation of undying Qian Qiu, he should have been able to go to the Dragon Locking Well to find the Earth Vein Spirit long ago. So what was he waiting for? ¡°I¡¯m not sure about that.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Jin Deng shook his head and continued, ¡°I came to tell you this news to caution you about Zongzheng Huachun. Behind him stands a true unparalleled figure from ages past.¡± His purpose today was to warn An Jing, especially since An Jing himself had blood of the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s Royal Family. An Jing glanced at Jin Deng and declared, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun is undoubtedly doomed. If this immortal dares to protect Zongzheng Huachun, I won¡¯t mind turning him into a dead man.¡± ¡­.. ps: I apologize, my deepest apologies. I have not been sleeping well, getting only five or six hours of sleep a night. As we approach the end, I am hitting a bit of a block, so that¡¯s all for today. I will see if I can adjust my thoughts today. If not, I¡¯ll take a day off and then try to resume the normal update schedule by next Monday or Tuesday. Let¡¯s steel ourselves for the final month. Chapter 347 - Chapter 347 Chapter 347 The Imperial Jade Seal Conceals a Chapter 347: Chapter 347: The Imperial Jade Seal Conceals a Secret Chapter 347: Chapter 347: The Imperial Jade Seal Conceals a Secret Jin Deng looked at the young man before him, whose extreme self-confidence seemed to surge outward. An Jing was a confident man. Perhaps even the most confident man in the world. Over the past two years, countless Grandmasters had fallen under his sword, forging an unparalleled confidence in his heart. A single sword slash brings thunderstorms, and beneath An Jing¡¯s blade, all are mere ants. That was his reputation in the Jianghu, clearly demonstrating his current standing which could be likened to the North Star among mountains. His status was in no way inferior to Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s, and might even surpass it. Moreover, he was only just over twenty years old, a rarity in the annals of history, no, truly a unique existence. So, he ought to be a confident man. He was meant to be a confident man. An Jing¡¯s life had been smooth except for encounters with Jiang Shang and Xiao Qianqiu, but this time he faced a different enemy. The undying Qianqiu was absolutely one of the most terrifying people in the world. Specializing in killing great Grandmasters, how fearsome was that? Thinking of this, Jin Deng couldn¡¯t help but remind him, ¡°Although the undying Qianqiu is injured, his strength should not be underestimated.¡± An Jing took out the Imperial Jade Seal from his chest, the eight big characters etched on it clearly visible to Jin Deng. Everlasting Prosperity, Mandated by Heaven. This was truly a national treasure, regarded as the seat of the world¡¯s fate. Although the Dulu Sword was known as the world¡¯s first sword, forged with countless efforts by the Great Qin Dynasty, it still paled in comparison to the Imperial Jade Seal before him. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Then let him come.¡± His voice was very calm, as if he was discussing an utterly trivial matter. Jin Deng also felt the overwhelming pressure emanating from the Imperial Jade Seal, causing his heart to tremble slightly and his breath to become uneven. The Imperial Jade Seal was the legitimacy of the orthodox emperors in Chinese history. Since the Great Qin, every dynasty¡¯s emperor considered this seal a prized treasure, a vital instrument of the state. To possess it symbolized ¡°Mandated by Heaven¡±, to lose it meant that ¡°one¡¯s allotted time has run out¡±. Those who ascended to high ranks without this seal were scorned as ¡°mock emperors¡±, considered lacking in foundation and despised by the world. Through the ages, those who aspired to the emperor¡¯s throne fought bitterly for it, causing the Imperial Seal to change hands frequently. After circulating for over two thousand years, it disappeared without a trace, lamented by many. Now, it had ended up in An Jing¡¯s hands, who could even mobilize a million ghost soldiers with it, forcing even top Grandmasters to retreat in terror. What a fearsome existence was he? An Jing put away the Imperial Jade Seal, and the intense pressure gradually dissipated. ¡°Where is the undying Qianqiu now? Elder Jin ought to be aware, right?¡± Jin Deng, having investigated the undying Qianqiu so thoroughly, should know his whereabouts. Jin Deng pondered for a moment before replying, ¡°This man has been healing at the Black Ice Platform all along and recently went to Yujing City where he severely injured Zhao Zhiwu. He should have returned to the Cloud Tower by now, but it¡¯s not ruled out that he has come to Houjin.¡± An Jing nodded slightly and said, ¡°Good, thank you, Elder Jin, for clearing my doubts.¡± ¡°It¡¯s unnecessary, merely be extremely cautious and don¡¯t fall for others¡¯ schemes.¡± Jin Deng poured another cup of tea, smelling the faint fragrance, then muttered softly, ¡°Ever since a wisp of consciousness from the Earth Vein Spirit escaped, there have been subtle changes occurring in the world. I feel that a crisis is on the verge of emerging.¡± Evil spirits emerged along with nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Though currently in small amounts, over the months, they had unknowingly seeped into human bodies. Those of high power might still resist it, but what about those with lower strength? What if they were affected by the evil spirits? Jin Deng finished the tea in his cup and then said, ¡°I am leaving now. If one day you change your mind, you can always find Su Lian and Su Yue.¡± After finishing, he headed toward the window and walked away. His form flickered briefly, ghost-like, and in a blink, he had vanished. An Jing watched Jin Deng¡¯s departing figure, then took out the Imperial Jade Seal again. ¡°The Imperial Jade Seal, a vital instrument of the nation, suppressing the world¡¯s fate, yet now it seems to absorb the ghost soldiers into it; it¡¯s clearly not as simple as it seems. Perhaps, I need some time to thoroughly study this exotic treasure.¡± ¡°However, for now, enhancing my own strength is of utmost importance.¡± Not long after Jin Deng had left, Qiu Lun burst in hurriedly, his face filled with excitement, ¡°Big brother, when are we attacking the Houjin Royal Court?¡± By now, who didn¡¯t know that An Jing possessed the Imperial Jade Seal, with a million ghost soldiers ready at his command? The entire world knew that Houjin was in great trouble. Everyone was waiting for An Jing¡¯s million ghost soldiers to charge into the Houjin Royal Court, completely changing the current situation of the world. Qiu Lun was naturally impatient. An Jing said calmly, ¡°You spread a message behind that in three days, I will step into the Houjin Royal Court. Let the people of Houjin prepare¨Ceither open the gates and surrender, and I¡¯ll only kill Zongzheng Huachun, or die alongside him.¡± Zongzheng Huachun now assisted by the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intentions and added to his own strength, would have stepped into the Great Grandmaster realm if not for the True Dragon Essence Blood he obtained. He couldn¡¯t give him more time, and must quickly resolve this chaos by killing him before he reaches the Great Grandmaster realm. ¡°Good.¡± A glint flashed in Qiu Lun¡¯s eyes as he enigmatically said, ¡°Breaking into the Houjin Royal Court, my older brother has indeed made his mark in history.¡± As the son of the Pingyang Marquis, he naturally understood the current atmosphere in the royal court. It appeared that something unusual had happened to Zhao Zhiwu, the Great Yan Emperor, which could be described as a disaster for the current Great Yan. At this point, the National Seal in An Jing¡¯s hands and Zhao Qingmei¡¯s identity carried an unspoken significance. Though Qiu Lun had a rugged and obese appearance, his mind was full of schemes, naturally considering the pros and cons involved. The winds of Great Yan now lay in the hands of this Demon Sect couple. An Jing patted Qiu Lun on the shoulder and said, ¡°Go, get ready.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Qiu Lun nodded and turned to leave. Watching Qiu Lun¡¯s departing figure, An Jing muttered softly, ¡°Advancing to the Five Qi realm is not simple, and I must now prepare for breaking through to the Five Qi.¡± The realm of Five Qi, without being unsealed by the Dragon Locking Well and Earth Vein Spirit, stands at the pinnacle of the world, with masters of the Five Qi Grandmaster level still being among the top experts even today. Currently, only Zhao Zhiwu and Xi Hafu had reached the Great Grandmaster realm. If An Jing advanced to the Five Qi realm, aside from Great Grandmasters, there would be no one else in the world that can rival him. With that thought, An Jing also turned back to his quarters, then sat down on his bed cross-legged. A flick of his palm and several streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence landed within his hand. Taiyin Kui and Jiang Shang are both Five Qi Grandmasters; they contributed ten streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, and several other Dharma Kings from the Great Snow Mountain also perished at the hands of An Jing, all adding up to more than ten streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. ¡°Willpower returning to its place is the most difficult among the Five Qi; once the will aligns, it¡¯s the return to the Five Qi origin, and the inner Qi Mechanism would enhance several fold. If I could reach the Five Qi Grandmaster realm, storming into the Houjin Royal Court would increase my chances significantly.¡± An Jing took a deep breath, knowing Zongzheng Huachun would certainly have contingencies, so he had to continually enhance his own capabilities. Ever since the True Dragon Essence Blood merged into his body, An Jing¡¯s cultivation had shown some looseness. Although he knew advancing to Five Qi would be difficult, and perhaps just a groundwork for the next attempt, An Jing still had to give it a try. In that instant, he absorbed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence into his body. A tremendous surge of True Qi crazily rushed to every corner of An Jing¡¯s body, pouring into his meridians, causing the already cracked meridians to crack even wider. This True Qi was immense but so pure that it surprised people; its level of purity no longer required any refinement from An Jing. For some reason, this True Qi posed no resistance to An Jing; it moved almost as if under his direct command. The massive True Qi moved along the pathways of the Longevity Formulas, and after a complete cycle, it rushed into the Qi Sea like a sudden burst of flood, roaring thunderously as it poured in nonstop. Then, An Jing experienced that earth-shaking feeling inside him once again. Feeling the changes within, An Jing knew that even if he couldn¡¯t reach Five Qi this time, his cultivation would rise again. Immersing his mind, An Jing carefully manipulated the True Qi, not daring to be careless in the slightest. Time passed slowly, and it seemed that the Qi within his body gradually began to calm down. Just as An Jing was about to cease his cultivation, he suddenly discovered an intense suction force that spontaneously burst forth from within his Qi Sea, and with the eruption of this suction force, streams of extremely powerful True Qi once again surged from the outside into his body. Due to the absorption of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, and the continuous operation of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡±, while the surrounding air was still emitting strands of True Qi, as soon as the suction force erupted, streams of powerful True Qi followed through the pores of the skin into his body. Eventually, beyond An Jing¡¯s control, they directly charged into his meridians, circulating a cycle before rudely rushing into his Qi Sea. An Jing frowned instantaneously, absorbing all the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence into his Qi Sea. ¡°I want to see how much you can absorb.¡± Achieving Five Qi Returning to Origin is a process of accumulation, and ordinary Four Qi Grandmasters would need years or even decades, which An Jing didn¡¯t have. In the next moment, the vigorous True Qi continued charging into An Jing¡¯s body, and as the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± operated again, his body started to go more berserk. Streams of pure True Qi continuously rushed from An Jing¡¯s abdomen to all around his body, moving along the broad meridians, endlessly rushing toward An Jing¡¯s Qi Sea. The Qi Sea seemed even more violent now, the True Qi within it boiling up, and with those fierce collisions, it began to convert into a rain of True Qi. Seated cross-legged on the bed, An Jing was like a massive black hole, voraciously devouring everything around him. In just a few moments, the True Qi within several meters around him had been extracted three times. As time ticked by, the True Qi inside his body kept surging, and An Jing, seemingly tireless, continued to operate the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture.¡± The Qi Sea was like erupting magma, bursting out streams of True Qi rain, sprinkling inside his body, but those True Qi rains eventually became somewhat diluted, almost as if truly like rainwater. ¡°It¡¯s a pity.¡± Feeling the situation inside his body, An Jing sensed that if he had a year to accumulate, he could possibly have reached Five Qi Returning to Origin this time, but without that year, those dozens of streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence absorbed became his foundation. The vigorous True Qi seemed to gradually start thinning out, the original fluxing mystic portals closing again, and that surging aura slowly disappearing. This feeling was strange; it seemed the threshold to becoming a Five Qi Grandmaster was right in front of him, as if a mere touch to a thin membrane would shatter it, perhaps he would break through tomorrow, or perhaps during the journey to the Houjin Royal Court. It had been a long while before An Jing slowly opened his eyes, his black pupils gleaming with a stirring brightness. ¡°Advancing to become a Five Qi Grandmaster is not so simple, though.¡± Just then, a detached voice sounded. ¡°Predecessor Nangong.¡± An Jing stepped out of the door, where a pale-faced old woman stood; it was Nangong Weiping. At that moment, she was dressed in a wide robe, yet both of her sleeves were empty. Nangong Weiping said, ¡°The Five Qi Returning to Origin is not merely a rise through a single Qi Mechanism, but the conjoint meeting at the peak of five Qi Mechanisms at the same time. It¡¯s an epiphany about the human body.¡± ¡°The stronger your strength and the shorter your cultivation time, the harder it is to reach the Five Qi Returning to Origin.¡± ¡°I have learned, senior.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, then asked, ¡°Predecessor, do you think I would stand a chance against Xi Hafu if I reached the Five Qi Realm?¡± Nangong Weiping glanced at An Jing and scoffed, ¡°This Xi Hafu is not weaker than the Buddha in life; he¡¯s not just any Great Grandmaster. Do you know the difference between a Grandmaster and a Great Grandmaster? Even if you reach the Five Qi Realm, an ordinary Great Grandmaster would give you enough trouble, let alone the top-tier Great Grandmasters.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised, and he said no more. He was naturally aware of the difference between Grandmaster and Great Grandmaster¨Cthe conversion of True Qi to True Yuan was a qualitative transformation. Especially since he had witnessed Nangong Weiping¡¯s fight with Xi Hafu, he understood the gap even better. However, reaching the Five Qi Grandmaster realm might be possible in a short time, but reaching Great Grandmaster was nearly impossible. Nangong Weiping continued, ¡°The Imperial Jade Seal you hold in your hand is not so simple. If you can wield it, even a Great Grandmaster would hold you in awe.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°I understand.¡± The Imperial Jade Seal was the strongest card he held at the moment and was enough to deter a Great Grandmaster, especially because the seal seemed to harbor some secret. But was there any connection between the Imperial Jade Seal and Fengdu? If he could find the connection, perhaps he could fully unleash the power of the Imperial Jade Seal. ¡­¡­. The news that the Ghost Swordsman vowed to break into the Houjin Royal Court spread rapidly, shaking the world tremendously. Originally, with the three countries attacking Yan, the Great Yan Dynasty was on the brink of dusk; even many believed the dynasty would be swallowed by Houjin, Zhao Country, and the Southern Barbarians. However, who could have anticipated that the situation would turn around so suddenly? First, the Great Yan State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu killed ten Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians, shocking the world, and then the Ghost Swordsman, wielding the national treasure Imperial Jade Seal, was about to kill his way into the Houjin Royal Court. Now, the Houjin Royal Court had indeed become the most dangerous place in the world. With millions of ghostly soldiers targeting it, even though they hadn¡¯t yet made their move, the people of Houjin were already terrified to their core. Just when the eyes of the world were fixed on the impending battle at Houjin Royal Court, another disturbance broke out on Beihuang Dao. Jin Lv led three hundred thousand Houjin troops to attack You Mountain, planning to conquer the Demon Sect Main Hall and advance into the Capital Road, aiming straight for the capital of Great Yan, Yujing City. Zhao Qingmei stood in black on the summit of You Mountain, her gaze stretching far into the distance, as her heroic eyes flickered with disdain and dominance. Her clothes fluttered noisily in the swirling mists. Yu Qiurong bowed her head, her expression humble. No one could command such respect from Yu Qiurong. The respect she felt was from the depths of her heart; not even An Jing could compare, only the Zhao Qingmei before her. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± At that moment, a black figure rushed from afar at high speed. The person was none other than Yi Daoyun from White Tiger Sect, his hands holding a bloody head, whose expression was extremely fierce, still showing a trace of horror in his eyes. Clearly, he had not believed what was happening before his death. This was the Mu Xin Great Dharma King who had slain Wang Shiyi and boasted arrogantly. Yi Daoyun bowed and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, Mu Xin is dead.¡± Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°What about Jin Lv and his army?¡± Yi Daoyun replied, ¡°They have reached the You Mountain Gorge. Jin Lv has vanished; he¡¯s probably hiding among the central army, worried about our sect¡¯s masters assassinating him.¡± Yu Qiurong sneered, ¡°To think Jin Lv would turn out to be such a coward.¡± ¡°After today, he will no longer have to fear anything.¡± Zhao Qingmei gazed into the distant mountains and said quietly, ¡°Jin Lv will die here in You Mountain, and not just him; the thirty thousand Houjin troops will also be buried here.¡± Yi Daoyun and Yu Qiurong exchanged a glance, each feeling a chill in their hearts. Although they had long known that Zhao Qingmei aimed to target the Houjin army, they hadn¡¯t expected that Zhao Qingmei actually planned to annihilate all three hundred thousand Houjin soldiers right there in You Mountain. Having suffered significant losses in several major battles before, the Houjin leading six hundred thousand soldiers southward had already depleted the nation¡¯s strength. They had faced significant losses along the way, especially during the battles at Yuan City and with Wang Shiyi. These three hundred thousand soldiers were Houjin¡¯s last main force; if all were to perish, then Houjin would be utterly finished. ¡­¡­ Inside You Mountain, the Houjin army had rested for several days before hastily setting off. The immense army moved swiftly, with the ground rumbling loudly beneath them; the pressing mass looked endless. As long as they could take down the Demon Sect Main Hall, they could march directly to Capital Road of Great Yan. Jin Lv was hidden among the Houjin army, his brow deeply furrowed. If Zongzheng Huachun hadn¡¯t sent him urgent orders, he would have preferred to investigate further, rest, and then depart. His heart harbored a bad premonition, given the hurried departure. Just then, a messenger soldier hurried over, ¡°Great Commander, bad news! The Mu Xin Dharma King has been killed by a Demon Sect expert.¡± ¡°Dead?¡± Jin Lv¡¯s frown deepened upon hearing this. As for the death of Mu Xin Great Dharma King, he wasn¡¯t too surprised; Mu Xin often acted recklessly and never took the Demon Sect experts seriously. It was normal for the Demon Sect to dispatch experts to kill him. While Jin Lv pondered on these things, there was a noisy disturbance ahead. Suddenly, a small mountain range seemed to move, causing countless rocks to roll down and smash into the Houjin army. Amid the onslaught of falling stones, many soldiers were overturned, and numerous Houjin soldiers died tragically. The next moment, a terrifying scene occurred as that small mountain range transformed into a giant beast. Its massive paws crushed down fiercely, instantly grinding several soldiers into minced meat. Seeing this, the surrounding Houjin soldiers were terrified, their souls scattering and hearts shattering. ¡°What kind of monster is this!?¡± ¡°Run!¡± ¡°What¡¯s happening!?¡± ¡­.. All Houjin soldiers, like headless flies, frantically fled toward the distance. Just then, a clear call came from the sky. Shortly afterward, a massive bird emerged, spewing flames that turned the entire valley into a fiery inferno. Jin Lv exclaimed in shock, ¡°Is that a mechanical beast?¡± He, of course, knew about the Great Qin¡¯s mechanical beasts, but since the downfall of the Great Qin Dynasty, the method of constructing these puppet mechanism beasts had long been lost. Who could have expected to encounter puppet mechanism beasts here? Could it be a random discovery of the Great Qin¡¯s puppet mechanism beasts? Jin Lv took a deep breath and ordered, ¡°Send the command: don¡¯t worry; it¡¯s just a puppet mechanism beast.¡± However, several deputy generals behind him swallowed nervously, speaking softly, ¡°Great Commander, it seems there¡¯s not just one¡­¡± ¡°My God!¡± ¡°What on earth is this thing!?¡± ¡­¡­ All Houjin soldiers were stunned as they looked up at the fierce giant beast, all seeming to lose their minds. Boom! Boom! The ground began to tremble, stones flying all around, and soon several more giants seemed to awaken from a deep slumber, rushing towards the Houjin soldiers. Then, several medium-sized mechanical beasts burst in from among them. Although the mechanical beast army was not vast, the impact they created instantly wreaked havoc on the formations of the Houjin army. With the Honghu above constantly spitting fire, the chaos became even more severe. The number of soldiers who died from the puppet mechanism beasts and the flames was significantly less compared to those trampled and lost in the disorder. Jin Lv was equally terrified, not expecting the Demon Sect to possess a considerable number of puppet mechanism beasts. He quickly ordered, ¡°Retreat, quick retreat!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At that moment, a deputy general rushed over, ¡°Great Commander, numerous Jianghu experts and Black Armored Army are attacking from behind; there are tens of thousands, including Demon Sect Earth Sect experts, Azure Dragon Sect, White Tiger Sect, and other Great Yan Martial World sect experts. Additionally, there¡¯s also about ten thousand of the Black Armored Army left over from Dongluo Pass¡­¡± ¡°What!?¡± Jin Lv now realized they had entered into a trap set by the Demon Sect, like a bolt from the blue. Meanwhile, the chaotic You Mountain became a living hell for the Houjin soldiers. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 348 - Chapter 348 Chapter 348 Great Changes in the World The Chapter 348: Chapter 348: Great Changes in the World, The Gathering Storm Chapter 348: Chapter 348: Great Changes in the World, The Gathering Storm Jin Lv watched the scene before him and, putting aside the danger, began to command the Houjin army to counterattack. After all, the mechanical puppet beasts were made of wood and some metal. As long as their mechanisms were destroyed, they would collapse without being attacked. ¡°Click-click-click-click!¡± A flurry of arrows rained down on the mechanical puppet beasts, with most of the sturdy arrowheads striking their bodies and producing a grating sound of metal on metal. ¡°Kill-!¡± After a volley of arrows, the Houjin soldiers charged one after another towards the mechanical puppet beasts. The elite Black Armored Army of the Houjin forces and the Jianghu masters joined the fray, fighting even more fiercely. The Black Armored soldiers, once the elite of the elite and now filled with immense hatred, struck with ruthless and merciless blows. The Jianghu masters, whose strength was far superior to the Houjin army, included quite a few experts of the Upper Three Grades, such as Dai Ling and several Elders from the Five Poison Sect. After Dai Danshu died in Yuan City, Dai Ling did not hesitate to lead all her sect members down the mountain to block the Houjin army at You Mountain. At this moment, she was leading the charge. Her strength, close to that of a Half-step Master, allowed her to slice through the enemy as if they weren¡¯t there at all, specifically targeting the mid-ranking generals of the Houjin forces. Many of them felt a chill in their hearts when they saw the beautiful yet cold woman heading their way, instinctively retreating toward the back. Her icy Inner Strength wrapped around her sword; with every swing, lives were claimed on You Mountain. How could this not dishearten the Houjin soldiers? ¡°Roar!¡± Just then, an earth-shattering roar echoed. ¡°It¡¯s a dragon!¡± The Houjin soldiers looked up to see a massive Black Flood Dragon diving down at them, its fierce jaws open wide. With one breath, it turned countless Houjin soldiers into blood and flesh. This brutal and terrifying scene struck fear into the hearts of even the most ferocious Houjin soldiers. The entire You Mountain was ablaze and in chaos. Demon Sect Grandmasters like Yi Daoyun, Duanmu Xinghua, and Li Fuzhou joined the battlefield, along with the onslaught of exotic beasts such as Honghu and the Black Flood Dragon. The Houjin forces suffered heavy losses, with the number of those trampled to death by their own continuing to rise. Zhao Qingmei stood with her hands behind her back, watching the chaotic battle below. Her figure, blending with the wind, seemed to merge with the world around her. Though young, she exuded the air of a Grandmaster, seeming perfectly in place. Yu Qiurong bowed and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, Jin Lv has appeared.¡± Zhao Qingmei replied indifferently, ¡°No one else should touch this man. I will kill him myself.¡± As she spoke, she stretched out her hand, and the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades appeared in her palm. The light of the blades glinted, reflecting the world before them. The chilling Sword Qi shot straight into the sky, as if freezing the clouds and mountains. Jin Lv, standing in the midst of the crowd, keenly felt the murderous intent descending from the sky and showed a trace of shock in his eyes. ¡°The Demon Sect Sect Hierarch!?¡± Everyone in the world knew that Zhao Qingmei, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, was a master of the Sword Dao, wielding the potent Mandarin Duck Twin Blades that had dominated throughout the ages. At the battle of Zhong Mountain, she had even overpowered the fearsome Sword Demon. Boom! In the next instant, a blade light surged down like a falling Milky Way, slashing straight at Jin Lv. Where the blade passed, the Houjin soldiers turned into a mist of blood. As the blade light dissipated, a bloody path was left on the ground. In the past, Jun Qinglin was able to enter and exit the army of hundreds of thousands with his wounded body, killing two flag bearers of Houjin and choosing to die in the chaos rather than retreat. Although Zhao Qingmei¡¯s strength was still not up to Jun Qinglin¡¯s, the current army was no match for the one back then. Moreover, she was now surrounded by a host of experts. At the sight of this overwhelming blade strike, the Houjin army was thrown into complete chaos, their spirits utterly shattered. The fire spat out by Honghu continued to burn; with the summer breeze spreading the flames, the Houjin army was utterly engulfed in fire. Many mechanical puppet beasts were also caught in the blaze, succumbing to the flames, which only intensified the fire on You Mountain. As the blaze continued, the scent of cooked flesh soon filled the air and drifted across the entire valley. After Li Fuzhou killed a Houjin expert, he said in a low voice, ¡°Today¡¯s fire seems set to burn alive the Houjin army of three hundred thousand.¡± At this point, the Houjin army was in complete disarray; even without the Demon Sect masters¡¯ intervention, they were dying in the stampede and the flames. You Mountain had become a human purgatory. ¡°If only the Holy Master had given me time to regroup and investigate, how could our Houjin army have fallen into such a predicament?¡± Jin Lv lamented as he let out a long howl to the sky. Who could have imagined the Demon Sect would have so many mechanical puppet beasts to stall and disrupt the Houjin forces¡¯ movement, while the Sect Hierarch took the opportunity to set fire with the exotic beast Honghu, burning both the mechanical puppet beasts and the Houjin army together. A woman barely in her twenties, capable of such depth and vicious schemes? At that moment, a flash of blade light appeared, and the experts guarding Jin Lv fell in rows. ¡°Protect the Great Commander!¡± The Houjin soldiers, eyes red with bloodlust, shielded Jin Lv even on what they knew to be their last day. The Demon Sect Grandmaster masters charged over, heading straight for Jin Lv. Duanmu Xinghua, adept at killing, took down countless Houjin soldiers with each move, her face as calm as still water even as she faced the tidal wave of the enemy army. Yi Daoyun, the leader of the White Tiger Sect, was an even more professional killer, for whom slaying seemed as routine as a meal. The two charged into battle like sharp knives thrust into the belly of the Houjin army. ¡°Run!¡± Seeing the two Grandmasters approaching from a distance, Jin Lv felt a chill in his heart and hurriedly fled. Boom! In an instant, a wild wind rose, and the surrounding flames leaped out like ferocious beasts, as a heaven-shaking sword light descended from the sky and heavily struck the ground. The earth immediately trembled as if a dragon had turned over, and countless soldiers of the Houjin fell to the ground, submerged in the flames. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± The ground began to split, and fissures spread out towards the distance. Even the warhorse under Jin Lv flinched, nearly falling into one of the cracks. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± a chilling voice rang out. Jin Lv raised his head to see a figure in a black robe standing in front. That person¡¯s eyes mirrored calm waters but were laced with an icy chill that seemed to pierce through all, their ten fingers delicate, skin as smooth as jade, holding a pair of Mandarin Duck Twin Blades that emitted an extreme cold glint. ¡°It seems you really want to kill me yourself.¡± Jin Lv wasn¡¯t a fool, he naturally knew the person in front of him was none other than the current Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°This path leads to the Nine Netherworld, and today I will personally send you on your way.¡± Jin Lv narrowed his eyes, ¡°I find it hard to believe that you can kill me.¡± Zhao Qingmei replied, ¡°Your life and death are but a mere thought away for me.¡± Jin Lv snorted with derision, ¡°Do you know where Jun Qinglin is right now?¡± ¡°Killing three hundred thousand people might be difficult, but taking the head of an enemy general amidst tens of thousands, just killing you alone,¡± Zhao Qingmei gestured with the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades in her hand, ¡°is something I¡¯m fairly confident about.¡± Jin Lv felt a piercing coldness around him, and the warhorse beneath him unconsciously took several steps back as Zhao Qingmei¡¯s calm exterior hid a deeply unfathomable and chilling momentum. Jin Lv, a battle-hardened veteran who had commanded for decades in Houjin, undefeated in all his campaigns, was especially revered after capturing Dongluo Pass and Yuan City, hailed as a rare fierce general of his time. But now, facing a woman barely past twenty, he felt a trace of fear in his heart. In the moment he finished speaking, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s figure turned into a streak of light, rushing towards Jin Lv. ¡°Block her!¡± Jin Lv roared. The Houjin soldiers, seeing Zhao Qingmei charging at them, all stood in front of Jin Lv to block her advance. ¡°Those who block me shall die.¡± Zhao Qingmei swung the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades in her palm, and the blades burst forth with a series of icy sword glows, reducing countless Houjin soldiers to mists of blood. And then she stepped on the earth, beneath her feet bloomed a black lotus. ¡°Great Commander!¡± Jin Lv¡¯s deputy general exclaimed behind him. Just as the words left his mouth, Zhao Qingmei had already appeared above Jin Lv¡¯s warhorse. ¡°You!¡± Jin Lv looked up at Zhao Qingmei towering above him, his pupils reflecting astonishment. Zhao Qingmei declared, ¡°Now, you can say goodbye to this world.¡± With that, her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades slashed fiercely at Jin Lv. ¡°Spurt!¡± The blades cut mercilessly onto Jin Lv¡¯s armor, and although it was renowned armor, at this moment it was shattered by a single stroke, the resilient blades cleaving Jin Lv in two at the waist. The lower half of his body remained on the horse, while the upper half crashed to the ground, his eyes wide open with a tinge of ferocity. Jin Lv was dead! The commanding general of Houjin, who had valiantly conquered many battles and was the most trusted by Zongzheng Huachun, had died. Conquering Beihuang Dao, battling for Yuan City, Jin Lv¡¯s military career this year had been one of commendable accomplishments and successes. He even became the beacon of hope for the people of Houjin, but now that hope had been utterly extinguished amidst the mountains of You Mountain. The surrounding Houjin soldiers were stunned, looking at the remains of Jin Lv as if still not coming to terms with the reality. It took some tens of breaths before the Houjin soldiers reacted. ¡°The Great Commander is dead!¡± ¡°The Great Commander is dead!¡± ¡­¡­. Shouts of anguish rose, echoing throughout the entirety of You Mountain. In no time, all Houjin soldiers knew of Jin Lv¡¯s death. Many still chose to resist, charging towards the ranks of the Demon Sect¡¯s Black Armored Army and the Great Yan Martial World¡¯s experts, while many more Houjin soldiers chose to lay down their weapons and surrender. Yu Qiurong came up to Zhao Qingmei and asked, ¡°Sect Hierarch, what should we do with these remaining Houjin soldiers?¡± Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, ¡°Kill them all, not one must be spared.¡± Even the hardened Jianghu veterans, despite being used to killing, felt a chill in their hearts upon hearing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s words. After all, these were tens of thousands from the Houjin army; the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect had decided to kill them just like that¨Chow terrifying was that? From this point on, many were certain in their hearts that Zhao Qingmei was the great devil of the Demon Sect who rose to power after Jiang Shang. But most of the Demon Sect¡¯s experts were clenching their fists tightly, their eyes filled with a glint of excitement and fervor. Dongluo Pass had been taken by Jin Lv, and all its people had been slaughtered for display. Moreover, Jun Qinglin¡¯s corpse was still displayed in the Houjin Royal Court. Dongluo Pass was the main branch of the Demon Sect, their spiritual home, a place of homesickness the Demon Sect¡¯s experts never forgot. The deep-seated hatred like a blood sea between the Houjin and the Demon Sect could not be resolved, no matter what. So now, entombing an entire army of three hundred thousand Houjin and devastatingly crippling the Houjin was a cause for their excitement¨Chow could they not be thrilled? Li Fuzhou pondered for a while and then said, ¡°Sect Hierarch, there are many soldiers from the Houjin army, and if they resist, we might suffer heavy casualties.¡± Zhao Qingmei replied, ¡°I don¡¯t care how you do it, but not a single one of these three hundred thousand Houjin soldiers must be left alive. I am resolute.¡± Li Fuzhou took a deep breath and responded, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡­¡­ Great Yan, Yun Hua Dao. On the official road, dozens of silhouettes approached from afar. Among them, a flag embroidered with a roaring tiger looking up to the sky in a crouching stance was clearly visible¨Cit was the flag of the ¡°Tiger Stationing Escort Agency¡±. The Tiger Stationing Escort Agency was also one of the top three escort agencies within the Great Yan Martial World, boasting three head escorts, all of whom were formidable experts capable of holding their own. Two were at the peak of Second Grade, while one had reached the Earth Flower Realm of First Grade. At this moment, one of the three head escorts, Zhang Xingyuan, was slowly making his approach from a distance. This time, he was escorting a very important cargo. The Sect Master of the Blue River Sect had offered a sky-high price for its delivery, necessitating the personal involvement of one of the three high-skilled head escorts from the Tiger Stationing Escort Agency. After all, with the war looming, the entire Great Yan Martial World was unsettled, and bandits abounded. However, as someone with Cultivation of the Second Grade Realm, Zhang Xingyuan didn¡¯t take ordinary bandit threats seriously, given the enormous deterrent that the very name ¡°Tiger Stationing Escort Agency¡± posed. ¡°Wait!¡± Zhang Xingyuan suddenly sensed something and shouted lowly. The escorts from Tiger Stationing Escort Agency felt a surge of tension upon hearing Zhang Xingyuan¡¯s words. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± In the next moment, several streaks of cold light shot out from behind the leaves, hurtling from afar. ¡°Be careful! Hidden weapons!¡± An alert escort roared out immediately. ¡°You rats who show your head and hide your tail!¡± Zhang Xingyuan drew his long blade from his waist and directly knocked the incoming hidden weapons to the ground. ¡°Worthy of being Zhang Xingyuan, the Soul-breaking Blade.¡± A loud shout echoed, followed by a rugged man emerging, with dozens of burly men following behind him. The leader was none other than Wu Chen, the second-in-command of Qing Feng Mountain, the most ferocious bandit on Yun Hua Dao and even in the surrounding area. Rumor had it that Wu Chen¡¯s strength surpassed even that of the chief bandit, marking him as a well-known figure among the outlaws of the Jianghu. Zhang Xingyuan raised an eyebrow, ¡°Wu Chen, you truly have some nerve, daring to tamper with a shipment from my Tiger Stationing Escort Agency.¡± Wu Chen sneered, ¡°Enough talk. Hand over the cargo, then scram.¡± ¡°Arrogant!¡± Zhang Xingyuan barked, swinging his blade towards Wu Chen. ¡°It¡¯s just Second Grade Cultivation after all.¡± A hint of mockery flashed in Wu Chen¡¯s eyes, and he struck forward with his palm immediately. Boom! His Inner Strength burst forth with powerful force, sweeping toward Zhang Xingyuan. It shattered the cold light of the blade and then slammed fiercely onto the blade itself. Step, step, step¡­¡­ Zhang Xingyuan felt an immense force transmitting from the hilt into his viscera, forcing his steps back repeatedly. With just a probing move, he had already suffered a great loss. ¡°Could Wu Chen¡¯s strength truly be so terrifying? Could he have reached the First Grade Realm?¡± Zhang Xingyuan looked at his trembling arms, secretly alarmed. The next moment, Wu Chen advanced with large strides and struck with another palm. It was the starting move of the Black Tiger Heart Stealing technique, and within the blink of an eye, he was beside Zhang Xingyuan. ¡°Pfft!¡± Zhang Xingyuan couldn¡¯t dodge in time. He felt a pain in his heart and then, glancing down instinctively, saw an arm piercing through his torso. If ¡°Cai Wuxin¡± could survive, a ¡°heartless¡± man had only one path¨Cdeath. Zhang Xingyuan¡¯s heart was directly ripped out; how could he have any path to survival? Wu Chen kicked Zhang Xingyuan¡¯s corpse away and then charged at the escorts of the Tiger Stationing Escort Agency. In the blink of an eye, he slaughtered them all. The flag of the Tiger Stationing Escort Agency also fell to the ground with a thud. A bandit from Qing Feng Mountain approached Wu Chen, saying, ¡°Second-in-command, the cargo is intact.¡± Wu Chen¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°I want to see what treasure is so incredible that Zhang Xingyuan personally took charge of its transportation.¡± He had learned ten days ago that Zhang Xingyuan of the Tiger Stationing Escort Agency would be transporting a shipment worth two hundred thousand taels¨Ca rarity in the entire history of escort mission. Two hundred thousand taels! The fee for the escort alone was two hundred thousand taels! So what could the value of the goods inside be? Wu Chen walked up to the cargo, and impatiently opened it to look. Upon seeing it, his brows furrowed deeply¨Cit was a coffin. Wu Chen asked, ¡°Are you sure this is the cargo?¡± The bandit from Qing Feng Mountain quickly nodded, ¡°Yes, this is the cargo from the Tiger Stationing Escort Agency. Sect Master Wang Yue of the Blue River Sect personally visited the agency.¡± ¡°Let me see.¡± Wu Chen placed his palm on the coffin¡¯s lid and tried to open it with force. The lid didn¡¯t budge an inch. ¡°Interesting.¡± Wu Chen took a deep breath, using eighty percent of his strength, but the coffin showed no reaction. ¡°What on earth is this thing?¡± Wu Chen refused to believe in defeat. Without hesitation, he used all his strength. Before long, his face turned crimson red, yet the coffin lid remained immovable, like a rock. ¡°Huff¡­.¡± After a few breaths, Wu Chen gasped for air, his brows tightly furrowed as he looked at the coffin before him, ¡°What on earth is this thing that it won¡¯t budge even with my cultivation?¡± The bandits of Qing Feng Mountain also looked at each other in dismay. The Second-in-Command at the First Grade realm couldn¡¯t do anything about this shabby coffin? ¡®Clang!¡¯ ¡®Clang!¡¯ At that moment, the coffin shook violently before the lid ¡®bang¡¯ flew off. As the experts of Qing Feng Mountain were still in shock, a figure flew out from the coffin. Wu Chen retreated while shouting, ¡°Who are you?¡± Dust filled the air, adding to the chaos around. The figure was tall and wore a black robe with a vague imprint of a five-clawed Golden Dragon on it. He seemed to have come from a very distant past. The figure stood dazed, taking three or four breaths to come to his senses, then twisted his head to look at Wu Chen before extending his hand. ¡°Bang!¡± The Second-in-Command of Qing Feng Mountain, at the First Grade realm, instantly died, dissolving into a mist of blood. The bandits of Qing Feng Mountain were stunned; Second-in-Command Wu Chen was dead in the blink of an eye!? Before the bandits of Qing Feng Mountain could react, the figure looked over, his cold eyes sweeping across them. One after another, they exploded into blood mist. Merely by his gaze, he caused people¡¯s orifices to burst, killing them on the spot. The sunlight gently poured down, his features indiscernible. He emanated an overwhelmingly tyrannical Qi Mechanism, and his eyes seemed to bear a sense of seeing through the vicissitudes of the world. ¡°The water flows ever clearer, as the vicissitudes of the world grow ever fainter.¡± ¡­.. On East Lin Road, Wuxia Mountain. Not a cloud in the sky, not a breeze in the air, the scorching sun sat directly overhead, all the trees looked lethargic and listlessly stood there. The sound of cicadas was piercingly loud. A few hunters were making their way down from the mountain, their expressions filled with panic. ¡°What on earth happened to Wang Mazi?¡± ¡°Why did he suddenly want to kill Ergouzi?¡± ¡°Did Wang Mazi stealthily steal his woman?¡± ¡°I think there¡¯s more to it than that. It looked like Wang Mazi just had a killing fit.¡± ¡­¡­ The hunters discussed, feeling a cold chill as they recalled what Wang Mazi had done. Who would have thought that the usually mild-mannered Wang Mazi would suddenly raise his hunting knife against Ergouzi? After hastily fleeing the land of bloodshed, they all took a deep breath of relief. As hunters, they naturally knew some martial arts, but their cultivation was not high, mostly around the Eighth, Ninth, and very few at the Seventh Grade. Some of them knew only simple breathing techniques and hadn¡¯t learned any real Martial Arts Heart Method. It was no exaggeration to say they were at the very bottom of the Great Yan Martial World. ¡°Wang Qiang, what¡¯s gotten into you?¡± As the group was uncertain and on edge, suddenly one of the hunters began convulsing and twitching, sending shivers down the spines of a few nearby hunters. What followed was a horrifying sight: the hunter¡¯s hands and feet started moving erratically and his head even twisted around a full circle. After that, the hunter named Wang Qiang¡¯s eyes turned a bloody red, and he charged at the others. ¡°Wang Qiang, what are you doing!?¡± ¡°Have you gone mad?¡± ¡­.. The hunter called Wang Qiang moved very quickly. His arms and legs twisted unnaturally, no longer resembling a human form, and he savagely bit others, killing all the remaining hunters. Bodies lay haphazardly on the ground, blood staining the woods. After killing the other hunters, Wang Qiang¡¯s eyes turned towards a distant village. At this moment, Wang Qiang was like a fierce beast eyeing its prey in the distance, an image that was utterly terrifying and bone-chilling. A bloody slaughter was underway in this quiet and peaceful mountain village. A quarter of an hour later, there were no living people left in this place except for Wang Qiang. Wang Qiang looked at the blood on his hands as he continued walking into the distance. In his mind, rational thought was gone, only ferocity, brutality, bloodshed, and resentment remained¡­ all the most negative and extreme emotions. And this scene on Wuxia Mountain was being mirrored this very moment in places all over Yan Country, Zhao Country, Houjin, Southern Barbarians, Pure Land, and elsewhere in the world. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Many people with Eighth and Ninth Grade Cultivation unwittingly absorbed the aura of Evil Spirits, undergoing severe transformations in their bodies and experiencing a qualitative change. Unable to control the Evil Spirits¡¯ aura, they were assimilated by it, becoming Evil Spirits themselves. Some of these abnormalities were quickly suppressed by higher-grade experts, who killed those turned into Evil Spirits to stop the chaos and carnage. However, remote villages and small towns suffered blood and carnage, with countless people perishing at the hands of Evil Spirits. The entire world was undergoing an unprecedented upheaval. The world was in complete chaos! ¡­.. Chapter 349 - Chapter 349 Chapter 349 One Man Alone Breaks the Houjin Chapter 349: Chapter 349: One Man Alone Breaks the Houjin Chapter 349: Chapter 349: One Man Alone Breaks the Houjin After North Field, comes the Royal Court of Houjin. Because the Great Army of Houjin had assembled and invaded Beihuang Dao, there were only two hundred thousand of the Houjin forces left guarding the Royal Court, and together with the troops gathered from all the tribes, the number had reached a total of five hundred thousand. However, the three hundred thousand conscripted from the tribes were mostly ordinary Houjin civilians, who, in their haste, had hardly formed any fighting force. Not long after the battle at Yulong Snow Mountain, the Pingyang Guard began to assemble in large numbers, marching continuously towards the Royal Court of Houjin. A battle of the ages was about to begin at the Royal Court of Houjin. Since Houjin had adopted a defensive stance, Pingyang faced no obstacles on their march northward and swept through the Houjin territories like a brisk autumn breeze, taking all of their cities. When they captured Black Stone City, Qiu Lun became exceptionally excited, for just two hundred miles ahead lay the Royal Court of Houjin. Houjin, that was a top-tier dynasty of the present age. When it flourished, it was no weaker than the Great Yan Dynasty. Under its banner, the army was strong and the horses robust; they had even boldly declared their intent to venture south to graze their horses. Who would have thought that Qiu Lun, leading the Pingyang Guard, was now on the verge of attacking the gates of the Royal Court of Houjin. Immortality in the annals of history lay just before his eyes, how could Qiu Lun not be excited? An Jing gazed into the distance, silent. ¡°This is my first time at the Royal Court of Houjin,¡± said Ouyang Ping, also looking into the distance in a quiet voice. ¡°The Great Elder once came to this place and managed to kill two Grandmaster experts from Great Snow Mountain and then returned unscathed. Now it seems he is here for the second time, and this time we are to bring him back home.¡± Jun Qinglin was the Great Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform, once the top expert in the world, also known as the being of ¡®Three Feet of pristine whiteness.¡¯ Now his corpse was hung on the walls of the Royal Court of Houjin, which was an utter insult. In the eyes of the barbarians of Houjin, perhaps they truly harbored no fear in their hearts for real experts; their hearts revered savagery and brutishness. An Jing¡¯s face was calm as a lake, but inside, a storm of thunder roiled. The moment Jun Qinglin died, An Jing vowed in secret to kill Zongzheng Huachun to avenge him. Zongzheng Huachun, a veteran Five Qi Grandmaster, had already reached an extremely profound state of Heavenly Human Communication, and now that the Earth Vein Spirit had merged a thread of its consciousness into him, his power was surely unfathomable. Even if he wasn¡¯t a Great Grandmaster yet, he wasn¡¯t far from it. If he were given time, he well might become the fourth Great Grandmaster in this world. Therefore, An Jing would certainly not give him that time. An Jing thought of something and asked, ¡°How is Zongzheng Yue now?¡± ¡°Once she realized we had no intention of killing her, she ate and drank without a worry and then would just sleep. She doesn¡¯t seem to exhibit any abnormalities, nor does she seem to have considered escaping,¡± replied Ouyang Ping. An Jing responded indifferently, ¡°She is indeed a smart woman.¡± Ouyang Ping thought of something and said, ¡°By the way, An Tributor, now in various places around the world, there are beings tainted by Evil Blood. Even within our Demon Sect, there are a few. As they absorb more Evil Blood, it might eventually enable Middle Third Grade experts to¡­¡± An Jing furrowed his brow tightly, as he too was greatly troubled by the spread of the Evil Blood. After all, he possessed the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture,¡¯ but others did not know such a mental method. This Evil Blood infiltrated silently alongside nature¡¯s spiritual energy, and even ordinary Grandmasters couldn¡¯t avoid it. As the Evil Blood gathered more and more, that¡¯s when the real trouble would start. However, with the world on the brink of great change, the warnings had already been sounded. Just then, a member of the Pingyang Guard hurried over. ¡°Disaster has struck, the General has fallen¡­¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed and he asked, ¡°What happened?¡± Qiu Lun was a cultivator of the First Grade Earth Flower Realm, and after An Jing gave him a thread of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, his cultivation had even reached the First Grade Heavenly Flower Realm. Such a status in Jianghu was considered highly skilled, so how could he suddenly collapse? The reporting member of the Pingyang Guard hastily said, ¡°The General was just attacked by an assassin. The assassin has been executed, but the dagger struck the General¡¯s arm, and that dagger was coated with a potent poison.¡± ¡°Lead me to him,¡± commanded An Jing. ¡°Yes!¡± The Pingyang Guard saluted with a fist. Afterward, a group of them arrived at the central camp of the Pingyang Guard, where the Central Army¡¯s camp was already tightly sealed off. The Pingyang Guard was indeed the core force of the Marquis of Pingyang, and the troops within had followed Qiu Heng into battle for many years. Seeing the son of Marquis of Pingyang, Qiu Lun, seriously injured, how could they not worry? An Jing made his way through the crowd to Qiu Lun¡¯s side. At this moment, Qiu Lun was clad in armor, his complexion deathly pale, his breathing faint. There was a slash on his arm from which black blood bubbled out relentlessly. ¡°This must be a long-lost peculiar poison, ¡®Blood Seal Throat.¡¯ ¡°In the ¡®Hundred Poison Record,¡¯ this poison is also ranked among the top three.¡± ¡°If it were not for General Qiu¡¯s profound cultivation, he might have already turned into a skeleton by now.¡± ¡­¡­ Several court physicians furrowed their brows deeply, their faces full of difficulty, clearly at a loss in dealing with this severe poison. If it were not for being inside the Central Army camp, their diagnosis might not have been so conservative. Despite this, several generals of the Pingyang Guard clenched their fists upon hearing this, one could see anger surging in their eyes. An Jing said, ¡°Let me take a look.¡± Hearing this, the generals of the Pingyang Guard quickly stepped aside. An Jing placed his fingers on Qiu Lun¡¯s pulse, which seemed almost imperceptible, his breath had weakened to such an extent. One must know that Qiu Lun also had First Grade Heavenly Flower cultivation, which shows just how fierce and formidable this ¡®Blood Seal Throat¡¯ poison is. An Jing thought to himself, ¡°Let¡¯s see if the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ combined with my acupuncture can break this severe poison.¡± He then extended his palm, and dozens of flying needles appeared and inserted into Qiu Lun¡¯s head. As the saying goes, laymen watch for excitement; professionals watch for the technique. The physicians watching An Jing¡¯s actions were all moved. To act so swiftly and still maintain such accuracy is not something an ordinary person could achieve, and the acupuncture points where the silver needles were inserted were extremely critical points on the human body. Along with the insertion of the silver needles, a faint true qi also entered into the body. After absorbing the True Dragon Essence Blood, An Jing¡¯s true qi within his body was enhanced once again. The moment that true qi surged in, the ¡®Blood Seal Throat¡¯ poison began to converge on the silver needles, gradually being absorbed by them. Other onlookers could almost visibly see the poison fading from Qiu Lun¡¯s body. Ouyang Ping¡¯s mouth curled into a slight smile, ¡°Houjin has chosen the wrong approach if they want to use poison.¡± One should know that even the Poison King had to admit defeat to An Jing¡¯s medical skills. Although the Poison King is now dead, as long as An Jing is present, what does Houjin¡¯s poison technique amount to? Soon, black blood congregated on the silver needles, and Qiu Lun¡¯s complexion also started to recover gradually. The true qi within An Jing¡¯s body gathered and the black blood was directly vaporized into a puff of black air and dispersed. ¡°Today I am fortunate to witness a Divine Doctor in this world!¡± ¡°Miraculous, it¡¯s truly too miraculous.¡± ¡­¡­. The court physicians looked at An Jing, each one of them extremely excited. In their eyes, An Jing had undone the ¡®Blood Seal Throat¡¯ poison with just a few silver needles, completely overturning their understanding. The generals of the Pingyang Guard were also filled with excitement, continuously bowing to An Jing. An Jing glanced at Qiu Lun and said, ¡°Although the toxins in Qiu Lun¡¯s body have been removed, this ¡®Blood Seal Throat¡¯ has already harmed his internal foundation. He cannot go to the Houjin Royal Court this time.¡± Ouyang Ping frowned upon hearing this. Without Qiu Lun¡¯s Pingyang Guard, this expedition might encounter some difficulties. After all, the Imperial Jade Seal contains yin soldiers, which cannot stay in The Mortal World for too long. If the Pingyang Guard does not lead the way, it would still be a very troublesome matter. A general of the Pingyang Guard raised his fist and said, ¡°Lord An, how about we wait for General Qiu¡¯s injury to heal before we attack the Houjin Royal Court?¡± An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°The more Houjin tries to obstruct us, it shows that Zongzheng Huachun needs more time, so I certainly won¡¯t grant Zongzheng Huachun any.¡± If Zongzheng Huachun achieves Great Grandmaster status, not only would this campaign against Houjin fall short, but the entire world¡¯s situation could undergo a massive change. ¡°But¡­¡± The generals of the Pingyang Guard looked at each other, showing a bit of difficulty. They also knew this was a great opportunity, but Qiu Lun¡¯s life was even more important. No one knew whether Houjin would continue to send masters to assassinate Qiu Lun. If the Pingyang Guard followed An Jing to Houjin, and Qiu Lun was assassinated and killed, that would be a grave matter. ¡°There¡¯s no need.¡± An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°Now that we are at the front door of the Houjin Royal Court, I alone am sufficient.¡± ¡°` Huah! As An Jing¡¯s voice faded, the Pingyang Guard Generals and Imperial Physicians were all profoundly shaken to their cores. One must realize that this was the Houjin Royal Court, and at this moment, various tribes were continuously converging there. By now, there were already five hundred thousand Houjin soldiers within the royal court, and it was also the place where the second most formidable expert in the world was stationed. To think that the Ghost Swordsman intended to go alone to the Houjin Royal Court was a testament to just how immense his self-confidence was. Pingyang Guard Generals came forward, one after another, to earnestly dissuade him. Ouyang Ping couldn¡¯t help but speak up, ¡°An Tributor, this is simply too dangerous.¡± Facing an army of five hundred thousand along with an expert like Zongzheng Huachun, and especially since Xi Hafu might still be in Houjin¨Ca bonafide Great Grandmaster¨Cif Xi Hafu was indeed in the Houjin Royal Court, it would be a dragon¡¯s lair and a tiger¡¯s den for anyone. An Jing, however, appeared serene and unruffled. ¡°A mere speck of a city poses no danger to me; five hundred thousand troops cannot trap me.¡± Taking a deep breath, Ouyang Ping said, ¡°I¡¯m concerned about Xi Hafu¡­¡± Last time, with Nangong Weiping¡¯s interference, An Jing managed to scare him off with the Imperial Jade Seal, but what about this time? An Jing casually replied, ¡°I have my own measure of things.¡± Xi Hafu had not yet shown himself, and no one knew if he would appear in the Houjin Royal Court, but this time, An Jing also had his own plans in place. The Pingyang Guard Generals exchanged glances, but no more words were spoken. Seeing the aura of composure and confidence radiating from An Jing, Ouyang Ping¡¯s hanging heart gradually settled. In this young man, there was always something that inspired belief. ¡­.. Zhao Country, Cloud Tower. The frontlines between Yan and Zhao were ablaze with warfare, chaos surging like a storm inside the Cloud Tower as well. Since the battle at Yujing City, Black Ice Platform had suffered grievous losses; the Five Qi Grandmaster Qin Shan, who possessed innate true qi, fell in battle, and the Stage Master of Black Ice Platform, Qi Zuan Dao, was also seriously injured and had yet to recover fully. Qi Zuan Dao stood on the top floor of the Cloud Tower, gazing at the drifting clouds in the distance. The signs of Evil Blood stirring were becoming evident, harbingers of great chaos unfolding in the world. By now, even ordinary citizens knew that a significant change was underway in the world, an unprecedented transformation. Was this a chance or did it herald disaster? Even Qi Zuan Dao¡¯s heart held no certainty. It was at this moment that he heard a faint sound of footsteps behind him. ¡°Master!¡± Qi Zuan Dao quickly turned around and greeted the newcomer with a fist and palm salute. The person was none other than his master, the Elder of Ten Directions. The Elder of Ten Directions took a few leisurely steps forward and asked, ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± After a moment of contemplation, Qi Zuan Dao responded, ¡°I was just recalling the past.¡± The Elder of Ten Directions inquired, ¡°Lately, you have been dwelling on the past frequently. Do you know what that signifies?¡± Qi Zuan Dao replied, ¡°My thoughts are a jumble, and thus I indulge in wild imaginations.¡± The Elder of Ten Directions shook his head, ¡°It merely indicates that you are not faring well these days.¡± ¡°Not faring well these days¡­¡± Qi Zuan Dao muttered to himself without a word further. He was reminded of the days when he first joined the Black Ice Platform. Back then, several fellow disciples were all there, learning together under the Elder of Ten Directions. Time flew by, and all of those fellow disciples were now gone. The real Qi Zuan Dao had died last year fighting against the Russell Clan, Qu Renlin at Blue Sky Island, and Qin Shan in Yujing City. It seemed as if everyone would die¨Cif not in Jianghu, then in the tumult of the world¨Cultimately ending up as a handful of dust. And what about him? ¡°` And where will death occur again? The Elder of the Ten Directions said softly, ¡°No matter what you do, there will always be people standing in your way. Only by clearing all the obstacles ahead of you, will you then be not far from what you desire.¡± Qi Xuan Dao sighed, ¡°Before clearing all the obstacles, will I first suffer many injuries?¡± The Elder of the Ten Directions glanced at Qi Xuan Dao, ¡°What? Are you afraid?¡± Qi Xuan Dao shook his head, ¡°Teacher, everything is still within your control, how could I possibly be afraid?¡± The Elder of the Ten Directions said, ¡°It¡¯s just the beginning. The Earth Vein Spirit will soon be completely eroded by the evil energy. When that happens, it will be truly like the sun and moon giving way to a new heaven. For now, it¡¯s just letting them fuss for a few more days.¡± Qi Xuan Dao thought of something and said with concern, ¡°Teacher, Zhao Zhiwu is already running on fumes, but that Ghost Swordsman¡­¡± The Ghost Swordsman is too young and has grown too quickly. The Elder of the Ten Directions took out a chess piece and said, ¡°Xi Hafu now possesses the strength of the Buddha. If he makes a move, he will surely be able to slay the Ghost Swordsman in Houjin.¡± Qi Xuan Dao frowned, ¡°Will Xi Hafu make a move?¡± Xi Hafu was scared away by the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Imperial Jade Seal, a fact known throughout the world. Will he really intervene in the great battle between the Ghost Swordsman and Houjin? Considering that the Buddhist sect is now standing with Great Yan, Xi Hafu¡¯s actions would undoubtedly push the Buddhist sect into the ranks of those who break faith and abandon righteousness. The Elder of the Ten Directions placed the chess piece on the stone table in front of him and said lightly, ¡°He has absorbed the Evil Spirits¡¯ Blood and remains, completely turning into an evil spirit. His greatest wish is to release the evil energy and convert all beings into evil spirits.¡± ¡°Thus, the Ghost Swordsman must be killed, Zhao Zhiwu must also be killed. Only then can the seal of the Dragon Locking Well be broken, releasing the evil energy completely. This is the mission I have given him, and he must fulfill it.¡± Qi Xuan Dao nodded slightly, then said, ¡°Teacher, why is Xi Hafu able to become an evil spirit and still retain his wit?¡± Becoming an evil spirit would result in the loss of all rationality, the mind filled only with ferocity, bloodlust, and all negative emotions. Yet Xi Hafu has preserved his complete wit undisturbed. The Elder of the Ten Directions said softly, ¡°This is what a true evil spirit is like.¡± Qi Xuan Dao was somewhat surprised inside, ¡°A true evil spirit?¡± The Elder of the Ten Directions explained, ¡°When the energy of an evil spirit floods into a body, those with the capability completely become evil spirits, those without are merely disturbed by the energy of evil spirits. Or to put it another way, they are just the failed result before becoming evil spirits.¡± After hearing this, Qi Xuan Dao was greatly shocked, ¡°Then, does this mean that becoming an evil spirit and absorbing evil energy is not entirely infeasible?¡± He had always hoped to break the Forbidden Dragon Locking Well, borrow the short-term release of the Earth Vein Spirit for a massive infusion of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, and advance to a Great Grandmaster. Afterward, find a way to resist the evil energy. But now it seems absorbing evil energy isn¡¯t entirely bad. And his teacher¡¯s plan seems to be about the Earth Vein Spirit, but he has never specifically told him what it exactly is. Is the teacher going to open up his heart to him today? The Elder of the Ten Directions took out another chess piece and asked, ¡°Fengsheng, do you know why you¡¯re called Qiu Fengsheng?¡± Qi Xuan Dao shook his head, ¡°I do not know, teacher.¡± ¡°I have observed your life chart; a fortunate star descends, meet Fengsheng in your destiny. Do you know what that means? It signifies that you can truly witness the energy of evil spirits.¡± The Elder of the Ten Directions turned away, his back facing, ¡°And if one can control the energy of evil spirits, that can be a more dreadful existence than nature¡¯s spiritual energy.¡± Whoosh! Whoosh! After speaking, two chess pieces emitted black and white rays of light that shot straight up into the sky. Even the surrounding clouds were dispersed, and the two rays of black and white light intertwined, forming a Taiji Eight Diagram Plate above. Qi Xuan Dao raised his head to look at the Eight Diagram Plate intertwined above in the sky, his heart thumped erratically. The energy of evil spirits is a more cunning and more terrifying existence than nature¡¯s spiritual energy, but so far, no one in the world has fully understood or mastered nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Can anyone truly master this evil spirit energy? The Elder of the Ten Directions turned around and said, ¡°And I wish to completely control this energy of evil spirits. When the Earth Vein Spirit is thoroughly tainted by the evil energy and becomes an evil Earth Vein, I can use this so-called energy of evil spirits to become a saint or even an ancestor.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°To have this land utterly under my feet, I shall grant eternal life to whomever I choose, and this is the Dao.¡± His figure grew taller, and then connected with the heavens and earth, his presence as imposing as a mountain weighed on Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s heart, making even his breath pause slightly. At the same time, the Elder of the Ten Directions had a black and white glow in his eyes, as if they were one with the Taiji Eight Diagram above in the sky. Qi Xuan Dao looked at the Elder of the Ten Directions in front of him, slightly widened his eyes and muttered to himself, ¡°Teacher, today I have truly seen the Dao.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 350 - Chapter 350 Chapter 350 Walking with You Until Dawn Chapter 350: Chapter 350: Walking with You Until Dawn Chapter 350: Chapter 350: Walking with You Until Dawn The situation in the world suddenly changed, not only due to the wars between nations but also due to the infiltration of evil spirits, making the already turbulent situation even more perplexing and mysterious. In Houjin, Nanping Dao, and Yujing City, it seemed that every area could erupt in a battle that would change the world¡¯s structure, and everyone¡¯s nerves were on edge. Compared to the tense situation, the imminent conflict in Houjin, Nanping Dao was now caught in a state of calm deadlock. Especially since the leader of the Southern Barbarians personally confronted Xiao Qianqiu at Nanhua Mountain. Both were in Nanping Dao, but neither took the initiative to attack, as though each was observing the other. Ascending Nanhua Mountain, it felt bitterly cold in the high place. The clear, sharp mountain wind brushed unimpeded, and the whole hillside¡¯s pine forest whispered softly, with rain-like mist, mist-like rain. Walking among them, it hit the face with the wind, dampening the cheeks and clothing. Xiao Qianqiu had donned the raincoat prepared at the mountain¡¯s base and held a horsetail whisk in his hand, his eyes capturing the rugged mountain path in vibrant, transparent colors. His lone figure traversed the path, embodying a floating, independent solitude. Luo Chongyang was a devoted Daoist practitioner, and Xiao Qianqiu not only possessed the fortitude and tenacity of a devoted practitioner but also had an air of worldly experience. Both were cultivating, though they cultivated in different places. Luo Chongyang cultivated outside of worldly affairs. Xiao Qianqiu cultivated among humanity. At this moment, another figure appeared on the rugged mountain path. This person was not tall, even somewhat short, with somewhat ugly triangular eyes. He wore the attire of the Southern Barbarians and a cloth hat on his head, with a bamboo basket hanging at his waist. His steps were neither quick nor slow, but each step resonated with a sense of solid, weighty presence. Xiao Qianqiu looked at the person approaching, swung his horsetail whisk, and performed a Daoist greeting, ¡°The poor Daoist greets you.¡± In this majestic world, those who stood at the summit of mountains were ultimately few, and this leader of the Southern Barbarians was one such person. The leader of the Southern Barbarians stared at the Daoist before him and spoke, ¡°I do not see you as Xiao Qianqiu.¡± Xiao Qianqiu laughed, ¡°If the poor Daoist is not Xiao Qianqiu, then who am I?¡± The leader of the Southern Barbarians countered, ¡°Indeed, who exactly are you?¡± Xiao Qianqiu replied, ¡°Sometimes, people do not believe what others say; they only believe what they wish to believe in their hearts. So, what do you wish to believe?¡± The leader of the Southern Barbarians seriously stated, ¡°The State Preceptor of Great Yan is dead, his body taken over by another.¡± Xiao Qianqiu laughed more deeply, ¡°People are not immortal, and fortune does not extend forever. Do you truly believe in eternal life?¡± The leader of the Southern Barbarians replied, ¡°Humans naturally cannot, but the Dao Ancestor can.¡± The Dao Ancestor, also the founder of the Mystical Sect, was a historically renowned great grandmaster. Xiao Qianqiu asked, ¡°Why do you think I am the Dao Ancestor?¡± The leader of the Southern Barbarians looked at Xiao Qianqiu and said, ¡°You will become the new Dao Ancestor.¡± Xiao Qianqiu stated, ¡°The poor Daoist is not interested in the Dao Ancestor.¡± The leader of the Southern Barbarians asked, ¡°Then what are you interested in? The world? Or the Dao?¡± Xiao Qianqiu did not speak but instead raised his head to look at the sky. The leader of the Southern Barbarians watched this extraordinary Daoist, his brow furrowed. Within the Great Yan Martial World, not only was there Xiao Qianqiu, but also the Ghost Swordsman, an extraordinary master with boundless potential, and now even a ¡®Buddha¡¯ level master like Xi Hafu. Although he was an ordinary Five Qi Grandmaster, even with the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s idea of breaking the ban, he had no chance of advancing to the level of a great grandmaster unless the Earth Vein Spirit completely broke the ban. Now, it seemed the breaking of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s ban presented a great opportunity but also a tremendous crisis. Amid the chaos of today¡¯s world, the heart of the leader of the Southern Barbarians also surged with tumultuous folds. Where should Jianghu go from here? Where should the world go from here? And where should he go from here? He was one of the rare Five Qi Grandmasters in the world today, but also the leader of the Southern Barbarians. How should he make his choice? Xiao Qianqiu looked at the Southern Barbarian leader before him, ¡°What the poor Daoist is interested in is not important; what you are interested in is important. Have your eyes lost direction, or was your heart always devoid of light?¡± The Southern Barbarian leader¡¯s gaze turned cold, ¡°You killed my ten great wizards of the Southern Barbarians. Regardless, the first thing I must do is to take your head to sacrifice to the heavens. What do you say?¡± With ten master-level experts perishing at the hands of Xiao Qianqiu, the Southern Barbarians were not just wounded to the core; they were already incomparable to Great Yan and Zhao Country. Now, with the deaths of ten master-level experts, the backbone of the Southern Barbarians was essentially shattered. Within the territory of the Southern Barbarians, merely mentioning the name Xiao Qianqiu stirred up intense fear and resentment. If the leader of the Southern Barbarians remained inactive, wouldn¡¯t he be ridiculed? Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°You stand in the mist, unable to even see yourself clearly.¡± The ruler of the Southern Barbarians replied coldly, ¡°One only needs to see the world clearly with both eyes. Why must one see oneself clearly?¡± Xiao Qianqiu asked, ¡°Do you really think you have seen this world clearly?¡± Boom! As his words fell, Xiao Qianqiu stretched out his palm, and suddenly clouds gathered in the sky with thunder booming. The ruler of the Southern Barbarians frowned deeply, feeling an unprecedented crisis emanating from those clouds. Even though he was vaguely aware of the dreadful power of Xiao Qianqiu before him, the thunder still left him with palpitations. But who was he? The ruler of the Southern Barbarians, the king controlling the entire domain of the Southern Barbarians. ¡°Hmph!¡± With a light snort, his resounding voice did not pale in comparison to the roaring thunder. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s palm then displayed arcs of electricity. Palm Thunder! It was not a deeply profound hand technique within the Mystical Sect, and many ancestors of the Zhenyi Sect could perform it effortlessly; however, in the hands of some experts, a seemingly simple technique could prove formidable depending on who executed it. The ruler of the Southern Barbarians, watching the ready Palm Thunder, said indifferently, ¡°Our battle may not necessarily influence the situation under heaven, so why bother?¡± Xiao Qianqiu asked, ¡°Then who do you think can influence the grand situation under heaven?¡± The ruler of the Southern Barbarians looked towards the north and said, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun and the Ghost Swordsman.¡± The Southern Barbarians and the Zhenyi Sect had no grievances, even though Xiao Qianqiu had killed ten Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians. However, Great Yan had previously lost tens of thousands of soldiers, and many experts of the Zhenyi Sect had died on Nanhua Mountain. The Ghost Swordsman and Zongzheng Huachun were mortal enemies. Xiao Qianqiu, hearing this, also looked towards the north. The Ghost Swordsman, who had slain two Five Qi Grandmasters, holding the national treasure Imperial Jade Seal and the Dulu Sword, was about to strike into the Houjin Royal Court. He planned to, alone, accomplish a feat that would shake the world. Meanwhile, Zongzheng Huachun, currently the second greatest expert under heaven, was stationed at the Houjin Royal Court. A fight to the death between the two was inevitable and had already attracted everyone¡¯s attention. The ruler of the Southern Barbarians said, ¡°In just forty years, Zongzheng Huachun unified the great plains and established Houjin. His backing is definitely not simple, and now the royal court still has hundreds of thousands of troops. The Ghost Swordsman, although he holds national treasures, is perhaps too arrogant and presumptuous in undertaking this mission alone.¡± ¡°Should the Ghost Swordsman fall at the Houjin Royal Court, Houjin, having amassed the nation¡¯s forces, could directly march into Yujing City, and Great Yan would be in imminent peril.¡± Xiao Qianqiu nodded slightly and said, ¡°What you say seems quite reasonable.¡± It turned out that the ruler of the Southern Barbarians was here to persuade him. The ruler continued, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu, you don¡¯t need to go down with the Great Yan Dynasty either. Standing before my Southern Barbarians¡¯ army means certain death unless you think you alone can withstand my hundreds of thousands of troops.¡± ¡°Your strength combined with mine makes us invincible under heaven, and we could definitely secure a position in this chaotic world. In time, I could make your Zhenyi Sect the national religion of our Southern Barbarians.¡± Currently, as chaos reigned, the ruler of the Southern Barbarians had to plan for the future. If Great Yan fell, then the world would be divided among three nations, and it was clear to any discerning eye that the Southern Barbarians were the weakest among them. Xiao Qianqiu asked, ¡°Do you truly think Zongzheng Huachun can kill An Jing?¡± The ruler of the Southern Barbarians said, ¡°Then you don¡¯t know who is truly behind Zongzheng Huachun, or perhaps Zhao Zhiwu has never mentioned it to you.¡± Xiao Qianqiu, with his hands behind his back, replied lightly, ¡°Then let us wait and see.¡± The ruler of the Southern Barbarians shook his head and said, ¡°You Taoists really won¡¯t shed tears without seeing the coffin. Why don¡¯t we make a bet?¡± Xiao Qianqiu asked, ¡°What sort of bet?¡± A glint appeared in the eyes of the ruler of the Southern Barbarians, ¡°If in the battle of Houjin, the Ghost Swordsman wins, my Southern Barbarians will retreat. If the Ghost Swordsman falls, then you will submit to my Southern Barbarians. How about it?¡± For him, this wager was all to his advantage; if the Ghost Swordsman won, the Southern Barbarians could not refuse to retreat, and if the Ghost Swordsman lost, he could then welcome the Great Yan State Preceptor to his side. At that time, as the three nations divided Great Yan, he would surely gain the greatest benefit. Xiao Qianqiu looked toward the ruler of the Southern Barbarians, ¡°If the Ghost Swordsman loses, I will offer my head. If the Ghost Swordsman wins, I will take yours. What do you think?¡± A sharp light flashed in the ruler¡¯s eyes, ¡°Do you really have such faith in the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Xiao Qianqiu smiled but remained silent. The ruler of the Southern Barbarians said, ¡°Very well, I accept your terms.¡± Though he could not convince the State Preceptor of Great Yan to join the Southern Barbarians, having the State Preceptor executed would not only avenge a personal grievance but also greatly enhance the prestige of the Southern Barbarians. Xiao Qianqiu glanced at the ruler of the Southern Barbarians and said, ¡°I hope your excellency will honor this wager in due time, as I do not wish to personally intervene.¡± It was merely a fleeting glance, calm and tranquil, yet the leader of the Southern Barbarians felt a chill within, as if a cold breeze was sweeping from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. ¡°Then let us wait and see,¡± he said. The leader of the Southern Barbarians snorted coldly, his figure gradually fading on top of Nanhua Mountain. Xiao Qianqiu looked at his palm, ¡°Without destruction, there can be no establishment. Someday, the sky will inevitably be pierced with a hole.¡± ¡­¡­ In Yujing City, the Empress¡¯s sleeping quarters, the night deepened. Zuo Linglong was dressed in a yellow gown, trimmed with golden edges, with beautiful peonies embroidered with golden threads on the hem, regal and elegant, her long dress dragging on the ground. Once known as the greatest beauty of Great Yan, she still carried herself with grace and was still incredibly captivating. She walked through the palace halls with lotus steps, heading towards the Western Garden. ¡°Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress.¡± Upon seeing Zuo Linglong coming, two young eunuchs quickly knelt down in reverence. Zuo Linglong asked, ¡°Is Minister Zhao still here?¡± One of the eunuchs hurriedly replied, ¡°He is still here.¡± ¡°Good,¡± she said. Zuo Linglong nodded slightly and entered the Western Garden. Hearing the announcement, Zhao Tianyi, who was reviewing memorials, quickly stood up and bowed, ¡°Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress.¡± ¡°No need for formalities.¡± Zuo Linglong waved her hand and said, ¡°For the Zhao Family¡¯s dynasty, you truly spare no effort, even unto death.¡± Her words were very flat, devoid of any emotion. Zhao Tianyi said, ¡°To eat the ruler¡¯s grain is to bear the ruler¡¯s burden, and to worry for the ruler.¡± Zuo Linglong took a deep look at Zhao Tianyi. ¡°Is it just for that reason?¡± she asked. Zhao Tianyi repeated Zuo Linglong¡¯s words, but in a completely different tone, ¡°It is just for that reason.¡± Zuo Linglong walked up to Zhao Tianyi, looking at the candle flame before her. The faint light glimmered brilliantly in the dark night. Zhao Tianyi bent slightly and remained silent, the room falling into a state of tranquility. After a long while, Zuo Linglong finally said slowly, ¡°The Emperor is failing.¡± Her voice was clear, indifferent. Zhao Tianyi calmly said, ¡°Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural ways of the world; the Emperor is also human, and a Land Immortal is merely an immortal of this land. It is sufficient as long as the Emperor has a successor.¡± Zuo Linglong nodded and said, ¡°In fact, I am here to discuss some matters with you.¡± Zhao Tianyi replied, ¡°Please speak, Your Majesty; I shall withhold nothing and will be completely forthcoming.¡± ¡°What a promise to withhold nothing and be completely forthcoming,¡± she remarked. Zuo Linglong took a deep look at Zhao Tianyi, then asked, ¡°This morning in the court, I heard from Xuening that the Ghost Swordsman has penetrated deep into Houjin, intending to breach the Royal Court alone with his sword.¡± Zhao Tianyi nodded and said, ¡°According to the reports from Heaven and Earth Net, this is indeed true.¡± Zuo Linglong furrowed her brows and asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t this venture too risky?¡± Zhao Tianyi replied, ¡°It is risky.¡± Zuo Linglong slowly sat down and asked, ¡°Then why not send him a letter, to stop his actions?¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Tianyi shook his head, ¡°Your Majesty seems to be mistaken. Not every minister is like Minister Lv, and not everyone in Great Yan will heed the Court¡¯s command.¡± Zuo Linglong said, ¡°With such a formidable enemy before us, he is not someone who lacks understanding of the bigger picture.¡± Zhao Tianyi replied pensively, ¡°He understands the bigger picture, but not the ¡®bigger picture¡¯ Her Majesty refers to.¡± They were all too aware of the kind of person the Ghost Swordsman was. Upon hearing this, Zuo Linglong¡¯s brows tightened then relaxed intermittently, then she finally asked, ¡°Minister Zhao, what do you think the chances are that the Ghost Swordsman will come out unscathed?¡± Zhao Tianyi pondered for a moment and said, ¡°There are limits to human capability, and until the final moment, I cannot be certain.¡± Zuo Linglong¡¯s beautiful eyes narrowed as she asked bluntly, ¡°If the Ghost Swordsman dies, will Houjin launch a major offensive again, intensifying the current crisis?¡± Zhao Tianyi spoke in a deep voice, ¡°Yes, the Demon Sect is currently the mainstay in the north. If the Ghost Swordsman were to die, the northern barrier would be completely gone, and then the Houjin army could directly invade Yujing City.¡± Zuo Linglong asked, ¡°So what should we do now?¡± Zhao Tianyi said, ¡°Calm your mind and wait for the outcome.¡± All that the Court could do now was to quietly await the result. If the Ghost Swordsman won, then it would be a celebration for all under the heavens, and Great Yan could consider directly attacking the Royal Court of Houjin. While it might be challenging to incorporate the entire Houjin into the Yan Country¡¯s territory, the crisis in the north could be completely eliminated. If he lost, the consequences were unimaginable. ¡°I understand,¡± she said. Zuo Linglong nodded slightly, then stood up and walked towards the outside of the hall. Zhao Tianyi bent over and had not straightened up throughout. Just as Zuo Linglong reached the doorway, she paused slightly and said in a low voice, ¡°Tianyi, you have worked hard.¡± Having said that, she stepped out of the Xiyuan. It was not until long after Zuo Linglong had left that Zhao Tianyi replied in a low voice, ¡°It¡¯s not hard.¡± ¡­¡­ The news that the Ghost Swordsman was going to storm into the Royal Court of Houjin alone spread like wildfire throughout the world. Instantly, the entire world was astounded, and everyone was deeply shaken. Everywhere in Great Yan, Zhao Country, Houjin, the Southern Barbarians, and the Buddhist Pure Land were engulfed in surging waves and dramatic ups and downs. No one had expected the Ghost Swordsman to be so audacious as to attempt to storm into the Royal Court of Houjin alone. In the world, only Grandmaster Level experts would dare to disregard an army as nothing. Currently, there were only two Land Immortal Level experts in the world, and the Ghost Swordsman was not among them. Although he possessed the Imperial Jade Seal, he was still far from reaching the Land Immortal status. Zongzheng Huachun was among the top Five Qi Grandmasters in the world. The Five Qi Grandmaster of the Demon Sect, Jun Qinglin, had died by his hand. Now that he had acquired a strand of intent from the Earth Vein Spirit, his cultivation was sure to have greatly increased. In many people¡¯s minds, without the help of the National Seal, the Ghost Swordsman might not be a match for Zongzheng Huachun. The trilateral attack on Yan had occurred several times till today, but this time the impact was undoubtedly the greatest, as the Ghost Swordsman was aiming to break into the Royal Court of Houjin. If the Ghost Swordsman succeeded in killing Zongzheng Huachun, the trilateral attack on Yan would be dissolved, and the world¡¯s structure thoroughly overturned. The crisis in Yan Country would be instantly dispelled, instead boosting the momentum of Yan Country. If the Ghost Swordsman were to die in the Royal Court of Houjin, then Zongzheng Huachun could firmly secure the position as the second most powerful in the world. With hundreds of thousands of Houjin troops in the Royal Court and the acquisition of the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s National Seal, they could make a direct push into Yujing City. The news that the Great Yan Emperor, Zhao Zhiwu, had forcibly advanced to the Great Grandmaster level and damaged his foundation was spreading throughout the world. If the Ghost Swordsman also failed, it would be a tremendous blow to Great Yan. It could even inspire the military spirits of Zhao Country and the Southern Barbarians. A series of blows in succession could possibly lead to the complete annihilation of Great Yan. Hence, all under the heavens were paying attention to this great battle. Because they knew, this battle was crucial for the direction of the world for decades to come. At night, the stars were brilliant, and the bright moonlight shone on the prairie, making the world seem peaceful. The evening breeze gently blew, causing the grass to undulate with the wind, making it appear very comfortable. An Jing sat cross-legged in the middle of the prairie, feeling the comfortable breeze and felt a tranquility in his heart. Ever since he had left Yu State City, he had only hurriedly passed by once and had not returned since. Time had flown by, and two years had already passed. In these two years, many things had happened, and he had encountered many different opponents. But without exception, all these opponents eventually fell under his sword. Now, he was not only recognized as the World¡¯s First Swordsman but also had the opportunity to vie for the position of the world¡¯s foremost expert. The only thing that made him feel regret was the time Jun Qinglin died. At that time, the Houjin had strong horses and soldiers, with nearly a million troops under the Thirteen Banner eying the world covetously. The Soul Seeker Mansion and Snow Mountain were full of experts, and he clearly knew it was Zongzheng Huachun who had cut off Jun Qinglin¡¯s lifeline, yet he was powerless. And now, Zongzheng Huachun was just two hundred li away, within the reach of his sword. An Jing stroked the sword box in front of him and murmured to himself, ¡°The affairs of the world are all within the sword.¡± ¡°Chirp¨C!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Just then, a crisp sound arose from the sky. He looked up, and there was a large red bird, with a figure standing on its back. She stood above, holding a short knife in her right hand, her delicate fingers grasping the white blade as if holding a sprig of fresh flowers, her dashing eyes roving, lips curved in a smile, indescribably charming and delightful. ¡°My lord, I am here.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 351 - Chapter 351 Chapter 351 The Prairie Battle Shocks All Sides Chapter 351: Chapter 351: The Prairie Battle Shocks All Sides Chapter 351: Chapter 351: The Prairie Battle Shocks All Sides ¡°Madam, why have you come?¡± An Jing looked at the incoming person, somewhat surprised. Not long ago, Zhao Qingmei had held You Mountain and had slain hundreds of thousands of Houjin¡¯s army, a feat that had been known throughout the world. Unexpectedly, she had now suddenly appeared in Houjin. Zhao Qingmei raised her eyebrows and lightly tapped An Jing¡¯s forehead, snorting, ¡°Did you think of going to the Royal Court of Houjin alone?¡± An Jing felt warmth in his heart upon hearing this, ¡°Are you also going?¡± Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Everyone else might not go, but I must accompany you.¡± An Jing nodded heavily, ¡°Good, then let¡¯s go together.¡± Zongzheng Huachun, this expert who had dominated the world for decades, had had a glimpse of his strength during the battle at Yujing City. Even the Great Yan Emperor, Zhao Zhiwu, had not managed to defeat him before breaking into the Great Grandmaster realm. Now, Zongzheng Huachun, with a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent by his side, had his strength increased many folds. In the eyes of everyone in the world, he was the true third highest expert. The one ranked first was Xi Hafu, a top Buddhist expert who had transcended Zhao Zhiwu to become the world¡¯s greatest expert upon breaking into the Great Grandmaster realm. There were rumors that Xi Hafu was now in the Royal Court of Houjin, preparing to join hands with Zongzheng Huachun to deal with the Ghost Swordsman. Thus, the Royal Court possibly housed the first and third greatest experts, along with the tens of thousands of Houjin¡¯s army. How terrifying was that? In the eyes of others, Houjin now was like a dragon pool and a tiger¡¯s den. But that was just for others. Zhao Qingmei thought of something and asked, ¡°I heard that the boy Han Wenxin has been captured by an expert from the Soul Seeker Mansion of Houjin.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Yes, so I plan to use Zongzheng Yue to exchange for that boy¡¯s life.¡± One major reason he had spared Zongzheng Yue earlier was exactly because he knew Han Wenxin was in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s hands. A smile appeared on Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips, ¡°Do you think Zongzheng Huachun might have castrated that boy?¡± An Jing also smiled, ¡°He probably wouldn¡¯t. If he did castrate that boy, he¡¯d surely commit suicide. Then Zongzheng Huachun would lose his leverage over me.¡± Zhao Qingmei burst into laughter, ¡°That¡¯s truly the case. He is so ¡®resolute.''¡± ¡°That word is completely wasted on him.¡± An Jing looked at her smiling face, and could not help but slowly lean in and press his lips onto those tender red lips. Zhao Qingmei uttered a soft moan and then collapsed into An Jing¡¯s embrace, passionately responding. Both of their hearts were exceedingly fiery. After a long while, their lips parted. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face was slightly flushed, her breaths hot, and her body felt as limp as water, collapsing into An Jing¡¯s arms, her heart pounding wildly. Loving someone is ten thousand heartbeats, ten thousand breaths, and ten thousand times of bowing and sighing. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes, watery, ¡°I¡¯ve missed you.¡± An Jing, holding Zhao Qingmei closely, earnestly said, ¡°So have I.¡± Although it had only been a few months, it seemed much longer for the two of them. An Jing said, ¡°You¡¯ve lost weight recently.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyebrows raised, her heart delighted, ¡°How did you notice?¡± ¡°This got smaller, didn¡¯t it?¡± An Jing gently tightened his grip on her chest, subconsciously giving it a squeeze. Zhao Qingmei suddenly became both embarrassed and angry, her hand twisting forcefully on An Jing¡¯s arm. ¡°Yikes¨C!¡± An Jing felt the pain in his arm and involuntarily inhaled sharply, ¡°Are you trying to murder your own husband?¡± At this moment, Zhao Qingmei was no longer the infamous female demon of the world, but more like a shy and charming woman, glaring fiercely at An Jing, ¡°What did you just say again?¡± An Jing pretended to be in pain, grimacing, ¡°Say what?¡± Zhao Qingmei narrowed her eyes, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say I was small?¡± An Jing glanced at Zhao Qingmei¡¯s chest. Given her physique, she definitely wasn¡¯t ¡®small,¡¯ but compared to Tan Yun, who was extraordinarily endowed, she indeed appeared somewhat smaller. Seeing An Jing not speaking, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s embarrassment turned to anger, ¡°Do you really dare to say I¡¯m small?¡± As she spoke, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand shot out towards An Jing¡¯s collar. ¡°Madam, I didn¡¯t say that.¡± An Jing stepped to the side, dodging Zhao Qingmei¡¯s claw. ¡°Who let you dodge? Are you stiff now?¡± Seeing this movement, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s speed increased dramatically, instantly unleashing a move akin to a Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain. She charged forward, like a fierce tiger lunging. An Jing, seeing this, quickly dodged before shouting, ¡°Madam, are you serious?¡± Zhao Qingmei snapped, ¡°An Jing, come here.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Who did you call soft?¡± Zhao Qingmei retorted, ¡°Don¡¯t you know yourself?¡± An Jing, with a stern face, was gasping heavily. Seeing this, a large part of the anger in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart dissipated, even carrying a hint of mischievous pride. At the next moment, An Jing shouted at Zhao Qingmei, ¡°Zhao Sister!¡± ¡°What did you say!?¡± Zhao Qingmei staggered, almost falling to the ground, as if she had heard it wrong. An Jing said proudly, ¡°I called you, don¡¯t you dare answer?¡± ¡°An Jing!!! Ah!!! I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± A flash of rage passed through Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes, and she furiously charged toward An Jing, with a vast surge of True Qi sweeping towards him. An Jing did not retreat but simply extended his palm, raising a True Qi Barrier in front of him. ¡°Bang Bang Bang Bang!¡± The moment the True Qi collided, it immediately burst into a series of tumultuous sounds that deafened the ears. Then the True Qi transformed into waves spreading far and wide. Zhao Qingmei swung her sleeve to disperse the attacking True Qi and continued to charge toward An Jing. Suddenly, beneath the moonlit grassland, the two began a ¡®fierce¡¯ battle, with violent True Qi overflowing under the dim sky, shining brilliantly and bizarrely. From a distance, the Demon Sect experts Li Fuzhou, Yu Qiurong, Duanmu Xinghua, Ouyang Ping, Yi Daoyun, You Gai, Lin Tianhai, and others were all shocked. After all, from the Qi Mechanism it was clear that the combatants were indeed top-notch masters of today. Yi Daoyun gripped the White Tiger Sword and snorted coldly, ¡°What a grand scene, definitely top-tier masters!¡± Yu Qiurong was even more anxious, ¡°We must go and see.¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Just then, You Gai called out. Yu Qiurong quickly shouted, ¡°Senior You, this battle is definitely between top-tier masters, in case the Sect Hierarch and son-in-law¡­¡± ¡°Sect Master Yu, you worry too much.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyelid twitched, ¡°How many people in this world can stand against the joint forces of that couple?¡± Yu Qiurong replied gravely, ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s impossible, better safe than sorry.¡± ¡°Qiurong, you are confused by concern,¡± Duanmu Xinghua began to laugh, ¡°Look carefully at whose Qi Mechanism it really is.¡± ¡°Hmm!?¡± Listening to Duanmu Xinghua, Yu Qiurong quickly looked into the distance, and as she carefully discerned, she suddenly noted the familiar presence of the two combatants¡¯ Qi Mechanisms. It was indeed An Jing and Zhao Qingmei. Yu Qiurong was momentarily stunned, ¡°This¡­¡± Yi Daoyun also realized, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The Sect Hierarch and Tributor had started fighting? They had started fighting!? Could it be¡­ Yi Daoyun seemed to understand something. Li Fuzhou shook his head, ¡°You guys keep watching, Huiyun and Yue are waiting for me to dine, I¡¯ll head back first.¡± As he said this, Li Fuzhou walked away with his hands behind his back. Now that Liu Huiyun of the Liu Family had joined the Demon Sect, and Ling Yuhua had also transferred in, these two who were once rivals in love now seemed to have seen through it all, managing to live together harmoniously, and had become the right-hand men of Li Fuzhou. Lin Tianhai looked at Li Fuzhou¡¯s retreating figure and whispered sourly, ¡°Old Li is getting more and more unserious. Can his old body still handle it?¡± At that moment, he could only envy him fiercely. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Duanmu Xinghua also clicked her tongue, ¡°Sect Master Li wandered half his life when he was young, claiming the Four Seas as home; in his old age, he is indeed enjoying the fortune that comes with peace, truly a taste of sweetness after bitterness.¡± You Gai laughed, ¡°If Tributor An had even half of Li Fuzhou¡¯s skill¡­¡± Yu Qiurong raised an eyebrow, wanting to say something yet stopping herself. ¡°If Tributor An really had half of Li Fuzhou¡¯s skill,¡± Duanmu Xinghua, looking towards the place where True Qi clashed, said softly, ¡°First, he would have to ask if he can take a beating.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 352 - Chapter 352 Chapter 352 The Wind Rises and the Clouds Fly Chapter 352: Chapter 352: The Wind Rises and the Clouds Fly Chapter 352: Chapter 352: The Wind Rises and the Clouds Fly Houjin Royal Court. Ever since the Pingyang Guard marched northward, various Houjin tribes had either received orders or spontaneously brought their armies to defend the Royal Court. Now, a multitude of armies had gathered around the outskirts of the Houjin Royal Court, and the atmosphere had unconsciously become tense. Not a single Houjin person believed that the Ghost Swordsman could breach the Houjin Royal Court since this was the only unified dynasty on the great plains to this day, and the one sitting in the Royal Court was none other than Zongzheng Huachun, the Holy Master of the Great Snow Mountain. At this moment, inside a luxurious courtyard in the Royal Court, Jie Se and Jie Lu sat upright in the Dining Hall, with an air of solemnity. Several beautiful maids were serving delicious dishes, placing them in front of them one by one. ¡°Stop!¡± Jie Se sternly asked, ¡°Who exactly are you? What is your purpose for bringing us here?¡± The leading beautiful maid bowed and said, ¡°This servant is only following the steward¡¯s orders; I know nothing else.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Jie Se coldly said, ¡°As a monk, I cannot be corrupted by wealth or moved by poverty, nor can I be subdued by force. How can I be corrupted by your mere extravagance?¡± Jie Lu, seeing the distressed expression on the beautiful maid, sympathetically said, ¡°Brother, don¡¯t be hard on them. They surely have no connection with the people who kidnapped us. Look, they bring us food and drink every day and take great care of us.¡± Upon hearing this, Jie Se¡¯s expression softened slightly, and he said, ¡°For my younger brother¡¯s sake, I¡¯ll let this pass, but just this once. However, I do like to eat late night snacks. Tonight, come to my room and bring me a serving for my late-night meal.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The leading maid responded, then retreated with the other maids. Jie Lu widened his eyes, swallowed hard, ¡°Brother, with such a lavish meal, you still want a late-night snack?¡± Jie Se indifferently said, ¡°¡®Without unexpected wealth a man is not rich, and without nighttime grazing, a horse is not fat.¡¯ What¡¯s wrong with having a late-night snack?¡± Jie Lu¡¯s mind couldn¡¯t quite keep up. In his memory, his brother never ate meals at night, usually preferring grapes or black fungus. Why was he asking for meals tonight? ¡°Eat, stop pretending.¡± Seeing that everyone had left, Jie Se eagerly started eating and urged, ¡°Jie Lu, this food tastes much better than the vegetarian dishes at Fa Xi Temple. Eat more.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been hungry for a while now.¡± Jie Lu also started wolfing down the food, eating mouthfuls at a time. With no one else around, the two of them had no reservations and started eating their fill. While eating, Jie Lu asked, ¡°Brother, what do you think their purpose is for capturing us? They provide us with good food and drink every day. Could it be that their family lacks ancestors and they want us to take on that role?¡± Jie Se¡¯s movement paused for a moment, then he said irritably, ¡°Which family needs ancestors? With that money, wouldn¡¯t they rather take more wives?¡± Jie Lu lamented, ¡°Living here, eating meat and enjoying delicacies every day, makes me not want to leave. Life is much more enjoyable here than outside, especially with so many pretty sisters around.¡± Towards the end, Jie Lu¡¯s heart started pounding uncontrollably. Jie Se sneered, ¡°Back in our family, we also fed pigs well, waiting for them to grow big before slaughtering them.¡± Upon hearing this, Jie Lu almost dropped his bowl in shock, ¡°Brother, do you mean they¡¯re fattening us up like pigs?¡± Jie Se glanced at Jie Lu and said, ¡°Otherwise, why would they feed you so well? Is it because of your looks?¡± Jie Lu thought hard, his expression becoming quite unsightly. Suddenly, the food in his hands seemed tasteless, and he asked, ¡°Brother, what should we do now? Should we run?¡± Jie Se said, ¡°I¡¯ve observed that the guards here are more skilled than me; escaping is simply impossible.¡± Jie Lu looked utterly dejected, threw down his bowl with a cry, ¡°Are we really going to be slaughtered like pigs? I¡¯m the only heir to my family, I haven¡¯t even continued the lineage.¡± Jie Se said, ¡°Why worry about so much? Just eat.¡± Jie Lu said with a sad face, ¡°Brother, you already said we¡¯re pigs, how can I dare to eat? What if eating makes us fatter and leads to our slaughter?¡± Jie Se looked at Jie Lu¡¯s fat-ridden face and said, ¡°Even if you don¡¯t eat, you look the part.¡± Jie Lu: ¡°¡­.¡± Jie Se continued eating, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I had someone predict my future a few years ago; I, Han Wenxin, am not one to die young. I¡¯m sure to turn ill fortune into good.¡± Jie Lu looked on hopefully, ¡°Brother, what about me?¡± Jie Se looked at Jie Lu, then sighed deeply, ¡°If that day really comes, I¡¯ll burn you some extra paper money.¡± ¡­¡­ Within the World Capital City, Houjin¡¯s architectural style was the most distinct, as Zongzheng Huachun sought to incorporate the strengths of all and use the essence of various nations for his own use. This included not only the bold and vast style of the great plains but also the architectural styles of Zhao Country, Yan Country, Southern Barbarians, Pure Land, and others. Thus, the Houjin Royal Court developed a unique style. Now, outside the courtyard stood a pagoda-like structure reminiscent of a Buddhist temple. From the highest point, Zongzheng Huachun could overlook the entire Royal Court. Even as the Demon Sect and the Ghost Swordsman were just outside the city, Houjin was confident, but still tense within the Royal Court. People bustled on the streets since those attacking held the nation¡¯s heavy weapon, The World¡¯s First Swordsman. Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°Based on your observations these past few days, what do you think of this Han Wenxin?¡± Jiren Tai pondered before answering, ¡°This person has a bit of cunning, lacks strength and self-awareness, enjoys luxury, and is extremely lustful.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Upon hearing this, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyebrows slightly raised, ¡°Such a debased person, is he truly a close friend of the Ghost Swordsman?¡± ¡°It is indeed Han Wenxin, without a doubt.¡± Jiren Tai said, ¡°Moreover, when the Ghost Swordsman feigned his death, it was this very person who personally laid him to rest.¡± Zongzheng Huachun nodded slightly and said, ¡°What do you think of the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Jiren Tai was stunned by Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s words. In the past two years, the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s fame had skyrocketed, performing countless deeds. It was impossible to enumerate them all. To Jiren Tai, the name Ghost Swordsman was as familiar as thunder, but he had never actually seen this famed swordsman who had shaken the world. Rumor had it that this person was a pure swordsman rarely seen in this world. Some praised him for his indifference to fame and wealth, and his righteousness that was as vast as the heavens; others claimed he was a womanizer and the Demon Sect¡¯s claw¡­ One could say he was an extremely complex individual. The world¡¯s opinions of him were mixed, and few could clearly define what kind of person he truly was. The one thing everyone agreed on was that the sword in his hand was indeed very fast. After pondering for a while, Jiren Tai shook his head and said, ¡°Your subject doesn¡¯t know.¡± Zongzheng Huachun spoke slowly, ¡°Bring Han Wenxin to me; I want to meet him.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiren Tai turned and walked towards the base of the Pagoda. Zongzheng Huachun looked into the distance. Nowadays, countless eyes from all over Great Yan were focused on Houjin, waiting for him to clash with the world¡¯s foremost swordsman. With high-ranking experts from the Great Snow Mountain like Taiyin Kui meeting their end, and the Jin Lv army of six hundred thousand defeated, Zongzheng Yue had fallen into the hands of the Ghost Swordsman. Unbeknownst to many, Houjin had shifted from a favorable position to the current crisis. Even though most didn¡¯t believe that the Ghost Swordsman alone could annihilate Houjin, the tension and anxiety had already taken hold of the court, with everyone feeling insecure. Gazing at the horizon, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s heart was unusually calm. Before he went to Yujing City the last time, his heart was just as calm. Whenever he faced significant events, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s heart became even more tranquil. The reason he was able to remain so calm was that he had let go of the fear of death. Among the many masters in the world, hardly any were not afraid of death, except for Zongzheng Huachun, who truly regarded life and death with indifference. His sole ambition in life was not immortality but to unify the world under one rule. Everything he did was for the sake of unifying the vast trends of the world. Every time he thought about uniting the world, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s heart surged with fiery passion. Throughout history, countless emperors, Sect Leaders, and remarkable individuals had tried, yet not one had succeeded in unifying the world. If he could achieve this feat, he would undoubtedly become the foremost person through the ages. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s palm gently caressed the rim of his cup, ¡°If the way of the Saint was effective, the Saint himself would have unified the world long ago. Emperors have their own Dao.¡± The difficulty of achieving this was akin to ascending to the heavens. Soon, Jiren Tai returned, bringing the nervous Han Wenxin with him. At this moment, Jie Se was visibly tense, his heart thumping with extreme nervousness: He couldn¡¯t actually be intending to slaughter me like a pig, could he? Zongzheng Huachun looked at Jie Se before him and asked, ¡°Do you know who I am?¡± Jie Se swallowed hard. He used to be an arrest officer in Yu State City, naturally having often been in the presence of the Yu State City Magistrate. However, whether in temperament or expression, that Magistrate of Yu State City couldn¡¯t compare to the man before him by a long shot. Moreover, the old man from earlier was taciturn and of no ordinary standing, but he showed such respect to the person before him, which spoke volumes of the man¡¯s exalted status. Zongzheng Huachun smiled and asked, ¡°Are you frightened?¡± ¡°Frightened!?¡± Upon hearing this, Han Wenxin immediately snorted, ¡°Do you know who my master is? Why would I be scared?¡± Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°Fa Wu?¡± Han Wenxin¡¯s eyebrows raised, and he said displeasedly, ¡°Fa Wu that you can call so casually? It should be Master Fa Wu.¡± His master was a revered figure in the Buddhist order, one of the few top Grandmasters in the world. Despite his youth, he had once intimidated a Five Qi Grandmaster like Qin Shan in Zhong Mountain and was undoubtedly someone who would carry the Buddhist order in the future. Hence, in Han Wenxin¡¯s view, simply invoking the name of such an important figure amounted to an almost invincible trump card, and it was also what he considered his greatest assurance internally. As he spoke, Han Wenxin¡¯s small eyes kept darting towards Zongzheng Huachun, monitoring his reactions. But to his surprise, even after mentioning ¡®Fa Wu¡¯, there was no change whatsoever in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s expression; he didn¡¯t even blink. Could this old guy be unaware of Fa Wu? That was impossible. So why had he been taken in and treated so well? ¡°Presumptuous!¡± On the side, Jiren Tai reprimanded, ¡°What is Fa Wu!? Even the Tianyi Bodhisattva must show the utmost respect in front of our Holy Master.¡± ¡°What Holy Master do you speak of?!¡± Han Wenxin¡¯s face became a kaleidoscope of expressions at Jiren Tai¡¯s words, and then his body collapsed on the ground as if it had lost its skeleton. Jiren Tai said coldly, ¡°Of course, in this world, there is but one Holy Master. Who do you think it is?¡± Han Wenxin¡¯s eyes widened, his mind going blank. The Holy Master, who else could it be? That was the Emperor of Houjin! The Emperor! He could never have dreamed that in his lifetime he would be able to see an Emperor with his own eyes, especially the Emperor of an enemy state. With a pleasant demeanor, Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Get up and take a seat.¡± This is it! But Han Wenxin¡¯s heart turned to ashes. Rumor had it that Zongzheng Huachun was cruel and ruthless; a man like that being nice to someone meant he was likely plotting his death¡­ Han Wenxin collapsed onto the ground and wailed, ¡°Holy Master, I had eyes but failed to see Mount Tai and misspoke earlier. Please do not take it to heart and spare my life like you would a dog¡¯s.¡± Jiren Tai saw Han Wenxin¡¯s abrupt change and three black lines appeared on his forehead. Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°When did I say I was going to kill you? Get up and sit.¡± Struggling, Han Wenxin leaned on the chair, trying to support his upper body, but his legs seemed to completely disobey him, slipping and falling to the ground again. Han Wenxin¡¯s smile was uglier than tears, ¡°My legs seem to be a bit disobedient¡­¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°It¡¯s alright, just sit on the ground.¡± Han Wenxin hurriedly ingratiated, ¡°Holy Master, what urgent matter do you have for calling me here?¡± Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°I heard you were an arrest officer in Great Yan?¡± Han Wenxin said, ¡°That was in the past. I am now an arrest officer for Houjin, ready to serve before and after the saddle for the Holy Master, to toil like a dog or horse, and to give my all until death.¡± Jiren Tai: ¡°¡­¡­¡± Zongzheng Huachun burst into laughter and said, ¡°I¡¯ve heard you have a friend who is very good with medicine.¡± ¡°Indeed, his medical skills are the best I¡¯ve ever seen, it¡¯s just a pity.¡± Han Wenxin said, shaking his head. Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°A pity what?¡± Han Wenxin sighed, ¡°A pity he¡¯s dead.¡± He remembered An Jing once told him, should anyone ask about him, he must say he¡¯s dead. Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°He¡¯s not dead, and he¡¯s alive and well.¡± Han Wenxin blinked, ¡°Alive and well?¡± Could it be that the Holy Master brought me here because of Brother An?! How is that possible!? How could Brother An get into trouble with such an adversary? Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°What kind of person is this doctor?¡± Swallowing hard, Han Wenxin said, ¡°Right, what kind of person is he¡­¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Tell the truth.¡± After pondering for a long time, Han Wenxin earnestly concluded, ¡°From my point of view, aside from being somewhat good-looking, he is good for nothing else.¡± Jiren Tai: ¡°???¡± If not for Zongzheng Huachun being present, Jiren Tai would have loved to slap Han Wenxin on the head right then. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Zongzheng Huachun laughed heartily, ¡°Interesting, really interesting.¡± Seeing this, Han Wenxin continued, ¡°Holy Master, I swear I¡¯m telling the truth. His appearance is fairly alright, I know him through and through¡­ ptooey, ptooey, like the back of my hand¨Cno, I mean, we¡¯re very familiar with each other.¡± Smiling, Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°It seems he is an interesting person.¡± Han Wenxin cautiously asked, ¡°Interesting? How do you know he¡¯s an interesting person, Holy Master?¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Birds of a feather flock together, men are known by the company they keep.¡± Han Wenxin scratched his head, choosing not to say more. That damned An Jing was certainly quite the character. Zongzheng Huachun stood up, ¡°Some people are destined to become enemies, and some are destined to become friends. Before the furnace of fate, one cannot help but believe in destiny.¡± Watching Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s broad back, Han Wenxin swallowed hard, ¡°What do you mean by that, Holy Master?¡± Zongzheng Huachun bent down and patted Han Wenxin¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t kill you.¡± Hearing this, Han Wenxin sighed in relief. Even though Zongzheng Huachun had always been pleasant to him, there was still a trace of fear in his heart. Zongzheng Huachun pointed into the distance and asked, ¡°Do you find these splendid rivers and mountains beautiful?¡± The question seemed to be addressed to Jiren Tai, Han Wenxin, and also to himself. ¡°Beautiful.¡± Han Wenxin nodded vigorously, ¡°The majestic scenery of the grasslands has its own unique charm, especially the continuous Snow Mountains, which are rare in the world.¡± Zongzheng Huachun asked again, ¡°How does it compare to Great Yan?¡± Han Wenxin said, ¡°I believe each has its own merits.¡± With hands clasped behind his back, Zongzheng Huachun pondered deeply, ¡°We all live under the same heaven, naturally we are people of the same world; why should there be a distinction between Great Yan and Houjin?¡± ¡°The people of the world have suffered for too long.¡± A shock went through Han Wenxin¡¯s heart as he heard Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s ambition and the deepest soliloquy of an emperor. If one day the world was without Houjin, Great Yan, the Southern Barbarians, but only one strong nation, what kind of prosperous era would that be? ¡­¡­ Houjin, Ba Mountain City. In a quiet, elegant courtyard. Zhao Qingmei was showing off her culinary skills in the kitchen while An Jing sat in the dining hall. Yu Qiurong, feeling a bit restless, said, ¡°Son-in-law, should I go help her?¡± The Sect Hierarch was busy in the kitchen, and here she was, doing nothing but waiting to eat. In her view, this was simply outrageous. An Jing chuckled, ¡°No need, let her do it.¡± Yu Qiurong glanced at An Jing¡¯s arm, which was purple and green in places, before asking, ¡°Son-in-law, are you alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°Beating is affection, scolding is love; the harder the beating, the deeper my wife¡¯s love for me.¡± Yu Qiurong blinked and said, ¡°Really?¡± An Jing replied, ¡°Of course, the pain is on me, but the hurt is in her heart.¡± Yu Qiurong covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. At that moment, Zhao Qingmei walked out of the kitchen, still holding a kitchen skewer, and said, ¡°It seems I haven¡¯t been hard enough on you, not teaching you a proper lesson.¡± An Jing hurriedly said, ¡°Wife, shouldn¡¯t you check the pots? They might get burnt.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Zhao Qingmei raised her eyebrows and said, ¡°If they get burnt, you¡¯ll have to eat it all.¡± Having said that, Zhao Qingmei turned and went back into the kitchen. ¡°I was totally deceived; once a woman gets a hold of a man, she starts to take him for granted.¡± Watching Zhao Qingmei¡¯s retreating figure, An Jing was reminded of the first time he saw her, back when she was known as the ¡®Little Tyrant¡¯ of the alleys. Her previous gentleness and domesticity seemed to be a facade, and this was her truest self. Thinking this, the corners of An Jing¡¯s mouth couldn¡¯t help but curl up into a smile. In fact, he preferred this real Zhao Qingmei. The ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± is the top heart method martial arts of the Demon Sect, emphasizing the cultivation of one¡¯s true self at its highest levels¨Cto return to one¡¯s true nature without suppressing oneself. The higher the realm of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation, the closer she gets to the state of true self. Just then, Li Fuzhou hurriedly walked over from a distance. An Jing made a face and said, ¡°Third Master, you¡¯ve come at just the right time. We haven¡¯t had a drink in a long while, how about a round later?¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s expression was grave as he said, ¡°Son-in-law, I fear the drink will have to wait.¡± Seeing Li Fuzhou¡¯s expression, An Jing immediately asked, ¡°What¡¯s happened? Did you get caught messing around in the brothels?¡± Li Fuzhou gave a bitter smile, ¡°Duanmu Xinghua is in trouble.¡± ¡°She¡¯s in trouble?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed, ¡°What exactly happened?¡± Li Fuzhou took a deep breath and said, ¡°She has been growing weaker by the day. I suspect her time is about to come.¡± ¡°What!?¡± A look of surprise flashed across An Jing¡¯s eyes. At first, he was suspicious and wary of Nangong Weiping, as she had been imprisoned under the Sealing Demon Well for many years. However, after observing a series of her actions, An Jing realized that Nangong Weiping wasn¡¯t as evil as he had imagined. Humans are complex creatures, yet also very simple. Regardless, Nangong Weiping had transferred all her cultivation to Zhao Qingmei through ¡®subtle influence¡¯ and had been severely injured by Xi Hafu when she came to Houjin to help An Jing. All of this was a favor. Li Fuzhou said, ¡°I have calculated her lifespan. Even if we don¡¯t count the time in the Sealing Demon Well, she¡¯s over one hundred and ten years old. Adding the time from the well, even the lifespan of a Great Grandmaster is nearing its end, and after several great battles, the foundation of her life has been damaged.¡± From inside the kitchen, Zhao Qingmei came out with a furrowed brow and asked, ¡°Is Senior Nangong not going to make it?¡± Li Fuzhou bowed and said, ¡°Her condition looks very withered, and the specifics are unclear.¡± Putting down her spatula, Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Let¡¯s go see her.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Yes, let¡¯s go see her.¡± Saying this, An Jing and Zhao Qingmei hurriedly followed Li Fuzhou toward Nangong Weiping¡¯s residence. Along the way, Zhao Qingmei, with her eyebrows tightly knit, said, ¡°Could it be because she didn¡¯t get the blood of Cheng Huang?¡± Originally, Zhao Qingmei had planned to divert disaster elsewhere, letting Nangong Weiping go to Great Snow Mountain and Cloud Tower to steal treasures and, incidentally, kill the experts of the Snow Mountain. The journey to Houjin went smoothly indeed, with Nangong Weiping not only killing the experts of the Snow Mountain but also seizing its treasures. If Zongzheng Huachun had not known when to advance and retreat, he too would have perished at Nangong Weiping¡¯s hands. However, there were complications when they later went to Cloud Tower; unexpectedly, there was a Great Grandmaster hidden there. If it hadn¡¯t been for Duanmu Xinghua and Zhao Qingmei making a prompt decision, they might not have obtained Cheng Huang¡¯s blood and could even have faced mortal danger. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Before long, the three of them arrived at Nangong Weiping¡¯s residence. The two Demon Sect experts guarding the door quickly bowed when they saw An Jing and Zhao Qingmei. ¡°There¡¯s no need for formalities.¡± Zhao Qingmei waved them off, striding quickly toward the room. As she entered the room, she saw Nangong Weiping, pale-faced, lying on the bed, her qi mechanism starting to weaken visibly. ¡­¡­. Chapter 353 - Chapter 353 Chapter 353 A Million Ghost Soldiers Riding the Chapter 353: Chapter 353: A Million Ghost Soldiers Riding the Clouds Chapter 353: Chapter 353: A Million Ghost Soldiers Riding the Clouds Nangong Weiping also sensed Zhao Qingmei entering and immediately opened his murky eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve come.¡± Zhao Qingmei stepped forward and said solemnly, ¡°Senior Nangong, how do you feel?¡± Earlier that afternoon, Zhao Qingmei had already met with Nangong Weiping, who seemed in decent health at the time; unexpectedly, in just a few hours, Nangong Weiping had developed complications. Nangong Weiping pointed at his chest with his arm and said, ¡°I always feel like there¡¯s a breath stuck in my chest that I can¡¯t expel.¡± At that moment, An Jing also walked in; hearing Nangong Weiping¡¯s words, he immediately sighed internally. As the end of one¡¯s life span approached, the qi mechanism within the body would gather and nourish itself¨Cit was a person¡¯s last breath, vital for sustaining the body¡¯s circulation. Originally, Zongzheng Huachun had intervened personally to disrupt Jun Qinglin¡¯s last breath, bringing Jun Qinglin¡¯s time to an early end. Today, Nangong Weiping¡¯s final breath was about to disperse as well, and once this last breath left him, the Land Immortal would truly transform and depart. Zhao Qingmei turned around to look at An Jing. ¡°Is there another way?¡± ¡°Throughout history, many emperors, sect leaders, and Land Immortals have thought of various methods to extend their life spans; however, the means to do so are few and extremely difficult,¡± An Jing said, then stopped himself. Seeing An Jing¡¯s expression, Zhao Qingmei quietly asked, ¡°Do you have another method?¡± ¡°You need not ask any further, miss.¡± Before An Jing could speak, Nangong Weiping interjected, ¡°I know what this lad wants to say. Jiang Shang purified his organs with the blood of Evil Spirits, not only enhancing his cultivation but also significantly extending his life span; however, I categorically refuse to purify my organs with the blood of Evil Spirits.¡± Despite its evil nature, absorbing the blood of Evil Spirits in small amounts could indeed increase one¡¯s cultivation and life span. Since Jiang Shang passed away and ceased to exist, this has become no secret, and many have been fervently searching for ¡®Undying Blood¡¯ across the world, hoping that it would allow them to defy the heavens and change their fate. An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°Senior Nangong, what I¡¯m talking about is obtaining the blood of Chenghuang, which might extend life.¡± The blood of Evil Spirits was not as simple as it seemed; An Jing never considered letting Nangong Weiping absorb it. What he had always considered was the Exotic Beast Chenghuang at Cloud Tower. A light flashed in Nangong Weiping¡¯s eyes. ¡°Chenghuang!?¡± The blood of Chenghuang could indeed extend his life span. He had initially gone to Cloud Tower for the blood of Chenghuang; however, with a top Great Grandmaster stationed there, how difficult was it to obtain Chenghuang¡¯s blood from such an expert? Zhao Qingmei also frowned deeply, remembering the formidable strength of the old master of the Ten Directions; obtaining the blood of Chenghuang from this expert seemed nearly impossible, unless a Great Grandmaster intervened. An Jing¡¯s heart was heavy. While others might have no means against the old master of Ten Directions at Cloud Tower, one person had a chance to contend with him. Yet, his current urgent matter was to break through Houjin; traveling to and from Cloud Tower would require at least several months, possibly giving Zongzheng Huachun a chance to catch his breath. ¡°Let¡¯s set aside Chenghuang for now.¡± Nangong Weiping waved his sleeves. ¡°First, help me up. I have some matters to discuss with you.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingmei immediately helped Nangong Weiping sit up. ¡°Senior Nangong, just speak your mind.¡± Nangong Weiping took a deep breath. ¡°My end is approaching, an inevitable outcome. In this world, many great masters have ultimately not escaped death. Although I have also sought the opportunity to break through the shackles to reach the unattained Transcendence Realm, there is a limit to human capabilities. Besides, as a lone individual, what significance would reaching that realm hold for me?¡± ¡°In this final time, I want to transfer my cultivation to you. Now is the most opportune moment. The Origin Demon Qi from the Demon Seed nourishing you can let you attain a massive amount of cultivation in a short time. Your strength will surge, easily reaching the realm of the Five Qi Grandmaster, and with further settlement, even the Great Grandmaster. However, at the same time, your Heart Demon will grow to its full form. You practice my Demon Sect¡¯s top cultivation technique, the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, which will make your Heart Demon even more powerful. If you can overcome this Heart Demon, integrating it with yourself and transforming into a demon, your future cultivation will be smooth sailing, even possibly reaching the Heavenly Demon Realm.¡± Unlike other cultivation sects, Demon Cult techniques rapidly enhance strength but also foster Heart Demons within the practitioner. If one cannot overcome the Heart Demon, at best, they will be troubled by it, severely damaging their strength; at worst, they will be controlled by it, entering an uncontrollable path of the Demon. Throughout history, many master practitioners from the Demon Sect have failed to subdue their Heart Demons, ultimately falling victim to them, wreaking havoc and bloodshed in Jianghu time and again, leading many to believe that Demon Sect masters are inherently murderous, and the Demon Path embodies evil. Zhao Qingmei earnestly said, ¡°Senior Nangong, rest assured, I have been prepared for the Heart Demon.¡± Her resolve was steadfast, as evident from her experience at the Sealing Demon Well. ¡°A fully-formed Heart Demon is not as simple as you think.¡± Nangong Weiping shook his head and said, ¡°A fully-formed Heart Demon will attack from the weakest part of your heart, like him, for instance.¡± At this, Nangong Weiping looked toward An Jing. Zhao Qingmei looked toward An Jing, her eyes shimmering with moisture. Nangong Weiping earnestly said, ¡°Thus, to subdue a fully-formed Heart Demon, he must be by your side to increase your chances of success. With the addition of the Heavenly Yang Stone, your chances of overcoming the Heart Demon are high, over seventy percent.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Senior Nangong, when do you plan to nourish me with the Demonic Qi?¡± Nangong Weiping looked at his empty sleeves and sighed softly, ¡°The sooner the better. I¡¯m not sure how much longer I have.¡± Zhao Qingmei earnestly said, ¡°Senior, I will definitely do my best to obtain the blood of Chenghuang.¡± ¡°It¡¯s too difficult.¡± Nangong Weiping shook his head and sighed softly, ¡°You should consider returning to You Mountain as soon as possible.¡± An Jing and Zhao Qingmei exchanged looks, then fell silent. Afterward, Zhao Qingmei and Nangong Weiping left together, while An Jing walked out alone. ¡°Son-in-law!¡± Seeing An Jing come out, Li Fuzhou approached with a beaming smile. An Jing raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± Seeing Li Fuzhou smiling like that made him feel somewhat uneasy. Li Fuzhou said, ¡°There¡¯s a secret letter from Yujing City.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°A secret letter from Yujing City? What¡¯s going on?¡± The Great Yan Emperor had been absent from court for a while now, and currently, Zhao Tianyi was in charge, which he was aware of. Could it be that something else had happened in Yujing City? Li Fuzhou lowered his voice and said, ¡°It¡¯s a secret letter from Princess An Le.¡± ¡°Cough cough!¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing coughed and said, ¡°Let me see it.¡± Li Fuzhou replied indifferently, ¡°Son-in-law, after all, this is the princess¡¯s secret letter, shouldn¡¯t it be reviewed by the Sect Hierarch first?¡± Saying so, Li Fuzhou started walking towards the house. ¡°Stop!¡± An Jing immediately called out softly and then transmitted his voice, ¡°Third Elder, let me review the secret letter first, and then I¡¯ll show it to my wife.¡± Knowing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s temperament, flames surged within her the moment she saw this secret letter. Li Fuzhou showed a hint of hesitation, ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit inappropriate?¡± An Jing sneered inwardly, then bluntly said, ¡°Speak, what do you want?¡± Li Fuzhou, with a forced smile, said, ¡°Son-in-law, I¡¯ve heard that you have the Holy Essence Gu, a rare treasure.¡± The Holy Essence Gu was an extremely rare Gu insect from the Southern Barbarians that consumed minerals to exude Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. Originally, An Jing had obtained it at Nanhua Mountain, and the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence it produced had even helped Lou Xiangzhen break through to the Three Qi Realm. However, as An Jing¡¯s cultivation increased, and since feeding it minerals was too troublesome, the use of the Holy Essence Gu became increasingly infrequent. Realizing what was happening, An Jing then asked, ¡°You want this item, are you about to break through another barrier?¡± ¡°Just borrowing it for a while,¡± Li Fuzhou said, rubbing his hands together. ¡°Huiyun and Yuehua have not yet reached the Grandmaster Realm. If they could obtain some Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from the Gu, perhaps it could boost their cultivation to the Grandmaster Realm,¡± he added. The cultivation levels of Ling Yuehua and Liu Huiyun were impressive, especially since Ling Yuehua was the Pavilion Master of the Moon Pavilion of Wind and Rain Tower. However, they were still some distance from reaching the Grandmaster Realm. If they could receive assistance from a strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, there was a high likelihood of advancing to the Grandmaster Realm. But such a strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was tremendously valuable. Self-refining it took too long, and acquiring Spirit Essence by slaying other Grandmasters was forbidden in Jianghu. Discovering such an attempt would draw severe criticism and put the Demon Sect in a complicated situation. The Holy Essence Gu, therefore, was the best choice. An Jing patted Li Fuzhou¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°This is a trivial matter, what kind of relationship do we have? Third Elder, feel free to use it.¡± Saying this, he took out the Holy Essence Gu and tossed it to Li Fuzhou. The Holy Essence Gu, the size of a palm, was transparent. Inside, one could see blood vessels continuously pumping red blood. ¡°This is a treasure, son-in-law, be careful,¡± said Li Fuzhou as he carefully caught the Holy Essence Gu. Even the Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians did not possess a Holy Essence Gu like this, a truly priceless item that An Jing could just toss around casually. An Jing said, ¡°Where¡¯s the secret letter?¡± As he spoke, Li Fuzhou pulled a secret letter from his chest and handed it to An Jing, ¡°Here it is.¡± The envelope bore a few large characters: For An Jing¡¯s Eyes Only. ¡°Son-in-law, take your time reading. I¡¯ll be leaving now,¡± Li Fuzhou said, joyfully walking away with the Holy Essence Gu in his arms. ¡°You old geezer, see how I¡¯ll deal with you later,¡± An Jing muttered as he watched Li Fuzhou¡¯s receding figure. He then slowly opened the letter, and a faint fragrance hit his face as elegant handwriting emerged: ¡°After our parting, my thoughts linger and my sorrows deepen daily. It has been months since we last met. Xuening was overjoyed to hear that Mister An had slain Taiyin Kui and Jiang Shang along with other bandits, seized the North Field, and stepped into Ba Mountain City. She was immensely pleased. This journey of yours to the northern expedition not only stabilized the North but also resolved crises and even expanded the territories, posing a significant threat to Houjin, indeed a monumental achievement in saving the Great Yan Dynasty. Xuening keeps this in her heart and wouldn¡¯t dare to neglect it in any way. Today, besides expressing my longing and concern, there is another matter to inform you about. The situation in Yujing City has changed. The Emperor has been severely injured by a mysterious master, wounding his very essence. But this has leaked. Yujing City is a hub of clandestine currents, and agents from the Heaven and Earth Net have infiltrated and then vanished without trace. Moreover, Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin seems to harbor different intentions; he has been frequently interacting with the State Preceptor. Xuening alone finds it difficult to handle and seeks your assistance. Written in haste, the depths of my affection are not fully expressed.¡± An Jing frowned as he held the letter in his hands. It seemed that the person who had grievously wounded Zhao Zhiwu was none other than Qian Qiu, an immortal. Zhao Zhiwu had already expended his essence blood in his breakthrough to Great Grandmaster and now sustained injuries to his essence; the severity of his condition was unknown to An Jing as he hadn¡¯t witnessed their confrontation and was unaware if the royal family had used any Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s injuries had leaked, triggering a chain of reactions; Zhao Country even contacted Zhao Chongyin, attempting to weaken the Great Yan Dynasty from within. Perhaps this leak was even orchestrated by Zhao Country. Now that Zhao Zhiwu had achieved Great Grandmaster, he was a pillar of the Great Yan. If he was debilitated, it would be a tremendous blow to the Great Yan Dynasty, and turmoil in Yujing City was inevitable. An Jing grasped the letter, his brow furrowed, then gazed toward Houjin Royal Court in the north. The royal court was nearby, and within it sat the second greatest master in the world. At that moment, Zhao Qingmei and Yu Qiurong came out. Zhao Qingmei softly said, ¡°Husband,¡± An Jing responded, ¡°Let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll talk when we get back.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded, and then the trio returned to their residence. Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Senior Nan is on his last breath, I need to return to You Mountain quickly to use the Heavenly Yang Stone to subdue the Heart Demon. My strength will then reach the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster. At that time, the two of us can first try to obtain the blood of Cheng Huang, which could also extend Senior Nan¡¯s life.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment, then said, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go back to You Mountain first. But before that, I need to meet Zongzheng Huachun to check how he¡¯s utilizing the thought of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s corpse to possibly reach the Great Grandmaster realm.¡± Since they had already reached Houjin Bashan City, how could they possibly leave so easily? ¡°Alright,¡± Zhao Qingmei slightly nodded. ¡­¡­. The next day. The boundless grassland was flat and vast, like a huge, dark green emerald disk, vast and majestic. The summer was near, and the sun sent out hot rays that penetrated the clouds. Houjin Royal Court was silent, its towering walls undulating like a giant dragon, with elite soldiers stationed atop. Suddenly, thick, continuous dark clouds rolled in from above, covering the sun. Immediately, the world turned dim. What was a sunny summer day became somewhat icy cold, and some of the soldiers even hugged their arms. ¡°This is bad!¡± A high-ranking member of Snow Mountain exclaimed upon seeing the dark clouds, ¡°It¡¯s the Yin Evil Qi, quick, sound the war drums!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± The reverberating sound of the drums spread across the heavens and the earth. Meanwhile, from within those continuous waves of Yin Evil Qi came successive roars of battle. Although Houjin¡¯s elite soldiers were battle-hardened, the earth-shattering noise chilled their hearts. Looking toward the source of the noise, within the dark cloud of Yin Evil Qi amid flashes of lightning, one could clearly see endless rows of ghostly soldiers gradually emerging. ¡°Ghost soldiers?!¡± The soldiers of Houjin panicked. In today¡¯s world, only one person could command ghost soldiers. The vast surge of Yin Evil Qi rolled in, with an endless dark cloud revealing countless terrifying ghost soldiers, armoured in pitch-black iron armor, only their eyes visible through the impregnable helmets, sending chills to those who saw them. Countless people in Houjin Royal Court looked up at the oncoming cloud of ghost soldiers. ¡°My God! Are these the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s ghost soldiers?!¡± ¡°A million strong¨Ccould even a million-strong army not stop them?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t see the end at all; is this the army of ghost soldiers?¡± ¡°Run quickly!¡± ¡­¡­. As the million ghost soldiers converged, a dark mass stretched endlessly, its overwhelming presence leaving the common folk of Houjin feeling as though doomsday had arrived, their hearts filled with panic and fear, instinctively hiding wherever they could. The fierce wind howled, and the chatter sounded like a tidal wave sweeping over the entire city walls, throwing the entire Houjin Royal Court into utter chaos. The Ghost Swordsman had arrived! The world¡¯s foremost swordsman had finally arrived with a million ghost soldiers! Whether it was shopkeepers, waiters, butchers, horse traders, or public dignitaries of Houjin, everyone was in a state of panic. A million ghost soldiers¨Csuch an overwhelming number¨Cthe dense, sinister qi that hit made it difficult to breathe, as if one was gasping for air. Zongzheng Huachun stood on the top level of the Pagoda, calmly observing the thick clouds in the distance. Jiren Tai¡¯s face turned ugly as he whispered, ¡°Holy Master, the Ghost Swordsman really came? Does he not care about the turmoil in Yujing City?¡± According to his plan, the Ghost Swordsman should not have arrived so quickly, especially with the volatile situation in the Great Yan Yujing City, which could erupt into chaos at any moment. Did the Ghost Swordsman really not care at all about his rear? Zongzheng Huachun shook his head and said, ¡°Since he has come, let¡¯s go meet him. I too want to see how far his strength has progressed.¡± After speaking, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body leaped and disappeared from the top of the Pagoda. ¡°Don¡¯t panic!¡± Standing atop the city walls, the Great Snow Mountain expert forcibly suppressed the tremor in his heart. He knew that if he showed any sign of fear, the soldiers of Houjin would become even more frightened. The renown of a person casts a long shadow! The name of the world¡¯s foremost swordsman was like a mountain, and with Taiyin Kui having died by his hand, the people of Houjin instinctively had a profound fear of the three words ¡°Ghost Swordsman.¡± ¡°Hiss!¡± Just then, an intense bright light swept in from the distance, illuminating the heavens and the earth. It was a frigid sword light! Striking from miles away, it brought with it a chilling sharpness, moving at an incredible speed and reaching the city walls in the blink of an eye. The expert from the Great Snow Mountain watched as the sword light approached, completely stunned, having been utterly frightened. The sword light was narrow and extended for dozens of meters, as if it could split the city walls of the Houjin Royal Court in one strike. ¡°Crack!¡± Suddenly, a majestic qi descended from the distance, directly shattering the narrow sword qi. The intersecting qi transformed into rolling waves of energy, scattering to both sides. Boom! Boom! Boom! The energy waves slowly dissipated, creating wild winds and waves of green grass. Following the qi, one could see a figure standing in the middle of the city wall, his gaze domineering, cold light radiating from his eyes as if a majestic lion had descended from the clouds. ¡°The Holy Master! It¡¯s the Holy Master!¡± Seeing the newcomer, everyone from Houjin breathed a sigh of relief, finding an incomparable calmness in their hearts despite the million grim ghost soldiers in the dark clouds above. Zongzheng Huachun said indifferently, ¡°Since you¡¯ve arrived, come out.¡± His voice resonated like a bell, dominating the mountains and rivers and lingering for a long time. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°As you wish.¡± A calm voice echoed as a figure in white slowly emerged on the horizon. The man¡¯s eyes were as bright as stars, his robe fluttering in the wind, carrying a heavy sword box on his back, giving off the impression of a massive mountain. This peerless and invincible Great Sword Immortal had finally arrived in front of the Houjin Royal Court. ¡­¡­. Chapter 354 - Chapter 354 Chapter 354 The Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace Chapter 354: Chapter 354: The Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace Appears in Jianghu Chapter 354: Chapter 354: The Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace Appears in Jianghu The wind whipped up, and in an instant, the heavens and earth became clear and bright. If Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s aura could be likened to a terribly extreme demon, giving one the sensation of an overwhelming mountain pressing down, then the swordsman opposite him was more akin to a vast and boundless marsh, expansive, embracing everything. Both men, in terms of status and strength, were among the top masters in the world, each capable of determining the general trend of the world. Therefore, this duel was all the more eye-catching. An Jing, watching Zongzheng Huachun from a distance, couldn¡¯t help but frown. Under Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s feet was the earth, above his head was the sky, and he stood between them, his figure faintly connected to heaven and earth, feeling entirely at one with his surroundings. An Jing knew that Zongzheng Huachun, who had absorbed the spirit of the earth veins, had not only increased his cultivation but also had a much-improved epiphany of the Heavenly Human Communication. When one¡¯s Dao has reached a plateau, an advancement in Skill can enable the Dao to exhibit even greater strength. The Zongzheng Huachun before him was undoubtedly terrifyingly powerful, and not much weaker than the seriously injured Nangong Weiping. An absolute formidable enemy. And Zongzheng Huachun, looking at the young man in white across from him, also felt an endless sense of admiration. Who could have imagined that before the world¡¯s great pattern was set, such a supreme genius would emerge out of nowhere? Indeed, circumstances can create heroes! Zongzheng Huachun said seriously, ¡°I knew you would come back.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°You knew?¡± Zongzheng Huachun affirmed resolutely, ¡°I knew.¡± An Jing¡¯s gaze chilled slightly as he said, ¡°Then do you know when you will die?¡± Zongzheng Huachun replied, ¡°This prince never guesses about things that come from nothing.¡± An Jing reached toward the sword box on his back and said indifferently, ¡°So, you think you won¡¯t die?¡± Seeing the Great Sword Immortal of the day draw his longsword, everyone¡¯s expressions tensed, and even their breaths became nervous and constricted. No one was not afraid; no one¡¯s heart was calm. Zongzheng Huachun laughed and said, ¡°Can you kill this prince?¡± An Jing replied, ¡°You are very confident?¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Of course.¡± An Jing extended his palm and said, ¡°But I think you are overconfident.¡± Cang Lang¨C! A sharp, cold light stabbed out from the sword box, turning the world icy cold. The Dulu Sword! The World¡¯s First Sword! At this moment, the World¡¯s First Sword was releasing Sword Qi, stirring the grass around. Onlookers watching this scene felt as if that unparalleled famous sword and An Jing¡¯s figure were merging into one; the Dulu Sword disappeared, the Ghost Swordsman disappeared, leaving only a single sword between heaven and earth. That piercing chill hung in the space between heaven and earth, as if burrowing into everyone¡¯s hearts. Zongzheng Huachun commented, ¡°Your sword has improved further than before.¡± Between experts, there seemed to be a silent connection, especially with top swordsmen and masters like An Jing and Zongzheng Huachun, who could sense each other¡¯s intentions through a subtle feeling. Zongzheng Huachun continued, ¡°But still, it¡¯s not enough to take off this prince¡¯s head.¡± As he finished speaking, the Qi Mechanism in his whole body surged like a tidal wave, not only dispelling the piercing Sword Qi but also scattering the dark clouds above, and suddenly a ray of sunlight returned to the Royal Court of Houjin, bringing a touch of warmth to the people of Houjin. Boom! Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s voice rang out like the tolling of morning and evening bells, echoing through the heavens and earth, lingering for a long time. An Jing¡¯s fingers gently caressed the blade, ¡°There was once someone who said the same thing to you.¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°The same words spoken by different people always have different flavors.¡± An Jing said, ¡°But to me, there¡¯s no difference.¡± Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°Why?¡± An Jing said, ¡°They¡¯re all just dead men.¡± Neither of them spoke any further, but everyone could feel the atmosphere that was tense to the extreme. The aura interwoven between them was like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment. Even an ordinary Houjin soldier could feel it, their heart throbbing wildly as though the two were about to explode into action the next second. And the Dulu Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand seemed as if it had truly disappeared, even Zongzheng Huachun couldn¡¯t see it. Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Where¡¯s your sword?¡± An Jing replied, ¡°The sword is here.¡± Zongzheng Huachun furrowed his brows greatly, ¡°Where is it?¡± An Jing said, ¡°Everywhere.¡± Zongzheng Huachun narrowed his eyes, his pupils contracting sharply, ¡°A ¡®everywhere¡¯, how impressive.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Make your move.¡± Zongzheng Huachun extended his palm and said, ¡°The move has been made.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Where is the move?¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes nearly closed as he said, ¡°Hard to find its trace.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows lifted, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. Ordinary people listening to the conversation were completely baffled. They could neither see the sword nor Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s move; the two seemed like Buddhist monks engaged in a battle of wits. Yet, the experts who truly understood the dialogue between the two were deeply shaken. From a distance, Zhao Qingmei watched the scene and said softly, ¡°It seems my husband has already touched upon the Seventh Realm.¡± Throughout history, many have believed that swordsmen could reach the Seventh Realm as the ¡°Sword Dao Tao General Outline¡± explained the seven realms of swordsmanship thoroughly and correctly. Many swordsmen had reached the Sixth Realm by following its guidance, creating numerous famed sword techniques. Despite this, there has been no clear historic record to date, which has led some to claim that the Seventh Realm simply does not exist. The Seventh Realm is like immortals in the sky, a true divine domain for immortals and Buddhas. Once crossed, one becomes an entirely different existence. ¡°Son-in-law has indeed touched the profound Seventh Realm,¡± said Li Fuzhou with a solemn face. ¡°But Zongzheng Huachun is also extraordinary; he has integrated a strand of Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent. His Heavenly Human Communication has reached a profound level, very close to uniting with the heavens.¡± The Seventh Realm is fearsome, and the union with the heavens is arguably even more extraordinary. In Yujing City, when Lv Guoyong reached unity with the heavens in battle against three Five Qi Grandmasters, he severely wounded one and killed another. If not for Xi Hafu¡¯s immensely cunning ways, he might have been gravely injured too, which shows the profoundness of uniting with the heavens. If Zongzheng Huachun were to reach unity with the heavens, even Great Grandmasters might struggle in front of him. Therefore, the battle between the two was truly unpredictable regarding who was stronger and who was weaker. ¡°Third Master.¡± Zhao Qingmei frowned slightly and looked towards Li Fuzhou. Li Fuzhou nodded slightly and then, with Zongzheng Yue in tow, walked towards the distance. The two stood on opposite sides of heaven and earth, a match for each other. Outsiders might not understand their abilities, but they were very clear about each other¡¯s strengths. Both were extremely confident in their hearts, and their powers seemed to balance on a fine line. Just then, Li Fuzhou emerged, leading Zongzheng Yue. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun, my friend should be in your hands.¡± Zongzheng Huachun, standing on the city ramparts, clapped his hands, and several Houjin soldiers escorted two bald monks forward. Jie Se looked at the ghostly soldiers in the overcast sky, his legs were trembling and weak, almost collapsing to the ground. When he caught sight of the figure in white in the distance, he was startled, then exclaimed with wild joy, ¡°Brother An, how did you come¡­¡±?¡± At this moment, An Jing was actually standing beneath the overcast sky, confronting Zongzheng Huachun. Who was Zongzheng Huachun? That was the Holy Master of Houjin, one of the top experts in the world today. Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°One person in exchange for another, whom do you want?¡± ¡°One person in exchange for another?¡± An Jing, holding Zongzheng Yue¡¯s collar, said, ¡°This one here is Houjin¡¯s Princess Eight. Is her life so worthless?¡± Zongzheng Yue¡¯s demeanor was indifferent as water, seemingly compliant with her circumstances. Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°Life has no distinction of high or low.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Indeed, lives are just one each, without distinction of high or low, but people¡¯s status is another matter.¡± Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°What do you propose?¡± An Jing said, ¡°Release those two in exchange for the corpse of our sect¡¯s Great Elder.¡± Atop the city walls, a few of Houjin¡¯s experts revealed a hint of ferocity in their eyes, their hands resting on their waists. Clearly, they did not wish to comply easily and were even considering killing the Ghost Swordsman. After all, this was the Royal Court of Houjin. Even if the Ghost Swordsman had a million ghostly soldiers, so what? As long as they killed the Ghost Swordsman, who in the Great Yan Dynasty would be able to stop Houjin¡¯s southward advance? Zongzheng Huachun gave An Jing a deep look and said, ¡°Fine.¡± An Jing said, ¡°You release them first.¡± Zongzheng Huachun turned his head to look at Jie Se and Jie Lu, who were bewildered and at a loss. With a wave of his hand, the two felt their bodies floating downward. ¡°Brother An!¡± Seeing An Jing, Jie Se was instantly filled with tears, as if he had seen a relative. These past few days, he had constantly worried that Zongzheng Huachun would kill him, and living like a dog, he realized how unbearable such a life was. An Jing patted Jie Se¡¯s and Jie Lu¡¯s shoulders without speaking. Li Fuzhou then pushed Zongzheng Yue with a slap and said, ¡°Princess Eight, you may leave now.¡± Zongzheng Yue stretched her limbs and said, ¡°Thank you for the hospitality over these days.¡± After speaking, Zongzheng Yue headed towards the walls of the Royal Court, and immediately numerous experts from the Great Snow Mountain stepped forward to welcome and protect her. Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°The corpse of Jun Qinglin will need to be encoffined; His Highness will have someone bring it out later.¡± An Jing glanced at Zongzheng Huachun and said, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun, the times have saved you.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Zongzheng Huachun immediately understood all that it implied, knowing that An Jing did not wish to decide life or death today. An Jing said, ¡°But there will be a battle between us one day.¡± Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s robe fluttered as he spoke, ¡°All as you wish. Whenever you desire battle, this king is ready to accompany you.¡± The wind blustered, raising waves of grass, causing both their garments to flap violently. Inside the Royal Court of Houjin, among the hundreds of thousands of Houjin soldiers, two hundred thousand were the elite of the elite. Outside the Royal Court, a million ghostly soldiers held their position within the dark clouds, carrying a dreadfully cold aura, seemingly like soldiers rushing out from Fengdu. Such a standoff gave a very peculiar feeling. An Jing said, ¡°The ninth day of the ninth month, at Ba Mountain.¡± This was the time agreed upon by An Jing and Zhao Qingmei. The current time was the end of the sixth month, and there were more than two months until the ninth day of the ninth month. In these two months, An Jing had many things he wanted to do, helping Zhao Qingmei resolve the Heart Demon, acquiring the blood of Cheng Huang, and most importantly, obtaining the last remaining chapters of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± from the Zhenyi Sect to complete the entire ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture.¡± Zongzheng Huachun showed no hesitation, ¡°This prince will certainly arrive as promised.¡± ¡°Let us go.¡± An Jing immediately turned and walked towards the distance. As he turned, the millions of Yin soldiers in the dark clouds also dissipated, and the world became clear and bright once more, with the warm sunshine once again falling upon the earth. The Houjin royal court returned to normal, while everyone felt as if they had been dreaming. Jiren Tai breathed a sigh of relief and said, ¡°Holy Master, the Ghost Swordsman indeed has retreated.¡± Although Zongzheng Huachun was very confident in his ability to defeat the Ghost Swordsman, after all, the Ghost Swordsman was ¡°The World¡¯s First Swordsman¡± and had even killed the guardian spirit of the great plains, Taiyin Kui¨Chow could one not feel apprehensive? Add to that the fact that he holds a national treasure that can summon a million Yin soldiers in an instant, it¡¯s more than enough to chill one¡¯s heart. Now that the Ghost Swordsman has retreated, it is undoubtedly a tremendous opportunity for Zongzheng Huachun, an opportunity for a breakthrough to Great Grandmaster. As long as Zongzheng Huachun breaks through to become a Great Grandmaster, even if the Ghost Swordsman comes to kill again, so what? Zongzheng Huachun watched the disappearing figure of the Ghost Swordsman, ¡°Just now, he wanted to make a move.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Upon hearing this, Jiren Tai raised an eyebrow, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman really dared to make a move?¡± Zongzheng Huachun indifferently replied, ¡°Because of a strand of Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s thought, my Qi mechanism was connected with this world, making it difficult for him to sense my depth, and the reason he ultimately abstained from acting¡­¡± Stopping there, Zongzheng Huachun didn¡¯t continue speaking but looked towards Zongzheng Yue, ¡°Are you alright?¡± Zongzheng Yue shook her head and said with emotion, ¡°Father, I am fine. The people from the Demon Sect were quite courteous to me, the Ghost Swordsman truly is an impressive figure.¡± ¡°That is good then.¡± Zongzheng Huachun nodded and gazed at the clear sky above. It was a long while before he spoke softly, ¡°I always thought that Zhao Zhiwu was the enemy of my life, but now I realize that the Ghost Swordsman is.¡± ¡­¡­ Yun Hua Dao, in the small town. Yun Hua Dao is located at the centre of the entire Great Yan Dynasty. Although it was not affected by the war, its former prosperity had gradually declined due to a series of impacts. There weren¡¯t many people on the streets, but the calls of the vendors were still endless. At this moment, in a corner of the street, sat an old man in black with white hair. The elder was leaning against the corner of a wall with his eyes closed as if resting, occasionally smacking his lips, letting the sunlight fall on his wrinkled face, giving off a sense of laziness and comfort. Just then, a figure appeared in front of him, completely blocking out the sunlight. The elder slowly opened his eyes and looked up to see a tall man with unusual attire, carrying a longsword by his waist, the longsword sheathed, but the elder keenly felt it was no ordinary sword. Not only were the materials used in its craft extraordinary, the craftsmanship was exquisite, but most importantly, the sword had a murderous aura, which meant it must have taken many lives. The elder commented, ¡°That is truly an excellent sword.¡± The man replied, ¡°And yours is an excellent blade.¡± The elder¡¯s eyebrows shot up, and his eyes suddenly reflected a chilling light like a sharp sword, giving an eerie sensation. The man shook his head and smiled, saying, ¡°Once renowned throughout the world, shaking the Jianghu, the Sword Demon has now lost all his spirit, becoming a homeless old beggar on the streets, truly lamentable.¡± The Sword Demon! In the Jianghu of today, there is probably no one who doesn¡¯t know, who isn¡¯t aware of his existence. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This elder is none other than Hao Tian, the Sword Demon who, on Zhong Mountain, was stabbed in the heart by An Jing¡¯s Sword Control Technique and fell down the cliff. At the time, Zhao Qingmei had people search the mountain for his body, but the Demon Sect¡¯s experts searched the entire cliffside and couldn¡¯t find the Sword Demon¡¯s corpse, which gradually faded from the Jianghu¡¯s memory. After all, many had seen the sword strike at the Sword Demon¡¯s heart, and falling into the cliff was certainly a death sentence. The Sword Demon sat up and coldly asked, ¡°Who are you?¡± The corner of the man¡¯s mouth lifted slightly as he answered, ¡°Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace.¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 355 - Chapter 355 Chapter 355 Noble Bactria Stirs Up Waves Chapter 355: Chapter 355: Noble Bactria Stirs Up Waves Chapter 355: Chapter 355: Noble Bactria Stirs Up Waves The Sword Demon¡¯s eyebrow raised slightly as he murmured softly, ¡°Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace?¡± Other people might not have ever heard of such a power, but the Sword Demon Hao Tian had some understanding of it. Originally a master from the Houjin¡¯s Great Snow Mountain, he practiced the Snow Mountain¡¯s secret technique, the Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique. Later, he left Houjin, traversing mountains and rivers, traveling thousands of miles to the west. He first reached the Buddhist Pure Land, and then arrived at the distant Guishuang. Guishuang was a completely different nation, geographically separated from the Pure Land by a natural barrier, resulting in little exchange between the two places. Only during the most prosperous times of the Great Qin Dynasty did the two regions engage in deep interactions. But as the Great Qin Dynasty declined, these exchanges dwindled and information between them became completely blocked off. So much so that Guishuang still believed that the major power to the east was the Great Qin Dynasty. The Sword Demon Hao Tian had visited Guishuang and lived there for three years. He even learned the language of Guishuang, and witnessed some of its masters. However, the Sword Demon did not cause any waves and left quietly, returning to the Great Yan Dynasty. The territory of Guishuang was by no means inferior to the former Great Qin Dynasty, developing very prosperously and thriving economically, politically, and in martial arts sects. The powers within Guishuang were also very chaotic and complex. Among them, the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace had the largest influence, backed by the Guishuang royal family, and assimilated strong sects such as the Heavenly Blade Alliance and the Ghost Cry Sect, becoming the unique behemoth of Guishuang. During his time in Guishuang, the Sword Demon frequently heard of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace. It was said that there were not only three Five Qi Grandmasters in the Divine Palace, but even a Great Grandmaster. However, rumors in Guishuang suggested that this Great Grandmaster might be fabricated, that there was no such Great Grandmaster at all. After all, the mysterious Great Grandmaster had never been seen by the Sword Demon; as for his existence or not, the Sword Demon was also unclear. Of the three Five Qi Grandmasters, he had seen one, and briefly exchanged blows with him. The man smiled and said with clasped hands, ¡°Indeed, I am Chang Ning from the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace.¡± The Sword Demon coldly asked, ¡°Your Guishuang really has vast divine skills, to actually be able to find me.¡± In the battle at Zhong Mountain, the longsword pierced through his heart, and everyone thought he was undoubtedly doomed. But no one knew that his heart was not like others¡¯; in most people, the heart is on the left side, but his was on the right. Thus, he managed to escape that calamity. The battle at Zhong Mountain also allowed him to understand the strength of the Ghost Swordsman, and now, with the Dulu Sword in hand, he feared there might not be any swordsman in the world who could stand against him. So the Sword Demon secluded himself here, attempting to break through to the Seventh Realm, to see if he could eventually match the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°The world is currently undergoing an unprecedented pattern, and my Guishuang has long noticed this,¡± Chang Ning said indifferently, ¡°In fact, decades ago, my Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace began laying plans in Great Yan, Zhao Country, Houjin, and even among the Southern Barbarians. Now, with just one command, forces from all over can gather and form an irresistible trend.¡± Hearing this, the Sword Demon¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits. His face showed no change, but a ripple went through his heart. Guishuang harbored wild ambitions, secretly making such extensive plans for so many years, and what was most frightening was that it seemed no one had noticed. One must know that with the current warfare among countries, the world¡¯s pattern will inevitably be reshuffled. No matter who gains power, it will be the weakest moment for the world. If Guishuang were to suddenly emerge, it might throw the world into even greater chaos. The Sword Demon stood up and said, ¡°What business do you have seeking out this old man?¡± Chang Ning replied, ¡°The Dulu Sword is known as the World¡¯s First Sword, and there isn¡¯t a swordsman who doesn¡¯t desire to possess it.¡± The Sword Demon dusted off the dust from his buttocks and said, ¡°You¡¯ve come for the Dulu Sword?¡± Chang Ning¡¯s eyes shone with a sharp light as he answered, ¡°No, for the Ghost Swordsman.¡± The Sword Demon was somewhat puzzled, ¡°For his sake?¡± Chang Ning said, ¡°That¡¯s right, I believe he is our common enemy.¡± The Sword Demon asked, ¡°Why do you want to kill him?¡± Indeed, the Ghost Swordsman is one of the top experts in the world today, but the Great Yan is still in the hands of the Royal Family. Therefore, the Ghost Swordsman isn¡¯t really the true mastermind. Why would Gao Shuang come looking for me because of the Ghost Swordsman? Chang Ning took a deep breath and said, ¡°This man is one of the variables in the world that must die.¡± ¡°Variables!?¡± The Sword Demon¡¯s eyebrows rose. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Chang Ning nodded slightly and said, ¡°This person is the biggest variable in the changing pattern of the world. The original trajectory will change because of him. To prevent being forcibly altered, he must die.¡± The Sword Demon pondered for a moment and said, ¡°But with the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s current strength, it won¡¯t be easy to kill him.¡± Taiyin Kui, Jiang Shang, and other experts have died at the hands of the Ghost Swordsman. Now, the Ghost Swordsman is even more ambitious, seeking to trample over Houjin with only one sword in hand. What a reputation he has! In this world, apart from the Great Grandmasters, probably no one believes he can be killed. Chang Ning¡¯s mouth curled with a cold smile, ¡°Zhao Zhiwu is about to fall, the Great Yan Dynasty is in turmoil, and the Crown Prince, Zhao Chongyin, wants to ascend the throne. He will surely act, and his biggest opponent is not someone else but Zhao Xuening, who has inherited Zhao Mengtai¡¯s faction¡¯s power and has been frequently summoned by Zhao Zhiwu lately. It seems Zhao Xuening holds an unspeakable secret with the Ghost Swordsman, and Zhao Chongyin will definitely want to deal with the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Hearing this, the Sword Demon said, ¡°So, in order for Zhao Chongyin to seize the throne, he must stir up waves within Yujing City and eventually eliminate the Ghost Swordsman using Zhao Chongyin¡¯s hand?¡± The news of Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s severe injury spread throughout the city, triggering discussions among officials in the court, masters of Jianghu, and even the ordinary people in the streets. It can be said that Yujing City is currently in the vortex of public opinion. Fortunately, the conflict between Houjin and the Southern Barbarians seems to have come to a halt, with only Zhao Country and Yan Country still facing off against each other. However, with the reinforcement of Buddhist masters and monk soldiers, Zhao Country¡¯s offensive is gradually weakening. The situation in the world is at a stalemate, as though everything is waiting for a breakthrough. ¡°Acting rashly could affect the entire situation.¡± Chang Ning said in a serious tone, ¡°We must observe the changes and act only when necessary.¡± The Sword Demon narrowed his eyes, Fishermen benefit from the snipe and clam fighting each other. It seems that the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace wants to be that fisherman. Chang Ning looked at the Sword Demon and said, ¡°That¡¯s why we have invited you to join the Divine Palace. With a wisp of intention from the Earth Vein Spirit breaking the prohibition, reaching the Five Qi Grandmaster level is but a snap of the fingers for you. Our Divine Palace can help you break through your shackles, and as long as the Ghost Swordsman dies, the Divine Palace will also help you secure the Dulu Sword.¡± The Sword Demon laughed and said, ¡°What reason does this old man have to refuse?¡± Chang Ning said, ¡°You¡¯re a clever man.¡± The Sword Demon shook his head and said, ¡°The world does not lack clever people, it lacks those who understand the times.¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± Chang Ning couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter upon hearing this. ¡­ Yujing City, Rainflower Courtyard. Ever since Zhao Mengtai had died, Zhao Chongyin, the Crown Prince, should have been the most powerful and undisputed heir. His accession to the throne seemed a certainty, but everything changed when Zhao Zhiwu made a breakthrough and became a Great Grandmaster. A Great Grandmaster could have a lifespan of three hundred years. If Zhao Zhiwu could rule for three more centuries, wouldn¡¯t Zhao Chongyin be nothing more than a nominal Crown Prince? Because of this, Zhao Chongyin had once found himself in a period of confusion. His father could rule for three hundred years, while he didn¡¯t even have one hundred years. He could only be a prince for life. It was the cruelest thing, even crueler than death itself. The throne was right before him, yet he could only watch it for the rest of his life. For Zhao Chongyin, who immensely valued the Imperial seat, it was as if he had plunged into an abyss. At that time, he had almost let go of the power he held, and the so-called Crown Prince faction had nearly dissipated. But soon, news spread that Zhao Zhiwu had been gravely wounded by a mysterious expert, hovering on the brink of death. Suppressing the joy deep in his heart, Zhao Chongyin rallied once again. Later, he discovered another piece of news that struck him like a bolt from the blue. His father the Emperor had been frequently summoning Zhao Xuening and was promoting her confidant, Zhou Xianming, vigorously in court. This gave rise to a bad premonition within Zhao Chongyin. The more lengthy and complex a situation, the more abruptly it often ends. Its development has reached a climax, unseen by others. Thus, some people always die very suddenly and inexplicably. Standing in front of a carved railing, Zhao Chongyin looked at the fish swimming freely in the pond below, his hands tightly clenching into the wood, a surge of hatred emanating from within him. ¡°Your Highness.¡± Bai Jing spoke softly beside him. Zhao Chongyin said, ¡°It seems my father truly intends to depose me.¡± Bai Jing replied, ¡°His Majesty has always been fond of Princess An Le, and it¡¯s quite normal for him to summon her frequently at this time.¡± Zhao Chongyin sighed deeply and said, ¡°I know him well. He would never act on a whim. Ignoring state affairs at this time, to summon Zhao Xuening instead, must have a reason.¡± ¡°He will certainly remove all obstacles for her ascent to the throne before Zhao Xuening becomes Emperor, and those obstacles include me.¡± Bai Jing¡¯s pupils shrunk suddenly, feeling a chill through her body. Nothing is more merciless than the Imperial family! If Zhao Chongyin¡¯s speculations were accurate, the current Great Yan Emperor might indeed eliminate ¡®obstacle¡¯ Zhao Chongyin. Bai Jing, somewhat anxious, asked, ¡°What should we do now?¡± When the Emperor wants his minister dead, the minister has no choice but to die. Did Zhao Chongyin have any chance to resist if the Great Yan Emperor wished for his death? Zhao Chongyin¡¯s fists slowly relaxed, and he gently closed his eyes, knowing that the most important thing at the moment was to stay calm. Bai Jing walked behind him and gently pressed on his Sun Temple. Zhao Chongyin thought of something and asked, ¡°Have they found Old Su?¡± Bai Jing shook her head, saying, ¡°No, it¡¯s as if Old Su suddenly vanished.¡± Just months ago, Su Tianze, the current Five Qi Grandmaster, had disappeared suddenly, like evaporating from the human world, and Zhao Chongyin had not been able to find him since. Zhao Chongyin opened his eyes and murmured softly, ¡°Where on earth could he have gone?¡± A Five Qi Grandmaster couldn¡¯t just disappear into thin air, could they? How many people could make a Five Qi Grandmaster vanish quietly? Especially within Yujing City. Bai Jing said, ¡°Even the spies of Heaven and Earth Net couldn¡¯t find him.¡± ¡°Heaven and Earth Net?¡± Zhao Chongyin suddenly thought of something, ¡°Could this have something to do with my father?¡± A flicker of doubt crossed Bai Jing¡¯s eyes, ¡°His Majesty? What does he have to do with this?¡± Zhao Chongyin shook his head, saying, ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but I feel that this matter is connected to my father somehow.¡± With a furrowed brow, Bai Jing fell deep into thought. The more Zhao Chongyin thought about it, the more frightened he became, and he quickly said, ¡°I must send a secret letter to the State Preceptor right away.¡± Saying this, he turned around and headed towards the study. The favor he owed Xiao Qianqiu would finally be called in today. Considering the current turbulent situation in Yujing City, Xiao Qianqiu, as the State Preceptor of Great Yan, would definitely hurry to Yujing City. With his strength and status, he had a pivotal position in the Great Yan Dynasty. The Great Yan State Preceptor might be his last card to play. ¡­ Ba Mountain City, the guest hall. An Jing and Zhao Qingmei were seated at the head of the table, with the Demon Sect experts sitting to the left, and Jie Se and Jie Lu to the right. Jie Se glanced at the Demon Sect experts across from him, swallowed, and asked in a low voice, ¡°An¡­ Brother An, are you really the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Following the battle between An Jing from Yujing City and the Exalted Vajra from Buddhist Law, his name had already been widely known across the world, and Jie Se, who lived in Fa Xi Temple, had often heard about it. However, he never imagined that the Ghost Swordsman of the Demon Sect was actually that damned Doctor; after all, the identities of the two were as different as heaven and earth, who could suspect they were one and the same person? Moreover, before this, he had roundly cursed the Ghost Swordsman, and An Jing had even agreed with him, laughing along. An Jing said with a smile, ¡°Guaranteed genuine.¡± Jie Se said with a miserable face, ¡°Brother An, you¡¯re actually a master of the Demon Sect, you¡¯ve deceived me so cruelly.¡± An Jing spread his hands and said, ¡°I too had my own compelling difficulties.¡± Just as Jie Se was about to ask, he noticed Zhao Qingmei nearby, rubbing his hands together and saying with a smile, ¡°Junior sister, you¡¯ve become more and more beautiful, I almost didn¡¯t recognize you¡­¡­¡± Jie Lu, standing beside him, quickly pulled him back, his face pale as he said, ¡°Senior brother, do you know who she is?¡± Jie Se raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Jie Lu said with a trembling voice, ¡°She is the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect!¡± The Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect!? That was a name that shook the entire Jianghu! Not just him, even the Great Heavenly Gang of the Xuanyi Guard wouldn¡¯t dare to breathe too loudly in front of the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. Upon hearing this, Jie Se reacted as if struck by lightning, his mouth beginning to tremble, ¡°Junior¡­.Junior sister, no, Sect Hierarch, greetings.¡± Zhao Qingmei waved her hand and said, ¡°Officer Han, no need to be so courteous, just call me junior sister. I like to hear that.¡± Jie Se shook his head and said cautiously, ¡°I am no longer an arrest officer; just call me Little Han.¡± Zhao Qingmei laughed softly and said, ¡°That¡¯s right, you¡¯re now a high monk within the Buddhist order.¡± An Jing said, ¡°You¡¯ve said before that historically, Buddhism and demons do not coexist.¡± Upon hearing this, Jie Se immediately removed his Buddha beads, filled with righteous indignation, and declared, ¡°What¡¯s the use in practicing Buddhist Law? What¡¯s the point in upholding the precepts? From today onwards, I, Han, will follow Brother An into the Demon Path, freely surpassing immortals in untrammeled ease.¡± Seeing this, Jie Lu also had an epiphany, and immediately said, ¡°Senior brother is right, there¡¯s no use in Buddhist practices, joining the Demon Path for freedom instead.¡± All the high-ranking warriors of the Demon Sect who witnessed this were somewhat stunned. Only Li Fuzhou remained unphased and sat as if nothing was strange. They had never seen such brazenly shameless people before. An Jing blinked his eyes and said nothing. Han Wenxin was still the same Han Wenxin¨Cafter all, his master was Fa Wu, the Buddhist son of the Buddhist order, and Fa Wu had treated him rather well. Surprisingly, he had defected so readily. Li Fuzhou looked at Han Wenxin and said, ¡°You sure switch sides quickly, lad.¡± ¡°Third Master, a man should not be described as quick.¡± Han Wenxin turned his head towards An Jing and said with all seriousness, ¡°Brother An, this is where you¡¯re wrong. You clearly knew I yearned deeply for Outer Heaven; why didn¡¯t you let me join Outer Heaven earlier, leaving me alone in the Buddhist order to suffer humiliation?¡± An Jing widened his eyes, listening to Han Wenxin¡¯s nonsense. An Jing remembered very clearly that Han Wenxin had said he wanted to master the Qiankun Blade to take revenge against the high-ranking warriors of the Demon Sect. Otherwise, Tan Yun would not have given him laxatives¡­.. Han Wenxin looked again at Zhao Qingmei and said with a sycophantic smile, ¡°Junior sister, no, Sect Hierarch, from today on, I am a member of Outer Heaven. Whatever tasks you have within the sect, just assign them to me. I, Han Wenxin, am willing to serve the Sect Hierarch with the loyalty of a dog or horse, even if that means climbing a mountain of swords or descending into a sea of flames, without a single furrow in my brow.¡± Watching Han Wenxin act in such a way, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but sigh deeply, ¡°His skill at this truly breaks one¡¯s heart.¡± Zhao Qingmei, however, applauded and said, ¡°Good, very good. Then you shall follow Third Master. Seeing your duplicitous, life-fearing demeanor, you¡¯ll make an excellent spy.¡± Han Wenxin: ¡°¡­..¡± An Jing frowned slightly from the side. A spy!? Making Han Wenxin a spy, but who would he spy on? At that moment, An Jing had a bad premonition. Just then, Li Fuzhou whispered, ¡°Son-in-law, I need to tell you something.¡± An Jing asked indifferently, ¡°What is it?¡± Li Fuzhou said, ¡°The Sect Leader of the Five Poison Sect, Dai Danshu, died in the battle defending Yuan City. Dai Ling has led the high-level combatants of the Five Poison Sect to join the Demon Sect, restoring the Five Poison.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing raised an eyebrow slightly, ¡°Oh? Is that so?¡± Initially, Feng Lingyue joined forces with the Zhenyi Sect to oppose the Demon Sect, attacking the Demon Sect in secret several times. Later, Feng Lingyue went to Blue Sky Island and settled all scores with the Demon Sect. Thus, the grievances between the Five Poison Sect and the Demon Sect had ended. Unexpectedly, following Dai Danshu¡¯s death, Dai Ling actually wanted to join the Demon Sect. It was known that there had been some enmity between Dai Ling, An Jing, and Li Fuzhou. Li Fuzhou lamented, ¡°Women, sometimes they are a big trouble.¡± Hearing this, An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. Could it be that Dai Ling still wished to kill him? If that was truly her intention, then she should not blame him for being ruthlessly decisive. ¡°Big brother!¡± As An Jing was contemplating Li Fuzhou¡¯s words, a voice came from the door. Qiu Lun looked pale and anxious, supported by two of the Pingyang Guard as he walked in. An Jing asked, ¡°What brings you here?¡± Qiu Lun hurriedly said, ¡°Big brother, didn¡¯t you say you were going to take down the Royal Court of Houjin? Why the sudden order to retreat?¡± Now that the army has arrived at the doorstep of Houjin¡¯s royal court and is about to engage in a decisive battle with Zongzheng Huachun, why are they suddenly retreating? An Jing spoke in a deep voice, ¡°His Majesty is unwell, and Yujing City may soon face a major upheaval.¡± What?! The news of Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s serious injury hadn¡¯t spread to the army yet, coupled with Qiu Lun being wounded, so they were uninformed. Hearing An Jing say this, they were immediately shocked. Zhao Zhiwu is a grandmaster-level expert; who could have seriously injured him? Moreover, if Zhao Zhiwu was seriously injured, it would definitely lead to turmoil in Yujing City. Previously, it was Zhao Zhiwu, the grandmaster-level expert, who kept Yujing City stable as Mount Tai. If Zhao Zhiwu were to suddenly perish at this moment, it would be unimaginable. Qiu Lun was not as rough and simplistic as he appeared; he understood the gravity of the situation even clearer than An Jing did. The internal and external troubles of Great Yan might completely erupt at this moment, but could the Great Yan Dynasty really resist them? If they capture Houjin at this time, their rear might already be overrun by others. Where would they go then? ¡°Ah.¡± Qiu Lun let out a long sigh and then fell silent. Han Wenxin sat leisurely in his chair and asked, ¡°Brother An, are we returning to Yujing City? I heard Zhou Xianming¡¯s doing quite well for himself?¡± He only had superficial knowledge of the world¡¯s affairs and didn¡¯t care about them; he didn¡¯t even care what he would eat for his next meal. The only thing he cared about was whether his rooster could be used tonight. An Jing nodded, ¡°Yes, he is doing very well and has lived up to his vow.¡± Zhou Xianming, now supported by the abundant resources of the Lv Sect and favored by the Human Emperor, had rapidly become a new noble in the royal court. Qiu Lun raised an eyebrow and looked at Han Wenxin, who hung around carelessly, ¡°Big brother, who is this kid?¡± With sixth-grade cultivation, in the Demon Sect, he would be an insignificant figure without even the opportunity to enter the door. How could he be sitting there? Before An Jing could speak, Han Wenxin stood up and said, ¡°I am brother An¡¯s half-brother from different fathers and mothers. Who are you?¡± ¡°Half-brother from different fathers and mothers?!¡± Qiu Lun looked astonished at Han Wenxin. How could there be such a shameless person in the world? How had he not thought of this before? A smug Han Wenxin said, ¡°Yes, our friendship is even deeper than those who have gone through life and death together.¡± Qiu Lun, somewhat disbelieving, said, ¡°Deeper than life and death?¡± ¡°Cough cough cough!¡± An Jing hastily let out a soft cough. Others might not know, but An Jing was aware that Han Wenxin might say anything. If he said something he shouldn¡¯t, that would lead to trouble. Qiu Lun tilted his head back and huffed, ¡°He is my big brother, and we have been through life-and-death experiences.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Han Wenxin pointed his thumb at himself, boasting, ¡°Then it seems you should call me big brother too.¡± Qiu Lun snorted coldly, ¡°He is my big brother; what are you then?¡± Han Wenxin¡¯s smile faded, feeling Qiu Lun¡¯s hostility, ¡°I am his brother from different fathers and mothers, don¡¯t you understand? You, little fellow, clearly don¡¯t follow the path, and you¡¯ll never get to eat four dishes in your lifetime.¡± Qiu Lun pushed aside the two Pingyang Guards beside him and rolled up his sleeves, ¡°Yo, dare you talk to me like that?¡± Although Qiu Lun was seriously injured, he was still a master of the Heavenly Flower Realm. Qiu Lun could naturally see that the young man in front of him was nothing but an idle waste, obviously looking to compete for favor. He was determined to teach him a lesson today. ¡°What is my relationship with brother An? Is it your place to interfere?¡± Han Wenxin thought silently to himself and quickly walked behind An Jing, ¡°Brother An, look at that fatso; he wants to fight. I am part of the Demon Sect now.¡± Qiu Lun also said, ¡°Big brother, I have to teach him a lesson today; he dares to disrespect you.¡± ¡°Big brother!¡± ¡°Brother An!¡± The Demon Sect experts watched the two vie for attention and couldn¡¯t help but smile in amusement. Among the many masters in the Demon Sect, few were as interesting as these two. Perhaps, becoming a master required one to endure the purification of loneliness, thereby stripping away all interesting frivolities. Jie Lu stood upright and silent at one side. An Jing looked at the two and inevitably turned his head to Zhao Qingmei, ¡°My lady, let¡¯s go pack up and see if the senior from Nangong is ready to return to You Mountain.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the two jealous men and couldn¡¯t help but cover her mouth and giggle. She had only seen women behave like that before and hadn¡¯t expected to see men do the same today. ¡°Let¡¯s go; let¡¯s go quickly.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing, finding the two a headache, wrapped his arm around Zhao Qingmei¡¯s small waist and headed toward the back courtyard. ¡°Big brother! Don¡¯t leave yet!¡± ¡°Brother An, you need to take my side.¡± Seeing An Jing preparing to leave, the two hurriedly followed. ¡­¡­. Chapter 356 - Chapter 356 Chapter 356 Qingmei Subdues the Heart Demon Chapter 356: Chapter 356: Qingmei Subdues the Heart Demon Chapter 356: Chapter 356: Qingmei Subdues the Heart Demon The east wind was like a seal, majestic and upright, silently gazing at the secluded mountain peaks that stacked upon one another like clouds embracing tightly together. In the vast mountain plateau, a slender mountain proudly stood, reaching straight into the blue sky. Its towering figure fully displayed its magnificence, and just as the surrounding mountains bowed to the heavens, it suddenly emerged, seemingly looking down on the firmament with disdain. At times it seemed like the work of gods and demons, at other times plain and unremarkable. The mountain cliffs above looked like dark clouds pressing down, gloomy and bone-chillingly cold. After nearly a year of construction, You Mountain had taken shape. Clouds and mists twined around the mountain peak, and pavilions stood in abundance, resembling an immortal realm of the human world. Atop the peak, A-Jiu was reading a book while sweeping the dust in the courtyard with a broom. ¡°Whoosh whoosh¡­¡± Just then, a violent wind swept in, followed by a clear and piercing cry. A-Jiu looked up and saw a giant red bird. A trace of joy instantly appeared in its bright eyes, ¡°The Tributor and the Hierarch have returned.¡± No one in the entire You Mountain headquarters would fail to recognize the Demon Sect¡¯s Guardian Beasts, Honghu and the Black Flood Dragon. An Jing and Zhao Qingmei and others had returned to You Mountain. Han Wenxin and Jie Lu also followed them back, whereas Qiu Lun, Duanmu Xinghua, Ouyang Ping, and other high-level experts of the Demon Sect led the Pingyang Guard to retreat towards North Field. After all, with An Jing gone and no longer having the million Yin soldiers from the Imperial Jade Seal to contend with, Qiu Lun simply couldn¡¯t resist the Houjin army. No one knew if the Houjin Royal Court would suddenly strike back. Nangong Weiping stepped off the back of Honghu and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, straight to the secret chamber.¡± At this moment, Nangong Weiping¡¯s presence had become weaker than before, and she appeared particularly aged. The skin on the back of her hands was rough like the bark of an old pine tree. The merciless passage of years etched deep wrinkles on her purple face, and her originally black hair had turned gray-white. Only her eyes remained spirited, even though crow¡¯s feet densely surrounded them. Zhao Qingmei asked with concern, ¡°Elder Nan, wouldn¡¯t you rest for a while?¡± Nangong Weiping shook her head, ¡°There¡¯s no need. The urgent matter now is to use the Demon Seed to nurture you.¡± An Jing stood behind without speaking. Nangong Weiping¡¯s Qi Mechanism was continuously draining, and her life essence blood had become very weak. Her end truly seemed imminent; one could not know when she might breathe her last, which was why she was in such a hurry. Subsequently, the three of them arrived in the secret chamber where Zhao Qingmei was in seclusion. The Heavenly Yang Stone that An Jing had obtained from the Russell Clan was placed in the center of the chamber. At this moment, the Heavenly Yang Stone radiated a faint red glow, and just standing beside it, one could feel the surge of scorching breath. Zhao Qingmei and Nangong Weiping both sat cross-legged above the Heavenly Yang Stone. Nangong Weiping spoke softly, ¡°Now recite the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture,¡¯ close the Heavenly Rush and Hundred Spirit acupoints, then channel your True Qi into the Demon Seed.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Zhao Qingmei replied. She cast aside all distractions and began to operate the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± as Nangong Weiping had instructed, with her True Qi gathering toward the Demon Seed within her body. At the same time, the Heavenly Yang Stone also emitted a faint Supreme Yang Qi. Nangong Weiping looked at An Jing and said, ¡°Next, the Demonic Qi in my body will continuously nurture her through the Demon Seed. As her cultivation increases, her Heart Demon will become increasingly apparent. You must intervene in time with your breath to help her subdue the Heart Demon.¡± An Jing nodded gravely, ¡°I understand.¡± This matter was of great significance and could affect Zhao Qingmei¡¯s future and life, so naturally, he would not take it lightly. Nangong Weiping nodded slightly and then closed her eyes, starting to recklessly infuse her body¡¯s Demonic Qi into the Demon Seed. In the next moment, a large amount of True Qi nurtured by the Demon Seed surged within Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body, and her cultivation visibly advanced at a rapid pace. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation was at the peak of the Three Qi Grandmaster, only a step away from the Grandmaster Realm of Four Qi. With the nourishment of Demonic Qi, one of the Five Qi within her, the Corporeal Qi, was climbing steadily. Climbing the Corporeal Qi to its proper place signifies the Grandmaster of Four Qi. For an ordinary master to reach the Grandmaster of Four Qi, it would take at least several decades of accumulation. But now, with a massive amount of Demonic Qi nurturing from the Demon Seed, this supply of essence¨Cit was purer than both the essence of a volcano and the essence of thunder and more in harmony with her. In just a few hours, the Corporeal Qi above her head had ascended into place. Grandmaster of Four Qi! And the intense nurturing from the Demon Seed was not yet over; in fact, it became even more violent, like a volcanic eruption. This fierce Demonic Qi poured out from the Demon Seed, rushing towards Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Dantian. As An Jing stood by, he couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the remarkable nature of the Heart Demon Seed Path Great Method, which allowed for mutual nurturing through the Demon Seed to enhance one¡¯s cultivation. Indeed, if Nangong Weiping had intended to, she could have absorbed the cultivation within Zhao Qingmei through the Demon Seed. It appeared as though Nangong Weiping had no malicious intent toward Zhao Qingmei after all. It seemed he had initially suspected an honorable person of dishonorable intentions. ¡°The ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ is already miraculous enough. If I could obtain the complete ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture,¡¯ it would undoubtedly be even more formidable.¡± Looking at his hand, An Jing mused, ¡°After returning to Yujing City this time, I must gather the complete ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture.¡¯ With Zongzheng Huachun in seclusion, his strength was bound to make leaps and bounds, and An Jing also needed to improve his own as soon as possible. How terrifying the complete ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ must be, An Jing was very curious as to its potential. Above the Heavenly Yang Stone, Zhao Qingmei received substantial nourishment from the Demonic Qi, her cultivation climbing at a visible speed, while Nangong Weiping¡¯s Qi Mechanism grew weaker and weaker. Time slipped through the fingers like sand, and unknowingly a day passed. At this moment, nightfall shrouded You Mountain in darkness, leaving only the sounds of insects and birds chirping in the soft breeze. In the secret chamber, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation kept soaring, but behind her appeared a clump of pitch-black flames so dark that they did not embody any other color. These flames seemed to hold a peculiar allure, as An Jing gazed at them, it felt as though his entire brain had become light and airy, and his divine soul had left his body, floating up to the sky. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s will continued to rise and condense, and once her will returned to its rightful place, she would be able to reach the realm of Five Qi Returning to Origin. Just one step away from the Land Immortal Realm, for a Five Qi Grandmaster. Given Zhao Qingmei¡¯s current age, coupled with today¡¯s troubled world, reaching the Land Immortal Realm was almost a certainty. Nangong Weiping took a deep breath, gathering the last of the Demonic Qi within her body, ready to surge into Zhao Qingmei. Her cultivation was at the Great Grandmaster Realm, and this mouthful of Demonic Qi was the essence of her cultivation. Its Qi mechanism was astonishingly powerful and the key to the nourishment process. Once this Demonic Qi was provided, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Heart Demon would instantly reach the Great Success Realm. ¡°Be careful,¡± Nangong Weiping said, and then she let the Demonic Qi within her flow without reservation towards the Demon Seed. Boom! In the next moment, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s body erupted like a volcano, her cultivation skyrocketing with the mountain-shifting sea-overturning Demonic Qi reverting back to her, and the will behind her was also climbing rapidly. The Five Qi Returning to Origin was imminent. But just as her will was about to coalesce, she felt a piercing pain in her brain. Everything before her seemed hazy as if she saw Zhao Shizai and his wife being killed by Jiang Shang. She also saw An Jing lying on the ground as well, spitting blood continuously, breathing his last breath. Zhao Shizai was dead, and An Jing also died at Jiang Shang¡¯s hands¡­ All of this felt as if it had truly happened, the previous experiences nothing but a fleeting dream. Reality and fantasy, no one could tell which one was real. Her parents were dead, and so was An Jing¡­. In an instant, a flame ignited in her heart, growing fiercer by the second. She felt so much hatred, wishing to tear everything to shreds; Zhao Qingmei¡¯s entire body was engulfed by boiling flames, her expression monstrous and fierce. Seeing this, Nangong Weiping turned to An Jing and said, ¡°She has fallen into her Heart Demon, and your biggest Heart Demon is her, so you must use your Qi to guide her out.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, ¡°I understand.¡± Perhaps since Zhao Shizai and his wife passed away, Zhao Qingmei had come to regard An Jing as her only kin. The more unwavering a person¡¯s will is, the stronger their Heart Demon becomes. And throughout history, only those with a firm will can become experts, can cultivate the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ to Great Success, and will spawn Heart Demons. This has become a closed loop, a trap for the strong. The Heart Demon becomes stronger with stronger opponents. An Jing pointed a finger, channeling the True Qi from the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ towards Zhao Qingmei¡¯s forehead. Feeling that familiar breath, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression eased slightly, and the flames behind her also retracted quite a bit. But after dozens of breaths, the flames steamed up once more, even more violently than before, and their aura forced An Jing to retreat again and again. Bang bang bang bang! Nangong Weiping stood up and retreated to the corner of the secret chamber. At this moment, she had already given all her cultivation to Zhao Qingmei through the Demon Seed, reducing herself to an ordinary person. An Jing¡¯s brows were tightly knitted, as his involvement seemed to make the Heart Demon even more powerful. Seeing this, Nangong Weiping couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Her will is too strong.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s will was extremely tough, even to a terrifying extent. The fact that she was able to make it to the Sealing Demon Well, where many masters had failed to reach, was a testament to that. Her will was too strong, hence her Heart Demon was formidable. Originally, Nangong Weiping had hoped that An Jing¡¯s Qi would help Zhao Qingmei subdue her Heart Demon, but now, it had the opposite effect, strengthening it instead. An Jing¡¯s brow twisted into a ¡®Chuan ¡® shape, ¡°So what do we do now?¡± Nangong Weiping said solemnly, ¡°It¡¯s up to her now.¡± An Jing clenched his fists, suddenly feeling a surge of nervousness in his heart. He knew that Zhao Qingmei was now completely consumed by her Heart Demon, and to truly subdue it, she had to rely on herself. And this path was also one she had insisted on taking herself. At this time, due to the assault of that single breath, everything around Zhao Qingmei became fractured and shattered. But she did not step out, and instead, the surroundings turned into darkness. An expanse of vague time and space, a boundless sea of people. Falling into darkness wasn¡¯t scary, what was terrifying was not knowing you were engulfed by it. This is like a giant cage, not imprisoning people, but hearts. Zhao Qingmei watched as the darkness encroached upon her, and involuntarily, she remembered every bit and piece of the past ¨C those times that were once mostly beautiful in her eyes, constantly emerging in her mind¡­. However, under the invasion of the Heart Demon, she could not tell what was real and what was fake. It was as if everything she had experienced was false, a dream, or perhaps what she was experiencing now was the dream, and the visions constantly emerging in her mind were the reality. At this moment, her inner heart had completely fallen into a whirlpool of struggle. Just as Nangong Weiping had expected, the more powerful a person¡¯s will, the more they would fall into the clutches of the Heart Demon. What is a Heart Demon? Heart Demons arise unconsciously, as mere emotions of one¡¯s own self. ¡°Husband¡­.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at her own palm; she felt that everything she had experienced was false, but even if it were false, she couldn¡¯t let it go. ¡°Brother, I knew you wouldn¡¯t leave me.¡± ¡°I just want to be your wild grass, impossible to burn away, sprouting again with the wind.¡± ¡°Tell anyone else and it won¡¯t work.¡± ¡°But I am not anyone else.¡± ¡­¡­ Past scenes flickered through her mind, the scenarios growing more and more illusory, gradually turning into bubbles. What was once real now seemed so elusive. Moon in the well, flower in the water, everything in a dream ultimately turned out to be nothing. Yet she couldn¡¯t bear to part with it. Even though she knew it was all false, her heart still held a trace of reluctance. ¡°If everything is false, then let it be false,¡± she murmured. Zhao Qingmei glanced at her palm and then raised her head, allowing her body to slowly melt into the darkness. If everything was false, then she would let herself fall into this fake world. If he no longer existed in reality, then what meaning was left in everything else? Crack! Crack! In a daze, she could hear the sound of something shattering. Inside the secret chamber. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression had returned to normal, peaceful and serene, her delicate features captivating. The dark flames around her began to retract rapidly. In an instant, the secret chamber became very calm. Seeing this, Nangong Weiping revealed a hint of surprise in her eyes, exclaiming with delight, ¡°She succeeded, she has subdued the Great Success Heart Demon.¡± She had originally thought that An Jing¡¯s methods might backfire, plunging Zhao Qingmei into the clutches of the Heart Demon, but to her astonishment, Zhao Qingmei had managed to subdue the Heart Demon on her own. This was simply incredible. An Jing too narrowed his eyes, then heaved a heavy sigh of relief, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. Zhao Qingmei had truly subdued the Great Success Heart Demon. Now, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s breath had stabilized, and her Dantian was absorbing the enormous amount of Demonic Qi from Nangong Weiping. Following this, there would be no more crises in her cultivation, and it would rapidly improve. An Jing and Nangong Weiping stepped out of the secret chamber. Nangong Weiping looked at the vast sea of clouds and said, ¡°Next, the young lady¡¯s cultivation will be sufficient to reach the realm of a Five Qi Grandmaster.¡± An Jing spoke softly, ¡°Digesting such a tremendous Qi Mechanism may require a lot of time.¡± Nangong Weiping nodded, sounding somewhat weary, ¡°This old body is a bit tired, I will go back and rest.¡± No one can escape the poison of time; one can only let it invade their limbs and penetrate their internal organs, causing a gradual aging. An Jing said, ¡°Elder Nangong.¡± Nangong Weiping paused in step, ¡°What is it?¡± An Jing earnestly said, ¡°I will make every effort to obtain the blood of the Yellow Dragon, to give you some more years to see this world.¡± Nangong Weiping smiled, ¡°To this old body, it¡¯s no longer important. I¡¯ve grown tired of the Jianghu of this world; now it¡¯s your world.¡± A breeze fluttered by, lifting her silver hair, and in her eyes was only tranquility. An Jing shook his head, ¡°As long as we can live, everyone should go on living, and live well.¡± Nangong Weiping paused for a moment, then said, ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± As long as one is alive, everyone should continue to live, and live well. After speaking, Nangong Weiping slowly walked into the distance. An Jing was seated in meditation at the entrance of the secret chamber, silently guarding Zhao Qingmei. Unbeknownst to him, several hours had passed, during which Yu Qiurong had come by twice to deliver some simple meals before leaving. An Jing said to himself, ¡°Getting my hands on the ¡®Beidou Seven Stars Technique¡¯ is of the utmost importance right now, and it is only in the hands of the Zhenyi Sect Leader. It seems I will inevitably have to fight Xiao Qianqiu.¡± What An Jing needed to do now was to quickly enhance his own strength, whether by collecting the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ or breaking through to the realm of a Five Qi Grandmaster, either way could rapidly increase his power. However, An Jing guessed that if he could complete the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture,¡¯ there was a high chance it would naturally bring his cultivation to completion, allowing him to reach the level of a Five Qi Grandmaster directly. As the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi, Xiao Qianqiu, who had somehow obtained the complete ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture,¡¯ should now be the master of the Mystical Sect. It stood to reason that he wouldn¡¯t easily hand over such a treasure of the Mystical Sect like the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ for others to cultivate. Therefore, it wouldn¡¯t be easy for An Jing to obtain the ¡®Beidou Seven Stars Technique¡¯; the only method would be to forcibly take it from him. ¡°Son-in-law!¡± While An Jing was lost in thought, Li Fuzhou hurried over. An Jing asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Li Fuzhou quickly replied, ¡°The Imperial Hospital has diagnosed the condition of the Human Emperor as critical, and he is estimated to have less than a month to live. At this time, Zhao Country¡¯s Great Marshal of Army Sui Xin has suddenly ceased action, the Xuanyi Guard and various martial experts from the Great Yan Martial World are converging towards Yujing City. Moreover, Houjin and some experts from Zhao Country are sending covert scouts towards Yujing City. The State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu has also received a secret letter from the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, heading in the direction of Yujing City.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows furrowed tightly as he said, ¡°Is Zhao Zhiwu really near his end?¡± This Great Yan Emperor was also a Martial Arts Emperor, and although not as eminent as the Grand Ancestor who founded the nation, he too was a renowned and majestic monarch. He had quelled the disturbances in Yujing City alongside Lv Guoyong and had even broken through to the Great Grandmaster level, striking awe throughout the land. Such a monarch on the verge of death¨Chow could An Jing not be astonished? Li Fuzhou said gravely, ¡°This seems to be true; the four imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital have all diagnosed him. Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s Essence Blood has been depleted and his Essence greatly damaged. Even if he consumes Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, it would ultimately be in vain.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°It seems I need to make a trip to Yujing City.¡± If the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s demise was truly imminent, then Yujing City would undoubtedly be plunged into a bloody struggle for succession. If Zhao Chongyin ascended to the throne of Human Emperor, then, given his nature, he would temporarily stabilize both the Demon Sect and An Jing himself. Once the situation under heaven became clear, the first thing he would do would be to eliminate any threats. Since it was likely that An Jing would have to pretend to cooperate with Zhao Chongyin, it would be better to nip the danger in the bud and support Zhao Xuening to become the new Human Emperor, ensuring that An Jing could deal with Zongzheng Huachun without any worries. Li Fuzhou nodded and said, ¡°Are you going to Yujing City? The court has completely descended into chaos. The Crown Prince¡¯s faction is not only resurging, but the situation is getting worse. The calls for Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin to ascend the throne are becoming more vehement; it¡¯s said that the secret letter sent to Xiao Qianqiu was from Zhao Chongyin himself.¡± Having been in Houjin, An Jing was somewhat informed about the general situation in Yujing City, but he wasn¡¯t entirely clear on the details. Now, hearing Li Fuzhou¡¯s report, he fully grasped the situation. Indeed, as the Crown Prince, Zhao Chongyin did possess some skills, at least in the art of political manipulation, which was in no way inferior to Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s. Most of the civil and military officials in the court had already thrown their support behind Zhao Chongyin, just waiting for Zhao Zhiwu to pass away and Zhao Chongyin to claim the throne. Even though many could see that Zhao Zhiwu probably did not intend for his throne to pass to Zhao Chongyin, everyone understood one fact¨Ca new emperor would bring his own courtiers. After Zhao Zhiwu died, Zhao Chongyin¡¯s succession had the highest legitimacy and conformed most to the interests of the current Great Yan Dynasty. Besides him, who else could ascend the throne? Princess An Le? She was but a mere woman after all! An Jing mused, ¡°Has Su Tianze been found?¡± Not long ago, Su Tianze, the Five Qi Grandmaster who served Zhao Chongyin, vanished without a trace; no one knew where he had gone, and it was rumored that even Zhao Chongyin himself was looking for him. Su Tianze was one of the few Five Qi Grandmasters in the world, and although he had been defeated by Qin Shan, which made him arguably the weakest Five Qi Grandmaster of the time, he was nonetheless a Five Qi Grandmaster. No faction dared to underestimate him. Thus, the disappearance of a Five Qi Grandmaster naturally prompted investigations from all sides. Li Fuzhou replied, puzzled, ¡°No, the man has vanished as if into thin air, and it seems that Zhao Chongyin has also come up empty-handed.¡± An Jing said softly, ¡°The disappearance of this Five Qi Grandmaster is not simple.¡± Li Fuzhou spoke gravely, ¡°Indeed, he practices the ¡®Bridal Dress Technique.¡¯ Even if he were to die, he could turn someone else into a Five Qi Grandmaster before his demise.¡± An Jing nodded slightly and said, ¡°Therefore, I am wondering whether he disappeared on his own or if someone captured him.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes narrowed as he said coldly, ¡°If he was captured, that would be truly alarming.¡± That would mean someone managed to abduct a Five Qi Grandmaster within Yujing City without anyone noticing. How many in the world could achieve such a feat? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°Let¡¯s not think about it for now. We will head to Yujing City. Go and call Qiurong over; I have some instructions for her.¡± With Zhao Qingmei still in seclusion in the secret chamber, she would need a powerful protector. An Jing could only leave with peace of mind if not only Honghu and Black Flood Dragon were there but also Yu Qiurong personally standing guard. ¡°Yes.¡± Li Fuzhou bowed his fist and then turned to leave. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 357 - Chapter 357 Chapter 357 Wealthy and Crude Ghost Swordsman Chapter 357: Chapter 357: Wealthy and Crude Ghost Swordsman Chapter 357: Chapter 357: Wealthy and Crude Ghost Swordsman Atop You Mountain, trees thrived in abundance; bamboo cast their shadows, cliff faces were steep, and the river roared forcefully. After Yu Qiurong¡¯s arrival, An Jing had briefed her and then sorted out some valuables, planning to take Li Fuzhou with him to Yujing City. On the mountain trail, clouds enshrouded everything, surrounded by peaks with mists twirling around them. One mountain peak after another peeked out from the mist, resembling lotuses emerging from the water. Li Fuzhou furrowed his brows and said, ¡°Master, I¡¯m afraid it won¡¯t be easy going to Yujing City.¡± Yujing City was in a state of utter chaos at the moment, and with the Great Yan Dynasty facing the covetous gaze of other nations, it could truly be called a time of internal troubles and external threats. At this time, both hard and soft approaches must be employed. Otherwise, once Yujing City faced a crisis, the armies of the Southern Barbarians and Zhao Country would advance northward, plunging the Great Yan Dynasty into a severe crisis. Under a destroyed nest, there are no intact eggs; Outer Heaven would also be implicated. An Jing nodded and said, ¡°I know, let¡¯s head to Yujing City first.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded in response and then fell silent. The two men proceeded downward along the mountain, and at this moment, An Jing noticed a woman sitting on a rock in the woods. She had a pure and fair face, delicate skin, long brows as if painted, and sparkling eyes like stars. Beneath her small nose was a tiny mouth, her lips thin, her whole face delicate and beautiful, so ethereal and seemingly untouched by worldly dirt. She wore a white brocade shirt and a white pleated skirt, holding a blue treasure sword in her hand, sitting there poised and coldly beautiful, like a snow lotus in a snow mountain, unsullied by dust. This woman was none other than Dai Ling of the Five Poison Sect. Among the many women An Jing had met, five possessed unique beauty: Zhao Qingmei, Zuo Linglong, Zhao Xuening, Li Yue, and the Dai Ling before him. However, meeting Dai Ling now felt stranger than encountering any of the others. If the Five Poison Sect hadn¡¯t joined the Demon Sect, their relationship would merely involve some grievances; but now, with Dai Ling leading the Five Poison Sect back to Outer Heaven, their entanglement had become exceedingly peculiar. Seeing this, Li Fuzhou said, ¡°Master, I¡¯ll leave this matter to you.¡± Having said that, Li Fuzhou hastened down the mountain. Old fox! An Jing cursed internally watching Li Fuzhou¡¯s retreating figure, then turned to Dai Ling, ¡°Miss Dai, we meet again.¡± Dai Ling looked at An Jing before her, her coldly beautiful face unchanging. She certainly remembered his face, it was etched into her mind, not just as an impression, but as a constant presence. An Jing¡¯s image still hung in front of her bed, there was no other man she thought of more day and night, wanting to kill. Two years ago, after the Great Elder of the Five Poison Sect, Tian Cansou, died at the hands of An Jing and Li Fuzhou, Dai Ling had secretly sworn to avenge Zhang Zhixing, closing herself off to cultivate relentlessly, enduring untold hardships. It was An Jing before her who motivated her, allowing her Cultivation to reach the First Grade of the Earth Flower Realm in just two years. But looking back, the gap in strength between them had grown even larger. Dai Ling took a deep breath and said, ¡°Our first meeting was in Yu State City, wasn¡¯t it?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± Dai Ling pursed her lips and said, ¡°The second time was at the Five Poison Sect.¡± She remembered every meeting with An Jing very clearly¨Chis every move, his every expression. An Jing nodded silently. ¡°The third time¡­¡± Dai Ling shook her head, ¡°Never mind, none of that matters now.¡± An Jing repeated her words, ¡°Right, it doesn¡¯t matter anymore.¡± The two of them looked directly at each other. An Jing¡¯s eyes were calm, while Dai Ling¡¯s heart inexplicably trembled. ¡°Then what do you think is most important?¡± An Jing said, ¡°Surviving well in this world of Jianghu is more important than anything else.¡± Dai Ling was silent for a long time before saying, ¡°Master Feng once told my father that if he should die, the Five Poison Sect must completely return to Outer Heaven and hand over the Gate Guardian Heart Method ¡®Five Poison Technique¡¯, but my father did not do so. He did not want his life¡¯s work to vanish just like that.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Then why did you lead the Five Poison Sect back to Outer Heaven?¡± ¡°In these chaotic times, I knew I couldn¡¯t protect our vast enterprise. The seven sects of Great Yan might seem glorious, but who knows the hardships behind them?¡± Dai Ling looked at An Jing and said softly, ¡°Besides, I had long seen through these struggles for fame and gain.¡± Zhang Zhixing died, Feng Lingyue died, Dai Danshu also died. Above this world of Jianghu, who doesn¡¯t die, who can¡¯t die? Every day people die for this world of Jianghu. Upon hearing this, An Jing was silent for a long while. This vast world of Jianghu was like a quagmire. He remembered the first time he met Dai Ling; it seemed he had not yet stepped into this world of Jianghu, still the carefree doctor of Yu State City. Exactly when had he entered this world of Jianghu? Was it when he became a tributor for the Demon Sect? Or was it when he married the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect? Or perhaps even earlier, when he acquired the Earth Book? This world of Jianghu was a quagmire; once trapped, there was no possibility of retreating entirely unscathed; they all would leave something behind. Some left their emotions, some left their hatreds, some their blood, and others their lives. ¡°Rest assured, the grievances between us are just like those between the Five Poison Sect and Outer Heaven.¡± Dai Ling picked up a handful of fallen leaves and then gently released them, ¡°Let them scatter like this.¡± As the breeze blew, the scattered leaves danced with the wind, creating a distinctive vista. When they first met, the two fought, leaving behind intertwined seeds of conflict, and it almost turned into a wonderful story at the Five Poison Sect. Later on, An Jing took root in Dai Ling¡¯s heart continuously, becoming an obsession she could not dispel¡­ The story was tortuous, people were complex, and emotions fluctuated wildly, only that deep-rooted obsession could not be dissipated. An Jing sighed, ¡°This wind must have heard many people¡¯s stories.¡± Dai Ling nodded, ¡°Yes, it must have heard numerous stories of many people.¡± The two stopped talking, and the atmosphere suddenly grew silent. It seemed as if their story and grievances were also scattering with the wind. Dai Ling felt as if a burden had been lifted. Letting go of one thought brings boundless relief. An Jing chuckled, ¡°Actually, I¡¯m not afraid of you killing me, I¡¯m more afraid that you might fall in love with me.¡± Dai Ling looked into An Jing¡¯s eyes, which grew colder and colder. The air chilled suddenly. ¡°Just joking, we shall meet again.¡± An Jing smiled and waved his hand, walking towards the foot of the mountain. Watching that suddenly turned backfigure, Dai Ling experienced a peculiar emotion, as if something was being extracted from her body. Her hatred was gone, and the conviction that had sustained her had dissipated like smoke. At that moment, she felt somewhat at a loss. Her beautiful eyes watched the figure, a soft light flashed through her icy eyes, and her lips unknowingly curled up slightly. The wind continued to whirl, as if it would never cease. The story was still ongoing, just starting anew. ¡­.. Yujing City, Yuhua Courtyard. Currently, the entire Yujing City was caught in a swirl of public opinion, its seemingly calm surface rife with undercurrents. Some believed the rumors, but others scoffed at the news; after all, who could imagine that Zhao Zhiwu, who had just become a Great Grandmaster, was gravely injured by a mysterious expert and was about to die¨Can utterly ridiculous thought. Who could harm a Great Grandmaster? Who could harm the Great Yan Emperor? If there indeed was another Great Grandmaster, why didn¡¯t he show himself? But the news spread like wildfire, and with no denials forthcoming, many who initially doubted began to believe gradually with Zhao Zhiwu, the Great Yan Emperor, neglecting court affairs for a long time. As belief became the majority, the incident slowly transformed into a truth. As the Crown Prince¡¯s residence, the place was exceptionally lively these days, bustling like a marketplace with endless visitors¨Call from noble families, the progeny of prominent officials, or civil and military officials of the court. Randomly picking one among them would reveal at least a Second Grade official of the court, showcasing the distinguished stature of the visitors. Some even jokingly called the Yuhua Courtyard a ¡®small royal court¡¯. The reason Yuhua Courtyard was so popular¨Capart from Zhao Chongyin¡¯s rightful status as the Crown Prince¨Cwas another critical factor: Qiu Heng, the famous supporter of the Crown Prince, commanded the Pingyang Guard that protected Yujing City. This meant that the Crown Prince controlled the most important military power. Should Zhao Zhiwu actually pass away, who could stop Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin from ascending to the throne? Thus, in the eyes of the world and the court officials, the Crown Prince was the logical successor, naturally deserving their loyalty before his complete accession to the throne. Today, two extraordinary visitors arrived at the Yuhua Courtyard. The visitors were two Daoists, on the left was an old Daoist clad in a common Daoist robe, his demeanor calm and even serene, while on the right stood a slightly younger Taoist, handsome and valiant. Even in a plain Daoist robe, he was particularly eye-catching. These two were none other than Luo Chongyang and Xiao Qianqiu. Zhao Chongyin laughed heartily as he greeted them, ¡°State Preceptor, Elder Luo, please come in.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formalities.¡± The three of them entered the reception hall and took their seats according to their status. Zhao Chongyin laughed, ¡°With the State Preceptor alone, slaying ten Grandmasters of the Southern Barbarians, making them tremble at mere news of him, and seeing their armies lower their banners and drums, daring not to cross the Thunder Pool, even hearing about it here in Yujing City, I can¡¯t help but feel my blood boil with excitement.¡± Xiao Qianqiu chuckled lightly, ¡°Ten Grandmasters do not compare to one Five Qi Grandmaster, my humble contribution is just a trifle.¡± Who killed the Five Qi Grandmaster? Only the Ghost Swordsman had slain Taiyin Kui and Jiang Shang in the North Field. Although Jiang Shang became a Five Qi Grandmaster through absorbing the Undying Blood, and his repute in the Jianghu wasn¡¯t as great as that of Taiyin Kui, he was still a Five Qi Grandmaster. Both Five Qi Grandmasters had perished at the hands of An Jing. If there was a high-level expert recently renowned throughout the world, it must undoubtedly be the Ghost Swordsman. Zhao Chongyin nodded, ¡°An Jing indeed is a heavenly genius of the Demon Sect. In just two years, he ascended from the First Grade to his current power level. Under his leadership, the Demon Sect might indeed regain the glory of the Great Qin Dynasty era.¡± When the Demon Sect was founded, it proclaimed itself as Outer Heaven, a sect that stood above the Great Qin Dynasty. As he said this, Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes turned toward the State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu, seemingly trying to read some emotion there. There was no trace of anything unusual in those plain, tranquil eyes, and not the slightest move was made in response to Zhao Chongyin¡¯s words, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman must be an unparalleled genius, only in such a time of great changes between heaven and earth can such characters emerge.¡± As he spoke, Xiao Qianqiu gently sipped his tea. As if bathing in a spring breeze, without a ripple of disturbance. Luo Chongyang nodded, every person had their fate, it seemed preordained, but some people were exceptions; they were born to change the course of events, in the divinations of the Mystical Sect, such people were called variables. The Great Dao has fifty paths, heaven evolves forty-nine, humans must tread just one. There are fifty paths in the Great Dao of heaven and earth, but only forty-nine are given life, and humans can only walk one of these. Even if the heavenly path is inherently incomplete, in everything, there is a thread of opportunity. Whether this opportunity is good or bad, no one can clearly say. Zhao Chongyin also had some understanding of divination, and then said, ¡°Does the State Preceptor think he is a variable?¡± Xiao Qianqiu smiled and said, ¡°He is a variable, you are a variable, I am a variable, anyone under heaven could be a variable.¡± Zhao Chongyin pondered for a long while, ¡°Being a variable is relative.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°People have never been unchanging since ancient times.¡± ¡°What the State Preceptor says is very true, much like myself and the State Preceptor.¡± Zhao Chongyin earnestly said, ¡°So earlier, our National Religion might have had some misunderstandings, but at this moment, I am in support of the Mystical Sect becoming the National Religion.¡± Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, giving Zhao Chongyin a deep look. This statement was undoubtedly showing his recognition that Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s Zhenyi Sect should become the Mystical Sect, supporting Xiao Qianqiu as the leader of the Mystical Sect. It was a blatant gesture of goodwill and not even slightly concealed. This scene was somewhat similar to that of Ye Ding and Zhao Zhiwu in those years. And Ye Ding took the right step, over the past forty-plus years, allowing Zhenyi Sect to flourish unmatched in the Great Yan, thoroughly suppressing the spirit of the Demon Sect and imposing awe across the entire Jianghu. Forty years of blossoming and fading, the same power struggle has appeared again, still beginning to pull towards Zhenyi Sect, and its opponent is still the Demon Sect. Xiao Qianqiu nodded slightly, ¡°I plan to go to True Mystic Xuanyi, and reorganize the elegance of the Mystical Sect.¡± Zhenyi Sect is not the Mystical Sect; instead, it is one of the three branches. Reorganizing the Mystical Sect has been Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s lifelong hope. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes brightened, and he quickly said, ¡°Good, I will fully support the State Preceptor.¡± Xiao Qianqiu performed a single-handed Taoist salute and said, ¡°I will also do my best to support the Crown Prince.¡± Upon hearing Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s words, Zhao Chongyin instantly felt a great sense of relief. Although he currently held the major forces of the Pingyang Guard, his control over Jianghu was extremely limited, particularly since the Demon Sect still posed a great threat. So, for the time being, his only option was to pull the Zhenyi Sect and Buddhist factions together to balance the increasingly strong Demon Sect. Previously, the Buddhist faction had cooperated with Zhao Chongyin, making their support for him not difficult, and if Xiao Qianqiu and the Zhenyi Sect also stood with him, then this attempt would surely be foolproof. Despite being usually composed, Zhao Chongyin was thrilled at the moment, ¡°Then I hope everything goes well for me and the State Preceptor.¡± Xiao Qianqiu smiled and said no more. The two had a casual chat for a while longer before Xiao Qianqiu and Luo Chongyang left their seats. On the way back, Luo Chongyang said, ¡°This Crown Prince, also qualifies as an Emperor; enough forbearance, ambition, and a fair degree of wisdom and strength, but¡­¡± Xiao Qianqiu continued Luo Chongyang¡¯s words, ¡°But he has grudges with An Jing, and inevitably, he will suppress the Demon Sect. Therefore, the Demon Sect definitely would not stand by his side.¡± With Zhao Qingmei¡¯s identity, plus their couple¡¯s strength and the power of the Demon Sect, Zhao Chongyin¡¯s heart would certainly not be at ease. If Zhao Chongyin ascended to the throne, these tensions would grow even larger and might eventually lead to internal strife.¡± And An Jing certainly does not wish for Zhao Chongyin, this Crown Prince, to ascend the throne, and will surely cause trouble in this. This is but one of the turbulence in Yujing City. Given An Jing¡¯s current status and position, he is no longer someone waiting for turbulence to arise, but a creator of turbulence. And the big hand pushing An Jing forward is both power and fame. Zhao Chongyin is also very aware of this, so he needs Zhenyi Sect and the Buddhist to balance the Demon Sect. He needs Xiao Qianqiu to suppress An Jing, and of course, Xiao Qianqiu is very aware of this. Luo Chongyang nodded and said, ¡°It seems you have already made your choice.¡± Xiao Qianqiu calmly stated, ¡°An Jing is the successor of the Daluo Sect. Jiang Sanjia is dead, Lou Xiangzhen is missing, and he is also considered a successor of the Ghost Valley Sect. The unification of the Mystical Sect is inevitable, and I must have a confrontation with him. This is a struggle for the legacy of the Dao.¡± ¡°Previously, I was always waiting for him, but now the time has ripened, and with Zhao Chongyin, it¡¯s possible to lay out this game of chess. Next, let¡¯s see how he responds.¡± The unification of Mystical Sect involves not only the mental methods but also the greater forces at play. So, representing the Daluo Sect and the Ghost Valley Sect, An Jing and Xiao Qianqiu are bound to have a confrontation, which is unavoidable. Not only that, if Zhenyi Sect wants to maintain its former glory, then they must choose a side in this struggle for succession. It is the way things are headed because the court and Jianghu are inseparably integrated. If the Demon Sect¡¯s power is great, then Zhenyi Sect will inevitably wane; if Zhenyi Sect is strong, then the Demon Sect will inevitably decline. Because Jianghu is only so large, the world is only so large, and it does not change just because someone dominates Jianghu. ¡°It seems that this is inevitable,¡± Luo Chongyang lifted his head, with the sunlight intensely strong, making it hard for him to keep his eyes open. Xiao Qianqiu said with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s inevitable.¡± Luo Chongyang said, ¡°It seems, nephew, that you have been waiting for a long time.¡± Xiao Qianqiu, with his hands behind his back, said softly, ¡°This chess game of mine has finally welcomed the opponent it awaits.¡± Luo Chongyang nodded, ¡°True rivals are hard to find, even harder than friends.¡± ¡°Uncle Master is right, in this world today, there is only one person who can be my opponent.¡± Xiao Qianqiu asked with a smile, ¡°Is there anything you¡¯d like to tell your nephew before that?¡± He was curious to know what his little Uncle Master, who was both a teacher and a friend, would say before his game with the Ghost Swordsman. Luo Chongyang pondered for a moment and said, ¡°The victory or defeat of a chess game does not rest on a single move, but in every move, just as the brilliance of life lies not in one day, but in every day.¡± ¡­¡­ On the official road of Capital Road, several speeding horses approached, carrying An Jing and others heading towards Yujing City. Han Wenxin, seeing the majestic city just a short distance away, couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°The capital, we¡¯ve finally arrived! I, Han Wenxin, have finally arrived in the capital!¡± This was his first time in Yujing City in over twenty years. The last time at the Houjin Royal Court, he was too scared to enjoy the scenery. Li Fuzhou said with a tone of annoyance, ¡°It¡¯s just the capital, nothing so great about it.¡± Han Wenxin rubbed his hands together, chuckled, and said, ¡°Mainly because I¡¯ve heard that the local customs and people in the capital are quite appealing.¡± After speaking, he even turned around and raised his eyebrows to An Jing standing behind him. Remembering Zhao Qingmei¡¯s advice, An Jing hurriedly set his eyes on his nose, his nose on his mouth, his mouth on his heart, and ignored Han Wenxin completely. Li Fuzhou nodded, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s quite good, especially places like Yiyin House, Fengchen Garden, where the top performers, whether in looks or dance moves, or their skills in winning men¡¯s hearts, are unmatched.¡± Han Wenxin swallowed his saliva and said, ¡°Third Master, how is it? Is it enticing?¡± ¡°Extremely exciting!¡± The little mare under Han Wenxin couldn¡¯t seem to bear the indignity from Han Wenxin, and let out an involuntary roar. A glint passed through Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyes, ¡°Very enticing.¡± ¡°Third Master, now I really must speak up about you,¡± An Jing became uneasy and couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°You already have two women at home, and yet you¡¯re still sneaking around. Can your old body handle this?¡± Couldn¡¯t Liu Huiyun and Ling Yuehua suck this old stick dry? Before Li Fuzhou could respond, Han Wenxin quickly began to flatter, ¡°Third Master, this is vitality in old age, the older the wiser, the older the more cunning¡­¡± Li Fuzhou was satisfied with the start, but the next moment his face darkened upon hearing those four words. An Jing burst into laughter, ¡°Brother Han, your skill of seizing the opportunity has improved again.¡± Han Wenxin: ¡°??¡± Li Fuzhou, with a thought, smiled and said, ¡°Son-in-law, would you like to have a drink and listen to some songs?¡± An Jing glanced at Han Wenxin and shook his head like a bobbie doll, ¡°No, I never visit such places that involve flirting and enjoying music.¡± Hearing this, Han Wenxin couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°Brother An, you¡¯ve changed.¡± An Jing replied unhappily, ¡°How have I changed?¡± Han Wenxin, with deep remorse, said, ¡°Before you made your name, your biggest hobby was to frequent brothels and listen to music. Have you forgotten?¡± An Jing raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°That¡¯s slander.¡± The cunning Li Fuzhou immediately saw An Jing¡¯s concerns and urgently said, ¡°Just come along, son-in-law, I absolutely won¡¯t tell the Sect Hierarch.¡± ¡°Exactly, exactly.¡± Han Wenxin hurriedly said, ¡°Brother An, I absolutely won¡¯t tell my sister-in-law, I¡¯d rather die than speak.¡± An Jing looked at Han Wenxin, ¡°Really?¡± Han Wenxin quickly held up three fingers, ¡°I, Han Wenxin, now swear that if I speak of today¡¯s events, I am a dog.¡± An Jing still looked suspiciously at Han Wenxin. This hardly seemed like a binding oath. Han Wenxin honestly said, ¡°Mainly because I don¡¯t have any silver on me, and everyone knows you, Brother An, are rich and well-equipped¡­¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing nodded in satisfaction, ¡°Now that sounds more reasonable; everyone knows I, An Jing, am a man of wealth and utility.¡± Han Wenxin, delighted, quickly asked, ¡°Brother An, so you agree to treat me to some music?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s take care of business in Yujing City first,¡± An Jing said sharply, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Han Wenxin, watching An Jing¡¯s retreating figure, said in amazement, ¡°How come he didn¡¯t fall for it? Such a big man, what¡¯s wrong with treating a brother to some fun?¡± Other brothers would eat meat and drink wine together and be merry. Why was An Jing being so stingy? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Li Fuzhou glanced at Han Wenxin and then shook his head, ¡°You, aiming to become the Hierarch¡¯s top spy under his command, still have a long way to go. Let¡¯s go!¡± Having said that, Li Fuzhou quickly followed on. Han Wenxin scratched his head and muttered, ¡°What¡¯s all this about? Not treating me to brothels and music is one thing, but why spout things I can¡¯t understand?¡± ¡°Brother An, Third Master, wait for me.¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 358 - Chapter 358 Chapter 258 Sword Dao Contest Amidst the Gathering Chapter 358: Chapter 258 Sword Dao Contest Amidst the Gathering Storm Chapter 358: Chapter 258 Sword Dao Contest Amidst the Gathering Storm At this time of turmoil in Yujing City, although Lv Guoyong had resigned from his post, there were still many who came to visit the elderly man who once held great influence over both the Court and countryside, seeking to gain some warnings in advance. Thus, Lv Mansion had been very lively lately. However, without exception, whether they were princes, high officials, or Court government officials, they were all turned away at the gate by Lv Guoyong. This time when An Jing and Li Fuzhou, among others, came to visit, they too were stopped at the entrance. Li Fuzhou said, ¡°The teacher does not wish to be involved in Court affairs any longer.¡± He understood Lv Guoyong¡¯s temperament very well. Now, their identities were representatives of Outer Heaven, which may have been inconsequential during normal times, but at critical moments, it would clearly lead to gossip about Lv. Han Wenxin looked disappointed and muttered, ¡°What a pity, I wanted to meet Mr. Lv. If I had met such a personage, I could¡¯ve boasted about it for years back at the authorities.¡± An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll look for Mr. Zhou.¡± Since Zhou Xianming had started his official career, he had moved out of the Lv Mansion and set up his own residence. Upon hearing this, Han Wenxin¡¯s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly urged, ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go. That old boy once said he wouldn¡¯t forget me when he made it. I was the one who supported him with funds for his studies.¡± The three of them walked along the market street towards the Feihua Lane where Zhou Xianming lived. On the way, An Jing thought of something and asked, ¡°Third Master, where is Li Yue now?¡± The Demon Sect had once expended great effort to secretly rescue Li Yue from the hands of Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin. Li Fuzhou pondered for a moment and replied, ¡°She practiced the Blood Spirit Technique and consumed too much of her body¡¯s essence. Her life won¡¯t last much longer, and she has already gone back to Yu State City now.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°She¡¯s back in Yu State City?¡± Li Fuzhou nodded and said, ¡°That¡¯s correct, but I¡¯ve dispatched two spies from the Human Sect to follow her.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°That¡¯s good. We can¡¯t let her fall into the hands of the Crown Prince again.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded in agreement. As they spoke, the three of them arrived at a brand new mansion with the words ¡®Zhou Residence¡¯ elegantly inscribed above. Of late, due to Zhou Xianming gaining favor with the Human Emperor and because of his ties to the Lv Sect, he had risen meteorically, at an astonishing speed, now serving as the Assistant Minister of Rites. His promotion speed left people in awe. As the current Assistant Minister of Rites, his mansion was naturally grand and exuded extraordinary prestige. ¡°My goodness!¡± Han Wenxin, upon seeing the grand mansion, exclaimed, ¡°Old Zhou has made it big, he really has. This mansion alone, if converted to silver, could rent out an entire pleasure boat in Yu State City.¡± Li Fuzhou stepped forward to knock on the door and said, ¡°Just one pleasure boat? You are vastly underestimating him.¡± ¡°Thump, thump!¡± Soon the door opened, and the gatekeeper was a middle-aged man. He looked at the man dressed in traditional scholar¡¯s attire with not a hair out of place and said, ¡°Our master is a bit weary today and will not receive visitors. Please come back another time.¡± Li Fuzhou chuckled softly and said, ¡°Go tell your master that my name is Li Fuzhou.¡± ¡°Li Fuzhou?!¡± The middle-aged man, after hearing this, paused for a moment and then said, ¡°Alright, I will go in and notify him.¡± Han Wenxin humphed and said, ¡°Is Old Zhou putting on airs now? In the past, I could come and go in his home as I pleased.¡± An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°It¡¯s different now.¡± Han Wenxin puzzledly asked, ¡°What¡¯s different about him, did he grow an extra bird?¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Hearing Han Wenxin¡¯s words, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. In Han Wenxin¡¯s heart, Zhou Xianming was still the Zhou Xianming of before, the impoverished scholar who used to tell stories at Datong Teahouse. But was he really still that destitute scholar? ¡°Creak!¡± At this moment, the door opened once more, and out came Zhou Xianming with a face full of smiles, ¡°Brother An, Mr. Li, you¡¯ve all arrived, oh, isn¡¯t this Head Arrester Han?¡± When Zhou Xianming saw Han Wenxin, he looked surprised, ¡°You¡¯re still alive?¡± Han Wenxin¡¯s face darkened, ¡°Not only am I still alive, but I¡¯m also living quite well, can¡¯t you see?¡± Zhou Xianming stepped forward and caressed Han Wenxin¡¯s shiny bald head with his palm, ¡°Indeed, how did you turn into a marinated egg? Could it be you¡¯ve already severed the seven emotions and six desires and abandoned worldly troubles?¡± Han Wenxin slapped away Zhou Xianming¡¯s hand and strode toward the residence, saying impatiently, ¡°I want to see if you¡¯ve become corrupt, how many delicate young ladies you¡¯re hiding in this big mansion.¡± Zhou Xianming shook his head as he watched Han Wenxin¡¯s retreating back, then turned to An Jing and Li Fuzhou, saying, ¡°This way, please.¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°Let¡¯s go and see Mr. Zhou¡¯s grand residence.¡± The group entered Zhou Xianming¡¯s residence, which was a large compound with three courtyards, originally left by a rich merchant from Yunping Dao. Later, it caught the eye of Princess An Le and became her side residence. However, she rarely stayed there, so the three-courtyard compound had always been vacant, until not long ago when it was gifted to Zhou Xianming. Zhou Xianming walked ahead, gesturing with his hand and smiling, ¡°This way, please, I¡¯ve already prepared a feast.¡± Li Fuzhou smiled and said, ¡°It seems you¡¯ve foreseen our arrival, Xianming.¡± Zhou Xianming replied, ¡°The Princess said that Brother An would definitely come and instructed me to take good care of Brother An, so I prepared everything in advance.¡± An Jing and Li Fuzhou exchanged glances, both understanding clearly. It was obvious from Zhou Xianming¡¯s words that his current identity represented Princess An Le, and he was no longer simply the story-telling scholar Zhou Xianming. Prepared in advance?! Han Wenxin¡¯s heart thumped wildly, his face flushing red as he grabbed Zhou Xianming¡¯s arm, saying, ¡°Brother Zhou, you¡¯ve really prepared everything?¡± Zhou Xianming said, ¡°Head Arrester Han, do you know why you¡¯ve always been just an arrester?¡± Upon hearing this, Han Wenxin couldn¡¯t help but heave a sigh, ¡°Because my Qiankun Blade has never reached the Perfect Realm.¡± The Qiankun Blade, a Martial Art specifically practiced by government officials, was a Fourth Grade art. However, with Han Wenxin fishing for three days and drying his nets for two, naturally, he couldn¡¯t cultivate it to Perfection. To enter the Xuanyi Guard and practice there, the first requirement was to reach the Perfect Realm with the Qiankun Blade. Zhou Xianming shook his head, ¡°Because you¡¯re always thinking with your lower half, not your latter half.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded in agreement. Han Wenxin¡¯s face turned completely black. In the past, those were words he used to admonish Jie Lu; now, Zhou Xianming was using them to reprimand him. Soon, Zhou Xianming led the three of them to the banquet. Everything seemed to return to normal, as beautiful singers danced and the four of them drank to their hearts¡¯ content. Just like in the old days, all three had changed, but only Han Wenxin¡¯s small eyes constantly sought pleasure on the bodies of the singers, paying no mind to the conversation between the others. Seeing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but think back on the idle chat aboard the pleasure boat in Yu State City. They had all changed, yet only Han Wenxin remained steadfast, unwavering in his conviction. After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, Han Wenxin lay sprawled across the table, sound asleep with heavy breaths. An Jing glanced casually behind the curtain before setting down his wine cup, asking, ¡°Mr. Zhou, there is something I wish to inquire about.¡± Zhou Xianming, seeing An Jing¡¯s manner, replied, ¡°Please ask, I shall hold nothing back.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Then let¡¯s cut to the chase, who grievously wounded His Majesty?¡± Since Zhou Xianming had already become an intimate confidant of Zhao Xuening, he must be privy to many secrets unknown to others. ¡°The one who gravely injured His Majesty is a truly exceptional and rare individual.¡± Zhou Xianming furrowed his brows, seemingly taking a moment to compose himself before saying, ¡°I know very little about this person, only that he has lived for a thousand years, lying dormant in this world.¡± It was indeed him! An Jing couldn¡¯t help but silently exclaim upon hearing Zhou Xianming¡¯s words. Jin Deng had once mentioned to him about this undying man, who not only was the main culprit behind the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s severe injury but also the teacher of Zongzheng Huachun. To be able to live for a thousand years was frightening enough, but to also continually slay top-ranking Great Grandmasters over these centuries was even more terrifying. Li Fuzhou¡¯s brows were knitted tightly, even though An Jing had already told him about this undying man, his heart was still profoundly shaken. Zhou Xianming said, ¡°It¡¯s true that His Majesty has been seriously wounded and his health deteriorating, but His Majesty does not wish to pass the throne to Zhao Chongyin.¡± Li Fuzhou asked, ¡°Oh? What then does His Majesty intend?¡± As the Crown Prince, Zhao Chongyin was not an ineffectual person and was the most suitable successor at present. If the Human Emperor did not wish to pass the throne to the Crown Prince, then who did he intend to choose? Zhou Xianming sighed and said, ¡°His Majesty wishes to pass the throne to Princess An Le, but now the Court is filled with the Crown Prince¡¯s faction, and His Majesty¡¯s declining health means he has less and less control over the court.¡± An Jing spoke indifferently, ¡°Mr. Zhou, are you speaking truthfully?¡± Zhou Xianming gave a wry smile, ¡°Absolutely true. His Majesty plans to depose the Crown Prince and have Princess An Le inherit the throne, but the Princess is now in a difficult situation, alone and powerless against Zhao Chongyin.¡± Not to mention Zhao Xuening, even the former Zhao Mengtai¡¯s faction had difficulty competing with Zhao Chongyin in the halls of power. The Crown Prince¡¯s faction is indeed the largest faction in the Court. Especially since Zhao Zhiwu stays out of court affairs and Zhao Tianyi does not engage in forming cliques, this indirectly bolsters the power of the Crown Prince¡¯s faction. Now Zhao Xuening¡¯s possible allies are those opposed to Zhao Chongyin, or the remnants of Zhao Mengtai¡¯s faction, among which the largest force is undoubtedly the Demon Sect. Although conventional wisdom suggests that the Demon Sect would definitely side with Princess An Le, the truth is unpredictable, and until the very end, no one knows who the Demon Sect will support. Thus, at this moment, Zhou Xianming¡¯s words were undoubtedly a probe. An Jing earnestly said, ¡°As long as His Majesty issues an Imperial Decree, it shall become a state affair. I shall abide by His Majesty¡¯s will and ensure that no usurper ascends to the throne unlawfully.¡± Upon hearing An Jing¡¯s statement, a gleam of light flickered in Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes. That statement had essentially declared his position. ¡°Clap, clap, clap, clap!¡± Just then, the crisp sound of clapping hands arose, and looking towards the source of the sound, The person who came was none other than Princess An Le, Zhao Xuening. Her hair was coiled up on her head, with phoenix eyebrows like crescent moons, a pair of beautiful eyes brimming with feeling, a tall and elegant nose, slightly blushed cheeks, lips as delicate as orchids emitting fragrance, and a face as fair as an eggshell ravishingly beautiful. Her skin was tender enough to break at a touch, snowy white like frost, and her figure frail, like that of a water deity just emerging from the depths. ¡°Your Highness, the Princess!¡± An Jing and Li Fuzhou both rose and bowed with a fist in hand. ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formalities.¡± Looking affectionately at An Jing, Zhao Xuening said, ¡°I was just discussing with Xianming. Your sudden visit was my doing; I asked Xianming not to mention my presence. I hope Master An doesn¡¯t hold it against me.¡± An Jing chuckled, ¡°Your Highness, you overstate things; I understand completely.¡± He knew that Zhao Xuening was behind the curtain, and Zhao Xuening also knew that he was aware of her presence. What Zhao Xuening wanted was a display of attitude, much like those implied in An Jing¡¯s words earlier, intended for Zhao Xuening to hear. The two of them simply brought into the open what wasn¡¯t put forward openly before. Her phoenix eyes sparkling with mirth, Zhao Xuening said, ¡°With these words from Master An, Xuening feels reassured. As long as the grand plan succeeds, Outer Heaven¡¯s status in Great Yan will remain unrivaled, even surpassing that of the current Zhenyi Sect.¡± An Jing gazed at Zhao Xuening before him. He could distinctly sense that Zhao Xuening had changed. The first time he saw her was in Ping County. Back then, Zhao Xuening still carried a hint of naivety, clever though as she was within the harem, but after that, in the ruined temple of Prince Xu¡¯s mountain, she was at the mercy of Qi Shu and suffered great humiliation, which taught her to endure and be patient. Their subsequent meetings, mostly in Yujing City, saw Zhao Xuening going from curious to launching an offensive against An Jing, composed and unrestrained. Coupled with her unique identity, she was even overwhelming for An Jing at times. But now, Zhao Xuening possessed an added air of composure, depth, and subtlety. This transformation, from the inside out, was utterly captivating. An Jing laughed softly, then asked, ¡°Princess, I hear that the Crown Prince has invited Xiao Qianqiu?¡± Even though the Mystical Sect had received reliable intelligence, An Jing still wanted to confirm it, not only to get some information from Zhao Xuening but also to gauge the extent of her current capabilities. ¡°Indeed, my brother has invited the State Preceptor,¡± acknowledged Zhao Xuening with a slight nod, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as she added, ¡°Moreover, the State Preceptor has agreed to lend his full support to help my brother ascend to the throne.¡± Hearing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Is that so?¡± This was not just a struggle between Zhao Xuening and the Crown Prince but also between the Zhenyi Sect and the Mystical Sect. It was, furthermore, a contention between An Jing and Xiao Qianqiu. An Jing had long known that a fight was inevitable with Xiao Qianqiu, not only because of their dispute over the Mystical Sect¡¯s lineage but also due to the expectations of individuals like Jiang Sanjia and Lou Xiangzhen, and the inherent rivalry between them. How can one become truly number one in this vast world of Jianghu? When you are invincible, with no one before you, only then are you truly the number one in the world. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At this moment, both An Jing and Xiao Qianqiu were on this path, striving to become the ultimate number one, supported by many who also wished them to achieve that title. The two of them seemed destined to engage in this gamble by fate. Li Fuzhou, standing to the side, also narrowed his eyes. With his wisdom, he could glean that there must be a dispute in play. Zhao Xuening gave a slight nod and seemed to recall something, saying, ¡°The conflict in Jiangnan Dao is also reaching a critical point. Buddhist disciples and many experts rushed to Yujing City because of the Xi Hafu incident. In three days, Father Emperor will summon you, Fa Wu, and Xiao Qianqiu to the Imperial City.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 359 - Chapter 359 Chapter 259 Summer Cicadas in Full Cry Chapter 359: Chapter 259: Summer Cicadas in Full Cry Chapter 359: Chapter 259: Summer Cicadas in Full Cry ¡°I understand.¡± An Jing nodded, he too wanted to see the Great Yan Emperor once more. Whether this emperor, who had stirred the world for decades and presided over the Great Yan Dynasty, had truly suffered a great setback as rumors suggested, or if it was merely another of Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s conspiracies, remained to be seen. Zhao Xuening expressed her worries, ¡°However, I¡¯m not sure how the Buddhist faction will choose this time.¡± The Buddhist faction was also a concerning issue, especially since their top expert, Xi Hafu, seemed to covet the Earth Vein Spirit in the Dragon Locking Well. He had clashed with An Jing in the northern fields of Houjin, making him more enemy than ally to both of them. Such a rare Grandmaster had the power to change the course of the world. If he decided to come to Yujing City this time, that would undoubtedly be a major problem. The only thing that could restrain this Grandmaster was the Imperial Jade Seal in An Jing¡¯s possession. An Jing frowned and asked, ¡°I¡¯ve heard there is the aura of a True Dragon within the Imperial City?¡± Zhao Xuening glanced at An Jing, her mind stirred, but she maintained a calm demeanor and nodded, ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± An Jing explained, ¡°Princess, don¡¯t misunderstand, the Yin Evil Qi of the Yin Soldiers might be suppressed by the True Dragon Qi. That¡¯s what I¡¯m concerned about.¡± Yin Soldiers were formed from the accumulation of Yin Evil Qi, while True Dragon Qi was Supreme Yang Qi ¨C naturally opposing forces. Thus, An Jing was uncertain whether he could deploy the million Yin Soldiers housed within the Jade Seal in the Imperial City, and even feared it might damage them. These million Yin Soldiers were capable of threatening a Grandmaster. Zhao Xuening understood and nodded, ¡°In the Imperial City, there is my Royal Family¡¯s True Dragon Disk which accumulates the True Dragon Qi and national fortune of the Great Yan Royal Family. It is the bane of Yin Evil Qi, with a reflective range that reaches hundreds of miles ¨C encompassing the entire Yujing City.¡± An Jing regretfully said, ¡°Then it seems these million Yin Soldiers cannot be used.¡± Zhao Xuening also expressed her regret with a sigh, ¡°That is truly a shame, as they could have been a method to restrain a Grandmaster.¡± An Jing calmly said, ¡°For now, we can only counter the soldiers with generals and stem the water with earth.¡± With Xi Hafu, the top Buddhist Grandmaster, and that immortal Qian Qiu, even if these two did not appear, he still had to be prepared. Zhao Xuening thought of something and said, ¡°Actually, I have a method that could allow the use of the million Yin Soldiers without suppression by the Imperial City¡¯s True Dragon Qi.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°What method is that?¡± Zhao Xuening slowly said, ¡°If I were to use the National Seal, I possess the bloodline of the Great Yan Royal Family and am the rightful heir, so the True Dragon Qi of Great Yan does not affect me in the slightest.¡± Upon hearing this, the entire parlor instantly became somewhat silent. Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes briefly gleamed with insight. If Zhao Xuening could get her hands on the Imperial Jade Seal, it would mean something entirely different. This was the genuine Imperial Jade Seal, bearing the inscriptions from the Great Qin Dynasty that promised ¡®eternal prosperity¡¯ and ¡®mandate from heaven.¡¯ The seal would bestow upon her the unmatched fortune of an emperor¡¯s legitimate succession. Plus having a million Yin Soldiers at her beck and call, a force that even Grandmasters would fear, meant that the future of the Great Yan Dynasty could very well be in her palms. Li Fuzhou also narrowed his eyes, a sneer flickering within. An Jing laughed lightly, ¡°If there truly comes a time when the Jade Seal is needed, I will give it to the Princess.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes, like shimmering waters, asked, ¡°Do you trust me?¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Of course I trust you.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s expression turned solemn, and she spoke earnestly, ¡°Master An, I, Zhao Xuening, will never betray the trust you¡¯ve placed in me in this lifetime.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°Likewise for An.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes brimmed with a gentle light, her gaze so tender it could melt even steel. Li Fuzhou raised an eyebrow, watching An Jing with a hint of amusement. The young man did possess some of the charm and grace that he himself had in his younger days. After a few more moments of casual conversation, Zhou Xianming arranged rooms for An Jing, Li Fuzhou, and the slumbering Han Wenxin. Back in his room and certain of their safety, Li Fuzhou asked, ¡°Son-in-law, will you really give the Jade Seal to Zhao Xuening when the time comes?¡± An Jing explained, ¡°The Imperial Jade Seal has been tainted with my Essence Blood Qi, to gain complete control one must thoroughly cleanse it of my Essence Blood Qi, which can¡¯t be done in a short time. Others can only use it in my stead; I will remain the true controller of the Imperial Jade Seal. If a Grandmaster expert shows up, we can only let Zhao Xuening use it in proxy.¡± Of two evils, one must choose the lesser, and now that he had allied with Zhao Xuening, some basic trust was necessary¨Cbut caution was also warranted. Li Fuzhou nodded, understanding that if Xi Hafu and that immortal Qian Qiu appeared, they would indeed have to rely on Zhao Xuening and the Imperial Jade Seal. The current world situation was like a chess game, where no one knew what the next move might bring, or what impact it would have. ¡°By the way, son-in-law.¡± Li Fuzhou suddenly remembered something and asked, ¡°Do you think there will be other Grandmasters?¡± An Jing, thinking of that hermit king who lingered on Xu Wang Mountain, whispered, ¡°There will be.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s heart trembled, and he did not press further. ¡­.. In the guest hall. Zhou Xianming clasped his fists and said, ¡°Princess, since An Jing has put it that way, he certainly won¡¯t go back on his word. With him influencing Zhenyi Sect and Xiao Qianqiu, there shouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡± Seated at the head, Zhao Xuening said solemnly, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s strength must not be underestimated. According to information from Heaven and Earth Net, when he was at Nanhua Mountain, Xiao Qianqiu was able to summon Heavenly Thunder. He killed ten great wizards of the Southern Barbarians without even exerting his full strength.¡± ¡°Furthermore, the ruler of the Southern Barbarians once visited Nanhua Mountain and seemed to fear Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s power, not daring to make a move.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianming furrowed his brows, ¡°Does that mean Xiao Qianqiu truly has the strength of a Five Qi Grandmaster?¡± Even though masters of the Grandmaster Realm had begun to emerge in the world, Five Qi Grandmasters were still regarded as the pinnacle above peaks, especially a top Five Qi Grandmaster like Xiao Qianqiu. Given his talent and youth, it was very likely he would reach the Grandmaster Realm in the future. ¡°I hope An Gongzi can restrain Xiao Qianqiu.¡± Zhao Xuening took a deep breath, a glimmer of resolve flashing in her eyes, ¡°Only then can I devote all my energy to dealing with my dear older brother.¡± Zhou Xianming said, ¡°The Five Qi Grandmasters who have died at his hands are two in number, his strength will certainly not be weak. The battle between the two will undoubtedly be fierce.¡± Zhao Xuening slightly nodded and asked, ¡°Has Zhao Chongyin made any recent moves?¡± Zhou Xianming replied, ¡°According to what Meng Zhaodou said, after Zhao Chongyin hosted a banquet for the State Preceptor, there has been no activity. However, I believe it¡¯s not that simple. With the Crown Prince¡¯s cautious nature, even having the Pingyang Guard and the full support of the State Preceptor, he would still prepare a fallback.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s gentle and warm demeanor was gone, replaced by an icy resolve, ¡°Is that so? Then I shall see what kind of fallback this brother of mine has.¡± Zhou Xianming quickly reminded her, ¡°The Crown Prince has great prestige in the court and has been building his faction for many years. He is not to be underestimated.¡± ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯m well aware of that.¡± Zhao Xuening, with her hands behind her back, gazed at the azure sky outside the hall and said thoughtfully, ¡°If only I had the Imperial Jade Seal in my hands, then I could rest easy.¡± After all, it was a vital instrument of the nation. Not to mention the million Yin soldiers within it, just the identity the Imperial Jade Seal represented was an object coveted by emperors. In fact, Zhao Xuening had two intentions with her earlier probing. One was to use it, and the other was to actually obtain it. Zhou Xianming pondered for a moment and said, ¡°If you want the Imperial Jade Seal from An Jing¡¯s hands, I¡¯m afraid some price must be paid.¡± Zhao Xuening asked, ¡°What price?¡± Zhou Xianming said gravely, ¡°According to my understanding of An Gongzi, at least an item of equal value must be offered.¡± Even within the Great Yan Treasure Vault, finding an item that could compare with the vital instrument of the nation was impossible, so it was inherently an unsolvable situation. Zhao Xuening¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile as she asked, ¡°Do you think I count as an object of equal value to the Imperial Jade Seal?¡± In her view, An Jing was like a poppy in this world, only causing her addiction to grow deeper, the inability to obtain him only increasing her desire. Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianming¡¯s pupils constricted slightly. Zhao Xuening asked, ¡°Why are you silent? Do you think I¡¯m less than an inanimate object?¡± ¡°Not at all, but if the Princess wishes to marry An Gongzi, I¡¯m afraid it would be rather difficult.¡± Zhou Xianming, with his head lowered, said, ¡°An Gongzi¡¯s wife is the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, and I believe the Princess knows her temperament.¡± Zhao Xuening, with an indisputable tone, asked, ¡°What if I insist?¡± Zhou Xianming said, ¡°In my opinion, the priority should still be the overall situation.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Zhao Xuening patted Zhou Xianming¡¯s shoulder and said lightly, ¡°I understand the importance of the overall situation better than anyone.¡± ¡­.. The night sky was like dense ink, impenetrably dark. In Yujing City, at the Demon Sect stronghold, within An Jing¡¯s room. At this moment, he was sitting cross-legged on the bed with his eyes tightly closed. His cultivation had reached the peak of the Four Qi, just one step away from the Five Qi. Furthermore, he had comprehended both Heavenly Human Communication and Separating Heaven and Earth, two distinct skills. These two skills contradicted each other, yet somehow there was a faint connection between them. Heavenly Human Communication relies on the power of heaven and earth to greatly enhance one¡¯s own strength, whereas Separating Heaven and Earth involves gradually detaching oneself from this world, reducing restrictions and allowing one to wield more of their innate strength. With his understanding of Separating Heaven and Earth, An Jing¡¯s insight into Heavenly Human Communication had deepened tremendously. His Qi mechanism was elusive, ready at any moment to merge with the world around him. He had reached a sophisticated level of Heavenly Human Communication, even surpassing You Gai. Beyond You Gai¡¯s full guidance, a significant reason for this was An Jing¡¯s own enlightenment of Separating Heaven and Earth. In such a state, An Jing¡¯s sudden insights into Sword Dao were even further deepened. An Jing caressed the sword box beside him and whispered, ¡°After the battle with Jiang Shang at Yulong Snow Mountain, it seems I¡¯ve touched upon the Seventh Realm.¡± The Seventh Realm of Sword Dao was truly the realm of immortals and gods. Unity of Man and Sword, both sword and self forgotten. The closer he got to touching that realm, the more An Jing felt the vastness and depth of the Seventh Realm of Sword Dao. Just then, the moonlight was obscured by a roiling cloud, plunging Yujing City into darkness. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed, and then with a leap, he vanished from where he stood, landing atop a roof. And the direction from which this Qi Mechanism emanated was precisely the Dragon Locking Well. ¡°Could this be the Earth Vein Spirit!?¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes. The Earth Vein Spirit, with its own consciousness, had always sought to escape from the Dragon Locking Well, but having been tainted, its release would inevitably lead to an overflow of Yin Evil Qi, throwing the world into chaos. Lately, quite a number of people had been infected by this evil spirit, causing significant upheavals and turbulence. The Yan Country, Zhao Country, Houjin, and the Southern Barbarians were all affected, which was one reason for the slowed progress of Zhao Country¡¯s campaign against Jiangnan Dao. Moreover, there were rumors that the Earth Vein Spirit was related to the secret of breaking through the shackles of the Grandmaster Realm, which An Jing could not afford to ignore. At that moment, beneath the dark clouds, a figure approached. It was a simply dressed Taoist holding a horsetail whisk in his hand. Seemingly very far away, he appeared before An Jing in the next instant. The Daoist was none other than Luo Chongyang. An Jing chuckled softly, ¡°Uncle-Master, I trust you¡¯ve been well.¡± Luo Chongyang replied with a smile, ¡°Been well.¡± An Jing inquired, ¡°I¡¯ve heard Uncle-Master has now returned to the Zhenyi Sect?¡± Luo Chongyang said, ¡°This poor Taoist is wholly devoted to cultivating and has resolved to steer clear of worldly affairs.¡± He did not explicitly state whether he had returned to the Zhenyi Sect or not. Hearing this, An Jing sighed deeply, ¡°Is it indeed that easy to detach oneself from the affairs of the world?¡± Luo Chongyang spoke solemnly, ¡°Jianghu is like a quagmire, the deeper you sink, the harder it is to escape; even if you manage to pull out, you¡¯ll still carry the mud with you.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°When one has a certain level of power and status, there are corresponding responsibilities that you cannot escape.¡± In this world, ability and responsibility are equivalent; with such power, who could avoid the chaos of the world? After a long silence, Luo Chongyang said, ¡°You are right, one cannot cultivate the Dao in a time of chaos.¡± An Jing, thinking of something, asked, ¡°Uncle-Master, have you ever heard of Qian Qiu, the undying man?¡± Luo Chongyang, being a disciple of the Zhenyi Sect and considering that Ye Ding had uncovered some clues about Qian Qiu, the undying man, should also be aware of him. ¡°Years ago, my seniors in the Zhenyi Sect mentioned him, and back then I thought they were just spinning tales of Jianghu. Only now do I realize that it was all true.¡± Luo Chongyang glanced at An Jing, adding, ¡°The Great Yan Emperor was gravely injured by him. If what my seniors said is true, this man¡¯s power must surpass all through the ages, truly the first of the ages.¡± The first of the ages! What an immensely grand title! An Jing¡¯s face grew somber as he asked, ¡°What has this man been lying in wait for all this time?¡± Luo Chongyang pointed toward the direction of the Dragon Locking Well and said, ¡°If I am not mistaken, he is after the Earth Vein Spirit. Rumor has it that there are two ways to break through the Grandmaster Realm¡¯s shackles: one is to slay the Earth Vein Spirit, and the other is to merge with it.¡± After pondering for a moment, An Jing said, ¡°If there is such a secret, why has no one ever tried to implement it?¡± Through the ages, there have not been many Grandmasters, but there were some. If the rumor were true, these Grandmasters would have put it into practice long ago. Yet why has the Earth Vein Spirit remained unharmed, neither slain nor merged into another¡¯s being? ¡°In truth, the poor Taoist was not clear on that at first.¡± Luo Chongyang paused, then continued, ¡°Qian Qiu once told me that merging with the Earth Vein Spirit requires its consent. But for the Earth Vein Spirit to merge into a human is equivalent to death. Since it has developed consciousness, how could it possibly consent to its own demise? Hence, for thousands of years, no one could merge with the Earth Vein Spirit naturally, and slaying it is even more difficult, for it has only a presence, not a physical form to strike.¡± An Jing nodded slightly; he had once dived into the Dragon Locking Well and had seen the Earth Vein Spirit. His sword had swept through it, only to hit empty space, ¡°It seems that breaking through the Grandmaster¡¯s shackles is not easy.¡± Luo Chongyang said, ¡°Becoming a Grandmaster is as difficult as ascending to heaven.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°It is the difficulty that makes reaching the summit exhilarating.¡± Gazing upon that young and confident face, Luo Chongyang said, ¡°Both you and Xiao Qianqiu, my two nephews, do resemble each other in some aspects¨Cequally tenacious, blessed with peerless talents, and never willing to be outdone.¡± An Jing¡¯s palm caressed the Sword Box on his back, ¡°Uncle-Master, who do you think will become the Mystical Sect Daoist Master between Xia Qianqiu and me?¡± Moments ago he still looked like a youth, but as his palm moved toward the Sword Box, he seemed to transform entirely. It was as if an invincible Sword Immortal from the human world had appeared before him. Unrivalled sharpness, unparalleled elegance. Luo Chongyang¡¯s pupils constricted sharply, as if he had just remembered that the young man before him was no longer that bare-bottomed Ghost Swordsman he used to be. He was now the world¡¯s foremost swordsman, having slain two Five Qi Grandmasters by his own hand. He now stood much higher than Lou Xiangzhen, truly an invincible Great Sword Immortal in the world. Luo Chongyang shook his head, ¡°In the midst of sword and sabre, one laughs as the winds and clouds change color, but who can know who will win or lose?¡± An Jing said, ¡°Uncle Master, your purpose for coming this time must be no simple matter, right?¡± Luo Chongyang nodded and said, ¡°Qian Qiu wields the fortune of the Mystical Sect, as if a Daoist Master from the Mystical Sect had descended. I am here to remind my nephew.¡± ¡°Ha ha ha ha!¡± An Jing laughed loudly, ¡°Uncle Master, although you say you do not know, you seem to have already determined that Xiao Qianqiu will become the Daoist Master of the Mystical Sect.¡± Obviously, Luo Chongyang still believed that Xiao Qianqiu had a greater chance of winning, which was why he had come to talk to An Jing in advance. Luo Chongyang looked into An Jing¡¯s eyes and finally said, ¡°He holds the momentum.¡± An Jing coldly said, ¡°In this world, no one can represent the momentum.¡± Luo Chongyang did not speak, his heart sighing regretfully. He had learned that the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror in Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s hands had shattered, which was why he was so astonished, but this was news that could not be disclosed, no one could tell. So, he firmly believed that in this struggle between the two, Xiao Qianqiu had a great chance of winning. If the Ghost Swordsman lost, then his unstoppable momentum would be thwarted, and the blow to him would be tremendous. If he could break and then establish anew, it might be a good thing, but if he fell into it, he would end up like Lou Xiangzhen, in decline for decades. However, the battle between the two was absolutely unavoidable. Luo Chongyang was very much looking forward to it; he not only wanted to see the strength of Xiao Qianqiu, who was like the Heavenly Venerate in the world, but also how shocking the swordsmanship of the Ghost Swordsman would be when facing such a powerful adversary. Perhaps An Jing¡¯s Sword Dao could turn the tide against the wind. So he knew the battle between the two was inevitable, but his heart was full of anticipation for the arrival of this great battle. Looking at An Jing, who was peerless in sharpness, Luo Chongyang smiled and said, ¡°Then, Uncle Master will just wait and see your Sword Dao.¡± Having said that, Luo Chongyang strode into the distance, disappearing on the spot. And just at the moment Luo Chongyang left, the dark clouds above scattered, and moonlight once again enveloped the earth. ¡°Then let us just wait and see,¡± An Jing gently stroked the sword box. ¡­¡­ Time flies like an arrow, and three days went by in the blink of an eye. Everyone could feel that Yujing City was in the midst of a storm, with surging waves and dark currents swirling. During the height of summer, the fierce sun was like fire, the earth was like a steaming cauldron, and the proud willow trees drooped listlessly with their leaves curled up. People¡¯s clothes were sticky with sweat, and even after bathing, new sweat would quickly emerge. The wealthy families used stored blocks of ice to cool down, and this made them feel somewhat more comfortable. The cicadas on the trees issued their piercing calls. These cicadas clearly had only one season, but their roaring sounds were desperate, loud and powerful, disturbing people¡¯s sleepiness and mocking their discomfort. Just then, a yellow bamboo pole parted the leaves and directly tapped the cicada that was chirping. The cicada felt darkness envelop its face and struggled desperately, but soon its limbs were also stuck together, unable to break free. The cicada sighed inwardly, realizing it should not have been so smug so soon. A handsome and extraordinary eunuch looked up at this scene, then retracted the bamboo pole and tossed the cicada stuck to it into a bag, a hint of smugness on his lips, ¡°Another dish for wine tonight.¡± There were many trees in the Imperial Palace, so there were naturally many cicadas, especially in the heat of summer, when they were countless. The nobles in the palace were annoyed by the chirping, so the eunuchs would stick the cicadas. This handsome and extraordinary eunuch was none other than Zhuo Yuchang. Just then, he caught a glimpse of an old figure running over and quickly opened his bag, ¡°Dry grandfather, look, there¡¯s already one plate.¡± Standing under the tree and enjoying the shade was eunuch Bai Mei. He glanced over and then said, ¡°Hurry up and have someone clean the dust on the paths of the Imperial City again. Today, someone is coming to the palace to see His Majesty.¡± Zhuo Yuchang was stunned and said, ¡°Oh?¡± His Majesty had been ignoring state affairs for months, disappearing without a trace just like last time. Now, someone was coming to the palace, and they were cleaning up the paths; who could this visitor be? Bai Mei indifferently said, ¡°You¡¯ll know when the time comes.¡± As whispers spread, the atmosphere inside the palace was also one of restlessness, as the nobles in the palace saw Emperor Yan, Zhao Zhiwu, as the stabilizer of the Great Yan Dynasty. If any mishap befell him, they might lose not only their wealth but potentially their lives, so the palace was marked by an unrestrainable panic. In this chaos, eunuch Bai Mei was definitely the exception; perhaps he was accustomed to such oddities, as even Emperor Yan had to respectfully address him as ¡®father¡¯. One could imagine how old he was. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Even the nobles and concubines in the palace held a mix of fear and aloofness toward eunuch Bai Mei. Such old age, in the eyes of ordinary people, was already a most peculiar affair. Bai Mei slowly turned around, his turbid eyes revealing no sparkle. In this changing world, even his vitality was beginning to fluctuate, and his cultivation was continuously climbing. He walked slowly towards the Imperial Study Room, stooping, like a man on the verge of death, clearly alive but exuding a dead air. ¡­¡­ Chapter 360 - Chapter 360 Chapter 260 Imperial City Chronicles the Worlds Chapter 360: Chapter 260 Imperial City Chronicles the World¡¯s Events Chapter 360: Chapter 260 Imperial City Chronicles the World¡¯s Events Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room. In the loft, there were seven thrones, each adorned with a yellow felt mat, a red floral carpet, mattresses, and backrests. Additionally, each bed had a spittoon, a mirror, a ruyi scepter, and a ceremonial knife. On either side of the mattress, low tables were placed, displaying treasures and stationery carved from materials like jade, porcelain, enamel, bamboo, wood, ivory, and horn. Furthermore, the room was furnished with semicircular bookcases, crescent tables, guqin tables, chairs, embroidered stools, and cabinets. Due to the small and convoluted space of the Imperial Study Room, the furniture was mostly of exquisitely small and delicate designs, featuring black lacquer with gilded details and inlaid mother-of-pearl. The walls were adorned not only with silk and paper scrolls but also with a royal calligraphy piece. In addition, there were screens, often made of rosewood and decorated with jade and ivory inlays. The Imperial Study Room alone could be described as the epitome of lavishness. At that moment, Zhao Zhiwu, dressed in his dragon robe, leaned against one of the thrones. Under the scorching heat, his face appeared unnaturally red, and his eyelids drooped weakly as if he might fall asleep at any moment. Despite his efforts to stay alert, his fatigue was palpable. Just then, Xu Qianyue¡¯s voice emanated from outside the door, ¡°Your Majesty, the State Preceptor has arrived.¡± At this sound, the previously sluggish Zhao Zhiwu sat up, his cloudy eyes suddenly sparkling with life, resembling a fierce tiger that had just awakened. It was a dramatic change from moments earlier. No one knew whether the performance had been then or was now. Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Bring him in.¡± His voice was full of vigor, resonant and powerful. ¡°Yes.¡± Xu Qianyue slowly retreated. Zhao Zhiwu remained seated, calmly picked up the royal tea next to him, and gently sipped. A surge of bitterness sprang up, which gradually dissipated, leaving a faint sweetness spreading through his mouth. Soon, Xu Qianyue led Xiao Qianqiu into the room. Xiao Qianqiu, as always, was dressed in a simple, clean blue Daoist robe, wearing cloth shoes, with bright, spirited eyes, and his steps neither hurried nor slow. He approached the throne and bowed, saying, ¡°Greetings, Your Majesty!¡± Zhao Zhiwu waved his hand and said, ¡°I have said before that the State Preceptor need not bow in court. Please, there¡¯s no need for such formality. Have a seat.¡± Xiao Qianqiu chuckled lightly and replied, ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty, for the honor of a seat.¡± With that, Xiao Qianqiu went to a throne and sat down cross-legged. Zhao Zhiwu looked at Xiao Qianqiu opposite him and said, ¡°It feels like it has been ages since I last saw the State Preceptor, though it has only been a few months. And ever since you went to Nanping Dao, I have been missing you constantly.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°I apologize for causing you concern, Your Majesty. If given the opportunity, I shall visit Yujing City more frequently to see you.¡± After becoming the State Preceptor, Xiao Qianqiu had rarely visited Yujing City, generally engrossed in arduous practice in the mountains. His visits to Yujing City had been few and far between. ¡°You should visit more often. I see you less and less,¡± replied Zhao Zhiwu. Recalling the past, Zhao Zhiwu stretched out his hand towards the table and gestured, ¡°I still remember your first visit to the capital, you were only this tall.¡± Xiao Qianqiu, now in his forties, was not considered young, but he wasn¡¯t old in front of Zhao Zhiwu, who had been on the throne for nearly forty-three years. Xiao Qianqiu also nodded and remarked nostalgically, ¡°Back then in Flower City on East Lin Road, the moon was full, and the flowers were blooming. Following my master, it was the first time I beheld Your Majesty¡¯s august presence. It was an intense moment, still vivid in my memory even after all these decades have passed.¡± Under the moonlight of the city, and beneath the city lights, people in the lamplight, flowers in their eyes, embedded not only desolation. As time slid past numerous springs, autumns, and summers, occasionally, we forget. Both individuals were perhaps feeling sentimental, or they were simply feeling sentimental for each other. Zhao Zhiwu was able to ascend to the throne and become emperor, with Ye Ding and the Zhenyi Sect being one of the biggest contributors, which is why the Zhenyi Sect was able to firmly establish itself as the National Religion and why Ye Ding and Xiao Qianqiu were able to successively become the State Preceptor. For others, revisiting the past is merely reminiscence, but at their current positions, the implications were different. Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Seeing today¡¯s State Preceptor, I think Brother Ye would be very comforted. Please have some tea, State Preceptor.¡± In Xiao Qianqiu, he seemed to see a cultivation even more profound than Ye Ding¡¯s, deeper thoughts, and an even more unfathomable future. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Xiao Qianqiu gently picked up the teacup and took a sip, then said, ¡°I heard that someone broke into the Imperial City and severely injured Your Majesty. Is this true?¡± Zhao Zhiwu nodded and said, ¡°Yes, this person is indeed the ¡®Immortal Qianqiu¡¯ that Brother Ye had mentioned to me before.¡± A serious expression appeared on Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s face, ¡°It really is him.¡± Zhao Zhiwu stood up and slowly said, ¡°This person¡¯s strength is profound and unfathomable, like the vast expanse of the ocean, beyond human capability to contend with, and is the only one I have seen in my life.¡± Although Zhao Zhiwu had consumed a great amount of Essence Blood to reach the Grandmaster Realm, being a true Grandmaster, his strength was naturally not to be underestimated. Even he spoke of him this way, one could glimpse the strength of this ¡®Immortal Qianqiu.¡¯ Zhao Zhiwu continued, ¡°Not only him, the strength of that Buddhist ¡®Buddha¡¯ is also not to be underestimated, profound and unfathomable.¡± Xiao Qianqiu nodded in agreement, ¡°This Xi Hafu brings forth the presence of the ¡®Buddha,¡¯ truly terrifying.¡± Currently, the Great Yan Dynasty had only one expert of the Grandmaster Realm. If the Great Yan Emperor were to pass away, the pressure faced by the Great Yan Dynasty would be immense. Although these two Grandmasters had not yet made their move, Great Yan had to take precautions and prepare for possible issues before they arise. Zhao Zhiwu looked into Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s eyes and seriously said, ¡°Therefore, the current Great Yan must not fall into chaos.¡± Xiao Qianqiu understood that this was Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s warning to him. No matter how he and the Ghost Swordsman fought, he should not forget the external threats faced by the Great Yan Dynasty. Xiao Qianqiu performed a Daoist salute with one hand, ¡°Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand. Not only is the Zhenyi Sect with the Great Yan Dynasty, but my life is also within this land and rivers.¡± Zhao Zhiwu expressed sentimentally, ¡°Having the State Preceptor is truly Great Yan¡¯s fortune.¡± ¡­.. Yujing City, Golden Throne Hall. Under the azure sky, the golden yellow glazed tile roofing of the heavy-eaved building looked exceptionally brilliant. Golden locked windows and vermilion-painted doors complement the platform base; colors are vivid, grand, and magnificent. In the center of the great hall, there was a vermilion-painted square platform about two meters high, on which a golden-painted dragon throne was placed, and behind it a dragon carving screen. Beside the platform stood six tall Coiled Dragon Gold Pillars, each wrapped around a vigorous Golden Dragon. An Jing stood beneath the hall, looking up at the ceiling, where in the center, a large gold-carved Coiled Dragon hung from the dragon¡¯s mouth, a large silver-white orb dangling. At this moment, Li Fuzhou and Han Wenxin stood beside him; compared to Li Fuzhou¡¯s calm composure, Han Wenxin was overwhelmingly excited, almost as if he was about to jump up. Especially when he saw the beautiful and delicate palace maids on both sides, his heart stirred greatly, and his eyes unabashedly invaded their space. Suppressing his excitement, Han Wenxin whispered, ¡°The Imperial Palace, Brother An, this is the Imperial Palace, where the Emperor lives!¡± Just then, Bai Mei, the eunuch, came over, ¡°His Majesty summons you.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± An Jing nodded his head. Han Wenxin, upon seeing Bai Mei¡¯s two white eyebrows, was greatly surprised and asked, ¡°Eunuch, may I know your age now?¡± The white-browed eunuch glanced at this impolite young man, ¡°One hundred and seven.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Han Wenxin exclaimed in shock, ¡°Eunuch, are you actually one hundred and seven? And still so strong?¡± Although Fan Daoji¡¯s hair and eyebrows were white, his complexion looked very rosy, and his steps were as vigorous as a dragon or tiger. One could hardly tell he was an old man. Zhuo Yuchang beside them shook his head and said proudly, ¡°My adoptive grandfather is almost one hundred and eight.¡± ¡°That¡¯s wonderful. The eldest in our village would pass away at just over eighty.¡± Moved, Han Wenxin hurriedly asked, ¡°Eunuch, how do you manage to keep so young?¡± Bai Mei eunuch glanced at Han Wenxin and then towards his groin, saying, ¡°Cut that thing off and you¡¯ll live a long life.¡± Han Wenxin subconsciously clamped his groin, and cold sweat actually broke out on his forehead. I¡¯d rather not have such longevity. ¡°Please go ahead.¡± Bai Mei eunuch glanced at An Jing and then made a welcoming gesture with his hand. An Jing nodded his head and walked forward, only to see a figure approaching him head-on at that moment. Xiao Qianqiu. Upon seeing the person coming, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but smile and say, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, State Preceptor, you look even more eminent than before.¡± Since the battle at Abyss Lake, the change in Xiao Qianqiu was quite apparent. If previously, one could still see the arrogance that defied the mundane world on him, that arrogance had now all but dissipated, or perhaps was concealed in his heart. He had fully integrated himself into the mundane world, becoming a part of it. Xiao Qianqiu, looking at that unbelievably young face, said, ¡°Compared to me, your elegance is truly astonishing.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°You flatter me, State Preceptor.¡± Xiao Qianqiu calmly said, ¡°The undying Qianqiu has already appeared. This person is a nemesis of the Mystical Sect, and with the inevitable trends, it¡¯s time for the Mystical Sect to unite.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°Indeed, it is time to unite.¡± As the oldest sect in the world today, having even older roots than the Demon Sect, and having occupied the position of the foremost sect for a long time, the Mystical Sect has had a profound influence worldwide. If the Mystical Sect could unite, it would undoubtedly be an event capable of shaking the entire world. A glint surfaced in Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s eyes, ¡°With the Mystical Sect united, and me as the Daoist Master, you aiding by the side, I could even carve out the lineage of the Ancient Sword Sect for you, and in thirty years, pass on the position of Daoist Master of the Mystical Sect to you.¡± The Mystical Sect was divided into many factions, including the Pill Faction, the Talisman Faction, the Qi Faction, and the Sword Faction. The Sword Faction, however, was the first to fall, after which the sect was governed by the other three factions. ¡°Hahaha!¡± An Jing burst out laughing upon hearing this, ¡°State Preceptor, you really have a sense of humor.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°In thirty years, you could be invincible in the world, and then take over the Mystical Sect¡­.¡± An Jing said lightly, ¡°I don¡¯t need thirty years.¡± Saying this, An Jing walked towards the Imperial Study Room. Watching that figure clad in white, Xiao Qianqiu remained silent for a long time before saying, ¡°Interesting, let¡¯s see how good your Sword Dao is then.¡± An Jing, guided by Bai Mei eunuch, slowly made his way to the door of the Imperial Study Room. Standing beside the door, Bai Mei eunuch said, ¡°Please!¡± An Jing took a step over the threshold and slowly walked into the Imperial Study Room. Thin white smoke rose, mingled with a faint purple light, and through the mist, one could immediately see Zhao Zhiwu seated at the head of the table. At that moment, he was wearing a loose dragon robe, his expression showing a hint of fatigue, one hand resting on the round table, the other supporting his face as he took a brief rest. An Jing stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands, ¡°Your Majesty, I pay my respects.¡± Zhao Zhiwu opened his eyes and said, ¡°Sit down, pour the tea yourself, I brewed it personally.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± An Jing sat upon the throne and poured himself a cup of tea. Zhao Zhiwu took a deep breath and said, ¡°Regarding the matters between you and the State Preceptor, I am already aware. No matter how you struggle against each other, remember this.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, ¡°Rest assured, Your Majesty, I am not someone who fails to see the bigger picture.¡± The external threats facing Great Yan were already severe; if the two of them were to create internal strife, the dissolution of the Great Yan Dynasty would be imminent. Zhao Zhiwu nodded, then said, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun is no easy adversary, do you know who is backing him?¡± The news of An Jing¡¯s duel with Zongzheng Huachun had already spread all over, which would have caused a sensation previously, but this time it was overshadowed by the rumors in Yujing City, yet it still caused ripples across the land. Zhao Zhiwu knew very well the prowess of Zongzheng Huachun, originally a top Five Qi Grandmaster, but now, having merged with a strand of Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent, his strength was terrifyingly high, potentially making him another Great Grandmaster after Xi Hafu. An Jing stated succinctly, ¡°I know. Qian Qiu never dies.¡± ¡°That¡¯s him.¡± Zhao Zhiwu solemnly said, ¡°Beware of Zongzheng Huachun, and be even more cautious with this person.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Your Majesty, how strong is this person really?¡± Zhao Zhiwu pondered for a long time and said, ¡°Unfathomable, yet possessing the strength of the greatest ever.¡± ¡°Has his cultivation almost reached the limit of a Great Grandmaster?¡± A gleam appeared in An Jing¡¯s eyes. Since Zhao Zhiwu, who was at the Grandmaster Realm himself, said so, it was enough to indicate the strength of Qian Qiu the Immortal. ¡°Not just in cultivation.¡± Zhao Zhiwu said wistfully, ¡°He has already attained complete separation from Heaven and Earth, meaning he is not at all constrained by this world.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing was shocked, ¡°Complete separation from Heaven and Earth!?¡± Such a realm was almost akin to becoming one with Heaven and Earth, the horror of which needs no further explanation. Lv Guoyong was just an ordinary person yet could take on three Five Qi Grandmasters simultaneously and even killed one. How terrifying then would Qian Qiu the Immortal be if, with the cultivation of a Great Grandmaster, he completely separated from Heaven and Earth? Zhao Zhiwu said indifferently, ¡°This person has killed several Great Grandmasters. Naturally, those who have reached the Grandmaster Realm are no ordinary people, yet with each Grandmaster he kills, Qian Qiu the Immortal incurs injuries on himself. Though he does not die, his wounds are real and have increasingly burdened him over time. His recent trip to Yujing City severely wounded my heart meridian, but I also exacerbated his internal injuries by leveraging the True Dragon Qi of the Great Yan Dynasty, making it difficult for him to stir trouble anytime soon.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes, ¡°Your Majesty, is your heart meridian truly shattered?¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Indeed.¡± An Jing fell silent, keenly aware that once the heart meridian is shattered, even a Grandmaster would have no chance of survival. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only A Land Immortal is still a Land Immortal, not a Heavenly Immortal. It seems the rumors are indeed true, but could the person spreading these rumors really be Zongzheng Huachun or the Black Ice Platform? Zhao Zhiwu, seeing the doubt in An Jing¡¯s eyes, smiled and said, ¡°The rumors were deliberately spread by me.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Oh? Does Your Majesty have other intentions?¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 361 - Chapter 361 Chapter 261 The Great Yan Emperor speaks of the Chapter 361: Chapter 261: The Great Yan Emperor speaks of the Swordsman Chapter 361: Chapter 261: The Great Yan Emperor speaks of the Swordsman ¡°` Zhao Zhiwu spoke in a low voice, ¡°Do you think after I spread this message, will people in the world believe it or not?¡± An Jing, upon hearing this, suddenly had an epiphany. The battle of Yujing City, it now seemed, was a conspiracy between Zhao Zhiwu and Lv Guoyong. Everyone thought that Zhao Zhiwu had suffered greatly from breaking his shackles, given his discord with Lv Guoyong and the disintegration of the court. This had led several Five Qi Grandmasters to convene in Yujing City, plotting for the Dragon Locking Well and the control of Yujing City. Although there were some twists that allowed the Earth Vein Spirit to break free and brought great benefits to Zongzheng Huachun, it also resulted in the death of many experts. Two top experts from Outer Heaven Island, who had always been ¡®indifferent to the world¡¯, were killed, and one Five Qi Grandmaster from Zhao Country also perished. If the plan had gone perfectly, all those Five Qi Grandmasters might have fallen in Yujing City, and Yan Country would have reaped unimaginable benefits. Although Zhao Zhiwu had barely broken through to the Great Grandmaster level with the excessive use of his Essence Blood, relying on the remaining power, he might even have accomplished what Zongzheng Huachun had yearned for. But the fact is, things often do not go as people plan. Now, after such scheming, the news that the Great Yan Emperor had suffered another heavy blow was circulating, looking as real as it could be. But would the people of the world believe it? Doubts were bound to arise, and by the time they did, the overall situation in Yujing City might already be decided. What is empty becomes solid, and what is solid becomes empty. An Jing said, ¡°Your Majesty is wise.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for flattery. Wisdom or not is not for those of the present to say; it will be left for posterity.¡± Zhao Zhiwu took a deep breath and said, ¡°It¡¯s just that I don¡¯t know if there will be a later generation.¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s words were tinged with a touch of melancholy. Posterity¨Cwhat if there is no one left after? An Jing pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Does Your Majesty speak of the evil spirit Qi?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Zhao Zhiwu nodded slightly, ¡°Once the evil spirit Qi fully contaminates the Earth Vein Spirit, if the seal breaks, then the energy between heaven and earth will be nothing but evil spirits Qi. At that time, not to mention the common folk, even Grandmasters will be affected. They will either be assimilated by the evil spirit Qi, turning into evil spirits, or have their minds soaked, becoming a murderous puppet.¡± The dangers of the evil spirits Qi were now being glimpsed. Perhaps the release of the Earth Vein Spirit would bring great benefits for a short time, but in the end, it could bring disaster to the whole world. Now, with the world full of covetous eyes, it seems that the truth would not be contained forever. An Jing glanced at Zhao Zhiwu. Although this Great Yan Emperor might have ascended to the throne through usurpation, and perhaps all he did was to maintain the rule of the Great Yan Dynasty, what he was doing at the moment was indeed benefiting countless ordinary people. Once the evil spirit Qi completely saturates the world, perhaps transcendent Grandmasters like Xi Hafu and Buddha can use various methods to control the evil spirit Qi and prevent assimilation into evil spirits, but ordinary people would undoubtedly suffer as they had no power to resist the Qi of evil spirits. After all, the common people are the majority, and their power is fundamentally nonexistent against the evil spirit Qi. Even for those like Xi Hafu who can control the evil spirit Qi, what will they ultimately become¨Chuman, or evil spirit? Is this evolution? Or destruction? An Jing did not know, but at this moment, sealing the Earth Vein Spirit was absolutely the right thing to do. Zhao Zhiwu took a light breath and stood up, ¡°They will make their move again, and by then, it will have to be left to you.¡± ¡°Your Majesty exaggerates,¡± said An Jing, clasping his fists. ¡°Your Majesty has just broken through to the Great Grandmaster; it is the perfect time to broaden your horizons.¡± Zhao Zhiwu waved his hand and spoke indifferently, ¡°I know my body best. Breaking through to the Great Grandmaster has drained a lot of my Essence Blood, and being severely injured by that undying Qian Qiu, the fateful day is not far off.¡± At this moment, his demeanor revealed a trace of weariness, starkly different from when An Jing first saw Zhao Zhiwu. Speaking thus, Zhao Zhiwu walked towards the outside of the hall. ¡°` An Jing was greatly moved; an emperor who could face death with equanimity was not a common occurrence. Fearing death more than actually dying was an even more tormenting state of mind. And through the ages, those who could regard death with detachment were no ordinary individuals. After all, life and death were paramount concerns in one¡¯s existence. At this moment, the sky was clear, the azure horizon unfurled before him, and golden shards of sunlight sprinkled upon the ground. Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°You and the State Preceptor are bound to have a contest, but I hope you both understand who the real enemy is.¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°Your Majesty, rest assured, I am very clear about it.¡± In An Jing¡¯s mind, Zongzheng Huachun and Xiao Qianqiu were fundamentally different. Their contest was merely a dispute over doctrinal inheritance and had not escalated to a life-or-death struggle. Zhao Zhiwu spoke softly, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu has the poise of the founding patriarch of the Mystical Sect, Xi Hafu¡¯s strength is like that of the ¡®Buddha¡¯ reincarnated, and Zongzheng Huachun has even received a wisp of Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent by his side, with immeasurable prospects. There are so many masters emerging in this world; it truly is lively.¡± At this, a hint of ruddiness appeared on his face. So many remarkable individuals had converged in such a prosperous era, an era so coveted. Yet he, a figure of such stature, could only make a small splash in this era and not contend with these masters¨Ca fact he found regrettable. An Jing nodded, ¡°Yes, there are also the likes of Qian Qiu, those old monsters who might emerge.¡± Only a world undergoing unprecedented changes could give rise to so many experts. Turning his head to look at An Jing, Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°Among all these experts, the one I hold in highest regard is you, and not just because you are young.¡± His eyes showed a trace of admiration, the very reason why he had chosen to summon An Jing last. An Jing asked, puzzled, ¡°Because of what?¡± ¡°Because your heart is patient enough.¡± Zhao Zhiwu said, ¡°For a master of such high caliber to be able to keep his composure, to live in Yu State City unnoticed by anyone, even the numerous experts of the Demon Sect are unaware, just how formidable is this temperament?¡± An Jing said, ¡°¡­¡­¡± If it weren¡¯t for the Earth Book, where would An Jing have found the patience to remain so inconspicuous for so long? ¡°Come over here and take a look, today really is clear and sunny weather.¡± Zhao Zhiwu gazed at the sky, his body gradually bending. Looking at Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s back, An Jing felt that at this moment he was not the renowned Great Grandmaster, the Human Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty, but an old man who had seen through the vicissitudes of the human world. An Jing stepped forward to Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s side and looked at the resplendent sunshine, ¡°It is a clear and fine day indeed.¡± Suddenly, Zhao Zhiwu asked, ¡°What do you think of Xuening?¡± An Jing was taken aback momentarily and responded, ¡°The Princess is very good.¡± Zhao Zhiwu asked, ¡°In what way is she good?¡± An Jing looked at Zhao Zhiwu and remained silent. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± ¡°` Zhao Zhiwu patted An Jing on the shoulder and burst into laughter. The two of them just stood there under the sun, no longer speaking. That day, the sun was bright; cicadas sang loudly throughout the summer, and a gentle breeze blew by, bringing a touch of coolness. Some people would forget this rather unremarkable day, but others would remember it forever. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, within Fulu Square. At this time, the streets were bustling with people and traffic¨Ca lively scene. In the heart of the street was an antique shop, facing south with its back to the north, and its shelves were filled with artifacts from the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Great Qin Dynasty, and even older ones. However, at this moment, the shop was quiet and sparsely visited. The backyard, on the other hand, was lively with several Jianghu masters sitting in the great hall; these people possessed profound Inner Strength, and two of them even carried True Qi, evidently having reached the Grandmaster Realm. Seated at the head was a man dressed in splendid attire, his face as handsome as jade, his charisma undeniable, with the hint of a smile on his lips, giving off a cultivated, elegant air. This man was none other than Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin. One man stood up, clasped his fist, and said, ¡°Your Highness, rest assured, we will all obey your orders and will certainly not have divided loyalties.¡± The speaker, who carried an Iron Spine Whip at his waist and had a ferocious scar splitting his left eyebrow, exuded an aura of viciousness and cruelty. This man was known in the Jianghu as Jiang Ming, a notorious villain whose infamy spread wide over twenty years ago; he committed all sorts of evil deeds. After offending He Chen, the Peak Master of Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Sky-reaching Peak, and fearing the might of the Zhenyi Sect, he eventually vanished from the Jianghu. Some said that he was killed by the Zhenyi Sect, others that he had left Great Yan to live in seclusion in Zhao Country; the details were known to few. When he re-emerged in the Jianghu, he had, with the help of a wisp of consciousness from the Earth Vein Spirit, reached the Grandmaster Realm and was immediately recruited by Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, becoming one of the most valued among his subordinates. Originally, Zhao Chongyin had planned to take complete control of the Five Gangs Alliance, to insert his own top fighters, and to make it a pivotal force in the Jianghu. But who could have imagined that the Demon Sect would absorb the entire alliance overnight, rendering all of his prior actions tantamount to making a wedding dress for the Demon Sect. However, this also allowed many of his top fighters to continue hiding and not reveal themselves. Zhao Chongyin nodded slightly, ¡°Do not worry, as long as I ascend to be Emperor, all of you will have the merit of supporting the dragon.¡± ¡°We are naturally willing to serve the Crown Prince to the utmost.¡± ¡°Upon your word, we would ascend the knife-laden mountains and descend into the sea of flames without a frown,¡± they said unanimously. ¡­¡­.. Everyone was greatly moved by Zhao Chongyin¡¯s words and began to offer their eager flattery. Zhao Chongyin briefly inquired about some matters and then had everyone depart. Watching everyone leave, Bai Jing whispered to the side, ¡°Your Highness, these are nothing but a rabble. Even Jiang Ming and Zhang Xing are no more than novices in the Grandmaster Realm; they can hardly stir up any trouble in Yujing City today.¡± Now in Yujing City were the likes of Xiao Qianqiu from the Zhenyi Sect, Luo Chongyang, and even ¡®Hua¡¯ of the transformation rank Hua Lian, as well as Tianyi Bodhisattva and Fa Wu from the Buddhist sect. Even the Demon Sect¡¯s Ghost Swordsman and the Human Sect¡¯s leader Li Fuzhou had brazenly arrived in Yujing City, along with numerous spies and other masters in hiding. Compared to the aforementioned top experts, the strength of these men was simply not enough. ¡°They are indeed just a rabble,¡± Zhao Chongyin said indifferently, ¡°If we were to place our hopes on them, it would be better to rely on dogs.¡± ¡°` Bai Jing asked, ¡°What does His Highness the Crown Prince mean?¡± Zhao Chongyin picked up the brush and began dipping it in the ink, ¡°Even though I hold military power over the Pingyang Guard, I still have to consider every angle. After all, there are too many masters in Yujing City now, one wrong move could mean total defeat. Xiao Qianqiu is unfathomably strong, and he has personally said he would support me with all his might. But setting aside whether he is a match for the Ghost Swordsman or not, what if he suddenly goes back on his word? What then? Therefore, I must lay down a hidden piece on the chessboard.¡± Bai Jing nodded. She had long known that Zhao Chongyin had a hidden move, but even she had never been told of this extremely secret chess piece. Zhao Chongyin began to write on a piece of white paper, speaking as he wrote, ¡°Among those in Yujing City, the royal family experts all obey my father the Emperor. It¡¯s hard to get their support, so I must look elsewhere.¡± Hearing this, Bai Jing was greatly shocked, ¡°Could it be Zhao Country¡¯s Black Ice Platform!?¡± ¡°Black Ice Platform!?¡± Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes, then he said, ¡°Even if I, Zhao Chongyin, were to die, I would absolutely not stoop to allying with the Black Ice Platform like Zhao Mengtai did.¡± He naturally despised the Black Ice Platform, and moreover, he was the Crown Prince of the Great Yan Dynasty. He could understand when Zhao Mengtai wanted to kill him, but what he hated most was not that Zhao Mengtai wanted to kill him, but that Zhao Mengtai actually colluded with Houjin to do it. And now, he seemed to stand in the same position as Zhao Mengtai once did, but in his heart, he would never choose to fraternize with rebels. How could a Crown Prince betray his country!? Bai Jing let out a sigh of relief, then asked, ¡°Then from where is Your Highness acquiring the support of these masters? Could it be the Buddhist sect?¡± Compared to Xiao Qianqiu, the masters of the Buddhist sect hadn¡¯t said they would fully support him. From Fa Wu¡¯s attitude, they seemed to not intend to get involved in this affair. Knowing that if Zhao Zhiwu really sent down an imperial decree at this last moment, it would certainly be extremely unfavorable for Zhao Chongyin. The fact that the Buddhist sect wasn¡¯t getting involved was already quite good¨Cthey at least wouldn¡¯t stand against him. Could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince has persuaded the Buddhist masters? ¡°Neither,¡± Zhao Chongyin said deliberately, ¡°It¡¯s the Heavenly Prison.¡± ¡°Heavenly Prison!?¡± Hearing this, Bai Jing¡¯s heart gave a start. The Great Yan Heavenly Prison was a forbidden place, holding many masters. Even the great wizards of the Southern Barbarians and the Second Qi Grandmaster Li Fuzhou were only placed on the outskirts of the Great Yan Heavenly Prison. Just how fearsome might the strength of those deep within the Heavenly Prison be? Moreover, with the great changes happening in heaven and earth right now, could the strength of these masters have increased? A cold smile emerged on Zhao Chongyin¡¯s lips, ¡°The people in the Heavenly Prison are already all mine. Moreover, I entered the depths of the Heavenly Prison several months ago and have spoken with each of the masters inside. I offered them freedom, but in return, they must serve me for three years.¡± ¡°They are so desperate to escape the Heavenly Prison, three years is nothing ¡ª they¡¯d be willing to serve me for an entire lifetime.¡± Bai Jing thought of something upon hearing this, suppressing the excitement in her heart and anxiously said, ¡°Your Highness, what if they turn on you?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I naturally have my means to ensure that doesn¡¯t happen.¡± A fleeting sharpness glinted in Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes as he said, ¡°Now, I just need to wait for the storm to rise again. I really want to see if my father the Emperor truly intends to force me onto the very path he took. I am growing more and more eager to find out.¡± With that, Zhao Chongyin made the final stroke. The line above read, ¡°In a thousand years, successes and failures turn to dust; what¡¯s left for the world to speak of a man¡¯s deeds?¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 362 - Chapter 362 Chapter 262 When Princess Tan Yun Competes Chapter 362: Chapter 262: When Princess Tan Yun Competes Chapter 362: Chapter 262: When Princess Tan Yun Competes The moonlight was like water, serene atop Wangjing Mountain, with only the gentle breeze and the sounds of insects and birds breaking the calm. The majestic mountain now loomed vaguely in the darkness, appearing as towering giants in this part of the world. At this moment, on the branches above, a few birds were quietly preening their feathers, preparing to cleanse themselves before slipping into dreams. Just then, a dark shadow descended. ¡°Puchi!¡± ¡°Puchi!¡± The birds perched on the branches were startled, and then they scattered in panic, flying away. This person was dressed in a simple white robe, with a stern face and dense wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, marked by the passage of time. He held a longsword in his hand, which was none other than the Sect Leader Sword Phoenix Sword of the Yu Heng Sword Sect. Nowadays, the identity of the person holding this sword was well known to the world, so his identity was also self-evident. Sword God Liu Moyuan! Since the battle in Yujing City, Liu Moyuan had disappeared from the Great Yan Dynasty. The Yu Heng Sword Sect had also been implicated, and even sanctioned by the Great Yan Dynasty, causing the sect¡¯s prestige to plummet. It had been removed from the ranking among the seven factions. Unlike the Sword Demon, who hid in the marketplace, the Sword God sought seclusion deep in the mountains to cultivate, continuously enhancing his strength and comprehending the Sword Dao, hoping to one day reach the Seventh Realm. Liu Moyuan landed on the branches without making a sound, his steps neither hurried nor slow as he walked forward. Suddenly, a piercing light attacked him. The sword light was not only cold but also fast! Although he had been defeated by the Ghost Swordsman in the battle at Zhong Mountain, there were very few in the world who dared to draw their sword in front of him, almost none. ¡°Interesting,¡± he muttered. Liu Moyuan narrowed his eyes and brought his fingers together, and immediately a sword light emerged from his fingertips. ¡°Hiss, hiss!¡± Sword lights crossed each other, and his figure disappeared from the spot. When he reappeared, he was already in front of the person who had attacked him with the sword. Liu Moyuan¡¯s eyes were devoid of any emotion as he drew the Phoenix Sword from its scabbard. The mirror-like blade reflected a venerable face in its coldness, with a bit of cold light congealed on the edge, giving the impression that Wangjing Mountain itself was shrouded in icy coldness. The Phoenix Sword hissed like a white snake spitting out its tongue, piercing through the wind, weaving like a wandering dragon, agile as a swooping swallow, striking with the sword, and at times like lightning, leaves tumbling in its wake. Holy Dao Sword! The sword skill was vast and powerful as if mountains and rivers were collapsing and bearing down. A gleam appeared in the eyes of the newcomer, who then made a move with his longsword to meet the attack. Immense Sword Qi burst forth from the blade, carrying the supreme authority of heaven and earth, unflinchingly facing the formidable power of the Holy Dao Sword. Heavenly Dao Sword! In the present world, only one person had cultivated the Heavenly Dao Sword to the Sixth Realm, and that was the Sword Demon Hao Tian. As True Qi surged around, sword lights interlaced, and the chilling aura even seemed to cause the temperature of the world to plummet abruptly. Both were swordsmen, solitary swordsmen, and the swords in their hands represented their everything; their cold eyes were even colder than the swords they wielded. ¡°Clang clang clang clang clang!¡± After a series of metallic clashes, both people simultaneously retreated several steps backward. Liu Moyuan gazed at the Sword Demon before him, a cold smile on his lips, ¡°You¡¯re actually alive!?¡± The Sword Demon had been skewered through the heart by the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Sword Control Technique and had fallen off a cliff; this was something Liu Moyuan had witnessed with his own eyes. But who could have imagined that the Sword Demon would now reappear before him? Seeing Liu Moyuan¡¯s expression, the Sword Demon chuckled, ¡°Are you surprised?¡± The Sword God retorted, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Didn¡¯t die at the hands of the Ghost Swordsman and now you¡¯ve come to court death?¡± The Sword Demon responded, ¡°You should know better than anyone that without reaching the Five Qi, it¡¯s almost impossible for you to kill me.¡± The prowess of the two was nearly equal, and although Sword Demon¡¯s Heavenly Dao Sword was somewhat inferior to the Holy Dao Sword, he had cultivated the Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique to Perfection. Liu Moyuan pointed the Phoenix Sword in his hand at the Sword Demon, the moonlight shining on the smooth blade, reflecting a cold sword light, ¡°Then you can give it a try.¡± Hao Tian shook his head, saying, ¡°Why bother? I¡¯m not here to fight with you for the title of the world¡¯s second best.¡± Liu Moyuan raised an eyebrow but said nothing. At that moment, a figure wearing exotic clothes approached. Liu Moyuan¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°A person from Guishuang?¡± The strength of this individual before him didn¡¯t seem any less than that of the Sword Demon; it might even surpass it. Could this be a Five Qi Grandmaster? It was known, even though the Earth Vein Spirit might have broken free from its constraints, truly powerful Five Qi Grandmasters were still rare in this world. The newcomer saluted with a fist, ¡°Chang Ning of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace.¡± Liu Moyuan responded icily, ¡°I don¡¯t know what the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace is, nor do I have any interest in learning what it is. Just state your and his purpose directly.¡± A Sword Demon was already a formidable expert to contend with, and now a Guishuang master with unfathomable strength had appeared, making the Sword God¡¯s situation slightly perilous. Chang Ning said, ¡°I sincerely invite the Sword God to join our Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace as a Tributor.¡± Liu Moyuan asked, ¡°Why?¡± Chang Ning replied, ¡°The Divine Palace can help you.¡± Liu Moyuan countered, ¡°I, Liu Moyuan, do not need help from others.¡± If he had obtained the Dulu Sword at Zhong Mountain, he would now be the world¡¯s foremost swordsman¨Csuch a person surely had no need for assistance from others. ¡°No, you need it.¡± Chang Ning burst into laughter, ¡°You¡¯re no match for the Ghost Swordsman, and as time passes, his cultivation will only grow stronger, and you will never be able to catch up to his pace.¡± For a swordsman who could be considered among the top in history, it¡¯s regrettable that Liu Moyuan has never been acknowledged as The World¡¯s First Swordsman to this day. Liu Moyuan shook his head, ¡°Do you have a way to make me The World¡¯s First Swordsman?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What method?¡± ¡°Kill the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Liu Moyuan laughed out loud when he heard Chang Ning¡¯s words, ¡°Do you know who he is? His Sword Dao strength is definitely above mine right now; his cultivation is also above mine, and he holds the Dulu Sword and the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hands. Can you kill him?¡± Chang Ning confidently said, ¡°There¡¯s no one our Divine Palace can¡¯t kill.¡± Liu Moyuan thought of something and asked with suspicion, ¡°Could the one who severely wounded the Great Yan Emperor Zhao Zhiwu be from your Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace?¡± Chang Ning¡¯s expression became somewhat solemn, ¡°That was a master from the Black Ice Platform, also one of the Great Grandmasters lurking in the world.¡± The Black Ice Platform actually has a Great Grandmaster?! Liu Moyuan¡¯s face remained unchanged upon hearing this, but his heart was set ablaze with shocking waves. Previously, he thought that there were no longer any Great Grandmasters in the world, so the revelation of Zhao Zhiwu breaking through to Great Grandmaster had greatly shaken him. Now, he just learned that the Black Ice Platform also had a Great Grandmaster amongst them. Who would have imagined the waters of this world are so deep?! Liu Moyuan pondered deeply, considering that a great change was imminent in the world, and signs were already appearing. Joining the mysterious Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace to understand the situation might also be a good choice. ¡°This person is still under investigation by the Divine Palace.¡± Chang Ning looked at Liu Moyuan, ¡°Having more friends means having more paths. I wonder if you would be willing to join our Divine Palace? Of course, the Divine Palace will not make things difficult for you.¡± The Sword Demon stood by without speaking, merely sheathing his sword into the scabbard. Because, he could no longer feel the sharpness in the air. After a moment of consideration, Liu Moyuan nodded, ¡°Alright, then I will cooperate with your palace.¡± In the world as it is today, the power of one person always seems insufficient. After all, the sword is in his hands, isn¡¯t it up to him to decide whether to unsheathe it or not? ¡­¡­ In the height of summer, a faint fragrance of flowers permeated the air, and through the gaps in the trees, the sun scattered spots of light. The gentle rays of sunshine spread throughout the summertime, as if time was frozen in this tranquil moment, lingering quietly, and everything seemed hazy. In the courtyard, there was a camphor tree that shaded the sky, its leaves lush and green, casting dappled shadows as the sunlight filtered through. An Jing lounged in the shade of the tree, holding a freshly brewed cup of fragrant tea, enjoying the rare leisure of the afternoon. Next to him, Han Wenxin was leaning against a chair, his snoring rhythmic and regular. Just then, Li Fuzhou walked over from a distance and smiled, ¡°Son-in-law, there¡¯s news from the Sect Hierarch.¡± An Jing put down his teacup and asked eagerly, ¡°What did the lady say?¡± Li Fuzhou smiled, ¡°The Sect Hierarch will leave seclusion in two days and she will come to Yujing City in person.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Hearing Li Fuzhou say that, An Jing also started to look forward to it. Zhao Qingmei, now having received all of Nangong Weiping¡¯s cultivation, was of unknown strength. Even if she hadn¡¯t reached Great Grandmaster, her skills were probably at the level of a Five Qi Grandmaster. The path ahead could only be traversed through her own cultivation. Given her young age, if there were no accidents, breaking through to Great Grandmaster would not be difficult. ¡°I¡¯m here!¡± Suddenly, a crisp voice echoed. Hearing this familiar voice, both An Jing and Li Fuzhou revealed a hint of a smile at the corners of their mouths. A figure rushed over excitedly from a distance. The person who arrived was none other than Tan Yun. Li Fuzhou, with his hands clasped behind his back, said indifferently, ¡°You still remember to come see your master?¡± ¡°It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve seen you, son-in-law.¡± Tan Yun went up to An Jing, her large watery eyes looking up at him. Li Fuzhou: ¡°¡­..¡± An Jing laughed heartily, ¡°It has been a while, what have you been up to all this time?¡± Tan Yun immediately became excited and chattered away, ¡°I¡¯ve been reading books. I¡¯ve discovered so many unheard-of things in them. There are books that introduce places like Guishuang, the Buddhist lands, and exotic locales with customs entirely different from ours. They really open one¡¯s eyes. I really want to go and see Guishuang and even farther places like Outer Heaven Island.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s words flew with enthusiasm, becoming more and more excited as she spoke. Li Fuzhou looked surprised and asked, ¡°You¡¯re reading books now?¡± He was well aware of Tan Yun¡¯s usual disposition. Startled by this ¡®sudden¡¯ voice as if she were a frightened rabbit, Tan Yun patted her chest and said, ¡°Master, when did you get here?!¡± An Jing could clearly see Li Fuzhou¡¯s face darken instantly. Tan Yun also noticed Han Wenxin, who was snoring on the chair, her eyes widening in disbelief, ¡°Isn¡¯t that Han Wenxin, the little rascal?¡± Suppressing his dissatisfaction, Li Fuzhou said in a low voice, ¡°You still remember him?¡± ¡°Of course I can¡¯t forget.¡± ¡°` Tan Yun waved her little fist triumphantly and said, ¡°He must remember ¡®me¡¯ too.¡± So that was it. Seeing this, An Jing thought of the times Han Wenxin had often mentioned being beaten up by a man in black, and now it seemed that the truth was indeed such. Han Wenxin seemed to sense something too, shivering slightly before groggily opening his eyes, ¡°Brother An, it¡¯s clearly the height of summer; why do I feel a bit cold?¡± An Jing said, ¡°It might be a cold heart.¡± Han Wenxin was somewhat puzzled and, upon seeing Tan Yun, said, ¡°Isn¡¯t that Miss Tan? It has been a long time.¡± Tan Yun smiled and replied, ¡°Yes, it has been a long time.¡± For some reason, looking at Tan Yun¡¯s smiling face made his heart tremble even more. Tan Yun paid no attention to Han Wenxin but turned to look at An Jing and said, ¡°Son-in-law, the weather is nice today, let¡¯s go out for a walk.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go together.¡± Han Wenxin also said with a joyous face, ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go, I¡¯ve almost suffocated here¡­¡± He had long wanted to go out for a stroll, but now An Jing was as unmovable as Mount Tai. Tan Yun glanced at Han Wenxin, who felt like a pair of sharp knives were stabbing into his heart, and he swallowed his words quickly. Holding An Jing¡¯s arm, Tan Yun said, ¡°If the capture officer doesn¡¯t want to go, let¡¯s go, son-in-law.¡± Han Wenxin grumbled inwardly, ¡°It¡¯s clearly you who threatened me.¡± Li Fuzhou, who was standing by, saw everything and wasn¡¯t sure whether to feel amused or uneasy, but he knew that matters of affection should not be forced. He didn¡¯t want to interfere in anyone¡¯s affections, as everyone had their own thoughts and rights. Clatter, clatter, clatter¡­ A series of footsteps sounded as a high-ranking expert from the Demon Sect hurried over, ¡°Tributor, Sect Master, Princess An Le has arrived.¡± Tan Yun frowned and asked, ¡°Why has she come?¡± An Jing instructed, ¡°Take her to the guest hall.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need.¡± As soon as An Jing had finished speaking, Zhao Xuening appeared from afar, adorned in a light purple palace dress that added a touch of allure and charm, with eyes that seemed to captivate souls. Accompanying Zhao Xuening were two mammas, both of whose cultivation levels were at First Grade, making them top-notch experts in Jianghu. What a beautiful person! Han Wenxin couldn¡¯t help but secretly swallow his saliva at the sight of such peerless beauty. Zhao Xuening smiled at An Jing and said, ¡°This time I come not in the capacity of a princess, but merely to see Mr. An and fulfill a past promise, so there¡¯s no need for such courtesy.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes held a touch of bewilderment, ¡°The past promise?¡± Zhao Xuening earnestly said, ¡°I once said I would show you the four sights of Yujing.¡± An Jing thought back carefully, and indeed, Zhao Xuening had mentioned wanting to take him to see the four sights of Yujing City. At that moment, before An Jing could speak, Tan Yun said, ¡°There¡¯s no need, the son-in-law doesn¡¯t feel like sightseeing today.¡± Zhao Xuening asked, ¡°Oh? Mr. An doesn¡¯t want to go?¡± Holding An Jing¡¯s arm, Tan Yun said, ¡°That¡¯s right, the son-in-law is feeling unwell and it¡¯s not convenient to go out.¡± Feeling unwell¡­ Han Wenxin smacked his lips, thinking that An Jing didn¡¯t look the least bit unwell, appearing as robust as a bull. Neither of you two is likely his match. Zhao Xuening chuckled and said, ¡°Since Mr. An isn¡¯t feeling well, then I shall keep him company and chat for a while.¡± Tan Yun didn¡¯t expect Zhao Xuening to fall back and persist, her face suddenly flushing red, ¡°There¡¯s no need, I can keep the son-in-law company.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Zhao Xuening finally turned to look at Tan Yun, her tone shifting, ¡°Every time I speak to Mr. An, why do you always interrupt and obstruct, could it be that you¡­?¡± Han Wenxin quickly glanced towards Tan Yun. Seeing this, Tan Yun¡¯s face turned even redder, and she said indignantly, ¡°I didn¡¯t, I certainly didn¡¯t, you are slandering me.¡± Zhao Xuening smiled and said, ¡°Miss Tan, don¡¯t get worked up, I haven¡¯t really said anything yet.¡± Tan Yun then came to her senses, her gaze inadvertently turning to An Jing, to find that his expression had remained unchanged from beginning to end, causing a wave of disappointment in her heart. But then a thought struck her and she blurted out, ¡°The Sect Hierarch had once instructed me to keep a close eye on the son-in-law, not to let him flirt around outside. Of course, the son-in-law wouldn¡¯t, but I still need to be wary of certain brazen butterflies that might throw themselves at him.¡± An Jing¡¯s expression darkened, it seemed his wife really didn¡¯t trust him, planting countless spies around him ¡ª maybe even Li Fuzhou, this bushy-browed fellow, was unreliable. Zhao Xuening still wore a smile, but internally she let out a cold snort, good for you, Tan Yun, very good. Li Fuzhou, witnessing this, chided in a low voice: ¡°Tan Yun, it seems I haven¡¯t taught you for some time, allowing you to become increasingly presumptuous.¡± Upon hearing Li Fuzhou speak, Tan Yun instantly felt fearful and immediately stopped talking. Li Fuzhou bowed to Zhao Xuening and said, ¡°My young apprentice is inexperienced; she spoke without thinking. I hope the princess won¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Zhao Xuening laughed heartily, ¡°No, I actually find Miss Tan quite adorable, like a calf guarding its food.¡± Tan Yun turned away, ignoring Zhao Xuening¡¯s laughter, feeling the flames of anger burning within her, as if the laughter were a silent mockery. Meanwhile, Han Wenxin sighed in admiration, ¡°Brother An is truly a role model.¡± ¡°Princess, it¡¯s getting late, let¡¯s leave the sightseeing for another time.¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯ve arranged a banquet; we can enjoy a good drink.¡± If Zhao Qingmei found out about this, who knew what trouble she would stir up, but since Zhao Xuening had come, it would be rude not to show some hospitality. ¡°` ¡°That sounds good.¡± Zhao Xuening revealed a smile at the corner of her mouth, ¡°Today, I shall drink to my heart¡¯s content with Master An.¡± An Jing extended his hand and said, ¡°Please.¡± ¡­.. At the banquet. After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes. An Jing sat at the head of the table, with Princess An Le Zhao Xuening, Li Fuzhou, Tan Yun, Han Wenxin, and others sitting below him. But Han Wenxin was drinking sullenly by himself, feeling constantly aggrieved at the injustices of the world. Truly, some die of drought and others of floods. Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes were always on An Jing, and Li Fuzhou, being an old fox, naturally discerned her intentions. ¡°If the son-in-law could handle both the princess and the Sect Hierarch at the same time,¡± Li Fuzhou thought of something and narrowed his eyes slightly, noticing Tan Yun, who was staring intensely at Zhao Xuening, and muttered to himself that he mustn¡¯t let Tan Yun ruin the big picture. Immediately, Li Fuzhou coughed lightly and said, ¡°Tan Yun, your master feels somewhat intoxicated. Help me back to rest.¡± Tan Yun was holding chopsticks, incessantly lifting food to her mouth and chewing, but her eyes were watchfully directed at Zhao Xuening, ¡°Let that young lad Han Wenxin accompany you, I want to keep watch.¡± Han Wenxin, moved by the suggestion, said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, Third Master.¡± Just as Li Fuzhou was about to speak, he saw Han Wenxin¡¯s lips part and silently mouth a phrase to him. An Jing saw clearly, the phrase was ¡®visiting the brothel to listen to music.¡¯ Li Fuzhou pretended to be reluctant and said, ¡°Alright then.¡± Saying this, the young and the old almost left arm in arm from the banquet. Shameless! Utterly shameless! An Jing watched their retreating figures, silently cursing in his heart. Zhao Xuening too noticed Tan Yun, who had been constantly watching her, and said, ¡°Miss Tan, I¡¯ve heard you were once a renowned heroine in Jianghu. Here, a toast to you.¡± Tan Yun initially did not want to pay attention to Zhao Xuening, but hearing her words, she raised her glass and said, ¡°Your Highness is too polite.¡± Zhao Xuening downed a cup in one go, and naturally, Tan Yun also didn¡¯t want to show weakness and drank a large cup herself. Just when Tan Yun thought she was done, Zhao Xuening raised her cup again and said, ¡°Miss Tan, to your swordsmanship, let¡¯s drink this cup!¡± An Jing, seeing this, couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Cough cough cough, don¡¯t drink too much.¡± Tan Yun waved her hand, unconcerned, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, this is just a little wine.¡± Zhao Xuening raised another cup and said, ¡°Miss Tan is truly a heroine. It has been a long time since I¡¯ve seen a heroine with such boldness, let us drink another.¡± The so-called ¡®compliments never wear holes¡¯; hearing Zhao Xuening speak thus, Tan Yun immediately felt as if she was floating on air. She filled her cup to the brim and started drinking. The two women exchanged toasts and drank turn by turn, unwittingly downing several cups. An Jing watched from the side, initially wanting to intervene with a word or two, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he was met with two icy cold stares. Tan Yun¡¯s face was flushed red, like a ripened apple, ¡°Come, let¡¯s continue¡­ continue, today I¡¯ll show you just how formidable I, Tan Yun, am.¡± Before she could lift her cup again, she collapsed onto the table, her rosy lips faintly parting and closing, appearing extremely adorable. Meanwhile, Zhao Xuening maintained an expression as calm as still water, seemingly unaffected, and turned to An Jing, ¡°Master An, next let¡¯s drink, just the two of us.¡± An Jing, as he picked up his cup, said, ¡°Then I shall accompany the princess for a few light drinks.¡± Zhao Xuening said, ¡°What¡¯s the fun in just a few light drinks? If one is to drink, it should be done heartily.¡± An Jing smiled, ¡°The princess has already had quite a lot; are you sure you can drink more?¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes held a shimmer like spring water, ¡°Why not? If Master An is willing, Xuening can drink as much as she wants, for as long as she wants, even for a lifetime.¡± An Jing set down his cup and whispered, ¡°Your Highness has had too much to drink.¡± ¡°Had too much?¡± Zhao Xuening said with a playful smile, ¡°Master An, look into my eyes, do you think I¡¯ve had too much?¡± An Jing, staring into those captivating eyes, felt as though flames were burning all over his body, that unrestrained desire assaulting him with no attempt at concealment. ¡°Your Highness¡­¡± ¡°I told you, just call me Xuening.¡± ¡°Your Highness jokes.¡± Zhao Xuening set down her cup and looked earnestly at An Jing, ¡°I am serious, there has never been a more serious moment than now.¡± Among the many women An Jing had encountered, Zhao Xuening was an exceptionally beautiful one, carrying an innate aura of grace and freedom. Now, with her transformation, she had become even more composed and intelligent, which undeniably made her even more attractive. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing wanted to speak yet hesitated, and in the end, he didn¡¯t say a word. But his silence only emboldened Zhao Xuening more and more, to become increasingly audacious. Zhao Xuening took steps towards An Jing until they were face to face, their eyes locked. Then, her delicate hand slowly reached out, and under An Jing¡¯s gaze, she took his cup and drained it with a cheerful smile. ¡­. Chapter 363 - Chapter 363 Chapter 263 Prosperity Fades Posthumous Affairs Chapter 363: Chapter 263: Prosperity Fades, Posthumous Affairs Chapter 363: Chapter 263: Prosperity Fades, Posthumous Affairs An Jing looked at the woman in front of him and said, ¡°Princess, you are truly intoxicated.¡± ¡°Intoxicated?¡± Zhao Xuening gently stretched out her hand, wanting to caress An Jing¡¯s cheek. Her hand moved neither hastily nor slowly, her eyes fixated on An Jing¡¯s serene eyes. Suddenly, her hand paused mid-air, then casually she grabbed the wine pot, and burst into laughter, ¡°Why isn¡¯t Master An drinking?¡± As she spoke, she took a wine cup, filled it to the brim and handed it to An Jing. An Jing took the wine cup, noticing the red lipstick mark on the rim, and said, ¡°Thank you, Your Highness. I am somewhat intoxicated as well; perhaps it¡¯s best to escort the princess back early.¡± Zhao Xuening waved her hand and said, ¡°No need, I can manage on my own.¡± As she spoke, she slowly walked towards the hall, as if waiting for something with every step she took. The evening moon knows not your southern thoughts; Both I and the east wind have too much affection. An Jing also stood up, watching that graceful figure. Tonight there was neither wind nor rain because the wind had found its destination. At this moment, the two seemed to share an unspoken understanding that required no further words. Reaching the threshold, Zhao Xuening¡¯s steps paused slightly as she admired the evening sun, ¡°Today¡¯s sunset is beautiful.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Indeed it is beautiful.¡± The two fell silent, both gazing at the sky outside the hall. The setting sun gradually disappeared into the orange sky, ushering the time when night would fall. Zhao Xuening¡¯s smile gradually faded, and she sighed, ¡°Beautiful sceneries are frequent, but the companions to share them with are rare.¡± An Jing said, ¡°There will be more to come.¡± Zhao Xuening said, ¡°The scenery is beautiful, but the boat will eventually reach the shore. Let¡¯s leave matters of the future for later; after all, nobody knows what the future holds.¡± After saying this, she didn¡¯t say goodbye and just walked out towards the hall outside. An Jing stood there watching Zhao Xuening disappear from his sight. ¡°Hmmm¡­ Let¡¯s continue drinking.¡± Just then, a muddled voice pulled An Jing back to the present. Tan Yun was slumped over the table, her face as red as dripping blood. ¡°Can¡¯t outdrink others, yet you forcefully drink, do you think this is like eating, where you can have more even after being full?¡± An Jing shook his head, then lifted Tan Yun¡¯s body, ¡°Let me take you to rest first.¡± The burning hot body in his arms made him immediately feel the soft warmth pressing against him, stirring his inner turmoil. Tan Yun clasped her arms tightly around An Jing¡¯s neck, nestling in his embrace as if she had suddenly quieted down. Perhaps An Jing rarely saw Tan Yun so quiet, watching her lightly fluttering eyelashes, he couldn¡¯t help but show a slight smile, ¡°When you are not speaking, you indeed look very beautiful.¡± ¡°Son-in-law¡­¡± Tan Yun seemed to sense something and opened her intoxicated eyes. An Jing asked, ¡°What is it? Are you feeling unwell?¡± ¡°Son-in-law, I have something to tell you.¡± Tan Yun clung tightly to An Jing¡¯s neck, pressing close enough for him to clearly feel the tumultuous pressure. An Jing felt enveloped by her presence and instinctively said, ¡°What is it? Let¡¯s talk after you wake up.¡± ¡°I¡­ I want to say it now.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s eyes brimmed with moisture, her expression slightly blurred, and her lips parted slightly. An Jing suddenly felt a pang in his heart, sensing something ominous, but it was too late. ¡°I¡­ I like¡­ Blargh!¡± An Jing completely froze, standing there dazed. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Dragon Spring Temple. The Buddhist temple in Yujing City, which had become significant for the spread of Buddhist teachings in the Great Yan Dynasty due to the eastward return of Buddhism, was also known as the number one temple in the East. In the Zen room, an old monk sat cross-legged on a cushion. This monk, with his eyes tightly shut and an expression as serene as an ancient well, wore a kasaya that distinctly differed from ordinary monks, in a cryptic black and red pattern. If An Jing were there, he would surely recognize that this monk was Xi Hafu. Tianyi Bodhisattva and Fa Wu sat beside him, their brows furrowed, seemingly still digesting what Xi Hafu had said. After a long while, Fa Wu finally spoke, ¡°What the grandmaster implies is, must we first absorb this evil spirit?¡± Xi Hafu said indifferently, ¡°It is the trend of the times. How can you enlighten others if you do not first enlighten yourselves?¡± Tianyi Bodhisattva, puzzled, asked, ¡°With the descent of this evil spirit, can truly everyone become a Buddha?¡± Previously, Xi Hafu had been very secretive about this evil spirit; why did he suddenly want the Buddhist disciples to absorb it now? Moreover, he had mentioned before that upon absorbing the evil spirit, one would turn into an evil spirit, so how is it now that they become Buddhas? Xi Hafu said, ¡°It is possible.¡± Fa Wu muttered to himself, ¡°Everyone can become a Buddha?¡± If everyone can become a Buddha, then what truly is a Buddha? So, he couldn¡¯t believe that by absorbing the evil spirit, one could become a Buddha, knowing that his senior brother Fa Zhi had died in Three Temple Mountain trying to suppress this evil spirit. Yet now, it was said that this evil spirit was meant to enlighten people into Buddhahood, how could he accept this? In Fa Wu¡¯s view, it all happened in a single thought, a thought of enlightenment and all beings became Buddhas; a thought of confusion, and it transformed into the six realms of existence. Xi Hafu pressed his palms together and slowly opened his eyes, ¡°It is said that all forms are but illusions. If one perceives that all forms are no-form, then one sees the true being.¡± This is the meaning within the Buddhist Diamond Sutra, fundamentally, if one sees that all forms are no-form, that is the true nature itself; true nature arises thoughts, which are delusive thoughts, not arising, not seeing is Zhenyi, the mind generates everything, when the thought of form is extinguished, form has no substance, the form of no-form is the true form, and the substance of no substance is the true substance, with no thoughts and no-form all ties cease. In other words, if you can see the true form of a Buddha, it is false, that is just the image you conceive in your mind, born from attachment, and not the true Buddha. What you see is not the true seeing. This is what is meant by all forms are no-form. The words of the Diamond Sutra are filled with supreme wisdom. However, as soon as Xi Hafu¡¯s voice fell. In an instant. The entire Dragon Spring Temple vibrated thunderously. Boom. The sound of thunder continued incessantly, a beam of golden Buddhist light slashed through the sky, illuminating the entire Dragon Spring Temple, ultimately shining upon Xi Hafu. Immediately after, waves of Buddhist chants rose, and golden lotuses blossomed around Xi Hafu, radiating endless Buddhist light. The vast Dragon Spring Temple was bathed in Buddhist light, resembling the true Pure Land, and at this moment, Xi Hafu seemed like the Buddha himself had arrived. All the monks in Dragon Spring Temple raised their heads, looked at the Buddhist light, involuntarily saw with awe, all unaware of what exactly had happened. And all this, was merely an anomaly brought forth by a casual remark from Xi Hafu! At this moment, Fa Wu had an astonished expression, looking at Xi Hafu, his eyes filled with shock. ¡°Uncle Master, you truly are the reincarnation of Buddha.¡± Tianyi Bodhisattva, with tears brimming in his eyes, said, ¡°Today is indeed for the reincarnation to ferry beings once more.¡± ¡­¡­ The night was tranquil, submerging everything into deep slumber. In an elegant and serene room, the soft moonlight slanted down through the window lattice, illuminating the barely burning candle, making the dim room a bit brighter. Xiao Qianqiu sat cross-legged on the cushion, the horsetail whisk set aside, holding a book titled ¡°Three Stars Formation.¡± About dozens of breaths later, he put down the book in his hands and slowly stood up, walking towards the window. This night the sky was dotted with countless stars, scattered across the heavens. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s eyes gleamed as he looked again at the night sky, as if a tremendous change had occurred in the world. The pervasive purple aura in the center began to disperse, the surrounding energies gathered, becoming more intense and restless, causing the Zihuan star to dim and appear to be declining. ¡°The major forces are still shifting.¡± Xiao Qianqiu looked at his hand and murmured in a low voice, ¡°The fate of this world, in whose hands does it ultimately rest?¡± Since ancient times, those who have controlled the fate of the world could be the worldly emperors, Mystical Sect leaders, or other masters hidden in the shadows, like the immortal Qian Qiu. But with a stray thought escaping the Dragon Locking Well, everything had changed. The course of the world¡¯s fate had also changed. Yet some things change, and some things never do. People¡¯s hearts may change, but the Dao remains eternal and unchanging. The Earth Vein Spirit breaking free from the Dragon Locking Well was only a matter of time. Xiao Qianqiu knew that the path ahead had become unpredictable, and even he had difficulty seeing clearly what might happen next. Whiz! Just then, a purple starlight pierced through the thick Qi mechanism and fell towards the ground, shining brightly in the vast galaxy, illuminating the night sky. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s breath hitched, his eyes becoming exceedingly grave. Above the night sky, as the purple aura dispersed, dark qi from all directions transformed into a fierce beast rushing forth, seeking to completely devour the purple qi. Xiao Qianqiu voiced solemnly to himself, ¡°The purple qi disperses westward, the Ox fighting the Heavenly Wolf, Zihuan waning without light, accompanied by the fall of the Emperor star, evil qi covering the sky from all directions, intense black light, truly a great omen of disaster.¡± With his current identity, status, and strength, he was now tied to the fate of the world, inherently interconnected, and under such transformation, who in the world could remain unaffected? Xiao Qianqiu sighed inwardly, looking toward the distant Imperial Palace, he performed a ceremonial bow. This Emperor star is about to fall. And the new Zihuan energy is emerging as destined, but now with evil energies pervasive, can this new emperor ascend smoothly? ¡­.. Lv Mansion. The night was deep, and the entire mansion was eerily quiet. In places unseen by others, several top experts were hidden, constantly protecting the safety of Lv Mansion. Lv Guoyong¡¯s residence, in particular, was a key protective focus. At this moment, the bedroom was completely dark and silent, with only slight breathing sounds. Just then, Lv Fang hurried over with an unprecedented solemn and anxious expression, but he straightened his clothes before he reached Lv Guoyong¡¯s door, and then he knocked. ¡°Knock knock!¡± ¡°Father!¡± Upon hearing the sound, Lv Guoyong groggily opened his eyes, seemingly disoriented and struggled to sit up, saying, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Lv Fang took a deep breath, walked in, and said, ¡°Recently, His Majesty has been gravely ill, increasingly severe; he started to fall in and out of consciousness yesterday, and today he is barely alive, mostly spending the day in an unconscious sleep. Just now, the royal physician diagnosed His Majesty as critical, at any moment he could¡­¡± Pausing for a moment, Lv Fang then said, ¡°His Majesty was still muttering Father¡¯s name, so Governor Xu has come to request Father to enter the palace immediately.¡± ¡°The Emperor?¡± Lv Guoyong was momentarily stunned when he heard this, then said, ¡°Dress me, I need to enter the palace now.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Lv Fang hurried to the rack and picked up Lv Guoyong¡¯s clothes. The lights in the Lv Mansion began to flicker, becoming brightly illuminated. At the same time, the Imperial Palace, the camps of the Pingyang Guard soldiers outside the city, the city garrison camps, the Xuanyi Guard, and the Forbidden Army surrounding Yujing City all began to mobilize. Soon, these movements reached the ears of spies and various experts, prompting others to also take action. The entire Yujing City was swirling with undercurrents and tumultuous waves, a situation like the calm before a storm. On this extraordinary night, countless ordinary people fell into a deep sleep, unaware that a massive storm was approaching the entire Great Yan Dynasty. And this storm¡¯s impact was so significant that it would affect the current situation across the world. ¡­¡­ Yuhua Courtyard. Zhao Chongyin was pacing back and forth in his study. With the Human Emperor critically ill and the Forbidden Army on high alert, even getting some information was extremely difficult for him. ¡°Your Highness!¡± Just then, Bai Jing came running over in a hurry. Zhao Chongyin quickly asked, ¡°Is there any news?¡± Bai Jing clasped his hands and said, ¡°Eunuch Cheng has sent a message that His Majesty is on his deathbed, showing signs of a brief recovery, and the Jade Seal of Great Yan has not been moved at all; it¡¯s still in the Taihe Palace.¡± ¡°Very good!¡± Zhao Chongyin was startled by this news and immediately said, ¡°No, I still need to get the Jade Seal as soon as possible. If someone else gets it, they might alter the Imperial Decree.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s penetration into the palace was not extensive. In case someone tampered with the Imperial Decree, it would mean they had seized the moral high ground. Even if he eventually acceded to the throne, he could inevitably be defamed and denounced by malicious individuals. Without securing the throne, he could not be at ease for a moment. Bai Jing asked, ¡°Crown Prince, what should we do now?¡± Zhao Chongyin narrowed his eyes and spoke in a low voice, ¡°Go to the Taihe Palace. I need to have the Jade Seal in my own hands.¡± Bai Jing¡¯s voice trembled as he asked, ¡°Enter the Imperial Palace?¡± ¡°Under the guise of cleansing the royal side!¡± Zhao Chongyin whispered, ¡°There are traitors around Father Emperor; I must act to remove this scourge from the Great Yan Dynasty.¡± Bai Jing nodded, ¡°Yes, Your Highness, you are wise.¡± Zhao Chongyin thought carefully for a moment and said, ¡°Go and instruct the State Preceptor to go with us to the Taihe Palace, then have Qiu Heng lead the Pingyang Guard to surround the Imperial Palace, and go to the Heavenly Prison to release the experts from there.¡± Bai Jing said, ¡°I¡¯ll go right now.¡± Having said that, Bai Jing hurriedly left. Zhao Chongyin watched as Bai Jing¡¯s figure disappeared, clenching his hand. The crisp sound echoed through the room as he whispered to himself, ¡°I have been biding my time for so many years, all for this day.¡± ¡­¡­ Demon Sect outpost, the annex. An Jing was sitting cross-legged, entering a state of cultivation. Suddenly, he sensed something, slowly opened his eyes, and walked towards the courtyard. The night was tranquil, with only the sounds of faint insect chirps to be heard. Just then, a staggering figure approached from a distance. This was none other than Han Wenxin. Han Wenxin looked at An Jing, came over with a grin, and slung an arm around his shoulder, saying, ¡°Brother An, why haven¡¯t you slept yet?¡± An Jing looked up at the sky and said, ¡°Have you ever seen the streets late at night? Though it was deep into the night, I was still diligently cultivating then.¡± An Jing¡¯s current level of cultivation was not solely due to the Earth Book; it was the result of his diligent practice. ¡°Burp~!¡± Han Wenxin belched, ¡°I¡¯ve seen them; at that time, the starlight was lonely, and I was just coming out of a brothel.¡± An Jing: ¡°¡­.¡± Han Wenxin waved his hand and said, ¡°Enough talk, I feel empty inside right now and just want to go back to sleep.¡± Saying this, he staggered towards a nearby house. Just as Han Wenxin had left, Li Fuzhou hurried over, ¡°Son-in-law, Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s about to pass away.¡± ¡°Really or not?¡± An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed upon hearing the news. The last time he saw the Great Yan Emperor was only three or four days ago. Who could have imagined it would come to this so soon? Could there be some trickery involved? Li Fuzhou spoke solemnly, ¡°It¡¯s news from Xianming, absolutely true. Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin is already preparing, and the Pingyang Guard¡¯s camp has been mobilized, with a hundred thousand troops completely surrounding Yujing City. To ensure Princess An¡¯s safety, Xianming has asked us to enter the Imperial Palace directly to protect the Princess.¡± ¡°The arrow is now on the bowstring, and we must act. A world-shaking change could happen overnight.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go now.¡± An Jing turned and walked toward the bedroom. ¡­.. Imperial City, outside the Human Emperor¡¯s sleeping chambers. Compared to the usual Imperial City, it now seemed quite different, a sense of impending doom hanging heavy in the air, as if pressing down so hard that everyone could hardly breathe. Currently, countless figures gathered outside the sleeping chamber, including consorts, princes, and princesses. Naturally, this group included Empress Zuo Linglong and Zhao Xuening too. Bai Mei the eunuch emerged, and a group of concubines eagerly swarmed around him. ¡°Eunuch Fan, how is His Majesty?¡± ¡°Yes, what did the imperial physician say?¡± ¡°We want to see His Majesty.¡± ¡°I want to see Father Emperor!¡± ¡­. In the harem, all their power had always come from the Human Emperor, and throughout history, the best outcome they could hope for in times of great change within the palace was to be buried along with him. Some princes and princesses also began to shout this time. Seeing this, Zuo Linglong couldn¡¯t help but shout, ¡°Shut up!¡± When they heard the Empress speak, everyone there softened, and though they cursed inwardly, they all took two or three steps back. Zuo Linglong took a deep breath and said, ¡°Father, did His Majesty have any instructions?¡± Bai Mei glanced at everyone and said, ¡°His Majesty has asked for Princess An Le to come in; the rest of you wait inside.¡± Instantly, everyone¡¯s eyes turned towards Zhao Xuening. Zhao Xuening had been Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s most beloved princess and, for some time, Zhao Zhiwu had only summoned Zhao Xuening, fuelling rumours he intended to depose the Crown Prince and pass the throne to her. This was absolutely childish; there had never been an Empress who ascended the throne in the annals of history. Zuo Linglong took a deep breath and said, ¡°Xuening, go inside.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Zhao Xuening took a deep breath and walked towards the sleeping quarters of the Human Emperor. Although the others were displeased, seeing Zuo Linglong¡¯s icy and domineering demeanor, they could only swallow their dissatisfaction. Inside the sleeping quarters, Zhao Zhiwu was lying on the Dragon Couch. This Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty, a top Grandmaster, looked pale, his breath frail. Zhao Xuening hurried forward, her voice trembling, ¡°Father Emperor!¡± Hearing this call, Zhao Zhiwu slowly opened his eyes and reached out his hand with difficulty, ¡°Xuening, you¡¯re here.¡± Zhao Xuening knelt down, grasping his dry, aged hand, ¡°Father Emperor, I¡¯m here.¡± Zhao Zhiwu spoke softly, ¡°My time is not much longer, the future of the Great Yan Royal Family now depends on you.¡± ¡°Father!¡± Looking at this elderly man who had always shown her love and care since childhood, Zhao Xuening¡¯s heart also couldn¡¯t help but soften somewhat, tears moistening her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t cry.¡± Zhao Zhiwu immediately said upon seeing this. Zhao Xuening bit her lip, ¡°Father Emperor, the children of the Zhao family shed blood, not tears.¡± Zhao Zhiwu took a deep breath and spoke with effort, ¡°Everything about the Great Yan Dynasty has been told to you; whether or not you can keep the world in the palm of your hand depends on your own skill.¡± Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s breathing became increasingly rapid and shallow. Zhao Xuening whispered softly, ¡°Father Emperor!¡± ¡°Cough, cough, cough, cough!¡± Zhao Zhiwu coughed several times, saying, ¡°The Jade Seal of my Great Yan Dynasty, my warnings to you, and the several pieces I placed on the board are all in the Taihe Palace. Once you obtain my Jade Seal, you can depose Zhao Chongyin and ascend the throne unimpeded¡­.¡± Zhao Zhiwu felt his mind becoming increasingly muddled, as if everything before him was blurring. In a daze, he saw a narrow path ahead, long and covered with thorns and white bones, and he stepped forward along it. There was no one around him, no cheers, no shouts, only endless solitude and darkness. The more he walked forward, the colder his heart became, and his features were also filled with an irrepressible fierceness. An emperor is heartless, walking a path darker than the abyss. This path was like a portrayal of his life; no one knew the loneliness and solitude inside this emperor¡¯s heart. Eventually, he arrived at his own throne, looking down from above. What throne was this? It was clearly an unfathomably deep and dark abyss! In the midst of darkness, he saw his father, his brothers, his mother¡­ and countless ministers and civilians who had died under his sword. His power, all held under the bloody sword. He had reached the pinnacle of authority, and also achieved endless loneliness and darkness. Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s eyes widened, his hands clutching the sheets tightly, a harsh voice escaping his throat, ¡°The path I chose, I have no regrets¡­..¡± His pupils showed nothing other, and only reflected the splendid grandeur of the great hall. ¡°Father Emperor!¡± Zhao Xuening said softly. Zhao Zhiwu eventually exhaled one final breath and closed his eyes. This man, known as the Peaceful Human Emperor, ultimately died in this not-so-peaceful world. ¡°Your Majesty-!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Your Majesty-!¡± Several attending eunuchs, including Bai Mei, knelt down simultaneously, their voices of grief rising and piercing through the sky. Zhao Xuening, watching this scene, seemed stunned, and somehow, she even developed a feeling: life and death were no longer the keys to determining happiness or misfortune; the dead achieved completeness, while the living stood praying on the deck of a ship. In the end, that ship, sailed smoothly from the shore. ¡­¡­ Chapter 364 - Chapter 364 Chapter 264 Sword Immortals Sword Falls like Rain Chapter 364: Chapter 264: Sword Immortal¡¯s Sword Falls like Rain Chapter 364: Chapter 264: Sword Immortal¡¯s Sword Falls like Rain The night was waning, and the moon hung high in the sky like a disc. The citizens of the Capital had all fallen into deep sleep when the Pingyang Guard surged into the city. Almost a hundred thousand troops entered the city, and despite their caution, the noise they generated was immense. Not to mention the civil and military officials, Jianghu masters, and spies from various countries, even ordinary citizens were roused by the news. In the darkness, the sound of the army roared as loud as thunder, grating to the ears. This level of commotion gave everyone a bad premonition. Many citizens cautiously peeked out their heads, only to retract them quickly when they saw the soldiers flooding the streets. This scene unfolded in every corner of Yujing City. The skies of the Great Yan Dynasty seemed set to change tonight. Spies from all quarters exhausted every means to spread this news. An Jing, Li Fuzhou, and other experts from the Demon Sect hurried toward the Meridian Gate of the Imperial Palace. The Forbidden Army guards at the Meridian Gate who saw the sudden appearance of the visitors changed their expression dramatically and challenged, ¡°Who goes there?¡± An Jing said, ¡°Outer Heaven An Jing.¡± Hearing this, the Forbidden Army was greatly shaken and then exchanged looks. They were naturally aware of the reputation of the Ghost Swordsman, but at this hour, entering the Imperial Palace without a summons was not permitted to just anyone. Not even the favored of the court could do so. ¡°Open the gate!¡± Just then, a clear, commanding voice rang out. A senior figure appeared atop the city wall, his eyes bright and resolute, and a pitch-black longsword hung on his back. This was Tianpeng Ancestor, who had been captured alive at Zhong Mountain and eventually defected to the Great Yan Royal Family. Since the revolt and death of Gao Sheng, he now served as the head of the Imperial Guards; thus, at his command, the Forbidden Army hastily opened the city gate. ¡°Clatter!¡± As the gates of the Imperial Palace opened, An Jing and the others entered the palace. An Jing looked at Tianpeng Ancestor and directly asked, ¡°What¡¯s the situation now?¡± Tianpeng Ancestor hurriedly replied, ¡°His Majesty has passed away, and then insiders opened the great gate of the Xuanwu Gate. The Crown Prince and the State Preceptor, along with a group of experts, headed straight for the Taihe Palace.¡± ¡°His Majesty has passed away!?¡± An Jing was slightly stunned, then frowned, ¡°They went to the Taihe Palace?¡± The Taihe Palace had another name, that is, the Golden Throne Hall. Tianpeng Ancestor explained, ¡°The Jade Seal is inside the Taihe Palace. The experts brought by the Crown Prince are all extraordinary. You should hurry and help the Princess. I will stay here to guard against the Pingyang Guard army.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°I understand, I¡¯m heading there now.¡± On the way, he had also heard about the army entering the city; clearly, Zhao Chongyin had mobilized both the army outside the city and the guards within. However, the most crucial things now were to take control of the Imperial City and to capture Zhao Chongyin, for controlling the Imperial City meant possessing the moral high ground, and capturing Zhao Chongyin would resolve the issue at its root. An Jing did not hesitate and immediately led the Demon Sect experts toward the Taihe Palace. Along the way, they saw eunuchs and palace maids, their expressions anxious and panicky. News spread extremely fast through the back channels of the palace, particularly among these eunuchs and palace maids who, in their idle moments, loved nothing better than to gossip, so they were well aware of every stir within the palace. Now, with such a significant upheaval inside the palace, they were naturally very clear on the details. Soon, the group arrived at the chaotic entrance of the Taihe Palace, where the Forbidden Army was currently clashing with some Jianghu masters. These Jianghu masters were highly skilled, including many Grandmasters, and the Forbidden Army was completely overwhelmed. An Jing couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Zhao Chongyin to have such powerful experts under his command.¡± Grandmaster level experts in the Great Yan Martial World were not unknown entities; they could be considered veterans famous throughout Jianghu. At this moment, Zhao Chongyin having hidden several Grandmasters was indeed surprising to An Jing. Li Fuzhou narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°Heavenly Prison¨Cthese are the experts from the outskirts of Heavenly Prison.¡± ¡°Heavenly Prison?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing suddenly realized. So Zhao Chongyin had released the experts from Heavenly Prison; no wonder he had so many powerful people at his disposal. Li Fuzhou knitted his brows and warned, ¡°Son-in-law, be careful. I heard in Heavenly Prison that there are top-tier Grandmaster level experts in the depths.¡± An Jing nodded, his gaze drifting upward towards the Taihe Palace. The moon hung high, and one could clearly see a figure standing above the flying eaves of the Taihe Palace, his loose robe flapping in the breeze. Looking at the figure, An Jing chuckled, ¡°State Preceptor, the moonlight tonight must be quite lovely, right?¡± Xiao Qianqiu, with one hand behind his back, replied, ¡°There is both moon and wind.¡± An Jing signaled Li Fuzhou with a glance, and Li Fuzhou quickly rushed into the Taihe Palace. If Zhao Chongyin got his hands on the Jade Seal, he could secretly alter the Imperial Decree, and then An Jing would become a traitor guilty of rebellion. Having received the signal from An Jing, Li Fuzhou intuitively headed into the Taihe Palace. Xiao Qianqiu paid no attention to Li Fuzhou¡¯s departure because his eyes were only on An Jing. An Jing nodded and said, ¡°It seems the State Preceptor is very satisfied with the scenery at this moment.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°There has never been a more satisfying time than now.¡± An Jing said, ¡°State Preceptor, times have changed.¡± Xiao Qianqiu agreed very much with An Jing¡¯s words, ¡°Times are changing, and people are changing too.¡± An Jing said, ¡°So, it is time to make an end.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°The day would always come, sooner or later, and today is indeed the best time.¡± Both fell silent, a silence as still as death. Today was a time of tumultuous change in the Great Yan Dynasty, where whoever ascended the throne would dominate the dynastic affairs for decades, and both the Demon Sect and Zhenyi Sect would usher in their prosperity. Moreover, both An Jing and Xiao Qianqiu belonged to the Mystical Sect lineage, harboring strife between their Daoist traditions. An Jing reached towards the massive sword box on his back, ¡°It seems, State Preceptor, you have been waiting for this day for quite some time.¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°Not long, but the constant thought made the time seem extensive; however, you are worth the wait.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Why?¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°Because your sword must be fast, if it is not fast, how could it be invincible among all swordsmen in the world.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°My sword is indeed very fast.¡± As he spoke, he drew the Dulu Sword. Whish! The cold, sharp edge pierced the dark night, bringing a new dawn. Xiao Qianqiu earnestly said, ¡°Only by defeating such a you, can I feel a semblance of excitement.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Hasn¡¯t the State Preceptor ever thought about falling to this sword?¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°Never.¡± An Jing also said earnestly, ¡°Then, this issue might be worth considering.¡± The two no longer spoke, as a breeze slowly blew by. If An Jing and Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s earlier gaze could make any astute observer feel the sparks flying, then now, they seemed more like friends who had met again on the surface of a tranquil lake. It was approaching the fifth watch, and the sky suddenly darkened, a profound void of gloom before dawn, the densest color before light ruled over the earth. The air seemed to solidify completely at this moment, and time also disappeared without a trace. Boom! Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s surging True Qi, like a storm, burst forth within him at that moment, sweeping heaven and earth, the mighty True Qi causing air to ripple in waves. The next moment, dark clouds gathered above, with lightning flashing and thunder roaring, the deafening sounds vibrating all around. The fierce wind swept up and carried sand across the sky. An Jing made his move! The Sword Qi was striking, filling the space between heaven and earth with a bleak and lethal atmosphere. An Jing¡¯s True Qi moved wildly within him; he stood quietly on the ground as steadfast as an ancient mountain range, firm and upright. A serene calm emanated from Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s face, unflustered, as vigorous True Qi explosively burst out of his body. Crash! He pointed his finger towards the heavens, and dazzling thunder clouds converged overhead, harboring a terrifying entity within. Suddenly the sky was illuminated with blinding thunder, like a fierce dragon rapidly descending. Thunder Manipulation Technique! This was one of the secret techniques from the Jade Emperor Scripture, summoning the mysterious and unpredictable Heavenly Thunder. Thunder rolled, carrying a terrifying and awe-inspiring might. An Jing¡¯s Slaying Immortal Sword countered, instantly slashing through the heavenly space towards the oncoming thunder. Slice! The edge of the Sword Light was sharpened to the utmost, aiming not at the oncoming thunder, but at the night sky above. The thunder was cleaved in two, vanishing from the heavens and the earth. A single sword split the heavenly thunder! Such an unparalleled Sword Immortal was unheard of before, and may not be seen again for another five hundred years. Many experts in the Imperial Palace looked this way, each holding their breath and focusing keenly. One was the State Preceptor of the Great Yan Dynasty, who had presided over the martial world for decades, becoming the number one expert in the world for hundreds of years while the other was an unparalleled Sword Immortal with exceptional talents in recent years. Both were top experts of the Great Yan Dynasty, and also top experts of the world. Their duel at this moment could almost be said to be the clash of the very top experts in the world. ¡°These two are truly the top experts of our time.¡± ¡°I hadn¡¯t expected, after decades away from the Jianghu, there would be two more Five Qi Grandmasters in the martial world.¡± ¡°A single sword splitting the heavenly thunder, truly an invincible Sword Immortal.¡± ¡­.. The Great Wizard Zhu Qiu, witnessing this, had his eyes flickering with fear, ¡°Goodness, how can someone so young cultivate such frightening Sword Qi? How did they cultivate it?¡± Even at his Second Qi Peak Cultivation, he felt an icy chill from the sword light, possessing no strength to resist it at all. How could this young man, barely in his early twenties, possess such a terrifying level of cultivation? An Jing held his sword in one hand, his whole being now extremely restrained. All his brilliance was concentrated on his sword. The flecks of cold light that refracted off it were enough to leave one utterly astonished. And Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s forehead bore a purple talisman mark that shone brightly, with purple qi flowing wildly in his eyes, eventually enveloping his entire body, like auspicious clouds coiling around him. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s sleeves and hair fluttered without wind, seemingly ethereal like an immortal descending from the heavens. At this moment, he had pushed the ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture¡± to its ultimate limit, releasing a vigorous Qi mechanism. Five Qi Grandmaster! His cultivation had also reached the Five Qi Realm. No one knew whether he had recently achieved the Five Qi, or had long been in the Five Qi Realm. However, it was undeniable that the vigorous and domineering Qi mechanism came flooding in like a vast ocean, comparable to Jiang Shang if not even three parts stronger. Xiao Qianqiu stamped his foot, and the ground beneath him seemed to transform into a galaxy, with lightning flashing around him. The originally dim night sky brightened up, with the stars above bursting into dazzling light. Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, Yao Guang. The Big Dipper shone interactively, casting rays of light. Xiao Qianqiu entered into Heavenly Human Communication, resonating a bit with heaven and earth, causing his Qi mechanism to surge again. Each gesture and movement was a pressurizing force overwhelming the ordinary Grandmasters, making them choke. Boom! A beam of starlight, like an arrow, heavily descended towards An Jing. An Jing swept away the exploding starlight with one sword strike. The longsword in his hands turned into a beam of cold light, heading straight towards Xiao Qianqiu. Fast! Incredibly fast! None present, except for Xiao Qianqiu, could clearly see the elegance and brilliance of that sword strike. In the blink of an eye, the sword was already in front of Xiao Qianqiu. An Jing also gave his all, operating both Heavenly Human Communication and Immortal Sword techniques at once. Instantly, the Dulu Sword unleashed a terrifying sword qi that surged like an incessant tide. Numerous sharp sword lights surged layer upon layer, each beam of cold light chilling to the core, stirring the soul. Xiao Qianqiu gathered his True Qi in his palm and struck forward. Bang! The palm imprint surged forward, with a booming sound resounding. Boom! The terrifying sword light and palm imprint, like meteors streaking across the sky, fiercely collided at that moment. The visible ripples and waves almost exploded instantaneously, causing continuous buzzing tremors in the clouds above the Imperial City. The air near the palm imprint and sword light showed slight distortions. The terrifying rebounding force swept over like a tsunami, completely engulfing An Jing¡¯s body. However, his ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± had already reached Perfection, and surprisingly, the seemingly destructive force qi did not cause him any harm. ¡°How terrifying is this body!?¡± ¡°What kind of Body Refining Martial Arts does this swordsman practice, that he can even block such a vast tide of True Qi?¡± ¡°Heavens! It¡¯s truly terrifying!¡± ¡­¡­ Several Grandmasters who had escaped from Heavenly Prison saw this and were utterly horrified, their eyes filled with immense shock. To know the strength the young man had just displayed was already astonishing, but who could have imagined his body was also so terrifying!? Swish! Just as An Jing steadied his body, Xiao Qianqiu was already enveloping him again with an immense majestic force. A swath of azure light emerged, eerier than the blackness of the night, pitch dark. An Jing slightly stepped back, pointing forward with his finger, as if a cluster of flames had sprung up, emerging and encircling around him like a fierce sea of fire. Then An Jing clapped his hands together, and suddenly, numerous purple-golden True Qi currents rushed towards his index finger, condensing into an extremely bright and dazzling light. ¡°I had long heard that you cultivated an extremely domineering Body Refinement Martial Art, it seems it is indeed true,¡± Xiao Qianqiu said with a smile, watching An Jing choosing to clash directly with him. With An Jing at the center, a terrifying domineering presence spread out. All the experts around started trembling from within. Nine Yang Divine Finger! Phoenix Facing Phoenix! An Jing pointed forward, and immediately, heaven and earth trembled. Purple rays of light dazzled the sky, and amidst it, a streak of shattered starlight, akin to a falling meteor and surrounded by domineering purple flames, fiercely collided with the azure light. The Nine Yang Divine Finger combined with Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique had already maximized the potential of both Martial Arts to the fullest. Bang! Bang! Bang! The blue-purple light and the azure light collided, forming a massive mushroom cloud at their center that shook heaven and earth, sweeping across all directions. An Jing felt a shock throughout his body, sensing an ethereal and vast Qi mechanism assaulting his divine soul, instantly causing his body to flutter backward several steps. He couldn¡¯t help but be inwardly alarmed, ¡°Such a formidable ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯.¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s brows deeply furrowed as he raised his left palm and struck his own right arm¡¯s Kui Guan acupoint. Smack! Instantly, the pale golden True Qi within his arm¡¯s meridians was sealed by his vigorous True Qi, but the pale gold was extremely domineering. No matter what, it could not be extinguished and continued to move around in Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s arm. Whoosh! The pale golden True Qi continued to surge violently, completely devouring Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s entire arm¡¯s meridians before it subsided. The ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ can already refine True Qi, and after being refined with True Dragon Essence Blood, the True Qi became even more overbearing, nearly comparable to Qin Shan¡¯s Innate True Qi. If it were an ordinary person facing such overbearing True Qi now, they might have no way to contend, but Xiao Qianqiu had cultivated the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯, which was beyond the level of Heavenly Martial Martial Arts. Moreover, his understanding of the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ was extremely profound, having already reached the Taiqing Realm, and his True Qi had also been refined. As Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s True Qi struck out, although it didn¡¯t eliminate An Jing¡¯s True Qi, it suppressed it. Xiao Qianqiu reacted extremely quickly, suppressing it and then immediately launching his own attack. The surrounding purple Qi mechanism surged, drawing in the Big Dipper stars above the night sky. A thunderous sound echoed, and high above, it was as if endless muffled thunder roared through, An Jing slightly raised his head, only to see numerous meteors suddenly falling from the sky. These meteors fell fiercely, their immense presence seemingly poised to destroy any obstruction in their path completely. Boom! Boom! Boom! Seeing this, An Jing knew that Xiao Qianqiu, who was attacking with all his might, was not someone to be underestimated. The mighty Purple Mountain True Qi surged from his Qi Sea, boundless and spreading everywhere. In an instant, behind An Jing appeared a towering wave of True Qi that seemed higher and more majestic than the clouds, followed by all the waves being stirred, rushing towards the fingertip of An Jing. Heavenly Human Communication! Both of them were harnessing the power of heaven and earth, and their ability to draw on this force was evenly matched, clearly showing that both had profound insight into Heavenly Human Communication. An Jing remained composed and again executed the Nine Yang Divine Finger, this time unleashing its full power. In the terrifyingly exceptional ¡®Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡¯, that finger¡¯s force reached an extreme. Supreme Profound Divine Finger! Pointing Qiankun! An Jing again blasted out with the same finger strike. In an instant, the jade columns in the sky also surged, heading towards the myriad of starlights. In the air, a series of sharp, exploding ripples emerged. Xu Qianyue gently stroked her long sword, muttering to herself, ¡°It¡¯s hard to imagine that such a prodigy exists in this era.¡± As the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, Xu Qianyue naturally had received the news early on and had rushed to the Imperial Palace to provide protection. Meng Zhaodou nodded, ¡°Indeed, the things of this world are so miraculous and inconceivable.¡± He still remembered the first time he met Ghost Swordsman; back then, he was in the First Grade Heavenly Flower Realm. Now, two years had passed, and he himself was still in the One Qi Realm, while Ghost Swordsman had already reached the peak of the Four Qi Realm, his sword having slain two Five Qi Grandmasters. Xu Qianyue said, ¡°State Preceptor has met his match, but in my estimation, the State Preceptor has not yet put forth his full effort.¡± Meng Zhaodou intoned solemnly, ¡°Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Sword Dao also hasn¡¯t been fully unleashed.¡± Regarding the ongoing struggle, they didn¡¯t dare to comment or speculate; who could know the true victor until the very end? Thrumming! The jade columns and the myriad starlights collided violently in the dark, oppressive sky, immediately producing a remarkably brilliant blaze of light that illuminated the clouds directly above the Imperial City. Just at that moment, An Jing suddenly felt a strong sense of imminent danger and immediately looked in the direction from which the sensation came. He saw Xiao Qianqiu standing above with an indifferent expression, coldly looking down at An Jing. And in his left palm was a hint of strange green spectral light, that streak of green light vigorous, as if it could obliterate the entire Imperial City with just a touch. An Jing, seeing the green spectral light in Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s hand, couldn¡¯t help but feel a jolt in his heart, followed immediately by a calm settling into his mind. Xiao Qianqiu definitely was not as simple as he appeared on the surface, giving him a sense of danger at this moment. Because of the Heavenly Human Communication and the cultivation of the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture,¡¯ his strength was definitely above Jiang Shang, and by not just a little bit. He could almost compare to Zongzheng Huachun, one of the most top-notch Five Qi Grandmasters. An Jing licked his lips, looking ahead, as the True Qi inside his body surged endlessly into his meridians. Countless waves of True Qi swept towards him like a tidal wave, and An Jing stepped forward, his robes fluttering wildly like spilled ink, then he swung his Dulu Sword forward. At this moment, An Jing¡¯s aura had already surged to the highest point of cultivation, as if all the True Qi in his body had been drained. Yet, he remained unaffected, his heart as still as water, facing forward silently, letting the breeze brush against him. Thrumming! Thrumming! The whole world seemed to be enveloped in darkness that shrouded the sky, followed by countless lights emerging from the heavens, extraordinarily commanding and dazzling in the dark land. Selfless Dao! Each light transformed into a sword light, heavily striking down towards Xiao Qianqiu below. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This was An Jing¡¯s self-created Sword Dao, also inspired by his understanding of the Seventh Realm, although this Sword Dao hadn¡¯t allowed him to break through to the Seventh Realm. Yet, this move had slain many master experts, demonstrating the sharpness of this Sword Dao. For a swordsman, the matters of the world are but the affair of a sword. The affairs of the world are as numerous as hairs on an ox, so the swordsman¡¯s sword falls like rain. How many times can one use a sword to kill a person? ¡­¡­ Chapter 365 - Chapter 365 Chapter 265 The Sword of the Sword Immortal Slays Chapter 365: Chapter 265: The Sword of the Sword Immortal Slays Shenxiao Chapter 365: Chapter 265: The Sword of the Sword Immortal Slays Shenxiao Xiao Qianqiu watched as the sword light rushed towards him, recalling the fantasy that appeared after the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror shattered. At the time of the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror¡¯s shattering, it contained a cycle of reincarnation, a cycle concerning the passage of time. Xiao Qianqiu was fortunate enough to witness the residual shadows left on the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror, which also allowed him to grasp a thread concerning some of the fundamentals of this world. The founding ancestor of the Mystical Sect once said in the ancient texts of the sect, ¡°Upper Qing ends at sixteen, Jade Qing ends at fifteen, and Taiqing ends at fourteen.¡± Two thousand one hundred years later, there will be a great change in the world. What this vaguely described great change actually is, successive generations of Sect Leaders and esteemed figures of the Mystical Sect dare not rashly predict, but they also have their conjectures. It is very likely related to the Age of Dharma Decline mentioned in the Buddhist scriptures. Now, as nature¡¯s spiritual energy becomes thinner and evil spirits¡¯ strength grows more dominant, it seems to herald the arrival of the Age of Dharma Decline, the day of the great catastrophe¡¯s emergence. Legend has it that in a distant era, nature¡¯s spiritual energy was abundant, there were countless Grandmasters, and Great Grandmasters were everywhere. There were even rumors of Immortals appearing in the world. Later, for unknown reasons, all Immortals above the Great Grandmaster realm disappeared. Some say they went to the Heavenly Palace Immortal Court, others say they went beyond this realm, and yet others believe that all of this is nothing but fabricated assumptions, that Immortals never appeared from the beginning. As for the remote antiquity, various ancient texts and historical records are full of different claims, with no one able to provide definitive evidence. However, at some point, it is true that nature¡¯s spiritual energy began to thin. The Buddhist doctrine spoke of an Age of Dharma Decline, which, according to Buddhist teachings, foretells a time when no one in the human world will possess great divine skills. Not only will Great Grandmaster experts completely become legends, but even those at the Master Realm will do so as well, possibly leaving behind only those at the First Grade. From then on, people will no longer be able to find the realm of Longevity. Having experienced a cycle of reincarnation within the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror, Xiao Qianqiu had witnessed firsthand the pinnacle of nature¡¯s spiritual energy to its current state nearing the Age of Dharma Decline. He saw the changes of history, the passage of years, and the transformations of the world. Thus, the sword Dao before him is just one of the many vicissitudes of the world. In his view, no matter how sharp or vast a sword may be, it is just another span in the changing tide of the world, unable to escape the laws of all things. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s palm radiated with the jade-colored brilliance of glazed glass, facing the incoming chaotic sword light without choosing to retreat, but instead, he advanced directly towards it. An Jing¡¯s expression was calm as an ancient well, his Dulu Sword thrusting forward. The next moment, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s fingers miraculously caught the Dulu Sword in front of him. This State Preceptor was never known for his physical strength, but that did not mean he was incapable. Not only had he practiced Body Refining Martial Arts, he had taken them to an extreme. Instantly, the ground around the two men caved in deeply, with strands of Qi Mechanism encircling them, resembling dragons of varying colors. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s face was expressionless, purple lightning weaving between the fingers holding the Dulu Sword. This was the Palm Thunder divine skill from the ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture¡±, an extraordinary secret technique that draws a surge of True Yang True Qi from the ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture¡± to the palm, where it sketches a seal to summon the power of heaven and earth, amplifying the force at the center of the hand in an instant. An Jing¡¯s sword light was tumultuous and fierce beyond compare. A glint of light appeared in Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s eyes as he squeezed his hand, and the thunderous force, like a dragon, traveled along the blade of the Dulu Sword immediately towards An Jing¡¯s hand. ¡°Crackle! Crackle!¡± An Jing¡¯s hand instantly showed signs of charring, and even white smoke emerged, but he managed to return to normal in an instant by channeling the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique. An Jing ignored the lightning coursing over his hand and the accompanying pain, taking a large step forward. With each step An Jing took, Xiao Qianqiu was pushed back a step. The two of them, in their advance and retreat, had reached the edge of the Taihe Palace. Xiao Qianqiu was well aware that even if he took ten thousand steps back, he would not grow tired, but continuously retreating would put him at a disadvantage in terms of momentum against the Ghost Swordsman. And in a duel between top experts, that could prove to be the deadliest factor. So, he could not retreat any longer, nor was it even an option to do so. Boom! Xiao Qianqiu pushed forward, and the grand Qi Mechanism surged toward the raging sword light, exploding in an instant. An Jing and Xiao Qianqiu both staggered several steps backward simultaneously. ¡°Xiao Qianqiu really has formidable strength.¡± An Jing silently praised in his heart. Then, suddenly feeling a sense of crisis, he saw Xiao Qianqiu standing atop Taihe Palace at a distance, forming an exceptionally bizarre Seal Technique with his hands. Around him, vast and boundless True Qi, so dense it seemed like a vast ocean, caused a sense of trepidation. Xiao Qianqiu stared coldly at An Jing, then he churned his hands, and the ocean of True Qi began to roil. He had an aura of purple circulating between his brows. With a wave of his hand forward, Boom! As his palm struck out, the ocean of True Qi erupted, unleashing a storm of thunder within, the crackling sound deafening. Boom! A thunderous palm emerged, seemingly traversing the ocean of thunder to envelop everything, leaving no avenue of escape. An Jing¡¯s heart trembled at that moment, such a technique, such a momentum, all served to illustrate Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s extraordinary and fearsome nature. The strength of this State Preceptor was indeed unfathomable. The world darkened as An Jing¡¯s face took on a grave expression. He then took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and the next moment, his eyes burst open with starlight glowing within. A grandeur erupted from within him. Under that thundering darkness that blocked out the sun, An Jing stood tall, unfazed, his seemingly frail body releasing an enormous power at that moment. Noticing An Jing¡¯s sudden change in aura, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s pupils contracted slightly. He saw An Jing gripping the Dulu Sword and, behind him, a vast radiance burst forth. ¡°` For a moment, An Jing seemed to become the sun itself. Nameless Path! An Jing, with his feet firmly on the ground, burst upward like a comet. Beneath the shadow of the enormous hand that blotted out the sky, he was as tiny as an ant, yet he charged fearlessly upwards. The Dulu Sword slashed down heavily, colliding with the giant hand with a resounding crash. Hum! At the moment of the collision, the heavens and the void seemed to fall silent, without a sound. Yet, in this silence, the air where they collided was ripped open, creating giant void cracks that snaked out like the claws of a ferocious dragon, emitting vibrations that caused hearts to tremble. Boom! And still, in that silent collision, the air seemed to quiver before, suddenly, the giant hand that obscured the sun fiercely trembled, then the cracks spread quietly, and, with a loud bang, it burst apart. However, at the moment when the giant hand exploded, An Jing¡¯s Qi Force erupted behind him, striking the exquisite palace pavilions above him and reducing the incredibly durable buildings to dust in the sky. In the distance, although Xiao Qianqiu hadn¡¯t retreated, the Sky-reaching Tower at his feet similarly crumbled to dust at that moment. True Qi churned, and debris flew across the sky. ¡°Good heavens! The Qi mechanism actually shattered the void!?¡± ¡°How terrifying their strength must be!?¡± ¡°Worthy of being peerless masters, both possess the strength to vie for supremacy in the world!¡± ¡­.. The surrounding experts who saw this were greatly shaken. Such a feat as shattering the void was only recorded in history books, and without exception, all who were capable of it were Grandmaster Level experts. The masters of the moment who shattered the void were a Four Qi Grandmaster and a Five Qi Grandmaster. An Jing narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°Have you truly cultivated the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ to Perfection?¡± Xiao Qianqiu smiled faintly, ¡°Indeed.¡± The ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ was a cultivation technique that transcended those of the Heavenly Martial Level, only cultivable by a Mystical Sect Daoist Master. Throughout history, these masters were supreme geniuses, yet very few had ever cultivated the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ to a state of Perfection. Moreover, all of these individuals had cultivated for decades, if not a century. The fact that Xiao Qianqiu had acquired the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ and managed to cultivate it to Perfection in such short time, was nothing short of astonishing. An Jing¡¯s heart grew heavy, ¡°Then today¡¯s duel is indeed even more interesting.¡± Up until now, perhaps due to its incompleteness or some other reason, his ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ had always been stuck at the Seventh Layer. No matter how powerful the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ was, to say it could overpower the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ at Perfection was unlikely. Xu Qianyue exclaimed, ¡°The State Preceptor¡¯s power is truly unbelievable.¡± Bai Mei the eunuch had a grave expression on his face and his heart was in turmoil. He himself had once crossed swords with Xiao Qianqiu and was very clear about his strength. At that time, he even had a slight upper hand. However, he had to admit, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s power had completely surpassed his own now. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s body shuddered, and his True Qi surged violently. In that instant, it was as if a gigantic Star River had appeared in the heavens. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s body was like the brightest star in that Star River, shining resplendently, intensely dazzling. In his hands appeared a seal, and upon closer examination, the word ¡®Shenxiao¡¯ was inscribed at the base of the seal. The ancient texts of the Mystical Sect stated that there were nine heavenly layers, the highest being Shenxiao, which symbolizes the Thunder Department, second only to the Dutian Seal which symbolizes the Five Directions Heavenly Emperor. There are two Exotic Treasures in the Mystical Sect, one is the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror, and the other is this Shenxiao Seal. In the founding era of the Mystical Sect, the Dao Ancestor imparted three thousand Daoist arts, among them the three great Daoist skills: the Daoist Skill as the first, Pill Book as the second, and Imperial Decree Ghosts and Gods as the third. The number one among these is the Daoist Skill, which has branched into inner core cultivation, talisman art, formation techniques, Art of Calculation, and Divination. However, none are as esteemed as the Thunder Skill hailed as the foremost of all skills. Within the Mystical Sect, Thunder Skill is revered above all, with the Five Thunders Heavenly Heart True Method being the most supreme. It¡¯s because the ¡®Jade Emperor Scripture¡¯ of the Mystical Sect was divided into three that its secret techniques were lost, leading to its faded legend. But today, the number one Thunder Skill of the Mystical Sect re-emerges in the world. Xiao Qianqiu held the Shenxiao Seal in his hands and said solemnly, ¡°Xiao Qianqiu of the Mystical Sect invites the Thunder Department¡¯s righteous gods today, invokes the thirty-six Thunder Generals, heeding my call, to descend thunderous divine punishment and cleanse the filth of the Human World.¡± His voice boomed, resounding like a great bell. As his words fell, thunder roared across the nine heavens, and infinite streams of golden radiance poured down. Suddenly, the sky ripped apart, shattering like a pane of glass. Countless lightning bolts penetrated heaven and earth, shattering the void, and in the blink of an eye, coalesced into thirty-six orbs of purple lightning the size of millstones. These orbs, like thirty-six purple suns, instantly cast their light over the Taihe Palace. The sky, once dark, was now awash with light, with the brilliance growing ever more intense, blotting out the sky, the earth, the mountains¨Cnothing was visible except for the clear expanse, signifying the mighty majesty of the boundless heavenly authority represented by the endless purple aura. The blinding light, like thousands of arrows, shot directly towards An Jing. In this moment, Xiao Qianqiu, with the Shenxiao Seal and the help of Heavenly Human Communication, summoning the vast powers of heaven and earth, was nearing the unity of heaven and man. Such a mighty and grand Qi Mechanism, like the collapse of the heavens and the earth, the overturning of rivers and mountains. An Jing stood on the spot, motionless, as if he was unaware of what was happening. ¡°Danger!¡± Li Fuzhou and others who witnessed this scene felt their hearts tremble violently as if it reached their throats. Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s eyes were calm as the immense starlight converged on An Jing. In an instant, the dazzling starlight pained the onlookers¡¯ eyes, and almost instinctively, they raised their hands to shield themselves from the piercing light. ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°Swoosh!¡± ¡°` An Jing¡¯s palm struck, and immediately all the famed swords within the sword box behind him flew out, their cold aura surging forth like a dragon, unstoppable. The sky was filled with swarming sword light, obscuring the heavens, radiating and reflecting off each other, peerless. The Evil Suppressing Sword, the Dulu Sword, the Blood Tears Sword, and many other famed swords¡¯ Sword Qi merged into one, forming a giant sword. In this world, nothing is absolute, nor is anyone invincible, but a top-notch swordsman, within three feet of his sword, is undefeatable. If the union of these many famed swords into one Sword was already trembling the hearts of onlookers, then An Jing himself was a supreme famed sword. At this moment, his sword was more than just three feet. In his duel with Jiang Shang, An Jing forgot the sword, becoming the sword himself, and today, in his fight with Xiao Qianqiu, he had already mastered this technique. He was a supreme Divine Sword, one that could pierce through the entire world. For a swordsman, all the radiance of his life was in his sword. At this moment, that sword was dazzling and resplendent. Boom! Boom! Boom! It was seen that centered on An Jing, the void tore open and True Qi exploded, as if the entire heavens and earth were distorting. In this moment, other than the two combatants, all the nearby experts felt their heads splitting, as if their brains were about to explode. ¡°Back away!¡± Bai Mei the eunuch¡¯s brow furrowed, as he coldly shouted out to those around him. Before the words of Bai Mei the eunuch fell, the surrounding experts had already rushed away madly to a distance. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! The exploding True Qi surged wildly, and at once, the buildings beyond the central great hall of the Taihe Palace were leveled to the ground, turning into nothingness. Crack crack crack crack crack! The surrounding void was showing one crack after another, as if it was completely twisted. Seeing this scene from a distance, everyone felt a chill in their hearts and their scalps numbed. The two fought again, distorting the void, and this time, the opening was larger than before, which was sufficient to illustrate the terrifying strength of both individuals. The masters who had stabilized themselves all looked up, wanting to see for themselves who would win this battle today. Just at that moment, a figure slowly emerged from the cracks in the void, surrounded by moonlight, standing out starkly within the black rift in the void. ¡°Xiao Qianqiu!¡± ¡°That person is Xiao Qianqiu!¡± Within the crowd, a few Grandmasters couldn¡¯t help exclaiming upon seeing that person, and then a roaring sound like a mountain flood echoed in all directions. ¡°Has the Ghost Swordsman been defeated?¡± ¡°It seems that the battle today has already been decided.¡± ¡­¡­.. The crowd was abuzz with speculation, knowing the moment Xiao Qianqiu appeared, the tide of this battle significant enough to enter the annals of Great Yan history had been determined. Xiao Qianqiu, expressionless, looked at the ruins ahead, not a trace of joy in his eyes; suddenly, his throat quivered, then his face flushed red. ¡°Wow!¡± Xiao Qianqiu swayed as if he were about to fall at any moment. He steadied himself, looked at his palm, on which there was still a sword mark, ¡°Within three feet of the sword, invincible under the heavens, indeed so.¡± Silence! The world was silent! The crowd all opened their mouths wide, each one of them shocked and unsettled. What exactly was happening? Hadn¡¯t Xiao Qianqiu won? Meanwhile, a white-clothed figure slowly stepped out from amidst the dust, looking indifferently at Xiao Qianqiu ahead. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman has won.¡± It took a while before Bai Mei the eunuch finally exhaled slowly and said. The words of Bai Mei the eunuch struck hard in the hearts of the people, followed by murmurs of discussion among them. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman won?¡± ¡°Another Five Qi Grandmaster has fallen to his hands, and this one is Xiao Qianqiu of all people.¡± ¡°With his current strength, how terrifying would it be if he reached the Five Qi level?¡± ¡°At an age of just over twenty, he is already the top expert of Great Yan, one can hardly imagine his future achievements.¡± ¡°It seems Jianghu may be in his hands for decades to come.¡± ¡­¡­.. Everyone was astonished, and the buzz of discussion could no longer be contained, echoing all around. The duel between the Ghost Swordsman and Xiao Qianqiu was of great importance, deciding not only the title of the greatest master in Great Yan but also concerning the life and death of everyone present, who would wield power in the Great Yan Dynasty tomorrow, and even the future fate of the Dynasty. An Jing said calmly, ¡°State Preceptor, thank you for your indulgence.¡± At that moment, he held the Dulu Sword in his left hand and the Evil Suppressing Sword in his right, the two strongest swords in the world were in An Jing¡¯s hands. Who else in the world could be his opponent? At this moment, An Jing¡¯s expression remained undisturbed, while Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s face was creased with layers of wrinkles. Xiao Qianqiu gently wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his face void of any anger or sadness, just calmly staring at the youth before him. In his eyes, the vision of Heaven Gate emerged once again. It was only after a long while that Xiao Qianqiu stretched out his hand, pulled out a scroll from his bosom, and threw it to An Jing, saying, ¡°As you wish.¡± An Jing took the scroll, feeling a stir in his heart. This scroll was precisely the last volume of the Jade Emperor Scripture mental method, the ¡°Beidou Seven Stars Technique¡±. ¡­.. In the Taihe Palace. After receiving news of the Great Yan Dynasty¡¯s Jade Seal, Zhao Chongyin led many experts to rush into the Imperial City, determined to obtain the Jade Seal before Zhao Xuening could get her hands on it. As the current Crown Prince, if he held the Jade Seal, he would be the rightful heir and the legitimate ruler of the Great Yan Dynasty. The Taihe Palace was still as majestic and splendid as before, shimmering with gold, but the flattering officials and generals were gone. ¡°Brother, you¡¯ve indeed come,¡± Zhao Chongyin said as he entered the Taihe Palace and immediately saw a figure sitting on the Dragon Throne in the empty Golden Throne Hall. This person was none other than Zhao Xuening. At this moment, there was no one else beside her but two old maids. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s brows furrowed as he snapped, ¡°You have some nerve, daring to commit such an act of insubordination, sitting on the Dragon Throne without permission.¡± Zhao Xuening smiled and asked, ¡°Brother, don¡¯t you wish to sit here?¡± Zhao Chongyin said, ¡°I am the Crown Prince. Since the Emperor has passed, I naturally should take over the court affairs.¡± ¡°That may not be the case, brother,¡± Zhao Xuening rebutted. She inquired, ¡°Before the Emperor passed, he left an Imperial Decree. Don¡¯t you want to see what it is?¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongyin demanded immediately, ¡°Hand over the Imperial Decree!¡± Zhao Xuening replied, ¡°The Imperial Decree is not on me.¡± Zhao Chongyin said coldly, ¡°It seems you do not wish to hand it over.¡± Obviously, he didn¡¯t believe Zhao Xuening¡¯s words. Zhao Xuening sighed and said, ¡°Brother, you truly don¡¯t believe me. The Imperial Decree is really not with me. It¡¯s in eunuch Fan¡¯s hands. I would like to see it too, but¡­¡­¡± Zhao Chongyin narrowed his eyes, cutting off Zhao Xuening¡¯s words, ¡°In that case, we need not bother with the Imperial Decree. The Emperor has passed, and he was the sovereign of the previous era; he can¡¯t interfere with the affairs of this one.¡± ¡°I, the Crown Prince, will now take control of the Imperial Palace. I might as well ascend to the throne and proclaim myself Emperor today.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyebrows knitted, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to speak such words when Father¡¯s body isn¡¯t even cold yet.¡± Throughout history, no emperor has ever ascended to the throne on the day of their predecessor¡¯s death. This was a grave disrespect! ¡°The Emperor? He was such a good father to me,¡± Zhao Chongyin said with a sneer at the corner of his mouth and a chilling light in his eyes. ¡°Would Zhao Chongyin have to struggle this hard if it wasn¡¯t for him?¡± ¡°Ever since I was young, he didn¡¯t like me. And as I grew up, he even supported Zhao Mengtai in the court to oppose me. How did Zhao Mengtai end up? Colluding with Houjin and plotting to kill him!¡± With the death of Zhao Zhiwu, the great weight upon his shoulders had dissipated. At this moment, Zhao Chongyin was like a wild beast released from a cage, his eyes devoid of any emotion but hatred. Zhao Xuening¡¯s lips parted as she said, ¡°Don¡¯t you know why Father treated you this way?¡± Zhao Chongyin dismissed her dismissively, ¡°Do you think I need to know?¡± Zhao Xuening shook her head and said earnestly, ¡°Brother, you need to know. It will help you die with more peace of mind.¡± When Zhao Chongyin heard the word ¡®die¡¯ from Zhao Xuening¡¯s mouth, his pupils abruptly contracted, and he felt an inexplicable chill in his heart. But he quickly adjusted his emotions and laughed mockingly, ¡°You can kill me?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhao Xuening nodded seriously, ¡°Yes, I can!¡± ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Zhao Chongyin laughed uncontrollably as if he¡¯d heard the funniest joke in the world. Yet Zhao Xuening¡¯s expression remained unchanged, just quietly observing her brother. ¡­¡­ Chapter 366 - Chapter 366 Chapter 266 The Evil King Emerges with Blood Chapter 366: Chapter 266: The Evil King Emerges with Blood Lighting the Sky Chapter 366: Chapter 266: The Evil King Emerges with Blood Lighting the Sky Zhao Chongyin burst into laughter a few times, perhaps tired of laughing, he looked at Zhao Xuening and said, ¡°Then tell me, why should Father Emperor do this?¡± Zhao Xuening took a deep breath and said, ¡°Everything Father Emperor has done is to protect you.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongyin immediately sneered, ¡°Protect me! To let Zhao Mengtai and me vie for the throne, to protect me by planning to depose me?¡± He completely dismissed Zhao Xuening¡¯s words with scoffing disdain. ¡°Exactly, Father Emperor did all this to protect you. It¡¯s pitiful that you always pride yourself on being smart, but you¡¯re so confused in the face of this matter. That must be why Father Emperor is disappointed in you.¡± Zhao Xuening stared straight at Zhao Chongyin and asked, ¡°Do you know how Empress Ci Ning initially died?¡± Empress Ci Ning, the first empress of Zhao Zhiwu and the mother of Zhao Chongyin, had supposedly died of illness. Her death had caused quite a stir throughout the Great Yan Dynasty, and not long after her death, a son she had borne also died of illness. This deceased princely heir was Zhao Chongyin¡¯s elder imperial brother. Zhao Chongyin snorted lightly and said, ¡°Mother was ill, what is there to talk about?¡± Zhao Xuening shook his head and said, ¡°Empress Ci Ning didn¡¯t die of illness; she was murdered.¡± Zhao Chongyin furrowed his brow and asked, ¡°Who killed her?¡± Zhao Xuening said, ¡°Father Emperor killed her.¡± A flicker of astonishment flashed through Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes, ¡°Father Emperor!?¡± Zhao Zhiwu actually killed his own mother? Zhao Xuening took a deep breath and began to explain, ¡°Empress Ci Ning was a top spy planted by the Black Ice Platform beside Father Emperor, but her identity was accidentally exposed. At that time, for the safety of the Great Yan Imperial Family, Father Emperor interrogated Empress Ci Ning, and when she said nothing, ashamed to the core, she hanged herself in the palace. To prevent the news from leaking, and to silence anyone else, Father Emperor killed all the eunuchs and palace maids in the empress¡¯s chambers at that time.¡± Upon hearing Zhao Xuening¡¯s words, Zhao Chongyin was shocked as if struck by a bolt from the blue. His own mother was actually a spy implanted in the Great Yan Imperial Family by the Black Ice Platform, an incredibly shocking and unbelievable revelation. If it were someone else, they might not believe Zhao Xuening¡¯s words. However, as Zhao Chongyin thought over the years, he found some occurrences and hints that matched up perfectly with what Zhao Xuening said, and some of his doubts were thus resolved. After a long while, Zhao Chongyin finally came to his senses, his eyebrows knitting as he looked at Zhao Xuening and asked, ¡°How do you know all this?¡± Zhao Xuening said, ¡°Father Emperor told me.¡± Zhao Chongyin, puzzled, asked, ¡°Then what does Father Emperor mean by protecting me?¡± Zhao Xuening slowly said, ¡°Father Emperor alienates you partly because he doesn¡¯t want to see you assassinated by foreign masters. You should know how many outstanding princes of the Great Yan Royal Family have been assassinated. Empress Ci Ning¡¯s first-born, your own biological brother, died by assassination. On the other hand, it¡¯s a test for you because of your special identity. To obtain the throne of our Great Yan Imperial Family, you not only need his approval but also the approval of our ancient Zhao ancestors.¡± Zhao Chongyin was rather astonished, ¡°A test?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Zhao Xuening nodded and said, ¡°Father Emperor not only gave you a test, but he also set a test for your second brother, Zhao Mengtai. It seems you really don¡¯t understand Father Emperor. Survival of the fittest is the standard Father Emperor uses to choose his successor.¡± ¡°Just like the Gu insects raised by the Southern Barbarians, the true Gu insect is the one that survives numerous battles and remains alive at the end. The throne of our Great Yan is the same.¡± Zhao Chongyin thought of something and asked, ¡°So, had I died at Zhong Mountain, the position of Crown Prince might have gone to Zhao Mengtai? The future Great Yan Emperor could be him?¡± Zhao Xuening shook his head and said, ¡°Second Brother¡¯s temperament isn¡¯t suited for sitting on this imperial throne. Father Emperor doesn¡¯t want him to ascend to this great position; that¡¯s just a simple test for him. Should he want to use it as a means to inherit Father Emperor¡¯s throne, he naturally needs to overthrow Father Emperor.¡± ¡°Actually, Father Emperor is well aware of your private actions, all too clear and thorough.¡± Zhao Mengtai died, merely as a young Gu being raised, it should be known that he was Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s most favored prince. After all, Zhao Zhiwu remains that same cold-hearted and ruthless Zhao Zhiwu. Zhao Xuening made one mistake, Zhao Chongyin doesn¡¯t misunderstand Zhao Zhiwu, he understands him very well, only he didn¡¯t comprehend the depth of Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s intentions. Zhao Chongyin pondered for a moment and then shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in these things you¡¯re telling me; what are you really trying to say?¡± ¡°Big brother, oh big brother, don¡¯t you understand?¡± Zhao Xuening whispered, ¡°Right now, to you, I am a test, and to me, you are also a test. To obtain Father Emperor¡¯s throne, clearing all obstacles ahead is naturally the way forward.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s gaze turned icy, ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you¡¯re my obstacle.¡± ¡°Brother, you¡¯re right.¡± Zhao Xuening slowly stood up, patted the Dragon Throne and said, ¡°Kill me, and you can sit upon this Dragon Throne.¡± The experts behind Zhao Chongyin, upon hearing this, all flashed a hint of chill in their eyes. These people included not only the Jianghu masters Zhao Chongyin had recruited but also the top experts from the Heavenly Prison, among them even one who was imprisoned in the deepest part of the Heavenly Prison, whom even Zhao Zhiwu was quite wary of. Zhao Chongyin calmly said, ¡°I want her dead!¡± As the words fell, a fresh, boiling blood light accompanied by a foul smell emerged in the Taihe Palace. Following the blood light, a black river of blood surged out from among the crowd, the viscous blood flowing like a great river, twisting and turning, filled with a brutal and ferocious aura, chilling to the bone. One of the old palace maids upon seeing this felt a chill in her heart and said, ¡°Your Highness Princess, they are all top experts from the Heavenly Prison, and that blood light is the infamous Evil King Meng Hao.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyebrows were furrowed tightly. She was well aware that Heavenly Prison held many grandmasters, some of whom the Royal Family intended to recruit for their loyalty, while others were imprisoned because they could not be killed. The name of Evil King Meng Hao was indeed famous throughout the world, having caused massive slaughter in Zhao Country and subsequently pursued by the Black Ice Platform. Initially, the Black Ice Platform had dispatched three Three Qi Grandmasters, two Four Qi Grandmasters, and one Five Qi Grandmaster. Despite such a formidable force, they failed to kill him, severely injuring him, but he still managed to escape from the territory of Zhao Country. Likewise, when he later arrived in Yan Country, his hands were again stained with blood. Royal martial experts, the Mystical Sect Sect Leader Ye Ding, and Outer Heaven Jun Qinglin, among many other masters, surrounded him, yet he ultimately vanished into Jianghu. Some said he died surrounded by many masters, others said he had retired from Jianghu, but nobody knew that this famous Evil King was actually imprisoned in the Great Yan Heavenly Prison. ¡°Princess, quickly leave!¡± The two elderly maids saw this and hurriedly shielded Zhao Xuening behind them, fully aware that they might not stand a chance, yet still they protected Zhao Xuening. Zhao Chongyin also had a cold smile on his lips. What could the Imperial Guards possibly account for in front of Heavenly Prison masters? And not all the Royal martial experts would necessarily stand by Zhao Xuening¡¯s side. These Royal martial experts served the Royal Family, not individuals, and considering he was the Crown Prince, they would have to think carefully. ¡°Do not worry, Princess.¡± Just then, a voice sounded, and a young man in white appeared outside the palace with a sword in his hand. When Zhao Xuening saw who had arrived, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on her lips. He had never let anyone down. ¡°Ghost Swordsman!?¡± Upon seeing the newcomer, Zhao Chongyin¡¯s brows immediately furrowed. Taihe Palace had a great formation for protection, but he could still sense the battle outside. Now that the Ghost Swordsman had come in so composedly, it indicated that Xiao Qianqiu had been defeated. This confident, unparalleled State Preceptor had been defeated by this young man. A flicker of dissatisfaction crossed Zhao Chongyin¡¯s mind, followed by an even stronger intent to kill. Such a Ghost Swordsman, if he couldn¡¯t control, should not be allowed to remain in this world. An Jing clenched the Dulu Sword in his hand and swept it horizontally, instantly vanishing in a flash. A line of Sword Qi tore through the blood Qi engulfing the front, and the ripples of Qi energy echoed back and forth throughout the grand hall, unable to merge for a long time. This sword easily split the blood light in front into two. The next moment, a figure slid out of the blood light, gliding backward more than ten yards, with fresh blood pouring over him, gradually forming a river of blood on the ground. This scene was weird and chilling. Looking toward the figure, An Jing could not discern his face or age; the blood light also obscured his clothing and appearance, as if he were a creature made entirely of blood. After the blood river was split in two, it bizarrely did not disperse but instead gathered like countless rivers returning to the sea, reforming at the feet of the man into a pool of blood. ¡°Gulp!¡± ¡°Gulp!¡± The river of blood that was like a great river ultimately transformed into a blood pool three yards across, constantly bubbling. An Jing slowly spoke, ¡°I have heard of a cultivation technique in the world that involves peeling off one¡¯s skin completely, leaving only flesh and blood. It is extremely cruel, only those with great will can cultivate it. However, once cultivated successfully, it is profoundly mysterious, allowing one to transform into a streak of blood, formless and intangible, capable of ascension and descent, omnipotent, and can even increase one¡¯s cultivation by killing others and absorbing their Essence Blood. I thought such evil techniques had been lost for many years, yet today I have the chance to see it.¡± The masters detained in Heavenly Prison were numerous, and they were forced to consume Elixirs daily that dissipated their True Qi. Even Five Qi Grandmasters obediently allowed themselves to be imprisoned within Heavenly Prison. And then there were some whom even the Great Yan Royal Family found difficult to kill ¨C they were truly terrifying. The man before him had a more ferocious and brutal reputation than Jiang Shang. Unlike Jiang Shang, who killed out of passion, the man claiming to be Evil King Meng Hao killed solely to enhance his own strength and cultivation. Amidst the blood light, Meng Hao let out a weird laugh when he heard An Jing¡¯s words, his voice was sharp and piercing, ¡°Young lad, despite your young age, you are quite knowledgeable, not only is your strength astonishing, but your Qi mechanism is also very profound. I can¡¯t determine what path or school you belong to.¡± An Jing did not respond, but the Dulu Sword in his hand was directly pointing at Meng Hao. The chill of the World¡¯s First Sword would have already frightened any ordinary grandmaster, but Meng Hao showed no fear and laughed, ¡°I recognize this sword, it¡¯s the World¡¯s First Sword, the Dulu Sword.¡± A slight smile appeared on An Jing¡¯s lips, ¡°Since you recognize this sword, that¡¯s good.¡± ¡°Demon Sect!? No, Zhenyi Sect! No, there¡¯s also a Buddhist aura, who exactly are you?¡± Meng Hao scrutinized An Jing¡¯s Qi closely, but the more he felt it, the more shocked he became, because he could sense the best characteristics of various families within An Jing, which greatly shocked him. Zhao Chongyin remarked, ¡°He is a Demon Sect master, currently the World¡¯s First Swordsman.¡± ¡°The World¡¯s First Swordsman!?¡± Meng Hao looked at An Jing and slowly said, ¡°I did not expect someone as young as you, barely thirty, could become the World¡¯s First Swordsman. It seems you are a disciple or grand-disciple of Jun Qinglin.¡± Meng Hao knew, better than anyone, what it meant to be such a young World¡¯s First Swordsman, especially at the current verge of the Age of Dharma Decline. Thinking of this, a hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes. Knowing that Jun Qinglin had once severely wounded him was the reason he had been ultimately detained by the Great Yan Royal Family in Heavenly Prison. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Whether you know who I am is not important because you will not live to leave this place.¡± ¡°Hahahaha, even Jun Qinglin wouldn¡¯t dare to speak so boldly in front of me.¡± Meng Hao¡¯s laughter, like rolling thunder, echoed throughout the Taihe Palace and resounded across the Imperial City, filled with madness and ferocity. The instant he finished speaking, he fiercely charged forward, his arms bulging like twisting pythons, dark with the hue of blood Qi swirling around his entire arm. His arm, mountainous in its strength, furiously struck out with a palm, its overwhelming Force Qi transforming into streaks of black smoke, whipping up a wild storm that spread out and continuously generated waves of impact, rushing fiercely towards An Jing. The Innate True Qi cultivated by Qin Shan was extremely domineering, and although the Blood True Qi cultivated by Meng Hao could not match the domineering nature of the Innate True Qi, it was more ruthless, eerie, unpredictable, and hard to guard against. At this moment, the palm print carried waves of blood Qi that surged like a tide, truly leaving one unable to guard against it. In the blink of an eye, An Jing¡¯s eyes were like dry wells, and he slashed out with the Dulu Sword, his radiant light illuminating the Great Hall. An Jing stood tall like a mountain, light golden Qi flowing constantly from his arms, making it seem as if stars were shining behind him, his aura majestic and boundless, causing nearly everyone present to hold their breath. This was indeed the domineering power of the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique. Boom! Immediately, an infinite Qi Mechanism burst forth, and it seemed as if a crack appeared above them. From that crack, a cold Sword Light surged forth, effortlessly scattering the surrounding blood Qi. The handprint and the Sword Light then collided fiercely, instantly fracturing the heavens, altering the winds and clouds; countless waves of True Qi surged toward the distance, spreading and sweeping through. ¡°This child cannot be spared!¡± Meng Hao watched his own trembling hand, not only trembling at the palms but also bleeding profusely at the base of the thumb, his intention to kill intensifying. He then leapt, lunging directly towards An Jing. Nine Yang Divine Finger! Phoenix Facing Phoenix! Using his finger as a sword, An Jing pointed ahead, surrounded by towering flames, as if a phoenix bathed in fire was soaring. Instantly, the temperature in the entire Great Hall was rapidly rising. The scorching finger light burned the vast blood Qi completely clean, leaving none behind. Afterward, Meng Hao leaped out above the Taihe Palace. An Jing immediately followed in pursuit. An old nursemaid beside Zhao Xuening whispered, ¡°Princess, the Ghost Swordsman has been through two battles and may be exhausted. Zhao Chongyin has colluded with the masters of the Heavenly Prison, we better leave quickly.¡± An Jing was highly capable, but having already fought a battle against Xiao Qianqiu, as long as Meng Hao could hold him off, the Ghost Swordsman would undoubtedly lose, hence her worry. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving.¡± Zhao Xuening glanced at the Dragon Throne and then at An Jing, her tone firm. Seeing the fierce battle, Zhao Chongyin¡¯s heart also turned cold, he waved his hand and said, ¡°Take down Zhao Xuening.¡± The masters behind him, armed with swords and spears, all robust in Qi Mechanism, now looked at Zhao Xuening like wolves eyeing their food, their eyes filled with cruelty and ferocity. Just then, a mass of purple True Dragon Qi emerged within the Imperial Palace. This True Dragon Qi surged directly towards the several masters rushing at Zhao Xuening, turning them into mists of blood, ¡°Quickly leave! This is the True Dragon Qi of the Great Yan Royal Family.¡± ¡°Only those protected by the True Dragon Qi remain unharmed. We must leave Taihe Palace now!¡± ¡­¡­ Seeing this scene, all the masters present frantically fled toward the exterior of the Taihe Palace. Even the two old nursemaids were hit by the True Dragon Qi entering their bodies, and had they not reacted swiftly, they might have died there in the Taihe Palace. Taihe Palace was a river of blood, yet it soon regained a moment of peace. Only Zhao Xuening and Zhao Chongyin, both protected by the True Dragon Qi of the Zhao family, remained. Atop Taihe Palace, the battle was raging. The royal masters hiding at a distance silently watched the spectacle. An Jing suddenly raised his arm, and his Dulu Sword seemed to spew endless flames, then he slashed toward Meng Hao¡¯s back. Without needing to see with his eyes, the searing heat on his back alarmed Meng Hao. He extended his hand forward, and a blood-colored chain appeared in his hand. Clang clang clang! The crisp sound accompanied by the flowing of Blood True Qi further stimulated the senses. This was indeed Meng Hao¡¯s famed weapon, the Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain. ¡°Go!¡± Meng Hao swung his arm, then that blood-colored long chain, carrying a chilling murderous aura like a wild giant snake, swung from the flank and fiercely rushed towards An Jing¡¯s body. Boom! The monstrous blood-colored chains swept through the air, causing the air to scatter away and the true qi to be horribly compressed, producing deafening noises. An Jing seemed unperturbed by the Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain on his left, continuing his assault towards Meng Hao. ¡°Arrogant!¡± Meng Hao could tell, An Jing was clearly aiming for a mutual downfall, intent on injuring both himself and Meng Hao, but how could his Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain be an ordinary weapon? It could almost be considered an exotic treasure. The moment it would come into contact with An Jing, he could almost imagine An Jing being minced into pieces of shattered bones. However, at that instant, An Jing¡¯s body exuded a domineering aura that seemed to solidify. Meng Hao¡¯s prized Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain was immediately scattered by the shock, as if it had encountered something extremely terrifying that did not dare to encroach even slightly. Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique! This was a cultivation technique that surpassed the Heavenly Martial Level Martial Arts, and with An Jing having perfected it, its power was naturally staggering. Even for Meng Hao, who had ascended to the status of a Five Qi Grandmaster, the possibility of approaching An Jing relying solely on his Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain was virtually nonexistent. Swoosh! At that moment, An Jing¡¯s sword slashed down, creating waves of true qi that frantically dispersed to the sides as the blade passed. Meng Hao watched An Jing, resembling a Sword Immortal with his imposing giant sword, his pupils shrinking suddenly. Unknowingly, a terror spread through his heart. Ding ding ding ding!!! A series of dazzling sparks burst forth, followed by the sound of a metal clash tearing through the air. An Jing¡¯s sword struck directly upon the Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain, which coiled and twisted like a seized snake, writhing frantically. Swish! Swish! By this time, An Jing had already closed in on Meng Hao at close quarters, his arm turning as the sword light slashed directly down at Meng Hao. Fast! Too fast! At that moment, Meng Hao was completely unprepared. Seeing An Jing suddenly rush over, he instinctively gathered all his true qi in front of him. Splat! An Jing¡¯s heavy sword came chopping down, and the true qi Meng Hao had just set up seemed to be split by the sword, as if it had melted, then split right into two. ¡°Rip!¡± Meng Hao¡¯s body retreated again and again, his clothes torn by the sword light, his body swaying with the wind as if he could fall at any moment. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it, I can¡¯t take down a junior today,¡± the once glorious Evil King roared lowly. The next moment, the blood pool underfoot suddenly trembled violently, and a horrifying scene unfolded. Nine immense blood pythons emerged from the pool like nine long whips, wildly striking the Dulu Sword Qi. An Jing twisted his wrist, sending waves of sword qi toward Meng Hao like a storm. Blood qi against sword qi, the two frantically rubbing, hissing, and burning made countless blood-colored fumes rise, then the fumes turned into blood rain, raining down from the sky. For a moment, the scene above the Taihe Palace was truly a violent storm of blood. Any area touched by the blood rain was corroded, leaving ravines crisscrossed and a sight of complete desolation. The blood mist around Meng Hao gradually dissipated, his face intermittently visible, though covered and enveloped in blood water, still vaguely revealing the shape of his facial features, continuously distorting, extremely ferocious. An Jing had never seen a ghost, but at this moment, looking at Meng Hao, he felt that this man was neither human nor ghost, even no less than any evil spirit. This was a true descent into demonic possession, irrational. Meng Hao continuously uttered nonsensical ramblings, his steps retreating continuously. An Jing did not waste any more time with him. With a wave of his hand, several flying swords transformed into an overwhelming surge of sword qi sweeping out. Meng Hao stepped on the blood pool, the blood pool transforming into nine blood pythons violently fierce, baring fangs and claws as they rushed towards An Jing. As these nine blood pythons approached An Jing, they turned into clouds of blood mist, continuously infiltrating An Jing¡¯s body and the true qi around him. His true qi, although not domineering, was exceedingly strange. Infiltrating others¡¯ qi mechanism, flesh, bones, and even internal organs, it could even affect the minds of others. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This move by Meng Hao had been unbeatable in the past; he had encountered many experts, even those of the same realm as him, whom he had easily killed by infiltrating their systems with this blood qi. But his opponent today was An Jing, a master who possessed both the incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture and the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, even the Qi of a hundred thousand shadow soldiers could hardly wear him down. ¡°Huff~!¡± An Jing operated the Nameless Heart Scripture and then exhaled a breath of stale air, the blood stains on his body condensing into chunks and shattering off him. ¡­¡­. Chapter 367 - Chapter 367 Chapter 267 A Single Sword Shatters the Evil Kings Chapter 367: Chapter 267: A Single Sword Shatters the Evil King¡¯s Body Chapter 367: Chapter 267: A Single Sword Shatters the Evil King¡¯s Body It was only then that Meng Hao realized the strength of the greatest swordsman of the age, and his brows immediately furrowed tightly. Evil King Meng Hao was extremely powerful and a genius among geniuses; both his perceptiveness and temperament were outstanding. He had a significant background, originally the senior apprentice brother of the previous Sect Leader of the Ghost Valley Sect, belonging to the true prodigies of his time. However, after taking the wrong path and cultivating the sinister and cruel ¡°Heavenly Blood Technique,¡± his character underwent a drastic change. After decades in the Heavenly Prison, his understanding of the ¡°Heavenly Blood Technique¡± deepened, not only mastering it to perfection but also pondering, researching, and enhancing it. The ¡°Heavenly Blood Technique¡± was said to point directly to the Dao, allowing one to transform from evil to righteous, opening up an alternative method of cultivation. However, this martial arts technique only existed in theory, Meng Hao¡¯s cultivation had become even more terrifying than it was years ago, and he was most accomplished in two secret techniques. One of them was the Blood Body Secret Technique, which turned his own flesh into a ¡°blood body,¡± not only formless and shapeless and highly resistant to techniques and weapons, but also indestructible as long as his Qi mechanism did not cease. It was even superior to the Buddhist indestructible Golden Body. The other secret technique was the Blood True Qi, allowing ordinary grandmasters to transform into Blood True Qi. This True Qi was unfathomable and possessed two major effects; one was to have the effect of True Yuan, refining the internal organs once to increase some life span, and the other was to erode others¡¯ True Qi, even their internal organs. It was the tens of years he had added to his lifespan and such crafty True Qi that were Meng Hao¡¯s true means to dominate the world. ¡°Indeed, not ordinary at all.¡± Despite An Jing¡¯s formidable strength, Meng Hao¡¯s heart was still not in the slightest bit of panic. In his opinion, for An Jing to have reached the Five Qi Realm at such a young age, there must have been great opportunities, blessings, and creations. All of these could propel one to the skies and advance one¡¯s cultivation indeed, but in comparison to those high-handed veterans who gradually cultivated step by step, the foundation was inevitably unstable, and the realm might not be solid. For an ordinary grandmaster, there might be some trepidation, but for him, there was no fear at all. As soon as Meng Hao finished speaking, his body transformed into a surge of blood energy that rushed toward An Jing, throwing a punch. The vast blood energy surged forth like a mountain tilting over. Boom! An Jing threw a punch without any holding back, with pale golden True Qi vibrating out, making the very air tremble. Seeing An Jing¡¯s punch coming, Meng Hao¡¯s mouth curled into a strange smile, with a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes, he threw a punch in return. Whoosh! Meng Hao¡¯s movement was extraordinary as well; his speed was like a ghost¡¯s as he appeared directly in front of An Jing. Without any hesitation, he launched a punch, and rolling True Qi surged out like a raging sea, overwhelming everything on its way toward An Jing. The strength of a top-tier Five Qi Grandmaster was unleashed by his single punch. This punch was something no ordinary Four Qi Grandmasters could block¨Cthere was only defeat and demise. The ferocious fist imprint carried a surge of True Qi like a roaring sea, shaking the very earth. Clearly, Meng Hao made his move without any mercy. The two fists collided viciously in the air; it was a sheer clash of power. Boom! As they collided, the low sound that ensued erupted immediately, with visible shockwaves wildly spreading, cracking the hard flagstone on the ground. Even grandmasters squinted their eyes, daring not to look directly at the impact. Boom! The True Qi impact wildly ravaged the area, as two figures shot backward. An Jing waved his palm continuously seven times toward the back to barely neutralize the recoil, then the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique automatically activated, surging power flushed around his body. ¡°Your strength is nothing more than this,¡± An Jing said with a faint smile, a hint of mockery in his eyes. Meng Hao across from him saw the mockery in An Jing¡¯s eyes, and his gaze grew even colder. Instantly, Meng Hao clenched his hand tightly, and majestic True Qi swept out. The Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Chain was penetrated by the True Qi, undergoing violent changes, and a dark red spear appeared in his hand. The spear was blood-like as if stained by endless blood, exuding a strange and eerie aura, and at the tip of the spear was a blood-red eye, looking extremely eerie and terrifying. Meng Hao¡¯s aura became even more imposing, the spear vibrated, and a piercing roaring sound echoed through the sky, with blood light rippling as if it was about to tear the sky apart. Whoosh! Meng Hao¡¯s figure burst out, turning into multiple afterimages. The spear shadows became like a blood-red heavy rain, overwhelming An Jing with a murderous aura spreading wide. An Jing stepped back half a step, raised the Dulu Sword in his hand, and thrust it forward, catching the overwhelming spear shadows. Bang bang bang!! With lightning-fast contacts, sparks erupted; each collision resulted in explosive True Qi impact spreading, twisting the air around them. Neither took any defensive moves, it was wholly offense against offense, an extremely eye-stimulating stance. The terrifying fluctuations of True Qi spread out in all directions, the whole Imperial City¡¯s energy suddenly surged, whipping up earth-shattering waves. ¡°Good heavens, this is too terrifying.¡± ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is so ferocious, and every time he circulates his True Qi, it seems to carry an overwhelmingly powerful might.¡± ¡°That person is also extraordinary, actually going toe to toe with the Ghost Swordsman to such an extent.¡± ¡°Do you know who he is? He is Meng Hao!¡± ¡°What, this person is actually Meng Hao?¡± ¡­¡­ The crowd all retreated, staring at the earth-shattering battle before them, shocked beyond belief. Bai Mei the eunuch took a deep breath, watching the scene in disbelief and muttered, ¡°This kid is really a freak, too terrifying.¡± Although he had known that An Jing¡¯s body was strong, still, seeing him immovable in such a storm of the fierce True Qi was very shocking. Boom! The two exchanged blows once more, An Jing¡¯s footsteps remained unchanged, while Meng Hao¡¯s feet slid across the ground backward, leaving a long trail behind. At this moment, the Meng Hao opposite had completely shed his contempt, his expression became extremely grave, and his eyes were fixed intently on An Jing as if trying to discern something. An Jing glanced at the fresh blood in his hand, his eyes slightly narrowed, reflecting a glint of sharpness. At the same time, An Jing felt the blood throughout his body suddenly speed up, as if it all surged toward his arm. Instantly, his arm became unbearably hot, as though it was on fire. An Jing said indifferently, ¡°You¡¯ve lived long enough; today should be the day you die.¡± As he finished speaking, a wild wind rose between heaven and earth, whipping up dust and stones. ¡°Who lives and who dies is yet to be known!¡± Meng Hao¡¯s eyes suddenly changed, indicative of a piercing sharpness, as he clenched his fists and crossed his arms in front of him. Boom! Behind Meng Hao, a massive Blood Pool emerged abruptly, with blood energy dispersing and spreading around, carrying with it the ultimate ferocity, violence, and cruelty. Accompanied by Meng Hao¡¯s punch, the Snow Mountain within the Blood Pool surged ferociously towards An Jing. Instantly, the heavens and the earth were filled with blood energy, as if they transformed into a heavy mountain, bearing down upon An Jing. Time was indiscernible, as if it was a single breath, and yet as if an eternity had passed. An Jing only felt a surge of blood energy ripple out, occupying his entire mind. Boom! The next instant, an indescribable aura of ferocity filled the sky and earth, as if ancient demons were awakening, causing countless people to pale. An Jing¡¯s eyes blazed crimson, and a deep voice resonated within his heart. Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique! Circulation Thirty-Six! As the deep chant erupted from within An Jing¡¯s heart, crimson ancient patterns suddenly appeared on his arm, spreading like cracks all over it, making it appear on the verge of shattering. Then his arm began to morph incessantly, radiating a gleaming light, revealing layers of starlight. Even the Dulu Sword underwent intense changes, displaying starlight within, as the utmost chill surged forth, forming a sky full of gigantic swords plunging from the heavens. Boom! The giant sword, carrying overwhelming coldness, swung down heavily, twisting the sky as the air around it exploded, and finally, with a shocking force, it clashed hard against the roaring blood energy. Thud! The collision produced a deep, ear-piercing thud, and the terrifying Qi shockwaves, like dozens of feet-high tsunami waves, swept violently in all directions. Rumbling on. The violent Qi shockwaves rampaged as if they brought with them an incessant roar of thunder. Just then, a figure pierced through the blood energy and charged towards Meng Hao, with the Dulu Sword aimed straight at Meng Hao¡¯s brow, seemingly intent on penetrating it completely. ¡°Do you think you can defeat me like this?¡± Meng Hao sneered, extending his hand, as the blood energy around him began to stream in magnificently. Unbeknownst to anyone, he had already stained the surrounding Spiritual Energy with his blood energy, and the scope was growing larger, gradually transforming into a massive Blood Lake. And there stood Meng Hao, at the center of the blood energy, atop surging blood-red waves, like a tide playboy. Under such a massive onslaught, all the experts around changed their expressions dramatically, using their True Qi to resist the surging blood energy and retreating continuously toward the distance. Taihe Palace stood in the center of the Imperial City, with countless waves of blood energy striking toward it, but upon meeting it, it was as though they encountered something terrifying, retreating far away, forming a special area. This scene shook many who saw it profoundly. The blood-red waves surged toward their target, An Jing at the center. The next moment, the blood-red wave suddenly burst apart, and a figure emerged from it, clad in white, wielding an otherworldly three-foot-long sword, standing alone at the center of the blood energy, like an Immortal. The Dulu Sword in his hand was even more terrifying than the blood energy. Seeing this, Meng Hao couldn¡¯t help feeling a trace of fear in his heart, not expecting that his blood energy hadn¡¯t harmed the Swordsman at all, but he soon calmed down. ¡°Even if my Blood True Qi cannot invade you, what of it?¡± An Jing did not speak. He simply placed his hand on the hilt of the sword and then pressed down. ¡°Crack!¡± ¡°Crack!¡± The very air seemed to compress with the sound, and then from that frightening momentum, a gigantic sword descended from the sky, its edge exceedingly cold, and its blade light emitting an intimidating chill. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Control Flying Immortal! At that moment, time itself seemed to have frozen. Meng Hao raised his head, staring in astonishment at the giant sword, feeling a tingling on his scalp and coldness creeping down his spine. Sword Control Flying Immortal, previously one of An Jing¡¯s strongest moves, but since he created the Nameless Sword Technique and the Sword Array, he had rarely used this move. Now facing the Evil King, Meng Hao from decades ago, he once again unleashed this sword technique. Time stood still in that instant. ¡°` In the blink of an eye, sixty instants passed, and in each instant, nine hundred cycles of life and death occurred. Birth and demise. An Jing watched the red light that rapidly enlarged within his pupils, every pore on his body tightening, and then his palm slowly clenched around the Dulu Sword. The vast True Qi, almost without any reservation, swept out from within An Jing¡¯s body at this moment, and then poured into the Dulu Sword in his hand. Boom! Boom! And with such a massive infusion, the patterns on the Dulu Sword shone even brighter, and an intense chill spread out from it. An Jing took a deep breath, gripping the Dulu Sword with one hand, took a step forward, raised the Dulu Sword high, and then furiously chopped it down. Boom! At the moment when the Dulu Sword was swung, the enormous sword above also harshly slashed down, the sky as if dimmed, and a torrent of sword radiance swept out with an incredibly crazed force, fiercely striking the surface of the Blood Pool. Meng Hao¡¯s eyes reflected a richness of expressions as he hurriedly waved the long spear in his hand to block the assault. With the movement of the spear, it absorbed all the blood qi from within the Blood Pool and then violently surged forward. Clang! The collision silenced heaven and earth, yet the Heaven and Earth True Qi instantly erupted into a frenzied turmoil! Boom! Boom! The raging tides of True Qi, at this moment, shot into the sky, dispersing the clouds that were still there. The stand-off between the two terrifying forces did not last long, as the sword radiance suddenly burst forth with an even more formidable force, charging through the blood qi. Meng Hao¡¯s pupils reflected the terrifying chill, and his face turned extremely frightened. He could feel An Jing¡¯s powerful True Qi attacking and realized he had almost no resistance against it. Hiss! Hiss! Wherever the sword radiance passed, the blood qi collapsed almost instantly, almost in a suppressive manner of destruction! Bang! Bang! Bang! The loud sounds of the Blood Pool¡¯s collapse echoed through the sky as the blood qi dissipated at an alarming rate. And then, Meng Hao, who was hiding within the Blood Pool, was revealed, but at this moment, his dried and pale expression spread with horror; evidently, he was somewhat unable to fathom that he was not a match for the young lad. He had underestimated An Jing¡¯s strength and overestimated his own. Although he had cultivated the ¡°Heavenly Blood Technique¡± and even enhanced it, he didn¡¯t realize he was facing such an expert. ¡°Swoosh!¡± Meng Hao, struck with terror at the scene, retreated explosively in the next moment, knowing he was at a disadvantage in the current situation. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Elder Meng?¡± However, just as he began to retreat, a coldness appeared on An Jing¡¯s face. Boom! An Jing¡¯s Dulu Sword swung out again, and the sharp sword radiance in the sky instantly streaked like lightning toward Meng Hao. Wherever the sword radiance passed, the void was torn open with a black mark. Shattering Void! At this moment, Meng Hao realized he was facing an incredibly terrifying expert whose casual actions could shatter the void, how fearsome and daunting was that? Meng Hao clenched his teeth tightly, trying to withstand this horrific attack, with True Qi surging wildly over the Blood Slaughter Bone Shattering Spear, which ignited a blood-red Qi Mechanism and firmly blocked in front of him. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Numerous sword radiance struck the blood qi barrier, causing a piercing boom that echoed between heaven and earth. Meng Hao staggered as if struck by a heavy blow, his feet skidding against the ground, and flew toward the distance. Shick! Just as he was about to steady himself, a cold longsword was placed against his neck, followed by the sword piercing through his throat. ¡°You¡­.¡± Meng Hao looked at the youth in front of him, his throat gurgling with blood, his life fading. Everyone was greatly shocked, and even though those present were top experts, they still felt a chill rush from the soles of their feet to the crown of their heads. The formidable and domineering devil of just moments ago, a top-notch expert in the world, a master with one foot in the Land Immortal Realm, was now dead like this. Everything happened too quickly, it was simply unbelievable. Even Bai Mei the eunuch, Xu Qianyue, were trembling inside, realizing why the Human Emperor was so wary of the Ghost Swordsman, even summoning him personally in the past. Too terrifying! ¡°Thump!¡± ¡°` An Jing indifferently drew the Dulu Sword from Meng Hao¡¯s throat and subsequently returned it to the sword box. Meng Hao¡¯s body fell to the ground, completely void of breath. From beginning to end, An Jing¡¯s expression remained calm and indifferent, as if he hadn¡¯t killed a world-famous Five Qi Grandmaster, but rather stepped on an ant. And this demeanor was even more shocking and alarming to others. The experts brought out of the Heavenly Prison by Zhao Chongyin all gasped in cold air, feeling as though their hearts were jumping out through their throats. Strong! Too strong! The youth before them was unexpectedly strong beyond anyone¡¯s imagination. Who could have thought that within a few short decades, such an intimidating expert would emerge amidst the turbulent world, his strength so unbelievable that it seemed incredulous. In the Heavenly Prison, even the strongest expert Meng Hao had died at the hands of the Ghost Swordsman. Given a new choice, they would rather stay in the Heavenly Prison. ¡°I surrender.¡± Zhu Qiu directly shouted out loud, ¡°Stop fighting, stop fighting.¡± The many experts from the Heavenly Prison glanced at each other and surrendered one after another, as they had no loyalty to Zhao Chongyin to begin with. It was merely for the sake of glory, riches, and the coerced cooperation for their freedom, but now facing An Jing¡¯s terrifying Dulu Sword, they naturally knew how to make the most correct decision. Seeing this, Bai Mei the eunuch murmured to himself, ¡°It¡¯s all settled now.¡± ¡­¡­ Due to the recent turmoil, many experts had left the Taihe Palace, to avoid being inadvertently injured by the True Dragon Qi. In an instant, the entire resplendent Great Hall was left with only Zhao Chongyin and his sister Zhao Xuening. Zhao Chongyin looked at Zhao Xuening and said indifferently, ¡°Xuening, it seems heaven has abandoned you.¡± As he spoke, his palm slightly rose, and the vigorous and domineering True Qi filled the entire Taihe Palace, while the True Dragon Qi, sensing Zhao Chongyin¡¯s bloodline and Qi mechanism, became even more turbulent. If an outsider were to witness this scene, they would surely be greatly shocked. Zhao Zhiwu had many offspring, but only two possessed the talent in martial arts, they were the Seventh Prince and Zhao Mengtai. As for the Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin, his martial arts talent had always been mediocre, with cultivation merely at the Third Grade Realm, and he was also preoccupied with imperial court affairs, not known for his cultivation in the eyes of the public. Zhao Xuening said, ¡°Big brother, I know your cultivation level, peak of Three Qi, only a step away from Four Qi. You are a genius, I must say, in terms of martial arts talent, you are the most similar to our father. If not for the need to conceal yourself, and your rare practice, you might have already reached the Four Qi Grandmaster level.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and he said, ¡°It seems I was exposed that day on Zhong Mountain.¡± In his memory, the only time he acted was on Zhong Mountain. Although the situation was chaotic at that time, some observant people would inevitably notice the actions of the Crown Prince. Zhao Xuening nodded and said, ¡°That¡¯s right, it was on Zhong Mountain. When you acted, An Jing saw you. He told me about it, so I started to secretly investigate you a few months ago.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyebrows furrowed deeply, ¡°A few months ago? You took control of the Heaven and Earth Net?¡± In such a short few months, it would be impossible for Zhao Xuening to investigate his background so clearly, even knowing his cultivation level intimately. The only possibility was that she had taken control of the Heaven and Earth Net. But the head of the Heaven and Earth Net, Meng Zhaodou, only took orders from the Great Yan Emperor, and only the Great Yan Emperor had access to the most confidential intelligence. Zhao Xuening shook her head and said, ¡°No.¡± Zhao Chongyin¡¯s frown deepened even further, ¡°Then how did you find out? Was it the Demon Sect?¡± Zhao Xuening said softly, ¡°Big brother, none of that is important anymore.¡± ¡°Right, none of these are important anymore,¡± Zhao Chongyin nodded slightly, ¡°Out of consideration for the many years of brotherhood, hand over the Jade Seal.¡± ¡°If I hand over the Jade Seal, you will still kill me.¡± Zhao Xuening smiled and said, ¡°Big brother, you are not someone who likes to keep promises, am I right?¡± Zhao Xuening knew Zhao Chongyin very well. If the current Crown Prince obtained the Jade Seal, how could he possibly let her live, even Zuo Linglong would die as well. Zhao Chongyin¡¯s eyebrows twitched, then he laughed and said, ¡°You know me well?¡± Zhao Xuening sighed, ¡°Yes, I often hear the second brother speak of you.¡± The second brother was Zhao Mengtai. Zhao Chongyin said, ¡°I never thought that Mengtai would like to speak ill of me behind my back.¡± Zhao Xuening shook her head, ¡°Second brother speaks well of you.¡± Zhao Chongyin could not help but burst into loud laughter upon hearing this, ¡°Hahaha!¡± Zhao Xuening asked, ¡°You don¡¯t believe it, big brother?¡± Zhao Chongyin said earnestly, ¡°No, I believe he has said a lot of good things about me. If not for the struggle over the throne, we might have been good brothers.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As his rival, he could say that he understood Zhao Mengtai more than ninety-nine percent of the people in this world. Zhao Xuening fell silent for a while, ¡°Big brother, must we be divided by life and death?¡± Zhao Chongyin responded without the slightest hesitation, ¡°Yes, the imperial family is the coldest of all. You were born here, and this is your fate.¡± Zhao Xuening seemed to finally receive the answer she was looking for, then quietly said, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 368 - Chapter 368 Chapter 268 The Nameless Heart Scripture is Chapter 368: Chapter 268 The Nameless Heart Scripture is Complete Chapter 368: Chapter 268 The Nameless Heart Scripture is Complete Zhao Xuening¡¯s tone carried a hint of regret, but it was not for herself; it was for Zhao Chongyin. Zhao Chongyin took slow steps towards Zhao Xuening, hesitating slightly with his footsteps, ¡°Now, you must make your choice.¡± ¡°Choice?¡± Zhao Xuening replied with a smile under Zhao Chongyin¡¯s watchful eyes and slowly took a seat on the Dragon Throne, ¡°Brother, I think it¡¯s time for you to make a choice.¡± Hmm!? Zhao Chongyin¡¯s pupils sharply contracted; he couldn¡¯t understand why, at this moment, Zhao Xuening could still behave so fearlessly, and whether this attitude was just for show or truly genuine. And all these thoughts flashed by in an instant. Zhao Chongyin thought of something, clenching his fists tight, and sneered coldly, ¡°Are you trying to buy time for the Ghost Swordsman?¡± The only reliance Zhao Xuening had was that Ghost Swordsman, also his biggest trump card. Zhao Xuening sat on the Dragon Throne, her expression growing solemn, ¡°What do you think?¡± Zhao Chongyin looked at Zhao Xuening¡¯s expression before him and felt somewhat bewildered. That Zhao Xuening was no longer the little shadow always crying behind Zhao Mengtai; she was now like a female sovereign who commanded the world. The Golden Throne Hall was resplendent with gold and brilliance, yet it was eerily quiet. The silence was almost frightening. The decorative golden swords hanging on both sides shone brilliantly under the refraction of the sunlight. Although Zhao Xuening was still smiling, her smile conveyed an extreme chill. Although Zhao Chongyin¡¯s features were also cold, his heart burned with fervor. That was the pressure he was exerting on Zhao Xuening. He believed that, as the Crown Prince, whether it was the power he had wielded over the years or the innate authority he possessed, it was enough to overwhelm an ¡®ordinary person.¡¯ And the reason his heart was afire was because of the imperial throne Zhao Xuening occupied; if he could kill Zhao Xuening before him and obtain the Great Yan Jade Seal, then he would truly fulfill his desire and become the Emperor of Great Yan. Become the most powerful figure in the world and above Jianghu. A ray of sunlight pierced through, landing on the floor of the Golden Throne Hall, on the plaque, on the throne, on Zhao Chongyin¡¯s silhouette, and naturally, on Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes. Zhao Chongyin swore he had never seen such eyes before¨Cthe indescribable brilliance that shone from a pair of eyes. At this moment, he felt fear in his heart just as Zhao Mengtai once did when facing Zhao Zhiwu. Perhaps those standing below naturally harbored a hint of fear and trepidation when looking up at someone above. The fervent heat within Zhao Chongyin began to dissipate, slowly turning into a chill. The next moment, Zhao Xuening stood up. Zhao Chongyin clearly saw it, but to his surprise, everything before him vanished in an instant. The Golden Throne Hall and Zhao Xuening had disappeared. The confidence he held dearly vanished as well. His vision was left with darkness, and this darkness lasted only a brief moment; when his senses came back to him, his vision was filled with light. The Golden Throne Hall was still the same. And looking at Zhao Xuening, so close at hand, his heart had completely turned cold. Zhao Chongyin reached out to touch his neck. It was wet and somewhat warm. That was blood. A living person always has warmth somewhere, either on the body or in the heart. Once the heart turns cold, then the blood must be warm, and if the blood is cold, then the heart must be fervent. If everything is cold, then it must be a dead person. ¡°Brother, this is the path of your own choosing.¡± Zhao Xuening turned and walked back to the Golden Throne Hall, continuing to sit on the Dragon Throne. ¡°You¡­¡± A glimmer of disbelief flashed in Zhao Chongyin¡¯s heart; he was a master at the Peak of Three Qi. Even if he had been careless just now, only a Five Qi Grandmaster or a Great Grandmaster could have inflicted such a severe blow on him. Could it be that Zhao Xuening also had hidden her true strength? But that was impossible; Zhao Xuening had practically grown up under his watchful eye, with terrible martial arts aptitude. How could a milksop girl deceive him¨Chow could that be possible? Moreover, she had no reason to hide herself like he did, nor was it possible for her to conceal herself so deeply. But why did she suddenly possess such terrifying power? Even if Zhao Zhiwu had died and his cultivation had been accumulated, it was impossible for Zhao Xuening to absorb and refine it in such a short time. Zhao Chongyin abruptly realized something, an epiphany dawning in his eyes. The slight doubt in his heart cleared up completely. Perhaps from the beginning, both Zhao Xuening and he were hiding a decisive resolve for a killing blow. ¡°Thump!¡± Zhao Chongyin fell to the ground, his handsome and refined face pressing against the floor of the Golden Throne Hall, his pupils wide open, his chest heaving rapidly, blood flowing from his neck onto the ground, staining it red. At this moment, Zhao Chongyin didn¡¯t resemble a Crown Prince about to rule the world; he looked more like a dying beast. From his eyes, you could only see coldness and resolve. And the eyes of Zhao Xuening above were even colder. Eventually, Zhao Chongyin¡¯s breath ceased completely. The Crown Prince of Great Yan died in the Golden Throne Hall. His eyes remained wide open, gazing at the Dragon Throne so close above. She extended her hand, and the overwhelming True Dragon Qi seemed to be suppressed, disappearing without a trace. Clatter! Clatter! At that moment, dozens of experts rushed in from all directions, including the Five Elements, the Sword-wielding eunuch Zhong Binru, Tianpeng Ancestor, Xu Qianyue, Meng Zhaodou, and other royal experts. The person leading the group was none other than Zhao Tianyi. Looking at Zhao Chongyin, who had fallen to the ground, Zhao Tianyi quickly clasped his fists and asked, ¡°Your Highness, the Princess, are you alright?¡± Zhao Xuening said indifferently, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Zhao Chongyin, who was preparing to rebel, has been killed. You must quickly spread this news to quell the internal chaos.¡± Zhao Tianyi said, ¡°Understood.¡± Everyone looking at Zhao Chongyin¡¯s body on the ground felt a chill in their hearts. This Crown Prince, who once held immense power, now lay dead in the Golden Throne Hall, instilling fear in all who saw it. The Tianpeng Ancestor came over and said softly, ¡°Meng Hao was killed by the Ghost Swordsman, and many experts from the Heavenly Prison have surrendered. However, it seems they¡¯ve pledged allegiance to the Demon Sect, not to the Royal Family.¡± The power of the Demon Sect now looms subtly above the Royal Family, especially with the formidable strength of the Ghost Swordsman, who is known as the premier martial artist in Great Yan. If it were just his singular strength that was profound, it would be one thing, but now, the entire Demon Sect is powerful, vastly surpassing the Zhenyi Sect and the Buddhist sects. It seems that if the Ghost Swordsman wishes, he could even replace the Emperor with a puppet. Zhao Xuening said indifferently, ¡°Outer Heaven is, after all, a religious faction of Great Yan, sharing both its glory and its perils.¡± Upon hearing this, the Tianpeng Ancestor took two steps back and spoke no more. ¡°Your Highness, the Princess.¡± At this moment, a familiar voice sounded, and An Jing entered with a composed expression. During today¡¯s battle for succession, the most eye-catching was without a doubt the young swordsman before them. First, he had thwarted State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu, who had sided with Zhao Chongyin, and then he had slain the evil king Meng Hao, a supreme expert of decades past. According to related intelligence, three Five Qi Grandmasters have now died at the hands of this swordsman, an utterly shocking development. If not for the escape of a thread of consciousness from the Earth Vein Spirit, loosening the shackles of heaven and earth, and the consequent increase in strength of Zhao Zhiwu, Zongzheng Huachun, and Xi Hafu, the highest pinnacle of martial arts would otherwise have been the realm of the Five Qi Grandmasters. An Jing glanced at the body of Zhao Chongyin on the ground, and his heart stirred. He hadn¡¯t expected Zhao Xuening to be able to kill Zhao Chongyin. On Zhong Mountain, Zhao Chongyin had already revealed a hint of his cultivation, which was at least at the Master level. So how exactly had Zhao Xuening managed to slay him? Zhao Xuening glared at An Jing with feigned annoyance and said, ¡°I¡¯ve told you, you can just call me Xuening.¡± ¡°Your Highness is too polite,¡± An Jing said, smiling as he clasped his fists. He was aware that from today onward, Zhao Xuening before him would be the undisputed Empress of Great Yan. Given such status and position, it was best for him to maintain a certain level of propriety. In the midst of this, the eunuch Bai Mei entered, holding an Imperial Decree that immediately drew everyone¡¯s attention. He was a trusted confidant of Zhao Zhiwu, even referred to as ¡°adoptive father,¡± and had not taken part in any of the day¡¯s battle for succession. Bai Mei moved to the forefront, took out the Imperial Decree proficiently, and said, ¡°Zhao Xuening, receive the decree.¡± Hearing this, most present knelt down. Taking a deep breath, Bai Mei said, ¡°By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I do not know when I shall pass away, nor do I know who will truly inherit my throne. However, I believe that whoever gains the throne must be the unique and rightful Emperor of Great Yan. Henceforth, any member of the Royal Family standing here today shall acquire my throne, regardless of gender, legitimacy, or birthright. From this day forward, they shall be the Emperor of Great Yan. Moreover, in the box in the Imperial Study Room, I have left a secret instruction to be safeguarded by the future Emperor of Great Yan. Let it be known!¡± ¡°Palace Master An Le, receive the decree.¡± ¡°This son receives the decree,¡± Zhao Xuening said calmly as she accepted the Imperial Decree, her face showing neither joy nor sorrow. Perhaps this scene had already played out countless times in her mind. Listening to this, An Jing¡¯s mind stirred. He hadn¡¯t anticipated that the Great Yan Emperor would choose his successor in a manner akin to nurturing gu insects, which explained why there was first Zhao Mengtai and then Zhao Xuening. In reality, Zhao Xuening didn¡¯t have many cards to play. If it weren¡¯t for his defeats of Xiao Qianqiu and the slaying of Meng Hao, many things might have turned out differently. This method of succession had its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage was that each Emperor who ascended the throne was no ordinary individual, but the downside was it caused instability in Great Yan¡¯s affairs and presented opportunities for external enemies. Now, the gaze of everyone present upon Zhao Xuening had completely changed, for starting from today, this breathtakingly beautiful woman before them would be the new Emperor of Great Yan. Zhao Xuening took the imperial decree, glanced at the messy Golden Throne Hall, and said, ¡°There is much to be busy with now.¡± An Jing clasped his hands and said, ¡°Indeed, if there is anything Princess needs, please do not hesitate to ask.¡± Zhao Xuening expressed her concerns, ¡°Although the internal environment of Great Yan has been cleansed, the external crisis is still unresolved. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s cultivation is profound and unfathomable, and there are still hundreds of thousands of elite troops near the Royal Court. We must not take them lightly, especially with the Southern Barbarians and Zhao Country lurking menacingly, the latter with its Black Ice Platform.¡± An Jing nodded. Zhao Xuening¡¯s worries were certainly not unfounded. The external situation for the Great Yan Dynasty remained extremely severe. Though Houjin had suffered heavy losses, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s strength had not been damaged at all; in fact, it was still growing, and he was even on the verge of breaking into the Great Grandmaster Realm. If Zongzheng Huachun were to break through to the Great Grandmaster Realm, the battle situation in the north would become unpredictable. An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°Leave the matter of Houjin to me.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes, gentle as water, replied, ¡°Then I¡¯ll trouble you with that. I will have a banquet prepared tonight, where we can have a good chat.¡± An Jing clasped his fists and said, ¡°Very well, I shall take my leave now.¡± Having said that, An Jing left with the many skilled cultivators. At this moment, the sky had just brightened, and there was still some time until evening. It seemed that Zhao Xuening too had to start making her moves. Zhao Tianyi watched An Jing¡¯s retreating figure and murmured, ¡°If such a person is not under control, it¡¯s detrimental to the state and its people.¡± What is imperial power? It is the most supreme existence. Here was a master who, with his power alone, could nearly overturn the imperial power, a cause for great concern. If An Jing were so inclined, he could even significantly support another prince as a puppet to take control of the court the very next day¨Can impact frightening to contemplate. It now seemed that the Ghost Swordsman was not such a person, and Outer Heaven did not possess the arrogance of Jiang Shang who towered above the world, but no one knew if he would change. After all, the most unpredictable thing in the world is the human heart, and the easiest thing to change is also the human heart. The Tianpeng Ancestor had once said as much, and now Zhao Tianyi repeated these words to himself. Not only did those who mingled in Jianghu understand this, but those seated in the halls of power could also clearly see the advantages and risks involved. Zhao Xuening¡¯s beautiful eyes lingered on the direction in which An Jing had disappeared, and she remained silent for a long time. ¡­¡­. At the crack of dawn, the sky began to lighten. News of what had happened in the Imperial City quickly spread throughout Yujing City, with spies from various forces sending the information to all corners of the world. From early morning until dusk, the citizens of the capital could see eagles and falcons flying high in the sky continuously. An Jing returned to the Demon Sect¡¯s base, where he had now obtained the Beidou Seven Stars Technique. The incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture could finally be completed, and he was also very curious about how astonishing the Nameless Heart Scripture would be once it was restored. In the secret chamber, An Jing took out the Beidou Seven Stars Technique given to him by Xiao Qianqiu. As soon as the Beidou Seven Stars Technique was taken out, his mind was immediately surrounded by a burst of golden light. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°Golden opportunity!?¡± An Jing took a deep breath, a hint of astonishment appearing in his eyes. The last time he encountered a golden opportunity was at the Dragon Locking Well, but the Earth Vein Spirit was not so easily obtained, making the golden opportunity out of reach for the moment. Now, with the complete Nameless Heart Scripture, it was a bona fide golden opportunity, and An Jing wanted to know what it entailed. Without hesitation, he began reciting the Beidou Seven Stars Technique silently, following its circulation path to fill in the gaps of the Nameless Heart Scripture. ¡­¡­ Chapter 369 - Chapter 369 Chapter 269 The Phenomenon in the Yujing City Chapter 369: Chapter 269: The Phenomenon in the Yujing City Skies and Earth Chapter 369: Chapter 269: The Phenomenon in the Yujing City Skies and Earth In the secret chamber of the Demon Sect stronghold, a faint sandalwood scent permeated from the incense burner, enveloping the entire room in a haze of smoke. This extraordinary agarwood purged the mind of stray thoughts as soon as one took a whiff, as though clearing them all away at that moment. An Jing sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, entering a state of ethereal emptiness, his mind a complete blank, void of any thoughts. This meditation lasted about half an hour, after which An Jing¡¯s closed eyes slowly opened. His gaze returned to its usual placidity, looking as calm and undisturbed as a deep pond without a ripple. A breath of foul air gently exhaled from his throat as layers of starlight swirled around An Jing. Before the Nameless Heart Scripture had been completed, the perfected Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique was already set into motion. An Jing murmured softly to himself as his True Qi began to circulate. His eyes slowly closed again, and as they did, the temperature within the secret room gradually began to rise. An Jing held great anticipation for this completion. What kind of terror would result from the fusion of today¡¯s Buddhist, Daoist, and Demon Sect martial arts that all surpassed the Heavenly Martial Level? The Nameless Heart Scripture could be considered the number one martial arts of today and, in An Jing¡¯s eyes, was even the genuine method to immortality and the Dao. Within the misty secret chamber shrouded in sandalwood smoke, white fumes began to spread, imparting a dream-like illusion to those who beheld it. On the meditation cushion in the chamber, An Jing sat with his legs crossed, eyes firmly shut. Waves of True Qi surged toward him, threatening to engulf him entirely. And this was just from the incomplete Nameless Heart Scripture. An Jing¡¯s expression was as calm as ever, revealing no sign of the changes around him; his consciousness was fully immersed in the completion of the Nameless Heart Scripture. Perhaps because An Jing had practiced the Nameless Heart Scripture for many years, and only a part of the Jade Emperor Scripture was missing, the completion of it was not as difficult as he had imagined. As the Nameless Heart Scripture operated, incorporating the meridian points of the Beidou Seven Stars Technique, the complete Nameless Heart Scripture started to slowly reveal itself. If nothing unexpected happened, it would only take about two to three days to fully complete the Nameless Heart Scripture. An Jing, who had mastered three martial arts that transcended the Heavenly Martial level, would cause an immense shock if outsiders knew. One has to understand that martial arts surpassing the Heavenly Martial level were the pinnacle of the current martial arts world, unattainable by ordinary Grandmasters. Even top Grandmasters could hardly touch on such martial arts, yet An Jing possessed three such arts and had fully integrated them. Such a feat, in the eyes of many, was tantamount to courting death. However, fortunately for An Jing, who possessed the Earth Book and bore a great destiny, what seemed impossible to others was possible for him. As An Jing¡¯s completion of the Nameless Heart Scripture gradually got on the right track, the True Qi in the chamber became more and more vigorous. In time, the burning incense simply hissed and turned into ash, falling down under the pressure of such True Qi. Even ordinary Grandmaster experts would not dare to linger long, as the pervasive True Qi in the air could make them burst into blood mist. As time passed, the Qi Mechanism emanating from An Jing¡¯s body continued to strengthen, sending waves of boundless True Qi rolling out like ocean waves, creating a audible whooshing sound. An Jing was already very familiar with the operating route of the Nameless Heart Scripture, while the route of the Beidou Seven Stars Technique required gradually exploring and mastering. But as time went by, An Jing found a miraculous commonality between the two and began to merge them. An Jing¡¯s aura strengthened bit by bit. In this silent cultivation, a day¡¯s time blinked away. After half a day, the concentration of True Qi inside the secret chamber had risen to a terrifying level. Moreover, since the chamber was completely sealed, with no Qi Mechanism spilling out, the Qi waves rolled tumultuously, and the True Qi was almost liquefying. Within the secret chamber, various stone tables and chairs were gradually melting, turning into liquid that slowly dripped down and flowed within the room, occasionally bubbles would emerge and burst quietly, bringing with them a faint muffled sound. No one could see such an astonishing scene. Unknowingly, the stone bed made of stone, too, crumbled into dust under the high concentration of True Qi squeezing it, yet An Jing, who was seated at the center of it all, still showed no sign of opening his eyes, breathing steadily. The True Qi that would have turned an ordinary person to ashes due to its high concentration was now entering his body like two Qi dragons through his nostrils, continuously burrowing in. An Jing seemed as if he had entered a state of mummification without any reaction, if not for the vast aura that could still be felt, rising ceaselessly. In the midst of cultivation, the concept of time becomes incredibly blurred, so under such a state that resembled mummification, another day passed by imperceptibly. During this imperceptible time, the Beidou Seven Stars Technique had already completed the missing pathways of the Nameless Heart Scripture, and An Jing was now ready for the first complete circulation. If he could fully run it, it would mean that the Nameless Heart Scripture was thoroughly complete. An Jing silently recited the Nameless Heart Scripture, letting his True Qi begin to circulate along the complete route. Boom! The moment the True Qi began to circulate, the entire Dantian and Qi Sea trembled as if the earth and mountains were shaking. An Jing hurriedly subdued the trembling, surprised in his heart. And this was just the beginning, yet it had already caused such a big commotion!? Outside the secret chamber, the originally clear skies of Yujing City were suddenly obscured by dark clouds. The world instantly darkened, fierce winds howled incessantly. Amidst this turmoil, there were flashes of lightning, as if something terrifying was brewing. This abrupt change made all the citizens look on in astonishment, their faces filled with confusion. Zhao Qingmei, dressed in a light blue palace attire, exuding an airy and ethereal aura, stood in the courtyard with a book in her delicate hands. Her stunning and delicate features seemed to make the flowers around her lose their color. ¡°Hmm!?¡± She, too, lifted her head at this spectacle, her brows instantly knitting together. From those pitch-black clouds, she felt an unprecedented pressure that seemed even more majestic than the full force exerted by Nangong Weiping. It bore down on her like a mountain. She had arrived in Yujing City the day before and was aware that An Jing had taken control of the city and obtained the Beidou Seven Stars Technique, and was now in seclusion with the complete Nameless Heart Scripture. Yu Qiurong, standing next to her, also sensed something extraordinary and said softly, ¡°Sect Hierarch, what is this!?¡± Zhao Qingmei replied succinctly, ¡°A natural phenomenon.¡± ¡°What! A natural phenomenon!?¡± Yu Qiurong was greatly shocked, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. A natural phenomenon occurs when the heavens and the earth produce strange occurrences due to certain changes. Hence it is called a natural phenomenon. However, in the long river of history, such phenomena are rare, with the most recent one occurring during the establishment of the Great Zhou Dynasty. It was rumored that the phenomenon was artificially orchestrated by the Grand Ancestor of the Great Zhou to consolidate his imperial power. The previous occurrence of a natural phenomenon was when the Great Qin Dynasty slew the only True Dragon of the time, leading to such a phenomenon. As one can imagine, how arduous it must be for such celestial phenomena to transpire; yet at this moment, it has indeed appeared. Zhao Qingmei looked towards the direction of the secret chamber, thinking to herself, ¡°It seems that my husband¡¯s guess was not wrong; this ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ might truly be an Immortal Law. Otherwise, how could it possibly draw out a celestial phenomenon?¡± Yu Qiurong could not sense it, but Zhao Qingmei¡¯s current cultivation had already reached the Heavenly Destiny Realm, only a step away from the Land Immortal Realm. She could clearly sense that the origin of the celestial phenomenon was right inside the secret chamber. This celestial phenomenon was a blessing, but it could equally be a curse. At this moment, An Jing was rising high in Great Yan, and now, attracting such a celestial phenomenon, he was likely to incur even greater suspicion from that person within the Imperial City. But let them suspect. If it comes to it, let their suspicions become reality. Zhao Qingmei simply didn¡¯t care. ¡­¡­. The celestial phenomenon above Yujing City aroused the curiosity of the citizens, who were all quite astonished at the sight of the lightning and the thunder, and conversations about it filled the streets and alleys. This incident also startled many experts, who were far more aware than the ordinary people of the impact and terror of such a phenomenon. An existence that could cause heaven and earth to quake¨Chow astounding and terrifying was that? Imperial City, Imperial Study Room. At this moment, Zhao Xuening was dressed in a plain white gown. Beyond her beauty and dignified elegance, one could not help but sense an added aura of grandeur. Standing before her was a Daoist, none other than the State Preceptor of Great Yan, Xiao Qianqiu. Zhao Xuening, with her hands clasped behind her, said with a light smile, ¡°State Preceptor, we meet again. I recall our last encounter was at a feast hosted by my Imperial Father. Perhaps you did not notice me at the time, but I have greatly admired you since.¡± Xiao Qianqiu gave a respectful bow, saying, ¡°The Daoist has made the Princess laugh.¡± Now that the situation in Yujing was settled and Zhao Chongyin was dead, who did not know that this princess was the future Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty? Xiao Qianqiu, having backed the wrong side, was unlikely to be killed¨Cafter all, the current state of Great Yan still required his support. But from now on, the Zhenyi Sect had lost the support of the Great Yan Court, and its national prestige had plummeted, which was almost a foregone conclusion. Zhao Xuening waved her hand dismissively, ¡°The State Preceptor is a backbone of Great Yan. Who could mock him?¡± Xiao Qianqiu glanced at Zhao Xuening and seemed to understand something. An Jing displayed such formidable strength that he could almost be called the first person under the Great Grandmasters. Such strength was truly terrifying, especially with the backing of the enormous Demon Sect, and within it, the likes of Zhao Qingmei, You Gai, Li Fuzhou, and other Grandmaster-level experts. It¡¯s no exaggeration to say that An Jing now held the power of half the Great Yan Dynasty in his hands and could easily overthrow the imperial authority. Zhao Xuening spoke softly, ¡°State Preceptor, you are a wise man, and so am I.¡± Xiao Qianqiu shook his head, ¡°The Daoist does not seem so.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, and a sharp light flashed in her eyes. This fierce light exploded forth, containing a supremely powerful pressure that, coupled with the oppression of True Dragon Qi in this place, wielded immense pressure. Even a Grandmaster would tremble inside and feel their knees weaken. But the person before her was Xiao Qianqiu, the recipient of the Mystical Sect¡¯s founding ancestor¡¯s legacy. Before An Jing and Zhao Qingmei appeared, he was the genius with the greatest chance to break free from his restraints. Such robust cultivation!? Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s expression was untroubled, but surprise flickered in his heart. From Zhao Xuening, he felt a strong and domineering surge of Force Qi assault him, obviously indicating that her cultivation was not nonexistent as the rumors stated, but rather profound. Xiao Qianqiu bowed his hands in respect, ¡°The Daoist has always known to act according to circumstances. Previously, the Zhenyi Sect was the National Religion of the Great Yan Dynasty, sharing both its glory and its trials. It shall be the same hereafter.¡± Zhao Xuening withdrew her Qi Mechanism, speaking indifferently, ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. State Preceptor, if there¡¯s nothing else, you may withdraw.¡± Xiao Qian bowed once again and then left. In this brief exchange, the two had reached a certain understanding. Zhou Xianming watched Xiao Qianqiu leave and said with a smile, ¡°The State Preceptor indeed is a wise man.¡± Zhao Xuening replied coldly, ¡°He simply understands his worth.¡± An Jing didn¡¯t kill Xiao Qianqiu because he did not wish to; it did not mean Zhao Xuening felt the same. But indeed, at this time, they still needed Xiao Qianqiu and the Zhenyi Sect. Zhou Xianming had a thought and said, ¡°Your Highness, you revealed your cultivation in front of Xiao Qianqiu. Will this not¡­¡± Zhao Xuening spoke confidently, ¡°Rest assured, Xiao Qianqiu will not speak of it. He knows what he should and shouldn¡¯t say.¡± Zhou Xianming nodded. Although Xiao Qianqiu was not the type to hide his brilliance and bide his time, he was cunning enough to know what to speak and what to keep silent about. Just then, dark clouds enveloped the outside, dense as molten iron, with the glow of crisscrossing lightning flaring within. Zhou Xianming felt the oppression and exclaimed, ¡°A celestial phenomenon!?¡± Though young, he was the leading scholar of Confucianism at the time and clearly understood what this meant. Zhao Xuening¡¯s brow twisted, immediately causing the Great Hall to chill, giving an impression of breathlessness. After a short while, the eunuch Bai Mei hurried in, ¡°Your Highness, this celestial phenomenon seems to originate from where An Jing resides.¡± Upon hearing this, the entire Great Hall fell silent. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only It was some time before Zhou Xianming spoke softly, ¡°Brother An¡­¡± What a celestial phenomenon represented, no one was ignorant of; otherwise, the Grand Ancestor of the Great Zhou Dynasty would not have used such a phenomenon to solidify his imperial power. The fissure that had been created seemed to grow wider and more difficult to mend by the day. Suddenly, Zhao Xuening clapped her hands and laughed, ¡°Excellent, I shall soon ascend the throne and proclaim myself Emperor. He has brought me a celestial phenomenon just in time, such a timely downpour.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 370 - Chapter 370 Chapter 370 Breaking the Mysterious Barrier Five Chapter 370: Chapter 370: Breaking the Mysterious Barrier, Five Qi Returning to Origin Chapter 370: Chapter 370: Breaking the Mysterious Barrier, Five Qi Returning to Origin Thunderclouds churned above Yujing City, endlessly persisting, as streaks of lightning kept appearing, resembling a sinuous dragon. Everyone, from ordinary citizens, nobles, and high officials to Jianghu experts, was shocked by the sudden celestial phenomenon. Yet An Jing, the cause of this tremendous upheaval, knew nothing of it, still cultivating quietly in the secret chamber. As he operated the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± An Jing felt an odd power surging throughout his body, as if it were engaging the deepest forces inside him. It was a power from the deepest reaches of the soul. Boom! True Qi wildly swept in, completely submerging the room. An Jing suddenly felt as though his entire body was bathed in dense True Qi, and the flames, like a wild beast, frantically devoured him, making his skin feel as if it were about to explode. Operating the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± an immortal law, with a mortal body was so difficult, so painful. Every surge of True Qi was an immense burden on his body. If An Jing had not previously cultivated the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique to perfection, he might have fainted by now. Along with that torment, the scene before him also underwent a massive change. As the scenery around An Jing changed, stars dotted around him, vast and deep star rivers hung in the sky. Standing among the star rivers, it felt like being at the center of the universe, where all mysteries seemed to reside within the myriad starlight, and he could perceive all the secrets of the world. Meanwhile, An Jing, in this profound obscurity and chaos, still maintained a trace of clarity, striving to operate the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± and perform the most crucial absorption. True Qi continually flowed along the meridians, one line, two lines¡­ but by the thirty-sixth, the flow began to slow down. At seventy-two meridians, the movement of True Qi virtually ceased, almost completely relying on the massive influx of True Qi to push through, and towards the end, An Jing felt faint and could only keep operating the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± through sheer willpower. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± needed to pass through one hundred and eight meridians, which showed how difficult it was to operate it even once. An Jing drew up all the True Qi in his body, beginning to surge wildly toward the interior, but that last meridian at the Three Yang Acupoints remained immovable. If he didn¡¯t complete a full cycle now, the original path would solidify, and all his prior efforts would be wasted. Having obtained this supreme heart method, would it not be an irony if he couldn¡¯t even operate one Great Celestial cycle? A feeling of unwillingness arose in his heart! An Jing fiercely redirected the True Qi toward the Three Yang Acupoints again, countless True Qi soaking into that meridian, merging into it. Crackle! Crackle! A series of strange frosts suddenly emerged within the meridians, followed by countless starlights suddenly emerging. Just as everything seemed to be progressing favorably, the frost suddenly cracked, creating fissures. Had he failed? An Jing¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, then, without lamenting, he continued to exert all his strength to strike at the Three Yang Acupoints. But with the frost already shattered above the Three Yang Acupoints, further impacts were futile. He had failed! After the last attempt, An Jing still ended in failure. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± such a peerless heart method, even if obtained, could not be easily cultivated by anyone. Boom! But just at that moment, a pure force surged from An Jing¡¯s body into his own. This force was like a torrential rain, falling upon the parched earth. And the originally difficult-to-congeal Three Yang Acupoints instantly crystallized into layers of frost, then wrapped up with boundless power and continued surging forward. Rumble! Rumble! In his body, it was like a volcanic eruption, as surging essence burst forth. The immense benefits of which could only be intuited and not conveyed in words. An Jing finally operated the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± through a complete cycle, accomplishing one circulation. Then, vast True Qi surged toward An Jing, a feeling akin to a long-parched land finally welcoming its rain. And An Jing¡¯s Dantian suddenly erupted, all the True Qi in his body explosively unfurled, like extreme beams of light, seemingly breaking through barriers. That light was gentle, intense, and brilliant. Boom! Boom! Boom! An Jing¡¯s Dantian had completely erupted, as if magma had finally burst forth, unleashing an ultimate, endless force that then fed back into his body. In an instant, An Jing¡¯s entire body was filled with a magnificent power, causing him to shudder. This power then transformed into wild horses, frantically rampaging throughout his body, rushing towards his pores, skin, and blood vessels. The force within his blood was extremely violent and fierce. This wild True Qi was potent enough to burst a Three Qi Grandmaster¡¯s body open and kill him. However, having cultivated the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique,¡± An Jing was unfazed by such a violent force sweeping through him as the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± began to operate within him. Over his body, it seemed as if he was enveloped in a strange orb of light, as though he were in a cloud of smoke. Mere one cycle of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± was equivalent to tens of days of Cultivation, and An Jing¡¯s True Qi within his body began to undergo drastic changes. The originally pale golden True Qi gradually transformed into purple. This purple True Qi extended outside the house, stretching dozens of feet in an impressive manner. Everything around became a purple world. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± was finally complete. As a heart method that merged three of the world¡¯s greatest Martial Arts, no one knew its true efficacy, not even An Jing who had yet to see its full form. And An Jing¡¯s Cultivation had not ended yet. After the completion of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± the strong backlash came, and the surging, enormous True Qi filled his Dantian and Qi Sea. An Jing¡¯s long-stagnant Cultivation level also began to loosen, and the last of the Five Qi began to rise. If he could break through to the Five Qi Realm, it would be like returning to the origin at Five Qi, just a step away from being a true Great Grandmaster, a Land Immortal. An Jing slowly sat down cross-legged, ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± operated once again, and a circulation later, it began frantically absorbing the surrounding nature¡¯s spiritual energy. The surrounding spiritual energy was drawn to An Jing, like trickling streams flowing into rivers and seas, and flowed into his Qi Sea. An Jing sat cross-legged in the secret chamber, with the dazzling starlight-like spiritual energy instantly enveloping his entire body. Bits of nature¡¯s Essence flowed through his meridians, rushing towards his Qi Sea like a surging flame, its wild power far more pure and domineering than countless bits of spiritual energy. This was the Essence derived from the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture.¡± If it were not for An Jing¡¯s body having been refined by the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique,¡± he could not have so recklessly operated the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture.¡± Even so, An Jing still felt a tearing pain spreading from his skin, blood vessels, and gradually throughout his body. An Jing had endured pain a hundred times worse than this mere tearing pain. As a large amount of nature¡¯s spiritual energy rushed toward An Jing¡¯s Qi Sea, the misty Qi Sea seemed to begin trembling slightly, visibly showing the last Qi rising. An Jing noticed this, sank his mind into it, and then his Qi Sea began to absorb the surrounding spiritual energy even more crazily. His momentum was also boosting at that moment, the feeling of growth not any less intense than the earlier transformation of True Qi, if not even more profound. This was the elevation of the Dao, and this elevation was not insignificant. Craack! Craack! The Five Qi finally broke through the shackles, converging above his head. Five Qi Grandmaster! This realm was the hardest step for any master to cross. Previously, An Jing¡¯s Cultivation had reached the peak of Four Qi. Now, under the complete rebuke of ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± things naturally progressed to this point. Simultaneously, the surplus spiritual energy rushed towards the meridians around An Jing, entering his blood, muscles, and every inch, spreading throughout his body. An Jing sat quietly in the secret chamber, like an old monk in meditation, motionless, except for the ceaseless influx of starlight indicating he was still alive. Time passed, it seemed like an instant and yet also an eternity. Craack! An Jing¡¯s Qi Sea suddenly made a dull sound, followed by new cracks appearing around the entire Qi Sea. Simultaneously, his aura began to wildly climb, a tremendous power merging into every part of his body. An extreme sublimation filled every part of An Jing¡¯s skin and bones. Five Qi Returning to Origin! He had finally reached the realm hailed as the pinnacle of this world, the Five Qi Grandmaster Realm. Just one more step and he could truly extend his life by three hundred years and reach the Land Immortal Realm. An Jing slowly opened his eyes, his pitch-black eyes reflecting the brilliant radiance, captivating to behold. ¡°With the help of ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture,¡¯ my Cultivation has finally reached the Five Qi Grandmaster, and it¡¯s even the peak of Five Qi Grandmaster.¡± An Jing looked at his palm, ¡°This ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ truly merits being a Dao method that can lead to immortality.¡± Meanwhile, he also privately estimated that his current strength was unmatched among masters, but he was uncertain about facing Great Grandmasters. After all, the difference between Great Grandmaster and Master was a considerable realm, seeming like a vast gulf from ancient times to the present. ¡°It¡¯s time to come out.¡± An Jing pushed open the heavy door of the secret chamber and walked out slowly. A breathtakingly beautiful woman stood outside the secret chamber, quietly waiting for him. The breeze was gentle and warm, adding a seductive scent to the air. An Jing¡¯s eyes brightened as he smiled and said, ¡°My lady, you¡¯ve arrived.¡± The person in front of him was Zhao Qingmei. An Jing could feel an exceptionally powerful aura emanating from her, no weaker than Zongzheng Huachun back in Yujing City. Clearly, she had acquired all of Nangong Weiping¡¯s cultivation and had reached the Five Qi Grandmaster realm. Zhao Qingmei gave An Jing a glance and said with satisfaction, ¡°It seems I was right in my thoughts.¡± An Jing¡¯s cultivation had also reached the Five Qi Realm, just one step away from the Land Immortal realm. An Jing stepped forward, gently wrapped his arms around Zhao Qingmei¡¯s shoulders, and smiled, ¡°I have now gathered the complete ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture.¡¯ I will recite it to you tonight.¡± Previously, he had only obtained a fragment of the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture,¡¯ which had some disadvantages, so he did not let anyone practice it. Now that the ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ was fully complete, it was time to bring it out. ¡°No hurry, we can talk about it when we have time. I¡¯ve cultivated the ¡®Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡¯ to the Ninth Layer already; it¡¯s not suitable for me to switch to another Heart Method Martial Arts now,¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, then suddenly remembered something and said, ¡°Right, the day for your duel with Zongzheng Huachun is approaching. According to information, Zongzheng Huachun has been continuously cultivating in seclusion, and it seems he hasn¡¯t reached the Great Grandmaster realm, but there¡¯s been no news of Xi Hafu and Qian Qiu, the Undying, the two Grandmaster experts.¡± Previously, when An Jing was only in the Four Qi realm, he had killed several Five Qi Grandmasters. Now, having obtained the complete ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ and elevating his cultivation to that of a Five Qi Grandmaster, his strength had advanced by leaps and bounds. If Zongzheng Huachun hadn¡¯t broken through his limits, the outcome was almost certain. The only variable was the two living Great Grandmasters, Xi Hafu and Qian Qiu, the Undying. This was what Zhao Qingmei was worried about. An Jing thought for a moment and said, ¡°That Qian Qiu, the Undying, is said to have suffered severe injuries; I doubt he will appear this time. Xi Hafu, however, might join forces with Houjin¡­¡± The goals of these two Great Grandmasters were related to the Dragon Locking Well, ultimately positioning themselves against the Great Yan Dynasty. Most importantly, if the Earth Vein Spirit was truly related to breaking the Great Grandmaster¡¯s limits, then both An Jing and Zhao Qingmei naturally had to compete for it. ¡°You mentioned last time that Prince Xu might also be a Great Grandmaster. Since then, my mind has been filled with doubts.¡± Zhao Qingmei spoke seriously, ¡°Could there be other Great Grandmasters in this world? And could the Earth Vein Spirit, once completely corrupted by the Evil Spirits, bring about an unprecedented great upheaval in the world?¡± An Jing also frowned deeply upon hearing this. The Earth Vein Spirit was increasingly contaminated by the Evil Spirits, and the learned people of the world had no solution. This had become a typical scenario, and the world was undergoing an unprecedented upheaval. Nobody knew what would happen next. And in this world, could there be other mysterious experts like Prince Xu and Qian Qiu, the Undying, still alive? An Jing said, ¡°I think not many are left. After all, people like Prince Xu and Qian Qiu, the Undying, are extremely rare. To reach that stage, at the very least, they must be of the Great Grandmaster realm.¡± Zhao Qingmei also nodded, ¡°People living for hundreds of years without dying is indeed extremely rare; this is almost akin to defying the heavens and changing fate. Even with Great Divine Powers and Great Methods, it¡¯s very difficult. I¡¯m now quite curious about two things.¡± She also considered Prince Xu and Qian Qiu, the Undying, to be exceptions. After all, the records of Great Grandmasters in the history of various dynasties were very detailed, indicating that Great Grandmasters were extremely rare, no more than a couple. Great Grandmasters being so few, the people who could ¡®preserve¡¯ themselves and not die were even rarer. An Jing asked, ¡°What are they?¡± Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and slowly said, ¡°Firstly, why exactly Prince Xu and Qian Qiu, the Undying, are undying, and secondly, what the origin of this Evil Spirit is that can silently corrupt the Earth Vein Spirit.¡± An Jing also pondered for a moment, ¡°Prince Xu has an aura of Corpse Qi on him, yet he possesses his own intelligence but has forgotten all past events. I am not entirely clear why. I will make another trip to Prince Xu Mountain when I have time. As for that Qian Qiu, the Undying, he is very mysterious; many historical events have his shadow.¡± ¡°As for the Evil Spirits, I fear that even fewer know about it. I think even Xi Hafu himself is unclear about this matter; the only one who might know is Qian Qiu, the Undying.¡± He was also unclear about the reasons behind their immortality; after all, he hadn¡¯t figured out their identities completely, and the Evil Spirits were shrouded in even greater mystery. From the beginning, there was a lot of controversy surrounding it. Xi Hafu said the Evil Spirits were evil and cruel, while the last Human Emperor of Great Qin described it as Immortal Energy, an essence that could help people collectively ascend to immortality. An Jing felt that the Evil Spirits were not that simple. Jiang Shang, who absorbed the Undying Blood, displayed such evil and brutal energy when he was about to turn into an Evil Spirit, an image that remained vivid in his mind. However, Xi Hafu was able to control the Evil Spirits, even using them to reach the Great Grandmaster realm. ¡°Let¡¯s not think too much about it for now.¡± Zhao Qingmei waved her hand and said, ¡°You just came out of seclusion today, and this morning Princess An Le sent you an invitation. Tonight, she is holding a banquet at the Taihe Palace to discuss the matter of her ascension tomorrow.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing was taken aback, ¡°Her ascension tomorrow!?¡± ¡°It seems she is quite eager.¡± Zhao Qingmei scoffed coldly, ¡°You¡¯ve been in seclusion for three days now, and plus she has been heavily promoting the celestial phenomenon you created. Naturally, she wants to ascend to the throne at this time to stabilize the hearts of the people.¡± She inherently had no sympathy for this ¡®elder,¡¯ and she was even more disgusted by her actions. An Jing nodded, ¡°Then let¡¯s go see it tonight.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes glinted with a sharp light as she said in a low voice, ¡°I will go with you, and I want to meet this future Great Yan Emperor.¡± An Jing glanced at Zhao Qingmei, feeling a bad premonition deep inside, especially because he knew her jealous nature all too well. Adding to this was Zhao Xuening¡¯s earlier hints to him, if the two were to meet face to face, it would likely be a clash of titans, with him being the one to suffer, caught in the middle. Zhao Qingmei noticed An Jing¡¯s look and said coldly, ¡°What? You don¡¯t want me to go?¡± ¡°No, of course not.¡± An Jing quickly waved his hand: ¡°My lady, if you wish to go, let us go together.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Zhao Qingmei huffed, then said, ¡°I¡¯ve arranged everything, you go and freshen up. Come to my room when you are done, I have something to discuss with you.¡± Saying so, Zhao Qingmei walked toward the house with a graceful stride. ¡°I understand,¡± An Jing replied. Seeing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s stride, An Jing quickly caught on and, with a smile curving his lips, he hurried towards the bathhouse with light steps. ¡­¡­.. Yujing City, Zhou Residence. The sky was overcast, with gusty winds that seemed to herald a pouring rain at any moment. In the pavilion, two scholars were sitting cross-legged, facing each other with a table between them laden with delicious delicacies and two pitchers of strong liquor. The two men were Li Fuzhou and Zhou Xianming. Zhou Xianming raised his cup and said with a smile, ¡°Mr. Li, it has been a long time since we last enjoyed a good drink together.¡± Li Fuzhou also raised his cup and said, ¡°I remember you never used to drink this strong liquor.¡± Zhou Xianming said, ¡°People always change.¡± This statement seemed to resonate deeply with Li Fuzhou, who couldn¡¯t help but nod slightly, ¡°Yes, people always change, which can be both good and bad.¡± Zhou Xianming said, ¡°It depends on whether a person changes for the better or worse.¡± Li Fuzhou drained his cup and said, ¡°Good and bad are too simplistic, it all depends on one¡¯s stance.¡± Zhou Xianming smiled, poured another cup of liquor for Li Fuzhou, and said, ¡°I came here today because I have something I want to discuss with you.¡± Li Fuzhou, drinking his liquor as if he didn¡¯t care, asked, ¡°What is it?¡± Zhou Xianming said, ¡°I want to implement reforms in the court.¡± Reformation, changing outdated laws and improving them with new additions to make the world run as envisioned, is something all capable ministers dream of implementing. However, because reformation can harm the interests of many, throughout history, there have been very few who succeeded in enacting it to strengthen a nation. Even sometimes, though the Human Emperor himself knows the drawbacks, it remains difficult to implement reforms, as the interests involved are vast and the obstacles enormous, risking unrest across the nation. Li Fuzhou didn¡¯t ask how to reform but asked instead, ¡°What¡¯s the purpose of the reforms?¡± Zhou Xianming did not hold back and directly said, ¡°To consolidate the rule of the Great Yan Court, making everyone within the Four Seas submit.¡± Upon hearing this, Li Fuzhou narrowed his eyes, ¡°You wish to consolidate imperial power!¡± From the beginning, the Confucian scholars had touted governing the world together with the Human Emperor, thus holding high status in the Great Zhou Dynasty. However, after the fall of the Great Zhou and the establishment of the Great Yan, the authority of Confucian scholars was repeatedly diminished, while imperial power reached new heights. Now, the stature of Confucian scholars is far less than in days of yore and shows little hope of returning to its zenith. The present Confucian scholars can only rely on imperial power to ascend higher and further. Only with a powerful emperor can the authority of Confucian scholars strengthen. Even for a figure like Lv Guoyong, wasn¡¯t he ultimately forced to shatter his own Literary Palace to safeguard the reign of the Great Yan Dynasty? Zhou Xianming said, ¡°Exactly.¡± Li Fuzhou set down his chopsticks and asked, ¡°Do you know the true nature of imperial power?¡± Zhou Xianming remained silent. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Li Fuzhou continued, ¡°The essence of imperial power is exploitation; they exploit the common people, and only thus can they gain benefits. Now that imperial power has reached its peak, do you still want to strengthen it?¡± ¡°Imperial power has not yet reached its peak, not by far.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianming shook his head and said, ¡°Mr. Li, the problem you speak of has been persistent for thousands of years; it is not about imperial exploitation, but the exploitation of the lower by the upper classes, and you cannot change that.¡± Saying so, Zhou Xianming stood up, his eyes calm as he looked at Li Fuzhou and emphatically said, ¡°It will still be the same even ten thousand years from now.¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 371 - Chapter 371 Chapter 271 Sword Light Appears Before the Dragon Chapter 371: Chapter 271 Sword Light Appears Before the Dragon Locking Well Chapter 371: Chapter 271 Sword Light Appears Before the Dragon Locking Well Li Fuzhou raised his head and looked at the bright-eyed Zhou Xianming in front of him, then fell silent. Indeed! Even after ten thousand years, there would still be oppression! The replacement of dynasties merely meant that the oppressed became the oppressors, in a never-ending cycle, with not the slightest change. Even if one could save those who were oppressed today, who could know if they would become oppressors of others in the future? Zhou Xianming looked down at Li Fuzhou in front of him and said, ¡°Mr. Li, although what I am doing does not completely solve these problems, it can offer the world a stable reign.¡± Li Fuzhou muttered to himself, ¡°It also provides a stable reign for those who exploit others.¡± Zhou Xianming paused, then said, ¡°After all, there will always be exploitation, which we cannot change.¡± ¡°Indeed, we cannot change it.¡± Li Fuzhou poured himself a glass of wine, then took a deep sigh and said, ¡°Perhaps you are right.¡± Zhou Xianming¡¯s eyes brightened as he said, ¡°Mr. Li agrees.¡± Li Fuzhou asked, ¡°How do you plan to reform?¡± He was somewhat curious as to how Zhou Xianming would implement reforms, which might also reveal some of Zhou Xianming¡¯s ambitions. A gleam appeared in Zhou Xianming¡¯s eye, ¡°Eliminate all Sects and Daoist Mountain Gate Orders across the land, establish Martial Arts Academies, gather all Martial Arts classics under one roof, allowing everyone to practice Martial Arts daily, with the main aim to support the emperor¡¯s power, turning Jianghu into a part of the court, making privately established Sects and denominations taboo, thus consolidating the realm.¡± Boom! When Li Fuzhou heard Zhou Xianming¡¯s words, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck on a clear day. Zhou Xianming¡¯s words were too astonishing, too incredible. Who could have imagined that his reform involved condensing the entire Jianghu¡¯s power to become a sharp sword wielded by the emperor¡¯s authority? Throughout history, many troubles within the dynasty were determined by Jianghu, the Temple could not be separated from Jianghu, and Jianghu was naturally inseparable from the Temple. This had been the common ailment of all dynasties. No dynasty had managed to avoid it. If it were as Zhou Xianming said, from then on there would be no more Jianghu. But is this a good or a bad thing? Zhou Xianming, facing Li Fuzhou¡¯s shock, remained calm, perhaps knowing that his words would undoubtedly shock Zhou Xianming greatly. After all, anyone hearing it would show such an expression. Zhao Xuening was no exception, and neither was Li Fuzhou. Li Fuzhou pondered for a long time before saying, ¡°You¡¯re telling me this?¡± With no more Sects and no more Jianghu, those from the Sects either had to become taboo and go into hiding or had only one path left¨Cto submit to the Court. This naturally included Outer Heaven, and Li Fuzhou was the leader of Human Sect. Zhou Xianming took a deep breath and said, ¡°Mr. Li, I am very grateful to Brother An and Mrs. An, but in my heart, I respect you the most.¡± ¡°Brother An is extremely intelligent. His views on things are always unique, and with his carefree nature, I can¡¯t fathom his thoughts, so I dare not tell him. Mrs. An is domineering and strong-willed. Asking her to relinquish power is nearly impossible.¡± Zhou Xianming knew that today¡¯s reform faced the greatest resistance from the Demon Sect and if the Demon Sect were willing to reform, there was a great chance the reform could succeed. If the Demon Sect did not support the reform, it was almost equivalent to an effort in vain. Getting the Demon Sect to give up their martial abilities was nearly impossible. Li Fuzhou shook his head, ¡°Then you¡¯ve found the wrong person. I¡¯m just a minor character in Outer Heaven.¡± ¡°In my heart, Mr. Li has always been a significant figure, and an influential one at that.¡± Zhou Xianming continued, ¡°I believe Mr. Li will definitely support me because your heart and my heart are the same, both harboring an entire realm within.¡± Li Fuzhou looked at Zhou Xianming, not saying a word. Establish Martial Arts Academies, gather the classics of the realm, enabling everyone to practice Martial Arts. He didn¡¯t know if this was the teacher¡¯s idea or just Zhou Xianming¡¯s own, and he also didn¡¯t know if this would be an achievement to be celebrated through the ages or if it would cause great chaos within the Yan Country. Zhou Xianming smiled lightly and said, ¡°Mr. Li, I don¡¯t need your answer now, as the external threat to Yan Country still exists. Once the external threat is resolved, it will not be too late to discuss this matter, and it isn¡¯t something that can be resolved overnight.¡± Li Fuzhou thoughtfully said, ¡°It seems that the person above you is very confident in resolving the current external threat.¡± Today, the Great Yan was still in a perilous environment, though Houjin had been held back, but the Southern Barbarians and Zhao Country were both mighty, especially Zhao Country, which had repeatedly gained an upper hand under the pretense of cohesion with the Buddhist from the south. Zhou Xianming nodded, ¡°One day.¡± Li Fuzhou said, ¡°I hope that day arrives soon and provides peace and prosperity for the multitude of common people.¡± Zhou Xianming walked back to his seat, held up his wine cup and said, ¡°I hope so too.¡± ¡­¡­ The moonlight was dim, the fragrance of flowers rich, and the scent of orchid musk aromatic. In Yujing City, at the Drunken Flower Tower. There was a quiet private room on the top floor, with dim lights and a flickering shadow. An elderly man dressed in golden clothes with black boots, his eyes bright and spirited, was holding a long smoking pipe. This person was none other than Heavenly Hidden Golden Lamp. At this moment, he looked at the moonlight in the sky, his brows sometimes furrowed and sometimes relaxed, as if his mind was filled with dense thoughts he couldn¡¯t untangle. No one knew what he was thinking, just as nobody in this world knew how far the moon was from the human heart. ¡°Creak¨C!¡± Before long, the door to the private room opened and a breathtakingly beautiful woman walked in. There were two stunning women by Jin¡¯s side who had some dealings with An Jing. If An Jing were here now, he would definitely recognize that this woman was Su Lian. ¡°Elder Jin.¡± Su Lian briskly came out, ¡°People from the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace have really entered Yujing City. It looks like they really intend to assassinate An Jing.¡± Who was An Jing? Perhaps there was no one in the whole world who did not know him. Since he debuted, he had killed countless masters. Within two years, with the sword in his hands, he became the top master in the world unknowingly. Several Five Qi Grandmasters had died by his hand, his fame striking fear in many. The battle for succession in Yujing City had pushed his reputation to its peak, making him the foremost figure in the Great Yan, revered and dreaded like Zhao Zhiwu, the Great Yan Emperor. Even the formidable ruler of Houjin considered him a severe threat, causing him sleepless nights. Such a fearsome individual was targeted for assassination? Jin Deng commented nonchalantly, ¡°The Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace has grown arrogant in Guishuang.¡± In Guishuang, the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace was akin to a combination of the Zhenyi Sect and the Demon Sect. Such a massive force naturally led them to act without any restraint. Su Lian, puzzled, asked, ¡°Why would they target An Jing?¡± Jin Deng said solemnly, ¡°Because of the Dragon Locking Well.¡± Su Lian whispered, ¡°The Dragon Locking Well!?¡± Jin Deng explained, ¡°The top masters nowadays all wish to explore the Dragon Locking Well. It houses the Earth Vein Spirit and holds the greatest secret in the world. Masters throughout history have longed to delve into its mysteries.¡± ¡°Now that the Dragon Locking Well is under the control of Great Yan, do you think An Jing would let others interfere with it?¡± Su Lian shook her head upon hearing this. Although her interactions with An Jing were limited, she understood some aspects of his personality. Jin Deng spoke indifferently, ¡°Although he¡¯s now in a glorious position, having defeated Xiao Qianqiu and killed several Five Qi Grandmasters, and stands at the pinnacle of Great Yan, becoming the pillar of the Great Yan Dynasty, he has also unconsciously made many unfathomable enemies. If he can¡¯t persevere, the only end for him will be a dead end.¡± As casual as Jin Deng¡¯s words were, waves of chill surged through Su Lian¡¯s heart. Could a master like An Jing also fall into a situation of no return? How perilous was this world? Throughout his journey, An Jing had unknowingly replaced Xiao Qianqiu and Zhao Zhiwu, becoming the flag bearer in the chess game of Great Yan. While his brilliance attracted enmity, it was inevitable. This was an unavoidable situation. Lv Guoyong had experienced a similar scene in the past, and so had Zhao Zhiwu. Now, it was An Jing¡¯s turn. This was indeed the loneliness of a high position. Su Lian asked, ¡°What should we do next?¡± Gazing at the moon in the night sky, Jin Deng replied, ¡°Let An Jing trust us.¡± A thought struck Su Lian as she said, ¡°I understand.¡± With that, Su Lian walked towards the outside of the building with graceful steps. The candle flame was still burning, flickering weakly and then strongly. Jin Deng stared at the moon overhead for a long time before he finally sighed deeply. ¡­.. The moonlight was like water, casting Yujing City into a silence as deep as death. The early autumn night wind carried a touch of chill, and coupled with the howling sound, it added to the desolation and solemnity. Since Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s demise, Yujing City had transformed completely. Though Zhao Zhiwu had seized the throne to become the Human Emperor, his deeds were commendable, and many citizens were moved by his accomplishments. Moreover, ordinary people only knew that the only Great Grandmaster of Great Yan had died, and the ongoing war of the three countries against Yan hadn¡¯t ended, leaving the situation in Great Yan far from optimistic. This filled their hearts with fear and added to their sorrow. From behind the Dragon Spring Temple, near the Dragon Locking Well, soft footsteps sounded, just loud enough to be heard. Under the moonlight, a figure clad in a black dragon robe slowly walked forth. In the faint light, one could see his imposing presence set against the black hills and white waters, his deep, bottomless eyes drowning people into breathless depths. In the surrounding darkness, his casually upturned lips and fiery eyes burned straight to the core of those who saw him. The evening wind thrashed about, clanging the iron chains surrounding the Dragon Locking Well. A red glow emerged as Huoxing appeared before the well, facing the newcomer, ¡°Who are you?¡± As a master of the Three Qi Peak, he instantly recognized that the person before him was extraordinary. Wearing black clothes adorned with dragon patterns was an act of treachery in Great Yan, punishable by the extermination of nine clans. Who dared to wear such clothes so brazenly in public? The newcomer, facing Huoxing, seriously said, ¡°My family name is Wang, and my name is Wang Yangsheng.¡± ¡°Wang Yangsheng?¡± Hearing these three words, Huoxing felt an uncanny familiarity. Jin, emerging at that moment, couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Which Wang Yangsheng are you?¡± In his memory, there indeed was such a person, but he shouldn¡¯t still be alive. Wang Yangsheng said, ¡°The one you know.¡± ¡°What!?¡± As soon as these words were uttered, Jin Xing was completely stunned, then he hastily shook his head and said, ¡°Impossible, absolutely impossible! If you really are Wang Yangsheng, there¡¯s no way you could still be alive!¡± Huo Xing, confused, asked, ¡°Big brother, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± He knew Jin Xing¡¯s character well¨Ccalm and competent. How could he lose his composure over a single sentence from the opponent? Wang Yangsheng shook his head and sighed, ¡°Yes, I also think I shouldn¡¯t be alive, but the fact is, I am still alive.¡± He was originally someone who should have died, but he did not. The feeling of returning from the dead had given him a clearer and more profound insight into many things in this world, such as people. ¡°Those who trespass Dragon Locking Well will be killed without mercy!¡± A harsh voice sounded from a distant tree, and a green mysterious light surged over, turning into a massive jade pillar that fell from the sky. Boom! True Qi surged over, the compressed air erupting with terrifying sounds. Integrating the Five Elements akin to a Five Qi Grandmaster, and his individual cultivation at the Three Qi Peak, the attacker was one of the Five Elements, Mu Xing. Wang Yangsheng stood still, seemingly oblivious to the wooden pillar falling from the sky. As it fell, the stone slabs began to crack open, the dry branches and leaves on the ground scattered all around, and the jade pillar heavily smashed down on Wang Yangsheng. The True Qi scattered away, forming waves. However, this scene did not make them feel relaxed; on the contrary, it made their expressions grow even more grave. Because as the True Qi dispersed, Wang Yangsheng stood unchanged at his original spot, without any alteration. The blow from a Three Qi Peak Grandmaster, yet the Wang Yangsheng in front of them seemed indifferent, which was horrifying. ¡°Wang Yangsheng!¡± Jin Xing¡¯s voice trembled a bit, ¡°Are you really that person?¡± Wang Yangsheng smiled and said, ¡°I never joke with enemies.¡± Huo Xing, realizing belatedly, said, ¡°Could it be¡­ could it be that he is the Great Grandmaster from the history of the Great Qin Dynasty?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go together.¡± Shui Xing glanced around at the four others, then shouted, ¡°Otherwise, we have no chance whatsoever.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± The rest looked at each other, their Qi Mechanisms connecting much faster than when they had dealt with An Jing. Boom! Boom! Shui Xing¡¯s body turned into a beam of Spiritual Light, charging towards Wang Yangsheng with an earth-shaking momentum. Wang Yangsheng saw Shui Xing charging over and extended his hand. Whoosh! A burst of golden light exploded forth, and then a majestic, awe-inspiring dragon¡¯s might rolled out all around. Shui Xing snorted coldly, stoutly withstanding the tyrannical dragon¡¯s might, and then reached out with his hand. Crack! Crack! At that moment, a giant dragon claw appeared in front of Shui Xing¡¯s palm, and as the two collided, it was like two giant mountains brutally smashing into each other, emitting a series of crisp bone-cracking sounds. ¡°Ah!¡± Shui Xing¡¯s face suddenly twisted, his left hand tightly clutching his right hand as he repeatedly stepped back. Meanwhile, Wang Yangsheng had completely vanished from their sight, the vast aura within his body surging out and then taking shape, a golden dragon appearing before everyone. Its massive body coiled in the heavens and earth, the colossal head surveying the world with dominance and tyranny, causing even these top figures of the Spirit Clan to tremble in their hearts. Upon seeing this, Jin Xing quickly exclaimed in shock, ¡°This is the lost martial art of the Great Qin Dynasty, Ancestor Dragon Technique, everyone be careful!¡± The lost martial art of the Great Qin Dynasty! Upon hearing this, the others immediately understood. Boom! Boom! Wang Yangsheng¡¯s True Qi swayed, the massive body of the Golden Dragon maneuvering through the heavens and earth, and a massive golden dragon claw reached out forward. Buzz! Buzz! The void seemed to be torn apart by this golden dragon claw, rippling with waves. Standing at the forefront, Jin Xing concentrated all his True Qi in front, forming a huge Golden True Qi Light Shield. Bang! The golden dragon claw, like a knife cutting through tofu, easily broke through Jin Xing¡¯s True Qi Light Shield, and Jin Xing¡¯s body flew out like a kite with its string cut. Whir! Whir! Wang Yangsheng¡¯s body trembled, his speed as swift as a meteor, and terrifying force Qi frantically radiated around him. When Huo Xing saw the dragon charging towards him, his heart was shocked, and he silently recited a spell, his hand transforming into an enormous mountain, pressing down towards the Golden Dragon. Boom! Boom! When Wang Yangsheng saw the giant flame hand pressing down, he couldn¡¯t care less. The immense Dragon Claw trembled and collided directly with the giant hand. Clang! The moment the Golden Dragon¡¯s claw collided with the flame giant hand, a tremendous sound rang out like a bell echoing for miles, followed by a terrifying metallic storm that spread out. Huo Xing stumbled back dozens of steps, a jet of blood spraying from his mouth, and he couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°Heavens, what kind of monster has Wang Yangsheng¡¯s Qi Mechanism turned into!?¡± You should know that his blow was full-powered, combined with the Qi Mechanism of four others, comparable to a strike from a Five Qi Grandmaster. An ordinary Grandmaster, if faced with this palm strike, might get crushed into mincemeat, yet that gray-golden dragon dared to withstand it hard. At the moment of Huo Xing¡¯s astonishment, Wang Yangsheng lunged forward with another claw. Boom! Terrifying force Qi overflowed, and as Huo Xing reached out with another palm, intending to confront the Golden Dragon¡¯s claw head-on. Bang! At the moment of their collision, Huo Xing instantly felt all the bones in his body as if they had fallen apart, followed by a jet of icy blood spraying out directly. Above the sky, that mighty dragon wove between the five men, and in an instant, two had been defeated. Mu Xing, Tu Xing, and Jin Xing looked at each other, then expanded their bodies, and from three directions, they hurried towards the Golden Dragon. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! All three executed their martial arts techniques, True Qi, and Daoist skills to the maximum, attacking from different positions, obviously intending to catch Wang Yangsheng off guard. Wang Yangsheng¡¯s True Qi gathered more and more, and the Golden Dragon above his head grew even more potent and domineering, with the Dragon Claw lunging towards Jin Xing in front. Jin Xing¡¯s enormous handprint was directly torn apart, dissipating into True Qi in the sky. ¡°How dare you underestimate us?¡± Tu Xing and Mu Xing, seeing Wang Yangsheng completely ignoring them, both erupted in rage, their True Qi concentrated in their arms, then fiercely pressed down towards Wang Yangsheng. Boom! Boom! The two enormous handprints were astonishingly powerful, directly bursting the void. On either side of Wang Yangsheng, the air twisted, clearly torn by the fierce Force Qi. As the two violent handprints struck, Wang Yangsheng naturally felt them, but he seemed indifferent to these handprints as the immense Dragon Claw continued its assault on Jin Xing in the front. Crack! Crack! The Dragon Claw directly shattered Jin Xing¡¯s Protective True Qi and then his body trembled, transforming into a meteor that heavily struck a remote pavilion. In the blink of an eye, five esteemed masters¨CHuo Xing and Jin Xing¨Chad been defeated. At the same time, the enormous handprints of Mu Xing and Tu Xing also pressed down, striking the massive back of the Golden Dragon. Boom! Boom! Boom! Thick sounds erupted, each ring sounding like a mountain colliding. ¡°It¡¯s not affected!?¡± When Mu Xing¡¯s palm struck the dragon¡¯s back, his expression shifted slightly, and he immediately felt as though he had struck a giant stone, his body swiftly drifting towards the distance. It was hard! Not just Mu Xing, but Tu Xing also felt as though his palm had struck a mountain. The body of the Golden Dragon spun, its massive body turning over in the high sky, the full-force strikes of two men landing on him as if nothing had happened. Looking at the gray-golden giant dragon tumbling in the high sky, all five felt a surge of despair. In less than half the time it took for an incense stick to burn, only three of the Five Elements still stood in the sky. If this scene had been spread, it would surely have shocked everyone. To battle against five with one¡¯s power and emerge victorious. You must know that his opponents were no ordinary names. Combined, they were comparable to a Five Qi Grandmaster. Individually, any one of their strengths in Jianghu was recognized and feared, but now these five top-tier masters, united, were no match for Wang Yangsheng alone. How could this not be shocking? If this battle were to be known, the whole world would be shaken. Wang Yangsheng¡¯s body shook, and in the instant his body spun, the enormous gray-golden Dragon Claw stretched out, Tu Xing, Mu Xing, and Shui Xing simply couldn¡¯t resist, all collapsing onto the ground with blood flowing from their mouths. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only As the Golden Dragon dissipated, Wang Yangsheng appeared in front of them, paying no further heed to the Five Elements, but slowly walking towards the Dragon Locking Well. In the next moment, his footsteps suddenly stopped. The moonlight was bright, but there was a light ahead even brighter than the moonlight, almost stinging his eyes. Upon closer inspection, it was a white, chilling sword blade. ¡­¡­. Chapter 372 - Chapter 372 Chapter 272 Ghost Swordsman Battles Great Chapter 372: Chapter 272: Ghost Swordsman Battles Great Grandmaster (10,000-word update, please subscribe) Chapter 372: Chapter 272: Ghost Swordsman Battles Great Grandmaster (10,000-word update, please subscribe) The radiance of this sword was something Wang Yangsheng had never seen before. He had seen many swordsmen, some of them top-class, but never had a sword made his heart tremble like this one. The World¡¯s First Sword, the Dulu Sword! There was no way Wang Yangsheng didn¡¯t recognize this sword. There had been many famed swords throughout history, and the Dulu Sword had always been heralded as the World¡¯s First Sword, a title that had never changed. But at this moment, what caused Wang Yangsheng¡¯s heart to palpitate was not the sword itself, but its master. Following the blade¡¯s edge, the owner was a young man in fluttering white clothes. His appearance was youthful, handsome and elegant with a hint of heroic spirit between his brows, especially those eyes¨Conce seen, they would never be forgotten. He was a sword even more dangerous than the Dulu Sword. This was Wang Yangsheng¡¯s first impression upon seeing An Jing. ¡°Is it him!?¡± An Jing, looking at the person in front of him, felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity. His memory was excellent, almost to the point of never forgetting what he saw, so after thinking carefully, he remembered where he had seen this person. In the Chenxin Lake of the Blue River Sect. Originally, Lou Xiangzhen took An Jing to visit Wang Yue at the Blue River Sect. While the two conversed, An Jing went to the bottom of Chenxin Lake. When he dived to the bottom of the lake, the Earth Book released a black opportunity. This black opportunity was an existence that could place An Jing in mortal peril, so his memory of it was particularly clear. At that time, the black opportunity was sensed by a stone, and in that stone, there was a shadow of a person. An Jing had only glanced at it in haste before leaving. This person was none other than Wang Yangsheng before him. An Jing asked indifferently, ¡°Who is Wang Yangsheng?¡± In front of him was yet another top-class expert, one who had emerged from a stone, his true identity and backstory seemingly shrouded in a vast enigma. Wang Yangsheng replied, ¡°Wang Yangsheng is Wang Yangsheng.¡± An Jing¡¯s mind raced, as if he had thought of something, and his eyes suddenly sharpened. Throughout history, there were dozens of Great Grandmasters, each of whom held a pivotal position in their era. Some not only influenced the direction of dynasties but could even completely alter the pattern of the world, affecting the rise and fall of dynasties. Among them, those who aspired to usurp the emperor¡¯s role were not in the minority. At the beginning of the Great Qin Dynasty, there emerged a Great Grandmaster named Wang Yangsheng. He was a top genius of his time, practicing a diverse array of incomplete mental methods. He had studied astronomy and divination of the Mystical Sect, and the Heart Demon Method of the Demon Sect. In addition, he mastered the core martial arts from dozens of Sects and eventually brought all of these martial arts to Great Perfection. How astonishing and dreadful was his talent and comprehension for him to be hailed by all Sects and people as a prodigy? Ordinary people would find it extremely difficult to master just one technique to perfection. Yet this man had brought all to the realm of perfection, showing both his terrifying intuition and mental fortitude. Later, Wang Yangsheng was recruited by the Royal Family of the Great Qin Dynasty and gained unimaginable resources. Under such conditions, it naturally followed that Wang Yangsheng would become a master of the Grandmaster Realm. Originally, the Great Qin Dynasty cultivated Wang Yangsheng to become the backbone of the dynasty after the demise of the Great Ancestor, to maintain the ruling power of the Great Qin. However, the outcome strayed from everyone¡¯s expectations. A few months after the Great Ancestor¡¯s death, Wang Yangsheng launched a coup with the delusion of altering his fate and establishing his own glorious dynasty. Considering that it was a critical transitional period for the Great Qin Dynasty after the Great Ancestor¡¯s death, with only two Great Grandmasters in the world at that time¨Cone of whom had been in secluded meditation and no longer appeared¨Cthe coup led by Wang Yangsheng had a profound impact. This event was vigorously recorded in historical texts, with extensive details involving a wide range of people including the government, Jianghu, and the military, even to the ruling layers of the Great Qin Dynasty. Logically, Wang Yangsheng had a significant opportunity to succeed in his rebellion. However, in the end, the affair ended in complete failure. It is said that the Great Ancestor of the Great Qin returned from the dead and personally killed the Grandmaster Realm Wang Yangsheng. Afterwards, Wang Yangsheng became a taboo in the Great Qin, his name never mentioned again, and the Great Ancestor also died completely after executing Wang Yangsheng. Among the recorded Great Grandmasters, Wang Yangsheng had the highest talent and was the only one who did not live to 300 before dying. His life was devoid of controversy and suffered only criticism, being despised and spurned by all. All this is recorded in official and unofficial histories, but the precise details are known by few. In this era, probably only Wang Yangsheng himself knows the truth. No one would have thought that this man, who once failed in usurpation, not only survived but is still alive today. ¡°Wang Yangsheng¡­ Wang Yue¡­¡± An Jing seemed to grasp something as he looked at Wang Yangsheng, ¡°So your goal is the Earth Vein Spirit?¡± The reason this man was still alive, Wang Yue definitely knew, and it was very likely that he played a direct role in it. An Jing guessed that it had to be some special secret technique that sealed one¡¯s body in a stone, similar to being frozen, and required a certain unique method to awaken. Clearly, the details were far more complicated than An Jing had conjectured, perhaps immensely more difficult. If this were indeed the case, it meant that Wang Yangsheng had started planning before his supposed death, evidently knowing many secrets and mysteries. Wang Yangsheng chuckled softly and said, ¡°No one wouldn¡¯t want to merge the Earth Vein Spirit into themselves.¡± The evening breeze fluttered by, causing his black dragon robe to dance along with the breeze. An Jing said, ¡°It seems you have a good understanding of the Earth Vein Spirit.¡± Wang Yangsheng exhaled gently and said, ¡°A thousand years ago, I wanted to integrate the Earth Vein Spirit into my blood to break through the shackles of the Grandmaster Realm, but unfortunately¡­¡± For everyone else, this was something that happened a thousand years ago, but for him, it was as if it had only occurred yesterday. An Jing asked, ¡°Unfortunately what?¡± Wang Yangsheng smiled and said, ¡°Do you want to get the secret of the Earth Vein Spirit from me? Why should I tell you?¡± An Jing said calmly, ¡°You may choose not to say, it is your freedom.¡± ¡°Freedom is a good thing.¡± With his eyes closed, Wang Yangsheng greedily inhaled the air and said, ¡°I never thought that after all these years, the world would have gained a few more intoxicating scents.¡± If it were anyone else, they certainly would not be able to sense anything unusual, but An Jing, who cultivated the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± clearly felt that Wang Yangsheng¡¯s Dantian was like a gaping black hole, constantly swallowing the surrounding evil spirits. The energy from evil spirits was very peculiar; for ordinary Grandmasters, it was like a bone-clinging poison, extremely difficult to expel, yet at this moment Wang Yangsheng was continuously absorbing it. Moreover, An Jing could feel that the evil spirits had already imperceptibly permeated Wang Yangsheng¡¯s Dantian. An Jing sneered and said, ¡°It seems you not only haven¡¯t died but also don¡¯t fear death in the slightest.¡± Wang Yangsheng glanced at An Jing, ¡°The ignorant know no fear, the uninformed don¡¯t care, but do you know how many people have reached the Grandmaster Realm with the help of what you call ¡®evil spirits¡¯?¡± ¡°Did you know that the Great Ancestor of the Great Qin Dynasty swept across the world and founded the Dynasty by relying on these so-called ¡®evil spirits¡¯?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits. The Emperor, the Great Ancestor of the Great Qin Dynasty, was a Grandmaster Realm expert, but no one had ever said he achieved Grandmaster status by relying on evil spirits. Could it be that the Great Ancestor of the Great Qin Dynasty and Xi Hafu attained the Grandmaster Realm by the same stroke of genius, both by absorbing evil spirits? So many great masters in the world succeeded because they broke through to the Grandmaster Realm with the aid of evil spirits. Moreover, the last Human Emperor from Great Qin also greatly revered evil spirits, considering them to be Immortal Energy that could transform a person into an immortal. It seems these evil spirits have indeed lured many people into their depths, unable to extricate themselves. The Wang Yangsheng and Xi Hafu before him may have already fallen deeply into it. Wang Yangsheng stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the moon, and said, ¡°There is one type of Spiritual Energy in this world, and what you call ¡®evil spirits¡¯ is yet another type. Any energy that can grant people longevity and strength, allowing them to easily reach the Grandmaster Realm, is useful.¡± An Jing shook his head and said, ¡°Evil spirits are ultimately evil spirits. Once they pervade the world, all living creatures will suffer, and it will be an irrecoverable disaster.¡± Wang Yangsheng said indifferently, ¡°What do the people of the world have to do with me?¡± In the face of eternal life and absolute power, how many people can truly care for the world? An Jing slowly said, ¡°It matters to me.¡± Wang Yangsheng let out a cold laugh and said, ¡°It seems we have nothing more to talk about.¡± An Jing did not speak, the longsword in his hand lifted, and a silent and cold chill began to spread all around. The sword had now become An Jing¡¯s words. ¡°We should leave quickly¡­¡± Feeling the bone-chilling cold, Jin Xing hastily said. The other four also supported each other and began to retreat towards the back. They had witnessed the strength demonstrated by the Ghost Swordsman atop the Golden Throne Hall with their own eyes, and they had also experienced Wang Yangsheng¡¯s power firsthand, so they were very aware of how terrifying the standoff between the two would be. Even the residual fallout might be incredibly frightful. Not far from the Dragon Locking Well, atop a pagoda, Xi Hafu looked at the distant Qi Mechanism and couldn¡¯t help but be secretly alarmed, ¡°I never would have expected another Grandmaster expert to appear after the death of Zhao Zhiwu.¡± In an era where the world¡¯s Spiritual Energy had dried up, Grandmasters were extremely rare, and true Grandmasters had disappeared for decades. Almost no one could break through the barrier of the Grandmaster Realm. Even the gifted prodigies from various countries ultimately stopped at the Five Qi Grandmaster levels. But as the Earth Vein Spirit was freed from its binds, one after another Grandmaster expert seemed to appear in the world. It was somewhat understandable that Zhao Zhiwu relied on the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s essence to force a breakthrough to the Grandmaster Realm despite damaging his foundation. It also made sense that after Xi Hafu¡¯s years of plotting and merging with the Buddha¡¯s relics, and with Jiang Shang obtaining the Undying Blood to break through to the Grandmaster Realm, how did this person who suddenly appeared at the Dragon Locking Well manage to reach the Grandmaster Realm? Grandmasters are not cabbages that grow rampant in the fields; even a thousand years ago, they were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Beside him, Fa Wu also exclaimed in disbelief, ¡°Grand Ancestor, did you say the person coming is a Grandmaster?¡± Xi Hafu said with a solemn face, ¡°Be careful and keep quiet.¡± The newcomer was a Grandmaster, and the aura of the Ghost Swordsman was also extraordinary. Even if the two were engrossed in their battle, fully focused on each other, he still had to be cautious. If they were discovered by the two, they might inadvertently get caught up in the situation, drawing unwanted trouble onto themselves. Hearing this, Fa Wu communicated through a voice transmission, ¡°Grand Ancestor, I understand.¡± Xi Hafu narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°This person may have come for the Earth Vein Spirit as well.¡± Bodhisattvas bow their heads, showing compassion towards all beings. But at this moment, as Xi Hafu bowed his head, it did not give others a sense of compassion and gentleness; on the contrary, it sent shivers down their spines, particularly for Fa Wu who was beside him, ¡°Grand Ancestor, should we take action to stop him?¡± Xi Hafu clasped his hands together and said, ¡°Not yet. That Ghost Swordsman seems to have grown stronger and should not be underestimated. We should just stand by and watch, shouldn¡¯t we enjoy the show? Moreover, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect and Xiao Qianqiu are also present, so there is no need for us to act hastily.¡± ¡°If they can¡¯t hold out in the end, I will make my move. The Earth Vein Spirit cannot be taken by anyone, it must be refined by someone of our Buddhist order. Only by doing so can we universally save sentient beings, rescue all living creatures, and restore a clear and bright heaven and earth.¡± There was a trace of determination in Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes. Fa Wu nodded slightly, not saying another word. ¡­¡­ In front of the Dragon Locking Well. An Jing and Wang Yangsheng faced each other, as if sparks were flickering between them. All of the experts An Jing had fought in the past either had different stands for their own interests or were enemies, leaving him no choice but to act. But now, things were somewhat different; this time the two stood on different ground and were motivated by their own interests. And both had a strong will to fight within their hearts. An Jing, having broken through to the Five Qi Grandmaster, was eager to test the gap between himself and a Grandmaster. Wang Yangsheng, having just awakened, had not yet met a top-notch expert and also wanted to see just how formidable the contemporary top experts were. Desire filled both of their eyes. The night breeze was gentle until it completely vanished. Boom! A burst of sharp light suddenly shot out from Wang Yangsheng¡¯s eyes, and his powerful True Qi soared into the sky. In the next instant, he stepped out, causing the ground beneath his feet to fiercely shatter. His figure, like a golden afterimage, charged straight ahead, carrying an overwhelming momentum toward An Jing. Seeing Wang Yangsheng rushing forward, An Jing activated the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, with starlight spreading out around him. Clearly, he wanted to test the depth of a Great Grandmaster first and did not directly use the Dulu Sword. Roar! A Golden Dragon could be seen coiling around Wang Yangsheng¡¯s arm before he threw a punch. With that punch, the Golden Dragon surged along with the arm, tearing through the air with such force that even the atmosphere twisted. Thud! An Jing advanced instead of retreating and met the punch head-on. The fierce collision of the two figures sent out a terrifying shockwave, causing cracks to spread from beneath their feet. Both were forced to retreat from the impact. As soon as the two stabilized their retreating forms, they shot out once more, clashing again. It was clear that Wang Yangsheng¡¯s physical strength was even above that of An Jing, giving him a slight edge. ¡°The Ancestor Dragon Technique, isn¡¯t it?¡± A shock ran through An Jing¡¯s heart, Wang Yangsheng¡¯s application of the Ancestor Dragon Technique seemed no less inferior to his Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, indicating that it was also martial arts surpassing the Heavenly Martial Level. Boom! Boom! Both of their strikes were incredibly forceful and domineering, fists and feet intertwined, Qi entangled; even the preliminary probing was enough to shock the onlookers from afar. In just a few moments, they had exchanged dozens of blows, and every impact was so powerful it distorted the surrounding air. Wang Yangsheng was indeed showcasing the Ancestor Dragon Technique to its extreme, with surging Golden Dragons roaring around him, their roars carrying a vast oppressive force. And facing the frenzied Wang Yangsheng, An Jing was not retreating, yet the qi and blood within his body surged tumultuously, clearly affected by Wang Yangsheng¡¯s assault. Their clashes were brutal and intense from the outset. In just a few breaths, the two figures collided viciously once again, but this time, Wang Yangsheng¡¯s palm suddenly turned golden and overflowed with a dense killing aura. Then he struck out with a palm that pierced through the air in front of him, as quick as lightning, landing on An Jing¡¯s chest. Ancestor Dragon Technique! Shaking World Dragon Palm! If before An Jing could still sense Wang Yangsheng¡¯s speed, then now it had reached an indiscernible level. Thump! Thump! Thump! This palm struck heavily against An Jing¡¯s protective true qi, piercing through the protective starlight of the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique; the residual force of the palm print then burst forth from his chest, causing his body to fly backwards suddenly, his chest even caved in. An Jing¡¯s body drifted dozens of feet in midair, his concaved chest gradually returning to normal, but the intense pain and the consumption of his qi and blood were very much real. Touching his chest, An Jing thought to himself, ¡°Such powerful strength, worthy of the Great Qin Dynasty¡¯s royal secret Ancestor Dragon Technique.¡± The Ancestor Dragon Technique was extremely famous in history, a secret of the Great Qin royal family. However, it was lost even earlier than the Demon Sect¡¯s Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, and not many people practiced it, so it was almost forgotten by the world. The first Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty cultivated this Ancestor Dragon Technique and even reached the Grandmaster Realm. It was said that when cultivated to perfection, it could turn one¡¯s True Yuan into a True Dragon for a time, with overwhelming strength that could overpower any grandmaster of the same realm. Clearly, Wang Yangsheng had not fully displayed the secrets of the Ancestor Dragon Technique but merely used some of its martial arts moves, and yet one could glimpse the terribleness of the Ancestor Dragon Technique. If it were not for the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique cultivated to perfection, this palm might have caused him severe injuries. Wang Yangsheng also looked at his palm with a frown, ¡°My palm should injure even a Five Qi Grandmaster, let alone an ordinary grandmaster. How could that Ghost Swordsman recover in an instant? What kind of mental method has he cultivated to be like this?¡± Wang Yangsheng wanted to end the battle quickly, and while An Jing was still not steady, he reached out with his palm, and his vast True Yuan swept forth. An Jing felt a chill in his heart, pushing the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique to its limit and hurriedly positioning all his true qi in front of his body. The entire world shook under the impact of Wang Yangsheng. ¡°Since you are unharmed, then take another move from me.¡± Wang Yangsheng¡¯s eyes sharpened, and he took a deep breath before his hands suddenly came together. Hum! A powerful qi mechanism surged out from his body like a storm, and in the next instant, a massive light shadow appeared outside his body. The golden dragon shadow flashed, as if it possessed the power to destroy heaven and earth and pierce through mountains and rivers. A cold light flashed in Wang Yangsheng¡¯s eyes, and then he threw a fierce punch, with golden light surging forth, the void in front forcefully shattered. Hum! The visible shockwave exploded outwards, slamming into the light shield in front of An Jing, causing the true qi light shield to vibrate violently before completely shattering. ¡°Crack¨C¡± ¡°Crack¨C¡± An Jing retreated once more, his complexion already turning somewhat pale. In the dim night, the surging qi wave did not spread too far under their control. From a distance, three figures rapidly descended. These three were Chang Ning of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace, the Sword Demon Hao Tian, and the Sword God Liu Moyuan. Chang Ning frowned deeply, ¡°Such a domineering qi mechanism!¡± Since his arrival in Great Yan, it was the first time he had felt such a domineering qi mechanism, so oppressive it felt like a mountain bearing down, making it hard to catch one¡¯s breath. Even the normally composed Sword Demon¡¯s face changed drastically, ¡°True Yuan, the newcomer is a Grandmaster.¡± ¡°A Grandmaster?!¡± Liu Moyuan¡¯s expression was extremely solemn, clearly shocked by this news. Decades ago, Five Qi Grandmasters were difficult to find, and now even a Grandmaster had made an appearance. It seems a great change was forthcoming in the world, and it was happening today. And these giants of Jianghu from the past was nothing but small boats drifting in the unprecedented changes of the world. Whether they could steer their own fate through this great change remained an unknown. Chang Ning spoke softly, ¡°How could the Ghost Swordsman be a match for a Grandmaster? It seems we can just kill the Ghost Swordsman directly, this person has indeed given us a hand. It¡¯s just unclear who he is.¡± Liu Moyuan said, ¡°It would be somewhat regrettable if the Ghost Swordsman were to die so easily.¡± ¡°What a pity, what?¡± Chang Ning glanced at Liu Moyuan and said indifferently, ¡°He¡¯s dead, and now you two are the top swordsmen under the heavens, isn¡¯t that a good thing?¡± Liu Moyuan sneered, ¡°This old man doesn¡¯t need your comments.¡± Just how conceited was Liu Moyuan? Before he emerged from seclusion, he had once boasted that he would puncture a hole in the heavens. His alliance with the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace this time was merely to seek some information, to facilitate the exploration of the Dragon Locking Well and news about the great changes in the world. Upon hearing this, a flash of cold light passed through Chang Ning¡¯s eyes, and he smiled, ¡°You¡¯re not far from the Five Qi Realm yourself, and I presume reaching that realm would enable you to defeat the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Liu Moyuan ignored Chang Ning, his gaze fixed on the distant battle, without speaking. A murderous intent emerged in Chang Ning¡¯s heart, but he quickly suppressed it. The Sword Demon, however, was intently observing the distance and said softly, ¡°The strength of the Ghost Swordsman has also improved a lot.¡± Liu Moyuan nodded and sighed, ¡°His cultivation in the Dao has already surpassed ours.¡± Previously, both of their cultivations were at the Four Qi level, and the Ghost Swordsman was merely at the realm of Three Qi; neither of them was a match for him. Now that the cultivation of the Ghost Swordsman had exceeded theirs, reaching the level of a Five Qi Grandmaster, how could they possibly be a match for An Jing? The two exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of emotions. Chang Ning¡¯s face was expressionless, as if he hadn¡¯t heard the other two¡¯s sighs. ¡­¡­ An Jing, pushed back by two moves from Wang Yangsheng, had already completely fallen into a disadvantage, while not far away, the members of the Five Elements Sect all had faces of worry. Only now did they realize that Wang Yangsheng¡¯s exchange of blows with them earlier seemingly hadn¡¯t involved his true strength. The attacks from Wang Yangsheng were like a relentless tidal wave, and seeing An Jing retreating repeatedly, yet not severely injured, he now exerted all his strength. True Yuan surged within Wang Yangsheng¡¯s body like a tidal wave, his figure flashed, and he charged towards An Jing frantically. Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh! Terrifying waves crashed in the surrounding air, and the atmosphere around Dragon Locking Well seemed to twist. Wang Yangsheng¡¯s strike was much faster than An Jing had anticipated. Boom! Boom! Boom! A torrent of golden light pierced the night mist, soaring skyward, and a mountainous handprint, suddenly expanding, loomed like a dark cloud, swooping down onto the top of An Jing¡¯s head. ¡°Rumble!¡± The earth shook violently, a sound like thunder coming faintly from deep beneath Dragon Locking Well. In that instant, Wang Yangsheng¡¯s whole presence seemed to vanish, as if he fused with the earth itself: No, to be more precise, he was the vast land beneath everyone¡¯s feet! Heavenly Human Communication! At this moment, Wang Yangsheng¡¯s strength was fully unleashed, his robust presence reaching several miles around, all the experts nearby felt this fearsome aura. ¡°Wang Yangsheng, this is your greatest reliance, huh¡­¡± Amidst the surging golden light, An Jing¡¯s voice explosively burst forth, like a sharp sword tearing through the dense golden tide. An Jing¡¯s strike was much faster than everyone imagined, so much so that it seemed to the onlookers that it was Wang Yangsheng who struck first, yet they didn¡¯t notice that An Jing¡¯s move was actually much swifter than they thought. ¡°Rumble!¡± The ground trembled, a deep thunderous roar burst from the very depths of the earth. Feeling this terrifying presence, everyone including Xi Hafu, Fa Wu, Chang Ning, Sword Demon, and Sword God shuddered. Around An Jing, six sword lights swirled, which then converged into a single massive Sword Qi. ¡°Boom!¡± In a flash of lightning, the two formidable forces violently collided. This one sword strike shook heaven and earth, as if heralding the end of the world. Their clash instantly threw the entire area around Dragon Locking Well into turmoil. ¡°` The storm of gang qi, sharp as blades, fiercely scoured the land. If this storm were allowed to spread, I fear the Dragon Locking Well would turn into a level plain, a ruin. However, this world-ending storm did not last very long, almost as soon as it spread to the vicinity of the Dragon Locking Well, it was blocked by obscure fluctuations of the earth. Thick streams of true qi flowed out from around the original Dragon Locking Well, protecting it from destruction. In just an instant, the violent true qi was neutralized, and several potent forces, from the outside to the inside, pressed down heavily. This was precisely the qi force generated by the corpse of Yan Taizu in the Dragon Locking Well. Chang Ning, upon seeing this, said with a moved expression, ¡°How has the Ghost Swordsman become so strong? I remember he was just a Four Qi Grandmaster a short while ago.¡± The Sword Demon took a deep breath and slowly said, ¡°This Ghost Swordsman is too terrifying.¡± After reaching the Master Realm, the advancement in strength is extremely slow. How could it be like An Jing¡¯s, changing every few months? Upon the pitch-black tower, Wang Yangsheng¡¯s footsteps hovered, as if traversing the void. In the midst of violent explosive storms, An Jing¡¯s figure was also intermittently visible. Invisible Sword! An Jing advanced with a step, his long hair flying, and with a heavy stomp below his feet, a ¡°hum¡± rang out, and the surroundings suddenly turned bitterly cold. Wang Yangsheng¡¯s eyelid twitched, and his heart immediately sent out an alarm. He looked up, and while the air was silent, ripples pulsed from all directions, with countless An Jings charging towards him from all sides. ¡°Great Grandmaster, I have been looking forward to this!¡± An Jing¡¯s voice was ethereal and uncertain, coming from all directions, an intense aura of killing intent permeating everywhere, as if it were about to tear this world into a million pieces. An Jing was fast, and Wang Yangsheng¡¯s response was not slow. He extended his hands and true yuan burst forth, with astounding golden light erupting from within him, immediately followed by the roaring sound of great waves in the air. A heavy pressure expanded from Wang Yangsheng, spreading out to all sides. Roar! Roar! Wang Yangsheng¡¯s form was already obscured by the golden light, and behind him, a fierce, terrifying Golden Dragon arose, its eyes the size of lanterns glaring at An Jing. After Wang Yangsheng executed the Ancestor Dragon Technique, an immense qi mechanism radiated from his body, and his momentum, flowing outward from within, pressed down on An Jing. Thump! Thump! In the silent world, Sword Light and Handprints viciously tore through the void. This made the dangerous and terrifying nature of the two¡¯s exchanges visible. Bang! Bang! The continuous explosions around the Dragon Locking Well also finally began to thin out, and the overwhelming waves of true qi showed signs of collapse, eventually disappearing entirely. The world truly quieted down. After executing the Ancestor Dragon Technique, Wang Yangsheng¡¯s body was shrouded in a golden glow, and the Golden Dragon above his head was extremely fearsome. Even though An Jing had practiced the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, he still felt tremendous pressure. ¡°The World¡¯s First Swordsman, the name is well-deserved.¡± Wang Yangsheng¡¯s words were not just polite; at this moment, he truly considered An Jing an equal opponent, no longer daring to underestimate him in the slightest. Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have imagined that a thousand years later, there would be such a terrifying swordsman, able to fight him to a standstill at the Five Qi Realm, neither side claiming victory. An Jing also looked up, giving Wang Yangsheng a faint smile. Though smiling, Wang Yangsheng felt the temperature around him drop rapidly, causing his hairs to stand on end. Boom! An Jing¡¯s inside surged with purple true qi, flowing along his arm, and finally converging on the Dulu Sword in his hand, which immediately became dazzling with the rich purple hue. Thump! An Jing stomped heavily, his body transforming into a golden rainbow soaring into the sky, and in the next instant, he appeared above Wang Yangsheng. Without any hesitation, the Dulu Sword in his hand, now carrying a chill, struck down heavily. Bang! The Sword Radiance whistled past, directly shattering the void into dark cracks, like glass about to break. With this one stroke, An Jing channeled his true qi to its limit, also utilizing the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, the Immortal Sword, and Heavenly Human Communication, reaching almost the apex. ¡°Roar-!¡± ¡°` Majestic True Yuan suddenly exploded from within Wang Yangsheng¡¯s body, and the Golden Dragon above roared fiercely into the sky. The domineering presence swept through; the Golden Dragon¡¯s body jolted and charged towards the incoming Sword Light. The sharp Sword Radiance was still coming in aggressively, and at last, with a momentum that could shatter the heavens, it struck the Golden Dragon. Boom! The sky shook, and cracks suddenly spread across the body of the Golden Dragon, brilliant light shining through the fissures. Bang! Bang! An Jing only felt a massive counterforce coming at him, his body drifting away towards the distance. When he steadied himself, he found his right hand, the tiger¡¯s mouth, was already covered in blood. Meanwhile, the Golden Dragon in front of him also had slight cracks, but surprisingly, Wang Yangsheng still stood calmly opposite him. An Jing¡¯s eyes surged with intensity, and he once again raised his Dulu Sword, chopping fiercely down towards Wang Yangsheng. It was at this moment that Wang Yangsheng suddenly looked up; the brilliance in his eyes appeared to become even more piercing, and a trace of a cold smile emerged on his lips as he raised his hand to block the Sword Radiance. Clang! Metal clashing against metal, sparks flying in all directions, An Jing¡¯s heart shook because he felt that this time, Wang Yangsheng¡¯s strength seemed to have greatly increased again. The Dulu Sword¡¯s downward trajectory was blocked. The Dulu Sword was sent flying, and An Jing¡¯s gaze turned heavy as he looked at Wang Yangsheng¡¯s figure. Clothes fluttering all around him, Wang Yangsheng suddenly raised his head; his piercing eyes locked onto An Jing as the True Qi within his body exploded without reservation. Boom! The once-wavering Golden Dragon turned into a sky full of light and shadow that dissipated, leaving only Wang Yangsheng¡¯s soaring majestic True Qi to permeate the world. An Jing exhaled softly, his brow slightly furrowed as he stared at Wang Yangsheng¡¯s figure. ¡°To battle me to such an extent, besides the Grand Ancestor, you are the second one.¡± As Wang Yangsheng¡¯s voice fell, his hands gently came together. Watching Wang Yangsheng¡¯s trembling palms, An Jing¡¯s brow creased slightly. Then, as if realizing something, his eyes stared fixedly at the space between the palms. Faint strands of golden light permeated through the pores in the palms, and in just a short moment, Wang Yangsheng¡¯s hands turned into dragon claws, emitting a sense of domineering and violent aura. Wang Yangsheng¡¯s hands, now resembling the claws of a True Dragon, emitted dense golden True Yuan that spread from his palms, turning the surrounding area of the Dragon Locking Well into a sea of golden brilliance. An Jing¡¯s expression also became increasingly solemn, as he sensed great danger emanating from within the golden light. He knew that Wang Yangsheng was truly unleashing his ultimate move, but this was still not his last resort. After all, his current strength was still somewhat short of the Grandmaster Realm. The transformation of True Qi into True Yuan was almost a complete metamorphosis, a world-changing event. Relying on minor tricks would hardly bridge this vast chasm unless he could break through to the Seventh Realm of Sword Dao. In an instant, An Jing started to draw on all the True Qi within his body. Rumble! Rumble! Rumble! Centered around An Jing, True Qi exploded, forming vortexes that frenziedly absorbed the surrounding natural spiritual energy. ¡°What a powerful move!¡± Wang Yangsheng¡¯s eyes flashed with a cold light, and his expression also showed a trace of seriousness. An Jing¡¯s sword had not yet fallen, but Wang Yangsheng already felt a sense of crisis, revealing the fierceness of the attack. Boom! Boom! Boom! The explosive True Qi vibrated wildly, spreading waves of terrifying True Qi outwards. Selfless Dao! Boom! The sound of a sword¡¯s cry pierced the heavens, and the once-dim sky suddenly became as bright as daylight, dazzling to the extreme. Golden light shrouded Wang Yangsheng, even his eyes turning golden. The next moment, his gaze sharpened, and he fiercely struck out with his dragon claws! Boom! Golden light crazily converged between heaven and earth, and then that colossal dragon claw came bearing down with a scalp-numbing Qi mechanism fluctuation, like Mount Tai bearing down, enveloping everything. ¡°Break for me!¡± Wang Yangsheng¡¯s eyes widened as he bellowed, driving his True Yuan to its limit. The dragon claw, engulfed in surging golden light, crashed down ferociously, directly clashing head-on with the sword light! Boom! The moment of collision was like two meteors tearing through the sky, then smashing together with a world-ending force. The visible shockwave spread out in layers, shattering the very void it swept through. Through the shattered void, one could seemingly see the tranquil expanse of the starry sky. The aftermath was so vast that, in an instant, countless True Qi light shields flickered into existence. An Jing, feeling the terrifying tide of impact, exerted all his strength to use the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique. A starlight appeared around his body, fending off the tide of True Qi in front of him. Boom! Boom! Boom! An Jing blocked the incoming tidal waves, his chest burning as if alight. The shockwave continued to wreak havoc, growing increasingly violent within the standoff, its fierce howling echoing between heaven and earth. Wang Yangsheng waved his sleeve, and the terrifying tide of True Qi was directly blown away. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± At this moment, a speck rushed over from the distance. ¡°Thud!¡± The speck smashed heavily in front of Wang Yangsheng, cracking the ground open yard by yard, extending outwards. Upon closer inspection, it was actually a black, profound coffin. Surrounding the black coffin was also a mist of golden light, giving off an impression of a mountain¡¯s weight, unshakable and immovable. ¡°An exotic treasure!?¡± An Jing looked at the coffin and was immediately shocked. He hadn¡¯t expected a coffin to be refined into an exotic treasure as well. The Grandmaster before him hadn¡¯t yet put forth his full strength. If he were to make a full effort plus use the power of the exotic treasure in his hands, how terrifying would that be? Wang Yangsheng¡¯s expression was indifferent as his True Yuan slowly gathered into the coffin in front of him through his meridians. Hum! Hum! A surge of True Yuan, like a storm, swept out at this moment. It was so fast it defied description. Within the tide of True Yuan, countless streams of Golden Qi condensed, each one capable of easily tearing apart a Grandmaster-level expert. Such an assault was truly fearsome. The golden storm enlarged rapidly in front of An Jing, who also slightly changed his expression. He didn¡¯t dare to hesitate and ran his True Qi to the extreme, shielded by the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique. Bang! Bang! The countless streams of golden light swept down, battering the protective starlight around An Jing. Facing such a violent assault, the starlight grew more and more dim, finally bursting apart with a loud explosion. An Jing stretched out his hand, also preparing to take out the Imperial Jade Seal. Seeing this, Wang Yangsheng was about to exert more force when suddenly his brows furrowed tightly, and he looked toward the southeast. In the distance, atop the shadow of a tree, a figure had appeared; their features were indiscernible, backlit against the moon. The person was clad in a red robe, with a blade in each hand. The blades emitted a cold glimmer, and their overwhelming aura caused even Wang Yangsheng¡¯s Qi mechanism to tremble. A Demon Sect expert!? Seeing the newcomer, Wang Yangsheng¡¯s movements unconsciously paused for a moment. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°This poor Taoist greets you.¡± At the same time, a voice called out clearly. A Taoist slowly approached from afar. Though the Taoist was dressed simply and unadorned, it could not hide his extraordinary elegance. In his hands he held nothing but a teapot and a horsetail whisk; apart from these, there was nothing else. Originally dealing with An Jing had already increased his pressure. Now with the arrival of two more powerful Five Qi Grandmasters, even Wang Yangsheng¡¯s brow was deeply furrowed. ¡­¡­. Chapter 373 - Chapter 373 Chapter 273 The Difficult Path Towards a World of Chapter 373: Chapter 273: The Difficult Path Towards a World of Great Unity Chapter 373: Chapter 273: The Difficult Path Towards a World of Great Unity For a time, countless experts converged near the Dragon Locking Well, where undercurrents surged, and killing intent filled the air. At this moment, Wang Yangsheng¡¯s emotions were also turbulent. At his level, his six senses had connected with the heavens and the earth, giving rise to a heart sense that could perceive a hint of hidden danger. In other words, not only could the three people in front of him pose a threat to his life, but there could also be other experts lurking nearby, which immediately put him on high alert. ¡°Interesting!¡± ¡°Thud!¡± Wang Yangsheng slapped his hand on the black coffin, leaving five deep palm imprints on its surface, followed by a thunderous roar that echoed throughout the area. ¡°Swoosh! Swoosh!¡± The black coffin, like a mountain, charged towards An Jing, with the sound of tearing through the air in its wake. An Jing¡¯s pupils reflected the black coffin, yet his expression remained calm; he raised the Dulu Sword with one hand while True Qi surged around him like a tidal wave before he cleaved forward. Snip! A sword nearly thirty feet long appeared in the night sky, as if it intended to split the ancient darkness itself. Boom! The giant sword struck the black coffin with a deafening crash. Wang Yangsheng stood on the coffin, his foot set firm upon it, and dispatched a palm strike towards An Jing with a howling gust, overbearing and unmatched. An Jing twirled the Dulu Sword in his hand and thrust forward, piercing through Wang Yangsheng¡¯s domineering handprint with the sword¡¯s sharpness and the unique chill of the Dulu Sword. The True Yuan from the dispersed handprint turned into a vast golden wave, scattering crazily in all directions as if intending to flatten everything around it. Zhao Qingmei, and Xiao Qianqiu, standing on the other side, acted at the same time to block the overflowing True Yuan. ¡°What an overbearing strength!¡± Xiao Qianqiu took a step back and frowned deeply. This was the scattered True Yuan. If gathered into a palm imprint, how tyrannical would it be? The Ghost Swordsman was actually fighting Wang Yangsheng so fiercely. Could it be that the Ghost Swordsman has already broken through to the Five Qi Grandmaster!? With this thought, Xiao Qianqiu couldn¡¯t help but be greatly moved. Although he considered himself a banished immortal with exceptional talents, compared to the Ghost Swordsman, he realized he was nothing. Zhao Qingmei unsheathed her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades, and two sharp blade lights slashed forward. ¡°Thud! Thud!¡± Using the force of the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades, she managed to shatter all the incoming True Yuan. ¡°This is somewhat interesting; today, let me see the extent of your three¡¯s strength,¡± declared Wang Yangsheng with a light shout, slightly stretching his palm. Clearly, he was ready to bring out his true strength and take on all three of them. Golden light was changing and spreading in Wang Yangsheng¡¯s palm, and the coffin under his feet seemed to be transformed by the influx of True Yuan, turning as bright as the sun in the night sky. ¡°How can the aura of this coffin be not inferior to the Imperial Jade Seal? What kind of exotic treasure is this!?¡± An Jing was shaken. It was known that the Imperial Jade Seal was a legacy exotic treasure, a symbol of unity under heaven, said to contain the existence of a million ghost soldiers within. Yet, this coffin could be compared to the Imperial Jade Seal, indicating that it wasn¡¯t just made of special material¨Cthere must be other mysteries hidden within it. Wang Yangsheng clenched his hand, and the omnipresent golden flow suddenly condensed, turning into streams of golden Force Qi that swayed in the evening breeze, twisting and fracturing the void. Even before the golden Force Qi had flown over, An Jing already felt a strong sense of crisis and immediately flashed a look, proceeding to use the Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique to rush towards the distance. Zhao Qingmei and Xiao Qianqiu both were dodging repeatedly, never having exchanged blows with a Great Grandmaster like Wang Yangsheng before. They had no idea how formidable a Great Grandmaster could be, and it was only upon confronting one that they realized the immense pressure one faced against an opponent who was an entire major realm above them. Especially for Xiao Qianqiu, who only days ago was almost equally matched with An Jing, had believed An Jing to be only slightly stronger than him. But now, he found that the gap had widened to a significant extent without him noticing it. ¡°He¡¯s too strong; Wang Yangsheng was already very powerful, and now with the support of that exotic treasure under his feet, it¡¯s going to be tough to hold him back,¡± thought An Jing as he dodged another lethal move, feeling thoroughly shaken. ¡°Slippery like an eel,¡± Wang Yangsheng, while watching An Jing make a decisive retreat, glanced towards the distant Dragon Spring Temple and thought to himself: ¡°That old monk is hiding inside the temple; it seems there is hardly any chance of getting into the Dragon Locking Well today.¡± With that thought, Wang Yangsheng gave a fierce kick to the black coffin below him. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! The black coffin fell like a mountain, and the entire night sky fell eerily quiet. An Jing¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he felt a killing intent the likes of which he had never encountered before rushing toward him, marking one of the most intense crises of his life. Wang Yangsheng was already strong, but now, with that exotic treasure in his possession, he was like a tiger with wings. An Jing once again swung the Dulu Sword in his hand forward, and a mighty Sword Qi burst forth, filled with dazzling starlight, as if it could split the falling coffin in two. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! This time, the majestic coffin was not blown away. Instead, it crashed down like a mountain. If it were to crush An Jing, even he could suffer severe injuries, prompting him to quickly sheathe his sword and retreat into the distance. Thud! Thud! When the coffin smashed into the ground, the earth cracked open foot by foot from the impact site, creating a web-like pattern. The entire Dragon Locking Well, including Dragon Spring Temple and even Yujing City, began to tremble, with countless trees and buildings collapsing. The sky was falling, and the earth was shaking! Within several miles around, there was nothing left but devastation. The might of the Great Grandmaster was on full display! Wang Yangsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, his golden radiance twinkling, as his True Yuan circulated to its extreme. Apart from not unleashing the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique from his Ancestor Dragon Technique, he was exerting his full strength. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! In an instant, the surrounding golden light transformed into golden petals, swept up by the cold wind and rushed towards An Jing, Zhao Qingmei, and Xiao Qianqiu. A beam of starlight emerged around An Jing¡¯s body, making his physique seem as majestic as a mountain and even brighter and more vast than the stars above. He was pushing the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique to its limit¨Cthis was the Star Protection Divine Light. An Jing had never revealed such a lifesaving secret technique in front of any master before, but today, facing this Great Grandmaster, he had no choice but to use it. ¡°The Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique!?¡± Wang Yangsheng obviously recognized the martial arts technique An Jing used and a cold smile appeared on his lips. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Countless golden petals of force hit the protective starlight around An Jing, immediately sparking a flurry of light and creating a storm. While the Protective Starlight wasn¡¯t cut through, An Jing could still feel the sharp pain and repeatedly stepped back. ¡°The gap between a Great Grandmaster and a Grandmaster is so vast that even numerous techniques can hardly bridge it; coupled with that coffin exotic treasure, defeating Wang Yangsheng is undoubtedly a pipe dream,¡± thought An Jing as his mind raced. Swords from his sword box behind him flew out. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Sword Qi shot out, sweeping through the sky, and as the Sword Qi surged, one could see the air twisting and warping. Every sword, with the support of the Immortal Sword¡¯s Sword Qi, became incredibly huge, and each giant sword was connected in a peculiar way, forming an imposing and magnificent Sword Array. As An Jing¡¯s cultivation improved and his comprehension of the Sword Dao deepened, the Sword Array also underwent great changes. The Candle Dragon nests at the frigid gate, its brilliance unfolding like the dawn. Why doesn¡¯t the sun and moon shine upon it? Only the northern wind thunders furiously down from the heavens. Fallen leaves, as large as mats, are blown one by one beneath the Dragon Locking Well. An Jing became one with the Sword Array; he himself was the sharpest sword in this world. The cold Qi Mechanism pierced through the dark clouds in the sky above. Above the ninth heaven, a gorge a thousand zhang in length appeared, splitting a vast expanse of dark clouds in half, a sight to behold. ¡°Who knows how many years it will take before such a swordsman appears again,¡± Liu Moyuan, gazing at the sword marks above the sky, couldn¡¯t help but remark, ¡°Perhaps there will never be another.¡± Even among masters of the same realm, there are distinctions. Like Liu Moyuan and Hao Tian, who belong to the top ranks among the Four Qi masters for a century, and Xiao Qianqiu and Zongzheng Huachun, who also rank at the top among the Five Qi Grandmasters, An Jing, who can challenge masters across realms at any time, is simply an unprecedented genius. ¡°But it¡¯s too difficult to confront the Grandmaster Realm with the Master Realm, especially with that coffin Exotic Treasure in his hands,¡± Sword Demon Hao Tian said slowly, ¡°Unless the Ghost Swordsman can reach the Seventh Realm.¡± The Seventh Realm, a realm so many top swordsmen of the past and present have aspired to but could not reach. In a world teeming with masters, how many can reach the Grandmaster Realm? They are already considered as the Land Immortals, beings of the heavens in this world. At this moment, the Sword Array was already condensed, and astonishing Sword Qi was gathered in an instant. Such fleeting radiance! Even Wang Yangsheng was taken aback, channeling True Yuan into his subordinates¡¯ coffin, which with the support of the vast True Yuan, continued to release golden brilliance. It seemed to turn into a canopy that covered the sky and the sun, spreading over the distant Sword Array. Everyone could clearly sense the dangerous aura, the coffin itself was an Exotic Treasure, and with the addition of Wang Yangsheng¡¯s True Yuan at this moment, it immediately produced a tremendous pressure. Boom! Boom! Boom! The void above Xiao Qianqiu seemed twisted, and his body appeared to be shaken by that pressure, moving extremely slowly. ¡°Not good!¡± Xiao Qianqiu cried out silently. If hit by that coffin, even his cultivation would not be enough to save him. Just then, a cold radiance surged forward, and the endless Sword Array emitted a dazzling light, charging towards the black coffin. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! A series of explosive sounds erupted across the night sky, numerous rays of light intertwined together, illuminating the originally dim sky. ¡°It¡¯s not over yet!¡± A deadly intent flashed in Wang Yangsheng¡¯s eyes, and he struck the coffin with a palm. Empowered by this Hand Force, the coffin became even more forceful and heavy as it collided towards the front. An Jing¡¯s eyes were extremely grave. Immortal Sword, Heavenly Human Communication, and all other moves were employed, with the Sword Array heavily falling towards the front. Boom! Boom! Boom! Upon impact, a huge mushroom cloud instantly burst forth from the epicenter. ¡°We shall meet again.¡± Wang Yangsheng glanced at An Jing, his True Qi began to circulate, and instantly, a layer of golden light filled the surroundings. Then he carried the coffin beneath his feet and swiftly soared into the distance. An Jing was also pushed back several yards by the terrible mushroom cloud, and by the time he had steadied himself, Wang Yangsheng¡¯s figure was nowhere to be seen. Grandmasters can move incredibly fast, and within just a few breaths of time, they can cover hundreds of yards, making it virtually impossible to catch up. Zhao Qingmei leaped to An Jing¡¯s side and whispered, ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± An Jing shook his head, his eyes fixed on the direction of Dragon Spring Temple. Even after Wang Yangsheng left, the seriousness in his eyes did not diminish. ¡°That old monk has not yet come out.¡± Wang Yangsheng had noticed this Grandmaster, and An Jing had long been aware of him. Zhao Qingmei had not taken action earlier, not because she was intimidated by the aftermath of Wang Yangsheng¡¯s power, but because she had been watching that old monk from Dragon Spring Temple. Xi Hafu was also a Grandmaster, and his strength might even surpass Wang Yangsheng¡¯s, able to match Wang Yangsheng who possessed an Exotic Treasure. With such a top-notch expert present, how could the two of them not be cautious? Xiao Qianqiu slowly walked over, following their gaze. ¡°Amitabha!¡± Under the quiet night sky, Xi Hafu, clad in a black kasaya, walked out slowly, seemingly out of place with the world around him. At this moment, his face showed neither joy nor sorrow, unreadable like the golden body statues high in the temples. Seeing the person who appeared, Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s eyebrows twitched, ¡°Xi Hafu!?¡± Xi Hafu had once intervened on behalf of Houjin to deal with the Ghost Swordsman in Yulong Snow Mountain, a widely known fact. Although later Buddhist masters like Fa Wu and Tian Yi Bodhisattva were summoned to Yujing City and seemed to have had a secret meeting with the Great Yan royal family, the outcome was unknown to all. In short, the appearance of a Grandmaster with unclear motives and unfathomable strength in Yujing City wasn¡¯t good news for Great Yan. With hands joined, Xi Hafu said, ¡°Amitabha, Benefactor An, we meet again.¡± An Jing gazed at the Xi Hafu before him, recalling the Xi Hafus he had met previously¨Csome in red kasayas, some in black, each with a distinctly different temperament. Perhaps none of them were the real Xi Hafu, and the one before him was the genuine one. The Dulu Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand was not sheathed as he replied indifferently, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have come.¡± From his previous actions, it was evident that Xi Hafu was very eager to unlock the Forbidden Dragon Locking Well, allowing the Earth Vein Spirit to return to the world and completely release the evil spirits along with nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Despite having fought, and even against a Grandmaster, the speed at which the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± recovered True Qi was extremely fast, taking merely the time it takes to burn a stick of incense to return to peak condition¨Cnot to mention that An Jing and Wang Yangsheng had not fought to the point of mutual destruction. Zhao Qingmei, holding her blade, was ready to act the moment Xi Hafu made a move, prepared to confront this great Buddhist Grandmaster with An Jing. Xi Hafu chuckled softly, saying, ¡°Benefactor, I think there may have been some misunderstandings before.¡± Hearing this, An Jing and Zhao Qingmei exchanged glances. If Xi Hafu spoke this way, could it be that his visit wasn¡¯t for the Dragon Locking Well today? An Jing eyed Xi Hafu, saying, ¡°Misunderstandings should be clarified. I, An, don¡¯t want to be left in the dark.¡± Back at Yulong Snow Mountain, if An Jing hadn¡¯t possessed the Imperial Jade Seal in his hand, he might very well have died at the hands of this Grandmaster. With his hands joined, Xi Hafu solemnly declared, ¡°Initially, this humble monk¡¯s intention was to protect the Dragon Locking Well, to prevent others from approaching and harming the Earth Vein Spirit, causing turmoil in the world. My intention was no different from that of Benefactor An, so there were no conflicts of interest. At the time, our confrontation was merely due to misunderstandings. Now, this humble monk fully understands the inner thoughts of the benefactor. With the world in turmoil, countless power-hungry evildoers covet the Dragon Locking Well, like Wang Yangsheng just now. Besides him, there are many experts to fend off. We should cooperate to resist these desperately wicked people and protect the common folk from disaster.¡± Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei secretly sneered to herself, telepathically communicating, ¡°Bald monks of Buddhism, full of righteousness and morality, feigning sincerity¨Cyou can bet he has a new scheme in mind.¡± An Jing also agreed; the Xi Hafu before him had been keen on killing him previously and had very much wanted to unlock the Forbidden Dragon Locking Well. Now, suddenly claiming to guard the well seemed somewhat suspicious. However, with the current situation unclear and the threats of Wang Yangsheng and the Undying Qianqiu, if Xi Hafu was of the same ilk as these two, then no one would be capable of guarding the Dragon Locking Well. Xiao Qianqiu, having experienced a full mortal lifecycle in the Heavenly Venerate¡¯s Mirror and gained some memories of the founders of the Mystical Sect, knew some secrets unknown to others. He pondered over Xi Hafu¡¯s words thoughtfully. Just then, several figures approached from the distance, led by Tianpeng Ancestor, the head of the Imperial Guards. He stepped forward and said, ¡°State Preceptor, Master An, Sect Hierarch Zhao, Master, the Princess has prepared a banquet and asked me to invite you all.¡± ¡­¡­ Imperial City. The bright vermilion gate was topped with a black plaque made of golden silk nanmu, flamboyantly inscribed with three large characters: Fengya Jian. The steps were cool as water in the night, red candles flickered within, while outside, a fine rain slanted across the sky, and the gathered water silently dripped down along the layers of eaves, spreading ripples on the ground, seeming to mark the spot as if to linger. At this time, the great hall was brightly lit, radiating splendor. Seated upon the gold-painted throne with carved dragons in the hall was a woman of ineffable beauty, dressed in a snow-white garment; her every frown and smile exuded a soft temperament, yet her brows still bore an emergent heroic spirit. Below, there was peace and happiness as the dance went on, sleeves fluttered, bells chimed and chimes clanked, and the music floated melodiously. Incense burned at the base of the platform, with smoke twirling around. At the lower end sat, respectively, An Jing, Zhao Qingmei, Xi Hafu, and Xiao Qianqiu, who had just rushed over from the Dragon Locking Well. Several Imperial Guards stood respectfully on both sides, and continuously, beautiful and graceful court ladies clad in colorful palace attire came forward to pour wine and serve dishes. Zhao Xuening asked with concern, ¡°Mister An, I¡¯ve heard you had a fierce battle with Wang Yangsheng. Were you injured?¡± An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°Princess, you are too kind. It¡¯s just some minor injuries, nothing serious.¡± ¡°Mister An, you¡¯re the one being too modest.¡± Zhao Xuening instructed, ¡°Someone, bring out the Nine Jade Pills I have prepared.¡± As she spoke, the little eunuch Zhuo Yuchang came up with a dish which also held a jade bottle. The Nine Jade Pills were an extremely precious healing holy medicine of the Royal Family, ranked third in the world, only below the Great Snow Mountain Snow Lotus and the Zhenyi Sect¡¯s Nine Revolutions Return to Origin Pill. Zhao Xuening said earnestly, ¡°This little healing elixir is a token of my regard. I hope Mister An will accept it.¡± Seeing this, An Jing¡¯s brows raised slightly. He had yet to speak when Zhao Qingmei abruptly took the jade bottle and said, ¡°Since it¡¯s a token of the princess¡¯s regard, husband, you should accept it.¡± An Jing saw Zhao Qingmei¡¯s enchanting eyes and felt a chill in his heart. If Luo Chongyang were here, he would undoubtedly be watching An Jing with amusement, but Xiao Qianqiu was different. He sat calmly across from An Jing, sipped his tea gently, and adopted a detached pose as if the matter did not concern him at all. Xi Hafu seemed to be deaf to everything, pressed his hands together over his chest, and his small eyes appeared to be tightly shut, as he was resting. An Jing, witnessing this scene, immediately had a bad feeling, as if sitting on pins and needles. Zhao Xuening laughed lightly and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch Zhao, this is our first meeting, isn¡¯t it?¡± Zhao Qingmei also smiled and said, ¡°Indeed, it is my first time meeting the princess.¡± Zhao Xuening raised her cup and said, ¡°Since we are so fated, why don¡¯t we have a drink together?¡± Zhao Qingmei did not lift her cup but asked, ¡°Why are we fated?¡± Zhao Xuening replied with a smile, ¡°We share the same surname, don¡¯t you think that¡¯s fate?¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly. Others might not be privy to some secrets, but as the State Preceptor of Great Yan, and one who used to be among the most trusted by the previous Great Yan Emperor, he was aware of the mystery surrounding Zhao Qingmei¡¯s identity. What did Zhao Xuening mean by saying this now? Was she trying to test Zhao Qingmei? Zhao Qingmei remained composed, lifted her cup, and said, ¡°It seems the princess is not only fated with my husband, but with me as well.¡± After speaking, Zhao Qingmei emptied her cup in one gulp and then looked toward Zhao Xuening. The wine was powerful, and ordinary women seldom drank liquor, let alone emptied it in one swallow like fighters of Jianghu. Zhao Qingmei, who grew up in the Demon Sect Main Hall, was half a veteran of Jianghu and could down even the strongest drink in a single gulp. Zhao Xuening, seeing her eyes, did not hesitate and also drained her cup. The two women thus looked at each other in silence. The air seemed to freeze. In this hall, there were women, monks, and Daoists, all of whom were some of the most tough to deal with in Jianghu. At this moment, both monks and Daoists could sense the spark in the eyes of the two women that was fleeting yet intense. Both women remained silent, their gaze not straying. An Jing could only feel his scalp tingling and promptly spoke up, ¡°Come, let¡¯s eat. The dishes prepared by the imperial chefs are indeed delicious.¡± Zhao Xuening¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Mother taught me from a young age to learn cooking with the imperial chefs. I have essentially mastered the cooking of all sixteen imperial chefs within the Imperial City.¡± ¡°Oh? So the chef¡¯s dishes are this tasty?¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingmei set down her wine cup and said with a smile, ¡°Does that mean the food here is better than what we have at home?¡± The two women¡¯s words clashed like swords, but the one who suffered was the middleman caught between them. An Jing suddenly felt overwhelmed, realizing he might have misspoken, he quickly added, ¡°In my heart, the dishes made by my wife are naturally the most delicious.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded with satisfaction and said, ¡°The imperial chefs serve the royal family, and their dishes comprise of rare delicacies. For commoners like us, it¡¯s better to stick to our simple home-cooked meals.¡± Zhao Xuening responded calmly, ¡°If one eats plain and simple meals too much, one eventually needs to change flavors.¡± As she said this, her eyes were intently fixed on An Jing. An Jing immediately felt as if sitting on pins and needles, thinking to himself, ¡°Just speak normally, why are you staring at me all the time?¡± Zhao Qingmei said expressionlessly, ¡°That¡¯s different. Commoners are accustomed to poverty and simplicity, and might not be able to handle these rare delicacies fit for a princess.¡± Zhao Xuening let out a laugh and said, ¡°No one is unchangeable; after all, the human heart is unpredictable. Sometimes, what you think is constant is actually the biggest change.¡± Zhao Qingmei, seeing Zhao Xuening¡¯s laugh, also smiled gently, ¡°Is that so? I can¡¯t entirely agree with the princess.¡± Zhao Xuening gestured with a wave of her sleeve, indicating an invitation to continue, ¡°Please explain.¡± ¡°No need for further explanation.¡± Zhao Qingmei gently placed her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades on the table, and with a ¡®snap¡¯, the sound echoed throughout the Great Hall. Suddenly, the entire Great Hall fell silent, an icy and solemn atmosphere pervaded the space. Tianpeng Ancestor and Xu Qianyue immediately stepped in front of Zhao Xuening, warily watching Zhao Qingmei. After all, she was the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect. Although lately, the affairs of the Demon Sect were mostly handled by the Ghost Swordsman, this Hierarch rarely showcased her own methods, but there was not a person in the world who dared to take her lightly. Meanwhile, Xiao Qianqiu also looked towards Zhao Qingmei, while Xi Hafu slowly opened his eyes. The atmosphere in the Great Hall instantly became tense, even reaching a point where it seemed like swords were drawn and arrows were nocked. Zhao Qingmei put down the wine cup and instead picked up a wine jar next to her, tilting her head back with her fair and smooth neck exposed, she took large gulps of the alcohol. Zhao Xuening called out sharply, ¡°What are you doing? Back off now!¡± Tianpeng Ancestor and Xu Qianyue exchanged glances and then retreated several steps back. An Jing, on the other hand, was remarkably calm inside. Since the matter was out of his control, he might as well lie back and slowly enjoy his wine with a calm heart. Zhao Xuening looked on with appreciation at Zhao Qingmei and said, ¡°Sect Hierarch Zhao thinks the same way I do.¡± Zhao Qingmei put down the wine jar and asked, ¡°Do you know what I¡¯m thinking?¡± Zhao Xuening replied, ¡°I know.¡± Zhao Qingmei shook her head, ¡°No, you don¡¯t.¡± Zhao Xuening asked, ¡°Why do you think I wouldn¡¯t know?¡± Zhao Qingmei responded, ¡°Because you are not me, you will never truly know what I¡¯m thinking.¡± Zhao Xuening did not argue, then smiled and said, ¡°Then let it be that I don¡¯t know. Perhaps it¡¯s better not to know certain things.¡± Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°It seems the princess is a wise person.¡± Zhao Xuening replied, ¡°The term ¡®wise¡¯ isn¡¯t ideal. I prefer to be considered someone with wisdom, since it is rare for people to attribute wisdom to women.¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s tone lifted slightly, ¡°Who says that women seldom possess wisdom?¡± Zhao Xuening slowly said, ¡°Just like throughout the millennia-long history of dynasties, there has never been a female Human Emperor.¡± Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°The Princess can be the first, and I think this will definitely be the most prominent stroke in the annals of history.¡± Zhao Xuening asked, ¡°Yes, but I wonder if the Sect Hierarch is willing to support me?¡± Zhao Xuening had already completely taken control of the Royal Family and all the civil and military officials, and even the tens of thousands of soldiers of the Pingyang Guard were in her hands. She could ascend to the throne whenever she wished. Zhao Qingmei laughed, ¡°Do you really hope for my affirmation?¡± Zhao Xuening earnestly said, ¡°Indeed, after all, in my heart, Sect Hierarch Zhao is a very ¡®important¡¯ person.¡± Their words were like swordplay, loaded with hidden intentions, shifting from the initial struggle over An Jing to the contention for the throne, each trying to probe the other. And with every sentence, they came to understand each other better. Zhao Qingmei did not hesitate, ¡°Of course, I support the Princess and will support you wholeheartedly.¡± ¡°Good!¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuening stood up and said, ¡°With the words of Sect Hierarch Zhao, I can now rest easy. I plan to ascend the throne in three days.¡± Although she had long known that Zhao Xuening would ascend the throne, hearing it from her own lips, there was still a subtle shift in her emotions. ¡°Then I shall offer my congratulations to the Princess in advance.¡± ¡°Congratulations to the Princess!¡± Xiao Qianqiu and Xi Hafu also stood up to offer their congratulations. Zhao Xuening grinned as she turned to the silently observing An Jing, ¡°Young Master An, I have always invited you to admire the Four Views of Yujing, but you have been too busy. Don¡¯t forget about it in the future.¡± ¡°The next time I invite you to enjoy the view, it will be an imperial command.¡± An Jing felt a cold glare coming from beside him. Although it was fleeting¨Cappearing quickly and vanishing even faster¨Che was aware of it. ¡­.. After the banquet, Zhao Xuening kept Zhao Qingmei behind, intending to give her some clothes and personal effects belonging to Zhao Shizai. An Jing left the Imperial City, having a cheerful conversation with the two women, and returned to the Demon Sect¡¯s stronghold. If it were any ordinary future emperor who had kept his wife behind, An Jing might have thought differently, but as it was the soon-to-be Empress of Great Yan, he did not say much. ¡°Son-in-law.¡± Seeing An Jing return, Li Fuzhou quickly greeted him and asked, ¡°Where is the Sect Hierarch?¡± An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°She¡¯s still in the Imperial Palace.¡± Upon hearing this, Li Fuzhou¡¯s face went through a slight change, then he said, ¡°Zhou Xianming has left Yujing City.¡± An Jing sat down and poured a cup of tea, ¡°Where did he go?¡± Li Fuzhou answered, ¡°He went back to Yu State City.¡± ¡°Let him go back.¡± An Jing paused for a moment, then continued, ¡°By the way, you didn¡¯t mention to the wife what Zhou Xianming told you, did you?¡± Li Fuzhou quickly replied, ¡°I haven¡¯t said a word to the Sect Hierarch about what Zhou Xianming told me.¡± ¡°This Zhou Xianming¡­¡± An Jing shook his head. Back when he was in Yu State City, they often drank together and would speak their minds after getting drunk. An Jing had said a lot, and perhaps those words had given Zhou Xianming a lot to think about unwittingly. Zhou Xianming¡¯s life was quite exceptional; his parents died in the Jianghu feuds when he was young, and then as a teenager, he became a famous scholar but chose not to take the imperial exams. Instead, he traveled the world, visiting the Pure Land, Houjin, Zhao Country, and the Southern Barbarians. He spent the most time in Zhao Country and understood its national conditions best. Zhao Country was under the extremely oppressive rule of the Black Ice Platform. Almost no other Jianghu forces existed outside of the Black Ice Platform, and they hardly influenced the overall situation, which turned the Zhao Country¡¯s Jianghu into stagnant water. Few experts emerged, but the common people of Zhao Country were much better off than those in Yan Country. Furthermore, ensuing events like those related to Li Yue and An Jing had sparked a special idea in Zhou Xianming¡¯s mind. Heroes committing crimes with martial arts! This phrase was spot on. Once someone possessed power surpassing that of ordinary people, it would inevitably affect the order of the world, with commoners always bearing the brunt of the chaos. These ordinary people were powerless lambs that could die amidst the surging tides with just a bit of carelessness. Zhou Xianming wanted to establish a new order, solidify imperial power, and, at the same time, protect countless citizens. However, historically, reforms often had a downside¨C they would harm the interests of one group to protect the interests of another. Zhou Xianming wanted to establish a martial arts school, which nearly uprooted the entire foundation of Jianghu. In the past, An Jing viewed the world from a doctor¡¯s perspective, naturally expressing different opinions. But now, he served as a tributor to the Demon Sect, and his wife was the Sect Hierarch. ¡°Your position determines your thoughts.¡± This saying fully illustrates human nature¡¯s weakness. Depending on where you sit, that¡¯s the position¡¯s problems you consider. In fact, looking at Zhou Xianming¡¯s life experiences, even he didn¡¯t realize that the person who had the deepest impact on him was the Doctor An from Yu State City, whose influence subtly and profoundly changed his thoughts. And perhaps, he was unaware of this change. ¡°Reform¡­¡± An Jing looked back at the history of this world and then thought of the history of the previous world. Because you would be surprised to find that history hasn¡¯t changed. Technology changes, clothes change, diets change¨Cthese are all superficial. Inside, nothing changes; it¡¯s still the same old pattern from thousands of years ago, going in circles. The same mistakes that should be made, will be made; the same people who should be killed, will be killed; loyal ministers and treacherous officials will die, and a thousand years later, they will still die. We are aware of all the mistakes, yet we ultimately cannot correct them. Those who truly transcend history do exist, and the world refers to these individuals as saints. After all, this world is filled with countless people living in dire straits. Life is not as some people describe it¨Cshort-lived. In fact, it can be very drawn-out, especially for those suffering, so lengthy as to make one wish for death. Standing atop the waves of the era, An Jing is now this era¡¯s greatest wave. His every action impacts the world and may even affect the future direction of the world. And how should history proceed? Upon reflection, martial arts are mostly in the hands of sects and schools. They grip these collections of martial arts and mental methods tightly; some have even been lost, completely disappearing from the human world. But if martial arts truly become widespread, it¡¯s a mixed bag whether this is good or bad for the people of the world. However, sects and schools will be completely eradicated, becoming history. Ancient sects like the Demon Sect and the Zhenyi Sect pose the greatest resistance. Supporting Zhou Xianming¡¯s reform is like cutting off one¡¯s own arms. What will become of the Demon Sect¡¯s followers? How will he explain to Jun Qinglin? And how will he justify it to Zhao Qingmei? Moreover, without the Demon Sect, the royal family¡¯s power would undoubtedly grow, leaving him and Zhao Qingmei like tigers without wings. ¡°The cunning rabbit is cooked when the running dog is exhausted; the flying birds are gone so the good bow is stored away.¡± An Jing is well aware of this principle. It is difficult to let go of power in hand. Just like the saying goes, it¡¯s easy to enter Jianghu, but difficult to leave its mire. An Jing has never considered himself a saint, nor does he see himself as a mediocre nobody. But the decision he¡¯s faced with now is akin to the kind that saints must make. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only An Jing sighed and asked, ¡°Third Master, what do you think?¡± Li Fuzhou shook his head and said, ¡°I¡¯ve not figured it out yet.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and replied, ¡°Then keep thinking, until the day you understand.¡± His words seemed to be directed at Li Fuzhou, but also at himself. ¡­¡­ Chapter 374 - Chapter 374 Chapter 274 The Yongan Human Emperor Treads the Chapter 374: Chapter 274: The Yong¡¯an Human Emperor Treads the Path of Kings Chapter 374: Chapter 274: The Yong¡¯an Human Emperor Treads the Path of Kings On the outskirts of Yujing City, within an opulent manor. A bright moon hung high in the sky, its pristine light sprinkling across the earth like a layer of silver powder. Guards were stationed outside the main hall, forming an impenetrable shield; they were all clad in black and adept in the martial arts, their nimble footsteps revealing their first-rate status in Jianghu. Yet inside the hall, lights blazed, and toasts were exchanged freely. Chang Ning sat at the head and muttered to himself, ¡°Who exactly is this mysterious expert who even my Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace has been unable to identify?¡± Liu Moyuan snorted silently; he held a certain disdain for Chang Ning¡¯s arrogant words. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that the various countries are currently embroiled in war, would a trifling force like the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace dare to show off in the ancestral lands? They just wanted to fish in troubled waters. The Sword Demon, however, remarked with a sigh, ¡°It¡¯s been hundreds of years since a master of the Land Immortal Realm has emerged, and now we have encountered two or three consecutively, quite unexpected indeed.¡± The last Great Grandmaster before was the Grand Ancestor of the Great Yan Dynasty. Now, the Great Grandmasters are emerging one after another. Aside from Zhao Zhiwu, Xi Hafu, and the mysterious expert who showed up today, there is also the enigmatic one who fought with Zhao Zhiwu. How deep are the waters of this world? Legends like us from an era of Jianghu¡¯s martial myths might drown in the unfathomable depths of this Jianghu. And those who tout themselves as experts of Jianghu, in the eyes of true masters, how are they any different from common folk? ¡°Let¡¯s not discuss that Great Grandmaster for now; the Dragon Locking Well and the Ghost Swordsman are of the utmost importance.¡± Chang Ning stood up and analytically stated, ¡°If we want to take control of the Dragon Locking Well, the first we must deal with is the Ghost Swordsman, the mainstay of Great Yan, followed by the State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu. Once we eliminate these two, the Dragon Locking Well will be ours for the taking.¡± ¡°Once we enter the Dragon Locking Well, we will not only obtain the Earth Vein Spirit within, releasing nature¡¯s spiritual energy and removing the shackles of this world, but our breakthrough to the Great Grandmaster realm will also be as easy as flipping a hand. We may even take this opportunity to glimpse the realm above the Great Grandmaster.¡± Towards the end of his speech, excitement shone in Chang Ning¡¯s eyes. Compared to Chang Ning, the Sword Demon and the Sword God were much more composed. Firstly, the Earth Vein Spirit is currently imprisoned within the Dragon Locking Well. If the secrets above the Great Grandmaster realm were easily accessible, they would have been unveiled long ago, so why wait for them? Secondly, nature¡¯s spiritual energy contains noxious breath; if they released the Earth Vein Spirit, this evil aura would also pervade the world. It might hasten the advancement of cultivation, but it also seems to bring some negative effects. In recent months, many martial artists with lower cultivation have been affected. If the noxious breath fully permeates the world, wouldn¡¯t they too become its victims? Lastly, and most importantly, there are countless experts watching the Dragon Locking Well right now. If they had the opportunity, they would have already made their move. Why would they keep waiting? Clearly, there were some unknown tricks involved. Sword Demon said, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength is among the very top of the current age, with very few capable of exchanging blows with him. Killing him is probably very difficult.¡± ¡°In my view, the experts of this world can also be divided into different tiers.¡± Liu Moyuan also said indifferently, ¡°The Great Grandmaster who severely injured Zhao Zhiwu is ranked first in strength, so his power should be the greatest, Xi Hafu is ranked second, while Zongzheng Huachun and the Ghost Swordsman are ranked third and fourth. Even if a mysterious Great Grandmaster appeared today, the Ghost Swordsman would still be ranked within the top five of the world, and that¡¯s including the Land Immortal experts.¡± The Jianghu of the world is ever-changing, but in everyone¡¯s heart, there is a ruler recording the current top experts of the Jianghu, with the very pinnacle naturally being the Five Qi and Great Grandmasters. In anyone¡¯s view, the Ghost Swordsman is undoubtedly one of the top experts of the age. The difficulty in killing a top expert of this era is something that two top swordsmen would naturally be very clear about. Unless a higher-ranked expert makes a move, there might be an opportunity to slay him; otherwise, there is virtually no chance at all. This was merely an opportunity, and if the Ghost Swordsman had other helpers or decided to flee the battle, it would undoubtedly be even more difficult. Chang Ning said slowly, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s duel with that mysterious master has undoubtedly resulted in some internal injuries, regardless of his strength. This is an opportunity that comes once in a thousand years.¡± Sword Demon pondered for a moment, then asked, ¡°What do you plan to do?¡± Liu Moyuan also nodded slightly, acknowledging that the Ghost Swordsman, having battled a Great Grandmaster, was definitely not in his best condition; indeed, now was the optimal time. Chang Ning¡¯s eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness as he said, ¡°My senior brother Mo Chen will arrive in Yujing City in a few days. Then, we can lure the snake out of the hole. As long as this Ghost Swordsman has not broken through to become a Great Grandmaster, then he is undoubtedly doomed.¡± Sword Demon¡¯s heart trembled, for he had lived in Guishuang and had naturally heard of its top experts. This Mo Chen was a top-notch Swordsman of Guishuang, the Alliance Hierarch of the Heavenly Blade Alliance, whose cultivation was at the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster. In Guishuang, he was a legend among legends, known as the strongest Swordsman of the past five hundred years. Due to the barrier of the Western Pure Land, this so-called strongest Swordsman of Guishuang over the past five-hundred years had never crossed swords with the Sword God of Zhao Country, so it was still uncertain whether he was truly the world¡¯s strongest Swordsman. However, Sword Demon knew his strength was genuine and incredibly formidable, possibly even exceeding that of Qi Xuan Dao. There was a place known as the One-Line Embankment in Guishuang, which Mo Chen had created with a single slice of his sword, severing the embankment and creating a spectacular sight that attracted countless people from the Jianghu to stop and observe annually. Moreover, in Guishuang, this Swordsman was surrounded by many legends, all of which reinforced that this person was definitely not of mediocre caliber. Now, with Chang Ning and Mo Chen, two Five Qi Grandmasters, as well as themselves, the top Four Qi Grandmasters Swordsmen, there was indeed a great chance of capturing the Ghost Swordsman. Chang Ning looked at the two and said, ¡°As long as we kill the Ghost Swordsman, the Dulu Sword will become ownerless, and Brother Hao could also retrieve his Blood Tears Sword.¡± ¡°What do the two of you think of this plan?¡± Sword Demon took a deep breath and gave a slight nod. Liu Moyuan, on the other hand, did not speak, his expression always as indifferent as water. However, after spending some time together, Chang Ning also came to understand this proud and lofty Sword God. Throughout history, very few Swordsmen have been able to cultivate the Holy Dao Sword to the Sixth Realm. If not for the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s emergence out of nowhere, he would have likely become the world¡¯s first Swordsman. If his cultivation reaches the Five Qi and he wields the Dulu Sword, even amongst the Five Qi Grandmasters, he would be among the very peak. In fact, he previously had a great chance of becoming the number one in the world. This kind of person, having their own pride is only normal. Without saying a word, he already implied his agreement. ¡­¡­ Houjin, Royal Court. One does not realize that summer has passed until the clear skies break with a rain, announcing the depth of autumn. As the end of summer hadn¡¯t yet passed, the autumn slaughter had already arrived; leaves fluttered down from branches, flocks of geese flew southward in V formation, fields of mature sorghum waved like the endless twilight glow, and golden chrysanthemums blossomed even more brilliantly amidst the autumn days. At this moment, with the sun setting in the west, the evening glow painted layers of red rouge upon the vast grasslands. Compared to the past in Houjin, the hearts of its people were now clouded with a dismal shade of sorrow. The entire northern expedition army of Houjin was annihilated, and the North Field also fell into the hands of Great Yan. Furthermore, just previously, the elites of Great Yan¡¯s Pingyang Guard and the masters of Outer Heaven had almost breached the Royal Court of Houjin, nearly storming inside. It must be known that a year ago, Houjin was a powerful nation, even boldly declaring their intent to journey south with their cavalry, coveting the territories of Great Yan. Yet now, they were trapped inside their Royal Court, hearts pounding with terror. Reflecting upon it, what irony this was. In a quiet and elegant separate courtyard. The architectural style of Houjin blended the traits of other countries but with strict hierarchies and tedious rules. Yet, the decorations of this courtyard alone spoke of its extraordinary nature, facing a banquet room adorned with vermillion lacquer, carved red sandalwood, and soaring roof figures. In front of the courtyard lay a sky-well and behind, a garden; east and west wings with upper floors, a garden featuring a clear pool overgrown with upright lotuses that revealed their roots, teeming with countless red carps swimming leisurely. This moment, at the cusp of early autumn, saw yellow leaves scatter amidst the green tiles and red walls, blanketing the bluestone floor tiles beneath the eaves. A delicate and beautiful woman was standing by the pool, holding a small porcelain bowl, scattering feed into the water to entice the joyful carps to swim around. This woman was none other than Zongzheng Yue, the most powerful woman in Houjin. Ever since she was captured by An Jing and released, her spirit had suffered a tremendous blow. Her personality had undergone a great change, becoming more suspicious, more sensitive, and at the same time, more fragile. Just then, a tall and handsome man walked in. A maid by Zongzheng Yue¡¯s side quickly lowered her gaze, not daring to look up. Wanyan Lin bowed to Zongzheng Yue and said, ¡°Princess!¡± Zongzheng Yue, upon seeing the visitor, a glint sparked in her eyes, ¡°I¡¯ve said before, there¡¯s no need for formalities.¡± Wanyan Lin earnestly replied, ¡°Etiquette is etiquette. I must still adhere to it.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Zongzheng Yue set down the porcelain bowl and asked, ¡°Are the troops guarding the Royal Court all settled now?¡± Wanyan Lin, with his head lowered, said, ¡°They are settled.¡± A flicker of undetectable brightness passed through his eyes. Everyone in the world knew that Zongzheng Huachun and the Ghost Swordsman were due for a duel, and this duel was tied to the fate of both Houjin and Great Yan. In particular, if Zongzheng Huachun was defeated, Houjin would fall into a hopeless state. The current troops guarding the Royal Court were the true elite of Houjin, the final card up its sleeve. Most were elite warriors gathered from various tribes, so it was crucial for Zongzheng Yue to keep them under her control, and currently, the person she trusted most was none other than Wanyan Lin before her. ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Zongzheng Yue sighed, a trace of worry appearing in her eyes, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength is profound and unpredictable. It¡¯s said that he killed the Evil King in Yujing City, defeated Xiao Qianqiu, and has likely made further advancements. I fear that unless my father breaks through his limits to reach Great Grandmaster status, he might not be able to defeat the Ghost Swordsman.¡± Although Zongzheng Huachun had been a top Five Qi Grandmaster and had even infused a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness into himself, ranking among the rare experts in the world, it was generally acknowledged that barring a Great Grandmaster stepping in, his presence was virtually invincible. Yet, Zongzheng Yue still felt uneasy at heart. The truth was that the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s record was too stunning, too formidable. Each and every Five Qi Grandmaster he encountered, without exception, died or was defeated at his hands. The prominence of this invincible Sword Immortal was astounding. Under such circumstances, who could ensure Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s victory? Houjin couldn¡¯t afford the consequences of Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s defeat. Wanyan Lin said, ¡°Princess, you needn¡¯t worry too much. Perhaps the Holy Master will break through to Great Grandmaster, and then Houjin might turn its fortunes around.¡± Zongzheng Yue sighed, ¡°Breaking through to Great Grandmaster is too hard. I don¡¯t know if my father can achieve it.¡± Even though Zongzheng Huachun had integrated a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness, making his breakthrough to Great Grandmaster considerably easier, becoming a Great Grandmaster was still not something easily attained. ¡°The Holy Master is an exceptional prodigy and has merged with a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness. He definitely has the strength to break through to Great Grandmaster,¡± Wanyan Lin said. As he spoke, it seemed he thought of something, ¡°Princess, didn¡¯t you say that the Holy Master has a mysterious teacher?¡± Zongzheng Yue shook her head, ¡°I¡¯m afraid that teacher won¡¯t be coming this time, and that¡¯s precisely why I¡¯m so worried.¡± Upon hearing this, a glint flickered in Wanyan Lin¡¯s eyes, then he lowered his gaze to the fat carps in the pool. Zongzheng Yue stepped forward, gently took Wanyan Lin¡¯s hand, and said, ¡°Fortunately, you are here. Have you exhausted yourself during this time?¡± ¡°Princess, why speak such words between you and me?¡± Wanyan Lin seized the opportunity to hold Zongzheng Yue¡¯s hand, his eyes brimming with affection, ¡°Wanyan Lin is willing to go through fire and water for the princess, without a hint of complaint.¡± Zongzheng Yue felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing this, then gently embraced Wanyan Lin, ¡°Do you know? In the barren land of my heart, you are the last blooming snow lotus.¡± Her voice was very soft, rarely carrying a touch of tenderness. Zongzheng Yue had always appeared overbearing, fierce, and even somewhat willful. She seemed even more like a man of the steppes than Zongzheng Yuan. The Zongzheng Yue of this moment showed an entirely different demeanor than usual, the demeanor of a demure young woman, one that evoked a sense of tenderness. It seemed she had completely sunk into Wanyan Lin¡¯s embrace. Wanyan Lin also hugged Zongzheng Yue tightly, whispering, ¡°Me too.¡± The moonlight was like water, the two of them held each other closely, silently basking in the gentle moonlight that fell upon them, with only the evening breeze knowing their secret. ¡­¡­.. Mao hour, the sky had not yet fully brightened, only the east revealed a pale dawn. Gradually, that pale dawn spread inch by inch, turning the deep blue sky to a light blue, and the light blue sky slowly turned to pale pink. After a while, the glow of sunrise appeared, thin as tufts of cotton scattered across the sky. Inside the Imperial City, drums and music sounded together in a grand symphony. Today was the day the new emperor of Great Yan would ascend to the throne. The coronation was exceptionally complicated. First, led by the Minister of Rites, the officials would offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, welcome the gods, ring the bells, present the platters, and slaughter the sacrificial offerings¡­ Afterward, the new Human Emperor, dressed in Great Yan¡¯s mourning attire, would offer sacrifices in the Temple to the ancestors. Only after these two steps were completed, could the coronation officially begin. The Minister of Rites led many officials of the Ministry to the altar and the Temple to inform the spirits and the heroic souls of past Human Emperors that a new sovereign was about to take the throne. Along the way, the scene was extraordinarily lively; all the common people who heard of this gathered to watch, yet no one dared to speak impertinently. After the sacrifices, the Ministry officials returned to the Imperial City, with music playing and the majestic sound of bells echoing outside the Golden Throne Hall. Princess An Le, dressed by the care of gorgeous palace maids, donned the Great Robe Crown. This ceremonial attire was exceedingly intricate, consisting of the crown, inner robe, great fur, dark robe, and lined skirt. The crown was adorned with golden decorations, with twelve tassels hanging down. The upper garment was patterned with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, and mythical creatures. The skirt was embroidered with algae, fire, chalk, ancestral vessels, yellow and more yellow patterns, making a total of twelve emblems, hence it is called the robe with twelve emblems. It was the ceremonial dress worn by emperors during their enthronement and sacrifices to heaven. Once dressed neatly, two elder palace maids brought over a bronze mirror as tall as a person, placing it before Princess An Le. Through that mirror, one could see Princess An Le¡¯s exquisite and touching features, less softness, but more a martial aura. Additionally, today she wore the robe with twelve emblems and the twelve-tasseled crown, exuding an aura of regal magnificence that was overwhelming. The two elder palace maids felt a chill in their hearts upon seeing this. Even though they sometimes joked with Princess An Le on ordinary days, at this moment, they lowered their heads, not daring to breathe too loudly. Somehow, the Princess An Le they had watched growing up seemed to have transformed. Soon, the Minister of Rites, Zhu Yongfang, approached the entrance of the Great Hall, and, standing behind the curtain, respectfully said, ¡°Princess, the time has come for the coronation.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Princess An Le nodded slightly and, escorted by palace maids and eunuchs amidst the grand sound of drums and bells, walked towards the Golden Throne Hall. Along the way, she saw the path paved with jade stones, the resplendent decorations, and the majestic Dragon Throne. It seemed many had walked this path, including former Great Yan Emperors, but Zhao Xuening had never seen any of those people. In a trance, she saw the unruly Zhao Mengtai, the cold and violent Zhao Chongyin, Lv Guoyong, the pillar of the nation, Xiao Qianqiu of the grand legacy like a pot of tea, as well as the Demon Sect¡¯s Sect Hierarch Zhao Qingmei, and An Jing, whose image was etched in her mind, lingering night and day. Innumerable figures flashed through her mind. Princess An Le walked slowly to the Dragon Throne above the Golden Platform, her palm gently caressing the throne that symbolized supreme power. Subsequently, civil and military officials, as directed by the Ministry officials, arrived in front of the Golden Throne Hall one after another. Everyone had a solemn expression and dared not speak or laugh. Afterward, the Grand Secretary Lv Fang presented the edict of ascension, gave it to the Minister of Rites who held the edict at the steps, and then to the ministry officer who placed it on a cloud-shaped tray, delivering it to the hands of the Eunuch Bai Mei. The Eunuch Bai Mei, in a red python robe, bowed deeply to receive the cloud-shaped tray and read the edict to the officials: ¡°With the sudden passing of the former emperor, who has returned to the Five Elements, I follow the favor of the heavens and the great blessing of the saints, according to the last will of Emperor Taiping, inheriting the lineage and attending to the ancestral temple. The civil and military officials inside and outside, along with the elders, soldiers, and citizens, together offered their earnest entreaty for succession, reiterated thrice, and declination was futile. I prudently announce to heaven and earth at this moment that I ascend as Emperor. Reflecting on the profound trust bestowed, truly mindful of the vigilance needed, our Father Emperor Taiping governed in prosperous harmony, his legacy enduring and auspicious. Now desiring to bring about just rule, it is necessary to innovate upon the old. All matters shall adhere to the former statutes, likewise to revere the predecessor¡¯s will. My modest virtue depends on the counsel of the wise and good to together envision a new governance. Let the next year be the first year of Tianfu. Grant a universal amnesty, and let the people begin anew. Those matters which are appropriate to carry out shall be listed separately. Cherish this edict.¡± Eunuch Bai Mei¡¯s voice resonated strongly, reverberating in all directions. ¡°Long live our Emperor, long live, long live!¡± As his voice fell, all officials on both sides knelt down. Their voices surged like a tide, ringing loud and clear. Upon the imperial seat, Princess An Le looked upon the moving sea of heads, the kneeling ministers of civil and military affairs, her face devoid of any trace of joy. She had thought that standing here would be exhilarating, exciting, the very peak of her life, but only today, upon truly standing here, did she realize that another life of hers had just begun. And at this moment, as she stood there, looking upon the path of her future life, she felt only an endless surge of loneliness. Her red lips parted slightly as she said, ¡°My loyal subjects, rise.¡± From this day forward, she would no longer be Princess An Le, but the Eternal Peace Human Emperor who reigned over all. ¡­.. Imperial City, Empress¡¯s Bedchamber. Zuo Linglong, in a long dress, stood in front of the carved balustrade, watching the lively and noisy Golden Throne Hall in the distance. Above the great hall, the True Dragon Qi was more abundant than during the reign of Zhao Zhiwu. It seemed that for others, the Great Yan was still surrounded by enemies on all sides, in a state of crisis, but in her view, after its recent transformation from ruin to rebirth, Great Yan might even surpass the prosperity of the Taiping Human Emperor¡¯s era. And all of this was achieved by her daughter, the Eternal Peace Human Emperor, with Zuo Linglong participating in its orchestration. Zhao Tianyi slowly approached, ¡°From now on, she is the new Human Emperor of Great Yan.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Zuo Linglong replied, still gazing into the distance. Zhao Tianyi fell silent for a long while before asking, ¡°Your Majesty, may this servant be so bold as to ask when you began preparing for this?¡± Behind Zhao Xuening¡¯s back was not only Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s support but also that of the Demon Sect and, of course, unseen assistance from entities like Youfeng Valley and the Zhao Family. This was an invisible tentacle, and an extremely vast interest group. Zuo Linglong replied solemnly, ¡°I started when I learned that Zhao Mengtai intended to rebel, for it was bound to fail.¡± Zhao Mengtai and the Empress, Zhao Xuening, shared a very close relationship, which, in essence, tied them on the same boat. Initially, Zuo Linglong, without any progeny, naturally lacked the prerequisite to contend for the throne; hence, she planned to place all her bets on Zhao Mengtai. However, upon sensing Zhao Mengtai¡¯s actions, she swiftly distanced herself from him. Even more, Zuo Linglong secretly passed on her inklings to Zhao Zhiwu, perhaps alerting the Great Yan Emperor to be wary or perhaps due to Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s own investigation into Zhao Mengtai¡¯s ambitions. As to the exact reason, with both having since passed away, it is no longer significant. With the death of Zhao Zhiwu, neither Zhao Mengtai nor Zhao Chongyin¨Cthe two princes locked in years of contention for the throne¨Csecured it, and the ultimate beneficiary turned out to be the unexpected Zhao Xuening. Such are the wonders and unpredictabilities of the world. Zhao Tianyi nodded, ¡°Zhao Mengtai was somewhat clever but lacked profound wisdom; his methods were too bold and decisive, with no regard for the consequences, chasing great profit at the risk of his life and ever seeking wealth in peril. With such actions, it was inevitable that he would meet a grave end without a place to bury his remains.¡± And his character indeed dictated his life. Zhao Tianyi bowed and said, ¡°Your Majesty is far-sighted and profoundly strategic; this servant admires you.¡± Zuo Linglong turned towards this man who had castrated himself to become an eunuch in the Imperial Palace from a scholarly background and said leisurely, ¡°Much of this is thanks to you, without whom, I believe Zhao Zhiwu would not have easily chosen Xuening.¡± In this world, Zhao Zhiwu truly trusted almost no one, yet he had a few confidants, among whom the foremost was the Eunuch Bai Mei, Fan Daoji, a man of clear mind and little desire who shunned fame and fortune and never meddled in matters of State, possibly also why he was esteemed by two Emperors. Next came Xu Qianyue, Zhao Tianyi, and Lv Guoyong. These three held pivotal positions in the court, their opinions influencing Zhao Zhiwu to some extent. Others might not know, but Zuo Linglong was aware that Zhao Tianyi had protected and supported Zhao Xuening all the way. Hearing this, Zhao Tianyi looked toward the distant Golden Throne Hall, as if lost in memory, ¡°When I first entered the palace, Her Highness only reached my knees, and now she has become My Great Yan¡¯s Human Emperor.¡± Zuo Linglong touched her own cheek, ¡°Indeed, we have grown old.¡± When do you realize you have truly aged? When you realize that this world and the Jianghu are no longer yours, that¡¯s when you know you¡¯re really old. Looking at the Eternal Peace Human Emperor, so breathtakingly beautiful and regally dignified, Zuo Linglong, for a moment, thought she saw her younger self, jolting back to reality. She felt a strange discomfort about herself. Zhao Tianyi said, ¡°In my heart, you have always been in your prime, never aging.¡± Zuo Linglong laid her hands upon the balustrade, gazing into the distance, ¡°Is that so?¡± Zhao Tianyi earnestly replied, ¡°Yes.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The two then fell silent, quietly listening to the music of the coronation ceremony. They should have had more to discuss, like the worldly situation following the Eternal Peace Human Emperor¡¯s coronation, the current dilemmas of Great Yan, or they could have talked about the current state of Li Fuzhou or reminisced about the past, long gone like smoke. But tacitly, they chose not to say anything more. That day, golden sunlight scattered across the Imperial City, laying a carpet of splendor upon the ground, and a cool breeze wafted through, bringing a refreshing coolness. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 375 - Chapter 375 Chapter 275 The Couple Spends Mid-Autumn Festival Chapter 375: Chapter 275: The Couple Spends Mid-Autumn Festival Together Chapter 375: Chapter 275: The Couple Spends Mid-Autumn Festival Together The courtyard trees were bare of leaves, and lotuses blossomed near the water¡¯s edge. The autumn wind was biting, bringing a hint of coolness to Yujing City. It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time when the nobility decorated their pavilions and the common folk vied for spots in restaurants to admire the moon. The inner city residents heard distant sounds of music, ethereal as if coming from beyond the clouds, while children played all night long. The night markets were bustling until dawn. From the Emperor and the Royal Family down to the poorest commoner, everyone celebrated the festival in their own way. The lively scenes were mesmerizing. The dark riverways were brightly lit by lanterns from various households, forming a glowing stream of light that accompanied the people¡¯s revelry till dawn. The lanterns from each household floated on the water, making the river seem like the Milky Way in the sky. The stars were scattered across the Mid-Autumn night sky, brightening the night and lightening people¡¯s hearts. Decorative lanterns adorned the night market, where countless delicacies and fascinating trinkets especially captured the hearts of children. The most interesting part was the dance troupes and street performers, which elevated the atmosphere of the night market even further. Under the bright moonlight, people dressed splendidly, gathered in small groups, whether strolling through the streets, boating on the rivers, or climbing towers to admire the moonlight, chatting and laughing joyfully. At the end of the night market street, a young couple was walking toward us. The man wore a white robe and had a handsome face with bright, unforgettable eyes. The woman was dressed in a light blue gown, her bright eyes and delicate features enchanting, and every smile seemed as if it leaped from a painting. She also held a rabbit-shaped lantern in her hand. This couple was none other than An Jing and Zhao Qingmei. An Jing, looking at the surrounding scene, couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°My dear, it has been a long time since we last went out together like this.¡± ¡°Mmm.¡± Zhao Qingmei gazed at the lanterns in front, a faint smile curving her lips. Dongluo Pass, far beyond the frontier, was lively during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but it naturally couldn¡¯t compare to the bustling beauty of Yujing City. The human world, full of life, indeed soothes the heart. In such a bustling environment, the couple¡¯s hearts calmed down. Just then, an old grandpa carrying a grass target hurried over, his warm smile offering, ¡°Sir, would you like some candied hawthorns? Ten copper coins a stick, free if they¡¯re not sweet.¡± An Jing glanced at the old man¡¯s grass target and said, ¡°Then give me a stick that¡¯s not sweet.¡± The old man¡¯s smile gradually stiffened: ¡°¡­.¡± Zhao Qingmei glared at An Jing and said, ¡°Don¡¯t listen to his nonsense, just get me a stick.¡± Saying this, she took out ten copper coins from her purse and handed them to the old man. ¡°Alright!¡± The old man gladly took the copper coins and kept praising, ¡°This young lady is so beautiful, I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you in my life, sure you haven¡¯t fallen from heaven?¡± Zhao Qingmei couldn¡¯t help but cover her mouth and giggle, ¡°You¡¯re quite the joker, old man.¡± An Jing rolled his eyes and remarked, ¡°Cliche, I said that many years ago already.¡± The old grandpa ignored An Jing, continuing to lavish compliments on Zhao Qingmei, calling her a fairy and a Bodhisattva. Usually aloof and cold, Zhao Qingmei was so pleased that she ended up buying the whole grass target. In the end, Zhao Qingmei handed the grass target and the lantern to An Jing, tasting the candied hawthorns and saying with a smile, ¡°Husband, I¡¯ll leave these to you then.¡± ¡°This old fellow sure got it easy.¡± An Jing could only watch as the old man walked away freely, resigning himself to carry the grass target. Suddenly, he felt that the old man¡¯s departing figure seemed familiar, so familiar that it felt as if he had seen him somewhere before. An Jing murmured to himself, ¡°That can¡¯t be right, with my memory, I definitely can¡¯t be mistaken. If I¡¯ve seen him somewhere, then I¡¯ve definitely seen him.¡± Zhao Qingmei walked ahead, looked back at the mumbling An Jing, and said, ¡°Hurry up.¡± An Jing hurriedly followed, ¡°Right away, my lady!¡± Zhao Qingmei gently licked the sugar coating on the hawthorn stick and whispered, ¡°Wang Yue has disappeared, along with his daughter and granddaughter.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly, ¡°It seems that Wang Yangsheng and Wang Yue are deeply connected. He was able to resurrect from the stone, clearly because Wang Yue used some secret technique.¡± Back at the bottom of Chenxin Lake in the Blue River Sect, An Jing had seen Wang Yangsheng in the stone. Wang Yue was also very peculiar, and having been busy with many other things since then, he had not investigated further. Perhaps if he had investigated it earlier, Wang Yangsheng might not have been resurrected. But Wang Yue was indeed very reserved and low-key. Since he took control of the Blue River Sect, which was once one of the Great Yan¡¯s seven major sects, it began to seclude itself. The disciples of the Blue River Sect also vanished from Jianghu and seldom interacted with other sects. Originally, An Jing thought that Wang Yue was merely protecting the Blue River Sect, given his strength at the time was hardly enough to contend with other sects. But now, it seemed that all this was part of a bigger plan, a larger game he was playing. Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Wang Yangsheng will come back.¡± ¡°Definitely,¡± An Jing nodded. ¡°But with Xi Hafu stationed at Dragon Spring Temple, if Wang Yangsheng really goes there, that¡¯s not something I need to worry about.¡± Zhao Qingmei slowly said, ¡°They all want the Earth Vein Spirit from the Dragon Locking Well,¡± Nowadays, many masters are trying various ways to break the seal on the Dragon Locking Well, to dissolve the heavenly restraints and restore the natural spiritual energy, thus quickly enhancing their Cultivation. Among them, those in the Grandmaster Realm especially covet the Earth Vein Spirit. The Earth Vein Spirit was the only way for Grandmasters to break through their shackles, but now the Spirit had been tainted by evil spirits, suffering torment. How would they obtain the Earth Vein Spirit then? Suddenly, An Jing seemed to think of something, ¡°Do you think it¡¯s because the Earth Vein Spirit is tainted by the evil spirits that there¡¯s now a slim chance?¡± There were two methods to break through the Grandmaster level, one being to eradicate the Earth Vein Spirit, and the other being to merge the Earth Vein Spirit into oneself. However, the Earth Vein Spirit was ethereal, seemingly unaffected even by True Qi. And if one were to merge the Earth Vein Spirit into oneself, it equated to suicide. Previously it seemed almost impossible, but now that the Earth Vein Spirit was tainted by evil spirits, might it change the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s inclination? ¡°It¡¯s possible,¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes also flashed with a speck of light, ¡°After Qian Qiu inflicted heavy damage on Zhao Zhiwu without being killed, he made no further moves. He¡¯s obviously waiting for something¨Cmost likely waiting for the Earth Vein Spirit to be completely saturated with the evil spirits.¡± An Jing said gravely, ¡°Once the Earth Vein Spirit is completely saturated with the evil spirits, the energy it will release upon breaking free will be that of the evil spirits.¡± The two exchanged glances, a trace of realization flashing in their eyes. In every word and action, they seemed to have unveiled a massive secret. These Grandmasters were indeed waiting; waiting for the Earth Vein Spirit to be overwhelmed by this pressure, and then, to acquire the Earth Vein Spirit to impact the Grandmaster level. As it was with Xi Hafu and Qian Qiu, perhaps Wang Yangsheng sealed himself for this very reason. Throughout the ages, many masters had been unable to sever the Earth Vein Spirit. Their only thought was to force the Earth Vein Spirit to voluntarily merge into themselves. It seems that eventually, one person will ascend beyond the Grandmaster level. But what exactly will happen when the Earth Vein Spirit, tainted by evil spirits, merges into one¡¯s flesh? Is this a good or bad thing for the world? ¡°Forget it, there¡¯s no need to think about it for now.¡± Zhao Qingmei gently took An Jing¡¯s hand and said, ¡°What worries me the most now is Zongzheng Huachun.¡± Previously, An Jing had planned a decisive battle at the Houjin royal court with Zongzheng Huachun to settle past grievances between the Demon Sect, Houjin, and Great Yan. However, the sudden death of the Great Yan Emperor Zhao Zhiwu had completely disrupted An Jing¡¯s plans. Zongzheng Huachun is a Five Qi Grandmaster at his peak, who had also fortuitously merged a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness into himself. If there was anyone among the world¡¯s Five Qi Grandmasters closest to becoming a Grandmaster, it would undoubtedly be Zongzheng Huachun. ¡°This time I exchanged several moves with Wang Yangsheng, which led me to understand the strength of a Grandmaster,¡± An Jing said solemnly, ¡°Wang Yangsheng had exhibited most of his power, barely withholding a few tricks. The Grandmasters are indeed very powerful.¡± In this exchange between An Jing and Wang Yangsheng, it seemed he was not at a disadvantage, but neither did he hold any advantage. To say that he could defeat a desperate Grandmaster would be an exaggeration, after all, a life-and-death duel and a friendly match are entirely different. The mental state in a duel between masters is very important. Especially the duel between An Jing and Zongzheng Huachun, which involved both of their lives, as well as the Demon Sect, Houjin, Great Yan, and the future of the entire north. If Zongzheng Huachun were defeated, Houjin¡¯s collapse would come overnight. If An Jing lost, the world would remain in chaos. Additionally, Houjin might catch its breath and even launch a powerful counterattack against Great Yan. At that time, with enemies on both sides, the grand situation of the world might truly turn out as some had previously anticipated. In such a mental state, who could exert greater power? In a duel between masters, life and death hang by a thread. ¡°My husband, you don¡¯t need to worry too much,¡± Zhao Qingmei didn¡¯t want to put too much pressure on An Jing and said, ¡°From what we can see so far, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s chances of breaking through to the Grandmaster level are not great.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hope so,¡± An Jing smiled softly and said, ¡°By the way, what did the Emperor of Yong¡¯an tell you last time?¡± Zhao Xuening had found an excuse to keep Zhao Qingmei behind, and that night Zhao Qingmei returned very late, surely they must have spoken about something privately. Zhao Qingmei seemed to recall something, snorted lightly, ¡°If you hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I would have forgotten this matter, the Emperor of Yong¡¯an¡­¡± The words ¡°Yong¡¯an¡± held a particularly intriguing meaning, especially for Zhao Qingmei. ¡°My lady, you are too sensitive,¡± An Jing chuckled dryly, pointing at the distant moon, ¡°Look, what a big moon.¡± The streets were bustling, vibrant, with the moon hanging in the sky like a large plate. ¡°Yes, the moon is indeed big,¡± Zhao Qingmei gently placed her hand on An Jing¡¯s arm and then twisted forcefully, smiling playfully, ¡°Don¡¯t you agree?¡± An Jing broke into a cold sweat, ¡°My lady, are you also using True Qi?¡± Zhao Qingmei had not held back in the slightest, even employing True Qi, completely disregarding martial ethics. ¡°Look! They¡¯re setting off fireworks!¡± ¡°Such beautiful fireworks!¡± ¡­ Just then, dazzling fireworks burst across the pitch-black sky. An Jing and Zhao Qingmei also looked up. The night sky above was lit with fireworks blossoming fervently, creating stunning moments of ephemeral beauty against the dark horizon, striving through a lifetime solely for this moment¡¯s brilliance. But fireworks cool quickly, and the glory of the morning is fleeting¡­ Zhao Qingmei couldn¡¯t help but murmur softly, ¡°How beautiful.¡± An Jing turned his head involuntarily, finding her exquisitely picturesque face much more appealing than the fireworks, her bright eyes reflecting the sky filled with sparkles, his pupils mirroring the glittering hues. Zhao Qingmei unconsciously tightened her grip on An Jing¡¯s hand, ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go back.¡± An Jing smiled and hefted the straw target, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s go, time to eat mooncakes, I can hardly wait.¡± Zhao Qingmei sneered, ¡°Can¡¯t wait to eat the mooncakes she sent you? In the Mid-autumn season, the previous day the Great Yan Emperor had specially sent over a box of mooncakes she made herself. That really was bringing up a sore subject! An Jing cursed inwardly and forced a laugh, ¡°Of course not, we don¡¯t have to eat them¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei spoke indifferently, ¡°Let¡¯s eat, why not? I¡¯ve never tried mooncakes made by the Human Emperor herself.¡± An Jing only felt a tingling on his scalp, and his steps slowed dramatically, ¡°Wife, how about we don¡¯t eat the mooncakes and cook up some dishes and have a little drink instead?¡± This mooncake must not be eaten. ¡°Having a little drink sounds rather nice.¡± Zhao Qingmei spoke wistfully, ¡°If one day you no longer love me, I will make you a dish to accompany your drinks.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°What kind of dish to accompany drinks?¡± ¡°You actually ask what kind of dish?¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing raising an eyebrow, questioning, ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t you love me?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly explained, ¡°Wife, let me explain, I will always love you, so I have never even thought about not loving you; that scenario is completely irrelevant, so I naturally skipped past that statement.¡± Zhao Qingmei gave An Jing a cold glance, ¡°You¡¯re a better sophist than anyone in this world.¡± Holding Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand, An Jing declared earnestly, ¡°Not at all, I am not making excuses. What I say is sincere. Do you want to hear my heartbeat?¡± No matter when, a woman wants to hear from a man that he still loves her, even though she knows very well that he does, and even though she knows these are just some dispensable sweet nothings. Zhao Qingmei haughtily said, ¡°No need, I¡¯ll just barely trust you for today.¡± An Jing breathed a sigh of relief and then asked curiously, ¡°Wife, why would you make a dish for me, and what would it be?¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled and said, ¡°Chicken stewed with mushrooms.¡± An Jing asked, puzzled, ¡°Chicken stewed with mushrooms?¡± What¡¯s special about this dish? It didn¡¯t sound special at first, could it perhaps be another nourishing dish? Zhao Qingmei looked tenderness into An Jing¡¯s eyes and said, ¡°Use wild mushrooms and your chicken.¡± ¡°¡­.¡± ¡­¡­ The city was adorned with lights, transforming Yujing City into a land resembling heaven itself. The lanterns of the common folk were like the numerous stars in the vast night sky. The affluent hung lanterns that could be several meters high, intricate and beautiful, while the Imperial Palace had the most exquisite and impressive lanterns of all. With Mid-autumn being the grandest festival, a bustling Mid-autumn festival was held in the Imperial City every year. The Mid-autumn lantern appreciation feast in the palace was therefore extraordinarily spirited and lively. During this time, all the civil and military officials would go out of their way to curry favor with the Human Emperor, with scholars composing poems and martial generals performing sword dances for entertainment, the palace was indeed bustling and loud. At this moment, sitting at the center, Zhao Xuening raised her head to gaze at the moon and the brilliant fireworks. Zhao Xuening inquired, ¡°Wang Yue, the moon tonight is really round; were the Mid-autumn Festivals in the past also like this?¡± The eunuch Bai Mei bowed and said, ¡°Every year it¡¯s this round.¡± It was a mundane and uninteresting question, but Bai Mei answered it very carefully and seriously. The ancient moon is no longer seen by today¡¯s people, the current moon once shined on the ancient ones. People from the past and the people from the future, though they live in different times under different heavens, they all once basked under the same moon, grew upon the same land. Zhao Xuening said softly, ¡°I hope next year¡¯s moon will still be the same.¡± Bai Mei said slowly, ¡°It definitely will be.¡± ¡°I¡¯m somewhat tired.¡± Zhao Xuening glanced at the fireworks above her head and slowly stood up to walk toward the sleeping chambers. She was now the Human Emperor of Great Yan, with countless citizens depending on her, she was Great Yan¡¯s sky and at the same time, its pillar. She had no one to rely on, so she relied on herself. The long night was ending, and a new day was in sight. Zhao Xuening¡¯s pace was neither hurried nor slow, but full of composure. The civil and military officials present all hurriedly knelt on the ground, sending off the Human Emperor as she departed. The white-browed eunuch looked at her retreating figure, feeling an overwhelming sense of familiarity¨Cnot with the figure itself, but with the silent solitude it conveyed. In his view, a truly powerful master, a truly powerful emperor, was not about how strong their power was, but whether they could truly endure loneliness. ¡­¡­. Time flew by rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed. After the ascension of the Yong¡¯an Human Emperor, the Great Yan Dynasty entered a brief period of peace, but soon the massive army of Zhao Country continued to move northward, and both armies confronted each other at Lengping White Bone Mountain. This White Bone Mountain was the burial ground of hundreds of thousands of Zhou Dynasty¡¯s military souls. It was here that An Jing had obtained the Imperial Jade Seal. With the entry of hundreds of thousands of military souls into Fengdu, this place had finally returned to normal. The vast army of Zhao Country had tried to persuade Ping Ding to surrender during the political turmoil in the Great Yan Dynasty, but he had stalled them. Later, due to the internal turmoil in Zhao Country and the setback faced by Houjin, Zhao Country did not want to engage in a life-or-death struggle with Yan Country that might benefit others, so they never launched their full strength. Now with the new emperor¡¯s accession in the Great Yan Dynasty and the situation becoming increasingly stable, Houjin had turned into a cowering turtle, let alone moving southward. They could only defend their Royal Court. The Southern Barbarians were also like grass on the fence, swaying with the wind, and without displaying a certain formidable strength, the Southern Barbarians might even turn their guns against Zhao Country. Therefore, for the sake of the overall situation, Zhao Country started a fierce attack on Yan Country, for which the State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu had also returned to Nanhua Mountain to confront the chieftain of the Southern Barbarians. The chief of the Southern Barbarians, having learned that Xiao Qianqiu had been defeated by the Ghost Swordsman of Yujing City, was now deeply wary and dared not make any rash moves. He was very clear about Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s strength. If the two were to face off, he was absolutely no match for Xiao Qianqiu. But Xiao Qianqiu had been defeated by the Ghost Swordsman, which showed the gap between them. As the saying goes, a dying camel is bigger than a horse, and the current Great Yan was certainly not a dying camel. To observe the changes and watch the world¡¯s situation was the way for the Southern Barbarians to survive. The upcoming battle that would change the global situation was undoubtedly the great battle between Zongzheng Huachun and the Ghost Swordsman, with everyone anticipating this battle. This seemed to be a duel between the two, but behind them were Houjin, Great Yan, and even the Demon Sect. The outcome could affect the global situation, involving not only Houjin and Great Yan but also the Southern Barbarians. Moreover, the duel between the two might involve the Land Immortals who had not appeared in the world for a long time, so the chieftain of the Southern Barbarians was very concerned about this battle. Not just the chief of the Southern Barbarians, but people all over the world were watching, waiting for a battle that concerned the whole world. As time passed, this great battle was drawing ever closer. On the first day of September, the sky was clear, and the streets and courtyards were filled with falling leaves. The persimmon trees were hung with bright red lanterns. At that moment, Ank Jing was meditating in a secret chamber, seeking to break through to the Seventh Realm. He had just advanced his cultivation to Five Qi and the next realm was the Grandmaster Realm, a significantly difficult breakthrough. If he wanted to make a sudden, significant advancement in strength, there were only two ways: one was to reach the Seventh Realm of the Sword Dao, and the other was to reach the unity of heaven and man. Compared to the latter, An Jing felt that his understanding of the Sword Dao was more inclined toward the Seventh Realm. Lou Xiangzhen had once told him that the grander the Sword Dao, the more difficult it was to break through the current shackles. The vastness of the Immortal Sword was even greater than that of the Holy Dao Sword, making it even harder to reach the Seventh Realm. At this moment, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s voice came from outside the chamber. ¡°Husband, Elder Nan might not make it much longer. I need to return to You Mountain.¡± An Jing stood up upon hearing this and saw Zhao Qingmei standing anxiously at the door. Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and said, ¡°Elder Nan has transferred all his cultivation to me; furthermore, the massive consumption of essence, coupled with continuous battles with Xiao Qianqiu and the top Grandmasters from Xi Hafu, has brought him close to his end. Unfortunately, his life will not last much longer.¡± An Jing was silent for a moment before responding, ¡°Then you should go back and see him first.¡± Last time, he had realized that Nangong Weiping was indeed nearing her end. Only the blood of the Ji Chu could let her cling to life a bit longer by extending her lifespan, but the Ji Chu resided in the Cloud Tower, a stronghold of Xiao Qianqiu. Even if An Jing and Zhao Qingmei forcibly entered the Cloud Tower, they might not match Xiao Qianqiu. This Grandmaster had slain numerous other Grandmasters and was among the strongest of all time; if not for his current ailment, he might have already attacked Yujing City. Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Yes, and after handling that matter, remember to come back early too.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± An Jing replied earnestly, nodding. ¡°I¡¯ll return as soon as possible.¡± Zhao Qingmei pursed her lips and added, ¡°Remember to be careful. I¡¯ve arranged for Third Master to assist you in the Capital.¡± An Jing smiled lightly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± After chatting for a few more moments, Zhao Qingmei packed up briefly and then left directly. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Not long after Zhao Qingmei had left, Li Fuzhou also hurried over, ¡°Son-in-law, the Buddhist Fa Wu has arrived.¡± An Jing laughed upon hearing this, ¡°Oh? Is he back again? Is he looking for Han Wenxin?¡± Ever since Fa Wu had learned of Han Wenxin¡¯s desire to leave the Buddhist sect and join the Demon Sect, he had been frequenting the Demon Sect¡¯s stronghold to find Han Wenxin. However, Han Wenxin may have been too engrossed in the brothel boats and was seldom seen. Moreover, his determination to join the Demon Sect was so firm that no matter what Fa Wu said, there was no use in trying to persuade him to return to Buddhism. Li Fuzhou said slowly, ¡°Not this time; he mentioned that Xi Hafu wants to meet you.¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 376 - Chapter 376 Chapter 276 Inviting An Jing to Universally Save Chapter 376: Chapter 276: Inviting An Jing to Universally Save the World Chapter 376: Chapter 276: Inviting An Jing to Universally Save the World ¡°Oh?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly, ¡°He wants to see me?¡± Towards Xi Hafu, the Great Grandmaster and the most eminent Buddhist master of the day, An Jing still harbored a trace of caution. Although Xi Hafu was presently cooperating with the Great Yan Court, in An Jing¡¯s mind, this person was not a friend but an enemy, who needed to be guarded against at all times. An Jing had personally witnessed Xi Hafu becoming a Great Grandmaster. He had integrated the remains of the evil spirits into his own body and had absorbed a large amount of their blood. Moreover, Xi Hafu had also attempted to kill An Jing at Yulong Snow Mountain and even seriously injured Nan Weiping. If it weren¡¯t for the protection of a million ghost soldiers in the Jade Seal, An Jing might have fallen to his malevolent hands. Even now, during their cooperation, his aim was undoubtedly to wait for the Earth Vein Spirit in the Dragon Locking Well. Li Fuzhou asked, ¡°Young Master, do you want to meet him?¡± ¡°Meet, of course I¡¯ll meet.¡± An Jing said slowly: ¡°I just happen to want to get some information from the mouth of this Great Grandmaster.¡± Since Xi Hafu knew to merge with the remains and blood of evil spirits to become a Great Grandmaster, he obviously was aware of the secrets of the world. Maybe he even knew the true origins of this evil spirit Qi. While speaking, the two arrived at the great hall. At the moment, Fa Wu was seated in the guest seat of the great hall, hands pressed together, looking calm and serene. It was hard to imagine a child of about twelve years old having such an expression. Hearing the sound of footsteps, Fa Wu opened his eyes and said, ¡°Donor An, I greet you.¡± An Jing gave a one-handed salute and said, ¡°It seems Master Fa Wu is not far from the Five Qi Realm.¡± Inside Fa Wu, the Five Qi were rising gradually, with an aura as solid as mountains, indicating that he was not far from the Five Qi Returning to Origin. The Buddhist ranks were about to gain another Five Qi Grandmaster. Given Fa Wu¡¯s current age, it was very likely that he had a chance to strive for the Grandmaster Realm in the future¨Chis prospects were limitless. Fa Wu shook his head and said, ¡°The cultivation of this poor monk is the legacy of the blessings left by the predecessors of my faith, unlike the donor who has cultivated on his own. It is like a castle in the sky, which will shatter upon touch.¡± An Jing chuckled softly, ¡°The master is too humble.¡± Fa Wu brought his hands together and said, ¡°It is not humility, it is the truth.¡± To reach such a level of cultivation at such a young age naturally stemmed from a great opportunity and immense blessings, which is not as solid and reliable as the cultivation achieved step by step by others. An Jing did not further delve into this matter and said, ¡°I have heard that Master Xi Hafu from your esteemed sect wishes to meet with me, so please invite him.¡± ¡°Donor, please.¡± Fa Wu bowed down slightly, making an inviting gesture. The two walked on in silence until An Jing suddenly asked, ¡°Does Master Fa Wu think this evil spirit Qi is good or bad?¡± Upon hearing An Jing¡¯s words, Fa Wu¡¯s eyelids twitched, and he said, ¡°This poor monk thinks it¡¯s nothing benign.¡± Previously on Three Temple Mountain, to protect the seal, Fa Zhi did not hesitate to sacrifice his life. Moreover, the emergence of evil spirit Qi caused many people with low cultivation to lose their sanity, leading to chaos everywhere. Although these incidents had been suppressed with thunderous methods by the Xuanyi Guard of the Court, such situations were still occurring. And Xi Hafu, having become a Great Grandmaster, had integrated the remains and the blood of the evil spirits and was waiting for the Earth Vein Spirit, thoroughly tainted by the evil spirit Qi, to merge with himself. An Jing spoke somberly, ¡°Then why does the master not stick to his own heart?¡± Fa Wu¡¯s steps faltered slightly, An Jing¡¯s words ringing in his heart like the resounding sound of temple bells. ¡­.. Imperial City, Imperial Study Room. Zhao Xuening, who had just attended the early morning court session, returned to the Imperial Study Room. The war between Yan Country and Zhao Country was still ongoing, while incidents of the evil spirit Qi becoming more frequent were on the rise as well. This newly enthroned Eternal Peace Human Emperor was naturally busy, sleeping only two to three hours a day, spending most of the time reviewing and approving documents. Each memorial bore her red annotations, with many a thousand words and fewer around a hundred words. ¡°` Even among the emperors of the Great Yan Dynasty, Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an was undoubtedly one of the busiest, with very rare and fixed periods for sleep and rest. Just then, the eunuch Bai Mei entered and said, ¡°Your Majesty! Meng Zhaodou requests an audience.¡± Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an set down his writing brush and said indifferently, ¡°Let him in.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Eunuch Bai Mei responded and then walked towards the door. Before long, Meng Zhaodou slowly walked in, performed a respectful gesture, and said, ¡°Your humble servant greets Your Majesty!¡± Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an continued reviewing the memorials and said indifferently, ¡°Speak, what is it?¡± Meng Zhaodou clenched his fists and said, ¡°Experts from Guishuang have appeared in the city. According to my investigation, they are top forces from the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace of Guishuang. Moreover, there are Five Qi Grandmasters among them.¡± Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an paused his movements and asked, ¡°Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace?¡± Meng Zhaodou said, ¡°The Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace is the strongest force in Guishuang, supported by the Guishuang Royal Family. It¡¯s comparable to the Black Ice Platform; it¡¯s said that there are three Five Qi Grandmasters and one Great Grandmaster within the palace.¡± Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, ¡°A Great Grandmaster!?¡± This region had been without a Great Grandmaster for a very long time, and now there was one in Guishuang? Meng Zhaodou said in a grave tone, ¡°This Great Grandmaster is none other than Guishuang¡¯s current top expert, Wutu. He¡¯s also the Palace Master of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace. He reached the Grandmaster realm just a few years ago, and his cultivation is not that long-standing. It¡¯s said that after stabilizing his cultivation, he intended to challenge the experts of Great Yan, Houjin, Pure Land, and the Southern Barbarians. He had been silent until now, which is why our countries in the east have had no news of him.¡± Upon hearing this, Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an let out a cold laugh, ¡°The waters are indeed becoming murkier. Even Guishuang wants to have a hand in it. Did the people from the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace come to Yujing City for the Earth Vein Spirit as well?¡± Meng Zhaodou took a deep breath before replying, ¡°Exactly, the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace has been covertly expanding for years, recruiting many Jianghu experts. I was negligent before and failed to detect their presence. It is said that Wutu is about to leave seclusion, and their appearance in Yujing City is aimed at the Ghost Swordsman of Outer Heaven and State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu.¡± The Heaven and Earth Net is the Great Yan Royal Family¡¯s intelligence network, which has an intimate understanding of Great Yan. Even if some intelligence wasn¡¯t promptly investigated, it could be soon unearthed. When An Jing first appeared on the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s wanted list, the Heaven and Earth Net had already begun its investigation. Had it not been for Zhao Chongyin discreetly removing the wanted notice, as time went on and more clues emerged, there was a great risk of exposure. And yet, the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace had hidden in Great Yan for years undetected by the Heaven and Earth Net. On one hand, this was a lapse in their duties; who could have imagined that such a distant power as the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace had begun its infiltration? On the other hand, the actions of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace were indeed very secretive. ¡°An Jing and the State Preceptor?¡± Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an slowly rose to his feet, a glint of cold light flickering in his eyes. Meng Zhaodou nodded and said, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s said that the Five Qi Grandmasters from Guishuang have come for this very reason.¡± The Great Yan Dynasty does not permit the breaking of the Dragon Locking Well¡¯s seal. That means if the seal is indeed to be broken, the top experts of Great Yan must be eliminated, and the strongest among them currently are An Jing, Xiao Qianqiu, eunuch Bai Mei, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect, and others from the Five Elements. As for the Xi Hafu of Dragon Spring Temple, not many people were aware of him. Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an had sealed the news, and the Buddhist community remained silent. It would be difficult for anyone to guess that Xi Hafu, who had previously collaborated with Houjin, was now at Dragon Spring Temple near the Dragon Locking Well. This was a hidden piece on the chessboard, naturally not to be revealed lightly. Xi Hafu had his own calculations, and so did Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an. Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an instructed bluntly, ¡°Inform An Jing of this matter. Make sure he knows immediately.¡± With Xiao Qianqiu currently at Nanhua Mountain and accompanied by a top expert of the Zhenyi Sect, Hua Lian, a standout of the Hua generation, the only one in Yujing City was An Jing. Meng Zhaodou bowed and said, ¡°I will attend to it right away.¡± Then, Meng Zhaodou slowly took his leave. Zhao Xuening picked up a memorial and let out a cold smirk, ¡°Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace, things are really getting more interesting.¡± ¡­.. Yujing City, Dragon Spring Temple. After renovations, the ancient temple¡¯s imposing and austere gates seemed more majestic than ever, with its main eaves covered in purple glazed tiles. The temple gate bore twelve gilded characters: Dragon Spring Ancient Temple, glittering in the sunlight. ¡°` Under Fa Wu¡¯s guidance, the two of them walked along the long corridor and entered the ancient temple. Seeing the newly risen sun casting its golden radiance on the temple, the great hall and jade tower became even more magnificent and extraordinary. The trees planted on both sides turned greener and lusher, providing a feast for the eyes and refreshing the spirit. Behind the bamboo forest, a winding and secluded path appeared. A breeze came by, and the bamboo swayed gently, dancing in the wind. Following the path, they arrived at a Zen room shrouded amidst flourishing flowers and trees. The vegetation was lush, with a fragrance that was fresh and rich, quiet and enchanting. Only the sound of the bell and chime echoed and extended through the air¡­ The lingering sound was endless, like wisps that never ceased. An Jing looked up at the sky and saw the sound of the bell and chime mingling above the Zen court, blending with the daylight and the purple smoke as if the Buddhist chant entered his ears, cleansing the dust within his chest, remote and lasting, offering endless aftertaste. Fa Wu stretched out his hand in a gesture of invitation and said, ¡°The Patriarch is waiting inside the Zen room.¡± Creak-! An Jing pushed open the door and stepped inside slowly. He saw Xi Hafu sitting on a meditation cushion, striking a wooden fish with his hands and murmuring Buddhist scriptures to himself. The mild sunlight streamed through the gauze window and shone upon Xi Hafu, as if draping him with a layer of golden light, giving him a sacred and dignified aura. Xi Hafu stopped the wooden fish and said lightly, ¡°Benefactor, please take a seat.¡± An Jing sat down opposite him and said, ¡°I never expected that even after becoming a Buddha, the master is still reciting sutras.¡± Xi Hafu set aside the wooden fish and replied, ¡°Reciting sutras is for oneself to hear, not for others. As the saying goes, sincerity opens the path even to gold and stone.¡± An Jing nodded, ¡°Then the master¡¯s heart must be very sincere.¡± Xi Hafu asked, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± An Jing replied playfully, ¡°If the master¡¯s heart were not sincere, how could he become the Buddha of our time?¡± How Xi Hafu became a Great Grandmaster was something An Jing had witnessed with his own eyes. Is this sincerely becoming a Buddha!? Xi Hafu said, ¡°Benefactor, you are being persistent. Nature¡¯s spiritual energy is one path, and the evil energy you speak of is also a path. As long as the heart does not lose its way and one can see the path ahead clearly, what difference is there between the two?¡± ¡°I have already told you, the nature¡¯s spiritual energy in your eyes might well be evil energy, and the evil energy might actually be the true nature¡¯s spiritual energy.¡± An Jing sneered in his heart but responded calmly, ¡°Right and wrong are crystal clear to me. Doesn¡¯t the chaos in the world now explain everything?¡± What others say is ultimately what others say. Only what one sees is the most real. Not only is his body invaded by evil energy that he cannot purge, but the world has also experienced disasters due to this same evil energy, which is apparent to anyone with clear sight. Xi Hafu brought his hands together and said, ¡°Amitabha, many people are indeed suffering. But these are just the trials they face before great changes. Only after enduring these trials, and showing true sincerity to Buddha, will it be time for the great revelation.¡± An Jing inquired, ¡°What does the Buddhist revelation of gold and stone mean?¡± In Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes, a glimmer of longing shimmered as he said, ¡°It means that everyone in the world may enter the Pure Land.¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing burst into laughter as if he¡¯d heard the funniest joke in the world. Xi Hafu asked, ¡°Why does Benefactor An laugh?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°What a Pure Land! I¡¯m very curious, what exactly is this Pure Land you speak of?¡± He now finally understood why Xi Hafu could let go of obsessions. The person in front of him was clearly a fanatic to an extreme degree. Madmen often differentiate from geniuses by a mere thought. Some become geniuses, others become madmen. Is a madman scarier or a genius more formidable? An Jing felt that an obsessed madman was scarier, and extremely so at that. Xi Hafu said, ¡°When everyone becomes a Buddha, that will be the Pure Land.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, ¡°That will be very difficult.¡± Xi Hafu calmly looked at An Jing and said, ¡°The purpose of my actions is to help enlighten all people in this world to become Buddhas.¡± To enlighten all people in the world to become Buddhas!? Anyone who heard Xi Hafu¡¯s words would be shocked by their audacity. But the person who spoke these words was a land immortal of this era, a master as esteemed as a living Buddha. An Jing exhaled and said, ¡°Master, you didn¡¯t come just to tell me your grand vision today, did you?¡± Xi Hafu earnestly said, ¡°Of course not, I hope you can be a part of it.¡± An Jing looked at Xi Hafu before him, his pupils contracting slightly, ¡°Me, be a part of it?¡± Xi Hafu put his hands together in front of his chest and said, ¡°Beneath the Dragon Locking Well lies an Earth Vein Spirit, coveted by countless treacherous people, including those of the Grandmaster Realm. They all wish to use the Earth Vein Spirit to break through to a realm above what anyone has ever reached before in this world.¡± An Jing¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile, ¡°The treacherous people you speak of¨Care they him, me, or yourself?¡± ¡°Donor An, you are mistaken.¡± Xi Hafu said unaffectedly, ¡°My intentions are sincere and devoted to the well-being of the world. When have I ever been one of those with treacherous hearts?¡± ¡°Whether you¡¯re a person with a treacherous heart, you and everyone else plainly know.¡± An Jing shook his head and stood up, saying, ¡°Qian Qiu who never dies, Wang Yangsheng, and you, master, the reason there has been no great conflict until now is because you are all waiting.¡± ¡°You are all waiting for the Earth Vein Spirit to be fully tainted by the evil spirits. Only then will it be the real time for you to take action. Am I wrong?¡± The Earth Vein Spirit lies beneath the Dragon Locking Well, but these Grandmasters, other than making some tentative moves, have refrained from launching an attack on the well. An Jing and Zhao Qingmei speculated that apart from the fear of becoming the target of all by acting first, another reason for their inaction was that they were waiting. Xi Hafu looked at An Jing, who had stood up, and was silent for a long time, ¡°You are not wrong; I am indeed waiting. Only when the Earth Vein Spirit has been completely cleansed will it be the tipping point for tumultuous change in this world.¡± As expected! An Jing felt even colder in his heart upon hearing Xi Hafu¡¯s words. An Jing had also delved into the Dragon Locking Well himself, finding the Earth Vein Spirit tainted by an unknown evil spirit, nearly corroded completely. This malignant aura had no traceable source and could not be cleansed, its sheer presence impeding An Jing¡¯s movements simply by clinging to his body. It seemed that the Earth Vein Spirit being infected by the evil spirits was all but a foregone conclusion. And once the Earth Vein Spirit was thoroughly tainted, it would signal the time for these individuals to make their move. Then, with the evil spirits pervading the world, countless people would lose their reason and plunge into slaughter, inevitably leading to chaos, devastation, and the suffering of all living beings. After a long while, An Jing coldly said, ¡°I have no interest in participating in the grand schemes of the master.¡± Xi Hafu said indifferently, ¡°Donor, I am doing this for the benefit of all living beings.¡± An Jing paused mid-step and scoffed, ¡°Seated high in your great hall, do you understand the suffering of the world?¡± Having said that, An Jing strode out of the Zen room. Xi Hafu watched An Jing¡¯s retreating figure, his face expressionless, neither joyous nor sad, just like the Buddha statue atop the Buddhist Temple. ¡­¡­ In Yujing City, at the Lv Mansion. With the arrival of autumn, the weather was growing noticeably cooler. Tan Yun, dressed in a light green dress that fell to her waist and revealed her fair ankles, stepped lightly in her white embroidered shoes, walking briskly towards the outside of the mansion. ¡°` ¡°Woof! Woof!¡± The little black pup followed Tan Yun happily, its excited tail wagging nonstop. Ever since An Jing had come to Yujing City, Tan Yun had found it to be much livelier, and she was someone who loved a bustling scene¨Cmaking excuses to head toward the Demon Sect¡¯s stronghold whenever possible. Just as Tan Yun arrived at the outer courtyard, she suddenly spotted a shady, chubby figure sneaking around. That person was none other than Lv Jingchun. At that moment, he was crouching under the corridor, cautiously taking out a letter. ¡°How strange!¡± Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but be curious on seeing this. Lv Jingchun glanced around, ¡®discovered¡¯ that no one was around, and then opened the letter. Instantly, a row of elegant and refined handwriting appeared on the paper, and at the same time, a fragrance assailed the senses. Lv Jingchun immediately leaned his plump head closer, greedily inhaling the fragrance from the handwriting. ¡°Pfft!¡± Just then, a weird noise sounded. ¡°What¡¯s that smell!?¡± Lv Jingchun¡¯s face changed instantly, and then a strange stench reached his nose. He looked down to see a pitch-black little dog staring at him with big eyes¨Cit was the culprit of the smelly fart. Tan Yun, her smile so wide she could hardly close her mouth, walked over, ¡°Oh dear, I¡¯m so sorry, Little Blackie has been so lazy lately, always eating and sleeping¨Chardly getting any exercise.¡± The expression on Lv Jingchun¡¯s face was rich in variety, and after a long time, he finally exclaimed in anger, ¡°What the hell did your dog eat? Its farts are unbelievably stinky.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s smile faded as she put her hands on her hips, ¡°What¡¯s it to you? You sniff and leave it be; what, you want the recipe?¡± Lv Jingchun: ¡°¡­..¡± Suddenly, Tan Yun¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Grandfather, how did you get here?¡± ¡°What?!¡± Hearing Tan Yun¡¯s words, Lv Jingchun¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he cursed inwardly, quickly turning to look behind him. But the street was empty¨Cwhere was the shadow of Lv Guoyong? It was too late to react; before he knew it, Tan Yun had swiftly grabbed the letter from Lv Jingchun¡¯s hands. ¡°You tricked me!¡± Lv Jingchun saw his precious letter snatched away by Tan Yun and immediately scolded, ¡°Give it back to me, you little brat!¡± ¡°What is it that makes you treasure it so much?¡± Tan Yun dodged Lv Jingchun while reading, ¡°Lv Lang¡­ bring silver and the register¡­ looking forward to your honorable presence¡­ Shui Rou.¡± The handwriting was exquisite, emanating the air of a great lady, but there were several complex and rare characters that puzzled Tan Yun. Seeing this, Lv Jingchun grew anxious and angry, ¡°That¡¯s from Miss Shui Rou of Cuilou Building (Chapter 240), she¡¯s arranged to meet me under the parasol tree outside the city at the hour of the Dog.¡± Tan Yun raised an eyebrow on hearing this, ¡°Isn¡¯t Cuilou Building a brothel?¡± Cuilou Building was a well-known brothel in Yujing City, and Shui Rou was a famous courtesan, not just gorgeous but also proficient in the literary arts. Countless scions and officials from the court aspired to be her favored guests, but so far, there seemed to be very few men who caught her eye. Lv Jingchun hurriedly said, ¡°Give it back to me!¡± Tan Yun replied dismissively, ¡°You fool, this woman is scamming you; she¡¯s not only after your silver but also the register.¡± The register was something extremely secretive. Although Tan Yun didn¡¯t know which register it was, she knew that it definitely should not be handled carelessly by Lv Guoyong. ¡°` Lv Jingchun snorted, ¡°Nonsense, how could she possibly deceive me? She definitely has her eyes on my handsome and extraordinary self, my many talents. Miss Shui Rou is the most beautiful girl in this world, she isn¡¯t like those common worldly women without discernment.¡± Taken by your handsome and extraordinary self, your many talents? Tan Yun glanced at Lv Jingchun, ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Lv Jingchun replied with frustration, ¡°What do you know? This is called love.¡± ¡°What kind of crappy love is this?¡± Tan Yun scoffed, ¡°She¡¯s after your silver, even wanting some vital secrets from our Lv Mansion. She is clearly throwing you into a pit of endless disaster.¡± Lv Jingchun hastened to shout, ¡°Mind your own business. If I have the silver, it¡¯s to spend on her. I¡¯m willing. Now, give me the letter. I must protect every single one with great care.¡± Tan Yun clutched the letter in her hand tightly, ¡°Today, I want to see what kind of woman has bewitched you to the point of losing your soul.¡± Saying that, Tan Yun grabbed the letter and ran towards the door. ¡°Tan Yun! You dead girl, give it to me!¡± Upon hearing this, the joy in Lv Jingchun¡¯s eyes was fleeting. He then quickly followed her. Soon, the silhouettes of their chase disappeared from the outer court of the Lv Mansion. Not long after, a plump figure strolled out from the inner courtyard, leisurely. It was Lv Jingchun. He lifted his head to look at the sky and couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°The weather is getting cooler, just like my heart. I really wish for a female swindler to cheat my pure and beautiful feelings, to let me taste the bitterness of love. Just how bitter it is.¡± Right at that moment, a maid caught sight of Lv Jingchun and showed a hint of surprise, ¡°Young Master, didn¡¯t you just go out?¡± Lv Jingchun rubbed the sleep from his eyes and said, ¡°Little Green, I just woke up. What do you mean ¡®just went out¡¯?¡± The maid, puzzled, said, ¡°I saw you chasing the miss just now.¡± Lv Jingchun gave a dry cough and said with a sly smile, ¡°You must have not slept well last night. Did you have hysteria? Come to my room tonight and I¡¯ll take a look at you.¡± The maid felt goosebumps all over and quickly replied, ¡°Young Master, pardon the interruption, I must really be going blind with age.¡± Saying so, she walked away, stepping delicately into the distance. ¡°You are in the prime of youth, how could you be going blind with age?¡± Lv Jingchun chuckled dryly and touched his nose. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, in the west within the parasol tree forest. The withered yellow leaves spiraled down continuously, like butterflies fluttering in the wind, forming layer upon layer on the ground. ¡°Where is the person?¡± Tan Yun stood beneath the parasol tree looking around, and soon spotted a graceful figure in the distance. The woman wore a hairpin with a bead and had purple ribbons dangling from her hair down to her waist. The flower hairpin between her brows was especially elegant. Her peach-blossom eyes were lively and charming. She was dressed in a light purple palace attire with light blue butterflies embroidered on the hem of her skirt and was draped in a layer of white gauze. Her earlobes dangled with pair of aqua blue earrings, and on her left hand, she held a handkerchief embroidered with lotus flowers. She was holding a letter in her hand, seemingly eagerly waiting. This person was the top courtesan of Cuiyun Tower, Shui Rou. ¡°You¡¯re Shui Rou, right?¡± Just then, a cold voice rang out. Hearing the voice, Shui Rou turned to look and saw Tan Yun watching her with an icy expression. No matter what, Tan Yun had grown up in the Demon Sect. Asking her to talk about worldly matters might be too much, but when it came to fighting and killing, she was quite adept at handling the average Jianghu figures. At this moment, those eyes of hers staring with intimidating momentum. Shui Rou nodded and said, ¡°That¡¯s right, who are you?¡± ¡°Who I am is not important.¡± Tan Yun spoke indifferently, ¡°Stay away from that idiot Lv Jingchun in the future, or don¡¯t blame me for not being polite to you.¡± Shui Rou didn¡¯t seem to be scared by Tan Yun¡¯s momentum as she covered her mouth and laughed, ¡°Not polite, how exactly will you be impolite?¡± Tan Yun said, ¡°You will die!¡± Shui Rou asked, ¡°Are you going to kill me?¡± Tan Yun said, ¡°Killing you would be as easy as turning over my hand.¡± Shui Rou, full of confidence, said, ¡°Then you may try.¡± Tan Yun¡¯s beautiful eyes narrowed into slits and said, ¡°Since it is so, then don¡¯t blame me for not giving you a chance.¡± ¡°Shi!¡± The next moment, she drew the Futu Sword from her waist. The sword light was as fast as lightning, and its force like thunder as it slashed towards the front. By now, Tan Yun¡¯s cultivation had reached First Grade, and her Sword Dao realm had also attained the Fourth Realm. Although she was not using her full strength with this sword, it was not something that ordinary experts could withstand, let alone an Oiran in front of her? But in the next moment, as the sharp edge of the sword was about to touch the fair, delicate neck, it was caught between a pair of fingers. Those fingers were like iron pincers, and the Futu Sword couldn¡¯t move at all. ¡°You!¡± Tan Yun looked at Shui Rou, a hint of shock in her eyes. This Oiran was no simple character! Shui Rou smiled lightly, ¡°Little sister, it seems you can¡¯t be impolite to me after all.¡± Tan Yun demanded, ¡°Who exactly are you?¡± Just then, the voice of Lv Jingchun came from behind her, ¡°That dead dog actually farted, seriously bad luck.¡± Tan Yun turned around and quickly shouted, ¡°Scarecrow, get away, this person¡­.¡± She stopped halfway through her sentence when she saw Lv Jingchun¡¯s eyes emanating an icy chill, as if wanting to devour someone, completely different from the usual Lv Jingchun. He was not Lv Jingchun! In an instant, Tan Yun realized, ¡°You are not Lv Jingchun, who are you?¡± Then she saw that ¡®Lv Jingchun¡¯ placed a palm on his face and ripped off the human skin mask, revealing a dead and chilling face, ¡°You little brat, see who I am?¡± Disguise Technique! In Jianghu, there are many Disguise Techniques and Concealing Qi Skills, some of which are exceptionally refined, even a common Grandmaster would find it hard to detect. An Jing¡¯s Concealing Qi Technique was one that even a Grandmaster had not been able to discover. Tan Yun queried, ¡°Who are you guys, what are you planning to do?¡± Shui Rou replied indifferently, ¡°What are we going to do? You will find out soon.¡± After speaking, Shui Rou¡¯s figure flashed in front of Tan Yun, and a hand chop landed on the back of her neck; she then embraced the soft body. The shadowy man coldly said, ¡°That dead dog didn¡¯t follow, otherwise I would have flayed and eaten it alive.¡± Shui Rou¡¯s delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed as she said, ¡°Alright, enough grumbling. Master Mo Chen and Uncle Chang Ning are still waiting for us to report back.¡± The man nodded without saying anything. Afterward, their figures leapt up, vanishing into the parasol tree forest. ¡­¡­ While everyone was eagerly anticipating the battle between Ghost Swordsman and Zongzheng Huachun, another major event swept through the entire Yujing City. This was the disappearance of Lv Guoyong¡¯s granddaughter. No one could be unaware of Lv Guoyong¡¯s granddaughter. Previously, atop the Eight Feet Platform of the Xuanyi Guard, Li Fuzhou had slain Tang Taiyuan, and afterward, when the Royal Family¡¯s top expert, the Eunuch Bai Mei, attempted to take Tan Yun away, it was at this critical moment that Lv Guoyong made his appearance. Following this event, Tan Yun naturally became the apple of Lv Guoyong¡¯s eye, and everyone knew of his fondness for her. Furthermore, Tan Yun had originally come from the Demon Sect, and her master was none other than the leader of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect. Although the Demon Sect had retreated to Great Yan after being pushed back from Dongluo Pass, and their prestige had suffered, Ghost Swordsman had slowly gained fame. Then the Demon Sect extinguished the Ma Family on Beihuang Dao, Four Qi Grandmaster You Gai joined them, and they gathered the Five Gangs Alliance and the Five Poison Sect. In short order, the Demon Sect had become the premier sect in Great Yan, compelling even the Zhenyi Sect and the Buddhist to step back. Such a person was Lv Guoyong¡¯s granddaughter, the disciple of the leader of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect. Now, such an important figure had gone missing, causing an uproar in Yujing City. All of Yujing City was suddenly in turmoil¨CHeaven and Earth Net, the many forces of the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect, all began the search for Tan Yun¡¯s whereabouts, but she seemed to have vanished without a trace. No one knew where she had gone. Lv Mansion, the main hall. At this moment, the hall was as silent as death. Lv Guoyong¡¯s face was stern, casting an icy cold atmosphere. Seeing such an expression on Lv Guoyong, Lv Fang and Lv Jingchun dared not even breathe too loudly. Manor Steward Jin Wuwang also stood with brows tightly furrowed, silent at the side. Lv Guoyong asked with a knitted brow, ¡°Wuwang, you said you were stopped by a master?¡± Jin Wuwang nodded, ¡°This morning, a Four Qi Grandmaster appeared in the manor. I sensed their presence and gave chase, instead of following the young lady.¡± Hearing this, Lv Guoyong softly said, ¡°It seems this was a premeditated action.¡± Lv Jingchun angrily said, ¡°Who on earth has such an enmity with our Lv Sect to kidnap Tan Yun?¡± At this moment, his fists were clenched tightly, and his heart was filled with immense anxiety. Although Tan Yun had often bullied and beaten him, he did not hold a grudge in his heart. On the contrary, he was deeply fond of his food-loving younger sister. After all, not many in the Lv household had accompanied him in play, and now having someone to fight and frolic with wasn¡¯t so bad. Plus, since Tan Yun¡¯s arrival at Lv Mansion, life indeed had become more flavorful. Lv Fang said in a stern voice, ¡°There are too many on the court and in the Jianghu who bear grudges against the Lv Mansion.¡± Lv Guoyong, with an expressionless face, said, ¡°But I believe there is none in Great Yan who would dare to do such a thing.¡± Lv Fang inquired, ¡°Father, could it be Houjin or the Black Ice Platform?¡± A cold light flashed in Lv Guoyong¡¯s murky eyes. He had killed Qin Shan of the Black Ice Platform before, and if the Black Ice Platform were to seek revenge now, it would not be surprising. At the same time, the much-anticipated and widely publicized battle between Ghost Swordsman and Zongzheng Huachun could distract and affect his mindset. It was possible that this incident was engineered to that end. After a long pause, Lv Guoyong said indifferently, ¡°This matter, I fear, is not so simple.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Lv Fang asked, ¡°Father, what do we do now?¡± Lv Guoyong calmly said, ¡°Investigate. Mobilize all the forces at the disposal of the Lv Sect to thoroughly investigate the matter. Narrow the search to within thirty miles of Yujing City.¡± Although his Literary Palace had shattered, his innate sense had not vanished. He knew Tan Yun was still alive and nearby Yujing City. Upon hearing this, Lv Fang quickly responded, ¡°I understand.¡± ¡­¡­ Chapter 377 - Chapter 377 Chapter 277 Sunset Ending Chapter 377: Chapter 277: Sunset Ending Chapter 377: Chapter 277: Sunset Ending Demon Sect stronghold, courtyard. Autumn leaves withered, dry branches fell, the cool breeze took away the last of the fallen leaves. An Jing sat on a stone chair, in front of him was a thick, ancient sword box. He stretched out his hand and quietly caressed the Evil Suppressing Sword, the stark white blade covered with a captivating layer of white light. Tap tap tap¡­ The sound of footsteps arose as a middle-aged man quickly walked in. This man was none other than Shui Zhongyue, one of the Guardians of the Human Sect. After several major upheavals, the Human Sect had suffered heavy losses, but then, with vigorous expansion and the recruitment of many experts, the sect had revived its vitality. Shui Zhongyue, who had always been diligent, had become the second in command of the Human Sect without realizing it. Shui Zhongyue bowed deeply and said, ¡°An Tributor, I¡¯ve searched the entire Yujing City but haven¡¯t found Tan Yun. According to the intelligence received, the last place she disappeared was outside the city in the Parasol Tree Forest, but there are no clues in the forest.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing put down the sword box, ¡°The one who took her is an expert in disguise, this action was meticulous, and a Four Qi Grandmaster even lured away Jin Wuwang, indicating that the purpose of the perpetrator is not simple.¡± Shui Zhongyue, a bit anxious, asked, ¡°An Tributor, what should we do now?¡± Tan Yun, previously in the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect, was the sole disciple of Li Fuzhou and also enjoyed the status of one of the sect¡¯s Guardians. Lively, lovable, and innocent, she was dearly protected by the Human Sect¡¯s experts. Now that Tan Yun had been kidnapped by a mysterious expert, how could Shui Zhongyue not be anxious? Li Fuzhou had even personally led the Human Sect¡¯s spies to search throughout Yujing City, inside and out. An Jing stored away the Evil Suppressing Sword and spoke softly, ¡°The reason they kidnapped Tan Yun is to use her as leverage, and the fact they haven¡¯t shown up yet is because they want us to be anxious. This will wear down our patience, make us lose our reason, while increasing their own bargaining chips.¡± ¡°You now go and activate the Jianghu mobilization order, search for Tan Yun with all your might.¡± Upon hearing this, Shui Zhongyue embraced his fists and said, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go now.¡± Having said this, Shui Zhongyue quickly walked towards the courtyard exit. ¡°Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace, huh?¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes, took out two pieces of white paper from the table beside him, which clearly recorded all the information about the experts of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace, including the three Five Qi Grandmasters and a rumored Grandmaster Realm expert. The two papers were highly consistent with no significant discrepancies, one was an investigation by the Demon Sect¡¯s Human Sect, the other had been sent by the Xuanyi Guard at the behest of the Emperor of Yong¡¯an. The appearance of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace¡¯s experts in Yujing City, and the coincidental disappearance of Tan Yun at this time, definitely suggested the involvement of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace. Previously, An Jing had killed an expert of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace¡¯s Heavenly Blade Alliance, and had long been at odds with them; hence, their retaliation was within expectation. In Yujing City, the likelihood of launching an attack on An Jing was almost non-existent. For one, An Jing himself was among the top talents of his age, and even an expert of the Grandmaster Realm might not necessarily be able to kill him. Moreover, with the Imperial Jade Seal in his possession, his awe-inspiring influence, and the Royal Family¡¯s experts within Yujing City, anyone targeting An Jing would have to think twice. Therefore, the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace opted for a secondary target, attacking someone close to An Jing which was not too much of a surprise. And the fact that the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace managed to arrange their plan in Yujing City so meticulously and strictly might also have had the backing and support of Houjin. After all, with the imminent battle between Zongzheng Huachun and An Jing, if they could strike a blow to An Jing before the battle, it would most certainly affect his mindset, which would be very advantageous for Houjin. ¡°Came all this way just to deliver their own heads?¡± An Jing picked up the two pieces of paper and then clenched his fist tightly. The once pristine sheets instantly turned to shreds, disappearing with the autumn wind. The more people a swordsman kills, the more fearsome the sword skill he accumulates. And these experts from the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace, he was determined to kill them! ¡­¡­ Yujing City, a tea house in the outer city. The tea house was bustling with people coming and going, just like a noisy market. Ordinary citizens seldom came here for tea because this place was a gathering point for those in the Jianghu, known in the capital for trading and spreading news. Usually, this place was very quiet; why was it so busy today? ¡°Did you hear? The Demon Sect issued a Jianghu summoning order?¡± ¡°Who hasn¡¯t heard? It¡¯s been the talk of the town already.¡± ¡°Even the Zhenyi Sect has sent disciples down the mountain.¡± ¡°The new masters of the Seven Sects, Yun Valley Peak, and Xuanshuang Pavilion have responded to the call and sent out all their disciples to help the Demon Sect search.¡± ¡°With just one order from the Demon Sect, the entire Jianghu is in an uproar.¡± ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t show face to a summon issued by the Ghost Swordsman himself? Who would dare not?¡± ¡°Stop mentioning it; since last night, I¡¯ve been searching everywhere, but haven¡¯t even seen a shadow.¡± ¡­¡­. Everyone was buzzing, their expressions filled with both eagerness and excitement. Now in the Great Yan Martial World, the Demon Sect had overshadowed the Zhenyi Sect, even if the Zhenyi Sect still held the prestigious title of the National Religion, the real power seemed to belong to Outer Heaven. The Ghost Swordsman, alone with his sword, had carved out a remarkable reputation in Jianghu. Not to mention his glorious battles from before, he had recently slain Taiyin Kui of the Houjin, who was a Five Qi Grandmaster, as well as the traitor from the Demon Sect, Jiang Shang, Evil King Meng Hao in the Heavenly Prison, thwarted the State Preceptor Xiao Qianqiu, and was now set to engage in a pinnacle battle with the Holy Master of Houjin that concerned the world¡¯s fate. Some said that this battle between the Ghost Swordsman and Zongzheng Huachun could be the most significant in the last three hundred years. This battle was enough to establish a turbulent situation in the world. The name Ghost Swordsman resonated throughout the world; nobody was unfamiliar with him. His name kept spreading throughout Jianghu, which brought many to either fear or revere him, especially among the younger generation of Great Yan Martial World, where they nearly idolized him. In the distance, a young male and female pair, each wearing a conical bamboo hat, had indiscernible faces. The man was dressed in coarse cloth, with a delicate treasure sword at his waist, while the woman beside him wore a tight suit, slim and graceful, with exposed arms that were strong and filled with a powerful beauty. These two were none other than Jia Meixian and Yang Chong from the Four Symbols Sect. Biting her lower lip, Jia Meixian said, ¡°Brother, by taking this opportunity, we might be able to submit our pledge and join the Demon Sect.¡± Back in the North Field, they had considered joining the Demon Sect, but then the battle at Yulong Snow Mountain occurred. An Jing, in the end, left with the injured Nangong Weiping, causing them to miss the perfect opportunity. Yang Chong shook his head, expressing his concern, ¡°The Demon Sect is being searched for by the court without any news of their Guardian. Trying to find him would be as hard as reaching heaven; moreover, abducting the Guardian of a Grandmaster-level Human Sect isn¡¯t something the two of us¡­¡± Hearing Yang Chong¡¯s words, Jia Meixian sighed deeply. ¡°Brother, what should we do, then?¡± Yang Chong scratched his head and said, ¡°It¡¯s not hard for us two to join the Demon Sect; just find a Demon Sect master and lay it out straight. Tell them that you once saved their Ghost Swordsman, who owes you his life. How could they not let us join the Demon Sect?¡± At this, Jia Meixian¡¯s eyes suddenly widened. ¡°Brother!¡± ¡°Hahaha, I¡¯m just saying,¡± Yang Chong chuckled dryly and then somewhat resentfully added, ¡°Back then, this Ghost Swordsman really tricked us badly. He hasn¡¯t even greeted us once, even though we¡¯re his lifesavers.¡± In reality, Yang Chong was just speaking off hand; after all, previously the Demon Sect teemed with dangers, and An Jing had countless enemies. Establishing ties with the Ghost Swordsman and the Demon Sect might not have been a good move. Moreover, when An Jing left, he left behind the Four Symbols Sword Sticker¨Ca rare treasure of the Four Symbols Sect. If not for him, this treasure might still be gathering dust. What was more important was that the wooden sword An Jing left had once saved both their lives, already repaying their day¡¯s grace. ¡°Brother!¡± After a moment of thought, Jia Meixian said, ¡°Everyone¡¯s searching now; let¡¯s join them. Maybe we can discover some clues.¡± ¡°Sigh!¡± Yang Chong heaved a long sigh on hearing this. At times, he truly couldn¡¯t understand why his junior sister was so keen on joining the Demon Sect; why not just speak directly to the Demon Sect¡¯s disciples? Given their previous deed of saving An Jing, along with their current strength, wouldn¡¯t joining the Demon Sect be as easy as flipping one¡¯s hand? Why go through so much effort? ¡°Let¡¯s get going.¡± Jia Meixian picked up the treasure sword from the table and hurriedly walked out of the teahouse. ¡°Here we go.¡± Yang Chong paid for the tea, then quickly followed her. The Lv Sect held considerable prestige in the court, but it possessed little influence in Jianghu. With the issuing of the summoning by the Demon Sect, it stirred up enormous waves across Jianghu, urging numerous sects and martial artists to respond. Subsequently, the whole Great Yan Martial World was bustling with activity, especially the martial artists of Capital Road who seemed eager to overturn the very ground if it meant uncovering any clue to ingratiate themselves with the Demon Sect. ¡­¡­ You Mountain. Cold mountain winds brushed unimpeded, a soft whispering among the pine forests scattered across the hills. An autumn rain fell upon this majestic and secluded mountain range. Rain like fog, fog like rain, winding mountain paths obscured, indistinct figures moving along. The towering pines, proud and desolate, deeply rooted in the rocky soil, cool raindrops occasionally tumbling from the tips of the pines. At the top of You Mountain, inside an elegant and tranquil chamber, ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Two Demon Sect masters stood at the entrance of the chamber. On seeing Zhao Qingmei approaching, they quickly kneeled on one knee and greeted her. Zhao Qingmei spoke emotionlessly, ¡°You may step back now.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The two bowed slightly and retreated backward. After they had left, Zhao Qingmei finally took a deep breath and slowly pushed open the door to enter. The room was very quiet, filled with a faint fragrance. Nangong Weiping was sitting in the chair, appearing to be dozing off. The wrinkles on her face looked like they were carved with a knife, her complexion was very pale, and her hair was as dry as straw. Zhao Qingmei whispered, ¡°Elder Nangong.¡± In a daze, upon hearing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s voice, Nangong Weiping slowly opened her eyes, a spark of light flashing through her cloudy eyes, ¡°You are here.¡± Zhao Qingmei approached Nangong Weiping and gently grasped her dry hand, ¡°Elder Nangong, how are you feeling now?¡± As she spoke, her true Qi slowly flowed from Zhao Qingmei into Nangong Weiping¡¯s body. Through the flow of true Qi, Zhao Qingmei could sense that Nangong Weiping¡¯s internal organs, meridians, and bones were all severely aged¨Ca sign her life span was exhausted and her end was near; it meant that Nangong Weiping¡¯s life would soon be over. Nangong Weiping waved her hand, ¡°There¡¯s no need to waste your energy, I know my own body well.¡± Zhao Qingmei felt a pang of regret and said, ¡°Elder Nangong, it is my incompetence that I couldn¡¯t bring you the blood of Chenghuang.¡± This grandmaster of the Demon Sect, once a formidable figure in the Jianghu, was now nearing the end of her days, her life fading like a burnt-out lamp. She still remembered when Nangong Weiping had first emerged from the Sealing Demon Well, how carefree and unrestrained she had been, heading north to the Great Snow Mountain to directly steal Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s Snow Lotus, and heading south to the Black Ice Platform to duel with the immortal Xiao Qianqiu. It was precisely because Xiao Qianqiu grievously wounded her that her primordial energy was greatly damaged, consuming much of her life force. ¡°The blood of Chenghuang would only extend life for a year or two,¡± spoke Nangong Weiping lightly: ¡°I have fought with that immortal Xiao Qianqiu and even the Buddha. My life can be considered complete. How many in this world can say they have dueled with both?¡± Nangong Weiping¡¯s words were very composed, just as she mentioned. Not to mention other grandmasters from ancient times, within those of the Grandmaster Realm, how many have had the opportunity to confront these two? Zhao Qingmei gently said, ¡°If Elder Nangong were in her prime, she might not be inferior to those two.¡± Upon hearing this, Nangong Weiping chuckled, ¡°You rarely flatter people, young lady.¡± Zhao Qingmei earnestly replied, ¡°Is it not true? Elder, when you emerged from the Sealing Demon Well, you were already in a state of great injury.¡± Nangong Weiping shook her head and sighed, ¡°You are half right. I confronted them not at my prime, but neither were they at theirs. Xiao Qianqiu was also severely injured, unable to display his full strength, and that Xi Hafu had just broken through to the Grandmaster Realm; his foundation was not stable, his strength now is probably much stronger than back on Yulong Snow Mountain.¡± ¡°Moreover, I am very clear that even in my prime, I was no match for them. Their abilities are among the top in history, especially that Xiao Qianqiu. Who knows how many secrets his body harbors? If it weren¡¯t for his injuries, I believe his power would have reached a terrifying level.¡± Zhao Qingmei furrowed her brows slightly, ¡°Indeed, their strength is very high.¡± Whether it was Xiao Qianqiu from the Yun Tower or the Xi Hafu from Buddhism, she had seen both with her own eyes, especially this time at the Yun Tower, where despite Xi Hafu¡¯s restrained aura, she could still feel its vastness and immensity. That kind of oppression, steady as a mountain, devastating when triggered. As for Xiao Qianqiu, he was even more mysteriously powerful and formidable. Nangong Weiping took a deep breath and slowly said, ¡°When the Earth Vein Spirit is completely unsealed, it will be a sign of great changes between heaven and earth. Then, both visible and hidden Grandmaster-level experts will make their moves, and you and that young man will likely face some conflicts.¡± ¡°Moreover, the nature of the evil spirits is still unknown. If the Earth Vein Spirit is fully tainted by evil spirits, it may become malformed, likely plunging the world into chaos. You two should try to find a way to slay the Earth Vein Spirit beforehand. This could not only help you breakthrough limitations in cultivation but would also thwart others¡¯ sinister intentions.¡± ¡°Elder¡­.¡± ¡°How to sever this Earth Vein Spirit is not so simple. It seems both ephemeral and real. Since ancient times, countless Grandmasters have tried to sever it without success. I¡¯ve pondered deeply but still have no clue; it all depends on your own exploration now.¡± Nangong Weiping voiced her worries one by one, as if she were entrusting her final affairs to a junior, her tone was so serene, without any ripple. Zhao Qingmei nodded heavily, ¡°I understand.¡± The evil spirits had tainted the Earth Vein Spirit, which was sure to cause transformations in it. At this time, integrating the Earth Vein Spirit into oneself would essentially be inviting the evil spirits in as well. So, for An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, severing the Earth Vein Spirit beneath the Dragon Locking Well was the most feasible action. However, severing the Earth Vein Spirit was no simple task, perhaps even more difficult than integrating the Earth Vein Spirit into oneself. Nangong Weiping looked at Zhao Qingmei and chuckled, ¡°Seeing you here, young girl, alleviates any other regrets I might have had.¡± Zhao Qingmei felt a warm surge through her heart. After her parents had died, she was taken to Dongluo Pass by Jiang Shang. Although just a young girl, due to Jiang Shang, the martial experts of the Demon Sect treated Zhao Qingmei with great respect. Jiang Shang taught her some martial arts before going into seclusion, and Jiang Renyi occasionally gave her some guidance, so she hardly received much care like that from an elder. Nangong Weiping took out a wooden comb and handed it to Zhao Qingmei, ¡°Come, help comb my hair.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Zhao Qingmei took the wooden comb, then gently placed it on Nangong Weiping¡¯s dry hair. The first time she had combed Nangong Weiping¡¯s hair was within the Sealing Demon Well, back when Nangong Weiping¡¯s hair had not been combed for a long time. The wooden comb gently stroked downward through her silver-white hair, as if time itself had slowed considerably. Gazing at her reflection in the bronze mirror, Nangong Weiping felt her eyelids incredibly heavy, as though they weighed a thousand pounds. No matter how hard she tried to summon her energy, she remained indifferent and eventually could not help leaning on the chair and dozing off again. She did not know how long had passed when she felt Zhao Qingmei stop her movements. She slowly opened her eyes. Zhao Qingmei, seemingly out of nowhere, produced a peach wood hairpin and began tying up her hair. It was that time at the Sealing Demon Well when Zhao Qingmei combed her hair that a sliver of light appeared in the abyss of her dim heart. It was also then that Nangong Weiping had resolved to plant her own demon seed in Zhao Qingmei, passing on all her cultivation to her. Nangong Weiping couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°It looks really nice.¡± Zhao Qingmei softly said, ¡°I¡¯m sure Senior Nangong must have been a great beauty in her youth.¡± ¡°Your mouth has suddenly turned so sweet, this isn¡¯t like you.¡± Nangong Weiping glanced outside the window, ¡°The rain has stopped, help this old body to see the sunset.¡± ¡°I¡¯m speaking the truth, Senior Nangong must have been a great beauty.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded and helped Nangong Weiping up. The twilight in the mountains came quickly and silently, so much so that inadvertently, the pines stood majestic, rocks dimmed, and shadows swayed. The two walked slowly to an open area on the mountaintop, where stars were indiscernible and the post-rain mist mingled with distant hills and ridges, while a gentle breeze swept through the pine forest, like a faint roar of the waves. Beneath their feet, autumn insects whispered, and unknown birds occasionally spoke loudly among the trees. The sky collected the colors of summer, the leaves moved with the sounds of autumn. Nangong Weiping gazed at the distant sunset and softly said, ¡°The sunset, dyeing the world blood-red, the ultimate destiny of the sun. How many more times can I witness it?¡± The world shifts and changes, once sketching bright pasts that flicker by in an instant, leaving no trace. The days gone by cannot be touched by reaching out, with only lingering thoughts that grow increasingly vague over time. Zhao Qingmei, hearing Nangong Weiping¡¯s words, couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit sad. Since ancient times, the decline of heroes has always been a cause for sorrow. Once standing proudly at the peak, overlooking all, yet now can only stand at the foot of the mountain, swaying alone. Nangong Weiping watched the sunset ahead, the scene she had longed to see during her dreams beneath the Sealing Demon Well. Having spent most of her life in the Sealing Demon Well, she cherished the seemingly ordinary mountains, days, and sunsets more than anyone. Nangong Weiping¡¯s murky eyes gazed intensely at the allure, wishing she could imprint the sunset within her eyes, her mind, and the deepest of her memories, to remember it forever. She continued to watch the sunset like this, and Zhao Qingmei said nothing but simply accompanied her. Possibly tired from standing, Nangong Weiping slowly sat down, ¡°I¡¯d like to sit for a while.¡± Zhao Qingmei, supporting Nangong Weiping¡¯s body, said, ¡°Senior Nangong, I¡¯ll go get some tea.¡± Nangong Weiping smiled and nodded, ¡°Go ahead, make sure it¡¯s tea from the well, I won¡¯t drink it if it¡¯s not.¡± ¡°I got it!¡± Zhao Qingmei saw the slightly rosier complexion of Nangong Weiping and smiled slightly as she quickly walked toward the quarters. Nangong Weiping sat cross-legged atop the cliff, letting the mountain breeze brush her face, while her eyes calmly watched the orange clouds ahead. Nangong Weiping began to laugh, her laughter growing louder. At her age and with her circumstances, she had long ceased to care deeply about love, and held no attachments towards life and death. Her only belief in living¨Cif one must live, then one must live well. After all, when one dies, people should have some memories to hold on to. Nangong Weiping gently closed her eyes, ¡°A hundred years beneath the Sealing Demon Well flashed by in an instant, a thousand years fleeting by, this old body has not lived this human life in vain.¡± Even in the dark, silent depths of the Sealing Demon Well, her heart had never been as calm as this. But at this moment, her heart was utterly serene. And her life ultimately crystallized in this calmness. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only In a haze, Nangong Weiping saw herself at sixteen¨Cwhen she was full of youthful beauty, everything so wonderful¡­¡­. Zhao Qingmei, hurrying from the quarters, suddenly halted. She then quietly watched the solitary figure of Nangong Weiping, head bowed, seemingly merging with the sunset in the sky. Everything changes, people turn forlorn, events grow bleak, life¡¯s brilliance flares in the sunset, burning into the embrace of night, completing yet another cycle of noisy blooms and curtains. ¡­.. Chapter 378 - Chapter 378 Chapter 278 Swords Singing as Autumn Falls Chapter 378: Chapter 278: Swords Singing as Autumn Falls Chapter 378: Chapter 278: Swords Singing as Autumn Falls Time flew by, and the days passed swiftly as three days blinked away. The Xuanyi Guard, Heaven and Earth Net, and the County Government of Yujing City, along with individuals from the Great Yan Sect and Jianghu experts, all mobilized, but still, there was no news whatsoever. The granddaughter of Lv Guoyong from the Demon Sect, and a Guardian of the Human Sect, seemed to have evaporated from the human world suddenly, with no clues or traces found. A hundred miles outside Yujing City, the Peach Blossom Forest was particularly barren and desolate due to the arrival of autumn. In the forest sat the Peach Blossom Manor, a formidable realm famously known within Jianghu. Zuo Biwen of Youfeng Valley and the Manor Master, Bian Zenglu, shared a notable friendship. Additionally, Bian Zenglu had a reputable name in Jianghu, widely recognized. This time, when the Demon Sect sent out a summoning order, he was one of the first Jianghu experts to actively respond. In the back courtyard of Peach Blossom Manor, the autumn brought gradually colder weather, and the ground was covered with decaying leaves and branches. Inside the yard, there were visible and hidden sentries, about several dozen experts on guard, producing a level of defense that was astonishingly strict. In the beautifully extravagant hall, the Manor Master, Bian Zenglu, was bowing deeply, his manner towards the man before him utterly respectful, ¡°Lord Liu, is it time to take the person away?¡± The identity of the individual who could make Bian Zenglu act like this was naturally extraordinary. Standing before Bian Zenglu was none other than the master of illusion techniques, Liu Xiang, who together with Shui Rou had abducted Tan Yun. Though his personal combat strength wasn¡¯t high, his illusion skills from Guishuang were top-notch. Especially after coming to Zhao Country and secretly studying the Disguise Technique at Black Ice Platform, he could sometimes reach the level of truly deceiving the eye. Even Lv Qiujian, the arrogant Swordsman, had failed to see his true face, which was truly a testament to Liu Xiang¡¯s skill. If it weren¡¯t for his low cultivation, he might even have infiltrated the Eight Great Heavenly Slaughter ranks of Black Ice Platform. Liu Xiang gave a cold smile and said, ¡°Next, I need to take her to Zaze, then let out some information. The Ghost Swordsman will surely come to save her.¡± Bian Zenglu, puzzled, asked, ¡°Zaze?¡± The region of Zaze was famously a marshland in Yunhua Dao, filled with miasma and home to vicious insects and wild beasts, but lacked Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures or Martial Arts Secret Scriptures, thus very few from Jianghu ventured there. Liu Xiang, with a slight tone, affirmed, ¡°Yes, beneath the marshes of Zaze lies the Miasma Pearl, formed from millions of years of concentrated miasma. If it shatters suddenly, it will release a vast amount of miasma, enveloping the entire Zaze like a tide. Any expert below First Grade would perish instantly, and even Grandmasters must be extremely cautious.¡± ¡°My Divine Palace has high-ranking experts already lying in ambush in Zaze. By then, not only will the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength be greatly reduced, but the millions of yin soldiers in the Jade Seal, due to the raging miasma, will hardly be able to aid him. At that time, the Ghost Swordsman will be like a turtle trapped in a jar.¡± Upon hearing this, Bian Zenglu¡¯s face subtly changed. ¡°Are you sure the experts from the Divine Palace can kill that Ghost Swordsman?¡± People¡¯s reputation, like the shadow of a tree! Under the Ghost Swordsman, several Five Qi Grandmasters had died. Such a reputation made one shiver just at the thought. Although Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace was the top force in Guishuang, ambushing the Ghost Swordsman might not be so simple. If things were exposed or failed, the Demon Sect could squash him and Peach Blossom Manor as easily as crushing an ant. Not only would he not even compare to collateral damage, he would still end up dead. Liu Xiang patted Bian Zenglu¡¯s shoulder, confidently asserting, ¡°Rest assured, this time two Five Qi Grandmasters from my Divine Palace along with Sword God and Sword Demon, both nearly at the level of Five Qi Grandmasters, will act on our behalf. Along with the impact of the miasma, no matter how formidable the Ghost Swordsman is, his life will end in Zaze.¡± Bian Zenglu clasped his fists and said, ¡°I understand, I¡¯ll go prepare the carriage now.¡± Having said that, Bian Zenglu headed to the back courtyard. At this moment, in the firewood room, Tan Yun was tightly bound, a cloth stuffed in her mouth, her eyes glaring daggers at Bian Zenglu as if she wanted to devour him. Bian Zenglu wasn¡¯t very brave, and he also feared the Demon Sect might actually find this place. Therefore, he treated Tan Yun extremely well, providing her with good food and drink, not daring to be the slightest bit negligent, preserving at least a glimmer of hope for himself. Seeing the look in Tan Yun¡¯s eyes, Bian Zenglu sighed and said, ¡°It¡¯s not that I want to gag you, but your mouth is like it¡¯s smeared with honey ¨C when you¡¯re not eating, you¡¯re cursing my ancestors, which is truly unpleasant to hear. It¡¯s in everyone¡¯s best interest if you stay honest, don¡¯t you think I¡¯m right?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll remove the cloth from your mouth now. You mustn¡¯t curse at me, alright?¡± Tan Yun, with her big eyes, glanced at Bian Zenglu and nodded. ¡°That¡¯s more like it!¡± Bian Zenglu removed the white cloth from Tan Yun¡¯s mouth. As soon as the cloth was removed, Tan Yun yelled angrily, ¡°You bastard, Bian Zenglu, are you trying to starve me to death?¡± ¡°You!¡± Upon hearing this, Bian Zenglu quickly stuffed the cloth back in her mouth, fearing that Tan Yun¡¯s voice might draw the attention of the Demon Sect experts. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Meanwhile, Liu Xiang, who heard the noise outside, walked in, glanced at Tan Yun, a chill flashing in his eyes, and then he fiercely slapped her face. ¡°Slap!¡± The slap sent Tan Yun reeling, nearly unable to stand firm. A sinister look appeared in Liu Xiang¡¯s eyes, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for my uncle¡¯s instructions not to harm you, hmph.¡± Tan Yun, unafraid, continued to stare into Liu Xiang¡¯s eyes. Liu Xiang no longer paid attention to Tan Yun and ordered, ¡°Get her on the carriage, we¡¯re wasting no time, let¡¯s set off now.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Bian Zenglu responded and hoisted Tan Yun onto his shoulder directly, throwing her into the carriage parked at the gate. Then Liu Xiang entered the carriage, and Bian Zenglu drove out of Peach Blossom Manor, heading towards Zheze in Yunhua Dao. Under the guise of Bian Zenglu¡¯s identity, whether it was Jianghu masters or Court officials, no one hindered them. The carriage moved unobstructed, smoothly traveling towards Zheze. At the same time, Jia Meixian and Yang Chong were aimlessly wandering around the vicinity of Yujing City, seemingly hoping to luck into finding clues about Tan Yun¡¯s whereabouts. Yang Chong glanced at the sky and said with a dry mouth, ¡°Junior Sister, we won¡¯t be able to find the kidnappers this way.¡± Jia Meixian earnestly said, ¡°We will eventually find them, and even if someone else discovers them first, we can still appear right away.¡± Yang Chong shook his head; he knew his junior sister was kind-hearted but single-minded, inflexible once she set her mind on something, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. Suddenly, Jia Meixian pointed at a distant carriage and said, ¡°Senior Brother, look at that carriage!¡± ¡°A carriage!?¡± Upon hearing Jia Meixian¡¯s words, Yang Chong followed the direction of her pointing finger and saw an opulent carriage with closed side windows speeding away, driven by a middle-aged man. The man had a unique long sword hanging at his waist, the blade a deep green, like a profound pool of water, while the sheath was decorated with peach blossoms, imparting an elegant aura. As a former top disciple of the Four Symbols Sect and a notable figure in Jianghu, Yang Chong¡¯s insights were extraordinary. He recognized at a glance that the sword was named Night Rain Pillow Peach, the weapon of Manor Master Bian Zenglu from Peach Blossom Manor. The identity of the middle-aged man was apparent¨Che was Bian Zenglu. Yang Chong wondered aloud, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Jia Meixian earnestly said, ¡°This man has profound cultivation, yet serves merely as a coachman, and the carriage has all its windows sealed, apparently hiding something. I find it very suspicious.¡± Upon hearing her, Yang Chong couldn¡¯t help laughing and said, ¡°Junior Sister, I think you¡¯re being overly suspicious. What¡¯s there to be suspicious about? Perhaps Bian Zenglu is just taking his family out for a trip.¡± Jia Meixian shook her head, ¡°My intuition tells me there is an issue. Sometimes a woman¡¯s intuition is very accurate.¡± After that, Jia Meixian leaped forward and quickly followed the carriage. Yang Chong hurriedly followed and asked, ¡°Junior Sister, where are you going?¡± Without turning back, Jia Meixian replied, ¡°I want to follow and see.¡± Hearing this, Yang Chong could only reluctantly follow. About two hours later, as the light began to fade, the carriage passed Heavenly Gate City without any sign of stopping, continuing its rapid travel along the official road, picking up speed. ¡°Could there really be something fishy!?¡± Seeing this, Yang Chong furrowed his brows. With the sky fast darkening, most people would choose a place to stay; Heavenly Gate City was undoubtedly the best location. The area ahead was either without inns or lined with dubious ones, bound to bring numerous troubles. Yet, Bian Zenglu hastened onward, seeming very anxious. Could it be¡­? Yang Chong pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Junior Sister, I think there¡¯s more to this situation.¡± Bian Zenglu definitely had something suspicious about him. If he had no connections with the Demon Sect, Bian Zenglu might not be a match for Yang Chong himself, but if there was an association with the Demon Sect, not just one Yang Chong but ten would be mere trifles. Jia Meixian made a daring decision, ¡°Senior Brother, let us follow and investigate thoroughly. If we find any clues, we can report this immediately to Outer Heaven.¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Yang Chong showed a moment of hesitation. Jia Meixian said, ¡°Come on, aren¡¯t you curious?¡± Finally, Yang Chong took a deep breath and said, ¡°We need to be very careful, and if anything unusual happens, you must listen to me.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Senior Brother, let¡¯s quickly catch up,¡± Jia Meixian reassured. She nodded, leaped forward, and quickly followed the carriage. ¡­¡­ On the official road beside the marshland in Yunhua Dao, Zeze. Due to its proximity to the marsh, this area often saw poisonous insects and fierce beasts, so it was sparsely populated, frequented only by passing caravans. There was a tea stall by the side of the road. At the moment, the large flag fluttered in the autumn breeze, making a rustling sound. The waiter, holding a cloth, glanced into the distance before lethargically calling out, ¡°Big bowl teas for three copper coins a bowl.¡± The tea shop owner kicked the waiter¡¯s buttocks and said, ¡°Have you not eaten? Louder.¡± The waiter stumbled a bit and whispered, ¡°Got it, big bowl teas for three copper coins a bowl!¡± In a corner of the tea stall, four people sat surrounded. These four were all well-known experts of the present age, including Sword Demon Hao Tian, Sword God Liu Moyuan, and Constant Ning of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace, with the last one wearing a red robe and an ancient sword at his waist marked by a lotus emblem. This man was Mo Chen from the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace, and he was also the leader of the Heavenly Blade Alliance. With a cold light in his eyes, Constant Ning said, ¡°As long as we bring over Tan Yun, and then release some rumors, the Ghost Swordsman will surely come uninvited.¡± Mo Chen asked, ¡°Why will he definitely come?¡± Constant Ning replied, ¡°Because he is a man of deep emotions, he will surely come back. Throughout ancient and modern times, people who value loyalty, whether true or not, will face danger and even risk their lives for friendship.¡± Mo Chen stroked the lotus emblem on his sword handle and said, ¡°You really don¡¯t have to go to all this trouble. Just go to the Demon Sect Main Hall and challenge this top swordsman directly. I would also love to have an open and fair duel with this so-called best swordsman.¡± Both the Sword God and Sword Demon¡¯s eyes flickered with a subtle glint. Clearly, they too were curious about the sparks that would fly when this number one swordsman from Great Yan clashed with the top swordsman from another prestigious background. Constant Ning earnestly said, ¡°Brother Mo, this is just to be safe. The Ghost Swordsman is a real expert.¡± Mo Chen raised his eyebrows, ¡°Have you seen him?¡± Chang Ning replied, ¡°No, it is said that his sword is very fast.¡± Mo Chen said indifferently, ¡°That¡¯s it then. Rumors often exaggerate the truth, even to the extent of blowing someone sky-high.¡± Chang Ning said, ¡°Most who have seen him draw his sword are dead.¡± As his words fell, a breeze began to stir. ¡°That makes it even more interesting.¡± Mo Chen, smiling, said, ¡°I¡¯ll chop off his head, so the whole world knows that the so-called World¡¯s First Swordsman is nothing compared to the First Swordsman of Guishuang. That will greatly enhance Guishuang¡¯s reputation, preparing us for the future.¡± Mo Chen¡¯s words were very calm, but they contained a hint of barely discernible killing intent. If Chang Ning had an air of arrogance, Mo Chen¡¯s arrogance was even more pronounced, evolving into a trace of madness and dominance. His eyes seemed to hold nothing else, as if even the Sword God and Sword Demon could not see themselves in his gaze. ¡°I actually believe that quite a bit.¡± Chang Ning smiled and said, ¡°Although this swordsman is very strong, Brother Mo Chen¡¯s Sword Dao is even stronger.¡± Mo Chen picked up his teacup and sipped gently, ¡°What do you two think?¡± The Sword God and Sword Demon furrowed their brows slightly and looked off into the distance. In the sunlight, a figure in white clothes approached from the distant horizon, his robe fluttering in the autumn wind, walking neither too fast nor too slow, arriving in front of the tea stall. The shop assistant immediately perked up and moved forward with a smile, ¡°Sir, would you like some tea?¡± Mo Chen set down his teacup and asked, ¡°You two, why are you silent?¡± The young man in white sat down opposite Mo Chen, ¡°A bowl of tea, and make it warm.¡± Seeing this, Chang Ning¡¯s eyes suddenly narrowed. Mo Chen glanced at the young man, his eyes flashing briefly. In the moment his eyes blinked, two sharp flashes of blade light refracted from his eyes. Blinking Blade Technique! This was a sword technique created by Mo Chen decades ago. A blink could gather two sharp blades of light, killing invisibly and catching opponents off guard. Those sharp blades of light slashed through, using scarcely ten percent of his power, but one could almost envision the scene of the young man in white spilling blood and collapsing. But the next moment, an unexpected scene unfolded for Mo Chen: just as the two sharp blades of light reached the young man in white, they vanished without a trace, as if sinking into the sea. Master! Although he used less than full power, the young man opposite surely hadn¡¯t used his full strength either. Most crucially, this person managed to conceal his aura so well despite his young age. Mo Chen asked, ¡°Who are you?¡± The young man in white merely smiled, pouring himself a cup of tea. Tap, tap, tap, tap¡­ Just then, horse hooves sounded in the distance. Chang Ning looked off into the distance; a carriage was speeding over, carrying the Manor Master of Peach Blossom Manor, Bian Zenglu. ¡°Here it comes.¡± Chang Ning had just risen when he suddenly furrowed his brow and shouted, ¡°Not good! Be careful!¡± A figure dashed from afar, targeting Bian Zenglu and the carriage. The newcomer moved swiftly, enveloped in a vast black qi, emanating an aura of imposing and righteous grandeur. Heavenly Demon Qi! The newcomer was none other than Li Fuzhou, Head of the Demon Sect. He aimed a palm at Bian Zenglu, who saw the black light reflected in his pupils, his face a picture of extreme shock. With a Grandmaster¡¯s strike, Bian Zenglu had nowhere to escape. ¡°Bang!¡± His palm solidly struck Bian Zenglu on the head, instantly scattering vivid colors all around, and the horse shrieked in alarm. ¡°Boom!¡± A loud sound was heard as Liu Xiang with Tan Yun rushed out. Upon seeing Li Fuzhou, Tan Yun exclaimed with joy, ¡°Master!¡± A chill ran through Liu Xiang, ¡°Li Fuzhou!?¡± The Head of the Demon Sect, who had previously killed the Great Commander of Xuanyi Guard, Tang Taiyuan, with a single slap at the Eight Feet Platform, Li Fuzhou was also a world-renowned Grandmaster, not to be underestimated. In the distance, Jia Meixian and Yang Chong exchanged glances after witnessing this scene. Yang Chong shook his head and sighed, ¡°It seems that the experts from Outer Heaven had already discovered the clues.¡± Jia Meixian¡¯s eyes were fixed on the young man in white clothing under the distant tea stall, ¡°Brother, look!¡± Yang Chong also joyfully exclaimed, ¡°Brother An!?¡± At the tea stall, Chang Ning watched the sudden scene unfold with an uncertain expression on his face, struggling for a few moments before exclaiming in shock, ¡°Ghost Swordsman!¡± He had spent a long time in the Great Yan and had heard plenty about the Ghost Swordsman, but he had never actually seen him in person, so he hadn¡¯t recognized the young face immediately. Pupils contracting sharply, Mo Chen demanded, ¡°Are you the Ghost Swordsman?¡± So young! The youth before him was comparable in age to his grandson, yet he was the number one swordsman in these lands? It was genuinely hard to believe. An Jing placed his sword box on the table, saying, ¡°Today is probably the first and also the last time we meet.¡± If Mo Chen¡¯s words carried a hint of domineering and chilling murderous aura, then An Jing¡¯s reply felt like a gentle spring breeze, as if he was merely stating an established fact. Mo Chen didn¡¯t speak, his hand subconsciously tightening around the hilt of his precious blade. At this moment, there was no need for further words. Chang Ning asked, ¡°How did you¡­¡± ¡°I spoke.¡± Just then, the Grandmaster Liu Moyuan said lightly. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the old man An Jing saw was actually Liu Moyuan in disguise. ¡°You!?¡± Chang Ning turned towards Grandmaster Liu Moyuan, his face looking extremely troubled. Did that mean all his secret plans were under the watchful eyes of the Demon Sect from the beginning? Indifferently, Liu Moyuan said, ¡°Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace is like a nest of mice. I prefer a fair and square duel. If the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace triumphs today, I will naturally continue to work with them. If they lose, however¡­¡± As he spoke, a mocking smile emerged at the corner of Liu Moyuan¡¯s mouth, after which he began to step back. The Sword Demon, too, silently retreated several steps. ¡°No more words are needed.¡± Mo Chen stopped Chang Ning, who still wanted to speak, and looked calmly at An Jing ahead. Chang Ning also fell silent. Everyone knew that the duel between the premier bladesman of Guishuang and the foremost swordsman of Great Yan was inevitable¨Ca battle between the blade and the sword. A couple of months ago, rumors and debates circulated regarding who was stronger between Zhao Country¡¯s Sword God Qi Xuan Dao, who represented the Sword Dao, and the Ghost Swordsman An Jing, who represented the Blade Dao. Would the blade surpass the sword, or would the sword sever the blade? The world awaited this duel but instead witnessed the confrontation between the top bladesman of Guishuang and An Jing. Liu Xiang, holding onto Tan Yun, watched Li Fuzhou across from him with extreme tension. Li Fuzhou smiled faintly, ¡°Rest assured, I will not make a move.¡± Although Li Fuzhou said so, Liu Xiang was still on full alert, the sorry state of Bian Zenglu fresh in his mind. This seemingly gentle and innocent old scholar was in fact the ruthless and merciless leader of the Demon Sect. ¡°Son-in-law, I just knew you would come,¡± Tan Yun said, her eyes now on An Jing confronting a Guishuang expert below the tea shed. She knew An Jing would surely come to rescue her when she was kidnapped. She didn¡¯t know why she had such faith, but deep inside, she believed that An Jing would come. Seeing this, Li Fuzhou said irritably, ¡°It was clearly I who came to rescue you, yet your eyes only see that young man.¡± The wind blew, leaves fell, flowers bloomed, people departed. The area around the tea shed suddenly quieted down, the servant and the other few tea drinkers having long since fled. The atmosphere suddenly froze. As the wind grew stronger, the world seemed to quiet even more. Mo Chen revealed his ancient long blade, ¡°I think you will be a worthy opponent, a fine whetstone.¡± Suddenly, a burst of radiance erupted, as elegant and refreshing as a lotus emerging from water. The lotus on the hilt glimmered with a profound light, the blade and sunlight merging seamlessly like clear water flowing leisurely over a pond while the blade itself stood like a towering cliff¡­ The blade was drawn from its sheath. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Cold light flashed across the heavens and earth, the wind roared louder, seemingly ready to lift the tea shed and trees into the air. Huddled in the distance, the waiter and the tea shed¡¯s proprietor struggled to keep their footing, as if the raging wind might carry them away. With difficulty, the waiter clung to a large tree and shouted, ¡°Proprietor, today¡¯s fight seems different from the usual Jianghu clashes, doesn¡¯t it?¡± The proprietor, as if petrified, responded blankly, ¡°Watch carefully now. You might behold the most spectacular duel of your life.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 379 - Chapter 379 Chapter 279 Five Qi Grandmaster Regarded as Chapter 379: Chapter 279: Five Qi Grandmaster Regarded as Worthless Chapter 379: Chapter 279: Five Qi Grandmaster Regarded as Worthless Mo Chen liked black, so his blade was black; black symbolized solitude, pride, and nobility¨Cthe life of a swordsman. Like all swordsmen, the moment Mo Chen started to practice the sword, he resolved to hold the blade in his hand and pierce a hole in the sky to become the best swordsman in the world. In the process, he killed many people, so many that he lost count. Mo Chen had thought that if he went to the Underworld, many would seek his life. But he was not afraid of death; he even longed for it. Because death was black too. Night falls on the human world, and the rivers and mountains are autumnal. As darkness fell, the last lingering light of the sun would sprinkle over the earth, peaceful, composed, and elegant. It was similar to the feeling when a person was about to die. But after sunset, the night sky was still lit up by countless stars. This was life. If you really understood life, you would know that except for the moment of death, there are no darkest hours, so you should seek more joy and less sorrow. Fallen leaves fluttered through the forest, accumulating in layers; two figures stepped on the leaves, moving forward slowly with rustling steps. Their strides grew larger, but their footsteps lighter, their breaths both reaching their peak. In such top-tier duels, it was all about harmonizing essence, qi, and spirit; whoever reached the peak first would make a move, and their action would be swift as thunder. Mo Chen¡¯s eyes were cold, as icy as the Lotus Black Saber in his hand. He stomped fiercely, suddenly releasing visible True Qi that burst out like a shockwave, the temperature around plummeting, and the heavy waves of True Qi spreading instantly, engulfing the area like a deluge, swallowing towards An Jing at a distance. Mo Chen made the first move. He did not want to give An Jing a chance to strike. His Lotus Black Saber swept forward, slashing towards An Jing. Swish! The blade carried an indescribable terrible force, compressing the surrounding air and emitting a harsh roaring sound. As Mo Chen made his move, it was with all his might. Clearly, he knew that An Jing before him was a formidable opponent and showed no slight underestimation. An Jing reached into the sword box, directly pulling out the Dulu Sword; massive True Qi surged into the Dulu Sword, causing it to emit resonating hums that echoed through the heavens as it slashed towards the oncoming Blade Qi. The two clashed head-on, neither backing down. Boom! Blade Qi and Sword Qi collided fiercely, causing the earth to tremble violently at that moment. Mo Chen¡¯s steps retreated, each step leaving deep marks on the ground. An Jing stood solid as rock, deeply rooted to the ground, deploying Heavenly Human Communication, his breath soaring instantly. As Mo Chen retreated, the ferocious deluge continued to rush at him like a surging beast, intent on swallowing him whole. When his foot left the thirteenth mark on the ground, Mo Chen¡¯s black eyes flashed coldly. His fingers tightly gripped the Lotus Black Saber, slashing towards the oncoming wave of Qi. Crack! Crack! A devastating Sword Light struck the oncoming deluge heavily, causing the True Qi to split instantly. With a loud boom, the deluge exploded, turning into a sky full of True Qi fragments. The onlookers, seeing such an intense battle, all retreated further back. Even the residual waves were enough to cause severe injuries to those present, indicating the dominance of both fighters. ¡°What comes around goes around!¡± Mo Chen raised his hands, and the originally dispersed deluge reconverged. The vast amounts of surrounding Qi also surged violently, compressing and contracting, then madly roared towards An Jing. Whoosh! Whoosh! An Jing¡¯s eyes hardened, and the stream of True Qi, through ceaseless compression, condensation, and contraction, had become extremely pure and was three times fiercer than ordinary True Qi, intertwined densely with Sword Light. Not until the True Qi roared to An Jing¡¯s face did he finally lift his arm and then began to flail wildly. Crack, crack, crack, crack! Countless True Qi were shattered by An Jing¡¯s Sword Light, and then this compressed True Qi directly turned into a wisp of purple smoke that floated up into the sky. This mutated True Qi had become more powerful due to the immense pressure, but how could it be stronger than An Jing¡¯s True Qi? It must be known that the Nameless Heart Scripture cultivated by An Jing is praised as the number one mental method through the ages. Mo Chen was shocked to see his subsequent move shattered with one strike, his attack would have left any Five Qi Grandmaster flustered, unlike An Jing who handled it with such ease and comfort. Mo Chen¡¯s Lotus Black Saber swirled in his hand, and the blade began to whirl chaotically. Boom! It was as if a volcano had suddenly erupted at that moment, a terrifying surge of True Qi skyrocketed, and at that moment, the sky became restless, with countless True Qi gathering. Mo Chen sprang up, standing on an ancient tree with a cold smirk on his face as he looked down at An Jing below, the overpowering True Qi making many of the masters present change their expressions slightly. Is this the might of the foremost Swordsman of Guishuang? Buzz, buzz! Suddenly, a massive sword chant sound transmitted from the sky, following the sound, everyone saw a gigantic black saber appearing between heaven and earth. What Sword Technique is this!? Seeing the black saber, everyone appeared confused, followed by another earth-shattering roar spreading. Up in the sky, the black colossal saber grew larger, involuntarily intimidating everyone. Before the crowd could even ponder, the sky seemed to be engulfed by the black saber, suddenly turning pitch dark. Suddenly, a sky-filling sword chant echoed through the heavens, as if the sky itself had been torn by the sound of the sword chant. Li Fuzhou bellowed, ¡°Be wary of that sound.¡± Hearing Li Fuzhou¡¯s voice, Jia Meixian and Yang Chong circulated their Inner Strength to seal their ears, protecting themselves from being harmed by the sword chant. At the same time, this part of the world seemed to be shaking violently. Black Lotus Divine Blade! Sword Chant Shakes the Heavens! Mo Chen¡¯s eyes turned frosty, and with a swing of the Lotus Black Saber in his hand, the colossal black saber in the sky seemed to materialize, furiously slashing down towards An Jing. The black colossal saber was overwhelming, bearing an unstoppable domineering aura. The next moment, An Jing was like a piece of duckweed caught in a tempest, wavering with the storm. From An Jing¡¯s pupils, one could see the black colossal saber approaching, with its overwhelming presence closing in, leaving him no escape. In An Jing¡¯s hand, the Dulu Sword abruptly chilled the surroundings, then from the sword, countless frigid surges emerged, like myriad arrows being shot simultaneously. The black colossal saber attacked with incredible speed, but An Jing¡¯s sword was even faster, like a shooting star, carrying an unbearably sharp edge. Nameless Sword Scripture! Selfless Dao! Ultimately, a streak of Sword Radiance burst forth from the blade of the Dulu Sword, as if the world suddenly dimmed, leaving only a trail of Sword Radiance rampaging into the distance. This was a strike from the World¡¯s First Sword, unleashed by the Dulu Sword. Boom! At the moment that Sword Radiance struck the black colossal saber, instantly, it was like two giant volcanoes colliding, sending a sweeping wave of True Qi crashing into the distance. Crack! Crack! Under Mo Chen¡¯s feet, the earth began to crack wildly, extending towards the distance. Wow! Soon after, Mo Chen could no longer contain the pain in his chest, and a jet of blood spurted out directly. The moment a stream of red blood spewed out, Mo Chen¡¯s clothes also violently shattered into pieces, revealing terrifying, bone-deep wounds on his chest in front of everyone. The flesh split open, emitting a crimson color that made people¡¯s scalps tingle. Strong! Too strong! At this moment, the Ghost Swordsman was battling the number one swordsman of Guishuang, displaying frightful strength that completely overwhelmed all the experts present. Originally, it was believed that the two were not far apart in strength and cultivation, and it would be a normal duel, but it seemed that Mo Chen was no match for the Ghost Swordsman at all. At this time, everyone felt a chill. How many Five Qi Grandmasters had this sword killed? ¡°Such powerful Sword Dao!¡± Seeing this, a hint of shock appeared in Liu Moyuan¡¯s eyes. The Sword Demon spoke with a grave expression, ¡°This Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Sword Dao is already vast and elegant, having reached the peak of the Sixth Realm. Plus, his cultivation has already reached the Five Qi Realm, which is too terrifying.¡± Originally, the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Immortal Sword was already superior to the Holy Dao Sword, only limited by his cultivation level. Now that his cultivation has reached the realm of a Five Qi Grandmaster, although he hasn¡¯t reached the Land Immortal Realm, he¡¯s not far off. In terms of skill or Dao, he almost has no weaknesses. This swordsman can be said to be one of the most terrifying people in the world today. Compared to the Sword God and Sword Demon, Chang Ning was even more shaken as he was very aware of Mo Chen¡¯s strength. Among the three Five Qi Grandmasters of Guishuang, his strength was undoubtedly the best, second only to the Palace Master of Guishuang, making him the undisputed top expert of Guishuang. Facing the Ghost Swordsman, such a powerful figure showed a falling trend. What if it were him? Mo Chen planted the Lotus Black Saber into the ground, gasping heavily. If it weren¡¯t for his practice of the Domineering Sword Dao, he might have been annihilated by this strike. Mo Chen clenched the handle of his saber tighter, his eyes fixed on An Jing in front of him, his eyes filled with intense fighting spirit. For a long time, because of his age, An Jing had battled mostly experts higher in cultivation than him, at least a realm higher and often two. Such battles of equal cultivation as this, Five Qi versus Five Qi, were extremely rare. In An Jing¡¯s eyes, a cold sharpness gradually converged, and he then drew the Evil Suppressing Sword from his sword box. Whoosh! A dark shadow charged directly at Mo Chen, and aside from Mo Chen, no one could clearly see the figure rushing in. So fast! Instinctively, Mo Chen moved to block the front, and immediately a huge force transmitted from his arm. If it were anyone else, they would have dropped the saber in their hands by now. An Jing had no expression on his face as he swung his sword toward Mo Chen again. Clang! Mo Chen struggled to raise his sword, and a violent hurricane erupted from the clash of metal, rushing towards the surroundings, and afterwards Mo Chen¡¯s body was sent flying. Both were Five Qi Grandmasters, both at the Sixth Realm of Sword Dao and Sword Dao. Mo Chen was completely suppressed by An Jing. At this moment, standing in the distance, Chang Ning¡¯s heart rose to his throat. Liu Xiang, upon seeing this, couldn¡¯t help but transmit a message, ¡°Uncle Chang, let¡¯s take this excellent opportunity to run away.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Chang Ning¡¯s brows raised sharply as he glared at Liu Xiang, his eyes carrying a hint of murderous intent, ¡°If I hear you say that again, I¡¯ll be the first to kill you.¡± Hearing this, Liu Xiang knew Chang Ning¡¯s personality and remained silent. Chang Ning completely focused on the duel between the two, ready to join the fight at any moment to help Mo Chen against the Ghost Swordsman. An Jing stepped forward, sliding forward, his sword in hand darting out like an antelope¡¯s horns, fiercely thrusting towards Mo Chen¡¯s throat. Mo Chen felt a fierce gust of wind coming from the front and involuntarily clenched the sword across his chest. Clang! The blades in their hands collided fiercely, a brilliant spark violently exploded, and then Mo Chen¡¯s body was sent flying, skidding a long trace on the ground. Crack! Crack! The ground couldn¡¯t withstand the violent fluctuations of True Qi and began to crack open yard by yard. ¡°Do I really need to use that secret technique now?¡± Mo Chen took a deep breath, suppressing the pain throughout his body, as blood slowly dripped down from the tiger¡¯s mouth on his hand to the ground below. Since he began his journey, the swordsman in front of him was definitely the strongest opponent he had faced. That kind of piercing chill of the Sword Qi, and the nearly suffocating sense of oppression, were all things he had never encountered before. An Jing saw Mo Chen charging towards him, his face expressionless, and swept his sword directly towards him. Clang! In this clash, Mo Chen felt almost completely drained, his body retreating several yards backwards, rousing several wild whirlwinds. The nearby trees were uprooted along with their roots. Liu Moyuan sneered, ¡°Too powerful, the Ghost Swordsman is just too powerful.¡± The Sword Demon shook his head, ¡°Mo Chen is simply no match for him. I originally thought his boastful claims would prove strong.¡± This sword duel, originally thought to be a match of unprecedented peak, saw Mo Chen unleashing his full strength, but the Ghost Swordsman he faced was just too strong, beyond anyone¡¯s expectations. An Jing chased forward, slashing another sword towards Mo Chen. Throughout it all, this World¡¯s First Swordsman had not put much pressure on An Jing, who appeared to handle it with ease. Clang! Mo Chen, exerting his strength, lifted his sword and slashed towards An Jing without reservation, instantly causing a storm to surge from their clashing swords. Following that, like a paper kite with its string cut, like an arrow shot, Mo Chen dashed towards the direction of the tea pavilion, sliding an unknown distance before crashing directly into the hard mountainside. Thump! The moment Mo Chen¡¯s body hit the mountain, he felt as if every bone in his body had scattered, as if his internal organs had shattered, with blood flowing out through his pores. The result of the sword duel had already been determined, and An Jing, who would normally have been very excited, now frowned deeply. The Sword Demon whispered softly, ¡°It seems the Ghost Swordsman has won.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Chang Ning¡¯s lips curled into a cold smirk, ¡°That may not be the case.¡± ¡°Hmm!?¡± Upon hearing this, Liu Moyuan turned his attention back to the duelists, particularly focusing more on Mo Chen. At this moment, although Mo Chen had suffered a heavy blow, his aura hadn¡¯t weakened. On the contrary, it seemed to be rising slightly. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 380 - Chapter 380 Chapter 280 Ghost Swordsman Slashes the Five Qi Chapter 380: Chapter 280: Ghost Swordsman Slashes the Five Qi Chapter 380: Chapter 280: Ghost Swordsman Slashes the Five Qi A formidable aura gushed out from Mo Chen¡¯s body, crushing toward An Jing with overwhelming force. Each Martial Arts Heart Method possesses its unique aspects, and within the ¡°Heavenly Blade Technique¡± that Mo Chen cultivated, there was a secret technique called ¡°Heavenly Blade Soldier Resolution.¡± Heavenly Blade Soldier Resolution involved nurturing a strand of Heavenly Blade Qi within the Dantian, which required the absorption of the essence of the sun and the moon of heaven and earth. After decades of painstaking cultivation, it could gather into a thread of Heavenly Blade Qi the size of a thumb. At the most critical moment, this strand of Heavenly Blade Qi would be reintroduced into the Dantian, at which point the Heavenly Blade Qi would pervade the body, briefly boosting strength tremendously. Firstly, the nurturing of Heavenly Blade Qi required a prolonged period, and on the other hand, Heavenly Blade Qi was incredibly domineering, pervading the body and causing irreversible side effects, severely harming the body. Each use would even increase the difficulty for a Grandmaster¡¯s mystic barrier. The difficulty of cultivating Heavenly Blade Qi and its severe side effects also made Heavenly Blade Soldier Resolution exceptionally terrifying. Up to now, Mo Chen had only used this Heavenly Blade Soldier Resolution once. Ever since he had used it against a Second Qi Grandmaster, a single strike had killed a Five Qi Grandmaster, thoroughly establishing his formidable reputation today. The Palace Master of Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace once said that once Mo Chen used the Heavenly Blade Soldier Resolution, he could contend with him for about fifty rounds. ¡°Has the aura become this strong?¡± An Jing casually neutralized the fierce aura, a glint appearing in his eyes. ¡°I haven¡¯t used this secret technique for many years.¡± Mo Chen stepped forward, holding the Lotus Black Saber in his hands, his eyes cold and filled with a chilling intent, while blood stained the lotus imprint on the Lotus Black Saber. This moment, his aura had reached its peak. Boom! Mo Chen¡¯s Lotus Treasure Saber released a black and cyan radiance, his surging True Qi bursting out from his body like a storm, sweeping heaven and earth. The powerful True Qi even caused ripples in the air, forming a tremendously oppressive force. Seeing this, An Jing¡¯s eyebrows slightly furrowed. After using the secret technique, Mo Chen¡¯s ability had indeed increased substantially, similar to the previously used Ghost Transformation, but Ghost Transformation was very unstable, the stronger the sacrificed Divine Soul, the greater the increase in strength. Inside An Jing, purple True Qi wildly surged, with the sky above bathed in a purple radiance, covering several miles, his figure standing quietly on the ground like an ancient mountain range, tough and towering. Liu Moyuan watched the billowing purple Qi approach and whispered, ¡°Purple Qi coming from the east spanning thirty thousand miles, an Immortal walks this path.¡± Neither spoke. In this extremely tense standoff, threatening or intimidating words seemed childish and ludicrous. Swordsman and Swordsman, their task was to unite their aura and the sword in their hands. The next instant, with a thunderous boom, Mo Chen¡¯s figure directly transformed into a cyan light and shot out, moving at a lightning pace, and in a flash, appeared in midair before An Jing. Boom! He looked down at An Jing, then fiercely slashed downward, with cyan light condensing on the blade of his Lotus Black Saber. The light slash contained an almost explosive intensity. Heavenly Blade Technique! Qingxuan Heavenly Blade! With one slash, it seemed to gather thousands of cyan lights, as if the heavens and the earth were obscured by the radiance. The cyan light reflected in An Jing¡¯s pupils as he watched the roaring Mo Chen, carrying the violent cyan light, and his eyes also flickered slightly. An Jing¡¯s expression remained indifferent, unchanging in response, as Starlight burst forth from his body, accompanied by a faint strange sound, resonating around. Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique had reached its limit in An Jing¡¯s hands. This was the Body Refining Martial Arts that even Wang Yangsheng had not immediately broken through, showcasing the formidable and terrifying nature of this Body Refining Martial Arts. As the blade light fell, even An Jing felt his internal energy boiling, his True Qi becoming uncontrollable, and suddenly he stomped his foot, leaping high. With a thunderous crash! An Jing did not dodge, but instead thrust his sword directly at Mo Chen, and as An Jing thrust, the surging purple True Qi sounded like a tumultuous wave. Boom! Sword Light and blue light collided together, and immediately, a booming sound echoed in all directions. The point of contact reflected ripples like water, spreading outward. The two in the sky did not retreat a bit, their powerful True Qi continuously met and collided in the air, trapping them in a deadlock. Neither side could claim victory! A draw! The Sword Qi and the Sword Qi intertwined with each other, unevenly slicing open countless gaps in the void, and the winds from beyond the realm surged wildly, with black rifts continuously appearing before everyone¡¯s eyes. This bizarre scene deeply shocked everyone present. However, the two competitors naturally did not pause for this, Mo Chen¡¯s inside True Qi surged out like a flood, and the green light on the blade erupted wildly, as if the nearby air was ignited at that moment. The green-light infused Sword Qi suddenly increased in power, seemingly poised to destroy An Jing¡¯s Fist Force in one stroke. An Jing felt the enhanced Knife Light from Mo Chen through the tremors, and his feet retreated continuously. This was the first time, Mo Chen had forced An Jing back. An Jing remained calm like still water, quickly stabilizing his stance. The sword in his hand, carrying an endless domineering posture, pressed down from the sky, and his body seemed to stretch continuously, standing between the heavens and the earth. One Sword Hidden in the Sky! Heartless Path! A cold piercing Sword Light slashed heavily towards Mo Chen, with a domineering aura that was unparalleled and captivating. Yet, looking up carefully, it felt that the sword was darkly translucent, hidden within the illusion. Slice! Mo Chen¡¯s eyebrows raised, and his majestic True Qi wildly congregated towards his hand, the blue glow intensely piercing to the eye. Waves of blue Polar Light spread out from Mo Chen¡¯s Lotus Black Saber, each ripple vibrating out, contorting the void immensely. Heavenly Blade Technique! Destruction Blade! A world-illuminating blue light surged boundlessly, just seeing Mo Chen slash down, the piercing blue light converged to form a gigantic blue Knife Light that then floated above the sky. The blue Knife Light seemed to be continuously absorbing the True Qi between heaven and earth, becoming more domineering and powerful. After the blue Knife Light absorbed the surrounding True Qi, the light trembled violently, then rushed crazily towards An Jing¡¯s Sword Radiance. In front of the enormous Knife Light, the Sword Light seemed extremely frail. It was said in delay, but it happened swiftly. This scene occurred in the blink of an eye. An Jing looked up, watching the oppressive blue Knife Light as he gripped the Dulu Sword and slashed directly at it. Boom! At the moment of impact, a piercing light burst forth, causing everyone¡¯s eyes to sting and squint slightly. And at the instant of the collision, Mo Chen¡¯s expression became extraordinarily serious. Because he saw that the oppressive blue Knife Light actually slowed down at that moment and gradually stagnated. At this moment, An Jing felt the surging pressure within the sword, and the True Qi within him erupted like a long-dormant dead volcano coming to life. An Jing forcibly struck forward with his sword, and the blue Knife Light along with his Sword Qi instantly vanished into nothingness, following which his entire half body felt numb. The next moment, countless Knife Lights transformed into flying knives from the Dulu Sword surged towards An Jing¡¯s arm. The countless True Qi flying knives instantly sealed the meridians in An Jing¡¯s arm. ¡°Such a cunning sword technique, such a domineering True Qi!¡± An Jing frowned, not expecting the destructive Knife Qi to still converge into countless flying knives, and moreover, these flying knives contained such domineering True Qi. An Jing didn¡¯t know that the overpowering True Qi was Heavenly Blade Qi. ¡°Brother, let us strike together!¡± Chang Ning, seeing this scene, was instantly overjoyed. Among those present, apart from Mo Chen himself, he was naturally the most aware of the terrifying nature of the Heavenly Blade Qi. At this moment, as the Ghost Swordsman was also filled with that Heavenly Blade Qi within the wall, his strength was significantly compromised. If he and Mo Chen joined forces, they might be able to slay him before the Ghost Swordsman could produce the Jade Seal. ¡°Stand back!¡± Mo Chen said coldly. ¡°Brother¡­.¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± Mo Chen turned his head, his eyes bloodshot, resembling a bloodthirsty beast. Seeing this, Chang Ning could only swallow his saliva and retreat several steps backward. Mo Chen¡¯s personality was domineering, arrogant, and even more paranoid, to the point of being detestable, but his strength afforded him the capital to be arrogant, domineering, and paranoid. Mo Chen knew this was an excellent opportunity. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, his body shook, and he rushed towards An Jing. Standing in the sky above, Mo Chen revealed a frosty smile at the horizon, his eyes shimmering with a crimson gleam, and from the Lotus Black Saber emerged an ominous aura that surged vehemently. Heavenly Blade Technique! Unrivaled Blade! The next moment, a ground-shaking surge of True Qi burst forth instantly. A blade light, several dozens of meters long, plummeted from the sky. Boom! The ominous True Qi surged vastly, and where the blade light passed, the void appeared to crack and distort tumultuously. This attack was violent and fierce! ¡°Son-in-law!¡± Tan Yun couldn¡¯t help but cry out, At this moment, An Jing was enveloped by the blade Qi, like a small boat in a storm, at any moment ready to capsize. Mo Chen¡¯s blade light charged straight towards An Jing, his eyes surging with a tide-like ferocity. But An Jing, who should have been panic-stricken, was not only fearless but also had a sharp glow emerging like the edge of a blade. An Jing stared at the charging Mo Chen, clenched his five fingers, and the Dulu Sword burst forth with a series of terrifying sounds. ¡°How is this possible!?¡± Seeing this scene, Mo Chen was immediately shocked, knowing that the blade had just struck An Jing¡¯s right hand¨Cthat meant the Heavenly Blade Qi was now filling his right hand. How could he move so freely? How could this be possible!? Only to see An Jing¡¯s purple, tide-like True Qi gathering on the body of the Dulu Sword, suddenly a dazzling light as clear as glass burst forth. Unity Sword Technique! Hidden Sword Skill! This was one of the three sword techniques An Jing had obtained, the Hidden Sword Skill, which he hadn¡¯t used for a long time, and now was the best moment. At the most crucial moment, he hid the killing intent, delivering a fatal blow to his enemy. The surging purple True Qi accompanied by the swing of the Dulu Sword rushed crazily into the distance, faintly carrying the sound of a tiger¡¯s roar and a dragon¡¯s ascent, resembling a volcanic eruption. Bang! The moment the blade light and sword light collided, a brilliant light shot up into the sky, dimming even the daylight around, the dazzling light almost enshrouding the whole world. Swish swish swish swish! Countless clouds in the sky were blown away by the violent wind, creating patches of beautiful azure sky. The ferocious True Qi formed several blade Qi storms, wildly surging into the distance. Bang! A massive collision sound followed, echoing in everyone¡¯s ears. Everyone couldn¡¯t help but follow the sound, only to see Mo Chen¡¯s body heavily hitting the ground, around his body the ground began to show cracks extending outwards, reaching dozens of meters in length. These were not from his body¡¯s impact, but actual sword marks. Hiss¨C! The onlookers watched this scene in disbelief, taking a sharp intake of breath. ¡°Brother!¡± Chang Ning, seeing this scene, was suddenly shocked and quickly rushed over. Only to see cracks on the ground and also a large swath of sword marks across Mo Chen¡¯s chest. At this moment, his lips parted, fresh blood gushing out like a fountain. ¡°I¡­I¡­..¡± Mo Chen struggled to speak, but only a large amount of blood spurted from his mouth. Chang Ning sent his True Qi toward Mo Chen¡¯s body, immediately sensing the condition inside Mo Chen¡¯s body, aghast. At this moment, the organs inside Mo Chen¡¯s body were completely shattered, like dust, and the main culprit was the stream of purple Sword Qi within his body. ¡°Pfft!¡± Eventually, Mo Chen¡¯s mouth sprayed out a blood jet half a meter high, then he completely ceased to breathe. Five streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence floated above his body. Chang Ning, distraught, looked at Mo Chen lying on the ground. Mo Chen was dead! This top Swordsman of Gui Shuang, arrogant and domineering Mo Chen, died on the land of the Great Yan Dynasty. In the distance, Liu Xiang¡¯s breathing tightened, his heart seeming almost to leap out of his throat in an instant. The Ghost Swordsman was too strong, another Five Qi Grandmaster had died at his hand, and it was Gui Shuang¡¯s top Swordsman. Previously, the Ghost Swordsman was more of a rumor, but now a Five Qi Grandmaster being slain by the Ghost Swordsman was right before his eyes, and it was a massive shock to his heart. Sword Demon and Liu Moyuan glanced at each other, also profoundly shocked, and then felt a deep sense of powerlessness. The Ghost Swordsman was simply too strong. Their coexistence with such a swordsman in the same era was their fortune as well as their misfortune. Chang Ning suddenly felt a chill shooting from the sole of his foot to his crown. Looking up, it was a pair of cold eyes devoid of any emotion. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Chang Ning took a deep breath and said, ¡°We can sit down and talk calmly.¡± An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Fine, I have just one requirement.¡± Upon hearing this, Chang Ning promptly asked, ¡°What requirement?¡± An Jing said, ¡°I want you dead!¡± ¡­¡­.. Chapter 381 - Chapter 381 Chapter 281 Fengdu Appears Everyone Is Shocked Chapter 381: Chapter 281 Fengdu Appears, Everyone Is Shocked Chapter 381: Chapter 281 Fengdu Appears, Everyone Is Shocked Chang Ning met that pair of eyes, his heart trembling as if his chest had been split open by a sword in an instant. Looking at Mo Chen lying on the ground, for the first time, he felt a desire to live. He did not want to die. Chang Ning took a deep breath and said, ¡°Do you really want to fight me to the bitter end?¡± Even though he was desperate to live, it was not in Chang Ning¡¯s nature to kneel and beg like a dog. An Jing laughed, ¡°A fight to the bitter end? You overestimate yourself.¡± With that, the Dulu Sword brought down all five streams of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence into its blade. Chang Ning earnestly said, ¡°Perhaps I am not as strong as Brother Mo Chen, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can kill me easily, nor does it mean you can come out unscathed. Right now, shouldn¡¯t your main focus be preserving your energy and strength to face Zongzheng Huachun?¡± The most attention-grabbing event in the world today was the duel between An Jing and Zongzheng Huachun, both of whom were top-tier Five Qi Grandmasters and likely the future Great Grandmasters. An Jing replied indifferently, ¡°Killing you would be no more difficult than slaughtering a chicken or a dog.¡± ¡°Arrogant!¡± Chang Ning, looking at those cold and extraordinary eyes, felt his pupils suddenly contract as the veins in his arms bulged like writhing dragons, carrying a dark aura that filled his entire arm. With an arm as sturdy as a rock, he punched fiercely, his Fist Force bursting forth like plumes of white smoke, swirling winds spreading far and wide, wave after wave of force threading out, rushing fiercely towards An Jing. Although Chang Ning¡¯s strength did not match Mo Chen¡¯s, he too was a Five Qi Grandmaster. Those who become Grandmasters are extraordinary, and to rise as a Five Qi Grandmaster is to be among the world¡¯s elite. If Chang Ning¡¯s strength appeared weak, it was only relative to Mo Chen¡¯s; but as a top-tier master in the world, how could he possibly sit and wait for death? With a ¡®bang¡¯, the dark Fist Force had not yet made full contact when the black threads exploded towards An Jing, piercing through the Protective True Qi surrounding him. ¡°Yin Evil Qi?¡± Seeing the black smoke, Li Fuzhou¡¯s brows furrowed deeply. It wasn¡¯t just Li Fuzhou, both Sword Demon and Sword God Liu Moyuan had a hint of gravity on their faces, as the line Chang Ning had produced was unmistakably Yin Evil Qi. Yin Evil Qi was taboo for the living; ordinary people afflicted by it would fall severely ill, and even Jianghu experts would struggle to clear it from their systems swiftly. How could Chang Ning possess such Yin Evil Qi? Chang Ning did not continue to attack but looked into An Jing¡¯s eyes as if he were a cornered wild dog, ready to launch a ferocious assault should An Jing dare to make a move. But he was disappointed, as An Jing¡¯s expression remained unaltered from beginning to end. Calm as a still pond. Chang Ning looked at An Jing, his eyes swirling with a cold and icy tide, unable to restrain the rage in his heart any longer. His body transformed into a black arc of light as he rushed towards An Jing. Boom! Boom! As Chang Ning moved, the True Qi in the air vibrated from the intense friction, emitting tremors that shook the heart. His figure silhouetted against the sky, he threw a punch directly at An Jing. Hiss¡­ Hiss¡­ The moment the punch was unleashed, darkness enveloped the world, and a furious gale arose; the surrounding area for miles was shrouded in a chilling and malevolent aura. With his first move, Chang Ning immediately demonstrated the terrifying deterrence of a Five Qi Grandmaster. Especially since he could wield Yin Evil Qi, his strength appeared all the more daunting. An Jing¡¯s Dantian infused his purple True Qi directly into the Dulu Sword. The purple light burst forth, like the most splendid firework in the dark night. That stream of fire fiercely tore through the darkness ahead. ¡°` Swish! The shadow of the fist was split in two as the sharp Sword Light proved unstoppable, continuing to howl towards what lay ahead. Terrifying! What seemed like a casual strike had actually broken through the oppressive shadow of the fist. While observing from the sidelines, Chang Ning knew of the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s formidable Sword Dao, but it was only when he faced it directly that he realized the swordsmanship was even more terrifying. As the Sword Light came at him, every hair on his body seemed to stand on end, and a chilling sensation filled his entire being. ¡°Pfft!¡± The Sword Light directly cleaved through Chang Ning¡¯s headband, causing his hair to become completely disheveled, making him look utterly disheveled. An Jing did not say any more, thrusting the Dulu Sword forward. The sharp tip of the sword tore through the air, creating a stirring chill on either side, its icy blade moving straight and swiftly towards Chang Ning. This Sword Light attacked not only with speed but also with great precision. Done for! Chang Ning watched the sword tip, knowing the split second it had to pass and that he could not avoid it. By the next breath, he might be lying on the ground, gasping for air. It¡¯s late to speak, but swift to act. Suddenly, a huge phantom emerged in the sky, a sinister and terrifying presence began to spread, and an ancient, vast building appeared in the deep sky, surrounded by countless black and eerie air currents, as if the whole sky was shrouded. Black Yin Evil Qi permeated the air, with countless ghostly figures howling around the ancient building, completely obscuring the view inside. Fengdu! The Fengdu that had appeared in North Field before had now materialized again, and with it, an overwhelming sense of oppression surged forth. ¡°Palace Master!¡± An Jing¡¯s sword paused subconsciously, and Chang Ning took the opportunity to swiftly retreat backward. On catching sight of Fengdu, his eyes lit up with joy as if he had grasped a lifeline amidst a vast and surging ocean. ¡°Fengdu!?¡± Liu Moyuan exclaimed in disbelief, ¡°Does Fengdu really exist in this world?¡± There had always been numerous rumors about Fengdu, but no one knew if it truly existed. To his surprise, here was this legendary place, appearing right before his eyes today. The Fengdu turned the sky utterly black, and then it landed behind Chang Ning, a surge of Yin Evil Qi violently flooding into Chang Ning¡¯s body. The Sword Demon also expressed amazement, ¡°Such a powerful oppression, could this be related to the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace?¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± An Jing sneered and said, ¡°Nothing but a skulking rodent.¡± After speaking, his True Qi surged mightily, and the Dulu Sword transformed into numerous Sword Radiance that slashed at the Fengdu in the sky above. This sword strike was tumultuous, tearing through the Yin Evil Qi surrounding Fengdu and striking the Fengdu Palace mightily. ¡°Boom!¡± An Jing felt as though his strike had hit Fengdu, emitting an earth-shattering tremor. Then the whole world seemed to quiver. His arms rebounded from strike after strike, and his body was sent drifting away. ¡°How dare you!¡± ¡°` Chang Ning saw this scene, a cold smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he immediately charged towards An Jing. Suddenly, a frigid gale howled into existence, and a black radiance emerged within the pitch-dark sky spanning several zhang, as if it originated from the depths of netherworld. Chang Ning fiercely extended a finger, pointing directly at An Jing in front of him. Heavenly Slaughter Ghost Finger! Taishan Finger! Above in the sky, the black radiance suddenly burst forth, manifesting as a black stone column one zhang in width and rising to the heavens, bearing down heavily upon An Jing. An Jing, positioned under the towering black stone column, was not only suppressed by the terrifying might but also faced fierce, soul-rending yin winds that seemed keen on tearing his body asunder. It appeared that the moment Fengdu emerged, Chang Ning¡¯s strength had greatly increased, and this boost was considerable, nearly comparable to Mo Chen using a secret technique. Especially with the dense Yin Evil Qi it contained, it devoured souls and eroded bones. An Jing¡¯s True Qi circulated, his surging purple True Qi instantly enveloped his body, dispersing the shrill yin winds; then he vaulted upwards, his sword in hand hurling towards the black stone column reaching to the heavens. Selfless Dao! The sound of sword cries resonated between heaven and earth, clear and melodious. From the blade of the Dulu Sword, it seemed as if thousands of Sword Lights burst forth in an instant, each capable of tearing apart the horizon. These Sword Lights converged like a myriad of stars falling, forming a dense shower of starlight. Bang bang bang bang bang bang! Hundreds of tearing Sword Radiance and the towering black column collided fiercely, instantly creating a thundering sound that reverberated far and wide, with violent shockwaves mingling with the astonishing sound force, spreading out in all directions. Liu Xianglian quickly wrapped his own True Qi around his ears to prevent the True Qi from shattering his eardrums, but even so, his face turned as pale as paper as he continuously retreated backwards. Just then, a streak of black light charged over. ¡°Not good!¡± Liu Xianglian cursed inwardly, he could see the black light coming but was completely unable to react. ¡°Bang!¡± A palm print brutally struck Liu Xianglian¡¯s chest, sending his body crashing into the mountainside like a kite snapped from its string, blood spewing from his mouth as he gasped for breath, staring wide-eyed at Chang Ning in the distance like a wild beast on the brink of death. ¡°Master!¡± Tan Yun quickly ran towards the newcomer. Li Fuzhou, without even glancing at Liu Xianglian who lay in the ruins, asked, ¡°Are you alright?¡± Tan Yun shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Li Fuzhou nodded slightly, then turned his gaze towards the standoff between An Jing and Chang Ning in the distance. An Jing dispersed the Yin Evil Qi, while Chang Ning revealed a hint of a cold smile, and without waiting for the True Qi waves to subside, he stretch out his finger again and pointed it toward An Jing. Heavenly Slaughter Ghost Finger! Evil Ghost Finger! Upon this gesture, the heavens and earth shook in an instant, the True Qi within hundreds of zhang was abruptly drained, and above the profound heavens, a black ghost face with a ferocious, twisted visage opened its massive maw, lunging towards An Jing to engulf him. An Jing¡¯s brows carried a hint of solemnity; the prior strike had already allowed a large amount of Yin Evil Qi to invade his body. Although he could dissolve the Yin Evil Qi thanks to practicing the Nameless Heart Scripture, at this moment his strength¡¯s performance was inevitably affected. Moreover, it seemed that it was Chang Ning who made the move, but in reality, Fengdu was continuously supplying Yin Evil Qi from behind, clearly engaged in battle with another person. Whoosh whoosh! In the next instant, An Jing¡¯s speed surged massively, as if stepping on celestial stars, he dashed towards the distance. The black ghost face went straight ahead to devour everything, but as An Jing abruptly disappeared from the front, it smashed directly onto a small hill tens of zhang high next to the pavilion. Boom! Boom! The black ghost face collided fiercely with the small mound that towered dozens of feet high, causing heaven and earth to shake. Then, the tall mound began to break from the center. With a loud bang, the mound collapsed directly. The ground trembled, and dust rose high into the air like giant dragons racing towards the horizon. To the average person, such a scene would appear to be the work of immortals. The waiter and the owner of the tea stand, who had been watching from a distance, were now scared out of their wits and ran frantically towards the distance. Boom! Boom! Fengdu trembled even more violently, with the Yin Evil Qi surging and undulating like a turbulent lake. ¡°Could it be that this Fengdu has been under someone¡¯s control from the beginning?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows tightened as something occurred to him. He remembered the Fengdu he had seen in North Field and the current Fengdu continuously releasing Yin Evil Qi for Chang Ning. He seemed to understand something faintly. ¡°Why are you running!?¡± Chang Ning saw An Jing¡¯s body dodge his finger like a streak of starlight, and a cold smile crossed his face. He crossed his hands, and countless strands of True Qi appeared like ripples on a lake. Black streams of air rolled in from all around, like the sea¡¯s tides, fierce and wild, all of them rushing towards Chang Ning¡¯s back. Heavenly Slaughter Ghost Finger! Combine! Chang Ning roared, and he threw a punch that released vast True Qi. At this moment, he was like a black sun bursting forth with terrible oppressive energy. Atop the black sun, it was as if a black ghost face appeared, terrifying and alarming. A dreadful pressure enveloped everything, causing An Jing¡¯s body to sting with pain. On the surface of his body, purple True Qi automatically circulated, protecting him. An Jing did not hesitate. With Heavenly Human Communication, he harnessed the power of heaven and earth, and the Immortal Sword also fully unleashed its power. Zoom! In an instant, a cold light, unmatched in its chill, burst forth, freezing the entire world in place. At this moment, he held nothing back with the sword in his hand. Cold! Endless cold! The entire sky for miles around was enveloped by a chilling air. An Jing stood amid the vastness, his indifferent voice echoing from the endless depths of space, as he swung his longsword directly towards the front. Whoosh! The world went dark, with only that sword light carrying an endless chill rampaging forwards. A sword radiance from the heavens descended like starlight, ultimately clashing with Chang Ning¡¯s punch. The next moment, the world trembled. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The Fist Force shattered instantly, turning into surging True Qi that overflowed to both sides, and then the Sword Light continued to charge forward, aiming for Fengdu hovering above. As the Sword Light swept past, it stirred up a stormy surge, and the surrounding Yin Evil Qi scrambled to avoid it, revealing a clear sky ahead as if clouds had parted to reveal the sun. The true face of Fengdu was completely exposed before everyone. Upon seeing the true face of Fengdu, not just An Jing, but everyone else showed a hint of shock. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 382 - Chapter 382 Chapter 282 Two Swords Help the Seventh Realm Chapter 382: Chapter 282: Two Swords Help the Seventh Realm Chapter 382: Chapter 282: Two Swords Help the Seventh Realm The dark and sinister Yin Evil Qi was cleaved apart, drifting to both sides, revealing the true visage of Fengdu in everyone¡¯s view. It was an ancient jade tower that stood mid-air, radiating a chill and icy breath. Around the great hall seemed to hover ghostly shadows, emitting angry roars, and even now, from within the hall, a sinister Yin Evil Qi continued to be released. ¡°Fengdu?¡± An Jing¡¯s gaze was sharp as he said coldly, ¡°It turns out to be an Exotic Treasure.¡± The great hall before him was not Fengdu, but merely a peculiar Exotic Treasure. However, this Exotic Treasure could generate a dense Yin Evil Qi and, coupled with its grim and terrifying structure, give people the illusion of Fengdu. After all, the number of people in the world who had seen Fengdu could be counted on one¡¯s fingers; encountering such a bizarre scene would make them subconsciously believe it was the appearance of Fengdu. Even if it was not the true Fengdu, the Exotic Treasure before them was absolutely no ordinary object; indeed, it was one of the top Exotic Treasures in existence. How exactly was this Exotic Treasure refined, and who was the owner of this Exotic Treasure? Chang Ning was gasping for breath, his heart pounding madly; clearly, An Jing¡¯s sword had not been aimed at him but at the hall above. Had the attack truly been meant to kill him, he likely would have been a corpse by now. Huff, puff, puff, puff¡­. As the Sword Light cut through the Yin Evil Qi, revealing the true face of the Exotic Treasure, a vast amount of Yin Evil Qi quickly gathered once again, obscuring the mysterious Exotic Treasure. ¡°Run!¡± This was the only thought in Chang Ning¡¯s heart. He leaped up, immediately employing the technique of Shrinking Land into Inches, and flew away into the distance. Shrinking Land into Inches was the mark of a Grandmaster, exceedingly fast in speed. ¡°Do you think you can escape?¡± An Jing let out a cold laugh as the Dulu Sword flew out of his hand. ¡°Swoosh!¡± An Jing raised the Dulu Sword in his hand, and a vast surge of True Qi rushed in, after which the Dulu Sword flew straight out of his hand. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Control! At that moment, the Dulu Sword was like an immense Immortal Sword, piercing through the void in front of it. How fast can a sword that pierces the void be? In the blink of an eye, or even less than that, it had already reached in front of Chang Ning. ¡°Woosh!¡± A soaring Sword Light shone forth, and Chang Ning¡¯s heart seemed to skip a beat, as if it had leaped to his throat. This no longer resembled the Sword Light of the human world but more like that of an Immortal¡¯s sword as spoken of in legends. The entire sky seemed to dim at that moment. Sword Demon, Sword God, and people like Li Fuzhou trembled at the sight, their True Qi flowing like broad rivers within them, blocking the overflowing Sword Qi and Yin Evil Qi. ¡°Swoosh!¡± The sky grew darker, the longsword once again became invisible, the primordial twilight quietly closed, and the world was enveloped in stillness. The sword light pierced through the void as if it would never stop, and indeed, might never cease. At that moment, a surge of Yin Evil Qi erupted from midair above Fengdu, rushing forward like tidal waves, seemingly intent on engulfing and enveloping the Dulu Sword. ¡°You can¡¯t save him! No one can save him!¡± An Jing sneered coldly, his palm tapping the sword box behind him. Instantly, six clear, cold lights soared out from the sword box, their sharp luminescence painting the heavens and the earth, and the surrounding temperature plummeted rapidly. The Evil Suppressing Sword split into six, with the Qingming sword light shimmering above the world, causing the surrounding Yin Evil Qi to drift and tremble. Originally forged by the Great Zhou Dynasty to subdue and seal evil, the Evil Suppressing Sword was the bane of evil and Yin Evil Qi, its cold, piercing light akin to the dawn¡¯s sunlight. Then, the six sword lights intertwined and connected, forming a colossal Sword Array. From the beginning, An Jing¡¯s Sword Array had been inspired by the blade of the six Evil Suppressing Swords, and as his understanding of the Sword Array and the Sword Dao deepened, the number of swords he could use in the array increased. At this moment, he was extremely proficient in the Sword Array formed by the Evil Suppressing Sword. As his True Qi surged and directed the control, the six sword lights transformed into six towering swords, and their Sword Qi, torrential and overwhelming, thrust forward. Above the horizon, the Sword Qi churned, tearing open the black sea of clouds. The Sword Array fiercely pierced through the Yin Evil Qi and pinned directly onto the Great Hall. One could see black smoke billowing out from the sinister hall. Within the hall, one could distinctly hear the ghastly howling of ghostly shadows, enough to send chills down one¡¯s spine. Meanwhile, the Dulu Sword pierced through the dense Yin Evil Qi, continuing towards Chang Ning. Chang Ning¡¯s eyes were round with shock, and through his pupils, one could clearly see the chilling sword light. ¡°Thump!¡± The sword light flashed by, piercing directly through Chang Ning¡¯s throat. Blood spurted out as his body heavily collapsed to the ground. With Mo Chen¡¯s death, this Five Qi Grandmaster of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace also perished, his Dao vanished. An Jing caught the Dulu Sword as it returned to him. Yin Evil Qi began to gather anew around the palace in the sky, thickening to the extreme. The Evil Suppressing Sword seemed to receive a powerful recoil force, retreating back as six streams of sword light. ¡°Whoosh! Whoosh!¡± An Jing stretched out his hand, and the returning six Evil Suppressing Swords merged into one, transforming back into a single Evil Suppressing Sword. The ancient and foreboding hall, together with the Yin Evil Qi, gradually disappeared from everyone¡¯s view. An Jing reached out his hand and collected the five Heaven and Earth Spirit Essences from Chang Ning¡¯s body into his own Dantian. The two Five Qi Grandmasters from Gui Shuang perished, their prepared techniques unused, just as the Ghost Swordsman had slain both without even revealing the Jade Seal. They had overestimated themselves and underestimated the sword in An Jing¡¯s hand. ¡°Son-in-law!¡± Tan Yun and Li Fuzhou approached hastily. ¡°Are you okay?¡± An Jing patted Tan Yun¡¯s shoulder and said softly. Initially, he had also considered that the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace might target Tan Yun, but due to the Lv Mansion situation, he had not taken extra defensive measures, giving the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace an opportunity. ¡°I¡¯m fine, son-in-law. I¡¯m really okay,¡± Tan Yun replied, light flickering in her eyes. Then, patting her chest, her mood seemed to brighten considerably at the sight of the person before her. Even if the sky were to fall, there would be this person before my eyes shouldering it. She just liked this kind of carefree life, where she didn¡¯t need to use her brain and could just idle away waiting for death. ¡°That¡¯s good then.¡± An Jing nodded slightly and then turned to Li Fuzhou, his brow furrowed as he said, ¡°The owner behind this exotic treasure doesn¡¯t seem simple, Third Master, you need to investigate the Palace Master of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace carefully.¡± According to the intelligence, the Palace Master of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace might be a Great Grandmaster. Initially, An Jing did not believe it, since a Great Grandmaster level expert would not appear so easily, but at this moment, seeing that sinister, eerie Great Hall, a few doubts arose in An Jing¡¯s heart. Nowadays, the situation in the world is treacherous, and Great Grandmaster level experts are emerging in an endless stream, the Great Grandmaster of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace is very likely real, and this person holds such an eerie exotic treasure, but what exactly is his identity? Li Fuzhou solemnly clasped his fists and said, ¡°Your subordinate understands.¡± An Jing then turned to Tan Yun and said, ¡°You should also be more careful in the future.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Tan Yun expressed her concern, ¡°Son-in-law, the people of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace have deep-rooted strength in the Great Yan, and it seems they have been scheming for a long time.¡± Liu Moyuan stepped forward and said slowly, ¡°Indeed, they have been scheming for a long time.¡± An Jing clasped his fists towards Liu Moyuan, saying, ¡°Thank you, senior, for this warning.¡± During the Mid-Autumn season, Liu Moyuan had secretly revealed news to An Jing. Although the Demon Sect had already gotten a hint of it, regardless, this was a good intention. ¡°With your strength, even without my words, the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace couldn¡¯t do anything to you.¡± Liu Moyuan waved his hand and then said, ¡°The aim of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace is for the Earth Veins, thereby coming from the Eastern Parts of Guishuang, taking the Buddhist Pure Land as the axis, to forge a path into this world, to completely control the world.¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes, ¡°It seems this is indeed a transformative change that has never been seen before in the world¡¯s history, I didn¡¯t expect even the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace would get involved.¡± Li Fuzhou looked at the Sword Demon, Liu Moyuan, and said, ¡°You¡¯re indeed not dead.¡± An Jing glanced at the Sword Demon. He had once plunged his sword into the heart of Sword Demon Hao Tian atop Zhong Mountain, causing him to roll into the mountain cliff, and he had thought him surely dead. He didn¡¯t expect that he would still be alive. The Sword Demon said in a low voice, ¡°The Sword Demon is already dead; what lives now is Hao Tian.¡± Upon hearing this, Li Fuzhou said no more. An Jing stared at the Sword Demon and said, ¡°I thought you were here to break the forbidden Earth Veins.¡± The Sword Demon replied indifferently, ¡°I need not come for it, the breaking of the Earth Veins¡¯ seal is a natural trend.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows rose as he said, ¡°The breaking of the Earth Veins will lead to chaos in the world, and with the world in chaos, there will inevitably be great disaster for all living beings, resulting in an immense catastrophe.¡± The Sword Demon, neither affirming nor denying, said, ¡°This world naturally obtains new life amidst great catastrophes ¨C only through continuous destruction can there be continuous creation; this is the trend, besides, can you stop this great trend?¡± Hearing these words, Li Fuzhou¡¯s brow furrowed tightly. Now, the Earth Vein Spirit is being continuously contaminated, and countless experts are eyeing it hungrily, among them not a few are Great Grandmasters. With the Earth Veins seal breaking, a great change will be triggered in the world, and for the common people, life or death¨Cthey don¡¯t really care. What they care more about is whether the Evil Blood Qi can be used for themselves. Jiang Shang used the Evil Blood to greatly increase his cultivation, eventually triggering a mutation. Although he gave up becoming an Evil Specter, the effects of the Evil Blood spread throughout the world, and many experts, while regarding the Evil Blood as taboo, are still searching for the Evil Blood. In the Jianghu, many people¡¯s craving for strength is blind. They believe that great power can get them everything, including fame, wealth, and beauty. Isn¡¯t this what they mingle in the Jianghu for? Upon hearing this, An Jing¡¯s brow twisted into a knot, the Earth Vein Spirit is still being contaminated by the Evil Spirits and will eventually be completely contaminated, by which time many Great Grandmaster experts will definitely not be able to hold back. Moreover, the Earth Vein Spirit was sealed, and nature¡¯s spiritual energy was becoming scarcer by the day; such a situation would sooner or later prove to be no permanent solution, akin to a time bomb placed beside oneself. The only solution was to personally slay this Earth Vein Spirit, thereby also eradicating the dark opportunity that lingered upon oneself. An Jing looked at the two individuals and said, ¡°It seems that both of you are awaiting the arrival of that day.¡± Liu Moyuan said, ¡°I may not understand much else, but this Earth Vein Spirit will break through its seals sooner or later. Sealing the Earth Vein Spirit is not the root solution to the problem.¡± The reason he helped An Jing was nothing more than his disdain for those arrogantly self-important figures of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this matter for now.¡± An Jing glanced at the two men, his heart stirred, and then he said, ¡°I intend to discuss the Sword Dao with you two seniors. I wonder if you would be willing to return with me to Yujing City?¡± Both individuals before him were among the top swordsmanship masters of their time, one cultivated the Heavenly Dao Sword, the other the Holy Dao Sword; both had their unique understanding and insights into the way of the sword. Positioned in history, they were rare swordsmen, each with the potential to dominate an era, especially Sword God Liu Moyuan¡¯s Holy Dao Sword. If one could deeply engage with these two swordsmanship masters, it might greatly assist in reaching the Seventh Realm. Upon seeing An Jing¡¯s gaze, the Sword Demon knew his thoughts, ¡°If I were to refuse, would that Dulu Sword once again pierce through this old man¡¯s chest?¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing laughed out loud, ¡°Senior, you jest.¡± After pondering for a while, Liu Moyuan asked, ¡°You¡¯re not far from the Seventh Realm now, are you?¡± A gleam of light flashed in the Sword Demon¡¯s eyes as he looked over. Reaching the Seventh Realm is the supreme state for swordsmen. The Sword Dao Tao General Outline has clear records of this realm¡¯s existence throughout history, yet there are no clear records of swordsmen who have actually reached it. An Jing smiled and said nothing, leaving the two men with boundless speculation. ¡°Very well!¡± Liu Moyuan exhaled slowly and said, ¡°Then this old man shall exchange some insights on the swordsmanship with you. I have long been exceedingly curious about your swordsmanship.¡± Since ancient times, the Holy Dao Sword was considered the foremost in swordsmanship, but when faced with An Jing¡¯s Immortal Sword, it was clearly suppressed without exception. How could Liu Moyuan not be curious about An Jing¡¯s Sword Dao? The Sword Demon also nodded and said, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, let us go together.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡± An Jing secured the Dulu Sword and the Evil Suppressing Sword. Watching An Jing¡¯s actions, the Sword Demon couldn¡¯t help but give a wry smile. It seemed his guess was indeed correct¨Cif he had dared to say no earlier, the fates of Mo Chen and Chang Ning might very well have been his own predicament now. ¡­¡­. Jiangnan Dao, Yu State City. With each autumn rain comes a chill, with translucent drops like millions of silvery threads undulating in midair, gently enshrouding the atmosphere like a light mist. The rain falling into the Yu State River was like droplets into a crystalline plate, splashing up countless pearls; on the trees, it seemed to comb through their branches with a tender touch. At this moment, on the ancient bridge over the Yu State River, stood a scholar under an oil-paper umbrella. Unlike the hurried passersby, he walked very slowly, as if out of sync with the rest of the world. This man was none other than Zhou Xianming, the current top scholar of the Great Yan Dynasty. He watched the people coming and going, as well as the black-awninged boats drifting on the river. The scene before him was both familiar and strange¨Cthe familiar because here he had spent the happiest days of his life, and the strange because he could no longer find the familiar faces from then. Zhou Xianming paused mid-step, slowly extended his hand, and let the rainwater drip onto his palm. The cool sensation seeped into his heart and spleen. After a while, a woman in black arrived behind Zhou Xianming, her snow-white skin contrasting starkly with her clothes, her hands like carved jade. Under the backdrop of the willows behind her, she looked even more delicate and lovely. Her name was Tian Yingying, codenamed ¡®Parrot¡¯, a master of the Heaven and Earth Net, and the same woman who had previously unveiled Tan Yun¡¯s identity. Tian Yingying walked to Zhou Xianming¡¯s side and hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°Sir, we¡¯ve located the woman. She was escorted to Yu State City by a master of the Demon Sect and then left. The woman bought a small courtyard in Chunfeng Alley and has been living there ever since, without any suspicious activities.¡± Chunfeng Alley¡­. Hearing this, Zhou Xianming appeared to think of something. No one knew better than him what this place was; it was where he had once lived, where he studied, where he wrote poems for her. In an instant, memories surged like the tide. Happy moments, unhappy moments¨Call suddenly became vivid. It turned out that these events were deeply etched in his mind. Seeing that Zhou Xianming remained silent for a long time, Tian Yingying spoke softly, ¡°Lord Zhou.¡± She had been following him on the orders of the Yong¡¯an Human Emperor for some time now, but she had never seen Zhou Xianming show such an expression. He was always calm and composed, with a light in his eyes and a smile at the corner of his mouth. He had never been like this before, which made her feel somewhat alienated and also somewhat anxious. This call brought Zhou Xianming out of his memories. He said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, take a look at Chunfeng Alley.¡± Tian Yingying said, ¡°Lord Zhou, I will lead the way.¡± Zhou Xianming shook his head. ¡°No need, I¡¯m very familiar with this place.¡± The two of them, one in front and one behind, arrived in Chunfeng Alley. Tian Yingying pointed to the courtyard in front of them and said, ¡°This is the place.¡± Zhou Xianming gazed at the familiar courtyard without speaking, just slowly pushing open the big gate of the courtyard. ¡°Creak¨C!¡± The door opened, revealing a sturdy camphor tree. However, its leaves had turned yellow, yet there were no fallen leaves on the ground. It was clear that the owner of the courtyard was a very tidy person who kept it clean and tidy. ¡°Cough cough cough¡­.¡± Perhaps alerted by the sound of the door, the owner came out of the house with frail steps. Zhou Xianming took a slight pause when he saw the person. At this moment, Li Yue was not dressed in her usual splendid, gorgeous dresses but instead in a coarse cloth skirt. Her complexion was no longer rosy and looked somewhat pale. When she saw Zhou Xianming, she too was stunned. Tian Yingying, watching from the side, seemed to understand something. Li Yue gently smiled and said, ¡°May you always be at ease.¡± Zhou Xianming, gazing at that pale face, smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time.¡± Li Yue said, ¡°Come in and sit.¡± ¡°Wait for me at the entrance of the courtyard.¡± Zhou Xianming instructed Tian Yingying and then strode into the courtyard. Tian Yingying¡¯s lips parted as if she wanted to say that the Yong¡¯an Human Emperor had ordered her to never leave Zhou Xianming¡¯s side, but in the end, she did not speak and quietly walked out of the door instead. In the hall, Li Yue supported herself on the table with one hand and poured a cup of tea with the other. ¡°It¡¯s just plain tea. I hope Mr. Zhou won¡¯t mind.¡± Zhou Xianming took the tea and couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°In the past, this hand used to pour me wine. I didn¡¯t expect you to be pouring me tea today.¡± Li Yue looked at Zhou Xianming intently and said, ¡°If Mr. Zhou wishes to drink today, Wanhong will surely accompany him.¡± Zhou Xianming took a sip of the tea lightly and declined, ¡°No need, wine may be sweet, but it harms the body.¡± ¡°Yes, wine does harm the body¡­ cough cough cough.¡± Hearing that, Li Yue felt a pang in her chest and couldn¡¯t help but bring a handkerchief to her mouth and nose, coughing violently. Zhou Xianming, seeing this, couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Your health doesn¡¯t seem so good now.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been coughing a lot lately.¡± ¡°You need someone to take care of you.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like that, but I don¡¯t want to tire anyone out. Besides, people should take care of each other, so how could I take care of someone else like this?¡± ¡°You really can¡¯t take care of anyone like this.¡± ¡°So, I can only try to take care of myself and not trouble others.¡± ¡°Sometimes by not wanting to trouble others, you¡¯re already troubling them.¡± Hearing this, Li Yue looked at Zhou Xianming involuntarily. Then, Zhou Xianming lowered his head towards the tea cup, but halfway through reaching for it, he let his hand fall again, ¡°I once asked Brother An how to know when you¡¯ve found the right person.¡± Li Yue asked, ¡°What did he say?¡± Zhou Xianming slowly said, ¡°The right person will make you smile upon seeing them, and you will smile upon seeing them.¡± Li Yue sighed, ¡°It¡¯s down-to-earth and very true.¡± Zhou Xianming lifted his head and said, ¡°I had found that person, but then I lost her.¡± Li Yue met his gaze, her heart fluttering. Zhou Xianming said earnestly, ¡°After that, I never met anyone who could make me smile, that person who made me happy upon sight.¡± Li Yue¡¯s lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but it felt as if there was something trapped in her throat. ¡°I won¡¯t disturb you any longer.¡± Zhou Xianming looked at Li Yue¡¯s expression and walked towards the door. He pretended to leave nonchalantly, without looking back, moving exceptionally slowly. He imagined those eyes looking at him and felt a vengeful satisfaction in his heart, but even more so, it was a pain, an intense ache. Li Yue watched as Zhou Xianming turned his back to her. ¡°Xianming, accompany me for one last drink.¡± Li Yue clutched the handkerchief tightly, feeling a stabbing pain in her chest, ¡°Cough¡­ cough cough cough!¡± A severe cough racked her body, her throat painful as if her heart and lungs wanted to cough out. Zhou Xianming, hearing this, quickly looked back and saw the handkerchief was now stained with fresh blood. He couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Blood Spirit Technique?¡± Li Yue wiped the fresh red from her lips and answered, ¡°Yes.¡± At that moment, that smear of red made her appear even more delicate and alluring. Hearing this, a fear arose in Zhou Xianming¡¯s heart, ¡°How much Essence Blood have you consumed?¡± Well-read as he was, he naturally knew what the Blood Spirit Technique was, and he had also learned from the intelligence networks of the Heaven and Earth Net that Li Yue was cultivating exactly this technique. The Blood Spirit Technique is a Xuanwu Level mental method, but its cultivation speed is faster than any other martial arts heart method in the world because it allows for the accumulation of a Blood Spirit in the Dantian. This Blood Spirit can absorb the essence blood of the human body and then nourish itself, allowing cultivation to increase exponentially in a short period of time. The essence originates from the Innate Essence and is generated from the Acquired Water Valley. The formation of essence also relies on the Qi within the body, hence the saying ¡°essence and blood share the same source.¡± The consumption of a vast amount of essence blood requires a significant amount of time, along with herbs and food for replenishment. While essence blood is being replenished, it also greatly wears out one¡¯s life span. The more essence blood the Blood Spirit absorbs, the more it nourishes itself, thereby the faster the cultivation speed becomes. Li Yue leaned on the wooden pillar with difficulty, gasping for breath, ¡°Doctor An said there are three more months, right?¡± Three months!? Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianming felt as if struck by a thunderbolt, his mind went blank. The last time An Jing saw Li Yue, it had been a long time ago. Li Yue, leaning on the wooden pillar, smiled, ¡°Xianming, have a drink with me.¡± Zhou Xianming couldn¡¯t hold back any longer and stepped forward to hug Li Yue tightly. The two of them clung to each other, with their hearts as close as they could possibly be. Zhou Xianming felt the tenderness in his arms as if his heart was being continuously sliced by a knife. That silent pain was even more uncomfortable than any other suffering. Li Yue, leaning on Zhou Xianming¡¯s shoulder, said, ¡°Have a drink, I want to have one more drink with you.¡± Zhou Xianming murmured, ¡°I don¡¯t believe it, I can¡¯t believe it¡­.¡± How could a perfectly healthy person, and a high-level Jianghu expert at that, suddenly say they are going to die? Li Yue said softly, ¡°Doctor An didn¡¯t tell a lie, he even brought out a Snow Lotus for me, or else I would have died long ago.¡± Zhou Xianming held Li Yue tightly, as if releasing his hold would let her fly away. Tears uncontrollably streamed down, ¡°I won¡¯t drink anymore, I won¡¯t ever drink again.¡± Sometimes, tears are uncontrollable; they flow unconsciously when you are sad or heartbroken. Li Yue smiled, ¡°Have a drink, I want you to have a drink with me.¡± With that, she took out a jug of wine from under the wooden table next to her, as if she had been prepared for a long time, just waiting for this moment. After opening the seal, the light fragrance wafted through the air. ¡°Let me do it.¡± Zhou Xianming took the jug and poured two cups of wine. Li Yue smiled, ¡°I used to pour wine for you before; who would have thought there would come such a day?¡± Zhou Xianming said, ¡°I¡¯ve thought about this moment for a long time, but I never had the chance.¡± Li Yue looked at the man before her and felt a sudden warmth in her heart, happy that there was someone in this world who truly loved her without reservation. At least, after she left this world, someone would still miss her. Zhou Xianming held up two cups of wine and looked at Li Yue, ¡°If you had met me first, would you have still cultivated the Blood Spirit Technique?¡± In Li Yue¡¯s life, the first half was fairly happy, but after a significant change, she spent the latter half immersed in hatred. Having successfully cultivated the Blood Spirit Technique, there was no turning back, and all she could do was continue cultivating. But in face of the vast ocean and towering waves, what did her meager power amount to? Li Yue also looked at Zhou Xianming and said, ¡°It¡¯s a pity, life doesn¡¯t have ¡®what ifs¡¯.¡± The two raised their tea cups and clinked them together. ¡°Cough cough cough¡­¡± Li Yue coughed as she drank. Zhou Xianming took Li Yue¡¯s wine cup from her hand, distressed, ¡°Don¡¯t drink anymore.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Li Yue couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°My alcohol tolerance is much better than yours.¡± Zhou Xianming looked into Li Yue¡¯s eyes. He couldn¡¯t resist those eyes, just like a falling leaf will eventually hit the ground, and ultimately, he would sink into them. Li Yue said, ¡°I want you to accompany me to the courtyard to watch the sunset.¡± Zhou Xianming supported Li Yue out to the yard and sat down under the dried-up camphor tree. The autumn rain had just stopped, still leaving a bit of chill in the air. Li Yue¡¯s body was scalding hot; she clung tightly to Zhou Xianming¡¯s chest as they both looked up at the sky to watch the setting sun, as if time had suddenly become still. Li Yue, watching the sunset, softly said, ¡°Back then, I thought about drinking with you every day, eating meals, watching the sun rise and set in the sky. These seemingly simple things are also happiness.¡± Zhou Xianming held Li Yue in his arms, ¡°I also thought about living such a simple and ordinary life with you every day.¡± Li Yue said, ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve been waiting for you, always feeling unsettled not having seen you one last time.¡± Zhou Xianming quickly said, ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you tell Brother An? I would have come to find you sooner.¡± Li Yue laughed, ¡°I didn¡¯t say. I wanted you to come see me on your own.¡± Zhou Xianming heard this and laughed too, but as he laughed, he cried, ¡°It¡¯s my fault; I should have come to see you sooner.¡± ¡°Yeah, you didn¡¯t come for me.¡± Li Yue looked at the sunset, her chest heaving rapidly, and then blood continuously flowed down from the corner of her mouth. For ordinary people, the wine was just wine, but for her, it was the deadliest poison in the world. Zhou Xianming felt the blood soaking his clothes, seeping over his chest. It was like being throttled, unable to speak a word, unable to breathe. Li Yue was delirious as if in a dream, ¡°I didn¡¯t get to be your wife in this life, so I¡¯ll have to wait for the next one¡­.¡± Li Yue¡¯s voice grew weaker and weaker, her breathing ever more feeble until it finally faded away. Zhou Xianming held Li Yue¡¯s lifeless body tightly. He was like a wood carving, not yet snapping out of his daze. There were no more tears in his eyes, they had unknowingly dried up. Indeed, when someone dies, they truly can take another person with them. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The greatest grief is without tears, the greatest love is beyond words. Just as Zhou Xianming had said, he lost the one that made him smile at first sight, the one he wanted to cherish, the one on his mind, the one worth climbing mountains and crossing ridges for love. The sunset gradually fell, and darkness was finally about to descend. ¡­¡­. PS: I¡¯m aiming to conclude this story at the end of the month. I will update more each day, striving for an average of more than eight thousand words per day, let¡¯s go! Chapter 383 - Chapter 383 Chapter 283 Houjins Vision Shocks the World Chapter 383: Chapter 283: Houjin¡¯s Vision Shocks the World Chapter 383: Chapter 283: Houjin¡¯s Vision Shocks the World The snow mountains rolled and undulated, forming a range upon range that resembled the writhing spine of a dragon, while halfway up the mountain, clouds and mists swirled, giving it an ethereal feel. At this moment, the snow mountains were covered with white snow, wrapped in a silvery garb. In Houjin, when an important person dies, most would choose a Heavenly Burial, and the ones who can conduct Heavenly Burials in Houjin are called Heavenly Burial Masters. It¡¯s rumored that Heavenly Burial Masters guide the departed from the human world to the Underworld or the path of reincarnation, possessing means beyond those of ordinary people. When they carry out the Heavenly Burials to ascend the dead, a sacred light appears above their heads. The sanctity of a Heavenly Burial Master¡¯s work and their special magical powers make them a source of wonder and reverence, causing people to keep a respectful distance as if they were ghosts or spirits. Thus, in the eyes of ordinary people, Heavenly Burial Masters became exceptionally mysterious. It¡¯s said that Heavenly Burial Masters have terrifying appearances and fierce visages. Not to mention foreigners, even the people of Houjin rarely see these mysterious masters. Some even believe that Heavenly Burial Masters are beings risen from corpses, incarnations of ghosts and spirits. The main duty of a Heavenly Burial Master is to handle corpses, which is the central part of the burial. Their primary tasks include chanting scriptures, burning fragrant substances, processing the body, and cleaning the burial site. After the Heavenly Burial, the skulls are preserved, and these skulls are secretly kept. There is a snow mountain in Houjin called Damu Great Snow Mountain, and at its peak, there is a place called the Damu Sky Burial Platform, which is built using the skulls as its walls. Ordinary people who see this wall of skulls can¡¯t help but feel chilled to the bone. As autumn arrives with howling winds and snow, there appear two figures, one large and one small, on Damu Great Snow Mountain. One is an old man in a grey robe with a face full of wrinkles, weather-beaten. He is Ke Hua, a Heavenly Burial Master of Houjin. Next to him is his disciple, Aze. Ke Hua, gazing up at the falling snow, said somberly, ¡°This Sky Burial Platform is the most sacred place in the heart of a Heavenly Burial Master. Each time I come here, my heart is filled with reverence and there can be no slackness.¡± Aze nodded and replied, ¡°Master, I understand.¡± Ke Hua sighed deeply and said, ¡°The world is now experiencing continuous changes, and I can feel that these changes are becoming increasingly intense.¡± Unable to contain his curiosity, Aze asked, ¡°Master, what kind of changes will occur?¡± Ke Hua asked, ¡°Do you remember the riot among the sheep a few days ago?¡± Aze, with a sigh, responded, ¡°Of course, I remember. A few days ago, the lead sheep in the tribe went berserk, causing chaos throughout the herd. Many sheep died. It was such a pity.¡± Ke Hua slowly said, ¡°That is just the tip of the iceberg. Now it¡¯s sheep, in the future, it will be people.¡± Upon hearing this, Aze felt a movement in his heart, ¡°Now it¡¯s sheep, in the future, it will be people?¡± As they conversed, they continued to walk up the mountain. Suddenly, the wind and snow grew more intense, making it difficult for them to open their eyes. Aze¡¯s body was like a small boat in a storm. Ke Hua stretched out his withered palm and shouted, ¡°Grab my hand!¡± Aze hurriedly took hold of Ke Hua¡¯s hand. Ke Hua, leading the way and blocking the wind and snow, thought to himself, ¡°There¡¯s something strange atop the snow mountain.¡± He had been to the Damu Sky Burial Platform before, but he had never encountered such a heavy storm. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± Struggling against the fierce wind and snow, they made their way towards the Damu Sky Burial Platform when suddenly they heard a series of loud noises ahead. Ke Hua raised his head and saw the path ahead seeming to crack open, and a golden light emerged from the fissure, spreading outwards. What followed was a miraculous scene. The snow on the mountain began melting at a rate visible to the naked eye, as if something fearsome were brewing underneath. In a short while, a gigantic golden statue emerged from the skull wall. The golden statue was splendid and radiant, tinting the clouds in the sky with gold. However, the head of the statue was a massive skull. Ke Hua cried out, ¡°An omen, an omen from the Sky Burial Platform!¡± Aze looked up, his mouth agape in astonishment, as if he had turned to stone. He had never seen such a scene before, and it was unforgettable. People within hundreds of miles could see that dazzling golden light. They all became incredibly excited and agitated, and subsequently, the people of the Houjin tribes bowed down in devout worship. This scene quickly spread throughout Houjin, and everyone knew that an anomaly had appeared above the snow-covered mountains of Houjin. In the legends of Houjin, only in times of great prosperity would such anomalies occur. The current anomaly above the Heavenly Burial Platform had invigorated the people of Houjin, who couldn¡¯t help but kneel down on the ground. All of Houjin was boiling with excitement, as if welcoming a golden age. ¡­.. In Yujing City, atop a square platform. An Jing, the Sword Demon, and the Sword God Liu Moyuan were seated in three different directions, with sharp Qi mechanisms spreading out from them continuously towards the distance. Those sharp Qi mechanisms were indeed Sword Qi. To give rise to Sword Qi from one¡¯s own being, what a terrifying epiphany of the Sword Dao it was. Tan Yun stood below the platform, swallowing his saliva and said, ¡°Such sharp Sword Qi, even a Grandmaster getting close would turn into a pile of mush.¡± ¡°Sword Light as lightning, it cuts through gold and jade like mud; when wood is rubbed against it, smoke and flames arise; when struck against metal and stone, sparks fly.¡± Li Fuzhou slowly nodded and said, ¡°These three are among the top Sword Dao masters of this era. They could be considered the top three swordsmen in the world, and the Sword Qi they give rise to is naturally terrifying.¡± Several hours had passed since the three began their discussion on the sword, and even for a Three Qi Grandmaster like Li Fuzhou, the sharp Sword Qi made him feel a chill in his heart. The Sword Demon was the first to open his eyes, pointing a finger towards the sky. A violent wind swept in, the already fragile fallen leaves rustled, and thunder roared above. A terrifying heavenly power came with immeasurable might, and a transparent great sword appeared above the Sword Demon. Within the Sword Dao, the Heavenly Dao Sword also belonged to the superior ranks, containing overwhelming heavenly might within it. It was because of this that countless swordsmen throughout history have practiced the Heavenly Dao Sword, but those who have cultivated the Heavenly Dao Sword to the Fifth Realm were few and far between, and those who have reached the Sixth Realm were practically the top one or two of the era. The Four Symbols Sword Ancestor from the Four Symbols Sect had practiced the Heavenly Dao Sword and had reached the Sixth Realm. He was known as the World¡¯s First Swordsman of that era, which illustrated the power of the Heavenly Sword Dao. Sword God Liu Moyuan drew his palm across, and the Sword Dao of the Holy Dao Sword appeared behind him like a breathtaking swan, reaching into the vast and obscure sky above. The Holy Dao Sword is considered the foremost among all sword techniques ever since ancient times. Those who have cultivated the Holy Dao Sword to the Sixth Realm have all been the number one swordsman of their time without exception. The might of the Holy Dao Sword is grand and magnificent, as vast as the ocean, and within the Four Seas, it is king. Tan Yun¡¯s Futu Sword in his hand trembled as if it would fly out at any moment. With the appearance of both the Heavenly Dao Sword and the Holy Dao Sword, the rhymes and light of the swords spread in all directions, allowing one to clearly feel the extraordinary essence of the Sword Dao within. An Jing sat cross-legged, his True Qi starting to circulate. Suddenly, the world seemed to darken, and a stretch of the Milky Way hung in the sky. ¡°Whoosh!¡± Soon after, a beam of Sword Light shot up into the sky, causing the brilliance of the Holy Dao Sword and the Heavenly Dao Sword to continuously diminish. The Immortal Sword had appeared! Both the Sword Demon and Liu Moyuan watched the Immortal Sword with solemnity, their hearts involuntarily beating faster. ¡°My sword!¡± ¡°What is going on!?¡± ¡°Look! All the swords are flying up!¡± ¡­.. Within Yujing City, the swords of all swordsmen were drawn by some attraction, flying up into the sky and rapidly spinning around. All swords returned to their origin! ¡°` Merely relying on the rhythm and glow of the Immortal Sword¡¯s Sword Dao was enough to make all swords above Yujing City fly into the sky; even those who did not cultivate the Sword Dao could tell that the Immortal Sword was extraordinary and surpassed both the Heavenly Dao Sword and the Holy Dao Sword. Inside the Imperial City, Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an stood before the carved railing, watching the longswords dancing unceasingly in mid-air. The Imperial Guards around him, however, were on high alert, with each one looking at this scene with tense expressions. The Tianpeng Ancestor approached and said, ¡°Your Majesty, the Sword Qi contains the sharpness of the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Immortal Sword, I think it would be best to avoid it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± said Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an indifferently. Just then, several sharp longswords whirled in the air, and streams of Sword Qi burst forth in all directions, with two streams heading straight for Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an. Just as the Sword Qi were about to permeate, a white light shield rose up, and the Sword Qi were like pebbles tossed into a pond, creating ripples, while the light shield melted away the two weak streams of Sword Qi. Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an exclaimed, ¡°Truly a terrifying Sword Dao, to be able to create such a Sword Dao, the Ghost Swordsman can be called the greatest swordsman through the ages.¡± Bai Mei the eunuch and Xu Qianyue both nodded in agreement, deeply convinced by his words. At this moment, everyone under heaven knew that within Yujing City there was an invincible Great Sword Immortal who had yet to taste defeat. Not only was he revered by martial experts of Jianghu, but even the common folk worshipped him like a deity. Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an thought of something and said, ¡°The frequent strange occurrences in Houjin may very well indicate that Zongzheng Huachun has made great progress in his cultivation, or perhaps he has completely refined the thoughts of an Earth Vein Spirit.¡± The strange occurrences in Houjin had already spread throughout the world, and the news of Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s upcoming breakthrough to the Grandmaster level was also quickly disseminated. The discussion about the impending duel between the Ghost Swordsman and Zongzheng Huachun grew louder and more fervent. For many people in Great Yan, this was undoubtedly a heavy blow. Bai Mei the eunuch said gravely, ¡°If Zongzheng Huachun breaks through the shackles of the Dao, I believe his power will undergo an earth-shattering transformation¡­¡± Between a Five Qi Grandmaster and a Great Grandmaster, the difference was as vast as the heavens and the earth, especially since Zongzheng Huachun was not only a top Five Qi Grandmaster but also had the thoughts of an Earth Vein Spirit integrated within him. Should he reach the Great Grandmaster level, his power would be even more terrifying, even surpassing that of Wang Yangsheng. At this moment, the strength of the Ghost Swordsman seemed to be progressing continually, and who would emerge victorious in their duel was still uncertain, attracting the attention of all the top experts in the world. ¡°Tonight, I will meet with Xi Hafu; perhaps he would know something.¡± Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an waved his sleeve and then turned to walk towards his sleeping palace. After all, Xi Hafu was a Grandmaster Realm expert, very sensitive to the changes in the Qi Mechanism of heaven and earth. ¡­¡­ Atop the Four Directions Platform, both the Heavenly Dao Sword and the Holy Dao Sword appeared at this moment. Sword Qi crisscrossed, forming storms, while An Jing, the Sword Demon, and Liu Moyuan were at the center of these storms. An Jing closed his eyes slightly and slowly said, ¡°The edge forged from fine steel, the back from alloy, the aura from Cold Forest, wielding the might of the Heavenly Dao. It can cut through heaven above, earth below, and shatter all beings in between ¨C this is the Heavenly Dao Sword.¡± Upon hearing this, the Sword Demon¡¯s mind tensed, as if he had realized something. An Jing¡¯s few words seemed to have completely articulated the essence of the Heavenly Dao Sword, clearer and easier to understand than some ancient texts. An Jing continued, ¡°The Holy Dao Sword, with the Dao as its spine and virtue as its edge, with Yin and Yang as its aura, with the Five Elements as its handle, it can sever heavenly light from above, and cut off the lifelines of the earth below.¡± Liu Moyuan frowned slightly, and couldn¡¯t help but calm his heart to experience the meaning in An Jing¡¯s words. He was suddenly struck with an epiphany, as if in that moment, An Jing was the true practitioner of the Holy Dao Sword. Numerous swords flew in the air, creating a bizarre and fantastical sight. ¡°So this is the world¡¯s current Sword Immortal,¡± sighed a voice. Li Fuzhou and Tan Yun followed the sound and saw the newcomer ¨C none other than Duanmu Xinghua, the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect Heavenly Sect. ¡°` Next to Duanmu Xinghua stood Zhao Qingmei, Yu Qiurong, Yi Daoyun, Lin Tianhai, Ouyang Ping, You Gai, and other experts from the Demon Sect. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± Li Fuzhou and Tan Yun hurriedly bowed their heads in salute. Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, then looked towards An Jing on the Four Directions Platform, ¡°Have the strange phenomena in Houjin been clarified?¡± Li Fuzhou clasped his fists and said, ¡°Not yet, Zongzheng Huachun is still in seclusion and hasn¡¯t left. However, we can¡¯t rule out that the phenomena are unrelated to him.¡± Zhao Qingmei spoke indifferently, ¡°Keep a constant watch on the movements of the Houjin Royal Court. Don¡¯t miss any signs.¡± Li Fuzhou replied, ¡°Yes.¡± In the sky above, all the sword tips were pointing towards the same place, the Four Directions Platform where An Jing was positioned. At this moment, on the Four Directions Platform, An Jing¡¯s eyes were slightly closed, his back set against a dense star river, the mere sight of which conveyed a sense of depth. About half an incense stick later, the flying swords still rotating in the sky began to fall, emitting a crisp sound. ¡°Thank you both, seniors, for your assistance. An has benefited greatly.¡± An Jing also slowly opened his eyes and then exhaled a breath. The Sword Demon chuckled bitterly, ¡°It is I who has benefited greatly.¡± Liu Moyuan said, ¡°I¡¯ve learned a lot.¡± An Jing smiled and said, ¡°In the future, I hope to have the opportunity to learn from the two seniors again, and I hope you won¡¯t refuse.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± The Sword Demon was the first to stand up, feeling emotional, ¡°I¡¯ve gained many insights from this sword discussion. I shall leave you to it.¡± With that, the Sword Demon stood up and departed. ¡°Farewell!¡± Liu Moyuan also clasped his fists towards Zhao Qingmei and then left directly. They both departed in haste, eager to digest the insights gained from their exchange. An Jing looked down at the audience and said, ¡°My Lady, you¡¯ve come.¡± Zhao Qingmei let out a long sigh, her voice tinged with sorrow, ¡°Senior Nan is gone.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing also felt a wave of melancholy. Even as a Great Grandmaster, one isn¡¯t invulnerable to death. Those like Zhao Zhiwu and Nangong Weiping have perished in these chaotic times. At present, he himself was merely a Five Qi Grandmaster. ¡°Don¡¯t think too much. Perhaps Senior Nangong got what he wished for,¡± An Jing consoled Zhao Qingmei and then looked at the many experts behind her, ¡°You¡¯ve all come.¡± You Gai playing the bamboo flute, put forward, ¡°Your upcoming duel with Zongzheng Huachun is imminent, how can we not be present?¡± The duel between An Jing and Zongzheng Huachun had attracted the attention of everyone under the heavens, as this battle was connected with the fate of Great Yan and Houjin. It would change the pattern and direction of the martial world. Recently, hearing of strange phenomena in Houjin at such a critical juncture, how could people not speculate more? If Zongzheng Huachun were to break through to the Grandmaster Realm, he would essentially be invincible. Even if the Ghost Swordsman was a genius, frequently winning against stronger opponents, the gap between a Grandmaster and a Great Grandmaster was like a vast chasm, not so easily bridged. Thus, everyone was extremely curious as to whether Zongzheng Huachun had broken through his constraints or not. ¡°Brother An!¡± Just then, a loud shout came from afar, ¡°Guess who¡¯s here?¡± An Jing looked toward the direction of the voice, and saw Han Wenxin rushing toward the Four Directions Platform, with two figures following behind him, Zhou Xianming and Tian Yingying. It wasn¡¯t until then that Han Wenxin noticed the crowd that had gathered around An Jing, and he also knew that these people were the ¡®vicious and malignant¡¯ experts of the Demon Sect. His spirits immediately sagged, and he whispered, ¡°Brother An, Old Zhou has arrived.¡± Tan Yun saw this and snorted, ¡°Isn¡¯t that Han Wenxin, the arrest officer? Weren¡¯t you acting all high and mighty back then, saying you would eradicate the Demon Sect?¡± Eradicate the Demon Sect!? The Demon Sect experts present all turned their gazes upon hearing this. Han Wenxin, seeing the unfriendly eyes around him, quickly raised his voice in defense, ¡°Guardian Tan, you can eat whatever you want, but you can¡¯t just say anything¨Cwhen have I ever said that? I am now a spy for the Human Sect.¡± While saying this, Han Wenxin took out his token. Tan Yun stared closely at the token for a while, then her eyebrows shot up as she said, ¡°Really, how can the Human Sect even accept someone like you?¡± Han Wenxin hung his head, sullenly responding, ¡°Aren¡¯t you the same?¡± Tan Yun¡¯s ears were quite sharp, as she immediately snapped, ¡°What did you say!?¡± ¡°I said where did my comic book disappear to? Could you have ¡®picked¡¯ it up?¡± Han Wenxin looked at An Jing curiously, ¡°Brother An, have you seen it? Was it picked up by you, eh?¡± A blush of shame appeared in Tan Yun¡¯s eyes; she said nothing further. Although the others were unaware, An Jing, Tan Yun, and Han Wenxin were very clear about what this meant. Zhou Xianming then came over, nodded to Li Fuzhou, and then said, ¡°Brother An, Lady An.¡± Zhao Qingmei smiled and replied, ¡°You¡¯re too polite.¡± An Jing let out a long sigh, ¡°It has been a while since we all gathered together.¡± Zhou Xianming couldn¡¯t help but feel nostalgic, ¡°The last time was during the year-end in Yu State City, and it¡¯s almost been two years since then.¡± Han Wenxin, sounding somewhat wistful, said, ¡°I still remember those soft, fragrant, and sticky pig¡¯s trotters.¡± Tan Yun immediately glared fiercely at Han Wenxin. ¡°Hahaha!¡± ¡°Haha!¡± Everyone present couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. Zhou Xianming¡¯s lips curved upwards in a smile as well. Tian Yingying stood behind, watching Zhou Xianming at this moment. To her, this was one of the rare smiles he had shown in a while. Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°I¡¯ll have someone prepare the banquet right now, let¡¯s continue talking inside the hall.¡± ¡°Alright, then I¡¯m troubling Lady An again.¡± Zhou Xianming nodded, not declining the offer. ¡­¡­ The night was silent, stars twinkled faintly. The cool breeze of the evening carried a piercing chill with it. Inside the great hall, the lights were swirling as laughter and cheers continued unabated, with everyone joyfully toasting each other. Zhou Xianming stepped out alone, and the cold wind sobered him quite a bit. Then, a voice came from behind him, ¡°Mr. Zhou, I remember you¡¯re never drunk, no matter how much you drink, why step out for some fresh air after just one jar?¡± Zhou Xianming turned around with a smile, ¡°Perhaps the wine was too strong.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, then looked up at the moon in the sky, round like a disk. Zhou Xianming spoke up, ¡°Doctor An, thank you.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°Thank for what?¡± Zhou Xianming earnestly said, ¡°Thank you for the traveling expenses back then, and for not hesitating to invite me to the pleasure quarters to listen to music.¡± ¡°You better not talk nonsense.¡± An Jing glanced toward the lively great hall, ¡°I have never invited you to pleasure quarters to listen to music.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Zhou Xianming laughed out loud, ¡°You¡¯re still the same, still so henpecked.¡± An Jing shrugged his shoulders, huffing, ¡°Mr. Zhou, do I really look scared to you? Here, I make the rules.¡± Zhou Xianming did not respond. An Jing also fell silent, and the two men exchanged a glance. The evening breeze gently swept past, carrying with it the clear sounds of insects chirping and birds singing. After a long while, Zhou Xianming finally said, ¡°We can¡¯t go back to how things were.¡± An Jing responded, ¡°People always change.¡± Zhou Xianming added, ¡°Everyone changed.¡± An Jing affirmed, ¡°Perhaps.¡± Zhou Xianming looked up and said, ¡°Doctor An, thank you.¡± An Jing replied, ¡°You¡¯ve already thanked me.¡± ¡°Doctor An, there are some things I still want to discuss with you.¡± Zhou Xianming took a deep breath and said, ¡°Based on my estimation, the anomaly in Houjin this time is extraordinary; it could very well be a danger for you.¡± Danger!? Upon hearing Zhou Xianming¡¯s words, An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Zhou Xianming, who was now the trusted confidant of the Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an, did his words carry another implication? Imagine if An Jing could defeat Zongzheng Huachun, then he could take the opportunity to seize the entire Houjin, at which point An Jing¡¯s notoriety in Great Yan would become peerless, and his accomplishments would reach a level beyond reward. Suppressing a rebellion, saving the Royal Family, expanding territory¨Ceverything a hero should do, he had done. Add to that his strength and the power in his hands, how could an ambitious Emperor tolerate the existence of such a person? Zhou Xianming was clearly warning An Jing to be secretly vigilant against the Great Yan Royal Family, to be wary of the Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an. Although An Jing previously formed an alliance with the Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an, and they had a very strong relationship, the Human Emperor was an Emperor, and national affairs weren¡¯t child¡¯s play. A good relationship was just that¨Cnothing more and it didn¡¯t signify anything else. The Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an had risen to the throne with the support of An Jing, but the Demon Sect also gained immense benefits in the process, stealthily spreading throughout the entirety of Great Yan, to the extent that their influence now surpassed that of the previous Zhenyi Sect. It¡¯s no exaggeration to say that in the current Great Yan Martial World, Zhenyi Sect and the Buddhist sects had no chance of contending against each other; even combined, they barely posed a challenge to the Demon Sect. One can imagine the current status of the Demon Sect in Jianghu. The collaboration between the Demon Sect and imperial power had grown into a massive tree, one capable of shaking the very foundations of imperial power. An Jing asked, ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡± Zhou Xianming answered, ¡°I haven¡¯t told you anything, I¡¯m just reminding you.¡± An Jing said with a smile, ¡°Thank you.¡± Zhou Xianming looked at An Jing¡¯s bright eyes and softly stated, ¡°We were never enemies, and we will never be enemies. What I seek is nothing more than a stable world, to avoid the suffering of the living.¡± ¡°You are a very smart person, but sometimes you refuse to think more deeply. If you defeat Zongzheng Huachun, what will you do next? Continue to roam the Great Yan Martial World as a carefree Ghost Swordsman, or become a rogue figure in Jianghu?¡± An Jing fell silent upon hearing Zhou Xianming¡¯s words. As his cultivation grew stronger and the Demon Sect continued to rise in power, everything seemed to have changed. He had unwittingly positioned himself in opposition to imperial authority. Either submit to it, control it, or become it. If an incompetent Emperor ruled, then while An Jing seemed to dominate the Demon Sect, in reality he could manipulate imperial power, seize the opportunity to control the world, but if he encountered a capable Emperor, intense conflicts were bound to arise. If such a day came, An Jing did not particularly despise the Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an. If he were Zhao Xuening, he might act even more decisively and resolutely. Zhou Xianming pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°Actually, I have a method that can help you resolve your current troubles.¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°What is it?¡± Zhou Xianming spoke slowly and deliberately, ¡°Marry the Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an!¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes narrowed to slits as he looked at Zhou Xianming in front of him. Zhou Xianming continued, ¡°Once you marry the Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an, the Human Emperor can completely trust you. Then you can revolutionize and establish the Martial Arts Academy. You will be the first dean of the academy, bringing all the sects of the world into it¡­¡­¡± An Jing interrupted Zhou Xianming, ¡°Brother Zhou, you¡¯ve had too much to drink.¡± Zhou Xianming exhaled and said, ¡°I¡¯ve said my part, Doctor An. It¡¯s all up to you what kind of person you want to be and the life you wish to lead.¡± It¡¯s indeed strange that someone like An Jing, a person of such stature, would also stand at a crossroads in life. As Zhou Xianming said, he could indeed have different lives by doing different things. Just then, Han Wenxin came out with a red face, cursing and saying, ¡°What are you two doing? Let¡¯s go back and keep drinking.¡± The two men exchanged a glance and then walked towards the great hall. Wrapping his arms around their shoulders, Han Wenxin said, ¡°I really envy you two, one has already won a beauty, and the other is embraced by beauty.¡± An Jing replied with annoyance, ¡°What¡¯s there to envy? You can too.¡± Han Wenxin curled his lip and said, ¡°How could I give up my entire dark forest for just one tree?¡± ¡°The dark forest¡­.¡± Zhou Xianming stumbled, almost falling to the ground. ¡­.. In the Imperial City, the Imperial Study Room. The Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an sat on the throne, surrounded by bright and warm candlelight, her head bowed as she read a book. The eunuch Bai Mei walked in slowly, saying quietly, ¡°Your Majesty, Xi Hafu has arrived.¡± Without raising her head, the Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an said, ¡°Let him in.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Bai Mei slowly retreated. Shortly after, Xi Hafu was brought in. He bowed symbolically to the Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an and said, ¡°This humble monk greets Your Majesty.¡± ¡°No need for formalities.¡± The Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an said indifferently, ¡°Master must have heard the rumors about the strange omen in Houjin, haven¡¯t you?¡± Xi Hafu replied, ¡°News of this has spread throughout the world. Even if I did not wish to know, I would have learned of it.¡± The Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an asked, ¡°Does the Master know why this omen has appeared?¡± Xi Hafu spoke slowly, ¡°The emergence of a celestial phenomenon surely signifies something extraordinary, and Houjin is indeed extraordinary right now. If I am not mistaken, this extraordinary entity should be a fragment of the Earth Vein Spirit harbored within Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body, which is to say, he has finally refined a fragment of the Earth Vein Spirit.¡± Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an set down the book in his hand, stood up, and said, ¡°Then Master, do you think he has a chance of breaking through the restraints and reaching the Grandmaster Realm?¡± Without a second thought, Xi Hafu replied, ¡°The Earth Vein Spirit can be called a rare treasure of heaven and earth, an existence that nurtures the world with spiritual energy. Its value is considered genuine creation; even a wisp of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent is incomparable to ordinary things. Moreover, Zongzheng Huachun himself is at the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster, with profound insights into the Heavenly Human Communication, which shows that he has considerable epiphanies about the Dao of Heaven and Earth. If he completely integrates with this wisp of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent, he should be sufficient to reach the Grandmaster Realm.¡± The value of the Earth Vein Spirit is best known to practitioners in the Grandmaster Realm, especially someone like Xi Hafu who ascended to Grandmaster status in the Age of Dharma Decline. His understanding is incomparably clear. Emperor Yan¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, ¡°So, you mean to say that Zongzheng Huachun has already reached the Grandmaster Realm?¡± Xi Hafu answered, ¡°Not necessarily, but the probability is high.¡± Emperor Yan continued to inquire, ¡°If Zongzheng Huachun indeed ascends to the Grandmaster Realm, can An Jing stand as his opponent?¡± Being the person currently replacing Zhao Zhiwu as the strategist of the martial world, she needed to make thorough preparations for anything she undertook, regardless if An Jing won or lost. Xi Hafu pondered for a long while before saying, ¡°If Zongzheng Huachun truly reaches the Grandmaster Realm, in my opinion, Ghost Swordsman is certain to be defeated beyond doubt, and defeat would mean death, leaving no chance for escape.¡± Emperor Yan nodded slightly, ¡°I understand. I need Master to do something for me.¡± Xi Hafu asked, ¡°What is it?¡± Emperor Yan replied, ¡°Make a clandestine journey to Houjin Bashan.¡± Bashan was precisely where An Jing had agreed to duel Zongzheng Huachun. Xi Hafu didn¡¯t even consider it but outright refused, ¡°Impossible.¡± Right now, his duty was to guard the Dragon Locking Well, waiting for the final moment to arrive. He couldn¡¯t afford any mishaps at this critical juncture. Emperor Yan declared, ¡°If you are willing to go, I can grant you unrestricted access to the Dragon Locking Well.¡± With an expressionless face, Xi Hafu said, ¡°Your Majesty disappoints me. This humble monk does not wish to get involved in these murky waters.¡± A cold light flashed in Emperor Yan¡¯s eyes, ¡°I said go! And you must go. If you refuse, I will destroy the Dragon Locking Well right now and release the Earth Vein Spirit.¡± Upon hearing these words, Xi Hafu¡¯s pupils dilated, and a dark golden light flowed over his body, making him seem both like a fierce demonic Asura and a Bodhisattva delivering all beings. Simultaneously, the True Dragon Qi surged within the great hall, protecting Emperor Yan. Emperor Yan pressed on, ¡°You have no choice in the matter.¡± After a while, the Qi around Xi Hafu began to dissipate, then he brought his hands together and said, ¡°Very well. I will succumb to Your Majesty¡¯s threat just this once, but it will be the only time and the last time.¡± Having said that, Xi Hafu turned and left immediately. Watching Xi Hafu¡¯s retreating figure, Emperor Yan¡¯s frown deepened. The eunuch Bai Mei stepped out and asked, ¡°Your Majesty, will Xi Hafu truly comply with Your Majesty¡¯s wishes?¡± Emperor Yan coldly said, ¡°The Dragon Locking Well is in the hands of our Great Yan Royal Family. He has no choice but to obey.¡± Bai Mei stood solemn and couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°It seems that the rumors about the Earth Vein Spirit beneath the Dragon Locking Well must be true, otherwise why would so many Grandmasters appear in this world, and even a top Grandmaster like Xi Hafu, who is a living Bodhisattva, submits to it.¡± Above the Grandmaster realm is the rumored Immortal Realm, which to this day no one has reached. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Currently, the Earth Vein Spirit that could allow a Grandmaster to break through is right below the Dragon Locking Well, and it seems that an opportunity of a millennium is about to emerge. Even Bai Mei, the eunuch, was deeply shaken by this thought. Whoever eventually attains the Earth Vein Spirit will undoubtedly become the true ruler of this world. Emperor Yan, with his hands behind his back, spoke indifferently, ¡°This Earth Vein Spirit belongs to the Great Yan Royal Family, and no one can take it away, not even a Grandmaster.¡± ¡­¡­. Chapter 384 - Chapter 384 Chapter 284 The Battle for National Destiny Shakes Chapter 384: Chapter 284: The Battle for National Destiny Shakes the World Chapter 384: Chapter 284: The Battle for National Destiny Shakes the World On the sixth of September, at the royal court of Houjin, outside a sealed chamber. Since Zongzheng Huachun had arranged to have a final battle in Ba Mountain with the Ghost Swordsman, he entered the sealed chamber to meditate in an attempt to break through his limitations and reach the Great Grandmaster realm. Outside the chamber, Zongzheng Yue, along with the elite of the royal court and remaining Dharma Kings of the Great Snow Mountain, sat in meditation at the door of the chamber, protecting Zongzheng Huachun day and night, ensuring that no one disturbed him in the slightest. As the day of the duel drew nearer, there was still no sign of activity within the chamber. Everyone waited anxiously yet patiently, knowing that the fate of Houjin and their own destinies were tightly bound to the person inside that chamber. Just then, the stone door of the chamber began to loosen. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Zongzheng Yue hurriedly stood up to look, and the others also nervously peeked over, their hearts pounding. ¡°Boom! Boom!¡± The stone door of the chamber slowly opened, and Zongzheng Huachun appeared before everyone. Compared to before, he seemed to have not changed much, his hair still a mix of gray and white, wrinkles still marking the corners of his eyes. To become a Great Grandmaster, the True Qi inside one¡¯s body could transform into True Yuan, which could refine a person¡¯s internal organs and greatly increase their lifespan, making them appear younger. But at that moment, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s appearance was just as old as before, and he didn¡¯t appear any younger. Could it be that he had not achieved a breakthrough to the Great Grandmaster level? Instantly, the hearts of the experts present sank. ¡°Father Emperor!¡± ¡°Holy Master!¡± Zongzheng Yue and the other high-ranking masters from Great Snow Mountain hurriedly bowed to Zongzheng Huachun. ¡°There¡¯s no need to be so formal.¡± Zongzheng Huachun said indifferently, ¡°This meditation was not without gains. I¡¯ve completely fused with the spirit of the Earth Veins, and my strength has greatly increased compared to before.¡± ¡°Congratulations, Holy Master!¡± Upon hearing Zongzheng Huachun say this, everyone present felt a slight consolation in their hearts. Although Zongzheng Huachun hadn¡¯t reached the Great Grandmaster realm, at least his cultivation had greatly improved. The Ghost Swordsman was also a Five Qi Grandmaster, and it was still uncertain who would win or lose between the two. Zongzheng Yue sighed and felt little optimism, although Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s cultivation had increased. However, it was said that the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength had also increased, achieving the level of a Five Qi Grandmaster, and among the Five Qi Grandmasters he had fought, only Xiao Qianqiu escaped death, and all other Five Qi Grandmasters had perished, indicating the terrifying power of the Ghost Swordsman. Had Zongzheng Huachun broke through to the Great Grandmaster level, this duel would have been utterly safe, but if not, what chances did Zongzheng Huachun have against the undefeatable Sword Immortal in battle now? Zongzheng Huachun glanced at the high-ranking masters behind Zongzheng Yue and waved his hand, saying, ¡°You all must be tired too, you can go back and rest.¡± ¡°Your subordinates will take their leave.¡± Upon hearing this, everyone stood up, bowed, and left. Zongzheng Yue wanted to caution everyone not to divulge this news, but noticing that Zongzheng Huachun remained silent, she didn¡¯t say anything further. After all, Zongzheng Huachun had always managed these matters flawlessly in the past. Could his attitude today be intentional? Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°How has the royal court been lately?¡± Zongzheng Yue saluted and replied, ¡°To report to Father Emperor, everything is normal within the royal court. I have eliminated some fickle supporters and have also rooted out spies from Great Yan and the Demon Sect.¡± Zongzheng Huachun sneered, ¡°Don¡¯t bother with them anymore. After the battle at Bashan, we can deal with them then.¡± Not everyone is going to die loyal to Houjin, as in this world, the majority are like grass on top of a wall. Zongzheng Yue nodded slightly, then thinking of something, he said, ¡°After Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s demise, Princes An Le, with the support of the Ghost Swordsman, became the new Human Emperor, known as the Emperor of Yong¡¯an. According to intelligence, she quickly took control of the royal power and the court, her ruthless and decisive tactics being astonishing.¡± When Zhao Zhiwu frequently summoned Zhao Xuening, Houjin¡¯s spies had targeted her, since she also was a potential successor to become the Great Yan Emperor. The spies from Houjin needed to monitor all potential heirs to the Human Emperor¡¯s position. At this moment, the situation also confirmed Houjin¡¯s speculation as this princess had overtaken Zhao Chongyin, becoming the Great Yan Emperor. If it had been just relying on the Ghost Swordsman, solving the court side of things wouldn¡¯t have been so easily accomplished. Obviously, this new Human Emperor had her own iron-blooded methods, cutting through the court chaos swiftly like a hot knife through butter. Zongzheng Huachun narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°Zhao Zhiwu was no simple character. He left behind Princess An Le for a deeper purpose. What is the princess¡¯s strength?¡± Zongzheng Yue thought for a moment and then said, ¡°Previously she was considered a martial arts waste and did not focus on that area. Since ascending the throne, there has not yet been a sighting of her in action.¡± Zongzheng Huachun said indifferently, ¡°Zhao Zhiwu is an old fox. He likes to keep a trick or two up his sleeve. Even if Princess An Le has no cultivation, he must still have other methods to protect the royal family. The remains of a Great Grandmaster will produce a strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. It¡¯s not truly an invaluable treasure; we still don¡¯t know where this Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence has gone.¡± As each person has a different position, so too does each treasure vary in significance to each individual. Zongzheng Huachun, being such a figure, deems Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence extremely precious, indicative of its true value. Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, being the true essence of heaven and earth, was formerly found in places with caves and blessed sites. Nowadays, such sites in the world are much fewer, and it has become impossible to locate this Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. Only amongst the remains of a Great Grandmaster can a thread of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence be found. Zongzheng Yue nodded, ¡°The person Zhao Zhiwu picked, this Human Emperor really likes to manipulate political tactics, and surely it¡¯s not so simple.¡± Zongzheng Huachun looked towards the south and, somehow thinking of that sword, he felt like there was a flame burning in his heart. This swordsman has not been defeated to date, much like how this world has not been unified yet; for him, it was something no outsider had ever achieved. And the road must be taken one step at a time, each barrier crossed one after another. Zongzheng Yue suddenly exclaimed, ¡°Father, could it be that the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was given to the Ghost Swordsman?¡± If the Ghost Swordsman received the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, coupled with his own accumulation, could his cultivation break through to Great Grandmaster? Thinking of this, Zongzheng Yue broke out in a cold sweat. Zongzheng Huachun shook his head and said, ¡°Impossible, the Ghost Swordsman is not a person Zhao Zhiwu trusted but rather someone he was wary of. How could he possibly have given this extremely precious Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence to the Ghost Swordsman?¡± Upon hearing this, Zongzheng Yue finally eased his breath slightly. Right, the Ghost Swordsman is from the Demon Sect, and Zhao Zhiwu had always been wary of the Demon Sect. How could he possibly have given the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence to the Ghost Swordsman? ¡°Let¡¯s go out and walk around; I want to have a look at the Royal Court.¡± Zongzheng Huachun said as he proceeded to walk out of the chamber. ¡°Yes!¡± Just then, Zongzheng Yue saw a spark of light in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes. Although it was fleeting, Zongzheng Yue still caught it. ¡­.. Yujing City, Lv Mansion¡¯s grand hall. An Jing sat in the guest seat, holding the fine tea served to esteemed guests at the Lv Mansion, and then he gently sipped it. Tomorrow, he would set out for Houjin Bashan, but on this final day, An Jing wanted to visit this once paramount scholar of Ruyun and unravel some of the perplexities in his heart. Soon, an aged figure emerged from the back hall. ¡°Master Lv.¡± An Jing slowly stood up and greeted the elder with a fist salute. Since the destruction of the Literary Palace, Lv Guoyong had aged considerably, his already elderly visage now enshrouded in an air of twilight. From ancient times to the present, the twilight years of heroes have always been among the most poignant of themes. Yet, from this twilight aura, An Jing perceived a distinct sentiment that involuntarily invigorated the spirit. ¡°Sit.¡± Lv Guoyong took his seat at the head and smiled, ¡°I¡¯ve long known you would come, lad.¡± An Jing also sat down and said, ¡°Every time I plan to visit, Master Lv seems to know. I really thought Master Lv had planted a pair of eyes around me.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Upon hearing An Jing¡¯s remark, Lv Guoyong couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. An Jing did not laugh, his expression retaining a degree of seriousness. Lv Guoyong shook his head with a smile, ¡°You really are an interesting young fellow.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Is that not so?¡± Due to Tan Yun¡¯s relationship, coupled with the elder¡¯s display of friendliness and his aged body, An Jing gradually lowered his guard, yet the elder before him had dominated the Great Yan Dynasty court for sixty years with bloodier hands than An Jing¡¯s from mere killings. One of his disciples was the head of the Demon Sect, and another was the Grandmaster Zhao Tianyi. Lv Guoyong himself had once battled three Five Qi Grandmasters, even slaying one of them. If not for the special intervention of Xi Hafu, and Qin Shan¡¯s decisive action to protect Qi Xuan Dao by staying back, possibly all three would have perished. The elderly man in front of him with one foot in the grave was no simple character. Lv Guoyong shook his head and said, ¡°That¡¯s not right.¡± An Jing responded, ¡°If Master Lv says it¡¯s not right, then it isn¡¯t.¡± Lv Guoyong solemnly said, ¡°You¡¯re thinking too much. The smart people in the world make one fatal error¨Covercomplicating things.¡± An Jing calmly replied, ¡°Though I am not smart, I do tend to think a lot.¡± Lv Guoyong slowly said, ¡°Thinking too much is not good, it¡¯s better for people not to have too many distractions, just proceed step by step, like the sun rising every day, and people eating, drinking, and breathing.¡± An Jing indifferently said, ¡°So you mean like a walking corpse without thoughts?¡± Lv Guoyong picked up his tea cup and earnestly said, ¡°You are wrong. The less people know, the happier they are.¡± Knowing too much is never a good thing, for anyone. ¡°Master Lv is right about that, so I try not to pry too deeply into things.¡± An Jing acknowledged noncommittally with a nod, ¡°But there are some things I would still like to have clarified. Can Mr. Zhou now represent Master Lv?¡± Lv Guoyong said, ¡°Zhou Xianming is Zhou Xianming, and I am me. He has his own path to follow, and he can only represent himself.¡± An Jing indifferently stated, ¡°Yet, I feel Mr. Zhou seems to be walking the path Master Lv wants to walk.¡± Zhou Xianming had imperceptibly replaced Lv Guoyong¡¯s position in the royal court, gradually becoming the foremost scholar of Ruyun, and the confidant of the Emperor of Yong¡¯an. Zhou Xianming¡¯s career had progressed too smoothly; his rise among the courtiers had been meteoric. Although Zhou Xianming was talented, it was nearly impossible to assume such a significant role within the court in such a short time without major backing. Everyone knew it was Lv Guoyong, yet everyone also overlooked him, believing Zhou Xianming to be merely his promoted successor. However, in An Jing¡¯s view, the matter was not just about a simple successorship. Establishing the Martial Arts Academy was effectively controlling Jianghu, which Zhou Xianming might have realized from previous discussions with An Jing. But alone, he couldn¡¯t have had the nerve and capability to do this, even with the support of the Royal Family. So who was behind it all? After much thought, An Jing could only think of one person¨Cthe paramount scholar who shattered the Literary Palace. Zhou Xianming¡¯s actions were merely supported by Lv Guoyong. Zhou Xianming was the will of the elderly man before him, or simply put, Zhou Xianming was his puppet. This ambitious foremost scholar of Ruyun intended to completely demolish Jianghu or, by recruiting it entirely, accomplish an unprecedented reform. Lv Guoyong looked at An Jing and softly said, ¡°That is the path he chose himself, and it has nothing to do with me.¡± An Jing nodded, slowly stood up, ¡°I understand now. Since my doubts have been cleared, I shall take my leave.¡± Saying so, An Jing walked toward the exit of the hall. Lv Guoyong watched An Jing¡¯s departing figure until he completely vanished from sight. Before long, Lv Fang came in and whispered, ¡°Father, An Jing has left.¡± Lv Guoyong, still looking in the direction where An Jing had disappeared, quietly said, ¡°Do you know what a sword is?¡± Lv Fang, sensing the depth of the question, honestly shook his head, ¡°I do not.¡± Lv Guoyong let out a long sigh, ¡°A sword has two edges, both cutting sides; sometimes it wounds the enemy, sometimes it wounds oneself.¡± Lv Fang asked, ¡°Father, are you referring to An Jing?¡± Lv Guoyong nodded, ¡°This sword is the biggest variable.¡± Upon hearing this, Lv Fang¡¯s face briefly changed, but he quickly recovered, ¡°Father, what do you mean?¡± Lv Guoyong slowly stood up and took a few steps toward the exit of the hall. ¡°A sword is ultimately a sword, it must be firmly held in hand.¡± ¡­.. In the backyard of the Lv Mansion. Tan Yun squatted on a stone stool, holding a box of cakes wrapped in cowhide paper, blissfully indulging in the treat. ¡°Woof woof!¡± ¡°Woof woof!¡± The little black puppy gazed longingly at the cakes, continuously pawing at Tan Yun¡¯s pleated skirt. Li Fuzhou stood by, irritably said, ¡°Look at you now, lacking posture in sitting, lacking manners in eating.¡± Tan Yun glanced over, muttered, ¡°My fiance is better, he never scolds me, you all nag endlessly.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Li Fuzhou furrowed his brows. Tan Yun blinked her large eyes, saying, ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything.¡± Li Fuzhou glanced at Tan Yun, then turned his back, hands clasped as he looked toward the distant horizon. Just then, a figure slowly approached from afar. ¡°Son-in-law!¡± Upon seeing the newcomer, Tan Yun immediately ran over excitedly. An Jing watched the bouncing Tan Yun and couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Look at you, your mouth is all covered in food.¡± Li Fuzhou also walked over, ¡°Son-in-law.¡± An Jing nodded slightly, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve said all that needs to be said.¡± Li Fuzhou¡¯s eyelid twitched and he nodded subtly. In this fleeting moment, which most people would not have noticed, An Jing saw it all clearly and couldn¡¯t help saying, ¡°Third Master, it seems you are very curious about what I discussed with Old Master Lv.¡± Li Fuzhou said, ¡°Curious is not the word, but if son-in-law wishes to share, I am all ears.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Old Master Lv said that you are his good student and his most proud pupil.¡± Upon hearing this, Li Fuzhou couldn¡¯t help but laugh dryly, ¡°The teacher would never say such words.¡± An Jing countered, ¡°Then what do you think Old Master Lv would say?¡± Without hesitation, Li Fuzhou replied, ¡°The teacher is not one to speak much, he wouldn¡¯t say anything.¡± An Jing patted Li Fuzhou¡¯s shoulder, ¡°He indeed didn¡¯t say anything.¡± Li Fuzhou glanced at An Jing¡¯s action and sighed deeply within, no longer speaking. At this moment, the atmosphere gradually became delicate. Tan Yun, oblivious to the subtle mood, played with Xiaohui while saying, ¡°Son-in-law, are you going to Houjin? Can I come with you this time?¡± Li Fuzhou immediately scolded sternly, ¡°Nonsense! What are you going for? Just stay home and behave.¡± Seeing Li Fuzhou so stern, Tan Yun shrank her neck and whispered, ¡°I¡¯m just worried about son-in-law.¡± She really wanted to witness this decisive battle. She didn¡¯t care about the situation concerning everyone else; she was only concerned about An Jing¡¯s safety. An Jing chuckled, ¡°Wait for my return.¡± Li Fuzhou grunted, ¡°Don¡¯t sneak along, you would only make a mess.¡± While others might not follow, Tan Yun, being bold and carefree, might just sneak behind despite repeated warnings. ¡°I understand, Master.¡± Tan Yun opened her mouth, then bowed her head, ¡°Son-in-law, go ahead without worries, I won¡¯t cause you any trouble this time.¡± An Jing chuckled, stroking Tan Yun¡¯s hair bun, ¡°No, I have never felt that you were a burden.¡± Upon hearing this, Tan Yun instantly felt a warm flow in her heart. It seems only son-in-law never disdained her, never thought of her as a nuisance. Seeing this, Li Fuzhou sighed within his heart. ¡­.. Zhao Country, Cloud Tower. The tower top, soaring high into the clouds, was biting cold. The Cloud Tower is the sacred place of Zhao Country; the tower top is even more sacred, rarely visited by people. Anyone who reaches it would be greatly surprised, for there lies a place beyond the mundane there. Here sat a not too small Jade Tower, where strands of blood seeped out, dyeing the surrounding clouds red. From time to time, chilling cries could be heard from within. Atop the floor of the tower was a large stone slab, embedded with grooves that twisted and turned, nine bends and eighteen turns; currently, these grooves were flowing with golden blood, originating from an exotic beast. The beast resembled a fox with horns on its back and was golden in color. This extraordinary exotic beast, known as Chenghuang, was the guardian beast of Zhao Country. The blood of Chenghuang is immensely precious, capable of greatly increasing one¡¯s lifespan; the one capturing this Chenghuang was none other than Jianghu¡¯s renowned Old Man Qian Qiu, the Immortal. At that moment, his palm wielded a short knife, continuously drawing Chenghuang¡¯s fresh blood. These golden blood quickly filled the grooves. Seeing this, Qian Qiu threw Chenghuang aside; it cried out in pain, fearfully glanced at Qian Qiu, and cautiously crawled away. Qian Qiu paid Chenghuang no further attention but lifted his shirt, revealing a chest crisscrossed with dense, ghastly scars, with some wounds even showing stark white bones. An ordinary person would have died several times from such injuries. While these thoughts crossed his mind, Qian Qiu suddenly released streaks of yellow light from the grooves; these lights, as if sentient, surged toward Qian Qiu¡¯s chest. Under this glow, the ghastly wounds began to stop bleeding, and the flesh over the bones started to heal. After dozens of breaths, Qian Qiu finally exhaled, then gently closed his robe. ¡°Teacher.¡± Qi Xuan Dao, seeing this, spoke softly, ¡°Has your wound not healed yet?¡± He remembered being shocked the first time he saw these injuries; could a regular person really sustain such severe damage? This could only mean one thing: the person before him was not an ordinary human. Qian Qiu spoke indifferently, ¡°These injuries were inflicted during the killing of four Great Grandmasters; their dying strikes were desperate, especially the Daoist Master of the Mystical Sect. They are not so easily healed.¡± Even Qi Xuan Dao felt a chill at that notion, realizing just how fierce the battle between Qian Qiu and those grandmasters had been. Thinking of something, Qi Xuan Dao spoke with concern, ¡°Teacher, it¡¯s said that another Great Grandmaster has appeared at the Dragon Locking Well.¡± Even though the Great Yan Dynasty tried to suppress the news, none can seal it completely; the news of Wang Yangsheng attempting to forcefully enter the Dragon Locking Well still reached the Black Ice Platform. Qian Qiu indifferently asked, ¡°What¡¯s his name?¡± He had seen too many Great Grandmasters, and he had encountered every sort of genius and powerful master there was. Therefore, when he heard that a Great Grandmaster had appeared, he would remain as calm as a gentle breeze and drifting clouds, undisturbed by the news. Qi Xuan Dao said, ¡°Wang Yangsheng.¡± ¡°So it was him.¡± Qian Qiu pondered for a few moments before saying, ¡°I have seen this man before. He wanted to rebel and overthrow the Great Qin Emperor, seizing the Earth Vein Spirit from the Emperor¡¯s hands, but he ultimately failed. I did not expect him to have survived.¡± Upon hearing this, Qi Xuan Dao suddenly realized, ¡°So he was after the Earth Vein Spirit back then!¡± In the historical records, Wang Yangsheng was indeed a rebellious conspirator, but the history books recorded that he launched a coup for the emperor¡¯s throne, and ultimately, the Great Qin Emperor thwarted him, turning him into a mere speck of dust under the wheels of rolling history. Qian Qiu sneered, ¡°Throughout history, Great Grandmasters have always been after the Earth Vein Spirit. Could it possibly be for that readily obtainable throne?¡± In his view, the so-called throne was nothing readily obtainable after all, whereas the Earth Vein Spirit was an artifact that could alter the heaven and earth¡¯s creation. Qian Qiu continued, ¡°While the Earth Vein Spirit has not yet fully matured, whoever holds it finds it to be a hot potato. Therefore, this old man shall not take it for now; I¡¯ll just wait until it matures and pick it then.¡± Qi Xuan Dao expressed his worries, ¡°Right now, both Xi Hafu, Wang Yangsheng, and other visible and hidden masters from the Great Yan Royal Family covet the Dragon Locking Well. Teacher, you are also severely injured; when the time comes¡­.¡± With so many masters in the world, if Qian Qiu were in his prime and without any injuries, dealing with a group of masters would naturally not be difficult. But now that Qian Qiu had suffered such severe injuries, how could he compete with the numerous heroes of the world? Qian Qiu calmly said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry; by that time, your teacher will naturally have restored his full strength.¡± Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s eyes flashed with shock, ¡°Teacher, do you have a way to restore your full strength?¡± This Great Grandmaster, who had slain countless masters throughout history, how terrifying would it be if he could restore his full strength? Qian Qiu slowly said, ¡°I can sense that the maturation of the Earth Vein Spirit is nearing. What needs to be done now depends on the third one.¡± ¡°That Ghost Swordsman, he is a threat.¡± The voice of Qian Qiu deepened slightly. Even he was taken aback by the five Qi Grandmasters in their twenties, especially when they were recently continuously slaying other Five Qi Grandmasters, which only intensified his unease. A swordsman worthy of being called a Sword Immortal was invincible among his peers. If he reached the Grandmaster Realm, he might become a significant threat to him at that time. Qi Xuan Dao pondered for a long while before saying, ¡°The third absorbed a wisp of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness; reaching the Grandmaster Realm should not be difficult.¡± ¡°I am still not reassured; I have been plotting for a thousand years just for this moment, and there must not be any negligence or slip-ups.¡± Qian Qiu took a deep breath and said, ¡°You must go to Houjin Bashan immediately, and be sure to strike at the most critical moment to deliver a fatal blow to that Ghost Swordsman. I need only one result, and that is his death.¡± Qian Qiu uttered these final words almost syllable by syllable, his tone remaining very calm as if he were discussing a trivial matter. For centuries, he had been doing one thing ¡ª waiting for the maturity of the Earth Vein Spirit and eliminating those who posed a threat to him. In his view, the only current threat to him was Xi Hafu of Buddha, a master as formidable as Buddha in life, but he also had a way to deal with him. Next was not the suddenly emerged Wang Yangsheng, but the Ghost Swordsman. He had not been concerned about this prodigy swordsman who suddenly came into the limelight. However, it was not until this swordsman rapidly reached the rank of Five Qi Grandmaster and successively slew several Five Qi Grandmasters that he finally sensed a hint of dangerous aura. Preventing disaster before it happens is his credo. Qi Xuan Dao took a deep breath and said, ¡°I will set off now.¡± Having said that, Qi Xuan Dao turned and walked outside. After all, Zhao Country was very far from Houjin, and the time for the decisive battle between Zongzheng Huachun and the Ghost Swordsman was also imminent. An Jing watched the receding figure of Qi Xuan Dao, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes. ¡­¡­. Nanping Dao, the borderland between the Southern Barbarians and Yan Country. The distant mountains, shrouded in a veil of light mist, appeared indistinct, fluctuating between near and far within the elusive clouds as if imperceptibly connected and separate. They resembled faint ink strokes against the blue skyline. The ruler of the Southern Barbarians stood atop a mountain peak in the Great Hundred Mountains, gazing at the distant sea of clouds. He was a sensitive man. At that moment, watching the solitary clouds, he couldn¡¯t help but think back to the time when he proudly set out with ten Great Wizards of the Southern Barbarians, only to have all of them killed by Xiao Qianqiu alone. The strength of this State Preceptor of Great Yan had truly startled him. Those were ten Great Wizards, making up seventy percent of the master-level experts compared to the weak Southern Barbarians. The ruler of the Southern Barbarians suddenly realized that the world¡¯s situation was still tumultuously changing, and he had acted too early. It was due to his misjudgment that the Southern Barbarians had already stepped into a plight from which they could not recover. Now that Great Grandmasters were frequently appearing, how could the Southern Barbarians maneuver among these powers? ¡°Cong Yue.¡± The ruler of the Southern Barbarians said softly. ¡°Present.¡± A woman approached, her figure as finely sculpted as if chiseled, and her demeanor shy like rain, bashful like clouds, with every movement exuding charm. Especially when she turned to smile, it brought countless allures that danced at the corners of her eyebrows. She was Cong Yue, the daughter of the Great Wizard Cong Chu from the Southern Barbarians. The ruler of the Southern Barbarians said, ¡°The decisive battle between the Ghost Swordsman and Zongzheng Huachun is about to start, isn¡¯t it?¡± Cong Yue nodded and said, ¡°Many top masters from all around have gone there, taking positions in Bashan. It is said that the tea houses and taverns there have already opened.¡± Now the top masters of the world gather in Bashan, solely to witness the battle between the Holy Master of Houjin and the Ghost Swordsman. The two of them, one being the top master of Great Yan and the other the top master of Houjin, graphically speaking, their fight essentially will decide the fate of the two nations and also influence the current world situation. The ruler of the Southern Barbarians sighed deeply and said, ¡°This is indeed interesting.¡± Curious, Cong Yue asked, ¡°My lord, have you seen Zongzheng Huachun?¡± The ruler of the Southern Barbarians fell into reminiscence and said, ¡°I met him once many years ago; the man indeed has an extraordinary demeanor.¡± Cong Yue continued asking, ¡°Then have you seen the Ghost Swordsman, my lord?¡± The ruler of the Southern Barbarians shook his head and said, ¡°No, the Ghost Swordsman has only been around for about three years.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only At this point, he paused, struck by a thought. The Ghost Swordsman had only been around for three years. Cong Yue remarked, ¡°It is said that he is very young; I wonder just how young he is.¡± A gleam flashed through the ruler of the Southern Barbarians¡¯ eyes, and then he slowly said, ¡°Come, let¡¯s also go to Bashan to see this epochal battle.¡± ¡­. Chapter 385 - Chapter 385 Chapter 285 An Epoch-Defying Battle Shocks the Chapter 385: Chapter 285: An Epoch-Defying Battle Shocks the Winds and Clouds Chapter 385: Chapter 285: An Epoch-Defying Battle Shocks the Winds and Clouds On the seventh day of September, the sky was clear, and the air was crisp. Auspicious for marriage, moving house, and breaking ground. Inauspicious for opening a business, installing a bed, and performing a consecration ceremony. The warm sunlight filtered through the air, filled with a leisurely, lingering scent of sandalwood that suffused the deep autumn, satisfying the emptiness between heaven and earth. Atop Wangjing Mountain, a fierce Black Flood Dragon was coiling around in the forest. An Jing gently stroked the scales of the Black Flood Dragon, feeling the icy cold glint through them. Seeing this scene, he couldn¡¯t help but recall the year when he, along with the Black Flood Dragon and Lou Xiangzhen, roamed Jianghu. Time had flown swiftly, nearly two years had blinked by. Zhao Qingmei, carrying a sword box on her back and holding two jars of wine, approached without a word, her gaze steady on An Jing. The Demon Sect¡¯s experts had already set out for Ba Mountain; at this moment, they were either on their way or had already arrived early to prepare in the surroundings. ¡°Here!¡± Zhao Qingmei handed one of the wine jars to An Jing. An Jing took the wine jar, then glanced at the sword box on Zhao Qingmei¡¯s back and couldn¡¯t help but laugh. Zhao Qingmei glared at An Jing, ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± An Jing pinched Zhao Qingmei¡¯s tender cheek with his hand, ¡°I just think it¡¯s quite cute.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Zhao Qingmei huffed, ¡°Can¡¯t you use another word? I¡¯m sick of hearing that one.¡± An Jing took a big gulp from the wine jar, ¡°Then I won¡¯t say it anymore.¡± ¡°You dare not!¡± Zhao Qingmei halted the jar she was holding and then turned to An Jing, ¡°I may be sick of it, but you still need to say it.¡± ¡°Sick of it and still want to hear it?¡± ¡°Sick of it, but still need to hear it.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll just use a different word.¡± ¡°What word?¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s pretty amusing.¡± ¡°Then just say cute.¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. Zhao Qingmei hammered An Jing¡¯s arm with her left hand, ¡°What are you laughing at?¡± An Jing replied with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m laughing at how my wife can be so adorable.¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± Zhao Qingmei turned her head away, a slight smile tugging at her lips. An Jing raised the wine jar and said, ¡°My lady, let¡¯s drink.¡± Zhao Qingmei eyed the jar close at hand, ¡°What for?¡± An Jing replied, ¡°To clink jars! It¡¯s all about the sense of ritual. Don¡¯t you want to do that with me?¡± ¡°Clink!¡± Zhao Qingmei lifted the jar slightly and tapped it against his. Both took a big swig of wine, and with Zhao Qingmei having been raised in Jianghu, the fiery liquor was nothing to her. ¡°Once finished, you throw the jar out like this.¡± After finishing her drink, Zhao Qingmei hurled her wine jar into the distance among the broken stones, where it hit with a crisp snap and shattered into pieces. An Jing, puzzled, asked, ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Dolt, it signifies wishing for peace year after year,¡± Zhao Qingmei retorted, her big eyes blinking rapidly, urging him, ¡°Come on, throw yours.¡± ¡°Alright then.¡± An Jing too threw his jar toward the rocky ground, where it broke apart upon impact. Zhao Qingmei nodded in approval, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± Just then, a gigantic bird descended from the sky amidst swirling leaves in the forest¨CHonghu. Zhao Qingmei leaped gracefully onto Honghu¡¯s back. An Jing sat on the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s back, and with a laugh said, ¡°My lady, let¡¯s see who¡¯s faster.¡± ¡°Childish.¡± Zhao Qingmei rolled her eyes at An Jing, then, with her True Qi flowing into Honghu¡¯s acupoints, the bird transformed into a streak of red light and flew northward. ¡°So you play tricks!¡± Seeing this, An Jing quickly urged the slumberous Black Flood Dragon beneath him, ¡°Hurry, get going.¡± The Black Flood Dragon yawned lazily before leisurely taking to the sky. In the sky above, the pair were one behind the other. Under the warm sunlight, there they were¨Cthe enigmatic, solitary, and elegant shadows of their former selves. ¡­¡­ Imperial City, the rear garden. Even though it was autumn, the garden still flaunted many evergreens standing tall. The Yong¡¯an Emperor lounged lethargically on a couch, watching the fat carp swim in the distant pond. She was clad in a white gauze dress that gave an impression of purity and transparency, with a light purple sash draped over her shoulders. A breeze revealed her fair, smooth legs¨Cthe gauze dress and sash clinging to her body, distinctly outlining her delicate figure. Before long, Bai Mei, the eunuch, made his way over slowly, ¡°Your Majesty, the Ghost Swordsman has departed.¡± ¡°We are aware,¡± the Yong¡¯an Emperor replied indifferently. ¡°Now that the Ghost Swordsman has left, and so has Xi Hafu, it¡¯s probable that some miscreants may attempt to penetrate the Dragon Locking Well. Pay extra attention to the situation there.¡± Although Fa Wu of the Buddhist sect, along with Tianyi Bodhisattva, guarded the Dragon Locking Well¨Cparticularly as Fa Wu had absorbed all the relics of the Buddhist sect to become a Five Qi Grandmaster, and Tianyi Bodhisattva was already a long-renowned Four Qi Grandmaster of the Buddhist sect, coupled with many other mighty experts of the Royal Family¨Cit was still necessary to be vigilant. Fa Wu had attained the status of Five Qi Grandmaster primarily through the assistance of Shariputra relics, likely making him the weakest among the Five Qi Grandmasters. His strength was probably comparable to that of Su Tianze, who stood beside Zhao Chongyin and was also a Five Qi Grandmaster¨Cperhaps even slightly weaker, considering Su Tianze had reached the realm quite some time ago while Fa Wu seemed to have achieved it only recently. ¡°This servant understands,¡± Bai Mei replied, nodding his head before standing aside with his eyes slightly closed. The Yong¡¯an Emperor gestured dismissively, ¡°You should rest, Eunuch Ming.¡± The aged Bai Mei had served under three Emperors and thus was considered exceptionally long-lived. Opening his eyes, Bai Mei spoke softly, ¡°This servant does not wish to be troublesome.¡± The Yong¡¯an Emperor responded coolly, ¡°We are now ordering you to rest.¡± Upon hearing this, a touch of warmth filled Bai Mei¡¯s heart, ¡°This servant obeys.¡± With a slight bow, Bai Mei slowly retreated backward. His movements were still meticulous, extremely rigorous and serious. The Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an watched as the white-browed eunuch left before turning her head to gaze at the distant horizon, where the fluffy white clouds seemed to morph into the shape of the person in her heart, causing her to be slightly dazed. It was as if there was a poison that infected one unknowingly, but as time passed, the poison grew deeper and the heart ached more intensely. ¡­¡­ With the arrival of the Double Ninth Festival in September, the situation in the world changed unpredictably, and countless masters headed towards Ba Mountain to witness the duel between the two top masters of the day. Ever since Xi Hafu became a Great Grandmaster, he had vanished from sight, his reputation naturally needed no elaboration-being the only visible Great Grandmaster in the world and moreover a Buddhist one. Aside from this rarely seen Divine Dragon, the other two currently most sought-after masters were none other than Zongzheng Huachun and the Ghost Swordsman. As the Holy Master of Houjin, Zongzheng Huachun had previously been rumored to be a top-tier Five Qi Grandmaster in the world. The Demon Sect master Jun Qinglin had died indirectly at his hands, and later on in Yujing City, he was even more fortunate to receive a thread of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness, which granted him enormous benefits. Thereafter, he remained in seclusion, eagerly hoping to break through his limits with the assistance of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s consciousness. As for the Ghost Swordsman, needless to say, he was an undefeated Sword Immortal of the current age, who had never been bested and had defeated countless masters, including several Five Qi Grandmasters. In his possession were the first- and third-ranked famous swords, the Dulu Sword and the Evil Suppressing Sword. The duel between two top-tier masters was already very attractive, not to mention that the current battle between the two concerned the national fate of Great Yan and Houjin, as well as the future direction of the world. At this moment, on a mountain peak far away from Ba Mountain, someone had already built a teahouse and constructed a viewing platform. Those daring enough to build a teahouse and craft a viewing platform here were naturally no ordinary people but backed by a formidable power, none other than the Outer Heaven Island Master Wu Bai. Last time, he received an invitation from Houjin and Zhao Country, and although shocked in his heart, he still felt some unease, so he only sent two masters to join the royal hunt at Yujing City. But this time was different, it was a decisive battle concerning the global situation, and Outer Heaven Island naturally could not stay out of it. Not just Outer Heaven Island, masters from Yan Country and Zhao Country also came in large numbers, including masters from Bibo Island, White Mist Sect, and the Seven Snakes Association, all present. It could be said that all renowned forces and masters of the current world had now emerged. Moreover, there were some unfamiliar faces among them, each exuding an extraordinary aura, with no lack of Grandmaster Qi mechanisms, all of them old turtles that had hidden away in the pond to cultivate in seclusion. The surroundings of Ba Mountain were a mix of dragons and snakes, with masters from all over the world gathering together-a truly lively and bustling scene with debates and discussions erupting everywhere. ¡°This is really interesting; so many masters have gathered here,¡± said the Island Master of Bibo Island. The Sect Leader of the White Mist Sect indifferently said, ¡°After all, both of them are top-tier masters of this era.¡± ¡°This Ghost Swordsman¡¯s reputation has long been established, but I¡¯ve never had the chance to witness his elegance,¡± the Island Master of Bibo Island noted with a sense of yearning. Bibo Island, a top force in Jianghu within Zhao Country, did not get along with the Black Ice Platform and was often oppressed and sanctioned by it, gathering many masters who opposed the Black Ice Platform. Therefore, Bibo Island held the Ghost Swordsman, who killed Qi Shu, in high esteem. ¡°Today will surely be a battle for the ages,¡± the Sect Leader of the White Mist Sect stated. The Island Master of Bibo Island nodded in agreement; a duel between such top-tier masters would be determined by a hair¡¯s breadth. On a mountain peak in the distance, two Daoists dressed in robes appeared, none other than Xiao Qianqiu and Luo Chongyang. Luo Chongyang asked, ¡°You¡¯ve fought with him and know his strength. In your opinion, what are his chances of winning?¡± Xiao Qianqiu pondered and said, ¡°I¡¯m unsure about the odds, nephew, but if he gives his all, I think no Five Qi Grandmaster would be his match.¡± A glint of sharpness flashed in Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyes as he said, ¡°So, unless Zongzheng Huachun has reached the level of a Great Grandmaster?¡± Knowing well Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s strength, if he spoke so, then An Jing was invincible at his level, unless Zongzheng Huachun had reached the realm of a Great Grandmaster. However, rumors suggested Zongzheng Huachun had completely assimilated the Earth Vein Spirit but had not reached the Great Grandmaster realm, so it seemed that An Jing stood a good chance of victory today. ¡°Victory is not determined by my pronouncement, nor by Heaven¡¯s decree,¡± Xiao Qianqiu remarked as he gazed towards Ba Mountain in the distance, ¡°it¡¯s decided by the two combatants in the decisive battle.¡± Luo Chongyang nodded slightly and then fell silent. At this time, around the Ba Mountain, high-ranking experts from all over the world hid in the mountains, all of them quietly waiting for the arrival of Zongzheng Huachun and the Ghost Swordsman. ¡°Look over there!¡± someone exclaimed. ¡°The iron cavalry of Houjin, that¡¯s Houjin¡¯s iron cavalry!¡± ¡°What a majestic imperial chariot!¡± ¡­¡­. Just at that moment, a rumbling sound like thunder came from afar, and the ground began to tremble. Everyone hurriedly turned toward the source of the noise. Rows of black cavalry charged forward, each rider clad in black armor that reflected a cold light under the sun. They bore long swords specially made by Houjin at their waists and the steppe¡¯s crab bows on their backs. Their faces were devoid of any expression, which made onlookers solemn. These were the elite of the elite from Houjin, and many martial arts masters from Jianghu felt a chill in their hearts upon seeing this formidable cavalry filled with a deadly aura. Even the top Jianghu masters, if surrounded by such a fierce army, would see no escape. The oppressive ranks of the black cavalry came hurtling from afar. Through the smoke of battle, one could clearly see an imperial chariot, drawn by eight robust and muscular white horses. The coachmen leading the horses in front of the chariot were two grandmasters from the Great Snow Mountain, both Dharma Kings. Seeing this scene, numerous Jianghu masters retreated to make way. Ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains bow to the supreme, the Yulin iron cavalry gathers like clouds. With the elite Houjin cavalry clearing the way and the Great Snow Mountain Dharma Kings driving the chariot, the identity of the person within the chariot seemed obvious. Everyone looked toward the imperial chariot. One of the Dharma Kings said respectfully to someone behind the curtain, ¡°Holy Master, we have arrived.¡± ¡°I know.¡± A vigorous voice came from behind the curtain. The curtain was lifted, and Zongzheng Huachun walked out slowly, his demeanor calm and unfathomable, much like a deep and bottomless cold pool. Xiao Qianqiu watched the Holy Master emerge and said, ¡°Unfathomable.¡± Luo Chongyang¡¯s face slightly changed, his brows furrowed tightly. The deeper one felt the Heavenly Human Communication, the deeper was the sensing of danger. From this Houjin Holy Master, he felt an unprecedented crisis. In the distance, the leader of the Southern Barbarians watched Zongzheng Huachun emerge and said, ¡°Is this the power of the Earth Vein Spirit?¡± Being a Five Qi Grandmaster himself, he felt there was a vast difference between himself and Zongzheng Huachun. At the scene, ordinary Jianghu martial artists were amazed at the imposing entrance of Zongzheng Huachun, but the top masters had discerned something different, and each of their expressions grew grave. They understood better than anyone the terrifying aura emitted by Zongzheng Huachun. Zongzheng Huachun leaped onto Ba Mountain with a single bound, his hands clasped behind his back and his yellow dragon robe fluttering loudly in the fierce wind. ¡°When will the Ghost Swordsman arrive?¡± ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be any mishap, right?¡± ¡°How could there be? Unless he doesn¡¯t dare come.¡± ¡°Would the Ghost Swordsman not dare to come?¡± ¡­¡­ Seeing Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s appearance, the Jianghu martial artists at the scene were all abuzz with discussion, their hearts becoming incredibly fired up as they looked forward even more to this unparalleled decisive battle. ¡°What is that!?¡± All of a sudden, billowing dust rose in the distance, and then, before everyone¡¯s eyes, a flag unfurled in the wind with a giant ¡®Qiu¡¯ character written on it. Hundreds and thousands of cavalrymen charged forward in a mighty flood, with the leader being a man in black armor, as round as a barrel¨Cthe big-bellied general. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only This man was Qiu Lun. Ever since Pingyang Guard Qiu Heng was imprisoned in the dungeons of Yujing City, his son, Qiu Lun, had taken control of the Pingyang Guard, and it was well known that this man was the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s close friend. After following the Ghost Swordsman into North Field, he had been stationed there all along, confronting Houjin¡¯s army. Even when the Ghost Swordsman returned to Yujing City, the Pingyang Guard¡¯s army did not retreat in the slightest, with its spears still firmly aimed at Houjin¡¯s royal court. It could be said without exaggeration that Qiu Lun was the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s army. ¡­¡­ Chapter 386 - Chapter 386 Chapter 286 The Final Battle in the Spotlight Chapter 386: Chapter 286: The Final Battle in the Spotlight Chapter 386: Chapter 286: The Final Battle in the Spotlight Upon seeing the iron cavalry of Pingyang Guard appearing, the gathered experts from all over the world were greatly heartened. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyelids twitched as well. The dust swirled up, and Qiu Lun tightened the reins, and his black steed neighed before stopping its hooves. Facing the many experts of Jianghu and the military might of Houjin, along with the attention of the Heavenly Martial Great Grandmaster, the Holy Master of Houjin, Qiu Lun laughed and said, ¡°Houjin sure has put up quite a show today!¡± ¡°Qiu Lun, you truly are not afraid of death!¡± Just then, a clear shout rang out. Jiren Tai rode forth from the Houjin army, a hint of mockery in his eyes. This Left Minister, one of Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s trusted aides and significant contributors to Houjin¡¯s rapid growth over the past twenty years, was not well understood by many; his achievements were not only astonishing in civil administration but also in military strategies, making him a talent in both pen and sword within the Houjin court. Qiu Lun, looking at Jiren Tai, a cold light flashed in his eyes. He said, ¡°A clay pot is not apart from the well¡¯s edge; a great general often dies in front of the formation. Ever since I put on this armor, I have not considered the matters of life and death.¡± Furthermore, you arrogant and ignorant child, you think you can kill me?¡± As Qiu Lun spoke, his inner strength surged, and his voice spread outward like ripples. Jiren Tai coldly said, ¡°Take a good look around; do you know where this is?¡± Meanwhile, the iron cavalry of Houjin had already closed in, and immediately, hundreds of thousands of troops faced off, the deadly aura of the military was about to explode, and the atmosphere instantly tensed to its limit. The experts present all held their breath and watched. ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Qiu Lun burst into laughter, turning to look back at the tens of thousands of Pingyang Guards. ¡°Did you hear the Left Minister¡¯s words? Are you afraid?¡± ¡°Kill! Kill! Kill!¡± The Pingyang Guards all raised their arms and shouted out loud; the sounds of fighting thunderous and earth-shaking. Seeing this, Jiren Tai narrowed his eyes. If it were an ordinary army witnessing this scene, they would not have been able to muster an ounce of resistance. But the Pingyang Guard? It was evident that Qiu Lun was an exceptional military commander, no less than his father, Qiu Heng. Jiren Tai waved his hand without a change in expression; the elite iron cavalry of Houjin all drew their curved bows from behind, their movements extremely synchronized. The experts from Great Yan Martial World, Zhao Country Martial World, and the Southern Barbarians, among others, did not understand Jiren Tai well, but the people of Houjin were very aware of the Left Minister¡¯s decisiveness and resolution. Qiu Lun also gripped the long saber in his hand, a sharp gleam appearing in his eyes. ¡°Roar!¡± Just then, an earth-shaking roar came from a distance. The sound had such penetrative power, like an arrow piercing straight through. The sound of a Flood Dragon! The entire world was well aware that the Ghost Swordsman had a Black Flood Dragon as his mount. Instantly, the experts around Ba Mountain were stirred up; the globally renowned, invincible Great Sword Immortal had finally arrived. Zongzheng Huachun also looked over, his eyes deep and gleaming, as if trying to peer through the air to see clearly the person coming from afar. In a few blinks, a whooshing sound came from the sky, and a massive Black Flood Dragon appeared before everyone. Merely looking at it evoked an extremely suffocating feeling. ¡°This¡­ what kind of exotic beast can someone actually tame¡­?¡± Some people gasped in shock. With such a huge form, giving off a terrifying and hair-raising aura, how could such an exotic beast be tamed? Jiren Tai also frowned, with a hint of solemnity in his eyes. Is this the Black Flood Dragon!? The Black Flood Dragon was inherently a ferocious and fierce exotic beast of the world; if it could transform into a True Dragon, its strength would not only match that of a Great Grandmaster but also have the continuous good fortune thereafter. The cultivation level of this Black Flood Dragon seemed near perfection, seemingly only a step away from transforming into a True Dragon. This Black Flood Dragon truly was a rare and precious exotic beast of the world. As the Black Flood Dragon drew nearer, everyone could clearly see a figure in white standing on its back. The person¡¯s robes danced in the violent wind, making a whipping sound, and his hair flowed like spilled ink. He carried a sword box on his back, as if carrying a mountain, but everyone in the world knew that the ¡®mountain¡¯ contained the sharpest blades of this age. An Jing¡¯s face was calm, letting the wild wind blow past him; he remained unmovable, like an ethereal Immortal. All eyes converged on the contemporary Sword Immortal, and even their breaths seemed to catch. The Ghost Swordsman had arrived! Only Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s heart remained as calm as water, tranquil and indifferent, with not a single ripple of disturbance. This day, it seemed, he had been waiting far too long. ¡°Big brother!¡± Qiu Lun looked up at the An Jing in the sky and joyfully said. An Jing nodded at Qiu Lun, then looked towards Zongzheng Huachun in the distance at Ba Mountain. ¡°Zongzheng Huachun, today is the day we conclude everything once and for all.¡± The most powerful among the world¡¯s experts and the Emperor of Houjin, the master of Snow Mountain. Zongzheng Huachun slowly said, ¡°From today onwards, you have no more ties with this world.¡± Zongzheng Huachun spoke in a tone that was exceedingly calm, as if stating a fact that he had already determined. It was as though today, he truly intended to kill An Jing, and moreover, he could kill An Jing. That was an aura formed from immense confidence. The murderous intent of the man who wanted to become the greatest emperor ever was not concealed in the slightest. An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°It seems that even the Holy Master cannot avoid falling into cliche.¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, ¡°The people of this world are all commoners, emperors are also commoners, swordsmen are also commoners; we are no different. If there must be a distinction, it is merely that of a slightly more powerful commoner.¡± An Jing said, ¡°The Holy Master is no commoner, for you are the emperor who controls the lives and deaths of countless commoners.¡± What are commoners? They are the vast multitude, ordinary people busy with their lives; these are called commoners because they live amidst the worldly dust, and so they are commoners. Their fates are like worldly dust, manipulated by others, molded by others¡¯ hands. Zongzheng Huachun calmly said, ¡°But this king still has not transcended life and death.¡± An Jing countered, ¡°Is transcending life and death what it means to transcend mundanity?¡± Zongzheng Huachun inquired, ¡°Does your excellency think not?¡± An Jing said, ¡°In my heart, whether it is or isn¡¯t is irrelevant.¡± Zongzheng Huachun asked, ¡°Then what is important?¡± An Jing answered, ¡°Your life!¡± Zongzheng Huachun countered, ¡°My life?¡± An Jing seriously said, ¡°Since the Holy Master finds transcending mundanity so troublesome, I think it¡¯s better not to transcend at all. Born of this land, let it also be where you are buried.¡± Zongzheng Huachun narrowed his eyes and stated, ¡°You wish to stop me?¡± The conversation between the two took a turn, seeming foggy to listeners, yet only a few understood the deeper implications. In today¡¯s world, many great grandmasters and experts set their sights on the Earth Vein Spirit of the Dragon Locking Well, foolishly hoping to uncover secrets of eternal longevity. ¡°Life is a gift from the heavens, death is my gift to you.¡± An Jing paused briefly in his speech and said, ¡°Today, please hasten to your death, Holy Master.¡± This pronouncement echoed through heaven and earth like a booming bell, resonating within everyone¡¯s hearts, and those with weaker cultivation actually shook with the force Qi in their Dantian. The Sect Leader of the White Mist Sect paled greatly and exclaimed, ¡°Such terrifying strength!¡± Merely a single aphorism made one feel as if the Qi Sea trembled, and the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s primary target was not the bystanders but rather Zongzheng Huachun himself, directly in the center. The Island Master of Bibo Island also felt a tightness in his heart, his footsteps subconsciously retreating backward. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s expression was as still as an ancient well, without any ripples. Neither of them spoke again, the atmosphere had become utterly frozen. Far away, Zhao Qingmei landed and approached the gathering of many Demon Sect experts. ¡°Sect Hierarch!¡± The Demon Sect experts, seeing Zhao Qingmei, quickly bowed and greeted her with clasped hands. Zhao Qingmei nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes gazing toward the distant Ba Mountain. At this moment, her man was battling with one of the current top experts. Standing behind Li Fuzhou, Jia Meixian raised her head, cautiously observing the face of the Demon Sect Hierarch, and couldn¡¯t help but secretly exclaim in awe. This world indeed had such a beautiful person, no wonder only such a woman could capture his heart. Everyone¡¯s eyes were on the battling pair, and they could clearly see sparks in their gazes. The winds howled increasingly intensely, like blades sweeping in, and though the two had not yet made a move, those present knew that a world-shaking, earth-shattering battle was about to begin. One was the Heavenly Martial Emperor of Houjin, a long-renowned grandmaster expert, while the other was the widely famed invincible Sword Immortal, undefeated in battle. Zongzheng Huachun extended his palm, and a round of white light surged to the sky behind him, stirring the hearts of the crowd. True Qi from miles around crazily surged toward Zongzheng Huachun, and an overwhelmingly vast aura pressed down toward An Jing like a mountain crashing down. Bang bang bang bang bang! The terrifying pressure came crashing down, the air itself reverberating with the impact. High-ranked martial artists of Jianghu felt their scalps tingle, their faces drastically changing. Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique! When Zongzheng Huachun made a move, it was with the Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique, seemingly determined to unleash his full strength without holding anything back. An Jing drew out the Slaying Immortal Sword, his eyes flashing like cold glimmers. The chilling edge was like layers of ice, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine, and the moment Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s aura was about to strike, it seemed as if it were frozen by those icy currents. Zongzheng Huachun maintained a calm exterior but inwardly thought, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength seems even greater than before; he really has reached the Five Qi Realm.¡± The last time beneath the Royal Court, the two had faced off, each revealing a hint of their power. Clearly, An Jing had achieved a tremendous increase since, advancing from the Four Qi Realm to the Five Qi Realm. The significant boost in his strength within just a few months was both surprising and alarming. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s mouth curved into a cold sneer as he suddenly moved his foot and disappeared from the spot, his body turning into fragments of afterimages that burst out in an instant. Except for those above the Five Qi Grandmaster level, ordinary people of Jianghu couldn¡¯t even see Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body, let alone his afterimages. Whoosh! Zongzheng Huachun moved as fast as thunder, and in a flash, he seemed to have turned into a beam of light, carrying a tremendous Qi Mechanism, charging straight at An Jing. An Jing, with a slightly fierce look in his eyes, watched the rapidly enlarging figure in his pupils. With this move, Zongzheng Huachun had displayed the strength of a top-tier Five Qi Grandmaster. However, An Jing had killed several Five Qi Grandmasters, and even top-tier grandmasters like Xiao Qianqiu. At that moment, An Jing stepped sideways, his body also tilting into an arc. Bang Bang Bang! And as An Jing¡¯s body tilted, the air in front of him suddenly exploded, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s palm had turned into a Dragon Claw, carrying robust True Qi, grabbing towards An Jing¡¯s Heavenly Spirit. Azure Dragon Claw Eight Forms! Azure Dragon Emerges from the Sea! Once Zongzheng Huachun made his move, the attack was saturated with ruthlessness and trickiness. The cyan fingers, emitting a sharp light, rapidly enlarged in An Jing¡¯s pupils, but just as the cyan light was about to land on An Jing, layers of starlight surged around him, majestically refracting in all directions. Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique! The Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique is a Heavenly Martial level martial art, but the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique surpasses the Heavenly Martial level. Clang! At the moment of contact, both their Qi Forces vibrated, creating a visible ripple of Force Qi that spread in all directions. People around were astounded, never expecting the two top experts to clash so fiercely right from the start, the sight was intense and terrifying. Suddenly, An Jing sensed something and his pupils sharply contracted. Splat! Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s claws flashed, and the surroundings were filled with cyan divine light, resembling a massive dragon claw coming at him, breaking through the void with lightning speed, targeting An Jing¡¯s chest. Splash! Splash! Zongzheng Huachun was too fast, his Five Qi Grandmaster cultivation was pushing to the limit, and with the enhancement from the Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique, his power was immensely great. But such tactics would suffice against an average Five Qi Grandmaster, yet his opponent was An Jing. An Jing lightly shifted his body to dodge the claw, and even his Qi Force was completely dissolved by the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique. His left hand shot out fast as lightning, his fingers directly targeting Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s throat. Fast! Too fast! Even in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes, the speed of the fingers was as fast as lightning, let alone others. ¡°Boom!¡± A cold light emerged in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes as he kept retreating backwards, but it was already too late. The fingers directly hit his shoulders, sending a sharp pain through him. The crowd saw Zongzheng Huachun continuously falling back, his shoulders tearing through his clothes, revealing two blood holes; trickles of fresh blood seeped out, staining the front of his clothes with blood red. Wow! The exchange in the arena was almost instantaneous, thus, when everyone saw Zongzheng Huachun severely wounded by An Jing, an uproar spread throughout the crowd. ¡°Ghost Swordsman is not only skilled in swordsmanship, but his unarmed combat skills are also first-class in the world¡­¡± ¡°To have injured Zongzheng Huachun with just one move, truly impressive!¡± ¡°Several masters have already died at the hands of Ghost Swordsman, he truly deserves to be one of the top three experts in the world.¡± ¡­¡­ Jiren Tai, Zongzheng Yue, and others¡¯ expressions also changed slightly at this moment. All the experts from Houjin knew well how strong Zongzheng Huachun was¨C even Demon Sect¡¯s Jun Qinglin was no match for him, and he had even infiltrated the Great Yan Palace and escaped unscathed, but they hadn¡¯t expected that he would be injured just by clashing with Ghost Swordsman; and Ghost Swordsman hadn¡¯t even drawn his weapon yet. Was Ghost Swordsman really that powerful? Qiu Lun couldn¡¯t help but laugh and said, ¡°How could An Jing possibly be a match for Zongzheng Huachun.¡± Xiao Qianqiu glanced at Qiu Lun from afar and said, ¡°Although it seems that Zongzheng Huachun has been injured, if you only look at the surface, you¡¯ve been completely deceived by Zongzheng Huachun.¡± Luo Chongyang calmly said, ¡°That¡¯s right, An Jing didn¡¯t even probe, he just launched his true power. It looks like Zongzheng Huachun has been injured, but that injury, let alone damaging the muscles and bones, doesn¡¯t even count as a light injury.¡± ¡°So strong!¡± Cong Yue, watching their duel, couldn¡¯t help but draw in a cold breath. Ordinarily, duels between masters were very rare, let alone clashes between Five Qi Grandmasters, the strongest fighters in the world; such events were unprecedented in any era. The ruler of the Southern Barbarians, seeing this, said gravely, ¡°It hasn¡¯t even started yet.¡± In the arena, An Jing gazed at the distant Zongzheng Huachun. He knew how formidable his Finger Force was; if this strike had landed on an ordinary Four Qi Grandmaster, it would have caused severe injury, but it had only grazed Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s skin. ¡°Very strong Finger Force.¡± Zongzheng Huachun rubbed the blood on his shoulders and straightened up as if he had never suffered any injury at all. Following the recent probing, Zongzheng Huachun could tell that An Jing¡¯s displayed strength had indeed seen a massive enhancement. Zongzheng Huachun initially hunched back instantly straightened, and a black stream of energy burst around him, flowing toward the distance like a vast river. The black energy flow and the backdrop of the Great Snow Mountain merged continuously, creating a unique and magical scene. In the eyes of ordinary people, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body gradually became translucent as if merging into the air. The fierce wind howled, cold as a knife, while the sky gathered dark clouds like lightning and thunder. Heavenly Human Communication! With the practice of Heavenly Human Communication, Zongzheng Huachun gained the enhancement of the forces of heaven and earth on his being, after which his aura grew even more formidable. Behind him appeared a gray silhouette holding a trident-like massive shadow, appearing from afar like a hellish Asura, emitting a terrifying murderous aura. An Jing, seeing Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s suddenly much more impressive momentum, also used Heavenly Human Communication, starting to harness the power of heaven and earth onto himself. Thunder roared¨C! Thunder and lightning boomed, emitting a quaking sound that scared many people into pale faces and soul-shaken terror. Instantly, a vast and domineering aura surged from his body, in no way inferior to the momentum bursting from Zongzheng Huachun. The power of heaven and earth used by both was nearly equal, which indicated that their sensitivity to the forces between heaven and earth was also not much different. ¡°Heavenly Human Communication!¡± Experts in the distance, seeing their bodies connected with heaven and earth, were all deeply solemn. From this, it was clear to everyone that their understanding of the natural order was at an exceedingly profound level. Xiao Qianqiu said seriously, ¡°The battle between Zongzheng Huachun and An Jing is definitely one of the pinnacle battles in the world.¡± Luo Chongyang sighed, ¡°Unmatched.¡± The brief exchange between the two had already shaken the minds of those present, sufficiently indicating the intensity and fierceness of their battle. All the experts at the scene were now looking up, watching this battle that shook the entire world. Zongzheng Huachun, eyes sparkling with a strange light, watched An Jing¡¯s changes. He could sense that An Jing¡¯s aura had suddenly become several times more formidable. Also employing Heavenly Human Communication, he had surprisingly increased his aura several times more than Zongzheng Huachun. ¡°His True Qi!?¡± Zongzheng Huachun thought of the True Qi that An Jing had released when using his techniques, his eyes narrowed into slits. That True Qi was mysterious and vast; merely touching it made him feel as if he was being burnt by fierce flames, contributing to his consecutive retreats. It seemed that things were not as simple as they appeared on the surface. ¡°Bang!¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes surged with golden light as he watched Zongzheng Huachun. In the next flash, his feet stomped fiercely, his True Qi exploded, and almost instantly, his figure appeared in front of Zongzheng Huachun. ¡°Shush!¡± An Jing twisted his wrist, and the air turned bitterly cold. Evil Suppressing Sword! No one in the world didn¡¯t know about the Evil Suppressing Sword, made by the Great Zhou Dynasty to suppress and seal. In the beginning, top experts of the royal family perished due to this sword. In the next moment, An Jing leaped forward, swinging the Evil Suppressing Sword in his hand. Shush! A sword light like a length of satin spewed out from the blade, sweeping toward Zongzheng Huachun. ¡°Thump!¡± The True Qi in front now turned into a series of tumultuous waves. Everyone could see the void, distorted slightly wherever the Evil Suppressing Sword passed. ¡°Dang!¡± However, Zongzheng Huachun, facing the Evil Suppressing Sword, did not retreat an inch. A transparent bead emerged from his hand, blocking the tip of the Evil Suppressing Sword. The moment the sword tip collided with the bead, a sound like clashing gold and iron immediately pierced ears from the center of the field, and a ring of ripples swept open, abruptly exploding all the True Qi within several meters. ¡°Huh? An exotic treasure?¡± An Jing hadn¡¯t expected the bead to block his Evil Suppressing Sword. Clearly, this bead was a rare exotic treasure. This was the Mudust Pearl, a national treasure of Houjin, reportedly left behind by an Immortal who attained the Dao. It was said that cultivating with this pearl would set one on the path to becoming an Immortal. The origins of this pearl were widely debated, and no one could conclusively trace its history. However, it was very famous, known as one of the three pearls of ancient and modern times. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Then, as Zongzheng Huachun steadied himself, the Qi mechanism within the pearl surged toward him. He then bent his two fingers, turning them into two streaks of black light, tearing through the True Qi, and targeting An Jing¡¯s eyes with an exceedingly tricky trajectory as quick as lightning. ¡°Clang!¡± An Jing¡¯s arm vibrated, and the Evil Suppressing Sword stretched out to block the two fierce gray lights, immediately leaning forward with a burst of speed, his sword dance unleashed and his attack pouring down like a torrential downpour, directly enveloping Zongzheng Huachun. Facing An Jing¡¯s ferocious attack, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s eyes blazed intensely, he raised his palms, the pearl in his hands bursting with light, and then patterns densely packed appeared on his body, erupting with formidable power to confront An Jing head-on. ¡­¡­.. Chapter 387 - Chapter 387 Chapter 287 The Earth-Shattering Battle at Ba Chapter 387: Chapter 287: The Earth-Shattering Battle at Ba Mountain Chapter 387: Chapter 287: The Earth-Shattering Battle at Ba Mountain ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± The Dusty Bead shimmered with rays of brilliance, so majestic and weighty as if mountains themselves, managing to block the piercing Sword Qi one after another. ¡°This bead is strange.¡± An Jing could even feel the forceful recoil from the sword hilt vibrating through his arm, causing a numbing soreness. Compared to Zongzheng Huachun, he possessed the edge of the Sword Dao and the Evil Suppressing Sword in hand, the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡±, the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± and other significant advantages. Even with Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s profound cultivation, it was quite difficult to withstand his Sword Qi. Only the Dusty Bead and the intent from the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s blessing were his sole advantage. Clearly, there was a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent within the bead. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± Xiao Qianqiu saw the Dusty Bead and revealed a trace of sudden understanding. Luo Chongyang¡¯s lips parted as he said, ¡°This Holy Master of Houjin is indeed a rare genius.¡± Zongzheng Huachun was no nameless individual; even in his youth, he was recognized as a prodigy among the tribes of Houjin, but with the passage of time, many famous experts no longer relied on their natural talent alone. After all, a genius only has the potential to realize their value, while an expert is a genius who has fulfilled that value. An expert is one who stands at the pinnacle of the world, while a genius may not necessarily be. Among many experts of the Demon Sect, Duanmu Xinghua frowned and said, ¡°This Dusty Bead gives me a very peculiar feeling!¡± You Gai slowly said, ¡°The Dusty Bead is a national treasure of Houjin, and after Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s refinement, it became even more extraordinary. The Earth Vein Spirit is a being that seizes creation from nature itself; even just a strand of its intent is beyond what ordinary people can imagine. Although Zongzheng Huachun is a pinnacle Five Qi Grandmaster, he couldn¡¯t possibly refine a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent in such a short period. In truth, it was the Dusty Bead that absorbed the Earth Vein Spirit, and he merely refined the Dusty Bead to borrow a strand of its intent.¡± Hearing You Gai¡¯s words, many nodded in agreement. The Earth Vein Spirit, a being that seizes the creation of nature, is an origin of the world, releasing an endless stream of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. Even just a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent is difficult to refine. And the reason Zongzheng Huachun was able to refine a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent was not just because of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s own willingness but also due to the Dusty Bead. At this moment, Zongzheng Huachun held the Dusty Bead, with a strand of intent from the Earth Vein Spirit within it connecting heaven and earth, and to himself as well. That powerful, weighty, and vast aura came at everyone like a mountainous tsunami¡¯s pressure. The leader of the Southern Barbarians took a deep breath and said, ¡°Is this Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s trump card? Truly formidable.¡± Zongzheng Huachun, with his Heavenly Human Communication, was already a top-tier Five Qi Grandmaster. Now, with a strand of the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s intent merged into him, his power was sure to become even more frightening, coming infinitely close to a Great Grandmaster¡¯s cultivation. However, previously the Ghost Swordsman had slain several Five Qi Grandmasters, obviously also a top-tier Five Qi expert. Their battle grew increasingly astonishing and also increasingly elusive, as to who would fall, even he could not tell. An Jing and Zongzheng Huachun stood on opposite sides of Ba Mountain, both looking at the other. The air between them was frigid to the extreme, filled with a deadly intent. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! The rocks around them, subjected to the terrifying Qi mechanism, crumbled away as if turned to dust by a powerful impact. At that moment, Zongzheng Huachun turned his Dusty Bead. Boom! Surging True Qi, like a tempest, burst forth from the Dusty Bead, sweeping over everything. Such powerful True Qi made even space itself vibrate. Feeling that overwhelming True Qi bursting forth from Zongzheng Huachun, An Jing¡¯s brows raised slightly. Though Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s current outburst was incredibly formidable, already one of the strongest opponents An Jing had ever faced, An Jing had previously encountered the Great Grandmaster Wang Yangsheng at the Dragon Locking Well. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± circulated within him, and his vigorous True Qi erupted from within like a volcano. Along with a sudden flash of cold light, the Dulu Sword also appeared in his hand. An Jing stood silently, yet he was like an ancient weapon from antiquity, exuding a heart-chilling sharpness. The stakes of their probing began to escalate, and the force that emanated became progressively more ferocious. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s heart method also began to circulate, and behind him, his body, previously incompatible in black and white, began to transform anew. Ancient black patterns spread on the surface of his body, each radiating terrifying force from the True Qi. The Dusty Bead in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s hand also contained a dense murderous intent, which erupted completely over Ba Mountain at that moment. Whoosh! Whoosh! Dark qi, like a black dragon, coiled around Zongzheng Huachun, and the deep roaring sounds it produced became tangible soundwaves that spread, causing the void to tremble incessantly. ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing saw this and immediately noticed something unusual. The aura on Zongzheng Huachun now had a resemblance to Qi Xuan Dao, yet it also carried the essence of the Great Snow Mountain. Clearly, he had merged two Martial Arts Heart Methods. Or rather, this might be the original method, only divided into the heart methods for the Black Ice Platform and the Great Snow Mountain. Indeed, there was a connection between Zongzheng Huachun and the Black Ice Platform. With this thought, An Jing¡¯s heart grew cold. This undying Qian Qiu had such an intricate plan, it seemed that he was determined to claim the Earth Vein Spirit beneath the Dragon Locking Well. What Zongzheng Huachun was deploying was the ¡°Ten Directions Technique¡± he had used in Yujing City; however, at that time, he had deliberately concealed his aura, and some experts had not noticed anything unusual. But even then, An Jing had sensed something odd. ¡°Who would have thought that Zongzheng Huachun could also perform the Black Ice Platform¡¯s heart method!¡± ¡°No, it seems like a fusion of two heart methods.¡± ¡°Such a strong aura!¡± ¡­ Many experts present at the scene saw this and their expressions changed. In an instant, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s aura surged twice. Boom! The silhouette behind Zongzheng Huachun was pitch-black, with his feet planted firmly on the ground, he resembled a gigantic stone statue, with an overwhelming momentum. The next moment, a surge of killing intent erupted in his eyes. Without the slightest hesitation, he stomped his foot, shaking the Ba Mountain, and his body mysteriously vanished from sight. Buzz! A vast purple light burst forth from An Jing¡¯s body. Facing Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s mysterious disappearance, he remained unperturbed. Clenching his five fingers, he mercilessly swept his sword through the void in front of him. The cold aura of the Dulu Sword emerged, seeming to cleave through everything in its path, leaving inch by inch of sword marks in the void. And as the Dulu Sword was swung, a vague black shadow flashed out of thin air and also launched a palm strike, immediately causing black and white True Qi to erupt. Boom! The cold sword radiance and the domineering palm imprint collided fiercely, like a meteor streaking across the sky, crashing into each other. ¡°Bang Bang Bang Bang!¡± Visible ripples radiated outward, exploding in the blink of an eye, as the void continuously trembled with the sword radiance and palm imprint distorting the nearby air, and faintly, cracks began to spread. The terrifying recoil, like a tsunami, surged forth, causing the surrounding rocks to burst apart. Some nearby grandmaster-level experts hurriedly circulated their True Qi to shield against the debris. Two grandmasters from Zhao Country were even hit directly, spitting blood and retreating. Seeing this, many sucked in a breath of cold air. Just the aftermath of the Qi force had severely injured two grandmaster experts, showing how astonishing the clash between the two was. Qiu Lun raised his eyebrows and quickly led the Pingyang Guard away to the distance. Jiren Tai watched Qiu Lun¡¯s retreating figure with furrowed brows. He had been waiting for Ghost Swordsman to fall and capture the Pingyang Guard, only to let Qiu Lun escape. Swoosh! Two ghostly afterimages emerged, clashing sword radiance and palm imprint continuously in midair, emitting terrifying waves of force Qi. Even the grandmaster experts rapidly retreated, not daring to stay or be careless for even a moment. In just a few hundred breaths of time, An Jing and Zongzheng Huachun had clashed dozens of rounds. Their moves were decisive, showing no mercy. Each of An Jing¡¯s sword strikes targeted Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s vitals with an exceptionally tricky angle. One successful hit and even a high-level expert with the cultivation and strength of Zongzheng Huachun would be split in two, indicating the danger and terror involved. Thus, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s heart pounded rapidly as if it were about to leap out of his throat. An Jing¡¯s expression was also somewhat solemn. As Zongzheng Huachun continuously pulled out his trump cards and displayed his full strength, his formidable momentum was faintly about to match Wang Yangsheng¡¯s. Boom! At that moment, another ferocious and heart-stopping collision occurred. The Ba Mountain summit exploded directly from the horrifying impact, and dust billowed in all directions. At this time, while both appeared unfazed, the True Qi in their Dantians was raging like a overturning river. Their breathing had also become heavier. This level of intense combat meant that neither An Jing nor Zongzheng Huachun could afford to relax even a bit. After all, the slightest carelessness would result in death and the obliteration of their Dao. Zongzheng Huachun exhaled a breath of turbid air, his gray-white hair dancing in the wild wind as he said, ¡°It¡¯s a pity.¡± An Jing¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile, ¡°A pity for what?¡± Zongzheng Huachun, hands behind his back, looked up to the sky and sighed, ¡°It¡¯s a pity that the world has lost a top-tier, unparalleled swordsman.¡± An Jing laughed loudly, ¡°Do you really mean what you just said?¡± Zongzheng Huachun nodded, ¡°I¡¯ve never been more serious in my life.¡± His eyes held a trace of sincerity, as if he was speaking his true feelings. That fearless confidence, that self-assured demeanor, made many grandmaster experts furrow their brows, wondering why Zongzheng Huachun suddenly seemed so confident. ¡°I very much appreciate the expression you have right now.¡± An Jing said indifferently, ¡°Come then, please grant me death.¡± The Dulu Sword shone with streaks of light, as if it were the most dazzling cold light in the world, making the rest of the world look dim in its brilliance. ¡°Then I¡¯ll grant your wish.¡± Boom! The moment Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s last word fell, he blasted forward with a fierce palm, as an overwhelming True Qi crazily converged under his palm print, striking towards An Jing. The palm imprint swirled with True Qi, spreading in all directions. An Jing¡¯s eyes were calm, without a ripple. The Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique started to revolve, and suddenly a torrent of majestic True Qi roared up, forming a several-zhang-large True Qi barrier in front of him, with purple True Qi activating upon it. Boom! The ferocious and tyrannical palm imprint heavily slammed against An Jing¡¯s True Qi barrier, which only shook slightly without breaking. However, An Jing was very clear in his heart that Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s attacks were just the beginning. His attacks to come might be even more domineering. Boom! Boom! Just as An Jing¡¯s thoughts grazed by, it seemed as if endless muffled thunderclaps echoed through the void. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s dozens of handprints came crashing down, each strike causing dark clouds to gather in the sky and thunder to roar. Relentless and unceasing, alive and everlasting. The onslaught was like a flood bursting through its gates, with waves of True Qi surging forward, seemingly determined to obliterate any obstruction in its path completely. Azure Dragon Claw Eight Forms! Cloud Flipping and Rain Covering! Each move of the Azure Dragon Claw Eight Forms had its special characteristics, and this move, Cloud Flipping and Rain Covering, attacked like a tide, difficult to withstand. Bang! Bang! Falling from above, then enveloping like a blanket, the attacks landed on the immense True Qi Barrier, causing frantic True Qi ripples to burst forth, growing more rapid. With the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique deployed at full strength, even the Great Grandmaster Wang Yangsheng could not breach it in a short time. Could Zongzheng Huachun be compared to Great Grandmaster Wang Yangsheng? An Jing stood calmly beneath the True Qi Barrier, his gaze tranquil as he looked at Zongzheng Huachun, almost mockingly as if conversing. Zongzheng Huachun took a deep breath, and the interweaving black and white lines on his arms became more pronounced. At the same time, a dangerous aura emanated from within him. Feeling that dangerous aura, An Jing¡¯s gaze also slightly condensed. Was it finally time to use his trump card? Wuu wuu! Zongzheng Huachun stood in mid-air, and as more black and white lines appeared on his arms, it was as if the entire world was filled with howling winds. As Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s momentum reached its peak, a brilliant light burst from his eyes. He slowly raised his hand, and as it lifted, his palm visibly swelled at a speed noticeable to the naked eye, swiftly transforming into a massive hand that blocked out the sun. On that gigantic hand, countless intertwining black and white lines were engraved, gathering an overwhelming will to fight. In that moment, the hand was as if a divine palm had descended from the heavens. The True Qi of the whole world boiled over at that moment. Ten Directions Technique! Plucking Stars and Seizing the Moon! Zongzheng Huachun watched An Jing with an indifferent gaze, then his giant hand suddenly smacked down, carrying a terrifying intent to kill that echoed between heaven and earth. And just before Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s giant hand enveloped the area, the surrounding space burst with voices of shock. Xiao Qianqiu slowly said, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun is no longer just testing. It seems the Ghost Swordsman is still superior.¡± Experts always test each other because after a strong move, there is no room for retreat. So when their strengths are nearly equal, they test each other to gauge the full extent of their opponent¡¯s power. Luo Chongyang nodded and said, ¡°Now, the real fight begins.¡± Countless experts looked at the barrier of light with shocked faces. Facing Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s offensive, even Five Qi Grandmasters felt their scalps tingle. In the sky above, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s expression was indifferent, his eyes gathered cold light, and without a word, his massive palm descended from the heavens and smashed mercilessly toward where An Jing stood. Boom! When the giant hand fell, the earth itself collapsed under its weight. As a vast shadow loomed, the sky turned black. An Jing looked up at the hand covering the heavens and earth, exhaled deeply, and his Dulu Sword burst forth with a mighty radiance. Hum! Whirll! Whirll! The terrifying Force Qi spewed out from the blade of the Dulu Sword held by An Jing, thundering towards Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s handprint. Boomboom! Boomboom! Their Force Qi clashed, and the skies rolled with a tide of shock. An Jing¡¯s footsteps touched in mid-air as he quickly retreated. ¡°This is more like it,¡± Zongzheng Huachun laughed heartily, his hand moving. An Jing¡¯s heart suddenly turned cold with a tingling sensation on his scalp. Spurtch! A gleam flashed in An Jing¡¯s eyes. He bent his waist, and an invisible cold Sword Radiance brushed by his neck, leaving nearly a dozen zhang long crack along the mountainous terrain. Sword Light! This was the invisible Sword Light! If not for An Jing¡¯s premonition of danger, he might have been struck by this sword on the neck and died on the spot. ¡°Invisible Sword, huh?¡± An Jing¡¯s brows were tightly furrowed, surprised that Zongzheng Huachun had been hiding a sword up his sleeve, executing his secret technique. ¡°Truly worthy of being the Ghost Swordsman,¡± Zongzheng Huachun couldn¡¯t help but sigh to himself upon seeing this. ¡°Now, take my sword.¡± Whether or not the other understood him, An Jing flicked his wrist, and the Dulu Sword rotated with his action, slashing upward with an intense sword light. ¡°So fast!¡± Zongzheng Huachun hadn¡¯t underestimated An Jing, but at this moment, he still underestimated his sword speed which was unexpectedly swift. Left with no time to dodge, he had to set up an indestructible True Qi barrier in front of him, hoping to withstand the sharp Sword Light. The scene was strikingly similar to the one before when An Jing had used a True Qi barrier to fend off Zongzheng Huachun. Now, the roles were reversed, with An Jing attacking and Zongzheng Huachun defending against An Jing¡¯s Sword Light. This sword strike was not only as fast as lightning but also carried an overwhelmingly powerful force. His True Qi barrier collided with An Jing¡¯s Sword Radiance, causing the ground to collapse and crack, the surrounding mountains and rocks to shatter into dust. Caught off-guard, Zongzheng Huachun staggered back more than a dozen steps before finally neutralizing the impact of the Sword Radiance. With a sweep of his hand, Zongzheng Huachun glanced at his left shoulder where a piece of his garment had been sliced off, tiny pieces of brocade fluttering in front of him, causing his brow to furrow slightly. The Ghost Swordsman¡¯s seemingly casual strike contained extremely cold Sword Qi that had actually broken through his Protective True Qi. Zongzheng Huachun waved his robe, immediately clearing the air in front of him as the powerful artifact in his hand, the artifact, surged forward. Boom! The powerful artifact came with the weight of a thousand pounds, creating waves of Qi as it collided. Clang clang! The sound of metal ringing erupted as An Jing¡¯s sword struck the artifact repeatedly, igniting brilliant, dazzling sparks. At that moment when countless Sword Radiance surged out, the hairs on the scalp of numerous experts around stood on end. From the artifact came an oppressive force. Zongzheng Huachun, as if struck heavily, retreated step by step towards the rear while funneling True Qi into the artifact. Suddenly, the artifact radiated an extreme brilliance, like a blinding sun, erupting with a burst of Supreme Yang Qi, then this magnificent Supreme Yang Qi violently stabbed toward An Jing. An Jing held the Dulu Sword and then unleashed his most fierce Sword Skill. As he swung his sword, it was as if the heavens and earth were torn apart. ¡°Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Technique! Wind Unstoppable!¡± Whoosh! A storm of Sword Radiance clashed head-on with the Dulu Sword, creating surging waves of Qi that rolled outwards relentlessly. Zongzheng Huachun channeled his True Qi, with the artifact floating before him, his Qi Mechanism merging with that of the artifact, and he also connected with the Earth Vein Spirit within. In that moment, it felt as if the mountains were about to collapse and the earth was about to crack. Xiao Qianqiu said nothing, his expression extremely grave as he watched the artifact in Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s hand. Luo Chongyang also narrowed his eyes, sensing something, as he crazily propelled True Qi in front of him. ¡°Be careful!¡± You Gai, who was in the distance, said in a low voice upon seeing this. The experts of the Demon Sect around were all on high alert like they were facing a formidable enemy, watching the surging Qi Force cautiously. ¡°Quick! Retreat now!¡± Jiren Tai¡¯s heart thumped wildly, and he shouted loudly. Suddenly, the Houjin cavalry charged into the distance, but the momentum had already formed, causing chaos with people tumbling down. ¡°Run!¡± ¡°If we don¡¯t leave now, it¡¯ll be too late.¡± ¡­.. The experts in Jianghu scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing desperately into the distance. Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s True Qi continued to pour into the artifact, fully arousing its power, which then transformed into a strange glow. When this strange glow appeared, the ground under Ba Mountain began to shake. Heaven and earth shattering! Like the roar of the sea! This force of nature made one feel utterly insignificant. If Heavenly Human Communication was about receiving the power of heaven and earth, the artifact was now part of that heavenly and earthly force. Boom! Boom! The strange glow transformed into a golden Long River, surging forward mightily. The space in its path shattered into pieces, and finally, it ferociously slashed towards An Jing. The golden Long River in the sky kept changing, resembling a golden avalanche falling from the sky, with endless golden torrents rushing towards one¡¯s face. This was Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s strongest move, utilizing the artifact and the Earth Vein Spirit within it, while his body¡¯s True Qi also poured into it frantically. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The sky full of golden torrents almost enveloped the pitch-black sky, and in everyone¡¯s pupils remained only that golden light. Within a few hundred zhang, only masters above the rank of Four Qi Grandmaster remained, but upon witnessing this scene, they all inhaled sharply. Is this the true strength of the Holy Master of Houjin? Could a Five Qi Grandmaster really reach such a terrifying extent? ¡­.. Chapter 388 - Chapter 388 Chapter 388 Ghost Swordsman Battles the Great Chapter 388: Chapter 388: Ghost Swordsman Battles the Great Grandmaster Chapter 388: Chapter 388: Ghost Swordsman Battles the Great Grandmaster An Jing looked at the golden torrent rushing towards him, his eyes narrowed slightly, and then he stepped forward, the Qi Sea burst open, with countless True Qi dancing chaotically, as if wanting to fill every meridian in An Jing¡¯s body. The surrounding True Qi even swarmed over, forming a purple vortex centered around An Jing. Then this True Qi, like the ancient rivers, all converged on the blade of An Jing¡¯s Dulu Sword. The Dulu Sword¡¯s radiance flourished, and then a giant sword appeared in the world, traversing in all directions. Unity Sword Technique! Sword Control Flying Immortal! An Jing looked indifferently at the surging golden torrent, slashed forward with the Dulu Sword in his hand, and instantly the giant sword surged down from the sky. This strike had reached the peak that An Jing could achieve. At this moment, it was as if all the brilliance in the world had disappeared, with all the light focusing on this one sword. Experts below the Grandmaster Realm surrounding Ba Mountain seemed to know that the aftermath to come would be terrifying, all fleeing towards the distance. Meanwhile, the grandmasters at the scene were gathering their True Qi inside their bodies, their expressions extremely solemn as they defended in front of themselves. The next moment, the Sword Qi collided with the golden Long River above the sky, and suddenly the world trembled. Time seemed to freeze at this moment. Then the whole world began to shake, with Ba Mountain trembling violently, rocks rolling down continuously, and even some mountains beginning to fracture. It¡¯s unknown how much time passed before that terrifying tide of True Qi spread outwards. Boom! Boom! Boom! As that terrifying tide of True Qi struck, the True Qi Barriers gathered by the grandmasters shattered like thin paper, instantly breaking, then they felt a severe pain in their chests, couldn¡¯t help but taste sweetness in their mouths, a mouthful of fresh blood spurting out. The wind formed was like a series of sharp blades, leaving no grass wherever it passed. And the two in the center were surrounded by dense Qi Force, with black and white lightning emerging, stirring a sense of dread in the hearts of those who saw it. ¡°Zongzheng Huachun!?¡± Seeing this lightning, many people¡¯s gazes converged, clearly Zongzheng Huachun had not been defeated and was still preparing for the second round of attack. Suddenly, the giant sword reappeared in the storm, advancing toward the lightning. Hum! Only to see that the black and white lightning, like apocalyptic thunder, illuminated the whole world, finally lashing down fiercely. Boom! Boom! The lightning seemed to pierce through the void, at last striking heavily upon the giant sword. Deafening booms rang out once again, and then everyone felt an indescribably terrifying fluctuation sweeping out, even ordinary soldiers far away were shaken until their eardrums burst, with continuous bleeding. Boom! The earth kept collapsing amidst the trembling, in just a few moments, the wide, boundless land below appeared with a giant, deep black hole, with large cracks around the edge of the hole spreading like a spider¡¯s web. Countless people watched this scene, their heart rates suddenly increasing. The giant sword continued unrelentingly, without the slightest pause, as the thick lightning was split in two, turning into a wisp of pale smoke that drifted into the air. At the same time, the radiance formed by Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s Great Snow Mountain Holy Body Technique behind him was gradually dissipating. ¡°Did the Ghost Swordsman win!?¡± Cong Yue stood behind the leader of the Southern Barbarians, steadying his body, his gaze first turned to the place where the green light sword radiance intermingled, his eyes shining with surprise. Not just Cong Yue, everyone was lifting their heads, staring intently at what was in front of them, seemingly eager to know the outcome of this great battle. When the leader of the Southern Barbarians saw this, he whispered, ¡°It seems that in the end, it really is the Ghost Swordsman who has won.¡± Today¡¯s battle was definitely the most formidable clash between masters he had ever seen, it was truly breathtaking. Starting from today, this great battle of the three kingdoms against Yan will probably come to an end, and Houjin will fall into decline from this, even the whole great plains will be incorporated into the territory of the Great Yan Dynasty. With the great changes in the world situation, the name of the Ghost Swordsman will once again shake the whole world. Luo Chongyang took a deep breath, ¡°It¡¯s over.¡± Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s brows lightly relaxed, then furrowed again. Whispers gradually rose around Ba Mountain, all the experts present had varied expressions, compared to the panic of the many experts of Houjin, the many experts of the Demon Sect were carrying a hint of ecstasy. Back when Houjin cavalry broke through Dongluo Pass, the Demon Sect was forced to retreat into the territory of Great Yan, countless followers of the Demon Sect were made into spectacles, the scene was horrific, and Zongzheng Huachun, the Holy Master of Houjin, even dashed Jun Qinglin¡¯s last hope of survival, and now this great vengeance had finally been avenged. All around Ba Mountain, the expressions of the Jianghu experts varied greatly, differing markedly. The sweeping dust gradually dissipated, and the figure of An Jing gradually emerged. Only to see him holding the Dulu Sword, frowning tightly as he looked forward, while some experts could clearly see his hand clutching the sword was trembling, and then a stream of fresh blood flowed down from the tiger¡¯s mouth to the tip of the sword. ¡°What!?¡± You Gai couldn¡¯t help but blurt out when he saw this, ¡°It seems not as simple as imagined!¡± Zhao Qingmei extended her palm, and two silver lights appeared; the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades were already in her grasp. The others were greatly puzzled by this scene. As the dust continued to settle, Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s figure also emerged. The Muzhu Pearl emitted a faint glow, revolving continuously around him. This glow was the Supreme Yang Qi. True Yuan! If one looked closely, the True Yuan was condensing the Supreme Yang Qi. That True Yuan was incredibly vast and pure, dozens of times more so than True Qi, and it was one of the hallmarks of a Great Grandmaster. The leader of the Southern Barbarians¡¯ pupils dilated, exclaiming in shock, ¡°Great Grandmaster!?¡± What!? Not just this top expert of the contemporary world, all of the elites present felt as if struck by lightning, their minds going blank. ¡°Great Grandmaster!? Zongzheng Huachun is a Great Grandmaster?¡± ¡°My heavens! Has the Holy Master of Houjin already broken through to the Great Grandmaster level?¡± ¡°Could it be that he has been concealing his skill all this time, and this is his true cultivation level?¡± ¡­.. After the shock, discussions erupted around Ba Mountain like a volcanic eruption, surging forth. All the expressions were filled with immense astonishment and disbelief. Who could have imagined that Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s true cultivation level was not that of a Five Qi Grandmaster, but that of a true Great Grandmaster. Although there is only a one-word difference between Grandmaster and Great Grandmaster, to the people, it signifies a difference as vast as heaven and earth. A Great Grandmaster is like a Land Immortal, whose True Qi transforms into True Yuan, greatly increasing strength, possessing the ability to traverse heaven and earth in an instant, and even extending their lifespan by three hundred years. While a Five Qi Grandmaster is a figure of an era, a Great Grandmaster is a figure in history. One is but a grain of sand, while the other is a mountain. They are almost incomparable. Although Zongzheng Huachun had received a wisp of intent from the Earth Vein Spirit, everyone believed his cultivation was still at the peak of the Five Qi stage, as the gap between a Grandmaster and a Great Grandmaster is vast and not so easily bridged. But at this moment, Zongzheng Huachun displayed the cultivation level of a Great Grandmaster, which could not possibly be faked. This scene shocked everyone present, including the leader of the Southern Barbarians, Xiao Qian Qiu, Luo Chongyang, You Gai, the Island Master of Bibo Island, and other top experts of the world. The Island Master of Bibo Island sighed softly and said, ¡°It seems, the Ghost Swordsman is going to lose.¡± Although he deeply hoped the Ghost Swordsman could win and pressure the Black Ice Platform, the possibility of defeating a Great Grandmaster with the cultivation of a Grandmaster was next to none. Xiao Qian Qiu took a sharp inward breath and said solemnly, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun has hidden his strength so deeply; it seems this is his ultimate trump card.¡± Everyone thought that the Muzhu Pearl¡¯s Earth Vein Spirit was Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s trump card, and he knew that, which is why his trump card never seemed to change. Originally, this trump card was already very powerful, but who could anticipate that his breakthrough was his real trump card. Yu Qiurong exclaimed in disbelief, ¡°Zongzheng Huachun is actually a High Grandmaster?¡± Duanmu Xinghua, Ouyang Ping, Lin Tianhai, and many other top experts of the Demon Sect, also turned pale, as nobody expected Zongzheng Huachun to have concealed his strength so deeply. You Gai, with his eyes closed, said softly, ¡°This has become difficult.¡± His words were understated, but everyone knew that An Jing¡¯s chances of victory had become slim to none, given the vast gulf between a Great Grandmaster and a Grandmaster. Suddenly, the situation took another turn. Zongzheng Huachun looked at An Jing¡¯s expression and said indifferently, ¡°It seems you¡¯re not very surprised?¡± He was eager to see a trace of astonishment, a sliver of fear in the swordsman¡¯s eyes, but the swordsman¡¯s eyes were as cold as the sword in his hand, devoid of any emotion. ¡°Quite surprised,¡± An Jing replied as he wiped the blood from the web of his thumb with his sleeve. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you¡¯d have reached the Grandmaster Realm. It must be the effect of the Muzhu Pearl and a wisp of intent from the Earth Vein Spirit.¡± Zongzheng Huachun was a top Five Qi Grandmaster, and not too far from a Great Grandmaster, but it was still incredibly difficult to make a breakthrough, and he apparently relied on external forces for his breakthrough to Great Grandmaster. Before Zongzheng Huachun could speak, An Jing continued, ¡°And you haven¡¯t been a Great Grandmaster for long, have you?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, but what does it matter?¡± Zongzheng Huachun laughed boldly, ¡°The victor is king, the vanquished, the bandit¨Cthis is the eternal rule of history that no one can change.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°That¡¯s true, the victor is king and the vanquished the bandit, but it seems the outcome is not yet decided, is it?¡± Zongzheng Huachun looked at An Jing for a long time before saying, ¡°I¡¯ve always admired one kind of person in my life.¡± ¡°Which kind?¡± An Jing asked. Zongzheng Huachun replied, ¡°Those who foolishly think they can shake a great tree.¡± With that, he sent a roaring Qi Force like tidal waves towards An Jing, continuous and unending, as if it had the power to move mountains and split stones. Just the rolling of this Qi Mechanism seemed capable of such feats. In the world around them, everyone felt as if a dark cloud was looming overhead, so oppressive that it was difficult to breathe. ¡°Today, let me show you how a mayfly can shake a great tree,¡± An Jing said, raising the Dulu Sword in his hand. The enormous Sword Radiance swept across the universe, clearing away the overwhelming Force Qi that had invaded his space. He knew that facing a Grandmaster of such a realm, the only way was to take the initiative and seize the advantage. Zongzheng Huachun waved his sleeve robe, and the robust True Yuan transformed into pillars of light that enveloped An Jing. Crack crack crack crack crack crack! These pillars of True Yuan were like a violent storm, terrifying and impenetrable. An Jing let out a cold shout, and dazzling starlight burst from his body. The Dulu Sword, wrapped in a surge of cold and sharp Qi, charged towards the pillars of True Yuan. Bang bang bang bang bang! The collision of True Yuan and True Qi created a series of storms that swirled around heaven and earth. An Jing¡¯s figure stood proudly in the center of the storm, a golden Light Shield formed by the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique surrounding him. The storm melted away upon contact with the Light Shield as if glaciers had met magma. Then, An Jing¡¯s sword continued to strike forward. On the top of Ba Mountain, countless freezing purple cold waves suddenly emerged, covering almost the entire peak of Ba Mountain. Like the powerful surging tides of a river, they rapidly approached. Zongzheng Huachun stood still, raising the Mud Dust Pearl in his hand, standing amidst the cold waves like an unyielding rock. An Jing waved his sword again, another sharp Sword Light emitted from the blade. With An Jing¡¯s continuous sword swings, the rolling cold waves seemed like the ceaseless great river¡¯s tides, wave after wave, endless. Even the canopy of the sky above was dyed purple by the infinite cold light. This grandiose purple cold wave was mighty and glorious, a vast Dao indeed. Sword Light after Sword Light, the Dulu Sword in An Jing¡¯s hand, renowned as The World¡¯s First Sword, was wielded to its fullest potential, causing anyone who felt its sharpness to have a tingling scalp. If it were an average Five Qi Grandmaster, they might not be able to withstand even three of An Jing¡¯s swords. But how many had An Jing struck now? His Dantian seemed inexhaustible, one sword after another, a truly relentless offensive wave of life. Only the Nameless Heart Scripture, a peerless mental method, could sustain such prodigious expenditure of An Jing¡¯s True Qi. Yet the Sword Light had still not breached Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s Light Shield, which, especially with the enhancement of the Mud Dust Pearl, appeared invincible. It was not until An Jing had swung the one hundred and thirty-second sword that Zongzheng Huachun finally took a slow step forward. With one step, life sprouted. The Supreme Yang Qi around Zongzheng Huachun flourished. He slapped his palm onto the Mud Dust Pearl, and immediately, a roaring sound reverberated, followed by ripples of Supreme Yang Qi scattering far into the distance. Those ripples of Supreme Yang Qi easily blocked the spreading Sword Qi. An Jing¡¯s gaze turned frosty, and he slapped the Dulu Sword in his hand. Fast! The Dulu Sword, with extreme cold light, unleashed a surprising storm of Qi Mechanism. The Qi Mechanism spread crazily, and the Dulu Sword, with a whoosh, lunged forward with indescribable speed. The void ahead tore apart, like glass mirrors produced in the far west, shattering bit by bit. That Sword Light seemed like a light piercing through the darkness. Before the Sword Light even arrived, Zongzheng Huachun inwardly grimaced from the sharp pain in his brow, as the Ten Directions Technique automatically began to circulate. But his body seemed to be frozen in place; there was no escaping the deadly strike of the Flying Sword. ¡°Sword Control Technique and Hundred-step Flying Sword are indeed formidable!¡± Xiao Qian Qiu murmured softly. This move was also a signature technique of the Ghost Swordsman, famous throughout the world. What came next was unbelievable. The Supreme Yang Qi from Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s Mud Dust Pearl began to spread forward. The cold light surrounding the Dulu Sword seemed to start melting; even the speed of the Dulu Sword gradually slowed down. The previously lightning-fast Dulu Sword was now slow enough that all the experts present could see it clearly, until it finally stopped in front of the Mud Dust Pearl. ¡°Get back!¡± exclaimed Zongzheng Huachun. His Qi mechanism shook, and a domineering rebounding force emanated from the Mud Dust Pearl. ¡°Whoosh!¡± The Dulu Sword rapidly retreated, leaving a trail of Qi Force waves in the air. An Jing reached out his hand, catching the Dulu Sword as it flew back to him, and immediately a stream of Supreme Yang Qi from the sword coursed into his body. Instantly, a scorching sensation surged in his heart. Any common Grandmaster invaded by such vast Supreme Yang Qi would burn up; An Jing took three steps back, using the Nameless Heart Scripture to completely dissipate the Supreme Yang Qi. ¡°Too strong! Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s breakthrough to the Grandmaster Realm, coupled with the exotic treasure Mud Dust Pearl, is just too powerful.¡± ¡°There is already a slight gap between the two fighters, and the scales of victory have begun to tilt towards Zongzheng Huachun.¡± ¡°It seems that Houjin really is going to move southward and swallow Great Yan.¡± ¡°Who could have imagined today¡¯s battle would turn out like this?¡± ¡­.. Seeing that An Jing couldn¡¯t make any progress despite executing several moves in succession and was even forced to retreat by Zongzheng Huachun, nearly everyone anticipated the ultimate outcome. At that lightning-fast moment, Zongzheng Huachun continued his onslaught. With a stoic expression, he extended his hands, silently reciting spell after spell, the Supreme Yang Qi from his Mu Dust Pearl pouring down like a torrential flood. Boom¨C! Standing atop the surging waves of Supreme Yang Qi, Zongzheng Huachun bore an unmatched imperial might, like an emperor walking among mortals, commanding the world. Then, the Supreme Yang Qi converged to form a formidable and invincible phantom. An indescribable oppressive force permeated the air, as if even Ba Mountain trembled slightly at Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s power. Those from the Demon Sect and others in the distance watched on, their complexions fully pale, eyes filled with intense fear. ¡°Is this the strength of a Great Grandmaster?¡± Duanmu Xinghua inhaled sharply, her voice strained as she spoke, her face etched with indescribable wariness. At that moment, the tide of Supreme Yang Qi continued to brew, its unstoppable and daunting momentum suggesting that if it erupted, the heavens and earth would shatter instantly. Behind Zongzheng Huachun, a phantom emerged, towering hundreds of feet high, piercing the clouds as if a deity had descended. All looked at Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s silhouette, their expressions growing tense. In that fleeting moment, they perceived something terrifying on Zongzheng Huachun. Soon after, the raging flood of Supreme Yang Qi, like a gate being opened, furiously rushed towards An Jing. Boom! A thunderous explosion erupted, the dazzling burst of Supreme Yang Qi resounded, followed by a ferocious Qi mechanism pouring out, instantly shattering the ground. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is finished¡­.¡± A relieved voice came out at that moment from Jiren Tai¡¯s mouth; his eyes intense as he watched the field, clearly sensing that Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s attack had hit An Jing. With such a level of assault, regardless of An Jing¡¯s strength, he was bound to be grievously injured or even killed; the duel, it seemed, had reached its conclusion. An Jing was indeed too powerful! So powerful that even the masters present felt suffocated! If it weren¡¯t for Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s concealed move, it might not have been possible to defeat the Ghost Swordsman. As Jiren Tai spoke, somewhere else, Qiu Lun¡¯s expression also darkened. Under the full-force strike of a Great Grandmaster, even An Jing would struggle to cope; if he somehow managed to survive, what chances would he have left? ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± Yu Qiurong¡¯s face turned ghostly pale, her breathing halted. You Gai, Duanmu Xinghua, Ouyang Ping, and others clenched their hands, their eyes intently focused on the storm of Qi mechanisms ¨C was this really the end? Lin Tianhai, Yi Daoyun, and others also showed reluctance on their faces. It wasn¡¯t that An Jing wasn¡¯t strong, but Zongzheng Huachun before them was simply too powerful. If the Ghost Swordsman was to lose, it would be a massive blow to Great Yan at this moment, and even more so a cruel strike to the Demon Sect. ¡°Is he still lacking somewhat after all?¡± Luo Chongyang bemoaned with a salute. The Ghost Swordsman had brought him many surprises and hope, with too many unbelievable things revealed through him. But this time, it seemed he wasn¡¯t going to perform another miracle of his own. Only Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes remained cold; her grip tight on her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades. In the distance of Ba Mountain, Xi Hafu brought his hands together and calmly watched the scene, his voice faint, ¡°It seems that after all, it is time for this humble monk to take action.¡± No one knew that at this moment, a current Great Grandmaster expert was hidden here. ¡°Even if Zhao Zhiwu were alive today, he would be no match for me, let alone you?¡± Atop Ba Mountain, Zongzheng Huachun looked at the place where the Qi mechanism raged, smiling and then shook his head, turning to walk away. He had absolute confidence in his strike. The Ghost Swordsman was as good as dead; even if he had practiced the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique of the Great Zhou Dynasty Royal Family, what of it? His full-strength strike, combined with the Mu Dust Pearl¨Can exotic treasure¨Cmeant that even a typical Great Grandmaster would struggle to defend against it, and a Five Qi Grandmaster like An Jing was unquestionably doomed to die. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Thud! Thud! However, just as he turned, a subtle yet deep footstep sound emerged from the Qi Mechanism¡¯s fray, making Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body freeze abruptly. Then, expressionless, he slowly turned around, his pupils contracting as he looked at someone stepping out from the midst of the overwhelming Qi, disbelief flickering in his eyes. Not just Zongzheng Huachun, but all the experts around Ba Mountain¡¯s base felt their hearts skip a beat, holding their breath as they turned towards the chaotic Qi Mechanisms. ¡­¡­ PS: Recommend a book, if you¡¯re interested you can have a look, ¡°Mystic Wizard: I Can See Hidden Information¡±. Chapter 389 - Chapter 389 Chapter 289 Sword Dao Seven Realms Slay Immortal Chapter 389: Chapter 289: Sword Dao Seven Realms Slay Immortal Chapter 389: Chapter 289: Sword Dao Seven Realms Slay Immortal Great Yan, Dragon Locking Well. The autumn wind swept through, lifting fallen leaves from the ground and producing a rustling sound. This place, coveted and desired by the experts of the world, was now completely silent, devoid of any noise. It was at this moment that soft footsteps began to echo once more. The newcomer was an unkempt elder with lines etched into his face like knife cuts, but his eyes were clear and bright, almost as if they emitted light. This man was Wang Yangsheng, a great grandmaster from the remnants of the Great Qin Dynasty. At this time, his pace was neither fast nor slow, steady and strong. His feet stepped on the fallen leaves without making the slightest sound, leaving the leaves perfectly intact. Wang Yangsheng¡¯s footsteps paused slightly as he said indifferently, ¡°Come out.¡± As his voice fell, the Five Elements leaped out from a distance and landed in front of the Dragon Locking Well. Jin, with a grave expression, looked at the newcomer, ¡°Wang Yangsheng, I didn¡¯t expect you to come back?¡± It was a power that even five of them combined might not match in three moves, a grandmaster¡¯s prowess that he had personally experienced last time. ¡°Those who block my path shall die!¡± Wang Yangsheng didn¡¯t waste words and waved his sleeve. ¡°Boom, boom, boom-!¡± His sleeve contained true yuan as tough as forged iron, and as this true yuan surged forward, air tore with the sound of breaking the void. ¡°Join forces quickly!¡± The five hastily combined their true qi, which came forth mightily. A giant five-colored hand descended from above, attempting to stop the incoming qi force and true yuan, but clearly, they had underestimated Wang Yangsheng¡¯s strength or overestimated their own. The moment the two forces collided, the five-colored hand shattered abruptly. The remaining force rushed out like a torrent, striking the five individuals directly. ¡°Ah!¡± The Five Elements felt an immense force attacking them, causing their organs to tremble. Blood spurted out from their mouths like arrows, staining the fallen leaves on the ground red. In just one move! In only a single move, the Five Elements guarding the Dragon Locking Well had fallen, suffering heavy injuries. Wang Yangsheng said calmly, ¡°If the Ghost Swordsman is not here, who else can stop me?¡± Last time, not only was there the Ghost Swordsman, but there was also a grandmaster lurking around the Dragon Locking Well, which had given Wang Yangsheng some misgivings. But now that the Ghost Swordsman had left for Houjin, and that grandmaster was also absent, who else could resist him? ¡°I can!¡± Just then, a clear shout came from afar. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Wang Yangsheng frowned and looked in the direction of the voice. He saw a woman dressed in a dragon robe walking toward him. The woman naturally possessed a graceful and delicate beauty, but now clad in the imposing dragon robe, she exuded an aura of valiance and authority that made onlookers avert their eyes. The person was none other than Zhao Xuening, the Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an. Behind her were the royal family¡¯s experts, including Bai Mei the eunuch, Xu Qianyue, Tianpeng Ancestor, and several dozen Imperial Guards. ¡°The Human Emperor?¡± Wang Yangsheng¡¯s brow was tightly furrowed as he looked at the Empress of Yong¡¯an before him. It seemed as though there was a fluctuation of Qi mechanism hidden within her. If one did not look carefully, even he might not have noticed it. It should be noted that the Empress had only ascended the throne a few months ago and was still quite young. How could her strength possibly give him a sense of danger? Even the Ghost Swordsman had been in Jianghu for three years before achieving his current success, with a traceable path of growth. Yet, before this, the Empress had been nothing more than an unremarkable princess. Zhao Xuening said indifferently, ¡°I knew you would come here today to meet your death, so I¡¯ve been waiting here for a long time.¡± Among the three Great Grandmasters that had emerged in the world today, Xi Hafu was far away in Houjin, and Qian Qiu, the Undying, plotted deeply and would not make a move until the very end. Moreover, having severed Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s last thread of life, he too had expended a great deal of energy. Wang Yangsheng longed exceedingly for the Earth Vein Spirit, having previously initiated a coup for it. Now revived by a secret technique, his desire was even stronger, and he would not miss any opportunity to seize the Earth Vein Spirit. Thus, the Empress deduced that this Great Grandmaster would come to the Dragon Locking Well once again when Xi Hafu was away from it. ¡°Meet my death?¡± Wang Yangsheng laughed, ¡°Even the Heavenly Yuan Emperor of Great Qin wouldn¡¯t dare utter such mad words in front of me.¡± Although the Heavenly Yuan Emperor had not ascended to the status of a Great Grandmaster, he was still a martial emperor of Great Qin, with his cultivation reaching the peak of the Four Qi Realm, only one step away from entering the Five Qi Realm. It was against him that Wang Yangsheng had rebelled, and he was executed by the Grand Ancestor of Great Qin. Zhao Xuening took a step forward and said, ¡°The people Great Qin Dynasty could not kill, Great Yan Dynasty will. Today, I will show you what true royal dominance is!¡± Boom! With a single step forward from Zhao Xuening, the ground trembled violently and began to shake. Whoosh! Whoosh! Two figures rapidly approached from the distance; they were the top Buddhist experts, Tianyi Bodhisattva and Fa Wu. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± Wang Yangsheng realized something and squinted his eyes, slowly saying, ¡°The Bridal Attire Strategy?¡± Among the contemporary legends, there were three martial arts heart methods that surpassed the Heavenly Martial level: the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± from the Demon Sect, the ¡°Great Sun Tathagata Zen Scripture¡± of the Buddhist sect, and the ¡°Jade Emperor Scripture¡± of the Mystical Sect. Actually, there were other martial arts that truly surpassed the Heavenly Martial level, but unlike these three sects¡¯ arts, they were not well known. Some martial arts were not beyond the Heavenly Martial level, but were still considered secret techniques of the time, including the ¡°Bridal Attire Strategy¡± and ¡°Heavenly Heart Tribulation.¡± There were not many experts who practiced the ¡°Bridal Attire Strategy,¡± only Su Tianze, and among the numerous experts, even fewer could recognize this technique. Only Qin Shan had identified Su Tianze¡¯s practice of the ¡°Bridal Attire Strategy¡± back at Zhong Mountain. The Empress slightly parted her red lips and said, ¡°You¡¯re correct.¡± She had indeed been practicing the ¡°Bridal Attire Strategy,¡± which had been passed on to her by Su Tianze. Su Tianze had not disappeared mysteriously; instead, he had returned to where he belonged. Su Tianze was originally a piece in play by the Emperor of Great Yan, a piece that lay dormant at Zhao Chongyin¡¯s side. This was one of the four pieces left by Zhao Zhiwu. He had left a piece by Zhao Mengtai and Zhao Chongyin¡¯s sides; these were his internal pieces. When a piece was no longer useful, there was only one path left to take: sacrifice. Su Tianze, using the ¡°Bridal Attire Strategy,¡± had transferred all his cultivation to the Empress of Yong¡¯an, granting her the mastery of the Five Qi Grandmaster Realm, abruptly turning her into one of the most formidable experts in the world. This was the reason for the Empress¡¯s remarkable cultivation. Wang Yangsheng smiled faintly and said, ¡°If the ¡®Bridal Attire Strategy¡¯ is the only thing you have to offer, I am afraid that Great Yan Dynasty will have a new emperor by tomorrow.¡± The magic of the ¡°Bridal Attire Strategy¡± lay in the ability to transfer one¡¯s cultivation directly to another. Even if the Empress received the full cultivation of a Five Qi Grandmaster, she would merely be an average one at that level. Moreover, Wang Yangsheng was a Great Grandmaster. The Great Yan Emperor spoke indifferently, ¡°Let¡¯s see today whether you live or I perish.¡± ¡°I really want to see where your confidence comes from.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s try.¡± True Qi started to circulate within Wang Yangsheng¡¯s body, and then he stomped his foot on the ground. Boom! Boom! At the moment Wang Yangsheng¡¯s foot touched the ground, the earth exploded with rumbling noises. Cracks, thick and immense, spread from the center of his foot, extending far into the distance. Apart from the Great Yan Emperor and a few other top-level Grandmasters, most people only felt the world shaking, their bodies unstable. In no time at all, the ground above the Dragon Locking Well was covered with dense cracks. Hiss¨C! Everyone who saw this scene took a sharp intake of breath, their faces turning to utter shock. Is this the might of a Great Grandmaster? Just a gentle step on the ground, and the land within a radius of several miles completely split apart; it was beyond their imagination. ¡°Summon the sword!¡± The Great Yan Emperor called out lightly. The eunuch Zhong Binru extended his hand, and with a ¡®whoosh,¡¯ the Emperor¡¯s Sword flew out from the scabbard and finally landed in the hands of the Great Yan Emperor. Facing this Master Realm expert, the Great Yan Emperor scoffed coldly, the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s Sword in hand slashing towards Wang Yangsheng. The sword light was icy cold, as if a glass-like brilliance had emerged fiercely into the world. Lawless and reckless, sometimes she was just like An Jing. Boom! As the Sword Radiance slashed down, the azure sky seemed to split open with a black crack, and at the far end of that crack, an extreme light surged forth, slashing towards Wang Yangsheng. Tearing through the void! This fierce power was not something ordinary Grandmasters could possess. Clearly, the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s strength was that of a top Five Qi Grandmaster. Above the Dragon Locking Well, countless black fissures appeared as furious True Qi swept out, pulverizing numerous rocks and trees into dust. ¡°It seems that the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence of the Great Yan Emperor has been absorbed by you.¡± Seeing this, a smile emerged on the corner of Wang Yangsheng¡¯s mouth. After speaking, he stomped his foot and charged towards the Great Yan Emperor. Both figures started to fade away as black fissures and streams of True Qi surged like tides, causing everyone¡¯s hearts to tremble. After taking a slash of Sword Light from the Great Yan Emperor, Wang Yangsheng stepped back repeatedly and whispered, ¡°King Sword!?¡± The Great Yan Emperor looked at the longsword in his hand and spoke coldly, ¡°When the King Sword is drawn, a million corpses fall. Let¡¯s see if you can withstand it.¡± After speaking, the Great Yan Emperor struck once again with his sword, which was like the starry river in splendor, shining with magnificent brilliance. At the same time, the True Dragon Qi above Yujing City also converged, seemingly blessing the current Great Yan Emperor, instantly making her aura even more astonishing. It was as if in this moment, the world itself had fallen silent. Wang Yangsheng¡¯s expression remained unchanged, but his hand reached forward, and from it emanated waves of True Yuan akin to ripples on water. That surging True Yuan, majestic and expansive, was like the incessant flow of ocean water. The Sword Light and the waves of True Yuan finally collided forcefully. Suddenly, the world shook, and time seemed to stop at that moment. Boom! Boom! Boom! But then, earth-shattering explosions echoed out from the center. At the center of the impact, the buildings of the distant Dragon Spring Temple turned to ash. Boom! Boom! Boom! By the impact of this aftermath, several dozens of Imperial Guards of Second and Third Grade Realm turned instantly into mists of blood, and the eunuch Zhong Binru and Xu Qianyue both retreated in haste, with Zhong Binru¡¯s face turning particularly pale. Only Tianyi Bodhisattva, Fa Wu, and the white-browed eunuch barely held their ground. Xu Qianyue¡¯s face was icy as she said, ¡°A Great Grandmaster¡¯s strength is truly too formidable.¡± At that moment, recalling how the Ghost Swordsman had once withstood this Great Grandmaster, she could vaguely realize how terrifying and awe-inspiring the real power of this Ghost Swordsman was. In facing this Grandmaster Realm expert, even Fa Wu, a common Five Qi Grandmaster, and Tianyi Bodhisattva, the white-browed eunuch, and other Four Qi Grandmasters had no chance to strike. The experts below the Grandmaster level would turn into a mist of blood upon touching their True Yuan. The Great Yan Emperor, protected by True Dragon Qi, was unharmed by the violent surge of True Qi. Wang Yangsheng said, ¡°If this is all your strength, I¡¯m afraid it will be difficult to stop me.¡± Having said that, he sprang forward and slapped his palm fiercely towards the front. Boom! The tyrannical True Yuan swept out, vast and mighty. ¡°Run!¡± The white-browed eunuch knew they couldn¡¯t resist and instantly leaped away towards the distance. The others also scattered, but Wang Yangsheng was too fast. In an instant, his palm strike arrived, and Xu Qianyue was a bit too slow to react and was hit by it. ¡°Bang!¡± The forceful True Yuan collided with Xu Qianyue¡¯s body, making her feel as if she had been struck by a mountain, losing all consciousness. Xu Qianyue turned into a mist of blood, scattering across the sky. Xu Qianyue was dead! This personal sword-bearing guard of Zhao Zhiwu, the Great Commander of the Xuanyi Guard, was turned into a cloud of dust by Wang Yangsheng¡¯s palm strike. Such a terrifying scene made even the top experts present shudder, feeling a chill running from their spine to the top of their heads. This was the terrifying might of a Great Grandmaster! Even the white-browed eunuch was inwardly shaken at this moment. The Great Yan Emperor did not speak but simply looked at the sword in her hand, with an expression neither joyous nor sorrowful, and it was impossible to tell what she was truly thinking. Unconsciously, this princess had acquired a trace of the cunning and calculating Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s shadow. ¡°Your Majesty, please draw your sword.¡± Just then, a clear voice called out from afar. Following the voice, they saw a thin, middle-aged man in a black robe. His complexion was fair, bearing a refined elegance with a touch of scholarly charm. The man was none other than Zhao Tianyi, the Great Eunuch, who held immense power within the court of Great Yan. Upon seeing the Great Eunuch appear, the Yong¡¯an Emperor¡¯s eyelids twitched, and Wang Yangsheng¡¯s brow furrowed, an inexplicable sense of danger taking root in his eyes. The Yong¡¯an Emperor, feeling his eyelids twitch, subconsciously gripped the Emperor¡¯s Sword in his hand tighter. ¡°Your Majesty, this was something we had agreed upon in advance.¡± Zhao Tianyi took steps forward, calmly bowing with a fist towards the Yong¡¯an Emperor, saying, ¡°Gentlemen can sacrifice their lives for righteousness. For the future of the world, for Your Majesty¡¯s imperial conquests, Zhao Tianyi only seeks a worthy death.¡± ¡°Ah, what a noble sacrifice for righteousness,¡± acknowledged the Yong¡¯an Emperor with a loud shout, then lifted the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s Sword in his hand, ¡°Today I shall fulfill your wish.¡± Flashes of cold light reflected off the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s Sword, but through the blade, Wang Yangsheng noticed that what was colder wasn¡¯t the sword itself but the eyes of the Yong¡¯an Emperor. A bad feeling took hold in Wang Yangsheng¡¯s heart. What is this eunuch scholar up to? And what is this Emperor planning to do? Zhao Tianyi, hearing the Yong¡¯an Emperor¡¯s words, revealed a trace of a smile on his lips before slowly spreading his arms. The Literary Palace within him shattered, turning into void, his vast scholarly cultivation surging forth, casting a golden glow over Zhao Tianyi¡¯s form. Lv Guoyong had two disciples; Li Fuzhou joined the Demon Sect in his youth, becoming the leader of the Human Sect within, a famous expert known throughout the world. Zhao Tianyi was Li Fuzhou¡¯s senior brother, with a reputation even greater than his; he castrated himself to enter the palace as a eunuch and eventually rose to be the Tai Shi, replacing the Great Yan Emperor Zhao Zhiwu in supervising court affairs. ¡°What a formidable scholar,¡± commented Wang Yangsheng, his breath catching. He solemnly asked, ¡°Is he choosing to sacrifice his life for justice?¡± The Confucian school had already existed during the Qin Dynasty, but it didn¡¯t reach its pinnacle until the Zhou Dynasty, where the Confucian experts possessed two transcendental abilities: one was to manifest sainthood, and the other was to sacrifice life for righteousness. Shattering the Literary Palace was the second transcendental method. Unlike Li Fuzhou and Lv Guoyong, who shattered their Literary Palace yet preserved their divine souls to live on as ordinary people, Zhao Tianyi was shattering even his divine soul, fancifully aiming to become a Saint within the Confucian scholars today. The status of a Confucian Saint was even rarer and more prestigious than Grandmasters in the Master Realm. Throughout history, amongst the myriad of Confucian scholars, only two had attained sainthood. But now, Zhao Tianyi was shattering both his Literary Palace and divine soul, reaching for the power of heaven and earth to become a Confucian Saint in this brief moment. ¡°Boom-!¡± ¡°Boom-!¡± Dark clouds gathered in the sky above, the howling wind rose, whipping up sand and stones from the ground, as if even the grass would be uprooted. Everything in the world seemed to merge with the heavens, obscured from sight, while thunder rumbled in the northeast, struggling as if trapped within the dense clouds, its sound deep and muffled. Suddenly, in the expansive northeast sky, against the cotton-like black clouds, there blazed a rushing fire. The lightning failed to tear through the dense clouds, and after the thunder faded in the low-hanging clouds, the world fell into darkness. In a moment, lightning flashed, thunder roared through the heavens as if heralding the end of days. After the mountain breeze, the deep autumn grass seemed battered by a storm, its branches and leaves withered and sallow. ¡°Boom-!¡± A bolt of thunder, straight as a dragon, struck down, followed by a deafening sound that echoed throughout Yujing City, startling all the residents of the capital. That bolt of lightning, like the dawn breaking through darkness, shone upon the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s Sword and the refined face of the Yong¡¯an Emperor. Meanwhile, Zhao Tianyi¡¯s body began to become ethereal and transparent. Lightning and sword light intertwined in everything; the strike seemed like divine retribution. Wang Yangsheng¡¯s heart also quivered, his pupils contracting violently. This sensation was akin to facing the Grand Ancestor of the Great Qin thousands of years ago, on the brink of death. ¡­¡­ Houjin, Ba Mountain. The figure in white was now covered in blood, yet still stood erect like a sword planted in the ground, standing tall between heaven and earth. An Jing slowly said, ¡°Perhaps things are not as simple as you think.¡± A majestic aura, like a rainbow piercing heaven and earth, suddenly swept out from his body, blowing away all the dust and qi mechanisms around. Around Ba Mountain, many eyes filled with astonishment looked towards the figure in white emerging from amidst the surging qi, the latter¡¯s suddenly soaring aura left them quite shaken. No one expected that even in the face of such peril, the Ghost Swordsman had not perished. And they could all feel that at this moment, An Jing¡¯s aura had grown so powerful that it was almost enveloping everyone around Ba Mountain. That silhouette was like a mountain itself. ¡°Huh!?¡± Zongzheng Huachun furrowed his brows tightly upon seeing this, clearly the situation before him was something he had not anticipated. ¡°He¡¯s not dead yet!?¡± Jiren Tai¡¯s face exhibited shock on seeing An Jing walk out. Xi Hafu¡¯s steps also paused slightly as he brought his palms together and whispered, ¡°Amitabha.¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes flashed with a sharp light; a torrent of True Qi surged out, funneling into the Dulu Sword and slashing downwards. ¡°It¡¯s only a matter of time. This king will send you to join Jun Qinglin now,¡± Zongzheng Huachun said, his gaze turning icy in an instant. His palm turned abruptly as the True Yuan around him howled forth, carrying an astonishing momentum to shatter the sword light and continue to suppress An Jing. Boom boom boom! Distortions appeared in the void, and the ground began to crumble frenziedly, with massive cracks rapidly spreading. These were the methods of a Great Grandmaster! Only a Great Grandmaster could wield such a power that penetrated heaven and earth! Everyone could see that Zongzheng Huachun was now exerting his strength to the utmost, trying to kill An Jing in one fell swoop. An Jing looked up, facing the surging True Yuan that rolled towards him, and from this dense True Yuan, he felt an extremely dangerous fluctuation. The True Qi derived from the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± was majestic and vast, erupting suddenly from An Jing¡¯s body. At the same time, the True Qi around him began to boil again. It was as if the whole of Ba Mountain¡¯s heaven and earth, all living beings, were in a sea of boiling True Qi. The True Qi within tens of thousands of miles, including the True Qi derived from An Jing¡¯s Eternal Immortal Body. Boom boom boom boom boom boom! Terrible explosions ensued, centered on An Jing, beginning to resound. ¡°` Nameless Path! As the Dulu Sword in his hand swept forward, heaven and earth seemed to explode, the sword light shining with a radiance no one had ever witnessed before. When the sword light reached the edge, another earth-shattering explosion descended upon this realm. Boom! After understanding the Sword Dao, An Jing successively created the Invisible Sword, the Selfless Dao, and the Heartless Path, and now, this was his fourth technique of Sword Dao, the Nameless Path. The sword unsheathed was nameless. Clang! The moment of impact, a heaven-shaking sound, reverberated through the cosmos! A torrent of brilliant and violent light furiously collided with the mountainous palm print rushing forward. In the midst of that intense light, everyone could feel an almost apocalyptic terrifying fluctuation. Bang bang! The endless sky was twisted open at this moment, and the vast ground was spreading with waves of earth, the whole land nearly shattered to pieces, already a complete mess. Eyes filled with gravity looked towards the terrible shock spreading out. ¡°What an astonishing clash¡­¡± All the masters present were dumbstruck, their gazes tightly fixed on the source of the dazzling light, the astonishing fluctuations emanating from there left them, despite their greatness, deeply shaken and utterly amazed. ¡°Who won?¡± Everyone was tense, watching the shattered void, and although everyone thought the Ghost Swordsman had no chance of victory, their hearts were still extremely anxious. Cong Yue¡¯s eyes were filled with tension, her heart trembling as well. The leader of the Southern Barbarians was also staring hard at the front, his breathing having come to a halt. Luo Chongyang and Xiao Qianqiu both frowned, the True Qi in the field was too violent, and under such ferocity, even they could not sense the exact situation. Xi Hafu watched the area of the True Qi blast, and after a moment, his pupils suddenly and slightly constricted. Boom! Just at that instant, the strong light akin to the sun shot up into the sky, and then as the light faded, amidst the rising dust and smoke, the scene within became blurry once more. Shua! At that instant, all eyes turned sharply, and under the gaze of those eyes, the dust gradually dispersed. As the majestic smoke cleared, two silhouettes emerged faintly, and upon closer inspection, the figures standing amidst the storm were none other than An Jing and Zongzheng Huachun. Everyone¡¯s hearts lifted as they watched the standoff in the center of the field. The entire circumference of Ba Mountain became silent at this moment, with only the light wind brushing through the forests, causing a crisp rustling sound. Crack! Crack! This silence did not last for long until people heard faint cracking sounds from mid-air¨Ceveryone¡¯s gaze shifted abruptly. That crisp sound was coming from An Jing¡¯s chest, followed by drops of blood trickling down from the corner of his mouth. ¡°Has the Ghost Swordsman been gravely injured!?¡± A somewhat sharp cry of alarm pierced the air at that moment. The faces of the experts from the Demon Sect, including You Gai, Duanmu Xinghua, Ouyang Ping, and others changed dramatically. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s breathing also became hurried¨Cit looked like An Jing was at the end of his rope. ¡°It seems today will be your end,¡± Zongzheng Huachun said with a cold smile at the corner of his mouth, ¡°Heaven¡¯s misdeeds can be forgiven; self-inflicted misdeeds cannot live.¡± After saying this, Zongzheng Huachun stretched out his palm, and the huge palm shadow behind him also reached out, smashing down like a massive mountain against An Jing below, its force like a thousand pounds, with An Jing appearing tiny beneath it, like a small boat rocking in a storm. The Ghost Swordsman is finished! That was the thought of almost everyone the moment that palm fell. If the Ghost Swordsman died, what chance would the numerous experts of the Demon Sect have to survive? Only Zhao Qingmei, gazing at that figure, felt an unexpectedly calm heart. She believed that An Jing must feel the same at this moment. There was no fluctuation, only calm. In An Jing¡¯s Dantian, True Qi surged like a torrent, unceasingly gushing forth, eventually flooding into every limb of his body. With that majestic True Qi infusion, he felt his body brimming with strength. An Jing began to grip the Dulu Sword in his hand tightly. Only a sword is the closest thing to eternity, and a swordsman¡¯s life is often entwined with it. With a sword in hand, proceed holding the sword; without a sword, proceed forgetting the sword¨Ca swordsman himself is an unsheathed sharp sword. Calm! Nothing but calm! It was like an ancient well undisturbed for a hundred years, its surface as clear as a mirror, without a single ripple. At that moment, An Jing forgot the sword and even forgot himself. Man and sword unite, and simultaneously, both sword and self are forgotten. The Seventh Realm of Sword Dao, Unity of Man and Sword, Forgetting both Sword and Self. Today, An Jing finally reached this realm. In his eyes shone an indelible cold light, and his hand¡¯s sword corresponded brilliantly. An Jing looked forward, his Dulu Sword cleaving towards the ground, and instantly, the void trembled madly. The Dulu Sword seemed like a world-ending sword, sweeping across the universe, purging everything in the world. Crack! Crack! Crack! To the incredulous gazes of the crowd, the peak of Ba Mountain that towered hundreds of meters high was completely leveled by this sword. The remaining sword light continued towards Zongzheng Huachun, splitting the great grandmaster¡¯s body into two. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only ¡°How could it be so fast!?¡± Surprise and disbelief filled Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s pupils, then that divine light gradually faded, and the two halves of his body heavily collapsed on the ground. As the Land Immortal¡¯s life was extinguished amidst the sword light, it evaporated into smoke and clouds. ¡­ ¡°` Chapter 390 - Chapter 390 Chapter 290 Signs of Great Chaos Under Heaven Chapter 390: Chapter 290: Signs of Great Chaos Under Heaven Chapter 390: Chapter 290: Signs of Great Chaos Under Heaven Whoosh! A shocking clamor suddenly spread around Ba Mountain. Everyone was dumbfounded as they watched the scene unfold; no one had anticipated that Zongzheng Huachun, who had been dominating the battle, would ultimately be dismembered by the Ghost Swordsman and meet his death. In Houjin, the experts from Zhao Country were all in disbelief as they watched the scene, especially Jiren Tai, whose face was completely blank, unable to believe that Zongzheng Huachun, who had reached the Grandmaster Level, could still be defeated by the Ghost Swordsman. At that moment, the world seemed to quake, and all was eerily silent. It was as though time itself had stopped. No one had expected this legendary battle to end this way. Today¡¯s battle had completely overturned the current situation in the world, with Great Yan even reversing its previous decline, and this battle was destined to be recorded in history books, remembered by countless future generations. An Jing, with the strength of a Five Qi Grandmaster, had slain a contemporary expert of the Grandmaster Realm, creating a record that likely no one in the past or future could surpass. It could be said that today¡¯s battle was enough to prove that An Jing possessed the strength to stand as the world¡¯s number one expert. After all, how many Grandmasters were there in the world today fit to be slain by this first swordsman? ¡°My heavens! Even Zongzheng Huachun, who had ascended to Grandmaster Level, is dead?¡± ¡°From now on, An Jing is probably the number one expert in the world,¡± ¡°A Grandmaster has died at his sword¡­ truly the greatest swordsman of all time!¡± ¡­¡­.. Discussions surged like a tide throughout the world. What kind of person is a Grandmaster? That¡¯s a land immortal who could extend one¡¯s life by three hundred years. Everyone thought Zongzheng Huachun had advanced to Grandmaster level and would defeat the Ghost Swordsman today and thus make a name for himself in the world, but unexpectedly, he died at the hands of the Ghost Swordsman. Zongzheng Huachun was indeed a genuine Grandmaster, but now he lay fallen on the ground! In history, the death of a Grandmaster is an extremely rare occurrence, so at the moment, everyone still harbored some disbelief, as if in a dream. Qiu Lun could no longer contain the excitement in his heart and ecstatically exclaimed, ¡°Big brother has won! Big brother has won!¡± He too was somewhat in disbelief; originally An Jing was at a disadvantage, but this final sword not only leveled Ba Mountain but also killed a living land immortal. The leader of the Southern Barbarians incredulously said, ¡°Who else can stop this Ghost Swordsman now?¡± When Zongzheng Huachun displayed his Grandmaster Cultivation, he thought the Ghost Swordsman was doomed, but the reality was the exact opposite. Cong Yue, witnessing the scene, was already at a loss for words. Today¡¯s battle was truly shocking. Regaining his senses, Jiren Tai despondently said, ¡°Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. How could the Holy Master possibly lose?¡± He couldn¡¯t believe that the person in front of him, Zongzheng Huachun, would lose to An Jing, but the reality was Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s body lay in the distance, forcing him to believe it. Zongzheng Huachun was indeed dead! The sky had fallen for Houjin! Xiao Qianqiu sighed deeply, the glow of that sword still seemed to linger in his mind as if he was still savoring it. Luo Chongyang said, ¡°He has reached the Seventh Realm.¡± The Seventh Realm is the pinnacle of Sword Dao, with no records in historical texts about any swordsman reaching this realm, demonstrating the terror of this achievement. Although Grandmasters are rare, at least some have reached this realm, but a swordsman of the Seventh Realm like An Jing is truly unique. ¡°Such a terrifying sword,¡± Xiao Qianqiu shook his head softly, ¡°In that sword, no matter how one predicts, I only see one outcome.¡± Luo Chongyang asked, ¡°What is it?¡± Xiao Qianqiu said, ¡°Death. Even a Grandmaster couldn¡¯t withstand that sword unless¡­¡± Luo Chongyang asked, ¡°Unless what?¡± Xiao Qianqiu looked toward the south, speaking solemnly, ¡°Unless that undying monster sitting atop Cloud Tower.¡± An Jing, having reached the Seventh Realm, now truly stood at the pinnacle of the world, but there was still one person whose strength might withstand a full-force strike from An Jing. The experts of the Demon Sect were also wildly ecstatic, their hearts throbbing with excitement; An Jing¡¯s feat of slaying an expert of the Grandmaster Realm was an extraordinary achievement. Today¡¯s battle not only elevated An Jing¡¯s reputation but also pushed the Demon Sect to the true pinnacle. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes were exceptionally serene, but her heart also stirred slightly. Watching the figure who now stood above the world, a proud smile curved on her lips. ¡°It¡¯s over.¡± An Jing looked at Zongzheng Huachun lying on the ground, stepped forward, and extended his palm, catching a strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence in it. This strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence was dozens of times purer than Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, and although it could not help him reach the Grandmaster Realm, it was enough to bring him to the pinnacle of Five Qi, enhancing his strength somewhat. Afterward, An Jing picked up the dust bead, looked into the distance, and muttered to himself, ¡°Great Elder, your wish has been fulfilled.¡± The battle between Jun Qinglin and Zongzheng Huachun in the desert seemed to still be before his eyes, vividly remembered. Now, thinking back, it seemed as if Jun Qinglin resisted Zongzheng Huachun out of concern that Zongzheng might strike him; if Jun Qinglin wanted to leave, Zongzheng probably couldn¡¯t have stopped him. Now that Jun Qinglin¡¯s great vengeance was avenged and the grievances of Dongluo Pass were completely resolved, An Jing¡¯s internal conflict completely relaxed. Suddenly, the sky above became densely covered with dark clouds, and a surge of Yin Evil Qi blanketed the entire sky, causing the heavens and the earth to darken as an immensely oppressive emotion welled up in everyone¡¯s heart. Just as Qiu Lun was about to command the Pingyang Guard to charge the Houjin army, he saw this and was momentarily stunned, ¡°What in the world is happening?¡± It was not only Qiu Lun, many masters present raised their heads to look at the sky, a trace of surprise flashing in their eyes. Suddenly, from within that Yin Evil Qi, a towering and majestic great hall appeared before everyone, surrounded by fierce and terrifying ghostly shadows, as if it were a ghost city suspended in mid-air. ¡°Fengdu!?¡± Someone cried out in horror upon seeing this. A sense of panic emerged in everyone¡¯s hearts, their hearts pounding chaotically as if they wanted to jump out of their throats. ¡°Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace!?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly, a gleam of sharp light flashing in his eyes. Others did not know what this great hall was, but he was very clear that this was not Fengdu; it was merely an exotic treasure belonging to the Palace Master of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace. Now that this exotic treasure was emitting Yin Evil Qi, it seemed that the Palace Master, who had been in seclusion in Guishuang for many years, had emerged. A gloomy voice resonated from the great hall, and then a figure appeared among the many ghostly shadows, ¡°Truly worthy of being The World¡¯s First Swordsman, today¡¯s sight has indeed been an eye-opener for this one.¡± The person¡¯s face was unclear, draped in a blood-red robe, surrounded by Yin Evil Qi and ghostly shadows that produced a frightful sensation in those who looked upon him. ¡°Hmm!?¡± Xiang Hafu, from a distance, slightly furrowed his brows upon seeing this. The newcomer was not only a Great Grandmaster but also not a novice in the Grandmaster Realm; his cultivation was significantly higher than Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s, likely just having refined his internal organs once with True Yuan. Through ancient and modern times, most Great Grandmasters have only refined their organs once with True Yuan; only a very few top-tier Great Grandmasters like the Buddha or the Grand Ancestor of Great Qin have done so twice. And Xi Hafu himself was a Great Grandmaster who had refined his organs twice; the sudden appearance did not perturb him, but what made him frown was the exotic treasure beside the Palace Master of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace. This exotic treasure emitted an extremely rich Yin Evil Qi, clearly not an ordinary object. Zhao Qingmei leaped up to stand in front of An Jing. An Jing waved his hand and said, ¡°Since you have come, why not show your true face?¡± Wutzhu said, ¡°All who have seen my true face have died.¡± An Jing chuckled lightly, ¡°Oh? It seems your honor cannot be seen then.¡± Wutzhu shook his head, ¡°Perhaps not for others, but you can.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Why can I?¡± From within the chilling Yin Evil Qi, a cold voice transmitted, ¡°Because I want you dead!¡± The moment he finished speaking, the robust Yin Evil Qi surged out from the great hall like a raging tide. At this moment, An Jing had just been through a fierce battle with a Grandmaster such as Zongzheng Huachun; in Wutzhu¡¯s eyes, he was gravely wounded and simply incapable of confronting him. From within the tide of Yin Evil Qi, a hand as white as bone stretched out, grasping towards An Jing. ¡°Boom¨C!¡± The moment the white skeletal hand reached down, the void split open around it. ¡°Shattering Void! Another Great Grandmaster level expert!¡± ¡°So powerful, who is this person?¡± ¡°There are still Great Grandmaster level experts in this world?¡± ¡­.. As everyone watched the shattered void, they realized that this was another Great Grandmaster level expert, but confusion arose in their hearts. An Jing pulled Zhao Qingmei behind him and lightly said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Zhao Qingmei, seeing An Jing¡¯s expression, a trace of surprise appeared in her eyes, but it soon disappeared. ¡°Amitabha!¡± Though it was said late, it happened quickly, and a robust golden light swept through, impacting the Yin Evil Qi, after which a golden hand also stretched out towards the white skeletal claw. ¡°Bang!¡± The two massive palms collided, like mountains crashing against each other, emitting a piercing roar as the terrifying true Yuan waves spread wildly around. ¡°Go!¡± An Jing and Zhao Qingmei leaped away and vanished from their spot upon seeing this. Beneath that brilliant golden light, an old monk, stepping on golden radiance, slowly approached. Upon seeing the newcomer, Wutzhu¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°Xi Hafu?¡± Seeing this Great Grandmaster appear caused another uproar at the scene; the battle at Yulong Snow Mountain was well known across the world, and Xi Hafu, being a contemporary Buddha, was already a household name. Today, this Great Grandmaster had appeared here, and it seemed he was there to protect the Ghost Swordsman, which was astonishing. Xi Hafu joined his palms together and said, ¡°It seems the guest must be the Palace Master of Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace from Guishuang.¡± If one were to rank the understanding of Guishuang¡¯s power in the world, the Buddhist sect would undoubtedly be first, after all, Pure Land and Guishuang had always been neighbors and had some previous frictions and grudges. Wutzhu replied in a heavy voice, ¡°Master, why do you stop me?¡± The monk before him exerted tremendous pressure on him, obviously Xi Hafu¡¯s cultivation was above his, and although both were grandmasters and he had a powerful exotic treasure in hand, Wu Shu was still unwilling to directly confront Xi Hafu. Xi Hafu spoke in a low voice, ¡°Amitabha, this poor monk has promised the Human Emperor to protect Master An¡¯s safety.¡± ¡°Human Emperor?¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes lifted to look at An Jing, a cold light flashing through them. An Jing felt a chill in his heart and quickly transmitted his voice, ¡°My lady, I know nothing about this matter.¡± Zhao Qingmei glared at An Jing, then said nothing more. An Jing quietly lamented by the side, everything about Zhao Qingmei was good, except she was particularly prone to jealousy, and once her jealousy jarred, it took a long time to settle. Moreover, he really had no idea that the Human Emperor of Yong¡¯an could actually get such a great grandmaster to follow by his side. Upon hearing Xi Hafu¡¯s words, Wu Shu said, ¡°Master, the most critical moment has arrived, I think you do not want both of us to be injured, right?¡± On hearing this, Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes shone with a hint of gold, ¡°It seems the master knows quite a lot.¡± Wu Shu said, ¡°Master jests, what I know is merely superficial.¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s gaze lifted slightly, he spoke faintly, ¡°That exotic treasure of yours is not ordinary, you were able to reach the great grandmaster and knew some secrets by relying on it, right?¡± Yin Evil Qi tumbled around Wu Shu, as if he had lost all patience, he said, ¡°Master, are you truly going to stop me?¡± Xi Hafu pressed his hands together, ¡°Amitabha!¡± ¡°If you won¡¯t let me kill the Ghost Swordsman, today I will start by killing a Demon Sect Hierarch as an offering to heaven.¡± Wu Shu¡¯s gaze turned towards An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, suddenly a hint of brightness appeared in his eyes. Xi Hafu said he would protect An Jing, but he didn¡¯t say he would protect the Demon Sect Hierarch. Boom! Having said that, Yin Evil Qi surged around the great hall, transforming into an endless dark Long River. This dark river shattered the void wherever it passed, its might horrifying. This scene happened too swiftly, many people hadn¡¯t even reacted yet. Xi Hafu stood motionless in place, completely unconcerned about Zhao Qingmei¡¯s expression. ¡°Sect Leader, run for it!¡± Duanmu Xinghua and Ouyang Ping, upon seeing this, promptly shouted. Zhao Qingmei, seeing the black river, felt a chill in her heart and just as she was about to grab An Jing¡¯s arm to retreat, she heard a voice by her ear, ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Hearing those words, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s heart somehow calmed down. As the vast black river surged forward, at that moment, a mighty force pierced the air from afar, instantly splitting the malevolent Qi into two. The technique of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace¡¯s master was instantly destroyed, vanishing without a trace. ¡°Who?!¡± Wu Shu looked towards the origin. He saw a man in a large cloak walking slowly from a distance; his complexion was extremely pale, and his way of walking was a bit strange, but his aura was not the slightest bit inferior to Wu Shu¡¯s above, in fact, it was even stronger by a degree. This man was none other than the King of Xuwang from Xuwang Mountain. The King of Xuwang looked towards An Jing, grinned and said, ¡°Jing¡¯an, I have arrived.¡± An Jing, seeing the visitor, couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°Thank you for coming.¡± The two exchanged glances, their smiles deepening. Back when he came to Ba Mountain, An Jing had made a trip to Xuwang Mountain; he knew that the King of Xuwang was truly extraordinary, likely possessing the strength of a great grandmaster. Although due to Corpse Qi he couldn¡¯t stay outside for long, coming out for a few days was not a problem at all, and the King of Xuwang, a bona fide great grandmaster, was his real trump card. The Southern Barbarians¡¯ leader felt like he was in a dream, ¡°Another great grandmaster?¡± Normally, seeing even one great grandmaster was extremely rare, but today they had appeared one after another. It was rare in history for three great grandmasters to appear at the same time. Cong Yue sighed, ¡°This might be the harbinger of chaos my father spoke of.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± The Southern Barbarians¡¯ leader suddenly felt a shock in his heart, ¡°Why do I sense a familiar feeling from his body?¡± ¡°Me too.¡± Cong Yue looked at the King of Xuwang, oddly saying, ¡°It¡¯s like the Corpse Chasing skill practiced by my Southern Barbarians.¡± Corpse Chasing is one of the Southern Barbarians¡¯ two great secret techniques, where the produced corpses are hard-bodied, immensely strong, devoid of any cognition, entirely controlled by the Corpse Chaser. But how could the aura of Corpse Chasing be on a great grandmaster? Who could turn a great grandmaster into a corpse? The thought felt utterly absurd. Xiao Qianqiu held a copper coin in hand, and said gravely, ¡°There¡¯s something off about this person.¡± Luo Chongyang shook his head, ¡°I can¡¯t see through him either.¡± Another grandmaster!? The Island Master of Bibo Island glanced at the Sect Leader of White Mist Sect; shock was evident in both their eyes. This mysterious Great Grandmaster, who had suddenly appeared, left everyone stunned. Had it not been for today¡¯s duel, they would have never known that so many immortals were hidden in the corners of this world. While everyone was shocked, they increasingly sensed the signs of great chaos enveloping the world. Xinghua was also frowning, having not expected that besides the Ghost Swordsman, there was another Grandmaster, whose power seemed extraordinary, evidently a high-ranking Grandmaster like Zhangyang Wang. Utasu looked at Xu Wang, his heart sinking to the depths. ¡°And who might you be?¡± Who could have guessed that upon his arrival today, intending to kick An Jing while he was down with a final blow, he would encounter not one, but two high-ranking Grandmasters? Now, with the intervention of these two Grandmasters, it was he who had found himself in a dangerous deadlock. Xu Wang looked up at Utasu in the sky and said indifferently, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that the Life and Death Hall would end up in your hands.¡± ¡°Life and Death Hall!?¡± An Jing and Zhao Qingmei exchanged glances, seemingly reminded of something. Xiao Qianqiu was quick to react, furrowing her brow, ¡°So this is the rumored Exotic Treasure from the netherworld, now in the hands of Tian Sha Divine Palace of Guishuang.¡± Luo Chongyang said, ¡°This item is ominous.¡± Xiao Qianqiu, observing the Yin Evil Qi surrounding Utasu, slowly said, ¡°Good or ill fortune depends on the person.¡± Xinghua stared at Xu Wang, thinking to himself, ¡°This person recognizes the Life and Death Hall; he truly is no ordinary man.¡± Feeling alarmed, Utasu began to retreat, ¡°Who in the end are you?¡± Xu Wang said, ¡°Perhaps names are not the most important thing for you and me. This person is my friend. I value loyalty highly¨Canyone who makes a move against my friend is making a move against me.¡± After speaking, Xu Wang extended his palm, and immense True Yuan surged out from his body. This True Yuan carried a rolling yellow Corpse Qi, clashing against the forward Yin Evil Qi. If Utasu¡¯s Yin Evil Qi was like a river sweeping in, then at this moment, Xu Wang¡¯s overwhelming True Qi was more like a vast flood pouring down from the heavens. This alone showed that Xu Wang¡¯s strength was superior to Utasu¡¯s. ¡°You aren¡¯t a Grandmaster of this era!?¡± Feeling this robust aura, Utasu¡¯s heart chilled, and then his Qi Sea trembled, as vast True Yuan emerged from his meridians. The collision of the two auras caused the mountains and rivers to shake. Violent Qi scattered in all directions, forming visible whirlwinds, which, like knives, blew away the Yin Evil Qi surrounding Utasu, exposing both the appearance of the great hall and Utasu¡¯s features. It was an decrepit old man, thinly built and hunched, with a somber gaze that sent chills down one¡¯s spine. Laughing, Xu Wang looked at Utasu, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that those who see your true face will die. I wonder if you plan to kill everyone present here.¡± Utasu glanced around; immediately, many experts quickly averted their eyes, retreating to the distance. Once again looking at Xu Wang, Utasu said calmly, ¡°You should be aware that I control the Life and Death Hall, and if I exert my full strength, you might not be my match.¡± As the Palace Master of Tian Sha Divine Palace, he naturally wouldn¡¯t show his emotions over a few words from Xu Wang¨Ccontrolling emotions is an instinct for a skilled master. If a master is clearly emotional, he¡¯s likely not a true master. Xu Wang took a step forward, ¡°Then you might try.¡± Seeing Xu Wang¡¯s defiance, Utasu looked around and said, ¡°You¡¯ve managed to live this long, which clearly involves some unknown secret techniques. But since you¡¯ve surfaced, you should know that it¡¯s almost time for the Earth Vein Spirit to fully purify itself¨Can essential element for breaking through the Grandmaster¡¯s shackles. I, naturally, will not waste time and effort on you here.¡± With Utasu¡¯s words, it was as if a stone had stirred a thousand ripples; the entire surroundings of Ba Mountain were boiling. ¡°What!? The Earth Vein Spirit can actually break through the Grandmaster¡¯s shackles!¡± ¡°If an ordinary person obtained the Earth Vein Spirit, could they ascend to heaven in a single step?¡± ¡°So that¡¯s why so many Grandmasters suddenly appeared in the world!¡± ¡°Can breaking through a Grandmaster grant immortality?¡± ¡­¡­. For a moment, all the Jianghu experts were discussing fervently, their expressions filled with immense excitement. After all, this news was shocking indeed, setting many minds ablaze with fantastical thoughts¨Cascension in a single step, immortality ahead; any sane person would be irresistibly tempted. Even though the experts present were highly disciplined, they couldn¡¯t help but show bloodshot eyes upon hearing this, and those who just realized why many masters had rushed to Yujing City were now making plans to arrive there, waiting for the perfect time to fish in troubled waters. Despite knowing the slim odds of winning big from small bets, they were still willing to take the chance, even if it meant being cannon fodder. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Such is human nature. Not good! An Jing frowned, understanding that Utasu had deliberately revealed this, aiming to thoroughly muddy the waters of the world. After today, this piece of information would likely spread at a shocking pace across the world, and soon, experts from all over would swarm over¨Cthe signs of great chaos were now truly before his eyes. ¡­¡­. Chapter 391 - Chapter 391 Chapter 291 The Fall of Houjin and Chaos Across Chapter 391: Chapter 291 The Fall of Houjin and Chaos Across the World Chapter 391: Chapter 291 The Fall of Houjin and Chaos Across the World This discourse had already stirred a huge uproar; everyone was primed to action by Wutu¡¯s words, and a storm that would sweep across the world was brewing, with many already having fetched hawks and falcons to spread this shocking secret far and wide. Xi Hafu¡¯s face remained calm, betraying no emotion, while the eyes of King Xu grew increasingly icy. ¡°Let¡¯s just wait and see then, I¡¯m taking my leave.¡± Wutu laughed loudly, then with a wave of his sleeve, a surge of Yin Evil Qi swept around, instantly hiding his form, and the great hall drifted off into the distance. Xi Hafu stood unmovable like a boulder, and King Xu did not pursue to block him, after all, Wutu was also a Grandmaster, and with the Life and Death Hall, an exotic treasure in his possession, he was not someone easy to be dealt with. The two of them just watched the Grandmaster depart with nonchalance. An Jing did not make a move either, having just experienced a major battle, and although the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± and the ¡°Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique¡± had strong recovery powers, he had inevitably expended too much energy and spirit facing Zongzheng Huachun, another Grandmaster. As Wutu vanished, the crowd at the scene observed Zongzheng Huachun lying on the ground, knowing in their hearts that Houjin¡¯s rule was probably over, and the great plains might experience the greatest catastrophe in thousands of years. ¡°Kill them all! Let none escape!¡± Qiu Lun no longer hesitated and commanded the Pingyang Guard to charge toward the elite cavalry of Houjin. Even Houjin¡¯s most elite cavalry had lost their nerve at this moment, turning from fierce tigers descending the mountain into mere sheep, and even under the command of Jiren Tai, an army without spirit is useless even with the strongest leaders. Then, the Demon Sect¡¯s masters initiated their retaliation, seeing Li Fuzhou, Ouyang Ping, and Duanmu Xinghua joined forces to repel two Grandmasters from Great Snow Mountain, while Yi Daoyun pierced Jiren Tai¡¯s throat with a single sword thrust. The tragic deaths of Jiren Tai and Zongzheng Huachun also inspired some of Houjin¡¯s cavalry, who bravely resisted against Pingyang Guard. These elite cavalry of Houjin were indeed troublesome; Tie Futu and Guai Zi Ma totaled over fifteen thousand riders. Tie Futu was Houjin¡¯s elite cavalry, both men and horses clad in thick armor, with every three riders making a group for the frontal assault, creating blockades behind them with obstacles allowing only advance, not retreat, showing their determination to fight to the death. Guai Zi Ma referred to the two flanks of cavalry that coordinated with Tie Futu to envelop from both sides during combat. These cavalries were made up of the troops from Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s own tribe, fighting fiercely like iron walls, extremely formidable and difficult to handle. Qiu Lun had already studied Houjin¡¯s cavalry thoroughly; although Tie Futu and Guai Zi Ma were formidable, they still had their weaknesses, so he had previously found a way to deal with them. The heavy cavalry Tie Futu¡¯s horses had no armor on their legs, and by cutting the legs, the riders would fall off, causing the soldiers mounted on horseback to fall; immediately, Qiu Lun hurriedly commanded his soldiers to wield polearms and battle axes against the enemy. Pingyang Guard chopped at the enemy soldiers above and at the horse legs below, throwing the elite cavalry of Houjin into disarray, and the scene became chaotic with fallen men and horses everywhere. Qiu Lun, riding his spear, immersed himself in battle. Seen charging through the enemy ranks, left and right, unstoppable, his soldiers were hugely inspired. ¡°This Qiu Lun really has some skill,¡± Zhao Qingmei couldn¡¯t help but exclaim watching this. Qiu Lun, looking rugged with his vast build, seemed like a large water jar at first glance. However, he was sharp and extraordinarily brave; given time, he could surely become a renowned general. The battle raged from morning till dusk, Houjin¡¯s army being slain by Pingyang Guard or trampled into mud by horses, with corpses sprawled across the fields. The surrounding Jianghu masters, seeing this, hurriedly left, eager to spread the news revealed by Wutu to let the whole world know, turning it into a topic of bragging and discussion. The final confrontation between Pingyang Guard and Houjin¡¯s forces also put a perfect end to the battle at Ba Mountain. Now, as long as they took down the Royal Court, the rule of Houjin would be officially over. Nobody was worried about failing to take down Houjin¡¯s Royal Court. Without Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s Royal Court, it was like a hedgehog without its spikes, essentially open to manipulation. Even if hundreds of thousands of Houjin¡¯s elite protected the Royal Court, what use would it be? ¡°Master An, Master Zhao, I must be leaving due to some matters,¡± Xi Hafu, seeing that the situation was set, stomped his foot and vanished from the spot. Steps as distant as heaven! This was a Grandmaster¡¯s skill, implying that the distance of the ends of earth was merely a step away, showing how swift a Grandmaster¡¯s steps could be. An Jing watched as Xi Hafu¡¯s figure disappeared and then turned to King Xu, ¡°Thank you for your troubles.¡± King Xu laughed, ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formalities between us.¡± Looking at King Xu in front of him, for some reason, An Jing felt a trace of strangeness. He asked, ¡°You¡¯ve regained your memory, haven¡¯t you?¡± King Xu nodded, ¡°Yes, I have.¡± An Jing asked again, ¡°You had already regained it the last time I saw you, hadn¡¯t you?¡± Upon hearing this, King Xu¡¯s eyelids twitched and he replied, ¡°Yes.¡± An Jing looked deeply at King Xu; he wasn¡¯t concerned about King Xu¡¯s past dealings or even who it was ultimately, he just wanted to know King Xu¡¯s purpose, ¡°Are you also here for the Earth Vein Spirit?¡± King Xu was silent for a long while before he finally answered, ¡°Correct, this time I agreed to come mainly to seek cooperation with you.¡± ¡°Cooperate?¡± An Jing asked, somewhat puzzled. King Xu spoke seriously, ¡°Jing¡¯an, I hope you can help me obtain the Earth Vein Spirit. From the first time we met, I knew there was an inexplicable fate between us. I believe that joining forces would be the best choice given our strengths.¡± An Jing muttered to himself, ¡°The two of us, joining forces?¡± ¡°Together, this world could be ours.¡± King Xu stretched out his hand, as if embracing the world. Looking at his pale side face and those pupils emitting a ghostly light, An Jing saw a trace of madness. An Jing sighed deeply, ¡°Whose world is it really? Why does everyone want it?¡± King Xu turned around, stretching out his palm, and said, ¡°The world can belong to anyone, but why not us?¡± At that moment, King Xu carried an air of dominance, as if the world was already in his grasp. An Jing looked at him, staying silent. Seeing An Jing¡¯s silence, King Xu asked, ¡°Jing¡¯an, don¡¯t you want to cooperate with me?¡± An Jing responded, ¡°I am not interested in the world.¡± King Xu inquired, ¡°Are you also not interested in the Earth Vein Spirit?¡± An Jing replied, ¡°I have no choice but to be interested.¡± At his level and status, many things were beyond his control; without great strength, one could only become a pawn for others. Nowadays, An Jing could only be pushed forward by the great trends of the world, until he himself possessed enough power to fully break free from these shackles. You might have power without using it, but you mustn¡¯t be without it. Zhao Qingmei was also frowning nearby ¡ª if this great grandmaster wanted the Earth Vein Spirit as well, there was an invisible conflict of interest. After all, there was only one Earth Vein Spirit, and whoever obtained it could discover the secret to breaking the grandmaster¡¯s shackles. ¡°I understand, I don¡¯t want to force you or myself.¡± King Xu laughed lightly and said, ¡°My visit today also serves to repay a debt of gratitude from the past.¡± King Xu, looking at the silent An Jing, took out a piece of silver. This piece of silver was the very one An Jing had given him long ago, which he had never spent and instead always kept on him. Looking at the silver, An Jing slowly said, ¡°You have already repaid that debt of gratitude; keep the silver.¡± Sometimes, people are strange; the feelings of the past have merged with the sensations of that time, when the two of them had no conflicts of interest between them, their relationship simple and pure. King Xu put away the silver, saying, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then take care.¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°The mountains are high and the roads long, Jianghu, until next time.¡± Having said this, An Jing and the always silent Zhao Qingmei walked towards the masters of the Demon Sect in the distance. As the setting sun bled red and the cold wind cut like a knife, King Xu silently watched An Jing¡¯s departing figure, seeming to have anticipated his refusal. After a long while, King Xu finally spoke softly, ¡°Come out.¡± As his words fell, the chief of the Southern Barbarians and Cong Yue stepped out. The chief of the Southern Barbarians said slowly to King Xu, ¡°This elder¡­¡± Even though he was the chief of the Southern Barbarians, facing a present-day land immortal, he did not dare to presume his own greatness and had to humbly address himself as a junior. King Xu glanced at the chief of the Southern Barbarians and asked, ¡°You are from the Qianwu Tribe, right?¡± ¡°Correct.¡± A gleam appeared in the eyes of the chief of the Southern Barbarians as he said, ¡°If I am not mistaken, elder, you must also be an ancestor of our Qianwu Tribe?¡± King Xu nodded slightly, ¡°You do have some perceptiveness.¡± Upon receiving confirmation, a trace of ecstasy appeared in the eyes of the chief of the Southern Barbarians; the man in front of him really was an ancestor of the Qianwu Tribe, a surprise akin to a windfall from the heavens. If a Land Immortal were stationed in the Southern Barbarians at this time, they at least wouldn¡¯t be as soft as persimmons for anyone to squeeze. By his side, Cong Yue was overwhelmed with excitement, almost unable to believe as he looked at the King of Xu. The person before him was from the ancestors of the Qianwu Tribe of the Southern Barbarians, but there hadn¡¯t been a Grandmaster in the Southern Barbarians for five hundred years. Could it be that this ancestor had lived for over five hundred years? However, the lifespan of a Grandmaster is at most just over four hundred years. How could anyone exceed five hundred years? Moreover, his body emitted an incredibly strong Corpse Qi. Could it be that¡­. Something crossed Cong Yue¡¯s mind, sending a chill rushing from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. The leader of the Southern Barbarians took a deep breath and, clasping his fists, said, ¡°This junior dares to ask a question¡­.¡± The King of Xu glanced at the leader of the Southern Barbarians, seemingly knowing what he wanted to ask, and indifferently said, ¡°You¡¯re better off not asking things you shouldn¡¯t.¡± At that gaze, the leader of the Southern Barbarians felt a chill in his heart and said, ¡°This junior understands.¡± This is the rule of the Jianghu; big fish eat small fish, and small fish eat shrimp. To ordinary people, the leader of the Southern Barbarians, akin to a Kunpeng, is just a slightly bigger fish in front of the King of Xu. The King of Xu said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, I have some questions for both of you.¡± With that, the King of Xu walked toward the distance. ¡°Alright.¡± The leader of the Southern Barbarians and Cong Yue hurriedly followed him. ¡­.. Outside the Royal Court, at the foot of a snow mountain. An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, along with several Demon Sect masters, stood not far away, looking at the now desolate Royal Court. Qiu Lun, excited, pointed toward the distant Houjin Royal Court and exclaimed, ¡°Big brother, the Royal Court is right before us. If we enter and kill through the court, the Houjin Dynasty will be destroyed.¡± Just by leading his troops into it, he could destroy the Houjin Dynasty, earn eternal fame, and be remembered in history; even Qiu Lun was overwhelmingly excited at this moment. ¡°This matter of eternal renown, I¡¯ll leave it to you.¡± An Jing pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Since Zongzheng Huachun is already dead, my grievance with Houjin has ended, and there¡¯s no need to attack the Royal Court.¡± ¡°Big brother¡­.¡± At An Jing¡¯s words, Qiu Lun slightly stiffened. He hadn¡¯t expected An Jing to forsake such significant merit right in front of him. After all, killing the Holy Master of Houjin and conquering their Royal Court would be an immense achievement. But then, Qiu Lun seemed to understand something. Could it be that An Jing was afraid the merit was so great it would alarm the sovereign? Especially now that An Jing¡¯s strength and the Demon Sect, as the foremost sect of the Great Yan, were backing him¨Chow could the Emperor of Great Yan not worry? Carefully watching An Jing, Qiu Lun said, ¡°Big brother, the seventy thousand Pingyang Guards under my command are all elite forces, and if we take down the Houjin Royal Court and manage it well, we could even recruit hundreds of thousands of troops from Houjin, and because¡­. The various masters of the Demon Sect, seeming to sense the implication in those words, looked toward An Jing with a mix of expressions, intrigued, frowning, pleased, excited¡­. Zhao Qingmei, with her identity as the former Crown Prince¡¯s orphan, already had ample justification. With quests of great merit and An Jing¡¯s influence, they really could stir up a storm. An Jing waved his hand, cutting off Qiu Lun, and said, ¡°I know what you want to say, there¡¯s no need for more.¡± ¡°Alright then.¡± Following this, Qiu Lun dropped his head and said no more. Zhao Qingmei glanced at Qiu Lun, then her eyes narrowed, knowing that Qiu Lun¡¯s career was likely in danger. In such a public setting, Qiu Lun had spoken such words¨Ceven though all present were masters from the Demon Sect, secrets as such don¡¯t remain so for long. It was very likely that today¡¯s events would reach the ears of the Eternal Emperor of Yong¡¯an, and how could Qiu Lun end well then? Some generals are brave and good at fighting, but ultimately, most don¡¯t end well because they are too politically naive. Clearly, Qiu Lun was one of them. Zhao Qingmei looked toward the various masters of the Demon Sect, ¡°Yi, Bai Mei, the two of you stay here, the rest shall return to the sub-branches as a precaution.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Upon hearing Zhao Qingmei¡¯s command, the masters of the Demon Sect turned and departed. Now that Zongzheng Huachun was dead, for the many masters of the Demon Sect, this was just the beginning. Li Fuzhou and Yi Daoyun, along with Human Sect and White Tiger Sect¡¯s masters, guarded Qiu Lun as he then led tens of thousands of Pingyang Guards majestically towards the Royal Court. It was not until everyone had left that Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing and asked, ¡°My husband, are you alright?¡± An Jing took a deep breath and said gravely, ¡°I should be fine. The ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯ I practice should allow me to recover soon.¡± At last, Zongzheng Huachun, with the cooperation of the Muddy Dust Pearl and a thread of intent from the Earth Vein Spirit, delivered a strike that was extremely powerful, causing him the most severe internal injury to date. However, for the sake of the bigger picture, he had forcefully suppressed his injuries at the time. Even in front of King Xu, he had behaved exceptionally calm and normal, revealing not the slightest flaw. Zhao Qingmei, holding An Jing¡¯s arm, whispered, ¡°You received a thread of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from Zongzheng Huachun. If you absorb it, perhaps you can recover quickly.¡± Now, although Zongzheng Huachun had died, from Wutu¡¯s words, it was known that the Earth Vein Spirit had been completely infiltrated by the evil spirits. Moreover, with this matter spreading far and wide, it was known everywhere, and a greater storm was brewing. By then, not only would various Grandmasters appear, but other experts from around the world would also become disruptors. An Jing nodded slightly, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Zhao Qingmei quickly summoned the Black Flood Dragon and Honghu, then helped An Jing onto the back of Honghu and headed towards You Mountain. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Dragon Locking Well. Above the heavens, dark clouds churned wildly, sweeping across the skies with thunder trembling and sparks flying. This battle had not yet ended, or rather, had not yet begun. All the citizens of Yujing City raised their heads, staring at the scene above in the sky, eyes filled with astonishment. Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an looked solemn, his Great Yan Emperor¡¯s Sword emanating streams of Cultivation Qi, which was vast and mighty, clearly representing the great righteous path. Next to him, Zhao Tianyi¡¯s body became increasingly ethereal, as if he was about to become transparent. Ritual sacrifice through one¡¯s own body! Zhao Tianyi shattered his own Literary Palace, turning all his Cultivation Qi into a thread of Vast Righteous Qi of the great righteous path, pouring it all onto the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s Sword. Wang Yangsheng saw this scene, his eyebrows furrowed as he coldly shouted, ¡°You, a scholar, do not want to live, and yet you seek my death as well?¡± Speaking thus, Wang Yangsheng entered a state of Heavenly Human Communication, leveraging the rolling power of heaven and earth, with the True Yuan within him surging mightily. His hands seemed to transform into a massive dragon claw, reaching out towards the front. ¡°Roar!¡± Afterward, a heaven-shattering dragon roar resounded everywhere, stirring up everything around. Wang Yangsheng was surrounded by golden light, almost appearing as if he had transformed into a massive Golden Dragon, imposing and full of dominance. This was one of Wang Yangsheng¡¯s trump cards, triggering the potential of acupuncture points within his body to temporarily transform into a dragon, gaining dragon-like formidable strength for a short period. Previously, three Great Grandmasters and several Grandmasters from the Great Qin Dynasty, along with hundreds of thousands of troops, had jointly acted but only managed to kill that True Dragon, demonstrating just how formidable a True Dragon could be. However, using the Dragon Transformation Technique would also result in severe repercussions, but at that moment, Wang Yangsheng, feeling a sense of danger, couldn¡¯t care less and deployed the technique. A wild wind swept through, thunder and lightning intertwined, a dragon¡¯s roar resounded, shaking the heavens. ¡°A dragon! It¡¯s a dragon!¡± ¡°Look, there¡¯s a dragon in the sky!¡± ¡°My goodness! I never thought I¡¯d see a True Dragon in my lifetime.¡± ¡­.. Seeing this scene, the citizens of Yujing City were all startled and deeply shaken. Originally, with thunder and lightning already astonishing everyone in the skies, the sudden appearance of a True Dragon was truly shocking and alarming. Emperor Yan of Yong¡¯an, looking at Wang Yangsheng who had transformed into a True Dragon in front of him, grew even colder. ¡°Today, even if a True Dragon descends, I shall kill you!¡± Whoosh! Emperor Yan stepped on the void, his robes fluttering, like an arrow released from a bowstring, breaking through the air resistance, his hair flying back and robes sweeping up as he rapidly approached Wang Yangsheng. ¡°Then it depends on your strength.¡± The True Dragon trembled, its roar echoing through the skies as its claw reached forward. Boom! Boom! The very void shattered and twisted as the dragon claw forcefully probed toward the Great Yan Emperor Yong¡¯an. So powerful! This terrifying scene caused the faces of the royal experts present to change drastically. In the hands of Emperor Yong¡¯an, the Emperor¡¯s Sword hung like a ribbon, slanted towards the ground, its blade reflecting the blinding brilliance of the sun. The fierce headwind tousled her hair and fluttered her dragon robe. The dragon claw tore through the void, bringing with it an unstoppable heavenly might. Emperor Yong¡¯an¡¯s expression remained calm, a trace of cold light appearing in her eyes. A glaring cold gleam burst forth from her hands, and the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s Sword emitted trembling sounds, like a wandering dragon¡¯s long chant, causing the air itself to tremble. At the same time, a powerful aura emanated from the body of Emperor Yong¡¯an. The air became instantly filled with killing intent. This Wang Yangsheng was a Great Grandmaster and top expert in history, and now he had even transformed into a True Dragon. Was Emperor Yong¡¯an his match? The royal experts also felt extremely tense, their eyes fixed on the scene ahead, holding their breath. The next instant, in that lightning-fast moment. Emperor Yong¡¯an struck forward with her sword. This strike seemed plain, but the overwhelming Vast Righteous Qi seemed poised to split heaven and earth, to cleave through everything in the world. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty, for allowing me to fulfill my lifelong wish¡­¡±, At that moment, Zhao Tianyi¡¯s body completely dispersed, turning into a stream of white smoke that merged into the sword. This great scholar of the present day, Grandmaster Zhao Tianyi of the Great Yan Dynasty, had sacrificed his life in steadfast service to the Great Yan Royal Family. Purple radiance flickered in Emperor Yong¡¯an¡¯s eyes, and the majestic True Dragon Qi in Yujing City was also gathered into her body. True Dragon Qi, representing the fortune of a dynasty, was always stored in the royal ancestral temple, but now it was directly carried out by Emperor Yong¡¯an and gathered into her own body. Boom! With the slash of the sword, a tumultuous torrent burst forth, and the heavens and earth trembled as if within a blazing furnace. This sword displayed the domineering essence of royal authority to the fullest, and its charm felt mysteriously profound, and indescribably awe-inspiring. From afar, everyone was petrified, shocked by the spectacle. A massive sound echoed in all directions, resounding across the heavens and earth. Loud as a great bell! Deafening! The sword light, like a torrent from chaotic times, fell and directly severed the dragon claw of the True Dragon before completely bisecting the dragon itself. Irresistible, nothing could block the elegance of that sword, not even a Land Immortal of this era. The True Dragon split in two, emitting no groan, its Qi Mechanism spilling out and turning into streams of white smoke, like waves of Qi tide. This sword light pierced the True Dragon, naturally including Wang Yangsheng at the heart of the dragon. His pupils dilated, then his body fell straight down to the ground with a loud ¡®bang¡¯, raising a cloud of dust. ¡°Wow!¡± Emperor Yong¡¯an spat out a stream of blood, then her body began to sway, nearly collapsing to the ground. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± The royal experts, seeing this, hurried forward, apparently wanting to support Emperor Yong¡¯an. ¡°No need!¡± Emperor Yong¡¯an waved her hand. Just then, a stream of white Qi issued from the body of Wang Yangsheng. This white Qi was very pure, containing an extremely refined essence. Tianpeng Ancestor inhaled sharply, ¡°Could this possibly be the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence?¡± It had been rumored that in ancient times, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence existed within the world, but these substances were non-renewable. Once absorbed by someone, they would disappear forever. Thus, the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence became increasingly scarce, only emerging within the bodies of Great Grandmasters after their deaths. Nowadays, as Great Grandmasters became few, so too had the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence become as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. The appearance of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence now indicated that the Grandmaster Wang Yangsheng had died; this was the reason for Tianpeng Ancestor¡¯s astonishment. Wang Yangsheng had died! This master of the Land Immortal realm had actually died! This unparalleled expert, who once had not faced death even in the Great Qin Dynasty, had now perished in front of the Dragon Locking Well. The white-browed eunuch couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°His Majesty is mighty!¡± To have slain a Land Immortal, such a feat was enough to shake the entire world. Other than that immortal from Qianqiu, who else could slay a Great Grandmaster? Moreover, this Grandmaster was a widely known figure, not to be underestimated. Emperor Yong¡¯an, looking at the Great Yan Emperor¡¯s Sword in his hands, murmured quietly, ¡°It has nothing to do with me, all credit goes to the Grandmaster.¡± Hearing this, everyone present couldn¡¯t help but sigh. If it were not for Zhao Tianyi shattering his own Literary Palace, sacrificing himself and transforming into a surge of Vast Righteous Qi, slaying Wang Yangsheng would have been nearly impossible. Emperor Yong¡¯an, looking at the clear sky, said, ¡°Posthumously appoint State Preceptor Zhao Tianyi as the Duke of the Nation, with the honorary title ¡®Duke Zhao Zhongyi.¡¯ That pure and flawless sky, much like Zhao Xuening¡¯s heart at the moment, she understood that beneath a strong, peaceful, powerful dynasty, how many people had given much, here were their efforts, their ideals, their striving lives and journeys. She must not only protect the living citizens but also guard the deceased¡¯s hard work and last wishes. Because they were still watching over this world. ¡­¡­ Lv Mansion, the back courtyard. Lv Guoyong was lying on a rocking chair, resting with his eyes closed, somewhat drowsy. Jing Chun opened his mouth wide, looking at the thunder and lightning in the sky, ¡°Grandfather¡­ Grandfather, what on earth is happening?¡± With his eyes still closed, Lv Guoyong said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing; you are a short man, even if the sky falls, there will be taller men to bear it.¡± Boom! A bolt of lightning struck down like a sword, followed by a tremendous sound from the direction of the Dragon Locking Well, even startling Lv Guoyong, who then slowly opened his eyes. At this moment, his cloudy eyes were somewhat complicated. The stubborn, mischievous, and even most infuriating student of his had finally left this world for good¨C in the eyes of outsiders, Zhao Tianyi was the biggest disgrace of his life. A man of Confucianism who had become an eunuch, becoming the most loyal dog of Zhao Zhiwu, it was unknown how many young Confucianism and Daoism masters he had slaughtered. But Lv Guoyong had never complained about this obstinate and always disobedient student. Even, Lv Guoyong often felt that he himself had wronged this student. Jing Chun¡¯s knees went weak, saying, ¡°Grandfather, that¡¯s really scary.¡± Lv Guoyong heaved a sigh, wanting to say something but found himself unable to speak a word. ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Imperial Palace. Zuo Linglong lay on the beauty couch, dressed in a bright red, charmingly attractive outfit, revealing a pair of pure white jade feet. At the moment, she was looking at a jade talisman in her hand. Suddenly sensing the interweaving flashes of lightning outside, she hurriedly put on her shoes and walked out of the hall. ¡°Empress, the wind is strong outside!¡± The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs quickly shouted. But Zuo Linglong still ran out of the grand hall, standing now outside the balustrade, watching the turbulent sky. Just then, her jade talisman emitted dazzling rays of light. It seemed like a silent signal. Zuo Linglong, as if her heart had been gouged, spoke with a pale face, ¡°Tianyi, are you also leaving¡­.¡± Suddenly, she remembered the words Zhao Tianyi had said to her not long before. At that time, she did not understand their meaning, but now, recalling them, she suddenly awakened. Death is not actually terrifying, but merely a passage through a period of time. Zuo Linglong watched as one person after another vanished, left one after another; standing now in the vast Imperial Palace, at the peak of power in the Great Yan, she couldn¡¯t help but sigh deeply. She felt surrounded by an endless loneliness. ¡­¡­ Houjin Royal Court. As the news of Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s death spread, the entire Royal Court was thrown into chaos, yet many still refused to surrender, determined to resist the Great Yan¡¯s army. Within the Royal Court, there were still hundreds of thousands of Houjin troops, including Houjin¡¯s elite forces. However, for some unknown reason, a mutiny suddenly broke out among these troops, and the ringleader of the mutiny was none other than Wanyan Yue, the former deputy flag bearer of the Golden Eagle Banner, along with the chief of the Taluo Tribe and other members of the Houjin army. The mutiny was so sudden, so swift, that it caught all the Houjin tribes and troops off guard. Before the Great Yan army could even arrive, internal chaos had already engulfed the Houjin army, with soldiers fighting each other within the city, and the conflict escalating so violently that different forces ended up indiscriminately killing anyone they encountered, uncertain of which units were actually the mutineers. In a moment, the entire Royal Court was in turmoil, everywhere was smoke of signals and the sounds of fierce fighting shaking the heavens and earth. Wanyan Yue even took it upon himself to open the gates of the Royal Court, allowing Qiu Lun and the Pingyang Guard to march directly into the Houjin Royal Court. Inside the Houjin Royal Palace, there was silence. At that moment, Zongzheng Yue stood atop the great hall, gazing at the throne with a slight daze. ¡°Your Highness!¡± Just then, a voice came from behind her. This voice was very familiar; Zongzheng Yue did not even need to turn around to know who it was. Without turning her head, Zongzheng Yue asked, ¡°What is the situation now?¡± Wanyan Lin bowed and said, ¡°The city gates have been opened, Qiu Lun has killed his way into the Royal Court and is heading towards the Royal Palace.¡± ¡°Has he entered?¡± Zongzheng Yue laughed out loud, then stepping on the steps up to the throne, she said lightly, ¡°I never thought I, Zongzheng Yue of Houjin, would see such a day.¡± Two years ago, Houjin had been rapidly developing into a top contemporary power, boasting masters like Zongzheng Huachun and Taiyin Kui, both Five Qi Grandmasters, commanding over a million troops menacing Yan Country, proclaiming a march southward. In less than two years, both Five Qi Grandmasters had died, and the Great Yan army was now at our gates. Wanyan Lin, watching her back, spoke softly, ¡°Your Highness¡­¡± Zongzheng Yue turned around and asked, ¡°What is it?¡± Wanyan Lin said earnestly, ¡°Let¡¯s run. The world is vast; there will surely be a place for us to find refuge.¡± Zongzheng Yue replied, ¡°Run? Where would we go?¡± Wanyan Lin took a deep breath and said, ¡°Beyond the Snow Mountain Tribe to the north, the vast Snow Mountain, or perhaps Guishuang, even to the south of Outer Heaven Island. We could change our names and live in hiding; the world is so vast, could the Great Yan Court really find us?¡± Zongzheng Yue shook her head and said, ¡°No, I will not leave. I, Zongzheng Yue, am the rightful ruler of the Houjin Royal Family; I will share the fate of Houjin. If Houjin exists, so do I; if Houjin falls, I fall as well.¡± Wanyan Lin clenched his teeth and said, ¡°Your Highness!¡± Zongzheng Yue replied, ¡°No need to say more, I won¡¯t leave.¡± Neither spoke again. Meanwhile, the sounds of fighting outside the Royal Court grew louder, while within the palace, a brief calm ensued. ¡°Your Highness, there is something I need to tell you.¡± Wanyan Lin clenched his fists, his voice strained as he said, ¡°Actually, I am a spy for Great Yan.¡± But the next words from Zongzheng Yue shocked him profoundly. ¡°I know.¡± Zongzheng Yue smiled and said, ¡°I have known this for a long time.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Hearing Zongzheng Yue¡¯s words, Wanyan Lin felt as if he had been struck by lightning and murmured in disbelief, ¡°Your Highness, you knew!?¡± Zongzheng Yue walked to Wanyan Lin¡¯s side and whispered, ¡°That¡¯s right, I know you are a spy, you are an agent of the Great Yan Emperor, a chess piece placed by my side.¡± At this moment, Wanyan Lin¡¯s mind went blank. ¡°Why?¡± Since Zongzheng Yue knew he was a spy, she should have also been the one inciting the civil strife within the royal court, but why did Zongzheng Yue simply let him be? Zongzheng Yue¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile and said, ¡°You cannot influence the overall situation; if my father wins this time, what waves can you possibly create?¡± Wanyan Lin said, ¡°But¡­¡± Zongzheng Yue looked into Wanyan Lin¡¯s eyes and said earnestly, ¡°I love you, I truly love you.¡± Wanyan Lin¡¯s lips parted, and he wanted to utter the same words, but he found that no matter what, he could not speak them. He did not deserve to say those three words to Zongzheng Yue. Zongzheng Yue rested her arm on Wanyan Lin¡¯s shoulder and gently said, ¡°I just want you to be by my side, no matter who you were.¡± As she spoke, Zongzheng Yue tightly grasped Wanyan Lin¡¯s hand, gently caressing it. Her actions were so tender, just like the glimmer in her eyes, almost melting Wanyan Lin completely. Wanyan Lin couldn¡¯t understand why Zongzheng Yue, knowing he was a spy, didn¡¯t expose him, didn¡¯t kill him, but acted as if she knew nothing. Just then, the sounds of slaughter outside grew louder, seeming to have reached inside the palace. ¡°They are here!¡± The soft light in Zongzheng Yue¡¯s eyes gradually faded, then she drew out the long blade sheathed at her waist. Wanyan Lin grabbed the blade of the sword, ¡°Princess! Don¡¯t!¡± The sharp edge cut through the skin of his hand, instantly blood gushed out, but at this moment, he seemed to feel no pain. Zongzheng Yue looked at Wanyan Lin and said, ¡°I will not survive this, you should know that well.¡± Seeing her determined eyes, Wanyan Lin¡¯s stance softened, his grasp unintentionally loosened. Zongzheng Yue smiled and then placed the blade against her neck, ¡°Live well!¡± As her words fell, Zongzheng Yue slid the blade across, and a trail of hot, searing blood splattered onto Wanyan Lin¡¯s face. At that moment, Wanyan Lin seemed to become stupefied, standing still, his eyes hollow and spiritless. Just then, several figures rushed into the palace hurriedly, led by Qiu Lun, Li Fuzhou, and Yi Daoyun. Seeing Zongzheng Yue lying on the ground, the three of them gasped in shock. Qiu Lun took a closer look, then joyfully exclaimed, ¡°Zongzheng Yue, is it?¡± Zongzheng Yue was not only of the Houjin royal family, but she was also the rightful heir of Houjin. Li Fuzhou looked at the stupified Wanyan Lin and inquired, ¡°Are you Wanyan Lin?¡± It was confirmed that Wanyan Yue had defected, indeed a Great Yan spy implaced within Houjin, and Wanyan Lin was also Zongzheng Yue¡¯s spy, that is, a person from Great Yan. Both were the greatest heroes of this Houjin rebellion. Wanyan Lin did not respond to Li Fuzhou¡¯s words but picked up the blade from the ground and placed it against his neck, ¡°Princess, I am coming to join you.¡± ¡°What are you doing!?¡± Seeing this, Qiu Lun instinctively stepped back several paces. Li Fuzhou wanted to stop him but it was too late, as Wanyan Lin slashed with the curved blade, blood spurting out, then he heavily fell to the ground. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only With Zongzheng Yue dead, Wanyan Lin did not choose to live alone but followed her in death. The three stared at the two corpses silently for a long time, none of them had expected that Wanyan Lin would express such devotion to Zongzheng Yue. Yi Daoyun sighed deeply and said, ¡°What a pity, this Wanyan Lin really was a man of profound affection.¡± Qiu Lun sheathed his weapon and proposed, ¡°Let¡¯s bury them together.¡± ¡­.. Chapter 392 - Chapter 392 Chapter 292 Battle with the Greatest Expert of All Chapter 392: Chapter 292: Battle with the Greatest Expert of All Time Chapter 392: Chapter 292: Battle with the Greatest Expert of All Time On a small mountain in Beihuang Dao, the clouds and mists entwined around a few ancient wooden homes, creating a scene that was fresh, natural, and as picturesque as a poem. Honghu circled above the mountain peak, lying motionless atop it like a piece of wood, while the Black Flood Dragon was lively, sometimes flying into the distance and sometimes running over to Honghu, curiously watching the large bird with eyes as big as lanterns. Although both were puppets refined through the Living Puppet Technique, Black Flood Dragon and Honghu were different as heaven and earth. Back in Dragon Hidden Creek, Black Flood Dragon had developed its own consciousness, while Honghu remained just a puppet, requiring someone to control it. It seemed that Black Flood Dragon was having a lot of fun; with a leap and a low roar, it darted off into the distance. In the middle of the mountain, amidst a dense forest, An Jing was sitting cross-legged, holding the Mudust Bead he had received from Zongzheng Huachun. At that moment, there was still a strand of pale golden light flowing on the Mudust Bead, inside which one could see that this strand of pale golden light was filled with dark glows that seemed to have gained the upper hand and could burst forth at any moment. Zhao Qingmei looked at the Mudust Bead in An Jing¡¯s hand and said, ¡°This must be a strand of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± An Jing nodded. ¡°Zongzheng Huachun has not completely refined this strand of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit. It seems that refining the Earth Vein Spirit is difficult, even just a strand of thought.¡± Zhao Qingmei chuckled lightly, ¡°If it were that easy to refine, the Great Qin Emperor and Great Zhou Emperor from past generations would have refined it long ago.¡± The Earth Vein Spirit had always been controlled by the emperors of various dynasties, all of whom were martial arts prodigies, but they had never been able to fully master the Earth Vein Spirit. An Jing pointed with his finger, gathering True Qi into several fine threads. Any normal Grandmaster who saw this would be amazed at how precisely someone could control True Qi. These True Qi threads wrapped around the strand of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit. An Jing tried to pull it out to explore it, but the Earth Vein Spirit seemed very resistant to it. ¡°Can I really not cut you down?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes lifted, and those pulling threads suddenly transformed into strands of chilling Sword Qi, rushing towards the strand of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit. But when this Sword Qi struck the strand of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit, it was as if they struck nothingness, causing no disturbance at all. An Jing frowned slightly and said, ¡°As expected, severing the Earth Vein Spirit is not that simple.¡± ¡°Certainly, severing the Earth Vein Spirit is naturally even harder.¡± Zhao Qingmei took the Mudust Bead and examined it, saying, ¡°And from what I see, this is a complete entity. To either refine or sever it, one must go to the Dragon Locking Well to obtain the complete Earth Vein Spirit.¡± A strand of thought from the Earth Vein Spirit can increase strength, allowing Zongzheng Huachun to deepen his enlightenment of Heavenly Human Communication, or perhaps use the power of the Mudust Bead to break through to the Grandmaster Realm. But to glimpse the Path of Immortality from it and discover the secrets of breaking through the Grandmaster Realm¡¯s limitations is nearly impossible. An Jing took a deep breath and said seriously, ¡°It seems I need to reach the Grandmaster Realm soon.¡± Zhao Qingmei exhaled and said, ¡°But breaking through this realm is truly difficult, even though the constraints between heaven and earth are getting smaller.¡± Breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm was exceedingly difficult, even for someone of her extraordinary talent like hers, who could feel the great challenge in overcoming the Grandmaster Realm¡¯s limitations. If she had enough time, breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm wouldn¡¯t be difficult, but with the crisis at Dragon Locking Well imminent, how much time did she have left? An Jing was in the same situation; he had just broken through to the Five Qi Realm and absorbed a strand of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence from Zongzheng Huachun, but he was still some distance from the Grandmaster Realm. Thus, both of their strengths had reached a bottleneck, making further progress in the short term nearly impossible. An Jing spoke gravely, ¡°Dragon Locking Well will surely gather many experts and Grandmasters from across the land.¡± Zhao Qingmei nodded and said, ¡°Qian Qiu, Wang Yangsheng, Xi Hafu, and Xu Wang, already four in total. Among them, Qian Qiu and Xu Wang are the most mysterious.¡± ¡°Xu Wang¡­¡± An Jing looked into the distance and said, ¡°I think I know his origins.¡± Zhao Qingmei blinked and asked, ¡°You know?¡± An Jing, recalling various interactions with Xu Wang, said, ¡°His body contains a dense Corpse Qi, and he cannot leave Xu Wang¡¯s Corpse Cave on Mount Xu. Most importantly, he is not bound by life span.¡± ¡°If my guess is right, he must be a Corpse Chasing puppet crafted through Southern Barbarian secret techniques.¡± Upon hearing An Jing¡¯s conjecture, Zhao Qingmei voiced her astonishment, ¡°A Corpse Chasing puppet! Who crafted it?¡± A Grandmaster Realm expert being a Corpse Chasing puppet crafted with Southern Barbarian secret techniques? Who possesses such grand capabilities? An Jing shook his head, ¡°I do not know, but he indeed is a Corpse Chasing puppet. I speculate he is like the Black Flood Dragon, having developed his own consciousness.¡± The first time An Jing met Xu Wang, he had great strength but remembered nothing, resembling the Black Flood Dragon in every aspect. An Jing took a deep breath and said, ¡°That¡¯s why it¡¯s imperative to reach the Grandmaster Realm before the major upheaval at Dragon Locking Well to ensure nothing goes wrong.¡± Although he had killed Zongzheng Huachun, he was clear in his heart that only by reaching the Grandmaster Realm could he ensure the trip to Dragon Locking Well was foolproof. Zhao Qingmei thought of something and said, ¡°Xi Hafu appearing this time does not seem so simple.¡± An Jing blinked and said, ¡°I really do not know.¡± Zhao Qingmei gave An Jing a stern look and said gravely, ¡°Of course, I know you are unaware, but I was thinking, if the Yong¡¯an Emperor dispatched Xi Hafu to assassinate you, then it would be dangerous, even if you possess the Jade Seal.¡± Upon hearing this, An Jing nodded. If Xi Hafu were to suddenly strike, it indeed would pose a huge problem; even if An Jing was strong, he could not possibly face three Grandmasters at the same time. Zhao Qingmei could not help but say, ¡°The Yong¡¯an Emperor is no simple character, to manipulate a grandmaster like Xi Hafu so effortlessly in his hands. Now that they still need the Demon Sect, once the world settles down, she will be the first to act against the Demon Sect.¡± An Jing pondered for a long while and said, ¡°It might have already begun.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing and asked, ¡°Are you talking about Lv Guoyong?¡± The greatest reform pushed by Zhou Xianming was establishing the Martial Arts Academy, a highly confidential matter targeting not only the Demon Sect but also the major Sects across the land, bound to cause a huge uproar once announced. Behind Zhou Xianming were the Yong¡¯an Emperor and equally, Lv Guoyong. An Jing had conversed many times with Lv Guoyong, and the two of them had some friendship. At their level and status, they could not simply be defined as good or bad. Founding the Martial Arts Academy, at present, indeed seemed like a wise decision, gathering all martial arts under one roof, offering people across the land an accelerated path to learning martial arts. However, doing so would mean the disappearance of all major Sects. Those within these Sects would have to join the Martial Arts Academy, effectively wearing an official robe.¡± Those who mingled in Jianghu were mostly unrestrained, drinking today and killing tomorrow. Now, to be regulated and constrained, how could they be willing? An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed tightly. If he persisted in clinging to the power of the Demon Sect, he would inevitably have to go against Lv Guoyong and clash directly. But was holding on to the Demon Sect really the right thing to do? Sometimes, even An Jing himself didn¡¯t know what the right course of action was. ¡°Husband.¡± Zhao Qingmei gently held An Jing¡¯s hand. She still remembered the times in Yu State City when An Jing was just a common doctor at Jishi Hall. Life was peaceful and devoid of the immense pressures he faced now. Although An Jing was extremely cautious and careful, on reflection, their journey had always been on a knife¡¯s edge. Was this really what he wanted? Zhao Qingmei reflected on the hardships along the way, constantly recalling the life in Yu State City. Back then, life was unremarkable and smooth, simple meals day by day, yet filled with happiness. ¡°A single laugh blends the flavors of life, asking not whether it¡¯s east or west, as years gently pass by again each spring, just find the initial heart.¡± At this moment, Zhao Qingmei made up her mind. An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei and said, ¡°Wife, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Zhao Qingmei looked into his bright eyes, ¡°Brother, after this matter is over, let¡¯s return to Yu State City.¡± An Jing chuckled and said, ¡°Alright, once we¡¯ve dealt with all these troubles, we¡¯ll leave this Jianghu.¡± Zhao Qingmei looked at the smile on An Jing¡¯s lips and asked, ¡°Are you very happy?¡± ¡°Of course, every day spent with you is a joyful day.¡± ¡°Brother, me too.¡± ¡°¡­..¡± Zhao Qingmei leaned on An Jing¡¯s shoulder, and at this moment, many faces flashed through her mind: Jiang Renyi, Jiang Shang, Yuan Feng, Nangong Weiping, Jun Qinglin, these deceased masters. The vicissitudes of these years seemed as if from another lifetime. It made one¡¯s heart lament, life flows like a tide, people are like water, only to sigh who returns from the Jianghu. How many bones were buried above this Jianghu, the temptations of power are inexhaustible, and people are endless to kill. The knife and sword shadows dimmed, and the grudges of Jianghu faded away. An Jing held Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand, gazing into the far distance. ¡°Roar-!¡± Suddenly, a violent roaring sound came from afar, followed by a sorrowful cry of a dragon echoing all around. ¡°Not good!¡± An Jing, frowning, said, ¡°That¡¯s the sound of the Black Flood Dragon, there seems to be a master.¡± The Black Flood Dragon, being a master of the Three Qi, would usually cause ordinary people to flee at its sight. A master capable of making the Black Flood Dragon scream so miserably must be an exceptional expert. Zhao Qingmei also furrowed her brows, ¡°Let¡¯s go and see!¡± As they were about to move forward to check, they saw a Black Flood Dragon collide against the mountain body in front of them. At the moment of impact, rocks shattered and an ancient house resembling a paradise vanished instantly, echoes of deafening sounds surged, followed by columns of smoke rising high. The Black Flood Dragon writhed in the ruins of the mountain, convulsing, and blood flowed from its back, staining the earth red, while sorrowful wails emanated from its mouth. Clearly, its dragon sinew had been extracted. ¡°Who could it be!?¡± A flicker of anger passed through Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes as she shouted. Having its dragon sinew extracted was virtually a death sentence for the Black Flood Dragon. Just who would be so cruel as to do such a thing? Moreover, it was well-known that the Black Flood Dragon was An Jing¡¯s mount. Who then dared to do this? An Jing¡¯s gaze was icy cold as he waved his sleeve, and the dust and smoke dispersed in an instant. With the dust cleared, a solitary figure appeared atop the ruins. He stood, his foot atop the head of the Black Flood Dragon, an ancient longblade in his hand reflecting a chilling light under the sun. This was a white-haired old man standing straight as a sword, his eyes sharp and piercing. An Jing not only recognized this person but was also very familiar with him; he had clashed with the old man back on Blue Sky Island. This person was none other than Qi Xuan Dao, the Sword God of Zhao Country. An Jing¡¯s eyes flashed a cold light, ¡°Qi Xuan Dao!?¡± ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Qi Xuan Dao spoke indifferently, ¡°Years ago you killed my sons, today I will start by killing your Black Flood Dragon as an appetizer to the heavens.¡± If there was a battle that truly made An Jing famous, without a doubt, it was when he killed Qi Shu amidst thousands of troops in Houjin, shocking and astonishing everyone at the time. Later, at the Black Ice Platform, Qi Xuan Dao, in an attempt to avenge his ¡®adopted son¡¯, personally went to Blue Sky Island to kill An Jing. Unfortunately, he did not succeed and fell into Ye Ding¡¯s trap instead. Not only did he fail to kill An Jing, but he also suffered heavy losses himself. After Qi Xuan Dao left Blue Sky Island, he also appeared near the Dragon Locking Well in Yujing City, where he was beaten black and blue by Lv Guoyong, narrowly escaping death. Qin Shan even died while covering for Qi Xuan Dao in Yujing City. It can be said that Qi Wushuang of Zhao Country had faced adversity and his reputation had dwindled over the recent years. The forces opposed to the Black Ice Platform, however, continued to gain in prestige. Although Zhao Country had continuously triumphed in the wars against Yan Country, they had not been able to make significant progress, which was largely related to this as well. An Jing coldly said, ¡°You really have a big appetite, you might choke to death.¡± Qi Xuan Dao responded, ¡°Let¡¯s see if your sword is enough to choke me to death.¡± An Jing, looking at the Qi Xuan Dao in front of him, thought that even if news traveled slowly, this place wasn¡¯t far from Ba Mountain, so Qi Xuan Dao should have heard about his killing Zongzheng Huachun. Why then would Qi Xuan Dao still dare to seek him out? Had Qi Xuan Dao also broken through to the Grandmaster Realm, or did he have some other means? Zhao Qingmei, realizing something, questioned uncertainly, ¡°Husband, I suspect that person has arrived.¡± An immortal being!? An Jing suddenly thought of something, his brows furrowing even deeper. This immortal character¡¯s deeds were too astonishing; not only had he been active in history for a thousand years, but he had also caused several incidents that influenced the course of history, including the slaying of several Great Grandmasters. In An Jing¡¯s heart, this immortal being was even more terrifying than a Grandmaster like Xi Hafu by threefold. ¡°Hahaha, little girl, we meet again.¡± Following a hearty laugh, a figure appeared in the distance. Even though the figure seemed far away, he arrived in front of An Jing and Zhao Qingmei in the blink of an eye. The man did not look as old as imagined, his smile even carried a hint of warmth, dressed in white with white hair, emanating a kind and gentle aura. However, those who knew his identity would not feel his kindness and gentleness, rather, they would find him extremely terrifying. Because this man was the Elder of the Black Ice Platform, also named by the Great Yan Emperor and Jin Deng as the immortal being, each of his moves severed the life force of current Great Grandmasters, a peerless power. It would not be an exaggeration to say, this man was truly the hidden hand controlling the fate of the world. The black light emitted by the Earth Book next made An Jing¡¯s heart tremble. ¡°Reminder: A dark opportunity nearby.¡± A dark opportunity!? An Jing suppressed the shock in his heart, but his hand slowly moved towards the Sword Box. He had slain Zhong Zheng Huachun, who was a Grandmaster, yet the immortal figure before him posed a lethal danger, enough to illustrate the prominence of this immortal being. The immortal being faintly smiled, ¡°It seems that Grandmaster has already died.¡± The Grandmaster he referred to was none other than Nangong Weiping. An Jing looked at the immortal being, a chill flashing in his eyes, ¡°Zhong Zheng Huachun was your disciple, wasn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°Correct, he was my disciple.¡± The immortal being took a deep breath, sighing, ¡°In these thousand years, he was one of the disciples I was quite proud of. I didn¡¯t expect him to die by your hand.¡± An Jing said, ¡°It seems that over these thousand years, you¡¯ve had many proud disciples.¡± The immortal being said, ¡°Many, as many as cow hair, as many as fine rain, but now they have all turned into a handful of yellow earth.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Yes, one of the most lamentable things in this world is the white-haired people sending off the black-haired people.¡± The immortal being said, ¡°That¡¯s why my heart has long been as cold as ice for thousands of years, without any warmth.¡± An Jing¡¯s pupils shrank drastically, realizing that this was precisely the most terrifying aspect of the immortal being before him. Having lived for a thousand years, having seen the vicissitudes of life and changes, his heart was like a true ancient well, unrippled. The immortal being looked at An Jing, slowly saying, ¡°You are the most talented person I have ever seen so far, it¡¯s just a pity¡­¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes lit up, her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades already in her hands. An Jing asked, ¡°A pity what?¡± The immortal being said, ¡°A pity that I missed such a perfect raw jade.¡± An Jing shook his head, ¡°But I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a pity at all.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± The immortal being asked, ¡°Why? Don¡¯t you want to take me as your master?¡± An Jing calmly said, ¡°A mountain cannot contain two tigers, this is an eternal truth. Taking you as a master would only make me die faster.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± The immortal being burst into laughter upon hearing An Jing¡¯s words, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect it. Truly, I didn¡¯t expect that the person who understands me the most in these hundreds of years would be you.¡± The immortal being wasn¡¯t annoyed but instead was excited by An Jing¡¯s words. It was a feeling of being understood and deciphered. This was a sensation he had never experienced in thousands of years. An Jing narrowed his eyes at the immortal being, saying, ¡°I want to know how you have lived till today.¡± As An Jing¡¯s words fell, Qi Xuan Dao also looked over, his heart evidently very curious about how his teacher had managed to live for over a thousand years. Although the blood of Cheng Huang could increase one¡¯s lifespan a bit, after several intakes, it became useless. And Qi Xuan Dao knew better than anyone that the immortal being only relied on Cheng Huang for healing. The immortal being said, ¡°That is a secret, a secret that must not be told to anyone, not even those who are about to die.¡± His tone was very neutral, without any fluctuations. An Jing raised an eyebrow, ¡°It seems you think I am certainly going to die.¡± ¡°Even if you have reached the Seventh Realm.¡± The immortal being looked at An Jing, smiling, ¡°I have seen a swordsman of the Seventh Realm before, the one who wrote the ¡®Sword Dao Tao General Outline¡¯ was personally killed by me. I remember he practiced the Heavenly Dao Sword; the wound he gave me was the deepest, and so even after a very long time, I still remember it vividly.¡± What!? Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingmei felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. The immortal being before her had even killed a swordsman of the Seventh Realm, knowing that no Seventh Realm swordsman has ever been recorded in history. An Jing¡¯s heart raced, his eyes narrowing into slits. This was by far the most pressing expert he had faced. Even when he faced Jiang Shang in Yu State City, there was a glimmer of hope for survival, but now facing this top expert, he couldn¡¯t see anything. The immortal being, with his hands behind his back, said, ¡°History is merely what I wish to show to the world.¡± History is merely what I wish to show to the world. Such was his arrogant tone, but the three present felt nothing inappropriate. An Jing drew out the Dulu Sword, ¡°It seems that your deep arrangement is all for the Earth Vein Spirit.¡± A cold gleam appeared, and Qi Xuan Dao felt his heart beating continuously, subconsciously retreating several steps backward. Merely drawing the sword had caused him to feel a chill in his heart, involuntarily stepping back several steps¨Cwhat a terrifying mastery of swordsmanship. Just as he was about to retreat further, a scorching blade light attacked, and the Qi mechanism in front of him roared away, turning into rolling waves. Zhao Qingmei, holding the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades, had already charged over, a hint of killing intent flickering in her eyes. The Minghong Blade in Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s hand brightened, and the world instantly turned ice-cold as he directly faced the attack. Qian Qiu the Undying said, ¡°That day it was raining, and I told myself, I must wait for this day.¡± The two no longer spoke, for there was no need for further words. Perhaps life and death would emerge in the next moment. An Jing thrust the Dulu Sword forward, a sharp cold light surged forth. Although it was a simple thrust, the void in front broke completely, and a black line followed the heavens towards Qian Qiu the Undying. Fast! This sword had pushed the skills to the limit, its sharp Qi almost lifting the scalp, sending chills down the spine. Qian Qiu the Undying frowned, the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s Immortal Sword was still above that of the Heavenly Dao Sword swordsman. And this sword seemed intent on deciding the victor, aiming to kill him outright. Because at this realm, the more ordinary and mundane the sword seemed, the denser and more shocking the killing intent within it became. It was like the storms that often abruptly cease. Sometimes, life is just like that. Qian Qiu the Undying almost closed his eyes, he did not look into An Jing¡¯s eyes, nor did he watch his sword, even though in a duel between experts, one must constantly pay attention to every subtle movement, every gaze, every expression, and meticulously observe without any slip-ups. The sword that pierced through the void attacked abruptly, yet Qian Qiu the Undying dodged it, not even touching his robe, and the cold light surrounding the blade was all dispersed by the Force Qi around him. This was the first sword drawn, and also one of the sharpest swords An Jing had released up to this point. Qian Qiu the Undying dodged this sword, and robust True Yuan instantly surged from all directions, almost emptying the surroundings, and then he struck forward with a palm. Boom! This palm strike sent out ripples like water waves across a vast plane, emitting a thunderous sound, then like the collapse of heaven and earth, it fell towards An Jing. Qian Qiu the Undying lived up to his reputation as a top contemporary expert, his first move was that of mountain-crushing, river-shattering force. This display of might was even more majestic by a third than Zongzheng Huachun deploying the Ten Directions Technique. An Jing¡¯s expression remained unchanged, the vast Qi within him surged in layers, and finally burst forth from his wrist, then with a flick of the Dulu Sword in his hand, that robust Qi completely exploded. The purple True Qi in the blade surged mightily, like a bright light suddenly appearing in a dark world. This was the Nameless Path. An Jing had suddenly grasped the seventh realm and had devised this sword technique. The sword Qi was like a vast river, its roar loud as the awakening thunder, eventually forming a vast white line that approached from afar. But upon closer contemplation, it seemed like a thunderous avalanche pouring down from a majestic snow mountain. As the tidal wave gradually neared, it resembled thousands of troops charging forward, and only at the final approach did one realize that the tide and waves stood high like city walls, possessing the force of moving mountains and overturning seas. This was a momentum, an invincible sword momentum! ¡°Boom¨C!¡± This singular sword strike directly shattered the immortal¡¯s handprint, cleaving the entire plane below neatly in half, and the sword light continued to rush towards the sky as if to tear a huge hole in the heavens. Both had only made a single move, yet such was the move that it could shake the heavens and startle the spirits. This situation was even more perilous than the battle against Zongzheng Huachun. An Jing slapped his palm, and instantly all the swords in the sword box flew out; the swords split apart into dozens, hundreds, and eventually thousands of flying swords. Instantly, sword lights filled the sky chaotically, the entire world swarmed with sharp sword Qi, blocking out the sun, dense and numerous. It is said that at the culmination of swordsmanship, there exists a divine skill known as ¡°All Things Become Swords,¡± which could turn wind, frost, rain, snow, fallen leaves, flying sand, and rolling stones into swords wielded to injure the enemy. However, this form of swordsmanship had only appeared in legends, never truly demonstrated by anyone. At this moment, An Jing¡¯s swordsmanship had reached Tongxuan, thoroughly showcasing this divine skill that no one else had mastered. Upon seeing this, the immortal¡¯s eyes gleamed, and then the Qi mechanism within his body gradually dissipated and vanished. Separating Heaven and Earth! For the divine skill that the immortal was now using, An Jing was certainly familiar, as he himself knew it too; however, compared to the immortal, it was but a minor trick. There was almost a heaven and earth¡¯s gap between them. The immortal had completely separated himself from this domain, his aura dramatically soaring without visible end. With a stretch of his palm, countless streams of Force Qi and True Yuan converged like rain toward the flying swords ahead. The collision of Force Qi, True Yuan, and the flying swords erupted in the air, immediately resounding through with countless clashing sounds of metal, sword Qi crisscrossing in every direction, the vast sea of clouds all around shattered and dispersed. Behind An Jing spread a vast expanse of starlight, the seventh realm utilized to its utter limits. In the sky, the flying swords¡¯ sword Qi crisscrossed, the atmosphere surged violently, suddenly causing a rain of True Yuan to fall ahead, and then those thousands of flying swords surged tumultuously towards the immortal. The Heaven and Earth Ten Directions! Facing this overwhelming sword Qi attack, the immortal¡¯s expression remained as calm as water; he then swung his robe sleeve forward, and from within the sleeve surged black Force Qi. This Force Qi kept condensing, forming a gigantic ghost face. ¡°Roar!¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The ghost face roared furiously, and then opened its massive mouth, as if a deep, bottomless black hole had appeared, swallowing all the countless sword Qi like tired birds flying into the woods. After swallowing the sword Qi, the ghost face showed no change, continuing to charge towards An Jing. The ghost face was ferocious and terrifying, as if it had surged up from the Yellow Springs in the Nine Nether below, its giant maw open wide, blotting out the sun, seeking to completely devour An Jing. In that moment, underneath the ghost face, An Jing seemed so insignificant, like a small boat tossing in a tempest. ¡­¡­ Chapter 393 - Chapter 393 Chapter 293 Ghost Swords Death Throws the World Chapter 393: Chapter 293: Ghost Sword¡¯s Death Throws the World into Chaos Chapter 393: Chapter 293: Ghost Sword¡¯s Death Throws the World into Chaos An Jing became surrounded by a myriad of nebulous purple qi, which directly enveloped his figure. The tumultuous aura around the ghastly face didn¡¯t swallow him, and then the ghostly face began to compress from the top down, its momentum unweakened in the slightest. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± An Jing stood on the ground, his arms bending as if unable to bear the burden due to the terrifying force attacking him, and suddenly the ground beneath him fractured, his legs sinking deeply into it. An Jing¡¯s face remained expressionless, not making a sound, as though he could clearly hear his own heart beating. It was the same for the Immortal Qian Qiu; throughout the ages, he had encountered too many experts, including Martial Arts Emperors, true Sect Leaders, and top Swordsmen, but these beings eventually turned to ash in his presence. Thus, he considered the fate of the Swordsman before him to be no different in the end. An Jing took a light breath in and out, the purple qi around him pulsing more frequently, and with a fierce stomp of his foot, his body shot out like an arrow released from its bow. Between heaven and earth, a collision occurred between one purple and one black qi, the purple vast and mysterious, while the black was sinister and overpowering. A cold light flashed in An Jing¡¯s eyes, and then his hand sweeping the Dulu Sword across the front. The aura of the Sword Qi formed a large circle, resembling a bright full moon. Under this sword, the giant ghastly face seemed almost immobile, and the world fell silent. Then, a crisp shattering sound broke the silence, quickly followed by a succession of similar sounds, incessant to the ear. The giant ghostly face showed countless cracks, like a spider¡¯s web. Those fragments turned into specks of fireflies, slowly rising to the sky, returning to the heavens. In the next moment, the Immortal Qian Qiu stretched out his hand, absorbing the scattered aura into his body, now standing in mid-air like a celestial being descending onto the mundane world, looking down at An Jing, who was tightly holding the Dulu Sword, and asked, ¡°Strike again.¡± An Jing didn¡¯t speak, his hand gripping the Dulu Sword tightly, his brow furrowed in silence. The Immortal Qian Qiu before him was simply too strong, showing no flaws or weaknesses, and he seemed to have not yet displayed his full strength. The Immortal Qian Qiu placed his hands behind his back, his eyes calm and ripple-free. An Jing¡¯s palm was on the hilt of the Dulu Sword; in that lightning-fast moment, he drew the Sword. Sword Drawing Skill! All the essence, spirit, and qi of the Swordsman converged to a single point, then was drawn forth; the sword blade gathered a cold glint, and the Sword Qi was even more bitingly cold and supreme. With one sword strike, the world was astounded! After reaching the Seventh Realm of Sword Dao, An Jing¡¯s swordsmanship had also truly reached the pinnacle, turning decay into wonder. The Immortal Qian Qiu clearly felt this Sword Intent and saw the Sword Light approaching, but he could not evade this streak of Sword Light, forced to endure the strike; his body and soul seemed about to be torn apart, nearly dissipating into the ether. The figure of the Immortal Qian Qiu started to sway, and then a mist of blood exploded at the chest area; the injury he had forcefully suppressed now burst forth completely. Such was the terror of the Seventh Realm; even the supreme expert of all time, the Immortal Qian Qiu, could not avoid this peerless sword strike. Were it not for his complete detachment from the world, its profound mysteries endless, this sword would have left him sprawling on the ground as a corpse like Zongzheng Huachun. Naturally, An Jing would not miss this golden opportunity. He controlled the flow of True Qi, and the Evil Suppressing Sword turned into six beams of cold light sweeping towards the front, as if forming a Sword Qi river that swept across the heavens. The Immortal Qian Qiu¡¯s True Yuan churned, and black thunder surged around him, crackling loudly. Then, with a clap of his hand, the black thunder roared towards the front, its terrifying force resembling a meteor falling to earth. In the instant the Sword Qi river collided with the black thunder, a streak of chill light surged out, and the Dulu Sword, with a formidable posture, advanced unstoppably from their center. Invisible Sword! The Immortal Qian Qiu sensed something but it was too late; a sword light, unseen and formless, came whooshing, submerging him in the tidal wave of Sword Qi. An Jing, his body and sword united as one, entered a state of profound mystery. Heaven and earth bore witness to only one sword! This sword, swift as a shooting star, was such that not only was the sword unseen, its light unseen, but even the aura of the sword was imperceptible. In the end, this sword pierced straight into the chest of the Immortal Qian Qiu. ¡°Teacher!¡± Qi Xuan Dao, engaged in battle with Zhao Qingmei, cried out in shock at the sight. The Immortal Qian Qiu, looking at the sword in his chest, said, ¡°What a fast sword.¡± Before the words fell, An Jing was about to pull the sword out of the Immortal Qian Qiu¡¯s chest. But in the next moment, a shocking scene unfolded¨Cthe Immortal Qian Qiu actually grasped the blade of The World¡¯s First Sword tightly with his hand, black thunder flickering in his palm, and upon colliding with the blade of the Dulu Sword, countless sparks flew. ¡°Not good!¡± In that sudden moment of crisis, An Jing did not hesitate to let go of the Dulu Sword and retreated backwards, nearly at the same time as the palm holding the Dulu Sword, the Immortal Qian Qiu flipped his hand, and the world seemed to turn upside down. An Jing, standing between heaven and earth, also turned upside down, his blood flowing in reverse. An Jing¡¯s body made cracking sounds, seemingly struck by an invisible, weighty force, as if a vast mountain had been placed upon his shoulders. An Jing¡¯s body channeled the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± and the purple True Qi within his Qi Sea surged like the vast channels of rivers and lakes, blocking the overwhelming momentum descending like mountains. Then, these two forces intertwined continuously before actually surging into An Jing¡¯s body. In an instant, the seemingly calm surface within his body became tumultuous, filled with murderous intent. If these two forces were to explode, even An Jing¡¯s flesh would probably perish in an instant. Those two streams of Qi Mechanisms moved back and forth without end, as if ceaselessly. An Jing¡¯s divine soul began to show signs of wavering. Although it had only been a moment, An Jing felt as if years had passed, and the scene before his eyes started to blur. ¡°I cannot allow this pressure of an everlasting immortal to overwhelm me,¡± An Jing silently resolved, focusing on rotating the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture.¡± All the acupoints in his body began to pulsate as a profound sense of mystery overwhelmed him, with the heavens, earth, sun, and stars under his feet. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± is known as the foremost Heart Method Martial Arts of the time, so mysterious and enchanting that it immediately unraveled the formidable pressure from the eternal immortal. Boom-! Boom-! Between heaven and earth, the sound of dull, thunderous impacts resounded incessantly. The eternal immortal took advantage of the time to suppress his internal injuries. Having reached the Grandmaster Realm, the True Qi within the body had transformed into True Yuan. In addition to refining the physical body, the recovery speed of True Yuan could be seen by the naked eye, transforming decay into something miraculous. Coupled with the formidable physical body of a Grandmaster, it was almost impossible to kill them unless the injury was fatal. The eternal immortal before him had not died for a thousand years, and his body¡¯s blood, flesh, and bones were very different from those of others. Seeing how quickly An Jing freed himself, a hint of solemnity emerged in the immortal¡¯s heart. In the next moment, hundreds of An Jing¡¯s afterimages appeared before the eternal immortal, solid and lasting. An Jing held the Dulu Sword in his hand, striking non-stop. Each of the hundreds of silhouettes was unique in form, with each move differing from the next, yet each shadow¡¯s technique was more exquisite than the most skillful sword manual in the world. The eternal immortal witnessed the sharpness of the Immortal Sword and the Dulu Sword and chose not to engage directly, instead continuously retreating. As one advanced and the other retreated, countless afterimages stretched across half the mountain peak. Behind An Jing, the afterimages began to fade, merging into a figure swift as the wind. ¡°Shi!¡± Ultimately, An Jing pointed his sword at the eternal immortal¡¯s glabella, and it seemed as if the whole world came to a halt. An Jing held the Dulu Sword while looking at the eternal immortal before him. The expression of the eternal immortal was unfathomable as a still ancient well, calmly making eye contact with An Jing. One was a vibrant young man, while the other was a decrepit old one. Two of the greatest masters of their time stood opposing each other, a match for the other, each dominating half of the world. ¡­.. Yujing City, Dragon Locking Well. The sky was clear and cloudless, bright and sunny. The events in Houjin had not yet spread throughout the world, so Yujing City was still very peaceful. At the bottom of the Dragon Locking Well, a place that had never seen sunlight, darkness reigned, and one could not even see their own fingers; it seemed like the darkest place in the world. The Earth Vein Spirit that had taken form lay at the deepest part of the Dragon Locking Well. Its massive dragon body was already covered in black imprints, having been tainted by evil spirits to the point of rotting and even decaying. One could see the pain in its expression, a torment it had endured for hundreds of years, to the point where it had become numb. Just then, a ray of light seemed to pierce the darkness from afar, filtering down from the massive crack above and illuminating the Earth Vein Spirit with the light of billions of stars. All twelve bronze pillars lit up, profound and inscrutable. With the light of the stars, one could finally see inside the Dragon Locking Well, a vast and grand space resembling an imperial sacrificial array of ancient times. The well was surrounded by eighty-one ancient bronze pillars, which stood in a staggered formation. Iron chains wrapped around every bronze pillar, converging towards the center and plunging into the obscure void. The interior of the Dragon Locking Well had threads extending outwards, sporadically marked by four Sun God Patterns corresponding to the eight directions of Qian, Dui, Li, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Gen, and Kun. An Jing had seen this scene before, not only the first time he entered the Dragon Locking Well but also vaguely when he was in Yu State City. The starlight shone on the Earth Vein Spirit¡¯s body, burning like flames, causing it to roll in pain. The black areas on its body grew, and the rotten parts decayed further, presenting a ghastly sight. Then, a change occurred! The entire bottom of the Dragon Locking Well trembled, shaking as if the earth dragon turned over. ¡°Booming sounds echoed, causing the flesh of the Earth Vein Spirit to become increasingly enshrouded in black. The surrounding nature¡¯s spiritual energy began to vanish, replaced by dense evil spirits spreading in all directions. The Earth Vein Spirit attempted to struggle, but trapped under the ray of starlight, it had nowhere to hide. It could only allow the starlight to burn its transformed body like a fierce fire. Under the illumination of the starlight, the Earth Vein Spirit underwent a drastic change, its golden brilliance fading away in an instant, leaving behind a sinister and eerie black glow. Subsequently, all the spiritual energy of the Dragon Locking Well disappeared, and the evil spirits flooded every corner like a rolling tide. Out of sight, below the ground, the black mist began to spread in all directions. At the same time, above the Dragon Locking Well, dark clouds seemed to rise up. These clouds were pitch-black, blanketing the sky and casting the world into a dusk-like gloom. The darkness continued to spread, encroaching upon the entirety of Yujing City. ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°Dark clouds press down, hiding the sky; it seems an ill omen is about to unfold.¡± ¡°What exactly is happening!?¡± ¡­¡­ The civil and military officials of Yujing City, as well as the commoners, all looked up at the gloomy clouds above, feeling an indescribable oppression that made it difficult to breathe. Emperor Yong¡¯an stood beyond the balustrade, gazing at the sky above and murmuring to himself, ¡°It looks like they¡¯ve truly come.¡± Zhuo Yuchang said quietly beside him, ¡°Your Majesty, the weather is turning chill. It would be best to rest early.¡± Emperor Yong¡¯an took a deep breath and asked, ¡°How is Ming Gong¡¯s health?¡± Since returning from the Dragon Locking Well, the health of the white-browed eunuch had collapsed, causing him to become utterly exhausted. This old eunuch had served three emperors, two of whom had reigned for over sixty years each. But no matter how one looked at it, he was still a Four Qi Grandmaster, and it was not possible to treat him as an ordinary human with a normal body. Zhuo Yuchang quickly responded, ¡°After taking the Red Jade Pill bestowed by Your Majesty, grandfather has felt somewhat better, but he is still feverish.¡± Emperor Yong¡¯an¡¯s brow lifted slightly as he thought, ¡°The leakage of Yin Evil Qi is getting more and more severe.¡± The white-browed eunuch wasn¡¯t suffering due to old age or ill health, but rather, it was apparent he had been invaded by Yin Evil Qi. If even a grandmaster like the white-browed eunuch had been penetrated by such Qi, what about others? Should this Yin Evil Qi completely saturate the world, a period of great chaos would undoubtedly ensue. Zhuo Yuchang stood respectfully to the side with a slightly bent waist. Emperor Yong¡¯an placed his palm on the balustrade and then looked to Tianpeng Ancestor, saying, ¡°Has An Jing returned yet?¡± For some reason, at this moment, she truly hoped to see that person immediately. Right away! Without a single moment¡¯s delay! Tianpeng Ancestor replied, ¡°To report to Your Majesty, he is already on his way back.¡± ¡°Good, inform me immediately once he returns.¡± Hearing this, Emperor Yong¡¯an nodded slightly and then walked toward the interior of the palace. ¡­.. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the outsiders, atop the mountain range of Beihuang Dao, a grand battle was unfolding. Atop the mountain peak, An Jing once again gripped the Dulu Sword and, with a form as fleeting as a flowing splendor, thrust the sword towards the throat of the Undying Qian Qiu. This strike was so piercingly cold that even the Undying Qian Qiu, should he be hit, would die and his path would be extinguished. The Undying Qian Qiu retreated once more, scraping a long trace on the ground with his feet ¨C not daring to confront the Dulu Sword head-on. Holding the Dulu Sword, An Jing appeared like an Immortal descending from the heavens, unstoppable and cutting through all resistance. The Undying Qian Qiu could only extend his palm, attempting to fend off the frigid Sword Qi. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± The Sword Qi swept through the robes, and how could mere cloth hold back the sharpness of the world¡¯s foremost swordsman and the foremost sword? When the Undying Qian Qiu halted his retreat, his right sleeve was already torn apart, revealing a withered and pale arm, a sight of embarrassment and awkwardness. Moreover, one could see fresh, red blood penetrating his chest clothing, signifying the severity of his injuries. This figure, who had historically slain numerous Great Grandmasters, now seemed to face a humbling setback before this Five Qi Grandmaster swordsmanship expert. An Jing remained silent, his white robe dancing wildly with the wind, whipping around with rustling sounds. The Undying Qian Qiu took a deep breath and then exhaled a murky breath. Through his clothing, one could see that the wound on his chest was healing at an astonishing rate, as if rapidly regaining its original condition, even generating new flesh and bones. Any observer would be greatly astonished at this sight. Yet, An Jing¡¯s heart suddenly skipped a beat, a sense of crisis flooding into his consciousness. Above the Undying Qian Qiu¡¯s standing area, the sky churned, the originally pitch-dark clouds now shone with iridescent colors, transforming from a dark cloth to a magnificent brocade, resplendently radiant. In the path of cultivation, one must undergo the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top and the Five Qi Chao Yuan to become a Great Grandmaster and reach the Land Immortal Realm. A Land Immortal, after all, remains just that, always a whisper away from a true Immortal. But at this moment, the Undying Qian Qiu had entirely detached himself from the worldly plane, his majestic aura swelling and spreading boundlessly, the oppressive force far surpassing anything previously felt. The Undying Qian Qiu indifferently stated, ¡°While not all my strength, it is sufficient for pride.¡± After speaking, he stretched out his hand, and a glimmer of glass-like radiance appeared. That was a Jade Ruyi, and in the moment it appeared, a myriad of auras surged forth. A sudden wind rose from all directions, and amidst the heavens and the earth, a fierce gale swept through, forming a series of storms. The towering light from the Jade Ruyi swept out, transforming into a curtain-like dome above. Thirty-six towering green peaks, with the Ruyi¡¯s landing, steadying heaven and earth. Zhao Qingmei swept her hand, and a jade-colored light surged forth, cascading down like from the highest heavens, dying the entire world in a jade hue. Boom! Boom! Within dozens of miles around, the sky above seemed on the brink of collapse, inducing feelings akin to the coming of the apocalypse, instilling an irresistible dread. In this moment, Zhao Qingmei and Qi Xuan Dao both ceased their confrontation to witness the scene. In the distance, several Jianghu experts were also stirred, and when they saw the whimpering Black Flood Dragon beneath the mountainous ruins, they were utterly shocked. There was no one under the heavens who didn¡¯t know what a Black Flood Dragon was, but now this creature lay gasping for breath, clearly close to its end. Rumors claimed the Black Flood Dragon had the strength of a Four Qi Grandmaster, so who could have inflicted such heavy damage on it? A few Jianghu experts mustered their courage and proceeded forward, and upon witnessing the scene, they were utterly terrified. The Ghost Swordsman was actually in a duel with someone!? One must know the Ghost Swordsman was capable of slaying a Great Grandmaster with a single strike; how many people in this world would dare to cross swords with such a master? Above the ruins, the two were locked in a fiercely intense stage of combat. The jade sky thundered down, the momentum so terrifying that it seemed unstoppable as the world might shiver and quake. An Jing stepped forward, purple True Qi surging from his Dantian, instantaneously funneled into the Dulu Sword, then he thrust it unyieldingly forward. By reaching his realm, a Swordsman no longer clung to specific moves and techniques, but rather the essence within the sword, the intent, the path. This was the heart of swordsmanship. With a single slash, the Sword Qi instantly surged like the great tide of the East Sea; within its waves, a Full Moon Sword Light rose, like the moon ascending in the vast ocean. Moonlight bathed everything, overflowing the eight corners of the world. Between the strike of the sword, it seemed as if heaven and earth resonated, as if a thousand armies charged thunderously. Without the thunder of a drawn sword, without the surge of Sword Qi, only the vast Sword Intent remained, with the boundless Qingming above and the vast earth below, unresisted by anyone in the human realm. No Heavenly Dao Sword, no King Sword, no Human Dao Sword, and no Holy Dao Sword could relate to this path of the sword; this was an Immortal Sword, a creation of An Jing¡¯s own Immortal Swordsmanship. Within the world, a streak of light flashed through. This sword had no flourish, it simply thrust forward. ¡°Buzz! Buzz!¡± As the sword tip struck the jade curtain in the sky, it instantly emitted a sound like water ripples, which then unsteadily spread in all directions. This immense momentum caused the mountain to tremble continuously¨Cnot just the illusory quivering before, but a real and acute trembling. Even a few cliffs had utterly collapsed, and countless boulders peeled from the cliffside, plunging into the abyss below. Their collision carried the force of moving mountains and overturning seas, not a whit inferior to Zongzheng Huachun¡¯s duel, and with such a fierce onslaught even a Great Grandmaster at the epicenter would find their soul scattered and dispersed. This was a battle to the death, both sides harboring a merciless intent to kill. The power wielded by both was certainly among the utmost pinnacle of their time, such life-and-death duels being a rarity in history. The sword tip continued to clash against the jade-colored sky, with shockwaves spreading to the distance, and the mountain was whittled down by a good thirty feet. An Jing, upon seeing this, raised his Dulu Sword, the blade falling like the torrents of the Milky Way from the ninth heaven. The whole mountain abruptly sank ten feet, and amid the thunderous roar, dust billowed around its base, not only shrouding the villages below but also spreading upwards along the mountainside. From afar, half the mountain had become buried in the billowing dust. Qian Qiu, the Undying, continued to wield his Jade Ruyi, then extending his right hand, formed a vortex in its center that vacuumed all air from the surroundings, and then he fiercely slapped towards the sky dome. ¡°Not good!¡± Zhao Qingmei mentally exclaimed, feeling a huge pressure from that palm strike; she abandoned her fight with Qi Xuan Dao and rushed toward Qian Qiu, the Undying. Before Qian Qiu¡¯s overwhelming presence, An Jing¡¯s sword gripping hand trembled slightly, and then he took out the Imperial Jade Seal from his bosom. Boom! Boom! Yin Evil Qi swept through, and innumerable ghost soldiers surged out like a tide. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s Minghong Blade let out a crisp sound as it charged towards the countless ghost soldiers. Given the multitudes of ghost soldiers, even Qi Xuan Dao, a Five Qi Grandmaster, would surely die if the battle prolonged; however, he believed his master would resolve the current peril. With a flick of a finger, Qian Qiu projected a column of light from the sky, effortlessly shattering Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Sword Qi and even forced her back dozens of steps. ¡°Ahh!¡± Zhao Qingmei¡¯s face was somewhat pale. If the ¡°Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture¡± hadn¡¯t diminished most of the force in that move, she might have been severely injured. Qian Qiu, the undying, was expressionless as he looked at An Jing. The sky canopy, now bolstered by the handprint, erupted with a thunderous roar that was indescribably awe-inspiring and crashed down immediately. ¡°Go!¡± An Jing¡¯s robe fluttered as he pushed Zhao Qingmei away, and then his aura burst forth. All the swords surrounding his body flew out and rushed forward in a magnificent manner. In midair, these swords flew surrounded by a purple halo of qi mechanism, becoming larger and forming a complex and profound sword array. These swords clustered together, connecting to form a vast expanse of sword qi that pierced towards the sky canopy. Onlookers from a distance were shook to their core by this scene. It was as if meteors fell from the sky, and the Ghost Swordsman faced the challenge, but can man triumph over the might of the heavens? Next, a palm reached out from the sky canopy, darkening the sky and causing the earth to crack open inch by inch, then raising a terrifying dust storm. The swords in the array carried a mighty sword qi, creating a metallic storm, and then pierced through the colossal handprint. ¡°Not good!¡± Qian Qiu, the undying, held his breath. He never expected An Jing¡¯s sword to be so sharp, directly piercing his handprint. The sword light continued towards him, and he quickly placed the Jade Ruyi before his chest. As the True Yuan circulated, several Jade Light Shields formed in front of him. ¡°Hiss! Hiss!¡± Then the sword light relentlessly pierced through, drilling holes in the Jade Light Shields formed by the Jade Ruyi, which also manifested a fine crack, but the piercing cold of the sword light was eventually thwarted, nailing itself firmly into Qian Qiu¡¯s chest. Qian Qiu¡¯s face changed drastically, and his pupils contracted slightly. His clothes ripped apart, revealing horrific and fearsome wounds. At that moment, the giant palm fell, slamming down on An Jing, completely submerging his figure within it. ¡°Boom!¡± The ground trembled violently, the mountains crumbled, and giant rocks tumbled down, with the Black Flood Dragon getting struck by several and letting out a pitiful cry. The aura dissipated quickly, and in the dust, a figure drenched in blood emerged, lying straight on the ground, their life force utterly extinguished. Because of the blood covering the whole body, their face was unrecognizable, but beside them lay a shattered sword box and the Dulu Sword, which identified the figure as none other than the Ghost Swordsman, the World¡¯s First Sword. And then the Yun Dust Pearl slowly rolled out of his embrace, further confirming his identity. ¡°My lord!¡± Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei felt as if thousands of knives were plunged into her heart, her grief suffocating, and she rushed towards An Jing like a madwoman. She channeled her True Qi into An Jing¡¯s body, only to discover that An Jing¡¯s meridians were completely broken, and his internal organs had shifted out of place. Zhao Qingmei was stunned. In such a state as An Jing¡¯s, even if a Daluo Immortal appeared, it would be to no avail. ¡°His internal organs have been shattered by me, even the Paperman Substitute Death Skill would be useless,¡± Qian Qiu, the undying, said, trembling as he reached out with his palm to catch the falling Yun Dust Pearl and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± At that moment, all he wanted was to leave this place quickly to avoid any further complications. After all, Xi Hafu might be nearby, and now that he was severely injured, it would be difficult for him to contend with this living Buddha. His millennium¡¯s worth of planning couldn¡¯t be ruined now. ¡°Yes!¡± And with An Jing no longer controlling it, the shadow soldiers that emerged from the Imperial Jade Seal also dissipated completely. Qi Xuan Dao cast a glance at Zhao Qingmei, then saw Qian Qiu, the undying, staggering towards the distance. Although reluctant, he still followed quickly. In the blink of an eye, the two vanished amidst the ruins. Just then, Zhao Qingmei suddenly snapped out of her grief, an idea striking her, and immediately called forth the Honghu that had landed at the foot of the mountain. ¡°Chirp!¡± The Honghu cried out, descending in front of Zhao Qingmei. Zhao Qingmei, holding An Jing¡¯s corpse, mounted the Honghu, and then turned into a streak of light headed into the distance. Watching this, several Jianghu experts shuddered. The Ghost Swordsman dead!? The unparalleled Great Sword Immortal who had slain those in the Grandmaster Realm had actually died!? Who exactly was the person by Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s side, possibly the Elder of the Ten Directions? If this news spread across the world, what magnitude of shock would it cause!? Everyone seemed petrified by the scene before them, motionless. After a long while, one of them regained their composure and said, as if in a dream, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman¡­ The Ghost Swordsman is dead?¡± One of the swordsmen shook his head and said, ¡°Impossible, I don¡¯t believe it, he definitely isn¡¯t dead.¡± Another companion took a deep breath and analyzed calmly, ¡°That person next to Qi Xuan Dao must be Elder Shi Fang. If his internal organs are shattered, even with the Paperman Substitute Death Skill of the ¡®Ghost Valley Heart Method,¡¯ he¡¯s undoubtedly dead.¡± In Jianghu, it was common knowledge that the Ghost Swordsman practiced the ¡°Ghost Valley Heart Method¡± and had mastered the Paperman Substitute Death Skill from it. But for the skill to work, one¡¯s body had to be intact. If one could be revived with shattered internal organs, that would require the hands of an Immortal, unless the ¡°Ghost Valley Heart Method¡± was an Immortal Heart Method. The swordsman paused for a breath, then fell silent. Even though he was reluctant to believe it, he knew in his heart that this was not a single bit wrong. After all, the ¡°Ghost Valley Heart Method¡± was not an Immortal Heart Method. How could it possibly regenerate a person¡¯s internal organs? If that were the case, organs would never fail, and people would never die. The group exchanged glances, each revealing a spark of insight. ¡°Quick, this news is worth its weight in gold! If it spreads, it will surely cause a major upheaval in the world.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s body is also full of treasures, let¡¯s not forget that.¡± ¡­.. Yun Hua Road, Jinling Tavern. Outside the tavern, the noise of people was deafening, with the cries of vendors coming in waves, and inside the building, beautiful women with fair jade hands played the zither, attracting countless passersby. In a private room on the second floor of the tavern, the noise was even more raucous, as waiters bustled about continuously. The table was laden with delicious dishes, the fragrance of which made people linger and forget to return. At this moment, one swordsman, with a long sword on his back, sat carefreely on a stool, watching the busy streets below. This person was Xie Ying, a very famous swordsman from Yun Hua Road, who also had a considerable reputation in Jianghu. He was known as the Seven Stars Sword. ¡°Brother Xie, Brother Xie¡­.¡± Just then, a burly man brandishing a meteor hammer rushed frantically to the second floor. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Come on, Fatty Wang, let¡¯s drink first. What could be more important than us having a drink?¡± Xie Ying waved his hand and said, ¡°These past few days, I don¡¯t know why, but my energy points have been opening and closing, as if I¡¯m about to breakthrough to the Second Grade Realm. But it feels somewhat strange¡­¡± Fatty Wang swallowed nervously, a look of terror on his face, ¡°It¡¯s a big deal, a huge deal has happened!¡± Xie Ying, unconcerned, picked up a jar of wine and said, ¡°Why the fuss? Is there anything bigger than an Earth Vein Spirit?¡± By this time, the words of Wutu had already spread throughout Great Yan, still fermenting without cease. Almost all of the experts around the world were heading toward Yujing City. In a short time, the entire Great Yan was in chaos. On the official roads and in the dense forests, sounds of fierce fighting and corpses could be heard everywhere. The experts of the Xuanyi Guard were also overwhelmed, withdrawing to the area near Capital Road. A Quan, who was in charge of guarding Capital Road, was now facing a difficult time with the influx of Jianghu experts, and maintaining peace would be challenging. Today, Xie Ying had invited his good friend, Fatty Wang, to travel with him to the Dragon Locking Well in Yujing City for mutual support. Fatty Wang spoke in a low voice, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman died in Northern Wilderness Road!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± The wine jar in Xie Ying¡¯s hand dropped to the ground as he said, ¡°What did you say? Who died!?¡± The entire tavern fell silent, turning their gaze toward Fatty Wang, then the murmurs began to resound. ¡°How is that possible? The Ghost Swordsman was a swordsman who had slain a Great Grandmaster. How could he possibly die?¡± ¡°Who in the world could kill him?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not possible unless he killed himself.¡± ¡­¡­ Everyone doubted Fatty Wang¡¯s words, obviously thinking he was seeking attention. After the Ghost Swordsman had slain Zongzheng Huachun, his reputation had peaked. Now many considered him to be the world¡¯s foremost expert, with enough years left to dominate the Jianghu for decades. How could such a person possibly die? Who could kill him? Fatty Wang snorted coldly, then said, ¡°It¡¯s true, the Ghost Swordsman really is dead. I saw the corpse of the Black Flood Dragon, and you all know what that represents, right?¡± The crowd still didn¡¯t believe it, and they continued to drink on their own. Only Xie Ying knew his friend Fatty Wang¡¯s personality. He opened his mouth and said, ¡°Really?¡± Just at that moment, a shrill voice rang out. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is dead! The Demon Sect¡¯s Ghost Swordsman is dead!¡± A burly man with a long whip in hand ran in, panic-stricken. ¡°Really or not?¡± someone asked with skepticism. If it were just Fatty Wang alone, people might still have doubts, but with another person claiming the same thing, it made others reconsider. The man holding the long whip hurriedly said, ¡°I never spread rumors, it¡¯s not only the body of the Black Flood Dragon that has been found, but all the experts of the Demon Sect have returned to You Mountain. How could this be false?¡± For a moment, the entire tavern fell silent once again, even the sound of heartbeats could be heard clearly. ¡°Let¡¯s go take a look.¡± Upon hearing this, many hurried out of the tavern, their confidence obviously shaken. ¡°Xie Brother!¡± Wang Fatso looked at Xie Ying with his head bowed, not speaking, and immediately walked over to pat his shoulder, ¡°I know you have always looked up to the Ghost Swordsman¡­¡± Suddenly, Wang Fatso felt a chill, and it was already too late for him to try to retreat. A streak of cold light suddenly struck, almost at the limit of his ability to dodge. ¡°Pff!¡± The sword was extremely fast, directly severing Wang Fatso¡¯s throat, and immediately bright red blood spurted out like a fountain. At this moment, Xie Ying stood up, his eyes flashing with a crimson light, his facial expression twisted, devoid of any sense or reason. Wang Fatso stretched out his hand, his eyes filled with disbelief, and said, ¡°Xie¡­¡± In the end, his hand only reached halfway before he fell heavily to the ground. Until the moment of his death, he didn¡¯t understand why Xie Ying had suddenly decided to kill him. After killing Wang Fatso, Xie Ying¡¯s expression became even more fierce as he turned his head to look at the people around him. A martial hero, as if realizing something, cried out, ¡°Run! He¡¯s been possessed by the evil spirits¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Xie Ying had already attacked, and blood-curdling screams echoed immediately. The tavern turned into a river of blood, a veritable hell on earth. And this scene was now being played out all over the world without cessation. ¡­.. Jiangnan Dao, Qinghe Sect. The Qinghe Sect was not particularly famous within the Great Yan Dynasty, but it had a certain standing within Jiangnan Dao. Originally, Liu Qingshan had wanted to recruit the Qinghe Sect into the Cao Gang, but the Qinghe Sect, with its Mountain Opening Order signifying legitimate settlement by the dynasty, had refused. Later when Zhao Country attacked, the experts of the Qinghe Sect joined the army of Great Yan to resist the Zhao forces. The army of Yan Country kept retreating and had now retreated to the area around Qinghe Sect. With Lijiang City completely fallen, if Qinghe Sect were taken next, Yu State City would follow. Qinghe Sect had thus become the encampment of the Great Yan army, with the sect¡¯s entrance turned into the central army camp. At this moment, inside a pavilion of Qinghe Sect, the sect leader Xu Yue was holding a letter. A handsome young man sitting below hurriedly asked, ¡°Father, what should we do now? The situation in the north has been decided, with Houjin completely annihilated. Without the threat from the north, it would be very difficult for Zhao Country to swallow Great Yan. We need to make a choice soon.¡± ¡°What to do? Zhao Country will surely come to a standstill.¡± Xu Yue sneered, grabbing the letter and crushing it into powder, saying, ¡°Pretend this secret missive never arrived. We need to prepare to go to Yujing City.¡± The letter was a secret offer from Zhao Country to surrender, and Xu Yue had been hesitating because of Great Yan¡¯s constant defeats. But now that the news of Houjin¡¯s great victory had spread, the entire world was in an uproar, and his heart was free from any further doubts. After all, who would want to become a traitor if they could live without becoming one? Moreover, the world¡¯s experts were now all chasing after the Earth Vein Spirit, flocking towards Yujing City, each fantasizing about being the fated one, obtaining the Earth Vein Spirit, ascending to heaven in a single step, and defying fate. After all, it was rumored that the Earth Vein Spirit could grant immortality and turn one into a true Immortal. Who in the world wouldn¡¯t be moved by that? Even some ordinary citizens joined in the excitement, heading towards the direction of Yujing City. Xu Yue thought of something and looked at his son, saying, ¡°And about this matter, you must not mention it to anyone, not even to Xiao Yu.¡± Xu Ran chuckled twice and said, ¡°Father, rest assured, I naturally understand the priorities and will not tell anyone.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Xu Yue took a deep breath and then sighed, ¡°With the Ghost Swordsman like this guarding our Great Yan, we have nothing to worry about.¡± Remembering this, Xu Ran said excitedly, ¡°Yes, the Ghost Swordsman is simply divine. Even Zongzheng Huachun who advanced to the Grandmaster Realm couldn¡¯t escape his sword.¡± The news of Houjin¡¯s destruction and the Ghost Swordsman slaying Zongzheng Huachun had spread throughout the world, and the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s reputation had reached its peak. Xu Yue solemnly said, ¡°Such a swordsman as the Ghost Swordsman may never appear again.¡± ¡°Sect Leader, Sect Leader!¡± Just then, an elder rushed in frantically, ¡°Disaster! The Ghost Swordsman has been killed by the Old Man of the Ten Directions.¡± Xu Yue¡¯s eyebrows rose sharply, then he asked, ¡°Lu, who did you say was killed?¡± Elder Lu of Qinghe Sect said in horror, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman! The Ghost Swordsman has been killed by the Old Man of the Ten Directions.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Xu Yue and his son both reacted, as if struck by thunder out of a clear sky. The ghost swordsman they had just been discussing was now killed by someone!? After a long while, Xu Ran asked softly, ¡°Elder Lu, are you telling the truth?¡± Elder Lu nodded heavily, ¡°Truly, this news has spread all over the world, absolutely certain without a shred of falsehood.¡± Xu Ran swallowed and looked at his father, by this time Xu Yue was also looking at him. Both had looks of disbelief in their eyes and their hearts were stirring up tidal waves of shock. Who would have thought that the ghost swordsman, having just slain a great grandmaster, would die at the hands of this old man from all directions? Everything happened so fast, it was like a dream. Just how terrifying is this old man from all directions? Elder Lu continued, ¡°Now the whole world knows that this old man from all directions is the true number one expert in the world, apparently appearing for the sake of the Earth Vein Spirit.¡± Earth Vein Spirit again!? The entire hall suddenly became very quiet, as the Earth Vein Spirit had now completely thrown the world into chaos. There were originally no great grandmasters at all, and now they were popping up one after another. Suddenly, sounds of fighting came from outside. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Xu Ran¡¯s brow furrowed, and he walked toward the door. The scene outside made him jump. He saw that the forward camp was in chaos, countless soldiers fighting each other, the camp drenched in crimson. Xu Yue stepped outside and upon seeing this scene, he trembled and said, ¡°This is bad! Is this the influence of evil spirits!?¡± If the army of Zhao Country found out about the mutiny within the Great Yan military camp, they would certainly send a large force to attack. How would the Qingshan Sect withstand it then? ¡°Perhaps, this is not the worst thing,¡± Elder Lu shook his head. The influence of these evil spirits would cause a chain of troublesome and terrifying events. Xu Yue muttered to himself, ¡°The world is going to descend into chaos, into a world where men devour each other.¡± Xu Ran asked, ¡°Father, what should we do now?¡± Xu Yue snapped to his senses and urged, ¡°Quick, let¡¯s pack up and head to Yujing City.¡± Hearing this, Xu Ran prepared to walk towards the back house. At that moment, Xu Yue stopped him and quickly said, ¡°Forget it, don¡¯t pack anything, we need to go now.¡± ¡­¡­ The news of Houjin¡¯s overthrow had just spread, followed by the announcement that the ghost swordsman had been slain by the old man from all directions, and the whole world was suddenly in an uproar. Everyone should know that the ghost swordsman had just killed a great grandmaster, at the height of his reputation, and now he had vanished from the world of the living; it was truly too incredible to believe. If it weren¡¯t for the discovery of the Black Flood Dragon¡¯s corpse, and the rush of Demon Sect experts back to You Mountain, perhaps no one would believe it. But as the situation fermented, everyone came to accept it. Everyone was lamenting, not expecting that this peerless swordsman, who only ever suffered one defeat in his lifetime, would end up vanishing from the world. And just at this time, an even more earth-shattering event occurred, leaving no time for people to reflect on the death of the ghost swordsman. The pervasive evil qi began to overflow in the world; as many experts broke through their shackles, many others were completely tainted by the evil qi, losing their minds and casting the world into another great upheaval. The first wave of evil qi had affected mainly the lower third-grade experts, but now it had reached the middle third-grade experts. Suddenly, everywhere in the world, every corner was filled with slaughter. Chaos! The whole world was in disarray! Great Yan, Zhao Country, Southern Barbarians; all the nations were in upheaval, each to their own concerns. The horror of the evil qi had been witnessed, and the consequences of its influence were deeply frightening. As the evil qi grew denser, would the upper third-grade experts, even the grandmaster-level experts, be tainted by the evil qi? Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only What would the world become then? Rumors about the Earth Vein Spirit and the evil qi spread throughout the land, and at this time, countless masters began to converge on Yujing City in a frenzy. Some sought the Earth Vein Spirit, while others wanted to investigate the relationship between the evil qi and the Earth Vein Spirit. In any case, Yujing City had become the center of the world. And an unprecedented storm was brewing in Yujing City. ¡­¡­ Chapter 394 - Chapter 394 Chapter 294 The Magnificent World for Thousands of Chapter 394: Chapter 294: The Magnificent World for Thousands of Qian Qiu Chapter 394: Chapter 294: The Magnificent World for Thousands of Qian Qiu Beihuang Dao, You Mountain. Atop the mountain peak, there seems to be the potential for a heavy rainstorm, with thick ink-like clouds entwining the mountain, making one feel a chill approaching while amidst them. Ever since the Demon Sect Main Hall had relocated here, the summit of You Mountain had begun to vigorously construct towers, halls, and residences, yet the building of these structures was not something that could be accomplished overnight. At this moment, the usually bustling Heavenly Demon Hall was eerily silent, as if it had fallen into an ice cellar. The faces of all the experts in the Demon Sect were extremely unsightly, for their sky had collapsed. Duanmu Xinghua and Ouyang Ping hung their heads low, appearing to have aged decades in an instant. Who could have thought that the Ghost Swordsman, who had just caused a sensation by slaying the Great Grandmaster Zongzheng Huachun, would suddenly be stopped in his tracks by the Elder of the Ten Directions? This was like a bolt from the blue to everyone in the Demon Sect. Yu Qiurong¡¯s eyes were bloodshot as she raised her head to look at Li Fuzhou and asked, ¡°Sect Master Li, is there any news of the Sect Hierarch?¡± Everyone turned their attention to him. The only pillar of the Demon Sect currently was their Sect Hierarch, Zhao Qingmei, but after her disappearance following An Jing¡¯s death, she vanished from all over the world, leaving the Demon Sect leaderless. Li Fuzhou shook his head and replied, ¡°No, not the slightest piece of news.¡± The Human Sect was the eyes of the Demon Sect. If even Human Sect could not find out anything, it meant that the other four branches and two sects also had no trace of Zhao Qingmei. You Gai heard this, took a long sigh, and said, ¡°Alas, although that girl doesn¡¯t talk much, she has always been earnest and sincere. If An Jing has indeed perished, knowing her nature¡­¡± At these words, a sense of dread filled the hearts of everyone present. They were all too familiar with Zhao Qingmei¡¯s character: she was extremely calm and knew how to prioritize in the face of significant matters, but when it came to emotions, she was extremely obsessive, to an incomprehensible degree. Especially Yu Qiurong, her face turned pale in an instant, void of any color. Duanmu Xinghua glanced at everyone and slowly said, ¡°At this time of great chaos in the world, we from Outer Heaven still need to consider the future of Outer Heaven and, most importantly, how to handle the relationship with the Great Yan Court.¡± ¡°The Great Yan Emperor has sent a secret decree, hoping that Outer Heaven can contribute some manpower to the Martial Arts Academy founded by Great Yan. What do you all think?¡± The Demon Sect had attracted many experts and even completely absorbed the Five Gangs Alliance due to An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, making it the largest sect in Great Yan at present. This behemoth naturally evoked some dread within the Court. Those present all understood that if An Jing and Zhao Qingmei were still around, the balance could be maintained, but without them, the balance would be lost. The founding of the Martial Arts Academy was a hook. The establishment aimed to recruit masters from sects all over the world to provide guidance. This included not just the Demon Sect, Zhenyi Sect, and Buddhist sects but even some third-rate sects. Behind this, there was a deeper meaning: The Great Yan Court intended to absorb the power of the Jianghu, and ultimately these people would be assimilated by the Court, gradually becoming part of it. What¡¯s more important is that they were also required to submit some of their profound Martial Arts and mental methods. Clearly, this was a veiled threat. Looking at the bigger picture, the Martial Arts Academy would grow increasingly influential, while other sects would progressively fade away. Rejection could ultimately diminish the influence of their sects entirely. After all, when choosing between the Court and a sect, most martial artists would opt for the former over the latter. Duanmu Xinghua was the first to speak up: ¡°I am not in favor. The Demon Sect has always been independent since ancient times, and our mental methods can only be cultivated by those who join our sect. To now hand these methods over to the Court is indeed against our ancestral teachings.¡± Ouyang Ping nodded in agreement. In his eyes, if this continued, it was very likely that the Demon Sect would become a vassal of the Great Yan Dynasty. The Demon Sect has a long and storied history, being one of the three oldest sects. Long before the founding of the Great Yan Dynasty, the Demon Sect was already one of the most illustrious sects in the world. Ouyang Ping and Duanmu Xinghua, having spent their whole lives in the Demon Sect, saw it as their home. They took pride in it and naturally were not willing to let the Demon Sect become subordinate to the Great Yan Dynasty. ¡°This is a mistaken view.¡± Yi Daoyun shook his head, ¡°I have heard that the State Preceptor of Great Yan, Xiao Qianqiu, has already agreed to the Martial Arts Academy¡¯s proposal. The status of the Zhenyi Sect in the Great Yan Martial World speaks for itself, which shows that the Martial Arts Academy is what the people want, where everyone converges. We should fight for more resources and obtain greater benefits for our sect within the academy.¡± Following Yi Daoyun¡¯s remarks, silence gradually returned to the Heavenly Demon Hall. Yi Daoyun was not very old, in his forties or under fifty ¡ª a prime age in the Jianghu, where he should be at the zenith of his career. Reaching the Grandmaster Realm at that age, he was undoubtedly a pivotal figure for a leading power. If Duanmu Xinghua belongs to the seasoned faction within the Demon Sect, then Yi Daoyun would be from the faction of young and vigorous members within the sect. The contradictions between the two powers had been there for some time, with numerous debates and disagreements on how the Demon Sect should develop. However, these issues had been largely hidden under the immense pressure of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s authority before. But now, with Zhao Qingmei gone, these contradictions have fully ignited, and there¡¯s even a risk that they could escalate. Duanmu Xinghua turned to Li Fuzhou, ¡°Sect Master Li, what do you think?¡± Li Fuzhou, as the leader of the Human Sect, had a very significant influence. Li Fuzhou spoke slowly, ¡°I agree with what Chief Yi said, if the Sect Hierarch or the son-in-law were here, there would still be room to maneuver with the Court, but now the situation has changed drastically. Both are absent, and if our sect doesn¡¯t cooperate with the Great Yan Dynasty, Zhenyi Sect, and many other Jianghu sects, we will not only become a thorn in the side for the Great Yan Court but also unacceptable to the martial world of Great Yan. I think mutual cooperation would be beneficial to both sides.¡± Mutual cooperation would be beneficial to both sides¡­. Upon hearing this, Duanmu Xinghua¡¯s eyebrows knit tightly; originally, she had wanted Li Fuzhou to take her side, but now it seemed that Li Fuzhou was more inclined to agree with Yi Daoyun. You Gai sat with his eyes slightly closed, as if he had fallen into a slumber. For him, the Demon Sect held no sense of belonging, and he was indifferent to power and influence; what he cared about most was into whose hands the Earth Vein Spirit would fall, and what kind of changes would occur in the world. Lin Tianhai fell silent, beginning to weigh the pros and cons in his mind. Ouyang Ping¡¯s lips parted slightly, but in the end, he chose not to speak. There will always be someone with talent to lead the charge in every era, dominating the scene for centuries. He himself was an Elder of the Sealing Demon Platform and should not be meddling in the affairs of the Demon Sect. Moreover, the future of the Demon Sect was to be decided by the younger faction led by people like Yi Daoyun. Lin Tianhai finally spoke, ¡°I think what Chief Yi and Sect Master Li said is not unreasonable.¡± Duanmu Xinghua asked, ¡°What do you say, Chief Lin?¡± Lin Tianhai replied somberly, ¡°If the Zhenyi Sect and Buddhist sects have all agreed, it is too difficult for our Demon Sect to remain uninvolved. We would undoubtedly be ostracized by other forces. If the Sect Hierarch and An Tributor were here, this issue would be simple as both could suppress the disturbances. But now, with An Tributor unfortunately dead and the Sect Hierarch missing¡­.¡± Under such an overwhelming trend, even these grandmasters at the pinnacle of the Jianghu could only conform to the trend. How many in this world could turn the tides within the grand scheme of things, making clouds with a flip of the hand and rain with the other? ¡°Alright, if that¡¯s the case.¡± Duanmu Xinghua pondered for a moment, sighed deeply within her heart, and said, ¡°Then let¡¯s proceed as Chief Yi suggested. Sect Master Li, would you see to this matter?¡± ¡°Then leave this matter to Li.¡± Li Fuzhou stood up and clasped his fist in salute. ¡­¡­. On Jinghai Road, Blue Sky Island. Golden red rays of dawn filtered through, casting brilliant beams of sunlight across the azure sea, as if the blue fabric had been adorned with golden edges, dazzling the eyes. At this moment, an elder stood on the shore, clad in a white robe, with a stern treasure sword on his back. If there were connoisseurs around, they would recognize this sword as the Phoenix Sword, listed on the Famous Sword List. The identity of this elder was self-evident; he was none other than the Sword God, Liu Moyuan. Just then, a small boat slowly drifted over, caught in a tempest, causing the clothing to whip and snap in the wind. On the boat stood an elderly man in black, the Sword Demon Hao Tian. Seeing the Sword Demon appear, Liu Moyuan broke into a smile, ¡°You¡¯ve come as expected.¡± The Sword Demon took out two jars of alcohol and threw one to Liu Moyuan, ¡°Since you invited me, how could I not come?¡± Liu Moyuan caught the jar, opened the seal immediately, and took a big gulp, then exclaimed, ¡°Refreshing!¡± The sea breeze howled, sending waves crashing, tossing his full head of white hair about. ¡°The Ghost Swordsman is dead, it¡¯s truly unbelievable.¡± ¡°Who would have thought that the only Swordsman to ever break through the Seventh Realm would die just like that.¡± ¡°Such is the fate of a Swordsman.¡± ¡°Is death the fate of a Swordsman?¡± ¡°Who in this world does not die?¡± ¡°¡­..¡± The Sword Demon Hao Tian grunted, then threw the wine jar into the water. ¡°Thump!¡± The wine jar smashed into the sea, disappearing amid the white foam with the waves. At the same time, Liu Moyuan put down the wine jar and looked towards the Sword Demon. One was on the boat, the other on the shore. The sea, once as tranquil as a lady, suddenly surged violently. In the end, the waves touched the sky. The pounding of the waves against the shore, raising a thousand layers of snow, was incessant, shaking both heart and spirit. With such tumultuous waves, not to mention an ordinary boat, even a first-rate treasure ship would be easily capsized. Numerous waves rose, as the small boat beneath the Sword Demon was lifted by a nearly twenty-zhang high towering wave. The wave surged high, never falling, thus pulling the small boat, which stayed suspended in mid-air, unmoved atop the crest, an act in the eyes of the common man no different from an Immortal¡¯s creation. Now, all sounds suddenly ceased. Now, the Sword Demon faced the Sword God. The Sword Demon¡¯s pale, indifferent face had unknowingly become hot as fire, with a flame-like gleam flickering in his eyes. Gazing at the Sword God, he slowly said, ¡°I have waited a very long time for this day.¡± Decades ago in the Jianghu, when the Ghost Swordsman did not yet exist, it was the era of the Sword God and Sword Demon. The Sword God did not respond; he did not wish to speak, nor had he anything to say, for at this moment, any words would be superfluous. He simply raised his sword slowly and said, ¡°Please!¡± The Sword Demon stood silently for a while longer, until the fire in his eyes gradually faded, then he too slowly raised his longsword and said, ¡°Please!¡± The sunlight suddenly dimmed as if its brilliance, too, had been stolen by the two longswords. The longswords, already beginning to move under the sunlight, also started to shift above the sea surface. Warm hands grasped the cold sword; was it warmth or coldness that prevailed? This question had once puzzled many Swordsmen. It was a soul-shattering moment, as well as an earth-shattering one, just as a suddenly illuminated land shrouded in dark clouds. Sword Light, moving like a Flood Dragon, with two intertwined black and white shadows leaping within it, it was impossible to distinguish who was black and who was white. The swordsmanship of both had already reached the pinnacle. Holy Dao Sword! Heavenly Dao Sword! The intertwined Sword Light shone between heaven and earth. But after the sound of swords clashing like dragons, the flurry of Sword Light, all of a sudden, fell silent, leaving only two longswords held high with their tips facing each other. And the masters of these swords stood on opposite sides of the sea, each seemingly in command of half the world, each dignified and imposing. But they were no longer two people, but two blocks of cold ice! Two balls of intense fire! Their eyes locked, fierce, brutal, harrowing, calm, gentle, as if most of the world¡¯s expressions could be seen within those eyes. The wind blew the waves, yet heaven and earth were quiet as death. In the next moment, the two moved again, or perhaps it was the two swords that moved again. Sword Light suddenly flared from Liu Moyuan and the Sword Demon, a stream of blood accompanying the skyward Sword Light, seemingly destined to pierce the clouds. The scorching blood spilled onto the sea surface, so dense it barely dispersed. The Sword Demon¡¯s body swayed, then he suddenly laughed uproariously to the sky: ¡°What a marvelous sword¡­ truly unparalleled in the world.¡± Liu Moyuan sighed deeply, ¡°Our battle turned heaven and earth upside down, but it was all just for the sake of second place in the world.¡± Their battle was not for the sake of being first, nor for victory or defeat, nor for life or death, but simply because they had to compete, their hearts longed for it, their swords thirsted for it. That cold yet fiery sensation was irresistible. The Sword Demon suddenly looked into the distance, ¡°Perhaps, it¡¯s time I left this place.¡± Liu Moyuan asked, ¡°Where do you want to go?¡± The Sword Demon said distantly, ¡°This vast world, I want to go to places I¡¯ve never seen or heard of, I want to take a good look while I¡¯m still alive.¡± Liu Moyuan spoke indifferently, ¡°After you leave, I will then become the world¡¯s first Swordsman.¡± The Sword Demon indifferently said, ¡°This title of the world¡¯s first is not worth possessing.¡± Liu Moyuan said, ¡°What others don¡¯t want, I don¡¯t want either.¡± The Sword Demon raised an eyebrow, ¡°So, what do you want?¡± Liu Moyuan said, ¡°After the matter of the Earth Vein Spirit is resolved, I will join Brother Hao and wander the vastness of this world, to live freely and unrestrained.¡± Hearing this, the Sword Demon burst into laughter, ¡°Good.¡± The azure sky, crystal clear, with seagulls soaring in the distance. ¡­ In Zhao Country, atop the Purple Jade Tower in Wenyi Prefecture, Because of Zhao Country¡¯s control over the Black Ice Platform, the development of Zhao Country¡¯s Jianghu was not as robust as that of Great Yan, hence, the turmoil caused by the Evil Spirits was significantly less. Still, it caused great disturbances, and at this moment, the streets were sparsely populated, losing the hustle and bustle of the past. Jin Deng stood on the rooftop, gazing down at the street below, with a hint of a sigh in his eyes, ¡°Heaven does not assist me!¡± Behind him, Su Lian and Su Yue exchanged glances, surprised that the death of the Ghost Swordsman had such a significant impact on Jin Deng. Could it be that there were other connections and plans between the Ghost Swordsman and Tian Yin? Jin Deng, seeing the confusion in their eyes, said, ¡°The Ghost Swordsman was a man of great destiny, the only one who could change the world¡¯s situation. If he were alive, the world would change because of him.¡± ¡°As long as this man lived, my Tian Yin could leverage his presence to manifest our will, not only acquiring the Earth Vein Spirit but also accomplishing the millennial grand design of Tian Yin.¡± Su Yue couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Jin, what is this millennial grand design?¡± Not just Su Yue, Su Lian too looked curiously at Jin Deng. Jin Deng glanced at them both, shook his head, and said, ¡°This is Tian Yin¡¯s greatest secret. When I¡¯m dead, you¡¯ll be told at that time.¡± The greatest secret!? With Jin Deng speaking in such a manner, it undoubtedly stoked even more confusion and curiosity. ¡°There¡¯s no need to ask any further, you¡¯ll know in time.¡± Jin Deng waved his hand dismissively, then added, ¡°This Earth Vein Spirit has been fully tainted by evil spirits, undergoing a complete mutation. I¡¯m afraid Qian Qiu may also have to take action; at that time, these hidden great grandmasters will reveal themselves. To be honest, even I cannot fathom whether the Earth Vein Spirit can truly break through the constraints of a great grandmaster.¡± The efficacy of the Earth Vein Spirit is now well-known far and wide, to the extent that even an ordinary person could speak authoritatively about it, evidence of how widespread its reputation has become. Breaking through the shackles of a great grandmaster and reaching the Immortal Realm to attain eternal life¨Cwhen all these are combined, how could anyone not be tempted? Yet, the validity of these assertions remains unverified to this day. Su Lian thought for a moment before asking, ¡°Jin Lao, will the Undying Being of a Thousand Autumns obtain the Earth Vein Spirit?¡± Jin Deng¡¯s voiced deepened, ¡°The great grandmaster of Gui Shuang possesses an exotic treasure, and even the strength of the Buddhist Buddha in the world is extraordinary. With Qian Qiu suffering severe injuries, if he cannot fully restore his cultivation, the fate of the Earth Vein Spirit remains in question.¡± The Undying Being of a Thousand Autumns is riddled with injuries, so it would be extremely difficult for him to gain any advantage. Su Lian asked, ¡°And if the Undying Being of a Thousand Autumns were to recover his strength to its fullness?¡± Jin Deng paused for a moment before replying, ¡°If he were to return to his full strength, then his power would reach a very fearsome level. I think even if several great grandmasters were to join forces, they would not be his opponents, and the Earth Vein Spirit would definitely fall into his hands.¡± ¡°At that time, he would desperately seek out my Tian Yin.¡± At the end, a chill flashed across Jin Deng¡¯s eyes. ¡°Seek us out?¡± Su Lian and Su Yue exchanged glances. Why would someone in possession of the Earth Vein Spirit need to find Tian Yin? Jin Deng let out a long breath and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. We will inevitably get involved in the excitement of Yujing City.¡± Having said this, Jin Deng walked ahead. Su Yue turned to Su Lian, ¡°Did the Ghost Swordsman really die?¡± ¡°Why do you ask that?¡± Su Lian¡¯s brows slightly furrowed, ¡°The corpse of the Black Flood Dragon has been found, with its internal organs having been shattered. It¡¯s clear that it¡¯s dead beyond doubt.¡± Nibbling on her lip, Su Yue said, ¡°I still find it somewhat unbelievable.¡± Gently, Su Lian responded, ¡°Actually, I find it hard to believe too. How exactly did he die?¡± Yes, how indeed had he died? Could that once incomparably elegant swordsman really be dead? Both of them found it hard to believe that An Jing was dead, but the truth lay before their eyes, leaving them no choice but to accept it. After a long while, two faint sighs were heard. ¡­ Yujing City, Dragon Spring Temple. Compared with the chaos outside, Dragon Spring Temple remained extremely tranquil at this moment. The serene Zen room resonated with the clear sound of a wooden fish. The sunlight was clear and pure, slowly filtering through the window lattice and into the room. An old monk sat cross-legged on a cushion, immobile as if he were one with the rock beneath him, seemingly merging as one with the ancient Zen room around him. At this moment, Xi Hafu was without the extraordinary grandeur that usually surrounded him; there was no golden light to be seen. He looked like an itinerant monk that could be found anywhere, his face creased with wrinkles that spoke of the vicissitudes he had experienced. ¡°Creak¨C!¡± Just then, the Zen door opened, and Fa Wu walked in slowly, bowing respectfully to the contemporary Buddha of the Buddhist Sect, ¡°Ancestor Master!¡± Xi Hafu said indifferently, ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Ancestor Master, more and more experts are gathering around us.¡± Since the battle at Ba Mountain, the words of the Earth Vein Spirit had spread far and wide, embellished by people to sound almost miraculous. Not only Great Grandmasters and Grandmasters of the Upper Three Grades in the Martial World sought a share of it, but even ordinary people wished to head to Yujing City, hoping to be struck by fortune from heaven. With the continuous outbreak of evil auras, chaos reigned over the land, filled with bloodshed and slaughter. This brought untold suffering upon the creatures of the world, and ordinary citizens were enduring unprecedented disasters across these lands. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. No one could escape, nor could anyone evade it. Now, heroes from all over had progressively converged on Yujing City, lurking around the Dragon Locking Well. Xi Hafu nodded slightly and remained silent. Fa Wu continued, ¡°Many have gathered around the Dragon Locking Well, and some even attempted to forcefully enter. They were all stopped by Elder Tianyi, but the number of experts flocking here is increasing, and Elder Tianyi is becoming overwhelmed.¡± ¡°Hmm!?¡± Upon hearing this, Xi Hafu frowned deeply, ¡°I shall take a look.¡± After speaking, he rose slowly and pushed open the Zen door. Stepping out of the Zen Room, the noise around him grew chaotic, and fluctuations of Qi could be felt. Xi Hafu ignored the intruding Qi Mechanism into Dragon Spring Temple, as if he hadn¡¯t noticed it at all. He took measured steps forward, gradually ascending to the top of the pavilion. The heroes concealed around watched the Dragon Locking Well with covetous eyes. ¡°Amitabha!¡± Xi Hafu placed his palms together in front of his chest. Boom! The next moment, a golden radiance burst forth at dawn. The earth trembled violently, making a thunderous rumble. ¡°What¡¯s happening!?¡± ¡°Could it be that the Earth Vein Spirit is about to emerge!?¡± ¡­¡­ Suddenly, the crowd hidden around the Dragon Locking Well stirred with excitement, their eyes gleaming like those of hungry wolves. However, just then, a sweep of golden light overwhelmed them like the surging waves of a river, and a colossal Buddha figure, dozens of feet in height, appeared before the Dragon Locking Well. The towering golden Buddha, with its radiance far outshining the sun in the sky, nearly blinded everyone present. The massive golden Buddha extended its left hand in a gesture of peace, while its right hand formed a Demon Suppressing Seal, its mighty presence rolling outward and sending many experts scattering in all directions. ¡°Get out of here!¡± Someone upon witnessing this exclaimed, ¡°This is the Great Divine Power of the Buddhist Sect!¡± The realization dawned upon many experts; the Earth Vein Spirit had not yet broken through its restraints, and within Dragon Spring Temple dwelled a contemporary Buddha of the Buddhist Sect. Some of the heroes around Dragon Spring Temple began to retreat, while only a few bold and incredulous ones lingered nearby, seemingly waiting for something. ¡°Since you all choose not to leave, then you will stay for good.¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s gaze was calm as the True Yuan within him converged, and then he brought his palms together. The moment his hands clasped together, a myriad beams of golden light burst forth from the great Buddha, rushing in all directions. ¡°Pu!¡± ¡°Pu!¡± ¡°Pu!¡± One could only see the golden Buddhist light piercing through all the experts in the vicinity like sharp arrows, instantly causing them to fall into pools of blood, breathless. Upon closer inspection, there were more than thirty corpses. Blood flowed along the ground, dyeing this holy Buddhist site red. Fa Wu¡¯s pupils contracted violently as he looked at the glaring blood on the ground, then quickly lowered his head and muttered, ¡°Amitabha.¡± To see this, the Five Elements group felt a chill in their hearts, their scalps tingling. This living Buddha of the Buddhist faith, indeed, had an immense propensity for killing. Gathering his courage, Fa Wu said, ¡°Master, must it really be this way?¡± Xi Hafu said indifferently, ¡°The Earth Vein Spirit should only be obtained by our Buddhist disciples for the salvation of all beings. In the hands of others, it is a disaster.¡± Fa Wu¡¯s lips parted as he said, ¡°I think the Master is wrong.¡± Xi Hafu laughed, ¡°Where am I wrong?¡± Fa Wu replied, ¡°Nowadays, all living beings are suffering immensely. I think the Earth Vein Spirit is the main culprit and should be eliminated as the root of all evil.¡± To his surprise, upon hearing these words, Xi Hafu¡¯s smile instantly vanished, ¡°The Earth Vein Spirit is key to our Buddha¡¯s universal salvation. No one but me can take it.¡± After saying this, Xi Hafu turned and walked toward the Zen Room. Fa Wu looked at Xi Hafu¡¯s retreating figure and said, ¡°Master, you are truly mistaken.¡± ¡­¡­ Yujing City, Imperial Study Room. Yong¡¯an, the Emperor, sat atop the Dragon Throne, holding in her hands the secret letter describing An Jing¡¯s mishap. The Heaven and Earth Net had confirmed this event; An Jing was indeed killed by the Elder of the Ten Directions, and thereafter, Zhao Qingmei with An Jing¡¯s body had completely disappeared. Her eyes slightly red, fists tightly clenched, her breathing becoming rapid, she usually prided herself on having excellent control over her emotions, yet upon hearing the news of An Jing¡¯s death, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a hollowness inside. It was as if a complete heart had been gouged out with a knife. Seeing this, Zhou Xianming sighed deeply and said seriously, ¡°Your Majesty must take care of your dragon health. Now more than ever, Great Yan needs you, and the tens of millions of subjects need you.¡± The Emperor Yong¡¯an stood up, turned around, and said, ¡°I still don¡¯t believe it. Even Zongzheng Huachun could not kill him. How can he be dead now?¡± Standing to the side, the Sky Canopy Patriarch could clearly hear a slight quiver in the Emperor¡¯s voice; it was a scene he had never witnessed before. Zhou Xianming said slowly, ¡°That Elder of the Ten Directions is an undying being of a thousand autumns, with terrifying strength. Even the former Emperor was tragically killed by his hand. Once he goes all out, no one in the world can match him, not even a Great Grandmaster.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to say more!¡± Emperor Yong¡¯an took a deep breath and turned around, ¡°I have not forgotten my identity.¡± Hearing this, Zhou Xianming immediately backed away two steps and fell silent. Emperor Yong¡¯an rubbed her temples and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the current situation?¡± Zhou Xianming said with deep sorrow, ¡°To report to Your Majesty, evil spirits have invaded all parts of the world, causing chaos. The county governments and military forces have also undergone mutations; some have even lost control.¡± Martial artists who have absorbed the evil spirit have lost their minds and only know of slaughter. Not only have they stirred up a bloodbath in the Jianghu, but the true innocents are the people everywhere. At any moment on the streets or in the alleys, a mentally lost martial artist may brutally kill defenseless civilians. These civilians are no match for the affected martial artists; they are like sheep to the slaughter. In some towns and cities that have not been controlled, the ground is even littered with corpses and blood, turning the human world into a veritable hell. And the chaos is continuing. Most areas have not yet been fully controlled. Even after the situation is contained, not to mention the inevitable death of many martial artists, at least several million civilians will perish. Emperor Yong¡¯an clenched her fists. Although she was well-aware that the pervasive evil spirits would bring great disorder, she had not anticipated such a massive disturbance. The Great Yan Dynasty was beginning to lose its grip, and this catastrophe was not limited to the Great Yan Dynasty but had also swept through Zhao Country, the Southern Barbarians, and everywhere else in the world. Emperor Yong¡¯an spoke solemnly, ¡°We must try our best to control it, and have the Imperial Medicine Institute¡¯s people fully devote themselves to developing an elixir to neutralize the evil spirit.¡± Zhou Xianming replied, ¡°Yes, I have already given the order.¡± The Great Yan Emperor turned around and said slowly, ¡°Now that masters from all over are flocking to Yujing City, crisis lurks at every corner, especially concerning the ownership of the Earth Vein Spirit, which makes us even more worried.¡± ¡°Therefore, I must obtain the Earth Vein Spirit at all costs, and absolutely cannot let it fall into the hands of others.¡± The Earth Vein Spirit is the root of major changes in the world. If anything happens to it or if it falls into the wrong hands, what unimaginable consequences might arise? Zhou Xianming nodded his head and sighed deeply in his heart. Upon reflection, if Doctor An had not died, he definitely would have been a capable assistant. Moreover, with his personality, even if he had obtained the Earth Vein Spirit, the world would at least have been stable. Not only has An Jing died, but even the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect has vanished without a trace. For the current situation, this is undoubtedly a bolt from the blue. Although Zhou Xianming, the Great Yan Emperor, and the backing of Lv Guoyong all support reform and changing the world, the current situation still requires An Jing to suppress the heroes of the world. The pressure faced by Great Yan is immense, not only due to the chaos brought about by evil spirits but also due to the concern over countless experts swarming to Yujing City. Moreover, there are Great Grandmasters lurking around the Dragon Locking Well, waiting for the liberation of the Earth Vein Spirit. Once someone with malefic intent obtains the Earth Vein Spirit, the consequences might be even more terrifying than the current rampage of evil spirits. At this moment, Zhuo Yuchang entered and said, ¡°Your Majesty, the State Preceptor and the Sect Master of the Human Sect from the Demon Sect, Li Fuzhou, have arrived.¡± This handsome young eunuch had fully inherited the role of his adoptive grandfather and had become the person closest to the Great Yan Emperor. The Great Yan Emperor took a deep breath and said, ¡°Let the two of them come in.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Zhuo Yuchang nodded and then retreated slowly. It was not long before Xiao Qianqiu and Li Fuzhou entered and bowed towards the Great Yan Emperor at the seat of honor. ¡°We pay our respects to Your Majesty!¡± The Great Yan Emperor spoke indifferently, ¡°You two need not be overly courteous. Regarding the matter of the Martial Arts Academy, I wonder what opinions you two may hold?¡± Both of them had already expressed their thoughts before coming, so when the Great Yan Emperor asked again, it was merely to see the two men affirm their loyalty. Xiao Qianqiu spoke solemnly, ¡°My humble view is that the Martial Arts Academy should be established, and the Zhenyi Sect will fully support it.¡± In his view, the establishment of Martial Arts Academies across the world meant that Jianghu would become taboo. While this could be a catastrophic disaster for other Sects, the Zhenyi Sect could spread Daoist teachings through the establishment of Daoist temples across the world. This was not only not a bad thing but could indeed be a good thing. Practicing cultivation and learning martial arts are both interconnected and unrelated matters. The Great Yan Emperor nodded with satisfaction and then looked towards Li Fuzhou, ¡°And what about Sect Master Li?¡± Li Fuzhou clasped his hands together and concisely stated, ¡°My Outer Heaven will also support Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Good, very good.¡± The Great Yan Emperor nodded slightly and then said, ¡°Although the establishment of the Martial Arts Academy is a crucial matter and was originally urgent, with the spread of Wutu¡¯s words throughout the world, I think you two are already aware of the current situation in Yujing City.¡± ¡°With experts from all sides converging on Yujing City, the situation is turbulent and unstable, including Great Grandmasters lying in wait. For the stability of the Dynasty and the prosperity of the world, the Earth Vein Spirit absolutely must not be taken by outsiders. So at this time, I need the full support of the Zhenyi Sect and Outer Heaven.¡± Xiao Qianqiu and Li Fuzhou bowed in unison and said, ¡°The Zhenyi Sect (Outer Heaven) will definitely fully support His Majesty.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Upon hearing this, the Great Yan Emperor turned around and couldn¡¯t help but gently close his eyes. Even though Xiao Qianqiu and Li Fuzhou had agreed readily, Zhao Xuening still felt a touch of unease deep down, for it was those few Grandmasters she truly feared. Each of these individuals possessed heaven-shaking, earth-shattering abilities, especially that immortal Qian Qiu, a peerless master with singular authority throughout history. Thinking of this, a sigh emerged in her mind. How wonderful would it have been if that person were here? ¡­¡­.. Chapter 395 - Chapter 395: Chapter 295: Breaking Through the Shackles to Become a Great Grandmaster Chapter 395: Chapter 295: Breaking Through the Shackles to Become a Great Grandmaster On Jiangnan Dao, outside of Yu State City. On the official road leading to Mao Mountain, a woman dressed in black rode swiftly on a white steed. She wore a treasure sword at her waist, its scabbard antique and elegant, with a black and red gem embedded on the hilt, indicating she was a person from the martial world of Jianghu. While most martial arts masters had flocked to Yujing City, this woman did the opposite, riding instead towards the south. Examining her face, she appeared to be in her early twenties, with an oval face and strikingly beautiful features. Perched above her horse was a small black dog, Little Black. This was none other than Tan Yun, who had slipped away from the Lv Sect. ¡°Father-in-law, Sect Hierarch¡­¡± Upon learning of An Jing¡¯s death and Zhao Qingmei¡¯s disappearance, she was utterly devastated, her mind a blank, longing only to return to that most cherished place in her memories. As she rode, tears streamed endlessly down her cheeks, her grief flooding out uncontrollably like a breached dam. That heart-wrenching, breath-stealing pain kept assaulting her until her tears had dried, leaving her mind numb. The feeling was similar to when her mother had passed away, and now she was experiencing it once again. ¡°Hngh!¡± Suddenly, Tan Yun pulled hard on the reins and looked ahead. It was a nunnery, Jizhao Nunnery, which did not practice burning incense but instead was filled with flowers and plants used to worship Buddha. The temple gate was small, the pathway narrow, allowing a full view of the courtyard in one glance. Seeing Jizhao Nunnery, Tan Yun was submerged in memories. An Jing had once told her that if she continued to overeat and avoid chores, he would send her to Jizhao Nunnery, boasting that the vegetarian meals here were delicious. An Jing had also mentioned that Jizhao Nunnery was a secluded nunnery, not well-known outside, mostly just to the people from nearby Yu State City. This temple, perfectly blending Zen and beauty, derived its name from ¡°Sense and then communicate, serene reflection mirrors all.¡± The temple was originally constructed during the Zhou Dynasty, destroyed in the war that annihilated Buddhism across the Nine Kingdoms, and was later rebuilt under the stewardship of Zhao Ji, the Prince of Great Yan, who also inscribed the name Jizhao Nunnery on the temple gate. In front of the temple, there were many flower beds but due to the arrival of autumn and winter, the flowers had not bloomed, featuring only dried leaves. Among the many ways of offering to Buddha in Buddhism, offering flowers ranks first among the six kinds of offerings. ¡°Why are you so beautiful in this life? Because of flowers offered before the Buddha in a past life.¡± To offer flowers is like offering one¡¯s heart, maintaining purity amidst chaos, living in the mundane world, nourishing one¡¯s nature and heart as pure and fragrant as flowers, untouched. Tan Yun dismounted, and Little Black also jumped down with a grumble, then shook its body. While the nunnery was usually quiet, it was now crowded with people, all with sad expressions, mostly there to pray for safety in these tumultuous times. Surrounded by shady pines, the temple atmosphere was tranquil, imbued with a fresh and elegant air. Tan Yun stepped over the threshold, with various flowers and plants on both sides, devoid of the usual incense smell of temples. Tan Yun¡¯s steps slowed ever more. Leaving behind all physical appearances is ¡°Chan (Zen)¡±; maintaining inner peace and concentration is ¡°Ding (Samadhi).¡± And here, the quiet, simplicity, and peace gradually soaked into her mind and body. ¡°Benefactor, have you also come here to burn incense and pray?¡± Just then, a melodious and gentle voice sounded beside Tan Yun¡¯s ear. Tan Yun turned and looked, seeing a plainly dressed nun. Her features were delicate, her eyes seemingly capable of speaking. The person looked very familiar, and Tan Yun felt as if she had seen her somewhere before. Suddenly, she exclaimed, ¡°Are you Miss Cao!?¡± Cao Ling¡¯er, the lady before her, was indeed the daughter of the head of the Cao Family, one of the four major families of Jiangnan Dao. The beautiful nun bowed her head slightly and said, ¡°Benefactor, there is no Miss Cao here, only Qing Shuang.¡± ¡°Truly, the ways of the world are unpredictable.¡± Tan Yun paused and then sighed deeply. She remembered that Cao Ling¡¯er had been married to Mu Jie of the Mu Family, yet now she had become a nun here. She also remembered that Cao Ling¡¯er had seemed to have a fondness for her father-in-law. Qing Shuang brought her palms together in front of her chest and said, ¡°Benefactor, it seems you have troubles in your heart.¡± Tan Yun said mournfully, ¡°Father-in-law is dead.¡± ¡°Amitabha Buddha.¡± Upon hearing this, Qing Shuang¡¯s eyes closed tightly, her heart trembling momentarily, ¡°All conditioned phenomena are subject to cause and effect; they arise when conditions are met, and wane when they dissipate. Nothing more than this.¡± Tan Yun said, ¡°I can¡¯t let go.¡± Qing Shuang replied, ¡°There is nothing to hold on to or let go of.¡± Tan Yun asked, ¡°Have you let go? I want to know how you let go.¡± Qing Shuang thought for a moment and said, ¡°Just stop thinking and asking.¡± Tan Yun said, ¡°You are avoiding it, how can one not think?¡± Qing Shuang was silent for a while, then said, ¡°I just came to understand it in an instant, was relieved, and in the next moment, I could not understand it again, caught in this endless cycle every day.¡± Neither of them spoke anymore, for when emotions reach such depth, how can one speak of letting go? Are emotions pure? What is always pure is not emotions but the person. And what is always faithful is not love but the person. So it is the person who doesn¡¯t let go, not the love. ¡°Ah!¡± Tan Yun let out a long sigh, now feeling the sensation of troublesome worries, ¡°How do you find staying here?¡± Qing Shuang slowly said, ¡°Accompanied by flowers and plants, facing the turmoil of the world, I can still smile lightly. My heart is at ease, so my body is at ease.¡± Tan Yun shook her head and said, ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡± The words of Qing Shuang left her feeling as if she were in clouds and mist, as if she understood yet at the same time, did not. A breeze passed, making the tree branches sway with the wind. If others heard these words, apart from sighing in admiration, they couldn¡¯t help but gain some sudden enlightenment. However, Tan Yun just felt hungry and couldn¡¯t help but touch her stomach. It turned out that besides drinking water, she had not eaten anything for two days and a night. Qing Shuang glanced at her, placed one hand over her chest and smiled, ¡°Benefactor, would you like to eat some vegetarian food? Our vegetarian meals here are delicious.¡± ¡°Woof woof! Very good!¡± Little Black wagged his tail excitedly upon hearing this. Tan Yun took a deep breath and said, ¡°Then please lead the way, Master. Today, I want to eat three large bowls.¡± ¡°Please!¡± Qing Shuang gestured invitingly with her hand, and the two of them walked towards the nunnery along the mountain road. As they walked and talked, unlike the usual lively Tan Yun, today she mostly listened quietly while Qing Shuang talked incessantly, seemingly trying to console Tan Yun, yet it also seemed like she was speaking to herself. ¡°Woof woof! Woof woof!¡± Just then, Little Black wagged his tail and started barking fiercely at the people ahead. Tan Yun curiously looked over and saw a figure in white quickly flitting by in the distance. The person turned around, leaving only a silhouette, but that silhouette was so familiar, as if engraved deep in her soul. ¡°Husband!?¡± Upon seeing this, Tan Yun¡¯s eyes suddenly widened, her entire being shocked and delighted, and she quickly chased after. ¡°Benefactor!¡± Seeing Tan Yun suddenly so excited, Qing Shuang immediately shouted, but Tan Yun had already hurriedly followed. Tan Yun rushed forward, but the figure in white suddenly disappeared as if it had never been there, all just her imagination. Qing Shuang also came over, puzzled, and asked, ¡°Benefactor, why are you so excited?¡± Tan Yun grabbed Qing Shuang¡¯s arm and said, ¡°Master, did you see? Husband! My husband was just here!¡± Qing Shuang looked at the woman in front of her, seeing herself in her early days, and could not help but say, ¡°Benefactor, have some vegetarian food. You are starving and hallucinating.¡± Tan Yun kept looking around, anxiously saying, ¡°Really, I really saw my husband!¡± That silhouette, she would never forget. ¡°Benefactor, your obsession is too deep.¡± Qing Shuang patted Tan Yun¡¯s arm and said, ¡°I hope, benefactor, that no matter what you face in the future, you can always remain calm and gentle, peaceful and benevolent, smiling one smile like the touch of Buddha¡­ In this life, the real ferryman is yourself.¡± ¡­¡­ Beneath the towering peaks shrouded in thin mist, the bleak autumn wind rustled the leaves, and the warm sunlight shone down, piercing through the dense canopy above, densely interleaved, casting mottled tree shadows on the ground. At this time, a figure in white emerged from the shaded path, his expression serene, his bright eyes like stars in the sky. If anyone from Jianghu saw him, they would definitely be shocked. Because the person was none other than An Jing. Seated on an odd stone in the forest, covered with layers of fallen leaves, was a woman in her twenties, dressed in flowing white robes, with a bright red silk flower hanging from her left shoulder. Her features were delicate, resembling a fairy descended from the heavens. And this exceptionally beautiful woman, naturally, was Zhao Qingmei. An Jing brought out two portions of vegetarian meals and said, ¡°Lady, I have returned.¡± Zhao Qingmei carefully opened the packed meal and asked, ¡°Is there any news?¡± An Jing spoke softly, ¡°The air of evil spirits has completely saturated the heaven and earth. More and more people are absorbing this demonic qi, and their temperaments are greatly altered. The situation is very chaotic everywhere. In my opinion, it won¡¯t be long before even those in the First Grade realm and Grandmasters will be affected by this evil air, and then the world will be completely doomed.¡± ¡°Now, due to the Earth Vein Spirit, masters from all directions have already gathered in Yujing City, leading to unimaginable turmoil.¡± Zhao Qingmei handed An Jing some chopsticks, saying, ¡°The air is so dense with evil spirits, all because of the Earth Vein Spirit. It seems Yujing City really is the confluence of turbulent forces now.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± An Jing nodded and said, ¡°All the masters of the world will go, including that eternal being from Qian Qiu.¡± An Jing and the eternal being from Qian Qiu had their most dangerous battle at the peak in Beihuang Dao. Although he had exerted his cultivation to the extreme, in the end, he was unable to defeat the eternal being from Qian Qiu, who had completely separated from heaven and earth. In terms of skill, An Jing had the advantage, but in the way of the Dao, he was slightly inferior. In the end, he had even been severely injured by the immense force qi of the eternal being from Qian Qiu. The eternal being had sensed correctly; An Jing¡¯s internal organs had been catastrophically hit, and under such circumstances, the Paperman Substitute Death Skill would not have been able to revive him. But this ancient monster, who had schemed for a thousand years, had miscalculated one thing. The Nameless Heart Scripture practiced by An Jing originated from and is superior to the Ghost Valley Heart Method, and his Paperman Substitute Death Skill had been optimized to perfection. Moreover, the Nameless Heart Scripture itself was the number one mental method in the world, able to staunchly protect vital points, and the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique could use the light of celestial stars to recover quickly. What corresponds to the light of celestial stars are the sun, moon, and stars themselves. Thus, after An Jing was saved, due to the Nameless Heart Scripture and the Great Celestial Star Refining Body Technique, and with the addition of the Snow Lotus in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s possession, his injuries had almost rapidly recovered. Latter, he further absorbed the heaven and earth spirit essence from Zongzheng Huachun, making significant progress in his cultivation, having reached the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster. Zhao Qingmei earnestly said, ¡°Husband, are you going to Yujing City?¡± An Jing took the chopsticks and asked with a smile, ¡°Do you want me to go?¡± Though An Jing¡¯s cultivation had improved somewhat, he had not progressed from a Five Qi Grandmaster to a Great Grandmaster. If he were to face the eternal being from Qian Qiu again, there was a chance of victory, but he did not have absolute confidence in his heart. Zhao Qingmei earnestly said, ¡°I know you want to go, and I want you to go too. Only by killing him and obtaining the Earth Vein Spirit can we peacefully leave this Jianghu.¡± At that moment, Zhao Qingmei, after experiencing a series of emotional ups and downs, also yearned to leave Jianghu and return to a peaceful and stable life. To have that peaceful life, they must address the Earth Vein Spirit and the eternal being from Qian Qiu. An Jing nodded upon hearing this. The two seemed to finally understand the melancholy of the older generations like Jun Qinglin and Lou Xiangzhen. Jianghu is a quagmire; easy to enter, but extremely difficult to exit, always requiring some form of sacrifice upon departure. An Jing said gravely, ¡°This person is very powerful, not only possessing the cultivation of a Great Grandmaster but also skills unlike ordinary martial arts. Most crucially, he can completely separate from heaven and earth, essentially achieving unity with the heavens.¡± The capabilities of the eternal being from Qian Qiu were truly unmatched in history. To thoroughly defeat him, An Jing needed to reach the realm of Great Grandmaster or achieve unity with the heavens. Either of these would cause a fundamental transformation in his strength. But reaching the level of Great Grandmaster is extremely difficult, not to mention the elusive concept of unity with the heavens. Lv Guoyong had shattered the Literary Palace and had only achieved unity with the heavens for a mere quarter of an hour. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lips curved upward as she said, ¡°Husband, have you forgotten? I can help you reach the realm of Great Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Hmm!?¡± An Jing¡¯s eyes revealed a hint of confusion. Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Dao Heart Demon Planting!¡± ¡°Dao Heart Demon Planting!?¡± An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei, ¡°In doing so, all your cultivation will be annihilated, and you will have to start cultivating all over again.¡± Nangong Weiping used the Demon Seed to transmit all her cultivation to Zhao Qingmei. Afterwards, Nangong Weiping¡¯s cultivation was dispersed, and Zhao Qingmei rapidly advanced from a Second Qi Grandmaster to a Five Qi Grandmaster. This was under the condition of Nangong Weiping being greatly weakened; if it had been during her prime, perhaps she could have helped Zhao Qingmei reach the peak of Five Qi Grandmaster. Dao Heart Demon Planting, compared to the Wedding Gown Skill, is vastly different. Dao Heart Demon Planting requires both parties to cultivate the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture. An Jing¡¯s Nameless Heart Scripture already integrated the Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, so this was not an issue. Secondly, when Dao Heart Demon Planting transfers demonic qi, there will be some leakage, making it impossible for one¡¯s entire cultivation to be transferred. Simply put, the Demon Seed in Dao Heart Demon Planting serves as a bridge, requiring both parties to have certain qualifications for cultivation, while the Wedding Gown Skill is much simpler ¡ª directly infusing one¡¯s entire cultivation into another person¡¯s body. It has a lower entry barrier but a higher limit. However, cultivators of the Wedding Gown Skill typically have extremely poor talent, with a high entry barrier but low upper limit. However, An Jing already being at the peak of Five Qi and just a step away from Great Grandmaster, coupled with the looser constraints nowadays and receiving Qi transmission from Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Demon Seed, it was very likely he could reach the realm of Great Grandmaster. But by doing this, Zhao Qingmei had lost her cultivation. Zhao Qingmei was a woman whose character An Jing knew very well. Was she truly willing to let her cultivated skills dissipate into nothingness? Grasping An Jing¡¯s hand, Zhao Qingmei spoke softly, ¡°If my cultivation is gone, then it¡¯s gone. Don¡¯t I still have you? Besides, didn¡¯t you say you would teach me your ¡®Nameless Heart Scripture¡¯?¡± ¡°Wherever you go in the future, I will follow. What does strength matter when I¡¯m with you to the ends of the earth?¡± At this moment, she had completely let go of her inner struggles. Fame, power¨Cthese were but fleeting clouds. In the grand, splendid journey of life, they were merely decorations found everywhere along the way. An Jing, feeling the warmth in his palm, nodded earnestly and said, ¡°Ok.¡± Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Eat. Once we finish the vegetarian meal, I will begin imprinting the Demon Seed into your Qi Sea.¡± An Jing nodded, and after the two finished their packed vegetarian meals, they tidied up briefly and moved to a secluded cave in the distance. With a tap of his finger, An Jing triggered a massive surge of Qi Mechanism, forming an invisible thick fog. The two sat cross-legged, facing each other. Zhao Qingmei placed her palm above An Jing¡¯s Dantian, then channeled a surge of True Qi from her body into An Jing¡¯s Qi Sea, where it was instantly suppressed by a purple True Qi. Such domineering True Qi! Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei frowned slightly. The True Qi derived from the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± was exceptionally domineering and mighty, with a faint dragon¡¯s might emanating from it, which was truly chilling. Zhao Qingmei could only do her utmost, with endless streams of True Qi rushing towards An Jing¡¯s Qi Sea, forcibly carving out a space which soon became a minor vortex where black Demonic Qi began to gather. Thanks to her previous experience with Nangong Weiping¡¯s Demon Seed, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s speed in forming the Demon Seed was also extremely fast. Several hours later, the black vortex had almost become invisible, reduced to a mere black dot. The Demon Seed was born! An Jing could clearly feel the emergence of the Demon Seed within him, but he experienced no discomfort. Zhao Qingmei said, ¡°Husband, my Demonic Qi will now flow continuously into you. We must break through your limits and reach the Great Grandmaster Realm in one go. This is our only chance.¡± Breaking through to the Great Grandmaster was extremely difficult. With all of Zhao Qingmei¡¯s Qi Mechanism converging and leveraging the burst of qi, there was a great chance to break through the shackles. ¡°I understand,¡± said An Jing, taking a deep breath and his expression growing incredibly solemn. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s cultivation, fed back through the Demon Seed, was indeed a tremendous opportunity. If it failed, all previous efforts would be wasted. Then An Jing closed his eyes and began to wholly circulate the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture.¡± Immediately, the Heaven and Earth True Qi emitted a harsh Qingming sound and began to boil as if water had been set aflame. Suddenly, centering on An Jing¡¯s body, a water-like True Qi vortex formed, swirling around. The surrounding True Qi, like a surging river, rushed towards the vortex formed by An Jing. The True Qi circulated through each meridian, constantly flowing into An Jing¡¯s bones and blood, seemingly refining his body. This was the terrifying aspect of the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture.¡± Given enough time, even without Zhao Qingmei¡¯s nourishment, he could reach the Great Grandmaster Realm. ¡°Boom!¡± Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei, without any hesitation, directed the Qi Mechanism from her body along the Demon Seed into An Jing¡¯s body. The Demon Seed suddenly surged out a vast sea of black Demonic Qi, then furiously rushed along his meridians. An Jing felt his entire body swelling, his skin burning hot as if he was about to explode, but he knew he had to endure. Meanwhile, with the influx of Demonic Qi, the bottleneck that was already slightly loose could no longer be contained. Pain¨Cthat was the only sensation spreading throughout every part of An Jing¡¯s body, a sharp, defined agony. But in facing this, he had no choice but to endure through the hardship. The process of forcibly infusing cultivation through the Demon Seed meant enduring the pain caused by the powerful aura in that instant. However, despite the torment, what slightly consoled An Jing was that he could clearly feel that, with the spread of the searing pain inside him, waves of powerful True Qi were dispersing from the areas of intense heat; his marrow, bones, meridians, almost every part of his body gradually underwent transformative changes. This wave of hot True Qi continuously flowed within An Jing, circulating through his system seven times in just the duration of one incense stick. This agony shot straight to his head, making his spirit dazed momentarily; he was solely surviving on tenacity during such a painful breakthrough. Zhao Qingmei, seeing her face grow somewhat pale, whispered, ¡°Husband, you must hold on.¡± ¡°Just hold on¡­¡± In this agony, An Jing completely fell into a trance-like state between waking and sleeping, almost losing the concept of time; the only thing he could feel were his bones and meridians becoming even more resilient and refined under the tide of hot True Qi. Boom! The revolving True Qi streams around suddenly erupted into several pillars of True Qi, demonstrating tremendous force. Zhao Qingmei, watching this scene, felt extremely tense; she knew that at this moment, An Jing was charging towards the vital pass, a crucial moment. Now, An Jing¡¯s mind and soul were united, all the Qi Mechanism within his body methodically locking up in the longevity lock, then heading towards the Spiritual Lamp above his head. As long as the spiritual lamp was lit, one¡¯s cultivation could reach the Great Grandmaster realm. However, lighting the spiritual lamp was the hardest step. The mind was the most vulnerable part of the human body, susceptible to severe damage from even a slight mishap. Therefore, An Jing continuously compressed all his breath, again and again, until it turned into a purple thread, which circled around the spiritual lamp toward the wick. The higher the purple thread moved, the harder it became, as if faced with enormous resistance that made it difficult to progress even an inch. But as long as he neared that wick, he would be able to ignite the heavenly lamp in his mind and ascend to the Great Grandmaster realm. With Zhao Qingmei¡¯s entire cultivation supporting him, which compensated for An Jing¡¯s shallower foundation, it wasn¡¯t long before the purple Qi Mechanism spread to the center of the spiritual lamp. At that moment, as the breaths crowded, a stabbing pain surged instantly, almost causing An Jing to faint; fortunately, he steadied his mind in time and continued to control the Qi Mechanism upwards. As time flowed, the pain intensified, feeling as if countless needles were pricking his brain. The speed of the Qi Mechanism¡¯s ascent slowed down more and more until it almost stopped entirely. In the cave, An Jing¡¯s breathing grew more and more rapid and his forehead was covered with dense cold sweat; beside him, Zhao Qingmei clenched her fists tightly, her heart filled with nervousness. Even though she knew breaking through the Great Grandmaster¡¯s shackles was this difficult, watching An Jing¡¯s condition, she realized she had underestimated the challenge. Suddenly, the True Qi that was still rushing towards An Jing dispersed abruptly. His momentum also plummeted in an instant, and the breathing from his body seemed to disappear all at once. ¡°Could it be that he failed?¡± Seeing this, Zhao Qingmei couldn¡¯t help but show a trace of a bitter smile, saying, ¡°It seems that breaking through the shackles of a Great Grandmaster is indeed too difficult.¡± A Great Grandmaster could obtain a lifespan of three hundred years, truly a land immortal of the current age, and historically, Great Grandmasters have been few and far between, each one a prominent figure, and yet there had not been a master who reached the rank of land immortal before the age of fifty. All these geniuses steadily progressed step by step, having great determination and fortune to break through to this realm. Moreover, An Jing was under thirty at this moment. If it wasn¡¯t for the anomaly with the Earth Vein Spirit, perhaps he wouldn¡¯t have risked trying at all. Within An Jing¡¯s body, the purple breath still struggled to ascend; but, due to tremendous resistance, it was always just a bit short of progressing any further. The ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture¡± gradually ceased to operate, and the abundant breath started to show signs of weakening. Zhao Qingmei¡¯s lifelong cultivation, transformed by a Demon Seed, was not the entire cultivation of a Five Qi Grandmaster, naturally not directly assisting An Jing in an unhindered breakthrough of the Great Grandmaster¡¯s shackles. An Jing¡¯s heart sank, and he completely succumbed to it, and in this daze, a speck of light surged from the depths of his Divine Soul. Earth Book! An Jing suddenly discovered it was the radiance of the Earth Book! As the radiance of the Earth Book was unleashed, the breaths explosively increased in an instant, like floodwaters through a breached dam, surging upwards, turning the insurmountable climb into an effortless ascent. Then, effortlessly, it reached the wick in front of him, lighting it up at a touch, and releasing a searing purple radiance. The True Qi inside his body began to thicken, becoming sticky, until it turned into drops of liquid falling onto the Qi Sea. True Yuan! This was one of the hallmarks of a Great Grandmaster! Boom-! Inside the cave, An Jing¡¯s body suddenly erupted with streaks of purple radiance; the dense breath surged out of the cave mouth and then soared into the sky. As the purple radiance arrived mightily, it covered three hundred miles. With Zhao Qingmei standing beneath this purple radiance, enveloped in the vast oppressive breath, she further realized the extraordinary nature of this Qi, involuntarily parting her lips in awe. A heavenly phenomenon! This was the second heavenly phenomenon to appear on An Jing¡¯s person! The first occurrence was when he completed the ¡°Nameless Heart Scripture,¡± and the second was today. However, this heavenly phenomenon had just appeared when An Jing retracted it quickly, preventing others from seeing it. ¡°Could it be that the husband truly broke through to a Great Grandmaster?¡± Seeing this phenomenon, a hint of unexpected joy sparkled in Zhao Qingmei¡¯s eyes. The magnificent purple Qi surged forth, streaking directly to the nine heavens, dispersing the clouds above the sky. An Jing¡¯s breath soared for a moment and then absorbed back completely, concealing everything as if nothing had happened. ¡°Whew-!¡± An Jing opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air. Zhao Qingmei asked, ¡°Husband, have you made a breakthrough?¡± An Jing smiled and replied, ¡°I have.¡± Although Zhao Qingmei had already guessed it, hearing An Jing personally confirm it still relieved a tension in her heart. An Jing looked at his palms and said, ¡°I feel not only has my cultivation improved, but my body has undergone a transformation once again.¡± Having reached the Grandmaster and cultivated a mental method beyond the Heavenly Martial Level, it is said that one¡¯s bones transform into jade. An Jing had long been in the Jade Bone Realm; this breakthrough as a Grandmaster not only revolutionized his cultivation but also tempered his bones. It could be said that the breakthrough to Grandmaster increased An Jing¡¯s strength many times over. Zhao Qingmei looked at An Jing¡¯s face and couldn¡¯t help but reach out and pinch it, saying, ¡°Not only has your cultivation greatly advanced, but you also look much younger.¡± An Jing touched Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand and asked, ¡°Really?¡± Zhao Qingmei replied, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s truly enviable.¡± An Jing held Zhao Qingmei¡¯s hand tightly, his heart filled with immense tenderness. This strong-willed woman, carrying a hint of dominance, had poured all that she had for him, her entire cultivation dissipating into nothingness. An Jing said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯ll head to Yujing City now and settle all scores.¡± Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and said, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± ¡­¡­ Outside Yujing City, deep in the forest of Wangjing Mountain. Tall, robust trees shielded all sunlight. Cold breezes emanated from the shadowy, dark woods. A figure stood atop a tree, gazing at the distant Yujing City. The person was very emaciated, his face also extremely aged, and the tree beneath his feet seemed to lose all vitality, its branches and buds starting to wither. If previously this person was relatively unknown in Jianghu, now his name was known across the world. This person was none other than the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace¡¯s Wutu. It was he who had divulged the news about the Earth Vein Spirit to the world, causing a stir and shock across the lands, thus drawing all the masters towards Yujing City to seek the Earth Vein Spirit. At that moment, a figure clad in black swiftly flew from the distance, landing on an adjacent branch, and greeted Wutu with a fist salute, ¡°Palace Master, now that masters from all over have gathered, it seems they might strip a layer off Yujing City¡¯s Dragon Locking Well. It seems there will be quite a spectacle.¡± This person was Pang Ban, a master of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace, whose proficiency in poison skills had reached the pinnacle. Though his power was slightly inferior to the leader of the Heavenly Blade Alliance, his notoriety far surpassed that of the alliance leader, causing even the experts of Guishuang to shudder. ¡°A spectacle?¡± Wutu, in his raspy voice, spat out sharply, ¡°I only like to join the excitement. The Earth Vein Spirit has been corrupted by evil spirits and has mutated. The breach of its boundaries is imminent. When that happens, these lurking Grandmasters will reveal themselves, and they are the only ones fitting to be my adversaries¡­¡± Pang Ban pondered for a moment, then suggested, ¡°With so many masters, sitting on the sidelines and watching the tigers fight seems most appropriate, especially Xi Hafu, that Sage from the Ten Directions, and the mysterious Grandmaster that appeared from Ba Mountain; the strength of these three should not be underestimated.¡± Wutu nodded, his brows furrowed, ¡°Especially that Sage from the Ten Directions, he is terrifying. Even the Ghost Swordsman was slain by him. Could it be that the Ghost Swordsman was critically injured, giving him an opportunity?¡± Seeing the Ghost Swordsman slay Zongzheng Huachun on Ba Mountain clearly, he well understood the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s strength, so he was especially shocked to learn that the Sage from the Ten Directions had killed the Ghost Swordsman. Pang Ban said, ¡°This Sage from the Ten Directions is no ordinary person. I haven¡¯t been able to unearth his origins, but he¡¯s indeed the master of Qi Xuan Dao, Qiu Fengsheng, Qin Shan, Zongzheng Huachun, among others¨Cdefinitely not a simple character.¡± Wutu sneered, ¡°No matter how big the fish and how deep it hides, it will soon surface. I want to see who this Ten Directions Sage really is.¡± As his words fell, the sky above darkened with dense clouds, and black malevolent energy surged like a tide, seemingly ready to suppress the heavens and the earth. From those clouds emerged a mournful, piercing sound, and then an ancient grand hall appeared, slowly descending in front of Wutu. Wutu walked towards the grand hall, his aura somber and stern, suddenly shifting as if he were an emperor overlooking all, imperious and unrivaled. Pang Ban had seen countless exotic treasures, including the Life and Death Hall. But still, seeing the Life and Death Hall right before his eyes, he couldn¡¯t help but shiver. ¡­¡­ Zhao Country, Cloud Tower. On this day, the sky was clear until it suddenly darkened, the clouds rolling in like the tide and bringing with them a fierce wind, causing sand and soil to fly chaotically within moments. Qian Qiu, the Deathless, sat cross-legged on a stone platform, his face extraordinarily pale, his lips devoid of any color, his body trembling continuously. Qi Xuan Dao stood not far away, having been a disciple of Qian Qiu for over seventy years. Qian Qiu had always been as indifferent as water, controlling heaven and earth in his palm. Who had ever seen him in such a disheveled state? The reason this peerless expert, who had commanded ages, appeared so disheveled was due to the battle with the Ghost Swordsman days before. In all the history of grandmasters, never had anyone brought Qian Qiu so close to defeat, so severely wounded, nearly falling at a critical moment. From that day¡¯s departure in panic, one could glimpse clues as to why the Ghost Swordsman was so terrifying. ¡°Has Chenghuang been brought along?¡± asked the Undying Qianqiu in a trembling voice. Qi Xuan Dao brought forth the Chenghuang from behind him, ¡°Right here.¡± Looking at the Chenghuang, the Undying Qianqiu pondered for a moment. Then, glancing at Qi Xuan Dao, he said, ¡°Drain its blood and pour it into the blood tank.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Qi Xuan Dao took a deep breath, vaguely understanding something. His teacher was guarding against him. Was it because he himself did not have the strength to even cut the flesh of the Chenghuang? Could the Ghost Swordsman have truly inflicted such severe injuries on him? Without daring to think further, Qi Xuan Dao then slashed with the Minghong Blade in his hand directly cutting the Chenghuang¡¯s calf. Blood immediately began rushing out, pouring into the blood tank below. The blood of the Chenghuang, this exotic beast, carried a faint fragrance as it floated in the air. ¡°Sever its artery,¡± commanded the Undying Qianqiu. Qi Xuan Dao looked up and said, ¡°Teacher, if I sever the artery, I fear the Chenghuang will die.¡± The injuries of the undying Qianqiu were very severe; he needed the continuous treatment from the Chenghuang¡¯s blood. In Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s view, killing the Chenghuang now was undoubtedly a desperate remedy. The Undying Qianqiu stated succinctly, ¡°Sever it!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Qi Xuan Dao dared not disobey, and with another slash of the Minghong Blade, bright red blood sprayed out, spattering into the blood tank and slowly trickling deeper inside. The blood tank continuously filled, then released massive amounts of radiant light. The Undying Qianqiu shivered, then directly lifted his own shirt. As Qi Xuan Dao finally saw the injuries, his scalp went numb, for the sword wound on the chest had split open the flesh and severed the bone. One could even see traces of internal organs. How could such a person not be dead!? The sight profoundly shocked Qi Xuan Dao! After opening his chest, the chest quickly began absorbing the radiant light. Minor injuries around it actually started healing at a visible rate, while the blood in the tank was continuously vanishing. As the Chenghuang continuously bled, the blood was simultaneously fading away. The injuries of the Undying Qianqiu were continuously healing, but the sword wound remained unchanged. This was the Sword Qi of an Immortal Sword. To kill An Jing, the Undying Qianqiu had forcefully taken this blade of Sword Qi, which turned out to be much sharper than he had anticipated. If it were not for his unique abilities, he might have also died under this sword. ¡°Teacher, the blood of the Chenghuang is gone,¡± said Qi Xuan Dao, looking at the Chenghuang in his hands. ¡°Give me the Chenghuang!¡± After absorbing a great deal of the Chenghuang¡¯s fresh blood, the Undying Qianqiu looked much rosier. He then extended his palm and directly drew the Chenghuang to his hand. By then, the blood in the Chenghuang had drained completely; it was dead beyond doubt. Without any hesitation, the Undying Qianqiu reached out his hand directly into the heart of the Chenghuang and pulled out the bright red heart, taking a bite, then swallowing it down with a move of his throat. He actually swallowed the Chenghuang¡¯s heart alive!? Even as experienced and steadfast as Qi Xuan Dao was, he couldn¡¯t help but be shaken by this sight. A heart the size of a fist was devoured by the Undying Qianqiu in no time at all. After consuming the Chenghuang¡¯s heart, the complexion of the Undying Qianqiu visibly changed, and his chest began to heal at a rate visible to the naked eye. In just a few breaths, his chest had returned to its original appearance, seemingly without a single scar. Moreover, the wrinkles on the Undying Qianqiu¡¯s face were also dissipating, and his features gradually looked younger. The fierce wind blew, dispersing the clouds surrounding him, and the blazing sun shone down, as if thousands of arrows were shooting towards him. As the Undying Qianqiu stood under the brilliant sun, with heaven above and earth below, he spanned all directions with an overwhelming presence that even the grand heavenly majesty could not cover. The spectacle left Qi Xuan Dao utterly astonished. Unable to resist, Qi Xuan Dao asked, ¡°Teacher, are your injuries completely healed?¡± No one was more aware than him of the severity of the injuries the Undying Qianqiu had received, inflicted by several great grandmasters together. If a regular great grandmaster had them, they likely would have perished. ¡°No, just temporarily suppressed. It¡¯s only for seven days, but now I also have the cultivation of my prime years, and there is not a grandmaster in the world who is my match,¡± replied the Undying Qianqiu calmly. ¡°For this Earth Vein Spirit, I¡¯ve waited a thousand years, and I wish for no mishaps to occur,¡± the Undying Qianqiu stated flatly, yet his words echoed like thunder in Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s ears. Peak cultivation period?! The peak cultivation of Qian Qiu, the undying, a supreme master of all ages, would be terrifying! You see, previously when he fought with other great grandmasters, his body was severely damaged. He seldom exerted his full strength, except when facing some tough masters, where he used all his might in just a move or two. And now that Qian Qiu the undying can use his full strength without any reservations, who else could possibly be his opponent? Qi Xuan Dao couldn¡¯t help feeling a surge of excitement, exclaiming, ¡°Who in this world could still stand against the teacher?¡± ¡­¡­ East Lin Road, a mountain pathway. This winding path was rough and rugged, and though it was the closest route between Yun Hua Road and East Lin Road, few people chose it. It was evening now, and the orange sunlight shone down, making the earth appear golden and warm. On the mountain path within the forest, two somewhat shifty bald men were sprinting at great speed. One bald man, dressed in black, was carrying a big red bundle on his back and holding a long blade in his hand; the other bald man, rugged and wild-looking, followed closely behind. These two were Han Wenxin and Jie Lu, who had just escaped from the Demon Sect¡¯s base in Yujing City. At this moment, characters dressed in odd garments were pursuing them, and a closer look revealed they were Jianghu folks tainted by evil spirits, none of whom were particularly strong. Han Wenxin fought as they retreated, his long blade ferociously powerful, bursting with sword Qi, and soon he and Jie Lu had slain all the Jianghu folks tainted by the evil spirits. They did not linger but plunged into the dense forest, desperately heading south. Jie Lu shouted, ¡°Senior brother, wait for me, wait for me; my inner strength is almost depleted.¡± ¡°Inner¡­ Inner strength this weak, and you call yourself a Pirate?¡± After hearing this, Han Wenxin gasped for breath and paused under a large tree. Jie Lu panted heavily, ¡°Senior brother, we¡¯ve been running for a day and a night, even a thousand-mile horse couldn¡¯t take it anymore.¡± Han Wenxin gave Jie Lu a stern look, ¡°Not run? Do you want to die?¡± Jie Lu said cluelessly, ¡°Die!? Didn¡¯t all those people we encountered along the way die?¡± Han Wenxin then took down the bundle from his back, opened it to check, and found his silver and valuables still intact, relieved, he said, ¡°What do you know? Yujing City is in chaos now, with Jianghu masters gathering. Are we a match for them with our meager skills? Plus, my brother has gone. As the saying goes, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; if we don¡¯t leave now, staying on in the Demon Sect will only bring big trouble.¡± As he said this, Han Wenxin¡¯s expression grew somber. Without An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, he was nothing in the vast Demon Sect; he might even get killed by others, so it was better to flee to show respect. Jie Lu scratched his head, whispering, ¡°That¡¯s true. We are also traitors to Buddhism; staying in Yujing City is indeed dangerous.¡± Han Wenxin remained silent, as identities of being Jishi Hall¡¯s Doctor and Demon Sect¡¯s Ghost Swordsman flashed through his mind. He wanted to avenge An Jing, but he knew he could never avenge him in this lifetime. The person capable of killing An Jing, what kind of person would that be? It was unthinkable for him to not only kill him but even encountering such a person could be improbable. After a while, Han Wenxin gathered his spirits, ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s hit the road. The silver I looted from the Demon Sect should keep us happy for a long while. When we get back, I¡¯ll buy a figurine house and stick pins into that undying Qian Qiu.¡± Jie Lu said earnestly, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll also contribute some of my money for buying two houses.¡± Han Wenxin raised an eyebrow, ¡°You? Where do you have silver?¡± Jie Lu pointed to Han Wenxin¡¯s bundle, rubbing his hands, ¡°Don¡¯t I get a share of that silver?¡± Upon hearing this, Han Wenxin immediately turned red with rage, ¡°This is what I painstakingly embezzled; you think you¡¯re entitled to a kickback?¡± The rugged-looking Jie Lu looked aggrieved, ¡°Fine, keep it then.¡± Han Wenxin glanced around and urged, ¡°Let¡¯s move fast, who knows if we¡¯ll encounter other Jianghu masters tainted by evil spirits on this road.¡± Just as Jie Lu was about to speak, suddenly a red shadow appeared in the sky, moving incredibly fast and almost instantly passing by. Jie Lu murmured, ¡°Senior brother, I think I just saw the Exotic Beast Honghu from our sect, flying towards Yujing City.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Ever since An Jing died in Northern Wilderness Road and Zhao Qingmei disappeared, Honghu had also vanished from Jianghu alongside them. Han Wenxin said irritably, ¡°How could that be? You must be seeing things, let¡¯s hurry up.¡± Saying so, Han Wenxin hurriedly ran off towards the distance. Jie Lu touched his head and quickly followed. ¡°¡­..¡± Chapter 396 - Chapter 396: Chapter 296: Heroes from All Over the World Gather in Yujing Chapter 396: Chapter 296: Heroes from All Over the World Gather in Yujing Atop Xuanqing Mountain, where ancient ruins of the Mystical Sect once stood in disrepair, the site had mostly drawn sightseers each year, adding a flare of festivity to the place. However, after Luo Chongyang refurbished a Taoist temple here, the area underwent a significant transformation. Now a secluded and elegant little Taoist temple is nestled on the north side of the mountain. At this moment, a Taoist in a simple robe and cloth shoes stands at the entrance of the temple, gazing up at the rising sun. This Taoist is none other than Luo Chongyang, the master of the temple. Luo Yu¡¯er, carrying a basket, walks out from the backyard. ¡°Uncle Luo, you¡¯ve been standing here all night.¡± Luo Chongyang exhales deeply. ¡°I have been observing the celestial omens through the night. It¡¯s difficult to predict fortune and misfortune; the upheaval of the ages is upon us today.¡± Luo Yu¡¯er says, ¡°I don¡¯t understand the upheaval you speak of, Uncle, but the world has indeed changed. A few days ago, I went to the market at the foot of the mountain. What used to cost seventeen or eighteen copper coins per catty of pork now costs forty.¡± She may not understand Luo Chongyang¡¯s words about the state of the world, but she knows that the children¡¯s favorite pork has gone up in price again. Currently, chaos reigns throughout the lands of Great Yan, and the gathering of skilled martial artists in Yujing City stirs a maelstrom of undercurrents. The thirty-six Xuanyi Guards of the Great Heavenly Gang are all stationed in Yujing City, leaving no one available for reassignment. Such chaos, fueled by the pervasive presence of evil spirits across the land, continues unabated and is even intensifying. Luo Chongyang speaks solemnly, ¡°If that young man were still here¡­¡± The area around the Dragon Locking Well in Yujing City is now fraught with danger. The convergence of the world¡¯s top fighters is terrifying, with Great Grandmasters lying in wait ¨C these are truly the kind of experts who can shake the foundations of a nation. An Jing¡¯s slaying of Zongzheng Huachun in Ba Mountain was proof of his ability to contend with Great Grandmasters. In the current climate, Great Yan is in dire need of such exceptional fighters. Luo Yu¡¯er can¡¯t help but think of that handsome man with the very attractive eyes. ¡°Uncle Luo, is he really dead?¡± Her heart always races when she recalls the first time she saw An Jing, especially those eyes which seemed to cover the moon with clouds with a single blink. Luo Chongyang does not reply, merely sighing deeply as he gazes at the distant horizon. Luo Yu¡¯er falls silent too. She sometimes can¡¯t understand why the people of Jianghu, although seeming near, also appear so distant. They always cast their heads and spill their blood in Jianghu, born in Jianghu, dying in Jianghu, ultimately buried in Jianghu, until they turn into a handful of forgotten dust. After a long while, Luo Chongyang finally says, ¡°I must make a trip to Yujing City.¡± Luo Yu¡¯er asks with concern, ¡°Uncle Luo, do you really have to go?¡± She always has this unsettling feeling deep inside. Luo Chongyang¡¯s eyes are profound with a flicker of light, and he solemnly replies, ¡°I have no choice but to go.¡± Luo Yu¡¯er has known Luo Chongyang for many years, yet she has never seen such an expression on his face. ¡­¡­ Three days later, Yujing City, Imperial City. The day is clear and bright, the sky cloudless. At this time, the ordinary citizens of Yujing City have also caught wind of something. Families lock their doors and windows, and the streets grow sparse with pedestrians. The once bustling and lively Yujing City is now eerily empty, giving off an air of desolation. Yet behind closed doors, it is anything but quiet. Experts from all over have gathered both inside and outside the city, and the Imperial Guard has been in a state of heightened alert for all twelve hours of the day, with all of the Xuanyi Guard¡¯s nine divisions called back to Yujing City. A storm is brewing as every individual can feel the tense and oppressive atmosphere. This strange phenomenon leaves people astounded. The Human Emperor Yong¡¯an stands atop the highest tower of the Imperial City, her beautiful eyes reminiscent of distant mountains veiled in mist, or water enveloped in smoke. Behind her stand the high officials and confidants of the Great Yan, flanked by the highly skilled Imperial Guard. Yong¡¯an, an exceptionally beautiful woman, is accompanied by another lady behind her, whose demeanor and appearance are by no means inferior to the Empress¡¯s own. The woman carried an air of pure aloofness and cold beauty, her features exquisitely picturesque, and the eyes beneath her willow-leaf brows were soul-stirring. This woman was none other than Dai Ling, who followed Li Fuzhou to Yujing City and was then favored by the Yong¡¯an Human Emperor. She rose rapidly through the ranks, leaping directly to the position of Deputy Governor of the Xuanyi Guard. It must be known that Dai Ling was just over twenty years of age, yet she had become the Deputy Governor of the Xuanyi Guard of the Great Yan Dynasty, a feat that would have been simply impossible during Zhao Zhiwu¡¯s reign. Moreover, the typical Deputy Governor of the Xuanyi Guard was mostly at the Half-step Grandmaster or even the Grandmaster Realm, but this newly promoted Deputy Governor was only at the First Grade. Although her appointment caused much discontent among many, it was ultimately suppressed. Yong¡¯an Human Emperor asked, ¡°Is everything ready?¡± Zhou Xianming clasped his fists and replied, ¡°Your Majesty, two hundred thousand troops are already waiting in arms in Yujing City.¡± ¡°Very good.¡± The Yong¡¯an Human Emperor narrowed his eyes, ¡°This time, I want these petty people to know what it means when an Emperor is enraged.¡± Hearing the Yong¡¯an Human Emperor say this, everyone present involuntarily shivered. The Yong¡¯an Human Emperor turned his gaze toward Meng Zhaodou, the chief leader of Heaven and Earth Net, and said, ¡°How is the investigation by the various masters progressing?¡± Meng Zhaodou clasped his fists and responded, ¡°Black Ice Platform, White Mist Sect, Bibo Island, Seven Snakes Association, and several other forces have sent a total of five Grandmaster Realm experts. The Southern Barbarians have sent two Grandmasters, and the noble Guishuang has sent three, among whom the leader is Pang Ban from the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace. In addition, there are several hidden Grandmaster experts, all of whom are old turtles who live reclusively.¡± In the world, there are always some masters who have enjoyed fame, fortune, and power and do not wish to immerse themselves in a life of deception, choosing instead to retire into Jianghu. Now, with the appearance of the Earth Vein Spirit related to longevity, those Grandmaster experts who once lived under assumed names have naturally been unable to stay hidden, and one by one, they surfaced. After pondering for a moment, the Yong¡¯an Human Emperor asked, ¡°Any news on Wusun, the King, and that elder from Ten Directions?¡± Meng Zhaodou replied in a low voice, ¡°These Great Grandmasters are elusive, like ghosts and spirits, impossible to track, but I suspect they must be near Yujing City.¡± The Yong¡¯an Human Emperor nodded slightly, then his brow furrowed tightly. It was these flying, escaping, and great Divine Skill possessing Land Immortals that he both feared and dreaded. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Just then, someone from the waterways hurried over from a distance. The Yong¡¯an Human Emperor asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± The messenger hastily reported, ¡°The wellhead of the Dragon Locking Well has collapsed.¡± ¡°What!?¡± Upon hearing the messenger¡¯s words, all those present changed their expressions dramatically. Boom¨C! Just at that moment, the ground beneath their feet began to shake violently, causing the palace maids and eunuchs inside the palace to sway severely. The Yong¡¯an Human Emperor said in a deep voice, ¡°Quick, go and check on the Dragon Locking Well!¡± After speaking, she leaped towards the direction of the Dragon Locking Well. Zhou Xianming immediately shouted, ¡°Quick, protect Her Majesty!¡± Tianpeng Ancestor and a group of Imperial Guards, along with numerous experts from the Royal Family, quickly followed. ¡­¡­.. Yujing City was shaking violently, and all the hidden experts of Jianghu around sensed the anomaly, suddenly becoming incredibly excited, their eyes shining with keen anticipation. ¡°Quick! It must be the Earth Vein Spirit breaking free from its bindings!¡± ¡°To the Dragon Locking Well!¡± ¡­¡­ Many experts from Jianghu rushed towards Dragon Spring Temple and the Dragon Locking Well as if insane. In the blink of an eye, the streets and the eaves above were filled with martial artists from all paths. These individuals possessed extraordinary skills, their feet touching the ground like nimble swallows, and in a blink, they had leaped dozens of feet forward. On the street, a figure slowly emerged from an alley, standing motionless looking towards the direction of the Dragon Locking Well, forming a stark contrast with the hasty experts of Jianghu. This person was none other than Pang Ban of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace. At this moment, a cold smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, sending a chill down the spine of anyone who saw it, ¡°Today is destined to be a day where blood flows like rivers.¡± With that said, he walked slowly towards the front. He didn¡¯t walk fast, but each step was firm and powerful. The scene before their eyes was playing out in every street of Yujing City. The heroes from all over the world had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Chaos! Yujing City was completely in chaos! At this moment, inside Yujing City, there were martial artists holding weapons such as knives, spears, swords, and clubs everywhere. These people had come from all corners of the world and were not to be trifled with. And everyone¡¯s target was the Dragon Locking Well. ¡­.. Dragon Spring Temple, Dragon Locking Well. Jin Xing, Mu Xing, Huo Xing, and Tu Xing looked at the Dragon Locking Well, which had suddenly exploded, with utter seriousness in their eyes. Just as a domineering Qi Mechanism emerged from within the Dragon Locking Well and the well¡¯s mouth was directly blown away by the powerful Qi Mechanism, they too were affected and sustained slight injuries. ¡°Amitabha!¡± At that time, Xi Hafu stepped out. ¡°Master!¡± The four hurriedly bowed. Xi Hafu paid no attention to them, but looked towards the Dragon Locking Well, whispering lowly, ¡°It has finally come.¡± His words carried a hint of excitement and fervor, an emotion that seemed unable to be contained any longer. ¡°The Dragon Locking Well is right in front!¡± ¡°The Earth Vein Spirit is about to reveal itself to the world!¡± ¡­¡­. At the same time, a noisy clamor rang out, with heroes from all directions rushing in from all sides. All around, the area was crowded with people, and at first glance, there didn¡¯t seem to be an end to the mass of bodies. Tianyi Bodhisattva and Fa Wu, along with Buddhist experts and monk soldiers, also emerged, quickly surrounding the entire Dragon Locking Well, blocking the approach of high-level experts from all sides. Seeing grandmasters such as Fa Wu and Tianyi Bodhisattva appear, the martial artists at the forefront suddenly paused, exchanging glances. Though they were still shouting about fighting their way up, none of the experts dared to act rashly. Xi Hafu turned his head to face the heroes of the world, ¡°The Earth Vein Spirit is a grace from Buddha meant to save all living beings and has a destiny with Buddha. I hope all benefactors will act wisely.¡± The heroes of the world, upon hearing this, boiled over with indignation. Jin Xing couldn¡¯t help but inwardly sigh, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Xi Hafu to say such shameless words with such righteousness.¡± Boom-! The earth shook once more, and everyone¡¯s bodies violently trembled. Suddenly, the Dragon Locking Well cracked open yard by yard, spreading outwards continuously, and then a robust Qi burst forth from the fissure. Boom! Boom! Boom! The robust Qi dispersed the clouds in the sky, shrouding the bright sun overhead. Immediately, everyone was overwhelmed with an extremely oppressive feeling, as if the end of the world had arrived. Thump! Thump! Thump! The Qi burst right through the earth¡¯s surface, and the ground broke apart yard by yard. Some martial artists who were slower to act and got close to the Qi were turned into grey streams. Heaven and earth were torn asunder! It was a shocking scene indeed! All the experts were shocked upon seeing the Qi tearing through the ground and felt that even after breaking the earth¡¯s surface, it was not finished, continuing to extend towards the sky. ¡°Is this the Earth Vein Spirit emerging?¡± All the experts looked up, stunned by the scene before them. The entire Yujing City was boiling over with excitement, and the heroes of the world raised their heads to look at the darkening sky. And at that moment the sky turned from grey to black, as if a force capable of devouring souls was hidden within it. ¡°Is it finally going to reveal its true form?¡± Pang Ban, who was standing among the crowd, showed a hint of ecstatic joy in his eyes. In the shadows, someone trembled with emotion, staring at the extending black Qi in the sky without blinking. This held all of his hopes. Prepared for a thousand years, today he was finally about to achieve his original intention; for this day, he had waited too long. Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes sparkled with fervor as he murmured, ¡°Everyone can become Buddha, the ultimate bliss of everyone being a Buddha is about to come.¡± Decades ago, he began researching ancient Buddhist texts, finding clues about the Earth Vein Spirit¨Ca miraculous object of creation from heaven and earth, with effects so magical that not only could it break the shackles of a Great Grandmaster, its most important feature was its power to bless all under the heavens. Since then, he had always seen the widespread salvation of the Earth Vein Spirit as his goal. Today, the Earth Vein Spirit was right in front of him. Everyone present was beside themselves with excitement, watching as the Qi sprawled towards the horizon. ¡°Is this the Earth Vein Spirit?¡± Just as the Qi was spreading, a cold voice sounded in everyone¡¯s ears. Xi Hafu looked up towards the sky. Amidst the tumbling sinister Qi in the sky, a grand hall emerged, looming as mountainously over everyone¡¯s heads. The newcomer was none other than Wushu, who at this moment had a cold expression, indifferently watching the massive Qi in the sky. Yong¡¯an, the Human Emperor, also arrived and immediately felt a tremendous pressure, saying, ¡°So, you are Wushu?¡± Although she had long known that the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace¡¯s Palace Master was a first-class expert, she never expected that Wushu could bring about such a strong sense of oppression. ¡°A Royal Family expert!?¡± Wushu glanced at Yong¡¯an and the people behind her and said indifferently, ¡°That¡¯s all.¡± Royal experts, such unimpressive beings! Hearing Wushu¡¯s words, Tianpeng Ancestor, Jin Xing, and the others all had a chill spread across their faces. Wushu¡¯s statement was a blatant insult to them. Tianpeng Ancestor shouted coldly, ¡°This is the territory of our Great Yan, do you dare be so rampant?¡± ¡°What is there not to dare?¡± Wushu shouted coldly, his true qi raging toward them like surging waves. Boom! Boom! Massive handprints ferociously flew out, shattering the void, and cracks in space a zhang in length appeared, a terrifying sight. Tianpeng Ancestor was a Three Qi Grandmaster in his cultivation. Facing this howling Qi force, even his breathing hitched. In that moment, the ever-silent Xiao Qianqiu leaped forward and struck out with a palm. Bang bang bang bang! When the two palms collided, the heavens and the earth trembled, then Wushu remained motionless, while Xiao Qianqiu was pushed back dozens of steps. The outcome seemed to be decided in the instant the two exchanged blows. Wushu narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°Worthy of being the State Preceptor of Great Yan, you indeed have some real strength to be able to leverage my palm.¡± There were probably not many in the Grandmaster Realm who could leverage his palm like that. ¡°While the Great Grandmaster is indeed powerful, are you not being too arrogant?¡± As soon as Wushu had finished speaking, another voice came through. Following the sound, they saw You Gai, Ouyang Ping, Duanmu Xinghua, and many other top experts from the Demon Sect leap forward and stand beside Xiao Qianqiu. ¡°So many high masters?¡± Seeing so many high masters appear, Pang Ban felt his heart shudder. Even if Wushu was powerful, he was now faced with Xi Hafu, along with the other masters. The masters from his Bactrian group were completely at a disadvantage. Looking at the Demon Sect masters who had appeared, Wushu spoke indifferently, ¡°Xu King Brother, aren¡¯t you coming out yet?¡± ¡°Clap clap clap clap!¡± A series of clapping sounds rang out, and they saw Xu King appear not far from the black qi, with the Southern Barbarians¡¯ chief and a group of Southern Barbarian masters behind him. The crowd unconsciously made way for them. ¡°It seems I haven¡¯t arrived late today.¡± Xu King calmly looked at all the high masters present. You Gai, Duanmu Xinghua, Ouyang Ping, and the others felt a shock in their hearts at the sight of Xu King. They had never expected that Xu King would actually join hands with Wushu of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace. ¡°Two Great Grandmasters joining forces!?¡± ¡°Then who could stop them?¡± ¡­.. The crowd was taken aback by this development. Clearly, no one had expected that the mysterious Grandmaster who had assisted Ghost Swordsman in Ba Mountain was now in league with Wushu. They had previously clashed over the Ghost Swordsman¡¯s affair. ¡°It¡¯s unexpected that so many high masters would appear here today.¡± At this moment, a Taoist slowly stepped forward. There was no one in the Great Yan Martial World who did not recognize this man; it was Luo Chongyang. ¡°The little martial uncle!¡± Xiao Qianqiu gave a Daoist salute. ¡°Your nephew did not expect the martial uncle to come.¡± Luo Chongyang said, ¡°This time I¡¯ve come, I never expected to leave.¡± ¡°A mantis trying to stop a chariot, overestimating one¡¯s own abilities,¡± A hint of a cold smile appeared at the corners of Meng Zhaodou¡¯s mouth, his eyes flashing with an incomparably fierce murderous aura. Feeling the deadly aura radiating from Meng Zhaodou, Xi Hafu finally spoke, ¡°The two of you joining forces truly surprises me, but who in this world could stop me from obtaining the Earth Vein Spirit?¡± The moment he finished speaking, Xi Hafu released a golden light all over his body, like the sun itself, dazzling and mesmerizing, as he confronted the formidable Meng Zhaodou. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s see the truth in the fight,¡± Meng Zhaodou said, his voice clear. The Death Hall erupted with terrifying momentum, and the cold, dark building above flickered with a gloomy light, as if it would transform into a dragon soaring into the sky, stirring the heavens and earth. In those blood-red eyes, however, there was no laughter, only a cold icy chill. With a stomp of his foot, a mass of black Yin Evil Qi emerged beneath him and, with a swish, tore through the sky to form a giant hand that appeared above Xi Hafu and then cast a dark shadow over him. Under that shadow, the ground itself collapsed. Xi Hafu looked up; as the massive palm whooshed down, he stomped his foot and his figure surged upward. Swish! Xi Hafu trod on the void, his palm striking upward against heaven. Qi Force swept through like a roaring gale, boldly meeting the giant palm of black Yin Evil Qi head-on. Clang! A roaring sound echoed forth, and visible ripples spread across the sky. Meng Zhaodou tapped the void with the tips of his toes, dissipating the terrible force. His eyes fixed on Xi Hafu, his hoarse voice sounding, ¡°Is this all the ability the so-called living Buddha has?¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s face remained expressionless as he took a step forward. A terrifying and startling aura surged out as a golden Buddha appeared behind him, and heaven and earth trembled at its manifestation. ¡°Boom!¡± The air itself felt distorted at this moment, as if the space within several tens of meters exploded into a vacuum. Meng Zhaodou¡¯s overwhelming True Qi swept out, forming on the sky a serpent of Yin Evil Qi, coiling and enormous enough to cover the heaven and earth. Roar! The serpent, formed from condensed Yin Evil Qi, ruthlessly fierce, managed to catch the whomping golden palm coming down. Boom! Boom! The two colossal forces collided violently in the sky, the dreadful fluctuations of True Qi almost shattering the void itself, terrifying in the extreme. These two Great Grandmasters were certainly staging one of the most exciting battles in the world today. Meanwhile, numerous other top warriors were also engaging in combat. Xiao Qianqiu faced Pang Ban, pressing him so hard he could barely catch his breath, while the Yong¡¯an Human Emperor showed an overwhelming advantage against the chief of the Southern Barbarians. Although her aptitude was average, having absorbed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence of two Great Grandmasters, she did not break through her limits to reach Great Grandmaster, but she had still attained the peak of the Five Qi Grandmaster. The other Royal Family experts and members of the Demon Sect were clashing with the King of Xu. Duanmu Xinghua, Ouyang Ping, Yi Daoyun, Li Fuzhou, Tianpeng Ancestor, the Five Elements, and several Grandmasters from the Heavenly Prison were all confronting the King of Xu. The King of Xu, with True Yuan as solid as iron, deflected every attack with ease, and none of the several combatants could even touch him. Watching the chaotic battle before them, all the heroes of the world turned their attention to the piercing black Qi. They knew that the Earth Vein Spirit could very likely be within that black aura. Realizing that this was their only chance, they each began to step onto rooftops and rushed into the dark mist in the sky. The area around the Dragon Locking Well was filled with fighting, energetic waves rolling skyward, and the black mist gradually drifted away into the distance. In the blink of an eye, there were dozens of corpses strewn on the ground. Just then, a piercingly cold glint of light from a blade struck from a distance. The speed of the blade light was so fast it was undetectable, and the edge was incredibly chilling. In an instant, it had already slain two Grandmaster experts. This scene had the surrounding experts dumbstruck in terror! Grandmaster experts, and yet that glint of blade light had actually cut down two Grandmasters before the crowd realized what had happened. Minghong Blade! Even though it was made from the remnants of The World¡¯s First Sword, it was undoubtedly The World¡¯s First Blade. Qi Xuan Dao, as if in a realm without peers, directly charged towards the black mist. Earth Vein Spirit! This treasure, the focus of the entire world, was right before his eyes! Boom! Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s blade struck the black aura, and the breath at the front suddenly trembled, causing the surrounding air currents to churn. Qi Xuan Dao furrowed his brow, not expecting the black breath to be so tough; his full-force strike hadn¡¯t shattered it. Whoosh! Whoosh! Just as Qi Xuan Dao was about to strike the black aura again, a huge cold gleam pierced through from afar, directly stirring the Qi Force in front of him. Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s heart jolted with shock, and he stretched out his hand, directly clamping the incoming cold gleam. Those two aged fingers were like iron tongs, the cold gleam still spinning, but now completely immobilized. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a horsetail whisk. Qi Xuan Dao looked into the distance and saw an old Taoist standing far away, his expression cold and merciless. This man was none other than Luo Chongyang. His strength was at the Four Qi Realm, and when combined with Heavenly Human Communication, his power could very well match that of many Grandmasters in the Five Qi Realm. Qi Xuan Dao, seeing Luo Chongyang, showed a hint of surprise in his eyes, not expecting that among so many Grandmasters from Great Yan, there would still be experts able to block him. Luo Chongyang took the horsetail whisk with his left hand and calmly said, ¡°Qi Xuan Dao, I¡¯ve wanted to face you for a long time.¡± Qi Xuan Dao laughed and replied, ¡°Do you know where all those who once wanted to fight me are now?¡± As an old generation Five Qi Grandmaster, Qi Xuan Dao¡¯s renown even surpassed that of Xiao Qianqiu, a legendary figure of an era. How could the list of Grandmaster experts who had fallen at his hand be short? Surrounding the dark breath of the heaven-reaching black aura, a grand battle involving countless experts had already begun. Inner Strength roared, resonating for dozens of miles, with powerful Qi Forces intermittently surging around. A minor misstep by anyone hit by these forces could result in Grandmasters sustaining injuries. A fierce battle involving several eminent experts, including the assault on Duke Xu led by Wu Shu, Xi Hafu, and other Demon Sect experts like the Emperor of Yong¡¯an, was particularly intense. ¡°That old man from the Ten Directions is severely wounded and poses little threat; Xi Hafu appears to be my strongest opponent at present.¡± Wu Shu took a deep breath, his massive body beginning to turn blood red, as a surge of crimson evil aura burst forth. Suddenly, Xi Hafu vanished into thin air. The next moment, a golden palm seemed to pierce through the void, carrying immense True Yuan and mercilessly struck at Wu Shu¡¯s back. Without turning around, Wu Shu also sent a palm strike towards his rear. Bang! The palms collided, and the horrific shockwave spread out. Wu Shu¡¯s figure flew backward, a trail of blood emerging from his mouth. Only when he truly clashed head-on with Xi Ha Fu did he finally sense the latter¡¯s formidable strength. The vastness of that True Qi was like an ocean, seemingly endless, and the golden light carried within it was strange and imperious Buddhist Law. However, Wu Shu¡¯s eyes were frosty cold. He did not attempt to regulate his breathing, nor did he heed the throbbing pain in his arms. Instead, he swiftly formed hand seals, and a torrential True Yuan burst forth from within him. Behind him, the Life and Death Hall also emerged. ¡°Is the donor getting desperate?¡± Seeing this, Xi Ha Fu spoke expressionlessly. Boom! Boom! An ancient and time-worn golden Buddha appeared behind Xi Ha Fu, sending a vast aura crushing down on Wu Shu with massive force. The strength of the Buddha of the current world could be inferred from that terrifying aura. At this moment, Pang Ban and the chief of the Southern Barbarians were also forced to retreat continuously, especially Pang Ban, who even sustained injuries in his confrontation with Xiao Qianqiu. On the other hand, King Xu seemed to be handling himself with ease, his movements as light as a breeze, untroubled by the escalating tensions. Chaos reigned around the Dragon Locking Well, with numerous experts rushing towards the Earth Vein Spirit. Each person¡¯s strike was exceptionally ruthless, sparing no mercy and plunging that corner of the world into endless slaughter. As Wu Shu was repeatedly forced back, his eyes began to split, and the Life and Death Hall behind him erupted with rolling evil Qi, like a vast flood pouring forth. Xi Ha Fu stood tall on the eaves, the golden Buddha behind him radiating dazzling brilliance. Seeing Wu Shu¡¯s aura suddenly grow more powerful, he couldn¡¯t help but furrow his brow. He could feel that the life force within Wu Shu was steadily vanishing, yet the aura inside him was growing stronger and stronger. Boom! Boom! The aura of Wu Shu continued to ascend, the colossal Life and Death Hall behind him carrying boundless, vast Yin Evil Qi. ¡°Could this be a kind of sacrificial technique?¡± Xi Hafu¡¯s eyes reflected a hint of surprise, noticing that Wu Shu¡¯s aura was still climbing, his eyebrows unwittingly knitting tighter. At this moment, Wu Shu¡¯s lifespan was visibly diminishing, yet his strength was insanely rising. Seeing this, both the chief of the Southern Barbarians and Pang Ban exchanged a look, their eyes simultaneously blazing with resolute light. The two of them also began to burn their lifespans, and as their lifespans vanished, their aura escalated wildly. As the aura of the experts from the Mixed Element Demon Clan soared, all the Immortal Emperor-level experts present felt their hearts tremble. ¡°Be careful!¡± Xiao Qianqiu, feeling the chilling Yin Evil Qi, couldn¡¯t help but cry out. Boom! Boom! Boom! The terrifying surge of waves roared, mixed with Yin Evil Qi, almost piercing a colossal hole in the heavens and the earth. Wu Shu was bathed in the rolling Yin Evil Qi, his eyes intensely cold, staring fixedly at Xi Ha Fu ahead: ¡°Xi Ha Fu, your strength is indeed commendable, but the Life and Death Hall in my hands is not as simple as you imagine!¡± At this moment, Wu Shu stood amidst the sea of evil Qi, his robes fluttering without wind, as though he were a lord stepping out from the depths of Nine Nether Fengdu. All experts present were deeply shaken. Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Yet, at the next moment, the dark Qi in the sky underwent a massive change once again. Beneath the Dragon Locking Well, a gigantic black Qi that reached for the heavens rose from the depths of the earth, drilling ferociously into the sky, like a world-shaking demon pillar, scattering all the surrounding clouds. Could this actually be the Earth Vein Spirit!? ¡­¡­ PS: Striving to finish by tomorrow, at least twelve thousand words. Chapter 398 - Chapter 398: Chapter 298: Sighing at a Last Glance of Jianghu Chapter 398: Chapter 298: Sighing at a Last Glance of Jianghu An Jing, the immortal, lay dead on the ground, this person, who had been dominating and manipulating events through several dynasties in history, had died. Whether in the Great Qin Dynasty or in the major events of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he was always a trendsetter of his era, even the biggest manipulator behind the scenes. He manipulated the rise and fall of dynasties and sects in the human world. Among all the great grandmasters in history, he was consistently one of the top figures, having excluded An Jing, he truly was the foremost, undefeatable person; countless great grandmasters had died by his hand, including emperors who ruled the Four Seas and sect leaders who shook the world, indicating his great skill. Such a master also harbored many secrets unknown to others, such as how he came to understand the relationship between the Earth Vein Spirit and the Evil Spirits, and how he achieved immortality¡­ And all these secrets vanished with his death, dissipating like smoke, becoming secrets unknown to anyone. Indeed, a person like him, burdened with too many secrets he couldn¡¯t share, was utterly lonely. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± At the moment the immortal An Jing closed his eyes, the Earth Vein Spirit, laden with evil spirits in the sky, also shattered, the embodied form showing cracks that spread continuously into the distance, eventually fully dissipating into a mass of clouds and smoke. As the Earth Vein Spirit disappeared, the surrounding evil spirits also gradually dissipated. The heaven and earth regained their clarity once more. ¡°Let¡¯s go quickly!¡± Qi Shu, seeing this, hurriedly leapt and flew into the distance. An Jing raised his eyebrows, then stretched out his palm, and the Evil Suppressing Sword split into six magnificent waves rushing forward. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Though there were clearly six sword lights, the sky and earth were filled with pervasive Sword Qi, dense and overwhelming, obscuring the sun. That day, was like the era of the ancient sword immortals. Everyone looked up at the sky, their hearts so overwhelmed that they couldn¡¯t speak. Qi Shu felt a chilling sharpness on his back, and when he turned his head, he saw the reflection of that chilling light in his eyes. He wanted to dodge, but found that at the moment the sword light pierced through, his body couldn¡¯t move as if it had been completely frozen by the chill. Why!? Why couldn¡¯t his body move? Even the True Yuan inside him had solidified; despite struggling desperately, his eyes cracking from the effort, all was in vain against such absolute power, appearing utterly insignificant. ¡°Pfft! Pfft!¡± Ten thousand sword lights successively passed through Qi Shu¡¯s body, leaving even the body of a great grandmaster riddled with countless holes. Finally, his body fell heavily to the ground, his breath completely cut off. Qi Shu was dead! This leading master of Goguryeo had also died in the Great Yan¡¯s Yujing City, never to return to distant Goguryeo ever again. And as the ten thousand sword lights pierced through, not only was Qi Shu tragically killed, but Pang Ban of the Heavenly Slaughter Divine Palace and Qi Xuan Dao of the Black Ice Platform also died under this sword light. That¡¯s right, An Jing killed three people with one move. A great grandmaster and two Five Qi Grandmasters. This scene was even more spectacular and astounding than the earlier battle of the immortal An Jing against a host of heroes. Now, in this world, probably all the grandmaster-level experts combined were no match for him alone. He truly was an invincible Great Sword Immortal throughout the ages! An Jing stretched out his palm, capturing two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence and two of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Essence, then his gaze shifted towards King Xu. King Xu¡¯s expression was complex, ¡°Jing¡¯an, I didn¡¯t expect you to still be alive.¡± An Jing smiled lightly, ¡°Jing¡¯an is dead, I am An Jing.¡± King Xu looked at those bright eyes, as if seeing An Jing for the first time, yet there seemed to be something more, and something less. ¡°An Tributor!¡± ¡°Son-in-law!¡± The experts of the Demon Sect also rushed forward, their eyes filled with a touch of ecstasy, especially Duanmu Xinghua and Ouyang Ping, who were overjoyed to the point of tears, their old tears flowing freely. Life is unpredictable, with huge ups and downs all happening in the blink of an eye. Li Fuzhou, usually so composed, was also flush with excitement, but when An Jing looked at him, it was clear that his gaze still evaded. An Jing nodded slowly, then said, ¡°Sect Master Duanmu, Third Elder, Elder Ouyang, Elder You, Grandmaster Lin, Grandmaster Yi¡­ from now on, this Outer Heaven is yours to lead.¡± Li Fuzhou asked, ¡°Son-in-law, what does this mean?¡± An Jing calmly said, ¡°I only want to sleep amidst the marketplace, no longer wishing to hear of Jianghu¡¯s affairs.¡± Wow! Upon hearing this, all the masters present were greatly shocked. You must know that An Jing was just in his early twenties, having just slain two current grandmasters; it is no exaggeration to say that he was the number one master in this world, with supreme power and fame at his fingertips, capable of controlling countless lives and deaths, yet at this moment he chose to withdraw from Jianghu. In the distance, both the Sword Demon and the Sword God exchanged smiles, perhaps only they understood An Jing¡¯s feelings at this moment, and why he made such a choice. Although standing at the heights was glorious, it was also lonely. One may enjoy endless glory, but no one can endure loneliness year after year. The Sword Demon said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll leave before he does.¡± Sword God Liu Moyuan smiled, ¡°Always striving to be first, even in retiring from Jianghu, must you still compete to be first?¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± As everyone¡¯s attention converged on An Jing, the two once top swordsmen laughed and then disappeared from a piece of land, vanished from Jianghu. From that moment on, there was no further news of the two in Jianghu. Luo Chongyang, stroking his palm, stepped forward and smiled, ¡°Right and wrong lie within oneself, praise and criticism come from others, success and failure are not considered. The green mountains remain unchanged, the flowing water continues long.¡± An Jing, looking at the old Daoist, also smiled, ¡°Uncle Master, I will visit you if I have time in the future.¡± Luo Chongyang said, ¡°You might find it very difficult to locate me.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Oh? Why is that?¡± Luo Chongyang replied, ¡°I wander about everywhere, with no known destination, nor know where I will return.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Then, nephew hopes, we meet no more in Jianghu.¡± Luo Chongyang and An Jing exchanged a smile. At this moment, Yong¡¯an Emperor and Dai Ling, along with Tianpeng Ancestor and others, also came over. Yong¡¯an Emperor asked, ¡°Do you really intend to leave here?¡± Her voice was somewhat gentle, even carrying a hint of plea. Her demands on him were not high; she just wished to see him occasionally. An Jing looked at the woman before him, thought deeply, and felt somewhat guilty. He could clearly sense Zhao Xuening¡¯s affection for him, even having Xi Hafu protect him in Ba Mountain, but he already had someone he loved. A hero, toasting to the river¡¯s moon, is unfortunate not to enjoy a beauty¡¯s favor. An Jing looked at her eyes brimming with autumn waters, ¡°Your Majesty, take care.¡± Yong¡¯an Emperor¡¯s lips parted slightly, words failing her, as if tears swirled in her eyes. Fate always steps quietly to your side when you least expect it. You turn your head for a moment, you meet, he walks on with his head down, missing out. An Jing waved his sleeve and glanced at the gathered crowd. Yong¡¯an Emperor, Luo Chongyang, Xiao Qianqiu, Li Fuzhou, Dai Ling, Duanmu Xinghua, Yi Daoyun, Lin Tianhai, King Xu and others were all briefly surveyed. His mind involuntarily thought of Fa Zhi, Jiang Sanjia, Lou Xiangzhen, Mu Xiaoyun, Mu Xiaowan, Li Yue, and the many masters like Qi Shu, Qiu Fengsheng, Zongzheng Huachun who had once died by his hand. The years of life in Jianghu flashed before his eyes, then vanished altogether. It was as fleeting as a passing cloud. An Jing exhaled softly and walked toward the distance, everyone hastily moved aside, clearing a path for him. These included not only experts from Great Yan but also those from Zhao Country, Southern Barbarians, and all other top warriors across the lands. Zhao Xuening took a step forward but only managed one step. Everyone looked up, watching as the figure in white vanished from their sight. A long time later, there was utterly no sound between heaven and earth. Yong¡¯an Emperor gently closed her eyes, emitting a faint sigh. Dai Ling also watched the departing figure, feeling inexplicably empty inside. In dreams, horns resound far and wide, heroes on unfamiliar paths, valiant yet tender-hearted, endlessly turning and returning. ¡­¡­ Outside Yujing City, on Wangjing Mountain. Honghu rested on the mountain summit, and sitting on its back was a strikingly beautiful woman, gazing in the direction of Yujing City. This woman was Zhao Qingmei. Tonight, under the bright moon, everyone gazes with longing, unaware whose home the autumn thoughts fall upon. Her gaze remained fixed, constantly looking toward the distance, her stunningly beautiful face seeming as though it was etched into the landscape, yet surpassing any scenery in its beauty. After a long while, a figure gradually appeared in the distance. The moment Zhao Qingmei saw the figure, she was enveloped with overwhelming joy, crazily leaping down from Honghu¡¯s back and rushing towards An Jing. Soon after, the two tightly embraced each other, leaving no space between them. Happiness isn¡¯t so complicated: the sunshine is splendid, time is long, life is long, as is the time with you. An Jing gently pinched her delicate nose and chuckled softly, ¡°My lady, shall we go?¡± Zhao Qingmei, buried in An Jing¡¯s embrace, whispered, ¡°Mm.¡± An Jing asked, ¡°Shall we go?¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only Zhao Qingmei still clung to An Jing, unwilling to let go, tightly embracing him. An Jing blew a warm breath into Zhao Qingmei¡¯s ear and chuckled, ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯m hungry.¡± Zhao Qingmei playfully scolded, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re well-fed tonight.¡± ¡­¡­ PS: I intended to finish writing today, but the conclusion was somewhat difficult to pen. There are still a few minor details to fill in. Tomorrow I¡¯ll take a break, and then I plan to release the final chapter on October 2-3. Chapter 399 - Chapter 399: Chapter 299: The Grand Finale Chapter 399: Chapter 299: The Grand Finale The city of Yujing was a whirlwind of activity that day, with clouds stirring in all directions. A speck of dust from history becomes a mountain when it falls on the head of an ordinary person, let alone a change of events that even in the annals of history would be considered tumultuous and vast. Heroes from all over gathered together, with numerous masters from the Southern Barbarians, Great Yan, and Zhao Country converging on Yujing City. Such a time of prosperity was unique in history, as who else could have the capability to gather so many experts? It was probably only the mysterious and elusive Earth Vein Spirit, said to grant immortality, that could accomplish this. Great Grandmasters such as Wusun, Xuwang, Xi Hafu, and Qian Qiu the Immortal also emerged one after another. Among them, several were top Grandmasters in history, dominant figures who suppressed an era with their prowess. The outcome was indeed shocking, with Grandmasters Xi Hafu, Wusun, and Qian Qiu the Immortal succumbing to their fates, becoming but a wisp of smoke in the annals of history. After all, these were three Great Grandmasters, seen as celestial beings by commoners, who with a wave of their sleeves could soar to the heavens and whose every step brought heaven within reach. No one expected that the ¡°deceased¡± Ghost Swordsman would reappear in Jianghu and slay Qian Qiu the Immortal, sending shockwaves throughout the world. This controversy spread rapidly across the land like wings, becoming a hot topic among commoners and the subjects of lively discussion in the marketplaces. Soon, people discovered that the shackles binding the world seemed to have lightened significantly, making breakthroughs in realms easier than before, and Grandmasters realized that when refining nature¡¯s spiritual energy, the previously troublesome Evil Blood had vanished entirely. This apparent change immediately kicked up greater storms within Jianghu. At the same time, various rumors about Qian Qiu the Immortal spread far and wide. Why could he live for a thousand years without dying? The Evil Spirits were said to be from outside this realm, but what was this realm beyond? Why could absorbing Evil Blood and controlling Evil Spirits greatly increase one¡¯s Cultivation? Some said Qian Qiu possessed an unparalleled mental method that granted immortality; others claimed he was an Evil Spirit from another realm, not of this world, which was why he could live forever. What exactly lay beyond the world became a topic of much debate, with some claiming it was a celestial paradise, others a land of great danger harboring immense calamities, and still others dismissing it as a place of illusions and fantasies. In no time, rumors abounded, but the Dragon Locking Well had everyone profoundly shocked, revealing a top expert who lived a thousand years. Many began to secretly search for Qian Qiu the Immortal¡¯s relics, hoping to uncover the secrets within. With the fall of Qi Xuan Dao, Black Ice Platform became vulnerable and teetered on the brink of collapse. Countless experts fought fiercely to uncover Qian Qiu the Immortal¡¯s origins, identity, and relics, resulting in intricate schemes and deceit. This included royals, noble families, and reclusive Jianghu masters, leading to a resurgence of chaos and bloodshed within the world. After slaying Qian Qiu the Immortal at Dragon Locking Well, the Ghost Swordsman suddenly vanished without a trace. No one knew his whereabouts, not even the people of the Demon Sect. The more elusive he became, the more people sought after the invincible Great Sword Immortal, as if to grasp his shadow. People knew that his sword could sever the life of an immortal who had lived a thousand years and slay celestial beings as easily as slaughtering chickens and dogs. He was regarded as the greatest master over the past three thousand years. But the harder they searched, the more his presence eluded them, as if such a person never existed in the world. Eventually, people stopped trying to track him down, and the Ghost Swordsman became a taboo subject, though his legendary sword continued to be celebrated in Jianghu for a long time. After a massive storm, all that was left was devastation, and a powerful hand stepped in to establish a new order. This hand belonged to the Great Yan Court. Though the fall of the Houjin Royal Court and the continued resistance from the tribes of the great plains remained a concern for Great Yan, it was far less threatening compared to the previously powerful Houjin Dynasty. As time passed, the Great Yan Dynasty not only stood to clear the tribes from the plains but also had the potential to encompass all of Houjin into its territory. The situation in Zhao Country to the south of Great Yan was slightly better than that of Houjin, but it remained dire. With the death of Qi Xuan Dao and the unstable status of Black Ice Platform, the previously subdued tensions exploded, causing unprecedented internal chaos within Zhao Country. The warfare across Zhao Country was even more devastating than the previous wars with Yan Country. Indeed, the Great Yan Dynasty watched from a distance, recuperating and biding its time, with a smooth journey ahead. The situation was extremely favorable, even presenting the opportunity to annex the territory of Zhao Country, possibly becoming a unified dynasty since the times of Great Qin. Even with the addition of Houjin¡¯s territories, it was more prosperous than the Great Qin Dynasty. Just when the world was thrown into chaos and the ripples had not yet settled, the Great Yan Dynasty issued a decree that completely ignited the whole world. The Great Yan Dynasty promulgated a decree, consolidating all the sect masters and martial arts establishments of the Great Yan Martial World into a comprehensive Martial Arts Academy. Whether they were from noble families, the poor, or even beggars, as long as they were under fifteen and possessed sufficient aptitude, regardless of status, they could go to the Martial Arts Academy to learn profound martial arts and enjoy the top resources and facilities provided by the Great Yan Dynasty. And the first Dean of the Martial Arts Academy was none other than the Sect Leader of the Zhenyi Sect and the State Preceptor of Great Yan, Xiao Qianqiu. Instantly, the world was stirred into a thousand waves. Consolidating the martial arts of the world and establishing a Martial Arts Academy? As long as one had the aptitude, all the people in the world could study martial arts, offering a tremendous opportunity to those who previously had no connections or who were poor. If this were true, how terrifying would it be? The future of the world¡¯s sects would be completely cut off; did the Great Yan Martial World sects truly agree to this? But with Xiao Qianqiu¡¯s consent, some voices of opposition from the Jianghu sects also died down. It was known that after the disappearance of the Ghost Swordsman in the Great Yan Martial World, Xiao Qianqiu was undoubtedly the most powerful and senior expert in this world. Moreover, his Zhenyi Sect was the national religion of Great Yan, one of the top sects in the world. Soon after, rumors that the leader of the Demon Sect, Li Fuzhou, took the position of Vice Dean of the Martial Arts Academy, silenced the entire Great Yan Martial World. The Demon Sect¡¯s influence had already left a deep-rooted concept in people¡¯s minds due to the Ghost Swordsman and the Sect Hierarch; now that both the Zhenyi Sect and Demon Sect had agreed in succession, how many more would dare to voice their opposition? However, the establishment of the Martial Arts Academy was a major matter, involving the foundation and future of the Great Yan, allowing no room for negligence. Although the decree had been announced, how and when it would be implemented still remained to be discussed. Some insightful people also saw the clues and couldn¡¯t help but feel emotional. If the Martial Arts Academy was successfully built, and then Martial Arts Branches were established in other places, the masters from the sects would be assimilated into the academies. Eventually, all the masters in the world would be in the hands of the Great Yan Royal Family. In less than twenty years, the Great Yan Dynasty would become the most powerful dynasty in history. Jianghu is still that same Jianghu, full of deception, overt conflicts, and covert struggles. It is rife with conspiracies and romance; it would not change because of someone¡¯s arrival or departure. From ancient times to the present, things are fleeting, but the only constant is the ever-youthful landscape of the land. With a rain cape and a wind hat, who could recognize me as I travel the Four Seas, my sword soaring across the sky time and again? Yujing City, Imperial City, the Observatory. The vast night sky, casually adorned with stars, wrapped the twilight in a layer of profound vastness, circling a new moon in the heavens. Donned in a dragon robe, the imposing Yong¡¯an Emperor stood in the center of the Observatory, gazing up at the night sky. Behind her was a woman whose beauty did not pale in comparison to hers, Dai Ling. Those cold eyes could ignite a fiery passion in any man¡¯s heart, as if they were brighter and more dazzling than the stars in the sky. Both of them looked up at the night sky above, their thoughts wandering to their own concerns. Sometimes, concerns can resonate with each other. When a person has a deep secret weighing on their mind, they appear especially burdened, and the whole world seems as abstract and chaotic as a painting. In their silence, each hid forbidden thoughts not to be voiced. Zhou Xianming approached from a distance, bowing with clasped hands, ¡°Your Majesty, the Black Feather Tribe and the Golden Eagle Tribe of Houjin have already sent letters of surrender. The remaining tribes of Houjin have retreated to Snow Mountain. Because of the icy cold weather on the mountain, which is not conducive to marching, Qiu Lun has not taken any further rash actions.¡± The Yong¡¯an Emperor¡¯s eyes and brows were calm as she said indifferently, ¡°Summon him back; these Houjin tribes are like grasshoppers in autumn, incapable of hopping around for much longer. It¡¯s a waste of talent for General Qiu to stay in Houjin.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Zhou Xianming bowed and slowly withdrew. The Yong¡¯an Emperor stood there, hands behind her back, with an expression of confidence, along with a pair of steadfast and unshakable eyes. ¡°The current situation in the world is very favorable for our Great Yan.¡± Dai Ling, who was behind her, did not know if these words were meant for her, but her intuition told her they were, so she said, ¡°Your Majesty is valiant, and now the situation in Great Yan seems unprecedentedly prosperous, with the potential for unending domination within grasp.¡± The Houjin has been annihilated, with only a few tribes hanging on by a thread. At this time, Zhao Country has fallen into civil strife, engulfed in flames of war, while the Southern Barbarians have retreated and are holed up in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, treating Nanping Dao like the Thunder Pool, not daring to take even half a step further. ¡°But I,¡± The Yong¡¯an Human Emperor, looking up, had a vacant expression for a long time before saying, ¡°just can¡¯t find happiness.¡± ¡°Your Majesty should be the happiest person in this world.¡± ¡°What is happiness¡­¡± ¡°Indeed, what exactly is happiness?¡± The Yong¡¯an Human Emperor¡¯s sigh was long as he said, ¡°Life changes in unexpected moments, and as the one who steers one¡¯s life, whether one lives happily or not, what does it have to do with others?¡± Dai Ling¡¯s voice was even more melancholic than the Human Emperor¡¯s, ¡°Indeed, I often wake from dreams of late, in a daze, not knowing if what just happened was a dream, or if this moment is the real dream.¡± As if, she were the one with the heaviest burdens on her heart. That kind of joy, suppressed to the extreme in an unknown corner of the heart, is a kind of torment, endlessly crushing and grinding. The Yong¡¯an Human Emperor inwardly smiled wryly. The loneliness that should have settled like autumn water, stirred anew because of these few words. Perhaps, as Dai Ling said, in all haziness, it became difficult for her to distinguish which parts were a dream, and which were the concrete reality that had taken place. A light breeze stirred, bringing with it a chill, and with it, a desolate atmosphere. The round moonlight illuminated the earth, but there was ever only one moon. Gazing at the moon, both fell into silence; in the same scene, within the same expanse of sky and land, two different women perhaps each harbored the same sort of stifling despair. They had lost their way on this shared journey, unable to find their direction, like two abandoned orphans with no place to call home. Without direction, one is adrift everywhere. After a long while, Dai Ling said, ¡°Your Majesty, you truly love him.¡± This made the Yong¡¯an Human Emperor¡¯s heart tremble, and she forced herself to rally her spirits, saying, ¡°I do not know, but I always feel like something is missing from the world at this moment, like a fish struggling in the mud without water, not dead, but covered in blood, only waiting for that moment of death.¡± Dai Ling sighed softly upon hearing this, ¡°Who isn¡¯t waiting for that moment of death?¡± Death! Their eyes met, and both their hearts stirred. Life and death, the difference between opening and closing one¡¯s eyes, between darkness and light, these are the eternally fluctuating matters of the human world. And what do these subtle emotions like discontent, grievance, anticipation¡­ matter in the face of all that vanishes? People do not become lonely because of the absence of love, but they do because of the sensation of death. Without love, power can still be had, but without life, nothing at all remains. Their eyes met, as if understanding something. Their midsummer would never be absent. Beneath the faint moonlight, tonight the two of them could indulge in drunkenness, letting days and months shuttle past swiftly, and after two hours, they could await the most beautiful sunrise. ¡­.. Beihuang Dao, You Mountain. The first snowflakes were beginning to drift down, the green curtains still fragrant, the fire not yet out. Sitting alone in the bitter cold of night longing for sleep, in that vast empty space, the broken dreams left one twice as desolate. As the scattered snowflakes disappeared into the dust, everything amidst the pure white snow showed a kind of desolation, yet exuded warmth. The sorrow of the waning autumn has left no trace, stealthily slipping into the biting cold. On the tranquil mountainside, two figures appeared. A man and a woman, the latter leading a white steed. Jia Meixian took a deep breath and said seriously, ¡°Senior Brother, I am leaving.¡± ¡°Leaving?¡± Yang Chong was not surprised by Jia Meixian¡¯s words, as if all of this was expected; it was just a matter of sooner or later. No one knew better than he why Jia Meixian had stayed on You Mountain. Jia Meixian nodded and said, ¡°Yes, I want to go see Guishuang. It¡¯s said to be a new world, and I want to see a different world.¡± Yang Chong looked at his junior sister, then let out a deep sigh, ¡°It seems you¡¯ve already made up your mind. If I say I will go with you, you certainly wouldn¡¯t want that.¡± Jia Meixian said, ¡°Senior Brother, I don¡¯t want to be a burden to you anymore.¡± ¡°How do you know you¡¯re a burden to me?¡± ¡°Everyone has their own life to live, and their own issues to face.¡± ¡°It seems you¡¯ve really changed.¡± Yang Chong softly said as he looked at Jia Meixian. From those eyes and the tone of her voice, he knew that the girl before him had truly changed a lot; the immaturity and naivety of the past were no longer visible. Turning her back, Jia Meixian watched the falling snowflakes and said, ¡°Instead of idolizing the sun, it¡¯s better to become a person like the sun.¡± Yang Chong seemed to understand that she did not want him to see her trembling lips or tearful eyes. ¡°Then¡­ will you come back, Junior Sister?¡± ¡°Perhaps I will.¡± The weight of those words, ¡°perhaps,¡± was quite meaningful¨Cperhaps she would return, but what of the alternative? Having said that, Jia Meixian mounted her horse, shouldered her pack. At this moment, Yang Chong watched her retreating figure, his heart as if filled with a thousand words, yet not knowing how to express them. Jia Meixian tightened the reins and turned to say, ¡°Senior Brother, when the plum blossoms bloom again, I will return.¡± ¡°Go!¡± With that, she pulled the reins hard, and the white steed galloped ahead. Yang Chong, seeing this, couldn¡¯t help but extend his hand, but the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat and never came out. Jia Meixian¡¯s figure vanished into the snowstorm, disappearing without a trace. The snowstorm grew fiercer, its howling drowning out all other sounds, including the voice of Yang Chong¡¯s heart. Snow is strange, like regret, like reunion, like unrequited love. ¡­. In the second year of Tianfu, Yujing City, Lv Mansion. Time keeps slipping away, like day turns to night and winter gives way to spring. Yujing City welcomed an unprecedented heavy snowfall, and then the weather began to warm up, everything was thriving, and developments were tilting toward the positive. As usual, Lv Jingchun, donning a thick jacket, came to pay his respects to Lv Guoyong in his study, muttering under his breath, ¡°I composed poetry last night, surely I don¡¯t have to write more today?¡± Saying so, Lv Jingchun arrived at the door of Lv Guoyong¡¯s study, and with a resonant voice said, ¡°Grandfather, your grandson has come to pay his respects.¡± But today was different from usual, as there was no response from Lv Guoyong in the study. Feeling puzzled, Lv Jingchun repeated, ¡°Grandfather, your grandson has come to pay his respects.¡± But once again, there was no sound from the study, and all was quiet around him. Lv Jingchun felt that something was amiss and promptly pushed the door open. The door swung wide open, and a cold breeze blew in. Inside sat an elderly man in a chair, holding a writing brush, sitting quietly there, but his eyes were tightly closed, and all signs of life had ceased within him. ¡°Grandfather!¡± Lv Jingchun¡¯s pupils dilated, and he couldn¡¯t help but exclaim. Three-time minister under the Great Yan Dynasty, Lv Guoyong had not survived the spring of the second year of Tianfu; he passed away suddenly, causing turmoil in both court and country. As the once foremost figure of the Confucian sect, his name was known to all for shattering the Literary Palace in combat against three Five Qi Grandmasters, even slaying one of them. Especially to the people of Great Yan, Lv Guoyong had held his post for sixty years, overseeing the Great Yan Cabinet for sixty years. Through trials and tribulations over the decades, he remained unshaken in his seat, unmoved by anyone, a true pillar of the state. Some praised him as a solitary sage in the times of governance, a virtuous counselor in historical records, while others called him a lone and tumultuous prime minister. Looking back on his life, Lv Guoyong was a man of many aspects. Lv Guoyong was a powerful official; some presented couplets to him, extolling him as brilliant as the sun and moon, and worshiped by all nations as the Son of Heaven, with mountains and hills equaling his stature, and all directions singing praises of the Lv Sect¡¯s Prime Minister¨Creferring naturally to Lv Guoyong himself, who, for sixty years, deserved to be named alongside the Emperor of Great Yan. Lv Guoyong was a renowned prime minister; throughout his life, he poured his heart into Great Yan, stemming the tide against three Five Qi Grandmasters to preserve the dynasty¡¯s realm. Yet, he preferred to hold absolute authority, favoring his own kin. Much like the Taiping Human Emperor, he greatly admired power and strategy. As a solitary counselor, Lv Guoyong took it upon himself to self-cultivate, manage his household, govern the state, and bring peace to all under Heaven. Undeterred by the journey ahead, he faced the multitude alone, regardless of the rolling tide of curses that followed him. Therefore, Lv Guoyong was a man who inspired both deep admiration and deep-seated hatred. In any case, Lv Guoyong¡¯s contributions to Great Yan were plain for all to see, and following the Prime Minister¡¯s death, the Yong¡¯an Human Emperor held a grand funeral for him and posthumously bestowed upon him the honorary title of Wen Cheng Gong. For a time, mourning gripped Great Yan, shrouded in somber clouds. After all, compared to others, the common people held great respect and affection for this powerful minister who had guided court and country alike. However, in the relentless wheels of history, no matter how significant a figure one is, they will all eventually become part of history. ¡­.. As time flowed and years passed, unnoticed, half a year had gone by in the struggle for the Earth Vein Spirit of Yujing City. Winter gave way to spring, and now summer had arrived. The summer skies were brilliant beyond compare, the sky a boundless azure, and the sunlight intense as arrows, casting a dazzling light over everything above and below. Yu State City, second-floor private room of Wuyang Tavern. Inside the elegant private room was stifling heat. Seated at the head of the table was a constable in uniform, his clothes now sticking to his body, the long sword at his waist feeling incredibly heavy. Opposite him was a rather handsome man, particularly his eyes, which were unforgettable. If a top expert from Great Yan saw this face, they would be immensely shocked because the person before them was none other than An Jing, who had been sought unsuccessfully by everyone for half a year. At this moment, An Jing picked up the bowl on the table and gulped down a mouthful, saying, ¡°What¡¯s the deal with you suddenly asking me out for drinks today? By the way, you seem to have put on quite a bit of weight recently, it looks like you¡¯ve been having good meals.¡± How could An Jing not be surprised? Han Wenxin was a man who could not keep five pieces of silver in his pocket, yet today he had invited him for drinks. Han Wenxin¡¯s expression darkened, and he gritted his teeth, ¡°Brother An, I have a secret to tell you.¡± ¡°A secret?¡± An Jing looked at Han Wenxin, his curiosity piqued, ¡°What secret?¡± Han Wenxin took a deep breath, then said through clenched teeth, ¡°I¡­ I might be pregnant.¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± The wine An Jing had in his mouth sprayed out, and his face was overcome with an expression of utter shock. Pregnant!? Han Wenxin is pregnant!? A man is actually pregnant!? At this moment, An Jing¡¯s mind was filled with questions, as if he had seen a ghost. ¡°Brother An, I¡¯m telling the truth.¡± Seeing An Jing¡¯s expression, Han Wenxin hastily said, ¡°That day, I went to the Chaotic Burial Ground to dig for gold, didn¡¯t I find a jar with a buried baby¡¯s body in it?¡± An Jing nodded slightly. A few days ago, Han Wenxin had gone to the Chaotic Burial Ground to dig for gold, but halfway through, he unearthed a jar. Thinking it was gold, he opened it only to find, to his dismay, the body of a baby inside. Han Wenxin had been scared out of his wits and fell ill for half a month after returning. Han Wenxin continued, ¡°These days, I¡¯ve been having dreams about that jar, and that child inside keeps calling me ¡®daddy¡¯.¡± An Jing leisurely picked up his bowl and took a sip, asking, ¡°Calling you what?¡± Han Wenxin said, ¡°Daddy!¡± An Jing patted Han Wenxin on the shoulder and started laughing, ¡°No need to be so polite, this round of drinks is on me.¡± With that, leaving a stunned Han Wenxin behind with wide eyes, he put down a silver ingot and walked out. By the time Han Wenxin came to his senses, An Jing was long gone. He growled, ¡°Damn An Jing, could it really be because I deceived you?¡± After roaring, he saw the silver on the table, his heart stirred with delight, and he cheerfully pocketed the silver, ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I went to the brothel to listen to music, my spear has gotten rusty.¡± ¡­.. Outside the Wuyang Tavern. An Jing walked towards the Jishi Hall with his hands clasped behind his back. Half a year ago, he had returned to Yu State City, and as a result, Jishi Hall had reopened. Life had returned to the peacefulness of old. The summer sun was like a furnace, scorching the earth. Suddenly, An Jing¡¯s brows furrowed sharply as a golden figure appeared in the crowded scene ahead. This person was none other than Jin Deng from Tian Yin. An Jing sent a message through voice transmission, ¡°Elder Jin, I didn¡¯t expect such a coincidence.¡± Jin Deng also sent a message back, ¡°It¡¯s not a coincidence, I came especially to see you.¡± An Jing said, ¡°Please!¡± Jin Deng said, ¡°Please!¡± The two stepped into a narrow alley, where outside bustle and noise filled the air, but inside, it was remarkably quiet. With a smile, Jin Deng said, ¡°It seems you really don¡¯t want anyone to disturb your current life.¡± An Jing, expressionless, replied, ¡°Let¡¯s cut to the chase. What do you want to talk about?¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll just say it.¡± Jin Deng nodded slightly and continued, ¡°You severed the Earth Vein Spirit, do you understand what that means?¡± An Jing narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°What does it mean? Does it mean I can live forever and break free from the shackles of a Great Grandmaster?¡± Jin Deng replied, ¡°That is only part of it, but there is also a part of the truth you are unaware of.¡± An Jing glanced at Jin Deng but said nothing. Jin Deng went on to say, ¡°By severing the Earth Vein Spirit, you¡¯ve essentially become the new Earth Vein Spirit. The original Earth Vein Spirit was constantly under attack by the relentless evil spirits, and you will face the same invasion by the evil energy.¡± An Jing responded indifferently, ¡°I¡¯ve known this for quite some time.¡± Jin Deng looked intently at An Jing, ¡°Since you are aware, I won¡¯t say more.¡± After that, Jin Deng gave a cupped-fist salute and walked away into the distance. An Jing looked at his own palms which, if Jin Deng had been present, would have appeared like white jade, the energy of the evil spirits floating above all burnt clean away. ¡°Evil energy? I¡¯ve refined it long ago. As for those evil spirits, I¡¯ve eradicated them all.¡± Murmuring to himself, An Jing then stepped out of the alley. Perhaps Jin Deng knew some secrets from beyond this realm, or possibly the secrets of the Earth Vein Spirit, but as An Jing himself said, after the death of the Earth Vein Spirit, he had become the Earth Vein Spirit. Regarding the secrets of the Earth Vein Spirit, An Jing knew them far clearer than anyone else. In this part of the world, a significant amount of evil energy was still seeping in, attempting to contaminate his body, but An Jing had vanquished all of them, even purging the very essence of the evil energy. ¡­.. Glorious sunlight scattered among the endless green tiles and red walls, the abruptly jutting eaves, the lofty, fluttering shop banners, the oncoming carts and carriages, the unceasing stream of pedestrians¨C Teahouses, taverns, pawnshops, workshops lined both sides of the street, and not far away, several street vendors toiled under large umbrellas. The street stretched east and west, reaching into the quieter suburbs outside the city. Yet on the streets, there was an endless flow of passersby: porters with their burdens, ox carts laden with goods, donkey-drawn carts, and onlookers enjoying the scenery of Yu State River¡­ Centered around a towering city tower, buildings closely packed together to form distinct alleyways and courtyards. On the west side of the street stood a brand-new plaque with three bold characters: Jishi Hall. ¡°Do you know? My favorite thing is little animals.¡± ¡°Woof! Woof! Woof!¡± ¡°Why do I like them? Well, it¡¯s a must-have at every meal.¡± At this moment, a pretty, plump maid yawned while carrying a wooden basin, followed closely by a small black dog. On the other side, An Jing, carrying a box of pastries and three sticks of candied haws, strolled leisurely to the entrance of Jishi Hall and entered through the curtains. ¡°Three jin of madder costs 300 copper coins.¡± ¡°One jin of jacaranda costs 150 copper coins.¡± ¡­.. Yu Qiurong was busy with her abacus, taking notes with a brush on the medicinal herbs purchased. Hearing footsteps, she looked up to see An Jing returning and hurriedly greeted him, ¡°Son-in-law, you¡¯re back.¡± An Jing put down the pastries and handed the candied haws to Yu Qiurong, asking, ¡°Where is the wife?¡± Yu Qiurong smiled and replied, ¡°The wife is in the back preparing tonight¡¯s dinner.¡± Hearing this, An Jing¡¯s heart softened, and he walked slowly toward the kitchen. In the back yard, smoke rose from the kitchen, where a figure bustled about. The woman wore a jeweled hairpin, with a purple ribbon trailing down to her waist, and her forehead adorned with an exquisite flower-shaped hairpin, making her look especially beautiful. Her peach blossom eyes sparkled with liveliness, and she wore a light purple palace dress. At that moment, her pale hands were busy preparing delicious dishes, her expression filled with focus and sincerity. Throughout one¡¯s life, having someone like her by one¡¯s side is more than enough. The happiest thing in life is loving the person you care for, and having her give her all in loving you back. And what does it mean to be in love? As An Jing once put it, it¡¯s quite simple: At the sight of her, I smile. At my sight, she smiles. Walking up to Zhao Qingmei, An Jing said with a slight smile, ¡°Madam.¡± With her head bowed, Zhao Qingmei replied without looking up, ¡°What is it?¡± Grasping her hands, An Jing asked, ¡°Do you know what day today is?¡± Looking up, Zhao Qingmei¡¯s beautiful eyes met An Jing¡¯s as she said, ¡°Today marks four years since we were married. Of course, I haven¡¯t forgotten.¡± Madam still remembers¡­ Lost in thought, An Jing reminisced about the day filled with the sound of firecrackers and beating drums, red candles, red yarn, and the stunning woman before him. Memory is like an engraver, boldly capturing all the happy moments. He recalled the wedding toast they shared, the meals they had together, sitting under the eaves watching the moonlight, boating on the lake, and the nights spent drinking and chatting¡­ All these memories were deeply etched in his mind, never fading. ¡°In the blink of an eye, four years have passed. Time really does fly.¡± Zhao Qingmei, watching An Jing daydream, then asked, ¡°Husband, what¡¯s on your mind?¡± An Jing mused, ¡°I¡¯m just thinking about the past. Some of it was absurd, some hard to believe.¡± With a playful glare, Zhao Qingmei teased, ¡°Indeed, who would have thought that the modest doctor from Jishi Hall was the invincible Great Sword Immortal?¡± An Jing couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Nor could I have imagined that my wife was the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect.¡± Read latest Chapters at WuxiaWorld.Site Only The two locked eyes and then, unexpectedly, both burst into laughter. Looking back suddenly, time passes each person in the same manner, yet everyone experiences it differently. As it turns out, the deeply yearned-for stars and sea have always been right here. Pause for a moment, and listen, as each breath of time holds its own sound. ¡­ (The end of the book)